Shuka Deva Borns From Arani Womb & He Travels To Solar Through Yoga
After Yudhisthira was crowned as King of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna freed amazing Bhishma from all of his sufferings before his death and asked him to alleviate Yudhisthira from mourning over the lifeless Kshatriyas by the way of advising him on Dharma. Yudhishthira asked his Pitamaha how was the great ascetic and religious person Shuka Deva born in Vyasji's Ashram. And how did he achieve ultimate success?
Bhishma narrated the birth of Shuka Deva that he had heard from Sage Markandeya and his salvation from Devarishi Naradji and Mahayogi Vyasa. He said, Lord Shankar on the peak of Mount Meru adorned with forests of Kaner Umadevi used to roam around with terrifying ghosts. In those days, on that mountain, Vyasa used to perform the ritual of penance by concentrating his mind on God through yoga. The purpose of his penance was to get a son. He started his penance with the resolve that he should get a son as patient as fire, land, water, air or sky. Taking the above resolution, Vyasa, engaged in great penance through yoga, prayed to Mahadev Ji for a boon.
Vyasa would eat only air for a hundred years. There the entire Brahmarishi, all the Rajarishis, Lokpal, along with many attendants, Sadhya, Aditya, Rudra, Sun, Moon, Vasugana, Marudgana, sea, rivers, both Ashwinikumars, gods, Gandharva, Narada, mountain, Gandharvaraj Vishwavasu, Siddha and Apsaras are also Lokeshwar used to worship Mahadeva. There the great Rudradev, wearing a beautiful garland of Kaner flowers, looked as beautiful as the moon in moonlight.
In that divinely beautiful forest full of gods and goddesses, Vyasa, taking refuge in Param Yoga for the birth of a son, was engaged in penance and was not distracted from it. Even after performing such rigorous penance, his life was neither destroyed nor did he feel tired. This was a wonderful thing for all three worlds. Dreadlocks of Vyasa were seen burning brightly like flames of fire.
Lord Shiva came in front of Vyasaji and said 'Dwaipayan! You will get a son as per your wish. 'Just as fire, air, earth, water and sky are pure, your son will also be equally pure and great. “He will be imbued with Godliness, his intelligence will be in God, his mind will be focused on God and he will consider only God as his refuge. All three worlds will be pervaded by his glory and your son will achieve great fame.”
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One day, Vyasa started churning with two Arani sticks with the desire to fire them. At the same time, Maharishi Vyasa saw the nymph named Ghritachi who was in a very beautiful form due to her radiance. Seeing that nymph in that forest, sage Lord Vyasa suddenly became fascinated with lust. At that time, seeing the heart of Vyasa distraught with lust, Ghritachi Apsara came to him in Shuki or a female parrot. Seeing that Apsara was hidden in another form, the lust spread all over his body. Sage Vyasa restrained his lust with great patience; But could not stop his mind from going towards Apsara.
Vyasa's semen, with the desire to manifest fire, suddenly fell on Arani Kashtha. Even at that time, Vyasa remained engaged in the churning of woods. At the same time, Shuka Deva appeared from Arani. Along with Arani, the churning of Shukra also gave birth to the great ascetic and yogi, the supreme sage Shuka Deva. He appeared from the womb of Arani. He was glowing with his brilliance like his father.
At the same time, Ganga, the best among rivers, appeared on the Meru mountain and gratified Shuka deva with her water. The trumpets of the gods rang very loudly Vishwavasu, Tumburu, Narad, Haha Huhu etc. Gandharvas started singing congratulations on the birth of Shuka. Indra etc., all the Lokpals, deities, Devarshis and Brahmarshi also came there. The wind showered divine flowers. Then Lord Shankara himself along with Goddess Parvati performed the ritualistic Upanayana Sanskar of the newborn son of Maharishi Vyasa. Thousands of swans, centipedes, storks, shrews and blue-throated birds started circling him. As soon as Shuka was born, the entire Vedas including their secrets and collections became available to him in the same way as they were available to his father Ved Vyasa. After thinking about religion, Shuka made Brihaspati his guru.
After studying the entire Veda, ancient history and Rajshastra, he gave Dakshina to the Guru for Samavartana Sanskara. He was practising celibacy and doing intense penance. The great ascetic Shukdev, through knowledge and penance, had become an ideal for the deities and sages and was suitable for them even in his childhood. He kept his eyes on Mokshadharma only; his intellect did not experience any objection in the Tirtha Ashrams where his residence depended on Grihastha Ashram.
When Vyasaji understood that his son had become full of Brahmateja and proficient in Mokshadharma and had become equal to Brahma in all the scriptures, he asked him to go to King Janaka of Mithila to know the essence of the entire Moksha sastra.
After returning to Vyasa's Ashram, Shuka fell on the feet of his father and calmly met all his other disciples. Parasharanandan Vyasa started living on the peak of the Himalayas, teaching his disciples and sons.
After all the disciples of Vyasa left his Ashram, Vyasa was not happy because of being separated from his beloved disciples. Naradji reached there. He said to Vyasa, "Not reciting the Vedas after reading them is the defilement of studying the Vedas. Not observing the fast is the defilement of a Brahmin. May you keep studying the Vedas with your intelligent son Shuka, destroying the darkness created by the fear of demons with the sound of your reciting the Vedas.
After listening to Naradji, Vyasa being filled with joy he started strictly following the vow of practicing Vedas. Along with his son Shuka Deva, he started reciting the Vedas by filling all three worlds in a loud voice as per the rules of education. The father and son, who propound different types of religions, were practising the Vedas in the above form when the sea breeze awakened them and a very strong storm started blowing.
Then Vyasa stopped his son from studying the Vedas at that time by telling him about the period of Anadhyaya. On his refusal, Shuka became eager to know the reason for this. He asked his father about the movement of Vayu, "From what has this air originated?
Surprised Vyasa replied, "Son! You have attained Divine vision, Your heart is extremely pure. You are established in Sattva Gunas, which are distinguished from Rajoguna and Tamoguna. Just as people see their reflection in a mirror, in the same way, you realize the soul through your intellect, after establishing the Vedas within yourself, think about the Vayu created due to non-meditation by the intellect. 'After death, there are two paths for those going to the upper worlds and those going to the lower worlds, One is Devayaan which is the path to Vishnuloka, hence Sattvik.
The other is Pitryaan which is Tamasic. Wherever the wind blows on earth or in the sky, there are seven paths for it to flow. Samana is the name of the formidable son of the mighty ghost-form deities known as Sadhya, who reside in the earth and sky invisibly.
'Samana's son was Udana, Udana's son Vyana, his son's name was Apana and from Apana, Prana was born. Prana did not have any children. He torments the enemies and is invincible. The deeds of all of them are different. 'Vayudeva manages all the separate activities of the living beings and keeps the entire existence alive, hence it is called 'Prana'. The first air named 'Pravaha' flowing in the first path carries the clouds and hail created from smoke and heat from here to there. The one who appears in the sky for the generation of quantities of lightning etc., is famous as the second air endowed with great radiance named 'Aavaha'. It flows with a heavy sound.
'The one who always causes the rise and emergence of the planets like Soma, Surya etc., which is called 'Udana' within the body of the wise man, who lifts the water from the four oceans and establishes them in the clouds called Jimuta and after combining the clouds called Jimut with water, hands them over to Parjanya. That great wind is called 'Udvaha', the third one because it moves on the third path.
Various types of super clouds, carried here and there, bind the clouds and start raining water, even after being condensed in the form of clouds, due to which all the clouds burst. They are called 'Nada' because of sound like Venu naad and they again collect water and become dense for the protection of living beings. The one which carries the vimanas going through the sky of the wind god is the fourth one that glorifies the mountains and is famous by the name 'Samvaha'.
One which breaks and uproots big trees by flowing rapidly with a great sound and through whom the clouds organized during the Doomsday bear the sangya 'balaika', whose circulation of air brings terrible havoc and moves through the sky carrying clouds with it. That extremely fast fifth wind has been named 'Vibaha'.
Based on the air on which the divine waters flow upward in the sky, The one that is situated holding the sacred waters of the sky Ganga and through whom, reflected from a distance, the Sun God, the origin of thousands of rays, from whom the earth is illuminated, appears to be comprised of a single ray and through whom the moon is also nourished with the divine treasure of nectar, is the sixth best among the conquerors known as 'Parivaha'.
The Vayu, which takes out the life of all the living beings from the body in the last moments, whose path of life's expulsion is only followed by death and Vaivaswat Yama, which is capable of giving immortality to the man who does thorough research with a calm intellect always engaged in spiritual thoughts and remains happy in the practice of meditation. Being situated in it, the ten thousand sons of Prajapati Daksha reached the end of all the directions. The creature that gets touched by it and gets dissolved goes away from here and never returns. The name of that best seventh air is 'Paravaha'.
It is extremely difficult for everyone to transcend it. In this way, these seven Marudgans are the wonderful sons of Diti. They have speed everywhere. They flow continuously and sustain everyone. Even the Himalayas, suddenly trembled due to that wind blowing with such great speed. This is the exhalation of Lord Vishnu. Whenever that breath suddenly comes out, at that time the whole world becomes distressed.
That is why Brahmavetta men do not recite Vedas when there is a strong wind. Vedas are also the breath of God. At that time, on reciting the Vedas, Vayu gets fear from Vayu and that Veda also gets pain.'
Shuka Deva saw Devarshi Naradji coming there. He advised the meaning of the Vedas to Shuka Deva, who was devoted to self-study & the means of ultimate welfare in this world.
Then Shuka Deva started thinking, "How can I be free from all kinds of identifications and attain that supreme state from where I will not have to come to this world-ocean again? Where my soul will find peace and I will remain eternally stable. I will take the shelter of yoga leave this body and will enter the solar system in the form of air. The soul that has gone to the moon through the smoke route, trembles when the suffering of karma is over and then falls on this earth. Similarly, to enjoy the fruits of his new actions, he again goes to Chandraloka. There is no escape from death. Apart from this, the moon always keeps increasing and decreasing. Its sequence of growth and decline never breaks. Knowing all these things, I have no desire to go to Chandraloka or get trapped in the cycle of growth and decline. The Sun God afflicts the entire world with his fierce rays. He receives radiance from everywhere that never diminishes; That's why his circle always remains eternal. Therefore, it seems good to me to go to Aditya Mandal, which has a bright light. I will reside here with fearlessness. Leaving this body in the sun world, I will enter the extremely painful glory of the Sun God along with the sages.
Having decided this, Shuka sought permission from the Naradaji and his father Vyasa.
Mahatma Vyasa was very happy to hear this from Shuka Deva and said to him, "'Son! Son! Stay here today, so that I can satisfy my eyes by looking at you to my heart's content."
But Shukdevji broke the bond of affection and became neutral. He had no doubts about the aspect; Therefore, thinking about salvation again and again, he decided to leave from there.
Shuka deva went to the huge peak of Kailash, mounted on the peak, sat alone on a flat grass-free ground and started visualizing the soul in all his body parts from feet to head, following the method mentioned in the scriptures. He was a complete knower of Kramayoga. After a short while, when the sun rose, the wise Shuka deva folded his hands and legs and humbly sat facing east and engaged in yoga.
He got ready to fly in the sky. Thereafter, Devarishi went to him circumambulated him and asked for the supreme sage regarding his yoga.
Shuka Deva said, 'Now I have seen the path of salvation. I am ready to go there. With your grace, I will achieve the desired speed. After receiving Narada ji's permission, Shuka Deva bowed to him and entered the sky, once again situated in yoga. Jumping from the peak of Kailash, he immediately went into the sky. After reaching there took the form of Vayu and started wandering in the space. At that time, all the living beings saw Shuka deva, as swift as mind and wind, going up.
Seeing the entire Triloki with self-consciousness through determined intellect, he moved ahead very far. All the living creatures worshipped him appropriately according to their power and manner. The deities showered divine flowers on him. Seeing him going like this, all the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and the accomplished sages were astonished.
And they started saying among themselves, "Who is this Mahatma who has attained Siddhi through penance and is going through the sky, whose face is upwards and the lower part of his body is downwards? Our eyes are drawn towards it." Shuka was moving forward silently, facing east and looking at the sun. He was making the entire sky complete with his words. Seeing his sudden arrival, all the nymphs became nervous and were extremely surprised. The eyes of the nymphs like Panchchuda etc. were filled with astonishment. They started asking each other which deity was coming here to take shelter of Uttama Gati. His determination is very strong and has become free from all kinds of bondages and doubts and there is no longer any desire for anything within it.
After some time, he reached a mountain called Malaya, where two nymphs, Urvashi and Purvachitti, always reside. Both of them were astonished to see the excellent speed of him. They told each other that, Having acquired excellent intelligence within a short time from his father's assistance, he is roaming in the sky like the moon. He was a very ascetic and devotee of his father and was a very loving son of him. Yet how did his father allow him to go? Hearing Urvashi's words, Shuka looked towards all the directions. His mind had gone towards her words. He also looked towards the sky, mountains, forests and the earth along with the ears and the lakes and rivers. At that time, the presiding deities of all these looked at Shuka deva with great respect. Then Shukdevji said to everyone, "If my father comes here calling my name, then all of you should answer him on my behalf. You people have great affection for me; That's why all of you please accept this little thing of mine." They agreed.
Shuka moved forward to attain success. Having abandoned the four types of flaws, the eight types of Tamoguna and the five types of Rajoguna, the wise Shuka also abandoned the Sattvaguna; This was a wonderful thing. After that, he became eternally situated in the nirguna and genderless Brahmapada. At that time his glory was glowing like smokeless fire. At that very moment, meteors started falling. There was burning in all directions and the earth started shaking.
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The trees themselves broke their branches. The mountains lost their peaks. Giriraj Himalayas seemed to be torn apart by the sound of a thunderbolt.
Indra showered sweet and fragrant water and the most sacred wind started blowing, spreading divine fragrance. While moving ahead, Shuka saw the peaks of the Himalayas and Mount Meru. The peak of the Himalayas appeared white because it was silver and the golden peak of Sumeru was yellow. The length, breadth and height of both of them were a hundred yojanas. While going towards the north, these two peaks came into the sight of Shuka. Then both mountain peaks suddenly got divided into two parts and appeared torn from the middle. After that, he suddenly went ahead of those mountain peaks. Seeing this, all the gods, Gandharvas, sages and those who other people were living on that mountain, all screamed. The words 'Sadhu-Sadhu' were heard everywhere. Gods, Gandharvas, sages, Yakshas, demons and scholars worshipped him.
While going to the upper world, Shuka saw the beautiful Mandakini (sky-Ganga) adorned with blossoming trees and forests. Many Apsaras were bathing and doing water sports in it. Even though they were naked, seeing Shuka in the form of a void (devoid of external knowledge and self-consciousness) they were not ready to cover their body. Vyasa ji also started following his son out of affection, taking the shelter of Uttama Gati. On the other hand, Shuka deva Vayu took shelter in the sky and immediately became Brahmabhut. Vyasa, relying on the second movement related to Mahayoga, rose upwards and in the blink of an eye reached the place from where those mountain peaks were divided into two parts. That place became famous by the name of Shukafi Patana.
The sages living there came and told about the supernatural deed of Vyasa's son. Then Vyasa cried loudly in the name of Shuka. When the Father called out in a loud voice while passing through the three worlds, then the Shuka, being omnipresent, omnisoul, said 'Bhoh? Resonating with the entire world through words, he replied to his father. From then till today, whenever a sound is made on the mountain tops or around the caves, the people living there respond to it in the form of an echo. As did for Shuka. Shuka deva disappeared and by renouncing the qualities like words etc, attained the supreme position.
Vyasa sat on the peak of that mountain while thinking. At that time, all the Apsaras who were playing on the banks of Mandakini found Vyasa near them, some hid in the water and some in the thickets of creepers. Some Apsaras, seeing the great sage Vyas, wore their clothes. At that time the sage was very happy to know about the salvation of his son and he also felt very ashamed thinking about his own attachment. At the same time, Lord Shankara, surrounded by deities and Gandharvas and worshipped by great sages, arrived there and consoled Ved Vyasa, who was saddened by the grief of his son, and said, 'Brahman! You had earlier asked for a boon from me to have a son as powerful as fire, land, water, air and sky; Therefore, you got a similar son brought up by the influence of your penance and my grace. He was full of Brahmateja and extremely pure. At this time he has attained such excellent Gati, which is rare even for non-sensuous people and gods, yet why are you mourning for him? As long as the mountains remain in power in this world and as long as the condition of the oceans remains intact, the everlasting fame of you and your son will remain in this world. With my blessings, you will always see your son-like shadow in this world. He will be visible everywhere else, and will never disappear from your eyes. On Shankar's assurance, Vyasa returned to his ashram with great joy, seeing his son's shadow everywhere.
(Sattva Guna also binds us in the relationship of happiness and knowledge. The pride that arises in the form of 'I am happy, I am ignorant' keeps the knowledgeable person from attaining the state beyond guna. That is why it has been said here to give up Sattva Guna also.)
Ref: Mahabharata Shanti Parva