|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 4 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  4 - Mahathmayi

Sacchidhanandaroopaya Vishwothpathyaya Hethave | Thapathraya Vinashaya Sri Krishnaya VayamNama: ||

Maharishi Vedavyasa after composing Mahabharath, Ramayan, Bhramasuthra, seventeen Puranas and compilation of Veda into four categories, did not get satisfied with his work and came to the hermitage located on the sacred land Shamyaprasam close to the riverbank of Bhramamnadhi/ Saraswathi,  he sat in extreme gloominess, on the river banks which is famous for spiritual practices.  Maharishi Narada arrived on the river bank and saw Maharishi Vedavyasa and enquired the reason for his distress, Maharishi Narada spoke “ Oh! Maharishi, even though you have created incredible scriptures and epics like Mahabharath and Ramayan, you have not described the splendor of Lord Vasudeva who resides as a soul in living beings.  Oh! MahaRishi,  you have written all those sacred scriptures about the methods of worship of various deities and the Phalashruthi/fruitful results of it. Therefore compose a marvelous scripture praising the Bhakti/ devotion to supreme Lord Vasudeva.”  Maharishi Vedavyasa undertook deep meditation, contemplated upon the supreme Purusha who resides as a soul realized the Maya/illusion causes misapprehension, therefore, decided to replace those illusions with the practice of Bhakti yoga, contemplating upon Lord Adhokshaja/who is source of mind and intellect, protect it and preserve it in the three states of sleep, awaken and dream.  The Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the essence of Veda teaches the knowledge of the supreme soul which is eternal, changeless, that has neither birth nor death.

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran begins with eulogizing the supreme Lord Krishna who is Sath/eternal, Chith/intellect, Anandham/bliss, causes the creation of the Universe and its living beings; he is the destroyer of three grave sins of worldly existence.  The three afflictions are body consciousness/Adhyathmika Thapa, attachment to people/Adhidheivikam and wealth/Adhibhauthika.  The grief related to the body that constantly undergoes illnesses, aging, and death, afflictions caused due to the over-attachment to people, and the grief caused by the possession of wealth and material.  Hence I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Krishna who removes the three kinds of afflictions.

Yam Pravrajamananthamanapethamapetha Krithyam  Dhvaipayano Virahakathara Ajuhava | Puthrethi Thanmayathaya Tharavoabinedhustham  Sarvabhootha Hridhayam Munimanathoasmi ||

Shuka Bhramam, The son of Maharishi Vedavyasa/Dhwaipayana, resided twelve years in the womb of his mother and attained the supreme state of Bhramam, finally came out of the womb at the instruction of supreme Lord Narayana, and immediately abandoned the home and parents.  Maharishi Vedavyasa cried out and ran after Shuka calling for him went in vain, Maharishi Vedavyasa’s calls were reverberated all over the woods, and soon he realized that his son has attained the superior state of Bhramam that represents living and non-living things. Hence,  I shall prostrate before that supreme Bhramam.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 3 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  3 - The introduction to Srimad BhagavathMahapuran

The practice of Bhakti – Gnana  - Vairagya

Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the glorious legends of Devi Kunthi whose elder son Karna was killed in the battlefield by her third son Arjun, Devi Kunthi has remained unaffected by the sorrow with her intense devotion and faith upon supreme Lord Krishna.   Bhishma Pithamaha who imparted the splendor of Supreme Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira while lying in the bed of arrows, even though he was physically exhausted, he did not find any mental exhaustion, finally surrendered himself to supreme Lord Krishna.   Prahlada, who conquered all the hurdles in life with the constant meditation and devotion upon supreme Lord Hari, and rose as one of the ardent devotees of Lord Hari.  The five-year-old Druva who was humiliated by stepmother Suruchi underwent Tapasya at the instruction of mother Sunithi, attained Manthropadhesha from Maharishi Narada eventually achieved the status of ever glowing Pole star Druva with his intense devotion to supreme Lord Hari.  Therefore it is not the people or matter or the situation causes grief or agony, it is the ‘thought’ causes distress, over-attachment to worldly matters and bondages causes’ extreme agony.   The spiritual advancement is possible with the thorough insight of Prakrithi/ attachment to people, money, material things, and possession of wealth, fame, etc. that has impermanent nature and the knowledge of the indestructible supreme soul.  Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the nature of a prospective spiritual seeker should have the acceptance of his/her weaknesses and willingness/curiosity/Jijyasu to learn things which could elevate the soul to the eternal truth and thereby attain serenity of mind.

The Rishis found that the mind and intellect, Gnana & Karma Indhriyas, cannot perform a task in the absence of the supreme soul, the body that created from the Prakrithi has to undergo constant transformation and ruin, the mind and intellect initiated form the supreme soul has the to attain union with the supreme soul/Bhramam which is eternal and changeless, to avoid repeated births.  The mind and intellect initiated from the supreme soul/Bhramam attains Laya“Jeevo Bhramaiva Na Apara’, the supreme soul is none other than Jeeva, hence it should practice the union in the supreme Lord who is Kshethrajja resides as a soul in living beings, with the constant practice of meditation. The mind and intellect is under the influence of Thrigunas and Maya/illusion, get attached to worldly matters and people effortlessly, that creates an obstacle for the spiritual advancement of the individual.  The practice of spirituality is the practice of nearness to the supreme soul who resides as a soul, with the Bhakti/devotion, Gnana/wisdom and Vairagya/sense of abandonment.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 2 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  2 - The introduction to Srimad BhagavathMahapuran

Sanathana Dharma – Mind & Intellect – The state of Jeevanmuktha & Bhrama Nirvanam – The origin of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran

Once, the illustrious Rishis studied the nature of Prakrithi and Purusha, the next thought came into mind was how did we unite the soul to the supreme soul to avoid rebirth? They found the path of Dharma/righteousness is the path to attain Moksha/liberation from repeated births and deaths.  The Rishis and sages experienced the supreme state of bliss with the constant practice of meditation; attained union of the soul with the Paramathma/supreme soul is addressed as ‘Sanathana Dharma’, further it was expressed as the Paramadharma in words came to know as Veda. They also found there are various methods available that can be put into practice the mind and intellect to achieve union with the supreme soul. Those are Karma/performance of righteous deeds, Bhakti/intense devotion and faith, Gnana/wisdom, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama/breathe control techniques, to attain the ultimate object.  The four branches of Veda, known as Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharvaveda depicted the nature of supreme Bhramam, thus began the practice of travel of knowledge from preceptor to disciple and the sequence of it continues to date.

The origin of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran was from Lord Narayana, which was narrated to Lord Bhrama, that was retold to Maharishi Narada, later it was narrated as Chathushloki Bhagavath to Maharishi Vedavyasa who composed the essence of Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya in an elaborate manner and described to Shuka Bhramam, further it was retold to King Pareekshith, later it was narrated by Sutha Pauranika to Shaunakadhis in Naimisharanya.

The knowledge of all-pervasive nature of the supreme soul, who resides as a soul in living beings, and the practice of contemplating upon the supreme Lord, with good control over senses provide the serenity of mind to face any adverse situation in the life.  Jeevamuktha’s/liberated souls attains the union of the supreme soul with the constant practice meditation, and Pranayama, they do not overreact or get overexcited to the situations of sorrows and happiness as the ordinary soul.  There are two types of liberation from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence,  Jeevanmuktha and Bhramanirvana.  A liberated soul with the constant practice of meditation attains the supreme state of Bhramanirvana/immortal state.  An intellectual mind realizes the destructible nature of Prakrithi and contemplates upon the indestructible supreme soul; an emotional mind is soaked in the illusion of worldly matters and bondages, constantly seeks for sensual pleasure and undergoes endless miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  Therefore it is not the people or material things or a matter causes miseries or sorrows, it is the ignorance/emotional ‘thoughts’ of the individual cause’s grief and agony.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the legend of King Pareekshith who was cursed to die in seven days by the son of Rishi Shameeka elevated his soul with constant meditation and contemplation upon the various legends of supreme Lord that was narrated by Shukha Bhramam, and got relieved from the fear of death and attained union with the supreme Bhramam.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 1 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  1 – The introduction to Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran

Sanantana Dharma – Mind & Intellect – The nature of Prakrithi and Purusha – Punarjama/rebirth

Krishnam Narayanam Vandhe Krishnam Vandhe Vrajapriyam | Krishnam Dhwaipayanam Vandhe Krishnam Vandhe Prithasutham || Sacchidhanandha Roopaya Vishwothpaththi Hethave | Thapathraya Vinashaya Srikrishnaya Vayam Nama: ||

The ancient Rishis and Sages conducted thorough research about the mind and intellect and its immense potential through rigorous spiritual practices and disciplines, Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is a highly inspirational scripture, predominantly speaks about the mind and intellect, and fleeting thoughts, which cause the endless miseries and sufferings of worldly existence.   The end result was the composition of highly rewarding scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, which could remove the endless mental and physical afflictions of Jeeva, helps to build a better society of creative and productive minds.  The Rishis and Sages found that the human body undergoes constant transformation, aging, illness, and death, and it has made up of five essential elements, further the mind and intellect /thoughts have diverse nature, it roused them to think about the origin of the mind and intellect, after thorough exploration, they have exposed a few mystifying facts into light that the human body/Prakrithi is destructible nature and the mind and intellect is originated from the supreme soul resides as a soul in living beings, therefore the soul/Prana/Paramathma/Athma is indestructible. 

The human body is made up of five essential elements known as Earth, Air, Ether, Water, and Fire, it is protected and preserved by the Panchabhoothas, with the constant influence of ‘Time’ it has to return to the Prakrithi/nature.  The mind and intellect remain the same even after the Prana leaves the body, therefore it was evident that the Panchabhoothas of Time cannot influence the mind and intellect.  Therefore, Rishis and Sages arrived in the conclusion that the supreme soul/Paramathma is the origin of the mind and intellect, and it remains protected and preserved in the three states of sleep, awaken and dream.  The body cannot function in the absence of soul in it, the supreme soul is widely known as Athma/Paramathma/Bhramam, Veda addressed it as ‘Purusha’.  The Rishis and Sages affirmed that the body made up of essential elements merges with the Prakrithi after the death and put an end to its journey, therefore the mind and intellect that has been originated from the supreme soul should unite with the Paramathma.  The union of the soul with the supreme soul is the process called ‘Moksham’/absence of grief or sorrow.  They also found that the supreme soul is eternal/Sanatana’, it has neither birth nor death, flawless, and it has supreme brilliance. They have experienced the supreme state of bliss, with the constant practice of meditation and attained the union of the soul with the supreme soul, eventually, they have expressed the bliss in words came to know as Veda.  The Rishis and Sages asserted that the body has to undergo a constant transformation and ruin with the influence of time, but the soul has no death unless and until it attains union with the supreme soul, otherwise, it keeps taking several births/Punarjanma. 

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 365 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  213

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, King Pareekshith/Vishnuratha, prostrated before Sage Shuka Bhramam, he kept head at the feet of Shuka bhramam, with folded hands, tears overflowing from eyes, reverentially prostrated before Shukha Bhramam.”

 King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Mahamune,  you have brilliantly narrated the glorious myths of supreme Lord Hari, and immensely assisted me to elevate my soul, you have given me mental courage and extreme strength to face any adverse situation, Oh! Paramaguro, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. Oh! Compassionate one, you have blessed me with supreme wisdom and I am the fortunate one, my intellect is purified, since birth I have forgotten the presence of supreme Lord Hari as a soul in me, I have realized his eternal presence in me. Oh! Mahamune, Oh! Prominent one, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you for your kindness and tremendous service to elevate the virtuous souls and the people like us. If you ask me, am I scared of death, I would answer ‘No’. I have already surrendered my mind and intellect to supreme Lord Hari, I have thoroughly understood his presence in me, and so I do not have fear of death. Oh! Paramaguro, kindly give me permission to attain union with the supreme soul Adhokshaja and leave my mortal coil, I have constantly practiced that Gnana and Vignana gained from you and you have guided my mind and intellect to invest on that Parama Padham, finally I have elevated my soul into that Paramapadham.” Thus, King Pareekshith prostrated before Shukha Bhramam, eventually, Shuka Bhramam proceeded for a spiritual journey to other parts of Badarikashram.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 364 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  212

Bhramopadhesha

Aham Bhramam Paramdhama Bhrama Aham Paramam Padham | Yevam Sameekshan Athmanam Athmanyadhaya Nishkale ||

Shuka Bhramam concludes the speech imparting the highest of the spiritual knowledge to King Pareekshith who was cursed to die in seven days by the son of Rishi Sameeka.  In the fifth chapter/Panchama Adhyaya: of twelfth Skandha Shukha Bhramam describes the essence of spiritual practice in twelve verses.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, I shall narrate the splendor supreme Lord Hari, who is Vishwathma resides as a soul in living beings, source of thoughts of Rajoguna/Bhrama, Thamoguna/Rudra in the mind and intellect.  Oh! Rajan, leave your immature thoughts about death and body consciousness, the body has to ruin the soul has no death; there is nothing here to claim as yours, realize the presence of supreme soul in you, like the wood and fire are different entities.  Oh! Rajan, you must have dreamt of your death while sleeping, remember the supreme soul is Aja/has no birth and Amara/has no death.  Oh! Rajan, imagine a mud pot kept upside down was broken, the air in it does not undergo any changes, the mud pot like the body has to face its ruin, the soul does not get destroyed.  Oh! Rajan, the excessive interest in worldly matters and bondages cause the rebirth, and once again it accumulates thoughts of Sathvik, Rajasik, and Thamasik natures, compels to perform Karma/duties and responsibilities, the excessive attachment to the material world put the Jeeva into constant miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence, gradually the Jeeva find it difficult to unfasten from the desires in the material world, like an earthen lamp keeps glowing as long as the oil poured in it/as long as you pour the oil like worldly attachments, the earthen lamp like the body assumes several births.  Oh! Rajan, therefore always contemplates upon supreme Lord who is self-illuminating like the pole star, which is the source of the functioning of mind and intellect/thoughts, resides as a soul in you.  Oh! Rajan, do not let your mind and intellect to think other than the supreme soul/Vasudeva, like the pregnant woman keep the child in her womb.  Oh! Rajan, the curse of Vipra is following you, you are nearing to death/Thakshaka that can hurt your body, but it cannot destroy your soul, you are with the supreme Lord who is the Lord of Mrithyu. Oh! Rajan, do not get besieged with the fear of death, remember you are with the supreme Bhramam, he is the ultimate shelter for the souls, unite your soul with the supreme soul with the constant contemplation upon supreme Lord who is unblemished.  Oh! Nripoththama, in this way, you can witness no difference in yourself and Thakshaka, when he touches your feet. Oh! Rajan, I have narrated all that about the supreme Lord Hari who resides as a soul in living beings/Vishwathma, what else would you like to hear from me?” Thus, Maharishi Shuka Bhramam concluded the glorious legend of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran before King Pareekshith.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 363 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  211

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the precious yellow metal is used for creating stunning ornaments, likewise, the presence of Adhokshaja as the supreme soul in living beings makes us to narrate the diverse nature of Prakrithi, all that we have seen and heard could be expressed in words. Oh! Rajan, all that you are witnessing is the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings/Anthar Narayana Bahir Sthitha:/all-pervasive nature of him, the thoughts that has the nature of Thrigunas forms  the habits in the individuals, ultimately it causes actions.  Oh! Rajan, The brilliant rays of Sun evaporates the ocean water and forms rain clouds, eventually get it covered in the clouds, similarly, the thoughts like rain clouds formed in the mind of Jeeva, creates an obstacle to witnessing the brilliance of Sun-like supreme soul in it, whoever does not understand the presence of the supreme soul which is source of the functioning of the mind, intellect, Panchaprana, Gnana, and Karmendhriyas, would hurl themselves into the cycles of repeated birth.  Oh! Rajan, rain clouds like thoughts formed in the mind would disappear with the constant contemplation of supreme Lord and wisdom,  as the brilliance of the sun rays remove the rain clouds, therefore the redundant thoughts like rain clouds can be get destroyed with the curiosity to learn and meditation ONLY.  Oh! Rajan, the more you meditate upon the supreme Lord Acchyutha, who is beyond comparison, has all-pervasive nature, and omnipresent, he is the source of the functioning of mind and intellect/thoughts, you can slice off the swollen pride/Ahamkara/impurities, with the sharp sword of wisdom, gradually the interest in worldly matters and bondages will get destroyed like the ripened fruits get separated from its branches.   Once the Jeeva gets completely freed material matters and bondage, with the constant meditation and supreme wisdom is the superior state called Athyanthika Pralaya/Bhrama Pralaya.  Oh! Rajan, keep listening to the glorious myths of the supreme Lord, meditate upon him and his various passionate sports, it would relieve you from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence. Maharishi Narada learned these marvelous legends from Nara Narayana Rishi, later it was narrated to Maharishi Vedavyasa who retold the glorious scripture to me.”