Kṛshṇadarśana Avatāra

The Kṛshṇadarśana Avatāra is a form that Bhagavān Śiva took as a handsome man with striking dark eyes. He came to test Nābhāga, a son of Śrāddhadeva Manu, and to give him the highest knowledge (Brahmajñāna). The account turns on one teaching: the wealth left over from a yajña (fire ritual) belongs entirely to Rudra. The Śata Rudra Saṃhitā of the Śiva Purāṇa tells it in Chapter 29.

Nābhāga’s return and the share of the inheritance

Śrāddhadeva Manu, who is also called Vaivasvata, had many sons, including Ikshvāku and others. The ninth son was Nābhāga, a man of great intelligence and learning. Nābhāga had gone to the āśrama (hermitage) of his guru to study the Vedas with their aṅgas and upāṅgas (the limbs and the subsidiary limbs of the Vedas). He lived there for many years as a disciplined brahmacārī (a student living in celibacy).

While he was away, his brothers shared the inheritance among themselves and kept no share for him. Each took his portion by the command of their father and enjoyed his kingdom in great happiness.

Nābhāga finished his studies and came back from his guru’s āśrama. He went to his brothers and asked for his share. The brothers answered with some embarrassment: “We forgot to give you your portion. Now take our father as your share.” Nābhāga did not understand this. He went to his father Śrāddhadeva and said: “While I was studying at my guru’s house, my brothers divided everything and left out my portion. I asked them for my share, and they told me that you are my portion. That is why I have come to you.”

Manu’s advice and the Āṅgirasa Satrayajña

Manu Śrāddhadeva comforted his son. He said: “Do not heed their deceptive words. But since they have handed me over to you as your share (dāyabhāga), let me give you a way to live. Listen carefully. The learned brāhmaṇas of the Āṅgirasa line are now performing a great Satrayajña. On each sixth day (shaḍaha) of the Satrayajña they become confused about the karma (rite) that must be done. Go to them and recite the two Vaiśvadeva sūktas (Vedic hymns) clearly. This will complete that day’s rite for the yajña. When the yajña ends, those brāhmaṇas will go to svarga (heaven) in great joy, and they will give you all the wealth that is left from the Satrayajña.”

Nābhāga understood the essence of truth (satya). He heard his father’s words with joy and went to the Satrayajña, where the Āṅgirasa brāhmaṇas were performing their great yajña. On the right day he recited the two Vaiśvadeva sūktas clearly. The yajña was completed. The Āṅgirasa brāhmaṇas were delighted. Before they rose to svarga, they gave Nābhāga all the wealth left from the great Satrayajña.

The Kṛshṇadarśana challenges Nābhāga

While Nābhāga was receiving that wealth, Bhagavān Śiva knew what was happening. At once he appeared in the form of a handsome man with striking dark eyes. This is the Kṛshṇadarśana. Bhagavān Śiva took this form to test Nābhāga’s loyalty to satya and to give him the highest jñāna (knowledge).

The Kṛshṇadarśana came from the north and challenged Nābhāga: “O man, who are you? Why are you taking this wealth that belongs to me? Who sent you? Tell me the whole truth.”

Nābhāga answered with perfect calm and honesty: “O Kṛshṇadarśana, the ṛshis who performed the yajña have given me this remaining wealth. Why do you stop me from taking it?”

Bhagavān Śiva said: “Only your father can settle our dispute. Go and ask him. He will tell you the dharma exactly as it is.”

Manu says the remainder belongs to Rudra

Nābhāga went back to his father and told him exactly what the Kṛshṇadarśana had claimed. Śrāddhadeva Manu remembered the lotus feet of Bhagavān Śiva and thought about him. Then he said to his son: “O child, that man is Bhagavān Śiva himself. Everything in this world belongs to him alone. The wealth left after a yajña has ended belongs to Rudra in particular. This is the teaching of the learned, and it has come into use in many places through the will (saṅkalpa) of Bhagavān Śiva himself. There is no doubt that Īśvara alone is the rightful master of all things. So why say separately that the remainder of the yajña is his? It is by his own will alone that even the other devas receive their shares. That Bhagavān Śiva has come there in that form to give you his grace (anugraha). O Nābhāga, go back. Please him with truthful words, ask his forgiveness, bow down fully and praise him. That Akhileśvara is the master of all yajñas and of all things.”

Nābhāga’s surrender and the Brahmajñāna

Nābhāga went back to the Kṛshṇadarśana and bowed down with folded hands. He said: “O Īśvara, my father has told me that everything in the three worlds is you. Why say separately that the remainder of the yajña is yours? O Nātha, the words I spoke in ignorance were full of confusion. Please forgive my fault. I bow with my head low and pray for your grace.” With great humility Nābhāga joined his hands and praised Bhagavān Maheśvara in the form of the Kṛshṇadarśana. Śrāddhadeva also folded his hands and bowed, asking forgiveness for his own part in the matter.

At that same moment the all-pervading Bhagavān Vishṇu, the wise Brahmā, Indra and the devas, and the siddhas and munis all arrived. They bowed and offered praises together with great joy.

Rudra, in the form of the Kṛshṇadarśana, was fully pleased at heart. He looked kindly at them all and spoke to Nābhāga with a loving smile: “Your father spoke the truth, and you also spoke the truth. So you are, without doubt, a righteous person. I am greatly pleased with your vow of truth (satya-vrata). I will kindly give you the eternal Brahmajñāna. O Nābhāga, you will become a great jñānī (one who knows). And now, by my grace, I give you all these things. Accept them together with the brāhmaṇas. O man of great understanding, enjoy all pleasures in this world without worry. By my compassion, joined with brāhmaṇa-dharma, you will reach the highest goal (uttamagati).”

Śiva vanishes and Nābhāga’s line

Bhagavān Śiva then vanished before all who were watching. Bhagavān Vishṇu, Brahmā and the devas bowed joyfully toward the place where he had stood and went back to their own lokas (worlds). Śrāddhadeva and Nābhāga went home very happy. Nābhāga enjoyed great blessings. After he left his body, he reached the pada (state) of Bhagavān Śiva.

The Śata Rudra Saṃhitā adds that Nābhāga’s grandson was the famous Ambarīsha, a supreme devotee of Bhagavān Vishṇu. It says that Durvāsa, who is Bhagavān Śiva’s own form (svarūpa), was also tested before Ambarīsha.

The fruit of hearing this account

The phalaśruti (the verse on the fruit of hearing) says that this caritra (account) is pure. It gives both worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and liberation (mukti) to good people. Those who recite it or remember it at dawn and dusk become poets and masters of mantra (mantra-vettā). After death they reach the highest goal (paramagati). (Chapter 29)

Sources

• Śiva Purāṇa, Śata Rudra Saṃhitā, Chapter 29