Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 5 Chapter 4:1-9

Book 5: Chapter 4

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 5: Chapter 4: Verses 1-9 The sovereignty of Rsabha Sri Suka resumed : Now, finding marks of divinity (such as the figures of a thunderbolt and goad in the soles of His feet) manifest in (the-person of) Lord Rsabha from His very birth and His glory mounting everyday alongwith (the qualities of) viewing all alike, control of the internal and external senses, ,aversion to the pleasures of sense, universal domination and perfection in everything, the ministers as well as the people, including the Brahmanas, and gods too eagerly wished that He should rule over the earth. Considering His personality-which was so exquisite and formed the theme of many a laudatory verse-majesty, strength, splendour, glory, dominating influence and energy, his father (Nabhi) gave Him the name of Rsabha (the foremost). Envying Him, the mighty Indra did not rain (at all) in his land. Having come to know this, Lord Rsabhadeva, the Master of Yoga (marvels), laughed heartily and sent down showers throughout his land, known by the name of Ajanabha, by dint of His Yogamaya (divine potency). Having been blessed with a worthy son, as desired by him, king Nabhi for his part was overwhelmed with a transport of excessive joy and felt supremely happy as he fondly caressed the divine Child-who was really the most ancient Person, having assumed a human semblance of His own will-addressing Him in a faltering voice as "my child, my darling", his mind deluded by the divine Maya (which led him to mistake the Lord for his own child). Having come to know that his son (Rsabhadeva) was popular with all including his ministers and citizens, king Nabhi, who was guided by the popular sentiment, installed him on the throne for the preservation of moral standards and entrusted him to the care of the Brahmanas. (And) worshipping Lord Vasudeva as known by the name of Nara and Narayana through austerities which, though severe, caused no annoyance to others as well as through the practice of profound meditation with (his spouse) Merudevi at Visala (in the holy retreat of Badarikasrama, the modern Badrinatha), he attained oneness with Him at the proper time. People cite the following two couplets in praise of Nabhi, O Pariksit ( a scion of Pandu) :-- What (other) man can imitate the celebrated doings of the royal sage Nabhi, attracted by whose pious deeds Sri Hari (Himself) became a son to him ? (Again) where could be had a devotee of the Brahmanas other than Nabhi, propitiated by whose (liberal) sacrificial fees the Brahmanas by dint of sacred hymns made the (very) Lord of sacrifices manifest Himself during the sacrifice? Now indeed Lord Rsabhadeva, who knew His land to be the land of action, showed (by His own example) how one should live at the residence of one's preceptor. (Again,) permitted (to marry) by His preceptors, who had received (from Him) the boons of their choice (by way of the teacher's fees), and teaching (to the world) the duties of householders, he performed both the types of religious rites ordained by the scriptures (viz., those enjoined by the Vedas and those prescribed by traditional law) and begot through ( His consort) Jayanti, bestowed on Him by lndra, a hundred sons, who were His own replicas. Of them the eldest and the one possessed of the highest attributes was Bharata, who was indeed a great adept in Yoga and after whom they speak of this land as Bharatavarsa (the land of Bharata).