Srimad Bhagavatam II.10 - 22 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, 22 September 2022 - The tenth and concluding chapter of the second Skandha- Sage Shuka describes the ten subjects of Srimad Bhagavatam.

I found this chapter rather challenging and shall try my best to capture the plethora of concepts.

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अत्र सर्गो विसर्गश्च स्थानं पोषणमूतयः। मन्वन्तरेशानुकथा निरोधो मुक्तिराश्रयः॥

दशमस्य विशुद्धर्थं नवानामिह लक्षणम्। वर्णयन्ति महात्मानः श्रुतेनार्थेन चाञ्जसा॥

T: Ten important subjects make up the content of Srimad Bhagavatam. These are

1. Sarga - By Divine Will, Prakriti is disturbed to give rise to the Viradrupa (cosmic form) made up of the five categories resulting in the elements, from the Mahattattva.
2. Visarga - Brahma creates various beings.
3. Sthana - The Lord’s activities in sustaining and maintaining the creation.
4. Poshana - His granting protection to devotees and ameliorating their lot. 
5. Manvantara - The laws of righteous living exemplified by great beings.
6. Uti - The seeds of Karma that drive behaviour.
7. Ishanukatha - Stories of Sri Hari’s incarnations and the lives of His devotees.
8. Nirodha - When Maha Vishnu dissolves all bodies and material aspects but the Jivas remain in seed form storing their tendencies and He goes into Yoga Nidra.
9. Mukti - the Jiva merges and abides in his true state going beyond attachments and false elements.
10. Ashraya - Also called Paramatma or Brahman, this is the Lord out of whom everything emerges and in whom everything dissolves.

The wise, holy sages state that the most important content of Srimad Bhagavatam is a description of the Supreme Being called Ashraya and all other components are only to clarify that concept of Ashraya.  Ashraya is described directly in various prayers and hymns in this scripture and indirectly conveyed in the various narratives.

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Adhyatmika, Adhidaivika and Adhibhautika are the three aspects of every living creature. An example will make this easy to understand. If a living being has the faculty of sight through eyes, the Adhyatmika is the life spirit that enlivens that faculty. The Adhidaivika is the phenomenon of light, the process of optical perception — forces controlled by the deities. Adhibhautika is the material structure of the vision system from the eye to the brain, made up of the five elements.

These three function together only under the witnessing eye of the Paramatma Ashraya whose presence makes the phenomenon possible. He is the support of all, and He has no support for Himself.

***

Virat Purusha broke open the Anda (cosmic egg) and created the seminal waters called Garbhodakam to reside in. As He lay in these waters, He came to be called Narayana (one who dwells in waters called नार Naara). Naara came from Nara i.e. the Virat Purusha who created those waters.

***

The five elements, Karma (Cause-Effect chain), Kala (Time), manifest Prakriti (Nature) and Jiva -the experiencer of life, are all created by His will and cease to be when He decides so. It was He who wanted to create and therefore divided His seed (Viryam Hiranmayam) into the threesome Adhyatmika-Adhidaivika-Adhibhautika.

***

Prana is the activating force of life, and it is derived from sense power (Ojas), mental power (Sahah) and physical power (Bala). This Prana is also the Sutratma or the collective self, running through all individuals. He is like the king and the living beings are like the subjects who can function only in his presence and on his orders.

***

The Lord manifested the face when He felt hunger and thirst. From His mouth came the tongue and the phenomenon of six tastes- rasa. Varuna is its presiding deity, Indriya is the organ of taste. Similarly, other organs came into existence. For example, Agni or Vahni created speech. Vayu emerged with the sense of smell. Surya and sight came next. When the Lord wanted to hear the hymns of the sages, He developed ears with the deity Dik.

Oshadhi, touch, softness, skin etc. followed. The Lord wanted to act, so arms and their deity Indra then emerged. Legs and their deity Yajna came next. Prajapati and the reproductive system came next. Mitra came to take care of excretion. The navel and Apana came into being to set in motion the phenomenon of the death of a body and the migration of Jiva. The rivers and oceans are his stomach, Atmamaya emerged as the heart.

***

Body parts like skin, flesh and bone come from Earth, Water and Fire. Prana comes from Akasha, Water and Wind. Indriyas come from Rajoguna. Manas is the abode of feelings and emotions. Buddhi is the abode of rational understanding.

The eight layers of the Lord are thus the five elements, Ahankara and Mahattattva and Prakriti.

***

The gross manifestations described thus far have behind them the subtle manifestation of the Lord, which is eternal and which cannot be perceived by anyone physically or mentally ever. 

अमुनी भगवद्रूपे मया ते अनुवर्णिते। उभे अपि न गृह्णन्ति मायासृष्टे विपश्चितः॥

स वाच्यवाचकतया भगवान् ब्रह्मरूपधृक्। नामरूपक्रिया धत्ते सकर्माकर्मकः परः॥

T: “Oh, Parikshit! These two forms described so far, as the gross and subtle manifestations, are rejected as both falling in the domain of Maya, by the true seer devoteers.”

“The wonder is that it is He alone, who is both the doer and the non-doer, who as Brahma creates the variegated thoughts, forms, and experiences.”

Sage Shuka lists a whole list of different beings and species of creation saying all of them have been created in this way alone. The interplay of the three Gunas, viz. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas keep the world going. The men of realization know that these phenomena are not what define the Lord, as He is truly Transcendental. It is only his Maya that accounts for all creation and experience.

***

The sages in Naimisharanya, headed by Shaunaka, now ask the Suta to tell them the interesting story of Vidura, who did the extraordinary act of giving up all attachments to things and people of Hastinapura and went to Sage Maitreya. Where did he meet the rishi and what transpired?

This leads to the third Skandha.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.09 - 21 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, 21 September 2022 - The ninth chapter of the second Skandha- Shuka narrates how the Bhagavan gave His Darshan to Brahma and gave him the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam.

***

आत्ममायामृते राजन् परस्यानुभवात्मनः। नघतेतार्थसम्बन्धः स्वप्नद्रष्टुरिवाञ्जसा॥

बहुरूपा इवाभाति मायया बहुरूपया। रममाणो गुणेष्वस्या ममाहमिति मन्यते॥

T: “Oh, King, it is indeed the delusory power of Maya that makes one see the variety of things and lives around when their differentiation is entirely illusory. Just as a dreamer makes his attachments and associations with the unreal experiences he undergoes, and these disappear completely on his waking up, the soul when awakened at once goes beyond these material and bodily associations and attachments, which he is presently enjoying as “I and mine.”

आत्मतत्त्वविशुद्ध्यर्थं यदाह भगवानृतम्। भ्रह्मणे दर्शयन् रूपमव्यलीकव्रतादृतः॥

T: “When Lord Brahma meditated intensely with devotion, Bhagavan revealed His glory and His abode and also taught him the eternal truth of how Jiva can obtain release from bondage.”

 

***

“Lord Brahma is the first god. He creates and rules this world. When he came into being, he wondered what he should do and how he should go about it. Then he heard an unseen being's voice from the heavens speak the two syllables “Ta Pa”. Tapa indeed forms the core of all spiritual endeavour. So Brahma undertook a severe penance for a thousand divine years (several million human years) with intense devotion. At last, Bhagavan Maha Vishnu revealed Himself to him, saying He was greatly pleased with the way Brahma had heeded the unseen voice which was that of Maha Vishnu Himself extolling intense tapas to secure His revelation.”

“Lord Maha Vishnu revealed His Vaikuntha Loka to Brahma. It was a world free from the three Gunas (Sattva Rajas Tamas) and there was no suffering, delusion or fear. That world was free from Maya too. The Lord’s attendants themselves looked godly, each with four hands, and received prayer from all the gods and demons everywhere. The Goddess Sri (Maha Lakshmi) served the Lord with divine love and infinite grace, and recited prayers to Him sitting on her swing. Her prayers took the form of divinised bees that hovered around her, joining with their buzz which resonated with her prayer!”

भृत्यप्रसादाभिमुखं दृहासवं प्रसन्नहासारुणलोचनाननम् । किरइटिनं कुण्डलिनं चतुरभुजं पीताम्बरं वक्षसि लक्षितं श्रिया॥

T: “Lord Brahma beheld the infinitely beautiful and gracious form of Maha Vishnu, revealed only for the upliftment of His devotees, giving a most bewitching smile and looking with compassion and love from his rising sun-tinted eyes, with His diadem (crown), His ear-ornaments, with His four hands, and sporting Goddess Sri on His chest.”

“His twenty-five Vibhutis viz., Prakriti, Purusha, Mahattattva, Ahankara, Manas, the ten indriyas (of perception and action), the five Tannmatras, the five elements, were arrayed around Him as his attendants. The Lord was truly Ishwara with his six Bhagas - Aishwarya, Dharma, Kirti, Sri, Jnana and Vairagya, and yet these sat lightly on Him as He was indeed beyond all.

These six attributes are constant and complete only in Him, although they manifest in varying degrees in Jivas fleetingly. The Lord can be described as the true embodiment of eternal bliss.”

“After this vision, Lord Brahma was experiencing indescribable joy and gratitude. He shed tears of bliss, and bowed low at the Lord’s lotus feet.”

“The Lord was satisfied that Brahma was now ready and qualified to undertake the job of creation. He touched Brahma lovingly and spoke:

“Dear Brahma, you, who hold the Vedas within yourself in latent form, have pleased Me immensely with your intense and devoted tapas. You can ask of Me any boon! But know that this vision of Mine can come only to those who have transcended material wants. This vision is the summum bonum of all existence. You followed my order to perform “Tapa” even before you saw Me. Know indeed that “Tapa” was needed to be performed for you to be qualified to undertake the task of creation. Know that “Tapa” is indeed I alone! I create, sustain and dissolve all existence only through “Tapa”.”

“Brahma spoke: “Oh Lord, You dwell as the Inner Witness of all and so know every thought and deed. So You know my desire to know You in Your dual forms of Saguna and Nirguna (with form and without). I also want to understand Your Maya power with which You create, sustain and dissolve everything. This is Your divine play. More than anything else, I don’t want to be caught up in the world I am going to create! So please teach me how to remain above Maya. You have held my hand as a dear friend. So please guide me so that I don’t develop the attachment of doer-ship in my creative role!”

The answer Bhagavan gave Brahma is often called the Chatusshloki Bhagavatam, meaning the core teaching or essence of the scripture condensed from around 16,000 shlokas into just four.

***

The Bhagavan spoke.

“Oh, Brahma, what I am going to tell you is the most hidden truth, the greatest of science, and can be discovered only by devotion. Receive it with full attention. What are my attributes, forms and activities? What is the core truth in them all? Know that, by My grace.”

अहमेवासमेवाग्रे नान्यद् यत्सदसदसत्परम्। पश्चादहं यदेतच्चयोऽवशिष्येत सोऽस्म्यहम्॥

ऋतेऽर्थं यत्प्रतीयेत न प्रतीयेत चात्मनि। तद्विद्यादात्मनो मायां यथाभासो यथा तमः॥

यथा महान्ति बूतानि बूतेषूच्चावचेष्वनु। प्रविष्टाप्रविष्टानि तथा तेषु न तेष्वहम्॥

एतावदेव जिज्ञास्यं तत्तवजिज्ञासुनात्मनः। अन्वयव्यतिरेकाभ्यां यत् स्यात्सर्वत्र सर्वदा॥

T: “Before creation, and after dissolution, I alone was. I mean beyond the gross and subtle aspects of existence. Whatever is created is from Myself, as nothing exists outside of Me, despite appearing to be separate and bound by cause and effect principles.”

“Whatever appears superimposed on Atman, remains separate, and leaves no residue behind when it goes, leaving Atman alone. This phenomenon is due to My divine power, Maya. All these appearances are like reflections or shadows, with my substance.”

“The great basic elements constitute all Nature by combining in various ways to take on the resultant properties, but indeed the basic elements remain separate from the objects of Nature. Similarly I constitute all beings, by entering into them, and yet I remain pristine as I am not affected by the beings.”

“The seeker of Truth should realize the core essence that remains constant, unaffected, and pure despite being a part of the manifestations during their existence. That core is the Pure Spirit - it is eternal, unaffected and ultimate.”

“Practise the highest samadhi and absorb yourself totally in Me. As such perform according to my orders, and you shall remain unaffected during all the cycles of creation that you engage in.”

***

“Bhagavan Maha Vishnu, Sri Hari, after giving this instruction, vanished from Lord Brahma’s vision. Saluting the Lord within, Brahma started the process of creation. His spiritual son Sage Narada served him ardently during this period. Brahma taught Narada the holy scripture of Srimad Bhagavatam, which Narada in turn gave Sage Vyasa on the bank of the Saraswati river. The Bhagavatam captures all the answers to the questions you have asked, Oh, King Parikshit!”

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.08 - 20 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, 20 September 2022 - The eighth chapter of the second Skandha- King Parikshit has several questions for which he seeks answers from the gracious sage, Shuka.

The best story is one where you identify yourself with the protagonist and pretty much think and act as he does, at least in your mind.

If we were to do so, what would be the condition of King Parikshit? The immediacy and the utter palpability of his own impending demise will obviously occupy his mind. But he feels most blessed that a sage like Shuka has graciously come to tell him the divine and liberating scripture Srimad Bhagavatam. This has been most engrossing and contains unbelievable imagery and incredible stories of the Lord. A keen listener will have several questions beginning with how, why, where, when and so on. This is precisely the content of this chapter!

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ब्रह्मणा चोदितो ब्रह्मन्गुणाक्यानेऽगुणस्य च। यस्मै यस्मै यथा प्राह नारदो देवदर्शनः॥

कथयस्व महाभाग यथाहमखिलात्मनि। कृष्णे निवेश्य मनस्त्यक्ष्ये कलेवरम्॥

T: “Oh holy Brahmin! You have said that Lord Brahma inspired Sage Narada to go around the sanctifying stories of the Lord, describing His attributes, when indeed He is also beyond attributes! I know Sage Narada has realised God. How did he go around telling these stories, and to whom?”

“Oh, blessed sir, I beseech you to tell me the path by which I can enter my mind fully in the Universal Supersoul, Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and relinquish my body thereafter.”

“Those who listen with whole-hearted devotion the Srimad Bhagavatam will quickly manifest the Lord in their hearts. He will cleanse their hearts like the autumn season that clears the waters muddied during the rains.”

“The five elements go into all material creation, but yet remain separate from each individual piece of matter. Similarly, the Lord creates everything and you have said He stays separate. How does this happen? How does the Lord get a body? Is it by accident or by some cause? How does the Lord remain separate and untouched by His own energy?"

“You have stated that the different gods and the different worlds (Lokas) constitute the body of the Virat Purusha. But what is their actual position?”

“And coming to Time, please explain the time cycle of creation, sustenance and dissolution, and how the past, present and future co-exist. Also, please explain the longevity of different beings.”

“How do the Gunas mix, influence man’s Karma, produce results, and reconstitute themselves in him?”

“Indeed, Sir, I am so eager to know in detail about all the Lord’s incarnations!”

“What are the societal norms for a man’s normal conduct? What are specific duties based on one’s status in life? How should royal sages function? How should one in distress behave?  Coming to the great mystics, and what is their ultimate realisation? How does the perfect mystic become detached from the subtle astral body?”

“How does economic development take place? How do people fulfil their material wants?”

“How do living beings come into existence, and how are they annihilated?”

“What is the structure and hierarchy of Vedas, supplementary scriptures, and the Puranas?” 

“What is the role of liberated beings? And what are the procedures to be followed for the establishment of religion, economic development and opportunities for sense gratification in society?"

सर्वमेतच्च भगवन् पृच्छते मेऽनुपूर्वशः । तत्त्वतोऽर्हस्युदाहर्तुं प्रपन्नाय महामुने॥

अत्र प्रमाणं हि भवान्परमेष्ठी यथात्मभूः। परे चेहानुतिष्ठन्ति पूर्वेषां पूर्वजैः कृतम्॥

T: “Oh, great sage! Whatever questions I have asked thus far (and those that remain unasked) are worthy of your kind answers, as I am surrendered to you. You are as much an authority as Lord Brahma, the creator who was himself not born in the usual way! I am not like those who simply follow as a ritual whatever were the practices of their predecessors.”

न मेऽसवः परायन्ति ब्रह्मन्ननशनादमी। पिबतोऽच्युतपीयूषमन्यत्र कुपिताद्विजात्॥

T: “Respected sage, my life-energies are not affected by my abstaining from food and drink all this time, because I am constantly drinking the nectar of your stories of Bhagavan! I am also least bothered that I was cursed by that Brahmin for my transgression.”

The great sage Shuka was immensely pleased by King Parikshit’s dispassionate mindset, his eager seeking, his preparedness, and all his questions. He began to answer those questions.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.07 - 19 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, 19 September 2022 - The seventh chapter of the second Skandha- Lord Brahma lists Maha Vishnu’s Lilavataras (incarnations).

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Sage Narada has been known to be one of the greatest devotees of Maha Vishnu and he appears often in all epics describing the creative sport of his chosen deity, Sriman Narayana or Maha Vishnu, to devotees and those in difficulties. Where did Narada himself gather all these stories?

We begin to understand that it was from Lord Brahma, his father and the first creation of Maha Vishnu. 

Lord Brahma lists the various avataras or incarnations of Maha Vishnu, each aimed to fulfil a specific purpose.

***

यत्रोद्यतः क्षितितलोद्धरणाय बिभ्रत् क्रौडीं तनुं सकलयज्ञमयीमन्नतः।

अन्तर्महार्णव उपागतमादिदैत्यं तं दंष्ट्रयाद्रिमिव वज्रधरो ददार॥

T: “He took the sacred form of the boar, an embodiment of all yajnas, with fierce tusks, that plunged to the depths of the ocean to tear apart the original daitya (demon) Hiranyaksha and retrive Mother Earth whom the demon has hidden away.”

“Maha Vishnu got the name Hari from Swayambhuva Manu when He resolved the conflict in the three worlds by becoming Suyajna who married Dakshina and begot the gods called Suyamas to accomplish the mission.”

“Born as Muni Kapila to Devahuti, He taught her the fundamental truth about life and liberation.”

“When Sage Atri’s spiritually advanced wife Sati Anasuya prayed to Him, Maha Vishnu took birth as her son, Dattatreya.  King Yadu and many others were blessed with Yoga when they worshipped Dattatreya’s sacred feet.”

“Indeed, to instruct everyone about Tapas (austerity), He took birth as Brahma’s four sons Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara and Sanatsujata. The word Sana means Tapas. As the four divine sages of eternal youth, He revived the forgotten science of Tapas in the next Kalpa (aeon) and taught it as the goal and method of austerities for the sages.”

“Born as Nara-Narayana, He performed the most incredible Tapas. Indra’s attempt to disturb that Tapas and tempt the duo by sending divine damsels, Apsaras, failed miserably. They were unlike other meditators who were able to conquer lust but in turn, manifested rage (an equally low trap for meditators). They created Urvashi, the answer to all celestial beauties, and gifted her to Indra!”

“It was Narayana who blessed the five-year-old Prince Dhruva and gave him the status of the pole star.”

“As Prithu, he saved his father Vena from hell, and gave rise to the epithet Putra which means “one’s worthy son who saves one from hell by his righteousness.” In the same incarnation, He made Mother Earth the giver of plenty like the divine wish-fulfilling cow, and earned her the name ‘Vasundhara” which means one who supports creation by her munificence.”

“As Rishabhadeva, He established the gold standard for Yoga and its accomplishment that confers the title of Paramahamsa and Avadhuta.”

“In fact, dear Narada, in my own yajna, Maha Vishnu came as the divine horse Hayagriva who embodied all the Vedas and all divinities. The Vedas emerged from the exhalation of that horse!”

“In another aeon, He saved all life by becoming the divine giant fish Matsya who pulled the boat of creation and saved it from the cosmic deluge. This saved the Vedas from being lost forever in that flood.”

क्षीरोदधावमरदानवयूथपानामुन्मथ्नताममृतलब्धय आदिदेव: ।

पृष्ठेन कच्छपवपुर्विदधार गोत्रं निद्राक्षणोऽद्रिपरिवर्तकषाणकण्डू: ॥

T: In that famous churning of the milky ocean by gods and demons, they used the mountain Meru for the churning rod. It could not be supported by anyone until Maha Vishnu took the form of the divine Tortoise Kurma and balanced the mountain on His back, suffering much scratching!”

“As the incredible Lord Narasimha, He came to save Prahlada and destroy the evil Hiranyakashipu with His bare claws.”

“When Gajendra the elephant, on being caught in the jaws of a crocodile, prayed to the Lord Maha Vishnu, He flew at once on Garuda and used his Chakra to destroy the crocodile and save the devotee who was in the form of an elephant.”

“As Aditi’s midget son Vamana, He taught a lesson to the demon king Bali swollen with pride about his own charity. But Bali proved his own merit by offering his own head for the third step to be placed upon by the Lord.”

तुभ्यं च नारद भृशं भगवान् विवृद्ध्भावेन साधुपरितुष्ट उवाच योगम् ।

ज्ञानं च भागवतमात्मसतत्त्वदीपं यद्वासुदेवशरणा विदुरञ्जसैव ॥

T: “Oh, Narada, as Hamsa, the Lord has Himself taught you the Yoga for liberation. When you teach the sages this sacred science, it will be internalised and benefit all true devotees of Vasudeva.”

धन्वन्तरिश्च भगवान् स्वयमेव कीर्तिर्नाम्ना नृणां पुरुरुजां रुज आशु हन्ति ।

यज्ञे च भागममृतायुरवावरुन्ध आयुष्यवेदमनुशास्त्यवतीर्य लोके ॥

T: “As Dhanvantari, the Lord cures diseases and restores health only by the mere chanting of His holy name. He indeed it was that gave the world the science of longevity called Ayurveda.”

“As Bhargava Parashurama, He taught a lesson to the despotic and unprincipled Kshatriyas by annihilating them.”

अस्मत्प्रसादसुमुख: कलया कलेश इक्ष्वाकुवंश अवतीर्य गुरोर्निदेशे ।

तिष्ठन् वनं सदयितानुज आविवेश यस्मिन् विरुध्य दशकन्धर आर्तिमार्च्छत् ॥

T: “The Lord, out of His infinite mercy, took birth as Sri Rama and his three brothers, and also as Devi Sita through His Maya. When Ravana transgressed by abducting Devi Sita, Sri Rama destroyed him and saved Dharma. In fact, on the battlefield, Ravana was vanquished by the mere twanging of the Lord’s bow!”

“The Lord will take birth in future as Balarama and Sri Krishna to save the earth from devilish marauders. He will perform several Lilas. He will vanquish many demons sent by Kamsa. He will destroy Kamsa and restore Dharma. He will tame the terrible serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna. He will allow as a child his mother to even tie Him up as a punishment for His mischief! At the age of seven, He will lift the Govardhana mountain to teach Indra a lesson! He will play bewitchingly on His flute. He will sport with the Gopis in Rasa. In fact, all the evil kings will be subdued personally, or through Balarama, or Bhima and Arjuna.”

“He will be born as Vyasa, son of Satyavati, to help restore the Vedas by structuring them and making them amenable to study for the people who would have lost their edge in learning.”

“As Buddha, He will take care of daityas who would be tormenting people by misusing Vedas. He will do so as His sole objective is to uplift mankind.”

“Eventually, at the end of Kali, people will abandon Dharma and stop practising the chanting of His holy name, They will abandon the good yajnas. Then the Lord will come as Kalki to dissolve the creation and wipe the slate clean, as it were.”

“These Vibhutis or Avataras with special missions will come to create, protect and dissolve creation as and when the Lord deems it fit."

“He cannot be understood by anyone- me, or the Sanatkumaras, or anyone else. Prayer and devotion are the way to realise His grace. This is known to the many devotees I have mentioned. Many royal sages like Janaka, Gadhi (Vishwamitra)  Vibhishana, Hanuman, Dhruva, Prahlada, Arjuna, and so on will also realise this path. Even people of various races, and those with low status in society, and many others, can acquire merit through devotion.”

इदं भागवतं नाम यन्मे भगवतोदितम् । संग्रहोऽयं विभूतीनां त्वमेतद् विपुलीकुरु ॥

यथा हरौ भगवति नृणां भक्तिर्भविष्यति । सर्वात्मन्यखिलाधारे इति सङ्कल्प्य वर्णय ॥

T: “Dear son, Narada, this is the Lord’s story called Srimad Bhagavatam that I have narrated in brief to you.You can expand this. With the goal of instilling pure devotion in men’s hearts for the Lord, and for them to realise that He alone is the inner support for all souls, go everywhere and propagate the Bhagavatam well.”

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.06 - 18 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, 18 September 2022 - The sixth chapter of the second Skandha- Lord Brahma describes the cosmic Virat Purusha.

***

वाचां वह्नेर्मुखं क्षेत्रं छन्दसां सप्त धातवः। हव्यकव्यामृतान्नानां जिह्वा सर्वरसस्य च॥

T: “The Virat Purusha’s face is the source of speech, as well as fire. The seven Vedic metres (Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtup, Brihati, Pankti, Trishtup and Jagati) also come from His face. His tongue gives rise to the sacrificial offerings made to the ancestors and gods (Havya and Kavya). The six varieties of taste (sweet, salt, sour, pungent, hot and astringent) as well as the organ of taste as well as the Lord of juices, Varuna, owe themselves to the same tongue.”

Lord Brahma continues in this vein, describing how in His nostrils originate the Pranas, Lord Vayu, the faculty of smell, the Ashwini twins, herbs and fragrances. His eyes cause all brilliance, His eyelids host the sun and moon, His ears contain the faculty of hearing, sound and the skies, His body being the entity that holds all the clues to every kind of beauty in this universe. His skin holds the secret of touch and all Yajnas, His hair is the origin of all trees and plants as well as clouds. His beard is lightning, His nails hold rocks and minerals. His three steps are nothing but the three Lokas- Bhuh, Bhuvah and Svah. His feet are the ultimate refuge as well as the key to liberation. His generative organs hold semen and rain and sexual pleasure. Yama and Mitra reside in His anus, also the source of excretion. 

The Lord’s buttocks hold inauspiciousness, slaughter, death and hell. His back hold defeat, ignorance and unrighteousness. His blood vessels are rivers, His bones, mountains, His stomach holds the ocean and dissolution, His heart holds the minds of all creatures. 

In the Virat Purusha’s Chitta originates Brahma, Narada, the Sanaka brothers, Rudra, Rishis, and a long list of devatas as well as Dharma. The Purusha holds all the past present and dissolved beings as well as matter and energy.

स्वधिष्ण्यं प्रतपन् प्राणो बहिश्च प्रतपत्यसौ। एवं विराजं प्रतपंस्तपत्यन्तर्बहिः पुमान्॥

T: “Thus, Oh, Narada, this Virat Purusha is the material cause of all, immanent, transcendent, just as the sun gives all heat and light by spreading them everywhere and is yet above them both.”

“He is immortal, self-sufficient, fearless, imperishable.”

पादेषु सर्वभूतानि पुंस: स्थितिपदो विदु: । अमृतं क्षेममभयं त्रिमूर्ध्नोऽधायि मूर्धसु ॥

T: “Know that just in His feet reside all men and creatures, which also hold the key to prosperity as well as liberation! He it is that grants welfare, immortality, protection, and yet transcends all the three Lokas mentioned.”

“The ordinary person dwells and enjoys in Bhuh, Bhuvah and Svah. On the other hand, the Brahmacharin, Vanaprasthin and Sannyasin go to higher lokas like Satyaloka, Tapoloka and so on, by practising continence (austerity and self-abnegation). That path also leads to Moksha. The first path, for the ordinary person, stems from Avidya. The second path is from Vidya. Both are His will indeed and from Avidya one graduates to Vidya.”

“When I was created out of His navel, only the yajna materials could be found. I later explored the Virat Purusha and procured all else (listed so far) from Virat Purusha Himself and then made a sacrificial offering back to Him. Then came all of you and made similar sacrifices.”

“All creation is in Narayana, who manifests Himself by combining with the three Gunas to create the variegated existence. Being directed by Narayana, I create all the forms and beings, and Rudra dissolves all. Narayana Himself protects and nurtures all in the middle as Maha Vishnu”.

“Oh, Narada, I hope I have answered your queries. I speak no untruth ever and never make a wrong move as I am totally surrendered to His will. Yet let me emphasise I know almost nothing of Maha Vishnu. This is despite my being the embodiment of all Vedas! I can only offer my obeisance to Him. Vishnu’s Maya is so vast! “

नाहं न यूयं यदृतां गतिं विदुः न वामदेवः किमुतापरे सुराः। तन्मायया मोहितबुद्धयसत्विदं विनिर्मितं चात्मसमं विचक्ष्महे॥

T: “Dear Narada, Not I, nor you, nor my other children, nor Rudra Shiva, can ever understand His true nature, what to speak of other gods! Deluded by His Maya, we can perhaps grasp only this created world, and even that as limited by our intellect.”

“All creation stems from Him, the Virat Purusha. He is transcendent. All we see are His expressions. I shall now take up Maha Vishnu’s Lilavataras.”

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.05 - 17 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, 17 September 2022 - The fifth chapter of the second Skandha- Lord Brahma begins to answer Sage Narada’s questions about creation.

***

Bhagavan is described as Ishwara and Vasudeva (वासुदेव). He is the repository of all great qualities, the master of all, and the lord of all creation. Is this only an abstract concept? Or does Srimad Bhagavatam explain how Ishwara Himself has become this universe, and yet rules it?

Yes, this is covered in several chapters in the entire scripture repeatedly and reinforced in several ways. This knowledge is imparted because true knowledge of the Lord develops true Bhakti. True Bhakti in turn spurs the seeker to get a deeper knowledge of the Lord!

श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानम् - BG Ch.4 - T: Only the one with devotion acquires true knowledge.

ज्ञानवान् मां प्रपद्यते - BG Ch. 7 - T: The one with true knowledge worships the Lord as being everything.

***

This and the next chapter are a dialogue between Sage Narada and Lord Brahma. In the Trinity, Brahma is called the Creator. Sage Narada was born as his spiritual son. So Narada goes to him, seeking true knowledge.

“Oh, revered father, oh, Lord Brahma, kindly grant me the knowledge of this creation. You know everything, and you have created this world.”

आत्मन् भावयसे तानि न पराभावयन्स्वयम् । आत्मशक्तिमवष्टभ्य ऊर्णनाभिरिवाक्लमः॥

T:” Oh, Sire, you create this whole of creation by using your own power, just like a spider weaves his web out of himself. But like the spider, you remain unentangled in your own creation!”

स भवानचरद्घोरं यत्तपः सुसमाहितः। तेन खेदयसे नस्त्वं पराशङ्कां प्रयच्छसि॥

T: “And yet, Sire, I know that you have yourself performed severe austerities with great discipline to acquire your status as Brahma. That gives me cause to wonder if there is anyone above you whom you have propitiated!”

एतन्मे पृ्च्छतः सर्वं सर्वज्ञ सकलेश्वर। विजानीहि यथैवेदमहं बुद्ध्येऽनुशासितः॥

T: “Be so kind, oh Supreme Lord, to clarify all this to me in a way that I can understand.”

Lord Brahma begins to reply.

सम्यक्कारुणिकस्येदं वत्स ते विचिकित्सितम्। यदहं चोदितः सौम्य भगवद्वीर्यदर्शने॥

तस्मै नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धीमहि। यन्मायया दुर्जयया मां ब्रुवन्ति जगद्गुरम्॥

द्रव्यं कर्म च कालश्च स्वभावो जीव एव च। वासुदेवात्परो भ्रह्मन्नचान्योऽर्थपऽस्ति तत्त्वतः॥

T: “Dear son, Narada, you have asked a sincere question. That gives me a happy opportunity to recount the glories of the Lord.”

“I bow down to that Lord, Bhagavan Vasudeva and meditate on Him with all my being. It is only his Maya that is almost uncrossable which makes people think of me as the the boss of this universe. The funny thing is that the Lord’s Maya is herself overcome with shyness and she cannot stand in front of Him!”

“Narada, you are a true Brahmin because you are a sincere seeker. Know that the gross material elements (Dravya), the phenomenon of effort (Karma) as well as the natural tendencies of each being (Svabhava) and the phenomenon of Jiva (the bound soul) are all His making. There is nothing beyond His control. There is no goal or truth beyond Him.”

नारायणपरो योगो नारायणपरं तपः। नारायणपरं ज्ञानं नारायणपरा गतिः॥

T: “Verily, all Yoga is dedicated to Narayana. All penance and austerity is to propitiate Narayana. All knowledge is finally leading to Narayana. The path and state of liberation are both in Narayana alone.”

तस्यापि द्रष्टुरीशस्य कूटस्थस्याखलात्मनः।सृज्यं सृजामि सृष्टोऽहमीक्षयैवाभिचोदितः॥

T: “Narada, I have been created by Him alone. He is located as the Supersoul in all, He dwells in every intellect. Whatever He has directed me to create, I create, ordered by a mere glance of His.”

“For the sake of creating the material world and its maintenance and annihilation, He accepts through His external energy the material modes of nature called goodness, passion and ignorance (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), although He is always transcendental. These modes become in turn knowledge, activity and matter, operating under the principle of cause and effect. The Lord creates thus all entities including the gods out of Himself, and also eventually dissolves them. In this process, matter, knowledge and activities put the eternally transcendental living entity under conditions of cause and effect and make him responsible for such activities.”

“From the cosmic primal state, Kala (Time), Karma (activity) and Maya (the delusory sense of ego-identity) arise. Sattva confers Jnanashakti. Rajas confers Kriyashakti. Tamas confers Dravyashakti.”

“From the darkness of ego, the first of the five elements, namely the sky, is generated. Its subtle form is the quality of sound. Then the sky is transformed and the air is generated with the quality of touch, endowed also with sound. Thus are born the basic principles of duration of life: sense perception, mental power and bodily strength.”

“When the air is transformed, fire is generated, taking shape as form with the added sense of touch and sound. Then comes water, full of juice and taste and it also has form, touch and sound. And water, being transformed in variegated ways, becomes earth, appears odorous and with the added qualities of taste, touch, sound and form respectively. Thus the five gross elements with the five preceptible sense experiences come into existence through the interactions of the three modes.”

Lord Brahma describes the various deities that control these aspects, and how the Lord creates them too. 

Mind is first born. Then come the organs of perception, and then the organs of action.

But the body is not energised into life until the Lord enters it by His own energy. Finally, He enters it as consciousness, and the Jiva is born.

Lord Brahma then describes how the various Lokas (spheres of the material world) form parts or limbs of the Lord. 

Now another description is given, which also matches the Purushasukta.

पुरुषस्य मुखं ब्रह्म क्षत्रमेतस्य बाहवः। ऊर्वोर्वैश्यो भगवतः पद्भ्यां शूद्रोऽभ्यजायत॥

T: “The Brahmin came from the mouth of the Virat Purusha, the Kshatriya came out of his arms, his thighs created the Vaishya and the Sudra was born from His feet.”

This idea is anathema to anyone who wants a casteless society of egalitarianism and universal equality. But we should understand this in a straightforward sense. Each Jiva is a product of several lives of acquired tendencies and abilities. This idea is the core of Guna and Karma that define a Jiva. All people (i.e. every Jiva) in society operate according to their intrinsic nature and ability and opportunity. Neither menial work, nor agriculture and commerce, nor the law, order and defence, and definitely not the roles of educators and preceptors, will ever be eliminated. The question of equality should be interpreted as gainful employment suiting one’s opportunity and ability. Never in any of our scriptures is aspiration condemned. What is condemned is trying to copy others or stealing their wealth or status by devious means. One can strive, life after life, birth after birth, for the betterment of the quality of one’s life which finally should culminate, according to the Hindu Dharma, in the pursuit of liberation or Moksha which by His grace transforms into Bhakti or Universal Love.

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.04 - 16 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, 16 September 2022 - The fourth chapter of the second Skandha- Sage Shuka launches into an ardent prayer to Sriman Narayana, Maha Vishnu.

***

King Parikshit is described by the Suta to be now in a state of total immersion in Sri Krishna…

उपधार्य मतिं कृष्णे आत्मजायासुतागारपशुद्रविणबन्धुषु राज्ये ममतां जहौ

T: By focussing his mind in Sri Krishna alone, King Parikshit destroyed all attachment to himself, his wife, his sons, his palace and treasury, his hordes of horses, elephants, etc., his wealth, his relatives and his kingdom itself.

He asked, 

भूय एव विवत्सामि भगवानात्ममायया । यथेदं सृजते विश्वं दुर्विभाव्यमधीश्वरैः॥

T: “Oh, noble sage! I again ask you to describe it so that I can be totally absorbed in the wonderful way Bhagavan using His divine Maya creates this universe in a way that is not understood easily by even other gods!”

आत्मानं क्रीडयन्क्रीडन्करोति विकरोति च

T: “It seems that Bhagavan engages all His energies in multiple ways in a divine sport and creates and dissolves all existence!”

शाब्दे ब्रह्मणि निष्णातः परस्मिंश्च भवान्खलु

T: “Sir, I ask you because I know you have mastered all the Vedas i.e. the knowledge of Brahman, and in addition, you are uniquely endowed with the vision of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu, too!”

In reply, Sage Shuka begins to meditate on Maha Vishnu the Purushottama, and launches into a fervent prayer. I quote only a few shlokas.

The words that occur in many of these shlokas are

तस्मै सुभद्रश्रवसे नमो नम:

T:I bow down again and again to that auspicious Lord whose very name spells bliss. 

नम: परस्मै पुरुषाय भूयसे सदुद्भवस्थाननिरोधलीलया । गृहीतशक्तित्रितयाय देहिनामन्तर्भवायानुपलक्ष्यवर्त्मने ॥

नमो नमस्तेऽस्त्वृषभाय सात्वतां विदूरकाष्ठाय मुहु: कुयोगिनाम् । निरस्तसाम्यातिशयेन राधसा स्वधामनि ब्रह्मणि रंस्यते नम: ॥

तपस्विनो दानपरा यशस्विनो मनस्विनो मन्त्रविद: सुमङ्गला: । क्षेमं न विन्दन्ति विना यदर्पणं तस्मै सुभद्रश्रवसे नमो नम: ॥

प्रचोदिता येन पुरा सरस्वती वितन्वताजस्य सतीं स्मृतिं हृदि । स्वलक्षणा प्रादुरभूत् किलास्यत: स मे ऋषीणामृषभ: प्रसीदताम् ॥

 T: My prayers to the Lord who assumes the three modes of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas purely for the creation of the material world, residing within the body of everyone in inconceivable ways.

He liberates the true devotees and is totally inaccessible to the non-devotees. There is none who is His equal in His immeasurable transcendence as He dwells within Himself.

My prayers to Sri Krishna whose glorification and remembrance and worship can at once cleanse us of all sins.

The great learned sages, the great performers of charity, the great workers of distinction, the great philosophers and mystics, the great chanters of the Vedic hymns and the great followers of Vedic principles — none among these can achieve any fruitful result without the dedication of such great merits and accomplishments to the service of the Lord.

Goddess Saraswati was created by Him in the heart of Brahma by giving him this divine knowledge essential for liberation. He is the ultimate source of all knowledge.

Indeed, people of all races, places, and those performing strange practices, every one of them can pray and receive His grace.

श्रिय: पतिर्यज्ञपति: प्रजापतिर्धियां पतिर्लोकपतिर्धरापति: । पतिर्गतिश्चान्धकवृष्णिसात्वतां प्रसीदतां मे भगवान् सतां पति: ॥

T: May He be gracious towards me - the Lord of Sri (all prosperity and beauty), the Lord of all yajnas, the Lord of all living creatures, the Lord of all universes, the Lord of Mother Earth, the saviour of races like the Vrishnis, and ultimately the Lord of all devotees and saints!

एतदेवात्मभू राजन् नारदाय विपृच्छते । वेदगर्भोऽभ्यधात् साक्षाद् यदाह हरिरात्मन: ॥

T: I pray to Sage Vyasa, an incarnation of Maha Vishnu, who has created this scripture. Its genesis was when Lord Brahma gave it to Sage Narada (who then inspired Vyasa). Actually, Lord Brahma had originally received it from Bhagavan Sri Hari himself.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronolohical Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.03 - 15 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, 15 September 2022 - The third chapter of the second Skandha- Sage Shuka explains how different gods and powers may be propitiated to fulfil one’s desires in this world. 

***

Sage Shuka continued. “Oh, King Parikshit, you asked me how to attain liberation at the moment of death. I have explained that in detail. Now let me tell you how those with worldly desires may obtain their fulfilment by worshipping different deities.”

At this point, I must share my understanding. All the great Hindu scriptures discuss how man progresses from the material world to the inner realm of the spirit, only through experience and wisdom. If a young child is pushed into Sannyasa, it will lead to the distortion of his unprepared mind and that sannyasi will bring no credit to himself or society. 

Experiencing this material world with its attractions causes desires. To fulfil desires, our scriptures state that human effort alone is not enough but one should also supplicate for divine grace. Different deities have been mentioned as the ones to grant those desires. That process of praying for worldly benefits instils on the one hand an attitude of prayer. One also gets an opportunity to learn from observation and worldly fulfillments and disappointments about the essential impermanence of life. Then and then alone do true wisdom and dispassion dawn on the seeker. 

In any case, who are the deities one should worship?

***

ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्तु यजेत ब्रह्मणस्पतिम्। इन्द्रमिन्द्रियकामस्तु प्रजाकामः प्रजापतीन्॥

देवीं मायां तु श्रीकामस्तेजस्कामो विभावसुम्। वसुकामो वसून् रुद्रान् वीर्यकामोऽथ वीर्यवान्॥

T: The one desirous of Vedic learning should worship Lord Brahma. The one who wants to enjoy sense pleasures should worship Indra. Want progeny? Worship the Prajapatis (deities who populated this world on Brahma’s orders). If you desire wealth, propitiate Mother Lakshmi, the Maya Shakti of Maha Vishnu. Worship Agni if you want a radiant personality. Desiring wealth, propitiate the Vasus. If you want virility and valour, worship the Rudras.

Aditi will confer on you plenty of food. Seeking heaven, worship her sons. Desiring kingdom, worship the Vishwa devas (who control the quarters) and if you want to win the loyalty of your subjects, worship the Sadhyas. 

The Ashwini twins will confer on you longevity, physical stamina comes from Mother Earth. Honour and repute come from propitiating the Dyava-Prithivi (heaven and earth together). Gandharvas will grant physical charm and beauty, Apsara Urvashi will grant the happy company of one’s wife. 

Lord Brahma can also give you lordship overall. The Lord of Yajna will give fame, Kubera will grant wealth and treasures.  Girisha Shiva will grant learning (Vidya) and Uma will grant a happy marriage.

The desire for Dharma and right living is granted by the Lord of all, Maha Vishnu. One’s lineage grows from the grace of one's ancestors. 

Yakshas protect, Maruts will grant powers. Manus will help extend your kingdom, Lord Chandra will grant you fulfilment of sexual and other desires.

अकामः सर्वकामो वा मोक्षकाम उदारधीः। तीव्रेण भक्तियोगेन यजेत पुरुषं परम् ॥

T: In conclusion, one can say that a wise seeker, whether after worldly attainments and pleasures, or a state of desirelessness, or liberation, should directly worship with intense devotion the Purushottama Bhagavan Maha Vishnu, who is the ultimate the fulfiller of all.

***

भगवत्यचलो भावो यद् भागवतसङ्गतः

T: Unshakeable devotion to the Lord will come only from close association with holy sages and true devotees of the Lord.

कैवल्य सम्मतपथस्त्वथ भक्तियोगः को निर्वृतो हरिकथासु रतिं न कुर्यात्

T: Who indeed that embarks on the path of liberation does not relish in immense delight the listening to the stories and pastimes of the Lord in Hari Katha, Bhagavatam?

***

Sage Shaunaka and the others are now so eagerly hooked on to the narrative that they press the Suta not to stop, but to carry on. They wonder, how great would be those few days when Srimad Bhagavatam was being recited and explained by Sage Shuka himself to the blessed soul King Parikshit, will all his intensity and hunger for devotion! 

The sages also say:

Alas, what a pity we feel for those men who have no desire for the higher truth, who have no devotion! Indeed their ears are like the ears of a rat, keen to hear sounds of food being thrown or attacks from cats. One who speaks without chanting the name of the Lord croaks like a frog. A well-dressed man without devotion is as good as a corpse. The legs of a man who does not undertake a pilgrimage to the holy places are like trunks of a tree since they do not help the tree to move at all!

प्रभाषसे भागवतप्रधानः यदाह वैयासकिरात्मविद्याविशारदो नृपतिं साधु पृष्टः

T: “Oh, dear Suta, you bless us with your narrative of Bhagavatam as vouchsafed by the realized master Sage Shuka, son of Sage Vyasa, to the highly qualified King Parikshit!”

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.02 - 14 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, 14 September 2022 - The second chapter of the second Skandha- Sage Shuka explains the path and process of liberation.

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एवं पुरा धारणयात्मयोनिर्नष्टां स्मृतिं प्रत्यवरुध्य तुष्टात्

T: The cycle of present creation began only when Brahma had the vision of Virat Purusha that brought back his memory of everything. Brahma’s knowledge dawned, encapsulated as Vedas, and his creative efforts began only thereafter.

“King Parikshit, the key to liberation can be secured only by first realizing that this world and its pleasures are not worthy of pursuit compared to the goal of eternal bliss.”

सत्यां क्षितौ किं कशिपो प्रयास्यैर्बाहौ स्वसिद्धे ह्युपबर्हणैः किम्।

सत्यंजलौ किं पुरुधान्न पात्र्या दिग्वल्कलादौ सति किं दुकूलैः॥

कस्माद्भजन्ति कवयो धनदुर्मदान्धान्॥

T: “How does a true seeker live after realizing the source of bondage in this world? He feels that when one can sleep well on the bare ground, there is no need for beds and cots. When he has his arms to rest his head on while lying down to sleep, there is no need for pillows. When he can drink water and eat food using his two cupped hands, there is no need for vessels! And when tree barks or even the bare sky will do well to protect this body, where is the need for silks? Alas, not knowing this simple truth about the bare necessities of life, so-called learned men go and cultivate with their flattery the rich and mighty hoping for gifts and rewards, when those rich are indeed intolerably arrogant about their wealth!”

आत्मा प्रियोऽर्थो भगवाननन्तः तं भजेत संसारहेतूपरमश्च यत्र

T: "Thus, one will now pray to someone dearest in life, namely Bhagavan, the Eternal Lord, and by His  grace to get rid of attachments to this world."

Sage Shuka now explains the process of pursuing liberation.

“The seeker pursues the practice of meditation in austerity and solitude, envisioning the Lord in his heart.”

चतुर्भुजं कञ्जरथाङ्गशङ्खगदाधरं धारणया स्मरन्ति प्रसन्नवक्त्रं  स्फुरन्महारत्नकिरीटकुण्डलम् अम्लानलक्ष्म्या वनमालयाऽचितम्

T: “Envision the Lord in your heart, eight inches high, four-armed and holding the Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma, smiling, radiant in his divine gem-studded ornaments including the crown (diadem), wearing a forest-flower garland that never withers…”

Shuka’s description of Lord Maha Vishnu continues with beautiful verses. 

ईक्षेत चिन्तामयमेनमीश्वरं यावन्नमनो धारणयाविष्ठते

T: “The one who meditates on the divine form of the Lord thus, starting with the feet first and slowly, worshipfully, moving to higher and higher parts of the Lord’s form, will achieve the withdrawal of his attachments from the external world of appearances that holds no true riches.”

“The meditator will thus prepare for his final journey. At that time, by his Yogic power, he will raise his Prana-life energy step by step from his lowest chakra, Muladhara, to Svadhishthana, Manipura, Ananahata and Vishuddhi. Then his Prana will cross Ajna and proceed to the Sahasrara. By a total withdrawal of his life breath inward, and moving his Prana upward, he proceeds to break the bond with the material world. His Atma escapes from this physical body. By Yoga, Dhyana, Austerity and Bhakti being practised systematically, all his life, that seeker has finally reached that cherished, final, moment of liberation. He has discarded all external things with sure discrimination, saying to every external object, “Not this, not this.” He thus merges into Brahman forever, a state of eternal bliss.”

“But there are those who still covet Ashtasiddhis (psychic and esoteric powers to master natural laws and forces to achieve supremacy in this material world); they also want heavenly pleasures. When such a seeker with desires leaves the body, he transits gradually through various experiences, passing purifying fire, different spheres, and some heavens full of pleasures, and eventually reaching liberation. This path is longer and slower than the direct route of the seeker mentioned earlier who has no desires left.”

Sage Shuka gives considerable detail about the stages and states one passes through in the second method which I have omitted here.

एतां गतिं भागवतीं गतो य: स वै पुनर्नेह विषज्जतेऽङ्ग॥

एते सृती ते नृप वेदगीते त्वयाभिपृष्टे च सनातने च ।

ये वै पुरा ब्रह्मण आह तुष्ट आराधितो भगवान् वासुदेव: ॥

न ह्यतोऽन्य: शिव: पन्था विशत: संसृताविह । वासुदेवे भगवति भक्तियोगो यतो भवेत् ॥

भगवान् सर्वभूतेषु लक्षित: स्वात्मना हरि: । द‍ृश्यैर्बुद्ध्यादिभिर्द्रष्टा लक्षणैरनुमापकै: ॥

पिबन्ति ये भगवत आत्मन: सतां कथामृतं श्रवणपुटेषु सम्भृतम् ।

पुनन्ति ते विषयविदूषिताशयं व्रजन्ति तच्चरणसरोरुहान्तिकम् ॥

T:”Oh, King! This is the path to attain Bhagavan. This is the essence of the Vedas, and Brahma was the first to realize this by the grace of Vasudeva. There is, I assure you, no better way for liberation from this world of bondage. So remember just this:  Cultivate supreme devotion to Vasudeva.”

“In summary, those fortunate ones who listen to this recitation and drink the nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam are surely bound to escape from worldly clutches, and reach the lotus feet of the Lord which is the final beatitude.”

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam II.01 - 13 September 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, 13 September 2022 - The first chapter of the Second Skandha.

Sage Suka begins to instruct King Parikshit on Bhagavata Dharma. 

While we begin the study of the core part of Srimad Bhagavatam after completing the first Skanda which sets out its context, it gives me an opportunity to share my own experience of these daily readings. 

Beginning 26 days ago, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the scripture. Every page and almost every shloka emphasises the role of Bhakti in my spiritual progress. The entire day is thus an opportunity for meditating on the nuggets of holy wisdom. 

I have taken help from many sources:

1. Swami Tapasyananda's translation. 

2. Br. Devaki Chaitanya's recitation. 

3. Sri. T. S. Shyama Rao's "Vachana Bhagavata" in Kannada.

4. Complete text with Kannada translation by Radhakrishna devotees (source: Internet) 

5. Srila Prabhupada's translation. 

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The very first chapter of the second Skandha is a complete scripture covering all aspects of life! 

 The first chapter of the second Skandha- Sage Shuka begins by describing the bond and miseries of this world and what is devotional worship.

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वरीयान् ते प्रश्नः T: “Oh, King! Your question on what is the path to liberation is indeed excellent. This can arise only in one who is a true seeker. The problem is that even as there are innumerable opportunities to learn about the spiritual path, man is easily bound down by domestic attachments and preoccupations!”

निद्रया ह्रियते नक्तं व्यवायेन च वा वयः। दिवा चार्थेहया राजन्कुटुम्बभरणेन वा॥

T: “Oh, King, look at life. Years steal away our lives, nights engulf us in sleep. One is so busy earning, acquiring, and fulfilling the wants of one's family that life is pretty mindless.”

“The most cherished things in life are one’s own body, one’s spouse, one’s child and so on. But these are all Untrue when one realizes that death takes them all away. And yet people are mad after these things alone!”

तस्माद्भारत सर्वात्मा भगवान्नीश्वरो हरिः। श्रोतव्यः कीर्तव्यश्च स्मर्तव्यश्चेच्छताभयम्॥

T: “Oh, Bharata Parikshit! Therefore the only remedy for removing one’s attachments to the impermanent world around is to listen to the glories of Bhagavan Ishwara Sri Hari, sing them and constantly ruminate over them. This will do the trick of destroying the fear of death and instilling detachment.”

एतावान् साङ्ख्ययोगाभ्यां स्वधर्मपरनिष्ठया। जन्मलाभः परः पुंसामन्ते नारायणे स्मृतिः॥

T: “Either by pursuing intellectual discrimination of the real vs. the unreal, or by Yogic practises of breath control etc., or by doing one’s duty as worship, one can achieve the real purpose of this human life, and manage to remember with devotion Bhagavan Narayana at the moment of death!”

These few shlokas summarise the essence of Srimad Bhagavadgita!

“Do you know, Oh, King, what liberated sages do in the remaining years of their existence on earth? They constantly cherish narrating and listening to the glories of Sri Hari!”

A true example of this is Sage Shuka himself!

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इदं भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम्। अधीतवान्द्वापरादौ पितुर्द्वैपायनादहम्॥

परिनिष्ठितोऽपि नैर्गुण्य उत्तमश्लोकलीलया। गृहीतचेता राजर्षे आख्यानं यदधीतवान्॥

T: “Oh Rajarshi! This scripture I am reciting to you is the Srimad Bhagavatam, vouchsafed by Lord Brahma himself to my father, Sage Krishnadwaipayana Vyasa and taught to me at the cusp of Dwapara and Kali. Interestingly, by then, I had become immersed in the Impersonal, Attributeless Brahman! But I was so irresistibly pulled by the joy and beauty of the verses of this holy book that I could not stop enjoying its blissful study.”

तदहं तेऽभिधास्यामि पहापौरुषिको भवान्। यस्य श्रद्दधातामाशु स्यान्मुकुन्दे मतिः सती॥

किं प्रमत्तस्य बहुभिः परोक्षैर्हायनैरिह। वरं मुहूर्तं विदितं घटेत श्रेयसे यतः॥

T: “King Parikshit, I see you are a most steadfast seeker of the Lord. Therefore I shall teach you this Bhagavatam. And, very quickly, you shall establish your mind unflinchingly in Lord Mukunda Hari. This is in fact attested by the greatest of sages and masters.”

“Indeed, it is not about one's longevity i.e., the years in one’s life, as most spend all their lives in ignorance and worldly pursuits! In fact, one needs not more than a moment to  realize life’s truth and immerse oneself totally in the Lord.”

“Let me tell you the story of Khatvanga, a king in your own lineage, who was a great monarch and so valorous that he once helped the gods win a mighty war. In return, the pleased gods offered to answer any question from him to know the truth. He asked how long he would go on living on earth. To his utter shock, they revealed that he had only a very short time, just a few moments more! Khatvanga was so great in his devotion that he totally immersed himself in the Lord that very instant and was liberated. You are no less, and you have a whole seven days for living in the Srimad Bhagavatam! So nothing to worry at all.”

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“Oh, Parikshit, the way is quite simple. Settle domestic issues, hand over all responsibilities, renounce all material attachments, and seek the side of a holy river. You have done all this. Sit in a steady posture, erect, breath and senses under perfect control, and begin contemplation. This is something you have already started.”

“Let me answer your query on what form of Hari you should meditate on.”

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“The Lord has created this universe. It is suffused with Him and nothing else. Its beginning, middle and end is in Him.”

“The Virat Purusha dwells within the body called Anda (egg), which is enclosed in seven layers of material existence. This Virat Purusha is infinite in body. The seven lower worlds (different types of netherworld or Patala) constitute his feet, shins, knees and thighs. The planetary system is his torso. His neck, mouth and forehead are the higher non-earthly planets. The deities like Indra, the deities of the directions, and the Ashwani twins form his facial features. Brahma and such deities reside in his eyebrows! The Vedic hymns are his neurons, his teeth are the God of Death, Yama. What we call Maya is his smile! Prajapati, Mitra and Varuni are his masculine reproductive organ. Lord Rudra is his ego….”

The description continues, and I get a feeling that Sage Shuka is building a structured vision of the Lord in Parikshit through these wonderful descriptions. He now turns to emotions, creative inspirations, musical sense and mentions something that Parikshit can relate to as being such and such faculty or organ.

Sage Shuka is leading King Parikshit into a deep channel of thought from the gross to the subtle, and eventually the seeker will be firmly established in his innermost mind filled with the Lord in the subtlest and purest of forms.

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

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