LYRICS 4 STOTRAS SLOKAS: Book13 Anushasanika Parva by mv subramanyammm

Book13 Anushasanika Parva

MAHABHARAT
Anusasanika parva
First Chapter

In Naimisaranya, on the occasion of Satra Yaga, Sooti told Sounaka and other sages and saints, the story of Mahabharata as told by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya on the occasion of Sarpa yaga.

.Dharmaja asked Bhishma thus: “O Grandsire Bhishma! you taught me several Dharmas. Still my mind is agitated. I killed several of my relatives in the war. On account of `me only, you are now lying on arrow bed. How can I remain peaceful, after commiting several such sinful acts. O Grandisre! I requested Suyodhana many a time to agree for amicable settlement and rule our respective shares of Kingdom peacefully. But he was adament. What can I do? In fact, I was also so adament; otherwise I would have given away the entire kingdom to Suyodhana. Either of these things would have averted the great war. We both were enraged with anger, result being the war, mass massacre and total destruction. There is no use of repenting for the past, except weeping for the great loss. How can I remain peaceful? Tell me.” Dharmaja was lamenting for the loss of his relatives and friends.

“O Dharmana! dont feel sorry. Every thing is destined by fate. None can avert the fate. After all we are humans. We are not responsible for anything. Nothing is in our hands. In this connection I narrate you a story.

In a village there was a brahmin lady, called Goutami. Her son died due to snake bite. She was lamenting for the untimely death of her son. Meanwhile, one hunter caught the snake and brought it before the woman.

“Oh mom! this is the snake which killed your son. Tell me how to kill it. Either by cutting it into pieces or crushing with a stone. Your wish.” said the hunter.

“Kindly rleave the snake. Let it go free” asked the brahmin lady.

“No mom. This snake killed your son.” said the hunter.

“No. my son was killed due to fate. Lamenting for his death or killing the snake is quite unwise. Virtuous and wise people never resort to such acts, except forgetting the past and think about future. Even if you kill that snake, my son will never come alive. Hence leave the snake.” said the brahmin lady.

“Mom. I am a rustic. I cannot understand your words. I know only revenge. Hence I kill this snake.” said the hunter.

“Your name is Arjunaka means person of whitish complexion. You are pure and innocent. How can you behave curelly. How can I accept this kind of nonviolence.” said brahmin lady.

“Mom! Listen. Killing the creatures which harm people is not a sin.” said the hunter.

“Killing even an enemy who was imprisoned is against Dharma.” said the brahmin lady.

“Mom! Is it not dharma to save others from snake bite by killing this snake? Did Devendra not kill Vritrasura? Did Maha Siva not destroy the Yajna of Daksha? While those are Dharmas, killing this snake also is Dharma.” argued the hunter.

After hearing the above conversation between brahmin woman and hunter, the snake told them thus: “I am not at fault in killing this boy. Only on the directions of Goddess Mruthyu, I killed this boy. I have no anger or hatredness upon this boy.” said the snake.

“Oh is it so. Therefore, you are a tool in the hands of Mruthyu. Then I should certainly kill you.” said the hunter.

“O hunter! listen. Potter turns the wheel for making pots. If the pot is broken, is it the fault of the wheel or potter. I have no power to kill anybody. If I am seen by humans, I will be killed mercilessly.” said the snake.

“Well said serpant! If anybody shoots another person with an arrow, will that person keeps quiet by discussing whether it is the fault of the arrow or the person who shoots. Or whether he cuts that arrow in between with another arrow. Cutting the arrow rushing towards him is not a sin. Do you kill this innocent boy on the pretext that you are ordered by Mruthyu. Even if you are cut into pieces, it is not a sin. Not only you, all the snakes which are the tools in the hands of Mruthyu shall be killed mercilessly.” said the hunter with great anger.

The snake smiled and said: “O hunter! On behalf of the masters, Purohits perform Yajnas and Yagas. But the result of Yajnas and Yagas goes to the master not to the Purohit. Therefore, the sin accrued by killing this boy goes to Mruthyu not to me.” said snake.

Meanwhile, Goddess Mruthyu arrived there. Beholding the snake, Mruthyu said: “Oh snake! you have not committed any sin. You killed that boy as per my directions. But I am also not at fault as I was directed by Yama to get this boy killed through you. I simply followed his direction. You also dutifully followed my direction. Therefore, we both are not responsible for the death of this boy. Besides that, sun, moon, agni, sky, water, wind and the entire nature is under the control of Yama. He is the controlling authority. We acted according to his directions.” said Mruthyu.

“O Mruthyu! same thing I said. I amnot capable of deciding whether it is your fault or fault of Yama. I have no such capacity.” said snake.

Turning to the hunter, snake said: “Have you heard the words of Mruthyu. Still you say I am at fault. It is not proper on your part to find fault with me. Hence leave me.” prayed the snake.

“ No No. Yourself and this Mruthyu are sinful as you are taking away the lives of humans. I am not afraid of both of you. Your death is certain in my hands.” said hunter.

Meanwhile, Yama arrived there. “I have come here to clear off your doubts. The fact is either myself or Mruthyu, or for that matter, this snake are not responsible for the death of this boy. His death depends upon his past deeds. Because, as per the results of past deeds, birth, death, joys and sorrows occur in the present birth. Non can avert them. Even Parama Siva cannot avoid undergoing the result of his own karma. After all, this boy is nothing. Hence, dont blame anybody for the death of this boy.” said Yama.

When her words are repeated by Yama, Brahmin lady said: “This is nothing but the result of my past deeds. I am destined to undergo this kind of grief. None need be blamed for my fate. Therefore, leave that snake.” said the Brahmin lady.

After hearing the teachings of Yama and Brahmin lady, hunter became wiser and left that snake.

Therefore, Dharmaja! you are not at all responsible for the killing of your own kith and kin in war. They died as per the results of their own past deeds. You need not lament for their death any more.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! can anybody abandon fear of death, even though he is in the bondage of Samsara.” asked Dharmaja.

“Oh Dharmaja! nothing is impossible for a virtuous man having determination of mind. In this connection I narrate a story:

In the past, there was a called Duryodhana. River Narmada fell in love with him. River Narmada, in human form, married him. They begot a beautiful daughter called Sudarsana. Her father worships Agni daily. He deputed Sudarsana to look after his needs at the time of worshipping Agni. While Sudarsana was moving around him, Agni fell in love with her. One day, Agni expressed his desire to marry her. She told Agni to approach her parents.

Duryodhana intended to perform one Yaga. At that time, he worshipped Brahmins and gave them alms. Agni, in the disguise of Brahmin, also stood in the que to receive alms. While Duryodhana offered alms to Agni he expressed his desire to marry his daughter. Duryodhana was reluctant to give his daughter to a poor brahmin. Agni grew angry. He reduced his flames during Yaga, inspite of chanting several Mantras. Agni expressed his desire to Ritviks to marry Sudarsana. Ritviks informed Duryodhana about Agni’s desire.
“Oh what is this? Agni would have exprssed his desire directly to me. I thought he was a Brahmin. Tell Agni I am agreeable.” said Duryodhana.

Later Sudarsana was given in marriage to Agni. Agni and Sudarsana begot a son called Sudarsana. After marriage, Sudarsana begot a son called Oghavanta. Oghavanta begot a son and daughter called Ogharadha and Oghavati respectively. Oghavati attained marriageable age.

Oghavathi was given in marriage to Sudarsana, who is no other than her grand father. After marriage, Sudarsana took a vow that he will conquer death while adopting Grihastha dharma. He was living at Kurushetra along with his wife, Oghavati. One day, Sudarsana told his wife Oghavati: “I like worshipping guests. Whether I am in the house or not, you have to receive and worship guests on my behalf. The Grihasthas attain greater regions when they satisfy their guests, in full. Therefore, whatever be the desire of our guests, you have to fulfil it without hesitation. Following the footsteps of husband is the main virtue of the wife.” said Sudarsana.
Oghavati gladly accepted the words of her husband.

One day, Sudarsana went into forest to fetch fuel. At that time one guest arrived at their house. Oghavathi invited him and offered him water and fruits. After eating sumptuously, the guest asked her to share bed with him. He also warned her that satisfying the guest is the foremost duty of a Grihastu. Oghavathi requested the guest to have some other desire except sharing bed. The guest was adament and did not agree for anything except herself.

Oghavati remembered the words of her husband. If she accepts the desire of the guest, her chastity will be spoiled. If she refuses, it would amount to violating the command of her husband. At last she agreed to share bed with the guest. The guest took her inside.

At that time, Sudarsana arrived at the house and called his wife. There was no reply. The guest shut the mouth of Oghavati not to speak. Sudarsana repeatedly called his wife for which the guest replied: “You wife is attending on the guest. You know much better about honoring guests. Hence be patient. Dont be angry.” said the guest from inside.

“O great man! I am very happy that my wife is attending on the guest. Where the guests are satisfied fully, that house is purified. I will wait outside till the worship of guest is completed.” said Sudarsana.

Then a voice was heard from the sky: “Sudarsana is blessed. He is respected by one and all”.

At that time, the guest appeared in his splendid and glorious form. “O Sudarsana! I am Dharma Devata. (Deity of Dharma). I have come to test your mind and your devotion towards guests. Mruthyu is waiting to kill you whenever you transgress dharma. But you conquered Mruthyu. You have alrlelady conquered the six rivals viz., Kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya. Your wife is your virtuous follower. You both are eligible to go to higher regions with this physical body whenever you wish. With half of the power of your Tapas, your wife Oghavati transforms into a holy river and flows on this holy land. With the rest of the power of your Tapas, she remains with you in human form and serves you. My desire to share bed with your wife is all myth created to acclaim your greatness to the outside world. Your wife is pure and no harm is caused to the chastity of your wife. This is the truth.” so saying Dharma Devata disappeared.
O Dharmaja! this is the story of River Oghavati. There is no other Dharma to a Grihastu except worshipping his guests. “ said Bhishma.

“OGrandsire Bhishma! I got one doubt. Will, other castes other than Brahmins, by virtue of their righteous character and virtuous deeds, attain Brahminism?” asked Dharmaja.

“Dharmaja! Attaining Brahminism is too difficult.Even after several births, one cannot attain brahminism. I narrate a story in this connection. In the past, there was a brahmin boy called Matanga. He was going to attend one Yajna. On the way, Matanga beat one donkey lad with a stick. The donkey lad went and reported to her mother about the beating.

“O child! He is a low caste cruel fellow. Hence he beat you.” said the mother.

Matanga knows the language of donkey. He was surprised. “Donkey did not abuse me ` unnecessarily.There must be something behind my birth, otherwise the donkey would not have called me as lower caste cruel fellow.”. He went to the mother-donkey and asked her about his birth secret. “O brahmin youth! you were born to a brahmin mother through a barber. Hence you are not brahmin.” said donkey. The brahmin youth, Matanga, returned to his house and informed the same to his father.

“O father! I was born to a brahmin woman through a barber. I am not a brahmin. I perform tapas and attain brahminism” so saying Matanga went to forests for Tapas. He did Tapas for so long years.

Indra appeared before him. “Why you are doing Tapas. What is your desire?” asked Indra.

“O Indra!I should attain Brahminism” prayed Matanga.

“O Matanga! Brahminism is a great thing. Other castes cannot be attributed with Brahminism. Hence choose any other thing?” said Indra.

“O Indra! It seems you are not capable of gawarding brahminism to me . You can go. I continue my tapas.” said Matanga. Indra went away.

Again Matanga did Tapas by standing on one leg for hundred years. Again Indra appeared before him.

“Matanga! you are so adamant. Sudra dies if he does Tapas. You are not eligible to perform Tapas.Take care. Do you know how one attains Brahminism?

One Chandala becomes Sudra if he does Tapas ten times more than what you have so far done.

A sudra becomes Vysya if he does Tapas one hundred times more than what he has already done.

A Vysya becomes Kshatriya if he does Tapas thousand times more than what he had already done.

A kshatriya becomes an unscrupulous Brahmin if he does Tapas Ten thousand times more than what he had already one.

An unscrupulous brahmin becomes a virtuous Brahmin if he does Tapas one lakh times more than he had already one, that too after controlling sense organs, mind and following truth and non-violence.

Brahiminism cannot be attained by just doing Tapas for hundred years. After performing above Tapas in the above manner and attaining Brahminism, it is very difficult to keept it up. Out of greediness, lust, anger, desires, one abanons virtuous life and becomes wrong and wicked. Again to take birth as Brahmin, it may take thousands of years. Why you aspire for such a difficult task viz., Brahminism and invite your own destruction. Hence leave this Tapas and receive my gifts.” warned Indra.

Matanga kept quiet. Indra went away, not able to convince him. Matanga again commenced his Tapas. He trannsformed into a skeleton covered with skin. While his body was about to fall, Indra again came to his rescue.

“What is this Matanga! Have you not been told earlier. Brahminism is like a tiger. It swallows you. Dont play with it. Choose whatever you like?” asked Indra. At last, Matanga accepted Indra’s offer.

“O Matanga! you may enjoy all sensual pleasures in the name of Chandra Deva while beautiful ladies worshipping you. You satisfy your lust and sensual desires like a free bird.” Indra blessed Matanga.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Gransire Bhishma! if attaining Brahminism is such a difficult task, how Visvamitra, a Kshatriya was transformed into Brahmin?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dhamaja! There was a Kshatriya King called Gaadhi in the clan of Jahnu, father of River Jahnavi (Ganga). Satyavati was the daughter of Gadhi. Saint Rucheeka, born in Bhrigu clan, intended to marry Satyavi. Gadhi did not agree for his proposal by putting a condition that if Rucheeka offers one thousand white horses with one ear black, he can marry Satyavati. Rucheeka agreed for the condition and went in search of white horses with one ear black.

Rucheeka approached Varuna who agreed to supply such horses. On the advice of Varuna, Rucheeka went to the banks of Ganges . He sat there in Padma Aasana and prayed Ganges for grant of one hundred one ear black, white horses. Next moment, such horses stood before him. Since then that place was known as Asva Teertha. Rucheeka gave those horses to Gadhi and married his daughter, Satyavati.

Years passed. Rucheeka performed a Yajna for the sake of children. Mother of Satyavati also requested her daughter to recommend her case also for children. Rucheeka performed Yajna and put the Havis in two distinct vessels. Rucheeka showed both the vessels to Satyavati and said:

“O Satvati! you consume the Havis in this vessel. You beget a Satvika son who is a virtuous brahmin with glory. You give the other vessel to your mother. If she consumes the Havis in that vessel, she begets a son with Rajasa qualities. Then you embrace a Medi tree and let your mother embrace Ravi tree. You both beget children.” said Rucheeka.

While consuming the Havis, there was a confusion. Satyavati consumed Havis intended for her mother and her mother consumed Havis intended for Satyavati. While embracing trees also, such confusion prevailed. In course of time, they both became pregnant. Rucheeka realised the mistake.
One day Rucheeka told his wife Satyavati: “O Satyavati! While consuming Havis, you exchanged your vessels. Hence, you are bearing in your womb, a cruel kshatriya instead of a virtuous brahmin.” said Rucheeka.

On hearing this, Satyavati trembled. “No, It cannot be. You are a virtuous brahmin. How can you become father of a cruel kshatriya. Kindly avoid this calamity with your power.” prayed Satyavati.

“I can postpone the evil for one generation. Now you beget a virtuous brahmin. But his son i.e, your grandson will be a cruel kshatriya.” said Rucheeka.

Accordingly, Satyavati gave birth to Saint Jamadagni. Jamadagni’s son was Parasu Rama who vanquished the entire Kshatriya community.

Wife of Gadhi i.e., mother of Satyavati, gave birth to Visvamitra who later transformed into a virtuous brahmin.

Dharmaja! though Visvamitra was born as Kshatriya, brahminism sprouted in his mind. Though Parasurama was born as Brahmin, he adopted Kshatra.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! In this connection, I remember a story of Veetahavya who attained Brahmanism. Kindly tell me that story in detail.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! King Haihaya, a kshatriya, was born in Saryati clan. He was the King of Vatsa kingdom. Haihaya was also called Veetahavya. He married ten wives and begot one hundred sons. The sons of Haihaya waged war against King Haryasva, king of Kasi and killed him. Later his son, Sudeva was made the King of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya again went against Sudeva and killed him. Then Devodasa, son of Sudeva was made the king of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya invited Devodasa for war and defeated him. Devodasa fled away with fear and sought refuge at Saint Bharadwaja. Devodasa told Bhardwaja the entire sotry of their fore fathers’ defeat at the hands of son of Haihaya.

“Dont worry. I bless you with a son who kills them in retaliation.” said Bharadwaja. Under the guidance of Bharadwaja, Devodasa performed Putrakameshti Yaga, as a result of which he begot a son called Pratyardhana. Pratyardhana, with the blessings of Bharadwaja learnt Vedas, Sastras, archery skills etc. Devodasa enthroned him as King of Kasi. With the permission of his father Devodasa,Pratyardhana invited Haihaya’s sons for war and killed all of them.

Then Pratyardhana rushed against Haihaya. Unable to resist Pratyardhana, Haihaya fled away and sought refuge with Saint Bhrigu. Bhrigu asked Haihaya to join his sishyas as a Brahmin. Pratyardhana arrived there in search of Haihaya. Pratyardhana saluted Bhrigu.

“What made you to come over here?” asked Bhrigu.

Pratyardhana told Bhrigu about the killing of his father and fore father by the sons of Haihaya and that he has come to kill Haihaya. On hearing the above, Bhrigu said: “O Pratyardhana! there are none here who belong to Kshatriya community. They are all Brahmins, my sishyas.”

On hearing these words, Partyardhana gladly replied: “O Saint Bhrigu! the purpose of my arrival is accomplished. You said Haihaya is not a Kshatriya, which results in excommunicating Haihaya from Kshatriya community. That much I want. I hope you never speak falsehood. Bless me.” saluting Bhrigu, Pratyardhana went away.

From then onwards, Haihaya abandoned Kshatra, attained Brahmanism and did great tapas and begot a son Kritsamada. In his clan, Suteja, Varchasa, Nihavya, Satya, Santa, Sravasa, Damasa, Prakasa, Vaageendra, Pramati, Ruru, Samuda, Sunaka, Sounaka were born. A new Brahmin clan commenced from Haihaya, also called Veetahavya.” told Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire! Amongst divine effort and manual effort, which is great? Tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in the past, the same question was asked by Vasishta. I tell you what Brahma said in answer to that question.

Earth, manual effort and seed are different and separate. With the combination of these three only, plants sprout. If we sow seeds in earth, plants sprout. For sowing seeds, manual effort is required. Having land and seeds does not yield result. Therefore manual effort is necessary. There is no use of sitting idle throwing the entire burden on God. Manual effort is compulsory. God’s effort coordinates with our manual efforts. Simply putting manual efforts never yield results. God’s effort also shall coordinate.

If we help others, they help us. If we harm others, they also harm us. Therefore, all manual efforts must be intended for the welfare of the mankind and society. Then only, God also help us. For example, small fire with the help of wind, will turn into great flame. Similarly, whatever small our effort is, God’s help will be more. We light lamp with ghee. If the ghee is exhausted, lamp will diminish. Similarly, if virtues are lacking in our efforts, God never help us. They never fructify. Parasurama, Bhrigu, Bali are great people. But their efforts lack in purity. Hence God was not in their favour. Therefore, for all our efforts, God’s coordination is compulsory. Therefore, Dharmaja! for any manual effort, God’s coordination is compulsory.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire! you said that all human beings shall act virtually. What is the benefit they derive from those virtuous acts?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! For each and every work, there are distinct and separate benefits. The benefit derived by offering food to a traveller is enormous. By worshipping Agni daily, we derive more benefits from our day to day acts. If he we give good and useful articles to others, whenever we are in need, such articles are obtained by us unasked for, in abundance. By performing Tapas, we get divine pleasures. By adopting non-violence, we attain good physique, strength and wealth. By observing fasting, our mind remains pure. By studying Vedas,we derive enormous pleasures. If we understand Vedas, we derive pleasures in heaven. By observing truthfulness, we attain moksha.

Therefore, Dharmaja! by doing virtuous acts, we derive good results and by doing wicked acts, we derive bad results. Whatever seeds we sow, such are the plants that grow. Even during old age, without eyesight and hearing capacity, their desires never die. The desires never leave them till they die. It is the case not only with regard to common people but also with regard to wise and learned. Everybody is a slave to his desires. They never allow the thought of discarding the desires. While acting in the outside world, virtuous deeds yield happiness and wicked deeds yield sorrows. Those who are not interested in the outside world, their deeds never yield any kind of results.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandisre! What would be the behaviour of a servant towards his master?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! There was a hunter. He went into forest for hunting. He applies poison to the tip of his arrow and shot a deer. But that arrow hit a tree. With the power of the poison, the entire tree with flowers and fruits dried out. A parrot was living on that tree. Inspite of the tree being dried out, the parrot continued to live upon that tree, out of regard towards that tree. The parrot did not leave that tree inspite of hot son, wind, and rain.

Indra came to know about that tree. Indra came down to that parrot in the form of an ordinary man. “O parrot! this tree is dried out. There are other trees in this forest with leaves, fruits and flowers. Why are you hanging to this dry branch instead of moving to any other tree.”asked Mahendra.

“What is this Mahendra! Attaching to the tree while it was having plenty of fruits and abandoning the tree while it is dried out, is nothing but lack of gratitude.”said the parrot.

Mahendra was taken aback. “How this parrot recognised me as Indra though I am in disguise.? By virtue of its Punya during previous birth, the parrot got this power of recognising my original form.”Indra thought for himself.

“O parrot! anyhow I have come. Choose anything you like?” asked Indra.

“Bring its previous glory to this tree” asked the parrot. Indra sprinkled Amrutha on the dry tree. The dried up tree got its original form with leaves, fruits and flowers.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! that parrot, instead of choosing any thing for its own, opted for the welfare of the tree which gave her shelter all these days. That is the loyalty to be shown by servants to their masters.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! what would be the regard to be shown by masters towards their servants?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Brahmins, while chanting Vedas, performing tapas and teaching dharmas to one all, is worshipped throughout the universe. King worships Brahmin as wife worships her husband. Whatever Brahmin says it is true, pure and genuine. Brahmins are capable of driving even Indra into troubles if they are troubled by him. King shall regard Brahmin as his Guru and worship him as Agni. I tell you the relevant precepts from Veda.

Rigveda says that whoever insults Brahmin, all his Punyas vanish.

Yajurveda says that all the rituals viz., Japa, Homa etc shall be performed under the guidance of Brahmins.

Samaveda says that all the sins vanish if brahmins are worshipped for one month.

Adharvana Veda says that there is no greater trouble than disregarding brahmins.

In the past, Salya, King of Madra kingdom, asked Saint Vyasa: “ O Saint Vyasa! Kindly tell me which dharma is best of all and which gives more knowledge than other Dharmas?”.
Vyasa said thus: Knowing about Vishnu is best of all Dharmas. That Vishnu is no other than Sri Krishna. Once, some brahmins, to the hearing of Sri Krishna, commented thus:

“How Sri Krishna, a yadava lad, son of Vasudeva and Devaki, sister of Kamsa, is worshipped as Yajna Purusha?”.

On hearing those words, Krishna asked me to give a fitting reply. I told them thus: “Sri Krishna is embodiment of all Vedas. He likes those who knows the meaning of Vedas and who knows much about Vedas. The result of best brahminism is knowing Sri Krishna as Vishnu.” said Vyasa.

On hearing those words, all the Brahmins realised Krishna tatva.” said Veda Vyasa to King Salya, King of Madra.

O Dharmaja! I know that you know much about Krishna. I just told you to refresh your knowledge about Sri Krishna.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! It is heard that Garuda is a greatest of all. I want to know about Garuda.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Kashyapa Prajapati got two wives, Vinata and Kadruva. Beholding his wives, Kashyapa asked about their desire to beget children. Kadruva desired to have 1000 sons. Vinata satisfied with two sons. Kashya blessed them with such desires. In course of time, Kadruva delivered one thousand eggs and Vinata two eggs. They preserved those eggs in mud pots.

1500 years elapsed. The eggs of Kadruva broke and one thousand serpants with mighty personalities came out. The eggs of Vinata were intact. While elder Sister Kadruva was enjoying with her sons, Vinata enraged with great wrath and jealousy. Unable to control that jealousy, Vinata by force broke one egg. A mighty bird with half body came out. His name was Aruna. His body was formed upto waist. Beholding his son with incomplete body, Vinata cried aloud.
“O mother! Had you not broken the egg in advance, a mighty personality would have come out. You deprived me of that fortune. You are influenced by jealousy and anger for which you have to reap the consequences for your fickle mind. You will become the slave of Kadruva for long time.” cursed Aruna.

Vinata trembled with motherly anguish. On one hand, son with halfbody and on the other hand slavery. She cried aloud. Aruna pitied her.

“O mom! dont cry. This is all our fate. None can avert it. Kindly dont break the second egg in hurry. After 500 years, one more son born to you with mighty personality. He may release you from this slavery.” said Aruna.

Both mother and son were waiting for the arrival of second son for five hundred years. On expiry of 500 years, the second egg broke of its own accord. A mighty personality with long neck, strong body, glorious face, reddish eyes, huge head and with beautiful wings was born like a sun rising on the east. He was Suparna (Garuda), a mighty bird. After the birth of Suparna, Aruna took leave from his mother and went to Soorya Loka to serve Sun God.

(The charioteer of Sun God is Aruna, also called as Anoora.).

From the time of his birth, Garuda didnot stay with his mother even for a moment. He was going on flying in the sky seeking food. Grandfather Brahma and other divine bodies were so affectionate towards Garuda.

After the birth of Aruna, and before the birth of Garuda, during the period of 500 years, a strange thing had happened. After the birth of Aruna, Vinata gradually forgot about the curse given by Aruna. During one spring season, Vinata and Kadruva went for a stroll to the sea shore. While they were walking leisurely, at a distance they saw a white horse called Uchaisrava, a divine horse.

Beholding that horse, Vinata said: “O sister Kadruva! look at that horse. It is pure white like pure milk.” said Vinata.

(It is the nature of some peole not to accept other’s words. Whatever be the argument, they counter it. To substantiate their argument, they go to any extent. It is their nature. Such was the nature of Kadruva.)

Immediately Kadruva countered it. “No Vinata. It is not pure white. Its tail is black” said Kadruva.

Vinata was astonished. “No Kadruva. Are you joking. The entire body of that horse is pure white. No question of even a black spot.” said Vinata.

Kadruva became adament. “No Vinata. Its tail is black. I am sure” argued Kadruva.

Vinata also was firm in her stand. “No. the horse is white, not black” affirmed Vinata.

“What is the bet?” asked Kadruva.

“Your wish. I am ready for any bet as the horse is white.” said Vinata.

“If I win the bet, you have to serve me as slave throughout your life. If you win the bet I serve you as slave.” said Kadruva.

Vinata agreed for the bet. She simply forgot the curse of her elder son.

“Now it is sunset. The visibility is poor. Let us go back and come tomorrow and observe the horse in day light.” said Kadruva, to gain time. Unable to understand the wicked plan of Kadruva, Vinata innocently agreed for it. They both went home.

In fact, Kadruva knows pretty well that the tail of horse was pure white. By some hook or crook it shall appear to be black. It was her desire. She called all her sons, the serpants. “O my sons! today, myself and Vinata saw a white horse. I bet that its tail was black, though it was white. I have to win the bet. Somehow or other, tomorrow, you have to make the tail appear to be black. said Kadruva.

Vasuki and others did not agree for the proposal. “O Mom! it is unscrupulous. We cannot do it. Yourself and Vinata are same for us. We got motherly affection towards Vinata. We cannot be trecherous towards my mother, Vinata. It is also not proper on your part also.” said Vasuki.

“No. You have to obey my command. The tail of the horse shall appear black” affirmed Kadruva.

“We prefer to leave you than be trecherous to Vinata” Vasuki replied.
“Then listen. In future, Janamejaya, grand son of Arjuna, perform Sarpa Yaga. In that Sarpa Yaga all you will perish. This is my curse for your disobeyance.” said Kadruva.

Having afraid of the curse, some of the serpant-sons fell on the feet of Kadruva. “O mom we are here. We make the tail appear black” assured those serpants. Kadruva was very happy. During the night all the black serpants went and curled round the tail of the horse, so that the tail appears to be black from a distance.

Next day morning, Kadruva and Vinata went to the sea shore and looked at the horse from a distance. The tail of the horse appeared to be black. Unable to realise the fraud played by Kadruva, Vinata agreed that the tail was black. As per the bet, Vinata became the slave of Kadruva. Vinata was waiting for the birth of Garuda.

As said earlier, the second egg broke and Garuda came out. From the date of birth, Garuda was flying in the sky in search of sufficient food.

Oneday, Saint Narada came there and told Garuda: “O Garuda! what is this! While your mother is doing slavery to Kadruva, you are flying here in search of sumptuous food. Why for your strength, vigour and valour? Your vigour and valour, not useful for releasing your mother from slavery, is waste.” said Narada.

Garuda was astonished. “What! is my mother a slave to Kadruva? What is the reason for my mother undergoing slavery? Kindly tell me.” requested Garuda.

Narada told Garuda what happened and the fraud played by Kadruva. Gruda was enraged with great wrath.
“My mother is slave. I have to save her and release her.” thought Garuda.

Garuda went to his mother and saluted her. Then he went to Kadruva and said: “O mother Kadruva! do you feel it great to have my mother as your slave? Kindly release my mother from slavery and be kind towards us. O mother Kadruva! you got 1000 sons. Treat me also as one of your sons. Atleast for my sake, release my mother from slavery. I feel happy.” said Garuda.

“O Garuda! I have no objection to release your mother from slavery but on one condition. You bring Amruta vessel from Svarga. I release your mother.” said Kadruva.

“O mother Kadruva! Be on your word. Now itself, I am proceeding to bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda.

Garuda went to his father and explained him about his conversation with Kadruva. “O father! bless me and wish me to bring Amruta vessel from heaven”saluted Garuda before his father.

Kashyapa blessed his son, Garuda. “O Garuda! Your intention is good but it is very difficult. Indra kept Amruta vessel in a secret place safely. Even divine bodies do not know about it. I heard that Indra kept it in a big iron mesh, amidst huge flames, guarded by able bodied Asuras.” said Kashyapa.

“O father! out of affection towards me, you are telling like that. I got extraordinary physique. Nothing is impossible for me. I certainly bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda firmly.

Kashyapa was very happy for the bravery of his son. “O my son! To achieve this task, you require enormous strength. On the way to heaven, you find one elephant and one tortoise. They are meant for you. You eat both of them and get enormous energy. Your task will successfully be accomplished.” blessed Kashyapa.

“O father! kindly tell me where they are?” asked Garuda.

“O my son! near the eastern sea, there is a tall mountain called Uraga. Near that mountain there is a tank. There is a tortoise living in that tank. One elephant daily goes to that tank to drink pure water. Always the tortoise picks up quarrel with elephant on some pretext or other. In their previous birth, the tortoise and elephant were two Rakshasas called Madhu and Kaitabha. As they do not know about their previous births, they were fighting as enemies. While catching them you have to be more skilful.You have to catch both of them at a time.” said Kashyapa.

“How is it? Tortoise is in water whereas elephant is on land.” asked Garuda.

“You have to use your own skill. While elephant drinks water, tortoise comes out of water to catch elephant. At that time, you have to catch them at a time skilfully.”said Kashyapa.

Garuda saluted Kashya and flew away to the tank. Garuda transformed himself into a small bird and was waiting for the arrival of elephant. Meanwhile, elephant arrived there and was about to drink water.

“You cannot drink water. This tank is mine” cried tortoise aloud. Elephant pressed the tortoise under its feet. Tortoise came out of the tank and caught the legs of elephant tightly. Elephant thrashed tortoise with its trunk. There was a fiercest fight between tortoise and elephant. Tortoise was enraged with great wrath. It came fully out of waters and caught both the feet of elephant.

Awaiting for this opportunity, Garuda resumed his original form and caught both elephant and tortoise with his claws and flew into the sky. Both elephant and tortoise lost consciousness with this unexpected happening. While flying, carrying both elephant and tortoise, Garuda saw a huge tree, branches of which are spread over five yojanas. Garuda tried to sit on one of the branches. But due to the heavy weight of Garuda coupled with the weights of elephant and tortoise, that branch was broken with thunderous sound. Beholding that some Valakhilya saints were hanging to that branch, Garuda hurriedly caught that branch with his nose and again began to fly in the sky.

The saints were astonished for the devotion of Garuda towards them. Garuda slowly dropped those saints on the ground safely and threw the huge branch in Kulinda kingdom which has already been tainted with immoral and illegal activities, killing the entire population in that kingdom. Then Garuda landed on a flat peak of a huge mountain and ate the elephant and tortoise. As per the words of his father, he got enormous strength. Garuda flew towards heaven and reached the place where the Amruta vessel was kept.

Around the Amruta vessel, huge flames were raising into the sky and Garuda was unable to reach that spot, with the fear that his wings be burnt away. Garuda flew to his Grandfather, Brahma and requested him to show way out. As per the advise of Brahma, Garuda brought huge quanties of butter and threw it into the flames. The flames subsided and completely extinguished. Garuda killed the Rakshasas guarding the Amrutha vessel and tried to carry the Amrutha vessel to his place.

On the way, Devendra attacked Garuda with his Vajruyudha but in vain. Devendra could not stand before the vigour and valour of Garuda and returned back. Garuda flew back to his place with Amrutha vessel.

Beholding Kadruva, Garuda said: “O mother Kadruva! I brought Amrutha vessel. Kindly release my mother from slavery.” requested Garuda.

Beholding Amrutha Vessel, Kadruva was overjoyed. “Yes. Garuda! Your mother is freed from my slavery. She can go as she likes.” proclaimed Kadruva in the presence of one and all.

Vinata came to his son Garuda. Garuda was about to leave that place along with his mother.

“O Garuda my son! Give me the Amrutha vessel, brought by you.” hurriedly asked Kadruva.

“O mother Kadruva! Kindly remember what you told me. You asked me to bring Amrutha vessel only. I brought it. You freed my mother from slavery. It is over. I did not say that I will give Amrutha vessel to you.” so saying Garuda flew away along with his mother and Amrutha vessel.

Garuda went back to heaven and handed over Amrutha vessel to Devendra and prayed excuse. In the presence of all divine bodies and sages, Garuda said:

“O Divine bodies! Kadruva played fraud upon my mother and made my mother as her slave. In order to liberate my mother from slavery, I have taken Amrutha vessel by force. As my work is finished, I am returning Amrutha vessel safely to you. Kindly treat me as your friend and excuse me.”

Everybody appreciated Garuda and excused him. Garuda was burning with great anger. “O Devendra! These snakes and serpants are the cause for my mother’s slavery. Hence, from today onwards, snakes are the food for eagles and other similar birds. We kill them on sight and consume them.” proclaimed Garuda.

Everybody acclaimed Garuda’s words and requested Devendra to give Garuda a boon. “I am too small to give Garuda any boon. Garuda is the incarnation of Vishnu. In the coming years, Garuda will born as Sri Krishna to instal dharma.” said Devendra.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! Sri Krishna standing by your side is no other than Garuda.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! I am entertaining another doubt. If anybody evades to pay or give anything, which he promised to pay or give, to a Brahmin, what would be his fate?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In this connection, I narrate a story in reply to your question. In a forest, there lived a fox and monkey. They are friends. One day monkey told fox:

“O friend! I do not know which sin you have committed in your past birth, you are consuming dead bodies in this birth?” said monkey.

Miraculously, fox got its rememberances of its previous birth. “O friend! in my previous birth, I promised a brahmin to give some money. But I evaded to pay. Hence I have taken this birth and consuming dead bodies.” said fox.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! that was the effect of evasion.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre! Is it against Dharma to teach Veda and other Sastras to a person who was endowed with good qualities and virtuous behaviour but born in lower caste.”asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, a story will clear your doubt. Listen. Several virtuous brahmins were performing tapas on Himalayas. One day, a sudra who was virtuous with righteous qualities and good behaviour approached them.

“O Brahmins! you are performing tapas. Kindly tell me how to perform tapas and the procedure to be followed toperform tapas.” asked Sudra.

“O virtuous man! you are a Sudra born in lower caste. It is not proper on our part to teach Vaidika Vidya to you. You are fit to serve us but not to perform tapas.” said the brahmins.

Sudra lived there serving those brahmins. But daily he was observing the daily procedure adopted by Brahmins and he also began to adopt the same procedure to perform tapas.

One day, the chief priest who was guiding those brahmins came to the hut of Sudra. The chief priest was pleased with his behaviour and the rituals he was performing daily. The chief priest taught him the lapses in his rituals and guided him properly to perform all vedic rituals. Sudra also devotedly followed the chief priest and was performing vedic rituals in right manner.

In course of time, both Sudra and the chief priest died. In next birth, Sudra was born as the son of a King and the chief priest was born as the son of a virtuous brahmin, studying Vedas. Later, the chief priest born in a virtuous brahmin family became the chief priest of the King and he was serving the son of that King who was Sudra in his previous birth.

Beholding the Brahmin who was serving him as a chief priest, the son of the King was smiling. The brahmin could not understand the reason for his smiling. One day, the brahmin asked the King:

“O King! why you are smiling while looking at me. Is there any fault on my part in performing vedic rituals?” asked the brahmin.

“O virtuous brahmin! fortunately, I got the knowledge of my previous birth. In my last birth, I was a Sudra and you taught me the skills in Vedic rituals. As a result, you are now born as a Purohit to serve a king. Hence I am smiling at you.” said the King.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! Vedic rituals and mantras and trantras shall be taught to Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas that too, to those who are eligible to learn.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! there are several persons in this world. But with whom Goddess Lakshmi lives?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Once Rukmini asked Lakshmi the same question. Lakshmi answered that question. The same answer clears your doubt.

“Lakshmi lives in the abodes the following persons: Those who are truthful; who observe cleanliness; who have devotion towards their teachers; who are vigilant and careful always; who perform their duties with highest concentration and devotion; who are pure in mind; who perform virtus deeds always; who are wise and learned; who perform tapas; who gives away to others what they have; who observe Brahmacharya; who control their sense organs. These are all eligible for my blessings. I like to stay always with them.

I never stay with those who are cruel, non-believers of God and Vedas, who are ungrateful, and who are wicked and wretch.

With regard to ladies, I stay with those who keep their house, household utensils clean and neat and those who do not consume food eaten by others.

I never stay with the ladies who oppose their husbands alwlays; who accuse others always; who are inclined to join males other than husband and those who are drowsy always.

Besides the above, I always stay in Lotus flowers, flower gardens, fruit bearing trees and flower bearing plants.” said Lakshmi to Rukini.

O Dharmaja! the same answer is an answer to your question also.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre” Can I ask you an irritable question. During sexual intercourse, who enjoys much, either male or female.?” asked Dharmaja.

(In fact, this quetion is irrelevant because Bhishma remained unmarried throughout his life. How can he answer this question? But Bhishma appeared to have got over this situation by narratring another story.)

“O Dharmaja! In the past, there was a king called Bhangaswa. He was issueless. He performed yajna without the permission of Indra, which was a prerequisite. As a result of yajna, Bringaswa begot one hundred sons. He was happy. But Indra bore grudge upon Bhringasva for performing Yajna without his permission.

One day Bhringasva went into forest for hunting. He lost his way due to the influence of Indra. Bhringasva was thirsty. He drank water in a nearby pond. Strangely, he was transformed into a lady. He was very much annoyed for this unwanted ladyhood. “How can I go back to city as a lady ? What my citizens, my wife and children think about me? On the other hand, I cannot even remain in this forest.” thought Bhringasva.

At last he went back to the city and called for a metting of his ministers and discussed the matter at length. On their advice, he got his elder son enthroned as King of his Kingdom. Bhringasva, in lady form, went back to forests. He was living in the forest along with other sages and saints.

One young saint fell in love with Bhringasva and married her and begot 100 sons. Bhringasva took his hundred sons and went back to his kingdom and told his former sons about his marriage and begetting hundred sons. All the two hundred sons of Bhringasva were living happily, enjoying royal pleasures.

Devendra could not tolerate this situation. He wanted to create rifts between the sons of Bhringasva. Devendra approached the former sons of Bhringasva and spoiled their minds and created ill feelings between them. All the two hundred sons quarrelled with each other and died. Bhringasva was lamenting for the death of all his sons. Indra, in disguise, appeared before him.

“O Bhringasva! what happened? why are you weeping?” asked Indra. Bhringasva told Indra right from his going to forest for hunting till all his sons died by quarrelling with each other.

Then Indra appeared in his original form. “You performed Yajna without my permission. Hence all these troubles are created by me.” said Indra.

“O Indra! By mistake, I did not obtain your permission for performing Yajna. But you are the chief of divine bodies. Is it proper on your part to behave like this? Kindly excuse me and save me.” prayed Bhringasva.

“O King! I can bring back some of your sons alive. Choose among your sons, either your sons begot by you while you were Bhringasva or your sons begot by you while you were lady.” asked Indra.

“O Indra! Kindly make my sons, begot by me while I was a lady, alive.

Indra was astonished. “Why dont you choose your former sons ? Are they not your sons? ” asked Indra.

“Yes they are also my sons, but begot by me while I was male. But I am a mother to my later sons. Mother’s love is greater than fatherly affection.” said Bhringasva.

Indra was very much satisfied with his reply. “O Bhringasva! I give life to all your two hundred sons. Besides that, I restore your manhood also. You are no more a female.” said Indra.

“No Indra! I prefer to remain as a female than male.” said Bhringasva.
“What is this Bhringasva! originally you are a male. Why you prefer to remain as female?” asked Indra.

Feeling shy, Bhringasva said: “Indra! you are a male. You do not know the mind of female. Ladies derive more pleasure in sexual intercourse than males. I dont want to be deprived of that sexual pleasure. Hence I prefer to remain as female.” said Bhringasva.

Devendra smiled and blessed Bhringasva as a female.

“O Dharmaja! you got an answer to your question” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! though you are on arrow bed, you have been giving replies to my questions patiently. I heard so many dharmas from your mouth. But will they prevent birth and death and also the sufferings caused from birth and death. I cannot take births and deaths from time time, and travel constantly from womb to tomb. O Grandisre! will there by any difference from hell and the womb. This world itself is temporary. I behold this world as a poison. I hate this kingdom and samsara. Kindly teach me about Vaishnava Dharma to attain liberation. Nowadays, even according to Bhagavan Veda Vyasa, we cannot find Vaishnava Dharma in any corner of this world. Hence I am asking you. Kindly teach me about Vaishnava Dharma.”asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! are you mad. You have fought 18 days, killed all your enemies and conquered this Kingdom. Instead of enjoying the royal pleasures, you are talking like a Sanyasi. Kshatriya youths shall not speak like this. You are speaking like Janaka, king of Midhila. Ofcourse, you can derive eternal happiness from liberation. But nobody describes about it. It is beyond the concept of Jeeva.
There are several Praktitis but Akriti is one. Though Akriti transforms into several Jeevaatmas, it shall not change its original character and will not forget its original form. Path of samsara appears to be so easy to reach. The path of liberation is covered with desires. Therefore one has to lead his life adopting Satva, abandoning Kama and Krodha. This is called Vaishnava Dharma. You also follow this Dharma. Leave the fear of Samsara and proced towards liberation.” said Bishma.

“O Bhishma! Kindly explain me about Paramatma who is the basis for all Tatvas, adhyatmas, adhibhootas, adhidaivas.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatkumara, Sanatsujata are Brahma Manasa Putras. Also Vasishta, Sankara are also Brahma Manasa Putras. Besides the above, Marichi, Bhrigu,Angirasa,Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu are also the sons of Brahma. Of these, Sanatsujata is of the scale of our thumb. He always burns like fire and moves constantly.

Once, Narada met Sanatsujata on Meru Mountain. At that time, Narada also asked Sanatsujata the same question. I will tell you the reply given by Sanatsujata.

Ten thousand Yugas is one night, and another ten thousand Yugas are day for Vishnu. While Vishnu is in his original form, he is called Avyakta. Vishnu sleeps in nights and does creation during day time. Vishnu created Brahma and made him in charge of creation. Brahma was influenced by Ahankara. Hence, mind, sense organs, intellect and five elements were created. The five elements are sky, air, fire, water and earth. Their attributes are sound, touch, form, taste, smell respectively. Later, divine bodies, sages and saings, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, kinnaras, Naras, all animals etc. were created. All this creation was influenced by Ahankara. The entire creation is subject to births and deaths. All the living beings created by Brahma are experiencing good and bad created by Vishnu.

Five elements, five attributes, ten sense organs, one Mahat Tatva, Ahankara, mind and intellect are 24 tatvas in total. Now I will explain about Adhyatma etc.

If ear is Adhyatma, sound is Adhiboota and sides are Adhi daivatas.

If skin is Adhyatma, touch is adhibhoota and air is Adhi Daivata.

If eyes are Adhyatma, form is adhobhoota and sun is Adhidaivata.

If tongue is Adhyatma, taste is Adhibhoota and water is Adhidaivata.

If nose is Adhyatma, smell is Adhibhoota and earth is Adhidaivata.

Legs, anus, genital organ, hands, mouth, sense organs are Adhyatmakas. Walking, easing, sensual pleasure, working, taking are Adhibhootas respectively. Vishnu, Sun, Brahma, Indra, Agni are Adhidaivatas, respectively.

Ahankara, mind and intellect are Adhyatmakas. self-conceit, intention, determination are Adhidaivatas. Intelligence, Moon and Brahma are Adhidaivatas.

All these according to Veda. All these elements are created and destroyed by Vishnu.

Nature is Avyakta. If manual effort is added, nature stimulates and the entire world runs with splendour and glory. Vishnu is the basis for the entire creation. With the permission of Parama Siva, Brahma runs the birth and death cycle.” said Sanatsujata to Narada. I hope this is the answer to your question.

Dharmaja! The origin for the entire creation is the 25th attribute, i.e., Paramatma. He is immortal and endless. He always lives in the hearts of Yogis. He is Vishnu, second to none, without desires. He is Parama Atma.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! I heard that Virtuous people unite themselves with Agni. How such people think about Paramatma?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmnaja! while Milky Ocean was churned, Amrutha came out. Divine bodies and Danavas fought for Amrutha. Divine bodies were defeated by Danavas. Divine bodies approached Brahma. Meanwhile, the following words are heard from sky:

“I am coming to help you” .

Vishnu, armed with Chakra (Disc weapon) and Mace, riding on Garuda, rushed against Danavas for war. Vishnu defeated Asuras and disappeared. Divine bodies were astonished. They asked Brahma: “Who is this glorious personality?” Brahma said: “He is called Vishnu. He stays in Vaikuntha. I also donot know how Vishnu lookes like. Hence I have no capacity to explain how Vishnu looks like. But I tell you story about Vishnu.

Once, on Himalayas, sages and saints, and Sidhas were sitting and discussing about Vishnu. Meanwhile Garuda arrived there. Gruda saluted them and sat there.

“Garuda! we would like to ask you ne thing?” said those sages.

“I am blessed. Kindly ask your doubt. I explain to the extent I know.” said Garuda.

“Garuda! you are the staunch devotee of Vishnu. Vishnu likes his devotees. You always stay with Vishnu. Kindly tell me about Vishnu Tatva?” asked those sages and saints.

“O Sages and Saints! I know that Vishnu protects these three regions. That much I know. That does not mean that I know everything about Vishnu. Not only you and me, none else knows about Vishnu Tatva. We just hear the stories about Vishnu.

When I conquered Devendra and was carrying Amrutha vessel, some words are heard from the sky: “O Garuda! I appreviate your valour. Ask any thing” .

I turned that side and said: “I do not know who are you. You are blessing me with boons. Kindly reveal yourself and then bless me.”

Again the following word are heard: “In course of time, you know about me. From today, you are my carrier. You will not have diseases or death. You conquer Asuras” said a splendid form standing before me.

I saluted that splendid form. “O revered self! I will be your carrier. But I desire to be the flag on your chariot. Kindly bless me with this boon.” I requested. “Let it be done”. So saying that splendid form disappeared. I was very much astonished.

I went to my father, Kashyapa and told him what had happened. “O my son Garuda! That spelendid form is no other than Vishnu. Vishnu was kind enough to talk to you. To behold Vishnu, I did penance for so many years and remained in Yoga Samadhi.. He showed his Viswaroopa with so many forms and said:

“Kashyapa! You are still having several desires in your mind. With desires in mind, none can see me. Whenever you discard all your desires, you can see me” said Vishnu.

You are so fortunate to serve Vishnu. You immediately go to Badarika Ashram and serve Narayana there.” said Kashyapa.

Then I went to Badarika Ashram. There I found a glorious personality. I saluted him. He was wearing yellow clothes, with eight arms, armed with conche, disc, mace etc. I recognised that form as Narayana. Beholding me, that Narayana said: “Have you come! Come along with me” so saying he proceeded towards north. I followed him.

We travelled thousands of Yojanas. There I found burning fire without any fuel. Narayana entered into those flames. I followed him. There I found MahaSiva along with Parvati doing penance. Narayana was proceeding further. I followed him. There I found complete darkness. I could not see anything.

“Come this side” I heard some voice. I proceeded towards that direction. There I found some light. Slowly the darkness disappeared. The sun was shining brightly. Nice music was heard. There I found ponds with lotus flowers. Beautiful ladies and handsome men were worshpping Narayana. Narayana was proceeding further. I followed him. But I could not bear that magnificent light and heat. I loudly called “O God!”. Narayana looked back

“O son of Vinata! I never forget you. Dont fear. Come along with me. Dont feel that you have not seen me. Only those who have discarded all loves and affections, egoism and vanity, and those who have concentrated and undisturbed mind can alone see me. As you have devotion and concentration upon me, you could only look at my outer form.” said Narayana.

Then Narayana flew into the sky. I also followed him. I could not find Narayana there. “Come here” I heard some sound. I proceeded towards that sound. There I found one pond with lotus flowers. White swans were floating in that pond. Narayana was taking bath in that pond. I went near the pond. Narayana disappeared. There I heard voices of Veda chanting. Hundred of eagles were flying in the sky and surrounded me. I was afraid. I cried aloud:

“O Achuyta! Siva! Sahasraksha! Vedamaya! Anaadi Nidhanaa! Tribhuvanaika Naadhaa! Tri Nayanaa! Govindaa! Padmanaabhaa! Haraa! Krupaavidheyaa!” I began to pray God. Narayana appeared before me.

“O son of Vinata! Done be afraid.” He patted on my shoulder. My fear subsided. I opened my eyes. I was astonished. I was in Badarika Ashram. None were there. I realised that everything I experienced is nothing but Vishnu Maya. My body trembled. Narayana with eight hands appeared before. I prostrated before Narayana.

“O God Narayana! I serve your feet always. If I am eligible to hear about your miralces, Kindly tell me.” I prayed Narayana. “O son of Vinata! Even divine bodies, Gandharvas, Danujas could not even imagine about my original form. The entire creation is within me. They born, grow and die within me. Similarly, I also stay in each and every creature. To know about me, Jeevatma shall be turned towards me (Paramatma). To achieve that, one should discard desires, egoism, anger, and habit of receiving from others. One should observe nonviolance and keep his mind pure and be contented always. To such people, I am always visible.

Even if sankhya is studied, those who do not discard connection with worldly affairs, those who do not have determinate mind, they cannot see me. Being endowed with loves and passions, even if they perform Poojas, Vratas, fastings with pomp and show, I never look at them. To those who think about me with concentrated mind, I am always visible. I am always visible to those who are not influenced by Rajas and Tamas and who always observe Satva.

I am divided into four forms viz., Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Anirudha and I express myself in all beings like Atma, intellect, egoism and mind respectively. This is my outer form. Therefore, first you know about me, think about me with pure mind and devotion and try to realise my original form.” said Narayana.

In this manner, Garuda told other sages and saints and Sidhas about Vishnu Tatva. All of them acclaimed Garuda for having taught them about Vishnu Tatva.” This is all about Vishnu Tatva” said Brahma to divine bodies.

O Dharmaja! this conversion was first told by Brahma to Vasuvus. I heard this conversion while Vasuvus were telling to my mother, Ganga. Now I told you the same.
O Dharmaja! For those who discard all intentions done thorugh mind, installing Agni in Atman, discarding all bondages with outside world, and thinking about Vishnu through innerself, liberation is effortless.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja, as told by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, the story of Maha Bharata.

Maha Bharata
Anusasanika Parva
First chapter completed.
Om Tatsat Om Tatsat Om Tatsat.

MAHABHARAT
Anusasanika parva
Second Chapter

Dear readers of Maha Bharat
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MAHA BHARAT
ANUSASANIKA PARVA
SECOND CHAPTER

In Naimisaranya, on the occasion of Satra Yaga, Sooti told Saint Sounaka and other sages and saints, the story of Maha Bharata as told by Saint Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya.

After Bhishma explaining Vishnu Tatva, Dharmaja asked Bhishma thus: “O Grandsire Bhishma! what are the qualities for a bride groom to be looked into.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In this connection, I tell you one story. There was a saint called Ashtavakra. He wanted to marry a girl called Suprabha, daughter of Vadaanya. Ashtavrakra asked Vadaanya to give his daugher in marriage to him. Vadaanya accepted his proposal and told him thus:

“O Ashtavakra! You proceed towards North. After crossing the abode of Kubera, on northern side, there are Himalayas where Parvati did penance for the sake of Siva. Even now, Lord Siva and Parvati are moving there together. After crossing that place, you find one Neepa Garden where you find a middle aged woman. You meet her and come back. Then I perform your marriage with my daughter.” said Vadaanya.

Ashtavakra accordingly proceeded towards north. First he arrived at the city of Kubera. Kubera received him with due honors and arranged dance programme with beautiful dancers. Those dances could not attract Ashtavakra. Then he entered Himalayas and arrived at the Neepa forest. In the midst of the forest, there was a beautiful building made up of gold. Beautiful girls welcomed him. He went inside. There he found a middle aged lady. That lady took him into the inner apartments and made him to sit by her side on a bed.

It was cold during that night. They both laid side by side on the same bed. That night, the lady tried to seduce him but the body of Ashtavakra did not respond. It remained like a log. Then she told Ashtavakra:

“O young man! you are a man and manly. Generally men are attracted to sexual desires and happiness. But why you remained silent and did not respond inspite of my seduction.. I will part with all my riches. Take me as your wife. I will serve you throughtout my life.” said that lady.

“It is a great sin to have intercourse with another’s wife. A brahmin cannot have intercourse with a Sudra lady. I am still unmarried. I fell in love with a girl and I want to marry her.” said Ashtavakra.

“O young man! I also fell in love with you. For lovers, there are no bounds, They do not care for human relations. Marry me and enjoy these riches.” asked that lady.

“Why are you talking like this. I do not know whether ladies talk like this. Kindly control your temptations.Kindly leave me. I have to go.” said Ashtavakra.

“No No dont go. Remain here for some time.” that lady stopped him.

“If you do not touch me, I remain here” said Ashtavakra.

Next day morning, after morning rituals, Ashtavakra was about to leave that place.

“O young man! listen to me. I am also a virgin. As I could not get suitable match all these days, I remained unmarried. Fortunately, you have come. Kindly marry me.” requested that lady.

“During childhood, father; afer marriage, husband; during old age, son; are the protectors of a lady. Therefore, you are still dependent and you cannot marry without the permission of elders. Hence I reject your offer. Leave it. Who are you? Why you are seducing me like this. Kindly leave me. I have to go and marry my lover.” requested Ashtavakra.

Then she smiled and said: “O young man! At the command of Vadaanya, I tested your austerity and verocity. You have succeeded in the test. Vadaanya will give his daughter to you in marriage.” said that lady.

Then Ashtavakra saluted her and went back to his place. Ashtavakra married Suprabha and lived happily.

Therefore Dharmaja! before marriage, the character and conduct of the bridegroom shall be enquired into and tested thoroughly.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! if a brahmin begets a son through a Sudra lady, how can he become a brahmin.” asked Dharmaja.

“ODharmaja! I tell you about the marriage conditions. A brahmin can marry another brahmin lady, or ladies in Kshatriya, Vysya and Sudra communtiies. Likewise, Kshatriya can marry another kshatriya lady and also ladies in vysya and sudra communties. A vysya can marry another vysya lady and also a lady in sudra community. A sudra shall marry only a sudra lady and none else. This is marriage system. If anybody marries a lady in upper castes than his own caste, it leads to intermixture of castes.

To whatever caste mother belongs, caste of the child is decided by the caste of father only. This system is accepted in general. Even if the sages and saints beget children through ladies in lower castes, they will be treated as brahmins. Even if a kshatriya begets children through lower communties, they will be treated Kshatriyas. There are instances, which you might have heard, where some brahmins begot children through cattle and birds. Those children were treated as Brahmins. Therefore, for Brahmins and Kshatriyas, the seed is important but not the field. The births of Vasishta, Rushyasrunga, Agastya, Vyasa, sons of Mandapala, Drona, Kripa are best examples. All of them inherited their fahter’s caste.

In this connection, Manu said thus: “ One shall not comment about the origins or births of rivers, sidhas and sages and saints. Why because, great people are renowned by their character, conduct, virtuous deeds but not by their origin or caste.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! Worthiness or fitness of a brahmin to receive alms and charity from others is decided either by his brahminism or by sainthood.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! A brahmin, by virtue of his good deeds, is considered fit to receive alms from others. It is immaterial whether he is a saint or household.”said Bhishma.

“O grandsire!One does not attain any sin by performing Daana (charity). Is it not?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! It is correct. The charities made with devotion vanish all sins. But who is preaching Dharmas to others but wretch and wicked inside, is not fit to receive any charity. In this connection, there was a discussion between Mother Earth, Saint Kashyapa and Saint Markandeya. Whatever caste he was born, whatever be his knowledge and intelligence, without virtues and character, he may not attain higher regions after death. If an intelligent and educated belittles other’s education and intelligence,he will be tainted with the sin of Brahma Hatya. If the fruits of thousand Yajnas and truthfulness is put in scales, truthfulness weighs more than the fruits of thousand Yajnas. If one abstains from consuming meat and alcohol, it is greater than observing brahmacharya throughout life. Controlling sense organs while moving in the outside world is called Soucha.”said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! we are heard about the four Purusha Ardhas viz., Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha. Tell me when and how to observe them?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! One has to discard Ardha and Kama and follow Dharma and Moksha. One should always incline to follow Dharma. One may have inclination to follow ardha(earning money) and kaama(enjying sensual pleasures) but to limited extent only. Dharma shall be observed during day time and Kama shall be observed during night time and Ardha shall be observed during dawn.

One attains Punya by worshipping Guru and Brahmin. Accusing brahmins and obstructing them from studying Vedas and performing worship of Agni are great sins.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! I could not follow what you said earlier. Kindly tell who are fit to receive alms and charities from others.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! The persons with the following qualities are fit to give alms and make charities. Those who observe Dharma; those who do not have anger, those who speak truth always, those who are with vigour and valour; those who discharge the duties entrusted to them scrupulously, those who control their sense organs; those who are kind towards fellow creatures; those who are not greedy and covetous; and those who observe Soucha are entitled to make charities.

Those who study vedas and scriptures are eligible to receive alms from the above. But one should not give away alms to those who are not fit to receive. If one virtuous brahmin is satisfied with the charity he made, all deities, pitaras and sages satisfy. One should worship divine bodies during morning, deities during noon time and pitaras during evening times.

Dharmaja! food prepared four hours earlier; spoiled food, food partly consumed by others; food that is not offered to God; food containing small insects and hair is prohibited to be consumed. One should protect the money and articles collected for worshipping divine bodies and pitaras, safely. One who earns money by giving money for interest; one who does not perform worship of Agni; one who indulges in flesh trade are not fit for Pitara ceremonies.” said Bhishma.

“O grandisre Bhishma! kindly tell me who are eligible to receive alms and charities during divine worhip and Pitara worship.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! those who constantly worship and offer food to guests, those who lost their money and property due to thefts; those who are inclined to perform Vratas but do not have money; those who are experiencing troubles without money to feed their own parents, wife and children; those who are suffering without money to cure their diseases; are eligible to receive alms and charities during divine ceremonies and pitara ceremonies.

Those who are indulged in destroying choultries, pandals, etc, those who always blame their teachers; those who accuse Vedas; thosewho sell their knowledlge of Vedas; those who are indulged in carrying tales against others; those who are guilty of breach of contracts; those who exploit others for their own ends; those who have no gratitude for the help done by others; those who seduce others’ wives; those who destroy Mantra Sastras; those who are blind with pride and arrogance; those who deceive orphans, children, aged and sanyasis; those who consume food without offering to his servants, guests, wife and children, will certainly go to hell.

Trading in lethal weapons and hair; killing virgin girls, brahmins and cows; abandoning Guru and faithful servant; putting hurdles and thorn bushes across the streets used by villagers: are all nothing but gateways for hell. Besides the above, a king who punishes people for offences which they have not committed; a king, whose aowed object is to protect people, forgets his responsibility towards his people; people who are guilty of cheating and criminal breach of trust; will certainly to go hell .

Those who engage in constructing choultries, raising gardens, digging drinking water wells, rescuing those who are in need and danger, performing marriages, donating land as charity, donating vehicles for handicapped; providing labour at free of cost; forgiving those who caused harm to him; regarding wife and children and relatives; not giving much publicity for the donations made; keeping aloof from wicked and greedy; are all the gateways for heaven.”said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! we regard certain acts as Brahma Hatya Patakas. Without violence, how can they be regarded as murders (hatya).”asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! I asked Veda Vyasa the same question. I tell you the reply given by Veda Vyasa. Inviting Brahmins for food but depriving them of food; obstructing a Brahmin to study Vedas; obstructing cows from drinking water in ponds; embezzlement of funds intended for physically handicapped; accusing Vedas and scriptures; are all equivalent to Brahma Hatya. Burning villages; destroying fruit bearing gardens; giving false evidence in courts; are also equivalent to Brahma hatya. Not performing the marriage of a girl with a suitable bridegroom also is equivalent to Brahma Hatya.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! Kindly let me know about pilgrimage to holy places.” asked Dharmaja.

“Dharmaja! I now tell you what has been told by Angirasa to Goutama.

Who observe fasting on the banks of River Chandrabhaga and Vitasta will be equivalent to a saint. Who drinks water in the rivers flowing in Kashir attains heaven. Who takes holy bath in Pushkara tirtha, Prabhasa Tirtha, Naimisaranya, Indramarga, devika and Svargabindu attains the companionship of apsarasas. Who observes fasting on the banks of Rivers Indra Toya and Karatoya and takes holy bath, they attain the fruits of performing Asvamedha Yaga.
Who takes holy bath in Rivers Kanakhala, Gangadvaara, Kusavartha, Bilvaka, all their sins vanish.Who takes holy bath in River Ganga flowing near Kailasa Sikhara, he attains divinity. Who performs Agnihotra without taking food for one month; he attains all Siddhis. Who observes fasting and takes bath in Bhrugutunga, Brahma Hatya sin vanishes. Who takes holy bath in Sundarika tank, he attains beautiful body in next birth.

Who takes holy bath in Vaimanika Tirtha, he attains heaven. Who serves Krittika and Angaraka, he attains Svargaloka. Who takes holy bath for three days in River Vipasa, he does not have next birth. Who offers Pitara Tarpana in Krittika Ashram, he attains the presence of Lord Siva. Who visits Dronasarma and Sarastambha thirthas and Devadaru Vana, they are blessed with beautiful wives.

Who visits Chitrakuta and Janasthana, he attains royal pleasures. Who observes fasting for one month in Shyama Ashram, they attain the fruits of inward thinking. Whoever spends 21 days in silence without food, he attains moksha. Who spends one night in Matanga Vaapi, he becomes Sidha. Who stays in Naimisaranya for one month he attains the fruits of performing Purushamedhi.Who takes bath on Kalanjana mountain at Prayaga, he attains liberation.

Who takes bath in Vaivasvata Thirtha, he gets enormous wealth. Who spends one month in Prayaga, he attains Moksha. Who observes fasting for one month at Brahma Kapala, he attains Chandraloka.Who takes holy bath in Ashtavakra, Kalavinka, Devahrada, he attains Brahma Loka. Fasting for 12 days in Ramahrada vanishes all sins. Who takes holy bath in River Narmada will have royal birth. Who stays 91 days in Jamboo Dveepa, he attains all Siddhis.
Who takes holy bath in River Gokamukha and stays in Tandulika Ashram, consuming vegetarian food, he becomes the husband for ten virgin girls.Who observes meditation for three days in Kulya Thirtha, he attains the fruits of performing Asvamedha Yaga. Who takes bath in Ujjaanaka Thirtha at Arshisena Ashram; all his sins vanish. Who spends one night at Pindaraka he attains the fruits of performing Agnishtoma. One who takes bath in Brahma Sarassu at Dharmaranya, he gets the fruits of performing Pundareeka Yaga. One who serves the sages and saints in Himalayas, he attains all Siddhis.

O Dharmaja! while making pilgrimages, one should keep his mind peaceful, uninfluenced by anger, greediness and pride. Then only he attains the fruits of pilgrimages.

Dharmaja! in fact, all the Thirdhas and holy places are in our body. Controlling sense organs, performing Tapas and controlling mind are equal to visiting holy places. Without purity of mind, taking holy bath in rivers is nothing but taking bath everyday. It only cleans the body but not the mind.

O Dharmana! without worrying for the things which we do not have; without developing more affection on which we have; if one controls his sense organs, he need not visit any holy place or take any holy dip in any river. Such people remain purified always. One need not visit, all the way, all the Thirthas and holy places by spending money and time. It is sufficient if he feels visiting those places in his mind. This is what all I know about holy places and their visits.” said Bhishma.

Meanwhile, Saints Athri, Vasishta, Bhrigu, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratuvu, Angirasa, Agasthya, Kanva, Goutama, Visvamitra, Jamadagni etc. arrived there to equire about the welfare of Bishma. Pandavas saluted them and offered them Arghyam and Padyam and due seats.After talking to Bhishma for a while all those saints departed. Again Dharmaja continued his questioning.

“O Grandsire! You told me so many places of visit and so many rivers to have a holy dip. Kindly tell me in brief which are the holiest places amongst them.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection I tell you a story. A sidha visited the house of a poor brahmin as guest. The Brahmin worshipped the guest and offered him food according to his might. After taking food, while Sidha was taking rest, the Brahmin asked Sidha the same question. The sidha answered thus:

“The places through which River Ganga passes, those places are holy places. A dip in River ganga attains the fruits of performing Yajnas, observing Brahma Charya, Tapas and making charities. Even if the water of Ganga touches the body, all his sins vanish. Whatever be the sins committed by him, if he takes a holy dip in Ganga, he goes to heaven. For how many years the bones of a man soak in Ganga, for such number of years he enjoys heavenly pleasures. Place without Ganga, Yajna without Soma, night without moon, day without sun, Ashram without Dharma are equal to trees without flowers.

Even performing one hundred Chandrayana Vratas is not equal to consuming Ganga Water. Human beings regard Ganga water as Amrutha. Rubbing the sand of Ganga on head and taking holy dip in Ganga removes all his sins. Even the air coming from Ganga is suffient to vanish all the sins. A holy dip in Ganga attains higher regions to Pitaras. While taking bath in any place, feeling in mind that he is taking bath in River Ganga, is suffient to attain the fruits of holy dip in Ganga.
One who beholds Ganga is human being and the others are equal to beasts and blind. Thinking about Ganga at the time of death attains him liberation. While Ganga was coming from heaven to earth, in between Lord Siva held it on his head. When the sons of Sagara were reduced to ashes as a result of the curse of a saint, Saint Bhagiratha, while bringing Ganga from heaven to earth, made Ganga to flow on their ashes, as a result they attained higher regions. Ganga had its way from heaven to Moon, from moon to Sun, from Sun to Vishnu, fromthe feet of Vishnu, Ganga landed on the head of Siva and from there to earth through Himalayas.

Whoever worships Ganga with devotion, he will be blessed with all riches and at last liberation. O brahmin! This much I know about Ganga” said the Sidha to Brahmin.

Dharmaja! this is the answer to your question.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Bhishma! amongst all, who are fit to be worshipped. Kindly tell me. “ asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! once Sri Krishna asked Narada: “O Narada! whom do you salute with greatg devotion.”

Narada replied thus: “Krishna! with great devotion, I salute those people who worship the five elements, Eesaana, Shanmukha, Mahalakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, Brihaspati, Chandra, water, and earth. I also salute those who study Vedas; who perform Tapas; who worship divine bodies; who give away land, money, grains, cows, as charity to poor and needy; who worship guests; who offer Tarpanas to Pitaras; who lead peaceful life; and who speak truth always.

I salute those who treat Dharma, Ardha, Kama equally; who do not have egoism and overaffection; who possess virtues; and who discarded greediness. Dharmaja! this is the answer to your question.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! For a king who rules the kingdom, there are several duties and responsibilities. Amongst them which is the prime duty.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! the prime duty of a King is to worship Brahmins. Where the Brahmins live peacefully, such country flourishes with riches. Where the Brahmins are insulted, such places be subjected to all troubles. Brahmins are capable of blessing as well as cursing. Brahmins do not care even Devendra. In the past, Dravida Kings insulted Brahmins and were cursed to become Sudras. Whoever worships a Brahmin and offers him food, his Pitaras attain higher regions.

Once mother earth told Vishnu thus: All sins of humans vanish by worshipping brahmins. Dharmaja! you also worship brahmins always. Brahmins by birth are to be worshipped. At the inception, after creating Brahmins, Brahma told them: “You are created to uphold Dharma. You have to protect Dharma always. That is your duty. You should stand as a role model to other castes. Constant study of Vedas, worshipping agni, are your prime duties. Kshatriyas obey your orders.” said Brahma.

In this connection I tell you the conversation between Indra and Sambara. Sambara Asura was the son of Jatasura. He was in a glorified state. Once Indra went to Sambara and asked him the reason for his glory. Sambaarasura said thus: “I have no angry or jealousy against brahmins. I alwlays try to protect brahmins and worship them. In the Devaasura Yuddha, Divine bodies were victorious only due to the blessings of brahmins. In that connection my father told Chandra that due to the blessings of brahmins, divine bodies were victorious. Then Chandra told my father thus: “Brahmins study vedas and perform Tapas always. A brahmin goes to any extent to serve his guru and study vedas. Then Brahmins perform Tapas. Studying Vedas and performing Tapas are the duties of a Brahmin. Hence brahmins are regarded to be greater than all.”

Having heard thatconversion between my father and Chandra, I started worshipping Brahmins. Hence I am now in a glorious status. Indra! you also worship brahmins and be glorious.” said Sambarasura.

Dharmaja! you also worship brahmins always.” said Bhishma.

“O GrandsireBhishma! amongst nearest and distant, who are to be regarded as best.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! All friends, relatives. Ritviks, purohits, whether they are nearest or distant, if they do not possess anger and jealousy, they are to be regarded as best of all. Besides that, amongst distant and unknown, if they are virtuous, learned and respectable, they are to be worshipped.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! I heard that ladies are the root cause for committing all kinds of sins. Kindly tell me the reason for such saying.” asked Dharmaja.

“Dharmaja! what you said is correct. Ladies are of that nature. In this connection, I tell you conversation between Narada and an apsara called Panchachooda. While going round the universe, Narada met one Apsara called Panchachooda.
“O beautiful lady! I ask you one question. Will you answer?” asked Narada.

“O great saint! Kindly ask. I answer your question as far as my knowledge goes.” said Panchachooda.

“Kindly tell me the nature of ladies?” asked Narada.

“O Narada! I am also a lady. How can a lady complains against another lady.” retarded Panchachooda.

“O Pancha Chooda! It is not like that. If you tell the truth, you are not tainted with any sin.” said Narada.

“O Saint Narada! You are well aware of the ladies and their nature and behaviour. Because you asked me, I tell. A married lady, though born in upper caste and respectable family, still lusts for other males other than her husband. This is the peculiar nature of a woman. Ladies are root cause for all kinds of sins. Women cannot realise the goodness of men. Ladies always praise other men before husband. It is highly impossible to control women, unless they are punished severely. A woman generally does not satisfy with her husband and craves for other men.” said Pancha Chooda. Narada was satisfiedwith that answer.

Dharmaja! this is the answer for your question.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre! in such a case, how to protect our ladies?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Ladies are more intelligent and tactful. At the inception, ladies were virtuous and were true to their husbands. Hence, they attained divinity. Beholding that, divine bodies were jealous. All of them went to Brahma and complained about the virtues of ladies in humans. Then Brahma created deception and secrecy as their natural qualities.Besides that, Brahma instilled lust in ladies in greater proportion. Hence men have become prey to their lust and deception. Men fought huge battles for the sake of ladies. As a result, the divinity in men diminished. Divine bodies were satisfied. As ladies are created with deception and secrecy, it is very difficult for men to know their minds.

In this connection, there was an ancient story. In the past, there was a saint called Devasarma. His wife, Ruchi, was a very beautiful lady. Devendra fell in love with that lady. At that time, Deva Sarma had to attend a Yaga. He called his Sishya, called Vipula.

“Vipula! You know that my wife, Ruchi, is a most beautiful lady. Devendra lusted her and is waiting for an opportunity. So far I have been protecting my wife from the wicked plans of Indra. Now I have to attend a Yaga. Devendra is always in the habit of lusting others’ wives. In my absence, he may fulfil his desire. Therefore, in my absence, you have to protect my wife from Indra.” asked Deva Sarma.

“O Guru! I will certainly do that. But how to know the tricks and illusions of Indra.” asked Vipula.

“Vipula! you are right. Indra may come in the form of even birds or beasts or in invisible form. You have to use your intelligence and yogic powers to retaliate his tricks.” said Deva Sarma. Then Deva Sarma went away. Vipula was guarding the wife of Deva Sarma.

Meanwhile, Vipula hatched up a plan. With his yogic power, Vipula entered the body of Ruchi. As Vipula was in her body, she lost consciousness. Meanwhile, Devendra arrived there. Body of Vipula was lying at a distance. Devendra thought that he was sleeping. Devendra came near Ruchi and patted her.

“O dear. I have come. Look at me. Dont feel shy. None are here. Vipula is sleeping. Let us enjoy together. Take me into your arms and hug me with passion.” Indra was requesting her.

As she was unconscious, she did not give any reply. From her body, Vipula spoke to Indra: “O Indra! She could not talk. She is unconscious.” Indra was afraid of Vipula. Vipual came out of the body of Ruchi and entered his body. Through his body he spoke to Indra.

“O Indra! Though you were once cursed by Goutama for lusting his wife, Ahalya, you have not learnt any lesson. You are again repeating the same sin. Are you not wise? Being Devendra, cannot you control your sense organs. Is your mind so wicked? You wretch! why you are commtting this kind of sin, lusting other’s wife. If it is known to my Guru, you will be reduced to ashes. Take care.” said Vipula.

Devendra could realise the yogic powers of Vipula. Again Vipula said: “I myself would have reduced you to ahses. Without permission of my Guru, I cannot do this. You are saved. Get out.” ordered Vipula. Devendra fled away with fear.

On arrival of Deva Sarma, Vipula told him what had happened but did not reveal about his entering into body of Ruchi. Later, on one day, while Ruchi was moving in front of Ashram, an Apasarasa was flying in the sky with a divine garland in her hand. Accidentally, that divine garland slipped from her hand and fell upon Ruchi, the wife of Deva Sarma. Ruchi picked up that garland and was astonished for its beauty and freshness.

Meanwhile, King Chitra Radha, King of Vanga arrived there. It so happened that the wife of Chitra Radha and Ruchi are own sisters. Hence Chitra Radha arrived there to invite Deva Sarma and Ruchi for a function to be held in his palace. Accordingly Deva Sarma and Ruchi attended that function. Ruchi adorned herself with that garland while going to that function. Beholding that garland, Ruchi’s sister amazed and asked her sister about its availability. Ruchi replied that those flowers are available in their garden and asked her husband, Deva sarma, to bring such flowers. In turn, Deva Sarma ordered Vipula to bring such flowers.

Vipula enquired Ruchi about that garland and went in search of it. With his yogic power, Vipula got those flowers. While Vipula was returning back, he met a wife and husband quarrelling with each other.

Wife challenged her husband: “If I am at fault, I will attain the lower regions as Vipula may get in the other world.”. Having heard those words, Vipula was not perturbed and proceeded further.

On the way, six gamblers were quarrelling with other other. One challenged the other five gamblers: “If I am at fault, I will meet the same fate as that of Vipula in the other world.”.

Then Vipula thought for himself. He remembered that he did not tell his Guru about his entering the body of Ruchi, with his yogic powers, as a result, he might have attained some sin. He proceeded to Vanga kingdom where Deva Sarma and Ruchi are staying. Vipula gave that garland to Ruchi. She was very happy.

Then Deva Sarma called Vipula to a side and said thus: “O Vipula! while you were coming back, you might have heard the conversations between a husband and wife and also six gamblers. They blamed you. Do you know who are they?” asked Deva Sarma.

“No” said Vipula.

“While rescuing my wife from Devendra, you entered the body of my wife. But you did not reveal that fact to me. They might have thought that you committed a sin. If really it was a sin, I would have cursed you on that day itself. But I praised you. The wife and husband are day and night. The six gamblers are six seasons.

Human beings commit both virtuous deeds as well as sins day in and day out. Bad and wicked think that they are commiting wrongs without the knowledge of others, which is nothing but their ignorance. Day and night and six seasons constantly observe what they are doing. Protecting a lady is very difficult. Diligently, you saved my wife. In fact you did a very good thing. Not revealing that fact to me is not at all a sin.” said Deva Sarma.

Therefore, Dharmaja! there are several kinds of ladies. There may be good and bad. There are several virtuous ladies who worship their husbands more than God. Due to their existence only, this earth is rotating in a disciplined way. There is no doubt that husband gets name and fame due to the virtuousness of his wife.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! while searching bridegroom for a bride, what are the precautions to be taken by the father of the bride.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Father shall go in search of a bridegroom born in high class, having virtues and good education and then give away his daughter to that bridegroom by pouring water in his hand. This is called Brahmin marriage.

In Kshatriya type of marriages, bride herself choose her life partner which is called Svavamvara. That man also develops love and affection towards that bride. Love develops between them. It is called Kshatra type of marriage.

If a girl looks at a boy and satisfies herself, with his figure, attitude and behaviour, the marriage between them is called Gandharva.

A marriage involving money as consideration is called Asuric.

With a desire on a girl, if a person kills the parents and relations of that girl and abducts her cruelly and marries her is called Rakshasa type of marriage.

Therefore, marriages are of five types. The first three are according to Dharma. The last two viz., Asura and Raksha are against Dharma and blameworthy. A girl without parents and brothers is not fit for marriage.

A brahmin may marry girls in his own caste and also in Kshatriya and Vysya castes. Brahmins are barred to marry sudra lady and beget children through her.A Kshatriya shall first marry a girl in his own caste and then marry a girl from Vysya caste. But Vysyas and Sudras shall marry girls from their own castes only. Inter caste marriages in Vysyas and Sudras is prohibited. In some peculiar circumstances, Kshatriyas and Sudras may marry girls in Sudra community, but very rarely.” said Bhishma.
“O Bhishma! you told me that brahmin can marry only girls of his own community and Kshatriya and Vysya. There are instances where Brahmins married Sudra girls also. How it happened?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! only in peculiar circumstances, it may happen. Out of love and affection towards a Sudra Girl or out of greediness to grab the property of Sudra girl, a brahmin marries a Sudra girl. The only difference is that the children born to a brahmin through brahmin, kshatriya and Vysya girls are regarded as brahmins but the children of a brahmin through Sudra girl is not considered as brahmins.” said Bhishma.

Now Dharmaja entertained a doubt. “O Grandsire! what about the rights in the property of a brahmin. How the property of a brahmin is divided amongst the children born to a brahmin through the girls of four communities.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! the following is the procedure. First the property of a brahmin is divided into ten parts. First four parts go to the children born through brahmin woman. Next three parts go to the children born through Kshatriya woman. Next two parts go to the children born through Vysya woman. Remaining one part goes to the children born through Sudra woman. But the child born through Sudra woman shall not claim his share as of right and shall not quarrel with the other childlren born through the girls of brahmin, kshatriya and Vysya communities. He may receive his due share if it is given to him out of love and affection. In the same manner, the children born to a brahmin through brahmin, kshatriya and vysya communties, shall not deprive the children born to a sudra woman, of their due share. This is the rule of partition of the properties of a brahmin.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisire! kindly enlighten me about the partition of properties of other castes.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! the property of Kshatriya shall first be divided into eight shares. The first four shares shall go to the children born through Kshatriya woman. The next three shares go to the children born through Vysya woman. The remaining single share goes to the children born through Sudra woman.

The proerty of Vysya shall first be divided into five shares. The first four shares go to the children born through Vysya woman. The remaining share goes to children born to Sudra woman.

In all these cases, the children born to Sudra woman shall not claim the share as of right but receive it, if it is given out of love and affection. Similarly, the children of upper castes shall not deprive the children born to Sudra woman, of their due share in the property. This is the general rule of partition.

As Sudra marries girls of his own caste, the entire property of Sudra goes to his children born to Sudra woman, in equal shares.

All the Vaidika duties, bathing, eating etc., in a combined family shall be done by brahmin women only. The women of other castes have no right to do such duties.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! kindly tell me the different categories in children born through girls of different communities.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! a child born to a duly and validly married man and woman, in his own caste, is called Ourasa. He is the elder son and Kartha of the family.

If anybody is issueless, he can adopt the son of his daughter (douhitra) with the permission of his son in law and daughter. Such adopted son shall have all rights over the property as a natural son.

If any married couple has no issues, the wife, with the permission of her husband, may have sexual intercourse with another virtuous man and beget children. Such children are called Kshetraja and they are also regarded as the natural sons of that married couple.
The husband shall treat them as his own sons.

If any parents gives away their son by pouring water into other’s hands, it is called adoption and he is called Datrima. He is also called Dattaka. (adopted son).

If any man or woman adopts orphans and treats them as his/her own sons, they are called Kritrimas.

If any man begets children through another married woman, other than his wife, he is called Goodhaja. Those children are regarded as the natural sons of her original husband.

If any parents, unable to feed their own children, leave them to their fate, and if such children are brought up by another man and woman, those children are called Apaviddha.

If an unmarried girl gives birth to a child, such child is called Kaaneena. After her marriage, that child is considered to be the legitimate son of her legally wedded husband.

If a girl is pregnant by the time of her marriage, and the child born after marriage is called Sahodha. The man who marries that pregnant girl, even without the knowledge of her pregnancy at the time of marriage, shall regard that child as his own legitimate child. A woman who deserted her husband and a woman who was deserted by her husband, gives birth to a child, he is called Pounarbhava. The person who caused the pregnancy shall be the legitimate father of that child.

An orphan (child without parents) gives himself in adoption to others, he is called Svayam Datta.

If any parents sell their child to others for money, that child is called Kreeta.

O Dharmaja! these twelve categories of children are legitimate in character. But Ourasa is only entitled to perform the funeral ceremonies and obsequies of his parents.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! tell me about the friendship arise out of exchange of looks and living together.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, the conversation between Chyavana and Nahusha is pertinent. Saint Chyavana was born in Bhrigu clan. He was performing tapas, in deep waters, at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna. The fish in deep waters were swimming around him and Chyavana was enjoying the soft and smooth touch of the fish. Chyavana was in Samadhi for twelve years.

One day some fishermen came there to catch fish. They threw their nets. Along with fish, Chyavana was caught in the fish net. Fishermen dragged Chyavana out of waters. Beholding Chyavana, they were afraid. They fell on his feet and prayed mercy.

“You are not at fault. As I am living along with fish, I was caught. Take me also to your king and he will reward you” said Chyavana.

The fishermen were more afraid. They immediately went to King Nahusha and explained the position. King Nahusha, along with his ministers and purohits hurriedly came there and fell on the feet of Chyavana.

“O saint! our fishermen committed a great blunder. Kindly forgive them and tell me the expiation for their mistake.” prayed the King.

“O King Nahusha! catching fish is their nature and dharma. They are not at fault. With great difficulty they caught the fish along with me. Kingly reward them suitably. Fix my rate also and pay them.” said Chyavana.

Immediately, King Nahusha ordered to pay one thousand gold coins to those fishermen.

“O king! is my value only one thousand coins? think and pay.” asked Chyavana.

Nahusha ordered to pay one lakh gold coins.

“Only one lakh coins. No. No. think again and tell” said Chyavana.

King Nahusha became obstinate. “Give them half of my kingdom in lieu of Saint Chyavana and other fish caught by them.” ordered Nahusha.

Chyavana smiled and said: “That much! tell another word.”

“If so, I part with my entire kingdom” said Nahusha.

“No No. do one thing. better consult your ministers and fix the rate for me and the fish” said Chyavana.

“I have given away my entire kingdom. What remains with me to give” said Nahusha.

Meanwhile, saint Avijata arrived there. Nahusha told the saint the problem he was facing in fixing the rate for fish and saint.

“King Nahusha! dont worry. I myself fix the rate for saint Chyavana. O King Nahusha! Brahmin and cow belong to one community. But Brahma created brahmin and cow differently. Cow milk and milk products are essential during the performance of Yajna and Yaga. To perform Yajna or Yaga, Brahmin is essential as Purohit. As both brahmin and cow are quite essential for performance of yajna and Yaga, they belong to one community.

As Brahmin is wise and learned, studying Vedas and scriptures, it is highly difficult to fix a rate for a brahmin. As cow is equivalent to brahmin, you can give a cow in lieu of Chyavana.” said saint Avijata.

King Nahusha was very happy for finding a solution to the problem. “O saint Chyavana! I will give a cow to the fishermen equivalent to you.” said Nahusha.

Chyavana smiled and said: “O Nahusha! Cow is fire; cow is Amrutha. During performance of Yajna, cow occupies a highest pedestal. Cow is a ladder to attain heaven. Cow is sacred even to divine bodies. Hence you can give a cow instead of me.” said Chvayana.
Then Nahusha sent for a cow and gave it to fishermen. Those fishermen, in turn, gave that cow to Chyavana. Then Chyavana and Avijatha, blessed Nahusha with long life, prosperity and eternal virtues.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O grandsire Bhishma! It is amazing that in a virtuous brahmin community, Parasurama, with Kshatriya qualities was born and in a ferocious kshatriya community, a virtuous brahmin, Visvamitra, was born. How was it possible?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection I tell you a story. There was a brahmin called Chyavana. Chyavana learnt that due to Kusika race which was a Kshatriya community, his virtuous brahmin community was going to be polluted. Hence he decided to cause harm to Kusika race.

Then he went to King Kusika. King Kusika welcomed him and offered him Arghyam and Padyam and due seat. Then Chyavana told Kusika: “Oking! I am performing a vrata. Yourself and your wife shall serve me.” asked Chyavana. King Kusika gladly agreed for his request. King Kusika provided Chyavana a place for stay with all amenities.

After taking food, Chyavana was taking rest. King Kusika and his wife were pressing his feet. Chyavana was sleeping. Chyavana slept for 21 days. Without food and sleep, Kusika and his wife served the saint. On 22nd day, Chyavana woke up and went away of his own accord. Kusika and his wife followed him. Chyavana disappeared on the outskirts of the city. Beholding this Kusika and his wife fainted. After some time, they regained consciousness and returned back to their palace. To their surprise, they found the saint on his bed sleeping as usual. Kusika and his wife again started to press his feet.
Again 21 days elapsed. On 22nd day, Chyavana woke up and took oil bath. After bath, he rebuked Kusika and his wife and went away. Kusika and his wife stood there, without any anger, waiting for the saint. After some time, Chyavana returned back to the palace. Kusika arranged sumptuous food. Without taking food, Chyavana went away.

Next day morning, Chyavana appeared before them. Chyavana told King Kusika: “OKing Kusika! Make your chariot ready. Yourself and your wife shall pull the chariot. I sit in the chariot and distribute gold, silver, diamonds, cows etc. to the poor.

Accordingly, King Kusika made Chyavana to sit on the chariot, and they were pulling the chariot. Chyavana was beating both the king and his wife with hunter. He was distributing gold, diamonds, cows etc to poor. For several days both king and queen were pulling the chariot, receiving the hunter blows. Their bodies drenched with blood. The people living in the city began to curse the saint for his rude and inhuman behaviour. But both king and queen were bearing the torture.

At last they reached the outskirts of the city. Then saint Chyavana god down the chariot. With smiling face, saint Chyavana touched the bodies of both king and queen. Surprisingly, all the wounds caused by the hunter healed and their bodies were shining as usual.“O King and queen! you are tired. Go and take rest. Tomorrow I complete my Vrata on the banks of Ganga. Tomorrow you come to me.” said Chyavana. After prostrating before Chyavana, both king and queen went back to their palace.

Next day morning, King Nahusha and his queen went to the banks of Ganga where they found a beautiful palace. They entered the palace. On one side, Veda chanting was going on. On other side, singing, dancing were performed. There are beautiful gardens with fruit bearing trees, small hillocks, ponds with lotus flowers inside the building. Divine bodies, Gandharvas, Apsaras were moving here and there. King Nahusha and his wife astonished whether it is real or dream. They never experienced that in their life. They are in delusion whether they were in earth or heaven.

At one place, they found saint Chyavana sleeping in a bed. When King Nahusha and his wife approached him, he disappeared. Along with him, the beautiful building and heavenly plealsures disappeared. They were standing on the banks of Ganga in a forest. They found Saint Chyavana sitting under a tree, meditating.

King Nahusha told his wife: “This is nothing but the yogic power of Saint Chyavana. Men can acquire kingdoms but not brahminism and tapas. Out of his yogic power only. he can create all these wonders.” said King Nahusha.

Saint Chyavana opened his eyes and called them near. Both of them prostrated before saint Chyavana. “O King Nahusha! yourself and your wife got enormous control over sense organs. Otherwise, you would not have tolerated the physical and mental torture caused by me. I am very happy. Choose whatever you like!” said saint Chyavana.

“O Saint! There is nothing more to choose except serving you. But tell me one thing. Several unusual wonders happened after your arrival. What was the reason? Kindly tell me.” asked King Nahusha.

“O King Nahusha! Once I was present in the assembly consisting of Brahma, divine bodies, saints etc. Then, Brahma opined that brahmin race viz., Bhrigu race may intermix with Kusika Vamsa which is Kshatriya race, thus causing intermixture of Brahmin and Kshatriya communities. Having heard those words, I could not digest the intermixture of Brahmin and Kshatriya communities. I tend to destroy the Kusika race.

At that time, you were heading Kusika race. Hence I came to you and caused all kinds of troubles and torture to you, so that you may retaliate against me, in which event I may curse you with total destruction. Surprisingly, yourself and your wife did not say a single word, against my will. You have not lost your courage. You were not angry against me. You have smoothly refused to receive any boon from me. I am very much satisfied with your tolerance and virtues. Hence I made you to experience the heaven on earth.

I realised that you like more brahminism than Kshatra. Now I tell you the future. In your third generation, a virtuous brahmin will born in your race. Now choose whatever you like!” asked Chyavana.

“O saint Chyavana! Bless me and my children and grand children with brahminism and virtuous life.” prayed King Nahusha.

“King Nahusha! it will be done. Your grnad son will be regarded as Brahmarshi in all the three lokas.” said saint Chyavana.

Now King Nahusha entertained a doubt. “O saint! How is it possible. Tell me” asked Nahusha.

“O Nahusha! in my race, one Ruchika will born. He will marry your grand daughter. Through your grand daugher, Ruchika will beget Saint Jamadagni. Jamadagni will master Dhanurveda and teach the same to his son Rama. Rama, with his knowledge in Dhanurvda, destroys the entire Kshatriya community. This is all nothing but face. Due to fate only, the Yajna Pots are interchanged, as a result Brahmin Rama adopts Kshatra, and Kshatriya Visamitra adopts Brahminism. The word of Brahma will thus be fulfilled in this manner. But this intermixture of Brahmin and Kshatriya races will be acclaimed by one and all.” said saint Chyavana. Then Saint Chyavana went away on pilgrimage.

“O Dharmaja! this is the birth secret of Parasurama and Visvamitra.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! kindly enlighten me about charities and their characteristics.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! if any body gives away a milching cow as charity to a virtuous brahmin, he will enjoy heavenly pleasures for number of years equal to the hair of that cow. Bride, land, house, gold, vehicles, rice, water, clothes, cots, seats, etc. are fit to be given in charity to virtuous brahmins,. But, if anybody comes for charity, if his need is fulfilled with affection, that is considered to be greatest of all. Giving Abhaya (promise to save) to a person with fear, is best of all.

Giving away his life during war is also glorious. Helping a person who is suffering with poverty and unable to maintain his own wife and children, is a good quality. One has to search for a virtuous person who does not look at another lady other than his own wife; who are interested in performing Yajnas and Yagas; who obstructs desires and anger from entering into mind; for giving charity.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! Is it good to make charity to a person who approaches him or making charity unasked for , knowing the mind of the other person.
“O Dharmaja! making charity to a person who requested him for charity is common. But making charity unasked for yields more results. Hence we have to go in search of a virtuous person to make charity and try to know his mind as to what he actually desires. For a virtuous person, asking for alms is equal to death. Therefore, one has to know his mind and make charities.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre! making charity is equal to Yajna. Which kind of charity yields good results.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! giving away money, grains, cows, diamonds, land, water, food etc. to virtuous brahmins yields the result of performing Yajna. But amongst all charities, giving away land as charity is best of all. Because, all the other things viz., clothes, grains, diamonds etc. are products of land (earth). Giving away land as charity is equivalent to giving away all the above things as charity. The person who gives away land as charity enjoys heavenly pleasures as long as the earth exists. Even if one parts with small extent of land as charity, he will enjoy royal pleasures in his next birth.

If a Kshatriya dies in war, he will attain the fruits of Bhoodaana. Sins like Brahma Hatya will vanish by performing Bhoodaana. Whether the person who does Boodaana is a great sinner, that sin does not affect the land he gives. Bhoodaana is equivalent to Asvamedha. If land is given to a poor brahmin, unasked for, it gives immense fruits. While performing Yagas and Yajnas, Bhoodaana is compulsory. Even if an extent of land equivalent to cow’s skin, is given in charity, to a virtuous brahmin, it vanishes all the sins of the person who made that charity.

Even dying in war, worshipping Guru and performing virtuous deeds are not all equivalent to Bhoodaana. Once Bhoodevi (mother earth) said:

“Whoever desires pleasures on the earth and in heaven, he shall perform Bhoodaana. There is no Dharma equivalent to Boodana. I satisfy immensely if I am given in charity to others. If anybody obstructs Bhoodaana, I feel distressed. However wrongdoer he maybe, if he does Boodaana, I bless him with heavenly pleasures.” said mother earth.

O Dharmaja! in this connection I tell you the words of Brihaspati to Devendra. “O Devendra! Earth is called Ratna Garbha. (pregnant with diamonds). Whoever does Boodaana, he attains the fruits of giving horses, elephants, and girls in charity to others. Gold is extracted from earth. Hence, Bhoodaana is equivalent to Suvarna Daana. Kings generally commit sins while ruling the people Those sins vanish only by performing Bhoodaana. Whoever recovers the land once given as charity, he goes to hell. Whoever fails to keep the word of Bhoodaana, he attains greatest sin. If Bhoodaana is made unasked for, he gets Maha Punya.” said Brihaspati to Devendra.

Therefore, Dharmaja! you also perform Bhoodaana to your might.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! what are the articles fit to be given as charity.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! food, gold, water, are preferable to be given as charity. In the past, sages, divine bodies praise food (cooked rice). It is called Anna Daana. During Yajnas and Yagas, Anna (cooked rice) occupies prominent place. Therefore there is no charity greater than Anna Daana. In every auspicious occasion, Annadaana is compulsory. Our life depends on food. Even if we are deprived of food, we should offer food to guest. If a tired person, Tapasvi, boy, handicapped, lady......prays for food, the householder shall serve them food without getting angry. Offering food to a low caste people and even a dog with hunger, attains Maha Punya. It is a great act to offer food to saints, pitaras and divine bodies. To perform Anna daana, caste, education, profession do not come in our way. Not only to brahmins, Annadaana shall me made to all castes.

Next comes gold. It is called Suvarna daana. During the course of a Vrata, if Suvarnadaana is made, it increases the lifespan.

Next comes water. If water is supplied to those who are thirsty, it is greater than all charities. Charity of water means digging wells, tanks, and making use of that water for drinking purposes. Such people attain higher regions.

Next comes ghee. Ghee is used in all auspicious occasions and also in Yajnas and yagas. By giving away ghee to others, Agni and Yajnapurusha will satisfy. Giving pots, firewood, umbrellas, vehicles, chapals etc yields good results.

Gingelly seeds(Tila) are the food for Pitaras. If Gingelly seeds are given, all his sins will vanish. Tila Dana is greatest of all. Tila Dana is received by saints.

O Dharmaja! now I tell you about Godaana. (giving Cow as charity). Cows are greater than saints. Cows give us milk, curd, ghee which are quite essential for Yajnas. There is nothing unuseful in cow. Its skin, urine, shit, are all pure. Cow and Brahmin are equivals. Therefore, Godaana yileds liberation. Cow milk is equivalent to Amrutha. If Godaana is performed, it is equivalent to Amrutha Daana.

But Godana shall be made to those who are fit to receive. Cows are equivalent to our lives. Giving away cows means giving away our life. But Godan shall be made only to the fittest. If charities are made to cruel people and non-believers of God, he suffers eternal agony. Before making Godaan, one has to enquire thoroughly about the eligibility of person who receives it.

O Dharmaja! only healthy and milching cows shall be given in Godaan. Godaan is the only way for liberation. O Dharmaja! after Godaan, food and water occupy the next place. Annadaanaa (giving away cooked rice as charity) is best of all. Anna is called Amrutha in Deva Loka, Sudha in Nagaloka and Svadha in Pitara loka. Elders say that Anna is equal to our life. Therefore, Anna daanaa is equal to parting with our life.

Next comes water. Water is essential to cook rice. Chandra was born from water. Chandra protects all herbs on earth. Therefore, water is greater than food. Before consuming food, one has to offer food to divine bodies, pitaras, guests.

O Dharmaja! giving away Tilas (gingelly seeds) are also best. There is a small story with regard to Tila daana. In middle bharat, there was a village called Parnasala. In that villalge, a brahmin called Sarma was living. Oneday Yama called him and said: “amongst all Danas, Tiladaana is best because Pitaras like Tilas. Therefore, you make Tila daanaa to brahmins. Along with Tilas, you can give clothes, lamps also to brahmins.” said Yama to Sarma.

O Dharmaja! in a nutshell, I can say that Bhoodaana, Vidyaa daanaa and Godaanaa are best of all. If a teacher teaches his student well, it amounts to making Bhoodaana. Godaana also is equivalent to Bhoodaana. Who ever gives away cows with good intention as charity, he enjoys heavenly plelasures. Whoever makes Godaanaa with evil intention, he suffers misery.

In this connection, I tell you a story. In Dwaraka, there was a big well. In that well, there was a huge chameleon. One day, some people saw that chameleon. Thinking that it may spoil the drinking water, they wanted to take that chameleon out of the well with the help of big ropes. But they could not move it an inch. All of them went to Sri Krishna and complained him about the chameleon. Sri Krishna arrived at that place and saw the chameleon. Sri Krishna recognised it as King Nruga.

Beholding Sri Krishna, the chameleon came out of the well, of its own accord. “O Krishna! I am King Nruga.” chameleon introduced himself to Krishna. “Why you have taken this chameleon form. I heard you have given thousands of cows as charity. But why you are suffering like this. Is there any special reason.” asked Krishna.

“Yes Krishna. There is a reason. One day, I gave one cow to a brahmin as charity. That brahmin took away that cow to his house. Next day, he drove that cow to the nearby fields for grazing. By mistake, that cow mixed with the cows belonging to me and along with other cows, that cow also came down to our cattle sheds. Next day, I asked the cow herds to bring some cows for Godaan. Along with other cows, they brought this cow also which I have already given in charity. Not knowing that the cow has already been given in charity, I gave that cow to another brahmin. While the later was driving the cow to his house, the former attacked him and claimed that the cow belonged to him. There was a quarrel between them. They both came to me for justice.

I realised my mistake. I offered one lakh cows to the former but he denied the offer. I offered diamonds, gold etc to the later inliue of the cow. He also refused to receive them. Both brahmins were rigid about the cow. I was helpless.

After my death, I went to Yama. Yamd told me: “O king you have done several Godanas. But once you gave away one cow which has already been given to others, by which you were tainted with sin. You decide whether you suffer the sin you committed first and later enjoy the pleasures of Punya you earned, or vice versa. It is your choice.” said Yama.

I opted to suffer my sin first. Next moment, I began to fall on earth, my head downwards. On the way, one saint blessed me and said that I take the birth of chameleon and remain in this well for some time till Sri Krishna touches me. Hence I was in this well. With your touch I got rid of my sin. Now I go to heaven” said King Nruga.

“OKing Nruga! your life is a lesson to others. Knowingly or unknowingly, if Brahmin’s money is grabbed, he meets the same fate like you.” said Krishna.

Therefore, Dharmaja! dont commit such mistakes in your life.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! kindly tell me the fruits accrued on account of Godaanaa.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in the past, there was a saint called Uddaalaka. His son was Nachiketa. One day, Uddaalaka called Nachiketa and asked him to bring Samidhas(firewood), Kalasa(small vessel) and flowers which he forgot on the banks of the river. Nachiketa went there and did not find them as those articles were washed by the tides. Nachiketa came back and reported the same to his father. Uddaalaka was enraged with wrath.

“Why you have come here. Go to Yama” Uddaalaka cursed Nachiketa. Though Nachiketa fell upon the feet of his father, his Atma was taken to Yama and dead body of Nachiketa was lying there. Uddaalaka was lamenting for the death of his son. Next day morning, Nachiketa opened his eyes as if he awoke from sleep. Uddaalaka hugged his son “Omy son you have come back from Yama. How it happened” asked Uddaalaka.

“O my father, as per your word, I went to Yama. Yama received me and offered me a seat. “Nachiketa! your father asked you to visit me. You are not destined to die now. Hence you go back to your father” said Yama. I requested Yama to show me Punya Lokas. He has personally taken me to all Punya Lokas in a well decorated chariot. I found several people enjoying heavenly pleasures. I asked Yama about them.

“O Nachiketa! these are all persons who gave cows to brahmins in Godaanaa and they are enjoying the fruits of Godaana.” said Yama. Then I saluted Yama and came back” said Nachiketa to Uddaalaka.

Therefore, Dharmaja! that is the answer to your question.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre! Where do the persons who performed Godaanaa, stay? Where is that place?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! That place is called Goloka. There you do not find running of time.viz., days, months, seasons etc. There are no diseases, old age, thirst and hunger. They alwlays enjoy pleasures and happiness. In that Goloka, those who speak truth alwlays, who worship their preceptors, who control their mind and sense organs, who possess pure mind; also enjoy pleasures there.

Therefore, Dharmaja! amongst all charities, Godaana is best. But one should earn money legally and lalwfully, purchase cows and then perform Godaana. One should not perform Godaana, with other’s money. Therefore Dharmaja! you also perform Godaana alwlays and attain higher regions.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja, the fruits of Godaana.

Thus, Vaisampayana told Janamejaya, the story of Mahabharata.

MAHA BHARATA
ANUSAASANIKA PARVA
SECOND CHAPTER COMPLETED.
OMTATSAT OMTATSAT OMTATSAT.

MAHABHARAT
Anusasanika parva
Third Chapter

In Naimisaranya, on the occasion of Satra Yaga, Soothi, the story teller, told the story of Mahabharata to Saint Sounaka and other sages and saints, as told by Saint Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya, on the occasion of Sarpa Yaga.

King Dharmaja asked Bhishma, lying on the arrow bed, thus:

“O Grandsire, Bhishma! What are the duties to be discharged with utmost devotion, care and attention.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! One has to follow the principles, enunciated in Vedas, devotedly. One has to study Vedas, understand them and preach them to others in detail. One has to control his mind and shall not receive anything from others. One has to discharge the duties assigned to him with greater care and attention, devotedly. One has to control his sense organs, speak truth always, and engage himself in studying Vedas and Scriptures. One has to show more interest in giving to others. One has to follow Brahmacharya and worship his parents and Guru. One has to be kind towards his followmen and protect cows always. The above principles have to be followed scrupulously.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! you told me about Godaana (Giving cows in charity to others). Kindly tell me the procedure to be followed while performing Godaana” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In the past, Brihaspati explained King Mandhata about the procedure to be followed while making Godaana.

On an auspicious day, with the permission of Brahmins, one has to observe fasting. On that night he shall stay in the cattle shed. Nextday morning, he shall call the cow, intended tobe given in Godaana, by name. He shall chant the Mantra told by Brahma: “This cow is my mother. The womb of this cow is heaven. The place where the cow stands is sacred” so saying, he shall pour water into the hands of the person who receives Godaana. Such person enjoys heavenly pleasures.

The person who receives Godaana shall fulfil the following conditions. He must be a Vedic student or interested in performing Vratas; a sinless person; a person with peace of mind; a person who controls his sense organs; and a person without anger.

Brihaspati continued to say: “One who intends to perform Godaana shall stay in cattle shed for three days from Ashatami in Asvayuja month-- Krishna Paksha; consume urine and dung of cow. Then all his desires be fulfilled.” said Brihaspati.

Hence, Dharmaja! you also follow the above conditions before performing Godaana, that too kapila cows (cows with red colour)” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandisre: Kindly tell me the importance of Kapila cows.” asked Dharmaja.

Bhishma said thus: “O Dharmaja! Once, the divine bodies were hungry. All of them went to Brahma. Brahma gave them Amrutha. Divine bodies consumed Amrutha. From the fragance of Amruta, Kama Dhenu was born. Kama Dhenu gave birth to some other cows. All the cows were grazing on the peak of Himalayas. While a calf was drinking milk of its mother, the foam of milk, due to the speed of wind, was sprinkled on the head of Lord Siva who was in meditation. Siva opened his third eye. All the cows became reddish. All the cows fled away.

Having come to know about this, Brahma came down to Siva. “O Maha Siva! Chandra (moon) is on your head. Chandra was showering Amrutha daily. The foam from milk of cows is equal to Amrutha. The cow milk is equal to Amrutha. Hence there is no reason to be angry against cows and their calves. Please be kind towards the cows and calves” prayed Brahma. Brahma presented one Vrishabha (ox ) to Siva. Sive made it as his vehicle. Siva permitted cows to move on Himalayas. All the cows returned back.

Siva told Brahma: “O Brahma! with the power of my third eye, all the cows became reddish. Hitherto, red cows are considered to be best and sacred of all cows.” told Siva. From then onwards, red cows are preferred in performing Godaana.

In this connection I tell you one story. Once there was a king called Soudasa in Ishvaku dynasty. His chief priest was Vasishta. One day, Soudasa asked Vasishta thus: “O Saint! What is sacred in this world?” asked Soudasa.

“O Soudasa! Cow is sacred in the entire world. Cow is the abode for Havis. Cow is the life for all creatures. Lakshmi stays where cows stay. Cow is the ladder to climb to heaven. Humanbeings shall give away one cow from out of ten cows as Godaana. Saluting cow in morning bestows greaterPunya. Cow dung, cow urine are sacred but consuming cow meat is a great sin. Cleaning house with cow dung and consuming cow urine as medicine are advisable.” said Vasishta to King Soudasa.

O Dharmaja! once Suka, son of Vyasa, asked his father thus: “O father! which is greater than all and which is essential for performing Yajna?” asked Suka.

“O my son Suka! none is equal to cow in this world. Cow is essential for performing yagas. Once Brahma told the saints thus:

“Cows are sacred. Cows are essential for performing Yajnas. All troubles vanish on the sight of a cow. If cow milk, cow urine and cow dung are taken for three days as medicine, it cures all diseases. Cow ghee gives humanbeing brightness. Chanting Gomati Mantra amidst cows, purifies body and mind. Chanting Gomati Mantra in front of Brahmins and Cows accomplishes all desires. Hence Cow is said to be best of all” said Vyasa.

“O Dharmaja! this is the greatness of cow.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O grandsire Bhishma! Brahma is the master of all the three Lokas. Brahma’s abode is called Goloka. Why?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In the past, Visvakarma performed great Tapas and created Surabhi(sacred cow) as his brain child. Along with Surabhi, Visvakarma created another glorious man. That man fell in love with Surabhi. Brahma blessed both of them. Brahma named him as Marthanda and performed his marriage with Surabhi. Cows were born to both of them. Both divine bodies and human bodies were worshipping cows. Cows also were accomplishing the desires of divine bodies and human beings.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O grand sire! you told me that Marthanda married Surabhi. Tell me about their children. Who were born first?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! first, eleven sons were born. They are Ekadasa Rudras. They are: (1)Ajapada, (2) Ahirbudhnyudu, (3)Triyambaka (4)Vrushakapi (5)Sambhu (6)Hara (7)Bahuroopa (8)Ugra (9)Visvaroopa(10)Kapaali (11)Raivata. All these eleven Rudras were worshipped by the entire world. After the eleven Rudras, Surabhi gave birth to several cows. All the divine bodies reside in several parts of the cow. Therefore, the glory of cow is indescribable.

In this connection, there is a story. There was a hill called Trisikhara. At the foot of that hill, some sages, born in Bhrigu clan, were performing Tapas. Sumitra was one of them. A brahmin called Angirasa gave a herb, useful for the health of cows, to Sumitra. Sumitra gave that herb to his cows as fodder. As a result of that herb, all the cows were grown healthy with good physique. The cattle were increasing day by day. Sumitra was looking after his cattle with great love and affection. Sumitra used to consume the foam emanated while the calves were drinking milk from their mother cows. Hence Sumitra was called Phena.

Those cows were blessed with Kamaroopa. One day, some of the cows, in the form of beautiful ladies, were swimming in the nearby pond. Some other cows also were taking bath in the same pond. Those cows recognised these ladies as cows.

They asked the ladies: “Who are you? How could you get this lady transformation?” asked those cows.

“We always serve brahmins. We give milk to Brahmins for their use in Yajnas, Pitru karmas, and worshipping guests etc. We send our children to work in fields. Because of our virtuous deeds, we are blessed with this transformation art.” said those ladies-cows.

The other cows realised their mistake. They requested those ladies-cows to show them a way out for liberation. “Listen! King Rantideva is performing a Yaga. You go there and offer yourselves as sacrifice. Then you attain Goloka.”said those ladies-cows.

All the other cows were ready to go to King Rantideva. But one cow raised a doubt. “Before going to Ranti Deva, we have to obtain the permission of our master, Sumitra.” said that cow. The other cows intervened. “Our master, Sumitra never allows us to go to Rantideva. The only alternative is to kill him. Then he also follows us to Goloka.” said the other cows. Other cows did not agree.

But some reddish cows came forward to kill Sumitra but they aspired for some reward. The other cows gave them a boon. From then onwards, all the reddish cows be considered best of all cows. Then all the reddish cows, in disguise, went to Sumitra and said thus:

“O master! You have worshipped cows sofar. We are very happy. Choose whatever you want” asked those reddish cows in disguise.

“Bless me with eternal devotion, love and affection towards cows.” prayed Sumitra.

The cows blessed him accordingly. “Then you follow us to Goloka.” asked those cows.

“I never leave my cows. I never come anywhere.” said Sumitra.
Those cows in disguise killed Sumitra. The Aatma of Sumitra attained Goloka. All the cows welcomed Sumitra to Goloka. But some cows cursed the reddish cows who killed Sumitra “Let the faces of those reddish cows turned black” Since then, the faces of reddish cows turned black.

All the cows on earth approached Ranti Deva and prayed him to sacrifice them in Yajna, so that they may attain Goloka. Ranti Deva declined their request.

“Why should I be afflicted with sin by killing cows. I never do it.” said Ranti Deva.

“O Ranti Deva! we are destined to die. You have to execute it. This is the decision of divine bodies.” said those cows.

“I obey the decition of divine bodies but on one condition.
I stop the Yajna even if atleast one cow declines to sacrifice its life.” . All the cows agreed. Ranti Deva commenced Yajna. All the cows, one my one, were sacrificed. When the turn of a mother cow came, that cow was telling its calf: “those cruel people are coming to sascrifice me in Yajna. If I die what would be your fate” the mother cow wept. Ranti deva overheard this conversation. Immediately he ordered to stop Yajna. The remaining cows were saved.
The cows which were sacrified so far attained Goloka.

O Dharmaja! This is all about cows. I will also tell the words of Vyasa about cows.

“Brahma at the inception created cows. Cow is the basis for the entire world. Cow is equivalent to mother for divine bodies, Sidhas and Sadhyas. One who intends to attain Brahmapada, shall not cause harm to cow either physically or mentally. This is the word of Brahma. Even Vedas attributed sanctity to cows. Divine bodies worshipped cows and attained glory.

While performing Yajnas and yagas, the usage of cow milk is most important. Even the Upanishads are the embodiment of cows. Worshipping cows itself is Yajna. Human beings generally worship reddish cows, give them as charity and get rid of their sins.” said Vyasa to his son, Suka.

Then Suka asked his father: “O father! You have been telling about reddish cows. How they attain that magnanimity and dignity? Kindly tell me.” asked Suka.

“O my son! Once, Agni was running away from Divine bodies and requested cows to hide him. Accordingly, cows concealed Agni. Divine bodies came there in search of Agni. Divine bodies requested Cows to reveal the whereabouts of Agni. Cows revealed Divine bodies about the whereabouts of Agni. Divine bodies were satisfied and requested Agni to bless the cows with a boon.

“As I was hidden inside cows, they attain reddish colour. The reddish cows will be considered best of all cows. Worshipping reddish cows attains liberation. Giving and taking reddish cow as charity attains greater sanctity and both attain higher lokas.” said Agni.

O my son Suka! now I tell you about the characteristics of reddish cows. Generally, the ears, horns, eyes, nose of Kapila cow (reddish cow) are in red colour. This is sufficient to characterise a cow as Kapila cow. Even if one of the above characteristics is present, it is sufficient to consider that cow as Kapila cow. Besides that, if the entire body of a cow is in red colour, its magnanimity is indescribable.

One shall neither put load on its back nor beat the red cow. Red cow shall not be utilised for sacrifice. Beating, kicking either with hands, legs or stick throws him into hell. One who feeds red cow timely with water and fodder, attains liberation.

It was said that along with cows, brahmins, mother Gayatri, spring season, truth and gold were born. Amongst all things given in charity, cows, gold and land are greater.” said Vyasa to his son Suka.

“Dharmaja! those are the words of Vyasa about the greatness of cows.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! I heard that Lakshmi stays in cow dung. Is it true?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! In this regard, I tell you the conversation between Lakshmi and cow. Once Lakshmi went into the cattle shed.

Cows asked her “Who are you? Why you have come here? ”

“I am Lakshmi. I want to be your companion.” said Lakshmi.

“O Lakshmi! You are fickle minded. You never stay anywhere atleast for one day. You are not fit to be our companion.” said cows.

Lakshmi was distressed. “O cows! Previously I was with demons. But they proved bad. I left them and stayed with divine bodies. Now divine bodies are glorious. But human beings always worship me to be with them. But you are not allowing me as your companion.” said Lakshmi.
“Whatever you say? We never allow such a fickle minded like you to be our companion? You go as you like.” said the cows.

“O cows! even cows insult me, where can I go? Who allows me? Therefore I will be with you only.” said Lakshmi firmly.

“O Lakshmi! if that is so, do one thing. Vedas say that cow urine and cow dung are sacred. You reside in them.” said the cows. Lakshmi agreed. Since then cow urine and cow dung are places of stay for Lakshmi.

Once Kamadhenu did Tapassu. Brahma appeared before Kamadhenu and asked Kamadhenu “What do you want?”.

“O Brahma! Your appearance before me itself is sufficient. I dont want anything more than that. I am blessed.” said Kamadhenu.

Brahma was happy with those words. “O Kamadhenu! henceforth, goloka will be above Brahma (Satya) loka.” said Brahma.

O Dharmaja! that is the dignity and glory of Cows.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! you told me about cows. But I heard that in all Yajnas, Gold is best to be given in charity. Even in Vedas, Gold was siad to be an offering to Brahmins. You yourself said that land, gold and cows are best to be given in charity. Kindly tell me about Gold and its origin.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! After the demise of my father, Santana, I went to Ganga to perform obsequies. With the help of my mother Ganga, I was performing the obsequies of my father. At the time of Pinda Pradana (offering of food to Pitaras). I spread Dharbas (sacred grass) on the floor. While I was placing one Pinda on Dharbas, a hand with gold ornaments, probably that of my father, was stretched to receive the Pinda. I was astonished that my father personally came there to receive Pinda. I was very much satisfied. My heart was filled with joy. But if I put Pinda in the hand of my father, Vedas do not agree. Pindas shall be placed only on Dharbas not directly on hands. It was against Vedic rites. Therefore, I kept the Pinda intended for my father, on Dharbhas.

The hand of my father disappeared. Before me, my father and forefathers appeared before me. “O Devavrata! You performed Pindapradana according to Dharma. You have not favoured your father because he stretched his hand. We are very happy. We are satisfied with your Pindapradana. You give Gold in lieu of land and cows because Gold is sacred. Hereinafter, you give Gold during Yajnas and Yagas in lieu of Land and Cows.”said my forefathers. Then my father and forefathers disappeared. Dharmaja! This was what I personally experienced.

Besides that, after Parasurama massacred all Kshatriyas twenty one times, he performed Vajapeya yajna. Parasurama was not satisfied with that Yajna. He went to Vasishta and asked him a way out to vanish all his sins.

Vasishta said thus: “O Parasurama! Gold is equivalent to Agni. Even divine bodies are embodiments of Agni. If you give Gold as charity, it is equivalent to giving Divine bodies as charity. This was told by Vedas. Therefore, give Gold as charity to Brahmins, and vanish your sins completely. I also tell you the words of Brahma about Gold.

After the marriage of Parvati to Lord Siva they were living together. As a result of their conjugal life, the semen of Lord Siva was deposited with Agni. At that time, one Taraka Asura was teasing and harrassing divine bodies and sages and saints. All of them went to Brahma and told him about their woes and sufferings.

Brahma said : “I already made sufficient arrangements. You go and meet Agni. He solves the problem” said Brahma.

All divine bodies and saints went in search of Agni but could not find him. At last they found Agni in a Jammi Tree. All divine bodies and saints told Agni about the words of Brahma. Agni immediately threw away the brilliantly shining semen of Maha Siva into Ganga. With the combination of the semen of Maha Siva, Ganga became pregnant. But she could not bear that pregnancy. Ganga deposited her pregnancy in a grass bush on its banks. In that grass bush a boy was born. Six Krittikas nourished and fed that baby. That boy with six faces sucked milk from those six Krittikas. Hence he was called Shanmukha. He was also called Agniputra, Gangaputra and Kartikeya. After growing up, that boy became the Chief of Army for Divine forces. Then Kartikeya killed Taraka Asura with Shakti weapon. All divine bodies and saints were very happy.

Maha Siva was the embodiment of Gold. Agni who bore the semen of Agni also shined as Gold. Gold was born from Agni. Hence Gold was called Jata Roopa. Therefore, Gold attained such splendour and sacredness.” said Vasishta to Parasurama. Then Parasurama performed several Suvarna Danas.

Therefore, Dharmanandana! You also make Suvarna Danas in abundance and attain name and fame.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! kindly enlighten me about Pitru Yajna” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Worshipping Pitaras is greater than worshipping divine bodies. For human beings, worshipping their fathers and forefathers attain all kinds of fortunes. One who performs Pitru Yajna and Pinda Pradana on every Amavasya (no-moon day) gets the benefit of worshipping Pitaras everyday.

Different kinds of results follow the worship of Pitru Yajna on different days, like getting a beautiful wife by performing Pitru Yajna on Padyami day and begetting beautiful children by performing Pitru Yajna on Vidiya day and so on. For performing Sradha Karma (pitru yajna), days in Krishna Paksha and afternoon are auspicious.

While performing Pitru yajna, gingelly seeds, Payasam (food item prepared with rice, milk and sugar) and ghee are best items. Using of fish and meat in limited extent also yields good results. Cow milk, curd, butter and ghee prepared out of cow milk are also best to be used during Pitru Yajnas. During Pitru Yajnas, ram meat, rhino meat, goat meat also can be used.

Different results follow by performing Pitru yajnas on different Nakhatras. viz., Krittika, Rohini etc.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! Kindly tell me about the nature of persons to be worshipped during Pitru Yajnas.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! for performing Divine worship, we need not test the veracity of brahmins in detail. If they are good, it is sufficient. But for performing Pitru yajnas, we have to test the veracity of brahmins strictly.
First of all, the brahmins to be worshipped during Pitru Yajnas shall be free from all kinds of vices. They must be learned. They must be eligible to dine along with others in the same line. Gamblers, criminals, money lenders, singers, village officers, illiterates, lepers, traders in wine, traders trading abroad, servants under King, divorcees, shepherds, sculptors, thieves are not fit to be worshipped during Pitru Yajnas.

All the food items prepared for Pitru Karma shallbe purified by sprinkling water with gingelly seeds. People with peace of mind, people with good character, people who control their sense organs, teachers, people with kind heart, wise and learned, experts in grammer, Dharmasastra and Puranas are eligible to dine along with others in the same line.

Before deputing Brahmins for Pitru Karma, one has to test their eligibility as per the above norms. Once deputed, if they are found to be unfit for Pitru Yajna, the mental agony is unbearable. One who performs Pitru Karma as per the above standards, attains higher regions. In this connection, I narrate you a story.

Athri is the brain child of Brahma. Athri’s son was Dattatreya. His son was Nimi. Nimi’s son was Srimantha. Srimanta died. Nimi was performing Shraadha karma to his son. Nimi invited his grand father, Athri to supervise the ceremony. During that time, Saint Athri explained the procedure to be followed during Sradha Karma.

“Brahmins invited for Sradha Karma must be eligible to dine with others.Dharbhas must be spread with their ends towards right side. Gingelly seeds shall be used plenty. Good quality of Dharbhas be procured. While spreading Dharbhas on floor, their ends shall face southwards. While preparing food items for Shradha, drumstick leaves, onion, spoiled meat, dirty salt, black jeera, karela leaves, assafoetida, shall not be used.

At the place of Shradha Karma,dogs, ladies under menstrual periods, prostitutes and low class people shall not be allowed to move. During the course of Sradha Karma, sneezing, crying shall be avoided. Peaceful atmosphere shall prevail. The above conditions shall strictly be followed.” said Athri to Nimi.

Athri continued to say: “In Sradha Karma, Brahma allotted shares to Aryama (sun) Soma (moon) and Agni. Along with fathers and fore fathers, Visve Devatas also shall be worshipped and shares be allotted to them. In divine bodies, there are Ushmapas numbering 60. Brahma allotted equal shares to them also along with Pitaras. If Shradha Karma were to be performed during journeys in hills and forests, simply mental worship of these sixty divine bodies is sufficient. It is equivalent to performing Shradha Karma.

Once several saints were performing Sraadha karma at a time. All the Pitaras suffered with indigestion as they consumed the offerings at a time. All Pitaras approached Chandra (lord of herbals) and sought for remedy. Chandra directed them to Brahma. All of them went to Brahma and told him about their sufferings. Brahma said that Agni will cure their indigestion. Agni told Pitaras “During Shradha Karmas, while consuming the offerings, you consume them through me. The question of indigestion does not arise.” said Agni. Since then, Pitaras have been consuming the offerings through Agni only. Therefore, during Sraadha Karma, Agni must be worshipped by which Pitaras also are satisfied.

During the course of Shradha Karma, the sacred thread (yajnopaveetamu) shall hang from right to left (apasavya). By performing Pinda Pradana, the deceased fathers and fore fathers leave their Preta Atmas and attain higher regions. Human beings aspire for more sons, with a fond hope that atleast one of their sons perform Pinda Pradana in Gaya.” said Saint Athri to his grandson Nimi.

O Dharmaja! these are the norms prescribed for Sraadha Karma.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! Upavasa vrata (fasting) is called Tapas. Kindly explain me about it.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! Simply fasting, without taking any food, is not Tapas. Fasting is nothing but torturing himself. Tapas means performing a karma with great devotion. They are..... speaking truth, adopting Brahmacharya, cleanliness, maintaining silence without talking unnecessarily, disciplined life; showing kindness towards fellow beings, not hurting anybody either physically or mentally; making charities within his might; these are all called Tapas.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! You told me about two kinds of persons. One who gives to others within his might; and one who does not receive anything as charity from others. What are the characteristics of these two kinds of persons. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you a conversation between Seven saints and King Vrishadarbhi. Kashyapa, Athri, Visvamitra, Goutama, Bharadwaja, Jamadagni, Vasishta, are called Sapta Rishis (seven saints). Arundhati, wife of Vasishta always accompanies her husband,wherever he goes. A servant maid called Ganda serves them. Her husband was Pasusakha. He also accompanies them always.

Once there was a great famine. Food was not available for eating. It became difficult for humans to keep themselves alive. At that time, these seven saints were searing for food. They found a dead body kept on pyre for cremation. As all the saints were suffering with hunger, they were about to eat that dead body.

King Vrishadarbhi beheld that situation. “O Saints! what are you doing. It appears you are suffering with hunger. I am the king of this area. I will give you sumptuous food and sufficient water. Please come along with me. Not only that, I will make permanent arrangement for your sustenance. I give you sufficient money, grains, cows, carts, villages as charity.” said King Vrishadarbhi.

“O King! we never receive anything from anybody as charity. If we receive anything freely, it is nothing but poison. Perhaps you do not know about us. Hence you talked like that. You can go.” said those saints.

King Vrishadarbhi went back to his city. He kept some gold inside some fruits and sent them to the saints through his ministers, for eating. Accordingly, the ministers went to the Saints and offered those fruits to the saints. By simple touch, the saints grasped that those fruits contain gold. They smoothly rejected those fruits and went away.

The ministers went back and told the King what had happened. The King was enraged with great wrath. He performed a Homa (burning sacred fire) and created a demon called Kritti from that Homa. The King ordered Kritti to kill all the saints and cut them into pieces. Kritti went in search of the saints.

At that time the Saints were searching for some fruits to eat. A Sanyasi called Sunassakha approached them and joined them in search of fruits. All of them could not find a single fruit. They went near a pond to pick up atleast some lotus stems for eating. There, Kritti appeared and obstructed them from picking up the stems.

They requested Kritti: “We are suffering with hunger. We could not find anything for eating. Let us eat atleast these stems to subside our hunger” they requested.

“If that is so, tell me your names and then get into the pond” said Kritti.

All the saints realised that it was a demon which had come to kill them. Hence, they revealed their names, with equivalent words, explanations and derivatives which could not be understood by Kritti. Meanwhile Sunassakha told his name correctly, as it was.

Kritti grew angry. “Why you are confusing me. Cannot you tell your name correctly and straight?” said Kritti.

“What! when I told my name correctly, you are finding fault with me. Even if I tell correctly you could not understand. My Mantra Danda will tell you my correct name.” so saying Sunassakha beat Kritti with his Manthra Danda on its head. With that blow, Kritti fell on the ground and reduced to ashes.

Then all of them went into the pond and picked up louts stems and cleaned them and kept the bundle of lotus stems on the bund of the pond. Again all of them went inside the pond to perform daily rituals. When they returned back, they did not find the bundle of lotus stems. They were suspecting each other.

They kept Sunassakha as mediator and made promises.

First Athri said: “Had I stolen the lotus stems, I would be inflicted with the sin of beating a cow, making excretion and urinating in front of Sun, studying Vedas on inauspicious days.

Then Saint Vasishta said: The person who had stolen the lotus stems will be inflicted with the greater sin of evading studying of Vedas; having sexual intercourse being a sanyasi; having a dog along with him; selling of his own daughter; not rescuing a person who sought refuge; asking for charity knowing fully well that that person has nothing to give etc.

All the other saints, Arundhati, including the servant maid and her husband made similar promises to prove their innocence. All of them cursed the one who stole the lotus stems. At last Sunassakha said that giving away the lotus stems to the so called thief is equivalent to giving away his daughter to a wise and learned virtuous brahmin. All astonished for his words. They all suspected that Sunassakha stole those lotus stems.

“O Sunassakha! we are all suffering with hunger. Kindly give those stems to us.” requested those sages and Arundhati.

“O great saints! kindly forgive me. I am telling the truth. With a view to know your mind, I have concealed the bundle of stemps. Please take them and subside your hunger.” so saying Sunassakha brought the bundle of lotus stemps.

Sunassakha continued to say: “I cannot hide myself anymore. I am Devendra. I have come and joined you to save you from Kritti, the demon, created by King Vrishadarbhi for the purpose of killing all of you. I killed that demon. As you are all freed from greediness, you attained Punya Lokas. Let all of us go to heaven.” said Devendra. Then the seven saints, Arundhathi along with Devendra departed to heaven.
“O Dharmaja! As the seven saints were endowed with the virtuous quality of not receiving anything from others freely, they attained divinity. You also discard greediness and attain greater heights.” said Bhishma.

“O Pitamaha! Generally, during Pitru ceremonies, chappals and umbrellas are given in charity to Brahmins. Why chappals and umbrellas are chosen for charity. Kindly explain.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In this connection, I narrate a conversation between Sun and Saint Jamadagni. Once Jamadagni along with his wife Renuka, went far away from their Ashram for a stroll. Jamadagni was holding his bow and Renuka was holding the arrows pouch. While Jamadagni was releasing arrows from his bow, Renuka was collecting the arrows.

This went on upto midday. Sun was shining bright and hot in the middle of the sky. During that hot son, there was some delay in bringing the arrows.

“Why so much delay?” asked Jamadagni.

“The sun is hot. My feet are burning. Hence I stood under a tree for a while. Hence the delay.” replied Renuka.

Jamadagni grew angry. “What! Sun caused your feet burning and pained you. I will teach a lesson to Sun. I will cover the entire Sun with my arrows.” roared Jamadagni.

Sun heard these words and arrived there under the guise of a Brahmin. “O Saint Jamadagni! kindly subside your anger against Sun” requested the Brahmin (Sun).

“Go away. I will pull down the Sun from sky to earth” said Jamadagni.

“O Saint! You are a saint. How can you get anger! Due to the heat of Sun only, the waters in the Seas are transformed into clouds and giving us water in the form of rain. Otherwise, how can we get drinking water and water for cultivation. Therefore, heat of sun is a must.” said Brahmin (Sun). But Jamadagni was not convinced. Then Sun appeared before Jamadagni in his original form.

“O saint Jamadagni! I am Sun. Kindly excuse me if any wrong is committed by me. Kindly receive these two things. These are umbrella and chappals. These two things protect humans from hot sun. If chappals and umbrellas are given to brahmins, attainment of Punya is certain.”said Sun. Jamadagni was very happy.

Dharmaja! in that manner, umbrella and chappals were created by Sun.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! what would be the behaviour of Sudra to have pleasures on earth and heaven.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! On a previous occasion, Saint Parasara taught his students some Dharmas. I tell you those teachings.

A sudra who conquers sense organs and inner-enemies viz., Kama, Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada and Matsarya, eschews pride and anger; and serves brahmins, kshatriyas and Vaisyas with great devotion, he enjoys pleasures on both earth and heaven.

If a Sudra, avoiding his own dharma and adopts studying Vedas, performs tapas, he falls down to hell.

Study of Vedas for Brahmins, vigour and valour for Kshatriyas; trade and commerce for Vysyas and serving the above three castes for Sudras are ordained duties. These are the duties prescribed by Vedas. If all castes follow their own duties, they attain higher regions. If they follow dharma other than prescribed for their own caste, their fall is certain.

Dharmaja! now I tell you the words of Saint Parasara about Soucha (cleanliness). Northern side during day time and southern side during night time are best for urination and excretion. Urination and excretion shall be done facing northwards during morning, midday and evening times. After excretion, the excretory organs shall be cleaned with left hand smoothly as they are very sensitive. After cleaning, both hands shall be cleaned thoroughly by applying mud. Then feet shall be cleaned thoroughly. Excretion and urination shall not be done in public places.

After excretion, one has to perform Achamanam means taking pure water thrice. Then one should wash his mouth, eyes and nose, arms, chest and naval and sprinkle water on head. Achamanam shall be done facing east or north. This Achamana shall be done after taking food also. This shall be done by all castes.

Dharmaja! Parasara, then, explained the Varna Ashrama Dharmas: For a Brahmin, meditation itself is Yajna. Studying vedas is his livelihood. Tapas brings glory to Brahmin. For Kshatriya, Ruling the Kingdom is his duty. Performing Yajnas, punishing wrong doers, protecting law abiding citizens and maintaining peace and tranquility are his foremost duties. Supplying all kinds of commodities to Yajna is Vysya’s duty. His main profession is trade and commerce and entertaining guests. Serving the above three castes is the livelihood of Sudra. It is equivalent to performing Yajna by Sudra.
All the above Dharmas are to be followed by one and all scrupulously. Sages and saints are to be worshipped by all castes.

The qualities of a Sudra are....soft spoken, peace of mind, control of sense organs, ever vigilant, virtuous behaviour, eschewing greediness; serving sages and saints; earning money by lawful means and serving others. Sudra need not perform charities. Sudras attain the fruits of making charities by serving sages and saints.

Then Parasara told some Dharmas which are applicable to one and all. One should not be greedy; one should treat all creatures and human beings equally; one should be disinterested and detatched towards worldly objects; one should be kind towards others; one should help others to the extent possible; one should feel that the fruits of his virtuous deeds always accompany him.

If anybody commits any wrong unknowingly, and causes harm to others, he should immediately repent for his mis deeds and perform expiation (Prayaschittam). The sin afflicted by killing another person shall not be vanished even by begging years together. The sin afflicted by Drunkenness and lusting teacher’s wife shall not vanish even by self immolation. Therefore one should lead his life with the fear of sin.

Then Parasara told them about bad omens. If anybody beholds a person with golden colour on northern side facing southern side, he may meet his death within three years. If anybody beholds Sun without shining, he may die within two years. If anybody finds holes in his shadow in moon light, he may meet his death within one year. If one finds his shadow without head, his end will be within six months. If one could not hear any sound while closing his ears, he may die within one month. If one loses life in eyes and face turns awkward, he may die on the same day.
Beholding the above bad omens, one shall not be disheartened. First he shall eschew all desires and ambitions on life. Keep his mind stable. Perform meditation with concentrated mind. Even if he dies in that stage, he attains salvation.

In his next birth, he will born in Brahmin, Vysya, and Kshatriya communities, in a rich family. He enjoys pleasures in his next birth also both on earth and in heaven.

But in next birth, he shall realise himself that........... nothing is eternal in this world; nothing follows him after death; birth and death are certain to each and every living being;Samsara is full of sorrows; small happiness always followed by great sorrows;we always crave for such small happiness,forgetting the great sorrows, unaware of the fact that again sorrow follows happiness.

Realising these eternal truths, one should not develop love and affection towards the worldly plealsures. All Karmas yield good abd bad results. One shall not avoid undergoing the results of Karma. He enjoys the fruits of his past virtuous deeds in heaven.

After his Punya is extinguished, he will again take birth in a wise and learned family and worship deities, pitaras and guests. He enjoys marital life with wife and childlren. After half of life, he proceeds to forests and live with sages and saints. Later he becomes Sanyasi and spends austere life, in temples and caves. He eschews anger and desire; pleasure and sorrow, egoism and greediness and spends a contented life. At last he attains liberation.

Such persons, take along with them, their companions also to such a eternal state of liberation. If Sudras serve such Sanyasis, they also attain liberation without any effort on their part. This facility is not available to other castes. Because Sudras serve others. By serving such Sanyasis, they attain Moksha effortlessly along with their masters.

Everybody aspires for liberation but Sudras, by serving Sanyasis, attain liberation easily. But Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas attain liberation by controlling their sense organs. By controlling sense organs and serving Sanyasis, even sinners, prostitutes, downtrodden attained liberation. But all of them, at the inception, shall abandon their sinful acts and lead a virtuous life. A sinner never beholds virtuous path.

Then they should go in search of a righteous teacher and follow his teachings. But they shall not be egoistic that they got realisation through best Guru. The sign of attaining Jnana is being non-egoistic. While serving those Gurus, they may attain liberation. While serving Guru, one shall keep his mind, stomache, genitals, hands, legs, eyes and ears under strict control. (means.....unnecessary thinking, over eating, uncontrolled lust; seeing and hearing unnecessary things and visiting unwanted places.)

If any person follows the above dharmas strictly, he attains liberation. This is called Sankhya. Keeping this Sankhya path in mind, without egnoism and pride, serving a Guru leads to liberation. Sanyasa Ashram is limited to Brahmana, Kshatriya and Vysya. But Soodras attain moksha by serving Sanyasis. Soodra need not become Sanyasi to attain liberation.” said Saint Parasara to his students.

Therefore, Dharmaja! Soodras are more blessed than the other castes.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! It is heard that even in human beings, there are persons worshipped by diving bodies. Kindly enlighten me about them.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! the same question was asked by Matali (charioteer of Devendra), for which Devendra gave the following reply.

Those who earn money and enjoy sensual pleasures through lawful means; those who possess phisique and beauty desired by beautiful ladies, but do not have any sensual desires towards ladies; those who possess higher education, enormous wealth and riches but do not have pride; those who conquered their sense organs; those who are satisfied with their own wives; those who speak truth always; those who are desirous of performing Tapas; those who remain neat and clean always; those who do not indulge in unnecessary affairs; and those who are sanyasis are worshipped by divine bodies though they are human beings.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! kindly tell me about digging tanks for the welfare of people.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! tanks are the abode for divine bodies, animals etc. In tanks, cows drink water. Hence the person who dug that tank attain Punya Lokas. As long as the tanks remain with full of water, the name and fame of the person who dug those tanks, shall remain. If trees are planted on the bund of the tank, those trees give shade to the passers by and also useful as place of stay for all kinds of birds. The fathers and fore fathers of the persons who dug tanks attain Punya Lokas.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! kindly tell me in detail about Grihastha Ashram” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I narrate you the conversation between Goddess Earth (Bhoodevi) and Maha Vishnu. Bhoodevi said thus:

Grihastu shall perform Agni Karya daily. He shall perform Bhoota Bali (offering food to domestic animals and birds) every day. A Grihasthu shall offer cooked rice, milk, fruits and fresh water to Pitaras daily. He shall perform Vaisva Devamu (offering food to Visve Devatas). He shall do poor feeding within his might.

Daily, Grihasthu shall worship guests and offer food to them.If for any reason, a guest is not found on any day, first lump of food shall be offered to Agni. Then Grihasthu shall dine along with his relatives and friends. Then he shall perform Bali (offering) ceremony.

Bali is of two kinds. The first is Srouta Bali. Srouta Bali was mentioned in Vedas. This Bali is concerned with herbs, forests and demons. The second is Smartha Bali. This Bali relates to cattle, birds etc. Grihasthu shall perform both these Balis. After performing these two Balis (offerings) Grihasthu shall take food.” said Goddess Earth to Maha Vishnu.

Dharmanandana! this is the reply for your question about Grihasthu” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

Thus said Sooti to Saint Sounaka and other sages and saints the story of Maha Bharata as told by Saint Vaisampayana to Janamejaya.

MAHA BHARATA
ANUSASANIKA PARVA
THIRD CHAPTER COMPLETED.
OM TATSAT OM TATSAT OMTATSAT.

MAHABHARAT
Anusasanika parva
Fourth Chapter

Vaisampayana told Janamejaya the story of Mahabharata.

Dharmaja continued to ask Bhishma, all his doubts about Dharma. In that process, he asked thus: “O Grandisre Bhishma! Human beings worship divine bodies by lighting lamp, and burning incense sticks and eatables. Kindly enlighten me about it.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! What you have asked now, was previously told by Sukra Acharya to Emperor Bali; Bali to Manuvu; Mavunu to Saint Suvarna; Suvarna to Narada; and Narada in turn told me. I now tell you what Saint Narada told me:

On this earth, herbs are the best plants. Amongst the herbal plants, flowering plants are best of all. Those who worship divine bodies with flowers, they flourish. Therefore, flowers are called Sumanas. If divine bodies are worshipped with flowers they bless the humans and fulfil their desires. Therefore, divine bodies are called Sumanaskas. Flowers with good colour and fragrance, collected from thornless plants are best for worshipping deities. Deities receive such flowers with great plelasure.

Lotus flowers, Jaji flowers, Tulasi leaves are liked by deities. Yakshas like flowers from water. Flowers with pungent smell, collected from thorny bushes are used for Mantras and Tantrik activities intended to kill enemies. Flowers with pungent smell are liked by devils and demons. Humans like flowers with white and black colours with sweet smell.

Ladies shall not use flowers collected from temples and burial grounds. Before worshipping deities, lighting lamp is compulsory. Lighting lamp drives away darkness from the place of worship. It also denotes driving away ignorance from our mind. Lighting lamp with cow ghee is best.

I now tell you about offerings. After preparing food items, one should offer them to deities and then consume. Food not offered to God amounts to demon’s food. For Nagas, Yakshas and Asuras, food mixed with blood and flesh, coupled with wine is dearest.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! what are the results that would flow by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and offerings to diving bodies.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! In the past, there was a king called Nahusha. He had no pride or arrogance. He worshipped divine bodies with great devotion by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and fruits and food items. He also worshipped Pitaras in the same manner by offering Tarpanas. He also worshipped Rakshasas, Yakshas, Bhootas, Bhujangas, with flowers and other offerings. Hence, Nahusha attained the highest position as Devendra. He was fortunate to be carried in a chariot driven by seven saints. He also visited the Brahma assembly. All this happened only due to his daily Pooja ritual. But due to his small mistake of eyeing on the wife of Indra, he had fallen on earth in the form of a python. On account of conversation with you only, he could regain his original status. O Dharmaja! lighting lamp before God is greatest of all. How long you keep the lamp before God, so many years you remain in heaven.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma!what would be the fate of a person who steals the wealth and property of Brahmin?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! Of all the sins, stealing the moneys of Brahmin is a greatest sin. His entire family be ruined. In next birth, he takes a lowest birth. In the past, there was a king called Kshatrabandhu. Once, he was going on his horse by the side of a field. A low caste man was also going by walk by the side of that field. Due to the force of wind, some grains were flying in air. The low caste man was averting those grains falling on him.

The King saw this. He called that low caste man and asked him why he was averting those grain particles.

“O King! in my past birth, I was a brahmin. One day, I sat under a tree and was about to take my food. Meanwhile, due to force of wind, dust particles fell on my food. I ate the food. I do not know those dust particles came from the adjacent field of a brahmin. As I had consumed the dust particles belonging to a brahin, I have taken this birth in low caste. Yesterday, I got a dream. In that dream, a brahmin appeared and said that my sin vanishes by talking to a king called Kshatrabandhu. Now I am before you” said the low caste man. Later, the low caste man died and attained higher regions.” said Bhishma.

“O Grand father Bhishma! I heard about heavens. The happiness and pleasures in all heavens are one and the same or are different from one heaven to other.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! the Punya Karmas are different kinds. So also, for each Punya Karma, different kinds of heavens are prescribed. In this connection, I narrate a conversation between a brahmin called Goutama and Devendra.

Once upon a time, a Brahmin called Goutama was performing Tapas in a forest. One day he saw an elephant cub separated from its mother. Goutama brought that elephant to his Ashram and nourished it. In due course of time, it had grown up. The elephant was serving Goutama by helping in his daily needs.

Once, Devendra came down to Goutama in the form of the King of that kingdom and asked Goutama to give away that elephant to him.

“O King! I am treating this elephant as my own son. It is serving me in my day to day affairs. It protects my house in my absence. Hence I cannot part with this elephant.” said Goutama.

Devendra grew angry. “O Goutama! What is the need of an elephant to you for performing Tapas. In fact, you need cows. I give them in abundance. I also give you gold. Giveme that elephant.” asked Devendra.

“O King! I brought this elephant, abandoned by its mother, while it was a cub. I nourished it as mother. You cannot evaluate my love towards this elephant. Even if you give me ten thousand cows and one crore gold coins, I wont give away this elephant.” said Goutama.

“O Goutama! elephants are the carriers for Kings. I require this elephant as my carrier. I can lift it by force. But I take it with your consent. Hence, kindly give this elephant to me out of your own volition.” said Devendra.

“O king! Either virtuous people or sinners will meet at one place. That is Yama Sabha. If you come there, I will give the elephant.” said Goutama.

“How is it. It is Yama Loka. Only sinners, non-believers of God and Vedas, arrive there. How can I come there.” said Devendra.

“If you come to the banks of River Ganges, I will give the elephant” said Goutama. “O Goutama! On the banks of Ganges, only those who worshipped guests, non-receivers of other’s wealth come there. How can I come there.” said Devendra.

“Then you come to Meru mountain. I will give my elephant” said Goutama. “There you find people who are soft spoken; truth telling; compassionate; and who love their own fellow men. How can I come there? said Devendra.

“Then there is a place where Saint Narada lives. Come there.” asked Goutama. “There, you find experts in music and dance and Narada will always be enjoying with them in music concerts. I dont come there.” said Devendra.

“If so, come to Uttara Kuru fields where divine bodies move freely. There I give my elephant.” said Goutama. “That is also not acceptable to me. People who discarded passion, violence and anger come there. I cannot come there.” said Devendra.

“Then come to moon” asked Goutama. “There you find
persons who give away their wealth and who do not receive anything from others. How can I receive elephant from you?” said Devendra.

“Then will you come to Soorya Loka?” asked Goutama. “Those who perform Tapas and Svadhyayam come there. I dont come there” said Devendra.

“Come to Varuna Loka!” asked Goutama.

“Persons who perform Yajnas, Yagas, daily rituals, agnihotra come there. I dont come there.” said Devendra.

“Come to Indra!” asked Goutama. “Oh. All those who died in war field, who performed Yajnas, who completed 100 years on earth come there. I am not eligible” said Devendra.

“Come to Prajapati Loka” asked Goutama. “Those who peformed Asvamedha come there. I do not come” said Devendra.

“Come to Goloka where you do not find passions and distress” asked Goutaka. “Those who perform Godaana, who visited holy places in Pilgrimage and who observe Brahmacharya come there. How can I come there.” said Devendra.

“Then you come to Brahma Loka which is beyond duals like heat and cold, joys and sorrows, friends and foes etc.I will give my elephant” said Goutama. “That is also not possible. Those who are detached, who attained Atma Jnana and those who are interested in Adhyatma vidya go there. I cannot come.”said Devendra.

Then Goutama with folded hands said: “O Mahatma! You are none else than Devendra; otherwise how it is possible for others to know about several Lokas. O Devendra! you are going round all Lokas. Is there any loka which is not accessible to you?” asked Goutama.

“O Goutama! I am very much satisfied with your virtues. Ask what do you want?”

“I do not want anything, if you dont ask for my elephant.” replied Goutama.

“Goutama! How can I separate you from your elephant. Besides that, you have identified me as Devendra by virtue of your past deeds. I invite you and your elephant to heaven. You both stay there for ever.” invited Devendra.

Goutama accepted his invitation. Both Goutama and his elephant remained in Svargaloka for ever.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bishma! you told me about Tapo Dharma. Is there any other dharma which is better than Tapo Dharma?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! all dharmas are good. But Tapo Dharma is best of all. Tapas means consuming limited food. Once Saint Bhagiratha went to Brahma Sabha. Beholding Bhagiradha, Brahma said:

“To gain entrance into Brahma Loka, you have to perform great Tapas. Without performing any kind of Tapas, how can you come over here.” asked Brahma.

“O Brahma! I performed many Yanjas, Yagas, Godanas, Bhoodaanas, Kanyadaanaas, pilgrimages; Rajasooya Yagas, Asvamedha Yagas in abundance. But I have not come here on account of performing the above virtuous deeds. Once some Brahmins were performing a Yajna. There were so many obstacles. I helped them in putting an end to those obstacles and perform Yajna smoothy. Then they blessed me “Brahma Loka Praptirastu”. Hence I have come here. I served Brahmins without caring for thirst and hunger. I do not think there is any greater tapas than serving brahmins.” said Bhagiradha. Brahma was very much pleased with his words. Hence Dharmaja! you also worship Brahmins with great devotion.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire! “Satayushmaan Bhava! is the precept of Veda. Why people are dying even while they are young. What is the reason? How to prolong life? How the life diminishes?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! good habits, disciplined living always extends life. Such a person gets wealth and fame. Bad habits, indiscplined liiving diminishes human life. All the elements in the universe refuse bad habits and indiciplined life. One has to follow the food steps of great people and follow Varna Ashrama Dharma. Then only one can lead disciplined life.

Not caring for the words of teacher; killing birds, biting nails, cutting plants without doing any work; staring at bright sun during morning and evening, diminish our life.

Having peaceful mind without anger; avoiding killing animals; telling truth alwlays; performing sandhyavandanam in morning; and worshipping deities daily, increase the life span.

Lusting for others’ wives always leads to lessening the life. It is a great sin. That too, lusting for the wife of friend, wife of teacher and lusting for ladies who are older than him; lusting for wives of kings, lusting for wives of those who are younger than him; lusting for the wives of relatives, brahmins, doctors, servants, learned people is a great sin. It creates decrease in his life. Performing Vratas increases the life to some extent.

One should not pass urine near temples, in streets, near meeting places, paddy fields. One shall not pass urine in standing posture. Before taking food, one has to wash hands and legs neatly and thoroughly. Avoid taking food in standing posture.

One should salute elders always. One should not keep hands on head while studying Vedas. Before going to bed, one has to take bath with hot water. One shall not rub his head with nails and shall not rub oil applied to head to other parts of body. One shall not bear grudge against teachers and shall not accuse teacher. All these cause diminishing of life.

If one come across bramins,cows, Kshatriyas, old people, weak people, pregnant ladies and persons carrying load on their back, he shall give way to them. One shall not have sexual intercourse with wife on full moon day, no moon day, chaturdasi, Ashtami and Dvadasi and also on birth days. This leads to lessening of life.

One shall not heckle handicapped, poor, uneducated and ugly people. It is a great sin. Accusing the above equivalent to accusing God.

Telling prophesy against money is a great sin. One shall not talk while cleaning teeth and while in toilet. One shall not sleep during sunrise and sunset times. Before worshipping God in morning, one shall not meet any other person.

Having sexual intercourse with pregnant ladies, unmarried ladies is a great sin. Sexual intercourse before marriage is also a sin. One shall not sleep keeping head towards north and west. One shall not wear clothes of others and shall not eat food items left by others.

While taking food, one shall keep his mind calm and quiet and keep silence.. One shall not take food keeping mind otherwise and talking with others in exciting mood. One shall not consume curd or honey during nights. Taking food in front of others, without offering them, is a sin. While dining with others, one shall not take better food while supplying cheaper food to others. One shall not give away ghee, honey, Payasam and water to others after consuming part of it.

One shall not have sexual intercourse during day times, even with his wife. One shall not have sexual intercourse with virgins and prostitutes. One shall not stare at ladies without clothes. When sisters, teachers, friends, learned people and cousins are poor and needy, one shall help them physically and financially. It increases one’s own lifespan.

Pigeons, parrots, flower bearing plants, golden items are auspicious and can be kept in house. Eagles, small insects, owls shall not be allowed to enter into house. One shall not read and dine duing sunset. One shall not perform Sraadha Karma during nights. While performing Sapindeekaranam and Ekodishtam (11th and 12th day ceremonies after death), one shall not take food during nights. One shall not visit others’ houses for food, uninvited.

Kshatriya shall learn horse riding, riding on elephant, chariot driving and expertism in launching several weapons, warfare, knowledge in penal laws, economics, public administration, Kama Sastra; music, vedas, performance of Yajnas etc.

One shall not touch ladies during periods. One can have intercourse on fourth day of periods. Intercourse on fifth day results in female child and intercourse on sixth day results in male child. Intercourse on even days from the day of commencement of period results in male child and on odd days, female child. Intercourse on all days from fourth day of the periods, results in pregnancy and child bearing.

Being kind towards others is a great dharma. It increases life span.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O grandsire! what would be the behaviour of brothers in this world?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! younger brothers shall show regard towards elder brothers. In the same way, elder brothers shall show love and affection towards younger brothers. Even one of the younger brother is bad, nothing happens but if the eldest brother is bad, the entire family be ruined. All the brothers shall divide the ancestral property equally without quarrelling among themselves. Then the rest of the world regard their family.

If any one of the brothers is greedy and claims the entire property for himself, that family breaks into pieces and be defamed. After father, eldest brother is equavalent to father. His wife is equival to mother for other brothers. After the death of the father, all younger brothers shall treat the eldest of them as father and his wife as mother.

After the death of mother, eldest sister is equal to mother. Even the servant maids who nourished him during childhood are equal to mothers. Father is the first teacher. Father is ten times more than teacher. But mother is ten more times greater than father. While father and mother gives birth to body, teacher gives another birth by imparting knowledge and wisdom. The physical body given by father and mother is mortal whereas the knowledge and wisdom given by teacher is immortal. Therefore, teacher has to be greatly respected.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! It was said that Upavasa Vrata (fasting) was prescribed for Brahmins and Kshatriyas but not to other communities. What is meant by Upavasa? What are the qualities of Upavasa? What are the fruits derived by observing Upavasa? Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in the past, I also asked Saint Angirasa in the same manner. I told you what he told me.

Brahmins and Kshatriyas are eligible to observe Upavasa for three nights. If body and health permits, they can observe Upavasa for some more days. Vysyas and Sudras are eligible to observe Upavasa for four half days. More than that, they cannot observe Upavasa Vrata.

The following are the days auspicious for observing Upavasa. They are.....full moon day, Sukla Ashtami, Sukla Panchami, Shashti, Bahula Pamchami, Bahula shashti. If a brahmin observes Upavasa during nights, he will get a beautiful wife and children. If he observes Upavasa during nights for one year, he will get all kinds of riches.

If anybody observes Upavasa for 15 days in a year, he will get Punya Lokas. If anybody observes Upavasa for 30 days in a year, he attains Brahma Loka. But one shall not observe Upavasa for more than 30 days in a year.

There is no teacher greater than mother, there is no Sastra greater than Veda and there is no Tapassu greater than Upavasa. Out of all purest , Brahmin is purest of all. Therefore, Brahmins have to be worshipped. In the past, divine bodies, saints became greater by observing Upavasa vrata only. Saint Visvamitra observed one time meal during his entire life. By observing Upavasa, body and mind become pure.

The above said Upavasa Vrata was dedicated by Saint Angirasa to this world.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! you told me time and again to perform Yajnas and yagas. To perform Yajna, plenty of money is required. All cannot perform Yajnas. What about them? How can they perform virtuous deeds like Yajnas.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! that was the reason why Saint Angirasa prescribed Upavasa vrata to those who are unable to perform Yajnas. There are some easy methods to perform Upavasa Vrata. If anybody takes food twice a day, drinking water while taking food only, and without taking anything in between and who performs Agnihotra daily, is equal to performing Upavasa Vrata daily.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! Sri Krishna is embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. I want to hear his teachings about Tatva Jnana. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection I tell you the conversation between Lord Siva and Sanatkumara. Once, Parama Siva came down to Sanatkumara. Sanatkumara received Siva with due honours and offered him a seat. Siva asked Sanatkumara to clear off some doubts. Sanatkumara gladly accepted.
“O great saint Sanatkumara! what is to be beheld with Dhyana (meditation). How many Tatvas are there? What is Sankhya and What is Yoga? Tell me about other phylosophical theories” asked Siva.

Sanatkumara told Siva thus: “O Siva! Tatvas are 24. Some may say Tatvas are 23 and some may say 25. Praakrutas say tatvas are 23. They say Mind and intellect are one and the same. It is not correct. Those who believe Tatvas are 24, say that pure mind itself is intellect.

I believe that Tatvas are 25. The 25th Tatva is Adhishtana. It manifests the other 24 Tatvas. All the 24 tatvas appear to have been mingled with 25th Tatva. Therefore, it can be said that there are 24 tatvas. It can also be said that there are no 24 tatvas. Both are possible. Now I tell you about 24 tatvas in detail.

In this Universe, there are Pancha Bhootas. They are 5.
Their attributes are 5. Sense organs are 10.Mind, intellect and Ahankara - 3. Prakriti - 1 These are 24.
Seated on the above 24 tatvas, is Mahat Tatva.
It is 25th tatva.
An intelligent person thinks that the body consists of 24 tatvas. Mahat Tatva which is 25th one, is hidden in the entire body as if fire is hidden in wood. But jealousy and egoism evaporates this knowledge and the man always thinks that this body is eternal and he himself is the body. This egoism keeps him always in samsara.

Vedas manifest paramatma tatva and brahma tatva. This is also called Amrutartha Tatva. Of all the tatvas, this Amrutartha tatva is best. By knowing Amrutartha Tatva, one can conquer Mruthyu. That is Eswara. There is no other God except this Tatva which is true and eternal.

O Parama Siva! if these Tatvas descend, creation starts. If these Tatvas ascend, destruction starts. Passing through all these tatvas and attaining Brahma is oneness. This knowledge is not available for those who do not have devotion and concentration of mind, control over sense organs and who do not study vedas.”. said Sanatkumara.

Next, Sanatkumara taught Parama Siva about Adhyatmamu, Adhi Bhootamu and Adhi daivamu.

“O Parama Siva! The real awareness is knowing that Adhyatma is inherent in all the living beings. Not knowing the above, divine bodies, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and human beings fell in ignorance. So far nobody is aware of Brahma. Brahma tatva is nothing but Omkara. Unless egoism is completely destroyed, Brahma Tatva is not visible. Brahma Tatva is unblemished, enjoyable and indestructible, beyond all duals and it is not visible to sense organs.

This Brahma Tatva was first known to Narayana. Through Narayana, divine bodies, saints, sidhas, sadhyas, gandharvas came to know about it. Later, only eligible human beings were taught about this Brahma Tatva. Brahma Tatva cannot be seen by one and all. Only those who discarded these worldly bondages can behold Brahma Tatva. First, Jeeva shall discard Ahankara (egoism). Then all the thoughts and works done by body, mind and intellect shall the discarded. Then mind and intellect turns towards Paramatma. When all these 23 attributes join Para tatva, what is there tobe seen. That is Advaita State

O Parama Siva! now I explain about the divine bodies in human body. Moon in tongue; Sarasvati in head; Vayu in life; thunders in Udana; Parjanya in Vyana, Sky in breast; Kousika in strength; Eesaana in Apaana;Mitra in Samaana; Sun in eye; earth in body; Vishnu in feet; sides in ear; Prajapati in genital organ; Brahma in intellect. All these are manifested by Atman.

Atma is of two kinds. Prabudha and Abudha. Yogi worships all divine forms equally and make his life travel upwards and keeps it in head and beholds Brahma. That is Avyakta state. Abudha knows about Vyakta form. (visible form). Prabudha knows about Avyakta form (invisible form). In fact, Abudha and Prabudha are two stages of Atma. Atma is one. A yogi who beholds Avyakta is second to none. Others cannot attain that state.

Atma is in three stages. They are Kshara, Akshara and Para. 25th tatva is Prabudha. If this 25th tatva joins Prakriti, it becomes Abudha. That Abudha is 26th tatva. This Abudha is not accessible either to mind or word. By knowing himself, Abudha becomes Prabudha. If Abudha identifies himself with Prakriti, he falls into ignorance. If that ignorance ends, he becomes Prabudha.

O Parama Siva! I told you about the three stages in Paramatma Tatva. Now I tell you about the activities of saints. One who receives sainthood, shall stay in forests and caves. He shall have control over his sense organs and discard all sensual pleasures. Then he becomes Yogi. Yogi controls his food and at last lives without food. Then his mind becomes stable. He beholds Paramatma.

For that purpose, he shall stay in a lonely place without any sounds or disturbance. Then Yogi attains a state without duals, viz., pleasures and sorrows, likes and dislikes etc. It is called Advaita state. Yogi liberates himself from all kinds of sorrows in Advaita state. He attains eight Siddhis viz., Anima, Garima, Laghima etc. He is placed abouve Yakshas, Gandharvas, Sidhas and Sadhyas. They are free from all bondages.

O Parama Siva!at present, myself and my brothers viz., Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatsujata are in the same state. Therefore, there is no other Dharma except Yoga Dharma. To attain Moksha, Yoga dharma is a ladder.

O Parama Siva! I have sofar told you about Yoga. Now I tell about Sankhya. Sankhya Yogis treat both Yoga and Sankhya as one and the same. Mind is greater than sense organs; egoism is greater than mind; intellect is greater than egoism; and nature is greater than intellect. Above all, Purusha remains.

O Parama Siva! Pancha Bhootas (main elements) are 5. Their attributes are 5. Sense organs are 10. Mind, intellect, egoism and Prakriti are 4. In total they are 24 tatvas. By coming into contact with conscious Purusha, Prakriti also becomes conscious. All these 23 tatvas are floating in the 24th tatva Prakriti. In fact, Purusha has no attributes. By coming into contact with Prakriti only, Purusha attains attributes, which are natural to Prakriti. If Purusha realises that he is different from Prakriti, and he is different from these 23 tatvas, Purusha ignores Prakriti and shines like fire without smoke.

If Purusha identifies himself with Prakriti by means of Ahankara, and if he feels that he is creator of this Universe; he becomes Jeeva and Jeeva cannot go against Prakriti. He falls under the influence of Prakriti and drowns in worldly plealsures.

If Purusha ignores Prakriti and turns towards Paramatma, he attains Paramapada. Therefore, if purusha, by taking shelter under satva and attainng Tatva Jnana, he becomes Chidananda Svaroopa, by ignoring Prakriti. This 26th element is awareness. It is eternal, without beginnig or end. It is without death, without decay and everlasting. It shines in the form of Atma.

O Maha Deva! those who study Sankhya Yoga shines with greatest knowledge and intelligence. They remain in prakriti as fish in water and drop of water on lotus leaf, without coming into contact with Prakriti. Though Sankhya Yogi always moves in Prakriti, he is not influenced by the attributes of Prakriti. He beholds Prakriti from a distance and shines in a stable state. In this manner, Purusha by abandoning Prakriti attains Parama Tatva. It is called mukti.

O Parama Siva! this Sankhya was first taught by my teacher, Saint Kapila. Those who were trained under Saint Kapila became wise and learned. I also imparted my learning to one and all. Several Saints viz., Gargya, Goutama, Katyayana etc. cleared of their doubts. They abandoned their bondages with Prakriti and attained liberation.

O Parama Siva! in nutshell, I may say that Purusha, coming into contact with Prakriti, is bondage and Purusha ignoring Prakriti is liberation.

O Dharmaja! this is the conversation between Sanatkumara and Parama Siva.” said Bhishma.

“O Pitamaha! there are several Punya Tirthas . Which is the best of all of them?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharma Nandana! all Punya Tirthas are good. There is no pure or impure. But Manasa Teertha is most auspicious. It is called Satya. It is in Dhruthi tank. Whoever dips in that Tirtha by ignoring Rajas and Tamas and holding Satya in hand, he becomes pure. Those who abandon likes and dislikes and maintain control over sense organs, they are all equivalent to Punya Thirthas. By serving them, one can attain the Punya of taking dip in Punya Thirtha. Without the above qualities, simply having holy dip in Punya Tirthas is nothing but cleaning body but not mind. Those who observe the following qualities viz., not aspiring for anything and feeling contentment with what he has; and abandoning greediness, need not go round Punya Tirthas.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! what would be the behaviour of a person to attain Parama Pada. After leaving the body, which follows him?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! what you have asked are sacred. Only Brahaspati is eligible to teach about them. He is right now coming here. You can clear off all your doubts” said Bhishma.

Meanwhile, Brihaspati arrived there. Dharmaja along with his brothers, received him with due honours. Dharmaja asked the same which he earlier asked Bhishma. Brihaspati told thus:

“O Dharmanandana! During birth and death, either in Punya Loka or Naraka Loka, Jeeva shall exist. In this material world, father, mother, wife, sons, daughters, relatives accompany the dead body upto burial ground. But the dharma which he followed during his life time, follows him even after death. Therefore, even during the life time, one has to perform virtuous deeds, failing which, he goes to hell.” said Brihaspati.

“O Brihaspati! After leaving the body, how dharma accompanies Jeevatma.”asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! five elements, their attributes, intellect and dharma accompany jeevatma.” said Brihaspati.

“O Brihaspati! how does sperm form?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! The body of human being forms out of five elements. Food gives strength to body. Lust and Passions created in body generate sperm. When female joins male, sperm enters into the body of female, and female becomes pregnant. After nine months, human body comes out. If that human does Punya, he enjoys pleasures. If that human was sinful, he spends sorrowful and miserable life. All the virtuous deeds performed in previous birth cause pleasure and happiness in the present birth. Therefore, one has to perform virtuous deeds always, and keep himself away from sinful acts. As a result of sinful acts committed in previous birth, one takes the birth of beasts, birds,insects etc. It itself is hell and there is no other hell.

Now I tell you about Karma and its results. One who worships father, mother and teacher, he enjoys pleasures. If they are put to trouble, he undergoes sorrowful life. One who commits theft of food grains takes the birth as rat. One who lusts for others’ wives takes birth as eagle or jackal or monkey. He may take the birth of insect also. One who consumes food without offering to divine bodies and Pitaras, takes the birth of a crow. One who abuses his own brother takes the birth of a bird.

If Sudra had intercourse with a Brahmin lady, he takes birth as an insect. One who kills a person for profit gets the birth of a donkey or bird. One who kills a lady goes to hell. One who steals cooked rice and milk, he takes birth like an insect in rice and milk.

One who steals fruits, iron, silver and gold, takes birth as monkey, crow, bird, insect etc. One who steals others’ clothes takes birth as rabbit. One who commits breach of trust takes birth as fish.” said Brihaspati.

“O Brihaspati! is there no way to get rid of the above sins?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! generally all sins vanish by performing charities. Of all Danas, Annadaana is best. If one performs Annadaana with the money he legally earned, all his sins vanish. One who performs annadaana even by begging, he attains Punya Lokas.

Brahmin by studying Vedas and teaching Vedas to others; Kshatriya by looking after the needs of Brahmins attain higher regions. By performing Annadaana with legally earned money, human beings attain Punya Lokas. Even Sudra attains Punya Lokas by performing Annadaana with his hardearned money. To whichever caste he belongs, one who serves food to others before he eats, he gets Punya Lokas.

Therefore, Dharmanandana! Annadaana is best of all by peforming which all sins vanish.” said Brihaspati.

“O Brihaspati! meditation, control of sense organs, serving teachers with devotion; ahimsa, daily worship of God, Tapas.... of these, which is best ....kindly tell me.” asked Dharmajua.

“O Dharmanandana! all the above are good. But Ahimsa (non violence) is best of all.” said Brihaspati and went away.

“O grandisre Bhishma! everybody says that Ahimsa is best of all. Kindly enlighten me about Ahimsa.” asked Dharmaja.

Bhishma said thus: “O Dharmaja! To tell in one word, all dharmas are embodied in Ahimsa. Ahimsa had four legs. Even if one leg limps, Dharma goes out of control. Violence means hurting killing animals for consuming meat. Consuming meat amounts to violence. If one avoids consuming meat, it amounts to nonviolence.” said Bhishma

“O Grandsire! Generally meat is used during Pitru ceremonies. Unless animals are killed, how can they get meat. Does it not amount to violence against animals?” asked Dharmaja.

“Giving up eating meat is equal to performing Asvamedha Yaga. Killing or getting the animals killed only for eating amounts to great sin.

But during Pitara ceremonies, Yagas, animals may be killed according to Veda rituals. There is no wrong. But only for the sake of taste and filling the belly, animals shall not be killed. It is a great sin. Giving up consuming meat itself is a Tapassu.

The taste of meat is greater than all eatables. If one gives up eating meat, he will be eqivalent to divine bodies. Unless the animals are killed, one cannot get meat. While killing animals, if the killer receives any injury, the he suffers with pain . The killer should realise that the animals to be killed also suffer with the same pain. Without such realisation, killing animals amounts to great sin. Therefore, animals shall not be killed only for the sake of eating tasty meat. If human beings avoid eating meat, the animals move safely.

Saint Markandeya said that the person who eats meat is equivalent to Rakshasa. After giving up eating meat only, divine bodies attained divinity. We do not know whether one can attain brahma loka if he performs Tapas and charities, but if one gives up eating meant, he certainly attains Brahmaloka.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! knowing fully well that killing animals for the sake of meat is a sin, why people are craving for meat instead of vegetables and fruits.” asked Dharmaja.

Bhisham smiled and said: “O Dharmaja! Once human being addicts to the taste of meat, it is very difficult to avoid meat. Why because, eating meat improves vitality and vigour during sexual acts. Meat gives instant energy. Eating meat heals wounds quickly. Other eatables and fruits do not have such qualities. Consuming meat during Yajnas,Yagas and Pitara ceremonies is not wrong.

Saint Agasthya also said that hunting is the dharma of Kshatriyas. Using that meat during Pitara ceremonies and Deva rituals is quite common. But killing animals and consuming meat for the sake of taste and also to improve his vigour and vitality is wrong. It is a fact that the sin afflicted by eating flesh vanishes by making charities, on condition that he shall not consume meat from then onwards. Then only he gets rid of that sin.

A kind hearted person beholds the fear of death in the eyes of the animal being killed. Hence he never eats meat. Such person attains divinity. If humans are kind towards animals, animals also reciprocate the same kindness towards humans. If humans are cruel towards animals, same attitude will be reciprocated. Therefore, avoiding killing animals for the sake of meat is great dharma.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire Bhishma! During the great war we fought, several warriors and soldiers were killed. What are the Lokas attained by them. Generally people live only for the sake of enjoying worldly pleasures and death is a misery. Hence they do not stake their lives for the sake of war.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you a conversation between said Vyasa and a small ant. Once Veda Vyasa was going on a pathway. On that pathway, several vehicles were passing this side and that side. In between those vehicles, one ant was running escaping those vehicles. Beholding that ant, Vyasa said: “O ant, you are a small insect. why you are running on the pathway with great fear. What is the reason?” asked Vyasa.

“Please see how the vehicles are moving and animals are running. I struck with fear. If I fell under the wheels of vehicles or feet of animals, I will be crushed. Life is a pleasure whereas death is a misery. Hence I am running.” said the ant.

“After all you are a small insect. You cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. This body is full of miseries. Why are you afraid of death? It is better to die than leading this miserable life?” said Vyasa.

That ant smiled and said: “O saint! how can you say that we cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. We got our own way to enjoy such pleasures as humans. Hence we also got the desire to live for ever and enjoy pleasures and we also fear for death. Don’t you know this much. In my last birth, I was a Rich Sudra but I was so cruel and unkind towards others. I was addicted to all vices. But I served my mother with greatest devotion. Once a Brahmin came to my house as guest. I worshipped him and offered him food. Hence I am blessed with knowledge of previous birth.” said that creature.

“O ant! beholding you, I know about your previous birth. I know that due to the sinful deeds committed by you, yout got this birth like an ant. As you have done some pious deeds, you could speak to me. As you are strongly desirous of getting a human birth, with the power of my Tapas, I could fulfil your desire, but in due process. First you take birth as animals, then humans. In humans you take birth as Soodra, Vysya, Kshatriya and atlast Brahmin. But in all these births, you will have the knowledge of your previous births.” said Veda Vyasa.

After touching the feet of Vyasa, that ant left its body. Vyasa went away. That ant, while taking birth by birth, was born as Kshatriya and became King of a Kingdom. One day, that King went to the Ashram of Vyasa and prostrated before him. Then Vyasa advised the King to perform Tapas and leave the body for the sake of Brahmins and cows. Then only he will born as Brahmin. That King performed Tapas and died in battle field. In next birth, he was born as Brahmin. In that birth also he performed Yajnas and yagas and visited several holy places and made charities to poor and needy. O Dharmaja! there is no doubt that those who died in battle field also attained higher regions.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! education, tapas, charities...which is best of these three.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I will tell you the conversation between Vyasa and Maitreya. Once Veda Vyasa visited Kasi town and met Saint Maitreya. Maitreya received Vyasa with due honours and offered him sumptuous food. Vyasa was satisfied with his hospitality.

“O Maitreya! amongst all Danas, Annadaana is greatest. You offered me food. I am very much satisfied. In fact, this body and the life in it grow with food only. By performing Tapas, mind will be purified. Learning would become easier. Learning increases his Tapas. Therefore, learning and charities increase the power of Tapas. Amongst all Danas, Annadaana is best. However bad he may be, by performing Annadaana, he becomes pure.” said Vyasa to Maitreya. Therefore, Dharmanandana! amongst all Dharmas, daana dharma is best. Amongst all daanas, Annadaana is best.” said Bhishma.

“O grandsire! you told me about several things. But you never told me about ladies and their behaviour.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you about conversation between Kaikeyee and Sandilya. Kekaya Princess once asked Sandili: “O Sandili! how could you come and live in Deva Loka?”

Sandili replied thus: “O Kekaya Princess! I served my father in law and mother in law without disregarding their advices. I performed divine worship, Pitara ceremonies, and worshipping guests regularly. I never stood at the main entrance. I never laughed loudly. I offered food to students and learned. On arrival of my husband, I served him with great care. I brought up my children as good and intelligent.

I like what my husband likes. I never abuse anybody inspite of their rude behaviour towards me. Whenever my husband is out of station, I never wear flowers, good clothes and never eat tasty food. I never waste food. I regarded all my relatives equally. I looked after the cows in my house. I never tease my husband with household affairs. I take care about Agnihotra daily. I never reveal my family secrets to neighbours. While I was pregnant, I took nourishing food instead of tasty food. Hence I attained divine loka.” said Sandili.

I hope your doubts are cleared.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre! what is best deed enunciated in Sastras and Vedas.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you the conversation between Narada and Pundareeka. The same question which you now asked, was put by Pundareeka to Narada. Narada told thus:

“O Pundareeka! Pancha Bhootas are five. Their attributes are five. Sense organs are ten. Mind, intellect and egoism are three. These are 23. the 24th element is Prakriti. 25th element is Purusha. He is also called as Nara. As these elements are influenced by Nara, they are called Naaras. The chief of Naras is Narayana. Narayana causes creation and destruction. That Narayana is Para Brahma, Paratatva, Paramapada, Eswara, Vishnu. Narayana is shining throughout the Universe. Narayana also is clled Vasudeva, Atma etc. There is no difference between Nara and Narayana. Therefore, Narayana is the greatest of all and he should be worshipped.

If people, for some time, think about Narayana, they attain higher regions. Atleast, at the time of leaving this body, if one chants the name of Narayana, Om Namo Narayanaya, he attains Brahma Pada because Narayana himself is Brahma. Constant chanting of Narayana Mantra vanishes all sorts of sins. Whatever be the Ashram, be it Brahmacharya, Grihastashram etc., chanting Narayana mantra is must. Otherwise, he may not attain higher regions.

Vishnu cannot be seen except with devotion. Hence Narayana is called Bhakta Vatsala.” said Narada to Pundareeka. Then Pundareeka worshiped Vishnu with great devotion.

In his dream, Narayana appeared with Sankhu, Chakra, Gadha, Sarja in his four hands, with lotus petal eyes, crown on head, ear rings for ears, with Srivatsa mole on chest, and Koustabha in his ornaments. Therefore, Dharmaja! you also worship Narayana constantly.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! generally, human beings perform charities and endowments and speak with others softly. What is best of these two.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! both are good and have to be done according to the mind of others. Making charities is always appreciable. I now tell you a story about soft spoken people. Once a Brahmin was lonely going through a forest. In that forest, there was a demon. That demon caught that Brahmin to kill him and consume his meat. The Brahmin was not afraid of the demon.

The demon was astonished for his braveness. “O Brahmin! If you answer my questions, I leave you. Otherwise I kill you.” said the demon. The Brahmin accepted his challenge.

“Now my body is tired and weakened. I am unable to do anything. What is the reason?” asked the Demon.

“You are bad. Knowing that you are bad, all your relatives abandoned you. You are very much worried about it. You are suffering with poverty and you are worried for not getting riches.Though you are defeated for the sake of others, while they are enjoying their victory, you are unable to swallow it. While wicked and wretches are praising you, you are worrying that wise and learned are not praising you. That is why you are very much distressed.

There are also other reasons for your decay. Others are not accepting your words. While your wife is annoying for your deeds, you are unable to console her. While others are trying to grab your money, you are unable to protect your money. Your relatives are not trusting you. Even while you are trying to do good deeds, others are not trusting you. In view of the above, you are unable to control your sorrow. These are some other reasons for your decay.

Your wife and children and your sons in law are worrying you with their misdeeds. Your parents and brothers are suffering with incurable diseases. In the past birth, you killed a cow belonging to a brahmin. You stole the money of deity and brahmins. You are worrying for the money you lost. Your lamentation for the death of your relatives. Your servant is behaving badly towards you and you are becoming responsible for his misdeeds. While you are about to finish a work, some miscreants are spoiling it and you are worrying a lot. There are some other reasons for a man’s distress and decay.” said the Brahmin. Dharmaja! this is the answer for your question.” said Bhishma.

It appears that Dharmaja exhausted all his doubts. Hence he asked Bhishma to tell him a old pouranic story. Bhishma said thus: “O Dharmaja! I now tell you about the conversation beween Maheswara and Uma devi, that too with the kind permission of Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishna married Rukmini. For long time, they did not beget children. Sri Krishna along with Rukmini went to Himalayas and performed Vratas for 12 years. At that time Saints Narada, Vyasa, Valmiki, Devala, Kasyapa etc arrived there to meet Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna and his wife Rukmini received them with due honours. While Sri Krishna was talking with them, a great fire emanated from the face of Sri Krishna and started to destroy the forests. The animals, birds, saints, sidhas, sadhyas who were doing tapas there, were running away. Beholding this, Sri Krishna with his kind looks, withdrew all flames. The forest resumed to normal position.

Beholding this, the sages and saints assembled there astonished. They all asked Sri Krishna: “O Krishna! the entire universe is created and destroyed by you only. The entire creation is under your control. Everything is occurring according to your intentions. But how the flames emanated from you. Kindly tell us.” asked the saints.

Sri Krishna said thus: “There was a Rakshasa. He was an expert in archery skills. He learnt archery from me. Hence I dont want to kill him. Taking advantage of my weakness, he was teasing the inmates of three Lokas with his cruel behaviour. I am vexed with his behaviour. I should beget a son to kill that Rakshasa. Hence I came here for doing Tapas. Due to the gravity of Tapas, flames emanated from my body and burnt the forests. Those flames spread upto Brahma Loka. Brahma blessed me with a son. He is Manmadha. I withdrew my flames and resumed the forests to their normal position. That is what you have seen.” said Sri Krishna.

O Saints! It is a great pleasure for me to meet all of you. Kindly tell me a story.” asked Sri Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna! You are the chief of all Three Lokas. There is nothing not known to you in these three Lokas.” said those saints.

“O Saints! For the present, I am a human being born to a human being. My mind also is in the same state. You should not forget that. Whatever you say now, is unknown to me. Is it not?” said Sri Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna! Narada is fit and eligible to tell anything to you. Hence Narada will tell a story.” said those saints. Then Narada told them the conversation between Maheswara and Uma Devi.

While going round this universe, I once visited Himalaya mountains. Parameswara was sitting in a beautiful garden. He was surrounded by Pramadha Ganas, Devatas, Sidhas, Sadhyas, Vidyadharas, saints etc. I also went there and saluted Maheswara and sat on a suitable seat.

At that time, Parvati Devi came there and closed the eyes of Maheswars from behind with her hands. For this sudden action, the entire Universe plunged into darkness. The entire creation was annoyed. There was a great confusion. Parameswara opened his third eye. Flames emanated from the third eye burnt away the entire Himalaya Mountain range. Himalaya Mountain King was the father of Parvati. Hence she fell on the feet of Maheswara and sought for mercy. Parama Siva closed his third eye. He was very much delighted. The flames extinguished. Then Parvati asked Parama Siva thus:

“O Siva! why you opened your third eye and caused this disaster? Kindly tell me if it is not a secret.” asked Parvati.

“ O Parvati!There are no secrets not known to you. I am the master of this Universe. The entire Universe looks through my eyes. When you closed my eyes, I could not see. Hence the entire Universe could not see anything, resulting in complete darkness. The entire creation was frightened. To dispel the darkness without removing your hands, the only alternative is to open my third eye.” said Parama Siva.

“O Parama Siva! Why you have four faces?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! in the past, there were two Rakshasas called Sundu and Upasundu. They possess great vigour, valour, mighty personalities. They are not killed with any weapon or Astra. To kill those Rakshasas, a human weapon was created by Maya. Her name was Tilottama. Maya brought her before me. She went round me. I looked at her from four sides. Hence I got four faces.” said Parama Siva.

“O Maha Siva! why your neck is black?” asked parvathi.

“ O Parvati! in the past, both divine bodies and Rakshasas churned the sea for Amrutha. First Haalahala was emanated. I swallowed and kept it in my throat. Hence my neck is black.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maha Siva! why you like Pinaka more than all other weapons.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! during Krita Yuga, Saint Kanva performed great Tapassu. Ant hills were grown on and around his body. One bamboo plant also had grown with good height and width. Brahma appeared before Kanva and blessed him with boons. Brahma made Sanga (a weapon made up of bamboo) to Vishnu, and Pinaka for me. With the remaining piece of bamboo, Brahma made Gaandeeva. As Brahma gave Pinaka to me, it is dearest of all weapons.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maheswara! while there are several animals in this creation, why you chose bull as your vehicle.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Once, while I was performing Tapassu, several cows were grazing around me, disturbing my Tapassu. I looked at them with anger. With my harsh looks, the cows frightened. Brahma intervened and pacified the matter. At that time, Brahma presented me a bull as my vehicle. Since then, bull was my vehicle.” said Parama Siva.

“O Siva! though there are several buildings equipped with comforts, why you are staying in burial grounds amidst skulls and bones, emanating foul smell.”asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! the cruel Bhootas, Pretas were destroying the man kind. Brahma requested me to retaliate their cruel actions. I also intended to save the man kind from Bhootas and Pretas. Hence I am staying in burial grounds which is the abode for Bhootas and Pretas. Besides that, saints craving for liberation like to meditate in burial grounds. Hence I stay in burial grounds.” said Maha Siva.

“But why you apply ashes to your body, wear Trishool and wear bones, skulls and snakes as ornaments. Why you appear so frightful and fearful.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! The entire creation is divided into two kinds. Hot and Cold. Soft and fearful. The entire Universe is admixture of Softness and fearfulness. Softness is borne by Vishnu. I bear the fearfulness. Hence I appear to be frightful and fearful always.” replied Maha Siva.

“O Parama Siva! Kindly explain me about Varna Ashrama Dharmas” asked Parvati. Maheswars told thus:

MAHA BHARATA
AANUSAASANIKA PARVA
FOURTH CHAPTER COMPLETED.
OM TATSAT OMTATSAT OMTATSAT.

MAHABHARAT
Aaanusaasanika Parva
Fifth chapter. VA

On the occasion of Satra Yaga, Sooti told Sounaka and other sages and saints, the story of Mahabharata, as told by Saint Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya. When Goddess Parvati asked Parama Siva about Varna Ashrama Dharmas, Maha Siva told thus:

“O Parvati! In the past, for the welfare of this Loka, Lord Brahma created four castes. They are Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysya and Soodra. Brahmins were born from the face of Brahma, Kshatriyas from shoulders, Vysyas from thighs and Sudras from feet. That was the reason why differences arose between those four castes and their duties.

Brahmins are the basis for this Loka. If they are insulted, it would cause hardship. If they are worshipped and regarded, they flourish. Brahmins shall not be accused whether he is poor or rich, educated or illiterate. If Brahmins are insulted, not only in this world but in other world also they would not enjoy pleasures. Accusing Brahmins is equivalent to accusing God. Grabbing the moneys of Brahmins equivalent to grabbing God’s wealth.

The duties of Brahmins are--studying vedas, performing Yajnas; making others to perform Yajnas, teaching vedas to others, receiving Dana from others; maintaining peaceful mind; soft spoken; performing tapas, always speaking truth; maintaining cleanliness; etc. These are the duties of Brahmins. Unless he is great trouble, he cannot undertake business. Brahmins shall perform Agnihotra daily.He shall not receive anything from Sudras. He shall not look at others’ wives and enjoy pleasures with his own wife. He shall take food twice a day. He shall not indulge in violence. He shall maintain cleanliness in his house and surroundings. Heshall worship guests and offer them food. He shall perform Tapas. For maintaing and protect Dharma only Brahma created Brahmins.

Protecring Brahmins is the utmost Dharma of Kshatriyas. Kshatriyas shall protect all beings on the face of the earth. On account of Kshatriyas only, the mothe earth flourishes. Under the rule of Kshatriyas, all people live happily. Kshatriyas shall study Vedas; perform Yajnas; perform charities; feed and protect virtuous people; punish wrong doers. King shall alwlays be enthusiastic and courageous. Kshatriyas shall acquire expertise in archery skills. Kshatriya shall impose taxes on people tothe extentof 1/6th of their income. While administering justice, King shall be impartial. These are the duties of Kshatriyas.

The following are the duties of Vysyas. Vysyas shall always be interested in the welfare of the society. Vysyas shall aways be helpful to others. They shall work hard. Their main occupations are trade and commerce. Vysyas may also study vedas and perform Yajnas and Danas. By performing fUpanayana samskara, they are Dwijas. They also shall worship guests and offer them food.

The main duty of Sudras is to serve the above three castes with devotion and help them in their day to day affairs.

O Parvati! now I tell you about Ashrama Dharmas. The first is Brahmacharya. During Brahmacharya, one shall learn Vedas and Sastras under the guidance of Guru. He shall study Vedas and perform Agni hotra daily. He shall bring food for himself and for Guru.

Next is Grihastha Ashram.This is the foundation for other Ashrams. During this Ashram, one should maintain cleanliness; satisfy with his own wife; perform five Yajnas; study vedas; perform charities; perform Homas etc.

Next comes Vanaprastha. During this Ashram, one shall maintain Brahmacharya; take vegetarian food; wear cotton clothes; abandon all desires etc.

Last one is Sanyasa. Sanyasi never gets angry. Sanyasi shall control his sense organs; shall not preserve anything for himself; maintain patience; take part in satsangas with sages and saints in forests; keep his mind always peaceful; maintain purity in mind and character; maintain cleanliness; speak truth always; fetch food only by alms; sleep on floor; and be kind towards other creatures. These are the dharmas of Sanyasi” told Siva to Parvati.

“O Lord Siva! Saints perform Tapas. Tell me about it” asked Parvati.

“Generally, sages and saints perform Tapas for accomplishment of some desires. But Tapas is a dharma to be adopted during Vanaprastha. Before performing Tapas, one shall maintain control over sense organs and perform Yoga both morning and evening. If tapas is performed only for the sake of desires, they attain heavenly pleasures after death. After the fruits of tapas are exhausted, they again come back to this mortal world. They cannot attain Moksha. Some others perform Tapas without taking any food, amidst fires. After death, they also enjoy pleasures in heaven and come back to earth after their fruits of tapas are exhausted.

People who perform Tapas without any desires, always maintain non-violence as Vrata. Either by mind, speech or act, they never cause harm to others. They are kind and compassionate towards other creatures. They feel that Atma is one and same in all creatures. Such people after death enjoy heavenly plelasures. After the fruits of their Tapas are exhausted, they again take birth on this earth.” said Siva to Parvati.

“O Siva! kindly tell me about Upavasa and its effects.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Upavasa means, fasting, sleeping on ground; maintaining silence; performing Yoga asanas, taking limited food at regular timings; etc. All these have to be strictly followed during Vanaprashta. As a result, they attain chandra loka, vayu loka, yaksha loka, gandharva loka, naga loka etc.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maha Siva! sanyasis go round all the houses and receive alms to fill their belly. Kindly tell me about them.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvarti! Such people observe fasting often. They will be roaming. They never stay at a fixed place. They visit all holy places and have holy dip in rivers. They live by alms. Their bodies deteriorate day by day. They cook grains and consume them. After death, they attain heavenly pleasures.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maha Siva! kindly enlighten me about Vaikhanasas?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Vaikhanasas observe strict discipline. They gather grains from fields, hull them and cook them. They consume fruits. Some live only by water and some by air. Some take sumptuous food. Vaikhanasas are liked by Indra. After death, they attain heaven. Vaikhanasa vrata shall be observed during Vanaprastha. All these come under Tapas.

There is one more category. Their bodies are of thumb long. They are called Valakhilyas.They live by consuming only sun rays as food. They perform Tapas always. The entire universe is sustained only by their Tapas.

O Parvati! now I tell you about Dharmas. Of all Dharmas, Grihastha Dharma is greatest. During Grihastha Dharma, excessiveness is not required. Equilibrium shall be maintained. Grihastu shall discharge his duties timely and regularly without delay. He shall keep his mind stable always. He shall earn money by lawful means. He shall enjoy sensual pleasures according to Dharma. That is called Grihastha Dharma.

Now I tell you about Nivruthi dharma. Nivruthi dharma is a path to Moksha. Nivruthi Dharma means speaking truth, control of sense organs, bhoota daya, discarding desires, keeping the mind stable etc. Besides the above, worshipping guests and offering them food is the utmost dharma. Worshipping guests is possible only during Grihastha Ashram and not in other Ashrams. Therefore, of all Ashrams, Grihastha Ashram is best.” said Maheswara.

“O Parama Siva! what are the main duties of Grihastu?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! during Grihastha Ashram, wife shall always serve her husband with greatest devotion. Therefore, devotion towards husband is the foremost dharma.” said Maheswara.

“O Parama Siva! If the parents die or husband dies, what would be the duties of a male and female respectively? asked Parvati.

“On expiry of parents, one has to perform Pitru Tarapana, and worship deities and guests. Ladies who lost their husbands, shall follow Brahmacharya. Grihastu shall not join her wife on Ashtami, Chaturdasi, Pournami and Amavasya. If the grain is eaten away by rats, he shall not kill them.” said Maheswara.

“O Parama Siva! Kings also are equal to ordinary human beings because both of them have same body and limbs, thirst and hunger, bathing and eating etc. But why King is considered greater than all. In which way he is greater. Why should others prostrate before him. Why kings are conferred with extraordinary powers and behave like autocrats. What is the reason?” asked Parvati.

“Kingship is derived out of Tapas performed in the previous birth. That is the reason why King is respected by one and all. He got the power to punish wrong doers and protect law abiding citizens. But King shall be virtuous and honest. His honesty protects him always. If King is honest, all his subjects remain honest. King shall conquer his own sense organs. Then only he can conquer his outward enemies.

King shall appoint honest and virtuous people as his Ministers. He shall be kind towards the soldiers working under him. Then only the army will be loyal to the King. King shall make friendship only with those who are friends in need. King’s honesty and virtue earn him wealth and fame.

King shall not indulge in unnecessary expenditure and shall not refrain from spending money for necessary things. King shall not ignore his own safety. King shall always perform virtuous deeds and shall be away from sinful acts. While administering justice, he shall be impartial. He shall collect information from spies about his rule and mend himself. King shall always speak truth. King shall not be harsh while talking with others. King must be learned. While dealing with friends and foes, he shall maintain tact and shall not lose temper. He shall be kind towards poor and needy. These are the duties of a King.

King shall not pick up quarrel with others unnecessarily. If necessary, he shall show his vigour and valour to his enemies. King shall perform Yajnas and Yagas. If King acts immorally and illegally, hell is certain for him. His sins never leave him. Birth by birth, they haunt him. One, who rules his Kingdom following the above dharma, attains heavenly pleasures.” said Parama Siva.

“O Parama Siva! Out of all dharmas, what is the best dharma.” asked Parvati.

“Ahimsa (non violance) is the best of all dharmas.” said Maheswara.

“O Parama Siva! It is not possible for a human being to live happily without violence. How can he follow nonviolance? asked Parvati.

“What you said is true. Without causing harm to the insects like ants, mosquitos,bugs,bacteria, man cannot lead his life. But killing birds and animals for the sake of food is sinful. One can consume leaves, fruits,milk and other vegetarian food instead of killing birds and animals. Therefore, observing non-violence is not impossible.

Non-violence can be defined in another manner also. Birth and death is natural phenomenon. Non can escape it. One lights a lamp. Some insects gather around the lamp. They die. The person who lit the lamp is not a sinner. While a farmer is ploughing his field, several ants, ring worms, insects die under the plough. The man who ploughs the land is not afflicted with that sin. While people are leading their daily routine life, several creatures die of their own accord. Feeling that they themselves killed those insects is foolishness.

Either to do a virtuous deed or wrongful deed, intellect is essential. A man derives the fruits of an act if he does that act wilfully and voluntarily. Several cows approached Ranti Deva and offered themselves as sacrifice in the Yajna performed by Rantideva. After death, those cows attained higher regions. Rantideva was not afflicted with the sin of killing cows.

During war, soldiers kill each other. The soldiers killed in war attain Veera Svarga. Therefore, killing in war cannot be said as violance. Hunting is Raja Dharma. While cruel animals destroy paddy fields and kill domestic animals and humans, Kings go for hunting and kill those cruel animals. Those cruel animals attain higher regions. Therefore, hunting cannot be treated as violance.

There is another instance. King administers justice. Acquitting a criminal and punishing innocent amounts to violence. Cruelty towards brahmins and innocent persons amounts to violence. You know about Indra who was punished by a Brahmin, Goutama. You know about the fate of Nahusha who teased Seven Saints. Therefore, King shall not cause cause any harm to virtuous brahmins.

Parvati! during Yajnas and Yagas animals are killed as per rituals according to Veda. Those animals attain higher regions. The person who performs that Yajna also attains higher regions. Hence killing animals in Yajnas and Yagas is not sinful.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! Kindly tell about the way life of human beings on earth.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! This human world is Land of Karma. Heaven is an abode of pleasures. Taking birth as animals on earth is misery.One has to earn money to lead a virtuous life and fulfil desires. Education, business, service, agriculture are sources to earn money. An educated shall lead an unblemished life. Farmer cultivates the land with the knowledge about nature of the land. A business man does his business knowing about the raise and fall of rates of commodities. He shall expend only part of his profits and add the remaining profits to capital. Then only the business will be profitable. A cowherd can control cattle only after knowing about the behaviour of cattle. A servant shall not deceive his master. One who serves his master with loyalty earns money and name. The main dharmas of human being are not to aspire for other’s wealth, not to aspire for other’s wife; but to worship divine bodies and pitaras; to show kindness towards poor and needy; and worship guests and offer them food.

“O Maheswara! human beings are divided into four castes and their duties are prescribed. How those duties are accomplished?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! As you said, human beings are divided into four categories and specified duties are prescribed for them. If they perform those duties honestly with greatest devotion, they attain Punya and enjoy heavenly pleasures. Soon after the Punya is exhausted, they again take birth in the same caste and enjoy pleasures on earth also. If anybody abandons his own duties and performs duties of other castes, after death, they take birth in the same castes. If they acquire more Punya, they take birth in Brahmin caste and attain Moksha.

Some are born with divine qualities. They never frustrate for miseries and overjoyous for wealth. They never feel pride or anger. They always maintain cordial relations with friends and relatives. They are kind towards poor and help them. They are always pleasant.” said Maheswara.

“O Maheswara! Some human beings enjoy plealsures and happiness and some suffer miseries and poverty. What is the reason?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! this is all due to the resuslts of their deeds in previous birth. A miser who did not give a single pie or fistful of food to poor, he suffers misery and poverty in next birth. He suffers for minimum food and clothing in next birth. A virtuous man who rescued his friends and relatives, poor and needy in their hard times, in next birth he will born with silver spoon and enjoy all kinds of plealsures on earth. Therefore, miseries and happiness are due to their past deeds in their previous births.

O Parvati! some are born rich but never consumes sumptuous food. They cannot enjoy pleasures and happiness inspite of their riches. They always suffer poverty mentally. Do you know the reason? In their previous birth, they never gave a fistful of food to others. But with the force of their friends and relatives, they might have done some charities unwillingly. Such persons cannot enjoy pleasures in their next birth inspite of their riches.

Some persons, though born poor, with the help of friends and relatives, they live happily without suffering for food and clothing. Such persons, in their previous birth, strongly thought of making charities to poor and needy though they did not have capacity to make charities. Hence they live happily in next birth, though they are poor.

Some get riches without making any effort. Such persons, in their previous birth, might have helped poor and needy by making Annadaana and Vastra daana, unasked for. Hence they got riches effortlessly in next birth.

Some earn huge moneys with great effort. Such persons, in their previous birth, might have helped poor and needy by making Anna daana and Vastra daana, whenever they are asked.

Inspite of making huge efforts also, some never get a single pie. Such people were misers in their previous birth. They never said “no” and make poor and needy to go round his house number of times and atlast say “No”.

Some get enormous wealth during their old age. Such persons in their previous birth might not have done any charities during their young age and did some charities during their old age.

Some are born rich but due to their multiple diseases they cannot consume sumputous food and lead a miserable life. Such persons, during their previous birth, might have abstained from making any charities while they were healthy but made charities while they were suffering with diseases.

O Parvati! those who are born beautiful in this birth, were pure vegetarians in their previous birth

Those who are born ugly in this birtn were those who heckled ugly people in their previous birth

Those who fixed with one wife in their previous birth beget a beautiful,virtuous wife in the nextr birth

If anybody subjected his wife to cruelty in previous birth, will be deserted by his wife in nextbirth

Those who are suffering with poverty inspite of their good education and learning, are those who did not make charities in previous birth inspite of awareness of making charities.

Those who are uneducated but rich in this birth, are those who made charities to poor and needy though he was illiterate in previous birth.

Those who are educated and learned in this birth are those who served their teachers with devotion and learnt education and who taught to others what they learnt, in their previous birth

Some people are unable to learn anything in this birth inspite of their best efforts. In their previous, they were wise and learned but insulted his colleagues without any reason

Those who are living happily with their wife and children without any diseases in this birth are those who spoke truth always and those who were kind towards others in their previous birth.

Those who possess foolish wife and children and who suffer with deseases in this birth are those who were greedy, wrathful and pride in their previous birth

Those who are blind by birth or who lost sight in middle in this birth are those who eyed with lust others’ wifes in previous birth.

Those who suffer with abdominal diseases are those who administered poison to others in their previous birth.

Those who are suffering urinal problems in this birth, are those who raped married and unmarried ladies in previous birth

Those who are suffering with TB are those who stole the food meant for others in previous birth

Those who are suffering with Leprosy in this birth are those who subjected others to severe cruelty in previous birth.

Those who lost legs are those who broke the legs of others in previous birth

Those who are suffering with skin diseases are those who teased virtuous people in previous birth

Those who are suffering with diseases to his feet are those who entered sanctum sanctorium of God without washing his feet and those who kicked poor and innocent with their legs in previous birth.
Those who are suffering with constant fever, abdominal diseases and diseases throughout body are those who killed pet and innocent animals, and who hurt their teachers in previous birth.

Those who are mad and insane in this birth are those who deceived innocent and earned money in previous birth.
Those who do not have children in this birth are those who did not perform Sraadha Karma to their Pitaras and who killed infants and children in their previous birth.

Those who are impotent in this birth are those who made oxen impotent in previous birth.

Those who are widows in this birth are those who deceived their husbands and lived in adultery in their previous birth.

Those who are suffering under their cruel masters are those who beat innocent people and subjected them to cruelty in their previous birth

Those are punished for the offence which they did not commit are those whopunished innocent in previous birth.

Those who lost their wife, children, relatives in this birth are those who massacred innocent people mercilessly in previous birth.

Those who suffer by losing their riches and wealth are those who resorted to cheating and breach of trust in previous birth.

O Parvati! generally people suffer their sins in next birth not in the same birth. If one commits less sins in previous birth take next birth as human being.” said Parameswara to Parvati.

“O Parameswara! you said that people suffer their sins in next birth. But, generally, people undergo punishment at the hands of Judges in the same birth. That amounts to suffering of their sins in the same birth. Does it not run contra to what you said” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Judges punish the culprits impartially. But those punishments are the result of their sins in previous birth but not of the present birth. The sins of this birth will be carried forward to next birth always.”said Siva.

“O Siva! After being punished by the King, is he absolved of his sins committed by him or not.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! those who are punished by King can escape another punishment from Yama. But he is not absolved of suffering of his sinful acts committed by him in previous birth. He shall suffer the result of his sinful acts in next birth as I said earlier.

“O Siva! you are saying that one has to suffer the result of his sinful acts in next birth. But Vedas say that those sins can be wiped out by performing Prayaschitta (by expiation process). Which is correct?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! both are correct. Prayaschitta (expiation) is meant only for the sins committed unknowingly and without his volition and intention. But if any sinful act is committed knowingly or voluntarily, he has to undergo punishment in next birth.” said Parama siva.

“O Siva! You used the word “voluntarily”. Whether human being does all acts voluntarily or whether he does under the influence of planets.

“O Parvati! according to the movement of planets, human being acts in the outside world. But he is responsible for all his acts. Planets are in no way connected with the acts he did because planets are not getting those acts done by him. Hence he is the master of his own acts, not the planets.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! what is death? what are its characteristics?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Atma is eternal. Body is mortal. Body is subject to decay due to old age and diseases. When the body becomes useless, Jeevatma leaves this body. That is death. Taking another body by Jeevatma is birth. Humans are going round this birth and death circle.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! While youngsters and children are dying at their early age, old people are living for long. How is it possible.

“O Parvati! time decays the body but does not kill it. As a result of their past deeds, the life of human beings prolongs or decreases. If life prolongs, he lives for many years. If life decreases, he dies early.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! how and by which means the life of human being prolongs or decreases?” asked Parvati.

“ If human being lives peacefully, his life is prolonged. Worries, restlessness and sorrows decrease the life. One has to be habituated to forgiveness, truthfulness, cleanliness, kindness, devotion towards teachers increase one’s life. Great wrath, speaking lies, cruealty, dirty habits, hating teachers decrease one’s life.

O Parvati! by performing Tapas, following Brahmacharya, taking limited food, taking medicines regularly, life increases. Observing the above habits also is due to the result of his acts in previous birth.

Human beings who acquired Punya in previous birth, go to heaven. After enjoying heavenly pleasures, he returns back to earth as human being. Such people are blessed with long life. Human beings who acquired Papa (sin) in previous birth, go to hell (naraka). After undergoing severe punishments in hell, he returns back to earth as human being with short life. Such people always meet accidental or untimely deaths.” said Maha Siva.

“O Paramasiva! There are males and females in human beings. Whether Jeevatma in both males and females is same or different.?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! whether he is male or female, Jeevatama is one and the same. Jeevatma has no difference of gender. Mind, intellect, egoism are same in both males and females. All bodies, either male or female, are made up of five elements and their attributes. For the acts done by males or females, jeevatma is not responsible. With the influence of Satva, Rajas and Tamas, males or females do their acts. Jeevatma remains as a silent spectator.

Speaking truth, kindness towards others, cleanliness are the qualities of satva. Greediness, egoism, selfishness are the qualities of Rajas. Telling lies, cruelty, fearfulness, laziness, timidness, consuming alcohol and remain in unconscious state always and sleeplessness are the qualities of Tamas.

Satva qualities attain Punyalokas. Rajas qualities cause human birth. Tamas qualities cause birth in beasts and birds. One who is above these qualities attain Moksha. At times, the results are different and reverse.

Masters threatening servants to extract more work is not a sin. Similarly, doctor giving medicines and operating the body of patient, for curing the diseases is not a sin. Teacher punishing student for imparting education is not a sin. Master, doctor, teacher get good results for their acts.

Births are of three kinds viz., from womb, from eggs and from sweat. These creatures got all limbs. Plants sprouted from seeds got only touch sense. Of all the creatures born from womb, human being is greatest. Human being got the power of discretion beetween dharma and adharma. Without discretionary power, human being is equal to beast.

O Parvati! darkness is of two kinds. First occurs after sunset. Second is ignorance. First disappears soon after sunrise. Second ends with awareness. To eradicate darkness from the minds of human beings, Brahma created vedas, sastras etc. By studying Vedas and Sastras human being develops the power of discretion.

Study of Vedas and Sastras roots out the bad qualities of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya (arishadvargas). Such a person, even if he acquires smaller amount of Punya, gets enormous results. Without study of Vedas and Sastras, even one performs number of virtuous deeds, he gets only smaller amount of result.” said Maheswara.

Maheswara continued to say:

“O Parvati! Some human beings, take another birth immediately after their death. Hence he gets the knowledge of past birth, in the next birth. By attaining age, such knowledge dininishes and he forgets the memories of past birth and remain as normal human being. These are very rare. But getting the knowledge of past birth proves the fact that there is a rebirth after death.

There are instances where the person who is clinically dead get back his life. Such instnaces occur when servants of Yama commit a mistake in picking up jeevas from mortal bodies. When that mistake is rectified, those jeevas will be sent back to their original bodies. These instances are also rare of the rarest.” said Maheswara.’’

“ O Mahadeva! what is meant by dream.How it occurs?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! while the human beings are at sleep, sense organs viz., eyes, nose, hands, legs etc. do not function. Only mind functions. The vision of mind itself is dream. At times, mind perceives future in dreams.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! human beings acts in the outside world. Whether they are acting of their own accord or at the command of God?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! God never acts. But God extends his help and also rewards human beings for their good deeds. What is to be done is the decision of human beings. God has no concern. Human being decides himself to do or not to do any act, as per the results of his deeds in past life.

Acting in outside world is like doing cultivation. God gives us air and water. Unless we dig the earth, we cannot get water. Unless one churns with Arani, he cannot get fire. Whateverbe the act, manual attempt is necessary. Then only God helps us. Without making any manual attempt, depending solely on God does not yield any result. Therefore, for any act or deed, manual attempt is prerequisite. Then only God helps us.” said Siva.

“O Parameswara! you said that after death, Jeeva enters another body. How Jeeva enters the womb of another body.” asked Parvati.

“When male and female join together, (Veerya) semen from male mixes with Soanitha of female and enters the womb of female and forms into an egg. For this process, manual attempt and divine help are necessary. In this connection, I tell you a divine secret.

In the past, human beings had memories of previous birth. Hence, human beings corrected themselves time to time and attain Punya. After death, they go to heaven and enjoy heavenly pleasures. As a result, every human being was going to heaven and there was heavy rush in heaven. Providing heavenly pleasures for human beings had become a difficult task for divine bodies. All divine bodies prayed Brahma for a solution. Brahma withdrew the power of memory of past birth to human beings. In that place, Brahma created desires, lust, passion, anger, greediness etc. in human beings. As a result, desires of human beings increased day by day. To accomplish those desires, human beings indulged in bad deeds. If the desires are not fulfilled, they get angry. In that wrath, they commit great sins. As a result, the inflow of human beings to heaven considerably decreased. But the inflow to hell considerably increased. Brahma maintained equilibrium between the heaven and hell. As a result of the arrangement made by Brahma, human beings lost the power of memorising past birth and acquired the knowledge of past birth only through vedas and scriptures.” said Parameswara.

“O Siva! on earth some believe re-birth and some do not believe. Human beings are entertaining this doubt since times immemorial. Can you enlighten me about re-birth.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! This doubt arose not only in human beings but also in divine bodies. There is no definite opinion about it. But as per Vedas and scriptures, there is rebirth.” said Parameswara.

“O Parameswara! soon after death, human beings leave this body. Without body, how Yama takes him to Yamaloka?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! soon after death, jeeva leaves this body. Servants of Yama put Jeeva in another subtile body and take it to Yamaloka. If they did virtuous deeds, they will be produced before Yama who sends them to Punya Lokas. If they did less virtuous deeds, they will be sent back to earth to take birth as human beings. If they committed sins, they will be sent to hell.” said Siva.

“O Parameswara! What is hell. Tell me about it.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Beneath earth, there are five hells. They are Rourava, Harourava, Kantakavana, Agnikunda, Panchakashta. As per the sins committed by humans, they will be sent to above hells where their subtile bodies are burnt, cut, beaten, bit by dogs, bit by insects etc. After undergoing those punishments, first they take birth as insects and then as animals and at last as human beings.” said Eswara.

“O Siva! You told about sins. What are sins? What are their characteristics?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Human being commits sins in three ways, viz., with mind, with speach and with body. Weeping for other’s wealth and trying to steal it; sadistic mentality of enjoying untoward incidents happened in his presence and not trying to avert them; causing hurdles to the virtuous deeds and trying to stop them; ...these are all sins committed by mind.

Telling lies; abusing others; speaking harsh words about others; ... these are all sins committed by speech.

Kicking, beating and killing; wrongful confinement; overeating; drinking wine; raping, adultery..... these are all sins committed by body. Of all these sins, consuming liquor is a greatest sin. Consequences of drinking are hazardous. Consuming liquor throws human being into hell.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maheswara! you told me about Papa (sins). Kindly tell me about Punya (virtuous deeds)?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Punya are of three kinds. They are Ouparamika, Nirapakarana and Sopakarana. Ouparamika means abstaining from doing wrong deeds. This needs no money. Intention in mind is sufficient. By observing this, he enjoys pleasures. Abstaining from doing wrong deeds is in our hands. If we are unable to abstain from wrong deeds, hell is certain. Simply abstaining from doing wrong deeds is not sufficient. It should be followed by studying Vedas, scriptures, puranas etc and also follow them scrupulously. Controlling of mind and sense organs is a must. By observing above, one can enjoy pleasures both on earth and in heaven.

Nirupakarana means cleanliness (Soucha). Simply cleaning the body is not sufficient. Mind also shall be kept clean and pure. One shall speak truth; maintain peace; control sense organs; control mind; perform vratas and upavasas and maintain good character and brahmacharya. This is called Nirupakarana.

The Soucha(cleanliness) is of two kinds. Bahya Soucha (Outward Soucha) and abhyantara soucha (inside Soucha). Bahya Soucha means keeping the body clean and neat; consuming neat food; speaking and acting what he sees and hears: and speaking truth always. Abhyantara Suchi means keeping the mind clean, uninfluenced by any desires or passions.

By taking holy dip in holy rivers, only body will be clean. Rivers confluence with sea are called Thirthas. By taking holy dip in those rivers, one attains Punya because several sages and saints might have taken holy dip in those rivers.

The third one is Sopakarana. Performing charities, Pitara ceremonies, and worship of God are called Sopakarana. Grahasthas give away their money earned by lawful means to virtuous brahmins who studied Veda, as charity and acquire Punya.

These charities are of three kinds. Giving away money beyond his capacity is best. Giving away money upto his might is better. Not giving anything to others, though he got capacity to give is worst. By making Danas, people acquire Punya. Some repent themselves after making Danas. Some give wide publicity to the Danas they made. Both will not get the benefit of such Danas. Danas shall always be made without others knowledge.” said Paramasiva.

“O Paramasiva! Kindly tell me about the things to be given in charity” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! out of all Danas, food and water are best. By offering food and water to guests, poor and needy, they attain heavenly pleasures. Then comes gold which is equivalent to fire. Giving away gold is equivalent to giving away fire. Next comes cows. By performing Godaana, they remain in heaven for long time. Next comes Bhoodaana. By performing Bhoodaana, they remain in heaven as along as earth remains. Then comes Kanyadaana. By performing Kanyadaana, Yama and other deities satisfy. Next comes Vidya daanaa. Imparting education shall be made only to those who are eligible. Some may be illiterate and they cannot impart education to others. They may get the education imparted to others by spending money and appointing teachers.

“O Maheswara! kindly tell me about performing of Yajnas and Yagas.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Yajnas are of two kinds. One is Vaidika Yajna and second is Loukika Yajna. Vaidika Yajna may be performed by Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas by spending their lawfully earned money. Performing Yajnas with the help of Ritviks is called Vaidika Yajna. Performing Poojas, taking processions, arranging musical and dance programmes, offering dhoopa, deepa, naivedyams, chariot processions etc are all called Loukika Yajnas. Both are dearest to deities. Performing the above Yajnas are best and acquire Punya. Both Deva Yajnas and Loukika Yajnas shall be performed with great concentration and devotion. They shall not performed with absentmindedness or feeling for the expenditure. In such case, they may not attain the fruits of those Yajnas.” said Maheswara.

“O Parameswara! you told me about Deva Yajnas. Kindly enlighten me about Pitru Yajnas also.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Performing Pinda Pradana to Pitaras at Varanasi, Gaya, Prayaaga gives enormous results. For performing Pitara Yajnas, Magha, Bhadrapada Bahula Paksha, Amavasya, Dwadasi, Navami are best, that too during after noon only. While performing Pitara Yajnas, one shall not get angry. The mind shall be clean and pure. Sukla Paksha, morning times, even Tidhis are not suitable for Pitara Karmas.

Brahmins who studied Vedas shall be called for Nimantrana (means taking part in Pitara Karmas). Persons with diseases, handicapped, equal Gotra people, widower are not eligible for Pitara Karmas. Other caste people are not suitable. While performing Pitara Karmas, Brahmins shall be worshipped by offering chandan, flowers, new clothes and sumptuous food. Then Pinda Pradana be performed.” said Parama Siva.

“O Parama Siva! You said that soon after death, humans take another birth. If so, for whom and for what purpose these Pitara ceremonies are performed?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! the doubt you expressed is a divine secret. Pitaras are also equal to Divine bodies. Divine bodies stay northwards and Pitaras stay southwards. Divine worshipis called Havya and Pitara worship is called Kavya. If Pitara ceremonies are performed, pitaras satisfy and bless him with wealth and prosperity. Pitaras are worshipped by divine bodies, Asuras, Garudas, Yakshas etc.

O Parvati! one who gets small amount gives away the entire amount is equal to one who gets big amount and gives away the entire amount to others as charity. Therefore, charities shall be made according to might. But all charities shall be made with love and affection and not with malice.

O Parvati! I tell you about some more dharmas. Come to the rescue of people suffering with diseases by supplying medicines to them; helping others who are in troubles and in need; offering food and water to pilgrims; performing funeral ceremonies to uncared for dead bodies; consoling those who are suffering with troubles; are main dharmas to be observed by humans” said Maheswara.

“O Maheswara, I heard that Dharma are of four kinds. Kindly enlighten me about them.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! I now explain about dharmas enunciated in Vedas and Sastras. Dharmas are of five kinds. Jati dharma, Kula dharma, Gana dharma, Sareera dharma and Kala dharma” said Maheswara.

“O Maheswara! tell me about the pleasures in Punya Lokas” asked Parvati.

“In Punya Lokas, the flowers blosom as per the seasons. There Amrutha is staple food. Clothes are stainless. Ornaments shine always. All move friendly in Punya lokas. All are of Satva guna. There is no place for anger, greediness etc. Except pleasure thereis nothing. No diseases and old age. Eternal plelasure prevails always.” said Maheswara.

“O Maheswara! after death, who decide about who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?” asked Parvati.

“Those who do not cause harm to others; those who lead virtuous life; those who worship teachers and learned; those who speak truth always; who who are kind towards poor and needy; those who worship guests are all eligible to go to heaven.

Those who are harsh in speech; those who always tell lies; those who grab others’ property; those who lust others’ wives always; those who hate their friends and relatives; those who always keep company with wrong doers; those who develop hatredness towards virtuous people; are all eligible to go to hell.

“O Maheswara! there are several dharmas. What is the best of all?” asked Parvati.

“ O Parvati! purushardhas are four. Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha. The pleasures derived from the first three viz., Dharma, Ardha and Kama, are temporary and liable to be vanished at any moment. The last one Moksha is eternal and imperishable. Therefore, Moksha is best of all the four purushardhas.

Now I tell you how to get Moksha. After attaining Grihastha Ashram, one discharges all debts viz., Devaruna, Pitru runa, Rushiruna, Manushyaruna. Then he goes to Varaprastha. There he lives in forests in calm atmosphere with stable mind. He learns Sankhya from sages and saints in forests. Sankhya means the knowledge about 25 tatvas. Then he practices Yoga. Sankhya and Yoga are one and the same. Then he conquers pleasures and sorrows, likes and dislikes etc., duals. He observes cleanliness, brahmacharya, peaceful life and limited food habits. He turns his mind towards Paramatma. After removing all hurdles, he proceeds towards Moksha. This is Moksha dharma. Mosha dharma is attained through constant practice. Moksha liberates human being from birth and death cycle. Unless one is aversed towards Samsara, he cannot travel towards Moksha.

O Parvati! Unless one abandons all his sorrows, desires, aspirations, greediness etc., and attains equality and equal feeling, he cannot develop aversion and dispassion towards worldly affairs. Dispassion and aversion towards worldly affairs develops in the following manner. One shall not mind and feel even if his nearest relatives die or even if he loses his entire wealth. Lamenting for the expired relatives increases the sorrow and never diminishes. Therefore, lamentation is unnecessary. Pleasures and sorrows are coming and going one after other. Even Devendra was afflicted with pleasures and sorrows, one by one.

All the creatures visible to the naked eye are subject to change and decay. One who realises this truth never laments. Therefore, it is unwise to lament for those who are destined to die. Receiving other’s properties and being avaricious are also unwise. One who receives wealth from others binds himself as silkworm binds itself with silk thread.

O Parvati! The main avocations of human being are earning money, spending money, aspiring for money and lamenting for the money lost. Therefore, for all kinds of sorrows, money is root cause. Without money, there is no sorrow. Avarice for money destroys human being. There is no sorrow greater than avarice. Avarice accompanies human being from birth and accompanies him till death. Therefore, avarice is a dreadful disease which takes away the life of human being.

Desires sprout one after another. Desires never die until they are accomplished. Fire never extinguishes by pouring ghee. Similarly, if one desire is accomplished, another desire sprouts. It is never ending process. Unless one controls his desires, he suffers a lot. Human being shall control his sense organs. If we let loose our sense organs, they indulge in many untowards incidents and cause hardship to human being. If one controls his sense organs, he enjoys enormous pleasures both on earth and in heaven.

For those who are always engaged in earning money, spending money and enjoying sensual pleasures, mruthyu lurks behind them always. His money, his charities never save him from mruthyu. Death is imminent for those who are born. Moksha is the only solution to get rid of this birth and death cycle.

Whilel Days, months and years are passing, human being comes near his death. His span of life diminishes day by day. Therefore, waste of time and laziness shall be put an end.. One who realises that his life span diminishes day by day, he gets aversion towards Samsara. That aversion leads to liberation. O Parvati! one who discards desire towards worldly pleasures, he can conquer his mind and attains Liberation from birth and death cycle.

O Parvati! now I tell you about Sankhya Yoga. Sankhya Yoga is the best medicine to liberate from Samsara. Sankhya Yogis attain liberation by acquiring Jnana. Performing Tapas and making this body decayed is wasteful effort. Acquiring Jnana only leads to Moksha. Prikriti is also called Avyakta. From out of the Prakriti, Mahat tatva, Ahankara, mind, sense organs, five elements, their attributes were born. All are put together 24. The 25th Tatva is Atma. This Atma is influenced by Satva, Rajas and Tamas. This invisible prakriti is an atom. Atom is one and it is indivisible and invisible. This is the main element for creation.

Pleasure, satisfaction, splendour are the qualities of Satva. Pleasures and sorrows, likes and dislikes etc., duals are the qualities of Rajas. Ignorance; fear, delusion that he is aware of all, over confidence; laziness are the qualities of tamas. These three elements are inherent in every human being, ofcourse, with smaller and larger quantities.

If one is endowed with Satva, he is always jubilant, and shines with splendour. If one is endowed with Rajas, always influenced by anger and sorrow. If one is endowed with Tamas, he wants everything for himself and laments for not fulfilling those desires. If the human being is not influenced by any of these three elements, he conquers his sense organs. According to the results of his deeds influenced by the above three lements, Jeeva takes birth as divine body, human body or as beast , bird or insect.

Mahat Tatva is also called intellect. Intellect is the sign of awareness and knowledge. Ahankara is the root cause for the entire creation. If Ahankara is discarded, liberation is attained. Next is mind. Mind acts in the outside world through sense organs.

This body is made up of five elements and their attributes. This body is not Atma. Body is different from Atma. Jeevatma shines in the body in invisible form. Human beings always are in delusion that they are the body and everything is done by them only. Whoever thinks that he is different from body and whoever turns his mind from Prakriti to Paramatma, he attains liberation. Liberation is not possible unless passion towards body is diminished. This Tatva is 25th Tatva. It shines devoid of Prakriti.

Above this 25th Tatva, there is Paramatma Tatva. It is 26th Tatva. This Tatva is eternal, all pervasive and omnipotent and omnipresent, not visible to sense organs. It is called Paramatma. This is the abode of Moksha.

O Parvati! This Sankhya Yoga was enunciated by Saint Kapila. Now I tell you about Yoga. Body, sense organs, mind, intellect, atma are all one and the same. They are not different. This is Yoga. Performing Agnihotra daily, less talking, possessiong satva, making charities, studying vedas, maintaining cleanliness always; speaking truth..... are all good qualities which perish all sins. Then only, one is eligible to practice Yoga.

Before practising Yoga, one has to cosntrol his mind and maintain cleanliness. One has to sit on a soft seat, by keeping his body straight from waist to head. Sense organs and mind shall be combined together. Mind to be turned towards Atma. Prana and apaana air shall be regulated. In this manner, Prana air goes up to head. Jeevatma shines as Paramatma.

For practising Yoga, laziness, absentmindedness, over avarice, teasing others, diseases, dreams, greediness, fear, lust, wrath, strong desire to enjoy pleasures, ficklemindedness etc are bitter enemies. Those who are endowed with the above qualities are not fit to practice Yoga. If Yoga is practiced with great devotion, he may attain Ashta Siddhis. Such Yogi can go anywhere as he likes. Such Yogi shall not sleep constantly. He shall take limited food. Everything shall be in limit. This is Yoga Dharma.” said Maheswara.

“O Maheswara! To join Paramatma, what are the things to be done by devotees?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! either for divine bodies or for human bodies, knowing about Paramatma is impracticable. Sankhya and Yoga are the real nature of Paramatma. I am Paramatma. I am ancient; I am indestructible. Truth is my nature. None can behold me without my mercy. One can behold me by thinking about me, praising me, prostrating before me constantly.

I told about four Ashrams, Pasupata Maha Vrata to four brahmins. Those four brahmins taught them to their students. Likewise, they were spread throughout the world. Linga is my svaroopa (symbol).To worship Linga, I created Vibhooti (ash). Yogis apply Vibhooti to their bodies, shave their heads, and live by alms. By controlling their mind and keeping mind in me, they enjoy eternal happiness. Such Yogis only join me.

Only for my worship in a formless state, I created Siva Lingas. One who worships me in Linga form, I bless them. Such Lingas can be bathed either with water or with milk, ghee etc. Sandle paste, flowers, incense, lamp, fruits and food items can be offered to me. Worshipping Lingas is equivalent to worshipping me as Parameswara.

O Parvati! I told you about me. I want to know about Stree dharma. Why cannot you tell me?” asked Maheswara.

With shyness on her face Parvati said: “O Maheswara! How can I teach you about anything as you are aware of everything. I tell you about Stree Dharma as far as I know.

Before maturity, female is called Kanya. Either parents or brothers of her father and mother, or her own brothers are entitled to perform her marriage with a suitable bridegroom. After marriage, her husband is conferred with all rights over the woman. Husband is her master, God and everything. Only with the permission of husband only. wife performs divine worships, Pitara tarpanas, and guest worship. Wife shall always be the well wisher of her husband. Such a devoted wife enjoy pleasures not in this world but also in other world.

Wife shall always serve sumptuous food to her husband and shall give sexual pleasures to her husband whenever he wants. Wife shall never be indifferent to her husband. She shall remind her husband about his daily rituals. If her husband got another wife, first wife shall not quarrel with her. Wife shall not cheat her husband in any manner. Whether the husband is poor or rich, ugly or beautiful, intelligent or idiot, healthy or unhealthy; handicapped or good phisique, the wife shall regard him with love and affection. A woman shall not sit on a couch even along with her aged son, while she is alone. Feeding animals and birds, poor feeding, worshipping pitaras are the main duties of a wife.

O Parameswara! All the ladies are not virtuous. There are some cantankerous ladies. Such ladies favour other males than husband. They are born in Asuric Amsa. They are fickle minded. They always favour sensual pleasures. They indulge in committing cruel acts. Such ladies are spendthrifts and angry women. They never lover their husband and children. They neglect household duties and behave carelessly. They indulge in speaking falsehood. They always feel drowsy. They go to hell.

But there is one exception. A female with children shall not perform Sati Sahagamana.leaving the children as orphans. It is against Dharma.” said Parvati to Maheswara..

In this manner, Narada told Sri Krishna the conversation between Parvati and Maheswara” said Bhishma to Dharmaja. .

“O Grandsire Bhishma! I heard with great devotion the conversation between Siva and Parvarti. But I got another doubt. What is meant by Parama Pada. How can one attain that Parama Pada.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! eligibility to attain Parama Pada is constant devotion towards Narayana, constant worship of Narayana; hearing the stories of Narayana and serving wise and learned.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! human beings are always suffering with poverty, diseases, sorrows etc. What is the remedy for them to attain peace?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! those who are suffering with poverty, diseases and sorrows shall worship the following deities with great devotion. They are......Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara, Vinayaka, Kumaraswamy, Agni, Vayu, Sun, Moon, Devendra, Varuna, Yama, Kubera, Kamadhenu, seven seas, Ganga, Yamuna etc. rivers, maruttus, Asvins, Vasuvus, Rudras, divine bodies, Pitaras, Valakhilyas, Sidhas, Vedavyasa, Valmeeki, Narada, Agastya, Goutama, Kashyapa, Athri, Kanva etc. sages and saints; Rambha, Oorvasi etc. Apasarasa; Dharma, Tapas, Satya, day and night, stars, planets, Asvini etc. stars; months, seasons, years, Vainateyas, Sarpents; Kasi, Gaya, Prayaga etc. pilgrim centres; Naimisaranya, Dandakaranya etc. forests; Meru mountain, Himalaya Mountain, Kailasa Mountain etc.mountains; the entire earth; Raavi, banyan etc. huge trees; brahmins, emperors and kings. One shall pray the above to save him from poverty, diseases and sorrows and bestow him with wealth and prosperity.

Then one shall chant Narayana Manthra. “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Namah Purushottamaya; Namah Sarvaloka Gurave; Namah Sarva Loka Prite; Namah Sarva Lokeswaraya; Namah Sarvaloka Visishtaya; Namah sarvaloka Sukhapradaya; Namah Sarva Loka Kartre; Namah sarvaloka Bharthre; Namah Sarvaloka Nidhaye, Namah Sarvalokodhbhava karaaya; Namo Vishnave; Prabha Vishnave. This is Narayana Maha Japa. One who chants this Japa daily is deprived all fears and sins and sorrows. They attain all prosperity.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja “Narayna Maha Mantra”.

Then Dharmaja asked Bhishma: “O Bhishma! Who is the greatest deity in all Lokas? Whose name human beings have to chant constantly? By worshipping whom, mankind attains wealth and prosperity? What is the best Japa of all Japas? By chanting which Japa, human beings are liberated from this birth and death cycle. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! The King of Kings of all Lokas is Ananta. He is also called Purushottama. Human beings worship Purushottama with one thousand names. Whoever worships the Almighty with thousand names with great devotion, that Almighty, who has no beginning or end; who is worshipped by one and all; who is Sarva Dharma Svaroopa; who bestows mankind with all kinds of boons; who is master of all Lokas; who is creator of the entire universe; vanish all the sins of mandkind.

Best Dharma of all Dharmas is to worship that Almighty. He is also called Vishnu (All Pervasive). He is the cause for the entire Universe. At the end of Yuga, the entire animate and inanimate objects join him. At the beginning of another Yuga, the entire animate and inanimate objects come out of him. He is Vishnu. If Vishnu is worshipped with his thousand names, all sins vanish.” said Bhishma.

with Visvam, Vishnu, Vashatkaara, Bhootabhavya, Bhavat prabhu.... till Radhaangapani Yakshobhya, Sarva Praharanayudha.... all thousand Vishnu names were taught by Bhishma to Dharmaja. (It is called Vishnu sahasra Nama stotra).

“O Dharmaja! these are the thousand names of Vishnu. Keeping your welfare in mind, I taught you these thousand names. One who reads the thousand names of Vishnu (Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra) daily, he always gets all kinds of plealsures and riches. If Brahmin reads the above thousand names, he gets the fruits of studying Vedas; Kshatriya gets all kinds of victories; Vysya all kinds of riches; and Soodra enjoys all kinds of pleasures. Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha are attained by all who reads Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra daily. All get rid of all their diseases by a reading of Vishnu sahasra Nama Stotra. Bad attributes like cruelty, anger, greediness, envy etc. never dare to touch those who worship Vishnu with thousand names.

Heaven where Sun and moon are moving; earth where animate and inanimate objects are moving; seven seas, all rivers and riverlets; Deva, danava, gandharva, garuda, Yaksha, Pannaga etc all act according to the order of Vishnu. Body, Mind, Intellect; vigour, valour, nature and its conents are all the embodiment of Vishnu. Vishnu is the master of all the dharmas enunciated in sastras. Sankhya, Yoga, Tantra, Shilpa, Vedas, Karmas are born out of Vishnu. Vishnu is the Atma of all beings in three lokas. Vishnu is omnipresent. All human beings shall read Vishnu sahastra Nama Stotra for their well being.

O Dharmaja! you also read Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra daily. Youwill be bestowed with long life and prosperity.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! who is fit to be saluted? With the pleasure of whom we attain all kinds of welfare? With the curses of whom, we suffer all kinds of hardships?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! either to salute or worship, Brahmins are fit and eligible. If Brahmins are made to suffer, even Devendra shall suffer. If Brahmins are happy, entire universe will be hapy. Brahmins are the basis for the entire universe. They are the bridge between humans and dharma. To preach and impart all kinds of Sastrs, Brahmisn are eligible. The wealth of brahmins is tapas and their truthfulness. If Brahmins are fed atleast one time in a day, all sins are vanished.” said Bhishma.

“O Bhishma! you are praising about Brahmins to a great extent. What are the best qualities of brahmins? what are the fortunes that are obtained by worshipping brahmins?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! in this connection, I tell you about the conversation between Vayu and Arjuna. In ancient times, there was a king called Kartaveeryaarjuna. He ruled seven islands. He got thousand hands. He was endowed with great vigour and valour.

One day he proclaimed loudly: “None are equal to me in the entire Universe”.

On hearing this, a demon from sky answered: “O King! you are ignorant. Brahmins are greater than you. How can you proclaim yourself greater than all?” heckled the demon.

“What? Brahmins are greater than me. Those brahmins are depending on Kings. How can they be greater than us? Besides, if we are worshipped, we save them, otherwise we destroy them?” said Karvaveeryarjuna

Unable to talk, demon went away. Meanwhile, Vayu appeared before Kartaveeryarjuna and said:

“OKing! I am Vayu. I counter your argument. You said you are protecting Brahmins. It is not. Only with the grace of brahmins only, you are protecting your people. Therefore, none is greater than brahmins in the entire Universe. Are you not aware that Indra who lusted Ahalya was subjected to the curse of Goutama. Had not Agastya drunk the oceans on the earth! Have you forgotten about Bhrigu cursing Agni.” asked Vayu. Kartaveeryarjuna kept quiet without giving any reply. Vayu continued to say thus:

“O King! in this connection I tell you one thing. In ancient times, Uchadhya, born in Angirasa clan, desired to marry the daughter of Chandra. accepting his request, Chandra gave his daughter to Uchadhya. But Varuna lusted the wife of Uchadhya. One day, while Uchadhya went for bathing, Varuna kidnapped the wife of Uchadhya and confined her in his chambers. Having come to know about this, Narada informed the same to Uchadhya. Uchadhya told Narada: “O Narada! Varuna is a Dikpalaka. Is it proper on his part to take away other’s wife.Kindly convey my sentiment to Varuna.” said Uchadhya

Narada went to Varuna and told him about it. But Varuna was blind with lust on Uchadhya’s wife. “Even if you say, I never leave the wife of Uchadhya” said Varuna. Narada went back to Uchadhya and said: “O Uchadhya! Varuna did not even regard my words. He said bluntly that he never leave your wife. Besides that he necked me out.” Narada said.

Uchadhya was enraged with great wrath. Varuna was the master of water. Uchadhya drank the entire deposits of water on earth. Earth was left waterless and became desert. Varuna shivered. He brought the wife of Uchadhya with honours and handedover her to her husband and prayed mercy. Merciful Uchadhya pardoned Varuna. Therefore, O King! Brahmins are greater than divine bodies.” said Vayu. Still Kartaveeryarjuna kept quiet.

Vayu continued to say: “O King! Once all divine bodies were defeated at the hands of Rakshasas. They went to Saint Agasthya and sought for his advice. Agasthya with the power of his Tapas, gained victory to divine bodies. At another time, while Rakshasas were teasing and ill treating divine bodies, they went to Vasishta. Saint Vasishta grew angry and destroyed all rakshasas and reduced them to ashces. Therefore, O King! Brahmins and Saints like Agasthya and Vasishta are greater than divine bodies and Rakshasas.” said Vayu. Still Kartaveeryarjuna was silent.

Vayu continued to say: “O King! once there was a fiercest fight between divine bodies and rakshasas. In that battle, with the missili launched by Rahu, both Sun and moon fainted and fell down, as a result, the entire Universe plunged in darkness. Rakshasas began to chase divine bodies and beat them. All divine bodies approached Saint Athri for rescue. Saint Athri with his power of Tapas, made Sun and Moon to regain consciousness and healed their wounds. With the power of his Tapas, Saint Athri destroyed all Rakshasas. Hence, Saint Athri, the Brahmin, is greater than all. Is it not.” asked Vayu.

Vayu continued to say: “O King! Once Devendra ordered that Asvins are not eligible to consume Soma juice. Asvins took refuge with Chyavana. For the sake of Asvins, Chyavana became the enemy of Devendra. Devendra tried to kill Chyavana. Devendra hurled his Vajrayudha against Chyavana. With the power of his Tapas, Chyavana reduced Vajrayudha into pieces. Chyavana sent a demon against Devendra. That demon swallowed Indra and other divine bodies. Indra and other divine bodies realised their mistake and prayed for mercy. Chyavana pardoned them. Indra again ordered that Asvins are also eligible to consume Soma Juice. That Chyavana was a Brahmin. O King! is it not sufficient to say that Brahmins are greater than Indra and other divine bodies.” said Vayu. Still Kartaveeryarjuna did not agree the greatness of Brahmins.

Vayu continued to say: “O King! your Guru is Dattatreya. He is a Brahmin. With his kindness and blessings only he has come upto this stage and shining as King of Kings. Not only yourself, right from divine bodies upto ordinary human beings, every body is leading their lives only with the blessings of Brahmins. Therefore, you also worship Brahmins.” said Vayu.

With these words, the pride and aggrandizement of Kartaveeryarjuna vanished. He became wise and learned and agreed that Brahmins are greater than all. Therefore, Dharmaja! Brahmins are worshipped by one and all.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandisre Bhishma! I am not satisfied with what you said about Brahmins. I intend to hear more from you about Brahmins and their influence. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

Bhishma said: “O Dharmaja! my limbs, speech, mind have become weak. I am tired. Besides that, Dakshina Ayana is coming to an end. Soon after Uttara Ayana enters, I have to leave this body. Only few days are left for my departure. Sri Krishna will answer your further questions.

O Dharmaja! I know Krishna Tatva. Sri Krishna, in the form of Varaha Avatara, held the entire earth on his face. As Krishna, he did many miracles. The creation of this Universe is nothing but the miracle of Krishna. Krishna created Brahma in a lotus sprouted from his naval and Brahma created this Universe. Though it is called creation of Brahma, in fact, the entire Universe was created by Srimannarayana.

Whenver Dharma is in peril at the hands of demons, Krishna takes birth in some form or other and destroys those demons and uphold Dharma. The entire creation is embodiment of Krishna. Krishna praised during Yajnas with Veda hymns. Sri Krishna was praised in Vedas. All Vedas are born from Krishna. Sacred fire in Yajna, master of Yajna, offerings in Yajna and the results of Yajna are the forms of Sri Krishna. Splendour of Sun, moon and stars is Sri Krishna. Truth, Amrutha, Moskha are the forms of Sri Krishna.” said Bhishma.

On hearing this, Dharmaja prostrated before Sri Krishna and prayed “O Krishna! I would to like hear the influence of Brahmins even more. Kindly tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! on a prior occasion, I told Pradyumna about this. I repeat the same to you. Carefully listen.

To attain Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha; to perform worship of deities and Pitaras; to enjoy pleasures on this earth; Brahmins are the basis. Brahmins cause long life, name and fame and wealth even to Divine bodies. If Brahmins are enraged with wrath, they can reduce anybody into ashes. If Brahmins are satisfied, they bless others with long life and prosperity. Whoever makes charities to Brahmins, they attain pleasures both on earth and in heaven. In this connection, I tell you an astonishing story.

There was a Brahmin Saint called Doorvasa. Once he visited my house. He was a wonderful character. Once he appears pleasant. Next moment he is angry. Immediately, he smiles. Next moment he is disgusted. He never takes food if you request him. Next moment he orders for food. He consumes all food items intended for many people. Once he lies on bed. Next moment he lies on ground. He slips away without informing anybody.Next moment he appears before us. He behaves like this in an unusual manner.

Such Doorvaasa asked me to get Payasam. I got Payasam prepared and offered him. He consumed little quantity. He asked me to rub the remaining Payasam to his body. I obeyed his orders. At that time my wife, Rukmini was standing by my side. Dooravasa took some Payasam and rubbed it on her body. He sent for a chariot. Doorvasa tied Rukmini to chariot as horse. While Rukmini was drawing the chariot, Doorvasa drove the chariot in the street. He was beating Rukmini with hunter. I never get angry for his heinous acts. I also followed the chariot. But Yadavas were enraged with great wrath. Unable to do anything, they were abusing Doorvasa.

Unable to draw the chariot, Rukmini fell down. Doorvasa got down the chariot and sprinkled some mud on her face and ran away towards south. I also ran behind him and requested to come back. Doorvasa said:

“O Krishna! I made you and your wife to suffer a lot. Krishna! you have conquered your anger. I bless you with a boon. All human beings love you more than themselves. You are worshipped by one and all. O Krishna! when I asked you to rub payasam to my body, you applied Payasam to my entire body except on toe. Your death is in your toe. After death, you go back to Vaikuntham. Krishna! you worship not only me but also all Brahmins at large.” said Doorvasa.

He went back to Rukmini. “O mother Rukmini! You live long with tremondous beauty and welfare. You are considered and worshipped as eldest of all 16,000 wives of Krishna.” so saying Doorvasa went away.

Since then our bodies were shining with great splendour. Our house was filled with all kinds of riches. Therefore, Dharmaja! you also worship Brahmins always.” said Krishna.

Dharmaja asked Krishna: “O Krishna! I heard that Doorvasa was born with the Amsa of Lord Siva. Kindly tell me about it.”

“O Dharmaja! Siva is also called Mahadeva. There is no God higher than Siva. If Siva opens his third eye, all those who donot believe Vedas, perish. You know how yaga performed by Daksha was destroyed as it was performed without inviting Siva. It was Siva who destroyed Thripurasura and saved divine bodies. While destroying those three cities, Siva launched a miraculous Astra. After destruction, Siva kept that Astra on his thigh. That Astra attained the form of a Brahmin. All divine bodies astonished beholding that Brahmin. Parameswara named that Brahmin as Doorvasa. The same Doorvasa visited my house as stated above.” said Sri Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna! I am told that even by chanting the main names of Siva, one can attain all kinds of pleasures and at last Moksha. Kindly tell me those names and their meanings!” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In fact, either me or even Brahma is not
capable of understanding Paramasiva fully. As you have asked, I will explain to the extent my knowledge goes.

Agni, Vayu, Devendra, Sun, Vasuvu, Marut etc divine bodies are all the forms of Siva. Eswara Tatva is a great Tatva. All sages and saints praise Siva as Maheswara. He is also called Hara. Because his nature is harsh, he is called Rudra. Because he is the main deity, he is called Mahadeva.

As he rewards pleasant results for the virtuous deeds, he is called Siva. As he shines with great splendour, he is called Sthaanuvu. As he is shining in all the creatures, he is called Bahurupa. As his hair shines in grey colour, he is called Dhoorjati. As all Visvedevatas were born out of him, he is called Visvaroopa. As he shines with many eyes, he is called Sarvata Chakshuvu. As he is the master of all cattle like creatures, he is called Pasupati. As he moves only on Ox, he is called Vrishabha Vahana.

Maha Siva creates and destroys this Universe. There are several names in Veda for Maha Siva. If Parameswara is worshipped with all his names, he enjoys pleasures both in earth and heaven. In this connection, Vyasa wrote a Stotra about Siva. If that Stotra is read every day, all kinds of fortunes are attained by him.” said Sri Krishna to Dharmaja.

Then Dharmaja asked Bhishma: “O Grandsire Bhishma! I heard that Dharma is of several kinds. What is the best dharma to be followed?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmanandana! even virtuous people do not know the real nature of dharma. Dharma changes according to time. At times, Dharma loses its own characteristics. Those who do not know the real nature of Dharma, propagates Adharma as Dharma, as a result of which common people suffer much. Real nature of Dharma can be known only by study of Vedas and sastras but not by the minds influenced by greediness, desires and aggrandizement. If we solely depend on our mind and intellect, we may always misinterpret Adharma as Dharma. Real nature of Dharma can be known only through virtuous persons who study Vedas and perform Yajnas and Yagas.

O Dharmaja! to know the real nature of Dharma, there are three methods. Ancient sages and saints followed the above three methods. Non-violence, speaking truth, and without anger are the best methods to follow dharma. Follow the above methods and be happy. Worship Brahmins and remove all kinds of doubts from your mind and have peaceful mind. That is the best dharma.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! who follows dharma and who hates dharma?” asked Dharmaja.

“Dharmaja! those who are more influenced by Rajas and Tamas always hate dharma. Such people go to hell. Those who always speak truth regards Dharma. Such people go to heaven. Only virtuous people follow dharma.” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! who are Sadhus? andwho are not Sadhus?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Those who are not Sadhus(wicked people) do not know themselves what is Dharma. They do not even atleast try to know about Dharma. They decline to hear anything about dharma. They never study Vedas and Sastras. These are called Asadhus.

Sadhus (virtuous people) always try to know themselves about Dharma. They read Vedas and Puranas and acquire knowledge about Dharma. Some Sadhus hear about Dharma from wise and learned. These are called Sadhus (virtuous people).

Now I tell you about the behaviour of Sadhus (virtuous people). They never consume food without offering to guests. They alwlays prostrate before elders. They always speak truth. Deceitfulness cannot be seen in their behaviour. They alwlays try to rescue people who are in danger. They satisfy with their own wives and they never look at other ladies. They always regard teachers. They donot know what sorrow is.

Sadhus keep their sense organs under their control. If they commit any sin unknowingly, they immediately perform Prayaschitta. They perform charities secretely, without any propaganda. They love their fellowmen. They never harm others, either human beings or beasts or birds. These are the qualities of Sadhus” said Bhishma.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! Some people earn money without any effort and some people do not get a single pie inspite of their strenuous efforts. Some people, inspite of having plenty of money, are not inclined to enjoy the life. Some people, without learning anything from any Guru, acquire more knowledge and intelligence. Some people, inspite of serving many gurus, learn nothing. Some people, inspite of suffering with number of diseases and receiving death blows with lethal weapons, do not meet their death. But some people, even though they are strong and mighty, meet their death by receiving a smallest blow from a small piece of stick. What is the reason for all these adversities?

“O Dharmaja! the only answer for all the above questions is the result of their deeds in past life. Without sowing seeds, plants never sprout. Similarly, good or bad deeds done in past life give good and bad results in the present life. By making charities in past life, one gets enormous wealth in present life without any effort. Tapas made in past life yields pleasures in present life. Service done to elders and gurus in past life results in acquiring knowledge and intelligence without studying under any guru. If one observes non violence in past life lives for long in present life. Therefore, Sadhu people shall observe nonviolence, make charities, regard gurus, serve elders and guests etc. Then only they enjoy plealsures in next life.

Those who observe Dharma, make charities, preaching dharma to others; performing holy bath, sandhya, japa daily and timely, taking limited food twice a day, attain liberation.

O Dharmanandana! Vyasa is your well wisher. Krishna is your God father. With their help, rule the Kindgom. You will always be victorious.” said Bishma. Dharmandana was satisfied with his words.

Beholding Bhishma, Vyasa said: “O Santanava! with your preachings, Dharmaja became wise and learned. Not only Dharmaja, his brothers, Dhritarashtra, Krishna and other kings, sages, saints etc. have become enlightened. Kindly permit Dharmaja to proceed to Hastinapura. He will come again at appropriate time.” said Vyasa.

Bhishma called Dharmaja near to him and said: “Dharmaja! have you heard the words of Vyasa. In obedience to his words, yourself and your brothers proceed to Hastinapura and rule Kuru Kingdom to the plealsure of one and all. I wish your mind to remain always in observing Dharma. Perform Yajnas and Yagas, worship guests and regard your friends and relatives. . For the present, proceed to Hastinapura. After Sun enters Makara rasi, kindly come over here.” said Bhishma.

After taking leave from Bhishma, other sages and saints assembled there, Dharmaja along with his brother, Sri Krishna, Dhritarashtra and others went back to Hastinapura. He took the blessings of Gandhari and Kunti. Then he went to his wife Droupadi and enquired about her welfare.

Then he conducted general assembly and enquired about the welfare of the people. He provided food and shelter to the widows and orphans who lost their husbands and parents in the battle. Her was enthroned as King and Emperor of Kuru Dynasty and Dharmaja began to rule the Hastinapura Kingdom.

Fifty days passed. Sun entered Makara Rasi. Uttara Ayana started. Dharmaja, accompanied by his brothers, mother Kunti, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Sri Krishna, Vidura, Yuyutsa, Sanjaya, Kripacharya, Dhoumya, carrying new clothes, pooja items, proceeded to the place where Bhishma was lying on arrow bed. He got down the chariot at a distance and went to Bhishma by walk. Krishna and others also accompanied Dharmaja by walk. By that time, saints Vyasa, Narada, Devala and other sages and saints assembled there. Dharmaja saluted all of them.

Dharmaja went near Bhishma. Bhishma was closing his eyes.

“O Grandisre! I am Dharmaja. I have come here. I am saluting you. Kindly open your eyes. Kindly listen me. Uttara Ayana started. I have brought holy fire and other items for worship. Sri Krishna, my brothers, Dhritarashtra also are here.” said Dharmaja.

Bhishma slowly opened his eyes. He took the hand of Dharmaja into his hand and caressed it. “Kumara! Have you come, Now it is Magha masa, Sukla Paksha. I am very happy.” said Bhishma. Then Bhishma looked at Dhritarashtra:

“O Dhritarashtra Kumara! You know all dharmas. You need not worry about the past. Pandavas look after you and your wife as their parents. You also treat them as your sons. They serve you always. Kindly be kind towards Dharmaja and advice him suitably in his day to day administration. O King Dhritarashtra! I know that Dharmaja has got paternal affection towards you. He knows not what cruelty is . You also treat him with affection. Kindly listen me. Your sons are immoral, wicked, greedy, enraged with wrath. Hence they perished in war. You need not lament for them.” said Bhishma.

Beholding Sri Krishna, Bhishma said: “O Krishna! You are all pervasive. You are worshipped by one and all including divine bodies. You are adorned by Sankha, Chakra, mace and lotus in four hands. You are Trivikrama, Varada, Parama Purusha. I salute you. Be kind towards me. I am your devotee. You are my strength. I have no wife and children. Hence bless me with kindness. Permit me to leave this body. Be kind towards Pandavas, protect them, and lead them in right path. Many a time I told Suyodhana...."Where Krishna is, there is victory." Still he did not heed my advice. He killed all his men and killed himself.

O Krishna! I know your Tatva. In the past, to protect this Universe, two sages called Nara and Narayana were born. I heard through Narada and Vyasa that they are Krishna and Arjuna.” said Bhishma.

On hearing these words, Krishna said: “O DevaVrata (original name of Bhishma), you are not at fault. You are virtuous. You bear utmost devotion and respect towards your father, Santana. Hence, even Mrutyu is at your beck and call, waiting like a slave for your command. I am permitting you. You can leave this body and join your original status as Vasuvus.” said Sri Krishna.

On hearing these words, Bhishma was very happy. He gave away all his wealth acquired by him by conquering other kings, as charity to Brahmins, poor and needy. He looked at Pandavas, Dhritarashtra and other sages and saints:

“I am seeking permission from all of you.” so saying Bhishma hugged each and everybody.

“Shed anger and cruelty and live peacefully” that were the last words of Bishma.

Then he remained silent. By yoga, he joined Jeevatma with Paramatma. All vayus in his body were proceeding upwards. He was withdrawing his lives from each and every limb. Every body was praising Bhishma for his Yoga. Suddenly, his jeevatma pierced out of his head and rushed into heaven as meteor with great splendor.

Divine bodies showered flowers. Trumpets were blown. Divine bodies, Sidhas, Sadhyas praised Bhishma. In this manner, Bhishma entered heaven.

Then Dharmaja, his brothers, Vidura, Yuyutsa made arrangements for cremation. They arranged pyre with sandal wood logs. All had holy dip in Ganges. Chanting veda hymns, sacred fire was lit. Nakula and Sahadeva lifted the head portion of body while Dhritarashtra and Dharmaja lifted the legs portion of the body. The body was decorated with flowers and kept on a vehcile. . While Nakula, Sahadeva, Dhritarashtra and Dharmaja were carrying body, Bhima and Arjuna were holding fans. Yuyutsa held the umbrella. Dhoumya was conductng the rituals. All of them kept the body on the pyre. Ghee was poured over the body of Bhishma. The pyre was lit. In this manner, the last journey of Bhishma was conducted with great splendour.

After funeral ceremony, all of them had a holy dip in Ganges and offered Tarpana with water and gingelly seeds to Bhishma.

Lamenting for the death of his son Bhishma, Ganga came out of the river in human form.

“O Devavrata! There is no hero with such vigour and valour equivalent to you, in all the three lokas. My son is virtuous. He knows kshatriya dharma very much. He was kind and affectionate towards others. He was a great executive. While worshipping his parents, there is no match for him. He was an expert in all crafts. He got utmost respect towards elders. He could attack his own Guru, Parasurama. But, alas, he was defeated at the hands of Sikhandi and laid on arrow bed. Now he left this world.” Ganga was lamenting for the death of his son, Deva vrata.

Vyasa, who was present there, beholding Ganga, said: “O Mata Bhagiradhi! Dont lement for the death of your son. He attained higher regions. Your son is Vasuvu. Due to a curse, he was born as human being. After death, he joined Vasuvus. Your son was not defeated by Sikhandi. Not only Sikhandi, even Devendra also could not defeat your son. Your son, Bhishma, out of his own volition, got all arrows pierced into his body and laid on arrow bed. None defeated him. All this time, he kept death at a distance. Soon after Uttara Ayana enters, he left this mortal body. Hence there is no need to lament for such a great son.” said Vyasa.

Sri Krishna, Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, Vidura, Yuyutsu and others, with the permission of Ganga, left that place. Ganga, leaving the human form, immersed in Ganga waters.

Maha Bharata,
Aanusaasanika Parva,
fifth chapter completed.
With this Aanusaasanika Parva completed in full. Om tatsat Om tatsat Om tatsat.

6 May 2014

Book13 Anushasanika Parva by mv subramanyammm