|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 327 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  178

Aham Athma Udhdhava Esham Bhoothanam Suhrith Eshwara: | Aham Sarvani Bhoothani Thesham Sthithyuthbavapyaya: ||

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, how did an ordinary person who has no knowledge of spirituality or methods of worship, etc. already stuck in the cluster of unwanted thoughts, unable to know about the subtle nature of you, how did he worship? Where should he start? Kindly narrate about it, so that it would be useful for all.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, It was the same question asked by Arjuna who was besieged with extreme perplexity about the outcome of the War, I have explained to him the glorious Gita on the battlefield, at that moment, he asked the same question to me. Later, Arjuna found it difficult to recollect them, was repeated as Anugita; I shall narrate the same to you.  Oh! Udhdhava, I  am Eshwara, reside as a soul and constant companion  in living beings, I am your ultimate asylum/creator and preserver, the human body is under the constant influence of ‘Time’, I represent that ‘Time’, mind and intellect belongs to eternal truth/supreme soul and the body belongs to Prakrithi, Oh! Udhdhava, I represent Purusha and Prakrithi as well, I symbolize Guna and I am void  of ‘Time’ and ‘Guna’, I am eternal.  The mind and intellect originated from the supreme soul is difficult to win over from the thoughts, I represent ‘Akara’, Akshara, Pranava, Veda, Manthra, Chandhass, I represent Lord Indra who is the Lord of deities, Vasu, Aditya, Vishnu, Rudra, Neelalohitha, Bhramarishi Bhrigu, Rajarshi Manu, Devarishi Narada, Dhenu in Havirdhanya, Kapila in Sidhdheshwara, Suparna in leaves, Daksha  in Prajapathi, Aryama in Pithrus, Vidhyudhdhava in  Dhaithya, Prahladha in Asura, Soma in Stars and Lord of herbs, Dhanesha/Lord Kubera in Yaksharakshasa, Airavatha in Gajendra, Yadhasa,  Varuna, Surya, Bhoopathi among humans, Ucchaishravas, precious yellow metal, Vasuki, Anantha, Shringi,  Ganga, Saras, Dhanu, Meru, Himalaya, Vanaspathi, Yava, Vashishta,  Brihaspati, Sarvasenani Skandha, Bhramayajjam,  and AVihimsinam.  Oh! Udhdhava, I represent the five essential elements known as Air, water, ether, earth, and fire, I symbolize Athmasamrodha in Yoga, Vijigeeshatha in Manthra, Anvikshiki, Vikalpa, Shatharoopa in Sthree, Swayambhuva Manu, Narayana Rishi, Kumara Bhramachari, Sanyasa in Dharma, Bahirmathi in  Kshema, Sunritham and Maunam in Guhya, Rithu Madhumadhava, Masam Margasheersham, Nakshathranam Abijith, Yuga, Dhwaipayana, Vasudeva, Hanuman, Sudharshana, Padmaraga in gems, Dharbha in Kusha, Lakshmi, Thithiksha, Saththvam, Oja, Saha, Bala, Adimoorthi, Vishwavasu, Gandharva, Apsara, Vibhavasu, sound,  Surya, Thara, Indhu, Nabas, Mahabali/Bhramanya who has lost all the wealth except Bhramanyam, Arjuna in valor, I am the creator and preserver as well.  Oh! Udhdhava, I represent supreme wisdom and highest philosophies. Oh! Udhdhava, whoever does not make an effort to change their disruptive attitude/unenthusiastic and unpleasant words, even after the constant meditation and contemplation, and engages Thapas, Dhanam and Vratham would be same as water stored in an unbaked mud pot.  Oh! Udhdhava, therefore surrender your words, mind, and intellect, to me and contemplate upon me with intense devotion and faith, elevate your soul and attain union with me. ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 326 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  177

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Bhagavan,  Oh! Acchyutha, you have described the practice of meditation and Pranayama provides fruitful results/ Siddhi, kindly narrate that to me.”

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, I shall narrate the Ashtasiddhis to you, Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Prapthi, Prakamya, Eshithvam, and Vashithvam, and there are numerous Siddhis like Parakayapraveshanam/entering into the body of another person, Dhoorashravana Dharshanam, Swacchandhamrithyu, etc.  Oh! Udhdhava, Even though there are countless supernatural powers to name, I shall describe the superior Siddhi which is supreme bliss is the constant union with the supreme soul who resides as soul in you. The practice of meditation is the union of mind and intellect to supreme soul/Vishnu, who is all-pervasive, he is the protector of the shrine/Kshethrapalaka and Kshethrajja/resides as the soul in the body, to reach the highest state of ‘Thureeya’/Narayana, therefore whoever contemplates upon the ‘Formless one’ enjoys the supreme bliss/Kaivalyam/absence of thoughts, in this way elevates their souls.  Oh! Udhdhava, whoever contemplates upon me, with the constant practice of Pranayama and meditation elevates their souls and get relieved from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence with the constant remembrance of impermanent nature of the material well-being.  Oh! Udhdhava, who practices me, abandoning their ‘I’ consciousness, and contemplating upon me would realizes the knowledge of impermanent nature of Prakrithi/Sthooladhrishti and get detached from it, and attain the Sookshmadhrishiti/realization of me/supreme Lord as their constant companion.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 325 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  176

Bhagavan continues “ Oh! Udhdhava, concentrate your vision on my glorious appearance from toe to head, finally fix your gaze on my smiling face and elevate your soul, gradually forget all that you have imagined, and gradually it will take you a state of absence of thoughts.  Further, unite your soul with the knowledge of supreme soul resides in you, like the spark of fire merges in the fire.  Oh! Udhdhava whoever practices the above-mentioned method of Pranayama with utmost sincerity and dedication, would unite their mind with mine/supreme soul and attains the state of ‘ BhramaNirvana’ it would remove the anxiousness about Dhravyam/wealth, material possessions, and Kriya/deeds.  Eventually, it will provide various Siddhis as a result of the intense practice of meditation and Pranayama.”

The practice of spirituality is an experience, can be attained through Pranayama and meditation which helps to control the cluster of thoughts, and remove the unwanted thoughts.  The mind and intellect has immense potential to hold on to unwanted thoughts as well as release them, the practice of Pranayama eradicates cluster of unwanted thoughts, brings overall mental and physical health.  It is a tremendous technique to achieve peace and serenity of the mind, remove mental and physical exhaustion, and improves the creativity and productivity that reflects in every walk of life of the individual.  It is the practice of mind and intellect to get rid of interest in worldly matters, people, wealth, richness, fame, etc. which has impermanent nature causes extreme agony and sorrow, and contemplating upon the supreme soul who resides as the soul in us.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 324 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  175

The practice of devotion, reading scriptures and being in the association with the pious, saintly men and ascetics would bring tremendous transformation in the individual.  It enhances endurance, credibility, kindness, selflessness, humility, simplicity, and more importantly the ability to handle any adverse situations in life with a firm and serene mind, and consider them as the grace of the Supreme Lord, even the worst of the worst situations in the life could not break the person emotionally, they would come up from the troubles at ease.  King Pareekshith/Vishnuratha, who was cursed by the son of Rishi Sameeka, was not dejected about the curse of the Rishi, felt extremely unworthy of himself, for the arrogant act towards an illustrious Rishi.  King Pareekshith crowned his son Janameyjaya as the King and left the Kingdom, he arrived on the riverbank of Ganga, soon the illustrious Rishis and Sages were assembled, all that he was enquired how to elevate his soul form the miseries in life within seven days.  The weak mind always sees the hopelessness and miseries in the opportunities, even the trivial disappointment causes extreme anxiety and fear, the practice of spirituality is the effort to get rid of the weakness of mind and face any challenging situations in life with a calm mind.  A strong-minded person sees opportunity in every failure, with the constant practice of meditation, attains the serenity of mind and the humility to accept any life events.

Vishayan Dhyayathashchiththam Vishayeshu  Vishajjathe | Mam Anusmarashchiththam Mayyeva Pravileeyathe || Yadha  Thvam Aravindhaksha Yadhrisham Va Yadhathmakam | Dhyayen Mumukshurethanmey Dhyanam Thvam Vakthumarhasi ||

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Aravindhaksha, you have mentioned Dhyanayoga as the easiest method to attain the elevation of the soul, How did Mumukshu practice Dhyanayoga? how should I practice Dhyana Yoga? Kindly narrate to me.”

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, listen to me carefully about meditation, take a seat in a comfortable place and sit straight, it will expand the lungs maximum level and helps to intake large quantity of air to strengthen it while sitting straight, the fluids in the backbone helps to preserve the body temperature at a required level.  Oh! Udhdhava, keep your muscles relaxed and sit for a while without any movements, keep your hands rest on your thighs, fix the vision on the upper end of the nose /Nasagra/not downwards.  The mind has the capability to attract the sound or appearance/form, hence the practice of meditation is the process to arrest the unwanted thoughts, and concentrate on the supreme Lord who is formless one, is beyond sound or form. Oh! Udhdhava I shall narrate the practice of inhalation and exhalation/Pranayama to you, breathe in air in a large quantity in your lungs is called Poorakam, holding it for a few seconds/kumbakam, and releasing the air/breathe out/Rechakam.  This process of Pranayama promotes blood circulation, strengthen the lungs, digestive systems, revitalize the blood cells, arrest the thoughts completely which leads to the state of serenity.  Oh! Udhdhava, practice the recitation of Omkara, while Pranayama increases the concentration, and contemplate upon Lord Surya and visualize my most charming appearance of dark cloud complexion, beautiful face, four arms holding Shankha Chakra, Gadha, Padmam,   pleasing smile on the face, beautiful neck, and cheeks, adorned in magnificent Makara Kundalam on the ear, the chest is adorned in various ornaments of precious yellow metal, Vanamala, Kausthubham, Srivathsam and Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, decorated in Kireeta, Kadaka, Katisuthra, and marvelous anklets, Oh! Udhdhava envision that magnificent form of mine that would please your eyes.”

Vahnimadhye Smareth Roopam Mamaithadhyanamangalam || Samam Prashantham Sumukham Dheerghacharu Chathurbhujam | Sucharu Sundaragreevam Sukapolakam Shuchismitham || SamanaKarnna Vinyastha SpuranMakara Kundalam | Hemambaram Ghanashyamam Srivathsa Sreenikethanam || Shankha Chakra Gadha Padma Vanamala Vibhooshitham | Noopurair Vilasath Padham Kausthubha Prabhayayutham ||Dhyumath Kireeta Kadaka Katisuthrangadhayutham | Sarvangasudharam Hridhyam Prasadha Sumukheshanam ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 324 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  175

Nirapeksham Munim Shantham Nirvairam Samadharshanam | Anuvrajamyaham Nithyam Pooyeyethyanghri Renubhi: ||

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Krishna, there are several methods described by the Bhramavadhis to achieve the elevation of the soul, which is superior among them? Which is the easiest one? Kindly describe to me.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, learning the essence of Veda is the superior method of elevation of the soul, I have reinstated Veda and advised to Lord Bhrama that was retold to Sanakadhis and they narrated to Saptharishis, in this way the Veda circulated among the illustrious Rishis and Sages.  In due course of time, the recitation of Veda has become prominent without realizing the essence of it that was sung in praise of me residing as a soul in them, therefore they could not elevate their souls.  One set among them utilized the Vedic chants to attain material well-being, which has impermanent nature, without the realization of performance of deeds brings material welfare and the contemplation and meditation upon supreme Lord elevate the soul. Some of them started following old traditions and beliefs, like Paganda.  Oh! Udhdhava, I shall describe the superior method of elevation soul, surrender your thoughts and deeds to me,  and practice constant contemplation and meditation upon me, you will become independent, without any expectation, attachment and fear,  eventually, the cluster of unwanted thoughts will disappear and you will attain supreme bliss.  Oh! Udhdhavan, the practice of meditation and contemplation upon me would bring the serenity of mind; you will experience happiness all around you.   The people who have considered the supreme Lord as their eternal wealth, with the firm mind would remain serene always, people who accept all the happenings in life as the grace of supreme Lord would remain in a state of bliss wherever they go. The devotees who consider me as their greatest wealth would not ask for any material well-being, he /she will not ask for anything other than me, they remain serene and constantly engages in the contemplation of me and attain peace, they will not have any enmity towards others, they are well focused, attain the serenity of mind, I will follow them always and collect the dust from their feet to purify me.   How did people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage attain an elevation of the soul? Oh! Udhdhava, you can attain me easily with the Bhakthiyoga, unlike knowledge in scriptures and Sankhya Yoga.  Therefore worship Me with the Bhakthiyoga and remove all the impurities of the mind, like the dirt in the gold is removed with the intense heat and creates stunning ornaments with it.  The people who are drenched in material well-being, matters, people, wealth and fame, remain extremely anxious and fearful, finally, it hurls them into the cycles of birth and death.  Oh! Udhdhava, therefore constantly contemplates upon me and attains union with me. ”

Mayyarppitha Mana: Sabya Nirapekshasya Sarvatha: | Mayathmanam Sukham Yaththath Kutha: Syadhvishayathmanam|| Akinchanasya  Dhanthasya  Shanthasya Samachethasa: | Maya Santhushtamanasa: Sarva : Sukhamaya  Dhisha: ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 323 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  174

 Dheho Api Dhaiva Vashaga: Khalu Karma Yavath Swarambhakam Prathisameekshatha  Yeavasasu: | Tham Sa  Prapancham Adhirooda Samadhiyoga:  Swapnam Punar Na  Bhajathe Prathibudhdhavasthu: ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, whenever you get stuck in the cluster of thoughts, make a thorough evaluation of it, whether it would do any good to you and others, the cluster of unwanted thoughts causes’ physical exhaustion.  Oh! Udhdhava, understand the ultimate truth that the mind and intellect is the source of the supreme soul, and it is preserved by me, remove all those thoughts that cause weakness and anxiousness with the sharp sword-like wisdom, understand my all-pervasive and flawless nature and contemplate upon me, and remove all your qualms.  The human bodies undergo constant transformation and ruin, finally merges in the Prakrithi and again the Jeeva assumes a body with the unfinished desires, thus the cycles of birth and death continue.  Therefore, accept whatever happens in your life as the grace of the Supreme Lord, if you keep contemplating upon the supreme Lord it will elevate your thoughts from grief and sorrows, like the drunkard, never take notice of his misplaced clothes.  Oh! Udhdhava, the soul attains the body as a result of desires in the mind of male and female, eventually the Beeja deposited from the male to the female womb and the growth of the fetus begins and the birth takes place.  The body obtained as a result of the Kama/lust and Karma/physical relationship should be elevated to the supreme soul with the practice of Bhakti Yoga, perform all the deeds with the constant remembrance of me, and surrender the fruits of the deeds to me, and receive all those happenings in your life as a the grace of the supreme Lord.  Oh! Udhdhava, contemplate upon my virtues which is beyond Gunas, sung in praise of me and my all-pervasive nature, I am your constant companion residing as soul, I have no expectation or attachments, and  I am beloved my devotees.”

Mam Bhajanthi Guna: Sarve  Nirgunam Nirapekshakam | Suhridham Priyam Athmanam Samyasangadhayo Guna: ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 322 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  173

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, the thoughts are under constant control of the three virtues of Sathvik, Rajasik and Thamisk which cannot harm the supreme soul, like the change of seasons do not affect the sky.  The sthoolashareera/body undergoes constant transformation and ruin, the Sookshmashareera/soul has neither birth nor death.  The misfortunes, failures, grief are an unavoidable part of the human life, therefore the remembrance of the supreme soul that is void of three Gunas, with the constant practice of Dhyanam, recitation of scriptures, sacred hymns, the performance of various religious and spiritual rites and keeping engaged your mind on the various Dharmic rites, you can gradually get rid of the impurities of the mind, like the continuous friction of two bamboo plants or any wood produces fire.”

Udhdhava speaks “ Oh! Krishna, I have been soaked in the interests in worldly matters and bondage for several years, like animals/dog/shamelessness, donkey/ignorant and goat/gobbling nature, how did the practice of meditation and contemplation remove the impurities of the mind? Kindly narrate to me.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, the reason for the mind reluctant to leave the unwanted thoughts is due to ‘I’ consciousness and self-importance which is caused by the over the influence of Rajoguna/lust, desire, greed, jealousy.  Oh! Udhdhava, the supreme soul is the source of these Gunas, the more you nurture the habits of Rajoguna, there will be no control over it, and finally, it will lead to destruction.  Oh! Udhdhava, I shall narrate a legend, once the Sanakadhis went to Bhrama Loka and met Lord Bhrama, and enquired to Bhrama “ Oh! Prabho, Oh! Father, the mind and intellect are the under the constant influences of the three Gunas, which is originated from the supreme soul, and  the fleeting nature of the thoughts in the mind is inseparable, so how could we abandon the thoughts and contemplate upon supreme Lord?”   Oh! Udhdhava, the Lord Bhrama could not give a precise answer to the questions of Sanakadhis.  He contemplated upon me; hence I have assumed the form of Hamsa and appeared before them.” 

Yevam Prishto Mahadeva:  Swayambhur  Bhoothabhavana: | Dhyayamana: Prashnabeejam Nabhyapadhyatha Karmadhi: || Sa  Mama Chinthayath Deva: Prashnaparathi Theershaya | Thasyaham Hamsaroopena Sakashamagamam Thadha ||

Krishna continues “Oh! Udhdhava, The Sanakadhis enquired about my whereabouts, I replied to them “Oh! Muni, you have enquired about me, is there any difference between you and me?” The thought forms the differences in people, with the influence of the three Gunas such as  Rajogunas are lust, desire, anger, passion, etc. Thamogunas are laziness, lethargy, exhaustion, dullness, fear and grief; and the Swathikgunas are honesty, love, kindness and affection etc are under the constant  tie with the thoughts, the person with a balanced state of mind will not let the thoughts overrule him with the knowledge of ‘self’.  The thoughts are expressed either by words, or action; therefore it depends on the nature of the individual to handle the thoughts tactfully.  The supreme soul preserves the mind and intellects during the three states of wakening, sleep and dream, without this knowledge, if the mind and intellect wedge in the cluster of thoughts, it would become difficult to elevate the soul.”