||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudhevaya||

Chapter – 109 – The legend of Matsya Avathar -1

The sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran comprises various legends that are strictly related to the life of humans on the Earth.  It is not a plain story; it is the lessons on human life.  The story of Gajendra taught us about the misconception of humans that all those possession, wealth, family, children and relatives, are the only source for happiness in life. The elephant Gajendra took great pleasure in various amusements in the herd of elephants, was once trapped in the clutches of a crocodile and called out for help, none of the family members or his own physical strength could get him out the mouth of the crocodile.  He was miserably failed to protect himself, so he called out supreme Lord Hari.  In this way, most of the realities in life go against expectations.  In the story of ‘ Samudra Manthan’ Sage Durvass offered the highly auspicious garland that was received from the abode of Lord Vishnu to Lord Indra who received it carelessly, later it was thrashed on the floor by Airavatha.  Sage Durvassa expected congenial behavior from Lord Indra was disturbed by his arrogance and cursed the deities to lose their fame and glory.  The legend of Mahabali who is well known for his great sacrifices, as an Emperor he had the self-assurance that he could offer anything to  Vatu Vamana, but the turn of events made Mahabali sacrifice himself to Vatu Vamana.  More often the expectation does not match with the realities of life.   Whatever experienced in life has been taken as the greatest lesson learned, and shut down the doors to learn new things could destroy the growth of an individual.    Therefore an inquisitive mind followed with humility is essential for the growth of spirituality as well as the material living.  The greatest knowledge can be attained only with a sense of humility and curiosity.

Pareekshith spoke “Oh! Bhagavan, I would like to hear the glorious incarnation of Lord Hari as Maya Matsya/giant fish.  Why did the all-pervading Lord who has immense prowess, manifested as giant fish and performed various amusements? Why did he assume lowly creature like a fish?”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, supreme Lord Hari has taken various incarnations, surprisingly all his incarnations have the nature of ‘wind’ that does not attach to the matter; it has free-flowing nature and will not get polluted with the changes in the atmosphere.  Hence, whatever forms assumed by the supreme Lord will not stain him due to his independent nature like ‘Air’.  I shall narrate the story of Mathsyavathar to you.  Once, the whole universe was immersed/Laya in water due to the influence of ‘Time’, at that moment, Lord Bhrama who had the possession of four Vedas on his face was seized away by a demon named Haygreevah, hence Lord Hari assumed the form of a giant fish and regained the Vedas from the demon and handed to Lord Bhrama. The King Sathyavratha who is an ardent devotee of Lord Hari attained the grace of the Supreme Lord.”

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan,  King Sathyavratha was taking penance on the river banks of Krithamala, one day he entered to perform ablutions in the river, he took a handful of water and found a baby fish in it while dropping the fish,  it requested the King ‘ Oh! Rajan, Oh! Deenavathsala, I am helpless, you have seen big water creatures in this river, and if you drop me in the water they would swallow me. So kindly protect me.” The King was not aware of the real nature of the fish, he decided to protect it.  He put back the fish in his Kamandalu and took it to his hermitage.   In a short, while the fish began to speak “ Oh! Rajan, I cannot fit my body in this vessel, therefore kindly transfer me from this vessel.” King Sathyavratha was curious, transferred the fish into a big vessel.  In this way, he keeps transferring the fish according to its size of the growth, finally, it has grown up to the size of  a gigantic aquatic animal, and it requested the king to deposit  in the ocean.” 

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudhevaya||

Chapter – 108 – The legend of Vamana -4

Vindhyavali speaks “Oh! Bhagavan, you are the creator of the Universe and its living beings, and you are taking extreme pleasure in various amusements, you are the supreme soul who undertakes the functions of creation, preservation, and destruction as well. Oh! Bhagavan, you are all-pervading, you have already measured the Earth in two strides which includes my husband as well.” Lord Bhrama appeared before Lord Vamana who kept his feet on Mahabali, Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh! Bhoothabhavana, Oh! Bhoothesha, Oh! Devadeva, Oh! Jaganmaya,  Vairochana has offered all those possession on this Earth to you, therefore kindly do not punish him anymore.” Lord Vishnu smiled and replied “Oh! Lord Bhrama, if I want to shower my grace upon individuals, I will take a test on their devotion, and put a test on all that belongs to them.   If they cry over the lost possession and splendor I will leave my hold on them. Hence, if anyone wants to get my grace, I will definitely test their devotion, keep a hold on their belongings if they do not have faith in me, I will leave my hold too.  Whoever surrendered to me, I will not leave them.  I will not punish Vairochana, who is eminent and greatest devotee in the demons; he would be blessed with my eternal protection.  Oh! Lord Bhrama, I shall describe the reason to you, after seizing all his possession and keeping my feet on his head,  Vairochana was neither disappointed nor intimidated, and he has already won over my unconquerable Maya.  Hence he is deserved to be in a world where there is no miseries, pain, agonies, and sorrows.”

Lord Vamana spoke to Vairochana.  “Oh! Vairochana, I shall shower all the auspiciousness to you, and send to you the Suthalaloka, which is superior to the abode of Lord Indira, the place where the deities yearn to reside.  I will protect you always in the Suthalaloka with my permanent presence.  You will be freed from all the miseries and sorrows.” In this way, Lord Vishnu elevated the soul of Vairochana who has intense devotion and faith upon the supreme Lord.

The meaning of spirituality is the acceptances of all the happenings, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant as the grace of Lord, and makes an effort to elevate the soul from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence and contemplate upon him. It is the practice of individual effort to elevate the soul to supreme Lord.  Whoever makes an effort to elevate the soul would be protected and relieved from the worldly bondage and miseries of worldly existence with the grace of supreme Lord.    The legend of Mahabali reveals the graciousness of him, even after losing entire wealth to Lord Vishnu.  He did not get attached to his possessions or glories, he generously offered the entire wealth to the Vatu Vamana, he was neither alarmed or wretched after losing the entire wealth, he firmly hold on the faith to supreme Lord,  even refused to pay attention to his preceptor Shukracharya, or his wealth, or his own body, and elevated his soul to supreme Lord.  The legend of Vama teaches the sense of sharing one’s own possessions, glories and wealth for the welfare of others, with the sense of complete surrender to supreme Lord.  The sense of attachment over people and possession would create intense grief and sorrow.  The King Vairochana who was thoroughly aware of the essence of Bhagavatha, and his responsibilities to share his wealth and possession to living beings, he was neither attached to people or possession, and he was completely surrendered to supreme soul.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudhevaya||

Chapter – 107 – The legend of Vamana -3

Shukha Bhramam speaks “  Oh! Pareekshith, The proceedings of the charity began, Shukracharya rushed to Mahabali and stopped him, he spoke to Mahabali “ Oh! Vairochana, This is not Vatu, he is supreme Lord Mahavishnu who is all-pervading was born to Devi Adhithi and Sage Kashyapa, he has arrived here to fulfill the desires of the deities.  He is Lord Srihari who is going to take away all your fame, fortune, possessions, wealth, and splendor and he will give to Lord Indra.  Oh! Fool, this tiny foot will occupy the entire Universe, and you will remain with nothing, Oh! Ignorant one, how did you live without anything in this world? I could envisage his tiny feet would perform a miracle, he will measure the world with one stride, and he will measure the Dhik/directions in the second stride, where did he keep the foot for the third stride? What would you offer for his third stride?  Let me explain to you, how to perform charity with wealth.  The wealth earned should be distributed equally for five deeds such as  Dharma/righteousness/ building ponds, shrines, wells, shelter homes, etc., Yashas/for the elevation of soul such as conduct pilgrimage and learning scriptures, performance of Yaga, Yagna, etc,  Arththa/investments for the future, Kama/fulfilling desires, and spend for the welfare of your own people, therefore you cannot offer all your wealth to him. Oh! Rajan, listen to me carefully, in some cases, you can withdraw from your promises, in some cases, lies are considered as forgiving, lies to the woman while performing a marriage, lies to accomplish certain tasks, lies to protect from life-threatening incidents, and lies to protect Bhramin and cows.  Therefore, you can make an amendment to your promise to Vatu Vamana.”  Vairochana replied “Oh! Preceptor, if I have agreed to someone to offer or share my wealth, I will not change my promise.  I am not scared of hell, I am not scared of the curse of Vipra, but I will not withdraw from the promises to Vatu Vamana.”  Shukracharya was in a rage, listening to the adamant nature of Mahabali after giving enough lecture about the charity, he cursed Mahabali “ Oh! Vairochana, you have disrespected my words, you will lose all your fame and wealth.”  Vairochana was not alarmed about the curse of his preceptor Shukracharya.  Vairochana called out for Vindhyavali to conduct the charity proceedings, the water was offered in the hands of Vairochana as an initiation of the proceedings.  Soon, the Vatu Vamana assumed a colossal form, gradually he has increased the size even Mahabali could not witness the complete form of supreme Lord, before that he realized that the Vamana measured the entire directions and the Earth in one stride, and in second stride measured the heaven, with the two strides Vamana measured the entire wealth of Mahabali, there was no inch left for the third stride.  Lord Vishnu looked at the face of Mahabali and asked “ Oh! Vairochana, where shall I keep my third stride?” the demons assembled were shrieked out, Vairochana stopped the demons that created chaos and said “Oh! Demons, stop your atrocity, the time is not in favor of us, therefore stop all your cries.  All that I have gained with the grace of the Supreme Lord and he has taken back all that he has given, patiently wait for the favorable time, you need not cry on it.”  Lord Vishnu brought the celestial vehicle Garuda, Vairochana was fastened with Varuna Pasha.  Lord Vishnu asked " Oh! Vairochana where shall I keep my third stride?"  Vairochana with folded palms said “ Oh! Bhagavan, you are the most respected one in the Universe, I shall offer my head to measure with your third stride, Oh! Bhagavan, I am not scared of your punishments, or Varuna Pasha, I am scared of not fulfilling my promises.” Even though Vairochana was fastened with the Varuna Pasha, he was neither disappointed nor grieved over the loss of wealth."

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudhevaya||

Chapter – 106 – The legend of Vamana -2

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Devi Adhithi prostrated before the supreme Lord Vishnu who is adorned in various precious ornaments all over the body, decorated in the magnificent crown, ear ornaments, waist ornaments, armlets, and anklets, Srivathsa, Kausthubha, and Vanamala, attired in majestic yellow silk garment.  Devi Adhithi eulogized Lord Vishnu with the various sacred names, “Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Pushkarekshana, Oh! Kshethrajja Sarvabhoothanam, I shall prostrate before you.”  Lord Vishnu was pleased with the devotion Devi Adhithi, and said “Oh! Devi, I am pleased with your devotion, I have decided to take birth as your child, therefore keep it as highly confidential.” In due course of time, Devi Aditi gave birth to a child in the month of Bhadrapada with the birth star Shravana.   The child born was revealed its magnificent form with four arms, holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma.  Devi Adhithi prayed to Lord with the folded hands, instantly supreme Lord adopted the form of a dwarf/Vatu.  The whole Universe immersed in extreme happiness and joy, sounds of divine instruments echoed all over, all the deities appeared before the Vatu Vamana and eulogized the supreme Lord.  Lord Surya whispered the sacred Gayathri Manthra in the ears of Vatu Vamana, Sage Bhrihaspathi adorned sacred thread across the chest of Vatu Vamana, Sage Kashyapa decorated the waist of Vatu with the sacred grass, Devi Adhithi decorated the child with a loincloth, Mother Earth offered him the skin of antelope, Soma offered Danda/stick, Dhikdevatha offered Chathram/umbrella, Goddess Saraswathi offered Japamala/prayer bead, Kamandalu and Kubera offered vessel for alms, and Goddess Uma offered the alms.   Thus, Vatu Vamana graciously received all the offerings of the deities and proceeded to the banks of river Narmada where Vairochana/Mahabali was performing the grand Yaga ‘Vishwajith’.

Vatu Vamana moved towards the shores of the Narmada with an intention to take the three worlds with his three strides from Mahabali, eventually, his weight has increased with the mere thought of it and the Earth began to quiver.  Vatu Vamana approached the Yaga arena of Mahabali was reverentially greeted by him “Oh! Bhramin, are you from the clan of Bhramarishi? I feel you are from the illustrious clan of Bhramarishis, I and my clan got sanctified with your arrival, kindly make the event of Yaga fruitful with your present.” Vairochana took the Vatu Vamana inside the Yaga arena and washed his feet with respect, sprinkled the water on his own head and said “ Aho Bhagyam! I am truly fortunate one, not even Bhrama attained the fortune to wash your feet.”  Further, he offered a seat to Vatu Vamana and said “Oh! Vatu, kindly asks for a contribution from me, ask whatever you have desired in the form of cows, gold, land, possessions, virtuous bride, etc.”  Vatu replied “Oh! Rajan, your generous words are most appropriate to your clan of greatest devotee Prahladha, and Virochana who sacrificed life for deities.  There are people who are unhappy to share anything with others, and there are people like you willing to share everything with others.  You have multiplied the piousness of your clan with your generous attitude.  Oh! Vairochana, I am a child, I do not require immense wealth; give me three sides of land measured by my feet.  Oh! Rajan, I have to ask for my requirements only, I need the three strides of land for me.” Vairochana laughed out loudly hearing the request of the Vatu Vamana, and said “ Oh! Bhramin, you are too childish, you are asking an Emperor who is the Lord of the three worlds, to offer three strides of land, you have put me in a great shame by asking three strides of land with your tiny feet, Oh! Vatu, you should not ask anyone once requested to me.” Vatu replied “Oh! Rajan, an ignorant cannot be happy even after attaining the three worlds, the material things cannot bring happiness, the sharing of them brings ultimate happiness.  The real meaning of happiness is the unexpected arrival of wealth, not searching for satisfaction even after possessing the three worlds.  Whoever finding happiness in their possessions and willing to share with others would prosper in their lives.  Oh! Rajan, I am happy with the three strides of land, I am satisfied and happiest as always.”  Mahabali was immensely pleased with the Vatu Vamana and looked at his wife Vindhyavali.  She immediately, moved forward with a vessel of water to begin the proceedings of charity to a Bhramin.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudhevaya||

Chapter – 105 – The legend of Vamana - 1

Nature/Prakrithi has the tendency to give away all its resources, it teaches the greatest and the permanent truth of ‘sharing’, that whatever stored for long would definitely get of no use in the long run.   Rishis and Sages found the definition of permanent bliss, and they began to share it copiously with the fellow beings, thus the ‘happiness’ has multiplied in abundance and they lived in eternal bliss.   They taught the practice to share oneself to the supreme Lord who is the cause of origin; it is called ‘Athmanivedhanam’/complete surrender.  In the same manner, the Prakrithi expect two kinds of sharing from living beings, sharing kind words with fellow beings and sharing wealth or richness for the welfare of human beings.   The human tendency is to store everything for the future, which is unpredictable.  The legend of Vamana is the greatest lesson to cement the truth that whoever enriched with the nature of kindness and sharing would never fall in their lives.  The legend of Vairochana/Mahabali, who shared all his possession with the supreme Lord Vishnu, finally attained the elevation of soul.

Preekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhramin, I have heard the legend of Vairochana who offered the entire Kingdom to Lord Vishnu, who measured the Kingdom in three strides, was fastened and moved him to Suthalaloka, why did he do so? Kindly narrate it to me.  It creates extreme curiosity in me.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Mahabali/Vairochana and demons had a fierce battle with the deities immediately after churning of the ocean for the nectar of immortality was brutally killed by Lord Indra and deities.  Shukracharya restored the lives of the demons with the knowledge of Mrithasanjeevani Vidhya that was attained from Lord Shiva.  Shukracharya advised the demons to serve the Bhramins selflessly, thus Vairochana earned an abundance of piousness by serving the twice-born, and obtained a magnificent chariot with their blessings.  Thus, Vairochana conquered the three worlds with the piousness earned from serving the twice-born, and crowned as Emperor, and ruled his kingdom wisely.  Once again, the deities lost their glories and fame.  Mahabali who has earned an abundance of piousness with his righteousness was advised to perform the superior Yaga ‘Vishwajith’ under the guidance of Rishis and Sages, he constantly succeeded in all the Dharmic rites and earned immense righteousness.”

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, the sons of Devi Adhithi miserably failed in their attempts to regain the lost glories and fame.  Sage Kashyapa Prajapathi was approached by his wife Devi Adhithi who was completely distressed at the failure of her children Lord Indra and deities, she was deeply concerned about her children who lost their possessions and fame.  Devi Adhithi speaks “ Oh! Mahamuni, I shall take refuge at your feet, kindly consider the miserable state of our children who lost their possessions.  Oh! Prabho, Vairochana who is the son of Dhithi/Sapathni seized all the possessions our children and left them in a wretched state.  Kindly protect our children, and guide me to regain their auspiciousness.”  Oh! Rajan, in this way Devi Adhithi requested her husband Sage Kashyapa Prajapathi.  Devi Adhithi due to her extreme attachment on her children became miserable; this is how the Maya of Lord Vishnu works.  None of the processes in the human bodies has an attachment with the essential elements absorbed for its existence, vital air inhale and exhale, human bodies undergo constant changes, water, and food consumed will get rid of the body after a certain process, in this way none of the body parts are attached to any of the internal processes takes place in the body, therefore it teaches the truth of ‘relationship with relation less’.  The sense of attachment with detachment will help to have a steadiness of mind.  Sage Kashyapa said “ Oh! Devi, there is no realistic way to control your mind from extreme grief, therefore contemplate upon Lord Janardhana who resides as a soul in living beings, he is Jathaguru, who can elevate our soul which is soaked in illusion. Oh! Devi,  I shall advise you about the austerities to follow in the month of Phalgun,  you have to consume milk for the twelve days and undertake the vow of austerities after the worship Lord Aravindhaksha/whose eyes have the resemblance of the lotus flower petals.  You have to remember that you are undertaking these austerities for the welfare of all and attain a virtuous son, and recite his endless sacred names in this way."  

||‘Namasthubhyam  Bhagavathe Purushaya Maheeyase| Sarvabhoothanivasaya Vasudevaya Sakshine|| 

Devi Adhithi sincerely followed the instructions of Sage Kashyapa Prajapathi, at the successful completion of the ‘Payovratha’, Lord Vishnu appeared before Devi Adhithi, in a marvelous form with the Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and the Padma in four arms.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter - 104 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -7

Lord Mahadeva witnessed a magnificent garden, in abundance of various flowers, creepers, trees, streams, and ponds.  He saw a stunningly beautiful woman with most attractive physical features, smeared in rich fragrances, was playing with the flower ball.   She has beautiful eyes, adorned in various magnificent ornaments all over the body, attired in marvelous garment, while watching, her upper garments were slipped down, she was taking immense pleasure in the pastime did not notice, it revealed her enticing body parts, her beautiful long and curly hair locks were spread all over the attractive body; it exposed the large and heavy bosom as well.  Lord Mahadeva watched the mesmerizing beauty of the woman in awe; he forgot the presence of Goddess Uma and the Bhoothaganas.   Mohini captured the entire attention of Lord Mahadeva, looking at him with an extreme desire; she continued to entertain Lord Mahadeva moving all over the garden.  Lord Mahadeva completely forgot his identity and nature like an untamed male elephant craving for a female elephant to fulfill its physical requirements.  He approached her in an intense desire, caught hold of her beautiful long hair locks, when Mahadeva moved further to embrace her was rejected by Mohini and she ran out of his reach.  Mahadeva who was completely besieged by the beauty of Mohini followed her at great speed; her attires were lost due to the force of the wind, Mahadeva who was chasing Mohini could not control his desire, eventually, the beeja/rethas released were fallen on the Earth, and has become silver and gold.  Immediately after releasing the Beeja, Mahadeva realized his real nature and regained his splendor, he did not spend even a second recollecting those mistakes, he instantly concentrated on his supreme consciousness. 

Lord Mahadeva prostrated before Mohini, “ Oh! Devi, I shall prostrate before you.” Lord Vishnu said “ Oh! Vibhudhashreshta/eminent one, you have effortlessly regained your supreme consciousness in no time.   The ordinary living beings keep feeding their sense in delusion; they do not make an effort to bring back the consciousness to merge with the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in them.  Oh! Bhagavan, it was your proficiency to regain the supreme consciousness, therefore, you have not stained by my incarnation as Mohini.” 

Lord Mahadeva returned to the Mount Kailash and described all that happened to Goddess Sati, “ Oh! Devi, I was drenched in illusion after witnessing the marvelous form of supreme Lord Vishnu as Mohini, it was extremely difficult to withdraw my mind from the beautiful form of Mohini.  I have lost the beeja/semen while I was running after that attractive form of Lord Vishnu, instantly I have regained the supreme consciousness and contemplated upon that Purusha, thus I have freed my mind from illusion.   Oh! Devi, this glorious form of Mohini will teach a great philosophy to the living beings on the Earth.  This splendid pastime of Lord Vishnu would be the greatest lesson to relieve the souls from the miseries of worldly existence.” 

Whoever contemplates upon the most magnificent form of Lord Vishnu as Mohini would attain happiness in the material world as well as union with the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul.

The human mind and intellect are the sole contributors to happiness, pain, grief and sorrow, it needs diverse matters to contemplate, if it is not twisted in the right manner it wander in the material world and accumulates intense grief and sorrow, if it is turned in contemplating the supreme Lord who resides as soul in living beings and the all-pervading nature of him, it would provide the serenity of mind, clarity of thoughts, and ultimately supreme bliss.  It has the ability to soak in the world of fantasy as well as mull over the past pleasant and unpleasant experiences.  It has the capability to fasten the individual soul into worldly matters, bondage, and countless desires; it also has the power to unfasten the individual soul from the worldly matters to the supreme Lord as well.  The serenity of mind can be achieved through constant practice of contemplation on the supreme Lord, meditation, Yoga, breathing techniques/Pranayama, recitation of sacred scriptures, etc.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter - 103 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -6

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Devadeva who carries out the functions of Indhriyas, mind, and intellect with your presence in the soul, Oh! Jagathvyapin/omnipresent, Oh! Jagadeesha/Jagath = Jayathe/creation + Thishtathi/preservation + Gacchathi/destruction, Oh! Jaganmaya who is all-pervading and changeless, Oh! Sarvabhoothathma,  you are the cause and effects as well, you have neither beginning nor end, you are absolute truth known as Bhramam.  The intellectuals contemplate upon your lotus feet and attain the state of bliss, the liberated souls abandon the sensual pleasure, desire, and material bondage, and elevate their souls.  Oh! Lord you are absolute Bhramam, which is beyond TriGunas, sorrows, and impurities, you are flawless, you symbolize nectar and you are supreme bliss.  You are void of duality, {human body, mind, and intellect are considered as ‘Dwayam’, it is subject to a different color, skin tone, shape, etc.. but the supreme soul remains ‘Adhwayam’ that is free from duality, any of the color or qualities.} like the ornaments of a various pattern made out of precious yellow metal, due to ignorance the people forget to notice the supreme soul in all living beings.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have witnessed your numerous incarnations, I have not seen your incarnation as a beautiful woman while distributing the nectar of immortality, I would like to witness the same, hence kindly reveal that glorious form to me.”

Lord Vishnu speaks “ Oh! Lord Mahadeva, I have assumed that beautiful form of a woman to entertain the demons, so that the deities could get the share of nectar of immortality. Oh! Surasaththama, I shall reveal that form to you.”  Lord Vishnu disappeared from sight.