August 19, 2017 archive

Immediately upon seeing Brahma, Shiva stood up and offered obeisance. All the sages, Maharishis, siddha-gaṇās and Shiva’s attendants also stood up and offered obeisance to Lord Brahma.

Shiva’s neck was bluish in complexion. He body was glowing. With the crescent moon on His forehead, He was radiant. With a charming smile, Lord Brahma addressed the Lord who had reverentially bowed to him and said, “

Jāne tvām īśaṁ viśvasya jagato yoni-bījayoḥ

Śakteḥ śivasya ca paraṁ yat tad brahma nirantaram

O Parameśwara! You are the Lord of this entire universe. If illusory power (māya śakti) is the womb within which the world emerges, then Śiva is the seed. If illusory power is the material cause (upādāna kāraṇa) for the creation, the Śiva are the instrumental cause (nimitta kāraṇa).

Due to the union of the Nature and Self (Prakriti- Puruśa), this world emerges. For this reason, śakti and Śiva are the father and mother for this entire creation. I know You as the Supreme Lord (Parabrahma), who is above Nature and Self, who is non-dual and who is extolled greatly by the Vedas.

O Supreme Lord! O Parameshwara! You manifest as Śiva and śakti and in these forms, playfully engage in actions. The spider spins a web from its body. Thereafter it pulls back that web into itself. In the similar manner, You create this world from Your body. You sustain it and thereafter absorb it back into Yourself.

Vedas blesses the people by establishing the four-fold principles of life i.e. the Puruśārthas. In order to protect these Vedas, using Daksha as an instrument, You began the Yagna. O Lord, You are the one who protects the tenets of Dharma. Exponents in Vedas dedicatedly abide by these Vedic disciplines.

Tvaṁ karmaṇāṁ maṅgala maṅgalānāṁ Kartuḥ sva-lokaṁ tanuṣe svaḥ paraṁ vā

Amaṅgalānāṁ ca tamisram ulbaṇaṁ Viparyayaḥ kena tad eva kasyacit

O Lord Śiva! O bestower of auspiciousness! You are the heavenly destination for those who, for the fulfillment of their desires, adhere to the auspicious activities specified by the Vedas.  You are the one who rewards them with heavenly comforts. For those who complete actions without any expectation of reward (niśkāma), You bestow liberation, the final goal of life. You are the one who punishes those who indulge in sinful inauspicious deeds, by pushing them into horrible hells.

Nevertheless, for some unknown reason, at times these results awarded are contrary to what they should be. Although Daksha began an auspicious activity, due to his mistakes the result was inauspicious. The person who has surrendered to Your lotus feet, sees You as residing with every living being. Giving up feelings of differentiation he sees every living being as a form of the Self. Such evolved person does not succumb to anger like animals or like ignorant beings.

Yet, there are people who believe in duality and differentiation. Their mind is eternally focused upon performance of actions instead of focusing upon the Supreme Lord. Such persons, who have a wicked mind, can never tolerate another’s prosperity. At every moment they are tormented with jealousy. They cause distress to others by uttering harsh words which pierce the hearts of others. In the form of inauspicious results God punishes these wicked persons. One among such sinners is Daksha. O auspicious form! I pray to You, please do not cause his death.

It is impossible to cross God’s illusion (Hari māya). Those who are caught in this illusion see only duality everywhere. If due to their past destiny or due to God’s will such people commit sins, the saints who exist during that time period, out of compassion pardon them and thus shower their grace upon them. They do not show their might upon them.

O Lord! It is impossible to cross illusion created by the Supreme Lord. However this illusion does not touch you, who are omniscient. Trapped in this illusion, wisdom and intelligence depletes. As a result Daksha and other ordinary persons are eternally engrossed in performing actions. Please pardon their mistakes and bless them.

O primordial cause of this creation! O Lord Śiva! You are entitled for a share in Yagna offerings. Due to wickedness, these people conducting the Yagna did not offer to you, Your share. Due to destruction caused by You, Daksha’s yagna remains incomplete. O Lord! Please ensure that this Yagna is duly completed. After all You are the Lord who bestows the results for every Yagna. You please bring Daksha back to life and help him complete his Yagna.

O Lord, please also ensure that Bhaga Devata gets back his eyesight, Puśa Devatas gets back his teeth and that Bhrigu Maharishi gets back his beard and mustache. O Rudra! Please ensure that all injured priests and Devatas, whose limbs are broken, are healed completely”.

Haraye namah

Haraye namah

All the lakes in Kailasa are ornamented with different kinds of white lilies, blue water lilies, chengalva lilies and lotuses. Groups of birds flock to these lakes chirping melodiously rendering the place divine. Deer, monkeys, wild pigs, lions, bears, wild boars, sharvas, wild bulls, tigers, foxes and many other species of animals wander about in the vicinity of these lakes. Rows of banana plants decorate the river banks and lake-beds. River Nanda, which has attained ultimate purity due to Satidevi bathing in it, flows all around Kailasa.

The Devatas, who arrived at Kailasa to seek pardon from Shiva, were deeply wonder-struck seeing its beauty and richness. They saw the beautiful city called Alakapuri and the forests known as ‘sougandhika’. The lotuses that bloom in this forest are known as sougandhika (fragrant). Rivers Alakananda and Nanda flow on either side of this Alakapura. Due to the dust of the sacred lotus feet of Shiva, these rivers have become extremely pure.

Celestial ladies, who are tired after excessive sensory pleasures, come down from their planets to play in these rivers. Together with their husbands, they play in these waters, to drive away the tiredness.

As they playfully enter the waters, the kumkum from the forehead of the ladies, mixes into the waters causing the waters of the river to appear crimson yellow. The male elephants, intoxicated due to the fragrance of the waters, flock to these rivers together with the female elephants to drink water even though they are not thirsty.

In the skies above Alakapuri, hundreds of celestial airplanes, made of gold, precious stones and gems, fly about. Seated within them are female Yakshas. In this way the sky above Alakapuri, illumines with the beautiful female Yakshas and airplanes that dazzle like clouds.

The Devatas crossed this city called Alakapuri, which is the residence of Kubera, the king of Yakshas. They now arrived at the gardens known as Sougandhika. This garden, filled with wish-fulfilling trees known as Kalpavrikshas, appears pleasant. All the trees here glow with their multi-coloured leaves, tender shoots and fruits.

In this garden, the melodious chirps of the cuckoos are accompanied by the tuneful buzzing of the bees. The lakes in this garden are filled with beautiful lotuses which attract royal swans. Yellow sandalwood trees are found in great abundance here. In order to relieve themselves from the itching sensations, wild elephants rub their backs against the trees. With this the barks of the trees fall off. The aroma of these sandalwood trees, carried by the wind, torments the minds of the female Yakshas and makes them crave for more sensual pleasures.

The steps leading to the lakes are made of sapphires and rubies. With rows of black water lilies, these lakes appear divinely beautiful. Devatas observed these lakes and the Kimpuruśas, who were wandering about in these lakes.

Then they saw a huge banyan tree that was located near the lake. That tree was 100 yojanās long (1 yojana is 8 miles approx.). Its branches were 75000 yojanās wide. The shadow of this tree was spreading over hundreds of miles and it appeared never ending. Bird nests could not be found on this tree. Under the tree it was pleasantly cool.

Tasmin mahā-yogamaye mumukṣu-śaraṇe surāḥ

Dadṛśuḥ śivam āsīnaṁ tyaktāmarṣam ivāntakam

This tree is the repository of the various supernatural powers such as Anima. Sanaka and other maha-yogis frequently visit this tree. Spiritual aspirants desirous of liberation seek refuge under this tree. Brahma and other Devatas saw Lord Shiva, who was seated under this tree. At that moment He appeared like Lord Yama (lord of death) who had given up all anger.

He was surrounded by Sanaka, Sananda and other saints, who were totally free from dualities such as likes-dislikes. They were meditating upon this peaceful and calm form of Lord Shiva. Shiva’s friend Kubera, who is also the Lord of the Yakshas, was serving Him.

Shiva is the Lord who causes well-being of the entire creation. He is the friend of the universe. He is a personification of love. He is filled with knowledge, penance and Yoga. For bringing about the welfare of the world and to guide the spiritual aspirants, He adheres to meditation, total concentration of mind and other disciplines of ashtānga yoga.

Lord Shiva’s body glows like the red evening-twilight cloud. He has decorated himself with ash, stick, animal skin and long braids. For those who are on the path of penance, these symbols are extremely dear. He adorns His head with a crescent moon.

Upaviṣṭaṁ darbhamayyāṁ bṛsyāṁ brahma sanātanam

Nāradāya pravocantaṁ pṛcchate śṛṇvatāṁ satām

Seated on a cushion made of grass He was teaching the Supreme Knowledge to Narada, who had enquired of the same from Him. Sanaka and other saints were keenly listening to this preaching.

Kṛtvorau dakṣiṇe savyaṁ pāda-padmaṁ ca jānuni

Bāhuṁ prakoṣṭhe ’kṣa-mālām āsīnaṁ tarka-mudrayā

He had placed his left leg on his right thigh. In His left hand He held the japamala (rosary) and it was resting on the left thigh. With His right hand He depicted the Jnana-mudra. His mind was totally immersed in absolute bliss. He is the foremost among those who are established in the Self.

Seeing this Supreme Lord Paramaśiva, all the Devatas, Maharishis and the guardian deities of the world, folded their hands and offered obeisance. Devatas and demons, together with their leaders, worship the lotus feet of this Lord.

Just as Mahavishnu offered obeisance to Maharishi Kaśyapa, this Lord Shiva, immediately upon seeing Lord Brahma, stood up and offered obeisance to Him.

Haraye namah

Lord Brahma continued, “Go and seek forgiveness from Shiva. Due to your actions He has been separated from his beloved wife. Your insulting words have caused him deep anguish. If that Lord is angered it will spell destruction for the entire creation together with all its presiding deities.

Nāhaṁ na yajño na ca yūyam anye ye deha-bhājo munayaś ca tattvam

Viduḥ pramāṇaṁ bala-vīryayor vā yasyātma-tantrasya ka upāyaṁ vidhitset

Shiva is ever independent Lord. Not me, nor Vishnu nor any of the Maharishis can ever understand His real form! Nor can we estimate his real prowess! To be truthful none of the living entities can ever know the truth about Him! It is impossible. If such Shiva gets angry, who will take the responsibility to calm Him down? Who will dare approach Him?”

Thus Brahma instructed the Devatas. Thereafter He led the Devatas, Prajāpatis, forefathers (pitr-devatas) to Kailasa, in order to meet Shiva.

To Shiva, the destroyer of demons Tripurāsura, Kailasa, the most supreme among all mountains, is the favorite residence. Accomplished beings serve Mount Kailasa either through spiritual accomplishments, medicinal herbs, Yoga, mantra or penance. Celestials such as Gandarvas, Kinnaras and Apsaras live there permanently.

The peaks of Mount Kailasa are replete with varied kinds of precious gems and stones. These peaks illumine due to the presence of the many special minerals such as gold and hematite. They are surrounded by many medicinal herbs, creepers, trees and bushes. Various types of animals wander in groups enlivening the place.

In the many waterfalls that exist there, water is exceedingly pure. Accomplished beings along with their wives leisurely wander amidst these peaks which are replete with beautiful streams, waterfalls and caves. The grandeur of the peaks fills them with delight.

The entire mountain resounds with the sweet chirping of the peacocks. A swarm of bees, intoxicated due to consumption of nectar, fly all around the place buzzing melodiously. Cuckoos tunefully sing all the time. The peaks of this mountain always echo with the enchanting chirps of varied types of birds.

Seeing the tall trees resplendent with fruits and tender shoots that attract birds, it appears as if the mountain, with its raised hands, is inviting the birds to be its guests! Seeing the herds of elephants that joyously move around, it appears as if the mountain itself is moving! The sounds of the gushing waterfalls appear as if the mountain itself is talking!

Due to the presence of trees such as kalpavriksha, pārijāta, hibiscus, mango, kadamba, nāga, punnāga, champaka, aśoka, sandal wood, mehendi and many others, Kailasa Mountain illumines magnificently. With lotuses that have hundred golden-coloured petals, jasmine creepers, oleander plants, fine variety of jasmine, cardamom, uttareni tree and crab’s eye creepers, the entire mountain looks majestic.

The mountain is abundant in jackfruit, banyan, cluster fig tree, peepal, asafoetida, bhojpatra, betel-nut, julāra, jamun trees which add to the beauty of the place.

Banana and other similar plants which produce only a single crop are to be seen in plenty. In addition to date-palms, inguda, morati and other trees which decorate the place, Kailasa also looks imposing with plentiful bamboo crops”.

What is the necessity of mentioning in detail the names of the various types of trees? There is reference to the many flowering trees, fruit-yielding trees, creepers and climbers. The beautiful waterfalls and other water bodies are also mentioned. Here it talks about the melodious chirping of the birds, the buzzing of the bees that are intoxicated due to drinking nectar from flowers. Why are the many species of birds and animals mentioned in Bhagawatam? It is to drive home the fact that it is our duty to preserve nature. Each and every type of tree mentioned here is precious. Due to the presence of the bountiful varieties of trees, animals and birds, Nature becomes beautiful!

“Some of Shiva’s attendants, who were led by Veerabhadra, pulled down pillars which supported the sacrificial pandal of Daksha’s Yagna. Some others broke the building where the wives of the priests conducting the homa would rest. Some destroyed the main sacrificial hall, some broke the kitchen and some broke the building where the person conducting the homa would sit.

Some destroyed the homa fire-pit while some broke the vessels used for the Yagna. Some urinated in the fire pits. While some cut the ropes tied in the hall, some troubled the sages. Some threatened the sage’s wives. Some chased the fleeing Devatas and trashed them.

Maṇimān caught hold of Maharishi Bhrigu, Veerabhadra caught Daksha Prajāpati, Chandeśa caught Puśa Devata and Nandi caught Bhaga Devata. They were trashed mercilessly. Priests, Devatas and other guests, who watched this commotion, as fast as they could, dispersed in all directions.

Shiva’s attendants chased them and rained stones upon them thereby injuring them. As easily as a person catches a cat, Veerabhadra caught hold of Maharishi Bhrigu, who was conducting the Yagna ritual.

Previously when Daksha Prajāpati was insulting Shiva, Maharishi Bhrigu had, while playfully combing his mustache and beard, scornfully laughed at Shiva. For this reason, Veerabhadra now chopped off his beard and mustache.

When Daksha Prajāpati was cursing Shiva, Bhaga Devata through the movement of his eyebrows was instigating Daksha. Therefore Veerabhadra threw Bhaga to the ground and plucked out his eyes.

When Shiva was being insulted, Puśa Devata laughed sarcastically showing all his teeth. As easily as Balarama broke the teeth of King of Kālinga, Veerabhadra knocked out the teeth of Puśa Devata.

The powerful Veerabhadra, who has three eyes, pushed Daksha on to the ground with full force and with his leg kicked him on his chest. He tried to chop off Daksha’s head with his sword. However he failed.

Veerabhadra then tried to kill Daksha, using weapons that were empowered with mantras. Even then he failed. He tried numerous ways to kill Daksha but repeatedly kept failing. He could not even injure even his skin in any way.

Confused at his inability to kill Daksha, Veerabhadra began to ponder deeply. “I have mercilessly thrashed many people here. I have pulled out the eyes of those who happily watched Shiva being insulted. I have cut off the ears of those who heard inauspicious words about Shiva. I have meted out terrible treatment to many others here. But I fail to kill this Daksha. Why? What is the right approach?”

Like a flash, suddenly a new idea dawned in him. In a Yagna, the person conducting the Yagna is the real sacrificial animal. He saw the weapon with which the sacrificial animal would be killed. He decided to use this weapon and behead Daksha, like a sacrificial animal. At lightning speed, he beheaded Daksha with this weapon.

Seeing this, Shiva’s attendants such as ghosts and spirits, surrounded Veerabhadra and began to dance merrily. They began to shout victory slogans. However Daksha’s family began to wail loudly at Daksha’s death.

Veerabhadra, whose anger was still unabated, took Daksha’s head and threw it into the southern side of the sacrificial fire pit. He broke the remaining structures in the sacrificial hall and then, having completed the task assigned to him, left for Kailasa.

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

Fourth Canto Chapter Six

In this chapter, Brahma and other Devatas going to Kailasa seeking the welfare of Daksha and his associates and they pacifying Shiva are covered.

Maitreya Maharishi said to Vidura, “The Devatas and the priests were badly defeated in the hands of Shiva’s attendants. Having been hit with tridents, swords, spears, maces, bludgeons, iron hammers etc., all their limbs were broken. Trembling and shouting in fear and pain they ran as fast as they could and approached Lord Brahma and narrated everything to Him.

Lords Sriman Nārayana and Brahma were already aware that Daksha’s yagna would be destroyed. Hence they did not participate in the Yagna. Addressing those who were praying to him, Brahma said,

“Shiva’s radiance is unsurpassed. Although Daksha is supremely radiant, he committed a grave mistake with respect to Shiva. Even if we are offended due to actions of a Mahatma, we should never ever offend them. In this case, Shiva was actually faultless but yet Daksha offended him. Hence his mistake was unpardonable. As a result neither Daksha nor his family members could obtain auspiciousness, even though they tried. It turned out to be impossible.

As if this was not enough he insulted Satidevi. Even when he saw her burning in the fire, he did not make any attempts to stop her. All the assembled guests were at fault for eagerly listening to the insults being heaped upon Shiva. Some of them enjoyed it too. Thus, for having seen, heard or enjoyed criticisms on Shiva, all present in the gathering had to face punishments!

Shiva has a share in the Yagna offerings. Even if Shiva is not present, his share of offering must be made. However due to wickedness, you did not offer him his share of Yagna offering. This mistake of yours is definitely unpardonable.

Even then, do not worry. With absolutely pure minds hold His feet. Lord Shiva quickly blesses those who seek shelter in Him. If you truly seek that Daksha’s Yagna should be reinstated and it should be completed successfully, then right away go and seek forgiveness from Shiva. Due to your mistakes, He has been separated from his beloved Satidevi”.

Janardhanāya namah

Fourth Canto Chapter Five

In this chapter, Shiva getting incensed upon coming to know of Satidevi’s death, the birth of Veerabhadra, the destruction of Daksha’s yagna and the death of Daksha are all covered.

Maitreya Maharishi continued, “Satidevi gave up her life as a result of Daksha’s insults. The Devatas known as Rbhus ensured Shiva’s attendants were driven away from there. Shiva, who heard this from Narada, was enraged.

He let loose his long hair. Biting his lower lip in anger, he appeared very fearsome. When Daksha had criticized him in the past, Shiva remained calm as if he had forgiven Daksha for his mistake. He considered even condemnation to be another prayerful hymn rendered.

However now, upon realizing that Sati had sacrificed her life for him, he was devastated. The fact that she was now separated from him caused deep anguish leading to intense anger. In that anger he loosened his hair. He furiously plucked a strand from his hair which was shining like fire. It was glowing like a streak of lightening. Laughing ferociously, making frenzied sounds like a madman, He forcefully threw this strand of hair on the ground.

That very instant, from that hair emerged a man who was very tall and gigantic. It appeared as if he was touching the skies. He had a thousand arms. He possessed three eyes, each of which was burning like the Sun. His teeth appeared fearful and his hair appeared to be burning. He was wearing a garland of skulls. In his hands he held various types of weapons. This fearsome man was glowing with the radiance of lightening.

Taṁ kiṁ karomīti guṇam tam āha baddhāñjaliṁ bhagavān bhūta-nāthaḥ

Dakṣaṁ sa-yajñaṁ jahi mad-bhaṭānāṁ tvam agraṇī rudra bhaṭāṁśako me

He folded his hands and reverentially asked Shiva, “Kindly order me what is expected out of me”. In response Shiva commanded, “O fearsome man! O supreme warrior! You, who are born from my aspect, will be the leader of my army. Proceed to the place of Daksha’s Yagna. Kill him and destroy his Yagna”.

The person, Veerabhadra, who was thus created, circumambulated Shiva. With total faith that none could restrain his speed as he was born from Shiva’s energy and confident that he could overpower even the mightiest opponent, this person enthusiastically proceeded to Daksha’s yagna.

The anklets on his feet made huge thunderous noises. Shiva’s attendants, who were following him, roared loudly.  Veerabhadra roared violently like a lion. Veerabhadra travelled at lightning speed holding the trident which had the capacity to destroy even Kālayavana, the demon who possessed the ability to destroy every living being in the creation.

At the sacrificial hall, Daksha, priests, Brahmins, assembled guests and their wives saw a huge dark dust storm approaching them from the northern direction. They wondered, “What is the reason for this sudden darkness? From where does this dust storm arise when whirlwinds are not to be seen?

Dacoits cannot attack us as the efficient King Barhi, who punishes the wicked, is ruling presently. It does not even appear to be a dust storm created by cows. Could it be that the destruction of the world is about to take place?” All of them were apprehensive.

With agitated minds, Daksha’s wife Prasuti and other women said, “Daksha Prajāpati has insulted his daughter Satidevi, who was innocent and faultless. He did not even care that his other daughters were observing all happenings. This dust storm is the punishment for that terrible sin.

At time of destruction (pralaya) Parama-śiva, lets his hair loose and with the ends of his sharp trident pierces ruthless unrighteous kings. At such time He laughs frenziedly and violently.  All the directions tremble violently hearing His frenzied laughter. Holding his various weapons in his hands, He dances like a mad man.

His eyebrows will be knit together in His intense anger. With His frightening teeth He scatters planets and star constellations. Dancing violently He destroys everything in creation. How can Daksha Prajāpati, who tested the patience of such powerful Lord Shiva and who caused him to be infuriated, ever attain prosperity?

Even Lord Brahma cannot obtain auspiciousness, if he angers Lord Shiva. This Daksha, who appears in the garb of a saint, is actually a sinner” they said.

In great panic all those present in the assembly stared at the huge ball of darkness that was descending upon them. At that moment thousands of ill omens could be seen in the earth, in sky and in all directions.

As they were watching, hordes of Shiva’s attendants rushed into the sacrificial hall holding various kinds of weapons to obstruct the Yagna which was being conducted grandly. Amongst them were dwarfs, brown complexioned, golden complexioned, crocodile faced, crocodile bellied and various strange looking beings. They ran amok throughout the hall.

Kecid babhañjuḥ prāg-vaṁśaṁ  patnī-śālāṁ tathāpare

Sada āgnīdhra-śālāṁ ca tad-vihāraṁ mahānasam”

Janardhanāya namah