Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 1
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
श्रीशुक उवाच अधस्तात्सवितुर्योजनायुते स्वर्भानुर्नक्षत्रवच्चरतीत्येके योऽसावमरत्वं ग्रहत्वं चालभत भगवदनुकम्पया स्वयमसुरापसद: सैंहिकेयो ह्यतदर्हस्तस्य तात जन्म कर्माणि चोपरिष्टाद्वक्ष्याम: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca adhastāt savitur yojanāyute svarbhānur nakṣatravac caratīty eke yo ’sāv amaratvaṁ grahatvaṁ cālabhata bhagavad-anukampayā svayam asurāpasadaḥ saiṁhikeyo hy atad-arhas tasya tāta janma karmāṇi copariṣṭād vakṣyāmaḥ.
シュリー・シュカデーヴァ・ゴースヴァーミーは語った。王よ、あるプラーナの語り手は、太陽の下一万ヨージャナの所にスヴァルバーヌ（ラーフ）という惑星があり、星のように巡ると言う。その惑星の主神はシンヒカーの子で、アスラの中でも最も忌まわしい者である。彼は本来、デーヴァや惑星の主となるに値しなかったが、バガヴァーンの憐れみにより不死とグラハとしての位を得た。後にその出生と行いをさらに語ろう。
FAQs
This verse states that some authorities describe Svarbhānu (Rāhu) as moving like a star below the sun at a distance of ten thousand yojanas, having attained graha-status by the Lord’s compassion.
Śukadeva highlights a contrast: Rāhu is inherently degraded and unfit, yet by bhagavad-anukampā (the Lord’s mercy) he still obtained extraordinary status—showing the supremacy of divine will over mere qualification.
Do not presume entitlement based on birth or merit; cultivate humility and devotion, recognizing that real elevation comes by the Lord’s grace, not by ego or worldly qualification.