Sachi R

Index - Skandha IX

Monday, February 27, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam Skandha VIII SUMMARY - 27 February 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, 27 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII Summary- The stories of Gajendra Moksha, Shiva drinking the poison, Mohini, and Bali's redemption.

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The many stories of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu's avataras are covered here. His way of saving devotees is always unique in every case. Take Gajendra. He was the lord of elephants and roaming carefree in a heavenly forest. When his Destiny overtook him, he had the presence of mind to call for help. This is a great lesson for us that even in our good times, we are urged by Srimad Bhagavatam to remember the Lord constantly.

Gajendra's Prayer

दिदृक्षवो यस्य पद्ं सुमङ्गलं विमुक्तसङ्गा मुनयः सुसाधवः।

चरन्त्यलोकव्रतमव्रणं वने भूतात्मभूताः सुहृदः स मे गतिः ॥

T: "Ascetics and great sages who see all living beings equally, who are friendly to everyone and who ardently and strictly practise the vows of abstinence and detachment, roaming the forests in total harmony with all existence engaged in complete surrender to Bhagavan - the Lord whom they pray to is my only succour and saviour!"

So Gajendra, till a moment ago the wanton and reckless king of the jungle enjoying everything heedless of others, now remembers the correct path to be led trodden in life!

मादृक्प्रपन्नपशुपाशविमोक्षणाय मुक्ताय भूरिकरुणाय नमोऽलयाय ।

स्वांशेन् सर्वतनुभृन्मनसि प्रतीतप्रत्यग्दृशे भगवते बृहते नमस्ते ॥

"Dear Lord! You release hapless and ignorant souls in bondage just as animals are freed from fetters. You are Yourself totally free and the source of all liberation, full of eternal compassion and readiness to come quickly to any devotee's help! Indeed You alone pervade every being through an atom of Yourself, but are seen as individual souls in various stages of existence! Oh Lord, Infinite, and Ever-expanding, my Bhagavan! My prayers!"

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Bhagavan Shiva drinks Kalakuta Poison

The story of Bhagavan Shiva drinking the poison without a second thought out of compassion for all life shows what a true God is. He is always ready to do the impossible for his devotees.

तदुग्रवेगं दिशि दिश्युपर्यधो विसर्पदुत्सर्पदसह्यमप्रति ।

भीता: प्रजा दुद्रुवुरङ्ग सेश्वरा अरक्ष्यमाणा: शरणं सदाशिवम् ॥

विलोक्य तं देववरं त्रिलोक्या भवाय देव्याभिमतं मुनीनाम् ।

आसीनमद्रावपवर्गहेतोस्तपो जुषाणं स्तुतिभि: प्रणेमु: ॥

When that uncontrollable poison was forcefully spreading up and down in all directions, all the gods, along with the Lord Himself, approached Bhagavan Shiva. Feeling utterly vulnerable and very much afraid, they sought His protection. The gods observed Lord Shiva sitting on the summit of Kailasa with his wife, Bhavani, for the auspicious development of the three worlds. He was being worshipped by great saints praying for liberation. The gods offered him their obeisances and prayers with great respect.

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Mohini, the Enchantress

Bhagavan comes as Mohini to teach us a lesson. Many things will fascinate us and make us lose our sense of realism about life. We should always be on our guard. The best protection is prayer, as Lord Shiva shows when he prays to Bhagavan Maha Vishnu!

असदविषयमङ्घ्रिं भावगम्यं प्रपन्नानमृतममरवर्यानाशयत्सिन्धुमथ्यम् ।

कपटयुवतिवेषो मोहयन् यः सुरारीन् तमहमुपसृतानां कामपूरं नतोऽस्मि ॥

Assuming the form of a young woman and thus bewildering the Asuras, Bhagavan distributed to His devotees, the Devas, the Amrutha produced from the churning of the Ocean of Milk. Unto that Bhagavan, who always fulfils the desires of His devotees, I offer my respectful obeisances.

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Bali's Redemption

Maha Bali, the grandson of Prahlada, conquered the three worlds. The Lord came as Vamana Trivikrama to put him in his place, and yet showered His ultimate grace. Bhagavan even became his doorkeeper in Sutala as Bali recovered both his devotion and sense of propriety! See what Bali says,

पितामहो मे भवदीयसम्मत: प्रह्लाद आविष्कृतसाधुवाद: ।

भवद्विपक्षेण विचित्रवैशसं सम्प्रापितस्त्वं परम: स्वपित्रा ॥

किमात्मनानेन जहाति योऽन्तत: किं रिक्थहारै: स्वजनाख्यदस्युभि: ।

किं जायया संसृतिहेतुभूतया मर्त्यस्य गेहै: किमिहायुषो व्यय: ॥

“I recall my grandfather, renowned as Bhakta Prahlada, who suffered at his father’s hands but never swerved from devotion to You. I also know that all material possessions, prestige and family are indeed bonds that hold us back spiritually. Your treatment of me, therefore, has to be only a blessing in disguise!”

So We can summarise the entire Skandha in three words: Bhagavan's multi-faceted grace!

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24 Conclusion - 26 February 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, 26 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24 Conclusion- Satyavrata is instructed to save all life forms in the cataclysmic deluge by carrying them along with Saptarishis in a boat provided by Bhagavan and steered by the Matsya Avatara.

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एवं विमोहितस्तेन वदता वल्गुभारतीम् | तमाह को भवानस्मान् मत्स्यरूपेण मोहयन् ॥

नैवं वीर्यो जलचरो दृष्टोऽस्माभिः श्रुतोऽपि च | यो भवान् योजनशतमह्नाभिव्यानशे सरः ॥

नूनं त्वं भगवान् साक्षाद्धरिर्नारायणोऽव्ययः | अनुग्रहाय भूतानां धत्से रूपं जलौकसाम् ॥

नमस्ते पुरुषश्रेष्ठ स्थित्युत्पत्यप्ययेश्वर | भक्तानां नः प्रपन्नानां मुख्यो ह्यात्मगतिर्विभो ॥

सर्वे लीलावतारास्ते भूतानां भूतिहेतवः | ज्ञातुमिच्छाम्यदो रूपं यदर्थं भवता धृतम् ॥

न तेऽरविन्दाक्ष पदोपसर्पणं मृषा भवेत्सर्वसुहृत्प्रियात्मनः |

यथेतरेषां पृथगात्मनां सतामदीदृशो यद्वपुरद्भुतं हि नः ॥

Translation (Prabhupada)

After hearing these sweet words from Bhagavan in the form of a fish, Rajarishi Satyavrata, being bewildered, asked Him:

“Who are You, sir? You simply bewilder us.

My Lord, in one day You have expanded Yourself for hundreds of miles, covering the water of the river and the ocean. Before this I had never seen or heard of such an aquatic animal.
My Lord, You are certainly the inexhaustible Bhagavan Narayana Sri Hari. It is to show Your mercy to the living entities that You have now assumed the form of an aquatic, a Surreal Fish.
Oh my Lord, master of creation, maintenance and annihilation, Oh best of enjoyers, Lord Vishnu, You are the leader and destination of surrendered devotees like us. Therefore, let me offer my respectful obeisance unto You.
All Your pastimes and incarnations certainly appear for the welfare of all living entities. Therefore, my Lord, I wish to know the purpose for which You have assumed this form of a fish.
Oh my Lord, possessing eyes like the petals of a lotus, the worship of the gods, who are in the bodily concept of life, is fruitless in all respects. But because You are the supreme friend and dearmost Paramatma of everyone, worship of Your lotus feet is never useless. You have therefore manifested Your form as a fish."

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं जगत्पतिः सत्यव्रतं मत्स्यवपुर्युगक्षये |

विहर्तुकामः प्रलयार्णवेऽब्रवीच्चिकीर्षुरेकान्तजनप्रियः प्रियम् ॥

श्रीभगवानुवाच

सप्तमेऽद्यतनादूर्ध्वमहन्येतदरिन्दम | निमङ्क्ष्यत्यप्ययाम्भोधौ त्रैलोक्यं भूर्भुवादिकम्

त्रिलोक्यां लीयमानायां संवर्ताम्भसि वै तदा | उपस्थास्यति नौः काचिद्विशाला त्वां मयेरिता ॥

त्वं तावदोषधीः सर्वा बीजान्युच्चावचानि च | सप्तर्षिभिः परिवृतः सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहितः ॥

आरुह्य बृहतीं नावं विचरिष्यस्यविक्लवः | एकार्णवे निरालोके ऋषीणामेव वर्चसा ॥

दोधूयमानां तां नावं समीरेण बलीयसा | उपस्थितस्य मे श‍ृङ्गे निबध्नीहि महाहिना ॥

अहं त्वामृषिभिः साकं सहनावमुदन्वति | विकर्षन् विचरिष्यामि यावद्ब्राह्मी निशा प्रभो ॥

मदीयं महिमानं च परं ब्रह्मेति शब्दितम् | वेत्स्यस्यनुगृहीतं मे सम्प्रश्नैर्विवृतं हृदि ॥

इत्थमादिश्य राजानं हरिरन्तरधीयत | सोऽन्ववैक्षत तं कालं यं हृषीकेश आदिशत् ॥

आस्तीर्य दर्भान् प्राक्कूलान् राजर्षिः प्रागुदङ्मुखः | निषसाद हरेः पादौ चिन्तयन् मत्स्यरूपिणः ॥

ततः समुद्र उद्वेलः सर्वतः प्लावयन् महीम् | वर्धमानो महामेघैर्वर्षद्भिः समदृश्यत ॥

ध्यायन् भगवदादेशं ददृशे नावमागताम् | तामारुरोह विप्रेन्द्रैरादायौषधिवीरुधः ॥

तमूचुर्मुनयः प्रीता राजन् ध्यायस्व केशवम् | स वै नः सङ्कटादस्मादविता शं विधास्यति ॥

सोऽनुध्यातस्ततो राज्ञा प्रादुरासीन्महार्णवे | एकश‍ृङ्गधरो मत्स्यो हैमो नियुतयोजनः ॥

निबध्य नावं तच्छृङ्गे यथोक्तो हरिणा पुरा | वरत्रेणाहिना तुष्टस्तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् ॥

Sage Shuka said: "When King Satyavrata spoke in this way, Bhagavan, who at the end of the yuga had assumed the form of a fish to benefit His devotee and enjoy His pastimes in the water of inundation, responded as follows."

Bhagavan said:

"Oh King, who can subdue your enemies, on the seventh day from today the three worlds — Bhu, Bhuva and Suva — will all merge into the water of inundation.
When all the three worlds merge into the water, a large boat sent by Me will appear before you.
Thereafter, Oh King, you shall collect all types of herbs and seeds and load them on that great boat. Then, accompanied by the seven rishis and surrounded by all kinds of living entities, you shall get aboard that boat, and without moroseness you shall easily travel with your companions on the ocean of inundation, the only illumination being the effulgence of the great rishis.
Then, as the boat is tossed about by the powerful winds, attach the vessel to My horn by means of the great serpent Vasuki, for I shall be present by your side.
Pulling the boat, with you and all the rishis in it, Oh King, I shall travel in the water of devastation until the night of Lord Brahma’s slumber is over.
You will be thoroughly advised and favoured by Me, and because of your inquiries, everything about My glories, which are known as Parabrahman, will be manifest within your heart. Thus you will know everything about Me."

After thus instructing Rajarishi Satyavrata, Bhagavan immediately disappeared. Then King Satyavrata began to wait for that time of which the Lord had instructed.

After spreading kusha with its tips pointing east, the saintly King, himself facing the northeast, sat down on the grass and began to meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, who had assumed the form of a fish.

Thereafter, gigantic clouds pouring incessant water swelled the ocean more and more. Thus the ocean began to overflow onto the land and inundate the entire world.

As Satyavrata remembered the order of Bhagavan, he saw a boat coming near him. Thus he collected herbs and creepers, and, accompanied by Saptarishis, he got aboard the boat.

The Rishis, being pleased with Rajarishi Satyavrata, said to him:

"Oh King, please meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Keśava. He will save us from this impending danger and arrange for our well-being."

Then, while Rajarishi Satyavrata constantly meditated upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a large golden fish appeared in the ocean of inundation. The fish had one horn and was eight million miles long.

Following the instructions given already by Bhagavan, Rajarishi Satyavrata anchored the boat to the fish’s horn, using the serpent Vāsuki as a rope. Thus being satisfied, he began offering prayers to the Lord.

राजोवाच

अनाद्यविद्योपहतात्मसंविदस्तन्मूलसंसारपरिश्रमातुराः |

यदृच्छयेहोपसृता यमाप्नुयुर्विमुक्तिदो नः परमो गुरुर्भवान् ॥

जनोऽबुधोऽयं निजकर्मबन्धनः सुखेच्छया कर्म समीहतेऽसुखम् |

यत्सेवया तां विधुनोत्यसन्मतिं ग्रन्थिं स भिन्द्याद्धृदयं स नो गुरुः ॥

यत्सेवयाग्नेरिव रुद्ररोदनं पुमान् विजह्यान्मलमात्मनस्तमः |

भजेत वर्णं निजमेष सोऽव्ययो भूयात्स ईशः परमो गुरोर्गुरुः ॥

न यत्प्रसादायुतभागलेशमन्ये च देवा गुरवो जनाः स्वयम् |

कर्तुं समेताः प्रभवन्ति पुंसस्तमीश्वरं त्वां शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

अचक्षुरन्धस्य यथाग्रणीः कृतस्तथा जनस्याविदुषोऽबुधो गुरुः |

त्वमर्कदृक्सर्वदृशां समीक्षणो वृतो गुरुर्नः स्वगतिं बुभुत्सताम् ॥

जनो जनस्यादिशतेऽसतीं मतिं यया प्रपद्येत दुरत्ययं तमः |

त्वं त्वव्ययं ज्ञानममोघमञ्जसा प्रपद्यते येन जनो निजं पदम् ॥

त्वं सर्वलोकस्य सुहृत्प्रियेश्वरो ह्यात्मा गुरुर्ज्ञानमभीष्टसिद्धिः |

तथापि लोको न भवन्तमन्धधीर्जानाति सन्तं हृदि बद्धकामः ॥

तं त्वामहं देववरं वरेण्यं प्रपद्य ईशं प्रतिबोधनाय |

छिन्ध्यर्थदीपैर्भगवन् वचोभिर्ग्रन्थीन् हृदय्यान् विवृणु स्वमोकः ॥

Rajarishi Satyavrata said:

"By the grace of the Lord, those who have lost their self-knowledge since time immemorial, and who because of this ignorance are involved in a material, conditional life full of miseries, obtain the chance to meet the Lord’s devotee. I accept Bhagavan as the supreme spiritual master.
In the hope of becoming happy in this material world, the foolish conditioned soul performs fruitive activities that result only in suffering. But by rendering service to Bhagavan, one becomes free from such false desires for happiness. May my supreme spiritual master cut the knot of false desires from the core of my heart.
One who wants to be free of material entanglement should take to the service of Bhagavan and give up the contamination of ignorance, involving pious and impious activities. Thus one regains his original identity, just as a block of gold or silver sheds all dirt and becomes purified when treated with fire. May that inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead become our spiritual master, for He is the original spiritual master of all other spiritual masters.
Neither all the gods, nor the so-called gurus nor all other people, either independently or together, can offer mercy that equals even one ten-thousandth of Yours. Therefore I wish to take shelter of Your lotus feet.
As a blind man, being unable to see, accepts another blind man as his leader, people who do not know the goal of life accept someone as a guru who is a rascal and a fool. But we are interested in self-realization. Therefore we accept You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as our spiritual master, for You are able to see in all directions and are omniscient like the sun.
A materialistic so-called guru instructs his materialistic disciples about economic development and sense gratification, and because of such instructions, the foolish disciples continue in the materialistic existence of ignorance. But Your Lordship gives knowledge that is eternal, and the intelligent person receiving such knowledge is quickly situated in his original constitutional position.
My Lord, You are the supreme well-wishing friend of everyone, the dear most friend, the controller, the Paramatma, the supreme instructor and the giver of supreme knowledge and the fulfilment of all desires. But although You are within the heart, the foolish, because of lusty desires in the heart, cannot understand You.
Oh Supreme Lord, for self-realization I surrender unto You, who are worshipped by the gods as the supreme controller of everything. By Your instructions, exposing life’s purpose, kindly cut the knot from the core of my heart and let me know the destination of my life."

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्युक्तवन्तं नृपतिं भगवानादिपूरुषः | मत्स्यरूपी महाम्भोधौ विहरंस्तत्त्वमब्रवीत् ॥

पुराणसंहितां दिव्यां साङ्ख्ययोगक्रियावतीम् | सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षेरात्मगुह्यमशेषतः ॥

अश्रौषीदृषिभिः साकमात्मतत्त्वमसंशयम् | नाव्यासीनो भगवता प्रोक्तं ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥

अतीतप्रलयापाय उत्थिताय स वेधसे | हत्वासुरं हयग्रीवं वेदान् प्रत्याहरद्धरिः ॥

स तु सत्यव्रतो राजा ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुतः | विष्णोः प्रसादात्कल्पेऽस्मिन्नासीद्वैवस्वतो मनुः ॥

सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षेर्मायामत्स्यस्य शार्ङ्गिणः | संवादं महदाख्यानं श्रुत्वा मुच्येत किल्बिषात् ॥

अवतारो हरेर्योऽयं कीर्तयेदन्वहं नरः | सङ्कल्पास्तस्य सिध्यन्ति स याति परमां गतिम् ॥

प्रलयपयसि धातुः सुप्तशक्तेर्मुखेभ्यः श्रुतिगणमपनीतं प्रत्युपादत्त हत्वा |

दितिजमकथयद्यो ब्रह्म सत्यव्रतानां तमहमखिलहेतुं जिह्ममीनं नतोऽस्मि ॥

॥ इत्यष्टमस्कन्धः समाप्तः ॥

Sage Shuka continued: When Satyavrata had thus prayed to Bhagavan, who had assumed the form of a fish, the Lord, while moving in the water of inundation, explained to him the Absolute Truth.

Bhagavan thus explained to King Satyavrata the spiritual science known as Sankhya-yoga, the science by which one distinguishes between matter and spirit [called differently, it is Bhakti Yoga], along with the instructions contained in the Puranas [the old histories] and the Vedas. The Lord has explained Himself in all this literature.

While sitting in the boat, King Satyavrata, accompanied by the Rishis, listened to the instructions of Bhagavan in regard to self-realization. These instructions were all from the eternal Vedic literature. Thus Rajarishi Satyavrata and sages had no doubt about the Absolute Truth.

At the end of the last inundation [during the period of Svāyambhuva Manu] Bhagavan had killed the demon named Hayagriva and delivered all the Vedic literature to Lord Brahma when Lord Brahma awakened from his epochal slumber.

King Satyavrata was illuminated with all Vedic knowledge by the mercy of Lord Vishnu, and in this period he has now taken birth as Vaivasvata Manu, the son of the sun god.

This story concerning the great King Satyavrata and the fish incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, is a great transcendental narration. Anyone who hears it is delivered from the reactions of sinful life.

One who narrates this description of the Matsya incarnation and King Satyavrata will certainly have all his ambitions fulfilled, and he will undoubtedly return home, back to Godhead.

I offer my respectful obeisance unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who pretended to be a gigantic fish, who restored the Vedic literature to Lord Brahma when Lord Brahma awakened from sleep, and who explained the essence of Vedic literature to King Satyavrata and the great saintly persons.

The end of the Eighth Skandha

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24 - 25 February 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, 25 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24- Matsyavatara - Part 1

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This chapter is the last one in the eighth Skandha. It comes just after the culmination of the wonderful Vamana Avatara episode. Praikshit is all curiosity to hear about the very first Avatara of Maha Vishnu, called the Matsya or the fish. He enquires:

श्रीराजोवाच

भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि हरेरद्भ‍ुतकर्मण: । अवतारकथामाद्यां मायामत्स्यविडम्बनम् ॥

यदर्थमदधाद् रूपं मात्स्यं लोकजुगुप्सितम् । तम:प्रकृति दुर्मर्षं कर्मग्रस्त इवेश्वर: ॥

एतन्नो भगवन् सर्वं यथावद् वक्तुमर्हसि । उत्तमश्लोकचरितं सर्वलोकसुखावहम् ॥

T: Parikshit asked, " Oh great Sage Shuka Sir! I would like to know from you the astounding story of the very first Avatara that Bhagavan Maha Vishnu assumed, as the Maya Matsya (Surrealistic Fish). The form of the fish is considered lowly indeed as it has almost no intellect or development to survive amidst bigger fishes. It Is a symbol of the bondage of Karma in terms of life's limitations! Then why did Bhagavan become a fish? What was His mission that the world celebrates?"

Now we should pause and consider what we have read so far. Whereas the Varaha Avatara was all strength and splendour in saving the Earth, Narasimha was all terror and might to vanquish the redoubtable Hiranyakashipu. Varaha was a "Mission to Save the Earth". Narasimha was a "Mission to save the Bhakta." Then came Kurma, in a "Mission to save the Balance." Then came Vamana, in a "Mission to restore Order." The Matsya?

This chapter gives Shuka's reply.

At the end of the previous kalpa, an Asura named Hayagriva (not to be confused with Hayagriva Avatara of Vishnu) wanted to take the Vedic knowledge away from Lord Brahma at the time of cosmic dissolution. As Brahma lay down for his epochal slumber, his mouth was open and the Vedas where prised away by Hayagriva from Brahma's open mouth. At dissolution, there was only water, water everywhere, and the Asura hid the Vedas in the water. Therefore Bhagavan took the incarnation of a fish at the beginning of the period of Svāyambhuva Manu and saved the Vedas. He went and destroyed Hayagriva Asura and retrieved the stolen Vedas.

During the reign of Chakshusha Manu, there was a Rajarishi, a king named Satyavrata, who was a great pious ruler. To save him, the Lord appeared as the fish incarnation for a second time. This was also a period of cosmic deluge. King Satyavrata later became the son of the sun god and was known as Śraddhadeva. He was established as Manu by Bhagavan.

To receive the favour of Bhagavan, King Satyavrata engaged in the austerity of subsisting only by drinking water. Once, while performing this austerity on the bank of the KritamalaRiver and offering oblations of water with the palm of his hand, he found a small fish in the water in his cupped palms.

The fish appealed to the king for protection, asking the king to keep him in a safe place. Although the king did not know that the small fish was Bhagavan Himself, yet, as a Dharmic king, he gave shelter to the fish and kept Him in a water jug. The fish, none other than an Avatara of Maha Vishnu, wanted to show His potency to King Satyavrata, and thus He immediately expanded His body in such a way that He could be no longer kept in the jug of water. The king then put the fish in a big well, but the well was also too small. Then the king put the fish in a lake, but the lake was also unsuitable. Finally, the king put the fish in the sea, but even the sea could not accommodate Him.

It is interesting that the fish said this to the king:

क्षिप्यमाणस्तमाहेदमिह मां मकरादय: । अदन्त्यतिबला वीर मां नेहोत्स्रष्टुमर्हसि ॥

T: "Oh, King! The ocean is a very unsafe place for me! There are shark whales who will eat me up! Please don't cast me into the ocean!"

The king was already dumbstruck by this Surreal Fish, Matsya. He begged, " Sir, who are You? Please reveal Yourself. My Lord, in one day You have expanded Yourself for hundreds of miles, covering the water of the river and the ocean. Before this, I had never seen or heard of such an aquatic animal."

The king no longer needed an answer. He intuited that this was Bhagavan incarnated as Matsya in answer to his prayers! Satyavrata ardently prayed to Bhagavan. We shall see that tomorrow.

Do you realise that in this Avatara, Bhagavan came as an insignificant, lowly, creature in "the Mission to invoke Karuna"!?

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, February 24, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.23 - 24 February 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, 24 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.23- This chapter concludes the story of Bhagavan Vamana by reemphasising the many ways Ishwara takes care of all creation.

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Summary (based on Prabhupada)

This chapter describes how King Bali and his grandfather Bhakta Prahlada entered the planet Sutala and how Bhagavan allowed Indra to reenter his heavenly planet.

The great soul King Bali experienced that the highest gain in life is to attain devotional service under the shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet in full surrender. Being firmly rooted in this thought, his heart full of ecstatic devotion and his eyes full of tears, he offered obeisances to Bhagavan Vamana. Then, with his associates, he entered the planet known as Sutala.

Thus Bhagavan satisfied the desire of Aditi and reinstalled Lord Indra.

Bhakta Prahlada, being aware of Bali’s release from arrest, then described the transcendental pastimes of Bhagavan in this material world. Bhakta Prahlada praised the Supreme Lord for creating the material world, for being equal to everyone and for being extremely liberal to the devotees, just like a desire tree. Indeed, Bhakta Prahlada said that the Lord is kind not only to His devotees but also to the demons. In this way, he described the unlimited causeless mercy of Bhagavan. Then, with folded hands, he offered his respectful obeisances unto the Lord, and after circumambulating the Lord he also entered the planet Sutala in accordance with the Lord’s order.

The Lord then ordered Shukracharya to correct any deficiencies, faults and discrepancies in King Bali’s executing the Yajna underway. Shukra expressed in full devotion to Bhagavan that Yajnas became free from fruitive actions by chanting the holy name of the Lord, and he explained how chanting can diminish all the faults of the conditioned soul. He then completed King Bali’s Yajna.

All the sages extolled Bhagavan Vamana as the benefactor of Lord Indra because He had returned Indra to his heavenly lordship. They accepted Bhagavan as the maintainer of all the affairs of the universe. Being very happy, Indra, along with his associates, placed Bhagavan Vamana ahead of himself and reentered Devaloka in their aerial vehicle.

Having seen the wonderful activities of Lord Vishnu in the Yajna of King Bali, all the gods, sages, Pitris, Bhutas and Siddhas glorified the Lord again and again. The chapter concludes by saying that the most auspicious function of the conditioned soul is to chant and hear about the glorious activities of Lord Vishnu.

I find this Vamana's story full of great spiritual value. It delineates Bhagavan in His many roles.

Bhagavan as Karmadhyaksha - the dispenser of inviolate Karma Phala. Bali was punished for his ego and rewarded for his devotion.
Avatara, to set the universe on its right course.
Purushottama, who invokes the highest devotion in Bali, Prahlada and Shukracharya.
Bhakta Paraadheena, acting as the servant of His devotees! He becomes the guard at Sutala gates to take care of Bali and Prahlada.
Dharma Guru, who guides Shukracharya.
Nitya Ananda Swarupa. Throughout Bhagavan discharged this Avatara with a smile on His face!

I found these shlokas extremely evocative:

बलिरुवाच

अहो प्रणामाय कृतः समुद्यमः प्रपन्नभक्तार्थविधौ समाहितः ।

यल्लोकपालैस्त्वदनुग्रहोऽमरैरलब्धपूर्वोऽपसदेऽसुरेऽर्पितः ॥

T: Bali said: "What an incredible effect there is of even attempting to offer respectful obeisances to You! I was bound up and unable to properly prostrate even. But my desire itself pleased You, Oh Lord! The causeless mercy You have shown to me, a fallen Asura, was never achieved even by the gods or other celestials."

प्रह्लाद उवाच

नेमं विरिञ्चो लभते प्रसादं न श्रीर्न शर्वः किमुतापरे ते ।

यन्नोऽसुराणामसि दुर्गपालो विश्वाभिवन्द्यैरभिवन्दिताङ्घ्रिः ॥

यत्पादपद्ममकरन्दनिषेवणेन ब्रह्मादयः शरणदाश्नुवते विभूतीः ।

कस्माद्वयं कुसृतयः खलयोनयस्ते दाक्षिण्यदृष्टिपदवीं भवतः प्रणीताः ॥

चित्रं तवेहितमहोऽमितयोगमायालीलाविसृष्टभुवनस्य विशारदस्य ।

सर्वात्मनः समदृशोऽविषमः स्वभावो भक्तप्रियो यदसि कल्पतरुस्वभावः ॥

T: Prahlada addressed Bhagavan Vamana: "Oh Lord! You are universally worshipped; even Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva worship Your lotus feet. Yet although You are such a great personality, You have kindly promised to protect us, the Asuras. I think that such kindness has never been achieved even by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva or the goddess of fortune, Sri Lakshmi, what to speak of other gods or common people!"

"Oh supreme shelter of everyone, great personalities like Brahma enjoy their perfection simply by tasting the honey of rendering service at Your lotus feet. But as for us, who are all fallen Asuras, how have we received Your mercy? It has been possible only because Your mercy is causeless and spontaneous."

Oh my Lord, Your pastimes are all wonderfully performed by Your inconceivable Maya; and by her perverted reflection, the Prakriti full of Gunas, You have created all the universes. As the Paramatma of all living entities, You are aware of everything, and therefore You are certainly equal toward everyone. Nonetheless, You favour Your devotees. This is not partiality, however, for Your characteristic is just like that of a desire tree, which yields everything according to one’s desire.

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वत्स प्रह्लाद भद्रं ते प्रयाहि सुतलालयम् । मोदमानः स्वपौत्रेण ज्ञातीनां सुखमावह ॥

नित्यं द्रष्टासि मां तत्र गदापाणिमवस्थितम् । मद्दर्शनमहाह्लादध्वस्तकर्मनिबन्धनः ॥

T: Bhagavan said: "My dear son Prahlada, all good fortune unto you. For the time being, please go to the place known as Sutala and there enjoy happiness with your grandson and your other relatives and friends. You shall be able to see Me there in My usual formShankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma, in My hands guarding Sutala! Because of your transcendental bliss due to always personally seeing Me, you will have no further bondage of Karma!"

शुक्र उवाच

कुतस्तत्कर्मवैषम्यं यस्य कर्मेश्वरो भवान् । यज्ञेशो यज्ञपुरुषः सर्वभावेन पूजितः ॥

मन्त्रतस्तन्त्रतश्छिद्रं देशकालार्हवस्तुतः । सर्वं करोति निश्छिद्रं नामसङ्कीर्तनं तव ॥

तथापि वदतो भूमन् करिष्याम्यनुशासनम् । एतच्छ्रेयः परं पुंसां यत्तवाज्ञानुपालनम् ॥

T; Sage Shukracharya spoke to Bhagavan: "My Lord, You are the enjoyer and lawgiver in all Yajnas, and You are the Yajna-purusha, the person to whom all Yajnas are dedicated. If one has fully satisfied You, where is the chance of discrepancies or faults in one's performances of sacrifice?"

"There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the austerities or ritualistic actions, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless."

"Lord Vishnu, I must nonetheless act in obedience to Your order because obeying Your order is most auspicious and is the first duty of everyone."

ब्रह्मा शर्वः कुमारश्च भृग्वाद्या मुनयो नृप । पितरः सर्वभूतानि सिद्धा वैमानिकाश्च ये ॥

सुमहत्कर्म तद्विष्णोर्गायन्तः परमाद्भुतम् । धिष्ण्यानि स्वानि ते जग्मुरदितिं च शशंसिरे ॥

T: Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Lord Karttikeya, the great sage Bhrigu, other sages, Pitris, and all other living entities present, including Siddhas and celestials, all glorified the uncommon activities of Bhagavan Vamana. While chanting about and glorifying the Lord, they returned to their respective abodes. They also praised the position of Aditi, mother of Vamana.

सर्वमेतन्मयाऽऽख्यातं भवतः कुलनन्दन । उरुक्रमस्य चरितं श्रोतॄणामघमोचनम् ॥

पारं महिम्न उरुविक्रमतो गृणानो यः पार्थिवानि विममे स रजांसि मर्त्यः ।

किं जायमान उत जात उपैति मर्त्य इत्याह मन्त्रदृगृषिः पुरुषस्य यस्य ॥

य इदं देवदेवस्य हरेरद्भुतकर्मणः । अवतारानुचरितं श‍ृण्वन् याति परां गतिम् ॥

क्रियमाणे कर्मणीदं दैवे पित्र्येऽथ मानुषे । यत्र यत्रानुकीर्त्येत तत्तेषां सुकृतं विदुः ॥

T: King Shuka concluded: Oh, King Parikshit! I have now described everything about the Bhagavan Vamana's wonderful activities. Those who hear about this are certainly freed from all the results of sinful actions."

"One who is subject to death cannot assess mentally the glories of Bhagavan, Trivikrama, Lord Vishnu, any more than he can count the number of atoms on the entire planet earth. No one, whether born already or destined to take birth, is able to do this. This has been sung by the great sage Vasishtha."

"If one hears about the uncommon activities of the Bhagavan Paramatma in His various incarnations, he is certainly elevated to heaven or even brought back home in liberation. Whenever the activities of Bhagavan Vamana are described in the course of worship, whether the ceremony is performed to please the gods, to please one’s forefathers (Pitris), or to celebrate a social event like a marriage, that ceremony should be understood to be extremely auspicious."

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.22 - 23 February 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, 23 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.22- Bali shows his true mettle by accepting the Lord's punishment. Bhagavan explains to him, in the presence of Prahlada who arrives there, and Brahma, that by His grace, Bali will live well in the splendid Sutala and later attain the status of Indra during Manu Savarni's period.

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Sage Shuka now narrated what occurred after the Lord had thus spoken to King Bali.

King Bali was not chagrined at being outwitted by Bhagavan Vamana. He now spoke:

बलिरुवाच

यद्युत्तमश्लोक भवान् ममेरितं वचो व्यलीकं सुरवर्य मन्यते । करोम्यृतं तन्न भवेत्प्रलम्भनं पदं तृतीयं कुरु शीर्ष्णि मे निजम् ॥

बिभेमि नाहं निरयात्पदच्युतो न पाशबन्धाद्व्यसनाद्दुरत्ययात् । नैवार्थकृच्छ्राद्भवतो विनिग्रहादसाधुवादाद्भृशमुद्विजे यथा ॥

T: “Oh Lord, if you consider that I have reneged on my promise, I shall make good. Please therefore place Your lotus foot on my head as Your third step! I do not fear being deprived of all my possessions, living a hellish life, being arrested for poverty by the ropes of Varuna or being punished by You as much as I fear defamation.”

“Surprising as it is, the way You have punished me, yet, because You are the most worshippable Lord, I regard the punishment You have given me as a most exalted gift. Since Your Lordship is indirectly the greatest well-wisher of us, demons, You act for our best welfare by posing as our enemy. Because demons like us always aspire for a position of false prestige, by chastising us You give us the eyes by which we see the right path. Indeed, in many instances, demons become highly inimical towards You and yet are freed by You in the end!”

Just then Bhakta Prahlada himself arrived there. King Bali was deeply aggrieved that he could not offer his grandfather customary respects in his bound condition. He simply turned his eyes downward and cried. Prahlada saw first Narayana Himself there, surrounded by His attendants. He was overwhelmed with devotion.

प्रह्लाद उवाच

त्वयैव दत्तं पदमैन्द्रमूर्जितं हृतं तदेवाद्य तथैव शोभनम् ।

मन्ये महानस्य कृतो ह्यनुग्रहो विभ्रंशितो यच्छ्रिय आत्ममोहनात् ॥

T: Bhakta Prahlada said: “My Lord, it is Your Lordship who gave this Bali the very great opulence of the post of the king of heaven, and now, today, it is You who have taken it all away. I think You have acted with equal beauty in both ways. Because his exalted position as the king of heaven was putting him in the darkness of ignorance, You have done him a very merciful favour by taking away all his opulence.”

Lord Brahma then began to speak to Bhagavan, within the hearing of Bhakta Prahlada, who stood nearby with folded hands. But King Bali’s faithful queen, afraid and aggrieved at seeing her husband arrested, folded her hands and spoke as follows.

Queen Vindhyavali said: “Oh my Lord, this creation is simply Your Leela (sport) but men foolishly claim ownership and doership. That is why they offer even You alms! What good can they do for You, who are the independent creator, maintainer and annihilator of this universe?”

Lord Brahma interceded: “Bhagavan, You have done enough to teach Bali a lesson. Kindly now release him! Bali has offered his all, even his head, to You! It is certain that by offering even water, newly grown grass, or flower buds at Your lotus feet, those who maintain no mental duplicity can achieve the most exalted position within the spiritual world. This King Bali, without duplicity, has now offered everything in the three worlds. How then can he deserve to suffer this arrest?”

श्रीभगवानुवाच

ब्रह्मन् यमनुगृह्णामि तद्विशो विधुनोम्यहम् । यन्मदः पुरुषः स्तब्धो लोकं मां चावमन्यते ॥

दा कदाचिज्जीवात्मा संसरन् निजकर्मभिः । नानायोनिष्वनीशोऽयं पौरुषीं गतिमाव्रजेत् ॥

जन्मकर्मवयोरूपविद्यैश्वर्यधनादिभिः । यद्यस्य न भवेत्स्तम्भस्तत्रायं मदनुग्रहः ॥

मानस्तम्भनिमित्तानां जन्मादीनां समन्ततः । सर्वश्रेयःप्रतीपानां हन्त मुह्येन्न मत्परः ॥

एष दानवदैत्यानामग्रणीः कीर्तिवर्धनः । अजैषीदजयां मायां सीदन्नपि न मुह्यति ॥

क्षीणरिक्थश्च्युतः स्थानात्क्षिप्तो बद्धश्च शत्रुभिः । ज्ञातिभिश्च परित्यक्तो यातनामनुयापितः ॥

गुरुणा भर्त्सितः शप्तो जहौ सत्यं न सुव्रतः । छलैरुक्तो मया धर्मो नायं त्यजति सत्यवाक् ॥

एष मे प्रापितः स्थानं दुष्प्रापममरैरपि । सावर्णेरन्तरस्यायं भवितेन्द्रो मदाश्रयः ॥

तावत्सुतलमध्यास्तां विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितम् । यन्नाधयो व्याधयश्च क्लमस्तन्द्रा पराभवः ।

नोपसर्गा निवसतां सम्भवन्ति ममेक्षया ॥

इन्द्रसेन महाराज याहि भो भद्रमस्तु ते । सुतलं स्वर्गिभिः प्रार्थ्यं ज्ञातिभिः परिवारितः ॥

T: Bhagavan said: “My dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus, he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority. To such a person I show special favour by first taking away all his possessions.”

“In the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species, by one’s good Karma, one may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained. If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulence, it is to be understood that he is especially favoured by Bhagavan.”

“Although aristocratic birth and other such opulence are impediments to advancement in devotional service because they are causes of false prestige and pride, this opulence never disturb a pure devotee of Bhagavan. King Bali has become the most famous among the demons and nonbelievers, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulence, he is fixed in his devotional service.”

“Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, King Bali, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with the pretension that I spoke about Dharma, but he did not give up Dharma, for he is true to his word. Because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the gods. He will become King of the heaven during the period of the Manu known as Savarni."

"Until King Bali achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Vishwakarma according to My order. Because it is specially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. King Bali, the future Indra! You may now go and live there peacefully, surrounded by your friends and relatives. All good fortune unto you. No one will be able to conquer you, as you shall be protected by My Chakra!"

"Oh great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see Me there. You will also be purified of all false tendencies you may have acquired by association with Asuras and Danavas.”

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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥