“O Grandsire Bhishma! I got one doubt. Will, other castes other than Brahmins, by virtue of their righteous character and virtuous deeds, attain Brahminism?” asked Dharmaja.
“Dharmaja! Attaining Brahminism is too difficult.Even after several births, one cannot attain brahminism.
Note: Brahiminism is Not by Birth - But Attaining Nature of Soul
O Gransire Bhishma! if attaining Brahminism is such a difficult task, how Visvamitra, a Kshatriya was transformed into Brahmin?” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dhamaja! There was a Kshatriya King called Gaadhi in the clan of Jahnu, father of River Jahnavi (Ganga). Satyavati was the daughter of Gadhi. Saint Rucheeka, born in Bhrigu clan, intended to marry Satyavi. Gadhi did not agree for his proposal by putting a condition that if Rucheeka offers one thousand white horses with one ear black, he can marry Satyavati. Rucheeka agreed for the condition and went in search of white horses with one ear black.
Rucheeka approached Varuna who agreed to supply such horses. On the advice of Varuna, Rucheeka went to the banks of Ganges . He sat there in Padma Aasana and prayed Ganges for grant of one hundred one ear black, white horses. Next moment, such horses stood before him. Since then that place was known as Asva Teertha. Rucheeka gave those horses to Gadhi and married his daughter, Satyavati.
Years passed. Rucheeka performed a Yajna for the sake of children. Mother of Satyavati also requested her daughter to recommend her case also for children. Rucheeka performed Yajna and put the Havis in two distinct vessels. Rucheeka showed both the vessels to Satyavati and said:
“O Satvati! you consume the Havis in this vessel. You beget a Satvika son who is a virtuous brahmin with glory. You give the other vessel to your mother. If she consumes the Havis in that vessel, she begets a son with Rajasa qualities. Then you embrace a Medi tree and let your mother embrace Ravi tree. You both beget children.” said Rucheeka.
While consuming the Havis, there was a confusion. Satyavati consumed Havis intended for her mother and her mother consumed Havis intended for Satyavati. While embracing trees also, such confusion prevailed. In course of time, they both became pregnant. Rucheeka realised the mistake.
One day Rucheeka told his wife Satyavati: “O Satyavati! While consuming Havis, you exchanged your vessels. Hence, you are bearing in your womb, a cruel kshatriya instead of a virtuous brahmin.” said Rucheeka.
On hearing this, Satyavati trembled. “No, It cannot be. You are a virtuous brahmin. How can you become father of a cruel kshatriya. Kindly avoid this calamity with your power.” prayed Satyavati.
“I can postpone the evil for one generation. Now you beget a virtuous brahmin. But his son i.e, your grandson will be a cruel kshatriya.” said Rucheeka.
Accordingly, Satyavati gave birth to Saint Jamadagni. Jamadagni’s son was Parasu Rama who vanquished the entire Kshatriya community.
Wife of Gadhi i.e., mother of Satyavati, gave birth to Visvamitra who later transformed into a virtuous brahmin.
Dharmaja! though Visvamitra was born as Kshatriya, brahminism sprouted in his mind. Though Parasurama was born as Brahmin, he adopted Kshatra.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.
“O Grandsire Bhishma! In this connection, I remember a story of Veetahavya who attained Brahmanism. Kindly tell me that story in detail.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! King Haihaya, a kshatriya, was born in Saryati clan. He was the King of Vatsa kingdom. Haihaya was also called Veetahavya. He married ten wives and begot one hundred sons. The sons of Haihaya waged war against King Haryasva, king of Kasi and killed him. Later his son, Sudeva was made the King of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya again went against Sudeva and killed him. Then Devodasa, son of Sudeva was made the king of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya invited Devodasa for war and defeated him. Devodasa fled away with fear and sought refuge at Saint Bharadwaja. Devodasa told Bhardwaja the entire sotry of their fore fathers’ defeat at the hands of son of Haihaya.
“Dont worry. I bless you with a son who kills them in retaliation.” said Bharadwaja. Under the guidance of Bharadwaja, Devodasa performed Putrakameshti Yaga, as a result of which he begot a son called Pratyardhana. Pratyardhana, with the blessings of Bharadwaja learnt Vedas, Sastras, archery skills etc. Devodasa enthroned him as King of Kasi. With the permission of his father Devodasa,Pratyardhana invited Haihaya’s sons for war and killed all of them.
Then Pratyardhana rushed against Haihaya. Unable to resist Pratyardhana, Haihaya fled away and sought refuge with Saint Bhrigu. Bhrigu asked Haihaya to join his sishyas as a Brahmin. Pratyardhana arrived there in search of Haihaya. Pratyardhana saluted Bhrigu.
“What made you to come over here?” asked Bhrigu.
Pratyardhana told Bhrigu about the killing of his father and fore father by the sons of Haihaya and that he has come to kill Haihaya. On hearing the above, Bhrigu said: “O Pratyardhana! there are none here who belong to Kshatriya community. They are all Brahmins, my sishyas.”
On hearing these words, Partyardhana gladly replied: “O Saint Bhrigu! the purpose of my arrival is accomplished. You said Haihaya is not a Kshatriya, which results in excommunicating Haihaya from Kshatriya community. That much I want. I hope you never speak falsehood. Bless me.” saluting Bhrigu, Pratyardhana went away.
From then onwards, Haihaya abandoned Kshatra, attained Brahmanism and did great tapas and begot a son Kritsamada. In his clan, Suteja, Varchasa, Nihavya, Satya, Santa, Sravasa, Damasa, Prakasa, Vaageendra, Pramati, Ruru, Samuda, Sunaka, Sounaka were born. A new Brahmin clan commenced from Haihaya, also called Veetahavya.” told Bhishma to Dharmaja.
“O Grandsire! Amongst divine effort and manual effort, which is great? Tell me.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! in the past, the same question was asked by Vasishta. I tell you what Brahma said in answer to that question.
Earth, manual effort and seed are different and separate. With the combination of these three only, plants sprout. If we sow seeds in earth, plants sprout. For sowing seeds, manual effort is required. Having land and seeds does not yield result. Therefore manual effort is necessary. There is no use of sitting idle throwing the entire burden on God. Manual effort is compulsory. God’s effort coordinates with our manual efforts. Simply putting manual efforts never yield results. God’s effort also shall coordinate.
If we help others, they help us. If we harm others, they also harm us. Therefore, all manual efforts must be intended for the welfare of the mankind and society. Then only, God also help us. For example, small fire with the help of wind, will turn into great flame. Similarly, whatever small our effort is, God’s help will be more. We light lamp with ghee. If the ghee is exhausted, lamp will diminish. Similarly, if virtues are lacking in our efforts, God never help us. They never fructify. Parasurama, Bhrigu, Bali are great people. But their efforts lack in purity. Hence God was not in their favour. Therefore, for all our efforts, God’s coordination is compulsory. Therefore, Dharmaja! for any manual effort, God’s coordination is compulsory.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.
Summary
- Rigveda says that whoever insults Brahmin, all his Punyas vanish.
- Adharvana Veda says that there is no greater trouble than disregarding brahmins.
- Samaveda says that all the sins vanish if brahmins are worshipped for one month.
- Yajurveda says that all the rituals viz., Japa, Homa etc shall be performed under the guidance of Brahmins.
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