||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 101 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -4

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a most attractive woman Mohini who was smeared in highly rich fragrances and adorned in various precious ornaments all over the body, attired in magnificent garments.  The moment demons witnessed the supremely gorgeous woman Mohini, they forgot their arguments on the nectar of immortality.  They immensely praised the beauty, lovely features and appearance of Mohini and enquired her whereabouts “Oh! Beautiful one, Oh! Kanchathalayadhakshi, you are churning our hearts, who are you, where did you come from and why did you come? kindly elaborate to us.  We are extremely fortunate ones, you must be sent by the Supreme Lord to distribute the nectar and take pleasure in our association.  Oh! Devi kindly chooses us as your companion.  Kindly distribute the nectar equally among us. ” The demons walked around Mohini, surprisingly watching at her beauty, touched her garments in awe, took great pleasure in the smell of the rich aromatic perfumes she has applied on her body.  Mohini who was covered in the exquisite garment expressed her shyness before them.  Mohini replied “Oh! Demons, how could you trust on me I am the one wander all around, therefore you should not invest trust upon me.”  After hearing this, the demons confirmed that she is open-minded and most eligible to distribute the nectar and requested her to distribute the nectar.  Mohini instructed them to sit in a line keeping their mouth open and eyes closed, was sincerely followed like children.  Mohini waved her hands to deities and instructed them to sit with them, she served the deities with the nectar and affectionately patted on the cheeks of demons who were seated their eyes closed. One of the demons Swarbhanu suspected that there is something wrong, he opened his eyes and found that the deities happily consuming the nectar.  Swarbhanu loudly called for the demons and cautioned them that they have cheated by Lord Vishnu, who has assumed the form of a gorgeous woman Mohini, but demons were not willing to listen, therefore Swarbhanu disguised the form of deity and seated between Lord Chandra and Surya.  Lord Vishnu did not take notice of Swarbhanu who was seated between the deities; the nectar was served to him as well.  Lord Surya loudly called out for Lord Vishnu and informed the presence of Swarbhanu among the deities.  Lord Vishnu sliced off the head of Swarbhanu who was already attained the nectar of immortality, his head portion remains unhurt and the body part became smoky.   Swarbhanu kept his enmity on Lord Surya and Lord Chandra from that day onwards, thus the solar and lunar eclipse has come into existence.  In this way, the supreme Lord Vishnu attained the nectar of immortality for the deities.”

There are numerous ways of Upasana/worship of the supreme Lord.  The milky ocean represents the human mind and intellect, which is soaked in various impurities and abnormalities, it is bound by three Gunas/Rajasik, Tamasik and Swatik.  The human intellect has no beginning or end; it is like an unfathomable milky ocean.  The Mount Mandhara represents clarity of thoughts, it helps to realize/experience the presence of the supreme soul who resides as a soul in living beings.  The serpent Vasuki represents the Kundalinishakthi that has the sign of serpent, can be elevated with the constant practice of devotion/Pranayama, Yoga, meditation, recitation of scriptures and sacred names, etc.  The deities and demons represent the constructive as well as destructive thoughts in us.  The constructive thoughts are confident and hard-working nature, without the anxiousness of criticism or expectation.  The destructive thoughts are doubtful and lethargic; it lacks disciplines, seeks constant encouragement and support from others to boost its spirit.  While churning the ocean, Mount Mandhara was tilting has to get support from the giant tortoise that represents the balanced state of mind, firm in any favorable and unfavorable situations.  Any righteous deed performed without the knowledge the ultimate purpose/unfocused would be considered as unfruitful.  Therefore devotion to supreme consciousness without the purpose of union of the supreme soul, who resides as a soul in us, would not provide the experience of eternal bliss.  The supreme soul has the nature of Sacchidhanandha/eternal bliss, can be attained with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation, it would wash off all the toxic poison /Kalakooda/ impurities/selfishness, ego, pride, jealousy and remains Sarvabhootha Hithe Ratha who takes immense joy in the welfare of others, ultimately it leads to state of Nirvana/state of immortality is the state of union with the supreme Bhramam.  Lord Mahadeva is supreme consciousness which has the nature of permanent bliss; therefore the Kalakooda poison could not influence him.  This practice of staying close to the supreme Bhramam who resides as a soul in us is known as Upasana.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 100 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -3

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, The Kalakooda/toxic poison was graciously accepted by Lord Mahadeva, a few drops of it fell on the Earth was consumed by serpents, crawling creatures, and reptiles.  The churning process was continued, the divine cow Kamadhenu come into sight from the ocean was offered to Rishis/ Agnihothris and Bhramavadhis who performs various fire sacrifices and remains in the contemplation of supreme Bhramam.  In this way, various precious things were appeared from the ocean were distributed among deities and demons, the white horse with a black tail Ucchaisravas was offered to  Vairochana/Mahabali, the powerful elephant Airavatha was offered to Lord Indra, the precious jewel Kausthubha was accepted by Lord Vishnu, the divine tree Parijatha was given to the abode of Lord Indra/ Indraloka.  Suddenly, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi/Rama who is chaste and virtuous, stunningly gorgeous, youthful, appeared from the ocean, she has the resemblance of the strike of lightning captured the attention of demons and deities as well.  All the deities received Goddess Rama with great reverence, she was offered a seat and washed her feet by the deities, and heartily wished her to marry.   The Sages, Rishis, and Lord Maheshwara was prepared to receive her with great admiration.  She looked upon the supreme Lord Vishnu who symbolizes Dharma/righteousness, prowess, kindness, and compassion. Goddess Rama has the nature of being in the association of people of self-sacrificing, virtuous and willing to elevate their soul, presented herself to supreme Lord who remains unhurt by Gunasangha.  Her eyes were yearning for Lord Mukunda who is contemplating the supreme soul and remains in bliss.”

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan,  In this way, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi proved her presence with the liberated soul, who remains untouched by the impurities in the presence of her, people who are self-sacrificing and willing to contribute for the greatest causes and welfare of others.  Therefore, whoever contemplates upon the supreme Lord who resides as soul, has the nature of supreme bliss would be blessed with the eternal presence of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi.  Thus, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi offered herself to Lord Vishnu.  The churning process has continued, there appeared Varuni/intoxicating drink that was offered to demons.  Suddenly there appeared Dhanvanthari  Bhagavan who symbolizes the cure for all the illnesses/medicine of herbs/ science of Ayurveda /with a pot of nectar of immortality,  before the deities could get hands-on it was seized by the demons.  The demons engaged in a series of arguments and discussions about who will share the nectar of immortality were failed, everyone started fighting to get their own portion beforehand, thus it resulted in complete chaos.  The deities lost their hopes and deeply disappointed, they looked at the face of supreme Lord Vishnu.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 99 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -2

The deities assembled under the leadership of Lord Bhrama reverentially prostrated before supreme Lord Vishnu.  Lord Bhrama praised “Oh! Supreme Lord, who has no birth, you are the source of Nirvanasukha which is the union of the soul with the supreme soul and the state of supreme bliss, you are the source of the liberation of the soul from fear, anxieties, sorrows, pain, and agony.  Oh! Lord, who symbolizes minuscule form which is impossible to perceive/Akilathamanam Anthara Dhrik, we shall prostrate before you.  Oh! Lord, the intellectuals constantly contemplate upon the splendor of the supreme Lord with the practice of strict discipline, meditation, the performance of rites, recitation of sacred chants and scriptures, Pranayama, etc. and attains the union with the supreme Lord who is eternal bliss.  Oh! Bhagavan, whoever surrendered at your lotus feet would experience your presence in them and in the outer world as well, you are the knower of all, you are well aware of our grief.” 

Lord Vishnu speaks “Oh! Deities, listen to me carefully, if you want to regain your glories, you have to make a peace agreement with the demons and churn the milky ocean.  With the collective efforts of you and the demons follow the instructions, deposit the Mount Mandhara in the milky ocean to utilize the Mountain as the churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki as its rope.  I shall caution you, there will be extremely toxic poison Kalakooda originates as a result of churning, but you need not be worried about it, that will be taken care of appropriately, further, there will be various precious things that will originate with your collective efforts, but do not let these things deviate your attention from the ultimate object, that is obtaining the nectar of immortality.” Thus, Lord Vishnu disappeared from their sight.

The deities approached Vairochana/ Mahabali who was ruling the three worlds with his extraordinary might, and they were reverentially greeted.   Lord Indra spoke, “Oh! Vairochana, we are children of one father, we are brothers, and we should not fight like enemies.  We are besieged with the curse of Maharishi Durvassa thereby lost our splendor, wealth and fame.  Lord Narayana advised us to churn the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality with our joined efforts, hence I have come to make a peace agreement with you and get liberated ourselves from the curse.  Oh! Vairochana, we can gain the nectar of immortality with our collective efforts and you may kindly take advantage of it.”  Vairochana was surprised to watch the extremely generous nature of Lord Indra who was always been haughty and ruthless. Vairochana made a fair agreement between the deities and demons.  As an initial exercise, the deities and demons have to elevate Mount Mandhara was failed miserably and few of the demons died, they could not lift an inch from its place.  Lord Vishnu mounted on celestial vehicle Garuda and the Mount Mandhara have perfectly placed on the milky ocean.  The demons and deities found repositioning the huge serpent Vasuki was deposited in the milky ocean and tied the rope around the Mount Mandhara by Lord Vishnu.  Thus, the churning of the milky ocean began, the deities who were near the mouth of the serpent started to suffocate from the heat waves produced from the mouth of Vasuki due to friction.   Once again deities, appealed to Lord Vishnu who advised them to wait patiently,  suddenly the demons refused to hold on the tail of Vasuki, eventually demons switched over to the place of the head of the serpent and tail was caught hold by the deities, thus the deities relieved from the heat waves of Vasuki.  The churning has continued, but they did not notice the Mount Mandhara started to tilt vigorously due to the extreme pressure on it.  Suddenly Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a giant tortoise and leaped into the water, and lifted Mount Mandhara on its solid upper back.  The deities and demons continued the process of churning, the tortoise felt as simple as tickling on its upper back.  Thus, the supreme Lord Vishnu who has assumed the form of a giant tortoise, with its one hand supporting the deities and the other hand to the demons, continued churning the ocean.  As the churning has progressed, it caused turmoil in the aquatic animals; suddenly Vasuki emitted toxic poison all over the ocean, which is capable to destroy the entire Universe and its people.  The deities and demons were alarmed refused to withstand the poison, Lord Mahadeva who was in deep contemplation witnessed the pathetic situation of the deities and demons.  Soon, the deities appealed to Lord Mahadeva, “ Oh! Deva, Oh! Mahadeva who is Lord of Lords, Oh! Bhoothathma who resides as a soul in living beings, Oh! Bhoothabhavana kindly protects us from the threat of toxic poison which is capable to destroy the three worlds.  Oh! Jagadheeshwara who is the Lord of the universe, you are the source of liberation from worldly bondage, Oh! Guru/preceptor, you are the protector of the distressed people; hence we shall take shelter on your lotus feet.  Oh! Vibhu, you represent trinities, you are absolute Bhramam,  Oh! Jagadeeshwara who resides as supreme soul, we shall prostrate before you, kindly protect us.”  Lord Mahadeva spoke to Devi Sati “Oh! Devi, the deities are deeply troubled by the toxic poison raised while churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality, I have decided to protect them from this trouble, and it is my responsibility.  I have decided to swallow that toxic poison for the welfare of living beings.”  Thus, Lord Mahadeva graciously received that toxic poison in his two palms, and poured over in his mouth, with the divine powers he put a sudden halt to the poison on the throat from moving further to the stomach.  The poison swallowed by the compassionate Lord Mahadeva became an ornament on his throat, thus Lord Mahadeva was honored with the sacred name ‘Neelkand Mahadev’.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 98 – The legend of Churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality - 1

The death is defined in scriptures as ‘Athyantha Vismrithi’, the lack of knowledge of the all-pervading nature of the supreme Lord who is eternal, the individuals who forget the nature of supreme Lord who dwells as a soul in all the living beings is considered as the corpse, even though they are alive.   The practice of Yoga, meditation, contemplation, Pranayama, worship, etc… are the easiest techniques to strengthen the knowledge of the presence of the Supreme Lord as a soul in us, in this way we can elevate our soul to the transcendental state or state of bliss or immerse in the state of absolute Bhramam/Bhramakaravriththi is the practice of remembrance of supreme Lord like the nature of water that flows incessantly.

Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhraman, you have described the legend of Gajendra Moksham, kindly narrate ‘the legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality’ happened in the Rairava Manvanthara.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, I shall elaborately describe the legend of Lord Vishnu who has incarnated as a giant tortoise to protect Mount Mandara from tilting, while churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality.  Maharishi Durvassa presented a highly auspicious garland of Parijatha to Lord Indra who was riding on his celestial vehicle Airavatha, the garland that was received from the abode of Lord Vishnu, a highly fragrant garland crammed with the honey bees.   Lord Indra hastily kept on the forehead of Airavatha was pulled down and thrashed on the floor.  Maharishi Durvassa who was about to leave the place noticed the arrogant gesture of Lord Indra and cursed him and the deities.  Soon, the deities were begun to show the sign of aging, weakness, illnesses, and their entire splendor has vanished.  The deities assembled before Durvassa and begged for forgiveness, Maharishi advised them to churn the milky ocean with the Mount Mandara and left the scene.  The deities approached Lord Bhrama who was surprised to witness all the deities assembled in Bhramasabha were too weak and had lost their charm, they have narrated the grave incident that happened before Maharishi Durvassa and the curse.  Lord Bhrama pacified them and took them to Lord Vishnu who is Paramaguru and beloved Lord of the Universe/Jagathpriya.  Thus Lord Bhrama who was accompanied by the deities arrived in the abode of Lord Vishnu and eulogized the supreme Lord.”

Lord Bhrama eulogized “ Oh! Lord, you are absolute truth, you are eternal, you are beyond description, you are not bound by Karma, you are flawless, you are Guhashaya who resides as a soul in living beings, you are unblemished, untouched by the impurities, you are Aprakritha/extraordinary, you are attainable for the virtuous through constant meditation, you are Niruktha who is beyond words, we shall prostrate before you.  Oh! Lord, you stir up Prana, mind, and intellect during the awakened state, like the mind that has the wings of a bird represents ignorance and intelligence, you are the controller of the function of that wing, hence we shall prostrate before the supreme Lord who preserves the mind and intellect in the state of sleep, awakened as well as in the state of dreaming.  Oh! Lord who is Aja, who is beyond death or birth, you are the rotator of the wheel of five Prana,  five Indhriyas and five Karmendhriyas, in the human body.  We shall take refuge under the lotus feet of supreme Lord who is the controller of the three Gunas known as Sathvik, Rajasik, and Tamasik nature, Ashtanemi/Boomi, Anala, Vayu, water, sky, intellect, Ahankara, etc.  Oh! Supreme Lord who is beyond intellect, you are invisible, and eternal resides as a soul in living beings, undertakes the functions of the mind and intellect, sensory organs, etc.  Oh! Lord, who illuminates the functions of the body  with his radiance in the form of Prana, is worshiped and contemplates by the fearless soul with the constant Upasana/Yogic practices; eventually take union with the Supreme Lord who is supreme bliss.  Oh! Supreme Lord who has created the whole Universe and Chathurvidha,   creatures born out of egg/creatures born out of the womb/ plants that are grown out of seeds/ micro-organisms, fungus / from the minuscule part of Your lotus feet, we shall prostrate before you. Oh! Lord, Oh! Mahavibhoothi, who is undertaking the function of living as well as non-living things, and resides as Prana in living things; you are the source of Ojas, Thejas and vigor, therefore kindly bless us.  We shall repeatedly prostrate before supreme Lord who has endless prowess, unblemished, and untouched by Maya, resides as a soul in living beings, with this supreme knowledge we could elevate our souls into supreme bliss, which leads to the state of no birth and death.  Oh! Lord, this supreme knowledge could elevate our soul from extreme fear, anxieties, sorrows, agonies, and pain.  Oh! Bhagavan, the deities are besieged with sorrow and grief, kindly shower your compassionate grace to elevate their soul.  We shall surrender at your lotus feet kindly guide us.  Oh! Anantha, who is eternal, we need not debate on your existence and presence and waste our time, Oh! Athmakarmane, Oh! Nirgunayaguneshaya who is Lord of Gunas and Nirgunas, and beyond Gunas and Nirgunas as well, Oh! Saththvastha, kindly shower your auspicious grace on us.  I have understood the worship of the Supreme Lord who is omnipresent, resides as a soul in living beings, like pouring water on the root of the tree which could prosper the whole of it.” Thus Lord Bhrama praised the supreme Lord.  Instantly Lord Vishnu appeared before the deities.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 97 – The legend of Gajendra Moksham -3

Gajendra who was completely exhausted with pain could see the deafening strike of lightning in the sky; he could witness the supreme Lord Vishnu mounted on the celestial vehicle, holding disc, conch, mace, and lotus on four arms.  Gajendra gravely looked at the compassionate eyes and radiant face of Lord Vishnu; he agonizingly stretched his trunk and plucked a lotus flower from the pond and cried out “Oh! Narayana Oh! Akhilaguro Oh! Bhagavan, I shall prostrate before you” he raised the trunk towards the supreme Lord Narayana.  Instantly, the head of the crocodile was sliced down with the powerful disc of the Lord Narayana, and Gajendra was pulled out from the pond.  The crocodile liberated from the curse was attained the radiant form of an attractive celestial Gandharva and eulogized Lord Narayana with folded hands “ Oh! Natha, Oh! Govinda, Oh! Jagathkarana, Oh! Anandathmaka, Oh! Pankajavilochana, I shall take surrender at your lotus feet.  You are the creator of the Universe and its living beings with your Maya and you are performing various pastimes in it. Oh! Jagathprabho kindly blesses me with intense devotion and faith to worship at your lotus feet. Oh! Bhakthavathsala, I should not be in the association of evil-minded, I should be able to recite your endless myths and glories at all times.”

Maharishi Shuka Bhramam continued “Oh! Rajan, Gajendra/soul got liberated from the clutches of ignorance/crocodile, with the touch of supreme Lord Narayana. It is not the legend of Gajendra an elephant; it is the story of all the living beings on the Earth.  In the previous birth, Gajendra was the King Indradhyumna in the clan of Pandya.  King Indradhyumna was a righteous ruler, was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.  He went to Mount Malaya and conducted penance.  Once, Sage Agastya arrived at Malayadhri and saw the King Indhradhyuma immersed in the meditation upon the Supreme Lord, eventually entered into a transcendental state, so he could not realize the presence of Agasthya mistook the King who did not show the minimum gestures of respect and cursed him to become an elephant.  The King opened his eyes and saw the Sage leaving the hermitage; he followed him and begged for forgiveness, and sincerely explained the situation and begged to pardon him.  Sage Agastya controlled his anger and advised the King that the curse cannot be taken back, but whatever happens that would elevate his soul and blessed him that he would attain liberation at the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.   Thus the King Indhradhyumna became King of the elephant in his next birth.  The crocodile was a celestial Gandharva Huhu in his previous birth.   The immature souls like Gajendra soak in material affairs and bondage and get stranded, finally locked themselves in extreme sorrows and agony like the crocodile in the worldly existence.   The elevation of the soul is possible only with the constant contemplation upon the supreme Lord, eventually, the soul would be liberated from ignorance of worldly bondage, like a lotus flower even though it has grown in the muddy pond, it remains pure and unblemished, not even the touch of water.”

Whoever recites or listen to the legend of Gajendra would attain the abode of Lord Vishnu and whoever remembers the oceans, hills, woods, mountains, and mother Earth, on a daily basis, immediately after waking up in the morning,  would definitely attain the abode of Lord Vishnu.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 96 – The legend of Gajendra Moksham -2

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan,  Gajendra, the leader of the elephant herd who was rejected by his own family, was caught hold by the crocodile,  was began to eulogize supreme Lord  “ Oh! Bhagavan, I shall surrender to the supreme Lord who is absolute bliss, Oh! Purusha who resides as a soul in living beings, Oh! Adhibeeja, Oh! Paresha who is beyond description or comparison, Oh! Chithathmaka who is supreme bliss and intellect, I shall meditate upon the Supreme Lord who symbolizes mind and intellect which causes to experience happiness as well as sorrows, he is the protector of the mind and intellect in the three states of awakening, dreaming and sleeping, he is the ‘Drik’ who causes to recognize the visuals, therefore the mind and intellect is an instrument that works at the instruction of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in us, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly protect me.  Oh! Boothathmabhootha, who is compassionate, not visible even for the deities or Rishis, then how shall it possible for me to visualize you? All that we are witnessing around is your pastimes; I shall take refuge at your lotus feet.  The Supreme Lord has no birth or death; he is not bound by the Karma, or names or forms or qualities or impurities.  He incarnates on the Earth for the welfare of the Universe and its people, I shall prostrate before the supreme Lord who is absolute Bhramam and  Ananthashakthi as well, He assumes marvelous forms even though he has no form, he is omnipresent, and performs various amusements.  I shall prostrate before the Athmapradheepa/who illuminates the soul of the living beings, Oh! Sakshine, who witnesses all that happenings in this Universe, Oh!  Paramathma who is beyond words and intellect, therefore we could not witness your presence in us but experience the same, Oh! Kaivalyanatha, Oh! Nirvanasukhasamvithe, Oh! Kshethrajja who resides as a soul in living beings, I shall prostrate before you. Oh! Sarvadhyaksha who is present in living as well as non-living things,  I shall prostrate before Akhilakarana who is the cause of Universe and its living beings, he is Nishkarana and Adhbhuthakarana who symbolizes supernatural activities as well.  He is Maharnnava who symbolizes ocean and Apavargakarana/ who is the path of liberation, I shall prostrate before you.  Oh! Bhagavan, I was soaked in illusion, I was taking extreme pleasure in the association of my family, relatives and the material world, I was under the false impression that my attractive and powerful physique would protect me from the troubles, I was under the wrong impression that my family and relatives would protect me from the troubles, therefore I did not make an effort to realize the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in me.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have learned from this harsh experience that nothing could protect me, neither my powerful physique nor my family or possessions, I have thoroughly understood that no one to protect me other the supreme Lord who resides as soul in me.  Oh! Lord, I have seen many saintly men who are immersed in the contemplation of supreme and drenched in the ocean like supreme bliss, therefore I shall contemplate upon the supreme Lord who is absolute Bhramam, he is eternal, he is Paresha who is invisible, you are beyond the Indriyas, You are flawless.  The presence of the Supreme Lord can be experienced with meditation, I have been ignorant, and I did not learn the supremacy of the Lord who resides as soul in me, due to my ignorance, ego, swollen pride and selfishness.  Oh! Bhagavan, who is the protector of the distressed soul, not attainable for the ignorant ones, I shall take refugee under your lotus feet.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 95 – The legend of Gajendra Moksham -1

The human intellect has the inexplicable skill to search happiness and comfort in the outer world as well as within oneself, the Srimad Bhagavatham teaches about the search of happiness within oneself and achieves a balanced state of mind that could handle any challenging situation and remain untouched by happiness or sorrow. The human intellect can effortlessly switch over from happiness to sorrow, positive thoughts to negative thoughts and weakness to courage, etc. it can confront the situation with extreme fear and courage as well. 

The legend of Manvanthara talks about “who’s the eminent one?” A person who is sacrificed all the material comforts and undergoes penance in the woods, or person living in all the material comforts without giving importance to it, performing his duties and responsibilities and contemplating upon supreme Lord.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Swayambhuva Manu after ruling the Kingdom wisely for several years, withdrawn to woods with Devi Shatharoopa,  in order to contemplate upon supreme Lord.  Swayambhuva Manu speaks “ Oh! Devi, The supreme Lord who illuminates the whole Universe, but the Universe cannot shed light on him, he is all-pervading, witnessing all that happening in the Universe, and even the Vedas are incapable to describe the ultimate truth, Drik and Dhrishya are two different things, He is Drik/who makes us understand what’s seen/it is neither eyes, nor the intellect, but the existence of supreme soul causes to understand what has been seen, Dhrishya is the scene.  The intellect can absorb sounds and visions, the supreme soul is beyond sounds or vision, it can be experienced, not seen or heard.  Oh! Devi, the presence of supreme Lord as a soul in us causes to experience all that happening in and around us.  The Supreme Lord who resides as a soul has no beginning or end, everything in the universe undergoes constant transformations, he is eternal, he is not bound by the changes, he is permanent truth.”

Shuka Bhrama continues “ Oh! Rajan, listen to me carefully, there was Mount Thrikoota which was flourished land with rich natural resources, inhabited by the wild animals.  The mountain was surrounded by beautiful landscapes, lush green land, rivers, ponds and streams, trees and plants in abundance.  It was the shelter place of all the wild animals, birds and reptiles; they took great pleasure in that attractive wood of Mount Thrikoota.  There was a large number of elephants led by a strong and powerful elephant Gajendra, he was Indra of Gajas indeed.  The elephants took great pleasure in the company of Gajendra and enthusiastically moved all over the woods.  The years passed, the forest started to face calamities and destruction of natural resources.  They had to face extreme famine and drought, so the elephants decided to leave the place under the guidance of Gajendra who led them to a lush green land.  As soon as they entered in the new forest, they could sense the fragrance of lotus flowers, chirping of birds, etc.., they saw a beautiful pond crammed with fully bloomed lotus flowers.  All the elephants were overjoyed and took great pleasure in the beautiful pond.  Gajendra took a trunk full of water and sprayed over the elephants accompanied and they have passed hours and hours taking great enthusiasm in the water sport while spraying water upon his children and wives, Gajendra forgot to notice sometimes wedged on his leg.  Soon he realized that it was a crocodile, he withered in pain, moved the leg here and there.  In the meantime his children and wives finished their water sport, quenched their first and got on the land, they did not notice Gajendra who was withering in pain, the water has changed its color, gave out the appearance of a pool of blood.  Gajendra understood, even though he is a powerful animal on the land, the crocodile is small in size has great strength in the water.  Gajendra put all efforts to pull out the leg from the mouth of the crocodile were ended in failure, he looked upon the large number 0f elephants on the land started to move on their way.  Suddenly, the elephants turned back and saw Gajendra in the pond filled in the blood; he has no more strength to get out of the pond.  The family of Gajendra, a group of elephants put an effort to pull him with their trunk, but nothing could get him out of the water, instead, he was drowning to water with great speed.  Ultimately elephants left their hold, finding their efforts are unsuccessful, and they pitifully looked at Gajendra and left the place.  Gajendra realized that no one could help him other than the supreme Lord; the piousness earned in the previous births reminded him to call out supreme Lord for help.  His intellect encouraged him to fight against the trap of crocodile, he understood none could help him other the supreme Lord.  Gajendra contemplated upon supreme Lord and eulogized."