Srikrishna Enters Devaki’s Womb

 Srimad Bhagavatam - SriKrishna Enters Devaki's Womb

Kamsa, who had imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki, killed their six newborn babies. Lord Anantha, a manifestation of Lord Srihari, entered Devaki’s womb as her seventh child. 

Rohini, one of Vasudeva's wives, afraid of Kamsa, was staying in Gokula headed by Nanda. Krishna said to Yogamaya (His creative energy) to transfer the fetus of Anantha growing in Devaki's womb into the womb of Rohini. 

Krishna said, “I shall then enter Devaki’s womb with all My divine potential. You shall be born as a female to Yasoda, wife of Nanda.

People will worship you as the bestower of all desires. Men will erect temples on earth in various forms such as Durga, Bhadrakali, Vijaya, Vaishnavi, Kumuda, Chandika, Krana, Madavi, Kanyaka, Maya, Barayani, Isani, Sharada and Ambika”.

Accordingly, Yogamaya transferred the seven month old fetus of Anantha from Devaki’s womb and placed it in Rohini's womb. Soon after, news spread that the embryo of Devaki had perished. 

The Lord, who gets rid of all fears of his devotees, gave His presence into the mind of Vasudeva with all his divine potency. The glorious Devaki conceived in her mind the Lord duly communicated by Vasudeva through mere sight.

Devaki, who bore the invincible Lord with her, had an uncommon lustre. Kamsa noticed her and said, “Hari, who is going to kill me, has already entered her womb, like a lion entering a cave; for she was not like this before. 

Kamsa thought if I dispose of Devaki herself, before my enemy is born, such destruction, who is not only a woman but has conceived. My reputation and prosperity will cut short my life by such an act. I would certainly go to hell.

Pondering thus, Kamsa ceased from that dark thought. He kept awaiting the birth of Srhari, cherishing a feeling of enmity for Him. All the more, with great fear, he was constantly thinking of Him.

Source : Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Sage Narada Appraises Kamsa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Narada Appraises Kamsa

Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned, and in the course of time, Devaki gave birth to their first son. As promised, Vasudeva,with a heavy heart, handed over the infant to Kamsa. 

Initially, Kamsa hesitated to kill the infant as he had no fear from the first born baby. Vasudeva, though not sure, quickly carried back the infant to his house.

To facilitate the process of early manifestation of the Lord, Sage Narada appraised Kamsa that cowherds in Vraja, the Vrsnis, and Yadava women are in disguise the manifestation of devatas. 

He said Lord Srihari will manifest as the eighth son of Devaki to destroy daityas, who were becoming a burden to Mother Earth.

It was also made known to Kamsa that he was born as Demon Kalanemi in his previous birth and was stained by Lord Vishnu. 

Soon after Sage Narada left, Kamsa felt Srihari was his enemy and immediately ordered imprisonment of Vasudeva and Devaki. He never hesitated to kill their first born infant. He went on to kill 6 other infants of them. 

He entered into hostility with the Yadus, imprisoned his father, King Ugrasena, and ruled over Surasena territory.

  

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Vasudeva Pleads Kamsa

Srimad Bhagavatam - Vasudeva Pleads Kamsa and Makes Toughest Promise

Kamsa, the cousin of newly wedded Devaki, was curious to get rid of her as the ethereal voice indicated that her eighth child would kill him. He thought if the source is destroyed, future risk can be avoided.

Vasudeva said,” You are born in glorious Bhojas lineage. How can you slay your own cousin, a woman, who is just married?

Aren't you aware death is destined for those who are born. It is inevitable whether it comes this day or at the end of a hundred years. 

When the body is about to expire, the soul following the course of its destiny quits the former body on mentally obtaining another corporeal form.

Just as Caterpillar leaves a blade of grass only when it has caught hold of another, so does the embodied soul following the course of its destiny leave the former body when it has caught hold of another.

Why, then, should the soul burden itself with wrong doings. Your cousin is a helpless girl and is like a daughter to you. You ought not kill this girl who has just gone through the auspicious nuptial rites. 

To save his newly wedded wife, Vasudeva made the toughest promise of handing over his and Devaki sons to Kamsa. 

Kamsa, who knew the integrity of Vasudeva, agreed to his proposal and allowed them to reach their home. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Why Srikrishna was birn in Yadu Dynasty?

Srimad Bhagavatam - Why Srikrishna was born in Yadu Dynasty?

King Parikshit was eager to know more about Srikrishna, the one who saved his life when he was in his mother's womb, and who guided his grandfather and grand uncles.

He requested Suka Muni to detail Srikrishna’s life on why he was born in the Yadu dynasty, who is the mother of Balarama - Devaki or Rohini, and why he killed kamsa, his own maternal uncle?   

Suka Muni was pleased and said, “Oppressed with adharma, Mother Earth in cow form with wet tears sought Lord Brahma intervention. Daityas, disguised as humans, became rulers and nurtured adharma.

Brahma, along with Mother Earth, Lord Shiva, and devatas proceeded to Vaikunta, the adore of Lord Srihari to seek his intervention. Brahma recited his prayer (Purusha Sukta) and awaited the Lord's response.

A divine voice was heard to Brahma, giving directions for the future course of action. Thereafter, Brahma told devatas to immediately be born as Yadus or send their form to the earth and await Srihari's appearance. The Lord will walk on earth and will do the needful to reduce the burden of Mother Earth. 

Lord Adishesha, a part manifestation of Lord Srihari, will precede Him as His elder brother. The divine Maya (potency) of Lord Srihari will also be born to assist Him”. Having instructed, Brahma returned to His abode.

Vasudeva Weds Devaki 

Mathura is the capital city of the Yadava kings, and Surasena, chief of Yadavas, was residing in that city. Vasudeva, son of Surasena, married Devaki and was on the way home on a chariot.  

Prince Kamsa, son of King Ugrasena and cousin of Devaki, offered to become a charioteer. The procession started in a grand manner with conch, clay TomTom, and kettledrum sounds.

Just then, an ethereal voice from the sky was heard warning Kamsa that the eighth child of Devaki would slay him. Kamsa grew ferocious, seized his cousin Devaki by hair, and with sword in hand proceeded to kill her.

The highly blessed Vasudeva pleaded hard to convince kamsa to desist from such action.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Pradosha Nartanam at Darukavan

 Pradosha Nartanam at Darukavan

Darukavan, near Dwarka, was once a dense forest where powerful sages constantly performed yagnas. Over time, they became proud of their spiritual powers and believed rituals alone could fulfill all desires, without the need to worship God. Their wives too possessed great merit, and together their pride turned into arrogance.

To remove this ego, Shiva sought the help of Mahavishnu. Shiva appeared as a charming naked mendicant, while Mahavishnu took the enchanting form of Mohini.

Mohini distracted the sages with her beauty and melodious songs, drawing them away from their yagnas. At the same time, Shiva captivated the sages’ wives, who followed Him spellbound. When both groups met, they were shocked and furious.

Realizing they had been outwitted, the sages performed a powerful yagna to destroy the intruders. From the sacrificial fire emerged fierce beings and weapons — a lion, snakes, demons, deer, trident, drum, and the dwarf demon Apasmara. Shiva effortlessly subdued them all.

He wore the lion’s skin as clothing, used the trident as His weapon, held the deer firmly, and adorned Himself with snakes as ornaments. He defeated Apasmara, the demon of ignorance and forgetfulness, by pressing him beneath His foot. Then Shiva performed His divine Pradosha dance — the first cosmic dance performance.

The humbled sages prayed for forgiveness. Later, Shiva appeared there as a Jyotirlinga with serpent hoods, now worshipped as Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

Source: 12 Jyothirling

Ajamilana - Lord Yama's Reply

Srimad Bhagavatam - Dialogue Between Messengers of Lord Yama and his Messengers  

Messengers of Yama return back with a failed mission of not getting Ajamilana's life as messengers of Maha Vishnu releases Ajamilana from Yama's noose.

On returning back, messengers of Yama ask the following questions to Lord Yama:

1. Humans perform three kinds of action viz., virtuous, sinful, and a mix of both these. Who else other than you is responsible for the dispensation of the fruits of action of human beings?

2. If there is more than one ruler, there may arise inequality with regard to punishment and forgiveness. Does it not lead to injustice?

3. Your authority has been superseded by someone else? Who could be such a person? If we are deemed to get an appropriate reason, please tell us why a sinner like Ajamilana was left free.

Lord Yama's said:   

1. There is a supreme Lord by whom the entire universe stands pervaded. He is the Lord of all animate and inanimate things. Through his manifestation creation, maintenance and destruction take place.

2. He controls all our actions just as a bullock is controlled by a human using a nose string.

3. He apportions men into divergent class and assigns appropriate duties and obligations as is enjoined in Veda.

4. Myself, Indra, Nirrti, Varuna, Moon, Sun, Fire god, Brahma, Lord Shiva, the eight Vasus, Gandarvas, Rudras, Siddhas, Sages are all bound by Him.

5. Even Seers and Gods can perceive the virtues of Lord Narayana. What can you expect from humans and rest all?

6. Only 12 of us - Brahma, Sage Narada, Lord Shiva, Sage Sanakas, Lord Kapila, Swayambu Manu, Prahlada, King Janaka, Bhishma, Raja Bali, Sage Suka and I have understandings about Dharma. It's pure, secret, and very difficult to even comprehend.

7. To develop loving attachment to the Lord through the utterance of His name alone is declared as the paramount duty of men.

8. The mind can't be purified through fasting or through devotion.

9. He who enjoys the sweetness of Srihari's feet delights no more in the delusional offerings of Maya.

10. A sin committed inadverence is also extinguished through the utterance of the name of the Lord. The sinful Ajamilana did attain liberation by recalling his son's name 'Narayana' at the time of demise when he wasn't in control of his faculties.

Attendants of Yama were surprised to hear and realize the glory of the Lord. Thenceforth, they didn't meddle with devotees of Lord Narayana. 

Sukamuni said to King Parikshit that this secret legend was narrated to him by pious sage Agastya at Mount Malaya.

Ajamilana, upon realizing his blunders, proceeded to Haridwar and engaged in penance. When his time in this mortal world elapsed, the attendants of Maha Vishnu led him to Vishnuloka.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana

Ajamilana - Discourse on Dharma

Srimad Bhagavatam - Ajamilana (2)

Messengers of Yama answer queries on Dharma to Messengers of MahaVishnu.

1. What is Dharma?

Dharma (righteousness) is that which is enjoined by the Veda. That which is forbidden by the Veda is Adharma.

Veda is emanated from Bhagavan Narayana Himself (it flows from nostrils by the way of respiration).

2. What are means of ascertaining Dharma?

The sun, the fire, the sky, the air, Indriyas (sense of perception and sense of action), the moon, the morning and evening twilights, day and night, the four quarters, water, the earth, Time and Dharma are witnesses (evidences)of good and evil actions of a Jiva (embodied soul).

3. How is the punishment meted out? Is there any distinction while meting out the punishment?

Unrighteousness, ascertained by the above evidence, determines appropriate punishment. There is no distinction while considering punishment for sinful action.

4. How good and bad deeds are associated with action?

Good or evil deeds are associated with action either with one's mind, body, or speech. Action is associated with 3 gunas (modes of prakriti) - sattva, rajas, and tamas.

Virtuous or sinful action done in this world is rewarded or punished in the same manner and to the same extent in the other world.

5. Is there heterogeneity in one's life, and what is it?

Yes, there is heterogeneity in one's life. For example:

1. Those living a life of ease, those leading a miserable life and those who are partly happy and partly miserable.

2. Those who are tanquil by nature, those who are ferocious and those who are dull.

3. Those who are pious by temperament, those who are vicious by nature and those who are of mixed temperament.

These three types of people severally performed meritorious, sinful, or mixed deeds in the past. It is inferred that they will reap the three corresponding types of fruit in another life.

6. What is meant by subtle elements and how it is associated with Jiva, the soul?

When a soul leaves the body, it carries with 16 subtle elements viz., the 10 indriyas, the mind, and 5 objects of senses. These subtle elements are a product of 3 gunas. These are exceedingly attached. This leads Jiva again and again to transmigration (rebirth cycle).

Messengers of Yama question their Lord Yama on who is supreme, you or anyone else. Lord Yama explains the power of Lord Narayana 's name. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana