The Bhagavata Purana 1

by Bibek Debroy

  Chapter 3(33)

  ‘Maitreya said, “Devahuti, Kardama’s beloved wife and Kapila’s mother, heard his words. She was freed from the veil of delusion. She bowed down before the one who had prepared the ground for obtaining success, by composing the various subjects on tattvas. 1179 She praised him.

  ‘“Devahuti said, ‘You were lying down inside the water. You are the seed behind the manifestation of everything—the elements, the senses, the objects of the senses, the mind and the flow of the gunas. Aja, born from the lotus in your stomach, himself meditated on you. You have divided your energy and ensured this flow of gunas. You have determined the creation of the universe. Your will is behind creation, preservation and destruction. You are the lord in all atmans. You are inconceivable and possess thousands of different kinds of powers. O protector! How did you take birth in my womb? It is in your stomach that everything existed. At the end of the yuga, you lay down on a single banyan leaf. Using your maya, like an infant, you sucked on your toe. O lord! You have assumed a body so that wickedness can decline and so that those who listen to your instructions can prosper. You assumed avataras like those of a boar, so that people can realize their atmans. If one hears your name being chanted, if one remembers it and worships you, even a svapacha is instantly purified and becomes worthy of performing a sacrifice. O illustrious one! Nothing need be said about a person who has seen you. How wonderful it is that even a svapacha is glorified if your name is on the tip of his tongue. Noble ones who take your name must have tormented themselves through austerities, offered oblations, bathed in sacred places and studied the Vedas in earlier lives. You are the brahman, the supreme being. With the mind turned inwards, you are worthy of being meditated upon. Because of your energy, the flow of gunas has vanished. 1180 I bow down before Kapila Vishnu, the store of the Vedas.’”

  ‘Maitreya continued, “The illustrious supreme being, known as Kapila, was thus praised. Devoted to his mother, he addressed his mother in words that were full of deep meaning.

  ‘“Kapila said, ‘O mother! I have instructed you about a path that is easy to follow. By following this, you will soon reach the supreme state. Have faith in my views, followed by those who know about the brahman. Through this, without any fear, you will reach me. Those who do not know about this head towards death.’”

  ‘Maitreya continued, “Thus, the illustrious one showed the path of the atman to the virtuous one. His mother obtained knowledge about the brahman. Taking her permission, Kapila left. In that hermitage, which was like a crest of flowers on Sarasvati’s head, she followed the instructions of her son, controlled herself and engaged in yoga. She bathed repeatedly. 1181 Her curly hair became tawny and matted. She dressed herself in rags. Because of her fierce austerities, she became emaciated. Through the yoga of his austerities, Prajapati Kardama had created a home that was unmatched, coveted even by those who rode on vimanas. The couches possessed the complexion of the foam of milk. They were made of ivory and the spreads were made out of gold. The seats were golden and the cushions were pleasant to the touch. The walls were made out of sparkling crystal and encrusted with extremely expensive emeralds. There were glistening lamps made out of jewels and the women were adorned with gems. The beautiful garden in the house possessed many celestial and blossoming trees. Avian couples chirped and intoxicated bees hummed. Lovingly tended to by Kardama, when she entered the lake, full of fragrant lotuses, the followers of the gods sang words of praise. This was a place desired by Akhandala’s 1182 women. But she gave it up. Her face was only slightly distressed, because she was separated from her son. Her husband had left for the forest. Thereafter, her son also left and she was distressed. Even though she knew the truth, she was like an affectionate cow separated from her calf. O child! She meditated on her divine son, Kapila Hari. Hence, soon, she no longer had any attachment for that kind of house. She mediated on the illustrious one’s form and smiling face. She had been told by her son that this could be realized through meditation and all her thoughts were on parts of the body. 1183 Because of the flow of devotion and yoga, non-attachment became strong. Because of proper observation of the rites, knowledge about the brahman was generated. Her mind became pure. She realized the atman, whose face was in every direction. The diverse kinds of maya and gunas vanished. Her intelligence was immersed in the illustrious brahman, who resides in all atmans. She was freed from the misery of the jivatman and all kinds of afflictions disappeared. She achieved nivritti. She was always immersed in samadhi and was freed from the delusion of the gunas. She no longer remembered herself, just as one doesn’t remember what one sees in a dream. Her body was sustained by others. 1184 Hence, she was not emaciated and there was no chance of disease. Though she was covered in filth, she was as radiant as a fire without smoke. Her limbs were full of austerities and yoga. Her hair was dishevelled and she lost her garments. With her intelligence immersed in Vasudeva, she did not realize this and divinities protected her. In this way, following the path instructed by Kapila, she soon obtained the supreme. She obtained the illustrious brahman and attained the state of nirvana. 1185 O brave one! The place where she obtained success is named Siddhapada. It is the most sacred place and is famous in the three worlds. Through yoga, her mortal body was cleansed of all impurities and became a river. O amiable one! It is the best among rivers, conferring siddhis and frequented by the Siddhas. With his mother’s permission, the illustrious Kapila, the great yogi, left his father’s hermitage and left for the north-eastern direction. He was praised by the Siddhas, the charanas, the gandharvas, the sages and large numbers of apsaras. The ocean offered him honours and a place to reside in. He is immersed in yoga there, praised by the teachers of samkhya. For the deliverance of the three worlds, the self-controlled one is there. O son! O unblemished one! I have told you what you asked about, the sacred conversation between Kapila and Devahuti. If one hears this, or narrates this, about the sage Kapila’s secret views on the yoga of the atman, his intelligence becomes fixed on the illustrious one, with Suparna on his standard. He obtains the illustrious one’s lotus feet.”’

  This ends the Third Skandha.

  Fourth Skandha

  Chapter 4(1): 66 shlokas

  Chapter 4(2): 35 shlokas

  Chapter 4(3): 25 shlokas

  Chapter 4(4): 34 shlokas

  Chapter 4(5): 26 shlokas

  Chapter 4(6): 53 shlokas

  Chapter 4(7): 61 shlokas

  Chapter 4(8): 82 shlokas

  Chapter 4(9): 68 shlokas

  Chapter 4(10): 30 shlokas

  Chapter 4(11): 35 shlokas

  Chapter 4(12): 52 shlokas

  Chapter 4(13): 49 shlokas

  Chapter 4(14): 46 shlokas

  Chapter 4(15): 26 shlokas

  Chapter 4(16): 27 shlokas

  Chapter 4(17): 36 shlokas

  Chapter 4(18): 32 shlokas

  Chapter 4(19): 42 shlokas

  Chapter 4(20): 38 shlokas

  Chapter 4(21): 52 shlokas

  Chapter 4(22): 63 shlokas

  Chapter 4(23): 39 shlokas

  Chapter 4(24): 80 shlokas

  Chapter 4(25): 62 shlokas

  Chapter 4(26): 27 shlokas

  Chapter 4(27): 30 shlokas

  Chapter 4(28): 65 shlokas

  Chapter 4(29): 87 shlokas

  Chapter 4(30): 51 shlokas

  Chapter 4(31): 31 shlokas

  Chapter 4(1)

  ‘Maitreya said, “Through Shatarupa, Manu had three daughters. They were known as Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. Though Akuti had brothers, with Shatarupa’s permission, the king bestowed her on Ruchi, on the condition that putrika dharma should be followed. 1186 The illustrious Prajapati, Ruchi, was full of the radiance of the brahman, because of his supreme meditation. Through her, he had offspring who were twins. Of these, the male was Vishnu himself, the one who assumes the form of a sacrifice. The female was Dakshina. 1187 She was a portion of the goddess of riches, the one who is never separated. 1188 Svayambhu Manu
brought his daughter’s son, full of great beauty, to his own home, while Ruchi happily accepted Dakshina. She desired him 1189 and the illustrious Yajna, the lord of sacrifices, married her. Satisfied with her, he had twelve sons through her. These twelve were Tosha, Pratosha, Santosha, Bhadra, Shanti, Idaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, Sudeva and Rochana. During Svayambhuva manvantara, they were the gods, named Tushitas. Marichi and the others were the rishis and Yajna was the lord of the large number of gods. 1190 Manu’s two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, were greatly energetic. During that period, their sons, grandsons through sons, grandsons through daughters and subsequent descendants proliferated. O son! Manu bestowed his daughter, Devahuti, on Kardama. I have already spoken to you about them and you have heard it. The illustrious Manu bestowed Prasuti on Daksha, Brahma’s son. The large number of his descendants spread throughout the three worlds. I have already told you about Kardama’s nine daughters, who became the wives of brahmana rishis. I will now tell you about their sons and grandsons. Listen to me. Kardama’s daughter, Kala, was Marichi’s wife and she had children known as Kashyapa and Purniman. Their descendants filled the world. O scorcher of enemies! Purniman’s sons were Viraja and Vishvaga. His 1191 daughter, Devakulya, washed Hari’s feet and became the celestial river. 1192 Anasuya, Atri’s wife, gave birth to three extremely famous sons—Datta, Durvasa and Soma. They were born from the atman, Isha and Brahma.” 1193

  ‘Vidura asked, “What was the reason for these best among the gods, the cause of creation, preservation and destruction, to be born in Atri’s house? O preceptor! They must have been born because they desired to do something. Please tell me.”

  ‘Maitreya replied, “Atri, supreme among those who knew about the brahman, was urged by Brahma to create. With his wife, he went to the kulachala Riksha and started to perform austerities. 1194 There were clusters of palasha and ashoka flowers in the groves there. In every direction, there was the sound of water flowing along River Nirvindhya. 1195 For one hundred years, the sage controlled his mind and engaged in pranayama. He stood on one foot and was without the opposite pair of sentiments. He survived on air. He thought, ‘O lord of the universe! I seek refuge with you. Please grant me a son who is exactly like you.’ The three worlds were scorched. Because of the pranayama, a fire emerged from the sage’s head and the three 1196 witnessed its powers. The three, whose fame was praised by apsaras, sages, gandharvas, Siddhas, vidyadharas and serpents, went to the hermitage. The sage’s mind was illuminated by their simultaneous appearance. On seeing the bulls among the gods, he stood up on that one leg. He prostrated himself on the ground before the ones who should be worshipped, like a rod, and with his hands joined in salutation. They were respectively on a bull, a swan and Suparna, 1197 and had their own respective signs. Their glances were favourable and their smiling faces were satisfied. Dazzled by their radiance, the sage closed his eyes. His mind was fixed on them and his hands were joined in salutation. In gentle words, he prayed to those who were the greatest in the worlds. Atri said, ‘You have divided up the task of the creation, the preservation and the destruction of the universe. Depending on the yuga, you use the attributes of maya to assume different forms. O Brahma, Vishnu and Girisha! I bow down before you. You are the ones who have come here because I have invoked you. For the sake of a son, I used different methods to concentrate on the single illustrious one. It is a great surprise to me that all of you have come here. It is impossible for the minds of embodied beings to perceive you. Show me your favours and tell me about this.’ O lord! Hearing his words, those bulls among the gods laughed. In gentle words, they replied to the rishi. The gods said, ‘O brahmana! It shall be as you have desired it and not contrary to it. You are right in your determination. We are the one you have meditated upon. O dear one! O beloved one! Therefore, our portions will be born as your sons and they will be famous in the worlds. They will also extend your fame.’ Having granted the desired boon, the lords of the gods, who had been worshipped properly, departed while the couple looked on. Soma was born from Brahma’s portion, Datta, who knew about yoga, from Vishnu and Durvasa from Shankara’s portion. Now hear about the offspring of Angiras. Shraddha, Angiras’s wife, had four daughters—Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka and Anumati as the fourth. 1198 He also had two other sons, famous during the Svarochisha manvantara—Utathya, who was the illustrious one himself, and Brihaspati, who knew about the brahman. Through his wife Havirbhu, Pulastya had a son named Agastya, who used to be Daharagni 1199 in another birth, and the great ascetic, Vishrava. Through him and Idavida, 1200 were born the sons Kubera, the god who was the lord of the yakshas, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana, through another wife. 1201 O immensely intelligent one! The virtuous Gati, Pulaha’s wife, had three sons—Karmashreshtha, Variyan and Sahishnu. Kratu’s wife, Kriya, gave birth to the valakhilya rishis. There were sixty thousand of them and they blazed with the energy of the brahman. O scorcher of enemies! Through Urja, 1202 Vasishtha had seven unblemished sons who were brahmana rishis, Chitraketu being the foremost. They were Chitraketu, Surochi, Viraja, Mitra, Ulbana, Vasubhridyan and Dyuman. Through another wife, his sons were Shakti and the others. Chitti, Atharvan’s wife, obtained a son who was firm in his vows. He was Dadhichi or Ashvashira. Now hear from me about Bhrigu’s lineage. Through his wife, Khyati, the immensely fortunate Bhrigu had two sons named Dhatri and Vidhatri. He also had a daughter, Shri, who was devoted to the illustrious one. Meru bestowed his daughters, Ayati and Niyati, on these two sons and Mrikanda and Prana were born from them. 1203 Markandeya was Mrikanda’s son and the sage Vedashira was Prana’s son. Kavi, from the Bhrigu lineage, had the illustrious Ushanas 1204 as a son. O Kshatta! All these sages populated the world with their offspring. I have spoken to you about Kardama’s descendants through his daughters. If one faithfully listens to this account, all great sins are instantly destroyed. Daksha, Aja’s son, 1205 married Prasuti, Manu’s daughter. Through her, he had sixteen daughters whose eyes were unblemished. The lord bestowed thirteen of these on Dharma and one on Agni. One was bestowed on all the ancestors combined. One was bestowed on Bhava, 1206 who removes the afflictions of the world. Shraddha, Maitri, Daya, Shanti, Tushti, Pushti, Kriya, Unnati, Buddhi, Medha, Titiksha, Hri and Murti—these were Dharma’s wives. Shraddha’s son was Shubha, Maitri’s was Prasada, Daya’s was Abhaya, Shanti’s was Sukha, Tushti’s was Muda, Pushti’s was Smaya, Kriya’s was Yoga, Unnati’s was Darpa, Buddhi’s was Artha, Medha’s was Smriti, Titiksha’s was Kshema and Murti’s was Prashraya. Murti, a store of all the qualities, also gave birth to the two rishis, Nara and Narayana. When these two were born, the universe was filled with great delight. The minds, directions, winds, rivers and mountains were pleased. Celestial trumpets were sounded and showers of flowers rained down. The sages uttered words of praise. Gandharvas and kinnaras sang words of praise. Divine women danced and there were excellent auspicious signs. All the gods, Brahma and the others, assembled and uttered words of praise. The gods said, ‘He has fashioned everything with his own maya, just as all these forms have appeared in the sky. He has now appeared in the forms of the rishis in Dharma’s house. We bow down to the supreme Purusha. He is the one who is responsible for creation, calamities and destruction. He has used sattva to create the large number of gods and he can be perceived through the tattvas. His merciful glances are full of compassion and surpass the lotus, the unblemished abode of Shri.’ O son! In this way, the illustrious one was praised by the large number of gods. Having been worshipped and having glanced favourably at them, they left for Gandhamadana. Those two illustrious ones manifested themselves as Hari’s portions. For the sake of reducing the earth’s burden, they were born as the two Krishnas, the extenders of the Yadu and Kuru lineages. 1207 Through his wife, Svaha, Agni had three sons—Pavaka, Pavamana and Shuchi. They preside over the fire and subsist on the oblations that are offered. Through them, Agni had forty-five descendants. Thus, including the grandfather and the fathers, there are forty-nine. Those who know about the brahman offer ob
lations into the fire in their names. These divinities of the fire are the objective in agneya rites and sacrifices. The ancestors are Agnishvatta, Barhishad, Soumya and Ajyapa. 1208 Some receive oblations through the sacrificial fire, others without the sacrificial fire. Their common wife is Svadha, Daksha’s daughter. The maiden who was bestowed on them 1209 had two daughters, Vayuna and Dharini. Both of them were knowledgeable about the brahman and were accomplished in jnana and vijnana. Bhava’s wife was Sati and she followed the god Bhava. However, she could not obtain a son who was like him in qualities and conduct. Her father was against the innocent Bhava and in rage, while she was still young, she engaged in yoga and gave up her body.”’