Adhokṣajāya namah

Maharishi Nārada continued,

“Dattātreya Maharishi was observing the austerity known as ‘ajagara vṛtti’ wherein akin to a python he would consume only that food which came to him on its own. He was lying on the bare ground on the banks of River Kaveri near the Sahyadri Mountain. As His body was covered with grime and dust, His inner radiance was concealed. He had purposefully concealed his supernatural abilities.

Around this time, Prahlāda, the ardent devotee of the Lord, desiring to understand the nature of the living entities began to travel all over the globe along with a few of his ministers. As he was travelling he observed Maharishi Dattātreya who, having taken up the discipline known as Ajagara vṛtti, was lying on the bare grounds on the river bank.

Neither through his actions, facial expressions, speech, varna nor ashrama, his identity could be deciphered. Was he a Mahatma or was he a lunatic? It was impossible to figure it out.

Demon-king Prahlāda who was a supreme devotee thoroughly scrutinized this person. Desirous of knowing the truth he offered obeisance to the saint and duly worshipped Him. He prostrated such that his head touched the saint’s feet.

The saint was following the discipline known as Ajagara vrata wherein like a python he would eat only that food which came his way. If a dry leaf were to fall before him he would pick it and eat. If a fruit came rolling towards him he would eat it. If it rained he would drink water.

In all humility Prahlāda enquired, “O sir, your body is as sturdy as the person who works hard and earns money to enjoy material comforts. In this world, wealth can be obtained only by those who struggle to acquire it. Only the wealthy enjoy material comforts. It is a known fact that only those who enjoy comforts can pamper the body and ensure it is stout and strong. There is no theory that defies this statement.

O Maharishi! It is impossible for you to possess wealth as you simply lie on the bare ground without putting in any efforts to earn money. Without money, comforts cannot be earned. O exponent in Vedas! How is it that you have a strong body when you do not enjoy any comforts?

I cannot see any store of food grains beside you. You seem to be eating that occasional leaf which is pushed towards you by the wind. In such situation, your body should be emaciated nevertheless, you appear strong. If you desire, you could tell me the reason behind it. Please dispel my doubts.

You are an erudite scholar, competent in every field. You are dear to everyone in this universe. How is it that you utter strange words? When the entire world is immersed in fruitive activities you dispassionately observe it. Unconcerned you sleep inactively.

Your body is full of dust and dirt. Your moustache and beard are overgrown. Even though your radiance is concealed it is evident that you are pure. How is this possible? What causes you to be detached?”

The great saint who was pleased to hear these nectarous words uttered by the demon-king, replied thus with a charming smile,

“O supreme amongst demons! Noble saints revere you. You who possess inner vision are very well aware of the results of acceptance and rejection of actions by humans.

Yasya nārāyaṇo devo bhagavān hṛd-gataḥ sadā Bhaktyā kevalayājñānaṁ dhunoti dhvāntam arkavat

As a result of your selfless devotion, Lord Sriman Nārāyana eternally resides in your heart. Just as the Sun dispels darkness He drives away the ignorance from your heart. O king, even then I shall try to dispel your doubts to the best of my abilities. This is because you are greatly revered by those who strive to obtain total inner purity.

Greed (trishṇa) cannot be offset through fulfilment of desires. Desire exists perpetually and it is impossible to fulfil it. Desire has to dry up on its own! It is impossible for anyone to ever fulfil a desire!

This desire binds the living entity in the repeated cycle of unending re-births. Trapped in this cycle for innumerable births I was engaged in performing fruitive activities. This human birth is a gateway to heaven & liberation; to lower births such as those of animals and birds; as well as to future human births.

This human birth is a rare opportunity granted to the living entity. It is a gateway that leads to both heaven and hell. The gate opens in the direction the human being chooses to travel. Meritorious deeds lead to heaven, Self-knowledge leads to liberation while sinful deeds lead towards lower births such as those of animals and birds. A mixture of pious and impious deeds results in human birth”.

Many persons perform meritorious deeds on a day followed by sinful deeds on the next day. Or they engage in sinful deeds during morning hours and spend evening hours performing meritorious deeds. What is the use of such mixed actions? They grant future human births but they do not lead towards celestial planes. It is imperative that sinful deeds be given up completely. Only then this birth becomes meaningful. Instead of using this rare chance fruitfully many waste it in useless actions such that they necessarily have to take birth again and again on earth. They will never exit this earth and travel upwards. Due to sinful deeds, they arrive back on earth albeit in lower forms, suffer enormously and grieve piteously. Hence such sinful deeds must instantaneously be given up. Do not even tilt in the direction of sin. In fact those who do not travel in the direction of sin undergo most difficulties in life. They suffer enormously. It is a must. This is because they wish to travel towards liberation.

Sankarshanāya namah