Stories from Upanishads and Purans retold by Urghiya
Goswami. Welcome friends, seekers and
curious minds. Today we are diving deep into
the mystical world of Rishi Germany's quest, unraveling
their hidden secrets behind Bharata and the divine mysteries
of Markande Puran. Remember my last podcast?
It was the story of four birds, a journey that set the stage for
today's adventure. We saw how Rishi Jaimini, driven
by curiosity, sought answers from the great sage Markanda
about some of the most profound questions from Bharata, and the
sage Markanda redirected him to the four birds who had Vedic
knowledge and could speak in a human voice.
But the story doesn't end there. Today we are venturing further
following the trail to the Vindhya Mountains into the
secret cavern where 4 wise birds reside, Pingaksha, Vibhodar,
Supatra and Sumukha prepared to be captivate as we uncover
ancient secrets hidden in the stories of gods, kings and sages
that reveal the divine dance of creation, preservation and
destruction. Deep into the story, you'll find
the fascinating explanation of four forms of Vishnu and their
astonishing significance. Did you know the story of
Balarama's pilgrimage and hardships, of Raja Harishchandra
and the origins of Pandavas, all weaved together to show us what
divine justice and karma truly mean.
So, Are you ready? Let's journey into the realms of
divine knowledge, mystical symbolism, and timeless throat
press play. Sit back and let this epic saga
unfold. Don't forget like, subscribe and
hit that bell icon so that you never miss a story that can
elevate your spiritual journey. Also, friends, please stay tuned
for the next episode. We will explore how Raja
Harishchandra's story of truth, sacrifice, and hardship
continues to inspire generations.
Are you excited? Then let's begin the divine
adventure. The sage Markandia told Rishi
Gemini that the birds stayed in a cavern in Vindhya Mountains.
Rishi Gemini packed up, braved the wild and journeyed to the
caves of Vindhya Mountains where the birds resided.
Finally, after a long search, he managed to find the cavern.
As he arrived, he heard something beautiful.
Vedic chants been recited with such purity that he thought
surely Saraswati herself speaks through these voices.
He entered the cavern and saw them.
Four birds perched on a slab of stone reciting slokas from a
palm leaf manuscript. Overwhelmed Gemini bored and
said. O wise ones, I am Gemini
disciple of sage Vedaviyasa. I know your past lies, your
wisdom and your devotion. I have come seeking answers.
On hearing this, the birds honour Gemini with Padhya, that
is the water for washing feet and urge that is gift given to a
guest. By the way, my name is also
Urghir and what a coincidence asking about his welfare, these
birds did not just welcome him, they fanned him with their wings
to soothe his journey's fatigue. Then the birds said something
beautiful. Our father's curse burns our
bodies, but your presence is like cool healing water.
Your visit is like the company of gods.
What a blessing. Our birth has been successful
today. Gemini smiled and spoke.
Oh wise ones, I have deep questions about Bharata.
Sage Markanda told me. Only you can reveal the truths
behind these cosmic events. So please enlighten me.
The birds nodded. We shall answer if the knowledge
lies within us. Excited, Rishi Jamini asked his
questions. Why did Nirguna Janardhana
assume a human form? Why did Krishna Dhrupas daughter
Draupadi marry 5 Pandavas? Why did immensely powerful
plough will Elding Balaram kill Abrahman Sutalo Maharshana and
go to a teeth? And why did all five sons of
Dhrapati get murdered even when 5 Pandavas possessing superhuman
strength were present? The birds patiently listened to
the question and started answering them 1 by 1, the
bird's first bow to Lord Vishnu, praising him as all pervading
force. Vishnu, the unchanging, the
eternal, the all seeing, the invisible and the visible, the
source and the sustainer and the dissolver of all existence.
They said he's the one who existed in four forms.
One who possess 3 gunas and also devoid of any gunas.
The supreme, the greatest, the one who deserves to be
worshipped, one who is immortal, one who pervades the universe.
The one who is without a beginning.
One who is greater than the greatest.
One who is smaller than the minute test.
One who possess attributes of being seen and not being seen.
One who is spoken as a creator, preserver and destroyer.
We bow down to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva.
We will explain the views of great sage whether Vyasa to you
or Rishi Jaimini. After saying this the birds
explained there was destruction before creation.
There was water everywhere. The sages who know about this
throat refer to this water as Nara.
Vishnu slept on this water and took refuge.
As Ayana means place of refuge so he is called Narayana.
Narayana is established in four forms, or Chaturviya, and he's
both saguna and nirguna. The first form is the one that
cannot be recognized. The learned perceive it as
white. Those who are supremely devoted
to yoga see this form as one whose limbs are covered in
garlands of flames. It is known to be beyond gunas.
It is known as Vasudeva. It can be seen when one is
devoid of any sense of ego. Its form and complexion are not
real, but fashioned out of one's imagination.
Its existence is always pure, established in an extremely
sacred way. Friends, just to add up here,
Vasudeva is the original form of Vishnu as he embodies the
essence of divinity and is often associated with the concept of
pure consciousness and ultimate reality that is Brahman.
This form is worshipped in many traditions and signifies the
principle of unity in divinity. The second form of Vishnu is
Sankarshana or form of Adi Anand Tashesha, which holds up the
earth on his hood from below. It is said that it is
characterized by Tamas or darkness of ignorance.
Friends, again, just to add up here, some questions represent
the power of creation, stability and balance of the entire
cosmos. This aspect of Vishnu is often
associated with the maintenance of the universe and is believed
to facilitate the connection between spiritual and material
realms. The third form of Vishnu is
Pradhyumnu and is devoted to nurturing and protection of
subjects as an acts. Accordingly, it is said that
this form is immensed in Sattva Guna.
In this form he always protects and establishes Dharma on earth.
He also slays asuras and destroyers of Dharma and
protects virtuous beings from a Dharma.
Orishi Jamini. Whenever there's a decline of
Dharma and Dharma rises, he creates himself.
He manifests and incarnates into different avatars such as Matsa,
Kuruma, Varaha, Narsimha, Vamana, Parusharam, Ram and his
latest one is Krishna in Mathura.
Friends again elaborating further on this.
Pradyumna symbolizes the power of knowledge and love.
He is considered the embodiment of desire and he is associated
with divine love, particularly in the context of relationship
and cosmic balance. His character is highlighted as
the importance of love as a force that drives creation.
The fourth form of Vishnu is Aniruddha who lies down in the
water using Adi Anant Tashesha as couch using Rajas Guna.
It always indulges in creation. This form is linked to the
strength and capability to overcome obstacles.
He represents individual souls, journey and attainment of
liberation or moksha through devotion and righteousness.
Friends, just to add up on the significance of Chaturva are 4
forms of Vishnu and what philosophical significance it
brings to our Sanatan Dharma. Viva means murti.
Parmatma has four avatars namely viewer, vivhaba, Arka, Vatara
and Antaryami. In Srimath Bhagavatam it is
mentioned that namaste vasudevaya namaha sankar
shanachar pragdum na anirudhaya tub bham bhagavate namaha in
Vishnu Puran also recognizes the four viewers.
Om namo vasudevaya namo sankar shanaya cha pragdum naya namastu
bham anurad dhaya TE namaha. In view, Avatar 4 forms
illustrate the principles of cosmic order and balance.
As each of these forms holds significant role in harmonious
creation, maintenance and destruction, it also signifies
unity in divinity where through these different forms and
purposes but still it leads to one single divine reality that
is Brahman or Para Brahman or simply Parmathma.
Sri Adi Sankaracharya has criticized the conception of
four viewers in Brahmasutra 2 point 2.42245, which makes
distinctions and is not directed at the four viewers as described
in Shreemath Bhagavatam and Vishnu Puran.
These 4 viewers and murtis were also mentioned in Pancharatra
Agama. Due to the scattered
availability of Pancharatna Agama, a fundamental holistic
hypothesis is difficult. The jiva is born from
Paramatman, the mind is born from jiva, the ego is born from
the mind. And thus Adi Shankara says that
these conceptions are not backed by evidence and are full of
errors and therefore not consonant of the Vedic
philosophy. Other manuscripts such as
Lakshmi Tantra and other Samitas base these 4 viewers on duality.
In reality, the secret of four viewers has been indicated in
Shreemath Bhagavatam itself. In the wakeful state, the world
itself is known as Sankarshana. In the dream state, Pragdhumna
manifest it as light or Tejas, pure knowledge.
In the state of deep sleep, Shushukti is also known as
Aniruddha. Vasudeva is the witness to all
these three states. Avastha.
So when Rishi Markande was in a state of samadhi through his
yogic powers, Lord Shiva appeared in his heart and then
when Markande emerged from his samadhi, lordship appeared
before him in his physical form. At that point, Markande
eulogizes Shiva as namaha shivaya, santaya, satvaya param,
rudraya rajo susupe aghoraya namastu namo juice.
In this sloka, Shiva is praised as an exalted or special form of
three gunas, sattva, rajas and tamas.
When Shiva speaks to the great sage, he says three of us,
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are those who grant moksha.
People endowed with true knowledge or gyani do not see
distinctions among me, a tutor that is Vishnu and Brahma.
After this stage, Markande say Swami, you have created this
universe by your mind and then you have yourself entered it.
You are the embodiment of three gunas as well as their director.
You are second to none. You are the Guru and the Para
Brahman. I bow to you.
The three murtis are indeed manifested forms.
However, the formless para Brahman or Brahman is their
fundamental and real nature. Now coming back to my story,
depending on his wishes, Vasudeva always assumes divine,
human or subhuman forms. This answers the question why
Vasudeva assumed the human form and now we will tell you about
why. Dhrupadi married 5 Pandavas.
The birds continued Orishi. In earlier times Indra killed
Vashta son Vishwaroopa who was the guardian of cows.
Overwhelmed by the sin of killing Abrahmin, his energy was
greatly depleted. Due to his wicked conduct,
Indras energy entered Dharma. Thus, Indra lost all his energy
on hearing the murder of his son.
Enraged Twister tore of a lock of his hair and offered it as a
revelation into the fire. A great asura with rose from the
fire. He was gigantic with large teeth
and complexion of collarium that is cobalt blue.
Invigorated by Twashta's energy, Vitra was immensely strong.
Indra realized that this Asura was meant for his destruction.
Afflicted by fear, he dispatched the Saptarishis to bring about
an alliance and truths between him and the mighty Asura.
However, as cunning as always, he violated the truths and
attacked Asura and killing him. Eventually, killing Vitra in
this unethical fashion was a sin and it diminished Indra's
strength. The strength from Indra's body
went into Pavan, the God of wind.
However, Indra's cunningness was still at large.
After some time, Indra assumed the form of Rishi Gautama and
violated Ahalya. Due to this horrible act, his
beauty disappeared. The beauty entered Nasat tears
or the Ashwin twins. So now the king of gods were
deprived of his energy, strength and beauty.
Knowing this state of Indra, the deity sought to Vanquish him.
Orishi to defeat and kill Indra. Extremely strong deityers were
born in the lineages of nobles and prominent kings.
On one such occasion, the earth or Bhudevi suffered from this
burden of deities taking birth on earth and went to the summit
of Mount Meru where gods lived. She conveyed her suffering.
She said these asuras with great energy and strength have taken
birth in human form in the lineages of prominent kings.
I am suffering due to this burden of this and sinking
downwards. So oh Gods, please act so that I
can obtain peace. On hearing a plea, the gods
descended from the heaven to earth.
In sake of ensuring welfare of subjects and removing Earth's
burden, they decided to take birth in human form using the
energy released from Indra. Dharma was himself born through
Kunti as energetic righteous Yudhishtira using the strength
from Indra. Pavan himself born to Kunti as
the mighty Bhima. Indra using his remaining energy
resulted into the birth of Arjuna through Kunti.
Then Ashwin twins were born through Madhuri as Nakul and
Sahadeva and possess Indra's beauty.
Thus, all 5 Pandavas originated from the same source even though
they appeared as distinct entities.
Indra's beloved wife was Shuchi or Indrani and she emerged as
Krishna or Dhrupadi from the fire altar of King Dhrupa's
Yagya. Shuchi was Indra's wife and
later she married all 5 Pandavas as all of them were Indra's
different forms. After a pause, the birds told
Rishi. Next we will tell you why
Balarama went to teeth after killing Sutalo.
Maharshana Balarama was undecided at the time of
Kurushetra war on whose side he would take.
Krishna, his beloved brother had already taken Pandava's side.
However, Balram was quite fond of Duryadhana as he was his guru
and taught him to fight with the maze.
However, seeing Krishna going towards Pandava's, he thought
without Krishna I cannot take Duryadhana's side and also
cannot take Pandava's side either as it would be injustice
toward my beloved student. So I will take neither side,
neither Pandavas nor Korovas. Until the destruction of Korovas
and Pandavas, I will be content within myself and go on a
pilgrimage. Thus Balram went to Dwarka which
was full of happy and healthy people.
On the next day, Balram was going for long pilgrimage.
Therefore he started to drink and holding beautiful revati by
hand, he went to the prosperous garden of Raywata.
Being heavily intoxicated, he stumbled and fell as he walked.
He walked past the beautiful garden.
He saw various trees bearing different types of delicious
fruits and flowers. Various species of exotic birds
sang and chirped on the branches of the trees as he progressed
through the garden. Along with Revathi and group of
other beautiful women, he saw Brahmins and sages from the
lineages of Kaushik, Bhargav, Bharat, Dwaja and Gautam
listening to various slopes from Qurans.
They were all listening to the great sage Sutalu Maharshan
attentively. These Brahmins and sages were
seated on the spreads of shining kushal grass and their upper
garments were made out of black antelope skin.
When they all saw Balram entering the auspicious place,
seeing him intoxicated and not in his complete senses except
the sage Suta Loom Harshana, all others arose and honored him.
At this gesture, Balram was highly offended and became
extremely furious and unable to control his rage.
He killed Suta Lomaharshana with the tip of a blade of a Kusha
grass. After the death of Lomaharshana,
all the Brahmins left the garden.
Balarama realized his mistake and started repenting.
He thought I have committed a great sin as I have killed Suta
whose soul has departed from Brahma Lok.
All of the Brahmins and sages glanced at me in disgust and
left me. There is an unpleasant smell of
blood on my body. I have committed a great sin by
killing a Brahmin. Shame on my intolerance, the
drink, my pride and my rashness. Overwhelmed by this, I have
committed this great sin as an atonement, I vow for 12 years
and we speak about what I have done.
Therefore, I will now start visiting teethers and
immediately leave for Pratilomasaraswati.
Now that we have told you why Balram killed the Brahmin, we
will tell you about Pandavias. Friends, Pandavias means sons of
Pandavas. The birds continue to tell the
account. In earlier times in Tritha Yuga,
there was a royal king named Raja Harishchandra.
He was the most righteous, truthful, protected his Kingdom
and this earth. His fame glittered across the
earth. During his reign, there was no
famine, drought or disease. Everything happened as per the
time. Everything was in order.
There was no adharma, no unrighteousness anywhere.
Citizens were not prone to adharma or intoxication or
insolent due to their riches, valor or austerities.
One day Raja Harishchandra went out for hunting and was chasing
a deer in a forest. While chasing the deer, he heard
some women crying for help and was chasing the forest.
While chasing the deer, he heard some women crying for help.
Abandoning the hunt, he followed the direction from where the
cries were coming. As he approached the spot, he
shouted and consoled the women saying that he was there to help
them out. As soon as he reached the spot,
he was astonished to see a great sage Vishwamitra in a state of
deep meditation, due to which he is observing forgiveness,
silence and control over his intelligence, striving for
success, afflicted by fear. Those different kinds of
learnings were screaming and crying for help.
How can the king help Learning? Said the sage is extremely
powerful and they were weak in comparison.
At that moment Vignaraj, the king of obstacles who creates
impediments of every kind of initiative, said to the
learnings that he will enter the King's body and stop the sage
from meditating. Terrible Vignaraj entered Raja
Harishchandras body and took over his mind.
Thus possessed by Vignaraj, the king angrily shouted at the sage
and raised his bow and and aimed an arrow at him.
Such enraged words from the king disturbed sage Vishwamitra.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the king.
Instantly he became furious and at the same time all those kinds
of different learnings disappeared.
Vignaraj too disappeared, leaving the king in the normal
state. King realized his mistake.
The sage cried out at the king was such an improper gesture.
Humbly the king prostrated himself and said, O illustrious
one, this is my Dharma. Please do not find fault in me.
Oh great one, you must not be angry with me.
I have been enraged in following my Dharma.
It is my Dharma to donate and protect.
I wanted to protect that learnings that were crying for
help. So I raised my bow to stop you
from meditation. Vishwamitra asked, O king, who
must you give? To whom must you protect?
If you are a knower and follower of Dharma, answer me quickly.
Raja Harishchandra replied that one must donate to the best of
Brahmins and to ones who are suffering.
One must protect those who are scared and weak.
One must fight those who create obstacles.
Vishwamitra said to the king that if he followed Dharma, then
he is also a Brahmin and wished for a Dakshina.
On hearing this, Raja Harishchandra was delighted as
he was not cursed by the great sage.
He excitedly asked the sage to ask what his wish was.
He was ready to provide him with anything desired such as gold,
silver, sun, daughter, his body, his soul, his life, his Kingdom,
his city, his prosperity or anything else he desired.
Vishwamitra smiled and said he would accept whatever he would
provide him as he longed for a Dakshina for the royal sacrifice
with extreme devotion. Raja Harishchandra replied, Oh
great one, I'll give you that Dakshina.
Please tell me what you desire. Vishwamitra smiled and said, Oh
brave one, I wish for this earth with its ocean, lands, villages,
treasures, elephants, horses, habitations, your entire Kingdom
with your Chariots, treasures and wealth.
Whatever you possess as my Dakshina, only your own body,
your wife and your child are exempted from it.
Give me all these. Despite hearing all these to be
given to the sage as Dakshina, King showed no anger or
agitation on his face. With delightful mind and joined
hands in salutation, the king agreed to give all these to the
sage. Vishwamitra asked the king since
he had gifted all his positions to the sage, who will be Lord of
all these positions? Harish Chandra replied valiantly
that the sage would be the Lord of all these positions.
Vishwamitra smiled wickedly and said since he's the Lord of all
these belongings, he orders him to leave right now.
Wearing a tree bark along with his wife Shiba and infant son
Rohit Ashwa. At the very moment,
Harishchandra happily agreed to this condition and started his
preparation to leave. As he was leaving, the sage
obstructed them and said without giving Dakshina for the royal
sacrifice, he could not leave. At this Harishchandra said that
he had already gifted him everything he possessed.
Only his body, soul, his wife and infant son remained with
him. What else he can give him?
Angry Vishwamitra said he must give him his Dakshina at any
cost as pledge made to a Brahman is not, if not fulfilled, leads
to the path of destruction. With extreme politeness,
Harishchandra bowed before the great great sage and said he had
nothing to be left to be given as Dakshina as of now.
However, in the next one month's time, he can arrange to give him
his Dakshina. After taking approval from the
sage, he along with his family left.
However, the citizens were unhappy and in distress.
They obstructed them from living and abandoning them.
Looking at the distress of citizens, Viswamitra intervened
and accused Harishchandra of being a cheat.
As he had already given the citizens to the sage, so he had
no right to stop and talk with them.
On hearing this, Harish Chandra left quickly along with his wife
and son. During this moment filled with
compassion, 5 Vishwadeva said, How will this extremely wicked
Vishwamitra easily obtain any world?
He has uprooted the best among the kings who has sacrificed his
Kingdom to keep his word. Hearing this from 5 Vishwadevas,
the sage became extremely angry and immediately caused them.
All of you will become humans and they scared.
Vishwadevas asked for mercy from the great sage.
On hearing their pleas, Said said though you will be humans,
you will not have any wives or children.
You will be free from desired anger and you will become gods
again. As humans, you will be born in
the lineage of gurus. Saying this, the birds said
those were the five descendants of Pandu lineage who were born
from Dhrupathi's womb. Due to discourse, these
pandavaires did not have any wives or children and were
murdered in their youth. After their death, as per the
curse, they regained their godly form.
Again. These were the answers to your
questions, Orishi Gemini. So friends, that was all about
today's episode. In the next episode, I will
narrate you the complete story of Raja Harishchandra and how he
became a Chandal and the number of hardships his family had to
suffer. I hope you are enjoying my
podcast a lot. Please shower your love and
blessings by liking the video, subscribing to my channel
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