|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 11 – Bhishma Pithamaha attains union with the Supreme Lord

The great epic Mahabharath Anushasanika Parva describes the Dharma elaborately.  It narrates the Dharma of Varna and Ashrama and various Dharmic rites in 8000 verses. Pithamaha explained all those Dharma to the Pandavas and sages assembled, even after listening to those Yudhishtira was not satisfied, he was following the rites of his ancestors.  He was in a dilemma whether he should follow the rites in practices or should follow the one narrated by Pithamaha.  Therefore he requested Pithamaha to narrate the essence of all those eight thousand verses described.  Bhishma Pithamaha continued “ Oh! Yudhishtira, Bhramins who meticulously follow the Vedic and spiritual rites should be highly honored, provide them with necessary ingredients for the performance of religious as well as spiritual tasks, keep them comfortable, provide them accommodations, an abundance of contributions, charities,  and cows.” Yudhishtira replied “Oh! Pithamaha, we are performing all those Dharmic rites abundantly.  Kindly describe anything I should know.”  Bhishma Pithamaha replied “ I don’t know about any Dharma that is superior to the veneration of Brahmin.  The Kingdom where cows and Bhramins are worshiped will not face any natural calamities or famine or disasters.”

Draupadi was laughing while Bhishma Pithamaha was giving elaborate lectures on righteousness.  Pithamaha understood that Dhraupadi who is from a superior clan will not laugh without any reason, therefore enquired the reason for it.  Draupadi said, “ You have been giving lectures on Dharma for a while, where was your Dharma when I was humiliated in the large assembly of Kauravas by Duryodhana and Dhusshasana?” Bhishma Pithamaha said “ Oh! Daughter, I was eating the meal served in the house of Duryodhan, it polluted my intellect.  Now, all those impure blood has drained out from my body with the shot of arrow of Arjun, therefore I could speak of Dharma.  There is no Dharma superior to surrendering to the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Krishna and contemplate upon him, cultivation of pure love to supreme Lord is the superior Dharma.” 

Yudhishtira asked “ Oh! Pithamaha, kindly narrate which hymn is promising for all the living beings? Which should be recited for getting relieved from worldly bondage, miseries and sorrows of worldly existence and liberation from repeated births?” Bhishma Pithamaha described the glorious thousands and eight names of Lord Vishnu looking at Krishna.

Finally, the moment of Bhishma Pithamaha’s death has arrived as he was obtained ‘Sweccha Mrithyu’/death according to one’s own wish, he could leave mortal coil as he wished.  The auspicious moment has arrived, he said “Oh! Krishna, I have a young maiden like my intellect, which is never willing to accept anyone other than you, I wish to offer her for the service at your lotus feet, the death is exceedingly painful as two thousand scorpions bite on the fragile body, I want to transfix my intellect upon you, so that I will be saved from the hellish pain of transition.”  Thus Bhishma Pithamaha attained union with the supreme Bhramam.  The illustrious sages and Rishis assembled were offered salutation, the celestials showered flowers on Bhishma Pithamaha.  Krishna took leave to Dwaraka was accompanied by Arjun who stayed for a few months in Dwaraka and returned to Hastinapura.

|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 10 – The grief of Yudhishtira and Bhishmopadhesha

After sometime Yudhistira besieged with gloominess, thinking that his desire to the throne of Hastinapura brought the great battle Kurukshetra,  caused the death of his relatives, brothers, preceptors, innocents warriors and Bhishma Pithamaha, even though it was none of his mistakes.  Yudhishtira is a great soul, the personification of righteousness felt more remorse, taking all the blames upon him for the death of numerous warriors was his greed for the throne of Hastinapura.  Krishna said “ Yudhishtira, it was not your fault for the battle of Kurukshetra, though I have given the greatest knowledge of Bhagavad Gita and was constantly with you all, during all those incidents happened in your life, you have not understood me yet.   Therefore, perform an Ashwamedha Yaga, which could remove the Bhramahathya sin upon you all, will take you to the heavenly abode after leaving the mortal coil.”  Yudhishtira was not satisfied with the advice of the performance of Ashwamedha Yaga, so Krishna thought Yudhistira needs to get the guidance of Bhishma Pithamaha to know more about righteousness.  Krishna said “ Yudhishtira,  I will take you to the profound knower of Dharma, Bhishma Pithamaha who is still alive in the bed of arrows.”  The illustrious Rishis and Sages of the entire universe understood that great knowledge is going to be restored, soon they also assembled before the Bhishma Pithamaha.   The five Pandavas and Draupadi with Krishna went to meet Pithamaha who was already frail waiting for his death; he could not witness anything before him, nothing was visible and has no energy to speak.  They reverentially greeted Pithamaha who was in the bed of arrows. Pandavas and Draupadi stood closer to the feet of Bhishma Pithamaha so that he could witness them.    Bhishma Pithamaha enquired for Krishna who was standing close to his head,  soon he came into visible.  Bhishma Pithamaha said “ Oh! Krishna, I am feeling so thirsty, can you quench my thirst?” Arjun shot arrows on the Earth, the holy Ganga sprung up and the water fell on the mouth of Pithamaha and quenched his thirst.

Krishna stood before Pithamaha and looked all over his body, instantly Pithamaha attained a divine energy to look upon the people who have surrounded him with the folded hands, he began to speak. “ Oh! Yudhishtira who is the son of Dharmaraja, you are well known for your righteousness, I have witnessed that your chariot does not touch the Earth because of your righteousness, you have gone through various hardships but never moved away an inch from your righteousness.” Yudhistira replied, “ It was your blessings Pithamaha we could forget all those hardships”.  He took the hands of Bhima and said “ Oh! Bhima, there is no one in the world mightier than you and you have the strength of sixteen thousand elephants; you have created havoc on the battlefield.  Oh! Arjuna who is the son of Lord Indra, Oh! Sabyasachi, you are an eminent archer, you are unparalleled.  Oh! Nakula and Sahadeva, who is the son of Ashwini Kumaras, you are famous for your skill in the knowledge of medicines.  Oh! Draupadi who is the daughter of King Drupada, you have born from fire and unblemished.  Even though, you all are profound in various fields, you have spent all your life in extreme hardships and troubles, you have undergone constant humiliation of Duryodhana and his brothers, Bhima was pushed to the mouth of death,   you were all put into wax house and burnt alive, you had to face the injustice of Dhritarashtra, you have been exiled from your Kingdom, you have been living in disguise in the Kingdom of  Virat, Draupadi was humiliated by Duryodhana and Dhusshasana in the grand assembly.  Your mother Devi Kunthi protected you all.  Have you ever thought of the reason for these many struggles in life? I shall explain to you.  ‘Time’ is a powerful element that cannot be overpowered.  I cannot forget any of the troubles you have been to, I am your grandfather, I was not in a position to help you all during those difficult times.” Bhishma Pithamaha looked at Krishna and asked: “What was the reason all of you have visited here?” Krishna said “Your grandchildren have some doubts to clear with you.  Kindly remove their qualms.”  Yudhishtira requested Pithamaha “ Oh! Pithamaha, kindly describe the code of conduct.” 

Bhishma Pithamaha gave lectures elaborately on Dhana/Charity and Dharma/righteousness, Moksha Dharma/ righteous deeds for the liberation from repeated births, Rajya Dharma/duties, and responsibilities of a wise ruler; Sthree Dharma/righteousness should be followed by every woman and Deva Dharma/righteous deeds in the worship of deities.  Pithamaha gave an elaborate lecture on the Dharma of four Varnas such as Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, the Dharma of four Ashramas such as Bhramachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasin and their duties and responsibilities.

|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 9 – The supreme Lord contemplating upon Bhishma Pithamaha

King Yudhishtira was in deep meditation envisaged Lord Krishna, he asked “ Oh! Prabho, Oh! Krishna, the whole of the universe is contemplating upon you.  Whom are you meditating upon?”  Krishna says “The Bhishma Pithamaha who is the son of Goddess Ganga and King Shathanu is lying on the bed of arrows, waiting for his death in Uththarayana, he is contemplating upon me, and I shall reciprocate the people who surrender to me.  Bhishma Pithamaha is an ardent devotee of me, even though he fought with Kauravas against my favorites; he followed strict celibacy all through his life, he was always speaking the truth and righteousness, he was performing his responsibilities to protect the throne of Hastinapura and he was a passionate devotee as well.  He is one of great twelve souls, he contemplates upon the pastimes of me performed in the Vraja, whenever I take the cows for grazing, my body would be smeared in the dust from the hoof of the cows.  In the Kurukshethra while the dust particles from the hoof of the horses and elephants fell on me, he thought of the pastime in the Vraja.  He did not take the side of you all; he wanted to glorify the pastimes of me.  He wanted to expose the devotion and faith upon me, he wanted to enhance the devotion upon me, even though he was fighting against you all, he wanted to prove the world that I am with you all to protect from the evils and I am enough to safeguard you from all the troubles.  He was aware of the aftermath of the great war of Kurukshethra, that he would kill in the battlefield, all the wicked Kauravas would put an end to their clan.  As you know, he was severely wounded with several arrows that were shot on him by Arjuna in the battlefield, his body did not touch the ground, the arrows stood as a bed for him, all he has to think about me and my various pastimes at that moment too.  I have promised Arjuna that I won’t touch any weapons in the battlefield.  Bhishma Pithamaha proclaimed that he would compel me to touch the weapons in the battlefield, I have to uphold the vow of my ardent devotee, and therefore I have broken my promise to Arjun.  I took the wheel of chariot and approached to kill him.  Bhishma praised the marvelous form of me with a wheel of chariot in my hand; in this way I have fulfilled his quest to witness my glorious form, Bhishma Pithamaha contemplating upon that form of me while he is in the bed of arrows too.  He continued to meditate upon me for almost six months now; therefore I am obliged to meditate upon him.”

|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 8 – The glorious ‘Kunthi Sthuthi’

Yudhishtira was crowned as the King of Hasthinapur, Krishna stayed with the Pandavas for some time and found that things are settled in the Pandavas Kingdom, so he decided to leave to his glorious city Dwaraka.   Before leaving the palace, Devi Kunthi approached Krishna, with great devotion and love said “ Oh! Prabho, Krishna, You are the protector of the Pandava clan, you are the center of our devotion too.  Can’t you stay with us in Hasthinapur? How can we live without you?” she eulogized Krishna with beautiful verses, famously known as ‘Kunthisthuthi’ in Srimad Bhagavath.  In that “ Oh! Krishna, I admire your various passionate sports in Braja, I was astonished by your amusements, you have shown the entire Universe to Yashomathi in your mouth when she scolded you for eating the mud.   I was thinking that supreme Purusha, the Supreme Lord who is the Lord of the Universe worshiped by all the deities is scared of Yasomathi’s stick? Thus, you have performed various amusements that dazed us.” In this way, Devi Kunthi eulogized various passionate sports of Krishna, after listening to her Krishna said: “ Devi, I am pleased with your devotion, ask for boon whatever you want.” Kunthidevi asked for a unique boon that is highly famous in Srimad Bhagavath, “Oh! Jagathguru, kindly shower troubles, tabulations, and impediments upon me, so that I can always contemplate upon you.  Oh! My Lord, you know everything, more opulence and happiness would create a tendency to keep you away from us.  Therefore I need to go through constant struggles that would remind me of your grace.  This material happiness would drive me away from you.  The worldly existence is nothing but full of miseries and sorrows, this knowledge would keep me contemplate upon you.  Krishna! All I need is spiritual advancement, not that material welfare.  Therefore I would prefer miseries and struggles in my life as a boon.  Oh! Krishna, each time when I face hardships in life I feel closer to you, and I want to remain close to you always.  ” Krishna said “ Devi, are you out of your mind ? all the living being asks for welfare, happiness, wealth, fame and peace.  They worship me for removing sufferings, miseries, grief, and agony of the worldly existence.  Devi! All your life, you have gone through various struggles,  are you not tired of it?”

‘ Kunthi Sthuthi’ contains full of wisdom, it is a natural phenomenon that when people get stuck with miseries, misfortunes, ill health, and poverty, it would push them in the extreme state of distress, though it is all a part of his grace to give the knowledge of the impermanent nature of the worldly matters.  These hardships make living beings to develop a sense of abandonment, and concentrate upon the permanent nature of supreme bliss, it is the source of self- realization, and God-realization, it gives the knowledge of the ‘self’/Bhramam/supreme soul which has the nature of supreme bliss.  Therefore troubles and miseries in the worldly existence are part of blessings; these tribulations are the necessary part of the growth of humans as humble, kind and loving, the struggles in life teach us the sense of survival.  Hence, determination, discipline, tolerance, and perseverance are the stepping stone for growth in spiritual advancement.  It is quite natural that while having struggles and hardships we always look for comfort, somebody to protect us from the troubles, therefore, miseries is a kind of blessings of the Supreme Lord which would lead to spiritual advancement.

Devi Kunthi is the Queen of Hastinapura, the mother of the Pandavas, had lost her husband Pandu at a young age.  Her elder son Karna has remained as her past history in all her life, she and her five children had to go through the constant torture and injustice of Dhritarashtra and his hundreds of son's.  Duryodhana tried all means to harm the Pandavas, he constructed the ‘House of wax’ to burn them alive.  Devi  Kunthi and her children were humiliated by Duryodhana and his brothers, they had to live in the woods for twelve years, and one year in disguise.  Finally, when they returned to their Kingdom that led to the great war of Kurukshetra, all her relatives and grandchildren were killed.  At last, all that remain her five sons, Draupadi, and widow Uththara.  In spite of all these struggles and turbulences in her life, Devi Kunthi asked Krishna for a unique boon for further troubles in life, so that she can constantly contemplate upon the supreme Lord.

|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 7- The birth of King Pareekshith

It was morning Draupadhi found that her five children were mercilessly killed in their chamber.  She became inconsolable, wept bitterly at the death of five children.  The Pandavas came to know about the brutal incident, Lord Krishna was with them.  Arjun took a vow to take revenge on Ashwaththama after seeing the disturbing state of Draupadi.  Arjuna in fury chased for Ashwaththama was followed by Krishna.  Ashwaththama released Bhramasthra to destroy the entire Universe, but he was unaware of the withdrawal of this powerful weapon.  Arjun took shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who advised to release a Bhramasthra to nullify the effect of the one released by Ashwaththama.  These Asthras are created with the power of Manthras.  The deities were alarmed to witness these two Bhramasthra which could devour the entire Universe.  Lord Shiva intervened and pacified these Bhramasthra.  Arjuna caught hold of Ashwaththama and fastened with a rope, dragged before Dhraupadi, Arjuna screamed in a rage “ Oh! Devi, the culprit who had committed the severest sin is before you.  I am going to kill him.” Draupadi said “ No, do not kill him. I am the mother of five children who lost their lives mercilessly, I am deeply suffering the loss of them if you kill Ashwaththama, his mother also will have the same sufferings which I am going through at this moment, therefore leave him. He is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya,”  Bima said, “ No, absolutely not, he has committed an intolerable crime, therefore no mercy should be shown upon him.” Yudhishtira said “ No, we should show mercy upon Ashwaththama, Draupadi is right.”  Arjun was in a dilemma, Arjuna looked at Lord Krishna and said: “ Krishna,  kindly advise me.” Lord Krishna said “ People who commit crime should get punished, but Ashwaththama is the son of your preceptor Dronacharya.  He is a Brahmin, killing a Bhramin would bring the sin of Bhramahathya.” Arjuna understood the inner meaning of the dialogue of Krishna that Ashwaththama is worthy of punishment, but should not be killed.  Ashwaththama used to have a precious gem on his forehead, Arjuna plucked it out, which was practically as good as death for Ashwaththama, his head and the mustache was shaven and released him.   

Maharishi Vedavyasa beautifully reveals the nobleness of Dhraupadi, though she could have taken away the life of Ashwaththama with her own hand for the loss of her five children, she thought of the pain of a mother and left Ashwaththama free.  But, Ashwaththama did not keep quiet, he released Bhramasthra once again.  This time he shot the Astra pointing at the womb of Uththara who was the wife of Abhimanyu,  son of Arjun was deceitfully killed in the battlefield, she was fully pregnant with the last child in the Pandava dynasty.  Uttara cried out for help to Krishna, he entered inside the womb of Uttara in a subtle form and protected the child from damage. Krishna annulled the effect of the Bhramasthra on the womb and gave Dharshan to the infant.  In due course of time, Uththara gave birth to a male child, who was staring all around as if searching for someone.  Yudhishtira asked, “ Krishna, why this child is looking all around searching for something?”  Narada describes that the child had envisaged the supreme Lord Krishna from its mother’s womb, after coming in this word he still continues the search of the glorious form of supreme Lord.  Thus, the child got its name ‘Pareekshith’.

|| Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 6 – The death of Duryodhana

Sutha Pauranika continued “ Maharishi Vedavyasa upon receiving the instruction from Maharishi Narada began to contemplate upon the  Lord and envisioned the supreme Lord.  He witnessed the sufferings and miseries of the souls in the material existence daunted by illusion, he felt terribly sad for the living beings.  Maharishi Vedavyasa soaked in extreme bliss after envisaging the glorious form of supreme Lord but seeing the miserable plight of the souls in the material world he was extremely disappointed.  This urged him to write a great scripture that could wave off the miseries and sorrows of living beings on the Earth.  He described the magnificent incarnations of the supreme Lord in it. I shall describe the same to you all.”

Sutha Pauranika began to describe the marvelous myths of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran, he narrated the legends from the great epic Mahabharath.   The great war of Kurukshetra was got over, numerous warriors were killed in the battle, a few of Pandavas and four of Kauravas Duryodhana, Kripacharya, Krithavarma and Ashwaththama have remained.  Duryodhana was severely wounded in the battlefield; he immersed himself in the water to cool himself from the fury against the Pandavas.   Ashwaththama who was the closest companion could not bear the troubles of Duryodhana.  It was the dark night hours, and the rule of the war is warriors are not allowed to handle weapons after the sunset or harass the enemies in the dark hours, but Ashwaththama was broken that rule, entered in the Pandavas camp and approached their chamber where five Pandavas were supposed to sleep and chopped off their heads, in fact, it was the tent of the children of Pandavas who were fallen asleep.  Thus the five sons of Pandavas were brutally killed by the ignorance of Ashwaththama who was unaware of the fact as it was too dark, he brought the heads of the five children thinking that it’s the heads of Pandavas and showed to Duryodhana, who eagerly wished to see the head of Bhima.  Ashwaththama handed the head to Duryodhana, it was mercilessly crushed between his two hands and realized that it was not the head of Bhima. Soon he looked upon it, alas! It was not the lifeless head of the Pandavas, it was their children’s head. Duryodhana screamed out of utter dismay “ Ashwaththama, you have made a grave sin. It is not the heads of Pandavas, you have brutally killed the children of Pandavas. This is intolerable; you have put an end to the clan of Pandavas which is unjustifiable. The Kaurava dynasty has come to an end, we have no right to end their clan.” Though Duryodhana was a man of evil, he had certain principles which he wished to follow always, seeing the cruel end of the Pandava dynasty,  Duryodhana deeply regretted the ignorance of Ashwaththama and left his mortal coil.

||Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapuran||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter –5 - The life of Maharishi Narada 

The Shaunakadhis requested to Sutha Pauranika “ Maharishi, How did you attain the immortal stories of Srimad Bhagavath Purana, kindly explain to us.”  Sutha Pauranika said “ I have received the nectar-like the knowledge of this sacred scripture from my preceptor ShukaBhramam who received the knowledge of this great scripture from his preceptor as well as father Maharishi Vedavyasa who compiled Vedas and categorized them into Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva, he composed 100,000 verses of great epic Mahabharath which comprises Bhagavad Gita, he wrote eighteen Puranas such as Padma Puran, Vishnu Puran, Narad Puran, Shivamahapuran, Garuda Puran, Bhrama Vaivarththa Puran, Bhavishya Puran, Bhrama Puran,  Bhramanda Puran, Vayu Puran, Surya Puran, Agni Puran, Varaha Puran, Markandeya Puran, Skandhapuran,  and Linga Puran.  He wrote Bhramasutra, having written several scriptures praising the glories of Lord, Maharishi Vedavyasa felt incomplete, he did not get satisfaction.  Maharishi Vedavyasa was sitting on the river banks of Saraswathi, he was gloomy, thinking that even though he had given an abundance of knowledge through various scriptures which recommends Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, people are not interested to taste the nectar-like wisdom from it.  Soon, his inner voice replied to him that none of these Purans did tell about the pure love to Supreme Lord, he was pondering over this for long hours.  At this moment, there arrived Maharishi Narada, he was received by Maharishi Vedvyasa with great reverence and revealed his plight of the situation and dissatisfaction after compiling several scriptures for the welfare of humanity.  Maharishi Narada pacified Vedavyasa saying that though he has written several scriptures Vedavyasa did not mention the pure love to supreme Lord.  Therefore Narada advised Vedavyasa to write about the pure devotion to Lord and began to explain his own life of previous birth to Maharishi Vedavyas."

Maharishi Narada said “ Maharishi Vedavyasa, in my previous birth I was a son of widow Dasi/women who perform household duties for others, she was living in the hermitage where several saints and holy men used to visit.  I was a child while she keeps busy with the cleaning work of the hermitage; I used to help her at her work.  During Chathurmasya/four monsoon months there were several holy men used to visit this hermitage.  Usually, the renounced souls, mendicants, and holy men did not live in a place for a long time, they keep moving around the spiritual places and sharing knowledge of Bhramam, but during this monsoon seasons they are restricted to not to move around, therefore they reside in a place for four months and continue their spiritual and religious rites.  I had the opportunity to worship these saints and holy men, listen to glorious myths of the supreme Lord, they give lectures on scriptures.  I used to listen to their lectures, gradually I was immersed in the supreme bliss, which would stir my heart with full of devotion and love for the supreme Lord.  The holy men were highly pleased with my nature of devotion and showered blessing upon me.  I had the fortune to consume the leftovers of the holy men that was washing off my impurities, along with the Namasankeerthana I have listened to all those days.  I had spent the four months in extreme delight in the association of the holy men.  After the four months, the holy men were started leaving the hermitage, I have started yearning to be in the association of them.  Suddenly, my mother died of snakebite; I have considered it as a will of the supreme Lord to release me from the worldly bondage.  I have realized that there is no reason to stay behind, so I left the hermitage immediately.  I had the sole desire to witness supreme Lord, I have visited a few sacred lands, eventually, my heart is filled with supreme bliss, I could envision the presence of supreme Lord in my heart, that image stayed for few minutes and vanished, I was thoroughly depressed from the separation of Lord.  I have continued to visit several sacred lands on Earth, I have performed various austerities, and Dharmic rites yearning to witness that glorious form supreme Lord Krishna.   Several years have passed, I did not achieve success in my search, I was extremely distraught, suddenly I could hear a divine voice that instructed that it was a glimpse of supreme Lord which I could envisage, and recommended to undertake extreme austerities and devotional practices, then I can be united with the Supreme Lord.  I have put all my energies into spiritual practices with determination.   I left my mortal coil, and on the next Kalpa, I have born as Manasaputhra of Lord Bhrama.  I travel all the three worlds singing in praise of the supreme Lord.  Hence, Maharishi Vedavyasa you write a scripture which describes intense love and pure devotion to the Supreme Lord.”