Physics - SolidLiquidGasPlasma - LopamudraKaveriAgastyaVyasa: 2022

The king replied: "In one of my previous lives, I was a dog in the city of Pampa. On a holy Shivaratri, I happened to go to the temple of Shiva. The devotees who assembled there beat me severely and I died then and there. By the merit of dying in the presence of Lord Shiva on such a holy day, I am now born in a royal family. All the beastly traits which you see now in me derive from my previous existence as a dog. Those subtle tendencies in me cannot but manifest themselves!" Then the queen persuaded him to enlighten her about her own previous life. He said that in that life she was a female pigeon at holy Sreesailam. "As a result of your life long stay at such a holy place, you have now become my queen:" Then she asked him about the future lives of them both.

He said: "In the next life, I shall be born as the prince of the kingdom of Sindhu and you shall be born in the royal family of the land of Sanjaya and we shall be united in marriage.
In the life after that, I shall be the king of Sowrashtra and you, born as the princess of Kalinga, shall be my queen.
In the third birth hence, I shall be the king of Gaandhaara and you, as the princess of Magadha, will be my queen.
In the fourth birth, I shall be the king of Avanti and you, as the princess of Dasaarna, will be my queen.
In the fifth life, I shall be a king named Ananta and you, as the daughter of king Yayaati, will be my wife.
In the sixth life, I shall be the very handsome king of Paandya and you, as the virtuous princess of Vidarbha, will marry me. In that life, we will enjoy kingly pleasures and perform many great religious sacrifices.
In the seventh birthh, we will attain liberation by the grace of sage Agasthya. In this manner, even animals and birds will attain to higher states of existence.

https://trinitygods.blogspot.com/search/label/ShriGuruCharitra

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Tilodakī

Vyāsa said:

1-2. O holy lord, tell me exactly how (and why) Sage Viśvāmitra, on being repeatedly requested and pressed, angrily asked his own disciple Kautsa to bring such a huge amount that was very difficult to get even with the greatest endeavour. If you have any kindness for me, narrate to me the entire episode.^[1]

Agastya said:

3-9. O Brāhmaṇa, listen with the concentration of all sense-organs on this story.

Once Viśvāmitra, the most excellent of all sages, endowed with the divine vision born of knowledge, performed a very difficult penance. He observed Vratas with great purity. Once Sage Durvāsas came there to see him. On arrival that Brāhmaṇa (Durvāsas) who was afflicted with hunger cried loudly: “I am thoroughly afflicted with hunger. Let food be served to me. I am famished; give me quickly hot pudding of pure milk, O Brāhmaṇa.”

On hearing these words, Viśvāmitra immediately (prepared the pudding) with great effort. He took the pudding in a pot and was about to give it to Durvāsas. On seeing him rising, holding the pudding in his hand, Durvāsas who was given to play his characteristic (pranks), spoke these sweet words to the sage:

“O eminent Brāhmaṇa, wait for a moment so that I shall take my bath and return. Stay for a moment; stay, do stay. I shall come presently.”

After saying this, Durvāsas went away to his hermitage then.

10-14. Viśvāmitra, the ascetic, remained motionless like a mountain for a thousand years in accordance with the divine reckoning. He stood there steadfast in mind.

Sage Kautsa devoted to holy rites remained there serving him. He was of great liberal mind, free from jealousy. Durvāsas devoid of sins came back once again, consumed the milk pudding and went away to his own hermitage.

When that excellent sage had gone, Viśvāmitra, the storehouse of penance, discharged Kautsa, the most excellent one among the learned, and permitted him to go home (to take to the householder’s life).

On being discharged, he said to the preceptor, “Let the fee be asked for.” Viśvāmitra said to him: “What fee will you give? Your service itself is my fee. Go back to your house, O sage devoted to holy rites.”

15-18. The disciple said this again and again to the preceptor and repeatedly pressed him. Then the preceptor became exceedingly furious and spoke these harsh words to the disciple:

“Bring me fourteen crores of gold pieces of excellent colour as my fee, O Brāhmaṇa, and go home thereafter.”

On being told thus by his preceptor, Kautsa pondered over it and approached the descendant of Kakutstha, the conqueror of the quarters. He requested him for the preceptor’s fee.

Thus, O excellent sage, what has been asked by you has been recounted.

Once again, listen to another Tīrtha, the excellent cause (of welfare).

19-23. To the south of this holy spot is the confluence that is resorted to by Siddhas. It is well-known on the earth due to the confluence of Tilodakī and Sarayū.^[2]

By taking a holy bath there, O highly fortunate one, men become free from sins. A righteous-souled one, devoted to holy rites, should, by taking the holy bath there, attain that benefit which is obtained if ten horse-sacrifices are performed.

He who gives gold etc. to a Brāhmaṇa who has mastered the Vedas obtains the auspicious goal. He shines like fire.

By giving cooked rice in accordance with the injunctions at the confluence of Tilodakī and Sarayū, that is well-known in the worlds, one is not reborn.

One who observes fast and propitiates Brāhmaṇas obtains the fruit of Sautrāmaṇi Yajña.

24. If a person stays there for a month while regularly performing holy rites and taking a single meal per day, all the sins committed by him throughout his life shall perish instantaneously.

25-28. On the new-moon day, in the month of Nabhasya (Bhādrapada) the annual festival is to be celebrated. Formerly this river was created by Rāma, as if it is another Sindhu. O sage of good holy rites, it was intended for the drinking purposes of the horses from Sindhu territory. Since the water therein shines always dark like gingelly seeds, it has come to be famous as Tilodakī. This river is of meritorious water always. If a person takes his holy bath in Tilodakī anywhere other than at the confluence, he is liberated from sins accruing in the course of seven births.

Hence the bath in the Tilodakī is destructive of all sins, O sage. It should be carefully undertaken by all living beings desirous of piety. Bath, gifts, Vrata and Homa here shall have infinite merit.

29. A person who performs pilgrimage in accordance with the different injunctions and acquires merit shall go to the greatest abode. His good qualities will develop gradually. He should worship Hari in all the Tīrthas with dedicated feelings. Somehow he shall get rid of all his sins.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tilodaki

Dharmahari

deity [viz., Dharmahari] is to the south-east of Candra-Hari. It got its name from its founder (installer) Brāhmaṇa Dharma who propitiated Viṣṇu and was allowed to prefix his name to Viṣṇu’s idol. Its annual festival is celebrated on the eleventh day of the bright half of Āṣāḍha.

Agastya said:

1. From the holy spot of Candrahari in the south-eastern direction, there is the deity by name Dharmahari who is the destroyer of the sins of Kali Age.

2. Formerly a Brāhmaṇa named Dharma who was conversant with the principles of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas and who scrupulously adhered to his duties, came here on a pilgrimage.

3. After arriving he conducted an extensive pilgrimage with great respect here. He was surprised on noticing the matchless glory of Ayodhyā.

4. Lifting up his arms, the Brāhmaṇa proclaimed joyously: “Oh! How very beautiful is this Tīrtha! Oh! How excellent is its glory!

5. No other city like Ayodhyā is seen. Being always stationed on the Discus of Viṣṇu, it never touches the earth.

6. As Hari Himself is stationed in it, with which (city) can it be compared? Oh! All the Tīrthas (here) are the bestowers of the world of Viṣṇu.

7. Oh, Viṣṇu! Oh, Tīrtha! Oh, great city of Ayodhyā! Oh, matchless glory! Which one stationed here is not worthy of praise? Everything hereof is extremely praiseworthy.”

8-9. After saying this, Dharma was overwhelmed with rapturous delight and danced there in various ways after observing particularly the glory of Ayodhyā.

On seeing Dharma dancing thus the yellow-robed Lord Hari who became kind and compassionate, manifested himself before him. Dharma bowed down to Hari and eulogized him with great respect.

Dharma said:

10. Obeisance to the Lord residing in the Ocean of Milk. Bow to the Lord lying on a couch (of Śeṣa). Obeisance to Viṣṇu whose divine feet are touched by Śaṅkara.

11. Obeisance to the Lord whose excellent feet are devoutly worshipped. Hail to you, the favourite one of Aja (Brahmā) and others! Repeated obeisance to Mādhava of splendid limbs and excellent eyes.

12. Obeisance to the Lord with lotus-like feet; to the lotus-navelled one; obeisance to the Śārṅga-bearing one whose body is touched by the waves of the Ocean of Milk.

13. Oṃ, salute to the Lord having Yogic Slumber; to the Lord whose Ātman is meditated upon by leading Yogins. Repeated obeisance to the Lord seated on Garuḍa, and to Govinda.

14. Obeisance, obeisance to Śrīdhara who has excellent tresses, nose and forehead; to the discus-bearing Lord who has good robes and good complexion.

15. Obeisance to you with good mighty arms. Bow to you having fascinating shanks. (Hail) to the Lord having good residence and learning; (obeisance) to the exceedingly divine macebearing Lord.

16. Obeisance, obeisance to Keśava, the quiescent one, to Vāmana. Obeisance to you fond of Dharma; to the Lord having yellow robes.

Agastya said:

17. On being eulogized thus by Dharma, the liberal-minded Hṛṣīkeśa, the delighted Lord of Śrī, the Lord of the universe joyously spoke to Dharma, these words:

Śrī Bhagavān said:

18-19. O Dharma of good holy rites, I am delighted by this prayer of yours. O (Brāhmaṇa) conversant with Dharma, choose a boon, whatever appeals to your mind. The man who with alertness eulogizes me by means of this prayer attains all cherished desires. He is worshipped and is always endowed with glory and prosperity.

Dharma said:

20. O Lord, if you are pleased, O Lord of Devas, O Lord of the universe, I shall install you (here) with my name (prefixed), O Sire of the universe.

Agastya said:

21. After saying “Let it be so”, the Lord became Dharmahari. Merely by remembering Lord Dharmahari a man becomes liberated.

22. The devotee should take his bath in the waters of Sarayū with his mind full of pious thoughts and witness Lord Dharmahari. He shall then be liberated from all sins.

23. The rites of charitable gifts, Homa, Japa and the feeding of Brāhmaṇas performed here shall become infinite in benefit and are conducive to the attainment of residence in the world of Viṣṇu.

24. In case any evil has been committed knowingly or unknowingly, expiatory rites should be performed scrupulously for dispelling it.

25. By the due performance of the expiatory rite his sin perishes. Hence expiatory rites must be performed here in accordance with the injunctions.

26. If there is any break or omission of the daily routine of religious rites knowingly or unknowingly, or on account of being restrained by the king or others, in case a man is under duress, the expiatory rites should be performed by him with great care.

27. Here Lord Viṣṇu himself resides with great love. Hence the greatness (of this) cannot be described by human beings.

28. On the eleventh day in the bright half of Āṣāḍha, his annual festival is to be celebrated in accordance with the injunctions, O excellent Brāhmaṇa.

29. By taking the holy bath in Svargadvāra and by visiting Lord Dharmahari, the devotee shall be rid of all his sins and shall always dwell in the world of Viṣṇu.

30. To the south of this is an excellent mine of gold.^[1] It was here that Kubera caused a great downpour of gold because he became afraid of Raghu.

Vyāsa said:

31. O illustrious one, O knower of truth, tell me how the shower of gold took place? Why was Kubera frightened of King Raghu?

32. Narrate all this in detail, O (sage) of good holy rites. By listening to the (holy) tales and (divine) secrets my mind is not satiated.

Agastya said:

33. Listen, O Brāhmaṇa, I shall tell you about the excellent origin of the gold. Hearing about it (i.e. the showering) causes great surprise to people.

34. Formerly there was a king (named) Raghu who caused the race of Ikṣvāku to flourish. He administered the entire world with excellent vigour and prowess of his own arms.

35-40. By means of his exalted prowess he had harassed his enemies who then (sang songs of) praise of his good reputation. As he protected his subjects very well and justly, his spotlessly pure glory spread in all the ten quarters.

By means of his conquest he accumulated a great lot of riches. He invaded different countries with fully equipped four divisions of his army. He won over all living beings and levied taxes and tributes through the threat of punishment.

The heroic king subjugated great kings with power and influence. Then he seized from them different kinds of precious stones. Powerful that he was, he conquered all the quarters and gathered together heaps of gems. Then the king returned to his splendid capital Ayodhyā.

After his return to his capital city, the descendant of Kakutstha became eager to perform a Yajña. He had the pure and pious idea of performing a good holy rite befitting his family.

41-42. Realizing (his duty), the king, through his well disciplined and excellent Brāhmaṇa (adviser) brought Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Kaśyapa and other excellent sages who had been living in different holy places.

43. Having learnt that they had arrived and on seeing them all staying like (so many) blazing fires, Raghu, the highly glorious conqueror of the capital towns of enemies, came out (of his palace) duly, as required by the rules of propriety.

44. The humble descendant of Kakutstha uttered the following pious words about his eagerness to perform a Yajña to those excellent Brāhmaṇas.

Raghu said:

45-46. O all ye sages, listen to my words. I wish to perform a Yajña. It behoves you all to accord me permission for the same. O excellent sages, which Yajña will be befitting me now? Ye leading sages, ponder over this and tell me exactly.

The sages said:

47. O king, the Yajña known as Viśvajit is the most excellent of all Yajñas. Perform that Yajña with great effort. Do not delay it unnecessarily.

Agastya said:

48-51. Thereupon, the king performed the Yajña called Viśvadigjaya. It was very fascinating because of the various requisites that had been gathered together. His entire possessions were offered by him as monetary gifts.

The sages were rendered highly delighted and contented with different kinds of charitable gifts. With great reverence and respect, he gave everything he possessed to the brāhmaṇas.

When all of them had returned to their abodes after being duly adored, when the kinsmen had been rendered contented and when the sages were duly bowed to, that king of auspicious conduct instantaneously became resplendent like Devendra in heaven on account of the due performance of that sacrifice.

52. In the meantime, there came a sage known as Kautsa. He was a disciple of Sage Viśvāmitra and was the most excellent one among those who had self-control.

53-54. He came there to sanctify that king (by making him donate money) for the sake of the fee to be given to the preceptor.

The intelligent sage Kautsa came there to respectfully beg (the king) for the (payment of) fee to the preceptor who had angrily told him (Kautsa) thus when he (the preceptor) was repeatedly requested (to specify the fee to be given to him). (Viśvāmitra had said:) “Bring me immediately fourteen crores of gold pieces. That is my fee.” Kautsa came there to request Raghu, the ornament of kings, who had (unfortunately) already given his entire wealth as monetary gifts.

55-58. On seeing that he had come, Raghu, the scorcher of enemies, got up promptly and duly worshipped him. During his reception service, he used only earthen pots for the sake of the holy rites.

On seeing the collection of the requisites of such a nature for the worship, the eminent sage was dismayed. Without any joy he abandoned the hopes of getting the amount of fee and yet he spoke sweetly because he was an expert in making appropriate statements.

Kautsa said:

O king, may you be prosperous. I am now going elsewhere for fetching the fee to be given to the preceptor. I do not intend to request you as you have donated everything of yours as religious gift (and yourself) lack in funds. I am, therefore, going elsewhere.

Agastya said:

59. On being told thus by the sage, Raghu, the conqueror of enemies’ cities, meditated for a short while. With his palms joined together in reverence and humility, he spoke to him thus:

Raghu said:

60. O holy lord, kindly do stay in my palace for a day. I shall seriously endeavour for the sake of getting some money for you. Agastya said:

61. After saying these words of great liberal-mindedness, Raghu of exalted intellect, started with a desire for conquering Kubera.

62. As he was approaching, Kubera made him delighted in mind by conveying his oral message (regarding shower of gold) and offered him an endless downpour of gold.

63-65. The place where the shower of gold occurred is the excellent Svarṇakhani. He pointed out to the sage the mine thus offered by him (Kubera). Raghu dedicated that excellent mine to him. The eminent sage of superior good qualities accepted it, but took only what should be given to the preceptor. Everything else he respectfully returned to the king. The delighted Kautsa, the most excellent one among intelligent persons, granted him boons too.

Kautsa said:

66-68. O king, may you get a very good son possessing all the good qualities of your own family. This Svarṇakhani shall immediately bestow the desired benefits on you.

There will be a great Tīrtha here. It shall always dispel all sins. By taking holy bath here and making charitable gifts men shall obtain fortune and glory.

It is to be remembered that the annual festival should be celebrated on the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Vaiśākha. At my instance, men will obtain all the different things desired by them.

Agastya said:

69-71. After granting boons thus to the king, Kautsa who was delighted in his mind, set off for his own task towards the hermitage of his preceptor eagerly.

The contented king took the remaining amount. He gave gifts unto Brāhmaṇas duly and protected the subjects.

Thus the Svarṇakhani became celebrated on account of the eminent sage (Kautsa).

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dharmahari