॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Friday, 25 November 2022 IV.31 - The Prachetas prosper for a long time, then hand over the kingdom to son Daksha and retire to spiritual life. They receive instruction from Sage Narada and attain liberation.
***
After a long and prosperous life, without ever having lost the remembrance of the Lord, the Prachetas finally proceeded to a life of meditation on the western seashore where lived the sage Jaalali.
तान्निर्जितप्राणमनोवचोदृशो जितासनान् शान्तसमानविग्रहान्। परेऽमले ब्रह्मणि जोजितात्मनः सुरासुरेड्यो ददृशे स्म नारदः ॥
T: To the Prachetas, who had conquered their life breath through Yoga, mastered their posture, speech and thought processes, who had become statue-like in serenity, the holy sage Narada, who was established in pure Brahman, was revered by gods and demons alike, paid a visit.
Receiving the sage with deep reverence and customary courtesies, the Prachetas welcomed him and said that his arrival was as life-giving as the rise of the sun at dawn.
यदादिष्टं भगवता शिवेनाधोक्षजेन च। तद्गृहेषु प्रसक्तानां प्रायशः क्षपितं प्रभो॥
तन्नः प्रद्योतयाध्यात्मज्ञानं तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम्। येनाञ्जसा तरिष्यामो दुस्तरं भवसागरम्॥
T: "Revered sir, the spiritual instruction graciously given to us by Lord Shiva and Bhagavan Himself has become rusty in our minds over the years of worldly life that we were engaged in! Therefore be so kind as to light within us the lamp of knowledge of the Supreme that leads to realisation, and helps us to cross the ocean of wordliness."
We should pause to think that the Prachetas, so blessed by Shiva and Bhagavan early in their lives, having been very devoted all through, yet feel that their awareness of the Supreme has to be rekindled by Sage Narada. What is the condition, therefore, of us, lesser mortals? How can we forego any opportunity to connect with the holy sages and saints with whom we have the good fortune to be contemporaneous!?
Sage Narada replied.
"Worry not, dear Prachetas! When someone is born to a life of dedication to the Lord, know that such a life, in terms of activity, longevity, thought streams, and words, all will turn out to be fruitful."
श्रुतेन तपसा वा किं वचोभिश्चित्तवृत्तिभिः। बुद्ध्या वा किं निपुणया बलेनेन्द्रियराधसा॥
किं वा योगेन साङ्ख्येन न्यासस्वाध्याययोरपि। किं वा श्रेयोभरन्यैश्च न यत्रात्मपदो हरिः॥
T: "In other words, what use is learning, Tapas, holy talks and mental exercises, great intellect, great expertise in some profession, physical prowess, extreme sense-control, or great Yoga practices, intellectual cogitations on the Sankhya truths, renunciation, or constant meditation on the self; indeed, what use is all that if it does not lead one to discover the Bhagavan residing in one's own self!?"
"The goal of all spiritual pursuits — Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti — is attaining to the Supreme Being, Bhagavan."
"Once you water the roots of a tree, every part of it- the trunk, branch, leaf and fruit, all get nourished. Worship Bhagavan, and thereby all other aspects of your life and your propitiating the gods who grant material welfare, are taken care of."
"Like all rain comes because of the sun in monsoon and all water evaporates into him (his skies) in summer, all life comes from Bhagavan and goes back to Him again in the end."
"Bhagavan is all pervasive, in all His creation. This cannot be known just as the body seems separated from consciousness during deep sleep."
"The Lord is like the sky and the three Gunas of creation are like clouds. The clouds come and go but do not affect the sky!"
"Bhagavan is always available to His devotees who are immersed in Him. It is just like the sky, which is always available, you just need to look up at it!"
न भजति कुमनीषिणां स इज्यां हरिरधनात्मधनप्रियो रसज्ञः। श्रुतधनकुलकर्मणां मदैर्ये विदधति पापमकिञ्चनेषु सत्सु॥
T: "Our Lord Sri Hari is most sensitive to the true devotion of even a pauper. He appreciates sincerity, not pomp and display. This is true especially of those puffed up by wealth, birth, status and ostentatious worship when, indeed, they have no respect for true devotees!"
"Interestingly, Bhagavan is enslaved to His devotees, while He does not care so much for even Goddess of Prosperity, His consort Sri Lakshmi, whom all people worship for wealth!"
After this refresher course in devotion, Sage Narada bade goodbye to the Prachetas and departed to heaven.
The Prachetas intensified their Sadhana and attained Bhagavan.
***
Sage Maitreya thus concluded his teaching to Vidura. Feeling profoundly fulfilled, Vidura thanked him profusely and took his leave to return to Hastinapura.
***
Sage Shuka is telling all this to King Parikshit! He now concludes,
"King Parikshit, now I shall continue with the story of Priyavrata, the brother of Uttanapada. Whoever hears these wonderful stories of devotees and royal sages is sure to acquire all good in the here and hereafter, and even get an opportunity to return to his source, i.e. Bhagavan!"
***
This concludes the Fourth Skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam.
***
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
