|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 264 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  115

Nrigopakhyanam

Deva Deva Jagannatha  Govindha Purushoththama | Narayana Hrishikesha  Punyashloka Acchyutha Avyaya || Namasthe  Sarvabhavaya  Bhramane Ananthashakthaye | Krishnaya Vasudevaya  Yoganam Pathaye Nama: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, It was the time when children of  Krishna was too young, Samba and a few of them were engaged in various sport in the greens, felt hungry so they went to check in the nearest well, it was completely dried out and there was a big lizard underneath it.  The children made an effort to get the lizard out of the well and found it difficult; they approached Lord Krishna and requested for help.  Krishna took the big lizard out of the well with his left hand, immediately it has assumed an attractive human and introduced himself as King Nriga of the Ikshvaku dynasty. “ Oh! Prabho,  Oh! Sarvabhoothathma,  I have performed an abundance of charities to illustrious Bhramanas who undertake austerities and vows, have a thorough knowledge of Bhramam.   I have performed charities equivalent to the sands on the Earth. I have performed charity of virtuous and good quality cows that provide an abundance of milk.  Once, I had performed charity of an abundance of cows and calves decorated in silver and gold to a Bhramin, soon another Bhramin appeared before me, I have performed the same number cows as the charity to that Bhramin too.  Unfortunately, the second Bhramin received a cow that was offered as a charity to the first Bhramin, as it was returned to the cowshed and took its place, I was not aware of that I have offered that cow as the charity to the second Brahmin.  The first Bhramin found one of his cows was missing from the herd, he turned to the second Bhramin and found his cow, they began to argue each other about the possession of it, and finally, they approached me to settle the argument.  I have pacified them and revealed my willingness to offer some more cows.  The first Brahmin cursed me to become a lizard for not performing charity with dedication.”  King Nriga left his mortal coil and reached the abode of Lord Yama was received with great respect as he was performed an abundance of charities on the Earth and enquired King Nriga whether he would like to enjoy the results of piousness or undergo punishments of the sins.  King Nriga gracefully revealed his willingness to undergo punishments for the sins, thus he had attained the form of a giant lizard and lived in the dark dried well, and eventually, he attained his real form with the touch of Lord Krishna.  King Nriga prostrated before Krishna and eulogized “Oh! Lord of Lords, Oh!  Jagannatha, Oh! Govinda Oh! Purushoththama, Oh! Narayana, Oh! Hrishikesh, Oh! Acchyutha eulogized by Veda and Vedantha.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme Lord who is all-pervasive, he is absolute Bhramam, he has endless prowess, Oh! Krishna Oh! Vasudeva, Oh! Yoginampathi  I shall prostrate before you.”  Thus, King Nriga left the place.” 

Krishna called for his children and gave excellent advice “ Oh! Children, listen to me carefully, you should understand the concept of ‘curse’. I do not consider the Halahala as the deadliest one, I want to make clear about the curse that could destroy the three generations of the performer, it is the curse of a Bhramin which could bring disaster to the three generations and even the entire clan.  It is the duty of the Kshatriya to protect the Vipra and illustrious twice-born, and learn from the saintly people and ascetic, treat them with utmost reverence and humility, and contribute whatever possible means without pride.  Whoever steals the possession of a Bhramin would live as worm for six thousand years.  We should not give an opportunity to get cursed from the twice-born and righteous people, which could heave the soul into the cycles of repeated births.” Thus Lord Krishna advised his children and returned to the palace.

In this legend, Lord Krishna reveals the evil effects of the curse of a twice-born.  It is rare to obtain the life of a human; none of the creatures on the Earth other than human can elevate their souls to Supreme Lord.  The mind and intellect originated from the supreme soul is not utilized properly to attain that Bramham, it causes the soul to hurl into the cycles of repeated births, and moreover, it will lead several generations into the darkness of ignorance of worldly matters and bondage.  Every deed would follow with Punya and Papa simultaneously, we are born to contribute to each other, without the sense of pride, all kinds of charity should be followed with humility like the rain contributes greens and plants on the Earth.