Srikrishna Blocks Indra's Yagna

 Srimad Bhagavatam – Srikrishna Blocks Indra’s Yagna

The people of Vraja were joyfully preparing for the traditional Indra Yagna, a ritual performed for generations to please Indra, the god of rain. Seeing this, Krishna politely asked His father Nanda and the elders why the ritual was being performed and requested that nothing be kept secret from Him.

Nanda explained that Indra, also called Parjanya, sends rain through the clouds. Rain sustains crops, animals, and human life, and protects people from famine. Therefore, they worshipped Indra with gratitude.

Srikrishna, however, wished to humble the pride of arrogant Indra and reveal a deeper truth. He explained the law of karma:

“By karma a being is born, by karma it dies, and by karma it experiences joy, sorrow, fear, and safety.”

He taught that every living being experiences the results of its own actions. Karma alone acts as friend, enemy, or teacher. The Supreme Lord merely awards the fruits of one’s actions.

Krishna further explained that the three gunas — sattva, rajas, and tamas — govern creation, maintenance, and destruction. Clouds shower rain due to the force of nature, not because of Indra’s independent power.

Therefore, He advised the villagers to faithfully perform their own duties according to varna and ashrama dharma and worship cows, brahmanas, and Govardhan Hill instead.

Accepting Krishna’s words, the people prepared delicious offerings for Govardhan Hill, worshipped cows and brahmanas, and joyfully circumambulated the sacred hill.

Source: Bhagavata Purana

karmana Jayate Janthu, 

Karmanaiva Veliyathe.

Sukham, Dukham, Bayam, kshemam

 karmanai abibadyathe

Birth of King Parikshit

Srimad Bhagavatam – Birth of King Parikshit

During a great Satra Yaga, Sage Saunaka asked Suta Muni how baby Parikshit was saved in his mother Uttara’s womb.

After the Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama wanted revenge on the Pandavas. He released the powerful Brahmashira Astra to destroy their lineage. Since Abhimanyu had died, the weapon attacked the unborn child in Uttara’s womb.

The foetus suffered intense burning and was close to destruction. Suddenly, a tiny divine form appeared inside the womb. It had four hands holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, and wore shining pink clothes. Moving around the baby with its mace, it protected the child from the astra. The foetus realized it was none other than Mahavishnu.

When the child was born, the divine form disappeared. Because the baby had carefully observed the Lord, he was named Parikshit, “the examiner.” Thus, with Sri Krishna’s grace, the Pandava lineage continued.

How could Parikshit tame Kali?

Srimad Bhagavatam – How could Parikshit tame Kali?

After many years of righteous rule, Emperor Yudhishthira began noticing frightening signs in his kingdom. People were becoming dishonest and selfish, while birds and animals showed signs of coming disaster. He feared that Kali Purusha had entered the world.

At that time, Arjuna had gone to Dwarka. After seven months, he returned sadly and informed them about the departure of Sri Krishna and the destruction among the Yadavas. Realizing that Kali Yuga had begun, Yudhishthira crowned his grandson King Parikshit as king.

Yudhishthira gave up his royal life, wore simple clothes, observed silence, and walked towards the Himalayas with his brothers and Draupadi.

King Parikshit later searched for Kali to stop his influence. During a Digvijaya journey, he saw a man dressed like a king beating a cow and immediately recognized him as Kali. Parikshit captured him but spared his life when Kali begged for mercy. He warned Kali not to trouble righteous people and allowed him to stay only in places where adharma, greed, dishonesty, and cruelty existed.

Story of Rantideva

 Srimad Bhagavatam – Story of Rantideva

Rantideva, a descendant of Bharadwaja and the adopted son of Emperor Bharata, was born a king but lived a simple and detached life. Though wealthy, he never desired to save or increase his riches and happily gave away everything, even during times of great hunger.

Once, he and his family remained without food and water for 48 days. On the 49th day, they finally received a little payasam and water. As they were about to eat, a Brahmana guest arrived. Seeing him as a form of Srihari, Rantideva gladly offered him food.

Soon another stranger came, and Rantideva shared more food without discrimination. Then a Sudra arrived with dogs asking for food. Believing that hunger is the same for humans and animals, Rantideva gave away the remaining payasam.

Only a little water was left. At that moment, a thirsty Chandala appeared asking for water. Filled with compassion, Rantideva said he did not desire wealth or even moksha, but wished to remove the suffering of others. He then gave away the last portion of water.

Immediately, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara revealed themselves, for they had come to test him. Rantideva sought no boon. Freed from maya, he attained union with Srihari, and his family too followed the path of devotion.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

A Brief Note of Lunar Dynasty

Srimad Bhagavatham - A Brief Note of Lunar Dynasty 

What was the tussle between Sage Brihaspati and Soma, the Moon God? Who is Budha and Pururava?

Sage Atri, the mind-born son of Lord Brahma, was a replica of his father in excellence. Soma, the Moon God, is the son of Sage Arti. It is said Soma was born out of Atri's tears of joy. Soma is an embodiment of nectar.

Brahma appointed Soma as Lord of the Brahmanas, herbs, annual plants, and stars.  

Soma completely subdued all the worlds and performed Rajasuya Yagna.  

During the sacrifice, Soma abducted Tara, wife of Devguru Brihaspathi. Though Brihaspati approached Soma on this issue, it was not successful. This led to a war between devatas and asuras. 

Sage Shukracharya, being jealous towards Brihaspati, took sides with Soma. Lord Shiva, along with his ganas, supported the just cause of Brihaspati. Lord Indra also supported devaguru Brihaspati. 

Sage Angira, father of Brihaspati, approached Lord Brahma and appraised the situation. Lord Brahma abused Soma of his behaviour and instructed Soma to return Tara to Brihaspati. By then, Tara was impregnated. Brihaspati instructed Tara to cast away the foetus immediately. Tara gave birth to a male child.

Both Devguru and Soma were longing for a child and were claiming rights over the child. When questioned, Tara remained silent. 

Surprisingly, the child got angry, and he too asked his mother to speak out. Finally, Brahma soothed her and gently interrogated, and Tara revealed that this child belonged to Soma. 

Brahma named Soma’s son Budha. Budha married Ila (King Sudyumna in a feminine form), and through their union, a son Pururava was born.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Twists and Turns in Sudyumna’s Life

Srimad Bhagavatham - Twists and Turns in Sudyumna’s Life 

Sudyumna is the son of Vaivaswata Manu (Shradhadeva) and Shradha and the grandson of Vivasvan (Sun God). He was born as Ila, a female, but later became Sudyumna, a male by Srihari's grace. 

Once King Sudyumna, along with a few others, went on a hunt to a forest in the northern direction. On entering the foot of Mount Meru, they found a change in their gender. They weren't aware that this place bears the curse of Lord Shiva. 

Feeling embarrassed, the King and his troop opted to remain in the forest. The king, now a woman, roamed around the forest and met God Budha, son of Moon God. Seeing her beauty, Budha proposed to marry her, and they both agreed. Through this marriage, they had a son, Pururuva. 

King Sudyumna, who desired to return to his kingdom, sought Sage Vasishta's help. The Sage took pity on him and prayed to Lord Shiva to restore manhood to Sudyumna.  

Lord Shiva offered partial relief wherein Sudhama will be a male for a month and female in the subsequent month.

King Sudyumna, during his manhood, ruled his kingdom and would go incognito as he never desired to show himself as a woman. 

During his stay in the kingdom, he had three sons. Vexed with his life, he desired to retire to the forest. He handed over the central part of the kingdom to Pururava and the rest to his other three sons.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana    

Progeny of Vaivaswatha Manu

Srimad Bhagavatam - Progeny of Vaivaswatha Manu

Why was Vaivaswata Manu disappointed with the outcome of the sacrifice? Why did Manu take up asceticism for a hundred years?

Vaivasvatha Manu (alias Shradhadeva) is the son of Vivasvan (Sun God) and the grandson of Sage Kasyapa and Aditi.

Manu was issueless and desired to perform a sacrifice propitiating Mitra and Varuna gods with Sage Vasistha as advaryu (chief priest).

Sraddha, wife of Manu, requested the Hota (who recites required mantras) to conduct the sacrifice in such a way she beget a female child. The Hota accordingly made deviations duly oblations. 

Invariably, a girl child, Ila, was born to them. Manu was displeased as he had desired male progeny. He enquired the Sage the cause of this deviation.

The Sage, through his divine vision, could find the cause and took the responsibility to provide a remedy. He prayed to Lord Srihari for his intervention and facilitated Manu with male progeny. With Srihari’s blessings, Ila became Sudyumna. 

At a later date, Manu handed over the kingdom to Sudyumna. King Sudyumna’s life had many twists and turns. He had a son, Pururuva, through Budha (Son of Moon God).

Vaivaswata Manu was saddened with his son's life. For progeny, he practiced asceticism for a hundred years and had 10 sons, the eldest being Ikswaku. 

Except two, the other 8 sons were progenitors. All the rulers of Surya vamsha (dynasty) were pious, firm believers of dharma.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana