|| 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.