Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 6 · Chapter 7
श्रीराजोवाच कस्य हेतो: परित्यक्ता आचार्येणात्मन: सुरा: । एतदाचक्ष्व भगवञ्छिष्याणामक्रमं गुरौ ॥ १ ॥
sri-rajovaca kasya hetoh parityakta acaryenatmanah surah etad acaksva bhagavan chisyanam akramam gurau
Maharaja Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami: O great sage, why did the spiritual master of the demigods, Brhaspati, reject the demigods, who were his own disciples? What offense did the demigods commit against their spiritual master? Please describe to me this incident.
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच इन्द्रस्त्रिभुवनैश्वर्यमदोल्लङ्घितसत्पथ: । मरुद्भिर्वसुभी रुद्रैरादित्यैर्ऋभुभिर्नृप ॥ २ ॥ विश्वेदेवैश्च साध्यैश्च नासत्याभ्यां परिश्रित: । सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभि: ॥ ३ ॥ विद्याधराप्सरोभिश्च किन्नरै: पतगोरगै: । निषेव्यमाणो मघवान्स्तूयमानश्च भारत ॥ ४ ॥ उपगीयमानो ललितमास्थानाध्यासनाश्रित: । पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण चन्द्रमण्डलचारुणा ॥ ५ ॥ युक्तश्चान्यै: पारमेष्ठ्यैश्चामरव्यजनादिभि: । विराजमान: पौलम्या सहार्धासनया भृशम् ॥ ६ ॥ स यदा परमाचार्यं देवानामात्मनश्च ह । नाभ्यनन्दत सम्प्राप्तं प्रत्युत्थानासनादिभि: ॥ ७ ॥ वाचस्पतिं मुनिवरं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् । नोच्चचालासनादिन्द्र: पश्यन्नपि सभागतम् ॥ ८ ॥
sri-badarayanir uvaca indras tribhuvanaisvarya- madollanghita-satpathah marudbhir vasubhi rudrair adityair rbhubhir nrpa visvedevais ca sadhyais ca nasatyabhyam parisritah siddha-carana-gandharvair munibhir brahmavadibhih vidyadharapsarobhis ca kinnaraih patagoragaih nisevyamano maghavan stuyamanas ca bharata upagiyamano lalitam asthanadhyasanasritah pandurenatapatrena candra-mandala-caruna yuktas canyaih paramesthyais camara-vyajanadibhih virajamanah paulamya sahardhasanaya bhrsam sa yada paramacaryam devanam atmanas ca ha nabhyanandata sampraptam pratyutthanasanadibhih vacaspatim muni-varam surasura-namaskrtam noccacalasanad indrah pasyann api sabhagatam
Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, once upon a time, the King of heaven, Indra, being extremely proud because of his great opulence of the three worlds, transgressed the law of Vedic etiquette. Seated on his throne, he was surrounded by the Maruts, Vasus, Rudras, Adityas, Rbhus, Visvadevas, Sadhyas, Asvini-kumaras, Siddhas, Caranas and Gandharvas and by great saintly persons. Also surrounding him were the Vidyadharas, Apsaras, Kinnaras, Patagas [birds] and Uragas [snakes]. All of them were offering Indra their respects and services, and the Apsaras and Gandharvas were dancing and singing with very sweet musical instruments. Over Indra’s head was a white umbrella as effulgent as the full moon. Fanned by yak-tail whisks and served with all the paraphernalia of a great king, Indra was sitting with his wife, Sacidevi, who occupied half the throne, when the great sage Brhaspati appeared in that assembly. Brhaspati, the best of the sages, was the spiritual master of Indra and the demigods and was respected by the demigods and demons alike. Nevertheless, although Indra saw his spiritual master before him, he did not rise from his own seat or offer a seat to his spiritual master, nor did Indra offer him a respectful welcome. Indra did nothing to show him respect.
ततो निर्गत्य सहसा कविराङ्गिरस: प्रभु: । आययौ स्वगृहं तूष्णीं विद्वान्श्रीमदविक्रियाम् ॥ ९ ॥
tato nirgatya sahasa kavir angirasah prabhuh ayayau sva-grham tusnim vidvan sri-mada-vikriyam
Brhaspati knew everything that would happen in the future. Seeing Indra’s transgression of etiquette, he completely understood that Indra was puffed up by his material opulence. Although able to curse Indra, he did not do so. Instead, he left the assembly and in silence returned to his home.
तर्ह्येव प्रतिबुध्येन्द्रो गुरुहेलनमात्मन: । गर्हयामास सदसि स्वयमात्मानमात्मना ॥ १० ॥
tarhy eva pratibudhyendro guru-helanam atmanah garhayam asa sadasi svayam atmanam atmana
Indra, the King of heaven, could immediately understand his mistake. Realizing he had disrespected his spiritual master, he condemned himself in the presence of all the members of the assembly.
अहो बत मयासाधु कृतं वै दभ्रबुद्धिना । यन्मयैश्वर्यमत्तेन गुरु: सदसि कात्कृत: ॥ ११ ॥
aho bata mayasadhu krtam vai dabhra-buddhina yan mayaisvarya-mattena guruh sadasi katkrtah
Alas, what a regrettable deed I have committed because of my lack of intelligence and my pride in my material opulences. I failed to show respect to my spiritual master when he entered this assembly, and thus I have insulted him.
को गृध्येत्पण्डितो लक्ष्मीं त्रिपिष्टपपतेरपि । ययाहमासुरं भावं नीतोऽद्य विबुधेश्वर: ॥ १२ ॥
ko grdhyet pandito laksmim tripistapa-pater api yayaham asuram bhavam nito ’dya vibudhesvarah
Although I am King of the demigods, who are situated in the mode of goodness, I was proud of a little opulence and polluted by false ego. Under the circumstances, who in this world would accept such riches at the risk of falling down ? Alas! I condemn my wealth and opulence.
य: पारमेष्ठ्यं धिषणमधितिष्ठन्न कञ्चन । प्रत्युत्तिष्ठेदिति ब्रूयुर्धर्मं ते न परं विदु: ॥ १३ ॥
yah paramesthyam dhisanam adhitisthan na kancana pratyuttisthed iti bruyur dharmam te na param viduh
If a person says, One who is situated on the exalted throne of a king should not stand up to show respect to another king or a brahmana it is to be understood that he does not know the superior religious principles.
तेषां कुपथदेष्टृणां पततां तमसि ह्यध: । ये श्रद्दध्युर्वचस्ते वै मज्जन्त्यश्मप्लवा इव ॥ १४ ॥
tesam kupatha-destrnam patatam tamasi hy adhah ye sraddadhyur vacas te vai majjanty asma-plava iva
Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction (as described in the previous verse) are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead people go to hell, and their followers go with them.
अथाहममराचार्यमगाधधिषणं द्विजम् । प्रसादयिष्ये निशठ: शीर्ष्णा तच्चरणं स्पृशन् ॥ १५ ॥
athaham amaracaryam agadha-dhisanam dvijam prasadayisye nisathah sirsna tac-caranam sprsan
King Indra said: Therefore with great frankness and without duplicity I shall now bow my head at the lotus feet of Brhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods. Because he is in the mode of goodness, he is fully aware of all knowledge and is the best of the brahmanas. Now I shall touch his lotus feet and offer my obeisances unto him to try to satisfy him.
एवं चिन्तयतस्तस्य मघोनो भगवान् गृहात् । बृहस्पतिर्गतोऽदृष्टां गतिमध्यात्ममायया ॥ १६ ॥
evam cintayatas tasya maghono bhagavan grhat brhaspatir gato ’drstam gatim adhyatma-mayaya
While Indra, the King of the demigods, thought in this way and repented in his own assembly, Brhaspati, the most powerful spiritual master, understood his mind. Thus he became invisible to Indra and left home, for Brhaspati was spiritually more powerful than King Indra.
गुरोर्नाधिगत: संज्ञां परीक्षन् भगवान् स्वराट् । ध्यायन् धिया सुरैर्युक्त: शर्म नालभतात्मन: ॥ १७ ॥
guror nadhigatah samjnam pariksan bhagavan svarat dhyayan dhiya surair yuktah sarma nalabhatatmanah
Although Indra searched vigorously with the assistance of the other demigods, he could not find Brhaspati. Then Indra thought, Alas, my spiritual master has become dissatisfied with me, and now I have no means of achieving good fortune Although Indra was surrounded by demigods, he could not find peace of mind.
तच्छ्रुत्वैवासुरा: सर्व आश्रित्यौशनसं मतम् । देवान् प्रत्युद्यमं चक्रुर्दुर्मदा आततायिन: ॥ १८ ॥
tac chrutvaivasurah sarva asrityausanasam matam devan pratyudyamam cakrur durmada atatayinah
Hearing of the pitiable condition of King Indra, the demons, following the instructions of their guru, Sukracarya, equipped themselves with weapons and declared war against the demigods.
तैर्विसृष्टेषुभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्निर्भिन्नाङ्गोरुबाहव: । ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मु: सहेन्द्रा नतकन्धरा: ॥ १९ ॥
tair visrstesubhis tiksnair nirbhinnangoru-bahavah brahmanam saranam jagmuh sahendra nata-kandharah
The demigods’ heads, thighs and arms and the other parts of their bodies were injured by the sharp arrows of the demons. The demigods, headed by Indra, saw no other course than to immediately approach Lord Brahma with bowed heads for shelter and proper instruction.
तांस्तथाभ्यर्दितान्वीक्ष्य भगवानात्मभूरज: । कृपया परया देव उवाच परिसान्त्वयन् ॥ २० ॥
tams tathabhyarditan viksya bhagavan atmabhur ajah krpaya paraya deva uvaca parisantvayan
When the most powerful Lord Brahma saw the demigods coming toward him, their bodies gravely injured by the arrows of the demons, he pacified them by his great causeless mercy and spoke as follows.
श्रीब्रह्मोवाच अहो बत सुरश्रेष्ठा ह्यभद्रं व: कृतं महत् । ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं दान्तमैश्वर्यान्नाभ्यनन्दत ॥ २१ ॥
sri-brahmovaca aho bata sura-srestha hy abhadram vah krtam mahat brahmistham brahmanam dantam aisvaryan nabhyanandata
Lord Brahma said: O best of the demigods, unfortunately, because of madness resulting from your material opulence, you failed to receive Brhaspati properly when he came to your assembly. Because he is aware of the Supreme Brahman and fully in control of his senses, he is the best of the brahmanas. Therefore it is very astonishing that you have acted impudently toward him.
तस्यायमनयस्यासीत् परेभ्यो व: पराभव: । प्रक्षीणेभ्य: स्ववैरिभ्य: समृद्धानां च यत्सुरा: ॥ २२ ॥
tasyayam anayasyasit parebhyo vah parabhavah praksinebhyah sva-vairibhyah samrddhanam ca yat surah
Because of your misbehavior toward Brhaspati, you have been defeated by the demons. My dear demigods, since the demons were weak, having been defeated by you several times, how else could you, who were so advanced in opulence, be defeated by them?
मघवन् द्विषत: पश्य प्रक्षीणान् गुर्वतिक्रमात् । सम्प्रत्युपचितान् भूय: काव्यमाराध्य भक्तित: । आददीरन्निलयनं ममापि भृगुदेवता: ॥ २३ ॥
maghavan dvisatah pasya praksinan gurv-atikramat sampraty upacitan bhuyah kavyam aradhya bhaktitah adadiran nilayanam mamapi bhrgu-devatah
O Indra, your enemies, the demons, were extremely weak because of their disrespect toward Sukracarya, but since they have now worshiped Sukracarya with great devotion, they have again become powerful. By their devotion to Sukracarya, they have increased their strength so much that now they are even able to easily seize my abode from me.
त्रिपिष्टपं किं गणयन्त्यभेद्य- मन्त्रा भृगूणामनुशिक्षितार्था: । न विप्रगोविन्दगवीश्वराणां भवन्त्यभद्राणि नरेश्वराणाम् ॥ २४ ॥
tripistapam kim ganayanty abhedya- mantra bhrgunam anusiksitarthah na vipra-govinda-gav-isvaranam bhavanty abhadrani naresvaranam
Because of their firm determination to follow the instructions of Sukracarya, his disciples, the demons, are now unconcerned about the demigods. In fact, kings or others who have determined faith in the mercy of brahmanas, cows and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and who always worship these three are always strong in their position.
तद्विश्वरूपं भजताशु विप्रं तपस्विनं त्वाष्ट्रमथात्मवन्तम् । सभाजितोऽर्थान् स विधास्यते वो यदि क्षमिष्यध्वमुतास्य कर्म ॥ २५ ॥
tad visvarupam bhajatasu vipram tapasvinam tvastram athatmavantam sabhajito ’rthan sa vidhasyate vo yadi ksamisyadhvam utasya karma
O demigods, I instruct you to approach Visvarupa, the son of Tvasta, and accept him as your guru. He is a pure and very powerful brahmana undergoing austerity and penances. Pleased by your worship, he will fulfill your desires, provided that you tolerate his being inclined to side with the demons.
श्रीशुक उवाच त एवमुदिता राजन् ब्रह्मणा विगतज्वरा: । ऋषिं त्वाष्ट्रमुपव्रज्य परिष्वज्येदमब्रुवन् ॥ २६ ॥
sri-suka uvaca ta evam udita rajan brahmana vigata-jvarah rsim tvastram upavrajya parisvajyedam abruvan
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Thus advised by Lord Brahma and relieved of their anxiety, all the demigods went to the sage Visvarupa, the son of Tvasta. My dear King, they embraced him and spoke as follows.
श्रीदेवा ऊचु: वयं तेऽतिथय: प्राप्ता आश्रमं भद्रमस्तु ते । काम: सम्पाद्यतां तात पितृणां समयोचित: ॥ २७ ॥
sri-deva ucuh vayam te ’tithayah prapta asramam bhadram astu te kamah sampadyatam tata pitrnam samayocitah
The demigods said: Beloved Visvarupa, may there be all good fortune for you. We, the demigods, have come to your asrama as your guests. Please try to fulfill our desires according to the time, since we are on the level of your parents.
पुत्राणां हि परो धर्म: पितृशुश्रूषणं सताम् । अपि पुत्रवतां ब्रह्मन् किमुत ब्रह्मचारिणाम् ॥ २८ ॥
putranam hi paro dharmah pitr-susrusanam satam api putravatam brahman kim uta brahmacarinam
6.7.29-30 acaryo brahmano murtih pita murtih prajapateh bhrata marutpater murtir mata saksat ksites tanuh dayaya bhagini murtir dharmasyatmatithih svayam agner abhyagato murtih sarva-bhutani catmanah
आचार्यो ब्रह्मणो मूर्ति: पिता मूर्ति: प्रजापते: । भ्राता मरुत्पतेर्मूर्तिर्माता साक्षात् क्षितेस्तनु: ॥ २९ ॥ दयाया भगिनी मूर्तिर्धर्मस्यात्मातिथि: स्वयम् । अग्नेरभ्यागतो मूर्ति: सर्वभूतानि चात्मन: ॥ ३० ॥
acaryo brahmano murtih pita murtih prajapateh bhrata marutpater murtir mata saksat ksites tanuh dayaya bhagini murtir dharmasyatmatithih svayam agner abhyagato murtih sarva-bhutani catmanah
The acarya, the spiritual master who teaches all the Vedic knowledge and gives initiation by offering the sacred thread, is the personification of all the Vedas. Similarly, a father personifies Lord Brahma; a brother, King Indra; a mother, the planet earth; and a sister, mercy. A guest personifies religious principles, an invited guest personifies the demigod Agni, and all living entities personify Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
तस्मात् पितृणामार्तानामार्तिं परपराभवम् । तपसापनयंस्तात सन्देशं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३१ ॥
tasmat pitrnam artanam artim para-parabhavam tapasapanayams tata sandesam kartum arhasi
Dear son, we have been defeated by our enemies, and therefore we are very much aggrieved. Please mercifully fulfill our desires by relieving our distress through the strength of your austerities. Please fulfill our prayers.
वृणीमहे त्वोपाध्यायं ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं गुरुम् । यथाञ्जसा विजेष्याम: सपत्नांस्तव तेजसा ॥ ३२ ॥
vrnimahe tvopadhyayam brahmistham brahmanam gurum yathanjasa vijesyamah sapatnams tava tejasa
Since you are completely aware of the Supreme Brahman, you are a perfect brahmana, and therefore you are the spiritual master of all orders of life. We accept you as our spiritual master and director so that by the power of your austerity we may easily defeat the enemies who have conquered us.
न गर्हयन्ति ह्यर्थेषु यविष्ठाङ्घ्य्रभिवादनम् । छन्दोभ्योऽन्यत्र न ब्रह्मन् वयो ज्यैष्ठ्यस्य कारणम् ॥ ३३ ॥
na garhayanti hy arthesu yavisthanghry-abhivadanam chandobhyo ’nyatra na brahman vayo jyaisthyasya karanam
The demigods continued: Do not fear criticism for being younger than us. Such etiquette does not apply in regard to Vedic mantras. Except in relationship to Vedic mantras, seniority is determined by age, but one may offer respectful obeisances even to a younger person who is advanced in chanting Vedic mantras. Therefore although you are junior in relationship to us, you may become our priest without hesitation.
श्रीऋषिरुवाच अभ्यर्थित: सुरगणै: पौरहित्ये महातपा: । स विश्वरूपस्तानाह प्रसन्न: श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ ३४ ॥
sri-rsir uvaca abhyarthitah sura-ganaih paurahitye maha-tapah sa visvarupas tan aha prasannah slaksnaya gira
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: When all the demigods requested the great Visvarupa to be their priest, Visvarupa, who was advanced in austerities, was very pleased. He replied to them as follows.
श्रीविश्वरूप उवाच विगर्हितं धर्मशीलैर्ब्रह्मवर्चउपव्ययम् । कथं नु मद्विधो नाथा लोकेशैरभियाचितम् । प्रत्याख्यास्यति तच्छिष्य: स एव स्वार्थ उच्यते ॥ ३५ ॥
sri-visvarupa uvaca vigarhitam dharma-silair brahmavarca-upavyayam katham nu mad-vidho natha lokesair abhiyacitam pratyakhyasyati tac-chisyah sa eva svartha ucyate
Sri Visvarupa said: O demigods, although the acceptance of priesthood is decried as causing the loss of previously acquired brahminical power, how can someone like me refuse to accept your personal request? You are all exalted commanders of the entire universe. I am your disciple and must take many lessons from you. Therefore I cannot refuse you. I must agree for my own benefit.
अकिञ्चनानां हि धनं शिलोञ्छनं तेनेह निर्वर्तितसाधुसत्क्रिय: । कथं विगर्ह्यं नु करोम्यधीश्वरा: पौरोधसं हृष्यति येन दुर्मति: ॥ ३६ ॥
akincananam hi dhanam silonchanam teneha nirvartita-sadhu-satkriyah katham vigarhyam nu karomy adhisvarah paurodhasam hrsyati yena durmatih
O exalted governors of various planes, the true brahmana, who has no material possessions, maintains himself by the profession of accepting silonchana. In other words, he picks up grains left in the field and on the ground in the wholesale marketplace. By this means, householder brahmanas who actually abide by the principles of austerity and penance maintain themselves and their families and perform all necessary pious activities. A brahmana who desires to achieve happiness by gaining wealth through professional priesthood must certainly have a very low mind. How shall I accept such priesthood?
तथापि न प्रतिब्रूयां गुरुभि: प्रार्थितं कियत् । भवतां प्रार्थितं सर्वं प्राणैरर्थैश्च साधये ॥ ३७ ॥
tathapi na pratibruyam gurubhih prarthitam kiyat bhavatam prarthitam sarvam pranair arthais ca sadhaye
All of you are my superiors. Therefore although accepting priesthood is sometimes reproachable, I cannot refuse even a small request from you. I agree to be your priest. I shall fulfill your request by dedicating my life and possessions.
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच तेभ्य एवं प्रतिश्रुत्य विश्वरूपो महातपा: । पौरहित्यं वृतश्चक्रे परमेण समाधिना ॥ ३८ ॥
sri-badarayanir uvaca tebhya evam pratisrutya visvarupo maha-tapah paurahityam vrtas cakre paramena samadhina
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O King, after making this promise to the demigods, the exalted Visvarupa, surrounded by the demigods, performed the necessary priestly activities with great enthusiasm and attention.
सुरद्विषां श्रियं गुप्तामौशनस्यापि विद्यया । आच्छिद्यादान्महेन्द्राय वैष्णव्या विद्यया विभु: ॥ ३९ ॥
sura-dvisam sriyam guptam ausanasyapi vidyaya acchidyadan mahendraya vaisnavya vidyaya vibhuh
The opulence of the demons, who are generally known as the enemies of the demigods, was protected by the talents and tactics of Sukracarya, but Visvarupa, who was most powerful, composed a protective prayer known as the Narayana-kavaca. By this intelligent mantra, he took away the opulence of the demons and gave it to Mahendra, the King of heaven.
यया गुप्त: सहस्राक्षो जिग्येऽसुरचमूर्विभु: । तां प्राह स महेन्द्राय विश्वरूप उदारधी: ॥ ४० ॥
yaya guptah sahasrakso jigye ’sura-camur vibhuh tam praha sa mahendraya visvarupa udara-dhih
Visvarupa, who was most liberal, spoke to King Indra (Sahasraksa) the secret hymn that protected Indra and conquered the military power of the demons.
