Shruti Says by Barkha Khandelwal

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Eight Session

Bhagavata Dwitiya Skanda (Book Two)

Chapter 1 to 4

——————————————

Naman, Naman, Naman to the supreme person of infinite glory, be gracious to me.

Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya 

Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya 

Mrtyorma Amrtam Gamaya

Lead me from the unreal to the real.

Lead me from darkness to light. 

Lead me from death to immortality. 

—————————————

The essence;

- If we are not able to immerse in God when we are alive, how will we do it in death. Only light merges into light.

- Death happens for the ignorant. But, death is a magnificent awakening and at the beck and call of the enlightened. 

- Only when you understand ‘The art of Dying’ - You actually want to learn ‘The art of Living’

—————————————

Life slips away

- Night by sleep and copulation

- Day time by endeavours of making money or to provide for family

Maddened by affection for those who are intimately connected with oneself, one’s body, family etc, one fails to see ones end thought actually witnessing it.

To a man who is negligent about his own interest, of what use, in this world are long years of life that slip away unnoticed in ignorance.

Much more valuable is the hour, consciously spent, in endeavouring for the highest good.

Emptiness of sensuous enjoyments

- If the earth is there, what would be gained by taking pains for a bed?

- When nature has provided us with arms, what use have we for a pillow?

- If the nature has provided us with palms, what need is there for dishes and cups of various kinds?

- Do not trees that live only to maintain others, give alms?

- Have the rivers dried up?

- Have the mouths of the mountain caves been blocked?

Therefore, a wise man should have connection with the objects of enjoyment only to the extent they are useful in maintaining the body and should never commit the error to get attached to them.

Precious Human life lost in vain

- Do not trees also live?

- Do not bellows also breath?

- Do not animal (other than the human beast) take food and copulate?

What use are the eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and head, which do not delight in Shri Hari?

What use is the heart, that does not melt when the name of Shri Hari is being uttered?

—————————————

Prerequisite 1

It won’t happen over night, start early, practice…

Having acquired steadiness of seat and control of one’s breath, and having conquered attachment and subdued ones senses with his mind. 

The Royal sages Pariksit and Khatwanga - renounced everything in that short span of time, and sought refuge with Shri Hari who dispels all fear.

- Pariksit had 7 days

- Khatwnga had 20 min

Note here: 

They were such divine beings, that they knew when the time to shed their body had come and they were ready for this time, they had practiced all their life for this moment. 

On the contrary, we are caught unaware and unprepared.

Kaliyug to Satyug

What does our balance of virtue and vices, tell you? Where are we now? Are you established in Kaliyug, Dwapar, Treta or Satyug. 

If we are in Kaliyug it is the easiest, as all that is needed for us is ‘Hari Kirtan, Hari Katha, Hari Bhakt ki Sangati - Hari Naam.’

As we move away from Kaliyug into Dwapar and so on - slowly need to add more Tapa etc. till we reach Satyug and completes the cycle. We have to remember, the entire journey has to drip with the love of God. It starts with the love for God and it ends there. There is not too much of a journey, but that path has to be travelled, Sadhana has to be done.

It’s a paradox

First you have to believe you have to practice spiritual discipline and after practicing spiritual disciplines you come to the conclusion there is really nothing you have to do.

But, to get to that point you have to practice spiritual discipline first.

Pls Note: There is no blessed path other than that which makes for devotion of the Lord. Men should always and under all circumstances with their whole being listen, recite and revolve in their mind Lord Hari alone.

The 16 Instruments - 

What is Atma? It is not any of my 3 bodies. What are the 3 bodies? Physical (Sthula), Subtle (Sukshma), Causal (Karana)

Physical Body is made of physical matter, but the Subtle Body is not. Subtle body is made up of 16 parts = 5 Organs of perception + 5 Organs of Action + 5 vital airs + Mind.

5 Organs of perception

Power of Hearing

Power of Feeling 

Power of Seeing 

Power of Taste 

Power of Smell 

5 Organs of action

Power of Speech 

Power of Hands 

Power of Legs 

Power of Excretion 

Power of Genitals 

5 Vital Airs (49 Marutas)

Prana vayu, 

Apana vayu, 

Samana vayu, 

Udana vayu 

Vyana vayu

Without delving deeper into all these at the moment, lets understand that one has to be able to direct inwards and upwards all these 16.

—————————————

Prerequisite 2

It is essential to understand whose to concentrate on and how to meditate. It will happen only when we understand the superiority of the devotion to the Lord (Supreme person). 

Worship of different deities for the gratification of various desires and the superiority of Devotion to the Lord

We want to reach state of desire free love for the Lord. However, a wise man whether he has no desire or is actuated by all sort of desires or seeks liberation, should worship the supreme person with intense devotion.

Process of Meditation - Concentration on the gross and subtle form

Virat Purusha (Gross)

The cosmic and the universal form, the grossest of the gross, where in is seen this phenomenal universe in its past, present and future form. 

It is the one all-witnessing Self who experiences everything through the intellect of all. 

Lord in the Heart (Subtle)

The Lord bearing four arms, lotus, discus, a conch and a mace and residing in the cavity of the heart, within their own body in a form as big as a thumb in height.

—————————————

Prerequisites In Place

having conquered attachment and subdued ones senses with his mind, acquiring steadiness of seat (He should squat on his seat pressing the anus with his heals) and controlling one’s breath (draw the air upwards through the 6 places)

Controlling the mind with his pure reason, he should merge his intellect in the conscious principle in the body and that into the absolute self. Then merge the self in the supreme spirit.

Type of Mukti - By moving the Prana up the chakras

Sadyomukti or Immediate Liberation - The yogi has not desire to visit the higher worlds - He drops his senses and mind and merges with the divine.

Kramamukti or Gradual Liberation - The yogi has a desire to visit the higher worlds - He departs from the body taking his mind and sense with him. During the final dissolution the yogi merges with that pure blissful form in God.

Pls note here: Mind and senses are dropped or taken along depending on the Yogi.

——————————————

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

Man.

Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.

Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;

the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;

he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.

Jai Shri Krishna 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏

Pls find below the Synopsis. It has been decided into;

-Some conversations

-Story 

-Revisit some definition

-Points to ponder 

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Seventh Session

Bhagavata Pratham Skanda (Book One)

Chapter 16 to 19 

———————————————————

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’.

————————————————————

Shaunaka to Sutadevji 

Pray, narrate to us that most sacred wisdom imparted to Pariksit, which lays bare the truth in unambiguous terms.

Sutadevji to Shaunaka 

O Sages, that shine like the sun, what you have asked me in this assembly, I shall tell you according to my own light. Winged creatures sour according to their own capacity, so do the learned recount the pastime of the all pervading Lord according to their own understanding.

———————————————————

Story

The story so goes, that Sage Sukhdevji was sitting and meditating on the Self, that infinite self that dwell alike in all. When Veda Vyasa approached him, seeing his son immersed in a state of bliss, he sat down beside him, and started singing the glories of God, he started describing him in words and eulogising his timeless tales. 

Hearing these, Sukhdevji opened his eyes, which were filled with tears divine ecstasy, and he said, why was I sitting and meditating on the divine without a form, when the same divine can be seen, touched, felt, with these mortal means. So beautiful is the Leela of the Lord. He requested his father to narrate the entire Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana to him, and started drinking the nectar like ‘Saakar’ Stories of that same beloved ‘Nirakar’ he was meditating on.

—————————————————

Lets bring ourselves back to Namisharanya, where there is this Yagna being carried out by Shaunakji and Sutadev Goswami is sitting at the Vyasa Aasan. He has just completed telling us how the panadavas and Lord Krishna dropped their mortal forms, leaving the throne to Pariksit. 

Pariksit was a just ruler, under his rule the mother earth was taken care of, but slowly and steadily he realised that kaliyug was setting in. He went in a search to fight and conquer Kaliyug. In the process, the entire earth became a part of his just rule. 

One day on his way, he saw a very astonishing thing, he saw a White Bull and a Cow talking to each other, in fact, the cow was crying and the bull was struggling to balance itself on only one leg. In the middle of their conversation came a kingly looking man, who started hitting the bull and trying to break its only leg. The helpless bull and cow, were crying piteously. 

Pariksit could not take this torture, and he rushed to save the innocent animals. He rushed towards the man, and was about to kill it, when this man took refuge in Pariksit. On enquiring he found out that this man was no other than Kaliyug, and the Bull was no other than Dharma and the Cow was Mother earth. 

Kaliyug was on a mission to rob everyone of their own dharma, he was breaking the very foundation on which Dharma stands Tapas, Sochya, Daya and Satya. He had already broken the first three, and was not hellbent on breaking the one leg of satya as well. Seeing all this happening on her, mother earth was crying. Seeing the virtues vanish, and vices take charge, she vailed. 

Pariksit, though wanted to destroy kaliyug, but gave it a chance to live, outside his kingdom. However, there was no place where his kingdom did not exist. So Pariksit gave him 4 places within his kingdom to live in;

- Gambling (falsehood)

- Alcohol (Intoxication)

- brothel houses (Passion)

- Shambles (Cruelty)

Kaliyug revolted, saying none of these exist in your kingdom. To which, Pariksit gave him a fifth place;

- Gold (Rajas)

Assuring Dharm and Mother Earth of their safely, he went aways to his palace. There, one day, he happened to go to the treasury and was seeing what all his ancestors had left, and he came across this grand crown and he put it on. This crown happened to belong to ‘Jarasandha’. He put on this crown, immediately kali came and sat on it. 

Pariksit, went out on a hunt alone, got lost on the way, thirsty, tired and broken, he reached a hut. Where Samika muni was meditating. He seeked hospitality, but when none was offered, in anger he put a dead snake around the Sage’s neck and walked away. When Shringi, the son of Samika saw this, he cursed Pariksit to be killed by Taksaka (the king of snakes), at the end of 7 days.

Samika rebuked his son for cursing a righteous king, and asked him to do more tapasya to control his mind. He in turn informed Pariksit of his impending end. That very moment Pariksit dropped all his attachements, crowned Janamejaya his eldest son, the King. Then he went and sat down at he bank of Ganga and decided to fast onto death.

All the sages descended to bless him, and he seeked answers to a few questions. They all had many thing to say, but, none went and took the Vyasa Aasan, that had been laid out. Then came Sukhdevji, dressed with the brilliance of his divine love, all the great sage and even his own father, bowed down to him. He without asking or being told went and sat down on the Vyasa Aasan, and began the beautiful narration.

Revisit some Definitions

Dharm

We can say righteousness. But, the full meaning of this word can not be described in English. Dharm is Dharm.

For instance, 

What is the Dharm of Sugar? 

The Dharma of sugar is to be sweet. No matter what you put it in. It does not leave its Dharm of being sweet, and sweetens the most bitter of things.

In the same way, we also have a Dharm. Our dharma is to every be in our Sat Chit Anand Swaroop. 

“Sat-Chit-Ananda is a Sanskrit term and refers to the nature of the core of our Being or Self. Sat means Existence/truth. Chit means Consciousness. Ananda means Bliss. 

Another way to look at it would be, we are nothing but eternal bliss and Love. My Dharm is to spread the same, for one can only give what one has, and we have nothing but, ‘Bliss and Love’ to share.

So my Dharm is Love and Bliss

Sochya (Purity)

“Cleanliness, not only outer cleanliness but also inner purity.”

External as well as Internal Purity is very essential. External purity is being clean externally. Keep the body and surroundings clean and uncluttered. In fact, whatever we intake should be pure. Pure thoughts, pure food, pure company etc.

For instance;

- Jesa kaho aan wesa hoga maan - feeding in purity

- Purity of interaction - interact with Positive people.

Internal purity is purity of thought word and deed. It is freedom from all the vices. Freedom from vicious thoughts. It is Purity of intentions. Purity of spoken words, which are truthful and at the same time sweet. Freedom from diplomacy and hypocrisy. 

“Vani ek anmol hai, 

Jo koi bole jani.

Hiye taraju tol kar, 

fir mukh bahar aani.”

“Weigh every word in your heart, before it comes out of your lips.”

Tapas (Austerity)

“To bear anything and everything that comes across on the spiritual path and complete dedication to the spiritual practices.”

Tapas also means restraint of the senses and meditation. It leads to control of the mind. Austerities like occasional fasting and observance of silence increase the power of endurance.

Mental tapas is more powerful than physical tapas. To keep a balanced mind in all conditions of life, to bear insult, injury and persecutions, to be ever serene, contented and peaceful, to be cheerful in adverse conditions, to have fortitude in meeting danger, to have presence of mind and forbearance, are forms of mental tapas. 

Daya (Compassion)

Daya = Compassion = Empathy + Action 

Daya is grace, love and compassion. It is when we empathise with somebody, we are able to feel their pain and suffering. But, compassion does not end here. If it ends here, it is not compassion, it is merely pitying the person or situation. 

Compassion when you see somebody in pain and do something about it. 

Satya (Truthfulness)

Satya is truthfulness and honesty. One has to be truthful in thought, word and deed. Only than one is fully imbibed in Satya. 

Many times we feel that a half lie, harmless lie, beneficial lie, is as good as truth. But, it is not.

Note: If the battle is between Truth and Lie, sooner or later the Truth will win. However, if the battle is between a “small lie’ and a ‘big lie’, The bigger lie will definitely come out victories. 

Points to Ponder

Change Of Yuga

When Krishna left his Yadava form and disappeared, the Dwapar Yuga came to an end, Kali yuga sneaked in. Krishna is our true self, and the vices the age of Kaliyug.

Pariksit, is looking for Krishan and rejoicing when others sing his glories and tell him how loved he was, how precious he was for Krishna. He has forgotten that Krishan is within him, Krishan is him. 

It is when one forgets ones own ’Sat Chitananda Swaroop’ that the vices take over and don’t let the truth shine from below its layers. 

Kali Age

  - It is every ready to take the unweary man by surprise. It is heroic in the midst of the ignorant and fickle minded, but is cowardly in front of the wise and strong minded.

  - In this age, meritorious acts bear fruit immediately as soon as they have been projected. 

  - On the other hand, sinful acts, yield fruit only when they have been committed.

  - In this age, simply singing the glories fo the the Lord can help us cross the ocean of mundane existence. 

Pinacle of Dharm

When asked by King Pariksit to name the person who had wronged him, Dharma in the form of a Bull replied as follows;

‘Bewildered as we are by the conflicting statements of various, we know not the person who is responsible for the cause of suffering. 

- Some who deny all difference, declare their own self as responsible for their suffering.

- Others attribute it to providence

- Others ascribe it to their own doings

- some say nature to be the cause of all sufferings

- yet some other say God as the bestower of suffering’

He did not mention any name or put any blame, he was beyond all this, he knew that not only the one who sins but also;

‘The one who does bad-mouthing (chugli) of an adharmi, is no different from the one who is living in adharma’.

Inheritance from our Ancestors

Can it be said to be only in tangible terms, of money and property, or it is more deep rooted than that, more intangible in nature, in the from of sanskars?

Can anyone claim to be a ‘Self-Made Man’, the word so commonly used, tattering the very emotion of love?

Can an amount be put on the love, care and sacrifice? can one become what one has become without the sanskars?

Ajatyam - Being Alert and Aware

Pariksit was the epitome of virtues, the divine promise who was protected by Shri Krishna himself. However, Kali caught on to him as well, altogether, only for a moment. 

Hence, no matter how much one is established in Dharm, one should always be Ajat - Alert, forever in awareness and always extremely vigilant.

Shamik Muni

Shamik Muni, never felt that any wrong had been done to him by Pariksit. Only when one feel that one has been wronged, does one feel the need to forgive. He was beyond this, full of compassion, focused on the greater good and selfless love.

‘Kisse bandhu bare jagat mai,

koi nahin paraya.

Har manav mai partibim lekar

ushi bhram ki chaya.’

‘Holy men - In this world neither grieve, nor rejoice when they are subjected to contrary experiences by others, for the soul is ever beyond the three guns’.

‘Devotees of the Lord - even when reproached, deceived, abused, disregarded or struck by others, never return the wrong done by the wrong-doers, thought capable of doing so’.

Pariksit Blessed 

‘When you Aspire, 

The universe conspires.

When the student is ready, 

The teacher appears.’

When he reached Ganga he is blessed with the company of all the great sages and above all Sukhdevji Muni.

‘A moments fellowship of the loving devotees of the Lord can not be compared to heavenly bliss or even final beatitude, much less the enjoyment sought after by mortal men.

Such sages bring sanctity to the whole world. Under the pretext of visiting holy places, the saints generally consecrate the places of pilgrimage themselves.’

Our Seven days of Life 

Just like Pariksit had seven days of life, we too have no more. He is at least better placed as he knows, exactly when he will die. 

We also have only 7 days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On one of these seven days, we will also drop our mortal bodies. But, We don’t know when exactly.

We all every day are moving towards, that one truth, death.

He dropped all his worldly attachments and went on to seek the truth, the minute he realised his end was near.

‘Pariksit the wise who had developed love for God, shaked off in no time his deep rooted attachment to his body etc and entered the last stage of Paramhamsa, in which the practice of non-violence and control of the senses becomes ones sacred duty.’

‘The truth about ones impending death can speedily arouse dispassion in even him who is deeply attached to the world.’

What about us? 

What are we doing? 

Where are we heading? 

What are we seeking?

Does the talk of death, not want you to seek the infinite and the imperishable nature of the soul, that you are?

So, that the drama around the mortal-self and the fear of impending death becomes insignificant?

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Shri Hanuman🙏

Pls find enclosed the synopsis. It has been divided into 3 parts

- The Story

- The concept 

- The points to ponder ( Lets revisit the story in light of the concepts) 

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Sixth Session

Bhagavata Pratham Skanda (Book One)

Chapter 9 and 15

—————————————

A Grand Era comes to an end..

Story:

Shri Krishna takes Yudhishthira to Bhisma, to seek enlightenment and uplift his impending gloom. The sages from the 14 Lokas decent to listen to the knowledge that Bhisma was going to impart. With affection, he mentions that the pandavas had suffered injustice, and attributes all to the ‘Time Spirit’ and the will of providence. Later, when the time for his soul to depart from he body comes, he fixes his attention on the form of Krishna, which had lifted the Wheel and rushed towards Bhisma to attack him. Knowing him to be the Divine one, he drops his body.

Yudhisthira’s infatuation was driven away, but the light of wisdom shed by Bhisma. With the permission of Krishna and Dhrtarastra, Yudhisthira ruled over the kingdom with righteousness. Mother earth was freed of her burden and hence, the nature responded favourably. Living being had no worries of physical aliments or affliction of any kind. People of Hastinapura, through their eyes, itched him in the depth of their hearts. Restoring Dharma and Bliss, amidst the songs of glory for him and the blessed ‘Dwaraka waasis’, Krishna departed for Dwarka.

He journeyed though various cities, and people basked in the bliss of his sight. When he reached the outskirts of Dwaraka, he blew his Panchjanya Counch, to signal his return. Everyone left what there were doing and rushed to greet him, and he in turn greeted all of them as they so desired. His family, his 16000 odd wives, and children were overwhelmed to see him. Everyone had krishna to themselves. 

Yudhisthira performed a lot of Yagnas, his kingdom covered almost the entire earth and his glory reached even the heavens.Then came the joyous time of the birth of the only descendent of the Pandavas. At the most auspicious hour, Pariksit was born. At the right moment, enormous ‘Dana’ was made to everyone. The Brahmanas predicted his future, and his virtues. Yudhisthira performed 3 more Yagnas, to which Krishna was also invited. After spending some time with the Pandavas, he, along with Arjun returned to Dwaraka.

After completing his piligrimage, Vidhura, pandava’s uncle, returned to Hastinapura. Everyone was over joyed to see him, and he was satisfied to see the blossoming of their kingdom. When the time was right he guided Dhrtarastra toward his ultimate goal in life, ‘Prabhu Prapti’ and Gandhari followed. One day, all three silently left the kingdom, and journeyed towards the north. Narada, consoled the lamenting Yudhisthira. Dhrtarastra left his body, Gandhari followed and Vidhura with a mixed feeling of Joy and Grief, went again on pilgrimages of sacred places.

King Yudhisthira grew apprehensive at the sight of even omens and worried why Arjun had not returned, as it had been several months. While he was sharing his anxiety with the other brothers, Arjun returned, broken and beaten. He looked as if someone had robed his soul of all the lustre. On being, questioned, he finally responded and conveyed that, Krishna dropped the Yadava body and the yadava race has been exterminated. He felt as if Krishna has robbed him of all his velour. But, later, realised that it was never him, but the Lord who was acting threw him. Kunti, dropped her mortal body and merged with her Lord Shri Krisna. 

That very moment the age of Kali set in. Yudhisthira crowned Pariksit at Hastinapura and Vajra at Mathura. He, his brothers and Draupadi were completely set at rest, and resolved to ascend to the heavens. They all descended to abode of Krishna. Vidhura also fixed his mind on Krishna and casted of his body.

Thus, came to an end the glorious age of Krishna and his Pandavas. As Dwapar exited, Kaliyug enveloped the earth. In it’s shackles of darkness, it began to drown the light of The Self.

Some Concepts - 

For those who really want to understand, Hearing, Reading and after that Manan is essential. Moreover, as we Journey deeper into Shrimad Bhagvata Mahapuran, more clarity will come.

‘Start walking keep walking the path will reveal itself.’

‘As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.’ Rumi

‘Although the road is never ending take a step and keep walking, do not look fearfully into the distance..

On this path let the heart be your guide for the body is hesitant and full of fear.’ Rumi

Karma Bandan

‘Does Karma really exist? 

I know that you can say, "No it doesn't." 

But, as long as you believe that you are a body and mind, 

as long as you feel the world to be real, you cannot fool yourself. Do not lie to yourself. 

If the world perturbs you, if people bother you, if things annoy you, if you are reacting to conditions this means that you believe you are a body going through these experiences. 

And as long as you are going through experiences you are in karma. You are experiencing the karma that put you here as a body. 

It is only when you have realised the self that there is no karma.

Therefore do not go around telling people that there is no karma, it will give them license to do anything they like. 

Feeling there is no retribution, there is no effect for their deeds. This is not true as long as you believe you are a body. For there are laws of the universe that respond to your actions. Karma means action. And as long as you believe you are the doer, you will have to experience the results of the karma.

So in this particular life you are experiencing the results of not only the karma of this experience but of previous lives. 

Previous lives also come into effect whenever you believe you are the body. 

There are only two ways to destroy the karma.

- One is to inquire, "To whom the karma comes? Who is experiencing this karma?"

- The other way is to surrender completely to God. Totally surrender your life to God. God is within you as you. You therefore surrender everything to the self. Thy will be done. You begin to see that as long as you have God to surrender to, you need not worry, you need not fear. Everything will be alright.’

-Robert Adams - T123 - Does Karma Really Exist? -

26th January, 1992

Mukti 

‘What is Mukti or Moksha? 

Mukti or Moksha means Freedom, that all souls desire for. In other words, freedom from sorrow and miseries.’

It is not that Enlightenment (Mukti) happens after suffering and misery. Rather, after enlightenment, no matter what, you don’t feel suffering and misery.

Note: It takes less then the a blink of an eye, to break the shackles of Karma and attain Mukti.

Why God does not grant us Mukti right now? Why God does not help?

Point 1: 

The Lord and The Self - Just One

‘In the nature of their being, God and individual souls are one and the same. They differ only on account of the attributes that are ascribed to them. To know oneself without attributes is to know God, since God shines as the Self. 

The eternal, unbroken, natural state of abiding 

in the Self is Gyana. To abide in the Self you must love the 

Self. Since God is verily the Self, love of the Self is love of 

God; and that is Bhakti.’

Maharshi’s Gospel

Point 2: 

‘No gardener can make even one flower. The flower must come from the plant. The gardener can shake up the #roots a little, feed it properly, water it, protect it from animals, expose it to the sun, or put it in the shade when necessary. Thus, outside service can be done, but the flower cannot come from the gardener.

In the same way, the textbooks, the #masters, and the #rishis are all gardeners. The flower of #knowledge must come from you. In the light of knowledge all doubts end.’

Chinmaya Gurudev

What is preventing us from Mukti at this very moment? 

‘Step 1:

Actions create Sanskaars (tendencies or habits) and Sanskaars determine Limits of potential of soul. The catch is that the moment you conduct an action, it creates a Sanskaar. Sanskaar implies that the probability of you conducting the same action in similar situation increases. Thus, if you do wrong acts – like cheating, hating etc – the probability of you doing the same again and again increases. This reduces the limits of your potentials and hence you have reduced knowledge resulting in reduced bliss. Thus you get a step away from Mukti.

But when you do good acts – like compassion, analysing and accepting only truth, high character etc – the probability of you doing more of such good acts also increases. This leads to greater potential of seeking knowledge and hence bliss. Thus you get a step closer to Mukti.

Step 2:

Now EACH AND EVERY ACTION (including thoughts and feelings) count in this process. Also remember that even if you do something even once, its probability of happening again and making you dumber or intelligent increases.

Step 3:

A typical being keeps oscillating between good and bad deeds every moment, going few steps back and few steps forth like a drunkard, resulting in the delay in Mukti.

Step 4:

But a yogi uses his will-power to refuse to conduct bad actions and proactively conducts noble actions. This gradually weakens the Sanskaars of old bad actions and replaces them with good Sanskaars. Gradually the seeds of all bad sanskaars are destroyed by a yogi. This results in a situation that bad actions are not repeated under any circumstance by the yogi. He thus has burnt the seeds of bad Sanskaars (dagdhbeej) or has got free of the trap of bad Sanskaars forcing bad actions. He moves straight towards Mukti.

This process of destruction of seeds of sanskaars demands constant practice with full enthusiasm, confidence and faith on Ishwar for a period of time.’

Taken from Hindu and Sanatan Dharma

———————————————

To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. “I will drink the ocean”, says the persevering soul; “at my will mountains will crumble up”. Have that sort of energy, that sort of will; work hard, and you will reach the goal. Swami Vivekananda 

Many a time, I have heard people say that don’t mix the two. But, it is important, that knowing the ‘Subtle’ nature of the Self, one acts in the ‘Gross’ material world. Just like, instead of balancing between the spiritual and the material world. One needs to make a strong spiritual base and on it build ones material world.

Hence, will make an attempt to talk about Krishna as the Self (Inner realm - That is One without names and forms) and Divine Individual/God (Outer Realm - The two with names and form).

Points to Ponder

Samaya - Time / Niyati 

"Hon har Bhavi Prabal, 

bilakhi kahe muni naath

Hani laabh, jeevan maran, 

yaash aapyash vidhi haath."

No matter what you do, Time/Samay defines lose and gain, death and life, fame and defame. These are not in our hand, it is all in the hand of providence.

But, work as if there is no one but you, and surrender as if there is no one but God. 

There are two elements 

1. Controllable - which you have control over

2. Uncontrollable - which you do not have control over 

The Pandavas teach us 

- How to focus on the controllable and give your very best

- How to graciously embrace the unfavourable times. Become better thought adversities and not bitter.

Inspite, of all the hardship caused by Dhrtharastra, their respect for him, and their responsibility towards him did not change. They understood that it is just the work of providence. 

In the time of trouble they never deviated from their true Dharma, that is Love and Bliss. They never lost faith in and sight of Krishna. 

Prabhu/Bhisma ki Pratigya - Pleage

‘Apna Vachan tod 

bhakt ka pran nibhau’

‘Breaking his own vow, not to take up arms during the Mahabharata war, to fulfil and exalt my vow of compelling him to take up arms, Krishna jumped down and taking a wheel rushed towards me.’

Outer Realm

Various ways to look at it;

- God/Elevated souls are so compassionate that they are willing so sacrifice their own glory, for the sake of the upliftment of other.

- Is it possible to ensure that milk does not mix in water, but the same milk when becomes butter, floats on water. Krishna so established in the Self, who has moved far beyond Karma, knowing that his breaking the vow will not make a difference to him, as it was a selfless act. But, if Bhisma breaks his vow, he will have to bear the repurcussions. 

Inner Realm

Our all knowing True Self, is very powerful. Can it not shine so bright that the layers covering it disappear. However, it allows for the cleansing to happen voluntary, gradually as and when one is ready from outside. 

In the process of cleaning, through the knowledge that is coming from outside, starts happening from within as well, when the knowledge for insides starts cutting the layers and the True Self is revealed 

Power of a true devotee - Vidhur 

We see that, Krishna declined to be with Duryodhana who welcomed him with all his riches, instead went on to the humble dwell of Vidhur.

‘Duryodhan ka Meva Tyagyo,

Saag Vidhur ghar khai’.

Outer Realm

God might not give all the riches of the world to a pure person, but he sure gives himself to a person pure in heart.

Inner Realm

It is the layers of vices that prevent us from seeing the True Self. When the cleaning is complete the self reveal itself. 

Such a realised soul, has the power to purify the purifying pilgrimages also. He is that trunk that not only crosses the ocean of mundane existence, but also takes others across with him.

The decline of the Yadavas - Krishna was a Yadava 

Outer Realm

How many actually recognised Krishna as God?

- Did his 16000 odd wives know Krishna’s divine natuer?

- Did Kauravas know Krishan’s divine nature? Would Duryodhana not have chosen Krishna over his army if he did?

- Did Arjun actually know Krishna’s divine form till he got the Gita Gyan?

Just because someone is physically close, does not mean you know person. In Mahabharat, the end of those who truly knew Krishna , as opposed to those who did not is very evident. The Rise of those who did and the demise of those who did not. 

Inner Realm

The Journey of life of those, who are in touch with the inner True Self, is very different from those who just associate oneself with the body.

There are two ways to look at this situation;

1. When the soul reveals itself, in the light of true knowledge, all the vices get dissolved. So, if we take Krishna to be knowledge, Yadavas and Kauravas to be vices, there extermination was natural.

2. We all are nothing but the ‘Satchitanad Swaroop’, infinite everlasting bliss. Inspite of that we feel bouts of sorrow, agony, anguish to name a few. The reason being, though we are, we don’t know. We spend a life time in search of happiness, when we ourselves are an ocean of Bliss. 

‘Pani mai raine payasi,

more suun suun aaye haasi.’

It makes me laugh to think, that one is thirty inspite of living in water.

Only the plant can make the flower blossom, other can support, but the flower has to blossom from within.

Mukti at the Battle field

Outer Realm

How great is a being, who gets the dharshan of Krishna, before the soul drops the body. How great must have been his or her past karmas, that lord himself came to take him. 

We are able to see only the limited present, and unable to see the adi, madhya and anth, that is, past present and future. 

Who are we to judge, if someone is deserving of what he/she is getting? How much information do we have to make such a judgment?

Inner Realm

It takes less then a blink of an eye, to break the shackles of Karma and attain Mukti. It is that moment when the true Knowledge dawns. When we say they got mukti, it simply means that the True Self was finally realised.

Nature Responds and Revolts 

To understand the functioning of the nature, let us understand the functioning of our body. 

Lately, we have realised that depression, gloom, extreme anger, anxiety to name a few can have adverse effect on our health. Positive emotions, like Joy, happiness, companionship to name a few have healing effect on our body. There is the uproar about ‘Placebo Effect’ and this has had amazing result.

In fact, the effect of different intangible emotions, has a tangible impact on the organs and the body as a whole. 

This analogy of the body can be extended to the earth, galaxy, universe etc. If the people on earth predominantly exhibit a certain kind of emotion, it reacts. If the emotion is of contentment, and majority of the people are virtues the earth is contented and shows this through the abundance in produce, through the balanced cycle of climate etc. On the contrary, when everyone is predominately vicious, the cycle of the earth gets imbalanced, and there are repeated droughts, calamities etc.

The texture of your thought not only governs your body, but also the Earth and beyond, and the texture of the Earth at large, governs the individual thoughts. 

Let go 

Outer Realm

‘Aaya hai so jaega,

Raja rangk fakir’

Khali hum haath aaye hai, 

Khali haath chaejaenge,

Kuch bhi na hum laaye the,

Kuch bhi na lejaenge

Maati se utthe aur,

Maati mai miljaenge.

There is no bigger reality than the above. Nothing that we see around is ours, then why do we hold on so tightly to something that was never ours. This does not mean we don’t act, but this means we indulge in ‘Selfless Action without Doership, with total surrender’.

Inner Realm 

‘Das kabir nai aise audhi,

jyo ki tyo dhar dini chadariya’ 

Das Kabir, come acted in the word,...

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Fifth Session

Bhagavata Pratham Skanda (Book One)

Chapter 7 and 8 (a bit from Chapter 2 and 4 also)

————————————————

‘Saunanka’s Queries:

1. Repeat to us the same sacred story of the Lord, that the divine sage Sukh recited to Pariksit.

2. In which yuga was the discourse held, what place and what was the occasion?

3. Sukhdevji is a great yogi, viewing all alike, in whose eyes diversity has ceased to exist, who’s mind is exclusively set upon God and has awakened from the sleep of worldliness. He remains incognito and so is taken as a stupid fellow.

  1. How did the citizens of Hastinapur come to recognise him, when he went about the city like one mad, dumb and dull?

  2. How did the Royal Sage Pariksit, come to have a talk with the sage?

4. Kindly narrate to us, the story of King Pariksit and his most wonderful birth and doings.

  1. Why did he take vow of fast until death, spurning his imperial fortune?

  2. Why did he cast of his body which was a support for other beings?’

————————————————

‘Saunaka asked - The sage Suka is a lover of quietism and indifferent to everything belonging to this world, he delights only in his self. What was his motive then, in mastering this work?

Suta replied - Even sages who delight in the self alone and the knot of whose ignorance has been cut asunder practice disinterested devotion to God, such are God’s and his devotees divine virtues.’

————————————————

Let’s dwell a little on the four Purshartas, clear our understanding about the purpose of life and then dip into the nectar like story of ‘Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana’, which is not only about the Divine, it is more about the Divine’s, beloved Devotees. 

The four Purshartas and the fifth purusharat Devotion:

- ‘Dharm: Love and Bliss (Infinite Ananda)

- Artha: Riches cannot be the end of Dharm. Wealth is a means of earning religious merits. Sensuous enjoyment cannot be recognised as its consummation. 

- Kaam: Gratification of senses is not the end of sensuous enjoyment. Keeping the body and soul together is the only use of sensuous enjoyment. 

- Moksha: The enquire into the truth is the only object of keeping the body and soul together, and not the attainment of heaven through the performance of pious act.’

Let all our efforts in life be infused with the Devotion to the Lord. 

————————————————

Story:

On Shaunakji’s sweet request and for the benefit of all, Suta Goswami, sitting there in the holy land of Naimisharanya, started the Katha. He told all that will narrate to the best of his ability and understanding of the Lord and the Granth infused by Shri Krishna.

At the end of the the Mahabharat war, after massive distruction, when the Kurukshetra was coloured red with blood. There was much distress and agony on both sides. Not many people were left. A few at the Pandavas side and only 4 remained at the Kauravas side - Duryodhana, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya and Kritavarma.

Ashwatthama to avenge, the sad state of Duryodhana, at night entered the Pandava camp and be-headed their 5 sons. Duryodhan died of agony, when he realised what had been done. 

Krishna told Arjun;

‘A pious man would never kill an enemy who is drunk, unguarded, insane, asleep, tender of age, stupid, terror-stricken or fallen at his feet, nor would he kill a women, now one who has lost his chariot.’

However, Aswatthama who has commited such a hideous crime deserves no consideration. He was caught, his Mani was taken and his head was shaved before letting him go. He attacked a second time, this time the unborn son of Abhimanyu, who was in Uttara’s womb. She was being taken care of by Kunti, Subadhra and Draupadi. To protect this unborn son, Krishna entered the womb of Uttara. This one being protected by Krishna himself was no other than Pariksit. 

When all were safe, Krishna announced his wish to return to Dwarka. There was gloom everywhere, who would not be sad to see the Lord leave. Kunti went up to Krishna and after singing his glories. She tell him, how in every difficult situation he has come to protect them;

- De-robing of Draupadi

- Durvasa Rishi’s hunger

- Lakshagraha’s fire

- Bhima’s poisoning

- Kurukshetra battle

She hurts to part with him, and when he insists on leaving Kunti’s asks;

‘May calamities befall us on every step through internity. Oh teacher of the world, for it is in adversity alone that we are blessed with your sight. 

- You being open to the perception of only those who have nothing to call their own.

- You are the only wealth of those who have no sense of possession.’

These words, were so pious that Krishna’s eyes started watering. 

Yudhishthira himself, pleaded for Krishna to stay, as he was in immense agony. He was blaming himself for the loss of so many lives and the destruction of peace, for a mere kingdom. Only Krishna he said could uplift him from this pit of sorrow.

Yudhishthira condemning himself;

‘One cannot atone for the destruction of a single life by any number of sacrifices.’

———————————————

Points to Ponder

Ashwatthama and Pandavas

When one is established in Dharma, and has the Lord driving the chariot of his life, how can he do anything that is not a-tuned with his innate quality of ‘Love and Bliss’. That is why it is said, ‘Make a strong spiritual foundation (base of Love and Bliss) and then build your material world on it’. 

Arjun and Draupadi, exercised empathy in the most dire of situations. It is after all a great quality to make sure no one goes through the same kind of suffering that is agonising ones own soul. 

‘Hate the sin and not the sinner. Forgive them as they know not what they do.’

Everyone has the spark of the same divine, forgetting this fact, clouds our judgment and infests our actions with vices. The easiest way to fight lower tendencies and vices is by Sublimation, and not Suppression. 

Yudhishthira and his Agony

Violence of any form to any creature is unacceptable. Done intentionally or unintentionally. However, if any wrong has been committed and one truly repents, the Lord will ensure you are forgiven and you are able to forgive yourself. 

It is ‘forgiving the self’ that is most important and the most difficult to achieve. This massive task is made easier when we turn to God. 

Making of Pariksit

It is a big responsibility, on ‘The Family’ to secure the future of this world. Grahistha Ashram is not only for blind procreation. The Grahistha, is endowed with a responsibility to nurture and shape the future. Human being are not born, they are made. 

The controllable elements, on which the qualities in an Off spring depends are;

- The people 

- Environment

- Intake through the 5 senses

For instance, the quality of the seed depends on the qualities of the plant from which it comes and also from how the seed is nurtured. 

Kunti, Subadhra, Draupadi and Uttara - They were the strong backbone of the Pandava kingdom. Established in Dharma and Faith, the nurtures, helped the best to blossom. 

Pariksit and Krishna 

There are three ways in which you can interpret the name Pariksit;

- Pariksit : Who inspecting or doing ‘pariksha’

- Pariksit: The awaited one, who everyone has been in Pratiksha.

- Pariksit: Who has been tested a lot in life, who has given a lot of Pariksha. 

That Lord who is never born - He appears ‘Prakat hote hai’. bound himself in the womb to protect this Pariksit. That pure soul, which holds a promise to selflessly benefit millions, is guarded by God himself. The universe directs all its energy to conserve, that one. 

‘Ja ko rakhe saiya, maar sake na koi,

baal na baka karsake, jo jag bairi hoye.’

Become the beloved of God, put all your faith in him and call from the depth of your pure heart, he will come running.

‘Aajate hai krishna koi bula ke dekhle,

Krishna naam Aati meetha hai koi gaake dekhle.’

Kunti and her Plea

It is agony, sorrow and disappointed that brings me closer to God. During the times of trial our prayer are the most powerful and focused, for at the time of being helpless and alone, we put all our trust in the Divine.

However, when we are surrounded by joys, opulence and people, the first one we forget is ‘God’. The relish and the shine of the material world, blinds our inward vision, and makes us drift in the sway of ‘Maya’

Someone rightly said, when your don’t forget God in the times of Prosperity and Joy, sorrow would never come near you. Not that, we won’t have times of trial, but those trial will not steal aways our peace and bliss. The faith nurtured, will stand strong with us.

Socho..Think.. 

‘Dukh mai Sumiran saab kare, 

sukh mai kare na koi. 

Jo sukh mai sumiran kare tau, 

dukh kahe ko hoi.’ 

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Shri Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Fourth Session

Bhagavata Pratham Skanda (Book One)

Chapter 1 to 6

—————

We bow our heads to the Transcendent Reality, from whom the universe springs up, in whom it abides and into whom it returns. 

This age of Kali takes away the purity of peoples heart and is thus difficult to conquer. We turn to you, who confides even his profoundest secrets to their beloved devotees. 

—————

Story: 

The session started with a story of a King who wanted to know the secret of the bliss possessed by a ‘poor Gaadivan’. He approached him multiple times, but the Gaadivan refused to impart. Till one day the King came as a nobody, waited as a nobody, and sat down as a nobody. When he emptied himself of his lower self and ego, the Gaaidvan made him sit and shared his secret of ‘Never ending bliss’.

We enter ‘Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana’, as a nobody and bring our hearts to Naimisharanya where Shaunakji and his various disciples are listening to Sutadevji. They want to know more about Narad Muni, the boundless Sage. 

Narad Muni, is the mind born son of Brahma. It all started when the divine desired creation, when Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh came into existance. After thousands of years of mañana Brahma opened his eyes and came along Narad Muni and many others from his mind.

His cycle of decent or ascent, would leave this decision on you, started with a curse from Brahma, when Narad Muni refused to enter the ‘Grahasth Ashram’, and desired to just go around singing the glories of the Lord. 

- He first became a Gandharva and after being cursed again

- He was born as a maid servants son

Here, he had the opportunity at a tender age of 5 to serve, holy men during their period of ‘Shetra Vanvas’ during the rainy chaturmas. Their company and eating parshad ignited in him the longing for God. 

What followed, was a tragedy or blessing, again I leave it on you to decide. For, categorising an event as good or bad is a subjective matter. The saints left, and soon after he lost his mother also. He at this little age started wondering around in search of God. He got a glimpse of what he was looking for, only to be told he was not pure enough to hold this vision any longer and again in this life. 

He devoted his life to purifying himself, gained Bhakti, gyan and Vairagya. He broke the Shackles of Karma and on death merged with that Divine and was manifested again as the mind born son of Brahma, the Mukt, boundless Narad Muni.

Points to Ponder:

One Becomes Many - 

Supreme person, who is beyond it all, became Hari, Hara, Virnchi 

This entire universe is made up of Satva, Rajas and Tamas. But, the one who made these is beyond the Gunas, rid of all cravings, free from vanity and jealousy and content at heart. He is free from name and form.

He is the imperishable seed of various avtars. The avtars of the lord are numerous, all are nothing but the rays of the same divine power. In ‘Shrimad Bhagavata the following are glorified in detail;

1. The four unmarried sons of Brahmā [the Kumāras] also called as Sanat Kumāras. 

2. Varaha avatar (Boar)

3. Devarṣi Nārada, who is a great sage among the demigods

4. Nara 

5. Nārāyaṇa

6. Lord Kapila, foremost among perfected beings. He gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Āsuri Brāhmaṇa.

7. Dattatreya, the son of the sage Atri. He was born from the womb of Anasūyā, who prayed for an incarnation.

8. Yajña, the son of Prajāpati Ruci and his wife Ākūti.

9. King Ṛiṣabha, son of King Nābhi and his wife Merudevī.

10. King Pṛithu who cultivated the land to yield various produce, and for that reason the earth was beautiful and attractive.

11. Matsya, The form of a fish.

12. Kūrma, The form of a tortoise.

13. Dhanvantari.

14. Jaganmohini.

15. Nṛsiṁha - The man lion form.

16. Vāmana, the form of a dwarf brāhmaṇa.

17. Parashu Rama. 

18. Sri Rama, the son of Dasharatha. 

19. Vyasa, the son of Parāshara.

20. Balarāma

21. Kṛṣṇa. 

22. Buddha, the son of Añjanā, in the province of Gayā. 

23. Kalki incarnation and become the son of Viṣṇu Yaśā. 

The Oscillation 

We are the wave who has forgotten that it is nothing but the ocean. We have all the qualities. However, they are unable to reveal themselves. The self oscillates between, 

- Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic tendencies

- Satyug, treat, Dwapar and Kaliyug

- Bhramin, Khastriya, Vaishyas and Sudra (not the vanrna based on work, but the qualities)

Beyond all this turmoil, the truth - Which is nothing but just being.

Drop the ‘I Am’ Ego - Ahenkar

When one is reduced to ‘a nobody’, only then does one earn the eligibility to actually receive the true knowledge and know about the truth. That is am,

‘Ishvar amsha jeev avinashi, chetan, amal, sahaj, sukh rashi.’

Pilgrimage, holy places, sat ka saang and Parshad

When one waits upon the divine sages and the holy people in the places of worship, when one keeps the company of the pure, it has a cleansing affect. 

Everything that we intake in the company of such people, including the prashad from our mouth or the Bhajan/Shlokas from our ears, removes the layer which we have accumulated over various life times. 

With every layer removed and with every stroke of cleaning, the self slowly but surely starts to reveal itself.

“Guru Govind Dono Khade, Ka ke lagu paye,

Balihari Guru aapki, Govind Diyo milaye.”

Gyan (Knowledge) 

Knowledge alone is the reality, that knowledge which does not admit duality, that means which is indivisible, and one without a second. This is called by different names;

- Brahma (The Absolute)

- Paramatma (The supreme spirit of the Oversoul)

- Bhagavan (The Deity)

Sages who are full of faith, perceive that truth in their own self, in their own heart. This Bhakti (devotion) accompanied by Gyan (Knowledge) and Vairaga (love for all) can be attained by hearing of ‘Shrimad Bhagavata’.

Karma bandana - Break the Chakra of Karma 

The moment one sees God in his very self and others. When he starts seeing no second. That very moment the ‘Doership and the I’ dissolve and the knot of ignorance in his heart is broken, all the doubts vanish and the entire stock of his karmas get dissolved.

All activities of man mainly leads to transmigration, but the same, when offered to the Lord, lose their binding character

Who is a Mukht person or who has attained ‘Mukti-Liberation’?

When one is freed from the desire to be known, get respect and have fame, he can be called to have attained ‘Mukti’, or he is a ‘Jivan Mukt’. What binds us is nothing but our desires.

The one who is not bound by ‘Trishna or Ishnaye-Desires’ 

1. Lokeshna (desire for praise of people)

2. Vitteshna (greed and influence of money)

3. Putreshna (desire for existence)

A ‘Sadhak-Devotee’ is a person in whose heart;

- Sorrow does not stay

- Anger does not stay

- Vice does not stay

They might look as if they are being made, but they get washed out as they are being produced. Just like, when we draw something on water, it seems as if a line is being made but it does not stay. In the same way, when we draw something on the beach, as soon as the wave comes it is washed out, it does not stay. 

A Materialistic person, who is engrossed in the material world has a heart where,

- Sorrow stays

- Anger stays

- Vice stays

They are not washed out as and when they are produced. Just like the a stone, when repeatedly hit by the wave, has a deep depression made on it, or a rock which when constantly churned with a rope bears the lines of the aberration caused by it.

Bhagavata Dharm

Dharm of a Devotee is to Love the Lord and his creation, in a disinterested fashion.

- It is free from all deceptions in the form of desire, even for Liberation. 

- Devotion should be absolutely motiveless and without obstruction.

- A bhakh sit with utmost Shradha and Vishvas, and this compels even the rarest of knowledge to reveal itself.

  - Eklavya’s shradha in his guru is a great example of the same.

- A bhakth enjoys journey and is not in a hurry to reach the destination. For a devotee, loving god is even more important than merging with him.

“I love God and His creation, because I love God and his creation.”

Dharm - What is my Dharm?

We can say righteousness. But, the full meaning of this word can not be described in English. Dharm is Dharm.

For instance, 

What is the Dharm of Sugar? 

The Dharma of sugar is to be sweet. No matter what you put it in. It does not leave its Dharm of being sweet, and sweetens the most bitter of things.

In the same way, we also have a Dharm. Our dharma is to every be in our Sat Chit Anand Swaroop. 

“Sat-Chit-Ananda is a Sanskrit term and refers to the nature of the core of our Being or Self. Sat means Existence/truth. Chit means Consciousness. Ananda means Bliss. 

Another way to look at it would be, we are nothing but eternal bliss and Love. My Dharm is to spread the same, for one can only give what one has, and we have nothing but, ‘Bliss and Love’ to share.

So my Dharm is Love and Bliss

Does this not make us do our duties with the beautiful colour of love?

My Dharm enables me to be a better mother..

My Dharm enables me to be a better friend..

My Dharm enables me to be a better Me..

May your Dharm, fill all your actions with the bright colour of Love and bliss 

Happy Holi🌷

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Third Session

Bhagavat Mahatmay

———

Bhagavata unlike Ramayan and Mahabharat is not one big story, it is a string of stories, conversations, narration and question and answer sessions, happening between different speakers, at times, in different time zones. 

Hence, to comprehend this, we need to try and clear the clutter of conditioning in our mind. At the same time we need be willing to think beyond the boundaries of our limited physical and mental capacity and finite logic and reasoning. 

Beyond the boundaries exits the truth.

———

Let’s bring ourselves to Naimisharanya, ‘a Holy forest where Shree Veda Vyasa taught the Vedas and all the Puranas to his disciples. Later it is in this very holy place that Romaharshana or Lomaharshana , Vedavyasa’s disciple, narrated the Puranas to several Rishis. It is also the blessed place where Ugrasrava (Suta Gosvami),the son of Romaharsana, narrated the story of Shreemad Bhagavatam to several Rishis.’

Veda vyasaji writes, that Shaunka with his 28000 disciples, requests Suta to narrate that which will help everyone during this dark age o Kaliyug, in an effort to make Humans humans again. 

‘Manur bhav’- ‘Manushya tu manushya banja’.

To which, Sutaji, chose to narrate the ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Mahapuran’. He explains why to Shaunka? He picks a few of the endless glories and benefits of this Granth. 

Point 1

‘The story of Shrimada Bhagavata emanates from the essence of the Vedas, Purans, Upnishads etc. 

- The vital juice circulating the tree can not be tasted. The same juice in the form of the fruit captivates the mind of all.

- The butter in the milk, cannot be tasted, but when separated, it delights even the gods.

- Sugar too is there in the sugarcane, but when separated tastes sweeter.’

Point 2

Story : King and Queen and their baby who was stolen by the dacoits. Later, till reminded the child forgot who his real parents were and took the dacoits to be his parents.

Point to ponder: This Granth has the power to take us where we belong. We are the children of God. We have lost our true selves in this world. The spark of knowledge from this Granth, can lead us back to our true divine Self. 

- Tat Tvam Ashi

- Aham Brahmasmi

- Ayamatma Brahma

- Prajnanam Brahma

Point 3 

Story: Vivekananda and an impatient man and his question of, How to get God?

This man is thought the importance of one single breath, when kept under water for a long duration. One single breath is all he wanted. He could not think of anything else. When time is short, drastic measures have to be used.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to awaken this one pointed focus, this deep yearning that is to to reach God. It will awaken the intensity in seeking for God, just like a dying person wants one more day of life and a drowning person wants one breath. 

Point 4

Story: A little boy selling water, and the rich man who bargains. This little boy understanding that he is not thirsty, goes away. As a person who is really thirsty drinks first and then asks for the price.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to awaken the thirst, to awaken the longing and awaken the desire for God. The thirst for the truth. The thirst for finding the True Self. 

Point 5

“Sacidanandroopaya visvotpatyadihetave, tapatreyavinashaya Shri Krishna vayam namah”

We sing the glory of Shri Krishna, who is all truth, all consciousness and all bliss, who is is eternal never ending bliss. He is responsible for the creation, substance and destruction of the universe. He is capable of putting an end to the threefold agony, and we do Naman to him. 

- Adhyatmik: The agony caused by ones own body and mind.

- Adibhotik: The agony caused by other creatures to the self.

- Adidevik: The agony caused by natural calamities, or other elements.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to wipe out all our agonies, and lead us to eternal bliss. How can it not, Krishna himself dwells in ‘Shirmad Bhagavata Mahapuran’. 

Point 6

Story: The Kumaras help Narada Muni, awaken Gyan and Vairagya and rejuvenate Bhakti. Who has suffered because of the onset of Kaliyug. They commence the narration of ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Mahapuran’, at Anada near Haridwara. Not only, do Gyan and Vairagya become young again, but Mukti joins them from Vaikunth Dham and Bhakti dances at the tune of Shri Krishna’s Flute.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to get Bhakti to dwell in your heart, along Gyan (Divine Knowledge) and Vairagya (universal Love). For such being, Mukti is not a far fetched dream, for they are never bound. Such a ‘Loving heart’ is very dear to God, and he resides in it. 

Does this world not need more Love?

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; 

only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that." 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jai Shri Krisna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Second Session

Bhagavat Mahatmay 

Shri Guru Charan saroj raja,

neej manu mukur sudari.

Baranau raghubar bimal jasu,

jo dayaku fal chari.

Hanumanji, with the dust of your feet, we cleanse our heart, our very being. To make us fit to recite and hear the glories of Shri Hari. His Glories give us the eternal fruits. The fruit of Satya, Tapas, Dana and Sochya. If one hold on to even one of the four, the other three will follow and the the doors of Vaikuth are bound to open.

Dear Lord, this finite perishable being, is going to attempt to sing glories of you, The Infinite. You ,whom some define as not this, not this and some as, this also, this also. Whose end nobody has been able to reach. 

May your grace flow. 

- May our attention be like Arjun who aimed for the eye of the birds.

- May our learning be like Yudhishthira, who refused to utter a simple shloka without internalising and implement it. 

- May we be like the Sun, discipled in our Sadhna 

- May we be like Shiva, ever awake and alert in midst of darkness of Vices.

- May we build our material world, on the spiritual base, which simply put says, “All Good = God”.

- May we dwell in ‘Pratiksa’. Have the patience to wait as long as it takes, till the truth is revealed. 

- May we have the urge to be with you all the time. Till we start seeing you in everything and every action becomes an act of devotion.

—————————————————

“Bhagwata is my Bow, I am the Arrow and I aim to reach you My Lord”

We can sum up the Bhagwata or any other granth, in two lines;

“Parahit kar baan prabhu ka aabhari.

Parapida/paraninda saam paap nahin bhari”

To reach this state in thought word and deed, simply put is the Mahatmaye of Bhagwata.

—————————————————

Bhawatam was narrated for the first time to dispel Gloom, and re-narrated to establish the Listner in ‘Chid Ananad’ - “Never Ending Bliss”.

- The Infinite power narrated it to Brahma (4 Shloka)

- Narada Muni to Veda Vyasa (4 Shlokas)

- Shivji to Paravati and Sukhdevji

- Veda Vyasa to Sukhdev Muni (18000 shlokas)

From 4 Shloka, ‘The Chatusloki Bhagwata’, Veda Vyasa went on to expand it to 12 Books, 332 Chapter and 18000 Shlokas (verses). It takes at least 30 hours to read the Sanskrit Verses.

If it can dispel the vacuum of Brahma and Veda Vyasa, we can be freed of our impending vacuum as well. Are we not always in a state of flux, moving from momentary joys to sorrow.

“Saab kuch hai mere paas, 

najane kya hai khoya.

Khusiyo ki nikli barat,

aur mera dil roya.

Najane kesi jang Laad rahe hai hum, 

No koi gaam hai na udhasi,

Phir bhi tadap rahe hai hum.

Kesi hai yeh ulzan, 

kyo yeh saab sikh rahe hai hum.

Khud na samaj paaye,

auro ko samjane chale hai aapna gaam.”

This epidemic which has struck the old and the young alike in the form of ‘Depression’ can be eradicated by ‘Shrimad Bhagwata Mahapurana”. It can lead us;

- From the momentary ’Sukh’ to eternal ‘Bliss’

- From the external seek, to the internal find

- From the incomplete self, to the complete in self 

- From the finite and perishable, to the infinite and eternal

—————————————————

Lets get to know our Author, Narrator and Seeker (Detailed story narrated in the session)

Author -Veda Vyasa 

He is the son of Parasharji(a renowned astrologer) and Satyavati. Born under planetary conditions, fit for the birth of the 29th Veda Vyasa.

‘Ved Vyasa is a title which is given to new Vyasa in every Chaturyuga, in this Chaturyuga it is Given to the great Krishna Dwaipayana son of Bramharishi Parashara.’

Pls Note: It is so beautiful to know that our Veda also evolve to fit the need of the time. 

Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa compiled the Vedas in order to simplify their study, the meaning of the word Vyasa here is Arranger or compiler. So Veda Vyasa Translates to 'The Compiler of Vedas.’ He

- Compiled the Vedas 

- Wrote the Brahma Sutra

- Wrote the Mahabharata (which has the Gita in it)

- Wrote the 17 Purana

Finally, on being guided by Narad Muni, in an effort to go beyond Dharma, Artha, kama and Mokha, he wrote Bhagwatam - which is nothing but ‘Divine Love’. 

After writing the 18th Purana, that is ‘Bhagavata’. He did not write any further, as his vacuum was now filled with ‘Prabhu Prem’.

“Potha paad paad jagmua,

pandit bhaya na koi.

Dhai aakhar prem ke, 

paade so pandit hoye.’

Narrator - Sukhdevji Muni

He is the son of Vedavyasa and Vatika. Who heard the Bhagvata from none other than Lord Shiv and later his father. He is the student of Raja Janak and a chiranjivi. 

His name Sukh, means a parrot, hence many say he is a parrot faced Muni. On the other hand, his name also means Sukhdev, the God of Joy. For he is the donor of ‘Anand’, in the form of Bhagvata Katha.

While listening to his narration of Bhagavata, we have to remember;

- He is one who dwell in world untouched by Maya, one with all, above all duality.

- He is the one, who sees all as ’Soul’, hence he is beyond identifying others, based on Gender.

- He shows us the dedication, determination and discipline of a true seeker, student. 

- He shows us how divine a ‘Grihastha’ can be, when the Guru Shisya relationship is established between Guru Janak and Shisya Shukhdev. 

- He shows us the power of humility and constant learning from everyone.

Seeker/Requester - Udhavji 

He is the friend and counsellor of Krishna. Some text say he was the cousin of Krishan, being the son of Devabhaga who was the brother of Vasudev. 

It is because of him that Krishna, entered the bhagavata instead of going to Vaikunth or Sheersagar, after leaving his `Human Form’. In other words, Bhagavata is the very essence of Krishna himself.

He was a Gyani, a ‘nirgun, nirakar upasak’ who the Gopis thought the power of ‘sagun saarkar Prabhu Bhakti. Uddhava was so filled with the devotion of the gopis towards Lord Krishna that he stayed in Vrindavan for awhile and asked the Gopis to be his Guru. The Gopis said; 

"When Akura came to Vrindvan, he took our Krishna with him, and now are you here to take away his memories too, from us?", to which Uddhava is speechless.

Can there be Gyan without Bhakti?

Can there be Bhakti without Love?

Saachi preeti prabhu se ho tou, murat bole kaath ki..

Nirakar, Saakar hogaye bhakto ke aaangan mai.. 

That unbound, can be bound only with Love ..

Jai Shri Krishna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

Shrimad Bhagwatam Mahapuran

Synopsis of the First Session

Bhagwat Mahatmay

All at the feet of Shri Hanuman, who is our main Listner (Mukhya Shrota), main Speaker (Mukhya Vakta) and main Brahmin. He was there and always will be there, a “Katha Rasiya”, Who goes where ever the Hari katha is happening, and listens to it soaked in the love for the Lord. 

My naman to Hanumanji

To absorb the most from the story, we need to learn to Listening. As such, considered a very natural activity, but it does not come naturally to most. The first session is devoted to the ‘Art of Listening - Sravanam Mangalam’

Stories covered:

1. Ramdasji and Hanumanji - Color of the flower

2. Water and the Vessel

3. Sadhu and his Student - The Brick of Gold

4. Atmadev, Dhundhuli, Dhundhukari and Gokarna

  1. Disparity in Reward

  2. Difference in Form

Ramdasji and Hanumanji - Color of the flower

Points to Ponder 

1. Ramdasji while narrating would start visualising the entire scene, as if it was happening in front of him. (Time after all is just an illusion)

2. Many a times our perception or vision is clouded by our mental state and situation.

3. There can be various version of the story.

4. Listen to the narration with an ‘Open Mind’.

5. Ones a Granth is opened, the Granth which is imbibed with a soul takes over, and presents what it actually wants to, at a particular time.

6. Multiple Kalps and multiple yugs are happening simultaneously and in repetition. Each has a different narrative. The change in minor details in the story should not distract us, our focus should be on the essence and the learning.

Water and the Vessel

Points to Ponder

1. Only when the vessel is empty is it possible to put water into it.

2. At the same time the vessel has to be kept with the open mouth up and not upside down.

3. We have to be receptive when sitting and listening.

4. Irrespective of how many times we have heard the story, every time we hear a new lesson can be derived.

Sadhu and his Student - The Brick of Gold

Points to Ponder

1. We all have a lot of baggages which weigh us down.

2. Sit free of all the worries, fears, sorrows, expectation and assumptions. 

3. In order to really revel in the story, we need to dispose off all that is bothering us.

4. If only we were a rolling stone, we would not gather any moss. Till then, we can always deposit our baggages with the Lord, time and again.

Atmadev, Dhundhuli, Dhundhukari and Gokarna

Points to Ponder

Disparity in Reward

Gokarna asked: 

On this very Spot there are many sinless souls that have listened to my discourse. How is it that aerial cars have not been brought for them? How has disparity come in the matter of reward?

Servants of Hari replied: 

The disparity in the matter of reward here has come on account of diversity in hearing the exposition. Thought it has been heard by;

- It has not been reflected upon in an equal degree of intensity by everyone.

- It was not heard by a composed mind.

- One has be there 100% body, mind and soul. Hear, Listen, understand, contemplate and implement. 

It is to be noted here;

- Pointless is spiritual wisdom which is not firmly rooted.

- Hearing of scriptures is tarnished through lack of interest.

- Counsel which is received with a doubting mind is lost.

- Fruitless is the muttering of a sacred text done with a restless mind

Hence, the hearing of Srimad Bhagwata is efficacious only when;

- There is faith in the words of the narrator

- The thought of ones wretchedness

- The subjugation of one’s mental aberrations 

- Unflattering devotion to the hearing of Srimad Bhagwata

Difference in Form

Gokarna/other listners- They appeared in a divine form

Dhundhukari and others- Shri Hari gave him a form similar to his own

Why is there disparity in the Form attained by them? 

The above somehow lead our attention to the Lucidity and flexibility of it all.

1. Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda vandanti - which means that the truth is one but there are many paths to understand and get to it. 

2. Niraakar Nirgun (without a form and attributes) or Saakar Sagun (with a form and attributes), chose that which touches your heart.

3. Different people believe in different Gods. Some believe in Vishnu, Krishan, Ram, Kali, Durga, Hanuman, but no one should claim that their god is absolute nor ridicule the others God. That is each ones right and they can pursue their God the way they want to.

4. Your equations with God is totally your choice 

  - Advaita

  - Dvaita

  - Bhedabheda

  - Vishishtadvaita

  - Dvaitadvaita

  - Shuddadavaita

  - Achintya Bheda Abheda

5. Your final destination is totally your choice (As you sow, so shall you reap) 

  - Liberation/Moksha

  - Merge with the Lord

  - Remain with Lord without merging

  - Re-birth as an enemy/devotee

  - Re-birth in which Loka

  - Re-birth in which form

What should be our objective?

However, one question forever dwell in my heart;

“Agar mangne se jo maango woh miljata hai,

Tau phir Bhagwan se bhagwan ko he nahi maanglena cahiye.”

Jai Shri Krisna 🙏

Jai Shri Hanuman🙏