Stories of Mahapurasha - Sri Bhagavata Avataras -7

Stories of Mahapurasha - Sri Bhagavata Avataras

Indradyumna’s story

Sajjanas instead of worrying that they have difficulties, instead utilize the situation and do good to themselves and society. Paandavas did many apoorva kaarys during their Aranyavaasam. One of them was learning different things from many great rushis, munis, other Mahapurushas.
Once Paandavas had the bhaagyam of the darshanam of Shri Maarkandeya maharshi. After Dharmaraaja did Yathaa-vidhi atithi-seva, Maarkandeya maharshi expressed his sorrow because Sajjanas like Paandavas had to face such difficulties. He then told then stories of Shri Raama Chandra and Nala-Damayant, who experienced still greater difficulties for the sake of following Dharmam.
One day Dharmaraaja asked Maarkandeya maharshi “Maharshi! I have a small Prashna” with little hesitation. Maarkandeya maharshi replied “one must ask and know things what he doesnt know. Please go ahead and ask your Prashna”. Dharmaraaja asked “as far as I know you are the only Chiranjeeva. Are there anybody else?” With chiru-mandahaasamMaarkandeya maharshi told the story of the great Indradyumna:
(The story of how Shrimannaaraayana saved the Gajendra and gave him Moksham is well known. Gajendra in his previous birth was a great King by name Indradyumna.)
In ancient times there used to be a king by name Indradyumna. It was well known that there was no one to match his Dharma-svabhaavam. As a consequence of his good deeds and daya, daana gunams, he ascended to swargam upon leaving the physical body. He enjoyed the sukhaas of swarga for a very long time. Once Indra called him in his sabha:
Indra said, “O King, you have done immense number of punyaas in your life and as a result you were here for a very long time. However unless one totally surrenders to Parameshwara and comes out of the cycle of Punya & Paapa, one needs to be binded to his own Karma. The time on earth past so much that now no one remembers any of your good deeds and hence it is time for you to leave swarga lookam”. Indradyumna was very surprised to hear that his huge punya-raashis have melted. Indra however said, “if you show me somebody who remembers your good deeds or is still enjoying the benefits of the good done by you, you can continue enjoying the swarga lookam. After all, no man may be cast away from here as long as traces of his good deeds are remaining”.
Indradyumna recalled that the Maarkandeya maharshi is a chiranjeevi. So he went to him and asked him, “O great maharshi, do you remember my good deeds?”. Maarkandeya, who was doing Teertha-yaatras, Punya-karmas, and Upavaasa-deeksha since a very long time and was having very little physical power, replied, “I am sorry but I don’t remember who you are. In the great Himaalaya parvataas there lives an Uluukam (owl) called Praavaarakarna. He is older than me and hence might know you. If you put little more effort you can reach him”. Both Maarkandeya maharshi and Indradyumna went to Praavaarakarna.
Indradyumna asked him, “I am told that you are the longest lived creature in the world. Do you remember any of my good deeds”? Praavaarakarna replied, “O great king, I do not remember you, you must have been before my time. There is a sarovaram at a distance of 2 Yojanas from here. Coincidentally it is named Indradyumna, where my friend Naadiijangha, a mahaa-bakam (big crane), lives and he is older than me”.
All three went to the sarovaram and sadly Naadiijangha also did not know Indradyumna. However he said “it is possible that my friend Aakuupaara, who has lived here since before my parent’s time, might know something of Indradyumna”. Naadiijangha called for Aakuupaara, a very very old kuurmam (tortoise).
On knowing that Indradyumna arrived, Aakuupaara’s eyes were filled with aananda-bhaashpaas, his heart was much moved and he trembled with deep emotion. He did many namaskaars to the King and said, “O Indradyumna, I know you very well. You did thousand Yagnyaas, built 1000 Yuupa-stambhaas and gave away hundreds of thousands of cows as daanam. This very Sarovaram was excavated just by the movements of the hooves of those cows (he gave away some many!) and that is why it bears your name. I am blessed to have obtained sight of you after so many years”.
Immediately a divya-vimaanam came for Indradyumna and took him to urdhva-lookaas. God never leaves good people. Shrimannaaraayana made Indradyumna realize that there is Kaivalyam which is beyond swargas, all urdhva-lookas etc, through his next janma as Gajendra. He blessed him with Moksham when Gajendra left all his pride, doubt and totally surrendered himself to God.
Morals in the story:

1. The importance, greatness of good qualities like daya, daanam etc. are well portrayed in the story.
2. It is not rich people or powerful people that the world will remember. It is the people who help others that the world will remember. It is the only wealth that can be carried beyond life.
3. If one never leaves the path of Dharma, at some or the other time, God will save him, remove any small buddhi-doshaas that are remaining, and give moksham. This is what that happens to Indradyumna in his next janma as Gajendra.

Darpam and paarushyam are more dangerous than Haalaahalam

 

 

The story of Yayaati, the son of the great Nahusha and Priyamvada, is well known. He after ruling his kingdom for many years, without deviating from the path of Dharma, made Puuru the chakravarti. Then he took Vaanaprasthaashramam and went to tapoovanaas. There he did many ghora tapaas, yagnyaa, yaagaadi kratus. He satisfied the agnideva with Havis and his Pitrudevataas with his punya karmaas. He did great tapas for a thousand years. He did tapas remaining as niraahaara for around 30 yrs. Then he did tapas for 1 year being in between Panchaagnis having Vaayubhakshana. For 1 year he did tapas staying under water, standing on 1 leg. After many such years of tapas, he went to deva looka in a divya vimaana.
He took the poojaas of many great devarshis there. After a long stay there, he went to Brahmalookam and took the poojas of brahmarshis. Then finally he reached Indra loka. Indra, who is well-known for his divya vaibhavam, Himself recieved Yayaati and gave arghya paadyaas. Indra after doing athaavidhi atithi satkaaram to Yayaati, told him “O great punyaatma! What immense tapas did you do to have recieved poojaas by Brahmarshis and Devarshis! Your punyaas are immense and it is not possible for me sing all your great deeds”. Listening to this Yayaati got little Ahankaar. He said “O Indra deva! True. Sura, Daitya, Yaksha, Raakshasa, Nara, Khechera, Sidda, Munis tapas are not equal to mine.” Indra got unimpressed by the vaakyaas of Yayaati. He said “In your tapoobhimaanam, you insulted the tapas of the great maharshis. You are not fit to be here. Go back to Bhulokam and remove your darpam and come back”. Yayaati immediately realized his mistake and pleaded Indra “O great Indra! The very moment I insulted great rishis, all by tapas-shakti was lost. In addition to this, please do not make me got to Bhulokam again. Please grant me permission to stay in the sassaangatyam of good people in Sat-Bhuvanam”. Indra seeing the pashchaattapam of Yayaati sent him to Sat-Bhuvanam.
Yayaati, repenting for his mistake, stayed in Sat-Bhuvanam and slowly regained his tapas-shakti. Once the dauhitraas of Yayaati — Ashtaka, Pratardana, Vasumanta, Ausinara and Shibi, in course of time, reached Sat-Bhuvanam. They saw a man with divya tejas and was brightly glowing with tapas-shakti (they saw Yayaati). They approached him and asked his details. Yayaati told his entire story. He told them about Indra’s shaapam and continued “One must never speak low of an uttama. Dambham, darpam, abhimaanam, krodham and paarushyam, in what ever small quantities, are more dangerous than ghora Vishaagni. It destroys hard-earned punyaas due to many years of tapas”. Realizing that the person was their grandfather, the five dauhitraas did namaskaars to Yayaati. Yayaati then taught them Dharmopadeshaas — about Paralokam, sarva gnyaana sampatti, sakala raaja dharmaas, satgati-durgati swaroopas, varnaashrama dharmaas and jeeva garbhoptatti.
Morals in the story:

1. Even a small sentence or act done due to ahankaar is enough to destroy huge punya raashis. Even for a person as great as Yayaati, one small paarushya vaakyam melted his punya raashis.
2. The importance and power of tapas is well portrayed in the story.
3. One must be very very careful while talking about great people. Indra was angry on Yayaati since he spoke low about rishis.
4. A sajjana never does a mistake. Even if he does, he immediately repents and never repeats it. He does not feel shy to openly tell others his mistake and help them not repeat it. This sat-guna is clearly showed by Yayaati.
5. Sat-saangatyam is the first step to reach God. Hence Yayaati asked Indra to grant him that.

Story of Yavakriita

Bharadvaaja maharshi and Raibhya maharshi were very good friends. They always used to wake up well before Suryodayam, take nadi-snaanam after kaala-krutyas, do their aahnikas and do Parabrahma-dhyaanam with nirmala chittam. Their only aahaaram was fruits from the forest. Yavakriita and Arvaavasu, Paraavasu were the santaanam of Bharadvaaja and Raibhya maharshis respectively.
Bharadvaaja maharshi was always in Dhyaana-samadhi and hence did not take care about Yavakriita’s Vidyaabhyaasam. However Raibhya maharshi made Arvaavasu and Paraavasu great Vidvans. Both of them travelled many places, spread their knowledge and earned great fame. Yavakriita had vichaaram and he also wanted to earn great name by doing Vidyaabhyaasam. He immediately started tapas with teevra-nishtha.
Devendra, seeing the nishtha of Yavakriita, appeared and said “Vidya must always be learnt through a Guru. Adhyayanam is very important. This is the only way for really earning Veda, Vedanga Vignyanam. Please stop this tapas and approach a sat-Guru”. Yavakriita did not like the hita-bodha from Devendra and continued his tapas. In order to change the mind of Yavakriita, Devendra came in the form of a Vruddha brahmana. He was taking sand in his hand and throwing into the Nadi. Yavakriita, who came for Nadi-snaanam, saw the brahmana and asked him why he was doing it. The Vruddha brahmana replied that he was trying to build a wall across the river. Yavakriita laughed and said “with such small amounts of sand will you be able to complete the wall in your life time?” The Vruddha replied “O kumara! This is not more foolish than thinking of learning Veda-Vidya without doing Guruseva”. Yavakriita again pleaded Devendra to bless him with Veda-Vidya. Devendra finally, thinking that there is no use of doing hita-bodha to him, gave Vidya anugraham.
Yavakriita became a Sarva-shastra-Veda-Vidya Vignyaani. He immediately stopped his tapas, returned to his father and explained him what happened. Bharadvaaja maharshi replied “O kumara! Vidya earned in such a way will give only ahankaram. Ahankar is Aatma-naashana-kaaranam. Now listen to this word of mine: never go near the Ashramam of Raibhya maharshi. Never also get into an argument with Arvaavasu and Paraavasu.”
Yavakriita also went to Desha-deshaantaras. Once in Vasanta-maasam, when forest was very beautiful and everywhere there was parimalam from the pushpas, Yavakriita went near Raibhya maharshi’s Ashramam and saw that Raibhya’s snusha (daughter-in-law) was alone. Since he had not learnt Vidya in a proper way he did not have his Indriyas in his control and did balaatkaaram of Raibhya maharshi’s snusha. Learning what happened, Raibhya maharshi with teevra-krodham, took two jatas from his hair and created a Sundarangi and a Rakshasa. They approached Yavakriita. The Sundarangi attracted Yavakriita and took away the pavitra kamadalam from him. With that all his shakti was lost. Later the Rakshasa with a Shuulam did samhaaram of Yavakriita.
Seeing this Bharadvaaja maharshi said “Kamara! You always wanted to learn Vidya in an easy way and did not listen to me when I said that this will lead to anarthas.” Bharadvaaja maharshi, in the duhkham of loosing Yavakriita, gave shaapam to Raibhya maharshi and did praana-tyaagam. Raibhya maharshi also left his life in the hands of Arvaavasu. However Arvaavasu then did Upaasana of Surya-bhagavan and brought back the life of Raibhya maharshi, Bharadvaaja maharshi and Yavakriita.
Yavakriita then asked the Devatas, who appeared before them, why he had less shakti than Raibhya maharshi; though he was a Veda-vetta. The Devatas replied “O kumara! He learned the Veda-Vidya by doing Guruseva, but you did it without it. Vidya must always be learnt through a sat-Guru“.

Aashraya Parityaaga Dosham

When Vaamana Murty and Devatas, along with Devendra, were doing many Teertha-yaatras for Lakshmi-kataaksham, they saw a huge Vruksham which was dried-up and dead. There was a Shukam (parrot) living in it, which was very thin and not looking healthy.
Devendra and others asked “Pakshiishvara! This Vruksham dried-off. There are no more leaves, flowers and fruits. We want to know why you didnt leave this and live on a new Vruksham?”.
The Shukam replied “This is a very old Vruksham; a Kalpa-vruksham (Its age is measured in Kalpam). I lived happily for a very long time eating its sweet fruits. In course of time, it reached this state. Kaala-gati cannot be changed. Just because it dried-off now, if I leave it, forgetting that I lived my entire life with its help, then it will be a Krutaghnata. There is no paapam which is greater than Krutaghnata. Hence this Shushka-vruksham is my universe”.
Devendra replied “O Vihanga-raaja! You are a Gnyaani and a Medhaavi. Hence I am telling this: This Vanaspati now left its Svadharmam — it no more gives you fruits, flowers etc. You are still following your Sva-bhaavam. Why dont you go and live on a Phala-vruksham instead?”.
The Shukam replied “Panchabhuutas (Pruthvi, Jalam, Agni, Vaayu, Aakaasham) have Chaitanyam always. They are controlled by You, and other Devatas. However Vrukshas dont have Chaitanyam always. They have to obey Kaala-dharmam. So how can we say that the Vruksham left its Sva-dharmam? What is there that You dont know”.
Listening to this, Shachii-pati replied “Khagottama! I want to know how you got this Vignyaanam, Dharmam and Parishrama?”.
Shukam replied “Devaraaja! I never did Mitra-droham. Even if Mrutyu comes, I wont think of Mitra-droham. I respect and do seva of my Maata-Pita. I always look after my Bhaarya (wife). I dont insult other creatures and eat away their food. Because of this I got Nirmala-gnyaanam”. Devendra, with great aanandam, said “I am happy with your sat-buddhi. Please ask Me any varam. I will grant it to you”. The shukam replied
“I dont want to go to any other lokas. I cant leave this Mahaa-vruksham. Please make this Vruksham alive again”. Devendra gave back the life of the Vruksham and Vaamana Murty and Devatas continued their Teertha-yaatra and later got Lakshmii-kataaksham.
Because the Shukam never left its Sva-aashrayam, the Vruksham, and showed Krutagnyata, it went to Brahma-lokam after leaving the physical body. Jayam to Shri Raama Chandra who said “Jananii Janma Bhuumishcha Svargaadapi Gariiyasi” and showed all of us the easiest way to Brahma-lokam.
Morals in the story:

1. Shaastras say one who doesnt leave his Sva-aashrayam will get Shrii-laabham, Bhuu-laabham and Iham-Param. The Shukam didnt leave the Vruksham, even though the Vruksham died. Hence it got Brahma-lokam in the end.
2. Krutagnyata is the Prathama-kartavyam of Bhaarateeyas. Krutaghnata is the greatest paapam, which has no nishkruti. This is well shown in the story through the words of the Shukam.

Gautama’s Elephant

(We recommend readers analyzing this deep story with help of elders. We present it only from Morals perspective.)
Of the four ways, Saamam, Daanam, Bhedam, Dandam, to teach a person what is good and what is bad, this story tries to teach by the Upaayam of “Daanam”. This story shows what great Punyam a person gets if a person does a particular good deed.
Once Gautama maharshi was doing Tapas in an aranyam. One day he saw a white baby elephant, who got separated from her mother. He took pity on it and started looking after her. Day-by-day she grew old.
One day a King by name “Dhrutaraashtra” came to Gautama maharshi and asked the maharshi to give the Gajam to him. Gautama maharshi said “I am looking after her as my own putra, it gaurds my aashramam when I am not there, it brings me Darbha etc. for me to use in Yagnyam. I cannot give it to you”. Dhrutaraashtra replied “Why do Munis need Gajam (Gajam represents Aishvaryam)? I will give you many Gomaatas (cows) and how much ever Svarnam you need”.
“She doesnt have a mother. I only raised her from childhood. Even if you give me 10000 Gomaatas, I cannot leave it” said Gautama maharshi. “I am a King and a King requires Gajam, so give it to me” replied Dhrutaraashtra. Then Gautama maharshi said “Let us go to Yama-sabha. There we will know what is Nyaayam”.
Dhrutaraashtra: Naastikas, Paapaatmas go there. Why me?
Gautama Maharshi: Then we will go to Yamadharmaraaja, He is the Samavarti.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do rakshana of their sisters, parents go to Him. I wont come.
Gautama Maharshi: Shall we go to Gangaa-teeram?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who eat after feeding Atithis go there. Why will I come?
Gautama Maharshi: Ok then, we will go to Meru Vanam.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who have Satyam, Daya, Mrudu-vartanam, Bhuuta-daya go there. Suggest some other place.
Gautama Maharshi: We will go to Naarada Maharshi’s Vihaara-sthalam. Apsaras, Kinneras also will be there.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do Devata-archana with Sangeetam and Nrutyam go there. I wont come.
Gautama Maharshi: or shall we go to Uttara-Kurubhuumi? All Devetas will be there. Devendra will give all shubhas, varams there.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who dont have any Kaamam and dont do Himsa go there. Why me?
Gautama Maharshi: Ok. Lets go to Chandra Mandalam.
Dhrutaraashtra: People with Shaanta-buddhi and always do Daanam go there. It is not possible for me to come there.
Gautama Maharshi: Suurya Mandalam? Lets go.
Dhrutaraashtra: Tapas, Svaadhyaayam. People who do these go there.
Gautama Maharshi: What about going to Varuna deva?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do Agni-hotram and Yaagas can go there.
Gautama Maharshi: or shall we go to Devendra?
Dhrutaraashtra: Shuuras, Somayaajis, people who live for 100 years go there. I will not come.
Gautama Maharshi: We will go to Prajaapatya Lokam.
Dhrutaraashtra: It the place for people who do Ashvamedha Yaagam.
Gautama Maharshi: Will you come to Golokam?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who go to Teerthas, did Brahmacharya-vratam go there. I cant come.
Gautama Maharshi: Ok. Brahma-sabha?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who are Asanga and know Aadhyaatma-vidya go there. I cant even think about it.
Gautama Maharshi: “Mahaanubhaava! Now I came to know who You are. You are Devendra. Who else will know which Punyaatmas go to which Lokam”? Saying Gautama Maharshi did Namaskaaram to Devendra.
Devendra: “Arya! Will I separate you from this Gajam, which you like so much? If I come in disguise even Devatas cannot recognize Me. Since you are a Mahaanubhaava, you were able to recognize Me. Both you and Gajam come to Svarga-lokam and accept My aatithyam”. Gautama Maharshi and the Gajam then went to Svargam.

Dhrutaraashtra — itself means one who wears a Shariiram. So this story tells us that one must do atleast some of these Punya Kaaryas in one’s life time, else there will be no Urdhva-loka Praapti and Pragati towards Moksha-saadhana.

Sheela Sampada

 

Dharmaraaja did the great Raajasuuya-yaagam in Indraprastham. Mayaasura, the great Shiva, Vishnu Bhakta, gave Yudhishthira the divya Mayasabha to show his Krutagnyata for protecting him during Khaandava-vana-dahanam. Mayaasura built the great Mayasabha in the pavitra Himaalyas near Maanasa-sarovaram and then brought it to Indraprastham with his Maaya-shakti. The wonders of the Mayasabha are undescribable. Seeing all this ananta-aishvaryam, the asuuya in Duryodhana increased tremondously. He went to his Pita, the great Dhrutaraashtra maharaja and expressed his grief. Dhrutaraashtra then told the following Hita-vaakyas to Duryodhana:
“O putra! Do you have any lesser Aishvaryam? Santrupti is what gives aanandam. However because Dharmaraaja is a Sheelavanta, Shri Lakshmi will always be with him. Hence by being a Sheelavanta you can also get all the things which the Dharmaatmas, Paandavas have”. He went on to tell the following Itihaasam:
“We all know Prahlaada, the greatest Vishnu-bhakta, Dharmaatma. He is a Vidvaan, prajaa-ranjaka. Due to his Dharma-vartanam, Prahlaada ruled all the Tri-bhuvanas. Devendra, who lost his Raajyam, went to His Guru, Bruhaspati and asked him to tell the way how He can again get back His Raajyam. Bruhaspati asked Him to go to Bhaargava (Parashuraama). Indra, the Devaadhipati, then took aashrayam of Bhaargava. Bhaargava said “ask Prahlaada only how to get so much Shakti and try to get that Shakti from him”. Since Vidya must be learnt through Guru-sushruusha, Devendra took the form of a Vipra and became the shishya of Prahlaada. For a very long time He did seva, with Bhakti, to Prahlaada. Prahlaada became Prasanna and said
“O Putra! Why are you doing this seva to me?”. Shachii-pati replied “Aarya! I want to know how you got Triloka-aadhipatyam?” Prahlaada replied “I never have the Ahankaaram of being a Raaja. I try to stay away from Himsa. I never let Iirsha, asuuya, dvesham enter me. If someone asks me something, I will give it to him, without saying “no”. Due to my adrushtam (puurva-janma Punyam), I got this sat-sheelam. Hence I got Triloka-aadhipatyam”.
Sahasraaksha then asked “you are indeed a great Daana-sheela. Please give me your Sheelam as Daanam”. Taking pity on the Vipra, Prahlaada then gave his Sheelam as Daanam. Purandara became happy and went away.
Then a mahaa-tejas came out of Prahlaada in a Purusha-aakruti. Prahlaada asked who he was. He went away saying
“I am your Sheelam. Since you gave Me as Daanam, I am leaving you”. After this many such tejas left Prahlaada and he asked who they were. One Tejas replied
“I am Satyam. I take Sheelam as aashrayam and stay. Since Sheelam left you, I am also leaving you”. The other said
“I am Ruju-vartanam. I take Satyam as aashrayam and stay. I am also going”.
“I am Balam. I will always be with Ruju-vartanam (sat-pravartanam). I am leaving”.
“I am Shri Lakshmi. I will be there where Balam is. I am going”. Prahlaada said “Amma! You are also leaving me? Please dont go. Who is that Vipra?” Shri Lakshmi replied “He is Devedra. Coming under His influence you gave off your Sheelam as Daanam. Following that, Dharmam, Satyam everthing left you. Sheelam is the muulam (root) for all these and since you gave that away as Daanam, I am also leaving you.”
But what is impossible for a true Vishnu-bhakta? Prahlaada regained all his Sadgunams and always while listing the great Bhaktas names, we put his name first.
Hence Duryodhana, you become a Sheela-vanta first. Then everything will follow.”
Having Bhuuta-daya, doing harm to none, trying to do Paropakaaram as far as possible, trying to tell hitam to others, without paining them, not having Duraasha are some of the lakshanas of a Sheela-vanta.

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>

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>