Guest guest Posted November 4, 2001 Report Share Posted November 4, 2001 > Krishna felt grateful for the crows, since their ancestor Kakabhusandhi > had helped Him in his previous incarnation as Lord Ramacandra in his > battle with Ravana. Thus Krishna wanted to feed the crows as well, and > naturally the crows flocked into the room, since they also wanted to serve > the Lord. > > Would anyone like to contribute something in regards to Kakabhusandhi from > the Ramayana? >From Puranic Encyclopedia: BHUSUNDA. A dispassionate and large-hearted crow. The residence of this crow was a Kalpavrksa standing on a beautiful peak surrounded by luxuriant vegetation in the north-eastern, corner of Mahameru. There were numerous bird-nests on the southern branch of that Kalpavrksa. In one of them lived this centuries-old bird. Once when the sage Vasistha went to Devaloka, he happened to hear about this crow. He went to see Bhusunda in its nest. The crow recognised Vasistha at once. They exchanged greetings. The sage opened the conversation as follows: "Oh, King of birds! When were you born? How did you become a great soul? How old are you? Have you recollections of the past? Who was the prophet who suggested this residence for you?" The bird calmly replied as follows: "If you are interested in hearing my past history I shall tell you. Lord Sankara the Almighty lives in this world. He has numerous attendant spirits. Besides these spirits who have hoofs on their head, hands in the hoof, teeth in the hands and stomach in the face, and who have faces resembling those of monkeys, camels, and elephants, he has also hordes of Matrs in his retinue. The Matrs, attended by spirits continue their dance in the presence of the Lord. Mountain peaks, the sky, the different worlds, deep pits, cremation grounds, etc. are their haunts. Chief among these Matrs are eight sisters named Jaya, Vijaya, Jayanti, Aparahita, Siddha, Rakta, Alambusa and Ulpala. They have other followers also. Alambusa's vehicle is the crow named Canda. All these Matrs assembled together on one occasion to celebrate a festival in the sky. There was a display of many kinds of entertainments at that time. Disputations in spiritual matters, music, dancing, drinking and other forms of hilarious activities were freely indulged in. In another part of the sky, their vehicles were also enjoying themselves with similar celebrations of drinking, dancing, and merry-making. The swans who were the vehicles of Brahmidevi were dancing in one place, intoxicated by drink. Canda, the crow, who was Alambusa's vehicle, also joined their company. Completely absorbed in their delirious raptures, the intoxicated swans indulged so freely in their amorous pleasures with Canda that they became pregnant. At last when the merry-makings ended and all of them dispersed, the swans became aware of their plight and informed Brahmi about it. The gracious goddess (Brahmi) told them that in their present state they were unable to discharge their duties in drawing her chariot and so they were allowed to go and enjoy themselves wherever they liked. After this she entered into a trance. The swans in the fullness of time, gave birth to twentyone sons. We, the twentyone brothers, are those children. We, and our mothers went to Brahmidevi and offered woship to her for a long time. As a result, the Devi woke up from her trance and pleased with us, gave us her blessing. After that, we went to our father (Canda) and offered our devoted services to him and prostrated before him and Alambusadevi. They blessed us. We asked our father to suggest a most suitable place for a secluded life. This Kalpa Vrksa is the secluded place recommended by him. We paid obeisance to our father and Alambusadevi and came to settle down here. Many ages have passed since then. Now your visit and holy presence here, have liberated me from all worldly bonds and ennobled my life. My twenty brothers lived for many Kalpas and yugas at the end of which, convinced of the meaninglessness of worldly life, renounced their bodies and attained Sivaloka. On hearing this, Vasistha asked Bhusunda to tell him more about his past life. Bhusunda resumed his story: "Long long ago, the whole earth was full of big rocks, without trees, forests or mountains. After a great flood the surface of the earth was covered with ashes. In one caturyuga (a period equal to the length of the four yugas, Krta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali) the earth was filled with forest trees and in another Caturyuga, mountain ranges appeared. I have seen an age in which Brahmanas were drunkards, Sudras were virtuous and women of noble families committed adultery. You have now been born in the eightieth "Janma" as the son of Brahma. You were born once from the sky, at another time from water, then from the mountain and again from fire. I can remember this earth sinking into the ocean five times and Lord Visnu taking the form of a tortoise, lifting it up, above the water. I have seen the ocean of milk being churned twelve times. I know that Hiranyaksa had taken the earth three times to Patala (underworld). The Lord has incarnated six times as Bhargava Rama. Incarnation of Buddha has taken place in six Kaliyugas. Tripuradahana (burning of the Tripurasuras) has taken place thirty times. Daksa yaga was broken up twice. Lord Siva has slain ten Indras. He fought seven times with Sri Krsna for the sake of Bana. I also remember another epic entitled "Ramayana", containing one lakh of verses and dealing with metaphysical problems. I have seen the customs of Krtayuga being followed in Kaliyuga and the customs of Kaliyuga being followed in Krtayuga." Having heard the whole story, Vasistha gave his blessing to Bhusunda and left the place. (Jnana Vasistha, Bhusundopakhyana). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.