95. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (17) Garuda's Enmity with Kaliya

 95. Srimad Bhagavata - Chp 10 - (17) Garuda's Enmity with Kaliya

King Parikshit asks Sri Sukamuni as to what particular fault Serpent Kaliya did to hide himself in Kalindi Lake?

Sri Sukamuni said, “Nagas and Garuda are enemies because of cruelty perpetuated on Vinata (Garuda’s mother) by Kadru, the serpent’s mother. Garuda carried hatredness and desired to vanquish the serpent race. 

Envisaging danger the nagas went into an agreement with Garuda (with the intervention of Lord Brahma) wherein nagas were required to offer Bali (offerings) holding it on their head (as a mark of respect) and place it under a particular tree every Amavatsya (new moon day).

The nagas knew Garuda was very powerful. When Indra hit Garuda using his Vajrayudha, just a single feather fell from its body. 

As agreed, Nagas took turns to offer Bali, and Garuda was satisfied. However, Kaliya, possessed with powerful poison, could not digest this humiliation. It deliberately ate away food that was supposed to be given to Garuda. Kaliya thought Garuda had just carried nectar from heaven but did not drink it, and hence, there is no fear of immorality.  

Garuda, full of anger, swooped on Kaliya with tremendous speed to make short of it. Kaliya raised its hoods and bit Garuda hard. However, the most powerful Garuda, who serves as a vehicle to Mahavishnu, struck Kaliya hard with its left wing. 

Defeated by Garuda, kaliya escaped and took shelter in Kalindi Lake, forbidden for Garuda by a curse.

 

Sage Saubhari‘s Curse

Long ago, the hungry Garuda forcibly snatched and ate a large fish (supposed to be the leader of fish) from the Kalindi lake. 

Sage Saubhari, who was meditating in that vicinity, was disturbed with the commotion and politely told Garuda to move out. The sage took pity on fishes that were mourning for their leader. 

Garuda, however, ignored his advice, and that led the Sage to curse Garuda that on entering this lake, he would be killed instantly. 

This curse was known only to Kaliya. To protect itself, Kaliya never allowed anyone nor made the lake fit for vegetation. 

Srikrishna Comes Out of the Lake

Srikrishna was welcomed back with great love and reverence. He was sparkling with divine jewels and garland offered by Kaliya. 

Gopalas, Yasoda, Rohini, and Nanda gathered around Him and were joyous to get back their darling. Balarama hugged Srikrishna and gave a smile. Surrounding trees, cows, and calves expressed their joy in their own way. 

Nanda, on the advice of Brahmanas, donated cows during this joyous moment.

Since it was dark, the elders of Vraja decided to stay back and return to Vrindavan the next morning. 

Unfortunately, they were surrounded by a forest fire at midnight. With no way to escape, they sought protection from Srikrishna. By now, they were convinced that Srikrishna is their protector but not to the extent that He is Sriman Narayana descended as Srikrishna. 

Srikrishna swallowed the forest fire in Him, and normalcy was restored. They all returned back to Vrindavan the next day.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

94. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (16) Kaliya’s Wives Seek Pardon

94.Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (16) Kaliya’s Wives Seek Pardon

Kaliya’s wives and children saw blood oozing out from Kaliya’s 101 mouths and eyes. To protect him, they said, “ Lord, You have descended on this earth to punish the offenders, and our husband is a sinner. 

He has killed many beyond his requirements as a serpent.

We do not accuse you as you carry no enmity or show favourism. You punish the sinner and protect the good. While punishing Kaliya, you have wiped out all his sins and have given an opportunity to reform. You have also uplifted us by giving your grace.

Probably, Kaliya must have performed meritorious acts in his previous births to get your presence. By placing your divine feet on his heads, you have truly graced him. 

Our salutations to you. You are absolute, a storehouse of knowledge, time spirit, and the creator of the universe. 

You manifest in the form of gross and subtle elements, indriyas, the vital airs, mind, the intellect, and the ego. You represent both the worldly activity and withdrawal from it. 

You represent three gunas (modes of Prakriti), and through these, you create, preserve, and dissolve this universe.

The Tamoguna that is predominant in our species is also your creation, and hence, the fault committed by Kaliya deserves to be forgiven by You.  

The serpent is about to give up to the ghost. Please forgive him and help us lead a normal life. Hearing the plea of Kaliya’s wives, the Lord spared the serpent. 

Gradually recovering its senses, the wretched Kaliya with joined palms prayed to Srikrishna, “We possess tamoguna and lasting anger. The natural disposition of identifying with the body cannot be given up easily. We serpents are ferocious by birth. How can we get rid of your Maya by our own efforts? Hence, punish or protect us as you deem fit.”  

Srikrishna said, “ You all should leave this place and move to the ocean without delay. Let the river be used for bovine races and humans. You shall have no fear of Garuda as you are now marked with My footprints.

Commanded by the Lord, the serpents worshipped Him with garlands, gems, heavenly perfumes, sandal paste, and a wreath of lotuses. As a mark of respect, Kaliya went around Him and accompanied with his wives and children left for the island of Ramanaka in the ocean. By the grace of the Lord, Kalindi Lake got rid of poison. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

93. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (16) Sri Krishna Punishes Serpent Kaliya

 93. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (16) Sri Krishna Punishes Serpent Kaliya

A notorious Serpent Kaliya was living on the bed of the Kalindi lake (backwaters of Yamuna river) for many years. Its poison was so strong that it caused lake water to boil, and the contaminated air killed the birds that flew over the lake. The surrounding areas, too, were not fit for vegetation.  

A lone Kadamba tree survived, probably due to divine intervention, says Sage Sukamuni.

 

Srikrishna decided to teach Kaliya a lesson. He went to Kalindi Lake with his cows and cowherds. Surprisingly, Balarama did not accompany Him. 

Tormented by thirst and fatigue, the cows and cowherds drank the contaminated poisoned water and fell dead instantly. The gracious look of Srikrishna brought back life to them, and they rose up shocked and perplexed. 

Srikrishna decided to act fast and tightened his waist cloth. He kept his flute and stick aside, climbed the Kadamba tree, and reached a vantage point. Slapping his arms, he increased his weight and jumped into the pool, causing a huge splash in the pool. 

The serpent felt a violation of the set rules in his abode. Unable to accept, it grew angry and agitated. Approaching SriKrishna, it bit him in his vital parts.

Yasodha, Rohini, and others observed bad omens and feared Srikrishna's safety. Hearing it, Balarama laughed to himself but remained silent, knowing well Srikrishna’s game plan. 

They left in search of Srikrishna on their own without much thought or discussion. They identified the (divine) footprints of Srikrishna, which had unique marks (lotus, seed, flag), and followed it diligently. They quickly reached Kalindi Lake. 

By then, kaliya had tightly coiled Srikrishna with his long tail, and they saw no movements in Him. Cowherds, who were witnessing the event, were speechless and mentally blind. Cows were showing their sorrow by their shouts.

Gopikas, who had developed a bondage of divinity with Him, saw Srikrishna neither smiling nor conversing with them. This situation created great anxiety in them. They felt their life is void without Him.

The uncontrollable Yasodha ran towards the lake to protect her child, but other gopikas prevented her. Nanda and others were discussing how to kill Kaliya. Balarama prevented them and said Srikrishna had faced several such difficult situations earlier and had come out harmless and hence not to worry. 

Srikrishna observed the pure love in all of them and then decided to teach Kaliya a lesson. He expanded his body and freed him from the coils of the serpent. 

The serpent became angry at such an act of a lad. It moved backward and shook its head violently in order to create fear in Him. However, Srikrishna was least affected. 

Srikrishna was moving around its 101 heads, and that made Kaliya go around Him. Kaliya was waiting for an opportune movement to swallow Him. 

For a while, this game continued, and the serpent developed fatigue. Srikrishna quickly jumped on one of its heads and pressed it hard, causing immense pain to the serpent. 

Whenever the serpent raised its head, Srikrishna would press it hard with His foot

and that continued on all the 101 heads. Blood oozed out from its mouths and eyes.

Gandarvas, Kinaras, and kimpurushas were overjoyed. They sang songs, played their instruments, and showered flowers on Srikrishna.  

Finally, the exhausted serpent felt its end was nearing as it couldn’t protect itself. It then realized that this kid is none other than Sriman Narayana, who has descended to teach him a lesson. 

   

The serpent thought surrendering to Him was the only option left to save its life. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

8. Bhagavatha - Chp 1- (14) Sri Krishna’s Mahaprastana

 8. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 1 - (14) Sri Krishna’s Mahaprasthan and Arjuna's Grief

Yudhistir becomes restless when he observes bad omens and tells Bhima that he is predicting something disastrous. Arjuna is yet to return from Dwarka, though he left seven months back.

Arjuna comes back from Dwarka with a broken heart. Knowing Arjuna's mind, Yudhistir asks whether each of their relatives are safe, including Devaki, Nanda, Srikrishna, and Balrama. 

Arjuna said “ Krishna whom I considered as a friend, a guide, relative, a guru has left us. He has betrayed us by leaving us. He was the one who helped us at every stage of life, in every success that we enjoy today. 

Probably, I never understood Him in the way I ought to. During the Kurukshetra war, I was just a puppet. The astras that were directed towards me by great warriors never reached me, but my astras were fully effective.  

Srikrishna protected me from all sides even when I made a dangerous vow to kill Jayadratha by the next sunset. Krishna had to struggle to put him in front of me. Our horses were tired and had to rest and drink water. Nowhere to get water, and I had to get down from the chariot and release astra to dig the earth. All my enemies were watching me, but none could attack me because Krishna made them dumbfold. I quickly got back on my chariot and continued the war. 

Now I feel empty without Him. Arjuna narrated several such incidents and finally removed his emotional burden. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

16. Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (10&11) Jada Bharata's Teachings

16. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 5 - (10&11) Jada Bharata’s Teachings 

How did Jada Bharata respond to King Rahuguna's abuse? Is the relationship between master and servant permanent?

Enraged Rahugana mocked Jada Bharata unsparingly. He said, "You are tired, worked for long hours, walked a long way. You are as good as dead, and that you ignored my commands. I shall punish you."

Jada Bharata said, "I am in no way fatigued and that I have not borne the palanquine. This burden was borne on by the body, not me (the soul). "

Jada Bharata explains the meaning of Self:

"Stoutness and leanness, bodily ailments and mental worries, hunger and thirst, fear and strife, desire and old age, sleep and attachment to the pleasures of sense, anger and vanity arise from egotism and grief.

They appear only in one who is born with a feeling of identification with the body and not in me (the pure self). "

Death synchronous with life is a rule perceived in everything that undergoes transformation; for whatever undergoes transformation has a beginning and an end.

Orders should be given by one and carried out by another without fail only where the relation of servant and master is fixed (unchangable).

In our case, it is not so because you can become a servant and I your master if there is a revolution. He reveals details of his past births. 

On hearing the reply of Brahmana, Rahugana realizes his mistake and asks for forgiveness.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana

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