Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brihaspati

Verse 1 (bhagavata.6.7.1)

श्रीराजोवाच कस्य हेतोः परित्यक्ता आचार्येणात्मनः सुराः । एतदाचक्ष्व भगवञ्छिष्याणामक्रमं गुरौ ॥ 7.1 ॥

śrī-rājovāca kasya hetoḥ parityaktā ācāryeṇātmanaḥ surāḥ etad ācakṣva bhagavañ chiṣyāṇām akramaṁ gurau

The king said: O venerable sage, for what reason did the spiritual master abandon the demigods, who were his own disciples? Please explain to me what transgression the disciples committed against their guru.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.6.7.2)

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच इन्द्रस्त्रिभुवनैश्वर्यमदोल्लङ्घितसत्पथः । मरुद्भिर्वसुभी रुद्रैरादित्यैर्ऋभुभिर्नृप ॥ 7.2 ॥

śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca indras tribhuvanaiśvarya- madollaṅghita-satpathaḥ marudbhir vasubhī rudrair ādityair ṛbhubhir nṛpa

Sri Badarayani said: O King, Indra, who in his pride over the wealth of the three worlds had overstepped the path of the virtuous, sat surrounded by the Maruts, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, and the Ribhus,

Verse 3 (bhagavata.6.7.3)

विश्वेदेवैश्च साध्यैश्च नासत्याभ्यां परिश्रितः । सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥ 7.3 ॥

viśvedevaiś ca sādhyaiś ca nāsatyābhyāṁ pariśritaḥ siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvair munibhir brahmavādibhiḥ

and also encircled by the Vishvedevas, the Sadhyas, the two Ashvins, the Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, and sages versed in the truths of the Veda,

Verse 4 (bhagavata.6.7.4)

विद्याधराप्सरोभिश्च किन्नरैः पतगोरगैः । निषेव्यमाणो मघवान्स्तूयमानश्च भारत ॥ 7.4 ॥

vidyādharāpsarobhiś ca kinnaraiḥ patagoragaiḥ niṣevyamāṇo maghavān stūyamānaś ca bhārata

attended also by Vidyadharas, Apsaras, Kinnaras, and Nagas, that Maghavan (Indra) was being served and praised, O descendant of Bharata,

Verse 5 (bhagavata.6.7.5)

उपगीयमानो ललितमास्थानाध्यासनाश्रितः । पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण चन्द्रमण्डलचारुणा ॥ 7.5 ॥

upagīyamāno lalitam āsthānādhyāsanāśritaḥ pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa candra-maṇḍala-cāruṇā

while sweet songs were sung to him, seated upon the royal throne of his assembly hall, shaded by a white umbrella as beautiful as the orb of the moon,

Verse 6 (bhagavata.6.7.6)

युक्तश्चान्यैः पारमेष्ठ्यैश्चामरव्यजनादिभिः । विराजमानः पौलम्या सहार्धासनया भृशम् ॥ 7.6 ॥

yuktaś cānyaiḥ pārameṣṭhyaiś cāmara-vyajanādibhiḥ virājamānaḥ paulamyā sahārdhāsanayā bhṛśam

attended by other regal emblems such as chowries and fans, he shone there resplendently, seated close beside Paulami (Shachi) who shared half his seat.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.6.7.7)

स यदा परमाचार्यं देवानामात्मनश्च ह । नाभ्यनन्दत सम्प्राप्तं प्रत्युत्थानासनादिभिः ॥ 7.7 ॥

sa yadā paramācāryaṁ devānām ātmanaś ca ha nābhyanandata samprāptaṁ pratyutthānāsanādibhiḥ

When that very Indra failed to welcome, with the courtesies of rising and offering a seat, the supreme preceptor of the demigods and of his own self, who had then arrived —

Verse 8 (bhagavata.6.7.8)

वाचस्पतिं मुनिवरं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् । नोच्चचालासनादिन्द्रः पश्यन्नपि सभागतम् ॥ 7.8 ॥

vācaspatiṁ muni-varaṁ surāsura-namaskṛtam noccacālāsanād indraḥ paśyann api sabhāgatam

for even upon seeing Vachaspati (Brihaspati), greatest of sages, honored by both gods and demons, enter the assembly, Indra did not rise from his seat.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.6.7.9)

ततो निर्गत्य सहसा कविराङ्गिरसः प्रभुः । आययौ स्वगृहं तूष्णीं विद्वान्श्रीमदविक्रियाम् ॥ 7.9 ॥

tato nirgatya sahasā kavir āṅgirasaḥ prabhuḥ āyayau sva-gṛhaṁ tūṣṇīṁ vidvān śrī-mada-vikriyām

Then the learned lord Kavi, son of Angira, at once left that place; well understanding the perversity born of pride in wealth, he silently returned to his own home.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.6.7.10)

तर्ह्येव प्रतिबुध्येन्द्रो गुरुहेलनमात्मनः । गर्हयामास सदसि स्वयमात्मानमात्मना ॥ 7.10 ॥

tarhy eva pratibudhyendro guru-helanam ātmanaḥ garhayām āsa sadasi svayam ātmānam ātmanā

At that very moment Indra awoke to his own disrespect toward the guru, and in that assembly he began to condemn himself, by himself.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.6.7.11)

अहो बत मयासाधु कृतं वै दभ्रबुद्धिना । यन्मयैश्वर्यमत्तेन गुरुः सदसि कात्कृतः ॥ 7.11 ॥

aho bata mayāsādhu kṛtaṁ vai dabhra-buddhinā yan mayaiśvarya-mattena guruḥ sadasi kātkṛtaḥ

"Alas, what an improper deed I, of shallow intelligence, have done! Maddened by opulence, I have insulted my guru in open assembly.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.6.7.12)

को गृध्येत्पण्डितो लक्ष्मीं त्रिपिष्टपपतेरपि । ययाहमासुरं भावं नीतोऽद्य विबुधेश्वरः ॥ 7.12 ॥

ko gṛdhyet paṇḍito lakṣmīṁ tripiṣṭapa-pater api yayāham āsuraṁ bhāvaṁ nīto ’dya vibudheśvaraḥ

What wise man would ever covet wealth — even the wealth of heaven's own lord — by which I, though the very ruler of the gods, have today been reduced to a demonic state of mind?

Verse 13 (bhagavata.6.7.13)

यः पारमेष्ठ्यं धिषणमधितिष्ठन्न कञ्चन । प्रत्युत्तिष्ठेदिति ब्रूयुर्धर्मं ते न परं विदुः ॥ 7.13 ॥

yaḥ pārameṣṭhyaṁ dhiṣaṇam adhitiṣṭhan na kañcana pratyuttiṣṭhed iti brūyur dharmaṁ te na paraṁ viduḥ

Those who declare, 'One seated upon the exalted royal throne need not rise for anyone,' do not truly know the higher dharma.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.6.7.14)

तेषां कुपथदेष्टृणां पततां तमसि ह्यधः । ये श्रद्दध्युर्वचस्ते वै मज्जन्त्यश्मप्लवा इव ॥ 7.14 ॥

teṣāṁ kupatha-deṣṭṝṇāṁ patatāṁ tamasi hy adhaḥ ye śraddadhyur vacas te vai majjanty aśma-plavā iva

Those who trust the words of such preachers of the wrong path — who are themselves falling down into darkness — sink together with them, like passengers upon a boat of stone.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.6.7.15)

अथाहममराचार्यमगाधधिषणं द्विजम् । प्रसादयिष्ये निशठः शीर्ष्णा तच्चरणं स्पृशन् ॥ 7.15 ॥

athāham amarācāryam agādha-dhiṣaṇaṁ dvijam prasādayiṣye niśaṭhaḥ śīrṣṇā tac-caraṇaṁ spṛśan

Therefore, without deceit, I shall now go and please that brahmana, the preceptor of the immortals, whose wisdom is unfathomable, touching his feet with my own head.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.6.7.16)

एवं चिन्तयतस्तस्य मघोनो भगवान् गृहात् । बृहस्पतिर्गतोऽदृष्टां गतिमध्यात्ममायया ॥ 7.16 ॥

evaṁ cintayatas tasya maghono bhagavān gṛhāt bṛhaspatir gato ’dṛṣṭāṁ gatim adhyātma-māyayā

While Maghavan was thinking thus, the illustrious Brihaspati, by his own spiritual power, had already departed from his home to some unseen destination.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.6.7.17)

गुरोर्नाधिगतः संज्ञां परीक्षन् भगवान् स्वराट् । ध्यायन् धिया सुरैर्युक्तः शर्म नालभतात्मनः ॥ 7.17 ॥

guror nādhigataḥ saṁjñāṁ parīkṣan bhagavān svarāṭ dhyāyan dhiyā surair yuktaḥ śarma nālabhatātmanaḥ

Though that sovereign lord searched everywhere, he could gain no trace of his guru; though he pondered deeply with the demigods around him, he found no peace within himself.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.6.7.18)

तच्छ्रुत्वैवासुराः सर्व आश्रित्यौशनसं मतम् । देवान् प्रत्युद्यमं चक्रुर्दुर्मदा आततायिनः ॥ 7.18 ॥

tac chrutvaivāsurāḥ sarva āśrityauśanasaṁ matam devān pratyudyamaṁ cakrur durmadā ātatāyinaḥ

As soon as they heard of this, all the demons, following the counsel of Ushanas (Shukracharya), grew arrogant and, taking up their weapons, prepared to make war upon the demigods.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.6.7.19)

तैर्विसृष्टेषुभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्निर्भिन्नाङ्गोरुबाहवः । ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुः सहेन्द्रा नतकन्धराः ॥ 7.19 ॥

tair visṛṣṭeṣubhis tīkṣṇair nirbhinnāṅgoru-bāhavaḥ brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ jagmuḥ sahendrā nata-kandharāḥ

Their limbs, thighs and arms pierced by the demons' sharp arrows, the demigods, together with Indra, went with bowed heads to take shelter of Lord Brahma.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.6.7.20)

तांस्तथाभ्यर्दितान्वीक्ष्य भगवानात्मभूरजः । कृपया परया देव उवाच परिसान्त्वयन् ॥ 7.20 ॥

tāṁs tathābhyarditān vīkṣya bhagavān ātmabhūr ajaḥ kṛpayā parayā deva uvāca parisāntvayan

Seeing them so afflicted, the unborn, self-born Lord Brahma, with the greatest compassion, spoke to them, consoling them.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.6.7.21)

श्रीब्रह्मोवाच अहो बत सुरश्रेष्ठा ह्यभद्रं वः कृतं महत् । ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं दान्तमैश्वर्यान्नाभ्यनन्दत ॥ 7.21 ॥

śrī-brahmovāca aho bata sura-śreṣṭhā hy abhadraṁ vaḥ kṛtaṁ mahat brahmiṣṭhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ dāntam aiśvaryān nābhyanandata

Sri Brahma said: Alas, O best of the demigods, what a great misfortune you have brought upon yourselves! Blinded by the pride of opulence, you failed to honor that self-controlled brahmana who is most deeply established in Brahman.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.6.7.22)

तस्यायमनयस्यासीत् परेभ्यो वः पराभवः । प्रक्षीणेभ्यः स्ववैरिभ्यः समृद्धानां च यत्सुराः ॥ 7.22 ॥

tasyāyam anayasyāsīt parebhyo vaḥ parābhavaḥ prakṣīṇebhyaḥ sva-vairibhyaḥ samṛddhānāṁ ca yat surāḥ

This is the very result of that impropriety — that you, O demigods, though prosperous, have been defeated by your own enemies, who had earlier been reduced to weakness.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.6.7.23)

मघवन् द्विषतः पश्य प्रक्षीणान् गुर्वतिक्रमात् । सम्प्रत्युपचितान् भूयः काव्यमाराध्य भक्तितः । आददीरन्निलयनं ममापि भृगुदेवताः ॥ 7.23 ॥

maghavan dviṣataḥ paśya prakṣīṇān gurv-atikramāt sampraty upacitān bhūyaḥ kāvyam ārādhya bhaktitaḥ ādadīran nilayanaṁ mamāpi bhṛgu-devatāḥ

O Maghavan, behold — your enemies, who had grown weak from disrespecting their guru, have now, by devoutly worshiping Kavya (Shukracharya), grown powerful once more; those whose deity is Bhrigu may soon seize even my own abode.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.6.7.24)

त्रिपिष्टपं किं गणयन्त्यभेद्य- मन्त्रा भृगूणामनुशिक्षितार्थाः । न विप्रगोविन्दगवीश्वराणां भवन्त्यभद्राणि नरेश्वराणाम् ॥ 7.24 ॥

tripiṣṭapaṁ kiṁ gaṇayanty abhedya- mantrā bhṛgūṇām anuśikṣitārthāḥ na vipra-govinda-gav-īśvarāṇāṁ bhavanty abhadrāṇi nareśvarāṇām

What then do they care for heaven, those whose secret counsel is unbreakable and who are well trained in the teachings of the Bhrigus? But for kings who hold brahmanas, cows, and Govinda as their true lords, no misfortune ever befalls.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.6.7.25)

तद्विश्वरूपं भजताशु विप्रं तपस्विनं त्वाष्ट्रमथात्मवन्तम् । सभाजितोऽर्थान् स विधास्यते वो यदि क्षमिष्यध्वमुतास्य कर्म ॥ 7.25 ॥

tad viśvarūpaṁ bhajatāśu vipraṁ tapasvinaṁ tvāṣṭram athātmavantam sabhājito ’rthān sa vidhāsyate vo yadi kṣamiṣyadhvam utāsya karma

Therefore go at once and take shelter of that brahmana Vishvarupa, son of Tvashta, a self-controlled ascetic; honored by you, he will grant you your desires — provided you are willing to tolerate his ways.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.6.7.26)

श्रीशुक उवाच त एवमुदिता राजन् ब्रह्मणा विगतज्वराः । ऋषिं त्वाष्ट्रमुपव्रज्य परिष्वज्येदमब्रुवन् ॥ 7.26 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca ta evam uditā rājan brahmaṇā vigata-jvarāḥ ṛṣiṁ tvāṣṭram upavrajya pariṣvajyedam abruvan

Sri Shuka said: O King, thus addressed by Brahma, the demigods were freed of their anguish; they approached the sage Vishvarupa, son of Tvashta, and, embracing him, spoke these words.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.6.7.27)

श्रीदेवा ऊचुः वयं तेऽतिथयः प्राप्ता आश्रमं भद्रमस्तु ते । कामः सम्पाद्यतां तात पितृणां समयोचितः ॥ 7.27 ॥

śrī-devā ūcuḥ vayaṁ te ’tithayaḥ prāptā āśramaṁ bhadram astu te kāmaḥ sampādyatāṁ tāta pitṝṇāṁ samayocitaḥ

The demigods said: We have come to your hermitage as your guests; may all good fortune be yours. Dear one, please fulfill this timely desire of your elders, as is fitting.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.6.7.28)

पुत्राणां हि परो धर्मः पितृशुश्रूषणं सताम् । अपि पुत्रवतां ब्रह्मन् किमुत ब्रह्मचारिणाम् ॥ 7.28 ॥

putrāṇāṁ hi paro dharmaḥ pitṛ-śuśrūṣaṇaṁ satām api putravatāṁ brahman kim uta brahmacāriṇām

For it is the highest duty of virtuous sons to serve their parents — this holds true even for those who themselves have sons, O brahmana, so what need be said of one who is still a celibate student?

Verse 29 (bhagavata.6.7.29)

आचार्यो ब्रह्मणो मूर्तिः पिता मूर्तिः प्रजापतेः । भ्राता मरुत्पतेर्मूर्तिर्माता साक्षात् क्षितेस्तनुः ॥ 7.29 ॥

ācāryo brahmaṇo mūrtiḥ pitā mūrtiḥ prajāpateḥ bhrātā marutpater mūrtir mātā sākṣāt kṣites tanuḥ

The preceptor is the embodiment of the Veda; the father is the embodiment of Prajapati (Brahma); a brother is the embodiment of the lord of the Maruts (Indra); a mother is the very form of the earth;

Verse 30 (bhagavata.6.7.30)

दयाया भगिनी मूर्तिर्धर्मस्यात्मातिथिः स्वयम् । अग्नेरभ्यागतो मूर्तिः सर्वभूतानि चात्मनः ॥ 7.30 ॥

dayāyā bhaginī mūrtir dharmasyātmātithiḥ svayam agner abhyāgato mūrtiḥ sarva-bhūtāni cātmanaḥ

a sister is the embodiment of compassion itself; a guest is dharma's own embodied form; an unbidden visitor is the embodiment of Agni; and all living beings are the embodiment of one's own self.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.6.7.31)

तस्मात् पितृणामार्तानामार्तिं परपराभवम् । तपसापनयंस्तात सन्देशं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ 7.31 ॥

tasmāt pitṝṇām ārtānām ārtiṁ para-parābhavam tapasāpanayaṁs tāta sandeśaṁ kartum arhasi

Therefore, dear one, by the strength of your austerity dispel this affliction of your grieving elders — this humiliating defeat at the hands of others — and fulfill our request.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.6.7.32)

वृणीमहे त्वोपाध्यायं ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं गुरुम् । यथाञ्जसा विजेष्यामः सपत्नांस्तव तेजसा ॥ 7.32 ॥

vṛṇīmahe tvopādhyāyaṁ brahmiṣṭhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gurum yathāñjasā vijeṣyāmaḥ sapatnāṁs tava tejasā

We choose you as our teacher, our guru, a brahmana most established in Brahman, so that by your spiritual power we may swiftly and easily conquer our rivals.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.6.7.33)

न गर्हयन्ति ह्यर्थेषु यविष्ठाङ्घ्य्रभिवादनम् । छन्दोभ्योऽन्यत्र न ब्रह्मन् वयो ज्यैष्ठ्यस्य कारणम् ॥ 7.33 ॥

na garhayanti hy artheṣu yaviṣṭhāṅghry-abhivādanam chandobhyo ’nyatra na brahman vayo jyaiṣṭhyasya kāraṇam

In matters concerning the Vedic hymns, no one condemns bowing at the feet of one who is younger; O brahmana, apart from the context of mantras too, age alone is not the basis of seniority.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.6.7.34)

श्रीऋषिरुवाच अभ्यर्थितः सुरगणैः पौरहित्ये महातपाः । स विश्वरूपस्तानाह प्रसन्नः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ 7.34 ॥

śrī-ṛṣir uvāca abhyarthitaḥ sura-gaṇaiḥ paurahitye mahā-tapāḥ sa viśvarūpas tān āha prasannaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā

Sri Shuka said: Thus requested by the demigods to accept the office of priest, that greatly austere Vishvarupa, pleased, replied to them in a gentle voice.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.6.7.35)

श्रीविश्वरूप उवाच विगर्हितं धर्मशीलैर्ब्रह्मवर्चउपव्ययम् । कथं नु मद्विधो नाथा लोकेशैरभियाचितम् । प्रत्याख्यास्यति तच्छिष्यः स एव स्वार्थ उच्यते ॥ 7.35 ॥

śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca vigarhitaṁ dharma-śīlair brahmavarca-upavyayam kathaṁ nu mad-vidho nāthā lokeśair abhiyācitam pratyākhyāsyati tac-chiṣyaḥ sa eva svārtha ucyate

Sri Vishvarupa said: Though those devoted to dharma condemn priesthood as a depletion of one's spiritual power, still, O lords, how could someone like me refuse a request made by the very rulers of the worlds? To become your disciple is itself said to be my true benefit.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.6.7.36)

अकिञ्चनानां हि धनं शिलोञ्छनं तेनेह निर्वर्तितसाधुसत्क्रियः । कथं विगर्ह्यं नु करोम्यधीश्वराः पौरोधसं हृष्यति येन दुर्मतिः ॥ 7.36 ॥

akiñcanānāṁ hi dhanaṁ śiloñchanaṁ teneha nirvartita-sādhu-satkriyaḥ kathaṁ vigarhyaṁ nu karomy adhīśvarāḥ paurodhasaṁ hṛṣyati yena durmatiḥ

For one who owns nothing, gleaning scattered grain is true wealth; by this alone all proper sacred duties are accomplished. O lords, how then shall I take up this censurable priesthood, in which only a foolish mind delights?

Verse 37 (bhagavata.6.7.37)

तथापि न प्रतिब्रूयां गुरुभिः प्रार्थितं कियत् । भवतां प्रार्थितं सर्वं प्राणैरर्थैश्च साधये ॥ 7.37 ॥

tathāpi na pratibrūyāṁ gurubhiḥ prārthitaṁ kiyat bhavatāṁ prārthitaṁ sarvaṁ prāṇair arthaiś ca sādhaye

Even so, how could I refuse so small a request made by my elders? Whatever you ask of me, I shall fulfill it fully, even with my life and my possessions.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.6.7.38)

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच तेभ्य एवं प्रतिश्रुत्य विश्वरूपो महातपाः । पौरहित्यं वृतश्चक्रे परमेण समाधिना ॥ 7.38 ॥

śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca tebhya evaṁ pratiśrutya viśvarūpo mahā-tapāḥ paurahityaṁ vṛtaś cakre parameṇa samādhinā

Sri Badarayani said: Having thus promised them, the greatly austere Vishvarupa, chosen as their priest, performed the priestly duties with the deepest concentration.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.6.7.39)

सुरद्विषां श्रियं गुप्तामौशनस्यापि विद्यया । आच्छिद्यादान्महेन्द्राय वैष्णव्या विद्यया विभुः ॥ 7.39 ॥

sura-dviṣāṁ śriyaṁ guptām auśanasyāpi vidyayā ācchidyādān mahendrāya vaiṣṇavyā vidyayā vibhuḥ

That powerful Vishvarupa, through the Vaishnavi hymn, seized away the prosperity of the enemies of the gods — which had been guarded even by the wisdom of Ushanas (Shukracharya) — and bestowed it upon Mahendra.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.6.7.40)

यया गुप्तः सहस्राक्षो जिग्येऽसुरचमूर्विभुः । तां प्राह स महेन्द्राय विश्वरूप उदारधीः ॥ 7.40 ॥

yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣo jigye ’sura-camūr vibhuḥ tāṁ prāha sa mahendrāya viśvarūpa udāra-dhīḥ

That noble-minded Vishvarupa then taught to Mahendra the very hymn, protected by which the thousand-eyed Indra conquered the armies of the demons.