Swetha Sundaram's Blog, page 11
July 2, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 5
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-krishnas-instruction_29.htmlThe Avadhuta Sanyasi continued to instruct Yadu Maharaj. ‘The ocean is unfathomable and cannot be churned. A Bagawatha’s mind should be like that and must not fall prey to confusion. Ocean gets more water during rainy season from overflowing rivers and less during summer yet, the water level in ocean does not change. Similarly a person must live happily without worrying about the change in income level.A moth gives in to the attractive flames of the fire. Because of its desire for the flashy fire, it dies when it falls in to the flames while trying to get very close to the flame. We should learn to avoid objects like gold and diamonds as our materialistic desires only ruin us.There are many things to be learnt from a honey bee. It collects honey from various flowers. It collects from small as well as large flowers. As it collects only a few drops from a flower, the flower faces no difficulties. A Bagawatha (unchavarthi) like the honey bee must solicit only small donations but, from many people. Like the bee which collects nectar from small and large flowers, a Bagawatha must grasp the knowledge from the various shastras. They should also attend lectures by many scholars even if the lectures are on the same subject. This way, they can learn better as each scholar would be an expert on a particular subject and each would highlight a unique point which falls in their area of expertise.A honey bee does not use its collection immediately. It is called madhuvratan in Sanskrit because it drinks the honey only on new moon or full moon days. ‘Vratan’ means one who is undergoing a fast. As the bee does not drink honey on other days, it is called as madhuvratan. It stores honey in its hive till new moon/full moon day but, unfortunately, the honey is stolen by the hunter. The hunter not only destroys the hive, but also kills the bee. Hence we shouldn’t accumulate any kind of wealth as this will only lead to misery.Continued On:
June 29, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 4
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-krishnas-instruction_15.html
The Avadhuta Sanyasi continued to instruct Yadu Maharaj.
A Bagawatha who has performed Saranagathi must learn to be like a python. A python never hunts for food. It lives in one place and waits for its preys. It accepts any prey which comes across its path. It doesn’t worry about starving to death because it knows that if it is meant to live, God will send a prey to it.’There was once a Bagawathar called Madhavendra Swami. He practicedajagara vridhi and ate only if someone offered him food. Such people eat whatever is given without paying attention to taste. If nothing is offered they stay hungry. Madhavendra Swami arrived at Vrindavan one day without having consumed any food. He sat under a tree thinking about Lord Krishna’s pastimes when a beautiful boy ran towards him without a cup of milk. The boy was dark with curly locks.‘My mother asked me to give you this cup of milk,’ the boy said.‘Child, I don’t have any money to pay for milk.’‘Its okay. She has asked me to make sure that anyone who visits this placedoesn’t remain hungry,’ said the child pushing the cup of milk in to the hands of Madhavendra Swami.‘Who is your mother?’‘Her name is Yashoda.’‘What! And your father is…’‘Nanda Gopan,’ answered the child.Madhavendra caught hold of the child. ‘You are my Lord aren’t you?’‘I am just a cow herd. Let go of me. Don’t you know that Lord Narayanan is the Lord?’Madhavendra Swami let go off the child thinking that it was coincidence that the child’s parents were called Yashoda and Nanda Gopan. He drank the milk in one gulp and turned to hand over the cup to the child but, there was no trace of the little boy! As Madhavendra Swami believed that the Lord would provide for him, Lord Krishna had come to play a little leela on Swami and had offered him milk!)
Continued On:
The Avadhuta Sanyasi continued to instruct Yadu Maharaj.
A Bagawatha who has performed Saranagathi must learn to be like a python. A python never hunts for food. It lives in one place and waits for its preys. It accepts any prey which comes across its path. It doesn’t worry about starving to death because it knows that if it is meant to live, God will send a prey to it.’There was once a Bagawathar called Madhavendra Swami. He practicedajagara vridhi and ate only if someone offered him food. Such people eat whatever is given without paying attention to taste. If nothing is offered they stay hungry. Madhavendra Swami arrived at Vrindavan one day without having consumed any food. He sat under a tree thinking about Lord Krishna’s pastimes when a beautiful boy ran towards him without a cup of milk. The boy was dark with curly locks.‘My mother asked me to give you this cup of milk,’ the boy said.‘Child, I don’t have any money to pay for milk.’‘Its okay. She has asked me to make sure that anyone who visits this placedoesn’t remain hungry,’ said the child pushing the cup of milk in to the hands of Madhavendra Swami.‘Who is your mother?’‘Her name is Yashoda.’‘What! And your father is…’‘Nanda Gopan,’ answered the child.Madhavendra caught hold of the child. ‘You are my Lord aren’t you?’‘I am just a cow herd. Let go of me. Don’t you know that Lord Narayanan is the Lord?’Madhavendra Swami let go off the child thinking that it was coincidence that the child’s parents were called Yashoda and Nanda Gopan. He drank the milk in one gulp and turned to hand over the cup to the child but, there was no trace of the little boy! As Madhavendra Swami believed that the Lord would provide for him, Lord Krishna had come to play a little leela on Swami and had offered him milk!)
Continued On:
June 15, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 3
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-krishnas-instruction_12.html
Avadhuta Sanyasi continued to instruct Yadu Maharaj. ‘Water is used to clean dirt. By its touch it purifies all the objects which come in contact with it. Like water a Bagawatha must purify everyone who come in contact with him/her. Like Agni, a Bagawatha must illuminate the lives of others by providing true knowledge. Fire can exist as a spark as well as large flames. Similarly a Bagawatha has an unassuming nature like a spark but reveals his/her effulgence in order to help others and clear their doubts. Fire also takes the shape of the object it burns. Like fire our atma takes the shape of the body it exists in. Fire absorbs what is good for it and leaves behind unwanted items as ash. Similarly, we should only see the good in people and ignore their defects. The moon seems to undergo change as it waxes and wanes. The moon only appears to change while the actual moon remains constant. Like the moon our atma is constant unchanging while only our body undergoes changes. A Bagawatha must remain with an unwavering mind and must not be affected by fame or dishonor. Sun provides different level of heat according to the seasons and at the right season collects water to bring rain showers. Like this a Bagawatha must provide instruction according to the needs of the person seeking knowledge. A pigeon is very affectionate in nature. It is blinded by affection and as soon as its family is caught by the hunter in a net, the pigeon willingly enters the net in order to stay close to them. It forsakes life out of affection. We should not give rise to such blind affection. If the pigeon hadn’t been overcome by affection it could have come up with a plot to save its family.’Continued On:
Avadhuta Sanyasi continued to instruct Yadu Maharaj. ‘Water is used to clean dirt. By its touch it purifies all the objects which come in contact with it. Like water a Bagawatha must purify everyone who come in contact with him/her. Like Agni, a Bagawatha must illuminate the lives of others by providing true knowledge. Fire can exist as a spark as well as large flames. Similarly a Bagawatha has an unassuming nature like a spark but reveals his/her effulgence in order to help others and clear their doubts. Fire also takes the shape of the object it burns. Like fire our atma takes the shape of the body it exists in. Fire absorbs what is good for it and leaves behind unwanted items as ash. Similarly, we should only see the good in people and ignore their defects. The moon seems to undergo change as it waxes and wanes. The moon only appears to change while the actual moon remains constant. Like the moon our atma is constant unchanging while only our body undergoes changes. A Bagawatha must remain with an unwavering mind and must not be affected by fame or dishonor. Sun provides different level of heat according to the seasons and at the right season collects water to bring rain showers. Like this a Bagawatha must provide instruction according to the needs of the person seeking knowledge. A pigeon is very affectionate in nature. It is blinded by affection and as soon as its family is caught by the hunter in a net, the pigeon willingly enters the net in order to stay close to them. It forsakes life out of affection. We should not give rise to such blind affection. If the pigeon hadn’t been overcome by affection it could have come up with a plot to save its family.’Continued On:
June 12, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 2
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-krishnas-instruction.html
Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 2
The Lord narrated to Udhavar, ‘Once, Yadu Maharaja observed an Avadutta sanyasi. He was amazed to see that the sanyasi led a care free life. He wished to know the secret for leading a carefree life. Therefore, he approached the sanyasi for instruction. After paying obeisance Yadu asked, ‘I see that you are extremely knowledgeable and yet you travel through this Earth with the attitude of a child. Your appearance is like that of a mad man or that of a ghost. You are not affected by the heat of samsara. Like an elephant standing in the midst of river Ganges which does not feel any heat while its companions on the shore suffer from heat, you are free from samsaric worries. Please share with me the knowledge to lead a care free life.’‘Dear King, I have obtained this sacred knowledge from my spiritual masters. I have learnt from 25 masters. I will narrate to you everything I have learnt from them.The earth is my first teacher. I learnt to be patient like her. She does not get angry even when we dig her and pollute her. She bears us with patience. She has the capacity to destroy us for the mistakes we commit and yet she does not do so. Like her, we should exhibit tolerance even when other people annoy us or torment us.Wind embraces objects which emit pleasant odour as well as foul odour. Wind itself is not affected by odour as it only carries the odour. Like wind our atma remains unaffected. It only enters different bodies incited by karma. A Bagawatha comes in contact with both good and bad but, he/she must not get entangled with it and remain unaffected like wind.Sky remains limitless and cannot be measured. It is spread everywhere. It cannot be divided. The sky contains all other objects like wind, the Sun and the Moon in it; similarly, Paramatman is like the sky and we are contained in Him. Like the sky a yogi’s mind should transcend beyond sensual pleasures and remain dedicated to the Lord. The sky supports all objects without expecting anything in return. Like this a person must serve other Bagawathas without expecting any benefit in return. The sky is also free from ego as it does not feel proud that it has all the objects. Similarly a person must be bereft of ego.’
Continued On:
Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 2
The Lord narrated to Udhavar, ‘Once, Yadu Maharaja observed an Avadutta sanyasi. He was amazed to see that the sanyasi led a care free life. He wished to know the secret for leading a carefree life. Therefore, he approached the sanyasi for instruction. After paying obeisance Yadu asked, ‘I see that you are extremely knowledgeable and yet you travel through this Earth with the attitude of a child. Your appearance is like that of a mad man or that of a ghost. You are not affected by the heat of samsara. Like an elephant standing in the midst of river Ganges which does not feel any heat while its companions on the shore suffer from heat, you are free from samsaric worries. Please share with me the knowledge to lead a care free life.’‘Dear King, I have obtained this sacred knowledge from my spiritual masters. I have learnt from 25 masters. I will narrate to you everything I have learnt from them.The earth is my first teacher. I learnt to be patient like her. She does not get angry even when we dig her and pollute her. She bears us with patience. She has the capacity to destroy us for the mistakes we commit and yet she does not do so. Like her, we should exhibit tolerance even when other people annoy us or torment us.Wind embraces objects which emit pleasant odour as well as foul odour. Wind itself is not affected by odour as it only carries the odour. Like wind our atma remains unaffected. It only enters different bodies incited by karma. A Bagawatha comes in contact with both good and bad but, he/she must not get entangled with it and remain unaffected like wind.Sky remains limitless and cannot be measured. It is spread everywhere. It cannot be divided. The sky contains all other objects like wind, the Sun and the Moon in it; similarly, Paramatman is like the sky and we are contained in Him. Like the sky a yogi’s mind should transcend beyond sensual pleasures and remain dedicated to the Lord. The sky supports all objects without expecting anything in return. Like this a person must serve other Bagawathas without expecting any benefit in return. The sky is also free from ego as it does not feel proud that it has all the objects. Similarly a person must be bereft of ego.’
Continued On:
June 9, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Krishna’s Instruction To Udhavar Part 1
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-bagawatha-dharmam_7.html
Lord Krishna provided many instructions to uplift us. Lord Krishna instructed Bagawath Geetha to Arjuna asking Arjuna to follow Karma Yoga and remain a warrior. Now, Lord Krishna instructed the same Bagawath Geetha to Udhavar asking him to take up sanyasa. Sanyasa can be split in to two words sam + nyasa. “Sam” means complete and “nyasa” means submission or surrender. Thus “sanyasa” refers to anyone who has complete faith in the Lord, has accepted the Lord as their owner and the only protector. Such a person who has surrendered to the Lord leads a carefree life bereft of any responsibility of taking care of oneself. Any prapanna (a person who has performed Saranagathi) at the Lord’s feet is a sanyasi. The word sanyasi thus, does not refer to just a monk wearing ochre coloured robe. A sanyasi (prapanna) could belong to any of the four varnashrama dharma. Earlier Arjuna had to fight in the war to protect his people hence, Lord Krishna concentrated on Karma Yoga while instructing Arjuna. Udhavar had no such necessity to fight in a war; hence, he is taught the art of renunciation and total surrender. As Lord Krishna was getting ready to leave for Sri Vaikuntham, Udhavar approached Him. Udhavar was surprised to see the Lord’s divine instruments, His chariot etc fly towards the sky.‘Krishna, what is happening here? Why are your instruments and chariot flying in the air? Are you going somewhere?’‘My dear Udhava! I am very happy to see you! I have to take leave of you now as the purpose of my incarnation has been completed.’Lord Krishna had wished for Udhavar to witness His departure from Earth. It was per the Lord’s sankalpam that Udhavar arrived at the exact moment.Udhavar understood the Lord’s sankalpam to leave Earth.‘Krishna, how can I live without you! Even when our ordinary friends and relatives leave this world we find that the pangs of separation are impossible to bear. How can we then take even one breath without seeing you? Please take me with you to your abode. I don’t know how to live without you. I wore dress previously worn by, consumed food which had been tasted by you. Thus, I am completely dependent on you without any personal desires of my own. Please take me to your abode,’ asked Udhavar performing Saranagathi at Perumal’s feet.‘Udhava, will you answer a question? Tell me,’ said the Lord, ‘who is very dear to me?’‘Lord Brahma as he took birth from the lotus which came out of your navel.’‘Lord Brahma is not very dear to me.’‘Lord Siva then.’‘He is not very dear to me either. If I see him we have a nice conversation but apart from that heis not very dear to me.’Udhavar wanted to say devotees like him but he wished to hear this from the lord. Thereforehe said, ‘Balaramar. You never go anywhere without Him.’‘There is someone more dear to me than even Balarama.’‘Rukmini Piratti?’‘No, not even Piratti.’‘I have seen you admire yourself in the mirror. You love yourself very much.’‘Definitely not!’‘Why don’t you tell me whom you love very much then?’ said Udhavar.To the delight of Udhavar the Lord replied what Udhavar desired to hear from the Lord’s lips.‘Devotees like yourself . As long as there is even one devotee who sheds tears of joy when he/she hears about me, I will continue to incarnate.I have fulfilled the purpose of my incarnation. The Celestials are waiting for me to return to my eternal abode now that I have answered their prayers. The moment I leave, Dwaraka will be submerged under the sea and the age of Kali will enter. People need guidance in the age of kali. Either I have to stay back or you have to remain instead of me. As I have to leave for Sri Vaikuntham, I need you to stay here and practice Bagawtha Dharmam so that other people are inspired by you. You will be able to survive the age of Kali only if you are detached from materialistic pursuits. Go to Badarikashramam and read Srimadh Bagawatham. Remember that I exist inside Srimadh Bagawatham. When your time comes, you will join me at Sri Vaikuntham. In order for you to practice detachment, I will teach you the following philosophy which was taught by an Avadutta Sanyasi to your ancestor Yadu Maharaja.’
Continued On:
Lord Krishna provided many instructions to uplift us. Lord Krishna instructed Bagawath Geetha to Arjuna asking Arjuna to follow Karma Yoga and remain a warrior. Now, Lord Krishna instructed the same Bagawath Geetha to Udhavar asking him to take up sanyasa. Sanyasa can be split in to two words sam + nyasa. “Sam” means complete and “nyasa” means submission or surrender. Thus “sanyasa” refers to anyone who has complete faith in the Lord, has accepted the Lord as their owner and the only protector. Such a person who has surrendered to the Lord leads a carefree life bereft of any responsibility of taking care of oneself. Any prapanna (a person who has performed Saranagathi) at the Lord’s feet is a sanyasi. The word sanyasi thus, does not refer to just a monk wearing ochre coloured robe. A sanyasi (prapanna) could belong to any of the four varnashrama dharma. Earlier Arjuna had to fight in the war to protect his people hence, Lord Krishna concentrated on Karma Yoga while instructing Arjuna. Udhavar had no such necessity to fight in a war; hence, he is taught the art of renunciation and total surrender. As Lord Krishna was getting ready to leave for Sri Vaikuntham, Udhavar approached Him. Udhavar was surprised to see the Lord’s divine instruments, His chariot etc fly towards the sky.‘Krishna, what is happening here? Why are your instruments and chariot flying in the air? Are you going somewhere?’‘My dear Udhava! I am very happy to see you! I have to take leave of you now as the purpose of my incarnation has been completed.’Lord Krishna had wished for Udhavar to witness His departure from Earth. It was per the Lord’s sankalpam that Udhavar arrived at the exact moment.Udhavar understood the Lord’s sankalpam to leave Earth.‘Krishna, how can I live without you! Even when our ordinary friends and relatives leave this world we find that the pangs of separation are impossible to bear. How can we then take even one breath without seeing you? Please take me with you to your abode. I don’t know how to live without you. I wore dress previously worn by, consumed food which had been tasted by you. Thus, I am completely dependent on you without any personal desires of my own. Please take me to your abode,’ asked Udhavar performing Saranagathi at Perumal’s feet.‘Udhava, will you answer a question? Tell me,’ said the Lord, ‘who is very dear to me?’‘Lord Brahma as he took birth from the lotus which came out of your navel.’‘Lord Brahma is not very dear to me.’‘Lord Siva then.’‘He is not very dear to me either. If I see him we have a nice conversation but apart from that heis not very dear to me.’Udhavar wanted to say devotees like him but he wished to hear this from the lord. Thereforehe said, ‘Balaramar. You never go anywhere without Him.’‘There is someone more dear to me than even Balarama.’‘Rukmini Piratti?’‘No, not even Piratti.’‘I have seen you admire yourself in the mirror. You love yourself very much.’‘Definitely not!’‘Why don’t you tell me whom you love very much then?’ said Udhavar.To the delight of Udhavar the Lord replied what Udhavar desired to hear from the Lord’s lips.‘Devotees like yourself . As long as there is even one devotee who sheds tears of joy when he/she hears about me, I will continue to incarnate.I have fulfilled the purpose of my incarnation. The Celestials are waiting for me to return to my eternal abode now that I have answered their prayers. The moment I leave, Dwaraka will be submerged under the sea and the age of Kali will enter. People need guidance in the age of kali. Either I have to stay back or you have to remain instead of me. As I have to leave for Sri Vaikuntham, I need you to stay here and practice Bagawtha Dharmam so that other people are inspired by you. You will be able to survive the age of Kali only if you are detached from materialistic pursuits. Go to Badarikashramam and read Srimadh Bagawatham. Remember that I exist inside Srimadh Bagawatham. When your time comes, you will join me at Sri Vaikuntham. In order for you to practice detachment, I will teach you the following philosophy which was taught by an Avadutta Sanyasi to your ancestor Yadu Maharaja.’
Continued On:
June 7, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Bagawatha Dharmam Part 3
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-bagawatha-dharmam_4.html
Drumilar mentioned about the auspicious qualities of Perumal which are countless in number to the King of Mithila. ‘A bagawathan enjoys hearing about Perumal’s qualities. Even though there are infinite auspicious qualities, hearing about even just one quality will purify a person as this is like taking a small dip in a corner of river Ganga which is to purify the person taking the holy dip.’
Chamacer said that , 'there are many people who desire to hear about Perumal’s qualities but are unable to listen due to responsibilties at family and work. Such people must be pitied and sadhus must travel to them in order to instruct them. '
‘Hari Nama Sankeerthanam is the Yuga Dharmam of Kali Yugam,’ concluded Karabajanar. ‘Great souls who lived during Krita Yugam crave to take birth in Kali Yugam to participate in Hari Nama sankeerthanam.’Summary:1. Appreciate those who speak about the Lord and His divine qualities. Listen to anyone who speaks about the Lord with respect.
2. Once we join a group of Bagawathas and are blessed with Sat-Sangam, we must do kaimkaryams to the Bagawathas. All our day to day worship including Thiruvaradhanam should be stopped in order to complete our kaimkaryams to the Bagawathas.
3. While teaching us Bagawad Vishayam, even if our Acharyan admonishes us, we must accept it with joy.
4. We should treat even our co-students who learn Bagawad Vishayam along with us with respect.
5. We should Accept every word of a Bagawatha even if they criticizes us.
6. Our existence is true only if we are part of a Bagawath Sat Sangam.
7. We should perform the same practices followed by a Bagawatha and should not invent something new.
8. We should feel bad even if one person is unable to join the sat sangam.
9. We should feel bad that a person who is unable to attend the Sat Sangam missed the opportunity to hear about Bagawad Vishayam.
10. We should speak only about the Lord and His qualities in a sat sangam, we should not gossip with members of the sat sangam.
11. We should accept responsibility for blame like Bharathazhwan even if we are not the person responsible for the error.
Continued On:
Drumilar mentioned about the auspicious qualities of Perumal which are countless in number to the King of Mithila. ‘A bagawathan enjoys hearing about Perumal’s qualities. Even though there are infinite auspicious qualities, hearing about even just one quality will purify a person as this is like taking a small dip in a corner of river Ganga which is to purify the person taking the holy dip.’
Chamacer said that , 'there are many people who desire to hear about Perumal’s qualities but are unable to listen due to responsibilties at family and work. Such people must be pitied and sadhus must travel to them in order to instruct them. '
‘Hari Nama Sankeerthanam is the Yuga Dharmam of Kali Yugam,’ concluded Karabajanar. ‘Great souls who lived during Krita Yugam crave to take birth in Kali Yugam to participate in Hari Nama sankeerthanam.’Summary:1. Appreciate those who speak about the Lord and His divine qualities. Listen to anyone who speaks about the Lord with respect.
2. Once we join a group of Bagawathas and are blessed with Sat-Sangam, we must do kaimkaryams to the Bagawathas. All our day to day worship including Thiruvaradhanam should be stopped in order to complete our kaimkaryams to the Bagawathas.
3. While teaching us Bagawad Vishayam, even if our Acharyan admonishes us, we must accept it with joy.
4. We should treat even our co-students who learn Bagawad Vishayam along with us with respect.
5. We should Accept every word of a Bagawatha even if they criticizes us.
6. Our existence is true only if we are part of a Bagawath Sat Sangam.
7. We should perform the same practices followed by a Bagawatha and should not invent something new.
8. We should feel bad even if one person is unable to join the sat sangam.
9. We should feel bad that a person who is unable to attend the Sat Sangam missed the opportunity to hear about Bagawad Vishayam.
10. We should speak only about the Lord and His qualities in a sat sangam, we should not gossip with members of the sat sangam.
11. We should accept responsibility for blame like Bharathazhwan even if we are not the person responsible for the error.
Continued On:
June 4, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Bagawatha Dharmam Part 2
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-bagawatha-dharmam.html
Prabhudar said to the King of Mithila, ‘to escape maya, approach a good Acharyan
which is called samashrayanam and seek to learn Bagawatha Dharmam from the
Acharyan.’
Piplanayar said, ‘all atmas go through the states of wakefulness, sleep and dream.
The fourth state of thuriyam can be attained by mediatating upon the Lord’s form.
Without meditation, it is impossible to break free from the other three states.’
Avirhothrar instructed about karma, akarma and vikarma.
‘The Shastras prescribe certain actions for us to do which are generally called as
“karmas”; but, the same Shastras asks us to refrain from doing certain actions i.e
they ask us to follow “akarma”. For example, if we see a snake attack a frog, we are
not allowed to kill the snake in order to help the frog. Here, even when we hear the
frog’s cry for help, we have to ignore its cries. We have to follow “akarma” during
this situation as otherwise we will save the frog but injure the snake. The natural
food of snakes is frogs and we are not allowed to interfere with nature.
Vikarma is a type of action which we must not do even in our dreams. For example,
lying is a vikarma which must be avoided. The rules of karma, akarma and vikarma
are very subtle. At times, karma could end up as akarma. The Sandhyavandhanam
rite has to be performed three times a day, prior to Sun rise, at noon and before
Sun set. If there is a festival in the temple in which the person is volunteering with
such devotion that he does not even take a short break to attend nature’s call,
then that work takes precedence and the shastras teach us that at times like this
a person need not perform sandhyavandhanam.
The person is excused from performing mandatory rites like sandhyavandhanam,
only if the person had not taken any breaks from his kaimkaryam. If the person
had taken even a short 2 min break or if the person had chatted with other people
while performing kaimkaryam, he has to take a break to perform
sandhyavandhanam. This is because, since he made time to chat with friends and
family or time to refresh himself, he must also make time to perform
sandhyavandhanam. Not performing an action is “akarma”. Here “akarma” is the
actual “karma” prescribed.
Akarma could also turn in to vikarma at times. A person who does not interact with
anyone follows akarma in their life. The person doesn’t wish to influence fate and
leaves everything to fate. If such a person sees a child about to fall into a well and
does not do anything to save the child, then the person will end up doing vikarma.
As seen earlier, vikarmas are those actions which should never be done even in
one’s dreams. Here not saving a child in danger is vikarma. This situation is
different from the snake and frog situation. The snake and the frog follow the
laws of nature where the frog is the natural food for the snake. This is not the
case in the example of the child in danger.’
Continued On:
Prabhudar said to the King of Mithila, ‘to escape maya, approach a good Acharyan
which is called samashrayanam and seek to learn Bagawatha Dharmam from the
Acharyan.’
Piplanayar said, ‘all atmas go through the states of wakefulness, sleep and dream.
The fourth state of thuriyam can be attained by mediatating upon the Lord’s form.
Without meditation, it is impossible to break free from the other three states.’
Avirhothrar instructed about karma, akarma and vikarma.
‘The Shastras prescribe certain actions for us to do which are generally called as
“karmas”; but, the same Shastras asks us to refrain from doing certain actions i.e
they ask us to follow “akarma”. For example, if we see a snake attack a frog, we are
not allowed to kill the snake in order to help the frog. Here, even when we hear the
frog’s cry for help, we have to ignore its cries. We have to follow “akarma” during
this situation as otherwise we will save the frog but injure the snake. The natural
food of snakes is frogs and we are not allowed to interfere with nature.
Vikarma is a type of action which we must not do even in our dreams. For example,
lying is a vikarma which must be avoided. The rules of karma, akarma and vikarma
are very subtle. At times, karma could end up as akarma. The Sandhyavandhanam
rite has to be performed three times a day, prior to Sun rise, at noon and before
Sun set. If there is a festival in the temple in which the person is volunteering with
such devotion that he does not even take a short break to attend nature’s call,
then that work takes precedence and the shastras teach us that at times like this
a person need not perform sandhyavandhanam.
The person is excused from performing mandatory rites like sandhyavandhanam,
only if the person had not taken any breaks from his kaimkaryam. If the person
had taken even a short 2 min break or if the person had chatted with other people
while performing kaimkaryam, he has to take a break to perform
sandhyavandhanam. This is because, since he made time to chat with friends and
family or time to refresh himself, he must also make time to perform
sandhyavandhanam. Not performing an action is “akarma”. Here “akarma” is the
actual “karma” prescribed.
Akarma could also turn in to vikarma at times. A person who does not interact with
anyone follows akarma in their life. The person doesn’t wish to influence fate and
leaves everything to fate. If such a person sees a child about to fall into a well and
does not do anything to save the child, then the person will end up doing vikarma.
As seen earlier, vikarmas are those actions which should never be done even in
one’s dreams. Here not saving a child in danger is vikarma. This situation is
different from the snake and frog situation. The snake and the frog follow the
laws of nature where the frog is the natural food for the snake. This is not the
case in the example of the child in danger.’
Continued On:
June 3, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Bagawatha Dharmam Part 1
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/06/srimadh-bagawatham-arjuna-and-brahmin.html
Sage Naradar never left Dwaraka City. The Sage had been once cursed by Daksha
Prajapathi that he must not remain at one place. Despite receiving this curse, the
sage stayed at Dwaraka unaffected by the curse. This is because, the Sage
accepted Dakshan’s curse so that he could travel to many places to spread nama
sankeerthanam.At Dwaraka, Sage Naradar wished to worship Lord Krishna and
spend time amongst the denizens of Dwaraka in sat Sangam. As the Sage’s
intentions were satvik in nature, Perumal made sure that he wasn’t affected by the
curse but, Perumal allowed the Yadus to suffer the consequence of their curse per
His divine sankalpam to complete His incarnation on Earth.
One day, Sage Naradar visited King Vasudevar. Vasudevar and Devaki welcomed
Sage Naradar with due respect.
‘It is very difficult and rare to get a chance to meet with a sadhu like yourself,’
said Vasudevar. ‘It is even easier to see the Devas but almost impossible to see a
divine Sage. The Devas are selfish and bless people only if they worship the Devas
but Sadhus on the other hand confer benefits upon the people even if the people
do not worship the sadhus. Sadhus are true Bagawathas. They are satvik in nature
since they worship the Satvik Lord Vishnu. I wish to know more about Bagawatha
Dharmam. Could you please instruct me on this dharmam?’
Sage Naradar felt very happy. Other Dharmams have to be practised mandatorily
as soon as a person receives instructions as otherwise the person will incur sins.
Bagawatha Dharmam is different because, even if a person fails to practice it
after receiving instruction the person is still uplifted.
‘I am very happy that you asked me this question as now I am reminded about Lord
Narayana,’ said Naradar. He said so because, all this while he had been immersed in
thinking about Lord Krishna who is an incarnation of Lord Narayanan. ‘I will instruct
you on Bagawatha Dharmam per the instructions provided to King of Mithila by nine
yogis. There were nine yogis who were the sons of Rishabadevar. Rishabadevar was
an incarnation of the Lord. The King of Mithila was performing an yagam to which
the nine yogis went. The king was overjoyed to see the nine yogis. After welcoming
them with respect, he requested them to instruct him about Bagawatha Dharmam.
The king said, ‘There are many millions of species. There are also many
classifications of intelligent beings like Devas, Asuras and Humans, making it very
rare to take birth as a human being. Even the Devas do not practice Bakthi Yoga
but only human beings worship the Lord regularly. Of all the human beings, only a
small percentage desire freedom from samsara. Many people also suffer because
of some handicap which prevents them from doing kaimkaryam to the Lord. There
are also many who even after taking a good birth do not live a long life to complete
Bakthi Yoga. There are very few sadus who love Perumal and even few who are
loved in return by Perumal such that He comes down to spend time with them.
Please instruct me about the Bagawatha Dharmam which makes these sadhus
special only if you consider me to be qualified to receive the instruction. If I am
not qualified, please make me qualified to receive the instruction.’
Kavi Yogi said, ‘People who worship Lord Vishnu lead a fearless life. They are no
longer afraid of dangers from animals, insects, or humans as they see the
Antaryami, the inner controller in all the different beings. These people do karmas
as kaimkaryam to the Lord. They offer the fruit of their karmas to the Lord as
well. Thus they are free from false ego and possessive attitude.
Once a Yogi saw a man hitting a cow because it had entered his garden.
‘Why do you hit the poor cow?’ asked the yogi.
‘I am only doing what the antaryami directs me to do,’ replied the evil minded man.
A while later the yogi noticed that the man showed his prized garden to his friend
with pride.
‘Wow! Your garden is beautiful. You are blessed to have good help,’ said the friend.
‘I have no help. I do everything around here!’
The yogi happened to hear the man. The yogi said,
‘ why do you take credit now? Why didn’t you say the antaryami directed you to
work?’
The man was unable to reply.
A true Bagawatha will assign the merit for performing good deeds to the Lord
while, they will take responsibility for any blame.’
Next hari Yogi instructed the king on Bagawatha lakshanam followed by
Antarikshar on maya.
Continued On:
Sage Naradar never left Dwaraka City. The Sage had been once cursed by Daksha
Prajapathi that he must not remain at one place. Despite receiving this curse, the
sage stayed at Dwaraka unaffected by the curse. This is because, the Sage
accepted Dakshan’s curse so that he could travel to many places to spread nama
sankeerthanam.At Dwaraka, Sage Naradar wished to worship Lord Krishna and
spend time amongst the denizens of Dwaraka in sat Sangam. As the Sage’s
intentions were satvik in nature, Perumal made sure that he wasn’t affected by the
curse but, Perumal allowed the Yadus to suffer the consequence of their curse per
His divine sankalpam to complete His incarnation on Earth.
One day, Sage Naradar visited King Vasudevar. Vasudevar and Devaki welcomed
Sage Naradar with due respect.
‘It is very difficult and rare to get a chance to meet with a sadhu like yourself,’
said Vasudevar. ‘It is even easier to see the Devas but almost impossible to see a
divine Sage. The Devas are selfish and bless people only if they worship the Devas
but Sadhus on the other hand confer benefits upon the people even if the people
do not worship the sadhus. Sadhus are true Bagawathas. They are satvik in nature
since they worship the Satvik Lord Vishnu. I wish to know more about Bagawatha
Dharmam. Could you please instruct me on this dharmam?’
Sage Naradar felt very happy. Other Dharmams have to be practised mandatorily
as soon as a person receives instructions as otherwise the person will incur sins.
Bagawatha Dharmam is different because, even if a person fails to practice it
after receiving instruction the person is still uplifted.
‘I am very happy that you asked me this question as now I am reminded about Lord
Narayana,’ said Naradar. He said so because, all this while he had been immersed in
thinking about Lord Krishna who is an incarnation of Lord Narayanan. ‘I will instruct
you on Bagawatha Dharmam per the instructions provided to King of Mithila by nine
yogis. There were nine yogis who were the sons of Rishabadevar. Rishabadevar was
an incarnation of the Lord. The King of Mithila was performing an yagam to which
the nine yogis went. The king was overjoyed to see the nine yogis. After welcoming
them with respect, he requested them to instruct him about Bagawatha Dharmam.
The king said, ‘There are many millions of species. There are also many
classifications of intelligent beings like Devas, Asuras and Humans, making it very
rare to take birth as a human being. Even the Devas do not practice Bakthi Yoga
but only human beings worship the Lord regularly. Of all the human beings, only a
small percentage desire freedom from samsara. Many people also suffer because
of some handicap which prevents them from doing kaimkaryam to the Lord. There
are also many who even after taking a good birth do not live a long life to complete
Bakthi Yoga. There are very few sadus who love Perumal and even few who are
loved in return by Perumal such that He comes down to spend time with them.
Please instruct me about the Bagawatha Dharmam which makes these sadhus
special only if you consider me to be qualified to receive the instruction. If I am
not qualified, please make me qualified to receive the instruction.’
Kavi Yogi said, ‘People who worship Lord Vishnu lead a fearless life. They are no
longer afraid of dangers from animals, insects, or humans as they see the
Antaryami, the inner controller in all the different beings. These people do karmas
as kaimkaryam to the Lord. They offer the fruit of their karmas to the Lord as
well. Thus they are free from false ego and possessive attitude.
Once a Yogi saw a man hitting a cow because it had entered his garden.
‘Why do you hit the poor cow?’ asked the yogi.
‘I am only doing what the antaryami directs me to do,’ replied the evil minded man.
A while later the yogi noticed that the man showed his prized garden to his friend
with pride.
‘Wow! Your garden is beautiful. You are blessed to have good help,’ said the friend.
‘I have no help. I do everything around here!’
The yogi happened to hear the man. The yogi said,
‘ why do you take credit now? Why didn’t you say the antaryami directed you to
work?’
The man was unable to reply.
A true Bagawatha will assign the merit for performing good deeds to the Lord
while, they will take responsibility for any blame.’
Next hari Yogi instructed the king on Bagawatha lakshanam followed by
Antarikshar on maya.
Continued On:
June 1, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - Arjuna and The Brahmin
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/05/srimadh-bagawatham-king-and-brahmin.html
Once at Dwaraka, Arjuna visited Lord Krishna. It was customary for Arjuna to stay in a room closer to the front yard of Krishna’s mansion. One day, a few hours before dawn, a Brahmin stood outside in the front yard and started to yell at Krishna.‘We don’t have a proper ruler! We are ruled by the enemy of Brahmins and as a result my children die as soon as they are born! He has failed as a ruler and some mistake He has made has caused mu children to die. Ask Him to come outside to answer me! Let Him bring my children back to me!’Arjuna went outside to see who was making such accusations. He was surprised to see a learned Brahmin who was steadfast in practicing the Vedas standing outside.‘Who are you? Why are you crying?’ asked Arjuna.‘I am a Brahmin. I have lost eight sons as soon as they were born. Untimely death in a kingdom results when the king doesn’t govern properly,’‘There is no king here,’ said Arjuna, ‘only a cowherd which is why He doesn’t answer you but don’t worry because I am here!’‘And who are you?’‘I am the great warrior Arjuna who wields the bow Gandiva. I wrestled with lord Siva and obtained the Pashupathastram. I have capacity to travel to all the different worlds. Is your wife about to deliver a child? ‘‘Yes in another weeks time.’‘Call me when the time comes. I will personally come and guard your home. No being can enter without my knowledge. I promise you that I will save this child of yours; if I fail, I will enter into the fire and offer my life as sacrifice.’At the right time the Brahmin informed Arjuna. Arjuna covered every inch of the Brahmin’s home with a special arrow. He stood outside the delivery room with bow in hand. Soon Arjuna heard the cries of a new-born baby. The next instant the Brahmin rushed outside and cried, ‘the child has vanished!’Arjuna ran here and there looking for signs of the intruder. He then turned to the Brahmin and said, ‘I can travel to every world there is. I will return with your child!’Arjuna traveled to all the lokams including Yama lokam. Failing to find the child, he returned to Dwaraka. As he had failed, he decided to fulfill the promise made to the Brahmin. He lighted a fire in Krishna’s front yard and decided to enter it. Before entering the fire, he thought fondly about Lord Krishna and started to cry. He wondered if he would ever get another birth as Krishna’s friend. At that instant, Krishna came outside.‘Arjuna what are you doing lighting a fire? It is summer, are you feeling cold even in this heat wave?’‘Krishna,’ said Arjuna, ‘I have failed to keep up my promise and must enter the fire!’‘What promise?’‘I promised a Brahmin…’‘The man who always laments in my yard whenever his infants die?’‘Oh! Do you know about him?’‘He heard that I retrieved my guru’s son and the six sons of mother Devaki. He wishes me to bring his children back to life as well.’‘Why didn’t you help?’‘I am not a king. I am a cowherd…’‘Did you hear me say so? I am sorry I didn’t mean it in a bad way.’‘My dear Arjuna, I wish everyone would call me as a cowherd. My favourite name is “Gopalan”. I didn’t help because if I started to bring back people to life, as soon as someone dies, people will bring the dead body here asking me to resurrect them. Everything happens per a person’s karma. I don’t like to interfere with their karma. But, come with me I know where the children are.’‘Why are you interfering now?’‘Because you are my devotee and I don’t wish for you to enter the fire. I interfere to release my devotees from the jaws of karma.’Arjuna got inside Krishna’s chariot. As they started down the road, the Brahmin saw them riding together. Thinking that they must be traveling to bring his child back, the Brahmin walked towards the chariot. Krishna asked the Brahmin to ride with them.The Brahmin sat next to Krishna with pride and looked to see if any of his friends were watching him travel with the Lord.The chariot started its aerial ascent. Soon they traveled beyond Brahma’s Satya Lokam and reached the boundaries of the Universe called the Loka-Loka Mountains. As they crossed the boundary, they were engulfed by darkness. Lord Krishna released His Sudarsana Chakra which illuminated the path ahead. To the wonder of Arjuna, they arrived at the banks of River Viraja, crossed it and entered Sri Vaikuntham!Lord Krishna entered the hall followed by Arjuna and the Brahmin. Even after arriving at Sri Vaikuntham, the Brahmin did not realize the futility of material life but kept searching for his children amongst the denizens of Sri Vaikuntham. As they entered the great hall of Paramapadam, they saw Lord Narayana seated on Adisesha with Peria Piratti on one side and Bhumi & Neela Devis on the other side. The Brahmin’s children were playing on the lap of Pirattis!Paramapada Nathan stepped down from His throne and embraced Lord Krishna. Arjuna stood dumb struck at this amazing sight.‘We have come to take the Brahmin’s children back to Dwaraka. Why did you bring them here?’‘Ever since I descended as you to Earth, Pirattis do not stay here. They keep leaving to the banks of Yamuna to witness Rasa Lila! They find this form with the peacock feather crown most attractive. In order to please them, I personally took away these children so as to make you come up for a visit!’The Lord returned with the Brahmin’s children. The Brahmin happily counted his children to make sure they were all there. He missed all the sights of Sri Vaikuntham which is impossible to be seen by mortal eyes. Lord Krishna brought everyone back to Dwaraka and returned the children to the Brahmin in front of everyone.Many of us often wonder why the Lord doesn’t forcefully take us to Moksham. The above narrative I feel shows us that unless the jeevatma wishes for Moksham after spending its karma i.e. the jeevatma is freed from its karma vasanais, even if it goes to Moksham, it will not be able to stay there. The Lord makes us spend our karmas through one of the four paths, Bakthi, Gnana, Karma or Saranagathi margams and then takes us to Moksham once we have been freed of our accumulated karmas.
Continued On:
Once at Dwaraka, Arjuna visited Lord Krishna. It was customary for Arjuna to stay in a room closer to the front yard of Krishna’s mansion. One day, a few hours before dawn, a Brahmin stood outside in the front yard and started to yell at Krishna.‘We don’t have a proper ruler! We are ruled by the enemy of Brahmins and as a result my children die as soon as they are born! He has failed as a ruler and some mistake He has made has caused mu children to die. Ask Him to come outside to answer me! Let Him bring my children back to me!’Arjuna went outside to see who was making such accusations. He was surprised to see a learned Brahmin who was steadfast in practicing the Vedas standing outside.‘Who are you? Why are you crying?’ asked Arjuna.‘I am a Brahmin. I have lost eight sons as soon as they were born. Untimely death in a kingdom results when the king doesn’t govern properly,’‘There is no king here,’ said Arjuna, ‘only a cowherd which is why He doesn’t answer you but don’t worry because I am here!’‘And who are you?’‘I am the great warrior Arjuna who wields the bow Gandiva. I wrestled with lord Siva and obtained the Pashupathastram. I have capacity to travel to all the different worlds. Is your wife about to deliver a child? ‘‘Yes in another weeks time.’‘Call me when the time comes. I will personally come and guard your home. No being can enter without my knowledge. I promise you that I will save this child of yours; if I fail, I will enter into the fire and offer my life as sacrifice.’At the right time the Brahmin informed Arjuna. Arjuna covered every inch of the Brahmin’s home with a special arrow. He stood outside the delivery room with bow in hand. Soon Arjuna heard the cries of a new-born baby. The next instant the Brahmin rushed outside and cried, ‘the child has vanished!’Arjuna ran here and there looking for signs of the intruder. He then turned to the Brahmin and said, ‘I can travel to every world there is. I will return with your child!’Arjuna traveled to all the lokams including Yama lokam. Failing to find the child, he returned to Dwaraka. As he had failed, he decided to fulfill the promise made to the Brahmin. He lighted a fire in Krishna’s front yard and decided to enter it. Before entering the fire, he thought fondly about Lord Krishna and started to cry. He wondered if he would ever get another birth as Krishna’s friend. At that instant, Krishna came outside.‘Arjuna what are you doing lighting a fire? It is summer, are you feeling cold even in this heat wave?’‘Krishna,’ said Arjuna, ‘I have failed to keep up my promise and must enter the fire!’‘What promise?’‘I promised a Brahmin…’‘The man who always laments in my yard whenever his infants die?’‘Oh! Do you know about him?’‘He heard that I retrieved my guru’s son and the six sons of mother Devaki. He wishes me to bring his children back to life as well.’‘Why didn’t you help?’‘I am not a king. I am a cowherd…’‘Did you hear me say so? I am sorry I didn’t mean it in a bad way.’‘My dear Arjuna, I wish everyone would call me as a cowherd. My favourite name is “Gopalan”. I didn’t help because if I started to bring back people to life, as soon as someone dies, people will bring the dead body here asking me to resurrect them. Everything happens per a person’s karma. I don’t like to interfere with their karma. But, come with me I know where the children are.’‘Why are you interfering now?’‘Because you are my devotee and I don’t wish for you to enter the fire. I interfere to release my devotees from the jaws of karma.’Arjuna got inside Krishna’s chariot. As they started down the road, the Brahmin saw them riding together. Thinking that they must be traveling to bring his child back, the Brahmin walked towards the chariot. Krishna asked the Brahmin to ride with them.The Brahmin sat next to Krishna with pride and looked to see if any of his friends were watching him travel with the Lord.The chariot started its aerial ascent. Soon they traveled beyond Brahma’s Satya Lokam and reached the boundaries of the Universe called the Loka-Loka Mountains. As they crossed the boundary, they were engulfed by darkness. Lord Krishna released His Sudarsana Chakra which illuminated the path ahead. To the wonder of Arjuna, they arrived at the banks of River Viraja, crossed it and entered Sri Vaikuntham!Lord Krishna entered the hall followed by Arjuna and the Brahmin. Even after arriving at Sri Vaikuntham, the Brahmin did not realize the futility of material life but kept searching for his children amongst the denizens of Sri Vaikuntham. As they entered the great hall of Paramapadam, they saw Lord Narayana seated on Adisesha with Peria Piratti on one side and Bhumi & Neela Devis on the other side. The Brahmin’s children were playing on the lap of Pirattis!Paramapada Nathan stepped down from His throne and embraced Lord Krishna. Arjuna stood dumb struck at this amazing sight.‘We have come to take the Brahmin’s children back to Dwaraka. Why did you bring them here?’‘Ever since I descended as you to Earth, Pirattis do not stay here. They keep leaving to the banks of Yamuna to witness Rasa Lila! They find this form with the peacock feather crown most attractive. In order to please them, I personally took away these children so as to make you come up for a visit!’The Lord returned with the Brahmin’s children. The Brahmin happily counted his children to make sure they were all there. He missed all the sights of Sri Vaikuntham which is impossible to be seen by mortal eyes. Lord Krishna brought everyone back to Dwaraka and returned the children to the Brahmin in front of everyone.Many of us often wonder why the Lord doesn’t forcefully take us to Moksham. The above narrative I feel shows us that unless the jeevatma wishes for Moksham after spending its karma i.e. the jeevatma is freed from its karma vasanais, even if it goes to Moksham, it will not be able to stay there. The Lord makes us spend our karmas through one of the four paths, Bakthi, Gnana, Karma or Saranagathi margams and then takes us to Moksham once we have been freed of our accumulated karmas.
Continued On:
May 29, 2014
Srimadh Bagawatham - The King and The Brahmin
Continued From: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2014/05/srimadh-bagawatham-eight-queens-of-lord.html#gpluscomments
Lord Krishna was invited by the King of Mithila called as Bahulāśva. The King was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. Despite being a monarch the king was humble and treated everyone equally as he saw the Lord residing in the hearts of all.At Mithila there also lived a Brahmin who was learned. He lived by seeking alms. He never accumulated any wealth and followed all the Vedic procedures properly. He was also a great devotee of the Lord. One day the Brahman heard announcements about the Lord’s visit to Mithila. He wished to invite the Lord to his Yagna Sala.The Lord left Dwaraka on His chariot driven by Daruka. He was accompanied by the following sages. Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Sukar, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.The streets of Mithila thronged with crowd. The streets were washed and women drew beautiful rangoli on the streets. On either side many banana trees were tied as a symbol of auspiciousness. People gathered on either side of the streets waiting eagerly for the Lord. Soldiers tried to maintain peace and quiet by patrolling the streets. Many merchants made use of the opportunity and set up stalls to sell their goods. For even during the time of Krishna avataram there were many people who concentrated not on the Lord but, on accumulating material wealth.The Brahmin Śrutadeva managed to edge closer to the front line along the street. He waited anxiously for the Lord. ‘Would I get a chance to speak with the Lord? What would He say? Will He accept my invitation?’ He thought as he eagerly waited for the Lord's arrival.The King was also ready with offerings of argya for the Lord. The sun had just set and in the evening twilight hour the men and women waited straining their necks to see if the Lord had arrived.To the joy of everyone they heard the drum beat announcing the Lord’s arrival and yonder they saw men on horses with torches lighting the way. Behind them on the beautiful golden chariot driven by Daruka the Lord was seated. In that hour of the day, He looked so radiant that the people thought that the Sun had risen again! Behind the chariot walked the company of sages chanting verses from the Vedas.The king walked forward with joy to receive the Lord. The king stopped near the place where Śrutadeva was waiting. They both thought that the Lord had come to bless them out of compassion.As the Lord stepped down from the chariot to accept the king’s reception, grabbing hold of the opportunity, Śrutadevasaid in a very feeble and trembling voice, ‘My Lord, would you bless me by visiting my Yagna Sala?’Śrutadeva hoped that the Lord would ask him to make an appointment with the Lord’s assistant for the visit.The Lord heard the invitation of both the king and the poor Brahmin. Both were His dear devotees. If He accepted only the king’s invitation the Brahmin would think that the Lord would only bless the wealthy. If He accepted the Brahmin’s invitation the king would feel that the Lord only favours Brahmins.The sages following the Lord heard both the invitations. To their wonder, He accepted both invitations and taking up two forms went with both the king and the Brahmin. The Brahmin did not see the Lord leave with the king and the king did not see Him leave with the Brahmin!Turning towards the Brahmin the Lord said, ‘come, take me to your Yagna Sala now.’Overcome by joy, Srutadeva rushed ahead to make arrangements for the Lord’s visit. He never expected the Lord to visit him on that very day. He ran to his home to ask his wife to wash the floors, draw rangoli, make arrangements to offer fruits and flower to the Lord. The Lord followed Śrutadevawith the other sages.In the meantime, the Lord reached the palace of Bahulāśva. The king welcomed the Lord and offered the best of everything to the Lord. The king personally washed the Lord’s feet and sprinkled the water from the Lord’s feet on his head with devotion.The king offered excellent sandal wood paste, water steeped with fragrant herbs, tulasi leaves and saffron. He offered a garland made of the most exotic flowers and a meal cooked with love and devotion especially for the Lord. Every single arrangement had been personally made by the king paying attention to detail with love and at most care. After dinner, the king placed the Lord’s feet on his lap and massaged the Lord’s feet.The king asked Lord Krishna to instruct him on karma Yoga and the proper way by which to govern his kingdom.The Lord arrived at Śrutadeva’s home. Śrutadeva danced in joy not knowing what to do next. He ran inside to call his wife and then ran back outside to welcome the Lord. As the Lord stood inside his humble abode which lacked furniture, the Brahmin ran here and there looking for some kind of seat to offer to his guests. Not finding anything, he brought forth the kusa grass and scattered it on the floor. He then washed the Lord’s feet along with his wife and sprinkled the water from the Lord’s feet on his head.‘This is a rare treat! We are overjoyed to receive you here,’ said the Brahmin with tears in his eyes.‘It is very easy to have me visit your home but you are truly blessed today because all these sages have also come to your home. A person can even see me but, it is very difficult to have darshan of these sages and that too together at one place. Hence, worship all the sages with the same devotion you have shown me and seek their blessing,’ instructed Lord Krishna.Śrutadeva worshiped the sages with love and devotion. After attending to everyone, he requested the Lord to instruct him on the way to attain Mukthi. Thus, Lord Krishna taught Śrutadeva one of the Brahma Vidhya required to reach the Lord.To Be Continued
Lord Krishna was invited by the King of Mithila called as Bahulāśva. The King was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. Despite being a monarch the king was humble and treated everyone equally as he saw the Lord residing in the hearts of all.At Mithila there also lived a Brahmin who was learned. He lived by seeking alms. He never accumulated any wealth and followed all the Vedic procedures properly. He was also a great devotee of the Lord. One day the Brahman heard announcements about the Lord’s visit to Mithila. He wished to invite the Lord to his Yagna Sala.The Lord left Dwaraka on His chariot driven by Daruka. He was accompanied by the following sages. Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Sukar, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.The streets of Mithila thronged with crowd. The streets were washed and women drew beautiful rangoli on the streets. On either side many banana trees were tied as a symbol of auspiciousness. People gathered on either side of the streets waiting eagerly for the Lord. Soldiers tried to maintain peace and quiet by patrolling the streets. Many merchants made use of the opportunity and set up stalls to sell their goods. For even during the time of Krishna avataram there were many people who concentrated not on the Lord but, on accumulating material wealth.The Brahmin Śrutadeva managed to edge closer to the front line along the street. He waited anxiously for the Lord. ‘Would I get a chance to speak with the Lord? What would He say? Will He accept my invitation?’ He thought as he eagerly waited for the Lord's arrival.The King was also ready with offerings of argya for the Lord. The sun had just set and in the evening twilight hour the men and women waited straining their necks to see if the Lord had arrived.To the joy of everyone they heard the drum beat announcing the Lord’s arrival and yonder they saw men on horses with torches lighting the way. Behind them on the beautiful golden chariot driven by Daruka the Lord was seated. In that hour of the day, He looked so radiant that the people thought that the Sun had risen again! Behind the chariot walked the company of sages chanting verses from the Vedas.The king walked forward with joy to receive the Lord. The king stopped near the place where Śrutadeva was waiting. They both thought that the Lord had come to bless them out of compassion.As the Lord stepped down from the chariot to accept the king’s reception, grabbing hold of the opportunity, Śrutadevasaid in a very feeble and trembling voice, ‘My Lord, would you bless me by visiting my Yagna Sala?’Śrutadeva hoped that the Lord would ask him to make an appointment with the Lord’s assistant for the visit.The Lord heard the invitation of both the king and the poor Brahmin. Both were His dear devotees. If He accepted only the king’s invitation the Brahmin would think that the Lord would only bless the wealthy. If He accepted the Brahmin’s invitation the king would feel that the Lord only favours Brahmins.The sages following the Lord heard both the invitations. To their wonder, He accepted both invitations and taking up two forms went with both the king and the Brahmin. The Brahmin did not see the Lord leave with the king and the king did not see Him leave with the Brahmin!Turning towards the Brahmin the Lord said, ‘come, take me to your Yagna Sala now.’Overcome by joy, Srutadeva rushed ahead to make arrangements for the Lord’s visit. He never expected the Lord to visit him on that very day. He ran to his home to ask his wife to wash the floors, draw rangoli, make arrangements to offer fruits and flower to the Lord. The Lord followed Śrutadevawith the other sages.In the meantime, the Lord reached the palace of Bahulāśva. The king welcomed the Lord and offered the best of everything to the Lord. The king personally washed the Lord’s feet and sprinkled the water from the Lord’s feet on his head with devotion.The king offered excellent sandal wood paste, water steeped with fragrant herbs, tulasi leaves and saffron. He offered a garland made of the most exotic flowers and a meal cooked with love and devotion especially for the Lord. Every single arrangement had been personally made by the king paying attention to detail with love and at most care. After dinner, the king placed the Lord’s feet on his lap and massaged the Lord’s feet.The king asked Lord Krishna to instruct him on karma Yoga and the proper way by which to govern his kingdom.The Lord arrived at Śrutadeva’s home. Śrutadeva danced in joy not knowing what to do next. He ran inside to call his wife and then ran back outside to welcome the Lord. As the Lord stood inside his humble abode which lacked furniture, the Brahmin ran here and there looking for some kind of seat to offer to his guests. Not finding anything, he brought forth the kusa grass and scattered it on the floor. He then washed the Lord’s feet along with his wife and sprinkled the water from the Lord’s feet on his head.‘This is a rare treat! We are overjoyed to receive you here,’ said the Brahmin with tears in his eyes.‘It is very easy to have me visit your home but you are truly blessed today because all these sages have also come to your home. A person can even see me but, it is very difficult to have darshan of these sages and that too together at one place. Hence, worship all the sages with the same devotion you have shown me and seek their blessing,’ instructed Lord Krishna.Śrutadeva worshiped the sages with love and devotion. After attending to everyone, he requested the Lord to instruct him on the way to attain Mukthi. Thus, Lord Krishna taught Śrutadeva one of the Brahma Vidhya required to reach the Lord.To Be Continued
