https://www.boloji.com/articles/54917/love-of-man-brings-supreme-joy

 

Love of Man Brings Supreme Joy

 P C K Prem

A page from Ancient Literature

Grave sins and crimes drove Vena to hell as he had begun to think that he was a god on earth. Terrible thought was a severe lethal flaw. It becomes apparent that a man filled with ego and pride, stops to think of man, society and the world around, assumes the role of an arbiter of destiny of people, and ultimately, only death greets him as ultimate reality. No sin or crime goes unpunished.

Know that love for man and humanity changes everything into n perpetual joy and celestial joy and contentment. A man of humanity begins to think of the wellbeing of human beings and society. It is difficult for gods even to be equal to him in Yajna and charity.

However, it was different with mahatma Prithu.  He emerged out of the right arm of Vena when sages churned it in immense anger the legend speaks. Soon Prithu freed Vena from hell called Pum. To enthrone and crown him, the sea and all rivers appeared at the place with jewels and water. It was a great occasion. To coronate the future king, sage Angirasa led the Supreme Creator Brahma, the celestial and the created beings -the animate and the inanimate, to the capital of future king on one of the most propitious occasions. Prithu, after taking over the command of the nation, tried to make people happy and prosperous, who had suffered atrocities during the regime of Vena.

He was a kindhearted and generous king and did everything to make people happy. He became the real king because as a true sovereign, he was only interested to see people happy and flourishing where justice prevailed.  Benign nature in its wide-ranging images obeyed, stood in humility and glorified the king.

When he started his journey beyond the sea, water was calm and still. Mountains made a way so that he continues movement and the destined journey to attain the objective. The flag of king’s chariot never stopped fluttering and no one violated its sanctity.  People felt something divine in his presence. The entire land of the vast empire offered sufficient grain. It grew crops without tilling or sowing, and thus, the holy land registered celestial presence of the king. A mere thought transformed itself into reality and materialized inner desires. He thought and the work stood complete. With a true and pure heart, he thought of people and a mere wish fulfilled the desires of people instantaneously. All the cows of the kingdom were Kamadhenus, and therefore, satisfied the requirements of people while each leaf of trees contained honey in plenty.

During the period, Prithu organized a Pitmahah Yajna to worship Supreme Brahma. On the auspicious day of Somabhishava, from the land of Sooti - land from where soma liquid comes out, the wise Suta took birth. Magadha, the most learned man also emerged out of the great Yajna. Great sages Suta and Magadha admired the king in the presence of other sages, and therefore, said, “You should praise Prithu. This work suits your capability and the great emperor is the right person you should praise.”

Wise Magadha and Suta said to holy sages, “Through the glory of karmas we please all gods, goddesses and sages.  O sages, we do not know anything about name, karma, attributes and glory of the king, and therefore, it is difficult to eulogize the most outstanding king what you say about him.” Holy sages understood the dilemma of the wise men.

They said, “You should praise the king for virtues and attributes that will appear in future.”

Surprisingly, wise Suta and Magadha counted karmas and other attributes while they sang in praise of Prithu. The great king fulfilled the need of karmas truly in the real sense. He translated all karmas wise men Suta and Magadha enumerated into facts and truths of life for people to see and follow. From that day onward, the tradition to shower blessings, eulogies and tributes started. The practice of praise and worship of Suta, Magadha and other exalted souls took firm roots. When Suta and Magadha finished praises, the great emperor was very happy, and therefore, gave his kingdom of Anup to Suta and Magadha to Magadha.

When the sages found the king very pleased and cheerful, they said to people, “The king will provide you livelihood.”

When people around heard encouraging words, they ran toward king Prithu and said, “Please arrange for our livelihood.”

When the entire public of the empire surrounded the emperor from all sides, the king rushed to Prithvi with bow and arrows so that he helps and benefits ordinary people. Holy Prithvi trembled with fears, transformed ‘the self’ into a cow and ran fast. Prithu took bow and arrow, and chased the cow.  Holy cow was full of fears and anxiety and went to Brahmaloka and other celestial lands. However, she found king Prithu ahead with divine bow and arrows in hands. He appeared more brilliant and shinning because of the fire-emitting arrows. The generous king was also a great man of yoga, and therefore, it was difficult even for gods to subdue him.

~*~

Prithu was a dedicated person, who for the love of people, requested the divine cow for blessings and he knew that all the worlds were situated in the hallowed cow, and therefore, if the king kills, it will cause destruction.

Holy cow, a sacred object of prayers and worship could not find shelter anywhere in the three lokas, and therefore, she appeared before Prithu with folded hands and said, “O king, all lokas are situated in me. I carry and situate all the sanctified worlds on the back. I hold the burden of all the worlds. If I die because of this reason or if you wipe out my existence, you will also destroy the worlds and its created beings. You must understand the truth quite clearly. O guardian of the Earth, if you wish to benefit public, then you should not kill me. I will say something. You must listen. If efforts are made in right perspective one can accomplish perfectly all karmas. You can think over the solution, I suggest and thereby, if you implement you shall be able to keep population alive. Even if you kill me, you will not be able to look after the population.  O wise man, you should abandon anger and I shall work as you wish. In the Yoni of triag, a woman is not worth assassination. If this is true, then you should not discard dharma.”

When Prithu heard clear urgings of sacred cow, he said, “O cow, a man, who kills for a selfish purpose or for the benefit of another kills many living beings, and therefore, he is eternally condemned. However, if one kills a wicked person so that he benefits many people, then it is no sin or crime. Therefore, O Prithvi –Vasundhara, I shall kill you to benefit public.  If it does not benefit on request and pleas, I shall destroy you with the arrow, and then I shall take shape of Prithvi and benefit public. Therefore, you should obey and protect life of public because you are capable of carrying the burden.  You should become my daughter, and only then I shall stop the arrow ready to slaughter you.”

Prithvi spoke, “O brave man, I shall do everything. You should not doubt. You should find out a calf for me so that I am overwhelmed with motherly love and give milk. O the greatest among the dharmatma -a man of dharma, level the entire earth so that milk flows properly all over.”

Prithu was pleased to hear.

~*~

Prithu performs a great miracle and begins the real world where everyone lives and prospers in love and peace. Good, obligatory and proper transactions among living beings start, and therefore, the cow and the earth fulfill desires of living beings and because of this truth, Prithvi is the primeval reason of survival, one gets the brief.

Now, king Prithu dug out thousands of mountains with the pointed mouth of arrow and gathered them at one place. All mountains increased enormously in size, as the act of the king was stupendous. Prior to this, the land was not level and so proper division of towns and villages was not possible. At that time, no grain, no arrangement for the protection and rearing up of cows, no agricultural activities and no commercial transactions occupied people, and related activities were non-existent. All kinds of such activities started in times of Prithu, one of the sons of Vena. People of the kingdom began settling down in the levelled, even and straight part of the land, and thereafter, build houses and different kinds of dwellings. At that time, only fruit and roots were available for the public to eat and that too, after if one exerted in a big way and made suitable efforts.

To help public, Prithu transformed Swayambhuva Manu into a calf and began to milk cow with hands people believe. Thus, the king extracted different kinds of grains and various precious things out of Prithvi. Further, various kinds of precious minerals, jewels and metals came out of Prithvi. In fact, generous earth as Prithu wished, requested and asked, offered all kinds of essential living support for the use of people so that they live a comfortable life. Adequate grains helped man survive and all come out of holy Prithvi but now, man had begun to exert hard on time so that earth is munificent and liberal. At that time, all holy men, sages, gods, Pitres, Nagas, Daityas, Yaksasasa, Gandharavas, mountains and trees took advantage of holy Prithvi, the primordial reason of survival. Everyone got benefits from the bounteous nature of Prithvi while each one adhered to assigned duties.

To facilitate the entire functioning further, the moon of sages turned into a calf and Brihaspati did work of milking. Milk was Brahma an embodiment of tapa and penance, and the Vedas acted as right and perfect disciples. Gods picked up a golden pot and milked healthy milk. For the gods, lord Indra became a calf and sun god did milking. Pitres and ancestors held a pot or bowl of silver and the most magnificent Yama acted as calf. For them, Antak milked and the milk was Swadha.

~*~

Similar efforts to survive are obvious among the Nagas, the Asuras, Kubera, the Yaksasasa, the Raksasasa and other celestial beings. Milk proves an inevitable means of subsistence, the story continues.

Surprising momentum continued and all created beings collected their share of milk as desired. In the process, Taksaka became a calf for all the Nagas and the pot of milk was Tumbi. Snake Airavata did milking for the Nagas, and thus, they milked poison. For Asuras, Madhu was the milkman. He milked and the liquid contained Maya -delusion. At that time, Virochana was the calf and collected milk in a bowl of iron.  However, Yaksasasa carried a fragile pot where Kubera became the calf. Yaksa Rajatnabha milked for them and the knowledge of disappearance and turning invisible was the milk that came to the share of Yaksasasa share.

Among Raksasasa, Raksasa Sumali became a calf and he milked in a vessel, which was like a khopari -a skull type bowl. Among Gandharavas, Chitraratha did the work of calf and lotus flower was the pot. Surichi milked it and the sweet essence was its milk. This way, everything on earth got its share of milk depending upon the nature of living beings. Thus, each living being on earth was able to get his share of attributes from the divine cow.

King Prithu was the first man on earth, who worked for the wellbeing and comfortable living of each living being whether among the objects of nature or birds or trees or anything else including the gods, the demons or the daityas, the yaksasasa and the raksasa.  He left none without the gift of milk. Prithvi was the source of benedictions and blessings. Still, the same Prithvi is fulfilling the burden of man’s wants at its own risk, and thus, man is responsible for distress or misery if natural calamity, pollution or contamination, fury or anger, disturb. He tries to extract more than it is necessary. Exploitation of natural resources hurts mother Earth –Prithvi, who on the request and command of Prithu ages back agreed to provide everything. However, modern man’s greed casts a shadow of death and destruction around and continues to violate tenets of dharma.

One truth becomes obvious to humankind. Multi - dimensional acts of charity of Prithvi continued to benefit man for millions of years and still it has not disappointed a greedy man. He runs about, flies above, dives deep into the depths of oceans, flies fast on man-made speedy aircrafts or jets or rockets, and lands up at other planets in search of more material comforts but despite stunning  attainments, he fails to satisfy thirst, hunger and curiosity. He knows and still ignores. He knows death is very near, destruction is round the corner, and Yama waits at the door but still he is indifferent. That is a tragedy. Now, when total devastation comes, no Markandeya to witness annihilation will live, and no divine child to help a Markandeya will come forward. This is the way of the world. Ancient wisdom and vision still hold good but alas, man is lost in the deafening sounds of material growth and affluence sans ethical principles.

Thus, a very contemporary thought took birth ages ago where Prithu was the benefactor of created beings, and Prithvi was a source of material progress and life giving food on the request of Prithu.

The most sacred Vasundhara –Prithvi, is the source of different foods, material comforts and richness, and in truth, generous Prithvi is the origin and foundation of created beings - the animate and the inanimate. She bestows blessing and fulfills every wish and desire of man without prejudice. All kinds of grains sprout out of the womb of Earth -gracious and bountiful Prithvi.

The cow-like Prithvi was famous as Madani. It was under the control of Prithu up to the depths of oceans. Thereafter, as king Prithu desired Bhu-devi -Earth or Vasundhara, became his daughter so people call it Prithvi. Prithu carried out investigations and further research, and so the whole land –Prithvi became a storehouse of grains and attained the figure of overall prosperity so that ultimately, it benefits humanity.

With the passage of time, villages and towns emerged and added beauty and glory to Prithvi. Such was the miraculous and divine power of Prithu, who enjoyed blessings of all the sages and the gods. Thus, a son of king Vena, Prithu, with tremendous divine power brought about a huge transformation. Because of divine characteristics and virtues, all created beings worshipped Prithu. Prithvi was thus, an ardent admirer of Prithu. Greatness of virtuous nature of king, and strict adherence to the laws of dharma helped the king in establishing proper system - organizations and institutions for the guidance of man within so that he lives and prospers.

Nothing without dharma is possible in the world. Adharma, injustice, violence and greed might offer immense pleasure and delight but ultimately, such joys prove transitory. If man learns the truth, he is sure to bring happiness and peace. Humanity needs some Prithu, who thinks of the wellbeing and happiness of people and nothing else!

02-Aug-2025-Brahma

More by :  P C K Prem

 

 

01-Nov-2025

https://www.boloji.com/articles/55060/when-the-sun-rises-not

When the Sun Rises Not

P C K Prem

A Page from Ancient Literature

Long ago, a brahmin suffers from leprosy, lives a wretched life- the consequence of past karmas. Fortunately, his devoted wife looks after without caring for comforts and tries to fulfill husband’s desires even if unethical. She devotes life to prayers and worship so that god grants healthy life and freedom to the suffering husband. Once, he looks at a prostitute and asks his wife to carry him to the woman of easy virtues. She agrees and carries him on tender shoulders. On the way, he hurts a sage unknowingly and hence, a curse visits and so the miserable brahmin’s death is a certainty. ‘He will meet death when the sun rises next morning’ is the curse that cautions the woman. However, the holy woman learns and asks the Sun not to rise again.

Angry words resound in the air, cause anxiety and darkness. The echoes of the voice overwhelm everything and the Sun does not rise. It disturbs lives of created beings and gods. Genuine worries give birth to chaotic situation. Men fail to perform virtuous karmas -prayers, worship and yajnas. Gods of heavens and the cosmic system suffer. The Supreme Lord advises gods to pray before Anusuya. Ultimately, Anusuya on the request of gods, visits the holy woman and speaks of her devotion to husband and seeks relief and forgiveness for the suffering beings including gods. She agrees to what Anusuya says and grants relief. The Sun rises again and the cosmic system functions normally while her husband gets blessings of the gods. He is a handsome young man now free form any ailment. Devotion to husband blesses a woman with unique divine powers. Service to suffering humankind is the genuine joy and the cause of the supreme blessing.

Wise men believe that the fire of the world like the sun scorches man to death. They compare the world to a burning sun because of its passions, lust, greed and violence. If a man is not free from the bondages of the world of heat and passions, the burden of wicked thoughts and acts ensnare and gradually drive him to hell. Only a man of knowledge and wisdom is liberated. A man of Supreme knowledge carries the blessings and virtues of the attributes of detachment as he discharges duties through words and acts towards the world.

Many people believe that a man lives life in contentment and delight or anguish or sorrow based on the nature of virtuous, sadistic or violent karmas of earlier life.

Ages ago, Kaushik, a brahmin lived in Pratishthana, a notable town in ancient times. His life was miserable and wretched because an incurable disease of leprosy struck him, and therefore, people abhorred coming near him, and this was cause of disillusionment to the brahmin. When he delved deep, he learnt that he suffered from the sway and castigation of sinful karmas of previous life and now, he undergoes sufferings. However, his dearly loved wife was god fearing and had devoted life to prayers and worship. She was a faithful wife, and with purity of heart prayed before god so that sick husband got rid of the most loathsome malady. She looked after her husband like a god and worshipped him. Though a deadly and terminal disease smote him, yet she considered him as god and continued to look after him.

She messaged feet while pressing different limbs and parts of the body to relieve him of pain. She helped him clean body, and then, he took bath as she assisted. She helped him put on clean clothes and then fed him with hands. Not only this, she cleaned muck, cough, urine and human soil when he urinated and defecated and if blood flowed out of the wounds, she dutifully washed his wounds without articulating distaste and aversion.

When the couple was alone in the house, she served, stayed near and pleased him with soft words and voice of hope and inspiration. Thus, with humility and politeness, she continued to dedicate time and comforts, and almost worshipped him. Despite perseverance, loyalty, and service with a pure heart, she could not win his love, for he was edgy, bitter and uncertain about life. He was not loving and affectionate because a terminal ailment did not give any hope or zeal for life and he lived life in darkness as if. She knew the reasons of Kaushik’s melancholy and discontent. It is difficult to believe the theory that a man is like a god to woman. To maintain sanctity, purity, equanimity, harmony in human relations and society, people often advocated ideal concepts of relationships during ancient times it looks …and it continues. It does not mean that women were pure of heart and mind. They were weak in minds and bodies and did not hesitate to earn livelihood or entertain elite of the society as it happens now, for they utilized beauty of bodies. People may consider it a stigma yet no concrete solution is visible to the societal ailment that undermines morality and sanctity of relations. A man ought to know how far he is responsible for the corruption in values and human dignity.

He invariably appeared angry, for terminal disease became the cause of anger, hate and pessimism. With an irascible mindset, he spoke pungent and unsympathetic words, and thus, hurt his wife immensely. Kaushik’s rebukes, reprimands and scolding language did not dishearten her. Notwithstanding harsh words, she did not stay away from wife’s obligations, and therefore, served him with enthusiasm, commitment and dedication. When he got angry, she fell at his feet and worshipped him like a god. Frail body, words, figures and looks of the brahmin were abominable and repulsive. However, a woman of saintly nature considered him the greatest among men.

Immoral thoughts assail the sick man when he notices a prostitute walking on the path situated in front of his house, unhealthy desire to enjoy her alliance arise, and so he feels distressed. To fulfill Kaushik’s desire, she takes him to the prostitute and abruptly meets a sage of penance Mandvya undergoing punishment.

Kaushik was unable to walk or move and lived almost a static life. As a man of wicked nature, he nursed sick and lascivious thoughts. Therefore, he continued to suffer castigation and never thought of virtuous karmas but harboured immoral and impious thoughts and feelings of earlier life. One day, he sat on a cot after she cleansed, washed, dressed up and fed him befittingly. As usual, she also washed, cleaned and messaged his wounds. He looked at her as lips quivered and then, he stretched the frail body a bit, he said, “O woman of dharma, a few days back, I saw a prostitute in front of the house while she, I guess, went somewhere.”

He looked at the road with vacant eyes, thought for a while and then, said, “O dear woman, please take me to her. I want to meet her as she resides in my heart. I love her. I am unable to avoid the thought of the woman until now as I am much enamoured of her. I want to love and if she does not embrace me with love and passion, then, you would find me dead within no time.”

He was impudently foolish and atrocious in words and attitude. He used repulsive and unethical words before a loyal and faithful wife, who served as a slave considering him a god in the shape of sick man with no hope of recovery.

When he stupidly and impertinently expressed a desire for a prostitute, she was aghast. As she looked at the weak and sickly pale face, he disturbed, “O woman, for men, the lord of love is very unkind. He disturbs men even at the thought of a woman. I am not an exception. Many men adore, appreciate and love prostitute. However, I have no strength to go there. Therefore, I feel troubled today. Feelings of weakness cause sufferings and I cannot move. It is a moment of crisis.”

After listening to feelings and thoughts of lust and passion from Kaushik, she was stunned. As a wife, she felt it was a duty to obey whatever might be the gravity of thoughts and probable sins. She belonged to a highly respected family that considered her as the most fortunate child, and afterward, people appreciated her for the qualities of head and heart.

She thought over the wicked desire. Kaushik wanted to visit a prostitute, was obvious. Without anger or disgust, she took sufficient money as fee to the woman of easy virtues. She lifted, put him on tender shoulders and carried Kaushik to the house of the woman he desired.

It was time of night and to add to her difficulties, the clouds covered the entire sky, and therefore, the intensity of darkness proved a great hindrance. Whenever the lightning thundered, she surveyed the path as if, and thus, with immense difficulty, carried Kaushik to the house of the woman. At that moment, the holy woman of brahmin took the royal road to attain goal of life. She carried husband on fragile and weak shoulders but did not reveal the pain of burden, and as a dutiful wife, she went ahead.

She did not observe a huge and long iron pillar installed as a punishing rod, a rod of crucifying a criminal or a sinner or a thief. Perhaps the pillar might be made of some strong piece of wood one could guess. The king often determined the quantum penalty to the thieves or other antisocial elements and put such elements on the pointed rod. However, it mattered little. As the woman carried Kaushik on shoulders with legs spread out, he touched the crucifying pillar while going along the road. Naturally, she had not seen the pillar in the darkness. The moment, the sick man touched the pillar with feet it caused intense pain to the sage, who cried loudly.

She tried to understand the reason of cries and found out that the great sage Mandvya sat still on the pointed rod while it pierced the body from behind giving intense pain. Severity of pain gave acute agony and drops of blood trickling down incessantly looked disgusting but he suffered punishment without a groan.

Mandvya was very angry, and therefore, said furiously, “A man, a sinner and a man of adharma, who shook the crucifying pole with feet and gave immense pain and enhanced sufferings, would meet death when the sun rises next morning. The moment, he sees the sun, death and destruction would visit the sinner.” Terse, harsh and cursing words echoed. Naturally, the words caused fears and tension in the mind of the brahmin sitting on the shoulders of the woman.

Stern expressions of Mandvya disturbed a devoted wife. She was very much distraught, and therefore, out of deep pain, said, “I say the sun will not rise next morning.” She pronounced a decree it appeared. The dictates of a woman, a faithful wife of devotion was severe and could not go waste.

The curse of a faithful devotee proves true and the sun fails to disobey the commands of a woman, a loyal wife, who serves her husband as if he were a god. It causes widespread anxieties and the created beings on earth, the celestial beings, the saints and sages and the gods are equally worried as religious karmas stopped even as scriptural teachings stand ignored because of prevailing darkness.

They seriously deliberated over the catastrophe and on the counsel of the Supreme lord all the gods of heavens go to the hermitage of saintly woman, the daughter of sage Kashyap and spouse of another sage Atri and revealed the cause of sufferings and disturbance in the divine territory.

01-Nov-2025

More by:  P C K Prem

 

 

https://www.boloji.com/articles/55033/quintessence-of-life-and-truth

 

        Quintessence of Life and Truth

              P C K Prem 

A Page from Markandeya Puruna

It is about ordinary people, who revere the lord of the land –the ruler, who is chaste, dignified and honest in what he does. Virtuous actions for the wellbeing of people determine his life, and indirectly, he tells people graciously to live life of virtues free from sins and crimes.

In contemporary context, it is relevant to observe that rulers possess intellectual power and understand what virtues are. However, unfortunately, with a few exceptions, many demonstrate ego and self-interest, and hurt people who they claim to serve. They collect money through taxes and other unhealthy ways, and utilize a sizable amount for personal comforts euphemistically.  People live a miserable and worried life most of the time and undergo agonies of natural calamities, draught and famines but get ignorable help from… It is a fact in spite of enormous growth in science, technology and knowledge.  Thus, to live a good, reminiscent, virtuous and happy life creates many dilemmas. Acts of truth, righteousness of the rulers bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the people, the legendary tale tells. Righteous deeds of rulers influence ordinary men, who learn to cultivate characteristics of a clean, pure and honest life. If nobility and grace is absent in life, governance turns unauthentic. It leads to violence, greed, conflicts, disharmony, discord and war.

---

Prince Rudra a source of troubles during hunting enters his body… and when he hears a wailing woman …creates disturbance...the king later satisfies sage Vishvamitra that he adheres to the spirit of dharma

Ages back, in Treta Yuga, a famous royal priest and sage Harishchandra lived, governed a vast empire and spread the message of truth to humanity. He was a sage of dharmic (life of truth, virtues and uprightness) countenance, devoted life to the service of humankind and the entire world. He was a sage of glory and magnificence. Destiny and nature were very generous and no famine or draught ever occurred in the vast kingdom during the golden period of governance. No diseases and unnatural deaths tortured people. The citizens of the kingdom nurtured religious -dharmic thoughts.

People of ancient times did not appreciate feelings and thoughts of arrogance and pride because of the power of celibacy and discipline, tapa and meditation. They also enjoyed fruit of affluence, ethical values and prosperity. No woman in the entire kingdom gave birth to child at adolescent age as they considered pubescence was an age of learning, devotion and faith, and therefore, women of the holy age observed purity of minds, hearts and bodies.

One day, the mighty King Harishchandra went to the jungle for hunting. While he ran excitedly after the prey, he heard poignant shrieks of some women. He was cautious and stopped for a while. He heard the women saying, ‘Please save. Protect.’

The king left pursuing the kill, turned toward the direction from where he heard painful voices, approached the women in agony and distress, and while he was still at a distance, asked, “Do not fear anybody. O women, you should not fear.” After assuring the women, he said again, “O women, who is the man of evil mind acting unjustly and insolently in the regime?”

He was silent for some time and thought cautiously over the situation.

Women in sorrow demonstrate fear, panic and anguish, the king of dharma thinks and so he hurriedly goes to the spot even as Rudra, who creates troubles to noble people, enters the body of the king, who out of ego and conceit disturbs Vishvamitra, and suffers.

After he uttered words loudly, he thought and went quickly to the site from where cries of lamentation touched ears. He covered some distance and saw the women in distress. In the meantime, the prince of hurdles Rudra present in the body of the king began to put up obstructions in the way of virtuous people and so, began to think seriously, “The great sage Vishvamitra is valourous and mighty. Taking shelter in wonderful tapasya, he adheres to the principles of supreme tapa, and continues to meditate on the bhava vidyas –knowledge to attain perfection, which he did not attain earlier. The great sage follows the laws of forgiveness, silence and self-discipline and tries to achieve such vidyas - knowledge and wisdom of various wings of life. Therefore, scared of the great sage, the vidyas lament here. How to work toward deliverance worries greatly.”

While deliberating on subtle matters, Rudrakumar, the lord of creating obstacles, thought long, decided in another way, and therefore, he as a disturbing spirit in the body of Harishchandra instantly caused much stimulation and anger in the mind and body of the king.

He failed to control anger and so, said, “Who is the sinner, the malicious fellow? It appears he tries to tie up fire in the gathari -a bag made of unfastened cloth. I want to know about the vicious man, who in the presence of a king of extraordinary brilliance, might and brightness, wants to penetrate the area of eternal sleep. It seems he does not know that arrows my bow releases, in fact, brighten up all directions, and now, in the glittering situation, he intends to enjoy a deep sleep.”

The king excited with the power of ego and pride thought that no man on earth could surpass him in radiance, glory and splendeur. Unfortunately, he was unaware of the magnificence of intellect and heart of sage Vishvamitra, a repository of divine glow. The king committed a grave mistake he realized but left no scope for possible retreat and inadvertently annoyed a great sage.

Vishvamitra did not expect anyone to humiliate him with strong words. After he heard expression of pride and imprudence, he was very angry with the king on a hunting spree. At that time, the spirit of Rudra ruled the body of the king. Anger arose in the mind, and all vidyas, who appeared weeping in the figures and images of the women, disappeared. Later on, when the king saw sage Vishvamitra, an embodiment of tapasya, fears and uncertainty filled him and unexpectedly, he began to tremble like leaves of a peepal tree.

In the meantime, the great sage said, “O wicked fellow, keep do not move. Stand there straight. You disgraced and violated the sanctity of penance.”

Realizing that he had committed a grave blunder, he fell at the feet of the sage, and said, “O lord, it was dharma. Please do not think it as a crime. I committed no sin. O holy monk, you should not get angry with a king engaged in the protection of principles of dharma. It is correct for a king, who knows dharma. A king should perform acts of charity -dana and protection, and then, if need be, should pick up bow and fight against the enemy.”

Thus, the king tried to justify uncharitable words he spoke when he heard women weeping in the jungle. Later on, the women disappeared. In fact, it was an attempt on the part of the sage to determine the wisdom, power and tolerance of the king. He wanted to know to what extent the king adhered to the laws of dharma. Now, the king told him of dharma and so, the sage was calm.

~*~

The logic of the king satisfies the sage, and so tells that as guardian of the people, he performs certain duties that do not appear appropriate for some but to defend principles of dharma is the duty of a good king…later the sage asks for the entire kingdom

After a moment, the sage said, “O king, if you are afraid of an act of adharma -an irreligious act, then, tell me immediately… what is the right act of dana? Who requires protection, and with whom one should fight a war?”

The great king said, “O sage, give gifts to brahmins and perform acts of charity toward people, who live without livelihood or do not earn anything under certain inescapable circumstances. A man should guard people afraid of identified or unknown enemy, and at last, O sage, one should fight against one’s enemy.”

The sage said, “O king, if you are a real king and understand the dharma of a king, then, you offer dakshina to a brahmin, who nurses desires for a devotedly offered dana.”

When the king understood the desires of the sage, he was extremely happy. He felt and thought that the lord had blessed him with new life. Therefore, he said happily, “O lord, what should I give you? Please ask anything you love most without doubt or reservation. If it is the most difficult thing to give even then, you should consider it as if given.”

Sage Vishvamitra looked at the king and said, “O brave king, I know your generosity, glory and dharma. If you wish to give something worthwhile and sensible, then you give the sea, the mountains, the villages and the entire earth with all the cities to me. You should also give me chariots, horses, elephants, treasury and the entire kingdom.” If the sage appeared to repeat certain things, he wanted to make everything clear to the king so that the king performed well and offered dana - act of charity/offering, without any doubt.

The sage asked further, “O king, you offer whatever you own, and keep nothing with you. You can keep your wife, son and body with you. In addition, you may keep dharma with you because dharma keeps the company of a man who reveres it. After you leave the world, it goes with you. Dharma alone goes with the man after death to the other world.”

The king folded hands in reverence and said, ‘It will be so, O great sage’ and folding hands, he obeyed the commands of the sage. At that time, no wrinkles of shock or worries appeared on the face to disturb the king. He surrendered everything to the sage, and the feelings of dana and renunciation filled him with happiness.

Vishvamitra said to the king, “O great king, if you surrender the kingdom, earth, army and wealth, and in fact, everything you enjoy, then, whose writ would prevail while I am present and who would wield authority in the kingdom?”

The king said, “O brahmin, at the time of gifting away the earth, you became swamy. Then, the question is meaningless.”

The wise king accepted the sovereignty of the sage everywhere. Vishvamitra smiled, looked at him and said, “O king, if you surrendered and gave the entire land and prithvi to me, then listen carefully. What else you still hold?  Then, wherever I exert control and authority, you depart from that place. You leave ornaments and valuables and with a batkala - a piece of cloth around the body you should leave the place with son and wife.” Thus, the king of dharma gave everything to the sage and he realized he was an ordinary man.

~*~

Not happy with what the king offered, the sage wanted something in the shape of fee after the completion of a great yajna, the king performs.

The king agreed to the words and commands of the sage and was ready to go away along with wife Shaivya and son Rohitasva. At that time, sage Vishvamitra stopped and said, “O king, where are you going away from here without giving dakshina -offering or fee after a ceremony regarding the great rajsuya yajna?”

Harishchandra said calmly, “O sage, I offered you a problem-free kingdom. Now, I am left with three bodies.”

Vishvamitra said, “Even then, you ought to give dakshina. Specially, when you promise a brahmin to give something and then, refuse for certain reasons. It is violation of the terms of pledge or word on oath. Flouting of promise is enough to destroy a man. It is a grave sin if you do not offer dakshina due to a brahmin. O king, after the completion of the rajsuya yajna, if you offer wealth as dakshina that satisfies a brahmin, it should be considered enough. If you give less than satisfying a brahmin, then, it is a sin.  You promised through an announcement to give... You told that one should fight against people, who terrorize or are enemies of the people. You also emphasized that one should protect the suffering people.”

The king said humbly, “O sage, at this moment, I have nothing to give you. I surrendered everything to you. O noble soul, when I am capable of giving something to you, I shall definitely give. You know I have nothing, not a penny. Everything I owned now belongs to you.”

The king told him of miserable pecuniary situation. Now, he had nothing to offer, and therefore, the sage must free him from the debt of dakshina the king probably wanted to hint at…! At the same time, he thought within that if he could earn something in future, he would positively offer dakshina.

The sage was not going to relent. He wanted dakshina. After a thought, he said, “O king, please tell immediately. How much I am to wait for dakshina?”

The king said, “O greatest among the sages, I shall give you the requisite dakshina within one month. At the moment, I have no money, and therefore, permit me to go.”

After sage Vishvamitra heard words of reassurance, he said, “O greatest among the kings, you can go and follow the principles of dharma. God bless you.” Thus, the king promised to offer dakshina to the sage. The sage, on the other hand, never wanted to violate dharma of a king.

~*~

People of the kingdom are unable to bear separation of a noble king and so they pray before him…who adheres to the principles of truth

After the sage allowed him to go, the former king Harishchandra, left the city. Very tender and delicate queen Shaivya followed but was unable to walk. When the citizens of the city observed the king, queen and the prince leaving the city, they began lamenting out of grief and anguish, for they found it difficult to withstand the departure of a beloved king, queen and the prince. The wailings did not stop and it became difficult for the people to survive separation.

With folded hands, the citizens and people stood before him and said, “O king, O lord, do not abandon us. We suffer from a grave agony. O king, you are ever ready to take mercy on people, who pursue the noble path of dharma and truth.”

People continued to plead before the king, who had lost everything in fact, and now, was an ordinary man without wealth or material wellbeing. While he looked at the imploring faces of the citizens, he heard, “O king, if you think it appropriate and if dharma permits, then, allow us to go behind you. O king, please stop for a while. Please bless people with the divine glimpses of your faces. We wish to live under your benign smile. Who knows when ‘fortune and destiny’ blesses us to enjoy your heavenly glimpses in future? It is uncertain as you gave everything in charity.” People of the kingdom were extremely worried and mentally disturbed. It became difficult to bear separation. On the other hand, the king, a man of dharma and righteousness treaded an arduous path of truth and renunciation.

He heard lamentations of the people, who said, “O lord, how unfortunate we are!  Once, the people and the kings of different countries went after him wherever he moved or roamed about but today, only the queen goes after with a child and holds his frail fingers.  Even the servants of the great king travelled on the backs of elephants on a journey in the past but today, it gives pains when King Harishchandra goes without royal glory.  The royal persons walk with bare feet discarding regal comforts.   The beautiful eyebrows, soft and tender skin, and glowing faces look faded and the three royal personas are worried, agonized, pathetic and miserable within but do not display feelings of wretchedness or disillusionment. It would be difficult for them to walk on a long distance smeared with dust and severe sufferings.”

After sometime, they again said, “O the greatest among the kings, please stop. Stop here O king. If you stay, you can follow dharma. Discarding cruelty and violence is the greatest dharma, the greatest dharma for the ksatriyas especially. O swamy, women, sons, wealth, land etc will not offer happiness if you desert us. We shall leave everything and follow you like shadows. O king, O great lord, O swamy, why do you leave us. We shall stay where you prefer to live.  We have comforts of life wherever you are. In proximity, we have everything including the city and the pleasures of life. Wherever you stay O king, it is a heaven for us.”

When the king heard the wailings of citizens, grief and sorrow engulfed and so, he stopped and thought to speak to the people with love and affection. Feelings of warmth and compassion filled him and so he stayed on the way. Sage Vishvamitra observed that anguish and distress of citizens had disturbed the king. At once, he reached near the king and said irately, “Array, you are vicious, deceitful, wicked and malicious.   O king, it is a matter of disgrace and ignominy. After you gave away the kingdom, you wish to take it back.”

Harsh words of sage hurt Harishchandra.  He was nervous, and later began to tremble. He did not know what to say or do. He said ‘I go I go’, held queen’s hand, dragged as she was unable to walk and hurriedly left the place.  After walking a long distance, she felt more pain and appeared terribly exhausted, and so, out of weariness and tiredness, she failed to take a step any more. Her steps were slow and she wobbled around despite the assistance of the king, who dragged her gently. The sage in anger struck her back with a wooden stick. When the sage angrily reacted and hit the queen with a stick, the king felt distressed and agonized tremendously but was helpless. With a feeble voice, he could only say, “O lord, I go.”

It had become difficult for the king to disobey the great sage. A word once given had to be honoured. One finds nothing special about the conduct of the king, if looked into deeply. He was a man of dharma and the religious feeling inspired him to serve people detachedly. Dedication and devotion to people was his creed. The spirit of service is absent in modern rulers. It is difficult to praise modern lords and rulers, for they are greedy, unscrupulous, vicious, manipulative, corrupt, selfish, and words of mouth carry no sanctity for the contemporary men of authority including the self-styled men of intellect. They hold nothing to bequeath in terms of morality and principles. Such harsh truths are quite evident one observes painfully. The modern rulers are symbols of corruption, ravenousness, unethical practices and aggrandizement and it is precisely the heritage they pass on to future and it happens, and the truth is harsh as always.

18-Oct-2025

More by :  P C K Prem

 

 

 

 

https://www.boloji.com/articles/55021/the-legendary-churning-of-ocean

 

 

The Legendary Churning of Ocean

P C K Prem

A Page from the Ancient Literature

 

                                                   Samudra Manthan at Shri Viswa Vinayaka Mandir
                                    Rhenock Rungdung, East Sikkim ll Ganesha Temple Sikkim India

To eliminate an evil one must devise suitable plans. It is perfect if a man stamps out devils but if he continues efforts for personal benefits and greed, the plans turn out unethical and fraudulent. A contemporary man suffers from a tragic flaw at whatever state of life he is whether a worldly man or a man of god. A living being who does not seek refuge in the lord is fated to live a miserable life.

“You are the lord, who destroys sins, and until then, a living being lives with weakness, frailty, desire, love, infatuation, sufferings and miseries. O happy soul, be happy with the shelter-seekers. O lord, please empower gods with the divine grace and strength so that they recuperate lost glory and celestial magnificence, and thus, enhance innate exalted brilliance.”

          The gods looked at the Supreme lord with expectant eyes. It was essential that the gods of heavens obtain effective assistance of daityas so that churning of the great ocean helps them as desired.

The Supreme lord advised the gods eloquently and clearly and after serious consideration, the gods appeared before the arrogant and audacious demons, the mighty daityas. However, it was difficult to gratify immediately after the awful defeat demons had inflicted on gods. To doubt integrity of gods in this situation was quite sensible. After genuine efforts and apparent expression of true intent, daityas agreed to work in co-operation with the gods for a common cause because they also wanted to become immortal and mighty forever and wished to live in eternal joy, peace and harmony. After they entered into negotiation, the gods and the daityas thought deep and planned cautiously, and thereafter, made concerted efforts to secure nectar.

Afterward, in order to attain the objective, the gods and the daityas collected various herbal medicines and poured loads of herbs and aromatic plants in the ocean of milk that appeared a clear, brilliant and deep sky during winter. They brought Mandrachal Mountain and made it a great churning post. After that, they went to the land of Snakes and requested the king of snakes Vasuki to become a churning cord so that they achieve the great objective. At last, they gathered forces and material necessary for the tough churning and were now, geared up for the arduous and terrible stirring up of the ocean of milk. The gods held Vasuki from the tail probably on Vishnu’s signal. The daityas held the position firmly from the side of the Vasuki’s head. 

~*~

Awful churning began. Naturally, Vasuki felt the impact of the awesome churning as it held the mountain in tight grip and so it suffered excruciating and ferocious rubbing against the churning pole -the Mandrachal Mountain, and therefore, it suffered scorching heat, breathed heavily but the haling and inhaling upset the daityas. With the fire of dreadful breathings of Vasuki, daityas felt seared and experienced loss of energy and power. On the other hand, the breathing of the snake gave troubles to clouds and it rained from the tail’s side enhancing the power and energy of gods. The daityas were unable to comprehend the situation in proper perspective while the gods hoodwinked them the daityas wisely, intelligently and shrewdly.        

In the frightful churning, transformed into Kurma, the great god stood tall, surprised everyone and became a solid foundation so that Mandrachal Mountain could stand firmly and steadily. Again, the supreme god adorned with discus and mace, took another shape to support gods. Thus, directly or indirectly, another strong figure to help the demons took form while the mighty gods and demons pulled the cord -Vasuki from respective sides and churned the ocean. The gods and the daityas did not witness another miracle. The lord kept the mountain hard-pressed under feet and kept the foundation strong, and it facilitated uninterrupted churning. The lord infused and instilled incredible energy and vigour in Vasuki so the process did not suffer but amazingly, in these serious efforts, Vasuki sustained no injuries.  To visualize mysterious act of the great lord was difficult. The lord continued to enhance the capacity and power of the king of snakes and improved the strength of gods.

After intense churning, Kamadhenu, the divine cow appeared as a gift out of the turmoil-engulfed ocean whereas churning continued with the joint efforts of gods and demons. After sometime, sacrificial material of yajna surfaced even as the provider of shelter cow stood calm.

Sage Parasara description of the event appeared astutely guarded. 

He told, “O monks, as the divine cow emerged out of the ocean of milk, the gods and the daityas were extremely delighted to see a miracle. They looked fixedly at the cow capable of fulfilling desires.  They began to say and ask from one another ‘what is this…what is this?” as surprise stirred.

The question continued to raise doubts and hopes.

~*~

Afterward, as the worries pestered the gods and the demons, a goddess -Varuni appeared who wandered frantically before the siddhas. The churning began again and to the astonishment of everyone Kalpa Tree emerged, which filled the three worlds with divine aroma and gave extreme pleasure and joy to beautiful women. Nectar did not yet come out. Swift and powerful churning continued. Later on, apasaras – the celestial women of fantastic beauty, fascinating and generous in figure and qualities appeared. After the nymphs, moon emerged and astonished all. The churning continued, and later, to bless all lord Mahadeva appeared before the daityas and the gods as a celestial souvenir.  When poison surfaced, the great nagas drank it. Later, attired in white clothes, lord Dhanvantri, a dazzling figure with a huge vessel of nectar in hands stood before them.

          All the sages, the gods and the demons- the daityas looked very happy and delighted at the fulfillment of a great objective when they saw lord Dhanvantri with a container of nectar. 

Immediately after the lord, immensely radiant and brilliant goddess Laksmi came out of the ocean with a lotus flower in hand. All the sages were happy and began to sing hymns of glory and praise in cheering spirits before the beautiful goddess.  Visvasu and gandharavas began the celestial songs, and at the same time, charming Dhritachi and other celestial women started a divine dance. Holy Ganges appeared and flowed as the sacred and celestial elderly souls helped the goddess with golden bowls kamandals -full of water to take holy bath and thus, the divine beings facilitated the sacred bath of the great goddess.

The sacred ocean of milk also appeared and handed over a rosary of full blossoming lotus flowers and the great artisan Visvakarma bejeweled each part of body of holy goddess with several ornaments. Thus, the goddess, the consort of lord Vishnu, took bath with the angelic water of Ganges and many rivers, dressed up in beautiful divine clothes adorned with celestial ornaments, came out and then, looked intimately at the gods and the goddesses, moved to sit at the holy seat situated in the breast of lord Vishnu.

~*~

Interestingly, one learns about the blessings of goddess Laksmi on lord Indra and one knows about the story of Laksmi’s birth.

Goddess Laksmi sanctified the gods with divine darshana, and thereafter, ensconced comfortably in the heart of beloved consort lord Vishnu. The scenario filled gods with feelings of ecstasy. The demons -daityas did not enjoy glimpses of Laksmi walking elegantly to the divine seat. They felt jealous and enraged, as the goddess did not give proper darshana, and so, negative feelings, languor and apathy irritated demons.

Therefore, the opponents of Vishnu like Viprichiti and other daityas were quite disturbed and exasperated. An indifferent and casual attitude of Laksmi infuriated the mighty daityas, and therefore, they snatched the container of holy nectar from Dhanvantri. In fact, lord Vishnu disguised as the most beautiful woman cast a magic spell on the daityas and as he spread of maya - the delusory potency, he snatched kamadalu of nectar from the daityas.

An appropriate divinely offered opportunity arrived to bless the gods. Lord Indra and other gods drank nectar and deprived the daityas of the agreed share as settled before the churning of ocean. The daityas were very angry and so, they picked up weapons, attacked the army of gods and in a very hasty resolve, committed a blunder. They perhaps ignored the truth and fact that the gods were immortal after they had taken nectar, and thus, when a fierce war broke out, the gods easily killed and defeated the powerful army of daityas, who lost many lives in a dreadful war. Now, it was a question of life. The army of daityas ran for protection of life and some of them ran away to the underground land - patala loka. After conquering the mighty demons, the gods appeared before lord Vishnu generally adorned with conch, discus and mace, paid respects and began to govern heavenly lands as they used to do earlier.

~*~

Now, the movement of the three worlds turned back to the original status, for nobody strong enough lived to disturb the equilibrium. Therefore, under the influence of brilliance and power of time, the sun god, the planets and the stars took the route as the great Power had assigned. The lord of fire emitted divine illumination and from that time onward, all created beings were solemnly inclined toward life of dharma. All the three worlds were now happy and prosperous, and the victory over demons adorned lord Indra with the original magnificence and slender, and thus, he regained lost status. Later on, lord Indra went to heaven, occupied the kingdom of gods praised movingly goddess Laksmi with divine lotus flower in hand and sang hymns of glory to please the holy goddess, for she had blessed the gods with victory.

Now, lord Indra got back original glory and grandeur and so, greatly delighted he felt obliged to the celestial souls, who had rescued him from an imminent ignominy. In euphoric moments, he said, “I salute you O holy goddess, who is the mother of three worlds with lotus like eyes and is always seated in heart of lord Vishnu. I offer deep salutation to goddess Laksmi again whose living place is lotus that adorns her hands. She loves lotus flowers and her eyes appear like a bunch of holy lotus flowers. I bow before the holy goddess.  O goddess, you are siddhi incarnate. You are swadha, swaha, sudha, and you sanctify the three lokas -the three worlds. You are sandhya, the evening and the evening prayer and you are the night, the morning, vibhuti, medha, shradha and the holy Sarswati, the holy wisdom.”

Lord Indra generously praised the virtues of goddess Laksmi.   After a pause, he said, “O goddess, you are an embodiment of knowledge of yajna, karma kanda, mahavidya or upasana -meditation and tapa and the secret knowledge –the treasure of illusory and delusory potency one can never comprehend easily.  You are the image of the knowledge of soul and bestow fruit of moksa.”

Lord Indra finds in goddess Laksmi the fortune of the obvious and the secret knowledge. Nothing is unknown and one finds nothing not known to goddess. Every particle of knowledge springs forth from the goddess he says. In anger and calmness, she holds the world and no other woman in the three worlds can have the benign shelter of Vishnu.

“Without you O goddess, the three worlds look almost devastated and in truth, you give life to the worlds again.” He praised in eloquent words.

“O goddess, living beings get women, sons, homes, wealth, prosperity and benevolent people because of the generous glances you spread around.” Grace and divine glances of the goddess bestow healthy body, luxuries and material comforts on men, and the skill to wipe out the enemy the lord tells.  He calls goddess the mother of the worlds and tells that Sri Hari is the father. The entire cosmos breathes because of Vishnu and Laksmi.

Thereafter, he prayed before the goddess, “O goddess, the most sacred mother, kindly ensure that you do not discard indispensable fortunes and wealth, cowsheds, houses, joys and delight, bodies and women.”

In other words, he wants that she provides luxuries and pleasures of life and keeps the created beings evermore happy.

Later on, Indra told, “O goddess, if you leave hearts of people, then the unfortunate men are devoid of the power of virtues, truth, clean conduct and graciousness.”

Generous nature of the goddess provides qualities of sattva -truth and righteousness, wealth and various luxuries and even if a man is bereft of these qualities, the goddess endows if she showers mercy. Goddess’s grace and magnanimity are essential for making life meaningful but Indra also wants that a man requiring mercy, ought to be a pure man.

The goddess is the storehouse of wisdom, niceties of life and if generous and merciful, she lavishes might and glory. The holy goddess is the patron of generosity on human beings if she finds them true and dedicated. Evils do not enter the aura of goddess Indra exhorts and so indirectly wants all to lead a life of purity and grace, truth and devotion.

“O goddess, if people get acclaim and eulogies and are also full of virtues, they also possess wealth and enjoy prosperity because you are kind and benevolent.”

“If the goddess is angry with anyone, it is the end of a life of prosperity and health.”

 He spoke at last indulgently, “O goddess, you are a storehouse of virtues and grandeur, an embodiment of dharma, beauty of body and soul. Even Supreme Creator cannot fully describe your nature and virtuous qualities. Where do I stand? O lotus eyed goddess, please be happy and kindly bless with a boon that you would never abandon me.” Thus, Indra bowed before the goddess, the consort of Vishnu.

Goddess Laksmi was immensely pleased with the hymns of glory, sublime and holy praise of lord Indra. She, after sometime, looked at the gods and then, said to Indra, “O lord of gods, Indra, I am very much happy with the tributes. Whatever appears most appropriate to you, you ask as a boon. I came to bless.”

Indra bowed in reverence and said, “O goddess, if you wish to bless and think that I am eligible to get a boon then, I implore you not to desert the three worlds. That is what I want. O daughter of the samundra-sambhave -the Ocean, you should never discard a devotee, who sings hymns of glory and praises, and it is the second boon that I beseech.” Extremely polite and humble Indra deeply enchanted the goddess of plenty and grace.

She blessed Indra and said, “O the greatest among the gods Indra, I shall never abandon the three worlds -Trilokas. Greatly pleased with expressions of tributes I bless you. O lord Indra, I shall forever bless people and spray blissful glances, who sing hymns of glory devotedly.”

In ancient times, goddess Laksmi was immensely pleased with the devotion, hymns and words of praise of lord Indra and after fully satisfied, she blessed with the boons he so earnestly desired.

Goddess Laksmi related an interesting history of birth. Earlier, she was born to Khyati through sage Bhrigu, and thus, was daughter of a sage, who put to test the greatness and might of Trinity. Ages after, during the time of churning of milk of ocean in which the gods and the daityas struggled to procure nectar, she appeared on the surface of Ocean. Therefore, whenever, lord Vishnu descends on earth in different incarnations, goddess Laksmi also takes birth to grant relief to the suffering. When Sri Hari was born as Aditya, she took birth as Padma from Padam, and later on, when he was born as Parusrama, she took birth as Prithvi.

Sage Prasara narrated the tale of Sri Hari and Laksmi, after the curse of sage Durvasa, the defeat of Indra and churning of the ocean and consequent victory of lord Indra …and Indra’s persuasive and endearing praise of Laksmi.

After a pause, he looks benignly at the gathering of monks and said, “O great souls, goddess Laksmi is eternal and omniscient. Later on, she took birth as Sita when Vishnu descended on earth as Rama in the house of Dasratha. She was Rukmani, the consort of Krishna. In all incarnations of lord Vishnu, she accompanied the lord and rendered divine assistance to the great lord in the realization of objectives.  In fact, the presence of Laksmi eradicates diseases and poverty, and thus, brings peace and harmony to homes where people worship the great goddess.

11-Oct-2025

More by:  P C K Prem