4.1.21 – 33

This part of Bhagavatham describes the intensity of Athri’s penance. Following hundred years of Pranayam, the Agni within the Rishi went through his head and that warmth spread every where.  Seeing that the hard Tapas disturbed the three worlds, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva appeared before him.  Bhagavatham says, Lord Siva came on his vehicle “Vrishabham” (representing Dharmam), Lord Brahma on “Hamsam” (Jnanam) and Lord Vishnu on “Garuda” (Bhakthi).

Athri prostrated before them and worshipped them. He wondered when he prayed for a child by the grace of ONE God, how the three Lords came to fulfill his wish. They replied, “the same ONE Thathwam that you were seeking, we are THAT! You will be blessed by three sons representing each of us”. Saying this, they disappeared.

Thus Chandra with the mildness of Brahma, Datha with the all pervasive Yoga from Vishnu and Durvassav with the grace of Sankara were born.

Note – what do we learn here? Divinity is carried by the vehicles called Dharmam, Jnanam and Bhakthi. So a seeker who possesses these qualities is not separate from the Supreme Lord.