||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 144 - The legend of King Dhushyantha

Maharishi Vedavyasa wrote eighteen Puranas and Upa Puranas, and various scriptures which narrates the numerous righteous deeds to attain the supreme Bhramam.  The legends of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the Karma, Dharma, and Bhramam, to elevate the souls to the ultimate Bhramam.   It repeatedly affirms the nature of material matters, wealth, richness, possessions, fame, respect, appearance, people,  and sensual pleasures that have impermanent nature, and the supreme Lord who resides as a soul is eternal and bliss.  Whoever realizes the absolute truth of the ‘Athman’ and its existence as the supreme soul would be relieved from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  The supreme soul has subtle nature, it cannot be seen, but it can be experienced the same as the feel of cool braze.   Whoever performs the duties and responsibilities with the knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings would be liberated from the cycles of repeated births. In this scripture, Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the legend of the King Pareekshith/Vishnuratha who got cursed to die in seven days by the serpent bite of Thakshaka,  elevated his soul with the knowledge of Bhramam, from his preceptor Shukha Bhramam/Bhramaratha in seven days and attained liberation with the constant contemplation upon the supreme Lord.

Shuka Bhramam describes the clan of ‘Puru’, the legend of King Dushyantha who was born in this clan.   Once King Dhushyantha went for a hunting expedition, he arrived at the hermitage of Maharishi Kanva.  He met a stunningly beautiful woman surrounded by her female attendants.  His complete attention was drawn towards her lovely appearance.   He approached her and asked “Oh! Devi, why are you here in this dense wood? Why are you living in this hermitage?” Shakunthala replied “ Oh! Rajan, I am born to Sage Vishwamithra and Menaka, later Sage Kanva brought me in his hermitage and taking care of me as his daughter.”  King Dhushyantha has fallen in love with her instantly and requested to marry.  Thus, King Dhushyantha and Shakunthala married following the Gandharveeya rites of marriage.  They happily spend that night, while Sage Kanva was not in the hermitage.  The next morning King Dhushyantha left the hermitage of Sage Kanva, leaving a marvelous ring as a mark of his love for Devi Shakunthala.  

In due course of time, Shakunthala got pregnant with a child.  Shakuntala described Maharishi Kanva about the happenings in his absence, daughter, and father patiently waited for the arrival of King Dhushyantha, but they did not receive any message from him.   Sage Kanva took his fully pregnant daughter to the assembly of King Dhushyantha was not welcomed with respect, asked her to prove the marriage taken place between the King and Shakunthala.  Unfortunately, traveling through the dense wood she has lost the ring that was given as a mark of love by the King, ultimately she fails to produce the ring in the assembly.  Soon, a divine voice echoed “Oh! Rajan, do not abandon the chaste woman Shakunthala who is already married to you, and the child she is bearing is yours, therefore do not give up on her.”  Thus Shakunthala was accepted as the Queen of King Dhushyantha with all the respects and the child born to the couple was named Bharatha who brought up in the palace with all royal comforts.  Later, Bharatha was crowned as the King and ruled the Kingdom wisely like his father.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 143 - The legend of Yayathi -4

The King Yaythi contemplated upon the supreme soul Vasudeva and attained highest of the spiritual state.  Devayani and Sharmishta abandon interest in worldly matters and bondage, they isolated themselves from the marvelous royal life, possessions, and people who are soaked in the worldly matters, and soon they realized all those richness, people and luxuries of life as a dream that does not last for more than a few seconds.  They have attained the knowledge about the real nature of the worldly matters which is impermanent and contemplated upon the supreme soul that represents permanent bliss, eventually left the mortal coil.

Namasthubhyam Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Vedase | Sarvabhoodhadhivasaya  Shanthaya Bhrihathe Nama: ||

The mind and intellect that has originated from the supreme soul should merge with the supreme Lord; otherwise, it takes several births and undergoes constant troubles, miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  The illustrious Rishis realized that the individual soul whose mind and intellect is under the constant  influence of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Moha, and Mathscharya, finds pleasure in material matters, people and richness, without the knowledge that it has fleeting nature, finally put the individual into extreme grief and agony.  Therefore the intellect and mind should be always united with the supreme Bhramam to get relieved from the sorrows and miseries of worldly existence, while performing the duties and responsibilities too.  The constant practice of devotion, and contemplation upon the supreme Lord would eradicate the impurities of the mind and intellect; eventually helps to unite the soul with the supreme Bhramam.   The intellectuals take immense pleasure in the  contemplation of supreme soul who resides as soul, and remains themselves unaffected by the worldly matters, different from the ignorant who does not realize the all-pervading nature of the supreme soul takes several births and undergoes miseries and grief of worldly existence.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 142 - The legend of Yayathi -3

 King Yayathi was described as ‘Dharmshita’ in Srimad Bhagavath Puran.  He was the first one to discover the reason for an inexorable desire for the physical pleasures with the woman.  The keenness of seeking physical pleasures is not related to sense organs, it is an unstoppable urge of the human mind and intellect that can wedge to material matters and spiritual matters as well.  The more interest in physical pleasures causes the mind and intellect to wedge on it.  The human intellect and mind are a highly powerful instrument which can be used in either way.  King Yayathi experienced it with the physical pleasures with his wives after some time he realized that those were not going to help his afterlife.  In a sudden moment, he took all his attention of mind and intellect towards contemplating the supreme Lord to elevate his soul.

Yayathi described a story of the greatest of the male goat to Devayani.  Once a charming male got was traveling in the woods, found a beautiful female goat in a manhole, he prepared to elevate the female goat from the manhole; he filled the hole with sand and lifted her up.  They began to live together enjoying physical pleasures, they have attained several children, continued to live in the coziness of each other.  Further, the male got started finding pleasures in the association of other female goats, the previous female goat complained the same to its master/Bhramin who got angry and cut off the sexual organs of the male goat.  Once, again the male goat pleaded before the Bhramin for regaining its old charm and continued to live in the physical pleasures with the female goat.  After some time, the male goat realized that his perception of life was completely wrong.  In this way, King Yayathi narrated his own life to his wives. 

King Yayathi sadly admits that he is not yet satisfied with the physical pleasures from his wives or pleasures from the Kingdom, the more he is attached to the physical pleasures and material world, the deeper the intellect and mind are getting wedged to it.  King Yayathi said “ I have understood that our mind and intellect works like the ghee poured to a blazing fire,  I was wrong, I have stuck in the physical pleasures with my wives. Therefore I have decided that I am not continuing the same old way of living seeking pleasure in material and physical pleasures, I have already lost good ‘times’ to contemplate upon the supreme Bhramam that has no duality.  All these years I have seen and took pleasures in ‘Asath’ things that have fleeting nature.  My attachments towards physical and material pleasures would destroy my soul and cause repeated births, and heave me to ignorance.  Therefore I am going to educate my mind and intellect to contemplate upon the supreme Lord.”  He equally distributed the Kingdom and possessions to his sons, even though Yadhu attained the Kingdom, he was not recognized as King due to the curse of his father.  Gradually he freed his mind and intellect from the material comforts and physical pleasures like a baby birdie prepares to fly from its nest.  In this way, he contemplated the supreme soul who resides as a soul and elevated his soul.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 141 - The legend of Yayathi -2

Devayani speaks to King Vrishaparva “Oh! Rajan, if you want my father Shukracharya to be with you, you have to send your daughter Sharmishta as my maidservant to serve myself and my future husband King Yayathi.” King Vrishaparva was in dilemma, the demons need constant counseling of their preceptor to rule the Kingdom, so he decided to leave his daughter Sharmishta as a maidservant to Devayani, for the welfare of the Kingdom.  Thus, King Yayathi and highly intelligent  Devayani got married, she asked her father to instruct King Yayathi not to have a child in any other woman except her.

Years passed, Yayathi and Devayani had two children.  One day, she saw three children playing in the portico.  Three of them look alike, she went straight to the children and asked about their mother, and they rushed to the chamber of Sharmishta.  Devayani questioned King Yayathi about the children who had a similar appearance to the King.  Finally, it was confirmed that the King Yayathi had children in Sharmishta too.  Devayani could not control her anger, she left the palace in extreme shame and guilt, went to meet her father Shukracharya.  Devayani narrated the incident to Shukracharya, Yayathi who was following his wife to pacify her was cursed by Shukracharya, and eventually Yayathi became too old with unpleasant look due to the curse.  Yayathi fell at the feet of Shukracharya, he begged for forgiveness and requested for his youthfulness and charming appearance once again.  Shukracharya advised Yayathi to request his youthful children to get back his youthfulness.

King Yayathi got back to the palace and called for his elder son Yadhu born from Devayani. He requested Yadhu for his youthfulness so that he can enjoy being in the wedlock.  Yadhu advised his father about the physical pleasures with the woman is merely an attraction to meat, therefore asked him to leave his desire for bodily pleasures with his mother and stepmother, further advised his father to contemplate upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.  King Yayathi got very angry and cursed Yadhu that even though he attains Kingdom, he won’t be recognized as King.  King Yayathi called for his second son, he also advised him to leave attachment to worldly matters and sensual pleasure.  The third son also did the same and the fourth one also had the same advice to his father.  The fifth child Puru noticed the gloominess of his father, inquired the reason to his mother and found his father wants to get back his youthfulness and he requested all his children except him to give their youthfulness, but none were willing to give their youthfulness. 

Puru immediately approached his father Yayathi and said “ Oh! Father, If was a virtuous son, I would have resolved your troubles already, I did not even listen to your troubles or put an effort to resolve it. If I did not listen to your request and fulfill your desire, I would be the immoral child, which is equivalent to your secretion.  Oh! Father, I am unfortunate I could not be a virtuous son, therefore kindly accept my youthfulness, and fulfill all your desire for sensual pleasures.”  Thus Yayathi attained his youthfulness from Puru and immersed in the physical pleasures with the two wives.  Gradually, Yayathi realized that he was heaving himself to the utter desolation and ignorance.  

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 140 - The legend of Yayathi - 1

The King Nakusha of Soma dynasty after performing hundreds of Yagna obtained the honor of Lord Bhramam for a short period of time.  Lord Indra disappeared after the battle with the demon Vriththasura, therefore the title of Lord Indra was given to King Nakusha who has completed hundreds of fire sacrifices.  Thus, King Nakusha took the throne of the abode of Lord Indra, unfortunately, he had a deep desire for Devi Indrani who is the chaste wife of Lord Indra.  The Saptharishis took Nakusha in a celestial vehicle to the fortress of Devi Indrani, meanwhile, King Nakusha disrespectfully frowned at Sage Agasthya was cursed to become a serpent and has fallen down to Earth.

Once, King Yayathi who is the son of King Nakusha went for a hunting expedition, arrived in the middle of the woods, there he could hear the voice of a woman shrieking out for help.   King went in search of the voice and found a well, inside the well, there was a beautiful woman without any clothes.  King Yayathi took his upper clothe and put forward to her, as the well was not so deep.  The woman took hold of the upper clothe and came out of the well, took the hand of the King Yayathi.  She requested the King to marry her, as he was the one who took hold of her.  King Yayathi enquired her whereabouts in detail were narrated as follows.  She introduced herself as Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya who is the preceptor of demons.  Devayani with her father Shukracharya resided in the fortress of King Vrishaparva.  Devyani became close companion Sharmishta who is the daughter of King Vrishaparva.  Once, Devayani, with her companion Sharmishta and numerous attendants went to the pond for taking bath, they kept their clothes on the bank and merrily played water sports.  At that moment Lord Mahadeva and Parvati were traveling close to the pond, Sharmishta hurried to the bank and covered herself with the clothes of Devayani who was furious and shrieked in utter dismay, “How dare you wear the clothes of a Bhramin woman? You have performed most outrageous act like a dog in the Yagna arena licking the offerings kept for the Yagna.” The most humiliated Kshathriya woman Sharmishta, replied “ You are utterly shameless, you twice-born are living with the graciousness of the Kshatriyas, do not forget that.  We are the one living source for you and your father.” After saying so, Sharmishta pushed Devayani into the well.  King Yaythi amiably listens to her pathetic story and advised her that Shukracharya won’t agree with her to marry him, thus he put off her desire to marry him.  Devayani narrated the curse on her by the son of Bhrihaspathi, that she won’t get a right match from the family of twice-born, she insisted the King Yayathi to marry her, further she went to get permission from her father.  Devayani explained the happenings in the wood to her father Shukracharya and compelled him to leave the fortress of KingVrishaparva who was extremely worried at the decision of Shukracharya who is his preceptor. King Vrishaparva was fully aware of his strength is vested with his preceptor, approached him anxiously, and fallen at his feet with a request not to leave his fortress.  Thus, Shukracharya agreed to stay in the palace if Devayani was treated with honor.  King Vrishaparva requested Devayani what should he do to make her happy.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 139 – The legend of Parashurama-3

Bhargava Rama/Parashurama was born as the fourth son of Sage Jamadagni and Devi Renuka.  King Karthyaveerarjuna of Kingdom of Hyheya was a disciple Maharishi Dhaththathreya had attained several boons pleasing his preceptor.  Once, he undertook hunting expedition through the dense wood followed by his men, after long hours of amusements in the woods, the King and his men were tired of hunger.  They went to the hermitage of Sage Jamadhagni and requested for the meal.  The king and his men were reverentially greeted by the Sage and revealed his pleasure to serve them with a sumptuous meal.  Soon after, a lavish meal was offered to the King and his men; they were served in various sweets and savories, Karththaveeryarjuna was awestruck at the hospitality of the Sage, came to know about the divine cow Kamadhenu who is the source of it.  Karththveeryarjuna had a desire to get hold of the cow under his custodian so that it will be helpful to serve the people in his assembly was flatly refused by the Sage.  But Karththaveeryarjuna forcibly took hold of the divine cow, was intervened by Sage Jamadagni and explained the reason for the possession of the cow for performing various Yagna and Yaga, serving the saintly men, ascetic, family and performing his daily rites.  But Karththaveeryarjuna was not willing to listen to any of the pleas of Sage Jamadagni, finally, he seized the cow from Sage and left the place.  Soon after, Bhargava Rama entered the hermitage and saw his father in extreme agony, informed his son about the visit of King Karththaveeryarjuna and his men who snatched away the divine cow Kamadhenu.  Bhargava Rama was enraged, took his powerful bow and arrived at the assembly of King Karththaverryarjuna, a fierce battle took place, Bhargava Rama sieved the head of Karththaveeryarjuna and brought back the cow.  It was the beginning of the repeated enmity of Kshatriyas and Bhargava Rama.

Once, Devi Renuka was gone to fetch water in Ganga.  There arrived the King of Gandharva Chinthrangadha with several Apsaras, they were having pleasing times in water sport.  Devi Renuka watched at them in surprise and did not notice the time.  When she came back, she found it was already too late to bring water for ablution for Sage Jamadagni who was extremely angered by her behavior, shrieked at her “Oh! Children, kill your mother, she has lost her chastity.”  None of the children were dared to kill Devi Renuka, but Bhargava Rama who was extremely fearless approached his mother and sieved her head off from the shoulder.  Sage Jamadagni was highly pleased with Rama who sincerely followed father’s command, revealed his willingness to give boon, Rama said “Oh! Sathyavathisutha/Father, I would like to have two boons from you.  Kindly restore the life of my mother, and she should not aware of the fact that I have severed her head.”  Thus, Bhargava Rama got rid of the sin of killing his own mother.

Years passed, once Sage Jamadagni was in deep meditation, there arrived the sons of King Heyheya with his men.  They severed the head of Sage Jamadagni and left the hermitage.  When Rama returned to the hermitage saw his mother and utterly shocked, she was sitting near the headless corpse of his father, beating her chest for twenty-one times and lamenting over the death of his father.  At that moment he took a vow to reduce the burden of Earth by killing the wicked Kshatriyas and performed final rites of his father in the pool of blood.  Bhargava Rama surrendered all his brilliance to Sri Rama during Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as the son of King Dasaratha and returned to Mount Mahendragiri for penance.  Thus,  Lord Parashurama put an end to those wicked Kshatriyas who were completely drenched in the material world and committed various crimes, and reinstated the twice-borns who were proficient in Vedic knowledge and knowledge of Bhramam  to elevate the souls to supreme Lord.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 138 – The legend of Parashurama-2

The state of renunciation 'Kaivalya' can be achieved with the supreme wisdom and knowledge, development in any field is possible through performing duties and responsibilities /Karma, and with the supreme wisdom and knowledge as well.  Any  development of duty-bound would face the constant threat of destruction.    Kaivalya can be attained only with supreme wisdom,  association with the saintly men,   meditation, reading scriptures, recitation of sacred names of Lord, and the constant remembrance of Lord with the knowledge about the mind and intellect that are originated from the supreme soul, and therefore it should merge with the supreme Lord who has all-pervading blissful nature, it is changeless, and has neither beginning nor end.  The lack of knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul would cause  the soul to hold on to the worldly matters, eventually transform the souls as selfish, finds immense pleasure in conflicts, wickedness, cruelty, mercilessness, jealousy, pride, etc…  The ultimate object of  the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parashurama was put an end to the wicked Kshatriyas who were immersed in the material world.   Further, Bhargavarama reinstated the glories of twice-born who are well versed in Vedic culture and the knowledge of supreme Bhramam.  Hence, Karma/duties and responsibilities followed with the wisdom are considered as supreme, any Karma without the knowledge of the nature of the Supreme Lord is worthless.  The human intellect and mind is too complex,  it is completely under the influence of Maya/ illusion,  it gets easily attracted to the pleasure in the material world, outward appearances, senses, and objects, without the knowledge that all those material pleasures are short living nature, therefore it keeps searching for numerous ways to please the senses and its journey goes on and on by taking several births.  Therefore a multifaceted mind and intellect can be put into practice of the permanent nature of the supreme Lord who is bliss; this is possible only through wisdom/Vedanta Vignana, association with the ascetics and saintly people.