60. Bhagavatha - Chp 9 - (19) King Yayati's Untimely Old Age Curse

60. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 9 - (19) King Yayati's Untimely Old Age Curse   

Why did King Yayati earn an untimely curse of old age? Who cursed him and under what circumstances? What was the remedy?

After being rescued by King Yayati, Devayani returned to her father and narrated how Sarmistha accused her and finally pushed her into the well.

Shukracharya was ashamed of his profession as priest (guru) and decided to move out of the city with her daughter, Devayani. 

Vrsaparva, the Demon Chief, immediately called upon his guru Shukracharya and requested him to remain with him. 

Shukracharya politely told Vrsaparva to accept Devayani’s demands. Devayani said, “Sarmistha and her companions must serve me in my husband's house”.

King Yayati was warned by Shukracharya that he should never share his bed with Sarmistha. 

In due course, Devayani had two sons, Yadu and Turvasu. However, the deprived Sarmistha approached King Yayati secretly and expressed her desire to have progeny through him. The King felt the request was genuine, though he was fully aware of the warning given by Shukracharya.  

Sarmistha had three sons Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. When Devayani became aware of this relationship, she promptly informed her father. Shukracharya was angry and cursed his son-in-law King Yayati of old age. 

King Yayati requested Shukracharya to take back the curse as he desires to spend youthful days with his daughter. Shukracharya said that though the curse cannot be taken back, it can be exchanged with someone who is willing to accept it.

Yadu, the eldest son of King Yayati, declined to accept the proposal made by his father. The other three sons of the King, Turvasy, Druhyu, and Anu too declined to accept old age. 

Puru, though the youngest, willingly accepted his father’s request. After many years, King Yayati realized that desires of sense organs are insatiable. 

Finally, he gave back youth to his son, Puru, and as a gratitude appointed him as the Emperor while his other sons were made rulers of different quarters. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

59. Bhagavatha - Chp 9 - (18) Story of King Yayati

 59.Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 9 - (18) Story of  King Yayati

Who is Yayati? Why did King Yayati, a kshatriya, marry Devayani, a brahmin?

Yayati is the son of Nahusha and the great-grandson of Pururava. Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Viyati, and krti were the sons of Nahusha. 

Nahusha was asked to take over the lordship of heaven left void by Indra. Due to the improper behavior with Sachi, wife of Indra, and for disrespecting Sage Agastya, Nahusa was cursed to become a python and had to fall on earth.

Yati, the eldest son of Nahusa, declined kingship as he opted for penance. Yayati, the second son, was made the king. Yayati appointed his four younger brothers as governors in four quarters and ruled the globe.

Devayani (daughter of Asura guru Shukracharya), Sarmistha (daughter of Vraparva, the Danava Chief), along with other girl companions were strolling in the city garden. They entered a pond, leaving behind their clothes and engaged in water sports. 

Mounted on a bull, Lord Shakara and Goddess Parvati were passing through the way. Devayani and others felt embarrassed and rushed to put on their clothes. Sarmistha unknowingly wore Devayani’s clothes. 

Devayani, being a brahmin and daughter of Guru Shukracharya, was furious and spoke harsh words on Sarmistha and her lineage. 

Sarmistha, too, spoke low of the priest profession and their dependence. She finally dragged Devayani and pushed her into a well after snatching her clothes.

King Yayati, who was wandering in search of the game, arrived there by chance. Feeling thirsty, he looked into the well. When he saw Devayani naked and helpless, he shared his clothes and rescued her.

Devayani felt grateful and requested Yayati to marry her. Yayati was not against it, but being a kshatriya, he felt it was improper to marry a brahmin girl. Devayani told him that she was barred from marrying a brahmin on account of kucha’s curse.  

Yayati thought this was preordained by fate and accepted the proposal. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

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