Sachi R

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.13 - 15 March 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, 15 March 2023 - IX.13 - The dynasty of King Nimi who ruled over Mithila.

***

Taken from Srila Prabhupada (diacritical marks retained):

This chapter describes the dynasty in which the great and learned scholar Janaka was born. This is the dynasty of Mahārāja Nimi, who is said to have been the son of Ikṣvāku.

When Mahārāja Nimi began performing great sacrifices, he appointed Vasiṣṭha to be chief priest, but Vasiṣṭha refused, for he had already agreed to be the priest in performing a yajña for Lord Indra. Vasiṣṭha, therefore, requested Mahārāja Nimi to wait until Lord Indra’s sacrifice was finished, but Mahārāja Nimi did not wait. He thought, “Life is very short, so there is no need to wait.” He, therefore, appointed another priest to perform the yajña. Vasiṣṭha was very angry at King Nimi and cursed him, saying, “May your body fall down.” Cursed in that way, Mahārāja Nimi also became very angry and retaliated by saying, “May your body also fall down.” As a result of this cursing and counter-cursing, both of them died. After this incident, Vasiṣṭha took birth again, begotten by Mitra and Varuṇa, who were agitated by Urvaśī.

The priests who were engaged in the sacrifice for King Nimi preserved Nimi’s body in fragrant chemicals. When the sacrifice was over, the priests prayed for Nimi’s life to all the demigods who had come to the arena of yajña, but Mahārāja Nimi refused to take birth again in a material body because he considered the material body obnoxious. The great sages then churned Nimi’s body, and as a result of this churning, Janaka was born.

The son of Janaka was Udāvasu, and the son of Udāvasu was Nandivardhana. The son of Nandivardhana was Suketu, and his descendants continued as follows: Devarāta, Bṛhadratha, Mahāvīrya, Sudhṛti, Dhṛṣṭaketu, Haryaśva, Maru, Pratīpaka, Kṛtaratha, Devamīḍha, Viśruta, Mahādhṛti, Kṛtirāta, Mahāromā, Svarṇaromā, Hrasvaromā and Śīradhvaja. All these sons appeared in the dynasty one after another. From Śīradhvaja, mother Sītādevī was born. Śīradhvaja’s son was Kuśadhvaja, and the son of Kuśadhvaja was Dharmadhvaja. The sons of Dharmadhvaja were Kṛtadhvaja and Mitadhvaja. The son of Kṛtadhvaja was Keśidhvaja, and the son of Mitadhvaja was Khāṇḍikya. Keśidhvaja was a self-realized soul, and his son was Bhānumān, whose descendants were as follows: Śatadyumna, Śuci, Sanadvāja, Ūrjaketu, Aja, Purujit, Ariṣṭanemi, Śrutāyu, Supārśvaka, Citraratha, Kṣemādhi, Samaratha, Satyaratha, Upaguru, Upagupta, Vasvananta, Yuyudha, Subhāṣaṇa, Śruta, Jaya, Vijaya, Ṛta, Śunaka, Vītahavya, Dhṛti, Bahulāśva, Kṛti and Mahāvaśī. All of these sons were great self-controlled personalities. This completes the list of the entire dynasty.

***

The chapter concludes with this shloka. The sentiment is something we well know from the story of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana that King Janaka of Mithila, the father of Devi Sita, was a great Rajarishi who remained unmoved by all his wealth and lordship and steadfastly remained a true spiritual seeker.

एते वै मैथिला राजन्नात्मविद्याविशारदाः । योगेश्वरप्रसादेन द्वन्द्वैर्मुक्ता गृहेष्वपि ॥

T: This was the dynasty of rulers over Mithila who had descended from Nimi, also a son of Ikshwaku. They were all highly learned. They were experts in Yoga by the grace of Ishwara ( Ishwara Prasada!) Hence they went beyond the dualities of this world of sorrow and pleasure and lived as Rajarishis despite living in palaces.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.12 - 14 March 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, 14 March 2023 - IX.12 - The successors of the Ikshwaku line with notable contributions.

***

This short chapter lists all the kings after Sri Rama, starting with Kusha and ending with the king named Sumitra, who carries the seed of the Ikshwakus even beyond Kali Yuga.

Some notable ones are mentioned:

ततो हिरण्यनाभोऽभूद् योगाचार्यस्तु जैमिने: ॥

शिष्य: कौशल्य आध्यात्मं याज्ञवल्‍क्योऽध्यगाद् यत: ।

योगं महोदयम् ऋषिर्हृदयग्रन्थिभेदकम् ॥

T: "Then came Hiranyanabha, who learned the mystic Yoga from Sage Jaimini himself ( a major propagator of Sama Veda). His notable disciple was the great sage Yajnavalkya, known through the largest Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka! The Yoga taught thus would dispel the knows of bondage in one's heart."

तत: प्रसेनजित् तस्मात् तक्षको भविता पुन: ।

ततो बृहद्ब‍लो यस्तु पित्रा ते समरे हत: ॥
T: Sage Shuka narrates," then came Prasenajit. His son was Takshaka. His own son, King Brihadbala, fought in the Mahabharata war, and was slain by your own father, Prince Abhimanyu!"

इक्ष्वाकूणामयं वंश: सुमित्रान्तो भविष्यति ।

यतस्तं प्राप्य राजानं संस्थां प्राप्स्यति वै कलौ ॥

T:" Thus ends the present lineage of the Ikshwakus, ending with Sumitra. That will be where it terminates in the Kali Yuga."

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, March 13, 2023

What is Art?

This picture from exactly 10 years ago has the following.

The Murano glass plate - a marvel of artistic imaginatiion and craftamanship piecing together so many chunks of molten coloured glass famous from the Venitian island. (2005)

The table below is the rosewood 3-legged table with ivory-like inlay famous from Mysore. (2002)

The elephant is the famous Thrissur Elephant carved so perfectly as to show how the elephant always watches his front foot toe.(1996)

The cashmir shawl is from the Ali Joo shop behind Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay (1990}.

What is Art? The mirror in our mind reflecting God's creative intelligence that is always on!

हरिः ॐ तत् सत्

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.11 - 13 March 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, 13 March 2023 - IX.11 - The conclusion of Sri Rama Avatara!

I am following Sawmi tapasyananda's translation. I also give you the audio recitation.

Jai Shri Ram!

***

Recitation:

Sri Rama’s Yajna (1-7)

Sri Shuka said: 1. The worshipful Rama with the help of his preceptor performed many grand Yajnas adoring the Supreme Being who is the embodiment of all Divinities and identical with his own Self.

2. In the Yajnas, he gave as a gift the eastern region of his kingdom to the priest Hota, the southern regions to the priest Brahma, the western parts to Adhvaryu, and the northern countries to the chanter of the Saman ( Udgata).

3. The remaining part of the land, which lay in the middle of the region gifted, he wanted to give to one who had no desire or attachments, and he found a suitable recipient of that description in his own preceptor.

4. After these gifts were made, the sole possessions left for him were his dress and decorations, and for his queen, her auspicious wedding necklace indicative of the married state.

5. Seeing the magnitude of his devotion to holy men, the heart of the recipients of his gifts melted out of respect and love. and they gave all those countries back to Sri Rama and said:

6. ‘O worshipful one!. O Lord of all! What blessings are there that have not already been granted to us by Thee! For, entering into our heart, Thou hast dispelled even the darkness of ignorance from there.

7. Salutation to Thee, the Supreme Being in the form of Sri Rama, who always honours devotees, whose light of knowledge never fades, who is most noted for his holy fame, and whose feet reside forever in the hearts of those who have abandoned hatred.'

Last Phase of Sri Rama’s Life (8-19)

8. Once when Sri Rama was moving about incognito at night unknown to any in order to ascertain the real views of his

people, he happened to hear by chance the following talk of Someone about his wife Sita.

9. ‘I shall not', said he, 'anymore entertain you in my house- you who have lived in another's residence, who is unchaste and evil in nature. I am not going to follow the example of Sri Rama, who is still living with Sita.'

10. Frightened, as it were, by this kind of irresponsible criticism of the ignorant who are difficult to satisfy or

placate, Rama abandoned Sita. Thereupon she took shelter in the Ashrama of Valmiki.

11. Sita was in the family way at the time of her abandonment, and in due time she gave birth to twins, who

became famous under the names of Lava and Kusha. The sage Valmiki performed all their post-natal ceremonies.

12. O King, Lakshmana had two sons named Angada and Chitraketu, and Bharata also had two, whose names were Taksha and Pushkala.

13. Satrughna too had two sons named Subahu and Shrutasena. In his conquest of the quarters Bharata destroyed a very large number of Gandharvas.

14. He brought large booties from his conquests and presented them all to Rama. Satrughna defeated and killed in battle the Rakshasa known as Lavana, the son of Madhu, and then established the famous city of Mathura in Madhuvana.

15. Sita entrusted her sons to the sage Valmiki. Unable to bear separation from Sri Rama, she it seems entered into the bowels of the earth, contemplating on him.

16. Hearing this, Sri Rama, though he was the Lord incarnate, could not control his sorrow in spite of his best efforts, remembering all the great qualities of Devi Sita.

17. The intensity of attachment between man and woman is of this order even in the case of those with mastery over their minds. Needless then to say what it would be like, in the case of an ordinary householder with worldly attachments.

18. Since Sita’s departure, Sri Rama, even while observing the vow of strict celibacy, performed Agnihotra for

the thirteen thousand years of his life (without the aid of a wife).

19. After that, Sri Rama entered that Supreme State of his, leaving behind his feet lacerated with thorns in his Dandakaranya days in the heart of devotees to contemplate upon.

The Greatness of Sri Rama (20-23)

20. For Sri Rama, the Supreme Being who assumed a sportive body at the earnest prayer of the Devas, whose prowess is unequalled and unexcelled, it is not a high achievement but a trifle to have crossed the sea bridging it, and destroying the hosts of Asuras with his arrows, though poets have described them as wonderful achievements adding to his glory. What need is there for him to seek the help of monkeys to destroy his enemies!

21. I seek refuge at the feet of Sri Rama whose feet are ever contacted by the crowns of kings and divinities, whose pure and sin-destroying fame, extending to the very quarters, adds lustre to the frontal plates of the elephants guarding the cardinal points, and who is constantly hymned by sages in the royal assemblies.

22. Among these residents of Kosala, whoever touched him, saw him, sat with him, followed him—all of them attained that state that great Yogis attain.

23. O King! By hearing Sri Rama’s story and thinking over it, man is established in a peaceful state of devotion and becomes free from the bondage of Karma.

Sri Rama at Ayodhya (24-36)

Parikshit asked: 24. How did worshipful Sri Rama spend his life? How did he deal with his brothers, who were his own parts? How did his brothers, subjects, and citizens, in turn, deal with that divine personage?

Sri Shuka replied: 25. After he ascended the throne, he sent his brothers on Digvijaya or expeditions for the establishment of his supremacy over all the surrounding countries. And he went with followers all over his kingdom, enabling all his subjects to have a sight of his auspicious form.

26. He saw the city, with its roads moistened by fragrant water and ichor of elephants in rut, gazing at him, like an inebriated woman, as it were, at its master on his return after a lapse of fourteen years.

27-28. He went around the city seeing its terraced houses, gate towers, assembly halls, and places of

worship covered with golden domes and banners, as well as other places decorated with areca nut palms, fruit-laden banana plants, flags of superior cloth, mirrors, draperies and garlands.

29. Wherever he went, the citizens approached him with presents and glorified him, saying, 'O Lord! Deign to protect this earth which Thou didst once save in Thy incarnation as the Cosmic Boar.'

30. Seeing their Lord and master come after a long time, the people, both men and women, left their homes and ascended balconies of wayside houses, and looked at that lotus-eyed one from their unsatiated looks, and showered flowers on him.

31. Afterwards he entered the palace of his ancestors, which had treasures with countless gems and numerous fittings and furniture of inestimable value.

32-34. It had door lines of pillars made of cat’s eye (Vaidurya); clean floors of emeralds; and shining walls studded with crystals. It was decorated with garlands of many kinds, draperies, shining gems, pearl strings, and all kinds of attractive and enjoyable objects. The inside of the palace was well-lighted and filled with the fragrance of incense, and was occupied by celestial-like and well-bedecked men and women who by their beauty Were an ornament to the very ornaments they wore.

35. Sri Rama, who was the greatest among the self-controlled ones, lived Sita who was full of love for him and for whom he was, in turn, full of love.

Jai Shri Ram!

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.10 - 12 March 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, 12 March 2023 - IX.10 - A sweet summary of Sri Rama Avatara!

***

This is a captivating summary of the story of Sri Rama, the most worshipped incarnation of Bhagavan all over India. In order to preserve the sanctity of the narrative, I have done the following:

Given you a slideshow I have prepared of the shlokas.
The audio by Br. Devaki Chaitanya
The translation by Swami Tapasyananda.

Jai Shri Ram!

Translation:

Sage Shuka narrated:

(1-4) Rama's Greatness

1.Khatvanga's son was Dirghabahu.From him was born the world-famous Raghu; from, him, Aja; and from him, Dasaratha.

2. The Lord of all excellences, the Supreme Sri Hari, the very Brahman, being invoked and prayed to by the celestials, was born by a fraction of Himself as the four parts divided into four parts as the four sons of Dasharatha..

3. He was born as his four sons, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shaturghna. Enlightened personages have given elaborate accounts of the story of Sri Rama, the consort of Sita, and you must have heard these recited again and again. (Adi Kavi Valmiki!)

4. He who gave up a kingdom to keep his father's plighted words; whose feet, though too soft to stand even the touch of his consort, nevertheless trudged through the forest after forest along paths cleared by his brother and the monkey king; who frightened the deity of the seas by an angry frown and arching brows, consequent on the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana who was earlier incensed by Rama’s mutilation of his sister Shurpanakha; who built the bridge across the sea to Lanka where he raged like a forest fire destroying the tribe of evil-doers -may that Sri Rama, the king of Kosala, be our refuge.

Early Life (5-8)

5. At the sacrificial ceremony of Viswamitra, he destroyed the Rakshasa chiefs like Mareecha with the utmost ease, as if it were a play, while his brother Lakshmana merely looked on.

6. In the gathering of heroic men seated in the assembly hall of Sita's marriage, he pulled and broke, with the ease with which an elephant breaks a sugarcane, the mighty bow of Shiva, which required three hundred persons for its transport.

7. Sita, who was none other than Devi Sri, was honoured by being made the resident of the Lord's chest, thereby becoming his wife, well-matched with him in point of virtues, conduct, age, form, beauty and the like. On his way back after the marriage, he came into confrontation with Parashurama, the chief of the Bhrigus, and humbled his pride from having erased the ruling class of Kshatriyas in his twenty-one campaigns.

8. Submitting willingly to the command of his helpless father who, being under the domination of his wife Kaikeyi, was compelled by the bond of his plighted word to exile him, he (Sri Rama) abandoned the country, wealth, house, and relations and friends with utmost gladness as a Yogi gives up his body, and went to the forest accompanied by his wife. May Sri Rama protect us!

Abduction of Sita (9-12)

9. He mutilated the lustful Shurpanakha who attempted to kill Sita. He decimated the Asura army of fourteen thousand fighters led by her relatives Khara, Dushana and Trishiras, with utmost ease as in a play. Himself carrying his bow too formidable for anyone else to handle, he wandered from forest to forest, and took his residence there, withstanding every form of difficulty

10. Oh King Parikshit! Ravana became lovelorn on hearing about the beauty of Sita and sent Mareecha to draw Sri Rama away from his forest residence. Attracted by Mareecha in the form of a wonderful deer, he went far away into the forest in pursuit of him, and in the end, killed the deer with a sharp arrow as Rudra killed Daksha.

11. As a wolf carries away a lamb at the opportune moment, Ravana carried away Sita during Sri Rama's absence from his forest dwelling. Afterwards, Sri Rama wandered through the forest in great sorrow and distress, along with his brother, in quest of Sita, in order to show to the world that this is the miserable fate of persons intensely attached to women.

12. Next he, whose feet are worshipped by Shiva and Brahma, cremated Jataayu who had courted death in his service, with the affection of a son, then destroyed Kabandha, made friends with monkeys, came to know about the whereabouts of Sita through the search of those monkeys, killed Vali, and marched to the ocean shore with that army of monkeys.

Crossing the Sea (13-16)

13. As the angry look of Rama's wide eyes fell on him, the sea-deity got into a fright, resulting in the subsidence of the roar of his wavy voice and in the consternation of the aquatic residents. His form emerged from the sea carrying a load of articles for worshipful presentation and he sought shelter at Sri Rama’s feet and said:

14. “Oh Almighty One! Dull-witted creatures that we are, we have little understanding of Thee, the undecaying and all-powerful Being controlling the whole universe. Now we have come to know Thee and understand that Thou art the ruler of Prakriti, from whose qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are produced the Devas, Prajapatis and Rudras.

15. Oh hero! Thou art free to go across the sea. Destroy the monstrous Ravana, born of the dirt of Visravas-a veritable Ravana or bully who makes all the three worlds weep and wail and recover Thy spouse Sita. Build across the sea a bridge that will spread Thy fame everywhere. The world-conquering heroes who come to see Thy bridge will extol Thee in songs."

16. Building the bridge with thickly forested mountain peaks that were manually plucked and brought by the monkeys, he, under the guidance of Vibhishana and accompanied by leading monkey chiefs like Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, crossed over to Lanka, to which Hanuman had already set fire earlier.

Attack on Lanka (17-20)

17. Like a lake that has been ravaged by a herd of elephants, the city of Lanka, besieged by the army of monkey chiefs, was soon in a shambles, its pleasure gardens, granaries, treasuries, gate towers, assembly halls, and terraces were under the occupation of the monkey forces, and its altars, golden domes, flag-staffs, assembly halls, road crossings etc., were all wrecked by them.

18. The Rakshasa chief Ravana thereupon dispatched one after another all his great warriors to the battlefront-warriors like Nikumbha, Kumbha, Dhumraksha, Durmukha, Suranta, Narantaka, his son Indrajit, Atikaya, Vikampana, Prahasta, and finally Kumbhakarna.

19. Sri Rama along with Sugriva, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Gandhamadha, Nila, Angada, Jambavan, Panasa and other monkey chiefs faced that army of Rakshasas, which was formidable and well-equipped with weapons like swords, tridents, bows and arrows, double-edged swords, darts, javelin, lances and scimitars.

20. The leaders of Rama's army like Angada and others joined in combats with well-matched opponents on the opposite side, consisting of elephant regiments, infantry, cavalry and chariots. With trees, mountain tops, maces and arrows the monkey forces of Rama destroyed the army of Rakshasas mobilised by Ravana, who had lost his luck and good fortune because of his laying violent hands on holy Sita.

Death of Ravana and After (21-33)

21. The king of the Rakshasas, infuriated at the destruction of his forces, now ascended a chariot and charged at Sri Rama, who was seated in the luminous chariot of Indra brought by his charioteer Mätali, and showered sharp arrows on him.

22. Rama said to him: “O wretch of a Rakshasa, you mean fellow! Like a pilfering dog you have stolen away my wife during my absence. The consequences of this shameless and despicable act will soon fall on you from my hands like the irresistible doom of Time.”

23. Berating Ravana in this way, Rama shot a powerful arrow at him. Like the thunderbolt it pierced Ravana's heart, and vomiting blood through all his ten mouths, Ravana fell down, as an individual drops from the heavenly regions when his merits are exhausted. All the world cried 'Alas!' at this. (Note: In Sanskrit, the word is अहो which is an expression of astonishment, not distress, in this context.)

24. Now hundreds of Rakshasa women headed by Mandodari came out of the city weeping and wailing.

25. They cried aloud, beating their breasts, as they clung to the bodies of their husbands and other relatives who met with death from the arrows of Lakshmana.

26. They wailed: “Oh Ravana, the terror of all the worlds! Alas! We are half dead. Without you what will be the fate of Lanka, now under the attack of enemies?

27. Oh great one! Under the influence of lust, you failed to recognise the unique power of Sita's spiritual glory. It was ignorance of this that has brought you to this predicament.

28. By your death the city of Lanka has been widowed just as we have been. Your body has become the food for vultures. and your soul is heading for the tortures of hell!”

Sage Shuka said:

29. As advised by Sri Rama, Vibhishana now performed the obsequies of all the dead according to the injunctions.

30. Next the Lord met Sita under a Simshapa tree in the Asoka grove, almost reduced to skin and bones by the sorrow of her separation from him.

31. Rama felt great compassion for his most miserably placed wife, whose face now bloomed with joy at the sight of him.

32-33. Installing Vibhishana as the king of the Rakshasas in Lanka, Sri Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Hanuman got into the aerial car called Pushpaka. He gave to Vibhishana as a gift the land of Lanka and a span of a long life lasting till the end of the Kalpa. Thus completing his vow of forest life for fourteen years, he returned to Ayodhya, worshipped with rains of flowers from above by the Devas.

Reception by Bharata (34-41)

34-36. Hearing on the way the hymns of praise sung by Indra, Sri Rama reached his country to receive the sad report that his brother Bharata, out of sorrow for his expulsion, was living on a diet of mere barley cooked in cow’s urine, wearing only the bark of trees, and sleeping on the bare floor. Now on hearing of his brother's arrival, Bharata started from his residence in Nandigrama to receive him fittingly. Sorrow Accompanied by ministers, leading citizens, and elders, and amidst the auspicious sounds of music, vocal and instrumental, he approached, carrying his brother's sandals on his own head.

37-39. Accompanied by a long train consisting of expert Vedic scholars chanting the Vedic Mantras aloud, banners with gilded fringes, gold-inlaid chariots yoked to excellent horses and carrying gold flag-staff and equipment, and guards with golden livery, artistes, leading dancing girls and other retainers, he advanced towards Sri Rama, presented to him the royal ceremonial umbrella and insignias like chowris, and fell down at his feet.

40. He placed the sandals before Sri Rama with palms joined in salutation and fell prostrate in front of him, his heart melting in love and eyes swimming in tears. And Sri Rama embraced him tight and long enfolding him with both hands and drenching him with a stream of tears.

41. Along with Sita and Lakshmana, Sri Rama made prostrations to holy men, and in turn received the obeisance of the subjects.

Coronation of Rama (42-56)

42. Seeing the Lord returned after fourteen years of absence, the residents of Uttarakosala were caught in a paroxysm of joy, and rained flowers and garlands and danced wildly, fluttering their upper garments.

43. As he entered Ayodhya, Bharata bore his sandals, Sugriva and Vibhishana held the chowris on both sides, and Hanuman held the white royal umbrella.

44. Satrughna carried his bow and arrows; Sita, his water vessel; Angada, his sword; and Jambavan, the leader of the bears, his gold-inlaid shield.

45. As he sat in the Pushpaka vehicle, surrounded by women and extolling panegyrists, Sri Rama looked like the rising moon whose beauty is enhanced by the surrounding galaxy of stars.

46-47. After being greeted by all his brothers, he entered the palace with its festive decorations, saluted his mother, stepmothers and other elders, and was in turn greeted by juniors. Sita and Lakshmana too did likewise on entering the palace.

48. Getting back their sons, their mothers sprang up with a new upsurge of energy, as the senses do when the Prana returns. They seated them in their laps and bathed them in tears of joy.

49. Their preceptor removed the matted locks of Rama according to injunctions, and with the waters brought from the four oceans and the holy rivers, performed the ceremonial bath for the coronation with the help of the elders of the clan, as the celestial teacher Brihaspati did for Indra.

50. Bathed, dressed in silk, and decorated with garlands, he shone amidst his consort and brothers, who were also similarly bedecked.

51. Prostrating before him, Bharata invited him to the royal throne and he accepted it. Like a father he ruled over his subjects who followed the rules of Dharma and the ways of life prescribed for the Varnas and the Ashramas. His subjects too looked upon him as a father.

52. When Rama, the knower of all Dharma and the bestower of joy on all, ruled, it looked as if it was Kritayuga(golden age, though actually, it was Treta (the next age, less perfect than the Krita).

53. 0h leader of the Bharatas! Forests, rivers, mountains, regions, continents, and oceans, all yielded the needs of his subjects when Sri Rama ruled.

54. While was the king there were no worries, diseases, decrepitude, sorrow, fear, or depression for his subjects. Death came only when one wished.

55. He lived observing the vow of having only a single consort, following all the sacred traditions of Rajarshis, and men teaching how to observe the Scripture-ordained duties, both by precept and example.

56. And Sita by her humility, her skill in divining her husband's mind, her loving behaviour, ungrudging service, discrimination, good behaviour and modesty, won the heart of her husband in every way.

Jai Shri Ram!

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.09 cont'd. - 11 March 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, 11 March 2023 - IX.09 Cont'd - Two contrasting stories - King Sudasa and King Khatvanga.

***

The entire wisdom of Sanatana Dharma can be summarised in these words, ॥ सत्यं वद, धर्मं चर ॥

The triumvirate of Life is Bhagavan, Karma and Dharma. Bhagavan regulates all creation and runs it according to our Karma. Karma is what has happened to this second and whose effects we experience. Bhagavan has also given human beings Free Will to convert actions, also called आगामी कर्म, into Dharma. That Dharma will not create new entanglements, but will lead one to wisdom, dispassion and release.

The two stories we read today are quite strange.

***

The first is one of the Ikshwaku king Sudasa (सुदास).

Sudasa went hunting and encountered a Rakshasa whom he slew. The Rakshasa's brother wanted to avenge his death. He entered Sudasa's kitchen in disguise and offended Sage Vasishtha by feeding him human flesh. Vasishtha promptly condemned the king to become a Rakshasa. When he realised that the king had no hand in this offence set up by a Rakshasa, Vasisshtha mitigated the curse by saying it would last twelve years.

Sudasa had also responded in that moment of provocation. He was going to pronounce a countercurse on Vasishtha! But he desisted, by controlling his anger. That powerful oblation of water he had invoked Mantras with, in his palm for cursing, he poured on his own feet, lest it harm any creature. This act of sacrifice earned him two names - Mitrasaha and Kalmashapada (friend of creation, one with burnt feet).

Working out his banishment in the forest as a Rakshasa, Sudasa once could not resist his hunger and devoured a Brahmin who was in the throes of passion with his wife. That Brahmin's wife cursed Sudasa for this offence, saying that he would never consummate his sexual union with his wife. Thereafter she did Sati to go with her dead husband Brahmin.

Sudasa became human again after twelve years but was childless as he could not consummate his union with his wife. Out of compassion, Vasishtha gave his queen a child (like Vyasa did in the Mahabharata - an accepted practice in ancient India).

The takeaway from this story is the powerful play of Karma which is inescapable.

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Khatvanga was another emperor in the Ikshwaku dynasty. His story is quite the opposite.

यो देवैरर्थितो दैत्यानवधीद्युधि दुर्जयः । मुहूर्तमायुर्ज्ञात्वैत्य स्वपुरं सन्दधे मनः ॥

न मे ब्रह्मकुलात्प्राणाः कुलदैवान्न चात्मजाः । न श्रियो न मही राज्यं न दाराश्चातिवल्लभाः ॥

T: Khatvanga was once engaged in helping the gods win in their fight over the demons. As a gesture of gratitude, the gods offered him a boon. The boon he asked for was strange. ""Tell me how long do I have as my life span?" They answered in a grave voice, "Just a couple of hours!"

At once, Khatvanga embraced renunciation, realising that the bubble of life's pleasures was to burst soon for him in this material world. "I shall have no attachment to my family, wealth, kingdom or even rituals I performed thus far."

अथेशमायारचितेषु सङ्गं गुणेषु गन्धर्वपुरोपमेषु । रूढं प्रकृत्याऽऽत्मनि विश्वकर्तुर्भावेन हित्वा तमहं प्रपद्ये ॥

इति व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या नारायणगृहीतया । हित्वान्यभावमज्ञानं ततः स्वं भावमाश्रितः ॥

यत्तद्ब्रह्म परं सूक्ष्ममशून्यं शून्यकल्पितम् । भगवान् वासुदेवेति यं गृणन्ति हि सात्वताः ॥

T: "Therefore I should now give up my attachment to things created by Bhagavan's Maya. I shall meditate on the Lord in total surrender. This material creation of Maya is like an imaginary town visualized on a hill or in a forest. Every conditioned soul has a natural attraction and attachment to material things, but one must simply give up this attachment and surrender to Bhagavan."

So saying, King Khatvanga in his wisdom gave up the false identification with the material body full of ignorance. He identified himself as the Jiva in service of Ishwara.

Understanding Bhagavan as not an eternal void of negativity or nothingness but as Parabrahman full of vibrancy in the form of Ishwara, as Bhagavan Vasudeva, is the path of the wise who act in total surrender.

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, March 10, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam IX.09 - 10 March 2023

RAVI VARMA

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, 10 March 2023 - IX.09 - Bhagiratha brings the divine Ganga to sanctify the earth.

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श्रीशुक उवाच

अंशुमांश्च तपस्तेपे गङ्गानयनकाम्यया ।कालं महान्तं नाशक्नोत्ततः कालेन संस्थितः ॥

दिलीपस्तत्सुतस्तद्वदशक्तः कालमेयिवान् । भगीरथस्तस्य पुत्रस्तेपे स सुमहत्तपः ॥

दर्शयामास तं देवी प्रसन्ना वरदास्मि ते । इत्युक्तः स्वमभिप्रायं शशंसावनतो नृपः ॥

कोऽपि धारयिता वेगं पतन्त्या मे महीतले । अन्यथा भूतलं भित्त्वा नृप यास्ये रसातलम् ॥

किं चाहं न भुवं यास्ये नरा मय्यामृजन्त्यघम् । मृजामि तदघं कुत्र राजंस्तत्र विचिन्त्यताम् ॥

T: Sage Shuka continued: King Anshuman, like his grandfather, performed austerities for a very long time. Nonetheless, he could not bring the celestial river Ganga to this world, and after that, in due course of time, he died. Like Anshuman, Dilipa, his son, was unable to bring the Ganga to this world, and he also became a victim of death in due course of time. Then Dilipa’s son, Bhagiratha, performed very severe austerities to bring the divine river Ganga to this world.

Note: We should remember that this act of Tapas by Bhagiratha is perhaps the most astounding effort by any human, done purely as an act of devotion to his forefathers and to bring a celestial river into this world. We all know that Ganga is the river of Bharat. Ganga symbolises the Hindu aspiration for liberation. That this major river starts in the Himalayas and courses majestically through several thousand kilometres in the country, with her glorious tributaries and contributaries, is something captured from Srimad Valmiki Ramayana and even in the Vedas. Bhagiratha is a hero like no other.

Thereafter, mother Ganga appeared before King Bhagiratha and said, “I am very much satisfied with your austerities and am now prepared to give you benedictions as you desire.” Being thus addressed by Mother Ganga, the king bowed his head before her and explained his desire. He wanted her to course over the ashes of his forefathers lying in wait for emancipation.

Mother Ganga replied:

"When I fall from the sky to the surface of the planet earth, the water will certainly be very forceful. Who will sustain that force? If I am not sustained, I shall pierce the earth's surface and go down to Rasatala, the Patala area of the universe. Oh King, I do not wish to go down to the planet earth, for there the people in general will bathe in my water to cleanse themselves of the reactions of their sinful deeds. When all these sinful reactions accumulate in me, how shall I become free from them? You must consider this very carefully."

भगीरथ उवाच

साधवो न्यासिनः शान्ता ब्रह्मिष्ठा लोकपावनाः । हरन्त्यघं तेऽङ्गसङ्गात्तेष्वास्ते ह्यघभिद्धरिः ॥

धारयिष्यति ते वेगं रुद्रस्त्वात्मा शरीरिणाम् । यस्मिन्नोतमिदं प्रोतं विश्वं शाटीव तन्तुषु ॥

इत्युक्त्वा स नृपो देवं तपसातोषयच्छिवम् ।कालेनाल्पीयसा राजंस्तस्येशः समतुष्यत ॥

तथेति राज्ञाभिहितं सर्वलोकहितः शिवः ।दधारावहितो गङ्गां पादपूतजलां हरेः ॥

भगीरथः स राजर्षिर्निन्ये भुवनपावनीम् ।यत्र स्वपितॄणां देहा भस्मीभूताः स्म शेरते ॥

रथेन वायुवेगेन प्रयान्तमनुधावती । देशान् पुनन्ती निर्दग्धानासिञ्चत्सगरात्मजान् ॥

यज्जलस्पर्शमात्रेण ब्रह्मदण्डहता अपि ।सगरात्मजा दिवं जग्मुः केवलं देहभस्मभिः ॥

भस्मीभूताङ्गसङ्गेन स्वर्याताः सगरात्मजाः ।किं पुनः श्रद्धया देवीं ये सेवन्ते धृतव्रताः ॥

न ह्येतत्परमाश्चर्यं स्वर्धुन्या यदिहोदितम् ।अनन्तचरणाम्भोजप्रसूताया भवच्छिदः ॥

सन्निवेश्य मनो यस्मिञ्छ्रद्धया मुनयोऽमलाः । त्रैगुण्यं दुस्त्यजं हित्वा सद्यो यातास्तदात्मताम् ॥

श्रुतो भगीरथाज्जज्ञे तस्य नाभोऽपरोऽभवत् ।सिन्धुद्वीपस्ततस्तस्मादयुतायुस्ततोऽभवत् ॥

T: Bhagiratha said:

"Mother, Those who are saintly because of devotional service and are therefore in the renounced order, free from material desires, and who are pure devotees, expert in following the regulative principles mentioned in the Vedas, are always glorious and pure in behaviour and are able to deliver all fallen souls. When such pure devotees bathe in your water, the sinful reactions accumulated from other people will certainly be counteracted, for such devotees always keep in the core of their hearts Bhagavan, who can vanquish all sinful reactions.

Like a cloth woven of threads extending for its length and breadth, this entire universe, in all its latitude and longitude, is situated under different potencies of Bhagavan. Lord Shiva is the incarnation of the Lord, and thus he represents the Paramatma in the embodied soul. He can sustain your forceful waves on his head."

After saying this, Bhagiratha satisfied Lord Shiva by performing austerities. Lord Shiva was very quickly satisfied with Bhagiratha. When King Bhagiratha approached Lord Shiva and requested him to sustain the forceful waves of the Ganga, Lord Shiva accepted the proposal by saying, “Let it be so.” Then, with great attention, he sustained the Ganga on his head, for the water of the Ganga is purifying, having emanated from the toes of Lord Vishnu as narrated earlier when He took the form of Trivikrama.

The great and saintly king Bhagiratha brought the Ganga, who can deliver all the fallen souls, to that place on earth where the bodies of his forefathers lay burnt to ashes.

Bhagiratha mounted a swift chariot and drove ahead of Mother Ganga, who followed him, purifying many regions, until they reached the ashes of Bhagiratha’s forefathers, the sons of Sagara, who were thus sprinkled with water from the Ganga.

Because the sons of King Sagara had offended a great personality, they had been burnt to ashes. But simply by being sprinkled with water from the Ganga, all of them became eligible to go to heaven. What then is to be said of those who use the water of Mother Ganges to worship her?

Simply by having water from the Ganga come in contact with the ashes of their burnt bodies, the sons of Sagara were elevated to heaven. Therefore, what is to be said of a devotee who worships Mother Ganga faithfully with a determined vow? One can only imagine the benefit that accrues to such a devotee.

Because Mother Ganga emanates from the lotus toe of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu, Ananta Deva, she is able to liberate one from material bondage. Therefore whatever is described herewith about her is not at all an exaggeration.

Great sages, completely freed from material lusty desires, devote their minds fully to the service of the Lord. Such persons are liberated from material bondage without difficulty, and they become transcendentally situated, acquiring the spiritual quality of the Lord. This is the glory of the Paramatma Bhagavan Maha Vishnu.

Bhagiratha had a son named Shruta, whose son was Nabha. This son was different from the Nabha previously described. Nabha extended his kingdom to the entire Sindhu Dweepa.

Note: We can begin to understand why everyone wants his ashes immersed in the Ganga!

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥