GarudaPurana

LORDVISHNU'SINCARNATIONS
SageSutaoncereachedNaimisharanyaincourseofhispilgrimage.Therehefoundnumerous
sagesengagedinausteritiesandpenance.AllofthemweredelightedtofindSutjiintheirmidst
andconsidereditasaGodsentopportunitytogettheirdoubtsrelatedwithreligioustopics
cleared.SageShaunakwasalsopresentthereandheaskedSutji'Oreveredsage!Whoisthe
creatorofthisworld?Whonurturesitandwhoannihilatesitintheend?Howcanonerealizethe
supremeAlmighty?HowmanyincarnationstheAlmightyhastakentillnow?Pleaseenlightenus
onallthesethings,whichareshroudedinmystery.'
Sutjireplied'IamgoingtorevealtoyouthecontentsofGarudaPuran,whichcontainsthe
divinetalesofLordVishnu.ThisparticularPuranisnamedafterGarudabecausehewastheone
whofirstnarratedthesetalestosageKashyap.Kashyapsubsequentlynarratedthemtosage
Vyas.IcametoknowaboutthesedivinetalesfromsageVyas.LordVishnuisthesupreme
almightyandthesourceofallcreations.Heisthenurturerofthisworldandtheannihilatoras
well.Thoughheisbeyondthebondageofbirthanddeathyethetakesincarnationstoprotectthe
worldfromthetyrannyofsinners.Hisfirstincarnationwasintheformoftheeternaladolescent
Sanatkumarandotherswhowereallcelibatesandextremelyvirtuous.'
'LordVishnutookhissecondincarnationintheformofaboar(Varah)toprotecttheEarthfrom
themightydemonnamedHiranyaksha,whohadabductedhertoPatalloka(Netherworld).In
histhirdincarnationasNarad,hepropagatedthevirtuesof'nishkaamkarma'(performingone's
dutieswithoutbotheringabouttheresults).InhisfourthincarnationasNarNarayan,he
performedarduousausteritiesfortheprotectionandpropagationofDharmaorreligiousness.
LordVishnu'sfifthincarnationwasasKapil,whichhetooktoprotecttheSaankhyashashtra,
whichwasonthevergeofbecomingextinct.HetookhissixthincarnationinthehouseofAtri
andAnusuyaasDattatreyawiththespecificobjectiveofpropagatingthemostsecretBrahma
vidyatoworthypeople.HisdisciplesincludedvirtuoussoulslikePrahaladandothers.Lord
VishnutookhisseventhincarnationasthesonofRuchiPrajapatiandAakutiandwasknownas
Yagyadeva.HiseighthincarnationwasasRishabhdevathesonofsageNaabhiandMerudevi.
InthisincarnationheestablishedthenormsforGrihashthaashram,whichlateronbecamethe
guidelinesforeveryhouseholders.LordVishnutookhisninthincarnationasPrithuand
'milked'(extracted)variousnutrients(cereals,pulsesetc.)fromtheEarthwhohaddisguised
herselfasacowandthusprotectedthepopulacefromgettingstarvedtodeath.
InhistenthincarnationasMatsya(fish),heprotectedthelifeofVaivaswatManu,whowouldnot
havesurvivedotherwise.LordVishnutookhiseleventhincarnationintheformofatortoise
(kurma)andheldtheMandarachalmountainonhisbackatthetimewhentheoceanwasbeing
churned.HistwelfthincarnationwasasDhanvantariandthirteenthasthemostenchanting
beautyMohinitoretrievetheambrosiapotfromthepossessionofthedemons.Hesubsequently
distributeditamongthedeitiesastheresultofwhichtheybecameimmortal.
Inhisfourteenthincarnation,LordVishnumanifestedhimselfas'Nrisimha'(partlyhumanand
partlylion)andtoprotecthisdevoteePrahladkilledthewickeddemonHiranyakashipuby
tearingaparthisabdomenwithhissharpclaws.HisfifteenthincarnationwasasVaman(dwarf)
inwhichhedemandedallthethreeworldsfromBalithemostbenevolentdemonkingandthen
senthimtoPatalloka.InhissixteenthincarnationasParshuram,hewipedoutthewholecaste
ofkshatriyasfromthefaceoftheearthfortwentyonetimes,astheyhadallbecomeimmoral.
InhisseventeenthincarnationhewasbornasVyastoParasharandSatyavatiandaccomplished
hismissionofpropagatingtheknowledgeofVedasbycategorizingthemintofourparts.Inhis
eighteenthincarnationhemanifestedhimselfasSriRam.Hisnineteenthincarnationwasas
KrishnaandhistwentiethincarnationasBalram.Hewilltakehistwentyfirstincarnationas
Buddhatobringthemankindbacktovirtuouspathbypreachingagainsttheritualsandproving
thatitisnotproperforaseekertogetboundbythem.LordVishnuwouldtakeincarnationas

KalkiandwillbeborntoaBrahminnamedVishnuyashatoliberatetheearthfromthesinners.'
HOWGARUDAPURANWASPROPAGATED
OnbeingaskedbythesagesastohowdidhecometoknowaboutthecontentsofGarudaPuran,
Sutjitoldthem'Once,IhadgonetoBadrikashram,whereImetsageVyas.Irequestedhimto
enlightenmeonvariousspiritualmatterstowhichheagreedsayingthathewasgoingtonarrate
thetalesofGarudaPuranawhichwasfirsttoldbyLordBrahmatoNarad,DakshaPrajapatiand
myself.SageVyasthentoldSutjihowoncehealongwithNarad,DakshaandBhriguhadgoneto
BrahmalokatoseeLordBrahma.Afterreachingthere,allthreeofthemrequestedLordBrahma
toshedlightontheessenceoftherealknowledge.
LordBrahmarevealedtothemthatGarudaPurancontainedtheessenceofallthescripturesand
LordVishnuhimselfhadnarrateditsdivinetalestohim(Brahma).Describingtheincidentwhen
LordVishnuhadtoldthedivinetalesofGarudaPurantohimaswellasShiva,LordBrahmasaid
'IoncewenttoKailashmountainaccompaniedbyIndraandotherdeities.WefoundShiva
engrossedinhismeditation.Wewereamazedandaskedhimastowhowashemeditatingupon.
LordShivatoldusthathewasmeditatingupontheomnipresent,omniscientandtheomnipotent
Vishnuinwhomtheentireuniverseexists.LordShivaalsorevealedtousthatthiswasallhe
knewofVishnu'spowerandalsothatifwewantedtoknowmoreabouthimthenwewillhaveto
askLordVishnuhimself.So,allofusincludingShivawenttoVishnulokaandrequestedLord
Vishnutoclearourdoubtsonvarioustopicswhichconfusedus.LordVishnugavealong
discoursecoveringallthemajorreligioustopics.
LORDVISHNUREVEALSHISOMNIPOTENTNATURE
Dwellingonlengthabouthispower,LordVishnutoldShiva'ORudra!Iamthelordofallthe
deities.IamtheonewhocontrolseachandeveryeventthatoccursintheUniverse.Iamthe
onewhommortalsworshipwiththedesireofattainingsalvation.Theuniversewouldhave
ceasedtoexistbutforme.Iamthecreator,thenurtureraswellasthesupremeannihilator.I
manifestmyselfinthesacredmantrasaswellastheirmeanings.Peoplemeditateonme.Matter
isnothingbutamediumthroughwhichImanifestmyself.'
LORDVISHNUBLESSESGARUDA
DescribinghowGarudapleasedhimwithhisdeepdevotion,LordVishnusaid'Duringancient
timesGarudaoncedidanausterepenancetopleaseme.Iappearedbeforehimandexpressed
mywillingnesstofulfilanythingthathewishedfor.Garudawantedtoliberatehismother,Vinta
fromtheslaveryofKadruthemotherofserpents.Healsowantedtoavengehismother's
humiliationattheirhands.Healsoexpressedhisdesireofbecomingimmortalbyhavinga
Puranacreditedtohisnameandfinallyherequestedmetogivehimtheprivilegeofbecoming
mymount.IblessedGarudaastheresultofwhichallhiswisheswerefulfilled.Once,onbeing
requestedbysageKashyap,GarudanarratedthedivinetalesofGarudaPurantohim.Sage
KashyaphadoncebroughtbackadeadtreebacktolifewiththehelpofGarudiVidyaasacred
mantrafoundinGarudaPuran.Similarly,Garudatoohadbroughtnumerousdeadcreaturesback
tolifewiththehelpofsamemantra.'
THEBEGINNINGOFCREATION
LordShivarequestedVishnutoshedlightondifferenttopicslikeSarga(world),Pratisarga,
Vansh(dynasties),Manvantar(fourteenthpartofBrahma'sday)andVanshanucharit
(genealogy).LordVishnureplied'ORudra!LordVasudevainhisincarnationofNaraNarayan
performshisresponsibilitiesofthecreator,protectoraswellastheannihilator.Eachparticle
thatisfoundinthisuniversewhetherperceptibleorimperceptibleisnothingbutthemedium
throughwhichtheAlmightymakeshispresencefelt.Inthebeginningofthecreation,onaccount
ofHISwillsubtlematterofnature(imperceptible)cameintobeing.HEistheonetowhom

'Atma'or'Purush'oweitsexistence.Subsequently,intelligenceor'Buddhi'manifesteditselffrom
thesubtlematterofnature,mindor'Mun'fromintelligence,spaceor'Aakash'frommind,airor
'Vayu'fromSpace,Fireor'Teja'fromair,waterfrom'Teja'andfinallytheearthmanifesteditself
fromwater.'
'ORudra!Thencameintoexistenceanenormoussizedegg.Idwellwithinthateggandsodoall
theotherdeities.Infact,thewholeuniverseissituatedwithinthategg.ThealmightyVishnu
createsintheformofBrahma,nurturesintheformofVishnuandannihilatesintheformof
Shivaattheendofeachkalpa.Thecreationsofthealmightyareknownas'Sargas'.Firstofall,
thealmightycreatestheMahattatva,whichsymbolizeshisgrossquality.
SinceitwashisfirstcreationthereforeitwascalledthefirstSarga.ThesecondSargaconsisted
ofthecreationofthePanchTanmatrasorthefivebasicelementsEarth(Prithvi),Water(Jala),
Fire(Teja),Air(Vayu)andSound(Shabda).Thesefivebasicelementsarethestuffsfromwhich
matterismade.ThethirdSarganamelyVaikariksargacomprisingthecreationofallthesense
organsandtheorgansoftheactions,isbasicallyintelligenceoriented,becausethesenseorgans
cannotfunctionwithoutintelligence.Alltheseabovementionedthreesargascomeunderthe
categoryofPrakritsargaornaturalcreation.''ThefourthsargaisknownasMukhyasargaorthe
maincreationandconsistedofimmovablethingslikemountains,trees,etc.ThefifthSargais
knownasTiryaksargaandconsistedofanimalsandbirds.Thesixthsargacomprisedthe
creationofthedeitiesandothercelestialbeingsandhenceitisalsoknownasDevasarga.The
seventhsargacomprisedthecreationofhumanbeingsandhenceitwascalledMaanushsarga.
Theeighthsarga,whichisalsocalledAnugrahsarga,consistedofcreationsthatareboth'satvik'
(pure)and'tamasik'(dark)innature.TheninthsargaiscalledKaumarsarga.'
'LordBrahmacommencedhiscreationofsupremeentitiesbyexpressinghiswillresultinginto
themanifestationofallthetenManasputras.Subsequently,LordBrahmacreateddifferentother
entitieslikedeities(deva),demons(danav),ancestors(pitra)andhumanbeings(manushya).
HethencreatedtheAshurasfromhisthighsandsubsequentlyabandonedhisbody.Thedark
qualitiesemanatingfromthebodyresultedintothecreationofnight,acreationthatimmensely
pleasedthedemons.'
'LordBrahmathenattainedanewphysicalform,whichwaspure(satvik)innature.Hecreated
thedeitiesfromhismouthandonceagainabandonedhisbodyresultingintothecreationofday
thistime.AllthedeitiesbecameextremelypleasedbythisparticularcreationofBrahma.Once
againLordBrahmaattainedanotherformandcreatedthe'pitras'andwhenheabandonedthat
body,'sandhya'(evening)manifestedfromit.'
'LordBrahmathenattainedaformthatwas'Rajomaya'innatureandcreatedhumanbeings.His
abandoningthatparticularformresultedintothecreationof'Pratahkaal'(dawn).Subsequently,
LordBrahmacreatedthedifferentspecieslike'yaksha','sarpa','Gandharva'and'Apsaras'and
manymorecreaturesfromthedifferentpartsofhisbody.AllthefourVedasnamelyRigveda,
Yajurveda,SamvedaandAtharvavedamanifestedthemselvesfromeachofBrahma'sfour
mouths.Similarly,allthefourcastessuchasBrahmin,Kshatriya,VaishyaandShudra
manifestedfromBrahma'smouth,arms,thighsandfeetrespectively.'
THEBEGINNINGOFCOPULATIVECREATION
'HavingcreatedDakshaPrajapatiandhiswifePrasutifromhisrightandleftthumbrespectively,
LordBrahmainstructedbothofthemtomaketheircontributioninincreasingthepopulationwith
thehelpofcopulativecreation.Incourseoftime,DakshaPrajapatibegotnumerousdaughtersall
ofwhomweregiveninmarriagetotenManasputras.'
'Once,DakshaPrajapatihadorganizedagrandAshwamedhaYagyatowhichhehadinvitedall
hisdaughtersandsoninlawsexceptSatiandRudra.Satieventuallyreachedherfather'splace
muchagainsttheadviseofShiva,whowasstrictlyagainstgoingtoaplaceuninvited.Shiva's
apprehensionswerenotunfoundedsupposition,asSatiwasindeedhumiliatedbyDakshainfront
ofalltheesteemedguests.Satiwassodeeplyhurtbyherfather'srudebehaviourandthe
mannerinwhichhemadefunofherhusbandthatshegaveupherlifebyjumpingintothe
sacrificialfire.WhenRudralearntaboutSati'sdeathhecursedDakshabysayingthathewould

loosehisdivinestatusandwouldbebornasahumanbeinginthelineageofDhruva.Inhernext
birth,SatiwasbornasthedaughterofHimalayaandMainak.Shewasonceagainsuccessfulin
gettingShivaasherhusbandbyvirtueofherdeepdevotiontowardsShiva.'
THEDHRUVADYNASTY
LordVishnu,continuingwiththetalesofGarudaPurantoldShiva'Uttanpadhadtwowives
SuruchiandSuniti.FromhisformerwifehebegotasonnamedUttam,whileSunitigavebirthto
Dhruva,whobecameimmortalbecauseofhisunflinchingdevotioninme.Dhruvahadamighty
sonnamed'Shlishta'.PrachinvarhiwasShlishta'ssonandDhruva'sgrandson.Fewother
prominentpersonalitiescomingfromthelineageofDhruvawereUdardhi,Divanjaya,Ripu,
Chakshush,Ruru,Anga,Venetc.Venwasanatheistandwaseventuallykilledbysagesforhis
immoraldeeds.SinceVenhadnoprogeny,hisdeathputaquestionmarkonhissuccessor.
Sagestriedtosolvethisproblembychurninghisthighs,whichresultedintotheemergenceof
Nishad.But,NishadwenttoVindhyachaltodopenance.Seeingtheirwholeeffortgoinvain,all
thesagesonceagainchurnedVen'shands.ThistimeLordVishnuhimselfincarnatedasPrithu.'
'Prithuwasanextremelykindheartedkingandcaredforhissubjects.Once,whenhiskingdom
wasexperiencinganacutefamine,hesuccessfullyextractedtheessentialnutrientsfromthe
earthandthussavedhissubjectsfromstarvation.Prithuhadtensonsprominentamongwhom
wereAntardhan,Havirdhan,PrachinvarhiandPraachetas.IncourseoftimePraachetasmarried
Marisha.'
'JustaccordingtothecurseofShiva,DakshaPrajapatiwasrebornintheclanofDhruva.His
father'snamewasPraachetasandhismotherwasMarisha.Inthebeginning,DakshaPrajapati
triedtodocreationbymerelyexpressinghiswillbuthiseffortswentfutilebecauseofShiva's
curse.So,hehadnooptionbuttotakethehelpofcopulativecreationandtomeethisobjective
hemarriedAsiknithedaughterofViran.
Incourseoftimehebecamethefatherofonethousandsons,allofwhomperishedwhileon
theirimpossiblemissionoffindingoutthecircumferenceoftheearth.ActuallysageNaradhad
incitedallofthemtoundertakethisimpossiblemission.Dakshathoughangrydidnotlooseheart
andincourseoftimeheonceagainfatheredonethousandsons.Onceagain,Naradwas
successfulinconvincingthemtoemulatethedeedsoftheirelderbrothers.Allofthemsetouton
animpossiblemissionnevertoreturn.Now,Daksha'sangercrossedalllimitsandhecursed
Naradbysayingthathewouldtakebirthasahumanforincitinghissons'todeath.Thisisthe
reasonwhyNaradwasbornasKashyap'sson.'
'Intheyearstofollow,DakshaPrajapatibegotsixtybeautifuldaughtersfromAsikniamong
whomhegaveawaytwodaughtersinmarriagetosageAngira,twotosageKrishashva,tento
Dharma,fourteentosageKashyapandtwentyeightdaughterstoChandrama.Thenamesof
Krishashva'swiveswereSupragyaandJayawhileDharma'swiveswereArundhati,Vasu,Yami,
Lamba,Bhanumati,Marutvati,Sankalpa,Muhurta,SaadhyaandVishva.ThenamesofKashyap's
wiveswereAditi,Diti,Danu,Kala,Anayu,Sinhika,Muni,Kadru,Saadhya,Ira,Krodha,Vinta,
SurabhiandKhaga.'
Dharma'swivesVishvaandSaadhyagavebirthtotheVishvedevasandSaadhyaganas
respectively.Similarly,MarutvatigavebirthtoMarutvaansandVasutoVasuganas.Dharma's
wifenamedBhanugavebirthtotwelveBhanuswhileMuhurtagavebirthtoMuhurtaganas.
LambagavebirthtoGhoshwhileYamigavebirthtoNaagvithi.SankalpagavebirthtoSankalpa.
Kashyap'swifeAditigavebirthtotwelveAadityaswhileDitigavebirthtotwosons(demons)
HiranyakashipuandHiranyaksha.DitialsohadadaughternamedSinhika,whowasmarriedto
Viprachiti.HiranyakashipuhadfoursonsAnuhlad,Hlad,PrahladandSanhlad.Aayushman,Shibi
andBashkalwerethesonsofSanhlad.PrahladhadamightysonnamedVirochanwhohimself
hadasonnamedBali.BalihadonehundredsonsinallandBaanwastheeldestamongthem.
Hiranyakshahadsixsonsallofwhomwereverybraveandvaliant.TheirnameswereUtkur,
Shakuni,Bhutsantapan,Mahanam,MahabahuandKaalnaam.
DanuhadnumeroussonswhowereallverybraveDwimurdha,Shankar,Ayomukh,Shankushira,

Kapil,Shambar,Ekachakra,Mahabahu,Tarak,Mahabal,Swarbhanu,Vrishaparva,Puloma,
MahasurandthemightiestamongthemViprachiti.PulomaandKalka,bothdaughtersof
VaishwanarweremarriedtosageKashyap.Kashyaphadsixtythousandsons(demons)from
bothofthem.DemonssuchasNighatKavachcamefromthelineageofPrahlad.Tamrahadsix
daughtersandtheirnameswereShuki,Shyeni,Masi,Sugrivi,ShuchiandGridhika.Shukigave
birthtonumerousspeciesofbirdslikeShuka(Parrot),Uluka(owls)andKaak(crows).Similarly
ShyenigavebirthtoShyen(hawks)andGridhikatoGridh(vultures).Shuchiwasthemotherof
aquaticbirdswhileSugrivigavebirthtovariousanimalslike,horses,camels,donkeys,etc.'
ArunandGarudawereborntoVintawhileSursaandKadrugavebirthtoserpents.Krodhagave
birthtopowerfulPishachas,Surabhitocowsandbuffaloes,Eratovariousvegetationlike,
creepersandgrass,KhagatoYakshasandRakshas,MunitoApsarasandArishtagavebirthto
Gandharvas.DitigavebirthtofourtynineMarutganas,allofwhomareinfacttheincarnationsof
LordVishnu.
POWERFULMANTRAS
NAVGRAHMANTRA
DescribingthesignificanceofworshippingNavgraha(nineplanets),LordVishnutoldRudra'
OnewhoworshipstheNavgrahawithappropriateritualsattainsallthefour
'purusharth'(objectivesofman'slife)dharma(religion),artha(money),kaam(sex)and
moksha(salvation).'HethenwentontogivevariousmantrasrelatedwiththeNavgrahas,which
adevoteeshouldchantwhileworshippingthem
SURYA(SUN)OMSURYAMURTAYENAMAH.
OMHRAMHRIMSAHSURYAYNAMAH.
CHANDRAMA(MOON)OMSOMAYNAMAH.
BHAUM(MARS)OMBHAUMAYNAMAH.
BUDDH(MERCURY)OMBUDDHAYNAMAH.
VRIHASPATI(JUPITER)OMVRIHASPATAYENAMAH.
SHUKRA(VENUS)OMSHUKRAYNAMAH.
SHANI(SATURN)OMSHANAISHCHARAYNAMAH.
RAHU(DRAGON'SHEAD)OMRAHAVENAMAH.
KETU(DRAGON'STAIL)OMKETAVENAMAH.
SHIVAMANTRA
TherearevariousmantrasusedintheritualsofShivaworship.Adevoteeshouldbeginby
worshippingthe'Aasan'(thepedestal)onwhichthedeityisseated.Thereisaspecificmantra
forthisparticularritualOMHRAMSHIVAYNAMAH.Subsequently,asalutationtolordShivais
madebychantingOMSHIVAMURTAYENAMAH.Aspecialritualnamed'Shadanganyas'isthen
performedbychantingdifferentmantrasassociatedwiththespecificpartsofthedeities'body
suchas
OMHRAMHRIDAYAYNAMAH,
OMHRIMSHIRSESWAHA,
OMHOOMSHIKHAYAIVASHAT,
OMHRAIMKAVACHAYHOOM,
OMHRAUMNETRATRAYAYVAUSHAT,
OMHRAHASTRAYPHAT.
Havingaccomplishedtheabovementionedrituals,adevoteeshouldthenworshipeachofthe

fivefacesofShivabychantingthefollowingmantras
OMHRAMSADDYOJATAYNAMAH
OMHRIMVAAMDEVAYNAMAH,
OMHOOMAGHORAYNAMAH,
OMHRAIMTATPURUSHAYNAMAH,
OMHRAUMISHANAYNAMAH.
VISHNUMANTRA
WhileworshippingLordVishnu,firstofalladevoteeshouldworshipthe'Aasan'ofthedeityby
chanting
OMVASUDEVAAASANAYNAMAH.
HeshouldthenmakesalutationstoLordVishnubychantingthefollowingmantras
OMVASUDEVAYMURTAYENAMAH,
OMAIMOMNAMOBHAGAVATEVASUDEVAYNAMAH,
OMAAMOMNAMOBHAGAVATESANKARSHANAYNAMAH,
OMAIMOMNAMOBHAGAVATEPRADYUMNAYNAMAH,
OMAHOMNAMOBHAGAVATEANIRUDDHAYNAMAH.
Subsequently,adevoteeshouldworshipthevariousincarnationsofLordVishnu,hisweaponsas
wellashisdifferentmountsbyincorporatingtheritualsof'Shodashopachar'andbychantingthe
followingmantras
OMNARAYANAYNAMAH,
OMTATSADBRAHMANENAMAH,
OMHOOMVISHNAVENAMAH,
OMHRAUMNAMOBHAGAVATENRISINHAYNAMAH,
OMBHUHOMNAMOBHAGAVATEVARAHAYNAMAH,ETC.
SARASWATIMANTRA
AdevoteeshouldbeginhisworshipbymakingsalutationstogoddessSarswatibychantingOM
HRIMSARSWATYAINAMAH.
Heshouldthenperformtheritualsof'Shadangnyas'bychantingthefollowingmantrasOM
HRAMHRIDAYAYNAMAH,
OMHRIMSHIRSESWAHA,
OMHOOMSHIKHAYAIVASHAT,
OMHRAIMKAVACHAYHOOM,
OMHRAUMNETRATRAYAYVAUSHAT,
OMHRAHASTRAYPHAT.
LAXMIMANTRA
AdevoteedesirousofacquiringwealthandprosperitymustworshipGoddessLaxmiwith
appropriaterituals.Heshouldbeginbymakingsalutationstothegoddessbychantingthe
followingmantra
OMSRIMHRIMMAHALAKSHMYAINAMAH.
Thenfollowstheritualsof'Shadangnyas'thatisperformedbychantingthespecificmantras
meantforthem.
ASTROLOGYINGARUDAPURAN
THECHARIOTSOFNAVGRAHAS

Whiledescribingthechariotsofallthenineplanets,LordVishnutoldRudra'Thechariotof
Suryadeva(sun)hasanunbelievableexpansestretchinguptoninethousandyojans.Theaxleof
thechariotisonecroreandfiftysevenlakhyojanslongandwheelsarefixedatbothitsends.
Thewheelshavesixcircumferencessymbolizingthesixmainseasonsandfivespokes
symbolizingthefivedifferentunitsoftimemeasurementinthem.ThechariotofSurya(sun)is
pulledbysevenhorses.Thesehorsessymbolizetheseven'chhands'(stanzasusedinpoetry)
gayatri,vrihati,ushnik,jagati,trishtup,anushtupandpankti.
Thechariotofchandrama(moon)hasthreewheelsinit.Itispulledbytenwhitehorses.The
colorofMangal's(mars)chariotisgoldenandispulledbyhorsesofdarkredcolor.
Buddh's(mercury)chariotisofbrowncolorandispulledbyeighthorsesofthesamecolor.The
chariotofVrihaspati(jupiter)ismadeofgoldandispulledbyeighthorsesofyellowish
complexion.Jupiterremainsineachofthetwelvezodiacsforayear.
Shukra's(venus)chariotiswellescortedbyhisarmy.Thechariothasamastonit'stopandis
pulledbyhorsesthatarefoundonearth.
HorsespullingthechariotofShani(saturn)areofvaricolored.
ThechariotofRahuispulledbyeighthorses,whichareofthecolorofsmoke.
ThechariotofKetuispulledbyeighthorses,whichareredincolor.
DESCRIPTIONOFYOGASANDMUHURTAS
Givingelaboratedescriptionofinauspiciousdaysonwhichoneshouldnotundertaketravelsor
journeys,LordVishnutoldShiva'VariousYoginis(goddesses)dwellindifferentdirectionson
specificdaysandoneshouldneversetoutonjourneysonthosedays.AyogininamedBrahmani
dwellsintheEastonPratipada(first)andnavami(ninth)ofboththefortnightsofeachmonthand
nobodyshouldtravelonboththesedatestowardseast.Maheshwaridwellsinthenorthon
secondandninthofboththefortnightsofeachmonthandhencenobodyshouldtraveltowards
northonboththesedates.Varahidwellsinthesouthonthefifthandthirteenthofboththe
fortnightsofeachmonthandhenceitisunadvisabletotraveltowardssouthontheabove
mentioneddates.Inthesamemanner,Indranidwellsinthewestonsixthandfourteenthofboth
thefortnightsofeachmonthandthereforenobodyshouldtravelinthisdirectiononboththe
abovementioneddates.'
WhilegivingnamesofsomeauspiciousNakshatrassuitableforundertakingjourneys,lordVishnu
said'ConstellationslikeAshvini,Anuradha,Revati,Mrigashira,Mool,Punarvasu,Pushya,Hast
andJyeshthaareauspiciousforundertakingjourneys.'
LordVishnu,givingsomespecificcombinationsofdaysandtithisconsideredtobeinauspicious
said'Oneshouldnevertravelonthefollowinginauspiciousdays:DwadashifallingonSundayor
EkadashifallingonMondayorNavamifallingonWednesdayorAshtamifallingonThursdayor
SaptamifallingonFridayandShashthifallingonSaturday.
AMRITYOGAItisthemostauspiciousyogaforcommencinganywork.Theconjunctionofa
particulardayandspecificnakshatraconstitutethisyoga.FewexamplesofAmrityogaareMool
nakshatrafallingonSunday,ShravannakshatraonMonday,UttarabhadrapadonTuesday,
KritikaonWednesday,PunarvasuonThursday,PurvafalgunionFridayandSwatinakshatra
fallingonSaturday.
VISHAYOGAItisconsideredtobeaninauspiciousyogaandunsuitableforcommencingany
importantwork.FewexamplesofthisparticularyogaareBharninakshatrafallingonFriday,
ChitranakshatraonMonday,UttarashadhaonTuesday,DhanishthaonWednesday,Shatabhisha
onThursday,RohinionFridayandRevatinakshatrafallingonSaturday.
GRAHADASHA
Describingtheperiodforwhichaparticularplanetissupposedtohaveitsinfluenceonthe
native,LordVishnutoldShiva'Surya'sdashacontinuesforsixyearsandbringsturbulence,

turmoilandagonytotheconcernedperson.Moon'sdashacontinuesforfifteenyearsandis
consideredveryauspiciousasitbringshappinessandprosperity.Mangal'sdashaisconsidered
inauspiciousandlastsforeightyears.Itbringssorrowandmisfortune.Buddh'sdashais
auspiciousandlastsforseventeenyears.Itbringsallkindsoffavorableresultsandisextremely
rewardingineveryrespect.Shani'sdashalastsfortenyearsandbringsallkindsofinauspicious
resultstoaman.Vrihaspati'sdashacontinuesfornineteenyearsandisextremelyauspicious.
Rahu'sdashacontinuesfortwelveyearsandisinauspicious.Shukra'sdashalastsfortwenty
yearsandisauspicious.'
NOTETheperiodofyearsstatedintheabovementionedGrahadashasareatvariancefrom
thosementionedbysageParashar,whichisinpracticenowadays.
PREDICTIONSBASEDONPHYSICALTRAITS
Dwellingonlengthabouttheimportanceofphysicaltraitsandsymptomsapparentinan
individual,LordVishnutoldShiva'Ifoneseesthefollowingphysicaltraitsinaman,heshould
immediatelyunderstandthatheisseeingaprospectiveKing:HandsandfeetassoftasaLotus
flower,pinknailsandnospaceleftbetweenthefingerswhenkeptstraight.Thereisnosignof
bulgingveinsonhishandsandpalmsandtheydonotsweatexcessively.Onthecontrary,a
personhavingroughfeetthatappearspale,withprominentveinsonthemindicatesthatthe
concernedpersonwouldbepoorandmiserable.'
PREDICTINGAGEWITHTHEHELPOFFOREHEADLINE
LordVishnusaid'Anybodyhavingthreeparallellinesonhisforeheadliveshappilyforsixty
yearswhereastwoparallellinesindicatesthathewouldlivetilltheageoffortyyears.Onlyone
lineontheforeheadindicatesthathewouldhaveashortlifebutifthelinestretchesuptoboth
theearsthenhelivesforacentury.Iftwoparallellinesontheforeheadstretchesuptoboththe
yearsthentheconcernedpersonlivesforseventyyearswhileatripleparallellinesreaching
boththeyearsindicatesthathewouldlivetilltheageofsixtyyears.Aforeheaddevoidofany
lineonitmeansthattheconcernedpersonwouldliveforonlyfortyyearswhileacobwebof
intersectinglinesontheforeheadindicatesthattheconcernedpersonisdefinitetodiea
prematuredeath.AforeheadwithaTridentoranAxemarkonitindicatesthattheconcerned
personwouldbeprosperousandliveforacentury.
PREDICTINGAGEBYPALMISTRY
LordVishnu,continuingwithhisnarrationtoldShivathattheageofapersoncouldbepredicted
bythelinesfoundonhispalms'Ifthelifelinereachesthebasebetweenindexandmiddle
fingersthentheconcernedpersonlivesforacentury.Ifthelifelineislong,clearandwithout
intersectionsfromotherlinesthentheconcernedpersonlivesforahundredyears.
PREDICTIONBASEDONPHYSICALTRAITSOFWOMEN
LordVishnusaid'Awomanhavingaroundface,curlyhairandlowerportionofhernavelslightly
slantedtowardsright,isextremelyfortunatenotonlyforherselfbutalsoforherwholeclan.
Similarly,awomanwithgoldencomplexionandhandsasbeautifulandsoftasredlotusfloweris
exceptionallychasteandfaithfultowardsherhusband.Awomanhavingdryandunrulyhairand
alsoroundeyesbecomesawidow.
AwomanwhosefaceisroundlikeafullmoonandwhichradiateslikearisingSunandwhose
lipsarejuicylikea'Bael'fruit(Woodapple),enjoysahappyandcontentedlife.Awomanhaving
acobweboflinesonherpalmsissuretoleadatorturousandpainfullifewhereasapalmwith
fewlinesindicatesthatshewouldbepoor.Ifthelinesarepink,thentheyindicatehappiness,
prosperityandgoodhealthwhereasblackishlinesindicatethatshewouldlivealifeofslavery.
Anywomanhavingeithera'Chakra',ahookoraearringmarkonherhandindicatesthatshe
wouldbegetworthysonsandrulelikeaqueen.Awomanhavinghairaroundherbreastsaswell

asaprotrudinglowerlipspellsdoomforherhusband.Anywomanhavingafestoonmarkonher
palmsindicatesthatshewouldgetmarriedinafamilysuperiortoherinstatus.
Awomanhavingaroundnavelwithbrownhairarounditleadsalifeofslaverydespitebeing
borninaroyalfamily.Awomanwhoselittletoesaswellasbigtoesofboththelegsdonot
touchthegroundwhilewalkingspellsdoomforherhusband.Inthesamemannerbeautifuleyes
indicategoodfortunewhilesoftandtenderskinindicateahappymarriedlife.
VARIOUSNAMESOF'SHALIGRAM'
DescribinghowaShaligramisnamedonthebasisofnumberofChakrapresentonit,Lord
Vishnusaid'IfthereisonlyoneChakraontheShaligramidolthenitiscalled'Sudarshan'.Inthe
sameway,ShaligramwithtwoChakrasisknownas'LaxmiNarayan'whilethathavingthree
Chakrasonitiscalled'Achyut'.ShaligramwithfourChakraonitisknownas'Chaturbhuj',that
withfiveChakras'Vasudev'.Similarly,Shaligramwithsix,seven,eight,ninth,tenth,elevenand
twelveChakrasarecalled'Pradyumana','Sankarshan','Purushottam','Navavyuha','Dashatmak',
'Aniruddha'andDwiDashatmakrespectively.ShaligramswithmorethantwelveChakrasare
calledinfinite.
HOWJEWELSORIGINATED
Sutji,oncenarratedthefollowingtaletotheassembledsageswhichshedslightontheoriginof
jewelsandotherpreciousstones
'DuringancienttimestherelivedamightydemonnamedBala.Althoughhehaddefeatedthe
deitiesanddriventhemoutfromtheheaven,yethehadassuredthemthathewouldextend
fullestcooperationandsupportinanyyagyaperformedbydeitiesinfuture.Allthedeities
plannedtoperforma'Yagya'inordertoregaintheirlostkingdom.Theymadeallthenecessary
preparationsfortheYagyabutwereunabletofindapersonwhocouldofferhimselfasa
'sacrificialbeing'aritualwithoutwhichanyyagyaisincomplete.'
'Seeingnootheroption,theworrieddeitiestookrefugeof'Balasur'andrequestedhimtooffer
himselfforsacrificesothattheyagyacouldbeaccomplishedwithoutanyhitch.Balasurwas
boundbyhispromisesoheagreed.Thisway,thedeitieswereabletoaccomplishtheiryagya.
But,astrangeeventcoincidedwiththedeathofBalasur,whichsurprisedeventhedeities.The
virtuousdeedofofferinghimselfasasacrificialbeingintheyagyaceremonyhadamazingly
transformedBalasur'scorpseintojewels.Deitiestriedtocarrythe'Jewelbody'throughthe
aerialroutetowardsasaferplace,butitwasfragmentedintocountlesspiecesduetotheimpact
offerociousspeedofthewindithadtonegotiate.Thesepiecesscatteredallovertheplaces
ocean,rivers,Mountains,Forests,etc.Incourseoftimetheseplacesgottransformedinto
countlessminesofjewelsandpreciousstonessuchasVajra(diamond),Muktamani,Indraneel,
Sphatik,Prawal,Pushparagandmanymore.
PROMINENTPLACESOFPILGRIMAGE
Sutji,whilegivingthenamesofsomeprominentplacesofpilgrimagetoldtheassembledsages
'ThebanksofGangaareconsideredtobetheholiestamongalltheplacesofpilgrimage.The
holyGanga,whichoriginatesfromtheHimalayasinthenorth,ultimatelygetsmergedwiththe
oceanintheeast.Duringherentirecourseofflow,shepassesthroughnumerousholyplaces,
whichowetheirholinessmainlytoher.Although,anyplacesituatedonthebanksofGangais
consideredholy,yetPrayag,Haridwar,VaranasiandGangasangam(Theplacewhereshemeets
theocean)havespecialsignificanceandthereisnootherplaceasholyaseachofthem.Prayag
isbelievedtofulfilboththewishes,whichamanaspiresforworldlyenjoymentsaswellas
salvation.
Performingtheritualsofpindadaanherenotonlyhelpstheancestorstoliberatebutalso
himself.VaranasiisthesameplacewherelordShivaandKeshavhavetheirrespectiveabodes.
DonatingatKurukshetrabringsincomparablevirtuesandgivesbothworldlyenjoymentsaswell

assalvation.Kedarteerthiscapableofliberatingevenaheinoussinnerfromallhissins.Few
otherplacesconsideredveryholyareShwetdweepa,Naimisharanya,Pushkar,Ayodhya,
Chitrakut,Gomti,Kanchipuri,SriShail,Kaamteerth,Amarkantak,Ujjain,Mathura,Govardhan,
etc.Alltheseplaceshavegreatreligioussignificanceandeachofthemiscapableofliberatinga
manfromallhissins.
THESIGNIFICANCEOFGAYATEERTH
Once,whilenarratinghowGaya,aprominentplaceofpilgrimageineasternpartofIndiagotits
name,LordBrahmatoldsageVyas'Duringancienttimestherelivedamightydemonnamed
Gaya.Heusedtotormentthedeities,whoultimatelywenttoseekthehelpofLordVishnu.Lord
VishnusuccessfullykilledGayasurafterafiercemaceduel.TheplacewhereGayadiedbecame
famousbyhisname.ThereisagrandVishnutemplesituatedatGayawherethereisa
magnificentidolofLord'Gadhadhar'(LordVishnuholdingamaceinhishand).
Gayaisconsideredtobethemostidealplaceofpilgrimageforperformingtheshraddhrituals.It
isbelievedthatapersongoestohellifhediesinthefollowingcircumstancesifhedieswithout
hisconsecrationsbeingperformed,orifawildanimalkillshim,orifhemeetsanaccidental
deathnomatterwhatthereasonsare.But,if'Shraddhrituals'areperformedat'Gaya'thenthe
soulofsuchamangetsridofthetorturesofthehellandgoestoheaven.
Theimportanceofperforming'Shraddhrituals'overtherecanbegaugedbythefactthata
personbecomesliberatedfrom'pitrarina'(debtstowardsone'sfather)oncehetouchesthe
sacrosanctsoilof'Gaya'.ThereasonbeingthatLordVishnuhimselfdwellsthereintheformof
'Pitradevata'andbyhavinghisdivineglimpseamanisfreedofallhisthreedebts.Theentire
areastretchingfromthefoothillsofVishnumountainto'UttarManas'isconsideredextremely
holyandthisisthesameareawhereriverFalguflows.Offering'Pindadaan'toancestorsatthis
placehelpsthemtoattainsalvation.Whileperformingtheritualsof'Pindadaan'heshouldchant
thefollowingmatra
'ESHAPINDOMAYADASTRATAVHASTEJANARDANAH
PARLOKAMGATEMOKSHAMKSHAYMUPATISHTHATAAM.
TherearemanyotherplacesasholyasthebanksofFalguandperformanceof'Shraddhrituals'
overtheregiveundiminishedvirtuestotheancestorsDharmaPrishtha,Brahmasar,
Gayashirsha,AkshayTeerth,Dhenukaranyaarefewsuchplacescapableofliberatingtwenty
generationsofaman.Theentirecityof'Gaya'isconsideredsacrosanctandperformingthe
ritualsof'Shraddh'orofferingPindadaantoancestorsatanyplacewithin'Gaya'helpsthesoul
oftheancestorstoattaintoBrahmaloka.
THERITUALSOFPINDADAAN
BeforesettingoutforGayatoofferPindadaan,amanshouldappropriatelyperform'Shraddh
rituals'inthevillageortownhelives.EachsteptakentowardsGayaactsasasteppingstoneto
theheavenfortheancestors.Gettingone'sheadtonsuredorobservingfastisprohibitedinsome
placesofpilgrimagelikeBadrinath,Kurukshetra,JagannathpuriandGaya.Thereisnotime
restrictionontheperformanceofShraddhritualsatGayaandtheycanbeperformedanytime.
AfterreachingGaya,amanshouldfirstofallinvokehisancestorswhiletakingbathintheholy
Falguandofferpindadaantothem.HeshouldthenvisitthetempleofLordGadadhar(Vishnu)
andworshipthedeity.Thenextday,heshouldonceagainperformtheShraddhritualsat
DharmaranyaandMatangwapi,twosacrosanctplaceshavinggreatreligioussignificance.Onthe
thirdday,heshouldperformtheritualsof'Tarpan'onthebanksof'Brahmasadateerth'andthen
goto'Koopteerth'and'Yoopteerth'torepeattheperformanceofShraddhrituals.
HeshouldthenfeedtheBrahminsat'Gopracharteerth',anactconsideredtohelpancestors
attainsalvation.OnthefourthdayheshouldtakeaholydipinriverFalguandonceagain
perform'Shraddhrituals'ataplacecalled'Gayashirsh'.Therearemanymoreholyplacesinthe
vicinitywhereheisrequiredtoperformShraddhrituals'Vyas,Dehimukh,Panchagni,Surya

teerth,SomteerthandKartikeyateertharefewofthem.Finally,onthefifthday,heshouldtake
aholydipin'Gadalolak'teerthandoffer'Pindadaan'undertheBanyantreecalled'Akshayvat'
anactbelievedtoliberateallhispredecessorsaswellascominggenerationsfromthebondage
ofEarth.AfterthatBrahminsarefed.FeedingoneBrahminatGayabringsthesamevirtueswhat
onewouldgetbyfeedingonecroreBrahminselsewhere.'
TALEOFKINGVISHAL
LordBrahmathennarratedataleglorifyingthesignificanceofperforming'Shraddhrituals'at
Gaya'OVyas!Onceuponatimetherelivedatraderwhowassonless.Oneday,whilehewas
onhispilgrimage,hemetarestlessghost,whorequestedhimtoperformtheritualsofPinda
daanatGayasothatnotonlyhebecameliberatedfromthepainsandtorturesofbeingaspirit
butalsohe(Trader)wenttoheaven.ThetraderwenttoGayaaccompaniedbyhisyounger
brother,aspertherequestoftheGhostandnotonlyperformedtheritualsof'Pindadaan'for
theghostbutalsoforhisownancestors.
Asaresultnotonlytheghostbutallhisancestorsbecameliberated.Onaccountofhisvirtuous
deeds,thetraderwasblessedwithason.Heenjoyedalonglifefullofjoyandcontentment.
AfterhisdeathhewasrebornasVishal,intheprincelystateofVishala.Aftergrowinguphegot
marriedbutevenafteralongtimehedidnotbegetasonandthismadehimverysad.Oneday
heaskedtheroyalpriestsaboutthereasonhedidnotbegetason.Allthepriestsadvisedhimto
offerPindadaanatGayaastheyfeltthatbydoingsothekingwoulddefinitelygetblessedwith
asonandtheywerenotwrong,asVishalindeedwasblessedwithasonafterhehadoffered
PindadaanatGaya.'
OnedaywhileVishalwashavingawalkintheroyalgardenhewasamazedtoseethreeentities
descendingdownfromthesky.Afterallthreeofthemhadlandedontheground,Vishalhada
closelookatthem.Oneofthemwasfairwhilethesecondone'scomplexionwasreddish.The
thirdandthemostferociousamongthemwasofdarkcomplexion.ForamomentVishalwas
dumbstruckbythismysterioussightbutitdidnottakehimlongtogatherhiscomposure.He
askedthemastowhotheywereandwasstunnedbytheanswershegot.
Actually,thesethreeentitieswerenoneotherthanthesoulsofhisFather,GrandFatherand
GreatGrandFather,allofwhomhaddiedlongago.TheyhadcometothankVishal,whoby
performingtheritualsofShraddhhadhelpedthemingettingliberatedfromalltheirsins.The
entityappearingfair,whoinfactwasVishal'sfathersaidThankyouforhelpingmeattainto
Indraloka.Ifitwerenotforyou,Iwouldhavestillbeenlanguishinginhell.Theentitywith
reddishcomplexionisyourGrandFather,whohadcommittedgravesinswhilehewasaliveand
astheconsequenceshewenttothemostferocioushellnamedAvichiafterhisdeath.Evenhe
hasbeenliberatedbecauseofyou.Thethirdentityamongusandhavingdarkcomplexionis
yourGreatGrandFather.Hehadcommittedheinousofsinswhilehewasalivebutevenhehas
becomeliberatedbecauseofyou.Wehavecometoexpressourgratitudeandtothankyoufor
havingliberatedusfromourmiserableconditions.Allthreeofusarenowdepartingforheaven.'
Havingsaidthisallthreeofthemdisappearedinamoment.Vishalwasextremelysatisfiedthat
hehadbeensuccessfulinfulfillingoneofthemajorobligationstowardshisancestors(pitrarina)
byhelpingthemattaintoheaven.Heenjoyedalonglifeandafterhisdeathhetoowentto
heaven.
PRAJAPATIRUCHI'SDISENCHANTMENT
Once,Sutjirecountedthefollowingtaletotheassembledsages,whichhadbeenoriginallytold
bysageMarkandeyatoKraunchkilongago'Once,sageRuchibecamesodisenchantedwiththe
worldthathedecidedtoremainabachelor,adecisionwhichmadehis'Pitras'(ancestors)
extremelyworried.Theytriedtochangehismindbycitingnumerousbenefitsofhouseholder's
lifeandtheyeomenservicehedoestothesociety.
TheysaidORuchi!Thedecisionyouhavetakenismostunfortunate.Perhapsyouarenotaware
oftheimportancea'Grihasta'holdsinthesociety.Butforhiscooperation,notasinglereligious
activitycantakeplace.It'syourmisconceptionthata'Grihasta'cannotattainsalvation.Onthe

contrary,hehasnumerousopportunitiesinhislifetoattainsalvation.Differentritualsand
consecrationsenablehimtoachievethisimportantgoalofaman'slife.'Pitras'adviseshadgreat
impactonPrajapatiRuchiandheagreedtogetmarried.'
Thereafterasearchforanidealmatchbeganbutevenafterbestofhiseffortshedidnotget
any.PrajapatiRuchithendecidedtopleaseLordBrahmabyhisausterepenance.Hecommenced
hispenance,whichcontinuedforaverylongperiod.Finally,LordBrahmaappearedandadvised
himtopleasehis'Pitras'.ActingontheadviceofLordBrahma,PrajapatiRuchieulogizedhis
ancestorsandperformedtheritualsof'Tarpan'topacifytheirsouls.Allhis'Pitras'appearedand
blessedhim.
PRAJAPATIRUCHIMARRIESMANINI
Theblessingsgivenby'Pitras'fructifiedinstantaneouslyasabeautiful'Apsara'manifested
herselffromtheriverflowingnearbyandsaid'Ogreatsage!IamPramlocha.Iwouldconsider
itasmygoodfortuneifyougiveyourconsenttomarrymydaughterManini.Pushkarsonof
Varunisherfather.Incourseoftimeasonnamed'Rauchya'willbeborntoyou.'
ThiswasthedayPrajapatiRuchiwaseagerlywaitingfor.Hedecidedtogetmarriedthenand
theresoheinvitedalltheprominentsagesandthemarriageceremonywassolemnizedintheir
presence.Incourseoftime,asonnamed'Rauchya'wasborntothem.Hewasagreatsageafter
whomaManvantarwasnamed.
DESCRIPTIONOFVARIOUSCONSECRATIONS
Whiledescribingthesignificanceofvariousconsecrations,LordVishnutoldShivathattheunion
ofman'sspermandwoman'sovumresultsintothebirthofachild.Thisunionalongwiththe
wholeprocessoffoetusgettingtransformedintoababyisalengthyaffairduringwhichit
imbibesnumerousimpurities.Consecrationspurifyamanfromalltheseimpurities.LordVishnu
said'ThemankindhasbeencategorizedintofourprominentcastesBrahmin,Kshatriya,
VaishyaandShudra.Theformerthreecastesarealsoknownas'Dwijas'(Twiceborn.The
solemnizationofaconsecrationnamedYagyopavitisbelievedtobetheirsecondbirth.)because
onlytheyareentitledtogetconsecratedintothisparticularceremony.Rightfromhisbirthtillhe
takeshislastbreath,a'Dwija'hastoundergovariousconsecrations.'
GivingthenamesofsomeprominentconsecrationceremoniesthataDwijahastogothrough,
LordVishnusaid
'GarbhadhanSanskarisperformedatthetimeofconception.Thescriptureshaveclearlystated
aboutthebesttimeforawomantoconceivetwelvedaysafterhermenstruationhasstarted,
beginningfromthefifthdayasthefirstfourdaysarenotconsideredauspiciousforthispurpose.
'Punsavansanskar'isperformedinthethirdmonthafterconceptionwhile'Seemantonayan
sanskar'isperformedinthesixthoreighthmonthafterconception.Afterthebirthofachildthe
consecrationnamed'Jaatkarma'isperformedwhile'Naamkaransanskar'isperformedonthe
eleventhdayafterhisbirthwherebythenewbornbabyisgivenaname.'Nishkramansanskar'is
performedinthefourthmonthand'Annaprashansanskar'inthesixthmonth.Theconsecration
named'Chudamanisanskar'canbeperformedeitherinthefirst,thirdorfifthyearofthechild.'
UPANAYANSANSKAR
Dwellingonlengthabouttheappropriatewayofperforming'Upanayansanskar'(Sacredthread
ceremony)rituals,LordVishnusaid'ABrahminchildshouldgetconsecratedwiththesacred
threadinhiseighthyearwhileaKshatriyachild'sconsecrationshouldbeperformedwhenhehas
attainedtheageofeleven.'Upanayansanskar'ofaVaishyachildshouldbeperformedinhis
twelfthyear.'
Adwija,whose'Upanayansanskar'hasbeenperformed,mustfacesouthwardswhilerelieving
himselfinthenightwhereasduringdaytimeheshouldfacenorthward.Subsequently,heshould

purifyhimselfbyproperlywashinghisurinaryorganwithmud(soap)andwater.Heshouldalso
washhishandsandfeet.Thepurificationisbelievedtobeincompleteuntilandunlesstherituals
of'Aachman'(ritualisticrinsingofthemouth)havebeenperformed.Nextmorning,afterhaving
abath,heshoulddo'Pranayam'andchantthesacredGayatrimantrafacingeast.Intheevening
heshouldchantGayatrimantrafacingsouth.Afterthistheritualof'Bhikshatan'isperformed
wherebyheseeksalmsanddonateseverythingthathegetstohisGuruasamarkofrespectto
him.
Thisparticularritualissymbolicandemphasizestheabsolutenecessityofsubduingone'sego
beforeacquiringknowledgefromhisGuru.AcelibateissupposedtowearnothingbutaDeer
skinandawaistbandmadeoflongreedsonhispersonwithasacredthreadhangingacrosshis
shoulderandcarryastickinhishand.ThecelibatewhoseUpanayansanskarhasbeen
performedshouldstayathisGuru'shermitagetillhecompleteshiseducation.Itisalsohisduty
tocollectfoodgrainsfromtheneighbourhoodtomeetthefoodrequirementofallthepeople
livinginthehermitage.ABrahmincelibateshouldchant'Bhavatibhikshamdehi'whileseeking
almswhereasaKshatriyacelibateshouldchantthesamemantrawithaslightmodification'
Bhikshambhavatidehi'.Similarly,aVaishyacelibateshouldchant'Bhikshamdehibhavati'while
seekingalms.'
KESHANTSANSKAR
Afterfinishinghiseducationthecelibateshouldshavehisbeardsandmoustachesforthefirst
time.Strictguidelineshavebeenlaiddownforeachcastewithrespecttothisparticular
consecration.ABrahminshouldgetconsecratedwiththisritualinhissixteenthyearwhilea
Kshatriyashouldgetitperformedinhistwentysecondyear.Similarly,aVaishyashouldget
consecratedwiththisritualinhistwentyfourthyear.Theabovementionedagelimitsarealso
themaximumbeforewhichrespectivecastesaresupposedtogetconsecratedwiththesacred
threadceremonyfailingwhichhebecomesareligiousoutcaste.
GRIHASTAASHRAM
Hiseducationbeingcompletenowitisthetimeforhimtoenterthelifeofahouseholder.But,
beforeleavingthehermitageheshouldpay'Dakshina'asamarkofgratitudetohisGuruforall
theknowledgehehasimpartedtohim.WiththepermissionofhisGuru,heshouldthenmarrya
girlwhoisbeautiful,youngertohimandbelongingtodifferent'Gotra'.Althoughthebestoption
forhimistomarryawomanbelongingtohisowncaste,butheisallowedtomarryoutsidehis
caste,providedthewomanhailsfromacasteinferiortohimbutundernocircumstanceshe
shouldmarryawomanbelongingtosuperiorcaste.
COPULATIONPROHIBITEDONCERTAINDAYS
Anidealwifeisonewhoobeysthecommandsofherhusbandwithoutanyinhibition.According
tothescripturesthebesttimeforamarriedcoupletocopulateisafterthewomanhashadher
menstruation,especiallytillsixteendaysafterherperiodshavecommencedareconsideredbest
forthispurpose.But,therearealsocertaindaysonwhichmakingsexualcontactsisprohibited
thefirstfourdaysafterherperiodshavestarted,Ashtami,Chaturdashi,AmavasyaandPurnima
arefewsuchdays.Iftheabovegivenrulesarefollowedthenacouplecanbegetworthysons
possessinggoodqualities.Consideringthefactthatawomanhassexualurgeeighttimesmore
thanaman,scriptureshavealsoadvisedamannottooverlookthesexualurgeofhiswifeand
tosatisfyherwithoutbotheringabouttheprohibiteddays.
PURIFICATIONOFDIFFERENTARTICLES
Describingthemethodsofpurifyingdifferentarticles,LordVishnureflectedontheinstructions
whichsageYagyavalkyahadoncegiventoothersagesinthisregard'Substanceslikegold,
silver,conch,vegetables,rope,leatherarticles,etc.becomepureoncetheyarewashedwith
water.Inthesameway,utensilsmadeofwoodoranimal'shornbecomepureaftertheyhave

beenchiseled.Utensilsusedinyagyabecomepureaftertheyhavebeenrubbedwithmudand
thenwashedwithwater.Washingwoolenandsilkenclotheswithtepidwaterorcowurinemake
thempure.
Landispurifiedifitiscoatedwithcowdung.Coppervessels,articlesmadeofleadandTin
vesselsbecomepureifcleanedwithasolutionofalkali,acidandthenwashedwithwater.Iron
andBronzevesselsbecomepureifcleanedwithashandwater.Thefollowingsarebelievedtobe
puresunlight,fire,cow,horse,earth,air,dewdrops,foodgrainsupforsaleinthemarket,
etc.AmanshouldperformAachamaninthefollowingcircumstancesafterhisbath,after
drinkingwater,aftersneezing,afterwakingupfromsleep,afterhavingfood,afterhavinga
walkondustypath,afterchangingclothes,etc.
BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOFSHRADDHRITUALS
DescribingtheproperwayofperformingShraddhrituals,sageYagyavalkyatoldtheassembled
sages'AperformerofShraddhritualsshouldinviteableBrahminsandofferthemseatsof
Kushagrass.Firstofallaninvocationismadeto'Vishvedeva'bychantingamantrainhispraise,
anactionwhichisfollowedbyscatteringgrainsofbarleyinthevesselskeptinfrontofthe
Deity'sidol.Subsequently,somewaterandasmallquantityofbarleyistakeninasmallvessel,
whichisthenhandedovertotheBrahminsalongwithotherarticlessuchasgheelamp,garland,
incense,etc.Therearespecificmantrasforthisparticularritual.Afterthatheshouldofferseats
ofKushagrasstoallhisancestorsonebyonebeginningfromthelefthandsideand
subsequentlymovingontotherighthandside.Alltheancestorsaretheninvokedwithspecific
mantras.
Thescripturesallowtheuseofsesameseedsinplaceofbarleyiflatterisunavailabledueto
somereason.Thesesesameseedsshouldbekeptina'Ardhyapatra'andplacedtotheleftside
ofeach'Pitras'(ancestors)inaninvertedposition.Whileperforming'havan'heshouldmake
offeringsof'ghee'andotherarticlesinthe'havankunda'.Finally,Brahminsarefedafterwhich
theperformerofShraddhritualsoffersPindadaaninthenameofhisancestors.Afterthathe
helpsalltheBrahminsperform'Aachaman'andgivesdonationstothem.TheidolofVishvedeva
isimmersedinanearbyriverorpondandtheinvertedpotsarekeptbackinthenormal
position.Finally,alltheBrahminsareseenoffwithrespect.Shraddhritualsperformedinthe
abovementionedwayimmenselysatisfytheancestorsandhelpthemattaintoheaven.
'KARMA'ANDITSCONSEQUENCEKARMAVIPAK
Continuingwithhisdiscourses,sageYagvalkyatoldtheassembledsagesthatanenlightenedsoul
isawareofthefactthatthemortalworldbeingimpermanentinnaturehasitsbeginningaswell
asitsend.Heisalsoawarethatamanreapsthefruitsofhisevildeedsintheformof
'Adhidaivik'(heavenlywrath),'Adhyatmik'(obstaclesinspiritualdevelopment)and'Adhibhautik'
(worldlyproblemslikediseases,poverty,etc.)Thatiswhyheendeavourstofollowthepathof
virtuositysothathecanattainsalvationtheultimateobjectiveofman'slife.
Anybodyengagedinsinfuldeedsisdefinitetogotohellwhereasvirtuousdeedshelpamanto
attaintoheaven.Aftertastingthefruitsofhisactionsheonceagainhastotakebirthtorealize
theunfulfilledwishesofhispreviousbirth.Thiscycleoftransmigrationisanendlessprocess,
leadingtocountlessbirthsanddeathsofaman.Heexperiencesunbearablepainsinhismother's
wombslyinginaninvertedpositionforninemonths.
Onceagainhehastogothroughthesamedreadfulexperiencesofyouth,oldage,diseasesand
death.Asinner,aftertastingthefruitsofhisactionsintheheavenorhell,dependingonhis
virtuousorsinfuldeedstakesrebirthonthebasisofthegravityofsinscommitted.Killinga
Brahminisbelievedtobethemostheinousofsinandthepersonwhohascommittedsuchasin
afterhavingsufferedthetorturesofhelltakesrebirthasadonkeyoradog.
Inthesamewayapersonwhohasstolengoldtakesrebirthaslowlycreaturessuchasworms
orinsects.Adrunkardtakesrebirthasafrogandapersondevelopingillicitrelationshipwithhis
teacher'swifetakesrebirthasgrassorhay.Onewhoshowsdisrespecttohisparentsisreborn

asatortoisewhereasanybodywhowishesillofhisfriendsisrebornasadonkey.
ATONINGFORSINS
Whiledescribingvariousmeansbywhichasinnercanatoneforhissins,sageYagyavalkyasaid'
Amaniscertaintomeetdownfallanddegradationinthefollowingthreeconditionsifhegoes
againsttheinstructionsgiveninthescriptures,indulgesinprohibitedactivitiesandrunsafter
sensualpleasures.Atoningforone'ssinisthebestmeansofgettingliberatedfromhissinas
wellasguilt.Asinnerwhodoesnotatoneforhissingoesthroughunbearabletorturesandpains
inhellsmorehorriblethanin'Maharaurav'(nameofahell).
Veryseverepunishmenthasbeenrecommendedforaperson,whohasbreachedthemodestyof
awomanespeciallyifshehappenstobehisfriend'swife,teacher'swife,hisowndaughteror
sisterinlaw,etc.Scripturesareoftheopinionthatsuchasinnershouldbekilledwithout
showinganymercy.Ifthewomanisawillingpartnerinthisghastlycrimethenevensheshould
bemetedoutthesamepunishment.
ApersonwhohaskilledaBrahminshouldatoneforhissinbyseekingalmsfortwelveyears
carryingaskullashisbeggingbowl.Heshouldsustainhimselfonwhateverhereceivesasalms.
Protectingacow'slifealsohelpsamanfromgettingliberatedfromthesinof'Brahmahatya'.A
drunkardshouldatoneforhissinbyconsuminganyofthefollowingboilingliquor,ghee,cow
milkorcowurine.Apersonaccusedofstealinggoldcanbecomeliberatedfromhissinby
donatinggoldequivalenttohisownweight.Apersonwhohaskilledacowcanbecomeliberated
fromhissinbyconsuming'Panchgavya'(amixtureofcowmilk,cowdung,cowurine,gheeand
curd)andleadingtherestofhislifeintheservitudeofcows.
DIFFERENTKINDOFAUSTERITIES
Describingthevarioustypesofausterities,LordVishnunamedfewofthem
YAMA(RESTRAININGPASSION)ThisparticularausteritycomprisesoftenvirtuesCelibacy,
Forgiveness,Meditation,Truthfulness,Honesty,Nonviolence,Notstealing,GentlenessandSelf
control.
NIYAMA(DAILYROUTINE)Thisausteritystressestheimportanceofpurity:bothofthebodyas
wellasofthemind.Itcomprisesofthefollowingactivities:bathingdaily,contemplation,
observingfast,performingoblations,selfstudy,abstinence,penance,avoidinganger,being
respectfultowardsteacherandpurity.
MAHASANTAPANVRATAThisparticularausteritycomprisesofspecificritualsrelatedwiththe
usageof'Panchagavya'(amixtureofcowmilk,curd,ghee,cowurineandcowdung).Onthefirst
dayoftheausterityadevoteeshouldhaveonlymilk,ontheseconddaycurd,onthethirdday
'ghee',onthefourthday'gomutra'(cowurine),onthefifthday'gomaya'(cowdung),onthesixth
dayheshouldliveonlyon'kushodak'(drinkingwaterfromavesselinwhich'kusha'grasshave
beenkept)andonthelastdayoftheausterityheshouldobservecompletefast.
PARNAKRICHCHHAVRATASeparatesolutionsof'Palash'(Buteafrondosa),'Gular'(Ficus
glomerata),'Kamal'(lotus)and'Bael'tree(woodapple)arepreparedafterboilingtheleavesof
respectivevegetationmentionedabove.Onthefirstdayoftheausterityadevoteeshouldhave
only'Palash'solutionwhileontheseconddayheshouldhave'Gular'solution.Onthethirddayhe
shouldhave'Kamal'solutionwhileonthefourthdayheshouldliveonlyon'Bael'solution.Onthe
fifthdayoftheausterityheshouldliveonlyon'Kusha'grasssolutionandnothingelse.Thisis
themannerinwhichtheausterityof'Parnakrichchhavrata'isobserved.
TAPTAKRICHCHHAVRATAApersonobservingthisausterityshouldbeginbyhavinghotmilk
onthefirstdayfollowedbytepidgheeandlukewarmwateronthesecondandthirdday
respectively.Heshouldobserveacompletefastonthefourthday.
PAADKRICHCHHAVRATAThisparticularausteritylastsforfourdays.Onthefirstdaya

devoteeshouldobserve'Ekabhaktavrata'(havingfoodonlyonceadayinthenoon).Onthe
seconddayheshouldobserve'Nakta'vrata(havingfoodonlyonceadayinthenight).Onthe
thirddayheshouldbreakhisfastbyhavingwhateverisavailablewithhimbecauseanything
thathasbeenprovidedbyothersisstrictlyprohibited.Heshouldobserveatotalfastonthe
fourthday.Whenadevoteeobservesthesecyclesofausterityforthreetimesthenitiscalled
'Prajapatyakrichchhravrata'.
ATIKRICHCHHAVRATARitualsofthisausterityismoreorlesssimilartothatofPrajapatya
krichchhravratawithaslightdifferenceherefastisbrokenwithahandfulofcookedfood.
WhenthisparticularritualisobservedforfourdaysthenitiscalledAtikrichchhavrata.
KRICHCHHAATIKRICHHAVRATAObservingtheritualsofAtikrichchhavratafortwentyone
dayslivingonlyonmilkandwateriscalledKrichchhakrichhavrata.
PARAKVRATAObservingcompletefastfortwelvecontinuousdaysiscalledParakvrata.
CHANDRAYANVRATAIt'sanimportantausteritylastingforamonthwhichcommencesonFirst
dayofthebrighthalfofamonthbyobservingfastforthewholedayandbreakingitinthenight
withonemorseloffood.Onthenextday,i.e.'dwitiya'onemorseloffoodisincreasedwhich
meansthatinsteadofonemorseloffoodnowtwomorselsaretaken.Thiswayonemorselof
foodisincreasedoneachofthefollowingdaystillthefourteenthday(chaturdashi)whenthefast
isbrokenbyhavingfourteenmorselsoffood.Atotalfastisobservedon'Amavasya'(dark
moon).Onthenextdayi.e.firstdayofthedarkhalfofthemonthonemorselisdecreased
whichmeansthatthedevoteeshouldbreakhisfastwiththirteenmorselsoffood.Thiswayone
morselisdecreasedoneachsuccessivedaytill'chaturdashi'whenadevoteebreakshisfastby
havingonlyonemorseloffood.Thisistheway,howaChandrayanvratashouldbeobserved.
ANANGTRAYODASHIVRATAThisausterityisrelatedwiththeworshipofLordShivaand
commencesonthethirteenthdayofthebrighthalfoftheHindumonthMargashirshandlastsfor
ayear.Itconcludesexactlyafterayearwhen'Rati'and'Anang'areworshippedwithappropriate
rituals.Tenthousandofferingsaremadeinthesacrificialfire.Brahminsarefedanddonations
madetothem.Onewhoobservesthisausterityisblessedwithhealth,wealthandgoodfortune.
AKHANDDWADASHIVRATAThisausterityisrelatedwiththeworshipofLordVishnu.It
commencesonthetwelfthdayofthebrighthalfoftheHindumonthMargashirshandlastsfora
yearconsistingofthreephases.Oneimportantcharacteristicofthisausterityisthatafterfour
months,whichisthefirstphaseoftheausterity,fivevesselsfilledwithfoodgrainsaredonated
toBrahmins.Inthesecondphaseoftheausterityconsistingoffourmonthsandcommencing
fromtheHindumonthChaitra,potsfilledwithparchedgramsaredonatedtoBrahmins.
Similarly,inthethirdandfinalphaseoftheausteritypotsfilledwithgheearedonatedto
Brahmins.
SHIVARATRIVRATAThisausterityisrelatedwiththeworshipofLordShivaandafastis
observedonthefourteenthdayofthedarkhalfoftheHindumonthFalgun.Adevoteeshould
observefastinthenightandworshipLordShivabychanting'OmNamahShivay'.Heshould
perform'havan'withblacksesameseedsandworshipLordShivaatmidnight,inthethirdand
thefourth'prahar'(onepraharequalsthreehour)withappropriaterituals.Onewhoobservesfast
onthisdaygetsallhiswishesfulfilledandattainssalvationaswell.Adevoteewhoobserves
ShivaRatrifastfortwelvesuccessiveyearsacquiresknowledge,wealth,successandhappiness.
SuchamanalsoattainstoShivalokaafterhisdeath.
VIRTUESOFOBSERVINGFASTONSHIVARATRINIGHTDuringancienttimesthereliveda
hunternamedSundarsenintheprovinceofArbuda.Oneday,hewentdeepintotheforestin
searchofhispreybutunfortunatelyhefoundnone.Hewanderedallovertheplacebutinvain.
Wheneveningcame,heclimbedupawoodapple(Bael)treetoprotecthimselffromthewild
animals.Sundarsenwasworriedthathisfamilywouldhavenothingtoeatthatnight.Engrossed
inhiscontemplativemood,hekeptonpluckingleavesfromthe'Bael'treeandthrowingthem
down.TherewasaShivalingajustunderthetreeandtheleaves,whichSundarsenthrew,fell
downonit.
NextmorningwhileSundarsenwasclimbingdownthetree,hisarrowfelldown.Whilepickingup

hisarrow,hetouchedtheShivalinga.SundarsenwasunawareofthefactthatitwasShivaratri
nightandhehadworshipedLordShivawithappropriateritualsalbeitinadvertentlyhehad
offeredBilvapatratoLordShivaandhadtouchedtheShivalinga.HeattainedtoShivalokaon
accountofthevirtuesattainedbyhisinadvertentworshipofLordShiva.
THEPOWEROFCHASTITY
Once,sageVyaswenttoBrahmalokatogethisdoubtsclearedoncertainspiritualmattersfrom
LordBrahma.Whiledwellingonawiderangeofreligioustopicssuchasimportanceof
austeritiesandvariousincarnationsLordVishnutooktoprotectrighteousness,LordBrahma
narratedataleofaBrahminwomanwhopossesseddivinepowersonaccountofherchastity.
LordBrahmasaid
'DuringancienttimestherelivedaBrahminnamedKaushikinPratishthanpurNagar.Hewas
inflictedwithleprosybutstillhiswifewasverychasteandfaithfultowardshim.Hiswifeusedto
beonhertoesattendingtoallhisdemandsandlookingafterallhisrequirements.Butstill,he
usedtoscoldandabusehiswifeatthefirstgivenopportunitywithoutanyrhymeorreason.
However,hiswifedidnotmindhisbehaviourunderstandingquitewellthefrustrationsofaman
sufferingfromdreadeddiseaselikeLeprosy.'
Oneday,somethinghappenedwhichmadeKaushikextremelyangryandinafitofragehemade
animpossibledemandthinkingthathiswifewouldnevercomplybyitgivinghimanopportunity
tocursehertothesatisfactionofhisheart.Shoutingangrilyathiswife,KaushiksaidAgehas
startedshowingeffectonyou.Youdon'tlookbeautifulasbefore.Youhavealsostarted
neglectingme.TakemetoabeautifulprostitutesothatIcansatisfymysexualurge.
Kaushik'swifewasdeeplyhurtbyhisrudeandunfairremarksbutsheremainedcoolandcalm.
Beingachasteandfaithfulwifeshehadnooptionbuttoobeyherhusband'scommand.So,she
leftforaprostitute'shousecarryingKaushikonhershoulders.
Theprostitute'shousewasfaranditbecamedarkwhiletheywerestillontheway.Becauseof
darkness,Kaushik'swifecouldnotseesageMandavya,whoinspiteofhisinnocencewasgivena
severepunishmentbythekinghehadbeenmadetositonapointedconewhichafterhaving
penetratedthroughhisbodyhadpiercedevenhisskull.But,beingagreatsage,Mandavyawas
engrossedinhismeditationeveninsuchapainfulphysicalcondition.Unfortunately,Kaushik's
feet,whichwerehangingdowntheshouldersofhiswife,touchedMandavya'sbody.Mandavya's
meditationwasdisturbedandhecameoutfromhismeditativelevel.Asaresulthebecame
consciousofhisunbearablephysicalpainandcursedthatwhoeverhaddisturbedhismeditation
wouldnotlivetoseethenextday.'
Kaushikdiedthenextdaybuthiswife,whohadfullconfidenceinherpowerofchastity,knew
thatherhusbandwouldbealiveonceagain.Shecursedangrily'Mandavyahasa
misconceptionabouthispower.Hethinksthatonlyhecancontrolthenaturalphenomenabut
perhapshedoesnotknowwhatfeatsachastewomaniscapableofperforming.Itsmycommand
totheSunnottorisefromtomorrowonwards.'
Andindeed,theSunstoppedrisingfromthenextmorningleadingtocatastrophicfallout.
Everythingwenthaywireintheworld,whichmadethedeitiesextremelyworried.Theycameto
me(LordBrahma)witharequesttorevealwhySunhadstoppedrising.Itoldthemthatitwas
allduetothecurseofachastewomanandthenInarratedthewholestory.Irevealedtothem
thatnobodyexceptSatiAnusuyawascapableofbringingbackorderintheworld.Iadvisedthem
toseekthehelpofSatiAnusuyawhowasfamousforherexceptionalchastity.So,allthedeities
wenttoSatiAnusuyaandrequestedhertomaketheSunrisesothateverythingbecameorderly
intheworldonceagain.SatiAnusuyaagreedtolendherhelpinbringingbacknormalcyinthe
world.She,bythevirtueofherchastitynotonlymadetheSunrisedailybutalsomadedead
Kaushikaliveonceagain.Suchisthepowercommandedbyawomanpracticingtheausterityof
chastity.TherearenumerousexamplesofsuchwomenfamousfortheirchastityandSitawas
oneofthem.

THETALEOFRAMAYANA
LordBrahmathenwentontodescribethefamoustaleofRamayanathemerelisteningtowhich
absolvesamanfromallhissins.HebeganbygivingthedetailsofSriRam'slineageandsaid'I
(LordBrahma)manifestedfromtheLotusoriginatingfromthenavelofLordVishnu.SageMarich
manifestedfrommewhileKashyapwasMarich'sson.SuryamanifestedfromKashyap,
VaivaswatManufromSuryaandIkshavakuwasborntoVaivaswatManu.ThegreatKingRaghu
wasalsothedescendantofIkshavaku.Raghu'ssonwasAja,whosesonwasDasharath.
DasharathhadthreequeensKaushalya,KaikeyiandSumitra.KaushalyagavebirthtoSriRam
whileKaikeyiwasthemotherofBharat.SumitrahadtwosonsLaxmanandShatrughan.
SriRamhadgreatdevotiontowardshisparents.SageVishwamitra,whowastormentedbythe
demons,tookSriRamandLaxmanalongwithhimsothathecoulddohispenancepeacefully.
HeassuredDashraththathewouldmakebothhissonsproficientinallthescripturesaswellas
intheusageofvariousweapons.Withgreatreluctance,DasharathallowedSriRamandLaxman
togoalongwithVishwamitra.
OnceintheforestSriRamassuredhisGurutodohispenancewithoutbotheringaboutthe
demons.VishwamitracommencedhispenanceandSriRamkilledallthedemonstryingto
disturbhim.ThenamesoffewdemonskilledbySriRamwereTadaka,Subahu,etc.
Janak,thefatherofSitahadorganizedagrand'Swayamvar'ceremonytowhichhehadinvited
alltheprominentkingsofthattime.HehadalsosentinvitationtoVishwamitra.Vishwamitraset
outforJanakpuraccompaniedbySriRamandLaxman.
JanakhadahugebowgiftedtohimbyLordShivaandwhichheworshippeddailywith
appropriateritual.OnceduringtheprocessofcleaningtheareawhereShiva'sbowwaskept,
Sitaliftedthebowandkeptitadistance.Lateronsheforgottokeepitbackattheoriginal
place.WhenJanakcametoworshipthebowhewassurprisedtofindittobekeptatadifferent
place.HemadeaninquiryandSitaconfessedthatshehadkeptitwhilecleaningtheplaceof
worship.Janakjustcouldnotbelievethathistenderlookingdaughterpossessedsuchstrength
andpower.NowonderhedecidedtogiveSita'shandinmarriagetosuchamanwhocouldbreak
Shiva'sbow.So,hemadeadeclarationthatanybodycapableofbreakingShiva'sbowcouldhave
Sitaashiswife.
Thereweremanymightywarriorspresentatthe'Swayamvar'ceremonybutnonehadthe
strengthtoevenliftthebowwhattosayaboutbreakingit.Finally,asthedestinywouldhave
likedit,SriRambrokethebowintothreepiecesandthusmarriedSita.LaxmanmarriedUrmila
anotherdaughterofDasharathwhileBharatandShatrughanmarriedMandaviandKeertimayi
respectively,bothdaughtersofKingKushadhwaja.
Lateron,whenDasharathdecidedtocrownSriRamastheKingofAyodhya,Kaikeyiplayeda
spoilsportanddemandedhersonBharattobemadetheKingofAyodhyaandSriRamtobesent
intoexileforfourteenyears.Actually,KaikeyihadtakenundueadvantageofDasharath's
helplessconditiontoserveherowninterest.Once,Dasharathwasbusyfightingabattleoblivious
ofthefactthatoneofthewheelsofthechariotwasabouttoejectfromitsaxleasthenail
supportingithadfallenoff.Kaikeyi,whowasalsoaccompanyinghim,savedhislifeby
preventingthewheelfromfallingoffandthusmaintainingthebalanceofthechariot.When
DasharathlearnthowKaikeyihadsavedhislifehepromisedtogranthertwoboons.Atthattime
Kaikeyididnotaskforanythingandmerelysaidthatshewoulddemandattheappropriate
time.So,whenthetimeforRam'scoronationcameshethoughtitwasthebestopportunityfor
hertoremindDasharathaboutthetwoboonshehadpromisedtogranther.
Dasharath,boundbyhisdeeploveforSriRamontheonehandandbyhisvowontheother,
agreedtoKaikeyi'sdemandwithaheavyheart.SriRamwithoutanyhesitationfollowedhis
father'sorderandleftfortheforest.HowcouldhaveSitaandLaxmanlivedwithouthim?So,
theytooaccompaniedhimtotheforest.Incourseofhisjourney,SriRampassedbymanyholy
placesandfinallyafterreachingChitrakoothemadea'Parnakuti'(hermitagemadeofleaves)
andstartedlivingthere.

TheshockcausedbySriRam'sseparationprovedtobefatalforDasharath,whodiedwithan
unfulfilleddesireofhavingaglimpseofhisdearestson.Bharat,whoatthattimewasathis
maternaluncle'splace,returnedtoAyodhyaafterhearingthenewsofhisfather'sdemiseand
performedhislastrites.HethenwenttoChitrakootandtriedhislevelbesttoconvinceSriRam
intoreturningbacktoAyodhya.But,SriRamdidnotagree,asitwasagainsthisprincipleto
disobeythecommandsofhisfather.SriRamgavehispairofwoodensandalstoBharatasa
tokenofloveandrequestedhimtoreturntoAyodhya.BharatreturnedtoAyodhyaandkeptSri
Ram'ssandalsonthethrone.HethenstationedhimselfatNandigramacitysituatedatthe
outskirtsofAyodhyaandstartedrulingfromthereonbehalfofhiselderbrother.Hehadvowed
nottoreturntoAyodhyatillthecompletionofSriRam'speriodofexile.
FromChitrakoot,SriRamreachedDandakaranyaaccompaniedbySitaandLaxmanandstarted
livinginahermitagemadeofleaves.TheretheyalsometprominentsageslikeAtriand
Agastya.Onceanogressnamed'Surpanakha'(Ravan'ssister)attackedSriRambutLaxman
retaliatedbyseveringbothherearsaswellashernose.Surpanakha,badlyinjuredandbleeding
profusely,wenttoKhardushanandnarratedherwoefultale.KhardushanattackedSriRamwitha
hugearmyconsistingoffourteenthousandsoldiersbutlostallhismeninthebattle.
TherevengefulRavanwenttothehermitagedisguisedasahermitandabductedSitawhileSri
RamwasawayinpursuitofMarichthegoldendeer.Actually,Marichwasademon,whohad
disguisedhimselfasagoldendeerontheinstructionofRavansothatSitacouldbeabducted
successfully.RavanknewquitewellthatitwasimpossibleforhimtoabductSitainthepresence
ofSriRam.So,hehatchedaplanaccordingtowhichMarichwastodisguisehimselfasagolden
deerandenchantSita.RavanwassurethatSitaafterbeingenchantedbythebeautyofthe
goldenDeerwouldaskherhusbandtogetitatanycost.Everythinghappenedaspertheplanof
RavanandhewassuccessfulinabductingSita.
WhenSriRamdidnotfindSitainthehermitagehebecameworriedandstartedsearchingfor
herfrantically.OnthewayhemetoldJatayu,whohadgotinjuredwhiletryingtoresistRavan
fromtakingawaySita.JatayuinformedhimthatRavanhadtakenSitatowardssouth.Jatayu
wassobadlyinjuredthathediedsoonaftergivingSita'sinformationtoSriRam.SriRam
performedhislastritesandcontinuedwithhissearch.Heproceededtowardssouthasperthe
instructionsofJatayuandreached'Rishyamook'mountainwherehemetSugreeva,whomhe
befriended.HekilledBali,whoharbouredenemityagainsthisbrotherSugreeva.Hethenmade
SugreevatheKingof'Kishkindha'andhimselfwenttoliveat'Rishyamook'mountain.
SugreevasentmonkeysinalldirectionstofindoutSita'swhereabouts.Hanumanwenttowards
southandwiththehelpofSampatimanagedtofindouttheexactlocationwhereRavanhadkept
Sita.Hanumantookagiantleapandthenextmomenthefoundhimselfontheothersideofthe
ocean.Hewentto'AshokVatika'whereRavanhadkeptSitaincaptivity.Hepresentedthering
toher,whichSriRamhadgivenhim.Sita,inturngaveher'Chudamani'(ornament)and
requestedhimtogiveittoSriRam.Jumpingfromonebranchtoanother,hungryHanumanate
allthefruitsandintheprocessdestroyedthebeautifulgarden.WhenRavancametoknowabout
thedestructioncausedinthebeautifulgardenof'AshokVatika',hesentmanydemonstocapture
Hanuman.But,allofthemwerekilledincludingAkshayKumar,Ravan'sson.Ultimately,
HanumanwasmadecaptivebyMeghanadandproducedbeforeRavan,whoorderedhistailtobe
setablazeasapunishment.Hanuman,withhistailablaze,jumpedfromonepalacetoanother
andburntthegoldencityofLankawithinnotime.HethenreturnedtohismasterSriRamand
describedeverythingindetail.
Finally,SriRamattackedLankawithahugearmycomprisingofmightywarriorslikeHanuman,
Sugreeva,Angadandmanyothers.Afiercebattletookplaceinwhichallthedemonsincluding
Ravanwerekilled.ThevictoriousSriRamreturnedtoAyodhyaalongwithhisconsortSita.The
residentsofAyodhyadancedinjoyatthereturnoftheirprodigiousson.SriRamruledover
Ayodhyaforeleventhousandyears.Finallyheascendedtotheheaventakingalongallthe
peopleofAyodhyawithhimbutbeforedoingthatheappointedLavandKushhisSons,ashis
successors.
SHRIKRISHNA

MakingarevelationtoVyasthattheAlmightyGodmanifestshimselfwheneverthecivilizationis
endangeredbythedominanceofsinners,LordBrahmasaid'InDwaparyuga,LordVishnu
incarnatedasSriKrishnatoprotectDharmafrombeingsubjugatedby'Adharma',whichhad
becomeallpervasiveatthattime.HewasborntoVasudevandDevaki.Bothhisparentshad
beenkeptundercaptivitybyKansa,whowasawareoftheprophesythathewouldbekilledby
Devaki'seighthson.InduecourseoftimeDevakigavebirthtosevensonsallofwhomwere
mercilesslykilledbyKansaonebyone.InordertoprotectthelifeofSriKrishnatheeighth
childborntoDevaki,VasudevexchangedhimwiththebabygirlborntoYashodaandNand.
VasudevhadnoprobleminmovingoutoftheprisonasKrishnabyhisdivinepowerinducedall
theguardstosleep.
SriKrishna,beinganincarnationofLordVishnuperformedgreatfeatsrightfromhischildhood.
Once,KansasentanogressnamedPutna,whotriedtokillSriKrishnabybreastfeedinghim.
But,KrishnasuckedherbreastswithsuchferocitythatPutnametaninstantdeath.Induecourse
oftimeSriKrishnakilledmanymoreferociousdemonslikeShakatasur,KaliyaNag,Dhenukasur
andmesmerizedtheresidentsofGokulbyhisdivinebravery.Healsoperformedmanyother
divinefeatslikeliftingGovardhanmountainandperformingRaasLilawiththeGopis.Seeingall
hisplansofkillingSriKrishnagoinvain,Kansasenthimamessagechallengingfora'duel
bought'withhiscourtwrestlersnamed'Mushtik'and'Chanur'.SriKrishnakilledboththedreaded
demonswithoutmuchdifficulty.Ultimately,SriKrishnaclimbedupthethronesittingonwhich
Ravanhadbeenwatchingthewrestlingboutandpulledhimdownbyhishair.Hethenpunched
Kansaonhischestsohardthathediedaninstantaneousdeath.
HavingaccomplishedhismostimportantmissionofkillingthedemonkingKansaandliberating
theearthfromhistyranny,SriKrishnawentontocompletehiseducationunderthetutelageof
SageSandipani.DuringancienttimesitwascustomaryforadiscipletoofferDakshinatohis
teacher,asamarkofrespectafterhiseducationwascomplete.SriKrishnafollowingthis
traditiongaveaninvaluableDakshinatohisGurubybringingallhisdeadsonsalivetoearth
from'Yamloka'.
SriKrishnawassubsequentlycrownedasthekingofMathurabutonaccountoftherelentless
attackbyJarasandhahehadtoabandonhisdearcityandshifthisbasetoDwarka.Hehadeight
queensamongwhomRukminiandSatyabhamawereprominent.Lateronherescuedsixteen
thousandandonehundredwomenfromthecaptivityofNarakasurandmarriedallofthem.From
RukminihehadasonnamedPradyumna,whokilledShambarasur.AniruddhawasPradyumna's
sonandhemarriedUshadaughterofBanasur.BanasurwasagreatdevoteeofLordShivaand
wasblessedwithonethousandhands.
LordShivacametohisrescueatthetimewhenhewasbattlingagainstthemightofSriKrishna.
Afiercebattlewasfoughtbetweenboththedeities,whichremainedinconclusiveevenaftera
longtime.LordShivathenrequestedSriKrishnatospareBanasur'slifetowhichheagreed
albeitpartially.SriKrishnaseveredallthehandsofBanasurbarringtwo.Finally,after
accomplishinghismissionofliberatingtheearthfromthedarknessofsinSriKrishnaleftfor
heavenlyabode.
THETALEOFMAHABHARAT
GivingthereasonsthatleadtothegreatbattleofMahabharat,LordBrahmatoldsageVyasthat
SriKrishnahadplannedthisgreatbattleandexecutedittoperfectiontorelievetheearthfrom
theburdenoftyrants.WhilegivingthenamesoflinealascendantsofKauravasandPandavas,he
said'I(LordBrahma)manifestedfromthelotuswhichitselfhaditsorigininthenavelof
Vishnu.AtrimanifestedfrommewhileChandrafromAtri.BuddhwasborntoChandrawhilehe
himselfwasthefatherofPururava.AayuwasPururava'ssonwhilehehimselfwasthesonof
Yayati.
ThenamesoffewfamousdescendantsofYayatiwereBharat,KuruandShantanu.Shantanuhad
twowivesGangaandSatyavati.TheformerwasthemotherofBhishma,theindomitable
warrior,whohadvowedtoremainabachelorthroughouthislife.Thelatteri.e.Satyavatigave
birthtotwosonsChitrangadandVichitraveerya.AGandharvakilledChitrangadwhile
VichitraveeryadiedissuelessdespitehavingtwowivesAmbikaandAmbalika(bothdaughtersof

thekingofKashi).InordertoexpandtheirclanbothAmbikaandAmbalikabegotonesoneach
fromsageVyas.AmbikagavebirthtoDhritrashtrawhileAmbalikatoPandu.ThesameVyasalso
hadasonfromamaidservantwhobecamefamousasVidurandwhowasfamousforhis
statesmanshipandtactfulness.
DhritrashtramarriedGandhariandbegotonehundredsonsfromheramongwhomDuryodhan
wasmostnotorious.TheseonehundredsonsofDhritrashtrabecamefamousasKauravas.Pandu
hadtwowivesKuntiandMadrifromwhomhebegotfivesonsYudhishthir,Bhima,Arjun,Nakul
andSahdev,whoallgrewuptobeverypowerfulandmighty.Allfiveofthembecamefamousas
Pandavas.Pandu,theirfatherhaddiedwhiletheywerestillyoungandMadri,unabletobearthe
sorrowhadgivenupherlifebyjumpingintotheburningpyreofherdeadhusband.So,the
PandavaswerebroughtupundertheguardianshipofKunti.
KauravasandPandavaswerebitterrivalsrightfromtheirchildhood.Duryodhannevermisseda
chancetotormentthePandavashiscousins.BothKauravasandPandavaswerebroughtup
underthetutelageofKripacharyaandDronacharya,bothprominentscholarsoftheirtimes.
Once,DuryodhantriedtokillBhimabypoisoninghimbutfortunatelyBhimanotonlycameout
unscathedbutalsowithrenewedstrengthandvigour.Duryodhantriedhisluckforthesecond
timetoeliminatehisenemiesbysettingablazethehouseofwaxinwhichPandavaswereliving
butonceagaintheycameoutunharmed.Pandavasthenwentto'EkchakraNagar'andtook
refugeinthehouseofaBrahminfamily.Ademonnamed'Baka'usedtotormentthepeopleof
EkchakraNagar.Bhimakilledthatdemonandthepeoplewererelievedatthenewsoftheir
tormentor'sdeath.ThereafterPandavaswenttoattendtheSwayamvarceremonyofDraupadi.
ArjunwonDraupadiashiswifebypiercingtheeyeofthefishhangedabovehisheadbylooking
atitsimageinthewaterpotkeptbelow.
AttheinsistenceofDronacharyaandBhishma,Yudhishthirreluctantlyagreedtosharehalfofhis
KingdomwiththePandavas.ThusPandavasstartedlivingatIndraprashth,thecapitaloftheir
newlyacquiredKingdom.
ArjunamarriedSubhadra,hissecondwifeandthesisterofSriKrishna.HepleasedAgniDevby
hisausterepenanceandreceiveddivineweaponslikeadivinechariot,Gandiv(bow),
imperishablearrowsandanimpenetrableshield.Afterbeingarmedwiththesedivineweapons
hesuccessfullydefeatedmanypowerfulmonarchiesandgavethewholeacquiredwealthto
Yudhishthir,hiselderbrother.
DhrithrashtrainvitedYudhishthirforagameof'Dyuta'(gamble)butDuryodhandefeatedhimby
employingunfairanddeceitfultacticswiththeactiveconnivanceofShakunihiscunning
maternaluncle.Yudhishthirlosteverythinginthegamblehiswholewealth,hiskingdomand
evenDraupadi.Pandavashadtogointoexilefortwelveyearswithanadditionalyearof
'Agyatwas'(theywerenotsupposedtoberecognizedduringthisperiod)asperthetermsand
conditionslaiddownforthegame.
Aftercompletingtheirtotalperiodofexile,PandavasreachedViratNagartospendtheiryearof
'Agyatwas',whichposedmoredangersandchallengesbecauseiftheywererecognizedduring
thisperioditwouldhavemeantanothertwelveyearsofexileforthem.
Havingsuccessfullycompletedtheirperiodofexile,PandavasdemandedbacktheirKingdombut
Duryodhanwasnotevenwillingtopartawaywithfivevillages.ThusPandavaswereleftwithno
optionbuttofightfortheirlegitimaterights.Boththerivalarmiesboastedofmightyandbrave
warriorsontheirsides.
DuryodhanappointedBhishmaasthechiefcommanderofhisarmywhereasShikhandiwas
leadingPandava'sarmy.Thefirsttendaysofthebattlesawafiercefightbetweenboththerival
armiesduringwhichperiodmanywarriorsfromeachsideachievedmartyrdom.Finally,while
Bhishmalaydowninjured,hiswholebodypiercedwithArjuna'sarrows,butstillalivebecausehe
hadreceivedaboonof'IcchaMrityu'(deathbyhischoice)prominentwarriorsfrombothsides
stoodaroundhim.ItwasonlyaftertheSuncamenorthofequinox(Uttarayan),theauspicious
timeBhishmahadchosentoleavehismortalbodythathediedafterpreachingthePandavason
widerangeofsubjects.

AfterBhishma'sdeathDronacharyaledtheKaurava'sarmy.Thiswasthemostcrucialphaseof
thebattle.Dronacharyahadbecomesodemoralizedafterhisson'sdeath,thathehadjustno
motivationleftinhimtofightthebattle.Findinganopportunemoment,Dhrishtadyumnasevered
hisheadandKauravasthuslosttheirmostableandexperiencedcommander.
DuryodhanappointedKarnaasthenextcommanderofKaurava'sarmy.Themostdecisivephase
ofthebattlebeganandafterafiercebattleoftwodaysArjunamanagedtokillhisbraverival.
Subsequently,YudhishthirkilledShalya.
Afterloosingallhismightywarriors,Duryodhana,inafitofragechallengedBhimaforaduelof
mace.Bhimakilledhimafterafiercefight.TherevengefulAshwatthama,sonofDronacharya,
attackedthePandava'scampatnight,muchagainstthenormsofbattleandkilledallthefive
sonsofDraupadiandthousandofotherPandavasoldiers.Arjunaavengedthedeathofhissons
bydefeatingAshwatthamaandextractingthediamondsetinhisforehead.
Afterthebattleended,YudhishthirperformedtheritualsofShraddhinthenameofallthedead
warriorsandascendedthethrone.Heruledinajustmannerjustaccordingtotheinstructions
givenbyBhishma.AfterSriKrishnaleftthismortalworld,YudhishthirappointedParikshitashis
successorandleftforHimalayaaccompaniedbyhisbrothersaswellasDraupadi.
THEETERNALTRUTH
LordBrahma,whilesheddinglightonvariousaspectsofreligiontoldsageVyasthataman
shouldlookathissorrows(shoka)withasenseofaloofnessanddetachment,consideringitasa
passingphase.HealsorevealedtoVyasthatthe'Fireofsorrow'consumedeverythingthatcame
intoitsfoldandnothingremaineduntouchedbyit.Asorrowfulmanbecomesbereftofallhis
possessionsknowledge,religion,physicalstrength,patience,happinessandallsuchqualities.
LordBrahmaalsotoldhimthatvirtuousdeedsneverwentwithoutbeingrewarded,asallgood
thingsenjoyedbyamaninhislifearenothingbuttheresultofhisvirtuouspast'Karmas'.On
thecontrarysinfuldeedscommittedbyamanmakeshispresentaswellashisfuturebirths
miserable.Further,glorifyingthevirtuesofsomeothergooddeeds,LordBrahmasaid'
Protectingthelifeofaperson,whoselifeisendangeredandwhohassoughtone'srefugeisthe
greatestvirtueandnootherdeedcanbecomparedwithit.Onewhoshedshislifetoprotecthis
religionattainstoheaven.
Acontentedmanenjoysevenhisadversitiesandremainsunperturbedbythem.Amanshould
nevermissachancetogetbenefitedbythecompanyofenlightenedsoulsbecauseitgiveshim
anopportunitytounderstandreligioninabetterway.Donatingfoodbegetsincomparablevirtues
andnoothervirtuousdeedstandsanywherenearit.'
LordBrahmaconcludedbydescribingSanatanDharmainanutshellandsaid'Anybodyobserving
thefollowingausteritiesshouldbeconsideredanardentfollowerof'SanatanDharma'truth,
penance,selfcontrol,purity,forgiveness,compassion,knowledgeanddonation.
THESUPREMEYOGA
Once,sageShaunakaskedSutjiaboutthereasonsbehindman'ssorrow.Sutjitoldhimthat
man'segoandhisattachmentstothismortalworldwerethetwomostimportantcausesforhis
sorrowanduntilhegetsridofthemhewillcontinuetosuffer.Sutjisaid'The'Treeofignorance'
sproutsfromtheseedof'Egotism'anditreceivesitsnutritionfromsensualpleasures.Only
thosewhopossessthe'Axeofknowledge'aresuccessfulinfellingthis'Treeofignorance'and
experiencetheecstasyofDivinebliss.Onceamanhasexperiencedthisdivineblisshenotonly
becomesfreefromallkindsofsorrowbutisalsofreedfromthecyclesofbirth,deathand
rebirth.ThisdivinelinkwhichamanestablisheswiththeAlmightyiscalled'Mahayoga'(The
supremeYoga).But,thoseunfortunatepeoplewhohavenotexperiencedthisdivinebliss
continuetogettrappedbytheworldlyillusionsleadingtotheircountlessbirthsanddeaths.'
Sutjithenwentontodescribethemeansbywhichamancanhaveapureheartandsaid'

Austeritieslikemeditation,worship,fasts,oblations,charity,etc.,certainlyhelpsamanin
gettingridofallkindsofimpurities.'
DEVOTIONTHEPATHLEADINGTOALMIGHTY
GlorifyingdevotionasthesimplestmeanstoreachGod,SutjitoldShaunakthattherewas
nothingelsethatpleasedGodmorethantheunflinchingdevotionofhisdevoteeinhim.Sutji
said'AdevoteewhochantstheholynameofGodacquiresimperishablevirtuesandattains
salvationevenifhewerealowlysinner.OnewhohassurrenderedhimselftothewillofGodis
absolvedofallhissins.Even'Yamaraj'Thelordofdeathhasstrictlyinstructedhisescortsto
sparethosewhoaredevoteesofLordVishnu.LordVishnuhimselfhasdeclaredthatanybody
havingtotaldevotioninhimshouldbeconsideredasthemostvirtuoussoulevenifhehad
committedthemostheinousofsins.'
FurtherhailingthegloryofchantingLordVishnu'snameSutjisaid'ThemerechantingofLord
Vishnu'snamein'Kaliyuga'bringsthesamevirtuewhatthecombinedvirtuesofmeditatingon
himduring'Satyayuga',chantinghissacredmantrasduring'Tretayuga'andworshippinghim
during'Dwaparyuga'brought.AdevoteewhohasnothingbutthesacrednameofLordVishnuon
hislipsiscertaintoattaintoVishnulokaafterbecomingfreefromthebondageofthisworld.
ChantingthedivinenameofVishnuevenindreamsisbelievedtoabsolveamanofallhissins
thenwhattosayaboutpeoplewhoconsciouslychanthisholynamewhiletheyareawake.'
ThusSutjitoldsageShaunakthatanybodycouldattainsalvationbysimplyhavingtotaldevotion
inLordVishnuasitwasthemostsimplestpathleadingtotheAlmighty.
THEDIVINESTROTRAS
NRISINHASTOTRA
Tellingabouttheoriginofthis'stotra',Sutjisaid
'LordShivahadcreatedthis'stotra'praisingthegloryofLordNrisinhaandinvokinghimto
protecttheworldfromthewrathofMatrikas.The'stotra'goesasfollows
NAMASTESTUJAGANNATHNARSINHAVAPURDHAR
DAITESHWARENDRASANHARINAKHABHUKTIVIRAJIT.
NAKHMANDALSAMBHINNAHEMPINGALVIGRAH
NAMOSTUPADMANABHAYSHOBAHANAYJAGADGURO.
KALPANTAMBHODANIGHOSHSURYAKOTISAMPRABHA
SAHASTRAYAMSANTRASSAHASTRENDRAPARAKRAM.
SAHASTRADHANDASFEETSAHASTRACHARANATMAKA
SAHASTRACHANDRAPRATIMSAHASTRANSUHARIKRAM.
SAHASTRARUDRATEJASKASAHASTRABRAHMASANSTUT
SAHASTRARUDRASANJAATSAHASTRAAKSHANIRIKSHANA.
SAHASTRAJANMAMATHANASAHASTRABANDHMOCHAN
SAHASTRAVAYUVEGASASAHASTRAANGAKRIPAKAR.
KULAMRITSTOTRA
SageNaradonceaskedLordShivaaboutthemeansbywhichamancouldbecomefreefromthe
delusionsoftheworld.LordShivarevealedtohimthecontentsof'Kulamritstotra',eulogizing
themajestyofLordVishnu.Bychantingthis'stotra',Naradsuccessfullyattainedtothatsupreme
status,whicheventhemostenlightenedsoulscanonlydreamof.OnewhoeulogizesLordVishnu
bychantingthis'stotra',becomesliberatedfromallthebondageoftheworld.The'stotra'goes

asfollows
YASTUVISHWAMANADYANTAMAJAMAATMANISANSTHITAM
SARVAGYAMACHALAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYETSAMUCHYET.
DEVAMGARBHOCHITAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYANVIMUCHYET
ASHARIRAMVIDHATARAMSARVAGYANMANORATIM.
ACHALAMSARVAGAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYENVIMUCHYET
NIRVIKALPAMNIRABHASAMNISHPRAPANCHAMNIRAMAYAM.
VASUDEVAMGURUMVISHNUMSADADHYAYENVIMUCHYET
SARVATKAMCHAVAIYAVADATMACHAITANYARUPAKAM.
SHUBHAMEKAKSHARAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYENVIMUCHYET
VAMYATITAMTRIKALAGYAMVISHVESHAMLOKSAKSHINAM.
SARVASMADYUTAMVISHNUSADADHYAYENVIMUCHYET
BRAHMADIDEVAGANDHARVAIMUNIBHIHSIDDHACHARANAIH.
YOGIBHIHSEVITAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYENVIMUCHYET
SANSARBANDHANANMUKTIMICHHAMLEKODHYASHESHATAH.
STUTVAIVAMVARADAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYANVIMUCHYET
SANSARBANDHANAATKOPIMUKTIMICHCHHANSAMAHITAH.
ANANTMATYAYAMDEVAMVISHNUMVISHVAPRATISHTHITIM
VISHVESHWARMASARAMVISHNUMSADADHYAYANVIMUCHYET.
MRITYUASHTAKSTOTRA
Describingtheoriginofthis'stotra',Sutjisaid'LordVishnuhimselfhadtaughtthispowerful
'stotra'tosageMarkandeya.ThedailychantingofthispowerfulmantrahadenabledMarkandeya
toconquerdeath.Onewhodailychantsthis'stotra'thriceadayenjoysalonglifeandneverdies
aprematuredeath.The'stotra'goesasfollows
DAMODARAMPRASANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
SHANKHCHAKRADHARAMDEVAMVYAKTARUPINMATYAYAM.
ADHOKSHAJAMPRAPANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
VARAHAMVAMANAMVISHNUMNAARSIHAMJANARDANAM.
MADHAVAMCHAPRAPANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
PURUSHAMPUSHKARKSHETRABIJAMPUNYAMJAGATPATIM.
LOKNATHAMPRAPANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
SAHASTRASHIRASAMDEVAMVYAKTATYAKTAMSANATANAM.
MAHAYOGAMPRAPANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
BHUTATMANAMMAHATMANAMYAGYAYONIMAYOJINAM.
VISHVARUPAMPRAPANNOSMIKINNOMRITYUHKARISHYATI
ITYUDIRITMARKANDYAMSTOTRAMTASYAMAHATMANAH.
ITITENAJITOMRITYUMARKANDEYENDHIMTA
PRASANNEPUNDARIKAKSHENRISINHENASTIDURLABHAM.
SALVATIONTHROUGHYOGA
SutjitoldsageShaunakthattheultimateaimofaman'slifewastoattainsalvation.Amancan

notattainsalvationuntilandunlesshehasseenthroughthetrappingsoftheworldlyillusions.
Sutjisaid'PracticeofYogahelpsamantoliveinthisworldwithasenseofdetachmentandto
successfullyavoidtheallurementsofthismortalworld.Yogacomprisesofsixorgans
Pranayam(Breathingexercises),
Japa(chanting),
Pratyahar(restrainingsenseorgans),
Dharana(resolution),
Dhyan(meditation)and
Samadhi(deepmeditation).
Notrunningaftersensualpleasuresbyhavingselfcontrolhelpsamanindiminishinghissins
anddiminishmentofsinspleasesthedeitieswhogiveblessings.Blessingsofdeitieshelpaman
toattainsalvation.Pranayam,animportantpartofYogaisoftwotypes'Garbha'and'Agarbha'.
Pranayam,donewithsimultaneouschantingofamantraiscalled'Garbha'whereasin'Agarbha'
Pranayammantrasarenotchanted.
Itisnaturalforamantogetattractedbyworldlypleasuresandcheckingthistendencyofthe
mindiscalled'Pratyahar'.Itisnoteasytocontrolthemindandconcentrateonanythingfora
longtimebut'Dharana'helpsamantodothat.Whenamanhassuccessfullycontrolledhis
sensualdesires,thenitbecomesveryeasyforhimtoconcentratehismind.Aconcentratedmind
findsiteasytomeditate.Whenhehasmasteredmeditationitisnotmuchdifficultforhimto
enterintothedeepstateofmeditationi.e.'Samadhi'.Inthestateof'Samadhi',allsenseof
dualismceasetoexistasoneestablishesdivinelinkwiththeAlmighty,whichhelpshimin
experiencingindescribabledivinebliss.
SELFREALIZATION
Once,onbeingaskedbysageNaradaboutthemeansthathelpedamaninattainingself
realization,LordVishnutoldhimthatonlythoseprivilegedfewwhohaveunderstoodthe
impermanentnatureofthisworldandhavesuccessfullycontrolledtheirsensualdesirescan
attainselfrealization.AllthemysteriesofthisUniverseareunraveledtoamanofself
realizationandheattainssalvation.LordVishnusaid'Itshouldbetheprimeobjectiveofaman
tomakeincessanteffortssothathecanexperiencethisdivineknowledgeofselfrealizationthe
realknowledge,foreveryotherkindofknowledgeissuperficialandofleastsignificance.'
LordVishnuwentontodescribehowselfrealizationcouldbeattained
'YADASARVEVIMUCHYANTEKAMAYESHYAHRIDISTHITAH
TADAMRITTWAMAPNOPATIJIVANNEVANASANSHAYAH.
MeaningWhenthereisnodesireleftintheheartthenamaniscertaintoexperiencethedivine
tasteofthisnectar(selfrealization)inhislifetimeandthereisnodoubtaboutit.
UnravelingthemysteryofUniversetosageNarad,LordVishnusaid''Brahm'isthecausebehind
thisuniverseandonewhohasunderstoodthisfactcanberightlycalledamanofselfrealization.
Amanbeingundertheinfluenceofhissensualperceptionsfalselybelievesthisworldtobereal
andisunabletounderstandtherealcausebehindtheexistenceofthisworld,whichisnotthe
casewithamanofselfrealization.Insteadofsearching'without'amanshouldseek'within'
becausewithinhimexiststheUniversejustlikeoursenseorgansperceivethemexternally.The
wholemysteryofUniverseisunraveledtoamanwhomakesincessanteffortstoundertakethis
innerjourneyforifhiseffortsaremadewithapureheartandafirmdeterminationthenheis
suretoreachhisgoalofselfrealizationonedayortheother.Thesoul(Atma)is'Brahm'butthis
factbecomesapparentonlytothoseprivilegedfew,whohaveattainedselfrealization.Self
realizationilluminatesthesoulinthesamewayjustasalightningilluminatesthedarkskyat
night.'
LordVishnuwentontodescribehimselfinthefollowingwords'IamPureandbeyondthelimits
ofhumanintelligence.Iambeyondtheconfinementofthreebasicqualities(Satvaguna,Rajas
gunaandTamasguna).OnlyhecanexperienceMEwhopossessesanenlightenedsoulbecauseI

manifestMYSELFintheheartofeveryindividualasadivineeffulgenceinordertodriveaway
thedarknesswhichengulfsit.'
BRAHMGITA
Anybodywhostudiesthesacredtextsof'BrahmGita'iscertaintoattainsalvationforit
brilliantlypropoundsthetheoryofdivinityofmanbyproclaimingthatineachindividualdwells
'Brahm'thesupremeAlmighty.Eulogizingthegloryof'BrahmGita'LordVishnusaid'BrahmGita
declaresthatineachindividualdwells'Brahm'andonewhohasunderstoodthisfactbecomes
freefromthebondageoftheworldi.e.attainssalvation.NobodycandenythefactthatGod
existsbecausetheAlmightymanifestshimselfallaroundusinvariousformsbothperceptible
andimperceptible.Allthefiveelements(space,air,water,fireandearth)arenothingbutthe
manifestationsofAlmightyGod.'
'Unfortunately,mostofthepeopleareunawareofthepresenceofdivinityinthemthe
existenceof'Brahm'ineachofthem.Thereasonforthisisnotmuchdifficulttocomprehend
becausethisfactissosubtlethatonlyenlightenedsoulscanexperienceit.HEliesdormantand
cannotbeexperienceduntilandunlessHEisawakenedbymeansofausteritiesandpenance.
'Brahm'iseverpresentinamananddoesnotabandonhiminanyofthethreestatesofhis
consciousnesswhileheisawake,whileheisdreamingorevenwhileheisasleep.
Despitebeingpresentineveryindividualhestillremainsunaffectedbyhisdeedsbecauseby
natureHEiseternallypure.Onemorereasonwhymanisunabletofeelthepresenceof'Brahm'
inhimselfishisownego,withwhichhefalselydevelopsdeepassociation.So,apersonwhois
desirousofrealizingGodmustfirstsubduehisegosothat'Brahm'manifestshimselfinallhis
glory.Withoutsubduinghis'ego'amancanneverrealizeGodbecausethesenseofdualismis
thegreatestimpedimentinthepathofGodrealizationand'egotism'onlystrengthenthissense
ofdualism.'
'Oncemanhassuccessfullysubduedhisego,thedawningofGodrealizationbecomesimminent
because'Brahm'nowhasnoprobleminmanifestinghimselfinthechangedscenario.'Brahm'
whoisabsolutetruth,eternallypureandthesupremeAlmighty.HEistheeternalblissdwelling
ineachindividualtherealizationwhichmadetheVedastoproclaim'TatvamAsi'(Thouisme)
andwhoisbeyondtheconfinementoftimeandspace.'
Ultimately,LordVishnurevealedtosageNaradthat'Brahm'whosegloryhehadpraisedwas
noneotherthanhimself.
GARUDAQUERIES
Sutjioncereachedtheforestof'Naimisharanya'incourseofhisjourney.Naimisharanyawasa
holyplacewheresagesandhermitswenttodopenance.AfterreachingthereSutjimetmany
prominentsageswhowerepleasedathisarrival.TheytookitasaGodsentopportunitytoget
theirdoubtsclearedonthemysterycalleddeathandwhatexactlyhappenedafteramandied.
SageShaunak,oneofthosesages,askedSutji'OReveredSage!Wewerejustawaitingyour
arrival.ItseemsGodhaslistenedtoourprayer.Weareconfusedbysomanydiverseand
contradictoryopinionsexpressedonthemysteryof'death'andwhathappensafterdeath.Some
peopleareofthebeliefthatamantakesrebirthsoonafterhisdeathwhereastherearesome
whobelievethatamanafterhisdeathfirstgoesto'Yamloka'totastethefruitsofhis'Karmas'
andonlythenhetakesrebirth.Werequestyoutoclearourdoubtsandenlightenusonthe
mysterycalleddeath.'
SutjirecountedthetaleofGaruda,whohadonceposedthesamequerytoLordKrishna.While
narratingthetale,Sutjisaid'GarudasonofVinta,oncedecidedtogetafirsthandexperienceof
allthethree'Lokas'(worlds).Aftervisitingallthethreeworldshereturnedto'Vaikunthloka'and
narratedhisexperiencestoLordKrishna.
Garudasaid'Aftervisitingallthethree'Lokas'IfoundtheEarth(Prithvi)littleovercrowdedas

comparedtoother'Lokas'.Ialsofoundthatitprovidedbetteropportunitiestoamanbothfor
materialisticenjoymentsaswellashisspiritualadvancement.So,Ihavecometotheconclusion
that'Prithviloka'wasthebestofallthe'Lokas'ineveryrespect.But,allroundprevalenceof
sorrowandmiseryin'Prithviloka'mademesad.
Iwasreallyperplexedtoseepeopleperformingcomplexritualsafterthedeathoftheirrelative.
Alltheseritualsappearedsoabsurdtome.Iwasreallyamazedtoseepeoplelayingdowntheir
deadrelativesontheground.Icouldalsonotunderstandwhyadeadbodyislaidonthebedof
'kusha'grassandsesameseeds.Iwitnessedsomanyritualsthatsurprisedme,forinstanceI
couldnotunderstandthereasonwhydonationsaremadeafteramandies.Iampuzzledbythe
mysterycalleddeathor,whatbecomesofhimafterhedies.
Thesightofsonsliftingthedeadbodyoftheirfatherontheirshouldersisstillfreshinmy
memory.Icouldnotunderstandthereasonwhy'ghee'(clarifiedbutter)isappliedonadeadbody
orwhytherelativesofthedeceasedchant'Yamasukta'facingnorth.Iwasalsosurprisedtosee
thesonofthedeceasedbeingdebarredfromhavingmealalongwithhisotherrelatives.OLord!
Pleaserevealtomethesignificanceofmaking'pindadaans'or,thesignificanceof'tarpan'
rituals?Pleasetellmethepropermethodofoffering'pindadaan'andinvokingancestors?Ifind
ithardtobelievethatallthedeedsvirtuousorevilcommittedbyamanfollowshimafterhis
death.'
ThiswayGarudafloodedLordKrishnawithabarrageofquestionsandsoughtclarificationson
them.
SALVATIONTHROUGHRITUALS
LordKrishnareplied"Iamsodelightedthatyouhaveaskedsuchimportantquestionsforthe
benefitofmankind.Iamrevealingtoyouthesecrets,whichwerehithertounknowneventothe
deitiesandyogis.OGaruda!Amanshouldtrytobegetasonwiththehelpofmeansas
mentionedinthescripturesbecausethereisnosalvationforapersonbereftofson."
LordKrishnathenwentontodescribetheproperritualswhichareperformedafterthedeathof
amanandsaid"Firstofall,theareashouldbepurifiedbycoatingitwithalayerofcowdung.
Thispurifiedareaiscalled'mandal'anditisgracedbythepresenceofthe'Trinity'Brahma,
ShivaandMyself.Sesameseedsarethensprinkledonthepurifiedareaandkushagrassis
spread.Apersonwhosedeathisimminentisthenlaiddownonthebedofkushagrass.
Scripturessaythatapersonwhodoesnotleavehismortalbodyintheabovementionedway,
wandershitherandthitherintheformofarestlessspirit.Noamountofritualscanputsucha
soultorest.OGaruda!Sesameseedhasmanifestedfrommysweatandhenceisextremely
pure.Allkindofevilforceslike,ghosts,spirits,demons,etc.keepawayfromtheplacewhereit
isused.
Similarly,Kushagrasshasmanifestedfrommybodyhairandisgracedbythepresenceof
'Trinity'Brahma,ShivaandVishnu.Deitiesaresatisfiedifkushagrassisofferedtothemwhile
ancestorsaresatisfiedbytheofferingsofsesameseeds.Scripturessaythatifdyingmanislaid
downonthebedofkushagrassspreadonthelandpurifiedbycowdung,hebecomesabsolved
ofallhissins.Thereisagreatsignificanceofdonatingsaltafterthedeathofaperson.Salt
owesitsorigintoMeanddonatingithelpsancestorsinattainingheaven.Donatingsaltalsohelps
inreducingthepainandsufferingsofadyingmanandthisiswhyitisdonatedalongwithother
articlesafteradeathofaperson.Therelativesofthedeceasedshouldchantthesacred'Yama
sukta'facingnorthbecauseithelpshimtoattainliberation."LordKrishnathenexplainedto
Garudatheappropriatewayofcarryingthecorpsetothecremationground"Thedeadbody
shouldbecarriedtothecremationgroundbythesonsanotherrelativesofthedeceased.Inthe
cremationgroundthedeadbodyshouldbekeptinsuchawaythatit'sheadshouldbeeither
towardseastornorth.Thepyreshouldbemadeeitherofsandalor'palash'wood."
Describingtheexperiencesofthesoulwhenitleavesthebody,LordKrishnasaid"Thesoul
leavesthemortalbodywithgreatreluctancebecausetheattachmentwiththemortalworld
existsevenafterhisdeath.Yamdoots,descenddowntoearthtotakethesoulofthedyingman
toYamloka.ThosewhohavecommittedgravesinsaretiedwithropesandtakentoYamloka

withgreathumiliationbutvirtuoussoulsaretakenwithhonourandduerespect.Yamrajthelord
ofdeathreceivesthevirtuoussoulwithallthehonourandrespectandmetesoutpunishmentto
thosewhohadcommittedsinsduringtheirlives.
Inhisdarkcomplexionandwithabuffaloashismountandwithanooseandironstickinhis
hands,Yamrajappearsterrifying.Ontheotherhand,thesightoflifelessbodyappearsdisgusting
andpeopletrytodisposeitoffasquicklyaspossiblebecauseitisworthlesswithoutasoul.So,
onemusttrytomakethebestuseofthismortalbodybyindulgingingooddeedsbeforetheday
ofhisfinaljourneyarrivesotherwisehewouldbeleftwithnothingbutregretsatthetimeofhis
death.
DEATHANDAFTER
Continuingwithhisnarration,LordKrishnasaid"OGaruda!Deathcomesatthepredetermined
time,whichremainsfixedandunalteredunderallcircumstances.Aman'ssenseorgansbecome
weakandhisbodyfeeble,whichgetsinflictedwithnumerousdiseasesinhisoldage.Atthetime
ofhisdeath,manexperiencesunbearablepainandhebeginstoloosehisconsciousness.
Yamdootsarriveandbegintoretrievethesoulfromthebodyandthisaggravatesthepain.
Ultimately,thesoul,whichisnotmorethanthesizeofathumb,reluctantlycomesoutfromthe
bodyastheattachmentwiththeworldexistsevenafterhisdeath.But,avirtuouspersondoes
notgothroughallthesepainfulexperiencesatthetimeofhisdeath.Thesoulhastotakebirthin
differentspeciesaswellasgothroughcyclesofcountlessbirths,deathsandrebirthsinorderto
tastethefruitsofhisKarmas.
Describingthesignificanceof'Pindadaan'rituals,LordVishnutoldGarudathattheyare
performedsothatmanesaresatiated.Healsorevealedtohimthatsixpindadaansareoffered
tothemaneswhileperformingtheritualsoflastrites"Thefirst'pindadaan'ismadeatthe
placewherepersonhasbreathedhislastwhilethesecond,third,fourth,fifthandsixth'Pinda
daans'aremadeatthemainentranceofthehouse,thenearestcrossroads,thecremation
ground,onthepyreitselfandatthetimeofcollectinglastremains(Asthi)respectively.
Afterreachingthecremationgroundthedeadbodyshouldbelaiddownwithitsheadtowards
south.Themortalbodythenshouldbeconsignedtoflamesandaftersometimesesameseeds
andgheeshouldbepouredintotheburningpyresothatitcontinuestoburnwithoutany
problem.Forthenexttendaystherelativescomingfromthesamegotraofthedeceasedshould
observeaperiodof'Ashaucha'aperiodduringwhichheobservesstrictausteritiesandavoids
socialcontacts.Thesonofthedeceasedisprohibitedfromhavingfoodalongwithhisrelatives
simplybecauseheisbelievedtobeimpureduringthisperiod."
Thisway,beingsatisfiedbyLordKrishna'sanswers,Garudathankedhimforclearingwhatever
doubtshehadinhismind.LordKrishnablessedhim.
ENDOFGARUDAPURANA