Chapter 4: REVATI

Chapter 4: Revati

Suta said:

1              Hearing this strange story, Agastya wanted more and humbly asked God Skanda

Agastya said:

2              O husband of Devasena, I desire to hear more tales of great Devi Bhagavatham. Deign to tell me, please.

3              O son of Mitravaruna, listen to this tale too. It reveals to some extent the greatness of the Book.

Note: Agastya’s origin: Vasista could not conduct a Yaga for Iksvaku King Nimi, because he had already been “booked” by Indra. Nimi engaged Gautama. Enraged, Vasista cursed him to be without a body. Nimi deflected it back to Vasista. Bereft of body, Varuna approached Brahma who blessed that he would be born of the twin deities Mitra-and-Varuna, who had one body between them! Mitra-Varuna happened to see Urvasi, and jointly embraced her. Then their bodies separated, and Urvasi preferred Mitra. Varuna had involuntary ejaculation that was caught in a pot. Mitra introjected but Urvasi cast the ejaculate into the same pot. From this were born re-embodied Vasista, and dwarfish Agastya. Hence, one of the names by which Agastya was known was Maitravaruna = son of Mitra-varuna.

4              Based on the Gayatri are all rituals. The Bhagavatam descirbes Gayatri’s greatness.

5              “Bhagavatham” describes the greatness of Goddess. She is worshipped by Brahma, Visnu and Siva.

6              There was once a famous wise sage, Rtavāk. A son was born to him during the last part (gandhantam) of asterism Revati.

7              The sage performed the life cycle rituals duly and in proper sequence.

8              And right from the time of birth of that baby, the sage began suffering from diseases and sorrows.

9              He became subject to anger and greed. His wife suffered from various diseases. They had no respite from diseases and sorrows.

10            The sage wondered why his son should have brought such misfortunes, and why he became so evil.

11            And that boy abducted the wife of a certain hermit, without bothering about his parents reactions.

12            Saddened, Rtavak said to himself: “Far better it is to have no son at all than an evil-minded one!

13            An evil son would push down from heaven the souls even of departed ancestors. And he will be the source of endless sorrow to his parents life long.

14            His birth is to bring sorrow to his parents. His friends will enjoy no good from him, nor will enemies have anything to fear from him.

15 & 16   Only he is blessed whose son gives joy, and who helps all in need. An evil son brings disaster to the family. He will destroy all wealth. He will cause sorrow both in this as well as the next world, and cast us in hell.

17            An evil son causes destruction of the family. An evil wife make one’s life meaningless. An evil meal will spoil one’s day. And an evil friend will put an end to all happiness.

Skanda said:

18            Suffering thus constantly, this sage one day went to Sage Garga and asked him:

Rtavak said:

19            Master, you are a professor in Astrology. Tell me: why do one’s sons become evil?

20            I had duly served my Guru and studied Veda. After observing Brahmacharya, I had married a wife observing all the prescribed rituals.

21            With her, I observed all the prescribed duties of a householder. I conducted all the five great penances duly.

22            Not out of selfishness, but to avoid hell did I desire a son and impregnate my wife.

23            O Sage, was this my son, who causes his parents and relatives and everyone else, born evil because of defects in me or his mother?

24            Thinking deeply over these words, Garga the expert in Astrology, replied:

Garga said:

 25           Sage, your son was born evil-minded, not due to any fault of yours or your wife’s. It was because of his birth in the final part (gandantham) of Revati.

26            His birth in this evil hour has caused all the misery. There is no other cause.

27            O Brahmin, you will gain relief from this misery if you devotedly worship the Mother of the Universe, the destroyer of evil and the granter of welfare.

28            Hearing this, Rtavak angrily cursed (asterism) Revati: “Fall down from the sky”!

29 & 30   Revati fell down from the sky, still shining, on the top of Kumuda mountain. From that time, that mountain became beautiful and famous as “Raivatakam”.

31            Obeying Garga, Rtavak worshipped Goddess Ambika (Mother) and obtained all welfare and happiness.

Skanda said:

32            From the brightness of the fallen Revati, there was born a girl whose beauty was beyond compare in; she was like Goddess Lakshmi herself.

33            Seeing her great brightness,  great Sage Pramucha adopted her and named her “Revati”.

34            That great Sage took her to his hermitage on that mountain, and brought her up as his own daughter.

35            In due time she grew up into a great beauty, and the sage wondered who would be a husband fit for her.

36            Though he searched everywhere, he could not find a suitable bridegroom. He then entered his fire-chamber, and praised the God Agni.

Note: agnisala: all householders should maintain a pure building in which the “holy” fires would be kept burning always.

37-38       Agni told him that a king named Durdaman, righteous, powerful, heroic, sweet of speech, and undefeatable, would be the husband of the girl. The sage was happy.

39            Luckily, just then, wise Durdaman, pretending to be on a hunting expedition, arrived at the hermitage.

40            He was born in the lineage of Priyavrathan, in the womb of Kalindi, to his father Vikramaseelan.

41            When he entered the hermitage, the sage was not in. So he addressed Revati as “my dear”, and asked:

The king said:

42            “My dear, where has the sage gone? I desire to worship at his feet. Please tell me, auspicious one!”

The girl said:        

43            “O King, the great sage is in the fire-chamber”. Hearing this, the king got out at once.

44            The sage saw him, modest, replete with auspicious signs of kinghood, standing front of the fire-chamber.

45            The king immediately prostrated before the sage, who called his disciple and said: “Gautama, bring the offerings due to a guest – a king is indeed entitled to them.

46            And it happens that this guest is my long-expected son-in-law to be!” So saying, he offered the king the welcome materials. The king received them, thoughtfully.

47            After welcoming the king thus, and seating him in honour, the sage commenced to greet him thus:

48            “O King, hope your armies are in good shape. And your treasury is full. And friends well? And all your attendants, ministers, and citizens in towns and villages prosperous?

49            Your bride is residing here in good health. I therefore do not enquire after her. Please tell me about your other female relatives”.

The King said:

50            Sage, by your blessings, all of them do well. But O knower of the ultimate truth! You said something strange – that my bride stays here. Please tell me all about her”.

The sage said:

51            She is named Revati. None on earth is so beautiful. She is here; how is it that you do not recognize her?

The king said:

52            O Sage, in my house are several wives of mine like Subhadra and others. Them I know, but not of Revati.

The sage said:

53            King, just now you called her “My dear”! Have you forgotten her so soon? She is your auspicious wife.

The king said:

54            True that I called her thus. But I had no such intention in my mind. Please do not be angry, O Sage!

The sage said:

55            You have told the truth, O king! Truly, you had no such intention when you called her thus. It was the God of Fire that prompted you to do so.

56            Just today, I had appealed to the God as who her husband would be. And He replied: A king named Durdaman will marry her.

57            So, O king, I am bestowing her on you. Accept her as your wife. Then you will not have to worry about having called her “My dear” in advance.

58            Confused, the king started thinking. The sage went ahead with the arrangements for the marriage.

59            Observing the arrangements being made, the girl said: “Father, my wedding should be conducted on the Revati astericism”.

The sage said:

60            Daughter, there are many auspicious asterisms for weddings. But how can it be on Revati? Moreover, that asterism is no longer in the heavens”.

61            The girl replied: “Except on the Revati asterism, it is not fitting that my wedding is conducted. I beg of you; please arrange this wedding on Revati asterism”.

The sage said:

62            Of old, on the command of Sage Rtavak, the Revati asterism fell from the ground. If you insist that your wedding should be only on that asterism, how can it be arranged?

The girl said:

63            Was Rtavak the only sage who had performed austerities? Have you not, by mind, and word and work, achieved the same powers?

64            I know that you have enough powers to recreate the world. Father, please restore the asterism Revati to her place in the heavens, and have my wedding conducted.

The sage said:

65            So be it! For you I shall restore Revati in the way of the Moon, and your wedding will be conducted.

Lord Skanda said:

66            So saying, by the power of his own austerities, that stage restored Revati to her place.

67            And on the asterism of Revati, the sage had her wedded to the great Durdama.

68            Then, the sage asked: “O hero, what do you want me to do for you? Mention it, and it shall be done”.

The king said:

69            “O sage, I have been born in the lineage of Swayambhuva Manu,. By your blessings, I beseech that I beget a son who would be the greatest in this age”.

Note: Svayambhuva was the First Manu and delivered the Manusmrti.

The sage said:

70            If that be your desire, worship the Goddess. And indeed you will get such a son.

71            The puranam known as Devi Bhagavatam is said to be the Fifth Veda. If you hear it recited in five days, you will indeed get a son as you desire.

72            The son you shall beget in Revati will be known as Raivata and will be the fifth in the succession of Manu-s. He will be learned in the Veda, and shall master all the sciences. He will be righteous and will be invincible.

73            Thus blessed, the wise king prostrated before the sage, and went happily back with his wife to his city.

74            He looked on all his subjects as if they were his own progeny, and ruled happily over that kingdom that he had inherited from his forefathers.

75            Once it happened that the great sage Lomasa happened to visit his kingdom. The king gave him a worshipful welcome and asked with folded hands:

The king said:

76            If you will bless me, O sage, I wish to hear you recite the Devi Bhagavatam.

77            Lomasa: “Blessed are you, O king! Devotion to Mother of the Three Worlds has dawned in your heart!

78            Worshipful to Gods and demons is Mother, Almighty Jagadambika! Worship her; you will get all desires.

79            O king, I shall recite the Devi Bhagavatam to you. After that, there will be nothing unobtainable to you”.

80            On an auspicious day, Lomasa commenced. The king and his wife listened, as ordained, for five days.

81            On the eighth day, that righteous king duly and happily worshipped the sage.

82            He had fire-oblation (hōmam) conducted with the navāŗņamantram. And sumptuously fed virgins and Brahmins with their wives, and pleased them with gifts.

83            In due course, his wife, by the blessings of the Goddess, became pregnant.

84            On an auspicious occasion, stars and asterisms in favourable  positions, Revati bore him a son.

85            Immediately, the king had the birthing rituals duly performed, using vessels of gold.

86            He pleased the Brahmins with appropriate gifts, and in course of time, conducted the upanayanam for his son, after which the boy learnt the Veda, and associated knowledge.

87            That boy Raivatan became learned in all subjects, righteous, foremost among archers, firm in teaching and observing dharma, and valorous and heroic.

88            Great God Brahma crowned him as a Manu, and he ruled over the whole world righteously and well.

89            So have I related, in brief, the greatness of Goddess. Who indeed can explain it fully?

90            Agastya too bowed before Skanda, and returned to his own hermitage.

91            O Brahmins, I have explained to you the greatness of Devi Bhagavatam. He who with devotion reads it or listens to it will obtain all enjoyment on earth, and also attain final liberation in due course.

[Thus ends the 4^th Canto of Sri Devi Bhagavatam, in Manasaskandha of Sri Skandapuranam].

Chapter 3 - SADYUMNA BECAME ILA

Chapter 3 – Sadyumna became Ila

Suta said:

1              “O Great Sages, listen to another story, proclaiming the greatness of Devi Bhagavatam.

2              Once, Sage Agastya, husband of Lopamudra, approached Lord Subrahmania, and duly worshipping Him, requested him to narrate several stories.

3              And the Lord obliged, narrating stories about gift-giving, pilgrimage, penance, etc.

4              He described in great detail Kasi, Manikarnika, Ganga, and their significance.

5              Gladdened by listening to all of this, the Sage asked the Lord, for still greater benefit of the world.

Agasthya said:

6              O Lord who killed the Tharaka demons, could You please tell me about the Devi Bhagavatham and its greatness, and the method of listening to its recital?

7              Devi Bhagavatham is an outstanding puranam – does it not praise the Mother of the Three worlds?

Lord Subrahmania said:

8              “O Brahmin, who can describe the greatness of Devi Bhagavatam? I shall try to explain it briefly.

9              Great Goddess, Granter of all enjoyments in this world, and ultimate release from it is Herself in it.

Note: bhukti = enjoyment; of pleasures. Mukti = moksa, ultimate release from births and deaths, the final goal. So pervasive is Goddess that She is embodied even in the physical book. On a more esoteric level, this seems to hint at the identification of the description and the reality.

10           Therefore note, O Sage, Devi Bhagavatham is the audible representation of the Goddess Herself; if one reads or listens to its recital, there is nothing whatever unobtainable.

11           The Sun-God had a famous son, Srāddhadēvan (a Manu). He had no sons, and in order to beget them, he conducted Putrakāmēşţi yāgam, with the permission of Sage Vasista.

[Note: “Manu” is a general term for the dominating character of each Epoch = cycle of four yuga-s (Krta, Treta, Dvapara & Kali). At the end of each Epoch = 4,32,000 years, there is a Flood, when Earth and Veda are destroyed. Then the Seven Great Rsi-s descend to restore Veda, along with a “Manu”. Manu-s are: Svāyambhuva, Svārōcişan, Uttaman, Tāmasan, Raivatan, Cākşusan, Vaivasvatan, Sāvaŗņņi, Dakşasāvaŗņņi, Brahmasāvaŗņņi, Dharmasāvaŗņņi, Rouchyadēvasāvaŗņņi, and Indrasāvaŗņņi. The first was spontaneously born of Brahma, and is author of Manusmrti. Emperor Prthu transformed him to a calf to suckle Earth in the form of a cow, so that he could “milk” her of medicinal plants. The Manu for the current Epoch (“now”) is Vaivasvatan, alias Sraddhadevan, the one referred to here. The rest are still to come. Each Manu has several aliases or synonyms, and it is difficult to link the references. See Vettam Mani, Reprint 1982: Puranic Encyclopaedia (Malayalam) NBS Kottayam. More details are available in the 10^th Book of Devi Bhagavatam, and in Harivamsam].

12           Sraddhadevan’s wife approached the Hota priest and begged: “O Brahmin, it is a girl I desire. Please do whatever is necessary in order to achieve that desire”

Note: Interestingly, a rare instance where preference for a girl-child is explicitly expressed! Brahmin priest making oblations into the fire is termed “Hota”. The categories of priests (rtvik-s): agnidhran; brāhmaņācchamsi, maitrāvaruņan, hōta, pōta, praśasta, adhvaryu, grāvastut, brahman, pratiharta, subrahmanya, utgāta, pratiprastāta, neşţa, nēta, acchāvaka. All these are Brahmins. The person conducting the Yaga is known as yajaman, and may be of any of the three upper castes – usually a ksatriya.

13           So Hota expressed desire for girl during oblations, a girl (subsequently known) as Iļa was born.

14           Disappointed at seeing a girl baby, the King asked his preceptor: “O Master, how did you manage to make a mistake in your sankalpa”

15           The Guru meditated and found that it was because Hota had indicated girl while making oblation. Then, desiring that Ila should become a male, he had recourse to Lord Siva.

16           By the power of the Guru’s penance, and thanks to Siva’s grace, Ila transformed into a male right under the gaze of all present.

17           Guru conducted all prescribed life cycle rituals and named the new-born Sudyumnan. Like the Ocean to the riches of rivers, Sadyumnan became the repository of all knowledge.

Note: One of the rare poetical embellishments (alankaram) one finds in Devi Bhagavatham! - an apt metaphor couched as a simile (upama).

18           In due course, Sadyumnan became a young man. One day, mounting his Sindhi horse, he rode off into the forest to hunt.

Note: Sind Horses were considered the best in those times. Sind breed is recognized by curved ears, famous for endurance and speed.

19           Roaming from forest to forest, he covered great distance with his companions, and as luck would have it, reached a forest at the foot of the Himalayas.

20           It was in that forest that Lord Siva had once disported with his wife Aparna (= Parvathy).

21           Then some sages desirous of having His darsan arrived. Seeing them, Parvathy felt greatly ashamed.

22           The sages, who had gained full control over their senses, seeing Siva and Parvati so engaged, immediately left for Vaikuntham.

23           Urged by Parvati, Siva cursed that forest: “Henceforth, if any male enters this forest, he will immediately became female”.

24           Thenceforth, men avoided that forest. But Sadyumnan, unaware of it, entered it, immediately he transformed into a very beautiful woman.

25           He was astonished to see that his attendants, and even his horse, had become female!

26           They approached the hermitage of the Planet-deity Budha. Seeing this exquisitely beautiful woman, with high (firm) big breasts,

27           And lips red like ripe bimba fruit, teeth like buds of jasmines, eyes like petals of a blue lotus flower, and beautiful face, even Budha was smitten with the arrows of the God of Love (fell in love with her).

28           She too felt attracted to Budha, son of Chandra, and lived with him in his hermitage.

Note: Chandra (Moon God) and Tara, wife of his Guru Brhaspati eloped. By intercession of Brahma, Tara returned to Brhaspati. She gave birth to a brilliant son, whose parentage both Chandra and Brhaspati claimed. Tara declared that Chandra was the true biological father.

29           In course of time, Budha begat a son, Purūravas, through her.

30           Years passed. One day, she remembered her male phase, and sorrowfully, left the hermitage.

31           Proceeding to Guru Vasista, she bowed down, and besought him to make her once again a male.

32           Vasista proceeded to Kailasa, and praised Siva with great devotion.

Vasista said:

33           Salutations, Siva, Sankara, Kapardin, Chandramouli, half of whose body is Girija’s.         

34           Mrda, living in Kailasa, Granter of happiness, and of enjoyment and liberation, salutations!

35           O you with auspicious body, remover of fear from the hearts of those who approach you, whose vehicle is a bull, you who are the most appropriate refuge, Salutations to you.

36           You assume the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva in order to discharge the functions of creation, protection and destruction. Destroyer of cities, salutations!

37           Salutations, granter of boons to them who perform penance! O three-eyed one, whose eyes respectively are the sun, the moon, and fire, you bearing the Ganga on your head!

38 & 39: Thus praised, that Lord, on His bull, resplendent like Crores of suns, with sheen of a mountain of gold, three-eyed, with  moon in his hair, the Lord of the Universe, pleased with the Sage Vasista, said:

Siva said:

40           “Holy Sage, ask as a boon anything that your heart desires”. Upon which, the Sage asked for the boon that Ila might become a male.

41           The Lord said: “One month, he will be male, and the next, female”.

42           Then Vasista prostrated before Parvathy, Mother of the Universe, ever ready with boons.

43           The Sage praised Her, shining like a Crore of moon-beams, with sweet smile, praising Her in the hope that Ila would become unchangeably male.

44           Victory, O Great Goddess, granter of boons to devotees, worshipped by all the Gods, repository of all great virtues, victory to you!

45           Salutations, Goddess mightier than all, Durga, destroyer of sorrow, slayer of demons, salutations!

46           Salutations, Mahamaya, who can be attained only through love, Mother of the Universe, your feet are rafts that take your devotees across the ocean of misery that is life in the world!

47           Only through your grace and worship at your lotus feet are even Brahma, Visnu and Siva competent to create, protect and destroy the Universe.

48           O Goddess, granter of all four objectives, be pleased! Who can praise thee adequately? I can only prostrate before thee!

49           Hearing Vasista’s appeal, She, the Greatest, Narayani, Durga, was pleased.

Note: Vasista’s appeal is a prayer to Her. The various names as arranged are also believed to have special sonic effects like mantra-s.

50           The Great Goddess said: “Go to Sadyumna’s house, and worship me with devotion.

51           O Brahmin, recite to him the Devi Bhagavatham, beloved to me, over nine days.

52           Just by hearing recital will he regain permanent maleness”. So saying, the divine pair disappeared.

53           Vasista bowed down towards where they had disappeared. Returning to his hermitage, he summoned Sudyumnan and advised him to devotedly worship the Great Goddess.

54           In the bright fortnight of Asvina month, after worshipping the Mother of the Universe, Vasista recited Devi Bhagavatham to him according to the rite of the nine nights (Navaratra).

55           Sudyumnan listened with devotion. Bowing to Guru, he regained perpetual male-hood.

56           Vasista crowned him king, and he ruled ensuring the welfare of the citizens.

57           Many were the yaga-s he performed, granting liberal gifts. Then, relinquishing the kingdom in favour of his sons, he attained similarity of appearance with Goddess.

58           O Brahmins, thus have I related this story. Those who read it, or listen with devotion, will gain thro Grace of Goddess all they desire here on earth, and at the end, attain similarity of appearance with Her.

[Thus ends the 3^rd Cano of Devi Mahatmyam in the Manasa khanda of Sri Skandapuranam].

Chapter 2: FEATURES OF A PURANAM

Chapter 2: Features of a Puranam.

Suta said:

1 Blessed am I, and deeply honoured! I have been rendered pure of blemishes by you, Worthy gentlemen! You have requested me to narrate the stories that will grant merit, and are great, sanctified like Veda.

2 I shall narrate them, equal in secrecy and sanctity to Veda, and the best of knowledge and tradition.

3 Bowing to the lotus feet (of my Guru Vyasa) before which Brahma and other gods bow, I shall tell you, O Brahmins, the best among Purana-s known in the name of the Goddess, that will grant liberation, full of various emotions, with full devotion.

4 She, who is portrayed in Veda as the embodiment of Knowledge, who shines forth always as the Primordial Energy, in whom is vested all knowledge and competence to remove the misery of worldly existence, She who prevails as the inmost essence of all that exists, She who is unknowable to the evil-minded, and who is immediately perceptible to the sages who meditate on Her, may that Goddess grant all accomplishments.

5 I recall that Mother of the Universe who creates the worlds of form and essence and protects them through Her mastery over three qualities, and who, when Time ends, retracts these into Her own Blissful Being.

6 It is well-known that Brahma creates this Universe; this has been asserted by ancients who have known Veda. But it is from Visnu’s navel that Brahma emerged, and according to Visnu’s orders that He created it. Brahma is thus not self-empowered by Himself.

7 Visnu was sound asleep on serpent Adi Sesha with a thousand heads. At the appropriate time, the lotus that is Brahma’s seat emerged from His navel. How then was Visnu competent to create the Universe by Himself?

Note: The argument is that Brahma created the Universe, and not Visnu, who was only the base on which Brahma took his seat. Visnu too was not based on Himself, but on the great Serpent Adi Sesha = the First existent that remained (from a previous phase of Universal existence). 

8 At Kalpa end, everywhere spread an ocean of water - the essence of all qualitative features (rasam). How could that essence exist without base? It was only the Supreme Energy that provided the support. Therefore, in Her, who remains as the essence of Power in all beings, the Mother of the Universe, do I take refuge.

Note: The argument is that qualities imply form and substance, and therefore require a substratum. Only Power in the abstract, without form or mass, can be the ultimate base and that is the Goddess.

9 While Visnu was still immersed in the sleep of Yoga, and Brahma seated in his lotus, praised that Goddess; in Her, the Mother of the Universe do I take refuge.

10 Let me meditate on that Goddess, who is without qualities, but when indulging in Her Maya, appears as endowed with qualities and as Granter of liberation. And then, O sages gathered here, you may listen to me.

Note: When formless, She is pure Energy, but by Maya (illusion), She appears as if She adopts differentiation in form and substance; and then, She is the Granter of liberation to those who seek refuge in Her.

11 Best above all and full of merit is Srimad Bhagavatam Puranam,with 18,000 verses, full of meaning.

12 In this best of books composed by Krsna Dvaipayanan, there are 12 Sections and 318 Cantos.

13-17 The first Section has 20, the second 12, the third 30, the fourth 25, the fifth 35, the sixth 31, the seventh 40, the eighth 24, the ninth 50, the tenth 13, the eleventh 24, the twelfth 14 Cantos. Thus Vyasa has composed it with 318 Cantos and 18000 verses.

18 A Purana must contain five features, sargam, pratisargam, vamsam, manvantaram, & vamsanucaritam. 

Please see under verse 14 Canto 1 above. 

19-21 That Supreme Godess is Eternal, Omnipresent, never subject to emotions, of the essence of auspicious appearance, and can be reached only thro’ Yoga. That Goddess, who is present in the Fourth or Extreme (turīya) stage of consciousness, appears in three different Feminine forms of Energy as Mahalaksmi, Sarasvati and Mahakali. Those discourses accepting these three manifestations as ultimate reality represent the feature known as ‘Sargam’; so opine the wise.

Note: In other words, sargam is the “theme”.

22 Next in the discourse is the origin of Visnu, Brahma and Rudra, representing protection, creation and destruction respectively. This designates the feature “Pratisargam”.

Note: In other words, the subordinate or supporting theme.

23 The tracing of the stories of those originating in the lineages of the Sun and of the Moon, and of the lineages of characters like Hiranyakasipu form the feature Vamsavali.

24 The description of Epochal characters (Manu-s) like Svayambhuva and others, and the determination of their time periods, is what Manvantara consists of.

25 The description of their lineages is Vamsanucaritam. O Sages, all Purana-s have these five features.

26 The Mahabharatam, consisting of 1,50,000 verses was also composed by Vyasa. It is called itihāsa, and is like Veda, and known as the Fifth Veda.

Saunaka said:

27 Which are the Purana-s? How many of them? We are eager to hear the details, Omniscient Suta!

28 Frightened as we are of the Kali Age, we have sought refuge in Naimisaranyam, because Brahma had given us a “wheel” of protection and told us.

29 “Follow that wheel. Where it falls and shatters, know that that place is sacred.

30 Kali will never enter there. You may stay there, performing penances, till Satya Yugam comes again”.

31 Obeying Brahma’s words, desirous of seeing many lands, we rolled that wheel and set off behind it.

32 Arriving here, the wheel broke apart under our eyes. We understood that we were at Naimisaranyam.

33 Kali cannot enter here. I made it my abode. Other great sages and realized souls gathered round me.

34 We are conducting our penances without sacrificing animals. We make do with substitutes. We will improvise according to the times until the Satya age comes round again.

35 By our great good fortune, O Suta, you have come to us. Please recite to us that great Puranam, which is equal in significance to Veda, and full of merit.

36 We are all eager to listen; and you are most intelligent. We have no other thought and are all attention.

37 May you live long and be without sin. Begin at once to recite the auspicious story to us.

38 Recite that story in which Vyasa has shown where dharma, kama, etc., have been described, and where he has demonstrated how knowledge properly used will lead to liberation.

39 We have not had enough of listening to the tales told by the saint Dvaipayana.

40 Please expound to us that Puranam that is the repository of all good qualities, is sacred and as varied as the “performances” of the Mother of the Universe, and will destroy all the accumulated sins of the world, caused by the implantation of desire – Please tell us about that Goddess who is the origin of all.

Note: The original has, (second line): “akhilabhuvanamātur nātyavidyat vicitram” = varied as if it is the drama enacted by the Mother of the Universe. Saunaka the Jnani (realized soul) understands that the variations of the observed Universe are but the Maya – illusion caused by the Goddess Herself. “nātya” implies pretence, hiding the real behind something that is not real, but is projected as if it were indeed real – i.e., māya, illusion! Saunaka also indicates that “desire" is the deep cause, the kandam = “seed”, of sin – nikhilamalagaņānām nāśakrt kāmakandam.

Thus the Second Canto of the First Book of the Sri Devi Bhagavatam.