Puttugam2

“Yatra yajña-patiḥ sākṣād bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ

Anvabhūyata sarvātmā sarva-loka-guruḥ prabhuḥ

The Supreme Lord exists in the form of Yagna. He is the Lord of all Yagnas. He is the father of all the worlds. He is the repository of all energies. Such Lord Mahavishnu appeared in the Yagna being performed by Prithu.

Along with Him, Brahma, Rudra, the Guardian-deities of the world and their subordinates together with their troops arrived. Gandharvas, Apsarasās and Maharishis extolled His greatness.

Accomplished siddhas, celestials such as vidhyādharas, the devotees belonging to the demon race, Yakshas, Srihari’s primary attendants Nanda and Sunanda, Maharishi Kapila, Nārada Maharishi, Dattātreya who is the leader of great Yogis, Maharishi Sanaka and his brothers as well as other ardent devotees who desired to serve Him, accompanied Srihari to the sacrificial hall.

Mother Earth ensured that all ingredients necessary for purposes of Yagna were available in plenty. Like the wish-fulfilling cow Kāmadhenu, she ensured that all necessities of Prithu were taken care of.

Milk, curd, pānakam, ghee and other liquids flowed like rivers. Oceans supplied precious gems and pearls.  Mountains supplied 4 types of edible substances i.e. foods that can be tasted through the tongue, foods that could be chewed, juices that could be sipped and foods that could be drunk. Vassal kings presented many royal gifts.

Prithu dedicatedly conducted the Yagna in a grand manner while worshipping that Supreme Lord who cannot be understood through any visible direct proofs (pratyakshāsi pramāna). Indra, the Lord of heaven, could not tolerate Prithu’s prosperity and the grand manner in which he was conducting the Yagnas. He created obstacles.

While Prithu was engrossed in worshipping Srihari during the 100^th Ashwamedha Yāga, Indra, the Lord of heaven, who was filled with feelings of jealousy, invisibly stole the sacrificial horse. He disguised as a pākahnḍa so that he could not be recognized. Taking the sacrificial horse, he quickly disappeared through the path of the skies.

Pākhanḍa is an imposter who fools people by disguising as a righteous religious person and who presents his unrighteous activities as righteous. His actions are all unrighteous. But he projects them as if they are righteous, so much so that others get carried away by his activities and accept them as dharmic.

The venerable Sage Atri who noticed Indra’s dishonest activity instantly alerted Prithu’s son. Prithu’s son, who was a supreme warrior, was angered. Screaming ‘wait, wait’ he chased Indra. However, seeing Indra who was disguised like a saint with Vibhuti on his forehead and with long braids, Prithu’s son mistook him for a righteous person and hence did not direct his arrow towards Indra.

Noticing this hesitancy in releasing the arrow, Maharishi Atri cautioned him and said, “My son, this Indra is the worst among all Devatas. He has arrived here solely for disrupting this Yagna. Therefore, go ahead and kill him”.

Hearing this Prithu’s son was even more infuriated with Indra. Just as the vulture Jatayu furiously attacked Ravana, he pounced upon Indra who was fleeing at the great speeds. Indra then abandoned his disguise. Leaving the horse there he became invisible. Prithu’s son, the great hero, returned back to the sacrificial hall with the horse.

Appreciating his might and valour, the Maharishis named him Vijitāśva. Vijitāśva means ‘conqueror of the horse’.

Indra however did not give up. He now created impenetrable darkness and then stole the horse that was tied with the help of golden ropes to a pole and quickly fled. Maharishi Atri again pointed out to Vijitāśva that Indra was fleeing with the horse. As Indra had once again disguised himself as a righteous religious ascetic and was holding a staff with a skull, Vijitāśva hesitated to kill him.

Seeing this, Maharishi Atri once again advised Vijitaśva to kill Indra. With this he was angered and instantly he readied his bow. Indra immediately gave up his disguise. Leaving the horse he disappeared. The valourous Vijitāśva returned back with the horse to the sacrificial hall.

Those impure disguises which Indra had donned for the purposes of stealing the horse, symbolize sin. This is stated in the Shastras.

Janārdhanāya namah.

Janārdhanāya namah

Mother Earth continued, “O King, kindly level the surface of the earth, which currently is full of highs and lows. Due to this even after the rainy season ends, I will continue to hold water and remain moistened. May you be blessed with auspiciousness”.

In this way, Mother Earth uttered pleasing words in a melodious voice. Emperor Prithu respected her advice. He converted Swāyambhuva Manu into a calf. Using his cupped hands as the milking vessel, he milked all herbs and food grains from her.

Wise persons absorb the essence at every juncture. After he had milked the Mother Earth, many others followed him and milked her freely. It means they obtained from earth whatever they desired.

In addition to food grains, Earth also supplies minerals, gems, other precious stones and even sustains life. It is said that she remains in the form of a cow. She is an embodiment of righteousness and also protects it.  In this way, she protects the living beings.

Maharishis converted Brihaspati into a calf. Using mind, speech and ear as the milking vessel, they extracted from her the milk called Vedas.

Devatas transformed Indra into a calf. In a golden pot they milked nectar which energizes the senses, mind and body.

Demons used Prahlada, who was the most supreme amongst them, as a calf. Using an iron vessel they extracted intoxicating substances.

Gandharvas and Apsarasas milked the earth using Vishwāvasu, the supreme Gandharva as the calf. Using a lotus flowered vessel they extracted melodious musical knowledge and beauty.  With this they achieved great fame.

Fore-fathers (pitr-devatas) made Aryama into a calf and extracted the milk called Kavya.

Using Kapila as the calf and space as the milking vessel, accomplished siddhas extracted the milk called supernatural powers known as Anima and others.

Vidyadhāras and other celestials extracted the mystical powers such as the art of making oneself invisible etc.

Kimpuruṣās who possess illusory capacities, used the demon Māyasura as the calf. They extracted illusory mystical capacity from earth. Due to this capacity they are able to disappear from one place, assume any form per their wish etc.

Yakshas, demons, witches and meat-eating ghosts used Rudra, their leader, as the calf. They collected blood in skulls. This blood causes intoxication in them.

Snakes without hood, snakes with hood, other varieties of poisonous snakes, scorpions and other insects that sting used Takshaka as the calf. Using their mouths as the milking vessel, they extracted the milk called poison.

Animals used Nandi bull as the calf. Using the forests as the milking vessel, they extracted the milk called grass, which is their fodder. Tiger and other wild carnivorous animals used lion as the calf. In the milking vessel known as their body, they extracted the milk called raw flesh/ meat. The birds used Garuda (eagle) as the calf. In the milking vessel called their body, they extracted the milk called insects and fruits.

Trees used the Banyan tree as the calf. They extracted the milk called various juices. Mountains used Himavan as the calf. In the milking vessel known as mountain peaks, they extracted gold and various other types of minerals.

Likewise, every species of living beings used the leader of that species as the calf. In their milking vessels they extracted their food.  In this way, earth which was subdued by Prithu fulfilled the desire of every living being through its milk. Every living entity in the creation, be it an insect, wild animal, bacteria, obtained from earth the type of food suitable to it.

Emperor Prithu was immensely pleased with this result. He then accepted this Mother Earth, who had fulfilled the desire of every living entity, as his daughter. He showered her with fatherly affection.

Thereafter this king of kings, the supremely valiant Prithu used the sharp ends of his bow to hit the high mountains and thus broke them. He leveled all the rough edges and evened most of earth’s surface.

Athāsmin bhagavān vainyaḥ prajānāṁ vṛttidaḥ pitā

Nivāsān kalpayāṁ cakre tatra tatra yathārhataḥ

The venerable Prithu, who was the son of Vena, created livelihoods for all people. He protected them with a fatherly attitude. In accordance with the climate of the region he had houses built for them.

Grāmān puraḥ pattanāni durgāṇi vividhāni ca

Ghoṣān vrajān sa-śibirān ākarān kheṭa-kharvaṭān

He constructed villages, towns, cities and other forms of settlements everywhere. He built different types of forts, mining territories, layouts earmarked for pasture, residences for the cowherds, cattle-sheds, stables, agricultural settlements and mountain villages. He created living quarters for the army soldiers.

Prior to Prithu’s rule the concept of villages, towns and other types of settlements did not exist. He was the first king to define these territories and undertake town planning. Prior to this people lived in places of their choice. After Prithu outlined the settlements and undertook town planning, people moved into these settlements wherein they could live comfortably without any fear.

With this the eighteenth chapter comes to an end.

Fourth Canto Chapter Nineteen

In this chapter, the following are covered: Prithu’s 100^th Ashwamedha Yāga, Indra repeatedly stealing the sacrificial horse, Prithu’s son repeatedly retrieving the horse, the priests trying to offer Indra into the sacrificial fire, Brahma’s intervention and Brahma causing friendly relations between Indra and Prithu.

Maitreya Maharishi continued, “O Vidura, Emperor Prithu was determined to complete 100 Ashwamedha Yāgas in the Brahmavarta region. In the past Swāyambhuva Manu had performed Yagnas in this very same place. Here River Saraswati flows towards the east.

Indra was jealous that Prithu would, through completion of 100 Ashwamedha yāgas, would rise above him in superiority. He could not tolerate the grandeur of Prithu’s Yagnas”.

Janārdhanaya namah

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.