August 20, 2017 archive

Achutāya namah

Mother Earth prayed, “Using His illusory power (māya shakti) composed of the trigunās, the Supreme Lord takes on innumerable forms. With the help of the three attributes of Nature (trigunas), He manifests in various bodies, although inherently He is devoid of traits (nirguna). He eternally rests in His own form. Therefore He is not deluded by the feelings of ‘I and mine’ towards this gross body which is made up of the mind, senses and their presiding deities. As such he is free from afflictions known as likes, dislikes, hunger, thirst, birth and death which arise from these feelings of ‘I and mine’. I offer obeisance to that Supreme Lord.

The Supreme Lord who is the creator, has created me for the purpose of providing shelter to the living beings.  He is the Lord who sustains this entire world which is composed of the trigunas. He is independent and Self-illuminating. He has today, in the form of Emperor Prithu, taken up arms and is ready to destroy me. If this Lord has decided to destroy me, then in whom can I seek refuge? There is none to protect me.

In the beginning of creation, with the help of His illusory energy the Supreme Lord created this entire universe composed of movable and immovable objects. The power of this energy is unfathomable. Now with the help of this illusionary energy He has incarnated as Prithu to protect the world and to establish dharma. It is surprising that such Lord now wants to kill me.

People are trapped in illusion and are unable to cross it. They are completely in the grip of the senses and hence are unable to understand His activities. This is undoubtedly true.

The Supreme Lord at first created Brahma. Through him, he ensured the creation of the world. With the help of His illusory energy the non-dual Supreme Lord manifests in the many innumerable forms. Even though He exists in innumerable forms the Absolute Truth is that He is non-dual.

From His illusionary energy (māya shakti), Mahat tattva (cosmic intelligence) emerged. From it came Ahamkara (sense of I-ness). From Ahamkāra came the subtle elements and from them the individual sense organs along with their presiding deities manifested. Through these varied principles (tattva), which are different forms of His illusionary energy, the Supreme Lord creates, sustains and dissolves this entire universe.  His energies, which manifest during creation, merge back into Him at time of dissolution. I offer obeisance to this all-pervading Lord Purushottama.

O Lord, You are birthless. You have created this world which consists of the five gross elements, sense organs and mind. In order to take it to greater heights, You incarnated as Adi Varāha swamy (boar). You lifted me up from hell and rescued me. On these vast oceans you have retained me like a boat in which all living entities rest. You, who incarnated as Varāha for the purpose of uplifting me, have now incarnated as Prithu for protecting the inhabitants of earth. Then, why are you creating this fear in me, O Lord?”

Swamiji explains: Here when it is said that Prithu milked the earth, it should be understood that he extracted food grains and crops.

“Now you seek to kill me with your powerful arrows and milk me. Our intellects are clouded due to Your illusion which exists in the form of the trigunas. We are unable to comprehend Your divine activities or those of Your ardent devotees. To be compassionate is inherent nature of valorous persons. With this, their fame increases. O Lord to you I offer my obeisance” prayed Mother Earth.

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

Fourth Canto Chapter Eighteen

In this chapter, Emperor Prithu milks Mother Earth.

Maitreya Maharishi continued, “Emperor Prithu’s lips were quivering in terrible anger. In various ways, Mother Earth, who trembled in fear seeing his fury, prayed to him trying to calm him down. With firm determination, she gathered courage. Once again addressing him, she said,

“O Lord, please withdraw your anger and protect me. Please listen to my prayers. Just as a bee collects nectar from different flowers, the wise accept good knowledge from everywhere.

In order to cause well-being of the human beings both in this world and the next, Maharishis who are exponents in Veda and who understand about agriculture, Yagna and other methods, have laid down right practices. Those who follow these practices with dedication and faith easily reach their goal and enjoy the resultant fruits.

Contrary to this those who, knowingly or unknowingly, discard these ancient methods suggested by elders and act according to their individual whims and fancies, will not reap the resultant fruits for their actions. Even after repeated attempts, their efforts do not succeed.

O Lord, the herbs and grains that were created by Lord Brahma at the beginning of creation are now being enjoyed by unworthy, undisciplined and lowly persons. I have experienced this. Moreover, instead of protecting me, kings neglect me. People turned into thieves. Seeing this situation and with the intention that these herbs and grains would be useful in future for the purposes of Yagna and other good deeds, I pulled back into myself these herbs and grains.

As a long time has elapsed since the time I pulled them back, these herbs have now disintegrated within me. In case you wish to get back these herbs, then adhere to the methods prescribed by our ancient Maharishis. O brave king! You are of undisputed valor. You are the savior of all living beings. If you truly desire that the living beings should obtain good nourishing food then arrange for a suitable calf, a milking vessel and a milkman who can milk me. Out of love for my calf, I will yield milk. Through that milk I will fulfill your desires in totality.

Samāṁ ca kuru māṁ rājan deva-vṛṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ

Apartāv api bhadraṁ te upāvarteta me vibho

O efficient king, I am uneven with ups and downs. Please flatten the rocky surface of the earth”.

Nārasimhāya namah.

Nārasimhāya namah

Vidura continued, “O Mahatma, Srikrishna, the Lord who is invisible to the mind and senses incarnated as Prithu and milked the Earth. Please also narrate other noteworthy divine deeds of his which I have missed out. I have deep love towards the Lord and towards you, O Mahatma”.

In this way, Vidura who was yearning to hear divine stories pertaining to Lord Vāsudeva encouraged Maitreya Maharishi to continue his narration. Maitreya Maharishi was thrilled with Vidura’s inclination towards divine stories. Mentally appreciating him, he replied,

“O Vidura, Maharishis crowned Prithu as the emperor. At the time when Prithu began to rule, the kingdom was afflicted by severe famine. Due to absolute paucity of food grains, people were starving. They had become weak and emaciated. They approached the king and begged,

“O King, just as the tree burns due to fire in its trunk, we are burning as our stomachs are on fire. This is because of lack of food grains. You protect those who seek refuge. We seek refuge in you. O King, Maharishis churned the arms of Vena and have given you to us. They appointed you as our king. O supreme king, for the past many days we have had no food to eat. Before we lose our lives, please organize some food for us. As our king, please give us food and also please give us a livelihood”.

Hearing their pleas, Prithu pondered the reason for the famine. When he figured out the reason, he was deeply angered with Mother Earth. Just as the angry Rudra aimed the arrow upon the Tripurasura demons, Prithu took up his bow and aimed at Mother Earth.

Mother Earth trembled in fear when she saw that Prithu was about to hit her. She took on the form of a cow and just as deer hastily runs away trying to escape the hunter’s arrow, she ran speedily.

Emperor Prithu observed this and his eyes reddened with anger. Fixing the arrow to his bow he chased the cow and followed her wherever she went. The cow ran throughout earth, space and heavens. Wherever she went she could see Prithu chasing her.

There is none in this Earth who can save a person from death. Likewise, Mother Earth could not find anyone in the creation who could save her from Prithu. She was agitated. Helplessly she turned back and returned.

Uvāca ca mahā-bhāgaṁ dharma-jñāpanna-vatsala

Trāhi mām api bhūtānāṁ pālane ’vasthito bhavān

Addressing the pious Prithu, Mother Earth said, “O King Prithu, you are well-versed in the rules of righteousness. You show feelings of love and sympathy towards living beings who are in trouble. Hence kindly protect me. Why are you, the protector of living beings, trying to kill me who am totally helpless? I am sinless. You are renowned for your adherence to dharma. Isn’t it against the tenets of dharma to kill a woman?

O king, even foolish men do not use their weapon upon ladies who have sinned. Then isn’t it but natural that compassionate persons like you, who are filled with sympathy towards the downtrodden, never use their weapons against women?

I am like a powerful boat within which this entire world rests. If you break me, living beings that are resting using me as the support will drown. How can you do this?’ – asked the helpless Mother Earth who was in the form of a cow.

Prithu replied, “O bhudevi, if you disobey my commands I will break you. You are accepting the share of offerings given to you in the Yagna. Thereafter you are not increasing our wealth and prosperity. Is it wrong to punish the cow that eats plentiful grass but refuses to yield milk? Since this is your mistake, punishing you is not a sinful offence.

In the beginning of creation, Lord Brahma created food grains such as rice and wheat. Being dull-witted and foolish, you have hidden these grains within your body and are not letting them out. Through this mistake you have insulted me, your king.

People are suffering. Unable to bear the pangs of hunger they have become weak. Therefore, this very instant I will shred your body using my powerful arrows. Through your flesh I will reduce their hunger. I will help them.

Be it a man, woman or eunuch, whoever heartlessly seeks to fill only his/her stomach without having feelings of compassion for others, is a very lowly person. The king has the right to kill such a person and it is a righteous deed.

Due to pride, you are intoxicated. Pretentiously you have assumed the form of a cow. Using my arrows, I will now shred you into bits. Then with my supernatural powers I will protect my citizens and rule them”.

Seeing this king, who in fury could be compared to the lord of death, Mother Earth panicked. She folded her hands and worshipfully said to him,

Namaḥ parasmai puruṣāya māyayā vinyasta-nānā-tanave guṇātmane

Namaḥ svarūpānubhavena nirdhuta- dravya-kriyā-kāraka-vibhramormaye

Nārasimhaya namah

Puruśottamāya namah

The professional singers continued, “Through his deeds King Prithu will fill every person’s mind with happiness and joy. For this reason, the title rāja (king) which means ‘he who causes happiness to others’ is aptly suited to him.

He will eternally be bound to truth. He will possess firm determination. His devotion towards Vedic scholars will be noteworthy. He will serve his elders. Towards the helpless, he will be compassionate. All living beings will find him worthy of seeking refuge.

He will treat other women as his mother. He will love his wife considering her to be half of his body. He will love citizens like a dear father and will protect them always. Like an attendant he will serve Vedic scholars.

Dehinām ātmavat-preṣṭhaḥ suhṛdāṁ nandi-vardhanaḥ

Mukta-saṅga-prasaṅgo ’yaṁ daṇḍa-pāṇir asādhuṣu 

He will consider all living beings to be his own Self. To friends he will cause increased happiness. He will associate with the ascetics and will develop intense love towards Lord Srihari. In punishing the wicked he will be like Yama.

The Supreme Lord, who is changeless, who resides as the Self within all living beings and who is the Lord of the three worlds has incarnated as Prithu. His energy i.e. Mother Goddess Lakshmi, has incarnated as Arci.

All these visible differences seen in the world appear as if they exist in this Lord, who in reality is the Lord of Prakriti (Nature) and its three attributes, although in reality they do not. Mahatmas experientially realize that this world stems out of spiritual ignorance and has no valid existence.

This king of kings will be an unsurpassed warrior who will protect the entire Earth. Holding the bow in his hand, he will embark on a victory tour and will, like the Sun, circumambulate the earth. As he travels through Earth, the kings of that land as well as the Guardian-deities will worship him and offer tributes. Realizing that he is none other than Srihari, who holds the discus and conch in His hands, the wives of those kings will extol the glories of Prithu.

This king of kings will rule righteously and will give a new lease of life to all the citizens. He will provide them with newer livelihoods. He will milk the earth and extract from her all her treasures and nutrients. As easily as Indra broke the mountains, this king will break mountains and level the lands using the ends of his bow.

When the lion moves in the forests with his tail lifted up, animals run for their lives. Similarly, when this king wanders through Earth with the bow made of goat’s and cow’s horns, the wicked will run for their lives merely upon hearing the twang from his bow. Enemies will fear to even appear in his presence and look at him directly.

He will perform 100 Ashwamedha Yāgas on the banks of River Saraswati. The conqueror of enemies Lord Indra, who had in the past conducted 100 Ashwamedha Yāgas will be jealous noticing this. When Prithu is conducting the 100^th Yāga, out of jealousy Indra will steal the sacrificial horse.

In the garden that is adjacent to his palace, he will have a solitary meeting with Maharishi Sanat-kumara. He will reverentially worship the saint and learn from him the pure knowledge that is required to earn liberation.

The king will listen to the people who are praising him for his chivalry and renown. Nothing can hinder his rule, his might and the power of his chariot!

Without any obstacle he will destroy the impediments being faced by the citizens and give them relief. Not only Gods but also leaders of the demonic clans will sing his praises. He will conquer all directions and will become the King for the entire earth”. In this way, the singers extolled King Prithu.

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

Fourth Canto Chapter Seventeen

In this chapter, King Prithu unable to see the citizens suffer due to scarcity of food, tries to kill Vasudha (earth) who has retained all medicinal herbs in her womb. At this point Mother Earth worships King Prithu.

Maitreya Maharishi said to Vidura, “Emperor Prithu heard the professional singers who were thus extolling him. He appreciated them and rewarded them by fulfilling their desires. He honoured them and thus pleased them.

Prithu honoured all the ministers, priests, Brahmins, members of all other castes, citizens, soldiers, servants, office-bearers and satisfied them”.

Hearing this Vidura enquired, “O Maharishi, Prithu milked the Earth which was in the form of a cow. Mother Earth has the ability to take on any form it wishes. What is the reason for it to take on the form of a cow? Why is cow so sacred? When Earth took on the form of a cow, who was its calf? How did he milk the cow? Was there any pot into which he collected the ingredients?

Earth inherently is made up of many highs and lows. How did he level the Earth? Why did Indra steal the sacrificial horse from Prithu? O great saint, you have said that Prithu learnt the knowledge pertaining to liberation from Maharishi Sanatkumara, the greatest amongst saints. After receiving this knowledge, what level did he reach? Please explain.”

Puruśottamāya namah.

The professional singers began,

“Nālaṁ vayaṁ te mahimānuvarṇane yo deva-varyo ’vatatāra māyayā

Venāṅga-jātasya ca pauruṣāṇi te vācas-patīnām api babhramur dhiyaḥ

You are the most supreme among Devatas. You have incarnated together with Arci, who is none other than Your illusionary power. Even great Gods such as Brahma and others fall into delusion when they try to understand You. As such, we are incompetent to describe Your supreme glories, O Lord.

Nevertheless we greatly enjoy Your divine pastimes. Hence, without transgressing the limits laid down by the Maharishis and at the same time abiding by their orders we will attempt to narrate Your glories in detail.

Eṣa dharma-bhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho lokaṁ dharme ’nuvartayan

Goptā ca dharma-setūnāṁ śāstā tat-paripanthinām

Emperor Prithu is the best amongst those who diligently abide by dharma. He will ensure that the citizens walk on the dharmic path. He will protect the tenets of dharma. He will punish those who disregard dharma.

For completion of kingly duties, the king will, in his own body, manifest as the various Guardian-deities and execute their tasks in accordance to the time and situation. Through this he will cause the well-being of both this world and the next. Through ensuring timely rainfall he will cause the welfare of this world. Through the performance of Yagnas he will cause the well-being of the heavenly planets.

The Sun illumines every direction while distributing light and energy equally to all living beings. Through the process of evaporation, it absorbs water and thereafter it distributes the same in the form of rain. The ever-competent King Prithu, who illumines like the Sun, will at appropriate times collect taxes from the people.  Thereafter based on the needs of the countrymen, he will utilize the funds for the benefit of the citizens.

At all times, he will treat all living beings equally without any forms of differentiation. In patience, the King will be comparable to Earth. The Earth patiently bears the weight of those who arrogantly trample upon her. Likewise, King Prithu will show extreme patience towards the poor, who trample him with their troubles. He will always come to the aid of those who are suffering from dire poverty.

Like Lord Indra this king, who is none other than Srihari, will protect people who are afflicted by drought caused due to inadequate rainfall.

His beautiful face with its affectionate gaze and charming smile resembles the Moon, the lord of nectar. Seeing his face citizens will be filled with happiness.

It is impossible to know the depth of the ocean which stores many precious stones and has unending fame. Prithu will be deep and profound like the ocean. The citizens will be unaware of his welfare activities as he carries them out secretively. Unless and until his activities begin to yield fruit, people will be totally unaware of his involvement in it.

He will be zealous in protecting the treasury and will ensure that it grows. The power of Prithu, who is an incarnation of Ananta, will be limitless. He is the repository of every noble trait. It is impossible to know his thought process merely by reading his facial expressions. In other words, it is impossible to understand his inner feelings and thoughts based on his body language.

Like the fire which emerges from Araṇi wood, Prithu was born from the dead body of Vena. Enemies cannot approach him as he is invincible. His prowess is unmatched. Although he is in the vicinity, enemies will fear to attack him.

Antar bahiś ca bhūtānāṁ paśyan karmāṇi cāraṇaiḥ

Udāsīna ivādhyakṣo vāyur ātmeva dehinām

Although the all-pervading wind exists within the person in the form of life-force, it does not attach itself to any of his actions but remains neutral like a witness. Likewise, this king, who sits on this elevated throne, will obtain information of the external and internal (secretive) actions of the people through the spies. He will neither get carried away by the praises nor be dejected by the abuses. Remaining neutral he will continue his administrative duties.

Like Lord Yama, he will be diligent in adherence to dharma and will be absolutely impartial. He will never punish a non-offender even if the person happens to be his enemy’s son. At that same time, he will not hesitate to punish the offender even if it is his own son.

Through its rays, the Sun travels up to the Mountain Mānasa and illumines the entire world. Likewise King Prithu’s rule will be enforced in all places right up to the Manasa Mountain. His fame will spread in all directions”.

Vedic scholars extolled Prithu. Gandharvas such as Tumbura and others sang in his praise. Siddhas rained flowers. Apsarās danced. Celestial drums, trumpets and kettledrums were beaten. Conches were blown. Devatas, fore-fathers, and Maharishis thronged in large numbers to the city.

The creator Lord Brahma arrived there accompanied by Devatas and Guardian-deities of the worlds. On Prithus’s hand he saw the imprint of discus and on His feet, the imprint of the lotus. The person whose hand contains the symbol of the discus and other related symbols is a partial incarnation of the Supreme Lord.

Upon knowing that Srihari had incarnated together with Goddess Lakshmi, the Vedic scholars eagerly got ready to crown him as the king. From all direction citizens brought auspicious materials for the coronation ceremony. Rivers, oceans, mountains, snakes, wild animals, birds, inhabitants of heaven, earth and all other living beings arrived for this auspicious occasion with gifts.

Wearing clean, pure clothes and decked in beautiful ornaments, Prithu was glowing radiantly. He was crowned the king. His wife Arci also decked herself in beautiful ornaments and clothing. With her by His side, Prithu glowed like a huge fire.

Kubera gifted Emperor Prithu with a splendid golden throne. Varuna, the Lord of water, gifted a white umbrella that shone like the Full-moon which sprinkles water droplets. Vayu, the Lord of wind, gifted him the royal Vinjāmara fans, Dharma gave him a garland that would enhance his repute, Indra gave him an expensive crown and Yama gave him a stick which would keep his enemies under his sway.

Brahma gave him an armor (kavaca) which was an embodiment of Vedas. Goddess Saraswati gifted him with a precious pearl chain. Lord Srihari gave him a Sudarshana chakra (discus) and Goddess Lakshmi blessed him with unending wealth.

Rudra gave him a sword. Its sheath had markings that resembled ten moons. Chandra gifted him with deathless, strong horses which would never get tired. Tvastha gave him a marvelous chariot. Agni presented him with a bow made of goat’s and cow’s horns.

Sun gave him sharp powerful arrows that moved as rapidly as its rays. Mother earth gifted him with slippers which could transport him anywhere at lightening speeds. Other Devatas from heaven presented garlands having divine fragrance.

Celestials such as Gandharvas showered Emperor Prithu with proficiency in singing, dance and in playing musical instruments. They also blessed Prithu with the mystical ability of becoming invisible. Maharishis showered plentiful blessings upon him. The Lord of the ocean gifted him with a conch. The oceans, rivers, mountains said that Emperor Prithus’ chariot could move across them without any obstacle.

Thereafter Suta who was proficient in historical stories, Māgadha who was well-versed about the king’s lineage and Vandi who knew the art of speaking eloquently, began to sing the glories of King Prithu. Vena’s son Prithu noticed that they were about to begin their rendition. Immediately with a cheerful smile he addressed them and in a powerful voice that sounded like clouds, he said,

“O Suta, Māgadha and Vandi, my qualities have not yet been showcased to the world. Under such situation, what is it that you can glorify about me now? On what basis will you praise me? Hence please stop. By falsely praising me your words will become untruthful. Your words are sweet. In future, in my absence you can glorify my qualities.

Saty uttamaśloka-guṇānuvāde jugupsitaṁ na stavayanti sabhyāḥ

When it is possible to glorify Srihari, who has a pure reputation, noble persons will not glorify ordinary humans. Hence please stop glorifying me and instead please glorify Srihari.

It is possible that a person has in him the capability of imbibing noble, worthy qualities. Even then, how can he hear praises about those qualities of his, which he has not yet cultivated or exhibited? How can he ask others to praise him, when he does not have those qualities? The public, who listens to these praises, will condemn the person being praised falsely. ‘If only he had put in a little effort, he could have really acquired those qualities’ they would comment. They will ridicule him. The foolish man who loves to listen to false praises will never realize that the public actually ridicules him.

A person filled with humility, self-respect and generosity never likes to hear about any of his mistakes. Likewise famous persons never like to hear their praises, even though they are most deserving and competent.

O Suta! As of now I have not performed any action and established my name in this world. I have not yet earned reputation. Like an ignorant child, how then can I allow you to praise me?”- asked Prithu.

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

Fourth Canto Chapter Sixteen

In this chapter, professional singers known as Vandi-māgadha, praise emperor Prithu.

Maitraya Maharishi said to Vidura, “Hearing the melodious words of Emperor Prithu the professional singers were filled with joy. Then, upon being encouraged by Maharishis, these singers sang in praise of the king”.

Aniruddhaya namah