Mother Earth Seeks Refuge

 64. Srimad Bhagavatam - Mother Earth Seeks Refuge and Vasudeva Weds Devaki

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 

Srikrishna as Govardhana Giridhari

Srimad Bhagavatam - Srikrishna as Govardhana Giridhari

Furious that the people of Vraja had stopped His worship, Indra decided to punish them. He ordered the fierce Samvartaka clouds, used during cosmic destruction, along with the powerful Maruts, to flood Vraja with torrential rains.

The frightened cowherds ran to Krishna and prayed, “We have no one other than You to protect us.” Even the cows silently sought His shelter.

To save everyone, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill effortlessly with one hand and held it like an umbrella. He asked the residents to bring their families, cattle, and carts beneath the hill. Protected under Govardhan, the people gazed constantly at Krishna. 

For seven days and nights, none felt hunger or thirst, and Krishna never changed hands.

Seeing this astonishing miracle, Indra realized Krishna’s divine power. Fear and humility arose within him, and he ordered the clouds and Maruts to stop the storm and return.

When the rains ended, Krishna gently placed Govardhan Hill back in its place. The people of Vraja were overwhelmed with joy and devotion toward their protector.

Later, the elders asked Nanda, “Who is this extraordinary child performing such miracles? Is He a devata?”

Nanda recalled the words of Garga Muni during the secret naming ceremony of Krishna and Balarama. The sage had said that the child had appeared in many ages with different names and was now called Krishna because of His dark complexion. He also foretold that Krishna would always protect the people of Vraja.

Nanda finally said, “I consider Him an incarnation of Sriman Narayana.” Hearing this, the elders joyfully praised Krishna and Nanda’s great fortune.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

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