28 - Anecdotes of the glory of Vishnu

1. Parvati, in her previous birth, was the daughter of Daksha. (known as Sati) she was married to Rudra (lord Shiva). But she gave up her life by throwing herself in the sacrifice of Daksha. She was born of Menaka and Himavat, the lord of the mountains. 

2. Parvati became the consort of Rudra. That Varuni, the wife of Shesha, became the wife of Balabhadra in her second birth as Revati.¹

1. Revati-wife of Balabhadra. Revata, the son of Anarta, the grandson of King Sharyåti was ruling over the island Kushasthali. Hundred sons beginning with Kukudman were born to him. As the youngest of all, a daughter named Revati was born. At the instruction of Brahma, Revati was given in marriage to Balabhadra. 

3. Her second form was pervaded by Śhri (Lakshmi) as a cloud is pervaded by water. 

4. Then Varuni, the wife of Shesha, practised penance in order to please Lakshmi. Lakshmi being pleased spoke to Varuni, the consort of Shesha. 

5-6. “When Rama (Balarama) constituted of a part of Vishnu will be born as the son of Rohiņi", pervaded by me you will be born as Śhrī to be united with Balabhadra. Do not be worried over this. So, saying Lakshmi went to the region of Vishnu. Being a part of Lakshmi, she obtained the name Lakshmi.

2. Rohini-Vasudeva had two wives Devaki and Rohiņi. Shrikrishna was born of Devaki and Balabhadra of Rohini. In her former birth she was Surasa, the wife of Prajapati Kashyapa, while the latter was born as Vasudeva.

7. When Śhesha, the lord of serpents, lifts up the earth on his hoods, the lord Vishnu is pleased to have copulation with her. 

8. Revati, the daughter of Raivata became the wife of Balabhadra along with Varuni and Sauparna. The three out of the six are twice inferior to the wives of Vishnu and ten times inferior to Rudra, Shesha and others. 

Garuda said: 

9. Varuni was born as the daughter of Revata who became the wife of Balabhadra, (the brother of lord Krişhņa). Varuni, the wife of Shesha has three forms. 

10. Parvati, the wife of Rudra has two forms: Nila and Jambavati are at par with Shesha. This is what I hear. 

11. Please tell me the reason thereof, O lord. You have also said that Rudra is superior to Uma in several qualities. Please let me know your conclusive opinion on this point. 

12-13. (I have also heard that) Revati is pervaded by Śhrī. She is Varuni, the wife of Shesha. The three-Revati, Suparna and Parvati are superior to Śhesha. O slayer of Madhu, this too I have heard in some quarters. O lord of good vows, tell me the reason thereof. I am your disciple. 

Lord Krishna said: 

14-15. O lord of birds, to express the mutual superiority, inferiority or equality of Jambavati and others, I have used the term 'hundred per cent superior, hundred percent inferior.' 

16. O lord of birds, as I tell you, you should know it accordingly. O the noblest son of Kashyapa, now I shall tell you the lineage of Indra. 

17-18. Among the fourteen Indras, the seventh was called Purandara. The body of Vrutra¹ and those of his associates were called Pura. Because he left their bodies with Vajra, Indra was called Purandara. Among the fourteen Indras Mantradyumna is the sixth.

1. Vrutra--an asura. According to one version he was created by Kashyapa from fire to slay Indra. According to another version it was Praja pati Tvashtru who created him to kill Indra. But be was killed by Indra with deception. 

19. Because he explained the eight Vedic mantras and shed light on their meaning he was called Mantradyumna. 

20-21. Arjuna, the son of Kunti was the incarnation of Mantradyumna (Indra), Vishnu, and Ananta. Among the four, Vayu was prominent in Arjuna. 

22-23. The monkey lord Bali is also called Purandara. King Gadhi of the lunar race was also the incarnation of Mantradyumna. He was the father of Vishvamitra. 

24. The Vedic mantras are called gah. Since he understood them by his sharp intellect he was called Gadhi. He incarnated on earth for preserving the Vedas. 

25. Vikukshi, the son of Ikshvaku was the incarnation of Indra. He incarnated on earth for propitiating Hari. Hari was known as Vikukshi, for he realized Hari in his heart. 

26-27. Kusha,² the son of Rama Dasharathi was also Indra. Since he was created by sage Valmiki by means of Kusha grass he was named Kusha, the son of Sita.

2. Kusha. According to Uttararamayana and Kathäsharitsågara (Alankaravati Lambaka Taranga I) a son called Lava was born to Sitå while she was living in the Ashrama of Valmiki. One day Sita took Lava to the stream to bathe him. Valmiki who did not know about this was upset not to see the child in the Ashrama. He feared that he might have been eaten up by some animal and fearing that Sitå might die when she missed the child he created a child with Kusha grass and laid it where Lava was lying before.

28. Indradyumna, Purandara, Gadhi, Bali, Arjuna, Vikukshi and Kusha-these seven are Indras. 

29. Pradyumna, the son of Krishna was the incarnation of Kama (the cupid). He was called Pradyumna because he possessed excellent brilliance. 

30. Bharata, the younger brother of Rama was also the incarnation of cupid. He was called Bharata because he travelled on the footprints of king Bharata.

31-33. Kama, the presiding deity of the disc, was born as Sudarshana. He was the son of Krishna and Jambavati. Samba the son of lord Krishna was also the incarnation of Kama. Skanda, the son of Rudra was also Kama. Since he overcame the enemies he is called Skanda. Sanatkumara, the son of Brahma, O lord of birds, is the incarnation of Kama. 

34. Sudarshana, Pradyumna, Bharata, Samba, Sanatkumara, and Skanda these six are the incarnations of Kama (cupid). 

35. Indra and Kama are inferior to Uma, etc., by ten per cent. Between the two Kama is inferior to Indra. 

36. Prana (vital airs) is called ahamkara; it is a part of Garutmat. It is inferior to Kama and Indra by ten per cent. 

37. I shall now tell you about the successors of Kama, O lord of birds, hear attentively; the knowledge thereof leads to liberation from sins and effects the final release. 

38. Aniruddha, the son of Pradyumna the Kama incarnate, was born to attend upon lord Krishna. The younger brother of Rama was called Shatrughna. He was so-called because he smote his enemies. 

39-40. Aniruddha was born of Pradyumna the son of Shrikrishna. Aniruddha was pervaded by the two, out of the three forms of Sankarshana. 

41. Rati,¹ the wife of Kama consists of two forms. Rukmavati, the daughter of Rukma was the wife of Kama.

1. Rati, daughter of Daksha Prajapati who gave her to Kama to be his wife.

42. By virtue of excessive brilliance she was called Rukmavati. Lakshana, the daughter of Duryodhana was Rati incarnate. 

43. Kashtha, the wife of Samba, was called Lakshana, for though born of wicked parents she possessed good qualities. Rati, the wife of Kama had two forms: one as the wife of Kama and the other as the wife of Samba. 

44. Svayambhuva Manu, at par with Bruhaspati the preceptor of Devas, was the first son of the creator. He was born to propitiate lord Vishnu. He formulated laws of the state. 

45. Bruhaspati, the preceptor of gods had three forms. O lord of birds. When Rama incarnated on earth he was born as Bharata. As such he was pervaded by Brahma. 

46. He took monkeys, the incarnations of Devas, across the ocean of life and death. He narrated the mighty exploits of lord Rama. He was known as Nara who incarnated to become absorbed in Rama. 

47. When lord Krishna incarnated on earth, Bruhaspati, the preceptor of gods, incarnated as Drona. He was pervaded by the creator. As Bruhaspati was born of Droņa¹ he was called Drona.

1. Drona, son of Bharadvaja and Ghrutachi-a celestial maid. Once Bharadvaja saw the bright and beautiful face of Ghrutachi. He had seminal dis charge. The discharged semen was deposited in a Drona (trough). A child was born from that and he was named Drona and brought up in the hermitage.

48. Bruhaspati incarnated as Uddhava. He was pervaded by wind god in order to help the lord to relieve the earth of its burden and mankind of their suffering. 

49. As lord Hari is excellent among all, he obtained the name Budha. He became the friend of lord Krishna. The wise one was worshipped by all people. 

50. From the right thumb of Brahma was born Dakşha.² To him was born Lakshmi who became the wife of lord Vishnu Since he, the Patriarch, gave birth to sons he was called Daksha.

2. Vide p.999. fn. 2.

51. Know that Shachi is the wife of Indra. Listen to her incarnations. When Rama descended on earth she was born as Tara. She became the wife of Bali and was called Shachi. 

52-54. When Rama killed Bali, she became the wife of Sugriva. Thus, she was a sinner. Hence, she could not go to heaven. 

She continued moving in the ether till when the lord incarnated as Krishna on earth. She was born as Tara and became the wife of Vijaya. She was known as Pishangada. She wedded Pandava Arjuna to whom she bore a son Babhruvahana when Arjuna left her company. Tara and Chitrangada are the incarnations of Shachi.

55. Pulomaja was the wife of Mantradyumna. Kashika was the wife of Gadhiraja. Sumati was the wife of Vikukshi. Kantimati was the wife of Kusha. These seven are inferior to Shachi. 

56. Shachi, Rati, Aniruddha, Manu, Daksha, Bruhaspati-these six are equal to each other. These are inferior to ahamkara by ten percent. 

57. Pravaha (wind) is the son of principal Vayu. He, the strong one, is the strongest among Vayus. He is the lord of all directions. 

58. This Vayu breathes through nostrils. It is material and uniform in nature. It is also called Ativaha as it is resorted to by those who desire liberation. It is inferior to Daksha and others by five percent. 

Garuda said: 

59. O lord, please tell me how he obtained the epithet Pravaha. What is the significance of the name? 

60. Thus addressed by Garuda, lord Krishna, the son of Devaki—was highly pleased. He appreciated Garuda and spoke in reply. 

Lord Krishna said: 

61. O best of birds, as he ever takes the devotees of Hari across the ocean of existence, he is called Pravaha. 

62-63. Vishnu is the best of all gods. Brahma and the rest are dependent on him. Whatever I state is the truth. 

I take hold of an infuriated serpent. If all what I have stated proves to be untrue then let the lord of snakes sting me.¹

1. This and the following statements reveal the sectarian character of this Purina. They are indeed very peculiar in content.

So, saying, he caught hold of an infuriated serpent but the serpent did not sting him. 

64-65. Because he held the serpent by hand, o lord of birds, the son of Vayu got the designation 'Pravaha'. 

Those who do not worship the idol of Vishnu but worship the idols of inferior gods or goddesses-Renuka¹, etc., of the form of Daityas, purposeless is their worship of Vishnu as well as of the manes. This is true, very true, I say. If all what I have said is proved to be false and untrue, then let the lord of serpents sting me mortally.

1. Renuka--a goddess of low status. She is not identifiable with Renuka, the wife of Jamadagni father of Parashurama.

66. He who performs shraddhas to the manes without offering gifts to Vishnu, that sinner goes to hell. What I say is indeed true. 

67. Neither Lakshmi is sovereign nor Brahma nor Vayu nor Shiva nor Parvati nor Shachi the daughter of Puloman and the wife of Indra. 

68. The primeval being Vishnu alone is real. I declare this truth by my uplifted arms. If all this proves to be false then let the lord of snakes sting me. 

69-70. The supreme soul is real, so is the personal soul. The difference between the two is real, so also between the animate and the inanimate, similarly between the inanimate and the lord. The difference between one soul and the other is also real. If all this is proved to be false then let the lord of snakes sting me mortally. 

71. So saying, he caught hold of the infuriated snake but the snake did not sting him at all. By catching hold of the infuriated snake, this son of Vayu obtained the designation Pravaha. 

72. Accepting dual nature of the lord, you should accept the two as real. He who disregards this maxim, remains a sinner throughout life. Though he may be taking plunge in the holy rivers daily without fail, he does not obtain release. 

73. By accepting quality as a matter of fact, one feels quite happy. If all this is proved to be false then let the lord of serpents sting me mortally. 

Garuda said:

74. O supreme god, please tell me what quality is, of what nature? What is the source of this concept? How shall a person forsake duality. What bliss is derivable from renunciation.

Lord Krishna said: 

75. In this body two organs are the strongest of all. They are two ears and two eyes. The two are interrelated. O lord of birds, I shall tell you the real nature of the two. 

76. Ears are prone to hearing gossips and enjoying them with pleasure. They are naturally averse to hearing the ambrosial tale of lord Vishnu. They have twofold nature: dullness and control. 

77. Eyes are prone to gaze at men and women. Excessive doting takes away sleep. They are averse to seeing the devotees and their worship of the lord. 

78. Even the stupid person is aware of their dual nature. He rather accepts indulgence as a matter of course. In his stupidity he takes delight in entering his penis in the vagina of any female. 

79. Neither men and women nor ascetics have any dread or shame in this respect. Men can copulate even with their sisters, that too at day time, just as the priests do with the women at the soma sacrifice. 

80-82. This is the nature of the tongue that it eats what is not to be eaten, that it eats without offering it to the lord. This is the nature of the tongue to eat, lick or drink all that is not worthy to be eaten, licked or drunk, whether received as a gift or otherwise. The stupid person does not understand the true nature of the sense-organs, accepts the one and forsakes the other. If he acts otherwise his bath at the sacred place of pilgrimage (tirthas) becomes fruit-less. O lord of birds, be pleased to know what is the essence of my statement. 

83-84. A person who bathes at the holy places should note the differing nature of the two. If without understanding the true nature of the two mistresses, the ignorant fool accepts the one and abandons the other his ablution, etc. are rendered fruitless. He attains neither prosperity here nor liberation hereafter. If all what I have said is proved to be false then let that lord of snakes sting me. 

85. Intellect is the wife of Purusha. She has twofold nature O lord of birds. One is wicked; the other is pious. Of the two the younger one is wicked, the elder one is pious. 

86. Through the younger one, the soul succumbs to destruction. Through the elder one he attains position. I shall now tell you about the nature of the younger. Listen and after listening try to abandon her. 

87. The younger one encourages the soul (her husband) to indulge in activities for the fulfilment of worldly desires. She disregards the sanctity of the Brahmanas, of lord Vishnu and his narratives, of sacrifices, cows, the holy fig tree, of bath and purity. She misdirects to worship their stupid husbands and goddess Renuka and waive lights to Mayadevi. 

88-91. She encourages the stupid and ignorant husband to worship Bhairava and others and to put on yellow marks of turmeric powder on the forehead, to worship goddess Jyeshtha on the eighth day of Jyeshtha, to put on sacred thread round the neck with devotion, to worship god Marigandhi on the Marigandhi aşhtami, to raise a column of earthen lamps on the auspicious day before Mahalakshmi (Supreme Nature) and Adyalakṣhmi (Primordial Nature) to put on Lakshmi thread on the neck with a temptation that thereby he will attain riches. 

92-93. On the day when they change old girdles for the new ones she encourages them to give up girdles and put on chains. She encourages them to propitiate the women of fashion, to worship gods and goddesses with scents, flowers and incense and to waive lights from the vessels of brass, spread leaves of Neem on the ground, pay homage and seek forgiveness for their past misdeeds. 

94. She encourages men to worship goddess Mahadevi and forbids them feed the pious devotees of lord Vishnu. She warns her husband (the soul) against feeding the Vaishnavas and threatens him with the dire consequences of total destruction and addresses him thus. 

95. O husband, now put a vessel of bamboo wood on the left hand and an earthen lamp on the right and move about for begging food at the five neighbouring houses, casting your sense of shame aside. 

96-97. At first, prepare food of six varieties, eat the same without letting the people know. Distribute the residue among your womanfolk, asking them to put their hand on the sacred book and proclaim, 'O save us'. O husband, worship a good sword together with the devotees. 

98. Make a barking sound together with them. Keep always in your possession the powder of orpiment. Worship Bhimasena with five ambrosial articles. 

99. Make a present of silver-girdle to lord Bhimadeva and make a row of earthen lamps in front of the idol of the lord, feed the best of his devotees with devotion and make a thundering sound 'Bhima, Bhima' at the top of your voice. 

100. Propitiate the best of the devotees of Bhima with garments, wine and meat. Worship Mahadeva in a proper way with the mantras of Maharudra and Atirudra. 

101. Worship even those devotees of lord Shiva who though expert in the knowledge of Shiva scriptures belong to the Shudra class. 

102. Prepare vegetable dishes of different variety and propitiate the goddess Shakambhari with devotion and interest. Decorate her idol and praise her traits. Fix up your mind on the creator Brahma and eyes full of devotion at his idol and offer worship. 

103. Worship the best of his devotees, pay homage at his feet, and bow your head to him. On the fifth day of each fortnight of the month, make an earthen idol of lord Shesha and worship him with milk, fried rice grains and such-like other articles used in worship. 

104. Wear a naga-pasha around your neck; eat whatever is left of the food that has been offered to the deity. Make an offering of foodstuff on each fourth day of the two four nights of every month. 

105. By these instructions, o lord of birds, the wicked intellect vitiates her husband, the soul. As he associates with her he, the husband in the form of the soul, is stung by her. 

106. Therefore, do not associate with her. Resorting to sacrifice make your life a complete success. 

The second wife, the noble intellect, encourages the husband in the following way: 

107. O my lord, do not propitiate any god or goddess except lord Vishnu. Let not that (deceitful) Renuka attend on you. If lord Hari, of unmanifest form is unable to protect you who else can do the same. 

108. If you propitiate her who is deceitful and an a-vedic deity, always inimical to you (though outwardly pleasing), you will by that very act contract diseases such as leprosy, fistula, etc., and you will go to hell. This, your bad wife, will not help you at all. Hence, o lord, do not follow upon the bad advice of that wretched lady. 

109. O lord, propitiate the brahmanas, the devotees of Vishnu, who alone can help you to cross the ocean of suffering in this world. Therefore, give up the worship of gods or goddesses (other than Vishnu). Is there any gain in propitiating illusion? 

110. O my lord, if on the eighth day of each fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, you worship Alakshmi taking her for Lakshmi and wear the sacred thread round your neck as an insignia of devotion you will suffer an immense lot of trouble. 

111. When the emissaries of Yama tie you up with nooses and whip you severely, then Alakshmi (whom you propitiated during your life-time) will not be present there to help you. Hence, o lord, abandon your contact with Alakshmi and seek shelter at the feet of lord Hari. 

112-113. O ignorant lord, do always resort to Vayu-tattva and not to Skanda-tattva. Eat fresh butter and not the one that has been left as refuge after god Skanda has partaken of his share. Wearing the thread of protection around your neck, do not suffer any more in this world. 

114. When the emissaries of Yama tie you with their noses and beat you with whips, lord Skanda will not be present there to help you. O lord, give him up and seek the shelter of Lord Hari's feet. 

115-116. O husband, you raised a pillar of earthen lamps for propitiating the lord and wore a holy thread around your neck for your protection. But when the emissaries of Yama tie you with their noose and whip you severely, the pillar of light and the holy thread will not be there to render help. Take resort at the feet of Vishnu, therefore.  

117-119. On the day of your marriage, you wore a fresh girdle, waived lights put in the vessel of grass. You made a peculiar sound to propitiate your family god Shiva. Chewing betel in the mouth you danced before the lord. But when after death, the emissaries of Yama tie you with their nose, your family god will not be there to help you. Where has he run away, tell me, O lord. 

120-121. You propitiated your family goddess, by gifting your car ornaments or in the absence of ornaments with the hair of your body. But when the fierce emissaries of Yama beat you with iron pestles or mace, your family goddess will not be there to help you. Riding on a donkey she would have fled away long before. 

122-123. You held a vessel of bambo wood by your left hand and an earthen lamp by your right and begged O stupid person from door to door when you had a facility of a settled life at home. When after death, the emissaries of Yama beat you severely and put you on the fire of thousands of earthern lamps that snub-nosed Renuka will not be there to offer protection. Where would she have fled away, tell me, O lord. 

124. That lifeless object, the sword you worshipped with devotion as a devotee would worship the idol. You barked like a dog. You discarded home when you had the facility of a settled life. 

125. When after death, the emissaries of Yama beat you up and you cried, then where did your family deity run away leaving you, the best of his devotees, all alone. 

126. You worshipped the idol of Bhimasena adorned with five jewels. You offered sweet dishes, loin cloth, etc., to the devotees. O silly one, you wandered when you had the facility of a settled life at home. 

127. When the emissaries of Yama beat you on the way to Yama's region, where did the deity Bhima run away leaving you all alone? O ignorant one, take shelter at the feet of lord Vishnu, O ignorant one. 

128. You offered worship to lord Shiva, repeating the name Hara which means the remover of all suffering. When you had the facility of a settled life at home, you wandered. When your house was on fire, where did your lord Hara fly away (tell me, O lord). 

129. At the festival of goddess Shakambhari, you worshipped Shakambhari. Where did Shakambhari fly away, when the emissaries of Yama beat you severely. 

130. With concentrated devotion you worshipped Brahma and wearing a piece of cloth received in gift when you had the facility of a settled life at home. When after death the emmissaries of Yama beat you with axes of sharp edge where did that Kuláladeva of bright teeth and shining eyes fly away leaving you, a true devotee, in wretched plight. Kulaladeva cannot be traced by any. 

131. On the fifth day of each fortnight you worshipped the earthen idol of Shesha with devotion. You wandered when you had the facility of a settled life at home. When after death, the emmissaries of Yama tied you with a serpent noose, then where did Nagaraja run away leaving you, the best of his devotees, all alone. Tell me, that. 

132-33. You worshipped Vinayaka with the tiny shoots of Durva grass or with the fivefold variety of dishes. But when after death you were beaten up with the heated rods of iron by the emissaries of Yama, where did lord Vinayaka fly away leaving his single tusk behind. Tell me, O lord. 

134. You worshipped Vishtadevi (the goddess of faeces) with devotion on the occasion of marriage. You wandered when you had the facility of a settled life at home. When after death the emissaries of Yama tied you with a noose and beat you on the way to Yama's region where did the goddess of faeces fly away leaving you, a sincere devotee, all alone. 

135. At the wedding ceremony you went to a washer-man's house, begged for the auspicious thread which you put on the earthen jar and worshipped. 

136. When after death the emissaries of Yama put the holy thread in your very mouth and beat you up, then where did the goddess Stambha-sūtrå run away. Tell me, O lord. 

137. At the wedding ceremony you worshipped Goddess Chaula who fulfils the wishes of his devotees. You carried her in the winnowing basket to the bank of a river and propitiated her together with the devotees. You wandered when you had the facility of a settled life at home. 

138. When after death the emissaries of Yama tied you with the noose and beat you on the way to Yama, where did goddess Chaula fly away. O stupid one, lake shelter at the feet of lord Vishnu. 

139. When your son was suffering from fever you worshipped Brahmadeva at home with incense, earthern lamps, flowers and tasty dishes. You accepted Brahmadeva as your family deity. 

140. And when after death the emissaries of Yama tied you with a noose and beat you with the cane, where did Brahmadeva run away. O silly one, take shelter at the feet of lord Vishnu. 

141. You worshipped Bruhati for obtaining offspring and kept the fruit of Bruhati hanging around your neck. You wandered when you had the facility of a settled life at home. 

142. When after death, the emissaries of Yama tied you with the noose and pricked you with the thorns of Bruhati, O ignorant one, then where did Bruhati run away. Tell me that. 

143. O ignorant one, take shelter at the feet of supreme lord Narayana, one who takes you across all sufferings. Do not worship the minor deities and do not hear their wasteful tales. 

144. Put all minor deities together in a tiny basket and throw them off at a distant place. Put aside those customs of your family that are likely to occasion your fall into terrible hells.

145. O ignorant one, purge your soul by reciting the eight mantras (of purification) at this holy sight. Cast off all emblems of stupidity that have entered your heart and adorn yourself with the emblems of lord Vishnu. 

146. You are ignorant from the very beginning (and have remained as such to this very day). Listen to the tale of Vishnu. You have wasted your life being led by vicious ideas; You should know that the association with the pious devotees of lord Vishnu is difficult to achieve. Rarer is the knowledge of Reality-straight and simple.

147. Think of Vishnu as your preceptor and the support of your existence. O ignorant one, throw off your wicked ideas. Resort to me, for I generate noble ideas in you. 

148. “Having obtained me as your noble preceptor, evolve feelings of detachment from your kith and kin. Know that knowledge of Reality leads to liberation. The grace of Vishnu and her consort Lakshmi can alone take you across the ocean of life.” 

149. With this thought in mind I addressed the best of my devotees thus. Hence I got the designation Pravaha, O lord 

of birds. Now hear what is relevant to the context.