Epic Characters of Purānas: Epic Characters of Puranas

By T. N. Padmavati, Dr. A. S. Venugopal, Sri Hari and 4 more

Puranas are simple stories through which the meaning and principles of the Vedas emerge in a clear and uncomplicated style. They are meant to reach out to the masses because the fountain of knowledge contained in the Vedas must be made available to one and all. Through the ten characters that feature in this series, one gets acquainted with the original creation and the evolution of our culture. What emerges is the thinking of the days of yore but which is relevant for all times, present and future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana
• Release date: May 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9789389028751

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EPIC CHARACTERS OF PURĀNAS

Written by

T. N. Padmavati, Dr. A. S. Venugopal, Sri Hari, Prof. T. N. Prabhakar, T. N. Saraswati, T. R. Krishnamurthy and Vidwan M. N. Lakshminarasimha Bhatta

© Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana, Bengaluru. All rights reserved.

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Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana

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ll Sri Ranga Sadguruve Namah ll

We joyfully invoke the blessings of the Lord, Purana Purusha to the sacred fourth blossom of Sri Bharatha Darsana and Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana.

The two pioneer publishing organizations have so far brought out the Epic Characters of the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha and the ten Great Maharshis the makers our immortal culture, in the form of ten small books each with the sole object of introducing our young boys and girls to veritable storehouse of Indian cultural heritage and by doing so the publishers have endeared themselves to the reading public. Now they have taken up the laudable task of introducing great characters from another branch of literature relating to our culture, called the Puranas.

A purana is a form of literature which delineates vedic principles in the form of history, stories, examples, plays and images, in a simple but interesting style so that even common men can understand and enjoy them. The principles are not presented in a mandatory form, but in a simple form just like the advice given by a friend and that is why it is called Mithrasammitha. Great men are of the opinion that a thorough knowledge of the Puranas is essential to explain the meaning of the Vedas. Ithihasa puranabhyam. Vedam samupa Brhmayeth ll

The puranic literature besides telling us about the original creation, the later subsidiary creation, family history, it also describes the evolution of our great culture.

We get references to puranas in the vedas. We also see parts of some of these puranas in the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. Though they were written at different times, they were collected and edited by sage Vedavyasa and this collected work come to be called Purana Samhita. There are eighteen puranas and the same number of upapuranas. The Purana literature is as wide as an ocean and this great flow has come down to us in three great forms namely Satvik, Rajas and Tamas. Here only a few models have been presented to the reading public. The word Purana has the generally accepted meaning ‘old’ ’Purana prathna, prathna, purathana chiranthana. Though it is very old, it ever fresh presents to us truths which are universal in nature and these truths are presented to us in a very attractive style. Purapi navam puranam by its setting it is Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Satyam jnanam Anntham Brahma." These are the qualities of God and we wish that these good desires and good intentions get set in us with the blessings of the Lord.

Prayers to Lord Narayana

Sri Srirangapriya Sripada Sri

Ashtangayogavijnana Mandira

Bangalore

Dated 18.5.2003

BALI

Shri Gurubhyo Namaha

Our Bharathiya cultural heritage has withstood the test of time and we have to be grateful to our great Rishis for this. Among the eighty four lakhs of living beings, man is considered to be the most superior. Hence, our great Sages have said that, by virtue of occupying such a position, we should not waste our precious time.

It is praise worthy that they have codified the truths along with the happenings during the four yugas and preserved them in the form of great books. The vedas, upanishads, the puranas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha are some of these sacred books.

What is a Purana

Let us try to understand what we mean by puranas. Long ago, it is said that the puranas consisted of a hundred crore books. It was generally understood that puranas meant something old. However, scholars say that though ‘puraapinavam’ is old, books which give us an insight into new thoughts or ideas are called puranas. The universal truths found in the Vedas are also seen in the puranas but the same truths are made easier and more interesting through stories and simple language in the puranas. During the great deluge, when everything was being destroyed, Lord Vishnu preached the essense of all these books to Lord Brahma. Human memory is short lived and in order to save these great principles and truths, Brahmadeva took birth as Sage Vedavyasa and wrote a great book called Purana Samhitha.

Today there are only eighteen maha puranas available in prakrith along with the same number of upapuranas.

Eighteen Puranas

Among the eighteen puranas, Vishnu, Narada, Sri Bhagavatha, Garuda, Padma, and Varaha are considered to be Satvik puranas.

Brahmanda, Brahmavaivartha, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana and Rajas -these six puranas are considered to be rajasa puranas.

Matsya, Koorma, Lainga, Shaiva, Skanda and Agneya are considered to be thamasa puranas.

Who is Bali?

According to puranas, Mahatma Bali was the grandson of Bhakta Prahlada, the great devotee of Lord Sri Hari. He was the son of Virochana. Banasura was his son.

The lord of swarga, Devendra, defeated Bali, took away all his wealth and killed him. The preceptor of Daityas, the great Shukracharya, who belonged to the Bhrigu clan, knew Sanjeevini Vidya. With the help of the same, he was able to bring Bali back to life. Bali was very happy and he became one of his loving disciples. As a token of gratitude he offered all his wealth to Shukracharya. He began to serve his preceptor and all those who belonged to his clan with great devotion.

Bali had a great desire to make heaven a part of his kingdom. Shukracharya, who knew his disciple’s desire, made him sit on the throne of the lord of the three worlds and performed the mahabhisheka ceremony. He also helped him to successfully complete the great Vishwajith yaga.

At the end of the yaga in which a lot of things such as samith, charu and ghee had been offered, a divine chariot came from the middle region of the dazzling Yajneshwara.

The chariot looked exactly like the one used by Devendra, with green horses, a flag with the lion’s image and decorated with precious stones. A golden bow, an inexhaustible shaft with arrows and a divine armour came out of the yajna kunda. Lord Brahma gave Bali a garland of lotus flowers which would never fade and his preceptor Shukracharya gave him a divine conch.

In this way emperor Bali obtained not only his Guru’s blessings but all the necessary things he needed for an onslaught on heaven. The Ritwijas chanted the holy hymns invoking God. He offered them dakshina and took their blessings. He prostrated before Prahlada, the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Hari and his grandfather, and took his blessings and permission to begin his campaign.

Bali wore the lotus garland given to him by Lord Brahma, got into the chariot which he had got with the blessings of his preceptor Shukracharya, tied the divine sword to his waist and the shaft of arrows on his back. Adorning himself with golden arm guards and fish shaped earrings, he looked as radiant as Yajneswara himself. With the strength, courage and wealth of the Daithyas supporting him, Bali Chakravarthi set off on his military campaign. Sending down shivers in the three worlds with his lion-like roar, Bali marched towards Amaravathi, the capital where happiness and prosperity reigned.

The military expedition by king Bali for conquest of the three worlds

Amaravathi

Devendra’s capital, Amaravathi, was an exquisitely beautiful city. It had divine gardens and parks. Birds were singing all the time. Scented flowers, ripe and juicy fruits and creepers made these gardens very attractive. There were lakes with pellucid water in which swans, tarns, chakravakas and karande birds moved about and they were a feast to the eyes of onlookers.

On both sides of the roads, there were high rise buildings which seemed to kiss the sky. Every house had a crystal dome, big front doors, wide and beautifully shaped windows which were framed in gold. The halls in the city were planned and built by Vishwakarma, the divine architect. There were wide roads and spacious squares. Ten crore dazzling aircraft stood there. All this gave the city a grand appearance.

The fragrance of the saugadhika flowers which fell down from the plaits of the Devatha women pervaded the entire city of Amaravathi. Every house had a flag flying atop it indicating a warm welcome to one and all. The melodeous music of the conch, mrudangam, anaka, dundubhi, flute veena and other musical instruments filled one with joy and happiness. Bali’s joy increased further as he saw the divine beauty and charm of the lovely apsara women. Infact, the city of Amaravathi seemed to be mocking at the Goddess of beauty with its incomparable radiance and beauty.

It was a well-known truth that only the righteous, the just and the truthful - those who possessed all good qualities-could enter and have a look at the great sights of the city and live there.

Bali entered this splendid city, the capital city of the devas. He blew his conch so hard that everyone was simply taken aback. As soon as Devendra heard the news that Bali had entered Amaravathi, he ran to the preceptor of Devas, Acharya Brihaspathi.

Brihaspathi’s words of Advice

Devendra was unnerved by Bali’s radiance, courage, spirit of adventure and his well-equipped army. He regretted that it was impossible to face Bali. He asked Brihaspathi how Bali was able to acquire such a strong mind, valour and physical strength.

Brihaspathi had the ability to see the past, present and future. With that power, he came to know that Bali had acquired such great capabilities as a result of Shukracharya’s divine instruction to him and the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Only Vishnu could face Bali. He advised them to abandon Swargaloka, hide somewhere and look forward to the day of Bali’s demise.

All the devas disguised themselves in different forms and left swargaloka. When all the Devas left Amaravathi, Bali and his men settled in the place and made it their own.

Shukarcharya was successful in helping Bali to perform one hundred Ashwamedha yagas. As a result of that great feat Balindra’s name and fame spread in all the three worlds. Bali, the emperor, who had a sense of fulfilment, began to enjoy ruling over his vast kingdom of the three worlds, the kingdom which was filled with wealth and prosperity.

Sage Kashyapa - Adithi

Sage Kashyapa and Adithi were husband and wife. Dithi, Adithi’s sister was also the wife of Kashyapa. Sage Kashyapa was the son of Sage Marichi (son of Brahma) and Kala (daughter of Kardamana). Adithi’s children were Adithyas or Devas and Dithi’s children and Daithyas.

Payovritha

The divine mother of the Devas, Adithi began to perform a vratha by name payovratha on the advice of her husband, Kashyapa, for the welfare of their children. Payovratha is also known as sarvayajna or sarvavritha. This vratha has to be observed within the confines of the Brahmacharya vratha, for twelve days from the first day of the brighter half of the month of Phalguna to the thirteenth day during which, the person observing it worships Lord Sriman Narayana. In these twelve days, Lord Vishnu (Sri Hari) has to be worshipped following the Shodashopachara Pooja * and chant ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya." While chanting this twelve lettered mantra, gandha (sandalwood paste) flowers, dhoopa, deepa, naivedya prepared by using rice, milk, sugar and ghee are to be offered with great devotion.

In this way Adithi worshipped Sri Mahavishnu with concentration and devotion. On the last day, she offered six kinds of sweets and other delicacies to the lord, welcomed acharyas and rithwijas whole heartedly. She offered them a sumptuous meal and also gave them clothes, jewellery, cows and money as dakshina She worshipped the brahmins, honoured them appropriately and made them happy.

In her free time, she worshipped the Lord by offering seva in the form of dance, music, bhajans and swathivachana. The lord was pleased with the pooja, prayer and other sevas and appeared before her. He was dressed in peethambara, (yellow silk) holding the shankha, chakra, gada and padma in his four arms. Adithi’s joy knew no bounds when she saw the lord standing before her. Her entire body began to tremble and she prostrated before the lord. She was overtaken by a thrill of rapture. She got up and stood before the divine figure, unable to speak. After a few minutes she composed herself and began to praise the lord with divine songs and prayers. The lord was pleased and said,

"We have understood your heart’s desire. Devendra’s kingdom has been taken away by his enemies. Your sons have become orphans. You desire to get back the lost kingdom and to see that your sons live in peace, happiness and prosperity.

The Asura generals are great warriors. No one can defeat them in a battle. Therefore we shall think of a plan and by using tact we shall take back the kingdom from Bali, the king of Asuras. We shall restore to your sons their wealth, honour and happiness shortly. Be happy.

Mahavishnu grants a boon to Aditi

I will enter the person of your great husband and be born as your son just to protect your people. Lord Vishnu promised the mother of the Devas that he would save her sons and vanished.

Incarnation of Vamana

In answer to the prayer of Kashyapa and Devamatha Adithi, Lord Vishnu entered Adithi’s womb and dwelt there for a thousand years. At the end of that period, he came out and revealed himself to the world. His blue body shone brightly. He had two exquisite earrings which made him look brighter. On his chest one could see the symbol of Srivatsa (swastika symbol). He had shining bangles on his wrists, and a golden crown on his head. The golden girdle and anklets made him more attractive. He had a garland of flowers round his neck. One could see bees humming round the flowers in the garland.

When the child was born, the place round Sage Kashyapa’s ashram became bright, as darkness was driven away by the brightness of the Lord. The atmosphere looked fresh and bright. Rivers and lakes were filled to the brim. People were happy and contented. It appeared as if all the seasons had congregated and had become active at the same time.

The Lord was born in the abhijith muhurtha under the shravana nakshatra on the twelfth day of the brighter half of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada. All the planets were in auspicions positions at that moment. Hence that day came to be called Vijaya Dwadashi.

When the Lord (Vamana) was born divine music was being played on the earth and in heaven. Shankha, dundubhi, mridanga, panada, aanaka, thuthoori, dhakke, maddale and other musical instruments were heard and the happiness of the people touched heavenly heights. The Apsaras danced in heaven while the Gandharvas sang. The Sages, Devas and Pithru Devas prayed to God. The siddhas, vidyadharas, kinnaras, kimpurushas, birds, NagaDevas and followers of Devas in heaven began to dance to the tune of music played by gandharvas. They also rained flowers round the ashrama praising the great qualities of the Lord.

Prajapathis, such as Marichi, arrived on the spot to have a darshan of the Lord. The seven Sages (Saptarshis)-Bharadwaja, Gowthama, Kashyapa, Visvamithra, Jamadagni, Vasistha and Athri-came to have a look at the Lord and pay their homage to him. Then thousands of great Sages came and got blessed by Lord Sri Hari.

The Ashta dikpalakas, Vayuganas, Viswadevas, Sadhyadevas, Nagadevas and all the living beings came craving for the Lord’s darshan. They made obeisance to him and got blessed. Famous apsaras Anooka, Jaami, Mishrakeshi, Alambusha, Mareechi, Shuchika, Vidwathpoorna, Thilothama, Adrika, Lakshhna, Rambha, Manorama, Asitha, Subaahu, Supriya, Subhaga, Urvashi, Chithralekha, Sugreeva, Sulochana, Pundarika, Sugandha, Suratha, Pramaathini, Nanda, Sharadwathi, Menaka, Sahajanya, Parnika, Punjikasthala and many others danced to celebrate the Lord’s incarnation.

Vamana shone with the brightness of one thousand suns. Even Prajapitha Brahma prostrated before the Lord.

The Lord, who was born with four arms bearing four weapons (Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma) took on the form of Vamana. (a dwarf) All the Devas present there prayed fervently in their own ways. ‘May god prevail - they all hailed the Lord in unison. Vamana was highly pleased and said, "Best among the Suras, what can I do for you? What boon do you desire from me? Why have you came to me? Please answer my questions.’

The Devas and others present there were thrilled; they folded their hands and prayed. They said, O great one! Balindra, who is omniscient, is also invincible and a maha tapasvi. He is brave, adventurous and has conquered his senses. He pleased Lord Brahma, got a powerful boon and as a result of the strength he acquired, defeated us and took away all we had. He was successful in pleasing Brahmadeva, who granted him the boon that he cannot be killed by us. Only you can bring him round. We have come to you in total surrender. You always protect those who come seeking your help. O great Sri Hari, save us from this catastrophe.

Maha Vishnu, who was born as Vamana (Upendra, Thrivikrama), was loved by one and all. Maharshi Kashyapa performed jatakarma and other samskaras to Vamana as suggested by the all-knowing Sages. The upanayana samskara was also over. He was initiated into the Gayathri mantra by lord Surya himself. The preceptor of Devas, Sage Brihaspathi, gave him the sacred thread. Kashyapa tied the mounji (girdle made out of darbha grass) round his waist and the sacred thread round his neck and shoulders. Bhoodevi gave him the holy Krishnajina. Chandra, the lord of nature, gave him the staff (danda). Mother Adithi gave him Kaupina (loin cloth) and the waist band. The goddess of space gave him a divine umbrella. Brahma gave him the holy water pot and Saptarshis, darbha. Goddess Saraswathi gave him a rosary (a string of beads.) After the Upanayana, the king of yakshas, Kubhera, gave him the begging bowl.

The mother of the earth, and the greatest and the best of Sathis, Uma Devi gave him the first bhiksha. Everyone who came to attend the ceremony gave various kinds of gifts to the brahmachari and honoured him. The assembly, attended by great brahmarshis, dazzled with the radiance of Vamana. Then Vamana, with the help of Samiths, invoked Agnideva and performed the first fire sacrifice (agnikarya).

Vamana enters the holy Mantapa of Aswamedha

The best and the greatest among the Daitya kings, Bali, performed ashwamedha yaga at the instance of Shukracharya, his preceptor. Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu came to know about it. He went to the preceptor of Devas, Acharya Brihaspathi, and asked him to take him to emperor Bali, who had made a name as a great daani (one who gives things as gifts to others.) He also told the Sage that he had made a plan to take away from him, his entire kingdom, which spread in all the three worlds.

As desired by Vamana, sage Brihaspathi took him to emperor Bali’s yajna shala. Vamana appeared like an ordinary Brahmin boy wearing mounji made of darbha grass as girdle. He wore the sacred thread and had a holy water pot, a danda and an umbrella. He had put on the krishnajina as uttariya (upper garment).

The main entrance to the yajnashala was being guarded by brave Daitya warriors. Ritwijas were sitting round the yajna kunda chanting veda mantras and performing the yagna. Emperor Bali was sitting on a holy seat. Vamana reached Bali in a trice. When the ritwijas saw Vamana, they were struck by the form and the proportionate growth of his person. They noticed the radiance on his face and began to wonder who could the brahmachari, who shone with brilliance equal to the Sun God, be. He appeared to be highly learned but was full of humility. They thought that he was all knowing like Lord Sri Hari. Could he be Yajneswara himself? The dignity on his face struck them most. The Sages present there discussed about the young brahmachari thus.

Emperor Bali, who was observing the happenings, got up, welcomed the brahmachari and offered him arghya and padya. The brahmachari appeared to be murmuring something. Bali washed the young brahmachari’s feet and took the water as thirtham. Then he lifted both his hands and prostrated before Vamana with great reverence.

Vamana then explained the importance of the ashwamedha yaga being performed by the king. He discussed the nuances of a number of points relating to yajnas logically with the Sages. All the Sages, including Shukracharya who came to attend the yajna, were wonder struck at the depth of knowledge and the skills of argument of the young vatu on topics which needed deeper understanding and scientific approach. The great teachers assembled there had no answers to many of the questions the young vatu posed to them. But they were supremely happy to look at the handsome figure of Vamana and were full of appreciation for his scholarship. Who could this handsome young scholar be? No one could guess!

After Bali completed the formalities of welcome, the king said to him. "O great young brahmachari, where have you come from? Who are you? Whose son are you? What can I do for you? I have not seen a young brahmin like you. I have not even heard that such a great one as you could exist. It appears that all the fruit of the tapas of all Sages seem to have got concentrated in your personality.

"You are still very young, but you appear to be the greatest scholar I have ever seen. You have mastered all knowledge of vedas, shastras and sciences. You speak like a nobleman in a very pleasing manner. If one goes on looking at you, he may not even feel the passage of time. You have a handsome figure and a scholarly head to match it.

"This yajna platform has got blessed by your presence. All the Pithru Devathas are pleased. My clan is blessed.

"The Yajna I have undertaken is successfully completed today. I presume, I have pleased all the Agnis due to which I have had your holy darshan.

"All my sins have been washed away by the water I have used to wash your feet.

"I feel that you have come here seeking something. Do not have any reservations. Kindly ask for anything you want.

"O sacred one, you can ask for anything I have-my land, gold, my well-furnished palace, food, maidens, prosperous villages, horses, elephants, cows, chariots - infact ask for anything. You can have them. Please let me know what you desire, I will give it to you immediately.

I have not seen a better and holier brahmin than you in my life. The like of you cannot be found among Devas, Sages, nagayajnas, Asuras, siddhas, gandharvas, PithruDevas or any other group. Emperor Bali pleaded with the brahmachari to ask for the thing he desired.

Vamana Praises Bali

Vamana had a few words of praise for Balindra. Vamana said, "Balindra, you have spoken in a manner which befits