Sage Narada Curses Nalakubera and Manigriva

Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Narada Curses Kubera's Sons

King Parikshit asks Sukhamuni “Why highly revered Sage Narada cursed Nalakubera and Manigriva? What reproachful act did they do?”.

 

Sukamuni said, “ The two sons of Kubera, despite being attendants of Lord Rudra, possessed uncontrollable passion, were fully drunk and strolling with women near river Mandakini.

The celestial Sage, who happened to pass by, saw the fully intoxicated Yakshas (demigods). The celestial nymphs who were naked hurriedly put on their clothes but sons of kubera, ignored the Sage, and remained unclothed.

Seeing the two sons of Kubera fully intoxicated and blind with pride of wealth, Sage Narada felt they needed to be rectified through a curse and to give an opportunity to correct themselves.

The Sage said, “A man with insatiable desires through wealth loses wisdom. With the pride of wealth (a product of Rajoguna), women, gambling, and liquor get associated. 

This pride of wealth makes men kill animals mercilessly. This perishable body is food to worms when buried, food if killed by carnivorous animals, or as ashes if burnt. Why perpetrate violence for the sake of pampering such a body?

To whom does this body belong? One's father? mother? employer? maternal grandfather (on adoption)? King? Purchaser?

Hence, this body is a common property that exists from Primordial matter and will again go back into it. A fool alone identifies himself with the body.

Poverty is the best solution for a wicked soul blinded with pride of wealth. He who has his foot ever pricked with a thorn alone would never allow a fellow being to suffer such pain. 

The hardship a poor man undergoes will prove to be his austerity in this life. A hungry man's body becomes feeble and desists from violence.

Hence, I shall take away their pride caused by ignorance , who are slaves of women, intoxicated and blinded with pride of wealth.

They deserve to be reduced to the state of a tree (that stands immobile, unbending, and uncovered) so that by my grace, they may not behave like that again. 

In the presence of Srikrishna at the end of a hundred celestial years, they would acquire devotion and end their curse”. Saying so, the Sage went away to the hermitage of Narayana. 

Nalkubera and Manigriva were transformed into two Arjuna trees sprung together at Vraja. Krishna crawled between the adjoined trees to make the prophecy of Sage Narada true. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Yasoda Ties Srikrishna to a Wooden Mortar

Srimad Bhagavatam - Yasoda Ties SriKrishna to a Wooden Mortar

Once, Yasoda was personally churning the curds as her maids were busy with other work. She was recalling Krishna's infantile sports and expressed them in the form of songs.

Krishna, seeing his mother churning the curds, longed for a suck and stopped her. Yasoda began suckling Him when she suddenly remembered milk kept on the hearth. She placed Him aside and hurriedly went to save milk from overflowing. 

Krishna felt ignored and angrily took a flat stone (used for grinding condiments) and hit the curd pot. 

He went inside and stealthily ate fresh butter. Yasoda saw the broken curd pot and, knowing that it was the work of her son, had a hearty laugh. 

She saw Krishna standing on an overturned base of wooden mortar and freely giving away fresh churned butter to a monkey. She gently went up to Him from behind. Krishna hurriedly ran away, pretending to be afraid of her. 

Sukamuni said, "How does she know that He is indebted to the monkeys that served Him in His previous incarnation as Srirama? ”.

Yasoda, too, ran after Him but couldn't keep the pace due to her bulky hips. Yet she caught hold of Him, who was weeping aloud. She threatened to strike Him but threw the stick off as she was exceedingly fond of her son. 

Yasoda decided to tie Him to a wooden mortar with a string, thinking that He is a mere human. While doing so, the string fell short by an inch. Yasoda added another string to it. Then again, it fell short, and Yasoda had to attach another string. 

This process continued until she exhausted all the strings available at her house. Yasoda felt shameful when her maids laughed at her. She wondered how come I am unable to bind this boy. 

 

Seeing his mother over-exhausted, Krishna allowed Himself to be bound out of sheer compassion. 

Sukamuni said,” In this way, the Lord demonstrated that He is amenable to the excesses of His devotees, though He is the master of the Universe. Indeed, neither Brahma, Shiva nor Mahalakshmi received such grace from Him as Yasoda did”.

When Yasoda was engrossed in her household duties, Krishna noticed a pair of Arjuna trees. Long ago, Nalakubera and Manigriva, sons of Kubera, were reduced to trees by the curse of Sage Narada.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Vasudeva Reveals His Form to His Mother

Srimad Bhagavatam - Vasudeva Reveals His Form to His Mother

Once, cowherds, along with Balaram, informed Yasoda that Vasudeva had eaten mud. Yasoda was upset and holding Vasudeva by hand and asked him, “Why did you eat mud”? Vasudeva nodded negatively and said, “ I never ate mud. They are all liars. Examine my mouth with your own eyes”.  

Yasoda said, “ If so, then open your mouth”. 

Inside His mouth, she saw the whole universe, both mobile and stationery, the atmosphere, four quarters, mountains, oceans, wind, fire, the moon, stars, heaven, the deities presiding over indriyas, the mind, the objects of senses, the three gunas, the body of Her son, the Time, people of Vraja including herself.

She wondered if it was a dream or illusion? I bow down to Brahma, who cannot be easily comprehended. The Lord is my Refuge by whose Maya is making me think I am Yasoda, wife of Nanda, this child is mine, and that the cowherds and cowherdess of Vraja as well as cattle wealth are mine.

When Yasoda thus realized this truth, the Almighty (Vasudava) cast his divine form in the form of material affection. 

King Parikshit asked Sukamuni how Yasoda got such great merit? He said, “When Mother Earth pleaded Brahma on atrocities meted on her, they approached Srihari. Brahma was informed that He would be born in Vraja at an appropriate time. 

Srihari asked Brahma to make necessary arrangements for it. Brahma requested the foremost of Vasus, Drona, and his wife, Dara, to be born as humans to take care of child Vasudeva (incarnation of Srihari). Hence, they were born as Nanda and Yasoda. 

Drona and Dara made a request to Brahma that they be blessed with undeterred devotion towards the Lord, for which Brahma accepted.

 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Balarama and Vasudeva's Childhood Pranks

Srimad Bhagavatam - Balarama and Vasudeva's Childhood Pranks

As months passed, both Balarama and Vasudeva started crawling in and around the house. They were roaming around nonstop, inspired by jingling bells tied to their waist belt and anklets. 

Slowly, they stepped out of the house and moved forward until they saw new faces of men and women. Feeling scared, they would turn back and return to their mothers. Rohini and Yasoda would receive them with a warm hug and feed them unmindful of the dirt they carried. 

Slowly, these kids began pranks. They would go near the calf and pull their tail. Women visiting their home would forget their job, watch the pranks, and enjoy themselves.

When they learned to walk, there were no restrictions on their movements. They would untie the calves and allow them to run towards its mother to suck milk. This became a nuisance to the residents of Vraja as the system was broken. (The calves were allowed to suck milk just before milking and again for the leftovers). Vasudeva felt it was unfair, and hence, he untied them. 

Once gopikas came to Yasoda with complaints about her son. They said, “Your son enters our house, eats not only what has been offered to him but also what has been kept for us. However, he doesn't come alone. He always comes in groups, treats, and then takes his share. After eating, he breaks the pots. 

If he doesn't find anything, he would get angry and scold all the inmates. (Subtly, He wanted to awaken them of their ignorance).

If the vessels are unreachable, he finds ways to reach them. We are sure that your son alone has done it through his ornaments. If we abused him, he would hit back in the same tone.

Vasudeva was hearing all these hiding behind his mother. Yasoda thought of warning him to stop such pranks and restrict his activities to home alone, but on seeing his innocent face, she couldn't. She felt it is natural for children to do mischief and ignored their comments.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Sage Garga Does Naming Ceremony

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Sage Garga Does Naming Ceremony 

Vasudeva made a request with his family priest Sage Garga to conduct a naming ceremony for his two sons (Rohini and Devaki's son) who were living in Vraja under the cover of Nanda. Accordingly, Sage Garga went to Vraja.

Nanda was extremely happy and welcomed Sage Garga with due honor. He said “ You are absolute and don't need anything. You must have come to do us a favour. Otherwise, you do not move around.  

You are an expert in astrology. You know the past, present, and the future. You have mastered, documented, and made them available to others. The Garga Samhita gives sufficient knowledge of what would be the outcome in the present birth for the action conducted in previous births. 

You are Brahmarishi. I humbly request you to conduct naming ceremonies for my sons. One who is born as Brahmin acts as a preceptor.

Though Garga had come for the said purpose, he never revealed it. Garga said, “ I am the priest of the Yadu family, and it's known to everyone. If I do namakarana samskara to this dark skinned boy and known to Kamsa, he would suspect Him as Devaki’s son.

Also, you do not fully belong to the Yadava clan. People will presume that I am aware of the fact and hence did it. Kamsa knows you and Vasudeva are great friends. 

Kamsa suspects Devaki’s eighth child is not a girl baby. He is not fully convinced because they were imprisoned and chained. Kamsa was clearly informed that the child who is destined to kill him is living elsewhere. He is always thinking of it and struggling. It would be a blunder on our part to endanger the infants.

Nanda said, “This ritual is already delayed for long, and highly revered people like you alone should conduct the ritual and bless the infants. Your blessings are more important than other formalities. Accordingly, the Sage secretly performed the naming ceremony unknown to others.

The Sage said, “Rohini's son will be named ‘Rama’ (the delighter of the people), and due to his strength, he will also be called as”Bala”. Also, he would be called ‘Sankarshana’, meaning one who unites. Yadavas are egoistic, and their superiority complex results in infighting. Balarama would be the unifying force. 

The Sage said, “This infant of yours has manifested in three different colours, viz., white, red and yellow, and this time dark complexion. Earlier, he was born in the house of Vasudeva. Hence, he shall be named Vasudeva.

There are numerous names and forms of your son. This boy will bring happiness to you and the entire Gokula. This son of yours is a compeer of Lord Narayana in all aspects. Please look after Him carefully. In disguise, he told Nanda the secrets of Krishna's birth and His manifestation.

Sage Garga returned back to Mathura. Nanda felt happy and blessed.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Infant Krishna’s Ceremonial Ritual

Srimad Bhagavatam - Infant Krishna’s Ceremonial Ritual and Utkaca's Liberation 

Yasoda desired to perform a ceremonial ablution to her son to commemorate His turning on the bed which coincided with Janma nakshatra (Rohini Star). 

Women were playing musical instruments, some singing songs, and a few others chanting sacred texts. Brahmanas blessed the child and were honoured with clothes, food articles and meals. They were even asked to take away a cow and its calf of their choice.

The infant felt ‘drowsy’ and Yasoda gently put Him to sleep on a cradle underneath a cart undisturbed by others.

For a while, Yasoda was busy honouring her guests and did not hear the cry of her hungry son. Waiting for a suck, He tossed up His feet in an angry mood.

Hit by His tiny feet, the cart turned upside down. The heavy vessels/jars that were filled with milk, ghee, and curd got scattered, and the vessels broke. The wheels of the cart broke open, axle was cut, making a huge noise.

 

Yasoda, Nanda, and Gopikas, who had assembled there, were shocked and couldn't comprehend the situation. Gopalas who were playing there told that the cart was knocked down by the infant while crying. However, the elders did not accept it, as such an effect cannot be caused by an infant. 

Utkaca, a demon, was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. He entered the cart in body less form. When the cart was turned upside down, he was crushed by the weight of metal jars and wheels of the cart. 

Utkaca, in his previous birth, was born to Hiranyaksha. He was well built and powerful. He did not harm anyone but crushed trees at Sage Lomasa's hermitage. The Sage cursed him to be body-less, and hence, Utkaca had to survive on air. 

On seeking pardon, the Sage said Srihari would descend in Dwaparyug as Srikrishna, and by the touch of His feet, he would be liberated. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

Putana's End and Protection Rituals to the Lord

Srimad Bhagavatam - Putana's End and Protection Rituals to the Lord 

Putana, a demon with a cruel heart, had a tendency to kill babies. Otherwise, she wasn't brave enough. On being instructed by Kamsa, she started searching for newborn babies in every city, village, hamlet in, and around Mathura. 

Camouflage in beautiful dresses, she would get access to newborn babies and would kill them through breastfeed. She wouldn't dare to go near yagna, yaga, and where prayers are conducted to Sriman Narayana.

Demon Putana was moving around in the sky and had a glance at Gokulam. She felt someone was performing a ‘Jatakarma' function, and immediately she landed there. She converted herself into a beautiful woman and entered Nanda's house. 

None stopped her, though she was a stranger. Probably her appearance and beauty befooled everyone. She saw the Lord (baby Krishna) and decided to finish Him. 

The Lord was hiding his prowess, and hence, Putana was not afraid of Him. He recognized Putana even by closing His eyes. He looked innocent. 

Putana took Him on her lap just like a mad person disturbing a python, thinking it as a rope. Breast feeding Him, she planned to inject poison. Yasoda and Rohini and none others suspected her motive. 

The Lord kept His hand on her breast, and in no time, He sucked her life. When it became unbearable, she cried “Stop, Stop”. Her eyes became big, she stretched her legs away and started sweating. In one go, she suffered all the children crying whom she killed.

People around were afraid as she felt dead in demonic form. The Lord was lying safely on her body. With the presence of mind, Yasoda and Rohini ran to take the baby to safety. 

To avoid evil effects on the baby, Yasoda and other Gopicas did “Drshti” rituals. It began with ‘gomutra’ wash to the baby. 

On completion of this ritual, their anxiety came down a bit but were not fully convinced. Gopikas did another ritual called Beejanyasa (while reciting God’s name, touching their body parts and touching the child's similar body part one after the other).

In this way, Yasoda and others sought protection for the child from Sriman Narayana, ‘Who is the protector of all’. 

Nanda and his retinue were returning back to Vraja and were astonished to see the huge body of Putana. They cut the body into small pieces and cremated them. To the surprise of all there came a sweet fragrance. Coming home, they were told the whole incident. Nanda hugged his son and kissed on his forehead (a sort of blessing for long life). 

Putana, in her previous birth, was the daughter of pious King Bali by name Rathnamala. However, her samskara was different from that of her parents. Putana saw Vamana and had a desire that had she been her son, she would have breastfed him. This small desire was fulfilled by Srihari in Dwaparyug and was equally punished for her wrongdoings.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana