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 

Demon Hiranyakashipu 's Strategies

 What were Hiranyakashipu's Strategies and Teachings?

Hiranyakashipu is the eldest son of Diti and Sage Kashyapa and the father of Prahlad. 

Hiranyaksha, the twin brother of Hiranyakashipu, was killed by Maha Vishnu at the request of Indra and other Gods. 

Strategies Adopted by Hiranyakashipu 

1. Hiranyakashipu was furious and intended to avenge Mahavishnu. Before he could take revenge on Mahavishnu, he summoned his ministers to stop all religious work undertaken by Sages at every nook and corner of the earth. He knew devatas will lose power if they don't get havis obtained through Yagnas. 

2.  He knew his inability to win Maha Vishnu in the present circumstances and decided to undertake rigorous penance to please Brahma to acquire powers. 

Hiranyakashipu Speaks on Philosophy 

Before leaving for penance, he meets his widow sister-in-law and consoles her. He says every relationship is temporary, be it husband and wife, with friends and relatives. He said relationships last till the obligation ends or with Time.

He also consoles his grieving mother, Diti. He tells her to see her dead son as a soul and not his perishable body. The soul doesn't have death or birth. He said Hiranyaksha died in battle and had reached his supreme abode.

Chitraketu is reborn as Vritrasur

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Birth of Demon Vritrasura

Why did Twasta, the father of Vishwarupa, perform a yagna and was the outcome? Who is Chitraketu?

Vritasur was born as the son of Twasta. Vritasur, in his previous birth as Chitraketu, a gandarva, was cursed by Goddess Parvathi to be born as a demon.

Vritrasura was born as a demon and grew up dangerous day by day. The whole world was shocked by his statute. Indra and other gods approached Mahavishnu for help.

Mahavishnu directed them to Sage Dadichi through him alone Vrithasur can be defeated. Sage Dadichi, through his austerity, had earned a boon that his bones would be as strong as vajra (diamond). 

Upon sacrificing his body, Vajrayuda (a divine weapon ) is made using his ashes. Viswakarma, architect of gods, facilitated in making this weapon to Indra.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Chitraketu as Vidyadhara is Cursed

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Chitraketu is Cursed

Why did Goddess Parvathi curse Chitraketu, who became a Vidyadhara?

Lord Vishnu blessed Chitraketu to be a Vidyadhara (demi-gods) chief and offered him a Vimana. Chitraketu, using it, went about flying in the air.

Once, while flying near Mount Kailash, he saw Goddess Parvathi sitting on Shiva's lap with Shiva's arm on Goddess Parvathi's shoulder. In that assembly, there were sages, Siddhas (a class of demigods blessed with mystical powers), and Caranas (celestial bards).

Going near them, Chitraketu laughed loudly and said, " Lord Shiva, who is engaged in expounding righteousness to all, yet actually embracing His consort in open assembly.

Lord Shiva, on hearing these remarks, heartily laughed and remained silent. Goddess Parvati spoke angrily, " Is this fellow the (only) lord now ruling over the world and wielding the rod of punishment and being competent?

Brahma, the sons of Brahma (Bhrgu, Narada, Angira, Sanakas), Lord Kapila, and Swayambu Manu were in the assembly. They knew Prakriti and Purusha could not be separated. She felt Chitraketu deserved to be punished and cursed him to be born as a demon.

Chitraketu, in his next birth, was born as Vritasur and was killed by Indra. The fault of humiliating Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi led him to be born as a demon.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Chitraketu - The Soul Speaks

Srimad Bhagavatam - Transformation of Chitraketu 

What made Sage Narada recall Chitraketu's dead son's soul? Did the soul re-enter the body, and why did it reject it?

Sage Narada, through his merits, called the soul of the dead son and said “Your parents are burning in grief. Please return to your body. Your parents, relatives and friends would be happy.  

Enjoy the luxuries your father provides for the rest of your life and ascend the imperial throne when your father retires to the forest”.

The Soul replied:

In what particular birth were these people parents to me? By the force of destiny, I have taken several births as gods, lower animals, and human beings.

Indeed, by turns, all people actually come as relatives, friends, foes, and neutral. Just as commodities (gold, etc.) pass from one place to another and from one person to another, the soul too passes through different wombs and different procreants (reproduction).

The relationship between humans and animals is torn away by death. The feeling of mineness stays so long as there exists a relationship. The other soul (of parent/others) cannot claim once the relationship ceases.

The soul is everlasting, free from decay and unmanifest(free from birth). It manifests itself in the form of the universe through Sattiv, Rajasic, and tamasic gunas and through Maya (God's play).

Having spoken these words, the soul disappeared. Struck with wonder, those kinsmen gave up mourning. They set aside their affection and cremated the body of the dead child.

Sage Narada taught Chitraketu the prayer praising Lord Shankarshana and returned with Sage Angira.

On the 7th day, the king, meditating Srihari without a break, attained the permanent lordship of Vidyadharas.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana

Story of Chitraketu - Life Lessons

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Chitraketu's Joy and Sorrow 

Chitraketu was a king of Surasena country (a place near Mathura). He ruled the entire globe. The earth yielded everything he sought after. He had many wives but had no progeny. This was a major source of sorrow for him. 

Once Sage Angira visited Chitraketu to educate him on Self-knowledge Chitraketu offered due respect to the Sage. The Sage questions his well-being and that of his ministers, wives, and children. Chitraketu says everything is fine except for a strong desire to have a son.

Sage Angira understood that the time was not ripe for Chitraketu to take on self-knowledge. Under his guidance, a yagna was performed. Chitraketu's throne queen was offered a fruit. 

In due course, she conceived and at the designated time gave birth to a male child. Sage Angira subtly advises King Chitraketu to be cautious which the king ignores. 

Chitraketu and his throne queen were very fond of their child. In due course, the King neglected his other wives. 

Being neglected by the king, these wives were dejected and gradually developed a deep sense of sorrow, which later converted into jealousy.

Upon analysing the root cause of their sorrow, these barren wives poisoned the child. The child died, and when the news spread, there was commotion. The sorrow of the queen and the king was unbearable. The administration came to a standstill.

Sage Angira and Sage Narada visited them disguised as Brahmins. The ministers and the king welcomed them with due honours. Sage Angira asked the King the reason for the sorrow, though he was fully aware of the situation.

Sage Angira asked the king how the dead child was related to you. Though it looked awkward, no one could understand the real reason behind it. Promptly, the ministers answered that the child was the king's only son, his progeny.

Sage Angira spoke - In what relation did the boy whom you are lamenting stand in previous birth, at present birth or will be in future births?

Pebbles, along the riverside, get separated due to floods and again join together somewhere later by the spirit of time. Likewise, the embodied beings are brought together and parted by Time.

The body of one embodied being (son) evolved from another embodied being (mother), united with the body of a third embodied being (father) just as one seed sprang up from another seed. The soul inhabiting all these bodies is eternal.

The king, having heard those words rich in wisdom, asked them to reveal their identity.

Sage Angira and Sage Narada revealed their true form and the purpose of their visit.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana

Demon Vritasur and His Teachings

Vritasur was born as the son of Twasta. Vritasur, in his previous birth as Chitraketu, a gandarva, was cursed by Goddess Parvathi to be born as a demon.

Vritrasura was born as a demon and grew up dangerous day by day. The whole world was shocked by his statute. Indra and other gods approached Mahavishnu for help.

Mahavishnu directed them to Sage Dadichi through him alone Vrithasur can be defeated. Sage Dadichi, through his austerity, had earned a boon that his bones would be as strong as vajra (diamond). 

Upon sacrificing his body, Vajrayuda (a divine weapon ) is made using his ashes. Viswakarma, architect of gods, facilitated in making this weapon to Indra.

Dadichi was a highly respected sage and had command over Atarvaveda.

Devas, on recommendation of MahaVishnu, made a unique but pressing request to Sage Dadichi to sacrifice his life so that ashes of his body be made a weapon called Vajrayuda and that alone would kill Vritasur. 

Dadichi was neither surprised nor shocked but felt happy that his body was getting used for a greater purpose. However, he examines Devas and questions them:

1. Are you not aware of the bondness towards the body for human beings, animals, or any living thing?

2. Are you not aware of the fear, sorrow, and sufferings when the soul departs from the body?

Mind, sense organs will stop working, and all the attention will be on the soul leaving the body.

Sage Dadichi explains why this suffering happens to the body

The soul over a period of time develops immense love towards the body. For those who desire to live, this relationship is much deeper.

Every soul tries to protect its body in every possible way. Hence, how can you expect me to give up my body. Even if Mahavishnu asks, none will give up their body.

Devas say:

Yes, what you say is true. None wish to give up their body/life. We are asking you alone as you can give up everything. You are noble, have done good deeds, and have earned a good name.

World is selfish. People/living beings are not bothered about other's suffering. For example, Lion does not bother to kill its victim to satisfy its hunger. It doesn't bother the pain the victim undergoes.

Dharma says one who is capable will not deny to offer help. We are asking for help from you, not for us alone. It is for the good of all. Demon Vrithasur has swallowed all our weapons and caused threats and fear to the world.

Dadichi says:

I do not have any desire on my body. My desire is only on the soul. You can take away my body immediately and make use of it in the way you want.

One day, this body will have to leave me howsoever I protect it. We need it to use the body for Dharma, to earn a good name and for Bhoota daya.

Even non-fruit bearing trees in the forest is useful by providing shelter to those who lost their way.

Dharma can change during different stages of life. But there is one dharma which is permanent - if anyone is in sorrow, others should be considerate. Also, if one is happy, others too should feel happy and not be jealous.

On any day, this body has to fall. It is better to give it for a good cause than being fed to Wolf or Fox.

Saying so, he gave up the body using his yogic powers. All his sense organs were made to halt, his mind fixed on Almighty, and he dropped his body.

With no time wasted, Indra asked Vishwakarma (architect of gods) to make Vajrayuda out of the ashes of Dadichi's body. Equipped the divine weapon Indra waged war with Vrithasur and was able to kill him.

How did Dadichi get this divinity?

Dadichi had acquired immense power due to austerity. He had taught Viswarupa ‘Narayana Astra ‘ This knowledge was passed from Viswarupa to Lord Indra.

Source : Bhagavatha Mahapurana