DIVINE INFORMATION PART 101 Respected friends, In part 101 I am starting with 345th item in this posting. Kindly note the series is a compilation. Sincerely, 19-09-21 345 DHRUVAS PENANCE Bathing in theYamuna and fasting that first night, with mind under control, Dhruva commencedhis penance (worship of god), conforming to Sage Naradas teaching and with the followingausterities: First month: Intake of fruits like Kapittha and Badara (Vilam and Ilandhai) once in three days, Second month: Intake of grass and dried fallen leaves once in six days, Third month: Intake of only water once in nine days, Fourth month: Intake of only air once in twelve days, controlling breath, Fifth month: Abandoning all intake(not even air), andcontrolling breath, standing on one leg, like a post, absorbed in meditation. Dhruva was notdaunted by the frightening serpents, elephants, lions, Bhutas and spirits,which were set up in vain to disrupt his penance. His intense penance began to shake the threeworlds. The earth, pressed down by thetoe of Dhruva, became half-inclined to one side. His breath control was so intense, that the humanity became distressed, unable to breathe. Gods went and prayed to the Supreme Lord to rescue the universe from thisaffliction. The Supreme Lord told them that this had arisendue to the intensity of Dhruvas penanceand assured them that He would put an end to it. The SupremeLord mounted on Garuda arrived before Dhruva at Madhuvana, whereupon thelightning-like luminous form of the Lord, hitherto shining in Dhruvas heart, vanished. Dhruva openedhis eyes and found the Lord standing before him in the same form and manner as in his vision. Dhruva trembled, bowed to the Lord, throwing himself at Hisfeet. Dhruva was eager but unable to praise the Lords Grace. The Lord then touched his cheek with His Conch, the embodiment of Vedas. Thusendowed, Dhruva praised the Lord: You are all powerful! Your feet are the refuge (for the afflicted)! You are the Kalpaka tree capable of yielding all desires, including salvation! The bliss arising from contemplating on your lotus-like feet and hearing yoursports cannot be derived from any othersource! Pray, bless me with the company of those souls, pure in mind and everdevoted to you, recounting yournectar-like attributes; Your grace protects us as the mother cowprotects its newborn calf; I take refuge in You. The Lordreplied, I know your cherished desire and bestow it on you. You will have a place of permanent residence a place in relation to which the stars and constellations areplaced in position. This bode will continue to exist evenafter the destruction of intermediate Kalpa, i.e when the three worlds aredestroyed. Dharma, Agni, Kasyapa and Sukra, who are in the formof stars and the Sapta Rishi stars, along with other constellations, will go round your abode, alwayskeeping it to their right. Your father will crown you and retire to theforest. You will rule for 36,OOOyears, firm in righteousness. Your brother Uttama will meet with hisdeath while hunting and his motherSurichi, while going in search of him, will be consumed in the forest-fire. After performing numerous Yajnas and attaining to detachment, you will reachthat realm (Dhruva) which is superior to all, from where none returns. Thus saying,the Lord disappeared and Dhruva returned to the city with an uneasy mind uneasy mind, because it wasstill troubled by his step motherscruel words and he could not attain salvation then and there. Dhruva repented just like analms-seeker, who sought of a king somechaff, which ruler ship was, as compared to the Moksha which God could have conferred on him. Dhruva returnedto a tumultuous reception by the king, queens, surichi included and the people. When Uttanapada saw Dhruva in proper age and loved by the subjects and counselors, hecrowned Dhruva and himself setout for the forest, on a life of renunciation and worship. Dhruva marriedBhrami, daughter of King Sismara and Ila, daughter of Vayu, had two sons Kalpa and Vatsara, by the first wife and ason Utkala, and a daughter by his secondwife. Uttama, Dhruvas brother,yet unmarried, while on hunting, was slain by a Yaksha (follower of Kubera) in theHimalayas. As a result, Dhruva was engaged in a battle with the Yakshas andultimately Kubera himself, resulting in Dhruvas resort to Narayanastra and massannihilation of Yakshas. Moved withcompassion for the slain Yakshas, Swayambhuva Manu, grandfather of Dhruva, appeared before himand said, Enough with this sinful wrathleading to hell, whereby you have slain numerous innocent Yakshas, just for the fault ofone. This course is shunned by the virtuous (sadhus) and is inappropriate toour fold, devotees of God. How come you embarkedon this unjust path Gods grace ensuesfrom restraint towards superiors, mercytowards the lowly, friendliness towardsequal and even-mindedness towards all. If God is pleased, bondage isremoved. It is from the elements that the distinction between men and women arises and through themhumanity is propagated. God knows no friends or foes. Some refer to Himas Karma, others as Swabhava (Nature) and still others, as Kala, Providence or the will of God (destiny). None can comprehend God, the ultimate cause. It is not the followers of Kubera who killed yourbrother, but Time did it. Take refuge inHim, who controls the Universe as if by nose-ring. It is not the sons of Kubera who slewyour brother. It is the Lords will which brings out creation and destruction, ofman. Seek refuge in Him. As a child offive years old, hurt by your stepmothers cruelty, you propitiated God. Just as one controls adisease with the appropriate drug, anger, the enemy of allthe higher spiritual developments, can be overcome by devotion to God. Under the ignorance that the followers of Kubera haskilled your brother, you have slain numberless of them and therebydisrespected the intimate of Rudra Bhagvan (Girisah Bhrathu or Rudras brother, ie. Kubera: Helanam insult). Before the Mahatam Tejah (superiorprowess) of the Mahans destroys ourlineage, propitiate them by humbleness and words conveying humility. Swayambhuva Manu, after counselling Dhruva thus, and adoredby Dhruva, departed for his abode. 346 RECONCILIATION WITHKUBERA Kubera, havingknown of Dhruvas penitence, followed by Charanas and Yakshas, all of them singing Kuberas praise,arrived on the scene to Dhruvassalutation. Kubera said to Dhruva,I ampleased with you for shedding enmity, ahard task indeed, on the advice of your grandfather. Neither you slew theYakshas nor they killed your brother, but verily by Kaala, the Time. You may depart now. Good betide you. To be free of bondage, worship the Lord as One worthy of worship by all. You are worthy of receiving a boon. Ask for whatever is the dearest to your heart. Dhruva prayed,Grant me eternal remembrance of God. Granting it, Kubera returned to Alakapuri, his capital and Dhruva wentback to his capital. 347 DHRUVAS RULE AND HIS ASCENT Dhruva worshipped the Supreme Lord by performing severalsacrifices with liberal gifts andrealized the indwelling god both within himself and in others. He shed his Punnya by enjoyments generatedby prosperity and his Papa byYajnas and austerities. He thus ruledthe kingdom for 36,OOO years. Dhruvas subjects regarded him as their ownfather. Realizing thetransistorizes of earthly possessions including ones own body, kith, kin and all, he installed his sonon the throne and immersed himself inthe contemplation of God. He was oftenbathed in blissful tears with hisheart melted in intense devotion and was devoid of physical consciousness. Dhruva thensighted a Vimanam descending from the sky, illumining all the quarters like the moon. He saw in the Vimanam two celestials, having four arms, of blue complexion, of youthfulage, with lotus-like eyes, bearing mace robed sprightly and adorned withdiadems (crowns), wreaths of flowers,pearls and charming earrings. Realizingthem as the attendantsof the Lord, Dhruva stood up with folded hands and prostrated before them, uttering the names ofthe Lord. The Lords emissaries, Sunanda and Nanda, spoke toDhruva: O King! Blessed you are to have won the grace of God evenas a child of five years of age. We, theemissaries of the Supreme Lord of the universe, wielder of the bow, Saranga, have come to take you to Hisrealm, Bhgavad Padham. You have won that Vishnu Padham, which even theSaptharishis could not attain. Your exalted place is that, which all thecelestial luminaries the sun, the moon,the planets, the stars, thegalaxies and all, circumambulate. Youattain to that realm, which was not in the lot of your ancestors and others andever adored by all. You are worthy of ascending this Vimanamsent by the Supreme Lord Himself. Hearing the nectar-like words of Sunanda and Nanda, thedevoted Dhruva had his bath, performed his daily divineservices, paid obeisance to the sages, received their blessings, worshipped andcircumambulated the divine aerialcar, bowed to the divine emissaries. Keeping his feet over the head of Mrutyu (Yama), he ascended the divinevehicle to the playing of divine musicalinstruments, music of Gandharvas and showering of flowers. Gleaning Dhruvas thoughts for his mother,Suniti, the emissaries pointed to Suniti proceeding ahead of them. Enroute, Dhruva saw the planets, one after the other andthere were showers of flowers andpraises. He crossed the three worldsand the sphere of Saptarshis and reachedhis own abode above all. It is the highest destination for those doingauspicious and righteous duties/services,for those who are rid of all impurities and sins and are compassionate and helpful to fellowbeings. There, even now, Dhruva shines, like a flawless gem, a crownof the three worlds. His abode is known as Dhruva Mandala, roundwhich revolve the heavenly luminaries. Seeing the glory of Dhruva, SageNarada recited three verses in his praise in the sacrificial festival conducted by the Prachetasas: The spiritualprowess, which Dhruva, son of the virtuous and Pativrata Suniti, accomplished, cannot be approachedeven by Brahmarshis renowned in vedicknowledge, much less by Kshatriyas and others. Wounded at heart by theshaft-like words of his step-mother, even as a child of five years, he retired to the forest andadopting the path initiated by me, wonthe grace of God, who is unconquerable except by His virtuous devotees and attained a state in a shortduration, what other kshatriyas cannotachieve even through long years of endeavors. For achievingprosperity, fame and longevity, auspiciousness, well-being, serenity of mind,heavens and shedding sins, this holy episode should be heard and expounded bothmorning and evening on full moon day, fourteenth day of the dark fortnight,Dwadasi, Sravana Nakshatra,Vyatipada, Sundays and the first day of the month. SriMadh Bhagavatham....part ’ 24 and 25 Posted by: "DILIPKUMAR RAVINDRAN" [email protected] prdili Thu Oct 7, 20106:44 am (PDT) and Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:19 am(PDT) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1034647868.1096573.1632021282375%40mail.yahoo.com.
