Srimad Bhagavatam – day 480
Guru Brihaspati said, “The day Bali insults these erudite Vedic scholars, he along with his entire retinue, will be destroyed”.
Seeking the well-being of the Devatas, Guru Brihaspati thus aptly assessed the present situation and advised the Devatas.
Accepting this advice of Brihaspati, the Devatas took on forms of their choice, and abandoned heaven. When the Devatas went into hiding, demon-king Bali entered heaven and assumed control over all the three planes of existence.
The descendants of Bhrigu were pleased that Bali had, in accordance with their instructions, conquered all the three planes of existence. They were so happy that they helped Bali perform hundred Ashwamedha yāgās. Due to the power of these Yagnas, Bali obtained great renown. His fame spread in all directions and across all the worlds. He shone like the Moon who rules over all the stars.
Bali considered himself to be a supremely generous person and as one who had achieved fulfilment in life due to performance of various Yagnas. Due to the blessings of the erudite Vedic scholars Bali was enjoying the wealth of the Devatas and was prospering.
With this the fifteenth chapter of the eighth canto comes to an end.
Eighth Canto Chapter Sixteen
In this chapter, in order to fulfill the desire of his wife, Maharishi Kaśyapa instructs her into the ritual called Payovṛta.
Maharishi Śuka continued, “Aditi, the mother of the Devatas, was deeply aggrieved that her sons, the Devatas, had to leave their home in heaven and that having assumed different forms they had disappeared. As a result in her hermitage all festivities and joyous celebrations had stopped completely.
A very long time passed. Maharishi Kaśyapa, who was in a deep meditative state of Samadhi for a very long period, came out of meditation and went to meet his wife Aditi.
Mother Aditi lovingly welcomed her husband. Maharishi Kaśyapa then took his seat and observed his wife’s gloomy face. She appeared pale, sorrowful and emaciated. He then enquired,
“O auspicious one! Has any calamity befallen Vedic scholars, the principles of righteousness (dharma) or to any living entity who is subject to death? You are the queen of this home. Are you facing any difficulty in regard to abidance to the rules of righteousness (dharma), material earnings (artha) or fulfilment of desires (kama)? A household renders prosperous even that person who does not put in stringent efforts. Such is the purity and significance of a home.
Could it be possible that unexpected guests arrived at your home when you were engrossed in other household duties and feeling insulted at not being properly welcomed, did they go away?
Gṛheṣu yeṣv atithayo nārcitāḥ salilair api
Yadi niryānti te nūnaṁ pherurāja-gṛhopamāḥ
That house from which unexpected guests leave as they are not welcomed lovingly or reverentially; that house from which they leave without even sipping a little water is definitely the home of the king of jackals. Such home is equal to a crematorium.
O auspicious one! You are a very chaste woman. Could it be possible that during my absence, you became agitated and hence failed to make the timely stipulated ghee offerings into the holy fire?
Through worshipping Brahmins and the holy fire, the householder secures the higher heavenly planets which fulfill all desires. This is because both the Brahmins and the holy fire are the face of the Supreme Lord Srihari, who is an embodiment of all Devatas. Ghee offerings made into the holy fire and offering food to the Brahmins directly reaches the Supreme Lord Maha-vishnu.
O Aditi! You are truly a self-respecting woman. My dear, are all your sons hale and hearty? Your pale lustreless face indicates that you lack mental peace”.
Hearing this Mother Aditi replied, “O Maharishi! May the Vedic scholars, cows, dharma and living entities be blessed with auspiciousness! You truly are a supreme householder. This home of yours is the residence for righteousness, material prosperity and fulfilment of desires in totality. I have duly honoured all unexpected guests, servants and other living entities who have approached our home seeking fulfilment of some desires. I have also made all the stipulated offerings into the holy fire. Due to eternally meditating upon you, the most revered person, I lack nothing.
O revered saint! When you, the Prajapati, are teaching me the rules of righteousness is there any scope for me to remain dissatisfied in any aspect? Can any desire remain unfulfilled?
O son of Marici! All these living entities who totally identify with the traits of goodness, passion and ignorance, have emerged from your body alone. You have feelings of equal-mindedness even towards demons and other living entities. However even Lord Maheshwara blesses only his devotees. Therefore you too should follow his example.
You strictly abide by all your religious austerities. Please favour me, who am serving you devotedly. Enemies have stolen our wealth, fame and glory. Please protect us. They have harmed us, the Devatas. For this reason I am submerged in an ocean of grief.
O Mahatma! You are the foremost among those who seek the well-being of others. With the intent that my sons regain back their lost glory and residence, please favour them.”
Hearing this words Kaśyapa Prajapati smiled gently. He then addressed her and said, “The power contained in Vishnu’s illusionary energy is always astonishing. This world is full of bondages created out of ignorance.
Kva deho bhautiko ’nātmā kva cātmā prakṛteḥ paraḥ
Kasya ke pati-putrādyā moha eva hi kāraṇam
O devi, how can you compare this non-Self gross body created out of the five basic elements with the Self which is beyond the limitations of Nature? Who is your husband and who is your son? To whom do they really belong?
Attachment is the root for this repeated cycle of re-births. Vāsudeva, who is complete in every aspect, is the Lord who punishes the wicked.
Sarva-bhūta-guhā-vāsaṁ vāsudevaṁ jagad-gurum – this Supreme Lord resides as the Self within the heart of every living entity. Worship that Supreme Lord. He is full of compassion towards the down- trodden. He will fulfill your desire. Devotion towards Him can never go in vain”.
Nārayana.