A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 40

SUDYUMNA.

*SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 1.*

Sraddhadeva Manu had no child for some time. Vasistha performed a sacrifice in honor of Mitra-varuna that he might obtain progeny.

Sraddha, wife of the Manu, went to the chief priest and asked for a daughter. So Manu had a daughter named Ila. He took Vasistha to task for having had a daughter. Vasistha thought the priest had done something wrong. He prayed to Bhagavan for the change of Ila's s.e.x. So Ila became a male named Sudyumna and in company with others went on horse back to the chase. He entered a forest called Suk.u.mara, below the Meru, which is the play ground of Siva and his consort. He and his companions were all transformed into females, for such is the mandate of Siva for those that enter the forest. In this changed condition, Sudyumna with his female companions went to Budha. Budha took a fancy for Sudyumna and had by her one son Pururavas.

Vasistha took pity on Sudyumna again and prayed to Siva to change his s.e.x. By the favor of Siva, Sudyumna became a male for one month and a female for another month. He had three sons. Utkala, Gaya and Vimala.

IKSHVaKU BROTHERS.

*SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 2.*

Manu prayed to Vishnu for one hundred years for other sons. He got ten sons like unto himself. Ikshvaku was the eldest:

Manu --+------+-----+--------+-------+--------+---------+------------ Ikshvaku Nriga Saryati Dis.h.i.+ta Dhrishta Karusha Narishyanta --+---------+-------/ Prishadhra Nabhaga Kavi

(8). PRISHADHRA.

While residing in the house of his Guru, Prishadhra was placed in charge of cattle. It was raining one night, when a tiger entered the fold. The cattle strayed about in fear and bellowed aloud. Prishadhra ran after the tiger. The night was dark. He missed his aim and cut off the head of the cow, which the tiger had seized. He found out the mistake in the morning and informed his Guru about it. The Guru said: - "You shall become a Sudra, as the fruit of your Karma." Prishadhra accepted the curse. He became an ascetic, and roamed about the earth as the friend of all beings. Eventually He ended his life in fire.

(10). KAVI.

Kavi attained wisdom in his youth. He did not marry.

(6). KARUSHA.

The sons of Karusha were the Karushas, a race of pious Kshatriyas, who guarded the north.

(5). DHRISHTA.

Dharshtas were the sons of Dhrishta. Though born as Kshatriyas, they became Brahmanas on this earth.

(2). NRIGA.

Sumati Bhutajyoti Vasu Pratika Oghavat --+-+-----------------+---- Oghavat Oghavati m. Sudarsana

(7) Narishyanta, (4) Dishta Chitra Sena Nabaga (became a Vaisya by his karma) Riksha Bhaladana Midhvat Vatsapriti Purna Pransu Indra Sena Pramati Vitihotra Khanitra Satya-Sravas Chakshusha Uru-Sravas Vivinsati Devadatta Rambha Agnivesya Khaninetra (very pious) (Incarnation of Agni also known as Kanina Karandhama and Jatu-Karna) Aviks.h.i.+t Agni veshyayana Brahmanas. Marutta.

Sambarta, Son of Angiras, officiated at the Yajna performed by Marutta.

The Devas took direct part in the Yajna.

Marutta Dama Rajavardhana Sudhriti Nara Kevala Dhundhumat Vegavat Budha Trinabindu

m. Apsaras Alamvusha --+-----+--+-----------+--------+-- Visala Sunyabandhu Dhumraketu Ilavila

(founded the _m_. Ris.h.i.+ Visravas town named Vaisali) Kubera--the King of the Hema Chandra Yakshas.

Dhumraksha.

Sanyama --++------+--- Devaja Krisasva Somadatta Sumati Janamejaya.

(3). SARYaTI.

SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 3.

Saryati was well versed in the Vedas. He had one daughter, Sukanya. He went with her one day to the asrama of Chyavana Ris.h.i.+. Sukanya found there two streaks of light as from glow-worms, issuing from within a mound of earth, thrown up by white ants. She p.r.i.c.ked those portions with a thorn and blood oozed out. The party of Saryati found that their usual secretions were stopped. The king thought some one had offended Chyavana. The girl then told her story. The king found the Ris.h.i.+ underneath the mound of earth and asked his pardon. The Ris.h.i.+ wanted the hand of the girl in marriage and Saryati consented. So Sukanya became the wife of Chyavana.

One day the Asvini k.u.maras came to Chyavana. The Ris.h.i.+ asked them to give him youth and beauty and promised in return to give them offerings of Soma, though they had no part in Soma Yagas, The Asvini k.u.maras took the Ris.h.i.+ inside a tank and all the three came out young and beautiful and looking all alike. Sukanya could not recognise her husband and she prayed to the Asvini k.u.maras to remove her confusion. They were pleased with her chast.i.ty and pointed out her husband.

One day king Saryati came and found his daughter sitting with a young man. He reproved Sukanya for her supposed unchast.i.ty. The girl then related the story of her husband's attaining youth and the king became very much pleased.

Chyavana made offerings of Soma to the Asvini k.u.maras. This offended Indra. He held up the Vajra to kill Chyavana, but the son of Bhrigu paralysed the hands of Indra. From that time the Devas consented to give a share in Soma to the Asvini k.u.maras.

SARYaTI.

--+------------+--------+---+-----------------+--- Sukanya Uttanavarhi anarta Dhuri Sena m. Chyavana Revata (He built a town called Kusasthali in the midst of the sea and from that town ruled Anarta and other lands.) --+----------------------+-------------------+--- Kakudmin 99 other Sons.

Revati

Kakudmin took his daughter Revati with him and went to Brahma loka to enquire of Brahma, who should be her husband. The Gandharvas were singing at the time and Kakudmin had to wait for a moment. He then saluted Brahma and made the enquiry. Brahma laughed and said: - "O king, the men of your choice are dead and gone. I do not hear even of their sons and grandsons. Twenty seven yuga cycles have now pa.s.sed away.

Therefore go back to thy place and give thy daughter to Baladeva, who has now incarnated as an Ansa (part) of Vishnu for the good of Bhur-loka." And so the king did. (The Present is the 28th. Yuga cycle.

Baladeva is the brother of Sri Krishna.)

(9) NABHAGA.

SKANDHA IX. CHAPS. 4-6.

Nabhaga remained long with his Guru. So his brothers thought he had become a Brahma-charin. They reserved no share for him at part.i.tion.

Nabhaga at last returned to his house and asked for his share in the patrimony. The brothers pointed out their father Manu as his share.

Nabhaga asked his father - "How is it my brothers have reserved thee for my share?" Manu replied: - "Child, do not believe them. The clan of Angiras are performing Yajna. They get confounded on every sixth day.

This is the sixth day. Give them two Vaisvadeva Suktas. When they go to Svarga after completion of their Yajna they will leave all their sacrificial wealth to you." Nabhaga did as he was told. The Angirasas left all the property remaining on the sacrificial ground to Nabhaga. As he was going to take those things, a dark Purusha appeared from the north and said. "These are mine."

"But the Ris.h.i.+s have given them to me" said Nabhaga.

"Go to your father then and ask for the solution" said the dark Purusha.

"Yes, the remnants of a Sacrifice belong to Rudra" said Manu.

Nabhaga returned and said "Yes these remnants of sacrifice all belong to thee. So my father told me."

"I am pleased with thee and thy father. Both of you have spoken the truth" said Rudra, "I give thee supreme wisdom. I also give thee these remnants. Take them now."

NABHAGA NaBHaGA.

AMBARISHA

King Ambarisha had discrimination and dispa.s.sion. His devotion was great. His mind was fixed on the lotus feet of Vishnu, his words were all about the glory of Vaikuntha, his hands were engaged in cleansing the temples of Vishnu, his ears only heard about the glory and the works of Vishnu, his eyes intently looked on the symbols of Vishnu wherever found. His body felt pleasure in the touch of Vaishnavas, his nose smelt the sweet fragrance of Tulasi proceeding from the feet of Vishnu, his tongue tasted only food offered to Vishnu, his feet traversed the places sacred to Vishnu and his head was devoted to the salutation of Vishnu.

If he enjoyed things of this world, it was for service to Vishnu and not for the sake of enjoyment. If he had attachment, it was only for those that were devoted to Vishnu. The fruits of his action he offered to Him.

By devotion and by the unselfish performance of duties pertaining to his sphere of life (Svadharma), he pleased Bhagavan and by degrees he gave up all desires. Vishnu was so much pleased with the King, that he gave him His own Chakra for protection.