Stories from Upanishads and Purans retold by Urghiya
Goswami. Dear friends and listeners, how
are you today? This is my first story from the
Purans and as I told you all last time in my channel, I will
narrate stories from both Purans and Upanishads.
Without wasting too much time, let me take you all to my
today's story. This story is taken from
Markande Puran. It is called story of four
birds, Pingaksha, Vibhodha, Suhpatra and Sumhuka.
This puran was narrated by the great sage Markande to sage
Jaimini, hence this name Markande Puran.
Rishi Jaimini asked Rishi Markande about the sacred text
of Bharatha. On the side note to all my
viewers, Bharata was the earlier name of our greatest Etihasa
Mahabharata. To be very precise, when Sage
Veda Vyas wrote the sacred text, he named it as Jaya, which
contained around 25000 verses. And then when Sage Veda Vyas
recited this holy text to his disciples, one of these
disciples, Rishi Vaisampanaya then again recited the text to
other sages including Sage Suta Goswami.
While doing so, he called it Bharatha or descendants of
Bharatha. Sage Suta Goswami then recited
the text for the third time to various sages in the sacred
Naimishwaranya forest which is located along the banks of river
Gomti in Sitapur district of modern day Uttar Pradesh.
There, while narrating, the great sage added teachings and
messages about the events of Mahabharata and the text
eventually became Mahabharata, which means the tales of the
descendants of Bharata and it contained over 100,000 verses.
The poem is divided into 18 sections or parvas plus a
supplement titled Hari Vamsha Genealogy of Lord Hari.
Although it is highly unlikely that one single author had
written this great text, however, it must be noted that
traditionally the authorship is accredited to Sage Vedaviyasa.
That was the story how our greatest Etihasa named Jaya
became Bharata and eventually became Mahabharata.
So this gives us an indication of the period when this Puran
was written. Perhaps it was written during
some time, the retailing or recitation of Bharata by the
great sage Vaishampayana to sage Sutar Goswami and others.
Let's come back to our story, the story of four birds from
Markandapuran. Rishi Jamani asked Rishi
Markande several questions related to Bharatha.
He asked if Vasudeva was param Brahma who runs the universe,
then why did he take birth in human form?
Why did Dhupas daughter Krishna or Dhrupadi marry 5 Pandavas?
Why did Balaram kill a Brahman Lomar Shana with his plow and go
to a teetha? Why were all sons of Dhrapadi
murdered even when the Pandavas of superhuman strength were
present? Rishi Markande was about to
initiate the austerities for the day, so he advised Rishi Gemini
to ask about the sacred test and all these intriguing questions
to the four birds named Pingaksha, Vibhoda, Supratra and
Sumuka who reside in a cave in the middle of the Vindhya
Mountains. Rishi said that these birds are
sons of drone and possess knowledge of wades and thought
about the sacred text. He also told him that these
birds can talk in human voice. Rishi Jamini was surprised to
hear this. He immediately asked who is this
person Drone and how he had sons of inferior species such as
birds. How did these birds possess the
knowledge of Vedas, Dharma and truth about Bharata which is
extremely difficult to attain? How can they talk in a human
voice? Then Rishi Markand narrated a
story to Rishi Yamini in earlier times in the garden of Nandana,
which was a pleasure garden of Devraj Indra, the king of gods.
Indra enjoying the dance concerts of various Apsaras and
celestial maidens. During that moment, Devarshi
Narada came to Nandana. As soon as Indra saw Devarshi
approaching him, he got up from his seat and welcomed him with
utmost respect. On saying that their king is
showing such respect to the sage, all Afsaras also bent down
in respect. After some conversation, Indra
offered Narada to command any of his Afsaras such as Rambha,
Karkasha, Urvashi, Tilotama, Ghitachi or Menaka to dance.
Narad looked at the Afsaras bent down before him in all humility
and said Among all of you, whoever thinks herself to be
superior in beauty, generosity and qualities may dance in front
of Maine. As soon as the sage placed his
condition, all the Afsaras demanded that she was best and
started arguing with each other. Looking at such a ruckus created
in the holy Nandana in the intervene and said let the Devas
she decide who among the Afsaras is superior in qualities.
This command from Devaraj has put they were she in a spot but
he was witty and intelligent and he devised a competition
quickly. He said Rishi Durvasa performing
austerities on Mt Pralaya. If any of you has courage and
forced to agitate him, you will win this competition of
superiority. She will be judged as superior
to all others in quality. As soon as the Apsaras heard of
Maharshi Durwasa, they were scared and didn't dare to
participate in the competition as they were.
She thought that it was all over.
Suddenly an Apsara named Vapu came forward.
This surprised everyone in the garden of Nandana.
Vapu said, Oh, great sage, I'm capable of agitating the great
Sage Durvasa. I will go to the mountain where
the sage resides. The sage has controlled his
body, which is like a chariot, and has ruined his senses, which
are like horses. However, the weapon of love will
make him lose his reigns and render him a bad chariot.
Here even Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh cannot stop me from
piercing his heart with the arrows of love.
Saying this, Apsara Vapu lives for Mount Prair.
When she reached the mountain, she witnessed that all the
dangerous beasts were peaceful due to austerities of the sage.
She remained about 1 kosher or about two miles away from the
sage. Then using her magical powers,
she assumed the voice of a male Kaku and started to sing
sweetly. Sage heard the sweet song of the
bird and was surprised. He followed the sound and
reached the place where the beautiful Apsara was present.
Seeing her unparalleled beauty, Maharshi controlled himself and
composed his thoughts and mind. Using his austerities, he came
to know that the Afsara was there to agitate him.
This made him furious. In the fit of rage, he cursed
her. Oh evil minded 1.
You have come here to cause me unhappiness and create obstacle
in my meditation. By doing this, you have brought
misery on yourself. I curse you to be born in the
race of birds for 16 years. You will give up your beautiful
form and take a form of a bird. You will have four sons.
However, you will be purified by a weapon and return to heaven
again and will not have any delight from your sons.
Saying this, the sage ascended to the heaven.
Then Rishi Markande said to Rishi Gemini.
Rishi Kashyap, whose another name was Arishta Neni, had a son
named Garur from his wife Vinita.
He was king of birds. Garur had a son named Sampathi.
Sampathi son was brave. Supershah friends, here I would
like to draw your attention to a small discrepancy which we
observed across our scriptures. In Valmiki Ramayan, we find that
Jatayu and Sampathi were brothers and son of Guru's
brother Aruna. However, in Markande Puran, we
find that Sampathi is Guru's son.
Well, coming back to the story, Supershvar's son was Kunti and
his son was Prallu Bhupar. Kalanooper had two sons, Kanaka
and Kandhara. Kanaka once flew to the top of
Mount Kalasha. On the summit, he saw a Rakshasa
named Victor Rooper. He was drinking and was wearing
sparkling garlands and garments. He was in the middle of spending
some intimate moments with his wife Madanika, who was Apsara
Minka's daughter. Kanaka flew right over them and
disturbed the couple. Rakshashi was filled with rage.
As soon as he saw Kanaka. He demanded an explanation from
the great bird on the purpose of his untimely visit.
Challenged, Kanaka replied that this Kailash belongs to
everybody. This man with the roof of angry
while Kanaka was still speaking to him and out of anger he
killed Kanaka with his sword. Kanaka's younger brother
Kandhara came to know about his elder brother's death.
He was mad with rage. He wanted to have his revenge.
So he flew to the summit of Mount Kalasha, where the dead
body of Kanaka was lying. After retrieving it, he
performed his brother's last rites.
Then he went to the place where Vidhu Dhrupa was intimate with
his beautiful wife. Doctor of Minikas voice was as
sweet as the voice of the male Kaku bird.
Rakshasha looked terrible. His face and eyes were coppery
red. His teeth looked terrible.
Kandhara cried out in anger and challenged the Rakshasha to a
fight. So was the cast of wings
generated from the flapping of his great wings.
The mountain started to tremble. Kandhara cried out again calling
him the killer of his brother. He challenged him to a fight,
demanded his death as he violated the trust of his
brother. Vidhu Dhrupa was insulted in
presence of his wife. He was angry.
He wrote that he has displayed manliness by killing Kanaka.
He showed him the sword using which he killed the bird and
cried out that he would kill Kandhara using the same.
Following this exchange of heated conversation between the
great bird and Rakshasa, a fuse violent duel erupted.
It felt as if it was a fight between Gurur and Indra over the
Kalash or part of Amrit or nectar.
Fight intensified as the great bird was able to snatch away the
sword of the Rakshasha using a sharp pointed beak like Guru
seizing a serpent. Then Kandhara broke the sword
using his beak and talons. Weaponless Rakshasha went to
fight the great bird in hand to hand combat.
However, he was no match for the great bird as he was torn to
pieces by sharp beak and talons. Witnessing such a violent dwell
between the great bird and her husband, which ended with her
husband's death, Madanika was scared and sought Kandhara's
refuge. She proposed to be his wife.
Thus, Kandhara took her with him after avenging his brother's
death. The daughter of Minaka Madanika
could take any form at will. Having gone with Kandhara, she
took the form of a bird. There, through Kandhara, she
gave birth to a daughter named Tarakshi.
She was none other than the beautiful Apsara Vapu.
Thus due to the curse of Sage Duruvasa, Apsara Vapu was born
as Tarakshi in the form of a bird.
Sage Mandapala had married a Sangrika bird named Jarita.
The couple had 4 brilliant sons. They were ex and Brahmans.
Jaritari was the eldest followed by Sariksha, Stambamitra and
Drona. Drona was the youngest son of
Sage Mandapala and Jarita. He followed Dharma and
accomplished in all Vedas and Vedangas.
When drone grew up, he married Tarakshi Puri.
After some time Tarakshi conceived.
However, fate drew her. She flew over to Kurukshetra
when she was 7 fortnights pregnant.
On the battlegrounds of Kurukshetra, fierce war between
Pandagas and Koragas was going on.
Destiny drew her right into the battlefield where Tarakshi
witnessed kings fighting kings, brothers fighting brothers.
Shower of arrows and spews and clanging of swords and shells
made the battleground deafening and horrific.
She witnessed a duel between Bhagat and Kiriti.
Just on the side note, Bhagatta fought on behalf of Koravas and
was son of Naraka Sura and king of Pragya Jyotisha.
He was a renowned warrior especially skilled in elephant
warfare. He was successful in defeating
many Maharatis in one to one battle.
He was even successful in displacing Arjun's crown before
attaining Vilgati. Kiriti is another name for Arjun
as he is called by many names such as Palgul, Jishnu, Partha
and Kiriti. He was named Kiriti because
Indra placed celestial crown on Arjun's head.
Now coming back to the story, Tarakshi witnessed the sky
covered in insistent arrows just like locusts flying over the
crop farm. Finally from Gandev Arjunas bow
a broad headed arrow similar to a serpent came flying and
pierced her belly. The arrow had ruptured Tarakshi
stomach from side due to which the four eggs with complexion of
moon fell on the pile of flesh and mutilated bodies.
Just that moment, another arrow from Gandhi detached the giant
bell tied around the neck of Bhagdatta's war elephant Sukh
Pratika and fell on the four eggs covering it safely from all
four sides. Just to add, Supratika was the
elephant of Bhag Dutta and once on the 12th day of the war when
Bheem was on a killing spree and killed several elephants with
his powerful maze, Supratika crushed Bheem's chariot and
grabbed him by trunk round his neck.
However, Bhim managed to escape the chokehold.
Judasthira directed another warrior named Dasara to attack
Bhag Dutta with his elephant brigade but Supratika killed
Dasara's elephant and this gave Bhim to escape the scruffle.
Shortly afterwards, Arjun was able to slay Bhag Dutta and the
war continued for a few more days and once it was over.
Judasthir son of Dharma into Bhishma who was lying on the bed
of arrows and got lessons on Dharma.
The great sage Shamik was passing by the battlefield and
heard the chirping of the birds coming from the giant bell.
He went near the bell and lifted it to investigate it.
He was greatly surprised to see 4 little birds happily chirping
underneath the bell. Page was filled with wonder.
Then other Brahmans and followers of the great sage are
Shamik about the birds who made the eggs fall on the pile of
flesh and bodies and at the same time cover it safely with a
bell. Who caused this ground soft with
blood, fat and flesh. These birds don't seem to be
ordinary ones. Their destiny has favoured them,
which indicates that there are extremely good fortune.
Then Shamik advised that they should take these birds with
them to their Hermitage and keep them safe that has No Fear from
any threatened predators. Any excessive care is not
required as everyone will live as per their karma and deeds.
It is the same for these little birds.
On hearing these, the sages followed Shamik's advice and
picked the birds and went to the Hermitage.
Hermitage was engaged in pious rituals and sacrificial rites in
honor of Mahavishnu, the will of Sudarshan, Chakra, Rudra,
Brahma, Indra, Vaibhat, Sir Avani, Varun, Goddess Saraswati,
Goddess Mahalakshmi, Pavan, Bhattri, Vidhatri and
Vishwadevas. Then sage Markande told sage
Gemini birds by giving them shelter, food and water and
protected them from predators and rough metals.
In the next month, the birds started to fly.
They rose high in the air, able to see the cities, water bodies
and very rivers. After their flight, they
returned to the Hermitage. The birds thanked the sages for
saving them and providing them with shelter and food.
They regard Shamika to be their father and preceptor.
They told the sage that their mother died while they were
still in the womb. Nor they were protected by their
father. The sage was one who gave them
life and protected them from the terrible battlefield by lifting
the elephants bell. As the time passed, the birds
grew up one day and spoke in human voice and asked the sage.
Having grown up, we have come before you.
Oh father, having become wise, what shall we do?
Shamik was surprised to hear such articulated question from
birds in a human voice with all his disciples surrounding him.
Shamik the birds O children, tell me the truth, how can you
speak? What is the reason behind it?
Is it someones curse that given you such power?
Please tell us when the birds replied to the sage.
There used to be an excellent sage by the name Vipul Swat.
He had two sons, Suriksha and Tumuru.
We were four sons of Suriksha. We were always humble, faithful,
submissive in our behaviour towards the Rishi.
Our father Suriksha was devoted to performing austerities and
controlled all his senses. We did whatever he wanted us to
do. We brought kindling and flowers,
decorated the altars, did everything else required for the
sacrifices and rituals. Then one day, Indra took form of
a gigantic bird with broken wings and arrived in the
Hermitage. He was old, hungry and scared.
The bird told Rishi. Oh Rishi, I am famished.
You should feed me and save me. I have lost my strength and
memory and my senses are fragile.
And now I'm starving and in your refuge.
Please save me your Brahman. Please feed me some food, Rishi
asks the bird. Oh bird, tell me, what food do
you desire in the in form of a bird replied.
I relish human flesh, Rishi replied.
Oh bird, humans generally lose all their desires when their age
is right. You seem to be old, so why do
you have such cruel intentions? Now that you are in the last
stage of your life, why do you intend to eat human flesh?
However, I will give you what I have promised you.
Saying this, Rishi called his sons and praised their
qualities. All four sons of Suriksha stood
with folded hands. Rishi said The bird is hungry
and has sought to refuge with me at least for some time.
Let him be satisfied with your flesh.
Ensure that his hunger is satisfied by your flesh and
thirst of your blood. As soon as the four sons listen
to their fathers wish and in trembling with fear told Rishi,
this is not possible. Who will give up their own body
for someone else hunger? If one destroys it, one not only
destroys oneself but also one sons too.
A son repays debt that is due to ancestors, gods and humans.
Therefore, we will not do this if one is alive. 1 can from
austerities and when one dies the body is destroyed and all
Dharma is extinguished. So one who knows about Dharma
must also protect oneself from all possible way.
Rishi was extremely angry after listening to this from his sons
and caused him to be born as birds and then he told Indra in
the form of bird that he would perform his own funeral rite and
once he's dead the bird can feed on his flesh.
Then he said it is said that a brahmana remains brahmana as
long as he walks in the path of truth.
He obtains great merits in protecting the truth and not
through young girls and dakshinas and performing other
rites. Hearing this Indra in form of
God was surprised and said oh Rishi resort to yoga, give up
your life as a cannot eat human who are alive.
Hearing this the sage resorted to yoga.
Seeing the determination, Indra came back to his original form
and said oh great Rishi, I took the form of birth to test you.
Since you have sought to protect the truth of your words, I'm
extremely pleased with you. From today you will possess the
knowledge that is like of Indra. You will have no obstruction in
the part of austerities and Dharma.
Saying this in the departed, however, Rishi was still angry.
His four sons bowed their heads and said, Oh father, we are
extremely scared of dying. We were distressed, please
pardon us. We love our lives.
We are devoted to something one should not be attached to.
We are attached to this mass of skin, bones, flesh filled with
puss and blood. We have heard how people have
confounded by desire and anger and come under strong
subjugation of these sins. Wisdom is like a rampart and
bones are giant pillars and the skin is the large fortification
that is plastered with flesh and blood with sinews at each side.
As 9 gates, it can make great efforts.
King Purusha, the possessor of consciousness, resides there.
However, the two ministers, intelligence and the mind act in
different and opposite direction, taking each other to
the enemy. They seek to destroy each other.
Four enemies seek to destroy the king.
They are desire, anger, greed and confusion.
When the king closes the 9 gates, his forces are well
protected. Then there is no reason to fear
as the enemy is unable to enter this fortification.
As long as there is no attachment, the enemy cannot
overcome him. As soon as he opens the gate, he
releases the enemy known as attachment, which then attacks
the gate formed by the eyes. It courses everywhere, enters
through the five gates. The five gates are two years, 2
nostrils and one mouth. Following this path, 3 terrible
enemies enter. After entering the attachment
form and alliance with mind and others, it becomes extremely
difficult to control it and subjugate it.
After conquering the gates, attachment destroys his
ramparts. On seeing that the mind is
vanquished, intelligence immediately destroy.
He is deprived of his advisors. The citizens abandoned him and
enemies search out weakness, attachment, desire and anger and
confusion destroy the man. As the memory is destroyed,
intelligence is also destroyed and we were really to remain
alive. So please have mercy on us.
O father, the angry Rishi said to his sons.
O sons, once I have cursed, it cannot be reversed.
Till today none of my words have rendered false.
I think destiny, love is supreme because the strength and without
thinking I have done what not have been done.
However, you all have go down before me and sought my favour.
So even though you will be born as birds, still you will possess
the supreme knowledge. The knowledge will show you the
part and all your miseries and sins will be cleansed.
Just the birds told Shamik the truth about their past and how
they could speak in the human voice.
Then Shamik named them Pingaksha, Vibhodar, Supratra
and Sumukha and took them to Vindhyas and kept them there.
So that was today's story my friends from Upanishads and
Purans. So please like shares and
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