A Study of the Bhâgavata Purâna; or, Esoteric Hinduism
Religion
A Study of the Bhâgavata Purâna; or, Esoteric Hinduism
Puranas. Bhagavatapurana. English
Dhritarâshtra Tilottamâ.
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12. Kârtika Vishnu. Visvâmitra. Satyajit. Makhâpeta. Asvatara. Sûryyavarchâ. Rambhâ.
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TABLE M.
There is not much to detain us in this Table. It will be enough if
readers will please note the meanings of the names used.
TABLE N.
We must divide this Table into the following heads: — I. The story of
Dhruva, II. The story of Pirthu, III. The story of Prachina Barhis, IV.
The allegory of Puranjana, and V. The story of the Prachetasas.
I. THE STORY OF DHRUVA.
*SKANDHA IV. CHAP. 8-12.*
Uttânapâda is one of the sons of the First Manu. Uttânapâda means "with
uplifted foot". This perhaps refers to the period when the Jiva, having
still the spiritual element strong in him, was not fixed in the course
of material descent, but had one foot towards Mahar-Loka. Uttânapâda had
two wives Suruchi (with good graces) and Suniti (of good morals). Uttama
or the Highest was the son of Suruchi. Dhruva or the fixed was the son
of Suniti. Once upon a time, Dhruva found Uttama on his father’s lap and
he wished to be there himself. For fear of Suruchi, Uttânapâda did not
dare stretch forth his hands towards Dhruva, while Suruchi herself
taunted the boy for his impudent aspiration. Stung to the quick by the
bitter words of his stepmother Dhruva forthwith left the place and went
straight to his mother and related to her his grievances. Suniti advised
her son who was only five years old to make Tapas. Dhruva did not lose
time but left home to make Tapas as directed by his mother. Nârada met
him on the way. "Thou art a child Dhruva" said the great Rishi. "How is
it possible for thee to find out Him by Tapas, Who is attainable by
intense Yoga concentration and freedom from passion practised for
several births. Desist my boy, for the present. Try, when thou hast
enjoyed all the things of the world and hast grown old". But Dhruva was
fixed in resolve and he importuned Nârada to teach him how to meditate.
Nârada initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of the Mantra "Om Namo
Bhagavate Vâsudevaya", told him how to meditate on Vâsudeva and asked
him to make Tapas at Mathurâ where Bhagavân permanently resides. Dhruva
passed his days in austere asceticism, standing on one foot and living
on air. The prince at last controlled his breath and with deep
concentration saw the Divine Light in the heart. Bhagavân withdrew that
Light from the heart, and on the break of Samâdhi, Dhruva found the same
Divinity outside, standing before him. Words he had none for a time.
Bhagavân addressing him said: — "O Thou Kshatriya boy! I know thy
resolve. Do thou ever prosper. I give thee a place which is ever bright
and where Nirvana is constant. The planets and stars are all attached to
that place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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