1. Bhagavata - Story of Narada,

 1. Srimad Bhagavatha - Story of Narada, Characteristics of Bhagavatham, and Meaning of Prakriti.

Who is Sage Narada and why did he narrate his story to Sage Ved Vyasa? What are the ten characteristics features of Bhagavatha? Why is Srihari called Narayana?

Sage Narada narrates his previous birth experience to Sage Ved Vyasa. Sage Narada is the mind-born son of Brahma. Ved Vyasa, an incarnation of Sri Hari, is born to Sage Parasara and Sathyavathi. 

Sage Narada was born to a maid servant and, as a young child, was told to serve wandering yogis who would stop at one place during chaturmasa (the rainy season). 

Sage Narada said “ I was free from all childish behaviour, was quite tame and submissive, and remained aloof from playful thoughts. With the willing consent of those brahmanas, I ate once a day from whatever was left in their dishes. It cleansed all my sins, and I attained purity of mind. I would listen to the stories of Sri Krishna daily and slowly developed an attraction for the Lord. My mind got firmly established in that Lord.

Every day, I heard songs praising Sri Hari with rapt attention. This devotion towards the Lord eradicated the element of Rajas (passion) and Tamas (ignorance) in me. 

Through this wisdom, I came to know the glory of that Maya (deluding potency) of Lord Vasudeva, by knowing which men attain His (supreme) Abode. Lord Keshava blessed me with self-knowledge, mystic powers, and loving devotion to His feet”.

Ten characteristic features of Bhagavatha Mahapurana  

Sarga - It is the creation of gross and subtle elements, sense of perception, organs of action, mind, ego, and Mahat tattva (the principle of cosmic intelligence. When Prakriti’s equilibrium is disturbed, Mahat tattva emerges. Prakriti’s three gunas are Sattiv, Rajas, and Tamas

Visarga - Creation of animate and inanimate beings by Brahma

Stana - Lord keeps animate and inanimate beings within their boundaries (e.g., Ocean)

Posana- Lord’s grace on His devotees

Manvantaras - Virtuous conduct of the saintly Manus 

Itihasas - Life accounts of various manifestations of Srihari and as well as of His devotees.

Utis - Latent desires of various creatures which lead to their bondage

Nirodha - Withdrawal of individual soul with all its qualifications into the Lord subsequent to His retirement (Pralaya)

Mukti - Jiva relinquishes doership and realises its true nature.

Ashraya - Realization of Supreme Brahma responsible for Creation, Preservation, and Dissolution.

Why is Srihari called Narayana?

The Supreme Person is called ‘Nara’. Having evolved from the Supreme Person, the water is also known as ‘Nara’. Srihari resided on these waters for a thousand (celestial) years. Hence, He is known as ‘Narayana’ 

9. Mahabharata - Ganga Reveals Sage Vasishta's Curse on Ashta Vasus

 9. Mahabharata - Ganga Reveals Sage Vasishta's Curse on Ashta Vasus

What were the conditions of Ganga? What was the curse of Sage Vasishta on Ashta Vasus and how did it translate?

Once King Shantanu went on a hunting and reached the banks of Ganga River. A beautiful lady appeared before him, and the king was naturally attracted to her and made a proposal (afterall It's a play of destiny - desires of previous birth as King Mahabisha).

Ganga never revealed her identity but accepted his proposal. She put forth her condition that she shouldn't be, at any cost, question her actions, lest she would leave him forever. 

When the first child was born, Ganga, as desired by Vasus, took the baby to the river and gave it a water burial. 

Shantanu was astonished but couldn't question her for the fear that she might leave him forever. As destined, he took the pain of losing his child. This process of giving birth to a child and drowning it carried on until the eighth child.

When Ganga was taking the baby to the river side, Shantanu became furious and stopped her, undeterred by the consequences. He questioned her who she was, why she was behaving oddly, and what her motive was.

Ganga calmly revealed her identity and said those babies were Asta Vasus (demigods gods), and their water burials were as per their wish.

She told him that he is fortunate to father them and also the merits he had earned during his previous birth.

She revealed the curse of Sage Vasishta on Ashta Vasus and her request to retain at least one of them for the progeny of King Shantanu. 

Curse of Vasishta on Ashta Vasus 

When Shantanu asked Ganga to detail him on the curse, Ganga said, “ Sage Vasista, born to Varuna (in this kalpa), was involved in tapas near Meru Parvatha He had a divine cow, Nandini, to fulfill the needs of yagnas.  

Once, Ashta Vasus (8 in no.) were moving around his ashrama and saw the divine cow. Among them, the youngest Vasu Jouhu's wife desired to know about it. Jouhu said the milk of this cow gives a person strength, longevity and good health. 

Jouhu's wife had a friend and she intended to give this cow to her. She pleaded with Jouhu to get it for her friend. 

Since the Sage was not in ashrama Jouhu captured the cow with the help of other Vasus and took them to their place. Unfortunately they never had an after thought of its consequences. 

Sage Vasishta returned back to his ashrama only to know that Nandini cow was missing. He searched for it everywhere and finally using his yogic power could trace it.   

The Sage was angry that it had been taken away for personal purpose and not for the welfare of the people.

The Sage cursed the Vasus of Garba Naraka (suffering in a womb) and will be born as humans on earth. When Vasus realized their fault they sought forgiveness.  

The Sage said the curse cannot be reversed but your stay on earth can be shortened to a year. The last Vasu Jouhu will live long, remain as a bachelor and will not have progeny. He will have immense strength and earn a good name for the family.

Ganga said to Shantanu that she would take care of his son and hand over to him after the studies. She left with her son Devavrata.

Source: Mahabharatha - Adiparva

Story of Bhagiratha

Story of Bhagiratha - A king who sought alms in his own country 

 

King Bhagiratha did great penance to bring heavenly ganga to earth so as to enable his ancestors attain Moksha. In this process he faced several obstacles yet with great determination he was able to fulfill his wish.  

Later, he developed vairagya, a way of life desisting desires of any sort. He gave away his kingdom to one of his trusted ministers who reluctantly accepted it. 

Bhagiratha left the kingdom and lived in a neighbouring kingdom as a recluse, with bare minimum needs.

Time and way of life brought significance physical change in him as a result people failed to recognize him.

To test himself he decided to go back to his kingdom and more particularly to his palace and sought alms. To his surprise a guard recognized his voice and after enquiry he informed the present King. Everyone pleaded with him to take back kingship but he did not oblige. He preferred to live on alms. 

The present King attained heavenly adore leaving behind no progeny. With no option left, ministers and people pleaded Bhagiratha to take back the kingdom. Bhagiratha accepted and ruled the kingdom with no sense of attachment.

8. Mahabaratha - Rebirth of Mahabisha as Shantanu

8. Mahabharata - Rebirth of Mahabisha as Shantanu

Why did King Pradipa reject marriage proposal of Ganga? Who is Shantanu?

King Pradipa, son of Dilipa of the Kuru lineage, had earned great merits. While the King was in tapas, Ganga, to test, quietly went near him and sat on his right lap. The king was astonished but remained calm. 

Unaware who this lady is, the King politely asked her who she was, the purpose of her visit. Ganga introduced herself and made a request to have a relationship with him. She also asserted he would be fit, for her stature, to be her spouse.

The king calmly said he observes Eka Patni Vrat and wishes not to break this rule for life. He suspected her act of sitting on his right lap, which is usually preserved for a son or a daughter or may be for a daughter-in-law (sitting on the left lap is preserved for spouse) 

The King said to Ganga, “Your action and speech do not match and hence can not accept you as my spouse. You can be my future daughter-in-law, though the aged king, till then, was childless.

Ganga was happy and readily accepted his proposal. She said,” Your yet-to-born son is a revered Sage and has earned sufficient merits. He would attain heaven and his progeny would be well-known as warriors and followers of dharma”. Ganga requested secrecy of their meeting and immediately left the place.

Later, King Pradipa had a son, Shantanu, who was soft-spoken, well-behaved, and grew up to become a great warrior. 

When Shantanu grew up and attained a marriageable age, King Pradipa said, “ A lady would meet you secretly and propose. You should neither question her whereabouts nor ask her name but accept her as spouse. This is my order”.

Shantanu, who had earned great merits in the past, was able to remember his previous birth as King Mahabisha and the curse of Lord Brahma. Hence, he maintained equanimity. 

King Pradipa, when time arrived, handed over the kingdom to Shantanu and retired to the forest.

Source: Mahabharatha - Adiparvam

King Shantanu, son of King Pradipa, in this birth is Chandravamshi, while during his previous birth as King Mahabisha of Ikswaku lineage was a Suryavamshi.

Ikswaku is the son of Vaivaswata Manu and the grandson of Vivasvan (Sun-god).

7. Mahabaratha - Story of Mahabisha and Curse on Ashta Vasus

7. Mahabaratha - Story of Mahabisha and Curse on Ashta Vasus

Who is Emperor Mahabisha and what were his achievements? Why did Lord Brahma curse the Emperor? What did Ashta Vasus seek from Ganga?

Emperor Mahabisha of the Ikswaku dynasty was very efficient and had earned sufficient merits to visit Heaven and Brahma loka during his lifetime. He had conducted 1000 Ashwameda yagnas and 100 Rajasuja yagas for the welfare of the people.

Once, Mahabisha went to Brahmaloka along with other devatas and rishis. The most beautiful Ganga, in lady form, appeared in that assembly. Vayudeva sent a gentle breeze that displaced her upper garments. Emperor Mahabisha could not avoid seeing her, though everyone else brushed aside.

Observing this attitude of the King, Lord Brahma was annoyed as the decorum of the place was spoiled. He cursed Mahabisha to go back to earth and satisfy his sensuous pleasure with Ganga. He said,”You would cleanse your sin when you disapprove and suffer from Ganga's acts. Later, you can return to heaven. Ganga was also cursed to be born on earth and be Mahabisha’s wife.

Curse on Ashta Vasus 

While getting down from heaven, Ganga sees Ashta Vasus falling towards earth, losing their brightness in them. She questions them about the reason for their fall.

Vasus said, “ We were cursed by none other than Sage Vasishta for capturing his holy cow, Nandini, out of sheer ignorance. The cow was serving Sage Vasishta in yagas. The Sage cursed us of ‘Garba Naraka’ (suffering in a womb). 

Vasus requested Ganga to be their mother as they never wished to be born to an ordinary mortal. Ganga questions them as to whom they would choose to be their father. Vasus said Mahabisha will be soon reborn as Shantanu to King Pradeepa. We chose him to father us and Ganga agreed to it.

Vasus further made a request to her to give them water burial, immediately after their birth, as they did not wish to stay long on earth.

Ganga agrees with the condition that at least one of them should remain on earth to continue the legacy of King Shantanu.

Vasus said the eighth Vasu would stay back on earth and that each of us would give one-fourth of our merit to him. He would live long, bring glory to the family as a great warrior, but remain a bachelor. 

 

6. Mahabaratha - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

6. Mahabaratha - Adiparva - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi 

Who is Sage Parasara and how Sage Veda Vyasa was born? What was Satyavathi's boon?

Parasara Maharishi is Trikala Vedi (one who knows past, present, and future events). He knew Satyavathi was the daughter of Uparichita Vasu in the present birth, and in her past birth, she was Achodha, the mind born daughter of Pitru devata. She had earned sufficient merit to be the mother of Vyasa.

Once, Parasara Maharishi was on a pilgrimage when he met Satyavathi at Yamuna River Bank. He requested her service to cross the river. To grace her and charmed by her beauty, he made a request to fulfill his wish.

Satyavathi was in denial mode, stating that she needed her father’s permission and losing her virginity before marriage was not acceptable. 

Maharishi assured and blessed that her virginity would be intact and that it is the play of destiny. He knew it was an appropriate time for Narayana to ascend (Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayana). 

She was told about her previous birth and about the boon she had earned. To satisfy Satyavathi's need, he created an island and covered it with a fog of dark clouds to maintain privacy. Vyasa was born immediately and grew up to the age of 7. He is also called Dwaipayana.

When asked to seek a boon, Satyavathi desired to get rid of fish odour emitting from her body. Maharishi blessed her and, from then on, a pleasant smell emitted from her body that extended to one yojana (appox 12 km). She was known as Yojana Ganda.

Vyasa offered his respects to his mother and sought permission to do tapas. He assured her that he would be available whenever she sought him. He left with his father, Parasara Maharishi. 

Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

Parasara is the son of Sage Shakti and the grandson of Sage Vasishta. Once, King Kalmashapada of the Ikswaku dynasty, had a conflict with Sage Shakti at a narrow path in a thick forest. The Sage requested to give way for him, but the king denied. When the king was stubborn, the Sage cursed him to be a demon who consumed humans. In turn, the king killed the Sage and ate him. 

King Kalmashapada, instigated by Sage Viswamitra (who had vengeance with Sage Vasistha), killed the remaining 100 sons of Sage Vasishta. 

On losing all his sons, the Sage attempted to end his life but was not successful. He returned back home only to hear Vedas. He was told by his daughter in law, Adushanthi, that the fetus inside her womb was reciting it. The Sage was happy and regained his composure. The Sage nurtured his grandson, Parasara, and taught him scriptures. 

When Parasara became aware of the cause of his father's death, he decided to take revenge on demons and wipe out their race. With timely intervention of Sage Vasishta, the yagna was stopped. 

Sage Parasara then took up austerities to please Shiva. When Shiva asked the Sage to seek a boon, he said “Getting your darshan is sufficient. I do not need anything else”. Shiva understood his mind and said, “You can go to heaven and meet your father, Sage Shakti”. 

Accordingly, Sage Parsara went to Heaven to meet his father. Such was his great deed.

He guided King Janaka, and the text is considered as Parasara Geetha.

 

Deliverance of Demon Agha

 Bhagavatam - Deliverance of Demon Agha 

Demon Agha is the younger brother of Baka and Putana. Seeing the joyous pastime of Srikrishna and cowherds, Agha wasn't happy and wanted to avenge Srikrishna.

He resolved to kill all the cowherds along with Srikrishna. He thought once these children are killed, it is almost like killing entire residents of Vrindavan as without progeny life would turn dead.

Demon Agha assumed the form of Boa constrictor (serpent) too big to be identified. Its length was around 8 miles, stout as a huge mountain. Its mouth was as wide as a cave opening, its lips touched the clouds, tongue as broad as road, eyes resembling a wild fire.

The cowherds wondered to see the huge figure and discussed amongst themselves whether it could be a boa constrictor. If so, it would perish in the hands of Srikrishna. Saying so, they, along with their calves, entered into the wide mouth of the serpent, clapping hands and laughing loudly.

The serpent, though real, appeared fictitious to them. Srikrishna tried to restrain His companions, but they had already entered the mouth of the serpent with their calves. 

The demon, whose main target was Srikrishna, waited until His entry. The gastric fire of the demon made the cowherds and their calves unconscious. 

Srikrishna was anxious to save those companions and as well punish the wicked demon Agha. He entered the mouth of the serpent and speedily grew in size that choked its throat. Consequently, the serpent eyes shot out, and the vital air split opened from its crown. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana