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This Purana has 6
Chapters (6 Parts) as follows:
Part 1:
Describes the creation of the universe, birth of the gods and the
demons, Pralaya, churning of the sea, tales of the devotee Dhruva;
killing of Hiranyakashipu etc.
Part 2: Contains the description of Priyavrata’s sons and Bharat
dynasty. It also has a geographical description of Jambu dweep, Bharat
varsh, Shatdweep, Patal (the hades), the sun and the planets, chariot of
the sun, origin of the Ganges etc.
Part 3: Contains a detailed description of Manavantaras, Kalpa,
Veda Vyasa, religion and the caste system etc. It also has a description
of the origin of Buddhism.
Part 4: Origin of Brahmanand Daksha etc. Birth of Pururava,
marriage of Balarama with Revati. Birth of Ikshavaku. Kukutstha dynasty.
Tale of Yuvanashva and Saubhari. Sarpvinasha mantra. A Narayana dynasty,
Birth of Sagar. Ashwamedha by Sagar. Descendence of the Ganges through
the penance of Bhagirath. Birth of Lord Rama. Yagya of Vishwamitra,
birth of Sita, tales of Chandra dynasty. Abduction of Tara, Origin of
Agnitrayo, birth of Dhanvantri and his clan. Wars with the demons, clan
of Nahush, tale of Yayati, Yadu dynasty. Birth of Kartveerya Arjun.
Tales of Krishna’s birth, marriage of Krishna with Jambvanti and
Satyabhama. Salvation of Shishupaal. Over population of Yaduvanshis.
Birth of Karna and his find him by Adhirath. Janamejaya dynasty and
origin of Bharat. Clans of Jahnu and Pandu. Clan of Parikshit and royal
dynasties of the future. Future generation of Ikshvaku dynasty. Future
generation of Brihad dynasty. Future generations of Pradyot dynasty.
Kingdom of Nand. Advent of Kali Yuga and description of royal dynasties
of Kali Yuga.
Part 5: Marriage of Vasudev and Devaki. Incarnation of Lord
Vishnu to kill Kansa. Arrival of Yagmaya in Yashoda womb and of the Lord
in Devaki’s womb. Birth of Lord Krishna, carrying of Krishna to Gokul,
Dialogue of Mahamaya with Kansa, acquiring of defensive stance by Kansa.
Releasing of Vasudeva and Devaki. Killing of Putana. Killing of Shakat.
Naming of Krishna and Balarama. Humiliation of Kaliya. Killing of
Dhenukasura, killing of Pralamb, description of festival devoted to
Indra, worshipping of Govardhana, arrival of Indra, killing of
Arishtakasura. Arrival of Narad in Kansa’s court. Killing of Keshi,
Arrival of Akrur in Vrindavana. Arrival of Lord Krishna in Mathura. Lord
Krishna’s mercy on Kubja. Arrival of Lord Krishna in amphi-theatre and
killing of Kansa.
Coronation of Ugrasena, bringing of Sudharma in Mathura, defeat of
Jarasandha, birth of Kalayavan, killing of Kalayavan. Vrindavan tour by
Balarama, getting of Varuni by Balarama. Abduction of Rukmani, abduction
of Pradyumna, getting of Pradyumna by Mayavati, killing of Shambar by
Pradyumna, killing of Rukmi by Balarama, getting of sixteen thousand
queens by Lord Krishna. Abduction of Parijat. Fight with Indra. Begging
for pardon by Indra. Migration to Dwarka, bow battle. Telling of dream
by Usha, abduction of Aniruddha, fight with Lord Shiva, amputation of
Bana by Lord Krishna, killing of Kashiraj Paundraka. Putting of Varanasi
on flames. Abduction of Lakshmana. Presentation of Samb before the sages
as an expecting mother. Origin of pestle. Destruction of Yadu vansha.
Ascendence of Lord Krishna to heaven, beginning of Kali Yuga, preaching
of Arjun by Vyasa. Coronation of Parikshit.
Part 6: Description of religion in Kali Yuga. Description of the
importance of Kali Yuga, Shudra and women folk by Vyasa. Description of
Kalpa. Description of a day of Brahma. Position of Brahma in Pralaya.
Natural disasters. Different kinds of sorrows. Torturing in hell.
Awakening of Brahma, Preaching of Yoga. Tale of Keshidhwaja. Killing of
the religion and the cow. Holding of counsel by Khandikya. Self
knoweldge. Ridicules of body-spiritualism. Querries of Yoga. Brahmagyana
(Vedas). Concepts of tangible-intangible appearances of God. Salvation
of Khandikya and Keshidhwaja. Excellence of Vishnu Purana. Virtues of
Lord Vishnu’s names. Results of hearing Lord’s name.
This chapter
contains 16 sections.
NAARAAYANAM NAMASKRUTAM NARAM CHAIV NAROTTAMAM |
DEVEEM SARASWATEEM VYAASAM TATO JAYMUDEERYET ||
Sage Parashar, the exponent of
Vishnu Puraan had narrated this grand treatise to Maitreya. Sage Suta
inherited it from Maitreya. The text presented here is a narration by
Suta.
Suta says- One day, Maitreya greeted sage Parashar and said- "Gurudev,
you have studied all the scriptures. I wish to hear the tale of
universe’s origin from you. How will be the ages that are about to come?
What is the reason for this whole creation? Who created it? Where did it
exist? Whom did it mingle with? And with whom it will annihilate
eventually? Apart from these, I also wish to hear about the expansion of
fathomless sky, origin of ocean and mountains, origin of earth,
expansion of the Sun, division of time in four ages, Pralay, religion,
sages, kings, creation of Vedas by Vedavyasa, origin of four classes in
our society and system of four Ashrams in one’s life."
Parashar says: "Maitreya, you have reminded me today of the description
once made by my grandfather Vashishta. When I learnt that the monster,
which was created by Vishwamitra, had devoured my father, I grew quite
angry and started a Yagya to destroy all the monsters. The Yagya
destroyed such a large number of monsters that the whole race began to
face the fear of extinction. My grandfather consoled me that too much
anger was not good and that all the monsters could not be blamed for my
father’s death. According to my grandfather my father was sure to face
such a fate ultimately. Only the fools get angry. A human being bears
the fruit of his deeds himself. O son! Anger destroys all the virtues of
penance. Hence, ascetics always shun anger. Hence, stop this Yagya for
forgiving has always been the virtue of ascetics."
Thus, convinced by my grandfather, I stopped the Yagya. At the same
time, Brahma’s son, Pulastya, arrived there and said- "Despite your
anger, you forgave the monsters when convinced by your grandfather
Vashishta. You will learn all the scriptures and give commentaries on
Puraans. You will also learn the real appearance of the gods". Vashishta
also endorsed these words of Pulastya.
"O Maitreya! Now I narrate to you, the whole contents of Puraan. This
whole universe has originated from Lord Vishnu. It is existing within
Him and will annihilate in Him eventually."
Parashar says: "The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh is also known
as the creator, the preserver and the destroyer. All of them salve the
devotees. All of them have equal importance. Still, preserver who
fosters and protects all the living beings is far more significant. I
salute to Him and narrate the tale that was once narrated by Brahma to
all the Dakshas. Dakshas had narrated this tale to the King Purukutsa at
the bank of the river Narmada. In turn, Purukutsa narrated this tale to
Saraswat who narrated it to me."
"O Brahmin! Lord is eternal and endless. Hence, origin of universe, its
existence and annihilation are also unending processes. During the
period of Pralay, the nature exists in a state of equilibrium. It is
during this period that Purush (masculine forces of creation) separates
from Prakriti (feminine forces of creation) and Kaalroop of Vishnu
(eternal, unending form of the Lord) is manifested. Lord Vishnu is
beyond all the bonding of life like birth, growth, intelligence, senses,
decay and death. Purush is the first appearance of Lord Vishnu. Prakriti
is the manifestation of His action while Kaalroop is His supreme
appearance."
During the Pralay, there was neither day nor night, neither earth nor
sky and neither darkness nor light. At the subsidence of Pralay, with
His desire, the Lord entered the Purush who is beyond all bonding. His
entry stimulated the process of creation. First of all, a single great
element originated encompassing all the other lesser elements. From this
great element originated three egos- Sattvic, Rajas and Taamas. Taamas
created sky with sound as the main virtue. The sky then created the
sense of touch. Touch produced air. Hence, touch is the main feature of
air; no one can see air but only have an experience of it through touch.
Air created Roop, which gave birth to fire with Roop as its main virtue.
Fire gave birth to taste. Taste produced water with taste as its main
property. From water originated scent, which produced earth with scent
as the main feature. These senses have no special expression.
The ego Rajas produced ten sense organs whereas the ruling deities of
these organs were produced by Sattvic ego. Thus, the ten deities who
rule ten sense organs and the eleventh entity mind are Sattvic in
nature. Skin, eyes, ears, nose and tongue- these five organs aid the
mind in its function. O Maitreya! Anus, sex organs, hands, legs and
speech organs are the five organs that help in action. Works like
excretion, reproduction, movement and speech are carried out with the
help of these five organs. All the five elements like sky, air, fire,
water and earth are full of emotions. Hence, they are also known to have
a special significance.
All these elements have different and distinct powers. Without their
combination, creation of the universe was impossible. In the beginning,
all these elements were present in the great ball or egg, which came
into existence because of the inspiration of the Lord. As this ball
increased in size, it formed the base as Prakriti in which, Lord Vishnu
Himself entered as Hiranyagarbh.
When the universe comes into existence, Lord Vishnu fosters it till the
end of Kalpa. At the end of Kalpa, Lord Vishnu Himself devours the
entire physical elements in Rudra appearance. During that time, He
inundates the entire universe and Himself sleeps on Shesha in
Ksheersagar. When he awakes once again, He begins the process of
creation in the appearance of Brahma.
At the end of the previous Kalpa,
when Brahma awakened from his long slumber, he saw all the worlds devoid
of everything. With a desire to salve the earth from the depth of
unfathomable inundation, He took the appearance of Varaha. Entering the
water, He reached Paataaloka. Seeing Him, the earth prayed Him with
respect. Hearing her prayers, the Lord roared with frightening sound.
Then, He supported the earth on His great incisors and came out from the
abysmal depth. When He was rising, His breath produced big sprays of
water, which drenched sinless sages while the force of His breath
frightened common creatures. When the Lord emerged from the water, all
the sages prayed Him with reverence and respect.
Very soon, the Lord installed the earth at a position far above the
unending stretches of water. Then, Lord carved out the topographical
features on earth and divided it into many divisions and created all the
four worlds. Then Lord Vishnu in the guise of Brahma carried out the
process of creation.
As soon as Brahma thought of creation, Tamoguni (full of darkness)
creatures were the first to appear. Absence of knowledge and presence of
evils like attachment, anger etc. were the main virtues of these
creatures. These creatures include lower organisms, trees, shrubs,
creepers, plants and grasses. These together constitute the primitive
world. Their creation was followed by the appearance of animals and
birds, which are devoid of wisdom and are full of ego. They are also
unaware of the nature of another organism of their status.
Still unsatisfied with His creation, Lord created the next world, which
has a somewhat elevated position. The living beings that were produced
in this world had internal and external knowledge, power of reflection
and loved physical comforts. Though this creation pleased the Lord, He
was still unsatisfied. So He created the next world, which was situated
at a somewhat lower position. This new world had excess of all the three
virtues. Human beings populate this world and because of excess of
vices, they are full of sorrow but at the same time, highly active, have
internal and external knowledge and are able to attain their goals.
The first few creations had resulted from the thoughts of the Lord. For
the creation of the gods, the demons, Pitraganas, human beings and
water, the Lord decided to use His body. Thus, the demons were the first
to emerge from His thighs. The Lord then shed His dark body, which
formed the night. Then from His mouth, the Lord produced the gods who
had Sattvic virtues. The Lord then shed His Sattvic body as well from
which the day came into being. It is also the reason why the gods
acquire more strength in day and the demons are stronger during nights.
Then the Lord acquired yet another body and behaved like Pitraganas to
produce Pitraganas before shedding that body too, which gave rise to the
dusk- the twilight between the day and the night. Thereafter, the Lord
acquired a new body with Rajas virtue from which the human beings were
produced. When the Lord shed that Rajas body it formed dawn- the
twilight between the night and the day. It also explains why the human
beings are stronger at dawn and Pitraganas at dusk.
Then the Lord assumed yet another body with Rajas virtues and produced
desire from it. The desire gave birth to lust. Staying in the darkness
then, the Lord created the world, which is full of desire and lust. In
that world, many ugly looking human beings, who had long beard and
moustache appeared and ran towards Him. Among those who said, ‘Protect
him’ came to be known as Raakshas (demons) and those who said, ‘We will
eat him’ came to be known as Yakshas. Then the angry Lord produced
aggressive carnivores. Thereafter, the singing Lord produced Gandharvas.
Thus, by turns, the Lord produced birds, sheep, goat, cow, horse,
elephant, donkey, deer, camel, pony from His age, chest, mouth, belly
and feet respectively. From the innumerable body hair of the Lord,
fruits, flowers and herbs were produced. From His east-facing head, Lord
produced Gayatri mantra, Rigveda, and Yagyas. From His south-facing
head, He produced Yajurveda. From west-facing head, He produced Samaveda
and from His north-facing head, He produced Atharvaveda.
With the desire of creating the
world, Brahma produced different kinds of human beings from his
different organs. Thus, from his mouth, Brahmins appeared. Kshatriyas
appeared from his chest, Vaishyas from his thighs and from his feet,
Shudras appeared. Thus, physical body is the greatest means for human
beings in order to achieve his goals. With time, the human beings lost
their divine virtues and perfections. Jealousy, sorrow, decay and
infighting began to rise among the people. In order to earn their
livelihood and run their life peacefully, the human beings developed
agriculture and other handicrafts.
"O sage! Paddy, barley, wheat, lesser cereals, sesame, millet, rice,
peas, pulses, beans, rye, gram and hemp are common agricultural produce
that have edible as well as medicinal values in the villages. These and
other produce are also used as oblations in the Yagyas because all of
them have produced as a result of Yagyas. Performing Yagyas daily is the
most virtuous exercise that every human being should undertake. This
destroys the sins committed by common people."
At one point, the process of
creation got saturated and no increase took place in the number of
living beings. Then, with a desire of continuing the creation, Lord
created nine sages from His thought. Then he produced nine daughters and
handed them over as the wives to those nine sages.
When initially produced sons of Brahma took to asceticism, He got very
much infuriated. His anger was enough to burn all the three worlds. From
this anger, Rudra originated who was shining like the Sun. Rudra had
appeared in half-masculine and half-feminine form. Immediately after His
appearance, Rudra separated His body into eleven male parts and eleven
female parts.
Then Swayambhu Manu appeared from the body of Brahma. He agreed to
follow Brahma’s dictate of continuing creation. He got a woman Shatrupa
who had also appeared along with him. Together they begot two sons,
Priyavrata and Utaanpaad and two daughters, Prasooti and Aakooti. These
two daughters were married to Daksha and Prajapati respectively.
Prajapati and Aakooti gave birth to twins, Yagya and Dakshina. Yagya and
Dakshina got married and produced twelve sons who later on came to be
known as Yaam, the gods.
Daksha and Prasooti produced twenty-four daughters, thirteen of which
were married to Dharma. The remaining eleven daughters were married to
Bhrigu, Shiva, Marichi, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Atri,
Vashishta, Agni and Pitars.
From his thirteen wives, Dharma produced Kama, Darpa, Niyam, Santosh,
Lobha, Shrut, Dand, Naya, Vinay, Bodh, Vyavasaay, Kshema, Sukh and Yash.
Kama got married to Rati and produced Harsh. Darpa married Hinsa and
produced a son Anrit and a daughter Nikriti. Anrit and Nikriti got
married and produced Bhaya and Narak and their wives Maya and Vedana.
Maya produced Mrityu, the destroyer of all the creatures in the world.
Vedana produced a son, Dukh. Mrityu produced Vyadhi, Jara, Shok, Trishna
and Krodh. These are all the fierce appearances of Lord Vishnu and cause
Pralay.
The omnipresent eternal God creates this world in the form of Manus,
protects it and ultimately destroys it. There are four kinds of Pralay-
Naimittik, Prakritik, Aatyantik and Nitya. Among them, Naimittik is
Brahma Pralay during which God takes a nap. During Prakritik Pralay, the
universe annihilates in nature. Annihilation of Yogi in the Supreme
Being is Aatyantik Pralay and a decay of physical elements that
continues day and night is Nitya Pralay.
In the beginning of Kalpa when
Brahma was thinking about a son, who would be like him in virtues, a boy
with reddish-blue body appeared in his lap. Brahma addressed the boy
with names like Rudra, Bhava, Shiv, Ibhaan, Pashupati, Bheema, Ugra and
Mahadev. Brahma also fixed Surya, water, earth, air, fire, sky, Dikshit
(graduate scholar) Brahmin and the Moon His abode. Since then, all these
things idolise Shiv. These eleven idols of Shiv have wives like
Suvarchala, Usha, Vikeshi, Apara, Shiva, Swaha, Disha and Rohini.
Shanaishchar, Shukra, Lohitaang, Manojav, Skand, Sarg, Santaan and Buddh
are the sons of these idols respectively. Rudra Himself got Sati, the
daughter of Daksha Prajapati as His wife. Sati had committed
self-immolation because of the disrespect that her father had shown for
her husband. In her next birth, she had appeared as Parvati, the
daughter of Himalaya and Maina. Parvati too got married to Shiv. Khyaati
got married to Bhrigu and gave birth to two sons Dhata and Vidhaata and
a daughter Lakshmi. Lakshmi then married Lord Vishnu.
Maitreya says - "O sage! It is heard that Lakshmi was produced from
Ksheersagar during the churning of the sea but you say that Lakshmi was
the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati. How is it possible?"
Parashar says- "O great Brahmin! Lakshmi who never separates from the
Lord is Herself eternal like Him. But still, as you have expressed your
doubt, I will narrate you the real story."
The famous short-tempered sage Durvaasa is a partial incarnation of
Shankar. One day, he was wandering on the earth when all of a sudden, he
happened to see an extremely divine beauty. She was wearing a garland of
beautiful flowers. The sage requested the beauty to give him that
garland. She presented the garland respectfully to the sage. The sage
adorned the garland on his head and began to wander again. Right at that
moment, he saw Indra riding on Airaavat and going somewhere in the
procession of the gods. Instinctively, sage Durvaasa put that garland
around the neck of Indra but Indra removed it and put it on Airaavat’s
head. Airaavat pulled the garland with his trunk and smashed it on the
ground. This whole sequence of events infuriated Durvaasa who cursed
Indra. "O Indra! You are so inebriated with your luxuries that you dared
to insult my humble gift. Hence, all your splendour shall be destroyed.
You will lose all your wealth."
Indra at once descended from the elephant and began to request sage
Durvaasa. Durvaasa said- "Indra! Forgiveness has no place in my
personality. So, all your repenting is meaningless." Saying this, sage
Durvaasa departed from the scene and Indra to left for Amravati.
Very soon, the curse began to show its influence. With the loss of
Indra’s luxuries, all the verdancy on the earth too began to wane.
Hermits too began to give up Yagyas. All the human beings began to be
guided by greed and gave up pious virtues. And at a place where pious
virtues have no room, Lakshmi too doesn’t stay there.
She made her abode in the abysmal depth of the sea. Very soon, the
demons launched an attack on the gods and drove them out of heaven.
Indra along with other gods approached Brahma and told him the whole
thing. Brahma suggested them to take refuge at Lord Vishnu. He assured
them also that Lord Vishnu would definitely protect them. Brahma even
accompanied the gods to Lord Vishnu. There, they together prayed Lord
Vishnu and intimated Him about their ordeal.
Pleased by their prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and said- "I
will definitely help you regain your splendour. Presently, do what I
say. You reconcile with the demons and convince them to carry out the
churning of the sea. Then bring all kinds of herbs and put them in the
sea. With the help of the demons and using Mandaraachal as churner and
Vaasuki, the Naag as the rope to carry out the churning of the sea.
Thus, you will recover ambrosia drinking which, all of you will become
immortal and regain your strength."
Following the advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods reconciled with the demons
and convinced them to carry out the churning of the sea. They together
procured all kinds of herbs and put them in the sea. Then they began the
churning using Mandaraachal Mountain. As soon as the churning began,
Mandaraachal began to sink. Lord Vishnu took incarnation of Kachchhap
(the great tortoise) and bore the weight of the mighty mountain on His
back. During the churning, Kamadhenu, the wishful cow was the first to
emerge. It was presented to the sages as an aid for their Yagyas. It was
followed by the damsel, Vaaruni, Kalpavriksha (the wishful tree) after
which, beautiful elves appeared. The Moon followed the elves and was
taken up by Shiva on His forehead. During the churning, huge quantity of
poison had also emerged. It was drunk by Lord Shiva and some parts of it
were taken up by the serpents. In the end, Dhanvantari himself emerged
from the sea carrying the urn of ambrosia.
It was during the churning itself that Lakshmi appeared once again from
the sea holding lotuses in her hands. All the sages prayed her. Then
taking bath with divine water, goddess Lakshmi took her seat in the
heart of Lord Vishnu.
When the demons saw that Lakshmi had chosen Lord Vishnu’s heart as her
abode, they got perplexed. They at once snatched the urn from
Dhanvantari and ran away. Then a row broke out among them over the
drinking of ambrosia. Each of the demons wanted to drink ambrosia in
maximum quantity. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu also arrived there in the guise
of an extremely pretty woman Mohini and took possession of the urn.
Mohini had pleased the demons with her sweet smile while distributing
ambrosia among the gods.
Thus, the gods came to drink ambrosia. When at last, the demons realised
that they had been cheated they immediately attacked the gods. But since
the gods had regained their strength, they soon defeated the demons
without much ado. Afterwards, the gods prayed Lord Vishnu and returned
to heaven to rule it. The world also regained its verdancy. After
regaining his splendour, comforts and luxuries of the heaven, Indra
prayed goddess Lakshmi with devotion and respect.
Pleased by the prayers of Indra, Lakshmi asked him to seek a boon. Indra
said- "O goddess! If you are pleased with me, kindly bless me with a
boon that first you will never desert this world and also that you will
never desert those who worship you with this prayer." Lakshmi granted
these boons.
Thus, Lakshmi had appeared as the daughter of Bhrigu and his wife
Khyaati. Then second time, she emerged from beneath the sea during its
churning. Thus, whenever Lord Vishnu takes an incarnation, Lakshmi
accompanies Him. When God appears in divine form, she too takes a divine
appearance. When God appears in human form, Lakshmi appears in human
form also.
Swayambhu Manu had
two sons- Priyavrata and Utaanpaad. Utaanpaad had two wives- Suruchi and
Suniti. Suruchi had a son- Uttam while Suniti had also a son- Dhruv.
King Utaanpaad loved Suruchi more than he loved Suniti.
One day the king was sitting on the throne. Prince Uttam was playing in
his lap. Meanwhile Dhruv also arrived there and insisted to play in the
lap of his father. At his insistence, queen Suruchi ridiculed that as he
was not born to her he had no right to the king’s love, … "so your
insistence is useless. Though you are also a son of this king but this
throne belongs to my son. Don’t you know that you have been born to
Suniti."
Getting angry over his stepmother’s ridicules, Dhruv went to his mother.
Suniti consoled her son and enquired about the reason for his anger.
Dhruv narrated the whole thing to his mother. Suniti too got perplexed
and said: "O son! Suniti speaks the truth but you don’t worry for no one
can do away the virtues of your deeds that you performed in your
previous birth. Hence you should not feel sorry over such petty things.
If you feel really sorry by the words of your stepmother why don’t you
try to gather virtues? Why don’t you try to be a gentle and altruistic
person?"
Thus consoled by mother Dhruv said- "Mother! Since now onwards, I will
do every such thing so that I may attain the most respected position in
the world. I am no longer desirous of getting a position granted by
others. I will achieve the same position as my father has." Saying this
Dhruv left the palace and the town and reached a dense forest.
Seven Munishwars (mendicants) were already present in the forest. Dhruv
greeted them all and said very politely- "O great sages! I am the prince
Dhruv. King Utaanpaad is my father and his younger queen Suniti is my
mother. I have arrived here out of desperation." The sages said- "O
prince! You are just a small boy. You have no reason to be worried
because your father is still alive and neither you have any disease.
What then caused you such a severe desperation?"
Dhruv narrated the whole events and also that how his stepmother Suruchi
ridiculed about his inferior position in the palace. The sages said- "O
prince! Kindly tell us whatever you have decided to do to change your
destiny and also tell us if we can help you in any way."
Dhruv said-"O sages! I neither long for wealth or for the kingdom. I
simply long to enjoy such a position that nobody have ever enjoyed
earlier. Kindly help me and guide me what I should do to attain such a
position."
Marichi said-"O prince! Nobody can attain such an unparalleled position
without the worship of Govind (an epithet of Lord Vishnu), so you also
worship that eternal Supreme Being." Atri said- "He who is far above the
tangible can only satisfy Him and bring you that supreme position."
Angira said-"Go and worship Govind who holds the entire universe within
Him."
Pulastya said-"Even the wretched people attain the rare salvation
worshipping Hari."
Pulaha said-"Go and worship that Vishnu worshipping whom even Indra
attained the position of the gods’ king."
Kratu said- "Go and worship Janardana who is supreme, who is deity of
the Yagyas and Yagya Himself."
Vashishta said-"O son! You will attain whatever you wish by worshipping
Lord Vishnu."
Dhruv said - "O sages! At my prayers all of you told me about whom I
should worship. Now kindly tell me what should I do to please the Lord."
The sages said- "It is imperative for a person, who wishes to worship
Lord Vishnu that first of all, he should expel all other menial thoughts
from his mind and replace them with the contemplation Lord alone. O
prince! Thus concentrate on that omnipotent eternal Lord with the mantra
- ‘OM NAMO BHAGWATE VAASUDEVAAY’ . Your grandfather Swayambhu
Manu had himself recited this mantra during the previous age and had
received the perfection of his desire from the Lord. So you too go and
recite the same mantra in order to please Lord Vishnu."
The prince Dhruv greeted the
sages and continued on his journey. At last, he reached a beautiful
forest Madhuvan on the bank of the river Yamuna. It was the same forest,
which was later occupied by a demon Madhu. Shatrughana, the youngest
brother of Lord Rama had killed the demon Lavan, the son of Madhu in the
same forest and founded the township of Mathura. In the same forest,
prince Dhruv decided to carry out his penance. As per the dictate of the
sages, he began to recite the mantra continuously.
Very soon, the earth began to move because of Dhruv’s severe penance.
Even the seat of Indra could not remain stable. A stampede resulted
among the gods. The gods then hatched a conspiracy to disturb the
penance.
According to the plan an illusionary image of Suniti, Dhruv’s mother
appeared before him and pleaded - "O son! Please stop this severe
penance that is bound to decay your body. I got you after great desires
and worship. It is not proper for you to take your stepmother’s words so
seriously and desert your real mother. You are my only support. You are
only four or five years old. Presently you should pay more attention to
your plays and studies. Why are you observing such a severe penance
then? O son! If you don’t give up your penance right now I will give my
life." But Dhruv was so much sunk in the contemplation of Lord Vishnu
that he did not hear the wailing of his mother."
His mother then said- "Run, O son! Run away to save your life. Look!
Formidable demons are approaching. They are carrying lethal weapons."
Suddenly that illusionary image blew out intense fire from her mouth.
That fire took appearance of many dreadful monsters, who were shouting
loudly like ‘kill him’, ‘eat him’. Those monsters bore the heads of
lion, camel, crocodile etc. and appeared extremely formidable. The
monsters were roaring loudly.
But Dhruv’s mind was deeply in contemplation. He neither saw the
monsters or heard the noises made by them. Thus, seeing their all
attempts failed. The gods decided to take refuge at Lord Vishnu. There
they said- "O Lord! We have come to you perplexed by the severe penance
of Dhruv the son of Utaanpaad. His penance is increasing like a waxing
Moon. We are not sure if he desires for the position of Indra, Surya,
Kuber, Varun or any other deity. But kindly remove our fears."
Assuring the gods, the Lord said- "That boy has no desire for attaining
the position of any deity. But I will definitely grant him whatever he
desires. But all of you need not worry." The gods greeted the Lord and
returned.
Ultimately pleased by the severe penance of Dhruv, Lord Vishnu appeared
before him in his formal four-armed form and said- "Dhruv! May it all be
well for you. I am very much pleased with you." Hearing these words
Dhruv opened his eyes and to his amazement found Lord Vishnu standing
before him. For a moment he did not believe his eyes. Standing before
him was the same Lord Vishnu whom he used to see in contemplation. For a
moment, Dhruv forgot how to pray God. He then took refuge of God and
said- "O Lord! If you are pleased with me, kindly bless me with power to
pray you. My mind is exhilarated with devotion for you. It wishes to
pray you." Hearing these words the Lord touched Dhruv with His conch and
as soon as it happened, an unbinding stream of devotional prayer sprang
from Dhruv’s mouth.
At the completion of the prayer Lord Vishnu said- "O son! Your penance
succeeds with my sight but my presenting a sight should also not go
waste. So seek a boon of your desire." Dhruv said- "O Lord! Nothing is
hidden from your divine sight. I started this severe penance out of
desperation caused by the harsh words of my stepmother. She had
ridiculed my insistence of playing in my father’s lap saying that as I
was not born to her, I had no right to the king’s love. Hence, O Lord! I
wish to attain such a position that could be the base of the entire
universe."
Lord said- "O son! You were born in a Brahmin family in your previous
birth. Then you had pleased me by your abidance to the religion. You
were also a friend of a prince and wished to enjoy the same royal
luxuries that your friend was enjoying. You had in fact wished to be a
prince. Hence O son! You are born as a prince in this birth. It is rare
to get a place in the lineage of Swayambhu Manu. But this honour has no
value for a devotee like you. O son! I will definitely accord you the
position that is excellent among all the three worlds. In future you
will be the base of all the planets and all the constellations. I grant
you a fixed position that is far above the Sun, the Moon, the planets,
constellations, Saptarishis and all the gods who fly about in divine
aircraft. Besides it, you will stay there for a complete Kalpa whereas
even the gods do not stay in their position more than a single
Manvantara. Your mother Suniti too will come to stay with you as a
bright star for the same period of time. There she will stay on an
aircraft. People will see you with faith for you will show them the
right direction."
Thus receiving a boon from Lord Vishnu, Dhruv occupied a fixed position
in the northern sky. Even the sage like Shukracharya praises Dhruv that
how fortunate he is.... that even Saptarishis go around him? That
pivotal position of Dhruv would continue even in the ages to come.
Parashar says- " With the help of
Dhruv, his wife gave birth to two sons- Sishti and Bhavya. Sishti had
five sons- Ripu, Ripunjay, Vipra, Vikal and Vrikteja. Ripu had a
brilliant son Chaakshush. Chaakshush had a son Manu. Manu had sons-
Puru, Kuru, Shatadyumna, Tapasvi, Satyavaan, Suchi, Agnishtome,
Atiraatra, Sudyumna and Abhimanyu. Kuru had sons- Anga, Suman, Khyaati,
Kratu, Angira and Shivi. Anga had a son named Ven. The sages had churned
the right hand of Ven to produce a son named Vainya. He later on became
renowned as Prithu. He had even milked the earth for the benefit of his
subjects."
Maitreya says- "Why did the sages churn Ven’s hand? What was their
purpose of getting Prithu?"
Parashar says- "Mrityu had his first child as a daughter named Sunitha
who was married to Anga. Sunitha had given birth to Ven. Ven had all the
faults of his maternal grandfather Mrityu and hence was devil-like in
nature." At the time of his coronation, Ven had declared- "I am the God
and the Yagyapurush. Hence, in future, no one shall perform Yagyas and
donate Dakshina." The sages praised him and said- "O king! We speak
about the benefit of you and your subjects. Through grand Yagyas, we
shall worship omnipotent Lord Hari. Thus pleased, he will grant all your
desires. O king! In the kingdom of which kings, Lord Hari is worshipped
as the presiding deity of Yagyas, He fulfils all their desires."
Ven said- "Who is greater than me and even venerable, whom you regard as
the presiding deity of the Yagyas? All the deities like Brahma; Vishnu,
Mahesh, Indra, Vayu etc. are present in the body of the king. Hence, the
king has all the virtues of these deities. Therefore, do what I say.
Such as a woman’s duty is to serve her husband, similarly it is your
duty of all of you to obey my dictate."
The sages tried to convince Ven repeatedly but in vain. At last, when he
did not agree to their proposal, the sages killed him. Immediately after
killing the king, the sages saw the clouds of dust rising all around. It
was revealed to them upon enquiry that the subjects of a king-less
kingdom have resorted to plundering and looting each other and it was
because of that stampede that clouds of dust were rising.
The sages then churned the thighs of issue-less king and produced an
ugly black man. He was feeling excited and asked the sages what he
should do? The sages asked him to Nishid (sit down); hence he came to be
known as Nishaad. His progeny came to be known as Nishaadgana.
Appearance of Nishaad did away with all the sins of Ven. The sages then
churned Ven’s right hand and produced prowessive Prithu whose body was
radiating like fire. As soon as he appeared, bow and arrow and shield of
Lord Shiva descended from heaven and all the subjects felt extreme joy.
With the birth of such a pious son, Ven attained a position in the
heaven.
For the coronation of Prithu, Brahma himself had appeared there with the
water from all the rivers and oceans, all kinds of gems and along with
all the deities. Presence of chakra in right hand of Prithu pleased
Brahma. This chakra of Lord Vishnu is present in the hands of extremely
dominating kings. Such a king remains unaffected even by the gods.
Thus occupying the royal throne, King Prithu was a boon for his
subjects. He was so religious that the seas and mountains paved way for
him. His flag always remained fresh and new. Even there was no need to
sow the seeds; the earth herself provided all the cereals. Cows gave
milk spontaneously and every leaf of all the trees in the kingdom was
full of honey.
Immediately after his appearance, King Prithu organised a grand Yagya.
At the time of Somabhishek (bathing with grape-wine) during the Yagya, a
man and a woman appeared from the earth. The sages advised them to pray
King Prithu. With folded hands they asked that the king had arrived
moments before them. His reputation had not spread far and wide. Why
should then they pray such a king? The sage said that they should pray
the king for the great achievements he would attain in future. King
Prithu thought that it was because of merits that a man becomes
praiseworthy. ‘Hence I will do exactly the same things that this couple
would recite during the prayers’ thought the king. Thus during the later
course, king Prithu planted those virtues firmly in his conscience and
ruled the earth. During his rule, he performed many great Yagyas.
During the anarchy of his father’s regime, all the vegetation had been
destroyed from all over the earth. There was nothing for the subjects to
satisfy their hunger with. So, they approached him and said- "O great
king! Due to the anarchy of your father’s regime, the earth had
annihilated all the cereals within her. Your subjects have no choice but
to starve. Kindly protect us from this condition."
Pitiable condition of the subjects infuriated king Prithu. Taking the
divine weapons of Lord Shiva, he ran after the earth. In guise of the
cow, the earth ran in all the three worlds but wherever she went she
found Prithu still chasing her. Thus shivering with fear, she ultimately
appeared before him and said- "O king! Don’t you see the sin in killing
a helpless woman." Prithu said- "If killing a wretched person benefits
scores of other people, there is no sin doing so." The earth said- "You
want to kill me in the interest of your subjects but think what will be
the base of the subject then?" Prithu said- "You need not worry about
that. I will myself support my subjects." These words frightened the
earth. She greeted the king and said- "O king! All the tasks started
with a distinct purpose reach their completion successfully, so I am
telling you a way out of the present condition. Do then, as you desire.
I can give out all the herbs and cereals that I have annihilated in the
form of milk. So, for the benefit of the subjects, kindly produce such a
calf for which I can give milk spontaneously with motherly feelings. You
then provide me with a plain surface everywhere so that I can produce
milk that is the seed of all the cereals and herbs."
King Prithu then uprooted many great mountains with his bow and arrow
and stowed them at a single place. Before that there was no distinct
demarcation of village, towns, cities etc. because of the plain surface
of the earth and there was no distinct sequence of cereals, cows,
agriculture and trade. All this systems started from the time of Prithu.
Since then people began to populate those parts of the earth that were
plain.
For the benefit of his subjects, King Pritu himself milked all the
cereals from earth making Swayambhu Manu a calf. It is the cereals that
still sustain the entire population of the world. Since then King Prithu
came to be known as the father of earth because he had spared her life.
King Prithu had two sons-
Antardhaan and Vaadi who were very religious minded themselves.
Antardhaan’s wife Shikhandi gave birth to Ivirdhaan. Prachin Barhi was
the son of Ivirdhaan and his wife, Ghishna. Shukra, Gaya, Krishna, Vrij
and Ajin were their other sons. Prachin Barhi was a great fosterer of
his subjects. Through continuous oblations, he increased his subjects to
great limits.
King Prachin Barhi married again with Savarna; the daughter of Samudra
and they together produced ten sons. All of them were known as Prachetas
who were expert in the art of archery. All of them observed serious
penance under the sea for 10,000 years.
Maitreya says- O great sage! Kindly narrate to us the reason for which
Prachetas observed severe penance under the sea.
Parashar says- Once by the inspiration of Brahma, King Prachin Barhi
asked his sons Prachetas to continue the progeny in an honoured way.
Prachetas agreed to obey the dictate of their father but they asked- O
father! Kindly narrate to us, what should we do to enable ourselves so
that we could carry out the process of reproduction.
King Prachin Barhi said that worship of Lord Vishnu was the only thing
that enabled a person to achieve his desired objectives. He dictated his
sons to worship Lord Vishnu. It was by the dictate of the father that
all the ten Prachetas observed severe penance for ten thousand years
under the sea.
At the end of their penance, Shri Hari appeared before them radiating
with blue light like a freshly bloomed blue lotus. Accepting the
greetings of the Prachetas, Lord Vishnu asked them to seek a boon.
Prachetas then told the dictate of their father. Lord granted their
boon. Thereafter all the Prachetas re-emerged from the waters.
Parashar says-
During the time when Prachetas were engaged in penance, the earth was
unprotected. Hence, huge trees came to cover her everywhere on land.
Their foliage was so dense they that cut off entire sky and the sun
could not reach the surface of the earth. After their emergence from the
sea, Prachetas got very angry when they saw the trees. In anger, they
let out formidable flames mixed with ghastly winds and uprooted all the
trees before reducing them to ashes. A massive destruction of the trees
followed. Seeing that Soma, the king of the trees approached Prachetas
and requested- 'O kings! Kindly relinquish your anger and listen to what
I say.'
I will mediate a pact between the trees and you. The trees have produced
an extremely pretty girl named Marisha. Her creation has been meant only
for the continuation of your progeny. She will produce Daksha Prajapati
who will be as radiant as the fire and cause much increase in your
progeny further.
In the ancient times, a great savant of Vedas, sage Kandu was observing
penance at the bank of river Gomti. Frightened by his penance Indra sent
an elf Prabhalocha to create a disturbance. That elf successfully
created a disturbance in the penance of Kandu who then began to live
with her in a cave. Kandu passed one hundred years enjoying sensual
pleasures with the elf. One day, the elf expressed her desire to leave
for her heavenly abode. This came as a shock for the sage Kandu. He
requested her to stay for some more time with him. The elf agreed to his
request and stayed with him for another hundred years. Then once again
she expressed her desire to leave for her heavenly abode. Once again,
blinded by lust, the sage requested her to stay for some more time. Once
again the elf stayed for another hundred years with Kandu.
Thus, every time, when the elf got ready to leave, sage stopped her. The
elf knew about the agony of separation that a person experiences who is
blinded by lust. She also feared the curse that such a person might pour
down out of agony. Thus she herself did not desert the sage and their
love kept on increasing like a new moon. One day, towards the evening,
the sage hurriedly left his hut. Amazingly Prabhalocha enquired about
the reasons why he was going out in such a hurry. The sage replied that
as it was dusk, he should offer his evening prayers. The sage's reply
amazed the elf further. Laughingly, she said- "O knower of religion,
your day has ended after hundreds of years! Who will not be surprised to
learn that your day ends after hundreds of years."
The sage said- "You had arrived at the river bank right in the morning
today. You passed the whole day with me and now its evening. Why do you
laugh at me then? Prabhalocha said- "O Brahmin! Hundreds of years have
passed since I had arrived at your hut." Perplexed sage asked her- "Tell
me exactly how much time has passed in our present communion?
Prabhalocha told the sage that they had together passed nine hundred and
seven years six months and three days. Hearing this, the sage began to
curse himself that he was so sunk in the carnal pleasure with the elf
that he even forgot the time. He also began to fret that his whole
penance had been brought to nought. Thus cursing himself, the sage also
scolded the elf and asked her to leave his hut at once.
"The elf was shivering in fear while her whole body was drenched in
sweat. When she left the hermitage, she wiped her sweat with the leaves
of the trees. While having carnal pleasure with the sage, Prabhalocha
had conceived. Her foetus also oozed out in the form of sweat and was
collected on the leaves. The wind brought the different parts of the
foetus together while I nourished it with my rays. Thus the foetus grew
safely and ultimately took birth as a girl child, Marisha. The trees
will present you that same girl as your wife", said Soma.
On the other hand after his penance was disturbed sage Kandu migrated to
Purushottam region (modern Jagannath-Puri) and began his penance afresh
to please Lord Vishnu.
Tale of Marisha's previous birth
Marisha, daughter of sage Kandu and Prabhalocha was a queen in her
previous birth. She had lost her husband without having any child. She
had then pleased Lord Vishnu with her devotion. The Lord had then asked
her to seek a boon. She said- "O Lord! Having been widowed at a young
age, I feel that my life has gone futile. I am very unfortunate. Hence O
Lord! May I have by your grace, a virtuous husband like you and sons
like Prajapati in my next birth. May I take birth not from the body of
my mother.
Lord Vishnu said- "All your wishes shall come true in your next birth.
You will have ten prowessive and popular husbands. With their help, you
will give birth to Prajapati whose progeny will populate all the three
worlds. You will take birth not from your mother's body still you will
be unmatched in beauty."
Thus, coerced by Soma, Prachetas dropped their angry stance and accepted
Marisha as their wife. From the parts of Prachetas, Marisha gave birth
to Daksha Prajapati who had emerged from Brahma earlier. Following the
dictate of Brahma, Daksha Prajapati produced different kinds of living
beings as his children. First of all, he created womenfolk from his
mind. He got ten of those women married to Dharma. Thirteen women were
married to Kashyap while twenty-seven were married to Chandrama. All the
gods, demons, Nagas, cows, birds, Gandharvas, Apsaras, giants etc. are
the progeny of those fifty women.
Maitreya says- "O great sage! I want to hear the tale of origin of the
gods, the demons and all other creatures in detail."
Parashar says- "Daksha created the sages, Gandharvas, demons, and
serpents from his mind first. But none of those creatures could continue
the progeny. So, with an intention of producing his progeny through
carnal union, Daksha married Asikni, the daughter of another Prajapati.
Daksha and Asikni together produced five thousand sons. All of those
sons were eager to continue the process of reproduction when Devarshi
Narad approached them and said- "O children! It appears from your action
that all of you are eager to begin the process of reproduction right
now. But before you do anything, kindly listen to what I say. All of you
are so ignorant that you do not know anything about the earth. How then
will you carry out the reproduction? Look! You can move anywhere in the
universe, so why don't you go and see the end of the earth?" Thus
motivated by Narad, all the five thousand sons of Daksha dived into the
sea and never returned thereafter like a river annihilates in the ocean.
Daksha then married Vairuni and produced one thousand sons. They also
intended to carry out reproduction but were misguided by Narad. They too
followed the footsteps of their elder brothers. Learning about the fate
of his sons, Daksha cursed Narad. Then Daksha and Vairuni gave birth to
sixty daughters. Ten of them were married to Dharma, thirteen to
Kashyap, twenty-seven to Soma, four to Arishtnemi and two to Angira and
Krishasva each. Arundhati, Vasu, Yaami, Lambaa, Bhaanu, Marutvati,
Sankalpa, Muhurta, Saadhya and Vishwa were the wives of Dharma. Vishwa
gave birth to Vishwadeva, Saadhya to Saadhyagana; Marutvaan was the son
of Marutvati. Vasu gave birth to eight Vasus. Lambaa gave birth to
Ghosha, Yaami to Naagveethi whereas Arundhati gave birth to all other
creatures that dwell on earth. Sankalpa produced Sankalp that is
omnipresent resolution.
Names of the eight Vasus were Aap, Dhruv, Soma, Dharma, Anil, Anal,
Pratyush and Prabhas. Vaitand, Shram, Shant and Dhvani were the sons of
Aap. All annihilating Kaal was the son of Dhruv. Varcha was the son of
Soma. Dravin, Huta, Ityavar, Shishir, Pran and Varun were the sons of
Dharma. Manojav and Avigyaatgati were the sons of Anil. Sharastamb,
Shaakh, Vishaakh and Naigmeya were the sons of Anal. Pratyush had a son
Deval. Vatstree the sister of Brihaspati was the wife of Prabhas. They
had Vishwakarma as their son. Vishwakarma himself had four sons-
Ajaikpad, Ahirbudhanya, Twashta, and Rudra. The great penancer
Vishwaroop was the son of Twasta.
O great sage! Har, Bahuroop, Treyambak, Aparajit, Vrishakapi, Shambhu,
Kapardi, Raivat, Mrigvyadh, Sharpa and Kapaali are the eleven Rudras.
Sage Kashyap had thirteen wives- Aditi, Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa,
Khasaa, Surabhi, Vinata, Taamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Kadru and Muni. Now
listen to the description of their progenies.
During the previous Manavantar, there were twelve gods named Tushit. At
the end of the Manavantar, they met together and said- "O brothers! Let
us now enter the womb of Aditi and take birth as the gods again in
Vaivasvat Manavantar." Thus, Vishnu, Indra, Aryama, Dhataa, Twashta,
Pushaa, Vivasvaan, Savita, Maitra, Varun, Anshu and Bhaga, these twelve
sons of Aditi came to be known as Aditya.
The twenty-seven wives of Soma gave birth to many talented sons. Wives
of Arishtnemi gave birth to sixteen sons. Thus in all thirty-three gods
including eight Vasus, eleven Rudra, twelve Aditya, Prajapati and
Vashatkar have been described in the Vedas. All of them are capable of
taking birth at will. Just as the Sun rises and sets, similarly these
gods also appear in different Yugas.
From the part of Kashyap, Diti gave birth to two invincible sons,
Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaaksh and a daughter Sinhika who was married to
Viprachiti. Hiranyakashipu had four sons- Anuhlad, Aahlad, Sahlad and
Prahlad.
Parashar says- By
the boon of Brahma, Hiranyakashipu had acquired tremendous power and
came to control all the three worlds. He had driven the gods out of
heaven and used to receive the oblations offered to Surya, Vayu, Agni,
Varun, Chandrama, Kuber, Yamaraaj etc. Because of his fear, all those
gods roamed on earth.
All the creatures began to worship Hiranyakashipu. Beautiful and amorous
elves danced in his palace while Gandharvas accompanied them on
instruments. Prahlad was the youngest son of Hiranyakashipu. Like other
children, he too was sent to Gurukula to be educated. One day, his
teachers took Prahlad to Hiranyakashipu who was engaged in drinking of
wine at that moment. Lovingly he took his son into his lap and asked- "O
son, tell me, what you have learnt so far in the auspices of your
teachers?"
Prahlad said- "O father! I salute to that Shri Hari who has no
beginning, no end and no mid-part, who doesn’t take birth and who is
free from growth and decay." Hearing this, Hiranyakashipu looked at the
teachers with bloodshot eyes and shouted at them- "O wretched Brahmins!
In sheer violation of my orders, you have taught my son to praise my
enemy." The teachers tried to express their apology saying that what
Prahlad was saying was not taught by them. Hiranyakashipu asked then
Prahlad who had taught him like that. Prahlad said- "O father! Lord
Vishnu who resides in the heart of us all is the supreme creature. Who
can teach anybody anything apart from Him?" Hiranyakashipu said- "O
fool! Who is that Vishnu about whom you are describing before me, the
Lord of entire world?" Prahlad replied- "Lord Vishnu is he who is
contemplated about by the Yogis. He is the originator of the entire
universe. His virtues cannot be described in words. That Parmeshwar is
Vishnu."
Hiranyakashipu said- "Fool! Who can be Parmeshwar other than me? Do you
want to die that you are babbling like that?" Prahlad said- "O father!
Your anger is baseless. Lord Vishnu is the creator of all of us
including you and me. He controls our breaths."
Infuriated Hiranyakashipu then ordered the teachers to take Prahlad away
at once and wash his brain thoroughly. The teachers took Prahlad with
them to their Gurukula. Prahlad began to concentrate in his studies.
After many months, Hiranyakashipu once again called Prahlad to his
palace and asked about his learning. Once again, Prahlad began to praise
Lord Vishnu. This time, Hiranyakashipu ordered his assassination. He
began to see his son as a threat to his throne. By the orders of
Hiranyakashipu, many formidable demons attacked Prahlad with their
weapons but Prahlad stood unfazed. He said- "O fools! Lord Vishnu is
present in you, in me and even in your weapons. May your weapons have no
effect on me." Indeed, the weapons of the demons could not even touch
Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu said- "I can still pardon your life provided
that you stop praising my opponent." Prahlad said- "O father! I fear
nothing. By the God’s grace, I am free from the fear of birth and
death." Hiranyakashipu then got Prahlad thrown amidst venomous snakes.
But, biting by the snakes had no effect on Prahlad because his mind was
contemplating in Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashipu then got Prahlad trampled by big bull elephants. But even
elephants could not harm Prahlad. Instead their tusks were broken as
soon as they touched Prahlad. Even then Prahlad tried to pacify his
father that it was Lord’s strength that protected him every time.
Prahlad’s teachers who were the sons of Shukracharya then assured
Hiranyakashipu that Prahlad was having a fickle mind because of his
tender age. They also assured the demon king of transforming Prahlad and
took him to their hermitage once again.
Prahlad’s Preaching
But in the hermitage, Prahlad assembled other demon children and said- "
Friends, listen to my preaching carefully and don’t take it for granted
because I have no personal interest in it. Every living being takes
birth and suffers a lot while passing his life through childhood, youth
and old age. The end result of life is nothing but death. It is one’s
Karma that accompany him birth after birth. But in every birth, this
soul mistakes hunger, thirst, cold or hot for the pleasures. More of the
luxuries one collects, more the sorrow increases. Attachment and passion
are the greatest cause of sorrow. Even after passing a life that is full
of sorrow, one suffers the agony of death and rebirth again. This whole
cycle continues again and again. Lord Vishnu is the ultimate refuge for
the soul, which feels drowned in the ocean of sorrow."
Don’t be confused with my young age. I am a boy like you. But the soul
that stays within me is eternal. The soul has no distinct stages in
life. But a human being is inflicted with lot of misconceptions. In the
childhood, he prefers to play than contemplating on God. In the youth,
lust and carnal pleasures attract the mind. Still a human being doesn’t
get serious about his benefit. He keeps on postponing his spiritual
matters for his old age. But in old age, a human being has no option but
to see his trembling fingers and repent about his past. Thus a human
being spoils his whole life. A wise person hence must ignore the
different stages of his body’s stay on earth and make efforts for his
benefit right in his childhood.
What I have told you is unchangeable fact. Start reciting Lord Vishnu’s
name for my pleasure atleast. His remembrance is enough to destroy all
the sins. May your mind always contemplate on Him day and night. Thus
all your miseries shall come to an end.
When the demons saw that their
all efforts failed to faze Prahlad and that he was preaching the demon
children they informed Hiranyakashipu about all these happenings.
Hiranyakashipu at once called his cook and ordered him to poison Prahlad
through food. But the poisonous food also could not hurt Prahlad. In
fact, its poison was rendered ineffective by the recitation of Lord’s
name. This frightened the cook. He informed Hiranyakashipu about that
miraculous event.
Hiranyakashipu then ordered the priests who were Prahlad’s teachers to
invoke the ogress Kritya in order to kill Prahlad. The teachers tried to
convince Prahlad before invoking Kritya"O prince, you are the son of
great Hiranyakashipu and have taken birth in Brahma’s lineage. What have
you to do with matters like God and all that? The whole world is
dependent on your father. You should also take refuge of your father and
stop praising his opponent. Father is revered and even greater than the
teachers."
Prahlad said-"O fortunate ones! I know the prowess of my father. I also
do not doubt regarding my father’s reverence and greatness. I will not
commit any crime against him but kindly listen to me what I mean by the
endless God."
"O teachers! There are four attainable goals in one’s life. You ask me
what have I to do with He, who helps all the human beings to attain
these four goals- Dharma, Arth, Kama and Moksha. You are my teachers.
You are free to say anything to me. But within me stays He who is the
creator of all, who is the preserver of all and who is the destroyer of
all of us. Kindly forgive me if I have committed any thing wrong in your
honour."
The teachers said-"O foolish boy, we saved you from imminent death
thinking that you are our disciple and that you will not balderdash in
future. But still you speak nonsense. Listen, if you don’t drop your
stubbornness we’ll have to invoke Kritya the ogress in order to get you
slain."
Unfazed Prahlad said that life and death were immaterial for the soul
that protects or destroys itself through auspicious and inauspicious
deeds. Hence one should always strive to behave in an auspicious way.
But Prahlad’s words further enraged his teachers. They invoked the
ogress Kritya to get Prahlad slain. Kritya hit Prahlad’s chest hard with
her trident. But as soon as the trident touched his chest it broke into
pieces without harming Prahlad.
Seeing her attempt failed, Kritya killed the teachers and disappeared.
His teachers’ death caused immense pain for Prahlad. Mourning for their
death, he prayed Lord Vishnu to resurrect them. Hearing his prayers,
Lord Vishnu once again granted life to his teachers. The teachers got up
as if from a deep slumber. They realised their mistake and blessed
Prahlad and resolved never to have hostility against him. Then they went
to the palace and informed Hiranyakashipu about all the happenings.
Hearing the news of Kritya’s
failure to kill Prahlad, killing of teachers and their subsequent
revival as effected by Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu called his son and asked
if all those miracles were natural or he knew some magical tricks.
Prahlad said- "O father, neither I know any magic nor is the miracle a
part of my nature. All these are ordinary things for he who has eternal
God in his heart. No one can harm those who never wish ill for the
others. All the living beings are equal for Him. In every creature, I
see the same Lord Vishnu who is present within me; hence I never try to
harm him or her. I cannot even think of harming anybody. It is this
feeling that protects me from every physical, mental or divinely
discomfort."
But these words failed to please Hiranyakashipu. He ordered his men to
throw Prahlad from a very high fort. Even this attempt, however failed
to cause any harm to Prahlad for the mother earth took him in her lap
tenderly in the midway. Suspecting some illusionary powers helping
Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu ordered Shambarasur to kill him using his
illusionary powers. Shambarasur created many illusions to kill Prahlad.
But right then Lord Vishnu sent His Sudarshan Chakra to counter those
demonic illusions and protect Prahlad. Sudarshan Chakra destroyed all
the demonic illusions one by one. Then Hiranyakashipu ordered Vayu to
dry up Prahlad to death. When Vayu entered Prahlad’s body and began to
dry him up, the Lord came to stay in his heart where God absorbed all
the drying effects of the air thus rendering it weak.
After all those attempts failed, Prahlad returned to his teachers’
hermitage and resumed his education once again. The teachers trained him
all the relevant subjects. Then they once again took Prahlad to his
father and told him that now his education was over. Hiranyakashipu
asked- "O son! How should one behave with the others? Tell me what have
learned so far. I am eager to know your opinions."
Prahlad said-"O father, indeed my teachers have taught me in different
subjects. I have too learned them with heart. They taught me that
diplomatic policies should be applied in order to train friendship. But
excuse me father, I see no friend or no enemy, so in my opinion these
policies are totally irrelevant. Tell me O father what is the use of
means when there is nobody to be trained. Lord Vishnu is present
everywhere. In you, in me and in all other creatures. Hence instead of
using in sinisterly actions, one should use his wits for good and
benefit of all."
"O fortunate one, everybody longs for the throne and a big kingdom. But
only those attain these things who really deserve and have them in their
destiny. Even the most inert and imprudent people who are weak and know
nothing about the policies get these things because of destiny. Hence
all those who wish for splendour must strive to accumulate pious
actions. Those who long for salvation must strive to acquire impartial
view for all. Such actions please God and when He is pleased all the
miseries are attenuated."
Hearing these words, Hiranyakashipu kicked Prahlad hard and ordered his
demons to tie him in Naagpaash and throw into the sea. The demons obeyed
their master and threw Prahlad into the sea after tying him in
Naagpaash. With Prahlad’s motion great disturbances occurred in the sea,
seeing that Hiranyakashipu ordered the demons to cover the sea with huge
mountains so that Prahlad could not get a passage to escape. When the
demons uprooted huge mountains and put them into the sea, Prahlad began
to pray God with concentrated mind.
As soon as Prahlad began to pray
the Lord, his Naagpaash broke and the mountains that the demons had
thrown into the sea also lightened up causing great relief for Prahlad.
Lord Vishnu appeared before him and said- "O Prahlad! I am pleased with
your devotion. You may seek any boon of your wish." Prahlad said- "May I
always have an unconditional devotion for you. May your remembrance
never be away from my heart."
God said - " Your devotion for me shall always remain the same. Now,
seek anything you wish." Prahlad said- "O Lord! My father has always
cultivated hostility for you because of my devotion. May my father be
free from the sin of his action." Lord said- "O Prahlad! All your wishes
shall come true but still seek any boon of your choice."
Prahlad said- "O Lord! I don’t want anything other than devotion for
you." Lord said -" O Prahlad! You have nothing in your mind but devotion
for me, so with my grace, you will attain supreme abode."
Saying this, the Lord disappeared. In later course, ultimately
Hiranyakashipu decided to kill Prahlad himself. He tied Prahlad to a
pillar and shouting abusively for God, he hit the pillar. As soon as he
hit the pillar, it broke and Lord appeared from it in Narsimha
incarnation. His appearance was extremely formidable with half human and
half lion form. Dragging Hiranyakashipu to the threshold, He killed him
with his powerful talons. After the killing of his father, Prahlad took
over the throne and ruled his subjects religiously.
After the death of
Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued his lineage. Prahlad had a son,
Virochan. Virochan in his turn had Bali as his son. The prowessive Bali
was sent to the nether world by Vaaman incarnation of Lord. Bali had one
hundred sons among whom Baanasur was the eldest.
Kashyap’s second wife Danu had sons like Dwimurdha, Shambar, Ayomuk,
Shankushira, Kapil, Shankar, Ekchakra, Mahabaahu, Taarak, Mahabal,
Swarbhanu, Vrishparva, Pulom and Viprachiti. Swarbhanu had a daughter-
Prabha whereas Sarmishtha, Updan, and Haishira were the daughters of
Vrishparva. Vaishwanar had two daughters- Puloma and Kaalka who were
married to Kashyap. From the part of Kashyap, they gave birth to sixty
thousand giants known as Paulom and Kaalkeya.
Kashyap’s another wife, Taamra gave birth to six daughters- Shuki,
Shyeni, Bhaasi, Sugreevi, Suchi and Griddhrika. Shuki gave birth to the
birds like parrots, owls and crows. Shyeni gave birth to sleep while
Bhaasi produced light. Griddhrika gave birth to vultures whereas Suchi
produced aquatic birds. Sugreevi gave birth to equine animals like
horse, camels and asses.
Vinata, one of the wives of Kashyap gave birth to Garud and Arun. Garud
became the vehicle of Lord Vishnu while Arun became the charioteer of
the Sun. Surasa gave birth to millions of the snakes. Kadru also had
great snakes like Shesha, Vaasuki, Takshak, Shankhshwet, Mahapadm,
Kambal, Ashwatar, Ilaputra, Naag, Karkotak, Dhananjay etc. as her sons.
Krodhavasha gave birth to anger and devils. Surabhi gave birth to cows
and buffaloes. Ira gave birth to the trees, creepers, and scores of
grasses. Khaasa gave birth to Yaksha and monsters. Muni produced elves
whereas Arishta gave birth to Gandharvas.
After the annihilation of her sons, Diti once again pleased Kashyap and
sought a son who could destroy even Indra. Kashyap granted her boon but
stipulated that she would have such a son only when she observes
complete sanctity during one hundred years of gestation period. Diti
agreed to abide by the stipulation. Then they copulated as a result of
which Diti conceived.
When Indra came to know that Diti had conceived a son who would be able
to destroy even him he arrived at Kashyap’s hermitage and began to serve
Diti with full devotion. He had in fact arrived there to see if by
chance Diti ever violated the stipulation for then he would easily
destroy the unborn child without incurring any sin. Sometime before the
completion of gestation period, one day, Diti did violate the
stipulation. She forgot to wash her feet after attending nature’s call
and retired on the bed. Indra was waiting for the moment. He at once
entered Diti’s womb carrying his mace in hand. There he broke the foetus
into seven pieces but still the foetus survived and began to cry loudly.
Indra then broke each of those seven pieces into seven pieces more and
consoled them not to cry. Those forty-nine pieces of Diti’s foetus later
on came to be known as Marudgana the assistants of Indra.
When the great sages crowned
Prithu as the king of the entire earth, Brahma had also divided the
kingdoms. Thus, Brahma appointed Chandrama as the ruler of all the
Nakshatras, planets, Brahmins, vegetation, Yagya, penance etc. He also
appointed Kuber as the ruler of the kings, Varun as the ruler of the
water bodies, Vishnu as the ruler of Adityas and Agni as the ruler of
Vasus. Similarly, Daksha was appointed as the ruler of all the
Prajapatis, Indra as the ruler of Marudgana and Prahlad was appointed as
the ruler of the demons. Dharmaraaj Yama became the ruler of Pitragana
and Airavat became the ruler of all the elephants. Garud came to rule
the birds. Indra was appointed as king of the gods, Uchchaisharva as the
king of the horses, Vrishabh as the king of the cows. Lion became the
king of the beasts, Sheshnaag of the snakes, Himalaya became the king of
all the landmasses, Kapil became the king of the sages and tiger became
the king of those animals that have nails and long teeth.
Thereafter, Brahma appointed Dikpals (guardians of the directions) on
all corners of the earth. These Dikpals still guard the earth, which has
seven continents and scores of big and small cities.
All the gods, demons, human beings, animals, birds, reptiles, in fact
every living being have originated from the parts of omnipotent Lord
Vishnu. Hence nobody but Lord Vishnu has the capacity to foster all the
living beings on earth. That eternal God creates the world fosters it
and ultimately destroys it. Thus, the Lord has four parts in the form of
this entire creation. One of His parts remains unmanifested as Brahma.
Second part appears like Prajapatis. Time is His third part whereas all
the living beings constitute His fourth part.
Since the beginning, during the existence and till the ultimate
annihilation of the universe, the process of creation continued through
Brahma, Prajapatis and all other living beings. In the beginning, Brahma
creates the primitive living beings. Then the process of creation is
taken over by Prajapatis. When their progenies populate the world, the
process of creation continues spontaneously. Without Kaal, no one
including Brahma, Prajapatis and all the living beings can carry out the
process of creation. Shri Hari is in the base of every new creation that
takes place through a pre-existing creation. The supreme abode of Lord
Vishnu remains intangible.
Shri Hari bears the intangible, pure and all pervasive spirit of the
universe as Kaustubh Mani. He bears the intelligence as his mace. He
bears the two kinds of ego in his conch and Shaarang bow. Third kind of
ego is present as the wheel in His hand. Vayjayanti garland that adorns
His neck represents five senses and five physical elements. He bears the
sense and motor organs as the arrows and the sword that He holds is
knowledge. Thus, everything is dependent on Shri Hari. He is Himself
intangible but for the benefit of human being, he bears all these things
as ornaments. Even the counting of time is present in Him.
God is present in all the seven worlds. He is the base of all the
knowledge, our ancestor and the ancestors of our ancestors. He is
present in the gods, human beings, animals, all the Vedas, Ayurveda,
Puraan and other religious scriptures. All the visible and invisible
things in the world have Lord Vishnu in them. Nothing is different from
Him. Such a feeling in the mind keeps all the miseries and physical
ailments away.
This chapter
contains 15 sections.
Maitreya says- "O
sage! Now I wish to hear the description of the lineage of Priyavrata
who was the son of Swayambhu Manu."
Parashar says- Priyavrata was
married to the daughter of sage Kardam. They had two daughters and ten
sons. Three of his sons- Medha, Agnibaahu and Putra knew everything
about their previous births. Hence, they did not take any interest in
royal luxuries. The remaining seven sons received the domain of seven
parts of the earth from their father Priyavrata who then had taken to
penance at a greatly sacred place named Shaalgraam.
Among the eight
Vasus, one was Hima. Merudevi was his wife. They had a son Rishabh.
Rishabh had one hundred sons among which Bharat was the eldest. When he
grew old, Rishabh transferred the onus of his kingdom on his eldest son
Bharat and himself took to penance in the forest. Since then, this
landmass that stretches from the snowy peaks of Himalayas to the
splashing Indian Ocean is known as Bharatvarsha. Bharat had a religious
minded son Sumati.
Indradyumna was the
son of Sumati. Indradyumna’s son was Parmeshthi. After him, the lineage
of Priyavrata continued as follows- Pratihaar- Pratiharta- Bhava-
Udgeeth- Prastav- Prithu- Naka- Gaya- Nar- Virat- Mahavirya- Dheemaan-
Mahaant- Manasyu- Twasta- Viraj- Raj- Shatajit. Shatajit had one hundred
sons whose descendants populated the earth. They divided Bharatvarsha
into nine parts.
The earth has seven
great islands- Jambu, Plaksha, Shaalmali, Kusha, Kronch, Shaakh and
Pushkar. These are surrounded by oceans having saline water, sugarcane
juice, wine, ghee, curd, milk and sweet water respectively. Jambudweep
is situated at the centre. Situated at the centre of Jambudweep is
golden Sumeru Mountain (Himalayas), which is eighty-four thousand Yojans
high. Towards the south of Sumeru are Himavaan, Hemkut and Nishad
Mountains. Towards its north are Neel and Shringi Mountains. All these
mountains are two thousand Yojans high with similar expansion.
Towards the south of Sumeru
Mountain, Bharatvarsha is the first landmass followed by Kimpurushvarsha
and Harivarsha. In the north of Sumeru Mountain, Ramyak is the first
landmass followed by Hiranyamay and Uttarkuruvarsha. All these
landmasses have expansion of nine thousand Yojans. At the centre of
these landmasses is Ilaavritvarsha that bears Sumeru Mountain. On the
four sides of Sumeru Mountain are four smaller mountains that seem to
support the massive Sumeru. Among these four mountains, Mandrachal
Mountain is in the east and in the south is Gandhmaadan. Vipul is in the
west and Supaarsh is in the north. All these four mountains are ten
thousand Yojans high and have lofty trees of Cadamba, Jambu, Pipal and
Banyan. Because of abundance of Jambu trees, this island came to be
known as Jambudweep. It bears big fruits, which scatter all around upon
falling on the earth. Their juice gives rise to the river Jambu. It is
said that its water is capable of keeping demerits like sweat, foul
smell, old age and loss of senses away from the drinker. When the juice
of this fruit dries, it leaves the soil golden in colour.
Towards the east of
Sumeru Mountain is Bhadrashvavarsha and towards the west is
Ketumaalvarsha. Midway between the two is Ilaavritvarsha. On the eastern
side of Meru Mountain is the forest of Chaitrarath. In the south is
Gandhmaadan and in the west is Vaibhraaj and towards the north is the
forest named Nandan. Mount Sumeru also holds four holy lakes named
Arunodaya, Mahabhadra, Asitoda and Maanas.
Shitambh, Kumund,
Kukri, Maalyavaan, Vaikank are some of the peaks situated towards the
eastern side of Sumeru. Towards the southern side are the peaks of
Trikut, Shishir, Patang, Ruchak and Nishaad. In the west are situated
peaks of Shikhivaasa, Vaidurya, Kapil, Gandhmaadan and Jaarudhi and in
the north are situated the peaks of Shankhkoot, Rishabh, Hans, Naag and
Kaalanj.
Above the mount Meru
is situated Brahmapuri of Brahma which has an expansion of 14,000
Yojans. The Ganges that rises from the feet of Lord Vishnu circles the
lunar sphere before falling in Brahmapuri. Thence it divides into four
rivers- Sita, Chakshu, Alaknanda and Bhadra that flow into four
directions.
The landmasses of
Bharat, Ketumaal, Bhadraashva and Kuru appear like lotus leaf in shape.
Among all the peaks that surround Mount Meru are present beautiful
caves. There also exist beautiful towns and gardens. In these towns are
situated beautiful temples of Lakshmi, Vishnu, Agni and Surya. Ravines
of these mountains are populated by Gandharvas, Rakshasa, Yaksha and
Daanavas. Besides them, scores of religious people also live there.
Lord Vishnu stays as
Hayagreev (human figure with horse head) form in Bhadrashvavarsha. In
Ketumaalvarsha, He is in boar form and in Bharatvarsha; He stays in
turtle form. In Kuruvarsha, Lord Vishnu stays as fish. Thus Lord Vishnu
is present everywhere. People of these eight landmasses are free from
all kinds of sorrow, pain, emotions, hunger etc. and lead a healthy and
rich life that extends up to ten or twelve thousand years. All these
landmasses have seven indigenous mountains each from which hundreds of
rivers rise.
The landmass that is
present between Himalayas and the ocean is known as Bharat. It has an
expansion of 9,000 Yojans. It is populated by the descendants of Bharat.
It has seven native mountains- Mahendra, Malay, Sahaya, Shuktimaan,
Riksha, Vindhya and Paariyaatra.
Bharatvarsha has nine divisions
named Indradweep, Kaseru, Taamraparn, Gamastimaan, Naagdweep, Soumya,
Gandharva, Vaarun and Yahadweep which is surrounded by the sea and has
an expansion of 1000 Yojans. In the eastern part of Bharat, live Kiraat
whereas in the western part live Yavans. In the mid part of Bharat, live
population of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras who pass their
lives engage in works ascribed to their respective class.
Rivers in India-
From the Himalayas rise Shatudri (Sutlej) and Chandrabhaaga rivers. From
Paariyaatra Mountain rise Veda and Smriti rivers. Narmada and Surasa
rivers rise from Vindyachal. Taapi, Payoshani and Nirvindhya rivers rise
from Riksha Mountain. Godavari, Bheemrati and Krishnaveli rivers rise
from Sahaya Mountains. Kritmaala and Tamraparni rivers rise from
Malayaachal. Trisaama and Aryakulyaa rivers rise from Mahendragiri.
Rishikulya and Kumaari rivers rise from Shuktimaan Mountain. All these
rivers have scores of other branches and tributaries.
Four Yugas namely
Satayug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kaliyug descend on Bharatvarsha. In
Bharatvarsha, sages observe penance to attain better life in another
world, people organise Yagyas and offer donations to the Brahmins
respectfully. In Jambudweep, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in Yagyas.
Bharatvarsha is the land par excellence in Jambudweep for it is a land
of action. Soul passes through millions of births, only then it finds a
chance to take birth in Bharatvarsha when its pious deeds accumulate to
a certain extent. Even the gods envy those people who take birth in
Bharatvarsha. People in Bharatvarsha act without a desire to get fruits
from their action. They dedicate their whole action to Lord Vishnu and
ultimately mingle with Him.
Plakshdweep-
Plakshdweep has an expansion of 2,00,000 Yojans. Its ruler Meghatithi
had seven sons- Shaanthaya, Shishir, Sukhodaya, Anand, Shiva, Kshemak
and Dhruv. Those seven princes later on came to rule Plakshdweep. Hence,
Plakshdweep had seven divisions named after these seven princes. Seven
mountains mark the boundaries of Plakshdweep. These are Gomed, Chandra,
Naarad, Dundubhi, Sobhak, Sumana and Vaibhraaj. People of Plakshdweep
live long and pleasant life. Seven rivers namely Anutapta, Shikhi,
Vipaasha, Tridiva, Aklamaa, Amrita and Sukrita flow in Plakshdweep. In
all the islands from Plakshdweep to Shaakhdweep, only Tretayug stays.
Plaksh tree (Paakad) abound in Plakshdweep. Lord Vishnu is worshipped
there as Soma.
Shaalmaldweep- Vayushmaan was the
ruler of Shaalmaldweep. He too had seven sons- Shwet, Harit, Jibhoot,
Rohit, Vaidyut, Maanas and Suprabh. Hence Shaalmaldweep was also divided
into seven divisions named after these princes. A sea of sugarcane juice
surrounds this island. Shaalmaldweep has seven mountains which are the
source of all the gemstones. Seven rivers flow in Shaalmaldweep. These
rivers contain innumerable kinds of medicinal herbs. Lord Vishnu is
worshipped there in Vayu form. Because of the abundance of Semul (silk
cotton) trees, this island came to be known as Shaalmaldweep. A sea of
wine surrounds this island.
Kushdweep- The ruler
of Kushdweep, Jyotishmaan had seven sons. Their names were Venumaan,
Vairath, Lamban, Ghriti, Prabhakar and Kapil. The divisions of this
island were named after them. This island too has seven mountains and
seven rivers.
Lord Vishnu is
worshipped here in Janardan form. Because of abundance of Kusha grass,
this island is known as Kushdweep. A sea of ghee surrounds this island.
Kraunchdweep- The
ruler of Kraunchdweep, Dyutimaan had seven sons named Kushal, Mandak,
Ushna, Peevar, Andhkaarak, Muni and Dudhumbi. Hence the seven divisions
of this island were named after these princes. This island too has seven
mountains and seven main rivers with hundreds of small rivers and
tributaries. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here in Rudra form through
Yagyas. A sea of whey surrounds this island.
Shaakhdweep- The
ruler of Shaakhdweep Bhavya, also had seven sons named Jalad, Kumar,
Sukumar, Marichak, Kutumod, Maudaaki and Mahadrum. Hence the seven
divisions of this island were named after these princes; this island too
has seven mountains and seven holy rivers. Lord Vishnu is worshipped
here in Surya form. Because of an abundance of Shaakh trees, this island
got its name. A sea of milk surrounds this island.
Pushkardweep- This
is the largest among all the seven islands. Its ruler Savan had two
sons- Mahavir and Dhaataki. Hence, this island has two divisions-
Mahavirkhand and Dhaatakikhand. A huge mountain named Maansotra is
situated at the centre of this great island. Brahma stays on a huge
Banyan tree in this island. A sea of sweet water surrounds this island.
Earth’s total height
is 70,000 Yojans. In her depth, are situated seven nether worlds with a
depth of 10,000 Yojans each respectively. Names of these seven nether
worlds are Atal, Vital, Nital, Gamastimaan, Mahaatal, Sutal and Paatal.
These nether worlds have beautiful palaces, and have lands which are
white, black, red and yellow in colour with gravel, rocky and golden
soil. Scores of races including Daanav, Daitya, Yaksha and Naagas live
there.
Once upon a time, Naarad visited
these nether worlds. When he returned to heaven, he told the people
there that the nether world was more beautiful than heaven. He told them
that ornaments of the Naagas contained precious gemstones and the
womenfolk of Daitya and Daanavas were an attraction even for the gods.
The sun was illuminating in the nether worlds but not scorching.
Similarly, the Moon only shone there but did not cause bitter cold.
Beneath the nether
worlds is situated an idolised form of Lord Vishnu. It is known as
Shesh. Even the demons and giants cannot describe His virtues. He has
thousands of hoods each carrying a bright gemstone that illuminates the
azimuths. In His presence, the demons lose their strength. His eyes are
red and He wears an earring, crown, garland and blue length of cloth.
Bearing the flow of Ganges, He stays like the Kailash Mountain. At the
end of the Kalp, poison emanates from His thousands of hoods and
destroys all the three worlds taking the form of Rudra named Sankarshan.
Nobody can find the ends of His virtues; hence He is known as Anant.
Beneath the earth
and water are situated the hells into which, the sinners are thrown.
Raurav, Sukar, Rodha, Taal, Vishsan, Mahajwaal, Taptakumbh, Lavan,
Vilohit, Rudhirambh, Vaitarni, Krimish, Krimibhojan, Asipatravan,
Krishna, Lalabhaksha, Daarun, Puyuvah, Paap, Vahnijwaal, Adhahshira,
Sandansh, Kaalsutra, Tamas, Aavichi, Swabhojan, Apratishthit and Aprachi
are the main hells. These are all under the domain of Yamaraaj.
Those who give false witness are
thrown into Raurav hell. Those who kill unborn babies and cows or
destroy the villages fall into Rodha hell. Those who drink wine, kill
Brahmin or steal gold fall into Sukar hell. Those who kill Kshatriya or
Vaishya fall into Taal hell. Those who copulate with teacher’s wife or
their own sister fall in Taptakumbh hell. Those who sell women and
horses fall in Taptloha hell. Those who copulate with their daughter or
daughter-in-law fall into Mahajwaal hell. Those who criticise the
teachers and the Vedas or sell Vedas fall into Lavan hell. Those who
violate social norms fall in Vilohit hell and those who envy the gods,
the Brahmins and their parents fall in Krimibhaksha hell.
Those who dine first
even before the parents, the gods and the guests fall into Lalabhaksha
hell. Those who manufacture arrows fall in Vedhak hell. Those who
manufacture swords fall in Vishsan hell. Backbiters, killers of friends
and sellers of wine fall in Rudhiraandh hell. Destroyers of Yagya and
villages fall in Vaitarni hell.
Thus, the sinners
have to suffer scores of tortures in these and many other hells. These
sinners after passing their lives in the hell take birth as worms,
aquatic animals and birds, terrestrial animals, human beings, religious
people etc. Only those sinners who do not expiate for their sins fall
into the hell. Our sages have made provisions of expiation for those
sinners who feel guilty in their conscience after committing their sins.
Remembrance of Lord’s name is in itself the greatest expiation.
Remembrance of Lord’s name anytime in life destroys all the previous
sins instantaneously. Hence recitation of Vasudeva’s name is sure way of
attaining salvation. Thus those who recite and remember Lord Vishnu’s
name never fall in any hell because their sins have been destroyed.
Anything where one feels pleasant is heaven and opposite of it is hell.
Maitreya says- "O Brahmin! Kindly
narrate now about the celestial worlds and the position of stars and
planets there."
Parashar says- At a height of 1,00,000 Yojans above the earth is the
sphere of the Sun. 1,00,000 Yojans above it is the sphere of the Moon
and 1,00,000 Yojans above it is the sphere of the stars.
At a height of 2,00,000 Yojans above, the sphere of stars is Buddh
(Mercury) and 2,00,000 Yojans above it is Shukra (Venus). Above Venus
are Mangal (Mars), Brihaspati (Jupiter), and Shani (Saturn) at
respective heights of 2,00,000 Yojans each. 1,00,000 Yojans above the
Saturn is Saptarishi and 1,00,000 Yojans above it is the sphere of
Dhruv. It appears as the centre of a bright ring.
One crore Yojans above Dhruv is Maharloka where sages like Bhrigu etc.
live. Two crore Yojans above Maharloka is Janaloka where Brahma’s sons
Sanakaadi Kumars live. At a height of 8,00,00,000 Yojans above Janaloka
is Tapaloka live deities named Vairaaj who are never consigned to
flames. Twelve crore Yojans above Tapaloka is Satyaloka which is also
known as Brahmaloka. Only immortal beings live there.
The Sun travels
speedily across the sky like an arrow. He determines the night and the
day. With the rising and setting of the Sun, one can have knowledge of
the directions. Sun lights up all the places in the entire world except
Brahmaloka. Sun’s rays that reach Brahmaloka return back rendered
ineffective by the radiance of Brahma. Since Mount Sumeru is situated at
the north of all the islands and Varsh, hence towards the northern side
of it, one part of land experiences the day while another part
experiences the night all the time. The radiant Sun setting merges with
fire. Hence, fire also has the power of illuminating and warming its
environment.
At the beginning of
Uttaraayan (northward motion of the Sun), the Sun enters the zodiac of
Capricorn. Travelling through Aquarius and Pisces, it reaches the
equator which is at the centre of the earth. Thereafter the nights begin
to decrease in comparison of the days. Then travelling through Aries,
Taurus and Gemini, the Sun enters Cancer to begin its southward journey.
The period of time between the
day and night is dusk twilight. At that time, formidable demons try to
swallow the Sun. Thus they have fierce battle with the Sun. The
recitation of hymns by learned Brahmins during dusk twilight helps the
Sun regain his lost radiance. With his brilliance then the demons are
destroyed. Thus the Sun is a perfect form of Lord Vishnu. It shines with
its inner radiance. Omkar is a symbolisation of the Sun. It is also
mandatory for the Brahmins to perform evening worship. Those who do not
worship in the evening hurt the Sun.
Towards the north of
Saptarishi constellation, where polestar is situated, there is an abode
of Lord Vishnu. Only those sages can reach there who are free from
faults and whose sins and pious deeds have been attenuated. Supremely
brilliant Dhruv stays in the abode of Vishnu. Every other thing is
dependent upon Dhruv. All the Nakshatras also depend on Dhruv. On
Nakshatras depend the clouds and on the clouds depends the rain and on
the rains depend the nourishment of entire world. Thus, all the other
things come to depend upon Dhruv.
The sacred Ganges
which is the destroyer of every sin also rises from the abode of Lord
Vishnu. Dhruv bears the Ganges on his head. Flowing through the sphere
of the Moon, the Ganges falls on Mount Meru and flows in every direction
to sanctify the entire world. Bathing in the water of the Ganges
destroys all the sins. Offering of oblations in the waters of Ganges
satiates dead ancestors for one hundred years.
Starry,
chameleon-like appearance of Lord Vishnu can be seen in the night sky. A
polestar is present in its tail. All the other stars, the Sun, the Moon
and other planets are present on different parts of this chameleon and
go round the polestar. Uttanpaad’s son Dhruv had pleased this
chameleon-like appearance of Lord Vishnu with his penance and sought a
fixed position in His tail. Even the Sun is dependent on Dhruv.
The Sun keeps on
evaporating the water for eight months in a year. This evaporated water
then rains for four months and nourishes the soil and produces different
kinds of cereals for the nourishment of the entire world. The water that
is evaporated by the Sun also nourishes the Moon. But the Moon itself
does not consume that water. Instead it gives that water to the clouds.
During winter season, this water released by the Moon falls on earth as
snow and dew.
The Sun draws water
from Akashganga (the Milky Way) also and causes it to rain on earth at
once. That water is so sacred that mere touch of it destroys all the
sins. The rains that fall during Nakshatras like Kritika; Rohini, Addra
etc. come from the water of Akashganga.
In the month of Chaitra, the Sun
rides his chariot as Dhaata. During that period, elf Kratusthala, sage
Pulastya, Naag Vaasuki, Yaksha Rathmirith, demon Heti and the Gandharva
Tumbaru are also present on the chariot as his assistants.
In the month of Vaishaakh, the Sun rides his chariot as Aryamaa with
sage Pulah, Yaksha Rathauja, elf Punjasthala, demon Praheti, snake
Kachchhveer and Gandharva Naarad as his assistants.
In the month of Jyeshtha, the Sun is known as Mitra with sage Atri,
snake Takshak, demon Paurusheya, elf Menaka, Gandharva Haha and Yaksha
Rathswan as his assistants.
In the month of Ashaad, the Sun rides his chariot as Varun with sage
Vashishta, snake Naag, elf Sahajanya, Gandharva Huhu, demon Ratha and
Yaksha Rathachitra as his assistants.
In the month of Shraavan, the Sun is known as Indra with Gandharva
Vishwabasu, Yaksha Strot, snake Elaputra, sage Angira, elf Prabhalocha
and the demon Sarpi as his assistants.
In the month of Bhaadrapad, the Sun is known as Vivasvaan. With
Gandharva Ugrasena, sage Bhrigu, Yaksha, Aapuran, elf Anubhlocha, snake
Shankhpaal and the demon Vyaghra as his assistants.
In the month of Ashwin, the Sun is known as Pusha with Gandharva
Vasuruchi, demon Vaat, sage Gautam, snake Dhananjay, Yaksha Sushen and
the elf Ghritaachi as his assistants. In the month of Kartik, the Sun is
known as Parjanya and is assisted by the Gandharva Vishwabasu, sage
Bharadwaj, snake Airavat, elf Vishwashree, Yaksha Senjit and the demon
Aap.
In the month of Maargsheersh, the Sun is known as Ansh and is assisted
by sage Kashyap, Yaksha Tarkshya, snake Mahapadma, elf Urvashi,
Gandharva Chitrasen and the demon Vidyut. In the month of Paush, the Sun
is known as Bhaga and is assisted by sage Kratu, Gandharva Urnaayu,
demon Sfurja, snake Karkotak, Yaksha Arishtnemi and elf Purvachitti. In
the month of Maagh, the Sun is known as Twasta with sage Jamadagni,
snake Cambal, elf Tilottama, demon Brahmopet, Yaksha Ritaajit and
Gandharva Dhritarashtra.
In the month of Phagun, the Sun is known as Vishnu and is assisted by
snake Ashwatar, elf Rambha, Gandharva Suryavacha, Yaksha Shatajit, sage
Vishwamitra and the demon Yagyopet. Thus having some parts of Lord
Vishnu’s radiance, these seven ganas stay in the sphere of the Sun for
one month alternatively. They are also the cause of seasons like summer,
winter and rain.
Maitreya says-
"Lord, if only the seven Ganas are entrusted with the job of causing
cold and summer, drought and rain, what is the purpose then of the Sun’s
existence? "
Parashar says- It is
true that Surya is one of the seven Ganas. Yet being the chief among
them, it has special significance. Omnipotent para-power of Lord Vishnu
is nothing but the three Vedas. These together stay within the Sun and
provide it with energy necessary to sustain the world. Their presence
within the Sun remains constant irrespective of the Sun’s changing names
every month. In the morning, Rigveda prays the Sun with its Shrutis. In
the noontime, Yajurveda prays the Sun whereas in the evening, Shrutis of
Samaveda pray the Sun. Thus, Lord Vishnu always energises the Sun.
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are
also present in trinity form. Their trinity too represents the three
Vedas. At the beginning of creation, Brahma was in the form of Rigveda.
During the sustenance of the universe, Lord Vishnu stays in Yajurveda
form whereas at the end of the creation when Pralay occurs, Rudra takes
Samaveda form. Hence the recitation of Samaveda is considered
inauspicious. Energies of the trinity stays within the Sun in synergetic
form. Hence the Sun glows brilliantly and destroys the darkness.
Lord Vishnu, who
represents energy of this trinity, never rises nor sets. His Vaishnavi
Shakti never parts with the Sun’s chariot and stays there irrespective
of the changing names of the Sun with months. Thus, the Sun, which
causes the formation of day and night always satiates Pitragana, Devgana
and human beings. One of the Sun’s rays named Sushumna nourishes the
Moon during its brighter phase. Then during the darker phase, the gods
drink the phases of the Moon, which are in fact, ambrosia accumulated
during the brighter phase. When two days are left for the completion of
darker phase, Pitragana drink the remaining two phases of the Moon.
Thus, the Sun satiates the gods and the deceased ancestors.
The water that the
Sun draws from earth is returned to the earth in the form of rains. This
rainfall produces cereals, which nourish the entire population on earth.
The Moon rides a
chariot with three wheels. This chariot is hauled by ten horses. During
its entire journey, the Moon passes through all the twenty-seven
Nakshatras. These horses haul the Moon’s chariot for a complete Kalpa.
With his rays, the Sun nourishes the Moon, which loses its strength
because of drinking of its ambrosia by the gods.
When the gods brought even the
last drop of nectar from the Moon, it enters the Sun’s sphere. That day
is known as Amavasya (moonless night). That day, the Moon first enters
the water then the foliage of the trees, creepers etc. and ultimately
enters the Sun’s sphere. That is why, anybody who cuts trees or even
plucks a leaf commits crime equal to killing of Brahmin. On the day of
Amavasya, Pitragana drink the nectar from the Moon and feel sated. Thus,
Moon sates the gods during the brighter phase and the Pitragana during
darker phase. The Moon also showers its nectar on the trees, creepers
and other vegetation. It also causes exhilaration for the human beings,
animals, birds and creatures like insects etc.
Buddha (Mercury) is
the son of the Moon. His chariot is made of fire and air and is hauled
by eight horses of deep yellow colour. The chariot of Shukra (Venus) is
also very splendid and is adorned by beautiful flags. Mangal (Mars)
rides a golden chariot, which is born from the fire. His chariot is
hauled by eight red horses. Brihaspati rides a golden chariot hauled by
eight yellow horses. Shani (Saturn) is famous for slow motion. He rides
a chariot which was born from the sky. The colour of his chariot’s
horses is also very peculiar. Rahu’s chariot is brown in colour and is
hauled by eight black horses. Ketu’s chariot is also drawn by eight
horses, which are red in colour.
Chariots of all the
nine planets are tied to Dhruv. Thus, all of them traverse the same path
again and again year after year. Sighting of Shishumaar chakra
(constellation path) in the night destroys all the sins that a human
being commits during the daytime.
Water is a tangible
form of Lord Vishnu. Even the earth was born out of water. Stars, all
the three worlds, forests, vegetation, mountains, directions, rivers,
sea and entire nature is the form of Lord Vishnu. This vivid nature thus
shows omnipresence character of Lord Vishnu.
Maitreya says-
"Lord! Now I wish to hear various tales from the life of King Bharat. He
was born in a pious land and always contemplated on God. Even then why
he failed to attain salvation? What did he do in his next birth as a
Brahmin?"
Parashar says- King
Bharat always contemplated on God. He stayed at Shaalgraam for a long
time. There he used to recite the names of God and collect various
materials for His worship. Other than that, he did not do anything. One
day while he was taking bath in the river, a doe arrived at the opposite
bank. She was in the final stage of pregnancy. While she was drinking
water, a lion roared somewhere in the forest behind her. That roar
frightened the doe so much that she jumped across the river to save her
life. Exertion of jumping resulted in premature littering of her fawn,
which fell in the river. On the other hand, the doe also could not bear
the pain and died.
King Bharat rescued the just born
fawn and brought it to his hermitage. Since then he began to foster the
fawn with love and care. With time, Bharat’s attachment grew for the
fawn and whenever it went out of sight, he would feel perplexed. Soon
King Bharat deserted everything for the love of the fawn. He even left
his routine worship and meditation for it would be hard to concentrate
whenever the fawn was near and at times when the fawn was out of sight,
it worried Bharat and hence he could not concentrate.
But the fawn could
not give up its natural instincts. When it grew up, one day, it happened
to sight a herd of deer and mingled with it to find a mate of its own
choice and since that day, it never returned to the hermitage.
Separation from the deer proved fatal for the King Bharat. While dying
his mind was fully concentrating on the thoughts of the deer which he
had fostered with love and care. Because of it, Bharat took his next
birth as a deer. But still he remembered his past life. So he deserted
his herd and found a place in Shaalgraam where he passed his time eating
dry grass and foliage.
In his next birth,
Bharat was born in a cultured Brahmin family. In this birth also, he
remembered his past lives. Since birth, Bharat knew all the rituals and
scriptures and saw his soul in a transcendental way. Hence, even after
his thread ceremony, he did not take up his education. Even the teachers
failed to incite his interest in education. Bharat roamed here and
there, clad in rags and was hence insulted by fellow Brahmins and
village folk.
Thus Bharat remained
indifferent to the others’ treatment and sustained himself on whatever
little he got to eat. After the demise of his father, his brothers made
him work hard in the fields but gave little to eat. Because of his
inertness, he was known as Jadabharat.
One night, when
Jadabharat was guarding his fields, the king’s commander-in-chief,
Vrishatraaj caught him and took him away. The king wanted to sacrifice
him before goddess Mahakali. But seeing the supreme Yogi being brought
as a votive animal, goddess Mahakali expressed her wrath by decapitating
the king and drank his blood.
In another incident
later on, the king of Sauveer was travelling in a palanquin to visit
sage Kapil for religious preaching. Incidentally, one man fell short to
carry his palanquin, so the other carriers saw and caught Jadabharat to
forcibly engage him in the work of carrying the palanquin. While
walking, Jadabharat was taking care not to put his feet on any creature.
So he was moving very slowly whereas other carriers were walking
briskly. As a result of it, the palanquin was moving jerkily causing
irritation to the king. The king enquired the carriers about the reasons
of that jerky motion. The carriers informed him that it was because of
the new recruit who is moving very slowly. The king shouted at
Jadabharat- "You appear to be quite burly. Don’t you have enough
strength? Does a little work tire you?" Jadabharat said- "O king!
Neither I am burly nor carrying your palanquin. I am neither tired nor
there is any need for me to labour." The king said- "Apparently you are
burly and my palanquin is also resting on your shoulder. Carrying a load
always tires anybody. How are you different then from the others?"
Jadabharat said- "O
king! First of all, tell me, what do you see directly? Your saying that
I am carrying your palanquin is also meaningless. Now listen to what I
say. Both my feet are resting on the earth. On the feet are thighs, and
on the thighs is belly, on the belly are chest, shoulders and arms. Your
palanquin is resting on the shoulders. What load am I carrying then? You
are in the palanquin and I am on the earth are meaningless words. All
the creatures, you and me are all carried by the five basic elements.
Even our virtues are controlled by our action. Only action is born out
of ignorance. The soul is pure, non-degradable, calm, intangible and
beyond all nature. This same soul pervades all the creatures. It neither
grows nor decays. Why did you say then that I am burly? If this
palanquin that is resting on my shoulders-chest-belly-thighs and feet,
could be a burden for me, it could also be a burden for you. Like this,
all the living beings are carrying not only this palanquin but all the
mountains, trees, houses and even the earth."
Saying this,
Jadabharat became silent, still carrying the palanquin. The king at once
got down from the palanquin and fell at Jadabharat’s feet and said- "O
Brahmin! Leave this palanquin and tell me why have you taken this guise.
Who are you? What is the reason of your coming here? I am eager to know
about you."
Jadabharat said- "I
cannot tell what I am and for the reason why I came here, I can say only
that coming and going are all done so that one can experience their
result. The soul takes an incarnation only to experience the joy and
sorrow as per its deeds. Why are you then enquiring specifically about
the reason for my coming here?"
The king said- "The
soul transmigrates from one body to another only because of its action.
I want to hear from you preaching regarding ‘who am I cannot be told’. O
Brahmin! The soul that is eternal and experiences the results of its
action is I. This mark of ego is not a cause of demerit in the soul."
Jadabharat said-
"You are right that words do not cause any demerit in the soul. But the
ego expressed in the form of words is the reason for demerit in soul.
When the same and single soul stays in everybody, possessive words are
then meaningless. You are the king. This is the palanquin. They are the
carriers and those are the subjects. O king! None of these words has any
meaning. This palanquin is made of the wood received from some tree. So
tell me what it should be called as- a palanquin or wood. Nobody says
that the king is sitting on a tree. It is because of specific
construction that a heap of wood has assumed the shape of a palanquin.
For the purpose of action, the same soul is identified physically as a
man, a woman, a cow, a goat, a horse, an elephant, a bird or a tree. But
in fact, the soul is none of them.
Things like wealth,
king, kingdom, king’s army and all other things that you possess are not
fact. They are imaginations. For the subjects, you are king. For the
son, you are father. For the wife, you are husband, and the father of
her children. O king! Tell me, what should I address you as? Are you
different from any of these nouns? Hence, always be careful while
considering who am I? O king! The soul is so arranged in different roles
that it is very difficult to tell specifically its real identity."
The king said-"O
Brahmin. I was going to see sage Kapil and have the preaching regarding
excellent human virtues. But now, hearing your words, I feel that I need
not go any further. You are an ocean of knowledge. Kindly preach me
about human virtues."
Jadabharat said- "O king! For
those who worship the Lord with a desire to receive wealth and kingdom,
these things are a supreme goal. For those who want to attain heaven,
action in the form of forming Yagya is the goal. But the supreme virtue
is to act in a selfless way without having a desire for results. A Yogi
must contemplate on that transcendental soul because it is the only
means to merge with that supreme soul."
If the wealth is the
goal while it is spent in religious activities. If the son is the goal,
the father too might have been a goal for someone. Thus, there is no
supreme goal because everything exists for a time then ceases to exist.
Hence the assumption of any physical thing as a supreme goal is
meaningless. And consideration of soul separate from supreme soul is
also futile.
The soul is one, all
pervasive, impartial, pure, intangible and transcendental. It is free
from the cycles of birth and death. It can neither be created nor be
destroyed. It is supremely omniscient. Its manifestation in different
life forms is temporary and identification of soul with living beings is
baseless. Soul which is present in scores of living beings is basically
single and same. Once one comes to know this, he doesn’t remain in
darkness. Veil of ignorance then parts with him.
Hearing Jadabharat’s words, the
king fell in deep thoughts. Jadabharat then narrated the tale of Ribhu
and Nidaagh. Once upon a time, in the beautiful town of Veernagar at the
bank of the river Devika, there lived Nidaagh, the son of Pulastya. He
was a disciple of Ribhu, the son of Brahma. Once, after a gap of one
thousand years, Ribhu decided to see his disciple Nidaagh. So he arrived
at Veernagar. Nidaagh welcomed and treated him warmly. In the night
after dinner, they both sat together and Nidaagh asked him if he
relished the food.
Ribhu said- "O Brahmin! Only those who feel hungry are sated. I have
never experienced hunger or thirst. How then can I tell you about my
satisfaction? Hunger and thirst are the virtues of the physical body.
Health and satisfaction are the states of mind. O Brahmin! Ask this
question only to those who have these virtues, not me. Even the
qualities of food like deliciousness and insipidness are meaningless
because a delicious edible item loses its taste after sometime and
causes irritation instead of satisfaction. Hence you should strive to
develop a sense of impartiality towards delicious and insipid food
items. Also sense of impartiality is essential to attain salvation."
One thousand years
after this incident, Ribhu once again decided to see his disciple
Nidaagh. So he once again arrived in Veernagar. At that time, king of
that town was leading a procession of his army. So there was a great
crowd on the main road of the town. Nidaagh was carrying some worship
materials from the forest but seeing a huge crowd on the road, he stood
aside waiting for its dispersion. Meanwhile, Ribhu also arrived there.
Seeing Nidaagh standing alone away from the crowd, Ribhu approached him
and asked why he was standing there. Nidaagh said- "O Brahmin! Today,
the king of our town had taken out a procession. So I am standing here
waiting for the dispersion of crowd so that I can reach home and offer
my worship."
Ribhu asked- " It
appears from your words that you know everything about your town. Kindly
tell me who is the king and who are the subjects?" Nidaagh said- "The
one who is riding an elephant is the king and those who are following
him on the ground are his subjects."
Ribhu said- "O Nidaagh! You have
shown me the king and the elephant together but did not show their
distinguishing symptoms separately. Who is the king among them and who
is the elephant?" Nidaagh said- "The one who is above is the king and
the one who is beneath is the elephant." Ribhu said- "Kindly elaborate
what is above and what is beneath?" As soon as Ribhu finished his words,
Nidaagh climbed on his shoulders and said- "Look, like the king, I am
above you and like the elephant, you are beneath me." Ribhu said- "If
you are like the king and I am like the elephant, kindly explain to me,
who are you and who am I?"
Nidaagh at once
climbed down and fell at Ribhu’s feet and said- "Certainly, you are the
great sage Ribhu." Ribhu said- "Yes, I am Ribhu and I have come to
preach you out of affection." Thereafter Ribhu preached Nidaagh on the
universality of soul and development of impartial view and left. By his
preaching, Nidaagh’s ignorance dispersed and he began to see all the
creatures equal to impartially.
O king! Like the
Brahmin who attains salvation because of impartial view, you also
develop an impartial view regarding soul. Then you will not see anyone
separate from you. Everything in this world is a manifestation of soul.
Parashar says- "Thus
preached by Jadabharat, the king of Sauveer left his partial attitude.
Jadabharat too received salvation when he realised the true knowledge."
This chapter
contains 17 sections.
Maitreya says- "O
Gurudev! Now I wish to hear the description of all the Manvantaras and
the Manus who ruled those Manvantaras."
Parashar says-
"First Manu was self-begotten. After him five more Manus occurred namely
Swarochish, Uttam, Taamas, Raivat and Chaakshush. All these Manus had
occurred during the previous ages. The present Manu, Vaivasvat is the
son of the Sun and this Manvantara is seventh."
In the Swarochish
Manvantara, Paaraavat and Tushitgana were the gods. Vipaschit was Indra.
Urjja, Stambh, Praan, Vaat, Vrishabh, Nitya and Parivaan were the
Saptarishis. Chaitra and Kimpurush etc. were the sons of Manu.
Uttam was the Manu
in Uttam Manvantara. Sushaanti was Indra with Sudhaam, Satya, Japa,
Pratardan and Vashvarti were his Ganas. Seven sons of Vashishta were
Saptarishis.
In Taamas Manvantara, there were
four categories of the gods namely Supaar, Hari, Satya and Sudhi. Each
of them had twenty-seven gods each. King Shibi was Indra during that
Manvantara. Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kaatya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanak and Peevar
were Saptarishis.
During Raivat
Manvantara, Vibhu was Indra. There were four categories of the gods
namely Amitabh, Bhootrath, Vaikunth and Sumedha with fourteen gods each.
Hiranyaroma, Vedshri, Urdhvabaahu, Vedbaahu, Sudama, Parjanya and
Mahamuni were the Saptarishis. Four Manus Swarochish, Uttam, Taamas and
Raivat are said to be the direct descendant of King Priyavrat.
During Chaakshush
Manvantara, Indra’s name was Manojav. Aapya, Prasoot, Bhavya, Prithuk
and Lekh were the categories of gods each with eight deities. Sumedha,
Viraja, Havishmaan, Uttam, Madhu, Atinaama and Sahishnu were the
Saptarishis.
During the present
Manvantara, the Sun’s brilliant son Shraaddhdev is Manu. Aditya, Vasu
and Rudra are the categories of the gods. Indra’s name is Purandar.
Vashishta, Kashyap, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautam, Vishwamitra and Bharadwaj
are the Saptarishis. Present Manu has nine sons Ikshvaaku, Nrig, Drisht,
Sharayaati, Narishyant, Naabhaag, Arisht, Karush and Prishadhra.
Maitreya says- "O
sage, now kindly narrate about the Manvantaras that are to come in
future."
Parashar says-
Vishwakarma’s daughter Sangya was the wife of Surya. They had three
children, Manu, Yama and Yamani. Sangya once felt unable to bear the
radiance of Surya. So, appointing Chhaya (her shadow) in the service of
Surya, she herself migrated to the forest and began to observe a
penance. Surya mistook Chhaya for Sangya and copulated with her. This
resulted in the birth of three children- one more Manu, Shani and
Tapati.
One day, getting angry for some
unknown reason, Chhaya who was in the guise of Sangya cursed Yama. Only
then Surya and Yama came to know about her real identity. Through
meditation, Surya saw that the real Sangya was observing penance as a
mare in the forest. Surya also arrived in the forest and mated with
Sangya in horse form. Their mating resulted in the birth of two Ashwini
kumars, Retahstrav and Revant. Thereafter, Surya brought Sangya to his
abode where Vishwakarma dulled his radiance. Chhaya’s son, Manu was a
sibling of Manu; hence he came to be known as Saavarni.
During the next
Manvantara, Saavarni will rule as Manu. Sutap, Amitabh and Mukhya will
be the categories of gods each with twenty deities. Ditimaan, Gaalav,
Rama, Krip, Ashwatthama, Rishishring and my son, Vedavyasa will be among
the Saptarishis. By the grace of Lord Vishnu, Virochan’s son Bali will
occupy the throne of Indra.
Daksha Saavarni will
be the ninth Manu. During that Manvantara, Paar, Maarichgarv and
Sudharma will be the three categories of the gods with twelve deities
each. Adbhut will be Indra. Savan, Dyutimaan, Bhavya, Vasu, Meghatithi,
Jyotishmaan and Sata will be among the Saptarishis.
Brahma Saavarni will
be the tenth Manu. During that Manvantara, Sudhaama and Vishuddh will be
the two categories of gods with hundred deities each. Shanti will be
Indra. Havishmaan, Sukrit, Satya, Tapomurti, Naabhaag, Apratimauja and
Satyaketu will be among the Saptarishis.
Dharmasaavarni will
be the eleventh Manu. Vihangam, Kaamgam and Nirvaangati will be the
categories of gods each with thirty deities. Indra’s name will be Vish.
Nihsvar, Agniteja, Vayushmaan, Ghrini, Aaruni, Havishmaan and Anagh will
be among the Saptarishis.
Rudraputra Saavarni
will be the twelfth Manu. Ritudhaama will be Indra and Harit, Rohit,
Sumna, Sukarma and Suraag will be the five categories of the gods each
with ten deities. Tapasvi, Sutapa, Tapomurti, Taporati, Tapoghriti,
Tapodyuti and Tapodhan will be among the Saptarishis.
Ruchi will be the
thirteenth Manu. Sutrama, Sukarma and Sudharma will be the categories of
the gods each with thirty-three deities. Devaspati will be Indra.
Nirmoha, Tatvagarshi, Nishprakam, Nirutsuk, Ghritimaan, Avyay and Sutapa
will be among the Saptarishis.
Bhaum will be the
fourteenth Manu. Suchi will be Indra. Chaakshush, Pavitra, Kanishth,
Bhraajik and Vaachaavriddh will be the five categories of the gods.
Agnibaahu, Suchi, Shukra, Maagadh, Agnidhra, Yukt and Jit will be among
the Saptarishis.
With the passing of
these fourteen Manvantaras, a Kalpa that comprises of one thousand Yugas
will come to an end. In Satayug, Lord Vishnu preaches about the
metaphysical knowledge in Kapil’s incarnation. In Tretayug, He destroys
the evil doers and protects the world. In Dwaparyug, He divides the
Vedas into four divisions. At the end of Kaliyug, Lord takes Kali
incarnation and inspires corrupt people to religious path. Thus, Lord
Vishnu maintains order in all the four Yugas and causes the creation,
sustenance and ultimately destruction of the universe.
Maitreya says- "O
Lord! How did God divide Vedas in the form of Vedavyasa during different
Yugas?"
Parashar says-
During each Dwaparyug, in every Kalpa, Lord Vishnu takes incarnation as
Vedavyasa and effects the division of Vedas for the benefit of human
beings.
During every
Dwaparyug of the present Vaivasvat Manvantara, different Vyasas have
divided the Vedas twenty-eight times. During the first Dwapar, Brahma
himself had divided the Vedas. During the second Dwapar, Prajapati was
Vedavyasa. During the third Dwapar, Shukracharya was Vedavyasa. During
fourth Dwapar, Brihaspati acted as Vedavyasa.
Description of other sages who
acted as Vedavyasa during the subsequent Dwapars is as follows- Surya-
fifth Vedavyasa; Mrityu- sixth Vedavyasa, Indra- seventh Vedavyasa,
Vashishta- eighth Vedavyasa, Saraswat- ninth Vedavyasa, Tridhama- tenth
Vedavyasa, Trishikh- eleventh Vedavyasa, Bharadwaj- twelfth Vedavyasa,
Antariksh- thirteenth Vedavyasa, Varani- fourteenth Vedavyasa. Names of
next fourteen Vedavyasas are as follows- Trayyarun, Dhananjay,
Krutunjay, Jay, Bharadwaj, Gautam, Haryatma, Vaajshrava, Trinbindhu,
Riksh (Valmiki), Shakti, Parashar, Jaatukarn and Krishnadwaipayan. After
Krishnadwaipayan, Drona’s son, Ashwatthama will be the next Vedavyasa.
At the beginning of creation,
Rigveda contained all the four Vedas with hundred thousand mantras. That
Rigveda helped a lot in the propagation of ten kinds of Yagyas. Then
during the twenty-eighth Dwapar, my son, Krishnadwaipayan effected the
division of Rigveda in four Vedas. At the same time, he also trained
four of his distinguished disciples in the study of Vedas. Each one of
them was interested with the study of one particular Veda for infinite
period of time. Accordingly, sage Pail mastered in Rigveda, Vaishampayan
in Yajurveda, Jaimini in Samaveda and Sumantu in Atharvaveda. With the
four Vedas, practice of Chaturhotra also came into being. Chaturhotra is
now the main guiding feature of all kinds of Yagyas. Vyasa also
established the Karmas of Adhvarayu by Yajurveda, of Hota by Rigveda, of
Udgaata by Samaveda and of Brahma by Atharvaveda.
Sage Pail divided
Rigveda into two divisions and taught them to two of his disciples-
Indrapramiti and Vaashkal. In his term, Vaashkal divided his branch into
four sub-branches and taught them to his disciples. Indrapramiti taught
his branch of Rigveda to his talented son, sage Maandukeya. Thus
branches and sub-branches of Rigveda grew substantially. In this
tradition, Shaakalyavedamitra learnt a Samhita and divided it into five
sub-branches. One of his disciples named Shaakpurn created three
Samhitas whereas his another disciple created Nirukta Grantha. Vaashkal
created three Samhitas and taught them to Kaalaayani, Gaargya and
Tathaaja.
A disciple of
Vedavyasa named Vaishampayan created twenty-seven branches of Yajurveda
and taught them to his disciples. He had a disciple Yagyavalkya who was
the son of Brahmarat. At that time, all the sages together constituted a
rule that whoever did not join their group within seven days on Mahameru
would be held as a sinner equal to killing a Brahmin. Only Vaishampayan
had violated that ruling. The curse of the sages did come true when
Vaishampayan killed his sleeping nephew accidentally. Then he asked his
disciples to do away with his sin.
Yagyavalkya said- "Lord! All
these Brahmins are extremely dull. I will alone do away with your sin."
These boastful words infuriated Vaishampayan. He said- “You are
insulting these Brahmins so at once, regurgitate whatever I have taught
you." Yagyavalkya said- “Lord! I uttered these words out of devotion for
you. Still you wish me to regurgitate what you have taught me. Here it
is! Saying this, Yagyavalkya vomited out all the Shrutis of Yajurveda.
Other disciples of Vaishampayan pecked them in the form of partridges.
Since then, they came to be known as Taitriya Brahmins. Holding his
breath, Yagyavalkya then started the worship of the Sun with a desire to
regain Yajurveda.
Pleased by his
prayers, Surya appeared before him in horse form and asked him to seek a
boon. Yagyavalkya requested Surya to preach him those Shrutis of
Yajurveda, which were not known even to his teacher, Vaishampayan. Surya
preached him those Shrutis of Yajurveda, which were known as Aayaatyaam.
The Brahmins who read these Shrutis came to be known as Vaaji. Nowadays,
there are fifteen sub-branches of these Vaaji Shrutis, which were
initially expounded by sage Yagyavalkya.
Sage Jaimini, a
disciple of Vedavyasa, effected branches of Samaveda. Sage Jaimini had a
son, Sumantu. Sumantu in turn had a son, Sukarma. Both of them studied a
branch of Samaveda each. Sukarma divided his branch of Samaveda into
sub-branches and taught them to his two disciples- Kaushalya
Hiranyanaabh and Paushpinji. Hiranyanaabh had five hundred disciples.
Upon receiving the knowledge of Samaveda branch from Hiranyanaabh, these
disciples came to be known as Prachya Saamaag. Disciples of Paushpinji
also effected divisions in Samaveda that they received from their
teacher. One more disciple of Hiranyanaabh named Kriti taught
twenty-four Samhitas of Samaveda to his disciples.
Sage Sumant taught Atharvaveda to
his disciple Kabandh. Kabandh divided it into two parts and taught them
to Devdarsh and Pathya respectively. A disciple of Pathya named Shaunak
divided his Samhita into two parts and gave one of them to his disciple
Vabhru and another to Saindhav. Saindhav’s disciple Munjikesh divided
his Samhita into three parts. Presently, five Samhitas of Atharvaveda
namely Nakshatrakalpa, Vedakalpa, Samhitakalpa, Aangiraskalpa and
Shantikalpa are considered authentic.
Still unsatisfied by
his achievement, sage Vedavyasa created Puraan Samhita and taught them
to his famous disciple Romaharshan Suta. The Samhita that was created by
Romaharshan was the base of three Samhitas- Akritvrana, Saavarni and
Shaanspaayan created by Kashyapgotriya Brahmins. Vishnu Puraan is in a
way a summation of these four Samhitas. There are in all eighteen
Puraans. In chronological order, these are as follows- Brahma Puraan,
Padma Puraan, Vaishnav Puraan, Shaiv Puraan, Bhaagwat Puraan. Naarad
Puraan, Markandeya Puraan, Agneya Puraan, Bhavishya Puraan,
Brahmavaivart Puraan, Linga Puraan, Varaha Puraan, Skand Puraan, Vaaman
Puraan, Kaurma Puraan, Matsya Puraan, Garud Puraan and Brahmaand Puraan.
Maitreya says-
"Lord! At the end of a life span, all the people come to be controlled
by Yamaraaj. When they are bound to undergo scores of suffering in
different kinds of hells. Kindly narrate about such action by which a
human being gets free from the noose of Yamaraaj."
Parashar says- Youngest among the
Pandavas, Nakul had once put the same question before Pitamaha Bheeshma.
I am narrating what once Bheeshma had narrated to Nakul. Before sending
Yamaraaj advises his agents to stay away from the devotee of Lord
Krishna.
Yamaraaj is lord of
all the human beings except Vaishnavas. Only Lord Vishnu is able to
control Yamaraaj. About the devotee of Lord Vishnu, Yamaraaj says - He
who does not deviate from his duties even in severest of crisis, who
does not steal the wealth of others and kill animals is undoubtedly a
devotee of Lord Vishnu. He who bears Lord Vishnu in his heart is a
devotee of Lord Vishnu. He who is free from all kinds of ego and
illusions and always wishes well for the others with pure and peaceful
heart is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Thus those who always contemplate on
Lord Vishnu don’t even fear death. Yama, Yamadoot, Yamapaash, Yamagana
and even tortures of Yama are unable to hurt them.
Maitreya says -
"Lord! How should one worship Lord Vishnu? Kindly describe it to me.
Parashar says- King
Sagar had asked the same thing from sage Aurv. I am narrating what sage
Aurv had preached him.
Only those who
fulfil their responsibilities and discharge their duties as per their
class can worship Lord Vishnu. Those who shun activities like
criticising others, backbiting, womanising, stealing others’ wealth and
violence; those who do not torture others and are always ready to serve
the gods, Brahmins and teachers are able to please Lord Vishnu.
Similarly, one should be always conscious regarding his duties as per
his class.
Accordingly, a Brahmin should
carry out Yagyas, study scriptures and should not ever try to hurt
anybody. A Kshatriya must organise Yagyas and study scriptures. He
should also make donations to Brahmins and take weapons in order to
protect the earth. A Vaishya must earn his livelihood through cattle
rearing, commerce and agriculture. Besides he should also organise
Yagyas make donations and study scriptures. A Shudra is expected to earn
his livelihood through handicrafts. Saluting learned people is equal to
organising Yagya for a Shudra. A Shudra may also make donations and
oblations to appease his dead ancestors.
In the time of
emergency, a Brahmin may shift to the occupations meant for Kshatriya
and Vaishya. A Kshatriya may take the occupation of a Vaishya during
emergency but none of them should ever take to the occupation of Shudra.
Since birth till
death, human life passes through different stages. For the purpose of
simplicity in following these stages, our sages have made provisions for
four stages or Ashrams in life namely Brahmacharya, Grihastha,
Vanprastha and Sanyaas.
Upanayana Sanskara (thread
ceremony) marks the beginning of education for the children born in
Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya classes. For this purpose, a disciple
must stay in his teacher’s hermitage and observe celibacy strictly.
There, he must serve his teacher and worship Surya and Agni. The
disciple is expected never to disobey his teacher. Activities should be
according to the teacher’s guidelines. He should also make arrangements
for the daily worship of his teacher in the way of collecting different
materials like Havan saamagri, water, Kusha, flowers etc.
After the completion
of education and paying all the dues, the disciple is ready to start
second stage of his life that is Grihasthashram. For this he should
first find a suitable girl from his class and make merry. During this
stage, he should earn his livelihood by occupations ascribed for his
class. He should please the gods by Yagyas, his ancestors by oblations,
Prajapatis by producing children, spectres by offering sacrifices of
cereals and society by love. Even the ascetic and celibates depend on
married people for their daily bread. Hence married life or
Grihasthashram is stated to be excellent among all the Ashrams.
A Grihastha must
welcome and warmly treat the guests who arrive unexpectedly. Such a
household from where a guest returns desperately never succeeds in
religious matters. All the worship and Yagyas offered in such a
household go futile. Hence it is not proper for the householder to show
ego and abuse a guest otherwise he will have to expiate for it later.
A person must always
be on alert to recognise the time when it is apt to take Vanprastha.
When the children grow and begin to hold the responsibility of the
household, one enters the third stage i.e. Vanprasthashram. So, leaving
his wife in the shelter of his children or taking her with him, one
should migrate to the forest and live a simple life sustaining on
whatever little is available from the nature. This stage must be passed
observing severe penance and restraining one’s senses.
Sanyaasashram is the
fourth stage of life. One should give up all activities related to
Dharma, Artha and Kama in this stage. He should keep an impartial view
for all and cultivate a feeling of love for all the creatures. He should
not hurt anybody by his words, actions or even thoughts. He should not
stay in a village or town for more than five days. He should sustain his
life on alms.
At the time of
childbirth, it is the father’s responsibility to carry out certain
customs and consecrations for the child. First of all, Jatakarma
Sanskara is carried out by which the newly born baby is included in the
family. During this custom, a Brahmin couple is fed. It is also
necessary for the couple that they should sit facing east while feeding.
Thereafter, the parents should offer oblations to appease the gods and
dead ancestors. Lumps made of barley flour, curd and berries should be
offered as oblations. Similar consecrations are carried out at the time
of children’s marriage.
On the tenth day after the birth,
the naming ceremony is carried out. Different castes and religion have
different traditions regarding naming the newly born child. It is
commonly seen that most of the children are named after the deities and
gods. Still one should see that the name should not be meaningless,
abusive or inauspicious. Practice of selecting exceptionally long and
difficult to pronounce names should also be avoided.
The second stage in
a child’s life is when he or she begins education. In ancient times,
thread ceremony used to be carried out and the children were sent to
their teacher’s hermitage for education. In modern age, thread ceremony
is followed more or less in similar way as it used to be in the past.
But children are not sent to Gurukul for education any more.
After completing
education, a person should get married and run his own life. In the
past, there had been elaborate rituals for the selection of suitable
bride. Elders of the house used to select a proper match for the boy.
Their choice in most cases depended on many attributes and bodily
features of the girl. But in modern age, with increased interaction
among the people, it is not possible to follow each and every custom
related to selection of bride. Still one should take care not to marry
in his mother’s lineage for up to fifth generation and in his father’s
lineage up to seventh generation.
A married man knows the
importance of following a righteous discourse. Married life is like a
penance in which a couple gives birth and raises next generation. A
married man is expected to get up early in the morning and contemplate
on religious things. It helps him to follow righteous discourse. He is
expected to attend nature’s call in natural environment away from his
house. Soil is considered the best means to wash hands. It should be
followed by cleansing of the body. He should then offer oblations
wearing fresh clothes to sages, deities and his dead ancestors. Offering
oblations to the Sun, worship of tutelary god and other deities follows
then.
If the household is
having some cattle, the head of the family should himself milk them and
then wait for the guest. If and when a guest arrives, the head of the
family must offer him a seat respectfully and treat him well with
delicious food and pleasant talk. In Indian tradition, a guest is
regarded equal to a deity. He should take food only after feeding the
guest. Evening time has also elaborate rituals for a married man. First
of all, after finishing daily chores, a married man must worship with
peaceful mind. It is also good for his health to take food early in the
evening and retire to a wooden bedstead. Night time is considered
suitable period for enjoying carnal pleasure. Here too, a married man
should enjoy intimacy with his wife only.
Life on earth is
like an infinite ocean in which birth appears like a bubble and death
marks the bursting of that bubble after which it exists no more.
Atmosphere of a household is said to be defiled when a birth or death
occurs in it. There are different sanctifying customs to be carried out
on both these occasions. After the birth of a son, the father should
offer oblations to please the gods and his ancestors after taking a
bath.
When a death occurs in a
household, close relatives should take bath and carry the cadaver
adorned with flowers and garlands outside the village or well-demarcated
cremation ground for cremation. As per the religious tradition of the
deceased, the body should either be consigned to the flames or buried.
Then the relatives should again take bath in the pond or river facing
south and offer watery oblations to the dead person. Since that day,
Pindadaan (offering sweet balls made of barley flour, sesame seeds,
jaggery and honey) should be done for ten days. On the fourth day of the
cremation, ashes should be collected for immersion in holy places of
pilgrimage.
The person who had
carried out the cremation must abstain from intimacy for thirteen days.
Outsiders are also barred from eating cereals from such a household
where a death has occurred. For the different classes of Hindu society,
this sanctifying period varies. For Brahmins, it is ten days, for
Kshatriyas, it is twelve days, for Vaishyas, it is fifteen days and for
Shudras, this period has been fixed for one month. On the same day in
every subsequent month, oblations should be offered to the dead for one
year.
A Shraadh carried
out with devotion pleases the entire world including human beings,
Brahma, Indra, Rudra, Ashwini Kumars, Surya, Agni, Vasugana, Marudgana,
Vishwadeva, Pitragana, birds, animals, reptiles, sages and of course the
dead ancestors. Moonless and eighth day in the darker phase of every
lunar month are considered the best days for offering oblations to the
dead ancestors.
Apart from these two, third day
in the brighter phase of Vaishaakh, ninth day in brighter phase of
Kartik, thirteenth day in the darker phase of Bhaadrapad and Amavasya of
Maagh are also considered excellent. During lunar and solar eclipses
also, oblations should be made with water and sesame seeds. If
Shatabhisha Nakshatra occurs on Amavasya of Maagh, it is considered an
excellent conjugation for offering oblations to dead ancestors. Bathing
in rivers like Ganga, Sutlej, Yamuna, Vipaasha, Saraswati, Gomti,
Godavari etc. while making oblations is also said to be extremely
benefiting. It is not necessary also to show great pomp and show while
making oblations. If one doesn’t have enough money to offer oblations
properly, he may simply pray the Sun saying that ‘he is not fortunate
enough to have wealth’. Thus, his ancestors would be pleased by his
devotion alone.
While
making oblations to the dead ancestors, one should feed his near and
dear ones as well as learned Brahmins who respect their parents.
Intimacy with women is barred for those who have taken food in an
oblation. Any guest who happens to arrive unexpectedly and uninvited
should be treated well. Before feeding, plain cereals should be offered
thrice to the fire reciting following hymns.
AGNAYE KAVYA VAAHAANAYE SWAHAA |
SOMAAY PITRAMATE SWAHAA |
VAIVASVATAAY SWAAHA ||
Remaining cereals then should be served with the food to the Brahmins
and some parts should also be cast on earth and water should be offered
on them.
After the feast, the Brahmins should be seen off with respect. The host
should then take food along with his family. Anger over enthusiasm and
walking on the street is forbidden for the host during oblation period.
Oblation with flesh
of fish, rabbit, mongoose, hog, deer, ram and cereals cause extreme
satisfaction for the ancestors. But in modern Kaliyug, all types of
flesh are forbidden in oblation rituals. Only cereals, milk, honey, etc.
are allowed. Offering of oblation in Gaya (a place of pilgrimage in
Bihar) is said to salve all the ancestors. Barley, wheat, rice, sesame
seeds, peas, and mustard are the common cereals and grains used in
oblations.
Offering of oblation is a sacred
affair. During the procedure, care should be taken that an eunuch,
Chandaal, sinner, imposter, patient, cock, dog, a naked person, monkey,
pigs, a woman in menses, and anybody in whose house a death or birth has
occurred don’t see the performer otherwise neither the deities nor the
ancestors would accept the oblations. Water used in oblation should also
be free from odour and foam. Milk of camel, sheep, doe and buffalo
should not be used in oblations. Before beginning the ritual, drive out
the evil spirits from the selected piece of land. It should be cut off
from outside influences through enclosures.
Rig, Sama and
Yajurveda are like the clothes of Hindu society. Those who give them up
are in fact naked. This statement is endorsed by the following tale.
Once upon a time, a battle
occurred between the demons and the gods. It lasted for one hundred
years at the end of which period, the demons defeated the gods. The
humiliated gods reached Ksheersagar and prayed Lord Vishnu. Pleased by
their prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before the gods. All the gods
greeted Him and said- "O Lord! In sheer violation of Brahma’s dictate,
formidable demons have kidnapped even our due shares offered in the
oblations. Protect us from the onslaught of the demons. We cannot fill
them because they abide by their religion. Kindly show us a way to kill
the demons."
Hearing the pleas of
the gods, Lord Vishnu produced Mayamoha from His body and giving them to
the gods, said- "Mayamoha will cause illusion in the minds of the
demons. The illusion will influence the demons to violate the path shown
by the Vedas. You can kill them after that". Saying this, the Lord
disappeared. The gods took Mayamoha and reached the abode of the demons.
Mayamoha was
produced in a naked form. It reached the bank of Narmada and saw the
demons observing penance there. The naked Mayamoha then approached them
and said in a sweet voice- " O demons! What is the purpose of your
penance?" The demons said- "We are observing penance to achieve the
metaphysical world." Mayamoha said- "If you long for salvation, do as I
suggest. Follow the religion which is like an open gate to salvation."
With such sweet talk, Mayamoha began to illumine the demons’ mind.
Mayamoha confused them further saying- "O demons, if you long for
salvation or a place in the heaven, give up sacrificing animals and
attain enlightenment. It is wrong notion to say that violence is the
religious path. Offering of oblations in fire is also childish. Even an
animal which eats green grass is better than Indra who is obliged to eat
wood despite attaining that position after hundreds of great Yagyas. If
an animal which is sacrificed in Yagya attains heaven, performer of
Yagya would have killed his own father."
Thus with these
witty talks, Mayamoha deviated the demons from the righteous path
because of which they lost interest in Vedas. Once it was achieved, the
gods attacked the demons with full preparations. Ultimately, many demons
were killed whereas those who remained came to be known as naked because
they no longer followed the teachings of Vedas. Thus, anybody who does
not practice the teachings of Vedas in his life is known as naked. Those
who do not take to Vanprastha or Sanyaas after the completion of
Grihasthashram are naked.
Tale of Shatadhanu- In the
ancient times there was a king named Shatadhanu. His queen Shaivya was a
righteous and religious woman. The king and the queen had worshipped
Lord Vishnu observing severe penance. On the full moon day in the month
of Kartik when the king and queen came out of the Ganges after taking
bath, they happened to sight an imposter Brahmin who was coming from the
opposite direction. The Brahmin was a friend of the king’s teacher. So,
the king treated the Brahmin with respect. But his chaste wife did not
show any respect for the imposter and kept silent all through the talk.
She then had a sight of the Sun to expiate for the meeting with an
imposter. On their return to the palace the king and the queen
worshipped Lord Vishnu with proper rituals.
In due course, the
king died. The queen also committed Sati. Since the king had committed
the sin of talking to an imposter during his penance the king had
committed the sin of talking to an imposter during his penance, he took
birth in a dog form whereas queen Shaivya took birth as the daughter of
a Kashi king. She was extremely beautiful and knew everything about her
previous birth. When her father decided to marry her off, she
requestfully refused for she knew that her previous birth husband was
roaming the streets and lanes of Vidisha in a dog form.
The princess of
Kashi then reached Vidisha and found out that dog was in fact King
Shatadhanu. She fed the dog with delicious food eating which the dog
began to wag its tail and show humility before the princess. The
princess saluted the dog and narrated the whole thing to it that it was
because of his sin of talking to an imposter during penance that he had
to take birth as a dog.
Thus, reminded by
the princess, the dog contemplated for long on the events of his
previous birth. He grew so sad that he gave up the dog form on the
outskirts of the town. In his next birth however he was born as a
jackal. Again the princess came to know that the jackal was King
Shatadhanu and asked him whether he continued to talk to the imposter
after their conversation in the previous birth? Only then, King
Shatadhanu came to realise his mistake. He then observed fast till
death. But in his next birth, he was born as a wolf. Again the princess
reminded him of his previous birth. The king’s became a vulture in his
next birth. After that, he took birth in crow form and then as a
peacock. During that time, King Janak was organising an Ashwamedha
Yagya. In the Yagya, the peacock was also given a ceremonial bath by the
princess. During the bath, the princess reminded the peacock (King
Shatadhanu) of his previous birth, the peacock too died and took next
birth as the son of King Janak.
It was only after
the birth of King Janak’s son that the princess told her father to
organise a Swayamvara for her. In the Swayamvara, the prince also
arrived. The princess accepted him respectfully as her husband.
This chapter
contains 12 sections.
Lineage of Vaivasvat
Manu finds its origin at Brahma. Brahma was the first to appear from
Lord Vishnu who is the primitive cause for the whole creation. From the
right hand thumb of Brahma, Daksha Prajapati appeared. Daksha produced
Aditi and Aditi produced Vivasvaan. Manu was the son of Vivasvaan.
Ikshvaaku, Nrig, Grishth, Sharayaati, Narishyant, Pranshu, Naabhaag,
Dishta, Karup and Prishadhra are the ten sons of Manu.
With a desire for a son Manu
organised a Yagya to please the deities Mitra and Varun. But during the
Yagya because of a wrong resolution of oblator, a daughter named Ila was
born to them. But by the grace of Mitra-Varun, she got masculine
appearance and a name Sudyumna. In later course by the wrath of Lord
Shiva, Sudyumna was converted into a woman. In woman form when Sudyumna
was roaming near the hermitage of Buddha, the son of Chandrama, her
beauty infatuated Buddha. As a result of their union, a son Pururava was
born. Even after the birth of Pururava, Sudyumna could not give up his
temptation to be a man again. Hence, learned sages organised a Yagya for
Sudyumna and got him converted into a man again. In masculine form,
Sudyumna produced three sons- Utkal, Gaya and Vinat. Manu had presented
a town named Prathishtha to Sudyumna, which he later on presented to
Pururava.
Pururava’s progenies
spread in all directions and acquired Kshatriya caste. Manu’s son,
Prishadhra became a Shudra because of killing a cow of his teacher.
Manu’s another son, Karush produced an exceptionally strong Kshatriya
named Kaarush. Lineage of Dishta grew as follows- Naabhaag- Balbandhan-
Kirtimaan- Vatsapreeti-Praanshu- Prajapati- Khanitra- Chaakshush-
Vimbha- Vivimbhak- Khaninetra- Ativibhuti- Karandham- Avikshit- Marut.
Marut had a son,
Narishyant. Lineage of Narishyant grew as follows- Dama- Rajvardhan-
Suvriddhi- Keval- Sughritti- Nara- Chandra- Keval- Bandhumaan- Veghvaan-
Buddha- Trinvindu. Trinvindu had a daughter Ilavila and a son Vishal.
Vishal in later course founded Vishaala.
Lineage of Vishal
grew as follows- Hemchandra- Chandra- Dhumraksh- Srinjay- Sahadev-
Krishasva- Somadutta- Janmejaya- Sumati.
Manu’ son Sharayaati
had a daughter Sukanya who was married to sage Chyavan in peculiar
circumstances. Aanart was the son of Sharayaati. Aanart had a son Raivat
who founded his capital at Kushasthali and ruled his kingdom on earth.
Raivat had one hundred sons, the eldest among whom was Kakudmi. He had a
daughter Revati. Raivat took Revati with him and approached Brahma who
asked about a suitable match for her. At that time, Gandharvas were
singing near Brahma. Raivat listened to their songs intently and forgot
about the passage of time. Many ages passed like that but Raivat felt as
if only an hour had passed. When the Gandharvas stopped singing, Raivat
once again asked Brahma about a suitable match for Revati. Brahma asked
Raivat about his own choices first. Raivat counted the names of many
deserving princes and kings all of whom belonged to earth.
Brahma said smiling-
"No one even in the progeny of these people is alive on earth because
here listening to the Gandharvas songs you have passed four ages.
Presently even the age of eighteenth Manu is about to end on earth and
Kaliyug is about to start." These words frightened Raivat who greeted
Brahma and asked- "O Lord! Now tell me whom should I marry Revati to?"
Brahma said- "That unborn all pervasive Parmeshwar Lord Vishnu had taken
an incarnation on earth. O king! Your capital at Kushasthali which was
equal to Indra’s abode Amravati is now Dwarkapuri. In that Dwarkapuri,
stays Baldev who is a part of Lord Vishnu. Marry this daughter to him
because she is a jewel among the women folk and Baldev is praised all
over the world by all. Hence only he deserves to be your son-in-law."
Hearing the verdict
of Brahma, Prajapati Raivat descended on the earth and saw that an
amazing transformation had taken place in the appearance of people who
were now smaller in stature, ugly, dull and devoid of strength. Even his
capital Kushasthali had acquired a new appearance and was now known as
Dwarkapuri. Raivat found out Baldev and married his granddaughter Revati
to him. But Revati appeared quite large and taller in stature than
Baldev because of age difference. Baldev pressed her slightly with
anterior part of his plough and she assumed a stature equal to normal
women. After marrying Revati to Baldev, Raivat migrated to the Himalayas
to observe penance.
Ikshvaaku was born
from the nostril of Manu as a result of sudden sneezing. Ikshvaaku had
hundred sons among whom Vikukshi, Nimi and Danda were prominent. Once
Ikshvaaku organised a Shraadh. For the purpose of feeding Brahmins, he
ordered his son Vikukshi to bring fresh meat of wild animals. Taking his
bow and arrows, Vikukshi set out for the forest and hunted many deer and
rabbits. Towards noon, he felt tired and hungry and hence ate one rabbit
from the stock. Then he reached the capital and handed over the
remaining flesh to his father.
But the sage
Vashishta who was conducting the Shraadh revealed the truth to Manu.
Thus Vikukshi got the name of Shashaad and was expelled by his father.
Shashaad in later course had a son, Puranjay.
In the past a fierce
battle had taken place between the demons and the gods. The demons
defeated the gods who approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu
said-"I am aware of your desire. I will appear in he body of Shashaad’s
son Puranjay to kill the demons. But it is your responsibility to
convince him for the battle."
The gods approached
Puranjay and requested-"O great among the Kshatriyas! Kindly help us to
defeat our enemies." Puranjay said-"Shatkratu is Indra. If I fight the
battle riding his shoulder, I will be able to kill the demons."
The gods accepted his condition.
Indra took the guise of the bull riding which Puranjay killed the demons
because Lord Vishnu had partially arrived in his body. Since then
Puranjay got the name Kakutsth. He had a son Aneyna. Lineage of Aneyna
grew as follows- Aneyna- Prithu- Vishtrabhva- Chaandrayuvnashva-
Shaavasta. Shaavasta founded the town of Shaavasti (modern Shraavasti).
Lineage of Shaavasta continued as follows- Shaavasta- Vrihadashva-
Kuvalayaashva- Dridaashva- Tandraashva- Kapilaashva.
For a long time,
Yuvanashva did not have a child. So, he organised a Putreshti Yagya in
the auspices of learned sages. The Yagya lasted for a whole day. At
mid-night when the Yagya ended, sages fell asleep because of tiredness
keeping the urn of Yagya water near the altar. The water had been
empowered with sacred mantras. Meanwhile the thirsty king came there and
drank that water from the urn. When the sages awakened, they enquired
about the water in the urn. Yuvanashva told them that he had himself
drunk it. The sages told that as the water had been empowered with
sacred mantras and was meant for the queen in order to make her
conceive. Hence the king instead of the queen will conceive now. As a
result Yuvanashva conceived and in due course gave birth to a child from
his right armpit. But the child’s birth did not kill the king. The baby
was Mandhaata. In due course Mandhaata ruled the entire earth, which was
divided into seven islands.
Mandhaata married
Bindumati, the daughter of Shatabindu. They had three sons- Purukutsa,
Ambareesh, and Muchukunda. They also had fifty daughters. When all the
daughters grew young a sage Saubhari arrived in the palace and requested
Mandhaata to marry one of his daughters to him. The sage appeared old
and frail. So, Mandhaata hesitated and tried to send him off making many
excuses. The sage assured him about his physical abilities. But still
the king felt hesitant and said-“O sage, it is our tradition that we
marry our daughter only to he whom our daughter chooses as her husband.
Your request is beyond our desires."
Hearing Mandhaata’s
word sage considered for a moment and said-"All right O king! Kindly
instruct the eunuch who guards the quarters of your daughters to escort
me there." Fearing a curse from the sage, Mandhaata instructed the
eunuchs to escort him into the quarters of his daughters. While entering
the quarters, the sage assumed the appearance of an extremely handsome
Gandharva. So, when he arrived there, a row started among the girls as
to who would choose him as her husband first. Each one of them claimed
that she had first chosen him. Thus all the daughters of Mandhaata chose
sage Saubhari as their husband.
When the eunuchs
informed the king about this development, he fell in deep thoughts how
it could happen. But still he was bound by his promise so he had no
choice but to marry all his daughters to sage Saubhari. Marrying all the
fifty girls, sage Saubhari brought them to his hermitage. Calling
Vishwakarma, he instructed him to build separate castles for each of his
wives. In no time, Vishwakarma erected fifty beautiful palaces in a row.
Each one of them had ample spacious and airy rooms, surrounded by
beautiful gardens. Since then, all the girls occupied those palaces and
began to live there. Every kind of luxury and food was available to
them.
One day, drawn by
the love for his daughters, King Mandhaata decided to visit Saubhari’s
Ashram. But in place of Ashram, he found a row of beautiful palaces.
There, he met his daughters and enquired about their well being. The
daughters informed him that they were happy to live with the sage and
that their husband was capable enough to provide them with all the
luxuries. But still they remembered their native place. Each of the girl
also expressed one grief that her husband enjoyed intimacy with her at
all times and did not share time with her other sisters. These words of
the girls surprised the king. Ultimately he met Saubhari and worshipping
him he said-"O lord! It is the result of your severe penance that you
are able to keep all the fifty girls happy." Staying there for a few
days, the king returned.
In due course, the
daughters of Mandhaata gave birth to one hundred and fifty sons. Those
sons grew up and produced their progeny. At that time sage Saubhari
thought- ‘I have seen the birth of my sons. Now they have their own
sons. If I stay there, I will long to see my great-grandchildren.
Desires do not end till death. Acquiring a human body is in itself a
great sorrow. I have received enough in life, enjoyed intimacy with
fifty princesses. If I keep more desires, I will receive nothing but
sorrow. Hence I should take to the penance of Lord Vishnu.’
Thinking that way,
sage Saubhari migrated to the forest along with his fifty wives. There
they conducted Yagyas and passed their time worshipping Lord Vishnu.
Once upon a time
Gandharvas of collective name Mauneya defeated the Nagas and snatched
all their wealth and powers. The Nagas prayed Lord Vishnu to rescue
them. Lord Vishnu told them that he would appear in Mandhaata’s son
Purukutsa and kill the Gandharvas. Afterwards Narmada brought Purukutsa
to Rasaatal where Lord Vishnu appeared in his body. Thus having the
strength of Lord Vishnu, Purukutsa defeated and killed the Gandharvas.
Pleased by the action of Narmada, the Nagas blessed her with a boon that
whoever remembered her would have no fear of snake venom and Purukutsa
that he would have an immortal son.
Purukutsa and
Narmada had a son Trasadasyu. Lineage of Trasadasyu continued as
follows- Trasadasyu- Anaranya- Vrihadashva- Haryashva- Hasta- Sumana-
Tridhanva- Trayaruni and Satyavrat. Satyavrat became famous as Trishanku
in later course. By the curse of a sage, Trishanku had become a
Chandaal. Once a drought occurred for twelve long years. During that
drought, to get rid from this condition of Chandaal and feed sage
Vishwamitra, Trishanku used to tie a whole skinned deer to a Banyan tree
on the bank of the river Ganges. Pleased by his selfless service, sage
Vishwamitra sent Trishanku to the heaven with his ephemeral body.
Lineage of Trishanku grew as
follows- Trishanku- Harishchandra- Rohitashva- Harit- Chanchu- Vijay and
Vasudev. Vijay had a son Ruruk. Ruruk’s son was Vrik who had a son
Baahu. Baahu had two queens. After a long time of their marriage,
Baahu’s queen consort conceived a son. But the circumstances took a
strange turn. Baahu’s enemies together attacked his kingdom and defeated
him. The defeated king migrated to the forest along with his queens and
began to live at the hermitage of sage Aurv. Very soon, King Baahu died
of old age. His queen consort also wanted to commit Sati but sage Aurv
prevented her from doing so. After sometime getting envious of her
fortune, the other queen deceitfully fed her with poison. But the poison
could not harm the foetus, which stayed unborn for a period of seven
years because of poison’s effect.
Staying at the
hermitage of sage Aurv, the queen consort gave birth to a son. Since the
child was born with the effect of the poison, Sage Aurv named him as
Sagar. Sagar began to grow in he hermitage in natural surrounding. One
day he asked his mother about his father. The queen narrated the whole
incident to him. Sagar then and there took an oath to exterminate the
Kshatriyas who had been the cause of his father’s death. Acting as per
his oath, Sagar destroyed Haihaya Kshatriyas whereas Shak Kshatriyas got
their heads shaven out of fear. Since those Kshatriyas had given up
their religion, hence Brahmins boycotted them. As a result they became
Malechchha. Thereafter King Sagar returned to his capital and ruled the
earth.
King Sagar had two
queens, Sumati, the daughter of Kashyap and Keshini, the daughter of
Vidarbha’s king. Keshini had a son Asmanjas whereas Sumati had sixty
thousand sons. Anshuman was the son of Asmanjas. Asmanjas was very
whimsical since his childhood. Even in his youth, he did not change his
behaviour. Hence King Sagar had abandoned Asmanjas. But the things did
not improve for Sagar because even his sixty thousand sons followed the
footsteps of Asmanjas.
The gods one-day
approached sage Kapil who was a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Greeting him, they said- “If the sixty thousand sons of Sagar continued
on their whimsical way, the earth would not remain suitable for living.”
Sage Kapil assured the gods that the sixty thousand sons of Sagar would
meet their fate very soon. By the instigation of sage Kapil, King Sagar
organised an Ashwamedha Yagya.
The sixty thousand princes also
followed the horse guarding it. But somehow Indra managed to kidnap the
horse and tethered it at the hermitage of sage Kapil. The sixty thousand
princes searched for the horse and following the footprints, they also
reached the hermitage. There they found the horse and also a sage in
deep meditation. Thinking that the sage might have been responsible for
abduction of the horse they began to abuse him. As soon as sage Kapil
disturbed by the abuses opened his eyes, a flame appeared and
incinerated all the sixty thousand princes. When King Sagar came to know
about this incident, he sent Anshuman to bring back that horse. Anshuman
also reached the hermitage and greeted sage Kapil with respect. Pleased
by his politeness, sage Kapil blessed Anshuman and instructed him to
take the horse away with him. He also asked him to seek a boon. As the
boon, Anshuman only sought the salvation for his sixty thousand dead
uncles. Sage Kapil assured Anshuman that his ancestors would certainly
attain to the heaven but only after a long wait and that his grandson
Bhagirath would bring the Ganges onto the earth and that the Ganges’
waters would wash the ashes of his ancestors to the ocean and cause
their salvation.
Thus blessed by the
sae Kapil, Anshuman returned to the capital with the horse in order to
help his grand father finish the Yagya. Anshuman had a son Dileep.
Dileep’s son was Bhagirath who observed severe penance and pleased Ganga
to descend on the earth. Since the Ganges had descended on earth because
of Bhagirath’s penance, she also got a name Bhagirathi.
The lineage of
Bhagirath grew as follows- Bhagirath- Suhotra- Shruti- Naabhaag-
Ambareesh- Sindhudweep- Ayutayu- Rituparn- Sarvakaam- Sudas and Saudas.
One day, King Saudas
went hunting in the forests. There he spotted a pair of the tigers. They
were actually a tiger and a tigress in mating. Saudas killed one of them
by his arrow, while the other turned into a demon and threatening of an
avenge disappeared from the scene.
In due course, King
Saudas organised a Yagya in the auspices of sage Vashishta. Towards the
end of Yagya, sage Vashishta went away to take bath. Meanwhile the same
demon arrived there in the guise of Vashishta and expressed his desire
to eat non-vegetarian food. Then the demon arrived before the king in
the guise of the cook. The king ordered him to cook meat for the sage.
The cook cooked human flesh and served it before the sage. Sage
Vashishta knew that the food contained human flesh. He cursed the king
in anger to be a demon. Within three days, King Saudas became a demon
and began to roam in the forests. Since then he ate the humans only.
One day, Saudas in
demon form saw Muni who was in the process of mating his wife. The demon
caught and ate the Muni neglecting all the cries and wailing of his
wife. The Brahmani angrily cursed the demon that as her husband had been
killed while he was about to sate his carnal lust similarly he would
also die right in the same process.
King Saudas remained
in the demon’s form for twelve more years. After that he recovered from
the curse and began to rule like a pious king. One day, King Saudas saw
the queen in an amorous condition and an impulse of carnal pleasure ran
within his body. He made advances to satisfy his lust but the queen who
knew everything about the curse stopped him reminding him of the curse.
Since then the king stuck to celibacy. Since the king had no son, he
allowed his queen Madayanti to conceive a child with the help of sage
Vashishta. The queen did conceive but the foetus remained unborn for
seven years at length. At last the irritated queen hit her foetus with a
stone. This resulted in the birth of child at once. The child was named
Ashmak. The lineage of Ashmak grew as follows: Ashmak- Moolak-
Dasharath- Ilivil- Vishvasah and Khatwang. Khatwang had killed many
formidable demons fighting by the side of the gods. Pleased by his
gallantry, the gods wanted to grant him a boon. Khatwang wanted to know
how long would live more. The gods told him that he would live for one
Muhurta more. Hearing this, Khatwang came back on earth and prayed Lord
Vishnu to take him in His refuge. At last he did annihilated with Lord
Vishnu.
Lineage of Khatwang
grew as follows-Khatwang- Deerghbahu- Raghu- Aja and Dasharath. King
Dasharath had three queens who gave birth to four sons-Rama, Lakshmana,
Bharat and Shatrughana.
Rama was an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His life too had lot of ups and downs. After
being trained in archery, He and Lakshmana spent most of their boyhood
time in the hermitage of sage Vishwamitra guarding his Yagyas from the
demons. After that when Vishwamitra was taking them to Mithila Lord Rama
salved Ahilya who had been converted into a stone by the curse of her
husband sage Gautam. In Mithila, Lord Rama broke the bow of Lord Shiva
and won Sita as His wife. When they returned to Ayodhya, King Dasharath
decided to crown Rama as the new king. But misguided by Manthara, queen
Kaikeyee stubbornly sought that her son Bharat should be crowned as the
new king whereas Rama should be sent on an exile for fourteen years.
Bounded by his promises that he had made to Kaikeyee earlier, King
Dasharath had no choice but to accept her demands.
Thus to keep His
father’s words, Lord Rama accepted the exile. Sita and Lakshmana also
followed His steps. In the forests, the demon king Ravan deceitfully
abducted Sita. It was followed by meeting of Rama with Hanumana and
Sugreev, killing of Baali- Sugreev’s brother, finding of Sita by
Hanumana in Lanka, bridging of the sea that separated Lanka, fierce
battle with the demons and ultimately killing of Ravan by Lord Rama.
After the completion of exile period Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya and
ruled there for twelve years.
Lord Rama had two
sons- Lava and Kusha. Lineage of Kusha grew as follows- Kusha- Atithi-
Nishadh- Anal- Nabh- Pundareek- Kshemdhanwa- Devaneek- Ahinaka- Ruru-
Pariyatrak- Deval- Vanchal- Ulka- Vajranabha- Shankhan- Yushhitashva-
Vishvasaha- Hiranyanaam- Pushya- Dhruvsandhi- Sudarshan- Agnivarn-
Shighrag- Maru- Prasushrut- Susandhi- Amarsh- Sahaswan and Vishvabhav.
Vishvabhav had a son Brihdal who was killed by Abhimanyu in the battle
of Mahabharat.
Ikshvaku’s son Nimi
once decided to organise a Yagya that was to last for one thousand
years. He also wanted the sage Vashishta to guide the Yagya. But Indra
had already booked Vashishta for a period of five hundred years. So sage
Vashishta expressed his inability to conduct any other Yagya till the
completion of that period and requested the king to wait till he was
free from Indra’s obligations. Nimi kept quite at that time. Taking his
silence as an approval, the sage began the Yagya for Indra. But the king
meanwhile started Yagya in the auspices of other sages like Gautam etc.
At the completion of Yagya for
Indra, sage Vashishta hurried back to the earth to conduct Yagya for
King Nimi. But here he found that a Yagya was already in progression.
This infuriated the sage to the extent that he poured down curse on
Nimi, who was sleeping at that time, to lose his body at once. When the
king learned about the curse and that he was cursed in sleep, he cursed
the sage in retaliation to lose his body at once before giving up his
own body. By the curse of Nimi, Vashishta’s body was destroyed but he
himself entered the semen of Mitravarun. Thereafter, one day Mitravarun
happened to sea the elf Urvashi. Her amorous beauty caused the
ejaculation of his semen spontaneously. With ejaculated semen, sage
Vashishta also came out and acquired a new body.
On the other hand,
at end of Yagya when the gods appeared to accept their due share from
the offerings, the sages prayed them to grant Nimi some boon. Nimi
however sought nothing in boon but expressed his desire to stay in eyes
of the people forever. The gods granted that desire. Before that nobody
had ever blinked his eyes. Blinking of eyes came into practice because
Nimi stays there. In order to save the kingdom from anarchy, the sages
churned the dead body of Nimi with a stick of Bombax tree and produced a
son. That son came to known as Janak. Since he was born from the dead
body of his father, the boy also came to be known as Vaideha. Lineage of
Janak continued as follows: Janak- Udavasu- Nandivardhan- Suketu-
Devrat- Brihadukth- Mahaveerya- Sudhriti- Dhrishtketu- Haryashva- Manu-
Prateet- Kritrath- Devbheed- Vibudh- Mahadhriti- Kritraj- Maharoma-
Suvarnaroma- Hrasyaroma and Seerdhvaj. With a desire of a son, Seerdhvaj
was once ploughing the earth when he stumbled upon a pitcher. In the
pitcher, he found a beautiful baby whom he named as Sita.
The creator of the
world, Brahma had a son named Atri. Chandrama was the son of Atri. Once
Chandrama organised a Rajsuya Yagya and received great powers.
Afterwards blinded by his powers, Chandrama kidnapped Tara, the wife of
Brihaspati. Even his grandfather Brahma tried to dissuade him from
committing such a grave crime but Chandrama was not to listen to
anybody. Because his hostility with Brihaspati, the teacher of the
demons Shukra was also assisting Chandrama. At that moment of need, only
Rudra came forward to help Brihaspati. A fierce battle followed between
Chandrama and Rudra. The gods were helping Brihaspati while because of
Shukra, the demons fought from the side of Chandrama. Soon the battle
assumed the proportion of a war that perplexed the entire world. At
last, Lord Vishnu mediated to end the battle and helped Brihaspati to
get his wife back. By that time Tara had conceived a child. Seeing her
condition Brihaspati instigated Tara to abort the baby. Tara aborted the
baby amidst some shrubs but it did not die. Instead, his brilliance
dulled even the radiance of the gods.
The baby was so
beautiful that both Brihaspati and Chandrama were eager to accept him.
To settle the matter, Brahma asked Tara about the paternity of the
child. Feeling shy, Tara revealed that Chandrama was the father of the
child. Then Brahma himself adopted the child and named him as Buddha.
When he grew young,
Buddha produced Pururava from Illa. Pururava was very magnanimous and
handsome. Once an elf Urvashi happened to see him and at once fell in
love. She then approached Pururava. Her beauty enchanted Pururava also.
He requested the elf to stay with him. But Urvashi stipulated that she
might stay with him if he agreed to follow her two conditions that he
would never drive the two sheep, which were like her children away from
her bed and that he would never undress before her in visible light.
Pururava accepted both the conditions.
Since then Pururava
began to live with Urvashi. Together they enjoyed their physical
intimacy for sixty thousand years. Their love grew so much that even
Urvashi forgot those heavenly comforts that she used to enjoy once. But
because of her absence, even the heaven appeared more dreaded than hell.
At last, one Vishvavasu who knew
about the conditions stole one sheep from their bedroom and flew away.
Hearing the cries of the sheep, Urvashi got up in anxiety and shouted
who was stealing her son. But Pururava pretended as if asleep for the
fear of being seen naked. As the fuss grew further, he could no more
contain himself and ran after the thief. Right at that moment, the
Gandharvas produced intense lightning illuminating the whole scene. As a
result, Urvashi saw Pururava in a naked state and at once left his
palace to her heavenly abode for now both of her conditions had been
violated. Pururava could not tolerate the separation of Urvashi. He
began to roam here and there in that bare condition like a mad. Thus
roaming he reached at Kamal Sarovar in Kurukshetra where he saw Urvashi
with four other elves. Seeing Urvashi Pururava began to behave madly. It
was impossible for him to control his sensual desires even in the
presence of other elves. But Urvashi stopped him saying that she was
expecting an issue and after a year, she will give birth to his child.
She also promised at that time she will stay with him for a night.
After a year King
Pururava once again reached that place where Urvashi handed over his son
Aayu. As per her promise she also stayed with Pururava for a night and
consequently in later course gave birth to five more sons. Urvashi
informed Pururava that because of their love Gandharvas wished to bless
him with a boon. Pururava sought a life-long union with Urvashi.
Gandharvas presented him with an altar and instructed to conduct regular
Yagyas properly. Then all of his desires would come true, the Gandharvas
assured Pururava. But King Pururava left that altar in the forest and
returned to his capital. At mid-night, he awakened suddenly as if from a
trance and hurried to the forest to recover his altar. But the altar was
no more there; it had transformed into a peepal tree. Pururava got that
tree felled and brought it to his capital where the carpenters made
Arani (a wooden implement used in ancient India to produce fire) from
its wood. Since then Pururava conducted regular Yagyas with the help of
that Arani and attained to the Gandharvaloka where he was never
separated from Urvashi again.
Pururava had six
sons- Aayu, Amavasu, Vishwavasu, Shrutaayu, Shataayu and Ayutayu.
Amavasu had a son Bheema and Bheema in turn had a son Kanchan. Jahnu was
the son of Kanchan’s son, Suhotra. At the time of Ganga’s descend on
earth, when Jahnu saw his hermitage inundated, he drank all her water.
He released the Ganges only when the Devrishis prayed him. Since then
Ganges also came to be known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Jahnu.
Lineage of Jahnu grew as follows-
Jahnu- Sumant- Ajak- Balaakashva and Kusha. Kusha had four sons-
Kushaamb, Kushnaam- Adhurtraja and Vasu. Kushaamb observed severe
penance with a desire to have a son like Indra. Pleased by his penance,
Indra himself took birth as his son. He came to be known as Kaushik.
Kaushik had a daughter named Satyavati who got married to Richeek. Sage
Richeek prepared kheer in two parts- one for his wife Satyavati and
another for Satyavati’s mother. Instructing Satyavati, he went to the
forest.
When Satyavati and
her mother were about to eat the kheer, her mother exchanged her part of
kheer with that of her daughter saying that her son had to foster the
world while the son of the sage had nothing to do with wealth and all
that. Satyavati agreed to that and ate that part of kheer, which was
reserved for her mother whereas her mother ate Satyavati’s part. When
Richeek returned from the forest, he noticed formidable changes in the
body of his wife. He understood that she had eaten her mother’s part of
the kheer. Angrily the sage predicted that she would have a son who
would be Kshatriya-like in virtues whereas her mother would have
Brahmin-like son. Satyavati begged pardon and requested the sage to
change his prediction saying that the crime was committed by mistake and
that she would be happy to have a Kshatriya-like grandson but not a son.
At her request the sage changed his prediction.
As per the
prediction, Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni whereas her mother gave
birth to Vishwamitra. After giving birth to Jamadagni turned into a
river named Kaushiki.
In later course, as
a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parashuram took birth as the son
of sage Jamadagni.
Pururava’s son Aayu
had been married to Rahu’s daughter. They had five sons- Nahush,
Kshatravriddh, Rambh, Vraji and Aneyna. Suhotra was the son of
Kshatravriddh. He had three sons- Kaashya, Kaash and Gritsamad. Shaunak
was the son of Gritsamad whereas Kaasheya was the son of Kaashya.
Lineage of Kaasheya grew as- Kaasheya- Raashtra- Dirdhakapa and
Dhanvantari. Dhanvantari’s body was free from all the physical faults
like ageing and diseases.
Dhanvantari’s lineage grew as-
Dhanvantari- Ketumaan- Bheemrath- Dibodas and Pratardan. Pratardan was
also known as Shatrujit because of his conquering his enemies. Since he
had acquired a horse named Kulavay hence he also came to be known as
Kulvayaashva. Pratardan had a son named Alarka who enjoyed his rule on
earth for sixty-six thousand years.
Lineage of Alarka
continued as follows- Sannati- Sunith- Suketu- Dharmaketu- Satyaketu-
Vibhu- Suvibhu- Sukumar- Dhristhaketu- Vitihotra- Bhaarga and
Bhaargbhumi. It was progeny of Bhaargbhumi who gave rise to four classes
of people.
King Raji had five
hundred prowessive sons. Once at the beginning of battle between the
demons and the gods, they appeared before Brahma and enquired as to
which part would win. Brahma said that only that part would win which
would be aided by King Raji. First the demons approached Raji and
requested him to fight from their side. King Raji stipulated that he
would fight only when the demons agreed to appoint him as their Indra.
The demons told him that Prahlad was their Indra and returned. Then the
gods also approached King Raji and requested him to take their side.
Raji put the same condition before them also to which the gods agreed.
In a fierce battle and aided by
King Raji, the gods defeated the demons. After their victory, Indra
bowed before King Raji and expressed his desire to present him with the
kingdom of heaven. Thus King Raji became Indra. After the demise of
Raji, Narad instigated his sons to acquire the rule of heaven. All the
five hundred sons of Raji approached Indra and requested him to give
them the rule of heaven but Indra refused plainly. At that Raji’s sons
dethroned Indra forcibly and themselves became Indra. After much time
had passed, Indra approached Brihaspati and prayed him to help him
regain the rule of heaven. Brihaspati assured him that he would soon
establish him at the throne.
Afterwards
Brihaspati created illusions in the minds of Raji’s sons. He also
conducted many Yagyas to increase the radiance of Indra. Guided by the
illusions, Raji’s sons began to behave in anti-religious ways. Then
Indra easily killed them all and regained his designation.
Nahush had six sons-
Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Aayati, Viyati and Kriti. Yayati had two wives,
Devyani, the daughter of Shukracharya and Sharmishtha, the daughter of
Vrishparva. Devyani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu whereas Sharmishtha
gave birth to Druhayu, Anu and Puru. Because of a curse of Shukracharya
old age had descended on Yayati prematurely.
Yayati then
requested his eldest son Yadu to exchange his youth with his old age but
Yadu refused. Then Yayati requested each of his sons one by one but all
of them refused plainly for the fear of getting old prematurely.
At last Yayati’s youngest son
Puru gladly accepted his request and gave him his youth. Regaining the
youth, Yayati once again indulged in carnal pleasures with both his
queens. But everyday his desire for pleasures increased like a fire
flared up by ghee. After one thousand years Yayati realised his mistake
and decided to expiate for his sin. Thus, Yayati returned Puru his youth
and acquired his old age once again. Then crowning Puru as the king, he
took an exile to the forest.
Yayati’s eldest son
Yadu had four sons- Sahastrajit, Kroshtu, Nala and Nahush. Sahastrajit
had a son Shatajit who had three sons Haihaya, Hehaya and Venuhaya.
Lineage of Haihaya grew as- Dharma- Dharmanetra- Kunti- Sahajit-
Mahishmaan- Bhadrashrenya- Durdabh and Dhanak. Dhanak had four sons-
Kritveerya, Kritaagni, Kritdharma and Kritauja.
Kritveerya had a
prowessive son Arjun. Arjun had worshipped Dattatreya and by his
blessings acquired one thousand arms. Since then he came to be known as
Sahastrarjun. Dattatreya had blessed him with many other boons like rule
of entire earth, fostering of his subjects in religious ways and killing
by some human being famous in all the three worlds. At that time, there
was no other king equal to Sahastrarjun in virtues. He ruled the entire
earth for eighty-five thousand years.
Once Sahastrarjun was enjoying
his past time on the waters of Narmada when he happened to have an
encounter with Ravan, the king of Lanka. Sahastrarjun captured Ravan
easily and imprisoned him at an isolated place in his kingdom. With time
ego of Sahastrarjun had crossed all limits. He began to terrorise the
sages and other religious people. When his atrocities increased beyond
tolerance level, Lord Vishnu took a partial incarnation as Parashuram,
the son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka. As per the prediction of sage
Richeek, Parashuram grew with Kshatriya - like virtues. He had in fact
taken incarnation to relieve the earth from the atrocities of egoist
kings. Parashuram had received arms training from none other than Lord
Shiva. He was very obedient to his father and had beheaded his own
mother by the Parashu (axe) that he had received from Lord Shiva at the
dictate of his father. In due course Parashuram not only got Ravan
released from captivity but also killed Sahastrarjun.
Sahastrarjun had one
hundred sons among whom Shur, Shursena, Vrishasena, Madhu and Jayadhwaj
were prominent. Jayadhwaj had a son Taaljunga. Taaljunga had one hundred
sons among whom Vitihotra and Bharat were prominent. Bharat again had
one hundred sons whereas Madhu also had hundred sons among whom Vrishni
was prominent. After the name of their forefather Yadu, this clan came
to be known as Yaduvansha.
Lineage of Kroshtu
grew as follows- Kroshtu- Dhwajnivan- Swati- Rushanku- Chitrarath-
Rashibindu. Rashibindu had one lakh queens and ten lakh sons among whom
Prithusharva, Prithukarma, Prithukirti, Prithuyasha, Prithujay and
Prithushan were prominent. In their lineage later on occurred a king
named Jyamadh. He was so dedicated to his wife Shaivya that despite
being childless, he did not dare to marry other women because of her
fear.
Once, Jyamadh took part in a
fierce battle in which he defeated all his enemies. While he was about
to return, he heard pitiable cries of a woman. He saw a beautiful young
lady who was crying for her protection. Jyamadh was so infatuated by her
beauty that he took her to his kingdom. When they reached at the gate of
the palace, the king saw that the queen Shaivya was waiting for him
along with a big crowd. When Shaivya saw a beautiful young lady sitting
beside the king on the chariot, she began to shout at him. The horrified
king tried to explain that the young lady was his daughter-in-law. The
queen shouted even louder that when they did not have a son, whence the
daughter-in-law came. But the king explained that he had selected a wife
for her would-be son.
As the effect of
their conversation queen Shaivya soon conceived and gave birth to a son
inspite of her advancing age. They named the son as Vidarbh. In due
course of time, Vidarbh got married to that lady whom his father had
brought home earlier. They had three sons- Krath, Kaushik and Romapad.
Romapad had received preaching from Narad.
Lineage of Krath
grew as follows- Krath- Kunti- Ghrishti- Nighriti- Dashaard- Vyoma-
Jimoot- Vikriti- Bheemrath- Navrath- Dasharath- Shakuni- Karambhi-
Devraat- Devakshatra- Madhu- Kumarvansh- Anu- Kurumitra- Anshu- Satvak.
Satvak was the forefather of a clan that was named after him.
This chapter
contains 6 sections.
The lineage of Puru grew as Puru-
Janmejaya- Prachinvaan- Praveer- Manasyu- Abhayad- Sudayu- Bahugat-
Sanyati- Ahamyaati- Raudraashva. Raudraashva had ten sons among whom
Riteshu was the most prominent. Riteshu had three sons among whom
Apratirath was most prominent. Lineage of Apratirath is as follows-
Apratirath- Aileen- Dushyant and Bharat. King Dushyant had fallen in
love with Shakuntala, the daughter of sage Vishwamitra and elf Menaka.
They got married
secretly in the forest and after a few days, King Dushyant returned to
his kingdom promising Shakuntala that he would call her as soon as he
reached his palace. He had given Shakuntala his ring as a memento. But
while Shakuntala was crossing the river on her way to the palace, the
ring slipped from her finger and was swallowed by a fish. In the absence
of the ring, King Dushyant refused to identify Shakuntala. So, she
returned to the hermitage of sage Vishwamitra and gave birth to a child
who later on became famous as Bharat.
Bharat had been
very prowessive since his childhood. His first meeting with King
Dushyant was also very dramatical. It is said that once King Dushyant
was hunting in the forest and he saw a boy who was counting the teeth of
a lion. Impressed by the bravery of the boy, the king enquired about his
parentage and reached the hermitage where sage Vishwamitra narrated him
the whole story. Meanwhile a fisherman had also recovered the ring from
the fish and handed it to the king who had thus recalled the whole
story. In the hermitage, King Dushyant came to see Shakuntala and he
candidly accepted her and his son Bharat.
Bharat had three
queens and nine children. Since none of the children resembled him in
features, he expressed his doubts about their paternity. Fearing the
wrath of Bharat, his queens killed all the children. Then with a desire
to have a son, Bharat organised a Marutsoma Yagya. As a result he got
Bharadwaj as his son. Bharadwaj’s second name was Vitath. His lineage
grew as follows- Vitath- Manyu.
Manyu had many sons
like Brihatkshatra, Mahaveer, Nara, Garg etc. Their lineage grew as
follows Nara- Sanskriti- Gurupreeti and Rantidev. Garg had a son Shini
who became famous as Gaargya and Shainya also. Mahaveer lineage is as
follows- Durukshay- Trayyaruni- Pushkarinya and Kapi. In the lineage of
Brihatkshatra occurred a king Hasti who founded the city of Hastinapur.
Hasti had three sons- Ajmirh- Dwijmirh and Purumirh. Among the sons of
Ajmirh were included Panchals and a daughter Ahilya. Ahilya was married
to sage Gautam. They had a son Shatanand. Satyaghriti was the son of
Shatanand. Once Satyaghriti happened to sight the extremely amorous and
beautiful elf Urvashi. Her mere sight was enough to cause the
ejaculation of his semen, which fell on a reed and divided into two
parts. From these two parts were born a boy Krip and a girl Kripi. King
Shantanu discovered Krip and Kripi in the forest and brought them to his
palace. In later course, Kripi was married to Dronacharya, the teacher
of Kauravas and Pandavas. Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya. One of
the king named Kuru in the lineage of Ajmirh established the sacred
region of Kurukshetra.
In the lineage of
Kuru, there occurred a King Prateep. He had three sons- Devapi, Shantanu
and Vaahlik. Devapi had taken an abode in the forest in his childhood.
Hence Shantanu came to become a king after their father Prateep.
Once in the kingdom
of King Shantanu, there was no rainfall for twelve years at length.
Perplexed by the continuous drought-like situation, Shantanu consulted
learned Brahmins. Brahmins informed him that he had no genuine right on
the kingdom, which in fact belonged to his brother Devapi. They also
told him that as long as Devapi was not fallen from his supreme
position, the drought would continue. Alternatively, handing over the
kingdom to Devapi might also result in the end of the drought.
Then Shantanu’s
minister Ashmasari appointed certain Brahmins who always spoke in
anti-Vedas ways. Their continuous preaching disinclined Devapi’s mind
from Vedas. On the other hand one day, King Shantanu proceeded towards
the forest along with Brahmins and his courtiers to hand over the
kingdom to Devapi. There the Brahmins tried to convince Devapi to accept
the onus of the kingdom. They were sighting anecdotes from the Vedas to
corroborate their argument. But Devapi criticised Vedas and spoke in
anti-religious ways. At that Brahmins instructed the king to return to
the kingdom, as there was no use to convince Devapi. They also assured
Shantanu that since Devapi had been disinclined from Vedas, he had lost
his right to the kingdom and the famine would also come to an end.
Shantanu’s younger
brother Vaahlik had a son Somadutta. Bhuri, Bhurishrava and Shalya were
the sons of Somadutta. In later course Shantanu got married to Ganga and
had a son Bheeshma. From his second wife Satyavati, Shantanu had two
sons- Chitrangad and Vichitraveerya. Chitrangad was killed by a
Gandharva whereas younger Vichitraveerya was married to the princesses
of Kashi, Ambika and Ambalika. He was so busy in carnal pleasures with
his two wives that soon he contracted tuberculosis and died because of
it. Despite their indulgence in carnal pleasures, Ambika and Ambalika
could not bear a child from Vichitraveerya. Hence in order to continue
their lineage, Satyavati inspired Ambika and Ambalika to appear naked
before Vedavyasa and beget a child. Since Ambika closed her eyes while
she appeared naked before Vedavyasa, she begot a blind son,
Dhritarashtra. Similarly, Ambalika grew pale when she appeared naked
before Vedavyasa. Hence she begot a son Pandu who was congenitally
afflicted with jaundice. Not satisfied by the outcome, Satyavati once
again persuaded Ambika and Ambalika to appear naked before Vedavyasa.
But the queens sent a maidservant Vinita before Vedavyasa. Vinita
appeared naked before Vedavyasa without any fear or shyness. Hence she
begot an extremely wise son Vidur.
In later course
Dhritarashtra got married to Gandhaari, the princess of Kandahar whereas
Pandu received two wives Kunti, the daughter of Shoorsen and Madri, the
princess of Madra. Dhritarashtra had one hundred sons and a daughter
Dushala. Duryodhan was the eldest among the one hundred sons of
Dhritarashtra. Pandu on the other hand had five sons among whom
Yudhishthir was the eldest.
All the five sons
of Pandu were born with the help of five gods- Dharma, Vaayu, Indra and
Ashwini kumars because Pandu was carrying a curse that he would die if
he ever tried to copulate. Pandu’s five sons- Yudhishthir, Bheema,
Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev came to be known as Pandavas. Five Pandavas
were married to Draupadi, the daughter of Panchal King Drupad. From
Draupadi each of the Pandavas had a son. Their names were Prativindya
from Yudhishthir, Shrutsen from Bheema, Shrutkirti from Arjun,
Shrutaneek from Nakul and Shrutkarma from Sahadev. Besides them
Yudhishthir had a son Devak from Yaudheyi. From Hidimba, Bheema had a
son Ghatotkachch and from Kashi a son Sarvak. From Vijaya, Sahadev had a
son Suhotra whereas from Renumati, Nakul had a son Nirmitra. Arjun was
the most prowessive among the Pandavas. Apart from Draupadi he had three
more wives- Ulupi who belonged to the Nagas, Chitrangada, the princess
of Manipur and Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna. From these three
wives Arjun had three sons-Iravaan from Ulupi, Vabhruvaahan from
Chitrangada and Abhimanyu from Subhadra. In the battle of Mahabharat all
these sons of the Pandavas fought valiantly and sacrificed their lives.
It was Abhimanyu’s son Parikshit who continued the lineage of Pandavas
and ruled the earth till right now.
Vasudev, the son of
Shoorsen was married to Devaki, the daughter of Devak. On that occasion
of their marriage, Devaki’s cousin Kansa was driving their chariot. At
that time, a celestial voice declared that the eighth son of Devaki
would kill Kansa. Kansa in the excitement was ready to kill Devaki ten
and there but Vasudev convinced him saying that he would himself hand
over all his children to him. Thus assured by Vasudev, Kansa dropped the
idea of killing Devaki.
When the marriage
of Vasudev and Devaki was taking place, Prithvi approached Brahma in the
guise of a cow. She complained to Brahma that population of mean-minded
people was increasing and that she was not more able to bear the burden
of their anti-religious deeds. Prithvi said- "O Lord! The same demon
Kaalnemi whom Lord Vishnu had killed in his previous birth has taken
incarnation of Kansa, the son of Ugrasena. Many other fearsome demons
Arishth, Dhenuk, Keshi, Pralamb, Sunda, Banasura and many more have
taken over the rule and tormenting the religious people in many ways.
They keep million strong forces. I am unable to bear their burden. So
kindly do something to get me rid of this burden."
Hearing the words
of Prithvi, Brahma said to the gods- "Prithvi speaks the truth. Indeed
she is carrying too much burden. Let us all go to the shore of
Ksheersagar and pray Lord Vishnu and intimate Him about all this
matter." Then accompanied by the gods, Brahma arrived at the coast of
Ksheersagar and prayed Lord Vishnu. Pleased by their prayer, Lord Vishnu
appeared before them in His universal form and said- "Brahmaji! Believe
my words and be assured that whatever you and these gods desire shall
realise." Thus assured by the Lord all the gods and Brahma prayed once
again. Pleased by their prayer, Lord Vishnu plucked a black and a white
hair from his head and said-"Both these hair of mine shall take
incarnation on earth and remove the miseries that the people face there.
All of you take partial incarnation on earth to attenuate the strength
of the demons. This black hair of mine shall take birth as the eighth
son of Devaki and kill Kansa who is an re-incarnation of Kaalnemi."
While this
conversation was on, Devarshi Narad appeared before Kansa and informed
him that Lord Vishnu would take birth as the eighth son of Devaki.
Hearing the words of Narad, Kansa angrily put Vasudev and Devaki behind
the bars. There in his abode, Lord Vishnu instructed Mahamaaya
(personified illusion) to implant the six foetuses who were in Pataal in
the womb of Devaki, one by one. He knew that all of them would be killed
by Kansa. Then he instructing Mahamaaya to implant his part Shesha who
would appear as the seventh issue of Devaki, in the womb of Rohini, the
second wife of Vasudev so that he could appear as her son instead of
Devaki’s. Lord instructed Mahamaaya to appear in the womb of Yashoda in
Gokul while He Himself would appear as the eighth issue of Devaki. He
also told Mahamaaya that He would take birth on the eighth day of the
darker phase in the month of Bhaadrapad while she would take birth on
the ninth day and that immediately after His birth, Vasudev would
himself carry Him to Gokul and leaving me beside Yashoda, he would carry
her back to Mathura.
As per the dictate
of Lord Vishnu, Yogamaaya implanted six foetuses in the womb of Devaki.
All the six children were killed by Kansa immediately after their birth.
Yogamaaya transplanted the seventh issue of Devaki into the womb of
Rohini who was residing at that time in Gokul. Then Lord Himself
appeared as the eighth issue of Devaki. Since the time of His arrival,
radiance of Devaki increased manifold. At the same time, Yogamaaya also
appeared as an issue of Yashoda in Gokul. Seeing the arrival of Lord
Himself as the eighth issue of Devaki, the gods prayed Him with
devotion.
Then on the eighth
day in the darker phase of Bhaadrapad, Lord took birth. At the time of
His birth, the wind suspended its motion. The reverse attained extremely
purified state whereas dense clouds gathered in the sky and caused
drizzling. Seeing the child born with auspicious Swastik mark on his
chest, Vasudev recognised Him and prayed Him. At the same time, he and
Devaki also feared that Kansa would kill their eighth son also. So, they
prayed the Lord to hide His divine appearance. Lord assured them that
their ordeals would end soon.
Then Vasudev put
the child in a winnower and started his journey on foot to Gokul
carrying the winnower on his head. Because of the influence of
Yogamaaya, all the guards fell asleep while the gates of the prison
opened automatically. It was raining heavily at that time. So when
Vasudev reached in the open, Sheshnag spread its hood over him to shade
the Lord from rain. In Gokul, Nand’s wife Yashoda too gave birth to a
girl child but because of Yogamaaya’s influence she did not know
anything about the birth. Vasudev arrived there and putting Lord beside
the sleeping Yashoda, he took her baby and returned to his prison in
Mathura.
As soon as the baby
reached in the prison, she began to cry loudly. Her cries awakened the
guards who ran to inform Kansa about the child’s birth. Kansa at once
arrived there and snatching the baby from Devaki’s lap, he dashed her on
the wall. But before he could throw the baby, she slipped from his grip
and taking eight armed Jagdamba’s appearance, established in the air.
Laughing loudly then, mother Jagdamba said- "O Kansa! You cannot kill
me. Your killer has taken birth. Lord Hari had been your death in your
previous births. In this birth also He will kill you. So from now on,
make efforts for your benefit only. Saying this Jagdamba vanished.
Worried by the words of Yogamaaya, Kansa called a meeting of his
prominent demons and said -"These evil gods have hatched a conspiracy to
kill me. But being a brave man, I do not take these gods into account.
You have yourself witnessed how Indra fled before the shower of my
arrows. You would also remember how the clouds rained heavily in my
kingdom when Indra had forbidden them from raining on a kingdom and I
had pierced them with my arrows.
All the things on
earth except my father-in-law Jarasandh bow before me in fear. I don’t
care for the gods. Even their efforts to kill me make me laugh. But
still I must not take the word of Jagdamba lightly that my killer had
taken birth. We should therefore kill all the children who have taken
birth within the past few days." Instructing the demons Kansa approached
Vasudev and Devaki in the prison and released them apologising his cruel
action in the way of killing their innocent children.
When Vasudev was
released from the prison, Nand visited Mathura on some official trip. He
also came to see Vasudev. Vasudev greeted him for the birth of a son and
instructed him to return to Gokul as soon as possible. He also requested
Nand to look after the son of Rohini as his own son. After meeting
Vasudev when Nand was returning, many kinds of thoughts were disturbing
him. In the Gokul while Nand was away, an ogress Putana had stolen the
little Krishna in the night and was breast-feeding him with her poisoned
milk. But little Krishna sucked even her life through her breast. Making
a loud noise and assuming a huge body, Putana fell on earth and died.
Only then the village folk came to know about the incident. They also
saw little Krishna sitting in the lap of Putana.
The frightened
Yashoda swept little Krishna with the tail of a cow to do away with all
the bad omens. The other cowherds also prayed Lord Vishnu to protect the
child from all calamities.
KILLING OF SHAKA
When Lord Krishna
was twenty-seven days old, a festival was organised in Gokul. Mata
Yashoda bathed the baby while the Brahmins recited hymns. Yashoda saw
that baby was feeling sleepy, so putting him in a cradle, she left it
under a cart. The cart was loaded with pitchers of milk, curd and
butter. After sometime, lord Krishna awoke and began to cry for a feed.
But amidst festivities, Yashoda could not hear his cries.
Meanwhile a demon
Shakatasur rode the cart wishing to press the cart and thereby kill the
Lord. But before he could act, the Lord touched the cart with His feet
and lo and behold! The cart turned over and all the utensils kept on it
came crashing down. Even the demon was crushed to death under the cart.
Other boys, who were playing nearby, informed the Gopis (ladiesfolk)
that the little Kanhaiya had turned over the loaded cart, but they did
not believe the kids. Yashoda ran in horror and lifted the baby in her
lap. The Brahmins recited pacifying hymns then. Thereafter the baby was
bathed again with sanctified water. A feast of Brahmins followed then.
Ultimately they were seen off with many gifts.
SALVATION OF
TRINAVART
Once Mata Yashoda
was playing with the baby lord in her home. All of a sudden she felt as
if the baby was getting disproportionately heavy. Soon, she felt herself
unable to bear the child anymore. So she left the child on the ground
and began to pray Purushottam Lord Rama. Soon afterwards she forgot
about the event, but all was not over yet. Trinavart, a demon minister
of Kansa, had arrived in Gokul as a fierce cyclone. He covered entire
Gokul with dust and blinded the people temporarily. For a moment people
could not see anything and during that moment Trinavart blew the baby in
air with him. When the dust settled, Yashoda did not find the baby
Krishna where she had left him. She felt extremely sorry and fell on
ground in depression. Other womenfolk also gathered round her. They too
began to cry not seeing baby Krishna there.
In the form of
cyclone, the demon Trinavart had blown baby Krishna with him; but he too
could not bear his heavy burden. So he began to lose his velocity. Lord
Krishna caught him by neck. The demon died in a few moments and his dead
body fell in Vraj. And Yashoda got a new lease of life when she saw baby
Krishna safe and sound. Nand and other Gopas too were overjoyed.
NAMING OF LORD
KRISHNA
Once, the supreme
ascetic Gargacharya arrived in Gokul. He was the ancestral teacher of
Yaduvanshis. Nand joyfully welcomed and treated the hermit. Then he
requested him to carry out the ritual of naming and suggest suitable
named for both of his sons. Acharya Garg said, "O Nand, everyone knows
that I am the ancestral teacher of the Yadavas. If I carry out the
naming ritual for these boys, people will understand that they are
Devaki's sons." So Nand requested Gargacharya to name his sons secretly.
Gargacharya accepted his request and carried out the naming rituals
secretly in Nand's cattle shed.
Garg said: "This
son of Rohini will cause by his virtue, great pleasures for his near and
dear ones. So his second name will be Rama. And because of excessive
strength, people will call him as Bala also. Since he will unite the
people also, so one of his names would be Sankarshan."
Thereafter, Garg
said pointing to Yashodanandan. He has taken incarnation in every age.
In the past ages, he had taken white, red and yellow complexions
respectively. This time he has taken dark complexion, so he will be
known as Krishna. Once he has been the son of Vasudev, so people will
call him as Vasudev also. He will cause salvation of all of you, and
great joy for the fellow Gopas and cows. With his help, you will
overcome even the severe crises. O Nand, This boy will be equal to
Narayana in virtues, wealth, beauty, fame and influence. Foster this
child with care and earnestness." Thus naming the boys as per their
virtues, Garg returned to his hermitage.
CHILDHOOD OF LORD
KRISHNA
The time passed in
Gokul as usual. Balrama and Krishna too grew normally. Soon they began
to walk on knees and palms. With their childish plays they both amused
men and women folk of Gokul. Everyone took special care of them and
looked after them to save them from any possible danger. Ladiesfolk were
especially careful about them.
Soon afterwards,
both the kids began to walk trottingly. Now their movement no longer
confined within the boundary of their home. Because of his special
virtues, Krishna began to lead other kids of his age group whereas his
elder brother Balaram was somewhat serious in nature. Krishna specially
enjoyed teasing the girls and milkmaids of Gokul. Often he would eat
stealing their milk, curd and butter. At other times, He did not
hesitate even to break their pitchers. In such situations the ladiesfolk
used to gather in Nand's home to complain against Krishna. And every
time Yashoda promised them to punish Krishna. But every time, when she
proceeded to punish him, she forgot everything before his sweet,
innocent smile.
One day, Balaram
complained against Krishna, "Ma, the little Kanhaiya has eaten mud.
Worried about Krishna's health, Yashoda scolded at him: "Tell me, O
mischievous Krishna, why did you eat mud". At that moment, little
Krishna's eyes were moving with fear. He made an excuse: "No Ma, I have
not eaten any mud. They are telling you a lie. If you don't believe, me
see yourself." Saying this, Krishna opened his little mouth. Yashoda
peeped into his mouth and what she saw there amazed her. She could not
believe it. The entire universe was visible in his little mouth. Yashoda
saw strange places, entire Vraj and even herself in the little mouth of
Krishna. She felt dizzy. With his illusionary powers, Lord wiped out the
memory of this incidence from the mind of Yashoda, and she again
immersed in love with her child.
UKHAL BANDHAN AND
SALVATION OF YAMALARJUN
Once, wishing to
feed Krishna with butter, Yashoda began to churn milk in the morning.
Very soon, Krishna too awakened and not finding the mother on her bed,
He set out to search her. Soon He found her in the courtyard where she
was churning the milk. He began to insist for breast feeding at once. So
Yashoda stopped churning and began to breast feed Krishna. Affection
played on her face. Suddenly the milk kept on the fire pot began to
boil. Yashoda left Krishna in order to attend the boiling milk. But the
unstiated Krishna filled with anger and broke the pitcher of curd. Then
he went inside and began to eat butter, when Yashoda came back; she
understood the matter and began to search him with a stick in her hand.
After eating butter himself, Krishna was now feeding the monkeys with
it. Seeing the mother come in hot pursuit, Krishna jumped over the
mortar and ran away. Yashoda chased him, but soon felt tired because of
her bulky body.
Thereafter, Yashoda
proceeded to tie Krishna as a punishment. She got a rope and tried to
tie Krishna. But the rope fell short by two fingers. She joined many
ropes together but the result was same. Every time the ropes fell short
by two fingers. Soon, Yashoda was bathing in sweat. When Krishna saw his
mother in depression, he himself tied in the ropes. Tethering little
Krishna to a heavy mortar, Yashoda engaged in usual household tasks.
Tethered to the mortar, Krishna glanced at the two Arjun trees, which
were standing on the gate like two sentries. He resolved to salve them.
Maitreya asked
Parashar about the trees. Parashar said: "The lord of wealth Kuber had
two sons Nalkubar and Manigreev. One day they were enjoying the sweet
company of pretty women on the bank of Mandakini River. Just by
coincidence, Devarshi Narad arrived there. Out of Shyness, the women
folk at once covered themselves, but both the sons of Kuber stood boldly
without feeling any shame. Indignant Narad cursed them to become trees
and stay in that form for one hundred years. Narad showed kindness as
well that despite being in tree forms, they would have the memory of God
alive and would be salved by Lord Shri Krishna. Thus, to keep the words
of his supreme devotee Narad, Lord dragged the mortar to the two Arjun
trees. He walked in such a way that the mortar got stuck between the
trees. Krishna then pulled the mortar and in no time the trees were
uprooted. Two divine men appeared from the uprooted trees and bowed at
the feet of Krishna and prayed him with pure hearts. Then they departed
to their heavenly abode.
MIGRATION TO
VRINDAVANA
The uprooted Arjun
trees fell with thundering sound. All the people shivered with fear and
felt as if lightning had struck somewhere. All the elders including Nand
met together and discussed the matter. Unanimously they concluded that,
of late disturbance had increased in Gokul and the circumstances were no
longer conducive to raise the kids like Balaram and Krishna there. So
they unanimously decided to leave Gokul and migrate to a verdant place
named Vrindavana. In their opinion, Vrindavana had ample vegetation and
fertility to support them and their cattle.
Thus, on an
auspicious day, the entire population of Gokul set out for Vrindavana.
They packed their households on bullock carts and drove their cattle in
herds and started in convoy. In Vrindavana they built their houses and
started their life once again.
Parashar says: "The
verdant environment of Vrindavana, Govardhan mountain and crystal clear
waters and sandy banks of Yamuna river together filled the hearts of
Balaram and Krishna with joy. Along with the fellow cowherds, they began
diverse kinds of plays there.
SALVATION OF
VATSASUR
One day, Balaram
and Krishna were grazing their cattle on the bank of Yamuna River. A
demon, meanwhile, took the guise of a calf and mixed with the herd.
Obviously, he had malicious intentions. Lord Krishna had already seen
the demon taking calf's guise and mixing up with the herd. He signalled
Balaram and they together reached near the calf. The calf appeared
particularly healthy, so Krishna and Balaram mockingly saw it with
admiring eyes. Suddenly they held the calf with its hind legs and tail
twirling it in air they threw it in the sky. When the demon died, they
threw him on a Kath (wood-apple) tree.
SALVATION OF
BAKASUR
One day, all the
cowherds took their cattle to a large pond to let them drink water.
There they say a huge creature sitting like a hillock on the bank. They
were frightened by its appearance. The creature was in fact a demon
named Bakasur who had arrived there in the guise of a storke. He was
himself very strong and had a long pointed bill. As soon as the cowherds
drew near him, The storke hastily picked up Krishna and swallowed him.
Other cowherds including Balaram were stupefied. They could not believe
their eyes. But inside the beak, Lord Krishna made him extremely hot and
caused severe burning in demon's throat. So the demon could not swallow
Krishna and regurgitated him, and began to hit him with his strong beak.
But Lord held his beak with both his hands and tore the demon's mouth
apart. And as son as the demon died, a ripple of joy surged among the
cowherds.
SALVATION OF
AGHASUR
One day, Krishna
planned a picnic near Nandanvan. So rising early in the morning, He
awakened his fellow cowherds sounding a horn. Together, all the
cowherds, and their cattle went to the forest. There, on the bank of
Yamuna River they began to play joyfully. Nandanvan was in fact an abode
of the demon Aghasur. Kansa had sent him there. Seeing the boys playing,
he felt extremely jealous. Knowing that Krishna had killed his brother
Bakasur and sister Pootana, it seemed an ideal moment for the demon to
avenge the death of his siblings. Thinking thus, the demon took guise of
python and lay in the way and opening his mouth like an opening of a
cave. The cowherds too fell in his trap. Thus driven by curiosity, all
the cowherds entered the demon mouth one by one. When Lord Krishna saw
that his friends had entered demon's mouth. He too entered it to protect
them.
Aghasur wanted to
masticate the cowherds including lord Krishna; but the lord increased
his body and choked demon throat. Now the breath of demon stopped. His
eyes rolled over and at last his life left his body through Brahmrandhra
(cosmic pore). With his ambrosial eye, Lord resurrected these dead
fellows and their cattle and together they came out of the demon's
mouth. As soon as the demon died, a divine flame emerged from the
python's mouth. It waited there sometime for God. And when lord Krishna
came out, the flame mingled with him.
ATTACHMENT OF
BRAHMA, STEALING OF CATTLE AND COWHERDS
Parashar says: The
cowherds told the tale of Aghasur's salvation to their parents only
after a year of the incidence. During that period of one year, Lord
Krishna multiplied himself and took the guise of his fellow cowherd and
their stock of cattle to remove the illusion of Brahma, who was the
cause of the following incidence.
After Aghasur's
life mingled with God, Lord Krishna came with His fellow cowherd on the
bank of Yamuna. They left their cattle to graze freely and they sat
together to take their lunch. All of the cowherds tasted one-another's
food, as they wanted to feed Krishna with the tasty food. Meanwhile
surprised by Aghasur's salvation, Brahma too had arrived there and saw
Krishna eating food defiled by the cowherds. With that sight, Brahma
grew suspicious if Krishna was indeed an incarnation of lord. Thus
driven by the illusion and to test the authenticity of lord's
incarnation, Brahma kidnapped all the cattle first and when Krishna went
out to search the cattle Brahma kidnapped and concealed the cowherds
also. Soon lord Krishna understood the craftiness of Brahma, so he
multiplied himself into his fellow cowherds and cattle. Replicas
resembled truly to the cowherds in appearance, complexion, nature,
activities, voice, sticks and even in costumes. The replicas remain in
existence for complete one year.
Back there, when
Brahma returned after hiding the cowherds and the cattle, he was stunned
to see the cowherds and cattle as usual. Brahma was feeling dizzy when
lord bestowed his grace on him. Brahma saw Narayana in every dust
particle. Brahma therefore bowed his head at the feet of lord and said:
"O lord, I submit before you. You can be won only with devotion and not
by ego. No one can know your omnipresent appearance. Thus praying and
worshipping lord Narayana, Brahma returned to his abode. The cowherds
remained separated from God for one year. But they felt as if only half
a second had passed because of the illusionary influence of God. That is
why they related the incidence of Aghasur’s killing to their parents
only after a year it took place.
SALVATION OF
DHENUKASUR
When Krishna and
Balaram entered sixth year of their ages, they got the permission to
take the cattle out for grazing. Along with their fellow cowherds the
two brothers too began to take their cattle to Vrindavana. Thus they
sanctified the earth of Vrindavana with their pious feet. Seeing the
beauty of Vrindavana, with beautiful, colourful flowers and sweet
fruits, Lord Krishna felt overjoyed. He then used to graze his cattle at
the foothills of Govardhan and on the banks of Yamuna River. Playing
flute was his favourite pass time. One day Krishna's beloved friend
Sudama said: "Kanhaiya, there is a beautiful forest name Talvana. It has
uncountable numbers of trees laden with ripe fruits. But a formidable
demon Dhenukasur guards that forest. He is very strong. So no one goes
there; even animals and birds shun that place. But we are tempted to eat
those sweet delicious fruits. If you and Daau (Balaram) wish, we may go
there and eat those delicious fruits."
Thus hearing this,
Krishna and Balaram guided all of them to Talvana. There they shook the
trees and in no time a heap of ripe, delicious fruits gathered under the
trees. All the cowherds began to eat fruits. While eating, they were
also making lot of noises. Disturbed by the sound of fruits falling and
noise of the cowherds, the demon Dhenukasur arrived there as a donkey.
He was braying loudly and tried to hit Balaram, but Balrama caught him
by his hind legs and threw him in the air. The demon died in an
instance. Since that day, everyone visited Talvana fearlessly and the
cattle grazed there freely.
GRACE ON KALIY THE
NAGA
One day,
Bala-Krishna arrived on the banks of Yamuna with their friends. Balaram
was not with them that day. The water of the river Yamuna was
intoxicated by the poison of Kaliy- the Naga. It was exceptionally hot
that day and all the cowherds and cattle were very thirsty. So without
giving any thought, they all drank the water from Yamuna and died. But
Lord Krishna resurrected them by his ambrosial sight.
Then Lord Krishna
decided to purify the waters of Yamuna. Thus tying a cloth round his
waist, Krishna climbed a Cadamba tree and jumped into the river. In the
water the lord started playing and splashing water. Soon the waves began
to rise high. When Kaliy- the Naga heard the noise. He got extremely
angry and appeared before Krishna.
He saw a beautiful,
tender, dark complexioned boy playing joyfully in the waters. He stung
him and tied him in his spirals. Tied in the spirals of Kaliy, lord
became absolutely motionless. Seeing Krishna in death like situation,
all the cowherds and even the cows felt very sorry. Just then lord freed
himself from the hold of Kaliy. Then a game of hide and seek began
between them. Lord dodged the Naga for a long time. Thereafter he rode
on Kaliy's hood and began to dance there.
The followers of
God, like Gandharvas etc. began to play Mridang, Dhol etc. to give him a
company. Tired from the blows of lord's feet, Kaliy soon began to vomit
blood. Naga's wives began to pray God, "O lord, your incarnation is to
punish the evil ones for their sins. You have shown your grace on us
also. We are fortunate to have a sight and touch of your feet. Pity O
lord. This Naga can no longer bear your momentum. He will die. We are
all your slaves. Kaliy is our lord. Kindly forgive him." With kindness,
lord released Kaliy, who prayed thus: O lord in your creation we snakes
represent Tamoguna (dark virtues). We are confused by your illusions."
Lord dictated Kaliy to migrate with his family to Ramanakdweep. Since
then water of Yamuna became pure for humans and animals.
DRINKING OF DAVANAL
(FOREST FIRE)
After defeating
Kaliy, Lord Krishna and all other people of Vraj felt extremely tired.
They were very hungry and thirsty also. So they did not go back to
Vrindavana, but stayed on the bank of Yamuna in the night. Because of
intense heat of summer, surrounding forests had been shrivelled. At
midnight those shrivelled forests caught fire and the sleeping people
were engulfed by it. They awakened startled and took shelter at Krishna.
Seeing their horrified appearance, Lord Krishna drank the infernal
forest fire and thus saved the lives of innocent people who had rested
their lives at him with faith.
SALVATION OF
PRALAMBASUR
One day, Balaram
and Krishna were playfully grazing their cattle along with other
cowherds in the forests. When a demon Pralamb arrived there with an
intention of kidnapping Krishna and Balaram. The demon had come in the
guise of a cowherd, but the God easily recognised him. They accepted his
proposal of friendship, but were thinking about the way for his
salvation. God thereafter summoned all his friends and said: "Pals,
today we shall divide ourselves in to two teams and play joyfully. Thus
the teams were divided and each team chose Krishna and Balaram as its
captain respectively. It was stipulated that the members of defeated
team would carry the members of winner team on their back up to the
place pointed by them. Thus the game began and soon both the teams
reached a secluded place.
At one time, the
team headed by Balaram won. So the members of Krishna's team were to
carry them on their back. Demon Pralambasur offered Balaram a ride on
his back. Balaram agreed to ride on the demon's back; but as soon as he
rode on the demon's back, the demon galloped. But he could not go far
for not being able to bear Balaram's weight. Them the demon regained his
huge formidable size and tried to escape by flying. First Balaram felt
terrorised but soon he realised his real powers and hit on the demon's
head with a powerful fist. The blow shattered demon's head and he fell
on earth dead like a huge mountain.
Parashar says:
"Most of the time of Lord Krishna's boyhood passed in Vrindavana. There
He grazed cattle and played flute. His flute had a divine, enchanting
sound. The Gopis used to gather around Him drawn by the enchanting
tunes."
They also heard the
enchanting Venugeet that fills one hearts with the memory of Bhagwat.
One of the girls said to her friend: "O dear friend, having the
privilege of seeing Lords beauty and receiving His kindness is the real
salvation. Another girl said: "O friend, what penance this flute had
observed that it has got a closer contact with lips of Nandnandan (an
epithet for Krishna). Even the siblings of this flute, trees and other
vegetation's are pleased with its fortune and are hence showering their
leaves and flowers on him." One more said: "O friend, look, even
Bhagwati Lakshmi has left her luxurious abode in Vaikunth and arrived in
Vrindavana to have a look of lord Devakinandan." A Gopi expressed her
jealousy: "Even this doe is better than us, O friends, look how
engrossed is she looking at God that her eyes are not blinking."
Hearing the sweet
enchanting tunes of flute even the heavenly elves gather in the sky over
Vrindavana. They also see the beauty of lord Krishna and showered the
flowers of their braids on him. Even the cows forgot grazing when then
heard the enchanting music of flute. The calves too forgot drinking milk
and began to look at lord Krishna with joy. This is the real devotion
for lord Krishna. You have to forget yourself in order to find him.
Condition of girls of Vrindavana was exactly the same. After having the
sight of lord Krishna they remembered nothing; not even the way back to
home. They stood in the forests in a trance, completely tired, unaware
of their self.
A girl said
pointing to the fauna: "Look O friends, look at these birds. Do you know
that these birds were the saints and sages in their previous births. In
this birth also they are sitting in a state of trance. Look they have
forgotten their knowledge hearing the sweet enchanting music of the
flute. And look at Yamuna. She is also unable to contain her
exhilaration. She is eagerly splashing her waves to wash Lord’s feet.
Yet another girl said: "Look friends the clouds cannot see their lord
scorching in the sun. So they have covered the sun and shaded Lord
Krishna. Now they are drizzling as if showering petals." A girl said:
"Friends, look, these Bheelanis are better than us. They have such a
strong urge of Krishna's sight that when Govind returns home, they smear
their body with dusts of his feet. Blessed is this mountain which has
dedicated its entire self in the feet of Brajnandan and feels overjoyed.
It is his supreme devotee. Kanhaiya has infused even non-living things
with life by his sweet tunes of flute.
STEALING OF CLOTHES
The unmarried girls
of Vrindavana felt as if their lives were dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Each of them wished heartily to have lord Krishna as her husband. So in
order to get their desire fulfilled, all of the spinster girls of Vraj
began to take bath in Yamuna early in morning of Hemant season and
worshipped goddess Katyayani. When MadanMohan learned that the unmarried
girls wished to marry him. He went to see them at dawn. The girls were
bathing naked in the river; their clothes were kept on the bank. Lord
Krishna stealthy took those clothes and climbed on a Cadamba tree. Lord
had not stolen their clothes with malicious intentions. He had stolen
them to remove their flaws and make them realise their real appearance
that they were not mere girls, but pure souls. Without realisation of
the real self, one can not experience the God.
The girls were, in
fact, the hymns of Vedas, Sadhana, Siddhis, Sages and Brahmvidyas
(Vedas) themselves that took the guise of girls to enjoy the vicinity of
God. God removed their clothes that symbolised lust. Because of the
lords grace they all were able to enjoy God's company.
Parashar says: "O
Maitreya, Thus Lord Krishna removed the shyness of the girls of Vraj
through His sweet talks. He derided at them, made them dance like
puppets and even stole their clothes when they were bathing naked, but
they did not deter his actions. Instead they felt overjoyed by the close
presence of their beloved Kanha."
LIFTING OF
GOVARDHAN
Parashar says: One
day, Balaram and Krishna saw that many delicious kind of sweetmeats were
being cooked at home. With curiosity and politeness, they asked Nand and
other elders: "Father, which festival are you preparing for? Which god
will be worshipped? What purpose will such worship serve? Nand Baba
explained: "Sons Devraj Indra is the god of clouds. It is because of
Indra's grace that we get rain. So these materials are being prepared to
worship Indra.
Krishna said:
Father every creature in the world enjoys comforts or suffers as per his
fate. None of the gods can change the results. Action is primary in the
world. One gets the results as per his actions. Even Indra is God as a
result of his action. Anyone, who performs one hundred Ashvamegh Yagyas,
becomes Indra. But even after performing crores of Ashvamegh Yagyas one
can not stay in Vraj. It is the duty of Indra to cause rain. So it will
rain even if you don't worship Indra. But to feed the poors and satisfy
them with clothes and other gifts is real worship. By their blessing, we
shall be happier. I desire that with all these materials we should
worship Giriraj Govardhan and distribute the Prasad among the poors.
With which their souls will be sated and will have the grace of God.
Thus Lord Krishna
told his father that all the people should worship unitedly and unitedly
they should receive Prasad. If you are ready to do as per my desire, its
all right, otherwise I will not worship your haughty god, nor receive
his Prasad.
WORSHIP OF
GOVARDHAN AND INDIGNATION OF INDRA
Thus convinced by
Kanhaiya's wise reasoning, all the Gopas agreed to him. Nand Baba said,
"O Krishna, we are making all these preparation for you only and we will
do as you say. We will worship Govardhan. For us Govardhan is also like
a god. It gives us grass, water, and fuel etc., which are necessary for
our lives. Thus with lord’s consent, they dropped their plan to worship
Indra and resolved to worship Govardhan faithfully.
On the Purnima
(full moon) day in the month of Kartik (November) all the Gopas (people
of Vraj region) gathered near mount Govardhan. During the night all of
them circumambulated the mountain. Lord invoked the Ganges by his wish
and bathed Govardhan with her water. Then they put vermilion on it,
offered basil-leaves, flowers etc and worshipped it. Brahmins recited
hymns in its praise. To make the people believe in their rituals, Lord
Krishna himself appeared on the mountain in huge form and exclaimed: "I
am Giriraj (the king of the mountain) and began to eat the offerings.
But as a child, He was still among the villagers who faithfully bowed
before the mountain. Among them, the child Krishna said: "look, what a
surprise Giriraj has appeared himself and bestowed his grace on us. He
has accepted our worship." There after all the Gopas distributed Prasad
among themselves and felt supremely satisfied.
When Indra learned
that the Gopas had stopped worshipping him, he grew outrageous. In
anger, he ordered the clouds to rain torrentially over Vraj and cause
heavy flood in Vraj region. In no time dense clouds gathered over Vraj.
Soon there was lightning, thunder, darkness and storm all around. Then
it began to rain torrentially. All the people took refuge at Lord
Krishna and prayed him to save them from the anger of Indra. Lord
Krishna said: "Those who regard me as their, are mine and I am theirs,
So there is no need to worry for you."
Saying this, Lord
lifted Giriraj on his little finger and called all the people of Vraj
along with their cattle under the lee of Govardhan. Then he ordered his
wheel Sudarshan to absorb the water of the clouds so that not even a
single drop could fall on earth. Thus for seven days continuously Lord
balanced Govardhan on the little finger. Thus Lord Krishna also came to
be known as Giridhari. People who had gathered around him, just kept on
seeing Lords moon-like face and hence did not feel thirsty or hungry. In
fact the comforts those people got during those seven days are beyond
verbal description. Lord held Govardhan on one hand, and conch in the
other, while with the remaining two hands He began to play this flute.
Hearing the tunes of his flute, all the people of Vraj began to dance
with joy. After the rains stopped, all of them returned to their homes.
CEREMONIAL BATH OF
SHRI KRISHNA
When Indra learned
about the happenings in Vraj, he soon realised his mistake. Indra
himself reached Vraj and begged lord for His pardon. Then he gave lord a
ceremonial bath with the milk of Surabhi. For protecting the cows, the
Lord also got one more name "Govind".
RASS LEELA
Parashar related to
Maitreya the tale of Kamadev's humiliation. The purpose of describing
this tale is just that common people should reflect on the selfless love
of Gopis for Lord Krishna and experience the love of God for them as
well.
After conquering
Brahma and other gods, ego of Kamadev had surged to great heights. He,
therefore, requested God to quench his thirst for war. God invited
Kamadev to visit Vrindavana on the night of Sharad Purnima (Full moon
night) in the season that precedes winter, and told him that on that
divine night He would enjoy the company of crores of Gopis. "If I have
slightest passion for any of them, you will win, otherwise you will
lose."
That night Lord
Krishna added more divinity, more brilliance to it with a resolution of
Raas with the help of Yogmaya (personified illusion). It was a perfect
night for the purpose - flowers bloomed in Vrindavana, full moon shone,
and gentle, cool breeze blew from the banks of river Yamuna. Amidst this
stimulating ambience Lord Krishna began to play an enchanting tune on
his flute. The tune attracted Gopis, their passion surged to its zenith
and under the influence of love for lord Krishna and as if in trance,
all of them ran to meet their beloved Kanhaiya leaving all their fear,
bondage, patience and shyness behind. Some of them were intercepted by
their husbands and dragged back to home. But only their physical bodies
stayed put, their souls reached Vrindavana.
In Vrindavana on
the bank of Yamuna, Gopis saw Vrindavana Vihari (epithet for Krishna)
near their familiar Cadamba tree. Yogmaya adorned all the Gopis from tip
to toe. In fact those Gopis were not ordinary women.
Maitreya asks:
"Gopis had not regarded Krishna as ParaBrahma. What was the basis for
their passion then?"
Parashar says: When
a wretched person like Shishupal, who always abused lord Krishna could
find supreme position, there should be no doubt for Gopis who had such a
profound passion for Lord." So Gopis arrived and gathered around Lord
Krishna.
To test their
devotion and to enhance the honour of Kamadev, Krishna said to them: "O
Gopis, the pure ones, it is not fit for you to stay here at this hour of
night. Go and serve your husbands. Your duties must be first to your
husband's children and cows. They will be waiting for you eagerly. Go
and console them. You can gain me by hearing, reciting, seeing etc. You
need not sit here. Go to your homes."
Gopis, however
said: "Govind, we have come to you leaving all the mundane lusts behind.
Now going back is like ruining our lives. It is the greatest misfortune
if someone returns to mundane affairs even after being at your feet."
These words that reflected divine feelings of Gopis pleased Lord. He
began to enjoy their company. But a feeling of ego began to creep in the
minds of Gopis because of lord's closeness. They began to assume
themselves as highly fortunate. To remove their ego, Lord disappeared
right among them.
PITIABLE CONDITION
OF GOPIS IN GOD'S ABSENCE
After the
disappearance of God, Gopis were perplexed. Their hearts burned with
desire. They had dedicated their entire selves in the feet of Lord. They
were entirely merged in the love of Krishna. Thus driven by passion,
Gopis began to search Lord Krishna. They asked trees, creepers and
vegetation for the whereabouts of their beloved. They then spotted His
footprints at one place. Footprints of Radha were also there. 'Indeed He
would have carried her, that great fortunate one, on His shoulders.'
They thought. Lord had indeed, after disappearing from amidst Gopis,
taken Radha to an isolated place. She had then began to think herself
superior to other Gopis. So at one place, she said: "O Lord, I can't
walk now. My tender feet are tired. Kindly carry me on your shoulders to
wherever you wish." At her request, Lord Krishna agreed to carry her on
his shoulder. But as soon as she proceeded to ride, Lord disappeared
from there also. Now, Radha began to cry and wail and fainted. At the
same time, other Gopis also reached there and found Radha lying
unconscious on the ground. All of them including Radha then returned to
the bank of Yamuna and began to wait for Krishna's appearance.
RE-APPEARANCE OF
LORD AMONG GOPIS
When the beloved
Gopis burst into tears, Krishna's patience gave away. His heart melted
at their condition and He appeared amidst them. A sweet smile played on
his beautiful face. He wore a garland of fresh Vaijayanti flowers and
yellow clothes. His beauty could have moved even Kamadev. Seeing their
beloved Kanha once again amidst them, Gopis got a new lease of life. All
of them began to embrace Lord and thus quench the fire of separation
that was burning their bodies.
Thereafter, along
with the beauties of Vraj, Lord came to the bank of Yamuna. Gopis put
their queries before him for solution. Lord said: "O beloved Gopis, I do
not reciprocate to the desire of my beloved ones for physical love.
Because of it their conscience remains always engrossed in me. Hence, I
take to hiding even after meeting so that you could feel complete
imbibement in me.
MAHARAAS
From the words of
the Lord, Gopis forgot the pains of separation. From the closeness of
their beloved, their lives were successful now. With those Gopis, Lord
Krishna started Maharaas on the pious banks of river Yamuna. All the
gods gathered in sky to witness that divine festival. Gopis were even
more fortunate than Lakshmi. But even amidst crores of Gopis, who were
eager to devote their everything to Him, Lord completely refrained from
desires, feelings and even actions. Thus Lord defeated even Kamadev and
removed his ego.
SALVATION OF
SUDARSHAN AND SHANKHCUR
Parashar says: Once
on the occasion of Shivaratri, Nand Baba and all other Gopas drove their
carts with families and reached Ambikavana on a pilgrimage tour. There
they took bath in the river Saraswati and with devotion worshiped lord
Shiva and Parvati. They also observed day long fast and decided to pass
their night on the bank of Saraswati. But a huge python inhabited that
place. During the night the python emerged and caught hold of Nand's
leg. Nandbaba cried loudly. All the Gopas gathered around him. He cried
again: "Kanhaiya, This snake is all set to strangulate me. Save me."
Lord touched the
python with his feet and instantaneously the python vanished. In its
place appeared a divine-looking human being. He said: "O Lord, I was a
Vidyadhar named Sudarshan. I was so much obsessed with my beauty, youth,
luxury and comforts that I used to insult others. One day I had derided
at the ugly appearance of the sage Angira. So indignantly he cursed me
to become a python. But, pleased by my realisation of mistake, he had
told that when God himself would touch me, I would regain my original
appearance." Thereafter, Sudarshan went round the God, worshiped Him and
with his permission, departed to his abode.
On another
occasion, Lord arrived in Vrindavana during Vasant Ritu (spring Season).
There He took part in Vasantik Raas (Raas of spring season) with the
Gopis. During Raas itself, a demon Shankhchur tried to escape away
kidnapping some of the Gopis. A stampede resulted among Gopis. Hearing
their noise, Lord ran after the demon, carrying a huge Sal (Shorea) tree
in his hands. In no time He overtook the demon and killed him by just
one blow. He picked up the gem from demon's head and handed it to
Balaram.
SALVATION OF
ARISHTASUR
Once, Kansa sent a
demon Arishtasur to Vrindavana. The demon arrived there in a bull's
guise. That huge bull came to Vrindavana and began to terrorise the
people with his loud sound. Seeing the bull, Balaram said to Krishna:
"Kanhaiya, I have never seen such a huge bull before." All the people
began to cry for help. Lord consoled them and challenged the bull demon:
“O fool, why are you terrorising these cows and cowherds? I am going to
shatter your ego." The challenge from God pinched the demon. Tapping his
hooves angrily, the demon attacked God. He wished to gore Him, but God
held his horns and pushed him back. Then kicking the demon God killed
him in no time.
KANSA SENDS AKRUR
After the killing
of Arishtasur, Devarshi Narad visited Kansa and asked: "O Kansa, the
girl who had slipped form your hand was in fact the daughter of Yashoda.
Krishna and Balaram, who are staying in Vrindavana, are infact the sons
of Devaki and Rohini respectively. Because of your fear, Vasudev has
kept them under the supervision of his friend Nand. Those two boys have
killed the demons sent by you." Hearing these words, Kansa shook with
anger and put Vasudev and Devaki in prison again. Thereafter he called
his minister Akrur and asked him to set out at once for Gokul. He said
to Akrur: "Akrurji, you are an old friend and well-wisher of mine, Go to
Gokul and bring the sons of Vasudev, who are staying at Nand's home.
Invite them to visit Mathura, to witness the festivities of
Dhanush-Yagya." Akrur understood Kansa's intentions, but feared that if
he refused, that demon would kill him. So he decided to visit Gokul, and
also have the opportunity of seeing God. He was feeling overwhelmed by
the mere thought of it. Next day, he set out on a grand chariot to meet
his supreme Lord in Gokul.
Meditating in the
feet of Lord, Akrur was heading towards Vrindavana. He was feeling
himself as the most fortunate one for he was sure to have a sight of
Lord. Thus obsessed with many kinds of devotional feelings, Akrur
alighted from the chariot at the border of Vrindavana and started
walking. He found it unjust to ride a chariot on the land of Vrindavana
where lord Krishna treaded. By the time, he reached Vrindavana, Lord
Krishna and Balaram had returned home after grazing their cattle. Seeing
them, Akrur fell at their feet. Both the brothers raised Akrur and
addressed him as "Chacha" (uncle), and escorted him into the house.
Akrur was given a
warm welcome and treatment there. After the dinner, they assembled in
Nand's drawing room. Nand inquired about the reason of his sudden
arrival. Akrur said: "Kansa is organising a wrestling competition in
Mathura. He has invited all the big and small kings to the competitions.
He has invited you with Krishna and Balaram as well. Beautiful Mathura
is worth seeing. Gullible Nand felt pleased by Akrur's talking and said:
"King Kansa has shown a great honour to me. He has sent invitation only
to other kings, but has sent his minister to call me and a golden
chariot for my kids." So it was announced in Gokul that all the people
would go to Mathura the next day and witness the festivities there.
DEPARTURE OF
KRISHNA-BALARAM FOR MATHURA
When the Gopis
heard about Krishna leaving Gokul to visit Mathura, they began to wail
and cry. They were getting so much restless by the news that, they felt,
their lives would end before the sunrise. They started imprecating fate
that it had no kindness. First it provided them with a closer contact
with their beloved Kanha, now it was causing a long separation from him.
Some of Gopis even begged for death, they felt it better than living
without Kanha. All the Gopis kept on crying and wailing nightlong.
Mother Yashoda awoke early in the morning next day. She churned out
butter and adding Mishri (sugar candies), she took it to Krishna to feed
him. But there she found that both Krishna and Balaram were getting
ready to set out for Mathura. They held mother's feet and said: "Pardon
us, O mother, we are going to Mathura." These words disturbed Yashoda.
She ran and fell at Akrur's feet and said: "I am your slave.
O Akrur, please do
not take my beloved sons to Mathura. They are inseparable from my heart.
Why Kansa has summoned them to Mathura?
O Akrur, go and
tell him to take everything from us, but spare our sons. We are also
ready to live in jail, but can't lose our beloved sons." Akrur consoled
Yashoda. "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), don't worry. These two brothers are
going to Mathura to witness the festivities there and will return soon
to comfort your heart." Yashoda said: "Akrurji, Mathura is a town of
gold and both of my sons are too young yet to be needed there for any
reason."
Touching the feet
of Nand and Yashoda, both the brothers said: "Father, mother, we will
definitely return. Presently we wish to see the grandeur of Mathura."
Meanwhile all the Gopis and Gopas had gathered there. Crying and
wailing, the Gopis said: "You are very Cruel, O Akrur, who named you as
Akrur. You have come here to lacerate our hearts." Second Gopi said: "No
friend, it is not a fault of Akrur. Our complaints are with Shyamsundar.
We left everything, our husbands, children, our homes and dedicated our
entire selves in your service. And now you are deserting us so
ruthlessly. We have no support for our life except you, O Madhusadan."
Saying this, all the Gopis burst into tears again.
All the Gopas,
including Shridama surrounded the chariot and said: "O Krishna we had
not even dreamt that you would desert us so ruthlessly. O Kanhaiya we
have seen with our eyes that even Indra, Varun, Sanakadi and Brahma bow
before you. But we have never regarded you as God. We regarded you as
our friend. Are you angry with us? O my childhood friend Kanhaiya, we
request you, we will never abuse you in future. If you were intending to
go, why did you, then save us from the infernal forest fire. Why did you
save from the deluging rains? We cannot live without you. Tell us O
benevolent friend, When will you return."
Lord Krishna
consoled them all and took many of them with Him. The chariot began to
move. As long as the flag of the chariot remained visible, people kept
on crying and wailing. Even the eyes of Akrur filled with tears. Lord
asked him: "Kaka, why are you weeping?" Akrur replied: "O Lord, Kansa is
the great sinner. I feel he will try to torment you by all means. So, my
heart says, that I should take you back to Vrindavana, because if Kansa
did any harm to you, their spirits will curse me for ever."
AKRUR HAS A SIGHT
OF LORD IN FOUR-ARMED FORM
Hearing Akrur's
words, Lord understood that when he had arrived in Vraj, he was
afflicted with a feeling of majesty. But now, it has been replaced by
affection now. He therefore decided to remove his dilemma. Thus, Lord
said to him: "Kaka, Mathura is still some distance away. So you take a
bath in Yamuna. We brothers are waiting for you in the chariot."
As soon as Akrur
took a dip in Yamuna, Lord showed him a sight of His abode Vaikunth and
his Narayana's appearance in which, he was holding conch, wheel, mace
and lotus in each of his four hands and was lying on the bed of
Sheshnaga. With folded hands, Akrur prayed to lord: "O lord, you are the
reason for the existence of Brahma and the Universe. O Lord, I pray at
your feet again and again. Now I recognise you. You are the one who took
the incarnations of Matsya, Kachchap, Varah, Narsinh, Vamana, Rama etc.
Thus after bath and worship, Akrur returned to the chariot. Lord Krishna
understood that now a devotional feeling had arisen in the mind of Akrur
for Narayana. Lord asked: "Your condition seems miserable. Did you see
anything extra-ordinary under water?" Akrur said: "O Lord, now bestow
your grace on me. Kindly come to my home and accept my hospitality."
ARRIVAL IN MATHURA
After the departure
of Akrur, Nandbaba too set out for Mathura along with the Gopas. On the
way itself, they caught up with Krishna and Balaram. All of them then
reached Mathura together. There they stayed in a garden. After sometime,
with Nand's permission, both the brothers set out to see the city of
Mathura. Mathura was indeed a beautiful town. All the residents of
Mathura thronged on roads, roofs and attices to have a sight of Krishna
and Balaram.
GRACE ON KUBJA
On the way, they
met a pretty but hunched woman. She introduced herself as Kubja, the
maid of Kansa. Her duty was to smear the members of the royal family
with sandalwood paste. God asked her if she would smear him with sandal
paste. Kubja said: "O Manmohan, I see no one more fitting than you for
the sandal paste." Thus she smeared Lord's forehead with saffron. On
Dau's forehead she smeared musk containing sandal paste, other Gopas
smeared all the remaining sandal paste on their heads. Lord then, put
His feet on Kubja's and holding her chin gave her head a slight jerk.
And in no time, Kubja's hunch was gone and she turned into a pretty
woman. She begged lord for His love. The Lord promised her a meeting in
future, and proceeded ahead.
BREAKING OF THE BOW
After salving
Kubja, Lord Krishna and other Gopas moved ahead. At a place they saw a
huge bow kept on a high stage. Many strong men were guarding it. Lord
entered the canopy and easily lifted the bow and broke it into pieces.
There was a big applause from all around. Dau said: "Krishna, now the
crowd will increase here, so let us escape in time. Thus, both the
brothers and their friends beat a retreat to their camp. There they
rested for night. There in Mathura, breaking of the bow had frightened
Kansa. He could not sleep during the night. Even in his dreams, he saw
nothing, but Krishna everywhere around him.
KILLING OF ELEPHANT
Early in the
morning, Kansa summoned his minister and ordered him to make
Kuvalayapeed, the elephant to stand in the centre of the main gate. He
thought that the elephant would kill both the boys if they dared to
enter the fort through main gate. Back there in the garden, Krishna and
Balarama set out in wrestlers guise for the fort. At the gate, seein an
elephant blocking the passage, they asked mahout loudly: "O Mahout, why
have you made the elephant stand in the centre of the gate. Move it
either ahead or back." But instead of moving the elephant out of the
passage, the mahout steered it right on them. But before elephant could
attack them, Balarama caught its trunk, while Krishna caught its tail.
Both the brothers then dragged the elephant out of the gate and lofted
it in the air. The elephant fell on the ground with a loud thud and died
on the spot.
SALVATION OF
WRESTLERS
Kansa felt very
nervous by the news of elephant's killing. Before he could take stock of
the situation, Lord Krishna and Balaram arrived in the amphi- theatre.
The spectators present in the amphitheatre saw Lord as per their
feelings. The menfolk saw Lord as a Jewel among the men. Womenfolk saw
him as an incarnation of Kamadev. Cowherds saw their natural friend in
Lord, while to Kansa He appeared as his death. But to his mother and
father, Devaki and Vasudev and to Nand, Krishna and Balarama appeared as
small kids. Sages and ascetics saw nothing but metaphysical coming in
boys' guise. Learned ones sighted His cosmic form while to Yadavas He
appeared as their tutelary God.
As soon as the Lord
and Balaram arrived in the ring, the wrestlers, who were already present
there, stood up like springs. A wrestler Chanur dragged Krishna and one
named Mushtik dragged Balarama into the ring. They said to them: "Both
of you and we are the subjects of the great king Kansa. It is our duty
to please our king with our art and skill. More over we will receive
many rewards also."
Krishna said: "O
wrestlers, you please fight among yourselves. We are boys yet, so we
shall witness your fight from a distance." Chanur said: "No you are
neither boy nor teenagers. You are stronger than the strongest. You have
just killed an elephant which was stronger than thousand elephants."
Thus, both the brothers were compelled to wrestle with the royal
wrestlers. Balaram beat Mushtik on the ground so hard that he died at
once on the spot. Krishna similarly killed second wrestler Chanur. All
the remaining wrestlers met similar fate one by one. The massive crowd
present there applauded them joyfully.
SALVATION OF KANSA
Seeing the shameful
defeat of his wrestlers, Kansa infuriated with anger and proclaimed:
"Tie all the opponents; tie Ugrasen, Devaki, Vasudev and Nand in ropes
and bring them before me." Lord Krishna could not tolerate this and in a
single jump, He reached on the stage where Kansa was present. Lord
Krishna caught him by hair and said: "O Kansa, once you have caught a
helpless woman by hair, I have avenged that insult. Now you will receive
the fruits for your atrocities." Saying this, Lord began to twirl Kansa
catching him by hair, and threw him down from the stage. Then Lord
jumped once again and landed on the chest of Kansa. Kansa died
instantaneously. Thus, Kansa who was an incarnation of the demon
Kaalnemi received salvation. Lord Krishna then, released his parents
from the prison and crowned his maternal grand father Ugrasen as the
king of Mathura.
YAGYOPAVIT OF
KRISHNA-BALARAMA
After the
successful completion of all the royal ceremonies, the consecration of
Krishna and Balaram was carried out. Thereafter, they came to stay at
the hermitage of sage Sandipani for formal education. Extraordinarily
brilliant Krishna successfully learned all the knowledge in short period
of time. Then, as Gurudakshina (paying respect to the teacher) Krishna
brought back his dead sons from the abode of Yamaraaj. Taking
convocation bath, thereafter, Lord Krishna returned to Mathura. There,
though living among royal luxuries and grandeur Lord Krishna remained
indifferent. Memory of his sentimental, beloved devotees friend and
other people of Vraj kept on pricking him.
SENDING UDDHAV AS
MESSANGER
Savant Uddhav, the
son of Yadava's minister Brihaspati was an intimate friend of Lord
Krishna. Only he had the permission to enter Lord's sanctum. Seeing his
friend Krishna in remorse, Uddhav asked: "Mathuranath, you seem to be
upset. What is troubling you?" Lord Krishna replied: "Uddhav, I feel
perplexed. I remember my days in Vrindavana. Please go to Vrindavana and
get the news regarding Gopis there. Also give them my message." Thus
Lord Krishna donned Uddhav in his attire and sent him to Vraj in his
chariot.
There he stayed at
Nand's home. At night, Uddhav enquired about Nand and Yashoda's well
being and about Vraj in general. That whole might passed in chatting.
BHRAMAR GEET
Next day, when the
Gopis got the news of Uddhav's arrival, they thronged in and around
Nand's residence. They recognised the chariot parked in front of the
gate. It was the same chariot on which Krishna and Balaram had departed
for Mathura. First they thought that their beloved Krishna had returned.
But someone
informed that it was Uddhav, Krishna's Savant friend, who had come to
preach them about metaphysical knowledge. Soon afterwards, Uddhav came
out and spoke out loud: "O Gopis, listen to the preaching of Uddhav."
But instead of listening to him, Gopis covered their ears. Feeling
insulted, Uddhav expressed his dissatisfaction over their behaviour.
Gopis said to him: “O gentleman, firstly we are not familiar with you,
secondly we have no capacity to hear your preaching. Yes if you wish to
give us a message of our most beloved; thousand of ears are eager to
hear that." Uddhav then introduced himself as the intimate friend of
Lord Krishna.
Knowing his
identity Gopis welcome and treated Uddhav warmly. Uddhav then began to
say again: "O Gopis, the person, whom you are declaring as your beloved
friend, in fact recognises no mother, no father and no other relation.
He has no form, no colour and no body. He is above all, non-existing all
pervasive and the giver of joy. He is never separate from his devotee
and beloved ones. All of you, too, feel the presence of that Supreme
Being and be happy forever." Gopis said: "Uddhav, as long as Ghanashyam
stayed with us, we saw endless virtues in him. But only within six
months of his stay in Mathura, you wiped out all of his virtues and
turned him virtueless.
Tell us with which
mouth did he eat butter, with which hand did he break our pitchers, with
which feet did he pasture cows in the forests and with which feet did he
dance on the hood of Kaliy. Was he another Krishna?"
Harsh reaction of
the Gopis startled Uddhav. He began to think where he had been caught.
His knowledge of Vedanta was proving ineffective on the Gopis who were
sunk in so much love. On the other hand, Gopis too were feeling
embarrassed for treating the guest bitterly. But they were also not
prepared to listen to such preaching that condemned love. Moreover, they
had let out their long accumulating feeling.
Meanwhile a
bumblebee perched at Radha's feet mistaking them for lotus. Pointing to
it, all the Gopis said: "Beware O bumblebee, beware if you dare to touch
the feet of our Radha. It appears that you are a disciple of Krishna.
There is now no secret regarding the virtues and actions of your friend.
But it is good that he and you tied in friendship. You are black and
your friend has a black heart. Virtues of both of you are same.
First He imbibed us
in His love; then left us ruthlessly forever. He is not sorry for us.
But why does Lakshmi serve in those feet? She must be careful, lest she
should be deceived like us. O bumblebee you also appear to be a polymath
who has come here to preach us. But you won't get an audience in Braj.
You should better go to Mathura.
There is one Kubja
go and relate your tale to her. You will receive ample donations from
her. What will you get from the Gopis here? They have already lost their
mental balance, because of separation from the beloved Krishna. If you
have come to ask, why we loved Krishna. O bumblebee, we have no
knowledge. But we know that our love for Krishna was not a mistake. Even
the goddess Lakshmi does not leave His feet for a moment. Why should we
leave his feet then? But O bumblebee, have you really come to convince
us. When He could not come out of shame, He sent you to console us - the
deaf and dumb Gopis, But be careful if you put your head at the feet of
Radha.
Get away, we have
already seen enough of flattery and flirtation of your friend. Deserting
our affection for ephemeral things, we loved that eternal one. But He
too abandoned us. Can you guess about our condition? Tell us, O Uddhav,
shall we ever get the sight of Shri Krishna again?
Hearing the tragic
tale of the Gopis, Uddhav too felt very sorry for them. He felt as if
Mathuranath, lord Krishna was indeed neglecting those Gopis. Uddhav
stayed in Vrindavana for six months. There he saw every place, every
spot where lord Krishna had played once. When he was returning to
Mathura, mother Yashoda presented him with butter, Radha gave him the
flute. Thus immersed in the love and overwhelmed by its feelings, Uddhav
reached Mathura. He said to Krishna: "Lord, the real appearance of love,
that I saw in Vrindavana is the only truth." Shri Krishna said: "Uddhav,
You are weeping. Just look at me." Uddhav looked at him with wide,
opened eyes. In every single hair of Lord, there existed Gopis. Uddhav
was indeed a Savant. But Lord had sent him to Braj only to be taught a
lesson of love.
After the death of
Kansa his widowed queens Asti and Prapti returned to their father
Jarasandh's home and informed him that Krishna and Balaram had killed
their husband Kansa. Infuriated by the news, Jarasandh at once launched
a massive attack on Mathura. The people of Mathura were frightened by
the strength of Jarasandh's army. Lord Krishna too fell in deep thought.
Just then, divine weapons and chariots appeared from the heaven. Both
the brothers took the weapons and boarded their chariots. Then they
fought a fierce battle and slayed all the army of Jarasandh.
Balaram furiously
caught Jarasandh and was about to kill him. But Lord Krishna stopped
him. They then released Jarasandh and let him go unhurt. Jarasandh felt
ashamed that Krishna released him because of his helpless condition.
Parashar says:
Despite his shameful defeat, Jarasandh attacked Mathura seventeen times
with huge armies. But every time, the Lord defeated him and released him
in kindness. And every time Jarasandh felt more humiliated."
At last, instead of
attacking Mathura himself, Jarasandh sent Kalyavan to defeat Shri
Krishna. Kalyavan launched an attack on Mathura with one crore strong
Malechchh army. This time Lord Krishna decided to vacate Mathura instead
of countering the attack. He got Dwarkapuri constructed by Vishwakarma
and settled all the people of Mathura there. Then, unarmed, Lord Krishna
walked past Kalyavan. Pointed by Narad, Kalyavan at once recognised
Krishna and gave Him a chase. He also challenged Him, but the Lord did
not listen to his challenges and kept moving with face turned away.
Kalyavan chased Him for long, but could not catch up.
Ultimately the Lord
entered a cave. Kalyavan too followed Him into the cave. In the cave the
Lord saw that someone was sleeping there. So He covered the man with his
yellow length of cloth and himself hid inside the cave. Kalyavan too
arrived there and saw the sleeping man. He mistook him for God and said:
"Krishna, you might have thought that braves do not attack on sleeping
people. So I will first wake you up and then kill you." Saying thus
Kalyavan kicked the sleeping man hard. However, as soon as the man
awakened and glanced at Kalyavan, Kalyavan got incinerated at once.
TALE OF MUCHKUND
Maitreya asked:
"Gurudev, who was that sleeping man?"
Parashar says: "O
king, that sleeping man was Muchkund, the son of the king Mandhaata. The
gods had sought his assistance in their war against the demon during the
Satayug. With Muchkund's help, the gods had defeated the demons and thus
pleased had asked him to seek a boon. Muchkund then had sought a boon of
seeing God in tangible form. The gods had assured him that he would have
a sight of God in Dwapar Yuga. Since Dwapar Yuga was still far away, so
Muchkund had asked: "What should I do till then?" The gods asked him to
sleep somewhere and blessed him with a boon that whoever waked him up
would be incinerated at once, by his glance. Thus, in order to get
Kalyavan incinerated and show Muchkund with his Divine form, Lord had
gone to that spot where Muchkund was sleeping.
Muchkund got the
sight of God in Chaturbhuj form; and sought a boon of continuous
devotion for three births. Thus, Lord defeated Malechchh army and
captured all their wealth. He also defeated Jarasandh and caused great
joy for the people of Dwarka.
MARRIAGE OF
BALARAMA
The king of Anart,
Raivat got his daughter Revati married to Balaram with the blessing of
Brahma.
MESSAGE OF RUKMANI
FOR LORD
Parashar says:
"Bheeshmak was the king of Vidarbh. He had five sons and a daughter
Rukmani. Rukmi, the eldest son of Bheeshmak, had fixed his sister's
engagement with Shishupal, the prince of Chaidi. Narad did not like this
development. He went to Kundanpur, the capital of Vidarbh and said in
the court of Bheeshmak: O King, I am coming from Dwarka." Bheeshmak
said! "O great Sage, I have never heard about any city named Dwarka".
Thus, in the court of Bheeshmak, Narad narrated about the life of Lord
Krishna and the grandeur of Dwarka. Bheeshmak heard the tale with full
attention. His daughter Rukmani too enjoyed the tale.
But Rukmi had a
strong opposition against lord Krishna. Ignoring the wish of his father,
he was not ready to get his sister married to Lord Krishna. On the
appointed day, Shishupal appeared there, in a procession, to get married
with Rukmani.
But Rukmani was
determined to marry Lord Krishna. She sent a love letter to Krishna
through a loyal Brahmin and declared a fast unto death. Lord Krishna
read her letter, which said: "O Trilokinath, since the moment, these
ears have heard about your virtues, actions, character and plays, my
soul experiences divine peace. O Achyut, my mind is dedicated in your
feet. O great among the men, this Rukmani has dedicated herself in your
feet. Now it is up to you to see that no jackal could take away the
lion's share." The Brahmin, the carrier of the letter, returned to
Kundanpur with an assurance from the Lord. Lord too called the
charioteer and set out at once for Kundanpur. There in Kundanpur,
Rukmani after getting the assurance from the Brahmin was thus waiting
for Lord's arrival.
Preparations for
Rukmani's marriage with Shishupal were on with full swing in Kundanpur.
All the houses, streets and lanes were cleaned and sprinkled with
scented water. All the men and women folk donned new clothes and
ornaments. King Bheeshmak worshipped his ancestors and gods and welcomed
the Brahmins liberally. Extremely beautiful princess Rukmani was given
ceremonial bath and donned with auspicious clothes and bracelets.
The king of Chedi,
Damaghosh got the auspicious rites for the marriage of his son
Shishupal, performed by Brahmins. All the Baratis (people in marriage
procession) were given grand reception. Many great kings like Shalv,
Jarasandh, Dantvaktra, Vidurath and Paundrak were present in the
marriage procession. They had come with their armies with an intention
of fighting Krishna and Balaram. After Krishna's departure, Balaram too
set out for Kundanpur with chaturangini (with four wings) army, for he
had known about their opponents' preparedness.
Rukmani was eagerly
awaiting Lord's arrival. She had received the news that Dwarakanath
(Krishna) had resolved to take her away. She was feeling overwhelmed in
her heart.
Seeing Lord Krishna
arrived intently in the marriage ceremonies of his daughter, king
Bheeshmak welcomed him. Seeing him, even the common people of Vidarbh
prayed "May our princess Rukmani get Shri Krishna as her husband. At the
same time, Rukmani emerged from her palace to go to the temple of
Ambikadevi, soldiers were guarding her. In the temple, Rukmani prayed
peacefully: "O Mother Ambika I greet you and Ganapati, who is sitting in
your lap. I seek your blessing that may my wish be fulfilled and may I
receive Shri Krishna as my husband."
On her way back,
Rukmani was walking very slowly for she was awaiting Lord's arrival,
which was due in any moment. Just then, Lord Krishna appeared before
her. Before she could ride her chariot Lord lifted her from amidst the
crowd. And in the presence of hundreds of kings, Krishna and Balaram
eloped away with Rukmani.
DEFEAT OF RUKMI AND
SHISHUPAL
Hearing the news
that Krishna has eloped with Rukmani, Rukmi and all other kings present
there boiled with anger. Accompanied by their huge armies, they decided
to give them a chase. Thus chased my them, Yadnvanishis stopped and
encountered the kings boldly. With a true ambition to win, brave Yadav
soldiers defeated the enemies. All the kings like Jarasandh fled for
their lives. Rukmi had resolved that without getting Rukmani released
from Krishna's captivity, he would not show his face in Kundanpur. He
chased Lord Krishna for long. But Dwarakanath defeated him and got his
head shaved.
MARRIAGE OF RUKMANI
AND KRISHNA
Thus defeating all
the kings, Lord Krishna brought Rukmani to Dwarka. There they got
married formally. All the people of Dwarka celebrated festivities for
many days. People presented them with lot of precious gifts. All the
people were in great joy to see Lakshmi as Rukmani with her husband Lord
Krishna.
BIRTH OF PRADYUMN,
KILLING OF SHABARASUR
Kamadev was a part
of lord himself. After getting incinerated by Rudra, Kamadev took refuge
in the supreme lord to get an incarnation once more. Thus, Kamadev was
born as Rukmani’s first son Pradyumn. But just after his birth, Pradyumn
was kidnapped by a demon Shambarasur. The demon dropped the baby into
the sea, where a huge fish swallowed him in whole. Coincidentally the
fish was caught by the fishers and presented to the kitchen of
Shambarasur. When the cooks cut the fish open, an extremely beautiful
baby emerged. Mayawati, the governess of the kitchen, felt overjoyed to
see the baby. She began to rear the baby with love and affection.
Once Narad arrived
in the kitchen and said: "Mayawati, do you know who is in your lap? "
"No, O Devarshi, I found him from the belly of a fish," said Mayawati.
Devarshi Narad said: "He is your husband Kamadev and you are his wife
Rati. In this birth, he has appeared as Pradyumn the son of Krishna.
Hearing this, Mayawati saluted Narad with respect. Since then she
regarded Pradyumn as her husband and served him accordingly. When
Pradyumn matured. Mayawati reminded him about his real appearance.
Pradyumn, thereafter, killed Shambarasur and got married with Mayawati.
Then the couple arrived in Dwarka.
TALE OF SYAMANTAK
THE GEM
A person named
Satrajit was a great devotee of Lord Suryanarayana. Pleased by his
devotion, Suryadev presented him a gem called Syamantak. The gem had
radiance equal to the Sun. Bearing that gem, Satrajit arrived in Lord's
court. By the radiance of his gem, all the people and the courtiers
mistook him for Suryadev and stood in his regard. But the Lord
recognised him and asked his courtiers to be calm. Then to Satrajit,
Lord Said: "Satrajit, your gem is really very beautiful. Nana (maternal
grandfather) Ugrasen is the king of this region. If you present this gem
to him, it will be very good. But Satrajit refused to present that gem.
One day, later on,
Satrajit's brother Prasenjit went hunting, wearing the gem in his neck.
In the forest a lion killed him and snatched the gem. The lion was in
turn killed by the ursine king Jambvant. Jambvant took the gem to his
cave and gave it to his children to play with. When Prasenjit did not
return from hunting, Satrajit felt sorry and accused Krishna that He had
killed his brother for the gem.
When lord Krishna
heard that he was being blamed for the mishap, He himself went to the
forests. There he found the dead body of Prasenjit, but there was no
sign of gem around the cadaver. He found only footprints of a lion
leaving from there. Following the footprints, He discovered the dead
lion and the footprints of a great bear. Following the footprints, He
reached in the cave where Jambvant's daughter Jambvati was playing with
the gem.
As soon as lord
Krishna proceeded to take the gem, Jambvant arrived. A fierce duel
resulted between them. They continued to fight for twenty-six days
without truce. On the twenty-seventh day Jambvant requested Lord!
"Please wait O Lord." Lord said: "Do you want to take rest?" "No", said
Jambvant, "I have recognised you. You are none other than Lord Narayana
Himself. Nobody else has the power to defeat me." Lord appeared before
Jambvant as Shri Rama. Jambvant prayed and worshipped Him. He was
feeling guilty that he dared to fight Lord. Lord said that He had
arrived there for the gem only. Jambvant gave him the gem and also his
daughter Jambvati. Lord returned the gem to Satrajit and married
Jambvati formally.
MARRIAGE OF
SATYABHAMA AND KRISHNA
Lord summoned
Satrajit to His court and in the presence of the king Ugrasen, related
the sequence of incidents that took place in the jungle. Satrajit felt
ashamed. With a feeling of repentance he took the gem. He was getting
afraid also that he made enemity with lord Krishna without reason. Hence
to expiate his crime, Satrajit thought of presenting the gem Syamantak
and his daughter Satyabhama to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna accepted
Satyabhama as his wife but returned the gem to Satrajit saying: "It is a
gift of lord Suryadev. Keep it with you. You are required to deposit the
gold that you get from it, in the royal treasure."
THEFT OF SYAMANTAK
Akrur and Kritvarma
were not pleased with the marriage of Satyabhama. So they got Satrajit
killed by Shatadhanva. Shatadhanva killed Satrajit in his sleep and
absconded with the gem. Lord Krishna was then away in Hastinapur.
Satyabhama too reached there and informed Krishna about her father's
assassination. With Balaram, Lord Krishna chased Shatadhanva. But even
after killing him, they could not trace the gem. Shatadhanva had given
the gem to Akrur to keep till his return. But after the death of
Shatadhanva, frightened Akrur came to stay in Kashi. From the effect of
the gem Akrur performed many grand Yagyas there. Lord summoned Akrur
from Kashi. After welcoming and treating him in the court, Lord asked
him about the gem. Akrur showed the gem in the court. But Lord returned
the gem to Akrur.
MARRIAGE OF LORD
KRISHNA WITH KALINDI
Once Lord Krishna
visited Indraprasth to see Pandavas. There riding a chariot with Arjuna,
He came to the forests. On the bank of river Yamuna a pretty woman was
observing penance. By the instinct of God, Arjun drew near her and asked
for her identity. She said: "I am Kalindi, the daughter of Suryadev. I
am penancing here in order to get married with Lord Krishna." Lord got
Kalindi boarded on the chariot and got married to her formally.
LORD'S MARRIAGE
WITH MITRVINDA
Mitrvinda was the
sister of Vind Anuvind the king of Ujjain. She had a desire to get Lord
as her husband. But her brother, Vind Anuvind was a follower of
Duryodhan. So he stopped his sister Mitrvinda from getting married to
Krishna. But Krishna eloped with Mitrvinda from the court and got
married to her formally later on.
LORD'S MARRIAGE
WITH SATYA
Satya was the
daughter of Nagnjit, the king of Kaushal. She was extremely beautiful
lady. The king had resolved that he would marry his daughter only to him
who would defeat his seven most formidable oxen. Many princes has tried
their luck since then but failed. When Lord Krishna heard about that, He
reached Kaushal with his army. The king of Kaushal welcomed and treated
him well, and told him about his resolution. Lord then took seven guises
and in no time defeated his seven formidable oxen. Gladly the king
married his daughter Satya to Lord Krishna.
LORD'S MARRIAGE
WITH BHADRA
Parashar says:
"Parikshit, Lord's aunt (father's sister) Shrutkirti was married in the
kingdom of Kaikauja. Bhadra was the daughter of Shrutkirti. Bhadra's
brothers like Santardan etc. themselves had got their sister married to
Lord Krishna.
LORD'S MARRIAGE
WITH LAKSHMANA
Lakshmana was the
daughter of the king of Madra. She was very beautiful and meritorious.
Lord abducted her all alone from the Swayamvara organised for her
marriage. Later, Lord married to her formally. SALVATION OF BHAUMASUR
Pragjyotishpur was
the capital of the demon Bhaumasur. He was very strong and powerful. He
had snatched the canopy of Varun, earrings of Aditi the mother of the
gods, and Maniparvat of the gods on Meru. Apart from these, he had also
captured sixteen thousand and one hundred princesses as well.
Devraj Indra
himself visited Dwarka and Prayed Lord to get them rid of Bhaumasur's
atrocities. With the dear wife Satyabhama and riding his vehicle Garud.
Lord Krishna arrived in the capital of Bhaumasur. But to enter
Pragjyotishpur was an impossible task. But with the blows of his mace
and arrows, Lord easily broke the hills, destroyed strategic positions
and cut the snares with sword. By his wheel he destroyed the walls of
fire, water and air. With the loud sound of conch, Lord rendered the
machines, installed there, useless.
Ultimately, God
destroyed the rampart of the citadel. Disturbed by the noise, the
five-headed demon Mur ran with a trident to kill God. But with a single
shot of his arrow, Lord broke his trident and cut his head with his
wheel. Soldiers and commanders of Bhaumasur were also killed. Bhaumasur
then came himself to fight. He had donned a shinning crown and was
wearing big earrings. With his wheel, Lord cut the demon's head. As soon
as He beheaded the demon, the gods showered flowers on the Lord and
worshipped Him. Even the mother earth came and put a garland of five
colours around lord’s neck. She also presented to him the earrings of
Aditi, canopy of Varun, and a great gem. At the request of earth, Lord
assured Bhaumasur's son Bhagdatt freedom from his fears.
LORD'S MARRIAGE
WITH CAPTIVE PRINCESSES
After slaying
Bhaumasur, Lord entered his palace. There He released the sixteen
thousand one hundred captive princesses. The princesses were very much
impressed by the Lord. They had all accepted in their mind, Lord Krishna
as their husband. Lord too bowed before their love and accepted them as
his wives and arranged to send them to Dwarka.
PRADYUMN'S MARRIAGE
WITH RUKMVATI
Rukmvati was the
daughter of Rukmi, the brother of Rukmani. When a Swayamvara was
organised for her, she saw Pradyumn. She was so impressed by him that
she chose him as her husband. But it was not acceptable to other
princes. They tried to stop their marriage. But defeating them all,
Pradyumn abducted Rukmvati and married her formally. Then to please his
sister Rukmani, Rukmi got his granddaughter Rochana married to Rukmani's
grandsons Anirudh.
MARRIAGE OF
USHA-ANIRUDH
The son of the
demon king Bali, Baanasur was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Baanasur
ruled over the kingdom Shonitpur. By the grace of Lord Shiva, he had
received thousand arms. Even all the gods including Indra used to serve
him. Thus blinded by his physical strength, Baanasur sought a boon from
Lord to meet a match for his strength. Lord Shiva said: "O fool, your
thirst for war shall be quenched when your flag is broken."
Baanasur had a
daughter named Usha. Once she had a dream in which Anirudh was making
love with her. She was very much perplexed by the dream. After a few
days with the help of her friend Chitralekha, Anirudh sneaked into her
palace. He stayed there and enjoyed the company of Usha for long. But
Anirudh's clandestine stay could not remain hidden from the eyes of
Banasura. So he put Anirudh in prison. There in Dwarka, everyone was
worried by Anirudh's long absence.
It was Narad, who
ultimately revealed the fact that Anirudh was in the prison of Baanasur.
Hearing the news, Lord Krishna launched an attack on Baanasur. His
armies surrounded Shonitpur. During Ghurabandi the flag of Baanasur's
palace fell. Lord Shankar arrived to assist Baanasur. Lord Krishna cut
all the arms of Baanasur. At the request of Shiva, he left only four of
his arms intact. Baanasur bowed his head before Lord Krishna and brought
Anirudh and Usha respectfully before Him. With them Lord Krishna
returned to Dwarka where formal marriage of Usha and Anirudh took place.
TALE OF THE KING
NRIG
Once, Lord
Krishna's sons visited the forests. There they saw a huge Chameleon
fallen in a large, deep well. They tried to pull it out but in vain. The
princes, therefore, returned to the palace and related this strange
episode to Lord Krishna. Lord too came to the well and with His left
hand, easily pulled the Chameleon out.
As soon as the
chameleon came out, it turned into a divine god and began to worship
God. He said: "O Lord, I am Nrig. The king Ikshvaaku was my father. In
my life, I had donated uncountable numbers of cows to the Brahmins. But
once a cow, donated by me, returned to my cowshed. By mistake I made a
resolution to donate it to another Brahmin. My action led to a dispute
between the two Brahmins, and my wisdom failed to settle their dispute.
Both the Brahmins went away unsatisfied, but I met this fate after
death. Since then, I had been in this well in the form of a chameleon.
Now, by the graceful touch of your hands, O Lord, I have received
salvation." King Nrig then went around the Lord and returned to his
heavenly abode."
SALVATION OF
PAUNDRAK
Once Balaram and
Krishna had gone to Braj to see Nandbaba there. Meanwhile the king
Paundrak of Karush sent an envoy to lord Krishna with a message that
said: 'I am Lord Vasudev.' Pandrak's envoy arrived in the court and read
out the message: "To bestow my grace on the people, I have taken an
incarnation. You have falsely named yourself as Vasudev and bore my
insignia. Take my refuge or face the battle."
Hearing the message
of Paundrak, Ugrasen and other courtiers began to laugh. Lord asked the
envoy to inform Paundrak that He would launch His wheel on him and his
army.
Receiving the
message Paundrak launched an attack on Dwarka with two Akshauhini
armies. The king of Kashi was a friend of Paundrak. He too came to his
assistance with three Akshauhini armies. Paundrak had disguised as
Vasudev and was bearing artificial conch, wheel, mace and lotus and. He
had also adorned Swastika, Kaustubh etc. All the people began to laugh
at Paundrak's clown like attire.
In no time, the
Lord stripped him of all his adornments. His wheel cut his head. Then
with an arrow the Lord cut the head of the king of Kashi. His head fell
in front of his palace's gate. Sudakshin, the son of the Kashi king,
organised a grand Yagya to avenge his father's killing. An ogress,
Kritya emerged from the Yagya and began to burn Dwarka. All the people
prayed Krishna to protect them. Lord assured them to be fearless and
ordered His wheel Sudarshan to kill Kritya. Sudarshan extinguished the
fire, killed Kritya and destroyed Kashi. Then it returned to the Lord's
finger.
SALVATION OF DWIVID
There was once a
monkey named Dwivid. He was the friend of Bhaumasur. When Dwivid heard
about Bhaumasur's killing by Shri Krishna, he began to cause large-scale
destruction in the kingdom. His disruptive activities in the country
began to terrorise the subjects of Lord Krishna. Once hearing sweet
music, the monkey was drawn towards the Raivtak Mountain. There he saw
Balaram amidst beautiful young women. The monkey began to behave
indecently. Angered by his indecency, Balaram hit him with his pestle,
named Sunand, and killed the monkey.
MARRIAGE OF SAMB
Samb was the son of
lord Krishna and born to Jambvati. He had Kidnapped Lakshmana, the
daughter of Duryodhan from her Swayamvara. Infuriated Kauravas chased
them and, with difficulty, they caught Samb and tied him. When the
Yaduvanshis got the news, they began preparations to launch an attack on
Kauravas. Balaram pacified them and reached Hastinapur alone. There he
received a warm welcome from the Kauravas. Balaram said to them: "It is
an order of the king Ugrasen that you should see Samb off with his newly
wedded wife." Hearing Balaram's words Kauravas got angry and began to
deride Yaduvanshis. Infuriated by Kauravas derision, Balaram trained his
pestle and plough. He intended to turn over the town of Hastinapur into
the river Yamuna. When the city began to shake, Kauravas felt perplexed
and begged Balaram for his pardon. Balaram assured them to be fearless
and returned to Dwarka with Samb and his newly wedded wife Lakshmana.
THE KINGS IN
CAPTIVITY SEEK LORD'S HELP
Once Lord Krishna
was holding His court when an emissary arrived in the court. The kings
who were held captive forcibly by Jarasandh had sent him. The emissary
related the miseries of those kings to Lord Krishna. Through the
emissary, the kings had requested: "O Lord of the world, Kindly get us
free from our miseries. We are in your refuge. We desire your sight.
Kindly bestow us with your grace." Lord Krishna sent the emissary off
with assurance of timely action. Meanwhile, Devarshi Narad arrived in
the court and informed the Lord of Yudhisthir's intention to organise a
grand Rajsuy Yagya and his cordial invitation for the Lord to attend the
ceremony. Lord asked his friend Uddhav for an advice as to where He
ought to go first - to Indraprasth in Rajsuy Yagya or to liberate the
king from the captivity of Jarasandh. Uddhav advised Lord to go to
Indraprasth first. There He would be able to serve both the purposes.
LORD'S DEPARTURE
FOR INDRAPRASTHA
Uddhav's advice was
in the interest of all. Everyone supported it. Taking permission from
His priest and teachers, Lord set out on a chariot with the whole family
to reach Indraprasth. In Indraprasth, Pandavas accorded the Lord with
warm-hearted felicitations. By the dictate of Lord, Mayasur built a
divine looking court for Yudhishthir. The courtroom was a marvellous
piece of architecture. The shinning, smooth, floor of it appeared like
water, while water bodies presented a look like marble floors.
KILLING OF
JARASANDH
During Yudhisthir’s
Rajsuy Yagya, all the Pandavas set out in all the directions to conquer
the kings and expand the boundaries of their kingdom. Warriors like
Bheema, Arjun defeated great kings all around and extended the
boundaries of Yudhisthir's empire. But to defeat Jarasandh, - Bheema,
Arjuna and Lord Krishna went in the guise Brahmins. They reached
Jarasandh capital Girivraj and prayed him for donations. Jarasandh
promised to give them the things of their desires. Lord Krishna then
introduced them and begged Jarasandh for a duel with any of them.
Jarasandh accepted to fight a duel with Bheema. He gave Bheema a mace
and both of them came out to the outskirts of the town, where they began
their duel. Both of them were equally strong and equally brave and well
pitted.
Twenty-seven days
passed, but their duel remained inconclusive. On the twenty-eighth day,
during the fight, Lord signalled Bheema a way to kill Jarasandh. He took
a small twig in his hands and tore it apart into two. Bheema understood
the signal and beating Jarasandh on ground, he tore him apart in two
pieces and threw them in opposite directions. Thus came the end of evil
Jarasandh. Lord Krishna and Arjuna heartily greeted Bheema for his
success. They then enthroned Jarasandh's son Sahadev and also got the
captive kings released.
SALVATION OF
SHISHUPAL
King Yudhishthir
had invited great Vedic Brahmins and Acharayas on the occasion. Persons
from Kauravas side like Drona, Bheeshma, Kripacharya, Dhritarashtra,
Vidur and Duryodhan etc. were too invited to witness the celebrations.
Even Brahma, Shiv, Indra, Gandharvas, Vidyadhar had too arrived. But
before the Yagya could start a dispute cropped up among the great sages
as to who ought to be worshipped first in the Yagya.
In the opinion of
Sahadev (youngest of the Pandava brothers, not the son of Jarasandh),
Lord Krishna deserved the first worship. Every one supported him. Only
Shishupal could not tolerate the decision.
He stood up and
said: "In the presence of such great ascetics, savants, polymaths and
sages, how can this cowherd deserve the first worship." Despite
Shishupal bitter remarks Lord Krishna kept quiet. But Shishupal did not.
Encouraged by Lord's silence he began to attack the kings, who stood by
Lord's side, with sword. He was simultaneously abusing Lord Krishna
also. Lord had assured Shishupal of this forgiveness for up to one
hundred sins. But now Shishupal's sins have crossed that permitted
number. So, quieting all, Lord cut his head with His wheel. As soon as
the dead body of Shishupal fell on the ground, a flame emerged from it
and merged with Lord Krishna. Shukdev says: "O Parikshit, feelings of
hostility had been accumulating in the heart of Shishupal for his past
three births against Lord Krishna. It was because of these intense
hostile feelings that Shishupal met salvation eventually.
After the salvation
of Shishupal, ceremonies and rituals of Yagya proceeded unabated. At the
end king Yudhishthir presented all those present there with fitting
gifts and took ceremonial bath. At the request of Pandavas, lord Krishna
stayed in Indraprasth for many months.
SALVATION OF SHALV
Shukdev says:
"Parikshit, now listen to the tale of how Lord caused salvation for
Shalv. Shalv was the childhood friend of Shishupal and had attended the
marriage of Rukmani as a member of Shishupal's wedding party. At that
time, Yaduvanshis had defeated them all including Jarasandh and Shalv.
Right at that moment, Shalv had resolved to destroy Yaduvanshis and
began worshipping Gods of the gods Pashupati (Shiv). Lord Ashutosh Shiva
was pleased with him. As a boon, Shalv had got an aeroplane that was
invincible even for the gods, demons, humans, Nagas, etc and was
particularly formidable for Yaduvanshis. By the dictate of Lord Shiva,
the demon Maya constructed such an aeroplane of iron. The aeroplane
named Saubh was as big as a city and was difficult to be spotted or
caught. It could move as fast as one's wishes. Soon after getting the
aeroplane, Shalv launched an attack of Dwarka.
Surrounding Dwarka,
Shalv began to destroy buildings and houses there. Seeing the people
terrorised, Pradyumn consoled them to be fearless and he set out on a
chariot to counter Shalv. He pierced Shalv with arrows. But Shalva's
minister Dyumana attacked Pradyumna with a mace. By the blow of the
mace, Pradyumn lost his consciousness. But soon he came around and began
to slay Shalv's forces. The fierce battle continued for twenty-seven
days. Lord was away then in Indraprasth Yagya. But He was sure that in
his absence Kshatriya kings of Shishupal side would be attacking on
Dwarka.
Lord reached Dwarka
and saw a fierce battle between Pradyumn and Shalv. Seeing Lord arrive,
Shalv began to attack Him with sharp arrows. Lord hit Shalv with a
powerful blow of mace and he began to spit blood from his mouth. He then
tried to show many illusions and showered Lord with weapons. But Lord
wounded Shalv with his arrows, broke his aeroplane with his mace. Very
soon thereafter the aeroplane plunged in to the sea. Shalv then attacked
Lord with mace but Lord cut his head with Sudarshan wheel. Seeing his
end, all the gods showered flowers on Lord.
SALVATION OF
DANTVAKTRA AND VIDURATH
After the killing
of Shishupal, Shalv etc. Dantvaktra arrived in the battlefield carrying
a mace. When Lord saw him coming, He too jumped down from the chariot
and balked his movement with a mace. Dantvaktra tried to humiliate God
with his abuses and hit him on head with his mace. Lord easily bore the
blow of mace and hit Dantvaktra's chest with his mace named Kaumodaki.
Dantvaktra's heart tore apart by the blow and he fell dead.
Vidurath was the
brother of Dantvaktra. He came in the field with sword and shield to
avenge his brother's death. Seeing him ready to launch an attack, Lord
cut Vidurath's head with his wheel. Thus, Lord Krishna entered Dwarka
only after killing Shalv, Dantvaktra and Vidurath. All the gods and
other inhabitants of heaven showered flowers on Him.
SUDAMA: THE LORD'S
FRIEND
During his stay as
a disciple at the hermitage of sage Sandipani, Lord Krishna had a
Brahmin friend named Sudama. He was very indifferent in nature with no
desires for the material things. After their education, Lord Krishna
came to Dwarka while Sudama, who had no any inclination for accumulating
material wealth, got married and began to pass his life with his wife
Susheela in abject poverty. One day his wife Susheela said: "O lord,
your friend Krishna is the king of Dwarka. He is very benevolent to
Brahmins and his devotees. If you go to see him, he will understand your
miseries and grant you a lot of wealth." But Sudama plainly refused
saying: "Devi, I have chosen the path of devotion for self upliftment
and not for the wealth." Susheela, however, kept of insisting: "All
right, don't go for the wealth. But at least you can go to see your old
friend. Sudama accepted this proposition, thinking that only the sight
of Lord yields supreme benefit to the devotee. But he wanted something
as a gift to present to his old friend. At this, his wife tied four
handfuls of raw rice in a bundle.
With that humble
gift, Sudama set out for Dwarka. His poverty was at its helm. But he
kept on reciting Lord's name all along the way. After walking for some
distance, Sudama felt thirsty. He drank water, quenched his thirst and
thanked God that He at least does give water to drink. Sudama kept on
walking the whole day. In the evening, he kept the bundle of rice under
his head as a pillow and slept.
Now it was God's
turn to show His gratitude for the devotee. When Sudama awoke in the
morning, he found himself right in front of Lord Krishna's palace. At
first he could not believe his eyes; but the people told him that he was
in Dwarka and standing right before the lord's palace. Sudama requested
the gatekeeper to inform Lord Krishna that his childhood friend Sudama
had come. Lord Krishna was sitting in the company of Rukmani when the
gatekeeper delivered the message. As soon as Lord Krishna learned about
Sudama's arrival, He stood up and ran helter-skelter to welcome his
childhood friend. At the gate He cordially embraced Sudama and escorted
him into his private chamber and made him sit on the throne.
Krishna and queen
Rukmani both washed Sudama's feet one by one. By the mere touch of his
friend, Krishna was feeling overjoyed. His eyes filled with tears. He
and Sudama were holding each other's hands. Their hearts were beating
with the memories of their period as disciples at the hermitage of
Sandipani. For long, none of them could utter a word. At last Sudama
said: "O Jagadguru Krishna, I have the fortune of being your friend.
What remains for me to do?"
Lord Krishna said:
"Brother, have you brought for me something sent by my sister-in-law? I
love to accept even the pettiest thing presented with affection." At the
Lord's words, Sudama felt ashamed and he did not reveal the four
handfuls of raw rice that he had brought as gift. With shame, Sudama
began to look at the ground. Lord knew everything that his dear friend
Sudama had never remembered him with a desire for wealth. This time too
he has come at the insistence of his wife. 'Hence, I will give him the
wealth that is rare even for the gods,' thought Lord Krishna and
snatched the bundle of raw rice and opened it with great respect. He put
one handful of it in his mouth. When Lord proceeded to take next
handful, queen Rukmani held his hand and prayed: "O Vishvambhar
(fosterer of the world) for the prosperity of entire world this one
handful is sufficient."
Sudama stayed that
night in the palace of Shri Krishna. There he experienced the comfort of
Vaikunth (abode of God). Staying there for many days, Sudama at last,
took leave of Shri Krishna and set out for his home. Lord did not give
Sudama anything apparently nor did Sudama asked for His favour. He was
travelling overwhelmed by a divine sense of devotion and felt that
Krishna might have not given him wealth lest he should forget Him.
Thus, sunk in
myriad kinds of thoughts, Sudama reached his home. But at the place,
where his dilapidated hut stood once there was now a divine palace
surrounded by verdant gardens. The floors of the palace were embedded
with precious gems and stones. Standing at the gate, Sudama felt
confused, when his wife Susheela came out with scented water to welcome
him. Tears were rolling on her cheeks. With love she greeted Sudama and
escorted him inside the palace. Sudama was still reflecting over the
God's grace and praying: "May I have the friendship of lord in every
birth, may my affection increase for Lord's feet. I don't want wealth.”
Since then, Sudama enjoyed the comforts of the palace as the bounty of
Lord bestowed upon him by none other than the Lord Krishna himself. His
devotion increased day by day.
MEETING OF LORD
WITH GOPIS
Shukdev says: "O
Parikshit, Lord Krishna was passing his time with pleasure in Dwarka. A
total solar eclipse happened to fall during that period. People from all
over India thronged in Kurukshetra to take a dip in sacred Ganges on
that great occasion. All the Yaduvanshis too arrived there. When
Vrajvasis (Inhabitants of Vraj) learned about Krishna and Balaram's
arrival in Kurukshetra, they too assembled there.
During the
festival, Lord Krishna met His foster-father Nand and other cowherds who
were his childhood friends. Lord Krishna met the Gopis also who had been
pining for his sight since long. They enjoyed the meeting and kept on
chatting for long. Overwhelmed by love and joy, Vasudev embraced Nand.
Lord Krishna and Balaram respectfully greeted mother Yashoda and father
Nand. They too embraced Krishna-Balaram cordially.
Gopis were
specially overwhelmed by Lord's sight. They had no other desire but to
have a sight of Lord. That day their long cherished dream had come true.
Gopis imbued the captivating appearance of Lord and experienced the joy
of embracing Him. Lord met all the Gopis and embraced them. Inquired
about their well being and preached them with spiritual knowledge. By
the virtue of that knowledge, feeling of living disappeared among the
Gopis and they merged with God forever.
ORGANISATION OF
YAGYA BY VASUDEV
Devarshi Narad,
Vyasa and many other great sages arrived in Kurukshetra to have a sight
of Lord. Lord welcomed them all. Then Vasudev greeted them and enquired
about way for his self-upliftment. Laughingly, Narad said: "Vasudev, a
person, already living at the bank of the Ganges, discards her holy
water and goes to other places of pilgrimage for his purification.
In the presence of
Krishna-Balaram, the sages said: "You regard the indescribable, eternal,
Sachchidanand Shri Krishna as your son, and seek the way of your self
upliftment from us. O Vasudev, recognise Him. Take to His refuge, only
He can salve you." Vasudev got the meaning of sage's words and began to
develop feelings of devotion for his son. Every human being has
obligation for the gods, sages and his ancestors. The sages got a Yagya
performed in Kurukshetra by Vasudev to free him from the obligation for
gods.
REVISTING OF
DEVAKI'S SIX SONS
In Dwarka, Krishna
and Balaram used to greet their parent's first daily in the morning. Now
Vasudev had recognised His identity. So after their return from
Kurukshetra, when Krishna-Balaram went as usual to greet their parents,
Vasudev greeted them first. Lord Krishna then preached his father about
the metaphysical knowledge. With that knowledge, Vasudev began to see
Krishna everywhere.
Mother Devaki was
also present there. Memory of her six children, who were killed by
Kansa, was still afresh in her mind. She had heard that Krishna had
fetched the dead son of Sandipani from Yamloka. So she prayed to them "
You both are venerable even to the gods. Kindly grant me my desire. Show
me my six sons who were killed by Kansa. By their mother's dictate and
helped by Yogmaya, both the brothers reached Sutal Loka.
The demon king Bali
welcomed them there and offered them a seat, and washed their feet. King
Bali then asked God what could he do for Him. Lord said: O demon king,
in Swayambhu Manvantara, six sons were born to Urna the wife of
Prajapati Marichi. They were all gods. They had once seen Brahma trying
to copulate with his own daughter and hence derided at him. Indignant
Brahma had then cursed them to take birth in demon incarnation. They
therefore were born as the sons of Hiranyakashipu.
In the present era,
Yogmaya had made them born as Devaki's sons who were killed by Kansa.
They are all now in your Loka. Mother Devaki is mourning for them, so we
shall take them with us. They will thus be freed from the curse and go
to their heavenly abode." Thus Lord Krishna and Balaram brought those
six babies to Dwarka and handed them to mother Devaki. Seeing her babies
again, Devaki's heart filled with love for her sons. Milk began to flood
her breasts. She breast-fed them. Drinking the milk, all the babies
received salvation. They then departed to their heavenly abode.
LOVE AND MARRIAGE
OF SUBHADRA AND ARJUN
King Parikshit
asked: "Gurudev, how did my grandfather Arjun and grandmother Subhadra
got married? I want to hear this tale. Kindly narrate it to me."
Shukdev said:
Parikshit once travelling on a pilgrimage tour, Arjun reached in Prabhas
region. There he learned that Balaram was desirous of marrying his
sister Subhadra to Duryodhan. But Vasudev and Krishna were not in the
favour of this marriage. So, a strong urge took hold in his mind to get
Subhadra as his wife. Acting as per the urge, Arjun reached Dwarka in
the guise of Vaishnav sage. It was rainy season then, so with an excuse
of Chaturmasya Vrata (four months long fast), Arjun stayed in Dwarka.
During his stay, Balaram served and looked after him very well. But
neither Balaram nor any other inmates of the palace could recognise
Arjun.
Once Balaram
invited Arjun to his home. There he offered good, delicious food to
Arjun. Subhadra too served him well. There, they fell in love with each
other. Later on, boarding a chariot, Subhadra went out of the palace for
a joy ride. At the outskirts of the town, Arjun was awaiting for her. He
had already taken permission of Devaki-Vasudev and Krishna. Subhadra too
had silently nodded her acceptance.
So that evening
Arjun and Subhadra eloped from Dwarka. The news of Subhadra eloping with
Arjun first outraged Balaram. But Lord Krishna and other near and dear
ones convinced and pacified him.
RELEASE OF SHIVA
FROM CRISIS
Maitreya asked:
"Gurudev, those among the gods, human beings and the demons, who worship
Lord Shiva, get wealth very soon. But those, who worship Lord Narayana,
remain afflicted with scarcity. What is the reason for that?"
In reply, Lord
Krishna had said: "O Yudhishthir, I take away all the wealth from those
whom I bestow my grace. When they are poor, their relatives desert them.
I even render their efforts useless when they try to earn money. Thus
being unsuccessful repeatedly, the people develop an attitude of
indifference for wealth. Then they begin to take shelter as my devotee
and mingle with me. Only then, I bestow my full grace on them and they
receive me as Sachchidanand ParaBrahma. Thus, pleasing me through my
worship is extremely difficult. Hence, ordinary people give me up and
worship other deities, which are in fact different forms of me. Lord
Shiva is Ashutosh and bestows his devotees quickly with grace. He gives
wealth and other riches to his devotees. But once they get wealth, the
devotees become despotic and even forget the God who had blessed them."
Once upon a time,
there was a demon Vrikasur. He had pleased Lord Shiva and sought a boon
that the person, upon whose head the demon put his hand, should be
incinerated at once. Lord Shiva granted the boon without considering the
consequences. But as soon as the demon got this supernatural power, he
ran to incinerate Lord Shiva first. The demon was eyeing Gauri Parvati,
so he was determined to eliminate Lord Shiva. Now afraid of his own
boon, Lord Shiva ran for his life, with the demon following him in hot
pursuit. At last Shiva reached in Vaikunth and told Lord Vishnu about
his crisis. Lord at once illumined the demon and made him put his hand,
on his own head. By the virtue of the boon, the demon was incinerated in
no time and thus Lord Shiva could be saved.
TESTING OF TRINITY
Once upon a time,
all the sages assembled on the bank of Saraswati River. A dispute
erupted among them as to who among the trinity was the greatest. By
consensus they appointed sage Bhrigu to test the trinity of Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh. Bhrigu reached to Brahma, but did not greet him.
Brahma got infuriated but since the sage Bhrigu was his son, He did not
curse him. Then Bhrigu visited Shiva. Lord Shiva proceeded to embrace
the sage. But instead of accepting Shiva's welcome, the sage began to
abuse Him, saying: "You violate the dignity of Vedas, so I will not meet
with you." Angry Shiva raised his trident to kill him, but Bhagwati
stopped Him. At last Bhrigu reached Vaikunth to see Lord Vishnu.
Lord was lying with
head in the lap of Lakshmi. Bhrigu kicked hard at His chest. But instead
of getting angry, Lord got up, bowed his head before the sage and begged
pardon: "O Sage, pardon me, I could not welcome you at once, at your
arrival. Your feet are soft, I hope they are not hurt. All my sins have
been washed by the touch of your feet." Bhrigu felt very pleased by the
serious talks of Lord. His heart felt overwhelmed with excess of
devotion. He returned to the assembly of the sages and narrated his
experience. Since then Lord Vishnu is regarded as the Supreme and giver
of peace and fearlessness.
REVIVAL OF BRAHMN'S
DEAD CHILDREN
There in Dwarka
lived a Brahmin. When the first son was born to his wife, it died
immediately after birth. The Brahmin took his dead son to the royal
court and complained: "My Son has died because of anti-Brahmin and
licentious actions of the king." One by one, thus, eight sons were born
to the Brahmin couple; but they all died immediately after birth. And
the Brahmin kept on dumping his dead sons at the gate of the royal
palace.
When his ninth son
was born, and died, Arjun was also there in Dwarka. He made a promise to
the Brahmins: I shall guard your son or commit self-immolation. At the
time of next delivery, the agitated Brahmin came to Arjun. Training his
bow and arrows, Arjun made all arrangements to protect Brahmin's tenth
son. Sanctified by many mantras, Arjun's arrows constructed a fence
around the labour room. A child took birth; but it too died after some
time. Brahmin, then, cursed Arjun.
Arjun scouted
through all the three worlds and even the netherworlds in search of the
Brahmin's dead son, but he could not find him anywhere. Ultimately
accepting his failure and as per his promise, Arjun proceeded to
immolate himself.
Meanwhile, Lord
Krishna too learned about Arjun's vow and stopped him from
self-immolation. Thereafter, riding a divine chariot, Lord set out with
Arjun, towards west. Beyond the limits of cosmos. They reached the abode
of Lord Vasudev in Tripadvibhuti. There Arjun saw that Lord was present
in Purushottam’s appearance. Shri Krishna and Arjun greeted Him.
Lord Purushottam
said in a serious voice: "O Krishna and Arjuna, only to have a sight of
both of you, I brought the Brahmin's sons to me. Both of you had taken
incarnation on earth from my part to protect the religion. All the
demons have been slain by now. Now you too return to me.
Shri Krishna and
Arjun again greeted Lord and returned on earth with all the sons of the
Brahmin. Arjun was greatly surprised to see the supreme abode of Lord.
He felt that whatever strength a living being had, it been all by Shri
Krishna's grace. Like common, ordinary people, the Lord stayed on earth
enjoying mundane comforts, performed Yagyas like kings, behaved like
idealistic people; deterred His subjects and slayed evil kings to
re-establish religion on earth.
Parashar said: "As
the time passed, Yaduvanshis grew stronger and more influential. Now no
longer did they like the welcoming and treating of the great sages by
the Lord. Lord Krishna knew about their disliking, but secretly He was
pleased by this change in Yaduvanshi's behaviour, for He knew that by
disregarding the saints and the scriptures, they would meet their end
sooner.
Once the Yaduvanshis
clothed Jambvati's son Samb in a woman's attire and, showing him to the
sages asked mockingly: "Maharaja, this is our sister-in-law. She is an
expecting mother. She feels shy to ask but tell us what will be born to
her?
Through their unfailing vision,
the Sages knew the reality and said: "Fools, a pestle shall be born to
her and that pestle shall exterminate the entire Yaduvansha. Now all the
Yaduvanshis were perplexed by sages' prediction, and approached their
king Ugrasen. But, even the king was helpless now because he could not
change the words the pious sages. In due course, a pestle was born to
Samb. Frightened of an imminent fate, Yaduvanshis crushed the pestle
into a fine powder and threw it into the sea. Only a nail remained, that
also was thrown into the sea where a fish swallowed it. A fisher caught
the fish and cut it open and found the nail. He gave it to a hunter. The
hunter fixed the nail in the head of his arrow. On the other hand, the
sea waves washed the powder of the pestle ashore where it germinated and
grew as luxuriant grasses. Later on, once all the Yaduvanshis assembled
at the seashore for a picnic where they drank wine and began to fight
with one another under intoxication. Soon their quarrel grew so high
that they pulled out the grasses, which were growing there, to use as
the arms. With the grasses the Yaduvanshis beat one another to death.
NARAD PREACHES
VASUDEV ABOUT BHAGAWAT
Once Narad arrived
in Dwarka. Vasudev prayed him and requested to provide him with pious
company of Bhagwat Dharma. Narad said: "O king, once upon a time, nine
great sages arrived in the court of the king Janak. King Janak had put
the same curiosity before them also. I will narrate the conversation
that followed there between the sages and the king."
First of all, the
first Yogishwar Kavi said: "O king Janak, dedication is the first duty
(Dharma) of a Vaishnav. He should devote everything - his actions,
fruits of actions and even himself, at the feet of Lord. He ought to
hear about Lord's virtues. Such a devotee shall be indifferent to the
worldly affairs and shall laugh, dance or sing occasionally and
sanctified all the three worlds." The king then asked about the
characteristics of the Lord's devotees. Another Yogeshwara Hari said: "A
true devotee of the Lord remains unaffected by feelings like hunger,
thirst, life, death, labour, pain, fear and desire. Such a devotee is
the excellent kind of Bhagwat. Even the wealth of all the three worlds
cannot shake the faith of such a devotee, because Lord Shri Hari himself
stays in his heart."
"What is illusion?"
A Yogeshwara Antariksh replied: "King, an illusion is also God's play.
Having a possessive feeling about mundane is illusion. Thinking in terms
of 'I', 'Me', 'Mine', 'My', 'You', 'Your' is also illusion. If one can
have such an affection for God as he has for worldly things, one can
easily surmount the illusion."
King Janak then
asked about the method of worshipping Lord. A Yogeshwara, Karbhajan
said: " O king, the Lord had a fair complexion in Satayug. People used
to receive Him through methods like meditation, reconciliation, etc. In
Tretayug, the Lord had reddish complexion and Yagyas were the main means
to achieve Him. In Dwaparyug, the Lord had yellowish complexion and He
could be pleased through worships. In the present Kaliyuga, Lord has
dark complexion and one can receive Him through means like recitation,
narration and hearing of His name and plays.
Thus, Narad preached
Vasudev about Bhagwat Dharma. Now the heart and mind of Vasudev were
thoroughly clean and pure.
LORD DEPARTS TO HIS
ABODE AND DESTRUCTION OF YADUVANSHIS
To remind the Lord
about the moment of His departure, Brahma arrived in Dwarka accompanied
by all the gods. He prayed to Him: "O Lord, you have completed your duty
of what we had once requested you. Now, You please return to your abode.
Lord said: "On the seventh day from now, Dwarka shall submerge in the
sea and Yadavas shall fight among themselves to death. I too shall
depart then. The arrow of a hunter shall be the cause of my departure."
When Uddhav learned
that Lord was about to wind up His plays, he approached Him and said: "I
understand, O Lord, that this all is happening by your wish. But I
cannot part for a moment from your feet. Hence, take me also with you to
your abode." Lord said: "Uddhav, I will not go anywhere. My entire
brilliance will be present in Shrimad Bhagwat. You stay here preaching
Bhagwat Dharma." Saying thus, lord preached Uddhav about the Geeta Gyana
through the tale of Avadhoot.
Lord narrated thus:
"Uddhav, Once, our ancestor Yadu happened to see Lord Dattatreya in a
forest. Lord was indulged in the supreme joy in the guise of Avadhoot.
Yadu asked him about the reasons for his whimsical state." Avadhoot had
said: "O king, making the various animals, birds, insects etc as my
teacher, I have learned about spirituality from them. That is why I am
free from mourning and attachment. Earth, air, sky, water, fire, the
moon the sun, pigeon, python, sea, grasshopper, bumblebee, honey bee,
elephant, extractor of honey, deer, fish, prostitute, osprey, boy,
girls, arrow-maker, snake, spider and wasp are all my teachers. I took
refuge at these twenty-four teachers and learned from their behaviour.
I learned
forgiveness from earth, purity from the sky, holiness and cleanliness
from the water, innocence and renunciation from the fire;
indifferentness from the air, to remain unaffected by circumstances from
moon, abdication from the Sun, incoherence from the pigeon, dependence
upon fate and remain effortless from the python, to remain always happy
and serious from the sea, to be under the control of sense organs and
hence meet total destruction from the grasshopper, acquiring of virtues
from bumblebee, fault in cumulating from honey bee, to abstain sensuous
talks from the Deer, to eliminate greed from the fish, sorrow in hope
and happiness in desperation from the prostitute, to feel happy in
uncertainty from osprey, dispute among many from the girls,
concentration from the arrow-maker, to roam alone and detachment from a
particular place from the snake, virtues of the creator Lord from the
spider, and I learned similarity from the wasp."
In the guise of
Avadhoot, Lord Dattatreya says: "O king, I learned wisdom and apathy
from my body also, because life, death, life and death again are
inseparably intertwined with it. Hence the net result of loving this
body is nothing but sorrow. Thus our own body also helps us to learn
about metaphysical knowledge.
Lord Krishna also
explained Uddhav regarding futility of physical and heavenly luxuries.
This human body is like a tree, on which two birds - Jeevatma and
Paramatma (microcosm and supreme soul) - have taken shelter. Two fruits
- happiness and sorrow - appear on it. Jeevatma (microcosm) eats these
fruits while Paramatma (supreme soul) stays as an indifferent onlooker.
There are three kinds of Jeev - Baddh (Bound), Bhakt (devotee) and Mukt
(liberated). Baddh Jeevas (bound souls) are those who indulge in sensual
pleasures and those who dislike pious company. Mukt Jeev (liberated
souls) are those who are free from attachment and bindings. Bhakt
(devotees) are those who meditate on me and dedicate their everything in
my feet and have love for my virtues. My devotee is kind, free from
flaws, tolerant, has feeling of fraternity for all and controls his
desires.
BHIKSHU GEET
Lord said: "Uddhav,
in the world, there is indeed a dearth of such tolerant people who can
tolerate bitter remarks of evil ones. In this context there is a tale of
a greedy Brahmin who lived in Ujjain. That Brahmin had been badly
tormented by the evil people after he had lost his wealth. But still the
Brahmin did not lose his patience and regarding his present state as a
result of his previous birth's deeds, he expressed his feelings thus:
These people are not
the cause of my miseries; neither the gods, nor body, even planets and
time, can be blamed for my miseries. Scriptures and learned ones held
the mind itself guilty of one's miseries. It is the mind that runs the
cycle of the world and makes every kind of efforts.
In the absence of
mind, even the soul is rendered motionless. When one accepts the
dictates of the mind and indulges in sensual pleasures, soul too comes
to be bound with them. The ultimate outcome of all the spiritual efforts
like celibacy, study of Vedas etc. and abidance to pious actions is the
concentration of mind. Concentration of mind and is abstaintation from
sensual pleasures are the primary conditions for attainment of Paramyoga
(supreme meditation). Thus Lord preached Uddhav about Gyana Geeta.
Uddhav too took Bhagwat (which is a form of the Lord) with honour and
departed for Badrikashrama.
This chapter
contains 1 section.
Parashar describes about the
dynasties that would occur in Kaliyug. Ripunjay or Puranjay would be the
last king of Brihdrath dynasty. The kings of Nand dynasty would succeed
this dynasty. Then a diplomat Brahmin, named Chanakya, would exterminate
this dynasty and enthrone Chandragupta Maurya. In Maurya dynasty, a
great king would occur by the name of Ashokvardhan. After him, Yavans
would rule then for six hundred and forty years. Their rule would be
succeeded by the governance of the fair-complexioned foreigners, who
would rule for one hundred and sixty years. Thereafter, there would be
no king and no subjects because people from all the classes would come
forward to rule.
The ruler would be selected by the majority votes. There would be no any
thing like holiness. Cows would grow thin like nannies. People would not
marry, as per their castes. Greed, selfishness and sex would be the base
of marriage life. In adverse conditions, spouses would desert each
other. There would be nothing like duty, responsibility and conduct.
Hair would be the main item of adornment for the women.
People would not have the knowledge of religious scriptures in Kaliyug.
Talkativeness would be identified with knowledge. Only those would be
regarded as clever, who could pick others' pockets. Children would not
regard or pay due respect to their parents. Children would maintain
relations with parents till their marriage only, not after that. Boys
would not touch the feet of their own parents, but would pay full
respect to their father and mother-in-law, Brother-in-law would be
dearer to them than their own brother. Parashar says: Kaliyug is the
mine of faults, but it has only one great virtue - that the people will
acquire divine position only by reciting Lord's name. Recitation of
Lord's name, regardless of intention and motivation-- whether it is
love, derision, laziness or maliceness- would destroy one's sins.
But the sinister people would do even the most difficult tasks in
Kaliyug, but they would not recite Lord's name. They would not have an
interest in the Lord. Their interests would be more in sensuous things
like sound, touch, beauty, scent etc.
The Paramgati (supreme salvation) that people could receive by ten
thousand years of meditation in Satayug; by performing Yagya for hundred
years in Tretayug and by worshipping Lord’s idol for ten years in Dwapar,
that supreme salvation is easily available for people in Kaliyug simply
by reciting Lord's name for one day and one night continuously. But
still, in Kaliyug people would not have faith in Lord's name. It is
their misfortune.
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