॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Friday, 6 January 2023 VI.14 - How Vrittra, an asura full of Rajas and Tamas, developed such high devotion to Bhagavan Maha Vishnu - Sage Shuka tells his antecedents.
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Parikshit wonders how an asura, specifically born to wreak vengeance, full of Rajas and Tamas, displayed such high devotion to the Lord in his battle against Indra. Sage Shuka tells the profound story behind that phenomenon.
Here is another example of a sudden appearance of a glittering gem of wisdom in the meandering tales of Srimad Bhagavatam. This story has stuck in my head for many years.
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वृत्रस्तु स कथं पाप: सर्वलोकोपतापन: । इत्थं दृढमति: कृष्ण आसीत्सङ्ग्राम उल्बणे ॥
T: Vrittra was an asura tormenting the whole world. How did he develop such unshakeable devotion to Bhagavan Sri Krishna!? That too, as displayed in his terrible battle with Indra?
Vrittra's previous birth was as Citraketu, the King of Shurasena. He presided over a very prosperous and peaceful kingdom, and he was loved and obeyed by all. He had a thousand and more beautiful queens. He was not impotent. And yet, he got no children from his many wives.
One day, the great sage Angiras, son of Brahma himself, arrived at his palace. After giving several nuggets of wisdom on what defines prosperity and good administration under a king, he said, "if the king’s mind is fully controlled, his family and his administration will remain obedient to him. His provincial governors will collect and deposit taxes on time, without resistance. This flows down the hierarchy of the government.
"But, oh King Citraketu, I can observe that your mind is not pleased. You may not have achieved your desired goal. Is this because of you yourself, or has it been caused by others? Your pale face reflects your deep anxiety."
Chitraketu replied. " Oh, revered sage, you can understand everything external and internal regarding embodied, conditioned souls like us. Oh, Mahatma, you are aware of everything, yet you are asking me why I am full of anxiety. Therefore, in response to your order, let me disclose the cause. Just as a person aggrieved by hunger and thirst is not pleased by the external gratification of flower garlands or sandalwood fragrance, I am not pleased with my empire, opulence or possessions, which are desirable even for great gods, because I have no son. Therefore, O great sage, please save me and my forefathers, who are descending to the darkness of hell because I have no progeny. Kindly do something so that I may have a son to deliver us from hellish conditions."
Angiras decided to help Chitraketu. He performed as great Yajna to Tvashta, and gave the sanctified Yajna Prasadam to Chitraketu's principal queen, Kritadyuti. After that, in due course of time, a son was born to the King. Hearing news of this, all the inhabitants of the sShurasena were extremely pleased.
Chitraketu celebrated the son's arrival with all rituals and gifts. His joy knew no bounds and he loved his baby boy like anything.
But tragedy was not far behind. Chitraketu's several other queens grew extremely jealous and unhappy. They hated their lot for their neglect by the king and his inordinate fondness for the son of Kritadyuti and her consequent happiness. They went and poisoned the baby and the horrified queen discovered one morning her son dead in his cradle.
Sage Vyasa paints the tragedy in such hues and detail that no Bollywood melodrama nor a Zee TV soap can come anywhere near in its tear-jerking effect.
We can imagine what depths of sorrow and total devastation engulfed Chitraketu and the entire kingdom. All the queens shed crocodile tears along with Kritadyuti.
Just then, Sage Angiras arrived, accompanied by Sage Narada. The story continues.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
