TALES FROM THE BHAGAVATHAM RETOLD FOR CHILDREN BY THATHA Tales From The Bhagavatham Retold For Children By P . S . Krishna Iyer Price : Unpriced For Private Circulation Only PREFACE It will be generally agreed that some of the happiest moments of our life were those spent listening to bedtime stories told by our doting old grand parents. Very often they may be repeating the same old story; but that did not matter at all. “Hullo Children, come here. Once upon a time there was a king” and the story would go on and children would be in fairyland. Now on reflection, we realize that these bed time stories served a great purpose. Children were led to appreciate bravery, truthfulness, honesty, goodness etc and detest sins. And all this was accomplished in the least expensive and psychologi- cally most effective way. Unfortunately all these have changed. Thousands of miles separate modern grand parents from their grand children to the detriment of both. This defect can be overcome to some extent through good storybooks and only through books. Advice from parents, however good, can be awfully boring; it may even have negative effects. Stories from Greek classics served a good purpose. Heroes by Kingsly and Tanglewood tales by Hawthorne are typical. They increased the child’s vocabulary and language power in the most natural way, through context; not through dictionary. A clear understanding of our own numerous deities is neces- sary. They are just concepts leading to the grand philosophy of the Gita. Hoping that the book will find favour with children and the kind indulgence of the elders. Your Servant P.S. Krishna Iyer OM! NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAYA After the great holocaust of Mahabharata when most of the friends and all the enemies of Pandavas were slain, Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna was installed as the king at Hastinapura (Modern Delhi). He was as valorous as his father Abhimanyu and invincible like his grandfather Arjuna and it seemed that Krita Yuga had once again returned. But it was not to be. All things must change. The king went out a hunting. It was essential to keep the wild animals at bay. After a daylong hunt, the king got separated from his attendants. He was very thirsty and looking about, saw an ashram (hermitage) at a distance. Taking off his shoes and with folded arms the king gently entered the ashram and there saw an old sage, Maharishi Angeras sunk in deep meditation. Parikshit tried to rouse him but the sage would not open his eyes. In a weak moment the king was overcome with anger. A serpent had cast off its coils near by. With the end of his bow the king took it up and placed it round the neck of the meditating saint and departed. The bad news soon reached the ears of Sringi, the son of Angeras. At once, surrounded by his playmates he returned to the ashram and saw the dead snake round his father’s neck. He burst into tears. Hearing that, it was done by the king himself, he flew into a rage and taking a handful of water in his palms pronounced a terrible curse. He said.” On the seventh day from now the king shall die of snake bite, bitten by Takshaka” Angeras Maharishi hearing the hubbub woke from his samadhi. On hearing all that had happened, he was displeased with his son. He said, “What have you done my son! The king is a great ruler. Who will protect us, ensuring peace all around, enabling us to pursue tapas? You must go at once and beg for pardon.” Sringi was abashed to hear this. Meanwhile the king too had heard of the curse. Too late he repented for his conduct. A Brahmin’s curse was irrevocable and death was certain. But he now wanted to know how to meet it remembering Hari always and of course at the last moment. The ministers - most of them being sages and rishis - advised him to call on a great conference. News spread fast, couriers were sent to distant parts of the kingdom and even outside. A vast concourse assembled on the banks of the Ganges. Bhagavan Atri, and the great sages Vasishta, Chyavana, Bhrigu, Angeras, Bharaduaj, Gautama, Agastya, Dwaipayana, Viswamitra, Sri Narada himself and many others had assembled. When all were comfortably seated, the king asked them what a dying man should do to realize God. While they were debating, there came by accident as it were Vyasa Maharshi’s son Sri Suka, the bachelor saint , always sixteen years old, glowing like the rising sun. The great assembly rose en-masse and conducted him to the acharya’s seat. Parikshit said, “It is certainly our great good fortune that Bhagavan has chosen to come amongst us. Kindly tell us what a mortal facing death should do to realize Hari” Sri Suka replied “Oh! King! Your question is most opportune. We all face death any moment. At least you have the certainty of living for seven days. Consider this whole universe as the manifestation of Sri Hari. His feet are in the nether world; His waist and abdomen constitute the earth. His head is the heavenly region. His eyes are the sun and moon. His heart is Truth itself. Contemplate on this divine form and before long you will be merged in Him enjoying great peace and ecstasy.” Sri Suka continued. “Sri Hari takes various forms. The most pleasant is Adi Narayana with four arms carrying the conch, the disc, the mace and the lotus, lounging on the serpent body of Adisesha with the ever-constant Sri Devi attending with all the other Parshadas. It is Vaikunta, glistening with golden domes and marble palaces. All the blessed inhabitants look alike and are in the prime of youth. The women resemble their mistress Sri Devi. The fragrance of heavenly flowers exude from them, and they sing hymns praising the glory of the Lord. Even the parrots chant Vedas. It is all so pleasant. But, Sri Narayana wanted a change. It came about as follows.” Thus Bhagavan Sri Suka started to tell the sacred story of the lord The Bhagavatham. CONTENTS Chapter 1 1 - 7 Coming of Kapila Mother and Son Chapter 2 8 - 12 The Great Daksha Yagam Chapter 3 13 - 16 The Story of Dhruva Chapter 4 17 - 21 The Story of Venan Prithu and Archis Chapter 5 22 - 26 Prachinabarhis and His Sons the Prachetases The Allegory of King Puranjana Chapter 6 27 - 35 Prachetas Daksha’s Daughters Priyavrata Agnidhra and Purvajithi The Story of Nabhi Chapter 7 36 - 41 The Story of Bharata Bharata the Brahmin Bharata and Rahugana Chapter 8 42-53 Ajamila The Story of Ajamila Indra’s Disrespect of Guru Narayana Kavacham The Strange Request of Devas to Dadichi The Battle Between Indra and Vritra How Indra Was Saved From The Sin Of Brahmahatya Chapter 9 54-63 Prahlada Prahlada’s Childhood The Story of Mayan, the Master Builder of The Asuras Varna Ashrama Dharmam Chapter 10 64-68 Gajendra Moksham Previous History of The Elephant and Alligator Chapter 11 69-81 The Great Churning The Coming Of Mohini The Great Deva Asura War Sri Siva’s Illusion The Manwantaras And Revival Of Bali The Payovrita Chapter 12 82-92 Matsyavataram The Lord’s Avatar As Fish Ambarisha Thrisanku And Viswamitra Sagara And His Aswamedha Bhagiratha Brings Ganga Khatvanga Khatvanga’s Descendants Chapter 13 93-107 Ramayana Ahalya Moksham Mithila: Janaka’s Court Parasurama Chapter 14 108-111 Yayati Sakuntalam Rantideva Chapter 15 112-131 Sri Krishna Avataram Brahma’s Hymn of Praise Trinavartha Yasoda’s Vision Krishna Is Bound To A Wooden Mortar Liberation of Nalakubera And Manigriva Their Previous History Trek to Brindavan Krishna And The Old Fruit Vendor Bakasura The Crane The Salvation of Aghasura Brahma’s Vision Parikshit’s Doubt Chapter 16 132-141 The Death of Dhenuka Kaliya Mardanam The Women’s Prayer Previous Story of Kaliya The Summer Season - Pralamba’s Attack Saved From The Forest Fire The Rainy Season Autumn Chapter 17 142-159 Music of the Flute Karthiyayani Penance Salvation of the Brahmin Women Preparation for the Indra Yagna Lifting of Govardhan Divinity Realized Krishna’s Abishek Or Holy Bath Revelation of Vaikunta Rasalila The Song of The Gopis Sudarsana’s Salvation Sankhuchuda’s Salvation Yugala Geethem The Death of Arishtasura, the Ox Demon Kesi’s Death Vyomasura The Magician Chapter 18 160-178 Akrura’s Vision Akrura’s Hymn Krishna In Mathura Further Adventures The Episode Of The Crooked Sundari Dhanur Yagna The Brothers At Sandipani Ashram Udhava And The Gopis Chapter 19 179-192 Confrontation with Jarasandha Dwaraka Muchukunda Moksham Rukmini’s Marriage Rukmini’s Letter The Story of the Jewel Syamanthaka The Destruction Of Narakasura The Story of Nriga Diversion of Yamuna Paundraka Moksham Dwivida The Monkey Chapter 20 193-213 Pradyumna Krishna at Indraprastha Khandava Dahanam A Lover’s Quarrel The Story of Usha And Anirudha Dragging Of Hastinapura Krishna the Householder The Lord’s Daily Routine Fight With Jarasandha Elimination Of Salva and Dandavakra Chapter 21 214 - 217 The Story of Kuchela Or Grace Supreme Chapter 22 218 - 224 The Great Reunion Devaki Sees Her Dead Sons Again Krishna’s Visit To Srutadeva And Janaka The Hymn of the Vedas The Story Of Vrikasura, Sri Siva And Sri Hari Vrikasura Chapter 23 225 - 231 Recovery of the Brahmin’s Children Krishna The Infinite The Curse Of The Brahmins Sermon of the Navayogis Devas Request For The Lord’s Return Chapter 24 232 - 253 Avadhuta’s Twenty-Four Gurus The Story Of Pingala The Courtesan Limitations Of Vedic Ritualism The Song Of The Swan More About The Sanyasin The Bhikshu’s Story The Bhikshu’s Song Pururava And Urvasi Krishna Bids Farewell Chapter 25 254 - 262 The End Of The Yadavas Krishna’s Ascension Advent Of Kaliyuga Time Another Aspect Of God Parikshit Attains Moksham Janamejaya’s Sacrifice Chapter 26 263- 272 The Story Of Markandeya Maya Darsanam - Sutha Continued Markandeya Has Vision Of Sri Rudra CONCLUSION CHAPTER 1 ÓeeÞe¡ Ner*ëe NeeÓejÑáÞeex}èeÓe©j: k©àµeejeÞe¡ NeïûeÞoÑáeÕe_Neëeúees fNefoÓeeÓµeÓeØNeeÞe¡ > Nes^es²e èeeú×e½eëeÓeeµeÓeo|_²eexúÓeen Óesºees fNe|úëe §e¼eNeÓÐefÓektà½eÑár½een >> Sk 3.