We are still in Book 12 of Maha Bharatha. There are
several passages on possible approaches to spiritual enlightenment in the later
part of this book. Two such approaches
or paths are called Pravritti Marga and Nivritti Marga. Pravritti marga leads
to conscious existence experiencing the fruits of action. This may be
experiencing various kinds of pleasures in heaven (called Vaikunta, if you are a Vaishnavite or
Kailasa if you are a Shivite) or experience of suffering in hell. After
enjoying the pleasures of heaven or suffering in hell, one has to come back to
earth, if one follows Pravritti marga.
Nivritti marga leads to total liberation and emancipation.
Nivritti marge leads to absorption into Brahman and therefore no rebirth.
As part of these discussions, Yudhistra asks why the devas (gods, angels) chose a life
dependent on the sacrificial offerings of humans, instead of choosing complete
emancipation. The answer is that they did not choose the Pravritti marga but, they
were assigned Pravritti marga by Brahman.
In one version, it is said that the various devas including
11 Rudras and 12 Adityas came into existence out of Narayana. In this episode,
Narayana declares himself to be the 12th son of Aditi. Thus, Vishnu
who is originally mentioned in ancient texts as one of the Adityas, is made
into a major god in Maha Bharata.
At one time when the oceans dried up, all the devas
including Vishnu go to Brahman (not Brahma). He suggests that the devas must
perform a sacrifice and offer it to Him. Devas cannot perform sacrifice in
their world since they do not have the offerings such as plants, animals etc.
They are available only on earth. However, when humans perform sacrifices to
the devas there will be offerings. The devas should share part of those
offerings given to them by humans with Brahman. In turn, Brahman will give each
of the devas jurisdiction over specific parts of nature and of the human body.
Brahman will also “ordain them to enjoy the fruits of those sacrifices in the
form of Pravritti marga”. That means “no Nivritti marga” for them. They will
have to be born on earth again . Each cosmic cycle will have gods of birth,
death and so on.
It is interesting that the devas went ahead and performed
the sacrifice. The text says that the sacrifice was for Vishnu (Narayana) and not Brahman. In
other words, according to this part of Maha Bharata, Vishnu is
Brahman.
This seems to be the basis of all the sacrifices in the
Vedic tradition. Human beings perform sacrifices for the devas who preside over
nature. Devas are pleased and give rain, water and wealth and prosperity to
humans. Humans are therefore able to perform more sacrifices and the cycle goes
on. Devas and humans are inter-dependent.
In another section, there is a statement in the Commentary
section of this book which states that this earth is the only place for
actions. There is “no action” in heaven and hell. The heaven is for the enjoyment of the
fruits of our actions on this earth and the hell is for endurance of suffering.
Kanchi Periyaval quotes one passage from Bhagvat Gita on
this topic. This is Lord Krishna’s advice: “You please the gods with yagnas(sacrifices). Let the gods take
care of your welfare with rain and other auspicious things. Thus let both of
your prosper through mutually helping each other”.
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