Srimad Bhagavatam – day 349
Maharishi Angira addressed Chitraketu and said, “My dear king, how is your health? Are your citizens prospering?
Just as the 7 principles known as Mahat tattva (cosmic intelligence), egoism and the five basic elements cause the sustenance of the individual soul, the 7 elements known as Guru, minister, kingdom, forts, treasury, law & order and friendly relations with other kingdoms protect a king. Relying on these 7 elements, the king directly reaps the resultant rewards. Likewise, the 7 principles also rely upon the king and reap resultant benefits.
Do your wives, citizens, ministers, servants, traders, advisors, vassal kings and your sons abide by your dictates? Not only do all living entities remain under the control of that person who has controlled his mind, but in addition, all the planetary systems together with their Guardian deities ensure timely supply of food grains to him without any delay or negligence.
However, from your face, it appears you are unhappy. It is apparent that some desire of yours has not been fulfilled either by others or by your own efforts. Signs of worry are clearly visible on your face”. In this way, the omniscient Maharishi gently broached the subject that was tormenting the king.
King Chitraketu replied, “O venerable sage! Is it possible for Yogis whose mind has been rendered absolutely pure due to penance, austerities and absolute mind control to be unaware of happenings within and without? O great saint, although being omniscient you are enquiring from me the reason for my sorrow. Based on your command, I shall reveal my worry. It is my dharma to explain the problem when you have enquired.
My kingdom is overflowing with that opulence which is desired by Guardian-deities. Nevertheless, just as a person tormented by hunger and thirst cannot be content with other luxuries, these material comforts fail to give me any joy as I am deprived of progeny. I fear that I shall be thrown in hell along with my ancestors for remaining childless. O great saint! Please save me from hell”.
Swamiji explains: These rules pertain to that era. Rules have changed since then. There is a method by which childless couples can consider the Supreme Lord as their son. They can treat Mother Goddess as their daughter. Such couples definitely reach heavens. Listening to this story it is incorrect for childless couples to get disheartened. Since you are listening to Bhagavatam, there is nothing for you to worry. Even the worst sinners do not have to worry because if they listen to Bhagavatam they will definitely reach heaven.
In this story, being a king, Chitraketu, is entrusted with the responsibility of an empire and for having to provide his citizens with a competent successor who will rule in accordance to dharma. Here his worry was not for his personal benefit but for the well-being of the lakhs of citizens and of the country. Yet another important point is that this king was frequently engaged in performing Yagnas and Yagas for welfare of his country. For the performance of some very auspicious Yagnas the king had to necessarily have an heir.
On the other hand, normally a childless couple seeks a child purely for their happiness. We want to see our child as a doctor. That’s our ambition. There is no great sacrifice in educating your own child. Hence, the agony of childlessness experienced by a normal couple and of that experienced by the King cannot be equated.
Normal couples do not have to fear falling into hell for remaining childless. The couple who do not have children at the right age, should tune their mind towards dispassion. Even at the age of 70, some people struggle for a child ruining their health in this process.
It was an era of noble, saintly kings and noble individuals. This story is mentioned in Bhagavatam. Are our lives comparable to any of the characters that we come across in Bhagavatam? Do we lead ideal dharmic lives? We mistakenly consider ourselves to be some Devatas who have landed upon earth due to some curse which has resulted in our being childless.
Once again I repeat: childless couple should not endlessly grieve upon their situation. They should not compare themselves to King Chitraketu and live in fear that they will end in hell. Remember that birth of a son does not automatically guarantee entry into heaven.
Hence the king pleaded, “Please preach to me the method by which I can be blessed with a child.”
The ever-competent Maharishi Angira, who was a mind-born son of Brahma and who was an epitome of compassion decided to fulfill the king’s desire. He made the required food offerings for Tvaṣṭa in the homa fire. As the king’s first wife Kṛtadyuti was the most eligible for begetting a son, Maharishi Angira offered the homa prasada to her. He then addressed the king and said, “O King, a son will be born who will be the cause of your joy as well as sorrow”. Saying this he disappeared.
With utmost devotion Kṛtadyuti consumed the prasadam given to her. Just as Krittika carried the son of Agni, Kṛtadyuti carried the offspring of Chitraketu in her womb. Chitraketu’s radiance which was in her womb grew rapidly like the waxing moon and soon, upon the completion of her pregnancy, Kŗtadyuti delivered a boy.
The citizens of the land rejoiced. Chitraketu was overjoyed beyond limits. After conducting all the purificatory ceremonies, Chitraketu had the boy blessed by Vedic scholars and had his horoscope written. He gave away in charity plenty of gold, silver, clothing, villages, horses, elephant and 6 crore healthy milk-yielding cows to Vedic Brahmins.
Seeking that his son should be blessed with longevity, fame and prosperity the king magnanimously showered gifts upon his citizens and filled their desires as profusely as the clouds shower rain.
Achyutāya namah