Stories of Mahapurasha - Sri Bhagavata Avataras -6

Stories of Mahapurasha - Sri Bhagavata Avataras

Bali chakravarti’s story

Maanavaas always want vyaapti — how much ever dhanam, yashas, aarogyam, kutumbam, power etc. one has, he always wants more and more. In the struggle to satisfy his wants he undergoes a lot of pain and experiences duhkha when the wants are not satisfied. A weaker mind may also resort to adharma maargas for achieving vyaapti. The story of Bali showcases his satya-vaak-paripaalana and the teaching of Vaamana murty about vyaapti.
Bali chakravarti is one of the greatest kings. Though he was a daitya, he never deviated from the path of truth or Dharma. He was a great Bhakta of Lord Vishnu and was praised by everyone. Since dharma was on his side, his power, strength kept on increasing. Once he decided to wage a war against Indra (as daityaas and devatas were always enemies). Indra, on knowing that Bali is coming for war, asked Mahaavishnu to save him. Bali was one of greatest bhaktas of Vishnu and also a firm follower of Dharma but only had the want for more and more vyaapti. Vishnu gave abhayam to Indra and took birth as the child of the Mahaapativrata Aditi and Kashyapa maharshi. Kashyapa and aditi did a very long tapas and hence Vishnu blessed them by being their child. After Upanayanam, the small vatu, Vaamana, taking tiny tiny steps, reached the palace of Bali.

He did asheervaadam to Bali saying "Swasti". Bali did yathaavidhi namaskaars to the vatu and asked Him "divya vastra-abharanaas, very tasty mahaa phalas, huge vanyaas, best quality cows, rathaas, ratnaas, vimrushtaannaas, kanyas, elephants, gold, graamas, huge fertile lands, part of my kingdom (which includes all the 3 lookas!) and whatever you please I am ready to give you O great braahmana. Please ask me what you want". Vaamana murty replied "O mahaanubhaava Bali, I am a brahmachaari. What will I do with all these things? Please give me 1 or 2 steps of place. Also for a saamaanya like Me trupti is important. One must never worry if vyaapti is not achieved and must be always satisfied with whatever he gets by praaptam. A person who does not do like this will he be satisfied even if he gets the whole universe? (No)" Since Bali said that he will give whatever Vaamana asks, he was preparing to do the daanam. Sukraacharya, the guru of the daityaas, realizing that Vaamana is none other than Mahaavishnu who came to teach Bali a lesson, said "O Bali, in certain un-avoidable situations one need not keep up his word" and taught Bali his Raakshasa neeti. He also told Bali who Vaamana was. However Bali did not agree to break his word, infact he said "Aaha! what great punyaas have I done that the Hand of Srihari will be below & my hand will be above! It is not an ordinary hand. I will not loose this chance of giving daanam to the shrushti, sthiti, laya kaaraka of the entire universe, even if I loose my entire kingdom. Also what is there to think, as if this body will be forever." Saying this Bali gave 3 steps of place for Vaamana. Daanam must always be done assuming that the daana-grahita is none other than Vishnu avatar and Bali did it the same way. Immediately Vaamana murty started to grow like this to become Trivikrama:
He started growing, he touched the nabho-veedhi, he reached toyaja-mandalam, then prabhaa-raashi, crossed moon and sun, reached dhruva, touched mahavraati and then crossed satyalokam and finally filled the entire universe in all directions leaving no space! Then with one step he occupied earth, with the other the aakaasham. Since Bali did not have anything other than these, he showed his head as the third place and Trivikrama then took the third step and pushed Bali into rasaatalalokam. Seeing this un-believable, divya leela of Mahaavishnu Brahma deva asked Trivikrama "Naaraayana! You have ananta leelas. As soon as you asked Bali, he gave you daanam and kept his word. Also he is a great Bhakta of yours. What is your aantaryam in binding him?". Trivikrama murty replied "O Brahma! I will first take away all the arthaas of the person who I wish to bless. I will test my bhakta and remove any small buddhi-doshaas he has and give him moksham. Also I am making Bali the Indra during the Saavarni manvantaram."

Morals in the story:

1. Vyaapti for a person is important but it must never be overdone. One must always be satisfied with what he has. The amruta vaakyaas of Lord Vaamana must always be remembered.
2. Bali was prepared to loose anything for keeping up his word. God always likes such people only.
3. Importance of atithi seva was well illustrated by Bali. He welcomed the vatu and offered to give whatever he asks.

Side Stories:

• Seeing the adbhuta avataar of Lord Vishnu, Brahmadeva washed His feet. This water became the holy ganga maata, the daughter of Brahmadeva. Since Her birth was at Trivikrama murty'a feet, Ganga is the most sacred river for the Indians.
• Jaambavanta, the avataar of Brahma (He created Himself in order to do tapas for Vishnu, since He was not getting free time from the task of creation ) , seeing the divya roopa of Trivikrama, immediately made 7 pradakshinas to Lord Trivikrama!
• Bali was the grandson of the great Bhakta Prahlada. He was born to King Virochana and Surochana.

Dronaachaarya

Drona was the putra of the great Bharadvaaja maharshi. Bharadvaaja maharshi had a mitra by name Prushata, who was a King. Prushata’s putra was Drupada. Drupada and Drona used to study together in the aashramam of Bharadvaaja maharshi. They became good friends. After Vidyaabhyaasam, Drupada became the Raaja of Paanchaala-desham and thus they got separated.
Once Parashuraama, the avataar of Mahaavishnu, did Daanam of all His Sampada to others. He had this entire Bhuu-mandalam under His control, since He defeated all the Kings by going around the world 21 times. He gave away these Raajyams to able Kings, who will do Dharma-paalana and wanted to continue His Tapas. Knowing that Parashuraama is doing many great Daanams, Drona approached Him to ask for something. However by the time he reached, Parashuraama gave away everything.
Seeing the poor Drona, Parashuraama said “I have this shariiram (body) and Astra-Vidya only left with Me. Please ask Me what you want. I am ready to give”. With great aanandam, Drona asked to do Vidyaadaanam to him. Drona became an unparalleled Yoddha and learnt any Astras being shishya of Parashuraama. After Dharnurvidyaabhyaasam, Drona wanted to see his baalya-mitra, Drupada. However Drupada was not ready to accept that this poor Braahmana was his mitra. Having nothing to do, Drona left the place.
Bheeshmaachaarya, the Kuru-kula-pitaamaha, who was also a shishya of Parashuraama, appointed Drona as the aachaarya of the Paandavas and Kauravas. After Vidyaabhyaasam, Paandavas, with great Vinayam, asked Drona what Guru-dakshina they can give him? Drona asked them to defeat Drupada, who was then in Chhatrapati nagaram, and give his entire Raajyam to him.
What is impossible to the great Paandavas? They defeated Drupada in Dharma-yuddham and brought him to Dronaachaarya. Drona then said “O Drupada! I always wanted to remain as your mitra. But you said only a King can be your friend. Now I will rule the land to the North of Ganga and you rule that is South to it”. Lucky to atleast have got half-kingdom, Drupada left the place. However he developed permanent hatred on Drona. He wanted to somehow get a putra who can kill Drona!
One day he saw two great brothers, Yaajaka and Upayaajaka on Gangaa-tiiram. He approached Upayaajaka and asked “I will give you 10000 Go-daanams. Please tell me a way how I can get a putra who can kill Drona?”. However Upayaajaka replied that he doesnt have any dhana-kaanksha and remained quiet. But Drupada didnt leave his thought and for 1 year stayed with Upayaajaka and did great seva, help to Upayaajaka. Upayaajaka to show his Krutagnyata finally approached his elder brother to ask for a way to help Drupada.

Morals in the story:

1. Daana, Paropakaara-buddhi of Parashuraama is well shown in the story. He gave away everything he had and when Drona approached him he was even ready to give away his own shariiram as Daanam!
2. Though Drupada insulted Drona, Drona didnt develop Krodham on Drupada and just left him by teaching him a lesson. However Drupada developed Krodham, though the mistake was on his side. Krodham is the start for doing all paapa-kaaryams. It is one’s greatest shatru.
3. Mitra-droham is very bad. See these stories to know more. As said in this story, Sajjanas never dare to do it.
4. We must never come into the effect of Prolobham. Once a person comes into its grip, there will be end to the Paapa-kaaryas he does. Though Drupada wanted to create Prolobham in Upayaajaka by saying he will give away 10000 cows, Upayaajaka didnt accept.

Shri Raama — Dhanurvedecha-nishchayah

(Part of this series of stories. 15th Sadgunam)
This series of stories on Shri Raama Chandra Murty try to showcase the 16 important sadgunas or the Shodasha-kalas in Shri Raama.
Kaartaveeryaajuna was the Raaja of Mahishmatii-nagaram. With Tapobalam, he got 1000 Baahu (hands) and was doing Raajya-paalana with Bala-darpam.
Once Raavana, on the way of returning from a Vijaya-yaatra, came to Narmadaa-nadii-teeram. It was time for Madhyaahnika-Sandhyaavandanam. After taking snaanam in the nadi and doing Sandhyaavandanam, since he always did shat-kaala-Shiva-pooja (6 times Shiva pooja per day), he started doing abhishekam to the Svarna-lingam, which he always carried with him. With his 20 baahu (hands) he did Shiva-pooja, doing Veda-paaraayana with his 10 mouths. With great Bhakti he did Shiva-pooja, in accordance with Shaastras.
Suddenly Narmadaa, reversed its direction of flow and washed his pooja materials away! He came to know that 0.5 Yojanam away, Sahasra-baahu (Kaartaveeryaajuna), was doing Jala-kreeda with thousands of women, stopping the flow of Narmadaa with his hands!
Then Raavana with anger went to fight with Kaartaveeryaajuna. There was a fierce Yuddham between the two. Like two Suuryas, two Mada-gajas, they fought each other. Finally Kaartaveeryaajuna won over Raavana and put him in prison. Seeing this all the Devatas, maharshis were happy. Everybody was taking about this episode only. They were surprised to see the mahaa-balavanta Raavana being defeated. The whole of Svarga-lokam was echoing with the story of the Shakti and Veeratvam of Kaartaveeryaajuna. Pulastya Brahma, the grand father (pitaa-maha) of Raavana, also heard this. He immediately went to Kaartaveeryaajuna

Kaartaveeryaajuna said “Mahaanubhaava! I am dhanya to have got your Darshanam. Please tell me what I need to do. I and my people are ready to do what you order”. Pulastya Brahma replied “O Raaja! I am happy with your Bhakti and Shakti. You got the name ‘Raavana Vijeta’. Now leave my pautra (grandson)”. Immediately Kaartaveeryaajuna left Raavana, after doing satkaaram to him and agni-saakshi mitratvam with him.
Later, only because of his bala-garvam, Kaartaveeryaajuna fought with Parashuraama, the avataar of Mahaavishnu. Kaartaveeryaajuna was killed in the Yuddham!! Aha! There is always someone who is greater than oneself. Hence we must never have garvam, darpam.
After Shri Raama’s Divya-leela of Shiva-dhanurbhanjanam and Sitaa-Kalyaanam, Parashuraama comes and asks Shri Raama to take the Vishnu-dhanuh, if He really has shakti and knows Dhanurvidya. Just on the very touch of Shri Raama of the Vishnu-dhanuh, all the Bhagavat-shakti of Parashuraama enters Shri Raama. Parashuraama realizes that Shri Raama is Paramaatma Himself, does stotram of Shri Raama and leaves the place.
Discussion of the story:
One nice example of showing knowledge of Shri Raama on Dharnurveda is this story. Raavana who defeated all Devatas, Dik-paalakas, his brother Kubera and the Yakshas, was easily defeated by Kaartaveeryaajuna. The bala-garvam of Kaartaveeryaajuna was removed by Parashuraama. Then a baalaka, of just 16 years, Shri Raama, not even by using the Vishnu-dhanuh, just by touching it, did Garva-bhangam of Parashuraama! Thus Shri Raama did avataara-anusandhaanam and Yuga-anusandhaanam with this Leela.
Using the dhanuh and winning a Yuddham is the act of ordinary Veeras and Shuuras. Just by doing anusandhaanam of Shiva-dhanuh, Shri Raama broke the Shiva-dhanuh! And just while taking the Vishnu-dhanuh from Parashuraama, He won over Parashuraama. Thus Shri Raama is known as “Dhanurvedecha Nishchitah”.
Even though Shri Raama had so much Shakti, Balam and knew all Shastra-astras, He always had Vinayam and never left Dharma-maargam. Whereas Raavana even though had such alpa-shakti (when compared to Shri Raama), had a lot of Ahankaaram.

Vinayam gives Vruddhi. Ahankaar Destroys.

The story of Nahusha, the son of Aayu and father of the Yayaati, clearly shows us what un-attainable high positions one can achieve as long as he has vinayam and what drastic downfall can happen if one has ahankaar.
Nahusha was raised in his childhood by the great Brahmarshi Vasishta. Since he was unaffected by happiness or sorrow and did not feel the slighest ahankaar when once Devatas praised him in his childhood, he was named Nahusha. He learnt all shaastras and after his education became the King. Due to his great qualities his fame spread quickly to all directions. Everyone was in praise of him, to such an extent that even vedas praised him. He performed 100 Ashwamedha Yaagas and hence was deserving the position of Indra.
Once, Indra killed an asura by name Vrutraasura. Though Vrutra was an asura, he was a braahmana and hence Indra had to suffer brahmahatyaa-paatakam and Nahusha was offered the position of Indra. Nahusha continued to be good, until one day he realized that he was the ruler, king of all the 14-lookas! He suddenly became very proud and once a person has Ahankaar, he does not think, he assumes he is the greatest and that he can never be wrong. Such was the power of being the king for the Devatas and all the worlds! He sends a message to Sachi-devi, the great Pativrata and wife of Indra (the previous Indra, the eldest brother of Devatas) that she must serve him as he is the Indra now. The very moment he wanted a Pativrata, all his good qualities, tapas-shakti everything were lost and his end was destined.
Sachi-devi tells Nahusha "O great Indra! You are the God of the Gods. You are very great, please come to my house. But you being so great deserve to be carried by none other than Saptarishis. So please come in a pallaqi beared by them". Nahusha really feels that what Sachi-devi said is true (did not realize that she was a pativrata and hence the real meaning behind her words) and immediately ordered the Saptarishis to do so. Obviously the Saptarishis have conquered anger and ahankaar so they carry him. Nahusha sits in the pallaqi beared by them and in the height of his pride says "Sarpa Sarpa" (go fast) to Agasthya muni, since he was very short and was taking small small steps. Agasthya muni said "sarpobhava", in order to teach Nahusha a lesson. And immediately from the high position of Indra, he falls as a Ajagaram (huge Python) in some deep forest.
He spends thousand and thousands of years repenting for his mistake. Once when Paandavas were in the aashramam of Vrushaparva, Bhima goes to the forest and sees Nahusha who was in the form of an incredably huge Ajagaram. Bhima gets surprised by the amazing strength of it and asks it who it was. Nahusha tells his unfortunate story and says only the great Yudhishtira, who never deviates from the path of truth, can save him from this form. Meanwhile, Yudhishtira searching for Bhima reaches that place. Yudhishtira on knowing that the ajagaram is his ancestor Nahusha, he prostrates to him and takes his blessings. Later he answers all the questions of Nahusha and Nahusha gets freed from the terrible form, takes the form of a divya-purusha and goes to urdhva lokas in a divya vimaana.
Morals in the story:

1. As long as Nahusha had Vinayam he was respected by everybody. Once taken over by Ahankaar, he committed great mistakes and later had to experience the result.
2. Even for a great person like Nahusha, the power of simhaasanam made him bad. One must be more and more careful to be good and humble as his power in the society grows.
3. Yudhishtira showed the way elders must be respected. One must never evaluate an elder for respecting them. According to our culture they always must be respected.
4. Gnyaanam, knowledge of shaastra helped Yudhishtira answer the questions of Nahusha. One must always give utmost importance to gnyaanam and vigyaanam — using them one can acheive great wonders and help others.
5. Pativratas power is graeater than anyone. One must never want a para-kaanta.

Hard work can do wonders

In Indian culture vairaagyam was always given ultimate importance. But careful, there is a very thin line that separates vairaagyam and laziness. In vairaagyam all karma is done but without expecting anything in return, without being involved in the materialistic aspects of karma. Bhagiratha, with his unparalleled effort to bring Ganga to earth, showed us how much effort a man can put in and as a result what wonders can be done.
On knowing that his ancestors (60000 Sagara Kumaras) will reach swarga only if the pure waters of Ganga flow through their ashes, from his mother, Bhagiratha immediately leaves to Himalayas to do tapas for Lord Brahma:

1. After purifying himself in a pushkarini, it starts tapas with extra-ordinary concentration.
2. Starts with padmaasana and in winter stood in the freezing waters of the lake with water up to chest!
3. In Summer stands in the middle of burning pancha-agnis (four agnis + sun) and steadily stared at the sun with eyes wide open (all the while concentrating on Brahma deva)!!
4. During the first few days, he had food only once a day. Later it was once in a few days. Then it became once in a month. After that, he just used to drink a little water and continue his ‘Tapas’. Finally the air was his only food!!!
5. 1000 years passed….!!!!

Brahma, the creator of the worlds, on the requests of Gods to save them from the tremendous tapaagni of Bhagiratha, appears before him and blesses him with children and Ganga. However, Brahma deva suggests that none except Parama Shiva can take the force when Ganga falls onto earth, and if not with that force earth will be washed away…
Men are of three kinds:

1. There are cowards, who do not begin their work at all, afraid that some trouble may arise midway.
2. Those who begin but later give up the task, afraid of the difficulties that arise.
3. Brave people who belong to a third group. They continue to work in spite of even an army of difficulties, and finally achieve the goal.

Bhagiratha belonged to this third category of brave men. He again began a severe ‘Tapas’ to please Lord Ishwara. With folded hands, and standing on one leg, he meditated on Lord iswara with the deepest concentration. So a whole year passed. Pleased with Bhagiratha’s devotion Lord ishwara takes the immense force of Ganga and controls her in his jataajutam. He completely stops her from flowing to teach her a lesson (she was a mischievous girl, proud of her strength!), but for Bhagiratha it was another difficulty… But he again with tapas pleases Lord Shiva to release Ganga down to earth. Ganga followed Bhagiratha shyly and slowly, like his daughter (Bhaagirathi). But she grew a little mischievous, though Shiva taught her a lesson once, when near Jahnu maharshi’s ashram. She wandered all over the Ashrama like a small girl and the entire place was filled with water. Disturbed from tapas by it, Jahnu maharshi in a single gulp swallows her entirely. And suddenly difficulties again for Bhagiratha. But it is not the first time for him, so immediately pleases Jahnu maharshi (Jaahnavi comes out of Jahnu maharshi’s ear) and finally sends his ancestors to higher worlds….

Morals in the story:

1. Karma must be done in massive quantity as Bhagiratha did, but selflessly…
2. Brave people continue to work in spite of even an army of difficulties, and finally achieve their goal.
3. Man can achieve wonders, once he puts in effort and dedication….
4. One must never be proud of one’s strength or other qualities. Else you will be humiliated when you meet a greater person. (Shiva taught the naughty kid, Ganga, a lesson by controlling her unparralled strength & force, with great ease….)

Message:
Let us all put effort, learn all the good qualities and be true Indians. Impossible is nothing.

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

 
<sub>(My humble greatfulness to Moral Stories dot com,  Hindu dot com and Devotees   for the   collection) 


( A tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti)</sub>