A Study of the Bhâgavata Purâna; or, Esoteric Hinduism
Religion
A Study of the Bhâgavata Purâna; or, Esoteric Hinduism
Puranas. Bhagavatapurana. English
So saying Bharata continued to carry the king. Rahûgana came down from
the palanquin and fell at Bharata’s feet. He expressed regret for having
slighted such a sage in disguise and prayed for a fuller explanation of
the philosophy involved in his weighty words. This led to an explanation
by Bharata of the Advaita philosophy from the stand point of the
Purânas, a denunciation of Vedic and Tântric rites, and an allegorical
description of the worldly life as trading in the forest (the world
being the forest and the traders being men in search of wealth). The
allegory was explained by Suka to Parikshit. [The enquiring student is
referred to the original for details (V. 11-14.)]
*SKANDHA V. CHAP. 15.*
We must hurriedly refer to the line of Bharata. Sumati was the son of
Bharata. Ill guided men in the Kali Yuga will call him a God. In his
line Pratiha was master of Âtmâ Vidyâ. Coming lower down by far the most
renowned king in the line of Bharata was Gaya Viraja was also well
known. Of the hundred sons of Viraja, the eldest was Śatajit or the
Conqueror of the hundred.
THOUGHTS ON THE LINE OF PRIYA VRATA.
Priya Vrata means literally one of welcome (_Priya_) deeds (_Vrata_).
Priya Vrata, was under the influence of Nârada from the beginning and he
declined to go along the Descending path or Pravritti Mârga. He was
wedded to the daughter of Vishva Karmâ.
Vishva Karmâ is the cosmic manufacturer. The work of this Prajâpati
extends over the whole of Trilokî and he is the architect of all systems
and chains included in the Trilokî — Priya Vrata, as we shall see later
on, represents the earth chain only or the system known as Bhûr.
What we generally call the Solar system is a misnomer. For the sun
stands between Bhûr Loka and Svar Loka and illumines both the Lokas with
its rays. The Solar System is therefore properly speaking the whole of
the Trilokî. In speaking of Priya Vrata, therefore, the Bhâgavata
restricts itself to the regions illumined by the sun as well as by the
moon (V-15-I.)
We shall enter into a detailed description of the whole system in the
next chapter. Let us take here a passing glance of the line of Priya
Vrata.
We take Priya Vrata to be the Earth chain complete in itself or rather
the progenitor of the Earth chain.
Meru or Sumeru is the axis of Bhûr Loka, its highest point being the
highest point of Bhûr Loka.
The sun god revolves round this central axis.
The Earth-god Priyavrata also revolved round Meru _i.e._ the Earth
rotated round its own axis at a very rapid rate for some time during its
infancy.
The rotation of the Earth was followed by the separation of layers. The
part most removed from the centre was first affected.
In this way seven distinct layers were formed. The layer towards the
circumference was the most spiritual. That towards the centre was the
most material.
The reason of this is to be found in the action of the three Gunas and
Tamas.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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