Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 3 Chapter 3:14-26

Book 3: Chapter 3

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 3: Chapter 3: Verses 14-26
A brief survey of the Lord's other exploits

(He said to Himself) "Even though the earth has been relieved of a huge burden through the destruction of armies with a total strength of eighteen Aksauhinis[1] at the hands of Acarya Drona, Bhisma, it is yet negligible when compared to the irresistible might of the Yadus (My own kinsmen and proteges), still flourishing under the protection of My part manifestations (Pradyumna and others). Drunk with wine, when they quarrel among themselves, their eyes suffused with blood, that will be the only way of exterminating them and no other. As a matter of fact, they will disappear as soon as I get ready (to depart for My eternal Abode)." Pondering thus, the Lord securely placed king Yudhisthira (the son of Dharma) on his (ancestral) throne and brought delight to His near and dear ones by showing them the way of the righteous (by His own example). The seed of Puru's line, that was duly planted (in the shape of Pariksit) in the womb of Uttara by Abhimanyu (Arjunats son through Subhadra, Sri Krsna's own sister) and was later torn up by the missile (Brahmastra) discharged by Aswatthama (the son of Drona), was eventually preserved by the Lord. The almighty Lord persuaded Yudhisthira to perform no less than three Aswamedhas (horse-sacrifices); and the emperor too, devoted as he was to Sri Krsna, led a happy life, protecting the earth with the help of his younger brothers (Bhima and others). The Lord as well, who is the Soul of the universe, enjoyed the pleasures of life at Dwaraka, keeping to the path chalked out by the Vedas and the Smrtis, and remaining unattached to those pleasures in conformity with the spirit of Sankhyayoga (according to which it is matter in the form of the senses that reacts on matter in the form of their objects, the spirit ever remaining aloof as a witness). Delighting this as well as the other world (heaven), and the Yadus in particular, by His endearing smiles and loving glances, His words sweet as nectar, His irreproachable conduct and His person, which was the abode of all charm and splendour, He revelled by night with His consorts, affording them the pleasure of His company and showing them momentary affection. As He thus enjoyed life for many years He felt an aversion for the performance of religious duties binding on a householder and conducive to the pleasures of sense. What man, then, who is in the power of Providence and who seeks to please Sri Krsna (the Master of Yogas) through the practice of Devotion, would set his heart on the pleasures of sense, which are in the gift of Providence ? Once, when the youths of the Yadus and Bhojas were playing in the city (of Dwaraka), they offended some sages, who in.their turn pronounced a curse on the boys, knowing as they did the intention of the Lord (who was bent upon the destruction of the Yadus). Some months after that incident, the Vrsnis, the Bhojas, the Andhakas and others drove in their chariots to Prabhasa (a sacred spot on the seaside) with great joy, deluded as they were by (the will of) Sri Krsna. Having bathed there and propitiated the manes, gods and Rsis by offering them handfuls of water, taken from that place, they gifted cows possessing many good qualities to the Brahmanas.

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References

  1. One Aksauhini consists of 21,870 elephants, an equal number of chariots, 65,610 horses and 1,09,350 foot. Thus the Mahabharata war alone involved the destruction of 3,93,660 elephants, the same number of chariots, 11,80,980 horses and 19,68,300 foot.

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