Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 11, Chapters: 1&2
At the beginning of the Eleventh Canto of the Shrimad Bhagavat Mahapuran, Shukdevji explains that Bhagwan Shree Krishna, along with Balramji and the Yadu dynasty, destroyed many daityas and reduced the burden of the earth through the great war between the Kauravs and the Pandavs. Due to the injustices of the Kauravs, anger arose in the Pandavs, and through that conflict, many kings were destroyed.
Even after this, the Yadu dynasty remained extremely powerful and continued to be a burden upon the earth. Then Bhagwan Shree Krishna resolved that the destruction of the Yadus would take place through internal conflict. Using the curse of the brahmins as a pretext, He arranged for the destruction of His own dynasty and ultimately brought them all back to His divine abode.
The form, speech, and pastimes of Bhagwan Shree Krishna were so captivating and sweet that whoever saw or heard Him became completely absorbed in Him. He spread His divine glory throughout the world so that people, by remembering Him, could transcend ignorance. In the end, Bhagwan Shree Krishna returned to His eternal abode.
King Parikshit then asks, “O revered one! The Yadus were respectful toward brahmins, generous, and devoted to serving their elders. Their minds were always absorbed in Bhagwan Shree Krishna. What offence did they commit that led the brahmins to curse them?
“What was the cause of that curse, and what was its nature? When the Yadus considered Bhagwan Shree Krishna as their everything, how did internal conflict arise among them? And how did division come among those who were wise and understood unity? Kindly explain all this in detail.”
Shukdevji further says that Bhagwan Shree Krishna had assumed a divine form, embodying all beauty and auspicious qualities. His eyes were as gentle as those of a deer, His shoulders as strong as a lion’s, His arms as powerful as an elephant’s trunk, and His feet as soft and beautiful as lotus flowers. In this form, He performed actions that brought auspiciousness and welfare to the world.
Residing joyfully in Dwarka, Bhagwan continued to enact His divine pastimes and spread His glorious fame. Finally, He resolved to bring about the destruction of His own dynasty, for this alone remained to complete the task of relieving the earth’s burden.
Bhagwan Shree Krishna performed such pure and auspicious deeds that merely singing about them destroys all sins. At that time, He resided in Dwarka, the capital of Maharaj Ugrasen, in the house of Vasudevji, as Kaal itself, preparing for the destruction of the Yadus.
After Bhagwan had bid farewell to those great sages, illustrious rishis such as Vishwamitra, Asit, Kanva, Durvasa, Bhrigu, Angira, Kashyap, Vamdev, Atri, Vashishtha, and Narad went to reside at the sacred Pindarak region near Dwarka.
The Curse Leading to the Destruction of the Yadu Dynasty
One day, some mischievous princes of the Yadu dynasty wandered, while playing, into the presence of great sages. Pretending humility, they bowed at the sages’ feet and asked a deceptive question. They had dressed Samba, the son of Jambavati, as a woman and said, “O brahmins! This beautiful lady with dark eyes is pregnant. She wishes to ask you something, but feels shy. You are all-knowing, so please tell us, will she give birth to a son or a daughter?”
When the sages realised that the boys were mocking and trying to deceive them, they became angry by the will of Bhagwan. They said, “Fools! This ‘woman’ will give birth to an iron mace, which will destroy your entire dynasty.”
Hearing the words of the sages, the boys were struck with fear. Immediately, they uncovered Samba’s belly and indeed found an iron mace inside. Filled with regret, they began to lament, “We are truly unfortunate. What great wrong have we committed? What will people now say about us?” In this way, they became extremely anxious and returned home with the mace.
Their faces had turned pale, and their expressions were withered with fear. They brought the mace into the royal assembly and placed it before all the Yadus. Then they narrated the entire incident to King Ugrasen. When everyone heard about the curse of the brahmins and saw the mace with their own eyes, all the residents of Dwarka were astonished and frightened, knowing well that a brahmin’s curse never proves false.
Then King Ugrasen ordered the mace to be ground into fine powder. The powder, along with the remaining small piece of iron, was thrown into the ocean. He did all this without consulting Bhagwan Shree Krishna; such a thought arose in his mind at that time.
A fish swallowed that piece of iron, and the powdered fragments were carried by the ocean waves to the shore. Within a few days, that powder sprouted into a type of grass called erak, which has no knots. Later, fishermen caught that very fish along with others in the sea. The piece of iron found in its stomach was taken out by a hunter named Jara, who fashioned it into the tip of his arrow.
Bhagwan Shree Krishna knew everything. He could have nullified the curse if He wished, but He did not consider it appropriate to do so. As the embodiment of Kaal, He accepted the curse of the brahmins.
Naradji Comes to Dwarka to Meet Vasudevji
Shukdevji says that Devarshi Narad had a deep longing to remain in the presence of Bhagwan Shree Krishna. Therefore, even after taking leave, he would repeatedly return and stay in Dwarka, which was protected by Shree Krishna and free from the fear of curses like that of Daksha and others.
One day, Naradji came to Vasudevji's house. Vasudevji welcomed him with great respect, offered him a seat, worshipped him according to proper rites, and then bowed down and said, “By your auspicious arrival and darshan, we are already blessed. Still, I wish to ask you about those means of Dharma, by hearing which a person can, with faith, become free from this fear-filled world.
“In my previous birth, I worshipped Bhagwan, but not for liberation. My desire was that Bhagwan should be born as my son. Now, please instruct me in such a way that I may easily cross this frightening cycle of birth and death.”
Shukdevji says that upon hearing this question, Devarshi Narad began remembering the infinite and wondrous qualities of Bhagwan. Filled with love and joy, he spoke to Vasudevji.
Naradji said, “Your thought is truly excellent, because it is connected to Bhagavat Dharma. This Dharma gives life to the entire world and purifies all. Such is the power of Bhagavat Dharma that simply hearing it with the ears, speaking it with the tongue, remembering it in the mind, accepting it in the heart, or even supporting someone who follows it, any of these can purify a person instantly, even if he was previously opposed to Bhagwan and the world.
The hearing and chanting of the names, qualities, and pastimes of Bhagwan purify even the most fallen person. By asking this question, you have reminded me of that supremely auspicious Bhagwan, who is my worshipable Lord.”
Introduction to the Nine Yogeshwars
Naradji further said, “The question you have asked is answered by the saints through an ancient and sacred dialogue. It is the conversation between the nine Yogeshwar sons of Rishabhdev and the king of Videha.
“You already know that Priyavrat was a famous son of Svayambhu Manu. Priyavrat’s son was Agnidhra, his son was Nabhi, and Nabhi’s son was Rishabhdev. The scriptures describe Rishabhdev as an expansion of Bhagwan Vasudev. He took incarnation to teach the path of liberation.
“Rishabhdev had one hundred sons, and all of them were deeply learned in the Vedas.”
- Rishabhdevji had one hundred sons.
- The eldest son was Rajarshi Bharat, a great devotee of Bhagwan Narayan. It is after him that the land once known as Ajanabhavarsha came to be called Bharatvarsha. He ruled over the entire earth and, in the end, renounced everything to perform tapasya in the forest. Through three births, he ultimately attained Bhagwan (as Jad Bharat).
- Nine of the other sons became the rulers of the nine regions surrounding Bharatvarsha.
- Eighty-one sons became brahmins. They were the propounders of karmakand (ritualistic practices) and established the system of Vedic yajnas, samskars, and dharmic order.
- The remaining nine sons became Sanyasis. They were extremely fortunate, having deeply realised Atma-vidya (spiritual knowledge of the self). They lived mostly as digambar (without material coverings) and travelled freely, imparting the highest spiritual wisdom to qualified seekers.
कविर्हरिरन्तरिक्षः प्रबुद्धः पिप्पलायनः ।
आविहोत्रोऽथ द्रुमिलश्चमसः करभाजनः ॥
Their names were- Kavi, Hari, Antariksha, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumil, Chamas, and Karabhajan. (Bhagavat 11.2.21)
These Yogeshwars saw the entire universe, cause and effect, manifest and unmanifest, as nothing but the form of Bhagwan, and they did not consider it separate from themselves. Established in this realisation, they moved freely across the earth without any restriction. There was no place where they were not free to go. Wherever they wished, they travelled.
They roamed effortlessly through the realms of devatas, siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, humans, kinnaras, and nagas, as well as among sages, charans, attendants of Shiv (bhutnaths), vidyadhars, brahmins, and even in places inhabited by cows. Though living in the world, they were completely liberated; they were jivanmukt (liberated while still in the body).
Dialogue Between the Nine Yogeshwars and King Nimi
Once, in this very land of Ajanabh (Bharatvarsha), King Nimi of Videha was performing a grand yajna, in which many great rishis were present. At that time, the nine Yogeshwars happened to arrive there while wandering freely. These Yogeshwars were supreme devotees of Bhagwan and were radiant like the sun. Seeing them, King Nimi, the sacred fires of the yajna, and all the ritvij brahmins stood up to welcome them.
Recognising them as beloved devotees of Bhagwan, King Nimi respectfully seated them on elevated seats and worshipped them with great love and joy according to proper rituals. Then, with humility, King Nimi asked them:
दुर्लभो मानुषो देहो देहिनां क्षणभङ्गुरः ।
तत्रापि दुर्लभं मन्ये वैकुण्ठ-प्रियदर्शनम् ॥
“For living beings, attaining a human body is very rare. And even if one obtains it, death stands over the head at every moment, because this life is temporary and uncertain. Therefore, in such a fleeting human life, the darshan of Bhagwan’s dear devotees, saints who love Him, is even rarer.” (Bhagavat 11.2.29)
“Therefore, O great souls! We ask you: what is the nature of the highest welfare, and what are the means to attain it? Even half a moment of satsang in this world is a great treasure for human beings.
“O Yogeshwars! If we are worthy of hearing, then please instruct us in Bhagavat Dharma. By following these principles, Bhagwan Shree Krishna becomes pleased. And those devotees who practice them and take shelter in Him, Bhagwan grants them even Himself.”
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 29.06.2026
