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भृगुभरद्वाजसंवाद (bhRgubharadvAjasaMvAda)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Bhṛgu-Bharadvāja-saṃvāda(ḥ)]
(“the conversation between Bhṛgu and Bharadvāja”). § 660b (Mokshadh.): The Primeval Being called Mānasa (description) &gt
Mahat &gt
Consciousness &gt
Space &gt
Water &gt
Fire and Wind &gt
Earth. The self-born Mānasa created a lotus pregnant with Energy &gt
Brahmán &gt
all things, Brahmán = Ananta: Agni and Soma (= the Sun and the Moon) are his eyes, etc. Bharadvāja asked Bhṛgu about the extent of the firmament. Bhṛgu explained that the firmament or Space is infinite, and is peopled with systems upon systems of self-luminous bodies (devāḥ), etc. Bharadvāja asked why Brahmán is called the first-born and not the Lotus whence he sprang. Bhṛgu's answer: The earth is that lotus, created to give rise to that form of Mānasa which became Brahmán
Sumeru, reaching up to heaven, became its pericarp (XII, 182). Bharadvāja asked how Brahmán, residing within Meru, created all things. Bhṛgu said that Mānasa [in his form of Brahmán, PCR.]
created by fiat of Will, first water, which is the life of all creatures
earth, etc., are transformations of water, and have been produced by the solidification of that element. Bharadvāja enquired after the manner and order of the creation of the several elements
Bhṛgu explained that in very ancient times (the Brahmakalpa) Br.-r., assembled together, felt this very doubt, engaged in contemplation for 1, 000 celestial years, and then heard a celestial voice saying: “Formerly there was only infinite Space…” (XII, 183). Asked by Bharadvāja, Bhṛgu explained why only the five primal elements are called Bhūtas. Bharadvāja enquired why all the elements are not seen in the immobile objects. Bhṛgu explained how all objects consist of all the five primal elements, but in each the proportions are different
as example he adduced the trees, which he showed to be not inanimate, etc.
through the breath called Prāṇa living creatures are enabled to move
through Vyāna they put forth strength for action
Apāna moves downward
Samāna resides within the heart
through Udāna one eructates and is enabled to utter the seven original notes called Shadja, etc. () (XII, 184). Asked by Bharadvāja, Bhṛgu explained how fire resides within a living body, and how wind moves the body
Prāṇa (c), Samāna (d), Apāna (e), Udāna (f), Vyāna (g) (XII, 185). Bharadvāja's observations on life being worth little if that which is called life be due to the {??}tion of fire and wind only (XII, 186). Bhṛgu's observations on the indestructibility of living creatures
Bharadvāja's objection
Bhṛgu's answer (“it is fire that sustains the breaths Prāṇa, etc.
that heat is called life…”). Bharadvāja enquired on the true nature of life
Bhṛgu explained that it is antarātman that inspires the body: water --the soul (ātmā) = Brahmán (in all creatures) = kshetrajña and paramátman respectively
etc. There is no destruction of the living agent
it is the body that is dissolved in death (XII, 187). Bhṛgu said: Brahmán first created only some brahmans who were Prajāpatis
then Truth, etc. ()
then D., Dā., G., Dai., As., M.-U., Y., Rā., N., Pś., and men with their four divisions: brahmans (white), kshattriyas (red), vaiśyas (yellow), and śūdras (black)
etc. Bharadvāja was unwilling to admit any original distinction between the four castes
Bhṛgu admitted that there is no original distinction between them
all the world at first consisted of only brahmans
how the different castes gradually rose
those are not brahmans that are incapable of understanding that every created thing is the Supreme Brahmán
they take birth as Pś., Rā., Pretas, and Mlecchas (XII, 188). What acts constitute a brahman, a kshattriya, a vaiśya, a śūdra
a śūdra may become a brahman by adopting the characteristics of a brahman, and vice versa
the duties that one should observe to become truly righteous
the mind should be united with Prāṇa, and Prāṇa be held within Brahmán (XII, 189). Bhṛgu discoursed on the characteristics of Truth and Untruth
happiness should always be sought
upon what happiness depends
Bharadvāja doubted that happiness is the highest aim (“Brahmán lives alone, observant of the vow of brahmacarya
Śiva brought Kāma to extinction”)
Bhṛgu's discourse in explanation of Bharadvāja's doubt (“the earth is the progenitrix of all creatures
females partake of her nature
the male animal is like Prajāpati himself”) (XII, 190). Asked by Bharadvāja, Bhṛgu explained the consequences of gifts, of righteousness, of conduct, of penances, of the study of the Vedas, and of Sacrifices. Asked by Bharadvāja, he then discoursed about the several kinds of duty
then about the four modes of life (laid down in days of old by Brahmán for the benefit of the world) and the duties of the several modes (XII, 191)
on the duties of the Forest mode of life
on those of the Parivrājakas. Bharadvāja enquired about the existence of any region beyond that which we inhabit
Bhṛgu indicated the existence in the North (on the other side of Himavat) of a region that is the abode of the righteous: “Here Brahmán in days of yore, and all the gods with Ṛ., having performed proper penances, became purified and attained to Brahmán.”--Bharadvāja worshipped Bhṛgu with veneration (XII, 192).