Story of Bhakthi

Srimad Bhagavatam –  Story of Bhakti

Once, the sage Narada visited Prithvi and its sacred pilgrimage sites. To his dismay, he found that true devotion had faded—even in holy places such as Prayag, Ganga, Godavari, Srirangam, and Rameshwaram.

He perceived the strong influence of Kali Yuga, the age that fosters unrighteousness. Truth, austerity, purity of body and mind, and compassion had all but disappeared.

People seemed driven only by material needs, concerned merely with sustaining themselves. Spiritual discipline had been consumed by the raging fire of this age. Temples, too, were increasingly treated like places of commerce—there was grandeur, but little genuine devotion.

At last, Narada arrived at Mathura, the sacred birthplace of Krishna.

The Meeting of Bhakti and Her Sons

In Mathura, Narada beheld a sorrowful woman—Bhakti—weeping beside her two aged sons, Jnana and Vairagya, who lay in deep slumber.

Bhakti implored Narada to awaken them. Understanding her plight through his divine insight, Narada made every effort—reciting the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita—but his attempts failed. The sons remained unmoved.

Deeply distressed, Narada then heard a celestial voice:

“Holy sages will guide you toward the righteous path.”

Following this guidance, he journeyed to Badarikashrama, where he met the four sages—Sanaka and his brothers.

Narada sought their help in restoring Bhakti and her sons. 

The sages replied:

“You have always guided devotees of Krishna and tirelessly upheld devotion. It is fitting that you now re-establish Bhakti on a firm foundation. 

Though many spiritual practices grant heavenly rewards, the path leading to liberation (Vaikuntha) remains hidden and is discovered only by great fortune.”

They further explained that Jnana Yajna—the devoted study and recitation of the Srimad Bhagavatam—is the supreme path to liberation. Through its sacred narration, the suffering of Jnana and Vairagya would end, and Bhakti would regain her joy.

Sanaka added:

“The Srimad Bhagavatam is the very essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. Just as ghee must be extracted from milk, and a fruit plucked from a tree to be enjoyed fully, so too must this divine wisdom be drawn out and experienced.”

The sages advised conducting this sacred recitation at Ananda. Hearing this holy discourse, Bhakti and her sons gradually regained their strength and vitality.

Soon, great sages such as Bhrigu, Vasistha, Gautama, Parashurama, Viswamitra, and Markandeya assembled to partake in this nectar-like narration.

The Glory of the Bhagavatam

When Krishna prepared to depart from the earthly realm, his devoted follower Uddhava prayed:

“O Lord, as You leave, my heart is filled with anxiety. The dark age of Kali approaches, bringing unrighteousness. Please protect the virtuous.”

Moved by this plea at Prabhasa, Vishnu (Srihari) infused all His divine presence and glory into the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Thus, the Bhagavatam became the living, verbal manifestation of the Lord Himself.

Through its power, Bhakti and her sons, Jnana and Vairagya, were restored to their true, radiant forms. 

Filled with gratitude, Bhakti thanked the sages for nourishing them with this divine, nectar-like wisdom.

Matsysavathara - Lord Descends as Divine Fish

Srimad Bhagavatam - Matsyavathara (Lord Descends as Divine Fish)  

Why did Lord Narayana descend as divine fish? Who is King Satyavratha? What was the divine fish’s request to Satyavratha?

Once, during the middle of kalpa, Brahma accidentally took a small nap during his creation work. Seizing this opportunity, demon Hayagreeva stole Vedas from Brahma and hid them deep inside the ocean.   

To retrieve back Vedas that are essential for the creation, Srihari took the form of a fish. He killed Hayagreeva and restored Vedas to Brahma.

Again, at the end of Kalpa and just before the deluge, Srihari took the form of a fish to protect King Satyavratha, the future Manu.

Once King Satyavratha of Pandya dynasty was performing his morning ablutions at Krathamala river. While holding the water in his palms a small fish appeared and said "Satyavratha, protect me from predators”. 

The King took pity on the fish and transferred it to his kamandal (carry pot). To his surprise, the fish grew in size and sought a bigger space. 

The king transferred the fish to a larger tub, to well, pond, and finally to the ocean. The king wondered who this fish could be and thought it must be none other than Srihari and offered his prayers.

Then Srihari, in fish form said, “Seven days from now, the world will cease to exist on account of deluge" (pralaya). Get into a large boat along with Saptarishis, Vedas, seeds of every variety, one pair of animals. I shall take the boat to Meru Parvatha and offer protection.   

As instructed, the king and others were waiting on a boat when a divine fish appeared with Vasuki as rope. The divine fish went around the boat and gave protection until the water subsided. The divine fish clarified doubts raised by Satyavratha. 

Satyavratha, in his next birth, was born to Vivasvan (Sun God) as Shraddadeva. In the present kalpa, Shraddhadeva is also known as Vivaswatha Manu.  

Vivasvan is son of Sage Kasyapa and Aditi (daughter of Daksha Prajapathi), grandson of Saptarishi Marici and great grandson of Brahma. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Extermination of Kshatriyas by Parasurama

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Extermination of Kshatriyas by Parasurama   

Why did Parasurama undertake pilgrimage? Why did Parasurama kill his own mother and brothers? Who killed Sage Jamadagni? How was the Kshatriya race vanquished?

After killing Karthaveerya and his huge army, Parasurama brought back the divine cow and calf to his ashrama and offered it to his father, Sage Jamadagni. 

When he narrated the war incident, Sage Jamadagni wasn't happy and advised him to desist from such action. He said “Killing a king is equivalent to Brahmahatya”. He asked Parasurama to go on a pilgrimage to cleanse this sin. Parasurama undertook a pilgrimage for a year. 

On a fateful day, Renuka, the Sage's wife, went to fetch water from Ganga and saw Chitraratha, the King of Gandarvas. For a while, she was gazing at the sporting Gandarva and got delayed from her usual routine. The water needed for oblations into the sacred fire got delayed.  

Terribly afraid of the curse, she placed the pitcher in front of her husband and stood with joined palms. Sage Jamadagni was enraged with the mental lapse of his wife and said to his sons “ Kill this sinful woman”. Parasurama was away, and his other sons refused to kill their mother. 

When Parasurama returned, he was asked to do away with his mother and brothers. Parasurama, who knew the powers of his father, immediately undertook the task with no second thought. Sage Jamadagni, being gratified, asked Parasurama to seek a boon. 

Parasurama requested to bring back the lives of his mother and brothers and that they shouldn't know about this incident. The Sage was pleased and granted the boon. 

Once Parasurama and his brothers had gone to the forest. To take revenge for their father’s death, Karthaveerya’s sons attacked Sage Jamadagni, who was in Samadhi state. Renuka begged them to spare her husband's life. Yet they cut off the Sage's neck and took the head away. Renuka cried out loudly “Rama, Rama”.   

Hearing from a distance the loud cry, Parasurama reached the ashrama and found the headless body of his father. He told his brothers to take care of the mortal remains of their father and headed to Mahismathi. 

He owed to vanquish entire kshatriya kings. He killed all the sons of Karthaveeryaarjuna and brought his father's head. With due reverence, he performed the last rites of his father.  

It is said that Renuka beat her breast 21 times due to deep agony caused by her husband's brutal murder. Parasurama, too, went around the earth 21 times to vanquish wicked Kshatriyas.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Karthaveerya Arjuna

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Karthaveerya Arjuna

Who is Karthaveerya Arjuna? What boon did he get from Lord Dattatreya? Why did Arjuna imprison Ravana? Why did Parashurama kill Arjuna?

Karthaveerya Arjuna is the son of King Kruthaveera. He was born with a paralysed hand. King Kruthaveera was concerned that his son may not be able to protect the kingdom due to his physical disability. 

Understanding his father’s concern, Karthaveerya requested him to wait till he sought the blessings of Lord Dattatreya, who was then residing at Sahyadri mountains. Dattatreya is the incarnation of Lord Srihari. 

Being a Yogeshwar, Dattatreya never allowed anyone near Him as He avoided distraction. Arjuna approached Him with great difficulty and had to undergo severe tests. He served Dattatreya with dedication. 

When Karthaveerya was asked to seek a boon, he requested the Lord to cure his disability.   

Dattatreya said “ I shall give you 1000 arms. None will defeat you until you commit a mistake. Also, he granted unusual sense organs benefit (could see whatever he wished to see, hear from a long distance, and go to any place as per his wish). 

Karthaveerya returned and took over the kingdom from his father. He ruled the kingdom very efficiently. He could prevent crimes, big or small, through his special powers. There was no need to employ spies in his kingdom. He traveled to three worlds at the speed of wind. 

Karthaveerya had many wives. As a pastime, he took his wives to the Narmada River. They desired to see his 1000 arms and their strength. Karthaveerya created an artificial dam across the river using his arms. The water flooded the nearby areas. 

Ravana, who was on digvijaya yatra, was camping with his army in that region. Though he had no intention to attack Karthaveerya, he could not accept his supremacy and valour. 

Ravana attacked Karthaveerya but was defeated with ease. Karthaveerya caught hold of him on his shoulder and imprisoned him. 

Sage Pulasya, the grandfather of Ravana, had to request Karthaveerya to release his grandson, Ravana. Accordingly, he was released, and Ravana never again ventured to attack Karthaveerya.

Once Karthaveerya and his troop went on a hunting spree and after a long haul reached Sage Jamadagni's ashram. Sage Jamadagni is the son of Sage Rcika and Satyavati.

The Sage was happy and asked the king to accept his hospitality. The king was reluctant as he had a large troop of men and horses to serve.   

The Sage said that due to spiritual merits, I was offered a divine cow (Havismati) of the Kamadenu family. I use her exclusively to get milk, curd, and ghee for my yagna. This cow can give whatever is asked for”.  

The Sage requested the cow to feed everyone present there to their full satisfaction. The cow did it accordingly. 

Karthaveerya was aghast at the yogic powers of the Sage. Instead of thanking the Sage, he sought the possession of the divine cow. The Sage politely declined to let go of his divine cow. The cow and its calf were happy with the Sage and were not willing to move out.

The King, instead, ordered his troops to forcefully carry the cow to Mahismathi, his capital city.

When Lord Parasurama (incarnation of Lord Narayana and the youngest son of Sage Jamadagni) was informed about the incident, he straight away went to Mahismathi with his powerful axe.

On knowing Parasurama’s anger and his strength, Karthaveerya sent a huge army of 17 akshauhinis. Parasurama neutralized them in no time.

Seeing the blood strained bodies of his army, Karthaveerya attacked Parasurama with his 1000 arms. He threw arrows with each of his arms at one stretch. Parasurama cut all his arms swiftly and his neck. Karthaveerya's sons ran away from the field as they could not face Parasurama. 

Upon killing Karthaveerya, Parasurama took back his cow and calf to the ashrama and gave it to his father. 

Sage Jamadagni, on knowing about the incident, advised Parasurama to desist from such acts and remain dutiful to family norms (brahmanical way). 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

One akshauhini consists of 21870 chariots, 21870 elephants, 65610 horses, and 109350 foot soldiers. In the Kurushetra war, Duryodana had 11 akshauhinis while Padavas had just 7.

Parasurama acquired kshatriya qualities because of the exchange of Caru between his grandmother, Satyavati (wife of Sage Rcika), and her mother.  

Story of Nimi

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Story of King Nimi 

 

Who is King Nimi? Why did Sage Vasishta curse the King, and how did he react? Why did the Soul of King Nimi refuse to get back to its body ? Who is Janaka?

Once, King Nimi, son of Ikswaku, commenced a yagna and invited Sage Vasishta to be the chief priest.

Sage Vasistha was already invited by Indra to conduct his yagna. The Sage told the King to wait until he completed the present task and went to heaven. The king remained silent. 

King Nimi thought further delay may not allow him to perform the yagna due to the limited life span of human life. Hence, he began the yagna with the help of other priests.

Sage Vasishta returned back and perceiving the indecorum on the part of his disciple, King Nimi, the Sage cursed “Let the body of Nimi, who regards himself learned, fall”.

King Nimi counter cursed Sage Vasishta “ Let your body too fall for not knowing what is right, on account of greed”.

King Nimi, who was well versed in spiritual pursuit, gave up his life. Sage Vasishta was reborn with the help of Mitra Varuna through Urvasi.

Preserving the body of King Nimi in oil, the foremost of sages conducted the sacrifice on behalf of King Nimi as yagna shouldn't be stalled. 

Gods were very much pleased and assembled at the yagna. The sages said “ O Gods, If you are pleased, let this body of King Nimi come back to life.” They agreed to bring back life to King Nimi.

However, the Soul of Nimi declined to enter the mortal body again. The soul said “ Let me not get imprisoned in the mortal body again as it brings in suffering, grief, and fear. Death threatens the soul everywhere, just like a fish that gets threatened even in water. 

The Gods blessed the Soul of Nimi “May you reside at will in the eyes of pious souls”. In this way, King Nimi took up his abode in all jivas in the form of opening and closing of eyes.  

The Sages, left with no option, decided to churn the body of King Nimi to get a progeny as the country without a king would lead to unrest. 

On churning, a son was born to King Nimi. By virtue of his extraordinary birth, the prince was called Janaka. Born in the lineage of King Nimi (who remained without a body), the prince was named Vaideha (son of Videha / bodyless). Sprung from the process of churning, the prince was also called Mithila, who later on built the great city of Mithila.

Janaka became a generic name of descendants of King Nimi. When Siradhwaja, descendant of Janaka, was ploughing the earth to begin a sacrifice, Goddess Sitadevi made her appearance.   

All the kings of Mithila were proficient in Self- knowledge. They were rid of pairs of opposites (Joy and Sorrow) even in their households.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Trishanku

Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Trishanku 

Why did Satyavratha get the title ‘Trishanku’, and what were his wrongdoings? Why was Trishanku Swarga formed?

Satyavratha, son of Tribandhana is a descendent of Mandhata. He was not worthy of his name. He forcefully carried a just married brahmana girl. This act was strongly opposed by his parents.  

Satyavratha neither opposed his father nor apologized. Hence, left with no choice, his father cursed him to become a Chandala. Satyavratha wasn't angry with his father but had a grudge on Sage Vasishta. 

During that period, there was severe drought in the kingdom. Sage Viswamitra and his family were starving without food. Satyavratha, in chandala form, served food to Sage Viswamitra, though not according to the norms. Left with no choice, Sage Viswamitra accepted it. 

Satyavratha desired to end his life, but by the intervention of Vanadevatha (forest deity), he survived and waited to return to his kingdom. When his father passed away, Sage Vasishta called him to take over the kingdom as he was the only progeny.

Satyavratha had a desire to go to heaven in human form, which was instantly declined by Sage Vasishta. Sage Vasishta cursed Satyavratha for these 3 wrongdoings and named him Trishanku. 

Trishanku sought the help of Sage Viswamitra to gain access to heaven in human form.     

The Sage took pity and, using his yogic power, sent him to heaven. The devatas did not accept him as it was against the set rules. He was kicked back upside down. 

Sage Vishwamitra stopped Trishanku from falling back on the earth. He created a new heaven with all amenities exhausting his yogic powers. He expressed his inability to help him further.   

Sage Viswamitra had to restart penance to gain his position. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Story of Shunashepa

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Shunashepa    

Who is Shunashepa, and why did he opt for Sage Vishamitra's lineage? What was the fear of Hiranyakashipu?

Shunashepa was the second son of Sage Ajigartha. King Harishchandra, for a long time, had no issues. He made a unique vow that if he was blessed with a son, he would offer him to Varuna.

Rohita, son of King Harishchandra, learned about Varuna deva’s demand and retired to the forest. Later, he made an arrangement with Sage Ajigartha of Bhargava lineage, who was living in poverty with 3 sons and a wife. To escape from poverty, he agreed to offer one of his sons to the king. 

Sage Ajigartha declined to offer his eldest son and his wife, their youngest son. The middle son, Shunashepa, was left with no option but to volunteer to go with Rohita. He wasn't angry with his parents but was disturbed. 

In the Yagashala, he met maternal uncle Sage Vishwamitra and sought his help. Vishwamitra taught Sunashepa how to please Gods through correct pronunciation of hymns, etc. Sunashepa did accordingly and was highly appreciated. 

Lord Indra gifted him a golden chariot, and Varuna deva freed Surashepa from the obligation.  

When Sage Viswamitra asked Shunashepa to seek a boon, he requested to include him in his gotra (linage). The Sage gladly accepted, and hence, Shunashepa moved out from his father's lineage.

It was a huge loss for Sage Ajigartha as the goodwill earned by Shunashepa was denied to him and his family.  

Sage Viswamitra asked his 100 sons to adopt Shunashepa as his elder brother, but his first 50 sons declined to accept. Sage Viswamitra cursed them to be Mleccha (outsiders to vedic culture). 

Indeed, Hiranyakashipu, who had knowledge of vedas, knew about the greatness of Sunashepa. He was surprised when Prahlada remained calm at every adversary, and all the more, he did not oppose him. He noticed the similarity of Prahlada's behaviour with that of Shunashepa. Hiranyakashipu feared that Prahalda might as well move out of his lineage.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana