Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 88:1-12

Book 10: Eighty-eight (Latter Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 88: Verses 1-12


Lord Rudra rescued (from trouble)

The king (Pariksit) submitted : Those among the gods, demons and men that worship Lord Siva, who has spurned all enjoyments, are generally found to be wealthy and enjoying the pleasures of sense; but not so those who are devoted to Lord Visnu (the Spouse of the goddess of wealth and consequently endowed with all enjoyments). We are (according) eager to know how it is that the lot of those worshipping the two (Lord Siva and Lord Visnu) of contrary disposition is (quite) the opposite (of what might be expected). Great indeed is our doubt on this point. Sri Suka replied : (Pariksit!) Lord Siva ever remains united with His Sakti (Energy). He is invested with the three Gunas and is the deity presiding over Ahankara (the Cosmic Ego), which is threefold (in character), viz., Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. Out of these three varieties of Ahankara are evolved the sixteen final evolutes (viz., the mind from the Sattvika type, the ten Indriyas from Rajasika and the five gross elements from the amasika). He who worships the deity presiding over anyone of these obtains access to all forms of (earthly) prosperity. Lord Visnu, on the other hand, is the Supreme Person Himself, (far) beyond Prakrti and devoid of the (three) Gunas (modes of Prakrti); He is omniscient and the witness (of all hearts). Anyone worshipping Him is rid of the (three) Gunas. (Pariksit I) at the conclusion of the Aswamedha sacrifices your grandfather, King Yudhisthira, while listening from (the lips of) the Lord to an exposition of (the various types of) sacred duties put this (very) question to Sri Krsna. (Pariksit!) Sri Krsna, the almighty Lord, who appeared in the race of Yadu for ensuring the highest good of men, felt (much) pleased (to hear the question) and spoke to the king, who was eager to listen (in the following strain).
The glorious Lord said: Him on whom I shower My grace I gradually deprive of wealth. His own people thereupon forsake him when he is (thus) reduced to penury and stricken with sorrow. When, striving (once more) with intent to acquire wealth, he finds all his attempts abortive (through my grace) and, getting disappointed, makes friends with My devotees; thatis the time I show My (special) grace to him, whereby he attains (oneness with) that supreme infinite Brahma which is (very) subtle (and therefore difficult to comprehend) and consists of pure consciousness and Truth. That is why people turn their back on Me as one very difficult to please and (proceed to) worship other deities. Elated through the royal fortune obtained (through such worship) from gods who are quickly propitiated, they get intoxicated (with pride) and go astray. Forgetting the very gods that conferred boons on them, they neglect them. Sri Suka continued : Dear Pariksit! Brahma, Visnu, Siva and the other gods have the power to curse as well as to bless. (Of these again,) Lord Siva as well as Brahma (get propitiated and angry soon and) are (therefore) very prompt in blessing as well as in cursing, (but) not so Visnu.

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