Srinath Shrothrium's Blog, page 9

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Ashwathamaacharya Brutal Massacre

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 ||
Om Krishnaya Namahकृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च ।नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, 
My repeated salutations to you.नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने ।नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये ॥My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.
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.
यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषुज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशेधीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.Sri Suthacharya continuing the narration of unfortunate massacre by Ashwathama at the Yudhisthira camp by flouting all rules & regulations of war says,  माता शिशूनां निधनं सुतानां निशम्य घोरं परितप्यमाना ।तदारुदद्बाष्पकलाकुलाक्षीतां सान्त्वयन्नाह किरीटमाली ॥ १५॥तदा शुचस्ते प्रमृजामि भद्रे यद्ब्रह्मबन्धोः शिर आततायिनः ।गाण्डीवमुक्तैर्विशिखैरुपाहरेत्वाक्रम्य यत्स्नास्यसि दग्धपुत्रा ॥ १६॥With the heinous death of her five children, mother Draupadi started crying. She was immersed in the grief & sorrow struggling to deal with the incidence.“Gracious & Kind hearted one! That slaughterer is a आततायी or AtatAyee, a mean Brahmin. With this bow named Gandiva and the arrows, I shall cut his head and place it at your feet. After completing the death ceremony of your children, you shall kick that head to avenge their death and take the bath of purification."Only then shall I come to wipe your tears,” said Arjuna, burning with fury.  For those who light a fire to the dwellings or keep carrying tales of others, one who does spiritual acts only to show off, one who steals other's money or others wife is calledआततायी or AtatAyee.  इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पैः स सान्त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूतः ।अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन ॥ १७॥तमापतन्तं स विलक्ष्य दूरात्कुमारहोद्विग्नमना रथेन ।पराद्रवत्प्राणपरीप्सुरुर्व्यां यावद्गमं रुद्रभयाद्यथार्कः ॥ १८॥Saying so, Arjuna wore his armor having small arms, tied the back harness quiver filled with arrows and held the formidable Gandiva that terrified the enemy. Having the most favorite friend, Sri Krishna as charioteer climbed the chariot and chased the Son of his teacher, Dronacharya.The killer of the children, Ashwathama seeing Arjuna chasing him from distance got scared. He started running as far as possible to save his life like God Sun was scared and started running when God Shiva chased him holding his weapon Trishul.Here, Lord Veda Vyasa composing Srimad Bhagavatam reminds us of that incidence when the evil asura, Vidyunmali receives a gift of a Golden Airplane having a brightness as that of Sun after doing severe austerity. He would fly this Golden airplane in the opposite angle of the Sun to illuminate the nights. This removed the darkness of the night. Hence, God Sun was furious and burnt down the Golden airplane killing the evil Vidyunmali. The powerful God Rudra, the Lord of Vidyunmali got angry against God Sun and held his frightful weapon Trishul. With Trishul, God Rudra could destroy the entire universe including the twelve Gods of Sun as he does during Pralaya or dissolution of the universe. God Sun being scared of his life kept running till he got exhausted and fell in Kashi or present-day Varanasi or also called as Banaras seeking his refuge. Kashi is the Land of God Siva where he worships the Lord of the form of Bindu Madhava and initiates Rama mantra to all the departing souls from their body. Due to the impact of God Sun, the place became a pond, filled with water and is a place of pilgrimage. It is famously called as Lolark Kund and is located close to Tulsi Ghat where people take a dip to redeem sins causing skin disease or depriving birth of a child even to date.यदाशरणमात्मानमैक्षत श्रान्तवाजिनम् ।अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो मेने आत्मत्राणं द्विजात्मजः ॥ १९॥अथोपस्पृश्य सलिलं सन्दधे तत्समाहितः ।अजानन्नुपसंहारं प्राणकृच्छ्र उपस्थिते ॥ २०॥While being chased, Ashwathama’s horses became tired and could not maintain the pace. Seeing the gap between their chariots closing-up, Ashwathama became desperate having no other “Strategy of Rescue”. Hence, he decided to use the utmost weapon on the escalation ladder. He decided to execute “The Brahmashirsha Astra”. As he decided to use Brahmashirsha Astra, he noticed that he had lost the ability to a callback. However, being desperate to save himself from death at the hands of Arjuna, he locked himself without an exit strategy. He started with the act of purification. Completed Achamana. Entered the phase of Dhyana or meditation to gather all senses to focus. Doing so, he repeated the mantra and executed Brahmashirsha Astra.           Ashwathama was seeing such repeated dreams of killing the children of Draupadi when they were fast asleep including helpless Duryodhana struggling for life. However, Mahabarata describes the actual happenings during the war for justice by Pandavas. Being the best of all beings and upholder of dharma, Bheemasena swinging his mace had hit Duryodhana in a measure only to hurt him and not to kill. Duryodhana taking the blows was profusely bleeding and fallen on ground smeared with mud and was unmoveable. Seeing his fate, the ghosts & goblins entering the dogs & wolves came to eat the flesh of helpless Duryodhana.       The only few survivors on Kaurava’s side were Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya. They came searching Duryodhana. They had seen Duryodhana as Crown Prince of Hastinapura under the white umbrella and fanned by Chamara. However, they were shocked to see Duryodhana fallen on the ground helpless. Ashwathamacharya gets angry, accuses Pandavas under the evil influence of Kali and asks, what he could do to Duryodhana? Could he satisfy his wish?      Though helpless & struggling, Duryodhana says to Ashwathamacharya that he wants to see the end of Pandavas and seeks each and every life of Pandavas. Also, by pouring a fist of dust on Ashwathamacharya, he does Pattabhiseka or coronation to the post of Chief Commander. Not stopping at that, the evil Duryodhana commands Ashwathama to have a child from his wife to be the successors of the Crown. Ashwathamacharya accepts this and gives his word of assurance. Ashwathamacharya was indebted to Duryodhana as he lived under his kingship. Hence, the evil kali and his associates had made a house in Ashwathamacharya.Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya attack the camp of Pandavas. Ashwathama kicks and awakens Dhrishtdyumana. Though Dhrishtdyumana pleads Ashwathama to give him time just to pick-up a weapon so that he could have valorous death while fighting, Ashwathama denies. With the string of his bow, Ashwathama tightens the neck and chokes Dhrishtdyumana to death.  Also, he kills Shikhandi and other children of Drupada. Burning with rage, Ashwathama proceeds to kill Pandavas. Meanwhile, the children of Pandavas stop him with their bow and arrows. The unstoppable Ashwatama pulls out his sword and kills the children of Pandavas dismembering their head. Continuing his massacre, he kills several people on the Pandavas side. Not stopping there, he lights fire to the camp to kill the women, children, support personnel and animals. Subsequently, carrying the five heads of the past children of Draupadi, he goes to see Duryodhana. Seeing the chopped heads, Duryodhana feels happy. Meanwhile, the Pandavas get to know the happenings. Bheemasena, in his chariot, follows Ashwathama. Hearing the voice of the Chariot nearing, Ashwathama becomes scared and flees in his own chariot. However, Bheemasena over speeds Ashwathama and engages him in a war. Bheemasena disarms Ashwathama stripping him of all defense. Hence, Ashwathama decides to use Brahmashirsha Astra. At the same time, Sri Krishna and Arjuna arrive there. Seeing Brahmashirsha Astra arriving towards them, Lord Sri Krishna asks Arjuna to neutralize by countering with another Brahmashirsha Astra.However, if these two missiles collide with each other, then the whole life including the universe would get destroyed. Hence, the all-knowing, all-powerful Lord Veda Vyasa reaches there to stand in between the missiles stopping the collision. Lord Veda Vyasa calms them saying that so many people having the knowledge and power to execute Brahmashirsha Astra have come and gone. But they have not misused it causing inauspiciousness and destruction of the universe. Looking at Ashwathama and Arjuna, the Lord instructs to call back those missiles.“My Lord, I executed the Brahmashirsha Astra hopping to only neutralize the attacking one. Please pardon me”, pleads Arjuna.“Lord, I had no other choice for my self-protection. Bheemasena had stripped all my arms. Please pardon me”, says Ahwathama. Lord Veda Vyasa instructs both of them to callback the missiles and stops the destruction of the universe. Arjuna does so by uttering the mantra of a callback. The missile returns. However, when Ashwathama repeats the mantra, the missile does not return. He repeats in frustration but fails. Though, Ashwathamacharya had the knowledge of the process to callback but finds himself lost the ability to implement. He had lost the Psychic Power as he had broken the celibacy.Remember, Ashwathama had given a word of assurance to Duryodhana’s a request of having a child in his wife to ascend the Crown of Hastinapura. Though, there was a system of Niyoga or bearing the child through the third person at that time, but had rules & regulations to have adhered. 
Of course, go without saying that such systems are not in vogue at present times and is forbidden. 
Duryodhana’s suggestion was not in line with the rules & regulations of that time. Hence, was illegal. While Ashwathamacharya had no physical contact with Duryodhana’s wife, in the Tattva or Science of behavior & mind, just the Sankalpa or the resolution in mind has high potential and is a larger fraction of completion in the resultant physical implementation.    Having lost to Bheemasena and unable to callback the Brahmashirsha Astra he had executed, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to give the Shiromani or a bead that was embedded in his head to Bheemasena. Ashwathama was born with a divine bead in his head making him thirstless, hungerless and even deathless. Also, the divine bead would emit fragrance making his vicinity delightful. Ashwathama does so.Also, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to at least recall the Brahmashirsha Astra through words, though unable to do so physically. However, Ashwathama limits only to the five Pandavas. Giving no absolution to their children including Abimanyu, his wife Uttaradevi, and Parakshid growing in Uttaradevi’s womb. With that, Lord Veda Vyasa instructs Arjuna to call back the missile executed by Ashwathama. As through words, Ashwathama has not called back the missile targetting the offsprings of Pandavas, it continues its aggression on Uttaradevi and to be Parakshid in her womb.  Lord in the form of Sri Krishna intervenes to tell Ashwathama to callback the missile through a statement as the baby is still in the womb.Krishna! I will not do so. I shall not call back even as a statement. You are showing bias towards your sister Subhadra’s and her grandchild, says Ashwathama.If you are so keen to use the missile on Pandavas, direct it towards the dead body of Abimanyu. Not to the womb of Uttaradevi, says Sri Krishna.Ashwathama’s gets further angered. Remember the indebtedness or the effect of food that he had eaten of Duryodhana. He says,I shall direct only towards Uttara to ensure the end of the Pandava dynasty.The all-powerful, Lord Sri Krishna appearing angry says,Mean minded Ashwathama! I know the word you have given to Duryodhana. You want to cease the Pandu Dynasty and further that of Dhritarashtra. Do what you can! Use all the power at your hand. But I shall make sure that the Pandu dynasty will continue for another thousand years. You have sinned by killing helpless men without arms, women & children including animals. You will fail in your attempt to kill Uttaradevi and also the baby growing in her womb.No power on this earth can match that of mine. Nor anyone can stop the Pandava dynasty continuing for another 1000 years on this earth. Your body will be full of soars, bleeding & stinking to irritate people. You are banished from the place of human dwellings. Go and live in the forest. Says Lord Sri Krishna. Lord present in another form of Veda Vyasa also consents the word of Sri Krishna.Suddenly, Ashwathamacharya realizes Sri Krishna as Lord. Acknowledging his Lordship pleads his form of Veda Vyasa not to deny him his sight and moves into the forest. But continues to serve the Lord in his form of Veda Vyasa full or remorse. Thus redeems Sins to be re-born as Veda Vyasa in next Dwapara Yuga to carry out the splitting or classification of Vedas. This is the incidence recorded in Mahabarata and its subsequent interpretations by Srimad Acharya. However, Srimad Bhagavatam is narrating the dream of Ashwathamacharya before the incidence happened. Let’s look forward to the rest portion of the dream of Ashwathama as we continue with this series of Srimad Bhagavatam through the blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus. 
|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Aftermath of a conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi

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 ||
Om Krishnaya Namahकृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च ।नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, My repeated salutations to you.नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने ।नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये ॥My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.
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.
यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषुज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशेधीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.
In Satra or a spiritual gathering that was organized under the leadership of Sri Shaunaka Rishi in Naimisharanya wherein Sri Sutacharya was the  Puranika narrating Srimad Bhagavatam. This was a long time back, even before the dawn of Kali Yuga. Sri Shaunaka Rishi had asked Sri Sutacharya:ब्रूहि योगेश्वरे कृष्णे ब्रह्मण्ये धर्मवर्मणि ।स्वां काष्ठामधुनोपेते धर्मः कं शरणं गतः ॥The Lord of Yoga, Sri Krishna protected Dharma and Brahmana. After his disappearance from this earth, in whom is Dharma taking refuge?For this, we have seen the answer in Srimad Bhagavatam, A Refuge Assured. Sri Sutacharya has answered that Dharma took refuge in Lord Veda Vyasa who classified Vedas and composed holy scriptures in which Dharma took refuge. However, for all those who do not practice Vedas, Women and for those having a lesser intellectual ability to understand Mahabarata, Lord Veda Vyasa composed Srimad Bhagavatam in which Dharma took refuge.
Further, Sri Shaunaka Rishi had asked Sri Sutacharya:कस्मिन् युगे प्रवृत्तेयं स्थाने वा केन हेतुना ।कुतः सञ्चोदितः कृष्णः कृतवान् संहितां मुनिः ॥ ३॥During which time, place and for what reason was Srimad Bhagavatam composed? It was on whose request did Lord Sri Krishna Dvaipayana compose this scripture? To which Sri Sutacharya had brought up the conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi. In that conversation, Narada Rishi offers prayers seeking to detail his choicest attributes which are inexhaustible. His glory and sports charm. Also, about the selfless Bhagavatas worshipping him with Nishkama dharma or without expectations. Hence Sri Shaunaka Rishi asks
शौनक उवाचनिर्गते नारदे सूत भगवान् बादरायणः ।श्रुतवांस्तदभिप्रेतं ततः किमकरोद्विभुः ॥ १॥Suta Puranika! After the departure of Narada Rishi and hearing his opinion, what did The Omnipotent and Omniscience Lord Veda Vyasa do?
सूत उवाचब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रमः पश्चिमे तटे ।शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धनः ॥ २॥तस्मिन् स्व आश्रमे व्यासो बदरीषण्डमण्डिते ।आसीनोऽप उपस्पृश्य प्रणिदध्यौ मनः स्वयम् ॥ ३॥भक्तियोगेन मनसि सम्यक् प्रणिहितेऽमले ।अपश्यत्पुरुषं पूर्वं मायां च तदुपाश्रयाम् ॥ ४॥यया सम्मोहितो जीव आत्मानं त्रिगुणात्मकम् ।परोऽपि मनुतेऽनर्थं तत्कृतं चाभिपद्यते ॥ ५॥Sri Sutacharya says the holy west bank of river Saraswati is liked by God Brahma, Rishis & their attendant Brahmins. In that west bank, there is a hermitage called Shamyaaprasa convenient for doing Fire sacrifices. Also, at this place, a branch of tree used in fire sacrifice had fallen making the place sacred. Hence, Shamyaaprasa is sacred, holy and delivers the fruit of sacrifice quickly.Lord Veda Vyasa’s ashrama is also located in this Shamyaaprasa having a beautiful landscape surrounded by Badri trees. After having returned from the river Saraswati taking bath, sitting in that ashrama, completing Achamana or the purification ritual, Lord Veda Vyasa confined his mind to meditation for a long time depicting himself as any other Rishis on earth.During the meditation, through his divine sight, Lord Veda Vyasa no different from Supreme Purusha sees how the process of Bhakti Yoga unfolds in all the Jivas or Atma when they hear or take-up study of Srimad Bhagavatam that he had decided to compose. For doing Bhakti Yoga, the Jiva needs crystal clear and pure mind devoid of stains of pollutant and sins. In the meditation, he also sees how Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of kali & Sins brings Vairagya towards the materialistic world, gives pure devotion, crystal clear, & clean knowledge founding steady & continuous Bhakti to reveal the indweller. For cleansing the kalimala and sins, Lord Veda Vyasa beheld Goddess Maya along with his form of Purusha in his meditation. He sees Jiva or Atma getting deceived by Goddess Maya to get deluded and believe as if a part of Gunas though is beyond Prakriti. Or part of three Gunas of Satvika, Rajasika & Thamisika. And, due to this belief, the Jiva experiences suffering.
अनर्थोपशमं साक्षाद्भक्तियोगमधोक्षजे ।लोकस्याजानतो विद्वांश्चक्रे सात्वतसंहिताम् ॥ ६॥

The only way to cure the sufferings or its threat is Bhakti Yoga in Lord Adhokshaja who is beyond the perception of Sensory organs.

As Jivas are ignorant on this, Lord Veda Vyasa composed सात्वतसंहिताम् or The Sacred Bhagavata.  यस्यां वै श्रूयमाणायां कृष्णे परमपूरुषे ।भक्तिरुत्पद्यते पुंसः शोकमोहभयापहा ॥ ७॥स संहितां भागवतीं कृत्वानुक्रम्य चात्मजम् ।शुकमध्यापयामास निवृत्तिनिरतं मुनिः ॥ ८॥Only by hearing this will give rise to Bhakti in Supreme Purusha, Sri Krishna resulting in the disappearance of grief, delusion, and fear. Hence, the Lord Veda Vyasa composed the Sacred Bhagavata. After which, the generous & kind-hearted Lord did अनुक्रम्य or reread to ensure that even the weakest and fragile are benefited. Subsequently, He initiated it to his son Shuka. As Shuka had accomplished the highest level of Propitiating Lord with Nishkama Dharma or without expectations. 
शौनक उवाचस वै निवृत्तिनिरतः सर्वत्रोपेक्षको मुनिः ।कस्य वा बृहतीमेतामात्मारामः समभ्यसत् ॥ ९॥Curious to know more, Sri Shaunaka Rishi asks that though Sri Shukacharya has reached the highest level of Nishkama Dharma or without expectations, always engrossed in the Supreme Atma showing indifference to all other happenings. What made him take-up the study of such a vast composition of Srimad Bhagavatam?   
सूत उवाचआत्मारामाश्च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्युरुक्रमे ।कुर्वन्त्यहैतुकीं भक्तिमित्थम्भूतगुणो हरिः ॥ १०॥हरेर्गुणाक्षिप्तमतिर्भगवान् बादरायणिः ।अध्यगान्महदाख्यानं नित्यं विष्णुजनप्रियः ॥ ११॥Sri Suthacharya responding to Sri Shaunaka and his fellow Rishi says, Sri Shukacharya has a vast knowledge of the creation and is a Paramahamsa or an awakened Soul. He is not concerned even for Kaupina, a small piece of cloth to cover himself nor has an iota of ego. He is always engrossed in Paramatma doing unlimited Bhakti and dipped in the ocean of bliss. Yet, the attributes of Lord and his sports charm is so attractive & sweet that the devout would like to relish by remembering, thinking, describing, singing about him.आत्मारामाश्च मुनयः says Sri Sutacharya with full of admirations i.e Let alone the Jivas or beings like best of Vaishnava, God Rudra who influences the mind of all Jivas of fourteen regions, without whose blessings the Jiva cannot work for perfection. He has the ability to destroy the entire universe during pralaya or dissolution. Or even his superior, the best of being, God Brahma who has created the entire Universe. Even the Muktas who have broken the cycle of death & birth, being fully satisfied, having nothing more to accomplish and living in Mukta Vaikunta with full of knowledge & bliss also study Srimad Bhagavatam as our Lord is Krishna i.e. he is आकर्षिक​ or attractive.                The dear son of Lord Veda Vyasa, Sri Shukacharya had his mind attracted to Lord’s attributes & sports charm. His heart full of Bhakti expressing respect towards his father requested him to initiate the study of vast Srimad Bhagavatam and mastered it. To Sri Shukacharya, a form of God Rudra, devotees of Lord is very dear to him. Hence, he showed up all by himself at a gathering on the banks of Ganga River. Initiated Parikshid Raja with Srimad Bhagavatam. Being inside influencing his mind to easily understand Bhagavata dharma and outside by narration of same.
Sri Shaunaka Rishi had requested Sri Sutacharya in The SpiritualGathering of Naimisharanya सूत जानासि भद्रं ते भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः ।देवक्यां वसुदेवस्य जातो यस्य चिकीर्षया ॥तन्नः शुश्रूषमाणानामर्हस्यङ्गानुवर्णितुम् ।यस्यावतारो भूतानां क्षेमाय च भवाय च ॥Benevolent Sri Sutacharya, The most auspicious one who protects us all the time and for whom we are very dear, please tell us about him, Lord Sri Krishna. And why is that he took birth in Vasudeva and Devaki? What was his purpose? Please tell that to us.The foremost feature of Lord Sri Krishna and the stories of his various appearance on this earth is extremely beneficial to the people and would blossom the Lotus of heart which is made of devotion. Please tell us his stories.
Hence, Sri Sutacharya says,परीक्षितोऽथ राजर्षेर्जन्मकर्मविलापनम् ।संस्थां च पाण्डुपुत्राणां वक्ष्ये कृष्णकथोदयम् ॥ १२॥Sri Shaunaka & fellow Rishis! Now I am going to narrate the stories of birth, action, and moksha of the emperor Parikshid Raja. Also, the story of Pandavas up to their ascending to Heaven and the dawn of the stories of Lord in his form as Sri Krishna. In congruence with thoughts and feelings of assembled Rishis, Sri Sutacharya is telling that he would also tell the story of Pandavas and of Parakshid Raja as in it is the glory of Lord Si Krishna.यदा मृधे कौरवसृञ्जयानां वीरेष्वथो वीरगतिं गतेषु ।वृकोदराविद्धगदाभिमर्शभग्नोरुदण्डे धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रे ॥ १३॥भर्तुः प्रियं द्रौणिरिति स्म पश्यन् कृष्णासुतानां स्वपतां शिरांसि ।उपाहरद्विप्रियमेव तस्य जुगुप्सितं कर्म विगर्हयन्ति ॥ १४॥In the war at Kurukshetra of Mahabarata, the brave warriors of both Kauravas and Pandavas had accomplished valorous death. The mace of Bheemasena was a pretty heavy made of steel and yielded hard strikes breaking the thighs of Duryodhana. As Duryodhana had fallen on the ground immovable, Ashwatama beheaded the children of Draupadi while they were fast asleep in the camp set up close to the battlefield and presented the chopped heads to his master Duryodhana as a gift to please him. However, Duryodhana was not pleased as he believed that the act of killing while one is sleeping was awfully bad.      

Lord Krishna said:

"Whatever belongs to you today, belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to someone else tomorrow. Don't be illusioned by Maya. Maya is the root cause of all pain and misery"

Happy Janmashtami 2019.

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

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Bhakti Yoga Sutra of Narada Rishi, The Genesis of Srimad Bhagavatam

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 || || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
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.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य​।ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.


मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord Mukunda laying on God Sesha. Even a dumb become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera.
I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra.
Narada Rishi being Sharanagata or having submitted to Lord has complete faith in him. Admiring The glory of Creation, seeing Lord in every living species including human beings, large trees, mango groves, bamboo grooves, shrubs, bushes, and plants that grow in water, birds travel in the sky, wild animals, bees, flies and so on. And also seeing Lord in all non-living objects including rocks, clouds, and water bodies and so on.           Narada Rishi narrating his experience of previous birth to Lord Veda Vyasa says,दिदृक्षुस्तदहं भूयः प्रणिधाय मनो हृदि ।वीक्षमाणोऽपि नापश्यमवितृप्त इवातुरः ॥ २०॥After having glimpses of auspicious Lord, I wanted to see him again. I tried my best to take my mind to the Lotus of Heart to meditate. I tried repeatedly becoming desperate but in vain. This made me dissatisfied, struggling and sickened.एवं यतन्तं विजने मामाहागोचरो गिराम् ।गम्भीरश्लक्ष्णया वाचा शुचः प्रशमयन्निव ॥ २१॥हन्तास्मिञ्जन्मनि भवान् न मां द्रष्टुमिहार्हति ।अविपक्वकषायाणां दुर्दर्शोऽहं कुयोगिनाम् ॥ २२॥सकृद्यद्दर्शितं रूपमेतत्कामाय तेऽनघ ।मत्कामः शनकैः साधु सर्वान् मुञ्चति हृच्छयान् ॥ २३॥सत्सेवयादीर्घया ते जाता मयि दृढा मतिः ।हित्वावद्यमिमं लोकं गन्ता मज्जनतामसि ॥ २४॥मतिर्मयि निबद्धेयं न विपद्येत कर्हिचित् ।प्रजासर्गनिरोधेऽपि स्मृतिश्च मदनुग्रहात् ॥ २५॥As I was desperately trying to meditate in that forest uninhabited by human beings, the independent Lord having no obligation whatsoever addressed me through a voice without appearance. His voice was gentle and full of grace. He told me, “In this life of yours, you would not have the sight of me anymore. Since various impressions of worldly matters remaining on your mind are active. The sight of me to yogis having not fully completed their practice is extremely rare.  However, to keep the desire of my sight active in you, I have shown my form only once. When a practitioner of Bhakti Yoga has a desperate desire of me, the remnant impressions on worldly matters start disappearing little by little with the advancement of practice. Consequent to this there will be no delay in obtaining me, said the most kind-hearted one.Continuing, the voice without appearance said, for having served the sages for a long time, your consciousness has become stable and established in me. After foregoing the body made of Prakriti, with my blessings you will get associated with me. Also, your desire in me will remain firm, established and never get disturbed. Even after the destruction of present creation or pralaya, you will be blessed with remembrance of this experience of sight of me.”              Narada Rishi not just in his previous birth was born to a housemaid the Lord says he has been serving the pious for a very long time and has been serving in previous births too. एतावदुक्त्वोपरराम तन्महद्भूतं नभोलिङ्गमलिङ्गमीश्वरम् ।अहं च तस्मै महतां महीयसे शीर्ष्णावनामं विदधेऽनुकम्पितः ॥ २६॥नामान्यनन्तस्य हतत्रपः पठन् गुह्यानि भद्राणि कृतानि च स्मरन् ।गां पर्यटंस्तुष्टमना गतस्पृहः कालं प्रतीक्षन् विमदो विमत्सरः ॥ २७॥Having told thus, the all-powerful invisible Lord became silent. My desperation and restlessness had disappeared. I prostrated to the direction of voice expressing my gratitude & submission. I admire the Lord as He is the most powerful even among the powerful, yet pouring his mercy on me. Like the cow pulls back the cud from the stomach to re-chew, I fill my heart with happiness re-calling the sight of the Lord and his voice. हतत्रपः or Keeping aside my inhibition and shyness, I sing the names of the Lord that are अनन्त or infinite, गुह्य, filled with mystery and भद्रा or auspicious. Also, I sing his sports charm & dance. Shedding aside the desire for worldly matters, pride & jealousy, I kept my mind lucid & a heart filled with joy, toured around the earth to find no place devoid of Lord. Yet, I looked forward to the day when I could shed the body made of Prakriti and the day I see the Lord as he showed up in my Lotus of heart, says Narada Rishi.Continuing to address Lord Veda Vyasa, Narada Rishi says,एवं कृष्णमतेर्ब्रह्मन्नसक्तस्यामलात्मनः ।कालः प्रादुरभूत्काले तडित्सौदामनी यथा ॥ २८॥प्रयुज्यमाने मयि तां शुद्धां भागवतीं तनुम् ।आरब्धकर्मनिर्वाणो न्यपतत्पाञ्चभौतिकः ॥ २९॥Brahma Rishi, Sri Veda Vyasji, This way my mind space was filled only about the Lord Sri Krishna. I had completely lost all the desires towards the worldly matter. Having no place in my body, mind or thoughts all the sins in me started fleeing. अमलात्मनः or I experienced this process of purification. My ears had no desire to hear anything about worldly happenings, nor did my eyes see anything else other than Lord and my tongue did not long for yummy stuff. Untouched by any sins and making myself pure-hearted, I was spending my time looking forward to the day when I could shed the body made of Prakriti.On a monsoon day, I was meditating the auspicious and divine form of Lord, the time that I was looking forward had passed like a lightening. My Prarabdha Karma that I had to experience in that life had got completed bringing an end to my life. Hence, न्यपतत्पाञ्चभौतिकः that body made of Panchabhoota i.e. earth, water, fire, air & either had fallen apart. We have seen the three types of Karma Viz. Sanchita, Prarbdha and Agami Karma in “The Axiom of Yoga continued” As Lord Veda Vyasa had asked a question to Narada Rishi on the process of death in his previous birth, Narada Rishi has replied that when he was doing meditation on the form of Lord, death happened. Being similar to that of Bheeshmacharya. Hence, he had to once again take birth as Narada Rishi, the son of God Brahma in the next creation.कल्पान्त इदमादाय शयानेऽम्भस्युदन्वतः ।शिशयिषोरनुप्राणं विविशेऽन्तरहं विभोः ॥ ३०॥सहस्रयुगपर्यन्त उत्थायेदं सिसृक्षतः ।मरीचिमिश्रा ऋषयः प्राणेभ्योऽहं च जज्ञिरे ॥ ३१॥The pious Narada Rishi seeing Lord in each individual & doing service to people in his previous birth on earth exhausted his lifespan. After that, he stayed in the higher region of Satya Loka preceded by God Brahma. He says, at the end of that lengthy period of time measured as Kalpa, Lord Sriman Narayana शिशयिषा or had intended to lay sleeping on the pupil leaf floating on the Pralaya Jala or the ocean formed by the dissolution of the whole universe. Therefore, God Brahma ended his entire creation to enter the Lord. At that time, I too entered the stomach of Lord with the help of प्राणं or God Prana. After a span of thousand yugas, Lord Brahman intended to start creation. During that creation, I too appeared along with Rishi Marichi.   अन्तर्बहिश्च लोकांस्त्रीन् पर्येम्यस्कन्दितव्रतः ।अनुग्रहान्महाविष्णोरविघातगतिः क्वचित् ॥ ३२॥देवदत्तामिमां वीणां स्वरब्रह्मविभूषिताम् ।मूर्च्छयित्वा हरिकथां गायमानश्चराम्यहम् ॥ ३३॥प्रगायतः स्ववीर्याणि तीर्थपादः प्रियश्रवाः ।आहूत इव मे शीघ्रं दर्शनं याति चेतसि ॥ ३४॥Since then, अनुग्रहान् with the blessings of Lord Maha Vishnu, I am able to travel to लोकांस्त्रीन् i.e. all the three regions including this, upper and lower regions. Also, अन्तर्बहिश्च inside the body, mind & consciousness of all beings knowing their thoughts & feelings towards Lord and outside अविघात or unimpeded. This form of mine अस्कन्दितव्रतः or with the vow of worshipping the Lord by singing his names & sports charm having description of his attributes & glory is continuing uninterrupted without decline.This Veena instrument named Mahati is blessed by Lord Bhagavan who is Omnipresent, Eternal & Complete generates the sound as wished by his form of Shabda Brahman. Playing this instrument, singing the divine names and the stories of the sport's charm of Lord Sri Hari, I travel.When I sing the stories of his sport with divine names, the Lord who loves being praised, whose lotus feet is purifying and a supportive foundation to all holy places of Pilgrimage comes running to me hurriedly as if being called loudly and blesses me with his sight at any time without any restrictions.एतद्ध्यातुरचित्तानां मात्रास्पर्शेच्छया मुहुः ।भवसिन्धुप्लवो दृष्टो हरिचर्यानुवर्णनम् ॥ ३५॥यमादिभिर्योगपथैः कामलोभहतो मुहुः ।मुकुन्दसेवया यद्वत्तथात्माद्धा न शाम्यति ॥ ३६॥Always being engaged with worldly happenings make the consciousness sick with emotional & behavioral disorders. To them, singing sports charm of Lord is like a ship helping them to cross the vast river of Sindu flowing in the planes far and wide. This is my experience, says Narada Rishi.

“The Jiva getting repeatedly beaten-up with arishadvargas like desire, stinginess & so on, should hear the stories of Lord Sri Krishna desirous of Solace & tranquillity. This is not possible by any other Yoga marga including Yama, Niyama and so on, says Narada Rishi propounding Bhakti Yoga as Axiom”

Remember, this is the same what Sri Sutachary had said in "The Pursuit to Hone Bhakti",शृण्वतां स्वकथाः कृष्णः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः ।हृद्यन्तःस्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत् सताम् ॥The most attractive, Lord Krishna in his dark skin like the color of monsoon clouds, standing in हृद्यन्तःस्थ, the Lotus of Heart like a सुहृत्, friend. A dear friend for the सताम् or virtuous waiting with great patience as if he has nothing else to do except for ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति, destroying all our Sins that cause inauspiciousness and ready to pour his mercy.

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

Like he did to Kuchela, with a torn dress and made him Sudhama, having in abundance for just three fists of beaten rice. The rice filled with Love, brimming with devotion through hearing and singing the Glory of the Lord. So too, he came as if he is at the beck and call of Prahlada! Also, in a form only dedicated to him! सर्वं तदिदमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयानघ ।जन्मकर्मरहस्यं मे भवतश्चात्मतोषणम् ॥ ३७॥The Stainless Lord Veda Vyasji, यत्पृष्टोऽहं or since you have asked and instructed, I have answered all your questions by narrating my past birth story as an illustration including the actions and the spiritual practice I undertook. By answering this as submission, I am blessed. In this is embedded your glory and fame hearing which अत्मतोषणम् or the virtuous will be satisfied filling their heart with happiness and removing distress. As I am blessed by your beloved devotees, the Great Sages and yourself I am able to put forth these answers.  Also, you had asked that even after classifying the Vedas & initiating to several rishis to strengthen Teacher-Student tradition, composing Brahma Sutra, Mahabarata & 17 Puranas, yet your heart is not pleasant nor is your mind lucid, to which I have submitted my answer requesting composition of Srimad Bhagavatam having The glory of the Lord and his devotees. This was possible with your blessings. Wondering on the greatness of Narada Rishi, Sri Sutacharya says,एवं सम्भाष्य भगवान्नारदो वासवीसुतम् ।आमन्त्र्य वीणां रणयन् ययौ यादृच्छिको मुनिः ॥ ३८॥अहो देवर्षिर्धन्योऽयं यत्कीर्तिं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः ।गायन् माद्यन्निदं तन्त्र्या रमयत्यातुरं जगत् ॥ ३९॥Sri Shaunaka Rishi, this way the auspicious and divine Narada Rishi had a conversation with Supreme Lord Veda Vyasa, bid farewell by taking his permission and moved on playing Veena which is his musical instrument.How fortunate is Narada Rishi! Always playing his Veena singing the sport's charm of Lord with bow and arrow. Not only fills his heart with happiness but also brings happiness to common people who are exhausted with the fight of Life.      After hearing the opinion of Narada Rishi, Lord Veda Vyasa took up the composition of Srimad Bhagavatam on the banks of river Saraswati.इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धे व्यासनारदसंवादे षष्ठोऽध्यायः ॥ ६॥With this, we complete " The Conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa & Narada Rishi ” the sixth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1.We could do so only with the grace of Guru Sri Raghavendra and all his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada.|| Hari Om ||


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

Varava padedavarante kaaniro, Be seen as blessed.

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

Hari samarpane maadi badukiro, Credit back to Lord Hari.

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

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Past Birth of Narada Rishi & The Sight of Lord

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 || || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
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.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य​।ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.


मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord Mukunda laying on God Sesha. Even a dumb become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera.
I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra.

We saw the way Narada Rishi through a narration of his past life story has put forth the complex formula of Bhakti Yoga in a simple & straight forward way by breaking-up each of its ingredients. Also, the relevance and the role of Karma Yoga in the impenetrable philosophy of the practice of moksha has been described. The way the tasks or actions needs to be executed without getting touched by the Sins associated with it through submission to the Lord has been detailed by Narada Rishi. Sri Suthacharya says,एवं निशम्य भगवान् देवर्षेर्जन्म कर्म च ।भूयः पप्रच्छ तं ब्रह्मन् व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः ॥ १॥As the long stories of penance at Naimisharanya organized Sri Shaunaka Rishi continues, One day, Sri Suthacharya narrating the conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi, addressing Sri Shaunaka Rishi says that after hearing the past life story of Narada Rishi, Lord Veda Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, questioned thus,भिक्षुभिर्विप्रवसिते विज्ञानादेष्टृभिस्तव ।वर्तमानो वयस्याद्ये ततः किमकरोद्भवान् ॥ २॥Deva Rishi, after those sages who initiated you with special knowledge of Tattva Jnana, what did you do? Probably, you were a too-small boy then. Isn't it?  स्वायम्भुव कया वृत्त्या वर्तितं ते परं वयः ।कथं चेदमुदस्राक्षीः काले प्राप्ते कलेवरम् ॥ ३॥Svayambhuva! Being on your own, How did you spend the rest of your life? Also, at the time of death, how did you leave the body? What was the process?Lord Veda Vyasa asks this question because there are four types of death,The death! like it comes to all leaving being at the end of each life span. Based on our individual deed, one has to face this difficult time. As most of us are attached with a sense of possession, we feel bad even for loss of small & inconsequential. The highest value of possession we attach is towards our body. Hence, to forgo this and overcome the loss would be terrifying and painful.As a practice of this, few take up the vow of non-possession or Aparigraha Vrata. In The First Principles of Bhakti Yoga by Narada Rishi, we saw how Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484-1564 AD), a अंश or part of Narada Rishi, earlier as Srinivasa Nayaka was a jeweler and popularly known as Navakoti Narayana for his wealth of over ninety million. But he gave up everything to live on alms and sing the glory of Lord. He called this as taking up the business as that of honey bee relishing the nectar from the Lotus feet of Lord Purundara Vittala.     These acts of non-possession do not strike the chord to most of us. The reasons could be the state of denial we live in on the encounter of death or maybe the poor understanding of the trade-off between possession and pain of death and so on.   The second type of death is that of the devotees of Lord. Those who are on the path of devotion and yet to have accomplished self-realization and Aproksha Jnana. For these, the attachment to worldly affairs including the body is not as much as those encountering the first type of death. But they are not completely detached too. However, they would have the confidence in the Lord with the expectation of a better re-birth as a pious Vaishnava. They would not suffer as much as in the first type of death. They would be able to see the body as temporary and worthy to forego. They will also be able to intermittently remember the Lord during the last hours of death lowering the pain. But they fail at the last moments of life engaging themselves with worldly thoughts denying peaceful pass away.The third type of death being those blessed with Aproksha jnana. Here, the Jiva will be able to remember the Lord even in last moments and see his forms. Bheeshamacharya is a good example. Bleeding profusely on the sharp bed of arrows he leaves the body in front of the Lord. As Lord presents himself in the assembled crowd of Pandavas in his forms of Sri Krishna, Veda Vyasa and Parshurama making the death peaceful. However, he too not having the specific sight of the form of Indwelle, he has to return to earth.However, in the fourth type of death being auspicious, the Jiva leaves the body seeing the Indweller, the Lord. Blessed with overflowing bliss, goes to higher regions and not to return. Here, he waits in the higher region till pralaya and subsequently appears only in Mukta Vaikunta or the abode of Lord demarked only for Muktas or those released from the cycle of death & birth.  प्राक्कल्पविषयामेतां स्मृतिं ते सुरसत्तम ।न ह्येष व्यवधात्काल एष सर्वनिराकृतिः ॥ ४॥Devarishi, The time though, has the unique ability to destroy everything! The story you are narrating is that of प्राक्कल्प or previous Kalpa and crores of years back. Even then, how do you have memories of a past life? Could not time destroy past life memory?
नारद उवाच, Narada Rishi replies,भिक्षुभिर्विप्रवसिते विज्ञानादेष्टृभिर्मम ।वर्तमानो वयस्याद्ये तत एतदकारषम् ॥ ५॥At the time of departure of those great Yogis who had initiated me with विज्ञानादेष or special knowledge of Tattva Jnana as instruction. I was a small boy. I shall narrate to you the way I spent my life thereafter. Kindly hear.    एकात्मजा मे जननी योषिन्मूढा च किङ्करी ।मय्यात्मजेऽनन्यगतौ चक्रे स्नेहानुबन्धनम् ॥ ६॥सास्वतन्त्रा न कल्पाऽऽसीद्योगक्षेमं ममेच्छती ।ईशस्य हि वशे लोको योषा दारुमयी यथा ॥ ७॥अहं च तद्ब्रह्मकुले ऊषिवांस्तदपेक्षया ।दिग्देशकालाव्युत्पन्नो बालकः पञ्चहायनः ॥ ८॥एकदा निर्गतां गेहाद्दुहन्तीं निशि गां पथि ।सर्पोऽदशत्पदा स्पृष्टः कृपणां कालचोदितः ॥ ९॥तदा तदहमीशस्य भक्तानां शमभीप्सतः ।अनुग्रहं मन्यमानः प्रातिष्ठं दिशमुत्तराम् ॥ १०॥I was the only son of my mother. Being women, not very intelligent, she had an attachment. My mother worked as a housemaid. She was kind, dear and had tied me with a bond of affection. She would deeply think of my prosperity. However, being in other’s control, she could not do much. Like the puppets are under the control of Puppetry, so too the Jiva or being is under the control of the Almighty, the Lord. Empathizing with her, I too responded to my mother and stayed with her in the house she worked. I was just over five years old. I did not know much. Even the directions from my place or the state I lived nor the time. However, I was enthused about the knowledge initiated by the accomplished sages, gushing with excitement to take up the practice and accomplish Siddhi or perfection. Also, my intrinsic qualities of moving around from place to place singing the glory of Lord was building-up.The most important question to any seeker of moksha is if he has to go ahead to the Himalaya or Kashi leaving behind the materialistic world of family, friends and the responsibility associated with it is answered here by Narada Rishi. After having received the most secret Knowledge of Tattva Jnana or axiom as a boy in his previous life from the sages, Narada Rishi does not forsakes his mother and walk away. However, he waits for an appropriate time.Narada Rishi replying to the questions of Lord Veda Vyasa says,The days passed, we both as mother and son continued to stay being social support to each other. We shared happy moments and overcame the negative. While I was still small, one night, when my mother went out of the house to milk a cow, she stepped on a poisonous snake. The snake bit my poor mother. How can I blame the snake? The God of death wished so.Always wishing the best to his devotees, I believed that this too was Lord’s blessings and walked away towards North.स्फीताञ्जनपदांस्तत्र पुरग्रामव्रजाकरान् ।खेटखर्वटवाटीश्च वनान्युपवनानि च ॥ ११॥चित्रधातुविचित्राद्रीनिभभग्नभुजद्रुमान् ।जलाशयाञ्छिवजलान्नलिनीः सुरसेविताः ॥ १२॥चित्रस्वनैः पत्ररथैर्विभ्रमद्भ्रमरश्रियः ।नलवेणुशरस्तम्बकुशकीचकगह्वरम् ॥ १३॥एक एवातियातोऽहमद्राक्षं विपिनं महत् ।घोरं प्रतिभयाकारं व्यालोलूकशिवाजिरम् ॥ १४॥As I walked alone, I came across rich states having enough wealth with cities, towns, villages. Also, I saw dwellings of nomadic, cattle herds, several types of mines, rivers, small dwellings at the foot of mounds and hills. As I walked, large trees, farms, mango groves, gardens, forests passed by. I saw bamboo grooves and trees broken & destroyed by elephants. I neared a thick forest wherein the chattering of birds, their chirp sound, and the song of cuckoos became distinctively different and filled the atmosphere with serenity. The landscape there had turned more beautiful. The ponds and water bodies were filled with Swans, Ducks, water Lillies, and Lotus. Each of the lotus flowers appeared as if competing with one another in terms of color, their bloom, and moisture waiting to reach the feet of Lord. However, they swayed to the light breeze as if they were lost dancing in ecstasy filling the surroundings with fragrance submitting themselves to the most fascinating Lord Manohara.As I walked ahead through the beautiful landscape, I entered a forest that thick and dark allowing shaft of light here and there. The atmosphere there had suddenly changed.   The buzz of bees, hoot of an owl, and cry of birds, their shriek, and screams of jackals became more often. Also, the sound from the swaying of tall grass, rubbing of branches and bamboo groves due to heavy breeze sharpened. These sounds, darkness, the sight of worms, bees & flys over the carcass left over by carnivores’ animals brought horror and wilderness to the place. I was in a thick, dark and scary forest inhabited by wild & ferocious.           As an Individual or race or as human beings, we have a notion and built a paradigm of exclusivity. However, in this world created by the Lord, there is an immeasurable diversity. Putting aside our ego, we need to understand & study from this diverse creation to accomplish spiritual progress. Narada Rishi, not standing nor sitting at one place keeps traveling to all fourteen regions starting from Patala to Vaikunta singing the glory of this creation and of Lord has done sadhana or practice in his previous births. Narada Rishi is Sharnagatha or having submitted himself to Lord.परिश्रान्तेन्द्रियात्माहं तृट्परीतो बुभुक्षितः ।स्नात्वा पीत्वा ह्रदे नद्या उपस्पृष्टो गतश्रमः ॥ १५॥By then my body had become tired. Walking up and down the gradients of the countryside, negotiating the shrubs, bushes & their thorns, stepping on sharp pebbles & stones, my feet were crying in agony and legs demanded rest. I was hungry, my mouth had dried with the feeling of thirst overwhelming me.I took a bath in the nearby river, had water, did Achamana  i.e sipping water from palm for three times and touching various parts of body invoking various forms of Lord with his names for purification. This way my tiredness subsided.  तस्मिन्निर्मनुजेऽरण्ये पिप्पलोपस्थ आस्थितः ।आत्मनाऽऽत्मानमात्मस्थं यथाश्रुतमचिन्तयम् ॥ १६॥ध्यायतश्चरणाम्भोजं भावनिर्जितचेतसा ।औत्कण्ठ्याश्रुकलाक्षस्य हृद्यासीन्मे शनैर्हरिः ॥ १७॥प्रेमातिभरनिर्भिन्नपुलकाङ्गोऽतिनिर्वृतः ।आनन्दसम्प्लवे लीनो नापश्यमुभयं मुने ॥ १८॥रूपं भगवतो यत्तन्मनःकान्तं शुचापहम् ।अपश्यन् सहसोत्तस्थे वैक्लव्याद्दुर्मना इव ॥ १९॥Subsequently, I sat below a Pupil tree in that uninhabited river bank and started meditating the Indweller as initiated to me by the accomplished Sages. As I started contemplating the Lord’s auspicious lotus feet that were of the bright red color of crimson with the nail plates turning pinkish under the dazzling brilliance of the free edges having the brightness of the sun, the bhakti in me started glowing, my mind was lucidly filled with happiness. Also, the body filled with goosebumps experienced a light shock wave and sucked me into a deep state meditation. Not giving up, I moved my attention upwards to see yellow robes of Lord covering his knees, wearing the golden waistband, Srivatsa and being four-armed.  However, I was flushed with bliss, the tears of joy started flowing, choking my throat, but I was unable to come out of the meditative state. The Lord Sri Hari appeared in my Lotus of Heart making me wonderstruck As I was thinking that there is nothing to which the Lord is second to, the next moment Lord disappeared अपश्यन्.|| Hari Om |||| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Past Birth of Narada Rishi, an Illustration to 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 || || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
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.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य​।ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.

मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord Mukunda laying on God Sesha. Even a dumb become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera.
I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra.
Answering to Lord Veda Vyasa’s request to tell him the reasons for his dissatisfaction even after composing several spiritual scriptures, Narada Rishi requests him to compose Srimad Bhagavatam with narration on the fame of Lord and his attributes in the language of Samadhi. 
Also, propagate Bhakti towards Lord by repeated singing, hearing, praising & taking refuge of Lord through Nivruti dharma of abstaining from sensual pleasures of material substance and worldly gains for the following reasons: Nivruti dharma leads to the accomplishment of Purushaartha. Else one will be like a ship caught in the storm at the middle of the sea.Though Pravruti dharma or worldly activities may yield immediate sensual pleasures, is short-lived. To support this would not suit the stature of Lord Veda Vyasa and the virtuous could get mislead.The practice of Pravruti dharma is vicious in nature leading downwards. But in practice of  Nivruti dharma options to redeem sins for any mistakes is possible and leads upwards.Whatever one may do, even accomplish the height of Brahmloka or any other below intermediate regions, would not experience the supreme bliss. Also, on the timeline of the cycle of death & birth, worldly happiness & sorrow would continue. Hence, without any special efforts for worldly happiness, the smart would practice Bhakti Yoga in Lord.When Lord Veda Vyasa himself composes, reading or hearing that will make the pollutant disappear leading to liberation from the cycle of death & birth to all virtuous. Also, the virtuous would become the devotees of the Lord.Those who are at the service of the Lotus feet of Lord, Sri Mukunda would never carry out actions of activities that would lead to the cycle of death & birth. Also, such people will not be troubled or tattered in samsara. Though they have to face minor issues and appear as if struggling in samsara, but they would be blessed with enough strength to easily overcome and get moksha.As an illustration of the practice of Nivruti dharma, Narada Rishi cites his life story of previous birth. He says, in my last birth, I was born to a maid who served at the house of Brahmins. The Brahmins who were engaged in deep study of Vedas through deliberations and arguments. Accomplished Sages and their followers visited them for Chatur Masa or the Vow of four Months starting from rainy season. My mother had engaged me to serve those Yogis for all their needs, says Narada rishi.Narada Rishi continues, ते मय्यपेताखिलचापलेऽर्भके दान्तेऽधृतक्रीडनकेऽनुवर्तिनि ||चक्रुः कृपां यद्यपि तुल्यदर्शनाः शुश्रूषमाणे मुनयोऽल्पभाषिणि ॥ २४॥Though I was a small boy, with the grace of Lord, I was able to exercise my will overall sensory organs. I had no specific desire for worldly things including playing like other children. Speaking very little, I was meeting all their requirements. Being pleased with my sober behavior, the impartial Sages having no likes and dislikes to good and bad, bestowed kind and generous favors on me. 
उच्छिष्टलेपाननुमोदितो द्विजैः सकृत्स्म भुञ्जे तदपास्तकिल्बिषः ।एवं प्रवृत्तस्य विशुद्धचेतसस्तद्धर्मएवात्मरुचिः प्रजायते ॥ २५॥The companions of holy sages prepared bhog or food for submission to Lord as naivedya during their prayers every day. Subsequently, they had the same as Prasada. After their acceptance of Prasada, I would clear the place of their eating. I would have उच्छिष्ट or the leftover food with their due permission. As they had the Prasada of Lord, once a day, I too used to have food only once a day. Doing so, all my sins got cleansed.This way daily doing the service of sages, my heart became light, crystal clear, stainless and devoid of any pollutant. Also, daily I observed the prayers of yogis, the way they worshipped to propitiate the Lord and sang His glory excellently. I was attracted to their dharma and developed a keen desire to do the same.
तत्रान्वहं कृष्णकथाः प्रगायतामनुग्रहेणाशृणवं मनोहराः ।ताः श्रद्धया मेऽनुपदं विशृण्वतः प्रियश्रवस्यङ्ग ममाभवद्रुचिः ॥ २६॥Maha Rishi, Vyasji! This company of wise & virtuous, their pastime of singing, repeated reading, narration, discourses on the attributes of Lord, his sports charm gave me access to hear the fascinating stories of Lord Sri Krishna. With full faith and devotion, I heard every word of them on the famous Lord who likes being praised. This stole my heart and ममाभवद्रुचिः brought delight in doing so, says Narada Rishi.This way, the company of wise & virtuous brought excellent benefit to me. All this happened because of absolute and unlimited favor on me by those virtuous & extremely kind-hearted Sages.
तस्मिंस्तदा लब्धरुचेर्महामुनेप्रियश्रवस्यास्खलिता मतिर्मम ।ययाहमेतत्सदसत्स्वमाययापश्ये मयि ब्रह्मणि कल्पितं परे ॥ २७॥The Great Sage! By then, my heart had fallen in love with the most charming Lord Manohara. My mind space got occupied by the most Famous Lord yielding unwavering Bhakti. Consequent to the steady Bhakti, I started seeing the beautiful form of universe constructed of Prakriti influenced by Goddess Maya as an idol of Lord Brahaman and same Lord Brahaman reflecting in my soul.  
इत्थं शरत्प्रावृषिकावृतू हरेर्विशृण्वतो मेऽनुसवं यशोऽमलम् ।सङ्कीर्त्यमानं मुनिभिर्महात्मभिर्भक्तिः प्रवृत्ताऽऽत्मरजस्तमोऽपहा ॥ २८॥As the virtuous sages sang the stainless fame of Lord three times a day for four months of both the seasons of Varsha or Rain and Sharad or autumn, I heard those sankeertana having fascinating stories of Lord Sri Krishna. Hearing their soft words full of love & affection, the Lotus of my heart blossomed in which the light of bhakti glowed. This bhakti destroyed Rajasika & Thamasika Guna that had occupied my Soul.
तस्यैवं मेऽनुरक्तस्य प्रश्रितस्य हतैनसः ।श्रद्दधानस्य बालस्य दान्तस्यानुचरस्य च ॥ २९॥Also, my devotion in those Yogis became intense helping me to serve them with full of humbleness. As I served those great Saints, the sins in me started to flee. My heart filled with faith, the sensory organs further came under my control and made myself available to their service physically, through speech and mind.
ज्ञानं गुह्यतमं यत्तत्साक्षाद्भगवतोदितम् ।अन्ववोचन् गमिष्यन्तः कृपया दीनवत्सलाः ॥ ३०॥When the kind-hearted sages planned to proceed to their next destination after the vow of four months, they initiated me with the most secret Knowledge. The one they had received directly from the divine mouth known for having an abundance of knowledge, the Lord himself.
येनैवाहं भगवतो वासुदेवस्य वेधसः ।मायानुभावमविदं येन गच्छन्ति तत्पदम् ॥ ३१॥That secret knowledge helped me understand the divine Maya of Lord Vasudeva for whom the acts of creation, sustenance, destruction & so on are a Sport. With this, one would be superbly blessed to understand the eminence of the Lord and realize self or Atman.    
एतत्संसूचितं ब्रह्मंस्तापत्रयचिकित्सितम् ।यदीश्वरे भगवति कर्म ब्रह्मणि भावितम् ॥ ३२॥Brahmarishi! My father, God Brahma who is the best of beings can sing Vedas only because of your initiation & support. Submission of all our actions to Lord Purushottama is the only divine medicine for curing difficulties causing distress.
I am indicating this secret what I have learned and understood as submission to you.
आमयो यश्च भूतानां जायते येन सुव्रत ।तदेव ह्यामयं द्रव्यं न पुनाति चिकित्सितम् ॥ ३३॥एवं नृणां क्रियायोगाः सर्वे संसृतिहेतवः ।त एवात्मविनाशाय कल्पन्ते कल्पिताः परे ॥ ३४॥If the food substance causing ill health is used to prepare the medicine and if that very medicine is used to cure the disease, will not heal. Similarly, all Karya or actions of human deeds are associated with sins causing bind to the cycle of death & birth. Therefore, with the same kriya yoga, the cycle of death & birth cannot be broken.  However, by submission of same Karya or deed to the Lord, the relation of that very activity or deed will get disassociated with the individual. So too, the sins associated with such actions or deeds will fall without an attachment causing no-bind with the cycle of death & birth.       
यदत्र क्रियते कर्म भगवत्परितोषणम् ।ज्ञानं यत्तदधीनं हि भक्तियोगसमन्वितम् ॥ ३५॥The deserving actions leading to the activity of propitiating Lord for pleasing him by submission bestows knowledge & bhakti. The knowledge and bhakti thus obtained is a part & parcel of Bhakti Yoga.  
कुर्वाणा यत्र कर्माणि भगवच्छिक्षयासकृत् ।गृणन्ति गुणनामानि कृष्णस्यानुस्मरन्ति च ॥ ३६॥All actions of those activities associated with pleasing Lord is considered as His dictum to be performed. Hence, people accept such directions of Lord Krishna by remembering him and singing his attributes repeatedly with unrelenting efforts.  
Also, they worship the Lord in his four formations as,नमो भगवते तुभ्यं वासुदेवाय धीमहि ।प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय नमः सङ्कर्षणाय च ॥ ३७॥Salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva and our meditation to Him. Also, Salutations to his forms of Sankarshana, Pradumna, and Aniruddha.
इति मूर्त्यभिधानेन मन्त्रमूर्तिममूर्तिकम् ।यजते यज्ञपुरुषं स सम्यग्दर्शनः पुमान् ॥ ३८॥This way doing the sankeertana of the four formations of Lord Vasudeva, who has no influence of Prakriti being in the form of mantra or sacred text and to whom all worship would reach as he is the only Yagna Purusha is a Jnani or Learned & smart.
इमं स्वनिगमं ब्रह्मन्नवेत्य मदनुष्ठितम् ।अदान्मे ज्ञानमैश्वर्यं स्वस्मिन् भावं च केशवः ॥ ३९॥I too, as per the wish of Lord Bhagavan carried on with my life having great devotion in him. Doing activities that have been submitted to him. Pleased with that, Lord Keshava, always being worshipped by Gods Brahma & Shiva blessed me with Atma Jnana or self-realization, Ishwarya, and bhakti.   
त्वमप्यदभ्रश्रुतविश्रुतं विभोः समाप्यते येन विदां बुभुत्सितम् ।आख्याहि ।प्रख्याहि दुःखैर्मुहुरर्दितात्मनां सङ्क्लेशनिर्वाणमुशन्ति नान्यथा ॥ ४०॥The Lord of the treasure of Knowledge, you are poorna or complete. You should compose the fame of Lord, his sports charms that is adorable. By remembering him, singing his fame, thinking about him, all that has to be known will be understood. Even for the most intellectual, the delibrations will get completed as nothing will remain to be discussed.     Also, the various types of difficulties causing sorrow will start disappearing. But for this, there is no other strategy to accomplish Solace.
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां प्रथमस्कन्धे व्यासनारदसंवादे पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥ ५॥With this, we complete a part of "Conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi" as fifth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1.We could do so only with the grace of Guru Sri Raghavendra and all his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada.
By comparing this conversation to the second verse of Mangalacharna wherein Lord Veda Vyasa has said,धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥Srimad Bhagavatam contains the complete knowledge of Dharma which holds one from falling down, purifies and puts on to the path leading to the Lord. This path seeks the continued practice of honoring, worshipping, admiring & praising The Lord without any jealousy or expectation nor being deceptive. While being on the path, removes all sorts of difficulties, bestows prosperity, makes one sajjana or virtuous and solidify bhakti or devotion. Hence, Srimad Bhagavatam composed by The Lord Veda Vyasa himself is great and guarantees to reveal the Lord who is always present in the heart of all the individuals.
Deva Rishi Narada has a deep understanding of Lord Veda Vyasa’s teachings to letter & spirit. In fact, being an axiom, he has siddhi or perfection. Therefore, his conversation is an elaboration of the above second verse of mangalacharna. Consistent to the प्रोज्झित or projjhita dharma of being jealous and having expectations always that is worthy of being shunned by the virtuous, Narada Rishi has submitted to Lord requesting to preach निवृत्ति Nivruti dharma of abstaining from it.This is a worthy milestone because of all that is in rest of Srimad Bhagavatam is an elaboration of this first five Adhyaya of first Skanda. Also, all that is in the first five Adhyaya is summarised in the first three Adhyaya and in turn summarised in the first three verses of Srimad Bhagavatam and further summarised as the first verse. Also, every reading and contemplation of these five Adhyaya is like peeling a layer before reaching the core. Hence, let’s pray to Lord Hari, Vayu & Gurus to bless us with repeated studies of these five Adhyaya and the study of rest of Srimad Bhagavatam.

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

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The First Principles of Bhakti Yoga by Narada Rishi

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 || || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
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.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य​।ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.
मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord Mukunda laying on God Sesha.  Even a dumb become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera. I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra.
Knowing that Lord Veda Vyasa was extending the kindest & generous gesture of crediting the manifestation of Srimad Bhagavatam to him, Narada Rishi prayed to Lord Veda Vyasa requesting him to compose stories having Lord’s names singing his attributes, elaborating his fame in the language of samadhi or instructive way. This would enable the following to the people of Kali Yuga: a) The cleansing pollutant of Kali,b) Redemption of Sins,c) Hone the attitude of Bhakti,d) The sight of Lord ande) The Lord himself Further, Narada Rishi continues to say,नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितंन शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् ।कुतः पुनः शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे न चार्पितं कर्म यदप्यकारणम् ॥ १२॥Most of the spiritual activities that we do include Sandyavandana, or morning prayers, or visiting temples, and so on is as a duty. Many a time this becomes mechanical without being heartfelt nor expression of feelings and hence is not liked. Similar is in the study of indoctrinations or Shastras. If not done with Bhakti, then the activity would not yield progress. Also, doing with some expectations is inauspicious. Even after doing without expectations, but if not submitted to the Lord would not delight him. Hence, the practitioner should do all activities with heartfelt Bhakti in the Lord without any expectations to make the needle of merit move says Narada Rishi.   Though from ज्ञानं or Knowledge is अमलं or stainless निरञ्जनं purity i.e. One could remove all defects and also avoid it with Knowledge. One could be an expert in all indoctrinations of Philosophy including Amarakosha or Thesaurus, Grammer, all Vedas, Vedantas, Mahabarata, Ramayana, and so on. But if he has no devotion or Bhakti towards Lord Achyutha or अच्युतभाववर्जितं, then न शोभते or he is not fit or of any use is what Narada Rishi is saying. कुतः पुनः or If that is the status of Knowledge, which is on higher-order, then what could be told about actions. All actions should be done to propitiate the Lord and please him with नैष्कर्म्य or abstinence of act including its consequences. That is possible only when done with Bhakti. Hence, whatever action one might have undertaken including the best of charity like establishing Educational Institution or Hospitals or old age Homes or construction of Lakes or Ponds for water, or any best act but न चार्पितं कर्म or if not submitted to the Indweller, the Lord then it is अभद्र or inauspicious. 
अथो महाभाग भवानमोघदृक्शुचिश्रवाः सत्यरतो धृतव्रतः ।उरुक्रमस्याखिलबन्धमुक्तयेसमाधिनानुस्मर तद्विचेष्टितम् ॥ १३॥The Holy one, you have the divine vision and have become famous for your chastity. Also, your vow or commitment to upholding honesty and the study of Vedas is worshipped by all. Hence, to liberate from the confinement of the cycle of death and birth of अखिलबन्धमुक्त or all the virtuous Jivas, please compose the extraordinary fame of Lord in the language of Samadhi. The fame of Lord for singing and admiration by Jivas at all times.
ततोऽन्यथा किञ्चन यद्विवक्षतः पृथग् दृशस्तत्कृतरूपनामभिः ।न कुत्रचित्क्वापि च दुःस्थिता मतिर्लभेत वाताहतनौरिवास्पदम् ॥ १४॥Without singing the fame of Lord, if one narrates anything else according to his own wish that would not be of any use to his objectives of Life or Purusharta. In fact, he would be stuck in the storm of his own creation. The storm manifested out of his wishes. His mind space gets occupied with diverse and contrasting views. Therefore, making him like a ship caught in a storm in the middle of the sea.  
जुगुप्सितं धर्मकृतेऽनुशासतः स्वभावरक्तस्य महान् व्यतिक्रमः ।यद्वाक्यतो धर्म इतीतरः स्थितो न मन्यते तस्य निवारणं जनः ॥ १५॥All of us who are entangled with the thread of action and stuck in the cycle of death & birth are engrossed in materialistic activities. If you too, compose spiritual literature benefiting the most reprimandable material substance or worldly gains, the situation would become extremely जुगुप्सितं or disgusting. Because, from your statement, the foolish people would consider and decide that even the reprimandable as dharma.   We are so passionate about Science, our understanding of the Universe, gadgets like Mobile, Laptops, or even Technology like the internet and so on. The WhatsApp messages or Blogs as this is pretty cool, connecting all of us. This gives us a sense of progress and development. However, Narada Rishi knowing the future is requesting here to Lord Veda Vyasa not to endorse any of these. He says it would be जुगुप्सितं or disgusting. Our belief that the word of Srimad Bhagavatam is being spread through this Internet may fall flat as this has been happening since ages. Maybe more than 5000 years. Even before we started cutting woods to get bark, chip it & make pulp by adding chemicals &  cooking before rolling it as paper, recover some chemicals and puke rest causing more harm. Let alone the Internet. Also, it is not that the necessary knowledge like farming or trading or arms or even advanced knowledge like खगोल शास्त्र or astronomy for calculating eclipses or auspicious time was not available since then.
विचक्षणोऽस्यार्हति वेदितुं विभोरनन्तपारस्य निवृत्तितः सुखम् ।प्रवर्तमानस्य गुणैरनात्मनस्ततो भवान् दर्शय चेष्टितं विभोः ॥ १६॥You are a Genius! You are fully acquainted with the immeasurable energy of Lord Bhagavan and his sport. Also, the bliss that manifests after developing dispassion towards worldly life. Therefore, showing mercy on the virtuous people who have engrossed in worldly activities, please show them the spiritual path of निवृत्ति dharma or abstaining from sensual pleasures. So that, even they too can engage in Bhakti Yoga, break the cycle of death & birth by receiving Prasada of Aproksha Jnana from Lord. Consequently, get rid of Lingadeha or the shield of Prakriti encapsulating Atma and realize “Self”, prays Narad Rishi to Lord Veda Vyasa.The प्रवृत्ति dharma or worldly activities may yield immediate sensual pleasures. But it is short-lived. For example, one may work hard and get good Qualification or Profession or Business or earn a lot of money or earn high social status. This could be lost for any reasons. May be due to gambling, or robbery or have a spendthrift child or for health reasons or even reasons of force majeure like nature’s fury of rains & storms or social unrest. The same is not assured always by the act of time and its secret behavior in one’s life nor in any subsequent lives. However, not so with निवृत्ति dharma or spiritual path of abstaining from sensual pleasure to only please Lord. If one has accomplished good spiritual progress gaining high merits and for some reasons of anger or fun does wrongdoing. The kind-hearted and generous Lord would not quash those merits. But would allow him to correct or redeem sins and continue on a spiritual path from where he had left carrying forward the merits that he had already accrued even though of previous births.
त्यक्त्वा स्वधर्मं चरणाम्बुजं हरेर्भजन्नपक्वोऽथ पतेत्ततो यदि ।यत्र क्व वाभद्रमभूदमुष्य किं को वार्थ आप्तोऽभजतां स्वधर्मतः ॥ १७॥If one gives-up the worldly activities of materialistic happiness to follow the path of Bhakti Yoga of propitiating Lord and meets death before accomplishing results, will it cause inauspiciousness? Says Narada Rishi with question affirmation. In other words, yes there will be always auspiciousness, for those who propitiate Lord having a heart filled with Bhakti without expectations even in future lives. Similarly, for those who are always involved in the worldly activities and averse to the worship of Lord, is there any special benefits? Says Narada Rishi with question affirmation. In other words, there would be no benefits after death for those who are involved in worldly activities. Hence,

Doing Bhakti Yoga without any expectations & contemplating the sport's charm of the Lord is the only key to success.

You know that this is the only way to always remember and be mindful of Lord. Hence, please compose the famous sport’s charm of Lord that sings his glory as that is the most beneficial to the ordinary people. And brings auspiciousness to the world.   
तस्यैव हेतोः प्रयतेत कोविदो न लभ्यते यद्भ्रमतामुपर्यधः ।तल्लभ्यते दुःखवदन्यतः सुखं कालेन सर्वत्र गभीररंहसा ॥ १८॥Though, even if the Jiva reaches the height of Brahmloka or any other below intermediate regions, would not experience the supreme bliss. Also, on the timeline of the cycle of death & birth, worldly happiness & sorrow would continue. Hence, without making any special efforts for worldly happiness, the smart ones would practice Bhakti Yoga in Lord.The Gopikas of Vrindavana did so. Without getting attached to the day to day worldly matters, they worshipped Lord Sri Krishna by pouring all their heart & soul. Doing this way is supreme.
Narada Rishi, with his heart brimming with Bhakti repeatedly addressing Lord Veda Vyasa as Great Saint! Says,न वै जनो जातु कथञ्चनाव्रजेन्मुकुन्दसेव्यन्यवदङ्ग संसृतिम् ।स्मरन् मुकुन्दाङ्घ्र्युपगूहनं पुनर्विहातुमिच्छेन्न रसग्रहो यतः ॥ १९॥Those who are at the service of the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Mukunda would never carry out actions of activities that would lead to the cycle of death & birth. If once, one tastes the nectar of Bhakti Yoga, he would get engrossed in the Lotus feet of Lord, never to leave like the business of honey bee has no time for Sorrow and sink in the ocean of ecstasy.    

While the bees fly to flowers to drink nectar, mosquitoes fly to the filth to multiply!

इदं हि विश्वं भगवानिवेतरो यतो जगत्स्थाननिरोधसम्भवाः ।तद्धि स्वयं वेद भवांस्तथापि वै प्रादेशमात्रं भवतः प्रदर्शितम् ॥ २०॥This universe itself is a shape & figure of the Lord. In all living beings is also Lord. However, he stands above all by surpassing all living chetana and nonliving achetana. It is He who does the Creation, Protection, Destruction, and so on. You know all about the Lord. I have just made an attempt to indicate about Him. Hence, please elaborate on the Sports Charm and attributes of the Lord says Narada Rishi with sentiments and posture oozing humility.      
त्वमात्मनाऽऽत्मानमवेह्यमोघदृक्परस्यपुंसः परमात्मनः कलाम् ।अजं प्रजातं जगतः शिवाय तन्महानुभावाभ्युदयोऽधिगण्यताम् ॥ २१॥You're eminent, your sight, your vision is efficacious and unfailing.  Your appearance is the form of Paramatma, Lord Purusha. Kindly consider that. Though eternal having no death nor birth, you appear for the prosperity of this Universe. Hence, please sing the exclusive and the choicest fame of Lord.   
इदं हि पुंसस्तपसः श्रुतस्य वा स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धिदत्तयोः ।अविच्युतोऽर्थः कविभिर्निरूपितो यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवर्णनम् ॥ २२॥The knowledgeable have concluded that better than worshiping Lord through Austerity (Tapa) or Studying Vedas or Fire Sacrifices (Yagna) or Self Study (Svaadhyaya) or Sacrifice to acquire Knowledge (Jnana Yagna) or Charity is singing the Divine Fame of Lord that includes his Holy attributes and His Sports Charm.
अहं पुरातीतभवेऽभवं मुने दास्यास्तु कस्याश्चन वेदवादिनाम् ।निरूपितो बालक एव योगिनां शुश्रूषणे प्रावृषि निर्विविक्षताम् ॥ २३॥Oh! Great Sage, the result for having done all this including singing the divine fame of Lord having holy attributes, his sports charm is my life story itself. In my last birth, I was born to a maid who served at the house of Brahmins. The Brahmins who were engaged in deep study of Vedas through deliberations and arguments. Some Yogis visited them for Chatur Masa or the Vow of Four Months starting from rainy season. My mother had engaged me to serve those Yogis for all their needs, says Narada rishi.Looking forward to the continued blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus to hear the Life Story of Narada Rishi.Being on the topic, Srinivasa Nayaka was a jeweler and popularly known as Navakoti Narayana for his wealth of over ninety million. But giving up everything to become Sri Purandara Dasaru. He lived during 1484-1564 AD and is believed to be a अंश or part of Narada Rishi. Tapping us gently to wake us up from the slumber of worldly pleasure, he has composed a song saying he has taken up the business of honey bees of relishing the nectar from the Lotus feet of Lord Purundara Vittala. Also, this song was in a Kannada film Navakoti Narayana (1964) sung by the famous duet S. Janaki & M. Balamuralikrishna. Let's take a look at it with English translation in a font:  madhukara vrtti ennadu adu balu cennadu  || P ||I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very GoodpadumanAbhana pAda paduma madhupavemba  || AP ||Lord Padumanabha’s feet being the Lotus for sucking nectar kAlige gejje kaTTi nIla varNana guNa ALApisutta balu olaga mADuvantha  || 1  ||Wearing the anklets with jingles, setting forth the musical notes to sing the attributes of the blue colored Lord suitable for Olaga instrument I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very GoodranganAthana guNa hingade pADutta shrngAra nODutta kangaLAnandavemba  || 2  ||Singing the attributes of Lord Ranganatha without being exhausted, admiring his handsomeness to be filled with happiness I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very GoodindirApati purandara viTTalanalli chendada bhaktiyinda Anandava paDuvantha  || 3 ||The Lord of Goddess Indra, Sri Purandara Vittala in whom doing good Bhakti and filling the heart with happiness, I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very Good
|| Hari Om ||May wish to check out the below link for the sound bites of the above song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re4oP-nSQ04&list=RDRe4oP-nSQ04&start_radio=1
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Narada Rishi visits Lord Veda Vyasa

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 || || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||
व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
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.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य​।ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.
मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord Mukunda laying on God Sesha.  Even a dumb become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera. I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra. During which time, which places and for what reason was Srimad Bhagavatam composed? And so on were the questions of Sri Shaunaka Rishi. Answering all the questions, Sri Suthacharya lists the following Literary works of Lord Veda Vyasa:1.     Compiling Vedas into four sections as Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvana Veda.2.     Composing Brahma Sutra having the conclusive meaning of Vedas with Jignasa or delibrations.3.   Composing Mahabarata detailing Vedas in the form of stories and Vedanta in the form of Vishnu Sahasranama & Bhagavad Gita. 4.     Puranas detailing the conclusive meaning of Vedas in the form of stories. Before composing the eighteenth (18th)  Purana, Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Veda Vyasa delays as if like an ordinary author or a rishi. In the north of Badri or Vishala, on the banks of River Saraswati after having carried out morning activities, while sitting at a lonely and holy place, Narada Rishi appears to Lord Veda Vyasa. Narada Rishi was wearing red robes, holding Veena and doing sankeertana.The Poorna or complete Lord having immeasurable attributes including being bhaktavatsala for whom devotees are most dear, delays composition of Srimad Bhagavatam. This is to credit the initiation of composing Srimad Bhagavata to Narada Rishi:As Lord Veda Vyasa saw the arrival of Narada Rishi, Sri Sutacharya says,तमभिज्ञाय सहसा प्रत्युत्थायागतं मुनिः ।पूजयामास विधिवन्नारदं सुरपूजितम् ॥As Lord saw the arrival of Narada Rishi, he got up and welcomed Narada Rishi. He invites Narada Rishi as guest needs to be invited by everyone. Lord Veda Vyasa says न्नारदं सुरपूजितम्, Narada Rishi, even the Gods worship you.Sri Suthacharya says,अथ तं सुखमासीन उपासीनं बृहच्छ्रवाः ।देवर्षिः प्राह विप्रर्षिं वीणापाणिः स्मयन्निव ॥ १॥ Narad RishiThe generous, kind-hearted, & famous Narada Rishi, an object of all auspiciousness always holding Veena sat close to Lord Veda Vyasa wearing a closed-lip smile. Narada Rishi knew that Lord Veda Vyasa was delaying and had decided to compose Srimad Bhagavatam. However, he was conducting himself as any other Rishi on the earth. Every Jiva taking birth on this earth has a mission to be accomplished. Till the time of accomplishment, Jiva feels scared and confused. Helpless some times. Knowing the objective and developing the required skill should be the purpose of life. The completely satisfied Lord having no expectation was conducting like another helpless, confused or scared Jiva.Seeing all this, Narada Rishi inquired,
पाराशर्य महाभाग भवतः कच्चिदात्मना ।परितुष्यति शारीर आत्मा मानस एव वा ॥ २॥जिज्ञासितं सुसम्पन्नमपि ते महदद्भुतम् ।कृतवान् भारतं यस्त्वं सर्वार्थपरिबृंहितम् ॥ ३॥जिज्ञासितमधीतं च यत्तद्ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।अथापि शोचस्यात्मानमकृतार्थ इव प्रभो ॥ ४॥The most eminent, distinguished and a treasure of attributes, Son of Parashara! Is your body & mind, fine? Have you accomplished all actions and the strategies that bring happiness to you? You know all the indoctrinations that are to be known or exists. Composition of Mahabarata is your stellar performance. It is complete having all meanings of Vedas, has all that is in this world including all objectives of life or Purusharta. Also, after deep thinking and proper understanding, the Vedanta or concepts on Sanatana or of oldest Lord has been well captured by you in Brahma Sutras. With all this, your goal should have been completed.Even then, without being pleased, why are you expressing dissatisfaction like any other Rishi? Lord Veda Vyasa replies,अस्त्येव मे सर्वमिदं त्वयोक्तं तथापि नात्मा परितुष्यते मे ।तन्मूलमव्यक्तमगाधबोधंपृच्छामहे त्वात्मभवात्मभूतम् ॥ ५॥स वै भवान् वेद समस्तगुह्यमुपासितो यत्पुरुषः पुराणः ।परावरेशो मनसैव विश्वं सृजत्यवत्यत्ति गुणैरसङ्गः ॥ ६॥त्वं पर्यटन्नर्क इव त्रिलोकीमन्तश्चरो वायुरिवात्मसाक्षी ।परावरे ब्रह्मणि धर्मतो व्रतैः स्नातस्य मे न्यूनमलं विचक्ष्व ॥ ७॥Narada Rishi, All that you have said is true. There is no doubt in that. Yet my heart is not pleasant nor is my mind lucid. I am not able to find the reasons. You have vast & deep knowledge. You have born out of the intellect of God Brahma. You are his Son. Hence, I am asking the reason for my dissatisfaction to you. You should tell me.Deva Rishi, you are a saint even to Gods. You are aware of all deep mysteries. You have successfully worshiped Lord Bhagavan, the Supreme Purusha. The Lord Bhagavan who regulates all the reasons for the action. Has an immeasurable amount of Iccha Shakti or the power of will to create, sustain destroy, & so on the entire universe, the Jnana Shakti or the Knowledge required to do so and Kriya Shakti or the power to execute. And, without being touched or struck in any bind to actions. Like the Sun rays lights-up the three worlds, so too, Vayu or air and you too travel in all regions. With your power of yoga, like God Prana, you enter all Jiva worshipping Paramatma, the Supreme Lord in each of them.  Hence, you have knowledge of everyone’s thoughts and feeling. You are a witness of all thoughts & feelings of any Jiva.Having done all spiritual practices as prescribed in the indoctrinations with full faith and propitiated the Omnipresent, Eternal, Independent & Supreme Lord Brahman, I should have been engulfed in bliss. But, I am not having such an experience! Please let me know the reasons, asks Lord Veda Vyasa.Lord Veda Vyasa having the knowledge of past, present & future has weaved even this incident to mesmerize the people and credit his dear devotee, Narada Rishi for the manifestation of Srimad Bhagavatam
Narada Rishi says,भवतानुदितप्रायं यशो भगवतोऽमलम् ।येनैवासौ न तुष्येत मन्ये तद्दर्शनं खिलम् ॥ ८॥Veda VyasaJi! Probably you have not composed literature having only the fame of the Lord! The fame which has the power to cleanse the stain of Kali. Lord would be most pleased with the writing of his Fame. Other than that, he would not be completely pleased with any other philosophy. Also, those philosophies that do not please him is useless and waste.   यथा धर्मादयश्चार्था मुनिवर्यानुकीर्तिताः ।न तथा वासुदेवस्य महिमा ह्यनुवर्णितः ॥ ९॥Great Saint, You have exhaustively explained Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha giving all details. And, one could do so. But the fame of Lord Vasudeva would always become incomplete.  It is immeasured. Hence, please elaborate on His fame.न यद्वचश्चित्रपदं हरेर्यशो जगत्पवित्रं प्रगृणीत कर्हिचित् ।तद्वायसं तीर्थमुशन्ति मानसा न यत्र हंसा निरमन्त्युशिक्क्षयाः ॥ १०॥A Literature having words alphabets & their arrangement, depictions of sentiments, the figure of speech adorning the literary composition could be very attractive. But, if it does not extol the abundant fame of Lord Hari that purifies the world, then it is of evil. The swans of divine Manasarovar Lake would abandon the other polluted lakes as only suitable for Crows. Similarly, the Paramahamsa or the enlightened Spiritual Teachers would abandon the Literary Works that does not contain the fame of Lord Hari as polluted and corrupt.तद्वाग्विसर्गो जनताघविप्लवो यस्मिन् प्रतिश्लोकमबद्धवत्यपि ।नामान्यनन्तस्य यशोऽङ्कितानि यच्छृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्ति साधवः ॥ ११॥However, those literary works having the name of Lord Achyuta in every verse can purify the sins of people. Since the enlightened spiritual teachers, the virtuous would hear, repeat, sing, praise & take refuge of Lord who has no decline through those literary works making it divine. There are three types of languages used for communication in Hindu scripture i.e Guhiya or secretive way, Samadhi or instructive way and Darshana or philosophical way. The all-knowing originator of Languages, Lord Veda Vyasa has blended all these ways of communication in his literature including Mahabharata. Hence, debates are done to date if Karna or Arjuna is real Hero!  Also, Karna has been eulogized as a broad hearted, courageous & tragic hero by some. And so on allowing different views or positions yielding targeted messaging, though.Also, if by only telling Dharma or rules to be followed, the individual would get perturbed. Mahabarata not only includes Guhiya, Samadhi & Darshana way of communication but says what is right and what is wrong in every step of the great story.  Hence, Narada Rishi prays Lord Veda Vyasa to compose Srimad Bhagavatam having only Samadhi or the instructive way to enable people of Kali Yuga to easily understand without much contradictions.    Remembering Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam 08 - Srimad Bhagavata, Redemption from Sins, The Siri Ramana Tava Charana poem, Sri Jaganatha Dasaru has brought forward the significance of Lord's name. The excerpts of same are furnished below for immediate recall:Narahariye ninna naamasmarane maadade narakakke Guriyaadeno | AP |Siriramana tava charana dorakuvudu hyaanginnu Parama paapishta naanu | P |Lord Narahari! Having not even remember your name, I am on the verge of falling into the Hell!My Lord, even Siri, the goddess of abundance looks to you for happiness.Where do I stand to pray to Your lotus feet?I am an extreme sinner!Sri Puranadara Dasaru (1484-1564), is believed to be the अंश or part of Narada Rishi. Knowing us, as subservient to our Indriyas or sense-organs has composed the below "Acharavillada naalige" song in Kannada. Also, the song was in a famous Kannada film Upaasane (1974). This is a song of frustration for those wishing to move out of the clutches Indriyas. And unless felt so, would keep us away from Lord. Let's take look at it with English translation in a font:   Acharavillada naalige, ninna neecha buddhiya bidu naligeVicharavillade parara dooshipudakke, chaachi kondiruvantha naalige. ll Achara llThe Devious one! Give-up your mean mindedness, Oh! TongueBeing stupid & as if eager to blame others, Oh! Dangling TongueThe Devious one! Give-up your mean mindedness, Oh! Tongue
Pratahkaladoleddu naalige, siri pathiyennabarade naaligepathita pavana namma ratipatijanakanasathathavu nudi kandya naalige ll Achara llGetting up early morning, Oh! Tongue; should you not say SiriPati, Oh! TongueThe Pathita Pavana, purifier of sins, our dear Ratipatijanaka, the father of Anirudha Haven’t you seen the repetition of his name of Sri Krishna always, Oh! TongueThe Devious one! Give-up your mean mindedness, Oh! Tongue
Chaadi helalu beda nalige, ninna bedikombuvenu naligeroodhigodeya SriRamana namava paduthaliru kandya naalige ll Achara llDo not carry tales, oh! Tongue; I beg of you, oh! Tongue;Haven’t you seen the famous Lord, Sri Rama’s name always being sung, Oh! TongueThe Devious one! Give-up your mean mindedness, Oh! Tongue
Hariya smarane madu naalige; Narahariya bhajise kandya naligevarada purandara vittalarayana; charana kamala nene naalige llAchara llKeep remembering Lord Hari, Oh! Tongue; Haven’t you seen the worship of Lord Narahari
Keep remembering the lotus feet of Lord Purundara Vlttala, the giver of boons, Oh! Tongue    
|| Hari Om ||May wish to check out the below link for the sound bites of the above song sung by the famous Sri Vidyabhushana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUJUbJvt4Lg
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||