August 19, 2017 archive

Fourth Canto Chapter Eleven

In this chapter seeing the destruction of the Yakshas, Swayāmbhuva Manu approaches grandson Dhruva and imparts to him the Supreme Essence. Dhruva calls off this battle with the Yakshas.

Maitreya Maharishi said, “O Vidura, Dhruva heard the Maharishis who were seeking his victory in the war and who advised him to seek the help of Lord Srihari. He immediately performed ācamana (purificatory ritual) and readied his bow with the arrow called Nārāyaṇa astra.

Just as spiritual ignorance (avidya), egoism (ahamkara), likes, dislikes and fear of death vanish the moment spiritual knowledge (Jnana) arises in the person, all the illusions created by the Yakshas vanished the moment he readied the Narayana astra.

The weapon Narayana astra has emerged from Maharishi Narayana. The moment Dhruva fixed this arrow to his bow, many arrows that had huge wings like royal swans and golden bordered feathers flew out from it. Just as a peacock enters the forest making huge hissing sounds, these arrows making thunderous noises cut through the enemy army. The sharp arrows cut the limbs of the Yakshas and injured them badly.

From all directions, infuriated Yakshas held their weapons above them and just as Garuda rushes forcefully towards a snake, they collectively pounced upon Dhruva. With fierce arrows Dhruva cut the heads, hands, legs and stomachs of his enemies who were thus rushing to attack him.

As a result of this frightful war, Yakshas who were distanced from their bodies reached higher celestial places just as supreme saints, through their spiritual pursuits, cut through the solar system and reach the Satya loka, the final abode.

Mounted on his multi-coloured chariot Dhruva began to victoriously travel throughout the battlefield.

Swāyambhuva Manu who saw his grandson Dhruva killing thousands of innocent and faultless Yakshas was agitated. Compassion towards Yakshas flowed from within him. Together with the Maharishis he approached Dhruva and said,

“Alaṁ vatsātiroṣeṇa tamo-dvāreṇa pāpmanā

Yena puṇya-janān etān avadhīs tvam anāgasaḥ

My dear son! Intense anger causes a person to commit sins thereby throwing him into hell. In addition, such intense anger causes the person to remain trapped in this unending cycle of births and deaths.  Succumbing to intense anger you have killed Yakshas who were faultless. Noble persons are going to condemn this horrible act of yours.

This action of killing Yakshas is not befitting our lineage. This is because you are bent upon killing innocent Yakshas. It is true that your love for your brother was unsurpassed. It is also true that you are aggrieved upon his death. But it is also true that for a mistake committed by one amongst them, you are punishing the entire clan. Do you think your actions are worthy and justified?

Nāyaṁ mārgo hi sādhūnāṁ hṛṣīkeśānuvartinām

Yad ātmānaṁ parāg gṛhya paśuvad bhūta-vaiśasam

Due to love towards their body, animals kill each other. Likewise considering this body to be the Self (atma) you are killing others. Your actions are despicable. This is not the path to be adopted by noble persons like you who are devoted towards all-pervading Lord Srihari.

Sarva-bhūtātma-bhāvena bhūtāvāsaṁ hariṁ bhavān

Ārādhyāpa durārādhyaṁ viṣṇos tat paramaṁ padam

It is very difficult to worship Lord Srihari, who is the presiding deity for all living beings and who resides as the Self within all living beings. Through the understanding that all living entities are nothing but His varied manifestations, You have worshipped the all-pervading Lord Srihari.

You have obtained His abode, which is the ultimate destination and which is greatly extolled by the Vedas. You are that supreme devotee whom Srihari remembers. Devotees of the Lord consider you to be of a holy nature.

Moreover, you have directly learnt from Maharishi Nārada the disciplines that should be adhered to by noble saintly persons. Through your exemplary behavior you have become a guide for all noble saintly persons. How then could you commit this mistake?

Srihari resides as the Self within every living entity, isn’t it? Srihari is supremely pleased with the person who has qualities of patience, compassion, love towards all forms of life and faith that everything belongs to the Lord. The person who is totally blessed by Him is liberated from this subtle body and from these worldly bondages which emerge out of the three attributes of Nature. Such devotee merges completely into the Lord who is an embodiment of bliss.

The five basic elements transform into male and female forms in this universe. From the union of man and woman another male or female form emerges.

Evaṁ pravartate sargaḥ sthitiḥ saṁyama eva ca

Guṇa-vyatikarād rājan māyayā paramātmanaḥ

The Lord’s illusion (māya) causes an imbalance in the mixture of the trigunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) due to which bodies are created. They live for a certain period of time and then they perish. Thus creation, sustenance and dissolution take place. The Supreme Lord remains merely a witness to these actions of creation, sustenance and dissolution.

Just as an iron piece moves when kept in the presence of a magnet, merely from Paramatma’s presence the world emerges from the unmanifest. Thereafter it again merges back into Him”.

Sridharāya namah

Sridharāya namah

Dhruva blew his conch so loudly that it reverberated in all directions. The wives of the Yakshas trembled and panicked. Fear could be seen in their eyes. Powerful Yaksha men, who could not withstand this loud sound, took up weapons and rushed towards Dhruva who was stationed outside their city.

Dhruva, the expert in warfare, was famous as an unsurpassed, unbeatable warrior. Merely seeing his face and his bow was enough to create fear in the hearts of the opponents. This expert warrior began to shower three simultaneous arrows upon the Yakshas, killing them.

As the arrows struck them powerfully on their foreheads, the Yakshas, unable to withstand this onslaught concluded that they had met defeat in Dhruva’s hands. They applauded Dhruva’s heroism and valour. Yet at the same moment the injured warriors recovered from this attack and like serpents that hiss angrily when their tails have been trodden, vehemently took up arms again.

The Yaksha army consisted of 130,000 warriors. Seeking revenge each of them dispatched six simultaneous arrows upon Dhruva. In addition, they attacked Dhruva and his charioteer with innumerable coloured arrows, bludgeons, maces, tridents, swords, pikes, spears and many more varieties of weapons.

They buried Dhruva totally under the weapons, so much so that even from a near distance, he could not be spotted. Just like a mountain covered with torrential rainfall ceases to be spotted, Dhruva stuck amidst the mountain of weapons could not be seen.

Siddhas who witnessed this attack from the skies trembled with fear and began to scream, “The Sun called Dhruva who was born in the Manu lineage has sunk into the ocean of Yakshas”. Such was the magnitude of the weapons showered upon Dhruva!

The Yakshas began to shout victory slogans and dance with joy. Just like the Sun cuts through the thick layer of clouds and emerges, all of a sudden Dhruva’s chariot emerged, cutting through the mountain of weapons.

He twanged his bow once which filled his enemies with deep fear. Using arrows, he destroyed their weapons completely. His powerful sharp arrows cut through their protective shields and pierced their hearts.

The entire battlefield was covered with dead heroes who had succumbed to the powerful half-moon shaped arrows dispatched by King Dhruva. Across the battlefield were heads that were decorated with beautiful earrings, thighs that resembled huge palm trees and powerful arms decorated with golden bracelets. Dazzling valuable crowns, pearl chains and golden armlets lay scattered everywhere. The scene at that moment there was such that it would rob the mind of even the most powerful emperor.

Those warriors who were alive were grievously injured with limbs broken. Just as an elephant runs upon sighting an approaching lion, these warriors fled in all directions.

Emperor Dhruva, the descendent of Manu, could not spot a single warrior in the battlefield with whom he could fight. He desired to visit Alakāpuri, the city of Yakshas, but yet as a precautionary measure he did not enter the city. Addressing his charioteer he said, “These Yakshas have illusory powers. Their actions are unpredictable.”

In this way, emperor Dhruva, who was seated on his multi-coloured chariot, expressed his concern and readied himself for battle.

As he was saying this, he heard terrible noises that resembled violent ocean waves. He could see a huge dust storm that was covering all directions approaching him. All of a sudden the skies were filled with thick dark clouds and were accompanied by severe thunder and lightning. These were the illusory clouds created by the Yakshas. It began to rain mucus, blood, stools, urine, pus and bone marrow. From the skies, many dead bodies began to fall around him.

There appeared a huge mountain in the skies which began to rain stones, goads, swords, bludgeons and lances from all directions upon him.

Many terrible serpents hissed loudly and attacked him. They vomited fire from their breath and spit sparks from their eyes. Intoxicated elephants, lions and tigers rushed towards him.

The violent ocean created many huge fearful tsunami waves and was made thunderous noises. These waves were devouring the earth as they rushed towards him.

Yakshas thus using their illusory power created many different types of illusion to frighten Dhruva. However the truth is that only mentally weak persons succumb to fears. Upon a valiant warrior like Dhruva, they failed to have any impact.

The Maharishis who witnessed this prayed for the victory and well-being of Dhruva. The sages said, “O Son of Uttānapāda! O Dhruva! Holding the might bow called Śārngadhanva, Srihari dispels the distress of those who offer obeisance to him. May He destroy your enemies! The person who thinks of Him or who chants His name easily crosses over death, which otherwise is impossible to conquer”.

With this the tenth chapter of the fourth canto comes to an end.

Sridharāya namah

The citizens praised the Queen Suneeti, “O queen, from a long time your son was not to be seen. Due to God’s grace he has returned. It is truly great fortune. He will alleviate all our sufferings. He will safeguard earth.

Abhyarcitas tvayā nūnaṁ bhagavān praṇatārti-hā

Yad-anudhyāyino dhīrā mṛtyuṁ jigyuḥ sudurjayam

You sincerely worshipped the Lord who dispels the distress of those who have surrendered to Him. This is undoubtedly true. Devotees who are eternally devoted towards His worship conquer even death, which otherwise is impossible to conquer”.

In various ways the citizens praised Dhruva. Hearing these wonderful praises King Uttānapāda was overjoyed. He had Dhruva and his brother Uttama seated on an elephant and then the procession returned to the city. Citizens also glorified their King.

The city was decorated with many crocodile-shaped doorways. Each of these doorways was decorated with banana plants laden with bunches of ripe bananas and areca palm trees laden with areca nuts.

Burning lamps placed in huge water pots were positioned at each gate. These water pots were decorated with tender mango leaves, flower garlands and pearl chains.

The entire city was enclosed by boundary walls. There were many gate towers. Huge domes decorated these towers. There were many palaces within the city. All the domes of the palaces glittered like domes of airplanes.

The citizens cleaned all pathways, main roads as well as the streets and sprinkled them with sandalwood water. They arranged auspicious items such as fried grain, fruits, akshata, rice, flowers. As Dhruva passed by, married women greeted him by singing melodious welcoming songs and showered motherly love upon him. They blessed him profusely with many auspicious items such as curd, white gingely, akshata (colored rice), water, tender grass, fruits and flowers. While listening to these melodious songs, Dhruva entered his father’s palace.

That palace was made up of many precious gems and stones. Enjoying his father’s love and affection, Dhruva lived in that palace just as Devatas live in heaven. The place had beds made of ivory which were white like milk cream. All vessels and plates were made of gold. Costly, valuable furniture could be seen throughout the palace.

The walls of that palace were made of marble and were engraved with many carvings made of sapphire. Many oil lamps were burning on these walls. In the inner apartments of the palace, ladies moved about wearing costly jewellery that glittered brightly.

The gardens attached to this palace were replete with many fragrant, auspicious trees which brought joy to the mind. Bird-couples seated on the many branches of this garden chirped melodiously. Bees that were intoxicated due to drinking excessive nectar moved about buzzing melodiously.

The steps leading to the ponds and wells were made of marbles, emeralds and precious stones. These ponds were decorated with many black lilies, white lilies and lotuses. Flocks of swans, cranes and birds such as kārandavās, jakkava, rāyanca could be seen throughout the lakes. They flew about freely everywhere.

King Uttānapāda, who was of a saintly nature, had previously heard from Maharishi Narada the supreme accomplishment of his son Dhruva. He could now see directly the magnanimity of that accomplishment. It left him wonder-struck.

Time passed and Dhruva entered into his youth. The ministers and the elderly members of the country thought it appropriate for him to be crowned the King. Uttānapāda also realized that the citizens loved him dearly. He therefore crowned Dhruva as the king.

Uttānapāda had attained dispassion. Being old he now wanted to spend time in contemplating about the Self. Accepting vanaprastha ashrama, he left for the forests.

With this the ninth chapter of the fourth canto comes to an end.

Fourth Canto Chapter Ten

Dhruva’s marriage, the death of his brother Uttama and infuriated Dhruva fighting with the Yakshas who killed his brother, are covered in this chapter.

Maitreya Maharishi continued the story of Dhruva, “Śiśumāra Prajāpati had a daughter named Bhrami. Dhruva married Bhrami. This couple had two sons named Kalpa and Vatsara.

Dhruva was a very powerful emperor. He also married Ila, the daughter of wind. Through her he begot a son named Utkala and a very beautiful daughter who was also very virtuous.

His younger brother Uttama however was unmarried. One day he went hunting into the deep Himalayas. There while fighting a powerful Yaksha, he died. His mother Suruci, who was deeply attached to her son, went searching for him into the forests. She was caught in a terrible forest fire and she died.

This happened exactly as Sri Mahavishnu had earlier prophesized.

When Dhruva came to know that his brother Uttama had been killed by a Yaksha he was overwhelmed with grief. His fury knew no bounds. Immediately he mounted his chariot and set out for Alakāpuri, the abode of Yakshas.

This city is located in the northern direction. Attendants of Rudra wander about in these places. Dhruva travelled in that direction and reached a vast field located amidst the huge Himalayan valleys. From there he spotted Alakāpuri, the city of Yakshas.

Instantly Dhruva blew his conch so loudly that it reverberated in all directions.

Sridharāya namah

Dhruva thought, “I reached the lotus feet of that Lord who destroys worldly bondages. But due to my foolishness, I prayed to Him for a position which is of impermanent nature.

The star (pole star) that I am about to reach is superior to the heavenly planets wherein Devatas reside. When their balance of punya (merit) comes to an end these Devatas are thrown out of heaven. Therefore envious of my accession to a higher planet, these Devatas polluted my intelligence. That is why foolishly I threw away the valuable advice given to me earlier by Maharishi Narada.

I was totally deluded by Srihari’s illusion (māya). The person considers the objects seen in the dream to be of different existence, although this is far from truth. In reality there is nothing apart from the Self. Likewise totally deluded, I considered my brother as my enemy. I am afflicted due to this wrongful thinking. Hence all my efforts have become completely useless and can be compared to the treatment given to a dead person.

Srihari is the Self (atma) for this entire universe. Pleasing Him is the most difficult task. He is the Lord who destroys worldly bondages. I was fortunate that I could please Him with my penance. But then being dull-witted, I asked Him for perishable objects. I sought worldly bondages.

Svārājyaṁ yacchato mauḍhyān māno me bhikṣito bata

Īśvarāt kṣīṇa-puṇyena phalī-kārān ivādhanaḥ

Iśwara blesses the person with liberation. Due to depletion in my punya, I foolishly asked Him to bless me with the ultimate position, which only enhances my ego. I am like the foolish beggar who asks for grains of rice from the richest man who has the capacity to fulfill every demand”.

Maitreya Maharishi continued, “My dear son Vidura, pure devotees like you who are free from desire are satisfied by whatever is obtained by them due to the Lord’s grace. Srihari is the Lord who bestows liberation. Devotees like you, who serve His lotus feet, do not seek any material benefit for themselves. They seek only to serve His lotus feet.

No one believes that the dead return to life. Likewise, King Uttānapāda could not believe the messenger who reported that his son was returning home. He thought -‘I am a wretched fool. How can such auspiciousness ever come to me?’

But yet at the same time he recollected the words of Maharishi Narada. With faith in the Maharishi words, he understood that his son was actually returning home. He jumped with uncontrollable joy. He rewarded the messenger who had brought him this good news with a precious pearl chain.

He was anxious and desperate to see his son’s face. Immediately he mounted a golden chariot that was drawn by magnificent horses and left the city. Together with priests, Vedic scholars, relatives and many other well-wishers, his procession moved magnificently.

The citizens blew conches, drums, flutes and kettle-drums celebrating Dhruva’s arrival. Vedic scholars began to chant Vedic hymns loudly. Suneeti and Suruci, the king’s wives, decked themselves with exquisite golden jewellery. Seated in their palanquins, they too joined the procession to welcome Dhruva.

Due to touching the holy lotus feet of the all-pervading Lord Srihari, Dhruva was now totally freed from all material bondages!

From a distance King Uttānapāda saw his son who was approaching the nearby forests. For the past many months his mind was afflicted by the desire to see his son. In that eagerness he got down from the chariot, rushed towards his son and embraced him warmly with both his arms. It was as if his long pending desire was truly fulfilled. He kissed the boy on his head repeatedly and patted him. Tears of joy were freely flowing from his eyes and they drenched the boy thoroughly.

Dhruva is the foremost among noble persons. He was totally humble. He prostrated before his father. The father blessed him and enquired about his well-being. Thereafter Dhruva turned towards both his mothers and bowing before them, he offered obeisance to them.

Step-mother Suruci lovingly carried the boy who had bowed down before her in reverence. She embraced him lovingly and with a choked voice blessed him “May you live long!” Tears of happiness were freely flowing from her eyes.

Just as water naturally flows downhill, human beings naturally honour the person who has been blessed completely by Lord Srihari. Suruci who despised him earlier now showered him with her love and blessings.

Brothers Uttama and Dhruva embraced each other and shed tears of joy. Their hair on their bodies stood up.

Mother Suneeti embraced her son who was dearer than her own life by putting her arms around him. She was soaked in total joy and the grief in her mind was totally washed away. The valiant and noble mother that she was, milk flowed from her breasts that were wet with tears of joy. They drenched Dhruva totally.

Vāmanāya namah

Dhruva continued, “Knowledge and ignorance, creation and dissolution,- such mutually contradictory energies keep manifesting suddenly one after another within the non-dual Parabrahma. This entire creation has emerged from the Supreme Lord, who is not subject to the limitations of time. This Lord is a personification of bliss and is changeless. He is the primordial cause for everything.  I surrender to such Supreme Lord.

Satyāśiṣo hi bhagavaṁs tava pāda-padmam

Āśīs tathānu-bhajataḥ puruṣārtha-mūrteḥ

apy evam arya bhagavān paripāti dīnān

vāśreva vatsakam anugraha-kātaro ’smān

O Lord! Your lotus feet are the sole refuge for bliss, which is sought after by every human being. The devotee who serves You without any expectation of reward considers the wonderful opportunity of serving Your lotus feet as far superior than even the highest materialistic reward! To him serving Your lotus feet itself is the highest reward!

Nevertheless, O Lord, You are always eager to fulfill the desire of Your devotees. Just as a mother cow protects her newborn calf, with utmost love You protect helpless devotees like me”.

In this way, intelligent Dhruva praised the Lord. Supreme Lord Srihari was immensely pleased with this prayer. Appreciating his prayer, He replied,

“Vedāhaṁ te vyavasitaṁ hṛdi rājanya-bālaka

Tat prayacchāmi bhadraṁ te durāpam api suvrata

O Prince! Your dedication towards penance is supreme! I know the desire within your mind. Although it is impossible to fulfill, I am going to fulfill it. May you be blessed with auspiciousness!

Dhruva, the planet that you are about to obtain glows radiantly. None can rise above it. None can enter into it. You will eternally rule over it. Constellations of stars and planets will be under its control.  Based on their individual punya, meritorious beings who reside in higher planes are re-born on earth during the Kalpa (period of creation). This planet that you are about to obtain will however remain till eternity. In other words, it will remain till the end of creation.

Dharma, Kashyapa, Agni, Shukra, as well as other great sages who abiding by the rules of Vānaprastha have acquired limitless merit, will in the form of stars circumambulate this planet (pole star) together with other planets and stars.

Your father will hand over the kingdom to you and leave for the forests. Thereafter you will rule for a period of 36000 years. You will keep Dharma, artha, kāma (the first three principles of life) absolutely under your control. You will totally restrain your senses and then enjoy kingly luxuries.

Your younger brother Uttama will die while he is hunting in deep forests. Your step-mother Suruci, unable to bear separation from her son, will go searching for him into the forests. Caught in a forest fire, she will meet death.

Yagna is my heart. You will worship me by conducting many such Yagnas and give away plentiful Dakshina (money offering given to priests conducting the Yagna). After enjoying best luxuries in this planet, in your last moments you will remember Me.

Tato gantāsi mat-sthānaṁ sarva-loka-namaskṛtam –Thereafter you will reach My abode, which is revered by all the worlds and which is located above the constellation of seven great sages. Only Yatiśwaras reach this abode of Mine. There is no question of re-birth for those who reach My abode”. In this way, Lord Srihari blessed Dhruva.

As Dhruva was watching, the Lord returned to His abode. By worshipping the lotus feet of the Lord, Dhruva’s desire was fulfilled. But still he was not totally satisfied. Recollecting the Lord’s order, he returned to his kingdom” said Maitreya Maharishi to Vidura.

Vidura then enquired, “O Maharishi, Srihari is the Lord of illusion. His permanent abode is the ultimate position that can be granted. It is beyond the reach of the pretentious. It can be attained only with great difficulty. It is obtained purely by those who dedicatedly worship His holy feet. In one birth Dhurva obtained that ultimate abode which cannot be obtained even after innumerable births. Why then was he unhappy?”

To this Maitreya Maharishi replied, “Through her harsh words step-mother Suruci pierced the heart of Dhruva. Dhruva recollected her painful words time and again. When he meditated upon the Supreme Lord he did not forget these insulting words. He did not seek liberation. For this reason, he now grieved.

He now thought, ‘Sanaka, Sananda and other great saints, who choose to remain eternal celibates, practiced intense meditation with total concentration for many births. Through ripened knowledge, they obtained the lotus feet of the Lord. With merely six months of penance, I could see the shadow of the Lord’s feet. However I entertained feelings of differentiation and considered my step-mother to be different from me. Due to this I have again been separated from the Lord’s feet. How unfortunate I am! Due to my foolishness I have lost them”.

Vāmanāya namah.