Chapter 4 - The miraculous history of Ṛṣabha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. It is reported that after the incarnation, Lord Ṛṣabha had all the characteristic marks of the Supreme Lord (such as the marks of thunderbolt, goad etc.) manifest (on the soles of his feet), from his very birth. His majestic splendour was everyday enhanced by qualities like impartiality and equality towards all, control of internal and external senses, non-attachment to sense-pleasures, domination and control over all beings, and possession of great spiritual powers. The king’s counsellors, subjects, god-like Brāhmaṇas very eagerly wished to have him as the protector of the earth.

2. On account of his Supreme-most personality which was extolled in laudatory verses by poets, his abundant vigour, physical strength, splendour, glory, dominance and valour, his father significantly named him Ṛṣabha (the most excellent).

3. The mighty Indra became jealous of him, and did not rain in his continent (Ajanābha, later known as Bhārata- varṣa). When apprised of it, Ṛṣabhadeva, the Master of yoga pooh-poohed it with a laughter, and profusely showered rains over his Varṣa (continent) called Ajanābha, by his mystic (yogic) power.

4. Being blessed with a worthy child as desired by him, Nābhi was transported with rapturous joy, and affectionately fondled the glorious Lord, the most ancient Person who, of his own free will had assumed a human form. His (Nābhi’s) mind was overpowered with Māyā. He fondly caressed him with faltering words choked with emotion: ‘Oh child, my daddie’ and felt exceedingly happy.

5. King Nābhi who regarded the mandate of the public as authoritative, came to know the love and loyalty of all, from common man to the minister (commanded by Ṛṣabha), installed his son for the protection and preservation of the boundaries (standards) of religious conduct. Having entrusted him to the care of Brāhmaṇas^[1] he, accompanied by Merudevī, retreated to Viśālā (Badarikāśrama), where he propitiated the venerable Lord Vāsudeva (alternatively) known as Nara and Nārāyaṇa, through severe penance which caused no trouble to others, and through the yoga of profound meditation. In due course, he attained to his greatness, viz., the state of jīvanmukta (being liberated while alive).

Oh descendant of Pāṇḍavas (king Parīkṣit)! The two following verses are sung in his (Nābhi’s) praise:

6. What other man can perform the righteous deed as done by the royal sage Nābhi, due to the purity and piety of which act, Hari became his child?

7. Who else than Nābhi could be so devoted to Brāhmaṇas, who, being propitiated by sacrificial fees, by their spiritual power, made the Lord of Sacrifice manifest himself (to him) in his sacrifice?

8. After his coronation, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva regarded his own continent as Karma-kṣetra^[2] (a land fit to perform acts leading to the Heaven and Liberation), and showed (the model of life) how one should stay in the preceptor’s house (for education). He obtained the permission (to enter householder’s life) from his preceptors who were given boons (as fees) of their choice. For teaching the duties of a householder’s life he married Jayantī^[3] who was given (in marriage) by Indra. He performed both types of duties as prescribed in the scriptures (of Śrutis and Smṛtis). He begot through her (queen Jayantī) one hundred sons who were like unto him.^[4]

9. Out of those (sons), the eldest was the great yogi, Bharata, who was endowed with highly excellent attributes. It is on account of him that this continent came to be called Bhārata^[5].

10. After him were born nine sons viz. Kuśāvarta, Ilāvarta, Brahmāvarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indraspṛś [Indraspṛg/Indraspṛk], Vidarbha and Kīkaṭa—these were the leaders of (other) ninety (sons).

11-12. Kavi, Hari, Antarīkṣa, Prabuddha, Pippalāyana, Āvis, Hotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhājana—these nine who demonstrated to the world, the sacred duties of votaries of the Lord, were themselves eminent devotees of the glorious Lord. We shall describe to you later on (in Skandha XI) their pious life imbued with the glory of the Lord, and leading a fund of tranquility, in the dialogue of Vasudeva and Nārada.

13. The eighty-one younger sons of Jayantī who were obedient to their father, and of great modesty, profound scholars of the Vedic lore, habitual performers of sacrifice and of extremely pious deeds, became Brāhmaṇas (i.e. were given to meditation on Brahman).

14. The venerable Lord called Ṛṣabha was completely self-dependent. By his nature, he was eternally free from evils. He enjoyed absolute joy. Though he was the Ruler of the universe (God himself), he performed actions as if he were the opposite (an ordinary human being). He taught the ignorant by his behaviour, the traditional righteous duties. He was equal and impartial, friendly and merciful. He laid down the rules of conduct to people in the householder’s, stage of life, by his achievement of righteousness, wealth, fame, progeny, (earthly) joy and liberation.

15. Whatever is done by the heads (the leading persons) is followed by the world.^[6]

16. Even though he knew for himself the confidential, esoteric Vedic lore containing the religious duties of all (people), he governed the people by expedients called sāma, (conciliation) dāna (gift or, bribery), daṇḍa (punishment), bheda (sowing discords) as advised by Brāhmaṇas.

17. As per counsels of Brāhmaṇas, he worshipped the Lord by performing for a hundred times, sacrifices, each provided with all the requisites with reference to the materials, place, time, age (of the sacrificer), faith, (proper) sacrificial priests, and the several gods to be invited.

18. While Lord Ṛṣabha was protecting this continent (Bhārata-varṣa), no man, at any time, desired or expected anything whatsoever from anybody else, as if it was non-existent (and hence beyond desire or expectation); nor did he cast a wistful glance at another’s possession—except the ever- increasing intense love for their Lord.

19. Once upon a time, while touring (through his kingdom) Lord Ṛṣabha came to Brahmāvarta.

With a view to admonishing his sons in that conference of great and prominent Brāhmaṇa sages, he spoke thus to his sons even though they had their minds controlled, and their conduct governed by affection and modesty—he did so, within, the sight and hearing of his subjects.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

According to Jinasena, Nābhi installed Ṛṣabha as an emperor when he was grownup and married. MPS (Tri-ṣaṣṭi-lakṣaṇa Śrī Mahā Purāṇa—Saṅgraha—K.B. Nitwe, Ed. 1899) 16.32.

[2]:

Jinasena interprets karma-bhūmi as a country in which the order of Agriculture and other six ways of livelihood had been fixed by Ṛṣabha (MPS 16.249).

[3]:

175 According to Jinasena, he married Yaśasvatī and Sunandā with the consent of Indra. These two were the Princesses of Kaccha and Mahākaccha (MPS. 15,69, 70).

[4]:

Jain tradition confirms the number of sons as 100, but the names are different (MPS. 16.4).

[5]:

Jain tradition endorses this derivation:

[tam?] nāmnā bhārataṃ varṣam
iti hāsīj janāspadam / MPS. 15.59.

[6]:

tad yad ācarati śreṣṭho.... lokastad anuvartate / Bhagavad Gītā 3.21.