SB 1.12.20 (1964)

SB (1964) Twelfth Chapter - Birth of Emperor Parikshit

SB 1.12.19 (1964) - SB 1.12.21 (1964)

Compare Versions: SB 1964 with SB 1972-77

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT No. 20

Esha data saranyas cha yatha hi ushinarah sivih. Yaso vitanita swanam douswantiriva yajwanam.

ENGLISH SYNONYMS

Esha—this child, Data—donor in charity, Saranyas—protector of the surrendered, Cha—and, Hi—certainly, Ushinarah—the country of the name, Sivih—of the name, Yaso—fame, Vitanita—disseminator, Swanam—of the kinsmen, Douswantiriva—like Bharata the son of Duswanta, Yajwanam—of those who have performed many sacrifices.

TRANSLATION

This child will be a munificent donor of charity and protector of the surrendered, like the famous King Sivih of the Ushinar country and will expand the name and fame of his family like Bharata the son of Maharaj Duswanta.

PURPORT

A king becomes famous by his acts of charity, performaces of yajnas protecting the surrendered and similar other acts. A kshatriya king becomes proud to give protection to the surrendered souls. This attitude of a King is called Iswarabhava or factual powerful to give protection in righteous cause. In the Bhagwat Geeta the Lord instructs living beings to surrender unto Him and He promises all protection. The Lord is all powerful and true to His word and therefore never failing to give protection to His different devotees. The king being representative of the Lord, he must possess this attitude of the Lord to give protection to the surrendered soul at all risk. Maharaj Sivih the King of Ushinara, was an intimate friend of Maharaj Yayati who was able to reach the heavenly planets along with Maharaj Sivih. Maharaj Sivih was aware of the heavenly planet where he was to be transferred after his death and the description of such heavely planet is given in the Mahabharata (Adi. 96.6-9). Maharaj Sivih was so much charitably disposed that he wanted to give over his acquired position in the heavenly kingdom to Yayati but he did not accept it. He went to the heavenly planet along with great Rishis like Astak and others. On enquiry from the Rishis Yayati gave an account of Sivih's pious acts when all of them were on the path to heaven. He has become member of the Assembly of Yamaraj who has become his worshipful deity. As confirmed in the Bhagwat Geeta that the worshiper of the demigods goes to the planets of the demigods (Yanti devabrata devan) so Maharaj Sivih has become an associate of the great Vaishnava authority Yamaraj in that particular planet. While he was on the earth he became very famous as the protector of the surrendered soul as also the donor of charities. The King of heaven took the shape of a pigeon hunterbird (eagle) and Agni the fire-god took the shape of a pigeon. Such pigeon while being chased by the eagle took shelter on the lap of Maharaj Sivih and the-hunter eagle wanted back the pigeon from the King. The King wanted to give it some other meat for eating and requested the bird not to kill the pigeon. The hunter bird refused to accept the king's offer; but it was settled later on that the hunter bird would accept flesh from the body of the king of the pigeon's equivalent weight. The king began to cut flesh from his body to weigh in the balance equivalent to the weight of the pigeon but the mystic pigeon remained heavier always. The king then put himself on the balance to equate with the pigeon and the demigods were pleased with him. The king of heaven and the fire-god both disclosed their identity and the king was blessed by them. Devarshi Narada also glorified Maharaj Sivih for his great achievements specifically in charity and giving protection. Maharaj Sivih sacrificed his own son for the satisfaction Brahmin. He never allowed flesh eating in his kingdom by the human being. And thus child Parikshit was to become a second Sivih in the matter of charity and giving protection.

Douswanti Bharata: There are many Bharatas in the history of which Bharat the brother of Lord Rama, Bharat the son of King Rishava and the Bharat son of Maharaj Duswanta, are very famous and all these Bharatas are historically known to the universe. This earth planet is known as Bharata or Bharatvarsha on account of King Bharata the son of Rishava but according to some this land is known as Bharata on account of the regin of the son of Duswanta. So far we are convinced this land's name Bharatvarsha was established from the regin of Bharata the son of King Rishava. Before him the land was known as Ilavativarsha but just after the coronation of Bharata the son of Rishava this land is famous as Bharatvarsha.

But inspite of all these the Bharata son of Maharaj Duswanta was not less important. He is the son of the famous beauty Shakuntala by Maharaj Duswanta. Maharaj Duswanta fell in love with Shakuntala in the forest and Bharat was impregnated. After that Maharaj forgot his wife Shakuntala by the curse of Kanwamuni and the child Bharata was brought up in the forest by his mother. Even in his child-hood he was so powerful that he challenged the lions and elephants in the forest and would fight with them as little children play with cats and dogs. On account of the boy's becoming too much strong more than the so-called modern Tarjan, the Rishis in the forest would call him by the name 'Sarvadaman' or one who is able to control over everyone. Full description of Maharaj Bharat is given in the Mahabharata Adi Parva. The Pandavas or the Kurus are sometime addressed as the Bharata on account of being born in the dynasty of famous Maharaj Bharat the son of King Duswanta.

(Compare SB 1.12.20 Current Edition)

SB 1.12.19 (1964) - SB 1.12.21 (1964)