||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 31 – Yudhishtira’s grief and Bhishmopadhesham

Krishna entered the palace and found Yudhishtira in utter grief.  Krishna enquired the reason for his gloominess.  Yudhishtira replied “ Oh! Krishna, whenever I see the widows, elderly people, and children in our Kingdom, I feel extremely miserable, I have caused the death of several warriors to fulfill my desire to the throne.  I am not feeling comfortable after the battle of Kurukshetra, the victory is not giving me any happiness, and I feel I am responsible for the sorrows of all those people who lost their lives on the battlefield.  My greed to the throne took innumerable lives and made their dependents grieve over them.”   Krishna realized Yudhishtira needs a preceptor to describe the Dharma, not a friend, he needs someone who is elderly to advise him about the Dharma.   Krishna pacified Yudhishtira that he is not responsible for any of the disastrous events that took place on the battlefield, as a friend he has already advised the Gita which is the essence of scriptures, but they have not understood it thoroughly.  Moreover, Bhishma Pithamaha is waiting on the bed of arrows to finish Dhakshinayana, so Krishna decided to take the Pandavas to Bhishma Pithamaha.

Bhishma Pithamaha looked at Arjun and asked “ Arjun, why did you come? Where is your charioteer?” Krishna instantly came forward and stood near his face and asked “ Pithamaha! Did you remember me?’ Bhishma Pithamaha who was in the bed of arrows was extremely worn out, he heartily greeted Krishna and began to speak “ Oh! Arjun, Do you know who is this Krishna?’ Arjun said, “ Pithamaha, he is my beloved uncle Vasudev’s son”.  Bhishma Pithamaha continued “ Arjun, you have assumed him as your uncle’s son, Subhadhra’s brother and your brother-in-law, he was your preceptor and advised glorious Bhagavad Gita in the battlefield, he assisted you in the Kurukshetra war as your charioteer,  he is your closest companion to whom you can share all your family matters, but you have not understood him thoroughly.  Oh! Prabho, Krishna kindly fulfill my last wish,  I was waiting for all these days to get a glimpse of you, therefore it  is your turn to wait for me until I take last breathe.”  Bhishma Pithamaha had a boon to die as per his wish/Sweccha Mrithyu, he was waited in the bed of arrows until the Dhakshinaya to get over, and even the Lord Yama was not possible to take his life.  Bhishma Pithamaha advised the righteousness and all the queries of Yudhishtira were answered.  He eulogized the thousand and eight sacred names of Lord and said “ Oh! Prabho, Krishna, I have a final desire, kindly accept my young maiden as your bride.” Krishna laughed and said “ Pithamaha, you are a Naishtika Bhramachari, where did she come as a daughter of you?” Pithamaha said “ Krishna, my intellect is my daughter, I did not place anyone on my intellect other you.  I have not found any suitable groom as you for my daughter, therefore kindly accept my intellect as your wife.”  Krishna asked “ What are the qualities of your daughter?” Bhishma Pithamaha said “she is void of Thrishna/impurities, she has no attachment towards material welfare/ sacrificed the throne of the Kingdom of Hasthinapur, she has no love for offspring/remained unmarried, and she has no love for fame or appreciation.  Therefore she is qualified to become your bride.  You have discarded the vow on the battlefield and lifted the wheel of the chariot to attack me; you are too kind to me.  I shall take surrender at your lotus feet.”

Thus the Uththarayana has arrived, Bhishma Pithamaha looked at the pleasing face of Lord Krishna and let his mortal coil, the deities showered flowers upon him and attained Moksha.  He became one of the great devotees of Lord /Bhagavatha, and others are Swayambu, Shambhu, Narada, Sanath Kumaras, Kapila, Manu, Prahlada, Janaka and Bali.  Krishna and Arjuna returned to Dwaraka.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 30 – Krishna protects the fetus of Uththara!

Krishna was prepared to leave the Kingdom of Hasthinapur, abruptly Uththara rushed to Krishna and fallen at his lotus feet saying “ Prabho, a fireball is chasing me, I am not worried about my death, I am extremely concerned about the child in my womb.  I am helpless, kindly protect me.”  Krishna lifted Uththara and said “ Devi, do not worry about your child.  I am here to protect you both.” He assumed the size of the thumb and entered in the womb of Uththara and circumambulated the fetus, thus he protected the fetus from Bhramasthra shot by Ashawththama.  The infant in the womb noticed the marvelous form of Lord Krishna with four arms, that moment the image of Lord firmly fixed in the intellect of the infant.  Even after coming out of the womb, the infant continued its search for that marvelous form of supreme Lord Krishna, thus he was fondly addressed as Pareekshith by the Pandavas.  Uttara felt deeply relieved from the trouble of Bhramasthra, she shed tears of immense joy and gratitude.

Devi Kunthi approached Lord Krishna while he was moving towards the chariot, and fallen at the feet of Krishna “Devi, you are my father’s sister, you are like my mother.  Mothers should not fall at the feet of their children.  You have to bless Me.” he fondly lifted her, she said “Krishna, will you keep quiet for a while? Otherwise I will forget to eulogize the supreme Lord before me.  All these years you have fondly addressed me as ‘Aunt’ so forgot to worship the supreme Lord and considered you as the son of my beloved brother.  Your words are filled with Maya, kindly let me praise your divinity. Krishna, I am luckier than Devi Devaki who lost all children to Kamsa.  I was not known of my enemies, I have lost my husband at an young age, my children were learned walking holding the hands of Bhishma Pithamaha, one day he stood with the opponent in the battlefield and fought against my children, my children learned Asthra Shasthra from preceptor Dronacharya, who turned against my children in the battlefield.  My children have consequently had to undergo humiliation and tortures from the children of Dhritharashtra.  Bhima had to consume the toxic pudding; Kauravas put my children to burn alive in Lakshagriha, exiled them from Hasthinapur, and had to live in disguise.  When they returned after all these punishments, they were forced to take weapons.  During all the troubles in my life, you were with us and protecting my children.  So I am fortunate than Devi Devaki.  You could not protect the children lost by Vasudeva and Devaki.  Therefore, I have nothing to ask you other than troubles, so that you will be always with me.  Therefore shower troubles upon me.” Devi Kunthi eulogized the supreme Lord who is all-pervading, assumes whatever form for his fervent devotee’s, he is primordial, he is not attainable easily, he resides as a soul in all the living beings, he is perceivable to righteous and pious, though he is covered in Maya, he remains unaffected by it.   In this way, Devi Kunthi described the supreme Lord in marvelous verses.  Krishna was pleased with the devotion of Devi Kunthi, she took Krishna back to palace, and thus she made him postpone his journey to Dwaraka.

.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 29 – The death punishment to Ashwaththama

At the end of the Kurukshetra war, Duryodhana was severely injured on the thigh by the thrash of Bhima with his powerful mace.  Duryodhana was extremely tormented with the grief of the death of hundreds of brothers and all the warriors in the battle; he could not win the battle even though he had the huge army of Narayani which was offered by Krishna.   Pandava had less army of warriors compared to them, even though they had won the battle with the assistance of Krishna.  Ashwaththama felt extremely saddened to see the pathetic state of Duryodhana, and said “ Oh! Mithra, what shall I do for you? I can’t bear to see the miserable state of you.  Command me; I am willing to obey your orders. If you would have appointed me as the chief of the army of Kauravas, I would have killed all of the Pandavas.  You have appointed Bhishma Pithamaha and my father Dronacharya as the chief of the army; they both were not your side heartily.  They were always promising to Pandavas.” Duryodhana said in extreme grief “Oh! Ashwaththama, I cannot tolerate the humiliation and pain of failure on the battlefield even after having a huge army of warriors.  I would have satisfied if I could kill anyone of the Pandavas on the battlefield.  The Pandavas minimum number of warriors and had immense assistance of Krishna and won the battle.” Ashwaththama rushed to fulfill the desire of his closest associates.  

In Hasthinapur, Lord Krishna who is Thrikalajjyani/knower of past, present, and future, advised the Pandavas to join with him in the celebration of victory in the battlefield, he took the five Pandavas from their chamber.  Later, the chamber of the Pandavas was occupied by their five sons. Ashwaththama entered the chamber and brutally killed the five sons of Pandavas and took their heads to Duryodhana who wept bitterly seeing the heads of children of Pandava “ Oh! Ashwaththama you have committed a grave sin, I wanted the head of Pandavas, not their children.  I have not meant the end of the Pandava clan.’ Duryodhana left his mortal coil in intense guilt.

Arjuna promised to kill the murderer who caused the death of their five children after seeing the miserable condition of Draupadi, he took a vow “ Oh! Devi, I will produce the murderer before you, and you can kill him.” Arjuna chased Ashwaththama in the chariot driven by Lord Krishna.  Ashwaththama shot Bhramasthra but it was annulled by Arjuna with another Bhramasthra, as per the advice of Krishna.  He ran after Ashwaththama and fastened him with the rope, carried to the palace in the chariot.  He produced Ashwatthama before Draupadi and requested her to announce the death punishment.  But she rushed to Ashwatthtama and was unfastening the rope, everyone was stunned, she said “ Maharaj, it is the son of your preceptor.  He is a Brahmin,  he should not be killed, I do not want his mother to undergo the pain and agony of mine.  Therefore kindly release him.” Yudhishtira was pleased with the thought of Drupadi.  Bhima announced, he will kill Ashwaththama whatever happens, that would be final.  Arjuna was in dilemma, he had already promised, he cannot wave off his promise, he cannot go against his elder brother's verdict as well.  He looked at Krishna with folded hands “Oh! Parththasarathe, you are our ultimate asylum, kindly advise me.” Krishna replied “Oh! Arjuna, Ashwaththama is a Bhramin and son of your preceptor, killing a Brahmin would bring the sin of Bhramahathya, so he should not be killed.  You have to follow the orders of your elder brother Yudhishtira.  The Dharmashasthra says whoever commits heinous crime should deserve death punishment.   It is considered that humiliation to a Bhramin by shutting him out or shaving his tuft, is equivalent to his death.  So do what is appropriate for the situation.”  Arjuna understood the complex advice of Lord Krishna, he plucked the precious gem from his forehead and thrown him out of the palace that was equivalent to death punishment to Ashwaththama.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 28 – The legend of Devi Bhakti/devotion

The grand recital of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran was organized by Maharishi Narada in Naimisharanya, all the illustrious Rishis and sages Shuka Shauna with eighty-eight Sages assembled, Sanaka, Sanandhana, Sanathan and Sanathkumara and Goddess Bhakti and her two elderly sons Gnana and Vairagya arrived.  The raised platform was occupied by Sage Sutha Pauranika, the recital of the significance of Bhagavath Mahapuran began, instantly Goddess Bhakti and her sons Gnana and Vairagya regained their youthfulness.  Maharishi Narada became delightful to see that even a drop of the Bhagavath Mahapuran brought tremendous changes in Gnana and Vairagya, he was confident that the recital of entire Bhagavath Mahapuran would do remarkable changes in Gnana and Vairagya to regain their youth.  Devi Bhakti was immensely pleased to see her children Gnana and Vairagya cheerfully dancing around after listening to the significance of the recital of Bhagavath Mahapuran.  She prostrated before the sacred scripture and Sutha Pauranika who was seated on the raised platform.  She earnestly prayed to Sutha Pauranika “ Mahatma, where should I be seated?” Sutha Pauranika replied, “ Devi, kindly take your seat in the hearts of the Sages and Rishis assembled”.  The inner meaning of this dialogue was Bhakti/devotion should be in the hearts of all the living souls, the place where the supreme Lord wanted to be seated with Devi Bhakti.  Once the supreme Lord take seats in the heart of devotees, he will not leave the place.  Devi Bhakti is his dearest darling; he would always go behind her.  Therefore, the practice of devotion is the initial state of attaining success in spirituality.  The Supreme Lord and Devi Bhakti take seats in the heart of devotees whose heart free from impurities like jealousy, pride, anger, lust, ego etc…

Once, Maharishi Narada met a woman who was seated on the river banks of Yamuna in deep meditation.  Narada was immensely pleased to see her devotion, he went near to the woman who immediately opened her eyes and prostrated before Maharishi.  Narada enquired her who was she meditating upon? She said “ Maharaj, I am completely troubled with the beautiful little boy Krishna, he is not leaving my mind for a second, my mind is always chasing him.  Therefore, I am not able to perform any of my household tasks, I am getting shouting from my in-laws for not doing any household tasks perfectly.  They are calling me I am out of mind.  Once, my mother-in-law asked to milk the cows; I went to the cowshed and collected the milk while returning the black little boy appeared before me asking for milk.  I have poured all the milk collected on his palm to quench his thirst, I felt highly pleased.  In a  few seconds, I got out of my dream and saw all the milk collected were spilled on the floor, my mother-in-law screamed at me for wasting the milk.  Once, I was assigned the work of cleaning the rice when I was seated before the grinding stone, the marvelous little child Krishna appeared before me, I had a pleasant conversation for hours and hours, thus time has passed.  My mother-in-law shouted at me calling insane for talking to myself for hours and hours.   I am troubled with the little child of Yashomathi.  Once, she asked to get water from the river Yamuna.  I took the mud pot and went to the river to fetch water.  I have filled the mud pot, but it was too heavy to carry, soon there arrived the little child of Yashomathi and offered help.  I thought it is good that he arrived to help me in the right time, we lifted the mud pot together, but he left his hand, the mud pot fell on the ground and broken, I have returned home empty-handed, once again my mother-in-law started shouting at me.  I have decided I have to remove this little child from my intellect, then only I can perform any of the household tasks.  Maharaj I have tried all practices to shut him out of my mind and eyes, kindly advise me which practice I should follow to get my mind free from his thoughts.”  Maharishi Narada was stunned to hear the request of the young maiden of the cowherd, he thought the entire world is chasing behind the little son of Yashomathi, abandoning their homes and material well-being, practicing various Yogic practices, performing austerities and follows different methods of worships, meditation, etc..  The cowherds of Vraja were immensely devoted to the supreme Lord and he resided in their hearts as well as in their intellect.  Therefore the practice of devotion would bring the eternal presence of the supreme Lord in the hearts of devotees.   Hence, Sutha Pauranika requested Devi Bhakti to reside in the hearts of all the Sages and Rishis assembled to listen to the glorious myths of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran in the Naimisharanya.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 27 – The Birth of Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu

The Jaya and Vijaya who are the sincere attendants of Lord Vishnu misbehaved to Sanakadhis, refused them to enter inside the abode of Lord Vishnu was cursed by Sanakadhis.  Lord Vishnu received the noble souls with great honor and revealed his admiration for the twice-born, who always immerses in the contemplation of Lord, recitation of Vedic chants, performance of fire sacrifices, religious and spiritual rites.  Lord Vishnu exposes his happiness lies in the worship of Bhramin and offering meals, providing charity to them in the form of grains, clothes, land, cows, etc. Whoever humiliates Bhramin, torture cows or living beings would not attain the grace of Lord Vishnu.   Whoever, receives twice-born with pleasing nature and respects them, consider them as their own offspring, would remain the favorite of Lord Vishnu.  Therefore, the Jaya and Vijaya who were arrogant to the noble saints were ordained to undergo punishments and come back to the abode of Lord Vishnu, immediately after the period of punishment.  The Sanakadhis with folded hands prayed to Lord Vishnu “ Oh, Devadeva, who is beloved of twice-born, he is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of Universe and its living beings, he is primeval, he represents Yogamaya, and trinities,  we shall surrender to your lotus feet. You have established the Varna Ashrama Dharma, and it was sincerely followed by you during your life on Earth.  Kindly shower your grace on all the living beings on the Earth.”  The curse on Jaya and Vijaya began to work, they descend from the Sri Vaikundham with a loud shriek and entered in the womb of Dhithi who was already pregnant with the two fetuses.

Dhithi is a righteous woman; she was holding her fetus for a hundred years to protect the deities and living beings.  As soon as, Jaya and Vijaya entered the womb of  Dhithi, she gave birth to two male children.  The three worlds revealed various inauspicious signs at the birth of these infants.  There were natural calamities, earthquake, wood fire, hurricane, thunderstorms, lightning, woods were destroyed, the atmosphere was doomed in a dust storm, and sky was dark, oceans were packed with huge alarming waves as if shedding tears out of intense grief, lotus flowers where withered, rivers stream out aimlessly with its murky water, Sun and the moon had undergone various changes, there were inauspicious signs all over the world, animals produced cries out of fear and anxiety, they wandered all over aimlessly.  The birds fluttered out of its nest screaming loudly, cows were frightened and released blood from their bosom, clouds showered excreta, idols of deities shed tears, and trees were uprooted without wind.  Seeing the horrifying transformations in the three worlds, except Sanakadhis all the deities and Rishis were dumbfounded.

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 26 – The Sanakadhis eulogizes the glories of Lord Hari In Sri Vaikundham

Rishi Maitreya narrates to Vidura  “ Oh! Vidura,  Dhithi was worried about the future of the infant yet to be born, so she kept the fetus in her womb for a hundred years. She does not want to cause any harm to deities or living beings by her children, after listening to the predictions of Kashyapa Prajapathi.  The Dhikpalakas prayed to Lord Bhrama about the unique darkness that spread all over the Universe caused by the fetus of Dhithi, which was implanted by the supreme virility of Sage Kashyapa, they eulogized the virtues of Lord Bhrama who is the creator of living beings on the Earth.  Lord Bhrama pacified the Dhikpalakas that his Manasaputras Sanaka, Sanathan, Sanandhan and Sanathkumara are in the abode of Sri Vaikundham to find a solution for all.  The abode where the supreme Lord  resides, he symbolizes auspiciousness, righteousness, supreme bliss and virtues, he is primordial, he  is worshiped by the righteous and renounced souls, contemplating upon him by reciting the Vedic chants, his abode is flourished with the rich natural resources and beauty of nature and divine wish-fulfilling tree  Kalpatharu, he is eulogized by celestials and Apsaras, even the birds are singing the praise of Lord Hari, woods are enriched with  the flowers of Mandhara, Kuravaka, Jasmine, lily, Champa, lotus, Punnaga, Nagabagula, and  Parijatha,  are praising the virtues of Tulsi garland adorned by Lord Hari.  His sparkling abode is decorated with the fortresses built in precious gems and gold.  Lord Hari is relentlessly served by Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, who worships Lord Hari with fresh alluring flowers of Tulsi.”

The Sanakadhis witnessed the glorious form of supreme Lord Vishnu who is fanned by his attendants; he has pleasing face that has supreme brilliance, it has the luster of lotus flower, he has the complexion of dark clouds, his chest is adorned in Goddess Mahalakshmi, he is decorated with  Srivatsam, Kausthubam, garlands of Tulsi, Vanamala and various precious ornaments of gems and pearl on the chest, he has attractive physique, long arms,  beautiful nose, lips have the appearance of Bimba fruit, eye resembles lotus flower petals , he is attired in grand yellow silk garment, he is adorned in armlets, Makarakundala, waist ornaments and anklets, his two hands holds the lotus flowers.  The Sanakadhis repeatedly prostrated before supreme Lord Vishnu along with Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, they fixed gaze on the radiant lotus feet, and praised his glories.  The Sanakadhis prayed to Lord Vishnu “ Oh! Bhagavan, If we commit any sin and  thereby take another birth,  kindly bless us to fix our mind on your lotus feet, like a honey bee on the lotus flower, our speech should praise your glories, like Tulsi at your lotus feet, our ear should listen to the glorious myth of you. Oh! Esha, Oh! Puruhutha, we shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme Lord who is all-pervading.”

||Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 25 – The conversation between Dhithi and Kashyapa Prajapathi

Dhithi shamelessly approached her husband; Sage Kashyapa realized that Dithi is not willing to wait for the sunset.  Therefore he took her in a place where no one was around and fulfilled her desires.  Sage Kashyapa took bath, performed Pranayama and continued his austerities, Dhithi was extremely guilty after the incident.   She approached Sage Kashyapa,   her head was hung down in shame and said “ Oh! Bhramarishi, I have committed a mistake, hence I shall prostrate before Lord Rudra,  my fetus should not be destroyed by Lord Rudra, who symbolizes auspiciousness, he is extremely kind and compassionate to pious, he removes the sorrows of the grief of worshiper, he showers an abundance of boons on the worshiper, and he is extremely formidable to wicked.  He imposes punishment upon the sinners.  Therefore I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Rudra.  He is the husband and dearest darling of my sister Sathi, he represents wisdom and auspiciousness, he is extremely compassionate even to the tribal people, I shall earnestly pray to shower his grace upon us.”

Kashyapa Prajapathi finished the evening rites and said “Oh! Abadhre/inauspicious, your mind is polluted, you have no control over senses, you have approached me during the hours of sunset which is appropriate for the veneration of Lord Rudra, you have ignored all my advice, and you have behaved disrespectfully to the Rudraparshadha.  Therefore you will have inauspicious children, who will harass the three worlds, they will torture the living beings on the Earth, and shamelessly approach the women and disgrace them.  The Sages and Rishis will curse them, at that moment Lord Vishnu takes birth on the Earth and kill them.”

Dhithi said “ Oh! Vibhu, I am prepared to accept the death of my children in the hands of Lord Narayana, but not from the furious Bhramins that would not let the souls enter into the abode of Yama after the death, and the soul even after several births remains unfortunate forever.”

Sage Kashyapa replied “ Dhithi, you have felt extremely guilty after the incident, you have equal respect for Lord Hara,  and Lord Hari, you have respect and affection for me, therefore one of your sons will give birth to a child who will be known as the fervent devotee of Lord Hari,  and praised by all even the deities,/Prahlada.  Lord Narayana would be highly pleased with your Pauthra/grandchild; he would be illustrious, magnanimous, and a great devotee of Lord.  He would contemplate on supreme Lord Hari and attain the highest of the piousness and fortune. He would remain virtuous, righteous, kind, compassionate, and unconquerable.  He would eradicate the miseries and grief in the world.  He would be the supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu who assumes various incarnations for his passionate devotee, he is the ornament of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, he is adorned in fish-shaped magnificent earrings, he has a radiant  lotus-like face, he has the eyes resembles lotus flower petals.”  Dhithi was extremely happy to hear about the virtues of her grandchild and remained calm to know that her two sons would be killed by Lord Vishnu.