Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 4 Chapter 11:1-15

Book 4: Chapter 11

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 11: Verses 1-15
Swayambhuva Manu intervenes and persuades Dhruva to cease fighting

Maitreya went on : On hearing the prayer of the sages, who spoke as above, Dhruva sipped some water and (after washing his hand) set to his bow the missile that had been evolved by the divine sage Narayarna. While the missile was being fixed to the bow, the illusory appearances conjured up by the Guhyakas (Yaksas) forthwith vanished in the same way as nescience and its progeny (egotism and so on) disappear at the dawn of wisdom, O Vidura. Even as he fixed on his bow the missile evolved by the sage Narayana there flew from it arrows with shafts of gold and feathers resembling the wings of a swan, and penetrated the enemy ranks like peacocks entering a forest with a terrible noise. Assailed on the battle-field with those sharp-edged arrows, the Punyajanas (Yaksas) felt much enraged and with uplifted weapons darted against Dhruva from all sides even as serpents would rush at Garuda with their hoods drawn up. As they ran towards him on the field of battle he tore off with his arrows their arms, thighs, necks and bellies and despatched them to that highest realm (Satyaloka, the abode of Brahma), which recluses attain to, carving their way through the sphere of the sun. Dhruva's grandfather, Swayambhuva Manu, was overcome with compassion to see those innocent Guhyakas being killed in large numbers by Dhruva (who was mounted on a wonderful car). He arrived (on the scene) along with a number of sages and spoke to the son of Uttanapada (as follows). Manu said : Have done, dear child, with this sinful rage, a gateway to hell, swayed by which you have slain (all) these innocent Punyajanas. The carnage of innocent demigods which you have embarked upon is not becoming of our race, dear son; for such an act is denounced by the righteous. Indeed for the fault of one many have been killed by you because of their connection with the offender, highly perturbed as you were by the death of your brother, whom you loved so dearly, my darling. That one should destroy living beings after the manner of the beasts, taking the body-which is external to the mind-as one's own self, surely this is not the way of the righteous, who are devoted to the Lord (the Ruler of our senses). Having adored (in your very childhood) Sri Hari, the abode of all living beings, who is so difficult to propitiate, regarding all creatures as your own self, you have secured (for yourself) that supreme realm of Lord Visnu Constantly abiding in the thought of Sri Hari and esteemed even by His devotees, how did you perpetrate this reprehensible act-you who ought to instruct others in the ways of the righteous ? It is through forbearance (towards our elders), compassion (towards our inferiors), friendliness (towards our equals) and even-mindedness towards all living beings that the Lord, the Universal Spirit, is thoroughly pleased (with us). On the Lord being thoroughly pleased a man is rid of the three modes of Prakrti (Sattva etc.,) and of their evolute, the subtle body, and becomes one with the all-blissful Brahma. of a gross body and from their copulation spring up other men and women in the world.

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