Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Forty-Third, Fourth and Fifth Session

Bhagavata Shastha Skanda (Book Six)

Chapter 9 to 13

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Krishna 

‘Krs’ means absolute existence, and ‘na’ signifies bliss or moksha - Absolute existence and bliss is Krishan 

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Vrtasurs appeal to the Lord - May this plea also echo from our heart, with every beat and every breath.

O Hari, if re-born, may I be born as a servant of those devotees who have solely taken refuge in your feet. Let my mind ponder and tongue celebrate you excellence, and let my body do your service alone.

O God, I crave only for you. 

I crave for neither the abode of Dhruv, which is placed above the heavens nor even the realms of Brahma nor the rule of the entire globe nor the lordship of the subterranean regions nor the super natural powers attained though yoga nor Liberation.

Just like the unfledged birds are eager to see the mother bird, young calves tormented with hunger seek the milk, and a beloved wife, depressed in spirit longs to see her husband. My mind O God is keen to behold you.

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Story (Indra, Brihaspati and Vrtasur.. continued)

Vishvarupa was very clever he had 3 faces and three mouths. While doing the yagnas he would put oblations not only for the Devtas, but for the Daityas and himself also. Indra found out and without any delay he lopped off the heads of Vishvarupa. He had the sin of killing a Brahmin in his hand, but later the earth, water, trees and women offered to take his sin, in return of a boon. Twasta, the father of Vishvarupa did a yagna and came out a fierce demon, who was indestructible and was created for the end of the Indra and the Devas. 

The Devas had to go into battle again, however, ones again they were without a Guru, the Daityas again raged a war, and again the Devas had to go into hiding. This time they prayed to Shri Hari, and he guided them to go and ask Sage Dhadhichi for his bone. The Sage who was selfless, gave his bones and Indra made a Vajra out of it. The devas and the Daityas again met in battle the all the demons ran aways in fear and then followed a fierce battle between Vrtasura and Indra. Indra defeated Vrtasura and destroyed him, and his soul went and merged into Shri Hari.

Now, again all the Devas rejoiced but, Indra was agonised as yet again he was faced with the sin of killing a Brahmana, that also the one who was born from the holy fire of a Yagna. Indra was horrified and was being chased by this great sin in the form of a Chandal woman. He escaped and hid himself in Manasa Lake, in the fibre of a Lotus stem for a thousand years.

In his absence, a king from the Mortal world, known as Nahusa enthroned Amravati. He developed a liking of Saci and wanted her to befriend him, she went to Brihaspati, who had finally come back, to seek advice. He advised her to tell him, that she would meet him only if he came in a palanquin borne by Brahmanas to saci’s palace. Binded by love, he made thé sapta rishies were carrythé palki .Hé was in a hurry to meet sachi. So hé kicked aghastya as hé was short and not fast enough to walk with others saying ' Sarpa Sarpa which means fast in sanskrit. So Aghastya curses him to become Sarpa or a python. (He was eventually redeemed by Yudistra in Dwapara)

Indra performed the Ashwamedha Yagna as directed by the Rishis and the huge mass of sin in the form of slaying of Vrtasur disappeared. Indra regained his purity and went back to Amravati to rule and lead the Devas. 

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Points to Ponder

Message of the Story:

The stories in our shastras are not mere stories. The message of the Upanishads are simplified and presented so that we can understand the deeper meanings. 

Not only this, when we read the scriptures every dialogue is packed with immense knowledge. Just like the Date tree is packed in one tiny seed, every word, every line of the Puranas, has the entire Veda securely imbedded. 

Lets try to decode what the above story is trying to tell us;

- Indra = Deva of action 

- Brihaspati = Vedas, Shastras, wisdom and Prudence

- Sukracharya = Power and cunning

- Devatas = Govern various Karma Indriya and Gyan Indriya 

- Daityas = Enticing joys of the material world

- Vishvarupa = Fickle monkey mind

- Dhadichi = Selfless Action with no doership

- Vrtrasur = Our deep rooted Vritis, which are an outcome of our Vasnanas (These thought could be good or bad)

- 365 days battle - Total focus 

We always say that there are 4 pursuits of human existence;

- Dharma

- Artha

- Kaam

- Moksha

One has to be established in Dharma and then go on with the pursuit of wealth, desire and if the acquisition wealth and fulfilment of desire is governed by Dharma, one will certainly achieve Moksha.

Indra is action, if it has the guidance of Brihaspati, who stands for the Vedas, Shastras, wisdom and Prudence. The action will be dharmic and keep ego at bay and humility intact.

When this companionship is broken, the Daityas (our lower tendencies, pleasure of the material world) in guidance of Sukracharya - power and cunningness over take our action.

At that time the actions become dominated by the mind (Vishvarupa) who is fickle and oscillates from one one desire to another. This kind of the mind should be stopped.

But, there is something even more destructive than the desires, it is our Vriti which is governed by our Vasanas (Vrtrasura). Selfless action, with complete surrender to the Lord (Dhadichi) and complete vigilance(365 days, 7*24) is the only way one can conquer this.

Also Note here: When we seek the guidance of various deities whom we feel are easier to please, our purpose will not be full served(Brahma). However, when we seek that one who is even beyond creation (Shri Hari) 

Dialogues quoted and pondered on:

The Beautiful Art of Enmity: Be a Loveable and Loving Enemy

Our shastras ooze honey. The only language we talk is Universal Love and Vasudaiva Kutambakam. In any situation this foundation of everything is but the manifestation of the same divine does not change. 

Hence, even in a situation of being faced with the worst of enemies, a ’Sanatan Dharmi’ has no room for Hatred. 

Kis se bandhu bair jagat mai,

Koi nahin paraya.

Haar maanav mai pratimbh lekar,

Ushi Brahm ki chaya.

You are one without a second. Not only Gods, Rishis and other being, even the Daityas and Danavas are your own glorious manifestations. 

Everything that happens is your will, and nothing happens without your wish. 

Having our own point of view and standing for it is alright. But, having a heart filled with hatred is wrong. 

Even if you have to be someones enemy, aspire to be a loving enemy, whose heart is free from hatred. 

What should one appreciate and what should one dislike?

Whom should one love and whom should one hate?

To the one who is established in the ‘Sat Cit Anand Swaroop’ the entire world is his Kutumbh.

Somebody asked Ramana Maharishi; ‘How should I be with others?’

Ramana Maharishi answered, ’There are no others.’

Knowing this as the the deepest truth - move around in the world.

Gods requesting Dadhici for his bones

The gods went and asked Dadhici as advised by Shri Hari, and Dadhici replied by saying;

The body is dearest object in this life, sought after by living being that are eager to survive. Who would have the courage to part with it even for Shri Hari.

To which the Gods spoke full of wisdom: Nothing is difficult for magnanimous souls like you, who are compassionate to all living beings.

- Selfish people do not realise the difficulty of a donor, if they knew it they would not ask of him.

- Donor too would not say No, when capable of granting their request. 

In other words, Never ask for anything from others unless and until it is absolutely necessary. Never refuse to give to the person who has asked help if we have the capacity and the capability to help. This is Dharma said Dadhici, and agreed to give his bone. 

He went on to say that he body is meant to serve. The most everlasting virtue is that a man grieves and rejoices in sympathy with the grief and joy of his fellow being. It is a pity if a mortal (human) does not serve others with his wealth, sons and other kinsmen and body, which actually belong to others.

Paropakarya phalanti vrksah

Paropakarya vahanti nadyah

Paropakarya duhanti gavah

Paropakarya satam vibhutayah

Meaning:

Tree produce fruits for others;

Rivers carry water for others; 

Cows give milk for others; 

Doing good for others is the true wealth of good people.

Vrtasur’s Heroic speech to the Demon Army

This death is sure to befall everyone that is born, wherever one may be and no means of avoiding it in this world has been devised. 

If therefore, heaven and fame can be had by it (by dying), who as a matter of fact would not court such a desirable death.

These two modes of death are approved by the scriptures and do not easily fall to one’s lot;

  - That who is devoted to the practice of Yoga should after controlling his vital airs and senses should caste off his body through deep concentration of mind on the absolute.

  - That who is placed in the forefront of battle, a man should give up his body on the battle field, taking care not to turn his back on the enemy.

Vrtasur to Indra (At the beginning of the battle)

1. Vrtasur presents the two scenarios, the first one is of him defeating Indra. The second is if Indra slays him. In case of being killed by Indra. He says he will offer his body to the birds and beasts and get free from the debts of Karma. He again and again mentions that this body, this life is meant for the service of others.

2. He encourages Indra by telling him that, victory stand on that side where Shri Hari is, and to add to this ascetiscim of Sage Dadhici is also with him, in the form of the Vajra (Dadhici’s bones)

‘Jako rakhe saiya,

maar sake na koi.

Baal na baka kar sake,

Jo jag beri hoye.’

3. Tells Indra don’t gloat if you win, and don’t pity me if I lose. What does the Lord give his devotee: Bhakto ki tau haar mai bhi jeeth hai.

  - The Lord does not bestow on his people who are devoted to him riches which are available in heaven, earth etc. As from the pleasure and riches follows hatred, fear, mental anguish, arrogance, discord, suffering and toil. 

  - The Lord frustrates the effort of his devotee to achieve the three objects of human pursuit. He takes away every material thing from him, and from such frustration is to be inferred the grace of the Lord. 

  - Note: The Grace of the Lord comes to those who having nothing to call their own. 

‘Jis ka koi nahin,

uska to khuda hai yaaro.

Mai nahin kehta,

Kitabo mai likha hai jaar.’

4. When caught in the ocean of Transmigration(re-birth):

  - Let there be my friendship with the devotees of the Lord.

  - Let him whose mind is attached to his body, offspring, wife and home, have no friendship with me.

Vrtasur to Indra (Last council to Indra)

This council can be summed up in these two shlokas, Indra is embarrassed and not sure of his victory, Vrtasur tells him don’t give up fight. It is not the end till the end, the battle is not lost till it is lost.

सुनहु भरत भावी प्रबल बिलखि कहेउ मुनिनाथ।

हानि लाभु जीवनु मरनु जसु अपजसु बिधि हाथ

Sunahu bharat bhavi prabal bilakhi kaheu muninath,

hani labhu jivan maranu jasu apajasu bidhi hath.

‪तुलसी नर का क्या बड़ा, समय बड़ा बलवान| ‬

‪भीलां लूटी गोपियाँ, वही अर्जुन वही बाण||‬

Tulsi naar ka kya bada, samay bada balvan.

Bhila loote gopika, wahi Arjun wahi baan.

The Lord alone in the form of time is responsible for victory and defeat. It is subject to his control that these worlds carry out their activities. We are just the puppets, mechanical toy or a roll of dice in the Lords hands. What a mistake we make to think of our incapable dependent self as capable of doing everything independently.

As we say we are not the Doers at all - Mai Karta nahin hu.

Like Rahimji said;

Dainhaar koi aur hai, bhejat hai din raine.

Log braham hum par kare, taase neeche nain.

This very thought should fill us with immense power, so far we were limited to our minuscule strength, suddenly then we realise that the power is vested with the one all powerful. It is not the end till the end. 

It opens up a world of possibilities. It stops the dissipation of energy and breaks the shackles of karma. This kind of a person acts in the world with non-diminishing energy, cause he is connected to the source. Or shall I say, it is the source at work, not that individual anymore.

Indra to Vrtasur (The last tribute)

When one has realised the above truth, as mentioned by Vrtasur to Indra, what more is left. Indra knew that this was no ordinary demon, he was one of the very few - Virla, who have solved the mysteries of the mysterious. Indra addresses with great respect Vrtasur by saying,

You have achieved the objective, the end of Maya and attained to the level of exalted souls. You have unflinching devotion to the Lord.

What use can he have for the shallow ditch-water, in the shape of heavenly and other trivial enjoyments, who sports in an ocean of nectar, blessed as he is to the devotion to the all mighty Shri Hari.

Jai Shri Krishna 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏