॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Sunday, 29 January 2023 VIII.01 - The appearances of Bhagavan among Manus and the prelude to Gajendra Moksha.
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Each Manu rules for long, and fourteen Manus reign over the period of a Brahma day of 1000 divine years. Each Manu is divinely endowed and rules exemplarily. We have read so far the activities of Swayambhva Manu and his grandson Bhagavan Kapila born to Devahuti. Swayambhuva Manu had another daughter Akuti whose son was Yajna.
When Swayambhuvamanu went away for the ascetic life in the forest, accompanied by his queen Shatarupa, he engaged in severe Tapas standing on one leg. His prayer to Bhagavan was most eloquent. I quote two shlokas:
आत्मावास्यमिदं विश्वं यत् किञ्चिज्जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृध: कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥
अथाग्रे ऋषय: कर्माणीहन्तेऽकर्महेतवे । ईहमानो हि पुरुष: प्रायोऽनीहां प्रपद्यते ॥
T: Everyone and everything in this creation is a part of Bhagavan. Do not covet others' wealth, but lead a life of worship, and He shall provide for all. We should not eschew effort in the beginning as Karma which is done right and becomes an offering of worship to the Lord becomes one's Dharma and leads to liberation and freedom from the effects of Karma.
When Manu was thus engaged, he and his queen were attacked by Rakshasas who thought they would make a meal of them. Bhagavan came as Yajna, the son of Akuti, annihilated the Rakshasas and saved Manu. Later on, Yajna became Indra and protected the world. Similarly, another offspring of the Manu clan was Vibhu, who was an ascetic Brahmachari despite being a king, who instructed a large number of sages on the spiritual path.
There are many such stories.
Finally, Sage Shuka tells Parikshit that Bhagavan was born as Hari to Sage Harimedha and his wife Harini. It was this Hari who saved Gajendra. This is an important story and Parikshit, who we should remember is fasting and awaiting his own end, shows great interest in this Avatara. That story comes next.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
