Srimad Bhagavatam – day 170
Puruśottamāya namah
Then, with absolutely pure inner mind, Devahuti meditated upon the all-pervading essence of the Self. When the Self illumines in its original form, the bondage called body, which is the creation of the three attributes of the illusory power, is destroyed.
Devahuti firmly placed her intellect (buddhi) upon Parabrahma, the presiding deity for all living beings. As feelings of individual existence had completely dissolved in her, her sorrows were washed away in totality and she was immersed in bliss. She was absorbed in absolute endless meditation. She was freed from the body-illusion.
As she was freed from anxiety, her body was no longer emaciated. Her body covered with dirt shone like the fire enveloped by smoke.
As her mind was exclusively fixed upon Lord Vāsudeva, she was oblivious of the existence of her body. Her body, which was totally absorbed in penance and yogic austerities and which was decorated by her scattered hair and untidy clothes, survived purely upon her prārabdha karma.
Evaṁ sā kapiloktena mārgeṇācirataḥ param
Ātmānaṁ brahma-nirvāṇaṁ bhagavantam avāpa ha
Devahuti walked on the path as directed by Maharishi Kapila and quickly attained the supreme bliss which was untainted by sorrows. She merged into the Supreme Lord Srihari!
The pure place where she attained liberation is known as Siddhapada and is famous in all the three worlds. It is considered to be a very sacred place.
Due to the power of her yogic austerities her body was devoid of all impurities. It now flowed like a river. With utmost devotion great sages offer their services to that river, which is the most supreme among all rivers and which bestows accomplishment.
After seeking permission from his mother, Mahāyogi Maharishi Kapila left his father’s ashram and travelled towards the northeast. There supremely accomplished beings such as Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas, Apsarasās, Munis profusely extolled Maharishi Kapila. As they were thus praising Him, the Lord of the ocean came forward, offered him water ablutions and a place for Him to reside.
For the welfare of the three worlds, Kapila Maharishi, who is greatly praised by exponents in Sānkhya philosophy, adhered to the path of Yoga and remained in the state of Samadhi.
Vidura, you are a meritorious being. I have explained to you in detail about the time periods known as Manvantara. I have also narrated to you the sacred conversation between Devahuti and Kapila.
Ya idam anuśṛṇoti yo ’bhidhatte
Kapila-muner matam ātma-yoga-guhyam
Bhagavati kṛta-dhīḥ suparṇa-ketāv
Upalabhate bhagavat-padāravindam
This spiritual Yogic teaching of Maharishi Kapila is very secretive. When this is being narrated, the person who listens attentively, with his mind fixed exclusively on Lord Vishnu seated on his vehicle Garuda, will attain the lotus feet of the Lord.
With this the third canto comes to an end.
Fourth Canto First Chapter
In this Canto, which consists of 31 chapters, the Visarga creation done through the medium of Brahma, Manu and others, under the directions of the Supreme Lord, is covered.
In the first chapter, the lineage of the Manu’s other children, the incarnation of Dattatreya and the incarnations of Nara-Narayana are explained.
Srikrishna Parabrahmane namah
Maitreya Maharishi continued, “O Vidura, the holy couple Swāyambhuva Manu and Shataroopa had three daughters. They were famous in this world as Ākuti, Devahuti and Prasuti.
Swāyambhuva Manu decided to offer his daughter Ākuti to Ruci Prajāpati in marriage. With the permission of his wife Shataroopa, he got them married.
While giving his daughter in marriage, Manu put forth a condition that Ākuti should return her first born son to her father. This is known as putrika dharma. Although Swāyambhuva Manu had two sons Priyavrata and Uttānapada, he incorporated this condition for his daughter’s marriage to Ruci Prajāpati.
Ruci Prajapati was an accomplished ascetic who had attained enlightenment due to the grace of the Lord. This holy couple was blessed with a son and a daughter.
The son born to them was none other than Lord Srihari! Representing the Yagna rituals explained in the Vedas, He took on the name ‘Yagna’. Goddess Lakshmi never leaves the hand of the Lord and is His eternal consort. When He decides to incarnate, she too incarnates.
With her partial incarnation (amsha) she was born as the daughter of Ruci Prajāpati and Ākuti. She was named Dakshina. In a Yagna the money that is offered to the priests who conduct the yagna is known as Dakshina.
Srihari is the embodiment of Yagna. Lakshmi is the Dakshina (money) offered to the priests in the homa. Through the actions of undertaking Yagna as per the procedure prescribed by the Vedas and offering money as dakshina to the priests who conducted the Yagna ritual, the person undertaking the Yagna obtains the Lord’s blessings. Due to these blessings, his wealth continues to remain stably with him without getting eroded.
Swāyambhuva Manu was very pleased when he heard that Ākuti and Ruci Prajāpati had been blessed with children. As per his earlier condition he brought home this boy Yagna and raised him while Ruci Prajāpati affectionately raised his daughter Dakshina.
Purushottamāya namah.