Bharadvaja Rishi’s Quest for Vedic Knowledge
Once, there lived a great sage named Bharadvaja Rishi. He had an intense desire to master the Vedic knowledge. However, he was aware that human life is limited to a maximum of one hundred years. To achieve his goal, he performed severe penances to please Lord Indra.
Indra Grants Longevity
Indra, pleased with Bharadvaja’s devotion, appeared before him. The sage requested, “Please give me a hundred more years so that I can complete studying the three Vedas.” Indra granted his wish, saying, “Thathasthu” (let it be so). Bharadvaja continued his Vedic studies tirelessly.
When the end of his extended lifespan approached, Bharadvaja prayed to Indra once more, asking for another hundred years. Indra granted his wish again. This cycle continued five times, with Bharadvaja extending his life each time to continue his studies.
Indra’s Lesson
When Bharadvaja prayed to Indra for longevity once again, Indra decided to teach the sage an important lesson. Indra uttered the three vyahritis: “Bhuh,” “Bhuva,” and “Svah,” and created three huge mountains. Bharadvaja initially thought these mountains represented his mastery over the three Vedas.
To his surprise, Indra took a handful of mud from each mountain and said, “This is what you’ve learned from the three Vedas. The rest is what you need to know. It may take many lifetimes to master the entire Vedas.”
Realizing the Goal of the Vedas
Shocked, Bharadvaja realized that despite extending his lifespan five times, he had only scratched the surface of Vedic knowledge. He asked Indra what he should do. Indra replied, “The Vedas are unlimited. Only Lord Vishnu can know them completely. The best thing is to realize the purpose of the Vedas. The goal of all the Vedas is Lord Hari. Meditate on Him and fulfill the goal of all the Vedas.”
Bharadvaja’s Devotion to Lord Narasimha
Following Indra’s advice, Bharadvaja went to Mattapalli (a place in Andhra Pradesh), purified himself by bathing in the river Krishna, and meditated on Lord Narasimha. Pleased with his penance, Lord Narasimha appeared before Bharadvaja and bestowed upon him a residence in Vaikuntha.
Moral of the Story
- True Spirituality:
- Scholarship in the Vedas and the ability to recite them with perfect pronunciation are often considered qualifications for being “spiritual.” However, the essence of spirituality lies in understanding the Supreme Lord, who is the ultimate goal of the Vedas.
- Purpose of the Vedas:
- The vastness of the Vedic scriptures cannot be comprehensively studied by anyone. The goal of all Vedas is to realize the Supreme Lord. Krishna confirms this in the Bhagavad Gita, “vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah” – “By all the Vedas, I am to be known.”
- Lord’s Mercy:
- Understanding the Supreme Lord comes through His mercy. Even if one knows all the Vedas, it is only by the Lord’s grace that true understanding is achieved.
Reflection
The story of Bharadvaja Rishi teaches us the importance of focusing on the ultimate goal of the Vedas – realizing the Supreme Lord. While scholarly pursuits and recitations are valuable, they are means to an end, not the end itself. True spiritual fulfillment comes from devotion and understanding the central theme of the Vedas, which is the Supreme Lord.
Prayer
Let us pray for the wisdom to focus on the true purpose of our spiritual pursuits:
“O Supreme Lord Vishnu, guide us to understand the ultimate goal of the Vedas. Help us to realize that true spiritual knowledge is knowing You and serving You with devotion. May we always remember that Your mercy is the key to unlocking the profound truths of the Vedas.”
Jai Sri Krishna! Jai Lord Narasimha!
