Srimad Bhagavatam – day 174
Nārasimhaya namah
yo māyayā viracitaṁ nijayātmanīdaṁ
khe rūpa-bhedam iva tat-praticakṣaṇāya
etena dharma-sadane ṛṣi-mūrtinādya
prāduścakāra puruṣāya namaḥ parasmai
Although there is only one space, it appears as if different spaces exist in different units eg., space in different pot appears to be different. Likewise in the non-dual Parabrahma, there are no differences. Even then, through the medium of His illusory energy, He creates this vast universe within Himself that consists of name and form.
In order to make known His true form to his devotees, such Supreme Lord has now descended in the form of the Maharishis Nara and Narayana. He has incarnated in the house of Dharma. To that Supreme Lord, who is beyond illusion and who is a form of completeness, we offer our obeisance.
The human being understands about the true form of the Lord exactly as stipulated in the scriptures. The Lord is the protector of the universe. He has created the Devatas solely to drive away the evil forces that cause obstacles to people. We are the Devatas who predominantly possess traits of goodness (sattva guna).
The Lord’s beautiful gaze puts to shame even the lotus which is considered to be an epitome of beauty. Such gaze overflows with compassion. May He look at us with such compassionate eyes!”
In this way, Devatas worshipped and praised the Maharishis Nara and Narayana. The Lord with His compassionate eyes blessed them with His darshan.
Nara and Narayana, who were the partial incarnations of the Supreme Lord Srihari, then left for the Gandhamādhana Mountain to continue their penance. In a later period of time they incarnated as Arjuna and Srikrishna and uplifted the Kuru and Yadu lineages. In order to protect this earth i.e. in order to drive away unrighteousness that had enveloped earth, they incarnated here.
We discussed that Daksha Prajāpati gave 13 out of his 16 daughters in marriage to Dharma and we have also understood their lineage.
Thereafter Daksha Prajāpati gave his daughter Swāha in marriage to Agni, the presiding deity for Fire. This couple had three sons viz., Pāvaka, Pavamāna and Suci. These three also are the presiding deities of Fire and they consume the homa offerings.
These three sons of Agni begot 45 types of Fire as children. Agni, his 3 sons and his 45 grandsons total 49 types of fire. In accordance to the dictates of the Vedas, Vedic scholars remember all these types of fire during the Yagna and conduct the Iśṭi rituals.
Thereafter Daksha gave his daughter Swadha to the forefathers (pitr-devatas) in marriage. Forefathers are Agniśvāttas, Bariśādas, Soumyas and Ajyapās.
There is a deep hidden inner significance within these names. Only when we delve into the inner meaning contained in the name, the entire significance contained in the story will be understood.
Those who relish food items cooked in fire are Agniśvāttas. Those who sit on seats made of Kuśa grass as Bariśādas. Those who drink soma rasa are Soumyās. Those who drink ājya are Ajyapās. Amongst them only some have the eligibility to make fire offerings. To all these forefathers Swādha is the wife.
She had two daughters Dhāriṇi and Vayunā, both of whom were Self-realized. In addition, having actually experienced the real knowledge, they imparted it to those who were desirous of learning.
Bhavasya patnī tu satī bhavaṁ devam anuvratā
Ātmanaḥ sadṛśaṁ putraṁ na lebhe guṇa-śīlataḥ
Satidevi, the daughter of Daksha Prajāpati, became the wife of Lord Shiva. With utmost love and dedication she served Shiva. Even then Sati could not beget a son, who could match her beauty and character.
Although Shiva was faultless, Daksha Prajāpati developed aversion towards him. Due to this anger he behaved contemptuously towards Shiva. At that time Sati was still a young girl and had not matured into an adult. Angered by her father’s actions, she, out of her own will, gave up her body by creating a Yogic fire.
With this the first chapter of the fourth canto comes to an end.
Fourth Canto Second Chapter
In this chapter, Daksha aversion towards Shiva and his curse are elaborated.
Vidura asked, “O Maitreya Maharishi, Shiva is the ultimate amongst those who bestow auspiciousness. Daksha also had great affection for his daughters. Why then did Daksha insult Satidevi? What was the reason for his hatred towards Shiva?
Kas taṁ carācara-guruṁ nirvairaṁ śānta-vigraham
Ātmārāmaṁ kathaṁ dveṣṭi jagato daivataṁ mahat