॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Saturday, 18 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.18 - Part 1- The birth of Bhagavan as Vamana Avatara, son of Aditi
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श्रीशुक उवाच
इत्थं विरिञ्चस्तुतकर्मवीर्य: प्रादुर्बभूवामृतभूरदित्याम् । चतुर्भुज: शङ्खगदाब्जचक्र: पिशङ्गवासा नलिनायतेक्षण: ॥
श्यामावदातो झषराजकुण्डलत्विषोल्लसच्छ्रीवदनाम्बुज: पुमान् । श्रीवत्सवक्षा बलयाङ्गदोल्लसत्किरीटकाञ्चीगुणचारुनूपुर: ॥
मधुव्रतव्रातविघुष्टया स्वया विराजित: श्रीवनमालया हरि: । प्रजापतेर्वेश्मतम: स्वरोचिषा विनाशयन् कण्ठनिविष्टकौस्तुभ: ॥
Sage Shuka narrated to King Parikshit:
Bhagavan, who is never subject to death like an ordinary living being, appeared from the womb of Aditi. His four hands were decorated with a conch shell, club, lotus and discus, He was dressed in yellow garments, and His eyes appeared like the petals of a blooming lotus.
The body of Bhagavan, blackish in complexion, was free from all excesses. His lotus face, decorated with earrings resembling sharks, appeared very beautiful, and on His bosom was the mark of Srivatsa. He wore bangles on His wrists, armlets on His arms, a crown on His head, a waistband on His waist, a sacred thread across His chest, and ankle bells decorating His lotus feet.
An uncommonly beautiful garland of flowers decorated His bosom, and because the flowers were extremely fragrant, a large group of bees, making their natural humming sounds, invaded them for honey. When the Lord appeared, wearing the Kaustubha gem on His neck, His effulgence vanquished the darkness in the home of the Sage Kashyapa.
At that time, there was happiness in all directions, in the reservoirs of water like the rivers and oceans, and in the core of everyone’s heart. The various seasons displayed their respective qualities, and all living entities in the upper planetary system, in outer space and on the surface of the earth were jubilant. The Devas, the cows, the brāhmaṇas and the hills and mountains were all filled with joy.
The avatara took place on Bhadrapada Dwadashi in Abhijit Muhurta. Considering the Lord’s appearance very auspicious, all the stars and planets, from the sun to Saturn, were munificently charitable. This muhurta is called Vijaya.
The sound of celestial instruments sounded in celebration was tumultuous.
Being very pleased, Apsaras danced in jubilation, the best of the Gandharvas sang songs, and the great sages, Devas, Manus, Pitris and fire-gods offered prayers to satisfy the Lord.
The Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Kimpurushas, Kinnaras, Charanas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Suparnas, the best of serpents, and the followers of the Devas all showered flowers on Aditi’s residence, covering the entire house, while glorifying and praising the Lord and dancing.
When Aditi saw Bhagavan, who had appeared from her own womb, having accepted a transcendental body by His own spiritual potency, she was struck with wonder and was very happy. Upon seeing the child, Sage Kashyapa exclaimed, “Jaya! Jaya!” in great happiness and wonder.
The Lord appeared in His original form, with ornaments and weapons in His hands. Although this ever-existing form is not visible in the material world, He nonetheless appeared in this form. Then, in the presence of His father and mother, He assumed the form of Vamana, a midget Brahmin, a Brahmachari, just like a theatrical actor, all set to play His Leela!
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
