Bhagavad Vahini-- Chapter 2

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Bhagavad vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

Chapter 2

The Birth of a Bhagavata

 

Mahârâja Parîkchit was the very self of Abhimanyu, who had attained

the heavenly abode of heroes. When Parîkchit was an embryo, growing

in the womb of Uttarâ, he saw the sharp arrow let off by As'vatthâmâ

flying towards him, emitting sparks of fury and terror, bent on his

destruction. But, at that very moment, he saw also, a person of

brilliant charm armed with a terrific wheel, breaking that death-

dealing arrow into a hundred pieces. The royal foetus was filled with

wonder and gratitude.

 

He pondered deep on the identity of his savior. " Who is He? He must

also be dwelling in this womb, with me, because he could see the

arrow at the very moment I saw it! But, he has such intrepidity and

skill that he could destroy it before it reached me. Can he be a

uterine brother? How could he get hold of that wheel? If he is

endowed with a wheel, how did I miss having it? No; He is no mortal. "

He argued thus for a long time within himself.

 

He could not forget that face, that form. He was a boy, with the

splendor of a million suns. He was benign, blissful, blue like the

clear sky. After saving him so dramatically and so mercifully, he had

disappeared. He had the form always before him, for, he was seeking

to see it again. Whomsoever he saw, he examined to find out whether

that form corresponded with the form he had reverentially fixed in

his mind.

 

Thus he grew in the womb, contemplating that form. That contemplation

transformed him into a splendour-filled baby. When at the end of the

period of gestation, he was born into the world, the lying-in-room

was lit by a strange light. The female attendants of Uttarâ were

dazzled by the brilliance. Their wits were overcome by wonder.

 

Recovering herself, Subhadra mother of Abhimanyu sent word to

Yudhisthhira, the eldest of the Pândavas announcing the birth. The

Pândava brothers were overwhelmed with joy, when they heard the glad

tidings for which they were waiting anxiously. They ordered that

bands play, and guns be fired, in honor of the event, for, a scion

had been born for the royal family, a successor to the Pândava throne.

 

The people heard the peal of guns and sought the reason for the joy.

They rushed towards Indraprastha in large masses of enthusiasm. Every

corner of the kingdom gushed with joy at this event. Within minutes,

the city was transformed into a heavenly garden, fit for Gods to give

audience to men. Yudhisthhira distributed several varieties of sweets

to all who came. He granted several cows as gifts to brahmins. He

instructed the ladies of the court to give golden caskets full of

saffron and kumkum to women. Brahmins were awarded silk clothes, and

precious gems. Citizens were transported with joy, for the dynasty

had now secured an heir. Night and day, they reveled in hilarious

exultation.

 

Next day, Yudhisthhira called the family priest, Kripâcârya and

performed the rite of jatha-karma (first cleansing) to the infant. He

satisfied the brahmins by gifts of various costly jewels. The

scholars and priests blessed the child and returned home.

 

On the third day, Yudhisthhira called to his presence renowned

astrologers as well as famous palmists and soothsayers, for, he was

very eager to know whether the fair name of the kingdom and its

culture would be safe in the hands of the prince who had come to

carry the burden of the state. He received them at the palace with

traditional hospitality; they were given appropriate seats in the

hall; they were offered scents and silks.

 

The king bowed before them and joining his palms in reverential

adoration, he prostrated before them, and prayed, " 0, wise men, who

know the past, present and future, examine the horoscope of the

infant that is born, calculate the positions of stars and

constellations, and the planetary influences that will guide his life

and tell me how the future will be shaped. " He noted the exact time

of birth and placed the note on a golden plate, before them.

 

The pundits took that note and drew up the plan of planetary

positions, and studied it with great care. They communicated to one

another their increasing joy as they began to draw conclusions; they

were in great joy themselves; they could not get words to express

their amazement.

 

The doyen of the group, a great pundit, at last rose and addressed

King Yudhisthhira thus. " Mahârâja! I have till this day examined well

nine thousands of horoscopes and prepared concerned plans of the

zodiacs and constellations. But, I must admit I have never yet come

across a more auspicious grouping than is indicated in this

horoscope. Here, all the signs of good augury have assembled in one

moment, the moment of this prince's birth. The moment indicates the

state of Vishnu Himself! All the virtues will gather in this child.

Why describe each glory separately, the great Manu has again come

into your dynasty " .

 

Yudhisthhira was happy that the dynasty had such good fortune. He was

indeed overpowered by joy. He folded his palms and bent low before

the scholars who had given him such good news. " This family is lucky

to claim such a gem as its scion, through the blessings of elders and

of pundits like you as well as the blessings of the Lord, who is our

guardian. You say that the boy will develop all virtues and will

accumulate fame. But of what use is all that if, he has not acquired

the quality of reverence towards pundits, sadhus and brahmins? Please

look into the horoscope once again and tell me whether he will have

that reverence. "

 

The leader of the group of astrologers replied: " You need entertain

no doubt on that score. He will revere and serve the gods and the

brahmins. He will perform many yajñas, and yagas, prescribed in the

ancient texts. He will earn the glory that your ancestor Bharatha

won. He will celebrate even the As'vamedha. He will spread the fame

of this line all over the world. He will win all things that gods or

men covet. He will outdistance all those who have gone before him. "

They extolled him thus in various ways to their hearts' content. They

stopped because they were nervous to recount all the excellences;

they feared they might be charged with exaggeration and flattery if

they continued to detail the conclusions they had drawn from the

horoscope of the baby.

 

Yudhisthhira was not satisfied; he wanted to hear more from them of

the excellences of the character of the prince. Pundits were

encouraged by this yearning. They said, " 0 King, you seem to be eager

to know about some more aspects of the child's fortune. We shall only

be too glad to answer any specific question that you may feel

inclined to put us. "

 

Noting their enthusiasm, Yudhisthhira came forward and asked

them, " During the regime of this prince, will there be any great war?

If war is inevitable, will he achieve victory? 'No', said the

pundits, He will not be pestered by any foe. He knows no failure or

defeat in any undertaking of his. This is absolutely true, an

unshakable truth. "

 

Hearing this, Yudhisthhira and the brothers Bhîma, Arjuna, Nakula and

Sahadeva looked at each other and shared great joy.

 

Meanwhile, Yudhisthhira began to speak. He had said, " If that is

so... " , but, before he could complete the sentence, he hung his head

and was plunged in thought. The pundits noticed it; they said, " You

seem to be anxious to know something more. You have only to ask, we

shall readily answer all questions. " " Of course, I am happy at all

the answers you have given. He will be virtuous, famous, triumphant

over all, loving and kind, treating all equally; he will perform many

yajñas and yagas; he will have no enemies; he will bring honor to the

dynasty and restore its reputation. All this gives me great joy.

But,... I would like to know also, how he will meet his end. " The

brothers saw Yudhisthhira getting rather upset at the anxiety which

agitated him over this problem. His voice had faltered a bit, when he

put the question.

 

They consoled him and said, " Why worry about that at this stage? The

end has to come some day, some way. It is something that cannot be

avoided. Something will cause it; some circumstance will bring it

about. Birth involves the contingency of death. We are afraid, the

extreme joy of this incident has queered your line of thought a bit.

We think this much is enough. We shall leave the rest, in the realm

of doubt; let us not probe further. Let us leave it to God. "

 

But, Yudhisthhira could not somehow give up his desire to know how

such a virtuous ideal prince would end his career on earth. He

imagined it must be a truly wondrous finale to a glorious life. So,

he wanted the astrologers to tell him about it.

 

The scholars set about the calculations again and took a pretty long

time over it. Watching this, the King became excited; he hastened

them and pressed for a quick answer. They gave the reply, " This

prince will give up his kingdom as the result of a sage's curse. "

Yudhisthhira wondered how such a paragon of virtue can ever invoke

upon himself the curse of a sage. He was shocked at the possibility.

 

Meanwhile, the pundits said, " Our calculations show that he will be

bitten by a serpent. " Yudhisthhira lost heart at this news. All his

joy evaporated in a moment. He became very sad and dispirited.