|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 13– The legend of Lord Krishna -  13 – Mahathmayi – The legend of Athmadeva

Yevam  Sapthadhinashchaiva  Sapthagrandhivibhedhanam | Krithva Sa  Dhvadhasha Skandha Shravanath Prethatham Jahau || Dhivyaroopadharo Jathath Thulasidhama Manditha: | Peethavasa Ghanashayamo Mukuti Kundalanvitha: ||

The body undergoes transformation and ruin, the soul have neither birth nor death.  The mind and intellect originated from the soul get attached to the worldly matters and persons, while leaving the mortal coil, the unfinished desires and lust causes rebirth, though Dhundhukari left his body after the sequence of physical pain, his soul attained the form of a spirit. Gokarna who was on a spiritual tour came to know about the death of his brother Dhundhukari, he went to Gaya and performed the final rite for his brother and returned home.  One day, it was the hours of dusk; Gokarna could hear frightening loud cries, a shadow moving around him, assuming various forms like elephant, goat, bull, fire, etc. He sprinkled water from the Kamandalu on the shadow. The spirit spoke “Oh! Bhratha, I am Dhundhukari even though I have achieved a birth in the highest clan of twice-born, I have met a horrible death due to my immoral deeds. Oh! Brother, I have no one other than you; kindly relieve me from the body of spirit.” Gokarna replied “Oh! Brother, I have already performed Gaya Shradham for you, did not that bring liberation to your soul? What should I do to relieve your soul?” The spirit replied “Oh! Brother, if you perform hundreds of Gaya Shraddha I would not get relief from the body of spirit, I have no one to help me out, you are the only one could help me.” Gokarna was an ardent devotee of Lord Surya, underwent meditation, on the next day early hours of dawn, he stopped Lord Surya’s movement and requested “Oh! Lord, kindly advise me how I could liberate the soul of my brother who has attained the body of spirit.” Lord Surya advised Gokarna to recite the glorious Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran for seven days to liberate the soul from the body of spirit.

Gokarna made arranged for the Sapthahapadanam/recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapura for seven consecutive days. Dhundhukari’s soul was invoked inside the bamboo shoot that has seven holes in it, as soon as the spirit entered the shoot the seven holes were closed, at the end of the recital on the first day, one of the holes rips opened, and it repeated the second day as well, thus at the end of the seventh day, all those seven holes on the bamboo shoot were open. A divine form appeared out of the bamboo shoot, adorned in yellow silk garment, dark-complexioned, adorned in Vanamala, Kausthubham, and Srivathsam, magnificent ear ornaments, crown, ornaments on the chest, waist, and feet.  It was Dhundhukari with folded hands revealed his gratitude to Gokarna.  Thus, Dhundhukari attained freedom from the dreadful form of spirit that was roaming consuming heat and air, ultimately attained the divine form of Lord Vishnu at the end of the seventh day of the recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran.

Whoever recites or listens to the recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, would get destroy all their sins instantly.  The human body is impermanent, fastened with several thousand veins, bones, flesh, blood, secretes of waste, undergoes aging, illnesses, depression, body emit a foul smell if it is not washed for a few days, undergoes constant foray of worms inside, and it continues after death as well. The human life is like a water bubble, it is like a fragile creature, therefore while residing in the temporary nature of body, the soul that has immense potential should strive to attain the eternal Bramham.  Whoever listens or recites the glorious scripture for seven days would get liberated from the cycles of repeated births.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 12– The legend of Lord Krishna -  12 – Mahathmayi – The legend of Athmadeva

Athmadeva brought up the children Dhundhukari and Gokarna affectionately.  Dhundhukari did not show any interest in the spiritual or religious rites, even the basic hygiene he did not follow, he was swollen with pride and anger, he eats meat, steals things from home and others, he harasses the children in the village and throws them in the well, had a demonic nature, associated with the prostitutes.  Once, he looked around for money did not get, once he physically abused his father for money.  Athmadeva was deeply hurt, never expected such an atrocity from his own son, and could not bear the humiliation, he ran out of the house.  On his way, Athmadeva met Gokarna who was pious, highly intellectual, performs all the Dharmic deeds, and has great respect for parents. Gokarna advised his father “ Oh! Father, this body is made of flesh, bones and blood have to ruin one day, do not get anxious about it, kindly leave your body-conscious and attachment to your wife and son, and contemplate upon supreme Lord Hari, read the sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran and elevate your soul. Therefore, kindly proceed to woods, and conduct austerities and penances contemplating upon supreme Lord.”

Once, Athmadeva left home forever, Dhundhukari brought five prostitutes to his home and started living with them. Dhundhuli opposed the deed of Dhundhukari has to face utter humiliation.  Gokarna decided to leave home, Dhundhuli had to go through rough times, once she had an argument with her son, Dhundhukari abused her physically and forced her to kill herself. Thus, Dhundhuli left her mortal coil jumping into a deep well. Dhundhukari lived a pleasurable life with the prostitutes at home.  One day, the prostitute requested Dhundhukari to bring some ornaments and clothes; he pilfered exquisite ornaments and magnificent clothes from the palace of the King and handed it to the prostitutes.  On that night, the women were gathered in private and expressed their qualms that the Kingsmen would come in search of wealth stolen and it may lead them to get caught unnecessarily.   Finally, they have arrived in the conclusion that if they kill Dhundhukari, the wealth will not get lost, safe in their hands and they can escape from the verdict of imprisonment.  The prostitutes fastened the neck of Dhundhukari with a rope while he was asleep, further they took the burning charcoal and deposited in his mouth and body parts.  Thus, Dhundhukari had an extremely painful death; they buried the corpse in a well and left home. Dhundhukari attained the form of a spirit after death.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 11– The legend of Lord Krishna -  11 – Mahathmayi – The legend of Athmadeva

Sanathkumara describes the legend of Athmadeva to Rishis and assembled along with Devi Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya.  There was a twice-born Athmadeva lived on the riverbank of Tungabhadra.   He was pious, honest and performs various Dharmic rites, his wife Dhundhuli was a beautiful woman but wicked natured, this couple had no offspring for a long time.  Thus, several years have passed Athmadeva besieged with extreme distress due to a lack of offspring to perform ancestral rites. He left home and arrived in the woods, decided to commit suicide.  He saw a pond, got on his knees and quenches his thirst. Soon, there arrived a saintly man, Athmadeva rushed to him and prostrated before him; the saintly person enquired the reason for his grief.  Athmadeva replied “ Oh! Sage, my life is futile without an offspring; a house lacks children cannot be addressed as home, what’s the meaning of wealth without a child? What’s the existence of the clan? I have nurtured a cow, that also not giving birth to a calf if I nurture plantain, that will not yield flowers or fruits if I nurture rooted vegetables, that will not bear flowers or vegetables.  Oh! Mahatma, my life has become monotonous without a child; therefore kindly bless me to have a child.”

Yathi spoke “Oh! Vipra, listen to me carefully, I could read your destiny and predict that for another seven births you will not have a child.” Athmadeva became inconsolable, Yathi advised him “Oh! Vipra, haven’t heard the legend of King Chithrakethu who grieved over a child? Therefore, contemplate upon the supreme Lord and elevate your soul, eventually, you will get rid of sorrows.” Athmadeva was adamant, not willing to leave the Yathi, announced his death before him, which would bring Bhramahathya sin to Yathi.  Yathi intervened and put a halt to his deed, decided to fulfill the desire of Athmadeva, underwent meditation and handed a fruit to him and instructed to give it to his wife.  Athmadeva was extremely happy, Yathi advised him to instruct his wife to follow extreme austerities during the period of pregnancy, take limited meals, not engage in unwanted talks, meditate upon supreme Lord, and  follow Sathyam/truth, Shaucham/austerities, Dhaya/kindness, Dhanam/charities, Bhakti/devotion, and serve meals to the devotee of Lord and perform all those righteous deeds to have a virtuous son.

Athmadeva returned home happily and handed the fruit to his wife Dhundhuli, and advised her to follow strict austerities to attain a virtuous son.  Dhundhuli who is extremely wicked and deceitful, mentally prepared to discard the fruit at once, she had a talk with her attendant about it, the fruit would bring the child in her womb, she could not eat meals comfortably as she wants, the limited meals and austerities would cause extreme tiredness and spoil her attractiveness.  She expressed her fear of not able to move around with the big stomach, she remembered the story of Shukha who lived twelve years in mothers’ womb that created intense trepidation. Dhundhuli had no faith in the Yathi, do not want to risk her image and appearance.  She expressed her impious opinion to her companion that the most fortunate ones in the world are the widow and childless women.  Finally, she decided to discard the fruit; luckily she had her sister who was pregnant with a child for the sixth time appeared before her.  Dhundhuli discussed her problem with her sister who was already having the trouble of five children at home and they mutually agreed to shift the child born to her to Dhundhuli.  Thus, Dhundhuli agreed to adopt her sister’s child without the knowledge of her husband Athmadeva, in return Dhundhuli would offer some money for the child to her sister.  The sisters decided to feed the fruit to the cow, thus Dhundhuli put the finest drama before her husband and fooled him.  In due course of time, the child born to her sister was transferred to Dhundhuli, thus she announced the birth of the child, Athmadeva was extremely happy.  He invited several twice-born in the village and fed them with a sumptuous meal and offered an abundance of contributions.  The child was named Dhundhukari, in the meantime, the cow that ate the fruit became pregnant and gave birth to a male child with the ear of the cow named ‘Gokarna’.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 9– The legend of Lord Krishna -  9 – Mahathmayi – Gnana Yagna

Kim Shruthair Bahubhi: Shasthrai: Puranaishcha Bhramavahai: | Yekam Bhagavatham Shasthram Mukthidhanena Garjjathi || Katha Bhagavathasyapi Nithyam  Bhavathi Yathgrihe | Thath Griham Theertharoopam Hi Vasatham Papanashanam ||

Sanathkumara continues “ Oh! Mahamune, Whoever recites this glorious scripture Bhagavatham in their homes would turn as a sacred place on Earth, it would remove all the sins of the worshiper, it would provide the piousness of performance of thousands of  Ashwamedha Yaga and hundreds of Vajapeya Yagna, even the sacred rivers Ganga, Prayagaraj, Kashi, or Pushkaram could not excel the piousness of it.  It would provide the merit of Tulsi Poshanam/nurturing Tulsi and service to cows/Gomatha, ultimately the worshiper would attain the nearness to Lord Govinda. Whoever reads or listens to the Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran and understand its concept would get relieved from the sins of crores of births.  There is no Shastra equivalent to Shukashasthra.  Whoever does not willing to learn or recite this Mahapuran would remain Chandala/born in the lowest clan, will be considered as dead while alive, engaged in the Papakarma which is not letting them listen to it, even though they have attained the body of a human, they would be considered as an animal on the Earth, ultimately hurl themselves into the cycles of repeated births and undergoes hellish torture in the mother’s womb.  Oh! Mahamune, the soul has to attain union with the Paramathma within it, like the river has to continue its journey until it merges with the ocean. Therefore listen to this glorious scripture on a daily basis with intense devotion and dedication; this would elevate the soul with the merits of Tapasya, Yoga, and Samadhi. ”

Shaunaka speaks “ Oh! Mahamune, kindly narrate the supremacy of the Bhagavath Maha Puranam from other scriptures”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, I shall narrate an incident which took place while Krishna was preparing to leave his mortal coil at the age of hundred and twenty-five years old, on the shores of Prabhasa.   Udhdhava who was serving Krishna for a hundred and fifteen long years could not bear the separation of Krishna, received the most remarkable advice from him.  Thus Udhdhava elevated his soul and got rid of the grief of separation from Krishna and Yadhavas, with folded hands speaks to Krishna “Oh! Bhagavan, you are Avyaktha - invisible/Achinthya – beyond perception/Aroopa – formless one/ eternal and ultimate asylum for the souls, incarnated on the Earth to elevate the pious souls, even though you have no specific form, you have attained a marvelous form of Yadhava for your ardent devotees, once you leave the Earth, who will elevate the souls in the Kali era? Oh! Kamalalochana, the Kali era has already begun, the people will find it difficult to undertake Nirgunopasana.”  Oh! Shaunakadhis, The compassionate Lord thought of his devotees in the Kali era, for a moment engaged in meditation and spoke “ Oh! Udhdhava, do not get anxious, I have found a brilliant idea to elevate the souls of my devotees in the Kali era.” Thus, the supreme Lord Krishna infused all his brilliance in the ocean like sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran.  Oh! Shaunakadhis, the Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is ‘Vangmayimurthi’ of supreme Lord Krishna, therefore the worship and recitation of it would remove all the sins of the worshiper. It would remove the grief/Dhukha, Dharidhrya/sufferings of poverty,  Dhaurbhagya/ill-fortune, and Papa/sins of the worshiper, and it eradicate the  interest in worldly matters, lust, desires and anger as well.”

Swakeeyam Yadh Bhavethejasthashcha Bhagavatheadhadhath| Thirodhaya Pravishto Ayam Srimad Bhagavatharnnavam ||Theneyam Vagmayi Moorthi: Prathyaksha Varththathe Hare: | Sevana Shravanath Pada Dharshanath Papanashini ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 10– The legend of Lord Krishna -  10 – Mahathmayi – Gnana Yagna

Bhakthi: Suthau Thau Tharuni Griheethva Premaikaroopa  Shasa Aviraseeth | Sreekrishna Govinda Hare Murare Nathethi Namani Muhurvadhanthi ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, while the Sanath Kumaras explaining the splendor of the recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran to Maharishi Narada, an extraordinary incident took place.  They have seen, the arrival of Devi Bhakti, a young beautiful woman dancing and singing in praise of Lord Govinda, with her youthful children Gnana and Vairagya. She and her children prostrated before Sanakadhis and Maharishi Narada and enquired where should be seated. Sanathkumaras replied “ Oh! Devi, who is inseparable from Govinda, symbolizes love and affectionate as a mother, removes the afflictions of worldly existence, kindly be seated in the hearts of devotees of supreme Lord Hari.”

Bhaktheshu Govindasaroopakarthri Premaikadhathri Bhavarogahanthri | Sa Thvam Cha Thishtasva Sudhairyasamshraya  Nirantharam Vaishnava Manasani || Sakala Bhuvanamadhye  Nirdhanasteapi Dhanya:  Nivasi Hridhi Yesham Sriharer Bhakthireka | Harirapi Nijalokam Sarvadhatho Vihaya Pravishathi Hridhi Thesham Bhakthisuthropanadha: ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, supreme Lord who is adorned in Vanamala, Srivathsa and Kausthubha has the complexion of dark clouds and most charming appearance, attired in magnificent yellow silk garment, adorned in various precious ornaments all over the body, marvelous earrings, armlets, and crown, he has beautiful three curves on the body that excel the beauty of crores of Manmatha, adorned in sandalwood paste on the forehead, that supreme Lord Muralidhara, who symbolizes supreme bliss, infused his brilliance in the glorious scripture Bhagavath Mahapuran, to remove the impurities of his devotees.  Further, Sanathkumaras replied to the qualms of Maharishi Narda, regarding the prerequisite listening to the glorious Bhagavath Mahapuran.  Sanathkumaras speaks “Oh! Maharishi, people who are committed various sins, immoral deeds, angry, jealous, selfish, and wicked get benefits out of the Sapthaha Yagna of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran.  People who do not follow righteousness, truth, troubled their parents all life and exploited them, immense lust and desire, no control over sense, people who do not follow Ashrama Dharma, dull, competitive nature, proud and arrogant.  People who committed five grave sins, consumption of intoxicating drink, illicit relationship, burglary, mistreat the wife of the preceptor, people who perform sins by words, mind, and action.  Oh! Maharishi, this sacred scripture is capable to remove all the sins and purifies the intellect of the listener.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 8 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  8 – Mahathmayi – Gnana Yagna

Aho Narada Dhanyoasi Virakthanam Shiromani: | Sadha Srikrishna Dasanam Agraniryoga Bhasakara: ||

Maharishi Narada met illustrious Rishis and Sages on his way and narrated the incidents, they expressed their qualm hearing the pathetic state of Gnana and Vairagya, even after reciting the Vedic hymns and superior chants, some of the Rishis did not listen to him, some of them ran off from his sight, everyone had the opinion that it is impossible to revive the children from latter years of age.  Maharishi Narada felt deeply disappointed, he walked through the woods of Badri and met Sanakadhis.  Maharishi Narada prostrated before them, was enquired “Oh! Maharishe, what happened to you? What did cause gloominess to you?” Maharishi Narada explained all that happened to Devi Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya, and his efforts to revive her children were failed miserably. Sanakadhis speaks “Oh! Bhakthanam Agrani, you an ardent devotee of Lord, there is nothing unknown to you, even though there are numerous types of Yagna like Dravya Yagna, Thapo Yagna, Yoga Yagna, etc. the Gnana Yagna only could revive the children of Devi Bhakti into their youths.  Oh! illustrious one, conduct a Sapthaha Yagna of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran recital which was earlier recited by Shukha Bhramam to King Pareekshith.  Once again, you will see the Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagyam  back on their feet enthusiastically.” 

Thus, a  grand  GnanaYgana was organized on the river banks of sacred Ganga in Haridwar, soon all those illustrious Rishis and Sages assembled on the sight, Sage Bhrigu, Chyavana, Vashishta, Gauthama, Parashurama, Devaratha, Mrikandu Puthra, Dhaththathreya, Pippaladha, Yogeshwara, Parashara, Vyasa, Shuka, several Sages and disciples, and women.

Yasya Shravanamathrena  Mukthi: Karathale Sthitha || Sadha Sevya Sadha Sevya Srimadh Bhagavathi Katha | Yasya:  Shravana Mathrena  Harishchiththam Samashrayeth ||

Sanathkumara speaks” Oh Mahamune, Srimad Bhagavath Katha is the essence of Veda and Upanishad, it has 18000 verses, and twelve cantos in it, is a conversation between King Pareekshith and Shukha Bhramam.    Therefore, it is not necessary to learn all the scriptures, always be enthusiastic to learn and understand the viewpoint of all the scriptures which serve the same purpose, to inspire the listener to contemplate upon the supreme soul who resides as the soul in living beings.   Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is an ocean of wisdom,  removes the Shoka/depression and Dhukha/grief of the worshiper, it should be recited always to attain firm devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Hari and Mukthi from repeated births. This glorious scripture was composed to reinstate the glories of Bhakthi, Gnana, and Vairagya,”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 7 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  7 – Mahathmayi

Aham Bhakthirithikhyatha Imau Mey Thanayau Mathau| Gnana Vairagya Namanau Kalayogena Jarjarau||

Maharishi Narada spoke “ Oh! Devi, who are you? Who are these two children? What is the cause of your grief?”

The young woman began to speak “ Oh! Mahamune, I am Bhakti, the fortunate one, my children Gnana and Vairagya are unconscious, and they have reached the latter years of life due to the influence of ‘Time’.  I am surrounded by the sacred Ganga, female deities and others.  Oh! Mune, I have born in Dhravidadhesham, I have prospered in Karnataka and Maharashtra, I have lost charm in Gujarath, I have moved with my children to Vrindavan, I have gained my youth immediately, but my children could not retain their youths. I can’t understand, how did it happen to me?  I am fortunate to meet you and thereby elevate the soul of mine and my children, kindly remove our grief.”

Maharishi Narada speaks “ Oh! Devi, the Kali era has arrived, there will be loss of righteousness all over the Earth, and the people will not learn the Shastras properly, blindly follow their customs without the knowledge of it. Oh! Devi, do not get anxious, we will collectively make every efforts to revive your children.”

Devi Bhakti repeatedly prostrated before Maharishi Narada and speaks “Oh! Mahamune who is the son of Lord Bhrama, I am fortunate to meet the illustrious Rishi who elevated the soul of the infant/Prahladha, while in mother’s womb, and raised the soul of five year-old Druva to attain the status of the pole star, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you.”

Maharishi Narada meditated for a while to find a way to revive the children of Devi Bhakti. He recited Vedic chants, Vedantha on the ears of the children, Alas! it did not work. He recited Bhagavath Gita, the children were half opened their eyes, yawned and closed their eyes.  Maharishi Narada was disappointed, contemplated upon supreme Lord, he could hear a Vyomavani/divine voice instructing him not to get unhappy, and advised to perform a superior deed/Sathkarma.  Maharishi Narada pacified Devi Bhakti and went in search of saintly men to get further advice on the divine voice.

Jayathi Jayathi Mayam Kasya  Kayadhavasthe  Vachanarachanamekam Kevalam Chakalayya| Dhruvapadhamapi Yatho Yathkripatho Dhruvoyam Sakala Kushalapathram Bhramaputhram Nathasami||