Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Forty-Second Session

Bhagavata Shastha Skanda (Book Six)

Chapter 7 and 8

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Story 

Sukhdevji was detailing the way creation took place, and he went on to mention the sons of Diti and Aditi. Diti’s sons were the devas and Aditi’s sons were the Daityas. The guru of the Devas was Brihaspati and the guru of Daityas was Sukracharya. However, Brihaspati left the devas and so they had to ask Visvarupa - the son of Racana to become their preceptor. 

Pariksitji, stopped sukhtdevji to explain why would the deva’s guru leave them and they would have to ask their nephew who was part human, part deva and part daitya to become their guru. What action or situation could have caused this kind of an extreme outcome.

Sukhdevji, went on to explain that Indra was ones seated in Amravati, surrounded by all the other devas in his court. He was lost in self glory and his ego had taken over. At that very moment, Brihaspati walked in, inspite of seeing him come, neither did he get up to greet him, nor did he even look at him. 

Brihaspati quitely walked away back to his ashram. He could have cursed or reprimanded Indra, but chose not to and let time teach him his lesson. No soon then his guru left, senses dawned and he repented for what he had done and rushed to apologise. However, sensing that Indra would come, Brihaspati with the power of his Yoga disappeared. Indra and the others Devas tried very hard to find him, but to no avail.

In the mean time, the Daityas heard that, the Deva’s were without any guidance and support, so under the command of Sukracharya they attacked the Devas who were defeated and had to go into hiding. They sought guidance from Brahma, and he directed them to make Vishvrupa their priest and perform the Narayan Kavacham yagna. 

Under the guidance of Vishvarupa, who was requested to accept being their guru inspite of being nephew, they with proper procedure purified the self and invoked god with the help of Narayan Kavacam mantra. All protected they defeated the Daityas and regained control of Amravati.

Points to Ponder

Indra - How it works

If we look at it from the superficial point of view, we all know that it is easy for success to make way to our head. To lose manners when one is showered with success and power is nothing but obvious. A person who is down to earth and humble inspite of achieving the pinnacles of glory is considered ‘God’ in flesh and blood. 

So what happened to Indra, was nothing unusual or extraordinary, worldly success is heady and intoxication results in a person overstepping the boundary of dharma, decorum and decency. 

Indra’s power went to his head and he strayed from the path of righteousness and decorum. When ego takes over there is nowhere but down to go. 

So, how can one be careful and what needs to be done to keep ego at bay and humility up close.

If we look at the deeper meaning of the above story, we will get our answer. 

- Indra = Indriyas and action (He resides in the hands - refer to the chart attached for more details)

- Brihaspati = Vedas, Shastras, wisdom and Prudence

- Sukracharya = Power and cunning

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) in guidance of Sukracharya - power and cunningness over take our action.

Purity Enhancement

The human body is very tamasic, it is composed bones, flesh, and skin, it is totally impure. It can be given a degree of divinity by establishing devas in all limbs and organs. But, before that the body needs to be purified. The mantras which are able to do this are;

- 8 word mantras - Om Namo Narayanaya 

- 12 word mantras - Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya

- 6 word mantras - Om Visnave Namah 

The chanting of these mantra purifies, and makes way for the divine to enter. 

The same name can be heard by many people, but only in some the divine transformation happen, the rest claim to no change as a result of chanting. Why does this happen?

If a vessel is full till the brim with water, no amount of rain water can make it way in it. In the same way if a vessel is upside down, the water will not be able to enter. Only if the vessel is put up right and is emptied will the rain water make way into it and fill it to the brim.

Hence, the amount we are able to fill ourselves is only to the extent we have emptied ourselves of our ego. In yoga the instruction are to empty you lungs, and the right amount of air will find its way in while we inhale.

We also say Krishna and Mira also says Krishna - When she says Krishna, he comes running and when we say, why does not anything happen?

Try and say Krishna like Mira.

Narayan Shield

When a pure heart chants the Narayan Kavacha, Narayan himself guards him against all vices. When the name of God is imprinted in every cell, it is impossible for the daityas in the form of lower tendencies and untamed desires to shake one from his sat chid anand swaroop.

Such is the power of purity and such is the power of the armour of the the Lords Name.

‘Jako rakhe saiya,

maar sake na koi.

Baal na baka kar sake,

Jo jag beri hoye.’

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏