Divine Legends that ensure peace and prosperity in the society
We are passing through a sensitive phase of existence where the combined effects of adverse planetary influences and the general degradation of moralities of life are contributing to escalating violence levels in the society, danger of thefts/ robberies, abuse of women, elderly, and even children, and a general intolerance that makes persons who should co-exist peacefully in the society into bitter rivals.
There are two Divine Legends in Devi Bhaagavatam, contemplation of which is reputed to provide immunity from famines and other calamities including sectarian violence, epidemics/ endemics, pestilence, general insecurity pervading the society as a whole due to action of bands of thieves/ robbers, etc….. Let me relate these for the benefit of everyone.
Legend of sage Gautama and how Grace of Goddess Gayathri helped him and others
Once upon a time, there was no rain for 12 consecutive years with the result that sighting of even a blade of green grass became a rarity. Sages and Brahmins who were doing tapasya in the forests approached the Great Sage Gautama and requested him to do something about this and help the suffering millions.
Sage Gautama performed a Divine Homam in Honour of Goddess Gayathri Devi. The Goddess manifested Herself in the Homam Kundam and offered the "Akshaya Paatra" (the Divine Vessel with unending supplies of food, and all materials). Sage Gautama removed the sufferings of people by distributing food, water, and all essential articles with the aid of Atchaya Paatra. This selfless service of Sage Gautama spread over the three worlds and even Lord Indra - the King of the Celestials praised Sage Gautama wholeheartedly in the Divine Assembly. Divine Sage Naarada came to this world and narrated this glory here to the satisfaction to Sage Gautama who was immensely pleased, and expressed his sentiment that all this was possible due to Devi’s Grace. In the meantime, the rain Gods blessed the Earth with bountiful rains and normalcy returned.
There were a group of jealous persons who wished to insult Sage Gautama as they were unable to tolerate his glory. They cunningly offered an old and dying cow for his Gopujaa. The innocent and unsuspecting Sage was about to perform the pooja, when the cow died merely on touch from the pooja water (it was that weak and it died of shivering cold just on contact with a sprinkle of water!) The cunning persons hiding nearby accused Sage Gautama with "Go-Hatya" i.e. they accused him of having killed a cow which is considered to be one of the most severe sins! The Great Sage was disillusioned and was wondering what was happening. Then he meditated on Goddess Gayathri who helped him to Divine the sequence of events. Overcome with justifiable anger, the Sage cursed those cunning persons to suffer endless miseries.
The anger of the innocent and noble saint began to torment those cunning persons beyond their limits, and they fell at his feet for forgiveness. The kindhearted sage, gave a remedy saying that they will get relief from their troubles by praying to the Goddess on Chaitra sukla Navami (incidentally this is the navami of the Vasantha Navarathri - the same thithi of birth of Shri Raama!). Those cunning persons remedied their sufferings by praying for many years like that on Chaitra sukhla navami. Goddess Gayathri consoled Sage Gautama saying that he need not feel bad for having cursed those jealous persons nor for their attitude. These are all signs of approaching Kali yuga and vanished.
Contemplating on this legend will give immunity from the evil designs of cunning persons in this kali age and also help in times of financial distress. When there is wide-spread economic depression and general decline in farm produce, chanting of this legend as a collective worship will prove auspicious to the society as a whole.
Click here to read Part 2 of Divine Legends that ensure peace and prosperity in the societyArticle by
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
