Part 32 (2/2)

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Sanhrada Anuhrada Hrada Prahlada Sinhika = Mati = Surya. = Dhamanti = Drarvi. = Viprachit

Panchajana +----+---+ +-+----+

Rahu.

Vashkala. Mahisha. Vatapi Ilvala

Virochana.

Bali = Asana

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Bana 99 sons.

THE MARUTS.

*SKANDHA VI. CHAP. 18-19.*

Diti was very much grieved by the loss of her sons, caused by Indra. She ardently wished to have a son who could kill Indra. With this object, she served Kasyapa with all her heart and pleased him much. Kasyapa offered to give her any boon, and she prayed for an immortal son that would kill Indra. Sorely perplexed in mind, the Ris.h.i.+ thought within himself of a device. He said ”I grant you the boon, but you shall have to observe Punsavana Vrata for one full year.” This is a Vaisnava Vrata, the performance of which requires absolute purity of body and mind.

Kasyapa related the details to his wife, (for which refer to the original). His object was to give an immortal son to Diti and to purify her mind by this Vrata, so that she might cast, off all enmity against Indra. He also thought it possible that his wife might not observe the strict rules for such a long time. Diti however accepted the conditions, and she bore a son. Indra became very much frightened, and he closely watched his step mother to discover a breach of the rules. He followed and served Diti always and tried to please her. One day Diti became very much tired, and she fell asleep after eating before she could wash her hands, mouth and feet. Finding this opportunity, Indra, by his Yogic powers entered the womb and split the child into 7 parts. The Maruts wept and requested their half-brother not to kill them. Indra consoled them saying that they need have no fear from him, and he would make them his companions. He then split each of the seven into as many parts again. By the favour of Vishnu, the Maruts were not destroyed, but came out all alive from the womb of Diti. It was a little short of one year still. Indra made them drinkers of Soma and his chief companions. Diti woke up, and she was astonished to find 49 sons by her. ”Tell me Indra if thou knowest” said she, ”how is it I have these 49 sons instead of one. Pray do not conceal any thing.” Indra gave the whole story to Diti and expressed great repentance. He a.s.sured Diti that the Maruts would be his best companions. Diti's mind had been purified, and she allowed her sons to become Devas. Thus the Maruts, though born as Daityas, became immortal Devas. (Marut Vayu air. Vayu corresponds to the sense of touch and to vital energy).

SKANDHA VII.

THE MYSTERIES ABOUT THE SURAS AND THE ASURAS.

*SKANDHA VII. CHAP. 7-1.*

Raja Pariks.h.i.+t said: - ”To Bhagavan, all beings are equal, and He is the dear friend of all. Why did he kill the Daityas for the sake of Indra, as if He was not above partiality. Supreme Bliss Himself, He had nothing to gain from the Devas. Being above the control of the Gunas, He had no fear from the Asuras, and he did not bear any unfriendly feeling for them. We are in doubt as to the virtues of Narayana. Please clear up the doubt.”

Suka replied: - Void of Gunas, without beginning, without manifestation, beyond Prakriti, Bhagavan pervades and permeates the Gunas of His Maya.

Hence His seeming relations. Satva, Rajas and Tamas are not His Gunas, but they are the Gunas of Prakriti. These attributes or tendencies of Prakriti do not all prevail at one and the same period; but they have got their periods of increase and decrease. (That is, since the beginning of the universe, the general tendency which guides all beings is different at different times. Thus at the very outset there was inertia, Tamas. This inertia was got over by Rajas, which predominated in the Praj.a.patis, and the life-forms appeared on the globes. There was Tamas again in the mineral kingdom, which had to be conquered by Rajasic activity. And Rajas was in full swing till humanity reached a certain stage. Then Satva manifested itself for the evolution of men. The spiritual regeneration will be brought about by the ever increasing prevalence of Satva).

When Satva prevails, Bhagavan favours the Devas and Ris.h.i.+s. When Rajas prevails, He favours the Asuras. When Tamas prevails, He favors the Yakshas and Rakshasas. He follows in fact the periodic tendency.

It is Kala (Periodicity) that now brings up Satva. So the Lord seems to favour the hosts of Devas, in whom Satva prevails. He also seems to put down the hosts of Asuras, who are opposed to the Devas being full of Rajas and Tamas.

It is also to favour the Asuras that He kills them. For we have seen above, how the gate-keepers of Vishnu became Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu by the curse of the k.u.mara brothers. They had to become Asuras for three successive births. In the second birth, they became Ravana and k.u.mbhakarna, when they were killed by Rama. In their last birth, they became s.h.i.+shupala and Danta-vakra, when they were killed by Sri Krishna. Then they became finally liberated and restored to their place in Vaikuntha.

(The Spiritual ascent commenced finally on the appearance of Sri Krishna. It was to prevail for the remaining life period of the universe. The Asuras had done their work by this time, and therefore they finally returned to Vaikuntha).

THOUGHTS ON THE ABOVE.

The Daityas and the Danavas are both called Asuras. But there is a radical difference between the two cla.s.ses.

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