|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 351 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  199

Namosthuthe Mahayogin Prapannamanushadhi Mam | Yadha Thvath Charanambhuje Rathi: Syadhanapayini||

The over-dependence and attachment cause’ extreme mental agony and distress, it is not that people or things cause’ distress, it is the approach of the individual towards people, wealth, fame; money causes extreme fear and anxieties.  The spirituality is the practice of unfasten those redundant thoughts caused by the attachments and over-dependence to people, wealth, money, richness, fame, etc.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches to unfasten the material life and bondage, and lead a serene life, it is a marvelous technique to adopt while living in the material comforts without getting attached to it, or do not lament over in the absence of people and comforts.  Udhdhava who was pious and highly intelligent lived all his life for Krishna and served the clan of Vrishni, with the hope that everything he had seen and heard will remain the same always.  Suddenly, Udhdhava could not bear to see the Vrishni clan meets its destruction, and Krishna returning to the supreme abode.  Uddhava lost all his hopes and mental strength, seeing Krishna leaving before his eyes.  It was neither Krishna nor the destruction of Vrishnis traumatized Udhdhava, it was his attachment and over-dependence to Krishna and Vrishnis pushed him in extreme distress.  Later, Krishna unfastens all those illusions of Udhdhava and advised him to elevate his soul contemplating upon supreme Lord.  Therefore, the practice of spirituality is an individual effort; no one is capable to elevate the soul of others, all those should be practiced and followed by the individual who yearns to get relieved from the cycles of repeated births.  The constant practice of meditation, Pranayama, listening and reading the glorious myths of supreme Lord would purify the intellect; gradually it would remove the interest in worldly matters and bondage.   The interest in worldly matters and bondage does not require any practice, the intellect capture the taste, smell, appearance, nature of people, situations, etc as its own.  The spirituality requires an intense practice of mind and intellect to concentrate on the supreme soul which is the source of the functioning of the Universe and its living beings, which has no appearance or sound, the regular practice of meditation helps to unfasten the redundant thoughts about the material world and people, it brings the serenity of mind. Thus, Udhdhava received supreme knowledge from Krishna and left to Badarikashrama at his instruction. Krishna silently walked on the shores of Prabhasa watching the battering waves.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 350 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  198

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, an ignorant one, accumulates uncontrollable desires through the Indhriya/sense, and they keep attracted towards it like a magnet, therefore they cannot take away from the attraction from all those material matters easily.  Oh! Udhdhava, the mind, and intellect ‘Ahamkara’ that constantly accumulates interest in worldly matters and desires, undergoes various emotions like Shoka,/grief Moha,/desire Bhaya,/fear Krodha/anger, Harsha/happiness, Lobha/perplexity, Spruha/yearning, Dhaya/kindness, thereby it causes birth and death, even though it is already rooted in the Jeeva and it is difficult to overcome, therefore it should be sliced off with the powerful sword of Gnana/wisdom.  It can be removed with the constant Upasana/practice of worship and meditation.  Oh! Udhdhava, you understand my nature as supreme soul in you,  all those desires of worldly matters were accumulated with the presence of me, like the precious yellow metal/Gold, is used to create stunning pieces of ornaments.  Therefore if you attain the knowledge of the presence of me as a soul in living beings, and I am the source of the functioning of the mind and intellect, you can get rid of the influence of Gunathraya/Rajasik, Sathvik and Thamasik. Oh! Udhdhava, if you practice intense faith and devotion, with the thorough knowledge of the supreme Bhramam which resides as a soul in you it would remove all the weakness and cluster of redundant thoughts, in this way you can attain union with the Bhramam, and remain in a state of supreme bliss and contentment.  Oh! Udhdhava, contemplate upon the supreme soul that has supreme radiance, which is a source of perception and experiences, that has no dual forms, it  illuminates the whole Universe and its living beings with its brilliance, and  has no birth or death.  Oh! Udhdhava, with the constant practice of meditation and sung in praise of me attain union with the supreme soul.”

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Acchyutha, Oh! Pundareekaksha, you have narrated all those methods to control the senses/self-control, Oh! Bhagavan, I feel it is a little difficult to follow, kindly forgive me for the repetition of the same topic, I have no shelter other than you.  I shall surrender at your lotus feet, I am your sincere servant, I have no one as relative other than you, kindly describe briefly all those we have discussed earlier.”

Bhagavan concludes “Oh! Udhdhava, whoever sincerely follows my advice would win over the fear of death, 1) perform all the duties and responsibilities enthusiastically with a pleasant nature that would make me happy. 2) Practice meditation, Pranayama, and worship 3) surrender your mind and intellect upon me 4) constantly remembers my presence as a soul in you and remains in a state of bliss. 5) Conduct pilgrimage/ visit Theerthas and sacred places 6) live in the association of my devotees who sincerely follow the meditation and religious practices that would help you to elevate your soul. 7) Remember my all-pervasive nature and Oneness-in-All.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 349 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  197

Archadhishu Yadha Yathra Shradhdha Mam Thathra Charchayeth | Sarvabhootheshvathmani Cha  Sarvathma Aham Avasthitha: ||Yeam Kriyayoga Padhai: PUman Vaidhikathanthrikai: | Arcchannubayatha: Sidhdhim Maththo Vindhathyabeepsitham ||

Bhagavan speaks, “ Oh! Udhdhava, Kriya Yoga is the worship of an idol, remembering my all-pervasive nature and presence as a soul in all the living beings.  Whoever contemplates me through the process of Kriya Yoga, with the recitation of Vedic chants and Thanthric Vidhya, would attain material well-being as well as the spiritual well-being.  It would change the whole perception of the worshiper and provides material and spiritual benefits.  Oh! Udhdhava, the wealthiest would construct a Mandap/shrine and sanctify the idol, and create a flower garden around it, invite the saintly men and ascetics and pious, sing in praise of praise and circumambulate the idol, in this way they practice devotion.  Oh! Udhdhava, neither criticize or pass sarcastic comments nor praise the practice of others, it is an initial practice for the elevation of the soul.  Oh! Udhdhava, it is not necessary to discuss the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness, nothing is going to remain permanent in the Prakrithi, and good and evil are the nature of Prakrithi.  Oh! Udhdhava, understand all that I have narrated to you, remember my eternal presence as a soul in you, and contemplate upon me, sing in praise of me, do not get attached to anyone, do not praise or criticize them, keep moving like Lord Surya who spread brilliance all over the Earth without getting attached to anything.”

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Bhagavan, you have described the nature of supreme soul as independent, it is void attachments, it is beyond zone, virtues, time, etc. You have described the nature of body/Prakrithi, it undergoes constant transformation and ruin, and then who is responsible for all those afflictions in life?”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 348 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  196

Kriya Yoga

Sthuvairuchavachai: Sthothrai: Pauranai: Prakrithairapi | Sthuthva Praseedha  Bhagavannithi Vandhetha Dandavath || Shiro Math Padhayo: Krithva Bahubhyam Cha Parasparam| Prapannam Pahimam Esha Bheetham Mrithyugraharnnavath ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, it is a vast topic, I shall narrate them briefly.  There are three types of Kriya Yoga such as Vaidhika, Thanthrika and Mishra.  In the Vaidhika method of worship, the veneration of deities performed with following Vedic chants.  In the Thanthrik method of worship, the veneration of deity performed with specific gestures prescribed in Tantrik scriptures.  In the Mishra, the veneration of the deity is performed with Vedic chants as well as Thanthrik gestures. Oh! Udhdhava, The worship of Surya, or Agni, and conducts by a Dhvija, before the performance of the veneration, the worshiper should follow the ritual bath, Sandhyopasana, Sankalpam, and the worship conducts on the deity created in any of these methods, Shaili/stone, Dharumayi/timber, Lauhi/metal, Lepya/mold, Lekhya/written, Saikathi/sand, Manomayi/within one’s heart, and Manimayi /gem installed on the dais/Mandapa.  Oh! Udhdhava, I shall describe how to conduct the Kriya Yoga, 1) purification process/Parimarjanam - there are few arrangements should be made before the worship of the deity, the sanctification of the place of worship, and ritual bath of the worshiper, the practice of Pranayama purifies the soul, recitation of Gayathri would purify the intellect of the worshiper. 2) Avahanam/invoking the deity – The practice of meditating upon the image of deity 3) bathing the idol/Snapanam, smearing rich fragrances/Snanalankaram   4) offering new attires and ornaments,/Vasthram and Upaveetham 5) offering Naivedhyam 6) recitation of chants, sacred names, etc.  7) Offering Dhoopa, Dheepa and Harathi 8) Finally the prostration before the idol with a prayer to elevate the soul from all kinds of troubles and fears of death, while prostrating, the head of the worshiper should be at the feet of the idol with folded hands, Oh! Udhdhava,   I always look for the devotion and love of the worshiper, not at those offerings were made to me.”

Thaptha Jambunadhaprakhyam Shankha chakra Gadhambhujai: | Lasath Chathurbhujam Shantham Padma Kinjilkavasasam || Spurath Kireeta Kataka Katisuthra Varangadham | Srivathsavaksham Bhrajath Kausthubham Vanamalinam ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 347 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  198

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, It is rare to attain a human body, whoever understands the worth of it would elevate their soul, eventually attain the supreme state of Paramanandham/supreme bliss, lack of expectation, the serenity of mind and accepts all the happenings in life as the grace of the supreme Lord.  The Jeeva liberates from the illusion, with the constant meditation, even if it gets into the world of material well-being, it won’t take pleasure in it and remains calm. I shall narrate the legend of King Pururavass who met the celestial Apsara Urvashi, and fallen in love with her.  He dedicated all his attention to Urvashi, when she abandoned him, ran after to her without realizing the absence of clothes on his body. He felt ashamed of his act running naked after a woman; he cursed himself for his foolish act falling in love at the beauty of an Apsara. Later, he understood the happiness is not in the outside world, engaged in constant contemplation upon the supreme soul and elevated his soul, ultimately attained eternal happiness.  Oh! Udhdhava, read and listen to the scriptures praising the glorious myths of Supreme Lord, meditate upon him and elevate your soul.”

Kriya Yoga

Kriyayogam Samachakshva Bhavadharadhanam Prabho| Yasmaththvam Ye  Yadharchanthi Saththvatha: Sathvatharshabha: || Yethadhvadhanthi Munayo Muhurni:shreyasam Nrinam | Naradho Bhagavan Vyasa  Acharyoangiras: Sutha: ||

Kriya Yoga is the practice of veneration of idol and image of supreme Lord, is one of the easiest method to attain the union of mind and intellect to the supreme soul, in this way the Jeeva gets rid of Karma and Bandha/deeds and bondage. It is one of the methods of elevation of the soul from the performance of deeds without expecting its fruitful results, with the constant practice of veneration, the Jeeva raise to the supreme state.  There are two kinds of Karma, one is the performance of deeds in the material life with the expectation of its fruitful results, the performance of deeds for appreciation and honor, and another one is the performance of deeds in spiritual life for the elevation of the soul.  Kriya Yoga is the easiest method to remove the interest in worldly matters and bondage and elevates the soul to the supreme Bhramam.

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Prabho, How did the worship of the deity is performed through Kriya Yoga?” The illustrious Rishis and Sages speaks it is the easiest method to elevate the soul and it was affirmed by Maharishi Narada, Vyasa, and son of Angiras/Bhrihaspathi.  This method of worship of supreme Lord is permissible to all the Varnas Ashrama, and it is preferably for the people, who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage, used as a stepping stone to elevate their soul. Oh! Kamala Pathraksha, Oh! Vishweshwareshwara, Oh! Compassionate one kindly describes how to get rid of Karma and Bandha?”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 346 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  197

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, this human body is made up of five essential elements such as Air, earth, ether, water, and fire, finally it has to merge in it.   The Jeeva that attained the union with the supreme Bhramam remains in a state of absence of thoughts is a blissful experience/transcendental state.  The Jeeva is fastened with the interest in the material affairs and people, possessions, wealth, etc.  The spiritual interest and the practice of meditation bring the union of Jeeva with the supreme Purusha, to an inexplicable state of bliss.  The practice of constant contemplation raises the Jeeva from the destructible nature of Prakrithi to an indestructible Purusha and dissolves in it.  Oh! Udhdhava, Sankhya Yoga speaks about the Purusha and Prakrithi elaborately, and it breaks all the apprehensions of the Jeeva, therefore contemplate upon the supreme Purusha who is the protector of the Universe and its living beings, and elevate your soul.”

Bhagavan continues “ Oh! Udhdhava, I shall describe the virtues required to elevate your soul.  The Jeeva requires Shama/sense control, Dhama/intellectual thinking, Thithiksha/acceptance of all the happening in the life as the grace of supreme Lord, Thapa/austerities and vows with words, mind and body, Sathyam/truthfulness, Dhaya/kindness, Smrithi/remembrance of supreme soul, Thushti/pleasantness, Thyaga/self-sacrificing nature, Aspruha/lack of desire, Hri/feeling guilty of the mistakes, good control over anger, get rid of weaknesses followed by self-punishment.  The human mind and intellect are under the influence of Thrigunas, control the Thamasik nature that causes darkness of ignorance, lethargy, laziness, fear and grief, and replace it with Rajoguna that causes anger, pride, jealous, desire, and lust, and further replace it with the Sathvik nature that causes happiness, serenity, peace, and wisdom.  The performance of charities and daily rites, and religious rites of Swadharma, the practice of constant mediation with intense faith and devotion, would remove the Rajasik and Thamasik nature, Oh! Udhdhava, take shelter in the supreme Purusha who is the protector, and elevate your soul from the body conscious which creates intense fear and anxieties, get rid of a cluster of redundant thoughts, with the constant practice of meditation and Pranayama.  Oh! Udhdhava, the human body is the source of Gnana/wisdom and Vignana/practicality, and contemplate upon me, realizing my eternal and all-pervasive nature and attain the state of Jeevanmuktha/union with the supreme Bhramam, where there is no happiness or sorrow.”

Jeevo  Jeevavinirmuktho Gunaishaishchashaya Sambhavai: | Mayaiva Bhramana Poorno Na Bahirnantharashchareth ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 345 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  196

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, the twice-born who have lost his wealth, family and possessions, did not get disappointed, wanted to get rid of  grief and immersed in the constant meditation and elevated his soul, eventually attained the supreme state of Bhramam, even though the villagers humiliated him in many possible ways, they could not harm the mental strength of the Bhikshu.  Oh! Udhdhava, therefore listen to me carefully; it is not that people are causing grief; it is your attachment to people and the thoughts causing grief. Oh! Child, remove the cluster of unwanted thoughts from the intellect, with the practice of constant meditation upon me.”

The personality of an individual is formed by the nature of thoughts that was absorbed from the Prakrithi through the senses, the things that have seen, heard and the Shadrasa/tastes of sweets and savory.   The Jeeva takes pleasure in the material living without the knowledge of the presence of supreme soul/Paramathma in it continues to absorb in the worldly matters, people, wealth, possessions, etc. and get fastened themselves in extreme fear, anxieties, grief, and agony.  An intelligent person who has the knowledge of the indestructible nature of  Purusha and the destructible Prakrithi  / Nithya Anithya Vivekam, will not get  attached in the material matters with the constant remembrance of the Purusha/supreme soul,  like a bird that flies high in the sky finally returns to its nest.   The eternal nature of Purusha is known as supreme ‘Bhramam’, the union of Jeeva with the supreme soul Purusha, with the constant practice of meditation and Pranayama provides supreme bliss.

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, I shall narrate the Sankhya philosophy which was discussed earlier, whoever understands the same would get relieved from the illusion.  Oh! Udhdhava, do not forget the eternal truth that the supreme Purusha is the source of Universe and its living beings, it was understood by the people in the Krita Yuga with the extreme penance, they realized that the mind and intellect is originated from the indescribable Purusha, which is beyond description or perception, it is changeless while the Sthoolashareera/body undergoes constant transformation and ruin, like a mud  pot created from the mud has to return to the state of mud in due course of time.  Oh! Udhdhava, Purusha and Prakrithi are inseparable, even though the Jeeva get attached to the destructible nature of Prakrithi without the knowledge that the Prakrithi cannot exist in the absence of indestructible Purusha.  The Jeeva that is drenched in the destructible nature of Prakrithi/wealth, possession, fame, money, richness, etc. constantly faces extreme fear, sorrow, and insecurity.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 344 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  195

Bhikshu Gita

Nayam Jano Mey Sukhadhukha Hethu Na Devathathma Graha Karma Kala: | Mana: Param Karanam Mamananthi Samsarachakram Parivarthayedhyath || Dhanam  Swadharmo Niyamo Yamashcha Shrutham Cha Karmani Cha Sadhrathvathani | Sarve Manonigraha Lakshanantha:  Paro Hi Yogo Manasa: Samadhi : ||

Dhvija speaks “ Oh! Mahatma, The people are not the reason for happiness and sorrows, the deities or the supreme soul, or change of planets, or Karma or Time is not the reason for unhappiness, it is the mind and intellect wedged in worldly matters, causes grief and hurls the person into the cycles of worldly existence.  The mind and intellect is under constant influence of Sathvik, Rajasik and Thamasik Gunas, the over influence of Sathvik Guna causes compassion, and selflessness, the Rajasik Guna causes anger and jealousy and the Thamasik Guna cause the darkness of ignorance and grief.  The practice of performance of Charity/knowledge, wealth, grains, clothes, land, cows, etc., Swadharma/duties and responsibilities, Niyama, Yama, Shrutham/listening to the glorious legend of supreme Lord, following austerities and vows, to get rid of the cluster of unwanted thoughts and interest in worldly matters, it will lead the mind into a state of supreme bliss, a state where no happiness or sorrow.  The performance of righteous deeds, spiritual and religious rites would remove the weaknesses in mind, it brings pleasantness.  The thoughts are powerful weapons; it should be dealt with constant meditation and contemplation upon the supreme Lord, soon will realize to know about the supreme power in us,  in this way we can win over even the greatest of the enemies.  The ignorant will not realize the immense potential in them and consider others as friends, and enemies, and remain weak-minded always, an ignorant get attached to people, wealth, money, richness, possessions and fame, with a wrong perception and get stuck and lives in the cluster of unwanted thoughts.  Oh! Mahatma, which is making you disappointed, People or attachment to the people? No.  It is not that people cause grief or sorrow, it is the thoughts or attachment that causes grief and misery. Do you think that deity is making you depressed? No. The deity cannot harm the devotees, if so they are not venerable, deities are following the command of supreme Lord, like the sun is the Lord of Day and moon is the Lord of night.  Do you think the body is causing grief? No. The body is not causing grief, the attachment to the body causes grief, due to the lack of knowledge that the body has to undergo aging, illnesses, and death. Therefore, if the mind was attached to the supreme soul, it won’t grieve over the changes in the body.  Hence, the “I’ consciousness causes grief, the supreme consciousness relieves sorrows.  Do you think the planets or changes in the planetary positions or Time causes grief? No. They cannot cause grief to an individual; it is the thought that makes an individual unhappy.” In this way, the Bikshu with his intense faith and devotion upon the lotus feet of Mukunda, elevated his soul, like any other illustrious Rishis and Sages, and attained a state where there is no sorrow or happiness.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 343 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  194

Bhikshu Gita

Noonam Mey  Bhagavamsthushta: Sarvadevamayo Hari: | Yena Neetho Dhashametham Nirvedhashchathmana: Plava: ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, there was a Brahmin with his family lived in the city of Avanthi, he had an abundance of agricultural lands and possession of wealth and cattle, but he was too miser, gradually his wife and children and relatives had an extreme dislike towards him. Once, he traveled out of the village and came back home, found his money, possession of valuables and precious jewels were missing. He could not control his anger and disappointment; he did not believe a single word of his family, suspected them as the culprit, gradually he lost respect in the family and the village, his pride got hurt, had a fight with the family members and left home.  On his way, he regretted his demeanor not helping others in trouble, not contributing wealth for the welfare of the twice-born, or village or family. He felt remorseful for the selfish way of his living and his unruly behavior towards family, relatives, and people of the village.  He wanted to get rid of the guilt, fortunately, he met a preceptor on his way.  He sincerely followed the preceptor, learned the highest of the knowledge of the supreme soul and constantly engaged in meditation.  Thus, he completely got rid of the bunch of grief and guilt, remembering the illustrious King Katvanga who elevated his soul in seconds, he read scriptures and various glorious legends of supreme Lord, and he realized the eternal presence of supreme Lord as soul.  The twice-born, followed extreme austerities and penance, following fasting, the vow of silence, and singing in praise of the Supreme Lord, eventually he transformed himself as a mendicant/Bhikshu.  In this way, he got rid of the attachment to body, wealth, and people finally achieved serenity and peace.  Once, he left the forest with a wooden vessel, stick, and Kamandalu, and conducted begging for alms in the villages.  The people of the village passed sarcastic comments and harassed him.  They considered him insane, troubled him constantly, and abused him verbally and physically, throwing dirt on him, etc. Oh! Udhdhava, the Bikshu stood firm like a mountain, in utter silence, and unwavering like a crane that sleeps standing on its single leg was approached by a virtuous person and enquired about his wellness and how did he remain silent to the atrocities of the villagers? How did he achieve control over senses?  The Bhikshu sang a marvelous song in response to the question. ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 342 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  193

Bhikshu Gita

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches ways to get control over the cluster of unwanted thoughts, which has the nature of animal and human behaviors causes miseries and sorrows.  The behavior of animal are structured in a particular manner, they keep chasing for pleasure, do not have independent thinking, they follow exactly the same as their herds, chase for its prey, mate for physical pleasure, and finally, get killed or die of natural death.  The human mind and intellect only have the capability of independent and rational/Maneesha, thinking.  The animal behavior in human take pleasure in unpleasant deeds, words, and thoughts, it gets fasten with the worldly matter and bondage, and feels helpless like an elephant tied to the poll, even though the elephant has immense strength to get it freed from the pole in seconds, it will not attempt to get freed, because of the practice of several years, in this way the human mind which is extremely resourceful gets fastened with the cluster of unwanted thoughts without making an effort to get rid of it.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran educate how to get relieved from the cluster of thoughts which causes mental and physical exhaustion, with a marvelous knowledge that thoughts cannot overrule the mind, unless and until it is allowed. Whoever realizes the damages caused by the cluster of unwanted thoughts and takes initiative to get out of those redundant thoughts become their own preceptor. The path of enlightenment is extremely harsh, it needs extreme austerities and penance, such as control over senses, Shareeram/fasting, Vachakam/Vakshudhdhi, and Manasikam/ meditation.

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, you have advised keeping lighthearted if anyone tries to humiliate with word, action, or thoughts, Oh! Krishna, it is impossible to practice for an ordinary person like me, kindly narrate how is it possible? Even the intellectuals fail to practice control over them.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, you have raised a brilliant question, I shall describe a legend /Ithihasa to you, listen to me carefully.  There was a Bhikshu/mendicant have to suffer constant humiliation from the people of the village he lived, he recovered from the disgraces and sung marvelously a song.  I shall narrate the story of the Bhikshu who lived in the city of Avanthi.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 341 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  192

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Govinda, even the intellectuals find it difficult to know the supreme knowledge of your all-pervasive nature, therefore they have to leave the body and take birth again and again, kindly narrate about it.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, The mind, and intellect absorbs the pleasure through the sense organs; it’s a storehouse of worldly desires and matters, it leaves the body with unfinished desires and lust, and takes birth again and again.  The mind and intellect constantly engage in collecting worldly matters and pleasures that are heard or seen and make an effort to fulfill those desires.  People who are drenched in the worldly matters and bondages, approach the death, AthyanthaVismrithi/memory loss causes re-births.  Oh! Udhdhava, The mind, and intellect initiated from the supreme soul should attain the union with it with the constant practice of meditation.   The life of humans on the Earth is as simple as the sparks from the fire diffuse in the fire; the rivers merge in the ocean, fruits get ripened and combine with the Prakrithi.  Oh! Udhhdava, The human body undergoes various stages of development such as child/5 years, youth/16 years, middle age/60 years and old age. Oh! Udhdhava, whoever understands the eternal truth that the presence of the changeless supreme soul which is the source of the functioning of the body, mind, and intellect, elevates their soul with the constant contemplation upon me would attain serenity and peace.  Oh! Udhdhava, the thoughts in the human mind and intellect is like the trees on the river banks replicate its shadow on the water, and whenever the water moves it creates an illusion of movement of the trees.  The thoughts are fleeting nature like the illusion of movement of the tree on the water; the supreme soul is eternal.  Oh! Udhdhava, an ignorant is whoever soaked in worldly matters and bondage, never knew that people or things easily creates boredom in life, still continues to chase after pleasing senses, and cannot elevate their souls.  Oh! Udhdhava, if you want to get relieved from all those thoughts of material well-being, and people, attain control over the senses that create obstacle to the elevation of your soul, practice meditation upon me, it would bring good control over your sense, like an intelligent person who do get disturbed or feel hurt of physical and verbal abuses, not react to sarcastic and spiteful comment of others, and will not get disappointed at the act of disgrace or throwing dirt on him.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 340 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  191

The Cosmic  and Conscious energies are illustrated as Prakrithi and Purusha respectively, Prakrithi/Maya which undergoes constant transformation and ruin and Purusha is eternal.  The expansion of cosmic energy takes place due to the existence of Conscious energy. The human body transforms from the state of infants to various stages of life during the life period, but the supreme soul in the body remains changeless.  The human body/Prakrithi undergoes aging, illnesses, and death, but the supreme soul/Purusha has neither death nor birth.

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Vishwesha, Oh! Prabho, kindly narrate the number of philosophies involved in the Prakarithi/cosmic and Purusha/conscious energy, which was described as nine, seven, eleven, twenty-four, etc. in Sankhya Yoga.”

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, understand the differences of the Prakrithi and Purusha, ultimately you will come to know that both are inseparable.  The Purusha is changeless and eternal; the Prakrithi undergoes transformation and ruin, it has certain limitations too.  The Purusha causes the expansion of Prakrithi, all those functions and transformation takes place at the command of Purusha, therefore the Prakrithi has no existence without Purusha.  Oh! Udhdhava, I am the Purusha resides as soul in you, and controls the functioning of Panchaprana, Karma and Gananindhriyas, Ahamkara, Prana, mind and intellect in you. Oh! Udhdhava, I am Purusha having indescribable nature, like the nature of ‘conscious sleep’ which is beyond description.”

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Pundareekaksha, the entire Universe is the mixture of Prakrithi and Purusha how did we differentiate them?”

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, I will describe how to differentiate Prakrithi and Purusha, the Sthoolaprakrithi is visible /body,  and the Sookshma Prakrithi is invisible/ taste, smell, touch, mind, and Karana Prakrithi/intellect, and thoughts.  Oh! Udhdhava, whoever does contemplate upon me, not realizing the eternal presence of me as a soul in them, and not fixing their mind and intellect upon me, and not willing to adore me as their constant companion, their life become miserable, it would keep them in utter distress and agony.  Oh! Udhdhava, whoever lacks the devotion and faith in me, cannot practice the elevation of their soul, it is a gradual process, can be cultivated with constant practice of meditation and Pranayama, it would purify the intellect. ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 339 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  190

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, The Prakrithi is the mixture of purities and impurities, the essential five elements such as Earth, Air, Ether, Water, and Fire have no impurities in it, even when it resides in the human body, these elements are void of impurities.  Oh! Udhdhava, whoever engages in the constant contemplation upon me will have ‘Shaucham’/purity/detachment to Sthoolashareera, they remain pure, therefore none of the thoughts could impure them.  The mind and intellect get impure with the worldly matters and bondages, the constant contemplation upon me remove those impurities from the mind.  Oh! Udhdhava, people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage, live in utter illusion, anxiousness, fear, grief, excessive desires, and lust, are equivalent to dead.  Their intense lust and desire, will not let them realize the nature of the supreme soul, they are wasting their lives on Earth, like a tree.  They consume a meal to build the flesh and ruin their lives. They are ignorant who caught in the Phalashruthi/performing deeds expecting the fruitful results, intellectuals will not follow any of these absurdities.  They will not look for fruitful results in the Karma; they perform all the deeds with utmost sincerity and devotion, surrendering all the deeds and fruitful results to me.  They accept the results of the Karma with contentment, as the grace of me and elevate their souls, eventually attain the bliss.  Oh! Udhdhava, if you contemplate upon me without any qualms and doubts, you could elevate your soul.”

The illustrious Rishis and Sages describe the definition of ‘Love’ and its necessities in material life and spiritual life, and the balancing act of the same.   In the material life feeling of ‘Love’ is an emotion, it is an expression of intimacy to the other person, being loved and became enslaved by love, gradually it will lead to fear or grief, either fear of separation or fear of uncertainties.  The animals do not get attached to each other, they mate each other and get satisfied, therefore the expression of love is not a burden for them, and so they do not have fear of separation, insecurities or grief.  Interestingly, in material life people, possessions, fame, richness, are under the constant influence of ‘Time’, therefore the love in material life is impermanent as its nature.   The spiritual love is the understanding of the supreme soul who is the source of the functioning of the mind, intellect, Gnana and Karmendhriyas, Panchapranas, it has neither birth nor death, it is beyond ‘Time’ and it is void of change or impurities.  Spiritual love is the love for the supreme soul which is beyond ‘Time’, and changeless, and the outcome remains as its nature.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 338 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  189

 Nridhehamadhyam Sulabham Su Dhurllabham Plavam Sukalpam Gurukarnadharam | Mayanukoole Nabhasvatheritham Puman Bhavabdhim Na  Tharethsa Athmaha||

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, you are fortunate that you have attained the body of a human, always remember the truth it is rare to achieve a body of a human, you have a great mind and intellect to learn and understand the knowledge of supreme Lord, and you have a preceptor to instruct the greatest knowledge.  Oh! Udhdhava, you have to necessitate the ferry like your mind and intellect, with the flow of wind which is favoring your destination towards me and effortlessly cross the ocean of worldly existence.  Whoever does not instruct their mind and intellect to contemplate upon me could not save them from the ocean of worldly existence and they remain ‘Athmaha’/killing themselves.  Oh! Udhdhava, there is no superior Yoga other than constant remembrance of me, therefore engage your mind and intellect to practice in my glorious myths, reading and listening to the scriptures and surrenders to me.  Oh! Udhdhava, practice the Karmayoga and do your duties and responsibilities without expecting its fruitful results, practice the Bhakthiyoga constantly meditating upon me with intense devotion and faith, remembering my glorious myths and reading and reciting the scriptures etc. practice the Gnana Yoga, surrender your mind and intellect upon me, with the knowledge of my all-pervasive nature and supreme soul in living beings, it would liberate you from Punya and Papa Karma.  Oh! Udhdhava, my fervent devotees engage their mind and intellect are sung in praise of me, leaving all their grief and sorrows and anxiousness, eventually they get rid of interest in worldly matters and bondage, attain intense devotion upon me. Oh! Udhdhava, in this way the intellectuals break the Hridhayagrandhi/ the three types of chain that fasten the mind and intellect of the souls, one is body consciousness,  attachment to peoples and relatives, wealth/and it removes all their qualms, doubts and Karma as well, they realize my eternal presence in their hearts and my all-pervasive nature. Oh! Udhdhava, whoever performs all the deeds with the constant remembrance of me, attains Gnana and Vairagya would attain liberation, otherwise, it hurls the souls into the wheel of the cycle of birth and death.  Oh! Udhdhava, my ardent devotees did not expect anything from me, even if I offer Kaivalya, they refuse to accept it, and all they desire from me is the eternal presence of me.  Oh! Udhdhava, I will not let my devotees in distress, they will not have any grief or sorrow, and they are fortunate one already elevated their mind and attained the serenity of mind.  In this way, whoever meditates upon me with sincere devotion and faith, always contemplates upon me would attain the supreme state of Bhramam/supreme bliss.”

Thatho Bhajatha Mam Preetha: Shradhdhalu Dhridanishchaya: | Jooshamanashcha Than Kaman Dhukhodharkamshcha Garhayan ||Bidhyathe  Hridhayagrandhi Cchidhyanthe Sarvasamshaya: | Ksheeyanthe Chasya Karmani Mayi Dhrishte Akhilathmani ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 337 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  188

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Aravindhaksha, the Veda affirms to perform certain rites compulsorily and describes the sins for not performing those rituals/Karmakanda,  the Universe is the mixture of good and evil, how could we take the good and discard the bad in it?”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, you should have thorough knowledge about ‘Thrayi yoga’ such as Karma/performance of deeds, Gnana/wisdom and Bhakti/devotion, Yoga, are the easiest methods for the elevation of the soul.  Oh! Udhdhava, Karmayoga is the initial method of a Kamarthi, performing deeds sincerely without any anticipation,  Bhakthiyoga is the practice for the individuals who are drenched in intense devotion and love for supreme Lord, and Gnanayoga is the  superior state of practice beyond Karma and Bhakti, eventually the worshiper attains the highest spiritual state of supreme bliss.  Oh! Udhdhava, continue to perform the Karma, listening to my glorious myths that would keep you liberated from the Karma.  Oh! Udhdhava, whoever practices Karma performing all the deeds sincerely without any expectation of fruitful results, Bhakti Yoga practices intense devotion and faith upon me and Gnanayoga attains the supreme wisdom with the constant listening and reciting the scriptures and my glorious myths that would elevate the souls.  Oh! Udhdhava, the deities and even the souls from heaven and hell yearn to take birth in the Kali era to practice the devotion/ Bhakti, Karma, and Gnana and attain liberation.  Oh! Udhdhava, a devotee should not yearn for Swarga/heavenly pleasures/Ksheene Punye Marthyalokam Vishanthi, he/she yearn for elevating the soul from ‘I’ consciousness.  Therefore, whoever elevates their soul from the mouth of death, with the constant contemplation and meditation upon me, get rid of extreme fears of death,  while raising the soul from the destructible Prakrithi, attains union with the supreme soul which eternal and bliss.  Otherwise, the Jeeva hurls into the cycles of repeated births.  Therefore an intelligent person elevate his soul with constant contemplation upon me, with the knowledge that the body is perishable and it is under the constant influence of  the ‘Time’,  the birds like  souls, dash away from the tree/human body, which is nearing  its destruction/death in the hands of a woodcutter. ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 336 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  187

Bhramakaravriththi/Vasudevarathi is the practice of intense devotion and love on the supreme Lord.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the Aparabhakthi as the worship of the Supreme Lord in the form of an idol or image and Parabhakthi is the realization of the Supreme Lord as a soul and, understanding the nature of the supreme soul which is a source of the functioning of Panchendhriyas, Karmendhriyas, mind, intellect, Ahankara, and Panchaprana.   We have been practicing Aparabhakthi for several years, therefore, it is difficult to raise the mind and intellect, all at once to a ‘Formless One’/ Parabhakthi, but the constant practice would definitely yield the results.  The several years of practice of worship of idols and images, uphold the souls to a certain extent to contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as soul, his all-pervasive nature and with the knowledge of ‘Oneness-in-all’ to Parabhakthi, a state where there is no Papa/sin and Punya/piousness. The practice of Para bhakti relieves the soul from Happiness and sorrow, failure and success, gain and loss, grace and disgrace; it would release the soul from extreme fear and anxieties, Papa and Punya, and Karma as well.

The three branches of Veda are categorized as Karmakanda initial part, Upasana Kandam the second part, and Gnanakanda, Vedanta/ Upanishada as the final part.   Karma Yoga is the performance of Karma, the practice of one’s own duties and responsibility sincerely without expecting any fruitful results from it, and receive all the happenings in the life as grace of supreme Lord, and relentlessly serve others with knowledge and whatever possible means, it removes the lethargy and expectation in the individual.  The Upasana Kanda/Upa + Asana describes methods of worship of an idol, or image, with the knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, envision the marvelous appearance of Lord as a medium to elevate the soul.  The Gnana Kanda describes the significance of learning and reciting the scriptures, and the elevation of the soul with the process of union of the soul with the supreme Lord is the state of bliss/ absence of a cluster of unwanted thoughts and fears.  The superior state of Prakgnanam Bhrama is the union of the soul with the supreme Bhramam and raise the soul beyond Papa and Punya and Karma.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 335 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  186

Yetha Udhdhava They Prashna: Sarve Sadhu Niroopitha: | Kim Varnithena Bahuna  Lakshanam Gunadhoshayo: | Guna Dhosha Dhrishir Dhosho Gunasthoobhayavarjitha: ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, an intellectual knows thoroughly about the bondage and Moksha.  Oh! Udhdhava, you can lead your mind to the state of heaven as well as hell, the people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage are ignorant, I am the ultimate asylum for all, and a serene mind experiences heaven.  People who are dissatisfied, depressed, mourn over the past life events and get anxious about the future, experiences hell.  Oh! Udhdhava heaven and hell are the two different states of your mind, the Sathvik thoughts bring happiness, and the Thamasik thoughts bring grief.  Oh! Udhdhava, always remember that I am your constant companion, relative and a preceptor as well, your body is an temporary residence, it has given to elevate your soul before emptying it.  Oh! Udhdhava, a Gunadya/virtuous person never hurt anyone by words, deeds or mind, and will accept all the unpleasant act as the will of supreme Lord, a Dharidhra/pauper is one who is unhappy and not content in life, a wealthiest one is who receives all the happenings in life as the grace of supreme Lord, a Kripana/miser is one who has no control over senses.  Oh! Udhdhava, I have explained by all those were experienced by illustrious Rishis and Sages and attained an elevation of souls, the superior Sadhana/practice is an abandonment of good and evil.  It is the practice of not letting the mind get agitated in the happenings of good and evil.”