Srimad Bhagavatam - 24 August 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, 24 August 2022 - Concluding portion, i.e. Chapter 6 of Bhagavata Mahatmyam. Also concluding portion of the introduction by Swami Tapasyananda.

Bhagavata Mahatmyam - the how-to manual for the Saptaha

अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामः सप्ताहश्रवणे विधम् -T: "Oh Sage Narada,  we shall now lay out for you the detailed procedure for Saptaha recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam!"

The Kumaras give a step-by-step manual for the recitation festival. No detail is left out and you can be sure that the event is as elaborate and grand and methodical as a gala Hindu wedding with all rituals and paraphernalia. Unlike the social need to show off and enjoy the pleasures during a wedding here the need is to celebrate perhaps the "grandest" festival of recitation-based devotional worship. 

They begin by saying that money is gathered, a suitable, large, auspicious place is cleaned up and readied, the materials are assembled, the invitations are sent out, and then regulatory austerities observing frugal diet, cleanliness, meditation, prayer to forefathers, and several preparations needed for the big event are all performed with the utmost sincerity. The invitations should be sent far and wide especially to devotees and scholars. If done well, it will invite the best of the best audiences. 

Who are all eligible to attend the Srimad Bhagavatam recitation? Young and old, healthy and sick, men, women, children, rich and poor, everyone, bar none. These are mentioned in much detail. Yet, is no one excluded? No, wait. The Bhagavatam recitation is not for the over-smart, confused and rabidly argumentative naysayer non-devotees.

One may read the several details here, as they show how methodical our ancestors were in prescribing the Do's and Don'ts for such an important programme as the recitation of Hinduism's most evocative devotional scripture viz. the Srimad Bhagavatam.

I am skipping a lot of detail, but everything is given in the link shared above. 

***

Now when the Kumaras concluded their detailed instruction to Sage Narada, he felt most gratified.  

धन्योऽस्मि अनुगृहीतोऽस्मि ... वैकुण्ठस्थो यतः कृष्णः श्रवणादस्य लभ्यते! T: "I am blessed by you, Oh, Kumaras, having been taught this process! Indeed how wonderful that Bhagavan Maha Vishnu Krishna who is in Vaikuntha (i.e. the highest heaven in creation) can be attained through merely listening to this Bhagavatam recitation!"

The moment is ripe. Therefore, just then, Sage Shuka, the original narrator of the Srimad Bhagavatam, himself arrives! He wants to conduct the proceedings himself. He is merely sixteen years old, but he is the acknowledged Teacher of Bhagavatam. 

पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः T: "Oh, devotees, you're blessed! Keep on drinking this nectar called Bhagavatam as long and as often as you can!"

***

Just as Shuka was explaining how the unique opportunity to enjoy the Bhagavatam was given only to devotees on this earth, and not in any heaven,  Bhagavan Sri Hari Mahavishnu himself arrived to be present and to enjoy the company of His devotees! Along also came his greatest devotees- Prahlada, Dhruva, Bali, Arjuna, and others. Lord Shiva with Parvati, Lord Brahma also came! Then a grand singing of Hari Kirtan started in full swing.

प्रह्लादस्तालधारी तरलगतितया चोद्धवः कांस्यधारी वीणाधारी सुरर्षिः स्वरकुशलतया रागकर्तार्जुनोऽभूत् ।

इन्द्रोवादीन्मृदङ्गं जयजयसुकराः कीर्तने ते कुमारा यत्राग्रे भाववक्ता सरसरचनया व्यासपुत्रो बभूव ॥

 

T: Visualize this..."Prahlada was playing cymbals in a tender rhythm, Dhruva was playing a bronze bell, Narada himself played the veena, Arjuna sang in wonderful ragas, Indra played the mridangam, and the Kumaras danced singing "Jaya! Jaya!" as Shuka Maharishi, the narrator, soaked up the ultimate bliss of this moment!"

ननर्त मध्ये त्रिकमेव तत्र भक्त्यादिकानां नटवत्सुतेजसाम्।अलौकिकं कीर्तनमेतदीक्ष्य हरिः प्रसन्नोऽपि वचोऽब्रवीत्तत् ॥

मत्तो वरं भाववृताद् वृणुध्वं प्रीतः कथाकीर्तनतोऽस्मि सांप्रतम्। श्रुत्वेति तद्वाक्यमतिप्रसन्नाः प्रमार्द्रचित्ता हरिमूचिरे ते ॥

T: There in the middle danced in full vigour the blissful Bhakti with her sons Jnana and Vairagya. This out-of-this-world song and dance pleased Sri Hari immensely. He spoke:

"I am so pleased by your celebration thus! Ask for any boon!" The devotees answered in one voice, "Oh, Lord, we have only one request! Wherever Bhagavatam is sung and celebrated thus, kindly deign to come and grace us!" Sri Hari was most pleased to say, तथास्तु T: Be it so! and then He disappeared.

जगति शुककथातो निर्मलं नास्ति किञ्चित् । पिब परसुखहेतोर्द्वादशस्कन्धसारम्॥

Conclusion: T: "There is nothing as pure and sacred as the Shuka-narrated Srimad Bhagavatam. Oh man, come and drink of this, it confers the ultimate bliss and it is narrated across twelve glorious sections!"

*** ***

Swami Tapasyananda's Introduction- Conclusion

Go beyond the matter-energy-sensory world. Expand your perception to dimensions beyond the physical. Open up to the verities of Cosmos that become deities for your worship. Vishnu, Shiva and Devi are the manifestations of the Supreme Being as spiritual verities before which we shall find material objects to be mere shadows. 

The moulds of thought set by faith, into which the Infinite Being has poured Himself, have validity for those who share that faith. Faith transcends anything we call history.  The Purana is a spiritualized worldview giving life a definite meaning.

In his conclusion, Sage Shuka tells King Parikshit (the first person to hear the Srimad Bhagavatam from Shuka), "One who aspires to have pure devotion to Krishna should constantly hear His sin-destroying glories, sung again and again with great love and fervour by exalted saints."

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam - 23 Aug.2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday,  23 August 2022 - Chapter 5 of the Bhagavata Mahatmyam and Part 5 of the Introduction.

At the outset, apologies for not making something clear. The first six blog posts starting on 19 August under Srimad Bhagavatam cover the six chapters of Bhagavatamahatmyam. This is the tradition to be followed  for the Bhagavata Parayanam.

On the other hand, I wish to cover in these six entries ALSO the introduction to Srimad Bhagavatam in the four-volume translation by Swami Tapasyananda. This is because the introduction is an essential, different, dimension of the work, which cannot be covered later once we begin the actual text from the first Skandha.

I should make it amply clear that the two portions have no connect, since Swami Tapasyananda's book does not cover Bhagavatamahatmyam. 

I intend to synchronize the original text and the translation from the first Skandha which will begin on the seventh day. 

Bhagavata Mahatmyam - Chapter 5

The sordid story of Dundhukari finds a logical end by showing the indubitable relevance of Srimad  Bhagavatam.

पितर्युपरते तेन जननी ताडिता भृशम्। क्व वित्तं तिष्ठति ब्रूहि हनिष्ये लत्तया न चेत्॥ 

T: Once his father had departed to the forest, the evil Dundhukari turned his attention to his mother (who ironically had originally set in motion all these degrading events by not accepting the blessing from the Sannyasi.) He beat her,  saying, "Beware! Tell me where all the wealth in our home is hidden; otherwise I shall beat you to death with burning firewood."

The woman was so badly shaken she jumped that night itself into a well and killed herself.

Dundhukari now had no one to question his ways. Gokarna had gone away on a long pilgrimage so Dundhukari's actions were unbridled. Gokarna himself was an embodiment of sagely detachment (remember he was born of the fruit of blessing given by the Sannyasi).

Five prostitutes were invited by Dundhukari to stay at his home and Dundhukari went on looting others to bring home the money for his lavish lifestyle. 

One day the five prostitutes pestered Dundhukari for a lot of expensive gifts and ornaments. He went unabashedly and looted people and brought home the wealth needed. The evil women were astonished. They sat down and discussed among themselves that Dundhukari was soon going to be apprehended for all his theft and they too would be caught by the king. Therefore it would be better for them then and there to kill Dundhukari and scoot with all the gold! 

The women bound him hand and foot and secured from him the necessary information where all the wealth lay. Then they killed Dundhukari by stuffing his mouth with burning firewood. They then buried him in a huge vessel so that no one would discover the body.

Dundhukari became a ghost. A preta प्रेत is a ghost who comes into existence when someone has an untimely death by suicide or as a victim of homicide. The soul has now become a preta and will not find liberation from its state of suspension and torment. It will hover around the place of murder/death. 

This is what happened. The prostitutes went away telling everyone that Dundhukari had gone on a long business trip. 

The town realized after the passage of time that Dundhukari was perhaps dead. When Gokarna came to know about this news, he felt very bad. In accordance with the Hindu Shastras, he performed Dundhukari's sanctifying rites (श्राद्धा) at the holy place of Gaya on the bank of the Ganga to secure a better journey for the departed soul of Dundhukari.

At last, Gokarna arrived back at their home. He entered the home at night. It was deserted. As he lay down to sleep, Dundhukari came as the preta ghost and tormented him in weird shapes and terrifying forms. Gokarna was non-plussed. He used his powers to exhume the ghost and discovered that it was Dundhukari. Dundhukari broke down in his ghostly apparition and disclosed what had happened to him. A hundred Shraddhas at Gaya would not absolve his soul of all the sins he had committed. He begged Gokarna to find a way to release him.

***

Gokarna is deeply distressed that he is unable to help his brother Dundhukari. He uses his spiritual power and invokes Lord Surya Bhagavan himself. He arrests the sun in his trajectory and implores him to give a remedy.

***

तुभ्यं नमो जगत्साक्षिन् ब्रूहि मे मुक्तिहेतुकम् । तच्छ्रुुत्वा दूरतः सूर्यः स्फुटमित्यभ्यभाषत॥

श्रीमद्भागवतान्मुक्तिः सप्ताहं वाचनं कुरु। इति सूर्यवचः सर्वैर्धर्मरूपं तु विश्रुतम् ॥   

T: Gokarna cried out aloud, 'Oh Lord who witnesseth all creation and life, please accept my obeisances. I implore you to disclose to me the solution to secure liberation for Dundhukari's ghost." Surya at once spoke and the oracle resounded in all directions: "Srimad Bhagavatam will give him release. Read the Bhagavatam over a full week for this auspicious end." This oracle was heard by one and all.

Gokarna was delighted. He arranged for this seven-day reading, and a huge gathering of townsfolk and villagers gathered at the spot. As Gokarna began the reading, seated in front of his Vyasapeetha, Dundhukari's ghost came and hid close at hand in a bamboo staff set up to support a flower plant, with a rope tied around in seven knots. 

Dundhukari immersed himself thoroughly in the Bhagavatam, and every day, one knot of the rope on the bamboo would burst, signifying a lessening of his entrapment. Soon the twelve skandhas were completed within the week, and Gokarna was astonished to witness the bamboo burst, and Dundhukari's form in divine arraignment ascend to heaven, exclaiming, "Oh brother Gokarna, your kind act and spiritual effort to chant Bhagavatam cannot be acknowledged enough! I found that evil forces run away when the Bhagavatam is recited. All sins are burnt to ashes!" Dundhukari ascended in a special vehicle sent from Vaikuntha. Gods and sages exclaimed that there was no doubt Srimad Bhagavatam would have such a sanctifying and purifying effect every time on any faithful and devoted listener.

Gokarna himself was non-plussed. So many worthy listeners had assembled and heard the recitation, but an absolute sinner like Dundhukari had ascended to Vaikuntha before anyone else! The sages from Vaikuntha explained, "Dundhukari heard the recitation with unwavering devotion and attention that excelled all others' listening. He dwelt in his mind day and night on the truths enshrined therein. If others did not win this release from the bondage of life on earth, it shows they lacked either dedication or faith. And Gokarna, you yourself will now directly proceed to Goloka, the abode of Sri Krishna, and he will personally escort you."

Sri Krishna arrived, in blazing glory and bewitching grace. He blew the conch Panchajanya, and embraced Gokarna. He took not only Gokarna, but all those living in that town. This was reminiscent of how Sri Rama at the end of his sojourn on earth took all Ayodhyavasis to Vaikuntha!

******

Swami Tapasyananda's Introduction - Part 5

Swamiji maps the scope and depth of creation from Brahma downwards. Prakriti - Ahankara (sense of individuality) and the interplay of the cosmic elements with the mental framework of man and his organs of action and perception demonstrate how the whole cosmos is connected within the human being. 

All the technical terms are shown in great detail. 

In other words, mind, matter, and energy are interlinked. They all function because of the Divine consciousness that suffuses all creation.  

More details are provided in the scan shown above.

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam - 21 Aug. 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, 21 August 2022 - Today's readings coincide with a big house-warming celebration in Nana Nani with Homa and Vedic chants and extensive pujas. No better stimulus to reading the Srimad Bhagavatam than such an occasion. The best part of it was worshipping the cows and feeding them!

Mahatmyam - Chapter 3

Narada is is now most ethusiastic in reciting the Srimad Bhagavatam. He asks the Sanaka-Sanandana-Sanatkumara-Sanatsujata Kumar as, where should he undertake this holy task?

शृणु नारद विवक्ष्यामो विनम्राय विवेकिने। गङ्गाद्वारसमीपे तु तटमानन्दनामकम् ॥

नानाऋषिगणैर्जुष्टं देवसिद्धनिषेवितम् । यत्समीपस्थजीवानां वैरं चेतसि न स्थितम्॥

T; "Oh Narada, we suggest the holy place of Gangadvar (Haridwar) called Ananda. It is sanctified by the presence of rishis, gods and Siddhas, beautiful with lotus ponds and flourishing fauna and flora. Indeed it is so sanctified that wild animals with natural animosity to one another live in harmony!"

अपूर्व रसरूपा च कथा तत्र भविष्यति 

T: "Your narration will be unprecedented in its sweetness and definitely restore Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya fully!"

The four Kumaras went with Narada to the Ganga bank. He set up a beautiful place, offered exalted seats to the divine foursome, and soon all the greatest of rishis including Vyasa, Parashara, Vasishtha, Vishwamitra, Bhrigu and so on gathered. Bhrigu brought even the reluctant rishis saying this was a priceless opportunity to experience the holiest of the holy.

The narrator (Sage Vedavyasa who wrote the Srimad Bhagavatam too - let us not forget!) gets so inspired as he narrates how rivers, all the sacred animals, gods bringing flowers from the Kalpavriksha (the divine wish-fulfilling tree) and showering them on the assembly - and so on arrived post-haste to enjoy the experience. Narada had arranged a beautiful theatre as it were and all the holy ones were properly seated with the Kumaras at the head.

The Kumaras now announced, "Oh Narada, you shall now recite the Bhagavatam - after listening to which liberation or Mukti is करतले स्थिता T: in the palm of one's hand.

किं श्रुतैर्बहुभिः शास्त्रैः पुराणैश्च भ्रमावहैः । एकं भागवतं शास्त्रं मुक्तिदानेन गर्जति॥ 

कथा नित्यं भवति यद्गृहे तद्गृहं तीर्थरूपं हि भवतां पापनाशनम्॥ 

न गङ्गा न गया काशी फलेन समतां नयेत्॥ त्रयी भागवतं चैव द्वादशाक्षर एव च॥

T: The Kumaras explained to all: "Studying Vedas, Shastras, so many Puranas, will make one confused! Just  the holy Bhagavatam is enough-it proclaims with a roar that it guarantees liberation from bondage. A home where this is recited daily is the most sacred place of pilgrimage. No need to go to Ganga, Gaya or Kashi, as they don't lead one to liberation like the Bhagavatam. The three Vedas, the Srimad Bhagavatam, and the chant of the holy mantra of twelve syllables ॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥ are all equal in efficacy!"

Thus the Kumaras go on listing the wonderful glory of Bhagavatam (that is anyway the meaning of Mahatmyam). They explain how life is complicated for the average soul in Kali Yuga and it is impossible to maintain focus and dedication for the reading of Bhagavatam over an extended period of time. Therefore one should undertake its complete study in a concentrated way over just one single week. The month of Magha is ideal for its study. But nevertheless, any place, any time, is suitable for its holy recitation. 

***

So far, let's remember this, the Shaunaka rishis in Naimisharanya have been listening to Suta tell the story of Narada and the Kumaras. They now ask with wonder what made the Kumaras place Bhagavatam as the remedy so supreme!? The Suta begins to explain the background.

***

When Sri Krishna was leaving his physical form and ascending to his Vishnu abode, Uddhava, his beloved, enlightened disciple, begged. "Oh, Lord, you are going, but what shall become of this earth and its people during the terrible Kali Yuga? What shall protect them?

अतः सत्सु दयां कृत्वा भक्तवत्सल मा व्रज। भक्तार्थं सगुणो जातो निराकारोऽपि चिन्मयः॥

T: "Oh Lord! Given this terrible predicament of people during Kali, I beg you to stay back. After all, for their upliftment alone did you take this Saguna form (with name, form and humanly presence) manifested out of your immaculate infinite divinity."

Hari, Maha Vishnu in Krishna's form, thought through the matter, and decided to imbue the story of Srimad Bhagavatam with his infinite glory which is nothing but all sanctity,  

तेनयं वाङ्मयी मूर्तिः प्रत्यक्षा वर्तते हरेः 

"Thus this Srimad Bhagavatam is Hari incarnate in efficacy!"

Suta continues the gripping story of Narada:  At that moment in that assembly, there was a burst of brilliance as Bhakti and her sons appeared in all glory! 

भक्तिः सुतौ तौ तरुणौ गृहीत्वा प्रेमैकरूपा सहसाऽविरासीत् । श्रीकृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारे नाथेति नामानि मुहुर्वदन्ती॥

T; Lo and behold, there was Bhakti herself, with her young lustrous sons Jnana and Vairagya, reciting the holy names, "Sri Krishna! Govinda! Hari! Murari!" and so on. So Narada had fulfilled his mission indeed! 

Now Bhakti beseeched the Sanatkumaras, "Pray holiest of the holy sages, tell me where in future should I be, to protect myself from the ills of this world?"

They replied,

सा त्वं च तिष्ठ स्वसुधैर्यसंश्रया निरन्तरं वैष्णवमानसानि। ततोऽपि दोषाः कलिजा इमे त्वां द्रष्टुं न शक्ताः प्रभवोऽपि लोके॥

T: "Oh Bhakti, be strong, courageous, and reside always in the hearts of Vaishnava devotees. The ills of Kali Yuga however powerful will then not find you or touch you."

***

Swami Tapasyananda's Introduction - Part 3

There are three important points covered.

Bhagavatam makes the devotee envision the glorious form of Sri Krishna and Maha Vishnu, but does not fetter him with a dogmatic cult-deity worship. It liberates him and makes him realize the ultimate reality of Oneness.

The contemplation of divine majesty and the Lord's glorious form will ultimately sublimate into an immersion within a boundless divinity.

The final reality that engulfs the realized devotee is a manyness-in-one, a variegated existence of everyone and everything in an all encompassing Universal Bliss and Divine Love. 

The realized devotee has two choices at that point. He can sublimate his existence into merging into the One Reality. Or he can choose to maintain his identity as the loving servant of the Lord. That is the ultimate Bhakti!

I am tempted to quote the Srimad Bhagavadgita here. In the 18th Chapter, Sri Krishna is explaining to Arjuna what happens to the seeker after reaching Brahmanhood. He says,

ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।

समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥ १८-५४॥

T: The Brahman-realized one, full of cheerfulness within, has no desire or sorrow. He sees oneness in all, and attains ultimate Bhakti.

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam - 20 Aug. 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Saturday, 20 August 2022 - The Bhagavata Mahatmyam Ch.2 and the second part of the Introduction by Swami Tapasyananda.

Bhagavata Mahatmyam Ch.2 

Sage Narada begins to instill courage and hope in the beautiful maiden Bhakti. He reminds her how remembering Sri Krishna had saved Draupadi from ignominy heaped by Kauravas, how the gopis were always cared for by Sri Krishna. Indeed Mahavishnu had created Bhakti out of infinite love in his own image and would never let her be unhappy. 

Stressing that liberation might have been possible in the earlier Yugas through Jnana and Vairagya but the only means to liberation in Kali Yuga was Bhakti and Bhakti alone, Bhagavan had created Bhakti. Bhakti gladly undertook her role and thus,

अङ्गीकृतं त्वया तद्वै प्रसन्नोऽभूद्धरिस्तदा । मुक्तिं दासीं ददौ तुभ्यं ज्ञानवैराग्यकाविमौ ॥

T: Once Bhakti accepted her mission, a delighted Hari then assigned Mukti as the handmaiden of Bhakti! And He also gave her two sons to care for - Jnana and Vairagya. 

I find this shloka so beautiful and trenchant. Since in Kali Yuga Bhakti was the sole way, she was created and was given Mukti as a servant - that means Bhagavan places Bhakti above Mukti - as dearer and superior to Himself! Mukti, the agenda of all spiritualists, thus becomes subservient to Bhakti. And Jnana and Vairagya are childen who need care and nourishment from Bhakti.

***

But then a much-restored Bhakti begged Narada to wake up her derelict sons. Narada shook them, spoke words of the Upanishads and Gita into their ears, and tried hard. They did somewhat wake up, but slipped again helplessly into slumber. They looked emaciated and wasted like dried wood.

Devarshi Narada was at his wits' end. Just then he heard a divine oracle. "Oh, Narada! Don't lose heart! You shall indeed succeed in waking up and restoring Jnana,  Vairagya and cheering up Bhakti. But you have to find the correct solution by asking the wise." 

This cryptic oracle made Narada take leave, and start going around all holy places and meeting the wise and sagely folk, asking what was the cryptic key that the oracle had spoken of. 

The poet Vyasa does not lose an opportunity for humour. He says the wise shook their heads, showed confusion, and muttered incoherent words implying the matter was too complicated and unclear. Some even ran away! A distressed Narada continued his travels and finally came to Badarinath, resolving that he would do severe penance to find the solution. Just then he met the foursome- Sanatkumaras, the eternally wise, eternally youthful, liberated beings who always dwelt in the presence of Hari.

भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणां सुखमुत्पद्यते कथम्। स्थापनं सर्ववर्णेषु प्रेमपूर्वं प्रयत्नतः ॥

T: "Oh Kumaras! I need your grace! Pray tell me what should be done to restore Bhakti, Jnana. and Vairagya to their glory and instill them in people of all callings and classes in a loving manner for the people's emancipation!?"  

I love these words of Narada. They epitomize the great sage's missionary zeal that he is famous for in the three worlds and for all time. No wonder he is called the supreme devotee of Narayana.

"Oh, Sage! Have you forgotten your own words to Sage Vyasa after his having composed the Mahabharata!? Remember how he was plunged into confusion and melancholy? You told him in four succinct verses the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam and how he should spread it for everyone's upliftment and his own spiritual well-being. After all, Mahabharata had upheld the principles of Artha and Dharma and not Bhakti. Bhagavatam was therefore the panacea. 

भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणां तद्घोषेण बलं महत्। व्रजिष्यति द्वयोः कष्टं सुखं भक्तेर्भविष्यति ॥

T: "Oh Sage Narada, the recital of Srimad Bhagavatam will most definitely empower Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya. It will remove the diseased predicament of Jnana and Vairagya and cheer up Bhakti." 

इक्षूणामपि मध्यान्तं शर्करा व्याप्य तिष्ठति। पृथग्भूता च सा मिष्टा तथा भागवती कथा ॥

T:" Just as sweetness pervades every part of sugarcane, but only when extracted is it concentrated in its glorious sweetness, likewise, Srimad Bhagavatam has the same instant, concentrated effect on people!" 

The chapter concludes भाग्योदयेन सत्सङ्गं च लभते पुरुषो तदोदयते विवेकः T:" "Only by his great good fortune does man secure the company of the truly noble souls who will then kindle the much needed wisdom and discrimination in him."

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Part 2 - Swami Tapasyananda's Introduction

There are several most interesting and informative parts. I cannot hope to convey everything. I shall simply quote a few lines:

The main thesis of the Bhagavatam is to inculcate the glory and greatness of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and the necessity of cultivating devotion to him. Therefore more than 70% of the work covers Sri Krishna's stories and themes.

In the view of the Bhagavatam, there was a fuller manifestation of Divine excellences in Krishna than in any other incarnation.

Bhagavatam extols the supremacy of Maha Vishnu and Krishna but does not belittle other deities. All deities are manifestations of the Supreme Divine Being. The Pauranika methodology deploys the same Saguna Brahman of Vedanta but presents a threefold conception of Rajas-Sattva-Tamas as Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva (conveying that every part of creation which manifests these three qualities is imbued with God's presence) to draw people to Godhead through attractive stories and depictions. Time stands testimony and demonstrates how eminently the Puranas have succeeded in their difficult task of distilling Vedanta into engrossing stories of timeless import.

"Bhagavan" Vishnu has six Bhagas - and so He is called Bhagavan. Aishwarya=Omnipotence, Dharma=Virtue, Glory=Yashas, Sri=Beauty of all kinds, Jnana=Omniscience and Vairagya=Detachment.

Then there is a wonderful description of Maha Vishnu's appearance and the way that vision is detailed in Bhagavatam. This will come in the body of Bhagavatam later and so we shall now skip it.

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Chronological Index

Srimad Bhagavatam - 19 Aug. 2022

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sri Krishna Janmashtami Friday, 19 August 2022.

By the grace of Sri Krishna, and on the advice of learned well-wishers, I have begun to read the Maha Purana Srimad Bhagavatam today. I am following the Four-Volume Sanskrit text and English translation by Swami Tapasyananda. I am also listening to the chanting of the scripture  Sampoorna Srimad Bhagavata Parayana by Brahmacharini Devaki Chaitanya. You cannot imagine how thrilling it is for me to listen to the chanting.

Today, I have gone through the first chapter of Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam. This comes in Padma Purana but is an integral part of the Bhagavatam recitation. However, it is not in the Swami Tapasyananda translation. On the other hand his four-volume work has a profound introduction.

Therefore today, I shall cover a few important shlokas of the Mahatmyam story and also cover a part of the important introduction by Swamiji giving a background to the Maha Purana.

Mahatmyam story -I 

सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय विश्वोत्पत्यादिहेतवे । तापत्रयविनाशाय श्रीकृष्णाय वयं नुमः॥

T: We bow down to Sri Krishna, who is the embodiment of the supreme reality of Saccidananda (Ishwara=Brahman) and the cause of creation and other acts, who removes our three distresses (inflicted by nature, by Destiny, and invited by our own deeds).

***

In the Naimisharanya forest, the Shaunaka rishis request the great Suta Puranika to tell them the way to liberation. He tells them, 

कालव्यालमुखग्रासत्रासणिर्नाशहेतवे । श्रीमद्भागवतं शास्त्रं कलौ कीरेण भाषितम्॥

T: Srimad Bhagavatam, told by the great sage Shuka to King Parikshit, is the remover of distress suffered by beings in Kaliyuga, who suffer like a being swallowed by a deadly serpent. 

The incomparable sage Vyasa (who is the original author of Bhagavatam!) is by his filial attachment loathe to let go his very young son Shuka, born with the full knowledge of God. Shuka has no worldly attachment to anyone or anything. So Shuka has merged with all creation and the trees reply to Vyasa that Shuka must be on his way as something important is afoot. 

Indeed Shuka goes and tells the story of Bhagavatam to the king Parikshit, who wants to spend his last one week on earth by listening to the scripture that liberates. 

Then the gods come with a pot of Amrita (nectar of immortality) and offer it to Shuka in exchange for the Bhagavatam which they want him to give them for their own salvation. But Shuka declines their offer with a smile, since he finds the gods not possessing the necessary qualifications to absorb this supreme scripture of Bhakti.

In fact, Lord Brahma himself had weighed all alternatives to Bhagavatam for securing liberation and found nothing else came close.

Suta now says the divine sage Narada heard the Bhagavatam from the Sanaka rishis foursome first over an entire week (This is the meaning of Bhagavata Saptaha). The occasion was when they found him once looking dismal and distressed. He said he had come down to earth and travelled around and found much cause for despondency. 

In this Mahatmyam, several places are mentioned from all over India including Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and so on, rivers Cauvery,  Godavari, Yamuna, Ganga and so on. 

Narada is recounting to the Sanaka brothers what is the cause for his despondency.  He narrates:

Narada comes to the bank of Yamuna, the holy Vrindavan where Sri Krishna had sported, hoping for relief after Narada had seen too much evil and untruth everywhere during his journeys on earth. But a strange encounter awaits him here. He meets a young lady in utter misery, tending to two old men. The lady welcomes Narada saying his very arrival may give her relief, Narada being a great sage. 

The woman's story? Indeed it is strange. She is Bhakti (=Devotion), and the two men are her sons, Jnana and Vairagya! The times are so bad that these boys have now become afflicted/accursed by old age and infirmities. (The present age of Kali does not nourish either Jnana=wisdom or Vairagya =dispassion). Bhakti points to her hand-maidens - the holy rivers who have come to serve her. But their service to her is of no avail as she is too distressed by her sons.

Bhakti says that, in fact, she looks young and beautiful merely because she was restored immediately after arriving at sacred Vrindavan. But this in turn makes her more miserable as she would have wanted her sons restored rather than herself!

Narada consoles Bhakti. He describes the excesses of this world where wise men become slaves to passions and abandon all good deeds. Everyone is after worldly possessions and nobody pursues Dharma. But fortunately, there is a remedy for this terrible fall from Dharma. 

यत्फलं नास्ति तपसा न योगेन समाधिना । तत्फलं लभते सम्यक्कलौ केशवकीर्तनात्॥

T: What fruits cannot accrue to the seeker even after intense austerity or deep meditation shall surely and fully accrue in this age of worldliness (Kali Yuga) by his mere chanting of Hari's name (Keshava! Krishna! Hari!)  (Note: his seeking is the key!)

Bhakti now feels very much relieved, although still, her sons are immune to the holy effects of Vrindavan. She now asks how King Parikshit (we go back to how it all started!) gave permission to Kali, the god of worldliness who rules here, to make his home on earth. (We shall see that story soon).

Bhakti also bows down to Sage Narada, remembering how the great devotees, young Prahlada and young Dhruva, had been saved following the sage's instructions. So indeed Bhakti has much hope in emancipation from what Sage Narada tells her!

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Part I - Introduction to Swami Tapasyananda's translation

I summarize what I read today - its major highlights.

The Puranas were contemporaneous with the Vedas. Indeed there was one monolithic Purana which was recited by Sutas. These were not the Vedic Brahmins but a caste of royal attendants and charioteers who were also raconteurs like Sanjaya in Bhagavadgita. The Sutas told the Purana during breaks that were scheduled in the performance of Vedic rites. (Even Valmiki Ramayana was sung by Lava and Kusha during yajna breaks on the request of Sri Rama!)

The Srimad Bhagavatam is called the Maha Purana among the 18 principal ones since it has benefited the listeners the most for over 2500 years at least. It contains stories of Maha Vishnu with a dominant portion on Sri Krishna, the greatest manifest godhood India has seen yet.

Although each Purana appears to extol one Deity form of the Supreme Lord = Ishwara, it is not with the intention of belittling other deities but to instill greater, untainted devotion to the chosen Deity, in this instance Bhagavan Maha Vishnu and specifically his complete or Purna Avatara Sri Krishna. 

Bhagavatam's oral tradition was fructified into a textual form in three distinct phases. The final, current form of this Maha Purana was finalized by the Vaishnava saints called Alwars in the 5th to 7th century CE in South India. 

There is solid evidence of this timeline through a clear reference to a Bhagavatam shloka in an important treatise  in the 7c. CE by Gaudapada (paramaguru of Adi Shankara).

तेषामसौ क्लेशल एव शिष्यते नान्यद् यथा स्थूलतुषावघातिनाम् ॥१०.१४.४॥ 

T: For those who simply pursue knowledge, all that remains in the end is useless like the chaff after all grain is removed (grain here implies Bhakti.) 

***

The narrative and introduction portions shall continue tomorrow.

Please note all blog entries will also be tabled in a chronological index through this link.

Chronological Index

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥