Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Fourth Session

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 2 to 4

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Story

Priyavrata crowned his son Agnidhra the King and departed to continue his Sadana. Agnidhra when it was time to enter from the Brahmachari Ashram to Grihasta Ashram, decided to undergo intense Tapa at the foot hills of the Mandara Mountain, so that he could get a pious wife and a worthy lineage. Brahmaji got pleased and he send an Apsara named Purvachitti, from his own abode. Agnidhra had 9 sons and after the 9 sons were born, Purvachitti went back to the abode of Brahma where she had come from.

When the time came, the eldest of them, Nabhi was crowned the king and Agnidhra went on to the Vanaprast Ashram. When he departed, he had to spend some time at the Loka of the Apsaras. This is because he was attached to Purvacitti and even after she departed he considered her to be his highest desire.

Nabhi was a very just ruler and was married to the daughter of the Sumeru Parvat, Meru Devi. Together under the supervision of holy priest and adhering to all the rules, he decided to conduct a sacrifice, and had a divine son, just like Shri Hari. Vishnu, the Lord of Sacrifices himself graced him, and said as there is not anyone like him, he is the only one, he himself will manifest as the Son of Nabhi.

Time flew and soon a lovely child with all the divine marks was born. He was named Rsabha, the foremost. Nabhi would adore him and say, this is my child, my child. How maya envelopes even the wise, he forgot that it was the divine that has manifested. When time came just like his ancestors, Nabhi handed over the kingdom to Rsabha and went to seek the self.

Rsabha was all satva, unmixed with Rajas and Tamas. His divinity spread, and everyone revelled in bliss. So much so that Indra got upset and decide to test him. He stopped all rain and there was a massive drought. Rsabha Dev understood, that it was all Indra’s doing, and with his blissful smile, made the rain tumble down again and everyone was overjoyed.

Indra himself decedent and said he was just testing if Rsabha was truly as divine as all claimed and he offered his daughter, Jayanti’s hand in marriage. Rsabha dev and Jayanti were the personification of Vishu and Laxmi. During their rule the entire bhuloka shone in great contentment.

He showed all not only how a Brahmachari should live, but showed them how a Grihasta should lead his life, how he should endeavour to fulfil the Human pursuits and how he should support the other ashrams.

He had 100 glorious sons. The eldest of whom was Bharat, after whom Bharat, our country got its name. He would never differentiate between his children and his citizens and all his teachings were made available to all. 

Points to Ponder

In Priyavrata’s lineage was born Rsabhadeva. He was the fifth generation. The consistent effort of the entire family is visible here. Generation after generation, the effort to uplift ones state of being and to move towards divinity was upheld. As the level of purity was persistently increased the self revelled the self and the divine was born.

As many sages say, the Lord is willing to come, he is longing to take an avatar, but is there a womb which can carry him.

Grihatha ashram is the backbone of all the ashrams, it not only supports and nurtures all the ashrams but also has the capacity to bring in Satyug. 

Getting a Human birth is rare and that to being in the Grihasta ashram is precious. If only, the Grihastas awaken and the Humans become human.

Two most detrimental and derogatory statement that we make are,

- We are just Humans..

- We are Grihastas not sanyasis

Note: 

Many a times a problem in behaviour or mannerisms is traced back to the ancestors and then it is found that a particular thing, mannerism or pattern in behaviour or interaction within the family is because of so and so reason. 

Everything is captured by the genes, so to have a pious lineage, how much alertness and commitment must be needed is worth a serious thought.

Agnidhra

‘You become what you seek, seek wisely.’

Agnidhra who was not yet sated with sense delight, constantly thought of that celestial nymph as superior to everything else, and secured through deeds enjoined by the Vedas, residence in the same heaven with her.

Hence, All our attachments pull us and we are born according to our desires. Hence, it is essential to have control over our desire and direct all our attachments toward the supreme, if liberation is what we seek.

Nabhi and The Priests

Point 1

‘Burn your bridges, and walk forward, without the assurance that when you leap the net will appear.’

The lord is difficult to attain even when all the means of propitiating him are fully employed.

Point 2

‘Don’t try to understand him, just surrender and love him. Worship from a flawless pure heart, attracts him.’

Incapable of extolling you, we have been taught by worthy souls only to repeat the word ‘NAMAH’ which means Obeisance to you.

Because, Man whose mind is engrossed in the phenomenal world and who is therefore powerless, cannot hope to determine your essential character with the help of names and colours and forms of this material universe. This universe can not even touch the fringe of your being.

All he can do is recount a part of your multitudinous excellent virtues, which drive away the sins of all mankind and are most auspicious by nature.

Lords virtues are incessantly recounted even by sages revelling in the self - who have burnt all their sins in the fire of wisdom fanned by detachment and who have imbibed your nature - uttering of praises is the highest blessing for them since they too are not easily graced by your sight.

Point 3

‘The biggest blessing is devotion to the Lords feet, his name on our tongue and his constant remembrance.’

While stumbling, sneezing, falling down and yawning, when placed in a sad plight and so on even in high fever and while dying when we are powerless to remember you - let your name dispelling all our sins, somehow appear on our tongue. 

Point 4

‘If by asking from God we can get anything, is it not wise to ask for devotion and God from God himself.’

Naabhi approached the Lord to be blessed with a son, just like a pauper would approach kubera (the god of riches) with the hope to obtain husk.

Point 5

‘There is only one. The same divine shines through all.’

Lord said, ‘I alone am my compeer, matchless as I am, not finding my equal I shall descend on the earth.

Point 6

‘Children come though you and they do not belong to you.’

Nabhi addressing him in a faltering voice as ‘my child, my darling’, his mind deluded by the divine Maya which led him to mistake the Lord for his own child.

Rsabhab dev 

Point 1

When we look at the various Avatars;

- Varaha was a Karma Aavtar

- Kapildev was a Gyan Aavtar

- Rsabhadeva was the Avatar who taught us austerities 

Karma, Gyana, Bhakti and Yoga all together help us understand God. No one path is superior than the other, each compliments the other in the journey of self realisations. 

Sub story: 

There were four people, one was on the path of Karma, the other Gyana, yet another Bhakti and the fourth Yog. Each would argue that his path is superior. One day they got caught in a storm and the only shed left was over a Shivling, they all embraced the Shivling and their hands met. When their hands joined Shivji appeared.

When questioned why he appeared now, and not all this while, God said, you never joined hands before this. 

Point 2

He also taught to the ignorant by his own example the duties that had been forgotten by the passage of time. He also ordained the people in household life. He showed by his actions the decorum the Grihasta has to follow.

Point 3 

Being a Brahmachari he showed how even in this ashram, one does not have to be swayed by desires and victory over the senses and mind is possible. Indriyas (Indra) tested him, and he was victorious (Jaya - Jayanti) 

Lord Krishan was also tested by Indra and he lifted the Govardan Parvat to protect all from the rain. Our senses will test us, and through awarenesses and sublimation any temptation can be overcome.

Another way to look at this would be that, in our shastras it is written that a girl has a right to test and choose her groom. If there is no groom which is suitable for her she should comfortably stay in her own parents home. 

Point 4

‘As we sow, so shall we reap’

Many great Kings were born in this lineage, and also many highly qualified brahmins. On one side the Navayogeshwaras were born and King Bharat was born on the other side. 

It is evident that from the same parent and same home according to their character and inclination, some were chosen to rule (Khastriyas) and other were chosen to preach (Bhramins) and so on. Hence, Varna system was not by birth but by the qualities that one exhibited. 

The other significance of these details is that Rsabhab dev’s sons had the capacity for excellent administration, adhered to religious attitudes, managed the economy and remained emotionally unattached to the world.

It is in the hands of the Parents to create. Gods and divine people are not born, ‘They are Made’. They are made not by chance but by conscious persistent effort. 

Cocoon them in an environment of divine endeavours, lead a divine life, fill every moment with divinity and see the future blossom and the fragrance of bliss make the world a better place.

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏