Priya Vrata means literally one of welcome (_Priya_) deeds (_Vrata_).
Priya Vrata, was under the influence of Narada from the beginning and he
declined to go along the Descending path or Pravritti Marga. He was
wedded to the daughter of Vishva Karma.
Vishva Karma is the cosmic manufacturer. The work of this Prajapati
extends over the whole of Triloki and he is the architect of all systems
and chains included in the Triloki -- Priya Vrata, as we shall see later
on, represents the earth chain only or the system known as Bhur.
What we generally call the Solar system is a misnomer. For the sun
stands between Bhur Loka and Svar Loka and illumines both the Lokas with
its rays. The Solar System is therefore properly speaking the whole of
the Triloki. In speaking of Priya Vrata, therefore, the Bhagavata
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 Bhur Loka, its highest point being the
highest point of Bhur 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.
Satva is: on the material plane, light, transparent, with upward motion.
On the mental plane, buoyant and cheerful, with true perception,
spiritual.
Rajas is: on the material plane, constantly moving, translucent, with
motion on the same plane, without levity or gravity.
On the mental plane, constantly active, partly joyful, partly sorrowful,
with partially true and partially false perception, intellectual.
Tamas is: on the material plane, heavy, opaque, with downward motion.
On the mental plane indolent, melancholy, nonperceptive or dull.
The centripetal force is the action of Tamas and is connected with
materiality. The centrifugal force is the action of Satva and is
connected with spirituality.
Of the seven Dvipas, the central is the Jambudvipa, which is the most
material.
The one farthest from the centre is the Pushkara Dvipa.
The spaces intervening between the layers or Dvipas are the seven
oceans. They partake of the characteristics of the Dvipas, which they
respectively surround. Thus the salt ocean surrounding the Jambu Dvipa
is the most material. The materiality is indicated by the word "salt,"
which implies gross matter.
Priyavrata, it is said, went seven times round Meru, and at the time of
each rotation, one ocean and its corresponding Dvipa were formed.
But when the Dvipas and the oceans were all formed that particular
motion of the whole system was lost.
Since then days and nights are solely caused by the motion of the sun
round Meru along the Manasottara range.
The seven Dvipas may be the Globes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G of
Theosophical literature.
The rulers of these seven Globes are seven sons of Priyavrata, named
after Agni or Fire.
Agni is here the form-giving Energy of each Globe.
Of the ten sons of Priyavrata, seven only became Rulers of the Globes,
but the other three Kavi, Mahavira and Savana, had nothing to do with
the creative process. They are highly spiritual entities beyond the
plane of the seven Globes.
The daughter of Priyavrata was Urjasvati. The word means full of Energy.
She was wedded to Sukra, the presiding god of the planet Venus.
Her daughter is the renowned Devayani, who was married to King Yayati.
She stands for Devayana, the Radiant Path of the Upanishads, which
transcends the Triloki.
Of the sons of Priyavrata, we of Jambu Dvipa or Globe D are directly
concerned with Agnidhra, who presided over its earliest destinies.
The Bhagavata does not relate the genealogy of the other sons as at
present we have nothing to do with the life-evolution on these globes.
The process of materialisation is indicated by the Jada state of
Agnidhra on seeing the Apsaras Purvachitti.
The sons of Agnidhra are the nine Varshas or Continents. We shall learn
the details of these Varshas subsequently. Of these Varshas again, we
are directly concerned with Nabhi. The word Nabhi means navel, which is
at the centre of the body. The Nabhi Varsha is the pivot on which the
other Varshas hang. The Nabhi Varsha is what we know as our Earth. The
nine Varshas are also placed layer over layer, as the Dvipas are.
When Nabhi underwent further transformation, Rishabha became his son. In
Rishabha, we come to a turning point. He is said to be an Incarnation of
Vishnu. The word "Rishabha" means bull. But that meaning does not give
us any help in understanding Rishabha and his work.
Priyavrata moved rapidly round Meru, till the globes were formed. This
is in accordance with the Nebulous theory of Laplace. When the globes
were formed, the Earth became denser. As the density increased, the
movement of the Earth became irregular, till at last, the planet became
fixed. This is not the western idea. The Pauranic idea is that the sun
moves round the Earth, and the Earth remains fixed in its position. The
story of Priyavrata's line is based upon this idea. Another idea of the
ancients was that the planets had speech, till they became solidified.
Rishabha took upon himself the vow of silence. His son Bharata became
speechless as a deer.
It was necessary to put a limit to the materiality of the Earth. The
hard crust that formed the shell of the planet could not be allowed to
affect its heart. The Earth was not to lose all spirituality. Therefore
Vishnu incarnated in Rishabha so that spirituality might be stored in
our planets, for the evolution of those Jivas that dwelt over it. Look
at a Parama Hansa; the ascetic that neither speaks nor moves. Judging
from outside, he is no better than a mute animal, but he is all
spirituality within. Such is the nature of our mother Earth.
The thrusting of stones into the mouth of Rishabha is suggestive.
The sons of Rishabha are the countries of our Earth. Of these Bharata
(India) was the first-born. The spiritual character of this holy land is
shewn by the story of Bharata.
Bharata was obeyed and imitated by nine brothers, of whom Brahma-varta
is well-known as described by Manu. Malaya is Malabar. Vidarbha is Berar
and Kikata is Bihar.
The sons of Rishabha very likely include all the countries of the Earth.
Rishabha called his sons and asked them to follow Bharata. Will other
lands now follow that advice?