Narayaneeyam: Dasakam: 20

Dashakam: XX

Shloka: 1

Krta-yajnya-karma--------------------------Having been the performer of a sacrifice

Tushtyai tava eva naabhih hi--------------solely for propitiating (win or

Regain the favour of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them.) You, Nabhi

Uditah aagneedhra-raajaat-----------------------who was the son of King Aagnidhra

Priya putra-bhootaat priyavratasya-------------dear son of Priyavrata

Drshtavaan tvaam ishtadam-----------------------had a vision of “You”, the bestower of all wishes

Ishti-madhye--------------------------------------in the middle of sacrifice.

Nabhi, who was the son of King Aagnidhra, the dear son of Priyavrata,Performed a yajnya with the sole object of propitiating “You”. During that yajnya he had a vision of “You”, the fulfiller of desires. Swayambhuva Shataroopa Sons, Daughters Uttanapada, Akuti Priyavrata Prasuti, Devahooti

Priyavrata, the elder son of Swayambhuva manu was a great devotee of “Yours”

His queen is Barhismati. They had 10 sons namely:

Aagnidhra	Idhmajihwa	Yagnabahu	Mahavira	Hiranyaretus
Deerghaprushta	Savana	Medhatiti	Veethihotra	Kavi

Among them------Mahavira, Kavi and Savana attained liberation gaining self-knowledge in childhood itself.Among the rest-----Aagnidhra was first by age and also by virtues.King Priyavrata,crowned all the seven sons as kings of the islands of Jambu, Plaksha, Salmali, Kusa, Krauncha, Saka and Pushkara.(The above islands are described in next dashakam)Aagnidhra was the king of JambuHe did penance for a long time in the Mandara mountain for virtuous progeny.He married Purvachita, a celestial damsel, sent by Brahma.Aagnidhra and Purvachita had nine sons namely

Nabhi	Kimpurusha	Harivarsha	Ilavruta	Ramyaka
Hiranmaya	Kuru	Bhadraseva	Ketumala

 Each of them became king of one of the nine different regions of Jambudvipa (Islands of Jambu)Nabhi was the king of Himavarsha and his queen was merudevi

Nabhi

Merudevi

Shloka: 2

(He) Vishvamoorte-----------------------O Lord, of a form comprising the whole universe

Tvam abhishtutah tatra------------------“You” having been praised there during the sacrifice

Muneeshvaraih arthyamaanah---------------by the great sages and also prayed

Sutam svatulyam raajnyah-----------------------for a son like “Yourself”, for the king

Bruvaanah iti---------------------------------------and “You” having promised to them thus:

Aham swayam janishye--------------------------I shall myself be born as the King’s son

O Lord “You are the whole universe! The sages performing the yajna sang hyms of praise to “You” and prayed for a son like “You” for the king Nabhi. Then, “You” did say that, “I shall ‘Myself’ be born as the son and did disappear in the sacrificial fire.When “You” appeared from the ritual fire in the middle of the sacrifice, the priests extolled or praised “You” and prayed for a son equal to “Yourself” for their king Nabhi.It is noted that the request was made by the sages and not by Nabhi, who was free from all desire. Since there can be no one like the Lord, He Himself was born.

Shloka: 3

Atha tvam abhooh amshatah------------------Then “You” manifested as a partial incarnation

Rshabhaabhidhaanah----------------------------with the name of Rishabha-deva

Merudevyaam nabhipriyaayaam-----------------In Merudevi, the dear wife of Nabhi

Aloka-saamaanya-guna-prabhaava-prabhaavita-asheshe-

-jana-pramodah-----------------------------------------------delighting everyone with great virtues and glory, not commonly seen in the world

O Lord! “You” manifested as the son of Nabhi and the queen Merudevi as a partial incarnation, under the name of Rshabhadeva  lighting everyone with “Your” glory, virtues, majesty, lustre, energy, vigour, strength, courage, prowess and heroism. It was not commonly seen in the world.

Shloka: 4

Naabhih nidhaaya raajyabhaaram-------------------- king Naabhi entrusting the governance of the country

Tvayitrilokee-bhrti----------------------------------------in to “You” the protector of the three worlds

Praapya tapovanam----------------------------------having reached the penance-grove (forest for tapas)

Sah merudevyaa bhavannishevee-------------------along with Merudevi and worshipping “You”

Kila gatah te padam--------------------------------indeed, attained “Your” abode

Anandapadam----------------------------------the state of Supreme bliss

When “You” the ruler of the three worlds were born as Nabhi’s son, he was contented (satisfied, happy). He gave the entire responsibility of the state to “You” and went to Badarika-ashrama along with his wife Merudevi. He worshipped “You” and attained “Your” abode Vaikunta-loka
{Even at the time of dissolution, ‘You’ protect the three worlds by keeping them in “Your” abdomen.}

Shloka: 5

Yadaa indrah amarshaat--------------------when Indra, out of jealousy

Tvad-utkarsha-krtaat---------------------------generated by “Your” (Rishabha-deva) prosperity

Na vavarsha-----------------------------------did not pour forth (onward) rain/ did not shower rain ahead

Asmin ajanaabavarshe-----------------------in this continent or kingdom called “ajanaabha-varsha”

Tadaa tvam nijayogashaktyaa-----------------then, “You” by “Your” own Yogic power

Vyadadhaah enat-----------------------------rendered (provide, help) this

Svarvarsha suvarsham---------------------“Your” own continent/kingdom had abundant rainfall

 Indra withheld rain in Ajanaabha kingdom of “Yours” due to sheer envy at the prosperity generated by “Your” greatness.
But By using the Yogic power “You” did bring down abundant rainfall through out “Your” land and made it prosperous

Shloka: 6

Atha api aatmarataashayah--------------------Then, “You” although ever absorbed in Brahman

Udvahan jayanteem kamaneem------------------marrying Jayanti, a beautiful damsel

Jitendra-dattaam ajeejanah----------------------gifted to “You” by the defeated Indra, begot

Tatra shatam tanoojaan ajrajanmaa eshaam--------by her one hundred sons, the eldest of whom

Bharatah kshiteeshah-----------------------------was Bharata, who become king

Even though “You” were ever absorbed in Brahman, Though did marry beautiful Jayanti given by Indra who had been defeated by “You” and did beget 100 sons through her. The eldest of them was king Bharata.It is after this Bharata, that this country is named Bharatavarsha. 

Shloka: 7

Nava abhavan yogivaraah------------------nine of them became celebrated Yogis

Anye nava tu apaalayan----------------------another nine, indeed, ruled

Bhaaratavarshakhandaan---------------------over the various regions of Bharata varsha

Tava sheshaputraah saikaa asheetih-------------“Your” remaining sons eighty-one of them

Tu eeyuh bhoosurabhooyam-------------------however attained the status of Brahmana-hood

Tapobalaat ---------------------------------by the power of their austerities

Bharata’s nine younger brothers, namely—

Kavi	Hari	Anthariksha	Prabudha	Pippalayana
Avirhotra	Drumala	Chamasa	Karabhajana

They became ascetics (a person who practices self-discipline/Yogi) from young age itself and came to be known as the famous “Rishabha-Yogishwaras”They taught to the world the conduct prescribed for the votaries (devoted follower) of the Lord Another nine brothers ruled over various parts of Bharata’s kingdom namely—Kusavrata, Ilavrata, Brahmavarta, Malaya, ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprik, Vidarbha and Keekata.The remaining eighty-one who were still younger, were obedient to their father, very modest, well-versed in Vedas and habitually engaged in performing sacrifices. Purified by their pious conduct, they attained the status of Brahmanas.
This shows that by study of Vedas by diligent/thorough/precise observance of the conduct prescribed in them and by sheer penance, Kshatriyas can become Brahmanas.Puranams describe how vishvamitra and Veeta-havya became Brahmanas.

Shloka: 8

Atha uktvaa sutebhyah--------------------------Thereafter, “You” having instructed “Your” sons

Virakti bhaktyanvita-Muktimaargam muneendramadhye----------------regarding the path to salvation consisting of renunciation(the formal rejection of something, typically a belief, claim or course of action)and devotion in the midst of great sages

Gatah swayam------------------------------and having adopter for “Yourself”

Paaramaham-syavrttim adhaah----------------the life of a Parama-hamsa, did assume

Jada’-unmatta-pishaacha-charyam---------------------an aspect like that of idiots, madcaps (crazy) and ghosts

(da’ is pronounced as d in mud)

Rishabha-deva made his eldest son, Bharata as King.

Rishabha-deva made his eldest son, Bharata as King.Then, after teaching the path of liberation consisting of renunciation and devotion to Your sons in an assembly of great sages.“You” did adopt the life of a total renunciate and move about behaving like an idiot, madman or ghost.

Shloka: 9

Bhavaan Paraatmabhootah api-------------------------though “You” had attained identity with the Supreme Self,

Vichchaara krtsnaam maheem---------------------------“You” did roam about the whole earth

Kurvan paropadesham----------------------------------imparting self-knowledge to others

Sarvanirasyamaanah------------------------in spite of being insulted by all

Vikaara-heenah------------------------------without any change in “Your” natural disposition (inherent qualities of mind and character)

Aheena-aatmarasa-abhileenah------------------and absorbed unimpaired, in the infinite bliss of Brahman

Though “You” did realize “Your” identity with Brahman, “You” did continue to impart knowledge to others. In spite of being treated with indifference by all, “You” were free from attachment, aversion etc. and did wander all over the earth completely absorbed in the bliss of the Supreme Self.

Shloka: 10

Charan chiram shayuvratam---------------------------------practicing for long, the conduct of python

Gomrga-kaaka-charyaam---------------------------------------the way of life of cows, other animals and crows

Aapya svaroopam param---------------------------------------and attaining identity with Supreme Brahman

Tvam davaahrtaangah---------------------------------------“You” did have “Your” body destroyed by a forest fire

Kutakaachale--------------------------------------in the kutaagu, Coorg Mountain

Vaatanaatha------------------------------------O Lord of Guruvayoor

Apaakuru mama taapaan---------------------deign to eradicate my afflictions

Practicing for a long time the way of life of the python, the cow, the deer and the crow and attaining identity with the Supreme Brahman, “Your” body was consumed by a forest fire in the Coorg Mountain.O Lord of Guruvayoor! Deign (condescend to give or grant) to eradicate my afflictions (pain, grief, sorrow)
The python does not go in search of food, but eats only whatever comes to it.
He followed the conduct of python and adopted the practice of complete indifference to purity or impurity, acceptance or refusal like the behavior of bull, deer and crow.