Nimi of Videha

Nimi was a great king of Videha. He was known for his deep love of Parameśvara and for his sharp mind. In the 11th Skanda of the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, Nimi hosts the nine Yogīśvaras, who were sons of Ṛshabhadeva. He asked them nine deep questions about bhakti (devotion), the avatāras, the yuga-dharmas, the signs of Kali Yuga and the nature of Parameśvara. This talk is the opening of the Uddhava Gīta and sets its main themes.

The king of Videha

Nimi ruled Videha. The Purāṇas praise this kingdom as especially dear to Parameśvara. It was the home of the great Janaka Mahārāja, and it was a land linked with high spiritual attainment. Nimi was no ordinary ruler. He had given up all attachment to royal power. His mind was fully taken up with the kathā (sacred stories) of Parameśvara and with the company of great devotees.

The talk takes place at a great yajña held by Nimi. Many ṛshis and sants took part. There Nimi met the Nava Yogīśvaras, nine wandering avadhūta princes. He saw that they were the highest authority to answer the deepest questions of his heart. The Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa tells this in the 11th Skanda, Chapter 2.

The nine questions

Nimi came to the nine ṛshis with full humility and deep śraddhā (faith). He asked nine questions that cover the whole range of Vaishṇava teaching:

  1. What is the highest good (śreyas) for human beings?
  2. What are the marks of a true devotee (bhāgavata-lakshaṇas)?
  3. Who is the uttama-bhāgavata, the best of devotees?
  4. What are the avatāras of Parameśvara?
  5. What are the yuga-dharmas, the right practices in each age of the world?
  6. What are the signs of Kali Yuga?
  7. What is the dharma of the jīva (the living being) in Kali Yuga?
  8. What is the nature of the māyā of Parameśvara?
  9. What is the final nature of Parameśvara himself?

A different one of the nine ṛshis answered each question. Together their answers form one of the fullest accounts of Vaishṇava teaching in the whole Bhāgavata. This is in the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 11th Skanda, Chapters 2–5.

Sources

  • Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 11th Skanda, Chapters 2–5
  • Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 11th Skanda, Chapter 2 (the setting of the talk)