|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 5: Verses 19-32
The king (Nimi) submitted : Pray, tell us now in which ages, assuming what forms and colours and by what names the Lord is known, and by what prescribed rites He is worshippedby men. The sage Karabhalana replied Lord Kesava in the ages of Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali assumes different colours, names and forms and is worshipped in different modes. In the Satya age the Lord is of white complexion, has four arms, wears matted locks and is clad in barks and deerskin. He puts on the sacred thread and carries a rosary of Rudraksa and a staff and a Kamandalu (water-pot made of wild cocoanut shell). In that age men have as a matter of fact a calm mind, entertain no feeling of animosity towards anybody and are friendly towards all creatures; they look upon all with an equal eye. They propitiate the Lord by their Tapas (in the form of contemplation) and by their control of mind and the senses. (In the Satya age) the Lord is called by the names of Hamsa, Suparna, Vaikuntha, Dharma, Yogeswara, Amala, Iswara, Purusa, Avyakta and Paramatma. In the age of Treta the Lord is of crimson hue; He has four arms, wears a triple cord about His loins and has golden locks. He appears in the form of sacrifices as described in the three Vedas and wields on His person a Sruk, Sruva (ladles for pouring ghee into the sacred fire) and other accessories used in the performance of sacrifices. in that age pious men who are teachers of the Vedas worship through the Vedic lore Lord Sri Hari as an embodiment of all the deities. (In that age of Treta) He is called by the names of Visnu, Yajna, Prsnigarbha, Sarvadeva, Urukrama, Vrsakapi, Jayanta and Urugaya. In the Dwapara age the Lord is of a dark brown complexion, remains clad in yellow silk, wields (in His arms) His own weapons and emblems (viz., the conch, discus, mace and lotus), wears the Kaustubha gem and is distinguished by the marks of Srivatsa (a curl of white hair on the right side of His bosom) etc. In that age, O king, men seeking to know the ultimate Reality worship the Supreme Person, who is characterized by the regalia proper to a monarch (such as the umbrella, fly-whisk etc.), as indicated in the Vedas and the Tantras. Hail to You, Vasudeva; hail to Sankarsana and hail to You, the almighty Lord, as Pradyumna and Anirudha ! Hail to the sage Narayana, the almighty, all-pervading, all-embodying Ruler of the universe, dwelling in the heart of all. (30) 0 king, it is thus that people adore and praise the Lord of the universe in the Dwapara age. (Now) hear how they worship Him with various rituals prescribed by the Tantras during the Kali age.
It is well-known that (in this age) wise men worship, through sacrifices mostly consisting of chanting the names of the Lord and singing His praises, the Lord who is of a dark colour, though bright by lustre, perfect in all limbs, adorned with ornaments, furnished with His weapons and waited upon by His attendants.
|
|
