M10. Mahabharatha - Story of Mahabisha and Curse on Ashta Vasus

M10. Mahabharatha - Story of Mahabisha and Curse on Ashta Vasus

Who is Emperor Mahabisha and what were his achievements? Why did Lord Brahma curse the Emperor? What did Ashta Vasus seek from Ganga?

Emperor Mahabisha of the Ikswaku dynasty was very efficient and had earned sufficient merits to visit Heaven and Brahma loka during his lifetime. He had conducted 1000 Ashwameda yagnas and 100 Rajasuja yagas for the welfare of the people.

Once, Mahabisha went to Brahmaloka along with other devatas and rishis. The most beautiful Ganga, in lady form, appeared in that assembly. Vayudeva sent a gentle breeze that displaced her upper garments. Emperor Mahabisha could not avoid seeing her, though everyone else brushed aside.

Observing this attitude of the King, Lord Brahma was annoyed as the decorum of the place was spoiled. He cursed Mahabisha to go back to earth and satisfy his sensuous pleasure with Ganga. He said,”You would cleanse your sin when you disapprove and suffer from Ganga's acts. Later, you can return to heaven. Ganga was also cursed to be born on earth and be Mahabisha’s wife.

Curse on Ashta Vasus 

While getting down from heaven, Ganga sees Ashta Vasus falling towards earth, losing their brightness in them. She questions them about the reason for their fall.

Vasus said, “ We were cursed by none other than Sage Vasishta for capturing his holy cow, Nandini, out of sheer ignorance. The cow was serving Sage Vasishta in yagas. The Sage cursed us of ‘Garba Naraka’ (suffering in a womb). 

Vasus requested Ganga to be their mother as they never wished to be born to an ordinary mortal. Ganga questions them as to whom they would choose to be their father. Vasus said Mahabisha will be soon reborn as Shantanu to King Pradeepa. We chose him to father us and Ganga agreed to it.

Vasus further made a request to her to give them water burial, immediately after their birth, as they did not wish to stay long on earth.

Ganga agrees with the condition that at least one of them should remain on earth to continue the legacy of King Shantanu.

Vasus said the eighth Vasu would stay back on earth and that each of us would give one-fourth of our merit to him. He would live long, bring glory to the family as a great warrior, but remain a bachelor. 

 

M9. Mahabharatha - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

M9. Mahabharatha - Adiparva - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi 

Who is Sage Parasara and how Sage Veda Vyasa was born? What was Satyavathi's boon?

Parasara Maharishi is Trikala Vedi (one who knows past, present, and future events). He knew Satyavathi was the daughter of Uparichita Vasu in the present birth, and in her past birth, she was Achodha, the mind born daughter of Pitru devata. She had earned sufficient merit to be the mother of Vyasa.

Once, Parasara Maharishi was on a pilgrimage when he met Satyavathi at Yamuna River Bank. He requested her service to cross the river. To grace her and charmed by her beauty, he made a request to fulfill his wish.

Satyavathi was in denial mode, stating that she needed her father’s permission and losing her virginity before marriage was not acceptable. 

Maharishi assured and blessed that her virginity would be intact and that it is the play of destiny. He knew it was an appropriate time for Narayana to ascend (Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayana). 

She was told about her previous birth and about the boon she had earned. To satisfy Satyavathi's need, he created an island and covered it with a fog of dark clouds to maintain privacy. Vyasa was born immediately and grew up to the age of 7. He is also called Dwaipayana.

When asked to seek a boon, Satyavathi desired to get rid of fish odour emitting from her body. Maharishi blessed her and, from then on, a pleasant smell emitted from her body that extended to one yojana (appox 12 km). She was known as Yojana Ganda.

Vyasa offered his respects to his mother and sought permission to do tapas. He assured her that he would be available whenever she sought him. He left with his father, Parasara Maharishi. 

Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

Parasara is the son of Sage Shakti and the grandson of Sage Vasishta. Once, King Kalmashapada of the Ikswaku dynasty, had a conflict with Sage Shakti at a narrow path in a thick forest. The Sage requested to give way for him, but the king denied. When the king was stubborn, the Sage cursed him to be a demon who consumed humans. In turn, the king killed the Sage and ate him. 

King Kalmashapada, instigated by Sage Viswamitra (who had vengeance with Sage Vasistha), killed the remaining 100 sons of Sage Vasishta. 

On losing all his sons, the Sage attempted to end his life but was not successful. He returned back home only to hear Vedas. He was told by his daughter in law, Adushanthi, that the fetus inside her womb was reciting it. The Sage was happy and regained his composure. The Sage nurtured his grandson, Parasara, and taught him scriptures. 

When Parasara became aware of the cause of his father's death, he decided to take revenge on demons and wipe out their race. With timely intervention of Sage Vasishta, the yagna was stopped. 

Sage Parasara then took up austerities to please Shiva. When Shiva asked the Sage to seek a boon, he said “Getting your darshan is sufficient. I do not need anything else”. Shiva understood his mind and said, “You can go to heaven and meet your father, Sage Shakti”. 

Accordingly, Sage Parsara went to Heaven to meet his father. Such was his great deed.

He guided King Janaka, and the text is considered as Parasara Geetha.

 

86. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (12) Deliverance of Demon Agha

86. Bhagavatam - Chp 10 - (12) Deliverance of Demon Agha 

Demon Agha is the younger brother of Baka and Putana. Seeing the joyous pastime of Srikrishna and cowherds, Agha wasn't happy and wanted to avenge Srikrishna.

He resolved to kill all the cowherds along with Srikrishna. He thought once these children are killed, it is almost like killing entire residents of Vrindavan as without progeny life would turn dead.

Demon Agha assumed the form of Boa constrictor (serpent) too big to be identified. Its length was around 8 miles, stout as a huge mountain. Its mouth was as wide as a cave opening, its lips touched the clouds, tongue as broad as road, eyes resembling a wild fire.

The cowherds wondered to see the huge figure and discussed amongst themselves whether it could be a boa constrictor. If so, it would perish in the hands of Srikrishna. Saying so, they, along with their calves, entered into the wide mouth of the serpent, clapping hands and laughing loudly.

The serpent, though real, appeared fictitious to them. Srikrishna tried to restrain His companions, but they had already entered the mouth of the serpent with their calves. 

The demon, whose main target was Srikrishna, waited until His entry. The gastric fire of the demon made the cowherds and their calves unconscious. 

Srikrishna was anxious to save those companions and as well punish the wicked demon Agha. He entered the mouth of the serpent and speedily grew in size that choked its throat. Consequently, the serpent eyes shot out, and the vital air split opened from its crown. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

 

85. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (11) Deliverance of Demon Baka

 85. Bhagavata - Chp 10 - (11) Deliverance of Demon Baka 

Once, Balarama, SriKrishna, and other cowherds were grazing calves. On reaching a pond, they allowed their calves to drink water and were relaxing. They saw a demon disguised as a heron. Demon Baka was sent by Kamsa to kill SriKrishna. 

The heron, with its sharp beak, swiftly swallowed SriKrishna. The cowherds along with Balarama were shocked. SriKrishna tore its bill into two halves and killed it. The cowherds and Balarama were immensely pleased with Srikrishna’s feat.

Once Srikrishna asked cowherds to leave home early the next morning and have breakfast in the forest. Getting up early, Srikrishna signaled his companions to get ready and follow Him. 

The cowherds hurriedly freshed up and decorated themselves with beads, gems, and gold. They also wore tender leaves, bunches of flowers, and peacock features. Each of them had a set of calves to take care of. 

They allowed their calves to herd and began to play games of various sorts. Some of them threw away another's sling far away and made them run. Some played flute, blew horns, hummed in tune with bees, and some repeated cuckoo's sweet notes. 

They ran with the shadows of the flying birds, copied the steps of swans, sitting like a heron, and dancing like peacocks. 

Few others pulled the tail of monkeys, climbed trees along with them, and leaped from one branch to another. 

Still, some others dived into the river and made fun of their own reflection. Some echoed and hopped like frogs.

Even while engaged in sports, the cowherds would often look for Srikrishna, go near Him, touch Him, and feel happy and safe. Srikrishna enjoyed the Sylvan beauty of Vrindavan. 

Sri Sukamuni observed that these cowherds must have possessed rich spiritual merits in their previous births to play sport with Srikrishna.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

84. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (11) Residents of Vraja Move to Brindavan

84.Srimad Bhagavata - Chp 10 - (11) Residents of Vraja Move to Brindavan

The Lord, through his infantile sports, brought joy to the residents of Vraja. As an ordinary infant, He would even do what was ordered to Him. 

Once, a fruit vendor had come selling fruits. Taking a handful of grains, he ran to her to get some fruits. The fruit seller filled His hands with fruits even though food grains had slipped through the gap between His fingers. The fruit basket got filled with precious stones.

The elders of Vraja, headed by Nanda, were deliberating the evil portents in the recent past. They decided to move out of Vraja, particularly taking into account Krishna's safety. 

They decided to move to a forest, Brindavan. It was full of evergreen trees most suited for the bovine race. Putting the aged, infants, and articles on the carts and placing the cattle wealth ahead, they immediately move out of Vraja. Women and children wore fine dresses adorned with jewelry.  

Balarama and Srikrishna were overjoyed to see picturesque Brindavan, Govardhan Hill, and sandy banks of Yamuna River.

As years passed by, Balaram and Krishna grew and were assigned to take care of calves with a set of boundaries not far off from the cow pen.

The duo Brothers played on the flute, played like bulls, mimicked various animals, and moved around like ordinary mortals.

Once, while grazing the calves, a demon appeared disguised as a calf with the intent to attack them. Observing it, Krishna approached it from behind, seized its hind legs, revolved it, and threw it far away, killing it. The cowherds were very happy and applauded loudly. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

83. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (10) Srikrishna's Grace on Nalakubera and Manigriva

83. Srimad Bhagavatam - Chp 10 - (10) SriKrishna's Grace on Nalakubera and Manigriva 

SriKrishna redeems the sons of Kubera of their curse as prophesied by Sage Narada. Tied to the mortar by his beloved mother, He crawled between the two adjoined Arjuna trees. The two trees fell down with a big crash. Two celestial men, Nalakubera and Manigriva, appeared and bowed down with joined palms.

They said, “ O Lord, You are the Primordial Supreme Person. You control the body, vital airs, the ego, and indriyas. You are the time spirit and imperishable. You are the divine energy (Prakriti) consisting of three gunas, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.

You have come down this time for the prosperity and liberation of the entire creation. Pray, both of us, the attendants of Lord Shiva, to depart. 

Let our speech henceforth be used in recounting Your excellence, our ears in hearing Your stories, our hands in doing Your work, our mind in Your thought.  

The Lord said, “It's already known to me. Sage Narada has showered his grace on you both through a curse. There is no bondage of those pious souls who possessed equanimity, fixed their mind on Me. 

Therefore, you both return to your abode. As sought, you have already realized Supreme devotion in Me, which leads to cessation of rebirth.

The two went around the Lord, who was tied to the mortar, bowed low to Him again and again, and proceeded in the northern direction.

Hearing the noise of two falling trees, the cowherds headed by Nanda came to the spot. They saw two Arjuna trees fall on the ground. They wondered whose work it was . They were alarmed to think that it was an evil portent. 

However, infants playing around there said it was done by this boy, Krishna, who had position between the trees while dragging the mortar. They also said two men came out of the trees and were conversing with Him. 

The cowherds ignored the children's words as they thought it was not possible for this boy to uproot those huge trees. Nanda set free the cord tied to Krishna. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

82. Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (10) Sage Narada Curses Kubera's Sons

82.Srimad Bhagavatam - Chp 10 - (10) 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