|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 328 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  179

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Aravindhaksha, Oh! Madhava, How did a person from Varnnashrama Dharma follow the methods of Dhyana Yoga?  How did a Grihasthashrami would perform all those methods of Dhyana Yoga you have described? How did they practice Dhyana Yoga and other household duties and responsibilities simultaneously? Oh! Prabho, kindly describe Sarvadharma, Bhakthilakshana, and Thaththvam.”

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, I shall describe the Varnnashrama in detail.  There are four Yugas known as Krita, Thretha, Dwapara, and Kaliyuga.  In the Krita Yuga all were Bhramanas/twice-born, they have attained the Bhrama Thaththvam with intense penance and austerities, therefore while living in the family they did not find it difficult in attaining the supreme Bhramam and abandon the family life whenever it requires.  In the Thretha Yuga, it was difficult to perform penance and austerities, so the Yajja and Yaga practices have come into existence.  In the Dwapara Yuga, there was a lot of difference of opinions and arguments raised; therefore the practice of worship of idols came into existence.  In the Kali Yuga, the grief and miseries of the people has multiplied, people have become selfish, unkind, and wicked natured, had a short life span and less memory, none of the above methods of realization of Bhramam, penance, or performance of Yaga or worship of idol did not help them, therefore the recitation of sacred names of supreme Lord, reading and reciting the glorious myths of supreme Lord has come into existence.”

Bhagavan continues “ Oh! Udhdhava, there are four Varnnashrama, such as Bhramachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasashrama.  A  Brahmachari is who has good control over senses with the knowledge of impermanent nature of Prakrithi, material well-being, people, and fame, followed with strict food habits, follows the spiritual practices contemplating upon the supreme Bhramam to elevate his soul. A Grihasthashrami is who has a sense of self-sacrifice, kindness, humility, simplicity, with the constant contemplation upon the supreme Lord. A Vanaprasthashrami is who has the sense of renunciation/abandonment, conducts pilgrimage, and contemplate upon the supreme Lord.  A Sanyasashrami is the one who is completely surrendered to the supreme Lord.”