Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 – Gods as Facets of Purushottama

 

Srimad Bhagavata, the pinnacle of Puranic wisdom, eradicates ignorance and nurtures devotion. It unveils the divine, cleansing sins and guiding seekers to truth. Rooted in Dharma, it inspires sincere worship, free from jealousy or deception, ensuring spiritual progress. Composed by Sage Vyasa, it solidifies bhakti and reveals the Lord within.

॥ Hari Om ॥

जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट्

तेने ब्रह्महृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः ।

तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा

धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि ॥ १॥

"The Lord Sriman Narayana is the very essence of divine virtues, self-sustained, radiant with light, overflowing with boundless knowledge and bliss. He is the ‘Creator of The Universe,’ which encompasses countless forms of Himself, both the living beings and the non-living things. He sustains, transforms, and governs it all — bestowing both ignorance and wisdom, binding beings to the cycle of birth and death, and offering liberation to those who seek moksha. Thus, He is the Param, the Supreme.

In the dawn of creation, He manifested the first being, the four-faced Brahma, and gifted him the knowledge required to bring the cosmos into being. Through His blessings, wisdom unfolds. Though He seeks no gain for Himself, He creates and upholds the cosmos for the welfare of all living beings, endowed with all the wisdom necessary for such a grand design. For He is neither a juggler, nor a deceiver, crafting illusions in this world. Untainted by any flaw, He is the Satyam — the absolute truth.

With reverence, let us meditate upon Lord Sriman Narayana, the embodiment of Satyam and Param."

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां

वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।

श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः

सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥

"The Srimad Bhagavata encompasses the entirety of Dharma, safeguarding the soul from falling by purifying it, and guiding the individual soul towards the divine path leading to the Lord. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Lord, free from jealousy, expectation, or deceit. As one treads upon this path, all obstacles dissolve, prosperity is bestowed, and the heart becomes imbued with virtue, turning one into a Sajjana, a virtuous soul. Above all, it fortifies bhakti, deepening one’s devotion.

Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata, composed by the Lord in the form of sage Veda Vyasa shines as a beacon of truth, revealing Himself as Supreme Soul eternally resides in the heart of every living being."

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् ।

देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत् ॥

"Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Lord and bestows the blessings of abundance upon all Bhagavatas, enriching them with the divine knowledge of Srimad Bhagavata — a wealth that encompasses Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.

Salutations to the Gods Brahma and Vayu, the noblest of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Devotion, who inspires both wisdom and bhakti. Salutations to the divine Garuda, Sesha and Shiva, the greatest among the Vaishnavas.

Salutations to the Srimad Bhagavata, the sacred text that brings forth eternal victory and spiritual triumph."

यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु

ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।

सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे

धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥

The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.

Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghavendra, I worship you by surrendering myself.

Setting aside the path of liberation, now Śukacharya addresses those bound by worldly longing—showing how even those desires point to the Supreme.

श्रीशुक उवाच
एवमेतन्निगदितं पृष्टवान् यद्भवान् मम ।
नृणां यन्म्रियमाणानां मनुष्येषु मनीषिणाम् ॥ १॥

With serene composure and luminous insight, Sri Shukacharya turned to King Parikshit and spoke:

“O noble Parikshit, earlier you had asked two deeply sincere and profound questions—what should one do, with full awareness, throughout the course of daily life? And what should one do, with the same awareness, in the final moments before death?

To this, I offer the path of truth: the Supreme Lord, Sri Hari, dwells within all beings as the eternal witness—ever-present, ever-aware—perceiving every thought and guiding every deed. He is the unseen thread that binds all of existence.

Therefore, the highest pursuit is to hear, chant, and remember His glories. Such remembrance blossoms into Bhakti, which alone brings true peace and spiritual prosperity. Inspired by His sacred pastimes, the saints immerse their hearts in devotion, shedding worldly attachment. That pure longing—born of love—leads the soul to His lotus feet.

In response to your two questions, I’ve described Bhakti Yoga in its fullness: Dharana upon the Virat Rupa, meditation on the cosmic form of the Lord, and internalizing Him as Paramatma residing within the lotus of the heart.

I have spoken of the two paths:

— Sadyo Mukti: immediate liberation through direct realization,

— Krama Mukti: the gradual ascent through Yogic discipline at the time of death.

I have explained how Dharana Yoga unites the seeker with both the universal and subtle forms of the Lord, and how, through Yoga, the soul may ascend beyond body, beyond ego, and sync with the Supreme.

Thus, your questions have been answered—not only with words, but with the essence of the eternal path.”

Continuing the discourse, Sri Shukacharya says, for one who seeks materialistic desire, I shall elaborate on the various gods, whom one should pray based on their desires:

ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्तु यजेत ब्रह्मणः पतिम् ।
इन्द्रमिन्द्रियकामस्तु प्रजाकामः प्रजापतीन् ॥ २॥

"For Brahmavarchas—sacred wisdom and the heights of holiness—one should worship the master of the Vedas, God Brahma, fountain of divine knowledge, and the celestial sage, Devaguru Brihaspati, whose voice carries the eloquence of truth and the light of insight.

One who seeks keen senses and a mind both sharp and discerning should offer reverence to Indra, sovereign of the heavens and lord of perception, whose radiant intellect dispels confusion and awakens clarity.

And for good progeny and a noble lineage, one should honor the ten most hallowed Prajapatis—Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasishtha, Prachethasa, Daksha, and Bhrigu—the ancient creators of life, who govern fertility, uphold dharma, and weave the eternal thread of cosmic continuity."

देवीं मायां तु श्रीकाम स्तेजस्कामो विभावसुम् ।
वसुकामो वसून् रुद्रान् वीर्यकामोऽथ वीर्यवान् ॥ ३॥

To attain wealth and fortune, one should worship Sri Devi, the gracious goddess of prosperity, whose golden grace flows through all auspicious abundance. Those who long for brilliance and high esteem should approach Agni, the radiant god of fire, whose luminous force purifies and elevates.

If material wealth is the aim, the eight Vasus—guardians of earthly treasures—should be invoked, for they embody the primal forces that shape our cosmos and sustain earthly life. The eight Vasus include:

Dhara embodies Earth, the nurturing base of life and enduring strength. Anila is Wind, the vital prāṇa stirring stillness into motion. Anala, the fiery force, purifies and transforms with creative heat. Apa as Water flows with emotion, adaptability, and growth. Prabhasa lights the Dawn, awakening renewal and clarity. Soma, the Moon, guides rhythmic cycles and tender devotion. Dhruva, the Pole Star, represents constancy and cosmic orientation, a silent guide for those who seek unwavering truth. Lastly, Aha—or Pratyusha—is the embodiment of Daylight, illuminating the world with clarity, order, and the rhythm of time’s unfolding.

Together, these Vasus compose a sublime symphony of nature’s workings, each a facet of divine intention, harmonized under the cosmic will of Vishnu.

And for strength, courage, and heroic might, one should revere the Rudras, the fierce forms of God Shiva, whose thunderous power breaks all bonds and awakens fearless resolve.

अन्नाद्यकामस्त्वदितिं स्वर्गकामोऽदितेः सुतान् ।
विश्वान् देवान् राज्यकामः साध्यान् संसाधको विशाम् ॥ ४॥

"To receive abundance in food and grain, one must worship Aditi—Devamata, the universal mother of the Devas (gods), who embodies boundlessness (a-diti) and cosmic order. She nurtures all existence and grants fertility. Those seeking heavenly realms should venerate her twelve divine sons, the Adityas—Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga, Ansha, Dhata, Tvashta, Vivasvan, Savitr, Pushan, Indra, and Vishnu—who preside over cosmic law and natural phenomena, offering virtues such as truth, illumination, and transformation.

Aspirants of sovereign rule and royal status should honor the ten Vishvadevas—Vasu, Satya, Kratu, Daksha, Kala, Kama, Dhrita, Kuru, Pururavas, and Madravas—born of Dharma and Vishva, embodying attributes essential for dharmic governance.

For favor, popularity, and societal harmony, one must revere the twelve Sadhya Devatas—Manas, Mantā, Prāṇa, Nara, Apāna, Vīrayān, Vibhu, Haya, Naya, Haṁsa, Nārāyaṇa, and Prabhu—manifestations of sacred virtues and Vedic principles who bridge the divine and human through their influence over mind, breath, movement, and spiritual refinement."

आयुष्कामोऽश्विनौ देवौ पुष्टिकाम इलां यजेत् ।
प्रतिष्ठाकामः पुरुषो रोदसी लोकमातरौ ॥ ५॥

"For a long and healthy life, one must worship the Ashvini Kumaras—the twin divine physicians of the heavens, born of Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Sanjna (also called Samanjana), embodiments of radiant vitality and healing arts. They are known for their miraculous cures and rejuvenating powers, restoring beauty, strength, and vigor to gods and humans alike. Their presence in Vedic rituals invokes swift recovery, longevity, and youthful vitality.

Those desiring strength of body and firmness of frame should honor Bhūmi Devi, the Earth—steadfast and nurturing mother of all forms. Revered as the foundation of all life, she bestows endurance, nourishment, and stability. Through worship and respectful stewardship of her resources, seekers align with the elemental force of groundedness and resilience.

For lasting prestige and stability, worship should be directed to Dyau and Prithvi—the celestial pair representing Sky (Dyau) as the father and Earth (Prithvi) as the mother of all creation. Their union symbolizes the cosmic harmony and dual forces that uphold dharma and sustenance. Revering them harmonizes the aspirant with both transcendence and rootedness—granting social honor, spiritual elevation, and enduring legacy."

रूपाभिकामो गन्धर्वान् स्त्रीकामोऽप्सर उर्वशीम् ।
आधिपत्यकामः सर्वेषां यजेत परमेष्ठिनम् ॥ ६॥

"One who longs for beauty, both inner and outer, should revere the Gandharvas—celestial beings of grace, music, and refined artistry. As the divine musicians of Indra’s heavenly court, they embody elegance, harmony, and charm, inspiring aesthetics in thought, word, and deed. Their presence awakens the senses and elevates the soul toward divine refinement.

To gain a virtuous and loving wife, one must worship the Apsaras, celestial maidens born of divine waters, especially Urvashi—renowned for her radiance, wisdom, and allure. Dwelling in the ethereal realms of Svarga and gracing sacred rituals with their dance and poise, these beings awaken the qualities of love, devotion, and beauty in relationships. Their favor inspires marital harmony and affection rooted in dharmic ideals.

Those who seek influence and dominance, guided by wisdom and creativity, should again turn to Brahma, the four-faced Creator seated upon the cosmic lotus. He is the source of intellect, knowledge systems, and sovereign articulation. His blessings confer leadership tempered by insight, creative vision, and the capacity to uphold dharma through structure and purpose."

यज्ञं यजेद्यशस्कामः कोशकामः प्रचेतसम् ।
विद्याकामस्तु गिरिशं दाम्पत्यार्थ उमां सतीम् ॥ ७॥

"To be known and remembered, one should worship Yajña Puruṣa—the Supreme Lord who is both the sacrificial essence (havis) and the divine recipient (yajamāna). As the eternal spirit of Vedic rites and cosmic order, He embodies the unity of offerer, offering, and recipient—where selflessness becomes transcendence, and remembrance arises from sacrificial dedication. Through Him, the soul attains immortality in memory and cosmic legacy.

For wealth in storage, such as grains, food, and latent resources, reverence must be offered to Varuṇa, the guardian of cosmic waters and moral law (Ṛta). He governs the hidden depths—both terrestrial and psychological—blessing devotees with prosperity preserved, sacred contracts upheld, and abundance flowing in unseen channels. His favor ensures that one’s gains remain protected and replenished.

Those who seek to be learned and wise should turn to Śiva, the omniscient Yogeshwara—Master of time, dissolution, and transcendental knowledge. With the crescent moon resting upon His matted locks and silence in His stillness, along with the Ganga flowing from His hair and the third eye on His forehead. He reveals the depth of inner wisdom through contemplation, renunciation, and intuitive insight. His blessings sharpen intellect, deepen discrimination (Viveka), and awaken the flame of liberating truth.

For a blessed marriage marked by purity, harmony, and spiritual companionship, one must worship Umā, also known as Pārvatī—the devoted and radiant consort of Śiva. She epitomizes chastity, grace, and nurturing strength. In her devotion lies the ideal balance between independence and unity, passion and austerity. Her presence invokes sacred union, where both partners mirror divine principles in mutual growth and respect,

As we behold the myriad services offered by the devas unto the Indwelling Lord, one truth unfolds: whatever the yearning—knowledge, power, pleasure, or peace—every sincere path, sooner or later, bends toward the Supreme," said Sri Shukacharya.

Yet the highest way is not laid by striving, but by surrender—not attained by conquest but awakened through remembrance.

That remembrance is nāma-smaraṇa—repeating the Lord’s divine names—not as ritual, but as rhythm. It refines the mind, purifies the heart, and unveils the soul to the divine within. Each utterance is a mantra that calms thought, steadies the chitta, and brings clarity. With love, each repetition softens pride, fear, and longing—until only sweetness remains.

The Lord is Nāda Brahman—sound as Brahman. His name is Sat-Cit-Ānanda—truth, consciousness, and bliss. To say “Hari” is to touch His presence. In repetition, motives dissolve. One chants not for gain or liberation, but for love. Japa becomes tapas. Tapas yields Prasāda—grace itself.

Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484–1564), the "Father of Carnatic Music," composed nāma-smaraṇa as a sacred seed. In one stirring devaranāma, he draws from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa to map how the divine name takes root, blossoms, and yields fruit across the lives of great devotees. 

For those wishing to immerse themselves in its melodious contemplation, the hymn is soulfully rendered by Medha Vidyabhushana : 🎧Hari Narayana| Medha Vidyabhushan

Below is the lyrics and translation:

hari nArAyaNa hari nArAyaNa hari nArAyaNa enu manave
nArAyaNanemba nAmada bIjava nArada bittida dhareyoLage

Chant, O mind—Hari Narayana, Hari Narayana, Hari Narayana!
In the sacred land where Narada sowed the divine seed named Narayana—let it sprout within you.

taraLa dhruvaninda angurisitu adu vara prahlAdaninda moLage Aitu
dharaNIsha rukmAngadaninda ciguridu gurupitA mahaninda huvAitu

By Dhruva’s unwavering devotion, the seed split open; By Prahlada’s innocence, its tender sprout grew. With Rukmangada’s loyalty, shoots unfurled; And by Guru Peetamaha Sri Bhīṣma’s grace, it bloomed.

vijyana satiyinda phalavAyitu adu gajarAjaninda dore haNAidu
divija shukamuniyinda bala pakvIyitu ajamiLa tAnuNDu rasa savida

Through Draupadi’s unwavering truth, the tree bore fruit; By Gajendra’s surrender, it ripened; With Śuka’s wisdom, it matured fully; And in Ajamila’s redemption, its sweet nectar was tasted.

kAmita phalavIva nAmavondiralike hOma nEma japa tapavEke
svAmi purandara viTTala nAm,ava nEmadinda nene manave

If the Name alone gives the fruit you desire, What need for rites, austerities, or offerings? O mind, remember—just the sacred name Of Purandara Vittala, your eternal Lord.

॥ Hari Om ॥