Bakadālbya

Bakadālbya Maharṣi is one of the most enigmatic and revered sages in the Vedic tradition, embodying the ideals of tapas (austerity), detachment, and cosmic awareness. Born as the son of Dalbha with the boon of chiranjīvatva (immortality), he became renowned not only for his long life but also for his extraordinary wisdom and spiritual accomplishments. Raised by the sage-couple Mitra and Glāva, Bakadālbya earned names like Dvyāmuṣāyaṇa and Glāva-Maitrīya, reflecting his unique upbringing. His life is marked by deep tapas in sacred regions like Naimiśāraṇya, encounters with divine visions such as the Vaṭapatraśāyī form of Viṣṇu during pralaya, and direct interactions with the Pāṇḍavas and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He presided over Dharmarāja’s Aśvamedha Yajña, consoled Kṛṣṇa’s consorts after His nirvāṇa, and played pivotal roles in protecting dharma through his actions. Bakadālbya’s narratives appear across multiple purāṇas, including the Padma Purāṇa and Vāmana Purāṇa, presenting him as a sage who transcended time and mortality, teaching through both compassion and disciplined power. This article explores his life, teachings, and role in the cosmic order.

Birth and Naming of Bakadālbya Maharṣi

In ancient times, the sage Dalbha performed penance and prayed to Bhagavān Viṣṇu for a boon: he desired a son who would be a chiranjeevi, immortal even beyond the dissolution of the universe. The reasoning behind his peculiar wish is puzzling, for though the son would live eternally, the father himself would still have to depart at his destined time. Nevertheless, his prayer was granted, and he begot a son. The child was so soft and tender that he resembled the delicate filaments of the baku flower—a variety of flower known for its feather-like texture. Because of this softness, the child was called Baka, which refers to a swan or crane in Sanskrit. Being the son of Dalbha, he became known as Bakadālbya or Bakadālya. Despite his wish for a chiranjeevi son, Dalbha did not raise the child himself. Instead, Bakadālbya was given to Mitra, a ṛṣi-patnī, and her husband Glāva. Since he was raised by these two, he became known as Dvyāmuṣāyaṇa (one raised by two mothers and fathers) and also as Glāva-Maitrīya.

Bakadālbya’s Tapasya and Mastery of Prāṇa

From the very beginning of his life, Bakadālbya Maharṣi performed tapas in Naimiśāraṇya, mastering the mukhya prāṇa, the vital life-force. In Naimiśāraṇya, he earned the esteem of the sages, participating in yajñas as a singer of the kāmya-gāna, chants of desire-fulfillment, and attained great reverence. Once, while traveling, Bakadālbya observed a profound scene: a white dog was circling along with several smaller dogs, each holding the tail of the other in its mouth, barking in a circle, and finally sitting together uttering “teha.” Witnessing this, Bakadālbya was inspired to recite the Bahishpavamāna mantra, performing mandala parikrama—moving in a circle while chanting—emulating the dogs’ behavior. Thus, even nature, through animals devoid of ego, taught him Vedic wisdom. This event revealed to him a secret usage of the Bahishpavamāna mantra, a knowledge not previously known. Because of his humility and openness to learning from all of nature, Bakadālbya became beloved by all, known for his friendliness and revered as a sage who conquered death, living in a state akin to that of an Apara Śaṅkara. For some time, he also resided in Dvāitavana along with other sages like Mārkaṇḍeya, performing penance.

Meeting the Pāṇḍavas in Dvāitavana

During the Pāṇḍavas’ exile, they encountered Bakadālbya in Dvāitavana. Along with other sages, he blessed them, predicting victory for their dharmic pursuits. As a chiranjeevi, Bakadālbya continued his penance for ages, eventually settling on an island in the middle of the ocean for his tapas.

Encounter with Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna During the Aśvamedha Yajña

During King Dharmarāja’s Aśvamedha Yajña, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna followed the sacrificial horse as it roamed various lands. The horse ventured north, entering a region of the sea and reaching a distant island. There, Bakadālbya Maharṣi had been performing penance for countless yugas. Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, accompanied by warriors like Mayūra Dhvaja and Babhruvāhana, found Bakadālbya glowing with divine brilliance, clad in bark garments. When they prostrated before him, Bakadālbya did not immediately show joy but remarked upon the strangeness of worldly affairs, questioning why they had come to his remote dwelling. Arjuna described the wondrous sights they saw: from Bakadālbya’s body sprouted roots, serpents coiled around his limbs, and trees grew from his joints. Birds nested in the branches that extended from his body, living happily, while Bakadālbya sat peacefully under two dry banyan leaves covering his head.

Bakadālbya explained that he had once visited the Pāṇḍavas in Dvāitavana in a different form to bless them. His body, now intertwined with nature, symbolized his detachment from material existence. He had transcended death, rendering the ordinary human form irrelevant. The banyan leaves on his head were sufficient shelter for him; he had no need for houses or worldly possessions. When Arjuna asked about his lifespan, Bakadālbya replied that countless sages, including many Mārkaṇḍeyas and Romasas, had come and gone since his birth. He had witnessed twenty Brahmās come and go and would continue to exist for all of creation’s cycles.

Vision of Cosmic Events

Bakadālbya recounted visions of cosmic dissolution and creation. During pralaya, he had seen the three worlds submerged, with a thousand-petaled banyan tree supporting innumerable universes. On each petal lay a child sucking his toe—the Vaṭapatraśāyī Viṣṇu. He had seen Viṣṇu take this form countless times and had personally witnessed the cycle of creation and destruction. Despite his own experience of time, he acknowledged that Bhagavān Viṣṇu himself chooses to participate in worldly affairs, engaging in family life and aiding devotees.

Participation in the Aśvamedha Yajña

At Kṛṣṇa’s request, Bakadālbya agreed to attend Dharmarāja’s Aśvamedha Yajña to sanctify it with his presence. Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna personally carried him in a palanquin. During the yajña, Drauapadī, Kuntī, Devakī, and Yaśodā performed ceremonial acts. Vyāsa became the Adhvaryu, and Bakadālbya presided as Brahmā, overseeing the ritual. The yajña was conducted flawlessly under his guidance, bringing immense prosperity and dharmic merit to the kingdom.

Consoling the Wives of Kṛṣṇa

After Kṛṣṇa’s departure from the world, his wives were humiliated and tormented by thieves. Bakadālbya appeared to console them, explaining their past-life karma and teaching them dharma, thus granting them inner peace. This episode is mentioned in the Padma Purāṇa (Adhyāya 23).

Supplying Cows for the Viśvajit Yajña

At Naimiśāraṇya, when the sages performed a Dvādasa Varṣa Sattra Yajña lasting twelve years, they needed twenty thousand calves. They approached the king of Pāñcāla, who had none, but found such calves in Bakadālbya’s āśrama. He generously supplied them, completing the yajña.

Conflict with Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Later, lacking sufficient cows, Bakadālbya approached King Dhṛtarāṣṭra. The king, ignorant of the sage’s greatness, mocked him, offering two dead calves as alms. Offended but restrained, Bakadālbya performed an abhicāra homa at Pṛthūdaka’s Avakīrṇa Tīrtha, causing devastation in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s kingdom. Famine and disease spread, trees withered, and the land became barren.

When the king realized his mistake, he fell at Bakadālbya’s feet, seeking forgiveness. The sage, moved by the king’s repentance, performed a Śānti Homa and lifted the curse, restoring peace to the kingdom. This narrative is detailed in the Vāmana Purāṇa (Adhyāya 18).

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Bakadālbya Maharṣi stands as a symbol of tapas, detachment, cosmic vision, and compassion, teaching through his life the supreme path of dharma, humility, and surrender to the cosmic order.