||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 48– Sankhya Yogam

Kapila beautifully narrates the presence of supreme Lord as a soul in living beings to his mother Devahoothi.  “ Oh! Mother, I shall narrate to you in detail about the greatest of the philosophies, if you understand the essence of it you could deviate your mind from the things you are witnessing are filled with delusion before you to the supreme Lord.  It is the supreme knowledge that could elevate your soul with the knowledge of self.  It would liberate the souls from repeated births and elevate the souls from worldly attachments, worldly bondage, miseries, sorrow, pain, and agony.  The supreme Purusha has no beginning or changes, he is beyond virtues, he is beyond Prakrithi which is constantly bound by changes, he has supreme brilliance, he is all-pervading, he is flawless.  The intellect which constantly memorizes the glories of supreme Lord attains Moksha, therefore it is the responsibility of the soul to practice intense devotion and faith upon him.  The intellect which possesses the Swathik nature constantly remembers the supremacy of Lord in everything, the intellect which has no practice of devotion would wander around worldly matters.  The intellect which is seeking sensual pleasures and worldly matters relentlessly undergoes pain and sorrow.  The intellect which constantly contemplates upon the supreme Lord would attain the stability of mind and freedom from sorrow and happiness.  The practice of listening or reciting to the glories of Lord, worship of the Lord would keep the steadiness of intellect which could help to face happiness and sorrow as two inevitable parts of life, eventually, it would take away the soul from worldly bondages.  Oh! Mother, you have to bring back the intellect which is soaked in worldly matters, and concentrate on the supreme Purusha who resides as a soul in living beings.   The five sense organs/Panchendhriyas which carries out the duty of seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and feeling touch, are connected with the Panchabhoothas known as essential elements that are Earth, Ether, Water, Fire, and Air.  The sound related to Sky, the movements related to Air, the form related to Agni, the taste related to Water, and the smell related to Earth and the ten Karmendhriyas.  Pancha Koshas are Prana/vital air, Apana/breathe in, Udhana/help for secretion, Samana/that helps for blood circulation and Vyana/air that digest the food consumed.  The Gnanendhriyas mind and intellect, ego,  all these factors are bound by ‘Time’.  The supreme Lord/Purusha resides as a soul in the living beings it has no changes, and the rest of those factors are bound by ‘Time’.  The Swathik mind is serene, pure and balanced is free from worldly bondage,  sorrow, agony, pain, and happiness.  Oh! Mother, the supreme soul resides as a soul in living beings, he is the doer/Kartha, and he is the cause/Karanam and effect/Karyam as well.  Oh! Mother, therefore, the supreme soul resides as soul/Prana in the living beings causes the functions of Panchendhriya, Karmendhriya, and Gnanedhriya.  Oh! Mother, contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, with intense devotion, faith, renunciation, and wisdom.”

The creation of living beings with the five essential elements known as Earth, Water, Ether, fire, and Air.  The Panchendhriyas, Karmendhriyas, Gnanendhriyas and the Pancha Prana perform its tasks only when the soul is restored in the human body which has imperishable nature.  All the living beings have to die and immerses in the Prakrithi which is constantly changing. The basic law is whatever contributes by the Prakrithi should go back to it. The Purusha/soul is eternal that has no changes at all, therefore the supreme Lord which resides as a soul in every living being should go back to Him, there is no other choice for it.   Otherwise, it may keep taking several births and undergoes pain, agony, sorrow, miseries, etc... of the worldly existence.  Hence, Kapila advice his Mother Devahoothi to utilize her intellect to contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as a  soul to liberate from worldly existence.  Moksha is the ultimate destination of every soul, to attain the same, the soul should put into practice the attachment with detachment, and persistently strive to unite the soul in the remembrance of the Supreme Lord.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 47– The legend of Dhaththathreya

Kardhama Prajapathi and Devahoothi had nine daughters married to Saptha Rishis, Sage Vashishta and Atharvana respectively.  Sage Athri married to Anasooya, this couple had no offspring for quite some time.  They undertook extreme penance, the trinities Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshwara appeared before them.  Sage Athri was contemplating upon Lord Vishnu, he was astounded to watch the mercy of Lord Bhrama and Lord Maheshwara and eulogized the trinities.  Lord Vishnu replied “We are immensely pleased with the devotion of you; we are ‘one’, assumed three different forms.  You have prayed for virtuous offspring, therefore we are offering you three virtuous sons who represent three of us.”  Thus Devi Anasooya blessed with three children Soma who is the essence of Lord Bhrama, Dhaththathreya who is the essence of Lord Vishnu,  and Durvassa who is the essence of Lord Shankara.

Dhakshaprajapthi and Prasoothi had sixteen daughters.  The thirteen daughters were Sradda, Maithri, Dhaya, Shanthi, Thushti, Pushti, Kriya, Unnathi, Buddhi, Medha, Dhidhiksha, Hri, and Murthi and these thirteen daughters were married to Lord Dharma,  and one of the wives of Lord Dharma,  Murthi gave birth to Rishi Nara and Narayana.  One daughter of Dhakshaprajapathi and Prasoothi was Swaha married to Lord Agni, one daughter Swadha was married to Pithrus, and Sathi was married to Lord Shiva.  Devi Sathi and Lord Shiva had no offspring, Devi Sathi was deeply distressed, later she had to sacrifice her life in the fire because she was married to Lord Shiva who is a mendicant with no clothes on, roam around with spirits in the funeral grounds, a supreme Yogi who undergoes meditation for several years, smeared in ashes from funeral pyre, adorned in serpents and Rudraksha, disheveled matted hair locks of reddish-brown color.  Dhakshaprajapathi was least pleased with the marriage of Devi Sati and Lord Shiva, so he sought after the advice of Lord Bhrama who suggested that they would make great pair.  The marriage of this couple was taken place in a humble manner and the couple started living in the Mount Kailash.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 46– The legend of Daksha Prajapathi – Devi Sati’s immolation - 3

 Veerabadhra approached Daksha Prajapathi and severed his head; it multiplied the fear of the deities assembled and they ran out of the sacrificial arena.  All the deities appealed to Lord Bhrama who said “Oh! Deities, you all have committed a grave sin, shame on you.  We trinities were not present in the Yagna, how could you attend such a Yagna which does not give any respect or offerings to Lord of Lords? Therefore, you all are responsible for this chaos, and you have no choice other than asking for forgiveness from the supreme Lord Shiva and please him.”  Thus all the deities with Lord Bhrama approached Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash.  The abode of Lord Shiva filled with lush green land of plants of banana, Palasha, Shalmali, Kadamba trees and creepers, filled with numerous birds and animals, streams and ponds, varieties of flowers of rich fragrances, rich herbs and trees of coconut and jackfruit, it is a place of recreation for peacocks and Chakora birds, a place of rich natural beauty.  The deities were astounded to watch the supreme Lord Shiva in deep meditation; he was seated on the Kusha grass, imparting the supreme knowledge to Maharishi Narada. 

All the deities prostrated before Lord Shiva and eulogized his glories.  Lord Bhrama eulogizes “ Oh! Bhagavan, you are the creator of Universe and its living beings, we are a part of it, we did not realize your splendor, we have committed a grave sin, kindly forgive us.  Kindly shower your mercy upon us.  Your Ganas killed numerous deities and Rishis, kindly protect us and bless to complete the Yagna which should be guarded and completed in your presence.  Therefore, kindly join  us, in the future, there will not be any Yagna without giving oblations to Lord Rudra who symbolizes Yagna and proceedings of Yagna. ” 

All the deities with Lord Shiva marched to Yagna Arena of Daksha Prajapathi.  The Yagna began, the Rishis and deities were rewarded with the lost part of their bodies, Sage Bhrigu regained his beard from the goat, the person who lost the teeth was suggested to have appropriate soups as a meal, the people who lost their eyes have regained the sight. Finally, the head of the goat was restored to Daksha Prajapathi.  All the deities and Sages eulogized the mercy of Supreme Lord Shiva. 

Daksha Prajapathi eulogizes supreme Lord Shiva “  I shall reverentially prostrate before supreme Lord Shiva, Oh! Bhagavan I have committed the unforgivable sin, kindly forgive my sin and bless me.”  Lord Shiva said “ Oh! Prajapathe, what you sow shall you reap. All that happened not because of you or me, it was pre-destined.”  There appeared Lord Vishnu, all the deities assembled with Dhaksha Prajapathi eulogizes Lord Vishnu and Lord Vishnu gets highly pleased.  The deities eulogized “ Oh! Srikantha, we shall reverentially prostrate before you.”

Lord Vishnu speaks “ we trinities are the cause of the creation of Universe and its living beings, we are beyond comparison, we reside as a soul in living beings, we have no definite forms or appearances, invisible as well.  We are beyond time or description, therefore who finds differentiation in Bhrama, Vishnu and Rudra /trinities are irrational, like each part of the body parts have different appearances, it works under the sole command of Prana.  Whoever worships Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva as the Jeevathma/soul and the Supreme Lord resides as a soul in all living beings, would attain serenity of mind.”

Whoever listens to the glorious myths of Daksha Prajapathi would get relieved from all the impurities of the mind and worshiper would get relieved from the sins and attains intense devotion.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 45– The legend of Daksha Prajapathi – Devi Sati’s immolation - 2

The deities, Rishis, Sages and people assembled were extremely distressed and expressed their grief “Oh! Devi Sati who is the consort of Lord Shiva had the ill fortune; she lost her body due to the ill manner of her father.  It is really bad luck for Devi Sati,  it’s the  wickedness of  Daksha Prajapathi who is responsible for all the humiliation of Devi Sati who was deeply hurt by the deeds of her father.”  Seeing this, the Ganas of Lord Shiva became in a fury destroyed the entire Yagna arena.  Sage Bhrigu who was the priest performing the fire sacrifice, invoked the deities and chased the furious Ganas of Lord Shiva, were returned in utter failure.

Lord Shiva who is the knower of All could witness all that happened in the Yagna of Daksha Prajapathi.  Maharishi Narada arrived in Mount Kailash and prostrated before Lord Shiva was enquired for the welfare as usual.  Maharishi Narada informed all that happened in the palace of Dhakshaprajapathi to Lord Shiva.  He could not tolerate the separation from his dearest wife Devi Sati, and the troubles to his Ganas.  Lord Shiva in a rage produced boisterous shriek of pain and agony, he opened the reddish-brown matted hair lock and forcefully thrashed it on the ground.   A dreadful form Lord Veerabhadhra who has a massive appearance, black complexion, adorned in a garland of the skull, disheveled matted hair locks, sparkling eyes that releases the fire like Lord Surya, and holding trident, emerged out of one of the layers of the matted hair lock.    Lord Veerabadhra with folded hands asked “Oh! Lord Bhoothanatha, kindly orders me! How could I serve you?”   Lord Shiva commanded him “Kill Dhaksha Prajapathi and his people who caused the death of my dearest wife and humiliation of my Ganas.”

Lord Veerabhadhra accompanied by Ganas arrived in the Yagna arena like a whirlwind, producing boisterous shrieks and the sounds of the drum.   The entire Palace wrecked with the sounds and created devastation by the Nandhi and Ganas.  They ruined the entire Yagna arena,  and caused impurities in the fire,  all the deities, and Rishis and Sage was started running out of the palace in fear were got wounded.   They fastened Sage Bhrigu, Daksha Prajapathi, and all his men, and punished them for disgracing Lord Shiva in the assembly of Prajapathis which was held some time ago.    They plucked the beard of culprits and set into the fire, they plucked their eyes and broken their teeth, in this way they took revenge on people who disgraced Lord Shiva.  They mercilessly severed the head of Daksha Prajapati,  they twisted the head of him and removed.  

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 44– The legend of Daksha Prajapathi – Devi Sati’s immolation -1

The Supreme Lord Shiva who is the knower of All understood the upcoming inauspiciousness to Devi Sati.  He immersed in meditation, Devi Sati looked at Lord Shiva in a fury like Daksha Prajapathi and proceeded.  Lord Shiva ordered Nadikeshwara and Ganas to accompany Devi Sati.   Thus Devi Sati was accompanied by Lord Shiva’s Ganas with the sounds of various auspicious drums; she arrived in the Palace of Daksha Prajapathi.   Her heart was full of puzzlement, hurt, and anger.  Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu were not present for the Yagna.  Soon, Daksha Prajapathi could hear the sounds of auspicious instruments; he watched it was Devi Sati with her Ganas.    She was not received in honor, no one stood in respect or no one was willing to offer a seat for her.  Daksha Prajapathi looked at her in disdain; she had to face sheer humiliation from his father.   Her sisters and mother were kind to her; they rushed to her and received her with great love.    No one in the audience was dared to receive her with respect due to the strict orders from Daksha Prajapathi.  Devi Sati felt utter shame and regretted not following the advice of Lord Shiva.  She did not take the seat offered by her sisters or mother, Devi Sati realized the extreme dislike of his father against Lord Shiva, she checked the Yagna arena there was no seat for Lord Shiva or oblations for him, it severely wounded her heart.   She understood her father’s intention to humiliate her husband.   All the deities were silent, and Daksha Prajapathi was in great fury.     Devi Sati’s face has become reddened in a rage, her lips trembled, she shrieked out “ Oh! Prajapathi, how could you keep enmity towards the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in the living beings?  How could you hurt my Lord Shiva who does not hurt anyone? How could you hurt him with your wrong intentions? He finds wellness in wrong-doers and wishes welfare for all; you have not seen the goodness in him.  People who utter his glorious name ‘Shiva’ would get rid of all the sins instantly; you have not understood his splendor that is why you are disrespecting him.  I will not stand with people who disrespect Lord Shiva.  Whoever utters harsh words against Lord Shiva should not be heard, and they should be punished and get their tongue should be severed. Therefore, I am not willing to stand here anymore, I have born from your contaminated body, so I am going to abandon them as well.  I am deeply hurt by your deeds, if I return to my Lord, I would not live in peace, he may address me ‘Dhakshayani’  which I can’t bear the guilt or shame, hence I am abandoning the body you have given me.”

Maitreya speaks “ Oh! Vidura, listen to me carefully, Devi Sati covered her body with the marvelous yellow silk garment, she sprinkled the water on the place and took a seat, she seated on the straight posture, took a deep breath and hold the air on the throat, and concentrated on the middle of the eyebrows, she completely rejected the conscious of the body enlarged the fire in the body, thus she embraced the fire.  She contemplated upon the lotus feet of supreme Lord Shiva who is Jagathguru/Universal preceptor, and her dearest Lord who is all-pervading as soul; in this way she offered her body in the Agni.”

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 43– The legend of Daksha Yagna

Sage Maitreya describes the clan of Daksha Prajapathi and Yagna to Vidhura “ Oh! Vidura, Swayambhuva Manu had three daughters Devahuthi Ahuthi, and Prasuthi and two sons Priyavratha and Uththanapadha.  Devahuthi married to Kardhamaprajapathi and this couple had nine daughters and a son Kapila, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Ahuthi was married to Prajapathi Ruchi.  Prasuthi was married to Daksha Prajapathi.  This couple had sixteen daughters, one of the daughters Murthy gave birth to Nara and Narayana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and these children undertook extreme Tapasya in Badri.  Devi Sati/Dhakshayani was married to Lord Shiva.”

Once, Daksha Prajapathi visited the arena of fire sacrifices of Prajapathi’s where all the deities were present.  Daksha who is the Manasaputhra of Bhrama had the brilliance of Sun, entered the arena, all the deities assembled were stood and received him with great honor, except Lord Bhrama and Lord Shiva.  Daksha could absorb the fact that Lord Bhrama is his father, need not raise from his seat to wish his son, but Lord Shiva who is his son-in-law did not show any respect by standing on feet.   Daksha Prajapathi considered Lord Shiva as his son-in-law, so it annoyed him.  In fact, Lord Shiva is the essence of the Universe and its living being, a great Yogi who has abandoned all the luxuries and a renounced soul, Dhaksha's eyes were reddened in fury.  Daksha Prajapathi openly criticized Lord Shiva as lazy who undergoes extreme meditation for several years, he is a mendicant who wanders around naked, accompanied by spirits, lives in the funeral grounds, dances like an insane, applies ashes from funeral pyre, adores in serpent and Rudraksha, he has unkempt reddish-brown matted hair locks, etc.. Lord Shiva who was listening to all these criticism was considered as praising his splendor and kept quiet.  It further added the fury of Daksha Prajapathi, eventually he cursed Lord Shiva that now onwards he will not receive any oblations from fire sacrifices and left the arena, further it created a chaos in the assembly of the deities.

Lord Nandikeshwara cursed Daksha Prajapathi who humiliated the supreme Lord without knowing his humbleness, therefore he never realizes the supremacy of Lord, he will be immersed in the worldly bondage and Karma, he will take immense pleasure in the senses, and the mind will not show interest in scriptures and Veda, he takes pleasures in the association of women, soon his head will be replaced with the goat.  He will not have supreme knowledge or wisdom, he will keep taking several births in the ocean of Samsara, he will eat the meat of animals and beg for sensual pleasures.

Sage Bhrigu who was the sacrificial priest, cursed Lord Shiva’s followers will remain Pagandas who do not follow any Shastra takes pleasure in intoxicating drinks, will not show any interest in righteousness.  After witnessing the chaos, the trinities left.

Lord Shiva returned to his abode Mount Kailash, he did not utter anything about the curse of Daksha Prajapathi to Devi Sati, first of all, it was not taken seriously by the Supreme Lord.  So he did not share the incident with Devi Sati.  Daksha Prajapathi returned to his palace with great plans to insult Lord Shiva, thus he decided to conduct a grand Yagna.  All the deities except Lord Bhrama and Lord Vishnu arrived in the Yagna, Devi Sati noticed the deities leaving to attend the grand Yagna of her father, which was all new to her.   Devi Sati approached Lord Shiva and revealed her desire to attend the Yagna of her father, but Lord Shiva who is the knower of All, refused to participate in the Yagna, moreover, they did not receive any kind of gesture of invitation for the Yagna.  Devi Sati did not take it seriously at all; it happens between the relatives, she compelled Lord Shiva to accompany her.  Devi Sati said " Oh! Bhagavan, my father is your father-in-law, he is conducting the Yagna, therefore it is our responsibility to present on the occasion.  I have obtained this body from him.  All the deities are attending the event, we are his close relatives, so we should take part in the event.  I have a desire to meet my sisters and mother, Oh! Lord, kindly fulfill my desires and grace the occasion with your presence.  If you feel awkward to attend the event without invitation, it is inappropriate for a daughter not to attend an event in the father's house. I am not taking this on a serious note, they are my parents, so it is our duty to attend the occasion."   



Lord Shiva replied " Oh! Shobhane, You are absolutely right.  It is advisable not to attend any occasion invited by the people with swollen pride.  The people who take immense pride in their knowledge, wealth, age, clan, etc.. should be avoided, otherwise, you will get hurt and it will be a curse on the other person too.  Oh! Devi, if you visit the place of people who have wicked intentions, it will put your life in danger.  We have the responsibility to please the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in every living being, not the body.  Therefore we should pay obeisance to Lord Vasudeva who resides as a soul in living beings.  If you want to proceed further, do not expect any auspiciousness, you will not get proper respect from your relatives, you will extremely feel guilty and shame, it may lead to death as well."  Lord Shiva returned to meditation.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 43– The legend of Dasa Prachethas

The ten sons of  King Prachin Barhis were famously known as Dasa Prachethas.  Maharishi Narada advised the Prachethas to conduct Tapasya in the woods, Lord Parameshwara was highly pleased with the devotion of them and imparted the knowledge to attain the grace of Lord Sriman Narayana, and this teaching is called Rudra Gita.  They continued Tapasya meditated upon Lord Narayana for several years.  Lord Narayana was highly pleased and blessed them that they will have a virtuous son who was Dhaksha Prajapathi in his previous birth and this son will earn fame and glories in the world.  The son born to Prachethas was crowned as the King and the Prachethas left to wood to conduct Tapasya.  Once again, Maharishi Narada appeared before them and imparted the supreme knowledge which could relieve them from worldly existence.

Maharishi Narada advises Dasa Prachethas how to please Lord Janardhana, “Oh! Vathsa, Lord Narayana gets highly pleased with the qualities of kindness to All, control over senses, knowledge of Oneness in all, contentment, satisfaction, patience, etc… which could provide good health that can be employed for the selfless service to Lord and his devotees.  All living beings should be treated with equality, kindness, and respect.  The worshiper should have good control over senses, abstaining from sensual pleasures, accumulation of wealth, and interest in worldly matters.  The worshiper should have contentment and peace, should not chase after desires which are countless in nature.  The knowledge of self can be attained in eleven paths of devotion.  The listening to the glories of supreme Lord with intense devotion and faith like King Pareekshith, remembrance of supreme Lord persistently like Prahladha who is the ardent devotee of Lord Narayana, relentless service to the lotus feet of Supreme Lord like Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, and selfless service to devotees of Lord, worship of Lord with various fire sacrifices and religious services like King Prithu, singing and eulogizing the glories of Lord, cultivate the love of a companion to supreme Lord like Arjuna who considered Lord Krishna as his inseparable companion, surrendering at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord with the knowledge that he is the safest asylum and he can only liberate the souls from repeated births, the practice of intense Yogic practices and meditation like Lord Mahadeva, cultivate yearning and intense desire for the eternal presence of supreme Lord like Radharani.”

Dasa Prachethas attained the supreme knowledge from Maharishi Narada, eventually, they attained Moksha.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 42–Puranjana Upakhyanam

Maharishi Narada narrated “ Oh! King Prachina Barhis, listen to me carefully.  There were two inseparable companions Puranjana and Avignyatha conducted a journey and visited various places.  Once they arrived in a marvelous kingdom called Bhogavathi, which has nine gates, it has numerous fortresses built in gold and precious gems.  Soon Puranjana has fallen for the splendor of the Kingdom while taking pleasure in watching its beauty, there found a beautiful young maiden on the entry gate of the palace, there was a five hooded serpent on the back of her head.  Puranjana instantly fallen in love with this young maiden, and ended up marrying her, Avignyatha reminded him to take any decision after thorough thought, Puranjana has nothing to think about, so he married Puranjani and started living in the Kingdom.  Avignyatha bade farewell to his closest companion Puranjana and repeated that whenever he needs any assistance he would appear for him.  Thus the closest friends Puranjana and Avignyatha separated.”

Maharishi Narada said “Puranjana and his wife took intense pleasure in the company of each other, both of them could not bear the separation not even for a second.  He performed all the tasks which Puranjani wanted or desired, they have performed various righteous deeds as well.  Several years have passed, this couple had several children and this couple forgot to notice the passage of the ‘Time’.  Once, Devi Jara approached Chandavega and said " Oh! Rajan, I am in search of a suitable groom for me, none is willing to marry me because of my ugly appearance, kindly help me to marry Puranjana."  The Chandavega replied " Oh! Devi, it is not going to happen in your life, no one will marry you, I can assist you to battle against Puranjana with my numerous army men."  Thus the city Bhogavathi was attacked by the Gandharva Chandavega, he had powerful warriors surrounded the city from all the sides.  Puranjana’s lost innumerable warriors in the battle, finally, he had the five hooded serpent for his protection, but that too gave up fighting against the Chandavega’s powerful warriors.  While the battle was in progress, Jara the daughter of Mrithyu was in search of a suitable groom silently entered in the Kingdom.  As a result, the people have become too old and attacked by various illnesses, did not spare Puranjana and his wife Puranjani.  The Kingdom witnessed its ruin, the couple had indifferences, children became uncaring towards parents, finally the Mrithyu has arrived, Puranajana left his mortal coil thinking of his dearest wife Puranjani.”

Maharishi Narada continued “After the death of Puranjana, he took the birth of a female as he was thinking of his wife at the last minute of death.   The next birth Puranjana was born as the daughter of King of Vidharbha.  Vaidharbhi was grown up into a beautiful young woman and married to Pandya King Malayadhwaja.  This couple had one daughter Asha and seven sons  Kirthana, Smarana, Padhasevana, Archana, Vandhana and Dhasya.  The King grew old and gave up mortal coil like a Yogi; soon his wife decided to ascend in his funeral pyre and gave up life.  At this very moment, someone addressed her “Who are you? How are you related to this man on the funeral pyre?”.  Vaidharbhi stopped crying and looked in confusion at the Bhramin before her.  The Brahmin began “ Oh! Dear friend, you don’t remember me at all.  I am your closest companion Avignyatha, long ago we together came for a visit to places and you have settled in one of the magnificent Kingdom Bhogavathi.”  The Brahmin could see a spark of acquaintance in the eyes of Vidharbhi, he continued “ We were inseparable, we were like two swans floating on the serene waters of the Manasa Lake.  You were too dear to me, so was I.  Suddenly, you have left my company and went in search of the pleasures of the Kingdom of Bhogavathi, you have completely forgotten about me.  But I had always thought of your welfare in my heart, waiting to get back to you.  Now the time has arrived, I have been waiting to reveal my identity to you, and take you back with me.  You are neither Puranjana nor the princess of Vidharbha.  You have completely forgotten your real nature, you and I have no difference at all.  I am Supreme soul/Paramathma who resides as soul/Jivathma in you that keeps taking births through 82 Laksh of Yonis.  Manasa Lake is the heart where we lived together in bliss.  The Kingdom Bhogavathi is the Human Body, the beautiful young maiden is the Mind/intellect and illusion, five hooded serpent represents Panchendhriyas, the ten attendants are Karmedhriyas, nine gates of the city represents Navadhwaras in the human body, Chandavega represents Time/day and night as warriors of fair and dark-complexioned, Jara is aging, eventually, Mrithyu is Death.  Therefore, realize yourself as Jeevathma which should unite with the Paramathma with the instrument Bhakti/devotion, in order to attain  Moksha/liberation from repeated births.”

Maharishi Narada concluded, “ Oh! King Prachina Barhis, I wanted you to realize the importance of devotion and surrender to the supreme Lord which could only bring cessation from repeated births.  The listening to the glorious myths of supreme Lord and association of saintly people only could provide intense devotion.  The regular practice of chanting the glorious names of Lord, worship of supreme Lord, remembrance of Lord, selfless service to the devotees of Lord, meditation and complete surrender to supreme will provide you Moksha.”  In this way, King Prachina Barhis attained the supreme knowledge from Maharishi Narada and with the continuous practice of the knowledge attained the lotus feet of Supreme Lord.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 41– The legend of Prachina Barhis & Dasa Prachethas

Prithu Maharaj and Archi left the Kingdom and went to woods for Tapasya.    Vijithashva, the elder son of Prithu Maharaj was crowned as King, he assigned his four brothers to rule the four quarters and he ruled the entire Kingdom.  Vijithashva married Nabhasvathi and this couple had a son Havirdhana who was married to Havirdhani.  This couple had six children, soon after Havirdhana abandoned the worldly matters, family and Kingdom, and conducted Tapasya.  Barhishath was the elder son of Havirdhana, married to the daughter of Lord of sea Shathadruthi.  This couple had ten children and they were known as Dasa Prachethas, who were fervent devotees of Lord Narayana, when King Barhishath advised his children to rule the Kingdom, they revealed their intention to do Tapasya and went on the bottom of the sea and conducted intense penance.

King Barhishat was a true Karma Yogi, he believed in the performance of Yagnas.  Thus, he conducted numerous Yagnas.  In the long run, the performance of Yagnas became his obsession, as a result, the Earth was in abundance Kusha grass which has sharp blade-like tips facing east, which is essential for the Yagnas.  Thus the King Barhishath got the name Prachina Barhis.  One day Maharishi Narada visited King Barhishath was received with great honor.  King offered an elevated seat for the Maharishi Narada and washed his feet.  Maharishi Narada enquired about the welfare of the Kingdom and his subject and said “ Oh! King, I see that you are immersed in the performance of Yagnas one after another, you are completely absorbed in the performance of Yagnas, this cannot bring eternal bliss.  The performance of Karma can provide either happiness or sorrow; it will not give liberation from repeated births.”  King Barhishath said “ Oh! Maharishi, I have been so wrapped up in the performance of Yagnas, so I did not realize the prime objective of the soul.  Kindly advise me on what should I do to get salvation from repeated births? I have forgotten the highest of the path of liberation Moksha.”

Maharishi Narada took the King Barhishath out of the Palace and with his Yogic power showed the number of cows he had sacrificed while performing Yagnas.  There were several thousand cows waiting to pierce the King after his death, with its sharp horns which are hard as iron rods.  The King Barhishath was shocked to witness the cows which are staring at him in vengeance.  Maharishi Narada took the King inside the palace and narrated the marvelous legend of a handsome man and a lovely damsel famously known as Puranjana Upakhyanam.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 40– The legend of Prithu Maharaj

Prithu Maharaj was crowned as the King and got married to Archi.  The deities arrived with numerous presents to offer this pious couple.  Before the birth of King Prithu, the Kingdom was witnessing all the inauspicious signs like natural calamities, famine, drought, etc.  There were several people who died of hunger.  During the coronation ceremony of King Prithu, the subjects approached the King to resolve the pathetic issue of famine and drought, otherwise, they would die of hunger.  King Prithu immersed in deep thought found that his subjects were hard-working and skilled; it was not their fault the Kingdom was facing scarcity of grains.   It was the Mother Earth who was not willing to give anything in return.  So he decided to punish the mother Earth and took his bow and arrow, mother Earth frightened and enquired the reason for his anger.  King Prithu asked her “Devi, you are the mother of all the living beings, receiving oblations from fire sacrifices, but you are not willing to offer grains to the people of my Kingdom.”  The mother Earth said “ Oh! Maharaj, Lord Bhrama created herbs, fiber root vegetables and rich natural resources which were consumed by the immoral people while King Vena was ruling the Kingdom.  They were consuming all the grains and vegetables for sensual pleasure, not for any Dharmic purpose.  Therefore I had to hide the seeds under Earth and it has become ineffective now.  Therefore, you have to restart the Dharmic rites, spiritual and religious rites at the earliest to control the famine and invigorate the seeds.”  Maharaj Prithu became calm, and sincerely followed the advice of the Mother Earth.  During the regime of Maharaj Prithu, the Mother Earth served the people abundantly and fulfilled all the desires of the people.  Maharaj Prithu was too pleased, affectionate and considered Mother Earth as his daughter, thus the Mother Earth has got her name Prithvi.

After some time, Prithu Maharaj conducted a thousand Ashwamedha Yaga while conducting the last Yagna on the river banks of Saraswathi.  Lord Indra/Shathakrathu was worried about the Yagna of Maharaj Prithu, the Earth was flourished with rich natural resources and herbs, oceans filled with precious gems, an abundance of grains, etc.  Lord Indra stolen the horse offered for the Yagna many times, and it was founded by the son of Prithu Maharaj.  In this way, Indra was kept stealing the horse disguised as a saintly person, the son of Prithu Maharaj did not hurt the saintly person, he caught hold of the horse every time.   This scenario has repeated several times and it motivated the people to disguise as saintly men and conduct living on alms, it angered Prithu Maharaj.  The Rishis and Sages advised Prithu Maharaj not to battle against Indra or kill him.  The Rishis decided to conduct Yagna to invoke Indra to receive oblations so that he will turn into ashes in the sacrificial fire.  Lord Bhrama appeared before the Rishis and advised that Lord Indra is the King of deities; it is the responsibility of the Rishis and sages to offer oblations to deities, so plotting against Lord Indra is an immoral act.  Lord Bhrama said to Prithu Maharaj “ Oh! Rajan, you are already a favorite of Lord Vishnu; there is no need for hundreds of Ashwamedha Yaga, therefore be happy with the ninety-nine Ashwamedha Yaga.”  Lord Vishnu was pleased  and  appeared before Prithu Maharaj while performing the 99^th Ashwamedha Yaga,  all the deities were accompanied by Lord Vishnu and Lord Indra requested to forgive him, Prithu Maharaj was already forgotten the unpleasant incidents happened between them, he embraced Lord Indra.   Lord -Vishnu was highly pleased with Prithu Maharaj and kept his lotus feet first time on the Earth and blessed Prithu Maharaj that soon he will have the Dharshan of Sanath, Sanaka, Santhkumara and Sananthan.  Prithu Maharaj realized the compassion of supreme Lord reverentially prostrated before Lord Vishnu and prayed for the permanent association of devotees of Lord and intense devotion upon the Supreme Lord.  Prithu Maharaj ruled the Prithvi for several years, conducted several spiritual and religious rites.   He motivated people to choose the Dharmic way of living, respect and engage in the selfless service of the devotees of Lord, surrender to supreme Lord with the mind, action and thought.  The Rishis and Sages highly praised the Prithu Maharaj.   The Sanathkumaras arrived in the Kingdom were received with great reverence by the King, he washed their feet and sprinkled the water on his head.  The Sanathkumaras were pleased with the devotion of the King and advised Prithu Maharaj to contemplate upon supreme Lord Krishna, remain distant from the wicked and materialistic people, and always remain in the association of devotees of the Lord.  Prithu Maharaj and his wife Archi lived a saintly life, eventually entered into woods and conducted Tapasya.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 39– The legend of Prithu Maharaj - The birth of Prithu Maharaj

Prithu Maharaj was born in the clan of Druva, an incarnation and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.  There was a famous King Anga in the Druva clan, he had no offspring because of the Karma of his previous birth. He conducted a Yajja for the benefit of offspring, the Yajja was conducted by illustrious Rishis and sAges, the recitation of chant are meticulously followed, but there was no Yajjapurusha appeared from the sacrificial fire, and the Yajja became unfruitful.  King Anga was desperately asked the sacrificial priest “ Oh! Mahabhaga, why did no deities receive oblations from the fire sacrifice? What I have done in my previous birth to make the deities unhappy?” The Rishis said “ Hey Rajan, you have not committed any immoral deed by action or words or thought, therefore you are a pure soul. We will conduct a Yajja to please Lord Vishnu, if we please the Supreme Lord Vishnu, eventually all the deities would accept oblation from the fire sacrifice.”  Thus a Yajja conducted to please the Supreme Lord Vishnu, and the oblation was received by the deities, there appeared Yajja Purusha in marvelous white garment holding the golden vessel full of Kheer.  King Anga respectfully greeted Yajjapurusha and received the golden vessel, handed to his wife Sunitha who was the daughter of Mrithyu.  In due course of time, Sunitha got pregnant with the child and gave birth to Vena.  Usually, the girl child inherits qualities from the father and the male child adopts all the qualities from the gene of the mother.  Vena adopted all the immoral deeds of his grandfather, he was too cruel by birth, he learned Asthra at a young age, he conducts hunting expedition to woods and mercilessly killed several deer.  During childhood days he plays with his mates and kills them in anger.  King Anga imposed various punishments upon his son Vena to control his heartless acts, but none was worked on him.  King Anga was extremely worried and anxious about the immoral deeds of Vena; he used to think that childless couples are fortunate; they need not worry about the deprived children.  King Anga was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu; he received all the miseries and sorrows as blessings of Lord to liberate him from the worldly bondage.  Eventually, King Anga became uninterested in the family as well as the Kingdom, he returned to woods for penance. 

The Kingdom with no King would create chaos among the people, so the Rishis and sages decided to crown Vena as the King.  Soon after the coronation,  King Vena mercilessly punished the saintly people, created impediments in all the spiritual and religious rites in the Kingdom.  The Rishis and Sages thought that if Vena crowned as King, he would protect the Kingdom from the thieves and promote religious and spiritual rites, but he became the enemy of the people and saintly men. 

The Rishis and sages approached King Vena and amiably made him understand the insecurities in the Kingdom and the increase of immoral activities.  King Vena was not willing to listen to any of the advice of Rishis, moreover, he humiliated them with harsh words.  The Rishis got angry and uttered the sound ‘Hm’, instantly Vena turned into ashes, his bones were churned and a dwarf-like Nishad has appeared with the dark complexion who took all the sins of Vena upon him, these Nishad clan resides in the woods permanently.  The Rishis continued to churn the bones of Vena and appeared a male Maharaj Prithu and female Archi who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi as well. 

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 38– The Legend of Druva’s clan

Druva was married to Bhrami, the daughter of  Prajapathi Shishumara.  This couple had two children Kalpa and Vathsara, later Druva was married to Ila who is the daughter of Lord Vayu, and this couple had a son Ulkala.  Druva was ruling the kingdom wisely, people of the Kingdom were extremely happy.   During this period a tragic event took place, Uththama who was the son of Suruchi was unmarried went for a hunting expedition, he chased a bear and shot it with an arrow, before that the son of Kubera shot the boar with his arrow.  Uththama and the son of Lord Kubera had a conflict about who killed the boar, finally, Uththama was killed by the son of Lord Kubera.  The royal attendants informed the news to the palace.  Suruchi was heartbroken went in search of the dead body of her son in the woods.  She continued her search for the mortal coil, forgot hunger and thirst, finally she was trapped inside the huge wood fire and burnt alive.  Druva got very angry to hear about the death of his brother Uththama, and extremely sad to hear the death of his stepmother Suruchi.  He proclaimed a battle against the Yaksha clan, a vicious battle was held between Druva and Yaksha, many of the yakshas were killed in the battle. 

Finally, Druva took the powerful Narayanasthra to wipe off the clan of Yaksha soon there appeared Swayambhuva Manu/grandfather, before him and said “ Oh! Dear child, your deeds are heaving you to the hell of sinners, therefore you should not fall prey to anger, it is not suitable for our clan.  You should not annihilate an entire clan of Yaksha, for the death of your brother Uththama.  You should not punish an entire clan for the mistake of a single person of that clan, killing human beings like animals will not lead to a righteous path, and you should not hurt anyone.  You have witnessed the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, by extreme penance, do you think is it agreeable to Lord Hari? Dear son, you have to change your attitude towards the Yakshas.  You can please the Supreme Lord with the qualities of humility/patience/sublimation/ acceptance/ control of senses, kindness, equality, and companionship.  The Supreme Lord resides in the heart of those who possess the above qualities, he/she would remain Jeevanmuktha/renounced soul, ultimately attain the Bhramam.”  Druva understood the valuable teachings of Swayambhuva Manu and immediately rushed out of the battlefield, he has fallen at the feet of Lord Kubera.

Lord Kubera speaks “ Oh! Dear child, your people did not kill our people, and our person did not kill your brother, all that was happened due to the influence of ‘Time’  I am extremely pleased with your behavior.  Dear child, you have attained the grace of Lord, therefore turn all your attention towards that supreme Lord and take shelter upon his lotus feet.  Oh! Dear child, ask for boons whatever you would like to have in your life.”

Druva replied to Lord Kubera “ Oh! Lord, kindly give me intense and firm devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari, so that I can get relieved from all the troubles and miseries of the worldly existence.” Lord Kubera blessed Druva, he returned to Kingdom and ruled wisely for several years.  Later, Druva crowned his elder son as the Emperor of the Kingdom and returned to the woods of Badrikashram.  He undertook the practice of Ashtanga yoga, immersed in the meditation upon Lord Sri Hari, tears flooded from his cheeks.  Soon Vishnuparshadha arrived with a celestial vehicle to take Druva to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.   Mrithudeva arrived and reverentially offered his head to place Druva’s leg, he remembered his mother Sunithi who was inspiring all through his life, saw his mother on another celestial vehicle, he greeted her with all respects.  Thus, Druva and Devi Sunithi attained the lotus feet of Lord Hari with their intense devotion and faith.