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We must repeat here the distinction made between the two classes of Asuras: Daityas and Danavas. The Daityas trace their origin to the gate-keepers of Vishnu. They had inherent Satva in them, which was eclipsed in their downfall. Therefore, though they acted as ma- terialistic forces following the cyclic tendency, they were themselves not incapable of spiritual development Thus we find words of wis- Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 199 dom and spirituality in Vritra, in Hiranyakasipu, unselfish devotion in Prahlada, and complete resignation in Bali. Hiranyaksha and Hi- ranyakasipu went back to their old place in Vaikuntha. Vritra became united with Sankarshana. Prahlada is immortal in his unselfish mis- sion, and we have just heard the future of Bali. The Maruts become Devas after their very birth. Therefore there is no extinction for the Asuras, except for those that do not follow Bali and do not place themselves under the influ- ence of Vishnu. The cyclic weapon or Chakra is ever ready to destroy those that hopelessly go against the law. Now a word about Sutala. The arrangement of Patalas as given in the text is the reverse of what they should be in point of spirituality, for Atala is the most and Patala the least removed from spirituality. The influence of Vishnu does not extend beyond Sutala, and noth- ing can save those that transgress the limits of this nether plane. For in Vitala the destructive Purusha reigns and a passage to that plane is only a door to utter extinction. And in Atala there is not a trace of spirituality, the work of destruction is already done, and mother Nature dissolves the material elements for some better use in future. The special provision for Sutala is therefore a cyclic necessity. For Jivas have to be preserved from an undesirable end. Therefore Bali was given a post, the proud privilege of seeing that Jivas do not un- dergo utter extinction. Sutala was also fortified with an accession of spirituality. The example of self-abnegation, the ideal of self-sacrifice, Bali is to become the king of Devas in the succeeding Manvantara. THE MATSYA AVATARA. SKANDHA. VIII. CHAP. 24. Towards the end of the previous Kalpa, Brahma was falling asleep and the Vedas fell from his mouth. The Asura Hayagriva took them up. Seeing this Vishnu became a small fish. King Satyavrata was making Tarpana (i.e. offering libations of water), when the fish found its way into his hands. He threw it into the river. The fish implored the King to preserve him. So he took it home and placed it in a small waterpot. The fish increased in size so much that all tanks and rivers 200 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana were tried, but they could not contain it. At last the king took the fish to the sea, but it implored him not to throw it away into the sea. The king then said:—"This fish must be the Deity Himself, otherwise how could it grow so large?" The fish then addressed the king thus: "On the seventh day from this, the Triloki shall be plunged into the Pralaya waters. Then a big Ark shall come to thee. Take all plants, all seeds, all animals, and the seven Rishis with you and get into that ark. When the wind shakes that ark, tie it with a serpent to myself. I will remain with that ark in the Pralaya Ocean till the awakening of Brahma. I will manifest supreme wisdom in thee." So saying the fish disappeared and on the seventh day the Pralaya waters deluged the Triloki. Satya Vrata did as he was told. He got the highest wisdom from the Fish Incarnation. That Satya Vrata is Sraddhadeva, our present Manu. SKANDHA IX. THE VAIVASVATA MANVANTARA. SUDYUMNA. SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 1. Sraddhadeva Manu had no child for some time. Vasistha per- formed a sacrifice in honor of Mitra-varuna that he might obtain progeny. Sraddha, wife of the Manu, went to the chief priest and asked for a daughter. So Manu had a daughter named Ila. He took Vasistha to task for having had a daughter. Vasistha thought the priest had done something wrong. He prayed to Bhagavan for the change of I]a’s sex. So Ila became a male named Sudyumna and in company with others went on horse back to the chase. He entered a forest called Sukumara, below the Meru, which is the play ground of Siva and his consort. He and his companions were all transformed into females, for such is the mandate of Siva for those that enter the forest. In this changed condition, Sudyumna with his female com- panions went to Budha. Budha took a fancy for Sudyumna and had by her one son Purtiravas. Vasistha took pity on Sudyumna again and prayed to Siva to Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 201 change his sex. By the favor of Siva, Sudyumna became a male for one month and a female for another month. He had three sons. Utkala, Gaya and Vimala. IKSHVAKU BROTHERS. SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 2. Manu prayed to Vishnu for one hundred years for other sons. He got ten sons like unto himself. Ikshvaku was the eldest: Manu 1 i i I | | Ikehvakn Nriga Sarat Dichta Dhrichta Karushe Narishyanta Prishadhra Nabhaga Kavi While residing in the house of his Guru, Prishadhra was placed in charge of cattle. It was raining one night, when a tiger entered the fold. The cattle strayed about in fear and bellowed aloud. Pr- ishadhra ran after the tiger. The night was dark. He missed his aim and cut off the head of the cow, which the tiger had seized. He found out the mistake in the morning and informed his Guru about it. The Guru said:—"You shall become a Sudra, as the fruit of your Karma." Prishadhra accepted the curse. He became an ascetic, and roamed about the earth as the friend of all beings. Eventually He ended his life in fire. (10). KAVI. Kavi attained wisdom in his youth. He did not marry. (6). KARUSHA. The sons of Karisha were the Kartishas, a race of pious Ksha- triyas, who guarded the north. (5). DHRISHTA. Dharshtas were the sons of Dhrishta. Though born as Kshatriyas, they became Brahmanas on this earth. 202 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana Oghavat {7) Narishyanta, Chitra Sena Riksha Midhvat Forma Inde Sena vitthotra Satya-Sravas Uru-Sravas sacs ain Agnivesya (Incarnation of Agni also known as KAnina and Jatu-Karna) Agni veshyayana Brabmanas, (2). NRIGA. Sumati | | Vasu | Pratika | Oghavat (4) | Bhotajyoti Oghavati m. Sudarsana Dishta NAbh4ga (became a Vaisya by his karma) Bhalandana Vatsapritl Pransu Pramati Khanitra Chal:shu sha Vivinsati t Rambha | Khaninetra (very pious) Karandhama Avikshit Marutta. Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 203 Marutta Dama ii ceiesis Sudhriti Nara Kevala Dhundhumat Veatvak Budha Teinabindu w, Apsaras Alamvush& Visala Sdnyabandhu Dhimraketu _—[lavila {founded the m. Rishi Visravas town named Vaiéall) Kubera—the | King of the Hema Chandra Yakshas, Dhamraksha, Sanyama I Devaja_ Krisasva Somadatta Sumati Janamejaya. Sambarta, Son of Angiras, officiated at the Yajna performed by Marutta. The Devas took direct part in the Yajna. (3). SARYATI. SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 3. Saryati was well versed in the Vedas. He had one daughter, 204 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana Sukanya. He went with her one day to the Asrama of Chyavana Rishi. Sukanya found there two streaks of light as from glow-worms, issuing from within a mound of earth, thrown up by white ants. She pricked those portions with a thorn and blood oozed out. The party of Saryati found that their usual secretions were stopped. The king thought some one had offended Chyavana. The girl then told her story. The king found the Rishi underneath the mound of earth and asked his pardon. The Rishi wanted the hand of the girl in marriage and Saryati consented. So Sukanya became the wife of Chyavana. One day the Asvini Kumaras came to Chyavana. The Rishi asked them to give him youth and beauty and promised in return to give them offerings of Soma, though they had no part in Soma Yagas, The Asvini Kumaras took the Rishi inside a tank and all the three came out young and beautiful and looking all alike. Sukanya could not recog- nise her husband and she prayed to the Asvini Kumaras to remove her confusion. They were pleased with her chastity and pointed out her husband. One day king Saryati came and found his daughter sitting with a young man. He reproved Sukanya for her supposed unchastity. The girl then related the story of her husband’s attaining youth and the king became very much pleased. Chyavana made offerings of Soma to the Asvini Kumaras. This offended Indra. He held up the Vajra to kill Chyavana, but the son of Bhrigu paralysed the hands of Indra. From that time the Devas consented to give a share in Soma to the Asvini Kumaras. SARYATIL : | Sukanya =—- UttAnavarhi Anarta Dhdri Sena m, Chyavana | Revata (He built a town called Kugasthali in the midst of the sea and from that town ruled Anarta and other lands.) ————$$——$—$———————————————— Kakudmin : 99 other Sons. Revati Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 205 Kakudmin took his daughter Revati with him and went to Brahma loka to enquire of Brahma, who should be her husband. The Gandhar- vas were singing at the time and Kakudmin had to wait for a moment. He then saluted Brahma and made the enquiry. Brahma laughed and said:—"O king, the men of your choice are dead and gone. I do not hear even of their sons and grandsons. Twenty seven yuga cycles have now passed away. Therefore go back to thy place and give thy daughter to Baladeva, who has now incarnated as an Ansa (part) of Vishnu for the good of Bhir-loka." And so the king did. (The Present is the 28th. Yuga cycle. Baladeva is the brother of Sri Krishna.) (9) NABHAGA. SKANDHA IX. CHAPS. 4-6. Nabhaga remained long with his Guru.