58 - The Creation of the Cosmic Egg

Vide the Brahma P. Ch. 62 for comparison. Most of the verses (Viz. I.23) in these chapters of the XP. and Brahma P. are common. The NP. However, tells a different episode about the transformation of the sea-water from sweetness to saltishness (from v. 23 onwards)

Vasu said: -

1. After duly and devoutly worshipping Purushottama the devotee should bow down his head and propitiate the ocean with the following Mantra.

2. ‘‘In the whole universe, O lord of rivers, you are the vital air (Präna) of all living beings, O Tirtharãja (King of holy centres), obeisance be to you. Save me, O favourite of Achyuta.”

3-4. After duly taking the holy dip in the ocean, in that auspicious and excellent holy centre and after duly worshipping Näräyana devoid of ailments and blemishes on the shore (of ocean and after bowing down to Rãma, Krishna and Subhadrä, the devotee should worship the ocean. Thereby, the man attains the benefit of hundreds of horse-sacrifices.

5-6. He shall be absolved of all sins. He shall be freed from all miseries. Like Hari, he shall be glorious and surrounded by the Devas. He can justifiably feel proud of beauty and youth. In an aerial chariot having the lustre of the sun and with the harmonious divine music of the Gandharvas, he shall take twenty-one generations of his family and go to the world of Vishnu.

7. After enjoying various excellent pleasures there and after playing with the Devas (he will exhaust his merit and) fall off from that world. After coming here, he becomes a Brähmana, the most excellent knower of the Brahman.

8. He shall then be famous, intelligent, glorious and truthful. He shall have mastery over the sense-organs. He shall become a Brãhmana fully conversant with the meanings of the Vedic and scriptural texts. Then he shall be a devotee of Vishnu.

9a. After attaining the Yoga pertaining to Vishnu, he shall attain liberation.

9b-11. The men of good intellect should offer charitable gifts on the following occasions—during the eclipses, during the transit of the sun (from one house of Zodiac to another), and on both tropical and equinotical transits, on the inaugural days of the Manvantaras and Yugas, during Vyatïpätas, when the days dwindle in length, during the full-moon days in the months of Äshädha, Karttika and Mägha and other auspicious Tithis. They then attain thousand times the benefit (as compared with that) derived from other holy centres.¹

1. Compare the list of auspicious occasions for Dana (religious gift) in Mbh. Vana 200. 125, Laghu Shatatapa 145, 150 Vyatipåta is already explained.

12. If the devotees offer balls of rice to the Pitris there, in accordance with the injunctions, the Pitris derive everlasting satisfaction.

13-15. Thus, O gentle lady, the benefit of the holy bath in the ocean has been recounted by me. So also the benefit of the charitable gifts and the offerings of Pindas has been mentioned.

14. It is the bestower of the benefit of virtue, wealth, and liberation. It grants longevity, fame and renown. It yields worldly pleasures and liberation (from Samsâra) for men. It is conducive to wealth. It dispels the effects of evil dreams. It is meritorious. It annihilates all sins and bestows all desired benefits. It (this knowledge) should not be imparted to an atheist, to a knave or to a miser.

16. As long as the greatness of the Tïrtharäja² is not described by the Brâhmanas, other holy centres roar with their own respective greatness separately.

2. Tirtharaja ‘The King of all Tirthas’ is the ocean (Bay of Bengal in this This title is explained in vv. 18-21.

17. Pushkara and other Tïrthas grant only their own respective benefits. But the Tirtharäja, the ocean is the bestower of the benefit of all the Tirthas.

18. Whichever Tïrthas, holy rivers and the lakes exist on the surface of the earth, they enter the ocean. Hence it has verily attained the excellence.

19. The ocean, the lord of the rivers, is the king of all Tïrthas. Hence, it is superior to all other Tirthas. It is the bestower of all desires.

20a.* When the sun rises up, the darkness perishes, (so also the sin perishes in a place).

*A ref. to the Brahma P. shows that 20a and 20b in the NP. form parts of totally different verses. 20a in the NP becomes complete by the line “Similarly all the sins become totally annihilated by a bath in the Tirtha-räja (ocean)” 20a in B. M. P. Ch. 62.

20b. On the ocean there are ninety-nine crores of Tîrthas. Hence whatever is performed there (on the seashore) such as ablution, charitable gift, Homa, Japa and worship of the Devas, is declared to be everlasting in the Šhästras.

Mohini enquired

21-22. Among all the oceans, how did this lord of rivers become briny? O Preceptor, tell me, since O Brahmana you are omniscient.¹

1. The story about the saltish taste of the sea due to the curse of Rädhä as given here in vv. 23-38 has no basis in the Bh. P. or the P. This story is not at all complimentary to Rädhä.

Vasu narrated:

23. O lady of good fortune, listen. I shall explain the saltish state of this ocean and how this had been cursed by his mother who was the mother of the worlds.

24. O Mohini, formerly in the process of creation there had been born seven oceans, born of the womb of Rädhâ. They had divine physical bodies of various kinds.

25. Once, the lord of Rädhä, the lord of cowherds, cowherd-lasses and cows was indulging in sexual intercourse with his lady love in the Vrundävana forest.

26.In the middle of the group of Rasa dances, in the brilliant-jewelled Mandapa, he was in passionate union with his affectionate lady love.

27-28. Those seven children, the oceans, could not see their mother, the mother of the universe, when the time for their breast-feeding had arrived. Weeping on being over-whelmed with hunger, they reached the jewelled Mandapa. They went near it, eager to have their breast-feed.

29-30a. All of them were stopped by the groups of cowherdesses stationed at the entrance. The angry children impatient to have their usual breastfeed forced their entry into the Mandapa. Thinking that they were only babies in the lap of their mother, the children were let in by the cowherdesses.

30b-32a. Then they went into the jewelled Mandapa crying bitterly, “O mother, where are you?”. O queen, when the mother did not respond to the call of those children seeking breast-milk, the youngest of them all entered the actual spot of the mother’s sexual dalliance.

32b-34a. On seeing her deluded sons unwittingly causing a break in her sexual dalliance, the agitated mother, O gentle lady, cursed them “All of you go ere long to the world of earth since you had attempted to cause break in my sexual dalliance. After going to the earth, your sons will be staying there separately alone.”

34b-35. O daughter of Brahma, on hearing the worlds of their mother, the mother of the universe, all those children cried aloud (as they were) extremely frightened of the impending separation. Thereafter, Lord Shri Krishna the destroyer of the anguish of those who bow down, became pleased with them.

36-37. “O sons, do not be afraid. I shall stand near you. All of you shall be in the liquid state always with separate forms and movements. This youngest son who came well within the place shall become briny.” After saying this, the lord of the universe dismissed his sons.

38. In order to console them, he always stood by them. He who entered the room of sexual dalliance became the briny sea. The others remained separately as the milk ocean etc. assuming liquid form.

Mohini queried:

39. O Preceptor, who is this Rädhä mentioned by you as the chaste lady and the mother of the worlds. Explain to me the reality about her. I am eager to listen to it.

40.The description of Rädhä and Mädhava is a mysterious secret in the Puränas. Since you factually know everything, O sage of holy rites, narrate it to me.

Vasishtha said:

41. O King Mändhätâ, on hearing the words of Mohinï, the magnanimous Vasu, the great devotee of Govinda, was visibly moved.

42. (Being extremely delighted) the hair all over his body stood on their ends. His heart was overwhelmed with joy. He as it were lost his consciousness with ecstasy. The excellent Brähmana spoke to Mohinï.

Vasu said:¹

1. VV. 43-67 present a synthesis of Säñkhya and the Puränic concept of evolution of universe. It is obviously the theistic Säñkhya with Krishna as the God.

43. O gentle lady, listen, I shall tell you the secret of secrets. The story of Krishna is to be guarded well. It brings about one’s union with the Brahman.

44. I bow down to the lord who controls both—the Prakruti and Purusha, who is the creator of the creators, who is the annihilator of the annihilators.

45. O gentle lady, all the incarnations are those of the Brahman in the form of Krishna The incarnator is Krishna himself. He is both with and without attributes.

46. He alone is Räma and Krishna factually, but he is separate due to the variety of attributes. The other worlds are the creations of Prakruti. But the Goloka (i.e. Krishna world) itself is devoid of attributes.

47. O gentle lady, the term, Gävah are the rays of brilliance, as observed (after ascertainment) by those who know the Vedas. Brahmâ, Vishnu, Shiva and others are manifestations of Prakruti evolved out of its Gunas.

48. O gentle lady, his refulgence is always without attributes but considered to be the cause of Gunas. The Gunas are

26b-27a. By visiting Krishna seated on the cushioned couch a man obtains that benefit which is cited to result from the gift of a hundred virgins.

27b-31. By visiting Râma and Krishna along with Subhadrä seated in the cushioned sofa, one obtains the following benefits viz. the gift of a hundred gold coins; the gift of lands; the gift of cooked rice; hospitability extended to every one; the rite of duly discharging the Vrusha (Bull); the gift of water during the summer ; the gift of Tiladhenu (replica of cow in gingelly seeds) ; the gift of elephants, horses and chariots; the rite of Chändràyana:, observance of fast for a month ; pilgrimage to all holy centres and holy rites and religious gifts. Hence a man or a woman must visit Purushottama O Mohini, when duly bathed with the water that remains after has been duly bathed, the barren woman, the lady whose progeny is dead, unfortunate wretched persons, those who are affected by evil planets, those who are possessed by Râkshasas and others and those who are affected by ailments attain purity immediately. They attain desired benefits. O lady of good lustre, they attain other things they desire, if they perform ablutions as per injunctions.

32. All other sacred waters on the earth do not deserve even the sixteenth part of the remainder of water after the ablution of Krishna.

33. Hence the devotee should sprinkle limbs (of his body) with the sacred water that is left over after the ablution of the deity lying down in the waters. It is the sacred water that bestows all desired benefits.

34. There is no doubt about this that those who visit Krishna who goes towards the south after ablution, are liberated from even the murder of a Brâhmana and other sins.

35. By visiting Krishna facing the south, a man obtains that benefit which is mentioned in the scriptures as the result of circumambulating the earth three times.

36. By visiting Krishna proceeding to the south, one attains the benefit cited as the result of pilgrimages in the whole of the earth.

37-41. By visiting      proceeding to the south one attains that benefit which is derivable from the holy bath at Gañgädvära, Kubjämra, Kurukshetra during the solar eclipse, at Pushkara and other sacred waters. Of what avail is much talk? By visiting Subhadrã, Balaräma and Kešhava facing the south, one attains the benefit mentioned in the Vedas, scriptures, Puränas, Mahâbhärata, Samhitäs and other works, as the fruits of meritorious rites.

42. Those who see Krishna seated in the chariot along with Subhadrä and Balaräma and proceed to Gundichä ¹ Mandapa go to the abode of Hari.

1. Gundichå (Gundivå in the BM. P.) is the summer ‘palace’ of Jagannätha (Purushottama). It is at a distance of about I mile from the Jagannätha temple at Puri.

43. By undertaking pilgrimage even once, at the time of journey to Gundichä, at the time of equinox in the month of Phälguna, a man goes to the world of Vishnu.

44. It is certain that a man will stay in the world of Vishnu for as many Kalpas as the number of pilgrimages he undertakes to Shripurushottama.

45. O daughter of Brahmä, when twelve pilgrimages are completed, the devotee shall perform the rite of installation in accordance with the injunctions. It will be destructive of sins.

46. On the eleventh day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha, the devotee should go to the sacred waters, pure in mind and body. He should perform the rite of Ächamana therein.

47. After invoking the holy Tirthas and meditating on Nãräyana, he should take holy bath in the manner indicated in the sacred precepts.

48. After the bath in a decent manner, the devotee should perform Tarpana rite for the Devas, sages, and Pitris with the due utterance of their names and Gotras.

49-50. After coming out of the water he should wear two pure clothes and perform the Ächamana rite as well as the due worship of Bhäskara the sun. He should then repeat Gäyatri, the holy Mantra, the mother of the Vedas, one hundred and eight times: and also other Mantras pertaining to the sun. He should circumambulate three times and then bow to the sun.

51-53. The procedure for the holy dip and the repetition of Japas is, in regard to the three castes, the same as mentioned in the Vedas. O fair lady, in regard to the Shüdras and the women the repetition of the Vedic texts is to be avoided. Thereafter, he should, with devotion, go to Sri Purushottama installed in the temple. According to the injunctions, he should wash his hands and feet and perform the Ächamana rite. He should bathe the lord with ghee and thereafter with milk.

54. He should then bathe deity with honey, fragrant water and the water from the Tirtha mixed with the sandal paste. Thereafter, the devotee should clothe the deity with excellent pair of clothes.

55. He should smear deity with sandal paste, agallochum, camphor and saffron. He should worship Purushottama by means of lotuses, with great devotion.

56-57. After thus worshipping Hari, the lord of the universe the bestower of worldly pleasures and salvation, the devotee should burn incense mixed with agallochum. He should burn Guggula (aromatic resin) of the pure variety along with ghee. With devotion he should light the lamp with ghee in accordance with his capacity.

58. With great concentration, he should light twelve other lamps, O goddess, with cow's ghee or with gingelly oil.

59-60. The devotee then offers the following as Naivedyas viz; milk-pudding, fried pie, coiled baked pie, circular fried coils, sweet meats, molasses and fruits. After completing the worship of Purushottama by means of the fivefold services, the devotee should perform hundred and eight times the Japa of the Mantra— “Om obeisance to Purushottama”

61. Thereafter, he should propitiate the lord by bowing down and prostrating before him like a staff. Thereafter, he should honour the preceptor with devotion, with flowers, garments and unguents.

62-63. O daughter of Brahma, (the preceptor should be honoured) since there is no difference between these two (i.e. the preceptor and the lord),

With concentration and purity of mind, the devotee should erect the ceremonial hall (Mandapa) over the lord. The zone in front should be brilliant and variegated with flowers. After making an emphatic determination at the outset, the devotee should keep awake at night.

64. The learned devotee should cause the discourse on Väsudeva conducted and songs sung about him. He should spend the night meditating, reading and eulogising the lord.

65-66a. Then, after the Dvàdašhi has dawned splendidly, the devotee should invite twelve Brâhmanas who are life-long students of the Vedas, who have taken a holy bath after holy rites, are well conversant with the Itihâsa and the Puränas, have learned the Vedas and have restrained their sense-organs.

66b-68. After duly completing holy bath, the devotee should wear washed cloth and restrain and conquer the senseorgans. He should then bathe Purushottama who is stationed there, with devotion as before. He shall propitiate the lord of the universe with scents, fragrant flowers, presents, offerings of food, lamps, many kinds of reverential services, salutations, circumambulations, Japas, eulogies, prostrations, pleasant songs and instrumental music.

69-70a. Then he should honour the Bràhmanas. He should give them twelve cows, gold, an umbrella, a pair of sandals and bellmetal vessel with devotion.

70b-73, He should, thereafter, feed the Brähmanas with milkpudding at the outset. Afterwards different edibles and foodstuffs, cooked rice with jaggery and sugarcandy shall be offered to them. When the Brähmanas are satisfied after the meal and have had their rest mentally (and physically), he should offer them twelve water pots along with sweets. O daughter of Brahmä, he should give them monetary gifts too according to his capacity. The learned devotee should worship them on a par with Vishnu by means of gold, clothes, cows, foodgrains, and other articles. After making obeisance to them, he should repeat this Mantra.

74. (Mantra) “May the omnipresent lord who is the master of the universe, who wields conch, discus and iron club, may Purushottama, the lord devoid of beginning and death, be pleased”.

75. After uttering this and respectfully circumambulating the Brâhmanas three times, the devotee should bow down his head and bid them farewell with the preceptor.

76-78. He should follow the Brähmanas upto boundary line of his village with devotion. After following the Brahmanas, he should bow to them once again and return. Having returned home, he should silently take food in the company of his kins and relatives. By doing thus, the man or the woman devotee shall derive the benefit of a thousand horse-sacrifices and a hundred Räjasüyas. The excellent man shall uplift a hundred previous ancestors.

79-82. O gentle lady, he will uplift a hundred successors as well. He will be assuming the divine unchanging form. He will be endowed with all auspicious characteristics. He will be bedecked in all ornaments. He will be flourishing with all desires in the mind realized. He will be blessed with good attributes, comeliness and youthful age (or longevity). He will be eulogised by Gandharvas and Apsaras all round. He will be going to the world of Vishnu by means of an aerial chariot that has the brilliance of the sun, which can go as he pleases, is steady, fitted with flags and banners and which has the lustre of a hundred suns. He will be brightening all the quarters thereby in the firmament. He will be devoid of exhaustion. He will become a youth of great strength and intelligence. Thus he will go to the world of Vishnu.

83. There he enjoys desired pleasures for the period of a hundred Kalpas. O gentle lady, he will stay there eulogised by excellent sages. He will be devoid of ailments.

84. O gentle lady, just as the lord of the universe, the wielder of the conch, discus and iron club rejoices after assuming the four-armed form, so this devotee will be rejoicing in that form.

85. O chaste lady, after enjoying excellent pleasures there and after sporting there for a long time, at the end thereof, he goes to the abode of Brahmä that yields all desires.

86. It is the abode that is rendered splendid by the Siddhas, Vidyädharas, Devas and Kinnaras.

87. After enjoying happiness there for the period of ninety Kalpas, the man goes to the world of Rudra that bestows happiness and that is resorted to by Devas, Siddhas, Vidyãdharas and Yakshas.         It is adorned by Daityas and Dãnavas.

88. After enjoying happiness there for the period of eighty Kalpas, the man at the end of that period, goes to Goloka equipped with all means of pleasures.

89-91. It is a place rendered splendid by Devas, Siddhas and Apsaras. It is charming. He enjoys desired pleasures there for the period of seventy Kalpas. Thereafter, he goes to the excellent world of Prajäpati. Joyously he experiences different kinds of happiness there for the period of sixty kalpas. At the end of that period, he shall go to Shakra's abode containing different kinds of wonderful features. There the man enjoys happiness for the period of fifty Kalpas. He then goes to the abode of immortal ones, embellished with aerial chariots.

92-96. He enjoys rare pleasures there for the period of forty Kalpas. Then he goes to the stellar world equipped with different kinds of happiness and enjoys there excellent pleasures as desired, for the period of thirty Kalpas. O daughter of Brahma, from there he goes to the lunar world where stays the moon adorned by the Devas. After enjoying rare pleasures for the period of twenty Kalpas, he goes over to the world of the Sun god worshipped by Devas. After enjoying splendid pleasures there for the period of ten Kalpas, he becomes contented and delighted; thence he goes to the abode of Gandharvas that is very inaccessible.

97. There he enjoys all kinds of pleasures upto satiety for the period of a Kalpa. Then he comes over to the earth and is born as a righteous king.

98. He becomes an emperor ofgreat prowess. He is bedecked in all attributes. He rules over the kingdom righteously and performs Yajñas with liberal monetary gifts.

99. At the end ofthat period, he goes to the world of yogin that is auspicious and that bestows salvation. As long as all living beings are not dissolved, he enjoys excellent pleasures there.

100-101. Coming there from he is born in the family of Yogins, in an excellent family of devotees of Vishnu, difficult of access and received with approbation by the good. O chaste lady, he becomes an excellent Brähmana, a master of four Vedas, devoted to the performance of Brahmayajña.

102-103. By adopting Yoga pertaining to Vishnu, he shall attain liberation. Thus the benefit of the pilgrimage to Purushottama has been recounted to you. It yields both worldly pleasures and salvation unto men. What else do you wish to hear?