May 22, 2007

Chapter 5: Avatar # 2 : Koorma Avatar





Vishnu informs Lakshmi of his proposed trip to Earth. But Lakshmi reminds him that he should do so only when maanavs are at danger. So Vishnu explains if Daanavs win, then there is obvious danger to maanavs, to ensure this does not happen, he has to go. But what of her? She asks. She cannot live with separation. Vishnu assures her that the ‘coming together’ (milan) after a separation has more thrill and the '‘milan'’ this time will be truly great. He says that even she will come out of the manthan and to Him (Vishnu), she is more great than amruth, for amruth is for Devathas, and she is the embodiment of love and ‘mamtha’ (mother’s affection), which is the only thing that holds the world together. So he praises her for what she is and gets her unto him while he goes down to the ocean as tortoise. Lakshmi is blessed, as usual. Thus starts Koorma Avatar, the second avatar, that of tortoise.

Vishnu, as tortoise, informs Indra that he will hold the Mandar mountain on His back under the ocean whence the manthan can be carried out. All happy. Tortoise takes position. Vasuki’s front end goes to Daanavs. Back end to Devathas.

Both sides start to churn the ocean. The mountain frolics back and forth. Froth is formed. Up comes a pot filled with the aroma of amruth. Daanavs and Devathas’ eyes lit up.


May 20, 2007

Chapter 4: Samudra Manthan for Amrutha

If Sanjeevini could bring back lives, amrutha (sacred nectar) would make lives immortal and worry-less and pleasure-full. But to get amrutha, the ocean has to be churned, as milk is churned to get curds. To churn it, a hill is made use of. But just as 2 hands are required to churn the milk, huge teams are needed to churn the ocean. Since Indra has already lost of his men, Vishnu asks Indra to make Daanavs as his other team, although, he assures Indra that he (V) would see to it that the Daanavs would not get any amrutha.

Lakshmi asks Vishnu that doesn't it count as cheating if both teams churn amruth but only one team gets it? Vishnu says that even Shukracharya was using the sanjeevini mantra by cheating. He said he would use it for the upliftment of mankind but he is using it for the upliftment of daanavs. So, to correct this 'cheated situation', he (Vishnu) was doing this trick albeit it had a hint of 'cheating' but truly it was not cheating per se.

So, Indra approaches Daanavs to ask them their hand for obtaining amruth. Shukracharya suspects and reasons that fire and water can never work together. But on asked what would happen to Daanavs if he himself encountered an accident, he is speechless, indicating his restrained approval to churn the ocean with the Devloks to get the amrutha.

Even though Shukracharya suspects foul play, he knows if he is dead, so are Daanavs. So he approves of amruth-churning. Vishnu is amused at the way Indra has convinced Daanavs to get the Amruth.

Vishnu then calls on Pakshi Raj (Lord of Birds) and asks him to get the Mandaara Mountains (something like the south cliff of Navarone!). So Pakshi Raj goes along with enormous python Vasuki. Once they come to the Mandaara Mountain, Vasuki wraps itself onto the mountain to air-lift it after Vishnu’s Sudarshan chakra gets done with the mountain-cutting. Pakshi Raj and Vasuki bring the mountain and deposit at the beach where the 2 sides (Daanavs and Devathas) are waiting to churn.

Vishnu then calls upon Narada to solve a minor problem. During the process of churning, or later, fire comes out of Vasuki’s mouth and hence care has to be raken while holding Vasuki, that Devathas do not hold the front part of snake. Narada assures Vishnu that he will take care of the problem.

Sure enough, on the beach, there is a conflict going on as to who must hold the front and end parts of snake. Narada, in his Naradish ways tells that one who is great (shresht) should hold the front part. He tells Daanavs that Devathas are great. But the Daanavs point out that in the last war, it was the Daanavs who won and not Devathas and hence they are great. Narada agrees and hence convinces Devathas that they must hold the end part while the Daanavs get the front part. Overcoming their initial blues, Devathas agree.

Shukracharya is enraged. He knows about the fire. So he curses himself for not being present at the place and curses Daanavs for being so foolishly duped after being falsely called ‘Shresht’. Buttering from Narada has caused it. But now Daanavs has accepted it and no changes. Hence, Shukracharya gets one of his men to watch the proceedings and see that amruth gets shared equally, with no malpractices from Devathas.

All set, Indra asks Pakshi Raj to place Mandar mountain inside the ocean so that they could ‘Samudra-manthan.’ Pakshi Raj with the help of Vasuki again air-lifts the mountain and tries to place it in the ocean, but because of the depth of the ocean, he is not able to do so and the mountain is sinking inside. This will render churning impossible if mountain is not placed in the ocean unsinking.

Daanavs threaten a walk-out because mission is impossible. Indra says problems are expected whenever something great like amruth is required. He and Devathas call Vishnu to solve the problem.

May 19, 2007

Chapter 3: Tapas for Sanjeevini Mantra

At the funeral of Hayagreev, Kaalakethu and Harinal battle it out as to who is to take Hayagreev’s position now as the king of Daanavs to fight against devlok people (Daanavs existence even after the Great Floods is questionable especially because the Floods were to eradicate the bad ones from earth!) Hayagreev's mom witnesses this fight and is aghast. She tells the fighters how sad it is that the descendents are not grieving for their erstwhile King instead fighting to take his throne. Hence they are daanavs. Her hubby refuses to come and light Hayagreev's pyre. In the battle between K and H, Harshal loses and flees away to Shukracharya, who was humiliated earlier by Indra & Co, and hence he takes sidewith Daanavs. Kaalakethu (after setting fire to Hayagreev's pyre) wages battle against Indra but loses. Indra boasts of his voctory and is proud of himself, with no modesty. Warning sign to him. Shukracharya condemns K for waging battle without waiting for his (S's) signal.

Kaalakethu and Harshal combine with Shukracharya in the battle against Indra. Shukracharya goes to Shiva to get Sanjeevini Mantra so that he can bring back the dead to life. Indra too goes to ask for it. Indra reaches early but he takes a seat and waits for Lord Shiva to come out of trance. But Shukracharya comes and bows down to Shiva and touches his feet. So Shiva only sees Shukracharya. Indra complains that he came first but Shiva says that he saw Shukracharya first. Anyways, Shiva tells that the one who can do tapas for 1 year, meager (or no) food, upside down hanging from a tree will get the mantra. Indra thinks it is impossible so doesnt even bother starting it. But S is very determined to do it and he starts off. He is confident of winning.

Vishnu is all praises to Shukracharya and is not happy with Indra. He mentions that the one who has perseverance and endurance alone can achieve success in Life. And Shukracharya had all of it within him. For a man with determination, anything is possible - says Vishnu.

Kaalakethu and Harshal plead Shukracharya to give up the tapas as it might endanger his life, but he ignores them. He hangs himself upside down near a tree and has the smoke of burnt ashes hit through his face. Mother Earth says only those who face tests and problems can taste success.

Narada visits Indra, who is sure Shukracharya cannot win the contest, and tells him that, indeed, Shukracharya is winning. This makes Indra afraid. Narada visits Lakshmi and tells that sometimes though topics are not facts, it makes good hearing, but when topics are facts, they may not make a good hearing.

Shukracharya’s mom visits him and gives him her blessings. Vishnu is happiness personified by this scene as he considers the relationship between mom and child as the most satisfying and fulfilling of all. He namaskaars such mothers, because they share the same pain as their children.

Indra, getting panicky, asks 3 apsaras to go to Shukracharya and disrupt his tapas. But they disobey because of powers Shukracharya has in cursing them. At that time, Indra’s daughter, Jayanthi comes and says that a woman should not be used as a man’s weakness, for a woman is there to provide strength to a man. Also, women should not be just commodities for pleasure. A woman is created to attract a man’s attention, so that between them a bond of love can be developed and it is for this reason that a woman should act as an apsara ant not otherwise. She elects herself, though, not to have to same modus operandi, as an apsara, to disrupt the sage’s tapas, which is the primary intention.

Lakshmi is tensed as she feels inclusion of Jayanthi in this drama is quite unnecessary, as she might not win. Vishnu says, it is difficult to define winning and losing because sometimes, some people win by losing, and some lose by winning.

Jayanthi approaches sage’s site and enters in spite of security by a false identity and with false, juicy, nice motive. But, in fact, she puts chillies in the burnt ashes which makes the smoke that much more spicy and unbearable to breathe, or be near to. Shukracharya suffers much, but hangs on (literally!), though, it is indicated of the crime that Jayanthi has committed, for which there might be dire consequences.

The spicy and hot and unbreathable smoke continues to emanate and Shukracharya continues to suffer. Soon he starts to bleed from eyes, mouth and nose. Jayanthi is then aghast for what she has done. She tries to stop the smoke, but Harshal and Kaalakethu throw her out, but will not stop smoke because Shukracharya advises them not to. Jayanthi is distraught. She realizes her folly and repents and begs to Shiva to save Shukracharya.

Shiva immediately rescues Shukracharya and asks him to abort the tapas as he had decided Shukracharya was the rightful owner of Sanjeevini Mantra as Indra had resorted to unfair means. So Shiva blesses Shukracharya with the Sanjeevini Mantra. Shukracharya is too happy. He kills Harshal and gives his life back with the help of Sanjeevini Mantra (testing).

During the celebration of his success, Jayanthi asks for Shukracharya’s repentance and forgiveness in the form of her life long services to him, taking the position of his wife, because of the crime she had committed and the obvious punishment, so that she could have her mental peace for what she had done. Shukracharya is aghast. How can a Daanav marry Devputhri? Jayanthi says its not that but just a man marrying a woman. She begs to accept her proposal. Shukracharya is confused. He informs her about her position and that he intends to wage a war against her father and that her intention of disrupting his tapas was only the result of her love of her father and not a crime and that she was ready to leave without any punishment. She doesn’t budge. He accepts her proposal.

Indra is aghast about his own daughter betraying him and marrying a Daanav. But Indra’s wife is against him, as he himself had married a Danavputri (she herself), there was no wrong in a Daanav marrying a Dev putri. Indra puts his head down.

Shukracharya announces war. So does Indra. Jayanthi is the loser even if either party loses. So she asks for a compromise. Shukracharya rejects it. So she stands by him, as he is her husband, a position more valuable than a father.

War begins. Each time Indra’s men kill Daanavs, Shukracharya brings them back to life, using Sanjeevini Mantra. War rages on. Indra foresees his failure and runs away with his army. Daanavs celebrate success. Indra and Co are worried about no answer for the Sanjeevini Mantra. So he and Co approach Vishnu, who tells them that the answer to Sanjeevini is amrutha.

May 18, 2007

Chapter 2: Avatar # 1 : Matsya Avatar

Brahma’s son, Manu, performs tapas for the peace in mankind. Manu comes upon a small fish, while performing Sandhyavandhane in ocean, who asks shelter as it will be eaten by large fishes. So Manu takes it to his house and puts it in a small bowl of water.

Overnight, the small fish becomes a big fish, and then transforms into a huge-whale-like being. Unable to have it in his house, Manu puts it back into the ocean, as now it cant be eaten anyway.


But the fish transforms into Vishnu and Manu is dazed. Vishnu tells Manu about the forthcoming formatting of the world, and he wishes Manu to be rescued so that though Maanavs (humans) may stop to exist but Jeevan (Life) should not. So he asks him to have all his requirements with him so that at the time of the Great Floods, he shall be rescued. Vishnu asks Manu to go to Sumeru Mountain in a ship that Vishnu has created along with his timeless wife Shatrupa (she would have got a boon to never age so she looks her youthful self) and also lots of other 'life' things necessary for creation of new Earth - like cuccoos, snakes, etc. Manu says that not just good things be saved, even bad things because they have their usefulness too. Snakes, Crows, throwns, etc. are all important. Beauty of life is in unity of diversity (good and bad), etc. 


Meanwhile, Hayagreev disregards his mother in her suggestion of giving the 4 vedas the freedom. The mother complains to Kashyap, but to no avail.


The 4 vedas try to escape, but are found out soon by Hayagreev who proceeds to kill them all. Then, Vishnu, in the form of the fish (matsya) kills Hayagreev and transforms all the 4 vedas into one ‘Om’ and haves it in Himself since it is not yet time for mankind to get them yet.


Manu meanwhile readies and packs all those things that are necessary for his existence and the future generations. He decides he must have education too in the form of ‘The Seven Rishis’ (Saptarishi) [Vasisht, Viswamithra, Bhrugu, Atri, Kashyap, Gautam, Bharadwaj]. So he goes to them and asks them to accompany him. They are all meditating. They want to welcome death in the same way as birth - with open arms. But when Manu comes and tells them they are needed, they go with Manu in the ship. 


Parvati then asks Shiva if it is important for the floods. Shiva then tells that Brahma requested for it, and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva have their own roles in the Universe and they wont interfere in one other's roles. To protect whosoever is Vishnu's task. With that, Shiva and Parvati combine into on (Ardheeswara) to perform a Rudra-Thandava-sort-of and opens his third eye and hence all hell breaks loose. Every human being is washed out because of the Great Floods. The ship carrying The Seven Rishis, manu and his wife Satrupa is saved when a snake acts as a rope, a tow to the Fish (Matsya - Vishnu) who takes it to the Sumeru Parvatha.


Upon reaching Sumeru Mountains, Matsya transforms into Vishnu and asks Manu to give birth to the future generation of human beings with the help of his wife, Satrupa. He asks him to provide the people with good education with the help of The Seven Rishis. Also, to help everybody and to gain extreme Knowledge, he provides the 4 vedas – Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharvana. Manu thanks Vishnu for saving him, but Vishnu thanks Manu for showing courage during flood and saving the Sapta Rishis as well as doing penance for betterment of mankind. He also thanks Shatrupa for helping her husband to do penance. Just like how a farmer saves seeds for next harvest, Vishnu saved Manu and Shatrupa for next generation - which is pureful and happy-filled, because upcoming generation will have knowledge and Enlightenment. For man not to become demons (symbolizes ignorance and wretchedness), Vishnu gave Manu the most important of all knowledge, Vishnu's own teachings - The Vedas. These teachings will serve the mankind forever starting from this generation onwards.


The End of Matsyavatara.

May 17, 2007

Chapter 1: The Creation & The Story of Dhruva

Mother Earth starts the narration of The Omnipresent, The Creator. The Creator of Earth Herself. It is the tale of Lord Vishnu. She mentions that importance of Vishnu's tale - since it tells how to lead life.

The story begins with a calamity to Universe. Then there is only one small baby on a leaf - rest everything else has been destroyed. This baby is Vishnu Himself. Baby transforms to adult and leaf transforms to multi-headed serpent. 

Vishnu then creates Earth from His eyes and Moon from his Heart. From his navel comes a lotus. An instance of Vishnu goes through the stem of the Lotus to become Lord Brahma. From the middle of his forehead (third eye), an instance of Vishnu gets created to form Lord Shiva.

Brahma and Shiva greet Vishnu and ask the reason for their existence. Vishnu says you and me are all same: Three forms of same personality. Brahma will be the Creator, the Beginning. Shiva will be the Ending. In between, will be Vishnu the Protector. Vishnu then asks Brahma to create the Universe. 

From the shoulder of Vishnu then comes Goddess Lakshmi. She too asks reason for her existence and why is she needed when Vishnu Himself would have been complete & sufficient. Vishnu tells that Man needs a Woman just like how a flower needs a fragrance. Also only a Woman can give affection to Humanity. He tells her that people will call him from now as Lakshmi Narayan - first her name and then his.

Brahma started creating the Universe. First from Brahma's arms came 4 men (Sanat, Sanatan, Sanandan, Sanat Kumar) and asked them to help him in flourishing the human race. But these saints were born in the form of men and had desire in them. However desire without knowledge is useless. So they became useless, and hence Brahma cursed them to go away to Earth.

So Brahma then realized before Life gets Knowledge, Knowledge should get Life. So from his arms came 7 saints : Vasisht, Krityu, Pulak, Pulasya, Angirak, Atri, Marichi. Imparting knowledge to man is their life purpose and order. They were called as Saptarishi. They became a constellation ultimately.

Finally Brahma created an instance of himself as both a Man (Manu) and a Woman (Shatarupa). He told them that they will create a family and humanity. He bestows powers of protector, nurturer and perseverance to Manu (responsible for Shatarupa's comfort) and powers of Affection, love and compassion to Shatarupa. From now on, only the two of them are responsible for Life forms in Earth. Manu and Shatarupa take leave - and are bitten by Cupid. Their romance begins.

Noticing all this love, Goddess Lakshmi is all Happiness. Vishnu mentions that Love is the only thing that Man should possess. Lakshmi hopes this state of affairs continues, but not so.

Along with human beings, greed and desire was also born which led to fighting, division - rich and poor, King and masses, good and bad. There was blood everywhere, people waging wars. Now, Lakshmi is sad and asks why Vishnu is not taking care of it since he created it. Vishnu says that he just Created and gave it to Man, it is Man's responsibility to take care of Life. So Lakshmi asks why did you create such a Man with greed. Vishnu says He has created everything - day and night, good and bad, just and unjust, etc. More than anything, Vishnu has given Brains to Man. So it is Man's responsibility to do the right thing by using it. Lakshmi asks what if everything goes awry. Vishnu confirms that if things go way too bad, and too much adharma, then He himself will take care of things. 

Thus began the story of just and unjust. First episode is King Uttanpaad, Manu's son, who is returning home back to his kingdom after being victorious. He has two wives Sunithi (first) and Suruchi (second, with more rights granted by King since she is beautiful). Dhruv (Sunithi's son) wants to welcome his dad, but Sn refuses since Sn and her son are not allowed. 

King arrives. King's Guru informs that first wife should welcome him as per respect to elders. If younger ones stop respecting elders, it will create a chaos. Then, it effects stability of Kingdom. It is the tradition. But King refuses, he still prefers second wife. Sr is all happy and does as per King's command. She is cunning, and only wants power of Kingdom to her son. Guru is sad and knows it is an Omen and predicts start of bad things. 

Once King is all settled, Dhruv comes to sit on his lap. King allows him. However, Sr pushes him away, telling that he is not eligible to sit on King's lap. So Dhruv asks innocently what he should do to be eligible, she says ask Vishnu so that he can be born from her, so that she will be eligible. Dhruv makes enquiries and in the middle of the night, sneaks away in search of Vishnu. 

He is accosted by thieves who wants his jewels. Goddess Lakshmi is all scared for him, and goes to Earth to protect him. She kills all the thieves. Dhruv then meets Narada who tells him that he cannot reach Vishnu until he dies. However, Vishnu can come to him if he does tapas in the middle of a jungle. So Dhruv enters a jungle and starts tapas - Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya

Goddess Lakshmi is angry with Narada as to why he made the small boy enter a jungle. Narada explains that if D did tapas in open air, then his parents (who started massive search, by the way) might see him and D will be forced to go back to palace without seeing Vishnu. So Lakshmi goes to Parvati (Shiva's wife) and asks her to protect D by enforcing a Lion near D (since Parvati has control over Lions). P graciously agrees and her Lion shoos away approaching tigers. 

Meanwhile, Manu comes and scolds Uttanpaad about how he fell for Beauty instead of family responsibilities. Uttanpaad is all tears and realizes his mistake of falling for Sr. Sr tries to stop him from searching D but U is done with kingdom. He gives kingdom to Sr and heads out to search for D with Sn. However, it is futile even after days of search. (At one time, D sees them, before he starts his tapas, but he asks Lakshmi to hide him since he was not yet ready to go back to Palace). Finally Narada meets them and tells them that D is doing tapas and they should not disturb him. He instead asks them to go back to palace and take care of his subjects, since his subjects are his family too. It is not right on his part to let them under the care of Sr, who is all evil. U agrees and heads back to Palace. 

Meanwhile, couple of devlok ministers come running to Indra (God of Heaven) and inform him that D is doing tapas possibly to dethrone Indra and possess Indra's powers (laughable). Narada comes and denies this but Indra wants to ensure D does not meet Vishnu and ask for any powers. So he sends one of his angels to disguise as D's mom. Plot doesnt work. D continues his tapas. In fact, upon Narada's recommendation, D has stopped eating and drinking too now - fruits and water brought forth by Goddess Lakshmi. She goes to Vishnu and complains why he is not making his presence felt despite such praying. Vishnu says that many people pray for him, and it is not right for him to go to Earth just for this child. 

Meanwhile Dhruv's parents are all in grief. Dhruv's dad scolds Sr and Sn comes to her rescue, saying it is not right - and blames it all on Fate. King doesn't agree. Also now King's subjects are all angry against Sr and there is lot of unrest. King doesn't seem to be bothered, he is all defeated in Life and just spends time in grief in front of idols. The Raj Guru comes to him and advises him that his duty as a King to consider all of his subjects as family and take care of all of them, instead of just grieving for his son; and if his advises are not given value then it doesn't make sense for him to be a Raj Guru any more and threatens to leave upon which King U understands his duty as a King and promises to take care of the Kingdom thereon.

Indra orders Fire God to attack Dhruv with Fire. Fire God goes but is unable to stop Dhruv from meditating. He says that whoever chants Lord Vishnu's name in pure devotion will be left untouched by Fire because they have an internal body heat that is greater than Fire Himself. So, Fire God was unsuccessful in stopping Dhruv's meditation. Narada then appears and tells that while it is true that Fire cannot touch Dhruv, the wild animals and forests are being hurt due to the Fire, so he asks Indra to stop the Fire. He does so and Fire vanishes.

Dhruv's meditation reaches to extremity and Lord Vishnu gets touched by it & derives great Joy that Dhruv's meditation has almost reached the Ultimatum. He realizes Dhruv's heart has reached out to his heart and He can see Dhruv in His heart now. Lakshmi is happy now. At the same time, Dhruv can feel Lord Vishnu enter his mind. He calls out to Narada, who comes and feels happy that Lord Vishnu has entered Dhruv's mind - something like that has never happened before. So he advises to go home now that Vishnu is in his mind. But D is resolute, he wants to meet Lord Vishnu, and asks Narada how to achieve it. Narada refuses to say but buckles when insisted. Key is to tell Om and inhale and stop breathing further. It might even kill him. D is resolute and continues to do so. When he inhales and stops breathing, Time comes to a stand still. Indra is concerned, and He goes to Brahma for Help. Brahma says only Vishnu can save the world. So they all go to Vishnu.

Vishnu realizes that the time has come to go to Earth to meet Dhruv. He appears in front of Dhruv, and D has a hard time seeing thanks to extreme brightness. Finally Vishnu says now that he appeared and Dhruv's meditation has succeeded, he might go home now to his parents. But no, Dhruv has a number of questions - Why was he pushed from his dad's lap, why did his step mom call his mom as a maid, why does his step mom do not consider him as her own son, why are there injustices in the world, etc. 

Vishnu says 'Whoa, whoa' and asks him his number one question. Dhruv replies 'Why was he not allowed to sit on his dad's lap?' Vishnu asks him to come to him and sit on His lap. Dhruv does so. Suddenly, Dhruv gets all transformed, and he is extremely happy. Vishnu then asks Dhruv if he has any further questions, to which Dhruv replies no, he now has answers to all questions of the world. He will now spread his knowledge with everyone else in the world. Just the mere occurrence of Dhruv sitting on Lord Vishnu's lap answered all of Dhruv's questions and more importantly, Dhruv obtained enlightment. 

Methinks - all this tale of Dhruv being pushed away was just a reason. The true answer of all those 'Why's was just so that Dhruv can meet Vishnu - the first ever time when Vishnu came to Earth to meet a mere child in His true form, and the fact that this can be done by extreme penance. It is to set an example to fellow human beings on what Ultimate Devotion can do. The scene of Dhruv sitting on Vishnu's lap was heart-warming and all Devlok folks and Brahma are extremely pleased to see it and bless them both. 

Vishnu tells that by being devoted, he won Vishnu's heart but now by serving family, he has to abide his duty as a son. He has to become a King where complete justice will be served and no other child will be forbidden on the father's lap. When he does that, Vishnu tells Dhruv that now he will be known forever as Dhruv Nakshatra (North Star). 

Vishnu then preaches Dhruv when Dhruv says he doesnt want to go anywhere other than Vishnu's lap - Deeds are worship, sacrifice, life, principle of life, etc. Life is a boon granted by Vishnu, opportunity to serve family, world, etc. Family is the reason for life, shows purpose of man's existence. World is a huge family, extended family. Entire land, nature, etc is all one large family. Serving universe means serving Vishnu. Man's foremost principle is to live for the benefit of the universe. To die for the betterment of this Universe is a deed makes man immortal. With this, Vishnu tells Dhruv to head back home. 

Lakshmi appears and Dhruv asks why L didnt get D to V easily. L says that if she had done that then D wouldnt have attained that status which he now has (prominent devotee). Narada then appears. D thanks N profusely for allowing V and L to come to D. N says D is great, it was all Dhruv's perseverance. With that, N asks permission from V to take D to his parents. V and L take D home on their Garuda vahaana. 

King and queen are all crying. Then Dhruv comes home and thanks Sr for asking D to seek Vishnu. Due to that he was successful. Sr is all remorse and apologizes a lot to D but D would have none of it. D even asks King to forgive Sr. King does so. And so the story ends - King, Sr, Sn, D and Sr's son live happily ever after. As promised, Dhruv will be known as North Star from then on. 

Now, Goddess Lakshmi is concerned only one devotee got blessed but what about all other devotees. She tells that D got blessed with Knowledge and Enlightenment. What about this to all other devotees. How will everyone get this Knowledge and Enlightenment. Vishnu was also thinking about this. The betterment of mankind is Vishnu's foremost objective. Hence Vishnu created the 4 vedas (Rig, Saama, Yajur, Atharvana) as 4 children. 

Brahma appears there and asks who these children are. Vishnu tells that the children are all manifestations of knowledge. Knowledge is simple and pure just like a child and hence Vishnu created them as children. 

Brahma then asks the reason for their creation. Vishnu tells that his role is the protector. Just like how a child learns to walk, it needs a finger to hold on. A guide is needed. And these 4 vedas will do that exact role. Brahma lauds Vishnu for the existence of these 4 vedas. Vishnu wants to give Man the knowledge which no other living being has, an awareness which places him foremost and endows power. The vedas are for the betterment of mankind. He then informs role of each Veda:

Rigveda - Message is focus on being a complete human being. Underlines humanity, he is the definition of union of man and God. Teaches ways of worship. 

[Brahma then asks what is the importance of worship to Vishnu. Vishnu then tells that worship is important not for me, but it is very important for mankind. It teaches you to be noble, he should learn to bow otherwise he will become egoistic. Rigveda will save man from ego, and informs whom to bow to and when to bow.]

Yajurveda - Y tells man that Vishnu is in sacrifice. Now, life is all about deeds. If it is done for others, then it means sacrifice. It is the most benevolent of deeds. Enlightenment cannot happen without sacrifice.

Samaveda - Universe is filled with music and songs. It is in flowing river, chirping birds. Samaveda is all about music.

Atharvaveda - Man needs to keep solving life's problems and fighting all his troubles. This veda will teach man to create a strong foothold on earth. It will teach a man's mind and body to fight and face hardships. It will guide them to solve their problems. 

If Man safeguards Vedas, then Vedas will safeguard Man. Vishnu then asked Brahma to deliver the 4 vedas to the human beings (maanavs) so that they can become intelligent. With that Brahma takes the Vedas to his place.

Lakshmi then asks why V Himself did not take the Vedas to Earth. Vishnu says - "Creator is Brahma, Only he can carry my values to mankind".

Now, Brahma created few administrators to assist him in creation of the Universe expansion. One of them was Kashyap who had 3 wives: Aditi, Diti and Dhanu. Aditi's sons were Gods (devas) because of Aditi's perfect motherhood and upbringing. The other two were not good moms, and hence they became monsters and demons. Diti's son Hayagreev (face of horse) was a great enemy of human civilization. Evil people will always be there in every era to wipe out good people. 

Vishnu and Lakshmi then go to Devlok since there is a celebration for Aditi for being the perfect mother. Aditi's sons are Indra and other devas. There is a huge celebration going on at devlok when V and L enter. Vishnu congrats Aditi for being the Ideal mother, ideal woman, ideal wife. Aditi is honored. She says it is the best day of her life, Vishnu says it is the best day for him too especially when sons celebrate their mother. It is a lesson for the whole world. 

Vishnu says that her sons are called devas because of her upbringing. Vishnu says that a mother's upbringing is very important - it can either develop the universe or destroy the universe. Instilling good thoughts, deeds, informing good/bad difference and instilling discipline is important - and she did all these. Aditi thanks Vishnu for all of these qualities. Vishnu then wishes that for an 'unborn' like himself to be born as a son to Aditi. Aditi is so happy to hear this. Then Vishnu promises that he will one day be born as a son to Aditi. (He will do so as Vaman avatar - 5th avatar).

Aditi's son wants Aditi to stay in devlok so that they can serve her better. But Aditi says her role as a wife is to be with her husband. With that, she goes back to Earth where her husband is doing yagna.

At that yagna, Diti and Dhanu come late. Kashyap is irritated with them that they are coming after all the yagna is almost over. They say sorry. They could not come because of their sons. They have a lot of evil influence. They ask why Aditi's sons became divine and Diti's sons became asuras (demons) and Dhanu's sons became Daanavs (monsters). For that K says father's blood is only for physical nature. Mother's blood instills character, values, foundation, etc. Aditi instilled wisdom. But Diti and Dhanu never stopped them when they were doing evil things because they loved their sons a lot. Too much love is bad. Dhanu's son Haigriv has caused so much terror on earth and Man is scared of him now because he wants to end humanity.

Hayagreev, the son of Diti, is concerned that if maanavs get the vedas, then they will become more intelligent than themselves, the rakshasas. Therefore he steals the vedas from Brahma, in his absence. Brahma would have gone to Shiva to request him to re-organize the earth, as some bad elements had taken birth too. Though Shiva agrees, he says some good things will have to be sacrificed if he does re-organize, But Brahma says he can always create human beings again although he is concerned about his own son Manu. Vishnu tells Brahma not to worry about it and he will take care. 

Brahma, after discovery, informs Vishnu of the stolen Vedas. Vishnu vows to get back the Vedas and safeguard them. Lakshmi who cannot live without Vishnu asks him what about her? So he puts her unto himself. Thus starts Matsyavatara.

May 16, 2007

Foreword

Welcome to Vishnupuran!

I was extremely attached to the episodes of Vishnupuran telecasted on Zee and DD during 2001-2004. This attachment led to me writing down each episode into a bundle of sheets as and when I saw it. This blog is an upshot of those writings.

Needless to say, none of what has been written here is based on any research carried out by me. This blog is, to best possible extent, just a pure and clean reproduction of what I had seen as a late teenager, on the television, plus my interpretation in a simple yet at times teenaged humourous narration. All credit of the story goes to the makers of the mega serial ‘Vishnupuran.’

The story at times might be recollected incorrectly or crudely, considering my incomplete knowledge of the Hindi vocabulary! Any such inconsistencies are duly regretted!

For a layman, the story is sometimes acutely interesting and sometimes might seem impossibly ridiculous. But, that is what makes any fairy tale, or a mythological epic, so legendary…..and curious! Note that all chapters are interconnected, so its recommended to be read chapter-wise.

While I could only see up until Rama Avatar during 2001-2004, I was fortunate enough to get Vishnupuran DVD in a US (where I got posted on and off from 2005 till 2016) library from whereon I continued my journal and this blog-posts.

Now, sit back and listen to what Vishnu has to say…!