- Courtesy: His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwapriyateertha Swamiji
- Compilation: Dr. Vamshikrishna Acharya Purohit
- Translation: Sandesh Upadhyaya K.
Indra asked Br̥haspatyācārya, “what should I do to obtain the four qualities Ōjas, sahas, bala and tējas which Bali possesses?”. Then Guru Br̥haspatyācārya replied – “Walk away from heaven for a while. Bali’s Guru, Shukracharya, has the potential to bestow these qualities upon him. I do not have such power. This is because Shukracharya is positioned higher in hierarchy than Bali. However, I am placed in a lower rung than you. Hence, I won’t be able to give you these abilities”.
Sometime after Bali will show his disregard towards the brāhmaṇas who were instrumental in his elevation. He will be ensnarled by their anger and lose everything. Not only that, the Lord will soon be incarnating as Vāmana. He will be your protector. Then, you will naturally get back your position. When we aren’t capable of facing someone, we must leave”
“At present, I cannot give you the strength you need. Therefore, leave the heaven for a while” so suggested Guru Br̥haspatyācārya to Indra. This is stated by Śrīvādirājaru in Lakṣmīśōbhāne, as Naśvara aiśvaryava bayasuvanobba. While describing the instance when goddess Lakṣmī came to choose a bridegroom (Svayamvara), Śrīvādirājaru ascribes this phrase to Indra. Indra fled when Hiraṇyakaśipu, Kansa, Indrajit, Bali came to attack him. Indra is someone who asks others what to do when Bali comes. Indra’s wealth is not permanent. Hence, Śrī Vādirājaru justifies why the goddess of wealth Lakṣmī decided not to marry Indra.
We should not emulate Goddess Lakshmi in looking into the flaws of gods. While the Devatas have a few flaws, they have plenty of virtues. When the virtues in them are counted, the flaws are negligible.
Knowing about Bali’s arrival to wage war, Indra left his throne and vacated heaven as suggested by Guru Br̥haspatyācārya. Bali sat on the throne of Indra and began to enjoy the abundant riches and started ruling.
Looking at this Aditi, the mother of the Devatas, began to grieve. Knowing she was grieving, Sage Kaśyapa came to her and asked, “What is your problem?” The manner in which he consoles her is marvelous. Apyabhadraṁ na viprāṇāṁ bhadrē lōkē̕dhunā̕gatam| In the world, brāhmaṇas have faced many such catastrophes! The four puruṣārthas were also under jeopardy. In comparison, your problem is insignificant. If we encounter a problem, we must not cling to it and struggle. Instead, we should look at people who have greater difficulties. This is how Sage Kaśyapa consoles her. Duḥkhī duḥkhādhikaṁ paśyēt sukhī sukhādhikaṁ na tu. If we are sad, we should look up to people who are sadder than us.
If we are insulted let us think of the Pāṇḍavas. This gives us some relief as we note that we are not. insulted as much as the Pāṇḍavas were. We never do this. We normally think about people who are happier than us. We should stop doing that. This is the message Sage Kaśyapa gave us through Aditi. Although Indra was defeated many times, he got the throne back again. There are so many people in the world who have lost things which they never got back. “Isn’t your son Indra better placed?” – he asked.
Guests keep coming to our house. “Have you disregarded them?” There may be many reasons for agony. He asked Aditi the reason for her agony.
A seeker of Madhva philosophy. Hails from Rupyapeeta (Udupi).
|| विष्णो: सर्वोत्तमत्वं च सर्वदा प्रतिपादय ||
(Hari sarvothama Vayu jeevothama tatva)