Shruti Says by Barkha Khandelwal

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirty Ninth Session

Bhagavata Shastha Skanda (Book Six)

Chapter 1 to 2 

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Pariksit Asks:

How a man in this world can manage to escape from hell which is full of various horrible tortures?

Sukhdevji Replies:

If a man does not atone during his very life time and in the proper way, as laid down by the scriptures (Shastras) for the sins committed by him, with his mind, speech and hand, he inevitably and actually goes after death to the infernal regions (Hell) and has to bear severe tortures.

Pariksit Asks: 

A man knows after what he hears and reads, as to what is sinful, he repents and atones, but due to lack of control, commits the sin again. He is stuck in this vicious circle - absolving from the sin and then doing it again. How does he ever get rids of these sins then?

“The elephant goes and take a nice bath, just to come and throw dust on its body again.”

Sukhdevji Replies:

Now, the counteraction of a sinful act, by another act of goodness is not a radical remedy. 

“Even a number of holy rivers combined can not purify a Jar of wine.”

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Story

There was a Learned Brahmin named Ajamila, a very pious person and belonged to a very pious family. He had a young devoted wife. He and his family lived an exemplary life. 

One day he was walking past a jungle when he saw a drunk man indulging sexually with a prostitute. He stood watching and he felt an urge to experience the same sensual bliss. He understood that this was wrong and this was nothing but an attack by his senses and mind. Yet, he was unable to reason himself out of this burning desire.

He forced himself home, but the next day, visited the jungle and met this prostitute and soon he got her home. He forgot about his parent and his pious wife. He left them all and started living with her. He would do everything to make her happy and fulfilled her unending demands. To the extent that this learned Brahmin became a thief, a dacoit and later a murder. Such horrendous became his life, that no one would every come near their house.

Time went by, he had 10 sons and even at the age of 88 he was not free from the clutches of sensual pleasures. One day when he had gone out to fend for his family, a sage passing by, when he saw a little boy playing. He asked the boy his name, to this his mother answered that they had not named him yet. The sage asked her to call him Narayan.

Ajamila was very attached to Narayan, he would not eat, drink or sleep without his beloved son. He would go around calling out for Narayan every minute. Soon the time for his death arrived, as he laid on his bed, he saw some hideous looking creatures come down and they were trying to tear his soul from his body. 

He shouted out for his son, Narayan come to me, Oh Narayan come to me. The minute the servants of Lord Narayan heard his name and someone calling for him, the immediately descended. When they saw the messengers of Yamaraj, pulling Ajamila’s soul. They stopped them saying they had no right over his soul. 

Poor Ajamila could see and hear, the dialogue bettween the 4 servants of Narayan and the 4 Servants of Yamaraj, as to who would take his soul. There followed a long dialogue, which started with the servants of Narayan asking, Yama’s servant;

- What is the true characteristics of Dharma?

- How is the punishment given and to whom?

- Are all doers subject to punishment or only some?

To which Yama’s messengers answered;

- Dharma is that which is enjoined by the Veda and that which is forbidden by the Veda is Adharma. Vedas are Bhagwan Narayan himself.

This Ajamila they said, has violated the scripts, acted according to his own will, led a sinful life and lived for a long time in an impure state, he is a sinner, who has done no atonement for his sins to Yama, and he will throw him into the hell which will punish him for his hideous acts.

To which Bhagwan Narayan’s messengers answered;

This man has done atonement for all his sins, he said the name of Narayan in full, it wipes out the sins even when uttered in parts. He uttered it when he was about to die and there was no chance of another thought, word or action to be done. So after uttering the Lords name he could not commit another sin in thought, word and deed. 

Not only this, this kind of a perfect timing, of taking the lords name precisely at the time of death is not possible without the Lords will. 

Moreover, the Lords name, uttered for the Lord or for calling anyone else, uttered with love or hatred or with any emotion, with respect or disrespect, voluntarily or involuntarily, knowingly or unknowingly, destroys all sins instantly. 

Hence, he is free from all sins he has done so far and hence, can not be taken to Yama, who cannot send him to Hell. 

Hearing this, the messengers of Yama, let loose the soul of Ajamila and went back to Yama, reported everything that had conspired and asked for help in understanding what had just happened. Ajmila now loose from the noose of death fell at the feet of the messengers of God.

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Point to Ponder

Every sin has a specific remedy. Just like every illness has a specific medicine. However, finding a remedy for every sin every committed is a very tedious and difficult process. Instead of attaching every sin, what if the very root could be removed.

Sin - Remove it from the root

As long as one is identified with the body, and considers the body as the self and all things related to the body as Mine. This ignorant being can not be freed from the clutches of sin. 

The identification with the body is the root cause of all sins. Till the root exists it will keep sprouting out new sins.

To eradicate sins, one has to burn the roots, with the ’True knowledge of the Self’. True knowledge drives aways ignorance and destroys the very root of sinful existence. 

Just like the fires purifies anything that is placed in it, the fire of Self-Knowledge destroys the gravest of Sins.

Self-Discipline (Pls refer to material on Vibhisan Gita from Ramayan)

‘This can be achieved by the practice of self-discipline, which gradually makes one qualified for blessedness.’

- Concentration of mind

- Continence

- Subjugation of the mind 

- Control of external indriyas

- Charity

- Truthfulness

- Purity (Body and Mind)

- Vow of non-Violence 

- Scared Observances 

The wise who are well versed with the spirit of Dharma are able to destroy the greatest sins every committed, just as the fire destroys the whole thicket of bamboos.

Devotion

Guru Govind dono khade,

Kake lagu paye,

Balihari guru aapki, 

Govind Diyo milaya. 

(Guru and Lord are both standing side by side, whose feet should I touch first. I am so indebted to you Oh Guru, who helped me meet God.)

Indeed, a sinner is not purified as much thought asceticism and other processes as the one who has dedicated his life to the constant service to the devotees of God. 

Hari Naam

Utterance of the name of the Lord, is able to atone all categories of sins and help in attaining final Beatitude.

The process of elimination of the sins is not complete, if ones mind runs back to evil ways even after the process of penance has been completed. 

Therefore, those seeking complete eradication of all the sinful karmas done, should utter the praise of Shri Hari, which is the only remedy.

Hari Naam without doubt purifies the Mind.

Jai Shri Krishna 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏

Sessions

Sessions

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirty Sixth Session 

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 7 to 9

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Story

Rishabh dev crowned Bharat the King and guided all his sons to support him in ruling the kingdom. When Bharat ruled the kingdom it is said that every citizen was selfless and the entire globe was a safe heaven. His rule was so divine that, the subdivision of Jambudwipa, known as Ajanabha, was renamed Bharat Varsa (Varsa meaning subdivision). Bharat Varsa is the name of our country, which is currently called India or at times Hindustan.

During his reign he conduced many Yagnas and offered even the rewards, which was expected by all the sacrifices to the Lord of the Sacrifices. He could see that there was no two, there was only one in the offering, the person offering and that God (various deities including Indra) who was accepting. Such elevated was King Bharat’s state of being.

He was married to Pancajani and had 5 sons, each as divine as Bharat himself. King Bharat realised that 10 million years had gone by and now he must have exhausted all the good merits. Not only this, he also saw that all his sons were able and ready to shoulder his responsibility. Hence, he just like all his ancestors tore down the shackles of the material world, and went on to the next Ashram - Vanaprasth Ashrama. 

King Bharat went near the hermitage of Sage Pulaha, situated at the banks of Gandaki, also knows as the Salagramaksetra, a place where Shri Hari reveals himself in his true devotees desired form even today. He made a small tattered hut for himself and immersed in deep Tapa (austerities) with one pointed focus - The Lord. He was focused and discipled and could think of nothing other than the Lord with every breath.

One morning while he was engaged in his daily Tapa, he saw a Doe which had by chance strayed from its herd, drinking water, when a loud roar of the lion scared her into taking a leap from one bank to another, in the course of the leap, its womb gave way and the baby deer feel into the stream of water. The doe reached the other side but died immediately due to fear and fatigue.

Bharat immediately jumped to rescue the deer and nursed it back to health. In the process, he developed a strong attachment towards the deer and spend most of his time tending and waiting on the deer. When the deer went into the jungle, Bharat would spend time worried waiting for it to return safely. His entire being was immersed in the thought of the deer, leaving no place for anything else.

Soon all his austerities and spiritual practices were forgotten and the Great King Bharat who was able to snap in a minute the ties with his kith and kin, got entangled in attachment with this deer. Time went by and the time for his death arrived, even then all he could think of was this deer standing next to him like a son, shedding tears and worrying about what would happen to the deer after he died, he left his body, without turning his mind towards God.

Hence, he was born as a deer in his next birth, and luckily because of his love for the Lord, his precious lives memories did not leave him. He repented and left his mother, the doe and his home in the Kalanjara forest and ones again went to sage Pulastya and Pulaha’s ashram, there keeping away from all, yet listening to the divine Satsang, he waiting for the time to leave this animal body, which was unfit for meditation. He would stand in the water half submerged, this posture knowns as Ardhajala, which is said to have a potential to give a higher birth, if in this posture at the time of death. 

When the time came, he left the Deer Body and was born in the family of a great Brahmin sage, who was a decedent of sage Angira. This Brahim had 2 wives, from the first he had 9 sons and from the second he had 1 son (Jada Bharat) and a daughter. 

He still had the memories of his previous births, and determined not get entangled in infatuations and attachment, he depited him self and as a dim wit and a fool. He kept to himself and all the efforts put in by his father to teach him failed, he was even unable or unwilling to learn the ‘Gayatri Mantra’. The brahmin father, however made sure he did all the Samskaras for Jada Bharat up till the Samavartana and soon passed away. His mother too handed over her two children to the first wife and left her body with her husband.

His bothers and their family tried to be patient with Jada Bharat but, at last lost all patience and thinking of him as dull and stupid, started mistreating him. Not knowing, that the knowledge of the three veda, which they possessed, is not higher than the knowledge of the self, which Jada Bharat revelled in. He was miss treated, humiliated and shouted at, at times was denied food and at times given left over or rotten food. Inspite of all this, Jada Bharat remained ‘equipoise’ and kept his cover.

He was asked to guard the fields and would spend his time there. One day a few people of the bandit tribes kidnapped him. They were preparing a human sacrifice for their Chieftain, who wanted to offer a human to Bhadrakali, seeking to be blessed with a son. However, the human, somehow escaped and when they saw Jada Bharat and his strong personality, they felt he would make a good sacrifice.

Jada Bharat did not resist the attack, nor did he resist the preparation baths and food he was offered. Later when the sword was approaching him to chop his neck, he sat unruffled immersed in the bliss of the divine. However, Ma Kali could not see this torture of a divine devotee and immerged from the statue with her retinue and lopping the heads of all the bandit, she drank the blood and danced the dance of horror. Even at this Jada Bharat exhibitted not emotions and walked aways lost in divine bliss.

He wandered from place to place and was noticed by a group of palanquin bearers at the bank of Iksumati river. Seeing his stout, young and muscular personality they got him to help them lift the Palanquin of Kind Rahugana - of the region Sindhu and Sauvira, who was headed to the the Ashram of Kapila Muni. 

King Rahugana, was no other than the Deer, which was nurtured with so much attachment by Bharat in his previous birth. It is said that he was to have taken 100 more births before getting a human body. However, that company a saint like King Bharat, got him a Human body in just few births. Such is the magic of the company of the sages.

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Points to Ponder

It is all That One

King Bharat knew the subtle secret, that all is one hence, while doing the yangna he was offering back all the reward to the Lord himself.

Tera tujhko arpan,

Kya lage mera.

‘The jiva has acquired the false vanity, thinking that it is he who is making the offering in the yagna. The fact is that the person can offer oblation in the yagna when inspired by the Lord to do so, only then can the deity (say Indra) receive it.

There is not body who is doing the rituals and no body who is enjoying the results. It is the one Lord seated in the heart of all. The giver and the taker are not two. There is only one.’

Attachment - The cause of Downfall

‘Ante matih saa gatih’

Whatever we have in mind in our last moments and whatever we are attached to determines our next birth. Just like, Bharat had the deer in his mind, hence was born as a deer himself.

Raag - Attachment is not necessary and not having attachment does not mean that one is void of Love.

Attachment is selfish, love is selfless 

Attachment hurts, love heals

Attachment binds, love liberates

These two terms can not be used interchangeably or in the same breath.

Attachment - Clouds ones thinking, is filled with fear of loss and disappointments due to expectations.

Detachment - Clears ones thinking, is filled will feeling of freedom for self/others and is liberating cause there is no expectation involved.

Sub Stories to explain attachment:

- Burning House

A man was discussing about the news of a house which was on fire, he was eating and having drink and very casually talking, occasionally with a smile on his face. When suddenly his servant ran in and informed the that house which was on fire was his. This same man who as calm and composed a minute back, panicked and dropped his drink, started perspiring profusely and ran madly towards his home. 

What had changed? 

It was a house, later it became ‘My’ house. It is all about me and mine that drives us. Or shall is say the false notion of ‘Mine’ and ‘Thine’, this maya, the deluding power clouds our judgement. 

- Sage (The women and that baby)

There was this Girl and a boy who loved each other, but knew that the family will never accept their relation. It just to happened that this girl became pregnant and later gave birth to a baby. But, refused to tell anyone who the father was. On being, pressured to tell, she looked at the sage who was just walking by and said, eh is the father.

The villager got wild and started abusing the sage. The sage remained quiet and when asked to look after the girl and the baby. He took the baby and walked to his ashram. People kept on abusing the sage over the years. Yet the sage kept taking care of the girl and the baby.

One day finally, the girl and the boy gather courage and owned up their relationship and said that he sage was innocent. All the villagers repented mistreating the divine sage. They apologised and asked the sage to give back the baby who now a small little toddler.

The sage with the same calm, with which he had taken baby, gave it back and walked away.

Was there not Love for the child?

Yes, there was love, sages harbour divine love for all. But, there was no attachment. 

Being in the Grihasta Ashram, one can be a better mom, a better dad, a better friend, a better child, basically I can be a better me if is free myself of attachment and fill my heart with divine love.

- Sage (The question of the King) 

Ones a sage visited a king and the kind asked him to stay. The sage accepted the offer and started living there and doing all that he king was doing. He was using all the luxuries and eating all the lavish treats. Now, the king had a doubt creep up his mind, and thought that this sage was just a ‘Dhongi’. So after a few months he gathered the courage and asked the sage;

‘You are doing all that I am doing, what is the difference between you and me?’

The sage did not reply that very moment he got up and started walking. The king followed him persistently asking and demanding an answer and the sage kept walking, till they walked for day and had to cross the border of the kings country. The king asked the sage to stop, and said he had a kingdom, a family and he had to return. To which the sage answered;

‘That is the difference between you and me, I don’t have to go back. You gave so I used, and now if i don’t have, it does not matter.’ 

You can own things, but don’t let the things own you. Using something is alright, but getting attached to it is the cause of a massive downfall.

- Raja Janak and SukhDevji

Sukhdevji was sent to Raja Janak to seek knowledge. Sukhdevji looked at Raja Janak as a Grihasta and felt it below his divinity to take knowledge from someone living in the midst of all opulence. However, on the insistence of Vyasa he went. For many months Raja Janak did not let him, and when the ego was a bit dampened, he allowed him in the court.

Sukhdev looked around and felt what lesson with this gold studded man teach me. Raja Janak understood and gave him bowl filled to the brim with oil. He said, go enjoy my city, but mind you the minute even a drop of oils fall and touches the ground your head will be chopped, but he man walking behind you with the sword.

Now, Sukhdevji was very careful, he walked around all day, the king had made special arrangement for entertainment and decorations were specially put in place. In the evening finally Sukhdevji was allowed to return and he put down the bowl and looked up finally.

Raja Janak asked, so how was the my city, Sukhdevji said, I just walked around without noticing or being distracted. I did not see anything. The minute he said that he fell to Raja Janak feet and took him as his guru. 

Raja Janak lived in the world, but had his eye on the divine and kept in mind that the time of death can arrive anytime. Doing all his karmas, yet he was always connected to the Lord.

We know ourselves the best, ask yourself?

- The relationships that I hold so close, are they love or are they attachment?

- Is a mothers relationship with her child not selfish? She loves him/her cause he is her son. Had the same child not been her son, would she love him as much?

- Am I using what I have or am I attached to my possession?

Devotion - Is carried forward

Bharat due to attachment to the deer, had to be born as a deer and later as Jada Bharat, but God blessed him with memory of his past births, so that he could amend his mistake and reach his goal

‘Worship of Lord is never wasted. The person who worships the Lord may slip and fall, may have to born as an animal or bird, but his devotion to Lord will be retained, regardless of the body he acquires. Love for God has its own obvious effects.’

A True Devotee - The Lord Protects

Kali leapt and slaughter the dacoits who were going to kill Jada Bharat. Jada Bharat did not seek protection, he was just immersed in divine bliss.

‘Ja ko rakhe saiya, 

Maar sake na koi.

Baal na baka kar sake,

Jo jag bairi hoye.’

‘The Shrimad Bhagavata implies that this the fate of whoever misbehaves with a Mahatma. The Ramcharitramans says the same;

- Sadhu Avagyaa kara fala aisa, Jare nagar anaath kara jaisaa.

- Jo aparaadha bhagatakara karaeei, Rama rosa paavaka so jarayee.

Jada Bharat had achieved such a state that he felt no anger for anyone. He was neither elated when honoured nor felt fear when they were about to kill him. He was a Stith Pragna - was equally indifferent to respect and insult, life and death, or whatever came to him. 

He knew that the earthen pot is made and broken, but the essence of the earth remains unchanged. It makes no difference to the Atma weather the body is dead or alive.’ Swami Akhandanadaji

We know ourself the best, Ask yourself: 

- How true a devotee I am? 

- What is my state of being?

- What is my level of surrender?

Power of Sat Ka sung - It Uplifts

The deer who was to take 100 birth before getting the human birth was uplifted by the company of King Bharat and got a Human birth as King Rahugana.

King Rahugana was very fond of satsang, because the company and the impression of the precious life always leave their influence. The influence of his precious life was so strong that he did not enjoy any company other than the company of Mahatmas.

What is meant by Satsang?

- Satsang is that which brings us closer to our Dharma.

What is our Dharma?

- Our Dharma is Sat Chid Anand

We should aways be in the company of that which brings us closer to our satchidanand swaroop. Anything that takes us aways from our Satchidanand swaroop should be avoided, it could be anything people, place, thing etc

In the same way there might be a question as to what is good company and what is bad company? Or what is good desire and what is bad desire?

Again, any company or desire that takes us towards our satchidanand swaroop, is good and any company or desire that takes us aways from our satchidanand swaroop is bad.

We know ourself the best, Ask yourself?

- Am a Tree trunk that can get to the other bank and carry many with me to safely?

- Am I just a small twig or thin branch which can float to safety if left alone, but will sink if held on to?

- Am I a twig or a branch who is unable to float to the other bank on my own, I myself need support?

The answer defines the choice of company…

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Fifth Session (Part 1)

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 5 and 6

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Story: 

King Rishabh was actually the foremost and he had 100 sons as divine as him, Bharat being the eldest. Under the love, care and guidance of Jayanti, their mother, they all grew up to be very pious. 

Rishabh dev treated his Praja and Putra equally and always taught his children in the open where all others could also join. On one such day Rishabdev touring around his kingdom, reached Brahmavarta, there in the gathering of foremost Brahmanas he addressed his sons. 

Note: 

We have to understand that a King, who was a Grihasta, who had been not only a perfect Brahmachari and later a divine Grihast, Was addressing his sons, who where to later, rule the kingdom and enter the Grihasta Ashram themselves. 

So, while reading the teaching we cannot shrug our shoulder and decline the applicability of the teaching on us, saying we are Grihastas and not Sanyasis. 

After imparting the divine truth of existence, he left everything behind, and went to a place where none recognised him. His body was his soul companion, with only the sky to cover it. He waked around like a dumb, mute and mad man. People abused and insulted him, yet he smiled through all that.

He crossed many cities during his wandering years and finally, entered a forest, and sat in one position, not moving and eating what came his way. Soon the forest caught fire and Rishabdev, just put a stone in his mouth and let the universe do his final rites and became one with the divine.

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Points to Ponder:

The points to ponder have been divided into two part:

1. The address/teaching imparted to his sons - An important advice for parenting

2. The learning from Rishabdev’s Avadhuta - wandering stage

The teachings imparted to his Son’s

“These day the parents buy their children gifts, give them the best academic education, and provide them with different kinds of knowledge and training to teach them how to earn a living. Yet never do they tell their children how wealth should be used to support Dharma or how Dharma should be practiced to take them to Moksh.

Under such condition, if the children get spoiled and walk unrighteous paths, whose fault is it? Parents have to won their responsibility.” Swami Tejomayananda 

A teacher is no teacher, a relation is no relation, a father is no father, a mother is no mother, a deity is no deity nor is a husband a husband;

- Who is unable to redeem his pupil, relation, son, votary or wife fallen into the whirlpool of transmigration.

- Who does not lead the one depending on him or her to God, to become free from all worldly bondage.

It is like directing a blind man who is following a wrong track to continue on that path.

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This human body should not be indulged in the pursuits of sensuous pleasures. These kind of pleasure are enjoyed even by swines, dogs and other animals. It is worth of being devoted to actives through which the mind is purified.

Note: An erring soul commits sin only when he endeavours to gratify his senses.

Sub Story 1:

Ones upon a time, there was a poor wood cutter, and he used to work very hard for a living. One day when he was toiling in the sun, the King reached there and was very thirsty and tired.

The woodcutter offered him water and made the king comfortable. The king was very pleased and he sent his minister to the wood cutter and gifted him a forest. 

This forest was not an ordinary forest, it was a sandal wood forest, so that the poor wood cutter would not have to work so hard and could earn more money.

Now, the wood cutter was very happy to receive the gift but did not realise that it was the forest of sandal wood. He, as usual, chopped wood and sold for the same price as before. He wasted his precious gift.

Ponder:

God has given us the precious birth of Human beings. Let us not waste it like the wood cutter who did not realise the precious gift. Let us live a discipled life, pray to God and be one with the Lord

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There are two paths, two roads, two gates - There is not too much of a choice and there is no middle way. We can spend our full life trying to strike a balance - A balance between the spiritual and the material world. But to be honest, there is not such thing as balance. 

‘The wise suggest that one has a strong spiritual base and then build a material world on it, according to it.’

Gate 1 - Service of the self realised masters/ elevated souls

Gate 2 - The company of the lustful/ people full of worldly desires

Sub Story 2: 

There was a man due to his immense good deeds was assigned to heaven. On route to heaven he crossed hell and saw people dancing, eating and having a good time. When he reached heaven, he saw that it quiet and some what desolated.

This man went to God and said, I would like to go to hell. God was astonished and asked him why? The man said he felt it was better there. God agreed.

The minute this man landed in hell, he was beaten and tortured, battered he asked why are you doing this. The people said welcome to hell. But, again he said, when I passed I saw all of you enjoying. To this they said, that was our marketing team, then you were just a guest.

Ponder:

The company of the lustful people is also like this. Initially we enjoy this kind of company very much because it leads us to revel in sense pleasures. But, when we come into the grip of such a life style, the agitations starts.

Eg: Plastic surgery - How one surgery leads to another and so on. There is no satisfying ones urges and thirst. 

Note:

Some characteristics of the wise/ They alone are really great

- Who are even minded

- Exceptionally calm and composed

- Free from anger

- Kind Hearted

- Pious

- Who consider love offered to God as the only object of Human pursuit

- Who take no delight in the company of such people who are engaged merely in nourishing their body 

- Who have no selfish interest in the world

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There are two knots of the mind that tie one down and does not let one elevate to the realm of bliss

- Association with the body - Me

- Attachment to all the relationship of the Body - Mine

Grihasta Ashram is a divine place to be, but a fool forgets its own essential nature and the divinity and decorum of this phase of life and finding a home providing sexual enjoyment as a characteristic feature, suffers torments of various kinds. 

Ponder:

The mind and the senses create this bond of attachment and desires. As the mind is purified this bond can be broken and pure love can replace lust and attachments. Constant effort and vigilance is required.

Sub Story 3:

There was a prostitute who would visit a sage every day and ask him if he was able to conquer passion. The sage would never reply to her and would remain quiet. One day the news came that the sage passed away. This lady rushed to him and said, you can not die, you have not answered my question. 

That very moment, just to answer this question the sage got up and said, Yes I HAVE and again left his body motionless and dead.

Ponder Further: 

No one can claim to conquer the mind, the minute we get laid back, it attacks, total awareness is essential. 

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How can one be freed by all worldly bondage/Maya? 

How can one purify the mind? 

- By adoring God and depending on God the pure self

- By freedom from thirst for enjoyment 

- By enduring pairs of opposite 

- Through a spirit of enquiry into the truth by Tapa (Austerities)

- By abstaining from actions done with some interested motive. Instead focus on selfless service 

- By hearing Hari Katha everyday

- Through the fellowship of devotees 

- By singing the Lords praises

- Through even-mindedness, tranquility and freedom from animosity

- Through a desire to give up identifying with the body, house etc

- Through a careful study of scriptures 

- By living in solitude (Gives time to reflect)

- By thoroughly controlling the breath, the indriya and the mind

- Through faith in saints and the holy books

- Through continence - control of bodily discharge 

- Through constant vigilance 

- Through control of tongue 

- Through wisdom illumined by realisation and penetrating enough to perceive my presence everywhere 

- Through deep meditation

“Equipped with firmness, diligence and discretion, a clever man should endeavour to tear the veil know by the name fo ego.”

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A result of purification of mind 

A pure mind respects all living being mobile as well as immobile at every step as many abodes of God or God himself. 

This love for all is true worship - seeing God in all and all in God is true worship

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We might argue the above all is easier said than done, to turn towards God, and putting ourselves at his feet goes a long way. 

Sub Story 4:

Story Small fish and the fisherman 

There was a fisherman who would come everyday and fish and the big mighty fish would get trapped and taken away. But, there was this one fish, who would never be caught. Now, curious to know, they all went to find out what was his secret.

This little fish said that, whenever the fisher man comes, he quickly goes and stands right next to his feet. Note: The net is thrown away at a distance and by staying at the feet he is saved.

Example: The grain of wheat and Chakki - When we were small we have seen our grand mothers using the chukki to grind wheat into flour. We would see that the grains which were away from the centre stick which was held to move the two stones, would remain as it is, but the grains which were further away would be crushed.

Ponder: 

When one surrenders to the feet of God, Maya can not touch him. But the further one is from the feet of God, the easier it is for one to get 

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When we surrender and are willing to do anything to realise the Self hidden beneath the layers, through constant austerities the brilliance of the self - our true value is revealed.

Sub Story 5:

Ones Leo Tolstoy was having a conversation with a man. 

Leo Tolstoy: What is the value of this piece of iron?

Man: A few dollars

Leo Tolstoy: If I make a horse shoe with it?

Man: We will get a few more dollars

Leo Tolstoy: If we make needles for from it?

Man: It will be worth more than the shoe 

Leo Tolstoy: If we make tiny parts for a watch?

Man: It will be worth a lot more

Leo Tolstoy: My friend, how do we make the needle and the and tiny parts from the metal slab?

Man: By putting the metal in the fire, which makes it soft and then by beating the soft metal to the desired shape.

Leo Tolstoy: Humans being are also like this ….

Ponder:

Human being are also like this. More we train ourselves, more discipline we live by, we increase our value. Living a disciplined life our mind becomes disciplined, our thought are moe productive and we become more productive.

Living by discipline is putting our personality in fire, putting our bad habits in fire to purify. We do not like it in the beginning, but soon we will feel the bliss unfold.

Know the Self

Just blossom

When you blossom the fragrance will fill the entire universe. Those touched will feel it, they will want to blossom too, and those who don’t won’t bother you anymore.

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Fifth Session (Part 2)

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 5 and 6

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The learning from Rishabdev’s Avadhuta - wandering stage

Hierarchy 

Caste/Varna not by birth by Deed/Characteristics/state of mind

1. Brahmanas (Brahmins)

2. Vishnu 

3. Brahma

4. Shiva 

5. Mind Born son of Brahma - Daksa and other

6. Gods with Indra as the leader 

7. Kinnars (Attendands of God) 

8. Siddhas (A class of demi gods who are endowed with mystical power)

9. Gandharva (Celestial musicians)

10. Pramathas (Spirits and genii forming the retinue of Lord Rudra)

11. Human Beings

12. Beast endowed with intelligence 

13. Mobile Creature 

14. Plants 

15. Mineral and stones 

To understand the above, you don’t need to think out of the box. You need to think as if there is no Box.

————————————

Qualities of a Brahmin - Caste/Varna not by birth by the inner texture 

1. Brahmanas are the one who maintain the Lord in the form of Vedas, Shastras on earth

2. Sanctifying quality of sattva

3. Control of mind and senses

4. Truthfulness and compassion

5. Asceticism 

6. Endurance

7. Wisdom

8. Rich in devotion to the Lord

9. Have nothing to seek even form the Lord

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Fickleness of the Mind 

8 Sidhis came to Rishab dev’s life. This included the ability to go anywhere at will, fly in the sky, obtain any desired object etc. Rishabdev denied all of them.

Raja Parikshit asked weather it would have harmed Rishabdev in anyway, had he accepted the Siddhis. Sukhdevji replied.

‘King, the mind is fickle - one should never consider it to be a true friend. Many yogis because of the confidence in their mind lost their hard earned Tapa. People who claim to have over come desires, anger and greed are deluded. 

Just as we can never trust a cheat, in the same way we should never trust what the mind tells us, because the mind is an unworthy as a cheat.

————————————

Be Careful 

‘One man experience becomes a thousands religion’ 

That one man acted in a particular way, as an outcome of his inner most experience, that oneness, that expansion. On the other hand, sadly we blindly imitate his outwardly actions, to get that experience. 

- Submerged in the divine bliss he lost sense of his body. We torture the body to experience divine bliss

- Submerged in divine bliss sweet poems enraptured from his mouth. We mouth the words in anticipated that bliss would rupture.

Socho, Ponder and analyse …

That wave realised that he was the ocean, we hold on to the wave and brutally try and divide the ocean.

——————————————

Austerities - Why? 

There was a sage who had burnt his whole life in the fire of Tapa. He has gained after all this a special power - he could produce fire at will. 

He was worshipped by all and was glorified by the Mudhas (fools). His renown and devotees were spread all over the globe.

One day another divine sole, hardly known, came to see this wonder Sage. He asked, How long did you take to get this power and how much effort did you put?

The sage, all pumped up, answered I put in my entire life, my life long effort.

This divine soul, took out a match box from his pocket and said, oh, I don’t even have to put in any effort and wala he said see fire.

Ponder

Can any amount of sidhi, ridhi, samridhi, swarga be the desired outcome of Tapa (Austerities). How shallow would it be if this were the object of a Sadkhak, and how foolish would be the followers.

Wake Up - Manur Bhav - Manushya tu Manusya to pehle banja 

True Divinity in itself is a Miracle 

Seek the Divine

Experience the Divine 

Be the Divine 

Jai Shri Krishan 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Fourth Session

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 2 to 4

————————————————

Story

Priyavrata crowned his son Agnidhra the King and departed to continue his Sadana. Agnidhra when it was time to enter from the Brahmachari Ashram to Grihasta Ashram, decided to undergo intense Tapa at the foot hills of the Mandara Mountain, so that he could get a pious wife and a worthy lineage. Brahmaji got pleased and he send an Apsara named Purvachitti, from his own abode. Agnidhra had 9 sons and after the 9 sons were born, Purvachitti went back to the abode of Brahma where she had come from.

When the time came, the eldest of them, Nabhi was crowned the king and Agnidhra went on to the Vanaprast Ashram. When he departed, he had to spend some time at the Loka of the Apsaras. This is because he was attached to Purvacitti and even after she departed he considered her to be his highest desire.

Nabhi was a very just ruler and was married to the daughter of the Sumeru Parvat, Meru Devi. Together under the supervision of holy priest and adhering to all the rules, he decided to conduct a sacrifice, and had a divine son, just like Shri Hari. Vishnu, the Lord of Sacrifices himself graced him, and said as there is not anyone like him, he is the only one, he himself will manifest as the Son of Nabhi.

Time flew and soon a lovely child with all the divine marks was born. He was named Rsabha, the foremost. Nabhi would adore him and say, this is my child, my child. How maya envelopes even the wise, he forgot that it was the divine that has manifested. When time came just like his ancestors, Nabhi handed over the kingdom to Rsabha and went to seek the self.

Rsabha was all satva, unmixed with Rajas and Tamas. His divinity spread, and everyone revelled in bliss. So much so that Indra got upset and decide to test him. He stopped all rain and there was a massive drought. Rsabha Dev understood, that it was all Indra’s doing, and with his blissful smile, made the rain tumble down again and everyone was overjoyed.

Indra himself decedent and said he was just testing if Rsabha was truly as divine as all claimed and he offered his daughter, Jayanti’s hand in marriage. Rsabha dev and Jayanti were the personification of Vishu and Laxmi. During their rule the entire bhuloka shone in great contentment.

He showed all not only how a Brahmachari should live, but showed them how a Grihasta should lead his life, how he should endeavour to fulfil the Human pursuits and how he should support the other ashrams.

He had 100 glorious sons. The eldest of whom was Bharat, after whom Bharat, our country got its name. He would never differentiate between his children and his citizens and all his teachings were made available to all. 

Points to Ponder

In Priyavrata’s lineage was born Rsabhadeva. He was the fifth generation. The consistent effort of the entire family is visible here. Generation after generation, the effort to uplift ones state of being and to move towards divinity was upheld. As the level of purity was persistently increased the self revelled the self and the divine was born.

As many sages say, the Lord is willing to come, he is longing to take an avatar, but is there a womb which can carry him.

Grihatha ashram is the backbone of all the ashrams, it not only supports and nurtures all the ashrams but also has the capacity to bring in Satyug. 

Getting a Human birth is rare and that to being in the Grihasta ashram is precious. If only, the Grihastas awaken and the Humans become human.

Two most detrimental and derogatory statement that we make are,

- We are just Humans..

- We are Grihastas not sanyasis

Note: 

Many a times a problem in behaviour or mannerisms is traced back to the ancestors and then it is found that a particular thing, mannerism or pattern in behaviour or interaction within the family is because of so and so reason. 

Everything is captured by the genes, so to have a pious lineage, how much alertness and commitment must be needed is worth a serious thought.

Agnidhra

‘You become what you seek, seek wisely.’

Agnidhra who was not yet sated with sense delight, constantly thought of that celestial nymph as superior to everything else, and secured through deeds enjoined by the Vedas, residence in the same heaven with her.

Hence, All our attachments pull us and we are born according to our desires. Hence, it is essential to have control over our desire and direct all our attachments toward the supreme, if liberation is what we seek.

Nabhi and The Priests

Point 1

‘Burn your bridges, and walk forward, without the assurance that when you leap the net will appear.’

The lord is difficult to attain even when all the means of propitiating him are fully employed.

Point 2

‘Don’t try to understand him, just surrender and love him. Worship from a flawless pure heart, attracts him.’

Incapable of extolling you, we have been taught by worthy souls only to repeat the word ‘NAMAH’ which means Obeisance to you.

Because, Man whose mind is engrossed in the phenomenal world and who is therefore powerless, cannot hope to determine your essential character with the help of names and colours and forms of this material universe. This universe can not even touch the fringe of your being.

All he can do is recount a part of your multitudinous excellent virtues, which drive away the sins of all mankind and are most auspicious by nature.

Lords virtues are incessantly recounted even by sages revelling in the self - who have burnt all their sins in the fire of wisdom fanned by detachment and who have imbibed your nature - uttering of praises is the highest blessing for them since they too are not easily graced by your sight.

Point 3

‘The biggest blessing is devotion to the Lords feet, his name on our tongue and his constant remembrance.’

While stumbling, sneezing, falling down and yawning, when placed in a sad plight and so on even in high fever and while dying when we are powerless to remember you - let your name dispelling all our sins, somehow appear on our tongue. 

Point 4

‘If by asking from God we can get anything, is it not wise to ask for devotion and God from God himself.’

Naabhi approached the Lord to be blessed with a son, just like a pauper would approach kubera (the god of riches) with the hope to obtain husk.

Point 5

‘There is only one. The same divine shines through all.’

Lord said, ‘I alone am my compeer, matchless as I am, not finding my equal I shall descend on the earth.

Point 6

‘Children come though you and they do not belong to you.’

Nabhi addressing him in a faltering voice as ‘my child, my darling’, his mind deluded by the divine Maya which led him to mistake the Lord for his own child.

Rsabhab dev 

Point 1

When we look at the various Avatars;

- Varaha was a Karma Aavtar

- Kapildev was a Gyan Aavtar

- Rsabhadeva was the Avatar who taught us austerities 

Karma, Gyana, Bhakti and Yoga all together help us understand God. No one path is superior than the other, each compliments the other in the journey of self realisations. 

Sub story: 

There were four people, one was on the path of Karma, the other Gyana, yet another Bhakti and the fourth Yog. Each would argue that his path is superior. One day they got caught in a storm and the only shed left was over a Shivling, they all embraced the Shivling and their hands met. When their hands joined Shivji appeared.

When questioned why he appeared now, and not all this while, God said, you never joined hands before this. 

Point 2

He also taught to the ignorant by his own example the duties that had been forgotten by the passage of time. He also ordained the people in household life. He showed by his actions the decorum the Grihasta has to follow.

Point 3 

Being a Brahmachari he showed how even in this ashram, one does not have to be swayed by desires and victory over the senses and mind is possible. Indriyas (Indra) tested him, and he was victorious (Jaya - Jayanti) 

Lord Krishan was also tested by Indra and he lifted the Govardan Parvat to protect all from the rain. Our senses will test us, and through awarenesses and sublimation any temptation can be overcome.

Another way to look at this would be that, in our shastras it is written that a girl has a right to test and choose her groom. If there is no groom which is suitable for her she should comfortably stay in her own parents home. 

Point 4

‘As we sow, so shall we reap’

Many great Kings were born in this lineage, and also many highly qualified brahmins. On one side the Navayogeshwaras were born and King Bharat was born on the other side. 

It is evident that from the same parent and same home according to their character and inclination, some were chosen to rule (Khastriyas) and other were chosen to preach (Bhramins) and so on. Hence, Varna system was not by birth but by the qualities that one exhibited. 

The other significance of these details is that Rsabhab dev’s sons had the capacity for excellent administration, adhered to religious attitudes, managed the economy and remained emotionally unattached to the world.

It is in the hands of the Parents to create. Gods and divine people are not born, ‘They are Made’. They are made not by chance but by conscious persistent effort. 

Cocoon them in an environment of divine endeavours, lead a divine life, fill every moment with divinity and see the future blossom and the fragrance of bliss make the world a better place.

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Third Session

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 1

—————————————————

At this point in time Pariksitji had a set of questions, know that the next discussion will be on Priyavrata. These questions are very essential;

1. Priyavrata was a great devotee of the Lord and revelled in the self. How did he rejoice in family life, which obscures ones true nature and subjects one to the bondage of action?

2. Certainly it is not desirable that people like him who are free from attachment should get identified with their homes in this way.

3. Indeed, exalted souls whose mind has found peace in the cool shades of the feet of Shri Hari, can not conceive a found attachment to their family.

4. I have a great doubt in my mind, as to how Priyavrata, who was attached to his wife, house, children and so on, attained perfection?

and

5. What is still more difficult is come to develop unswerving devotion to Lord Shri Hari?

Now;

It is difficult to believe that a wise man like Pariksit Maharaj, would ask such questions. He who could drop everything that he had, his kingdom wife and children, the minute he found out that he had only 7 days to live and in those 7 days attain liberation.

But, again, even Parvatiji asks from Shivji questions for the benefit of the likes of us, who are deluded by Maya.

Let’s try to question the questions one by one;

1. Is it not possible for a great devotee to be a householder? Does family life lead to bondage and deters one from liberation?

2. Is it true that a person who is free from attachment cannot lead a family life?

3. True, if Shri Hari has taken place in your heart, you cannot be contaminated by attachment for the world. But, can’t you still be in the world and love it? Can Attachment and Love be used in the same breath? Do they mean the same thing?

4. Just because a person is a house-holder, is it necessary that he is attached to the family? 

5. Is it that only Sanyasis can attain the Lord and Grihastas (Householder) can not?

Lets delve deeper 

——————————————————

Sub Story:

There was ones a boy who was did feel that he found any interest in his house, school and all and decided to become a sanyasi with Buddha. Buddha agreed, but soon he lost interest and wanted to go back to Sansar. In fact, every time he had a problem in sansar, he would run to sanyas and vice versa. Soon sanyasis in the ashram did not believe that he would stay, as he had come and gone multiple time. The people in the family also tried something new every time he came to get him to stay, got him married and yet he went back.

When he went back he started missing his wife and so he came again, and soon he was expecting a child. So the wife and husband were expected to sleep separately. One night he could not control his desire and sneaked into her room. To find her sleeping, he cloths and her hair were a mess, his breath smelled and saliva was coming out of her mouth.

That moment the desire for her and the world was lost. He left for the ashram, and to the other sanyasis surprise never left again. When they all asked Buddha, he answered;

‘All this while he was leaving thing, people, place and situations and running away, now he has totally given up the ‘Desire’ for them.’

Years went by and the family also gave up the hope to ever seeing him again. The wife had to raise their child alone. One day their path crossed, he was a peaceful Sanyasi and she was a haggard woman because of all the hard work she had to do. She looked at her husband and asked;

‘What you have achieved, could it not be achieved here?’

——————————————————

Priyavrat story,analyse and answers, along with the points to ponder will be sent shortly 

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Third Session (continued)

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Five)

Chapter 1

———————————

Points to Ponder:

Grihasta Ashram/ Sanyasa Ashram

‘One does not have to run away from ones responsibility in the name of God, if you are determined you can be devoted to God anywhere.’

There are four Ashrams in our Shastras;

- Brahmachari Ashram

- Grihasta Ashram

- Vanaprast Ashram

- Sanias Ashram

Each ashram is important and has a decorum. Each ashram prepares us for the next Ashram again if we live a controlled life which is not give to sensual enjoyment. Upyog is never condemned, but upbhog is definitely not encouraged. 

Most of our greatest Sages have been Grihastas. It was never felt that path of salvation was unattainable by a Grihasta. 

It is on the house-holder to raise their lives to the level of the divine and save all from the impending doom. 

‘Householder’s life is also a life of Yoga. It is also a life of Brahmacharya. It is a life of Brahmacharya in the sense it is a life of self-restraint and indulgence in moderation. We have always thought that householder’s life is something against Sadhana. No.’ That is not true.

‘The life of a Sanyasin can be compared to an ocean if the life of a householder is compared to a small drop. The Sanyasin is like a blazing Sun, if the householder is like the flame of a candle. BUT, these comparisons are true only between an ideal Sanyasin and a deluded, ignorant, passionate householder. 

An ideal house-holder is equal to a Sanyasin. All glory to that householder who keeps Realisation as his ultimate aim. He is the ideal of the Gita. He practises Nivritti (renunciation) in Pravritti (life in the world). The householder’s life is based on Anasakti (non-attachment). The householder should have no cravings. His is a life dedicated to service. Such a householder is a Sanyasin. 

It is essential that the Grihastas awaken to their duty and give up the life of extreme self indulgence.

‪'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.'‬

The 6 Foes

The 6 Foes are the 5 senses (5 Karma Indriyas and 5 Gyan Indriyas) and the mind and they can be our friends instead of our enemy. 

No matter where one goes, the 5 Indriyas and the mind can not be separated from the body. Hence, in a forest or at home, if these 6 foes are made our friends, any place can be conducive for God realisation.

Moreover, when one is alone, it is easier to be at peace, as there is no one to disturb (so we may think), but in the middle of many people it is easier to test our stability and composure.

The one who has conquered desires - can be in a blissful state in any condition and place.

‘Good desires are better than bad desires and no desire is better than good desire.’

Attachment/Love

“Detach from the World attach to the Lord.”

Attachment is selfish, love is selfless 

Attachment hurts, love heals

Attachment binds, love liberates

These two terms can not be used interchangeably or in the same breath.

Attachment - Clouds ones thinking, is filled with fear of loss and disappointments due to expectations.

Detachment - Clears ones thinking, is filled will feeling of freedom for self/others and is liberating cause there is no expectation involved.

The Burning house - When the house is mine, I get agitated and filled with remorse. On the other hand, when it is not mine, the feeling is different.

Now,

Why detach from the world and attach to the Lord?

When we carry water in a shallow tray it is bound to spill, but if we carry it in a deeper vessel, it will not spill. In the same way when we throw a stone in a shallow water body the ripples are formed, but if we throw a stone in the sea, it absorbs the stone and no ripples are formed.

So, if other people’s behaviour is hurting us, we have a shallow heart, so we need to expand it and make it deep. 

To expand the heart we need to sublimate that is get attached to the higher, and the lower tendencies drop off. 

How do we attach to the higher, there are various ways, listening to his stories, chanting his name, doing selfless action, etc.

Surya Dev (The Guru)

The depiction that he chased the Sun, portrays that when one lives in the world. He should take the sun as his role model and interact with people just like the sun interacts with the world.

The Sun teaches us so much though his action. It is the most selfless of all, he spreads its lights to all, gets attached to none and continues to work without any expectation from anybody.

He is the guru of Hanumanji and Priyavratha. He is Pratyaksha Brahman, and he is every willing to become our guru too. 

Another way to look at this is, when he was chasing the Sun, that is his Goal, he carved the lakes, the rivers, the seas, the mountains and divided the land into continents. 

When a selfless goal is chased with a pure heart, even the journey can be very enriching not only for the self but for all those who come in touch with it.

Surrender

Priyavrata refused to be bound by sansar, till Brahmaji himself descended. When Brahmaji tied him down, he without resistance accepted. 

A episode like this happened in the Sunderland in Ramayan also, where 

Sub Story 2: The King and his minister

A King and his Minister got lost in the jungle. This and everything that happened like being lost, hungry and thirsty was said to be for their best by the minister. The king fell down and broke his finger, still the minister uttered the same statement, “Everything that happens, happens for the best.” This caused him to be thrown into the well. 

Later the King was taken by the tribal people to be offered as sacrifice to God, however, when they noticed the broken finger they let the king go. The king realised that because of his broken finger he was saved as he was considered inappropriate to be offered. Hence, he realised that, whatever happens, happens for the best. 

He rescued his minister and apologised for throwing him in the well. The minister instead thanked him and said that even falling in the well was good, otherwise he would have been offered as sacrifice instead, as he had no injuries.

Over all, being lost was also good the minister said, as the King learned the lesson that, ‘Everything that happens, happens for the best.’

Hence, 

Everything that happens, happens for the best. 

All hurdles and hardships are nothing but an effort from God to make us look towards him. 

Ones a superiors wanted to call the labourer from down, but the labourer could not hear him. So he threw a 10 dollar bill, but the labourer pocked the money without looking up. Again, the supervisor thought let me just increase the amount and threw a 100 dollar bill, but again the labourer did not look down and pocketed the money. 

This went on for a while then finally, this supervisor threw a stone, which hit the labourer, and he immdieately looked upto to shout at who had dared to throw a stone to him.

We also when the times are good never turn towards the Lord, but at the times when problems and sorrows surround and and render us helpless, we turn to God in prayer.

Dukh mai sumiran saab kar, 

Sukh mai kare na koi.

Jo sukh mai sumiran kare,

To dukh kahe ko hoe.

Let us not complain. 

Whatever happens to us is the divine wish. 

When we do not complain it shows the faith in his divine wisdom.

Jai Shri Krishan 

Jai hanuman

Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran Session 32

Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran Session 31

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Thirtieth Session

Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Four)

Chapter 24 and 25

———————————————————

The objective of Shrimad Bhagavat Mahapuran

Parsiksit to Sukhdevji 

King Pariksit asks here the following two questions;

1. What should be done under all circumstances by a man who is under the verge of death? 

2. What should be done by man in general - What should a mortal do at all times and under all circumstances? 

  - What should they hear?

  - What should they repeat?

  - What should they keep in their mind?

  - What should they resort to?

  - What should they avoid?

It is these two questions that have been answered in length in the course of the eleven books of ‘Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapuran’.

————————————————————

Chaturshloki Bhagwatam (These 4 shlokas, for our understanding have been expanded into 18000) 

Brahman

I alone am, I alone was and I alone will be. 

Because, we insist that the creation is real, hence, we are using ’was and is will be’, in the actual sense the Lord is beyond the realm of time and devoid of attribute.

In the beginning Lord alone was, and he is devoid of all difference. Then creation came into place and it seemed at that Lord became many, but in reality there is nothing but him even then. Then again after the dissolution only he the unchangeable will remain. He is beyond the manifest and the unmaifesjt, beyond sat and asat, beyond all tangibility and intangibility

‘Ataman alone and nothing else.’

Maya

Maya is cause of which, what is real seems unreal, was unreal seems real. What is, is hidden and what is not is revealed. Just like the world is not real, but we see it and the Atman is the only reality, which is never seen.

Eg: A mere rope can be seen as a snake, when there is not enough light. But, when the light is turned on, the truth of the rope comes forth and the fear is eliminated.

Maya itself is not real, it is just a projection, yet it dominates. Does it not?

World

The world is nothing but him, him alone and only him. we have just given him another name - The World

Can we have

- Clay pot without clay

- Gold bangle with Gold

- Waves without the Ocean

The clay pot is nothing but clay, the bangle is nothing but gold and the wave is nothing but he ocean. 

The world is nothing but the Lord - Everything is in him, yet nothing is in him - It is all just an appearance.

‘The world is just a dream, let the vision cease. But, if you can not, just give love to all and service free.’

How to reach Brahman/Self

Delve deeper keeping the concept of ‘Presence and absence in mind’

Can there be

- The clay pot with out the clay

- The Gold bangle without the gold

- The waves without the ocean

There can be

- Clay without the clay pot

- Gold without the gold bangle 

- Ocean without the waves

‘Analysing like this we finally reach the atman, or self. This is where analysing is not possible because it is infinite, one without a second.’

——————————————————

Shrimad Bhagavata Maha Puran, is not a ramdom compilation of stories. It has been thoughtful written keeping the flowing 10 points in mind. It is said that each book, hence forth will explain each topic and slowly bring us close to ‘Ashraye’. 

Book 1 - Adhikari Skanda

Book 2 - Sadhana Skanda

Book 3 - Sarga and so on;

1. Sarga - How was this world created?

2. Visarga -How were the different species made, when all the creatures are formed out of the same tattva and the same panchbhootas?

3. Stithi - How is the world upheld and where?

4. Poshana - Who provides the life sustaining water when the earth dries up?

5. Utis - Which are the different desires that arise in peoples mind?

6. Manvantars - How is time divided?

7. Isanukatha - What is the nature of Bhaktas?

8. Nirodha - How does one control the mind, to love the Lord?

9. Mukti - What is mukti?

10. Asraya - What is the nature of that, which upholds all else?

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Book 4, The Fourth Skanda deals with;

- Dharma

- Artha

- Kaam 

- Moksha

Currently, with the story of Prachinverhi, Pracetâs and Purañjana we are going to try and understand the concept of Moksha.

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Story: (Family tree 4 enclosed)

There was this King called Prachinverhi, who was a decedent of Prithu, he had 10 sons called the Pracetâs. In order to carry on the work of creation and procreations, he asked his sons to go and do Tapa. These sons who were pious and of good character, obeyed their father and went to the Narayan sarovar, a lake as deep and vast as the ocean. There they were blessed to have the darshan of Lord Shiva, who is reachable and more than willing to bless any devotee of Hari, just like Hari considers any devotee of Hara dearest of all. 

Lord Shiva told them a long and beautiful Stuti called the ‘Yogadesha’ and said that if they recited the same every day, not only the person who is chanting but also the one who is listening will get Liberations ‘Moksha’. The Pracetâs were blessed, and went on to do there Tapa.

Narad Muni saw all this and felt that the sons have been blessed by Shivji, but Prachinverhi, who was deep rooted in rituals, was still swinging in ignorance. Feeling pity on this King, he went to share his spiritual insight and show him the path to Liberation. 

King Prachinverhi was anxious to know that all the animals who he has scarified, were waiting for him with steel horns and weapons in their hands to slaughter him just like he had killed them. He had aimlessly done so many yagnas that the entire earth could be covered with the Kusa Grass he used.

When reproached by Narad for this act, he genuinely asked for direction. To which Narad Muni decided to Narrate to him the Story of a King Called Purañjana.

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Points to ponder:

Yogadesha From Shivji to the Pracetâs

1. Blessedness - His glory gives rise to blessedness, the unfoldment of our blissful nature.

2. Only One - He is supreme Brahma in which is manifested the entire universe and who shines through the universe and is all pervading. That one supreme spirit has assumed all forms. He has manifested as all we see around us. He appears as the bodies of all living beings, as well as the cosmic body and take the form of earth. He is the door to heaven who constantly dwells in a pure heart.

3. Form less - The formless, can manifest in a divine blissful form, held in high esteem by his devotees. 

4. Form - When one focus on the divine form of the formless, and that divine form is revealed it dispels fear and guide the soul wallowing in ignorance.

5. Devotion - That supreme Lord is attainable to only by him who is full of devotion, and is difficult to access to all other mortals.

6. Sat ka Sang - The enjoyment of heaven nor liberation nor the pleasures sought by mortals can be equated to the fellowship enjoyed, even for half a moment, of those who have developed an attachment for the Lord.

7. Moksha - The contemplative soul whose heart is never distracted by external objects, exceedingly pure and blessed as it is by the living devotion of such devotees easily and surely succeeds in realising his the Lords true Nature.

Narada Muni’s Spiritual guidance to King Prâcînabarhi 

Narad Muni - What good O king do you seek for yourself through rituals? 

King replied - 

- I know not the supreme good, my mind being distracted by rituals. I pray, impart to me the pure wisdom whereby I may be freed froth shackles of Karma.

- Sticking to the life of a householder - where one performs actions prompted by interested motives. Regarding sons, wives and riches as the only object of human pursuit.

- The ignorant man fails to attain the highest good, and wanders in the path-ways leading to transmigration.

Q. Are rituals the means or the end?

Q. If they are the means, then means to what end?

Understanding Devotion 

Quoting from Ramcharitra Manas - Parvati to Shiva 

A wake up call

- Out of 10 million souls devoted to religion there is 1 who is averse to the pleasure of sense and takes delight in dispassion.

- Among 10 millions souls who is free from attachment, 1 succeeds in acquiring perfect wisdom

- Among 10 million enlighten souls in this world there is hardly 1 who attains final beatitude even when living. 

- Among 1 thousand such souls he who has to only realised his oneness with Brahma but is rarely to be found. 

- Of the religious, the unattached, the enlightened and the emancipated, as well as of those mere in the Absolute, he who takes delight in ‘Devotion’ and is free from vanity and wiles is most difficult to find.

We feel that ‘Devotion’ is the first step, but ‘Devotion’ is the ultimate state, a true Devotee is rarest of rare. Interest in spirituality needs to be developed, by constant effort. We wait for the ‘Devotional’ spike to come from somewhere and then we say we will embark. 

What an Irony..

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Lord to Brahmaji - Penance is very dear to me, and I am the essence of penance. It is by penance alone that I create this universe and through penance I maintain it and it is through penance again that I absorb it. My strength consists in Penance which is hard to practice.

Sukhdev to Parikshi - It is this penance which is the true wealth of men. 

“Yamaniyam sanjama apa kiyo,

Puni tyaga virage athaga lahyo,

Vanavasa liyo mukh mauna rahyo,

Drdha asana padma lagaya diyo

Mana pauna nirodha svabodha kiyo,

hathajoga prayoga su tara bhayo….”

Tapa tapa tapa…has to be undertaken to walk further. 

Many times we get agitated and defensive, and say how is it possible to give aways all our wealth. Sad, how every endeavour is associated with the material and tangible, which is not even a small part of the entire process. 

Work, on the subtle, tangible mental level first. 99 % of the Tapa is internal - 1% material part of it we can deal with when the inner battle has been won.

Note: 

It takes at least 10 000 to 15 000 hours of practice ‘Tapa’ to make something effortless. Only when things become effortless, we should say that the first step has been taken. Post which, nirantar-continuous ;

- Prayataan 

- Prarathana 

- Pratiksha 

Ek pal ya ek Kalpa, 

Ek sadhak phir nahin sochta. 

The two mistakes that most people make is, first they don’t embark on this journey, and if they do they turn back half way.

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The ‘Leader Thought’ that paves the way - The Leader Thought - Name of Hari

Followers will never know how hard the leader works to create the path.

The leader never complains about his hustle because he’s just trying to get where “he” wants to go.

You can get anywhere you want, if you are willing to make a path where there is none. 

Jai Shri Krishna 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏