Çaunaka said:

O glorious Süta, you are blessed that you make us, plunged deep in the ocean of mundane existence, drink a large quantity of nectar.

O good one, tell us, desiring to cross the worldly existence, the gem of a formula, pure to devotion, of which the mobile and the immobile are full.

Süta said:

O Çaunaka, listen. I shall tell you the very wonderful gem of formula, which the noble Vasiñöha spoke to Dilépa. Once Dilépa having saluted Vasiñöha, the best Brähmaëa, his preceptor, asked him as you did now.

Dilépa said:

O revered one, you have particularly told me all the practices with those of castes and the stages of life and the daily and occasional obligatory rites. O best sage, I have also heard the kingly duties, sacrifices, gifts to be made at holy places and vows etc., which give inexhaustible pleasures in heaven. Now I desire to hear about the ancient path leading to salvation. Tell me about it along which I can luckily go. What is the best of all sacred formulas, the only medicine for all the diseases in the worldly existence? What is the best formula giving salvation to all human beings? Tell all that truthfully and ofr the love and regard that you have for me.

Vasiñöha said:

O king, you desiring the good of all the world, have asked. I shall, inprivate, tell you a great secret, emancipating you from worldly existence. Formerly all holy sgaes intent on performing sacrifices and giving gifts asked Närada, Brahmä’s son, the best sage:

The Great Sages said:

O revered one, by what formula shall we go to the highest position? O glorious one, tell us. Please favour us.

Närada said:

Formerly, all meditating saints – Saunaka and others- asked in private to Brahmä about the path to salvation, which is very difficult to obtain.

Brahmä said:

O meditating saints, listen to this wonderful secret. All gods and sages having penance as their wealth do not know it. The immutable god Näräyaëa said it to me at the beginning of the creation. He, along with the great Goddess was worshipped by me. Then the immutable Näräyaëa was pleased with me. He gave me the status of the creator and all the literature having its origin in the Vedas, so also illuminating formulas, pervasive and non-pervasive. Then I spoke to God, the ancient Puruñottama (Viñëu):

"O revered one, by what ofrmula can men cross the mundane existence? Tell me about it truly for the good of all people. Which of all formulae, is the one which does not require initiatory rites, which gives men the highest place even by being uttered only once?"

The Lord said:

O glorious one, you, desiring the good of all the people, have asked well. Therefore, I shall tell you the secret by means of which men would reach me. Of all the formulae, the gem of a formula is auspicious. It gives the highest position even when remembered just once. The two gems in the formula are: Lañmé, Näräyaëa. Nyäsa (assignment), Prayati (purification) and Çaraëägati (approaching for shelter) are necessary.

The formula ‘Lakñmé-Näräyaëa’ gives all fruits. Understand in succession the names of the gem of a formula. Merely by its utterance, I am always pleased.

A man born in a noble family, an ascetic, one who has mastered the Vedas and Vedäìgas, one who is given to performing sacrifices and giving gifts, one resorting to all holy places, so also one who has taken a vow, one who speaks the truth, or even an ascetic having knowledge- is not entitled to the formula. He should carefully avoid it.

Brähmaëas, Kñatriyas, Vaiçyas, women and others – all are entitled to it if they are my devotees.

The excellent formula should be given to those who do not seek the shelter of any other deity other than Viñëu, who do not serve any other deity other than Viñëu, who do not try to reach any other deity other than Viñëu.

Even if recited once, it gives a quick fruit to the afflicted. It keeps another from re-birth, even of haughty beings. If an afflicted person or an inquisitive person or one looking for wealth, or a wise person or a king seeks my shelter once, he would obtain all his desired objects. It should not be told to him who is not initiated, to him who is not a devotee, to a proud person, to an atheist, to a greedy person, to one who has no faith. It should not be told to him by one who has no desire to listen to it.; to him who does not abide by Çiva, to him who is free from lust, anger, hypocrisy, greed, so also to him who resorts to me with steady devotion, this excellent gem of a formula should be duly told.

The devotee should observe rules with regard to place and time, should have exact determination of foes and friends, should know the nyäsa¹, mudrä² etc., along with the initiatory rite; he should have his body marked with the impression of my disc, so also do my worship, should dedicate his actions to me, should seek my shelter only. With great confidence in me, he should assign all fruits to me. He should not possess anything. He should avoid saluting or worshipping other deities other than me.

Rules like these are declared for him who submits himself to me. To a man endowed with such qualities, the excellent gem of a formula should be told.

I, Näräyaëa, ancient Viñëu, am its seer; so also I, the ocean of affection, am its deity along with Lakñmé. I, Näräyaëa, the lord of the entire world, the glorious one, of a good character, fortunate, omniscient, omnipotent, with my desires always fulfilled, omnipresent, having everyone as my relative, ocean of the nectar of piety am with Lakñmé, said to be its deity. Its metre is said to be the goddess Gäyatré, having twenty-six syllables. He should assign two times. Seven, six, three, five, two or six angas. He should meditate upon me along with Lakñmé, not separated form me, of the form of the Universe, having my hands a cakra, a sankha, mace and padma, and of divine form. He, being restraint and pure, should worship me along with Lakñmé, seated on my left lap, with this gem of a formula and with sandal, flowers and offerings. O lord of the beings, even if I am worshipped once, I am pleased.

Brahmä said:

O lord, you have properly told this excellent secret, so also the power of the gem of a formula, which gives every success to men. You are the father of all the worlds, so also their mother and preceptor. You are the master, friend, brother, recourse, refuge and friend. O lord of gods, I am your servant, disciple and friend. Therefore, O you ocean of pity, you told this excellent formula to me. Now with the desire for the good of all people, tell fully and accurately the initiation of this gem of a formula for its proper practice.

The lord said:

O child, listen. I shall tell you the great rite of the initiation of this gem of a formula. To secure my resort, a man should first resort to a preceptor. The preceptor should be endowed with the knowledge of the Veda, should be Viñëu’s devotee, free from jealousy, should know the formula, should be devoted to the formula, should always resort to the formula and be pure. He should belong to a good school; he should be proficient in the science of Brahman. He should not follow any other deity than me; should not have any other aim than me. He should be a brähmaëa, free from anger, attachment and greed. He should teach good behaviour, should long for salvation and should know the highest soul. A preceptor, a friendly one, having these qualities, who should teach good practices is called a preceptor. He who depends upon his preceptor when taught good behaviour, is steady in obeying the preceptor’s order, is said to be a disciple by the good.

A preceptor should teach the excellent gem of a formula to a disciple having these characteristics and endowed with all virtues.

On a Dvädaçé Day or when the Sun is in the Çravaëa nakshatra or on some day holy to Viñëu, a good preceptor should initiate the pleased disciple. He should get fashioned the Sudarçana disc or the Päïcajanya conch out of gold, silver, copper or bell-metal. Having bathed it with pure Païcämåta,³ he should worship it before me. He should duly worship it with sandalwood and flowers, with the utterance of the formula.There he should establish fire in accordance with statements from his own Ghya (sutras). The preceptor, the best brähmaëa, should offer ghee into the fire to the accompaniment of the formula. He should make oblations one thousand and eight times (1008 times) or one hundred and eight times (108 times) with the repetition of this gem of a formula or other auspicious formulae sacred to Viñëu. With the recitation of the hymns like Puruña Sükta, he should offer ghee and milk into the fire.

The best Brämaëa should drop the cakra and the sankha into the fire. The preceptor, to the accompaniment of the formula of six letters should offer ghee into the fore twenty times..

The preceptor, taking the heated cakra, should make a mark with it, and with the sankha to the accompaniment of the formula, on the left and right arms. Having finished the remaining rite, he should again perform the worship. Then having a pitcher full of pure water, having consecrated it with that formula only, he should sprinkle the water on his head.

The preceptor should teach the formula to the disciple who has put on a white garment, has sipped water, is polite, has put on the sectarian mark. He should explain the meaning of the formula and especially its operation. The disciple who has received the formula, should honour the preceptor with ornaments etc., O best god, he who, in this manner, learns the formula from a preceptor, Viñëu’s devotee, goes to the place of Viñëu, not otherwise.

Närada said:

The father, Viñëu, having thus spoken to the Creator, marked him with his own cakra and he himself taught him the formula. O best of sages, the god, that lord Brahmä, my father, the lord of all worlds, duly taught the formula to me also. Therefore, best of sages, O Brähmaëas, you too, putting the mark of the Sudarçana (cakra), seek shelter of Viñëu’s two feet.

Vasiñöha said:

All the sgaes, thus addressed by Närada, the divine sage, and entitled to the two feet of Viñëu, went to the highest position of Viñëu. Thereofre, O royal sage, you too desire absorption into Viñëu after putting on the mark of Sudarçana according to the proper rule of initiation. Seek the shelter of the two feet of Viñëu alone. Brahmä the lord of all the people and the three worlds himself told me and also Närada, this excellent formula. Närada taught the formula, exclusive devotion to seeking refuge of Viñëu to the great sages, deities, siddhas. Sädhyas and asuras do not know this most secret formula.

I too, gave to Paräçara, Çakti’s son, this formula.

O king, I shall tell you also this great secret- the couple, Lakñmé and Viñëu with exclusive devotion to and seeking the refuge of the two. There is no greater formula than the couple. I tell you the truth. In the worlds, there is no practice superior to this.

Firmerly, Brahmä told the truth, repeated told the truth that there is no other god than Viñëu who gives salvation to men. Service to him alone would be salvation, which would cut off the fruits of all acts.

Compiled by Swee Chan

During the first day of the bright fortnight of the moon in the month of Agrah§ya£a (November – December), every woman following in the footsteps of Diti and following the instructions of her own husband, should begin this Pu°savana-vrata.

In the morning after washing her teeth and bathing thus after purifying herself, she should hear about he birth mystery of the Maruts. Then dressed in White and properly ornamented and before breakfast, she should worship Lord Vi¢£u and Mother Lak¢°¦, the Goddess of Fortune, Lord Vi¢£u’s wife, by glorifying Lord Vi¢£u for his mercy, patience, prowess, ability, greatness and other glories and for how he can bestow all mystic benedictions. While offering the Lord all the paraphernalia for worship such as ornaments, a sacred thread, scents, nice flowers, incense and water for bathing and washing His feet, hands and mouth, one should invite the Lord with this mantra:

O° namo bhagavate maha-puru¢§ya Mah§nubh§v§ya

Mah§vibhüti-pataye saha mah§-vibhütibhir balim upahar§mi

Then one should offer twelve oblations in the fire while chanting this mantra:

O° namo bhagavate maha-puru¢§ya mah§vibhüti-pataye sv§h§

One should offer obeisances while chanting this mantra ten times. Then one should chant the Lak¢m¦-N§r§ya£a mantra.

If either a pregnant woman or her husband regularly discharges this devotional service, both of them will receive the result. After continuing this process for ONE FULL YEAR, the chaste wife should fast on the Pür£im§ (the full Moon day), of K§rttika. On the following day, the husband should worship the Lord as before and then observe a festival by cooking nice food and distributing pras§da to the Br§hma£as. Then with the permission of the Br§hma£as, the husband and wife should take pras§da.

ªr¦-r§jov§ca

vrata° pu°savana° bahman

bhavat§ yad ud¦ritam

tasya veditum icch§mi
yena vi¢£u¤ pras¦dati

Mah§r§ja Par¦k¢it said: My dear Lord, you have already spoken about the pu°savana vow. Now I want to hear about it indetail, for I understand that by observing this vow, one can please the Supreme Lord, Vi¢£u.

ªr¦-ªuka uv§ca

ªukle m§rgaªire pak¢e

yo¢id bhartur anujñay§

§rabheta vratam ida°

s§rva-k§mikam §dita¤

niªamya marut§° Janma

br§hma£§n anumantrya ca

sn§tv§ ªukla-dat¦ ªukle

vas¦t§la¯k¥t§mbare

püjayet pr§tar§ª§t pr§g

bhagavata° ªriy§ saha

¼ukadeva Gosv§mi said: On the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Agrah§ya£a (November – December), following the instructions of her husband, a woman should begin this regulative devotional service with a vow of penance, for it can fulfil all desires. Before beginning the worship of Lord Vi¢£u, the woman should hear the story of how the Maruts were born. Under the instructions of qualified br§hma£as, in the morning she should wash her teeth, bathe and dress herself with white cloth and ornaments and before taking breakfast she should worship Lord Vi¢£u and Lak¢m¦.

Text 4

ala° te nirapek¢§ya

pür£a-k§ma namo ‘stu te

mah§vibhüti-pataye

nama¤ Sakala-siddhaye

[She should then pray to the Lord as follows]:

My dear Lord, you are full in all opulences, but I do not beg You for opulence. I simply offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the husband and master of Lak¢m¦dev¦, the goddess of fortune, who has all opulences. Therefore You are the master of all mystic yoga. I simply offer my obeisances unto You.

yath§ tva° k¥pay§ bhüty§

tejas§ mahimaujas§

ju¢±a ¦ªa gu£ai¤ sarvais

tato ‘si bhagav§n prabhu¤

O my Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercey, all opulences, all prowess and all glories, strength and transcendental qualities, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of everyone.

vi¢£u-patni mah§-m§ye
mah§puru¢a-lak¢a£e
pr¦yeth§ me mah§-bh§ge
loka-m§tar namo ‘stu te

[After profusely offering obeisances unto Lord Vi¢£u, the devotee should offer respectful obeisances unto mother Lak¢m¦, the goddess of fortune, and pray as follows]:

O wife of Lord Vi¢£u, O eternal energy of Lord Vi¢£u, you are as good as Lord Vi¢£u Himself, for you have all His qualities and opulences. O goddess of fortune, please be kind to me. O mother of the entire world, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.

o° namo bhagavate mah§-puru¢§ya mah§nubh§v§ya mah§vibhüti-pataye saha mah§-vibhütibhir balim upahar§m¦ti

anen§har-ahar mantre£a vi¢£or §v§han§rghya-p§dyopasparªana-sn§na-v§sa-upav¦ta-vibhü¢a£a-gandha-pu¢pa-dhüpa-d¦popah§r§dy-upac§r§n susam§-hitop§haret

"My Lord Vi¢£u, full of six opulences, You are the best of all enjoyers and the most powerful. O husband of mother Lak¢m¦, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are accompanied by many associates, such as Viªvaksena. I offer all the paraphernalia for worshipping You."

One should chant this mantra everyday with great attention while worshipping Lord Vi¢£u with all paraphernalia such as water for washing His feet, hands and mouth and water for His bath. One must offer Him various presentations for His worship, such as garments, a sacred thread, ornaments, scents, flowers, incense and lamps.

havi¤-ªe¢a° ca juhuy§d

anale dv§daª§hut¦¤

o° namo bhagavate mah§-puru¢§ya mah§vibhüti-pataye sv§heti

¼ukadeva Gosv§m¦ continued: After worshipping the Lord with all the paraphernalia mentioned above, one should chant the following mantra while offering twelve oblations of ghee on the sacred fire:

Om namo bhagavate mah§-puru¢§ya mah§vibhüti-pataye sv§h§

ªriya° vi¢£u° ca varad§v
§ªI¢§° prabhav§v ubhau
bhakty§ sampüjayen nitya°
yad¦cchet sarva-sampada¤

If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Vi¢£u with His wife, Lak¢m¦. With great devotion one should worship Him according to the abov-mentioned process. Lord Vi¢£u and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination. They are the bestowers of all benedictions and the sources of all good fortune. Therefore the duty of everyone is to worship Lak¢m¦-N§r§ya£a.

Pra£amed da£davad bhümau
Bhakti-prahve£a cetas§
daªa-v§ra° japen mantra°
tata¤ stotram ud¦rayet

One should offer obseiances unto the Lord with a mind humbled through devotion. While offering da£¨avats by falling on the ground like a rod, one should chant the above mantra ten times. Then one should chant the following prayer:

yuv§° tu viªvasya vibhü
jagata¤ k§ra£a° param
iya° hi prak¥ti¤ sük¢m§
m§y§-ªaktir duratyay§

My Lord Vi¢£u and mother Lak¢m¦, goddess of fortune, you are ythe proprietors of the entire creation. Indeed you are the cause of the creation. Mother lak¢m¦ is extremely difficult to understand because she is so powerful that the jurisdiction of her power is difficult to overcome. Mother Lak¢m¦ is represented in the material world as the eternal energy, but actually she is always the internal energy of the Lord.

tasy§ adh¦ªvara¤ s§k¢§t

tvam eva puru¢a¤ para¤

tva° sarva-yajña ijyeya°

kriyeya° phala-bhug bhav§n

My Lord, You are the master of energy and therefore You are the Supreme Person. You are sacrifice (yajna) personified. Lak¢m¦, the embodiment of spiritual activities, is the original form of worship offered unto You. You whereas You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices.

gu£a-vyaktir iya° devi

vyañjako gu£a-bhug bhav§n

tva° hi sarva-ªar¦ry §tm§

ªr¦¤ ªar¦rendriy§ªay§¤

n§ma-rüpe bhagavat¦

pratyayas tvam ap§ªrayah

Mother Lak¢m¦, who is here, is the reservoir of all spiritual qualities, whereas You manifest and enjoy all these qualities. Indeed, You are actually the enjoyer of everything. You live as the Supersoul of all entities and the goddess of fortune is the form of their bodies, senses and minds. She also has a holy name and form, whereas You are the support of all such names and forms and the cause for their manifestation.

yath§ yuv§° tri-lokasya

varadau parame¢±hinau

that§ ma uttamaªloka

santu saty§ mah§ªi¢a¤

You are both the Supreme reulers and benedictors of the three worlds. Therefore my Lord, Uttamaªloka, may my ambitions be fulfilled by Your Grace.

Ity abhi¢±üya varada°

ªr¦niv§sa° ªriy§ saha

tan ni¤s§ryopahara£a°

dattv§camanam arcayet

¼ri ¼ukadeva Gosv§m¦ continued: Thus one should worship Lord Vi¢£u, who is known as ¼riniv§sa, along with mother Lak¢m¦, the goddess of fortune, by offering prayers according to the process above. After removing all the paraphernalia of worship, one should offer them water to wash their hands and mouths and then one should worship them again.

tata¤ stuv¦ta stotr£a

bhakti-prahve£a cetas§

yajñocchi¢±am avaghr§ya

punar abhyarcayed dharim

Thereafter, with devotion and humility, one should offer prayers to the Lord and mother Lak¢m¦. Then one should smell the remnants of the food offered and then again worship the Lord and Lak¢m¦.

pati° ca paray§ bhakty§

mah§puru¢a-cetas§

priyais tais tair upanamet

prema-ª¦lah svaya° pati¤

bibh¥y§t sarva-karm§£i

patny§ ucc§vac§ni ca

Accepting her husband as the representative of the Supreme Person, a wife should worship him with unalloyed devotion by offering him pras§da. The husband, being very pleased with his wife, should engage himself in the affairs of his family.

k¥tam ekatare£§pi

dam-patyor ubhayor api

patny§° kury§d anarh§y§°

patir etat sam§hita¤

Between the husband and wife, one person is sufficient to execute his devotional service. Because of their good relationship, both of them will enjoy the results. Therefore, if the wife is unable to execute this process, the husband should carefully do so and the faithful wife will share the result.

vi¢£or vratam ida° bibhran

na vihany§t kathañcana

vipr§n striyo v¦ravat¦¤

srag-gandha-bali-ma£¨anai¤

arced ahar-ahar bhakty§

deva° niyamam §sthit§

udv§sya deva° sve dh§mni

tan-niveditam agrata¤

ady§d §tma-viªuddhy-artha°

sarva-k§ma-sam¥ddhaye

One should accept this Vi¢£u-vrata, which is a vow in devotional service and should not deviate from its execution to engage in anything else. By offering the remnants of pras§da, flower garlands, sandalwood pulp and ornaments, one should daily worship the Br§hma£as and worship women who peacefully live with their husbands and children. Every day the wife must continue following the regulative principles to worship Lord Vi¢£u with great devotion. Thereafter, Lord Vi¢£u should be laid in His bed, and then one should take pras§da. In this way, husband and wife will be purified and will have all their desires fulfilled.

etena püj§-vidhin§

m§s§n dv§daªa h§yanam

n¦tv§thoparamet s§dhv¦

k§rtike carame ‘hani

The chaste wife must perform such devotional service continuously for one year. After one year passes, she should fast on the full Moon day in the month of K§rttika (October – November).

ªvo-bhüte ‘pa upasp¥ªya

k¥¢nam abhyarcya pürvavat

paya¤-ª¥tena juhuy§c

caru£§ saha sarpi¢§

p§ka-yajña-vidh§nena

dv§daªaihut¦¤ pati¤

On the morning of the next day, one should wash oneself and after worshipping Lord Kr¢£a as before, one should cook as one cooks for festivals as stated in the G¥hya-sütras. Sweet rice should be cooked with ghee, and with this preparation the husband should offer oblations to the fore twelve times.

§ªi¢a¤ ªiras§d§ya

dvijai¤ pr¦tai¤ sam¦rit§¤

pra£amya ªiras§ bhakty§

bhuñjita tad-anujñay§

Thereafter, he should satisfy the Br§hma£as. When the satisfied Br§hma£as bestow their blessings, he should devotedly offer them respectful obeisances with his head, and with their permission he should take pras§da.

§c§ryam agrata¤ k¥tv§

v§g-yata¤ saha bandhubhi¤

dady§t patnyai caro¤ ªe¢a°

supraj§stva° susaubhagam

Before taking his meal, the husband must first seat the §c§rya comfortably and along with his relatives and friends, should control his speech and offer pras§da to the guru. Then the wife should eat the remnants of the oblation of sweet rice cooked with ghee. Eating the remnants insures a learned, devoted son and all good fortune.

Etac caritv§ vidhivad vrata° vibhor

Abh¦psit§rtha° labhate pum§n iha

Str¦ caitad §sth§ya labheta saubhaga°

ªriya° praj§° j¦va-pati° yaªo g¥ham

If this vow or ritualistic ceremony is observed according to the description of ª§stra, even in this life a man will be able to achieve all the benedictions he desires from the Lord. A wife who performs this ritualistic ceremony will surely receive good fortune, opulence, sons, a long living husband, a good reputation and a good home.

kany§ ca vindeta samagra-lak¢a£a°

pati° tv av¦r§ hata-kilbi¢§° gatim

m¥ta-praj§ j¦va-sut§ dhaneªvar¦

sudurbhag§ subhag§ rüpam agryam

vended virüp§ viruj§ vimucyate

ya §may§v¦ndr¦ya’kalya-deham

etat pa±hann abhyudaye ca karma£y

ananta-t¥pti¤ pit¥-devat§n§m

tu¢±§¤ prayacchanti samasta-k§m§n

hom§vas§ne huta-bhuk ªri-hariª ca

r§jan mahan marut§° Janma pu£ya°

diter vrata° c§bhihita° mahat te

If an unmarried girl observes this Vrata, she will be able to get a very good husband. If a woman who is av¦r§- one who has no husband or son-executes this ritualistic ceremony, she can be promoted to the spiritual world. A woman whose children have died after birth can get a child with a long duration of life and also become very fortunate, and if ugly she will become beautiful. By observing this Vrata, a diseased man can gain relief from his disease and have an able body with which to work. If one recites this narration while offering oblations to the pit§s and demigods, especially during the ªr§ddha ceremony, Lord Vi¢£u and His wife, mother Lak¢m¦, the goddess of fortune are very pleased with him. O King Par¦k¢it, now I have completely described how Diti performed this ceremony and had good children – the Maruts – and a happy life. I have tried to explain this to you as elaborately as possible.

Compiled by Swee Chan

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Birth of the Maruts

Bhägavata Puräëa
Skandha VI 18.1-78

Çri Çuka said:

O dear Parékñit! Siddhi, the wife of Bhaga (the sixth son of Aditi), brought forth three sons, namely, Mahiman, Vibhu and Prabhu and a beautiful pious daughter called Äçis.
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Sävitré¹ - She presides over the Gäyatré Mantra

Vyähåti² -She presides over the three syllables, after Oà as prefixed in the Gäyatré

mantra: Bhüù (earth), Bhuvaù (immediate region), Svar (heaven).

Trayé³- She presides over the three Vedas: Åg, Yajur and Säma Veda.

Urukrama who was god Viñëu who appeared as Vämana through hos own divine Mäyä (and who was the twelveth son of Aditi), begot from his wife, Kérti, a son called Båhacchloka who was the father of Saubhaga and other sons.

We shall narrate in detail later (Skandha VIII) the feats, excellences and the deeds of the high-souled son of Kaçyapa called Vämana, and also how he incarnated as the son of Aditi.

Now, I shall describe to you the sons of the sage Kaçyapa from his spouse, Dité. Among them were born the great devotees of Viñëu, the glorious Prahläda and Bali.

Diti had two sons called Hiraëyakaçipu and Hiraëyäkña who were respected by Daityas and ¨Dänavas who were described formerly in Skandha III.

The wife of Hiraëyakaçipu was a Dänava lady called Kayädhu, who was the daughter of Jambha and was given in marriage to Hiraëyakaçipu. She gave birth to four sons, namely, Saàhräda, the eldest, Anuhräda, Hräda and Prahläda. Their sister was Siàhikä by name.
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She begot from Vipracittia, a son called Rähu, whose head was loped off by Hari with his disc (Sudarçana) while Rähu was drinking amrita.

Kåti the wife of Saàhräda gave birth to Païcajana. Dhamani, the wife of Hräda bore Vätäpi and Ilvala. It was Ilvala who cooked Vätäpi for the celebrated guest Agastya.

Anuhräda brought forth, through his wife, Sürmya, two sons Bäñkala and Mahiña. The son of Pahläda was called Virocana who had from his spouse Devé, a son called Bali.

From Bali, a hundred sons out of whom Bäëa attained the first place among his attendants. The glorious god Çiva is by his side and He is still guarding his capital city.

Diti had sons called Maruts. There were forty nine in number. All of them were childless and they were brought over by Indra and were converted to his own class of Gods.

King Parékñit said:

O preceptor, how did Indra convert their inbred demonic nature to godhood? What obligations did they render to Indra which made him convert them into gods?

O worshipful sage, these other sages along with me, earnestly desire to know the details. You should therefore expound that to us.

Süta said:

Oh Çunaka, having heard that speech of Viñëuräta (King Parékñit), Çuka, the son of sage Bädaräyaëa (Vyäsa), greeted it with heart full of joy, as it was full of earnestness and was brief yet pregnant with significance. The Omniscient Çuka spoke as follows:

Çri Çuka said:

Diti whose sons were slain by Viñëu was the ally of Indra, in the background, was burning with wrath enkindled by grief and she began to ponder.

"When can I get happy sleep after bringing about the death of the hard-hearted, wicked, sensual Indra, the cruel murderer of his brothers? The body which is addressed as "A Lord or A Ruler’ goes under the name of worms (becomes full of worms after burial), excrement (if the body is eaten up by carnivorous animals or birds of prey), and ashes if it is cremated. He, Indra, who seeks to injure other beings for such a body, does not know self-interest, for it leads to hell. By what means can I get a son who will quell the pride of Indra who wrongly presumes that this body is eternal and who is very arrogant (of unrestrained heart)?"

With this object in view, many times, she served what was wished by her husband. By her service, affection, modesty, self-control, intense devotion, by her charming sweet words as well as by her winning smiles and side glances, she who was intimate with the knowledge of human nature, captivated his heart.

Thus, enchanted by the sly, clever woman, Kaçyapa, though learned, became powerless against her charms. He succumbed to her and acquiesced in her request. Such stupefaction by women is not to be wondered at.

At the beginning of creation, Prajäpati found that beings entertained no attachment (and the work of creation was not possible) God Brahmä then converted half of his body into a woman who leads the judgments of men astray.

The worshipful Kaçyapa who was thus waited upon by his wife, was highly pleased with Diti. With a hearty laugh, he greeted Diti with delight and said:

"Ask for a boon, Oh beautiful lady with shapely thighs. Oh faultless one, I am pleased with you. When a husband is pleased with his wife, what object in this or in the next world, is unattainable? It has been declared that the husband alone is the supreme deity in the case of women. For the glorious Lord Väsudeva, the husband of the goddess Çri, who is in the heart of all beings, is worshipped in the guise of different deities by men who ascribe to him different names (e.g., Indra, Varuëa etc.,) and forms (one of whom is known as the weilder of the the Vajra, or of a noose). But he is worshipped by owmen in the form of their husbands. Therefore, O lady of beautiful waist, chaste women who are desirous of their welfare, worship with their husbands as the image of god and the Soul of the world, with unswerving devotion. I, who am worshipped by you with so much devotion and with such superb faith, shall accomplish for you your desired object. Oh blessed lady- an object which is very difficult to be attained by unchaste women."

Diti said:

Oh Brähamaëa sage, if you are conferring a boon on me, I pray for an immortal son who will slay Indra, for Indra caused the killing of both my sons and I have become a lady whose sons are dead.

Hearing her speech, the Brähmaëa became dispirited and repented as follows: "Alas! What a great unrighteousness and sin have overtaken me today!"

Alas, today, I have fallen a victim to sense gratification. I allowed my heart to be captivated by Mäyä in the form of a woman, Vile as I am, I shall certainly fall in the abysmal hell.

What fault is there in the case of the woman who followed the natural tendencies of women? Alas! Fie upon me who am ignorant about my self-interest and lost control of my senses.

Who can fathom the motives of the actions of women whose countenance is beautiful like the fully bloomed autumnal lotus, whose speech is like ambrosia to the ear but whose heart is sharp like a razor blade.

Women whose minds are determined to achieve their own objective have no one really dear. Foe serving their own purpose, they will kill or cause to be killed, their husband, son or brother.

I have promised that I shall give her a son. That promise should not prove untrue, But Indra does not deserve death. Under these circumstances, the following expedient appears proper.

O descedents of the Kurus! Considering thus, the worshipful son of Marécé (Kaçyapa) showed some indignation and condemning himself, said:

Kaçyapa said:

Oh blessed lady, if you carefully observe this vow for one complete year, a son will be born tp you who will be the slayer of Indra, or a friend of gods (if this vow is not properly observed).

Diti said:

O Brähmaëa sage! I hereby undertake to observe the vow. Explain to me what acts are obligatory and what are prohibited for me and also the acts which are neither obligatory nor prohibitive but which do not vilate the vow.

Kaçyapa said:

You should not injure any of the living beings. You should not curse or tell a lie, You should not pare your nails or cut your hair. You should not touch an impure and inauspicious thing.

You should not take bath by plunging in it. You should not get angry or speak with wicked men. You should not put on unwanted garments nor should you wear a garland worn by others.

You should not eat food which has remained by others; nor food offered to the goddess Bhadrakäli or to seven Märtåkäs or food eaten by ants. You should not eat non-vegetarian food or food brought by a Çüdra. You should not take food which has been seen by a woman in monthly course. You should not drink water with your folded palms.

You must not go out with remnants of food sticking in th mouth or without rinsing the mouth with water. You should not stir out in the evening with dishevelled hair, unadorned or without the upper garment. You should not be unrestrained in speech.

You should not sleep without washing your feet or in an impure condition or with wet feet. You should not go to bed with your head to the North or to the West. You should not sleep with others or without any clothes. You should not remain asleep at dawn and dusk.

Putting on washed garments, always pure and furnished with all auspicious things. You should worship Lord Viñëu, goddess Çri, cows and Brähmaëas before you take breakfast in the morning.

You should worship women whose husbands are alive, by offering them garlands, sandal-paste, food and ornaments. Having worshipped your husband, you should wait upon him and contemplate that your husband’s energy is present in your womb.

If you observe this vow called Puàsavana (yielder of a son) for the period of one year without any flaw, you will beget a son who will be the slayer of Indra.

Diti agreed to that. She conceived from Kaçyapa, and strictly began to observe the vow, O king.

Having come to know the intention of his maternal aunt, the sly foresighted Indra waited upon Diti who was staying in a hermitage under the pretext of rendering service to her.

At the appointed time, he always brought flowers, fruits, sacred sticks, kuça grass, leaves, shoots, earth and water from the forest.

O king, in this way, the crooked Indra, desiring to find out the flaw in the course of the observance of vows of the lady who had undertaken them, served her like a hunter who puts on the guise of a deer.

Indra who was intent on detecting a weak point in her observance of vows, could not find it. He became intensely anxious as to how he could succeed in securing this for his own good.

Once, in the evening, Diti, exhausted from the observance of the austere vow, and deluded by fate, slept with remnants of food in the mouth and with unwashed feet.

Getting this opportunity, Indra who was expert in the deluding power of Yoga, entered her womb, while Diti was unconscious in sleep.

With his Vajra, Indra cut up the brilliant gold foetus into seven parts. While it was crying, Indra said: "Don’t cry" and cut each of the seven pieces further into another seven pieces.

All of them appealed to him "O Indra, we are Maruts, your brothers. Why do you wish to kill us?"

"Don’t be afraid, brothers, you are for me," said Indra to the Maruts who was a class which has unswerving loyalty to him as his attendants.

The foetus in Diti’s womb did not die throught he grace of Lord Viñëu even though it was repeadtedly hacked with the Vajra just as you were saved from the missile of Açvatthäman.

Is a person worships but once, the Ancient Person, Viñëu, he attains the self-form as that of Viñëu, whereas the great god Hari was worshipped by Diti for a period slightly less than a year.

Along with Indra, the Maruts became in all, fifty in number. Removing the stigma of maternal heredity, they were made participants in Soma-drinking by Indra.

After getting up, Diti saw her sons brilliant like fire in Indra’s company. The faultless lady felt highly gratified.

She asked Indra, "Child, desiring a son who would strike terror in the sons of Aditi, I observed this vow which was most difficult. I expected to have one son. How is it that I got seven times seven (forty-nine)? O Son, if the truth is known to you, please tell me, but don’t tell a lie."

Indra said:

O mother, having learnt about your determination, I approached you. Detecting a flaw in the observance of your vow, I who did not care for righteousness and was bent on achieving my object, slashed the foetus. I hacked the foetus in sevn ways and there were seven sons. Each of them was cut into seven; but they did not die.

Having seen that great miracle, I came to the conclusion that that this must be some indescribable incidental Siddhi, achieved through the worship of Viñëu.

Those who, without entertaining any blessings propitiate the Lord, do not wish the attainment of even Mokña are declared as clever in accomplishing their objects.

After their propitiating the Ruler of the World who is one;s own Siul and is a bestower of his own Self, what wise man would seek contact with guëas (worldly objects)? For the products (guëas) are available even in hell.

Therefore, O Mother, it behoves you to forgive this act of wickedness on my part which I, as a fool, committed to the worshipful ones. Fortunately, the foetus has become alive again (after death).

Çri Çuka said:

Indra, the god of heaven, was permitted to go by her who was sincerely pleased with him. He, along with Maruts, bowed to her and went to heaven.

In this way, I have narrated to you in detail what you had asked me, namely, the auspicious birth of the Maruts.

Now tell me what else I should relate to you.

Compiled by Swee Chan---

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The Details of the Vow called Puàsavana

Bhägavata Puräëa Skandha VI.19.1-28

King Parikñét asked:

I wish to know, O Brähmaëa Sage, the details of the vow called Puàsavana which you have mentioned, as Lord Viñëu is propitiated thereby.

Çré Çuka said:

With the permission and consent of her husband a woman should begin on the 1^st day of the bright half of Märgaçérña, this observance of vow which is calculated to confer desires on one.
She should listen to the narrative about the birth of the Maruts and consult the Brähmaëas. Cleansing her teeth white and having taken a bath, she should put on two white garments. Adorning herself with ornaments, she should worship Lord Viñëu along with Çri in the morning, before taking breakfast.

She should pray as follows:

"O lord of accomplished desires, I bow to you who, being endowed with enough of all things, are hence above wants and expectations. Salutations to you, the Lord of Lakñmé, the master of all mystic powers.
O Lord! Possessor of excellences like supreme grace, fortune, prowess, glory, energy and other divine attributes, as you are, you are the real omnipotent Sypreme Ruler of the world.
Oh Divine consort of Viñëu, the supreme deluding power of the Lord, you possess the same characteristics as those of the Supreme Person, Viñëu. Be propitious unto me, O Almighty Goddess. O Mother of the Universe, I bow to you.
I offer worship to the glorious Lord designated by the sacred syllable Oà,
The Lord who is the Supreme Person,
Most mighty, the Lord of Mahälakñmé, along with his highest potencies.

Invoking daily god Viñëu by chanting the aforesaid mantra, one should offer, with concentrated mind, articles of worship such as water for washing Viñëu’s hands and feet and rinse Viñëu’s mouth and water for taking bath, silken garments, the sacred thread, ornaments, sandal-paste, flowers, incense, light, food and other articles.

Out of the food left after offering it to Viñëu, twelve oblations of that food should be offered to the fire with the mantra:

Salutation to the glorious Supreme Person (Viñëu)
of unlimited powers and denoted by the sacred Oà
I offer these oblations to you along with Lakñmé

If one is desirous of securing all worldly prosperity, one should always devoutly worship goddess Lakñmé and Lord Viñëu who confer boons and both of whom are the fountainheads of all blessings.

She should prostrate herself before them just like a rod on the ground, with her heart submissive in devotion. She should repeat the abovementioned mantra Ten Times and sing the following Stotra:

Both of you are the Lords of the Universe,
the ultimate cause of the world.
This is verily the subtle Prakåti,
your deluding potency (Mäyä) too formidable to be overcome.

You are directly her Supreme Ruler,the Supreme Person.

You are the embodiment of all sacrifices

while she is the sacrificial performance.

She is activity itself while you are the enjoyer of the fruit thereof.

This goddess is the manifestation of guëas while you are the cause of that manifestation and the enjoyer of the guëas.

You are the Soul, the inner controller of all embodied beings,

while Çri is the body, senses and inner organ.

The glorious Lakñmé represents the name and form, while you are their support and their illuminator.

In as much as both of you Supreme Rulers confer boons on the three worlds,

O Lord of hallowing renown, may my great desires be fulfilled.

Eulogising thus, the Lord of Çri along with Çri who confers boons, one should remove all articles used in worship. Having offered water to rinse the mouth to the deities, one should continue to worship. (Known as uttara-püja).

She should the praise with the above stotra with her mind merged in devotion, smelling the remnants of the offerings to fire, she should again worship Hari.

Identifying with great devotion, her husband with Lord Viñëu, she should serve him with various objects dear to him. The husband, who is loving by nature, should himself help in all the activities of his wife, whether they be great or small, pertaining to the worship of God.

It is enough if this vow is observed by one of either the husband or wife. If the wife is incapable for health reasons or is disqualified due to monthly course, the husband should observe it with concentrated mind.

This vow pertaining to Viñëu, if once undertaken, should not be violated under any circumstances. Everyday, she should worship with devotion Brähmaëas and women whose husbands are alive, by offering them garlands of flowers, sandalwood paste, food and ornaments and she should also worship Lord Viñëu.

After requesting the deity to retire to his abode, one should eat what was offered to the deity, for self-purification and attainment of all desires.

After performing such a process of worship for a period of twelve months, the pious lady should observe fast on the last day of the month of Kärtika. When the morrow dawns, she should take bath and duly worship Lord Krñëa as before. The husband should offer twelve oblations according to pärvaëa-sthälépäka vidhäna ( a kind of sacrificial performance) of rice cooked in milk with ghee in the sacrificial fire.

Having reverentially accepted the blessings pronounced by the Brähmaëas who are pleased and having devoutly paid obeisance to them by bowing the head, she should take meals with their permission.

After feeding the preceptor first, along with the relatives, the husband, with his speech restrained, should give the remnants of the caru, which is capable of conferring good progeny and ensuring good fortune, to his wife.

A man who observes this vow of Çri Viñëu with due formalities, gets his desired object. A woman who observes this, will get good fortune, wealth, progeny, longevity to her husband throughout her life, glory and a good house.

An unmarried girl will get a husband possessing all good characteristics.

A widow will be rid of her sins and attain liberation.

A woman who loses her children in death will get long-lived children.

A woman if ill-fated in spite of wealthy conditions, becomes blessed with good fortune and if ugly looking, becomes beautiful.

A chronic patient gets free from disease and becomes energetic and virile in his senses and activities. If it is repeated at the time of auspicious ceremonies, it gives eternal and infinite satisfaction to forefathers and divinities.

If the Agni Deva, the Goddess Lakñmé and Lord Viñëu are pleased after the completion of Homa (sacrifice), they confer all desired objects.

O king, I have narrated to you the auspicious story of the birth of the Maruts and the great vow observed by Diti.

Compiled by Swee Chan