Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words

This is the English translation of Bhaktavijaya which is a Marathi poem written by Mahipati in 40,000 lines. The text documents the legends of Indian saints from various backgrounds and extensively covers figures like Ekanath, Tukaram, and Ramadasa, highlighting their contributions to scholarship, philosophy, poetry, and social reform. The Bhaktavi...

1.3: Evils of the Kali Yuga

46. And now listen with attention. At the end of the avataraship of Shri Krishna during the Kali Yuga, when the offering of sacrifices and giving of benevolent gifts had ceased,

47. Brahmans had neglected their religious obligations, and the Kshatriyas had given up rational thinking. Sannyasis had abandoned their duties and Brahmans (earth-gods) had ceased to observe the duties of the fourth stage of life.

48. Sons would not listen to the commands of their parents. Disciples would not serve their religious teachers. Husbands listening to the wishes of their wives, went to live in the homes of their fathers-in-law.

49. No one cared to go to sacred places. No one listened with reverence to the reading of the Puranas. And giving up the Hari-praise-services, they delighted in watching indecent dramatizations.

50. Brahmans cast aside the Shaligram and installed in their homes the idols of inferior deities. They threw away the rosary made of the tulsi and rudraksha and wore around their necks garlands made of glass beads.

51. Rich persons disliked to make gifts. Those in health had no desire for religious acts. Kings had no love for their subjects, and justice and morality were put aside.

52. Women of noble birth became slaves of others. Parents sold their daughters just as they sold horses. Muhammadans slaughtered cows as the king Kali became powerful.

53. Many spoke falsehood and insulted Sadhus (godly Sannyasis). They declared as true, things that were false; they gave a false witness.

54. The repeating of Gayatri (a prayer to the Sun) ceased. Magical formulas took their place. Evil men, pretending to be trustworthy to the pious, murdered them.

55. The images of deities would be mere stones, and then Muhammadans would smash them to pieces. The visiting of sacred places would be taxed. Thus the Kali Yuga (the evil age) brought trouble to men.

56. There is no sin equal to that of falsehood. There is no virtue equal to truth, but Kali Yuga caused all truth to disappear and evil deeds multiplied without limit.

57. When Rahu (the monster that swallows the sun, creating an eclipse) arises, darkness fills the sky: or when death approaches, a multitude of diseases attack the body;

58. or when night falls, ghosts leave the cemeteries; or when an unfortunate person sees himself without good fortune, pains and poverty come upon him;

59. or as when a teacher becomes angry the result is ignorance, or when the period of youth arrives, pride fills the heart;

60. or when men of crooked life come into an assembly, they naturally indulge in insults; thus during the existence of Kali Yuga unlimited sins appeared.

61. Rishis went away to Badrik-ashram, while Brahmans neglected their religious duties. When this was once happening, an earthquake took place.

62. Then Shri Hari (God) in heaven thought over the sad conditions of His bhatdas. He saw terrible sins committed on earth among mortals.

63. All sacrifices and offerings had ceased. Brahmans had cast aside the doing of good deeds. Ignorant men sank in the sea of sorrow.

64. As the Husband of the Daughter of the Ocean (God) thought of what was to be done, all His bhaktas joined their hands palm to palm and stood before Him.

65. Then they said to Him, ‘Vishnu, give us some command.’ Then He who enjoys dwelling on the ocean of milk (Vishnu) spoke thus to His bhaktas:

66. ‘Long ago I became an avatara and killed evil demons, setting free the whole world from enemies. I am now carrying on the Buddha Avatara.

67. Now I wish you all to become avatars in the world of mortals, in as many places as I have an abode, and in the ancient sacred places.

68. For example, in the forest called Dindir there is a place named Pandhari. Uddhav should become an avatar and turn the inhabitants of the southern country (Deccan) to worship me.

69. Akrur should become an avatar at Mathura and Gokulvrindavan [Gokulavrindavana], and by his preaching turn all their inhabitants to my worship.

70. The bhakta Daruk should become the avatar Ramdas in the Western country, and cause the whole country to worship me.

71. In the East at Jagannath, Vyas should become an avatar. He should cause men to listen to my extraordinary deeds.

72. In Hastinapur [Hastinapura] (ancient Delhi) the well known sacred place, Valmiki should become an avatar and turn everyone to worship me with extreme reverence.

73. I became the Ram avatar, and at that time you became monkeys. I killed Ravan [Ravana], and delivered Indra together with all the other gods.

74. They were the very ones who in the time of Krishna’s avatar became cowherds, and others became loving Yadavas. He slaughtered Kamsa and other demons and protected cows and Brahmans.

75. And now becoming Buddha I am remaining quiet. Who dares to sing my praises to men, except you?

76. For your sake I took human form with visible qualities. Otherwise who would have paid attention to me? Aside from my bhaktas I see no one dear to me.’

77. While thus the Husband of Kamala (Vishnu) spoke, the bhaktas shouted ‘Victory, Victory’, adding ‘Thou art God, Merciful to the Lowly. This we have now fully understood.

78. As the rays proceed from the sun, as gold comes out of clay, so we Thy bhaktas are purified by Thee, Shri Hari.

79. Or as trees develop from water, or as clusters of stars arise in the heaven, so we Thy bhaktas are (dependent on) Thee, Shri Hari.

80. As cloth comes from threads, as light comes from lamps, so we Thy bhaktas are purified by Thee, Shri Hari.

81. As fishes develop from water, as honey comes from flowers, so we Thy bhaktas seem important because of Thee.

82. As the bracelet is made of gold, as the wind comes out of the sky, so we Thy bhaktas have become avatars on earth with human qualities.

83. As the dolls of the juggler are made to dance by pulling a string, so Thou noble Ram, didst cause us to capture Ceylon.

84. A fife gives out a sweet sound, but it must be played by one who knows how to play it; so during the avatarship of Krishna, Thou didst perform great deeds through us.

85. According to Thy will, everything, Brahmadev [Brahmadeva] and the other gods included, come into existence and then disappear. At Thy will, Thou hast created an infinite number of universes, and then Thou dost destroy them.

86. So according to Thy command, O Vishnu, we will hasten and turn mankind to Thy worship.’

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