|| 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.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 334 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  185

Shradhdha Amritha Kathayam Mey Shashvanmadhanu Keerthanam | Parinishta  Cha Poojayam Sthuthibhi: Sthavanam Mama || Adhara:  Paricharyayam Sarvangair Abivandhanam | Math Baktha Poojabhyadhika Sarvabhootheshu Manmathi: || Madharththeshvanga Cheshta Cha Vachasa Mathguneranam | Mayyarppanam Cha Manasa: Sarvakama Vivarjanam ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, Bhakti yoga is the practice of listening or reciting my nectar-like glorious myths that lead to Moksha/state of Moha Kshaya/absence of thoughts, leads to a state of neither birth nor death.  The practice of singing in praise of me, worship of me and my passionate devotees, living in the association of my devotees, saintly men, and ascetics,  will give you the knowledge of my presence in living and non-living things, Oh! Udhdhava, completely surrender your mind and intellect to me, leaving all your desires and worldly matters.  Oh! Udhdhava, you can attain me leaving all your wealth, comforts, and pleasures, and take shelter in me, in this way you can elevate your soul.”

Uddhava speaks “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Prabho, kindly narrate Yama, Niyama, Shama, Ththiksha, Dhrithi, Dhandanyasa, Thapas, Shauryam, etc.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, ‘Yama is the practice of controlling the cluster of unwanted thoughts and habits, the practice of non-violence, truthfulness, aversion towards one’s own demeanor, the vow of silence, the practice of celibacy and detachment, endurance, self-control, etc. and Niyama is the practice of elevation of soul,  remove impurities of  the mind, contemplate upon Supreme Lord, undertake penance and austerities, fire sacrifices, performance of deeds with dedication and intense faith, worship, and conduct pilgrimage that would keep you away from the material world and bondage.  Oh! Udhdhava, Shama is surrendering your mind and intellect upon me, Thithiksha is the acceptance of all the life events as the grace of supreme Lord, good control over tongue and lust for physical the relationship, would increase the mental strength/Dhrithi.  Oh! Udhdhava, the highest of the charity is not hurting others with your words, deeds, or mind, the superior Thapas, is the abandonment of desires, Shauryam is the willingness to get rid of unwanted habits and construct a new way of life, understand the eternal truth of ‘Oneness-in-All’ and consider all the life events as the grace of supreme Lord without overreacting to happiness or sorrow, the practice of no hatred or love to anyone.  Oh! Udhdhava, perform all your deeds without expecting its fruitful results, do not let your mind anxious about the future, Sanyasa is the sacrifice of worldly matters and bondages completely.  Oh! Udhdhava, contributing wealth for the righteous deeds is the superior form of Dhakshina/contribution to me. The superior form of Yajja is surrendering your soul to me.  The highest form of a contribution to a preceptor is sharing the knowledge you have learned, last but not the least, the highest form of mental strength is the practice of Pranayama. ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 333 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  184

Nava Ekadasha Pancha Threen Bhavan Bhootheshu Yena Vai | Eskshaithadhyaikamapyeshu Thajjanam Mama Nishchitham ||

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Udhdhava, I shall describe an incident took place after the great battle of Kurukshetra.  I have heard Beeshmapithamaha narrating the same to Dharmaputhra, it was after the great battle of Mahabharath, I was taken Pandavas to Bhishmapithamaha who was lying in the bed of arrows surprisingly did not let his soul in despair, waiting for the arrival of Uththarayana.  I have heard from Devavratha/Bheeshma, described the highest philosophy about ‘Gnana’, as Navadhwaras/nine gates, eleven Indhriyas/Ganana and Karma and mind and intellect, Panchabhootha, three virtues/Sathvik, Rajasik, and Tamasik, are under the influence of Prakrithi, are functioning in the presence of the supreme soul.  Oh! Udhdhava, Gnana is the knowledge of the Prakrithi that undergoes constant transformation and the ruin, and the supreme soul is eternal and changeless.  The supreme soul is the source of the functioning of all those Gnana, and Karma Indhriyas, mind and intellect, Panchabhootha, and nine gates, etc. even though the Prakrithi undergoes constant changes/aging, illness and ruin/death, the supreme soul/Sath remains unaffected by any of the changes in the body is called Vignana.  The supreme soul is indestructible; it was existed before the creation and will remain always.  Oh! Udhdhava, The nature of the supreme soul is clearly mentioned in Shastras and Shruthi, it can be experienced through the Indhriyas must have heard from the experiences of our forefathers, and it can be understood with your own observation, therefore elevate your soul to that Supreme Lord which is indestructible nature. Oh! Udhdhava, The devotion/Bhakthiyoga is the easiest method to elevate your soul.  The Bakthiyoga is relieving the mind and intellect from the interests of worldly matters, people, wealth, fame, richness and possession, and concentrating on the supreme soul with intense devotion and faith.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 332 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  183

Most of the practices in spirituality, religious and spiritual rites are performed based on the old beliefs or customs.   The Rishis and Sages advise us to get knowledge from learning the scriptures, ponder over those ideas, and follow.  Any religious or spiritual rites followed blindly will lead doubtfulness, performing any deed without the knowledge of its purpose will not  bring fruitfulness, it will not help to elevate the soul.  There are four kinds of people worship the Supreme Lord, one is Arthi, Arththarthi, Jijyasu, and Gnani who has a thorough knowledge of the spiritual and religious rites and the purpose of it.

Gnana Vijjyana Samsidhdha: Padham  Shreshtam Vidhurmama | Jyani Priyathamoatho Mey  Jyanenasau Bibarthi Mam||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Udhdhava, an intelligent one with the supreme knowledge attains highest of the spiritual state, therefore a Jyani/intellectual is beloved of mine. Oh! Udhdhava, the performance of Thapas, Theertham, Dhanam, and Thapam would purify the souls if it was performed with the knowledge of it.  Therefore the performance of any deed with the thorough knowledge of ‘self’ and contemplate upon me and elevate your soul.  Oh! Udhdhava, I am the Yajjapathi/Lord of sacrifices, who was sought after by illustrious Rishis and sages with the performance of Yajja, can attain with the constant contemplation and devotion in me.”

Gnana Vignana Yajjena Mam Ishta Athmanamathmani | Sarvayajjapathim Mam Vai  Samsidhdhim Munayoagaman ||

Udhdhava speaks “Oh! Vishweshwara, Oh! Vishwamoorthi, kindly describe about Gnana and Bhakti yoga, although it was discussed earlier. Oh! Esha, I am helpless to recollect all of them.”