A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 64

"O Lotus eyed! even so it is as thou sayest. I am quite unlike thee, the Great Bhagavat. Lord of even Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, Thou art plunged in Thy own greatness. What am I to Thee, the Gunas forming my essence?

It is only ignorant people who wors.h.i.+p me. (For fear of kings, thou hast taken refuge in the sea.) But the kings are the Gunas, (Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, and Smell which compose the object world.) For fear of them, as it were, thou hast taken refuge in the inner ocean of the heart, and there thou dost manifest Thyself, as pure Chaitanya. The object-seeking Indriyas are no doubt thy constant enemies. But when thou speakest of giving up kingly seats, why even thy votaries give them up, as darkness itself. The ways of even Munis who wors.h.i.+p Thy Lotus feet are unknown; what of thine own? When their ways are uncommon, what of thine? Thou art poor indeed, for there is nothing besides thee, (and so nothing can form Thy wealth.) But thou dost receive the offerings of others and they seek thee. It is not through ignorance, but knowing that thou art the atma of the Universe, that I have sought Thee. The flow of Time that arises from Thy eyebrow swallows up the desires of even Brahma and others. I did not even seek them for Thy sake. What speakest thou of others? As the lion carries away his share by force from other animals, so thou didst carry me away from amongst the kings. How can I believe that thou didst take shelter in the Sea from fear of such kings? Anga, Prithu, Bharata, Yayati, Gaya and other jewels of kings gave up their kingdoms and sought thee in the forests. Did woe befall them that thou talkest of woe to me? The Gunas have their resting place in thee. Thou art the home of Lakshmi. Moksha is at Thy feet. What foolish woman shall follow others, neglecting Thee? I have accepted thee, the Lord and soul of the Universe, the giver of all blessings here and hereafter. Let thy Moksha-giving feet be my shelter. Let those women have the kings for their husbands, those a.s.ses, bullocks, dogs, cats, and servants who have not heard of Thee.

"(What is man without atma?) Those that have not smelt the honey of Thy Lotus feet seek the dead body, though it seems to be alive, consisting of flesh, blood, bone, worms, excrement, phlegm, bile and gas, covered over with skin, hair and nails." (Mula Prakriti in the Universe, or Budhi in man, is wedded to atma, represented by Sri Krishna. The kings represent here the followers of material elements in the Universe or in man.)

THE SONS OF KRISHNA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 61.*

The wives of Krishna had each ten sons.

_The Sons of Rukmini were._ - Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Sudeshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charu Gupta, Bhadra Charu, Charu-Chandra, Vicharu and Charu.

_The ten sons of Satyabhama were._ - Bhanu, Subhanu, Svarbhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanumat, Chandra-bhanu, Vrihat-bhanu, Ati-bhanu, Sribhanu and Prati-bhanu.

_Jambavati had ten sons._ - Samva, Sumitra, Purujit, Satajit, Sahasrajit, Vijaya, Chitraketu, Vasumat, Dravida, and Kratu.

_Nagnajiti had ten sons._ - Vira, Chandra, Asva-sen, Chitragu, Vegavat, Vrisha, ama, Sanku, Vasu and Kunti.

_Kalindi had ten sons._ - Sruta, Kavi, Vrisha, Vira, Suvahu, Bhadra, Santi, Darsa, Purna Masa and Somaka.

_Madri had ten sons._ - Praghosha, Gatravat, Sinha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhaga, Mahasakti, Saha, Ojas and Aparajita.

_Mitravinda had ten Sons._ - Vrika, Harsha, Anila, Gridhra, Vardhana, Annada, Mahansa, Pavana, Vahni and Kshudhi.

_Bhadra had ten Sons._ - Sangramajit, Brihat Sena, Sura, Praharana, Arijit, Jaya, Subhadra, Rama, ayu and Satya.

Rohini (ill.u.s.trative of the 16 thousand wives) had Tamra-tapta and other sons.

Pradyumna had, by Rukmavati, daughter of Rukmin, one son Aniruddha.

There were millions and millions in the line of Krishna. Though Rukmin vowed enmity to Krishna, he gave his daughter to Krishna's son, out of regard for his own sister Rukmini.

Balavat son of Kritavarman married Charumati, daughter of Rukmini.

Rukmin also gave his grand-daughter Rochana in marriage to Aniruddha.

THE DEATH OF RUKMIN.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 61.*

Rama, Krishna, Pradyumna, Rukmini and others went to Bhoja Kata, the seat of Rukmin, on the occasion of Aniruddha's marriage. When the marriage was over, the a.s.sembled kings advised Rukmin to challenge Rama to a game of dice. At first, the wager was laid by Rama at one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand gold coins respectively. Rukmin won all the games. The king of Kalinga derided Rama by shewing his teeth. Rama did not like this.

Rukmin then laid the wager at one lakh of gold coins. Balarama won the game. But Rukmin falsely declared that he had won it.

Rama then laid the wager at ten krores. Rama won the game this time also. But Rukmin falsely said: - "I have got it let the bystanders decide this." At this time, a voice from the heavens said that Balarama had got the victory by fair means and Rukmin was telling a lie, But Rukmin under evil advice did not mind this. He and the kings derided Balarama. "Keeper of cows, what know you of games? They are the province of kings." Balarama could bear it no longer. He took his club and killed Rukmin. He then broke the teeth of the king of Kalinga. The other kings fled in fear.

BANA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 62-63.*

Bana, the eldest son of Bali, had one thousand hands. He was a votary of Siva. Siva asked him to name a boon and he prayed to Siva to be the keeper of his place. Once he told Siva that there was too much fighting-inclination in his hands, but he found no match for him except Siva himself. Even the elephants of s.p.a.ce ran away in fear. Siva said angrily: - "Fool that thou art, thou shalt fight with one equal to myself. Thy eminence shall then be lowered." The Asura chief gladly waited for the day.

Bana had a daughter named Usha. She met Aniruddha in a dream. On getting up, she exclaimed, "Friend where art thou?" Her attendant Chitra-lekha, daughter of the minister, named k.u.mbhanda, enquired whom she was looking for. Usha described the figure she had seen in her dream. Chitra-lekha pointed out to her Devas, Gandhavas, and men, one after another. At last, when she pointed to the figure of Aniruddha, the princess indicated him as her lover. Chitra-lekha by her Yogic powers went to Dvaraka and carried away Aniruddha, while he was asleep. The prince and the princess pa.s.sed their days together in the privacy of Usha's apartment. The men of the guard found some significant change in Usha.

They informed the King. Bana came in unexpectedly and he found his daughter playing with a young man. The armed attendants of Bana attacked Aniruddha but he killed many of them with his club and they ran away.

Bana then tied the prince with serpents' twinings.

Narada gave the news to Krishna. Rama and Krishna, with their followers and a large army, attacked Sonita-pura, the seat of Bana. Siva engaged in fight with Krishna, Kartikeya with Pradyumna, Bana with Satyaki, k.u.mbhanda and Kupakarna with Balarama and Bana's son with Samba. Krishna worsted Siva and Pradyumna worsted Kartikeya. Bana then attacked Krishna. After some fighting the king fled away. The Fever with three heads and three feet, known as Siva's Fever, joined the battle. To meet him, Krishna created the Fever known as Vishnu's Fever. The two fevers fought with each other. Worsted in the fight, the Fever of Siva sought the protection of Krishna. He got a.s.surances that he need have no fear from Vishnu's Fever.

Bana returned to the charge. Krishna began to cut off his hands with the Chakra. Siva appeared at the time and asked Krishna to forgive Bana as he had forgiven his father Bali. Krishna replied: - "O Lord, I cannot kill this son of Bali. I promised Prahlada that I would not kill any of his line. His many hands caused grief to Earth and I have lopped them off. Now four hands shall only remain. With these hands, Bana shall be thy constant companion, without fear of death or infirmity." Bana bowed down his head. He made over his daughter and Aniruddha to Krishna.

NRIGA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP, 64.*

The sons of Krishna went out to play in the forest. They saw a huge lizard in a certain well. They tried all means, but could not raise it up. They then informed Krishna. He raised it, without effort, with his left hand. The lizard a.s.sumed the form of a Deva. On inquiry from Krishna, he thus related his own story. "I am king Nriga of the line of Ikshvaku. My charities knew no bounds and they have become proverbial.

One cow belonging to a Brahmana got mixed with my herd and, without knowing that, I gave her to another Brahmana. While he was taking away the cow, the owner found her out. The two Brahmanas quarrelled and they came to me. They said: - 'You are a giver as well as taker.' I became surprised and, when the facts were known, I offered one lakh of cows for the return of the mistaken cow. One of them however said, 'I am not going to take a gift from the king.' The other said: - 'I do not wish for other cows even if they be ten lakhs.' They both went away. At this time the messengers of Yama came and carried me away. Yama said: - 'I see no end of your merits and the places acquired by them. Do you prefer to suffer for your demerit first or to enjoy those heavenly things?' I took the first choice and down I fell as a lizard into this well. Look how I have suffered for taking a Brahmana's property." The king then thanked Krishna for his favor and ascended to the heavens. Krishna gave a discourse to those around him as to how iniquitous it was to take a Brahmana's property, consciously or unconsciously.

BALARaMA AND THE DRAWING OF THE YAMUNa.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 65.*

Balarama went to Vrindavana to see his old friends. The Gopas and Gopis gave him a warm reception and they complained of the hard-heartedness of Krishna. Balarama remained there for the two months, Chaitra and Vaisakha. The Gopa girls used to join him at night. One day he went in their company to the side of the Yamuna. Fermented juice (Varuni) fell from the trees, as directed by Varuna. Balarama drank the juice with the Gopa girls and became intoxicated. He called the Yamuna to his side for a pleasure bath, but she did not came. Balarama thought he was drunk and therefore the river G.o.ddess did not heed his words. He drew her by the ploughshare and said in anger: - "Wicked thou, I called thee. But thou didst not hear. I shall tear thee asunder with this plough." Terrified, the river G.o.ddess adored Balarama and sought his pardon. Balarama forgave her. He then had a pleasure bath with the girls. Lakshmi made presents to him of blue clothes, rich ornaments and an auspicious garland.

POUNDRAKA AND THE KING OF KaSi (BENARES).

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 66.*

Poundraka, king of Karusha, thought, "I am Vasudeva." With this conviction, he sent a messenger to Krishna, calling him a pretender. He was staying with his friend, the king of Kasi. Krishna attacked Kasi, and both the princes came out with a large army. Krishna found Poundraka had the conch, the disc, the club, the bow made of horn and the Srivatsa, all his own symbols. He was adorned with the Kaustubha and a garland of wild flowers. He had yellow clothes and rich crest jewels. He had Makara-shaped ear-rings. He was seated on a false Garuda. Seeing Poundraka represent him in this way, as it were on the stage, Krishna began to laugh. He killed both the princes in the fight. Poundraka had constantly meditated on Hari and he a.s.sumed his form and became all Hari himself.

Sudaks.h.i.+na, son of the Kasi prince, vowed vengeance and wors.h.i.+pped Siva.

Siva, being pleased with his wors.h.i.+p, asked him to name a boon. He asked how he could kill the slayer of his father. Siva told him to invoke Daks.h.i.+na Agni, with a Mantra of black magic (_Abhichara_). Sudaks.h.i.+na did so with the aid of Brahmanas. The fire went towards Dvaraka to consume Krishna. Krishna sent his Sudarsana disc which overpowered the fire. The fire fell back on Kasi and consumed Sudaks.h.i.+na and the Brahmanas. Sudarsana still followed the fire. The divine weapon burnt the whole of Kasi and went back to Krishna.

DVI-VID (MONKEY).

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 67.*