|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 53 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Jithasano Jithashvaso Jithasangho Jithendhriya: | Sthoole Bhagavatho Roope Mana: Sandharayedhdhiya||

Shukha Bhramam speaks “Oh! Nripa, you have raised a brilliant question which is highly promising  for ‘ Jeeva’ and welfare of the Universe, it would help the soul to elevate from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence forever.  Oh! Rajendra, you have raised marvelous questions that will wake up the Jeeva that never spared time to realize the presence of the supreme soul in it, and completely engages in the worldly matters and bondage, spend solid time in sleeping in the night, and a good time with the children and wife, Alas! spends a little time performing daily rites that too for fulfilling one's own desires.  It causes the Jeevas to undergo constant miseries and sorrows of worldly existence, eventually dies without the knowledge of Athma Thaththva/knowledge of ‘self'.  Oh! Rajan, reading and reciting the glorious scriptures praising the splendor of Lord Hari, contemplating upon the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, is the ultimate shelter for Jeeva, hence elevates your soul to that supreme Lord and get rid of your fear and anxieties.”

Shukha Bhramam continues “Oh! Rajan, I shall describe the Sankhya Yoga which describes the knowledge of ‘self’ along with the practice of Swadharma, you will get rid of all the fears; finally, you will attain that constant remembrance of supreme Lord Narayana/supreme soul. I have taught the glorious Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran which is the essence of Veda and Vedanta, from my father Maharishi Dhwaipayana.   It is one of the glorious scripture that was learned by Lord Bhrama, holds supremacy among all the scriptures. It was the illustrious Rishis and Sages found after a thorough search with the practice meditation and recitation of the glories of supreme Lord Hari, Jeeva could get rid of extreme fear and anxieties of worldly existence.  Oh! Rajan, do not be anxious, you will attain serenity of the mind in seven days, you might have heard of the legend of King Khatvanga who elevated his soul in a few seconds.”

Once, there was a King Khatvanga from the clan of Raghu, highly skilled in war fields, Lord Indra was highly pleased with the skills of King Khatvanga instructed him to participate in the war between deities and demons.  He sleeplessly fought against the demons and conquered them.  Lord Indra advised King Khatvanga to live in his abode and get rid of physical and mental exhaustion caused by the war, was refused by the latter, and in return enquired Lord Indra to predict his life span on the Earth.  Lord Indra hesitated to reveal, but King Khatvanga was firm in his decision to know his lifetime, Lord Indra revealed he has two Muhurtha/ to live on Earth.  King Khatvanga immediately left the abode Indra, returned to his Kingdom, all the wealth, richness and Kingdom was equally distributed to his sons, went to the sacred river bank Ganga and undertook intense meditation, ultimately attained union with the supreme Bramham.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 52 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Mahatma, I am fortunate one, I have obtained the grace of Lord while in mother’s womb, and I had the grace of Lord Vishnu to take birth in an illustrious clan, as the grandson of the great archer Arjuna who is dearest companion of supreme Lord Krishna. Today my entire clan got sanctified with the association of Mahayogis.  Oh! Paramaguro, Oh! Mahayogi, kindly remove my qualms, and kindly describe which is the superior responsibility of a Jeeva, who is constantly moving towards death? How did I get relieved from the fear of death? How did I confront my death without any trepidation? What should I recite, or what are the austerities that should be followed, or what are the duties to be performed? Or contemplate upon or meditate?”

The great emperor Pareekshith did not approach the palace physicians to get  on advise to get cured of serpent bite, was aware that the body has to undergo constant transformation and ruin, he was not anxious about the death, all the  Jeevas are bound by ruin and death, he was curious to know how to face death without fear.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the Scripture speaks about the management of thoughts and the ways to get rid of redundant thoughts that cause mental and physical exhaustion. The sense of fear and anxieties have become inseparable from mind and intellect causes various ailments, hence the Rishis and Sages conducted a rigorous search of the origin of mind and intellect and the related fleeting thoughts and introduced various methods of meditation to get rid of redundant thoughts which cause extreme anxieties.  The constant meditation and contemplation upon supreme Lord, who is beyond ‘Maya’, would help to attain serenity and a well-balanced state of the mind to handle any adverse situations in life, with the remembrance of the law of Karma that follows the Jeeva continuously.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 51 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Mahatma, I am a fortunate one, I am extremely delighted to be in the association of you all. I have seven days to meet my death by serpent bite Thakshaka.  I have to contemplate upon the supreme Lord, live in his constant remembrance; I have to be able to face my death without any trepidations.  Oh! Noble souls, if I am failed to elevate my soul with the constant contemplation, I have only one desire, if I was born again I should live in the constant remembrance of Lord, and the association of saintly people like you.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before you.”  Thus, all the Rishis and Sages assembled were recited glorious names of Lord, the entire atmosphere of the sacred river Ganga echoed in the recitation of Vedic chants.

King Pareekshith enquired the sages assembled “Oh! Mahatma, I am waiting for my death as predicted by the Vipra, I am not able to concentrate my mind and intellect on the recitation, and it is already crammed with the thoughts and fear of death on the seventh day.  Therefore, how did I get rid of the thoughts about the fear of death and contemplate the supreme Lord? How did I face death with no fear? How did I continue meditation without any disturbances?”

Soon, there arrived Maharishi Shukha Bhramam who is the son of Maharishi Vedavyasa. An Avadhootha, who is an absolute Bhramam, not conscious about the Prakrithi or body, always in a state of supreme bliss, the union of the soul with the Supreme Lord attired in lion clothe was followed by several thousands of women and children singing in praise of the Supreme Lord.  Shukha Bramham has thin and long stature, hairs falling down the shoulder, a handsome youth in his teens, attractive long arms and legs, lustrous cheeks and face, he has conch shaped neck and a pleasing smile on his face.  All the sages and Rishis assembled were raised from their seats and greeted him with great reverence.  Vishnuratha/King Pareekshith approached Shukha Bhramam with folded hands and received him with great honor, offered a raised seat to him, and seated at his feet like a disciple.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 50 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Rishi Shameeka advised his son to meet King Pareekshith in his palace and inform about the curse. While returning to the palace King Pareekshith realized that he had committed a grave sin, disrespecting a saint while he was in deep meditation, he felt unworthy of his act.

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, previously King Pareekshith had a conversation with the Kali, requested the King to allow four places for his stay in this Kali era, was allowed to stay the place where the gambling takes place, where the people consume intoxicating drinks, women sell their flesh for money, animal slaughter homes, further he requested for a decent place to reside, was allowed to stay in the wealth and gold earned in illegitimate ways.  While returning to the palace King Pareekshith realized he had performed an arrogant deed which is not at all suitable for a king, he felt terribly ill of his act, understood that very soon he will receive the punishment for his sin.  He sincerely prayed to the supreme Lord to give him severe punishment for his sin, so that he won’t repeat it again in life.  Thus, King Pareekshith was all prepared to receive punishment for his sin. Shortly, the son of Rishi Shameeka arrived in the palace and informed the King about the curse and his death in seven days by the serpent bite Thakshaka.  Instantly, King Pareekshith got relieved from the extreme guilt of his arrogant deed to Rishi, received the punishment ordained in seven days with a serene mind, further decided to leave the kingly status and comforts, immediately called for an assembly of members, ascetics, and Sages, and detailed all that happened during the hunting expedition and the curse of Vipra. He sought their opinions, revealed his intention to spend the seven days in deep contemplation upon the supreme Lord, and no interest in carrying out the duties of the King. The saintly men and ascetics advised King Pareekshith to prepare for Prayopavesha/it is one of the ancient practices to leave home and families, conduct pilgrimage in the later years of age, and spend the remaining life in contemplation of supreme Lord. Thus King Pareekshith crowned his son Janamejaya as the Emperor of Hastinapura and left the Kingdom. ”

Sutha Pauranika continues “Oh! Shaunakadhi, King Pareekshith arrived on the riverbank of Ganga,/Haridwar to contemplate upon the lotus feet of Lord Mukund.  Soon all the Sages, Rishis, Saintly men assembled on the river bank with their disciple.  Sage Athri, Vashishta, Chyavana, Sharadhva, Arishtanemi, Bhrigu, Angira, Parashara, Gathiputhra Rama, Devala, Arshtishena, Bharadhvaja, Gauthama, Indhra, Pramadhema, Pippaladha, Maitreya, Urva, Kavasha, Kumbayoni Agasthya, Dhvaipayana, Narada, Devarishi, Bhramarishi, and Rajarshi were received reverentially by King Pareekshith.”

|| 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.