Srinath Shrothrium's Blog, page 3

03 The Cosmic Symphony: Divine Orchestration of Purusha & Prakriti

https://tattvajnana.blogspot.com/2023...

02 Prahlada's Praises: Inspiring Bhakti Yoga through the Grandeur of Creation

 

|| Hari Om ||

Veda-vedanta-yajnesham; brahma-rudradi-vanditam

sri nrisimham maha-viram; 

namami rina-muktaye

The one who reveals Himself in the Vedas, Vedanta and the fire sacrifice is worshipped even by the best of deities like Brahma, Rudra, and other Gods.

All-powerful Lord Narasimha, I offer my salutations to You seeking to free me from all my debts.

"Prahlada's profound wisdom gracefully navigates life's obstacles, recognizing a cosmic design beyond his grasp. His remarkable spiritual odyssey stands as a beacon of inspiration to truth-seekers, reminding that genuine transformation springs from a profound comprehension of reality's essence.”

"The seventh skandha of Srimad Bhagavata reveals 'Narasimha's Wrath and the Triumph of Faith,' portraying the epic clash between good and evil. Prince Prahlada defies his tyrannical father, King Hiranyakashipu, remaining devoted to Lord Vishnu despite persecution. This ancient text is purifying removing sins, debts, and the undesired while fulfilling desires; it is also enlightening the seeker, bestowing moral values, a sense of detachment from the material world, and reveals the indwelling Lord."

The awe-inspiring power of unwavering devotion as divine justice unfolds in this captivating saga, transcending time and offering timeless wisdom."

Embark on an extraordinary odyssey with "Bhakti Yoga: Prahlada's Inspiring Spiritual Journey." Follow Prahlada, a revered figure in Hindu Sanatan dharma, as he illuminates the path of Bhakti Yoga, a profound spiritual journey of devotion and enlightenment. Experience the magnificence of creation and uncover the power of Prahlada's praises in "Prahlada's Praises: Inspiring Bhakti Yoga through the Grandeur of Creation." Click the link below to embark on this transformative adventure.
|| Hari Om ||

 

01 Prelude to Prahlada’s Inspiring Spiritual Odyssey

 

|| Hari Om ||

Veda-vedanta-yajnesham; brahma-rudradi-vanditam

sri nrisimham maha-viram; 

namami rina-muktaye

The one who reveals Himself in the Vedas, Vedanta and the fire sacrifice is worshipped even by the best of deities like Brahma, Rudra, and other Gods.

All-powerful Lord Narasimha, I offer my salutations to You seeking to free me from all my debts.

"Prahlada's profound wisdom gracefully navigates life's obstacles, recognizing a cosmic design beyond his grasp. His remarkable spiritual odyssey stands as a beacon of inspiration to truth-seekers, reminding that genuine transformation springs from a profound comprehension of reality's essence.”

"The seventh skandha of Srimad Bhagavata reveals 'Narasimha's Wrath and the Triumph of Faith,' portraying the epic clash between good and evil. Prince Prahlada defies his tyrannical father, King Hiranyakashipu, remaining devoted to Lord Vishnu despite persecution. This ancient text is purifying, removing sins, debts, and the undesired while fulfilling desires; it also enlightens the seeker, bestows moral values, aids in detachment from the material world, and reveals the indwelling Lord."

The awe-inspiring power of unwavering devotion as divine justice unfolds in this captivating saga, transcending time and offering timeless wisdom."

Embark on an Extraordinary Adventure: Discover "Prelude to Prahlada’s Inspiring Spiritual Odyssey" - Click the Link Below!

|| Hari Om ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Dialogue between Bhoo Devi and Dharmapurusha

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.
भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.
व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.
यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.
दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

एते चान्ये च भगवन् नित्या यत्र महागुणाः ।

प्रार्थ्या महत्त्वमिच्छद्भिर्न वियन्ति स्म कर्हिचित् ॥ २९॥

Dharmapurusha! These and many more wonderful attributes manifest in our Lord like the river water flowing downhill. These are intrinsic to him and flows naturally. Those who wish to develop their personality, accomplish the objectives of Life, should practice syncing with these attributes of the Lord and relentlessly worship him and reach closer to him.

तेनाहं गुणपात्रेण श्रीनिवासेन साम्प्रतम् ।

शोचामि रहितं लोकं पाप्मना कलिनेक्षितम् ॥ ३०॥

The Lord is the abode of immeasurable attributes and for the goddess of abundance. She resides in his Lotus of heart and hence he is famously known as Srinivasa. That very Lord Sri Krishna has left this earth and Kali has got a foothold here.

The evil Kali preside over Kali Yuga. His influence makes the materials lose their intrinsic value and the Jiva to do sins. The materials including air, water, and soil are losing their qualities. He would influence the seasons with untimely rains, storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. The Kali occupying the mind space of individuals, makes us lose our faith in the Lord, the faith in dharma or righteousness, and the faith in rituals. The decline in piousness, intelligence, and fortune.

आत्मानं चानुशोचामि भवन्तं चामरोत्तमम् ।

देवानृषीन् पितॄन् साधून् सर्वान् वर्णांस्तथाश्रमान् ॥ ३१॥

The disappearance of the Lord from this earth and his separation have upset me, regretted Bhoo Devi. Not just that! Continued Bhoo Devi. I'm feeling sad for you, Dharmapurusha! Your presence in the consciousness of the people of Kali Yuga is continuously on a rapid decline. Hence, your influence on people to take a righteous path has become limited. So too, I'm saddened for the other Gods influencing other faculties of the living being. Also, for Pitrus or the well-wishing forefathers & the Gods influencing them; Sadhus & Rishis, the seekers of Lord following intense spirituality; common man following their varnashramas like a Kshatriya carrying out administration or safeguarding the border, or a Vaishya doing business, or a Brahamana studying spirituality, or a Shudra providing service; in their various stages of life including as Kishore or as a boy, or as Youth loose brahmacharya or celibacy; at middle age or those who have entered Vanaprashta or old age; I'm saddened for all as everyone is moving away from the Lord, there is a continuous decline in the moral values, continuous rise of ignorance of the Lord and the metaphysical premise set forth by him.

Robbers are going to be the Kings. Lying, Taking bribes, breaking the rule, traveling without tickets in public transport would be acclaimed and cheered. The seasons are going to miss their cycles, untimely rains and famine would be the order of Kali Yuga or else large natural disasters with several deaths on this my very earth would happen grieved, Bhoo Devi. She regretted that hardly any virtuous people would be on the earth and they would not get respect.

ब्रह्मादयो बहुतिथं यदपाङ्गमोक्षकामास्तपः समचरन् भगवत्प्रपन्नाः ।

सा श्रीः स्ववासमरविन्दवनं विहाय यत्पादसौभगमलं भजतेऽनुरक्ता ॥ ३२॥

तस्याहमब्जकुलिशाङ्कुशकेतुकेतैःश्रीमत्पदैर्भगवतः समलङ्कृताङ्गी ।

त्रीनत्यरोच उपलभ्य ततो विभूतिं लोकान् स मां व्यसृजदुत्स्मयतीं तदन्ते ॥ ३३॥

The best of being God Brahma does an intense austerity by surrendering to Lord Vishnu and meditating on him for a long time so that he be noticed with a casual glance by Goddess Lakshmi residing in his Lotus of heart. Even that very Goddess Lakshmi having an exclusive abode in the Lotus of the heart of Lord and being worshipped by even the best of being filled with devotion would serve the Shreepada of Lord. Such divine auspicious lotus feet would leave the marks of Vajrayudha, Gode, Lotus, Flag, on my body beautifying me, increasing my grace and elegancy as the Lord walked on me. Now, that very Lord has disappeared from this earth.

यो वै ममातिभरमासुरवंशराज्ञामक्षौहिणीशतमपानुददात्मतन्त्रः ।

त्वां दुःस्थमूनपदमात्मनि पौरुषेण सम्पादयन् यदुषु रम्यमबिभ्रदङ्गम् ॥ ३४॥

Dharmapurusha! The compassionate Lord had destroyed the evil in thousands who had taken birth as Kings and the Kings’ men. He had ensured that all your four legs including Dharma to follow righteousness; Austerity for Spiritual practice; Cleanliness to be compassionate; and Truthfulness is hale and healthy. For all these, the independent Lord looking beautiful in a blue color as in dark monsoon clouds had appeared in the Yadhu clan. His form was Sat-Chit-Ananda complete with divine knowledge and bliss.

का वा सहेत विरहं पुरुषोत्तमस्य प्रेमावलोकरुचिरस्मितवल्गुजल्पैः ।

स्थैर्यं समानमहरन्मधुमानिनीनां रोमोत्सवो मम यदङ्घ्रिविटङ्कितायाः ॥ ३५॥

Who could endure the disappearance of such compassionate, supreme Lord having his form as knowledge, bliss, and appearing in blue color as in dark clouds? Wondered Bhoo Devi. When the Lord walked on me, I would be overwhelmed with Joy causing goosebumps all over my body. The divine symbols on his feet would emboss on me bringing auspiciousness to me. His disappearance is causing me sadness.

Even over 16000 wives of Lord Sri Krishna at Dwarka would fill their eyes with love transforming their face to fill with romance having a ting of a smile, and a voice filled with sweetness to please him. Appearing to each one separately in their individual houses, the charming Lord responded equally in romance. To break this sense of equality with him in the romance in his proud wives, Lord Sri Krishna has disappeared, said Bhoo Devi.  

तयोरेवं कथयतोः पृथिवीधर्मयोस्तदा ।

परीक्षिन्नाम राजर्षिः प्राप्तः प्राचीं सरस्वतीम् ॥ ३६॥

When this conversation was happening between Bhoo Devi and Dharma Purusha on the eastern banks of Saraswati River, the raja rishi Parikshid raja ruling his kingdom as a sacrifice at the altar of the Lord’s feet appeared.

इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धे

पृथ्वीधर्मसंवादो नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः ॥ १६॥

With this, we complete a part named "The Dialogue between Bhoo Devi and Dharmapurusha” of sixteenth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1

We could do so only with the grace of Gurus including Sri Raghavendra and his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada. Let's pray for their continued blessings.

An excerpt from Sri Venkatesha Stavaraja Composed by Jagannatha dasaru in Kannada

SrIramana sarvesa sarvaga sarabokta svatantra sarvada aparamahimodhdara sadguna purna gambira 

saridavaraghaduragaisi surijanarige saukya nIduva | dhIravenkataramana karunadi poreyo ni enna ||

An abode for abundance having lordship of entire universe accepts the essence though being independent. Present everywhere with immense fame, full of attributes, profound, & composed destroy the sins of the virtuous who sing your praises this way and bestow of all sort of comforts to them. The courageous Lord Venkateshwara! Please protect showing compassion.

Srinivasane Baktaposhane jnanakulagaligabayadayaka dhInabandava nIne enna manadartha puraiso

anupa mopama jnana sampada vinaya purvaka vittu paliso

janumajanumake mareya bedavo Seshagirivasa

Srinivasa! You protect your devotees, assure fearlessness to them studying about you, and wish well to even a poor. Only you know what should be my wish and only you fulfill it.

Bestow me with that exclusive wealth of knowledge of you in all your humility and make me not forgetful of you in life & afterlives. Never abandon me in any of my life, oh! The Resident of  Tirumala, the seven hills of 1000 hooded Sesha.  

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Sublimed with Spiritual Purity

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

Continuing with Bhoo Devi’s praises of the Lord,

प्रागल्भ्यं प्रश्रयः शीलं सह ओजो बलं भगः ।

गाम्भीर्यं स्थैर्यमास्तिक्यं कीर्तिर्मानोऽनहङ्कृतिः ॥ २८॥

मानः or Respect. The other biggest attribute in Lord is to find attributes in each individual and respect them for the same. By worshipping the Lord for this attribute of मनन or respecting individuals for their attributes, the self-respect increases including various good attributes manifest in the Yogi.

Our Lord has the attribute of अनहङ्कृति or free from being Proud or self-conceit of inordinate self-esteem. This is because the Lord does not accept those that do not belong to him as his own. Though the entire world is his creation and under his control, the all-knowing Lord makes a clear distinction of the following:

The distinction between each inanimate matter of Prakriti present as primordial from immeasurable time in the past.The distinction between the inanimate matter and living soul or jiva.The distinction between each living soul or jiva present from immeasurable time in the past.The distinction between the inanimate matter and himself is made of happiness and knowledge.Also, the distinction between each living soul and himself, the supreme Lord.

We studied this when we went through the attribute of Tyaga or Sacrifice. The Lord is Omniscience at all times, he does not have an illusionary or false sense of possession on that object or subject that does not belong to him. By worshipping the Lord having this attribute of अनहङ्कृति or free from being Proud or self-conceit or inordinate self-esteem, we will be blessed with the knowledge of Axiom that नाहं कर्ता हरिः कर्ता or the doer of all the acts are Lord. He does so as an Indweller of each Jiva, the Indweller of each Indrya or sensory organs in a Jiva.

Also, by worshipping that the Lord is free from being Proud or self-conceit or inordinate self-esteem, the same attribute starts manifesting in the individual.

एते चान्ये च भगवन् नित्या यत्र महागुणाः ।

प्रार्थ्या महत्त्वमिच्छद्भिर्न वियन्ति स्म कर्हिचित् ॥ २९॥

Dharmapurusha! These and many more wonderful attributes manifest in our Lord like the river water flowing downhill. These are intrinsic to him and flow naturally. Those who wish to develop their personality, accomplish the objectives of Life, should practice syncing with these attributes of the Lord and relentlessly worship him and reach closer to him.

Modern-day science has been working with an objective to accomplish Healthier Mind & improve the Emotional Life of people. However, the Sanathana, or the oldest religion dealing with metaphysics has laid down the purpose of life is to accomplish Purushartha or object of human endeavor. To ensure that one does not get lost in his pursuit has comprehensively explained the purposes of each Purushartha as Dharma or righteousness, Kama, and Artha to accomplish Moksha.

Currently, the most common practice in society is, one should follow Dharma to meet Kama or desire. From the Kama, one gets Artha or wealth. Wealth gives happiness or Indriya Preeti. This happiness is materialistic in nature experienced through sense organs, maybe taste or sight or music, fragrance or touch or a mix of these and driven by Corporates and Economists. Wherein, economic growth is achieved by increasing consumption. While the consumption of products and services by individuals, families, and states would increase the top line of corporations and businesses, it is binding each one of us as individuals to worldly attachments with a negative impact on the health of mind and emotional life.

Lord Veda Vyasa has incorporated procedural learning for transformation of habits, behavior, and self-identity in Srimad Bhagavatam. It helps to cure emotional & behavioral disorders by working on the neuroplasticity of the brain and being sublimed with spiritual purity. Hence, Sri Sutacharya in Srimad Bhagavatam is telling that by the performance of Dharma, Bhakti should blossom. i.e.

धर्मस्य ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य नार्थोऽर्थायोपकल्पते |

नार्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य कामो लाभाय हि स्मृतः ||

कामस्य नेन्द्रियप्रीतिर्लाभो जीवेत यावता |

जीवस्यातत्त्वजिज्ञासोर्नार्थो यश्चेह कर्मभिः ||

ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य धर्मस्य or One needs to perform dharma to accomplish Moksha. Also, नार्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य or wealth has to be used to do dharma. Artha is Wealth that includes spouse, children, vehicles, gold, house, money, health, body, and so on. Hence, Kama or desire is a consumable like food to nourish, clean water to drink & bath, clothes to wear, sleep to rest & refresh, house to live, relationship for social security, spiritual practices for self-esteem & identity, and so on 

Then the question arises if the performance of dharma gives Moksha and also, the wealth has to be used for the performance of dharma, then how is wealth going to come? While the Kama is the desire

Sri Sutacharya is telling कामस्य नेन्द्रियप्रीति. That is, desire for food should not be for its flavor or happiness of tongue. One should not consume for the happiness of sense organs. कामो लाभाय हि स्मृतः, one should consume as minimum as required. In other words, one should consume the minimum for performance of maximum Dharma and जीवेत यावता as much as required for living.

The answer to the question of “how is wealth going to come?” is an important Bhagavata Dharma that was elaborated in the below divine verse or Manglacharan:

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम्।

श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात॥

Srimad Bhagavatam contains the complete knowledge of Dharma which holds one from falling down purifies and puts on to the path leading to the Lord. This path seeks the continued practice of honoring, worshipping, admiring & praising The Lord without any jealousy or expectation nor being deceptive. While being on the path, it removes all sorts of difficulties, giving wealth bestows prosperity, makes one Sajjan or virtuous, solidifies bhakti or devotion and reveals the Lord who is always present in the Lotus of the heart of all the individuals.

Hence, the wealth or bestowing of prosperity is a divine blessing or Prasada of the Lord. Pleasing the sense organs and the mind is not what we are born for! They would continue to keep seeking more and have no limit.

Sri Sutacharya says जीवस्यातत्त्वजिज्ञासोर्नार्थो यश्चेह कर्मभिः. Which is doing any sort of activity without an objective is of no use. Hence, Jignasa or deliberating on the fundamental basis of Tattva and arriving at Axiom for the purpose of life and the process to accomplish it is being Smart! This siddhi or perfection is what one gets from the study of Srimad Bhagavata. This includes any spiritual ritual. If one does not have the desire to understand the Lord is a waste.

Srimad Bhagavatam says cleansing of inner organs, mind, and conscience would lead to an increase in devotion towards the Lord. Hence increases the desire to hear the stories narrating the Glory of the Lord. Also increases Jnana and Vairagya in the run-up to Moksha. This could be accomplished only when done with an objective of Sriman Narayana Prityartham or pleasing of the Lord. We saw Goddess Bhoo Devi doing so sang the attributes of Lord as

सत्यं शौचं दया क्षान्तिस्त्यागः सन्तोष आर्जवम् ।

शमो दमस्तपः साम्यं तितिक्षोपरतिः श्रुतम् ॥ २६॥

ज्ञानं विरक्तिरैश्वर्यं शौर्यं तेजो बलं स्मृतिः ।

स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्ति सौभगमार्दवमेव च ॥ २७॥

प्रागल्भ्यं प्रश्रयः शीलं सह ओजो बलं भगः ।

गाम्भीर्यं स्थैर्यमास्तिक्यं कीर्तिर्मानोऽनहङ्कृतिः ॥ २८॥

तेनाहं गुणपात्रेण श्रीनिवासेन साम्प्रतम् ।

शोचामि रहितं लोकं पाप्मना कलिनेक्षितम् ॥ ३०॥

The Lord is the abode of immeasurable attributes and for the goddess of abundance. She resides in his Lotus of heart and is famously known as Srinivasa. That very Lord Sri Krishna has left this earth and Kali has got a foothold here.

The evil Kali preside over Kali Yuga's influence materials and Jiva. The materials including air, water, and soil are losing their qualities. The Kali occupying the mind space of individuals, makes us lose our faith in the Lord, the faith in dharma or righteousness, and the faith in rituals. The decline in piousness, intelligence, and fortune.

Hence, I am upset, says Bhoo Devi

Hare Srinivasa

Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed.

Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa!

My salutations to you. 

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Nama Sankeertana of Lord & Bhakti Yoga

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

We heard Bhoo Devi praising the attribute of प्रागल्भ्यं or proficiency in Lord. The compassionate Lord having this attribute blesses his dear devotees too with proficiency to take the right stand, or stand-up for truth, or establish a premise. In such devotees, self-confidence and proficiency starts manifesting in all day-to-day activities.

Even if the government uses all its might or if the whole world stands against, the blessed yogi having worshipped the प्रागल्भ्यं or proficiency in Lord would stand firm exhibiting proficiency. This is the Prasada of the divine gift bestowed by the Lord.

प्रागल्भ्यं प्रश्रयः शीलं सह ओजो बलं भगः ।

गाम्भीर्यं स्थैर्यमास्तिक्यं कीर्तिर्मानोऽनहङ्कृतिः ॥ २८॥

In the same breadth of proficiency, Bhoo Devi remembers the next attribute of Lord that is प्रश्रयः or Vinitha or civility or being humble or modesty. Though the Lord is proficient in all his acts, he never misuses it. He is stainless being मार्दवं or Soft and is प्रश्रयः or full of civility being humble and modest.

Though being the Lord of this whole universe, controlling everything with his Lordship, yet when he appeared as Sri Krishna, he exhibited this attribute with his parents, teacher, and all elders. He did the service of Guru Sandipani Rishi and washed the feet of the Brahmin friend Sudhama teaching अतिथि सेवा. He made a bed for his elder brother Balarama to sleep and he pressed his legs to soothe the fatigue. These and at every occasion, Lord exhibited the attribute of civility, humbleness, and modesty.

By worshipping this attribute of Lord or doing yoga with this attribute of प्रश्रयः of being humble and modest, the yogi too would be blessed with this attribute to his capacity. Humbleness and modesty start manifesting. He will respect the Sanyasi, Gurus, Elders, in Positions of authority and express love towards the weak and ignorant.

शीलं or Morality or Loka Manohara svabhavatvam or charming the entire world. Lord Sri Krishna was attractive. Everyone including Vasudeva, Devaki, Nandagopa, Yeshodha, those Gopas, Gopikas, friends, Cows, Calves, peacocks, trees, and even rivers danced to his tune. All were attracted to him. He captivated everyone's attention. When he had appeared as Sri Rama and was heading towards the forest, the whole of Ayodhya started following him, the trees bent towards him asking to take them along with him, he is Loka Manohara attracting everyone.

By worshipping the attribute of divine brilliance or Kanti in the Lord, doing the Gayatri mantra will be bestowed with the attraction to the divine charm of the Lord. The Lord holds the yogi captivated towards him. The desire to see him and be with him will increase. So too the attraction by others in such yogis increases towards their physical charm. Whereas by worshipping the Lord for his attribute, or doing yoga of the attribute of शीलं or as Loka Manohara svabhavatvam or charming the entire world, Lord would bless such attribute to individual capacity. Such personalities will easily be accepted by the world for their morality, integrity, and character. They would find a place wherever they go.

All the aspects of strength have been described by Bhoo Devi including सहस् or Might or the ability to bear the whole world; take the responsibility of creation, sustenance, control, confinement of Jiva, and release with moksha. These attributes are natural in our Lord. However, ओजस् or Vigour having energy and enthusiasm to defeat others is in Lord. Though a vigor of four times that of the opponent is required to win over and hundred times that of an opponent to kill, our Lord has immeasurable vigor; or Vitality.

By worshipping the attribute of सहस् or Might in the Lord, various benefits including to bear the family responsibilities of getting food to the table, educating children, conducting marriage, and so on will manifest. The ability to take the responsibilities at the office, or in the community will manifest. Also, the ability to bear grief or mental stress increases by worshipping the Lord as सहस्वन् or Mighty.

By worshipping Lord as ओजस्वि with the attribute of ओजस् or Vigour having energy and enthusiasm to defeat others, intellect will be able easily to defeat the opponents in a debate; those working in countries defense, guarding the boundaries of the countries will be able to defeat the aggressors; those managing business will be able to succeed in market dynamics; the working class would be able to carry out their acts with ease and enthusiasm.

Hence, Lord Veda Vyasa has composed below the verse in Vishnu Sahasranama:

ओजस्तेजोद्युतिधर: प्रकाशात्मा प्रतापन:।

ऋद्ध: स्पष्टाक्षरो मन्त्रश्चन्द्रांशुर्भास्करद्युति:॥३०॥

Oh, Lord! Your splendid supremacy in vigor, skills, and abilities are radiant like a high noon sun shining brilliantly providing heat. Like the radiant of the sun shatters the early morning dew and haze, your brilliance shatters the ignorance bestowing the clear and clean knowledge including bhakti and Vairagya.

You are Shabda Brahaman, residing in each of the mantras breaking the entanglement with Prakriti.

Oh, Lord! Your brilliance surpasses that of thousands of Suns raised together in the Lotus of Heart of Yogi yet with the pleasantness of thousand’s of the full moon.

The medicine for the unsteady, vulnerable, depressed, and resorting to suicide is worshipping the attribute of ओजस् or vigor having energy and enthusiasm in the Lord. Worshipping the Lord having immeasurable vigor, energy, and enthusiasm is the only remedy.

बलं is the strength required to do an act that includes physical as well as mental strength. The Lord is supreme having immeasurable strength to carry out all acts at his will including the creation of this vast Universe. His strength is inconceivable even by God Brahma, the best of Jiva.

By worshipping Lord as having immeasurable strength, conceivable by none to do acts at his will, the devout Yogi will be blessed by strength to do Vrikshasana, Garudasana, or stand on one for hours together or enough strength to do his day to day acts at their will.

The Lord has the attribute of गाम्भीर्यं or Profoundness. In this vast universe, there is an immeasurable number of acts, responses, and reactions happening by immeasurable living beings and non-living things. Though each of these acts, responses, or reactions are pulling in different directions, our Lord remains गाम्भीर्यं or composed. His intellectual ability to dive deeper gives him a complete understanding of the innate character of Jivas or living beings and Jada or the inanimate substance called Prakriti. The Lord had an in-depth knowledge in the creation of the vast inanimate universe suitable for the sustenance of innumerable living beings, controlling Jivas by bestowing ignorance and Knowledge to them, binding them with inanimate Prakriti, and releasing them with moksha. He is on top of things exercising absolute control. None including Goddess Mahalakshmi, Gods Brahma, Vayu, Garuda, Sesha, Indra, and others can completely understand him. He remains composed with profound knowledge, and so are his attributes, his thoughts, his words, and his acts.

By worshipping this attribute of composure and profoundness in the Lord, by doing yoga, the flickering in the Yogi will disappear and will be blessed with a steady mind.

Our Lord has the attribute of स्थैर्य​ or Stability and tranquillity. He does not quiver or shakes with physical incapability, nor is he busy and mentally disturbed with commotion. In all his acts, he remains stable, composed, and tranquil. By worshipping this attribute of the Lord, the devoted yogi is also blessed with

a)    Such attribute in himself

b)    Decline in temptations towards the glamor and attractions for worldly pleasure

c)    Increased Sankalpa or determination to do austerity

d)    धर्मचरण or observation of divine law increases by remaining focussed in propitiating Lord

e)    Determination to overcome obstacles brought about by evil Kali and his associates to disassociate from the auspicious and divine Lord

f)     And the Yogi will be able to successfully overcome obstacles set forth by Gods to test and bring about a determination

आस्तिक्यं or Trust, faith, and belief in the sacred Knowledge of Vedas and treating it is proof. The Vedas have to be treated as proof because it has truth in it. The Vedas are outlining the attributes of the Lord, its precise definitions, the process of propitiating him, accomplishing him, and the fruit of accomplishing him.

The description of the Lord, the definitions of his attributes, the process of accomplishing him, and the fruit there off in Vedas are all true as the Lord has understood that way. His creation is consistent with his understanding and brought about to existence that way. Hence, the आस्तिक्यं or Trust, faith, and belief in the sacred scripture of Vedas by the Lord are to bring the same into existence.

However, by worshipping the Lord as having the attribute आस्तिक्यं or Trust, faith, and belief as written in Vedas, treating it as proof, verifying the same during the process of practice, Yogi receives the Prasada or divine gift of आस्तिक्यं or Trust, faith, and belief in Lord and the proponents of Vedas. 

कीर्ति is the Glory of the Lord that is spoken everywhere, the praises that are sung in rhyme, rhythm and dance. The Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabarata, and all Puranas or old literature narrates his glories. The Bhagavata who were present earlier, now and in the future, hear, read, and sing his glories and dance with ecstasy. By worshipping this attribute of कीर्ति or the Glory of the Lord, while the Yogi for sure will be blessed with such attribute to his capacity by the compassionate Lord, but also the Lord would bless his nama sankeertana or sing his name.

We had studied the process of Bhakti Yoga and the benefits of nama sankeertana in Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 – The Pursuit to hone Bhakti

Sri Suthacharya says,

तच्छ्रद्दधाना मुनयो ज्ञानवैराग्ययुक्तया ।

पश्यन्त्यात्मनि चाsत्मा नं भक्त्या श्रुतिगृहीतया ॥

Having great trust & belief in Lord Tattva, Rishis study the Bhagavata Shastra repeatedly to gain Jnana and Vairagya. This would blossom the Lotus of Heart, Bhakti, and glow the Light of Love towards the Lord. They would see the splendid Lotus-eyed Lord in their Heart.

तस्मादेकेन मनसा भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः ।

श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च ध्येयः पूज्यश्च नित्यदा ॥

Hence, being focused and with a single objective, one should propitiate the Lord through Hearing His Glories, Singing His Attributes, Meditation, and Worship.

यदनुध्यायिनो युक्ताः कर्मग्रन्थिनिबन्धनम् ।

छिन्दन्ति कोविदास्तस्य को न कुर्यात् कथारतिम् ॥

Sri Suthacharya is telling that all those कोविदा or learned by यदनुध्यायिनो propitiating the Lord through hearing, singing, and meditation on the attributes and glory of the Lord at all times of the day tie up their minds to him or practice The Yoga of Mind which has the capacity to छिन्दन्ति or sheer these knots and tangle that has wrapped our Soul.

शुश्रूषोः श्रद्दधानस्य वासुदेवकथारतिः।

स्यान्महत्सेवया विप्राः पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् ॥

Sri Suthacharya addressing विप्राः, The Brahmins, Shaunaka and his fellow Rishis says,

While propitiating the Lord through hearing, singing, and meditating, one will be blessed with पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् or pilgrimage to holy places and dip in holy rivers. This would yield स्यान्महत्सेवया or service of Saints and Gurus who are close to the Lord. When pilgrimage and service of saints are done with श्रद्दधानस्य or Trust and Belief, शुश्रूषोः or Crave and eagerness to hear Lord’s Stories would increase. As the mind gets Prasanna or lucid, वासुदेवकथारतिः or there would be pleasure in hearing the stories of

Lord Vasudeva is brilliantly glowing brightly in a crystal clear mind.

Lord Vasudeva for whom the creation of the Universe that includes several forms of himself, all living beings & non-living things, sustenance, distraction, regulation, bestowing of both Ignorance & knowledge to confine to birth & death and liberation to provide moksha is a Lila or Sport.

शृण्वतां स्वकथाः कृष्णः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः ।

हृद्यन्तःस्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत् सताम् ॥

The most attractive, Lord Krishna in his dark skin like the color of monsoon cloud, standing in हृद्यन्तःस्थो or the Lotus of Heart like a सुहृत्, friend. A dear friend for the सताम् or virtuous waiting with great patience as if he has nothing else to do except for ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति, destroying all our Sins that cause inauspiciousness and ready to pour his mercy.

He is waiting for us to श्रवणकीर्तनः, hears, and sing his Glory. So that he could pour पुण्य, the mercy, and high merit.

Like he did to Kuchela, with a torn dress and made him Sudhama, having in abundance just for three fists of beaten rice. The rice filled with Love, brimming with devotion through hearing and singing the Glory of the Lord.

So too, he came as if he was at the beck and call of Prahlada! Also, in a form only dedicated to him! 

नष्टप्रायेष्वभद्रेषु नित्यं भागवतसेवया ।

भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके भक्तिर्भवति नैष्ठिकी ॥

By serving Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavatas regularly and taking its refuge, all inauspicious will get destroyed.

Also, the Lotus of the heart filled with nectar called devotion towards the all auspicious and most popular Lord Sri Krishna will flow constantly, Says Sri Suthacharya.

Knowledge of the Lord comes by argument and reasoning. Illusion should be avoided by shunning Credulity and Superstition. The Knowledge of the Lord brings Trust & Belief. The Trust and Belief in the Lord lead towards the following of Varnashrama Dharma and gain Bhagavat Preeti or Lord’s love. It also makes the mind lucid with a desire to hear, sing, and meditate the stories of the Lord's glory with his attributes.

By worshipping Lord Sri Krishna this way, he starts to shear the layers of action with the sin of knots and tangles wrapped around the soul. Also, one would be blessed to take-up Pilgrimage, dip in Holy Rivers, and subsequently the service of Saints and Gurus. When done with full of Trust and Belief leads to वासुदेवकथारतिः or the pleasure in hearing Lord Vasudeva's stories and subsequently leads to a continuous flow of Bhakti.

 

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 -The Soft, Brilliant & Independent Lord has proficiency & prowess to create uniqueness and bring about auspiciousness

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

ज्ञानं विरक्तिरैश्वर्यं शौर्यं तेजो धृति स्मृतिः ।

स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्ति सौभगमार्दवमेव च ॥ २७॥

Lord has an attribute of स्वातन्त्र्यं or He is Independence. Neither has he had a dependency on Goddess Mahalakshmi, or the Prakriti that she influences nor is he dependent on Jiva starting from God Brahma to a blade of Grass. The whole happenings that we see around are as per Vedas, but Lord is not dependent on Vedas. In fact, all four Vedas are being recited by Lord at the same time. Hence, he has his name as Veda without the influence of time.

The Lord is Svadheena or only relying on himself with Ananta Gunapurna or immeasurable stainless attributes causing the creation. Worshipping the Lord this way, doing Yoga that it is only Lord who is independent, the Lord will bless the below two

1.    Paradheena or dependency is the cause of sorrow. Particularly to those who cannot take care of themselves. By worshipping the Lord as Svatantra or Independent, Lord would bless with loneliness or isolation with wicked and bestow enough strength to manage oneself. 

2.    As Sva gives the meaning as Lord and tantra is an instrument, the awareness that one is under control of the Lord who is independent dawns.

कौशलं  Kaushalam or prowess in creating unique, distinctive, and exclusive features. In the entire creation of the Lord, everything is distinctive. There are different types of plants and trees. In a family of trees, all are of not the same size, shape, trunk, branches, leaves, and so on. Even a single leaf is distinctive having a unique blade, midrib, vein, and apex tip. Even two veins of the leaf are not alike but have uniqueness. So too in a vein, the beginning, the middle, and the end portion have uniqueness and exclusivity. The current estimate is about 780 crore people on this earth and each one has the same eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and so on in the face. Yet each one is unique. This is the prowess or Kaushalya in the Lord. He himself shows-up in a unique way as Lord Rama, or Krishna, Narsimha, or Veda Vyasa, and in so many forms. He blesses each one in a unique way. His blessings to Sudhama are unique and so too to Prahalada, Shabri, Druva, Gajendra, Gopikas, Bheeshma, Kunti, Uttara Devi, and so many. All have been blessed in an exclusive and unique way. Be it in creation, or sustenance, or destruction, or regulation, or bestowing ignorance, or knowledge, our Lord has prowess.

By worshipping the attribute of Prowess in Lord or doing Yoga would be blessed to have Prowess in the field of their interest like sculpting, or drawing, or machining, or artwork or painting or even in a medical operation to the individual capacity.  The challenge for a sculptor, or painter, or writer is to bringing in uniqueness, exclusivity with different styles in their work. Worshipping the attribute of prowess in the Lord would be blessed with different styles and uniqueness not just by those in the creative field, but even the ordinary will become witty or brimming with creativity.

कान्ति  is the divine captivating glow or the brilliance emanating from the form of Lord. The captivating glow in a stone makes it Gem. The inherent glow of any material or living beings makes it special and exclusive. Also, a flower that has bloomed afresh has a glow to hold one's attention.  The Sun, Moon, and the Stars have the brilliance to provide light to the common people. The diamond gains brilliance by holding a larger illuminance of light within itself. The glow or the brilliance emanating from the object and object cannot be separated. Also, the Lord and his divine captivating glow cannot be separated. In fact, the God Sun, God Moon, God Fire, and Stars have gained brilliance by only worshipping the brilliance of Lord and doing Yoga of this attribute of Lord. The indweller Lord in them reflects his captivating glow and what we see as Sun, or Moon, or Stars is the reflection of the divine captivating glow or the brilliance emanating from the form of Lord.

The yogis have been worshipping the divine brilliance of the Lord. The Vishwamitra, friendly to one, and all is the rishi of the Gayatri mantra. He has applauded the divine brilliance of the Lord in the form of Lady Gayatri is an indweller of Prana or life force of God Sun. By worshipping this attribute of divine brilliance of the Lord, doing the Gayatri mantra, we will be attracted to the divine charm of the Lord and captivated. Our desire for him will increase.  

सौभगं or auspiciousness or filled with divine fortune. The cause and the ownership of auspiciousness are Lord. The attributes of the Lord are immeasurable filled with auspiciousness is causing divine favor to each one. He has no wickedness causing sorrow, nor decline filled with flaws causing stains. Therefore, those dear devotees of the Lord keep repeatedly calling him as Stainless having immeasurable attributes.

Also, in all that is aversive to a common man, hating to see or hear, or smell or taste is Lord. He is Niranjana or untouched by any inauspiciousness engrossed in his divine bliss. The दुर्भग or inauspiciousness is hurriedly been taken away by the Kali and his fellow associates.       

This description of the fundamental nature of good and evil is depicted in the distribution of Amruta or divine nectar by the Lord in the form of Mohini. In the Forms & Fame of Lord, we hear

धान्वन्तरं द्वादशमं त्रयोदशममेव च ।

अपाययत्सुरानन्यान् मोहिन्या मोहयन् स्त्रिया ॥

During this churning of Milky Way or Kshirasamudra mathana, the Lord appeared from the Milkey Way in the twelfth time form of Dhanvantari holding a pitcher full of Amruta or Nector. In this form, Lord blesses good health to humanity and knowledge of Ayurveda. Immediately after that, He appeared in the thirteenth form of Mohani. The Lord mesmerized and captivated the demons and served the Nector of Immortality to only Gods.

We always hear that evil is powerful. The demons snatched the picture of divine nectar from Dhanvantri and started running away. In that fight of gods and demons, having the divine nectar would have given immortality to the demons. Hence, the Lord appeared in the form of Mohini to rescue the Gods. Seeing him, the Satvika Gods realized the divine auspiciousness in him. Whereas the glamorous beauty of Lord stupefied the demons.    

This is the metaphysics or the nature of reality, where the evil lures us towards the glamour binding to the cycle of death and birth and bringing दुर्भग or inauspiciousness. While Gods bringing सौभगं or auspiciousness or filled with divine fortune.

By worshipping the Lord as सुभगः or auspicious or filled with divine fortune and doing Yoga with this attribute of him, one will be blessed with popularity among good, receive their liking, and auspiciousness. Therefore, the Sadhus, Sants, Priests, dear devotees of the Lord, and the elders get high reverence in the Sanatana or oldest indoctrination. They have a higher presence of auspiciousness of Lord in them and are worthy to bless.

मार्दवं or Softness.  The Lord is strict and tough. He deals with sinners with a heavy hand. He has created lower regions of Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatal, Rasatala, Mahatala, and Patala to punish. With severe punishments like 28 Deadly Punishments Listed in Garuda Puran. 

Also, he has an attribute of तितिक्षा or forbearance to the Sinners. He is भक्त अपराध सहिष्णु or Lord has forbearance to the offenses or crimes done against him by his dear devotes. Moreover, he is full of Daya or Compassion. He melts down to other’s distress caused by physical, or mental, or emotional difficulties.  The form of our Lord is complete with an immeasurable attribute of Compassion filled with grace, elegance, and is balanced. The kind-hearted Lord is helpful at all times and never has a disassociation with this attribute of compassion. When a devote propitiates to him seeking pardon, the compassionate Lord becomes मार्दवं or turns soft.

By worshipping this way the Lord would not react immediately to sins or offenses against him conducted by both good and evil. Also, worshipping him having the attribute of compassion, and मार्दवं or softness, seeking pardon by taking refuge in his lotus feet for the sins done, the so-called the subconscious mind would not through-up anger arbitrarily. The anger in the individual causing knee jerk reactions would soften. Such are the blessings of the Lord.

Continuing to answering Shaunaka rishi, Sri Suthacaharya started narrating the conversation between God Dharma in the form of Bullock and Goddess Earth as Bhoo Devi. Bhoo Devi sang,

प्रागल्भ्यं प्रश्रयः शीलं सह ओजो बलं भगः ।

गाम्भीर्यं स्थैर्यमास्तिक्यं कीर्तिर्मानोऽनहङ्कृतिः ॥ २८॥

The Lord having कौशलं or prowess in creating unique, distinctive, and exclusive features have प्रागल्भ्यं or proficiency. In all his acts, he shows absolute proficiency without any self-doubt nor confusion.

Even as he told Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna in the middle of battle field-leading him into tattva jnana, he exhibited proficiency. Lord Sri Krishna said,

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति ।

नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः ॥BG-04-40॥

The ignorant having no faith nor belief in me nor in the scriptures would become the target for evil to instill wickedness. Hence, such beings, would not have a place in this world nor in the other. He would have no comfort anywhere.

By worshipping this attribute of the Lord, doing yoga with this attribute, proficiency starts manifesting in our acts. Even when we have to take the right stand, or stand-up for truth, or establish a premise, or carrying out our day-to-day duty, self-confidence, and proficiency manifest. Even if the whole world stands against, or even if the government uses all its might, the yogi would stand firm exhibiting proficiency.

This way, the Sanathana or the oldest dharma working on individual personality builds the Character of an individual. The Independence, the Prowess to create uniqueness,  Brilliance, Auspiciousness, Softness, Proficiency are all relevant to the modern-day personality. Hence, branding Hinduism as Credulous & Superstitious is far from truth having mala fide intentions.

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Remembering the Splendour of supremacy firmly with complete faith and devotion

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

We saw that immediately after the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna, Kali had placed his feet on this earth. Bheemasena, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva saw the advent of immorality, wickedness, jealousy, greed, and so on in the common people by the domination of Kali. Realizing that the common man had very little space for them in their mind and consciousness, directed their mind towards the Lotus Feet of the Lord to follow King Yudhishthira and ascended to Heaven.

Subsequently, King Parikshit after taking control of the reins of the kingdom took up Dijvijaya Yatra to establish his victory in all directions. One day he encountered Kali.  Though appearing like a person of the working class serving the society as a farmer or a smith, Kali had dressed in the royal robes fit only for the Kings. King Parikshit saw the Kali kicking the legs of an innocent couple, a cow, and a bullock. Hence, he hurried towards Kali and ordered him with punishment. This is the last fame to control the Kali held by king Parikshit.

Sri Shaunaka rishi asked, Sri Suta Puranika! Why did King Parikshit leave Kali unkilled? Even for a King, kicking the innocent and a holy cow is a heinous crime exhibiting disgrace! Should there be the Glory of Lord, or narration of his sports charm, or even have the story of his beloved devotees who relish the nectar from the Lotus feet of Lord, please continue with this story. Else, what is the point of chit-chatting on worldly issues, or hearing the story of Kali, or his associates? All of these can only take away our lifespan?

Answering Shaunaka rishi, Sri Suthacaharya started narrating the conversation between God Dharma in the form of Bullock and Goddess Earth as Bhoo Devi. Bhoo Devi sang,

ज्ञानं विरक्तिरैश्वर्यं शौर्यं तेजो धृति स्मृतिः ।

स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्तिर्धैर्यं मार्दवमेव च ॥ २७॥

We have seen the attributes of Jnana or Knowledge, Vairagya or Dispassion towards worldly matter; ऐश्वर्य or Aishwarya or Lordship; शौर्यं or Shaurya or Bravery of Heroism! The next attribute of Lord sung by Bhoodevi is, the Lord has तेज​ or Tejas or Splendor in his supremacy. This comes from him being अप्रधृष्य or invincible. He is Ajaya. No evil nor vice can win over him.

Worshiping Lord, and doing Yoga with his attributes of ऐश्वर्य or Aishwarya, having absolute Lordship who exercises दम or dama to oppress the evil, and has शौर्यं or Shaurya or Bravery of Heroism, who doesn’t run away from a fight, or a battle, or war, Lord would bless us a spark of similar splendor to our capacity. No external enemy, nor the internal enemies like Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, or Matsarya will be able to influence us let alone win.

The next attribute of Lord sung by Bhoo Devi is धृति or Driti to bear firmly. Bearing an Idea or premise firmly is also Driti. Mother Earth also holds us firmly without falling. So too the God Sesha holds mother earth firmly on his hood. God Sesha has been held by God Vayu firmly. Lord and Goddess bears all of these in their Kurma Roopa or the form of Tortoise firmly.

God Vayu is exemplary as being firm and complete. In his form of Hanuman, has unwavering faith in the greatness of Lord Sri Rama, in this world, he has created, and self-confidence in himself. As Bheema and as Madhva too, the attribute of Driti is firm and complete.

यस्याम्भसि शयानस्य योगनिद्रां वितन्वतः ।

नाभिह्रदाम्बुजादासीद्ब्रह्मा विश्वसृजां पतिः ॥

After the creation of Brahmanda or the Universe including the cosmic ocean, The Lord Purusha entered the universe. Taking a sleeping posture on the primordial water and with Yoga Nidra gulped the darkness appearing as Purusha. From his naval sprang a lotus giving birth to God Brahma the father of Daksha.

यस्यावयवसंस्थानैः कल्पितो लोकविस्तरः ।

तद्वै भगवतो रूपं विशुद्धं सत्त्वमूर्जितम् ॥

From the body and the limbs of Lord Purusha who has the Virat Roopa of omniform, all the 14 lokas or regions were formed. This way the entire universe is a shape and form of Lord Bhagavan who is Virtuous, full of good attributes, Knowledge, Strength, and a foundation for all beings. This pure and satvika form of Lord is very auspicious, supreme, and excellent.

By Worshipping this way, doing yoga with this attribute of the Lord who not only carries physically the entire universe on himself firmly but also the wellbeing of the universe and all the beings or Jivas on it, one will be blessed to support all the dependent. Or in other words, the behavior to support their dependents will manifest.

After धृति or Driti, Bhoo Devi calls Lord as स्मृति or Smriti or being remembered. If we believe that the Lord has to remember something, then naturally it implies that he forgets. Hence, a question arises if to remember is an attribute or an apathy?  However, our Lord is omniscient with all knowledge conscious always. Hence, Smriti in Lord means his seeing towards a Jiva with the intent of blessings. 

We came across Shaunaka Rishi saying Sri Sutacharya,     

क्षुद्रायुषां नृणामङ्ग मर्त्यानामृतमिच्छताम् ।

इहोपहूतो भगवान् मृत्युः शामित्रकर्मणि ॥ ७॥

Revered Puranika! Though there are those desirous and focussed to break the cycle of death and birth through Prasada or the divine gift of the Lord, they come with short lifespans. They succumb to death before even starting any serious practice of Yoga.

Therefore, the priests carrying out the sacrifice regularly have invited the God of death – Yama; Mrityunjaya – God Shiva, who has won the death over Yama and causes death even to the King of Yama i.e. God Indra during pralaya; Mukhya Prana – who causes death to even to Mrityunjaya; and मृत्योऱ मृत्युं – Lord Narasimha, who is the cause of death to the one who causes death to Mrityunjaya, i.e. Mukhya Prana. They have them here in शामित्रकर्म of friendly acts for thousands of years till The Spiritual Gathering of Naimisharanya is completed.    

न कश्चिन्म्रियते तावद्यावदास्त इहान्तकः ।

एतदर्थं हि भगवानाहूतः परमर्षिभिः ।

अहो नृलोके पीयेत हरिलीलामृतं वचः ॥ ८॥

As long as we are engaged in this spiritual gathering of hearing, recollecting, analyzing to understand Srimad Bhagavata and implement its proponents, death would not occur. Even those of us who have a short lifespan can relish the taste of the nectar called Srimad Bhagavata. Therefore, priests have invited Gods, Yama, Shiva, and Mukya Prana here. And also their Lord Narsimha.

मन्दस्य मन्दप्रज्ञस्य वयो मन्दायुषश्च वै ।

निद्रया ह्रियते नक्तं दिवा च व्यर्थकर्मभिः ॥ ९॥

The lifespan of the people of Kali Yuga is very short. It is just 120 years. And those people cannot even complete their span as they carry the sin of अल्पायुस् or short life. Together with being short-lived, they are dull too. Hence, the people of Kali Yuga waste most of their time in sleep, day to day activities of life including worldly affairs, and time to earn materialistic happiness said Sri Shaunaka filled with concern towards us, the people of Kaili Yuga.

The short lifespans of Jiva result in lakhs of deaths and births. In each such lifespan, the Jiva would have accomplished some merits and many sins. Keeping an account of all this and blessing the Jiva at the appropriate time is Smriti or being remembered by Lord! By worshipping this way or doing yoga this attribute of being remembered by the Lord would be blessed with unfailing memory.

Consistent with Sri Shaunika rishi’s request, we come across this conversation between Goddess Bhoo Devi and God Dharma Raja in the form of Cow and bullock respectively. For remembering the Lord and singing his glory, Bhoo Devi has culled the names of the Lord like picking the white flowers of Parijata having an orange stalk to offer to Lord Sri Krishna.

The compassionate Lord Veda Vyasa has sung the Vishu Sahasranama in the rhyme and rhythm of Anustup Chandas. Let’s take a look at the below excerpt from the same:

धनुर्धरो धनुर्वेदो दंडो दमयिता दमः।

अपराजितः सर्वसहो नियंता नियमो यमः॥

Lord! You are the indweller of God Yama providing justice. You are the Supreme Justice, taking responsibility for all of us, you instill self-discipline in us. You are stainless without an iota of intolerance. Lord! You are the supreme archer, the source for science of archery, and have never been defeated. You control & punish the wicked.

ओजस्तेजोद्युतिधर: प्रकाशात्मा प्रतापन:।

ऋद्ध: स्पष्टाक्षरो मन्त्रश्चन्द्रांशुर्भास्करद्युति:॥३०॥

Oh, Lord! Your splendid supremacy in vigor, skills, and abilities is radiant like a high noon sun shining brilliantly providing heat. Like the radiant of the sun shatters the early morning dew and haze, your brilliance shatters the ignorance bestowing clear and clean knowledge including bhakti and Vairagya. You are Shabda Brahaman, residing in each of the mantras breaking the entanglement with Prakriti.    

However, in the Lotus of Heart of Yogis, Oh Lord! Your brilliance surpasses that of thousands of Suns raised together with the pleasantness of thousand’s of the full moon.

In the फलश्रुति or fruit or benefit of reading of Vishnu Sahasranama, Lord Veda Vyasa says,

इमं स्तवमधीयानः श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्वितः ।

युज्येतात्मसुखक्षान्तिश्रीधृतिस्मृतिकीर्तिभिः ॥

Reciting Lord’s stainless names manifesting innumerable attributes with faith and devotion will bear firmly with comfort, divine serenity, abundant wealth, elephant memory, and fame.

This way, the Sanathana or the oldest dharma explains the behavioral science, instills self-discipline to work on Prarabdha Karma, and improves personality on the way to accomplish Purushartha or objectives of Life.

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Bravery of Heroic Lord having Knowledge and Dispassion

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

As we complete the first verse of the praises of Lord by Goddess Bhoo Devi in her conversation with God Dharma Raja that goes as,

सत्यं शौचं दया त्याग​: सन्तोष आर्जवम् ।

शमो दमस्तपः साम्यं तितिक्षोपरतिः श्रुतम् ॥ २६॥

These names are so exceptional, wonderful, and have potent to bestow unique and special virtues. However, the three types of jivas do sadhana in their own ways. The uttama or best would propitiate the Lord, accomplish virtues, and move towards Lord experiencing bliss in heaven. The madyama or mediocre intermittently propitiate Lord or be indifferent most of the time engrossed in worldly matters. They would swing between happiness and sorrow. The adhama or worst would express jealousy, intolerance, and unacceptance of the attributes of the Lord expressed by himself or as the indweller of various Jivas. They work hard to accomplish Hell!

Hence, only the virtuous would be blessed with clear and clean knowledge. Therefore, we should pay our obeisance to the revered saint who had meditated on each word of this prayer, contemplated over a protracted period of time, deep dived to pick the pearls of benefit that compassionate Lord would bless when we worship and do Yoga of these divine words of Prayer.

Sri Vijayadwaja Theertaru (1434 to 1448) doing word by word Upasana on the banks of the Arabian Sea in Kanva Theerta, has exhaustively written commentary that goes by the name Padaratnavali or also called Bhaktiratnavali. Fortunate are we to take a look at these commentaries for reasons of his compassion and consent though in glimpses due to our limited ability. My Gratitude to such compassionate Guru Sri Vijayadwaja Theertaru and seek his continued blessings for a better understanding, clearer thoughts, and clean knowledge.

The next verse Bhoo Devi sings is,

ज्ञानं विरक्तिरैश्वर्यं शौर्यं तेजो बलं स्मृतिः ।

स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्तिर्धैर्यं मार्दवमेव च ॥ २७॥

ज्ञानं or Jnanam or Knowledge. To explain this attribute of Lord, Sri Vijayadwaja Theertaru has said सर्वज्ञता or omniscience. In Mangalacharna Continued, we had noted for “Artheshu abignaha,” that Lord has the knowledge and the skills required. Like a good Carpenter or a Smith having all the necessary knowledge and skills to convert to good furniture or ornaments, so too the Lord. He has all the knowledge and skills for Creation, Sustenance, and so on. He is सर्वज्ञ or sarvagna or all-knowing. Or in other words, all that exists in this universe is because of the complete knowledge he has, the complete knowledge of himself, and all happenings. 

By repeated contemplation of this attribute of the Lord, worshipping him as having complete knowledge, doing Yoga or synchronization with his attribute, Sri Vijayadwaja Theertaru says he would bestow us with परोक्ष or the invisible, hidden, and mysteriousknowledge of himself. After sufficient practice of worship and Yoga on various premises thus gained through the shastras, Lord would bless with अपरोक्ष  of  Aproksha Jnana or perceptible knowledge of Him. He will present himself evidently and be seen either through the physical eyes outside when open or through the interior eyes of Atma in the Lotus of heart.

Lord would bless us an ability and give a mind for interest to study Shastras or Indoctrinations. He blesses with crystal clear and clean knowledge about him.

विरक्ति or Vairagya having dispassion towards worldly matter or objects or foregoing desire to worldly matter. This happens only when we understand the downside of attachment or defects in attachments towards worldly matter or it’s potent to entangle with knots of death and birth. Also, our desire for higher positions, luxury, fame, etc.  gives a temporary sense of accomplishment. When we understand that only Moksha or release from the bind of death & births is ultimate happiness, we develop dispassion to materialistic desire.    

Lord has a name called भगवान्, or Bhagavan i.e.  Poorna or complete in Ishwarya, Dhairya or Samartya or capacity, Eshas or fame, Shree, Kanti, wealth) Poorna! Also, Jnana & Vishesha Jnana including Vairagya. Not just six, he is Ananta Guna Poorna so we call him Bhagavan. He is full of compassion.

Vairagya or dispassion is an attribute of the Lord. We have noted in the first verse of prayer of this Srimad Bhagavata composed by Lord Veda Vyasa saying त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा or the sustenance, destruction, regulation, and so on including creation, of three Gunas through Prakriti for the construction of this universe has no specific benefit to him. He does so only to express his attribute of creation as sports charm.

He has dispassion towards all else other than himself. He is stainless having no downside for all his actions, supreme, and ultimate in all aspects, He is the creator and does not desire anything more, other than himself. So, by worshipping him this way or doing yoga with this attribute of Lord as stainless, without having downside, nor attached to any matter or subject or object other than himself as he is ultimate or supreme, we would be blessed with Vairagya or dispassion towards all worldly matters.

ऐश्वर्य or Aishwarya is that which is possessed by ईश्वर or the Lord. Hence, Aishwarya means Lordship with governance, while in common parlance, Aishwarya is used to refer to wealth or treasure as its possessor is Ishwara. Our Lord has created the entire universe, he sustains and governs. He recognizes with rewards of happiness, awards positions of comforts, and higher regions of heaven. He also oppresses the vice with suffering and punishes the lower regions of Hell. His Lordship is absolute on a blade of grass to the King of God, Indra, including their superiors - Garuda, Sesha, Rudra, Vayu, Brahma, and even Goddess Mahalakshmi. He has the capacity to govern and ascertain his lordship. Hence, his ऐश्वर्य or Lordship is supreme and gets the title of परमेश्वर or Parameshwara.

By worshipping the Lord with this attribute or doing Yoga or synchronization through bhakti, Lord would bless the individual with the eight Siddhis of अणिमा, महिमा, लघिम, प्राप्ति, प्राकाम्य, ईशित्व, वशित्व, and गरिम.

अणिमा is the ability to reduce the size of the body to even an atom or disappearing;  महिमा is the ability to expand the body to an infinitely large size; गरिम is the ability to become infinitely heavy; लघिम is the ability to become almost weightless, even feather light; प्राप्ति is the ability to be anywhere at will; प्राकाम्य is the ability to obtain anything at will; ईशित्व is the ability to possess lordship over the forces of nature; वशित्व is the power to subjugate others.

In the meantime, for those who are practicing the perfection to please the Lord, or are on the path of accomplishment, Lord would bless leadership including the ability to command respect over a family, or the department of work, or over a team. This would help to direct others and lead them to the path of dharma.

In the फलश्रुति or fruit or benefit of reading of Vishnu Sahasranama, Lord Veda Vyasa says,

यशः प्राप्नोति विपुलं ज्ञाति प्राधान्यमेव च ।

अचलां श्रियमाप्नोति श्रेयः प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् ॥

One would gain enormous fame in the society; Leadership of a team; immeasurable wealth; and endless credibility.

शौर्यं or Shaurya or Bravery of Heroism! Lord exhibits bravery and heroism without running away from a fight, or a battle, or war. We come across various stories in Purana including Hiranyaksha pulling out the earth from its orbit and dropped it in the primordial water. Also, his brother, Hiranyaksha stopping all virtuous on earth to pray to Lord Vishnu. Against, all these wicked and evil forces, Lord fought and won. As Lord Rama, he killed Kumbhakarna and Ravana, as Lord Sri Krishna, he killed several sinners including evil. He has an immeasurable Bravery equaled by none let alone surpassed.   

Hence, answering his grandson King Yudhishthira, Sri Bheeshmacharya says,

विष्णुं जिष्णुं महाविष्णुं प्रभविष्णुं महेश्वरम् ।

अनेकरूपदैत्यांतं नमामि पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥

The all-pervading Lord Vishnu has Bravery, Heroism, Might, Aggression, and be Victorious! My salutations to this Supreme Lord who takes several forms to kill several mighty vices and wicked.

By worshipping the Lord with these this attribute or doing Yoga or synchronization through Bhakti, Lord would bless the individual with bravery and heroism. We will be able to win over our internal enemies who break our resolve and be able to standby our commitment. The resolve could be to do prayers every day, or the vow of fasting, or visit a holy place or even, give up bad habits, or New Year resolution, and so on. We will be able to standby without giving up or running away. Also, Lord would bless us to win over external enemies, the threat of nature, or potential accidents with bravery and emerge heroically.    

As there is no difference between the attributes of the Lord and his name, Lord Veda Vyasa has listed a thousand names or attributes in Vishnusahasranama. However, for a common man to understand the meanings of the name and meditate the attributes could be difficult. Hence, as in Ramayana, so also all along in Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Veda Vyasa has embedded the attributes as the essence in stories and narrated that in an elaborate way. Like a dear grandmother of a three years old telling stories to imbibe moral in the child, Lord Veda Vyasa has done so in Srimad Bhagavatam. We would come across heroic acts of Lord Sri Krishna, Narasimha, or even his devotees like Druva and Prahalada.

In the Lord and his devotees, there is a continuous manifestation of these attributes like a flow of water from snow-capped mountains. Replenishing! This includes Satyam or Authenticity, Saucham or Cleanliness, Shauryam or Heroism, and so on.  Also, one would receive an immeasurable amount of benefits by repeated hearing and doing anusandhana of these verses of prayers and stories of Ramayana or Srimad Bhagavata. The great power and influence of these processes have also been researched by the modern-day science and we saw the below list in our last blog.

1.     Power of Suggestion involving a psychological process by which the conscious mind could guide the thoughts, feelings, or behavior

2.     Autosuggestion

3.     Hetrosuggestion

4.     Counter reaction for Negative suggestion

5.     Assumption of a Premise  

The Sanathana or the oldest dharma explains how each one of us, our personality, and the behaviors that manifest differently are due to the Prarabdha Karma we carry. An individual is personified as feelings of emotion, wisdom or folly, awareness of the present, and vision of the future from past life experiences as merits and sins. This is being fed to the conscious mind of the present life to unfold our personality and behavior.

Also, propitiating the Indwelling Lord through a spark of bhakti blessed by him would drive towards dharma. Following dharma, the mind gets a little purified. In a little pure mind, bhakti will brighten to repeats with further dharma, jnana, and vairagya. Thus, purification of the mind to redeem the Prarabdha Karma on the path towards the Lord for Moksha. These tenets of Sanathana dharma is yet to be established by the present-day science.

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Virtue of Forbearance, Internal Happiness, and Having Heard

Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.

Singing the glory of Lord and his attributes, Goddess Bhoo Devi had said, 

सत्यं शौचं दया त्याग​: सन्तोष आर्जवम् ।

शमो दमस्तपः साम्यं तितिक्षोपरतिः श्रुतम् ॥

We had noted the process of worshipping the Lord by hearing, recollecting, contemplating, and meditating his various attributes including Satyam, Saucham, Daya, and the benefits of doing so! Continuing the same, Goddess Bhoo Devi calls Lord,   

तितिक्षा or forbearance to provocation or offense or even attack. By worshipping Lord having the attribute of तितिक्षा or forbearance, by propitiating him, he would bless us with this attribute of forbearance to happiness & sorrow in the cycle of death & birth. This attribute of forbearance is the advanced stage of practice in Yoga. Hence, accomplished Yogis have been singing this attribute as भक्त अपराध सहिष्णु or Bhakta apradha sahishnu or Lord has forbearance to the offenses or crimes done against him by his dear devotees.

Dharma Purusha! Such Lord who had enormous forbearance has left this earth to his abode of Vaikunta. This loss has become unbearable to me.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna,

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ ।

समदु:खसुखं धीरं सोऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते ॥ BG-2-15॥

Oh Arjun! Those dear devotees who are blessed with forbearance do not get elated during happiness nor miserable during distress. They remain balanced. Such devotees of mine will be eligible for liberation from the bind of death & birth.

The next attribute of Lord Sri Krishna that Goddess Bhoo Devi praises is उपरति or Uparati. Which means he is delighted with himself. Also, known by स्वरुपरति or being delighted because of his own charm and स्वरमण  or engrossed in his immeasurable happiness.

By worshipping him as Uparati or doing yoga with this attribute of being engrossed in bliss for himself; he requires no external aspects to influence his happiness; this entire creation including living beings or non-living things is just a sports charm bringing no benefit, nor loss, nor happiness or sadness to him; Lord will bless us with काम कर्म निवृत्ति or retirement from doing actions with desire or expectation.  One will forego सकाम, the acts desire or expectations.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते ।

ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥BG-12-12॥

Better than activities or actions to please me is Knowledge. Better than knowing me through Knowledge is Meditation. Better than Meditating on me is foregoing expectations or the fruits of activities or actions. Nishkama dhyana or foregoing expectations or fruits of meditation leads to Moksha.

Also, in The Subject, Eligibility, and Fruit where we discussed the second verse of prayer of this Srimad Bhagavata, Lord Veda Vyasa saying,

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।

श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥

Srimad Bhagavata contains the complete knowledge of Dharma which holds one from falling down, purifies, and puts on to the path leading to The Lord. This path seeks continued practice of honoring, worshipping, admiring & praising The Lord without any jealousy or expectation nor being deceptive. While being on the path removes all sorts of difficulties, bestows prosperity, makes one sajjana or virtuous and solidifies bhakti or devotion. Hence, Srimad Bhagavata composed by The Lord Veda Vyasa himself is great and guarantees to reveal The Lord who is always present in the heart of all the individuals.

In our day to day happenings, most of the acts we do are with desire or expectations. Also, many acts are of no use to us and are just a waste of precious time.  However, doing yoga or worshipping this attribute of uparati in Lord and his acts are sports charm without any benefits, the compassionate Lord would not only bless us retirement from doing actions with desire but also doing actions having no use or are wasteful. These are nuanced aspects of worship appreciated by accomplished Yogis who have reached closer to the Lord doing अन्तरङ्ग साधन or deep and advanced practices.

श्रुतम् or Shrutam or having heard is the attribute of Lord sung by Bhoo Devi! Lord hears from everything that exists in this Universe and of every hertz. He has an immeasurable number of ears omnipresent without a limitation of time. He is hearing all which we had spoken, what we are speaking, and what we are going to speak in the future.  He is omniscient by hearing every sound of immeasurable quality to even Goddess Lakshmi. Lord has सर्व श्रावणत्व or having the ability to hear everything of all time.

The another dimension of this attribute seen by Bhoo Devi is that Lord Sri Krishna as her husband was bringing delight to her by hearing all her wishes. And also, all scriptures are only presenting Lord and hence he has this attribute of being heard in all Vedas, Vedantas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.

By worshipping him as Shrutam or doing yoga with this attribute of having heard everything and being heard everywhere, Lord would bless us with the ability to store & recollect all information in Shastras or the divine indoctrination we have heard. He would bless us with elephant memory! And this would linger as thoughts guiding us from straying and holding us on the righteous path

While we have been hearing the attributes of the Lord and trying to understand the benefits of hearing, recollecting, contemplating, and meditating the same, the question would arise as to how and what is the process?

Modern day science describes various processes to Power the Subconscious mind. Following are a few examples:

Power of Suggestion involving the psychological process by which the conscious mind could guide the thoughts, feelings, or behaviorAutosuggestion by self-hypnosis to enhance the effectiveness of self-suggestionHeterosuggestion involving the psychological process by the suggestion of othersCounteraction for Negative suggestionAssumption of a Premise

However, by pursuing these without spirituality connected with Atma and Paramatma, or pursuing materialistic benefits would lead to Hell. We have already seen the reason for the same in 

“The Pursuit to hone Bhakti,” we noted,

यदनुध्यायिनो युक्ताः कर्मग्रन्थिनिबन्धनम् ।

छिन्दन्ति कोविदास्तस्य को न कुर्यात् कथारतिम् ॥

The thread of actions of life getting bunched up and tangled results in tight knots. These knots get tangled over several births with further knots. A thoughtful and introspective person with a sword called Meditation of Lord would shear these knots. Wouldn’t the wise love to hear such stories of the Lord which helps to meditate! Ascertains Sri Suthacharya.

यदनुध्यायिनो That Lord whom we propitiate through hearing, singing, and meditating all three times of the day by tying our minds to him or practicing The Yoga of Mind.

कर्मग्रन्थिनिबन्धनम् – The attraction of the materialistic world is making us do more and more Karma or Actions by tying down to samsara or the cycle of death and birth. We encounter difficulties on a continuous basis and have to put up a fight! A fight against obstructions that we encounter to complete a Job. Or issues of a relationship involving self-entitlement or I am Good and the other is bad or one-upmanship! Parents need to manage the relationship with Children. So too, the children. The relation between colleagues, fellow residents, co-travelers, etc. Maybe regulatory issues like license, Taxes, certificates, etc. Maybe a vehicle or transport breaks down! An accident or untoward! Sometimes, out of the bad mood and so on.

With all materialistic activities, there are Issues.

Why! Because of our karma or actions. All karma or actions are attached to Sins. Let’s take a look at a simple example and a basic requirement of having staple food like rice or wheat. To grow this, land needs to be plowed by the farmer. This not only involves disturbing all the habitation in the field including grass, weed, earthworms, insects, etc. but also hurts the mother earth. Then these crops are chopped alive. This way, the rice or wheat keeps accruing the action of sins. When we prepare and eat the food, the sins get transferred to us.

Hence, many a time it could so occur that even if we are not involved, suddenly a situation arises and we get sucked into it.

In fact,

the actions or Sins have high potential.

We should analyze all such difficulties that we encounter. Most of the time, we overrule with a sense of entitlement and bulldoze ahead with enthusiasm. This keeps us dark without understanding the reasons for difficulties or its potential in the future. As the saying goes, the devil is in detail. A sense of entitlement or enthusiasm keeps us blind from seeing and avoiding such a devil. These actions or Sins get bunched-up, entangled, and get knotted. Maybe it would be blunt, but all of us suffering from one or the other disease is an effect of such Karma entangled, knotted, and thriving in the body.

The root cause for all our sorrows is the deed or act that we have done previously or in our previous life. Every being having Ananta karma or the Actions are tightly wrapped over the soul. This has been in the form of tangle or knots. These knots have in turn knotted. Hence we have moved far away from the characteristic of our Soul or the Truth. This gives us a sense of a distorted “I”. The “I” which we claim better than he or I have trumped them. Hence, we would never be able to unknot. Even understanding itself is difficult to let alone unknot. Many of us go to astrologers seeking remedies. Such remedies lead to more actions or sins rather than unknot the existing. 

Sri Suthacharya is telling that all those कोविदा or learned by यदनुध्यायिनो propitiating the Lord through hearing, singing, and meditation on the attributes and glory of the Lord at all times of the day tie up their minds to him or practice The Yoga of Mind which has the capacity to छिन्दन्ति or sheer these knots and tangle that has wrapped our Soul. 

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||