Srinath Shrothrium's Blog, page 6

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 ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Bhakti, Blazed The Fire of Yoga

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

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

यथा क्रीडोपस्कराणां संयोगविगमाविह ।इच्छया क्रीडितुः स्यातां तथैवेशेच्छया नृणाम् ॥ ४२॥When a child wishes to play, It pulls out some toys and brings them together for play. After some time, the child plays with another set of toys. We are like the toys in the hand of the Lord. Our coming together or going apart is not our choice.यन्मन्यसे ध्रुवं लोकमध्रुवं वा न चोभयम् ।सर्वथा न हि शोच्यास्ते स्नेहादन्यत्र मोहजात् ॥ ४३॥Hence, our stay here, on this earth is not permanent. It is not permanent with this body, nor with other forms. Nor as a Soul, our stay on this earth is permanent. Even the physical universe gets destroyed during the pralaya or end of the universe.Hence, don’t feel attached to anything or any individual. Nor feel sorrow for any departure or disassociations, said Narada Rishi to King Yudhishthira.Continuing the response to King Yudhishthira, Narada Rishi says,तस्माज्जह्यङ्ग वैक्लव्यमज्ञानकृतमात्मनः ।कथं त्वनाथाः कृपणा वर्तेरंस्ते च मां विना ॥ ४४॥Also, Dharmaraja! Do not be under the impression that how can my blind uncle and aunt stay without me? Or how can my mom stay without me? These thoughts are coming only out of your ignorance.कालकर्मगुणाधीनो देहोऽयं पाञ्चभौतिकः ।कथमन्यांस्तु गोपायेत्सर्पग्रस्तो यथा परम् ॥ ४५॥Everybody, including yourself, are under the control of Lord Time, including your karma or actions of duty, and guna or the characteristics of the substance that has been wrapped around the soul. When every being itself is like a frog in the mouth of the snake or a human in the mouth of a Python named Time and ready to be engulfed at any moment, how can one say that I can protect the other? Asks Narada Rishi.अहस्तानि सहस्तानामपदानि चतुष्पदाम् ।फल्गूनि तत्र महतां जीवो जीवस्य जीवनम् ॥ ४६॥On this earth, we see how a being without hands becomes food to a being with hands. Similarly, the one with four legs eats the ones without legs and the bigger ones eat the smaller ones. Even the seed, grains, gram, pulses, and nuts grow when sown. Hence, one's life is a life for another life on this earth. One cannot live without eating another.तदिदं भगवान् राजन्नेक आत्माऽऽत्मनां स्वदृक् ।अन्तरोऽनन्तरो भाति पश्य तं माययोरुधा ॥ ४७॥Dharmaraja! Inside all beings and also outside, the one and only one, who is self glowing, independent, and happy in himself is the Lord Bhagavan. He is the supreme soul reflecting on all the souls. With his power of Maya causing illusion, he appears differently in different people. You should look only at him, says Narada Rishi.सोऽयमद्य महाराज भगवान् भूतभावनः ।कालरूपोऽवतीर्णोऽस्यामभावाय सुरद्विषाम् ॥ ४८॥Maharaja! The Great King! This very Lord, who is also the form of Time and eating away the lifespan of each being is the creator of this vast universe. He has given birth to all the beings whom we see and is the protector of all the beings too.Presently he is appearing as Lord Sri Krishna on this earth and is destroying all those who have deceived those who are good and the Gods, says Narada Rishi.निष्पादितं देवकृत्यमवशेषं प्रतीक्षते ।तावद्यूयमवेक्षध्वं भवेद्यावदिहेश्वरः ॥ ४९॥He has completed most of his objectives on this earth for helping the good and the Gods. He shall appear for some more time. For such time, you too stay here spending time and looking forward to his disappearance.   धृतराष्ट्रः सह भ्रात्रा गान्धार्या च स्वभार्यया ।दक्षिणेन हिमवत ऋषीणामाश्रमं गतः ॥ ५०॥स्रोतोभिः सप्तभिर्या वै स्वर्धुनी सप्तधा व्यधात् ।सप्तानां प्रीतये नाना सप्तस्रोतः प्रचक्षते ॥ ५१॥After Drithrastra, his brother Vidura, Gandhari and Kunti left Hastinapura, they reached the river Ganga. To show respect and please Sapta Rishis, she splits herself into seven streams and the place is called Saptasroth. They had reached that very auspicious place and lived in a hermitage.स्नात्वानुसवनं तस्मिन् हुत्वा चाग्नीन् यथाविधि ।अब्भक्ष उपशान्तात्मा स आस्ते विगतैषणः ॥ ५२॥Drithrastra lived there. Taking bath three times a day, daily he did fire sacrifices as prescribed in the dharma Shastras. He had given up eating food and lived by only drinking water. Later he gave up even drinking water and lived just breathing air. He had no materialistic desires, his mind had become calm and was feeling tranquil.जितासनो जितश्वासः प्रत्याहृतषडिन्द्रियः ।हरिभावनया ध्वस्तरजःसत्त्वतमोमलः ॥ ५३॥Also, Drithrastra had accomplished perfection in yoga asana. Sitting hours together in yogic postures, he had perfected the inhalation or Puraka; retention of air in the lungs or Kumbhaka or; and exhalation or Rechaka. Doing so, he even perfected the kevala Kumbhaka & Shunyak and would stop breathing with full air in the lungs or without for hours together as he wished. Thus he had accomplished the full blessings of Prana Vayu or the vital force or the life force.Doing kevala Kumbhaka & Shunyak, he would pull back all his five sensory organs, including his mind and make them look towards the Indweller. By seeing the Indweller in his Lotus of Heart, he wore the form of the Indweller or Lord Parmatma on the mind and did dharna yoga. This made the pollutants of Rajo Guna and Thamoguna evaporate and disappeared.विज्ञानात्मनि संयोज्य क्षेत्रज्ञे प्रविलाप्य तम् ।ब्रह्मण्यात्मानमाधारे घटाम्बरमिवाम्बरे ॥ ५४॥ध्वस्तमायागुणोदर्को निरुद्धकरणाशयः ।निवर्तिताखिलाहार आस्ते स्थाणुरिवाचलः ।तस्यान्तरायो मैवाभूः संन्न्यस्ताखिलकर्मणः ॥ ५५॥Like during the pralaya, wherein the Gods on the lower scale get laya or destroyed or dissolved into those on higher and the king of gods, Indra destroys all the gods on the lower scale. Doing Rudra Tandava or roaring and dancing fiercely, God Shiva destroys even Indra. Subsequently, God Prana destroys even Garuda, Sesha, and Rudra. Finally, Lord in his form of Narasimha destroys God Prana and Braham in whom they dissolve culminating the pralaya. By then, all the material substances would have been destroyed as and when their respective Gods responsible to influence those materials have been destroyed. The whole substance thus destroyed becomes dissolved and achieves its subtle form. At this time, Goddess Durga Devi swallows all the light & luminous objects to appear as darkness; Goddess Sri Devi takes the form of Pralayodhaka or the subtle water of the dissolved substances; the Goddess Bhudevi takes the form of pupil leaf floating on the Pralayodhaka or the water. On that pupil leaf, lies Lord Vatapatrashai being Purna or complete or self-content having no desire as Swaramana or engrossed in extreme bliss of happiness and full of knowledge.Narada Rishi says to King Yudhishthira that same way as during the Pralaya, Drithrastra having the knowledge that the formation of Pindanda or the Microcosm is the same as that of Brahmanda or Cosmos or The Universe, through the meditation, contemplated the same order of laya or destruction or dissolution of Gods into those on their higher hierarchy. He summarizes that all those with ego including Gods influencing the five Karmendriya i.e Mouth, Feet, Hands, Anus, and Genitals responsible for reproduction; the five Jnanedriyas or sensory organs including the Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue and the Skin up to their Lord, God Indra is dissolved by God Rudra, the highest having ego and responsible to influence the mind. The mind then gets dissolved into Intellect. This way through Yoga, Drithrastra had pulled back all the faculties including the intellect towards his Indweller or Lord present in Prana Vayu and became like the trunk of a tree.स वा अद्यतनाद्राजन् परतः पञ्चमेऽहनि ।कलेवरं हास्यति स्वं तच्च भस्मीभविष्यति ॥ ५६॥ Yoga AgniNarada Rishi says, that पञ्चमेऽहनि i.e. for five days Drithrastra did meditation of the Lord residing in his Lous of Heart. On the fifth day of the meditation, he generated the Yoga Agni or Fire to burn his physical body himself and turn it to भस्म or ashes. As he left in his subtle form as Atma with the help of Prana Vayu to the higher world.दह्यमानेऽग्निभिर्देहे पत्युः पत्नी सहोटजे ।बहिः स्थिता पतिं साध्वी तमग्निमनुवेक्ष्यति ॥ ५७॥Drithrastra through " Bhakti, blazed The Fire of Yoga " which spread. The whole thatched hermitage caught fire and subsequently the forest. In that very fire, Gandhari too immolated her body followed by Kunti Devi, says Narada Rishi. विदुरस्तु तदाश्चर्यं निशाम्य कुरुनन्दन ।हर्षशोकयुतस्तस्माद्गन्ता तीर्थनिषेवकः ॥ ५८॥Vidura, who knew that his lifespan was coming to an end, had taken up pilgrimage at the start of the war of Kurukshetra itself. He later merged with his other form of Yama Dharma Raja, King Yudhishthira. इत्युक्त्वाथारुहत्स्वर्गं नारदः सहतुम्बुरुः ।युधिष्ठिरो वचस्तस्य हृदि कृत्वाजहाच्छुचः ॥ ५९॥So, death is inevitable! Said Narada Rishi to King Yudhishthira. However, for whom you are feeling sad are themselves happy in their respective higher world. Saying so, always traveling and singing the praises of Lord, Narada Rishi left the palace playing his string instrument.Hearing this, King Yudhishthira forgoes his sorrows and carries out the last rites of the departed souls.इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धेनैमिषीयोपाख्याने त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः ॥ १३॥With this, we complete the Thirteenth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1.Summarizing this, we saw the cause for the refraining to worldly pleasure and development of dispassion is in three ways. One is the difficulties that we encounter over the number of births which keeps us away from messing up life; second, being the external source; the third being the spiritual path of Bhakti Yoga.The dispassion leads to equanimity during the ups & downs of life. Repeating the below verses of Bhagavad Gita:समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः ।शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥१२- १८॥तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् ।अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥१२- १९॥The devotee who is equanimous towards his friend or a foe; or while receiving compliments or being insulted; also who is equanimous during hot & cold, comfort & dis-comfort; the one who has sheared the bind of fruit for every action; is equanimous when being flattered or abused; Intelectual; is satisfied & happy for all what he has; is not stuck to one place; such perfectly equanimous devotee is extremely dear to me says, Lord Sri Krishna.Let’s offer these words as beautiful flowers to the lotus feet of Lord Sri KrishnaWe could do so only with the grace of Gurus including Sri Raghavendra and his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada. Let's pray for their continued blessings.
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Dispassion and Equanimity in Bhakti Yoga

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

|| Hari Om || Hare Srinivasaकल्यण अद्भुत गात्राय कामितार्थ प्रदयिने ।श्रीमद् वेन्कटनाथाय श्रीनिवासय ते नम: ॥Your benevolence for granting wishes is incredibly vast and unsurpassed. Divine Lord Venkateshwara! Destroyer of Sins! An abode of Mahalakshmi! Srinivasa! My salutations to you.भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता ।त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७॥Vishwabhavana! From you, the whole universe has arisen. Suhrtpati! You are the mother, the father, you are the friend, as well as our teacher. Sadguru! It is you, who makes us walk on the right path. You are our lord, as well as being worshipped. We are safe and successful by taking refuge in your lotus feet which are auspicious. Lord! You are the only cause of our success.व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.दयादाक्षिण्यवैराग्यवाक्पाटवमुखाङिकतः ।शापानुृग्रहशक्तोऽन्यो राघवेन्द्रन्नविध्यते ॥ The face symbolizing Compassion; Modesty; Dispassion towards sensual pleasure; Eloquence; Power to remove curses is none else than you, Guru Raghavendra. 
My salutations to you.We understood that even as Dhritarashtra was at the tail end of his life, his expectations of materialistic happiness had not diminished. Nor the lessons from his life had awakened wisdom to him. Hence, the best of being, and second only to God Brahma took on himself to awaken wisdom. Though Dhritarashtra felt that the acts of Bheemasena were rude, even his brother Vidura endorsed the acts. Hence, Dhritarashtra after the counseling of Vidura and the blessings of Bheemasena realized the righteous path. He recalled each of his misdeeds and saw the mistakes he had done. With this, his anger towards Bheemasena transformed into love and devotion.Though Dhritarashtra was physically blind, his overlove or obsession towards his hundred sons and especially Duryodhana had blinded his awareness including the ability to distinguish the righteous path.We noted that Sri Sutacharya narrating to the spiritual gathering had said,एवं राजा विदुरेणानुजेन प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्बोधित आजमीढः ।छित्त्वा स्वेषु स्नेहपाशान् द्रढिम्नो निश्चक्राम भ्रातृसन्दर्शिताध्वा ॥ २८॥Hearing his brother’s words, Dhritarashtra got awakened and came to his real senses. Giving up all worldly luxuries and becoming detached with the relationship, he took up the path suggested by his brother Vidura.Bheemasena, the form of God Prana and the best in a being had now blessed him प्रज्ञाचक्षु or the divine eye of awareness. He became आजमीढः i.e आज is knowledge & awareness and मीढः soaked. As Dhritarashtra got soaked with awareness, he became guilty. He started realizing that though his brother Pandu had won several kingdoms and filled his treasury, he had ill-treated his children. Yet the Pandavas respected him and transformed him. The guilt of committing sins had engulfed him.Knowing that there are only three ways of redemptions, 1. Yagna or Sacrifice. This is done by submitting substance or knowledge or jnana in our possession to Gods through fire or time; 2. Dhana or donation in a righteous way to the righteous people; and 3. Thapas or Punish the body. Hence, Dhritarashtra chooses to take up the third and take up Vanaprastha ashrama.To understand the subsequent sequence of events, let us draw the consistency among the story narrated in Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Veda Vyasa. In the war of Kurukshetra, Duryodhana and his cronies had died. After the war, Yudhishthira ascended to the throne of Hastinapura. Though the war was of upholding Justice and as per the wish of Lord, Yudhishthira had felt guilty of killing several relatives and relations. As this was against the wish of Lord, to redeem the sins Pandavas took up fifteen (15) years of Yagna or sacrifices.Subsequently, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti Sanjaya, left to Himalaya to take up Vanaprastha ashrama. Pandavas too visit Himalayan Mountains to see them. During that visit, Vidura the form of Yama Dharma Raja joins and merges himself with King Yudhishthira Who too was another form of Yama Dharma raja. Hence, after the disappearance of Yama Dharma Raja as Vidura, Pandavas have ruled about 21 years during which Lord Sri Krishna was also present.During the fag end of Pandava’s rule of 36 years, Lord Sri Krishna disappears. After the disappearance of Lord Sri Krishna, Pandavas handed over the kingdom to their grandson, Parikshid and walked away. They reached the Himalayan Mountains from where they ascended to heaven. Meantime, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kuniti to end their life.The current events in Srimad Bhagavata are when Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kuniti end their life. In fact, after the departure of Vidura, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti, Sanjaya, to the forest after the due consent of King Yudhishthira, he made a practice of the following;अजातशत्रुः कृतमैत्रो हुताग्निर्विप्रान् नत्वा तिलगोभूमिरुक्मैः ।गृहं प्रविष्टो गुरुवन्दनाय न चापश्यत्पितरौ सौबलीं च ॥ ३०॥King Yudhishthira having no enemy would get up early morning to carry out his daily routines, including the sandhyavandanam or the prayers to Goddess Gayatri, giving Surya argya, Agnihotra or the fire sacrifice and so on. He followed it up with greetings to Brahmins, including the donation of Cow, Gold, and Land. Later, he would proceed to the palace where Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti, and Vidura stayed to pay his remote respects intuitively.One day as he was doing so, a surprise awaited him. He could not find them through his sixth sense and gets perturbed.After the disappearance of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti, Sanjaya returns to Hastinapura. Sri Sutacharya narrating this incidence says,सूत उवाचकृपया स्नेहवैक्लव्यात्सूतो विरहकर्शितः ।आत्मेश्वरमचक्षाणो न प्रत्याहातिपीडितः ॥ ३४॥Sri Shaunaka Rishi! After the return of Sanjaya from the forest, he could not respond to King Yudhishthira to any of his questions! He was engulfed in sorrow and was weeping profusely.विमृज्याश्रूणि पाणिभ्यां विष्टभ्यात्मानमात्मना ।अजातशत्रुं प्रत्यूचे प्रभोः पादावनुस्मरन् ॥ ३५॥Unable to control his sorrows, Sanjaya was weeping. He subsequently came to terms and wiped his tears. Remembering the lotus feet of his Lord Dhritarashtra, Sanjaya told thus to King YudhishthiraSanjaya said, सञ्जय उवाचनाहं वेद व्यवसितं पित्रोर्वः कुलनन्दन ।गान्धार्या वा महाबाहो मुषितोऽस्मि महात्मभिः ॥ ३६॥Yudhishthira! The one born in the great Kuru clan! I am not sure of the wish of your uncle, aunt and your mother Kunti! Nor the decision they took!The one with heavy shoulders! All I realized is that they left me without telling anything. I am feeling deceived.Sri Sutacharya continues the narration saying,अथाजगाम भगवान् नारदः सह तुम्बुरुः ।प्रत्युत्थायाभिवाद्याह सानुजोऽभ्यर्चयन्निव ॥ ३७॥As the conversation was happening between King Yudhishthira and Sanjaya, the God Narada appeared. He held his musical string instrument named Tumbura and was singing the praises of Lord in a very melodious voice. Seeing him, King Yudhishthira and brothers immediately got up to pay respects. Subsequently, with the folded hands King Yudhishthira said to Narada Rishi,युधिष्ठिर उवाचनाहं वेद गतिं पित्रोर्भगवन् क्व गतावितः ।अम्बा वा हतपुत्रार्ता क्व गता च तपस्विनी ॥ ३८॥The holy one! I am bewildered. A sense of loss of my uncle, aunt, and my mother has taken over me. My ascetic aunt was grieving for the loss of her 100 children. I am unable to understand as to where did they go? What did they accomplish after death?  कर्णधार इवापारे भगवान् पारदर्शकः ।अथाबभाषे भगवान्नारदो मुनिसत्तमः ॥ ३९॥A Great Saint! You have appeared like a boat appearing at the shore while waiting to cross a wide and vast river. We are fortunate to have you hear.Hearing this, Narada Rishi responded thus,मा कञ्चन शुचो राजन् यदीश्वरवशं जगत् ।लोकाः सपाला यस्येमे वहन्ति बलिमीशितुः ।स संयुनक्ति भूतानि स एव वियुनक्ति च ॥ ४०॥Dharmaraja! You should not feel sorrow for any of the happenings in this world. Not even at the time of death of near and dear. Your understanding that all the happenings here are as per the wish of Lord should not go dormant. It should always be active in your mind and thought. The awareness of the Lord and his lordship over every act is important.The protectors of all the regions in this vast universe and being in all directions carry out acts as per the wish of the Lord. It is he who endows all living beings and forsakes based on their deeds.यथा गावो नसि प्रोतास्तन्त्यां बद्धाश्च दामभिः ।वाक्तन्त्यां नामभिर्बद्धा वहन्ति बलिमीशितुः ॥ ४१॥When the powerful bull is tied with a nose string and the one who holds the reins tied to the nose string is under full control. Like the powerful bulls come under the control of the one who is holding the reins, so to the Lord. The Lord has tied all the beings with a nose string called Vedas. He takes control of us or our actions through the reins called rules of his constitution or dharma. Hence, like the powerful bulls being under the controls of its master doing actions as he commands through the reins and serves him, so too, all living beings need to obey the command of Lord and serve him being equanimous.People run scared when a wild bull without a nose string enters human dwelling and is chased away. Similarly, those not following the command of the Lord are kept away from society. Hence, we have to remain bound by the rules of Vedas, follow dharma, and not cry for the acts happening as per the wish of Lord.This is the same as told by Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield, when Arjuna refuses to fight the War of Kurukshetra. The excerpt of the same from chapter 12 is recalled here appreciating the consistency in Sanathana or the oldest dharma.Lord Sri Krishna says, मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ।श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः॥१२- २॥Those who fix their thoughts and serve me by doing Karma Yoga, Dhyana Yoga with supreme faith to propitiate me are the best practicing Yogis, in my opinion.मय्येव मन आधत्स्वमयि बुद्धिं निवेशय ।निवसिष्यसि मय्येव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः ॥१२- ८॥Fix your mind on me, with intellect, make your thoughts flow towards me. With that, there shall be no doubt of living with me and living in me.अभ्यासेऽप्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥१२- १०॥If you find this impossible, do activities to please me. With that, you shall accomplish perfection.श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते ।ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥१२- १२॥Better than activities or actions to please me is Knowledge. Better than knowing me through Knowledge is Meditation. Better than Meditating on me is foregoing expectations or fruits of activities or actions. Nishkama dhyana or foregoing expectations or fruits of meditation leads to Moksha.अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च ।निर्ममो निरहंकारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥१२- १३॥सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः ।मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥ ॥१२- १४॥One who has no enemy is friendly, is compassionate to others trouble or issues, has no attachment with any being, nor has an ego, sees the worldly happiness and sorrow in balanced emotions, is forgiving, is always satisfied, engaged in Karma Yoga & Dhyana Yoga, has full control over mind, has clarity on the axiom of philosophy, and has submitted his mind and intellect in me is a devotee of me or Bhakta.       यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः ।हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥१२- १५॥With whom the world does not become distressed and he doesn't get distressed by the world, such devoted or bhakta not becoming distressed, nor is getting angry, nor revengeful, nor scared dear to me, says Lord Sri Krishna.  अनपेक्षः शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथः ।सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः ॥१२- १६॥The devotee who is free from desires, congruent with inside feelings and outside expressions, committed to his duty, without being attached, stable, who has given up the desire for the fruit of his action, and has given up all that is not liked by the Lord is dear to me, says Lord Sri Krishna.यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्यः स मे प्रियः ॥१२- १७॥The devotee who is not excited with the worldly happiness, nor hates anyone, nor craves for that he doesn't have, or desires anything, nor becomes attached with good or bad is dear to me, says Lord Sri Krishna.समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः ।शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः ॥१२- १८॥तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् ।अनिकेतः स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नरः ॥१२- १९॥
The devotee who equanimous towards his friend or a foe; or while receiving compliments or being insulted; also who is equanimous during hot & cold, comfort & dis-comfort; the one who has sheared the bind of fruit for every action; is equanimous when being flattered or abused; Intelectual; is satisfied & happy for all what he has; is not stuck to one pace; And such perfectly equanimous devotee is extremely dear to me says, Lord Sri Krishna. 
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Divine Eye Blessed by Bheemasena to Dhritarashtra

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.King Yudhishthira had established righteousness in his kingdom. Every village had at least five houses of Brahmins who helped the administration to understand the Dharma Shastra and cleared all the doubt. They directed the administration in implementing the acts of righteousness.However, Vidura noticed that his brother Dhritarashtra was not following the righteous acts as per his age and position. Though Dhritarashtra had to take up Vanaprastha ashrama he was still attached to the family life and luxuries. In the first fifteen years, the Pandavas under the leadership of Yudhishthira conducted major Yagnas or Sacrifices. This had increased the spiritual energy of the people in the kingdom and had brought high merit to them.In the fifteen years of Yagna or sacrifices, Dhritarashtra too had gained merit. Yet Dhritarashtra had not taken-up the acts consistent with his original form of Atma and was fully under the control of Prakriti. Hence, the compassionate Bheemasena had taken on himself to transform Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra had his first serious issue inherited during the incidence of his birth.In Mahabharata, we have heard that Shantanu, the elder brother of Bahlika was throned as King of Hastinapura. Shantanu had married the beautiful Ganga with a vow. However, he broke the vow when he stopped drowning their child in the water seeking reason. This child was named Devavrata. A celestial being taken birth on earth and was one among the eight Vasu named Dyu. He became the famous Sri Bheeshmacharya.Later, Shantanu married Satyavati and had two children named Chitraangada and Vichitravirya. Chitraangada inherits the throne of Hastinapura. However, he gets killed in a battle. After the sudden demise of Chitraangada, Vichitravirya was crowned as King of Hastinapura by his half brother, the son of Ganga, Sri Bheeshmacharya though he was just a child.  Later, King Vichitravirya got married to Ambika and Ambalika, the beautiful daughters of King of Kasi.Unfortunately, due to illness, even King Vichitravirya too died childlessly. To save the kingdom of Kuru and have her grandchild be the inheritor of Kuru Kingdom, Satyavati approached Lord Veda Vyasa who recommended that Ambika & Ambalika take up a vow of rigorous austerity for a period of one year to have a child. But like any other being caught-up in the cycle of death & birth, they disagreed to make a vow, walk the difficult and narrow path of Bhakti Yoga. Hence, Lord Veda Vyasa suggested an alternative that he would appear in a horrific form during the process of Levirate or Niyoga. Hence, Lord Veda Vyasa appeared as dark and with frightening looks to Ambika. The moment Ambika saw him, she got scared and closed her eyes.Hence, Ambika gave birth to Dhritarashtra, who was born blind by birth conveying a message that he was unable to see the Lord, though was present in the form of Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Parshurama appearing to all his near and dear who took the path of righteousness. Hence, the act of Ambika also made Dhritarashtra live life blind to righteousness and spiritualism. Though he had the ability to distinguish right and wrong, he never stood firm on the path of righteousness nor directed his mind towards the Lord present in him as his Indweller. In the metaphysical sense, the story of Mahabaratha is happening in each of us. While the Pandavas are the Merits, blessing us virtues and making us walk on the righteous path. While, Kauravas are Sins, making us gullible and take up evil acts leading towards hell. Hence, the war of Kurukshetra is happening continuously in us. The establishment of righteousness should happen only in oneself. But the question arises who is Dhritarashtra in the metaphysical sense of Mahabharata.On a closer examination, Dhritarashtra represents a Satvika Jiva or a soul. From birth, we lead a life like Dhritarashtra. The act of our parents and act of us as parents are all towards the materialistic world. Though the whole creation is of the Lord, we strongly believe that we are taking care of ourselves. Not to blame the parents, we carry such destiny from our previous births. Our long education is silent and blind towards spiritualism, Lord, and exposes a superficial understanding of his lordship. In fact, the science we learn reduces the Lord’s most dear act of creation with a big bang theory. We learn that the creation was accidental and has no creator.Like Dhritarashtra, we too hardly find time to pray and propitiate the Lord. At good times, finding even ten minutes in the mornings is too tight or to visit a temple. At most, during exams, or for an interview, or during annual promotion time, we could make a quick visit to God Ganesha or Hanuman. Else, during ill health of children or for raise in incomes. However, the ill health of parents or grandparents is a pain and time to curse our fate & destiny. The other time we would visit the Hanuman temple is during the seven and half years of Saturn. Visiting Shiv-Parvati Ji or Lakshmi-Narayana Ji temple is for getting married or for the marriage of daughter or sisters. Else, it should be for an easy settlement of divorce without any liabilities. However, most of the time we are busy earning money, planning for weekend outings or partying. The least weekend shopping. And always finding good times.Dhritarashtra too was enjoying life. He had several attendants including Sanjaya. Every morning, he was woken up by Vandimagada singing his praises. The water for his bath was prepared by boiling herbs for its herbal values, unique & rich fragrances. For the bath, attendants would apply special oils and massage him. Special breakfast and lunch were arranged every day and served in Gold and Silverware. The chef would prepare exotic delicacies of Dhritarashtra’s wish. For his pastime, programs of music or dance or drama were organized. Also, the royal chariots were organized to take him to gardens, parks, and lakes, riverside, to enjoy outings.         Hence, Bheemasena, the form of God Prana, the best of beings at the same hierarchy of God Brahma and only second among the equals, takes on himself to reform Dhritarashtra knowing the magnitude of sins committed by him. The compassionate Bheemasena thought, should Dhritarashtra continue to live in the materialistic world full of desire seeking wealth, good clothes, luxurious house, furniture, & vehicles, servants & attendants at every step, tour & travel to exotic places would be vicious. Without taking up rigorous austerity or tapas in the forests, the vicious cycle would spiral him down to Hell.  Seeing the lifestyle of Dhritarashtra, Bheemasena started responding to his uncle by countering his instructions.  Bheemasena would stop the attendants to follow the instructions of Dhritarashtra. When Dhritarashtra asked for hot water with fragrance, Bheemasena would reduce him and instruct the attendants that he had to take a cold water bath. Similarly no food of Dhritarashtra’s choice was provided. Nor his choice of clothes or Jewelry were provided. In fact, everyday Bheemaseana would taunt and take a jibe against Dhritarashtra. Bheemaseana would brag about his valor to Nakula & Sahadeva in such a voice that Dhritarashtra hears him. Every day, Bheemaseana would brag about his shoulders, the strength in it, the way he killed each of the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bheemasena would say that though this old man’s hundred children had learned various marshal acts all their life, he dismembered their arms or legs and had beaten up to a pulp. Bheemasena would explain how Dhritarashtra’s each of the sons would cry for help when they had fallen helplessly on the battlefield and their flesh had become food for dogs and wolves.       While everyone, including King Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and Uttara Devi would take special care of Dhritarashtra, but not Bheemasena. Hence, Dhritarashtra was damn angry against Bheemasena. But was helpless for the sake of luxury that he enjoyed in the palace. The heckle of Bheemasena and his helplessness made him embarrassed. Staying in the house of Pandavas to whom he had ill-treated, Dhritarashtra helplessly remembered the death of his hundred children.A strong feeling of disapproval and revulsion towards life aroused in him. Dhritarashtra started understanding that no amount of glamour or luxury would bring self-esteem and permanency to happiness. This way, bringing in aversion towards life, Bheemasena blessed the blind Dhritarashtra with a divine eye to look inwards. During the same time, Vidura too advised him to take up vanaprastha or life in the forest to propitiate the Lord that we saw in our last blog.The dispassion towards life or Vairagya is an important milestone in the spiritual journey of mumukshu seeking release from the confinement of death & birth. We had seen the accomplishment of Kunti Devi in Bhakti Yoga of Uttara Devi and Kunti Devi through Kunti Stuti seeking difficulties in life to Lord through these verses:विपदः सन्तु नः शश्वत्तत्र तत्र जगद्गुरो ।भवतो दर्शनं यत्स्यादपुनर्भवदर्शनम् ॥ २५॥जन्मैश्वर्यश्रुतश्रीभिरेधमानमदः पुमान् ।नैवार्हत्यभिधातुं वै त्वामकिञ्चनगोचरम् ॥ २६॥नमोऽकिञ्चनवित्ताय निवृत्तगुणवृत्तये ।आत्मारामाय शान्ताय कैवल्यपतये नमः ॥ २७॥Jagadguru! The teacher of the Universe, give me difficulties all the time, in all my activities that I take-up while being in this cycle of death & birth. Let there be obstructions coming more frequently. So, during all my difficult times, compassionate Lord! You will stand with me blessing with thoughts of you making your sight definitive. The sight of you would break the cycle of death & birth with Moksha.You will bless with the sight of your presence to only those who have nothing of their own. Those being utterly poor and destitute. Then, how can the brags intoxicated with the pride of the clan or the class or authority or for being famous or wealthy and so on would even get the thoughts to singing your names? How can they become even eligible?Hence, Lord Krishna! Please bless me without any of those yielding intoxications.You are a treasure for all those who have nothing of their own and yet propitiating you without expectations. You surpass the three Gunas of Prakriti including their effects. Being engrossed in yourself and having no expectations from anyone else, you are Atmarama. You are serene and the only Lord to bestow Moksha having eternal bliss.My salutations to you.Sri Sutacharya continuing the narration to the spiritual gathering says, एवं राजा विदुरेणानुजेन प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्बोधित आजमीढः ।छित्त्वा स्वेषु स्नेहपाशान् द्रढिम्नो निश्चक्राम भ्रातृसन्दर्शिताध्वा ॥ २८॥Hearing his brother’s words, Dhritarashtra got awakened and came to his real senses. Giving up all worldly luxuries and becoming detached with the relationship, he took up the path suggested by his brother Vidura.पतिं प्रयान्तं सुबलस्य पुत्री पतिव्रता चानुजगाम साध्वी ।हिमालयं न्यस्तदण्डप्रहर्षं मनस्विनामिव सत्सम्प्रहारः ॥ २९॥Like a soldier in a battle taking the blow of an enemy with courage and the valor gets overwhelmed with happiness, so too the devout wives of Dhritarashtra see their husband taken-up Sanysaashram and traveling towards Himalaya. Subala, Nandani, and Gandhari too followed their husband said Sri Sutacharya to the gathering hearing Srimad BhagavataContinuing the narration, Sri Sutacharya says,अजातशत्रुः कृतमैत्रो हुताग्निर्विप्रान् नत्वा तिलगोभूमिरुक्मैः ।गृहं प्रविष्टो गुरुवन्दनाय न चापश्यत्पितरौ सौबलीं च ॥ ३०॥The next day, King Yudhishthira having no enemy got up early in the morning and carried out his daily routine, including the Sandhya Vandanam or the prayers to Goddess Gayatri, giving Surya Arghya, Agnihotra or the fire sacrifice and so on. He followed it up with greetings to Brahmins, including the donation of Cow, Gold, and Land. Later, when he proceeded to the palace of Dhritarashtra, Gandaree, Kunti, and Vidura to pay respects to the Gurus and elders of the family, a surprise awaited him. He could not find them there.  तत्र सञ्जयमासीनं पप्रच्छो द्विग्नमानसः ।गावल्गणे क्व नस्तातो वृद्धो हीनश्च नेत्रयोः ॥ ३१॥Seeing Sanjaya, the attendant of Dhritarashtra sitting clueless on the floor, the perturbed King Yudhishthira asked him, where are my old and blind uncles and aunts?अम्बा च हतपुत्रार्ता पितृव्यः क्व गतः सुहृत् ।अपि मय्यकृतप्रज्ञे हतबन्धुः स भार्यया ।आशंसमानः शमलं गङ्गायां दुःखितोपतत् ॥ ३२॥My aunt, Gandhari is depressed with the loss of her hundred children. My uncle Vidura too is exhausted traveling to various places. My uncle Dhritarashtra might have misunderstood me and have all decided to jump into the river Ganga!पितर्युपरते पाण्डौ सर्वान् नः सुहृदः शिशून् ।अरक्षतां व्यसनतः पितृव्यौ क्व गतावितः ॥ ३३॥When we were still children, my father Pandu passed away. Since then, we have been brought by uncles Dhritarashtra and Vidura. They protected us from various difficulties and took care with full affection! Now their dis-appearance has made me anxious! Said King Yudhishthira to Sanjaya.
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Spiritual Acclaim of Sri Vidura

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.

Vidura had returned from a pilgrimage. After a tiring journey, he took a bath, had food and was relaxing. At that time, King Yudhishthira holding him in high esteem and filled with humility addressed Vidura and asked questions to him with a voice audible to all assembled.
युधिष्ठिर उवाचअपि स्मरथ नो युष्मत्पक्षच्छायासमेधितान् ।विपद्गणाद्विषाग्न्यादेर्मोचिता यत्समातृकाः ॥ ८॥

King Yudhishthira, full of humility, said to Vidura, Uncle! Do you remember all of us? Those incidences wherein you protected us like the bird protecting its eggs and offspring from the predators? Also, like the birds covering its eggs with the feathers, share its warmth, and enable its offspring in the egg to grow. Do you remember sharing your warmth with us?We have grown up in your shadow. You protected us when we were poisoned. Also, when we were housed in a wax house and lit the fire. At every attempt of Duryodhana to annihilate us, you have protected us, says King Yudhishthira expressing the most important Bhagavata dharma of having everlasting gratitude for all the help.     कया वृत्त्या वर्तितं वश्चरद्भिः क्षितिमण्डलम् ।तीर्थानि क्षेत्रमुख्यानि सेवितानीह भूतले ॥ ९॥Continuing, King Yudhishthira asked Vidura, Uncle! You were on pilgrimage traveling from one place to another. How did you feel your life, then? Which were that important pilgrimage you undertook? Which were those divine places you traveled preceded by Lord himself in a significant way?भवद्विधा भागवतास्तीर्थभूताः स्वयं विभो ।तीर्थीकुर्वन्ति तीर्थानि स्वान्तःस्थेन गदाभृता ॥ १०॥The Honorable one! You, yourself is a great devotee of the Lord with his presence in you as indweller in a significant way. The presence of the four-armed Lord holding the mace named Kaumodaki has made you divine, bestowed an ability to you to make the holy place holier, and bring greatness to those places of pilgrimage which you undertook.Vidurashwatha is a holy place and about 85 KM from Bangalore dedicated to the name of Vidura. Here there is a Pupil tree planted by Vidura and is a famous place of worship.अपि नः सुहृदस्तात बान्धवाः कृष्णदेवताः ।दृष्टाः श्रुता वा यदवः स्वपुर्यां सुखमासते ॥ ११॥Uncle! As you undertook pilgrimage, I’m sure you would have visited Dwarka too. There, I trust, our dear relatives, a friend, Lord Sri Krishna, the only one celebrated is fine!Even if you have not visited Dwarka, I’m sure you have updated news on him. Please tell us. We are eager to hear that, says King Yudhishthira who had always remained focused on the Lord.  इत्युक्तो धर्मराजेन सर्वं तत्समवर्णयत् ।यथानुभूतं क्रमशो विना यदुकुलक्षयम् ॥ १२॥नन्वप्रियं दुर्विषहं नृणां स्वयमुपस्थितम् ।नावेदयत्सकरुणो दुःखितान् द्रष्टुमक्षमः ॥ १३॥Sri Sutacharya continuing to narrate the episode on arrival of Vidura said to Sri Shaunaka that Vidura answered all the questions that were sought by King Yudhishthira. Sri Vidura answered as he had understood seeing, or hearing, or as he had experienced in a chronological and systematic way. But, he remained silent not saying anything about the destruction of the Yadu clan in the near future.The compassionate Vidura did not give a clue on the destruction of the Yadu dynasty in the near future. He was worried that by sharing the inauspicious news, the peace and tranquillity of Pandavas could be destroyed. Vidura did not want to see Pandavas sad.Hence, even the present Indian Astrology, practicing righteous path would not predict the death of any individual nor an unhappy incidence having no remedy.कञ्चित्कालमथावात्सीत्सत्कृतो देववत्सुखम् ।भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य श्रेयस्कृत्सर्वेषां प्रीतिमावहन् ॥ १४॥The Pandavas took care of Vidura with all respect, state honor, and love. They admired their uncle Vidura’s knowledge and experience. Vidura stayed back in Hastinapura for while with an objective of bringing benefit to his elder brother, Dhritarashtra. Vidura wanted Dhritarashtra to course correct to the righteous path.One could note an exemplary behavior in the character of Vidura. When everyone heard that Vidura would stay back in Hastinapura for some time, they jumped for joy.अबिभ्रदर्यमा दण्डं यथावदघकारिषु ।यावद्दधार शूद्रत्वं शापाद्वर्षशतं यमः ॥ १५॥Vidura was by himself is Yama Dharmaraja. We have heard the story of Yama Dharmaraja being cursed by Manduka muni to be born for hundred years as Shudra in chaturvarna or the four varnas of Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Brahmana. Vidura is an incarnation of Yama Dharmaraja and was a dasiputra or the son to the maid of Ambika and Ambalika through Lord Veda Vyasa.During those hundred years, Yama Dharmaraja’s activities as the King of Hell, passing judgment, and ordering punishments to the sinners were carried out by his father, God Sun.In the Tattva Jnana or the Axiom of Knowledge, there are two types of जिव Jivas or beings. One is निरंश जिव or one who can only appear as one or in one body or form, and at an only place at a given point of time. However, the second types are सांश जिव or those who could appear in one form or different, in one or different bodies, and at different locations at the same point of time.Yama Dharmaraja is a सांश जिव with the ability to appear in different forms, and at different locations at the same point of time. In one form, being the King of Hell, he runs the administration. Also, he has taken birth as Vidura and subsequently as Yudhishthira. Also, he is in various forms in all beings as a witness to each one's action.   King Yudhishthira too was the form of Yama Dharmaraja appearing along with Vidura. Hence, in Mahabharata, Vidura concluded his form by merging with King Yudhishthira.युधिष्ठिरो लब्धराज्यो दृष्ट्वा पौत्रं कुलन्धरम् ।भ्रातृभिर्लोकपालाभैर्मुमुदे परया श्रिया ॥ १६॥It was about fifteen years since King Yudhishthira had taken reins of the kingdom along with his brothers. He had recuperated and established righteousness in every walk of life. Parikshid was also about fifteen years old. Seeing him as the spiritual seeker growing under their guidance, the guidance of Kripacharya and building-up a personality filled with good character, Pandavas were overjoyed. They admired the offspring of their Pandu dynasty, their heir, and the inheritor of the Kuru Kingdom would live up to their family values. Pandavas were delighted to see the unfolding of predictions of the astrologers who had predicted about Parikshid at the time of his birth.During the same time, after completion of all Yagna or Sacrifice for fifteen years, Lord Sri Krishna along with Uddava and Satyaki returned to Dwarka.एवं गृहेषु सक्तानां प्रमत्तानां तदीहया ।अत्यक्रामदविज्ञातः कालः परमदुस्तरः ॥ १७॥Vidura observed all this. He saw each of the Pandavas implementing the righteous way in the kingdom supporting King Yudhishthira, the accumulation of wealth in the kingdom, and the happiness among the people. Also, the way, the Pandavas lead a happy life.Vidura also observed that his elder brother, Dhritarashtra had got lost in the family life enjoying the worldly pleasures, overindulging in luxury, and the extraordinary treatment of Pandavas. However, the Time with aggression afflicted with inauspiciousness had a fast approach. Dhritarashtra had exhausted most of his lifespan and Vidura saw the time of death of his brother was fast approaching.विदुरस्तदभिप्रेत्य धृतराष्ट्रमभाषत ।राजन् निर्गम्यतां शीघ्रं पश्येदं भयमागतम् ॥ १८॥Hence, Vidura after examining the acts of Time told his brother, Maharaja! The Time with aggression afflicted with inauspiciousness has approached. The Time causing death is hovering over our heads. Hence, we should leave this city immediately! प्रतिक्रिया न यस्येह कुतश्चित्कर्हिचित्प्रभो ।स एव भगवान् कालः सर्वेषां नः समागतः ॥ १९॥My Lord! Time is supreme and invincible. No being has the strength to dare and endure him. I too have to die and so do you. The earth on which we live has to die and also this whole vast universe. The best and the most superior being, God Brahma who has created the fourteen regions in this vast universe has to succumb to death brought by Time. At no moment in this immeasurable past history has one prevailed over death. Lord himself is Time, said Vidura to his brother Dhritarashtra. येन चैवाभिपन्नोऽयं प्राणैः प्रियतमैरपि ।जनः सद्यो वियुज्येत किमुतान्यैर्धनादिभिः ॥ २०॥The most intimate to a being is living in a body. However, when it comes to death, he becomes helpless and gives up his life. Then what could be told about wealth, relations, and other things?  Vidura questions as an affirmation to his brother Dhritarashtra. पितृभ्रातृसुहृत्पुत्रा हतास्ते विगतं वयः ।आत्मा च जरया ग्रस्तः परगेहमुपाससे ॥ २१॥Our grandfather, Bheshmacharya died! So also our father, Vichitravirya, Brother Pandu, Balika raja, his son Somadutta, our friends, so many of our near and dear have died. Also, your own hundred sons died in the war of Kurukshetra.  Look at yourself, you have become जरया ग्रस्तः or old. But you are परगेहमुपाससे or staying in another's house. In fact, the house of those who killed your hundred children and won the whole kingdom. You are staying in the house against whom you had harbored enmity and hatred.  अहो महीयसी जन्तोर्जीविताशा यथा भवान् ।भीमापवर्जितं पिण्डमादत्ते गृहपालवत् ॥ २२॥The animal greed to live life is shocking! Enjoyment of the worldly pleasure makes a person stoop down to any level. Just to have a good life, enjoy, eat, drink, and make merry, one would do anything! The pets of the house await the master to give food. Same way, you look forward daily to eat the food served by Bheemasena, says Vidura.अग्निर्निसृष्टो दत्तश्च गरो दाराश्च दूषिताः ।हृतं क्षेत्रं धनं येषां तद्दत्तैरसुभिः कियत् ॥ २३॥Dhritarashtra! Remember during your rule, attempts were made to kill the Pandavas by burning down their house and poisoning them. Also, by pulling the robes of their wife Draupadi, you insulted them and grabbed their land and kingdom through illegal ways. Will a person with self-esteem have food in those very peoples' houses? Will that bring respect to you? Questioned Vidura.तस्यापि तव देहोऽयं कृपणस्य जिजीविषोः ।परैत्यनिच्छतो जीर्णो जरया वाससी इव ॥ २४॥Yet, you want to live a life of fun and luxury. Your ignorance has exceeded that of the Himalayan Mountains. Which of the desire could satisfy you? Without wishing, like an old, faded, shabby worn dress, your body has become old.गतस्वार्थमिमं देहं विरक्तो मुक्तबन्धनः ।अविज्ञातगतिर्जह्यात्स वै धीर उदाहृतः ॥ २५॥Now, with this body, you cannot accomplish any of your selfish desires. Hence, don’t be deceived by trying to nourish this old body. Give-up the attachment with the body.A resolute one shall be dissociating with the worldly pleasure and mundane relationship without letting others know. And gives-up the body is a smart way.   यः स्वकात्परतो वेह जातनिर्वेद आत्मवान् ।हृदि कृत्वा हरिं गेहात्प्रव्रजेत्स नरोत्तमः ॥ २६॥My Brother! You want to be called as नरोत्तमः or the best by the Vandimagada or the attendants of the royal family. Just by being praised one will not become great.Those, with their own knowledge or by the guidance of others, understand that the cycle of death & birth, though appearing glamorous sometimes is filled with misery and sorrow. Therefore, being resolute, developing dispassion to worldly matters, get the conscious purified, and always try to focus on the form of Lord in the lotus of heart would renounce the house, or even the palace and the luxuries in it.  Also, giving-up family life is called grihastha ashrama to take-up sannyasa ashrama or become Ascetic. Such are classified as नरोत्तमः or the better types.
अथोदीचीं दिशं यातु स्वैरज्ञातगतिर्भवान् ।इतोऽर्वाक् प्रायशः कालः पुंसां गुणविकर्षणः ॥ २७॥Dhritarashtra! The time has come to leave the palace and take-up Vanaprastha. Remember the way our forefathers lived during their old age. King Bharata ruled the entire earth. But during his old age, he renounced the palace and took up Vanaprastha. Even our own elder brother, King Pandu, handed over the kingdom to you and went to the forest knowing his death had neared. However, worldly pleasures have made your mind too, blind.My Brother! If you hang on, the time afflicted with aggression and inauspiciousness will conceive you. Lord Krishna and Pandavas would have left this earth. There will be no one to fight and control the afflicted time, says Vidura.एवं राजा विदुरेणानुजेन प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्बोधित आजमीढः ।छित्त्वा स्वेषु स्नेहपाशान् द्रढिम्नो निश्चक्राम भ्रातृसन्दर्शिताध्वा ॥ २८॥Hearing his brother’s words, Dhritarashtra got awakened and came to his real senses. Giving up all worldly luxuries and becoming detached with the relationship, he took up the path suggested by his brother Vidura.पतिं प्रयान्तं सुबलस्य पुत्री पतिव्रता चानुजगाम साध्वी ।हिमालयं न्यस्तदण्डप्रहर्षं मनस्विनामिव सत्सम्प्रहारः ॥ २९॥Like a soldier in a battle takes the blow of enemy with courage and the valor, overwhelms him with happiness, so too the devout wives of Dhritarashtra seeing their husband taken-up Sanyas Ashram and traveling towards Himalaya, Subala, Nandani, and Gandhari too followed their husband.
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||