123- Bhrigu Tests the Trimurti, Krishna & Arjun's Journey Beyond the Universe, and Darshan of the Supreme Purushottam Bhagwan

Shree Shukdevji tells Parkishit that once, the sages assembled on the sacred banks of the Saraswati River to perform a great sacrifice, and began discussing who among Brahma, Shiv, and Vishnu was supreme. To resolve this question, they sent Maharshi Bhrigu, the son of Brahma, to test all three.

Maharshi Bhrigu first went to Brahma. He neither offered his respects nor praised him. Brahma became angry, but recognising Bhrigu as his son, he restrained his anger through wisdom and self-control.

From there, Bhrigu went to Kailash. Bhagwan Shiv rose affectionately to embrace him, but Bhrigu refused the embrace and accused Him of violating Vedic etiquette. Hearing this, Bhagwan Shiv became extremely angry and lifted His trident. At that very moment, Bhagwati Sati pacified Him.

Thereafter, Maharshi Bhrigu went to Vaikunth, the abode of Bhagwan Vishnu. At that time, Bhagwan Vishnu was reclining with Lakshmi seated beside Him. Bhrigu deliberately struck the Lord on the chest with his foot.

The ever-compassionate Bhagwan immediately rose, bowed respectfully to the sage, and humbly said, “O Brahman! Welcome. I was unaware of your arrival and therefore could not receive you properly. Kindly forgive My offense.”

Saying this, Bhagwan gently massaged the sage's feet and continued, “O great sage! My chest is hard, and your soft feet must have been hurt by striking it. The water that washes your feet sanctifies even the holiest places. Today, My chest has been purified by the touch of your feet. Therefore, Lakshmi will now reside here forever.”

Hearing Bhagwan's profound humility and gentle words, Maharshi Bhrigu's heart overflowed with devotion. His voice choked with emotion, tears of divine love filled his eyes, and he was unable to speak.

Returning to the assembly of the learned sages, he narrated everything he had experienced in the presence of Brahma, Shiv, and Bhagwan Vishnu.

After hearing Bhrigu's account, all the sages' doubts were completely dispelled. They accepted Bhagwan Vishnu alone as the supreme abode of peace, fearlessness, righteousness, knowledge, renunciation, and all divine opulences.

Shukadev tells Parikshit that the sages on the banks of the Saraswati had not conducted this test for their own understanding, but to remove the doubts of the people of the world.

After this, Shukadev narrates another divine pastime of Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

Once, a son was born to a Brahmin in Dwarka, but the child died immediately after birth. Grief-stricken, the Brahmin carried his son's body to the gate of the royal palace, laid it there, and began lamenting.

He cried out, “This is the result of the king's failure to uphold dharma. He is absorbed in sensual enjoyment rather than protecting righteousness. Whenever the ruler of a kingdom is unrighteous, the people are destined to suffer.”

Thereafter, his second and third sons also died immediately after birth. Each time, the Brahmin brought the child's body to the palace gate, laid it there, and repeated the same lament.

When his ninth son also died at birth, and the Brahmin was once again lamenting at the royal gate, Arjun happened to be present there along with Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

Moved by the Brahmin's suffering, Arjun said, “O Brahmin! Is there not a single true Kshatriya in Dwarka? If a Brahmin has to endure such misery, it means the Kshatriyas have abandoned their sacred duty. I vow that I shall protect your next child. If I fail, I will enter the fire and give up my life.”

The Brahmin replied, “When Balram, Shree Krishna, Pradyumna, and Aniruddh themselves could not protect my sons, how can you succeed? I have no faith in your promise.”

Arjun answered, “O Brahmin! I am Arjun, the wielder of the Gandiv bow. By my valour, I have even pleased Bhagwan Shiv. Do not underestimate my strength. I shall bring back your son even from the hands of Death.”

Satisfied by Arjun's firm assurance, the Brahmin returned home with renewed hope. When the time of childbirth approached, the anxious Brahmin came to Arjun and said, “Now protect my child from death.”

Hearing this, Arjun purified himself by sipping sanctified water, offered his respects to Bhagwan Shiv, invoked his celestial weapons, and strung his Gandiv bow. He then empowered his arrows with sacred mantras and completely surrounded the maternity chamber with them. He created an impenetrable barrier above, below, and on all sides, so that nothing could enter or leave.

After some time, the Brahmin's wife gave birth to a son. The child cried immediately after birth, but within moments, he vanished into the sky with his physical body. Seeing this, the Brahmin began condemning Arjun in the very presence of Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

He exclaimed, “Look at my foolishness! I trusted the grand boasts of this impotent warrior. When neither Pradyumna, nor Aniruddh, nor even Balram and Bhagwan Shree Krishna Himself could protect my child, who else possibly could?

“Shame upon this boastful Arjun! Shame upon his Gandiv bow! Just see his foolishness, he claimed he would bring back a child whom destiny itself had taken from us.”

As the Brahmin repeatedly rebuked him, Arjun immediately used his yogic powers to travel to Samyamani, the abode of Yamaraj. But even there, he could not find the Brahmin's son.

Thereafter, carrying his divine weapons, he searched one realm after another- the abodes of Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Som, Vayu, and Varun. He then searched the lower planetary systems, beginning with Atal, the higher worlds such as Maharlok above the heavenly planets, and many other regions of the universe. Yet nowhere could he find the Brahmin's son.

When he realised that he had failed to fulfil his vow, Arjun resolved to enter the fire and give up his life.

However, Bhagwan Shree Krishna stopped him and said, “Brother Arjun, do not blame yourself. I shall now show you all of the Brahmin's sons. Those who criticise you today will one day sing the glories of our spotless fame.”

After this, the all-powerful Bhagwan Shree Krishna consoled Arjun and seated him beside Him on His divine chariot. Together, they journeyed westward. Crossing the seven islands, each encircled by seven mountain ranges, the seven oceans, and the Lokalok Mountain, they reached a region of impenetrable darkness.

The darkness was so profound that the four horses of the chariot- Shaibya, Sugriv, Meghpushp, and Balahak- lost their way. Unable to see anything, they wandered aimlessly in every direction.

When Bhagwan Shree Krishna saw the horses in this condition, He commanded His Sudarshan Chakra to lead the way. Radiating the brilliance of thousands of suns, the Sudarshan Chakra advanced at the speed of thought, cleaving through the dense darkness with its divine effulgence. It appeared like the arrow of Bhagwan Ram flying from His bow into the midst of an army of demons.

Following the path illuminated by the Sudarshan Chakra, the chariot finally reached the very end of that boundless darkness. Beyond it shone an infinite, limitless, and supremely radiant divine light. As soon as Arjun beheld that Supreme Effulgence, his eyes were dazzled, and he was compelled to close them.

Thereafter, Bhagwan Shree Krishna's chariot entered a vast divine ocean. Mighty winds swept across its waters, raising magnificent and beautiful waves. In the midst of that celestial ocean stood a splendid palace, illuminated on every side by thousands of jewel-studded pillars.

Within that palace was Bhagwan Shesh, whose form was wondrous and immeasurably vast. He possessed one thousand hoods, each adorned with a radiant celestial jewel. Every hood had two eyes. His entire body shone with the brilliant whiteness of Mount Kailash, while His neck and tongue were deep blue.

Arjun then beheld the Supreme Purushottam Bhagwan seated upon the blissful couch of Bhagwan Shesh. His complexion was dark like a fresh rain cloud. He was adorned in a beautiful yellow garment. A gentle smile graced His face, and His large, lotus-like eyes were exquisitely captivating.

Upon His head rested a crown studded with priceless jewels, while the radiance of His glittering earrings reflected upon His curly locks. He possessed eight long and graceful arms. Around His neck hung the Kaustubh gem; the Shrivats mark adorned His chest, and a Vanamala garland reached down to His knees.

Arjun saw that Nand, Sunand, and the other eternal attendants, the personified divine weapons headed by the Sudarshan Chakra, the four divine potencies- Pushti, Shri, Kirti, and Aja- and all other celestial opulences were engaged in the service of that Supreme Bhagwan, who is the Lord of Brahma and all the guardians of the universe.

O Parikshit, Bhagwan Shree Krishna then offered His obeisance to Anant Bhagwan, who is His own divine expansion. Upon beholding that majestic form, Arjun was filled with astonishment and reverential awe. Following Shree Krishna's example, he bowed, folded his hands, and stood humbly before the Lord.

Then the Supreme Purushottam Bhagwan, the Lord of Brahma and all the guardians of the universe, spoke in a gentle voice, “O Shree Krishna! O Arjun! It was only out of My desire to behold you both that I brought the Brahmin's sons here. You have descended as Nar and Narayan to establish dharma and relieve the Earth of its burden. After completing your mission, return once again to My divine abode, and until then continue to uphold dharma for the welfare of the world.”

Accepting the Lord's command, Shree Krishna and Arjun took all of the Brahmin's sons with them and returned to Dwarka, where they reunited them with their father.

Having witnessed that supreme divine abode, Arjun was overwhelmed with wonder. He realised that all the strength, valour, and glory possessed by every living being are attained solely through the grace of Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

Shukadev tells Parikshit that the city of Dwarka was endowed with unparalleled opulence, beauty, and prosperity. Its streets were constantly filled with elephants, horses, chariots, and the heroic Yadu warriors. Lush gardens, flowering trees, and the melodious songs of birds enhanced its enchanting splendour on every side.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna was the one and only beloved Lord of His more than sixteen thousand queens. Each queen had her own magnificent divine palace, and by His Yogmaya, Bhagwan manifested Himself in multiple forms, residing simultaneously in each of them.

Within the beautiful lakes of those palaces, Bhagwan enjoyed delightful water sports with His queens. During these pastimes, the Gandharvas sang His glories, while the Sutas, Magadhas, and court bards celebrated the occasion with various musical instruments. After the festivities, Bhagwan and His queens generously gifted their garments and ornaments to the singers and performers.

The sweet nature, affectionate laughter, loving conversations, and playful pastimes of Bhagwan Shree Krishna kept His queens' hearts completely absorbed in Him. Nothing besides Bhagwan ever entered their thoughts.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna was the very life and soul of His queens. They became so deeply absorbed in meditation upon Him that at times they would fall silent, and at other times, overwhelmed by divine love, they would begin speaking to birds, mountains, rivers, clouds, the moon, the wind, and the ocean. 

Even while Bhagwan was physically present before them, they experienced the ecstasy of divine separation and, overwhelmed with love, would say, “O curlew! Do you also remain awake throughout the night, just as we do, suffering in separation from our lotus-eyed Shyamsundar?

“O chakvi bird! Have you too been separated from your beloved and become as restless as we are?

“O ocean! Has Ghanshyam also stolen away your composure, that you too remain endlessly restless like us?

“O moon! Have the memories of your Beloved also made you pale and silent?

“O fragrant Malaya breeze! Why do you continue to torment our hearts? They have already been wounded by the loving glance of Shyamsundar.

“O cloud! Seeing your dark complexion, it seems as though you too are shedding tears in separation from our Beloved.

“O cuckoo! With your sweet voice, please tell us something about our Beloved.

“O mountain! Are you too standing silent with the longing to bear Bhagwan's lotus feet upon your peaks?

“O rivers! Have you also grown thin in separation from your beloved ocean, just as we have? And O swan! If you are a messenger from our Beloved, tell us, does He still remember His maidservants? If He wishes to come, let Him come alone. We desire nothing except His message and the blessing of His darshan.”

The queens of Bhagwan Shree Krishna possessed such exclusive and unwavering love for the Lord of all masters of yoga that, through the power of that devotion alone, they attained the supreme spiritual abode.

The divine pastimes of Bhagwan are so sweet and enchanting that merely hearing them draws the heart of the soul toward Him. Then how can the love and spiritual attainment of those most fortunate queens be adequately described, when they were blessed with the rare privilege of personally serving Him, living in His constant association, and worshipping His lotus feet?

Shukadev tells Parikshit that Bhagwan Shree Krishna had 16,108 queens. I have already described His eight principal queens, headed by Rukmini, along with their sons. Each of His remaining queens also gave birth to ten mighty and valiant sons. Among their many sons, eighteen Maharathis (great warriors) became renowned throughout the world. 

Now hear their names: Pradyumna, Aniruddh, Diptiman, Bhanu, Samb, Madhu, Brihadbhanu, Chitrabhanu, Vrik, Arun, Pushkar, Vedbahu, Shrutadev, Sunandan, Chitrabahu, Virup, Kavi, and Nyagrodh.

Among the sons born to Bhagwan Shree Krishna's 16,108 queens, Pradyumna was the foremost. Aniruddh was born to him. Aniruddh's son was Vajra, who survived the destruction of the Yadu dynasty. Vajra's son was Pratibahu; Pratibahu's son was Subahu; Subahu's son was Shantsen; and Shantsen's son was Shatsen.

No member of the Yadu dynasty was short-lived, weak, poor, or childless. They were all powerful, illustrious, and deeply devoted to the Brahmins. Their numbers and greatness were beyond description. Maharaj Ugrasen was attended by nearly one nil (100 trillion) soldiers.

When the demons slain in the wars between the devas and asuras took birth on Earth and began spreading oppression once again, the devas descended into the Yadu dynasty by Bhagwan's command to assist Bhagwan Shree Krishna in destroying them.

The minds of the Yadus remained constantly absorbed in Bhagwan Shree Krishna. Even while performing their worldly duties, they continuously remembered Him.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna descended to protect dharma, destroy adharma, and bless the entire world through His divine pastimes. Every one of His pastimes has the power to destroy the bondage of karma. Therefore, anyone who longs to serve His lotus feet and attain His eternal abode should faithfully hear, glorify, and meditate upon His divine pastimes. Such devotion carries the soul beyond the influence of time and leads it to the eternal abode of Bhagwan.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 26.06.2026