The creation is inevitably followed by destruction. When we get tired of entertainment we prefer
either to meditate if we are a yogi or
sleep if we are a bhogi. That is the
period to take rest and recharge the system with energy. This is not our choice
but because it has been planned by Lord Srikrishn to be so. He also gets tired
of all hullabaloos prevalent in various creations and prefers to withdraw to
relax. That is called pralaya or annihilation. As are there
several kinds of creations so are there a number of types of Pralayas narrated in Purans.
When one begins to practice yog and meditation one also
realizes that one is in this world to perform certain unfulfilled wishes and
tasks wished in the past. As one advances in meditation life seems to be a mere
dream where nothing is real for real and permanent bliss is felt in meditation. The human body is needed
to stay on the earth and to perform tasks. One involves oneself in worldly
pursuits so long as one has desire and ego. When desires die and ego dries,
life becomes light. Death and fear of death vanishes. Renouncing ego
permanently is almost impossible. Only in certain moments ego spares us for a
short time. Such precious moments are the most blissful moments of life. When
we are able to feel as free as wind, as buoyant as a wave, as sweet as a
blooming blossom
Lord Srikrishn being an embodiment of bliss keeps performing
the role of annihilator of ego in the life of his chosen ones. W e don’t realize that our own existence is dependent
on others. For food we eat, clothes we wear and sundry of items we need for our
existence are provided by others. Innumerable persons we do not know produce
such comforts. Nature is rearing us
quietly. Unaware of her incessant care we begin to feel that we are superior to
other beings. Those who realize her generosity thank her and rejoice in her lap
as infants frolick in their mother's lap while those who care not to explore,
remain in their self created prison and torture themselves as well as others.
Those who realize their oneness with nature, become saints and yogis. They are lovable to all. Such
great souls have been everywhere in all times. Only their proportion to masses
keeps changing. Purans are replete with tales narrating the divine plan to
annihilate pride of every being through some other being. Lord Srikrishn does
not allow anybody to nourish one's pride permanently. As we inflate a balloon
and with the passage of time it automatically deflates so with the passage of time every body tastes deflation of one's pride.
During Lord
Srikrishn's Maharaas with Radha and
other gopis he took Radha away from
all and narrated several stories of annihilation of pride of several deities
himself to his beloved Radha to amuse her.
Ashamed Lord Brahma.
Lord Srikrishn demolished Lord Brahma's pride through a
curse given by Mohini in Lord Brahmalok.
On earth also when Lord Srikrishn took birth in Mathura he demolished his pride
himself.
Lord Srikrishn used to graze his cows and calves in the
forest. He would then sit with his friends and play around like an ordinary
boy. He loved sporting with calves, deers, and peacocks, ate roti with pickle and played tunes on
flute or horn. Lord Brahma intended to test him. He locked the cows, calves and
cowboys in a cave. When Lord Srikrishn did not find his herd around, meditated
and learnt that Lord Brahma had played a trick. He created new cows, calves and
cowboys. Even the parents of boys could not guess that the original ones were
lying unconscious in a cave in the forest. One earth year elapsed and no
disturbance in life and routine occurred. Lord Brahma failed to discriminate
between the original and duplicate. He realized his ignorance and tendered
apology to Lord Srikrishn, the cowboy of Vrindavan. Lord Srikrishn was bemused
and forgave Lord Brahma. He withdrew the duplicates and Lord Brahma revived the
original ones and returned to his lok ashamed.
Asuras
baffle Lord Shiv
Lord Srikrishn always appreciates Lord Shiv and loves him
dearly. He says in Gita that among Rudras
he is Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv also adores Lord Srikrishn. Once Lord Shiv, an incarnation of dispassion and
wisdom, also developed pride. He remained in samadhi for sixty thousand yugas
and become as powerful as Lord Srikrishn. A demon named Vrika also performed
great tapasya at Kedarnath. Lord Shiv appeared before him
to bless him but the demon did not ask for any boon. Lord Shiv was so impressed
with him that he did not leave him at all. There stood an officious Lord Shiv
eager to grant him everything but the devoted asura did not accept anything. He only meditated at the feet of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv became so
overwhelmed with love and fear both that he began to cry. This disturbed the
demon. He stopped meditation and found Lord Shiv sobbing in front of him. Lord
Shiv was all set to oblige him in lieu of his rigorous tapasya.
Vrika then asked Lord Shiv to grant him a boon to turn
anyone into ashes merely by touching the head. Lord Shiv being innocent and
unsuspecting granted the boon. The clever demon felt delighted and began to
follow the bestower of boon to try his newly acquired power. Lord Shiv ran
around in all directions. His tiger skin and dumbbell fell apart. Even though
the demon wanted to burn him, Lord Shiv did not want to harm him being a lover
of devotees and yogis. He could not
enlighten him also as he felt that the demon had attained spontaneous oneness
with Lord Shiv after performing such hard tapasya. All his pride vanished and
he decided to seek help form prudent Lord Srikrishn. He flew to Golok.
Lord Srikrishn saw Lord Shiv entering his lok with a dry throat and nervous face.
He stopped Vrikasur merely by will and asked the demon what the matter was. As
the demon narrated the story, Lord Srikrishn hypnotized him and he began to
dance. While dancing he touched his own head and turned into ashes. Lord Shiv
who had begun to believe that he was as powerful as Lord Srikrishn, dropped his
pride. The difference between him and Lord Srikrishn had become clear to him.
Lord Srikrishn smiled having seen his pale face and advised
him not to forget one who is the bestower of power to all.
On another occasion Lord Shiv again developed pride and
proceeded to fight Tripurasur, a powerful demon all alone. "What can a moth like Triparasur do in front of me when I alone am
capable of destroying three lokas." he intoned and called upon the
demon in the fray. Lord Shiv had even forgotten to take with him the kavach and trident given to him by Lord
Srikrishn. The fierce battle continued for one whole year, day in day out. Both
of the warriors proved to be of equal strength. The demon possessed magical
powers. He therefore, lifted up himself in the air and went very high in the
sky. Lord Shiv also raised him up high in sky and fought him valiantly. Another
month elapsed. The demon destroyed Lord Shiv's chariot and armaments. Lord Shiv
then got enraged and punched him. The demon fainted for a while but soon
regained his senses and got even more furious. He found Lord Shiv asleep and
lifted him up to throw him down on the earth. When deities in Swargalok saw this battle, they were
terrified and began to pray to Lord Srikrishn to protect Lord Shiv from the
demon. Lord Shiv also realized that he could not defeat the demon himself. He
also prayed to Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn immediately took to the form of a
bull and placed Lord Shiv upon his back, lest he should fall down on the earth.
Lord Srikrishn also gave Lord Shiv his
kavach and trident. Lord Shiv regained his confidence and killed the demon
with trident. He then felt ashamed of his overconfidence and prayed to please
Lord Srikrishn. When deities saw Lord Shiv killing the demon, they all
appreciated Lord Shiv and honoured him. Lord Shiv gave up pride forever and
became constantly aware of Lord Srikrishn's might and sportiness. Lord
Srikrishn as Nandi bull became his vehicle, out of love.
Sati in sheer confusion
Durga who was born as daughter of Daksh was named Sati. Lord
Shiv was never interested in marriage but Lord Srikrishn asked him to marry
Sati and perform important role in his creation. Sati adored Lord Shiv and
married him. Once when Lord Vishnu took birth as prince Ram on earth, his wife
Sita was stolen by the demon king of Srilanka named Ravan. Ram along with his
younger brother Lakshman wandered in the forest, searching for his wife,
Sita. Sati saw him behaving like an
ordinary man. She was intrigued to see Lord Shiv saluting prince of Ayodhya.
Sati asked Lord Shiv as to why did he salute a mortal prince? Lord Shiv smiled
and told her that Lord Vishnu is playful by nature and keeps creating tales on
earth to enlighten the masses. But Sati was not convinced. She thought of
testing Ram. Disguised as Sita, she stood in the way, waiting, Ram. Ram saw
her. He bowed before and said,-“Mother, how come you are here all alone? Where
is Lord Shiv?” Sati felt ashamed as Ram had recognized her. Later on, as she
moved back to see Lord Shiv she found everywhere Ram accompanying Sita and his
brother Lakshman. Sati was even more confused. She reached before Lord Shiv who
remained immersed in meditation. Seeing his reluctance, Sati got apprehensive.
Lord Shiv had removed Sati's seat from his left and placed it in front of him
to tell her that having disguised as Sita whom Lord Shiv regarded as mother,
Sati could not occupy the seat of his wife. Sati felt terribly bad of what she
had done. She suffered day and night but Lord Shiv would not relent. He
remained aloof and immersed in meditation all the time.
After some time Sati learnt that her father Daksh had
organized a Yajna where all deities
were invited but for Lord Shiv. Daksh despised Lord Shiv because of a past
incident.
Once when Daksh entered a meeting in Swargalok every body saluted him but for
Lord Shiv who was steeped in samadhi.
Proud Daksh took it as his insult and looked for an opportunity to disgrace
Lord Shiv. He therefore, deliberately did not invite Lord Shiv in his Yajna. Sati had been sulking. She asked
Lord Shiv to let her visit her parental place. Lord Shiv refused, knowing fully
well the intention of cunning and ignorant Daksh. But Sati insisted. Lord Shiv
then allowed her to go to attend the Yajna.
When Sati reached there her mother and sisters welcomed her. But her father did
not even talk to her. Sati was deeply hurt. When she entered the main hall she
found that there were seats for all deities except Lord Shiv. This was most
insulting to her as she adored Lord Shiv.
The intended insult of Lord Shiv by her father Daksh infuriated her. She
effused her anger on her father and gave up her life in the Yajna to desecrate the celebration. Lord Shiv sent his other ganas to demolish the Yajna. Daksh was badly humiliated by the
army of Lord Shiv. He knelt down before Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv pardoned him but
felt terribly moved by the death of his wife. He lifted her charred body in his
arms and roamed around like a lunatic, shedding streams of tears that grew up
as trees of Rudraaksh. Devotees of Lord Shiv wear ornaments made of Rudraaksh.
Lord Vishnu knowing that Lord Shiv could not be normalized so long as the
charred body of Sati remained in his arms, applied his Sudarshan and chopped
the corpse into fifty-one pieces that fell around forming shaktipeeth where Goddess Durga is worshipped under
various names. Lord Srikrishn had
planned and told Lord Shiv the entire series of events in advance. He had
planned to demolish Sati's pride, thus.
Parvati's elation scuttled
Sati took rebirth as daughter of of Mount Himalaya and his
wife Maina. She was aware of her past life. When she grew up, a celestial voice
told her to do tapasya to win Lord
Shiv as her husband. For nothing can be attained without tapasya. Parvati laughed at it. She knew that Lord Shiv loved only
her. She had heard that Lord Shiv used to roam around with Sati's ashes smeared
all over his body and a necklace of her bones around his neck. Lord Shiv had
demolished Daksh's Yajna to please
Sati. She also believed that whoever is wedded to each other in one life also recognizes
the partner in subsequent lives. Proud of her matchless beauty and divine
qualities, she did not perform tapasya
and enjoyed life with her friends at parental palace.
One day a messenger informed her father that Lord Shiv had
arrived there. Her father went to worship Lord Shiv. Parvati presumed that Lord
Shiv had come there only to woo her. She therefore, put on most attractive
attire, decorated herself with ornaments and flowers. She looked so charming
that as she looked into the mirror she got enamoured to herself. She meditated
only on her husband Lord Shiv and did not think of anybody else. Accompanied by
her parents she reached on the mount Himalaya where Lord Shiv was staying. She
saw Lord Shiv walking along the bank of river Ganga, smiling and telling Lord
Srikrishn's mantra on his rosary. Endowed with a scintillating aura, he looked
resplendent surrounded by Mahakaal, Nandikeshwar, ghosts, genies, prets,
demons, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Sanatan and a number of great sages. God
of mount Himalaya saluted everybody and prostrated before Lord Shiv. His wife
Maina also worshipped him. Lord Shiv appeared youthful and handsome. The
womenfolk accompanying her mother Maina were deeply impressed and felt
instantly enamoured towards Lord Shiv who had taken to an attractive form only
to attract women. They whispered amongst themselves that how fortunate was
Gauri who was going to get Lord Shiv as her husband. Himalaya and Maina also
happily discussed the matter with each other and sent Parvati to Lord Shiv.
Parvati looked scintillating in her bright attire. She had made up herself beautiful with the choicest articles of shringar. Her heart was full of love and
pride. She walked carefully and elatedly reached near Lord Shiv. She
reverentially took seven rounds around him and bowed with folded hands to
salute him. Lord Shiv looked at her and blessed her, -" O the beautiful one! You will get a most
loving, accomplished, immortal, wise and handsome husband. You will blissfully
remain married forever. Your son will be accomplished like Narayan. You will be
worshipped in three lokas. You have taken seven rounds around me I am therefore
satisfied for seven lives." he said and closed his eyes in meditation.
Parvati washed his feet and offered throne, fruits flowers etc. by performing shodash upachar. She bowed before him in
salutation repeatedly. She was convinced that Lord Shiv was pleased with
her. She would daily go to Lord Shiv and
worship him whole-heartedly thus.
When King of deities, Indra learnt that Lord Shiv seemed to
have accepted Parvati as his consort, he celebrated and sent for Kamdev to
invoke attraction and desire in the heart of
yogi Lord Shiv towards Parvati. Kamdev applied all his five arrows, creating
erotic ambience to swerve meditating Lord Shiv but faced fiasco. Instead of
feeling excited, Lord Shiv got furious. He opened his eyes and turned Kamdev
into ashes. The wife Of Kamdev, Rati was aghast to see the horrendous act of
Lord Shiv. She bemoaned his death. Deities consoled her and advised her to keep
his ashes safely so that he could be revived later. Deities were in awe and
Parvati was dumbfounded. On seeing Rati wailing, Parvati fainted in sorrow. Her
pride was completely shattered.
Lord Shiv got up from meditation and left for his abode on
mount Kailash leaving a desolate Parvati behind. This was so planned in advance
by the Master Planner of Universe to teach Parvati a lesson to renounce her
pride in her beauty and past life's achievements. Parvati realized that God cannot be enamoured or attracted by physical
beauty or emotional wishing. The only way to please God
is purification of heart through performing tapasya. She later on performed
tapasya and won Lord Shiv as her husband.
Indra's blunder
Indra performed hundreds of Yajna, and did great tapasya
at Pushkar. He attained siddhi and
became very arrogant. Once when his guru Brahaspati arrived in his court, Indra
did not bother to stand up and salute him. Brahaspati felt hurt and retreated
in solitude. In his solitude in the forest, he inwardly cursed Indra that all
his wealth would be lost. Indra later on realized his error and reached
Brahaspati's palace. He bowed with folded hands to salute gurumata Tara, the
wife of Brahaspati. She gave him a seat and listened to him. Indra then cried
in regret before Tara. She also felt bad and advised him to go back home, as
whatever was destined to Indra was sure to take place. Indra was unhappy and
worried. He therefore, went to take bath in river Mandakini flowing on mount
Himalay. There amidst enchanting surroundings he saw the matchlessly beautiful
and chaste wife of sage Gautam named Ahilya.
Indra got so attracted to Ahilya so much so
that he always fantasized about her only. He called his bosom friend Chandrama
and disclosed his desire to him. Both of the friends plotted together to
fulfill the desire of Indra. Chandrama planned that Indra should disguise as
sage Gautama. To wake the sage early, Chandrama disguised as a cock and crowed
aloud to wake the sage up. The sage got up and went out to take bath at the
river. Indra entered his home and slept with Ahilya, imposing as her husband
Gautam. Sage Gautam arrived after taking bath in the river and found his
innocent wife with Indra. He lost no time in knowing the truth. Depravity of Indra
enraged Gautam. He thrashed him and cursed, -"Fie upon you! You are the son of great sage Kashyap and Aditi. How
could you stoop to such meanness? You have learnt Vedas but actually are lewd
only of vulva. I curse that you will have a thousand vulvas all over your body
and for one whole year you will keep
smelling it. Afterwards, on worshipping God
Surya, the vulvas will turn into eyes. You have desecrated my wife so you will
have to loose your kingdom soon." Indra trembled with fear and hung
his head in shame. He had fallen too low to raise his head as king ruling Swargalok. Reeling in repentance, he
departed for Pushkar to do tapasya to
purify himself. Thus the pride of Indra licked the dust as ordained by Lord
Srikrishn.
Surya challenged by asuras
God Surya is the father of planets. He generates and
sustains life on earth. Aware of his significant role he also became very
arrogant. During that time, two great demons named Mali and Somali became too
powerful. Blessed by Lord Shiv they became very influential. Even after God Surya departed from earth, proclaiming night, they
created light on earth. There could be no night on earth. Hurt and annoyed with
their mischief, God Surya furiously attacked them with his javelin. Both of the
demons fainted and fell on earth. Lord Shiv being benevolent, revived them. The
demons regained consciousness and resumed their activity. Lord Shiv got rather
furious against God Surya. He reproachfully
followed Surya to kill him. Terrified God Surya
had to take shelter in Lord Brahmalok.
But angry Lord Shiv did not stop even there and attacked Lord Brahma's palace
in Lord Brahmalok. Lord Brahma saw
Lord Shiv in anger and began to chant stotra
in his praise. Lord Shiv was pleased. Lord Brahma asked Surya to beg pardon
from Lord Shiv and renounce his pride. God Surya was so nervous to see Lord
Shiv's wrath that he helplessly followed Lord Brahma's advice. He fell on the feet of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv pardoned him. God
Surya realized that the master of creation- Lord Srikrishn had planned this
episode to teach him a lesson. He learnt a lesson and shed his pride. Whatever
role has been assigned to any being in the creation is performed by every one
through the power bestowed by Lord Srikrishn alone. He empowers every one and
takes back all power if one becomes proud and takes to its misuse.
Agni's fiasco
God of fire, Agni has been accepted by Lord Srikrishn as his
mouth for whatever is assigned to fire becomes pure energy and goes up to
higher spheres in a subtle form. Fire is all purifying and omnipresent. Electricity, generated from water, is also a
form of fire. Fire is a kind of energy and energy never dies. It merely changes
forms. Thus energy is all pervasive and most rampant. Once, God Agni became very arrogant. Intoxicated with pride
he began to spread out huge flames to devour three lokas. All were in awe. No one could blow the fire out. When fire
became gigantic, then water failed to douse it. People were in grave fear. Finding no
solution around helpless masses prayed to Lord Srikrishn to save them.
Lord Srikrishn appeared on earth as a little boy. He sweetly
asked God Agni, -"God, why are you so
enraged? If sage Bhrigu has enraged you then why do you not take him on,
instead of devouring the three lokas? Lord Brahma creates, Lord Vishnu sustains
and Lord Shiv destroys the creation. Why have you taken up the task entrusted
to Lord Shiv in your hands? If you desire to end the creation then better win
over Lord Vishnu, the sustainer first." The boy gave a dry leaf to
God Agni and asked him to burn it. God Agni
tried his best but neither could he burn the dry leaf nor the little boy
throwing the challenge.
Agni realized that the little boy was no ordinary child. His
arrogance was soiled. The boy disappeared with an enchanting smile. Ashamed God
Agni withdrew the flames. Normalcy was restored. Agni gave up pride, rooted in
ignorance. He realized that he acts only on the behest of all-powerful Lord
Srikrishn and had no independent existence in nature.
Sage Durvasa
tastes humiliation.
Sage Durvasa is the son of great sage Atri and siddhayogini Anusuya. His mother Anusuya
was spiritually so accomplished that she could bring rains to the parched lands
by sprinkling washing of the feet of her husband. Narad divulged the power of
her chastity before the three goddesses who were
the chaste wives of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Mahesh. The jealous goddesses
instigated their husbands to go to test Anusuya. Disguised as mendicants, the
three deities came to her door and begged for food. As she offered them food
they asked her to feed them with a bare
bosom. Anusuya was intrigued to hear the condition. On meditation, she soon
learnt the identity and purpose of visit of beggars. She sprinkled Atri's padateertham (washing of feet) over them
and turned them into infants. Putting them in her lap, she breast-fed them one
by one. The three deities rejoiced in her motherly affection. They did not even
bother to let their anxious wives learn of their plight. The three goddesses
got tired of waiting for their husbands and came searching for them in the
ashram of Anusuya. They were nonplussed
to see the trinity reeling in delight in a cradle as sons of Anusuya. The
goddesses fell on the feet of their earthly mother-in-law. The great lady took
pity and turned the infants back into deities. Thus Anusuya proved the mettle
of her spiritual accomplishments. All deities and sages gathered to have vision
of the Trinity. This place is now called Suchindram. The three deities then went back leaving
a baby boy created afer them named Dattatreya who became the first son of Anusuya.
Durvasa was her second son. He is famous for his
quick-tempered nature. He was once meditating in a cave. The sound of bangles
clinking around the wrists of nymph Tilottama, who was mating with Sahasik, the
son of demon king Bali, distracted his mind. He opened his blood red eyes and
found the shameless couple before him. Displeased Durvasa cursed them, -"O Shameless One! You are acting like a
donkey. Go and be a donkey. Tillotama
you are also shameless. Go and be the
daughter of a demon!" Both of them came back to their senses.
Trembling in fear they fell on his feet and praised the sage to assuage his
wrath. Their entreaties melted the heart of Durvasa. He calmed down and
convinced Sahasik that as cursed, he would be born as a donkey but would be liberated
by Lord Srikrishn himself. The son of Bali became a demon named Dhenukasur who
was killed by baby Lord Srikrishn in Vrindavan. Tilottama became the daughter
of Baanasur and was absolved of her sin when she saw Lord Srikrishn.
Durvasa had cursed them for acting in a beastly manner.
However, having seen their luscious sport, Durvasa got mentally stimulated. His
mind soared in fantacy and longed to get married. Seething with desire he came
out of his cave and began to walk, restlessly. He knew not how to curb his
violently flickering mind. Soon he saw sage Aurv coming towards him with a
marriageable girl. Sage Aurv was a great ascetic, born from the 'uru' (thigh) of Lord Brahma, in
meditation. Being a celibate, Sage Aurv had created a daughter named Kandali
from his thigh. Kandali, had attained puberty and wished to marry only sage
Durvasa. Durvasa was taken aback to see the sage Aurv who warmly embraced him
and expressed the desire of his daughter. He extolled his extraordinary
daughter and told Durvasa that she was a little short tempered. Durvasa was
enamoured to see the beautiful damsel. He however, said, -"A woman is a great barrier in the path of liberation. She is like
a shackle that imprisons a man in this world. Even wisemen like Lord Shiv fail to
cut this shackle. But she is superior to even one's own shadow in giving
company. She causes great suffering by binding a man in repeated cycles of
death and rebirth. Only Lord Srikrishn's love is the most fulfilling. I was
steeped in his love but God alone knows, why and
how, I happened to see a mating couple in my cave and got excited. Lord Brahma
has sent you here to fulfill my desire. I promise that I would forgive her
hundred bitter talks but will punish her if she utters more of it."
Sage Aurv gave him his daughter in marriage and went away. Durvasa lived
joyfully but could not tolerate her bitter speech always. Once she enraged the
sage to such an extent that he turned her into ashes. When sage Aurv came to
know it, he fainted in shock and cursed Durvasa to face unbearable humiliation
for having killed his innocent daughter.
Some time later the great devotee Ambarish, who was the son
of king of Ayodhya, undertook the fast of ekadashi
to please Lord Srikrishn. Sage Durvasa reached Ayodhya. King Ambarish and his
wife waited upon him. Durvasa did not reach to have his share and the muhoort
was passing by. Ambarish took water to break his fast before offering meals to
the sage. Seeing this Durvasa got enraged. Inflated with the pride of his tapasya, he unlocked his one jata and banged it on the earth. From it
appeared a fiery celestial being called Kritya
who pounced upon the innocent Ambarish to kill him. The king being a great
devotee of Lord Srikrishn meditated on him. The Sudarshan chakra, appointed by Lord Srikrishn for safeguarding his
devotees immediately appeared and killed Kritya. The chakra then began to chase Durvasa. He was aghast and being a yogi flew up to seek help of Lord Brahma
in Lord Brahmalok. Lord Brahma
expressed his inability, as Sudarshan was not under his command. Durvasa
reached mount Kailash and appealed to Lord Shiv to save him from Sudarshan.
Lord Shiv also expressed his inability. Durvasa asked him to guide as to who
could after all save him. Lord Shiv advised him to go to Vaikunthalok. An ashamed
sage reached Vaikunthalok and fell on
the feet of Lord Vishnu begging pitiably to save him. Lord Vishnu lifted him up
and said, -"O Sage, be fearless. You are a great yogi and dear to Lord Shiv. What
brings you here, tell me." "Sudarshan chakra is after my life. Please stop him first. I beg your
pardon," implored a tearing sage. Lord Vishnu stopped Sudarshan and
asked the sage to be fearless. Durvasa begged for his life. Lord Vishnu
explained that in Vaikunthalok
Sudarshan could not harm him but as he would go out, Sudarshan would start chasing him. "Then, what should I do?" asked the helpless sage. "Sudarshan
has been deputed by me to save my sincere and true devotees. He is merely
performing his duty," calmly replied Lord Vishnu. "Then who can grant me relief from him?"
asked a flabbergast sage. "Only, Ambarish. No one else, including
me can stop Sudarshan from following you." Lord Vishnu explained.
Durvasa was appalled. Begging pardon from a man whom he had sought to kill in
anger was beyond his imagination. But he had no option. Lord Vishnu had shown
him a way unpalatable to him. He shed tears of regret for having acted
arrogantly. Recalling the curse of sage Aurv, he realized that the entire
episode was a corollary of his own wrath. He finally agreed to beg pardon from
King Ambarish. As he reached back Ayodhya he found gentle Ambarish still
fasting and praying Lord Srikrishn to save the sage from Sudarshan with his
wife. Benevolent Ambarish lifted Durvasa prostrating in his feet and asked
Sudarshan to spare his life. Durvasa's pride was completely soiled as Ambarish
lifted him up and gave an embrace.
Dhanvantari's debacle
God Dhanvantari is an expert of Vedas and knows cure for all
ailments. He appeared from Kshirsagar
when deities and demons churned the ocean. He held a pitcher
containing ambrosia in his hands. Lord Lord Vishnu immortalized deities by
distributing Ambrosia amongst them. It is believed that this was done in Ujjain
where after every twelve years Kumbha
mela is organized to commemorate the great event.
Lord Dhanvantari was once
going to mount Kailash along with his pupils. On his way, he came across a
powerful serpent named Takshak who was lolling out his tongue to bite
Dhanvantari. One of the pupils of Dhanvantari ridiculed him arrogantly and
stilled the serpent by applying a mantra
and snatched his Mani. The friends of serpent informed their king Vasuki about
it. Enraged Vasuki sent other dreadfully
poisonous serpents named Dron, Kaaliya, Karkotak, Pundareek and Dhananjaya to
take on Dhanvantari. All pupils of Dhanvantari were turned unconscious merely
by the exhalation of serpents. Dhanvantari sprinkled Ambrosia and revived them.
He also applied mantra and stilled
them. No snake was left alive to inform the king Vasuki. But Vasuki, having
supernatural powers, learnt it. He called his sister Mansa Devi and asked her
to help the snakes. Mansa was fearless. She said, -"It is no big task for me. I have received mantra from Lord
Sheshanag who bears Lord Vishnu in his lap. The trailokya mangal kavacch of
Lord Vishnu is in my throat. I am capable of turning the entire creation into
ashes." Mansa meditated upon Lord Srikrishn, Lord Shiv and guru and
rushed to take on Dhanvantari. She revived all snakes through her glance and
turned pupils of Dhanavantari inert. Dhanvantari failed to revive them. She
attacked Dhanvantari with a lotus empowered by mantras. He turned the flower into ashes. Mansa threw Shakti. Dhanvantari destroyed it with a
javelin received from Lord Vishnu. She furiously applied naagpaash on him. Dhanavantari called Garud who immediately
devoured all serpents. Mansa threw handful of ashes received from Lord Shiv.
Garud scattered the ashes all around with his wings and saved Dhanvantari. She then, picked up her javelin received from
Lord Shiv. Lord Brahma and Lord Shiv got alarmed and rushed to stop the fight.
On seeing Lord Brahma and Lord Shiv, goddess Mansa stopped and bowed before
them. Garud and Dhanvantari also bowed before them. Lord Brahma said, -"O Wise One! This battle with Mansa
doesn't behove you. Better please her with shodash upachaar. She will herself
bless you, then." Lord Shiv also seconded Lord Brahma.
Dhanvantari followed the wise
counsel, worshipped goddess Mansa after taking bath. Goddess was pleased and
revived his pupils. Every one departed with a happy heart. Dhanavantari
realized his pride and renounced it, forever.
Satyabhama’s Pride Shattered
Satyabhama performed Punyak
Vrat to have a son. She was proud of her hold over husband Lord Srikrishn
who had uprooted the Parijaat tree
from the garden of Indra to please her. Lord Srikrishn and Satyabhama honoured
sage Narad and feasted him. In the ritual of punyak vrat Satyabhama put
a garland of flowers around the neck of Lord Srikrishn and tied him along with
the Parijaat tree. She took permission from husband Lord Srikrishn and gave him
away to sage Narad in alms as Dakshina. She also donated mounds of gold
and cows to please the sage. Narad was pleased. He finished his meals and asked Lord Srikrishn- “Lord, now you are
mine as Satyabhama has donated you to me. Now you follow me and do my bidding.”
“That is the main issue!” Lord Srikrishn said and began to
follow Narad who had got up to retreat. She was in quandary. Both Lord
Srikrishn and Narad wished to see the annoyance of Satyabhama. After a great
deal of pleadings the sage melted and returned Lord Srikrishn to Satyabhama in
lieu of a cow and a calf. Lord Srikrishn
was bemused. He asked Narad to ask for a boon. Narad asked for his love, grace
and liberation from the cycles of birth and death. Lord Srikrishn obliged him
gracefully.
Satyabhama began to harbour that she alone was Lord Srikrishn’s
favourite wife. To shatter her pride Lord Srikrishn once called sage Narad who followed his master’s call and reached Dwarka. The queens of
Lord Srikrishn honoured the sage.
Narad rejoiced in the palace of his Lord. One day all sat together and chatted.
Narad sensing the mood of his master glibly appreciated the conjugal bliss of
his Lord and his wives. This topic alerted the two queens who believed that
they were the most favourite of their husband. During the chattering he
exhorted the two queens to prove their love by weighing Lord Srikrishn with
whatever precious they possessed. A huge balance was taken out to weigh Lord of
Dwarka against anything precious offered by his wives.
Satyabhama
considered herself closest to Lord Srikrishn. She placed all her ornaments in
one side of the balance and Narad made Lord Srikrishn sit on the other side.
Lord Srikrishn weighed heavier against the wealth of Satyabhama. Pride of
queen, who considered herself, the Goddess ruling over Lord Srikrishn,
demolished. Perplexed, Satyabhama paled with disgust.
Narad, then
asked Rukmani to prove herself. Rukmani was a chaste wife who knew Lord
Srikrishn’s knack well. Calmly she closed her eyes. Surge of love gushed in her
quintessentially pure heart. The wealth that can buy the Lord of lords is
invisible yet in abundance with those who believe in simplicity and purity of
heart. Tears of love welled up her eyes. She plucked a leaf of tulasi,
cupped it with her tears and put it in the balance against her Lord.
Narad was keen
to know what Lord Srikrishn was up to show about his private life. Everyone
looked on with a throbbing heart. Could a single leaf of a plant outweigh tones
of gold and gems? As everyone watched the drama with a baited breath, the
balance holding Lord Srikrishn rose suddenly up. Narad smiled and Rukmani
calmly thanked her Lord for acknowledging her silent love. Drops of tears shed
in love of Lord outweigh material opulence, Lord Srikrishn demonstrated.
Satyabhama just wished to go down the earth to hide her grimace. She hung her head
and gave up her pride and jealousy to Rukmani.
Clearing
khandava Forest
Long before battle of Mahabharat took place when
princes were just to enter the royal life after learning arts and sciences at
Gurukul, Dhritarashtra enthroned Yuddhisthir
as king after Pandav defeated king
Drupad to please their guru Dron. Duryodhan could not tolerate it. He conspired
with Dhritarashtra to eliminate Pandav
and sent them to Varnavat on the pretext of seeing a fare there. The Pandav were lodged in a palace made of
highly inflammable material. Vidur however sensed the conspiracy and got an
underground tunnel dug to rescue the Pandav
and their mother Kunti. Thus Pandav
escaped from the fire and roamed around in woods. Dhritarashtra was unhappy to
learn that Pandav survived the
tragedy of Varnavat but welcomed them home formally and gave rocky
Khandavaprastha to them as their share of their kingdom. The Pandav
created a beautiful town ship named Indraprasth and built a matchless palace
there..
Lord Srikrishn and Arjun were
staying in Indraprastha and once went around near the thick forest of Khandav.
They camped there and enjoyed greatly. When they were relaxing, one tall and
old Brahman came to them. "I am a
glutton and presently afflicted with hunger. I seek to whet my appetite."
He said. "Tell us, what can satiate
you?" asked the duo. "I am God Agni. I want to devour the forest of Khandav.
Serpent Takshak lives here with his family. Indra is his friend and whenever I
try to burn the forest, Indra rains heavy showers to save him. You possess
great arms and I seek your help in burning it." Agni said. "I have many divine astras but need a
divine bow. Lord Srikrishn also lacks in weapons at present. We have courage
and strength but lack in weapons." Arjun replied. Agni called God Varun and Varun gave imperishable arrows, Gandeev
bow and divine chariot to Arjun. Agni gave Lord Srikrishn Sudarshan discus and Aagneyastra
astra that could kill anyone and come back. Convinced of protection from
Lord Srikrishn and Arjun, Agni began to engulf the forest of Khandav. Takshak
serpent was in Kurukshetra but his son Ashvasen and wife were in the forest.
The mother serpent swallowed her son to save him.
Indra tried to thwart Agni
but Lord Srikrishn and Arjun made Indra lick dust. Arjun killed the mother but
the son of Takshak ran away. Lord Srikrishn appeared as death incarnate to all
creatures dwelling in the Khandav forest. One powerful demon named Maye whose
daughter Mandodari had married king of Lanka Ravan, also tried to escape. He
begged for life from Arjun. Lord Srikrishn therefore let him off. Only six
creatures - serpent Ashvasen, demon Maye and four Sharang birds whose father
had obtained a boon from God Agni long back,
survived the fire.
Indra was amazed to see the
prowess of Lord Srikrishn and Arjun. He descended with folded hands and said, -"Both of you have performed such a
marvellous task, as is impossible even for Deities. I am highly pleased. Seek
any of the rarest boons." Arjun asked for all divine astras and Indra ensured that at right
time he would get it. "Lord of Deities! Please bless me that
the friendship of Arjun and mine should ever keep on growing and should never
break." Srkrishn, beseeched modestly. Indra blessed them and went
back. Demon Maye was keen to serve them as they had spared his life. Lord
Srikrishn told him, -"Mayasur! You are a great architect. If
you want to serve pious Yuddhisthir then construct a matchless court for him.
The building should reflect best of the skills of men, deities and
demons." Maye danav felt
honoured for having received the command of Lord Srikrishn and constructed an
extraordinary court in Indraprasth.
Thus Lord Srikrishn cleared
Khandav forest by annihilating pride of Indra.
Mongoose
chides PANDAV
Yuddhisthir performed
Aswamedha Yajna when he sat on the throne of Hastinapur after annihilating
Kaurav. His glory spread far and wide as he donated mounds of cereals, wealth
and cows to Brahmans and poor. Flowers were showered over him. As is human nature, appreciation he received
from guests, sprouted a little pride in his heart. How could the all - knowing
God bear this? Inspired by his omniscient will, a mongoose arrived there. His eyes were blue and half body glittered
like gold. To hear his roars, even deers and birds got scared. The animal spoke
in human voice. -"King! Your this
Yajna is not even equal to the alm of one kilo sattu offered by a generous
Brahman who lived in Kurukshetra only on left over grains." The
Brahmans present there were amazed. They surrounded him and asked, -"In this Yajna only pious men have
taken part. How could you reach here? This Yajna has been performed with utmost
purity. How can you challenge the sanctity of it? You seem to be wise and
divine. Please answer our questions." The mongoose laughed and said,
-"Brahmans! I have not uttered anything out of vanity. I tell you its
reason. Whatever, I found at the home of a Brahman, who lived on the left over
grains in Kurukshetra, is indeed the greatest. That great Brahman used to
collect spilled grains like a pigeon and lived on that with his family. His
entire family was pure and austere. Once, famine gripped that area. The family
could not get any food. After famishing for several days one day they got just
one kilo grain, made sattu and sat down to eat it after offering to deities
etc. Just then one Brahman reached there. The family welcomed him and offered
him the sattu. The Brahman still felt hungry. The wife, son and daughter-in-law
of the host offered their entire share to the guest respectfully. The guest was
Lord Dharm in disguise. He extolled the entire family and said that because of
their purity and charity they all had secured Lord Brahmalok and deities
showered flowers over them. The entire family mounted a vimaan and went
to Lord Brahmalok. I came out of my hole and rolled in that floor where
guest had eaten and deities had showered flowers. My half body turned golden.
When I noticed it then I began to look for all such sites to turn my entire
body golden. Till now I have been exploring all such sites but was disappointed. I had come here to fulfil my wish
but here also I
am disappointed." Saying so the
animal vanished, leaving back a stunned and floored audience. The small
creature had divulged the level of austerity and charity earned by Yuddhisthir.
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