Balarama and Vasudeva's Childhood Pranks

Srimad Bhagavatam - Balarama and Vasudeva's Childhood Pranks

As months passed, both Balarama and Vasudeva started crawling in and around the house. They were roaming around nonstop, inspired by jingling bells tied to their waist belt and anklets. 

Slowly, they stepped out of the house and moved forward until they saw new faces of men and women. Feeling scared, they would turn back and return to their mothers. Rohini and Yasoda would receive them with a warm hug and feed them unmindful of the dirt they carried. 

Slowly, these kids began pranks. They would go near the calf and pull their tail. Women visiting their home would forget their job, watch the pranks, and enjoy themselves.

When they learned to walk, there were no restrictions on their movements. They would untie the calves and allow them to run towards its mother to suck milk. This became a nuisance to the residents of Vraja as the system was broken. (The calves were allowed to suck milk just before milking and again for the leftovers). Vasudeva felt it was unfair, and hence, he untied them. 

Once gopikas came to Yasoda with complaints about her son. They said, “Your son enters our house, eats not only what has been offered to him but also what has been kept for us. However, he doesn't come alone. He always comes in groups, treats, and then takes his share. After eating, he breaks the pots. 

If he doesn't find anything, he would get angry and scold all the inmates. (Subtly, He wanted to awaken them of their ignorance).

If the vessels are unreachable, he finds ways to reach them. We are sure that your son alone has done it through his ornaments. If we abused him, he would hit back in the same tone.

Vasudeva was hearing all these hiding behind his mother. Yasoda thought of warning him to stop such pranks and restrict his activities to home alone, but on seeing his innocent face, she couldn't. She felt it is natural for children to do mischief and ignored their comments.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Sage Garga Does Naming Ceremony

Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Garga Does Naming Ceremony 

Vasudeva made a request with his family priest Sage Garga to conduct a naming ceremony of his two sons (Rohini and Devaki's son) who were living in Vraja under the cover of Nanda. Accordingly, Sage Garga went to Vraja.

Nanda was extremely happy and welcomed Sage Garga with due honor. He said “ You are absolute and don't need anything. You must have come to do us a favour. Otherwise, you do not move around.  

You are an expert in astrology. You know the past, present, and the future. You have mastered, documented, and made them available to others. The Garga Samhita gives sufficient knowledge of what would be the outcome in the present birth for the action conducted in previous births. 

You are Brahmarishi. I humbly request you to conduct naming ceremonies for my sons. One who is born as Brahmin acts as a preceptor.

Though Garga had come for the said purpose, he never revealed it. Garga said, “ I am the priest of the Yadu family, and it's known to everyone. If I do namakarana samskara to this dark skinned boy and if it is known to Kamsa, he would suspect Him as Devaki’s son.

Also, you do not fully belong to the Yadava clan. People will presume that I am aware of the fact and hence did it. Kamsa is aware that you and Vasudeva are great friends. 

Kamsa suspects Devaki’s eighth child is not a girl baby. He is not fully convinced because they were imprisoned and chained. Kamsa was clearly informed that the child who is destined to kill him is living elsewhere. He is always thinking of it and struggling. It would be a blunder on our part to endanger the infants.

Nanda said, “This ritual is already delayed for long, and highly revered people like you alone should conduct the ritual and bless the infants. Your blessings are more important than other formalities. Accordingly, the Sage secretly performed the naming ceremony unknown to others.

The Sage said, “Rohini's son will be named ‘Rama’ (the delighter of the people), and due to his strength, he will also be called as”Bala”. Also, he would be called ‘Sankarshana’, meaning one who unites. Yadavas are egoistic, and their superiority complex results in infighting. Balarama would be the unifying force. 

The Sage said, “This infant of yours has manifested in three different colours, viz., white, red and yellow, and this time dark complexion. Earlier, he was born in the house of Vasudeva. Hence, he shall be named Vasudeva.

There are numerous names and forms of your son. This boy will bring happiness to you and the entire Gokula. This son of yours is a compeer of Lord Narayana in all aspects. Please look after Him carefully. In disguise, he told Nanda the secrets of Krishna's birth and His manifestation.

Sage Garga returned back to Mathura. Nanda felt happy and blessed.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Trinavarta Gets Liberated

Srimad Bhagavatam - Trinavarta Gets Liberated

Once Yasoda was fondling her son on her lap and suddenly she felt the weight of Him was that of a mountain. She was perplexed and couldn't bear the pain. She placed Him on the ground, prayed for the safety of the child, and got involved in her worldly duties.

Demon Trinavarta, Kamsa’s aide, appeared as a whirlwind at Vraja and snatched the baby with him. The entire village was covered with thick dust and darkness, and nothing was visible. 

Yasoda couldn't find her son, cried loudly, and fell unconscious. Hearing her cry, Gopikas came to her side. 

Trinavarta lifted Krishna upto a certain height in the sky but couldn't bear the heaviness of Him. He thought of getting rid of the burden by dropping Him. Krishna caught his neck and put him to death. Trinavarta died in his original form on the outskirts of Vraja with his body parts scattered. 

The women assembled there were astonished to find Krishna dangling on the demon's breast. They quickly picked Him up and handed Him over to Yasoda. Nanda, elders of the Vraja, Gopikas, and gopala were overwhelmed with joy to get Krishna back unhurt. 

One elder said “the wicked demon was destroyed by his own sin”. The pious soul is always protected by the Almighty”. 

Worship of Lord Vishnu, act of pious Purta, Ista, charities has been done by us due to which this infant (krishna) though virtually entered death, has been lucky enough to escape and come back. 

Nanda constantly remembered Vasudeva's warning.

Purta, as per Manusmriti, includes digging wells, big and small tanks, construction of temples, giving away food grains, and laying out the garden.

Sage Atri has defined Ista as ‘ pouring oblation into sacred fire, practicing austerities, truthfulness, preserving Vedas by committing them to memory, hospitality, and performing Vaiswasdeva’. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Mahabaratha - Story of Uparichitha Vasu

 Mahabharatha - Story of Uparichitha Vasu

King Janamejaya was eager to know the birth history of Vyasa Maharishi. He requested Sage Vaishampayana to narrate Maharishi’s story in detail. 

To begin with, the Sage narrated the story of Vasu Maharaj.

Vasu Maharaj ruled the Chedi Kingdom. He was a follower of dharma and was very powerful. The Kingdom was wealthy, cows were protected, and grains were grown in abundance. People were dharmic, wealthy, and peaceful. They never uttered lies, even for fun. Children followed their father's advice. Wild animals never attacked. 

Once, the king went to a forest and was charmed by the pleasant atmosphere. He desired to take up tapas. When it turned rigorous, Lord Indra was scared and tried to stop him.  

Indra knew Vasu Maharaj's capability and hence befriended him. He made a request to the king to stop the tapas and rule the kingdom for the welfare of the people. He said, “Dharma should not vanish and has to be protected by you. You would attain higher status in the future. Henceforth, you are my friend and can freely visit me at Heaven whenever you feel so.”

Indra gifted a chariot made of clear quartz (spatika ratha) to move around freely in air. Vasu Maharaj became known as ‘Uparichitha Vasu’. 

Indra also gifted Vaijayanthi, an ever fresh lotus garland, wearing it the king will not face defeat. He also gave Venu Danta (Stick) for protection. 

Vasu Maharaj, in order to honour Indra, treated the stick as a deity representing Indra. He struck the stick to the ground, decorated it with colorful clothes and garlands, and offered prayers. 

During the course of time, it was known as Indra Utsav. Indra was very happy and reciprocated with abundant rainfall. Vasu Maharaj was honoured as Chakravarthy. 

Vasu Chakravarthy had five sons who were equally powerful. During the course of time, he divided his kingdom among his sons. He would often visit Heaven to meet Indra.

Source: Mahabharatha- Adiparva - Amshavathara parva

Residents of Vraja Move to Brindavan

Srimad Bhagavatam - Residents of Vraja Move to Brindavan

The Lord, through his infantile sports, brought joy to the residents of Vraja. As an ordinary infant, He would even do what was ordered to Him. 

Once, a fruit vendor had come selling fruits. Taking a handful of grains, he ran to her to get some fruits. The fruit seller filled His hands with fruits even though food grains had slipped through the gap between His fingers. The fruit basket got filled with precious stones.

The elders of Vraja, headed by Nanda, were deliberating the evil portents in the recent past. They decided to move out of Vraja, particularly taking into account Krishna's safety. 

They decided to move to a forest, Vrindavan. It was full of evergreen trees most suited for the bovine race. Putting the aged, infants, and articles on the carts and placing the cattle wealth ahead, they immediately move out of Vraja. Women and children wore fine dresses adorned with jewelry.  

Balarama and Srikrishna were overjoyed to see picturesque Brindavan, Govardhan Hill, and sandy banks of Yamuna River.

As years passed by, Balaram and Krishna grew and were assigned to take care of calves with a set of boundaries not far off from the cow pen.

The duo Brothers played on the flute, played like bulls, mimicked various animals, and moved around like ordinary mortals.

Once, while grazing the calves, a demon appeared disguised as a calf with the intent to attack them. Observing it, Krishna approached it from behind, seized its hind legs, revolved it, and threw it far away, killing it. The cowherds were very happy and applauded loudly. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

SriKrishna's Grace on Nalakubera and Manigriva

Srimad Bhagavatam - SriKrishna's Grace on Nalakubera and Manigriva 

SriKrishna redeems the sons of Kubera of their curse as prophesied by Sage Narada. Tied to the mortar by his beloved mother, He crawled between the two adjoined Arjuna trees. The two trees fell down with a big crash. Two celestial men, Nalakubera and Manigriva, appeared and bowed down with joined palms.

They said, “ O Lord, You are the Primordial Supreme Person. You control the body, vital airs, the ego, and indriyas. You are the time spirit and imperishable. You are the divine energy (Prakriti) consisting of three gunas, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.

You have come down this time for the prosperity and liberation of the entire creation. Pray, both of us, the attendants of Lord Shiva, to depart. 

Let our speech henceforth be used in recounting Your excellence, our ears in hearing Your stories, our hands in doing Your work, our mind in Your thought.  

The Lord said, “It's already known to me. Sage Narada has showered his grace on you both through a curse. There is no bondage of those pious souls who possessed equanimity, fixed their mind on Me. 

Therefore, you both return to your abode. As sought, you have already realized Supreme devotion in Me, which leads to cessation of rebirth.

The two went around the Lord, who was tied to the mortar, bowed low to Him again and again, and proceeded in the northern direction.

Hearing the noise of two falling trees, the cowherds headed by Nanda came to the spot. They saw two Arjuna trees fall on the ground. They wondered whose work it was . They were alarmed to think that it was an evil portent. 

However, infants playing around there said it was done by this boy, Krishna, who had position between the trees while dragging the mortar. They also said two men came out of the trees and were conversing with Him. 

The cowherds ignored the children's words as they thought it was not possible for this boy to uproot those huge trees. Nanda set free the cord tied to Krishna. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Sage Narada Curses Kubera's Sons

Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Narada Curses Kubera's Sons

King Parikshit asks Sukhamuni “Why highly revered Sage Narada cursed Nalakubera and Manigriva? What reproachful act did they do?”.

 

Sukamuni said, “ The two sons of Kubera, despite being attendants of Lord Rudra, possessed uncontrollable passion, were fully drunk and strolling with women near river Mandakini.

The celestial Sage, who happened to pass by, saw the fully intoxicated Yakshas (demigods). The celestial nymphs who were naked hurriedly put on their clothes but sons of kubera, ignored the Sage, and remained unclothed.

Seeing the two sons of Kubera fully intoxicated and blind with pride of wealth, Sage Narada felt they needed to be rectified through a curse and to give an opportunity to correct themselves.

The Sage said, “A man with insatiable desires through wealth loses wisdom. With the pride of wealth (a product of Rajoguna), women, gambling, and liquor get associated. 

This pride of wealth makes men kill animals mercilessly. This perishable body is food to worms when buried, food if killed by carnivorous animals, or as ashes if burnt. Why perpetrate violence for the sake of pampering such a body?

To whom does this body belong? One's father? mother? employer? maternal grandfather (on adoption)? King? Purchaser?

Hence, this body is a common property that exists from Primordial matter and will again go back into it. A fool alone identifies himself with the body.

Poverty is the best solution for a wicked soul blinded with pride of wealth. He who has his foot ever pricked with a thorn alone would never allow a fellow being to suffer such pain. 

The hardship a poor man undergoes will prove to be his austerity in this life. A hungry man's body becomes feeble and desists from violence.

Hence, I shall take away their pride caused by ignorance , who are slaves of women, intoxicated and blinded with pride of wealth.

They deserve to be reduced to the state of a tree (that stands immobile, unbending, and uncovered) so that by my grace, they may not behave like that again. 

In the presence of Srikrishna at the end of a hundred celestial years, they would acquire devotion and end their curse”. Saying so, the Sage went away to the hermitage of Narayana. 

Nalkubera and Manigriva were transformed into two Arjuna trees sprung together at Vraja. Krishna crawled between the adjoined trees to make the prophecy of Sage Narada true. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana