|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 352 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  200

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Mahabhaga, the women of cowherds could not take their eyes off from the marvelous appearance of Krishna, they were in trance listening to his melodious music on flute and his compassionate eyes arrested the attention of the Vrajeshwaris.   The illustrious Rishis and Sages, constantly listening to the glorious myths and his passionate sport of Krishna captured the attention of Krishna through their ears and the countless poets enticed by the passionate sports of Krishna, and the illustrious Kings who were fervent devotees of Krishna fought against him in the greatest battle of Kurukshetra and attained the lotus feet of Krishna.  Oh! Bhramin, it is unfortunate that having the supreme Lord Krishna as the chief of Yadhava, the Vrishnis failed to follow the advice of him and protect their clan, finally, they had to meet their destruction at the curse of illustrious Rishis.”

In Dwaraka, the Vrishnis watched silently at Krishna leaving the palace, many people were left the palace in extreme disappointment and agony remembered the words of Krishna that the Dwara will submerge in the water in no time, the Vrishnis looked at each other in extreme distress and left the palace.  They have realized that no prowess left with them; they have lost Krishna and Balarama forever and no one to protect them.  The people of Dwaraka, women, elderly people, and children arrived in Prabhasa Theertha.  It was the evening hours, the Vrishnis took pleasure in the intoxicating drink and completely lost their consciousness; they recollected the stories from Mahabharath, in that Krishna left his powerful Narayanisena with the Kauravas and stood all alone with the Pandavas.  In that battle many warriors of Kaurava were killed, Vrishinis were discussing the loss of Abimanyu and numerous warriors in the battle, finally they had a huge argument, engaged in fierce clash and killed each other, like the untamed herds of elephant in the woods.  They found the absence of weapons to attack each other, eventually, they took hold of the sword-like grasses from the seashore and fought with that forgot all their relationship, sons were killed fathers, brothers killed brothers and in-laws, there was no relationship left between them, they fiercely fought each other.  Soon, Krishna intervened and requested the children to stop was handled him harshly by the children, Balarama who could not bear the attack on Krishna, rushed to the scene was threatened to kill.  Balarama understood the children have lost their consciousness, so it is meaningless to talk to them, left the scene in extreme disappointment.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 351 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  199

Namosthuthe Mahayogin Prapannamanushadhi Mam | Yadha Thvath Charanambhuje Rathi: Syadhanapayini||

The over-dependence and attachment cause’ extreme mental agony and distress, it is not that people or things cause’ distress, it is the approach of the individual towards people, wealth, fame; money causes extreme fear and anxieties.  The spirituality is the practice of unfasten those redundant thoughts caused by the attachments and over-dependence to people, wealth, money, richness, fame, etc.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches to unfasten the material life and bondage, and lead a serene life, it is a marvelous technique to adopt while living in the material comforts without getting attached to it, or do not lament over in the absence of people and comforts.  Udhdhava who was pious and highly intelligent lived all his life for Krishna and served the clan of Vrishni, with the hope that everything he had seen and heard will remain the same always.  Suddenly, Udhdhava could not bear to see the Vrishni clan meets its destruction, and Krishna returning to the supreme abode.  Uddhava lost all his hopes and mental strength, seeing Krishna leaving before his eyes.  It was neither Krishna nor the destruction of Vrishnis traumatized Udhdhava, it was his attachment and over-dependence to Krishna and Vrishnis pushed him in extreme distress.  Later, Krishna unfastens all those illusions of Udhdhava and advised him to elevate his soul contemplating upon supreme Lord.  Therefore, the practice of spirituality is an individual effort; no one is capable to elevate the soul of others, all those should be practiced and followed by the individual who yearns to get relieved from the cycles of repeated births.  The constant practice of meditation, Pranayama, listening and reading the glorious myths of supreme Lord would purify the intellect; gradually it would remove the interest in worldly matters and bondage.   The interest in worldly matters and bondage does not require any practice, the intellect capture the taste, smell, appearance, nature of people, situations, etc as its own.  The spirituality requires an intense practice of mind and intellect to concentrate on the supreme soul which is the source of the functioning of the Universe and its living beings, which has no appearance or sound, the regular practice of meditation helps to unfasten the redundant thoughts about the material world and people, it brings the serenity of mind. Thus, Udhdhava received supreme knowledge from Krishna and left to Badarikashrama at his instruction. Krishna silently walked on the shores of Prabhasa watching the battering waves.

|| 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 ||