Day 204 - Bhusunda's Tale - The Divine Celebration

Day 204 - Bhusunda's Tale - The Divine Celebration

While the deities reveled in their festivities, their vehicles also became intoxicated and started to dance. Female swans danced alongside the crow, Canda, who was Alambusa's vehicle. Overcome by desire, these swans mated with the crow, leading to their pregnancies.

After the celebration, the deities presented Uma's transformed body as food to Lord Hara (Siva). Understanding the truth, Siva was displeased, and the deities restored Uma to her original form, reuniting her with the Lord. The deities then returned to their abodes, and the swans reported everything to the goddess Brahmi.

The Aftermath

Brahmi acknowledged the swans' pregnancies and advised them to rest and go where they pleased. She then entered deep contemplation. The swans laid twenty-one eggs, which soon hatched, giving birth to twenty-one offspring in the family of Canda, the crow. These offspring, blessed by Brahmi, attained self-knowledge and liberation. They approached their father, who embraced them warmly, and then worshipped the goddess Alambusa.

Canda advised his children to seek the highest wisdom through the goddess's grace. The offspring, having already gained knowledge by Brahmi's grace, sought a secluded place to live. Canda directed them to a beautiful nest on Mount Meru, where they would find peace without hindrance.

Following their father's guidance, they settled in the nest on Mount Meru.

Bhusunda's Wisdom

The Passage of Time

Bhusunda recounted a time in the past when his brothers, over the course of many ages, had ascended to the heaven of Lord Siva, leaving him as the sole survivor. Even the holy and strong are eventually consumed by time.

VASISTHA's Inquiry

Vasishtha asked how Bhusunda remained unaffected by natural calamities. Bhusunda explained that though being a crow was contemptible, he survived by remaining immersed in the self, abandoning vain activities, and not identifying with the body. This self-knowledge kept him unaffected by the world's events.

Pranayama and Peace

Through pranayama practice, Bhusunda transcended time, finding peace and detachment from worldly events. Observing the passage of time from his nest, he remained untouched by the coming and going of beings. He appreciated the company of sages, valuing their presence above all.

.... to be continued