|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 14– The legend of Lord Krishna -  14 – Mahathmayi –

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, whoever listens or recites to this glorious scripture following austerities for seven days would get liberated from worldly matters and bondage, ultimately attain Moksha.  At the end of the seventh day of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, Dhundhukari attained a divine form, soon, a celestial vehicle driven by Vishnuparshadhas appeared before Gokarna, they reverentially greeted Dhundhukari who was transformed into divine celestial, and respectfully received him to be seated in the celestial vehicle.  Gokarna approached the Vishnuparshadhas and enquired why the Vishnudasas not willing to take Gokarna and the people assembled to listen to the glorious Bhagavath Mahapuran recital. 

Haridasa spoke “Oh! Illustrious one, Dhundhukari listened to the recital and contemplated upon it.  He has thoroughly understood the concept of it, his mind was calm and serene while listening; he had intense devotion and faith while listening to it.  Whenever read, listen or chant, it should serve its purpose, it should be performed with intense devotion and faith. Oh! Gokarna, conduct the Sapthahashravana once again to attain Vishnuloka.” Gokarna conducted the Sapthahashravana once again and all those listened to it with intense devotion attained liberation.

Sanathkumara describes the austerities followed to conduct a  Sapthahashravana.  The preceptor/speaker, who is seated on the Vyasagadhdhi and listener, should eat a meal once in a day and fruits.  It should be organized in the propitious month of Marghasheersha, the speaker and the listener should observe celibacy, and have perfect control over senses.  The speaker should have a thorough knowledge of scriptures and Veda Shastras should be a Viraktha/renounced, Vaishnava/devotee of Lord Vishnu and Vipra/twice-born.  The listeners should follow austerities, seated comfortably and listen to it and the purpose should be listening and understanding the concept of it.  Before conducting the recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, the veneration of the deity should be performed followed with Vedic chants, and sincerely meditate upon supreme Lord Krishna and the supreme preceptor Shukha Bhramam.

Samsarasagare Magnam Dheenam Mam Karunanidhe | Karma Mohagraheethangam Mam Udhdhara Bhavarnnavath || Srimad Bhagavathakhyoayam Prathyaksha: Krishna Yeva Hi | Sveekrithoasi Maya Natha Mukthyarththam Bhavasagare || Manoratho Madheeyoayam Saphala: Sarvadha Thvaya| Nirvighnenaiva Karthavyo Dhasoaham Thava Keshava: || Shukaroopa Prabhodhajja Sarvashasthravisharadha | Yethath Katha Prakashena Madhagnanam Vinashaya||

Oh! Karunanidhe/compassionate one, I am completely worn out and helpless, drenched in the worldly matters and bondage of unfathomable ocean like worldly existence. I have been into various deeds with an extreme desire to fulfill my personal motive, hence kindly elevate my soul from the ocean of worldly existence.  Oh! Bhagavan, I shall reverentially prostrate before the glorious scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, kindly accept my humble salutation to you.  Oh! Natha, kindly elevate me from the ocean of worldly existence.  Oh! Keshava, kindly shower your grace upon us, to perform all the duties and responsibilities as a sincere servant of you.  I shall prostrate before the supreme preceptor Shukha who imparted the knowledge on glorious scripture which holds supremacy over all the scriptures, which could remove all the impurities of the mind/ignorance, ego and proud.