|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 61 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Vathsa, the Universe and its living beings are expanded from the supreme Purusha, who is eternal and changeless.  The Supreme Lord resides as a soul in living beings, and he is the source of Gnana and Karma Indhriyas, mind, intellect, and Ahamkara.  He is an all-pervasive and eternal truth.”

Lord Bhrama continues “ I shall narrate various glorious legends of the supreme Lord Vishnu who has assumed the form of wild boar/Varaha, who elevated the Mother earth from the bottom of the ocean. Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Yajjapurusha who was born to Akoothi and Rishi Ruchi. Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Kapila Vasudeva, son of Sage Kardhama Prajapathi and Devi  Devahoothi. Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Dhaththathreya who was born to Sage Atri and Devi Anasooya. Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as the illustrious Sanaka, Sananthan, Sanathkumara, and Sanathana.  Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Nara and Narayana who are supreme ascetics were put into test by the celestial Apsaras and Gandharva.  Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Dhruva who is the son of Uththanapadha and Devi Sunithi, undertook penance at the age of five and attained the blessings of supreme Lord.  Lord Vishnu’s incarnation of Rishabha Deva, Lord Vishnu’s manifestation as Hayasheersha and Mathsya to protect the Veda, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Kacchapa/Kurma/giant tortoise to hold the Mount Mandhara on its upper back, in this way the churning of the ocean for the nectar of immortality made possible.  I shall describe Lord Vishnu’s glorious incarnation as half lion and half man/Nrisimha, dreadful appearance as a lion that has a huge mustache, mane, curved eyebrows, and protruding sharp teeth and nails protected his ardent devotee Prahlada.  He is Adipurusha, he is Lokanatha, and listening to his glorious myths would bring all the auspiciousness.  Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Dwarf/Vamana son of Sage Kardhama Prajapathi and Adhithi who crushed the pride of Emperor Bali and measured the whole Universe in three strides, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Narada to spread Bhakti in the three worlds, Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Buddha to spread compassion and oneness in all, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Dhanvathari who is the Lord of Ayurveda who appeared with the vessel of the nectar of immortality while churning the milky ocean.  Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Maharishi Vedavyasa who is the son of Devi Sathyavathi and Maharishi Parashara.   The upcoming incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Kalki to remove the evil effects of the Kali era, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Bhargava Rama who destroyed wicked Kshatriyas on the Earth, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Raghuram in the illustrious clan of Ikshvaku, lived in the woods with his wife and brother, killed numerous dreadful demons and Dhashakandhara.  The Supreme Lord Vishnu who liberated the alligator and the elephant that cried for help. The Supreme Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna in the Yadhu clan and performed various pastimes in the Vraja.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 60 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Devadeva Namastheasthu Bhoothabhavana Poorvaja| Thadhvijaneehi Yajjanam Athma Thaththva Nidharshanam ||

Maharishi Narada enquired about the creation to Lord Bhrama whose four faces represents Antahkarana/Manas, mind/chiththam, intellect/Buddhi, and Ahamkara, “Oh! Poorvaja, you have a thorough knowledge of all the philosophies, what is the source of these Prapancham/five essential elements? Who is the creator of it? Where did it exist? Where did it go at the time of deluge/Laya? You are the knower of Prapancha/Prakrithi, therefore you have a thorough knowledge of its origin and Laya, kindly narrate all those to me. I think it is like a spider/Urnanabhi, the supreme Lord creates the Universe and its living beings, and absorbs it whenever he wants, like a spider that absorbs its web.”

Thasmai Namo Bhagavathe  Vasudhevaya Dheemahi | Yan Mayaya Dhurjayaya Mam Bruvanthi Jagathgurum ||Narayana Para Veda Narayanangaja: | Narayana Para Loka  Narayana Para Makha: ||Deva Narayanaparo Yogo Narayanaparam Thapa: |Narayana Param Gnanam Narayana Para Gathi: ||

Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh! Vathsa, I shall describe all those queries you have raised, I shall narrate the creation which was taken place with the grace of the Supreme Lord, I am not the creator, and you have not understood the force behind my creation. I shall prostrate before the supreme Lord Vasudeva who resides as a soul in all the living beings, he is Jagathguru who creates the Universe and its living beings with his ‘Maya’.  Oh! Bhagavan, it is difficult to understand the function of your creation, especially for the ignorant swollen with self-importance.  The Iccha/Gnana/Kriyashakthi of supreme Lord, with the influence of Dhravyam, Kalam, Karma, Swabhava, Beeja and results in the creation of Jeeva, I have explained the process of creation in order,  happens in the presence of Lord Vasudeva who resides as soul, therefore all that originated from him, and this is how the process of creation takes place. I shall prostrate before the supreme Lord Narayana who is the essence of Veda, and all the deities, Lord Narayana represents the Universe and its living beings and fire sacrifices as well, Lord Narayana symbolizes Yoga, Thapa, Gnana, and Paramamgathi as well.  Therefore the supreme Lord Narayana/Nara+Ayanam/ who resides as a soul in us is the creator as well as the ultimate asylum of the Jeeva.   The Jeeva originated from those five essential elements such as Sky/space, Air/Vayu, Fire/Agni, water/Jalam, and Earth/Prithvi in order; therefore it has to return to the origin after leaving its mortal coil.  The two sets of sense organs, known as Gnanindhriyas and Karmendhriya.  The  Gnana Indhriyas are /Shabdha/sound, Sparsha/touch, Roopa/form, rasa/taste, Gandha/smell, Manas, buddhi, Chiththam, Ahamkara, Prana and Karma Indriyas/ear, skin, eyes, tongue, nose, and five Indriyas to react known as hands, legs, throat, productive organ and anus.  Therefore, the Upanishadhas addressed the supreme Purusha Narayana as the source of the functioning of all those Gnana and Karmendhriyas.  The Prakrithi promotes the lives on the Earth/ Jeeva providing various nutrients/Bhoga, to attain union with the supreme Bhramam with the practice of ‘Yoga’.”

The supreme Lord Adi Narayana depicts as reclines on the bed of thousand hooded serpent Anantha in the milky ocean, and Lord Bhrama born from the lotus of the Adinarayana.   The serpent Anantha symbolizes Fire, the milky ocean represents water, Narayana/Naram+ayanam symbolizes wisdom, lotus stalk represents ‘Prana’, the lotus flower represents Manas, lotus born Bhrama with four faces represents  Manas, Buddhi, Chiththam, and Ahamkara. This is the prime factor for the ‘creation’, the collective form of Agni, Water, wisdom, Prana, Manas, buddhi, intellect, Chiththam, and Ahamkara is ‘Jeeva’. The Agni, Vayu, and water are the most essential element required for the creation and existence of Jeeva.  The Agni is the source of forms/appearances and sounds. Prakrithi is the whole of positive and negative energy, good and bad, sorrow and happiness, joy and grief, day and night, good health and ailments, etc.  Space/Sky creates Air, the constant frictions in the air causes Agni, and the excess of heat produces Water and causes to settle on the Earth/Prithvi.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 59 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Nama: Parasmai Purushaya  Bhooyase  Sadhudh Bhava Sthana Nirodhaleelaya| Griheetha Shathi Thrithayaya Dhehinamanthar Bhavayanupalakshya Varthmane ||Yath Keerthanam Smaranam Yathveekshanam Yath Vandhanam Ya Shravanam Yadharhanam | Lokasya Sadhyo Vidhunothi Kalmasham Thasmai Subhadhra Shravase Namo Nama: ||

Shukha Bhramam appreciates the questions raised by King Pareekshith and engages in the contemplation upon supreme Lord “Oh! Supreme Purusha, who is the cause for creation, preservation, and destruction, performing all those functions as pastimes, resides as a soul in living beings, and invisible, I shall prostrate before you. Oh! Bhagavan, you are the cause for the elevation of virtuous soul, who has a thorough knowledge of the presence of the supreme soul and takes immense pleasure in contemplation upon the supreme Lord.  Oh! Bhagavan, you remain far from the ignorant, who are taking immense pleasure in worldly matters and bondage. I shall prostrate that supreme Lord whose glorious myths remove the grief and miseries of worldly existence, the practice of remembrance, meditation, and worship would remove the impurities of the mind, and provides all the auspiciousness. Oh! Bhagavan, the intellectuals envision and contemplates upon your lotus feet in their hearts, they take pleasure in the union with the supreme soul, keep themselves away from the material world, eventually attain the serenity of the mind, I shall prostrate before that supreme Lord.  Oh! Bhagavan, Thaspavi/ascetics who undertake supreme austerities, Dhanapara/who finds pleasure in giving away charities, practice the contemplation upon you. An ignorant do not realize the presence of supreme Lord and engages in chasing material and sensual pleasures, I shall prostrate before that supreme Lord who resides in the heart of intellectuals as well as in the ignorant. I shall prostrate before that supreme Lord who resides as the soul in living beings, meditated and worshiped by the tribal people/Kiratha and Yavana, and gets purified their souls. Oh! Bhagavan, Lord Bhrama and Lord Shankara contemplate upon the supreme Lord and engage in extreme austerities and penance, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly shower your compassionate grace on us.  Oh! Bhagavan, who is Shriyapathi/dearest consort of Goddess Sri, Yajjapathi who is the Lord of sacrifices, Prajapathi who is the Lord of Praja/Jeeva, Lokapathi who is the protector of Universe,  Dharapathi who is the Lord of Goddess Dhara/Earth, Ganadhipa and Vrishnipathi, symbolizes Sathvik nature, kindly shower your compassionate grace on us. Oh! Mukunda, the intellectuals and supreme ascetics takes pleasure envisioning the lotus feet of Supreme Lord in their hearts, realizes your all-pervasive nature and oneness-in-all, and describes your splendor. Oh! Mukunda kindly showers your compassionate grace on us.  Oh! Bhagavan who represents the five essential elements, creates Universe and its living beings and resides as soul in it, is the source of functioning of Karma and Gnana indriyas/Shabdha, Sparsha, Roop,Rasa and Gandh. Oh! Purusha, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, kindly take your presence in my words. Oh! Rajan, I am able to answer all your queries with the presence of that supreme Lord in me, I shall elaborate the incidents took place long ago, that was narrated by Maharishi Narada.”

Namasthasmai Bhagavathe  Vasudevaya Vedhase | Papurgnanamayam Saumya  Yanmukhamburuhasavam ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 58 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Shaunakadhis speak “Oh! Sutha, King Pareekshith was extremely fortunate to hear Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran from Shukha Bhramam. The humans are not conscious of their life span which has no credibility, can leave any moment, Alas! An ignorant live like an animal on the Earth, take immense pleasure on the material welfare and bondage, never realizes the presence of soul in them, while leaving the mortal coil they give up life in extreme guilt and agony, realizes the ultimate truth that they have not brought anything while taking birth and can’t carry anything while leaving the Earth.  Whoever does not recite or listen to this glorious Bhagavatham would remain undomesticated animals/dogs, donkeys/ and continue living on the Earth without knowing the potentialities of the mind and intellect that has the capabilities not only wedge on the material well-being, has the abilities to spiritually elevate the souls.  It can adopt Pravriththi Marga/material desires, as well as Nivriththi Marga/spiritual achievement/sense of abandonment, like a tortoise.  Whoever does not aware of the knowledge of the immense potentials of the mind and intellect are like the donkey carrying saffron without knowing its sweet fragrances, whoever does not aware of the knowledge of the supreme soul is mere corpse walking on the Earth.  Oh! Sutha, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to that glorious Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran from you. Oh! Sutha, kindly narrate those glorious legends that were narrated by Shukha Bhramam to King Pareekshith.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, I am equally fortunate as you, I am having the opportunity to narrate those glorious myths to noble souls like you. Oh! Shaunakadhis, I shall narrate the qualms raised by King Pareekshith and that were answered by Shukha Bhramam.  King Pareekshith got relieved from the material world and bondage, raised the question about the ‘Creation’.”

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Bhramin, kindly narrate how did the Supreme Lord create the Universe and its living beings? Everyone says the supreme Lord created all those with the ‘Athmamaya’ why did the creation take place? How did the creation take place? How did the Prakrithi come into existence? It is very challenging to understand, he is creating it and destroying the same, how did he do that? Therefore kindly describe the Adhbhutha Karma of Lord Hari, so that I can elevate my soul.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 57 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Thasmath  Sarvathmana Rajan Hari: Sarvathra Sarvadha | Shrothavya: Keerthithavyashcha  Smarthavyo Bhagavan Nrinam ||

Shukha Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord Kootastha who resides as is eternal and changeless, therefore contemplate upon that supreme Lord with intense love and faith.  The supreme Lord Hari is omnipresent, resides as a soul in living beings, he is the source of the functioning of the Gnana and Karmaindhriyas.  Oh! Rajan, therefore always remember the presence of supreme Lord Hari as a soul in you, with the practice of Shravanam/listen, Keerthanam/sing in praise of him, and Smaranam/contemplation.  Oh! Rajan, take immense pleasure in the nectar-like Bhagavatham, drink this nectar with your ears, in this way,  you can elevate your soul and attain union with the Supreme Lord Hari.”

Akama: Sarvakamo Va Mokshakama  Udharadhi: | Theevrena Bhakthiyogena Yajetha  Purusham Param||

Shukha Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, there are various Upasanamoorthi available to enhance the devotion in Jeeva, Lord Bhrama is worshiped for wisdom and knowledge, worship of Lord Indra brings all the pleasures to senses, worship of Prajapathi provides offsprings, worship of Goddess Devi would provide wealth and opulence, worship of Vibhavasu/Surya for effulgence, worship of Rudra provides courage, worship of Ashwini Devatas provide long life, worship of Goddess Earth provides nourishment, worship of Gandharva provides an attractive appearance, worship of Urvashi would provide a beautiful woman as a wedded wife.  Oh! Rajan, whoever yearn for Moksha/liberation from the cycles of birth and death, get rid of miseries and sorrows of worldly existence, achieve serenity of mind and handle any adverse situations in life with a serene mind,  hence conduct the rigorous practice of Bhakti Yoga and attain the supreme Purusha who resides as a soul in living beings, eventually get liberated from the miseries of repeated births.  Oh! Rajan, keep yourself in the association of ascetics and saintly men, sing in praise of the supreme Lord, listen to his endless glorious myths and Bhagavath Katha, in this way, you can elevate your soul and attain Shreyas, you can keep yourself free from the sorrows, miseries, and grief of worldly existence.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 56 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Yavan Na Jayathe  Paravaresmin Vishweshware Dhrishtari Bhakthiyoga: | Thavath Sthaveeya: Purushasya Rooam Kriyavasane  Prayatha:  Smaretha||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, continue the practice of meditation and contemplation upon the Sthoolshareera of the supreme Lord who is Vishweshwara, all-pervasive, beyond body and soul, until you are not successful in it,  gradually, you will attain a balanced state of mind through the practice of Bhakti yoga, further perform all the tasks remembering the supreme Lord.  Oh! Rajan, the practice of Jithasana/comfortably seated in a place and Jithashwasa/controlled breathing, fix your mind and intellect upon the supreme Lord to achieve the serenity of the mind, it would remove the impurities of the mind, and attain union with the supreme soul which elevates in a state of bliss, ultimately it would remove the sorrows and miseries of worldly existence.  Oh! Rajan, an individual who achieved the supreme state of bliss would remain untouched by ‘Time’, or the evil effects caused by the planets, or deities, remain free/unhurt from the three virtues of Rajasik, Sathvik, and Thamasik nature.  Oh! Rajan, it is known as Param Padham/Vaishnava Padham/Vaikundham/free from afflictions, which is beyond description/Nethi Nethi = Na Ithi.  Oh! Rajan, this is the supreme state of spirituality, which removes the afflictions of worldly existence, in this way, Jeeva attains liberation while leaving the mortal coil.”

Shukha Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, whoever attains the serenity of mind would face challenges in their lives with a calm mind engage in the practice of meditation, recitation of sacred names of supreme Lord, while leaving the mortal coil, the mind and intellect originated from the supreme soul get infused to the air/Pranavayu with its unfulfilled desires and lust, it travels to any one of the abodes of fourteen worlds, thus the Jeeva keeps wanders in the fourteen worlds according to their accumulated desires.  Oh! Rajan, I shall describe the easiest way to attain union with the supreme soul Lord Vasudeva, with the practice of Bhakti yoga.  Lord Bhrama conducted search in three worlds and three Vedas found the easiest method of the practice of Bhakti yoga to achieve union with the supreme soul who is Kootastha/ resides as a soul in living beings.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 55 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Kechith Swadhehanthar Hridhayavakashe  Pradheshamathram Purusham Vasantham | Chathurbhujam Kanjja Radhangashankhagadhadharam  Dharanaya Smaranthi || Prasannavakthram Nalinayathekshanam Kadamba Kinchilka Pishangavasasam | Lasan Maharathna Hiranmayangadham Spuran Maharathna Kireeta Kundalam ||

Shuka Bharamam speaks “Oh! Rajan, I have described the Sthoolaroopa/Virat Roopa of the supreme Lord to contemplate, which could bring union of mind and intellect to the supreme soul is considered as its origin.  Hence, the union of the soul to the supreme soul with the constant practice of meditation brings the state of Jeevamuktha/where there are no grief or pain, happiness or sorrow, eventually the soul will attain Bhramanirvana/union with the supreme Bhramam, which removes the Jeeva from the cycles of birth and death, like the river flows until and unless it merges with the ocean.  Oh! Rajan, I have described the ultimate object of meditation to you.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks, “ Oh! Rajan, Lord Bhrama attained the knowledge of creation and immersed in the creation of living beings.  Thus the Jeevas came into existence and engaged in various Karmas/deeds, they have started performing deeds to fulfill one’s own desires to make their lives promising and comfortable, ultimately the Jeevas got fastened with the various material desires and bondage find it difficult to attain serenity of mind.  An intellectual will not give importance to material matter or affairs or bondage, with the constant meditation and contemplation attains the serenity of the mind and approaches all the life events with a serene mind, eventually elevate their souls, they consider  a simple bed as super most comfort in the presence of a plain floor, the pillow is not a requirement at all, when they are capable to freely move their hands under the head.  In this way, an intellectual accommodate themselves into any odd situations in their lives with a serene mind.  Oh! Rajan, we have leaves and bark of wood to wear, we have pathways to walk, nature is the rich source of food and fiber roots, there are caves to take rest, and therefore whoever finds immense pleasure in meager comforts would achieve the union with the Lord effortlessly.  Oh! Rajan, keep your intellect and mind in the thoughts of supreme Lord Anantha who has neither beginning nor end resides as a soul in you and experiences his eternal presence in you and contemplate upon that marvelous form of supreme Lord, whenever your mind and intellect gets disturbed of worldly matters and bondage.  Oh! Rajan, if you find it difficult to concentrate on the subtle form of the supreme soul, you can envision the supreme Purusha who resides as a soul in all the living beings, and his marvelous appearance with four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and Padma, has a pleasing smile, eyes resemble lotus flower petals, attired in magnificent yellow silk garment, adorned in exquisite ornaments all over the body, gem decorated Kireeta, Kangana, Kundala, Angadha that spreads intense luster, adorned in Vanamala, Kausthubham, Srivathsam and Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi on his chest, decorated with marvelous anklets, waist ornaments, dark and beautiful curly hair locks adorned in the magnificent crown, beautiful eyebrows, forehead adorned in sandalwood paste and vermilion. In this way, you can practice meditation, fixing your glance from the feet to that magnificent crown of the supreme Lord Hari.”