|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 49 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith - Viprashapopalambanam

Once King Pareekshith went for a hunting expedition, he entered in a dense wood while chasing a deer, he felt extremely thirsty, searched for stream or pond all around, did not find any.  Far away, he could see a beautiful hermitage, and a saint was sitting in front of the hermitage, he was under deep meditation. King Pareekshith felt peace and approached the saint with a request for water, and introduced himself as the son of Abhimanyu.  Alas! The saint did not hear any of the requests of the King, did even look at him, or uttered a single word in answer.  King Pareekshith felt humiliated, thought the Saint and Sages are freely engaging in meditation and other spiritual rites under the protection of a King, he should have the curtsey to receive the King and serve him, did not even show minimal respect, therefore he must be rude. In a moment, King Pareekshith lost his patience, looked around, and saw a corpse of a serpent emitting foul smell; he carried the corpse with the arrow and put it around the neck of the saint.  The act on sudden impulse and self-importance caused intense grief and agony in the later life of King Pareekshith.

King Pareekshith prepared to leave the hermitage, mounted on the top of the horse, saw a brilliant child of Rishi playing with his companions, was noticing the King.  He was extremely disappointed to watch The king who is believed to rule the Kingdom and take great care of his subject, and respect the twice-born, saints and ascetics acted like a dog that attacked its Master.  He decided not to forgive the King for his grave sin; he went to the pond nearby, took a handful of water, invoked deity in it, and cursed the King who humiliated the Rishi  Shameeka who was under deep meditation, to die of serpent bite of Thakshaka in seven days.  Thus King Pareekshith left the hermitage, son of Rishi rushed to his father and wept bitterly.  Rishi Shameeka who was in deep meditation got out and saw his son with tears overflowing, and the corpse of the snake next to him.  Rishi Shameeka enquired the reason for his grief, was answered all that happened.  Rishi felt extremely disappointed with his child’s response, spoke “Oh! Child, you have cursed a King who witnessed the supreme Lord Hari from the mother’s womb, a righteous ruler cannot be seen in the Kali era. You have given him a huge punishment for a silly mistake. He is a wise ruler, people are happy in his custodian and remain protected and satisfied, and you have committed a grave sin.  Soon, this Kingdom will lose a great King and will undergo a huge threat in his absence. You have punished an ardent devotee of Lord, and a great ruler, he approached me with intense thirst should have served with humility.  Oh! Child, I am praying to the supreme Lord to forgive you, I shall pray to Lord to forgive you for the mistake you have done to a righteous King. Oh! Child,  a true devotee should not react to any of the unpleasant situations in life, a true devotee never acts on a sudden impulse, should have patience, and react to the situation to avoid self-destruction. Oh! Child, a spiritual seeker never react to situations abruptly, you have wasted your austerities.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 48 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

The Rishis and Sages did not give importance to ‘I’ consciousness/body that undergoes constant transformation and ruin; they have undertaken several studies and found that the human mind and intellect is the prime factor for the well-being of an individual.  All those scriptures recommend the elevation of the soul from destructible Prakrithi to the indestructible Purusha with the various methods of meditation, recitation of scriptures and glorious legends in it.  The mother Earth is often compared to Go/cows, they both contribute abundance to its living beings, they receive minimal care in return offers superior products.  King Pareekshith who got cursed by Vipra arrived on the shores of Ganga, soon all the Sages and Rishis were assembled, Shukha Bhramam taught the highest of the knowledge of the supreme soul and elevated his soul from the fear of death in seven days.  During these seven days, King Pareekshith was not consumed even a single grain, he was not anxious about the state of his body.  Therefore, Srimad Bhagavath is the study of mind and intellect/thoughts, it has proved that the human body meets its ruin at any moment, but the mind and intellect has immense potential to bear up any of the adverse situations in life.

King Pareekshith took his sword and chased after the black complexioned man who was continuously beating the bull, soon he was fallen at the feet of the King and introduced himself as ‘Kali’, entered on the Earth the moment Lord Krishna journeyed back to his supreme abode.  Therefore he is destroying the three legs of the bull that represents Tapas, Shaucham, and Dhaya.  Sutha Pauranika described all those conversations that took place between King Pareekshith and Kali to Shaunakadhis.

Shaunakadhis speaks “ Oh! Mahabhaga, we are fortunate ones, it was the beginning of the Kali era we were searching for a preceptor like you, and we found you, hence we can elevate our soul from the pious and learned people like you.  Oh! Sutha, that day King Pareekshith left Kali without killing him, later he was caught in the hands of evil effects of Kali was elevated by the marvelous teachings of Shukha Bhramam.  We are fortunate to listen to that glorious legend of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran from you. Oh! Sutha, kindly narrate that marvelous legend of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran described by Shukha Bhramam to King Pareekshith.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, I shall consider it is my fortune to describe those glorious legends of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran to the illustrious Rishis and sages like you, it is the grace of supreme Lord that I have got the association of saintly people like you.  This glorious legend of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran provides the piousness that excels the dip on the sacred river Ganga.  This glorious scripture is ‘Swayam Hi Krishna’, holds the brilliance of supreme Lord Krishna, superior to the sacred river Ganga that descends from the Kamandalu of Lord Bhrama washing the feet of Lord Vishnu as Thrivikrama, further, it was kept locked in the matted hair locks of Lord Mahadeva.  I am highly fortunate to impart that knowledge of ‘Gnana Ganga’ to you. It is the absolute grace of  Lord that made me share the knowledge of the supreme soul resides as a soul in us, with this knowledge we can get rid of attachment to worldly matters and bondage, and raise our soul to the supreme state that was experienced by the supreme ascetics/Paramahamsa and King Pareekshith. I shall narrate that glorious legend that elevated the souls of Paramahamsa and King Pareekshith.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 47 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Devi Dharani speaks “Oh! Dharmarajan, whenever the virtues in people disappear, I feel extremely painful and unbearable as well.” King Pareekshith understood they are not mere bull and cow, they are deities assumed the form of cow and bull.  King Pareekshith earnestly requested the bull and cow who is responsible for their pathetic state, he introduced to them as the Emperor of Hastinapura.

Dharma speaks “Oh! Rajan, my three legs are brutally damaged, even I am not aware of who did this to me, some says it’s the evil effects of the movement of planets, some says it’s the results of my Karma, some says it’s the nature of Prakrithi, some says it's pre-destined.  Oh! Rajarshi, you are an eminent one, therefore make out who is responsible for my miserable state and the leg incompletely destroyed.”

Dharmam Bhraveeshi Dharmajja Dharmoasi Vrisharoopadhrik| Yadharmakritha: Sthanam Suchakasyapi Thadhbhaveth ||

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Dharmajja, you are speaking righteousness, you are not blaming anyone for the damages caused to you, and therefore I shall assume you symbolize Dharma. If anyone blames others for their own difficulties he is considered as the morally wrong person.  I have understood these four legs represent Thapa/austerities, Shaucham/cleanliness, Dhaya/kindness and Sathyam/truthfulness.”

Dharma represents Thapa/austerities, Shaucham/cleanliness, Dhaya/Kindness, and Sathyam/truthfulness.  ‘Sath’/Bhrama Sathya Jagath Mithya/ represents the supreme soul which is eternal, resides as soul in living beings is the sources functioning of the mind, intellect, Gnana and Karmaindiryas, therefore the realization of ‘self’ enhance the sense of oneness-in-all.  Shaucham/cleanliness or keeping away from impulsive reactions is one of the states of mind which has the capacity to wedge with material living and easily abandon them, like the dirt in the clothes removed with a wash and living a life of a tortoise. Dhaya/kindness is one of the virtues to help others in trouble and perform self-less service to others in need includes material and spiritual living.  Thapa is the art of achieving the serenity of the mind with constant practice of meditation, understanding happiness and sorrows are an inevitable part of life and approach the two states with a well-balanced mind.  Therefore, the illustrious Rishis and Sages recommended Gnana and Nama Ygana, as the easiest method to elevate the soul from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence in this Kali era.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 46 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

King Pareekshith who has the grace of supreme Lord Krishna while he was in mother’s womb, born in the righteous clan of Pandavas had a constant association with the saintly men and ascetics ruled the Kingdom wisely. He was married to Devi Iravathi, performed several Ashwamedha Yaga and sacrificial rites.  Once he undertook a journey through the Kingdom and happened to witness a unique incident.  He saw a bull and cow, and the bull had severely damaged three legs, standing on its one leg, also saw a dark-complexioned man adorned in crown beating the bull roughly. King Pareekshith could not withstand the merciless sight, who is that deceitful person in his Kingdom famous for righteousness, and how brave enough to commit a grave sin in his Kingdom.  King Pareekshith was extremely raged, rushed towards the bull and cow; they were talking to each other, and shedding tears of extreme pain. 

Dhrama/bull speaks to the cow “Oh! Bhadhre, why are you shedding tears? Are you crying after watching my pathetic state? Oh! Devi, are you shedding tears thinking of your relative or family? Or crying watching the miserable state of my leg? Or seeing inabilities of the Kings ruling the Kingdom to protect the animals? Or thinking about the women who are constantly mistreated and abused by their selfish husbands? Or are you crying thinking about the children who are not taken care of by their parents or abandoning their children immediately after birth? Are you crying over thinking about the future of twice-born who sells the knowledge for money? Oh! Mother, why are you crying? Are you feeling overburdened? Oh! Mother, you are emaciated, you are starving too long, you look so dull and unfortunate, what’s the cause for your misery?”

Sathyam  Shaucham  Dhaya Kshanthi Thyaga  Santhosha Arjavam| Shamo Dhama Sthapa: Samyam Thithkshoparathi: Shrutham || Gnanam Virakthi Aishwaryam Shauryam Thejo Balam Smrithi: | Swathanthryam Kaushalam Kanthir Dhairyam Mardhavamevacha || Pragalbhyam Prashraya: Sheelam Saha Ojo Balam Bhaga: | Gambheeryam Sthairamasthikam Keerthirmanoanahankrithi: ||

Devi Dharani speaks “ Oh! Dharmarajan, the Earth is facing the evil effects of Kali era, the people of Kali era lacking truthfulness/Sathyam, Shaucham/ cleanliness, Dhaya/kindness, Kshanthi/ endurance, Thyagam/self-sacrificing nature, Santhosham/happiness, Arjavam/sincerity and straightforwardness, Shama/appeasement, Dhama/control over senses, Thapa/austerities, Samyam/equality, sense of oneness-in all, Thithiksha/forbearance, Gnanam/wisdom, Virakthi/sense of abandonment, Aishwaryam/auspiciousness, Shauryam/might, Thejas/brilliance, Balam/physical strength, Smrithi/memory, Swathanthryam/freedom, Kaushalam/skill, Kanthi/attractiveness, Dhairyam/courage, Mardhav/compassion, Pragalbhya/self-confidence, Prashraya/courtesy, discipline/Sheelam, Saha/sense of togetherness, Ojas/vigor, Bhaga/dignity, Gambeeryam/profoundness, Sthairyam/stability, Asthikya/faith in the supreme Lord, Keerthi/fame,  and Ahamkara/delight.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 45 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Pandava Swargarohanam

Yudhishtira decided to leave for  Mahaprasthanam/ leaving the Kingdom and its people forever, practice meditation upon the Supreme Lord.  He crowned Pareekshith, son of Uththara as the Emperor of the Kingdom, Vajranabha, the son of Aniruddha has undertaken the ruling of the city of Mathura. Thus, Yudhishtira, Beema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva attired in a saffron robe, left the Kingdom of Hastinapura followed by Devi Draupadi.  They walked several miles in utter silence did not consume a meal or take shelter in any homes, meanwhile, they took shelter in the hermitages of Rishis and Sages, the pathways they have crossed on Earth were famously known as Chathurdham/Chardham.  They have conducted journey through Haridwar, Rishikesh, Yamunotri,  Uttara Kashi, Gangotri, and visited the hermitages of illustrious Rishis and Sages, like Parashara, visited Kedar, Badrinath, visited Maharishi Vedavyasa, further crossed the river Saraswathi, constantly contemplating upon the supreme Lord Narayana, they have crossed several miles.   Devi Dharaupadhi realized the body is not co-operating with her for the further journey, she did not expect or ask for the assistance of her five husbands, she took immense pleasure in the Supreme Lord Vasudeva who resides as a soul in her, and left her mortal coil.

Whoever reads or listens to the Pandava Mahaprasthanam and Swargarohanam, with intense devotion and faith, would attain firm devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Hari.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 44 – The legend of Lord Krishna - The preparation for Mahaprasthana of Pandavas

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, in this way Arjuna got relieved from extreme grief, he remembered that glorious Gita that was revealed by the Supreme Lord Krishna in the middle of the battlefield, once again he recollected all those nectar-like speeches of Krishna, the body has to undergo constant transformations and ruin, and the supreme soul resides as a soul has no birth or death.  He remembered the advice of Krishna about the practice of Bhakti Yoga/Anananya Bhakti, to realize the presence of the supreme soul as a soul to attain union with the Supreme Lord.  Immediately, Arjuna got relieved from the grief of separation from Krishna, there was no misapprehension left, elevated himself from the ‘I’ consciousness to supreme consciousness.”

Further, Arjuna revealed his intention to leave the palace of Hastinapura, and contemplate upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings; he was already sacrificed material comforts.  Yudhishtira supported  the idea of Arjuna and all of them decided to leave the Kingdom of Hastinapura.  Devi Kunthi heard all the conversation took place between Arjuna and others, came to know the departure of Lord Krishna and the destruction of Yadhu clan, decided she has no more responsibility or duties left to perform, she contemplated upon Lord Adhokshaja who resides as a soul in her and attained union with the supreme Bhramam, left her mortal coil.

The Supreme Lord Krishna, who has assumed the chief of Yadhu, destroyed the wicked rulers and reduced the burden of the Earth, finally left to his supreme abode, like the thorn removed with the thorn and finally, discard them both.  He has assumed several forms like giant fish, tortoise, wild boar, etc. performed his duties and responsibilities like an eminent actor, performed various amusements and freed the Mother Earth from the burden, ultimately abandoned the form he has assumed and proved that the body undergoes transformation and ruin and the supreme soul have neither birth nor death.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 43 – The legend of Lord Krishna

Bhagavanapi Govindo Bhramanyo Bhakthavathsala: | Kacchith Pure Sudharmayam Sukhamasthe Suhrithdhritha: || Mangalayam Cha Lokanam Kshemaya Cha Bhavaya Cha| As the  Yadhukulambhodhavadhyo Anantha Sakha: Puman ||

Yudhishtira lifted Arjuna from the ground, patted on his head affectionately, and enquired about the welfare of Vasudeva, Devi Devaki, Ugrasena, Balarama, Pradhyumna and Samba.  Thus, Yudhistira enquired about all those beloved members of the family Krishna, but Arjuna remains unanswered. Finally, Yudhishtira enquired “Oh! Arjuna, how is our dearest companion, Bhagavan Govinda who is prominent among Yadhu, supreme Bhramam, beloved of devotees, provider of auspiciousness, and source of the welfare of the Universe and its living beings. Oh! Arjuna, why are you quiet? Did you commit any sin? Did you refuse to protect anyone? Did you refuse to protect Bhramin, children, Go, elderly people, women, or patients who took shelter in you? ” Yudhishtira looked at Arjuna whose eyes were overflown with tears running down through the cheeks, could not speak a word.

Vanchithoaham Maharaja Harina  Bandhuroopina | Yena Meyapahritham Thejo Devavismapanam Mahath ||

Arjuna wept bitterly and spoke “ Oh! Maharaja, we have lost that supreme Lord Hari who was our relative and constant companion, I have lost my brilliance; I have lost Lord Hari who was my constant companion and all my brilliance.”

Arjuna recollects all those crucial incidents in their lives and the compassion of Lord Krishna, “Oh! Brother, do you remember that moment we were heaved to death in the wax house by Duryodhana, was protected by uncle Vidura, we have assumed the form of twice-born and visited the Kingdom of Panchala, participated in the challenge and won Devi Draupadi in marriage, the entire Kshatriyas were raised voice against us, it was Krishna who supported us, it was the compassion of the Supreme Lord Krishna I got Devi Draupadi as a wedded wife.  Oh! Brother, do you remember another incident, Krishna crushed the pride of Lord Indra and pleased Lord Agni setting fire in the forest of Gandeeva, later a magnificent palace was constructed in Indraprastha at the order of Krishna by the celestial architect Mayan. He was all through the establishment of the Kingdom of Indraprastha and Rajasuya Yagna and crowned you as the King of the glorious Indraprastha.  It was the extreme compassion of Lord Krishna we have achieved all the glories in our lives.  Oh! Brother, King Jarasandha who imprisoned thousands of kings and prepared to kill them, me and Bheema disguised as twice-born and went with Krishna to fight against him. It was the mercy of Krishna, Jarasandha got killed in the hands of Bheema, released all those kings.   Later, we have invited all those Kings for Rajasuya, and it was the kindness of that Supreme Lord Krishna. Oh! Brother, Devi Draupadi was pledged in the board game, consequently, the wicked Kauravas humiliated her in the crowded assembly, it was the kindness of Krishna Devi Draupadi saved from further humiliation. Oh! Brother, it was during the exile form Hasthinapura, while living in the woods, wicked Duryodhana sends Maharishi Durvassa and his thousands of his disciples to visit us and get cursed. We were helpless without a grain in the hermitage, Devi Draupadi called out for Krishna was appeared before us and took grain from the Akshayapathra that was received as the blessing of Lord Surya.  Krishna swallowed that leftover grain and eventually Maharishi Durvassa and his disciple felt relieved from hunger, while taking bath in the river, and returned to their hermitage.  Oh! Bhagavan, intellectuals worship you as a preceptor and elevate their soul to the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in them, I am ignorant, I have assumed the supreme Lord Krishna as my charioteer, and you have sincerely performed all the duties with extreme compassion, inspired me while I was grief-struck in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, encouraged me to battle against preceptors, and great warriors like Bheeshma Pithamaha and Karna. Oh! Bhagavan, you have performed various amusements and cheered us, I can’t forget that boundless love towards me, I cannot forget your various pastimes and addressing me in various names.  Oh! Bhagavan, we have been inseparable while sleeping, consuming the meal, walking, and performing various tasks, whenever I make the dull remark, you inspire me and encourage me. You have forgiven all those mistakes of mine and accepted me as your dearest companion.  I cannot control the grief of separation from you.  Oh! Bhagavan, you have killed all those enemies in the battlefield of Kurukshetra with a single glance of yours, and kept me an instrument to fight against them, and offered all those honors of victory to us.  We cannot forget that compassion of you.” In this way, Arjuna repeatedly remembering the compassion of the Supreme Lord Krishna, all his impurities were washed off and finally attained the serenity of the mind.