Bhagwat Session 34

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana Synopsis of the Thirtieth Fourth Session

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 2 to 4

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Story

Priyavrata crowned his son Agnidhra the King and departed to continue his Sadana. Agnidhra when it was time to enter from the Brahmachari Ashram to Grihasta Ashram, decided to undergo intense Tapa at the foot hills of the Mandara Mountain, so that he could get a pious wife and a worthy lineage. Brahmaji got pleased and he send an Apsara named Purvachitti, from his own abode. Agnidhra had 9 sons and after the 9 sons were born, Purvachitti went back to the abode of Brahma where she had come from.

When the time came, the eldest of them, Nabhi was crowned the king and Agnidhra went on to the Vanaprast Ashram. When he departed, he had to spend some time at the Loka of the Apsaras. This is because he was attached to Purvacitti and even after she departed he considered her to be his highest desire.

Nabhi was a very just ruler and was married to the daughter of the Sumeru Parvat, Meru Devi. Together under the supervision of holy priest and adhering to all the rules, he decided to conduct a sacrifice, and had a divine son, just like Shri Hari. Vishnu, the Lord of Sacrifices himself graced him, and said as there is not anyone like him, he is the only one, he himself will manifest as the Son of Nabhi.

Time flew and soon a lovely child with all the divine marks was born. He was named Rsabha, the foremost. Nabhi would adore him and say, this is my child, my child. How maya envelopes even the wise, he forgot that it was the divine that has manifested. When time came just like his ancestors, Nabhi handed over the kingdom to Rsabha and went to seek the self.

Rsabha was all satva, unmixed with Rajas and Tamas. His divinity spread, and everyone revelled in bliss. So much so that Indra got upset and decide to test him. He stopped all rain and there was a massive drought. Rsabha Dev understood, that it was all Indra’s doing, and with his blissful smile, made the rain tumble down again and everyone was overjoyed.

Indra himself decedent and said he was just testing if Rsabha was truly as divine as all claimed and he offered his daughter, Jayanti’s hand in marriage. Rsabha dev and Jayanti were the personification of Vishu and Laxmi. During their rule the entire bhuloka shone in great contentment.

He showed all not only how a Brahmachari should live, but showed them how a Grihasta should lead his life, how he should endeavour to fulfil the Human pursuits and how he should support the other ashrams.

He had 100 glorious sons. The eldest of whom was Bharat, after whom Bharat, our country got its name. He would never differentiate between his children and his citizens and all his teachings were made available to all. 

Points to Ponder

In Priyavrata’s lineage was born Rsabhadeva. He was the fifth generation. The consistent effort of the entire family is visible here. Generation after generation, the effort to uplift ones state of being and to move towards divinity was upheld. As the level of purity was persistently increased the self revelled the self and the divine was born.

As many sages say, the Lord is willing to come, he is longing to take an avatar, but is there a womb which can carry him.

Grihatha ashram is the backbone of all the ashrams, it not only supports and nurtures all the ashrams but also has the capacity to bring in Satyug. 

Getting a Human birth is rare and that to being in the Grihasta ashram is precious. If only, the Grihastas awaken and the Humans become human.

Two most detrimental and derogatory statement that we make are,

- We are just