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BY: SUN STAFF
Narad Arrives in the Court of Lord Indra Jul 19, 2014 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of the holy places mentioned in the Jaiva Dharma of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur - Part 152.
In the Introduction to Harinama Cintamani, Srila Bhaktivinoda mentions that:
"The seven higher planetary systems Bhur, Bhuvar, Svarga, Mahar, Jana, Tapa, and Satya or Brahma and the seven lower planetary systems such as Atala, Sutala and so on are all manifestations of maya (the illusory potency). Cid-vaibhava is the complete whole, and maya is its shadow."
The Svarga-loka planetary division is mentioned in sastra as being one of three worlds that come under the act of dissolution by Rudra:
"These three worlds are known as Bhuh, Bhuvah and
Svah (Patala, Martya and Svarga)." These three are also referred to in their embodiment as transcendental sound vibration:
"The science of logical argument, the Vedic goals of life, and also law and order, moral codes, and the celebrated hymns bhuh, bhuvah and svah all became manifested from the mouths of Brahma, and the pranava omkara was manifested from his heart."
This is further described by Srila Prabhupada in SB 5.20.37, SB 8.24.32, and in Krsna Book:
"…[as] clearly described in the Brahma-samhita: The living entities, space, time, and the material elements like fire, earth, sky, water and mind, constitute the total cosmic manifestation, known as bhuh bhuvah svah, which is manifested by Govinda. It flourishes on the strength of Govinda and after annihilation enters into and is conserved in Govinda. Lord Brahma therefore says, "I worship Lord Govinda, the original personality, the cause of all causes." (KB 87)
This is also mentioned by Srila Prabhupada in the fourteenth chapter of Krsna Book, 'Prayers Offered by Lord Brahma to Lord Krsna' we read:
"Lord Brahma then admitted that his birth was from the lotus flower which blossomed from the navel of Narayana after the dissolution of the three worlds, or three planetary systems, known as Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka and Svarloka. The universe is divided into three divisions, namely Svarga, Martya and Patala. These three planetary systems are merged into water at the time of dissolution. At that time Narayana, the plenary portion of Krsna, lies down on the water and gradually a lotus stem grows from His navel, and from that lotus flower, Brahma is born."
In the Sri Niralamba Upanishad of Srila Veda Vyasa, text 16-17, we read:
"Svargaloka is a material realm where pious souls dwell. That is Svargaloka."
"Hell is a material realm where impious souls attached to material sense pleasures dwell. That is hell."
Finally, we have this very interesting narration from the Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta of Srila Sanatana Goswami, which tells the story of Narada Muni's visit to Svargaloka, where he praised Lord Indra, who in response pointed out all of his own great shortcoming by mentioning the history of Svargaloka:
Part One, Chapter Two
sri-parikshid uvaca
prasasya tam maharajam "Sri Parikshit said: After glorifying the king, Narada Muni (went) to Svargaloka and in a great assembly of demigods saw Lord Vishnu, . . .
vicitra-kalpa-druma-pushpa-mala- . . . who was decorated with garlands of kalpa-druma flowers, anointed with fragrant scents, dressed in beautiful garments and ornaments, served palatable nectar and a host of other very splendid offerings, and was comfortably seated on Garuda's back, . . .
brihaspati-prabhritibhih . . . whom Brihaspati and the great sages were glorifying with prayers, whom Aditi was caressing and pleasing with sweet words, . . .
siddha-vidyadhra-gandharvap- . . . who was pleased by the prayers, exclamations of "jaya!", instrumental music, singing, and dancing of the Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Gandharvas, and Apsaras, . . .
sakrayabhayam uccoktya . . . who emphatically assured Indra that he need not fear the demons, who gracefully accepted and chewed the betelnuts Kirti-devi offered, . . .
sakram ca tasya mahatmyam
sahasra-nayanair asru- . . . whom Indra glorified, raining tears from his thousand eyes as again and again he happily described how his Lord had come to his aid, and who splendidly sat on His throne, His transcendental potencies at His side.
atha vishnum nijavase Following Lord Vishnu as He departed for His own residence, Narada returned to the assembly and, praising Indra, said:
sri-narada uvaca
kritanukalpitas tvam yat Sri Narada said: You are a great leader. Surya, Candra, Yama, and all the demigods and rulers of planets, what to speak of others, obey your commands.
munayo 'smadriso vasyah Sages like myself are under you order. The Vedas praise you as the master of the universe. You grant the results of pious and impious deeds.
aho narayano bhrata Ah! Lord Narayana is your younger brother, born from the same womb. Honoring the path of religion, He always treats you with great respect.
sri-parikshid uvaca
ittham indrasya saubhagya- Sri Parikshit said: Repeatedly praising Indra's great good fortune in this way, and playing his vina, Devarshi Narada began to dance.
tato 'bhivadya devarshim Then, with great embarrassment, Indra slowly said to Devarshi Narada: O learned musician, why are you mocking me?
asya na svarga-rajasya Do you not know the history of the king of Svargaloka? How many times have we not left this place out of fear of the demons?
acaran balir indratvam Once Bali Maharaja occupied the post of Indra. He personally enjoyed Indra's portion in the Vedic sacrifices. He posted demons as the rulers of the sun, moon, and other planets.
tato nas tata-matribhyam Then, pleased by my parents' long and severe austerity, the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared by His plenary portion as my brother.
tathapy ahatva tan chatrun Still, the Lord did not kill my enemies. He merely pretended to beg the kingdom from them, and then embarrassed me by giving the results of His begging to me.
spardhasuyadi-doshena Because we are envious, embroiled in unremitting competition, and filled with many faults, and because we sometimes murder brahmanas and commit many other sins, we live in constant fear of falling down from our positions. Where is there any happiness for the residents of Svargaloka?
kim ca mam praty upendrasya You should know that Vamana treats me with contempt. He forcibly took both the Sudharma assembly house and the parijata flower from Svargaloka and brought them to the earth.
gopalaih kriyamanam me He stopped the cowherds' traditional worship of me, and He burned to the ground the Khandava forest, which is so dear to me.
trailokya-trasa-krid-vritra- When I begged Him to kill the demon Vritra, who had terrified the three worlds, the Lord was not willing to do anything. He told me to kill the demon myself.
utsadya mam avajnaya Treating me with contempt, He left my city of Amaravati and made a new home for Himself above all the worlds.
aradhana-balat pitror At the time of His departure He only accepted my worship to show kindness to my priest Brihaspati and because my parents were also worshiping Him. Very quickly He left for His own abode, far beyond the range of my sight.
punah sa-tvaram agatya When I said to Him, "We will be honored if You quickly return to accept our offerings of arghya," He cheated me by speaking this instruction:
yavan naham samayami "When I am not here you may worship Brahma or Siva, for they are not different from Me.
eka-murtis trayo deva Have you forgotten the words of scripture: "The one Supreme Lord has expanded into the three forms of Vishnu, Brahma and Siva"?"
vaso 'syaniyato 'smabhir Neither I nor the sages can go to His abode. He does not stay for very long in any one place. Sometimes He stays in Vaikuntha, sometimes in Dhruvaloka, and sometimes in the Kshirodaka Ocean.
samprati dvarakayam ca
puryam kadacit tatrapi Now He is at Dvaraka. But He does not always stay there. Sometimes He is in the palace of the Pandavas, sometimes in the city of Mathura, and sometimes going from forest to forest in Gokula. In this way it is very difficult for us to see Him. Where is His mercy to us?
Near the end of this chapter of Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, Indra concludes by saying:
yatha hi krishno bhagavan The Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna becomes conquered by the loving service of devotees like myself, and for this reason He resides on my planet, on Svargaloka, and in many other places as well, and enjoys suitable pastimes there. (In the same way Siva resides in Kailasa because of the devotion of Kuvera.)"
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