Story of Mandhata

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Story of Mandhata 

King Yuvanaswa was born in Ikswaku lineage. Being issueless, he retired to the forest along with his 100 wives. The sages of that hermitage took pity on him and conducted a sacrifice intended to propitiate Indra. 

The king Yuvanaswa felt thirsty at midnight and entered the sacrificial hut. Not knowing it as divine water consecrated with the mantra, he drank and went back.

The next morning, seeing the sacrificial pitcher empty, the priest enquired and found the king consumed the divine water that had a capacity to produce a male child. 

The priest remained hapless and left it to the play of destiny. The king at last gave birth to a male child splitting open his right pelvis.

When the baby cried out of hunger, the brahmanas were perplexed as to who would give milk to the baby.

Indra put his index finger dripped with nectar into the baby's mouth saying “ suck me (Mam Dhata). Do not cry”. Hence, he was named Mandhata.

King Yuvanaswa survived by the grace of Brahmanas and attained perfection through asceticism.

The powerful Emperor Mandhata ruled the entire globe. The whole extent of land from the point where the sun rises to the point where it sets is called the territory of Mandhata. 

The Emperor had three sons, viz., Purukutsa, Ambarisa and Muchukunda, and 50 daughters. All the fifty daughters choose Sage Saubhari as their husband.  

Ambarisa was adopted by his grandfather, Yuvanaswa, and a son, Yauvanaswa, was born to Ambarisha.  

Purukutsa was married to Narmada and was taken to Rasatala to protect against Gandarvas, who were enemies of Nagas. Satyavrata (famously called Trishanku) is a descendent of Purukutsa.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Please note Ambarisha, son of Naabhaga and a great devotee of Srihari, is different from Ambarisha, son of Mandata. 

Story of Ikswaku

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Ikswaku and Puranjaya (Kakustha)

       

Who is Ikswaku, and why did he exile his son Vikuksi? Why was Puranjaya named kakutstha?

Ikswaku is the son of Vaivaswata Manu. Ikswaku had 100 sons, and Vikuksi was the eldest. He retained central Aryavatha (land lying between the Vindhya range and the Himalayas) and distributed remaining land among his sons.

Once, Ikswaku asked his son Vikuksi to bring flesh for the ceremony (Shraddha). Vikuksi agreed and went to the forest. Having killed some animals fit for the ceremony, he thoughtlessly roasted and ate some flesh of hare as he was fatigued and hungry.

Bringing back the remaining flesh, he handed over to his father. Sage Vasistha rejected the offering as it had been contaminated by eating beforehand. Ikswaku was very angry with his son's behavior and exiled him from his kingdom.  

The king Ikswaku chose the path of Jnanayoga (with the help of his preceptor Sage Vasishta) and cast off his body.

On the death of King Ikswaku, Vikuksi was called by Sage Vasishta to become the king. However, the people did not accept him for having violated the prescribed norms. He was known as Sasada (devourer of a hare).

Puranjaya is the son of Vikuksi. Puranjaya was requested by the gods to join them in the fight against demons. Protected by celestial bow and armour, Puranjaya was eager to fight. At the instance of Srihari, Indra assumed the firm of a gigantic bull and Puranjaya rode on the hump of the bull.   

Puranjaya fought ferociously and dispatched the demons to Yama's abode. The remaining demons fled to Patala. He earned the title Kakutstha (one who rode on the hump of a bull) and Indravaha.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Ambharisa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Ambarisha

Who is Ambharisa? Why did Lord Srihari give His discus (Sudarshana Charka) as protection to King Ambharisa. How could Ambharisa earn such powerful protection?

King Ambarisha is the son of Naabhaaga and the grandson of Nabhaga. Naabhaaga was very learned and led a truthful life. Being in that lineage Ambharisa too led a pious life and was greatly devoted to Lord Srihari.

Ambharisa was the Emperor of Seven Dweepas and had enormous wealth. Even with such huge wealth and power, he never got attached to it. 

He always felt that these wealth were illusionary (as seen in the dream state) and would vanish any day or death would snatch away everything from him. He adopted Viragya (non-attached). 

To remain in that state, he controlled his sense organs. He used his speech only to praise Srihari, his hand to serve Him, ear to hear stories of Achutha, leg to visit shrines, mouth to drink Tulsi leaves juice, smell lotus flower fragrance etc. Hence, he was able to control his senses and divert his mind towards Srihari alone. 

The king gradually gave up all attachments with regard to his houses, wife, children, army, treasury, ornaments, etc. 

Pleased with his exclusive devotion, Srihari delivered His own discus ( Sudarshana Chakra) - a powerful weapon to protect Ambharisa. 

During Dwadashi Parana Vrath, Sage Durvasa visited King Ambarisha and accepted his hospitality. Sage Durvasa went to the river to complete his morning ablutions and returned after a considerable time. 

The Dwadashi Parana fasting has to be completed within the prescribed time. The King couldn't wait till the arrival of the Sage. Symbolically, he took a sip of water to break the fast. 

Sage Durvasa grew angry and threatened to kill him. He pulled a few strains of hair and, using his yogic power, created a genie. King Ambharisa was calm, but Sudarshana Chakra destroyed the genie and started chasing the Sage Durvasa for a long period. 

Sage Durvasa couldn't get protection from Lord Brahma or Lord Shiva. Srihari expressed his inability but advised him to seek pardon from his devotee, King Ambarisha.  

Accordingly, the Sage sought pardon from the King and got relief from the burning sensation of Sudarshana Chakra. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Naabhaaga

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Naabhaaga 

Who is Naabhaaga? How could he win over all odds?

Naabhaaga is the youngest son of Nabhaga and the grandson of Vaisvaswatha Manu. Naabhaga was most learned and returned from gurukul after a very long period of time. 

Meanwhile, his three brothers divided their father's property among themselves, leaving nothing to Naabhaaga on the assumption that he would be lifelong celibate.

Naabhaaga returned back home only to realize that nothing was left to him and instead was asked to take care of their father. Nabhaga was disappointed with his son's behavior and consoled Naabhaaga. 

Nabhaga said, “Sage Angirasa and others are conducting Satra Yagna. They aren't sure of Vaisvadeva Sutra to be used on the 6th and 12th day of the yagna. I will teach you the Sutra to guide them. Don't have any fear. They shall accept your service”.

On the completion of the yagna, they would give away leftovers to you and proceed to heaven. Naabhaaga did as instructed by his father and received all the leftover materials.

Lord Rudra objected and said the leftover wealth of every yagna belongs to Him. He told Naabhaaga to consult his father on this issue. 

Naabhaaga diligently went to his father and enquired. Nabhaga confessed that Lord Rudra is entitled to it, and an error has occurred. 

Left with no choice, Naabhaaga sought pardon with Lord Rudra and asked Him to take away the wealth. Lord Rudra was pleased with the truthfulness of Naabhaaga and imparted the seer to Vedic Mantra knowledge (similar to Brahma gnana). Also, Lord Rudra offered leftover material wealth of yagna to Naabhaaga.

Ambarisha, a revered devotee of Srihari, is the son of Naabhaaga. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Chavana Maharishi and Sukanya

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Story of Cyavana  Maharishi and Sukanya 

Who is Sage Cyavana? How could Ashwini kumaras get a share in Soma Juice though objected by Indra?

Sage Cyavana is the son of Sage Bhrgu. He was well versed in scriptures and was highly revered. 

King Saryati, son of Vaivaswatha Manu, was truthful and was authority in ritualistic sacrifices. Sukanya was his only daughter.

Once King Saryati happened to visit the hermitage of Sage Cyavana with his daughter. The King cautioned his subjects to be careful knowing well Sage Cyavana’s short-temperness and his yogic powers.

In the hermitage, Sukanya saw a pair of bright things like fire flies in an ant hill. Impelled by destiny, the girl in her childish innocence pricked the two bright things with a thorn. 

Immediately, a good deal of blood flowed out. That very moment, there was obstruction of stool and urine among the troops that had escorted the king. The King enquired whether any wrongdoing has happened to royal Sage Cyavana.

Sukanya narrated her act to the King. The terrified King gradually propitiated the sage buried underneath an anthill. In order to escape the wrath, he offered his daughter in marriage to the Sage and returned to his capital more cautious than before. Princess Sukanya diligently took care of her husband.

After some days, ashwini kumaras (celestial physicians) came to his hermitage. The Sage requested them to bestow youth on him, and in return, he would make them entitled to Soma Juice though Indra has denied it.

Ashwini Kumaras gladly accepted the proposal and asked Sage Cyavana to enter the pool created by the Siddhas. Astonishingly, three males appeared adorned with wreaths of lotuses and ear rings of gold and finely dressed. 

Sukanya could not recognize her husband and requested ashwini kumaras to help identify her husband. Pleased with her vow of fidelity, the two gods showed her husband and left for heaven in their aerial car.

King Saryati visited Sage Cyavana’s hermitage to seek his help to perform a Yagna. He saw beside her daughter a male glowing like a sun as against the previous form of Sage Cyavana. 

Sukanya bowed at her father's feet, but he was not pleased. He said “ You have betrayed your husband, the Sage adored by the whole world. You have deserted him because he was old and therefore he was not liked by you. It is indeed a strain on your family”.

When the father was about to curse, Sukanya said “He is none other than your son-in-law," and narrated the whole incident. King Saryati was very much pleased with her conduct. 

Sage Cyavana performed the yagna and, through his ascetic power, offered Soma juice to Ashwini Kumaras. Lord Indra objected to it and raised his thunderbolt to kill the Sage. Sage Cyavana paralyzed the arm of Indra. Left with no choice, Indra agreed to offer Soma juice to ashwini kumaras. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Prahlada's Previous Birth

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Prahlad’s Previous Birth   

Prahlad, in his previous birth, was the youngest of four sons of a Yogi. His three elder brothers received sufficient spiritual lessons from his father. However, Prahlad, though well disciplined, somehow couldn't attain the highest level as his brothers.

Once his parents went on a pilgrimage and before leaving his father asked Prahlad to take care of the Amrut kalash (pot with divine drink) kept in one corner of the house. 

Prahlad dutifully took care of the kalash. He never opened it nor allowed anyone to do so.

After some days, his parents returned home fully exhausted. Father asked Prahlad to get him amrut kalash, stating that alone would satisfy his quench. 

Prahlad went to fetch the pot only to see the vessel was empty. He suspected that Lord Indra alone would have taken away the amrut as none dared to approach it.

Immediately through his yogic power, he went to Indraloka and took the amrut kalash. Indra did not object but questioned him. Prahlad accused Indra of snatching away kalash, though Indra denied any wrongdoing.

Prahlad offered amruth to his father. Father, instead of feeling happy, was annoyed and asked how he could get it. Prahlad narrated the whole event and his visit to Indraloka and said he brought amruth and Indra is fully aware of it. 

Father again questioned Prahlad on how he could make false accusations against Indra and said he doesn't deserve any higher learning in this birth. He asked him to repeat ‘Hari’ nama till the end of his life. 

A small mistake of false accusation on Indra led Prahlad to take rebirth. The merits he had gained in previous birth enabled him to get Sage Narada's protection and learnings.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Prahlada Seeks Boon of Eternal Devotion

  Prahlada Seeks Boon of Eternal Devotion 

After neutralising Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narasimha remained in the fearful form filled with anger. Lord Brahma, Shiva, Indra, and other gods requested Him to get back to his usual form. Mahalakshmi, too, was fearful and did not dare to go near Him. 

Later, Brahma asks Prahlada to offer prayers to Lord Narasimha. Prahlada goes near Lord Narasimha and says, "I am not afraid to see you in this fearful form, but I am afraid of the entanglement of Samsara.” He praised Narasimha in different ways.  

Pleased with Prahlada’s prayers, Lord Narasimha calms down and asks him to seek a boon. 

Prahlada says, “Lord, do not pressurise me to seek boons. I do not want to get attached to any material things. I am scared that I, too, would get enslaved like others. I have enjoyed all these for many births earlier. I seek to get rid of all attachments to birth.   

A Mumukshu (one who seeks Moksha) is afraid of rebirth.   

One who doesn't seek any boon in a pure devotee. One who seeks favour is a trader, and he is trading with God. This type of give-and-take relationship exists between a king and a servant, but not between you and me.   

You also do not seek any favours from me nor from anyone. You satisfy devotees’ desires without expecting anything from them. For that matter, you do not grant Moksha. You give rewards based on one’s karma (good/bad). 

Ignorance vanishes only by gaining self-knowledge. The individual soul/Jiva needs to get rid of ignorance.

Even if you still insist that I should seek a boon from you, Swamy, I wish desires should never ever crop up in me. You alone can give this boon.   

 I seek this boon because:

The mind gives strength to the sense organs, but desires kill the strength of the mind.

Prana gives strength to the mind, but desires kill the strength of prana.

Dharma gives strength to the inner mind. Dharma vanishes if desires are unchecked.

To follow Dharma, we need strength or Dhriti. If desires are left uncontrolled, dhriti loses its strength. To strengthen dhriti, we need self-knowledge.

Falling at His feet, Prahlada humbly requests Narasimha Swamy to treat him as His true devotee.  

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana