10 Facts about the Two Sons of Kuber Cursed To Be Two Trees

Shlok of the Week 25 – Shrimad Bhagavat – 10.11.1-2

śrīśuka uvāca
gopā nandādayaḥ śrutvā drumayoḥ patato ravam ।
tatrājagmuḥ kuruśreṣṭha nirghātabhayaśaṅkitāḥ ॥

bhūmyāṃ nipatitau tatra dadṛśuryamalārjunau ।
babhramustadavijñāya lakṣyaṃ patanakāraṇam ॥

Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa 10.11.1-2

श्रीशुकउवाच
गोपानन्दादयःश्रुत्वाद्रुमयोःपततोरवम्।
तत्राजग्मुःकुरुश्रेष्ठनिर्घातभयशङ्किताः॥

भूम्यांनिपतितौतत्रददृशुर्यमलार्जुनौ।
बभ्रमुस्तदविज्ञायलक्ष्यंपतनकारणम्॥

श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराण१०.११.१-२

श्री शुकदेव जी कहते हैं – परीक्षित! वृक्षों के गिरने से जो भयंकर शब्द हुआ था, उसे नन्दबाबा आदि गोपों ने भी सुना। उनके
मन में यह शंका हुई कहीं बिजली तो नहीं गिरी! सब-के-सब भयभीत होकर वृक्षों के पास आ गये॥ १ ॥

वहाँ पहुँचने पर उन लोगों ने देखा कि दोनों अर्जुन के वृक्ष गिरे हुए हैं। यद्यपि वृक्ष गिरने का कारण स्पष्ट था – वहीं उनके सामने ही रस्सी से बँधा बालक ऊखल खींच रहा था, परन्तु वे समझ न सके।’यह किसका काम है, ऐसी
आश्चर्यजनक दुर्घटना कैसे घट गयी?’- यह सोचकर वे कातर हो गये, उनकी बुद्धि भ्रमित हो गयी ॥ २ ॥

1. Yamalārjuna – Landmark twin trees ‘Yamala’ and ‘Arjuna’ a are the Names of the Two tall Trees with deep roots outside of Nanda-Bhavana in Gokula.

Click-Here to Listen to the Full Stuti: : https://bit.ly/SOWStuti

2. Guardians of Wealth

‘Nalkūbara’ and ‘Maṇigrīva’ are their original identities, as the sons of Kubera (Lord of
wealth), whose capital is Alkāpuri.

3. Trinity of Intoxicants

Originally belonging to the Yakṣa class of celestial beings tasked to protect wealth – they were intoxicated by the combination of three heady factors – their youth, their beauty, and their wealth.

4. Defiling a sacred location!

Due to their father Kubera’s power and proximity to Lord Śiva, these two brothers were frolicking in the rivers of Kailāśa in a manner unbecoming of Rudra’s attendants.

5. The offence!

Devaṛṣi Nārada was passing by when these two were intoxicated, naked and with celestial damsels in the holy river Mandākinī (who hastily donned with garments seeing the sage) and yet these two Yakṣas did not make any attempt to show modesty as a mark of respect for this Ṛṣi.

No matter what position one may attain, we are all eternally indebted to our well-wishers, the universally benevolent Ṛṣis (hence Ṛṣi riṇna is one of the five debts daily five Yagyas seek to discharge).

6. Curse or Boon? The infallible words of a Saint!

The Ācārya of the path of devotion, Nārada felt great compassion to see the fallen state of the sons of Kubera – who is one of twelve Ācāryas who understand the framework of devotion known as ‘Bhāgavata Dharma’.

7. Saint transports Sevakas of Rudra to Kṛṣṇa Darśana!

Nārada strummed his lute (thus conveying that he was not speaking out of anger) and pronounced a curse that both sons should become twin trees in the courtyard of Nanda Bābā.

The sight or words of a saint can ultimately only ever uplift and liberate – never harm nor hurt anyone!

8. Trees are Uprooted; Brothers are Uplifted!

The Lord as ‘Dāmodara’ decides to ensure the words of his dearest devotee Nārada come true and thus performs the pastime of uprooting both trees and liberating these two brothers. Crawling on his hands and knees with a mortar tied to his waist the Lord passes through the two trees and the trees crash down!

The sound of their fall was as loud as thunderbolts but remain suspended in time and was only heard by the brajavāsīs after the brothers offered their Stuti – ten loving verses of worship – to this most beautiful form of the Lord.

Click here to Read more about how the Lord became bound:
https://bit.ly/MaaYashoda

9. Pleased by Love – Stuti Priyo Viṣnoh!

The main sentiments expressed:
O Lord Damodara, May our:
(1) Speech always sing your many auspicious qualities;
(2) Ears hear your blissful katha;
(3) Hands always be engaged in serving you;
(4) Mind always remember your lotus feet;
(5) Heads bow down to you in all forms;
(6) Eyes always see you in the form of saints – who are your own body.

10. Trigger for Relocation!

This yamalārjuna līlā by Dāmodara was the final alarming incident (after the advent of Pūtanā, Śakaṭāsura, Tṛṇāvarta) which led to the decision by Upananda and concerned Vrajvāsīs to relocate!

The sacrifice of the vrajavāsīs was such that they all immediately shifted with their animals and carts from Gokula to Vṛndāvana – where the green shrubs and trees are short and safer for Baby Kṛṣṇa to safely roam and play.

• Did-You-Know?

The Ācārya of the path of devotion, Nārada felt great compassion to see the fallen state of the sons of Kubera – who is one of twelve Ācāryas who understand the framework of devotion known as ‘Bhāgavata Dharma’.

Click-Here to Listen:

Share your answer or a fun-fact in the comments section below……

#ShrimadBhagavat #Mahatmya #ShlokOfTheWeek #SVN_SOW #ScriptureOfLove

Series by Rishi Harshitbhai Shukla – @HarshitbhaiShukla;
Nimishaben Sadhu (India);
Rajeshbhai Purohit (UK).

About this Article

This is a part of an ongoing series to learn a Shlok a week from the Purushottam Maas Shrimad Bhagavat Katha by Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza.

We hope devotees are able to savour a few fun facts on these verses with an enhanced interest for the context and divine nuances through this series.

This Article is the 25th in the ‘Shlok of the Week’ Series