|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 6 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  6 – Mahathmayi

Aham Thu Thu Prithvim Yatho Jyathva Sarvoththamam Ithi | Pushkaram Cha Prayagam Cha Kashim Godavarim Thadha || Harikshethram Kurukshethram Srirangam Sethubandhanam| Yevamadhishu Theertheshu Bhramamana Ithasthatha: ||

Shukha Bhramam prepared to impart the supreme knowledge of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran to King Pareekshith was approached by the deities with the pot of nectar of immortality.  Lord Indra prostrated before Shukha Bhramam and expressed his willingness to offer the nectar of immortality to King Pareekshith and save his life from the death of serpent bite, at one condition that Shukha Bhramam should impart the knowledge of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran to the deities.  Shukha Bhramam laughed at the foolishness of Lord Indra and asked him to return to his abode with the nectar of immortality.

King Pareekshith listened to the glorious Bhagavath Mahapuran for seven days and elevated his soul from the fear of death.  Lord Bhrama was surprised to know about it and decided to test  the effectiveness of the scripture has measured, kept the Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran on the one side of the weighing scale with the other scriptures, eventually found that other scriptures could not equalize with the Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran.

Sathyam Nasthi  Thapa: Shaucham Dhaya Dhanam Na Vidhyathe| Udharam Bharino Jeeva Varaka: Kootabhashina: ||Mandha: Sumandhamathayo Mandhabhagya Hyupadhrutha: | Pakhandaniratha: Santho  Viraktha: Sa Parigraha: ||

It was at the beginning of Kali era, Maharishi Narada undertook a visit to several glorious places on the Earth, he visited Pushkaram, Prayaga,  Kashi, Godavari, Harikshethram, Kurukshethram, Srirangam, and Sethubandhanam, even though he had been to all those places, did not feel mental peace.  He realized there was no truthfulness, the performance of austerities or vows, beliefs, cleanliness, kindness, performance of charities or knowledge, people were living a life of an animal, engaged in various atrocities to fill their stomachs.  People were misusing their intellects, unfortunate, Pakhanda, have no sense control, women were not performing the household duties or responsibilities, the hermitage of saints was lost its serenity, the sacred lands became a commercial place, and realized that there won’t be any saintly people or pious or righteous in the kali era.  Nature has lost her charm, richness, and beauty; the twice-born were engaged in tasks for earning money, Maharishi Narada was depressed watching the pathetic state of the people of the Kali era.  He arrived on the riverbank of the Yamuna where the supreme Lord Hari has performed various amusements.  There he witnessed a young and beautiful woman looks so dull seated on the river bank, he saw two old men lying unconscious on her both the sides, she was lamenting over the two elderly men and shedding tears of grief, was surrounded by a group of women fanning her.  Maharishi Narada was curious to know about the happening, went close to the women seated.  The woman who was shedding tears, stood and reverentially prostrated before Maharishi Narada and praised him.

Bho Bho: Sadho Kshanam Thishtamacchinthamapi Nashaya | Dharshanam Thavalokasya Sarvadhaghaharam Param ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 5 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  5 – Mahathmayi

Ajjyana Adhvantha Vidhwamsa Kotisurya Samaprabha | Soothakhyahi Kathasaram Mama Karnnarasayanam || Bhakti Gnana Viragaptho Viveko Vardhathe Mahan | Maya Moha Nirashashcha Vaishnavai: Kriyathe Katham || Iha Ghore Kalau Prayayau Jeevashchasuragatham Gatha: | Klesha Kranthasya Thasyaiva  Shodhane Kim Parayanam ||

It was the beginning of Kali era; the illustrious Rishi Shaunakadhis approached Lord Bhrama and expressed their desire to conduct a Yaga to remove the evil effects of the kali era.   They enquired for an appropriate place on Earth to conduct the Yaga.  Lord Bhrama hurled the divine chakra Nemi on the Earth in search for a sanctified place to conduct Yaga, and the tip of the divine chakra fallen on the Earth was named as Naimisharanya, thus Shaunakadhis began a Yaga in the sacred land of Naimisharanya.  Sutha Pauranika who is the disciple of Romaharshana, arrived in Naimisharanya while the Shaunakadhis were performing the Yaga, was reverentially greeted by Shaunakadhis and offered a sanctified seat.  Further, the Shaunakadhis expressed their qualms to Sutha Pauranika were answered. 

Shaunakadhis speaks “ Oh! Illustrious one, who has possessed the supreme brilliance of Surya, removes the darkness of ignorance with the supreme brilliance,  1) kindly narrate the glorious legend that remove the ignorance in us. Oh! Mahamune, 2) kindly elevate the Jeeva undergoes constant miseries and sorrows of the Kali era, kindly narrate the superior most Shreyas/fortune which could sanctify the souls,  3 ) kindly narrate how to attain the most superior state of the union with the supreme Bhramam. Oh! Mahamune, we have heard the precious Chinthamani would enhance the material well-being, and attain heavenly pleasures, but the blessings of the preceptor would provide the superior bliss is known as union with the Bhramam, therefore kindly narrate how to achieve the supreme state of bliss.”

Kala Vyala Mukha Grasathrasa Nirnnasha Hethave | Srimad Bhagavatham Shasthram Kalau Keerena Bhashitham ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, listen to me carefully,  Jeeva’s are under the constant clutch of serpent-like ‘Time’, therefore the glorious Srimad Bhagavatham Shasthram/’Shasanal Thrayathe Ithi Shasthram’ which was narrated by Shuka Bhramam to King Pareekshith is the only cure to remove the afflictions of Jeeva in the Kali era. Oh! Shaunakadhis, the fortunate one would attain the knowledge of Bhagavath Mahapuran, King Pareekshith listened to the nectar-like the legends of various amusements of Supreme Lord Krishna from Maharishi Shuka Bharamam for seven days and elevated his soul.”

The law of Karma was defined as the results of deeds performed should put up with a person who performed the deeds and the results of Karma is unavoidable likewise the Karma, we have no control over the past deeds and the future is unpredictable, hence all that we can be cautious of the present deeds.  All the scriptures recommend the performance of righteous deeds to elevate the souls, thereby attain nearness to the supreme Lord, and achieve union with the supreme Bhramam, which was experienced by the illustrious Rishis and Sages.  The sacred shrines and holy Theerthas on the Earth are created to serve this purpose of the practice of meditation and attain the nearness to the supreme Lord.  The practice of spirituality is the eagerness to attain the supreme state of bliss that was experienced by the illustrious Rishis and Sages through the constant practice of meditation and contemplation upon the supreme Lord.

|| 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.