CHAPTER FOUR

The Characteristics of Rsabhadeva,
the Supreme Personality of Godhead

In this chapter, Rsabhadeva, the son of Maharaja Nabhi, begot a hundred
sons, and during the reign of those sons the world was very happy in all
respects. When Rsabhadeva appeared as the son of Maharaja Nabhi, He
was appreciated by the people as the most exalted and beautiful per-
sonality of that age. His poise, influence, strength, enthusiasm, bodily
luster and other transcendental qualities were beyond compare. The
word rsabha refers to the best, or the supreme. Due to the superexcellent
attributes of the son of Maharaja Nabhi, the King named his son Rsabha,
or “the best.” His influence was incomparable. Although there was a
scarcity of rain, Rsabhadeva did not care for Indra, the King of heaven.
who is in charge of supplying rain. Through His own _ potency,
Rsabhadeva sumptuously covered Ajanabha with ample rain. Upon
receiving Rsabhadeva, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as
his son, King Nabhi began to raise Him very carefully. After that. he
entrusted the ruling power to Him and, retiring from family life, lived at
Badarikasrama completely engaged in the worship of Vasudeva. the
Supreme Lord. To follow social customs, Lord Rsabhadeva for a while
became a student in the gurukula, and after returning. He followed the
orders of His guru and accepted a wife named Jayanti. who had been
given to Him by the King of heaven, Indra. He begot a hundred sons in
the womb of Jayanti. Of these hundred sons, the eldest was known as
Bharata. Since the reign of Maharaja Bharata, this planet has been called
Bharata-varsa. Rsabhadeva’s other sons were headed by Kusavarta. II-
avarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk. Vidarbha
and Kikata. There were also other sons named Kavi. Havi. Antariksa.
Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhajana.
Instead of ruling the kingdom, these nine became mendicant preachers
of Krsna consciousness, following the religious precepts of the
Bhagavatam. Their characteristics and activities are described in the

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