Nabhaga remained long with his Guru. So his brothers thought he had
become a Brahma-charin. They reserved no share for him at partition.
Nabhaga at last returned to his house and asked for his share in the
patrimony. The brothers pointed out their father Manu as his share.
Nabhaga asked his father -- "How is it my brothers have reserved thee
for my share?" Manu replied: -- "Child, do not believe them. The clan of
Angiras are performing Yajna. They get confounded on every sixth day.
This is the sixth day. Give them two Vaisvadeva Suktas. When they go to
Svarga after completion of their Yajna they will leave all their
sacrificial wealth to you." Nabhaga did as he was told. The Angirasas
left all the property remaining on the sacrificial ground to Nabhaga. As
he was going to take those things, a dark Purusha appeared from the
north and said. "These are mine."
"But the Rishis have given them to me" said Nabhaga.
"Go to your father then and ask for the solution" said the dark Purusha.
"Yes, the remnants of a Sacrifice belong to Rudra" said Manu.
Nabhaga returned and said "Yes these remnants of sacrifice all belong to
thee. So my father told me."
"I am pleased with thee and thy father. Both of you have spoken the
truth" said Rudra, "I give thee supreme wisdom. I also give thee these
remnants. Take them now."
NABHAGA
|
NABHAGA.
|
AMBARISHA
King Ambarisha had discrimination and dispassion. His devotion was
great. His mind was fixed on the lotus feet of Vishnu, his words were
all about the glory of Vaikuntha, his hands were engaged in cleansing
the temples of Vishnu, his ears only heard about the glory and the works
of Vishnu, his eyes intently looked on the symbols of Vishnu wherever
found. His body felt pleasure in the touch of Vaishnavas, his nose smelt
the sweet fragrance of Tulasi proceeding from the feet of Vishnu, his
tongue tasted only food offered to Vishnu, his feet traversed the places
sacred to Vishnu and his head was devoted to the salutation of Vishnu.
If he enjoyed things of this world, it was for service to Vishnu and not
for the sake of enjoyment. If he had attachment, it was only for those
that were devoted to Vishnu. The fruits of his action he offered to Him.
By devotion and by the unselfish performance of duties pertaining to his
sphere of life (Svadharma), he pleased Bhagavan and by degrees he gave
up all desires. Vishnu was so much pleased with the King, that he gave
him His own Chakra for protection.
Ambarisha with his wife once undertook to perform Dvadasi Vrata for one
year. (Dvadasi is the twelfth day of the Moon. The Vrata consists in
fasting on the eleventh day of the Moon and in breaking the fast on the
12th day). On one occasion he fasted for 3 consecutive days. He bathed
himself in the Yamuna and worshipped Vishnu at Mathura. He gave plenty
of riches and cattle to the Brahmanas. He then fed the Brahmanas and
asked their permission to eat himself. At the time Durvasas appeared as
his guest. The king received him duly and requested him to take his
meals. The Rishi consented and went to bathe himself in the river and
perform his daily rites. The king waited long for him but he did not
return. There was only half a muhurta now remaining of Dvadasi. If the
king did not eat any thing, his Vrata would not be observed. If he ate,
he would shew disregard to a Brahmana. At this juncture, the king
decided to serve both ends by taking a little water, for the Brahmanas
call that both eating and non-eating. Durvasas came back. By spiritual
vision, he knew what had happened and became highly enraged. He tore up
a hair tuft and charged it to kill Ambarisha. The king remained unmoved.
The chakra of Vishnu consumed the destructive force sent by Durvasas and
went even to destroy him. The Rishi ran in every direction. The Chakra
followed him wherever he went. He went to Brahma and prayed to be saved.
"It is not in my power to save thee" said Brahma. "Thou hast offended a
votary of Vishnu." He went to Siva. "Child" said Siva "this weapon of
Vishnu is too much for me even. Go thou to Vishnu." Durvasas went to
Vishnu and prayed to be pardoned and saved. Said Vishnu: "O Brahmana, I
am dependent on my Bhaktas. I am not free. My heart is in the possession
of my Bhaktas. I am dear to them. Without these my Bhaktas I do not even
want myself, nor my absolute powers, for I am their sole and supreme
resort. They forsake their wives, homes, children and wealth for my
sake. How can I forsake them. Their heart is chained to me. They look on
all with equal eyes. By devotion they win me even as chaste wives win
their husbands. My service is all in all to them. They do not even
desire the four Muktis, Salokya and others, though these come within
their easy reach. What perishable objects can they have desire for? The
Sadhus are my heart. I am the heart of the Sadhus. They do not know any
one besides me nor do I know any one besides them. O Brahmana, hear what
is thy only remedy. Without delay go to him who has caused this fear in
thee. When force is used against Sadhus, it reacts on him who uses the
force. True asceticism and wisdom are both for the salvation of the
Brahmanas. But in one untrained, they produce the contrary effect.
Therefore go thou to the son of Nabhaga. Beg his pardon and thou shalt
be saved." Durvasas went back to Ambarisha and touched the feet of the
king. Ambarisha became non-plussed at this act of a Brahmana and knowing
the object of the Rishi, he prayed to the Chakra to desist from its
course and to save the Brahmana. The Chakra had just commenced its work
of destruction, but it withdrew its energies upon the prayer of
Ambarisha. Durvasas was extremely thankful and he thus praised the king.
"I see this day the greatness of Vaishnavas, O king. Thou didst pray for
my welfare, though I had offended thee. There is nothing strange for
those that have conquered Vishnu Himself. Thou hast been very kind to
me. Thou hast favored me much. Thou didst not even think of my offence,
but thou hast saved my life." The king had waited for Durvasas all this
time. He now fell at the feet of the Rishi and requested him to take his
meals. The Rishi gladly did so, and also made the king take his food.
Durvasas then went to Brahma Loka. He did not return for one year and
the King lived upon water only all this time, being so anxious to see
the Rishi back. Such is the holy story of Ambarisha.
Ambarisha
|
--+-------------------+--+----------------+--
| | |
Virupa Ketumat Sambhu
|
Prishadasva
|
Rathitara
Rathitara had no children. At his request Rishi Angiras produced certain
sons by his wife. They were known both as Rathitaras and Angirasas.
[Durvasas had cursed Indra, and Indra lost all power. But after the
great churning, times were changed. The divine law favoured the Devas
and the worshippers of Vishnu. Those who assumed a power, independently
of Vishnu, were sure to find disappointment, however eminent their
position might be.]
(I) IKSHVAKU.