Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 5 Chapter 15:1-10

Book 5: Chapter 15

Prev.png
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 5: Chapter 15: Verses 1-10
An account of Priyavrata's posterity continued

Sri Suka began again : We have (in VII.3 above) already spoken about the (eldest) son of Emperor Bharata, Sumati by name, who followed in the footsteps of Lord Rsabha (lived the life of an ascetic who had shaken off all worldly feeling and obligation) and whom certain heretics, having no respect for Vedic traditions, will set up according to their own perverted intellect in the Kali age as a deity not mentioned in the Vedas (the Vedic pantheon). A son, Devatajit (a conqueror of the gods by name, was born to him through (his wife) Vrddhasena. Then through Asuri (Devatajit's wife) sprang up his son, Devadyumna; from Devadyumna, through Dhenumati, was born a son, Paramesthi (by name); (and) from the loins of Paramesthi, through Suvarcala, was born Pratiha, who, having taught self-knowledge (to, many) and himself thoroughly purified (thereby), realized the Supreme Person as his own self. From (the loins of) Pratiha, through (his wife, also known as) Suvarcala, sprang up three sons, Pratiharta and so on (the other two being known by the names of Prastota and Udgata), who were (all) well-versed in (performing) sacrifices; and from Pratiharta, through Stuti, were born (two sons) Aja and Bhuma (by name). From (the loins of) Bhuma, through Rsikulya, sprang up Udgitha; from Udgitha, through Devakulya, was born Prastava; from Prastava, through Niyutsa, sprang up his son, Vibhu; from Vibhu, again, through Rati, followed Prthusena; from Prthusena, through Akuti, was born Nakta; and from (the loins of) Nakta sprang up the illustrious Gaya, son of Druti, the foremost among royal sages and a ray of Lord Visnu Himself-who has assumed the quality of Sattva (a form consisting of Sattva unmixed with Rajas and Tamas) with intent to protect the universe-Gaya, who attained to the rank of an exalted soul by virtue of (his) self-possession and other attributes. He had his mind repeatedly chastened and rendered extremely pure through (the disinterested performance of) his own duty-in the shape of looking after, providing with means of subsistence, humouring, treating with tenderness and admonishing the people and undertaking sacrifices and other pious acts in a spirit of complete dedication to Lord Visnu (the Supreme Person), who is higher than the highest (Brahma, Siva and others) and no other than Brahma (the Infinite) which had rendered it capable of yielding the highest results (viz., final beatitude, the supreme object of human pursuit), as well as through the habit of Devotion to the Lord, acquired by constantly' adoring the feet of those who have realized (their oneness with) Brahma. In that mind, which had now been (completely) rid of all identification with the body (which is other than the self), he realized his oneness with Brahma (the Supreme Spirit), whose presence was felt therein as a matter of course (without any conscious effort on his part). Yet he had no pride in him and as such (in such an unegoistic spirit) he protected (ruled over) the (entire) globe.

The knowers of the past (those well-versed in the Pauranika lore), chant the following verses in praise of Gaya:- What king, other than a part manifestation of the Lord could (dare) emulate by his deeds Gaya-be he a (great) sacrificer (one who has performed a number of great sacrifices),a high-souled man of extensive knowledge, a defender of righteousness, one who is wooed by the Goddess of Fortune, the leader of an assembly of holy men and a (true) servant of pious souls ? It was him that the pious daughters of Daksa (Sraddha, Maitri, Daya and so on)-whose benedictions (always) come true-along with (the deities presiding over a number of holy) rivers (such as Ganga) sprinkled with water (at the time of his coronation) in supreme (ecstasy of) joy. And attracted by his virtues, like a cow whose udders begin to flow at the sight of her calf, mother Earth yielded to his subjects (all their) desired objects, even though he(himself) had no desire (whatsoever).

Next.png

References

Related Articles