Srimad Bhagavatham : 5.4..

Skandham-5.


Chapter-4.( The Characteristics of Rshabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead ) :




In this chapter, Rshabhadeva, the son of Maharaja Nabhi, begot a hundred sons, and during the reign of those sons the world was very happy in all respects. When Ṛṣabhadeva appeared as the son of Maharaja Nabhi, He was appreciated by the people as the most exalted and beautiful personality of that age. His poise, influence, strength, enthusiasm, bodily luster and other transcendental qualities were beyond compare. The word ṛṣabha refers to the best, or the supreme. Due to the superexcellent attributes of the son of Maharaja Nabhi, the King named his son Rshabha, or “the best.” His influence was incomparable. Although there was a scarcity of rain, Rshabhadeva did not care for Indra, the King of heaven, who is in charge of supplying rain. Through His own potency, Rshabhadeva sumptuously covered Ajanabha with ample rain. Upon receiving Rshabhadeva, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as his son, King Nabhi began to raise Him very carefully. After that, he entrusted the ruling power to Him and, retiring from family life, lived at Badarikasrama completely engaged in the worship of Vasudeva, the Supreme Lord. To follow social customs, Lord Rshabhadeva for a while became a student in the gurukula, and after returning. He followed the orders of His guru and accepted a wife named Jayanti, who had been given to Him by the King of heaven, Indra. He begot a hundred sons in the womb of Jayanti. Of these hundred sons, the eldest was known as Bharata. Since the reign of Maharaja Bharata, this planet has been called Bharata-varsha. Rshabhadeva’s other sons were headed by Kusavarta, Ilavarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indraspṛk, Vidarbha and Kikata. There were also other sons named Kavi, Havi, Antariksa, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhajana. Instead of ruling the kingdom, these nine became mendicant preachers of Krishna consciousness, following the religious precepts of the Bhagavatam. Their characteristics and activities are described in the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhagavatam during the talks between Vasudeva and Narada at Kurukshetra. To teach the general populace, King Rshabhadeva performed many sacrifices and taught His sons how to rule the citizens.

Next : slokam-1.

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