॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Sunday, 28 August 2022 - Chapter 4 of the first skandha, wherein Suta begins to explain the circumstance surrounding Sage Vyasa's composing the Srimad Bhagavatam.
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The elderly sage Shaunaka heading that congregation of rishis was well versed in Rigveda. He now politely asked, "Respected Suta, we are all eager to understand the circumstance surrounding the composition and narration of Srimad Bhavagatam. We know how great Sage Vyasa was, and how, curiously, his son Shuka was very detached, and otherworldly, by being fully enlightened even as a young boy.
दृष्ट्वानुयान्तमृषिमात्मजमप्यनग्नं देव्यो ह्रिया परिदधुर्न सुतस्य चित्रम् ।
तद्वीक्ष्य पृच्छति मुनौ जगदुस्तवास्ति स्त्रीपुंभिदा न तु सुतस्य विविक्तदृष्टेः ॥
T: The sage Vyasa was once following his son, Shuka. The sage was fully clothed, whereas Shuka was naked as he never wore clothes. They both passed by a lake where some women were bathing. The moment the women saw Vyasa, they covered themselves with clothes. The aged Vyasa was surprised that they were abashed on seeing himself but had not covered themselves on seeing the young man Shuka (naked, too!). They explained to Vyasa, "you still retain, oh Sage, the distinction between genders, but your son is otherworldly and does not see men and women differently!"
"Oh, Suta, tell us how the people of Hastinapur received this strange sage Shuka? How did it happen that he discoursed to King Parikshit!? Even before answering that question, explain how the mighty Parikshit, worthy son of Abhimanyu, to whom all kings gladly offered their allegiance, decide to forsake his body?
प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनादृत्याधिराट् श्रियम्
T: Why did Parikshit discard his kingdom and immense wealth and decide to fast unto death on the bank of the Ganga? Indeed, he was righteous, and righteous men dedicate their lives to welfare of themselves and serving others, too.
***
The Suta began his reply:
In Dwapara, Maha Vishnu was incarnated as Sage Vyasa, his Kalavatara. Sage Vyasa saw the degeneration of men, values, and even the weakening of nature's potential in several ways. The way to restore the glory and strength in all creation was, as he understood, through the pursuit of Vedic performances. In order to make it easier for men to follow, he organized the immense Vedas into four sections, Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. He taught it to specific disciples - Paila, Vaishampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu, respectively. He also composed several Puranas and taught it to my father Romaharshana. These have been the propagators of these disciplines.
As the Vedas were not to be ever mistreated by faulty, improper or incompetent rendering, Sage Vyasa then composed the Mahabharata. This was meant to help everyone irrespective of gender, age, class and calling, or learning. Mahabharata was more open and forgiving in its propagation.
But still Sage Vyasa was restless.
नातिप्रसीदद्धृदयः सरस्वत्यास्तटे शुचौ
T: Sage Vyasa, on the pristine bank of the river Saraswati, mused, "I have organized the Vedas for the authentic practice of rituals, I have composed the Mahabharata to help people of all kinds understand and practise right living. And yet, why is my mind not cheerful?
तथापि बत मे देह्यो ह्यात्मा चैवात्मना विभुः ।
असम्पन्न इवाभाति ब्रह्मवर्चस्यसत्तमः ॥
T: "I am fully realized and merged into Brahman consciousness, and radiant in that light of wisdom, but how come my Atman appears to be yet unhappy in this body?"
Sage Vyasa then got a thought.
किं वा भागवता धर्माः न प्रायेण निरूपिताः।
प्रियाः परमहंसानां त एव ह्यच्युतप्रियाः ॥
T: "Could the reason be that I have not yet composed the Srimad Bhagavatam, the scripture dearest to the realized Paramahamsas, and also dear to Sri Hari Achyuta Himself!?"
At that very instant, as Sage Vyasa was considering himself and his efforts thus far inadequate, Sage Narada appeared there. Sage Vyasa felt honoured, and received him with all warmth and courtesy.
***
Remember the genesis of Valmiki Ramayana was also occasioned by the visit of Sage Narada, at that time and age to Sage Valmiki's ashrama!
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
