STORY OF KING MARUTTU FROM MAHABHARAT
(ASHWAMEDHA PARVA)
Beholding Dharmaja with kind looks, Vyasa said: "O Dharmaja! in the past, King Maruttu performed a great Yaga and distributed his wealth to Brahmins. The entire wealth was accumulated with Brahmins. The virtuous brahmins, retained some wealth sufficient for their livelihood and preseved the remaining wealth, gold and silver, in gold vessels and secreted that treasure at a safe place, with a proclamation that "whoever finds this treasure in future, they will be owners of this treasure". So far none claimed that treasure. It is still in tact. You take that treasure and perform Asvamedha Yaga." said Vyasa.
Dharmaja entertained a doubt in mind whether that money was legally acquired or illegally acquired.To clear off that doubt, Dharmaja asked Vyasa: "O Saint Vyasa! Kindly tell me how Marut acquired that enormous wealth. Whether it was legally acquired or acquired by illegal means." asked Dharmaja.
"O Dharmaja! if I narrate the story of Marut, all your doubts will be cleared. In Kritayuga, there was Manuvu. His son was Prajani whose son was Kshuta. Ikshavaku was the son of Kshuta. Ikshvaaku got one hundred sons, elder being Vimsu whose son was Vivimsu. Vivimsu got 15 sons, elder being Khaninetra. Khani Netra was cruel and autocrat. He killed his 14 brothers and grabbed the throne. Khani Netra never trusted anybody. He hated his ministers and people.
Unable to bear his cruelty, all the ministers conspired together, dethroned Khani Nitra and enthroned his son who was kindhearted. He regarded his ministers with kindness and ruled the people with love and affection. He gave away all his wealth in charities. He became poor. Enemy Kings waged war against him and dethroned him . He retired to forests. But he never felt sorry. He performed Tapas. With the power of his Tapas, enormous army sprouted out. With the help of that army, he conquered his enemies and regained his kingdom. He maintained control of his sense organs and control of mind. He ruled his kingdom according to dharma. with Angirasa as his Upadrashta, he performed may Yajnas and Yagas.
His grandson was Marut. Marut was endowed with great vigour and valour. He was equal to Vishnu. He studied Vedas and followed Dharma scrupulously. The said Marut intended to perform Asvamedha yaga. He acquired all articles required for Asvamedha yaga and preserved them in golden vessels. He distribtued gold and silver to Brahmins and satis fied them. But Marut was not satisfied. Marut distributed the small vessels, glasses, plates etc.made up of gold to Brahmins.
Dharmaja! do you know from where Marut got such enormous wealth. Listen carefully. I told you that the grandfather of Marut was called Karandhaka. The said Karandhaka performed many Asvamedha Yagas, keeping Angirasa as the chief priest. He attained heaven with mortal body. Avikshat was the son of Karandhaka. He also ruled the people as his own children. Marut was the son of Avikshat.
Marut did not even care Indra. Indra bore grudge against Marut for his carelessness. Indra went to Brahaspati and said: "O Guru Brihaspati! have you heard about Marut. He performed many Asvamedha Yagas. Now he is going to perform another Yaga. For that, he fixed you as Chief Priest. He is now coming to invite you as chief priest. Dont forget that you are the divine priest. If you act as chief priest for a yaga performed by a mortal, you will be degraded. Still if you accept his request, you may forget me. Otherwise, you may continue as divine priest. Decision is yours." said Devendra.
"O Devendra! Dont you know about me. How can I accept his request, ignoring you. You need not tell this much. I donot accept anybody except you." said Brihaspati.
Satisfied with his words, Devendra went away.
Later, Marut went to Brahaspati and said: "O Divine Guru! I intended to perform a Yaga. I request you to be the chief priest of that Yaga. With the hope that you accept my request, I made all arrangements." said Marut.
"O King Marut! I cannot accede to your request. Why because, Indra also intended to perform a Yaga at the same time. I should act as Chief Priest for Indra Yaga." said Brihaspati.
"O Brihaspati! Your father, Angirasa, acted as chief priest for all Asvamedha Yagas peformed by my grand father. In the same manner, kindly accept my request and act as Chief Priest for my Yaga also."prayed Marut.
"O Marut! Have you forgotten that I am Deva Guru. I will act as chief priest for Yagas performed by divine bodies only but not for mortals. Afterall you are a mortal. How can you expect me as your Chief Priest. You seek some one else as your priest." Brihaspati insulted Marut.
Unable to say anything, with great insinuation, Marut went away. On the way, Narada met him.
"O Marut! where are you going and on what work." asked Narada.
"ONarada! I intended to perform a Yaga. For that I requested Brihaspati to be the chief priest. He rejected my request and also insulted me that he will preside over Yagas performed by divine bodies only not by mortals. Having met such an insult, why should I remain on this earth." said Marut.
"No No. If not Brihaspati, some one else will perform Yaga. Yaga will never stop. Brihaspati got one younger brother called Samvartana. Brihaspati insulted and drove Samvartana away from home. Samvartana went to forests. For the present, he is wandering like an insane person. You meet him and request him to be the chief priest of your Yaga. He will accept your offer." said Narada.
"O Narada! Very many thanks for showing me a way out. But where is Samvartana! How can I meet him and speak to him. Kindly tell me in detail." asked Marut.
"O King Marut! Samvartana is at present in Varanasi. He is wandering like a mad man.To identify him, I will tell a plan. You go to Varanasi. Keep a dead body in front of you and stand at the entrance gate of Varanasi. Whoever runs away beholding that dead body, he is Samvartana. Follow him and meet him at a lonely place and pray him with devotion. If he asks you "Who told you about me?" you can say that "Narada told about you." If he asks you about my whereabouts, you can tell him that "after informing me about you, Narada entered holy fire". said Narada.
Accordingly, Marut went to Varanasi, kept a dead body in front of him at the main gate of Varanasi. A mad man came there and saw that dead body. He ran away as if somebody chased him. Identifying him as Samvartana, Marut followed him.to the outskirts of the city. Marut stopped Samvartana. Samvartana threw some dust on the face of Marut and abused him and behaved like a mad man. But Marut did not get angry. Marut stood before him with folded hands.
"Who are you? Who sent you here? If you tell truth, your desire accomplishes. Otherwise, your head will break into thousand pieces." said Samvartha.
"O great man! I am King Marut. Narada gave information about you." said Marut.
"Where is Narada?" asked Samvartana.
"Narada entered holy fire" said Marut.
Looking at Marut, Samvartana asked: "What made you to come over here?" asked Samvartana.
"I intended to perform a Yaaga. You must be the Chief Priest for that Yaga. " prayed Marut.
Samvartana kept quiet.
Again Marut said: "O Great man! I am the grand son of Karandhama. Your father Angirasa acted as Chief Priest for all the Yagas performed by my grand father." said Marut.
Beholding Marut with kind looks, Samvartana said: "O King Marut! I am the brother of Brihaspati. Brihaspati insulted me and drove me out. I left my house, properties etc and wandering like this as mad man. How can this poor wanderer be the Chief Preist of your Yaga. It is an insult to you. Hence, you approach my brother Brihaspati and request him to be the Chief Priest for your Yaga. If you want me to be your Chief Priest, you have to obtain the permission of my brother, Brihaspati, because I got more respect towards my brother, Brihaspati. If my brother permits, I will act as Chief Priest for your Yaga. Therefore, first obtain permission from my brother, Brihaspati." said Samvartana.
"O Samvartana! even prior to come over here, I approached your brother, Brihaspati and requested him to be the Chief Priest which he refused. He insulted me by saying that he cannot act as Chief Priest for a Yaga performed by a human. Indra instigated Brihaspati to talk like that. How can I again approach Brihaspati and request him" said Marut.
Samvartana convinced with his reply. "I accept your request. I will be the Chief Priest for your Yaga but on one condition. You shall never break your Deeksha under any circumstances. Whenver you break your Yaga Deeksha, I terminate the Yaga and curse you. You suffer a lot. Keep it in mind before commencing Yaga. As I have accepted your request, Brihaspati may bear grudge against you and may cause hurdles to your Yaga. You should have stable mind to face such hurdles." said Samvartana.
"O Samvartana! With your blessings, I face any amount of resistance at the hands anybody, leave alone Brihaspati or even Maheswara. I have no fear when you are by my side." said Marut firmly.
Samvartana satisfied with his words. "O King Marut! I make you richer than Indra and perform Yajna. Ofcourse, you may doubt my words. Hear me carefully. To the north of Himalayas, there is a mountain called Munjavanta. There, Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati, along with divine bodieses, Sidhas, Garudas, Gandharvas wander there. There you do not find either diseases or death. On that mountain, everything is gold. Gold stones, Gold sand is available in abundance. We go there and request Maheswara. With his blessings, we bring plenty of gold from that mountain. You employ more number of carriers to bring gold." said samvartana.
As per the words of Samvartana, Marut, along with Samvartana went to that mountain and prayed Lord Siva and got his blessings. Marut brought enormous gold from that mountain. In this manner, King Marut got enormous wealth. Marut got prepared all utensils with gold. With great splendour, he commenced Yaaga.
Having come to know about this Brihaspati felt distressed. Devendra enquired Brihaspati the reason for his distress.
"O Devendra! King Marut, after all a mortal, against my wish, is performing a Yaga for which my enemy, my brother, Samvartana, is the chief priest. That is the reason for my distress. O Devendra! My heart is burning. Marut shall not perform that Yaga. You make Marut to abandon Samvartana. If necessary, I will be the Chief Priest but not my brother, Samvartana. " said Brihaspati.
Immediately, Devendra summoned Agni. "O Agni! King Marut is performing a Yaga. You have to go there as my emissary and tell Marut that Brihaspati will perform Yaaga as Chief Priest. I do not know what you do. You have to make Marut to accept Brihaspati as Chief Priest." said Devendra.
Accordingly, Agni went to Marut as emissary of Devendra. Agni introduced himself as Agni. Marut saluted Agni. Marut called Samvartana. Marut and Samvartana greeted Agni and offered him Arghyam and Padyam and a seat. Agni told Marut thus:
" Devendra sent me as emissary to you. Brihaspati, the Divine Priest, has agreed to be the Chief Priest for your Yaga. If Brihaspati performs your Yaga, you attain divinity. Hence, you have to accept Brihaspati as chief priest. These are the words of Devendra." said Agni.
"O Agni! convey my one hundred crore salutations to Brihaspati. When I approached him and prayed him to be the Chief Priest of my Yaga, he heckled me and insulted me. With great difficulty, I made his brother, Samvartana, to agree as chief priest. Now Samvartana is the Chief Priest for my Yaga. I believe that he is capable of performing the Yaga." said Marut.
"O King Marut! it is not like that. If Divine Priest,Brihaspati is your Chief Priest, you may attain Punya Lokas. It is for your benefit only." said Agni.
Till then, Samvartana was patiently hearing the words of Agni. Now he was enraged with great wrath. "O Agni! if you continue to speak like this, I will reduce you to ashes with my looks only. Take care. Get out of this place and mind your own business." warned Samvartana.
Agni was afraid of the words of Samvartana. Immediately he returned back to Devendra. "O Devendra! I repeated your words before Marut. Marut did not accede to your request. When I further continued to talk, Samvartana threatened me with dire consequences. Hence I came back running." said Agni.
"O Agni! why cannot you go back to Marut and try once again by hook or crook and make him agree to our proposal. Still if he does not agree, threaten him that he will be sent to abode of Yama with my Vajrayudha.Tell him that this is the order of Devendra. Because it is our prestigious issue I am requesting you." asked Devendra.
"No. I cannot go again and face the wrath of Samvartana. Kindly send some other person." said Agni.
"O Agni! why are you afraid of Samvartana, a brahmin. You yourself reduce everything into ashes.How can you be reduced to ashes. Quite strange." said Devendra.
"O Devendra!you might have forgotten about Yoga Sakti. Do you remember how you were defeated by Vritrasura. When you obstructed Asvins from drinking Soma rasa, how you suffered at the hands of Brahmin Chyavana, have you forgotten. Then you were made to give share of Soma Rasa to Asvins. Therefore, Yoga power is greater than all powers. Hence I wont go to Samvartana and face his wrath." said Agni.
Then Devendra called, a gandharva called Dhritarashtra and directed him to go to Marut and convey his message and directions. Not aware of the past events, Dhritarashtra, the Gandharva, went to Marut and said thus:
"O King Marut! You have to fix Brihaspati as the Chief Priest for your Yaga. This is the order of Devendra. If you do like this, he feels happy. Otherwise, Devendra will be forced to launch Vajrayudha against you. Do as you like." said Gandharva.
Then Marut tried to pacify the Gandharva."O Gandharva! Before I commence Yaga, I prayed Brihaspati to be the Chief Priest, But he refused on the pretext that I am mortal. Hence I approached his brother, Samvartana and requested him to be my Chief Priest for which he agreed. Now, how can I fix Brihaspati to be the Chief Priest for my Yaga. Does it not amount to breach of trust. Not only Devendra but all Sidhas, Sadhyas and Gandharvas also know about this." said Marut.
While this conversaion was going on, Vajrayudha was coming towards Marut. Beholding Vajrayudha, Gandharva said: "O Marut! look at Vajrayudha. It is fast approaching to destroy you. I do not know how you avert Vajrayudha." said Gandharva.
Marut also was afraid of Vajrayudha. He looked at Samvartana and said: "O great saint! Vajrayudha is advancing towards me. You have to save me." prayed Marut.
Samvartana smiled and said: "O King Marut! Why do you fear about Vajrayudha. Devendra knows about me. I will retreat Vajrayudha with my samsthambhana art. Not only the weapon of Devendra, all the weapons of divine bodies nullify before Samstambhana art. Hence forget about Vajrayudha. Choose whatever you like." said Samvartana.
"O great saint! when you are here, I never afraid of any weapon. Kindly bless me with one boon. Kindly make Devendra to come to my Yaga and receive their due shares of Havis." prayed Marut.
"O King Marut! not only Devendra, all divine bodies will grace your Yaga and receive their due shares of Havis personally. Therefore, send invitations to Devendra and other divine bodies and commence your Yaga." said Samvartana.
Then samvartana, with his Yoga power, sent back Vajrayudha to Mahendra. During Yaga, Samvartana chanted vedic hymns invoking Devendra and other divine bodies. With the power of those hymns, Devendra along with his companions, visited Yaga. Marut received Devendra and other divine bodies with great honors and offered Arghyam, Padyam and suitable seats.
"O Devendra! kindly subside your anger against me. I am greatful to you for visiting my abode. I am blessed." prayed Marut.
Marut introduced Samvartana to Devendra: "O Devendra! this great sage is the own brother of Brihaspati. I requested him to be the chief priest of my yaga. He agreed for the same." said Marut.
"O Marut! I am very much satisfied with your hospitality and your request. I know that Saint Samvartana is equal to Brihaspati." said Devendra.
Then Samvartana said: "O Devendra! As a result of my tapas, you have come here on my invocation. With your presence, this Yaga is accomplished. O Devendra! you are aware of everything. Kindly shower your divine blessings upon us. I will perform this Yaga without any fault. Kindly supervise my performance. With your visit, King Marut attained divinity." said Samvartana with humble voice.
With the praises of Samvartana, Devendra was very much satisfied and happy. Then he ordered all divine bodies.
" Decorate this Yaga place with great splendour. Send for Rambha and other apsarasas and arrange all kinds of dance and entertainment programmes. Extend your help to King Marut and his ministers for the success of Yaga." ordered Devendra.
Under the supervision of Samvartana, Yaga was completed successfully. Samvartana offered Soma juice to Devendra and other divine bodies, calling each by name. Devendra and other divine bodies consumed Soma rasa and satisfied themselves. After taking leave from Marut, Devendra and other divine bodies retired to heaven.
At the end of Yaga, Marut worshipped Brahmins and guests and gave them gold coins, gold vessels etc. After receiving enormous gold articles, coins, ornaments and gold vessels from Marut, all brahmins could not carry them to their own places. Then they retained gold sufficient for their livelihood. They kept the remaining gold coins, ornaments and gold articles in big vessels and buried them. They left a note in writing that "this wealth belongs to those who find this wealth in future."
O Dharmaja! so far, that wealth was not unearthed by anybody. It is still in tact. You find that wealth, bring it to Hastinapura and perform Asvamedha Yaga." said Veda Vyasa.
Inspite of the idea given by Veda Vyasa to acquire wealth, Dharmaja was not happy. Krishna told Dharmaja thus: "O Dharmaja! atleast, even after hearing what Vyasa said, relinquish your wicked ideas and perform Asvamedha Yaga. Give up all your unnecessary thoughts. O Dharmaja! you never perform any task honestly and straightly. You unnecessarily lament for unnecessary things. What had happened to the knowledge acquired by you so far? You are unable to put an end to your sorrows means you are unable to discard your desires, anger, greediness, passions and aggrandizement. In this connection I tell you a story.
Once Vritrasura conquered earth and heaven. Vritrasura grabbed the natural scent of earth. Indra hurled his Vajrayudha against Vritrasura. Vritrasura entered into the other four elements except earth viz., water, fire, wind and sky. He grabbed juice from water, form from fire, touch from air and sound from sky which are natural attributes to those four elements. Therefore the five attributes of five main elements are under control of Vritrasura. Vritrasura shined with great spelndour.
Beholding this, Indra again hurled his Vajrayudha. Vritrasura, leaving the five elements, entered into the body of Indra. Indra fainted. With the Yoga power of Vasishta, Indra regained consciousness. Then Indra killed Vritrasura with his Vajrayudha. Therefore, Dharmanandana, you have first kill your inner enemies viz., kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya." said Krishna.
Krishna continued to say: "O Dharmaja! diseases are of two kinds. physical and mental. In our body, there are three main elements. They are Vata, pitta and Sleshma. (vata means air or gas produced in stomache. pitta means juices produced in stomache. Sleshma means phlegm). If these three humors are balanced, the man keeps good health. Imbalance of these three humors cause all kinds of diseases. This is physical unrest. Satva, Rajas and Tamas control the mind. If these three qualities are in equal proportions, his mind remains stable. Any imbalance in these three qualities causes unrest to mind. Physical unrest and mental unrest are caused one after another. They never come alone. If physical and mental unrest combine together, his life will be ruined.
Dharmaja! you do not know how to do Karma properly. Hence you are unable to complete any work properly. Now you are suffering both physical and mental unrest. Hence you are unable to take any decision. First acquire knowledge.Use your wisdom. Keep your mind calm and quiet, free from satva, rajas and tamas.
I now tell you how you think about yourself. You are still thinking about the incident happened in full court, bringing Droupadi to court and take off her clothes and insulting her. Forget about it. Make up your mind that that incident had never happened. You also wipe out from your mind all woes suffered by you during Aranya and Ajnata period. Dont recollect about the nasty acts of Saindhava. You never suffered anything in the court of Virata. Assume that you never killed Bhishma, Drona, Karna etc. warriors, and your kith and kin. Make up your mind that you are never responsible for those deaths. You never fought with any body. Why all these things. The great war never happened. Think like that. Then you never agitate in your mind about the good and bad effects caused by the war.
You know why I told you that the war never happened and it is all myth. Now, I tell you about the real war. In fact Kouravas are not your real enemies. The real enemy is your mind. You have always been thinking in your mind that Kouravas are your enemies. Hence they became your enemies and you are inimical towards them. Hence you fought with them. Either for friendship or enmity, your mind is responsible. Your real friend is your Atma. If you keep your mind stable, the entire outside world appears to be friendly and peaceful. Hence keep your mind always stable and undisturbed.
First you try to conquer your inner enemies, your anger, desires, passions, greediness etc. Without conquering your inner enemies, there is no use of weeping loudly. You control your mind and follow the right path. More than this, I cannot tell.
O Dharmaja! Mruthyu, Brahma, and self and selflessness. There is always conflict between these duals. Mruthyu means death. Brahma means birth. Mruthyu always tries to kill the persons born and those who are dead always try to take another body by rebirth. There is always an invisible war between these two concepts, birth and death. Atma is beyond these two concepts of birth and death. Atma has no decay. Atma has no connection with body. Atma has no limitation and decay which are natural to body. Atma is indivisible.
Even if he is a King and Emperor of the entire earth, if he does not have the desire to rule the entire earth for ever, he is not tainted with any sin. Similarly, if a sanyasi, who renunciated the wordly plelasures and retired to forests for deep meditation, does not control his sense organs and craves for worldly pleasures, there is no use of his remaining in forests and deep meditation. He will always be coming near to death.
O Dharmaja! you are thinking that you conquered all your enemies in war. Is it also a victory? Conquering outside enemies is not at all a victory. If you conquer your inner enemies, it is a real victory. Your prominent enemy is desire. There is no work without desire. Study of Vedas and sastras, and making charities are done only with some desire or other but not without any desire.
Once "the desire" said thus: "I am desire or wish. All those who are under my influence can never conquer me. I am known only by study of Vedas. Without knowledge of Vedas, none can conquer me. If any body intends to conquer me, that intention itself is a desire. I always accompany every human being because his mind is alwlays filled with one desire or other. But that human does not know that I always accompany him. Hence, none can conquer me. Even the wish to conquer me itself is a desire. That desire is mine. Who else can conquer me?
If one performs Tapas with an intention to conquer the desires, that intention itself is a desire. That is mine. Another performs Tapas with an intention to attain Moksha, that intention itself is a desire. That desire is mine. Hence none can conquer me.. Therefore, I am eternal. I have no death." said 'the desire'.
Therefore Dharmanandana! listen to me. Abstaining from doing anything with desire; concentrating on the work that is being done; performing Tapas in forests without any desire; are the ways to conquer desire. But doing such things is impossible and beyond the capacity of human beings. Hence "the desire" proclaimed that none can conquer him.
Hence Dharmaja! remove all desires from your mind. Kill all your desires. Without any deisre, perform asvamedha yaga. Then only you attain Punya. and 'the desire' will witness your Yaga. O Dharmanandanaa! even if you lament like this, will anybody return back from heaven? Therefore, stop lamenting. Dont think about the dead even in your dream. Perform Yajnas and Yagas in abundance. The entire world appreciate you. You also attain Punya Lokas." said Sri Krishna.
Beholding Dharmaja with kind looks, Vyasa said: "O Dharmaja! in the past, King Maruttu performed a great Yaga and distributed his wealth to Brahmins. The entire wealth was accumulated with Brahmins. The virtuous brahmins, retained some wealth sufficient for their livelihood and preseved the remaining wealth, gold and silver, in gold vessels and secreted that treasure at a safe place, with a proclamation that "whoever finds this treasure in future, they will be owners of this treasure". So far none claimed that treasure. It is still in tact. You take that treasure and perform Asvamedha Yaga." said Vyasa.
Dharmaja entertained a doubt in mind whether that money was legally acquired or illegally acquired.To clear off that doubt, Dharmaja asked Vyasa: "O Saint Vyasa! Kindly tell me how Marut acquired that enormous wealth. Whether it was legally acquired or acquired by illegal means." asked Dharmaja.
"O Dharmaja! if I narrate the story of Marut, all your doubts will be cleared. In Kritayuga, there was Manuvu. His son was Prajani whose son was Kshuta. Ikshavaku was the son of Kshuta. Ikshvaaku got one hundred sons, elder being Vimsu whose son was Vivimsu. Vivimsu got 15 sons, elder being Khaninetra. Khani Netra was cruel and autocrat. He killed his 14 brothers and grabbed the throne. Khani Netra never trusted anybody. He hated his ministers and people.
Unable to bear his cruelty, all the ministers conspired together, dethroned Khani Nitra and enthroned his son who was kindhearted. He regarded his ministers with kindness and ruled the people with love and affection. He gave away all his wealth in charities. He became poor. Enemy Kings waged war against him and dethroned him . He retired to forests. But he never felt sorry. He performed Tapas. With the power of his Tapas, enormous army sprouted out. With the help of that army, he conquered his enemies and regained his kingdom. He maintained control of his sense organs and control of mind. He ruled his kingdom according to dharma. with Angirasa as his Upadrashta, he performed may Yajnas and Yagas.
His grandson was Marut. Marut was endowed with great vigour and valour. He was equal to Vishnu. He studied Vedas and followed Dharma scrupulously. The said Marut intended to perform Asvamedha yaga. He acquired all articles required for Asvamedha yaga and preserved them in golden vessels. He distribtued gold and silver to Brahmins and satis fied them. But Marut was not satisfied. Marut distributed the small vessels, glasses, plates etc.made up of gold to Brahmins.
Dharmaja! do you know from where Marut got such enormous wealth. Listen carefully. I told you that the grandfather of Marut was called Karandhaka. The said Karandhaka performed many Asvamedha Yagas, keeping Angirasa as the chief priest. He attained heaven with mortal body. Avikshat was the son of Karandhaka. He also ruled the people as his own children. Marut was the son of Avikshat.
Marut did not even care Indra. Indra bore grudge against Marut for his carelessness. Indra went to Brahaspati and said: "O Guru Brihaspati! have you heard about Marut. He performed many Asvamedha Yagas. Now he is going to perform another Yaga. For that, he fixed you as Chief Priest. He is now coming to invite you as chief priest. Dont forget that you are the divine priest. If you act as chief priest for a yaga performed by a mortal, you will be degraded. Still if you accept his request, you may forget me. Otherwise, you may continue as divine priest. Decision is yours." said Devendra.
"O Devendra! Dont you know about me. How can I accept his request, ignoring you. You need not tell this much. I donot accept anybody except you." said Brihaspati.
Satisfied with his words, Devendra went away.
Later, Marut went to Brahaspati and said: "O Divine Guru! I intended to perform a Yaga. I request you to be the chief priest of that Yaga. With the hope that you accept my request, I made all arrangements." said Marut.
"O King Marut! I cannot accede to your request. Why because, Indra also intended to perform a Yaga at the same time. I should act as Chief Priest for Indra Yaga." said Brihaspati.
"O Brihaspati! Your father, Angirasa, acted as chief priest for all Asvamedha Yagas peformed by my grand father. In the same manner, kindly accept my request and act as Chief Priest for my Yaga also."prayed Marut.
"O Marut! Have you forgotten that I am Deva Guru. I will act as chief priest for Yagas performed by divine bodies only but not for mortals. Afterall you are a mortal. How can you expect me as your Chief Priest. You seek some one else as your priest." Brihaspati insulted Marut.
Unable to say anything, with great insinuation, Marut went away. On the way, Narada met him.
"O Marut! where are you going and on what work." asked Narada.
"ONarada! I intended to perform a Yaga. For that I requested Brihaspati to be the chief priest. He rejected my request and also insulted me that he will preside over Yagas performed by divine bodies only not by mortals. Having met such an insult, why should I remain on this earth." said Marut.
"No No. If not Brihaspati, some one else will perform Yaga. Yaga will never stop. Brihaspati got one younger brother called Samvartana. Brihaspati insulted and drove Samvartana away from home. Samvartana went to forests. For the present, he is wandering like an insane person. You meet him and request him to be the chief priest of your Yaga. He will accept your offer." said Narada.
"O Narada! Very many thanks for showing me a way out. But where is Samvartana! How can I meet him and speak to him. Kindly tell me in detail." asked Marut.
"O King Marut! Samvartana is at present in Varanasi. He is wandering like a mad man.To identify him, I will tell a plan. You go to Varanasi. Keep a dead body in front of you and stand at the entrance gate of Varanasi. Whoever runs away beholding that dead body, he is Samvartana. Follow him and meet him at a lonely place and pray him with devotion. If he asks you "Who told you about me?" you can say that "Narada told about you." If he asks you about my whereabouts, you can tell him that "after informing me about you, Narada entered holy fire". said Narada.
Accordingly, Marut went to Varanasi, kept a dead body in front of him at the main gate of Varanasi. A mad man came there and saw that dead body. He ran away as if somebody chased him. Identifying him as Samvartana, Marut followed him.to the outskirts of the city. Marut stopped Samvartana. Samvartana threw some dust on the face of Marut and abused him and behaved like a mad man. But Marut did not get angry. Marut stood before him with folded hands.
"Who are you? Who sent you here? If you tell truth, your desire accomplishes. Otherwise, your head will break into thousand pieces." said Samvartha.
"O great man! I am King Marut. Narada gave information about you." said Marut.
"Where is Narada?" asked Samvartana.
"Narada entered holy fire" said Marut.
Looking at Marut, Samvartana asked: "What made you to come over here?" asked Samvartana.
"I intended to perform a Yaaga. You must be the Chief Priest for that Yaga. " prayed Marut.
Samvartana kept quiet.
Again Marut said: "O Great man! I am the grand son of Karandhama. Your father Angirasa acted as Chief Priest for all the Yagas performed by my grand father." said Marut.
Beholding Marut with kind looks, Samvartana said: "O King Marut! I am the brother of Brihaspati. Brihaspati insulted me and drove me out. I left my house, properties etc and wandering like this as mad man. How can this poor wanderer be the Chief Preist of your Yaga. It is an insult to you. Hence, you approach my brother Brihaspati and request him to be the Chief Priest for your Yaga. If you want me to be your Chief Priest, you have to obtain the permission of my brother, Brihaspati, because I got more respect towards my brother, Brihaspati. If my brother permits, I will act as Chief Priest for your Yaga. Therefore, first obtain permission from my brother, Brihaspati." said Samvartana.
"O Samvartana! even prior to come over here, I approached your brother, Brihaspati and requested him to be the Chief Priest which he refused. He insulted me by saying that he cannot act as Chief Priest for a Yaga performed by a human. Indra instigated Brihaspati to talk like that. How can I again approach Brihaspati and request him" said Marut.
Samvartana convinced with his reply. "I accept your request. I will be the Chief Priest for your Yaga but on one condition. You shall never break your Deeksha under any circumstances. Whenver you break your Yaga Deeksha, I terminate the Yaga and curse you. You suffer a lot. Keep it in mind before commencing Yaga. As I have accepted your request, Brihaspati may bear grudge against you and may cause hurdles to your Yaga. You should have stable mind to face such hurdles." said Samvartana.
"O Samvartana! With your blessings, I face any amount of resistance at the hands anybody, leave alone Brihaspati or even Maheswara. I have no fear when you are by my side." said Marut firmly.
Samvartana satisfied with his words. "O King Marut! I make you richer than Indra and perform Yajna. Ofcourse, you may doubt my words. Hear me carefully. To the north of Himalayas, there is a mountain called Munjavanta. There, Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati, along with divine bodieses, Sidhas, Garudas, Gandharvas wander there. There you do not find either diseases or death. On that mountain, everything is gold. Gold stones, Gold sand is available in abundance. We go there and request Maheswara. With his blessings, we bring plenty of gold from that mountain. You employ more number of carriers to bring gold." said samvartana.
As per the words of Samvartana, Marut, along with Samvartana went to that mountain and prayed Lord Siva and got his blessings. Marut brought enormous gold from that mountain. In this manner, King Marut got enormous wealth. Marut got prepared all utensils with gold. With great splendour, he commenced Yaaga.
Having come to know about this Brihaspati felt distressed. Devendra enquired Brihaspati the reason for his distress.
"O Devendra! King Marut, after all a mortal, against my wish, is performing a Yaga for which my enemy, my brother, Samvartana, is the chief priest. That is the reason for my distress. O Devendra! My heart is burning. Marut shall not perform that Yaga. You make Marut to abandon Samvartana. If necessary, I will be the Chief Priest but not my brother, Samvartana. " said Brihaspati.
Immediately, Devendra summoned Agni. "O Agni! King Marut is performing a Yaga. You have to go there as my emissary and tell Marut that Brihaspati will perform Yaaga as Chief Priest. I do not know what you do. You have to make Marut to accept Brihaspati as Chief Priest." said Devendra.
Accordingly, Agni went to Marut as emissary of Devendra. Agni introduced himself as Agni. Marut saluted Agni. Marut called Samvartana. Marut and Samvartana greeted Agni and offered him Arghyam and Padyam and a seat. Agni told Marut thus:
" Devendra sent me as emissary to you. Brihaspati, the Divine Priest, has agreed to be the Chief Priest for your Yaga. If Brihaspati performs your Yaga, you attain divinity. Hence, you have to accept Brihaspati as chief priest. These are the words of Devendra." said Agni.
"O Agni! convey my one hundred crore salutations to Brihaspati. When I approached him and prayed him to be the Chief Priest of my Yaga, he heckled me and insulted me. With great difficulty, I made his brother, Samvartana, to agree as chief priest. Now Samvartana is the Chief Priest for my Yaga. I believe that he is capable of performing the Yaga." said Marut.
"O King Marut! it is not like that. If Divine Priest,Brihaspati is your Chief Priest, you may attain Punya Lokas. It is for your benefit only." said Agni.
Till then, Samvartana was patiently hearing the words of Agni. Now he was enraged with great wrath. "O Agni! if you continue to speak like this, I will reduce you to ashes with my looks only. Take care. Get out of this place and mind your own business." warned Samvartana.
Agni was afraid of the words of Samvartana. Immediately he returned back to Devendra. "O Devendra! I repeated your words before Marut. Marut did not accede to your request. When I further continued to talk, Samvartana threatened me with dire consequences. Hence I came back running." said Agni.
"O Agni! why cannot you go back to Marut and try once again by hook or crook and make him agree to our proposal. Still if he does not agree, threaten him that he will be sent to abode of Yama with my Vajrayudha.Tell him that this is the order of Devendra. Because it is our prestigious issue I am requesting you." asked Devendra.
"No. I cannot go again and face the wrath of Samvartana. Kindly send some other person." said Agni.
"O Agni! why are you afraid of Samvartana, a brahmin. You yourself reduce everything into ashes.How can you be reduced to ashes. Quite strange." said Devendra.
"O Devendra!you might have forgotten about Yoga Sakti. Do you remember how you were defeated by Vritrasura. When you obstructed Asvins from drinking Soma rasa, how you suffered at the hands of Brahmin Chyavana, have you forgotten. Then you were made to give share of Soma Rasa to Asvins. Therefore, Yoga power is greater than all powers. Hence I wont go to Samvartana and face his wrath." said Agni.
Then Devendra called, a gandharva called Dhritarashtra and directed him to go to Marut and convey his message and directions. Not aware of the past events, Dhritarashtra, the Gandharva, went to Marut and said thus:
"O King Marut! You have to fix Brihaspati as the Chief Priest for your Yaga. This is the order of Devendra. If you do like this, he feels happy. Otherwise, Devendra will be forced to launch Vajrayudha against you. Do as you like." said Gandharva.
Then Marut tried to pacify the Gandharva."O Gandharva! Before I commence Yaga, I prayed Brihaspati to be the Chief Priest, But he refused on the pretext that I am mortal. Hence I approached his brother, Samvartana and requested him to be my Chief Priest for which he agreed. Now, how can I fix Brihaspati to be the Chief Priest for my Yaga. Does it not amount to breach of trust. Not only Devendra but all Sidhas, Sadhyas and Gandharvas also know about this." said Marut.
While this conversaion was going on, Vajrayudha was coming towards Marut. Beholding Vajrayudha, Gandharva said: "O Marut! look at Vajrayudha. It is fast approaching to destroy you. I do not know how you avert Vajrayudha." said Gandharva.
Marut also was afraid of Vajrayudha. He looked at Samvartana and said: "O great saint! Vajrayudha is advancing towards me. You have to save me." prayed Marut.
Samvartana smiled and said: "O King Marut! Why do you fear about Vajrayudha. Devendra knows about me. I will retreat Vajrayudha with my samsthambhana art. Not only the weapon of Devendra, all the weapons of divine bodies nullify before Samstambhana art. Hence forget about Vajrayudha. Choose whatever you like." said Samvartana.
"O great saint! when you are here, I never afraid of any weapon. Kindly bless me with one boon. Kindly make Devendra to come to my Yaga and receive their due shares of Havis." prayed Marut.
"O King Marut! not only Devendra, all divine bodies will grace your Yaga and receive their due shares of Havis personally. Therefore, send invitations to Devendra and other divine bodies and commence your Yaga." said Samvartana.
Then samvartana, with his Yoga power, sent back Vajrayudha to Mahendra. During Yaga, Samvartana chanted vedic hymns invoking Devendra and other divine bodies. With the power of those hymns, Devendra along with his companions, visited Yaga. Marut received Devendra and other divine bodies with great honors and offered Arghyam, Padyam and suitable seats.
"O Devendra! kindly subside your anger against me. I am greatful to you for visiting my abode. I am blessed." prayed Marut.
Marut introduced Samvartana to Devendra: "O Devendra! this great sage is the own brother of Brihaspati. I requested him to be the chief priest of my yaga. He agreed for the same." said Marut.
"O Marut! I am very much satisfied with your hospitality and your request. I know that Saint Samvartana is equal to Brihaspati." said Devendra.
Then Samvartana said: "O Devendra! As a result of my tapas, you have come here on my invocation. With your presence, this Yaga is accomplished. O Devendra! you are aware of everything. Kindly shower your divine blessings upon us. I will perform this Yaga without any fault. Kindly supervise my performance. With your visit, King Marut attained divinity." said Samvartana with humble voice.
With the praises of Samvartana, Devendra was very much satisfied and happy. Then he ordered all divine bodies.
" Decorate this Yaga place with great splendour. Send for Rambha and other apsarasas and arrange all kinds of dance and entertainment programmes. Extend your help to King Marut and his ministers for the success of Yaga." ordered Devendra.
Under the supervision of Samvartana, Yaga was completed successfully. Samvartana offered Soma juice to Devendra and other divine bodies, calling each by name. Devendra and other divine bodies consumed Soma rasa and satisfied themselves. After taking leave from Marut, Devendra and other divine bodies retired to heaven.
At the end of Yaga, Marut worshipped Brahmins and guests and gave them gold coins, gold vessels etc. After receiving enormous gold articles, coins, ornaments and gold vessels from Marut, all brahmins could not carry them to their own places. Then they retained gold sufficient for their livelihood. They kept the remaining gold coins, ornaments and gold articles in big vessels and buried them. They left a note in writing that "this wealth belongs to those who find this wealth in future."
O Dharmaja! so far, that wealth was not unearthed by anybody. It is still in tact. You find that wealth, bring it to Hastinapura and perform Asvamedha Yaga." said Veda Vyasa.
Inspite of the idea given by Veda Vyasa to acquire wealth, Dharmaja was not happy. Krishna told Dharmaja thus: "O Dharmaja! atleast, even after hearing what Vyasa said, relinquish your wicked ideas and perform Asvamedha Yaga. Give up all your unnecessary thoughts. O Dharmaja! you never perform any task honestly and straightly. You unnecessarily lament for unnecessary things. What had happened to the knowledge acquired by you so far? You are unable to put an end to your sorrows means you are unable to discard your desires, anger, greediness, passions and aggrandizement. In this connection I tell you a story.
Once Vritrasura conquered earth and heaven. Vritrasura grabbed the natural scent of earth. Indra hurled his Vajrayudha against Vritrasura. Vritrasura entered into the other four elements except earth viz., water, fire, wind and sky. He grabbed juice from water, form from fire, touch from air and sound from sky which are natural attributes to those four elements. Therefore the five attributes of five main elements are under control of Vritrasura. Vritrasura shined with great spelndour.
Beholding this, Indra again hurled his Vajrayudha. Vritrasura, leaving the five elements, entered into the body of Indra. Indra fainted. With the Yoga power of Vasishta, Indra regained consciousness. Then Indra killed Vritrasura with his Vajrayudha. Therefore, Dharmanandana, you have first kill your inner enemies viz., kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya." said Krishna.
Krishna continued to say: "O Dharmaja! diseases are of two kinds. physical and mental. In our body, there are three main elements. They are Vata, pitta and Sleshma. (vata means air or gas produced in stomache. pitta means juices produced in stomache. Sleshma means phlegm). If these three humors are balanced, the man keeps good health. Imbalance of these three humors cause all kinds of diseases. This is physical unrest. Satva, Rajas and Tamas control the mind. If these three qualities are in equal proportions, his mind remains stable. Any imbalance in these three qualities causes unrest to mind. Physical unrest and mental unrest are caused one after another. They never come alone. If physical and mental unrest combine together, his life will be ruined.
Dharmaja! you do not know how to do Karma properly. Hence you are unable to complete any work properly. Now you are suffering both physical and mental unrest. Hence you are unable to take any decision. First acquire knowledge.Use your wisdom. Keep your mind calm and quiet, free from satva, rajas and tamas.
I now tell you how you think about yourself. You are still thinking about the incident happened in full court, bringing Droupadi to court and take off her clothes and insulting her. Forget about it. Make up your mind that that incident had never happened. You also wipe out from your mind all woes suffered by you during Aranya and Ajnata period. Dont recollect about the nasty acts of Saindhava. You never suffered anything in the court of Virata. Assume that you never killed Bhishma, Drona, Karna etc. warriors, and your kith and kin. Make up your mind that you are never responsible for those deaths. You never fought with any body. Why all these things. The great war never happened. Think like that. Then you never agitate in your mind about the good and bad effects caused by the war.
You know why I told you that the war never happened and it is all myth. Now, I tell you about the real war. In fact Kouravas are not your real enemies. The real enemy is your mind. You have always been thinking in your mind that Kouravas are your enemies. Hence they became your enemies and you are inimical towards them. Hence you fought with them. Either for friendship or enmity, your mind is responsible. Your real friend is your Atma. If you keep your mind stable, the entire outside world appears to be friendly and peaceful. Hence keep your mind always stable and undisturbed.
First you try to conquer your inner enemies, your anger, desires, passions, greediness etc. Without conquering your inner enemies, there is no use of weeping loudly. You control your mind and follow the right path. More than this, I cannot tell.
O Dharmaja! Mruthyu, Brahma, and self and selflessness. There is always conflict between these duals. Mruthyu means death. Brahma means birth. Mruthyu always tries to kill the persons born and those who are dead always try to take another body by rebirth. There is always an invisible war between these two concepts, birth and death. Atma is beyond these two concepts of birth and death. Atma has no decay. Atma has no connection with body. Atma has no limitation and decay which are natural to body. Atma is indivisible.
Even if he is a King and Emperor of the entire earth, if he does not have the desire to rule the entire earth for ever, he is not tainted with any sin. Similarly, if a sanyasi, who renunciated the wordly plelasures and retired to forests for deep meditation, does not control his sense organs and craves for worldly pleasures, there is no use of his remaining in forests and deep meditation. He will always be coming near to death.
O Dharmaja! you are thinking that you conquered all your enemies in war. Is it also a victory? Conquering outside enemies is not at all a victory. If you conquer your inner enemies, it is a real victory. Your prominent enemy is desire. There is no work without desire. Study of Vedas and sastras, and making charities are done only with some desire or other but not without any desire.
Once "the desire" said thus: "I am desire or wish. All those who are under my influence can never conquer me. I am known only by study of Vedas. Without knowledge of Vedas, none can conquer me. If any body intends to conquer me, that intention itself is a desire. I always accompany every human being because his mind is alwlays filled with one desire or other. But that human does not know that I always accompany him. Hence, none can conquer me. Even the wish to conquer me itself is a desire. That desire is mine. Who else can conquer me?
If one performs Tapas with an intention to conquer the desires, that intention itself is a desire. That is mine. Another performs Tapas with an intention to attain Moksha, that intention itself is a desire. That desire is mine. Hence none can conquer me.. Therefore, I am eternal. I have no death." said 'the desire'.
Therefore Dharmanandana! listen to me. Abstaining from doing anything with desire; concentrating on the work that is being done; performing Tapas in forests without any desire; are the ways to conquer desire. But doing such things is impossible and beyond the capacity of human beings. Hence "the desire" proclaimed that none can conquer him.
Hence Dharmaja! remove all desires from your mind. Kill all your desires. Without any deisre, perform asvamedha yaga. Then only you attain Punya. and 'the desire' will witness your Yaga. O Dharmanandanaa! even if you lament like this, will anybody return back from heaven? Therefore, stop lamenting. Dont think about the dead even in your dream. Perform Yajnas and Yagas in abundance. The entire world appreciate you. You also attain Punya Lokas." said Sri Krishna.