Yasoda Ties Srikrishna to a Wooden Mortar

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Yasoda Ties Srikrishna to a Wooden Mortar

Once, Yasoda was personally churning the curds as her maids were busy with other work. She was recalling Krishna's infantile sports and expressed them in the form of songs.

Krishna, seeing his mother churning the curds, longed for a suck and stopped her. Yasoda began suckling Him when she suddenly remembered milk kept on the hearth. She placed Him aside and hurriedly went to save milk from overflowing. 

Krishna felt ignored and angrily took a flat stone (used for grinding condiments) and hit the curd pot. 

He went inside and stealthily ate fresh butter. Yasoda saw the broken curd pot and, knowing that it was the work of her son, had a hearty laugh. 

She saw Krishna standing on an overturned base of wooden mortar and freely giving away fresh churned butter to a monkey. She gently went up to Him from behind. Krishna hurriedly ran away, pretending to be afraid of her. 

Sukamuni said, "How does she know that He is indebted to the monkeys that served Him in His previous incarnation as Srirama? ”.

Yasoda, too, ran after Him but couldn't keep the pace due to her bulky hips. Yet she caught hold of Him, who was weeping aloud. She threatened to strike Him but threw the stick off as she was exceedingly fond of her son. 

Yasoda decided to tie Him to a wooden mortar with a string, thinking that He is a mere human. While doing so, the string fell short by an inch. Yasoda added another string to it. Then again, it fell short, and Yasoda had to attach another string. 

This process continued until she exhausted all the strings available at her house. Yasoda felt shameful when her maids laughed at her. She wondered how come I am unable to bind this boy. 

 

Seeing his mother over-exhausted, Krishna allowed Himself to be bound out of sheer compassion. 

Sukamuni said,” In this way, the Lord demonstrated that He is amenable to the excesses of His devotees, though He is the master of the Universe. Indeed, neither Brahma, Shiva nor Mahalakshmi received such grace from Him as Yasoda did”.

When Yasoda was engrossed in her household duties, Krishna noticed a pair of Arjuna trees. Long ago, Nalakubera and Manigriva, sons of Kubera, were reduced to trees by the curse of Sage Narada.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Vasudava Reveals His Form to Yasoda

Srimad Bhagavatam - Vasudeva Reveals His Form to Yasoda 

Once, cowherds, along with Balaram, informed Yasoda that Vasudeva had eaten mud. Yasoda was upset and holding Vasudeva by hand and asked him, “Why did you eat mud”? Vasudeva nodded negatively and said, “ I never ate mud. They are all liars. Examine my mouth with your own eyes”.  

Yasoda said, “ If so, then open your mouth”. 

Inside His mouth, she saw the whole universe, both mobile and stationery, the atmosphere, four quarters, mountains, oceans, wind, fire, the moon, stars, heaven, the deities presiding over indriyas, the mind, the objects of senses, the three gunas, the body of Her son, the Time, people of Vraja including herself.

She wondered if it was a dream or illusion? I bow down to Brahma, who cannot be easily comprehended. The Lord is my Refuge by whose Maya is making me think I am Yasoda, wife of Nanda, this child is mine, and that the cowherds and cowherdess of Vraja as well as cattle wealth are mine.

When Yasoda thus realized this truth, the Almighty (Vasudava) cast his divine form in the form of material affection. 

King Parikshit asked Sukamuni how Yasoda could get such great merit?

He said, “When Mother Earth pleaded Brahma on atrocities meted on her, they approached Srihari. Brahma was informed that He would be born in Vraja at an appropriate time. 

Srihari asked Brahma to make necessary arrangements for it. Brahma requested the foremost of Vasus, Drona, and his wife, Dara, to be born as humans to take care of child Vasudeva (incarnation of Srihari). Hence, they were born as Nanda and Yasoda. 

Drona and Dara made a request to Brahma that they be blessed with undeterred devotion towards the Lord, for which Brahma accepted.

 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Birth Secret of Satyavathi

 Mahabaratha - Adiparva - Birth Secret of Satyavathi 

Once Vasu Maharaj was returning back in his chariot after meeting Indra at Heaven. He saw the Suktimati river obstructed by Kolahala Mountain and was in dire need of help.

Vasu Maharaj kicked the mountain, creating a big hole that allowed the river to pass through. Such was his strength and concern for others.

In gratitude, Suktimathi (in female form) gifted two children to the king, a male and female begotten through Kolahala. The male child grew up to become army chief. The king married the female child, Girika, on her attaining marriageable age. 

Instructed by Pitru devatas, the king was asked to obtain necessary food (meat) from the forest. During the same time, Girika wished to bear a child of the King. 

Thinking of his wife, the king went to the forest. Since it was autumn, the trees were bearing flowers, and the forest was looking very colorful. 

The king, thinking of his wife, passed his tejas, which he carefully collected in a leaf cup. Reciting mantras, he blessed it for a good progeny. He then instructed an eagle to deliver it to his wife. 

The eagle carried it with its claws and was heading home . Midway another eagle, thinking it as meat, began to snatch it. The quarrel resulted in tejas falling in the Yamuna river and was swallowed by a big fish. The fish was impregnated. 

In the course of time, a fisherman caught the big fish, and when he tore it open, he saw two babies in its womb, one male and another female. 

The fisherman promptly handed over the babies to Vasu Maharaj. The king retained the male baby and asked the fisherman to take care of the female baby. The male child grew up to become Matsya raja.

The fisherman (foster father) named the girl child as Matsya Kanda as she had an odour of fish but was beautiful. The fisherman taught her the art of rowing a boat, and eventually, she took up this job for travellers. Matsya Kanda was also called Satyavathi. Vasu Maharaj is her biological father.  

Satyavathi’s Birth Secret (Janma Rahasya)

Sathyavathi, her previous birth, was known as Achoda, the daughter of Pitrus. She had earned sufficient merits and was blessed that in her next birth, she would be revered as the mother of Ved Vyasa. 

Apsara’s Curse Ends

The fish that swallowed the sperm of Vasu Maharaj was indeed an apsara by the name Atrika. She was cursed by Lord Brahma to be born as fish and that her curse would end when she gave birth to humans. Apsara, on completion of the curse period, returned to heaven. 

Source: Mahabharatha- Adiparva - Amshavathara 

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