The Essence of Puranas – Bhavishya Purana
1
King Bhoja
The tenth in the generation of Shalivahana was King Bhoja and he
had to work hard to revive the values of the Shalivahana times which was indeed
a bench-mark after of course was a historic record of the Golden Age of
Vikramaditya. His Brahmana Guide, theorist and associate Kalidas was a renowned
Poet whose works in the language of Sanskrit are unparalelled till date. Bhoja
Raja extended his Kingdom far beyond River Sindhu upto Gandhar, Mleccha strong
holds and several Kingdoms around Kashmir.It was at this time that among these
Mleccha concentrations was Prophet Mahammad along with his growing number of
followers. King Bhoja discovered among these Mleccha holds that Lord Rudra was
residing at an undisclosed Place and worshipped Him after bathing Him with
Panchagavya (Cow milk, curd, urine, dung and jaggery) and Ganga.
Lord Shiva appeared before Bhoja and instructed him to to yield to various
means of traps in the surrounding areas as they were full of Piscachas,
especially one ‘Mahammad’ whom once before He gave boons in the past; instead
Bhoja should visit Mahakaleswara which was full of Mlecchas where Arya-Dharma
was extinct literally. As expected Mahammad met Bhoja and misdirected the King
that the Deity at Mahakaleswara was subservient to him and shoud therefore
follow his religion instead; Mahammad told that his religion. Kalidasa grew
extremely angry ay what Mahamadi said and meditated the thousand ‘Navaakhari’
Mantra and by its potence, Mahammad got burnt and got converted as ash. Late in
the night, the followers of Mahamad collected the ash and his Piscahak Soul
paved way to a religion which cut the genitals of males, grew beard, ate meat
of goat and cows, shouted on top of their vioce saying ‘Allah’ followed by
prayers and were essentially iconaclasts or against ‘Vigrahas’. As an anti-dote
to the Mahammad religion, Bhoja intensified the promotion of Aryan Belief,
Sanskrit / Prakritik languages to Brahmanas and Sudras respectively. After the
demise of Bhoja Raja, there were ten weak Kings and gradually Agnivamsheeya
Kings took over significance. Kali Devata approached Bhagavan Janardana and
complained that though the Lord assigned the duty to her to stall Dharma and
initiate its weakening in the Kali Yuga and accordingly she created Mlechhas,
but Agnivamsheeya Kings came to dominate and had been upholding Dharma. She
said that in every house-hold, there should be vices like wine drinking,
gambling, craving for money, lust for women, thieving and the like. Lord
Krishna smiled and replied that after the last of Agnivamsheeya Prithviraj
Chouhan would be killed by Sahoddin (Mohammad Ghori) and after plundering the
riches leave Bharat by installing Qutukoddin as the chief Ruler. As prophesied,
Agnivamsheeya Kings did prosper before their obliteration.
2
Glories of Agnivamsheeyas and the decline and fall of Hindu Dharma
Addressing the Rishis at Naimisharanya, Suta Maha Muni described
the Agnivamsheeyas like Pramara, Chayahani and Parihaara. In the Southern Part
of Bharat, Pramara became the King at Ambavati Nagara. In his lineage, Indrapal
set up Indravatipuri (Indore), his son Malyavan established Malyavati Nagar and
in this lineage Bindupal constructed Bindukhand.In the very lineage belonged to
Kalpasimha who was childless and having taken bath at Ganga gave away in
charity to well read Brahmanas a Place called Kalaap Kalaap which became
renowned on Earth for a clan of Brahmanas who were extraordinary examples of
Vedic Knowledge. Vayahani (Chapahani) was another Agnivamsheeya who established
in Madhyadesha a Nagar called Ajmer,
(literally meaning ‘Aj’for Brahmana and ‘Ma’for Lakshmi Devi
(Ajasya Brahmano Maa cha Lakshmistatra samaagata,
tayacha Nagaram Ramyamajameramatah smrutam).
The son of Chapahani was Tomar who was a Shiva Bhakta and pleased by his worship, Lord Shiva granted Indraprastha Nagar to him. Tomar’s youngest son was Chayahani (Chouhan) and in his lineage Jayasimha conquered Aryadesha and setup his Capital at Jayapura. It was in this lineage of Chapahani that Prithviraj Chouhan belonged to who established Delhi but Shahabuddin Ghori killed him and wrested power from the Agnivamsheeyas to firmly establish Muslim Rule thereafter. King Parihaar who was the other renowned Agnivamsheeya was the follower of Atharva Veda and destroyed lot of Buddhists and set up Kalinjar which became inaccessible to Mlechhas as the King worshipped Mother Kali which was eventually known as Kalikatapuri (Kolkata) and the neighbouring region was called Vanga (Bengal). In the lineage of Parihaar, Bhojavarma established Bhoja Rashtra, Shantivarma set up Shantipura and Nandivarma set up Gouda Rashtra (Dhaka) and another Place called Nadiha (Nadiya) or Vedaparayanapuri. Another successor Mahipati set up Urvimaya (Urmiya). Such was the significance of Agnivamsheeya Kings who constructed several famous Cities. After Prithviraj who set up Delhi was killed by Mohammad Ghori, a Paisacha (Pathan) called Qutubuddin was appointed as the Ruler of Delhi. The Mleccha / Pathan Kings destroyed several Hindu Temples, Tirthas. Most of the Sages left Naimisharanya and moved over to Badarika Kshetra. After the Melecchhas, Mukul (Mughal) Vamshees followed suit; their King Taimurlang commanded Aryas to stop Murti Puja (Worship of Idols) sayin that ‘Shaligrams’ were mere stones, that Vishnu was non existent and the so-called Brahmanas and Rishis invented / scripted Vedas and Shastras to fool the gullible masses and perpetuate ignorance so that they would retain an upper-hand in the social system. Thus, Taimarlang threw away and destroyed Vigrahas of Deities and Shaligrams on hordes of camels to decorate the thrones on which he and his successors sat on with vengeance and glee at the Taitthir (Taratar Desha). As Devas got agitated at these atrocities and approached Lord Indra, he threw his Vajrayudha and destroyed Tartar Desha completely and having retrieved some of the Shaligramas left them into the waters of Gandaki River so that at least a few of the Shaligramas would be recovered by the posterity.Subsequently Indra approached Brihaspati for advice; the Deva Guru disclosed that as ‘Adharma’ assumed high proportions, Vishnu, in the form of Surya Deva would be born in the form of Brahmana in Gouda Desha on the banks of River Gandaki at Shaktipura. On hearing this, Indra worshipped Surya Deva along with Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras, Ashta (Eight) Vasus, and the two Ashwini Kumars at Prayaga in Magha Month as Surya entered ‘Makara Rasi’ under the guidance of Deva Guru.Surya Deva was pleased and having appeared before them all and gave away boons of a number of ‘Acharyas’who (Leaders of Dharma Reviving Missions) would be born henceforth to revive the falling values of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Nyaya’.
(Ajasya Brahmano Maa cha Lakshmistatra samaagata,
tayacha Nagaram Ramyamajameramatah smrutam).
The son of Chapahani was Tomar who was a Shiva Bhakta and pleased by his worship, Lord Shiva granted Indraprastha Nagar to him. Tomar’s youngest son was Chayahani (Chouhan) and in his lineage Jayasimha conquered Aryadesha and setup his Capital at Jayapura. It was in this lineage of Chapahani that Prithviraj Chouhan belonged to who established Delhi but Shahabuddin Ghori killed him and wrested power from the Agnivamsheeyas to firmly establish Muslim Rule thereafter. King Parihaar who was the other renowned Agnivamsheeya was the follower of Atharva Veda and destroyed lot of Buddhists and set up Kalinjar which became inaccessible to Mlechhas as the King worshipped Mother Kali which was eventually known as Kalikatapuri (Kolkata) and the neighbouring region was called Vanga (Bengal). In the lineage of Parihaar, Bhojavarma established Bhoja Rashtra, Shantivarma set up Shantipura and Nandivarma set up Gouda Rashtra (Dhaka) and another Place called Nadiha (Nadiya) or Vedaparayanapuri. Another successor Mahipati set up Urvimaya (Urmiya). Such was the significance of Agnivamsheeya Kings who constructed several famous Cities. After Prithviraj who set up Delhi was killed by Mohammad Ghori, a Paisacha (Pathan) called Qutubuddin was appointed as the Ruler of Delhi. The Mleccha / Pathan Kings destroyed several Hindu Temples, Tirthas. Most of the Sages left Naimisharanya and moved over to Badarika Kshetra. After the Melecchhas, Mukul (Mughal) Vamshees followed suit; their King Taimurlang commanded Aryas to stop Murti Puja (Worship of Idols) sayin that ‘Shaligrams’ were mere stones, that Vishnu was non existent and the so-called Brahmanas and Rishis invented / scripted Vedas and Shastras to fool the gullible masses and perpetuate ignorance so that they would retain an upper-hand in the social system. Thus, Taimarlang threw away and destroyed Vigrahas of Deities and Shaligrams on hordes of camels to decorate the thrones on which he and his successors sat on with vengeance and glee at the Taitthir (Taratar Desha). As Devas got agitated at these atrocities and approached Lord Indra, he threw his Vajrayudha and destroyed Tartar Desha completely and having retrieved some of the Shaligramas left them into the waters of Gandaki River so that at least a few of the Shaligramas would be recovered by the posterity.Subsequently Indra approached Brihaspati for advice; the Deva Guru disclosed that as ‘Adharma’ assumed high proportions, Vishnu, in the form of Surya Deva would be born in the form of Brahmana in Gouda Desha on the banks of River Gandaki at Shaktipura. On hearing this, Indra worshipped Surya Deva along with Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras, Ashta (Eight) Vasus, and the two Ashwini Kumars at Prayaga in Magha Month as Surya entered ‘Makara Rasi’ under the guidance of Deva Guru.Surya Deva was pleased and having appeared before them all and gave away boons of a number of ‘Acharyas’who (Leaders of Dharma Reviving Missions) would be born henceforth to revive the falling values of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Nyaya’.
3
Appearance of several ‘Acharyas’ (Teachers) to revive Hindu Dharma
As Sage Suta informed the congregation of Rishis, Deva Guru
Brihaspati prophesied the appearances of several ‘Acharyas’ to preach and guide
the Public as to how the age-old values of Dharma should be revived since those
were in jeopardy as successive onslaughts of Mleccha and other alien Rulers
tainted and tarnished Dharma. In Barhishmati (Bittur), there was a Brahmana
named Dhatru Sharma who meditated to Lord Brahma for many years for good
progeny. The Lord was pleased and gave a boon that a boy, a girl and a boy
again would be born in succession. As per he boon, the three children were born
and grew up to marriageable ages. Dhatru Sharma prayed to Tumbura of Gandharvas
to bless suitable boy for the daughter and two pretty brides to the sons.
Dhatru Sharma further prayed to Kubera Deva the Lord of Wealth to provide
suitable ornaments and wealth to the son-in-law and the
daughter-in-laws.Satisfied with the ‘Ihika’ (Earthly) life, the Brahmana
meditated to Surya Deva for Salvation. Surya desired to ascertain as to which
kind of Moksha was preferred by Dhatru Sharma viz. ‘Salokya’ achievable by
‘Tapasya’, or ‘Saameepya’ by ‘Bhakti’ (Devotion), or ‘Saarupya’ which was
possible by ‘Dhyana’ or ‘Sayujya’ attainable by ‘Jnaana’. Surya Deva provided
Sayujya to Dhatru Sharma couple till the end of the Manvantara and commanded
that the couple should be born again when Dharma would be in distress during
the initial stages of Kali Yuga as Ishwarapuris as ‘Kavya kartas’ and Preachers
of Vaidika Dharma.
At Mayavati Nagar (Haridwar), there was a Brahmana named Mitra Sharma who was a ‘Kavya Priya’ or the One fond of Literature, especially on Spiritual Matters, ‘Vidya Parayana’ (Highly erudite) and a ‘Rasika’ (Critic and Assessor of Good Writings). Once a King Kamasena from ‘Dakshina Bharat’ or Southern Part of Bharat visited Mitra Sharma along with the Princess Chitrini. Mitra Sharma liked her so much that he worshipped Surya Deva for long by reciting ‘Aditya Hridayam’ and taking baths in Ganga and finally Surya Deva asked King Kamasena in a dream of the latter to arrange for the wedding. After wedding, the couple was engaged in intense Aradhana (worship) of Surya Deva by observing Daily Vratas on copper plates in Surya Yantra by red blood flowers and enjoyed health and happiness. In course of time they attained ‘Surya Sameepyata’.
In the further birth of Mitra Sharma and Chitrini at Kasi, Surya Deva was born as Ramananda who even at a very young age became a Gyani and after the demise of the parents, he turned out to be a ‘Parama Bhakta’ of Surya Deva. After became a Sanyasi, he spear-headed the task of reviving Dharma most rigourously and took to moral preaching and imparting Spiritual knowledge through a band of devoted followers who in turn taught the essence of Ramayana among the public. Ramananda’s disciples: Namdeva was a reputed disciple of Ramananda who was born in ‘Dehali’ (Delhi) to a young widow who was a devotee of Vishnu. In his past birth he was called Varuna of Varuna Deva’s ‘Amsa’ and was the second of ten reputed sons known as Prachetas of King Prachinabarhi, having performed Tapasya in the middle of Oceans.Varuna was a committed devotee of Bhadra Kali. Namadeva was a renowned ‘Saankhya Yoga Parayana’ (Practitioner of Saakmkya Yoga) and a Vishnu Bhakta, firmly believing that the entire ‘Brahmaanda’ was replete with Vishnu. He became a notable disciple of Ramananda along with Rankana-Yankana couple (Ranka-Banka), Kabira, Narasi Mehta, and Sadan Kasayi. The contemporary King of Mlecchhas Sikandar tested Namadeva’s integrity and donated fifty lakh Mudras which was utilised for constructing the stone steps of Ganga River at Kashi Nagar; being a Yogi and Vishnu Bhakta, he brought back to life ten Brahmanas, five Kings, five Vaishyas and hundred cows that died on the banks of Ganges! In the past, there was a Brahmana called Vishvanara who meditated for long to Brahma Deva for a child. As Brahma appeared, the Brahmana asked for an extraordinary boon viz. that Bhagavan Janardana Himself should be his son.Brahma replied that a son named Pavak would be born as the Chief of ‘Ashta Vasus’ and would be popular as Vaishvanara (Agni Deva) and his wife would be Swaha Devi. This Pavakamsha Vasu created from his face a person known as Rankana or Ranka and his wife was Yankana or Banka and both were the disciples of Ramananda were very pious; they earned their earnings by selling wood and from the same did several ‘Dharma Karyas’. Another disciple of Ramanada was Sant Kabir who was disowned by his Vaishya parents Dhanapalak and his wife as soon as the child was born as they apprehended that the birth was in ‘Moolaganda Yoga’or the danger of keeping the child in their house which might risk the entire ‘Vamsa’; they thus decided to leave in a forest. A childless ‘Mussalman’ couple-Ali and his wife- who were issueless pursuing the occupation of weavers at Kashi decided to adopt the child and called him Kabir.The boy on attaining the age of seven turned out to be a Vishnu Bhakta and was in the habit of calling Vishnu and Lakshmi at the midday of each day to eat Prashad daily. Local persons even considered Kabir as mentally deranged to have invired the Deities for food! But gradually realising that Kabir cure diseases and boons, he became a Center of Attraction and popularity. Narsi Mehta was another disciple of Ramanada who was also a Vasu among the ‘Ashta Vasus’ in the previous birth of his; he was the fifth Vasu with the ‘Amsa’of Dhruva- the Pole Star on the Sky.Narsi Mehta was a totally dedicated devotee of Lord Vishnu and it was believed that he had the visions of ‘Rasaleelas’ at Brindavana. Yet another disciple of Ramanand was Sadan Kasaayi who was born from the ‘Amsa’ (facet) of Ashwini Kumars in the house of people following the occupation of Kasayis or Goat killing and selling; they used to weigh meat on the Shaligram Balance. Sadan was an extraordinary devotee of his parents. He came under the influence of Kabir and Ramanand finally.
Nimbaditya: In Satya Yuga, there was a Brahmana named Aryama who was a staunch devotee of Surya Deva; he felt that lach of monetary support wasthe reason why ‘Dharma Karyas’ or Noble Deeds for the benefit of General Public could not be adequately executed such as construction of wells, water bodies, Choultries etc. and thus prayed to Surya Deva in Jyeshtha Month to facilitate him to take up such Public Tasks. Surya Deva appeared and presented him a ‘Divya Mani’ or a Celestial Provider of Wealth which yielded Gold on daily basis with which to perform Dharma Karyas. In Jyeshtha Month again, Devas worshipped Surya Deva at the end of Dwapara Yuga with a similar request this time to provide a boon to enable ‘Deva Karyas’and to ward off the intensity of the impending Kali Yuga. Surya Deva responded positively and assured that Sudarshana Chakra would be born as Nimbaditya (Nimbikacharya) to restore the vanishing values of Dharma at a Place known as ‘Tailanga’ near Narmada. He further said that Narada Maharshi would teach the art of preaching and Nimbikacharya would propagate Dharma at Mathura, Naimisharanya, Dwaravati, Sudarshanaashram etc. As prophesied, a couple called Aruna and Jayanti Devi were blessed with Nimbaditya on Kartika Shukla Pournami when Chandra was in Vrisha Rasi; Krittika Nakshatra along with five Grahas was in ‘Uccha Sthiti’ or Upswing at Samyom Kala and Mesha Lagna time. At the time of birth, it was believed that Lord Brahma descended Prithvi to greet Surya’s ‘Amsa’ (Facet) in the form of Nimbikacharya.
Madhavacharya: Deva Guru Brihaspati continued to narrate to Indra that in Treta Yuga at Ayodhya there was a Devopasaka Brahmana called Shukra Sharma who used to worship Ashvini Kumars, Rudra, Vasus, Surya and other Deities and the Devas were extremely pleased with his Pujas. Surya Deva advised Devas that after the devotee attained Sayujya, he would be reborn at Bridavan in the form of a Brahmana as Madhava and his son would be Madhu, popularly known as Madhavacharya or Madhvacharya. His mission was to divert all those who digressed from Dharma due to evil influences back to focus on ‘Vaishnava Shakti’ and lead them to Bhukti and Mukti (Wisdom and Salvation).
Similarly in Dwapara Yuga, a Brahmana named Megha Sharma who carried on his subsistence from farming was a great Gyani and Vedaparayana; he spent one-tenth of his earnings on Pujas with admirable veneration. Once there was a severe ‘Anavrishti’ (drought) but for a limited area that Megha Sharma tilled. As all the other persons were affected, they approached the King Shantanu, who in turn requested Megha Sharma to suggest a solution. The Brahmana suggested that a month long worship of Surya Deva in Shravana Month be organised by engaging twelve well read Brahmanas by way of performing Japas, havans, tarpans, ‘Samaradhanas’ especially to Brahmanas and extensive charities. The King did likewise and by the grace of Surya Deva there were ample rains resulting in good crops and all round prosperity. Megha Sharma became quite popular among the neighbouring Kings as well who had similar drought conditions.Not only this but Megha Sharma’s mere touch had magical effects and several persons of the Public including the King were healed of their long standing diseases; in fact Megha Sharma’s magical touch imparted youth to the King and he ruled the Kingdom for several more years. Finally, when Megha Sharma attained Surya Loka and thence to Brahma Loka, Surya Bhagavan came in the form of ‘Parjanya’ and declared to Devas that in the Kaliyuga when Mlechha influence would become unbearable by badly hurting Vedic Principles then he would take the form of Shridhara Swami, the son of Veda Sharma and would intrepret Shimad Bhagavata and prevail on the sinning humanity to focus on the Veda way of life and thus stall the erosion of the values of Virtue.
In Kali Yuga itself, there was a pious Brahmana named Pranshu Sharma who was a ‘Satyavadi’ (Exponent of Truth) and ‘Veda Shastra Parayana’ (Scholar of Vedas and Shastras) making his ends meet by ‘bhiksha’ (entreating for foodgrains door-to-door). The ‘Mayavi’ (trickster) Kali accosted the Brahmana in the form of another Brahmana and tried to tempt him to say that there was a nice garden full of Kalinda fruits nearby and that he could eat as many as possible. Pranshu Sharma replied politely that unless he performed Puja and ‘Naivedya’ he would not accept the offer.However he accepted some fruits home. Kali then intercepted Pranshu Sharma in the disguise of the King of the Land and put him in prison saying that the Brahmana was a thief of the fruits. In the prison overnight, the Brahmana recited Suktas from Rig Veda in praise of Bhaskara Deva. The latter whispered in the ears of Brahmana that it was Kali Deva who offered the fruits in the form of a Brahmana and again as the King who imprisoned him; Bhaskara Deva further said that as Kali Yuga was arriving soon, Pranshu Sharma would be shifted to a safe place known as Kalinjar for his safety and after living there for some time he and his wife would attain Surya Loka and before the twenty eighth Kali Yuga, he would be reborn as Vishnu Swami to preach Vedas and Shastras to misguided human beings due to the powerful pressure of Kali Yuga so that he would offset the influence as a ‘Parama Vaishnava Bhakta’.
At the behest of Brihaspati, Indra performed Surya Aradhana in Margasirsha month and Surya in the form of Pusha prophesied that in Ujjain, he would take give birth to one Rudrapashu couple as Mihiracharya (Varahamihira) and would revive Jyotisha Shastra which got tarnished due to the influence of Kali Yuga and the upper hand gained by Mlecchhas and Non-Believers of ‘Nava Grahas’ and their significance. But Rudrapashu was agitated that their child was born at ‘Mula ganda Abhijit Yoga’expected to be an extremely inauspicious time of birth and after cutting the navel chord left a box containing the baby in a river nearby. But Rakshasas saved the the child in the box which floated in the Sea near Lanka and gave it to Vibhishana the brother of Ravana the King of Lanka. As the child grew under the care of Vibhishana who felt that the boy was of ‘Vishnu Amsa’, he became an erudite scholar of Jyotisha Shastra including Jataka (Birth Chart), Phalita (Resultant Readings), Mukha Prashna (Face-Reading) and related disciplines. Finally Vibhishana arranged to despatch the boy to Bharata Desha as he felt that he was a Vaishnava who was not approved by King Ravana. In Bharata desha, Varahamihira made enormous fame as an extraordinary Astrologer and revived Jyotisha Shastra at a time when Mlecchhas were unrelenting Non-Believers of Nava Grahas, Astrology and related skills.
As Indra worshipped Surya Deva in Pusha Month to ward off the evils of Kali in that Yuga, Surya Deva confirmed that he would be born as Dhanvantari in Kashi in the house of Kalpadadutta. Having mastered the Science of Ayurveda and its many facets including ‘Chikitsa Shastra’ or Allopathy saving humanity from becoming targets of diseases; ‘Kalpa Veda’an off-shoot of Ayur Veda-Kalpa meaning human body; and ‘Shastra Chikitsa’ (Surgery), Dhanvantari shot up to fame all over Bharat.The King’s son called ‘Shushruta’ became a disciple of Dhanvantari and mastered ‘Shoushruta Tantra’- a Tantrik way of Healing.
A Brahmana named Heli in Pampapura was a master of ‘Chatusshasthi Kalas’ (Sixty four Arts like Painting, Music, Dance etc.) and practised ‘ Hasta Kala’ and ‘Vastu Nirmana Kala’(Handicrafts); he earned considerable profits and utilised for ‘Surya Aradhana’ by way of Yagnas, Pujas, Charities and ‘Anna danas’ or distribution of food to the Poor. He constructed a ‘Jyoti Swarupa Stambha’ (Pillar of Light) at Pampa Sarovara in the honour of Surya Deva who was pleased and blessed him with salvation at Surya Loka. He revived the Kalas whose glories were lost by the onslaught of Mlecchhas.
Surya Deva informed Devas that during the first chapter of Kali Yuga itself he would take the form of Jayadeva Kavi (Poet) to born to a Kunduki Brahmana in Vanga Desha (Bengal) who would be Heli as referred to above in his earlier birth. Jaya Deva did service to his parents and after their departure from life, he turned out to be a ‘Vairagi’ without life’s attractions and a ‘Bhakta’ (Devotee) singing ‘Bhajans’like a nomad. When he came of twenty three years of age, a virtuous Brahmana called Satyavrata dedicated his daughter Padmavati to Bhagavan Jagannatha and the Lord appeared in Satyavrata’s dreams and directed him to wed her to a Vairagi Poet called Jayadeva who was of the Lord’s own ‘Amsa’ (facet); when married the couple was happy. Jayadeva scripted ‘Vedanga Nirruti’. He defeated a few notorius Sudra Writers in Prakriti language and revitalised the ‘Panini’ Shastra of Sanskrit Grammar. A few thieves prompted by Kali Yuga looted Jayadeva’s property and valuablle donated by the King Dharmapal and cut off his hands out of jealousy. When the King saw him in this stage, he constructed a house suited to a handless person, Jayadeva scripted his magnum opus titled the immortal Geeta Govinda. In course of time, the wicked writers who cut his arms felt extremely apologetic and repentant and volunteered to the King to give a suitable punishment. But Jayadeva declined to give them a punishment and as the culprits cried relentlessly their heavy tears washed their arms of Jayadeva that were slashed and quite amazingly his hands reappeared again as a miracle of Surya Deva.
There was an extremely pious Brahmana named Vishnu Sharma near Saruyu River who led an exemplary and austere life with his wife and he used to seek ‘Bhiksha’ for their livelihood from house to house. When Vishnu Sharma went out of the house once, a kind hearted ‘Sadhu’ visited the house and touched by their poverty gifted away and left a ‘Parasmani’ to the house wife Vishnu Sharmi and said that the Mani (Jewel) would provide plenty of gold daily. But she did not dare to experiment in getting gold but waited her husband to return to the house. On return, Vishnu Sharma threw away the Parasmani on the banks of Sarayu River nearby. The Sadhu returned to the house to ascertain whether the Mani was put to use. Vishnu Sharma coolly replied that he threw it away on the banks of Sarayu. The Sadhu was highly agitated as he performed Tapasya to Surya Deva for several years to secure the Mani and if he did not secure the same near the River, he would go in for self-immolation. When the Sadhu went in search of the Mani on the River Banks, he found not one but many such Paras Manis on the banks. The Sadhu was surprised and realised that it took him twelve long years in ‘Shivaradhana’ to secure this Parasmani, where as the Brahmana materialised dozens of them! Such was the spiritual prowess of Vishnu Sharma who like Surya Deva himself could dispel darkness of ignorance and egotism of the Sadhu who became a disciple of Vishnu Sharma instantly and spread the light of Spiritualism on the Earth which was heavily burdened with the pulls and pressures of Kali Yuga.
As Indra performed ‘Aradhana’ to Surya Deva in the Phalguna month, the latter entered Indra’s body and materialised a Brahmana and Sachi Devi became a Brahmani. A boy who was born to the Brahmana couple was of Vishnu Kala in response to prayers by Devas to Vishnu Deva to offset the delusion and deceipt of the impending Kali Yuga. The boy as he grew was called Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu and his innumerable followers were called ‘Chaitanyas’who in turn created pockets of the Disciples all over. Bharat merging into viable groups preaching Dharma in the Vedic Route to offset as the anti-dotes against Mlecchhas.
Vaalmiki: Brihaspati addressed Devas to convey another prediction in Kali Yuga about a low class Brahmana called Mrigavyadha who used to make fun of Brahmanas and hunt animals and birds by sporting bow and arrows. He was in the habit of heckling and harassing all the passers by especially Tapasvis, Munis and Brahmanas by cutting their Sacred Threads (‘Yajnopaveethas’). There was a hue and cry and Tapasvis complained to Lord Brahma who asked Sapta Rishis to counsel the Mrigavyadha and Vasishtha and other Rishis entered the jungle when the Vyadha shouted to say that he would beat them all; Vasishtha replied whether he would beat them only or destroy the entire clan of Rishis and Brahmanas! Then the Rishis asked him as to what would happen if his own clan were to be destroyed! On seeing the Rishis closely and got magnetised, the Mrigavyadha was not only frightened but also ashamed of his rude and ugly behaviour and fell on their feet with repentance. With folded hands he begged of the Rishis to show him a way by which his sins committed all along his life could be rid off. The Rishis found that he became a changed man now and with compassion gave him the Sacred Counsel of uttering ‘Sri Rama Nama’ continuously for years together; they said: Rama namahi tat jnyeyam Sarvaaghouga vinashanam (Rama nama itself would destrory all the sins). The Mrigavyadha now a fully transformed person did the Japa incessently as ‘Maramaramara’ and so on for thousand years: Marama -rametveyam sahasraabdam Jajaapa ha. This kind of Japa resulted in sprouting ‘Aranya Utpalas’ or Jungle Lotuses and hence the area became popular as ‘Utpalaranya’. Thereafter Saptarishis visited the place where there was a ‘Valmik’ or thick bush and Mrigavyadha thus came to be popularly called ‘Vaalmiki’. Vaalmiki Muni contributed to humanity the Immortal Epic of Ramayana with ‘Ashtaadasa Kalpas’ or Eighteen Divisions in poetry, by reading or hearing which a person would indeed fulfil the aspirations both in the current birth and further lives too.
At Mayavati Nagar (Haridwar), there was a Brahmana named Mitra Sharma who was a ‘Kavya Priya’ or the One fond of Literature, especially on Spiritual Matters, ‘Vidya Parayana’ (Highly erudite) and a ‘Rasika’ (Critic and Assessor of Good Writings). Once a King Kamasena from ‘Dakshina Bharat’ or Southern Part of Bharat visited Mitra Sharma along with the Princess Chitrini. Mitra Sharma liked her so much that he worshipped Surya Deva for long by reciting ‘Aditya Hridayam’ and taking baths in Ganga and finally Surya Deva asked King Kamasena in a dream of the latter to arrange for the wedding. After wedding, the couple was engaged in intense Aradhana (worship) of Surya Deva by observing Daily Vratas on copper plates in Surya Yantra by red blood flowers and enjoyed health and happiness. In course of time they attained ‘Surya Sameepyata’.
In the further birth of Mitra Sharma and Chitrini at Kasi, Surya Deva was born as Ramananda who even at a very young age became a Gyani and after the demise of the parents, he turned out to be a ‘Parama Bhakta’ of Surya Deva. After became a Sanyasi, he spear-headed the task of reviving Dharma most rigourously and took to moral preaching and imparting Spiritual knowledge through a band of devoted followers who in turn taught the essence of Ramayana among the public. Ramananda’s disciples: Namdeva was a reputed disciple of Ramananda who was born in ‘Dehali’ (Delhi) to a young widow who was a devotee of Vishnu. In his past birth he was called Varuna of Varuna Deva’s ‘Amsa’ and was the second of ten reputed sons known as Prachetas of King Prachinabarhi, having performed Tapasya in the middle of Oceans.Varuna was a committed devotee of Bhadra Kali. Namadeva was a renowned ‘Saankhya Yoga Parayana’ (Practitioner of Saakmkya Yoga) and a Vishnu Bhakta, firmly believing that the entire ‘Brahmaanda’ was replete with Vishnu. He became a notable disciple of Ramananda along with Rankana-Yankana couple (Ranka-Banka), Kabira, Narasi Mehta, and Sadan Kasayi. The contemporary King of Mlecchhas Sikandar tested Namadeva’s integrity and donated fifty lakh Mudras which was utilised for constructing the stone steps of Ganga River at Kashi Nagar; being a Yogi and Vishnu Bhakta, he brought back to life ten Brahmanas, five Kings, five Vaishyas and hundred cows that died on the banks of Ganges! In the past, there was a Brahmana called Vishvanara who meditated for long to Brahma Deva for a child. As Brahma appeared, the Brahmana asked for an extraordinary boon viz. that Bhagavan Janardana Himself should be his son.Brahma replied that a son named Pavak would be born as the Chief of ‘Ashta Vasus’ and would be popular as Vaishvanara (Agni Deva) and his wife would be Swaha Devi. This Pavakamsha Vasu created from his face a person known as Rankana or Ranka and his wife was Yankana or Banka and both were the disciples of Ramananda were very pious; they earned their earnings by selling wood and from the same did several ‘Dharma Karyas’. Another disciple of Ramanada was Sant Kabir who was disowned by his Vaishya parents Dhanapalak and his wife as soon as the child was born as they apprehended that the birth was in ‘Moolaganda Yoga’or the danger of keeping the child in their house which might risk the entire ‘Vamsa’; they thus decided to leave in a forest. A childless ‘Mussalman’ couple-Ali and his wife- who were issueless pursuing the occupation of weavers at Kashi decided to adopt the child and called him Kabir.The boy on attaining the age of seven turned out to be a Vishnu Bhakta and was in the habit of calling Vishnu and Lakshmi at the midday of each day to eat Prashad daily. Local persons even considered Kabir as mentally deranged to have invired the Deities for food! But gradually realising that Kabir cure diseases and boons, he became a Center of Attraction and popularity. Narsi Mehta was another disciple of Ramanada who was also a Vasu among the ‘Ashta Vasus’ in the previous birth of his; he was the fifth Vasu with the ‘Amsa’of Dhruva- the Pole Star on the Sky.Narsi Mehta was a totally dedicated devotee of Lord Vishnu and it was believed that he had the visions of ‘Rasaleelas’ at Brindavana. Yet another disciple of Ramanand was Sadan Kasaayi who was born from the ‘Amsa’ (facet) of Ashwini Kumars in the house of people following the occupation of Kasayis or Goat killing and selling; they used to weigh meat on the Shaligram Balance. Sadan was an extraordinary devotee of his parents. He came under the influence of Kabir and Ramanand finally.
Nimbaditya: In Satya Yuga, there was a Brahmana named Aryama who was a staunch devotee of Surya Deva; he felt that lach of monetary support wasthe reason why ‘Dharma Karyas’ or Noble Deeds for the benefit of General Public could not be adequately executed such as construction of wells, water bodies, Choultries etc. and thus prayed to Surya Deva in Jyeshtha Month to facilitate him to take up such Public Tasks. Surya Deva appeared and presented him a ‘Divya Mani’ or a Celestial Provider of Wealth which yielded Gold on daily basis with which to perform Dharma Karyas. In Jyeshtha Month again, Devas worshipped Surya Deva at the end of Dwapara Yuga with a similar request this time to provide a boon to enable ‘Deva Karyas’and to ward off the intensity of the impending Kali Yuga. Surya Deva responded positively and assured that Sudarshana Chakra would be born as Nimbaditya (Nimbikacharya) to restore the vanishing values of Dharma at a Place known as ‘Tailanga’ near Narmada. He further said that Narada Maharshi would teach the art of preaching and Nimbikacharya would propagate Dharma at Mathura, Naimisharanya, Dwaravati, Sudarshanaashram etc. As prophesied, a couple called Aruna and Jayanti Devi were blessed with Nimbaditya on Kartika Shukla Pournami when Chandra was in Vrisha Rasi; Krittika Nakshatra along with five Grahas was in ‘Uccha Sthiti’ or Upswing at Samyom Kala and Mesha Lagna time. At the time of birth, it was believed that Lord Brahma descended Prithvi to greet Surya’s ‘Amsa’ (Facet) in the form of Nimbikacharya.
Madhavacharya: Deva Guru Brihaspati continued to narrate to Indra that in Treta Yuga at Ayodhya there was a Devopasaka Brahmana called Shukra Sharma who used to worship Ashvini Kumars, Rudra, Vasus, Surya and other Deities and the Devas were extremely pleased with his Pujas. Surya Deva advised Devas that after the devotee attained Sayujya, he would be reborn at Bridavan in the form of a Brahmana as Madhava and his son would be Madhu, popularly known as Madhavacharya or Madhvacharya. His mission was to divert all those who digressed from Dharma due to evil influences back to focus on ‘Vaishnava Shakti’ and lead them to Bhukti and Mukti (Wisdom and Salvation).
Similarly in Dwapara Yuga, a Brahmana named Megha Sharma who carried on his subsistence from farming was a great Gyani and Vedaparayana; he spent one-tenth of his earnings on Pujas with admirable veneration. Once there was a severe ‘Anavrishti’ (drought) but for a limited area that Megha Sharma tilled. As all the other persons were affected, they approached the King Shantanu, who in turn requested Megha Sharma to suggest a solution. The Brahmana suggested that a month long worship of Surya Deva in Shravana Month be organised by engaging twelve well read Brahmanas by way of performing Japas, havans, tarpans, ‘Samaradhanas’ especially to Brahmanas and extensive charities. The King did likewise and by the grace of Surya Deva there were ample rains resulting in good crops and all round prosperity. Megha Sharma became quite popular among the neighbouring Kings as well who had similar drought conditions.Not only this but Megha Sharma’s mere touch had magical effects and several persons of the Public including the King were healed of their long standing diseases; in fact Megha Sharma’s magical touch imparted youth to the King and he ruled the Kingdom for several more years. Finally, when Megha Sharma attained Surya Loka and thence to Brahma Loka, Surya Bhagavan came in the form of ‘Parjanya’ and declared to Devas that in the Kaliyuga when Mlechha influence would become unbearable by badly hurting Vedic Principles then he would take the form of Shridhara Swami, the son of Veda Sharma and would intrepret Shimad Bhagavata and prevail on the sinning humanity to focus on the Veda way of life and thus stall the erosion of the values of Virtue.
In Kali Yuga itself, there was a pious Brahmana named Pranshu Sharma who was a ‘Satyavadi’ (Exponent of Truth) and ‘Veda Shastra Parayana’ (Scholar of Vedas and Shastras) making his ends meet by ‘bhiksha’ (entreating for foodgrains door-to-door). The ‘Mayavi’ (trickster) Kali accosted the Brahmana in the form of another Brahmana and tried to tempt him to say that there was a nice garden full of Kalinda fruits nearby and that he could eat as many as possible. Pranshu Sharma replied politely that unless he performed Puja and ‘Naivedya’ he would not accept the offer.However he accepted some fruits home. Kali then intercepted Pranshu Sharma in the disguise of the King of the Land and put him in prison saying that the Brahmana was a thief of the fruits. In the prison overnight, the Brahmana recited Suktas from Rig Veda in praise of Bhaskara Deva. The latter whispered in the ears of Brahmana that it was Kali Deva who offered the fruits in the form of a Brahmana and again as the King who imprisoned him; Bhaskara Deva further said that as Kali Yuga was arriving soon, Pranshu Sharma would be shifted to a safe place known as Kalinjar for his safety and after living there for some time he and his wife would attain Surya Loka and before the twenty eighth Kali Yuga, he would be reborn as Vishnu Swami to preach Vedas and Shastras to misguided human beings due to the powerful pressure of Kali Yuga so that he would offset the influence as a ‘Parama Vaishnava Bhakta’.
At the behest of Brihaspati, Indra performed Surya Aradhana in Margasirsha month and Surya in the form of Pusha prophesied that in Ujjain, he would take give birth to one Rudrapashu couple as Mihiracharya (Varahamihira) and would revive Jyotisha Shastra which got tarnished due to the influence of Kali Yuga and the upper hand gained by Mlecchhas and Non-Believers of ‘Nava Grahas’ and their significance. But Rudrapashu was agitated that their child was born at ‘Mula ganda Abhijit Yoga’expected to be an extremely inauspicious time of birth and after cutting the navel chord left a box containing the baby in a river nearby. But Rakshasas saved the the child in the box which floated in the Sea near Lanka and gave it to Vibhishana the brother of Ravana the King of Lanka. As the child grew under the care of Vibhishana who felt that the boy was of ‘Vishnu Amsa’, he became an erudite scholar of Jyotisha Shastra including Jataka (Birth Chart), Phalita (Resultant Readings), Mukha Prashna (Face-Reading) and related disciplines. Finally Vibhishana arranged to despatch the boy to Bharata Desha as he felt that he was a Vaishnava who was not approved by King Ravana. In Bharata desha, Varahamihira made enormous fame as an extraordinary Astrologer and revived Jyotisha Shastra at a time when Mlecchhas were unrelenting Non-Believers of Nava Grahas, Astrology and related skills.
As Indra worshipped Surya Deva in Pusha Month to ward off the evils of Kali in that Yuga, Surya Deva confirmed that he would be born as Dhanvantari in Kashi in the house of Kalpadadutta. Having mastered the Science of Ayurveda and its many facets including ‘Chikitsa Shastra’ or Allopathy saving humanity from becoming targets of diseases; ‘Kalpa Veda’an off-shoot of Ayur Veda-Kalpa meaning human body; and ‘Shastra Chikitsa’ (Surgery), Dhanvantari shot up to fame all over Bharat.The King’s son called ‘Shushruta’ became a disciple of Dhanvantari and mastered ‘Shoushruta Tantra’- a Tantrik way of Healing.
A Brahmana named Heli in Pampapura was a master of ‘Chatusshasthi Kalas’ (Sixty four Arts like Painting, Music, Dance etc.) and practised ‘ Hasta Kala’ and ‘Vastu Nirmana Kala’(Handicrafts); he earned considerable profits and utilised for ‘Surya Aradhana’ by way of Yagnas, Pujas, Charities and ‘Anna danas’ or distribution of food to the Poor. He constructed a ‘Jyoti Swarupa Stambha’ (Pillar of Light) at Pampa Sarovara in the honour of Surya Deva who was pleased and blessed him with salvation at Surya Loka. He revived the Kalas whose glories were lost by the onslaught of Mlecchhas.
Surya Deva informed Devas that during the first chapter of Kali Yuga itself he would take the form of Jayadeva Kavi (Poet) to born to a Kunduki Brahmana in Vanga Desha (Bengal) who would be Heli as referred to above in his earlier birth. Jaya Deva did service to his parents and after their departure from life, he turned out to be a ‘Vairagi’ without life’s attractions and a ‘Bhakta’ (Devotee) singing ‘Bhajans’like a nomad. When he came of twenty three years of age, a virtuous Brahmana called Satyavrata dedicated his daughter Padmavati to Bhagavan Jagannatha and the Lord appeared in Satyavrata’s dreams and directed him to wed her to a Vairagi Poet called Jayadeva who was of the Lord’s own ‘Amsa’ (facet); when married the couple was happy. Jayadeva scripted ‘Vedanga Nirruti’. He defeated a few notorius Sudra Writers in Prakriti language and revitalised the ‘Panini’ Shastra of Sanskrit Grammar. A few thieves prompted by Kali Yuga looted Jayadeva’s property and valuablle donated by the King Dharmapal and cut off his hands out of jealousy. When the King saw him in this stage, he constructed a house suited to a handless person, Jayadeva scripted his magnum opus titled the immortal Geeta Govinda. In course of time, the wicked writers who cut his arms felt extremely apologetic and repentant and volunteered to the King to give a suitable punishment. But Jayadeva declined to give them a punishment and as the culprits cried relentlessly their heavy tears washed their arms of Jayadeva that were slashed and quite amazingly his hands reappeared again as a miracle of Surya Deva.
There was an extremely pious Brahmana named Vishnu Sharma near Saruyu River who led an exemplary and austere life with his wife and he used to seek ‘Bhiksha’ for their livelihood from house to house. When Vishnu Sharma went out of the house once, a kind hearted ‘Sadhu’ visited the house and touched by their poverty gifted away and left a ‘Parasmani’ to the house wife Vishnu Sharmi and said that the Mani (Jewel) would provide plenty of gold daily. But she did not dare to experiment in getting gold but waited her husband to return to the house. On return, Vishnu Sharma threw away the Parasmani on the banks of Sarayu River nearby. The Sadhu returned to the house to ascertain whether the Mani was put to use. Vishnu Sharma coolly replied that he threw it away on the banks of Sarayu. The Sadhu was highly agitated as he performed Tapasya to Surya Deva for several years to secure the Mani and if he did not secure the same near the River, he would go in for self-immolation. When the Sadhu went in search of the Mani on the River Banks, he found not one but many such Paras Manis on the banks. The Sadhu was surprised and realised that it took him twelve long years in ‘Shivaradhana’ to secure this Parasmani, where as the Brahmana materialised dozens of them! Such was the spiritual prowess of Vishnu Sharma who like Surya Deva himself could dispel darkness of ignorance and egotism of the Sadhu who became a disciple of Vishnu Sharma instantly and spread the light of Spiritualism on the Earth which was heavily burdened with the pulls and pressures of Kali Yuga.
As Indra performed ‘Aradhana’ to Surya Deva in the Phalguna month, the latter entered Indra’s body and materialised a Brahmana and Sachi Devi became a Brahmani. A boy who was born to the Brahmana couple was of Vishnu Kala in response to prayers by Devas to Vishnu Deva to offset the delusion and deceipt of the impending Kali Yuga. The boy as he grew was called Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu and his innumerable followers were called ‘Chaitanyas’who in turn created pockets of the Disciples all over. Bharat merging into viable groups preaching Dharma in the Vedic Route to offset as the anti-dotes against Mlecchhas.
Vaalmiki: Brihaspati addressed Devas to convey another prediction in Kali Yuga about a low class Brahmana called Mrigavyadha who used to make fun of Brahmanas and hunt animals and birds by sporting bow and arrows. He was in the habit of heckling and harassing all the passers by especially Tapasvis, Munis and Brahmanas by cutting their Sacred Threads (‘Yajnopaveethas’). There was a hue and cry and Tapasvis complained to Lord Brahma who asked Sapta Rishis to counsel the Mrigavyadha and Vasishtha and other Rishis entered the jungle when the Vyadha shouted to say that he would beat them all; Vasishtha replied whether he would beat them only or destroy the entire clan of Rishis and Brahmanas! Then the Rishis asked him as to what would happen if his own clan were to be destroyed! On seeing the Rishis closely and got magnetised, the Mrigavyadha was not only frightened but also ashamed of his rude and ugly behaviour and fell on their feet with repentance. With folded hands he begged of the Rishis to show him a way by which his sins committed all along his life could be rid off. The Rishis found that he became a changed man now and with compassion gave him the Sacred Counsel of uttering ‘Sri Rama Nama’ continuously for years together; they said: Rama namahi tat jnyeyam Sarvaaghouga vinashanam (Rama nama itself would destrory all the sins). The Mrigavyadha now a fully transformed person did the Japa incessently as ‘Maramaramara’ and so on for thousand years: Marama -rametveyam sahasraabdam Jajaapa ha. This kind of Japa resulted in sprouting ‘Aranya Utpalas’ or Jungle Lotuses and hence the area became popular as ‘Utpalaranya’. Thereafter Saptarishis visited the place where there was a ‘Valmik’ or thick bush and Mrigavyadha thus came to be popularly called ‘Vaalmiki’. Vaalmiki Muni contributed to humanity the Immortal Epic of Ramayana with ‘Ashtaadasa Kalpas’ or Eighteen Divisions in poetry, by reading or hearing which a person would indeed fulfil the aspirations both in the current birth and further lives too.
4
Advaita Philosopher Shankaracharya and disciples
In the current Manvantara of Vaivasvata, Brahma performed one
Yagna in Utpalaranya in the beginning of Satya Yuga, when Devi Sarasvati
arrived in the form of a River. Much earlier, he created Chandra the in-charge
if Brahmanas, Surya, Kashyap, Marichi, Ratnakar Samudra Deva and Daksha. From
Daksha’s mind were born a number of girls in the forms of ‘Kalas’on Earth by
Vishnu Maya. Brahma also created twenty seven ‘Nakshatras’ (Stars) to Chandra,
thirteen women like Aditi to Kashyapa and Kirti like other Kanyas to Dharma. As
per Brahma’s instruction, Daksha was made Prajapati and while every body else
were obedient to him, Rudra was defiant and that was why Daksha denied the
‘Havirbhaga’ or the due from Yagnas meant for Rudra. Shiva got angry and
created Verabhadra and Shiva Ganas viz.Trishara, Trinetra and Tripada also
arrived. Veerabhadra and the Shiva Ganas frightened Devas, Munis and whoever
else took part in the Yagna of Daksha; even Yagna Purusha ran away like a deer
but Shiva took the form of a ‘Kirata’ ( hunter) and tore off the limbs of the
Yagna Purusha. Then Brahma intervened with his sweet words which somewhat
pacified Shiva. As Surya Deva entered Tula Rasi, Rudra entered the form of
Chandra, Brahma returned to Satya Loka and Veerabhadra was instructed by Shiva
to enter the house of a Brahmana called Bhairavadutta.Once the most obnoxious
Kali Yuga arrived he would be born to Bhairavadutta as Shankara Acharya. Even
at a very age, Shankara took to ‘Sanyasa’ (Renunciation), became an
unparalelled Scholar of Vedas and Shastras, scripted Shankara Bhashya and
rescuscitated Shaiva Religion. Also, he popularised ‘Advaita’ discipline which affirmed
‘Aham Brahmaasmi’or “I am Brahma”, ‘Tripundra’ (three cross-lines across the
forehead with ash from Yagna kundas, or burnt cow-dung), ‘Rudra Aksha Mala’ and
Panchakshara Mantra viz.Om Namasshivaaya. He established the Advaita Philosophy
with such very strong foundations that it continued in full swing till date.
Deva Guru Brihaspati narrated how a number of persons became disciples of
Shankaraacharya: There was a Brahmana called Ajagara who was a Gyani and
devotee of Bhagavan Shankara; he satisfied Lord Shiva’s Parthiva Linga and
after a twelve year Tapasya Shankara granted ‘Jeevan Mukti’.The Brahmana also
pleased Sankarshana Deva by his worship and attained ‘Sayujya’ and thereafter
became an ornament in the form of a Snake who had thousand hoods called
Gouranga. The Sesha Naag Rudra subsequently was born into the house of
Devatutta at Kashipura as Giri Sharma and became a disciple of Shankaraacharya.
In Prayaga, a Brahmana named Nairrut who was poor, sorrowful and unfortunate.
Once Brahmarshi Narada blessed him with ‘Upadesha’ and he pleased Lord Shiva
with his year long worship; the Lord granted the Brahmana with Kubera-like
wealth; he lived happily for long time and died. He was reborn as Vana Sharma
and even at an early age of twelve became a Vedic Expert and conquered many
Vidwans; subsequently he desired to learn Tatva Gyan and became a disciple of
Shankaracharya. In Mahishmati there was a Shiva Bhakta named Vasu Sharma who
desired to secure a male child and performed worship to Lord Shiva but there
was no response; he even sacrificed his own body parts which too did not get
response. Then he gave a sacrifice of a goat, when the Lord appeared and said
that was actually not destined to secure a male child but granted on as an out
of turn mercy. But the child was born with one foot like that of a goat and
came to be called Ajaikapada. When Mritya Devata approached the son after a few
years, there was a fierce battle between Ajaikapada and Mrityu; finally Mrityu
was subdued and thus Ajaikapada was reputed as Mrityunjaya! In insulted Mrityu
complained to Brahma Deva and along with Devas, but Brahma declared Ajaikapada
as Rudra in when Surya Deva would enter Kumbha Rasi. As soon as this
declaration of Brahma was given, Ajaikapada was born as Puri Sharma and having
attained the status of a Veda Parayana defeated many Vidwans in wordy-battles
and finally joined Shankaracharya as his disciple. Ganesha and Dundi Ganesha:
As Brahma Deva completed his full age of Brahma Years, there was Maha Pralaya
and Maha Kali destroyed the Universe and became the only Entity all alone.
Later on Prakruti Devi was materialised as Maha Gauri with five faces, ten
hands and three eyes. On her forehead there was a very tiny and hazy vision of
Paramatma who was a luminous, shapeless and inexplicable Particle and despite
desperate efforts could not perceive the Undefinable. She prayed to that
Parabrahma by straining with all her faces and eyes; Her Eastward Face produced
‘Dhatu Shabdas’ or the Sounds of Dhatus, the Southern Face discharged
‘Prathyaya Shabda’, the Western Face emitted ‘Vibhakti Shabda’, the Northern
Face released ‘Tigvibhakti Shabda’ and the ‘Urthva Mukha’ or the Skyward Face
emanated the sounds of ‘Varna Matras’ [all the Shabdas relating to Sanskrit
Language Grammar].Then the Parabrahma Swarupa provided a quick glimpse as an
‘Avyakta Purusha’ as His Origin was unknown since the Prakriti Swarupa was
inconceivable too. From the left side of that Obscure Figure emerged an
‘Ashtadasha’ (Eighteen Handed) Maha Lakshmi; by visioning that Entity, the
‘Swayambhu’ Maha Kaali was astonished. She then witnessed the materialisation
of an all pervasive Figure which was apparently Lord Brahma as he commenced
Creation, the foremost being of water in the form of Rivers; the Lord took over
Satya Loka. Meanwhile Maha Lakshmi greeted Maha Vishnu who appeared in two
Major Parts viz. Raktanga on the left side and Gauranga on the right side. Both
of them had four arms and equally powerful. Raktanga Ganesh is the Super Lord
of Creation who is known as Lord Eshwara and Gauranga Ganesh is Niranjan whose
meditation is performed by Yogis. It was stated that Lord Eshwara and Devi
Parvati meditated to Ganesha some thousand years and on his appearance, the
Eswara couples commended to Ganesha as follows:
Namo Vishwa rupaya Ganeshaya Paratpaney,
Chaturbhujaya Raktaya Yagnapurna karaayacha/
Vighna hantrey Jagatbhartrey Saravananda pradaayiney,
Siddheenam patayey thubhyam nirdheenam patayenamah/
Prasanno bhava Devesha Putro bhava mama priyah
(Our greetings to Vishnu Swarupa Ganesha! You are Four Armed, Raktavarna, Yagna Murti, Embodiment of Prosperity, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe, the bestower of happiness to one and all and Siddhipati; be pleased to become our child!) As they extolled Ganesha, he was materialised from Parvati and Devas celebrated. Surya putra Shaneswara also arrived and even at his cruel sight, the boy became headless. There was a moment of awe at the incident and for twenty days the sliced head of Ganesha continued to glow as Surya entered Tula Rasi and was in Chandra loka. All the Devas were in a state of shock and Shani Deva cut off the head of an elephant and installed it on Ganesha’s shoulders and Brahma who was pleased with Parvati’s prayers fixed the elephant-head firmly on the arrival of Karkataka Rasi by Surya Deva. This was how Ganesha was resuscitated as the genuine son of Eshwara couples. It was in the same manner that a highly virtuous Brahmana couple too was blessed at Kashi Nagara with a son famous as Dundi Raja who became Shankarachaarya’s disciple who authored ‘Jaatakabharana’, a Treatise on ‘Phalita Jyotish’(the Fruitfulness of Astrology).
Namo Vishwa rupaya Ganeshaya Paratpaney,
Chaturbhujaya Raktaya Yagnapurna karaayacha/
Vighna hantrey Jagatbhartrey Saravananda pradaayiney,
Siddheenam patayey thubhyam nirdheenam patayenamah/
Prasanno bhava Devesha Putro bhava mama priyah
(Our greetings to Vishnu Swarupa Ganesha! You are Four Armed, Raktavarna, Yagna Murti, Embodiment of Prosperity, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe, the bestower of happiness to one and all and Siddhipati; be pleased to become our child!) As they extolled Ganesha, he was materialised from Parvati and Devas celebrated. Surya putra Shaneswara also arrived and even at his cruel sight, the boy became headless. There was a moment of awe at the incident and for twenty days the sliced head of Ganesha continued to glow as Surya entered Tula Rasi and was in Chandra loka. All the Devas were in a state of shock and Shani Deva cut off the head of an elephant and installed it on Ganesha’s shoulders and Brahma who was pleased with Parvati’s prayers fixed the elephant-head firmly on the arrival of Karkataka Rasi by Surya Deva. This was how Ganesha was resuscitated as the genuine son of Eshwara couples. It was in the same manner that a highly virtuous Brahmana couple too was blessed at Kashi Nagara with a son famous as Dundi Raja who became Shankarachaarya’s disciple who authored ‘Jaatakabharana’, a Treatise on ‘Phalita Jyotish’(the Fruitfulness of Astrology).
5
The origin of Ravana and Hanuman
Devi Mandodari was the daughter of Maya Danava the King of Tripura
and after the Danava’s death, she performed ‘Tapasya’ in a Cave of Vindhyadri
to Maha Vishnu and attained Mukti. After her Salvation, two hundred MahaYugas
elapsed and in the twelfth Satya Yuga of the current Vaivasvata Manvantara,
Brahma’s son Poulastya was blessed with a son Vishravasu. The latter married
Kaikasi the daughter of Sumali the Daitya and begot Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
Ravan was a ‘Matru Bhakta’ and Kumbhakarna was a ‘Pitru Bhakta’. Both the
brothers performed Tapasya and secured boons of invincibility against Devas and
Danavas from Brahma. The Danava brothers fought a fearful battle with Devas and
dislodged the latter from ‘Swarga’and Devas in turn executed Tapasya to Lord
Shiva for eleven years by way of ‘Parthivarchana’ and the Devas too secured
boons due to which they became fearless too. Meanwhile, Kesari the son of
Gautami Rishi and Kesari’s wife Anjana secured a grand son named Hanuman with
the ‘Amsa’ (facet) of Parama Shiva and Vayu Deva too was responsible in the
birth of the boy. Mistaking Surya Deva for a red-coloured fruit, the boy was
tempted to fly skywad tried to hold Surya Deva, as Indra threw his Vajra on
Hanuman’s body and Ravana tried to hold Hanuman’s tail but Hanuman never left
his firm hold of Surya Deva. Ravan kept on fighting for a year in vain and
tried to wriggle out of Hanuman’s powerful clasp. Meanwhile Rishi Vishrava
arrived at the spot and eulogised Hanuman to release Ravana the terror of the
Universe. There after Hanuman resided for long time at Pampapura on the banks
of Pampa River as a strong fixture and was thus acclaimed as ‘Sthanu’. Also
since Ravana who had dictated the World and controlled Devas was humiliated by
Anjaneya, his name and fame spread as Hanuman: Nighnanta cha Suraan mukhyan
Ravanam Lokaraavanam, Nihanti Mushthirbhayah sa Hanumaaniti vishrutah. (Ravana
who was in the habit of badly hurting Devas and related Demi-Gods and killing
Vishnu- Bhaktas without mercy had thus been restrained badly and received a
jolt by Hanuman; the ‘Mushtighatas’ or ‘Hanus’ (beatings of closed hand grasps)
damaged Ravana was the reason why Hanuman was named as such. Lord Brahma
informed Hanuman that during the twenty eighth Tretayuga’s first Part of
Vaivaswa Manvantara, Bhagavan Vishnu would take the Incarnation of Shri Rama
and that he would achieve Rama’s unreserved devotion to Hanuman and destroy the
clan of Ravana, his cruel brothers and sinful sons. Subsequently, Hanuman would
assume the form of a human being on Earth and live at the Manikarnika Ghat at
Kashi as Bala Sharma and would become a disciple of Shankara Acharya and revive
Tantra-Mantra Shastras as an anti-dote of the pull of Kali-Yuga.
6
The Genesis of Ramanujacharya
At the beginning of Creation, Lord Brahma emerged from the top of
a Lotus that sprang from the navel of ‘Virat Purusha’ and the Lord with four
faces, two hands and feet wondered as to who he was. An inner voice whispered
that he should perform Tapasya for thousand years and as Brahma opened his
eyes, he found a four armed and fully ornamented Vishnu Murti with sky-blue
body colour and Brahma was taken aback even as the Murti said that he was
Brahma’s son. But there was disblief on Brahma’s contenance and there followed
an argument. Just at that time a Jyotish Linga appeared which had no beginning
or end. Brahma took the form of a Swan and Vishnu assumed the figure of a Boar
and both went up and down the huge ‘Linga’ but to no avail. They both prayed to
the Linga to reveal Himself. Bhagavan Bhava appeared before them and left for
Kailasa and meditated in a ‘Samadhi’ (Trance) position for five Yugas.
Meanwhile, a demon called Tarakasura did severe Tapasya and asked for a boon
that excepting the son of Shiva, none should be able to destroy him. Thus Devas
prayed to Lord Shiva that he should soon wed the daughter of Daksha Prajapati;
indeed Shiva married Sati Devi as prayed by Devas, but in course of time Daksha
became jealous of Shiva and organised Daksha Yagna. An uninvited Sati Devi
attended the Yagna, felt insulted and dedicated herself in the Homa Kunda; a
furious Shiva created Virabharda who destroyed the Yagna. Sati Devi left her
body but her Sacred Soul was transferred to the daughter of Himavanta and
Menaka called Gauri or Parvati. Devas made efforts that Lord Shiva should wed
and commissioned Ananga (Manmatha) to despatch the Love-Arrows on Shiva but the
plan misfired and Ananga was burnt by the Third Eye of Shiva. Rati Devi made an
appeal to Shiva that Ananga sent the arrows to enable Shiva’s wedding for ‘Loka
Kalyan’so that Kumara Swami would be born and kill Tarakasura, that too at the
behest of Devas and hence the killing of Manmatha was none-too-fair! Shiva
cooled down and gave the boon that during the Vaivasva Manvantara’s twenty
eighth Dwapara Yuga, Sati would be reborn as the wife of the deceased Manmatha
to Lord Krishna’s son Pradyumna. The further happenings witnessed the holy
wedding of Shiva and Parvati and Kumara Swami who was born of their union
killed Tarakasura. Bhagavan Bhava’s ‘Amsa’ was incarnated in the form of
Ramanujacharya as the son of Acharya Sharma on the banks of the holy River
Godavari and established Dwaita Discipline of Vedic Religion emphasising that
‘Jeevatma’ was entirely distinct from ‘Paramatma’ and established a new
Philosophy as different from Shankaracharya’s Advaita Philosophy that Jeevatma
and Paramatma were one and the same, as the ephemeral human body ceased
Jeevatma would merge with that of Paramatma.
7
Emergence of Mughal Empire, Akbar the Great and celebrities of the
Era
Suta Maha Muni continued to narrate to the Congregation of Munis
at Naimisharanya as Sumantu conveyed prophesies for the distant future with
suprising accuracy! As Hindu Dharma was once again got revitalised with various
‘Acharyas’ and their disciples like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya,
and Chaitanya Maha Prabhu to withstand the forces of several alien influences
in Bharata the seat of Vedas and Shastras, Devas got an upper hand and King
Bali of Daityas called Roshana and instructed him to go to Dehali (Delhi) in
Bharat as the son of Timiraling (Taimurlang) with the name of Sarush and
commence the task of destroying Vedamarga and its followers gradually. Sarush
became the King of Dehali with the help of the Evil Forces backed up by Daityas
and ruled there for five years. Babar was son of Sarush and strengthened the
hold of the peace-loving and religious Hindus for twenty years either at
Samarkhand or at Bharat as the Moghul dynasty came to reality. Babar’s son
‘Homaayu’ (Humayun) who became the next King took a cruel stand against Hindus
and created havoc among them. But another Mleccha King in the neighbourhood
called ‘Shekshak’ (Shersha) defeated Humayun and ruled Dehali for five years.
The fugitive Humayun and his brother Mukarram regrouped their army again and
defeated Shersha and came back to power at Dehali once again. In this see-saw
of power stuggle between one Mleccha Humayun and another Mlleccha King Shersha,
there was damage of several Idols of Hindu Gods and a descendant disciple of
Shankaracharya called a Brahmana Mukund could not bear the scene of the
destruction of Idols and immolated in a Fire Pit and twenty of his stadents too
followed suit! Humayun who resumed his rule in Dehali Kingdom heard a celestial
Voice that soon Humayun would be blessed with a Great Son of Mughal Empire
called Akbar, literally meaning ‘Ak’for ‘Akasmat or ‘per chance’ and ‘Var’ or
‘Vardaan’ for a boon; the Vioce said ‘Your son will be an exemplary, brave and
fortunate Emperor who shaal not follow the Mleccha or Paishaachika route in his
Enlightened Administration; the Vioce further said that Mukund Brahmana would
be Akbar and his twenty disciples who immolated in Fire Pits out of frustration
and agony since Mughul Kings destroyed Idols of Devas would reappear in the
very Mughal dynasty! A completely transformed Humayunwas overjoyed the the
Celestial Announcement and ordered charities all over the Kingdom. The beloved
disciples of Mukund viz. Keshava, Madhava, Madhu, Devaapi, Somapa, Sura and
Madana illuminated the Court as the Celebrities; Keshava as Gaansen or Tansen,
Madhava as ‘Vaijavak’ or Baijbavara, Madhu as Haridasagayak, Devapi as Birbal
who had the Mastery of Wit since he had the bounty of Devi Sarasvati, Somapa as
Raja Mansingh, Sura as Bilva Mangala as Akbar’s close companion, and Madana as
Chandal who was a Nartak (dancer) and Kreeda Visharada or Expert in Games.While
these Icons stayed in the Court of Akbar, there were other famous personalities
of Akbar’s time: Shridhar as Tulasi Sharma or Tulasidas the exponent of Puranas
who in previous birth was a Vaishnava Poet; Sripati in earlier birth as a
follower of Madhvacharya appeared as the blind Poet Suradas famed for his
memorable works of ‘Krishna Leelas’; Shambhu in the erstwhile birth came into
distinction as Hari Priya as an authority of Vishnu Bhakti; Varenya in his
previous birth became Agrabhuk or Agradas as renowned ‘Sant’(Saint); Madhuvrati
in the earlier birth now famous as Keelak a Gyani, Poet reputed for Prosody and
the Writer of Ramaleelas; Vimal of previous birth now known as Divakar, a
Writer and Singer of Devi Sita’s Life-Story; Devavaan became Keshava the Writer
of ‘Ramajyotsna’; Soma in the previous birth came again as Vyasadas who
authored a Grandha titled ‘Raha Kreeda’; Vardhan became Charanadas who not only
scripted ‘Gyana maala Grandha’ and more so as a Technician of Rodasi Marg or
the Skyward route; Vartak of earlier life as Ratnabhanu who was Jaimini Bhasha
(Language) exponent and follower of Ropana religion; Ruchi of past life as
disciple of Madhvacharya wrote ‘Gaanamayi Leelas’in praise of Gods; Mandhata
now reappeared as Bhupati who translated Maha Bhagavata in Hindi Language;
Maankaar in earlier birth became Meera the daughter of Raja as an outstanding
singer of Bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna as a keen follower of Madhvacharya.
Emporer Akbar established a new Religion Din Ilahi which underlined the essence
of all Faiths including Hindu, Islam, Bouddha and Christianity. He reigned as a
Supreme Controller of the Empire for fifty solid years known for values of
virtue, justice, humanism and inclusiveness. His son Saloma (Saleem) or
Jahangir followed the great example of Akbar and Khurdak (Kusro Shaajahaan)
ruled for ten years [who built the immortal Taj Mahal]. There was a power
struggle among four brothers and the middle son Navarang (Aourangajeb)
succceded the throne; in his earlier birth he was a Daithya called Andhak. In
his time, the Peace and Comfort among the masses disappeared and the autocrat
King resorted to extensive damages to temples, Vigrahas (Idols), Salagranas,
Shiva Lingas, and Ashrams. Under the oppressive rule of this Cruel and
anti-Hindu tyrant, the Empire had to carry on under him for thrity nine long
years.
8
Prophecies on Some Highlights of Bharat thereafter
It was at that very time that Sevajaya (Chhatrapati Shivaji) a
grand warrior subdued several small royalties and created Maharashtra; he also
brought Aourangajeb under control and installed his son as the Mughal King. He
extended his might in the Southern parts of Bharat. One valiant Mlecchha
warrior called ‘Phalaroosh’ destroyed the once renowned Mughal Empire into
pieces and ruled for ten years and his son Mahamad ruled for twenty years.
Meanwhile, it was prophesied that one Nadar Shah Durrani from Khuraj (Iran)
visited Bharat and plundered the traditional riches including the famous
Peacock throne full of gold and high valued precious stones. Mahamad’s son
Mahamatsya was killed by Maharashtrians and the Great Mughal Empire was torn to
pieces. In fact there was no binding force of a stature in Bharat and only
local Principalities got mushroomed. Be that as it may, Shri Rama of Ramayana
after vanquishing Ravana made possible many of dead ‘Vanara’ soldiers who
fought valiantly to get back to life, the important ones being Vikata, Vrujil,
Jaal, Burleen, Simhal, Jawa (Jaawa), Sumaatra (Sumatra), etc. He gave the boon
to these Vanaras that quite a few Dwipas (Islands) far and near Lanka be
occupied and that they would be Kings of these Islands and that Architect
Jaalandhara would help construct and even their wives would be procured from
among those Devakanyas liberated after Ravana’s death. The ‘Vanaras’ were
delighted at the happening and in course of time, the habitants of the Islands
developed trade contacts with ‘Garunds’ (British) of the Western World,
especially with Isha Putras (Khishtha, Ishu or Isamasiha). The inhabitants were
Surya Deva worshippers and virtuous and honest people worthy of promoting
overseas business and the King of the Western Dwipa of England called ‘Vikata’
and later on by his wife ‘Vikatavati’ or Victoria ruled over there by ‘Ashta
Koushala Marg’ (under the Counsel of Parliament). The British Raj witnessed
high prosperity by executing overseas business generation after generation with
democracy (Rule of Citizens) with the hereditary Queen or King elected by a
Prime Minister; the ninth Chief Representative of Gurunds was Mekal (Lord
Macaulay) who administered the Raj with honesty for twelve years; he was
followed by Laurdel (Lord Wavel) who ruled for thirty two years. Bharat was
administered in separate Regions by various Rulers like Nagavamshheyas, Andhra
vamsheeyas, Kaushala deshiyas, Saurashtra deshiyas, Naishadha desheeyas, and
Gurjara desheeyas. This situation continued till the British Rulers
consolidated their grip over Bharat by ‘divide and rule’concept till Swadesha
Bharata witnessed innumerable twists and turns and beacame an integral Entity
under the banner of ‘Prajapalana’ or Democracy. But meanwhile the inhabitants
of Bharat belonging to innumerable sects, religions, languages and cultures
have since emerged as a strong Democracy with a typical identity of its own.
9
Kali Yuga’s second, third and fourth quarters and Avatara of
Kalki
Suta Maha Muni told Shaunaka and other Munis that as Mlecchhas
gained victory over the Dharmic Shaktis gradually Kali Yuga Devi was satisfied.
Daityas who were stage managing the victory of Mlecchhas then constructed
several ‘Jalayanas’ or Sea borne vessels to Harikhanda (China) where men were
very strong as Devas intially but in course of a few years the ‘Maya Yuddha’ or
the cunning and deceitful battles in which Daityas were well known the
Harikhanda residents appealed to Mahendra for protection. Indra asked
Vishvakarma to reinvent a ‘Yantra’ (Machine) by which persons of one part of
the World would not be able to travel to another part. On receiving the hint
Vishwakarma created a ‘Bhrami-Yantra’ by using which persons of one ‘Khanda’ or
chunk of a Large Region could not freely travel to another ‘Khanda’ and also a
kind of ‘Vatsya’ or a less potent Maha Vayu. This Vatsya would destroy Daityas,
Yakshas and Piscachas and would protect the honest and Dharmic Brahmanas. This
Vatsya gave shelter to all the Brahmans and other upright persons for a number
of Years. This situation that enabled good persons was most unpalatable to Kali
Yuga Devi and approached Daitya Raja Bali. Then Bali and Kalki Devi approached
Narayana in the form of ‘Vamana’who in turn enabled a Brahmana called Kama
Sharma and his wife Devahuti on the banks of Yamuna River; he blessed that this
couple would give birth to Bhoga Simha and Keli Simha. These two sons would
stay in a Kreedavati Nagar and would carry out the wishes of Kali Yuga Devi,
especially in the task of wide-spread ‘Varna-sankara’ or destroying the Rules of
‘Varnashrama. Over two thousand years, the established Regulations made by Lord
Brahma and the successive Manus would get thinner and thinner and by the Second
Paada of Kali Yuga, Kali Devata would be happy to witness that the old Vedic
values would be obliterated, that the Daityamaya human beings (fully soaked in
Daitya activities) would be of two-and-half feet height, that their life span
would be forty years maximum (as against hundred years now) and that they would
be free like birds without any ‘Karmic regulations! At the end of the Kali’s
second half there would neither by the institutions of marriages, nor
Kingships, nor any social reformer and not even a Karma Karta! The World would
be full of the progeny of Bhogi Simha and Keli Simha ane this kind of a
situation devoid of customs and social norms woud prevail for one and quarter
lakh years!! In the Third Quarter of Kali Yuga, the average age of human beings
would be twenty six years maximum; Bhringha Muni along with his wife Saurabhi
would create Kaulakalpa-named beings who would not hesitate to eat human
beings/ kinnaras. These new species of Kaulakalpas would resort to beastly
affairs with mothers, sisters and daughters! They would be too lustful and
produce too many children and resort to affairs with co-males and animals! In
the fourth phase of Kali Yuga the maximum age of humans would not exceed tewnty
years and live like water-beasts and animals; hells like Tamistra and worse
kinds of frightening Places of Retribution would be over-populated. As Yama
Dharma Raja found that the influx of dead Beings was assuming alarming
proportions, he and Chitra Gupta approached Indra Deva and later on to Brahma
Deva and the latter declared that soon enough there would be an ‘Avatar’
(Incarnation) of Vishnu Deva as Kalki Deva; he would be fully armed with
‘Kahdga’ (Long sword) whose reach would be unimaginably long and widespread as
also with a ‘Kavacha’ (Body-Cover) and ‘Dhaal’or Protective Shield, mounted on
a huge horse, travelling on ‘Yoga Marga’ for sixteen thousand years and would
turn the entire ‘Srishti’ to ash-laden devastation! At that time, there would
be a cloud burst producing the Great Annihilation of the Universe under
alarming and incessant rain called ‘Pralaya’! That would be the fresh ‘Srishti’heralding
the new cycle of Yugas ab initio!!
10Narada’s experience of
‘Vishnu Maya’
In the Uttara Parva, Yudhishtara asked Shri Krishna to elucidate
on ‘Vishnu Maya’ or the delusion which human beings are often subjected to as
they were unable to resist the temptations. Bhagavan Krishna replied that in
the past Brahmarshi Narada too put a similar query and that he replied
like-wise. He asked Narada to hold Krishna’s little finger and follow what
Krishna had to witness. There was an old Brahmana (Krishna himself!) called
Yagna Sharma who had all the requisite accompaniments like a tuft,
Yagnopaveeta, Kamandalu, Mriga charma or deer skin on which to seat, Kusha
grass on his fingers and reciting Vedas. Narada visited Jambu dwipa with the
scene of Yagna Sharma. The Brahmana visited the banks of River Vedavati in
Vidisha Nagar; there was a Vaishya called Seerabhadra and the Vaishya extended
all courtesies to the Brahmana and politely invited him for lunch. Bhagavan
Krishna in the disguise of the Brahmana smiled and blessed the Vaishya saying
that his business and farm-work might flourish. From there both Krishna and
Narada moved on to Veni Village on the banks of Ganges and met a very poor
Brahmana called Goswami. Krishna in disguise along with Narada too in disguise
told the Brahmana that they were coming to that Place from a very far off area
and would like to be their guest for food, shelter and night halt. Next morning
while leaving, Krishna told his host that let his farm not produce enough food
and let his family not secure children!! Narada wondered that while Krishna did
not accept the Vaishya’s food, nor his home comfort, but still he blessed him
to let his business and farming flourish; but in the case of the miserably poor
Brahmana with no recourse to fall back still managed to make the guests fairly
well but Bhavan Krishna instead of blessing him to let his farming flourish and
so should his family, did not bless the Brahmana at all! Krishna replied to
Narada that while the well-to-do Vaishya did not have to exert to provide
excellent food and luxurious bed to sleep in, where as the poor Brahmana went
out of the way to provide maximum possible adjustments; the Vaishya deserved a
blessing for more prosperity but the poor Brahmana dereserved Mukti but not worldly
gains! Further on Shri Krishna took Narada to Kannouj and hastened to take bath
in a lake in the Nagar. Narada emerged as a highly gorgeous and romantic
‘Kanya’ and Shri Krishna disappeared. Narada who forgot his memory attracted
the attention of the Kanya and proposed marriage to her which the woman readily
accepted; the wedding took place in a formal manner as a queen. She carried on
with the duties of a house-wife and procured children and grand children and
got fully engrossed in ‘Samsara’. After a few years the King was defeated in a
battle but the children and grand children were killed. The queen cried out
hoarse at the tremendous loss that befell on the family and fainted. Krishna
reappeared in the form of an elderly Brahmana woman and consoled the queen
saying that the whole world was going on the steam of Vishnu Maya; there were
lakhs of Kings and queens, thousands of Indras and nobody could ever predict
what would happen next minute! The world was an illusion and to believe in its
permanent nature would be futile and foolish; some persons would enjoy and at
the same time some were victims of death; the world was a drama and human
beings were ‘dramatis personae’. So saying the elderly lady persuaded the queen
to take bath in the same Lake where Narada took the bath at Kannouj earlier and
as soon as he had the dip he came out as Narada again! Krishna told Narada that
that was Vishnu Maya all about and disappeared!
11‘Paapa-Punya Phala
Prapti’ (Retribution and Reward)
Bhagavan Shri Krishna cautioned King Yudhishtara that each and
every act of human beings-noble or otherwise-was duly recorded and punishments
and recompenses are awarded by the Supreme Justice accordingly. Indeed, one’s
own conscience or moral voice within is normally the inward monitor of the
actions. But depending on the differences of the ‘Chitta Vritthi’ (status of
the conscience) - ranging from ‘Sthula’ (blatant or obvious), ‘Sukshma’
(concealed), and ‘Ati Sukshma’ (obscure) - the intensity of one’s action is
judged and evaluated. But Shri Krishna referred only to the tasks of
‘gross’nature and not the quailified nuances. Normally there are three kinds of
‘Manasika Paapaas’or mind-borne sins viz. mental aberrations centering on other
women, objectionable thoughts about others and ‘Kukarmas’ (undesirable acts)
detrimental to others. There are five kinds of ‘Vachaka Paapaas’ (tongue-borne)
viz. ‘Aniyantrita Pralaapas’ (loose talk), ‘Apriya Bhashana’ (Undesirable
talk), ‘Asatya Bhashana’ (False talks or Untruths), ‘Para ninda’ (accusations)
and ‘Pishunata’ (back-biting / slandering). Four kinds of ‘Kayaka Papaas’or
body-based sins viz. ‘Abhakshya bhakshan’ (consuming the non-consumable),
‘Himsa’ (violence), ‘Midhya kamasevan’ (false living) and ‘Paradhana-harana
(stealing other’s money).All these kinds of twelve tasks are blatantly
qualified for retribution that are valid for entry to ‘Naraka’. In respect of
those sinners who disbelieve, dislike or deride Vishnu of Maha Deva worst
possible hells are opened. Those who commit the ‘Maha Pancha Patakas’ or the
Five Greatest Sins viz. Brahma hatya (killing a Brahmana), Suraa paana
(indulging in intoxicants), ‘Asteya’ Stealing Gold, Guru Patni Gamana and who
commend the earlier sins are also certain to enter ‘Ghora Narakas’. Shri Krishna
then described ‘Upa Patakas’ to Yudhishtara such as the following:
Declaring charity to Brahmanas and not keeping the word, steal the money of Brahmanas, possession of Great Ego, unwarranted anger, arrogance, ingratitude, mean-mindeness, excessive interest in other’s affairs, jealousy of deserving and fortunate persons, plans to take away other women, involving in business deals related to children, women and others, mismanage or misuse ‘Stree dhana’or money pertaining to women, non-clearance of debts; criticise Devatas, Agni, Sadhus, cows, Brahmanas, Kings, Officials, Pativratas and all noble persons and so on. Those who have links woth the sinners are aslo considered as perpetrators. Those who commit sins by mistake or unwittngly could perform ‘prayaschitta’ (purification) with the approval of a Guru an elderly/experienced person.Those who perform sins by the thought, word and deed (Manasa Vachaa Karmnaa) are liable to experience retribution and equally are those who keep company to, or be a part of and approve the act knowinly or unwittingly by the perpetrator. In ther words, those who act, involve, approve or evidence the deed are all considered to be liable but for the degrees of involvement. In the Court of Justice of Yamapuri, the Lekhak (Writer)-in-Chief is Chitragupta who computes or maintains the Records of every individual. The stored fund of sins/ good deeds are stated to show with the details of punishments / rewards indicating the precise nature of offence, the places / time frames and all relevant data; this information is not only classified but has no interest / relevance to other parties! While ‘Punyatmas’ or those who have performed good tasks in life pass through the same distance at good speed and without much strain, the ‘Papaatmas’struggle a lot by the wreched route full of thorns, gravel, stones, ups and downs, iron needles and mud; the passage would be full of fire, lions and such other cruel animals, snakes, scorpions, leeches, and frightening figures of Shakini, Dhakini and Piscachas. The unending route had no light, tree shades, and water. The Yamadutas drag the sinner bodies with blood, gaping wounds and dried tongues without break or rest and the situation of the dragged bodies would defy description! As the vision of Yamadharma Raja would get nearer, his visage spewed fire and just near him was Mrithyu Devata who like kaalagni was black, surrounded by ‘Yama dutas’ fully armed with innumerable weapons ready to destroy, and in the normal context a soul would be relieved by death but having arrived at the door of death itself, there could not be a death by shock but only be by thousands of shocks physically and mentally! In the seventh Patala there was pitch darkness in which twenty eight crore ‘Jeevas’awaiting their sentence in their turns. Yamadutas instructed some of the Jeevas to hang up by huge trees upside down with iron chains binding their feet too tight; they were helpless excepting repenting their wrong actions as why they were stealing, keeping contacts with other women and making mockeries of Devas, Rishis and Brahmanas! The sinners are also pierced with hot-red iron nails and at the same time bitten by poisonous snakes; as and when the body wounds are slightly less painful they are forcibly opened and applied with salt and chillis! The ‘paapatmas’ are fried in boiling hot oils and after allowing the body parts become less hot, let dogs and cats bite the freshly cooked meat pieces of hands, fingers, leg pieces and brains! Those who resorted in their erstwhile lives ate ‘Abhakshya Bhakshya’ or the prohibited materials are forced to pull out their tongues. The Sinners who talked harsh and harassed their parents have to face hot fire balls and have the facial parts like ears, nose, eyes and cheeks fried part by part! Those who took food in utter disregard for guests are thrown into ‘Asitalavan’Naraka. Yamdutas force those sinners to embrace molten hot iron pillars as punishment for experiencing other women, or unlawful bed-mates. Similarly those women who led unlawful experiences face the same kind of treatment of hot embraces! Similar experiences are meted out to those parts of body such as tongue for shouting and criticising, hands for beating others, kicking for legs, etc. Thus depending on the kind of sin committed, its intensity and impact, various permutations and combinations of retributions are made available. After the experiences so designed and executed are completed, then decisions are taken about the type of next birth of the Jeeva as a tree or a worm, a bird, animal, reptile or if fortunate as a human being at a destination, status and future of the Jeeva once again.
Declaring charity to Brahmanas and not keeping the word, steal the money of Brahmanas, possession of Great Ego, unwarranted anger, arrogance, ingratitude, mean-mindeness, excessive interest in other’s affairs, jealousy of deserving and fortunate persons, plans to take away other women, involving in business deals related to children, women and others, mismanage or misuse ‘Stree dhana’or money pertaining to women, non-clearance of debts; criticise Devatas, Agni, Sadhus, cows, Brahmanas, Kings, Officials, Pativratas and all noble persons and so on. Those who have links woth the sinners are aslo considered as perpetrators. Those who commit sins by mistake or unwittngly could perform ‘prayaschitta’ (purification) with the approval of a Guru an elderly/experienced person.Those who perform sins by the thought, word and deed (Manasa Vachaa Karmnaa) are liable to experience retribution and equally are those who keep company to, or be a part of and approve the act knowinly or unwittingly by the perpetrator. In ther words, those who act, involve, approve or evidence the deed are all considered to be liable but for the degrees of involvement. In the Court of Justice of Yamapuri, the Lekhak (Writer)-in-Chief is Chitragupta who computes or maintains the Records of every individual. The stored fund of sins/ good deeds are stated to show with the details of punishments / rewards indicating the precise nature of offence, the places / time frames and all relevant data; this information is not only classified but has no interest / relevance to other parties! While ‘Punyatmas’ or those who have performed good tasks in life pass through the same distance at good speed and without much strain, the ‘Papaatmas’struggle a lot by the wreched route full of thorns, gravel, stones, ups and downs, iron needles and mud; the passage would be full of fire, lions and such other cruel animals, snakes, scorpions, leeches, and frightening figures of Shakini, Dhakini and Piscachas. The unending route had no light, tree shades, and water. The Yamadutas drag the sinner bodies with blood, gaping wounds and dried tongues without break or rest and the situation of the dragged bodies would defy description! As the vision of Yamadharma Raja would get nearer, his visage spewed fire and just near him was Mrithyu Devata who like kaalagni was black, surrounded by ‘Yama dutas’ fully armed with innumerable weapons ready to destroy, and in the normal context a soul would be relieved by death but having arrived at the door of death itself, there could not be a death by shock but only be by thousands of shocks physically and mentally! In the seventh Patala there was pitch darkness in which twenty eight crore ‘Jeevas’awaiting their sentence in their turns. Yamadutas instructed some of the Jeevas to hang up by huge trees upside down with iron chains binding their feet too tight; they were helpless excepting repenting their wrong actions as why they were stealing, keeping contacts with other women and making mockeries of Devas, Rishis and Brahmanas! The sinners are also pierced with hot-red iron nails and at the same time bitten by poisonous snakes; as and when the body wounds are slightly less painful they are forcibly opened and applied with salt and chillis! The ‘paapatmas’ are fried in boiling hot oils and after allowing the body parts become less hot, let dogs and cats bite the freshly cooked meat pieces of hands, fingers, leg pieces and brains! Those who resorted in their erstwhile lives ate ‘Abhakshya Bhakshya’ or the prohibited materials are forced to pull out their tongues. The Sinners who talked harsh and harassed their parents have to face hot fire balls and have the facial parts like ears, nose, eyes and cheeks fried part by part! Those who took food in utter disregard for guests are thrown into ‘Asitalavan’Naraka. Yamdutas force those sinners to embrace molten hot iron pillars as punishment for experiencing other women, or unlawful bed-mates. Similarly those women who led unlawful experiences face the same kind of treatment of hot embraces! Similar experiences are meted out to those parts of body such as tongue for shouting and criticising, hands for beating others, kicking for legs, etc. Thus depending on the kind of sin committed, its intensity and impact, various permutations and combinations of retributions are made available. After the experiences so designed and executed are completed, then decisions are taken about the type of next birth of the Jeeva as a tree or a worm, a bird, animal, reptile or if fortunate as a human being at a destination, status and future of the Jeeva once again.
12Significance of
‘Vratas’, ‘Danas’ and ‘Snanas’
Keeping the aforesaid in keen view, every human being on earth
needs to re-discover one-self and within the limited time available ahead in
the current life resort to virtuous tasks so clearly described in various
Scriptures that the delay to practise is the only factor and none else!
Unfortunately, the pull of illusions, outward attractions, a state of indifference
and non-chalance tend to slow down the process of self-awakening and the golden
opportunity of the instant human birth is being unfulfilled and slipped by
away! Let this not happen. The various ways of Self-Awakening range from good
deeds, good behaviour and good words; at the other end of the balance are
Japas, Tapas, Yagnas, Mantras, Tantras, Yogas, Sacrifices and several other
means. The Holy Book of Bhavishya Purana prescribes Vratas related to specific
aspects, targets, purposes and ‘Vidhanas’ or Procedures. A Vrata is a purified
effort aiming at aligning the self with the Almighty as expressed in various
nomenclatures, forms and features all belonging to the same, unique,
everlasting and permanent Super Energy Known and Unknown, Very Far and Within
the Self! One could put into practice a Vrata or as many as possible, since
these are the short-cut routes to reach Paramatma by even one way and indeed
even that one way could be the glorious Golden Route!
The ‘Uttara Parva’ of Bhavishyottara Purana (as distinct from Bavishya Purana) is a compendium of Vratas, Danaas and Snaanas-an independent Attachment of the Main Bhavishya Purana. Some of the popular Vratas in the Attachment are mentioned below:
Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata
Lord Krishna commended the Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata to Yudhishtara since the word ‘Ananta’ purports the concept of Time which was eternal and never ending. Just as Bhagavan was known by countless names as Vishnu, Jishnu, Hara, Shiva, Brahma, Bhaskara, Sesha and Ishwara, Ananta was another such name. In the days of yore, there was a Brahmana called Sumantu in the Vasishtha Gotra in Krita Yuga; he was married to Diksha the daughter of Bhrigu Maharshi and the new couples were blessed with a girl child named Sheila but unfortunately Diksha died soon.Sumantu remarried again Karkasha but she was vicious, cruel and mischievous. Sumantu was concerned about the marriage of Sheila. Finally he was able to fix up a wedding with Muni Kaundinya and Sumantu suggested that by way of family convention some gifts and money to be spared. But the reaction of Karkasa was highly negative and destroyed the material on the Marriage Platfom threw the new coulpes out! Kaundinya and Sheila were badly insulted and returned back to Kaundinya’s abode by a bullock cart. By about the afternoon, they had to cross a river and Shiela noticed many women performing puja and enquired the details of the Vrata. She took bath and made a Mandala in which Anantha Swarupa was installed and worshipped with Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa and Deepa. For Naivedya, Shiela cooked rice with normal condiments and ghee, half of which was given to Brahmanas along with Dakshina and the rest by way of Prashad. Sheila prepared a ‘Thoran’ (thread) mixed with turmeric powder with fourteen ‘Grandhis’ (knots), showed to Paramatma and tie up on left hand wrist for women and on right wrist on men and while winding up the Thoran, recite the following Mantra:Anantha Samsara Maha Samudrey Magnaan Samabhyuddhara Vasudeva, Ananta Rupey viniyojitatmahyananta rupaaya Namo Namastey/ (Vasudeva! I am drowning in this huge Ocean of Samsara; kindly liberate me from the depths of the Ocean and let me be absorbed me into you!). After fastening the Thoran, the couples ate the Prashad with full faith and got into their bullok cart back to their village but the erstwhile cottage got converted into a splendid Palace as by virtue of the Vrata of Ananta Chaturdashi; Ananta Swami smiled and bestowed such riches that neither Sheila nor Kaundinya could ever dream of! The normally modest and highly devoted Sheila gradually got intoxicated with the sudden arrival of prosperity; she called her step-mother Karkasi to their house and bragged about their unexpected fortune; just as Karkasi threw Sheila out of her house after her wedding with Sage Kaudinya, Shiela magnified negligible issues out of proportion and summarily threw Karkasi out with all her vengence. In fact, she neglected her daily worship of Bhagavan Ananta Rupa and her self-conceit assumed large poportions in the name of Social Status! Finally, she discarded the Fourteen-knotted Raksha Thoran as a burden and nuisance. Her husband cautioned Sheila to behave more politely and her arrogance was replaced with ego, much less with modesty! The husband abandoned the Palace and his wife and shifed to Ashrams in Forests out of desperation. He started searching for the Ananata Swarup’s Idol which Sheila rejected wantonly. Muni Kaundinya started searching for the Idol from Place to Place; he adopted the life style of a Brahmachari, stopped taking food, always in the meditation of Ananta Deva and like a lunatic kept on enquiring of the Ananta Deva Vigraha; he asked a tree in a forest, a passing cow, the waterbody Pushkarini, and even a donkey! Since none responded about the whereabouts of the Idol, he swooned finally and was dumped in a remote corner of the forest unconciously. The Bhagavan was extremely pleased with the undying faith and pure hearted devotion of the Muni and manifested himself before the devotee who on regaining consciousness expressed his sin of neglect and utter disregard of the deity! He said most regrettably to pardon him for the unpardoanable:
Paapoham paapakarmaahum paapaatmaa Paapa sambhavah,
paahi maamPundareekaaksha Sarvapaapa harobhava,
Adya mey saphalam janma jeevitam cha sujeevitam/
(Bhavan! I am the sin, the sinner and the personification of sin; is it possible for you the most merciful Pandarikaasha to absolve me of all my ‘Paapas’! Then Bhagavan replied that tree which was a Brahmana never granted ‘Vidya daan’; the cow which was a barren land in the past birth and thus became a cow; the water body Pushkarini in the earleir birth wasof two sisters Dharma and Adharma and their arguments were unending and hence their waves clash always and the donkey was an elephant in the past which was arrogant thus turned as a donkey! Such were the twists of fate! Meanwhile Sheila lost her fortune and regretted her grave mistakes. Both of them performed the Ananta Vrata again earnestly and regained riches but never left Ananta!
Shri Krishna Janmashtami Vrata:
King Yudhishtar requested Shri Krishna to give the essentials of Krishna Janmashtami Vrata and the Lord recalled that when the cruel King Kamsa of Mathura was killed by Janardana, Devi Devaki cried out by keeping Krishna on her shoulders and Vasudeva embraced both Krishna and Balarama and said that the momentous day of Kamsa’s death had afterall arrived that he was able to witness the death scene by himself. The persons who surrounded the four of them were anxious to know as to when the posterity should befittingly celebrate Krishna’s day since there were many such remarkable days of his magnificence eversince his birth! Then Krishna replied that the best day of the celebration would be his birthday, the Janmashtami in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha at midnight in the Rohini Star time as Surya was in Simha Rasi and Chandra was in Vrishabha Rasi (Simha rasi gatey Suryem gaganey jaladaakuley, MaasiBhadrapad –eshtabhyam Krishnapakshordharaatrakey, Vrishabha rashisthiteychandrey nakshatrey Rohinaayayutey). Krishna proclaimed that his birthday should be celebrated by perfoming the Vrata on this day at Mathura first and all over the World later on in each and every household. Yudhishtara asked about the procedure of the Vrata and Bhagavan Shri Krishna asserted that the performance of this Vrata would destroy the sins of the Karta’s previous seven births.Praatah kruta nityakritah pragmukhoh Desakaalou samkeertya tatthatkaaley saptamaadi satvepi Prathana bhuta mashtami meva samkeertya Shi Krishna preethyartham Janmaashtami Vratam karishye:: ithi samkalpayet/ (After the morning ablutions, seated facing the East, a proper declaration be made to perform Krishna Janmaastami Vrata); an improvised ‘Sutika Griha’ or the birth place of the Lord be made and the Idol of Krishna with accompaniments like the ‘Ayudhas’(Arms) and ‘Abharanas’ (Ornaments) be arranged along with the Idols of Devaki and Vasudava as also of Yashoda and Nanda, Balarama, and Devis Rukmini/ Maha Lakshmi and others; Vasudeva was of the Avatar of Kashyapa Muni, Devaki of Aditi, Balaram of Seshanag, Nanda of Daksha Prajapati, Yashoda of Diti, Garga Muni of Brahma and Kamsa of Kalanami. Decorated on these lines, a devotee would arrange with reverence for all the Puja requirements like ‘Gandha’, Camphor, Agarbatti, fruits and flowers, coconuts, butter, Akshata and ‘Naivedya’ as offering (Prashad). First of all, Devi Devaki be prayed to as follows:
Gaayadbhih kainnaraadaihi Satataparivrita Venu veena nanaadair
bhrungaadarshakumbha pramarakritakaraih sevyamaana Muneendraih/
Paryankey swastrutey ya mudita ramanaah putrini samyagaastey,
saa Devi Deva Mataa Jayanti Suvadana Devaki Kaanta rupaa/
(Salutations to you Mother of Bhagavan Krishna, Devi Devaki who is of the Avatar of Aditi Devi, in whose honour are several Kinnaras and other celestial musicians are playing Venu, Veena and other musical instruments in praise of You and also many Munis carrying ‘Mangala Kalashas’ and ‘Chamaras’ to serve Deva mata Devaki of Aditi’s ‘Amsa’.Also some were engaged in praying to Devi Lakshmi with the Mantra: ‘Namo Devyai Maha Devyai Shivaayai satatam namah’ and also with the Mantras saying ‘Om Devyai namah, Om Vaasudevaya namah, Om Balabhadraya namah, Om Krishnaya namah, Om Subhadrayai namah, Om Nandayai namah and Om Yashidayai namah to separate Pratimas. The Prayers are basically directed to Lord Krishna as follows:
Anagham Vaamanam Shourim Vaikuntham Purushottamam,
Vaasu Devam Hrisheekesham Madhavam Madhu sudanam,
Vaaraaham Pundareekaasham Nrisimham Brahmana priyam,
Damodaram Padmanaabham Keshavam Garudadwajam,
Govindamachutam Krishna manantam aparaajitam,
Adhokshajam Jagad beejam Sarva sthikyanta kaaranam,
Anaadi nidhanam Vishnum Trilokesham Tri vikramam,
Narayanam Chaturbaahum Shankha Chakra Gadaadharam,
Peetaambara dharam Nityam Vanamaalaa vibhushitam,
Sri Vatsaangam Jagatsethum Sri Dharam, Shri Patim Harim/
After the Prayers, Vedic Services are accorded by reciting the following Mantras: Yogeswaraya Yogasambhavaaya Yoga pataye Govindaaya namo namah –Snaanam samarpayami; YogeswaraayavYagna sambhavaaya Yagna pataye Govindaya namo namah : with this Mantra, perform Anulepana, Arghya, Dhupa, Deepa etc.; thereafter, Naivedya be performed and finally ‘Deepaarpana’with the Mantra saying: Dharmeswaraya Dharma pataey Dharma sambhavaya Govindaya namo namah. On the same lines, other Idols like Chandra, Vasudeva, Devaki, Nanda, Yashoda and Bala Deva should be worshipped. At the time of Chandrodaya, Arghya be offered saying : Ksheerodarnava sambhuta Agni netra samudbhava, Grihaanaarghya Shashaankendo Rohinya sahito mama. At midnight, one ‘Ahuti’ of jaggery and ghee to Agni Deva be offered to Vasundhara and puja performed to Shashti Devi. On Navami morning an Utsav of Lord Krishna be done and bhojan to Brahmanas arranged and dakshina given to them saying ‘Krishnome preeyataam’ and also recite the Mantra: Ya devam Devaki Devi Vasu devadjeejanam, Bhoumasya Braahmano guptayi tasmai Brahmaatmaney namah/then the Braahmanaas bless saying Shantirasthu Shivam chaarastu. Lord Krishna told Yudhishtara that who ever did the Vrata on these lines would be blessed with good progeny, health, Dhana-Dhanya, Sadgriha, and long and contented life. At the Region where this Vrata is performed would never be subjected by Anavrishti (famine), earth quakes and such natural calamities, poverty, ‘Akaala Mritu’ or untimely deaths, widowhoods, misfortunes, robberies and quarrels.
Madana Dwadashi Vrata
Yudhishtara desired to learn about the Madana Dwadashi Vrata from Bhagavan Shri Krishna, in the context of which Devi Diti the mother of Daityas gave birth to forty nine Marut Ganas. In the past, Vasishtha and other Sages described about the procedure of the Vrata. The ‘Vratadhari’ on Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi has to set up a pot full of white rice, decorate the pot with sandal wood paste and close the top with two pieces of white cloth and inside the pot keep seasonal fruits and sugarcane; this container might also be full of raw eatable material like pulses etc. as also a gold piece as per one’s capacity. Over this pot be arranged a copper utensil full of jaggery / sugar cane juice and cover it with plantain leaves and sandal paste, agarbattis etc.; arrange for bhakti hymns and instrumental music overnight; give away the pot as a charity to a Brahmana the next morning; treat the Brahmana with good food and Dakshina and address the Brahmana to say that may Bhagavan Janardana be pleased this ‘anushthan’ or service. In this way every dwadasi the drill be followed and in the previous night, the Vratadhari should eat only ‘Amlak phal’ and sleep on the ground. On the thirteenth month trayodasi the pot should be given away with lots of grains, edible raw maretials like pulses, vegetables and fruits with jaggery, ghee etc. with a bigger copper vessel and gold ornament as charity, treat the Brahmana with good food, clothing and dakshina and of course lots of sugarcane! By so performing the Vrata for a year with sincerity, the worship bestows excellent progeny.Having performed the Vrata, Devi Diti asked a boon from Maharshi Kashyap that she should beget a child who would kill Indra. She took all kinds of precautions during her pregnancy period to protect the boy in all possible ways; she took care of food regulations, never allowed to become temperamental, took several precautions to be happy and protected herself from enemies. But in the very tricky hours of a late night and the small hours of the day, Diti was fast asleep when Indra by using his Shaktis of Anima etc. entered Diti’s garbha and sliced the embrio into forty nine pieces and at the time of delivery gave out as many children who were subsequently called the ‘Maruganas’. And thus Diti’s evil desire to kill Indra no doubt did not materialise but the Marud ganas were famous as virtuous joining the ranks of Devas!
Muktabharana Saptami Vrata:
Bhagavan Krishna told that once Maharshi Lomesh arrived at Mathura and after comforting himself with the ‘Atithya’ or the status of an important guest, he enquired Devaki Devi as to how many of her boys met with instant killings by the cruel Kamsa; this saddened Devaki and wondered as why he was asking this strange question! The Maharshi explained that in the past, there was a Queen called Chandramukhi who too was unfortunate in losing her children like-wise and as she performed the Vrata her children who were dead for long got revived as a result of this sacred vrata! Lomesha Muni narrated further that there was a King of Ayodhya named Nahush and his queen Chandramukhi. The queen along with her companion Manamanika the wife of Raja Purohit went for bathing in Sarayu River. They noticed that several ladies were performing a Vrata and enquired of is importance. They all replied that the Vrata provided many fulfillments of their requests and the queen and her companion also decided to follow suit; after bathing in the River they were to worship to a Shiva-Parvati Idiol but after taking a vow that the concerned devotee women should always wear a golden thread on their right wrists, a ring be made on ring finger and that that they should never fail to perform daily pujas.But unfortunately one day when the Queen had to attend to some urgent Royal Tasks, she failed to turn up from her daily duties and missed the chance of worshipping Shiva and Parvati on the banks of Sarayu and her companion too did not. As there was a failure, the Queen became a monkey and har companion a hen. But both of them remembered their friendship and their failure to follow the Rules of the Vrata. In their subsequent births the queen became Ishwari of Malva desha and her companion was born as the wife of Purohit of the same King as Bhushana. After long gap of her wedding, Ishwari got a son but died when he was nine years old. But Bhushan’s many children were growing fine. The queen got jealous and got Bhushan’s sons killed. But Bhushan’s sons were revived and the queen wondered how! Bhushan then explained that this was all due to the great Vrata called Muktabharan Saptami of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha; on that day Shiva Parvati worship be executed by way of ‘Atma Nivedan’ or offering the self to them and a gold or a siver thread must be worn around the rightwrist always. The queen felt ashamed of her actions of killing Bhushan’s sons who got revived and also neglecting the Vrata in the previous birth and performed the Vrata again sincerely by following the regulations most religiously again and regained happiness of begetting good children and brought fame to the King and the citizens.
Go Vatsa Dwadashi Vrata
King Yudhishtar appealed to Bhagavan Krishna that in the Maha Bharata Battle thousands of soldiers, Kings and a number of Great Personalities like Bhishma, Drona, Kalinga Raja, Karna, Shalya, Duryodhana most of whom were close relatives died and Pandavas committed untold sins in the process and could there be a way out to raze down or at least mitigate the impact of the sins! Bhagavan Krishna replied that a highly potent ‘Go Vatsa Dwadashi Vrata’ would be the befitting answer to demolish the sins and explained the background and procedure of performing the Vrata. Several Tapasvis were busy with meditation atop the Mount of Namavratadhara and Bhagavan assumed the form of an old Brahmana who was shivering with age and carrying a stick to support, while Devi Parvati took a form of a cow. At the time of churning the Ksheera Sagara by Devas and Danavas, five renowned cows viz. Nanda, Subhadra, Surabhi, Susheela and Bahula. Among these were Lokamata Parvati was also stated to have emerged. The five Sacred Cows thus surfaced were given to the care of Maharshis Jamadagni, Bharadwaj, Vasishtha, Asit and Gautami. The six products of the Cows viz. Gomaya (dung), Rochana (Chhaj / foam), Mutra (Urine), Dugdha ( Milk), Dadhi (Curd) and Ghrita (Butter) are all supposed to be Sacred. Gomaya is the beloved of Shiva and the source of Bilva Tree which is also considered as Shri Vriksha and is thus liked by Devi Lakshmi. Also Gomaya is the source of Lotus seeds. ‘Gorochan’ is extensively used for medicines and is known as a highly propitious material for many end-uses. Go mutra is the producer of ‘Guggul’seeds which are nice to look at and have good smell. These guggul seeds are a part of food by Devas, especially of Shiva.All the useful seeds of the world are stated to be from Go Dugdha. Go Ghruta is the root of Amrit which satisfies the hunger of Devas. Is is well known that Brahmanas and Cows are the two most sought after species of ‘Srishti’; the heart of Brahmanas is the seat of Veda Mantras, while that of Cows is the source of ‘havis’. Cows are the origin of Yagnas so intimately conneceted with all Devas; cow horns represent in a coarse form both Brahma and Vishnu. On the top of the horns are situated with the Sacred Tirthas of the Universe. In the middle of the horns is Shiva’s seat. Devi Gauri is seated on a cow’s forehead; Kartikeya represents the nose and in both the nostrils are two Nagas viz, Kambal and Ashvatar; in both the ears are set by the two Ahwani Kumars; Chandra and Surya in the Eyes; Vasuganas are represented by the teeth; Varun in the tongue; Sarasvati in the kuhara; ‘gandasthalis’ represent Yama and Yaksha; both the Sandhyas in ‘Aoushthas’; Indra in the Greeva; Rakshasas in ‘Kakud’; on both the sides of Parshnis are ‘dhows’ and gangas represent four legs illuminated by Dharma! In the ‘Prishtha bhaga’ are Ekadasha Rudras; in all the ‘Sandhis’ are the seats of Varun; Sronitata is the seat of Pitras; in the Kapolas are human beings; Apana Vayu is the seat of Swaha Rupa; Go mutra has Ganga Herself; Go maya as Yamuna; the hairs of the cow’s body represent thirty three crores of Devaganas; Udar has mountains and Prithvi and forests; Payodharas represent Maha Samudras; kheeradharas have clouds, rains etc; in Jathara a cow possesses ‘Garhyapatyagni’; in its heart is situated with Dakshinaagni; in a cow’s nech is set by ‘Aahavaneeyagni’ and in Taalu is the ‘Sabhyagni’; Asthiyas have mountains and Majja is the seat of Yagnas. All the Vedas are also situated in the Cow itself! Bhagavan Krishna told Yudhishtara that once Lord Shiva asked a few Maha Munis to protect a Cow and calf for two days as he would return then. The Munis took extreme care of the cow. After a while a tiger appeared and started frightening the cow and calf. Enve the Rishigana got frightened and sought ways and means of taking away the attention of the tiger from the cow and calf; the calf out of fright started jumping up and down and made defeaning sounds. The Munis utilised a Sacred Bell, called Dhridhagiri, that Brahma gave the Munis to face such eventualities. The hooves of the Cow and calf got caught in a Shila (boulder) and even now the marks in the broken khuras (hooves) are evident with the struggle of the Shila, which indeed is Shiva Linga. From the skies Devas and Kinnaras praised Bhagavan Shankara who assumed the form of the tiger and the Cow was Devi Parvati. Those who visit River Narmada and touch the Shiva Linga at the Shambhu Tirtha should get rid of ‘Brahma hatya mahapathaka’.Meanwhile, Maha Deva discarded the Vyaghra Rupa and appeared mounted on the ‘Vrishabha’along with Devi Uma on his left side, Ganesha and Kartikeya and accompanied by him are Nandi, Mahakaal, Shringi, Verrabhadra, Chamunda, and Ghantaakarna, followed by Matrikas, Bhutas, Yakshas, Raakshasas, Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Munis, Vidyadharas, and Nagas as well as their wives. On Sukla Paksha Dwadashi of Kartika Month, Munis performed a Vrata called ‘Go Rupa dharini Devi Uma’ named Nandini along with a calf.The Vrata was made popular by King Uttanapada and his wife Suniti. The King’s another wife Suruchi made several attempts to kill Dhruva out of jealousy, and each time she made such efforts, Dhruva came out hale and hearty. Suruchi then asked Suniti as which magic was at work that each time Dhruva came out unscathed despite many attempts at his life.Suniti then explained that she was performing the Vrata regularly and Surchi also did the Vrata annd hence she was able to beget a son, her husband’s esteem and the primary position in the kingdom after the King. Both the wives were happy in their own ways and Dhruva is visible in the skies till date as a Dhruvatara! The Procudure of the Vrata is ti take bath in a river or a water body, take one meal a day, and on the next afternoon worship a cow and calf with Pushpa, Gandha, Akshata, Kumkuma, Deepa, Urad-made Vada savoury and recite the Matra:
Om Maata Rudraanaam duhita Vasunaam Swasaaditya anaam- amrutasya naabhih,
pra nu vocham chikititushey janaaya Maagaamanaagaamadithim Vasishtha namo namah swaaha;
provide grass and by touching the cow and the calf ask for pardon by the Mantra:
Om sarva deva mayey Devi lokaanaam Shubha Nandini,
Maatarmamambhilashitam saphalam kuru Nandini!
The worship is thus concluded with providing water and performing prosration in reverence and eat siple food without using frying and sleep on the ground that night. Those who execute the Vrata as above would ensure safety of self, life partner and children, besides reaching ‘Goloka’ for a number of years.
[Some of the popular Vratas were referred to other Puranas like Shri Rama Navami Vrata, Laksha Varti Vrata and Chitra Gupta Vrata in Skanda Purana; Ksheerabdhi Vrata in Bramhma Kaivarta Purana; Amavasya Somavati Vrata and Rishi Panchami Vrata in Bhavishotthara Purana, Shatavarti Vrata in Brahmanda Purana and Trikarti Vrata in Nrisimha Purana.]
The ‘Uttara Parva’ of Bhavishyottara Purana (as distinct from Bavishya Purana) is a compendium of Vratas, Danaas and Snaanas-an independent Attachment of the Main Bhavishya Purana. Some of the popular Vratas in the Attachment are mentioned below:
Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata
Lord Krishna commended the Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata to Yudhishtara since the word ‘Ananta’ purports the concept of Time which was eternal and never ending. Just as Bhagavan was known by countless names as Vishnu, Jishnu, Hara, Shiva, Brahma, Bhaskara, Sesha and Ishwara, Ananta was another such name. In the days of yore, there was a Brahmana called Sumantu in the Vasishtha Gotra in Krita Yuga; he was married to Diksha the daughter of Bhrigu Maharshi and the new couples were blessed with a girl child named Sheila but unfortunately Diksha died soon.Sumantu remarried again Karkasha but she was vicious, cruel and mischievous. Sumantu was concerned about the marriage of Sheila. Finally he was able to fix up a wedding with Muni Kaundinya and Sumantu suggested that by way of family convention some gifts and money to be spared. But the reaction of Karkasa was highly negative and destroyed the material on the Marriage Platfom threw the new coulpes out! Kaundinya and Sheila were badly insulted and returned back to Kaundinya’s abode by a bullock cart. By about the afternoon, they had to cross a river and Shiela noticed many women performing puja and enquired the details of the Vrata. She took bath and made a Mandala in which Anantha Swarupa was installed and worshipped with Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa and Deepa. For Naivedya, Shiela cooked rice with normal condiments and ghee, half of which was given to Brahmanas along with Dakshina and the rest by way of Prashad. Sheila prepared a ‘Thoran’ (thread) mixed with turmeric powder with fourteen ‘Grandhis’ (knots), showed to Paramatma and tie up on left hand wrist for women and on right wrist on men and while winding up the Thoran, recite the following Mantra:Anantha Samsara Maha Samudrey Magnaan Samabhyuddhara Vasudeva, Ananta Rupey viniyojitatmahyananta rupaaya Namo Namastey/ (Vasudeva! I am drowning in this huge Ocean of Samsara; kindly liberate me from the depths of the Ocean and let me be absorbed me into you!). After fastening the Thoran, the couples ate the Prashad with full faith and got into their bullok cart back to their village but the erstwhile cottage got converted into a splendid Palace as by virtue of the Vrata of Ananta Chaturdashi; Ananta Swami smiled and bestowed such riches that neither Sheila nor Kaundinya could ever dream of! The normally modest and highly devoted Sheila gradually got intoxicated with the sudden arrival of prosperity; she called her step-mother Karkasi to their house and bragged about their unexpected fortune; just as Karkasi threw Sheila out of her house after her wedding with Sage Kaudinya, Shiela magnified negligible issues out of proportion and summarily threw Karkasi out with all her vengence. In fact, she neglected her daily worship of Bhagavan Ananta Rupa and her self-conceit assumed large poportions in the name of Social Status! Finally, she discarded the Fourteen-knotted Raksha Thoran as a burden and nuisance. Her husband cautioned Sheila to behave more politely and her arrogance was replaced with ego, much less with modesty! The husband abandoned the Palace and his wife and shifed to Ashrams in Forests out of desperation. He started searching for the Ananata Swarup’s Idol which Sheila rejected wantonly. Muni Kaundinya started searching for the Idol from Place to Place; he adopted the life style of a Brahmachari, stopped taking food, always in the meditation of Ananta Deva and like a lunatic kept on enquiring of the Ananta Deva Vigraha; he asked a tree in a forest, a passing cow, the waterbody Pushkarini, and even a donkey! Since none responded about the whereabouts of the Idol, he swooned finally and was dumped in a remote corner of the forest unconciously. The Bhagavan was extremely pleased with the undying faith and pure hearted devotion of the Muni and manifested himself before the devotee who on regaining consciousness expressed his sin of neglect and utter disregard of the deity! He said most regrettably to pardon him for the unpardoanable:
Paapoham paapakarmaahum paapaatmaa Paapa sambhavah,
paahi maamPundareekaaksha Sarvapaapa harobhava,
Adya mey saphalam janma jeevitam cha sujeevitam/
(Bhavan! I am the sin, the sinner and the personification of sin; is it possible for you the most merciful Pandarikaasha to absolve me of all my ‘Paapas’! Then Bhagavan replied that tree which was a Brahmana never granted ‘Vidya daan’; the cow which was a barren land in the past birth and thus became a cow; the water body Pushkarini in the earleir birth wasof two sisters Dharma and Adharma and their arguments were unending and hence their waves clash always and the donkey was an elephant in the past which was arrogant thus turned as a donkey! Such were the twists of fate! Meanwhile Sheila lost her fortune and regretted her grave mistakes. Both of them performed the Ananta Vrata again earnestly and regained riches but never left Ananta!
Shri Krishna Janmashtami Vrata:
King Yudhishtar requested Shri Krishna to give the essentials of Krishna Janmashtami Vrata and the Lord recalled that when the cruel King Kamsa of Mathura was killed by Janardana, Devi Devaki cried out by keeping Krishna on her shoulders and Vasudeva embraced both Krishna and Balarama and said that the momentous day of Kamsa’s death had afterall arrived that he was able to witness the death scene by himself. The persons who surrounded the four of them were anxious to know as to when the posterity should befittingly celebrate Krishna’s day since there were many such remarkable days of his magnificence eversince his birth! Then Krishna replied that the best day of the celebration would be his birthday, the Janmashtami in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha at midnight in the Rohini Star time as Surya was in Simha Rasi and Chandra was in Vrishabha Rasi (Simha rasi gatey Suryem gaganey jaladaakuley, MaasiBhadrapad –eshtabhyam Krishnapakshordharaatrakey, Vrishabha rashisthiteychandrey nakshatrey Rohinaayayutey). Krishna proclaimed that his birthday should be celebrated by perfoming the Vrata on this day at Mathura first and all over the World later on in each and every household. Yudhishtara asked about the procedure of the Vrata and Bhagavan Shri Krishna asserted that the performance of this Vrata would destroy the sins of the Karta’s previous seven births.Praatah kruta nityakritah pragmukhoh Desakaalou samkeertya tatthatkaaley saptamaadi satvepi Prathana bhuta mashtami meva samkeertya Shi Krishna preethyartham Janmaashtami Vratam karishye:: ithi samkalpayet/ (After the morning ablutions, seated facing the East, a proper declaration be made to perform Krishna Janmaastami Vrata); an improvised ‘Sutika Griha’ or the birth place of the Lord be made and the Idol of Krishna with accompaniments like the ‘Ayudhas’(Arms) and ‘Abharanas’ (Ornaments) be arranged along with the Idols of Devaki and Vasudava as also of Yashoda and Nanda, Balarama, and Devis Rukmini/ Maha Lakshmi and others; Vasudeva was of the Avatar of Kashyapa Muni, Devaki of Aditi, Balaram of Seshanag, Nanda of Daksha Prajapati, Yashoda of Diti, Garga Muni of Brahma and Kamsa of Kalanami. Decorated on these lines, a devotee would arrange with reverence for all the Puja requirements like ‘Gandha’, Camphor, Agarbatti, fruits and flowers, coconuts, butter, Akshata and ‘Naivedya’ as offering (Prashad). First of all, Devi Devaki be prayed to as follows:
Gaayadbhih kainnaraadaihi Satataparivrita Venu veena nanaadair
bhrungaadarshakumbha pramarakritakaraih sevyamaana Muneendraih/
Paryankey swastrutey ya mudita ramanaah putrini samyagaastey,
saa Devi Deva Mataa Jayanti Suvadana Devaki Kaanta rupaa/
(Salutations to you Mother of Bhagavan Krishna, Devi Devaki who is of the Avatar of Aditi Devi, in whose honour are several Kinnaras and other celestial musicians are playing Venu, Veena and other musical instruments in praise of You and also many Munis carrying ‘Mangala Kalashas’ and ‘Chamaras’ to serve Deva mata Devaki of Aditi’s ‘Amsa’.Also some were engaged in praying to Devi Lakshmi with the Mantra: ‘Namo Devyai Maha Devyai Shivaayai satatam namah’ and also with the Mantras saying ‘Om Devyai namah, Om Vaasudevaya namah, Om Balabhadraya namah, Om Krishnaya namah, Om Subhadrayai namah, Om Nandayai namah and Om Yashidayai namah to separate Pratimas. The Prayers are basically directed to Lord Krishna as follows:
Anagham Vaamanam Shourim Vaikuntham Purushottamam,
Vaasu Devam Hrisheekesham Madhavam Madhu sudanam,
Vaaraaham Pundareekaasham Nrisimham Brahmana priyam,
Damodaram Padmanaabham Keshavam Garudadwajam,
Govindamachutam Krishna manantam aparaajitam,
Adhokshajam Jagad beejam Sarva sthikyanta kaaranam,
Anaadi nidhanam Vishnum Trilokesham Tri vikramam,
Narayanam Chaturbaahum Shankha Chakra Gadaadharam,
Peetaambara dharam Nityam Vanamaalaa vibhushitam,
Sri Vatsaangam Jagatsethum Sri Dharam, Shri Patim Harim/
After the Prayers, Vedic Services are accorded by reciting the following Mantras: Yogeswaraya Yogasambhavaaya Yoga pataye Govindaaya namo namah –Snaanam samarpayami; YogeswaraayavYagna sambhavaaya Yagna pataye Govindaya namo namah : with this Mantra, perform Anulepana, Arghya, Dhupa, Deepa etc.; thereafter, Naivedya be performed and finally ‘Deepaarpana’with the Mantra saying: Dharmeswaraya Dharma pataey Dharma sambhavaya Govindaya namo namah. On the same lines, other Idols like Chandra, Vasudeva, Devaki, Nanda, Yashoda and Bala Deva should be worshipped. At the time of Chandrodaya, Arghya be offered saying : Ksheerodarnava sambhuta Agni netra samudbhava, Grihaanaarghya Shashaankendo Rohinya sahito mama. At midnight, one ‘Ahuti’ of jaggery and ghee to Agni Deva be offered to Vasundhara and puja performed to Shashti Devi. On Navami morning an Utsav of Lord Krishna be done and bhojan to Brahmanas arranged and dakshina given to them saying ‘Krishnome preeyataam’ and also recite the Mantra: Ya devam Devaki Devi Vasu devadjeejanam, Bhoumasya Braahmano guptayi tasmai Brahmaatmaney namah/then the Braahmanaas bless saying Shantirasthu Shivam chaarastu. Lord Krishna told Yudhishtara that who ever did the Vrata on these lines would be blessed with good progeny, health, Dhana-Dhanya, Sadgriha, and long and contented life. At the Region where this Vrata is performed would never be subjected by Anavrishti (famine), earth quakes and such natural calamities, poverty, ‘Akaala Mritu’ or untimely deaths, widowhoods, misfortunes, robberies and quarrels.
Madana Dwadashi Vrata
Yudhishtara desired to learn about the Madana Dwadashi Vrata from Bhagavan Shri Krishna, in the context of which Devi Diti the mother of Daityas gave birth to forty nine Marut Ganas. In the past, Vasishtha and other Sages described about the procedure of the Vrata. The ‘Vratadhari’ on Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi has to set up a pot full of white rice, decorate the pot with sandal wood paste and close the top with two pieces of white cloth and inside the pot keep seasonal fruits and sugarcane; this container might also be full of raw eatable material like pulses etc. as also a gold piece as per one’s capacity. Over this pot be arranged a copper utensil full of jaggery / sugar cane juice and cover it with plantain leaves and sandal paste, agarbattis etc.; arrange for bhakti hymns and instrumental music overnight; give away the pot as a charity to a Brahmana the next morning; treat the Brahmana with good food and Dakshina and address the Brahmana to say that may Bhagavan Janardana be pleased this ‘anushthan’ or service. In this way every dwadasi the drill be followed and in the previous night, the Vratadhari should eat only ‘Amlak phal’ and sleep on the ground. On the thirteenth month trayodasi the pot should be given away with lots of grains, edible raw maretials like pulses, vegetables and fruits with jaggery, ghee etc. with a bigger copper vessel and gold ornament as charity, treat the Brahmana with good food, clothing and dakshina and of course lots of sugarcane! By so performing the Vrata for a year with sincerity, the worship bestows excellent progeny.Having performed the Vrata, Devi Diti asked a boon from Maharshi Kashyap that she should beget a child who would kill Indra. She took all kinds of precautions during her pregnancy period to protect the boy in all possible ways; she took care of food regulations, never allowed to become temperamental, took several precautions to be happy and protected herself from enemies. But in the very tricky hours of a late night and the small hours of the day, Diti was fast asleep when Indra by using his Shaktis of Anima etc. entered Diti’s garbha and sliced the embrio into forty nine pieces and at the time of delivery gave out as many children who were subsequently called the ‘Maruganas’. And thus Diti’s evil desire to kill Indra no doubt did not materialise but the Marud ganas were famous as virtuous joining the ranks of Devas!
Muktabharana Saptami Vrata:
Bhagavan Krishna told that once Maharshi Lomesh arrived at Mathura and after comforting himself with the ‘Atithya’ or the status of an important guest, he enquired Devaki Devi as to how many of her boys met with instant killings by the cruel Kamsa; this saddened Devaki and wondered as why he was asking this strange question! The Maharshi explained that in the past, there was a Queen called Chandramukhi who too was unfortunate in losing her children like-wise and as she performed the Vrata her children who were dead for long got revived as a result of this sacred vrata! Lomesha Muni narrated further that there was a King of Ayodhya named Nahush and his queen Chandramukhi. The queen along with her companion Manamanika the wife of Raja Purohit went for bathing in Sarayu River. They noticed that several ladies were performing a Vrata and enquired of is importance. They all replied that the Vrata provided many fulfillments of their requests and the queen and her companion also decided to follow suit; after bathing in the River they were to worship to a Shiva-Parvati Idiol but after taking a vow that the concerned devotee women should always wear a golden thread on their right wrists, a ring be made on ring finger and that that they should never fail to perform daily pujas.But unfortunately one day when the Queen had to attend to some urgent Royal Tasks, she failed to turn up from her daily duties and missed the chance of worshipping Shiva and Parvati on the banks of Sarayu and her companion too did not. As there was a failure, the Queen became a monkey and har companion a hen. But both of them remembered their friendship and their failure to follow the Rules of the Vrata. In their subsequent births the queen became Ishwari of Malva desha and her companion was born as the wife of Purohit of the same King as Bhushana. After long gap of her wedding, Ishwari got a son but died when he was nine years old. But Bhushan’s many children were growing fine. The queen got jealous and got Bhushan’s sons killed. But Bhushan’s sons were revived and the queen wondered how! Bhushan then explained that this was all due to the great Vrata called Muktabharan Saptami of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha; on that day Shiva Parvati worship be executed by way of ‘Atma Nivedan’ or offering the self to them and a gold or a siver thread must be worn around the rightwrist always. The queen felt ashamed of her actions of killing Bhushan’s sons who got revived and also neglecting the Vrata in the previous birth and performed the Vrata again sincerely by following the regulations most religiously again and regained happiness of begetting good children and brought fame to the King and the citizens.
Go Vatsa Dwadashi Vrata
King Yudhishtar appealed to Bhagavan Krishna that in the Maha Bharata Battle thousands of soldiers, Kings and a number of Great Personalities like Bhishma, Drona, Kalinga Raja, Karna, Shalya, Duryodhana most of whom were close relatives died and Pandavas committed untold sins in the process and could there be a way out to raze down or at least mitigate the impact of the sins! Bhagavan Krishna replied that a highly potent ‘Go Vatsa Dwadashi Vrata’ would be the befitting answer to demolish the sins and explained the background and procedure of performing the Vrata. Several Tapasvis were busy with meditation atop the Mount of Namavratadhara and Bhagavan assumed the form of an old Brahmana who was shivering with age and carrying a stick to support, while Devi Parvati took a form of a cow. At the time of churning the Ksheera Sagara by Devas and Danavas, five renowned cows viz. Nanda, Subhadra, Surabhi, Susheela and Bahula. Among these were Lokamata Parvati was also stated to have emerged. The five Sacred Cows thus surfaced were given to the care of Maharshis Jamadagni, Bharadwaj, Vasishtha, Asit and Gautami. The six products of the Cows viz. Gomaya (dung), Rochana (Chhaj / foam), Mutra (Urine), Dugdha ( Milk), Dadhi (Curd) and Ghrita (Butter) are all supposed to be Sacred. Gomaya is the beloved of Shiva and the source of Bilva Tree which is also considered as Shri Vriksha and is thus liked by Devi Lakshmi. Also Gomaya is the source of Lotus seeds. ‘Gorochan’ is extensively used for medicines and is known as a highly propitious material for many end-uses. Go mutra is the producer of ‘Guggul’seeds which are nice to look at and have good smell. These guggul seeds are a part of food by Devas, especially of Shiva.All the useful seeds of the world are stated to be from Go Dugdha. Go Ghruta is the root of Amrit which satisfies the hunger of Devas. Is is well known that Brahmanas and Cows are the two most sought after species of ‘Srishti’; the heart of Brahmanas is the seat of Veda Mantras, while that of Cows is the source of ‘havis’. Cows are the origin of Yagnas so intimately conneceted with all Devas; cow horns represent in a coarse form both Brahma and Vishnu. On the top of the horns are situated with the Sacred Tirthas of the Universe. In the middle of the horns is Shiva’s seat. Devi Gauri is seated on a cow’s forehead; Kartikeya represents the nose and in both the nostrils are two Nagas viz, Kambal and Ashvatar; in both the ears are set by the two Ahwani Kumars; Chandra and Surya in the Eyes; Vasuganas are represented by the teeth; Varun in the tongue; Sarasvati in the kuhara; ‘gandasthalis’ represent Yama and Yaksha; both the Sandhyas in ‘Aoushthas’; Indra in the Greeva; Rakshasas in ‘Kakud’; on both the sides of Parshnis are ‘dhows’ and gangas represent four legs illuminated by Dharma! In the ‘Prishtha bhaga’ are Ekadasha Rudras; in all the ‘Sandhis’ are the seats of Varun; Sronitata is the seat of Pitras; in the Kapolas are human beings; Apana Vayu is the seat of Swaha Rupa; Go mutra has Ganga Herself; Go maya as Yamuna; the hairs of the cow’s body represent thirty three crores of Devaganas; Udar has mountains and Prithvi and forests; Payodharas represent Maha Samudras; kheeradharas have clouds, rains etc; in Jathara a cow possesses ‘Garhyapatyagni’; in its heart is situated with Dakshinaagni; in a cow’s nech is set by ‘Aahavaneeyagni’ and in Taalu is the ‘Sabhyagni’; Asthiyas have mountains and Majja is the seat of Yagnas. All the Vedas are also situated in the Cow itself! Bhagavan Krishna told Yudhishtara that once Lord Shiva asked a few Maha Munis to protect a Cow and calf for two days as he would return then. The Munis took extreme care of the cow. After a while a tiger appeared and started frightening the cow and calf. Enve the Rishigana got frightened and sought ways and means of taking away the attention of the tiger from the cow and calf; the calf out of fright started jumping up and down and made defeaning sounds. The Munis utilised a Sacred Bell, called Dhridhagiri, that Brahma gave the Munis to face such eventualities. The hooves of the Cow and calf got caught in a Shila (boulder) and even now the marks in the broken khuras (hooves) are evident with the struggle of the Shila, which indeed is Shiva Linga. From the skies Devas and Kinnaras praised Bhagavan Shankara who assumed the form of the tiger and the Cow was Devi Parvati. Those who visit River Narmada and touch the Shiva Linga at the Shambhu Tirtha should get rid of ‘Brahma hatya mahapathaka’.Meanwhile, Maha Deva discarded the Vyaghra Rupa and appeared mounted on the ‘Vrishabha’along with Devi Uma on his left side, Ganesha and Kartikeya and accompanied by him are Nandi, Mahakaal, Shringi, Verrabhadra, Chamunda, and Ghantaakarna, followed by Matrikas, Bhutas, Yakshas, Raakshasas, Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Munis, Vidyadharas, and Nagas as well as their wives. On Sukla Paksha Dwadashi of Kartika Month, Munis performed a Vrata called ‘Go Rupa dharini Devi Uma’ named Nandini along with a calf.The Vrata was made popular by King Uttanapada and his wife Suniti. The King’s another wife Suruchi made several attempts to kill Dhruva out of jealousy, and each time she made such efforts, Dhruva came out hale and hearty. Suruchi then asked Suniti as which magic was at work that each time Dhruva came out unscathed despite many attempts at his life.Suniti then explained that she was performing the Vrata regularly and Surchi also did the Vrata annd hence she was able to beget a son, her husband’s esteem and the primary position in the kingdom after the King. Both the wives were happy in their own ways and Dhruva is visible in the skies till date as a Dhruvatara! The Procudure of the Vrata is ti take bath in a river or a water body, take one meal a day, and on the next afternoon worship a cow and calf with Pushpa, Gandha, Akshata, Kumkuma, Deepa, Urad-made Vada savoury and recite the Matra:
Om Maata Rudraanaam duhita Vasunaam Swasaaditya anaam- amrutasya naabhih,
pra nu vocham chikititushey janaaya Maagaamanaagaamadithim Vasishtha namo namah swaaha;
provide grass and by touching the cow and the calf ask for pardon by the Mantra:
Om sarva deva mayey Devi lokaanaam Shubha Nandini,
Maatarmamambhilashitam saphalam kuru Nandini!
The worship is thus concluded with providing water and performing prosration in reverence and eat siple food without using frying and sleep on the ground that night. Those who execute the Vrata as above would ensure safety of self, life partner and children, besides reaching ‘Goloka’ for a number of years.
[Some of the popular Vratas were referred to other Puranas like Shri Rama Navami Vrata, Laksha Varti Vrata and Chitra Gupta Vrata in Skanda Purana; Ksheerabdhi Vrata in Bramhma Kaivarta Purana; Amavasya Somavati Vrata and Rishi Panchami Vrata in Bhavishotthara Purana, Shatavarti Vrata in Brahmanda Purana and Trikarti Vrata in Nrisimha Purana.]
Om Tat Sat
End of Bhavishya Purana
(My humble
salutations to the lotus feet of Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamy ji and also my humble greatulness
to Brahmasree Sreeman V D N Rao ji for the collection)
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