We must hurriedly refer to the line of Bharata. Sumati was the son of Bharata. Ill guided men in the Kali Yuga will call him a God. In his line Pratiha was master of Âtmâ Vidyâ. Coming lower down by far the most renowned king in the line of Bharata was Gaya Viraja was also well known. Of the hundred sons of Viraja,âgavataPurâ the eldest was Satajit or the Conqueror of the hundred.
Priya Vrata means literally one of welcome (_Priya_) deeds (_Vrata_).
Priya Vrata, was under the influence of Nârada from the beginning and he declined to go along the Descending path or Pravritti Mârga. He was wedded to the daughter of Vishva Karmâ.
Vishva Karmâ is the cosmic manufacturer. The work of this Prajâpati extends over the whole of Trilokî and he is the architect of all systems and chains included in the Trilokî -- Priya Vrata, as we shall see later on, represents the earth chain only or the system known as Bhûr.
What we generally call the Solar system is a misnomer. For the sun stands between Bhûr Loka and Svar Loka and illumines both the Lokas with its rays. The Solar System is therefore properly speaking the whole of the Trilokî. In speaking of Priya Vrata, therefore, the Bhâgavata restricts itself to the regions illumined by the sun as well as by the moon (V-15-I.)
We shall enter into a detailed description of the whole system in the next chapter. Let us take here a passing glance of the line of Priya Vrata.
We take Priya Vrata to be the Earth chain complete in itself or rather the progenitor of the Earth chain.
Meru or Sumeru is the axis of Bhûr Loka, its highest point being the highest point of Bhûr Loka.
The sun god revolves round this central axis.
The Earth-god Priyavrata also revolved round Meru _i.e._ the Earth rotated round its own axis at a very rapid rate for some time during its infancy.
The rotation of the Earth was followed by the separation of layers. The part most removed from the centre was first affected.
In this way seven distinct layers were formed. The layer towards the circumference was the most spiritual. That towards the centre was the most material.
The reason of this is to be found in the action of the three Gunas and Tamas.
Satva is: on the material plane, light, transparent, with upward motion. On the mental plane, buoyant and cheerful, with true perception, spiritual.