15. Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (9) Story of Jada Bharata

15. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (9) Story of  Jada Bharata

What action did Bharata take to overcome his flaw? Why was he called Jada Bharata? What was the dialogue between Jada Bharata and King Rahugana?

Remembering deer during the time of death, Bharata had to be born as a deer. But due to his spiritual merits, he was able to recollect his past life. He realizes his mistake, and thereupon he never associated with fellow mates and was just waiting to get rid of deer body.

He was reborn in a brahmin's family as the 10th son (Bharata had 9 step-brothers).

 

Jada Bharata, in this birth, never spoke to anyone nor showed any interest in worldly activities. He was a cause of concern to his father. His step-brothers were well versed in vedas and were carrying on prescribed duties.

Jada bharata's father did his best to educate him till the end but not of much use. Jada bharata never bothered to maintain physical cleanliness, nor follow prescribed rituals. Indeed, his self-knowledge was ripe in him, but others were unaware of it.

Jada bharata cautiously avoided people as he was aware of the mistake of his previous birth.

After his father's demise, he was left aloft by his brothers as a last choice. Since he was hale and healthy, he was utilized by outsiders to do manual work for no compensation.

Jada bharata was least perturbed as he was waiting to complete his prarabda karma.  

Once Jada bharata was taken forcefully as offer to kali matha. When he was about to get killed, to the surprise of all, kali matha herself appeared and killed all those who were responsible for this act. Again, Jada bharata was unperturbed.

King Rahugana was traveling to Sage Kapila's ashram in palanquine. There was a shortage of one palanquine bearer, and Jada bharata was picked for the job.

Jada bharata couldn't synchronize with the other 3 bearers, and this caused turbulence. The king was annoyed and ridiculed Jada Bharata.

Jada bharata said i never carried your palanquine. My shoulders carried your palanquine, my legs carried my waist, and the waist carried my shoulders. All these body parts jointly carried your palanquine. I, the soul, is in no way connected to this act.

King Rahugana was shocked, and with little knowledge of self-realization, he could recognize that this person is no ordinary. He pleaded sorry for his act and requested Jada bharata to enlighten him.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

14. Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (7&8) Story of Bharata

 14. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (7&8) Story of Bharata 

Who is Bharata? How deep was his devotion? How did destiny change his life?

Bharata is the eldest son of Lord Rsabhadeva. He possessed extensive knowledge and was extremely fond of his subjects. 

Bharata performed at the appointed hours yagnas and kratu (sacrifice with sacrificial post) big and small in every detail. Importantly, Bharata offered the entire merit of these deeds to Lord Vasudeva.  

He would contemplate (on deities enjoying a share in the sacrificial offering) as limbs of the Supreme Person (Viratswarup).

He proportionately divided among his sons the hereditary fortune and retired as a recluse and lived near the sacred Gandaki river. Bharata got rid of all cravings and developed tranquility of mind.

Once, Bharata stayed back for sometime at Gandaki river. Just then, a fully pregnant deer came to the river to satisfy its thirst and a lion came chasing the deer.  

When the deer noticed it, it leaped to the other side of the river. Unfortunately, the foetus dropped out and was left uncared for. The deer met its end in a ravine.

Bharata took the fawn to his ashram and took care of it. He felt it was the duty of a kshatriya and as a king to take care of the needy. 

Gradually, he developed infatuation towards it and neglected his daily routines and meditation. He was constantly worried about its protection and wellbeing until he left his body. 

Consequently, he had to take birth as a deer in his subsequent birth. Suka muni said to King Parikshit, "Fawn in the form of destiny destroyed Bharata’s journey of self-realization in this birth."

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana

36. Bhagavatha - Chp 8 - (3&4) Gajendra Moksha (2)

36.  Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 8 - (3 &4) Gajendra Moksha (2)     

A thousand years passed, Gajendra, the elephant leader, caught by the alligator, struggled to free itself. Gajendra recollected his spiritual progress acquired in the previous birth as King Indradyumna. 

King Indradyumna of the Pandya dynasty was well versed in scriptures. He ruled the kingdom for a long time and later relinquished it to his sons. Once, Sage Agastya visited him to facilitate his spiritual enhancement. However, Indradyumna failed to recognise it and all the more ignored him. Sage Agastya cursed him to become an elephant.

The prayers offered by Indradyumna in Gajendra's body are as follows:

Since I cannot speak, I offer mental salutations to you, represented by the syllable ‘OM’. 

The entire creation that we see is created by You. You existed before the creation and will exist after it ceases (Chaitanya Swaroopa).

This creation is various forms of You. Yet, You are unattached to it. Your actions are hard to understand for ordinary mortals.

This world will last for a few more period and our time is very much less. Everything and everyone will perish, and what remains is mere darkness. You live alone away from darkness.

Even great Sages are unable to fully know about You. How will I, an elephant, be able to understand You? 

Though You see us, we are unable to recognise You. 

We do not know when You were born, Your characteristics or actions.

You take innumerable forms and have unlimited strength.

 We can attain You with our minds. However, the mind should not be involved in any action, be it mental or physical.

You are the source of everything and act as a shade. You are like a fire hidden in the wood.

I surrender to You, the Nithya Mukta. I do not know anything about devotion and its form. A single minded devotee enjoys the bliss and asks for no boons. I am not mature enough to attain that stage.

I do not seek freedom from this alligator. I have given up the desire to live. What will I achieve in this elephant life?

I seek freedom from ignorance and pray to know the ultimate truth of the unborn Supreme Spirit.

Hearing the heartfelt prayers of Gajendra, Lord Srihari instantly left Vaikunta on Garuda. Other Gods too accompanied Him. Seeing Srihari from a distance, Gajendra takes a lotus from the pond and offers it to Him. 

Seeing Gajendra afflicted with pain, Srihari gets down from Garuda swiftly and, out of compassion, pulls Gajendra from the pond. Srihari kills the alligator using His discus and releases Gajendra.   

 

This alligator was in its previous birth a gandharva by name, ‘Huhu’. The gandharva, along with many others, were sporting in a lake. Just then, Sage Devala entered the lake for a bath. The haughty gandharva pulled Sage’s leg under the water. The sage cursed him that he would be thrown into the womb of an alligator. This curse was released by Srihari.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

35. Bhagavatha - Chp 8 - (2) Gajendra Moksha (1)

 35. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 8 - (2) Gajendra Moksha (1)  

Trikuta mountain (extinct) was high and wide to the extent of eight thousand miles, was rich in minerals and was surrounded by an ocean of milk. It had three peaks of silver, steel and gold and had a wealth of precious stones and minerals.

Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas, Kinnaras, Nagas and Apsaras frequently visited this picturesque mountain.

There was a garden belonging to Lord Varuna, and it was a sporting ground of celestial women. 

Once, Gajendra, the leader of elephants, was roaming around with several female elephants. While moving around with pride, it broke thorny trees and bamboo canes. The disturbance caused by the elephant and its herd cautioned lions, tigers, rhinoceros and serpents. However, smaller animals like wolves, bison, and monkeys moved freely. 

All along, these elephants were emitting temporal fluids fed by black bees. 

The cool breeze from the lake, which was full of lotuses, carried pollen to a far distance. Scenting the breeze, these elephants, which were thirsty, moved fast towards the lake.

Bathing in water, they relieved the fatigue and quenched their thirst. Elephants, for some time, indulged in water sports with their companions. The proud elephant did not foresee any threat.   

Destiny has a different play. A powerful alligator caught hold of the foot of the leader (male) elephant. The elephant fought with the predator with all its might. The female elephants were perplexed while others tried to give a helping hand to rescue their leader.  

A thousand years rolled by, and both Gajendra and the alligator fought with each other. However, Gajendra began losing strength and vitality, and the danger to life became more of a reality. At last, the fear of Death dawned on Gajendra to seek the Almighty’s asylum.

Source: Bhagavata Mahapurana 

30. Bhagavatha - Chp 6 - (18) Birth of Maruts (2)

30.  Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 6 - (18) Birth of Maruts (2)  

How did Indra deceive his aunt Diti? What happened to the fetus inside Diti's womb?

Diti accepted to undertake the vow and conceived the seed of Kashyapa. On knowing the vow undertaken by her aunt Diti, Indra hatched a plan to get rid of the embryo growing in her womb.

Indra devotedly served his aunt by fetching her wood, flowers, fruits, material for sacrificial fire, water, etc. He was waiting for an opportunity on Diti's slip from the vow. One day, she fell asleep at dusk without rinsing her mouth. 

Taking this opportunity, Indra, using his yogic power, entered her womb and sliced the embryo into seven pieces. When they cried, he pacified them by saying, “Don't cry.” He went ahead and sliced each one of them into seven further pieces.

Surprisingly, together, these 49 pieces of embryo addressed Indra and said “Brother, why do you wish to kill us?”. They all submitted to him with joined palms “We are your half-brothers”. Indra said “ Do not be afraid, you are all my brothers”. 

Indra was surprised that these embryos weren't killed even by his powerful Vajrayudha. Diti had, in fact, worshipped Srihari with utter devotion for nearly a year. Lord Srihari is protecting them just like how he protected Parikshit in Uttara’s womb.

 

On waking up, Diti was free from remorse and saw babies brilliant as fire, not one but many, along with Indra. Highly gratified, she asked Indra how come these many babies are born to me. I had sought boon to beget only a single son. She asked Indra to tell the truth and not utter a lie.

Indra said “ Having come to know your vow, I came in pretext to serve you but was waiting for slippage in your vow. When it happened, I entered your womb using my yogic power and cut the embryo into seven pieces. The embryo pieces cried, and to get rid of them, I again cut each of them into seven pieces, yet they did not die.

I realized Lord Srihari is protecting them. It's the reward for your devotion towards Srihari. Thank God these babies are alive. Please forgive me for my wickedness”.

Diti was pleased with Indra’s sincerity and permitted Indra to take along with him 49 Wind-gods (collectively called Maruts) as his assistants.Together with Indra these Maruts are called fifty gods. 

The stigma of demonhood attaching them because they were born to Diti was wiped out.

Source: Bhagavata Mahapurana 

 “ Ma rodaya” means “ Don't cry.” Hence, they are called Maruts. Diti's sons are called daitas.

29. Bhagavatha - Chp 6 - (18) Birth of Maruts (1)

29. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 6 - (18) Birth of Maruts (1) 

What was Diti's remorse? How did Sage Kashyapa respond to her wish?

Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, sons of Diti and Sage Kashyapa, were neutralized by Srihari. 

Hiranyaksha, the younger son of Diti, took away the Vedas from Brahma and hid them in the ocean. Srihari, taking the form of Varaha (Boar/male pig), brought back the Vedas by killing Hiranyaksha, as Vedas are the basis of creation. Later, Srihari killed Hiranyakashipu, taking the form of Narasimha.

Diti had a perception that Srihari was unfair to her sons and was always helpful to Indra, her sister's (Adithi) son. This remorse developed into bitterness and enmity on Indra. She hatched a plan to get rid of him. Keeping this plan in mind, she pleased her husband, Sage Kashyapa, by serving him with humility and self-control.

Sage Kashyapa offered to grant her wish. Diti said “I have lost my sons. I seek an immortal son capable of slaying Indra, who was the cause of the death of my sons through Srihari.

Hearing her desire, the sage became sad and said to himself, “A very great sin has overtaken me today. I was infatuated by that clever lady. Who can understand their mind”?

Kasyapa said, “A son will be born to you who will slay Indra if only you observe the Pumsavana vow for a year but will prove to be a friend of God if it is not properly observed. Diti agreed and enquired about the vow in detail.

Sage Kashyapa gives details of the rigorous Pumsavana vow to Diti. A woman observing this vow 

Must not injure or curse anyone nor lie

Must not lose temper nor talk with wicked people 

Must not wear unwashed clothes 

Must not eat leftovers of others or food offered to Mahakali

Must not retire with feet unwashed or with wet feet

Must not go out without rinsing the mouth after eating. 

Must worship before breakfast the cow, the brahmanas, Goddess Lakshmi, and Maha Vishnu.

Kasyapa said “If you observe this vow for a year without violating it, a son will be born to you who will be able to kill Indra”.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

52. Bhagavatha - Chp 9 - (15) Story of Sage Rcika, Parasurama and Sage Jamadagni

52. Srimad Bhagavata - Chp 9 - (15) Story of Sage Rcika, and Birth of Jamadagni and Parasurama 

Who is Sage Rcika, and how did he fulfill the unusual demand of the king? How were Jamadagni and Parasurama born?

Once Sage Rcika, a scion of Sage Bhrgu, said to the King Gadhi of Pururava lineage, “ I desire to marry your daughter Satyavati”.

Considering him an unworthy match, the king made an unusual demand to the Sage, “Let 1000 white horses with one black ear be given as the price of the girl. 

The Sage, having understood the intention of the King, sought the presence of Lord Varuna and got the horses delivered to the king. Having met the demand, King Gadhi had to give away his daughter in marriage to Sage Rcika.

Sage Rcika performed a sacrifice to fulfill the wishes of his wife and his mother-in-law, each of them desired to have a son. 

The Sage prepared an offering called Caru and uttered mantras differently to their requirements (a brahmana progeny for his wife and a kshatriya progeny for his mother-in-law). Caru is an oblation of rice, barley, and pulses boiled with milk and butter.

Meanwhile, King Gadi's wife thought his son-in-law, Sage Rcika, might have prepared a more effective ‘Caru’ for his wife, Satyavati. She requested Satyavati to give her share of ‘Caru’ in exchange. 

The Sage, having understood this act, politely told his wife “ You have made a grave mistake. Your son will be a cruel chastiser while your brother will be foremost among the brahmanas.  

Satyavati requested her husband to modify it, but the Sage said he cannot do so but can further it into the next generation. Accordingly, Jamadagni was born to Satyavati, and Viswamitra was born to King Gadi's wife.

Jamadagni married Renuka and had many children. The youngest among them was Parasurama, a manifestation of Lord Narayana. 

Lord Parasurama went around the earth 21 times and destroyed sinful kshatriya kings. Foremost among them was Karthaveerarjuna of the Haihaya race. 

Source,: Bhagavatha Mahapurana