|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 329 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  180

The Panchabhoothas/Earth, Air, Ether, Water, Fire, Panchaththava, Panchendhriya, Karmendhriya are collectively known as cosmic energy, and the supreme soul is known as ‘Conscious energy’.  The ultimate truth is that the Prapancha/Prakrithi is the field of cosmic energy that undergoes constant transformation and the ruins, and the conscious energy is eternal and changeless.   In scriptures, conscious energy and cosmic energy is named as Purusha and Prakrithi respectively.  The people who are soaked in worldly matters and bondages get disturbed easily mentally; physically get exhausted due to their isolation from the conscious energy.  Therefore meditation is an essential activity to bring balance between the cosmic and conscious energies, it helps to revitalize the mind and body with conscious energy.  The meditation and Pranayama is the act of union of cosmic energy with the conscious energy, it was the highest of the revelation made by the Rishis, the knowledge of variations in the cosmic energy level in the body would drain the individual mentally and physically, hence the requirement to rejuvenate the mind and body with the practice of meditation.  They have chosen dense forest, Riverside, and streams where the increased quantity of the flow of cosmic energy exists, as the best locations or hut or houses constructed in pyramid shapes, allows the flow of cosmic energy abundantly, as an appropriate place to conduct meditation and Pranayama.  They also found the cosmic energy/Prakrithi cannot survive without the existence of conscious energy/Purusha.  The regular practice of meditation and Pranayama brings incredible results in the human body and mind as well.  It removes the cluster of unwanted thoughts, mental and physical fatigue, revives great energy level, enthusiasm, clarity of thoughts, serenity, creativity, and increases the overall performance of an individual.

Maharishi Vedavyasa wrote several scriptures, Ithihas and Purans and categorized Vedas, at the end realized that he’s not satisfied even after composing numerous scriptures, met Maharishi Narada who advised the Chathushloki Bhagavath and contemplate upon Supreme Lord.  Maharishi Vedavyasa conducted meditation for several years; as a result of his meditation, a marvelous composition was born which speaks highly about Bakthi/devotion, Gnana/wisdom and Vairagya/abandonment.  The devotion of knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as soul and his all-pervasive nature, Gnan/wisdom is the realization of ‘self’ with the practice of meditation and Pranayama and Vairagya is the detachment to the material world and bondage with the knowledge that people, wealth, money, richness, fame, etc.. are impermanent nature.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 328 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  179

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

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

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

|| 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: ||