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.

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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

 https://www.boloji.com/articles/54969/legendary-muchukunda-of-ikaswaku-dynasty         

14 September 2025

 

                                        Legendary Muchukunda

                                     (The great king in the dynasty of Ikaswaku)

 

                                                          P C K PREM

 

A Page from Ancient Literature

 

 

Kalayavana -yavana is amazed and stunned when he witnesses a miracle. Krishna emerges out of Mathura and appears a scintillating and radiant phenomenon. Wonderstruck at the divine dazzle and sparkle, he pursues the lord hurriedly without notice. Yavana is intensely philosophical and chases the lord but fails to keep pace and lags behind. Earlier, Krishna is armoured and the next moment, he finds the lord without weapon and a wish for a duel with the lord arises in the mind. Krishna is not aware that someone is pursuing and wishes to have a fight. Yavana, despite swiftness and keenness to take hold of the lord, fails.

Yavana finds Krishna is not visible and therefore laments and feels embittered. He utters unpalatable and uncharitable words but fails to provoke the lord. Finally, he observes the lord entering a cave of a huge mountain.

Yavana enters cave in search of the lord and to his surprise, he finds a man sleeping inside unconscious of the world outside. Yavana is angry and infuriated. He is baffled and confused and thinks the sleeping man as Krishna. He thinks Krishna is teasing him. He knows not the ambiguous conduct of the lord that an unexpected revelation is sure to shock. He disturbs the sleep of a man. The man opens his eyes, looks terribly angry and the fiery eyes reduce Yavana to ashes.

The mystifying man of spiritual power is from the dynasty of Ikaswaku, a distinguished son of Mandhata. Later on, people know him as Muchukunda, a devotee of Brahma and a man of truth, an unconquerable king of vast prudence of that age. At that time, lord Indra faces a lethal threat from daityas, who are a superior power.

Gods of heavens deliberate for a long time and feel incapable of defeating the powerful daityas. Muchukunda offers to help gods and provides security and protection for an unspecified long period.

After ages, the gods are able to secure the service of Guha -Karteykeya, a son of lord Shiva. Now, the gods go to Muchukunda and express gratitude for the protection he ensured to gods. They also reveal the truth that ages have gone into oblivion and no one from his dynasty lives on earth.

The gods ask him to ask for a boon and blessing but do not assure of Kaivilaya Moksa -self-realization i.e. the true self, an area of control of lord Vishnu. Muchukunda listens to gods but does not say anything. After ages, he feels tired, terribly fatigued, and only wants to sleep, after tireless work of guarding the gods of heavens. One of the gods tells him if any stupid fellow disturbs him, the mere look will turn him into ashes.

At this moment, Krishna appears before Muchukunda and greatly enjoys ecstatic moments of a lifetime. He recognizes the lord and praises but wants to know the mystery. Lord tells him of the terror daityas create on earth, and therefore, to end the brutalities, he takes birth in the house of Vasudeva, a family of Yadu to get rid of the atrocious demons. Muchukunda is stunned and after serious reflections on life, existence, tapa and penance, devotion- bhakti and moksa, he speaks of the glories of the lord but is disinclined to live a life of three Gunas and so, seeks refuge in the Supreme Person, the Pure Consciousness. The lord is delighted at the devotion and so blesses him, “You will attain me, the Absolute, O Muchukunda.

Sri Suka continued.

 

 

The mystical time of joys abundant appeared infinite and inexhaustible. When Krishna emerged from the main gate of the city of Mathura, Kalayavana -Yavana was startled to witness a wonderful phenomenon. He appeared as if a rising moon, most dazzling and charming to the eyes. Endowed with four massive long arms, he was dark brown in appearance, gracefully and enchantingly attired in yellow silk with a white curl of hair around the neck, and the neck appeared brilliantly gem-adorned.

Yavana was lost in the glory and dazzle of the Supreme lord steadily coming out of the city of Mathura. He observed the lord minutely, looked into the eyes and face, and felt enchanted as the divine expressions appeared as fresh blossoming lotuses. He was thrilled as he looked at the ever beautiful and splendid cheeks while the divine smiles adorned with brilliant alligator-shaped earrings. The celestial sage had already described the divine beauty and gorgeous figure of Krishna.

Yavana was now, profoundly reflective. He thought long over the entire situation. Yavana followed him for a long time with the intent to overtake. However, he found it quite difficult to keep pace with the Supreme Lord. He observed the son of Vasudeva Krishna, who was fully armoured and the weapons dazzled the eyes. Next moment, the lord walked on foot he saw and was amazed to see him without weapons. He deliberated again and resolved to challenge him but did not reveal the purpose. Because the lord was unarmed, it would look apt if he had a fight he thought. He prepared himself for a duel with a defenseless person without a proper chariot or horse and pursued Krishna with the objective to outdistance Krishna while he walked with quick steps.

He was ready for an encounter with the lord, who was without weapons. He deliberated for some time as he swiftly chased lord Krishna, and resolved again and wanted genuinely an equal fight without prejudice or discrimination. Now, he was at the back of the lord. However, Krishna never looked back that someone was pursuing him with the objective to kill or defeat. Yavana failed to understand the mysterious play of the Supreme Person.

                                                ****

Great Lord appeared beyond reach. Possibly, the lord was beyond reach even for those, who were masters of yoga. Yavana did not understand Maya -delusory potency of the Supreme Lord. However, the lord did not indulge in deceptive acts or waywardness and so was quite simple and unassuming in conduct Yavana thought. The Knower of minds of all, the Supreme Spirit, the Lord of lords, Sri Krishna without inkling, tempted and lured the lord of Yavanas and took him far away to a great mountain cave. Unconsciously, he moved promptly to the door of a huge cave but he never allowed a feeling in the mind of Yavana to creep in that he had walked very fast. Every time, Yavana thought to catch hold of Krishna, the lord appeared within grip but still he slipped away and so Yavana eager for a combat with the great lord, failed to minimize the distance.

He continuously pursued Krishna but was unable to reach and hold him. Quite desperate he was when he told, “O Yadu, it is not good for you. You are born in the great dynasty of Yadus, and to run away without even a meet-up, is quite wrong.”

He had failed to keep pace with the lord as evil lurking in the mind fuelled his ego and obsession to defeat the lord. On the other hand, the mysterious destiny not only guided him to the imminent collapse but also waited and prepared the background for the ultimate fall. Therefore, it prevented him from touching the sacred feet of the lord. He also failed to provoke the lord even as he uttered offensive and unpalatable words.

In spite of provocations and objections he raised, Yavana could not get at Krishna. Soon, the lord approached the opening of a mountain, entered a cave while Yavana followed the lord stealthily. He felt worn out but condemned and criticized, and at the same time, tried to measure the immensity of the power of the lord within. In the meantime, he continued the vigorous chase. When Yavana entered, he saw a different man sleeping inside the cave. An astonished Yavana stood perplexed, still and silent. An inactive and snoozing man also raised curiosity and many questions raised heads within but he failed to find answers of the divine mystery. He was incapable of fathoming the hidden desires of the lord, and therefore, deliberated seriously.

Yavana thought and whispered, “Look at this. He brought me to such a place after treading a long distance as if he were unaware of anything. Now, he was asleep like an innocent man.”

Thus, mystery of a long chase was still incomprehensible to Yavana. Yavana thought deep, and was baffled. As if he were a foolish man, he thought that it was Krishna, who slept inside the cave after a long run. Without restraint, he struck him with the foot. He did not know that a revelation of a great secret awaited him. Like an impudent and confused man, he disturbed a man, who was in deep sleep and eagerly awaited the reaction.

                                                   ****

The unknown man in deep sleep, felt a bit agitated and slowly messaged his eyes and face, and after a few moments, opened eyes. He looked around and saw Yavana, who stood nearby and appeared stubborn and impudent. He was obviously quiet but within exasperation and anger distressed. He got up, observed the situation and appeared annoyed, and therefore, when he looked at Yavana, he emitted terrific fire and reduced Yavana to ashes.

The strange and mysterious man was a man of immense spiritual prowess. He was born in the dynasty of Ikaswaku, and was a distinguished and well-known son of Mandhata. Later on, the people knew him as Muchukunda. He was devoted to Brahma in letter and spirit, was a man of truth, and was true to the promises he made. He was an invincible king of understanding and judiciousness.

Once, lord Indra scared of the demons desperately tried to seek protection from different quarters. Lord Indra found it difficult to save life and the kingdom, therefore, ran about frantically to escape from the clutches of the mighty daityas. He covered nearly all the regions and directions but failed to find appropriate shelter. However, the fierce demons chased him fully equipped with lethal and mystical weapons. Lord Indra appeared before king Muchukunda and beseeched for a refuge.

He wanted protection for the gods of heavens terribly afraid of the demons. Bighearted king Muchukunda, known for firmness of word uttered, might and integrity, agreed to grant security to the gods for a long time. It was a long time and none could measure it but the mighty Muchukunda protected the gods of heavens. Celestial beings did not know the time limit but in terms of celestial years, it was indefinite.

                                                 ****

After a long time, the gods of heavens appeared before Guha -Karteykeya, the younger son of lord Shiva -the destroyer and requested him to protect the gods. Karteykeya agreed to become the guardian of heavens and the general of the army of gods. The gods felt assured and satisfied.

            All gods went to king Muchukunda and said, “O king, you made efforts to protect us from the demons, and therefore, we lived happily. You served the gods of heaven for many ages. During a long period, you faced challenges and suffered. Now, you may kindly take rest. O, crown of the brave, you left your kingdom on earth -a mortal plane where you nearly eliminated all enemies. You also left wealth and pleasures of life for the protection of gods. Now, it is more than a lifetime of many ages. It appears many ages have rolled on during the long unmeasured time. Now, the sons, the queens, the relatives, the friends, the learned men of the court, the ministers and the people of your time and age have died and none lives now. All are lost in the womb of death.”

The divine souls compassionately looked at the king as if blessing the mighty soul in mortal frame.

After a moment, the lord of gods said gently, “O king, the Time-Spirit is mightier than the mighty. It is immortal. It is the Almighty and the eternal lord. O wise king, a herdsman drives away animals to the final destination at the end of day. Similarly, the Almighty sweeps away created beings -the animate or the inanimate to their ultimate destiny as if he were playing. O king, we pray for you. God bless you. You may ask anything other than Kaivilaya Moksa - It is stage in life when human beings attain enlightenment. The divine illumination leads to Moksa -salvation in a lifetime with cessation of Karmas because only the Imperishable lord Vishnu, the sole authority grants deliverance to the created beings, the ultimate self-realization.”

King Muchukunda listened to the gods attentively. He was tired after a long time of arduous work of protection and security of gods.

            He went around the gods, prayed, worshipped, and then said to gods, “I am fatigued. I want to sleep.” A wish none could refuse to gift.

The gods granted the boon and blessed. He returned and entered a mountain-cave and went to sleep. However, before taking leave of gods, one god told him, “O noble king, if some unintelligent or unwise man disturbs you during sleep, you will reduce the foolish man to ashes the moment you will open eyes and look at him.”

That was how the great man of tapa Muchukunda reduced Yavana to ashes, for Yavana disturbed deep sleep of a person, who had gained enormous power through the virtue of dedication and service to the gods of heavens. He was the only man from the mortal world, the great earth, capable of granting protection to immortal gods whose life was in danger because of the ferocious daityas’s continuous threat, chase and dreadful infliction of injuries on gods in terms of loss of life, land and property. When Yavana turned to ashes, Krishna appeared before the great saintly king Muchukunda and delighted him with the sacred darshana -glimpses.

 

                                          ****

Beholding the lord attired in yellow silk as usual, was like a dark brown cloud and bore mark of a white thread on His sacred breast, and irradiated an eternal divine glow. Endowed with four arms, splendidly decorated with sylvan flowers, he wore a smiling and lovely, cheerful and heavenly countenance. A divinity incarnate lord stood before Muchukunda. Thus, the lord captivated a human being and enlivened him with loving smiles and endearing glances. He felt extremely blessed and so for some time, stood befuddled and thunderstruck, and therefore, for a long time, Muchukunda immensely enjoyed ecstatic moments of a lifetime.

A divine luster overwhelmed king Muchukund. After a short pause, he said humbly, “Who are you? O divine man, tell me. You are radiant, and dazzle eyes. Why do you wander in this thorny forest with lotus-like tender feet? What is the objective of arriving at this particular cave? Are you the sun god or the moon god or lord Indra -the lord of gods of paradise and the guardian of heavens and various other specific spheres? Are you the Effulgence (an incarnate of the Effulgent)? Kindly enlighten me O lord.”

He was desperate to find a cogent answer to the inquisitiveness taking birth. After a few moments, he spoke again, “I consider you no other than lord Vishnu, the Supreme Person out of the three most revered gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer respectively. You appear to be the most glittering and you…

You dispel darkness of the cave as well as the darkness of ignorance that engulfs a mind. You are the effulgence incarnate. O jewel among the men, if it pleases you, tell me about your birth and pedigree, karmas or family name. If you wish to know about me then I may tell you I am a Ksatriya from the family of Ikaswaku, and one of the sons of king Mandhata.”

He stopped for a moment and then said, “I am Muchukunda.”

He was silent, thought for a while and resumed, “I was extremely exhausted and weary because I was not only vigilant and but also protected and guarded the sacred abodes – the heavens of the gods and goddesses for many ages without respite or sleep. I cannot really measure the time and age. O great Soul, I granted protection to the gods of heavens against the atrocious and deadly invasion of the demons on noble gods. I did not sleep for ages. When Kartekeya, a son of lord Shiva became the guardian and General of the Army of the gods, I was relieved of the onerous responsibility. Later on, I entered the cave and slept. Some unknown person disturbed me only a few moments ago and a gaze of angry eyes reduced the stupid man to ashes. Because of the sins, he met an unfortunate end. Afterward, I noticed you.”

A persistent probing continued and then, after a long pause, the glorious lord told, “No one can count his descendants, exploits and appellations.”

He, the eternal, now disclosed the truth about the king’s unfathomable past, present and future. No one could reach last part of His descendants and doings. The lord told of many incarnations, divine powers and the plans of creation, preservation and destruction.

At last, He said to the monarch, “Hear from me as I tell. Long ago, prayers to Brahma, the great Creator bore fruit. For the vindication of virtues and dharma of life and existence and for finding a solution to the menace of demons was essential.

The powerful demons were proving a threat to the gods and the goddesses in all the directions and regions. The daityas were making lives of human beings and the created beings miserable and swiftly converting the great earth into hell, and therefore, I decided to appear in the house of Vasudeva from Yadu dynasty to get rid of the atrocious demons.”

“Earlier, people gave me different names.” The Effulgent Being revealed the truth.

He told about the various demons and the ultimate death they met. He talked of Yavana, whom the pious king had just reduced to ashes. Again, he revealed many secrets of creation to the saintly king. After revealing the celestial plan of the truth of life and existence of the created beings, the Supreme Lord asked him to have a boon and blessings.

At this moment, the king recalled words of sage Garga, who had told that the Supreme would take birth in the family of Yadus. That truth stood materialized before him. For, the Effulgent was no one else but the Supreme God he realized.

                                           ****

 

A great truth stood revealed to the king that delighted and he learnt that the pleasures of transitory life are unreal and short-lived.

“The eternal, the great lord’ is the embodiment of happiness and bliss. After talking about enjoyment, contentment, abundance of wealth whether material or physical on earth, a man suffers notwithstanding devotion and dedication because all material joys are ephemeral.” He told.

Therefore, after offering a critical analysis of life and consequent sufferings, king Muchukunda said, “O lord, what is hidden from you. I do not wish to covet any boon other than an everlasting service at your sacred feet. A supreme blessing is worth converting into truth of life, an ecstasy divine. In the mortal world, men own nothing even if they assert they possess wealth, power and pleasures.

 

Even nursing possessive instincts is a waste…therefore, O lord I reject blessings and pleasures associated with the qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas such as religious virtues or merits, worldly pleasures, prosperity and wealth, and the annihilation of enemies. Therefore, I seek refuge in you, the Supreme Person, a Pure Consciousness free from the taint of Maya - deluding potency and, who is above the three Gunas (modes of Prakriti).”

The king emitted a divine glow as the truth of the Supreme Spirit enveloped when he said, “You bestow and bless supreme knowledge, O Supreme Lord…. and while a man is at your lotus feet, bless him O lord, so that he is divorced from the worldly fear and grief. O Supreme Spirit, I pray, kindly protect, distressed as I am.”

Thus, a great king attained salvation. He had a rich life of truth and dharma even as he lived a mortal existence.

 Finally, the great lord said, “O king, with your mind set on me, you should wander around the whole world in extreme delight and joy and be free from any worry or anxiety. Your devotion would continue uninterrupted forever, for divine blessings would infuse you with the eternal glow. As a Ksatriya, you protected not only the people, the gods and the goddesses but you were also engaged in the killing and hunting.

  Therefore, you look upon me as an asylum and with a concentrated mind, should get rid of aberrant propensities. I tell you again that you should take recourse to asceticism and tapa, devotion and dedication, and then, you would take birth as a Brahmin, the foremost of the twice born, and the most beloved of all the created beings in next incarnation. So you will attain me, the Absolute.”

Muchukunda thus, became a realised soul, and merged with the Supreme Spirit. There is nothing more sacred and eternal than the holy name of the great lord. Worldly wealth and prosperity are transitory and illusory, and drive a man to the web of modes of Prakriti, and therefore, a man becomes a slave to three Gunas, which do not lead him to salvation.

While the great king performed earthly duties with devotion and dedication, he earnestly deliberated on the sanctified feet of the Supreme Lord. Only at the feet of the great god, a man gets deliverance. If it happens in contemporary times, it would lead man to freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth if only he surrenders with faith and devotion at the feet of the great lord.

Devotion and dedication toward an objective guides a man to success and glory.