Bhagavatam, day 498

Srimad Bhagavatam – day 498

The valourous Pṛṣadhra obediently accepted the curse pronounced by his spiritual Guru. From that moment he took up the vow of celibacy (brahmacharya) and controlling his senses walked on the path that is extremely dear to the great sages.

Vāsudeve bhagavati sarvātmani pare ’male
Ekāntitvaṁ gato bhaktyā sarva-bhūta-suhṛt samaḥ

Pṛṣadhra, who sought the well-being of all living entities, developed feelings of equal-mindedness towards all living entities. Although the Supreme Lord pervades everything in the creation, in reality He is beyond them all. He is absolutely faultless. Pṛṣadhra developed limitless, unflinching and stable devotion towards this Supreme Lord Vāsudeva. This unending love for the Supreme caused in him total detachment towards this material world. He developed an absolutely pure mind and was totally established in sense-control. He no longer craved for material comforts. He accepted whatever he obtained as the Lord’s will and led a contended life. He fixed his intellect (buddhi) solely upon his original form. Established thus in the Self he was totally satisfied. He thus wandered throughout the world.

To the onlookers Pṛṣadhra appeared deaf, mute and inert. Pṛṣadhra, who was thus wandering in the forests, once came across a fiery forest fire that was rapidly approaching him. He did not even make any attempts to save his body. He remained there motionless. The fire engulfed him and burnt down his body. Pṛṣadhara thus merged into the Supreme Lord Parabrahma.

Kavi, the youngest son of Vaivaswata Manu, had absolute disinterest in material comforts. Even when he was in the prime of youth he relinquished his kingdom and accompanied by his dearest relatives went into the forests. He fixed his mind solely upon the Supreme Lord and merged into Him.

From Manu’s another son Karūṣa, the dynasty of warriors (kṣatriyas) called Kārūṣās emerged who were extremely devoted to learned Vedic Brahmin scholars and towards righteousness. These kings ruled the northern lands.
Dhṛṣta, who was Manu’s son, had a son named Dhāraṣṭa. Although he belonged to the warrior clan (kṣhatriya) due to his intense penance he obtained the position of Brahmins in this world.

Manu’s another son was Nṛga. Nṛga’s son was Sumati. Sumati’s son was Bhūtajyoti. Bhūtajyoti’s son was Vasu. Vasu’s son was Pratīka. Pratīka’s son was Oṣavanta. Oṣavanta’s son was also named Oṣavanta and his daughter was Oṣavati. Oṣavati married Sudarshana.

Manu’s another son was Nariṣyanta, whose son was Chitrasena. Chitrasena’s son was Rkṣa. Rkṣa’s son was Mitvanta. Mitvanta’s son was Kūrca. Kūrca’s son was Indrasena. Indrasena’s son was Vītihotra. Vītihotra’s son was Satyaśravasa whose son was Uruśravasa. Uruśravasa’s son was Devadatta. The Fire-god incarnated as Agniveśya, the son of Devadatta and became famous as Maharishi Jātūkarṇya and Kānīna. From Agniveśya came the lineage of Brahmins known as Agniveśyā.

O Emperor Parikshit! Until now I have narrated to you the lineages of Manu’s son Nariṣyanta”.

Swamiji explains: We should repeatedly hear the names of the members of these important lineages. Even listening to their names has great merit. Such is the power of Bhagawatam. Such positive energy is absorbed by us.

“I shall now narrate the lineage of Diṣṭa. Diṣṭa’s son was Nābhāga. Based on the occupational duty followed by him he became a vaiśya (trader, herder). Nābhāga’s son was Balandana whose son was Vatsaprīti. Vatsaprīti’s son was Prāmśu. Prāmśū’s son was Pramati. Pramati’s son was Khanitra. Khanitra’s son was Chākṣuṣa. Chākṣuṣa’s son was Vivimśati.

Vivimśati’s son was Rambha. Rambha’s son was the righteous person called Khaninetra. Khaninetra’s son was Karandhama”.

Swamiji says: These names are delightful and well-meaning. Actually we should consider keeping these names for our children in lieu of meaningless names. These names also sound modern.

“Karandhama’s son was Avikṣit. Avīkṣit’s son was Marutt, who became a celebrated emperor. Mahayogi Samvarta, the son of Angira, helped Marutt in performing a grand Yagna. It is said that Marutt’s Yagna in which vessels and all other equipment were made of gold, remains unsurpassed in the beauty and grandeur. Indra, the Lord of heaven, accepted the Soma-rasa drink offered in this Yagna and was satisfied. Brahmins, who received good quantities of Dakshina, were also supremely pleased. When food preparations were distributed by Marutt’s troops, the Vishwadevatas came as the assembled guests.

Dama was the son of this celebrated emperor. Dama’s son was Rājyavardhana. Rajyavardhana’s son was Sudhṛti. Sudhṛti’s son was Nara. Nara’s son was Kevala. Kevala’s son was Bandhumanta. Bandhumanta’s son was Vegavan.Vegavān’s son was Bandhu. Bandhu’s son was Trṇabindu.

Alambusa-devi, the best among the Apsaras, married Emperor Tṛṇabindu who was supremely noble. They were blessed with many sons and a daughter named Idabida. Maharishi Viśravasa married Idabida.

Vishnave namah

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