The seventh chapter is a description of Indra's court called Pushkaramalini. The dimensions of the court are given as well as the rishis who are present there worshipping Indra. Most of the important rishis who figure in the Bharata are said to be present including Parashara, Galava, Durvasa and the Saptarishis. Also present in Indra's court is the ancient king of Ayodhya, Harishchandra.
The eighth chapter described Yama's court. Yama's court was supposed to have been built by Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. It is described as being of golden hue. Among the people present in that court were the long gone kings of the earth. Rama is described as having been present there as are Nahusha, Yayati, Puru, Ambarisha, Bhagiratha, Shantanu and Dushyanta. Pandu is also listed as is Vahlika. Many kings named Janamejaya, Bhishma, Bhima and Dhritarashtra are also said to have been there.
The ninth chapter describes the court of Varuna. The court of Varuna is described as white in color whereas Yama's was golden. It is people by the Naga chieftains, Danava and Daitya kings of yore and deities of the rivers and the mountains.
The tenth chapter describes the court of Kubera who was also called Vaishravana. Kubera's court is described as white in color with golden arches or a golden ceiling. It is peopled by Gandharvas and Yakshas along with Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati and the followers of Shiva. Shiva's presence at Kubera's court is attributed to his friendship with the God.
The eleventh chapter describes the fifth and the largest court of the celestials, the court of Brahma. Almost all the gods, the most important sages, Apsaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, the matriarchs like Aditi, Diti and Danu all wait on Brahma. Narada says that he came to know about the court of Brahma through Aditya or Surya. An interesting claim since Narada himself is a mind-born son of Brahma. One would assume his presence at the court of Brahma as natural.
The tenth chapter describes the court of Kubera who was also called Vaishravana. Kubera's court is described as white in color with golden arches or a golden ceiling. It is peopled by Gandharvas and Yakshas along with Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati and the followers of Shiva. Shiva's presence at Kubera's court is attributed to his friendship with the God.
The eleventh chapter describes the fifth and the largest court of the celestials, the court of Brahma. Almost all the gods, the most important sages, Apsaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, the matriarchs like Aditi, Diti and Danu all wait on Brahma. Narada says that he came to know about the court of Brahma through Aditya or Surya. An interesting claim since Narada himself is a mind-born son of Brahma. One would assume his presence at the court of Brahma as natural.
The relevancy of the description of the celestial courts is questionable. However there are some points to be noted.
The enlistment of the courts is also a pointer to the deities considered as important in the Epic Age. Contrary to his Purnic Vishnu worship nature, Narada actually starts the description with Indra's court. While Indra's supremacy as the king of the gods is undisputed even in the Puranas, these chapters do point out to a pre-Trinity pantheon.
The presence of Vahlika in Yama's court suggests that the Vahlika who would fight in the future Kurukshetra War was different from Shantanu's brother and Bhishma's uncle. The list of kings in Yama's court, obviously an elitist listing also contains names such as Kartavirya Arjuna, the Kaikeya king, Naishada, the founder of the Nishada line and Uparichara Vasu. These kings are shown in a negative light elsewhere in the Bharata itself and in subsequent literature such as the Puranas. The ambiguity of their character is a point of note.
The presence of Nagas, Danavas and Daityas in celestial courts also serves to show an inclusive pantheon of past chieftains, monarchs and learned men. People like Takshaka, Naraka and Bali who are completely negative not only in Puranic literature but also in the Bharata itself are portrayed as members of celestial courts.
Lakshmi is shown to be present in Kubera's court without Vishnu. Indra and Sachi, Shiva and Parvati, Brahma and Saraswati are all shown to be together whereas Vishnu and Lakshmi are the only exception.
Lakshmi is shown to be present in Kubera's court without Vishnu. Indra and Sachi, Shiva and Parvati, Brahma and Saraswati are all shown to be together whereas Vishnu and Lakshmi are the only exception.
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