Trivikramāya namah

Srihari, who was full of compassion, said, “How astonishing! What you have spoken is the absolute truth! You have desired that your king should be blessed with a son, who is equal to me in all aspects. It is so difficult to obtain as I am non-dual and there is none equal to me.

Nevertheless, you are supremely knowledgeable Brahmins and hence your words should not become untrue. Among the twice-born, Brahmins are equal to the Devatas. The words which come from their mouths are My words! As there is none who is equal to me, I will personally incarnate as his son”.

In the presence of Nābhi’s wife Merudevi, Srihari uttered these auspicious words to Emperor Nābhi and vanished from there’.

Maharishi Śuka then said, “O Parikshit, you have earlier been saved by Mahavishnu himself! Srihari was supremely pleased with the worship offered by the Maharishis through the means of the Yagna and was desirous of pleasing Nābhi. In addition He sought to teach the principles of righteousness (dharma) to ascetics, accomplished beings and Maharishis. Taking on a body which was predominantly filled with traits of goodness, Srihari incarnated from the womb of Merudevi.

With this the third chapter of the fifth canto comes to an end.

Fifth Canto Chapter Four

In this chapter, the description of Rṣabhadeva’s transcendental qualities is given. Rṣabhadeva was the son of Emperor Nābhi.

Maharishi Śuka said, “O Parikshit! Soon upon birth, Rṣabhadeva began to show divine transcendental qualities. On his feet the symbols of lotus, flag, thunderbolt etc. were visible. As he grew up, qualities of equanimity, calmness, compassion towards all forms of life, detachment, supernatural prowess and divine radiance were distinctly visible. Attracted by his divine qualities all ministers, elders, Maharishis, Devatas and citizens were keen that he should take up the responsibilities of the kingdom.

Due to his well-built body, he was praised by one and all. Observing his radiance, intelligence, beauty, fame, enthusiasm and influence, Nābhi named him Rṣabha. Rṣabha means most supreme.

Once, Indra the Lord of Devatas was jealous of Rṣabha and hence stopped rainfall in the Ajanābha kingdom. Laughing within himself at Indra’s foolishness, Rṣabha with the help of his mystical powers caused rainfall throughout the kingdom.

As he had been blessed with a son exactly per his desire, Emperor Nābhi was soaked in bliss. His intellect was clouded with illusion. Hearing the chatter of his little son, he would become ecstatic. He failed to realize that Rṣabha was none other than the Supreme Lord Srihari himself! Addressing him as ‘my dear, my darling,’ he pampered the little boy and enjoyed his company.

Emperor Nābhi was aware that every citizen of the kingdom had great love towards his son. He accepted his son’s popularity as a signal from his citizens. Therefore he appointed his son as the ruler of the land. He advised Rṣabha that he should always act in accordance with the dictates of the Vedic scholars. He entrusted his son to the Vedic scholars and then, together with wife Merudevi, he went to Badarikāśrama. Here he undertook intense penance and attained liberation when alive (jeevan mukta).

O Emperor Parikshit! Elders often glorify Nābhi as,

Ko nu tat karma rājarṣer nābher anv ācaret pumān Apatyatām agād yasya hariḥ śuddhena karmaṇā

None in this creation can perform a Yagna as perfectly as Emperor Nābhi performed. Due to the influence of this powerful Yagna, Srihari was born as his son. To obtain the Supreme Lord as a son, one should have a noble character and should undertake many dharmic activities like Nābhi.

In the Yagna performed by Nābhi, Vedic scholars were duly honoured. Satisfied with this, they used their mantra shakti to ensure that he was blessed with the darshan of Lord Srihari. Nābhi had immense love towards Vedic scholars and Self-realized saints. There is none who is equal to him’ they praised.

After Nābhi left for the forests, Rṣabha realized that this earth is the field for performing activities. In order to be a role model for the human race he completed his education by seeking discipleship under Gurus and residing in their ashram. Having completed his education he offered them dakshina and then with their permission accepted life as a house-holder. He married Jayanti.

In order to educate people about relevant dharmas he lived the life of an ideal house-holder. He performed the śrouta and smartha karmas exactly as prescribed by the scriptures. This couple had 100 sons who were equal to him in every aspect.

Yeṣāṁ khalu mahā-yogī bharato jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭha-guṇa Āsīd yenedaṁ varṣaṁ bhāratam iti vyapadiśanti

Bharata, a supreme Yogi of the highest cadre, was his eldest son. This country was named Bhārata after Rṣabha’s son Bharata. Kuśāvarta, Ilāvarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk, Vidarbha and Kīkaṭa were Bharata’s younger brothers.

Among the remaining 90 brothers, Kavi, Havi, Antarīkṣa, Prabuddha, Pippalāyana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhājana became ardent devotees of the Lord who propagated the path of devotion. Their story has been explained in the 11th Canto in the form of a discussion between Maharishi Narada and Vasudeva.

Trivikramāya namah