by Bibek Debroy
1077In practising yoga, one goes upwards through the body.
1078This means that space no longer held any meaning for him.
1079Garuda.
1080Panchachuda is an apsara, the word means one with five tufts (or crests) of hair.
1081Names of two other apsaras.
1082Born from wombs, born from eggs, born from sweat and from plants and trees.
1083This means the qualities. The eight qualities of tamas are lack of consciousness, confusion, delusion, lack of understanding, sleep, carelessness, procrastination and blindness towards consequences. There are actually nine qualities of rajas and these are faith, generosity, enjoyment, enterprise, desire, anger, pride, malice and calumny.
1084The sun.
1085That is, he had identified himself with the brahman.
1086It is impossible to translate ‘Bho’. A loose translation would be ‘Hello’.
1087Vyasa.
1088Superior to the god of the gods and the ancestor of the ancestors.
1089Each era (manvantara) is presided over by a Manu. After fourteen manvantaras, the cycle of destruction and creation starts again. In the present cycle of fourteen manvantaras, Svayambhuva Manu was the first and we are now in the seventh manvantara, presided over by Vaivasvata Manu. Each manvantara has seventy-one mahayugas and the reference to Svayambhuva probably means one of the krita yugas out of the seventy-one in Svayambhuva manvantara.
1090Badrinath or Badarikashrama is in Uttarakhand.
1091This refers to the wagons. The interpretation is that these wagons are to be taken as metaphors, not literally. That is, they are the bodies, consisting of the five elements. The eight wheels represent the five objects of the senses, ego, ignorance and prakriti.
1092Nara and Narayana.
1093Narada arrived at the time for daily rites.
1094Sattva, rajas and tamas.
1095Prakriti.
1096Five senses; five organs of action, five breaths of life, mind and intelligence.
1097This is a reference to the physical body, consisting of the five senses, five organs of action and five breaths of life.
1098Narada.
1099The hands, the feet, the stomach and the penis, the hands and the feet being counted in the singular. Protection means that they have not been improperly used.
1100While there are different stories about Narada’s birth, here he is being described as Brahma’s son.
1101The Satvatas are the Yadavas.
1102Narayana.
1103Pushkara and rajiva are different types of blue lotuses.
1104Akhandala is Indra’s name.
1105The satvata rituals are the pancharatra vows, observed over five nights.
1106He first worshipped Narayana. With the leftovers, he worshipped Brahma.
1107Uparichara.
1108Narayana.
1109Uparichara instructed that these brahmanas should be fed first.
1110Saptarshis, Chitrashikhandin are names used for Ursa Major.
1111Narayana.
1112The Atharva Veda is believed to have been compiled by Angiras.
1113Shukracharya.
1114Uparichara.
1115The rishis.
1116The original rishis.
1117A kalpa or period of creation lasts for one thousand divine years. Brihaspati is the priest of the gods.
1118Literally, Brihaspati means the protector or lord of Brihat.
1119It becomes sixteen after including Brihaspati, Ekata, Dvita and Trita.
1120Narayana.
1121For Narayana.
1122King Uparichara Vasu ascended to heaven, but was dislodged from there.
1123As a noun, the word aja means goat. As an adjective, the word aja means something that has not been born.
1124Hence, the curse cannot be completely nullified.
1125This means a stream of gifts or a stream of wealth and there is an obvious pun on the word Vasu. In sacrifices, clarified butter offered through some mantras is known as Vasudhara.
1126Narayana.
1127Vishnu’s name, also the name of one of Vishnu’s attendants.
1128Studying, sacrificing to gods, sacrificing to ancestors, sacrificing to other humans (guests) and sacrificing to other creatures.
1129Hymn.
1130The numbering exists in the text.
1131The great Purusha.
1132The one who is spread out.
1133The excellent Prajapati.
1134Before the universe was created.
1135The priest for the brahman.
1136One with the body of the brahman.
1137The great king.
1138The four great kings. Chaturmaharajika is one of Vishnu’s names and refers to the four worlds of the gods. This concept probably had a Buddhist influence.
1139The shining one.
1140The greatly shining one.
1141A reference to the seven flames of the fire.
1142The one in the southern direction.
1143The great Yamya.
1144Tushita is one of the worlds of the gods and the names of divinities who reside there. This too seems to have a Buddhist influence.
1145The great Tushita.
1146The destroyer.
1147The one who has been formed.
1148The one who has not been formed.
1149Days, nights, months, seasons, years.
1150After a ritual or a sacrifice.
1151A goose or a swan, but a term used for a great spirit.
1152The supreme spirit.
1153The subterranean fire.
1154Omkara.
1155Hayashira (head of a horse) or Hayagriva (neck of a horse) is one of Vishnu’s incarnations. There are different stories associated with Hayashira, some connected with killing a demon named Hayagriva, others connected with the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
1156The five fires of austerities, with four fires on four sides and the sun overhead.
1157A reference to the three fires of garhapatya, ahavaniya and dakshinagni, the word nachiketa means a fire.
1158Shiksha (phonetics), kalpa (rituals), vyakarana (grammar), nirukta (etymology), chhanda (metre) and jyotisha (astronomy).
1159The one who is lit from the east.
1160The Ganapati Atharvashirsha (or Atharvashira) Upanishad.
1161Five great kalpas or five mahakalpas. While kalpa is a measurement of time, the term mahakalpa is more common in Buddhism. The number five is difficult to pin down.
1162Literally, the preceptor who feeds on foam.
1163Both Valakhilya and Vaikhanasa are kinds of ascetics.
1164Praised by many.
1165Invoked by many.
1166The one with the tawny horses.
1167In one of the manvantaras (during Tamasa Manu), Vishnu was born as Hari, the son of Harimedha.
1168The gayatri mantra.
1169Prakriti.
1170Pradyumna.
1171The two Ashvins.
1172Yoga leads to eight major siddhis or powers and this is probably a reference to that.
1173Since Shri and Lakshmi are listed separately, the first can be interpreted as beauty and the second as wealth.
1174Deeds, fame.
1175The Pole Star.
1176There are seven categories of ancestors, four embodied and three disembodied. This is thus a reference to the four embodied categories. While names differ in different lists, these are usually known as Sukala, Angirasa, Susvadha and Somapa.
1177The tense used is the future, suggesting that such incidents occur again and again.
1178Hiranyaksha stole the earth and took her down to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu killed Hiranyaksha in his boar (varaha) incarnation.
1179Hiranyakashipu was Hiranyaksha’s elder brother and was killed by Vishnu in his man-lion (narasimha) incarnation.
1180This is a reference to Vishnu’s dwarf (vamana) incarnation, Vishnu being born as the son of Aditi and Kashyapa. The dwarf robbed the
generous Bali of the three worlds.
1181Parashurama.
1182The story of the injury has been recounted in Section 76 (Volume 7).
1183He stole Aditi’s earrings.
1184Narakasura’s capital.
1185Mahasena is Kartikeya. Krishna’s son was Aniruddha. Banasura’s daughter, Usha, was in love with Aniruddha. When the thousand-armed Banasura abducted Aniruddha, Krishna killed him in the battle. The standard stories mention Banasura’s devotion to Shiva, but not usually to Kartikeya.
1186Described in Section 31 (Volume 2).
1187Kalayavana was Garga’s son and invaded Mathura. The powerful King Muchukunda was sleeping inside a cave. Krishna lured his enemy, Kalayavana, into the cave and Kalayavana was killed by Muchukunda’s fiery sight, when that king awoke.
1188Arjuna.
1189The demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas.
1190A reference to what Narayana spoke.
1191Narayana.
1192Narada recited it to them.
1193These are the valakhilya rishis.
1194The moon.
1195Of the self.
1196The other four being the four Vedas.
1197Vedavyasa.
1198Respectively, smell, touch, sound, taste and sight.
1199Vikara means transformation, malady, passion, agitation.
1200Vishnu.
1201Vishnu.
1202Formula, rule.
1203The share a god has given to Vishnu at the great sacrifice will be proportional to the share he receives from sacrifices performed by humans.
1204Respectively, prakriti and sattva, rajas and tamas.
1205Vishnu.
1206One whose hair is like munja grass.
1207Literally, with one horn or peak. Used for a person with singular eminence.
1208Same as Hayashira.
1209A lagnagarbha is an expectant mother, who, at the time of delivery, faces a difficulty because either the baby or the placenta adheres to the uterus and does not emerge.
1210Arjuna.
1211Amiability, lustre, superiority, dexterity, happiness, generosity, lack of fear, contentment, devotion, forgiveness, fortitude, non-violence, lack of sorrow, uprightness, equanimity, truthfulness, lack of anger and lack of malice.
1212Rudra is born from Aniruddha’s forehead, not Brahma’s. That seems to be the suggestion.
1213Respectively, holding a skull, with matted hair and with a shaved head. Obviously, not simultaneously.
1214Shiva destroyed Tripura.
1215Rudra.
1216Meaning Rudra.
1217This probably means the pursuit of the fruits of dharma, artha and kama and the fruitless pursuit of moksha.
1218Shiva.
1219Of the earth.
1220Actually, naara.
1221Nara means human or man and an etymological derivation is being given for this name.
1222Ayana means road or progress. Earlier, before creation, Narayana slept on the water.
1223Adhivasa is dwelling or habitation and the Vasu part of Vasudeva is being linked to this.
1224From the verb visho, which means to flow or cause to flow.
1225This is a slightly contrived explanation based on self-control (dama) and stomach (udara), a stomach being in between.
1226Prishni means water and these are all derived from water.
1227Kesha means hair.
1228This story has been recounted in Section 7 (Volume 1). Brihaspati was Utathya’s younger brother.
1229Dirghatama means darkness/blindness for a long time.
1230Agni is the digestive fire and Soma is food.
1231This seems to have nothing to do with the rest of the chapter. That’s because the suggestion is left implicit. Agni (the sun) and Soma (the moon) have earlier been described as Narayana’s hair (kesha). Hrishika is an organ of the senses. Since kasha exists in hrishika, we have the name Hrishikesha. This is a convoluted explanation for the name Hrishikesha, usually taken to mean the lord of the senses.
1232Ahalya was the sage Goutama’s wife. There are different versions about the way Indra seduced her. Both Indra and Ahalya were cursed. In different versions of the curse, Indra got a tawny beard, lost his testicles and got one thousand vaginas all over his body (later changed to eyes). Koushika does not fit with Goutama. Koushika probably refers to Vishvamitra, who told Rama and Lakshmana the Ahalya story. But Vishvamitra didn’t curse Indra.
1233This incident has been described in Section 33 (Volume 3). The Ashvins restored Chyavana’s youth and at King Sharyati’s sacrifice, Chyavana wished to ensure that they were given a share in the sacrificial offerings. When Indra resisted, Chyavana paralysed Indra’s arms.
1234Shukracharya, the preceptor of the demons.
1235There are other stories, like the churning of the ocean, for Shiva’s throat turning blue.
1236Preparatory rites. This incident occurred at the time of the churning of the ocean and Brihaspati cursed the ocean.
1237His mother was the asura lady Rachana. Trishira means one with three heads.
1238Vasishtha was Brahma’s (Hiranyagarbha’s) son. Earlier, Vasishtha used to be Hiranyakashipu’s priest. When Vishvarupa arrived, Hiranyakashipu dismissed Vasishtha.
1239The architect of the gods, Vishvakarma.
1240Both Vishvarupa and Vritra were descended from brahmanas.
1241Shachi.
1242There is a slight error in the sense that Agastya was also one of the maharshis bearing the vehicle. Hence, it is obvious that Agastya would have seen this. While Agastya was bearing the vehicle, Nahusha inadvertently touched him with his foot.
1243In his vamana (dwarf) incarnation, Vishnu covered the three worlds in three steps. What is meant is that one of those steps was placed there.
1244The srivatsa mark on Vishnu’s chest.
1245There are twelve Adityas who are the sons of Aditi. The list varies. In earlier lists, Aditi only had seven sons who were born first. Martanda, the eighth son, was born later. Martanda also means a dead or lifeless egg.
1246Prabbasa means something that is bright and has been lit up. Prabhasa is near Dvaraka.
1247Because of the taint that was left. A hare is sbasba and the moon is known as Shashi or Shashanka.
1248The trees were cursed because they were jealous of the wind.
1249Vadavamukha is the horse-headed subterranean fire.
1250There is a play on barsba (delight) and kesha (hair), to provide another convoluted explanation for the name Hrishikesha.
1251Hari means tawny, or reddish-brown.
1252The abode of truth.
1253Vinda means finding or getting and go means the earth.
1254Sbipi means skin, so Shipivishta is someone who is only covered in skin.
1255Yaska is a grammarian who is regarded as the author of nirukta.
1256Aja means without birth.
1257Meaning truth.
1258Krishna means dark.
1259Without hesitation.
1260Someone who has not deviated or been dislodged.
1261Someone who prevents things from falling down.
1262Someone for whom, clarified butter represents the rays or radiance.
1263The three elements.
1264Nigbantu or Nighantuka was a glossary of obscure terms used in the Vedas.
1265The word means man-ape and is a term used for both Agni and Surya.
1266One who nears auspicious things.
1267One with a single horn.
1268One with three humps.
1269Virincha is Brahma’s name.
1270The powerful, excellent and omnipresent one.
1271Only one major one survives now.
1272In this context, it is not obvious what kalpa means. Period is logical, but part makes better sense.
1273Panchala is a reference to the rishi Galava. It is not clear who the Rama in question is.
1274As in the Vedanga of phonetics and phonology.
&nbs
p; 1275Brahmadatta was a king of Panchala. Brahmadatta is believed to have rearranged some parts of the Rig Veda and the Atharva Veda. His minister Kandarika did the same for the Sama Veda.
1276Literally meaning shattered battleaxe. Nara and Narayana are often regarded as the same person.
1277Brahma.
1278Literally, beautiful throat.
1279Nara and Narayana.
1280Vishnu’s world.
1281Death, destruction, destiny, in addition to meaning time.
1282Hara is Shiva’s name.
1283Shlokas.
1284A jalapada is a web-footed bird, like a swan. This is an auspicious sign.
1285Brahma.
1286The five elements and mind.
1287Paramanu.
1288Sattva, rajas and tamas.
1289This sounds confusing because of the conflicting accounts about Narada’s birth. In some, he is Brahma’s son, created through Brahma’s mental powers. In others, Daksha is Brahma’s son and Narada is Daksha’s son.
1290The gods taught the sacred texts to their sons, the sages. But the gods went to fight the demons and forgot the sacred texts. On return, they had to relearn the sacred texts from the sages.
1291A pinda is a ball of rice offered to the ancestors. The offering of three pindas is known as tripindi and there are two equally valid explanations for the number three. The first is that these offerings are made for three successive years. The second is that these offerings are made in the months of Kartika, Chaitra and Shravana. The text gives a different interpretation, with all three pindas offered simultaneously.
1292Gandhavati is another name for Satyavati.
1293The story is being told by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya, at the latter’s snake sacrifice. It was later retold by Souti to the sages.
1294The text does not clearly say this. But it is now Souti speaking.
1295Narayana.
1296The four forms have already been mentioned. The fifth form is seen when one has been completely emancipated and one is in Vaikuntha.
1297This is what the text says. Since Janamejaya has asked the question, this should be Souti replying, not Vaishampayana.
1298In this context, Harimedha can be taken as Vishnu’s name, though strictly-speaking, in one of the manvantaras, Vishnu was born as Hari, and he was then the son of Harimedha.
1299Vyasa.
1300Meaning consciousness.
1301Meaning Prakriti.
1302The paramatman.
1303A lotus that blooms from Aniruddha’s navel.