Part 22 (1/2)

So saying Bharata continued to carry the king. Rahugana came down from the palanquin and fell at Bharata's feet. He expressed regret for having slighted such a sage in disguise and prayed for a fuller explanation of the philosophy involved in his weighty words. This led to an explanation by Bharata of the Advaita philosophy from the stand point of the Puranas, a denunciation of Vedic and Tantric rites, and an allegorical description of the worldly life as trading in the forest (the world being the forest and the traders being men in search of wealth). The allegory was explained by Suka to Pariks.h.i.+t. [The enquiring student is referred to the original for details (V. 11-14.)]

*SKANDHA V. CHAP. 15.*

We must hurriedly refer to the line of Bharata. Sumati was the son of Bharata. Ill guided men in the Kali Yuga will call him a G.o.d. In his line Pratiha was master of atma Vidya. Coming lower down by far the most renowned king in the line of Bharata was Gaya Viraja was also well known. Of the hundred sons of Viraja, the eldest was Satajit or the Conqueror of the hundred.

THOUGHTS ON THE LINE OF PRIYA VRATA.

Priya Vrata means literally one of welcome (_Priya_) deeds (_Vrata_).

Priya Vrata, was under the influence of Narada from the beginning and he declined to go along the Descending path or Pravritti Marga. He was wedded to the daughter of Vishva Karma.

Vishva Karma is the cosmic manufacturer. The work of this Praj.a.pati extends over the whole of Triloki and he is the architect of all systems and chains included in the Triloki - Priya Vrata, as we shall see later on, represents the earth chain only or the system known as Bhur.

What we generally call the Solar system is a misnomer. For the sun stands between Bhur Loka and Svar Loka and illumines both the Lokas with its rays. The Solar System is therefore properly speaking the whole of the Triloki. In speaking of Priya Vrata, therefore, the Bhagavata restricts itself to the regions illumined by the sun as well as by the moon (V-15-I.)

We shall enter into a detailed description of the whole system in the next chapter. Let us take here a pa.s.sing glance of the line of Priya Vrata.

We take Priya Vrata to be the Earth chain complete in itself or rather the progenitor of the Earth chain.

Meru or Sumeru is the axis of Bhur Loka, its highest point being the highest point of Bhur Loka.

The sun G.o.d revolves round this central axis.

The Earth-G.o.d Priyavrata also revolved round Meru _i.e._ the Earth rotated round its own axis at a very rapid rate for some time during its infancy.

The rotation of the Earth was followed by the separation of layers. The part most removed from the centre was first affected.

In this way seven distinct layers were formed. The layer towards the circ.u.mference was the most spiritual. That towards the centre was the most material.

The reason of this is to be found in the action of the three Gunas and Tamas.

Satva is: on the material plane, light, transparent, with upward motion.

On the mental plane, buoyant and cheerful, with true perception, spiritual.

Rajas is: on the material plane, constantly moving, translucent, with motion on the same plane, without levity or gravity.

On the mental plane, constantly active, partly joyful, partly sorrowful, with partially true and partially false perception, intellectual.

Tamas is: on the material plane, heavy, opaque, with downward motion.

On the mental plane indolent, melancholy, nonperceptive or dull.

The centripetal force is the action of Tamas and is connected with materiality. The centrifugal force is the action of Satva and is connected with spirituality.

Of the seven Dvipas, the central is the Jambudvipa, which is the most material.

The one farthest from the centre is the Pushkara Dvipa.

The s.p.a.ces intervening between the layers or Dvipas are the seven oceans. They partake of the characteristics of the Dvipas, which they respectively surround. Thus the salt ocean surrounding the Jambu Dvipa is the most material. The materiality is indicated by the word ”salt,”