Vyasji's telling to his disciples the secret of the teachings of Pravritti and Nivrittirup Dharma told by Lord Brahma to the deities
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. Bhishma told him about Pravritti and Nivritti.
Sage Shaunaka said to Sutanandan, that Lord Narayana of the Vedas is considered to be the one who takes the first part in the yagyas and he is also said to be the seven God of the Vedas and the Vedangas, the constant performer of yagyas. How are both the performance and salvation of Yagya possible in the same God? Lord Narayana himself is situated in Nivruttidharma and has prescribed Nivruttidharma.In this way, despite being dependent on Nivritdharma, why did he give the deities the right to participate in Pravrittidharma i.e. Yagya rituals and what caused the sages to become detached from subjects and become devoted to religion? This deep doubt always arises in our mind, you solve it; Because you have heard many religious stories of Lord Narayana.
Sutaputra narrated to Shaunaka a question related to the Puranas that King Janamejaya had asked the wise Vyasji's disciple Vaishampayanji. Janmejaya said, "All these people, including Brahma, the gods, the demons and humans, are seen to be engrossed in the activities prescribed for worldly ascension. But you have described salvation as ultimate peace. Those who are free, from virtue and sin, enter Lord Narayana. But this eternal salvation seems to be very difficult. Don't you know your path to salvation created by God? So that we do not take refuge in the path that is pure, decayless and imperishable?
Vaishampayanji said, "Gurudev Maharishi Shri Krishnadvaipayana Vyas, who expanded the Vedas, had told me when I asked in earlier times. Apart from these three, Sumantu, Jaimini and Pail, who firmly observe the best fast, I am the fourth disciple of Vyasji and the fifth disciple is considered to be his son Shukdev. These five disciples are full of sense control and mental control, combined with cleanliness and good conduct, free from anger and Jitendriya. Vyas ji made all these disciples who came in his service to study the four Vedas and the fifth Veda Mahabharata. While practising the Vedas on the beautiful peak of Girivara Meru, served by the Siddhas and Charanas, the same doubt which you have asked today arose in the minds of all of us disciples. I had also heard the answer that Vyasji gave to us disciples from his mouth. I have to tell you the same today.
Parasharanandan Shri Vyasji said, "The best disciple among sages! Once upon a time, I performed rigorous penance to gain knowledge of the past, future and present. When I had completed my penance by controlling my senses, then by the grace of Lord Narayana, on the banks of Kshirsagara, I received the knowledge of all three Kaals as per my wish. I am telling you the story that happened at the beginning of Kalpa and which I saw with knowledge.
Those whom the scholars of Sankhya and Yoga call God, bear the name of great man due to the influence of their actions. From him, the Avyakta was born, he is also known by scholars as Purusha Pradhan. For the creation of the world, the same great man and Avyakta was born, who is called Aniruddha and the great soul in all the worlds. The same Aniruddha, who attained Vyaktabhava, created Grandfather Brahma. Brahma is full of light and he is called the universal ego. Earth, air, sky, water and light - these five subtle and great entities were born from ego. Brahma, in the form of ego, created the five great elements and then created their qualities like word, touch etc. Listen to the names of the embodied beings who were born from those ghosts: Marichi, Angira, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Ritu, and Mahatma. Vashishtha and Swayambhuva Manu.
One should know the nature of these eight, in which the entire world is established. Lokapitamaha Brahma has created the Vedas, Yashva with Yajnyagi for the sustenance of the entire world. This entire world has come into existence from the above-mentioned eight natures. Rudra has emerged from the anger of Brahmaji. That Rudra himself has also created ten other Rudras. Thus, these are the eleven Rudras, who are considered to be Vikarapurusha. Those eleven Rudras, eight Prakriti and all the gods, who were born for the protection of the people, appeared in the service of Brahmaji and said, 'Lord! Grandfather! You are a great influencer. You are the one who created these people. Whichever of us has to engage in any right or action and the material rights that have been instructed by you, how can be followed by an egoistic person? Give the power to perform the duty to the man who thinks about that right and purpose.
Brahmaji said, Deities! You have given me a good suggestion! The same worry that has arisen in your heart has arisen in my heart also. How should the authorized work of the three worlds be carried out and how should your and my power not be depleted? Let us all go from here to the shelter of the great man Narayana-Deva. Thereafter, all those sages and deities went with Lord Brahma to the north bank of Kshirasagara with a concern for the welfare of the entire world. There, as per Brahmaji's instructions, they all started the harshest penance as per the Vedas. Their eyes were looking upward, arms were also raised upwards. Their mind was concentrated. All of them were standing on one leg. After performing rigorous penance for a thousand divine years, they heard a sweet voice adorned with the Vedas.
Shri Bhagwan said, "Oh Gods and sages like Brahma and others who are rich in penance! I welcome you all. What is your purpose? It is extremely beneficial for the entire world. You should follow Dharma based on Pravritti. your life will be nutritious and energy-enhancing. You have done huge penance. You will enjoy the best fruits of that penance. May this great Guru of the entire world, Lokpitamaha Brahma and all you great gods be concentrated and worship me through the Yagya. All of you always keep offering your part in yagyas for me. If this happens, I will continue to preach the path of welfare to you as per your rights.
Hearing these words of Lord Narayana, all those Gods, sages and Brahmaji performed the Vaishnava Yagya ritual as per the Vedas. In that yagya, Lord Brahma himself fixed a share for the Lord. In the same way, the Gods and Goddesses also fixed their respective portions for the Lord. The portions of the best Yagya fixed according to the justice of Satyayuga were greatly appreciated by everyone. The sages say that Narayana is as bright as the Sun, beyond the darkness of ignorance, omnipresent, all-pervading, God is the giver of blessings and omnipotent. After the yajna part was decided, Narayandeva said, Gods! I got the share that was decided for us in the same form. I will grant you boons. By my grace, you will have similar symptoms. In every era, by performing Yagya combined with good Dakshina, you will be a participant in the fruits of Dharma in the form of nature. The people who perform Yagya in all the worlds will decide the Yagya portion for you as per the teachings of the Vedas. The share which deities have decided for me in this great yagya, they have been made the rightful share of the yagya by me in the Vedic sutra.
By taking part in the yagya, you should be inclined to give its fruits to the host and as per your authority in the world, think about all the wishes of everyone, and make everyone prosperous. The yagya-activities which are strengthened by the pravritti-phala, which will be propagated in the world, will increase your strength and by becoming strong, you will nourish the entire world. In all the yagyas, people will make you prosperous and strong by performing yagya for you, then you too will make me strong in the same way. For this, I have created the Vedas and Yagyas along with medicines (foods, fruits etc.). By performing these rituals properly on earth, all the Gods will be satisfied. I have created you with instinctive qualities, hence Lords of the world! Until the Kalpa ends, you people should continue to think about the welfare of the people as per your rights.
Marichi, Angira, Atri, Pulastya, Pulah, Ritu and Vasistha - these seven sages were created from the mind by Lord Brahma. They are the main Veda experts and followers of religion. All of them have been considered Vedacharyas and have been established in the post of Prajapati. They have revealed the eternal path to the devout men. The powerful man who creates the worlds through this method has been called Aniruddha. 'Sana, Sanatsujata, Sanaka, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Kapil and the seventh Sanatan - these seven sages are also said to be the mental sons of Brahma.
They know and are situated in Nivritti-Dharma. They are prominent Yoga expert, Sankhyagyan-Visharad, an expert in religious scriptures, Acharya and promoter of Mokshadharma. In the past, the great threefold ego that had emerged from the unmanifested nature, whose state is far beyond it, is considered to be the knower of the entire conscious sphere(Kshetregya). I am that sphere. Those who are dedicated to work, are re-instinctive; Therefore, this path of Nivritti is rare for them. The way the creature was created and whatever activity or activity he engages in, he reaps its great rewards. Brahma is the original creator and lord of the world. He is your parents and grandfather. At my command According to him, he will be the one who grants boons to all the bhutas. The Rudra who was born from his forehead is also his (Brahmaji's) son. With the permission of Lord Brahma, they will be able to protect all the bhutas. All of you go and follow your respective rights properly. All Vedic rituals should become prevalent all over the world without any delay. As per the living beings' deeds, the gatis they get according to those deeds and you Grant them life till the appointed time. This is the best time called Satyayuga. In this era, there is no violence against sacrificial animals. Nothing happens here contrary to non-violence. Gods! In this Satyayuga, a complete religion consisting of all four stages will be followed. Thereafter, Tretayuga will come, in which the Vedas will be propagated. In that era, the animals purified by mantras were slaughtered in yajna and one foot of the fourth part of the religion will be reduced. After that, Dwapar Yuga will arrive.
That time will be full of a mixture of religion and unrighteousness. In that era, two feet of religion would be destroyed. After that, Kaliyuga will begin in Pushya Nakshatra. At that time only one foot of religion will be left there. Then the Gods and Goddesses said to the Lord, "Lord! What will we have to do when in Kaliyuga only one stage of Dharma will be left anywhere? Shri Bhagwan said, "You should stay only in those countries where Vedas, Yagya, penance, truth, restraint of senses and non-violence are prevalent. By doing this, unrighteousness will not be able to touch you even with its single foot. Vyasaji said, "Disciples! After receiving this advice from God, the gods along with the sages saluted him and went to their desired countries.
When the heavenly gods left, Brahmaji alone remained standing there. He wanted to see Lord Srihari situated in Aniruddha Vigraha. Then God appeared in the form of the great Hayagriva and appeared before Lord Brahma. He was reciting the Vedas along with holding Kamandalu and Tridanda. At that time, after seeing the infinitely powerful Lord Hayagriva, Lord Brahma, the creator of the world, bowed his head to him with the desire for the welfare of the entire world and stood with folded hands in front of him.
Then God took him heartily and told him, "Brahmin! You should think systematically about all the actions of the entire world and the movements resulting from them; Because you are the creator of all living beings, you are the Lord of all and you are the Guru of this world. By placing this burden on you, I will become patient without any effort. Whenever the work of the gods becomes unbearable for you, then I will appear before you to preach enlightenment. Saying this, Lord Hayagriva disappeared there. After receiving this advice from God, Brahma also soon went to his world. In this way, the great eternal Lord has been described as the first enjoyer of the yagyas and always the nurturer and promoter of the yagyas. Sometimes they take refuge in the Nivriti dharma of Akshayadharmi Mahatmas and sometimes by considering the strange mindset of the people, they establish Pravritti dharma. He is the beginning, middle and end of Narayan's people. He is the subject, object, subject and action. It is he who, after destroying the entire world, falls asleep at the time of the end. And it is he who is awake at the beginning of the Kalpa and creates the entire world. Disciples! You salute the formless Supreme Soul Narayandev who is the unborn, the form of the world, and the shelter of all the gods. He is the ruler of the great bhutas and the master of the Rudras, Adityas and Vasus. Greet them.
He is the lord of the Ashwini Kumars, the guardian of the Vedas the master of Yagyas and also the master of the Vedas. Salutations to the peaceful Sri Hari, who always resides in the ocean, whose hair is like a pearl and who preaches the path of salvation to all living beings. Salute to Shri Hari who is the owner and daily protector of penance, brilliance, fame, speech and rivers. Always pay obeisance to Shri Narayanadev, who is adorned with hair, the one-horned boar, the intelligent Vivaswan, Hayagriva and the one with all four forms.
Salute those Sri Haris who are seen only with the eyes of knowledge and are in the form of letters. This imperishable Narayanadeva spreads everywhere; They have gati everywhere. Vaishampayanji said , "Janamejaya! The most intelligent Ved Vyas gave similar advice to all of us disciples and his most religious son Shukdeva.
Ref: Mahabharata Book Shanti Parva