1 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:12,280 Stories from Upanishads and Purans retold by Urghiya 2 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:25,600 Goswami. Dear friends and listeners, how 3 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,800 are you today? This is my first story from the 4 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:34,200 Purans and as I told you all last time in my channel, I will 5 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,840 narrate stories from both Purans and Upanishads. 6 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:42,000 Without wasting too much time, let me take you all to my 7 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,720 today's story. This story is taken from 8 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,120 Markande Puran. It is called story of four 9 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:53,360 birds, Pingaksha, Vibhodha, Suhpatra and Sumhuka. 10 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:57,960 This puran was narrated by the great sage Markande to sage 11 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,360 Jaimini, hence this name Markande Puran. 12 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,240 Rishi Jaimini asked Rishi Markande about the sacred text 13 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,320 of Bharatha. On the side note to all my 14 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:13,400 viewers, Bharata was the earlier name of our greatest Etihasa 15 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,200 Mahabharata. To be very precise, when Sage 16 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:20,600 Veda Vyas wrote the sacred text, he named it as Jaya, which 17 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:25,320 contained around 25000 verses. And then when Sage Veda Vyas 18 00:01:25,320 --> 00:01:29,360 recited this holy text to his disciples, one of these 19 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:33,720 disciples, Rishi Vaisampanaya then again recited the text to 20 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,760 other sages including Sage Suta Goswami. 21 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,880 While doing so, he called it Bharatha or descendants of 22 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,240 Bharatha. Sage Suta Goswami then recited 23 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:48,480 the text for the third time to various sages in the sacred 24 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,120 Naimishwaranya forest which is located along the banks of river 25 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,760 Gomti in Sitapur district of modern day Uttar Pradesh. 26 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,920 There, while narrating, the great sage added teachings and 27 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:05,800 messages about the events of Mahabharata and the text 28 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:10,520 eventually became Mahabharata, which means the tales of the 29 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:15,760 descendants of Bharata and it contained over 100,000 verses. 30 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:21,280 The poem is divided into 18 sections or parvas plus a 31 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,840 supplement titled Hari Vamsha Genealogy of Lord Hari. 32 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,640 Although it is highly unlikely that one single author had 33 00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:33,960 written this great text, however, it must be noted that 34 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:38,920 traditionally the authorship is accredited to Sage Vedaviyasa. 35 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:44,240 That was the story how our greatest Etihasa named Jaya 36 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,120 became Bharata and eventually became Mahabharata. 37 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,840 So this gives us an indication of the period when this Puran 38 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,600 was written. Perhaps it was written during 39 00:02:56,600 --> 00:03:00,840 some time, the retailing or recitation of Bharata by the 40 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:05,240 great sage Vaishampayana to sage Sutar Goswami and others. 41 00:03:05,640 --> 00:03:09,840 Let's come back to our story, the story of four birds from 42 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,880 Markandapuran. Rishi Jamani asked Rishi 43 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,160 Markande several questions related to Bharatha. 44 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:21,400 He asked if Vasudeva was param Brahma who runs the universe, 45 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,080 then why did he take birth in human form? 46 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:29,120 Why did Dhupas daughter Krishna or Dhrupadi marry 5 Pandavas? 47 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:35,880 Why did Balaram kill a Brahman Lomar Shana with his plow and go 48 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,320 to a teetha? Why were all sons of Dhrapadi 49 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:43,560 murdered even when the Pandavas of superhuman strength were 50 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,040 present? Rishi Markande was about to 51 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:52,480 initiate the austerities for the day, so he advised Rishi Gemini 52 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:57,520 to ask about the sacred test and all these intriguing questions 53 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:02,760 to the four birds named Pingaksha, Vibhoda, Supratra and 54 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:07,400 Sumuka who reside in a cave in the middle of the Vindhya 55 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,640 Mountains. Rishi said that these birds are 56 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:15,480 sons of drone and possess knowledge of wades and thought 57 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:19,079 about the sacred text. He also told him that these 58 00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:23,560 birds can talk in human voice. Rishi Jamini was surprised to 59 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:26,680 hear this. He immediately asked who is this 60 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:32,000 person Drone and how he had sons of inferior species such as 61 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,200 birds. How did these birds possess the 62 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:40,200 knowledge of Vedas, Dharma and truth about Bharata which is 63 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,440 extremely difficult to attain? How can they talk in a human 64 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,720 voice? Then Rishi Markand narrated a 65 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:52,840 story to Rishi Yamini in earlier times in the garden of Nandana, 66 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,960 which was a pleasure garden of Devraj Indra, the king of gods. 67 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:02,800 Indra enjoying the dance concerts of various Apsaras and 68 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,560 celestial maidens. During that moment, Devarshi 69 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:11,880 Narada came to Nandana. As soon as Indra saw Devarshi 70 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:15,880 approaching him, he got up from his seat and welcomed him with 71 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,680 utmost respect. On saying that their king is 72 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:24,400 showing such respect to the sage, all Afsaras also bent down 73 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,040 in respect. After some conversation, Indra 74 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:33,240 offered Narada to command any of his Afsaras such as Rambha, 75 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:38,480 Karkasha, Urvashi, Tilotama, Ghitachi or Menaka to dance. 76 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:43,440 Narad looked at the Afsaras bent down before him in all humility 77 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,760 and said Among all of you, whoever thinks herself to be 78 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:52,840 superior in beauty, generosity and qualities may dance in front 79 00:05:52,840 --> 00:05:55,760 of Maine. As soon as the sage placed his 80 00:05:55,760 --> 00:06:00,320 condition, all the Afsaras demanded that she was best and 81 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:04,720 started arguing with each other. Looking at such a ruckus created 82 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:09,600 in the holy Nandana in the intervene and said let the Devas 83 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,760 she decide who among the Afsaras is superior in qualities. 84 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:19,120 This command from Devaraj has put they were she in a spot but 85 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:23,480 he was witty and intelligent and he devised a competition 86 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:27,320 quickly. He said Rishi Durvasa performing 87 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:32,280 austerities on Mt Pralaya. If any of you has courage and 88 00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:36,840 forced to agitate him, you will win this competition of 89 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:40,040 superiority. She will be judged as superior 90 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:45,040 to all others in quality. As soon as the Apsaras heard of 91 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,720 Maharshi Durwasa, they were scared and didn't dare to 92 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,600 participate in the competition as they were. 93 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,640 She thought that it was all over. 94 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:57,440 Suddenly an Apsara named Vapu came forward. 95 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,840 This surprised everyone in the garden of Nandana. 96 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:06,040 Vapu said, Oh, great sage, I'm capable of agitating the great 97 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:09,360 Sage Durvasa. I will go to the mountain where 98 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,360 the sage resides. The sage has controlled his 99 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:17,160 body, which is like a chariot, and has ruined his senses, which 100 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:21,120 are like horses. However, the weapon of love will 101 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:25,600 make him lose his reigns and render him a bad chariot. 102 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:30,280 Here even Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh cannot stop me from 103 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,640 piercing his heart with the arrows of love. 104 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,960 Saying this, Apsara Vapu lives for Mount Prair. 105 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:42,760 When she reached the mountain, she witnessed that all the 106 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:47,480 dangerous beasts were peaceful due to austerities of the sage. 107 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:53,480 She remained about 1 kosher or about two miles away from the 108 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,840 sage. Then using her magical powers, 109 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:01,520 she assumed the voice of a male Kaku and started to sing 110 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,400 sweetly. Sage heard the sweet song of the 111 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,720 bird and was surprised. He followed the sound and 112 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,720 reached the place where the beautiful Apsara was present. 113 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:20,000 Seeing her unparalleled beauty, Maharshi controlled himself and 114 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:25,320 composed his thoughts and mind. Using his austerities, he came 115 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,480 to know that the Afsara was there to agitate him. 116 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:33,159 This made him furious. In the fit of rage, he cursed 117 00:08:33,159 --> 00:08:35,200 her. Oh evil minded 1. 118 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,799 You have come here to cause me unhappiness and create obstacle 119 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:43,320 in my meditation. By doing this, you have brought 120 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,680 misery on yourself. I curse you to be born in the 121 00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:53,600 race of birds for 16 years. You will give up your beautiful 122 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:58,840 form and take a form of a bird. You will have four sons. 123 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:04,720 However, you will be purified by a weapon and return to heaven 124 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:09,120 again and will not have any delight from your sons. 125 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,680 Saying this, the sage ascended to the heaven. 126 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,920 Then Rishi Markande said to Rishi Gemini. 127 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:20,960 Rishi Kashyap, whose another name was Arishta Neni, had a son 128 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,480 named Garur from his wife Vinita. 129 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:28,000 He was king of birds. Garur had a son named Sampathi. 130 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:33,120 Sampathi son was brave. Supershah friends, here I would 131 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,480 like to draw your attention to a small discrepancy which we 132 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:41,360 observed across our scriptures. In Valmiki Ramayan, we find that 133 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,960 Jatayu and Sampathi were brothers and son of Guru's 134 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,680 brother Aruna. However, in Markande Puran, we 135 00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:51,080 find that Sampathi is Guru's son. 136 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:56,080 Well, coming back to the story, Supershvar's son was Kunti and 137 00:09:56,080 --> 00:10:01,360 his son was Prallu Bhupar. Kalanooper had two sons, Kanaka 138 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,840 and Kandhara. Kanaka once flew to the top of 139 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:10,200 Mount Kalasha. On the summit, he saw a Rakshasa 140 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:14,120 named Victor Rooper. He was drinking and was wearing 141 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:18,680 sparkling garlands and garments. He was in the middle of spending 142 00:10:18,680 --> 00:10:24,160 some intimate moments with his wife Madanika, who was Apsara 143 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:28,720 Minka's daughter. Kanaka flew right over them and 144 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:32,520 disturbed the couple. Rakshashi was filled with rage. 145 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:36,360 As soon as he saw Kanaka. He demanded an explanation from 146 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:40,360 the great bird on the purpose of his untimely visit. 147 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:44,400 Challenged, Kanaka replied that this Kailash belongs to 148 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:48,280 everybody. This man with the roof of angry 149 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:53,080 while Kanaka was still speaking to him and out of anger he 150 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:57,440 killed Kanaka with his sword. Kanaka's younger brother 151 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:00,960 Kandhara came to know about his elder brother's death. 152 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:06,120 He was mad with rage. He wanted to have his revenge. 153 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:11,240 So he flew to the summit of Mount Kalasha, where the dead 154 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:15,440 body of Kanaka was lying. After retrieving it, he 155 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,040 performed his brother's last rites. 156 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:23,560 Then he went to the place where Vidhu Dhrupa was intimate with 157 00:11:23,560 --> 00:11:28,360 his beautiful wife. Doctor of Minikas voice was as 158 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,400 sweet as the voice of the male Kaku bird. 159 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:36,200 Rakshasha looked terrible. His face and eyes were coppery 160 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,680 red. His teeth looked terrible. 161 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:43,400 Kandhara cried out in anger and challenged the Rakshasha to a 162 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:46,520 fight. So was the cast of wings 163 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,160 generated from the flapping of his great wings. 164 00:11:50,680 --> 00:11:55,440 The mountain started to tremble. Kandhara cried out again calling 165 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:59,400 him the killer of his brother. He challenged him to a fight, 166 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:03,480 demanded his death as he violated the trust of his 167 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:07,000 brother. Vidhu Dhrupa was insulted in 168 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,720 presence of his wife. He was angry. 169 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:14,320 He wrote that he has displayed manliness by killing Kanaka. 170 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:19,240 He showed him the sword using which he killed the bird and 171 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,960 cried out that he would kill Kandhara using the same. 172 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:27,480 Following this exchange of heated conversation between the 173 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:32,040 great bird and Rakshasa, a fuse violent duel erupted. 174 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:36,960 It felt as if it was a fight between Gurur and Indra over the 175 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,840 Kalash or part of Amrit or nectar. 176 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:44,920 Fight intensified as the great bird was able to snatch away the 177 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:50,680 sword of the Rakshasha using a sharp pointed beak like Guru 178 00:12:50,680 --> 00:12:55,360 seizing a serpent. Then Kandhara broke the sword 179 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:59,840 using his beak and talons. Weaponless Rakshasha went to 180 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:02,880 fight the great bird in hand to hand combat. 181 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:08,520 However, he was no match for the great bird as he was torn to 182 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:14,160 pieces by sharp beak and talons. Witnessing such a violent dwell 183 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,760 between the great bird and her husband, which ended with her 184 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:23,680 husband's death, Madanika was scared and sought Kandhara's 185 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:26,520 refuge. She proposed to be his wife. 186 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:32,120 Thus, Kandhara took her with him after avenging his brother's 187 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,400 death. The daughter of Minaka Madanika 188 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:39,840 could take any form at will. Having gone with Kandhara, she 189 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:43,360 took the form of a bird. There, through Kandhara, she 190 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,240 gave birth to a daughter named Tarakshi. 191 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,360 She was none other than the beautiful Apsara Vapu. 192 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:55,720 Thus due to the curse of Sage Duruvasa, Apsara Vapu was born 193 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,920 as Tarakshi in the form of a bird. 194 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:03,160 Sage Mandapala had married a Sangrika bird named Jarita. 195 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:08,280 The couple had 4 brilliant sons. They were ex and Brahmans. 196 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:14,280 Jaritari was the eldest followed by Sariksha, Stambamitra and 197 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,320 Drona. Drona was the youngest son of 198 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:22,200 Sage Mandapala and Jarita. He followed Dharma and 199 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:25,920 accomplished in all Vedas and Vedangas. 200 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:31,040 When drone grew up, he married Tarakshi Puri. 201 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:33,880 After some time Tarakshi conceived. 202 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:39,040 However, fate drew her. She flew over to Kurukshetra 203 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,280 when she was 7 fortnights pregnant. 204 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:47,040 On the battlegrounds of Kurukshetra, fierce war between 205 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,560 Pandagas and Koragas was going on. 206 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:55,320 Destiny drew her right into the battlefield where Tarakshi 207 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:59,800 witnessed kings fighting kings, brothers fighting brothers. 208 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:04,680 Shower of arrows and spews and clanging of swords and shells 209 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,440 made the battleground deafening and horrific. 210 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:12,080 She witnessed a duel between Bhagat and Kiriti. 211 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:17,600 Just on the side note, Bhagatta fought on behalf of Koravas and 212 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,960 was son of Naraka Sura and king of Pragya Jyotisha. 213 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:25,880 He was a renowned warrior especially skilled in elephant 214 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:29,160 warfare. He was successful in defeating 215 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,840 many Maharatis in one to one battle. 216 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:37,000 He was even successful in displacing Arjun's crown before 217 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:41,000 attaining Vilgati. Kiriti is another name for Arjun 218 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:46,400 as he is called by many names such as Palgul, Jishnu, Partha 219 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:49,440 and Kiriti. He was named Kiriti because 220 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,840 Indra placed celestial crown on Arjun's head. 221 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,840 Now coming back to the story, Tarakshi witnessed the sky 222 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:03,200 covered in insistent arrows just like locusts flying over the 223 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,040 crop farm. Finally from Gandev Arjunas bow 224 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:12,720 a broad headed arrow similar to a serpent came flying and 225 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:17,160 pierced her belly. The arrow had ruptured Tarakshi 226 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:23,720 stomach from side due to which the four eggs with complexion of 227 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:28,640 moon fell on the pile of flesh and mutilated bodies. 228 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:35,080 Just that moment, another arrow from Gandhi detached the giant 229 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:40,920 bell tied around the neck of Bhagdatta's war elephant Sukh 230 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:46,640 Pratika and fell on the four eggs covering it safely from all 231 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,640 four sides. Just to add, Supratika was the 232 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:56,680 elephant of Bhag Dutta and once on the 12th day of the war when 233 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:00,520 Bheem was on a killing spree and killed several elephants with 234 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:05,240 his powerful maze, Supratika crushed Bheem's chariot and 235 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,599 grabbed him by trunk round his neck. 236 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:12,359 However, Bhim managed to escape the chokehold. 237 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:17,040 Judasthira directed another warrior named Dasara to attack 238 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:21,119 Bhag Dutta with his elephant brigade but Supratika killed 239 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:26,720 Dasara's elephant and this gave Bhim to escape the scruffle. 240 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:31,680 Shortly afterwards, Arjun was able to slay Bhag Dutta and the 241 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:36,320 war continued for a few more days and once it was over. 242 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:41,880 Judasthir son of Dharma into Bhishma who was lying on the bed 243 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:45,040 of arrows and got lessons on Dharma. 244 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:50,360 The great sage Shamik was passing by the battlefield and 245 00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:54,960 heard the chirping of the birds coming from the giant bell. 246 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:59,480 He went near the bell and lifted it to investigate it. 247 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:05,360 He was greatly surprised to see 4 little birds happily chirping 248 00:18:05,360 --> 00:18:08,920 underneath the bell. Page was filled with wonder. 249 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:13,080 Then other Brahmans and followers of the great sage are 250 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:17,680 Shamik about the birds who made the eggs fall on the pile of 251 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:21,760 flesh and bodies and at the same time cover it safely with a 252 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:25,040 bell. Who caused this ground soft with 253 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:29,360 blood, fat and flesh. These birds don't seem to be 254 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:33,240 ordinary ones. Their destiny has favoured them, 255 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,080 which indicates that there are extremely good fortune. 256 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:41,080 Then Shamik advised that they should take these birds with 257 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:45,760 them to their Hermitage and keep them safe that has No Fear from 258 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:49,400 any threatened predators. Any excessive care is not 259 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,720 required as everyone will live as per their karma and deeds. 260 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:56,440 It is the same for these little birds. 261 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,600 On hearing these, the sages followed Shamik's advice and 262 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,320 picked the birds and went to the Hermitage. 263 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:09,080 Hermitage was engaged in pious rituals and sacrificial rites in 264 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:13,880 honor of Mahavishnu, the will of Sudarshan, Chakra, Rudra, 265 00:19:13,960 --> 00:19:19,600 Brahma, Indra, Vaibhat, Sir Avani, Varun, Goddess Saraswati, 266 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,920 Goddess Mahalakshmi, Pavan, Bhattri, Vidhatri and 267 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:27,280 Vishwadevas. Then sage Markande told sage 268 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:31,640 Gemini birds by giving them shelter, food and water and 269 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,600 protected them from predators and rough metals. 270 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:37,480 In the next month, the birds started to fly. 271 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:42,560 They rose high in the air, able to see the cities, water bodies 272 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,440 and very rivers. After their flight, they 273 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:50,680 returned to the Hermitage. The birds thanked the sages for 274 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:54,200 saving them and providing them with shelter and food. 275 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:59,040 They regard Shamika to be their father and preceptor. 276 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:03,320 They told the sage that their mother died while they were 277 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:07,320 still in the womb. Nor they were protected by their 278 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:10,440 father. The sage was one who gave them 279 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:15,200 life and protected them from the terrible battlefield by lifting 280 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:19,440 the elephants bell. As the time passed, the birds 281 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:24,400 grew up one day and spoke in human voice and asked the sage. 282 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:26,920 Having grown up, we have come before you. 283 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,680 Oh father, having become wise, what shall we do? 284 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:35,800 Shamik was surprised to hear such articulated question from 285 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:40,360 birds in a human voice with all his disciples surrounding him. 286 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:45,320 Shamik the birds O children, tell me the truth, how can you 287 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:47,960 speak? What is the reason behind it? 288 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,920 Is it someones curse that given you such power? 289 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,200 Please tell us when the birds replied to the sage. 290 00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:59,680 There used to be an excellent sage by the name Vipul Swat. 291 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:03,240 He had two sons, Suriksha and Tumuru. 292 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:08,560 We were four sons of Suriksha. We were always humble, faithful, 293 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:11,960 submissive in our behaviour towards the Rishi. 294 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:16,680 Our father Suriksha was devoted to performing austerities and 295 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:21,200 controlled all his senses. We did whatever he wanted us to 296 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:24,760 do. We brought kindling and flowers, 297 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:28,680 decorated the altars, did everything else required for the 298 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:34,360 sacrifices and rituals. Then one day, Indra took form of 299 00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:38,640 a gigantic bird with broken wings and arrived in the 300 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:42,760 Hermitage. He was old, hungry and scared. 301 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:47,320 The bird told Rishi. Oh Rishi, I am famished. 302 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,920 You should feed me and save me. I have lost my strength and 303 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:54,920 memory and my senses are fragile. 304 00:21:55,120 --> 00:21:58,680 And now I'm starving and in your refuge. 305 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:04,000 Please save me your Brahman. Please feed me some food, Rishi 306 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:07,680 asks the bird. Oh bird, tell me, what food do 307 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:11,360 you desire in the in form of a bird replied. 308 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:15,240 I relish human flesh, Rishi replied. 309 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:20,560 Oh bird, humans generally lose all their desires when their age 310 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:24,640 is right. You seem to be old, so why do 311 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:29,120 you have such cruel intentions? Now that you are in the last 312 00:22:29,120 --> 00:22:32,960 stage of your life, why do you intend to eat human flesh? 313 00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:36,080 However, I will give you what I have promised you. 314 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:40,040 Saying this, Rishi called his sons and praised their 315 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:43,400 qualities. All four sons of Suriksha stood 316 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:47,400 with folded hands. Rishi said The bird is hungry 317 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:51,840 and has sought to refuge with me at least for some time. 318 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:54,680 Let him be satisfied with your flesh. 319 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:58,960 Ensure that his hunger is satisfied by your flesh and 320 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:03,000 thirst of your blood. As soon as the four sons listen 321 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:07,360 to their fathers wish and in trembling with fear told Rishi, 322 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:10,640 this is not possible. Who will give up their own body 323 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,960 for someone else hunger? If one destroys it, one not only 324 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,520 destroys oneself but also one sons too. 325 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:23,120 A son repays debt that is due to ancestors, gods and humans. 326 00:23:23,360 --> 00:23:27,720 Therefore, we will not do this if one is alive. 1 can from 327 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:32,520 austerities and when one dies the body is destroyed and all 328 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:36,920 Dharma is extinguished. So one who knows about Dharma 329 00:23:37,120 --> 00:23:40,880 must also protect oneself from all possible way. 330 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:45,480 Rishi was extremely angry after listening to this from his sons 331 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:50,800 and caused him to be born as birds and then he told Indra in 332 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:56,320 the form of bird that he would perform his own funeral rite and 333 00:23:56,320 --> 00:24:00,120 once he's dead the bird can feed on his flesh. 334 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:04,680 Then he said it is said that a brahmana remains brahmana as 335 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,320 long as he walks in the path of truth. 336 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:11,680 He obtains great merits in protecting the truth and not 337 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:15,800 through young girls and dakshinas and performing other 338 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,600 rites. Hearing this Indra in form of 339 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:23,360 God was surprised and said oh Rishi resort to yoga, give up 340 00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:27,520 your life as a cannot eat human who are alive. 341 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,480 Hearing this the sage resorted to yoga. 342 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:35,400 Seeing the determination, Indra came back to his original form 343 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:40,400 and said oh great Rishi, I took the form of birth to test you. 344 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,360 Since you have sought to protect the truth of your words, I'm 345 00:24:44,360 --> 00:24:48,400 extremely pleased with you. From today you will possess the 346 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:53,560 knowledge that is like of Indra. You will have no obstruction in 347 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:55,880 the part of austerities and Dharma. 348 00:24:56,200 --> 00:25:01,160 Saying this in the departed, however, Rishi was still angry. 349 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:05,440 His four sons bowed their heads and said, Oh father, we are 350 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:09,280 extremely scared of dying. We were distressed, please 351 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:11,640 pardon us. We love our lives. 352 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:15,840 We are devoted to something one should not be attached to. 353 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:20,280 We are attached to this mass of skin, bones, flesh filled with 354 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:23,760 puss and blood. We have heard how people have 355 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,600 confounded by desire and anger and come under strong 356 00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:33,120 subjugation of these sins. Wisdom is like a rampart and 357 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:39,240 bones are giant pillars and the skin is the large fortification 358 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:44,440 that is plastered with flesh and blood with sinews at each side. 359 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:47,560 As 9 gates, it can make great efforts. 360 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:51,440 King Purusha, the possessor of consciousness, resides there. 361 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:56,720 However, the two ministers, intelligence and the mind act in 362 00:25:56,720 --> 00:26:00,680 different and opposite direction, taking each other to 363 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,760 the enemy. They seek to destroy each other. 364 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:06,680 Four enemies seek to destroy the king. 365 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:10,760 They are desire, anger, greed and confusion. 366 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:15,480 When the king closes the 9 gates, his forces are well 367 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:18,360 protected. Then there is no reason to fear 368 00:26:18,360 --> 00:26:22,400 as the enemy is unable to enter this fortification. 369 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:26,400 As long as there is no attachment, the enemy cannot 370 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:30,280 overcome him. As soon as he opens the gate, he 371 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:34,920 releases the enemy known as attachment, which then attacks 372 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:41,920 the gate formed by the eyes. It courses everywhere, enters 373 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:45,960 through the five gates. The five gates are two years, 2 374 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:50,800 nostrils and one mouth. Following this path, 3 terrible 375 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:54,320 enemies enter. After entering the attachment 376 00:26:54,320 --> 00:27:00,000 form and alliance with mind and others, it becomes extremely 377 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,760 difficult to control it and subjugate it. 378 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:06,240 After conquering the gates, attachment destroys his 379 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:09,040 ramparts. On seeing that the mind is 380 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:11,960 vanquished, intelligence immediately destroy. 381 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:17,480 He is deprived of his advisors. The citizens abandoned him and 382 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:22,800 enemies search out weakness, attachment, desire and anger and 383 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:27,400 confusion destroy the man. As the memory is destroyed, 384 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:32,800 intelligence is also destroyed and we were really to remain 385 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:36,200 alive. So please have mercy on us. 386 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,640 O father, the angry Rishi said to his sons. 387 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:43,280 O sons, once I have cursed, it cannot be reversed. 388 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:46,440 Till today none of my words have rendered false. 389 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:52,040 I think destiny, love is supreme because the strength and without 390 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:55,600 thinking I have done what not have been done. 391 00:27:55,800 --> 00:28:00,120 However, you all have go down before me and sought my favour. 392 00:28:00,120 --> 00:28:05,160 So even though you will be born as birds, still you will possess 393 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:09,480 the supreme knowledge. The knowledge will show you the 394 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:13,880 part and all your miseries and sins will be cleansed. 395 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:18,880 Just the birds told Shamik the truth about their past and how 396 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:21,400 they could speak in the human voice. 397 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:27,200 Then Shamik named them Pingaksha, Vibhodar, Supratra 398 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:31,280 and Sumukha and took them to Vindhyas and kept them there. 399 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:36,560 So that was today's story my friends from Upanishads and 400 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:40,360 Purans. So please like shares and 401 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:43,760 subscribe to my channel if you haven't done so. 402 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:48,440 Also, if you want to have a direct conversation with me, 403 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:53,880 please e-mail me at urghherethings@gmail.com until 404 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:54,240 then.