Srinath Shrothrium's Blog, page 6

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 ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Impassionate Dasi Putra, 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.The interest in worldly issues and topics is the cause of taking rebirth on earth. When we are able to refrain from involving in any worldly issues or topics or things, we will become eligible for moksha. The cause for the refraining could be several reasons. One is the difficulties that we have encountered over the number of births which keeps us away from messing up life.Some would not get inspired to lie or use bad words. For some, being patient and refraining from anger would be natural. Some would refrain from corruption and hoarding illegal money. There are a large number of people who are happy and content, though having money sufficient for just two square meals. Similarly for dress & jewelry, while some are fond of fashionable dress and some are not so passionate. Thus, avoiding restlessness, intolerance, or anxiety. These virtues or winning over weakness to worldly issues or topics or things have happened over several births. But those who have accomplished dispassion over all worldly issues or topics or things are eligible for moksha.The other cause of dispassion is of an external source. The example could be parents teaching their children to refrain from bad company, or substance abuse. So too, teachers, elders, or even spouses may advise or government rules or social stigma may keep us away from misdeeds having bind with the worldly matter. All these are of the external type. As the reason is external. However, when a jiva takes a spiritual path, accomplish spiritual progress through Bhakti yoga, by hearing the Lord's glories, singing & meditating his attributes or Dhyana yoga, wearing his form on the memory or Dhaarana yoga, worshipping him, going on pilgrimage, and so on. Then the purification of consciousness takes place causing dispassion towards worldly matters naturally or Sahaja yoga.Even after having lost 100 sons, and the kingdom to the Pandavas, King Dhritarashtra would have come to terms with life. Being the oldest of the Kuru dynasty, the Pandavas treat him admirably well with all royal luxuries. Hence, King Dhritarashtra remains attached to the day to day activities of life forgetting the objectives of Purushartha. In this part of Srimad Bhagavata, Lord Veda Vyasa gives the example of his story from Mahabharata to teach one of the important Bhagavata Dharma of Vairagya or dispassion. Let’s take a look at that.     Sri Sutacharya says,सूत उवाचविदुरस्तीर्थयात्रायां मैत्रेयादात्मनो गतिम् ।ज्ञात्वागाद्धास्तिनपुरं तयावाप्तविवित्सितः ॥ १॥Sri Shaunaka! The great Vidura during his pilgrimage had met Maitreya Rishi. He was a great philosopher. From him, Vidura had gained the spiritual knowledge on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death. All that he had to know was explained by Maitreya Rishi and also all his doubts were clarified. With such enlightenment, one day, Vidura returned to Hastinapura.  यावतः कृतवान् प्रश्नान् क्षत्ता कौषारवाग्रतः ।जातैकभक्तिर्गोविन्दे तेभ्यश्चोपरराम ह ॥ २॥Vidura had enormous bhakti or devotion towards the Lord. Having all his doubts clarified, he had accomplished all that he had to accomplish. The divine peace had dawned on Vidura.तं बन्धुमागतं दृष्ट्वा धर्मपुत्रः सहानुजः ।धृतराष्ट्रो युयुत्सुश्च सूतः शारद्वतः पृथा ॥ ३॥गान्धारी द्रौपदी ब्रह्मन् सुभद्रा चोत्तरा कृपी ।अन्याश्च जामयः पाण्डोर्ज्ञातयः ससुताः स्त्रियः ॥ ४॥प्रत्युज्जग्मुः प्रहर्षेण प्राणं तन्व इवागतम् ।अभिसङ्गम्य विधिवत्परिष्वङ्गाभिवादनैः ॥ ५॥मुमुचुः प्रेमबाष्पौघं विरहौत्कण्ठ्यकातराः । राजा तमर्हयांचक्रे कृतासनपरिग्रहम् ॥ ६॥Sri Shaunaka! Seeing the arrival of the uncle Vidura, King Yudhishthira along with his brothers, Dhritarashtra, Yuyutsu - The only leftover son of Dhritarashtra born to the maid of Gandhari, Sanjaya – The charioteer of  Dhritarashtra and who gave a live commentary of the great war of Kurukshetra to Dhritarashtra, Kripacharya, Kunti, Gandhari, Draupadi, Subhadra, Uttara, Kripi, along with other men and women members of the family along with their children. received. They did so with their heart filled with zest. With this, Vidura who was tired because of the long travel regained his energy. His transformation appeared like a dead body coming live. Each one of them who came to receive him paid respects by offering salutations expressed their love and welcomed Vidura. The sadness of separation with Vidura for a long time had disappeared among everyone and the tears of joy had rolled down without giving a clue. In fact, it was only after some time they realized and started wiping their cheeks. King Yudhishthira offered Vidura a seat and paid reverence.     तं भुक्तवन्तं विश्रान्तमासीनं सुखमासने ।प्रश्रयावनतो राजा प्राह तेषां च शृण्वताम् ॥ ७॥After Vidura took bath, had food, and was relaxing, 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.We have heard the story of Yama Dharmaraja being cursed by Manduka muni to be born 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. Vidura literarily means wise, intelligent and a skilled one.While self-esteem is great, but supremacy or a passion towards a particular caste is not a tenet of Sanatana Dharma. Mahabarata illustrates that though Vidura was of Shudra varna, Lord Sri Krishna was pleased with him, stayed in his house, and had blessed him with Aparoksha or Atma Jnana.Vadiraja Tirtharu (1480 – 1600), was a great saint and he is believed to be the next God Vayu in the coming Kalpa. To bust the myth and prejudice of caste system, he has composed the song “Ava kulavo Ranga”praising Lord Sri Krishna and his supremacy, the indweller of one and all. Let’s take a look at  English lyrics and translation of “Ava kulavo Ranga” Ava kulavo Ranga, ariyalagadu ||Ava kulavendariyalagadu govakaivagollanthe ||Devalokada Parijatha hoovu satige tandanante ||Of which caste are you, Ranga? I am ignorantI am ignorant of the caste of a cowherd taking care of the cowsAnd the one who brought the celestial flowers of Parijatha to his wifeGokuladalli Puttidanante govugallannu kaydaanante |Kolalanudi mruga pakshigala maralu madidanante ||Taralatanadi orala nigaahi marava muridu matte hari |Tereda bayolageerelu lokava irisi taayige tordanante || Seems, you took birth in Gokula to take care of cowsPlayed the flute to mesmerize the animals and birds Also, it’s told that being mischievous used the wooden mortar and felled the twin treesKeeping this vast universe in your mouth opened it to show the rest six and seven regions.Of which caste are you, Ranga? I am ignorantGollatiyara maneya pokku kallatanava maddananteBallida putani vishavanundu mellane Trunana kondanantePakshi tanna vaahanavante haavu tanna haasigeyante||Mukkanna tanna mommaganante muddu mukhada chelvananteSeems, you entered the house of fellow cowherds to stealConsuming the poison that evil Putani breastfed, killed even the evil Trunavarta easilyAlso, it’s told that the Bird, God Garuda is your vehicle and the snake, Sesha is your bedThe three-eyed God Rudra is your grandson, yet you have a beautiful, charming baby face Of which caste are you, Ranga? I am ignorantKaradimagala tandanante Sharadhimagalu madadiyanteDharaniyannu bedidanante Irelu lokada Odeyanante||Hadaginindali bandanante kadala dadeyali nindanante |Odane Madhvarigolidanante Odeya Hayavadanante||Seems, you brought the daughter of the bear Jambavanta and made the daughter of Yamuna as your wifeAlso, it’s told that you begged for three-foot steps of Land from Bali, though being Lord of this whole universeTraveling in a ship seems you arrived and stood at the shores of Udupi. 
And was immediately pleased with Acharya Madhva and it seems you are the Lord Hayavadana.Of which caste are you, Ranga? I am ignorant
For Sound bites, may wish to follow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqxfSbFAux0   
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Immortal Characters of Hindu Mythology

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.स एष लोके विख्यातः परीक्षिदिति यत्प्रभुः ।गर्भे दृष्टमनुध्यायन् परीक्षेत नरेष्विह ॥ ३०॥Immediately after the birth, as proclaimed by priests, King Yudhisthira named his grandson as Vishnuratha. The one protected by Maha Vishnu.We had seen पर्ये or परितः is surrounding and अक्षत is Uninjured. However, परीक्षा also means to examine or look for. Hence, Parakshid is one who looks for or a seeker.Hence, being uninjured from any surrounding directions, always wondering even starting before birth that who is protecting him  led a life to always please the Lord and as a seeker of the indweller, the Lord. Eager to know the Lord, see him, time and again, seeking the Lord to reveal himself. Hence, became famous as a seeker of the Lord or Parakshid.स राजपुत्रो ववृधे आशु शुक्ल इवोडुपः ।आपूर्यमाणः पितृभिः काष्ठाभिरिव सोऽन्वहम् ॥ ३१॥This way being protected by the Lord, blessed by Lord, loved by King Yudhishthira & other Pandavas, blessed by the priests, the baby Parakshid grew, like the waxing moon. As the goddesses of directions bring light to the waxing moon making it grow by every night, Parakshid grew as a young man under the auspices of Pandavas.यक्ष्यमाणोऽश्वमेधेन ज्ञातिद्रोहजिहासया ।राजालब्धधनो दध्यावन्यत्र करदण्डयोः ॥ ३२॥Though the war of Kurukshetra, was a war of Justice, and the righteous had prevailed over the injustice as wished by the Lord, yet King Yudhisthara had felt dejected and sympathized for the losers and injustice. Hence, he was a sinner. Therefore, King Yudhisthara thought of taking up sacrifices or Yagna to redeem his sins. For which he wanted money.King Yudhishthira started worrying about how he could meet the expenses for carrying out sacrifices. He did not want to spend the treasure of the kingdom, nor increase the tax, nor increase the penalty of the misdeeds of his subjects.तदभिप्रेतमालक्ष्य भ्रातरोऽच्युतचोदिताःधनं प्रहीणमाजह्रुरुदीच्यां दिशि भूरिशः ॥ ३३॥Knowing the worry of King Yudhishthira, the omniscient Lord directed him to bring the wealth from Himalaya. He reminded the incidence of King Maruta who ruled the entire earth in the medieval age. He had carried out more than 1000 Yagna surpassing even King Indra, the Lord of heaven. After the sacrifice or Yagnas, King Maruta had disposed of huge golden vessels towards the north in the Himalaya. Also, the priests assembled to carry out Yagna had received enormous wealth from King Marutaas as gifts and had left behind in Himalayan Mountains were unable to carry back.The Pandavas went to the Himalayan Mountains and carried back the huge wealth that was leftover.तेन सम्भृतसम्भारो धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ।वाजिमेधैस्त्रिभिर्भीतो यज्ञैः समयजद्धरिम् ॥ ३४॥King Yudhishthira arranged to buy all substances to carry out the Yagna from the wealth they brought from Himalaya. He carried out three big Ashwamedha Yagnas in an excellent way. He did so following the same procedure as followed by God Brahma, Lord in his form of Parshurama and his form as Sri Rama followed earlier. This way King Yudhisthara propitiates the Lord.आहूतो भगवान् राज्ञा याजयित्वा द्विजैर्नृपम् ।उवास कतिचिन्मासान् सुहृदां प्रियकाम्यया ॥ ३५॥King Yudhishthira carried out the three sacrifices uninterruptedly over a period of fifteen years. During that divine period, Lord Sri Krishna remained in the capital city of Hastinapur and later for a few months.ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञातः कृष्णया सहबन्धुभिः ।ययौ द्वारवतीं ब्रह्मन् सार्जुनो यदुभिर्वृतः ॥ ३६॥Shaunaka! Later Lord Sri Krishna left to his capital city of Dwarka along with his family, the members of his clan, Yadhus, and Arjuna, says Sri Sutacharya narrating the exceptional birth story of Parikshit raja during the beginning of this Kali Yuga.इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धेपरीक्षिज्जन्माद्युत्कर्षो नाम द्वादशोऽध्यायः ॥ १२॥With this, we complete "The Exceptional Birth Story of Parikshit Raja” the twelfth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. We could do so only because of the continued blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus.
In this Srimad Bhagavata, composed by Lord himself in his form of Veda Vyasa, after the Mangalacharna or the verses of prayers, we saw Lord endorsing the holiness of Naimisharanya, saying,नैमिषेनिमिषक्षेत्रे ऋषयः शौनकादयः ।सत्रं स्वर्गाय लोकाय सहस्रसममासत ||Naimishye Nimisha Kshetra. The Naimisharanya is very dear to Gods and are present there in a significant way. A spiritual gathering was conducted that lasted for over a Thousand-Year. Akhyana or stories of long Penance was narrated. The objective was to accomplish Swarga, the place where the Lord is absorbed in his bliss or Vaikunta. त एकदा तु मुनयः प्रातर्हुतहुताशनाः।सत्कृतं सूतमासीनं पप्रच्छुरिदमादृताः॥One day having completed all the daily Yagna of fire with substance early in the morning, all the Rishis arrived for Jnana Yagna. They welcomed Sri Sutacharya, offered him arghya and padya paid respects, honor & gratitude. Sri Shaunaka Rishi, who on behalf of all rishis praised him for having arrived as bright Sun and says this:Oh! Stainless Sutacharya, you are well versed in all eighteen Puranas; Ithihasa or History including Mahabharata & Ramayana; Pancharatra. You have done an in-depth study of the Dharma Shastras. Also, you keep narrating these to the learned and wise.As the long stories of penance continued, we heard Sri Saunaka Rishi saying,अभिमन्युसुतं सूत प्राहुर्भागवतोत्तमम् ।तस्य जन्म महाश्चर्यं कर्माणि च गृणीहि नः ॥ ९॥Sri Sutha Puranika, we have heard that the son of Abhimanyu, Parikshit Raja was the best of Bhagavata following Bhagavata dharma to letter and spirit. His birth itself was a wonder. Please tell us the extraordinary story of his birth and all his outstanding activities.स सम्राट् कस्य वा हेतोः पाण्डूनां मानवर्धनः ।प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनादृत्याधिराट् श्रियम् ॥ १०॥Also, he brought fame to the family of Pandu and was an able Emperor. The Emperor of all the seven islands of this earth. Though had the responsibility of administering as per the dharma set-up by his grandfather Yudhishthira, for what reason did he abandoned the Empire and its wealth? What made him reach the bank of Ganges and take the vow of Prayopavistam by fasting until death?   नमन्ति यत्पादनिकेतमात्मनः शिवाय हानीय धनानि शत्रवः ।कथं स वीरः श्रियमङ्ग दुस्त्यजां युवैषतोत्स्रष्टुमहो सहासुभिः ॥ ११॥             The enemy Kings would bring their tax money of their kingdom to the Emperor and place it at the footrest of Parikshit Raja without failure. Yet, why the young Parikshit Raja did abandon the Empire and its complete wealth? What made him decide so?शिवाय लोकस्य भवाय भूतये य उत्तमश्लोकपरायणा जनाः ।जीवन्ति नात्मार्थमसौ पराश्रयं मुमोच निर्विद्य कुतः कलेवरम् ॥ १२॥One who has complete trust & belief in the Lord and work for the auspiciousness, welfare, prosperity, happiness of virtuous? They are not selfish. This way, having benevolence and doing selfless charity, how did Parikshit raja bring in dispassion towards his clean body and decided to give up?To these questions, we heard the birth story of Parikshit raja. Sri Sutacharya had to answer about Vairagya or dispassion of Parikshit raja towards the materialistic world, including foregoing his body. Hence, as an introduction to Vairagya, Lord Veda Vyasa introduces the relevant part of Mahabharata. He introduces Vidura, one of the central characters of Mahabharata. And an uncle of Pandavas and Kauravas. Unlike Bheeshmacharya, Vidura had no obligation to participate in the war of Kurukshetra and had taken up pilgrimage visiting various holy places of this Spiritual Land, Jambudweep. It is worthy of noting that Sri Shaunaka and his fellow rishis are of a very high order. They are very dear to the Lord. They carried out the Spiritual gathering for over a thousand years to ensure that the seventeen Puranas, Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and its essence is percolated to every nook and corner of this Spiritual Land of Jambudweep. Hence, in any corner of this country, one would have some sense of these scriptures including the characters or their moral value. Therefore, the various characters of Hindu Mythology is immortal and never dies. Reimagining or retelling with the same names, some times consistent with characters, places, incidents, or the time of occurrences and sometimes otherwise with the compositions of Lord Veda Vyasa or camouflaging to distort the objectives of the Lord’s message as Hindu Mythology are a disservice.Let’s seek the continued blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus to take a look at the thirteenth adhyaya of Srimad Bhagavata, Skanda one.
 || Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Future Predictions of Baby Parakshid

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 had noted that Parakshid is true to the sense as पर्ये or परितः is surrounding and अक्षत is uninjured as he is protected all around and remained uninjured. Also, seeing the Lord protecting him, dousing the heat, and making the surrounding pleasant while being in his mother's womb, the yet to be born baby had started wondering who is that!This way wondering about Lord even before his birth, Parakshid was true Vaishnava. Let's take a look at what the assembled priests well versed in astrology have to predict the future even as Parakshid was newborn.
हिरण्यं गां महीं ग्रामान् हस्त्यश्वान् नृपतिर्वरान् ।प्रादात्स्वन्नं च विप्रेभ्यः प्रजातीर्थे स तीर्थवित् ॥ १४॥
King Yudhishthira was well versed in the appropriate time for giving away charity. Knowing that the time of birth, before cutting the umbilical cord is Parva Kala or auspicious time as the passing away forefathers will be delighted at such time. Hence for the prosperity of Kuru kula, King Yudhisthira gave away Gold, Cows, Land, Villages, Elephants, and Horses as a charity to priests and arranged food for them. He did this before cutting the umbilical cord or the सूतक or start of impure time.The pleased priest, seeing the humility of the King Yudhishthira said thus:तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तुष्टा राजानं प्रश्रयान्वितम् ।एष ह्यस्मिन् प्रजातन्तौ पुरूणां पौरवर्षभ ॥ १५॥दैवेनाप्रतिघातेन शुक्ले संस्थामुपेयुषि ।रातो वोऽनुग्रहार्थाय विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ १६॥The Jewel of the Kuru dynasty! Killing was happening on both sides, everything had gone out of control, and though it was impossible to save the continuity of Kuru dynasty, the omnipotent Lord Maha Vishnu poured his mercy. He protected the baby in the womb of Uttara Devi and as well after immediately taking birth तस्मान्नाम्ना विष्णुरात इति लोके बृहच्छ्रवाः ।भविष्यति न सन्देहो महाभागवतो महान् ॥ १७॥Hence, the name of this baby would become Vishnuratha or the one protected by Maha Vishnu. Without an iota of doubt, he will become famously successful, a devout Vaishnava, and a great man.  Addressing the assembled priests, King Yudhishthira asked thus: युधिष्ठिर उवाचअप्येष वंश्यान् राजर्षीन् पुण्यश्लोकान् महात्मनः ।अनुवर्तिता स्विद्यशसा साधुवादेन सत्तमाः ॥ १८॥“The divine priests! Will this boy grow-up to bring fame as brought by our forefathers? They are पुण्यश्लोक:. Merits will accrue by just remembering and repeating the names of my forefathers. Will this boy too, accomplish similar heights as of Kuru, Ganga, Dushyant, Bharata, Pradeepa, Balika, Shantanu, and Bheeshma? Also, will he follow the family traditions? Will he present himself among the virtuous? Will he be able to talk among the virtuous?”    The assembled priests replied saying,ब्राह्मणा ऊचुःपार्थ प्रजाविता साक्षादिक्ष्वाकुरिव मानवः ।ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यथा ॥ १९॥Partha! The son of Kunti! Don't worry. This boy will protect the subjects like King Ikshvaku, the son of Manu, the foremost of the solar dynasty. He will worship the priests and keep his words, like the son of Dasharatha, Lord Sri Rama. He will be Satyasandha like Lord Sri Rama.Though such examples are cited commonly by Lord Veda Vyasa, one should not try to equate Parakshid raja to Lord Sri Rama. This is similar to the example of a construction of cobweb being cited to the construction of the entire universe. Here, the objective is to communicate that like the spider from its stomach vomits a silk thread to construct the web, Lord Sriman Padhmanabha from his stomach brings out substance to construct the whole universe. Like the Spider and the Lord is incomparable in their individual ability, nor is their output of cobweb and the entire unimaginably vast universe. So too is Parakshid raja and Lord Sri Rama. Therefore, the ability of Lord Sri Rama being Satyasandha or his truthfulness is immeasurable. And that of Parakshid raja is full and complete to his capacity. This is similar to a 250 ml. bowl full of 250 ml. milk. While another bowl of 1 liter is full of 1-liter milk. While both the bowels are full of milk, each has a different quantity of milk. एष दाता शरण्यश्च यथा ह्यौशीनरः शिबिः ।यशो वितनिता स्वानां दौष्यन्तिरिव यज्वनाम् ॥ २०॥In giving away charity, he shall accomplish the fame of Shibi, the son of Ushinara. He will take keen interest and love all those who take refuge in him. In carrying out yagna or fire sacrifice, he shall accomplish the fame of Bharata, the son of Dushyant. This way, he will be famous and spread the fame of the Kuru dynasty.धन्विनामग्रणीरेष तुल्यश्चार्जुनयोर्द्वयोः ।हुताश इव दुर्धर्षः समुद्र इव दुस्तरः ॥ २१॥In archery, Parakshid would accomplish mastery like that of Kartavirya Arjuna, the King of Haihayas and like that of his grandfather Arjuna. His brilliance and power would be like that of a fire, impossible to take on. Also, he would be unconquerable like a sea. As no one would dare stand on the beach, say that I will swim and cross the sea. No one would dare to take on Parakshid, said the assembled priests.मृगेन्द्र इव विक्रान्तो निषेव्यो हिमवानिव ।तितिक्षुर्वसुधेवासौ सहिष्णुः पितराविव ॥ २२॥His courage and valor would be like that of Lion. Whichever part of the forest does the Lion go, there it would establish its lordship. And so shall be Parakshid raja. He would give protection like the Himalayan Mountains. His forbearance will be like that of mother earth taking all the abuse, pains, insults, and yet be extremely forgiving.पितामहसमः साम्ये प्रसादे गिरिशोपमः ।आश्रयः सर्वभूतानां यथा देवो रमाश्रयः ॥ २३॥In equability, justice, and sympathy, he would be like God Brahma. However, when it comes to working with state employees and the subjects, he would be like Girisha. The large-hearted God Shiva is known for favoring with boons. In giving shelter, he would be like Lord Lakshmipati who has created the entire universe giving shelter to everyone. The priests continue to say King Yudhistharaसर्वसद्गुणमाहात्म्ये एष कृष्णमनुव्रतः ।रन्तिदेव इवोदारो ययातिरिव धार्मिकः ॥ २४॥Rajan! The son of Kunti! Your grandson is a treasure house of virtues. For his attributes, he shall follow the footsteps of Lord, Sri Krishna himself. Like God Ranti, he would be large-hearted. Also, like King Yayati, he would follow the righteous path of dharma.धृत्या बलिसमः कृष्णे प्रह्लाद इव सद्ग्रहः ।आहर्तैषोऽश्वमेधानां वृद्धानां पर्युपासकः ॥ २५॥In courage, Parakshid would become like the emperor Bali. In the devotion towards the lotus feet of Lord, he shall be like Bhakta Prahalada.Also, he would carry out several Ashwamedha Yagna. He would serve the feet of his teachers and elders with great faith.राजर्षीणां जनयिता शास्ता चोत्पथगामिनाम् ।निग्रहीता कलेरेष भुवो धर्मस्य कारणात् ॥ २६॥In the family of this baby, there would be Raja rishis ruling the kingdom as a service to the lotus feet of Lord, establishing the righteous path of dharma, and punishing those deviating. Parakshid would follow the same path and rule over Kali in his yuga and ensure that righteousness would prevail. तक्षकादात्मनो मृत्युं द्विजपुत्रोपसर्जितात् ।प्रपत्स्यत उपश्रुत्य मुक्तसङ्गः पदं हरेः ॥ २७॥At the end of his life, he will be cursed by the son of a rishi that he shall die due to the bite of a snake named Takshaka. Knowing the arrival of his death, he gives up everything of this materialistic world including kingship and takes the refuge of the lotus feet of the Lord.जिज्ञासितात्मयाथात्म्यो मुनेर्व्याससुतादसौ ।हित्वेदं नृप गङ्गायां यास्यत्यद्धाकुतोभयम् ॥ २८॥At the end of his life, he will receive the spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance from Sri Sukacharya the son of Lord Veda Vyasa. With that knowledge of transcendental philosophy, on the banks of river Ganga, he will leave the body to join the lotus feet of the Lord in Vaikunta. He would accomplish moksha, says the learned priests.इति राज्ञ उपादिश्य विप्रा जातककोविदाः ।लब्धापचितयः सर्वे प्रतिजग्मुः स्वकान् गृहान् ॥ २९॥The priests who had assembled were well versed in astrology and were expert. They predict the future happenings of Parakshid raja. King Yudhishthira and the assembled relatives were very pleased to hear. Predicting the future of the baby Parakshid, receive the honor, return gifts, the priests return to their respective houses.

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

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Birth of Parakshid

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. By hearing the stories of Bhagavatas or the devout Vaishnavas, though very narrow and difficult path, we will be blessed and motivated to walk on the righteous path leading towards the lotus feet of the Lord. As taken by Pandavas, Kunti Devi, Subadhra, and Uttara Devi. Also, let the Bhakti sprout in each of us, a devout Vaishnava like Parakshid raja be born in each of our families as happened in Pandu family and bring solace to all our forefathers.Sri Shaunaka Rishi representing thousands of rishis assembled for a spiritual gathering in Naimisharanya says to Sri Sutacharyaशौनक उवाचअश्वत्थाम्नोपसृष्टेन ब्रह्मशीर्ष्णोरुतेजसा ।उत्तराया हतो गर्भ ईशेनाजीवितः पुनः ॥ १॥तस्य जन्म महाबुद्धेः कर्माणि च महात्मनः ।निधनं च यथैवासीत्स प्रेत्य गतवान् यथा ॥ २॥तदिदं श्रोतुमिच्छामो गदितुं यदि मन्यसे ।ब्रूहि नः श्रद्दधानानां यस्य ज्ञानमदाच्छुकः ॥ ३॥Sri Sutacharya! We are fortunate to hear from you the stories narrating the glories of the Lord and his devotees. Also, various misperceptions of the Lord prevalent in the society have been clarified by you. We are free from the illusion and believe that the Lord is not a warmonger nor is crazy about women. Your clarifications have not only increased our faith in the Lord but also continues to rise.As per the assurance is given to Duryodhana, we had heard that Ashwathamaacharya had executed the bright Brahmashirsastra that had attacked the womb of Uttara Devi. However, Lord Sri Krishna protected the womb from which an intellectual with high valor, courage, and a great soul, Parakshid raja was born. Shuka muni initiated the knowledge of Bhagavata to this great soul, Parakshid raja. If it is okay to you, please narrate the stories of birth, actions, death and subsequent accomplishments by Parakshid raja. We wish to hear his story of whom Sri Shukacharya initiated the knowledge of bhakti,. We are keen to hear with complete trust and faith, said Shaunaka rishi.Sri Sutacharya says,अपीपलद्धर्मराजः पितृवद्रञ्जयन् प्रजाः ।निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यः कृष्णपादाब्जसेवया ॥ ४॥Sri Shaunaka! Dharmaraja Yudhistira was always at the service of the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. Like the business of honey bee, he would sting the lotus feet of Lord to drink only honey. For the rest, he had given-up covetousness. He took care of the subjects of his kingdom as his own Seeing the Lord protecting him, dousing the heat, and making the surrounding pleasant, the yet to be born baby started wondering who is that!Hence, Parakshid is true to the sense as पर्ये or परितः is surrounding and अक्षत is Uninjured as he is protected all around and remained uninjured.  सम्पदः क्रतवो लोका महिषी भ्रातरो मही ।जम्बूद्वीपाधिपत्यं च यशश्च त्रिदिवं गतम् ॥ ५॥While Dharmarja was the king of Hastinapura, he was an emperor of Jambudweepa. The other kings of Jambudweep sought security from Dharmaraja and paid taxes to him. His kingdom was the wealthiest. He spent this wealth for conducting large sacrifices or Yagna. The queens and his brothers cooperated with Yudhistira in all activities he took-up. His name and fame had reached the higher worlds of heaven. The Gods in the higher world discussed the greatness of Dharmaraja’s rule. They wondered that there is not a single non-Vaishnava, nor those telling lies, nor cheats. All were devout Vaishnava. Farmers were receiving rains when they wished and grew what they desired in any season. However, Dharmaraja was unmoved. किं ते कामाः सुरस्पार्हा मुकुन्दमनसो द्विजाः ।अधिजह्रुर्मुदं राज्ञः क्षुधितस्य यथेतरे ॥ ६॥All the luxuries possessed by the Gods in heaven were available to King Yudhishthira. However, like a hungry man who seeks only food to satiate his hunger, King Yudhistra sought only the nectar in the lotus feet of the Lord to quench his spiritual thirst.मातुर्गर्भगतो वीरस्स तदा भृगुनन्दन ।ददर्श पुरुषं कञ्चिद्दह्यमानोऽस्त्रतेजसा ॥ ७॥Sri Shaunaka! You always seek divinity. One day, when the delivery time had approached, the missile shot by Ashwathama, burning red hot engulfed the heavily pregnant, Uttara Devi. The brightness and heat of the missile were eating into Parakshid raja growing in Uttara Devi’s womb. The Lord too had appeared shining bright at the same time. अङ्गुष्ठमात्रममलं स्फुरत्पुरटमौलिनम् ।अपीच्यदर्शनं श्यामं तडिद्वाससमच्युतम् ॥ ८॥श्रीमद्दीर्घचतुर्बाहुं तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलम् ।क्षतजाक्षं गदापाणिमात्मनः सर्वतो दिशम् ।परिभ्रमन्तमुल्काभां भ्रामयन्तं गदां मुहुः ॥ ९॥The Lord had appeared surprisingly wonderful, stainless, and as bright dazzling light in the size of a thumb to Parakshid raja. He was in his beautiful dark color body, wearing yellow robes that glittered like lightning. So too the crown he wore. The gold of his crown glittered and the gems in it, dazzled. The unchanging Lord, never subjected to the process of aging had appeared as if sixteen years old and had four beautiful arms. His earrings had the hue as in the pour of molten gold. His eyes appeared crimson red. Holding a spiked steel mace, the lord was swinging it 360-degree rotation and was moving all around Parakshid raja.The above description of the Lord also appears in Vishnu Sahasranama. It has been provided as dhyana sloka for meditation.सशङ्खचक्रं सकिरीट कुण्डलं सपीतवस्त्रं सरसीरूहेक्षणं ।सहार वक्ष स्तलम् शोभि  कौस्तुभं नमामि विष्णुं शिरसा  चतुर्भुजम् ॥ शोHolding conch & disc is a blessing and bestowing boons. Having a lotus-like eye, the Lord is wearing the glittering crown, earring having a hue as in the pour of molten gold, and yellow robes glittering like lightning. His chest is adorned with garland having Kaustabha gem. My salutations to such four-armed Lord Vishnu.Through stories in Srimad Bhagavata, Lord Veda Vyasa is helping even women & children to take baby steps in the maze of yoga. अस्त्रतेजः स्वगदया नीहारमिव गोपतिः ।विधमन्तं सन्निकर्षे पर्यैक्षत क इत्यसौ ॥ १०॥Like Sun God raising every morning beating down the fog by its heat, so too the lord swinging the mace with 360-degree rotation had doused the burning flame and the heat of Brahmashirsastra. Seeing the Lord protecting him, dousing the heat, and making the surrounding pleasant, the yet to be born baby started wondering, who is it!Hence, Parakshid is true to the sense as पर्ये or परितः is surrounding and अक्षत is Uninjured as he is protected all around by Lord and remained uninjured.सूत उवाच विधूय तदमेयात्मा भगवान् धर्मगुब्विभुः ।मिषतो दशमास्यस्य तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिः ॥ ११॥Even as the baby in the womb of Uttara Devi wondered, Lord Sri Krishna extinguished the heat and flame of Brahmashirsastra. By extinguishing the heat and brightness of the weapon Lord Sri Krishna protected dharma or righteousness. As Uttara Devi entered the tenth month of her pregnancy, Lord disappeared from her womb.We had heard in the Protection of Uttara Devi’s Womb from Brahmashirshastra, Sri Sutacharya narrating,अन्तःस्थः सर्वभूतानामात्मा योगेश्वरो हरिः ।स्वमाययावृणोद्गर्भं वैराट्याः कुरुतन्तवे ॥ १४॥यद्यप्यस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरस्त्वमोघं चाप्रतिक्रियम् ।वैष्णवं तेज आसाद्य समशाम्यद्भृगूद्वह ॥ १५॥मा मंस्था ह्येतदाश्चर्यं सर्वाश्चर्यमयेऽच्युते ।य इदं मायया देव्या सृजत्यवति हन्त्यजः ॥ १६॥The Indweller in all the lives of this universe, the Lord of Yoga, Sri Hari entered the womb of Uttara Devi with one of his forms wearing a secretive armor to protect the offspring of the Pandu dynasty.     With emphasis, Sri Sutacharya says, “Shaunaka and all the Rishis! It is true that Brahmashirsastras is only one of a kind. It will never go in vain. And there is no anti-missile to neutralize this. Even then, it became calm seeing वैष्णवं तेज or the brilliance of the Lord.This is an amazing act of Lord that made Shaunaka & assembled Rishis hearing Srimad Bhagavatam bewildered. The Astra that attacked the womb of Uttara Devi, Lord Sri Krishna did not destroy it. But he entered the Uttara Devi's womb in one of his forms and protected from destruction by being an Armour protecting the baby. While the Astra continued to attack. Therefore, the Brahmashirsastra rendered by Gayatri or energized by Lord himself for the attack and also himself opposing as Armor in Uttara Devi's womb is opposite acts that are astonishing.One need not be astonished by this, says Sri Sutacharya. Our Lord is awesome. He is the most amazing one. He is Achyutha, having no decline. The unchanging Lord without birth nor death having immeasurable power using Prakriti creates, sustains, destroys, and regulates the whole universe. He is Paramatma or Supreme Atma to confine other Atmas' to death & birth. Subsequently, releasing them with Moksha. In other words, the Lord is Satya Sankalpa or Truthfully Resolute to bind us with confinement only to release with Moksha. This is the Axiom and is being taught by Srimad Bhagavatam. However, as Uttara Devi entered the tenth month of her pregnancy, Lord had disappeared from her womb. As soon as Uttara Devi delivered, the Brahmashirshastr did its job. The baby died. Incidentally, Lord Sri Krishna had visited Hastinapura on the invitation of Dharmaraj who was carrying out Ahwamedhayagna. Kunti Devi carrying the dead baby calls for Sri Krishna’s help.ततः सर्वगुणोदर्के सानुकूलग्रहोदये ।जज्ञे वंशधरः पाण्डोर्भूयः पाण्डुरिवौजसा ॥ १२॥At the same time, the planets had taken an auspicious combination for the birth of a good charactered virtuous baby. At that auspicious moment, Lord Sri Krishna takes the baby in his palm, and the birth to Parakshid happens. The Pandavas also arrive to see the baby with the brightness of Pandu and as if Pandu had born once again.  The Lord did so because Dharmaraja led a righteous kingdom. So too, the Pandavas, Kunti Devi, Subadhra, and Uttara Devi. All followed the righteous path. The progeny of the Pandu lineage was saved and protected by Lord Sri Krishna. Hence, they trumped over Duryodhana, the form of Kali and all his cronies.    तस्य प्रीतमना राजा विप्रैर्धौम्यकृपादिभिः ।जातकं कारयामास वाचयित्वा च मङ्गलम् ॥ १३॥Hearing the news on the birth of a child to Uttaradevi, King Yudhishthira was overwhelmed. He called the family priest Dhaumya Rishi, Krupacharya and other important priests. The auspicious divine sounds like the blow of couch were made in the baby’s ears and the naming ceremony was carried out.
 || Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Is Lord Sri Krishna unduly fond of War and Women?

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. Lord Sri Krishna who freed 16,108 women held captive by Bhaumaasura in the jail, gave refuge and married them. We shall take a look at the amount of grace he bestowed to these women. Also, the accusation of Lord Sri Krishna as a warmonger, having undue fondness towards women, and being under the control of women is discussed here to have an accurate perspective.Sri Sutacharya continuing the narration on the return of Lord Sri Krishna from Hastinapur to Dwarka, says,प्रविष्टस्तु गृहं पित्रोः परिष्वक्तः स्वमातृभिः ।ववन्दे शिरसा सप्त देवकीप्रमुखा मुदा ॥ २८॥ताः पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य स्नेहस्नुतपयोधराः ।हर्षविह्वलितात्मानः सिषिचुर्नेत्रजैर्जलैः ॥ २९॥At first, Lord Sri Krishna went to the palace of his parents Devaki - Vasudeva. He prostrated to each of his six step-mothers and Devaki touching his head to the ground. Each of them hugged him with great love and affection. They made him sit close to them and enquired about his well being. In fact, they were overwhelmed seeing Lord Sri Krishna and tears of joy rolled down.After enquiring about the well being of each of his mothers, taking their permission, Lord Sri Krishna left to his palace.अथाविशत् स्वभवनं सर्वकाममनुत्तमम्।प्रासादा यत्र पत्नीनां सहस्राणि च षोडश।शतमष्टोत्तरं चैव वज्रवैडूर्यमण्डिताः ॥ ३०॥Lord Sri Krishna entered his palace. His palace was complete with all the luxuries and the best on the earth. His large palace had several residences. These were constructed of gold and silver. Decorated by gems and jewels brought from the higher world of heaven. Each of his 16,108 wives lived in a separate residence of their own in his palace.पत्न्यः पतिं प्रोष्य गृहानुपागतं विलोक्य सञ्जातमनोमहोत्सवाः ।उत्तस्थुरारात्सहसासनाशयात्साकंव्रतैर्व्रीडितलोचनाननाः ॥ ३१॥The Lord had returned home after a very long time. The boundless lord appeared on the main door of each resident of his wives in so many forms. The long await of looking forward to his arrival had suddenly disappeared. Seeing him, each of his wives was overjoyed. They were extremely happy and stood-up abandoning all their activities. Seeing the stunningly handsome Lord, each of them became spellbound. They immediately gave up the vow of being plain dressed, disorder, and without make-up for the reasons of separation of their husband and rushed to decorate themselves with makeup. They wore new and special dresses that they had got done in anticipation of the occasion of arrival. As they came decked-up in front of him, Lord Sri Krishna mischievously saw the excitement through their eyes, which made their shyness to conquer them. Having shiver in the heart, goosebumps all over the body, and the feeling of joy mixed with a fear of the possibility of losing him, become embarrassingly self-conscious. Like the honey bee sting without harming the flower to drink nectar, the same way his wives fill their heart with nectar called the love and devotion through the sting called eyes.तमात्मजैर्दृष्टिभिरन्तरात्मना दुरन्तभावाः परिरेभिरे पतिम् ।निरुद्धमप्यास्रवदम्बुनेत्रयोर्विलज्जतीनांभृगुवर्य वैक्लवात् ॥ ३२॥Their feelings towards Lord Sri Krishna was deep, profound, and heartfelt. Also, they heard their children towards the Lord saying them that their father had returned. The ten sons and a daughter of each of these wives were excited to see their father back at home. Initially thinking, subsequently due to the meeting of eyes, and later for reasons of happiness brought by children, they embraced the beloved Lord Krishna. They were overwhelmed.Sutacharya says, “Shaunaka! By then, their irresistible emotions had filled the eyes with tears and were profusely weeping with a choked voice in the arms of Lord Sri Krishna. Their love and devotion in Lord was endless. More than they loved themselves.”Remember, the one million children from the Gopis of Vajra mandala had fought on the side of Duryodhana and had died in the Great War of Kurukshetra. Subsequently, after the loss of 100 children, Gandhari had cursed Lord Sri Krishna without continuity of his lineage and had called the death of all his children. Also, Lord Sri Krishna had married Ashta Mahishi viz. Rukmani, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra, and Lakshana, the mothers of Pradyumna, Charu Deshna, Samba, and others.यद्यप्यसौ पार्श्वगतो रहोगतस्तथापि तस्याङ्घ्रियुगं नवं नवम् ।पदे पदे का विरमेत तत्पदाच्चलापि यच्छ्रीर्न जहाति कर्हिचित् ॥ ३३॥While the Lord is present everywhere having immeasurable power, is invisible. Though the Lord was physically available to his wives with touch and feel at all times, they saw him new and fresh at his every step. The Goddess Maha Lakshmi influencing wealth bestows fickle and extreme inconsistency to the wealth. However, when it comes to herself, she has made the Lord’s heart itself as her abode without fickle, nor inconsistency, nor departing with him for a second. Such being the status of Maha Lakshmi, what could be said about his 16108 wives? Asks Sri Sutacharya.एवं नृपाणां क्षितिभारजन्मनामक्षौहिणीभिः परिवृत्ततेजसाम् ।विधाय वैरं श्वसनो यथानलं मिथो वधेनोपरतो निरायुधः ॥ ३४॥Causing the war of Kurukshetra wherein eighteen akshohini with seven on the side of Pandava and eleven on the side of the Kauravas fought, he killed all these warriors without even using a weapon. This way, appearing on earth, causing the death of sinners, the Lord reduced the weight of sin on mother earth. Releasing several thousands of beautiful women from jail, built beautiful residences to them with silver and gold, decorated with gems & jewels, marrying them gave refuge, played with them and the Lord lived with them like a husband of an ordinary household. He did all of this effortlessly unfolding the sport's charm.स एष नरलोकेऽस्मिन्नवतीर्णः स्वमायया ।रेमे स्त्रीरत्नकूटस्थो भगवान् प्राकृतो यथा ॥ ३५॥The very Lord, apparently through his sports charm, appeared on this earth. He lived among thousands of exceptionally pretty women, who were like a stunning jewel. He exhibited living like another member of a household through his sport’s charm.  उद्दामभावपिशुनामलवल्गुहासव्रीडावलोकनिहतो मदनोऽपि यासाम् ।सम्मुह्य तापमजहात्प्रमदोत्तमास्ता यस्येन्द्रियं विमथितुं कुहकैर्न शेकुः ॥ ३६॥तमयं मन्यते लोको ह्यसङ्गमपि सङ्गिनम् ।आत्मौपम्येन मनुजं व्यापृण्वानं यतोऽबुधः ॥ ३७॥Even the most charming women appearing in deep thoughts, or gently serious, could infatuate any men with their shyness, smile, and a view through their edge of the eye. Also, the God of Love, Manmatha, having the five arrows of love, failed to pierce the heart of these stunningly beautiful women and infatuate them. He had to drop his bow and arrow that could cause love. The cupid sat down helpless. Even such beauties could not influence nor distort the stability of Lord Sri Krishna. Thinking that such untouched Lord is living like a human or an ordinary householder like themselves if foolish. There are allegations blaming Lord Sri Krishna as,1.    He is a warmonger. Though he could have stopped the great war of Kurukshetra and saved several people from death, he chose not to do so.However, Lord in the form of Sri Krishna, himself went to broker a peace between the warring cousins. Also, in his form of Veda Vyasa, Lord advised Kauravas, not to take-up war. Yet, Duryodhana decided to go ahead with the war. He did not compromise even for one issue. So, how could Lord Sri Krishna be blamed? The other options were to let go of all the misdeeds of Duryodhana and his cronies. In that case, who would have upheld the justice and the virtuous? He would have still been blamed for not upholding dharma.2.    After killing several people in the war, he returned to Dwarka and lived with his thousands of wives. He was स्त्रीलौल्य, or fond of women; स्त्रैण or always being among women and doing as told by them. Similarly, it is a general thought among devotees or others that during calamities, accidents, war, and so on, thousands of people die, tragedies happen in families or in an individual’s life. Why do Lord Sri Krishna not protect? These are only accusations having no substance. While the entire universe has been created by Lord for the individual lives, but we live without accepting this or his lordship during our normal times. Also, in our happiness, we do not remember him. Only when something goes wrong, we make it a big issue without taking any responsibility. Hence, in the rule and the governance of the Lord, there are no happenings without rhyme or reason. There is nothing accidental. Behind every misfortune, there is a sin. Unless we fall in line with the rules of governance of Lord, unintended or untoward will continue to happen.3.    At the next level, the question arises that why as an indweller and the prime mover for all happenings, Lord did not stop at the time of committing sin itself? Had he stopped, then the accusation towards Lord would have been that he has not given individual choice. Hence, this direction of argument and counter-argument continues to propagate the futility of this creation.Moreover, the Lord would be accused of not supporting those having counter happenings. During happiness and delight, those individuals proclaim that they have a deep longing to live and enjoy life. A desire to tour and travel exotic places of this wonderful universe created by the same Lord.Therefore, the fundamental reasons for this creation includes the will power of the Lord, his desire for creation, the desire of Goddess Mahalakshmi to see the majesty of Lord in the whole creation, the desire of Gods and the entanglement of individual being with karma or actions that they desire to take-up.          एतदीशनमीशस्य प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणैः ।न युज्यते सदाऽऽत्मस्थैर्यथा बुद्धिस्तदाश्रया ॥ ३८॥Though being in the Prakriti, remaining uninfluenced or untouched by its characteristic makes Sri Krishna the best and stand above all. This ability gives him Lordship on absolutely everything including the universe. This is his strength. His greatness.Let alone the Lord, even any beings from God Brahma to a blade of grass would become uninfluenced and untouched by Prakriti in themselves through the mercy or Prasada of Lord.      तं मेनिरेऽबला मूढाः स्त्रैणं चानुव्रतं रहः ।अप्रमाणविदो भर्तुरीश्वरं मतयो यथा ॥ ३९॥It is impossible for the mind to understand Lord who stands beyond its comprehension. Similarly, the 16,108 wives unable to understand his divinity and Lordship, were under the belief that their husband, Sri Krishna was like any other human being and husband under their control.Hence, answering that the accusation of Lord Sri Krishna as स्त्रीलौल्य, or fond of women; स्त्रैण or always being among women and doing as told by them is a delusion and the opposite side of reality.इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धेनैमिषीयोपाख्याने श्रीकृष्णद्वारकाप्रवेशो नामैकादशोऽध्यायः ॥ ११॥With this, we complete "The arrival of Lord Sri Krishna to his Kingdom of Dwarka” the eleventh Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. 
 || Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Kali Yuga & The Divine Plan - The Birth of Kali

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