|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 57: Verses 29-42
Akrura having gone abroad, portentous phenomena foreboding misfortune appeared before (the eyes of) the residents of Dwaraka and agonies, (both) physical and mental, (nay,) those brought about by divine agencies and those caused by other living beings overtook them again and again ever since. So declare some historians (Vaisampayana and others), forgetting what has been stated (by me) before, 0 dear Pariksit ! Is it (ever) possible that evil portents should be seen in the (very) home of the Lord who is the (one) Abode of ascetics (that are capable of counteracting all evils by their holy presence)? "(Once upon a time) when Indra (the god of rain) did not pour seasonal showers (in his kingdom), the ruler of Kati (the modem Varanasi) gave away with due ceremony to Swaphalka (the father of Akrura), (recently) arrived (at his capital), his own daughter, Gandini (by name); thereupon Indra sent down showers in the kingdom of Kati. Wherever stays the said Akrura, Swaphalka's son, who has inherited his father's virtue, they say, indra pours showers all round; neither calamities nor epidemics appear there." Hearing the above-quoted words of the elders and though recognizing that the absence of Akrura was not the only cause of the evil portents, Lord Sri Krsna (who is solicited by all men) had Akrura duly brought back (to Dwaraka) and spoke to him.
The Lord, who was not only omniscient but knew the mind (of all too), received him with respect, admonished him and addressed sweet words to him and (then) smilingly said, so the tradition goes:- "That the glorious Syamantaka gem surely lay deposited with you by (the deceased) Satadhanva was already known to us, 0 master of charities ! Satrajit having left no male issue, (it is but meet that) the sons of his daughter (Satyabhama) should offer oblations of water and rice (to the spirit of the deceased) and, paying off his debts, should inherit the rest of his property. Yet let the gem-which cannot be easily maintained by others-remain with you, strict in the observance of religious vows. My elder brother (Balarama), however, does not (fully) trust me in the matter of the gem (and suspects that it has been got removed by me). (Therefore, pray,) show it (to us) and (thereby) bring relief to your relations (Balarama, Satyabhama and Jambavati). (I know) your sacrificial performances are going on unceasingly these days on altars of gold (thereby betraying the existence of the Syamantaka gem with you: for you could not otherwise get so much gold). Won over by gentle words in this way, Akrura (Swaphalka's son) brought and delivered the gem, which was brilliant as the sun, wrapped in a piece of cloth. Having shown the Syamantaka to His kinsmen (Balarama and others) and rubbed off through the gem the blame resting on Himself, the Lord then gave it back to Akrura. He who simply reads, listens to or ponders this most blessed story replete with the exploits of the all-powerful Lord Visnu_a story which destroys all sin_gets rid of his evil reputation and sin and attains (lasting) peace.
Thus ends the fifty-seventh discourse, forming part of the story of syamantaka, in the latter half of Book of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise Known as the Paramahamsa-samhita
|
|
