Bhushunda Comes to Meru - 4

Sage Vasishtha

BHUSHUNDA continued:

While the deities were thus besporting and celebrating, their vehicles, too, got themselves intoxicated and began to dance. All the female swans danced along with the crow (Canda) which was Alambusa's vehicle. While these female swans were thus dancing, there arose in them the desire to mate. One by one, all the swans mated with the crow, as they were all drunk. Soon they became pregnant. 

When the celebrations were over, all the deities went over to the lord Hara (Siva): they offered him the body of Uma which they Hara converted into food by their magic power. The Lord knew the truth and was annoyed with the deities. And, they re-created Uma as she was before and offered her to the Lord, who regained his consort. All the deities returned to their respective abodes. The swans which were the vehicles of Brahmi informed her of everything that happened.

The goddess Brahmi said to them: "Since you are all big with child, you will not be able to perform your duties. Hence, for some time go where you please." Having said this, the goddess sat in deep contemplation.

The swans laid twenty-one eggs at the proper time and the were soon hatched. Thus twenty-one of us were born in the family of Canda the crow. Along with our mothers, we adored the goddess Brahmi. By her grace we attained self-knowledge and liberation. We then approached our father who fondly embraced us all. All of us then worshipped the goddess Alambusa. 

Canda said: "Children, have you gone beyond the dragnet known as world-appearance after having cut the shackles of vasana or mental conditioning? Or else, come let us adore the goddess by whose grace you will attain the highest wisdom. "

We replied: "Father, we have gained the knowledge that is worth gaining by the grace of the goddess Brahmi. We seek a secluded and an excellent place to dwell."

Canda said: "There is an excellent mountain in the world known as Meru which is the support for the fourteen worlds and for all the beings that dwell in them. All the gods and sages dwell on it. On it is the wish-fulfilling tree. On one of its branches I once built a nest, while the goddess Alambusa was in deep meditation. It is beautiful and excellent in every way. Children, go to that nest and live in it. You will never encounter any hindrance."

In accordance with our father's instructions all of us came here and took up our abode in that nest.