Bhagavatapurana 10.89: ADHYAYA 89
The Srimad Bhagavatam 10.89
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ADHYAYA 89
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Bhrigu and other sages prove the supremacy of Vishnu.
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1. Sri Suka said:—On the banks of the Saraswati, Rishis were engaged in performing a great sacrifice (Satra): then there arose a question among them as to who is the Supreme of the three Rulers of the world.
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2. Engaged in that inquiry they sent Bhrigu, the son of Brahma, O king, to ascertain the truth. He proceeded to the court of Chaturmukha Brahma.
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3. But in order to test the state of his mind he did not make a bow, or, offer praises to him (Brahma); the worshipful and glorious Brahma grew angry with him and seemed to be aglow with it.
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4. However the powerful (lord) Brahma himself quieted the anger which arose in his heart towards his son, just as fire subsides with the water born of itself.
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5. Then he went to Kailasa and the god Maheswara rose in joy and proceeded to embrace his brother.
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6. But Bhrigu did not like it and said to him, "Thou goest astray;" (Thou art wanting in piety. D.); thereupon Siva of fiery eyes, became angry and snatched up his trident and went forth to strike him.
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7. The goddess Parvati fell on his feet and, with her words appeased him. (Thus Siva escaped from that difficulty). Next from mount Kailasa) Bhrigu went to Vaikuntha where the Almighty Narayana abides.
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8. And Bhrigu kicked with his foot the chest of Vishnu who was lying on the lap of Sri Lakshmi: thereupon the Almighty Lord, the shelter of the righteous, rose along with Lakshmi.
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9. Alighting from His bed He bent His head in reverence to the sage, bid him welcome and said, "O sage, just rest thyself in this seat, O great one, may thou be pleased to forbear with us who were not aware of thy arrival!
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10 & 11. "O father, thy feet are very delicate, O great sage", so saying the Lord with His own hand soothingly pressed the feet of the brahmin and said, 'purify Me, O worshipful one, all the world and its protectors depending on Me, with the water washing thy feet, which hallows all the waters.
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12. "It is to-day I have become the absolute abode of Lakshmi, O powerful sage, for, she will hereafter dwell constantly on My (our) bosom as My sin is washed off by thy feet. (as by thy feet sin is washed off thence. D.)
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(And from this day let that mark be known as Sri Vatsa distinguished by the foot-print).
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13. Sri Suka said:— When Sri Narayana was speaking thus, Bhrigu was highly blissful to listen to His soft words and, highly satisfied, remained silent with overflowing devotion and tears in his eyes.
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14. And Bhrigu returned to the place of the sacrifice and fully described to the sages versed in Vedas all that he had experienced.
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15. On hearing that, the sages were full of astonishment and rid of all doubt and believed Vishnu to be the Supreme in whom abide perfect tranquility and promise of fearlessness.
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16. For, it is from that Vishnu directly are derived righteousness, wisdom, and (with it) renunciation (of four aspects) and the Yogic powers of eight descriptions and the glory which would remove the dirt attaching to Atman.
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17. It is said that He is the final resort of the righteous who, rid of all sin, have a serene mind and regard all beings equally.
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18. Satva guna is His most beloved body and the brahmins are their beloved deities, and to Him resort men of subtle understanding who are of serene mind with no wish for blessings.
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19. He has three different forms as Rakshasa, Asura and Sura who are invested with the Maya of three gunas, and Satva is the means of getting free from it. (Maya) [But Satva is commendable as affording light to see Hari D.] .
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20. Sri Suka said:— The sage Brahmins who dwelt on the banks of the Saraswati made this investigation for dispelling the doubts of men and they attained to His state by worshipping the lotus feet of the Perfect Person.
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21. This episode as related above, a cup of nectar rendered fragrant in the lotus of Suka's mouth, that dissolves the fear of samsara, celebrating the glory of the Supreme Person (Purushottama), the sojourner who constantly drinks of it with his ears gets rid of the fatigue of wandering through diverse paths (of samsara).
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22. Sri Suka said:— Once in the city of Dwaraka the child of a brahmin died the moment it was born and touched the earth.
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23. The brahmin took the child and placed it at the gates of the palace.
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[1. Sri Suka said:— On a certain occasion Kesava made all preparations for the Aswamedha sacrifice and sent out the consecrated horse to go round the earth.
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2 & 3. Krishna, the joy of Yadus, ordered for the protection of the horse, Hardikya, Kritavarman, Yuyudhana, Satyaki, Charudeshna, Sudeshna, Pradyumna, Samba, Amsumat, Subhanu and Yadavas with many divisions of the army.
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4. They went round the earth and in a short time brought back the consecrated horse.
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5. Hearing that Hari was about to perform Aswamedha sacrifice, the sages long engaged in tapas and of very rigid vows, went to attend it.
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6. Kesava properly appointed Hotri, Adwaryu, Udgatru, and other priests as well.
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7. With the help of the Rishis and great brahmins well versed in the sacrificial lore the Almighty Lord went through auspicious rites and then the rite of consecration as the sacrificer.
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8. In order to wait upon Him came in kings of various countries brilliant like unto the gods with their crowns and head-dress.
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9. Invited by Vasudeva and eager to attend that sacrifice, Pandavas also, O king, went to Dwaraka.
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10. When the grand celebration of the Aswamedha sacrifice was thus proceeding, the brahmins were thoroughly pleased with the food, clothing, cows, lands and gold distributed among them.
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11. Consecrated as sacrificer Govinda propitiated the brahmins with all the desired things and ate whatever they chose.
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12. When the kings were seated all round occupying their respective places and kept order, crying out, 'silence', with canes rattling in their hands.
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13. A certain brahmin holding a blade of grass by the root came in haste and at the entrance of the sacrificial buildings holding up his hand and screamed out in affliction with his throat par ched up with hunger and cheerless face, tears flowing from his bewildered eyes, weeping in distress with a drooping heart, said this.
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24. My child is dead (my children are lost) on account of the wrong action of a worthless kshatriya, a brahmin-hater, addicted to the objects of sense (having no control over his mind), miserly and fraudulent.
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25. Subjects that serve the king who takes delight in harassing them, who is of bad character and has no control over his senses, suffer poverty and perpetual grief.
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26. Thus that saintly brahmin cried out the same story at the king's gate a second time and a third time in loud tones and so on.
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27. Standing beside Kesava, one day, Arjuna heard the cry and spoke to the brahmin who was complaining of the loss of his ninth child.
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28. What! O brahmin,. is there no one in thy house who wields a bow, a kshatriya by birth? These are only brahmins that are engaged in a sacrifice. [These brahmins are indeed engaged in sacrifices for the sake of the wretched kshatriya. D.]
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29. Those (kshatriyas) are only mere actors on a stage to maintain their life in the guise of kshatriyas, who may be found in a place where brahmins are sorrowing, having lost their wealth, wife and children. [Where brahmins and servants with their wealth etc., are sorrowing. D.]
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30. I shall protect the child of you both so helpless here: if I fail to fulfil this word, I shall fall into fire and be rid of my sin.
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31. Brahmana said:— Sankarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, foremost among bow-men and matchless warriors have been unable to afford protection in this case.
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32. How is it that thou through childishness hopest to do what has been found impossible to do by the Lords of the world. We do not place faith in thee.
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26. & 27. D. Saying this he again and again cried out in sore affliction; the proud Arjuna heard him, rose from his high seat and going from Kesava's presence to the brahmin, inquired, 'O brahmin, hadst thou any children.' What afflicts thee? Tell me the whole truth. I now make thee happy. Thus inquired the brahmin said, 'every one of my children, as it is born, is at once carried away by some one from the room of confinement.' On hearing it, Arjuna smilingly said to the brahmin:— 33. Arjuna said:— I am not Sankarshana, O brahmin, nor Krishna, nor Krishna’s son: I am that Arjuna whose bow is the Gandiva. [Arjuna and note my bow. D.]
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34. Do not despise me, O brahmin, or my prowess that delighted the three-eyed Deity; I shall conquer Death in battle and bring back thy child.
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1 & 2. Having thus tried to infuse confidence into the brahmin Arjuna said to Krishna, “O Lord, give me permission to go for the sake of the brahmin and thou mayest go on with the horse sacrifice with these great man”. And to Arjuna who thus spoke seeking permission and who got ready his quivers and Gandiva, Achyuta smilingly said thus.
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3. The Lord said:— I shall Myself go: it is not possible for thee, Arjuna: I think it is an uncommon spirit by which the child is killed.
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4. Arjuna said:— At the Khandava forest Indra with other Rulers of the world was defeated by me and the god of three eyes in the guise of a hunter was pleased in battle.
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5. And even Nivata Kavachas living at Hiranyapura whom Indra found difficult to vanquish were destroyed in battle by myself.
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6. What Bhuta could it be, greater than all those, O slayer of Danavas? Why dost thou frighten me? Be pleased to give me permission now.
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7. Sri Suka said:— Thus spoken to, Krishna gave permission to Arjuna and from the sacrificial apartment he went forth with the bow in hand.
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8. —Mounting his spacious chariot with the monkey-banner hoisted up, placing the brahmin in front of him, he went round that village.
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9. On reaching the brahmin’s village, Arjuna set him down from the chariot and learning that his wife retired into the room of confinement, Arjuna said him, O king.
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10. O brahmin, go home: no fear from anything to thee: I have promised protection today: go and comfort thy affrighted wife].
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35. Thus comforted and assured the brahmin went home in delight as he had heard of Arjuna's prowess.
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36. When the hour of delivery of his wife came, the great brahmin in anxiety entreated Arjuna to protect the child from Mrityu.
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[1. Sri Suka said:— Thus entreated, Arjuna mounted the chariot, stringing his bow Ganḍiva, made haste to the vicinity of the room of confinement.
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2. The brahmin also entering anxiously cried out to Arjuna, 'Protect, protect from Mrityu]''.
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37. Having sipped consecrated water and bowed to Maheswara, contemplating the divine missiles, he lifted up his bow Gandiva ready strung;
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38. And blockaded the house of confinement with shafts charmed with very many divine missiles on its sides, above and below,— in fact Arjuna made a cage of shafts.
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39. Then the brahmin's wife was delivered of a son and the child cried well: but instantly vanished bodily out of sight through the sky.
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40. Then the brahmin said censuring Arjuna in the presence of Krishna, "Look at my folly who put confidence in futile boast.
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41. "Who is the (greater) deity powerful enough to protect it when Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Balarama, Krishna could not.
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42. "Fie upon Arjuna of empty boast! Fie upon the bow of him who flatters himself,; full of wrong notions, foolish and wicked enough to hope to recover what is in the grip of fate. [recover for us who are harassed by Fate D.]
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43. When the brahmin was thus complaining, Arjuna, having recourse to his vidya went to the city of Yama.
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44. There he did not find the brahmin's son: then he went to the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirrithi, Soma and Varuna, to Rasatala, Swarga and many other places with his weapon ready to fight.
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45. Having missed the brahmin's child everywhere and not being able to keep his promise, Arjuna prepared himself to fall into fire, but he was asked by Krishna not to do so.
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46. I shall show thee the sons of the brahmin; do thou not scorn thyself according to thy own fancy and these men (hereby they) will perpetuate our pure glory.
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47. Having so advised him the Supreme Lord with Arjuna mounted His divine chariot and went towards the west.
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48. He passed beyond the seven dwipas, the :seven oceans and the seven mountain ranges and Lokaloka mountains, and entered the region of darkness.
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49. There his horses Saibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka could not see their way in the darkness, O bull among Bharatas, and they could not go forward.
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50. Noticing that, the Almighty Krishna, the grand master of great yogins, sent in advance His chakra which shone like a thousand suns.
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51. That Sudarsana or Chakra, quick as thought, passed through, breaking up by its enormous light, the thick and terrible and pervading darkness, just as Rama's shafts discharged from His bow string penetrated (enemies') armies.
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52. Through the path which the chakra made, Arjuna just saw that Supreme and Infinite all-pervading light (Krishna the Supreme Lord) beyond the region of darkness and, his eyes being dazed, he shut them.
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53. Next having passed through a region of powerful Vayu, He entered the region of water adorned with ever swelling waves and on it He saw a wonderful and luminous palace shining with thousands of columns of brilliant jewels.
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54. And therein He saw the most formidable and wonderful Ananta shining with radiant jewels in his thousand hoods, with two thousand fearful eyes, like unto a white hill, black at the neck and in the tongue (like unto a piece of white cloth, black at the neck and moving in a zigzag course. D.)
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55. And there He saw on the confortable seat of Ananta's body the most exalted Purushottama, the Lord of infinite powers, like unto a rainy cloud, clad in golden cloths, with gracious face and charming (smiling) broad eyes.
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56. With his profuse and curly locks encircled by the lustre of the ear-rings and a crown of numerous and wonderful jewels, with eight long arms, with the (excellent) jewel of Kaustubha and the splendour of Srivatsa and encompassed as it were with His Vanamala.
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57. Worshipped by Sunanda, Nanda and other gaurds of His own, Chakra and other weapons in concrete personality, by Pushti, Sri, Kirti, Aja and all Muses of Fortune, the Lord of Parameshtis.
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58. Sri Krishna bowed to His own infinite self: as also Arjuna filled with fear at His sight. The one perfect Lord of the great gods, spoke to the two who stood with folded hands, in a smile and in emphatic accents.
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59. By Me desirous of seeing you both, these sons of the brahmin were brought away: you (both that) have appeared on earth for the protection of righteousness, have killed the asuras forming the burden of the earth: do you (both) soon come back to My presence!
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60. Though Perfect in all blessings you two sages, Nara and Narayana, are foremost among those that follow the path of righteousness to maintain order in the world by setting an example.
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61. Thus directed by the supreme Lord the two Krishnas accepted the mandate, bowed to the Perfect One (to the One of Perfect bliss) and with the sons of the brahmin they gladly returned to their home, by the same route and gave the brahmin his sons in their suitable form and age.
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63. Having seen the glorious state of Vishnu Arjuna was too much astonished and realised that any prowess on the part of men is simply due to the grace of Sri Krishna.
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[1. & 2. Govinda again went into the sacrificial apartment filled with priests, brahmins, and Ritviks and with noble princes, being told of the expiation ceremony for leaving the place and with the approbation of brahmins, Krishna resumed it.
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3. Having completed the sacrifice according to Sastra: and propitiated the brahmins with granting all their requests and got the Rithviks to honour the Rishis and others, O best of Kurus.
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4. And having performed the Avabhrita in the river Yamuna, the foremost one of Yadu's race spent His time in joy, as it best pleased Him to do, in the company of Rishis.] 64. Exhibiting these and many similar great powers, He enjoyed the objects and worshipped the Supreme Being with sacrifices on the highest scale.
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65. And on His subjects, brahmins and others He showered in due time all the desired things, just as Indra does, as one occupying the highest position.
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66. He himself put down some and got Arjuna and others to put down other unrighteous kings. Thus He maintained the observance of righteous duties in the best style through Yudhishtira and other agents.
Linked texts (1)
- Bhāgavatapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit