A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 36

THE THIRD MANVANTARA.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 1.*

The third Manu is Uttama, son of Priya Vrata. Pavana, Srinjaya, Yajnahotra and others were his sons. The sons of Vasistha, Pramada and others, were the seven Rishis.

Satya, Veda Sruta, and Bhadra were the Devas. Satyajit was Indra.

Dharma had by Sunrita one son named Satya-Sena. He was the Avatara of this Manvantara. He was born with others called Satya-Vrata. He killed wicked Yakshas and Rakshasas given to falsehood, and Bhutas who injured others.

[The characteristic mark of this Manvantara which is the first half of the second Round is Truth. Satya or Truth enters into the names of one cla.s.s of Devas, of the Indra and of the Avatara. The name of the Avatara's mother was also truth. The Yakshas and Rakshasas were given to falsehood].

THE FOURTH MANVANTARA.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 1-4.*

The fourth Mann was Tamasa, brother of Uttama. He had ten sons, Prithu, Khyati, Nara, Ketu and others.

Satyaka, Hari and Vira were the Devas. Trisikha was Indra.

Jyotirdhaman and others were the seven Rishis. The Vedas had been lost in time. The sons of Vidhriti, called Vaidhritis, however preserved them by their own energy. They are also the Devas of this manvantara.

The Avatara Hari incarnated as the son of Harimedhas by Harini. He saved the Elephant king from the crocodile.

THE STORY OF THE ELEPHANT KING.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 2-4.*

An elephant king resided on the summits of Trikuta. He roamed about with his female herd, intoxicated with the juice that exuded from his temples. Finding a lake, he plunged himself into its waters and quenched his thirst. He then took water in his trunk and pa.s.sed it on to the young herd and the females. A powerful crocodile attacked him in rage.

They fought for one thousand years, each trying to draw the other unto him. The elephants on the bank raised a piteous cry, but they could not be of any use to their companion. The Elephant King got tired at last, but the crocodile being in his own element did not feel any fatigue. The elephant devoutly and ardently prayed to the supreme Purusha. In response to that prayer, Hari appeared with the Devas, seated on the back of Garuda. He drew out the crocodile, cut off its head with the chakra and thus saved the Elephant King.

The Elephant was a Gandharva, named Huhu. He was playing with his wives in a tank. Rishi Devala went there to bathe. The Gandharva drew the Rishi himself by his feet. The Rishi cursed him to become a crocodile.

The elephant was king Indradyumna of Pandya. He was under a vow of silence while engaged in meditation. Rishi Agastya came with his disciples, but the king could not receive him with any word of welcome.

"O thou of untrained intellect like an elephant, be an elephant thyself." Such was the curse of the Rishi to him.

[The Elephant represents the characteristic Jiva of this Manvantara. The elephant becomes excited and mad when the juice exudes from his temples.

In the story, madness represents the prevalence of Kama. The elephant was pa.s.sionately attached to his wives. The Jiva had given himself too much to Kama, and he was carried away helplessly by the demon, he knew not where. His better sense could not prevail without some extraordinary help and that help was given by Hari, an incarnation of Vishnu. Possibly the story represents the development of animal instincts].

THE FIFTH MANVANTARA.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 5.*

Raivata was the fifth Manu. He was the brother of Tamasa. His sons were Arjuna, Bali, Vindhya and others. Vibhu was Indra. Bhuttaraya and others were the Devas.

The seven Rishis were Hiranya-romay, Vedasiras, Urddhabahu and others.

The presiding deity of Vaikuntha incarnated in partial manifestation as the son of Subhra and Vikuntha. He was the Avatara of this Manvantara.

[This is the first half of the Third Round. The incarnation of the Lord of Vaikuntha may have some significance, but what is not clear from the text.]

THE SIXTH MANVANTARA.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAPTER 5.*

The Sixth Manu was Chakshusha, son of Chakshus. Puru, Purusha, Sudyumna and others were his sons. Mantra Druma was Indra. Apya and others were the Devas; Haryasma, Dviraka and others were the Rishis.

The Avatara was Ajita, son of Vairaja by Deva-Sambhuti. He a.s.sumed the form of Kurma or the Tortoise, and helped in the churning of the Milk Ocean.

THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN.

*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 5-12.*

In the fight with the Asuras, the Devas lost their lives. They fell down and did not rise up again. By the curse of Durvasas, Indra and the three Lokas became shorn of Sri or Lakshmi (wife of Vishnu in Vaikuntha: Preservative energy). Consequently there were no performances such as Yajna. (Durvasas once saw Indra on the elephant Airavata. He gave him the garland of his own neck. Indra proud of his own Sri or wealth, placed the garland on the head of the elephant. The elephant threw it down and tore it to pieces with his feet. Durvasas got angry and cursed Indra that he and his Triloki were to lose Sri). Indra did not know what to do and the Devas all went over to the seat of Brahma on the top of Meru. Brahma, saw the Lokapalas lifeless and l.u.s.treless, as it were, the Lokas beset with evils and the Asuras full of life and energy. He meditated on Parama Purasha with concentrated mind and then addressed the Devas thus.

"Purusha has resort to Rajas, Satva and Tamas respectively for Creation, Preservation and Dissolution. This is just the time for Preservation.

For the good of all beings, He shall now be possessed of Satva. So let us take the shelter of the guide of the universe. He shall now befriend the Devas and do what is best for us."

The Devas with Brahma then went to Ajita. Brahma prayed to Him as the Preservative aspect of Virat Purusha. Vishnu appeared before the Devas and addressed them thus: -

"The Asuras favored by Sukra are now victorious. Make peace with them so long as you are not strong yourselves. Lose no time in churning the Milk Ocean for Amrita in concert with the Asuras. By drinking Amrita even dead persons become immortal. Throw all creepers and herbs into that ocean. Make Mandara mountain the churning rod and make Vasuki the rope.

Then with my help, churn the ocean with all diligence. The Asuras shall have all the trouble to themselves, while you shall reap the fruits. If the Asuras ask for any concession, you had better approve of that. Do not be afraid of any poison that may arise. Have neither greed nor anger nor desire in respect of the things that will arise."

So saying Vishnu disappeared. The Devas went to the Asura King Bali and Indra explained to him what Vishnu had said about the churning. The Asuras approved of the plan and made friends with the Devas. They then went together and uprooted the golden mountain Mandara and carried it towards the ocean. After going a long way, they felt fatigued and dropped the mountain. Several Devas and Asuras were crushed by its fall.

Vishnu appeared on Garuda and revived them all. He then easily placed the mountain on the back of Garuda and went towards the ocean, followed by the Devas and Asuras.

The Serpent King Vasuki was a.s.sured of a share in Amrita and he consented to become the rope. The Mountain was then surrounded by Vasuki. Vishnu followed by the Devas held the mouth of the serpent. But the Asuras said: - "We have learned the Vedas, we know the Sastras, it is improper for us to hold the tail of a serpent. We will not do that.

It is inauspicious." Vishnu smiled. He and the Devas gave up the mouth end and held the tail.

The churning then commenced. The Mountain was however heavy and it sank down to the bottom of the ocean. The Devas and Asuras became mournful.

Vishnu then a.s.sumed the form of a Tortoise, went into the water and raised the Mountain. He then remained like a Dvipa one lakhsa Yojanas in expanse with the mountain on his back. He infused his influence all round. Energised by Him, the Devas and Asuras vigorously carried on the churning. At last fire and smoke came out from the thousand mouths of Vasuki. This overpowered the Asuras and the Devas - but the Devas were refreshed by clouds, rains, and winds sent by Vishnu.

After a good deal of churning, poison came out first. It spread out on all sides and the Praj.a.patis and their progeny in terror took the shelter of Siva. Siva felt compa.s.sion for them and with the approval of Durga, he drank up the whole of the poison. It made his throat blue.