ராதே கிருஷ்ணா 25-11-2019
Radhe Krishna 28-10-2019
While the *Battle of Kurushetra was at its peak, Arjuna and Karna were fighting each other.* It was a battle to witness, a flurry of arrows were being exchanged, and even Gods were witnessing this epic battle between the 2 warriors.
Arjuna would shoot his arrows and the impact of these arrows would be so much that Karna’s chariot would go back by 25-30 feet. People who witnessed this were amazed by the skills of Arjuna.
Karna was no less. When he shot arrows, Arjuna’s chariot would also shake and go back by 3-4 feet.
More than everyone, Krishna would applaud Karna every time his arrow hit Arjuna’s chariot. But *not once did He applaud Arjuna’s skills !*
At the end of the day, Arjuna asked Krishna: “Oh Lord, I have shot so many arrows at Karna’s chariot, it was being displaced like a feather in wind, but not once did you appreciate me. Rather, *you would appreciate his skill despite his arrows just displacing my chariot a little”.*
Krishna smiled and replied “Oh, *Arjuna, remember,* your chariot is protected by *Hanuman* at the top on your flag, *Me as your charioteer* in the front and by *Sheshnag* at its wheels, yet the whole chariot would still sway and displace whenever the valiant Karna hit us with his arrows”.
“But *Karna’s chariot is not protected by any such force*, *he is on his own, yet he fights valiantly”.*
It is said that after the battle of Kurushetra was over, Krishna refused to get off the chariot till Arjuna got down. Once Krishna alighted from the chariot, it caught fire and turned to dust.
Krishna said “Oh Arjuna, your chariot was destroyed by Karna a long time ago, it is I who was still protecting it.”
*“Never in your life have the arrogance to say that you have achieved big heights. If you have achieved something, it is the divine will,* it is the divine intervention that has always protected you, cleared your path and *given you the right opportunities at the right time”!*
An excerpt from *Mahabharata* and conveys message to mankind. Though simple but a strong reminder to mankind. *Be humble, remember even a little leaf cannot move/sway without GOD’s WILL.*
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[10/15, 09:19] +91 99941 94653: ||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 1 - The birth of Sage Shuka Bhramam
Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuranam is one of the supreme scriptures known as the essence of Veda and Upanishad was written by Maharishi Veda Vyasa. It comprises the various pastimes of Lord Krishna and stories of devotees. The Veda and Upanishads are not easy to understand for common people, therefore Maharishi Veda Vyasa thought of scripture which could be easily approachable, and kindle the spirit of devotion, and convey the greatest knowledge of Paramathma and Jeevathma. Thus the Bhagavatha Purana came into the origin, which narrates the pastimes of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna. Once, Rishi Vamadeva, the preceptor of Goddess Parvathi asked her “ Devi, your husband Lord Shiva is wearing the skulls of beautiful women as garland, Have you ever asked him about it ?” it invoked curiosity in Goddess Parvathi, she approached Lord Shiva and said “ My dear husband, whose skull is laying close to your heart?” but Lord Shiva was not willing to comment about it, he kept quiet for three days, it agitated Goddess Parvathi. Lord Shiva said “ Devi, why does it concern you so much?” Goddess Parvathi said, “ You are my husband, it does concern me as you are wearing the skulls of beautiful women close to your chest.” Lord Mahadeva said, “ Listen to me carefully, each time when you give up your body, I preserve your skull and wear it like a garland around my neck, I am so attached to you.” Goddess Parvathi asked “ Lord, every time I give up body, why you are not giving up?” Lord Shiva said, “I am immortal, I have become immortal by the virtue of the immortal stories, and therefore I need not give up my body.” Goddess Parvathi requested “Lord, kindly give me the knowledge about those immortal stories.” Lord Shiva agreed and said, “Devi, these are highly confidential and it should remain so, the people who listen to these glorious myths will become immortal, hence I shall narrate the stories in Mount Kailash when there is no one surrounded by us.” Lord Shiva cleared all the living entities in Kailash and he personally conducted supervision and satisfied, but there was an egg-laying in the nest that was left unnoticed. Lord Shiva began “while describing the nectar-like these immortal stories, I may go into the transcendental state; therefore I need to get assurance form you that you are listening to it. Hence, respond to it with a sound of ‘Humkara’ as affirmation so that I can continue explaining them.” In this way, Lord Shiva kept describing the immortal stories and Goddess Parvathi was giving affirmations with the sound of Humkara. At that moment, the egg in the nest was hatched, and the baby parrot started listening to the stories of Lord Shiva who has explained the stories up to the tenth canto, slowly Goddess Parvathi drifted to a state of ecstasy and eventually fallen asleep. The baby parrot that was listening to the story was completely wrapped up with it and started producing Humkara. Lord Shiva continued narrating the story, before winding up Goddess Parvathi got out of short sleep and intervened; she revealed her helplessness to understand the previous cantos which she was missed due to her sleep. Lord Shiva was stunned to notice that somebody has produced the sound of ‘Humkara’ in the absence of Goddess Parvathi so that it makes the person immortal. He went in search of the sound of Humkara, there he found the baby parrot that flew out of the nest abruptly. Lord Shiva got annoyed and started chasing the baby parrot, he followed the baby parrot it entered in the hermitage of Maharishi Veda Vyasa, and took refuge inside the womb of Maharishi Vedavyasa’s wife and settled comfortably. Lord Shiva arrived in the hermitage of Vedavyasa and looked for the baby parrot. Maharishi Veda Vyasa asked, “Lord, why are you so annoyed?” Lord Shiva said “ Rishi, did you see a baby parrot, it received the nectar-like immortal stories without my permission, while I was delivering it to Goddess Parvathi. This little parrot has become immortal I want to kill it. Maharishi Veda Vyasa said “If the bird has heard the stories of immortal and has become immortal, how could you kill it ?.” Thus Lord Shiva was pacified. This is how the birth of illustrious Sage Shuka took place, later he revealed the nectar-like Srimad Bhagavatham to the entire world.
[10/16, 09:21] +91 99941 94653: ||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 2 - The piousness of the recitation of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
Once Maharishi Narada visited various sacred lands on the Mrithyuloka/ Earth, places like Prayaga, Himalayas, Rameshwaram, Mathura, Dwaraka, Brindavan finally he reached at Badrikashram. In Rishikesh, Narada met the Santhkumaras who are the Manasa Putra of Lord Bhrama. They asked Maharishi Narada about the reason for the gloominess on his face. Maharishi Narada said “ Oh! Sages, I am not concerned about myself, I am worried about the living beings on the Earth, I have been to various sacred places on the Earth, people have lost interest in performing religious duties, they are not following the Dharma, there is no true devotion or love for the supreme Lord. I have visited Brindavan, the holiest land on Earth, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. At the river banks of Yamuna, I met a beautiful woman who was having two elderly persons on her lap, she was weeping bitterly, I have asked her the reason for her sorrow and enquired about the elderly persons on her side. She answered me that she is ‘Bhakti’/devotion personified; the two elderly men are her sons, Gnana/wisdom and Vairagya/renunciation/abandonment. Further, Bhakti continued that she was born in the Dravida Desha/South India, she had spent her childhood in Karnataka, then she moved to Maharashtra and spend youthful days in there, when she arrived in Gujarat she became old, then she moved to Brindavan, soon her children Gyana and Vairagya became too old, when she reached in Vrindavan, she has got back her youthfulness at the river banks of Yamuna, but her sons remained the same. In fact, she was followed by her sister Moksha to Mrithyuloka, but she was reluctant to live in this world, she returned to her celestial abode at the beginning of Kaliyuga itself. Bakthi requested me to bring back her sons to their youthful forms. I have performed fire sacrifices, various religious rites, and recitation of Veda at the divine instruction, but nothing did work on the two elderly sons of Bhakti. I am worried about them all, that is why I came to meet you. Illustrious Sages, kindly advise me on how to bring back the youthfulness of Gnana and Vairagya.” After listening to Maharishi Narada, the four sons of Lord Bhrama replied “ Maharishi, we have thoroughly analyzed the situation of Bhakti and her children, mere recitation of Veda will not make any difference, therefore we are required to perform ‘Bhagavatha Sapthaham’ reciting the glorious birth and various pastimes of Lord Krishna for a week. Kindly make arrangements to recite the sacred scripture “Srimad Bhagavath Puran’, we shall bring back the youthfulness of Gnana and Vairagya once again.” Maharishi Narada informed his helplessness to organize a huge event like ‘Bhagavatha Sapthaham’, he has no resource to arrange for a great event, he is living on alms. Sanathkumaras advised Maharishi to go to a place in between Haridwar and Rishikesh, there is a dense forest located on the river banks of Ganga called Naimisharanya. Maharishi Narada arrived in Naimisharanya, all the arrangements were made for the recitation of Srimad Bhagavath, three seats were provided for Bakthi, Gnana, and Vairagya, the recitation of the sacred scriptures began, it continued for seven days. Alas! At the end of the seventh day, with the grace of supreme Lord the Rishis, Sages assembled were in a state of transcendental, Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya got rejuvenated and brought back to their youthfulness
[10/17, 16:28] +91 99941 94653: ||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter –3 - The Grand fire sacrifice at Naimisharanya!
Maharishi Vedavyasa starts the composition of the great epic offering initial obeisance to the supreme Lord who is absolute truth. He is the creator, preserver, and destroyer as well. Maharishi Vedavyasa explains the unstained Dharma which has no equivalent words to describe, which refers to any spiritual or religious deeds which elevate the soul to attain liberation from repeated births. In Bhagavatha Mahapuran Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the pure love to supreme Lord, it is the nectar-like knowledge of Veda, it is the essence of Veda, it is the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge, which was relished by the parrot faced illustrious Sage Shuka. Therefore Maharishi Vedavyasa recommends the souls to devour it at heart content, to attain the ocean like supreme bliss. This sacred scripture was composed by Maharishi Vedavyasa, it was retold by Sage Shuka to King Pareekshith, while Sutha Pauranika and illustrious Rishis were assembled. Later it was described by Sutha Pauranika to Shuka and Shaunaka and various Rishis. It was the time, Kali era has begun the intellect of the people were diminishing, righteousness; peace and truthfulness are vanishing to a large extent, people are disturbed and constant conflicts have arisen in the family, life span has become short, people are not finding satisfied with any of their deed, people have neither interest nor intellect to adopt spirituality. Shuka and Shaunakadhis arrived in the dense wood of Naimisharanya and organized for a grand fire sacrifice, which continued for several years, during this Yagna the Sages and Rishis assembled were pondering upon the various pastimes of the Supreme Lord whenever they get off from the work.
The Shuka Shaunakadhis and Rishis assembled requests Sutha Pauranika who had attained the supreme knowledge of Bhagavatha Purana from Sage Shuka, to describe the reason for the evil effects of the Kali era and also requested to clarify their doubts. The first episode of Bhagavath Mahapurana begins with Sutha Pauranika who was seated on the elevated dais before Rishis and Shuka Shaunakadhis, there are Rishis and sages assembled before him, each of the Sages respectfully places their doubts before him. Shaunakadhis begins with their doubts to clarify, there were six questions related to the living beings on the Earth in the era of Kali. Shaunakadhis with folded hands prayed to Sutha Pauranika “Maharishi, people in the Kali era are more agitated, frustrated, restless and miserable, is there any remedy to protect the living beings from their distress? Secondly, we have various sacred scriptures such as 18 Puranas, Upapuranas, Veda, Upanishads, Vedanga, Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita, and Mahabharath, etc.. Kindly describe the essence of the knowledge of these scriptures? Thirdly, why did the Supreme Lord Krishna incarnated on the Earth? Fourthly, if he did incarnate kindly describe us about the pastimes of supreme Lord. Fifthly, kindly describe the various incarnations of supreme Lord elaborately. Finally, Lord Krishna has completed the pastimes on the Earth and returned to his celestial abode, where does Dharma exists on the Earth?”
[10/18, 10:32] +91 99941 94653: ||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter –4 - The glorious Twenty Two incarnations of Lord Vishnu
Sutha Pauranika was highly pleased to listen to the queries of Shaunakadhis, he began to speak after offering obeisance to his preceptor Shukabhrama Rishi “ Listen to me carefully, there is nothing other than self-less devotion to the supreme Lord is beneficiary, this is the path of the righteousness which could bring all the auspiciousness, the highest of the essence of knowledge is the Bhramam/supreme spirit, which is the source of all the living beings, it is all-pervading and worshiped by intellectuals and scholars, it resides as soul in all living beings, known as Paramathma, it witnesses all the Karma of living beings and provides the fruits of the Karma. He is worshiped by Yogis and contemplates upon him. The supreme spirit assumes numerous incarnations and descends on the Earth. The purpose of the incarnation of supreme spirit as Lord Krishna is to purify the souls, therefore supreme Lord assumed the form of a human, performed various pastimes, and his virtues would remove the impurities in the souls. The recitation and listening to his marvelous passionate sport would sanctify the intellect of the souls, thereby it removes the darkness of ignorance, worldly bondage and multiplies the piousness of the souls, ultimately attains union with the Lord. Therefore the Supreme Lord has assumed various incarnations to shower his grace upon the souls. The great scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the various pastimes of Lord Krishna, that will be discussed in the coming days. The Supreme Lord manifested in twenty-six forms, and the most significant among them is twenty-four. His first incarnation as the four Sanakadhis (1), the next incarnation was Varaha/wild boar who have protected the Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha (2), the next incarnation was Maharishi Narada who roam around the three worlds praising the glories of supreme Lord (3), the next incarnation was Nara Narayana who underwent Tapasya in the Badarikashrama, and enlightened the souls with the knowledge of Bhramam (4). The next incarnation was Maharishi Kapila as the son of Kardhama Prajapathi and Devahoothi, who revealed the Sankhya system of philosophy (5). The next incarnation was Lord Dhaththathreya who was known as the son of Sage Athri and Anasooya, he lived a life of an Avadhooth and guided the souls to adopt the disciplined life of a mendicant, he was the representation of trinities (6). The next incarnation was Yagya, who was the son of Ruchi and Ahoothi, taught the method of fire sacrifices to invoke deities and please them(7). The next incarnation was Lord Rishabha Deva who lived a life of a mendicant, worshiped as first Theerthankar of Jainism (8). The next incarnation was Prithu Maharaj, who made the Earth more inhabitable,(9). The next incarnation was Mathsya/giant fish which protected the Vedas from the ocean,(10). There were three incarnations took place while churning the ocean, one as Kurma/giant tortoise which appeared as base for resting the Mount Mandhara while churning the ocean for nectar of immortality by deities and demons (11), he assumed the form of Lord Dhanvanthari/Lord of medicines with the pot of nectar of immortality (12), he assumed the form of beautiful young maiden Mohini who distributed the nectar (13). The next incarnation was half lion-half man to protect his ardent devotee Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu(14). The next incarnation was Dwarf/Vamana who measured the entire Universe in three strides and crushed the pride of Mahabali(15). The next incarnation was Parashurama who annihilated the wicked Kshatriyas on the Earth (16). The next incarnation was Maharishi Vedavyasa who composed eighteen Purans, Upa Puranas, categorized Veda into Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva, and wrote great epic Srimad Ramayan and Mahabharath, and Bhagavath (17). The next incarnation was Lord Rama who was virtue personified, the jewel of the clan of Raghuvamsha(18). The next incarnation was Balarama who is the elder brother of Lord Krishna (19). The next incarnation was Krishna who performed various passionate sports on the Earth and revealed he can be enslaved by pure love (20). The next incarnation was Buddha an enlightened soul,(21) and before the end of the Kali era his impending incarnation as Kalki to eradicate the wicked people, and initiate the Sathyayuga/era of righteousness(22). The answer for the final question is after the return of Lord Krishna into his celestial abode, the Dharma took shelter in the supreme scripture ‘Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran’ which is capable to remove the darkness of ignorance in the Kali era.” The Shaunakadhis and the Rishis and Sages assembled were extremely obliged to receive the knowledge and prostrated before Sutha Pauranika.
[10/19, 09:56] +91 99941 94653: ||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter –5 - The life of Maharishi Narada
The Shaunakadhis requested to Sutha Pauranika “ Maharishi, How did you attain the immortal stories of Srimad Bhagavath Purana, kindly explain to us.” Sutha Pauranika said “ I have received the nectar-like the knowledge of this sacred scripture from my preceptor ShukaBhramam who received the knowledge of this great scripture from his preceptor as well as father Maharishi Vedavyasa who compiled Vedas and categorized them into Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva, he composed 100,000 verses of great epic Mahabharath which comprises Bhagavad Gita, he wrote eighteen Puranas such as Padma Puran, Vishnu Puran, Narad Puran, Shivamahapuran, Garuda Puran, Bhrama Vaivarththa Puran, Bhavishya Puran, Bhrama Puran, Bhramanda Puran, Vayu Puran, Surya Puran, Agni Puran, Varaha Puran, Markandeya Puran, Skandhapuran, and Linga Puran. He wrote Bhramasutra, having written several scriptures praising the glories of Lord, Maharishi Vedavyasa felt incomplete, he did not get satisfaction. Maharishi Vedavyasa was sitting on the river banks of Saraswathi, he was gloomy, thinking that even though he had given an abundance of knowledge through various scriptures which recommends Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, people are not interested to taste the nectar-like wisdom from it. Soon, his inner voice replied to him that none of these Purans did tell about the pure love to Supreme Lord, he was pondering over this for long hours. At this moment, there arrived Maharishi Narada, he was received by Maharishi Vedvyasa with great reverence and revealed his plight of the situation and dissatisfaction after compiling several scriptures for the welfare of humanity. Maharishi Narada pacified Vedavyasa saying that though he has written several scriptures Vedavyasa did not mention the pure love to supreme Lord. Therefore Narada advised Vedavyasa to write about the pure devotion to Lord and began to explain his own life of previous birth to Maharishi Vedavyas."
Maharishi Narada said “ Maharishi Vedavyasa, in my previous birth I was a son of widow Dasi/women who perform household duties for others, she was living in the hermitage where several saints and holy men used to visit. I was a child while she keeps busy with the cleaning work of the hermitage; I used to help her at her work. During Chathurmasya/four monsoon months there were several holy men used to visit this hermitage. Usually, the renounced souls, mendicants, and holy men did not live in a place for a long time, they keep moving around the spiritual places and sharing knowledge of Bhramam, but during this monsoon seasons they are restricted to not to move around, therefore they reside in a place for four months and continue their spiritual and religious rites. I had the opportunity to worship these saints and holy men, listen to glorious myths of the supreme Lord, they give lectures on scriptures. I used to listen to their lectures, gradually I was immersed in the supreme bliss, which would stir my heart with full of devotion and love for the supreme Lord. The holy men were highly pleased with my nature of devotion and showered blessing upon me. I had the fortune to consume the leftovers of the holy men that was washing off my impurities, along with the Namasankeerthana I have listened to all those days. I had spent the four months in extreme delight in the association of the holy men. After the four months, the holy men were started leaving the hermitage, I have started yearning to be in the association of them. Suddenly, my mother died of snakebite; I have considered it as a will of the supreme Lord to release me from the worldly bondage. I have realized that there is no reason to stay behind, so I left the hermitage immediately. I had the sole desire to witness supreme Lord, I have visited a few sacred lands, eventually, my heart is filled with supreme bliss, I could envision the presence of supreme Lord in my heart, that image stayed for few minutes and vanished, I was thoroughly depressed from the separation of Lord. I have continued to visit several sacred lands on Earth, I have performed various austerities, and Dharmic rites yearning to witness that glorious form supreme Lord Krishna. Several years have passed, I did not achieve success in my search, I was extremely distraught, suddenly I could hear a divine voice that instructed that it was a glimpse of supreme Lord which I could envisage, and recommended to undertake extreme austerities and devotional practices, then I can be united with the Supreme Lord. I have put all my energies into spiritual practices with determination. I left my mortal coil, and on the next Kalpa, I have born as Manasaputhra of Lord Bhrama. I travel all the three worlds singing in praise of the supreme Lord. Hence, Maharishi Vedavyasa you write a scripture which describes intense love and pure devotion to the Supreme Lord.”
[10/20, 17:34] +91 99941 94653: Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 6 – The death of Duryodhana
Sutha Pauranika continued “ Maharishi Vedavyasa upon receiving the instruction from Maharishi Narada began to contemplate upon the Lord and envisioned the supreme Lord. He witnessed the sufferings and miseries of the souls in the material existence daunted by illusion, he felt terribly sad for the living beings. Maharishi Vedavyasa soaked in extreme bliss after envisaging the glorious form of supreme Lord but seeing the miserable plight of the souls in the material world he was extremely disappointed. This urged him to write a great scripture that could wave off the miseries and sorrows of living beings on the Earth. He described the magnificent incarnations of the supreme Lord in it. I shall describe the same to you all.”
Sutha Pauranika began to describe the marvelous myths of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, he narrated the legends from the great epic Mahabharath. The great war of Kurukshetra was got over, numerous warriors were killed in the battle, a few of Pandavas and four of Kauravas Duryodhana, Kripacharya, Krithavarma and Ashwaththama have remained. Duryodhana was severely wounded in the battlefield; he immersed himself in the water to cool himself from the fury against the Pandavas. Ashwaththama who was the closest companion could not bear the troubles of Duryodhana. It was the dark night hours, and the rule of the war is warriors are not allowed to handle weapons after the sunset or harass the enemies in the dark hours, but Ashwaththama was broken that rule, entered in the Pandavas camp and approached their chamber where five Pandavas were supposed to sleep and chopped off their heads, in fact, it was the tent of the children of Pandavas who were fallen asleep. Thus the five sons of Pandavas were brutally killed by the ignorance of Ashwaththama who was unaware of the fact as it was too dark, he brought the heads of the five children thinking that it’s the heads of Pandavas and showed to Duryodhana, who eagerly wished to see the head of Bhima. Ashwaththama handed the head to Duryodhana, it was mercilessly crushed between his two hands and realized that it was not the head of Bhima. Soon he looked upon it, alas! It was not the lifeless head of the Pandavas, it was their children’s head. Duryodhana screamed out of utter dismay “ Ashwaththama, you have made a grave sin. It is not the heads of Pandavas, you have brutally killed the children of Pandavas. This is intolerable; you have put an end to the clan of Pandavas which is unjustifiable. The Kaurava dynasty has come to an end, we have no right to end their clan.” Though Duryodhana was a man of evil, he had certain principles which he wished to follow always, seeing the cruel end of the Pandava dynasty, Duryodhana deeply regretted the ignorance of Ashwaththama and left his mortal coil.
[10/21, 17:06] +91 99941 94653: || Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 7- The birth of King Pareekshith
It was morning Draupadhi found that her five children are mercilessly killed in their chamber. She became inconsolable, wept bitterly at the death of five children. The Pandavas came to know about the brutal incident, Lord Krishna was with them. Arjun took a vow to take revenge on Ashwaththama after seeing the disturbing state of Draupadi. Arjuna in fury chased for Ashwaththama was followed by Krishna. Ashwaththama released Bhramasthra to destroy the entire Universe, but he was unaware of the withdrawal of this powerful weapon. Arjun took shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who advised to release a Bhramasthra to nullify the effect of the one released by Ashwaththama. These Asthras are created with the power of Manthras. The deities were alarmed to witness these two Bhramasthra which could devour the entire Universe. Lord Shiva intervened and pacified these Bhramasthra. Arjuna caught hold of Ashwaththama and fastened with a rope, dragged before Dhraupadi, Arjuna screamed in a rage “ Oh! Devi, the culprit who had committed the severest sin is before you. I am going to kill him.” Draupadi said “ No, do not kill him. I am the mother of five children who lost their lives mercilessly, I am deeply suffering the loss of them if you kill Ashwaththama, his mother also will have the same sufferings which I am going through at this moment, therefore leave him. He is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya,” Bima said, “ No, absolutely not, he has committed an intolerable crime, therefore no mercy should be shown upon him.” Yudhishtira said “ No, we should show mercy upon Ashwaththama, Draupadi is right.” Arjun was in a dilemma, Arjuna looked at Lord Krishna and said: “ Krishna, kindly advise me.” Lord Krishna said “ People who commit crime should get punished, but Ashwaththama is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya. He is a Brahmin, killing a Bhramin would bring the sin of Bhramahathya.” Arjuna understood the inner meaning of the dialogue of Krishna that Ashwaththama is worthy of punishment, but should not be killed. Ashwaththama used to have a precious gem on his forehead, Arjuna plucked it out, which was practically as good as death for Ashwaththama, his head and mustache were shaven and released him.
Maharishi Vedavyasa beautifully reveals the nobleness of Dhraupadi, though she could have taken away the life of Ashwaththama with her own hand for the loss of her five children, she thought of the pain of a mother and left Ashwaththama free. But, Ashwaththama did not keep quiet, he released Bhramasthra once again. This time he shot the Astra pointing at the womb of Uththara who was the wife of Abhimanyu, son of Arjun was deceitfully killed in the battlefield, she was fully pregnant with the last child in the Pandava dynasty. Uttara cried out for help to Krishna, he entered inside the womb of Uttara in a subtle form and protected the child from damage. Krishna annulled the effect of the Bhramasthra on the womb and gave Dharshan to the infant. In due course of time, Uththara gave birth to a male child, who was staring all around as if searching for someone. Yudhishtira asked, “ Krishna, why this child is looking all around searching for something?” Narada describes that the child had envisaged the supreme Lord Krishna from its mother’s womb, after coming in this word he is still in search of the glorious form of supreme Lord. Thus, the child got its name ‘Pareekshith’.
[10/22, 12:00] +91 99941 94653: Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 8 – The glorious ‘Kunthi Sthuthi’
Yudhishtira was crowned as the King of Hasthinapur, Krishna stayed with the Pandavas for some time and found that things are settled in the Pandavas Kingdom, so he decided to leave to his glorious city Dwaraka. Before leaving the palace, Devi Kunthi approached Krishna, with great devotion and love said “ Oh! Prabho, Krishna, You are the protector of the Pandava clan, you are the center of our devotion too. Can’t you stay with us in Hasthinapur? How can we live without you?” she eulogized Krishna with beautiful verses, famously known as ‘Kunthisthuthi’ in Srimad Bhagavath. In that “ Oh! Krishna, I admire your various passionate sports in Braja, I was astonished by your amusements, you have shown the entire Universe to Yashomathi in your mouth when she scolded you for eating the mud. I was thinking that supreme Purusha, the Supreme Lord who is the Lord of the Universe worshiped by all the deities is scared of Yasomathi’s stick? Thus, you have performed various amusements that dazed us.” In this way, Devi Kunthi eulogized various passionate sports of Krishna, after listening to her Krishna said: “ Devi, I am pleased with your devotion, ask for boon whatever you want.” Kunthidevi asked for a unique boon that is highly famous in Srimad Bhagavath, “Oh! Jagathguru, kindly shower troubles, tabulations, and impediments upon me, so that I can always contemplate upon you. Oh! My Lord, you know everything, more opulence and happiness would create a tendency to keep you away from us. Therefore I need to go through constant struggles that would remind me of your grace. This material happiness would drive me away from you. The worldly existence is nothing but full of miseries and sorrows, this knowledge would keep me contemplate upon you. Krishna! All I need is spiritual advancement, not that material welfare. Therefore I would prefer miseries and struggles in my life as a boon. Oh! Krishna, each time when I face hardships in life I feel closer to you, and I want to remain close to you always. ” Krishna said “ Devi, are you out of your mind ? all the living being asks for welfare, happiness, wealth, fame and peace. They worship me for removing sufferings, miseries, grief, and agony of the worldly existence. Devi! All your life, you have gone through various struggles, are you not tired of it?”
‘ Kunthi Sthuthi’ contains full of wisdom, it is a natural phenomenon that when people get stuck with miseries, misfortunes, ill health, and poverty, it would push them in the extreme state of distress, though it is all a part of his grace to give the knowledge of the impermanent nature of the worldly matters. These hardships make living beings to develop a sense of abandonment, and concentrate upon the permanent nature of supreme bliss, it is the source of self- realization, and God-realization, it gives the knowledge of the ‘self’/Bhramam/supreme soul which has the nature of supreme bliss. Therefore troubles and miseries in the worldly existence are part of blessings; these tribulations are the necessary part of the growth of humans as humble, kind and loving, the struggles in life teach us the sense of survival. Hence, determination, discipline, tolerance, and perseverance are the stepping stone for growth in spiritual advancement. It is quite natural that while having struggles and hardships we always look for comfort, somebody to protect us from the troubles, therefore, miseries is a kind of blessings of the Supreme Lord which would lead to spiritual advancement.
Devi Kunthi is the Queen of Hastinapura, the mother of the Pandavas, had lost her husband Pandu at a young age. Her elder son Karna has remained as her past history in all her life, she and her five children had to go through the constant torture and injustice of Dhritarashtra and his hundreds of son's. Duryodhana tried all means to harm the Pandavas, he constructed the ‘House of wax’ to burn them alive. Devi Kunthi and her children were humiliated by Duryodhana and his brothers, they had to live in the woods for twelve years, and one year in disguise. Finally, when they returned to their Kingdom that led to the great war of Kurukshetra, all her relatives and grandchildren were killed. At last, all that remain her five sons, Draupadi, and widow Uththara. In spite of all these struggles and turbulences in her life, Devi Kunthi asked Krishna for a unique boon for further troubles in life, so that she can constantly contemplate upon the supreme Lord
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 9 – The supreme Lord contemplating upon Bhishma Pithamaha
King Yudhishtira was in deep meditation envisaged Lord Krishna, he asked “ Oh! Prabho, Oh! Krishna, the whole of the universe is contemplating upon you. Whom are you meditating upon?” Krishna says “The Bhishma Pithamaha who is the son of Goddess Ganga and King Shathanu is lying on the bed of arrows, waiting for his death in Uththarayana, he is contemplating upon me, and I shall reciprocate the people who surrender to me. Bhishma Pithamaha is an ardent devotee of me, even though he fought with Kauravas against my favorites; he followed strict celibacy all through his life, he was always speaking the truth and righteousness, he was performing his responsibilities to protect the throne of Hastinapura and he was a passionate devotee as well. He is one of great twelve souls, he contemplates upon the pastimes of me performed in the Vraja, whenever I take the cows for grazing, my body would be smeared in the dust from the hoof of the cows. In the Kurukshethra while the dust particles from the hoof of the horses and elephants fell on me, he thought of the pastime in the Vraja. He did not take the side of you all; he wanted to glorify the pastimes of me. He wanted to expose the devotion and faith upon me, he wanted to enhance the devotion upon me, even though he was fighting against you all, he wanted to prove the world that I am with you all to protect from the evils and I am enough to safeguard you from all the troubles. He was aware of the aftermath of the great war of Kurukshethra, that he would kill in the battlefield, all the wicked Kauravas would put an end to their clan. As you know, he was severely wounded with several arrows that were shot on him by Arjuna in the battlefield, his body did not touch the ground, the arrows stood as a bed for him, all he has to think about me and my various pastimes at that moment too. I have promised Arjuna that I won’t touch any weapons in the battlefield. Bhishma Pithamaha proclaimed that he would compel me to touch the weapons in the battlefield, I have to uphold the vow of my ardent devotee, and therefore I have broken my promise to Arjun. I took the wheel of chariot and approached to kill him. Bhishma praised the marvelous form of me with a wheel of chariot in my hand; in this way I have fulfilled his quest to witness my glorious form, Bhishma Pithamaha contemplating upon that form of me while he is in the bed of arrows too. He continued to meditate upon me for almost six months now; therefore I am obliged to meditate upon him.”
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 10 – The grief of Yudhishtira and Bhishmopadhesha
After sometime Yudhistira besieged with gloominess, thinking that his desire to the throne of Hastinapura brought the great battle Kurukshetra, caused the death of his relatives, brothers, preceptors, innocents warriors and Bhishma Pithamaha, even though it was none of his mistakes. Yudhishtira is a great soul, the personification of righteousness felt more remorse, taking all the blames upon him for the death of numerous warriors was his greed for the throne of Hastinapura. Krishna said “ Yudhishtira, it was not your fault for the battle of Kurukshetra, though I have given the greatest knowledge of Bhagavad Gita and was constantly with you all, during all those incidents happened in your life, you have not understood me yet. Therefore, perform an Ashwamedha Yaga, which could remove the Bhramahathya sin upon you all, will take you to the heavenly abode after leaving the mortal coil.” Yudhishtira was not satisfied with the advice of the performance of Ashwamedha Yaga, so Krishna thought Yudhistira needs to get the guidance of Bhishma Pithamaha to know more about righteousness. Krishna said “ Yudhishtira, I will take you to the profound knower of Dharma, Bhishma Pithamaha who is still alive in the bed of arrows.” The illustrious Rishis and Sages of the entire universe understood that great knowledge is going to be restored, soon they also assembled before the Bhishma Pithamaha. The five Pandavas and Draupadi with Krishna went to meet Pithamaha who was already frail waiting for his death; he could not witness anything before him, nothing was visible and has no energy to speak. They reverentially greeted Pithamaha who was in the bed of arrows. Pandavas and Draupadi stood closer to the feet of Bhishma Pithamaha so that he could witness them. Bhishma Pithamaha enquired for Krishna who was standing close to his head, soon he came into visible. Bhishma Pithamaha said “ Oh! Krishna, I am feeling so thirsty, can you quench my thirst?” Arjun shot arrows on the Earth, the holy Ganga sprung up and the water fell on the mouth of Pithamaha and quenched his thirst.
Krishna stood before Pithamaha and looked all over his body, instantly Pithamaha attained a divine energy to look upon the people who have surrounded him with the folded hands, he began to speak. “ Oh! Yudhishtira who is the son of Dharmaraja, you are well known for your righteousness, I have witnessed that your chariot does not touch the Earth because of your righteousness, you have gone through various hardships but never moved away an inch from your righteousness.” Yudhistira replied, “ It was your blessings Pithamaha we could forget all those hardships”. He took the hands of Bhima and said “ Oh! Bhima, there is no one in the world mightier than you and you have the strength of sixteen thousand elephants; you have created havoc on the battlefield. Oh! Arjuna who is the son of Lord Indra, Oh! Sabyasachi, you are an eminent archer, you are unparalleled. Oh! Nakula and Sahadeva, who is the son of Ashwini Kumaras, you are famous for your skill in the knowledge of medicines. Oh! Draupadi who is the daughter of King Drupada, you have born from fire and unblemished. Even though, you all are profound in various fields, you have spent all your life in extreme hardships and troubles, you have undergone constant humiliation of Duryodhana and his brothers, Bhima was pushed to the mouth of death, you were all put into wax house and burnt alive, you had to face the injustice of Dhritarashtra, you have been exiled from your Kingdom, you have been living in disguise in the Kingdom of Virat, Draupadi was humiliated by Duryodhana and Dhusshasana in the grand assembly. Your mother Devi Kunthi protected you all. Have you ever thought of the reason for these many struggles in life? I shall explain to you. ‘Time’ is a powerful element that cannot be overpowered. I cannot forget any of the troubles you have been to, I am your grandfather, I was not in a position to help you all during those difficult times.” Bhishma Pithamaha looked at Krishna and asked: “What was the reason all of you have visited here?” Krishna said “Your grandchildren have some doubts to clear with you. Kindly remove their qualms.” Yudhishtira requested Pithamaha “ Oh! Pithamaha, kindly describe the code of conduct.”
Bhishma Pithamaha gave lectures elaborately on Dhana/Charity and Dharma/righteousness, Moksha Dharma/ righteous deeds for the liberation from repeated births, Rajya Dharma/duties, and responsibilities of a wise ruler; Sthree Dharma/righteousness should be followed by every woman and Deva Dharma/righteous deeds in the worship of deities. Pithamaha gave an elaborate lecture on the Dharma of four Varnas such as Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, the Dharma of four Ashramas such as Bhramachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasin and their duties and responsibilities.
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 11 – Bhishma Pithamaha attains union with the Supreme Lord
The great epic Mahabharath Anushasanika Parva describes the Dharma elaborately. It narrates the Dharma of Varna and Ashrama and various Dharmic rites in 8000 verses. Pithamaha explained all those Dharma to the Pandavas and sages assembled, even after listening to those Yudhishtira was not satisfied, he was following the rites of his ancestors. He was in a dilemma whether he should follow the rites in practices or should follow the one narrated by Pithamaha. Therefore he requested Pithamaha to narrate the essence of all those eight thousand verses described. Bhishma Pithamaha continued “ Oh! Yudhishtira, Bhramins who meticulously follow the Vedic and spiritual rites should be highly honored, provide them with necessary ingredients for the performance of religious as well as spiritual tasks, keep them comfortable, provide them accommodations, an abundance of contributions, charities, and cows.” Yudhishtira replied “Oh! Pithamaha, we are performing all those Dharmic rites abundantly. Kindly describe anything I should know.” Bhishma Pithamaha replied “ I don’t know about any Dharma that is superior to the veneration of Brahmin. The Kingdom where cows and Bhramins are worshiped will not face any natural calamities or famine or disasters.”
Draupadi was laughing while Bhishma Pithamaha was giving elaborate lectures on righteousness. Pithamaha understood that Dhraupadi who is from a superior clan will not laugh without any reason, therefore enquired the reason for it. Draupadi said, “ You have been giving lectures on Dharma for a while, where was your Dharma when I was humiliated in the large assembly of Kauravas by Duryodhana and Dhusshasana?” Bhishma Pithamaha said “ Oh! Daughter, I was eating the meal served in the house of Duryodhan, it polluted my intellect. Now, all those impure blood has drained out from my body with the shot of arrow of Arjun, therefore I could speak of Dharma. There is no Dharma superior to surrendering to the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Krishna and contemplate upon him, cultivation of pure love to supreme Lord is the superior Dharma.”
Yudhishtira asked “ Oh! Pithamaha, kindly narrate which hymn is promising for all the living beings? Which should be recited for getting relieved from worldly bondage, miseries and sorrows of worldly existence and liberation from repeated births?” Bhishma Pithamaha described the glorious thousands and eight names of Lord Vishnu looking at Krishna.
Finally, the moment of Bhishma Pithamaha’s death has arrived as he was obtained ‘Sweccha Mrithyu’/death according to one’s own wish, he could leave mortal coil as he wished. The auspicious moment has arrived, he said “Oh! Krishna, I have a young maiden like my intellect, which is never willing to accept anyone other than you, I wish to offer her for the service at your lotus feet, the death is exceedingly painful as two thousand scorpions bite on the fragile body, I want to transfix my intellect upon you, so that I will be saved from the hellish pain of transition.” Thus Bhishma Pithamaha attained union with the supreme Bhramam. The illustrious sages and Rishis assembled were offered salutation, the celestials showered flowers on Bhishma Pithamaha. Krishna took leave to Dwaraka was accompanied by Arjun who stayed for a few months in Dwaraka and returned to Hastinapura.
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 12 – The piousness of Thousand and eight sacred names of Lord Vishnu/Vishnu Sahasranama
The glorious thousand and eight names of Lord Vishnu was described by Bhishma Pithamaha while the illustrious Sages and Rishis such as Vashishta, Chyavana, Veda Vyasa, Maharishi Narada, Kapila was surrounded by him. The five Pandavas performed all the final rites of Bhishma Pithamaha, all were assembled in a place, Krishna asked “ Oh! Yudhishtira, are you satisfied with the clarifications given on your queries about the Dharmic rites?” Yudhistira answered, “ Prabho, I have thoroughly understood the importance of Dharmic rites, therefore I am going to contemplate upon the thousand and eight names of Lord Vishnu.” Krishna said “Have you noted them down while Bhishma Pithamaha was reciting the same? How are you going to retrieve those which was already spoken and has immersed as ‘sounds’ in the atmosphere?”. Yudhistira revealed his helplessness. Nakula had undergone extreme Tapasya contemplating upon Lord Shiva, while they were living in disguise and received a crystal prayer bead as a boon from Lord Mahadeva. Krishna instructed him to perform ablations and bring the crystal prayer bead, naturally, it has the capacity to ignite brilliance while the bead crushes each other, and the crystal beads produced all those sounds of glorious thousand and eight names of Lord Vishnu which was recited by Bhishma Pithamaha while on the bed of arrows. Thus once again, Pandava restored the glorious thousand and eight names of Lord Vishnu which was recited by Bhishma Pithamaha that could bring an abundance of piousness, also removes the distress, sorrow, grief, bad luck, all kinds of illnesses, extreme fear, and anxieties, fear of death, poverty, etc…
Several years have passed, one-day Yudhishtira instructed Arjuna to go to Dwaraka to enquire welfare of Lord Krishna and the Yadhu clan. After a couple of years, Arjuna returned to Hasthinapur, he saw Pareekshith has become a young man. In the meanwhile Yudhishtira could observe inauspicious signs in the Hasthinapur, he started worrying about the people and their welfare. The seasons are disturbed, there is no enough rain, cows refused to give milk, people have become deceitful and wicked, and no one is interested in performing any religious or spiritual deeds. Yudhistira met Arjun who was returned from Dwaraka, he was completely distraught, and his luster has disappeared from the face and he was limping. Yudhishthira worriedly enquired “ Arjuna, what happened to your luster? Have you committed any sin? What’s the reason for your gloominess? Kindly share it with me.” Arjuna with uncontrollable tears, voices were cracking with intense grief replied “Oh! Dear brother, that Krishna with whose grace we have lived a glorious life, who is the basis of our life and devotion, won over the battle of Kurukshetra, caused the annihilation of his own clan, and put an end to his amusements and returned to his celestial abode. I have seen the city of Dwaraka submerged underwater, I have been followed by a few of his subjects to Hastinapura. I have no Gandeeva/powerful bow or strength in me to fight against the thieves who attacked in the dense woods, I am brutally wounded.” Devi Kunthi heard the tragic news of the departure of Lord Krishna, she could not control her grief, returned to her chamber contemplated upon the Supreme Lord and left her mortal coil.
It was the beginning of Kali era, Yudhishtira announced that he is no more interested in kingly duties and decided to pursue Vanaprastha living in woods and continue spiritual and religious rites, therefore he desired to proclaim Pareekshith as the King of Hastinapura. The five Pandavas and Draupadi moved to woods in pursuit of ‘Swargarohan’/ heading to the abode of deities.
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 13 – The Beginning of Kali Yuga
It was the beginning of Kali era, Pareekshith who is the son of Abhimanyu and Uththara, grandson of Arjun was crowned as the King of Hastinapura. He was a righteous ruler, he ruled the Kingdom wisely, and the people were sincerely engaged in Swadharma, they were extremely happy and contented. The Kingdom flourished with rich natural resources, righteousness prevailed all over the Earth.
Those days, Kings were used to visiting their subjects to inquire about their well-being. King Pareekshith conducted a visited his Kingdom to find out the welfare of the people. On his way, he found a cow and bull standing on one leg and communicating with each other and shedding tears. King Pareekshith felt extremely disappointed to see even the animals are not happy in his Kingdom. The cow was the representation of Earth and the bull was righteousness personified. The cow was shedding tears of extreme grief and the bull/Dharma asked “Why are you shedding tears? Are you troubled with something? Happiness and sorrows are comparative emotions of worldly existence, therefore do not worry.” The Earth/cow said “I am extremely disappointed to see the wickedness and deceitfulness of the people. They are not following any religious or spiritual rites, people started leaving Swadharma and accepting the Dharma which is not appropriate for them. They have become haughty and selfish and committing various horrible sins. I am overburdened by their atrocities.” He closely watched them, suddenly an ugly man with dark appearance beating the cow and bull on their single leg mercilessly. The King was in a rage rushed to the dark man and shouted “How dare to beat the animals that are already limping with one leg. Who are you? I do not tolerate these kinds of injustice in my Kingdom.” The dark man ran off, King Pareekshith began to chase him. Finally, he was caught by the King; he surrendered to the King and said “Oh! King, I am Kalipurusha who represents hypocrisies and wickedness. I am in your Kingdom at the will of the Supreme Lord; I have created by Him and instructed to be in your Kingdom. Therefore, kindly provide shelter in your Kingdom. The three Yugas of Kritha, Thretha, and Dwapara Yugas are over; I am the personification of Kali Yuga.” King Pareekshith realized he is obliged to follow the command of the Supreme Lord, he decided to give shelter to Kali Purusha and said “ Oh! Kalipurusha, you can reside in these four places 1) The place where occupied by prostitutes who sell their flesh for few pennies 2) You can stay in slaughter homes where animals are killed mercilessly 3) The place where gambling takes place, people shower abuses each other and earn money 4) The places where intoxicating drinks are consumed and sold.”
The Kali Purusha said “Oh! Rajan, these places do not exist in your Kingdom? Where shall I go and reside? Therefore find a place for me to stay.” King Pareekshith began to think and said: “ I understand your concern, I can offer one more place to stay, where wealth and gold are accumulated in an improper means.” Thus, Kalipurusha made an entry into the Kingdom of Hasthinapur
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 13 – The Beginning of Kali Yuga
It was the beginning of Kali era, Pareekshith who is the son of Abhimanyu and Uththara, grandson of Arjun was crowned as the King of Hastinapura. He was a righteous ruler, he ruled the Kingdom wisely, and the people were sincerely engaged in Swadharma, they were extremely happy and contented. The Kingdom flourished with rich natural resources, righteousness prevailed all over the Earth.
Those days, Kings were used to visiting their subjects to inquire about their well-being. King Pareekshith conducted a visited his Kingdom to find out the welfare of the people. On his way, he found a cow and bull standing on one leg and communicating with each other and shedding tears. King Pareekshith felt extremely disappointed to see even the animals are not happy in his Kingdom. The cow was the representation of Earth and the bull was righteousness personified. The cow was shedding tears of extreme grief and the bull/Dharma asked “Why are you shedding tears? Are you troubled with something? Happiness and sorrows are comparative emotions of worldly existence, therefore do not worry.” The Earth/cow said “I am extremely disappointed to see the wickedness and deceitfulness of the people. They are not following any religious or spiritual rites, people started leaving Swadharma and accepting the Dharma which is not appropriate for them. They have become haughty and selfish and committing various horrible sins. I am overburdened by their atrocities.” He closely watched them, suddenly an ugly man with dark appearance beating the cow and bull on their single leg mercilessly. The King was in a rage rushed to the dark man and shouted “How dare to beat the animals that are already limping with one leg. Who are you? I do not tolerate these kinds of injustice in my Kingdom.” The dark man ran off, King Pareekshith began to chase him. Finally, he was caught by the King; he surrendered to the King and said “Oh! King, I am Kalipurusha who represents hypocrisies and wickedness. I am in your Kingdom at the will of the Supreme Lord; I have created by Him and instructed to be in your Kingdom. Therefore, kindly provide shelter in your Kingdom. The three Yugas of Kritha, Thretha, and Dwapara Yugas are over; I am the personification of Kali Yuga.” King Pareekshith realized he is obliged to follow the command of the Supreme Lord, he decided to give shelter to Kali Purusha and said “ Oh! Kalipurusha, you can reside in these four places 1) The place where occupied by prostitutes who sell their flesh for few pennies 2) You can stay in slaughter homes where animals are killed mercilessly 3) The place where gambling takes place, people shower abuses each other and earn money 4) The places where intoxicating drinks are consumed and sold.”
The Kali Purusha said “Oh! Rajan, these places do not exist in your Kingdom? Where shall I go and reside? Therefore find a place for me to stay.” King Pareekshith began to think and said: “ I understand your concern, I can offer one more place to stay, where wealth and gold are accumulated in an improper means.” Thus, Kalipurusha made an entry into the Kingdom of Hasthinapur
[10/28, 11:29] +91 99941 94653: Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 14 – The curse on King Pareekshith
Once, King Pareekshith adorned in the magnificent crown, attired in grand royal garments, accompanied by his men went for a hunting expedition. Soon, he began chasing the animal, after some time, he found left alone in the middle of the forest. He was tired of hunger and thirst, little far from the place he could see a hermitage. He approached the hermitage where Sage Sameeka was in deep meditation. The King went close to the Sage and said “ Oh! Revered Sage, I am worn out of hunger and thirst. Could you offer some water to quench my thirst?” The Sage was deeply immersed in the meditation, so he could not hear or respond to King Pareekshith who was already wearied, he felt humiliated became so angry, he shouted at the Sage and took a coil of a dead serpent which was found close to the seat of the Sage and garlanded around his neck. The Kalipurusha who was already dwelling on the marvelous crown of King Pareekshith started polluting his intellect; the King was completely under the influence of Kalipurusha left the hermitage of Sage Sameeka in a rage. While returning to the Palace, King Pareekshith already started feeling guilty for his immoral conduct; he was confused and thought “why did I do such an immoral act? What happened to me? I should not have behaved like that to a noble soul. I have committed a grave sin.”
Shrungi, son of Sage Sameeka returned from ablation and saw dead serpent around his father’s neck, was in deep meditation. He could realize all that happened in his absence with his mental power. He felt so disappointed at the behavior of King Pareekshith who is obliged to protect the righteousness and saintly people. Shrungi decided the King forgot to show the basic manner to a noble soul so he is deserved to be punished. He was so infuriated and cursed the King that he would face death by serpent Thakshaka bite in seven days. Sage Sameeka got out of the meditation and saw his son before him. Shrungi was in a rage, he detailed all that happened to his father while he was in deep meditation. Sage Sameeka became unhappy and advised his son “Dear son, You have made a terrible sin. You should not have cursed the King who is our protector. You should not have done that. He is a righteous King; hence you should inform the King about the curse immediately.”
Shrungi informed the King about the curse, but the King was grown far too dispassionate from the material world, he left the Palace and his family, he gracefully accepted the curse, he abandoned the thrown of Hasthinapur and left his Kingdom forever. He arrived on the banks of river Ganga and seated contemplating upon supreme Lord.
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 15 – Shukadev Maharaj the chief recipient of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran from Maharishi Vedavyasa
King Pareekshith sat on the river banks contemplating upon supreme Lord. Soon, all the illustrious sages Vedavyasa, Sage Parashara, Sage Shakthi, Sage Vashishta, Sage Athri, Sage Pulaha, Sage Pulasya etc… all the Rishis were assembled. Pareekshith was refused to have a meal or water, the Rishis and Sages assembled were reverentially greeted by Pareekshith, he was extremely pleased to be in the association of them, he considered the curse as his highest fortune to meet all the illustrious Sages in one place. He addressed the Sages “ Oh! Mahatma/Noble souls, kindly clarify my doubts and enlighten me.” The illustrious Rishis and Sages assembled had a dilemma about who will be seated on the raised dais to answer the questions of King Pareekshith. All the sages are highly proficient in all the Shastras, soon there arrived young Shukadev Maharaj who was sixteen years, son of Maharishi Vedavyasa took the raised seat under the auspicious tree.
In the previous birth, Shukadeva was a divine parrot in the Goloka which eulogizes the endless glories of Radha and Krishna during their pleasing hours. Later, it had received the immortal stories from Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash. The little bird chased by Lord Mahadeva was entered into the womb of the wife of Maharishi Vedavyasa. It spent nearly 12 months in the womb, it had the growth of ten months, the remaining two months it restricted its growth under control with its Yogic powers. The infant was not willing to come out of the mother’s womb. It made corrections of the utterance of Vedic chants by his father from the womb itself. His father Maharishi Vedavyasa assumed that the child must be supreme Yogi, who does not want to come out of the mother’s womb, in the fear of Maya/illusion. Finally, Maharishi Narada advised the infant to come out; the infant came out of the womb and immediately assumed the form of an adult of twelve years with his Yogic power. Soon he renounced the home and parents, left to woods for Tapasya and immersed in Nirvikalpa Samadhi, known as the highest state of spiritual advancement. Maharishi Vedavyasa followed his son with affection, but Shuka was not answered his call at all, it was all those trees, shrubs and creatures were answered his call. The ladies who were taking pleasure in the water sport were cautioned to cover their naked bodies at the arrival of Vedavyasa. He enquired them whether they have seen his son Shuka, they replied that they have seen him. He asked why they are too shy and covering their naked bodies at his arrival, the women have replied that ‘Shuka is an absolute Bramham’, therefore they did not feel to cover their bodies. Shukadev Maharaj underwent extreme meditation in the dense wood. Maharishi Vedavyasa advised his disciples to recite the glorious form of the supreme Lord into the ears of Shuka. The Supreme Lord Krishna who is adorned in marvelous crown decorated with feathers of the peacock, dark curly hair locks up to shoulder which attracts the pack of honey bees, he is adorned in fish-shaped marvelous ear ornaments, he has dark cloud complexion, he has beautiful long and compassionate eyes, his forehead is adorned in the rich sandalwood paste and vermilion, he has attractive nose and lips resemble Bimba fruit that holds a bamboo flute, his neck, and the chest is adorned in various precious ornaments of the gem and Vanamala, he is decorated with armlets, bangles, finger rings, and waist ornament, he is attired in grand yellow silk garment and adorned in magnificent anklets, he is holding a stick to graze cattle, he is smeared in dust raised from the hove of the cow. Shukadeva Maharaj envisaged the supreme form of Lord Krishna and attained a transcendental state. He opened his eyes and found the disciples of Maharishi Vedavyasa, he enquired the source of the glorious form of supreme Lord. Thus Shukadev Maharaj returned to Vedavyasa and learned the entire Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran from Naimisharanya which is going to relate to Pareekshith.
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|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 16 – The Legend of King Katvanga
The nectar-like legends of Sri Bhagavath Mahapurana begins from the parrot faced Shukadev Maharaj, he imparted the knowledge of Bhramam, love, and devotion to the Supreme Lord in seven days and at the end, King Pareekshith attained the abode of Lord. Shukadev Maharaj answered all the queries of Pareekshith with great enthusiasm, they have completed till the seventeenth chapter, Pareekshith said “ Oh! Sages, my humble salutations to you, I have seven days to live on this Earth, I want to purify my soul by listening to the endless glories of supreme Lord and attain highest of the spiritual state. Kindly advise me what should I do? How to meditate upon supreme Lord? What are the austerities I should follow? What are the sacred chants I should recite? Which is the spiritual place I should visit? What are the Yogi practices I should follow? What are the fire sacrifices I should perform? Kindly narrate which is the highest Dharmic rite should I perform?”
Shukadev Maharaj began to explain “ Pareekshith, your qualms are significant for spiritual welfare, all the living beings have to die in this Prithvi Lok, it is important to know how to become fearless of death. The extreme fear causes due to the attachment to worldly affairs, fear of poverty is caused by wealth, fear of illnesses caused by sensual pleasures, attachment of fame causes the fear of humiliation. Therefore the practice of renunciation/abandonment only can remove all these fears, sense of detachment provides fearlessness.” Pareekshith revealed his concern that he has only seven days to live on Earth, how to practice all those. Shukadev Maharaj describes the legend of King Katvanga to Pareekshith.
There was a King Katvanga in the Raghu dynasty. He immensely provided help to deities in a battle with the demons. Finally, the deities won the battle, deities were highly pleased with King Katvanga and Lord Indra offered a boon to King Katvanga who wanted to know about his life span on the Earth. Lord Indra advised King Katvanga to ask for some other boon, it is not permitted for the living beings on Earth to know their life span which could create chaos in the Prithvi Loka, therefore it always remained highly confidential between the deities. King Katvanga was firm to know about his life span. Lord Indra said “ Oh! King, you have 48 minutes left to live on the Earth.” King Katvanga was not anxious at all; he rushed to Prithvi Loka, arranged an assembly of members and offered his throne to his son, the wealth was equally distributed among his sons and a huge amount of charities were performed. He seated upon contemplating on supreme Lord and attained the abode of the Lord.
Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 17 – The creation of the Universe
Shukadev Maharaj describes “ Oh! King, There are three ways to contemplate upon the supreme Lord, sing in praise of Lord, remember his pastimes and virtues and meditate upon his glorious forms, cultivate an abundance of love and devotion to the supreme Lord, worship at his lotus feet, perform service to supreme Lord, surrender at his lotus feet, these are the significant path of devotion to the supreme Lord who is all-pervading, whose the physique has Viratswaroopa/massive form which comprises the fourteen worlds, all the living and non-living things. The contemplation upon the Viratswaroopa of supreme Lord cultivates the sense of ‘Oneness-in-All’. The Supreme Lord resides as a soul in living beings. It would remove the impurities of the intellect, it would remove worldly bondage, frustration, anger, fear and lamentation etc.. The ears which do not listen to the glories of supreme Lord is merely a snake pit, the mouth which do not utter the splendor of Lord is nothing but croaks of a frog, the heart which do not melt in the glories of the Lord and causes tears on eyes is nothing but stone. ”
The Sutha Pauranika continued to describe the glories of supreme Lord, Shuka Shaunakas and the Sages and Rishis assembled were cheered “Hail to supreme Lord”. Sutha Pauranika resumed “ Pareekshith Maharaj requested Shukadev to detail the creation of the Universe.” Shukadev Maharaj said “ Oh! King, it was the same question asked by Maharishi Narada to his father Lord Bhrama.”
Lord Bhrama to Narada “ Oh! son, The supreme Lord created me and imparted the knowledge of Chathusloki Bhagavath as a tool for the creation, I am not the creator, I was assigned with the work of creation as Lord Mahadeva does annihilation at the end of an era. Vathsa, the supreme Lord who represents innumerable Universes and its living beings, he is all-pervading, omniscient and omnipotent. We are celestials who have not much knowledge about the Supreme Lord. I was created by the Supreme Lord, sprung up on a lotus flower from his navel. All that I could sense was full of waves of energy, I was not aware of the purpose of my creation, therefore I have withdrawn myself through the lotus stem and conducted my search, it continued for one thousand one hundred years, I was unable to find the end of it, therefore I have returned. The mass-energy surrounded was instructed me to undergo penance to receive the grace of the supreme Lord. In this way, I have received the Chathushloki Bhagavath as a tool of creation from the supreme Lord who is imperishable, he continues to reside as a soul in all the living beings, he represents non-living things too, he continues to remain until the deluge takes place, and remains to exists after the delusion as well. He is unharmed by the ‘Maya’/illusion and it is the energy of the Supreme Lord.”
Shukadev Maharaj said “Pareekshith, I am describing the knowledge from Veda, which was re-created by Lord Bhrama after meticulously churning the scriptures thrice and brought out the essence of it known as ‘Devotion’/Bhakthi, I am teaching you the quintessence of it.”
Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
Chapter – 18 – The methods of devotion and supremacy of Bhagavath Mahapuran
In order to achieve the highest state of spirituality one should undergo various austerities, it requires renunciation, sense of abandonment, wisdom, devotion, perseverance, discipline, enthusiasm, courage, etc.. The scriptures describe the path of righteousness and guidelines to follow the practice of devotion. The Vedas holds supremacy that was not written by Rishis, hence it is known as ‘Apaurusheya’, the rules and regulations prescribed in it called ‘Sanatana Dharma’. The Vedas are the authority of all the scriptures, Vedanga has six auxiliary disciplines connected to the studies of Veda. These are the limbs of Veda; there are Six Vedangas which are Shiksha, Chandha, Vyakarana, Niruktha, Jyothisha, and Kalpa. The Veda and Vedanga are not easy to understand for ordinary people, even though the deities’ were fallen in love with it. Once Lord Krishna tells Uddhav “ Uddhav, No one knows thoroughly about the Veda other than me.” Therefore, Maharishi Vedavyasa composed eighteen Puranas and Upa Puranas, two epics/ Ithihas known as Srimad Ramayan and Mahabharath that includes Bhagavad Gita as well. Maharishi Vedavyasa elaborately describes the knowledge of Veda all through these Puranas. The Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran holds supremacy in all the Puranas, it is called ‘Precious Jewel of all Puranas’, rest of the Puranas talks about the path of righteousness and the meritorious reward. The Bhagavath Mahapuran is an exquisite scripture that talks about the love and devotion to the supreme Lord and his pastimes and virtues. The deities came to know about the lecture of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, all the deities were arrived with the pot of nectar of immortality and requested Shukadev Maharaj for those immortal stories of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran in exchange for the nectar of immortality. But, Shukadev Maharaj refused to give the scripture which is superior to the nectar of immortality. King Pareekshith listened to these immortal stories from Shukadev Maharaj for seven days. As it was predestined, on the seventh day, the King got bitten by serpent Thakshaka and left his mortal coil, ultimately his soul was taken to the abode of deities.
Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran
|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||
|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||
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