Srinath Shrothrium's Blog, page 5

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Virtues of Cleanliness and Charity

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.

किं नु बालेषु शूरेण कलिना धीरभीरुणा ।

अप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तेषु यो वृको नृषु वर्तते ॥

या याः कथा भगवतः कथनीयोरुकर्मणः ।

गुणकर्माश्रयाः पुम्भिः संसेव्यास्ता बुभूषुभिः ॥

  “The Kali is like a cunning wolf. He survives in the ignorance of being smart. Though the wolf attacks the children and the weak, they are scared of the strong and powerful. Similarly, the Kali Purusha is careful in only taking control of those who blunder being stupid and careless.

Hence, those who wish to become strong with valor, fight for moral worth and dignity, seek auspiciousness, and prosperity should fight Kali. For them Srimad Bhagavata gives refuge. The story of Parikshid raja administering the evil Kali in Srimad Bhagavata that I am going to narrate is worthy to sing and is surprisingly beneficial to them. This is soaked to saturation by the auspicious attributes of Lord Sri Krishna, his greatness, and his sports charm.” Had said Sri Sutacharya  

In this story of Parikshid raja administering the evil Kali, we hear the conversation between Goddess Bhoo Devi and God Dharma Raja in the form of Cow and bullock respectively. From the conversations, we noted that Kali attacks dharma and the holy place that supports dharma. God Dharma stands on four legs, Viz. Tapas or asceticism, Saucha or cleanliness, Daya or compassion, and Satya or truthfulness. Of this, Asceticism, Cleanliness, and Compassion had been broken badly by Kali. The only truthfulness was surviving. The three injured legs had made the fourth leg also drag conveying that though the truthfulness survived but was very fragile.

We have also noted that the same God Dharma Raja, in his form of King Yudhishthira, had asked his grandfather Bheeshmacharya,

किमेकं दैवतं लोके किं वाप्येकं परायणम् ।

स्तुवन्तः कं कमर्चन्तः प्राप्नुयुर्मानवाः शुभम् ॥ ८॥

को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मतः ।

किं जपन्मुच्यते जन्तुर्जन्मसंसारबन्धनात् ॥ ९॥

Who is that utmost God to whom all Shastras or Indoctrination are praising? Who is that last resort, in whom one can take refuge? Who is that in whom propitiating by praising and singing glory would cause auspiciousness leading to peace & prosperity?

In your opinion, which is that dharma that is most superior? And doing which Japa, a person can be relieved from the confinement of birth and death?

Repliying to his grandson Sri Bheeshmacharya had said,

जगत्प्रभुं देवदेवमनन्तं पुरुषोत्तमम् ।

स्तुवन् नामसहस्रेण पुरुषः सततोत्थितः ॥ १०॥

तमेव चार्चयन्नित्यं  भक्त्या पुरुषमव्ययम् ।

ध्यायन् स्तुवन् नमस्यंश्च यजमानस्तमेव च ॥ ११॥

अनादिनिधनं विष्णुं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् ।

लोकाध्यक्षं स्तुवन्नित्यं सर्वदुःखातिगो भवेत् ॥ १२॥

ब्रह्मण्यं सर्वधर्मज्ञं लोकानां कीर्तिवर्धनम् ।

लोकनाथं महद्भूतं सर्वभूतभवोद्भवम् ॥ १३॥

“The महेश्वर having the entire universe as his wealth is the Supreme Lord, Vishnu. He is the निधनं, the prime cause of all this existence since अनादि or immeasurable time in past, and till अनन्तं or immeasurable time in future. He is देवदेवम्, God of Gods. For सर्वलोक, he is जगत्प्रभुं, He only has the Lordship of the entire Universe. He is eternal without destruction and presents everywhere. Only he is पुरुषोत्तमम्, the best and the utmost without being surpassed by anyone.

A practicing devotee, being cautious without an iota of doubt should propitiate this very Lord by repeatedly singing his thousand names that describe his attributes, worship him with these names wondering his glories, and have thoughts only of him. He is the last and the only refuge that one can take.

Doing so is the supreme dharma of all dharma. All the sins causing sorrow will disappear leading to auspiciousness bringing peace & prosperity.

Also, Sri Bheeshmachary had said to his grandson King Yudhishthira,

यानि नामानि गौणानि विख्यातानि महात्मनः ।

ऋषिभिर्परिगीतानि तानि वक्ष्यामि भूतये॥

The ancient seers have been meditating and worshipping Lord by singing the hymns having the names of the Lord that describes the attributes. I will reveal the far-famed names of the great Lord for the benefit of everyone. Saying so, Sri Bheeshmachary sang the Vishnu Sahasaranam.

This way the divine plan was revealed to the righteous. Taking a human birth for virtuous is to please the Lord by singing his fame, and his names describing his attributes. By doing so, Lord blesses us with such attributes to our capacity in our journey of Yoga to accomplish him. Following this divine path, Goddess Bhoo Devi too sang the names of Lord describing his attributes as,

सत्यं शौचं दया त्याग​: सन्तोष आर्जवम् ।

शमो दमस्तपः साम्यं तितिक्षोपरतिः श्रुतम् ॥ २६॥

In our last blog, we discussed how the Lord is Satyam or Authentic. We realized his authenticity from him being of divine bliss engrossed in stainless happiness, and complete with all attributes. The other attribute of Lord that Bhoo Devi mentions is Saucha or Cleanliness. The reason for uncleanliness is Prakriti. Even the best of the beings become influenced by Prakriti to be unclean.

However, Lord controls by superseding Prakriti and controls without being influenced by Prakriti. He is sat-chit-Ananda.  His form consists of complete Jnana and Ananda. His Forms are Nitya from Anadi and Anantha. Hence, he is the cleanest.

Our outer body can be cleaned by the soap, or shampoo and water. However, the mind cannot be cleaned. The uncleanliness and stains on our mind can be cleaned by forgoing the attachment with the subject or the object causing the same. This happens by worshipping the Lord, doing Yoga or synchronization with him as being:

·         Pure and Clean consciousness,

·         His form is of Pure Knowledge and Happiness,

·         Prakriti having Satvo, Rajo, and Thamo Guns cannot influence him.

When pleased, the Lord would break the concealments of Prakriti on our Soul. He would break the bind of Prakriti with our soul that keeps us attached with worldly pleasures otherwise. Our desire for glamour or movie, or tour & travel to exotic places, dress, attraction, and desire for other’s attention would reduce. The influence of ego boosters like wine, wealth, and women would reduce and one day even disappears. By worshipping the Lord as Saucha or clean, the mind would become crystal clear and be unsullied. 

Such Lord Krishna complete with the attribute of Saucha or Cleanliness used to walk on me, said Goddess Bhoo Devi. Every step of his would bring goosebumps to me and make me pure, clean, and worthy. His disappearance has saddened me now, regretted Goddess Bhoo Devi. 

Lord 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. By worshipping such compassionate Lord, doing Yoga or synchronization with him for this attribute of compassion, Lord would bless us with a kind heart towards the people affected with physical, mental, or emotional difficulties. 

The contempt towards those virtuous who are not as wealthy as me or not as intelligent as myself, or not as qualified as myself, or not in a similar position as myself, or not as spiritual as myself will reduce and disappear one day. Contempt or looking down others arises from ego bringing sin.

Also, the Danam or The charity that Lord does is immeasurable and unsurpassed. This is the act of giving to a devotee of Vishnu. At the beginning of the 17thchapter in Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna asks Lord Sri Krishna, “What do you call those devotees worshipping you with great faith having no understanding of the Shastras or the Indoctrinations? Who cannot differentiate Satvika, Rajasika, or Thamasika Charity?”

Answering this question, Lord Sri Krishna says

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे ।

देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥BG-17-20॥

Doing charity as a duty in the right place, at the right time, to the most eligible without any expectations in return are Satvika Dana or True & Pure charity.

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः ।

दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥BG-17-21॥

Doing charity with pain and expectations in return is Rajasaka Dana or Unclean & Emotional charity.

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते ।

असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥BG-17-22॥

Doing charity without reasons at an inappropriate place, time, to those not eligible with ignorance is Tamasika Dana or Foul & Wicked charity.

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् ।

असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥BG-17-28॥

Doing Fire Sacrifice, or Charity, or Austerity, or any committed Actions without trust and faith is called असत् or wrong! It is neither beneficial here during living or after death. says Lord Sri Krishna

Lord has created this a vast universe with all comforts for existence to each being. For those who are good and worship him, he bestows merits letting them into the higher regions of heaven. For those who are mediocre, worshiping him sometimes for needs and ignoring him the rest of the time, he blesses them with both merit and sins. Lord shunts the mediocre between earth, higher regions of heaven, and lower regions of hell. But for the evils who hate him, he blesses only sins to shun them to the lower world of hell.

In other words, the charitable Lord blesses each one based on their desire emanating from the character of their soul. The evil Kamsa challenged death by not accepting Sri Krishna’s Lordship. Though Lord could have ignored him and killed him without presenting himself with a fight. However, the charitable Lord Sri Krishna came down to earth, engaged him in a wrestling fight, and killed him. He sent him to Hell to face immeasurable suffering. He is charitable. He does give.

However, for the mediocre in Yadhu clan, he created hatred among themselves with which they had killed each other. He moved them among three worlds of Heaven, Earth, and Hell to face the cycle of death and birth having happiness and sorrow. But for devout Gopikas, Sudhama, Pandavas, and others who worshipped him accepted his Lordship, Lord poured his mercy of moksha or release from the cycle of death and birth. He sent them to Heaven having immeasurable happiness. He is charitable. He does give. So too should each living individual. The charity can reform an individual, bring about progress, lead to betterment, and consequently closer to Lord.

In “The First Principlesof Bhakti Yoga by Narada Rishi” we heard Narada Rishi saying,

नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितंन शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् ।

कुतः पुनः शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे न चार्पितं कर्म यदप्यकारणम् ॥ १२॥

Though from ज्ञानं or Knowledge is अमलं or stainless निरञ्जनं purity i.e. One could remove all defects and also avoid it with Knowledge. One could be an expert in all indoctrinations of Philosophy including Amarakosha or Thesaurus, Grammer, all Vedas, Vedantas, Mahabarata, Ramayana, and so on. But if he has no devotion or Bhakti towards Lord Achyutha or अच्युतभाववर्जितं, then न शोभते or he is not fit or of any use is what Narada Rishi is saying.

कुतः पुनः or If that is the status of Knowledge, which is on higher-order, then what could be told about actions. All actions should be done to propitiate the Lord and please him with नैष्कर्म्य or abstinence of bragging about the act including seeking merit for the act. That is possible only when done with Bhakti. Hence, whatever action one might have undertaken including the best of charity like establishing Educational Institution or Hospitals or old age Homes or construction of Lakes or Ponds for water, or any best act but न चार्पितं कर्म or if not submitted to the Indweller, the Lord then it is अभद्र or inauspicious.

 Also, it is important to do charity only to those who are eligible. We see many individuals and organizations having wealth being egoistic and self-centered. Under the pretext of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, corporates promote their business, or grab land, or destroy the environment. So too individual politicians or others take-up charity for self-promotion and satisfy their ego. However, such charity done with ulterior motive or to satisfy one's own ego or done to those having no Vishnu Bhakti, or to undeserving would not give any merits. It is a mere waste!

Therefore, by worshipping the Lord as charitable, doing Yoga, or synchronization with him for this attribute of charity. By worshipping him as charitable doing charity to three types of people in three different ways as we saw above. He gives moksha having complete knowledge and happiness to the good. He gives a cycle of happiness & sorrow to the mediocre. And he gives only sorrow to the evil. The Lord would bless us with a kind heart to do charity to only those eligible. He would also bless us with awareness to submit back to him as Sri Krishnarpanamastu and forget the deed without bragging. After having done the charity, he will bless the merit of Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.  

Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484-1564), is believed to be the अंश or part of Narada Rishi. A staunch devotee sensitizing the common man to take-up the divine path of bhakti. Sri Purandara dasaru has composed the below song for a devotee who takes refuge in the Lotus feet of Lord. And teach him how to worship the Lord and seek his Compassion. Let's take look at it with English translation in an Italic font:   

innu daya bArade dAsana mele

pannaga shayana Sri parama purusha,

When are you showing your compassion on your bonded slave?

Oh, Sri Supreme Lord! Lying on Pannaga, the thousand hooded snake.

nAna deshagallali nAna kAlagallai nAna yOnigallali nelidu hutti

nAnu nannadu yemba naraka dolage biddu nEne gathi yendu nambida dAsana mEle

Taking birth after births in different countries, at different times, and in different species, I am just hanging on.

Having fallen in the hell of self-obsession, I have taken refuge in you as your bonded slave.

So, when are you showing your compassion on your bonded slave?

manova kAyadinda mAdida karmagallela dAnavantaka ninage dAna vitte

yEnu mAdidarenu prAna ninnadu swami SrinAtha Puranadara Vittala naa dAsa na mEle

The destroyer of evil! I have given away all my actions done mentally or physically to you as Charity.

Whatever I may do, oh my Lord! My life is itself yours.

For Srinatha Purandara Vittala’s bonded slave, when are you showing your compassion?

For sound bites, may wish to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPM3oQV-I94

 Let’s pray to Sri Hari, Vayu, and Gurus for their continued blessings for our understanding of the other attributes of the Lord sung by Goddess Bhoo Devi.

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Worshiping The Authenticity of Lord brings Happiness

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.

After the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna and the ascent of Pandavas to heaven, Kali was aggressively seizing control on all walks of life and on all non-living substances. His first attack was on the three legs of dharma or righteousness. He broke the leg of Austerity. Hence the spiritual practices of the people of Kali Yuga declined to make most of us lazy and indifferent. Subsequently, he attacked the cleanliness and compassion. This made the fourth attribute of truthfulness fragile and delicate in the people of Kali Yuga.

As a prelude to Vishnu Sahasranamam, Sri Bheeshmacharya answering his grandson King Yudhishthira says,

यानि नामानि गौणानि विख्यातानि महात्मनः ।

ऋषिभिर्परिगीतानि तानि वक्ष्यामि भूतये॥

The ancient seers have been meditating and worshipping Lord by singing the hymns having the names of the Lord that describes his attributes. I will reveal the far-famed names of the great Lord for the benefit of everyone. Saying so, Sri Bheeshmachary sang the Vishnu Sahasaranam.

This story of Parikshid raja having the fame of administering the evil Kali in Srimad Bhagavata is surprisingly beneficial and is soaked to saturation with the auspicious attributes of Lord Sri Krishna, his greatness, and his sports charm. By singing his names describing his attributes, Lord blesses us with such attributes to our capacity in our journey of Yoga to accomplish him.  In this section, we are blessed to contemplate the attributes of the Lord narrated by Goddess Bhoo Devi that yields benefits. Those benefits have also been discussed here.

The Goddess of village deity, the mother earth says,

धरण्युवाचभवान्

भवान् हि वेद तत्सर्वं यन्मां धर्मानुपृच्छसि ।

चतुर्भिर्वर्तसे येन पादैर्लोकसुखावहैः ॥ २५॥

God Dharma! You should have been living in abundance with all your four legs hale and hearty. You know all that is happening. You are aware of the reasons for the injury of your three legs that have brought you sadness and made you handicap. And the same reason has brought me sadness too.

However, separation from the Lord has brought about the highest level of sadness. He was exhibiting his attributes that brought happiness to one and all. In him are the immeasurable and vast attributes that never reduce. The best of beings, Bhagavatas, the saints take up rigorous austerity to please the Lord and be blessed with such attributes in themselves too. They propitiate the Lord. They worship him over several births to receive his Prasada or gracious gift. And such compassionate Lord Srinivasa has disappeared from this earth, says Goddess Bhoo Devi.

At this juncture, it is important for us to have the right perspective on the presence of the Lord. We came across how Arjuna was saddened, Dharma raja had slipped into melancholy filled with sadness, and now from our last blog, we are discussing the Goddess of Earth engulfed in sadness after the departure of Lord Sri Krishna from this earth. Though the other forms of Lord Veda Vyasa, Parshuram continued to appear during that early period of Kali Yuga. Also, Lord Sri Krishna is present by himself in the various temples of him. He is present in Srimad Bhagavata, Bhagavad Gita, and so on. Also, the fact that this earth is existing supporting various living beings means that the omnipresent Lord is present and supporting. Though, the Lord is present all over, why does Goddess Bhoo Devi feel separation from the Lord and is crying? This is a question we need to have an answer.The fact is that the Lord is Omnipresent. In the Forms and The Fame of Lord Bhagavan, we read Sri Sutacharya narrating

जगृहे पौरुषं रूपं भगवान् महदादिभिः।

सम्भूतं षोडशकलमादौ लोकसिसृक्षया ॥1॥

In the beginning, the Lord intended to create the universe. Hence, from Prakriti having Satvika, Rajasika, and Thamasika Guna he created Mahat-Tattva. From Mahat-Tattva he created Ahankara Tattva from which he created sixteen elements consisting of five Jnana Indriya, five Karma Indriya, One Manas, and five Tanmatra. He accepted the form of Purusha including these sixteen elements.

यस्याम्भसि शयानस्य योगनिद्रां वितन्वतः ।

नाभिह्रदाम्बुजादासीद्ब्रह्मा विश्वसृजां पतिः ॥2॥

After the creation of Brahamanda or the Universe including the cosmic ocean, The Lord Purusha entered the universe. He took 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.

यस्यावयवसंस्थानैः कल्पितो लोकविस्तरः ।

तद्वै भगवतो रूपं विशुद्धं सत्त्वमूर्जितम् ॥3॥

From the body and the limbs of Lord Purusha who has the Virat Roopa of omniform, all the fourteen 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.

पश्यन्त्यदो रूपमदभ्रचक्षुषा सहस्रपादोरुभुजाननाद्भुतम् ।

सहस्रमूर्धश्रवणाक्षिनासिकं सहस्रमौल्यम्बरकुण्डलोल्लसत् ॥

The God Brahma sees the entire Universe with the divine vision as the form of Lord Vasudeva. Baffled, he sings the Lord’s fame and glory through Purusha Sukta. This way the one Lord appeared to him surprisingly wonderful with millions of feet, thighs, arms, face, ears, eyes, nose, and dazzling Ornaments as Virat Purusha being in omniform. Also, God Brahma gazing at this Sports Charm of the Lord is brimming with bliss and knowledge.

Wondering on this omnipresent aspect of Lord, we went through the translation of the song in Forms and The Fame of Lord Bhagavan composed by Kanaka Dasaru in which he is wondering if “Is the sweetness inside the sugar or the sugar is in sweetness!; Or is sweetness and sugar in our taste of the tongue!; Or is taste in our thoughts or the thoughts in the taste!; Or is our taste, thoughts with you, Krishna”

While the Lord is present everywhere, in the dress we wear, the food we eat, the water we drink, the idol we worship, the house we stay in, the road we walk, but we do not worship him in all those. However, we worship the idol in which he is or the Saligrama Shila in which he is, or the photograph in which he is, or even the scripture like Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhagavad Gita, or Srimad Bhagavata. We worship in all those he is present in a significant way.

Being with different forms, in different objects, carrying out different acts, Lord blesses each being. Like being in poison, with a name as Poison, he would take away life when consumed; as a stone from Gandaki river, he accepts the Shodashopachara or the sixteen types of offerings by a devotee including Invitation; Seat to sit; Washing of the feet; Drinking water; Purification of the host by repeating the various names of the guest;  Bath with scented water; Clothes & Sacred thread to wear; Sandalwood paste as a perfume; Flowers & Ornaments to wear; Incense to fill the surrounding with aroma; the light of the lamp as decoration; Food as naivedyam; Betel leaf with areca nut to eat after having food; Auspicious arati or showing the beautiful flame of the fire to the Lord to please him, and the farewell being in a Saligrama Shila.

He is in the words we speak and the song we sing. But being in each, he does different acts.  His ubiquity would not invoke devotion in all objects of sight, sound, or the air. While we walk over a stone, we place the Saligrama stone or a stone idol of the Lord over a pedestal and do Aradhana or worship his omnipresence. Also, the Lord in each form blesses differently. And hence, the Bhoo Devi in the form of a cow, the mother earth was feeling saddened due to the separation of Lord Sri Krishna. Remembering this the tears rolled down from her eyes. She had enormous gratitude towards the Lord Sri Krishna. He had appeared exclusively to her, to reduce the weight of sin and the sinners on her. That very Lord Sri Krishna had disappeared and hence she was weeping. So too Arjuna, for him Lord Veda Vyasa was a grandfather and a teacher. However, Lord Sri Krishna was a dear friend and hence his disappearance and loss of friendship brought sadness to him and other Pandavas. While Lord Budha appeared after Lord Sri Krishna, he only led those who misused Vedas, away from Vedas. But, the form of Lord Sri Krishna led the mother earth and the people therein to Kali Yuga. So for us, the people of Kali Yuga, the form of Lord Sri Krishna is more near and the most worshipable. Since that particular form of Lord had disappeared, Goddess Bhoo Devi was engulfed in the sadness of separation.

The Goddess of village deity, the mother earth responding to God Dharma starts singing the attributes of Lord saying,

सत्यं शौचं दया क्षान्तिस्त्यागः सन्तोष आर्जवम् ।

शमो दमस्तपः साम्यं तितिक्षोपरतिः श्रुतम् ॥ २६॥

Satyam or Authentic is the attribute of the Lord. We briefly saw this attribute of Lord in Mangalacharan or the verse of prayer wherein Lord is ascribed as Satyam-Param-Dhimahi. He is authentic because he is of divine bliss engrossed in stainless happiness, and complete with all attributes.

To understand this aspect, let’s take an analogy of the house where we live. When can one cherish the house? Or hold it as dear? Or become adorable? Could it be when it is the most expensive? Or when done with the best minds of an architect having beautiful facades or well layout plans or making it stunning with razor-sharp corners, glass, and stainless steel?

However, we see the most expensive house becoming haunted or people in it keep fighting or are most jealous making them anxious about distrustful, or there could be a suicide or divorce and so on in the house. These are undesirable and the house too gets blamed. Hence, the most adorable house would be the house where the residents are peaceful, happy, and satisfied.

Hence, the Bhoo Devi starts with the attribute of Satyam or Authenticity of the Lord. As he is stainless, complete with attributes, and full of happiness! His happiness is not a pretense nor hypocrisy. It is a stainless, pure, clean, divine, immeasurable, and unsurpassed happiness without any volatility.

That very Lord Sri Krishna who is Satyam or Authentic is engrossed in divine bliss. He would walk over me. When he did so, the divine marks including Lotus, Conch, Mace, Elephant, Goad, Disc, Umbrella, on his feet would imprint on me. He walked on me as a small child, a cowherd boy, as a youth, as middle-aged, as a killer of sinners to reduce weight on me, as a lover of Gopikas, as a husband of 16000 wives, as a father, friend, and more. He would talk only pleasing words with the virtuous. For every step of that very Lord Krishna on me having the attribute of Satyam, I would ooze with happiness, I would have goosebumps all over me said, Bhoo Devi.

This is the happiness each one of us has to experience. This is the first attribute of the Lord that every practitioner of Bhakti Yoga needs to worship. For that, we need to do Yoga or synchronization by worshipping the Lord as having no sorrow and has only stainless, immeasurable, permanent, and perfect happiness. And worship Lord as soft-spoken with pleasing words bringing delight to the virtuous. Doing so the compassionate Lord would bless us with such attributes of divine happiness, eloquence, and pleasant speech to the fullest of our individual capacity.  

The modern-day psychology, it's understanding of the subconscious mind, the metaphysical and new age literature coming out of it is at the nascent stage. This just does not cause more entanglement with the cycle of death and birth but has the potential to increase manifold to push the individual to hell. However, we see how Srimad Bhagavata is imbibing attributes of divine happiness, eloquence, and pleasant speech within the subconscious mind for the betterment of social values in the society leading to the Purushartha or objectives of life.

Let’s pray to Sri Hari, Vayu, and Gurus for their continued blessings for our understanding of the other attributes of the Lord sung by Goddess Bhoo Devi.
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Attack of Kali on Spiritual Practice, Cleanliness, and Compassion

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.

सूत उवाच Sri Sutacharya says,

किं नु बालेषु शूरेण कलिना धीरभीरुणा ।

अप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तेषु यो वृको नृषु वर्तते ॥

या याः कथा भगवतः कथनीयोरुकर्मणः ।

गुणकर्माश्रयाः पुम्भिः संसेव्यास्ता बुभूषुभिः ॥

The Kali is like a cunning wolf. He survives in the ignorance of being smart. Though the wolf attacks the children and the weak, are scared of strong and powerful. Similarly, the Kali Purusha is careful in only taking control of those who blunder being stupid and careless.

Hence, those who wish to become strong with valor, fight for moral worth and dignity, seek auspiciousness, and prosperity should fight Kali. For them Srimad Bhagavata gives refuge. The story Parikshid raja administering the evil Kali in Srimad Bhagavata that I am going to narrate is worthy to sing is surprisingly beneficial to them. This is soaked to saturation by the auspicious attributes of Lord Sri Krishna, his greatness, and his sports charm.   

Let’s hear that, says Sri Sutacharya,

यदा परीक्षित्कुरुजाङ्गलेऽशृणोत्कलिं प्रविष्टं निजचक्रवर्तिते ।

निशम्य वार्तामनतिप्रियां ततः शरासनं संयुगशौण्डिराददे ॥ १०॥

Sri Shaunaka! King Parikshit was ruling the entire earth from his capital Hastinapura. During his emperorship, he was informed that Kali had ascended to Earth from the lower world. He often received reports of his misdeeds. While this had brought him sorrow, he reconciled to an opportunity to fight Kali and conquer over him. He took up the arms and decided to fight out, Kali.

स्वलङ्कृतं श्यामतुरङ्गयोजितं रथं मृगेन्द्रध्वजमाश्रितः पुरात् ।

वृतो रथाश्वद्विपपत्तियुक्तया स्वसेनया दिग्विजयाय निर्गतः ॥ ११॥

He boarded the chariot that was well decorated and had a flag carrying the symbol of the Lion. The chariot was pulled by horses that were black, beautiful, and agile. He decided to go to war with Kali accompanied by the army that had divisions of war elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry against Kali.

भद्राश्वं केतुमालं च भारतं चोत्तरान् कुरून् ।

किम्पुरुषादीनि वर्षाणि विजित्य जगृहे बलिम् ॥ १२॥

King Parikshid took up Digvijay or assertion of being victorious in all the directions, he passed through various regions including Bhadraashwa, Ketumala, Bharata, Uttara Kuru, and Kimpurushavarsha. He collected the taxes from the Kings there.

तत्र तत्रोपशृण्वानः स्वपूर्वेषां महात्मनाम् ।

प्रगीयमाणं च यशः कृष्णमाहात्म्यसूचकम् ॥ १३॥

During his short stay in each of the kingdom, King Parikshid was told about the fame of his ancestors. As in the fame of his ancestors was the story of the Glory of Lord Sri Krishna, his thoughts were grounded in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna.   

आत्मानं च परित्रातमश्वत्थाम्नोऽस्त्रतेजसः ।

स्नेहं च वृष्णिपार्थानां तेषां भक्तिं च केशवे ॥ १४॥

Also, he heard how he is true to his name Parikshid i.e. being protected by Lord. He was protected from the splendor of Brahmashirshastra during his stay in his mother's womb by Lord Sri Krishna.

These stories narrated by the people he met reminded him of the enormous devotion his ancestors had in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna and the intimacy between Pandavas and the Yadhu clan.

तेभ्यः परमसन्तुष्टः प्रीत्युज्जृम्भितलोचनः ।

महाधनानि वासांसि ददौ हारान् महामनाः ॥ १५॥

King Parikshid felt pleased hearing the stories of his grandparents and Lord Sri Krishna. His eyes would blossom wide like fully bloomed Lotus flower to hear with the utmost attention. Also, his Lotus of heart would blossom flowing the nectar of intimacy towards those narrating. As a token of this love, the extremely generous and kind-hearted Parikshid would present them with exclusive gifts including the precious jewelry he wore.

सारथ्यपारषदसेवनसख्यदौत्यवीरासनानुगमनस्तवनप्रणामान् ।

स्निग्धेषु पाण्डुषु जगत्प्रणतिं च विष्णोः भक्तिं करोति नृपतिश्चरणारविन्दे ॥ १६॥

Lord Bhaktavatsala to whom the devotee is dearer than himself. Sri Krishna had showered his choicest blessings on Pandavas. He became a charioteer to Arjuna, a member of the governing assembly, dear friend, a guide, a messenger, and he would do any work that Pandavas wanted. In fact, when Pandavas went out for excursions, Sri Krishna would hold a sword and guard the camp throughout the night and had made the Pandavas the Emperor. Such stories were told to Parikshid Raja when he traveled from one Kingdom to another. Hearing such stories, King Parikshit’s devolution in the Lotus feet of Lord only increased.

तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पूर्वेषां वृत्तिमन्वहम् ।

नातिदूरे किलाश्चर्यं यदासीत्तन्निबोध मे ॥ १७॥

Following the traditions set forth by his grandparents, ascertaining his Emperrorship, hearing the fame of his grandparents, the protection he received from Lord during his birth, and the immeasurable compassion showed by the Lord he traveled. One day, a shocking incident happened close to the Parikshid camp. I shall narrate that to you all, said Sri Sutacharya

धर्मः पदैकेन चरन् विच्छायामुपलभ्य गाम् ।

पृच्छति स्माश्रुवदनां विवत्सामिव मातरम् ॥ १८॥

Shaunaka Rishi! God Dharma had taken the form of a bullock and had his three legs broken. He met the village deity who had taken the form of Cow. Seeing the Cow crying like it has lost its calf, the bullock asked thus,

From the metaphysical standpoint, Kali attacks dharma and the holy place that supports dharma. This was the message that the village deity and God Dharma wanted to convey through King Parikshid to all of us. God Dharma stands on four legs, Viz. Tapas or Austerity conferring disciplined spiritual practices, Saucha or cleanliness, Daya or compassion, and Satya or truthfulness. Of this, Asceticism, Cleanliness, and Compassion had been broken badly by Kali. The only truthfulness was surviving. The injured three legs had made the fourth leg also drag conveying that though the truthfulness survived but was very fragile.

God Dharma says,

धर्म उवाच

कच्चिद्भद्रेऽनामयमात्मनस्ते विच्छायासि म्लायतेषन्मुखेन ।

आलक्षये भवतीमन्तराधिं दूरे बन्धुं शोचसि कञ्चनाम्ब ॥ १९॥

The auspicious one! Your face has turned dim. You are carrying a heavy heart. Something is bothering you. Has any of your relative or friend has traveled to far off land? Are you worried about him?

पादैर्न्यूनं शोचसि मैकपादमात्मानं वा वृषलैर्भोक्ष्यमाणम् ।

आहो सुरादीन् हृतयज्ञभागान् प्रजा उत स्विन्मघवत्यवर्षति ॥ २०॥

Or, hope you are not worried about me looking at my handicap! Having three legs broken, are you thinking that how I am managing with only one leg? Or, are you worried that the wicked are ruling over me, the righteous? Or, are you worried about the Gods as they are unable to receive their substance offered in the fire sacrifice? Or, are you worried about the common men as they are struggling to grow their crops due to untimely rains? 

अरक्ष्यमाणाः स्त्रिय उर्वि बालान् शोचस्यथो पुरुषादैरिवार्तान् ।

वाचं देवीं ब्रह्मकुले कुकर्मण्यब्रह्मण्ये राजकुले कुलाग्र्यान् ॥ २१॥

Or, are you bothered about women folk as they who are vulnerable to the strong and the wicked? Or are you worried about the weak children being exploited by powerful? Or, are you worried about Goddess of Knowledge being stuck with the wicked Brahmins? Or, are you worried that the Brahmins are serving the Kings who have lost their faith in religion? Though the religion holds people falling to hell!

किं क्षत्रबन्धून् कलिनोपसृष्टान् राष्ट्राणि वा तैरवरोपितानि ।

इतस्ततो वाशनपानवासः स्नानव्यवायोन्मुखजीवलोकम् ॥२२॥

Devi! Are you worried that Kali has made a firm place in all Kshatriyas? Nowadays, the Kings are there only for the namesake. Instead of carrying out the welfare of their subjects, they are busy filling their personal coffers by exploiting them. Is this what worrying you?

Or there is a decline in moral values, people eat food that is being sold, drink liquor, wear an inappropriate dress, or take a bath at their own wish. They don’t follow the ways prescribed in Shastras or the indoctrinations. Are you worried about them?

यद्वाम्ब ते भूरिभरावतारकृतावतारस्य हरेर्धरित्रि ।

अन्तर्हितस्य स्मरती विसृष्टा कर्माणि निर्वाणविलम्बितानि ॥ २३॥

Or Devi! Have you appeared to recollect & remember the glory of Lord Sri Krishna, praise his fame, and recollect his compassion shown towards you? He appeared on this earth only to reduce the weight of Sin in each village and the whole earth. Are you sad that he has disappeared now? 

इदं ममाचक्ष्व तवाधिमूलं वसुन्धरे येन विकर्शितासि ।

कालेन वा ते बलिनां बलीयसा सुरार्चितं किं हृतमम्ब सौभगम् ॥ २४॥

Goddess! You bear an enormous wealth of metals & minerals, Gems & stones in you. You are superior to many Gods and Goddesses! Why are you engulfed in sadness? As the Kali Yuga has started, the evil Kali is having his influence on everything. Are you saddened that in his time of Kali Yuga he is taking away all your auspiciousness? Please tell me, Devi! I wait for your reply, says God Dharma.

Let’s pray to Sri Hari, Vayu, and Gurus for their continued blessing to hear the complete story of Parikshid raja administering the evil Kali in Srimad Bhagavata that is surprisingly beneficial and is soaked to saturation with the auspicious attributes of Lord Sri Krishna, his greatness, and his sports charm. 

|| Hari Om ||
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Winning Over The Futility of Life

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.

सूत उवाच, Sri Sutacharya saya,

ततः परीक्षिद्द्विजवर्यशिक्षया महीं महाभागवतः शशास ह ।

यथा हि सूत्यामभिजातकोविदाःसमादिशन् विप्र महद्गुणस्तथा ॥ १॥

Sri Shaunaka! Subsequent to the Pandavas ascent to Heaven, the best of Bhagavata, Parikshit having enormous devotion in the Lotus feet of Lord ruled the Kingdom considering the advice of the learned scholars. In The Future Predictions ofBaby Parakshid, we had read the astrologers saying,

पार्थ प्रजाविता साक्षादिक्ष्वाकुरिव मानवः ।

ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यथा ॥ १९॥

Partha! The son of Kunti! Don't worry. This boy will protect subjects like King Ikshvaku, the son of Manu, the foremost of the solar dynasty. He will worship the priests and keep his words, like the son of Dasharatha, Lord Sri Rama. He will be Satyasandha like Lord Sri Rama.

This and other predictions of learned Astrologers did unfold and turned true. 

स उत्तरस्य तनयामुपयेम इरावतीम् ।

जनमेजयादींश्चतुरस्तस्यामुत्पादयत्सुतान् ॥ २॥

He got married to Iraavatee. She was the daughter of his uncle, Uttara Kumara. They had four sons and had named them, Janamejaya, Bhimasena, Ugrasena, and Srutasena. 

आजहाराश्वमेधांस्त्रीन् गङ्गायां भूरिदक्षिणान् ।

शारद्वतं गुरुं कृत्वा देवा यत्राक्षिगोचराः ॥ ३॥

The King Parikshit, under the guidance of Kripacharya, carried out three Ashwamedha Yagnas on the banks of river Ganga. Priests of enormous perfection and impeccability were invited to perform the Yagna. As they performed Yagna, offered the substance as a sacrifice in the fire to each God’s announcing their names as inscribed in the Vedic verses, the specific Gods themselves showed up descending from heaven. They appeared in their physical form in the fire and received the offerings from the devout & pious King Parikshit.

After the sacrifice, the King Parikshit made large donations to these priests and the learned scholars.

निजग्राहौजसा वीरः कलिं दिग्विजये क्वचित् ।

नृपलिङ्गधरं शूद्रं घ्नन्तं गोमिथुनं पदा ॥ ४॥

When King Parikshit was traveling with Dijvijaya or victory in all the directions, the kings he encountered were accepting his emperorship. One day he encountered Kali.  Though appeared like a person of working-class serving the society as a farmer or a smith, Kali had dressed in the royal robes fit only for the Kings.

King Parikshid 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. The last fame of controlling the Kali is held only by Parikshit.

Filled with reverence and folded hand, Sri Shaunaka rishi said,

शौनक उवाच

कस्य हेतोर्निजग्राह कलिं दिग्विजये नृपः ।

नृदेवचिह्नधृक् शूद्रः कोऽसौ गां यः पदाहनत् ।

तत्कथ्यतां महाभाग यदि कृष्णकथाश्रयम् ॥ ५॥

अथवास्य पदाम्भोजमकरन्दलिहां सताम् ।

किमन्यैरसदालापैरायुषो यदसद्व्ययः ॥ ६॥

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?   

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 gift of Lord, they come with a short lifespan. They succumb to death before even starting any serious practice of Yoga.

Therefore, the priests carrying out 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 Yama, God Indra during pralaya; Mukya 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. They have them here in शामित्रकर्म of a friendly act 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 life span 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 shortlived, 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 saints of the Bhakti movement had an astute mind in understanding the common men and brought about reforms by introducing Bhagavata dharma through their literary works including compositions of songs. Gopala Dasaru too was a prominent saint in the Bhakti Movement between 1721 – 1769 has composed several songs in the Kannada language.  This “Hyange maadalayya Krishna pogutide aayushya…” i.e “What do I do Krishna? I am expending my lifespan…,” is one such song that leaves a deep imprint on the minds of the common man and has the ability to sink quickly into the subconscious of the individual.

Let’s take a look at the same with English translation

Hyange maadalayya Krishna pogutide aayushya

mangalanga bhavabhanga bidisi ninna dingarigana maado ananga janaka||pa||

What do I do Krishna? I am expending my lifespan

The auspicious one! Shear my emotional attachment with the worldly existence and make me be your servant. Oh, my impalpable father!

yesu janumada sukrutada phalavo taanu janisalagi

bhoosuradehada janumavu enage sambhavisideyagi|

modateertha mata chinhiitanagade doshake olagagi

leshasadhanava kanade duhsahavasadindale dina dina kalede||1||

The good merits accumulated over several births has caused me this birth

I am blessed with this Nobel birth

Without wearing the divine marks of Gopi-Chandana tilaka, chakra, Shanka, Gadha, Padma, mudra, I have been sinning

Without even the slightest practice and the company of wicked, I am expending day after day.

shashimukha kanakada aashege beretu vasupati ninnadiya

hasanagi ninna neneyade krupeya galisade kettenayya|

nishehagalu sthiravendu tanuvanu poshisalashisi jeeya

kusuride nelavo sarvakala nin odetanavembuva bageyanu ariyade||2||

The desire for beautiful faced women, and wealth has made me stoop to their feet

Laughing away your gifts of life and not gaining your mercy, I have sinned, my Lord!

Believing the permanency of day and night forever, I have been nourishing my body, my Lord!

Without realizing the permanency of your Lordship, I plummeted on the floor, my Lord!

Nerenambide paavatigalu ella saridu hodavalla

marali e pariya janumavu baruva bharavaseyantu illa|

Paripari vishayada aasheyu enage kiridu aayitalla

hariye jagadi neenobbanallade porevarinnaru illavalla||3||

All those whom I believe have become helpless,

I have no belief that I could get another chance to have a birth like this

The worldly desire has caused me a narrow path

No one else other than you could help me, Oh my Lord!

Avani olage punyakshetra charisuva havanike enagilla

pavanaatmaka guru madhwa shastrada pravachana kelalilla|

tavakadinda guru hiriyara sevisi avara olisalilla

ravinandana kelidara uttara kode vivarasaraku ondaadaru illa||4||

Oh my Lord! I had no itching desire to take up a pilgrimage to holy places

Nor I heard the purifying proponents of Acharya Madhva

Nor had I the eagerness to please the Gurus and Scholars

Oh, Lord! I don’t have a single reason to give to God Yama, the son of God Sun.

Bhagavatarodagudi upavasa jagara ondudina maadalilla

raagadi shukamuni pelda harikathe samyogavembodilla|

neeguvanta bhava bhayava bhakuti vairagyavembodilla

yogivandya gopalavithala.... gopalavithala; vithala vithala gopalavithala

yogivandya gopalavithala tale bhaagi ninnanne bedikombe||5||

Neither I fasted, nor did I stay awake through the night with your other devotees

Nor did I sway to the verses of melodious Srimad Bhagavata composed by Shukamuni

Nor I have Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya that has the ability to shear the emotional attachment with worldly pleasure

The one revered to saints, Gopalavithala; Gopalavithala; Vithala Vithala Gopalavithala

The one revered to saints, Yogivandya Gopalavithala, bowing my head I plead you.

For sound bites of the above song, sung by the famous Ananta Kulkarni, checkout at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5L9A4DJPqw.

|| Hari Om ||
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Story of Pandavas ascent to Heaven

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.In “Prosperity, In the Rule of Dharma Raja,” we noted thatकामं ववर्ष पर्जन्यः सर्वकामदुघा मही ।सिषिचुः स्म व्रजान् गावः पयसोधस्वतीर्मुदा ॥ ४॥Yudhishthira’s kingdom had abundant food supplies. There was peace and prosperity everywhere. The rain gods were very supportive of the needs of farmers and made enough water available to plants, animals, and human requirements. The mother earth made sufficient minerals available for the material required for life. Also, people were frugal and satisfied without causing an environmental imbalance. The cows had their udders full of milk and would drop it on earth without being able to hold.नद्यः समुद्रा गिरयः सवनस्पतिवीरुधः ।फलन्त्योषधयः सर्वाः काममन्वृतु तस्य वै ॥ ५॥The rivers, sea, mountains, plants & creepers bearing spices, all yielded their riches sufficiently in all seasons in the righteous kingdom of Yudhishthira.In all, the kingdom & its people had gained the favor of Sridevi, the Goddess of abundance.Sri Sutacharya continues to say,ययाहरद्भुवो भारं तां तनुं विजहावजः ।कण्टकं कण्टकेनेव द्वयं चापीशितुः समम् ॥ ३२॥पृथाप्यनुश्रुत्य धनञ्जयोदितं नाशं यदूनां भगवद्गतिं च ताम् ।एकान्तभक्त्या भगवत्यधोक्षजे निवेशितात्मोपरराम संसृतेः ॥ ३३॥निशम्य भगवन्मार्गं संस्थां यदुकुलस्य च ।स्वःपथाय मतिं चक्रे निभृतात्मा युधिष्ठिरः ॥ ३४॥Sri Shaunaka! Like removing a thorn stuck in bare feet with another thorn, the unchanging Lord Tattva without death and birth had made use of Yadhu clan to kill all the wicked and scandalous Kings. Thus reducing the weight of Sin on mother earth. Like, after plucking out a thorn from bare feet with another thorn and throwing both away, Lord had created hatred among the Yadhu clan making them kill themselves. Lord had done so maintaining equanimity between virtuous and evil.After hearing that the incidence from Arjuna that Lord Sri Krishna had left to his abode in Vaikunta and the near & dear relatives of Yadhu clan had died, King Yudhishthira became निभृतात्मा, sated with all his desires including to establish a righteous world. So, he decided to give up his kingship and ascend to heaven.   It is noteworthy that the Pandavas had committed to one and only, Lord Sri Krishna. They were resolute that they would be on this earth as long as Lord Sri Krishna appeared.  They had no desire in ruling the kingdom, nor enjoy the perks, nor had they attachment with any worldly pleasure. The moment they heard the departure of Lord Sri Krishna to Vaikunta, they too decided to give up everything on this earth and go to heaven. King Yudhishthira represents our adherence to righteousness;Bheemasena represents Bhakti or Devotion, Jnana or Knowledge, Vairagya or Dispassion, Pragna or Prudence, Medha, or the Mental Power, Dhruti, or being Resolute, Sthiti or Perseverance, Yoga, or Synchronization with the Axiom, Prana, or the Life Force and Bala or strength in us.Arjuna represents spiritual practice through hearing and study.Nakula & Sahadeva represents Charitra or conduct & Vinaya or humilityAs a practitioner of yoga, the five Pandavas representing the five good qualities are required in us. They would be present in us as long as we remember Lord Sri Krishna, sing his names that describe his attributes, praises his fame, and glory.   Considering our body as the land of a dwelling of Lord Si Krishna, stopping to propitiate him is like the Lord disappearing from this earth. And hence, the five Pandavas would decide and leave this earth to heaven.यथा मत्स्यादिरूपाणि धत्ते जह्याद्यथा नटः ।भूभारः क्षपितो येन जहौ तच्च कलेवरम् ॥ ३५॥Like the various forms of Matsya, Kurma, Vamana, and so on taken by the divine protector, Lord had taken the form of Sri Krishna in the Yadu clan. He made that form of Sri Krishna disappear from the earth to go to his abode of Vaikunta. यदा मुकुन्दो भगवानिमां महीं जहौ स्वतन्वा श्रवणीयसत्कथः ।तदा हरेवाप्रतिबुद्धचेतसामधर्महेतुः कलिरन्ववर्तत ॥ ३६॥The form of Lord Sri Krishna is worthy of being worshiped. Through which he exhibited his sport’s charm, he brought delight, divinity, and auspiciousness in this world. The moment he disappeared, the Kali Yuga causing wickedness and entanglement of the innocents and discriminates with worldly pleasure had started.In the metaphysical sense, Srimad Bhagavata says clearly that Kali will step into those minds at the time where there is no remembrance of Lord Sri Hari and in the hearts having no devotions to Lord Sri Hari.युधिष्ठिरस्तत्परिसर्पणं बुधः पुरे च राष्ट्रे च गृहे तथाऽऽत्मनि ।विभाव्य लोभानृतजिह्महिंसनाद्यधर्मचक्रं गमनाय पर्यधात् ॥ ३७॥The intelligent and smart king, Yudhishthira noticed the aggression with which Kali operated the cycle of greed, lies, hypocrisy, violence, wickedness, and doing unjust by entering into the minds of people living in each house in his capital city, towns, and villages. Hence, King Yudhishthira, the symbol of righteousness understood that his time of departure had come. He decided to take up the journey to heaven. स्वराट् पौत्रं विनयिनमात्मनः सुसमं गुणैः ।तोयनीव्याः पतिं भूमेरभ्यषिञ्चद्गजाह्वये ॥ ३८॥King Yudhishthira, the emperor of the planet earth wrapped by the sea of water as its robes announced that he will relinquish from the lordship. He considered a humble and well mannered Parikshid was equal to him, as his successor for the throne of Hastinapura.He coronated his grandson as King of Hastinapura.मथुरायां तथा वज्रं शूरसेनपतिं ततः ।प्राजापत्यां निरूप्येष्टिमग्नीनपिबदीश्वरः ॥ ३९॥Lord in his form of Anirudha had ruled the Kingdom of Shoorasena at Mathura. He too coronated his son Vajranabhi as the King in Mathura. Meanwhile, King Yudhishthira carried out the death ceremony of all his near and dear including those who had died in Dwarka.We had noted that Lord Sri Krishna had taken another form of Pradyumna as his son. Also, he had taken the form of Anirudha, the son of Pradyumna. The sons of Krita Verma and Satyaki were coronated as the Kings of Indraprastha.After coronating Parikshid as emperor, King Yudhishthira handed over Parikshid raja to Kripacharya requesting him to be his Guru. Then, King Yudhishthira announced to the common public in the capital that he will take-up Maha Prastana to proceed to his place of origin.विसृज्य तत्र तत्सर्वं दुकूलवलयादिकम् ।निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः सच्छिन्नाशेषबन्धनः ॥ ४०॥King Yudhishthira removed the exclusive royal dresses of the king he was wearing. He removed the ornaments including his crown, bracelets, necklaces, and wristband. Shedding all his pride and prestige and without having a trace of feeling sadness, he gave-up all that caused materialistic pleasure and bound the soul with a cycle of death and birth.वाचं जुहाव मनसि तत्प्राण इतरे च तम् ।धृत्या ह्यपानं सोत्सर्गं तं पञ्चत्वे ह्यजोहवीत् ॥ ४१॥त्रित्वे हुत्वा च पञ्चत्वं तच्चैकत्वेऽजुहोन्मुनिः ।सर्वमात्मन्यजुहवीद्ब्रह्मण्यात्मानमव्यये ॥ ४२॥King Yudhishthira meditated on Gods on the lower hierarchy dissolving into those of higher. Like the Gods responsible to influence Indriyas or sensory organs into their Lord, Indra. The dissolution of God Indra into Goddess Parvati.King Yudhishthira knew that the speech has its birth in the mind. Hence, he meditated, वाचं जुहाव मनसि i.e. the dissolution of Goddess Parvati Devi influencing speech, into God, Shiva responsible to influence the mind.God Shiva has his origin in Prana Vayu, the provider of life force. Prana is in his five forms of Prana, Vyana, Udana, Samana, and Apana. So, the God Shiva तत्प्राण would dissolve in the Prana form of five Vayus.    इतरे च तम् i.e. Vyana would dissolve into Prana. And, धृत्या ह्यपानं i.e Apana would dissolve into Prana having Vyana within. Then, त्रित्वे हुत्वा च पञ्चत्वं i.e Udana & Samana dissolves into the Prana with Vyana and Apana. These, पञ्चत्वं forms of Prana, Vyana, Udana, Samana, and Apana dissolve in their basic and primary form of तच्चैकत्वे i.e Mukya Prana.The Mukya Prana too dissolves into the सर्वमात्म or the indweller Lord in each of the beings. And that very Lord is ब्रह्मण्यात्मानं or no different from the omnipresent and अव्यय​ or imperishable Lord. This was the order of Meditation done by the Pandavas under the leadership of King Yudhishthira. And is the same order of dissolution of this whole universe.This is called Brahma Yagna. The confinement of a being in a cycle of sorrow-stricken death & birth is released by doing this Yagna at the time of death. चीरवासा निराहारो बद्धवाङ्मुक्तमूर्धजः ।दर्शयन्नात्मनो रूपं जडोन्मत्तपिशाचवत् ॥ ४३॥Subsequently, Pandavas wrapped themselves with ordinary clothes, gave up food & water to take up the vow of silence. They had completely lost an attachment to their individual body. They had realized that the body was made by processing non-living substances like water, earth, fire, air, and either. Hence, treating so, the Pandavas appeared in disarray. Their hair was scattered, clothes were unkempt, and they appeared like ghosts and goblins.अनवेक्षमाणो निरगादशृण्वन् बधिरो यथा ।उदीचीं प्रविवेशाशां गतपूर्वां महात्मभिः ।हृदि ब्रह्म परं ध्यायन् नावर्तेत यतो गतः ॥ ४४॥The Pandavas had earned a lot of love and affection from the ministers, priests, attendants, administration staff, and from all the subjects of the kingdom through their righteous rule. Hence, the people of the kingdom became dejected and sorrow-stricken hearing the announcement of King Yudhishthira to take up Maha Prastana of proceeding to his place of origin in heaven.However, the Pandavas were sucked in a meditative state. Only the Lord, his names, his attributes, his glory, his fame had occupied them.  Hence, being strong-hearted and resolute they left towards the Himalayas in the North like a blind seeing nothing and a deaf hearing nothing.सर्वे तमनुनिर्जग्मुर्भ्रातरः कृतनिश्चयाः ।कलिनाधर्ममित्रेण दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्टाः प्रजा भुवि ॥ ४५॥ते साधुकृतसर्वार्था ज्ञात्वात्यन्तिकमात्मनः ।मनसा धारयामासुर्वैकुण्ठचरणाम्बुजम् ॥ ४६॥Bheemasena, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva saw the advent of immorality, wickedness, jealousy, greed, and so on in the people by the aid of Kali. Realizing that they too had very little space in the mind and consciousness of people, followed King Yudhishthira going towards the Himalayas in the North with their mind occupied in the lotus feet of the Lord. तद्ध्यानोद्रिक्तया भक्त्या विशुद्धधिषणाः परे ।तस्मिन् नारायणपदे एकान्तमतयो गतिम् ॥ ४७॥अवापुर्दुरवापां ते असद्भिर्विषयात्मभिः ।विधूतकल्मषा स्थानं विरजेनात्मनैव हि ॥ ४८॥As the Pandavas meditated the lotus feet of Lord in their heart, they reached the highest pinnacle of devotion. Hence, their mind got completely purified with crystal clear and continuous thoughts of the supreme Lord.  As our mind is desirous of various current topics that are muddled with different thoughts can never achieve progress, such progress was achieved by Pandavas. They realized pure consciousness.द्रौपदी च तदाज्ञाय पतीनामनपेक्षताम् ।वासुदेवे भगवति ह्येकान्तमतिराप तम् ॥ ४९॥Observing that the Pandavas had achieved the highest state of serenity, Draupadi too accomplished the highest state of serenity by completely submitting herself to the Lotus feet of Lord as was done by Pandavas. With the enormous yogic power, they had gained by the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna, the Pandavas disassociated themselves with their body and shed it on earth to travel to heaven.  They merged with their original forms in heaven.  We had noted in Mahabharata the Book of Seekers that the oldest tradition of Sanatana Hindu scriptures outlines the process to understand the axioms of the fundamental nature of reality. These realities have been depicted by the omnipotent Lord himself, with his dearest, and devout Gods by showing up on this earth. Though the Lord can "ईच्छा मात्र जगत् सृष्टि" i.e create the entire universe by wishing so, however expressing his compassion towards you and me to understand the Metaphysics, the fundamental realities he came down to earth. In fact, Sri Krishna was there in the present place of Mathura. And the war did happen in Kurukshetra. Also, the same has been recorded by Lord Veda Vyasa in the form of stories.
Hence, our body including the sensory organs, mind, and intellect too is the form of mother earth in the metaphysics observing the fundamental nature of reality. Like Lord Sri Krishna had shown up in Dvapara yuga, so too, the omnipresent Lord Sri Krishna will be exhibiting his sports charm in us when we remember him, his Lordship, sing his names having a description of his attributes, fame, and his glory. Therefore, as long as the sensory organs, mind, and intellect do the service of Lord, the body becomes the dwelling place for Lord, till such time does exist Dharmaraja in one of his forms supporting and aiding us towards adherence to righteousness. Else, Lord would be dormant in his Yoga Nidra making King Yudhishthira to walk away to his place of origin. Hence, in other words, in those Jiva who have no thoughts of Lord, nor they sing and propitiate Lord, or those who are distant from Lord have no dharma. In The Subject, Eligibility, and Fruit, we had extensively understood dharma including its definition as one that holds us from falling down.The life force to a being is provided by Mukya Prana. His form is Bheemasena representing Bhakti or Devotion, Jnana or Knowledge, Vairagya or Dispassion, Pragna or Prudence, Medha, or the Mental Power, Dhruti or being Resolute, Sthiti or Perseverance, Yoga, or Synchronization with the Axiom, Prana, or the Life Force and Bala or Strength. In him and only through his support of bhakti, jnana, vairagya, and so on could we accomplish Lord Sri Krishna. As we do so, Lord Sri Krishna and Dharmaraja start dwelling in us. So, as long as Bheemasena providing the life force bestows Bhakti, Jnana, Vairagya, Pragna, and so on, Lord Sri Krishna will be actively exhibiting his sports charm in us. Also, Dharmaraja dwells in us, so does exist a practitioner like Arjuna accomplishing perfection and target through the spiritual practice of hearing and study.  The outcome of the practice of Arjuna gives birth to Nakula & Sahadeva representing Charitra or conduct & Vinaya or humility in us.Sri Sutacharya says,यः श्रद्धयैतद्भगवत्प्रियाणां पाण्डोः सुतानामिति सम्प्रयाणम् ।शृणोत्यलं स्वस्त्ययनं पवित्रं लब्ध्वा हरौ भक्तिमुपैति सिद्धिम् ॥ ५१॥Sri Shaunaka! Hearing this divine, auspicious, and the purest story of the Pandava's journey to heaven with full faith, attention, and devotion; the story of the journey of the devout and dear friends of Lord Sri Krishna would yield Bhakti in the lotus feet of Lord. The Bhakti inturn yields Mukti shearing the bind of the cycle of death and birth. इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धे पाण्डवस्वर्गारोहणं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः ॥ १५॥With this, we complete " The Story of Pandavas ascent to Heaven ” the fifteenth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1.
|| Hari Om ||

ArghyaKeraya neeranu kerege chelli, 
Like pouring back the water from the lake,

Varava padedavarante kaaniro,
Be seen as blessed.

Hariya karunadolaada bhagyava,
The accomplishments happening due to Lord Hari's grace,

Hari samarpane maadi badukiro,
Credit back to Lord Hari.

Sri Purandara Vithala raayana Charana kamalava nambi badukiro.
Live to have trust in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Purandara Vithala.


|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Bhakti Yoga of Arjuna

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 have noted the underlying message of Mahabharata that one has to take refuge in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna for abundance, victory, prosperity, and righteousness. Only devotion or bhakti in Lord and jnana or knowledge of him would redeem our sins that have entangled us with Prakriti.In the 23rd verse of the second chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna says,नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥ BG 2-23 i.e. Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Adhyaya, 23rd Shloka॥Arjuna! There is no weapon that can injure the Jivatma or a Soul, nor there a fire that can burn it. Also, the Soul remains unwetted by any liquid, or is there the air that can dry it up. Yet we experience joy and happiness or sadness and sorrow. This is because our Atma is wrapped in the following seven concealments causing ignorance:1.   Bhagavat Iccha; 2.   Prakriti; 3.   Lingadeha; 4.   The Kama; 5.   Karma; 6.   Jeevachadika; and 7.   Paramachadika.It is Bhagavad Iccha or the Lord’s wish to create the entire universe, including our body and sensory organs, mind, and intellect with Prakriti. The Prakriti is Jada or non-living substance having three characteristics or Gunas. This is Satvika, Rajasika, and Thamasika Gunas. This has been the raw material to create the Universe.In, The Influence of Arishadvarga and Gunas for Bhakti, for a better understanding and to have clarity, we had taken the help of the shlokas in Bhagavad Gita:सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः ।निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् || BG 14-5 ||तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् ।सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ ॥ BG 14-6॥रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् ।तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् ॥ BG 14-7॥तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम् ।प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत ॥ BG 14-8॥The Prakriti constitutes Jada or non-living substance with three Gunas of viz. Satvika, Rajasika, and Thamasika. They would bind over the Soul or the Jiva or the being tightly who is not destructible. The Chaitanya or living Prakriti, Goddess Mahalakshmi will take three forms of Goddess Sridevi, Bhoodevi, and Durgadevi who are responsible for Satvika, Rajasik, and Tamasic Guna respectively during the creation.Of this, Satvika Guna influenced by Goddess Sridevi is stainless and the reason for acquiring knowledge, curing the defects of diseased and binds the being to the Lord and Gods through a desire for happiness and knowledge.Rajasika Guna influenced by Goddess Bhudevi is the reason for entertainment and would bind the being with action. The action to satisfy the desire. The desire for objects or subjects or issues.The reason for Ignorance or wrongful knowledge is Thamasika Guna influenced by Goddess Durgadevi. This causes negligence, dissolution, laziness, and sleepiness. The extreme of this is the expressions in Lord of Kali and his evil associates.प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु ।तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् || BG 3-29 ||Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna that the sensory organs generated from Prakriti get engrossed and stuck with actions. Hence, the knowledgeable ones who know this should not mislead the others.The sensory organs include the Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, and Skin. Also, manas or mind and buddhi or intellect.To Arjuna’s question that though an individual doesn’t want to commit Sins, due to some pressure he does. Who motivates this?Lord Sri Krishna says, इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥ BG 3-34॥Each of the sensory organs has likes and dislikes. Hence, they associate with Kama or Desire, Krodha or Anger, Lobha or Greed, Moha or Attachment, Mada or Pride, and Matsarya or Jealousy or Arishadvargas. These likes and dislikes are impediments to one’s progress and hence should not get subjugated to these organs.काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥ BG 3-37॥The one who instigates Sin is the evil Kalanemi through his power to create DESIRE. And so too KRODHA or RAGE.These two manifest from Rajasika Guna. No amount would satisfy the wants. The dissatisfaction would lead to Anger. These are the reasons for committing Sins. The want is the cruelest enemy impending progress.Of all six Arishadvargas, Kama or Desire is the most powerful one as it is a cause for the other five viz. Anger, Greed, Attachment, Pride, and Jealousy. Hence, one should make all efforts to control wants.In “The Pursuit to hone Bhakti” we had understood that,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 help us to meditate! कर्मग्रन्थिनिबन्धनम् – The materialistic world attracts making us do more and more Karma or Actions by tying down to samsara or the cycle of death and birth. We encounter difficulties and have to put up a fight!Sri Suthacharya has told that all those कोविदा or learned by यदनुध्यायिनो propitiating the Lord through hearing, singing and meditation on the attributes and glory of him tie up their minds to him or practice The Yoga of Mind will छिन्दन्ति or sheer these knots and tangle that has wrapped our Soul.Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna,मात्रास्पर्शास्तुकौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥BG 2-14॥“The Son of Kunti! The likes and dislikes of sensory organs with sense objects are the cause of happiness and sorrow. However, these are constituted of Prakriti which is Jada or non-living substance having no feelings of joy or sorrow for touching heat or cold. “Like, coming together of the gas, burner, and the fire or their disassociation, when switched off, would not lead to a feeling of joy or sorrow to Gas, burner, or the fire. When God Hanuman had been to Lanka, his tail was tied with clothes and lit a fire. However, he remained unaffected by the fire.Arjuna! It is the Jiva or the soul that feels happiness and sorrow. However,नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥ BG 2.23॥Arjuna! There is no weapon that can injure a being or a Soul, nor there a fire that can burn it. Also, the Soul remains unwetted by any liquid, or there the air that can dry it up.But the ignorance of the same or the belief that Prakriti or sense organs are a part of the individual is causing joy or sorrow.ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः ।जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्थाअधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः ॥ BG 14-18॥Those of Satvika Guna, with the power of Knowledge accomplished by Prasada or blessing of Lord, go to the higher worlds of Jana Loka and beyond. Those of Rajasika Guna, satisfying the desire for sensory organs will move in the middle worlds of Heaven and Earth. The ones with Thamasika Guna filled with ignorance and carrying out bad deeds go to the lower worlds of Hell and beyond. We have studied in Bhakti in Lord Tattvathat:वदन्ति तत्तत्त्वविदस्तत्त्वं यज्ज्ञानमद्वयम् ।ब्रह्मेति परमात्मेति भगवानिति शब्द्यते ॥सत्तामात्रं तु यत्किञ्चित् सदसच्चाविशेषणम्।उभाभ्यां भाष्यते साक्षाद् भगवान् केवलः स्मृतः॥The Lord who is unchanged from past, present, and in the future has his form as knowledge and bliss. There is no one equivalent to him or surpassing Him. He has the complete knowledge for creation, sustenance, destruction,etc., of the universe. He is also well known as Brahman, Paramatma, Bhagavan. Hence, the Philosophers call him Tattva.The Saints who have extreme faith and devotion in the Lord do the Jnana Yagna or Sacrifice of studying Srimad Bhagavatam with dispassion to worldly matters. This consolidates their knowledge of the Lord and is able to see him in their Lotus of Heart.Therefore, Kunti Devi In Bhakti Yoga of Uttara Devi and Kunti Devi is saying to Lord Sri Krishna,मायाजवनिकाच्छन्नमज्ञाधोक्षजमव्ययम् ।न लक्ष्यसे मूढदृशा नटो नाट्यधरो यथा ॥ १९॥To understand you, I should understand me. With the concealment of Jeevachadika, I do not have the ability to look into myself as my Indriya or the sensory organs are always looking only outwards for happiness. Also, the veil of Paramachadika between you and I is obstructing me to know you. Though I am born with a human body that diseases & decays, I have been caught in the grips of your Vishnu Maya causing illusions and chasing the mirage of happiness outwards.Whenever I close my eyes and sit down to meditate your form & fame, I only see darkness & short-lived contemplation of your fame though you are present in me as my indweller. Omniscient Lord Adhokshaja! You know everything and have surpassed the knowledge & happiness that come from Indriya. You are a supreme actor playing immeasurable roles with several acts and unique outfits. How can a dull and ignorant person like me recognize you? Only your blessings will bestow the knowledge of myself, you, and the happiness therein.Sir Sutacharya continuing the narration says,वासुदेवाङ्घ्र्यनुध्यानपरिबृंहितरंहसा ।भक्त्या निर्मथिताशेषकषायधिषणोऽर्जुनः ॥ २९॥Sri Shaunaka! Arjuna had developed a deep devotion in the Lotus feet of Lord by remembering, thinking, and meditating on it. He had toiled day & night causing churn in his heart with its centrifugal forces separating & draining malady, perversion & all behavioral disorders. This had allowed the devotion to occupy quite deep within him.गीतं भगवता ज्ञानं यत्तत्सङ्ग्राममूर्धनि ।कालकर्मतमोरुद्धंपुनरध्यगमत्प्रभुः॥ ३०॥At the beginning of the war of Kurukshetra, Lord Sri Krishna had initiated Arjuna into Tattva Jnana of Bhagavad Gita. But he had forgotten for the reasons of inadequate knowledge, time, duty, actions, and the influence of Prakriti having characteristics Thamo Guna and Rajo Guna.Subsequently, as Arjuna had toiled day and night, the brightness of knowledge had regained its brilliance in his mind. His Indweller, the Lord blessed him his sight to cause the Aproksha Jnana or Atma Jnana. Also, known as Brahma Jnana.In The Axiom of Yoga continued, we had noted that,  भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः ।क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दृष्ट एवाऽत्मनीश्वरे॥As the Indweller reveals himself in the Lotus of Heart, the thread of actions tied and entangled with the soul will break and all the doubts will disappear.दृष्ट एवाऽत्मनीश्वरे, with the sight of the Lord who is brilliant and is the cause for the brightness of Moon and Sun, full of Knowledge and bliss in the Lotus of Heart, भिद्यते breaks the ग्रन्थि or knot tying हृदय or Lingadeha.The Shastra is saying that there are two minds. One which is made of nature or the exterior and the other with Swaroopa or in Jivatma. Similarly, eyes for seeing, ears for hearing, nose for smelling, tongue for taste, and skin for touch.  All Sensory organs that are seen in the exterior, the same is in swaroopa or Jivatma including cause for thought and intellect. The ones that are exterior are prone to get the disease.  However, those in Jivatma is not destructible. The exterior sensory organs are the cause of samsara or death and birth. These exterior sensory organs are made of Prakriti having a guna of Sattvika, Rajasik and Tamasik, and reason for Arishadvarga. These external sensory organs are tied to हृदय or Lingadeha with ग्रन्थि  or Knot.Sri Sutacharya continues to say,विशोको ब्रह्मसम्पत्त्या संच्छिन्नद्वैतसंशयः ।लीनप्रकृतिनैर्गुण्यादलिङ्गत्वादसम्भवः ॥ ३१॥Sri Shaunaka! The ब्रह्म सम्पत्ति, the wealth of Brahma jnana blessed by the Lord, had destroyed the concealments of Jeevachadika. Arjuna had self-realization. He got the ability to take a look at himself. And by the destruction of Paramachadika, Lord had revealed himself and he was able to see his Indweller at his will.  As Lord Sri Krishna had said to him in the 37th verse of fourth Adhyaya,यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन।ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा॥MG 4-37॥Arjun! Like the way fire turns a piece of wood into ashes, so too the fire of Knowledge will turn the karma or the actions into ashes.The compassionate Lord had blessed Arjuna by revealing himself and showering the Aproksha Jnana that destroyed all the Sanchita Karma of the Jiva.Arjuna was left with only traces of Lingadeha, Kama, Karma, Prakriti, and Bhagavad Iccha as an identity for the rest of his existence in Vaikunta.  संच्छिन्नद्वैतसंशयः or श्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः, All the doubts including the relationship with the Lord, his Lordship on Gods, or on the Creation, on an individual, Or about oneself had disappeared giving crystal clear knowledge. Hence, Arjuna was able to see the brilliant Lord with the divine sight of Jivatma.Arjuna had realized that the concealments of Prakriti causing ignorance was only a blessing of the Lord to enable the Jivatma to experience happiness and sorrow. He had also realized that the happiness and sorrow had guided the soul to come to the Axiom, blossoming himself to his fullest potential.  In “The Pursuit to hone Bhakti” we had understood that,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, 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, to hear, 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 field with Love, brimming with devotion through hearing and singing the Glory of Lord. So too, he came as if he was at the beck and call of Prahlada! Also, in a form only dedicated to him! The same Lord had now blessed Arjuna with moksha breaking the cycle of death and birth. The Sins had disappeared.1.    Sanchita Karma or the sins accumulated over several births had completely disappeared at the sight of the Lord. 2.    A very little traces of Prarabdha Karma required for life after moksha had not disappeared. This had absolutely no ability to cause sorrow nor make Arjuna sad. 3.    And the Agami Karma or the sin which was yet to be experienced by Arjuna had got drastically reduced after aparoksha jnana and had no impact on his future life.
|| Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Mahabharata the Book of Seekers

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.After remembering the glory and fame he accomplished with the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna, Arjuna started regretting some of his conduct. Arjuna says,सौत्ये वृतः कुमतिनाऽऽत्मद ईश्वरो मे यत्पादपद्ममभवाय भजन्ति भव्याः ।मां श्रान्तवाहमरयो रथिनो भुविष्ठं न प्राहरन् यदनुभावनिरस्तचित्ताः ॥ १७॥King Yudhishthira! I am a mean-minded one. Those Sanyasis who have renounced the materialistic life including their blood relations and have submitted themselves to the Lord and the larger good of the society have taken refuge in the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. That Lord Sri Krishna who surrenders himself to such devout Sanyasis by arranging all their day to day needs, by always being with them, and available at their beck and call have won the title as Bhaktavatsala. But I had वृतः or preferred him as सौत्य or the charioteer.My Brother! While the whole world भजन्ति, propitiate him, including भव्याः, the best of beings like God Brahma and God Vayu. They take refuge in his lotus feet. However, with my mean mindedness, I had requested Lord Sri Krishna to drive my chariot in the war of Kurukshetra. I used him for trivial purposes.Yet Lord Vasudeva never expressed any ill-feelings towards me, nor for carrying out any work. He would drive the chariot to the place I wanted. When the horses got tired in the middle of the battle, I would get down from the chariot. Lord Sri Krishna would dislodge the horses from the chariot, take them to the water, stroke them at the side of their body while they drank water, and recovered from the tiredness. After drinking water, he would rub their necks, shoulders, head, and ears to fill them with enthusiasm and energy. He would give them food.Also, in the battlefield, as Sri Krishna, the Lord of time drove the chariot, he would beat down the will power of my enemies and took away their lifespan only through a glance. It was only his blessings that bestowed me the fame of killing the great warriors in the enemy line. While he treated me as a friend, I was mean-minded towards him and used him to drive my chariot.नर्माण्युदाररुचिरस्मितशोभितानिहे पार्थ हेऽर्जुन सखे कुरुनन्दनेति ।सञ्जल्पितानि नरदेव हृदिस्पृशानि स्मर्तुर्लुठन्ति हृदयं मम माधवस्य ॥ १८॥My brother! Though being the Lord of the whole universe, he had extended us friendship and played with us during our childhood. Lord Sri Krishna would call me with an open heart, charming smile, and with a sweet voice as Partha! Arjuna! Friend! Kuru Nandana! His charming face and the sweet voice has been imprinted on my memory. His disappearance from this earth has pushed me into a deep depression causing low spirits in me.My brother! You know the amount of dejection we feel when an ordinary being or a close relative passes away. Then what would be the dejection when Madhupati, who had appeared in the family of Madhu bringing fame to Yadhu clan; my Madhava who is propounded in the seven great scripture of the ancient Sanatana dharma that includes Rig-Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharvana Veda, Ramayana, Mahabarata, and the Purana disappear from this earth? शय्यासनाटनविकत्थनभोजनादिष्वैक्याद्वयस्य ऋतवानिति विप्रलब्धः ।सख्युः सखेव पितृवत्तनयस्य सर्वं सेहे महान् महितया कुमतेरघं मे ॥ १९॥In our childhood, I remember when we went to sleep, or just sit & talk, or while we took a walk, or while bragging or boasting, or while having food together, I had talked to Lord Sri Krishna in disdain. For being friendly, I would forget about his lordship, call like another friend, and would also take a jibe against him calling “You are a big man”.But, brother! He is महान् महितया, an extremely great one, worthy of being worshiped. Like a father pardons his son and a friend pardons, the compassionate Lord would never take my mistakes seriously and always pardoned me.Such friendly Lord Sri Krishna has disappeared from this earth.सोऽहं नृपेन्द्र रहितः पुरुषोत्तमेन सख्या प्रियेण सुहृदा हृदयेन शून्यः ।अध्वन्युरुक्रमपरिग्रहमङ्ग रक्षन् गोपैरसद्भिरबलेव विनिर्जितोऽस्मि ॥ २०॥Rajendra! After losing a dear, kind-hearted, and a great friend, I became void. As informed by Daruka, the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna, I was bringing the wives of Lord Sri Krishna carefully. However, on the way, the uncultured and barbaric mlecchas attacked me and defeated me as an ordinary soldier. I failed in protecting the womenfolk. I could not respond with my Gandiva, nor the powerful arrows I had in my quiver or could remember the powerful Astras that were bestowed to me. तद्वै धनुस्त इषवः स रथो हयास्ते सोऽहं रथी नृपतयो यत आनमन्ति ।सर्वं क्षणेन तदभूदसदीशरिक्तं भस्मन् हुतं कुहकराद्धमिवोप्तमूष्याम् ॥ २१॥I am the same Arjuna in front of whom even the great kings bowed their heads. I hold the same powerful Gandiva, the same arrows, the same chariot, and also horses. However, after the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna, I have become like a substance of the fire sacrifice offered into ashes, or like a help offered to one satisfied, or like a seed sowed in the desert.King Yudhishthira had enquired Arjuna about their relatives at Dwarka. He had asked,कच्चिदानर्तपुर्यां नः स्वजनाः सुखमासते ।मधुभोजदशार्हार्हसात्वतान्धकवृष्णयः ॥ २५॥“Are all our relatives and friends fine at Dwarka? Are Madhus, Bojas, Dasarhas, and Satvatas – the grandsons of Yadhus, and their grandsons and sons - Andhakas, and Vrishnis fine?”Recollecting these questions, Arjuna says,राजंस्त्वयानुपृष्टानां सुहृदां नः सुहृत्पुरे ।विप्रशापविमूढानां निघ्नतां मुष्टिभिर्मिथः ॥ २२॥वारुणीं मदिरां पीत्वा मदोन्मथितचेतसाम् ।अजानतामिवान्योन्यं चतुःपञ्चावशेषिताः ॥ २३॥Maharaj! You had asked me about the well being of our relatives at Dwarka. With विप्रशाप, the curse of Brahmins, they have become विमूढ and have lost their senses. Being confused, they have resorted to मदिरां or liquor named वारुणीं or Vaarunim. Also, behaving as strangers with each other, they have taken-up enmity and have killed themselves. Hardly, four or five of them have survived. प्रायेणैतद्भगवत ईश्वरस्य विचेष्टितम् ।मिथो निघ्नन्ति भूतानि भावयन्ति च यन्मिथः ॥ २४॥Various living beings in this universe cooperating and collaborating with each other. Only coming together of two beings give birth to the third one. However, we also see one overpowering the other and killing each other. These contrary behaviors of being on the opposite side of the spectrum seems strange to us, but are the true sport's charm of omnipotent Lord himself. He does this as an indweller of each living being.   जलौकसां जले यद्वन्महान्तोऽदन्त्यणीयसः ।दुर्बलान् बलिनो राजन् महान्तो बलिनो मिथः ॥ २५॥एवं बलिष्ठैर्यदुभिर्महद्भिरितरान् विभुः ।यदून् यदुभिरन्योन्यं भूभारान् सञ्जहार ह ॥ २६॥Like the bigger fish eats the smaller ones in the water bodies, the same way the powerful ones overpowers the fragile and weaker ones in human beings too. In the case of two equally powerful humans, they fight with each other and die. By bestowing power to the Yadhu clan, Lord Sri Krishna ensured that all the wicked and scandalous Kings were killed.Subsequently, by instilling hatred in the members of Yadhu clan, the Lord ensured the loathing Yadhus kill each other and die. Else, the entry of Kali in those strong Yadu clans would have increased the weight of sin on mother earth causing destruction. Thus, by bestowing strength sometimes, instilling hatred sometimes, the omnipotent Lord ensured that the weight of Sin on mother earth was brought under control and sustained its sinking into primordial water. This way the Lord upheld dharma.  देशकालार्थयुक्तानि हृत्तापोपशमानि च ।हरन्ति स्मरतश्चित्तं गोविन्दाभिहितानि मे ॥ २७॥As Arjuna started remembering his interactions with the Lord Sri Krishna, the Tattva Jnana he had received through a narration of Bhagavad Gita at an appropriate circumstance including time, place, and purpose started appearing in his mind.Arjuna says, King Yudhishthira! This made me pleasant. The agitation and distress in my heart have disappeared. I have regained my consciousness.After narrating the conversations between King Yudhishthira and Arjuna, Sri Sutacharya says,सूत उवाचएवं चिन्तयतो जिष्णोः कृष्णपादसरोरुहम् ।सौहार्देनातिगाढेन शान्ताऽऽसीद्विमला मतिः ॥ २८॥Sri Shaunaka! The beaten down Arjuna was befuddled. However, as he recollected various incidents remembering Lord Sri Krishna including the Tattva Jnana of Bhagavad Gita he initiated, his various other encounters with Lord Sri Krishna, his mind started becoming clear, and coherent. His deep devotion in the Lotus feet of Lord sprang from his heart recollecting the imprinted memories on his mind that he cherished and his Lotus of heart blossomed gushing with serenity into him.वासुदेवाङ्घ्र्यनुध्यानपरिबृंहितरंहसा ।भक्त्या निर्मथिताशेषकषायधिषणोऽर्जुनः ॥ २९॥Arjuna had developed a deep devotion in the Lotus feet of Lord by remembering, thinking, and meditating on it. He had toiled day & night causing churn in his heart with its centrifugal forces separating & draining malady, perversion & all behavioral disorders. This had allowed the devotion to occupy quite deep within him. In the whole of Mahabharata, it is Bheemasena who never comes under the control of illusion or ignorance, nor he loses his stability and becomes worried. He represents the original attributes of a Sattvic Jiva Atma or the soul. He stands for the attributes of Bhakti or Devotion, Jnana or Knowledge, Vairagya or Dispassion, Pragna or Prudence, Medha or the Mental Power, Dhruti or being Resolute, Sthiti or Perseverance, Yoga or Synchronization with the Axiom, Prana or the Life Force and Bala or Strength. His peer is Duryodhana. He is a thamasic Jiva, the Lord of evil, the counterpart of Bheemasena representing the ego, the I, wanting to have all the wealth, kingdom even if through gambling and being wicked. He represents our attachment and deep love towards the materialistic world.In this journey of Srimad Bhagavata, we studied the story of Dharma Raja. We saw in  Dharmaraja’s Dilemma on Dharma  that Yama Dharmaraja did not accept the words of Lord in both his forms of Sri Krishna and Veda Vyasa. He continued to remain in an illusion that he was the cause for the killing of thousands of people in the war of Kurukshetra. No amount of persuasion by his brothers Bheemasena & Arjuna, the family priest Dhaumya rishi, the other brahmins could make him understand that the war of Kurukshetra was a war between right & wrong, he stood by the side of right and was the wish of Lord to establish righteousness on the earth. He could come out of his ignorance only when he was initiated into Tattva Jnana by his great grandfather and the legendary Sri Bheeshmacharya including the famous Bheeshma Stuti, & Vishnu Sahasranama. So too, the Arjuna, the form of Indra, the Lord of Heaven. Except for Bheemasena & Draupadi, Balarama & his wife Varuni Devi, Ashwathama Acharya among various Gods who had come down to earth to serve Lord Sri Krishna, Arjuna was superior. Yet he too was deluded. He put down his bow Gandiva as if he would be the cause for killing his relatives, friends, near and dear. He came under the control of ego forgetting that the cause of everything is Lord. In the Soul Searching by Ashwathaamacharya, we saw how Ashwathama acharya was punished by Lord Sri Krishna and banished from the place of human dwellings for thousand years for having supported Duryodhana, the lord of Kali. King Dhritarashtra was also not an ordinary human being. We saw his accomplishments in Bhakti, Blazed The Fire of Yoga. But, he too had fallen into illusion, he had loved his son Duryodhana beyond measure.Mahabharata has been composed to understand from the metaphysical standpoint, the nature of mind, and its understanding of reality. It is a story of each individual, beginning from the time of his first birth. It includes the deep passions he has towards the materialistic world without propitiating the Lord through Jnana & Bhakti. The fun that distances him from the Lord he wishes to have without realizing its viciousness. The fight he puts up to accomplish the fun even if it takes to be wicked, only to realize its futility after several cycles of rebirths, and accomplish vairagya or dispassion towards materialism. Also, it narrates the struggle he has to make to shear the cycle of death and birth. This fight and the struggle to make the individual swing between ignorance and knowledge to achieve the axiom is what has been captured in Mahabharata. As Bheemasena represents the sattvic soul has no ambiguity. However, Dharma raja, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva flicker and even take long swings. Dharma raja represents our conduct towards righteousness. Arjuna represents our practice of indoctrination of Axiom. And they enact us when we are distant from Lord without sankeertana, singing his glory or propitiating the Lord without jnana or bhakti towards him and dispassion or vairagya towards the materialistic world. Also, it is not just enactment but actual history that happened.              Hence, the debate between the people or religion of the book and those without is the fundamental approach between two philosophies to approach the Axiom. Mahabharata narrates the stories of seekers like Bheeshmaacharya, Kunti Devi, Dhritarashtra, Vidura, Dharma raja, Arjuna, and so on to help understand Axiom. However, those with a book seek faith or belief that has been written.

|| Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Refuge in Lotus feet of Lord yields unending Abundance, Victory, Prosperity, and Righteousness

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 did note that Sri Sutacharya had said, Sri Shaunaka! Arjuna was engulfed in the fire of separation from his dearest friend, Lord Sri Krishna. He had become weak and tired. Fatigue had taken over him! King Yudhishthira second-guessing Arjuna had fired a series of questions on him.Due to sorrows, and fatigue, Arjuna’s face and the lotus of heart had wilted! As his mind space was fully occupied about the separation with his dearest friend Sri Krishna, he could not reply to King Yudhishthira.He was the same Arjuna who was initiated into Tattva Jnana of Bhagavad Gita by Lord Sri Krishna in the middle of the battlefield. Seeing and hearing the same through a divine eye, Sanjaya has said,यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: ।तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥When योग or synchronization is done with इश्वर: or The Lord; like done by पार्थ, Prince Arjuna, an expert in archery hitting the bull’s eye with precision; then there would be an unending abundance, victory, prosperity, and righteousness.Continuing the narration, Sri Sutacharya says, कृच्छ्रेण संस्तभ्य शुचः पाणिनाऽऽमृज्य नेत्रयोः ।परोक्षेण समुन्नद्धप्रणयौत्कण्ठ्यकातरः ॥ ३॥सख्यं मैत्रीं सौहृदं च सारथ्यादिषु संस्मरन् ।नृपमग्रजमित्याह बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा ॥ ४॥Sri Shaunaka! Arjuna had become subservient to the love and affection of Lord Sri Krishna. With that separation, the befuddled Arjuna was shocked and shaken. Trying to control the sorrow oozing out from his heart, wiping his tears, and remembering the way Lord Sri Krishna showed lenience to him, the love and affection while being his coachman during the great war of Kurukshetra, Arjuna started responding to King Yudhishthira,अर्जुन उवाचवञ्चितोऽहं महाराज हरिणा बन्धुरूपिणा ।येन मेऽपहृतं तेजो देवविस्मापनं महत् ॥ ५॥Your highness! Lord Sri Hari who came as a relative of ours has deceived me! Even the greatest of Gods wondered seeing my splendor and the valor that I exhibited with the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna. However, now, he has taken away my splendor and the valor.  Arjuna says to King Yudhishthira, वञ्चितोऽहं, I have been deceived! However, this is not to be treated as fault or accusation against Lord Krishna, but separation from Lord Sri Krishna. While Arjuna had the awareness of the presence of Lord as his indweller, he mentions हरिणा बन्धुरूपिणा i.e Separation with Lord who was appearing as his relative and a dear friend. यस्य क्षणवियोगेन लोको ह्यप्रियदर्शनः ।उक्थेन रहितो ह्येष मृतकः प्रोच्यते यथा ॥ ६॥Brother! The moment उक्थेन रहित or without the presence of lifeforce i.e. when God Prana abandons, the body of even the near and dear becomes aversion and is addressed as dead body or corpse. So too this body of mine has lost the splendor and the valor. Also, the earth has become averse to me after the separation of Lord Sri Krishna.यत्संश्रयाद्द्रुपदगेहमुपागतानां राज्ञां स्वयंवरमुखे स्मरदुर्मदानाम् ।तेजो हृतं खलु मयाभिहतश्च मत्स्यः सज्जीकृतेन धनुषाधिगता च कृष्णा ॥ ७॥A lot of kings with their splendor and valor had come to the Swayamvara that was organized by King Drupada. They included Jarasandha, Duryodhana, Karna, Shalya, and all of these Kings were resolute. They were admirably purposefully to win Draupadi. However, I took away their splendor and the valor successfully by being on the target fish-shaped device spot on. And was able to get married to Draupadi.Brother! Remember, after escaping from the wax house that was lit with fire to kill us, we took shelter in the forest and subsequently the guise of Brahmins. As we entered the Swayamvara, my sight fell on Lord Sri Krishna who had come along with his brother Balram. Only on seeing him, I was filled with zeal and zest. I took refuge in his Lotus feet. I was successful to target the fish-shaped device spot on only because of his blessings.However, the one who had bestowed me such success, that very Lord, Sri Krishna has deceived me. He is no more here to bless me with that splendor and valor. Now, I have become dead and inauspicious.  Arjuna addressing King Yudhishthira says,यत्सन्निधावहमु खाण्डवमग्नयेऽदामिन्द्रं च सामरगणं तरसा विजित्य ।लब्धा सभा मयकृताद्भुतशिल्पमाया दिग्भ्योऽहरन् नृपतयो बलिमध्वरे ते ॥ ८॥My brother! Let alone winning the Kings on the earth during Swayamvara, I even defeated God Indra, the King of heaven during the Khandava Vana incident. Every time when God Agni started burning the forest, God Indra would order his favorite clouds Pushkala and Avartaka to douse the fire.Hence, God Agni had come in the form of a Brahmin and wanted the Khandava forest to satiate his hunger. I had agreed to support him with the blessing of Lord Sri Krishna. When the clouds named Pushkala and Avartaka started pouring, I held the rain with a series of arrows not permitting the water to douse the fire in the Khandava forest.However, Maya, the architect of Asuras present in the forest sought my refuge and hence was saved from the fire. The same Maya helped to build our palace where you carried out several Ashvamedha Yagnas. During these Yagnas, various kings offered their wealth and treasure at your feet, Rajan! However, that very Lord, Sri Krishna who had blessed me to win over God Indra has deceived me. He is no more to be seen on this earth to bless me with that splendor and the valor.यत्तेजसा नृपशिरोऽङ्घ्रिमहन् मखार्थमार्योऽनुजस्तव गजायुतसत्त्ववीर्यः ।तेनाहृताः प्रमथनाथमखाय भूपा यन्मोचितास्तदनयन् बलिमध्वरे ते ॥ ९॥Seeing Bheemasena, Arjuna says to King Yudhishthira, Rajan! Though you desired to carry out Rajasuya Yagna, you refrained because of Jarasandha. Also, the evil Jarasandha had captured 21,000 kings as prisoners and had decided to offer their heads as a sacrifice in the Bhairava Yagna.  Knowing this, Lord Sri Krishna took me and Bheemasena for a battle with him and killed him. Bheemasena having the power of 10,000 elephants killed Jarasandha and freed all the Kings who were the prisoners. These very Kings offered their wealth and treasure at your feet, King Yudhishthira, at the time of Yagna.However, that very Lord, Sri Krishna is no more to be seen on this earth.पत्न्यास्तवाधिमखकॢप्तमहाभिषेकश्लाघिष्ठचारुकबरं कितवैः सभायाम् ।स्पृष्टं विकीर्य पदयोः पतिताश्रुमुख्या यस्तत्स्त्रियोऽकृतहतेशविमुक्तकेशाः ॥ १०॥Brother! Those who are small and weak would gain enormous power and strength, by taking refuge in the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. Though Draupadi’s hair was soaked by the divine water of Kalasha during the Rajasuya Yagna, the evil ones held her by hairs and dragged her into the royal assembly! They barred the Pandavas and sent them to exile!The poor Draupadi wept and took refuge in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. One day being in exile, Lord Sri Krishna reaches there to enquire about their safety and well being. The moment Draupadi saw the Lord, she ran to grab his feet and held it tightly. She started weeping and flooding his feet with tears. As the tears flowed relentlessly, she remembered the most embarrassing incidence of her life and it was only that lotus of feet of Lord Sri Krishna had come to her rescue. During that incident, Lord Sri Krishna had said that those who had caused her embarrassment and made them live in the forest, he would ensure that each one of them is beaten to death by Bheemasena. Pandavas would be reinstated to the throne. Also, he would show her their wives crying with scattered hair and holding the dead bodies.Subsequently, the time came. Lord Sri Krishna had held the hand of Draupadi and took her into the sea of dead bodies. Lord Sri Krishna moved through the scattered limbs, trunk, heads, and other parts of dead bodies to show Draupadi how the wicked had died to the strokes of Bheemasena. He pointed toward the body of Durmukha, an evil faced, then towards Dussalan, Jalagandha, Sama, Saha, Vindha, Anuvindha, Durmukha, Chitrasena, Durdarsha, Durmarsha, Dussaha, Durmada, Vikarna, Dushkarna, Durdarsha, Vivinsati, Durdarsha, Durvishaha, Durvimochana, Durpradharsha, Durjaya, Jaitra, Bhurivala, Ravi, Jayatsena Siyata, Shratavan, Shrutanta, Jayat, Chitra, Upachitra, Charuchithra, Chitraksha, Sarasana, Chitrayudha, Chotravarman, Suvarma, Sudarshan.He reaches near the body of Dhushasana, well known for his wicked governance. Lord Sri Krishna said “wasn’t this wicked who had pulled you by your hair to the assembly. See his chest! How Bheemasena has ripped the chest cage allowing the birds & animals to eat his flesh. Then he showed Duryodhana, his thighs that had been broken by Bheema. Showing the dead this way Lord Sri Krishna listed all the 100 children of blind Dhritarashtra and the blindfolded Gandhari. Draupadi saw the wives of the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra with scattered hairs, all the symbols of being married removed, chest-beating, and crying.Sri Krishna says, Draupadi! Bheemasena has not left a single soul that was involved in insulting you to go free. Each one's chest has been broken or the head has been dismembered. He has done justice. See the status of their women and the way the Law has been implemented to those who took the path of Adharma.Remembering the incident, Arjuna said to King Yudhishthira, Brother! When Draupadi’s tears touched the Lotus Feet of the Lord, when she took refuge in his lotus feet, justice was served. Such ‘True to his word” Lord Sri Krishna who executed what he said and always stands on the side of righteousness is no more to be seen on this earth. यो नो जुगोप वनमेत्य दुरन्तकृच्छ्राद्दुर्वाससोऽरिरचितादयुताग्रभुग् यः ।शाकान्नशिष्टमुपयुज्य यतस्त्रिलोकीं तृप्ताममंस्त सलिले विनिमग्नसङ्घः ॥ ११॥Sage Durvasa, the form of God Rudra motivated by Duryodhana along with his thousands of pupils made an untimely visit to us seeking guest service including lunch. Durvasa literally meant a difficult companion and is known for cursing. Hence, Draupadi was shocked and prayed to Lord Sri Krishna seeking his refuge.As Durvasa along with his pupil went towards the river to have a bath, Lord Sri Krishna appeared to save us from the curse of Durvasa. By the time Durvasa and his pupils finished their bath, Lord Sri Krishna sought the leftover food from the Akshaya Patra or the inexhaustible vessel. Consuming the leftover food, Lord Sri Krishna, the indweller of everyone satiated the hunger of all beings in this universe.Brother! King Yudhishthira! That very Lord, Sri Krishna is no more to be seen on this earth.यत्तेजसाथ भगवान् युधि शूलपाणिर्विस्मापितः सगिरिजोऽस्त्रमदान्निजं मे ।अन्येऽपि चाहममुनैव कलेवरेण प्राप्तो महेन्द्रभवने महदासनार्धम् ॥ १२॥Brother! As per the directions of Dwaipayana Krishna in the last years of our exile, I went to Himalaya to propitiate God Shiva and gain Pashupatastra. Only because of Lord Sri Krishna’s blessings did the Parvatipati, God Shiva, get pleased with me, blessed me with the great Pashupatastra. I could master the Astra only under his guidance in the form of Kirata. Also, all the attendant Gods of Shiva blessed him with their Astras too. This made me invincible as God Shiva himself stood with me in the form of Pashupatastra in the entire war of Kurukshetra.Also, God Indra shared his chair with me in the assembly of Gods in heaven.Brother! King Yudhishthira! That very Lord, Sri Krishna is no more to be seen on this earth.तत्रैव मे विहरतो भुजदण्डयुग्मंगाण्डीवलक्षणमरातिवधायदेवाः ।सेन्द्राः श्रिता यदनुभावितमाजमीढ तेनाहमद्य मुषितः पुरुषेण भूम्ना ॥ १३॥Brother! When I toured Heaven sporting my formidable Gandiva, I was surprised to see how the other Gods would come to me with folded hands seeking my help to kill the demons named Nivatakavachas.The cause of such fame to me was the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna. However, he is not to be seen on this earth.  यद्बान्धवः कुरुबलाब्धिमनन्तपारमेको रथेन ततरेऽहमतीर्यसत्त्वम् ।प्रत्याहृतं बहुधनं च मया परेषां तेजास्पदं मणिमयं च हृतं शिरोभ्यः ॥ १४॥I could cross the unwinnable and a sea of the army of Kauravas only being a relative of Lord Sri Krishna. Earlier, during the time of disguise, it was only the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna that helped me fight alongside King Virata and his son Prince Uttara and recover their wealth including the cows.However, that very Lord Sri Krishna is not to be seen on this earth anymore. यो भीष्मकर्णगुरुशल्यचमूष्वदभ्रराजन्यवर्यरथमण्डलमण्डितासु ।अग्रेचरो मम विभो रथयूथपानामायुर्मनांसि च दृशा सह ओज आर्च्छत् ॥ १५॥Rajendra! An innumerable number of kings in their chariot stood across the enemy line including the legendary Bheeshmacharya, Karna, Drona, Shalya, and other अतिरथ or great warriors and महारथ or the greater warriors in the war of Kurukshetra.  However, Lord Sri Krishna charioting in the battlefield of Kurukshetra took away their will power to fight and their lifespan just through a glance. Brother! That very Lord Krishna is not to be seen on this earth anymore.यद्दोःषु मा प्रणिहितं गुरुभीष्मकर्णनप्तृत्रिगर्तशलसैन्धवबाह्लिकाद्यैः ।अस्त्राण्यमोघमहिमानि निरूपितानिनोपस्पृशुर्नृहरिदासमिवासुराणि ॥ १६॥In that war of Kurukshetra, Acharya Drona, the great grandfather Bheeshma, Karna, Bhurishrava, Susharma, Shalya, Jayadratha, Balika Raja used the most lethal Astras on me. However, like Prahlada was protected by Lord Narasimha. though under the assault of Hiranyakashipu, the same way, all those who propitiate Lord Narasimha cannot be touched by any ghosts, or goblins, or even the evil sight of the moving planets. These virtues would remain untouched. The same way, Lord Sri Krishna protected me on the battlefield.However, that very protector, the Lord Vasudeva, the Saketa Purusha, has left to his abode of Vaikuntha. He cannot be seen anymore, my brother!What we read above is the detailed elaboration of the same last verse of Sanjaya in Bhagavad Gita:यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: ।तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥In the metaphysical sense, the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna is our distancing from the Lord by forgetting to remember his names without sankeertana, nor any propitiation to him, nor praying to him, nor the spiritual practice of yoga, nor practicing righteousness. And becoming the cause us to be evil and wicked.And the effect is the situation of Arjuna after the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna. That is a loss, decline, misfortunes, and poverty. However, going closer to Lord or Refuge in Lotus feet of Lord yields unending Abundance, Victory, Prosperity, and Righteousness as narrated above by Arjuna to King Yudhishthira during the presence of Lord Sri Krishna and seen by the common man then.
Hence, let’s pray to Sri Hari - The husband of Goddess of abundance; Bharatipati Vayu – The husband of Goddess of intellect; and The Guru - The destroyer of ignorance to bless us with योग or synchronization with इश्वर:, the Lord of Wealth.
|| Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - King Yudhishthira second-guessing Arjuna

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.Sri Sutacharya continued narrating the story in detail of how the five sons of Pandu departed from the earth and ascended to Heaven. Hearing this story of the dear devotees of Lord and a friend of him would give bhakti in the Lotus feet of Lord which in turn delivers Mukti or the release of confinement from the cycle of death and birth.The worried king Yudhishthira was narrating a series of bad omens that he was observing to his brother Bheemasena. During the same time, Arjuna returned from Dwarka. Arjuna seeing his two elder brothers Bheemasena and Yudhishthira prostrated at their feet offering his salutations.Arjuna appearing like never before was filled with melancholy. Unable to show his face, he hanged his head with sadness. His eyes were wet and tears were rolling down his cheeks. The befuddled king Yudhishthira asked,युधिष्ठिर उवाचकच्चिदानर्तपुर्यां नः स्वजनाः सुखमासते ।मधुभोजदशार्हार्हसात्वतान्धकवृष्णयः ॥ २५॥Arjuna! Are all our relatives and friends fine at Dwarka? Are Madhus, Bojas, Dasarhas, and Satvatas – the grandsons of Yadhus, and their grandsons and sons - Andhakas, and Vrishnis fine?शूरो मातामहः कच्चित्स्वस्त्यास्ते वाथ मारिषः ।मातुलः सानुजः कच्चित्कुशल्यानकदुन्दुभिः ॥ २६॥सप्त स्वसारस्तत्पत्न्यो मातुलान्यः सहात्मजाः ।आसते सस्नुषाः क्षेमं देवकीप्रमुखाः स्वयम् ॥ २७॥Is our grandfather, Shoorasena fine? Also, are our uncle Vasudeva, his brothers, our aunts, Devaki, and his other six wives along with their children fine? King Yudhishthira remembered each one of them.कच्चिद्राजाऽऽहुको जीवत्यसत्पुत्रोऽस्य चानुजः ।हृदीकः ससुतोऽक्रूरो जयन्तगदसारणाः ॥ २८॥आसते कुशलं कच्चिद्ये च शत्रुजिदादयः ।कच्चिदास्ते सुखं रामो भगवान् सात्वतां प्रभुः ॥ २९॥Is Ahuka fine? What about his sons, Ugrasena and Devaka? Ugrasena was already unhappy for having an evil son, Kamsa. Are Hrudika, his son Krataverma, Akrura, Jayanta, Gada, Sarana, Shutrajit, and others fine?Also, is the head of Yadavas, the divine God Balrama, doing well? प्रद्युम्नः सर्ववृष्णीनां सुखमास्ते महारथः ।गम्भीररयोऽनिरुद्धो वर्धते भगवानुत ॥ ३०॥Is Pradyumna, the very important person and a great warrior of the Yadhu Clan doing well? His speed and profoundness of actions on the war field are exemplary. Also, how about Anirudha? He is divine and worthy of being worshiped! Is he pleased and happy? Asked king Yudhishthira to the just arrived Arjuna.
In the Forms and The Fame of Lord Bhagavan, we noted that,
तृतीयं ऋषिसर्गं च देवर्षित्वमुपेत्य सः ।
तन्त्रं सात्वतमाचष्ट नैष्कर्म्यं कर्मणां यतः ॥ ८॥
In the third, Lord appears as Mahidasa connected to both Gods and Rishis and has been called Devarishi. As Mahidasa, Lord initiated Devarishi Narada with Pancharatra Samhita outlining nishkama karma or actions propitiating Lord without expectation as Satvika Technique or Tantra.
एकोनविंशे विंशतिमे वृष्णिषु प्राप्य जन्मनी ।रामकृष्णाविति भुवो भगवानहरद्भरम् ॥ २३॥In his nineteenth and twentieth form, The Lord appeared as Balarama and Sri Krishna in the dynasty of Yadu to reduce the weight of Sin on mother earth. Like in Pritu Maharaja, Lord Shveta Kesha being white, with broad shoulders having four arms carrying Shanka, Chakra, Gadha and the Padma have his presence in a significant way in God Balarama. God Balarama is a form of God Sesha and has Lord Swetakesha as his indweller.The Pancharatras propounded by Lord Mahidasa describes the origin and development of the universe. Lord Sriman Narayana is present inside and outside of this universe. During the process of creation, he takes the four forms or chaturvyuha. As Vasudeva, he is Paramapurusha appearing in the Vaikunta, the supreme region of this universe. Vaikunta is his abode and an object to be accomplished by uttama jivas or the best types. He subsequently takes the form of Sankarshana for destruction, Pradyumna for Preservation, and Aniruddha for Creation.The Jivas or the soul are in the womb of Sriman Narayana during the period of maha pralaya. At the start of creation, the Jivas are transferred to the wombs of Pradyumna and Aniruddha where the soul is wrapped with Linga Deha and Sukshma Deha based on the karma or acts in the previous Kalpa and its merits and sins accounted thereof. Subsequently, through God Brahma, the Jiva reaches his parents and falls into the cycle of death and birth.In Dwapara Yuga too, Lord in all those four forms. Lord Vasudeva appeared as Sri Krishna. As Sankarshana or Swetakesha, he appeared as the indweller of God Balrama. And as Lord Pradyumna, appeared as the son of Sri Krishna and as Anirudha, he appeared as his grandson.सुषेणश्चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुतः ।अन्ये च कार्ष्णिप्रवराः सपुत्रा ऋषभादयः ॥ ३१॥How about Sushena, Charudeshna, Samba - the son of Jambuvati, Rushaba, and other sons and grandsons of Lord Sri Krishna? Are they all fine?This way king Yudhishthira asked each of his near and dear ones with their name. He was very eager and concerned! As he took each one's name, the tears for Arjuna's eyes only increased and were profusely weeping.King Yudhishthira continued to ask Arjuna,तथैवानुचराः शौरेः श्रुतदेवोद्धवादयः ।सुनन्दनन्दशीर्षण्या ये चान्ये सात्वतर्षभाः ॥ ३२॥अपि स्वस्त्यासते सर्वे रामकृष्णभुजाश्रयाः ।अपि स्मरन्ति कुशलमस्माकं बद्धसौहृदाः ॥ ३३॥What about Lord Sri Krishna’s companions who are always at his service? How is Shrutadeva, Uddhava, and other important Yadavas? How about Nanda, Sunanda, and others? How are all the other people of Yadhu clan being protected by the physical strength of the divine God Balrama and Lord Sri Krishna?Do all of them have love and affection towards us? Are they in amity with us? Are they our well-wishers? Please tell Arjuna! Why have you fallen silent?भगवानपि गोविन्दो ब्रह्मण्यो भक्तवत्सलः ।कच्चित्पुरे सुधर्मायां सुखमास्ते सुहृद्वृतः ॥ ३४॥Only Vedas can explain our Lord, Sri Krishna. He is Govinda, the cause of Vedas & protector of the same. The Brahmins recite these Vedas and it propounds only him. Hence, he loves those Brahmins who practice recitation of Vedas beyond a measure. Does that Lord Krishna, the Bhagavan, who precedes the Vaikunta and carries out the administration with सुधर्मा or the fair and just law is pleased and happy among his near and dear?Is Lord blessing happiness to his near and dear?मङ्गलाय च लोकानां क्षेमाय च भवाय च ।आस्ते यदुकुलाम्भोधावाद्योऽनन्तसखः पुमान् ॥ ३५॥यद्बाहुदण्डगुप्तायां स्वपुर्यां यदवोऽर्चिताः ।क्रीडन्ति परमानन्दं महापौरुषिका इव ॥ ३६॥That only Primordial man; the source of the Universe; the Supreme Soul; The Indweller of all the being; along with God Balrama is appearing in the vast clan of Yadhus as Sri Krishna to only bring sacredness, auspiciousness, righteousness, safety, tranquillity on this earth, and bless moksha or release from the confinement of death and birth.Are the people of Dwarka happy and living only under the protection of Lord Sri Krishna and God Balrama?यत्पादशुश्रूषणमुख्यकर्मणा सत्यादयो द्व्यष्टसहस्रयोषितः ।निर्जित्य सङ्ख्ये त्रिदशांस्तदाशिषो हरन्ति वज्रायुधवल्लभोचिताः ॥ ३७॥For Satyabhama, and other sixteen thousand wives of Lord Sri Krishna, serving his lotus feet have become vital like a breath and goal of life. This has brought them the privilege and the possession of goddess Suchi Devi, the queen of heaven. Lord Sri Krishna has brought them the Parijatha flowering plant from heaven after defeating God Indra, the king of heaven in a battle.Hence, are Satyabhama and the other sixteen thousand wives of Lord Sri Krishna lost in ecstasy?यद्बाहुदण्डाभ्युदयानुजीविनोयदुप्रवीरा ह्यकुतोभया मुहुः ।अधिक्रमन्त्यङ्घ्रिभिराहृतां बलात्सभां सुधर्मां सुरसत्तमोचिताम् ॥ ३८॥So too, the valorous Yadhu clan are enjoying the privileges and the possessions of the Gods of heaven including सुधर्मा or the fair and just law of heaven on earth. They have been able to bring this to earth with the strength of Lord Sri Krishna. Are they all fine?This way king Yudhishthira enquired about Lord Sri Krishna, his glory, the grandeur he brought to Dwarka, and about his near & dear Yadhu clan. However, Arjuna was hit with several thoughts of his dear friend Sri Krishna. He continued weeping unable to speak a word, he stood with his head hanged in shameNoting this, king Yudhishthira asked,कच्चित्तेऽनामयं तात भ्रष्टतेजा विभासि मे ।अलब्धमानोऽवज्ञातः किं वा तात चिरोषितः ॥ ३९॥Arjuna! What has happened to you? Why are you appearing dull, losing the charm and the glow in your face?Did Yadavas insult you?कच्चिन्नाभिहतोऽभावैः शब्दादिभिरमङ्गलैः ।न दत्तमुक्तमर्थिभ्य आशया यत्प्रतिश्रुतम् ॥ ४०॥Has someone abused you with bad emotions, or caused any inauspiciousness, and pained you? Or were you unable to meet your promise given to someone desirous of something? Or had you promised to give someone something and unable to meet your promise? कच्चित्त्वं ब्राह्मणं बालं गां वृद्धं रोगिणं स्त्रियम् ।शरणोपसृतं सत्त्वं नात्याक्षीः शरणप्रदः ॥ ४१॥Arjuna! You would not let down those who take refuge in you. Could you not protect a Brahmin, or a Child, or a Cow, or an old one, or a Sick, or a fragile Women, or even an Animal who took your refuge? कच्चित्त्वं नागमोऽगम्यां गम्यां वाऽसत्कृतां स्त्रियम् ।पराजितो वाथ भवान् नोत्तमैर्नासमैः पथि ॥ ४२॥Have you had an illicit relationship with a woman of low social stature or even a dalliance? Or did you have a relationship with any of your honorable wife without religious observance and her consent?Or did you lose in a battle with someone weaker than you or even with someone of your strength?अपि स्वित्पर्यभुंक्थास्त्वं सम्भोज्यान् वृद्धबालकान् ।जुगुप्सितं कर्म किञ्चित्कृतवान् न यदक्षमम् ॥ ४३॥Else, Arjuna! By any chance, did you have food before kids had or the older ones? They should get the priority! I’m sure you wouldn’t have done that. Nor would you have carried out activities that are not to your stature! कच्चित्प्रेष्ठतमेनाथ हृदयेनात्मबन्धुना ।शून्योऽस्मि रहितो नित्यं मन्यसे तेऽन्यथा न रुक् ॥ ४४॥Or for having left behind the kind-hearted, compassionate and a dearest friend, Lord Sri Krishna in Dwarka, are you feeling as शून्यो or void and destitute? Has the fire of separation engulfed you?If these are not the reasons, what is the cause for your anguish? You are suffering from trauma! Please tell Arjuna! Pleaded King Yudhishthira.इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धेयुधिष्ठिरवितर्को नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः ॥ १४॥With this, we complete " King Yudhishthira second-guessing Arjuna ” the fourteenth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. सूत उवाचएवं कृष्णसखः कृष्णो भ्रात्रा राज्ञा विकल्पितः ।नानाशङ्कास्पदं रूपं कृष्णविश्लेषकर्शितः ॥ १॥Sri Sutacharya says, Sri Shaunaka! Arjuna was engulfed in the fire of separation from his dearest friend Sri Krishna. He had become weak and tired. Fatigue had taken over him! King Yudhishthira second-guessing Arjuna had fired a series of questions on him.    शोकेन शुष्यद्वदनहृत्सरोजो हतप्रभः ।विभुं तमेवानुध्यायन्नाशक्नोत्प्रतिभाषितुम् ॥ २॥Due to sorrows and fatigue, Arjuna’s face and the lotus of heart had wilted! As his mind space was fully occupied about his separation with his dearest friend Sri Krishna, he could not reply to King Yudhishthira.यः श्रद्धयैतद्भगवत्प्रियाणां पाण्डोः सुतानामिति सम्प्रयाणम् ।शृणोत्यलं स्वस्त्ययनं पवित्रं लब्ध्वा हरौ भक्तिमुपैति सिद्धिम् ॥Sri Shaunaka! Hearing this divine, auspicious, and the purest story of the Pandava's journey to heaven with full faith, attention, and devotion; the story of the journey of the devout and dear friends of Lord Sri Krishna would yield Bhakti in the lotus feet of Lord. The Bhakti in turn yields Mukti shearing the bind of the cycle of death and birth.Hence, let's pray to Lord Hari, God Vayu, and Guru Sri Raghvendra for their continued blessings to hear the remaining detailed story of how the sons of Pandu ascended to heaven. 
|| Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Omens at the dawn of Kali Yuga

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.Life is inauspicious without remembering the divine names of Lord is the subject of our discussions! The relations among various beings, their worldly activities, the feeling of happiness, or unhappiness, or sorrows is neither permanent nor predictable. However, the relations with the Lord yield permanent and predictable happiness and knowledge.Sri Sutacharya narrating Srimad Bhagavata to the spiritual gathering in Naimisharanya said,सूत उवाचसम्प्रस्थिते द्वारकायां जिष्णौ बन्धुदिदृक्षया ।ज्ञातुं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य कृष्णस्य च विचेष्टितम् ॥ १॥व्यतीताः कतिचिन्मासास्तदा नायात्ततोऽर्जुनः ।ददर्श घोररूपाणि निमित्तानि भृगुद्वहः ॥ २॥Sri Shaunaka Rishi! You are born in the famous Bhrugu gotra. I shall tell you the detailed story of how the sons of Pandu departed from the earth that you want to hear from me. I shall narrate that story. Please hear me with full attention.   It had been quite some time since Lord Sri Krishna was appearing on earth. He had appeared to reduce the weight of sins on mother earth. When he appeared on this earth, the other Gods like Vayu as Bheema, Indra as Arjuna, and Yama Dharmaraja as Yudhishthira appeared as Pandavas to continue their uninterrupted service of Lord. Even God Sesha had appeared as Balarama in the Yadhu clan. Lord Sri Krishna had completed the important activity of killing evil. Starting from Putani, who breastfed poison to Sri Krishna to Duryodhana, all were killed.   Arjuna had left for Dwarka, to check the well being of relatives and friends there. More importantly, he wanted to see the activities of his dear friend and his Lord, Sri Krishna having the divine name. The name which repeated would yield merits. However, he had not returned for some timeHence, King Yudhishthira had become perturbed. He was receiving inauspicious and unfortunate signals through bad omens. The anxiety and the intense yearning to know the situations at Dwarka had engulfed King Yudhishthira. It was several months since Arjuna had left Hastinapura and had not returned.कालस्य च गतिं रौद्रां विपर्यस्तर्तुधर्मिणः ।पापीयसीं नृणां वार्तां क्रोधलोभानृतात्मनाम् ॥ ३॥King Yudhishthira also noticed that there was a sudden change in patterns of seasons and the moral values of people in general. The fear among the virtuous had raised. The ethics of the people had sharply declined. Filled with anger, greed, lies, and so on, the people made transactions filled with sins to carry on with their livelihood. जिह्मप्रायं व्यवहृतं शाठ्यमिश्रं च सौहृदम् ।पितृमातृसुहृद्भ्रातृदम्पतीनां च कल्कनम् ॥ ४॥King Yudhishthira was perplexed to see fraud and roguery had become the cause for coming together and social status in the society. However, Parents, relatives, brothers, spouses, were fighting among themselves. Peace and tranquillity had taken a big toll on society.  निमित्तान्यत्यरिष्टानि काले त्वनुगते नृणाम् ।लोभाद्यधर्मप्रकृतिं दृष्ट्वोवाचानुजं नृपः ॥ ५॥With the advent of Kali Yuga, desire, deceit, or destroy had become natural behavior among the people. Seeing even nature was boding misfortune, King Yudhishthira told Bheemasena,   युधिष्ठिर उवाचसम्प्रेषितो द्वारकायां जिष्णुर्बन्धुदिदृक्षया ।ज्ञातुं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य कृष्णस्य च विचेष्टितम् ॥ ६॥Bheemasena! We had sent Arjuna to Dwarka to check the well being of our relatives and friends there. Also, to see for himself the sport's charm of Lord. Repeating his name as Sri Krishna would yield high merits.गताः सप्ताधुना मासा भीमसेन तवानुजः ।नायाति कस्य वा हेतोर्नाहं वेदेदमञ्जसा ॥ ७॥It would take seven days to go to Dwarka and return. However, I am feeling as if seven months have passed since he has left for Dwarka. I am unable to understand why he has not yet returned? Asked King Yudhishthira to express his frustration.अपि देवर्षिणाऽऽदिष्टः स कालोऽयमुपस्थितः ।यदात्मनोऽङ्गमाक्रीडं भगवानुत्सिसृक्षति ॥ ८॥Remember, Narada Rishi was mentioning that Lord Sri Krishna would stop exhibiting his sports charm to the people on earth appearing as another man. Has that time of his disappearance already come? Asked King Yudhishthira.यस्मान्नः सम्पदो राज्यं दाराः प्राणाः कुलं प्रजाः ।आसन् सपत्नविजयो लोकाश्च यदनुग्रहात् ॥ ९॥I have the wealth, kingdom, wife, life, clan, subjects, and have accomplished success of winning over the enemy with only the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna.  Has the time of disappearance of that form of Lord Sri Krishna from this earth has come! Wondered King Yudhishthira.पश्योत्पातान् नरव्याघ्र दिव्यान् भौमान् सदैहिकान् ।दारुणान् शंसतोऽदूराद्भयं नो बुद्धिमोहनम् ॥ १०॥The best among beings! Bheemasena! As the dust and debris raining down from outer space into the earth atmosphere as meteors or the falling stars in the sky; the earthquakes, tsunami; and other calamities in the sky, earth, and body infested with diseases and disorder are the bad omens that are staring at our face. This is indicating that something major untoward incidence is going to happen. ऊर्वक्षिबाहवो मह्यं स्फुरन्त्यङ्ग पुनः पुनः ।वेपथुश्चापि हृदये आराद्दास्यन्ति विप्रियम् ॥ ११॥Dear Bheemasena! My left eyes, left thigh, left shoulder are all shivering. So also my heart. I am feeling scared. All are indicating that something untoward is happening. We should expect a piece of bad news at any time. शिवैषोद्यन्तमादित्यमभिरौत्यनलानना ।मामङ्ग सारमेयोऽयमभिरेभत्यभीरुवत् ॥ १२॥Bheemasena! Look at the foxes. In the early morning, they are screaming seeing the rising Sun. It is appearing as if they are vomiting fire from their mouth.  Look! They are just not scared of us. They are barking at us. शस्ताः कुर्वन्ति मां सव्यं दक्षिणं पशवोऽपरे ।वाहांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र लक्षये रुदतो मम ॥ १३॥Bheemasena! Look at these auspicious animals like cows and others. They are having me on their left side too causing an anti-clockwise rotation. And, those inauspicious like donkeys are having me on their right side instead of the left side. Seeing this, my horses that pull my chariot too are filled with sorrow and are shedding tears.    मृत्युदूतः कपोतोऽयमुलूकः कम्पयन् मनः ।प्रत्युलूकश्च कुह्वानैरनिद्रौ शून्यमिच्छतः ॥ १४॥Bheemasena! The pigeons, sparrows, and their enemy crows are making sharp noises of grunting, chirping and Kaw kawing in the nights. They have been expressing their anxiety. This is causing the disturbance in sleep to all the people and making them scared.They are appearing to me as the messengers of death.धूम्रा दिशः परिधयः कम्पते भूः सहाद्रिभिः ।निर्घातश्च महांस्तात साकं च स्तनयित्नुभिः ॥ १५॥All the surrounding directions are appearing brownish and as if filled with smoke. Time and again circles are appearing around Sun and Moon. The earth crust along with mountains are shaking, clouds are clashing with each other causing lightning, thunders and even thunderbolts.           वायुर्वाति खरस्पर्शो रजसा विसृजंस्तमः ।असृग्वर्षन्ति जलदा बीभत्समिव सर्वतः ॥ १६॥The strong, dusty, and gusty wind having high speeds are hitting as if they are fiercely eager to shear the skin. The whole place is appearing scary with thick, dark clouds hovering at a low level and pouring red.        सूर्यं हतप्रभं पश्य ग्रहमर्दं मिथो दिवि ।ससङ्कुलैर्भूतगणैर्ज्वलिते इव रोदसी ॥१७॥The Sunrays and that of the moon have become dim. The planets are all coming together in one zodiac house as if hitting each other. It is appearing as if all the ghosts and spirits are crowding together and lit the earth and the sky with fire.नद्यो नदाश्च क्षुभिताः सरांसि च मनांसि च ।न ज्वलत्यग्निराज्येन कालोऽयं किं विधास्यति ॥ १८॥The lakes, rivers, and great rivers are becoming turbulent and getting polluted. Also, the minds of people have become polluted causing turbulence and disturbance. All have lost their peace and tranquillity with their muddled mind. Even with the continuous flow of ghee into the fire sacrifice is not causing the fire to glow.With all these inauspiciousness having bad omens, future times are threatening!न पिबन्ति स्तनं वत्सा न दुह्यन्ति च मातरः ।रुदन्त्यश्रुमुखा गावो न हृष्यन्त्यृषभा व्रजे ॥ १९॥The calves are not drinking milk. The cows are not giving milk to their young ones. The cows are shedding tears in the Goshalas. The bullocks are also not happy in their shelter houses.दैवतानि रुदन्तीव स्विद्यन्ति ह्युच्चलन्ति च ।इमे जनपदा ग्रामाः पुरोद्यानाकराश्रमाः ।भ्रष्टश्रियो निरानन्दाः किमघं दर्शयन्ति नः ॥ २०॥The Gods are appearing as if they are sweating and tired from working hard. They appeared as if they are crying. The charm of the capitals, cities, towns, gardens, villages, mines, ashramas, are all on the decline. All of these omens are indicating as if there is trouble ahead and an untoward incidence is ahead of us.मन्य एतैर्महोत्पातैर्नूनं भगवतः पदैः ।अनन्यपुरुषश्रीभिर्हीना भूर्हतसौभगा ॥ २१॥Being witness to so many strange omens, it appears as if the Goddess Bhudevi has lost all her fortunes and has taken refuge at the lotus feet of the Lord.Narada rishi had informed King Yudhishthira that his blind uncle Dhritarashtra, aunt Gandari, and his mother Kunti had left this earth and had accomplished a higher world. Also, he had said that Lord Sri Krishna was in the last leg of his incarnation appearing to the common man on this earth.Sri Suthacharya continuing the narration said to Shaunaka and his fellow Rishis,इति चिन्तयतस्तस्य दृष्टारिष्टेन चेतसा ।राज्ञः प्रत्यागमद्ब्रह्मन् यदुपुर्याः कपिध्वजः ॥ २२॥तं पादयोर्निपतितमयथापूर्वमातुरम् ।अधोवदनमब्बिन्दून् सृजन्तं नयनाब्जयोः ॥ २३॥विलोक्योद्विग्नहृदयो विच्छायमनुजं नृपः ।पृच्छति स्म सुहृन्मध्ये संस्मरन् नारदेरितम् ॥ २४॥Sri Shaunaka! The worried king Yudhishthira was narrating the series of bad omens that he was observing to Bheemasna. During that time Arjuna returned from his visit to Dwarka. Seeing his two elder brothers Bheemasena and Yudhishthira, Arjun prostrated at their feet offering his salutations. Filled with melancholy, Arjuna too appeared like never before. Observing Arjuna’s eyes being wet and tears rolling down his cheeks, King Yudhishthira became further worried. Narada rishi’s words were flashing in his mind and the King Yudhishthira appeared befuddled.In the metaphysical sense, the time span during the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna on this earth is the remembrance of the divine name of Lord that describes his glory and singing it or namasankeertana. Doing so yields success, prosperity, peace, and tranquility like it yielded to the Pandavas during Lord Sri Krishna’s appearance.
However, living a life without the remembrance of Lord is like the bad "Omens at the dawn of Kali Yuga" encountered by King Yudhishthira immediately after the disappearance of the Lord indicating the advent of miseries, sorrows, and sadness in one’s life.यः श्रद्धयैतद्भगवत्प्रियाणां पाण्डोः सुतानामिति सम्प्रयाणम् ।शृणोत्यलं स्वस्त्ययनं पवित्रं लब्ध्वा हरौ भक्तिमुपैति सिद्धिम् ॥Hearing the divine, auspicious, and purest story of the Pandava's journey to heaven. The journey of the devout and dear friend of Lord Sri Krishna would yield Bhakti in the lotus feet of Lord and also mukti that would shear the bind of the cycle of death and birth.
Hence, let's pray to Lord Hari, God Vayu, and Guru Sri Raghvendra for their continued blessings to hear the detailed story of how the sons of Pandu departed from the earth. || Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||