Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 12 Chapter 11:1-16

Book 12: Chapter 11

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 12: Chapter 11: Verses 1-16

Saunaka submitted : Now I refer to the following point to you, the foremost among those knowing many subjects, (since) you know the true meaning of the conclusions of all the scriptures dealing with the worship of deities, 0 (great) devotee of the Lord ! May good betide you ! (Pray,) tell us-who are keen to know the course of active worship, through proficiency in which a mortal bids fair to attain immortality (in the shape of final beatitude)--how those well-versed in the Tantras maditate in the course of worship on the limbs, attendants, weapons and ornaments of Lord Visnu (the Lord of Sri, the goddess of fortune), who is absolute Consciousness, and of what principles do they conceive them as constituted. Suta resumed : Bowing to (the feet of) my preceptors, I shall speak (to you all) about the glorious manifestations even of Lord Visnu (which are so difficult to comprehend and) which have been discussed at some length by Brahma (the lotus-born creator of the universe) and other teachers in the light of the Vedas and the Tantras. The well-known cosmic egg is made up of nine fundamental principles, Maya (Prakrti) and (eight) others (viz., Mahat-tattva or the principle of cosmic intelligence, Sutra or the active aspect of Mahat-tattva, Ahankara or the cosmic ego, and the five Tanmatras or subtle elements), as well as of the (sixteen) Vikaras (or modifications, viz., the mind, the ten Indriyas and the five gross elements). In that cosmic form as presided over by the Spirit appears the three worlds (viz., heaven, earth and the intervening space). This as a matter of fact constitutes the Purusa (Cosmic) form of the Lord. The earth represents His feet; heaven the head; the mid-air region, His navel; the sun, His eyes; the air, His nostrils; the quarters, His ears; Prajapati (the god presiding over creation), His generative organ; Death constitutes the Lord's anus; the guardians of the spheres, His arms; the moon, His mind and Yama (the god of retribution), His eyebrows; Lajja (the goddess presiding over modesty), His upper and Lobha (Greed), His lower lip; moonlight, (the brightness of) His teeth; Maya (the deluding potency), His smile; the trees, the hair on the body of the infinite Lord and clouds, the locks on the head of the Supreme Person. Measured with reference to the disposition of the (various) spheres, the said Cosmic Person to actually bears the same proportion as this (mortal) man does when measured with reference to the disposition of his own limbs. The birthless Lord carries (on His Person) the (pure) consciousness of the Jiva, His own ,particle, in the form of the Kaustubha gem and it is the diffusive splendour of the latter which His the Lord actually wears on His (right) breast as (the mark of) Srivastsa . Carrying- the in form is (person) His own Maya, consisting of various gunas (or modes of prakrti) in the form of Vanamala (a garland of sylvan flowers), a golden piece of linen, consisting of the Vedas, (about His loins) and the (sacred) syllable OM (consisting of three parts a +u +m ) in the triple sacred thread. The Lord wears (the philosophical systems of) Samkhya and Yoga as a pair of alligator-shaped ear-rings and the realm of Brahma (the highest functionary of this universe), promising fearlessness to all its inhabitants, as His diadem. The Unmanifest (Primordial Matter) is the seat (couch), going by the name of Sesa (the serpent-god), which He remains nestled in; and Sattvaguna (the principle of harmony or goodness), characterized by (the six divine) properties such as Dharma (righteousness) and Jnana (wisdom), (the other four being Aiswarya or universal dominion, Yasa or glory, Sri or affluence and Vairagya or dispassion, as well as by the divine potencies known by the names of Vimala, Utkarsini, Jnana, Kriya, Yoga, Prahvi, Satya, isana and Anugraha)-is spoken of as the lotus spread on this (seat). He wields Prana or the vital air (the foremost of the five airs existing in the body under the names of Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana)-accompanied by organic, mental and bodily strength- in the form of a mace (bearing the name of Kaumodaki); the principle of water, in the form of an excellent conch (Pancajanya by name); the principle of fire, as (the discus) Sudarsana; the principle of ether as a sword, clear as the sky; a shield consisting of Tamas (the principle of inertia and ignorance); a bow, made of horns, as representing Kala (the Time-Spirit) and a quiver consisting of Karma (the principle of activity). Anowing persons declare the (ten cosmic) Indriyas (the five senses of perception and the five organs of action) to be His shafts, the (cosmic) mind (characterized by the power of action) to be His chariot, and the (five) Tanmatras (subtle elements) to be the exterior of the chariot; and He exhibits His service-ability (to His devotees in the shape of conferring boons on and assuring protection to them) through Mudras (positions of the hands such as Vara and Abhaya).

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