By Gopinath (Recap given by Sujatha on 26 Dec ‘02)
We all know that this Bhagavatam is ‘Muktidayaka Shastra’. It is in our hands, so it is now our turn to take its teachings and absorb it. This is the only Shastra where there is so many glorifications about the Lord. When the Lord is glorified simultaneously devotees are also glorified. In the names of the devotees, the first and foremost name is our Naradji.
As we have seen in previous Slokas, he was also like all of us. He was tied up in the so called ‘Pasham’, the chiord of love, where there is no escape and was pulled by his mother. This is just exactly the normal day-to-day love, worldly love, what we are all now enjoying, chewing and tasting it. If the Lord comes and stands in front of us and says ‘I will give you mukti’. We don’t want because we are very happy with this very colourful and very cordial atmosphere.
We go to different temples but we don’t know that the Lord is behind us. Here through the Bhagavatam, Vyasa explains more and more taking the history of Bhaktas. Naradji is one among the choicest of the devotees. His mother doesn’t want him to go but he wants to go. These attachments are nothing but a block in our way. To remove this block, the Lord sends his messenger. In the case of Naradji, his mother was a block and the Lord sent a serpent. It bites his mother, when she was going to milk the cow at night and that poor and pitiable woman dies on the spot.
Naradji didn’t feel unhappy since he knew that the Lord did this; that he had so engineered it that he would get his freedom. Naradji took it as the Lord’s blessing in disguise. A true devotee of the Lord takes everything as prasad. After the death of his mother, he left the ashram and proceeded towards the North. This Northerly direction is very important. Even compass shows the North direction. People go to Kasi but we need not to go to Kasi. We don’t want any compass to show us the North direction because our compass is our Guruji, who is always showing us the right direction.
When we are more and more closer to the Lord, he guides and guards us. Man proposes and God disposes. We have seen 14K, 18K, 21K, 22K and 24K golds. Our Naradji is 24K gold and that is our goal to achieve. In order to achieve this, our goals and objectives should match together. The Lord gives us both problems and strength to bear and once we have the strength, what else we need? As Guruji says, ‘each day, every time, everywhere one has to progress’, this is the way Bhagavatam is to be taken.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 6, Slokas 1-8)
By Sugunan (Recap given by Shobha on 19 Dec ‘02)
This chapter continues the story of Narada. In the previous life of Narada, his mother was an ignorant servant in the house of a Brahmin. Some Sages had come to stay there in Chaturmasa and Narada was employed in serving them. He ate what remained after their eating and listened to the discourse they held, stressing on the importance of Love for Lord Krishna. They imparted to him, the knowledge that leads to self-realisation, the secret wisdom revealed by the Lord Himself. They told him how Karma blended with Bhakti generates Jnana and how one can dedicate oneself to the Lord and go towards Samadhi.
Suguji futher explained why one should use this world as a means to attain the Lord as a goal. But most of us use the Lord as a means to attain material benefits from this world. It is a tragedy. All our actions and interactions in this world should be the means to reach Him!
In reality, we are the puppets in the hands of the Lord, we have no choice other than live as instruments of the Lord in this world, but because of our ego, we think we are the author of this world and complicate our life.
...Read more!
This chapter continues the story of Narada. In the previous life of Narada, his mother was an ignorant servant in the house of a Brahmin. Some Sages had come to stay there in Chaturmasa and Narada was employed in serving them. He ate what remained after their eating and listened to the discourse they held, stressing on the importance of Love for Lord Krishna. They imparted to him, the knowledge that leads to self-realisation, the secret wisdom revealed by the Lord Himself. They told him how Karma blended with Bhakti generates Jnana and how one can dedicate oneself to the Lord and go towards Samadhi.
Suguji futher explained why one should use this world as a means to attain the Lord as a goal. But most of us use the Lord as a means to attain material benefits from this world. It is a tragedy. All our actions and interactions in this world should be the means to reach Him!
In reality, we are the puppets in the hands of the Lord, we have no choice other than live as instruments of the Lord in this world, but because of our ego, we think we are the author of this world and complicate our life.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 5, Slokas 32-40)
By Anil Hattangadi (Recap given by Sreelatha on 12 Dec ‘02)
The main theme in these Slokas was the glory of Karma blended with Bhakti.
These Slokas tell us how actions dedicated to the Lord, who is the ruler of this Universe serve as the cure for the threefold misery.
A medicine, which is given by the doctor, cures the patient. If we are taking it by ourselves, it may lead to some complications. Similarly, all our activities lead to bondage or transmigration, but the same when carried out as offering to the Lord, lose their binding character. Whatever work we do in dedication and for the pleasure of the Lord will give us knowledge as well as Bhakti in return. In that process, we are crushing our ego and recall his names and excellences.
So one should perform his actions according to the teachings of the Lord, which means one should surrender all his actions unto Him. Also, one should act as an instrument and keep Him as the real Agent.
We should have that intense love and consideration towards Him so that we become fit for the Real knowledge.
...Read more!
The main theme in these Slokas was the glory of Karma blended with Bhakti.
These Slokas tell us how actions dedicated to the Lord, who is the ruler of this Universe serve as the cure for the threefold misery.
A medicine, which is given by the doctor, cures the patient. If we are taking it by ourselves, it may lead to some complications. Similarly, all our activities lead to bondage or transmigration, but the same when carried out as offering to the Lord, lose their binding character. Whatever work we do in dedication and for the pleasure of the Lord will give us knowledge as well as Bhakti in return. In that process, we are crushing our ego and recall his names and excellences.
So one should perform his actions according to the teachings of the Lord, which means one should surrender all his actions unto Him. Also, one should act as an instrument and keep Him as the real Agent.
We should have that intense love and consideration towards Him so that we become fit for the Real knowledge.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 5, Slokas 16-23)
By Anil Hattangadi (Recap given by Sreelatha on 5 Dec ‘02)
The main theme of this chapter is Vyasa’s unrest after writing Mahabharata. We heard how Naradji instructs Sage Vyasa to compose Bhagavatam expounding only the greatness of Vasudeva.
In Slokas 15 to 23, Nadada continues to explain the purpose of Bhagavatam and about Supremacy of Bhakti. The glories of Lord or Bhagavatam should reach every person who is the slave of the three Gunas. Living in this material world thinking ourselves as the creator, destroyer and sustainer, we have forgotten our real nature. Keeping the Lord in center, even if one befalls from his Swadharma, will attain the ultimate. So a wiseman or a true knowledgeable person will see the Lord in every being without any ego. A true devotee will never be entangled in this Samsara. Our deity should see us instead of we see the deity. Even if we forget Him, He is always there within us, watching, guiding and protecting us like a mother. Like a magnet attracting and holding an iron piece, those who are attracted by the Lord will constantly attach to Him by his memory. This Universe is none than the Lord who is responsible for creation, sustenance and destruction who acts as a Sakshi.
So Naradji instructs Sage Vyasa to describe the Bhagavatam at full length. Whatever we do, whether it is a sacrifice, performance, austerity or recitation of the Vedas, it should give us enlightenment about the glories of the Lord.
...Read more!
The main theme of this chapter is Vyasa’s unrest after writing Mahabharata. We heard how Naradji instructs Sage Vyasa to compose Bhagavatam expounding only the greatness of Vasudeva.
In Slokas 15 to 23, Nadada continues to explain the purpose of Bhagavatam and about Supremacy of Bhakti. The glories of Lord or Bhagavatam should reach every person who is the slave of the three Gunas. Living in this material world thinking ourselves as the creator, destroyer and sustainer, we have forgotten our real nature. Keeping the Lord in center, even if one befalls from his Swadharma, will attain the ultimate. So a wiseman or a true knowledgeable person will see the Lord in every being without any ego. A true devotee will never be entangled in this Samsara. Our deity should see us instead of we see the deity. Even if we forget Him, He is always there within us, watching, guiding and protecting us like a mother. Like a magnet attracting and holding an iron piece, those who are attracted by the Lord will constantly attach to Him by his memory. This Universe is none than the Lord who is responsible for creation, sustenance and destruction who acts as a Sakshi.
So Naradji instructs Sage Vyasa to describe the Bhagavatam at full length. Whatever we do, whether it is a sacrifice, performance, austerity or recitation of the Vedas, it should give us enlightenment about the glories of the Lord.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 5, Slokas 1-15)
By Anil Hattangadi (Recap given by Geetha Gopi on 28 Nov 2002)
In Slokas 1 to 15, Narada Muni explains the cause for Sage Vyasa’s sadness and instructs him to narrate the glories of Lord as the remedy.
A true Guru is like a good doctor diagnosing the problem of his disciple instantaneously. The disciple too should be qualified; have faith and willingness to listen. Here both the Guru and disciple are the most qualified. Narada Muni has the Supreme knowledge because of his total surrender and communion with the Lord.
Any literature or knowledge devoid of devotion to the Lord is imperfect. Vyasa has not described the glories of Lord, as much as he has explained the Vedic rites in his previous writings and therefore, the nectar in such writings are absent. Just as a fish taken out from water will not be happy till it goes back to water, similarly, we, the part and parcel of Lord, will be happy only in His company. Even though a devotional literature is full of shortcomings, the wise accept them as the greatest because, Lord’s glorification makes all other defects null and void, just as in our Poojas, by chanting the names of Lord, all other shortcomings in the Pooja are nullified. Lord likes our BHAKTI than our VIBHAKTI or intellectual knowledge.
Even Nishkam karmas without devotion are inferior; then what to speak of desire motivated actions if such actions are not offered to the Lord. Vyasa, in his exposition of vedas, did a grave mistake of authorizing the desire-motivated actions as Dharma to the people who are engrossed in sense pleasures. People are waiting to have an authority to their wrong doings. It is well known fact that, if you say good, less people will heed; but if you say badly, all will follow. That is why all our politicians have mass following. Therefore, we have to be very vigilant in all our actions and talks; as a Satsangi, we need to be an ideal for the people around us. Devotion is not a uniform to wear on certain days and then to put aside. Lord is to be in the midst of all our thoughts and actions at all times. It is like the same vegetable for curry, subji and salad. God gave us everything: Time, space, cause, material, idea, skill, chance and fortune. Why do we feel that we are the owners and doers? How can we, be happy, by keeping Lord away from our life, to whom we owe everything we have?
Lord has taken Avatars and did various superhuman activities so that we can be engrossed in those glories of the Lord and develop love for Him, which is the panacea for all our miseries. Therefore, Naradji, instructed Vyasa to meditate and visualise the leelas of Lord in various Avatars and narrate them for the benefit of the people so that they will not be lost in their materialistic pursuits.
...Read more!
In Slokas 1 to 15, Narada Muni explains the cause for Sage Vyasa’s sadness and instructs him to narrate the glories of Lord as the remedy.
A true Guru is like a good doctor diagnosing the problem of his disciple instantaneously. The disciple too should be qualified; have faith and willingness to listen. Here both the Guru and disciple are the most qualified. Narada Muni has the Supreme knowledge because of his total surrender and communion with the Lord.
Any literature or knowledge devoid of devotion to the Lord is imperfect. Vyasa has not described the glories of Lord, as much as he has explained the Vedic rites in his previous writings and therefore, the nectar in such writings are absent. Just as a fish taken out from water will not be happy till it goes back to water, similarly, we, the part and parcel of Lord, will be happy only in His company. Even though a devotional literature is full of shortcomings, the wise accept them as the greatest because, Lord’s glorification makes all other defects null and void, just as in our Poojas, by chanting the names of Lord, all other shortcomings in the Pooja are nullified. Lord likes our BHAKTI than our VIBHAKTI or intellectual knowledge.
Even Nishkam karmas without devotion are inferior; then what to speak of desire motivated actions if such actions are not offered to the Lord. Vyasa, in his exposition of vedas, did a grave mistake of authorizing the desire-motivated actions as Dharma to the people who are engrossed in sense pleasures. People are waiting to have an authority to their wrong doings. It is well known fact that, if you say good, less people will heed; but if you say badly, all will follow. That is why all our politicians have mass following. Therefore, we have to be very vigilant in all our actions and talks; as a Satsangi, we need to be an ideal for the people around us. Devotion is not a uniform to wear on certain days and then to put aside. Lord is to be in the midst of all our thoughts and actions at all times. It is like the same vegetable for curry, subji and salad. God gave us everything: Time, space, cause, material, idea, skill, chance and fortune. Why do we feel that we are the owners and doers? How can we, be happy, by keeping Lord away from our life, to whom we owe everything we have?
Lord has taken Avatars and did various superhuman activities so that we can be engrossed in those glories of the Lord and develop love for Him, which is the panacea for all our miseries. Therefore, Naradji, instructed Vyasa to meditate and visualise the leelas of Lord in various Avatars and narrate them for the benefit of the people so that they will not be lost in their materialistic pursuits.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 4, Slokas 14-33)
By Anil Hattangadi (Recap given by Geetha Gopi on 21 Nov 2002)
In these Slokas, Sage Suta narrates the history of Srimad Bhagavatam in reply to the questions of the sages assembled at Naimisharanya conducting various sacrifices for the welfare of the world.
Veda Vyasa, the author of Vedas could foresee the imminent erosion of values of Sanatana Dharma in the age of Kali. The vision of saints and sages is not limited by time, as they do not see with bodily equipment. Vyasa could see that people in Kaliyuga will have very special qualities; ill health, loss of faith in spiritual subjects, lack of resolve and dull head. How many of us remember our New Year resolutions let alone following it!!
Vyasa knew that people would not have the mental and intellectual capability to understand the Veda in its original form. So he simplified it and divided it into four. He also wrote various Ithihasas and Puranas to cater to the lesser intelligent people. His aim was, some how or other, to engage the people on the path of Dharma; Make people live a dharmic life, earn wealth through dharmic means, spend such earnings for the fulfillment of ethically and morally sound desires and finally guide them towards liberation from the cycle of birth and death. However, we were smarter than he had expected and never have MOKSHA in our agenda. Therefore, in spite of all his efforts, he was feeling unhappy and was wondering what has gone wrong in his writings.
The answer to all our sincere questions lies within. Vyasa sensed that he may not have narrated enough the glories of the Lord and the need of Bhagavata Dharma; Surrendering all our actions at the feet of Lord Narayana.
When our thoughts and focus are on the good of others, the result is immediate and imminent. While Vyasa was thus contemplating, His master, Narada Muni appeared there to guide him to take up the task of writing Srimad Bhagavatam. The means to liberation is being engaged in the thoughts of God or Atma Vichar in the company of devotees and be peaceful and happy always.
...Read more!
In these Slokas, Sage Suta narrates the history of Srimad Bhagavatam in reply to the questions of the sages assembled at Naimisharanya conducting various sacrifices for the welfare of the world.
Veda Vyasa, the author of Vedas could foresee the imminent erosion of values of Sanatana Dharma in the age of Kali. The vision of saints and sages is not limited by time, as they do not see with bodily equipment. Vyasa could see that people in Kaliyuga will have very special qualities; ill health, loss of faith in spiritual subjects, lack of resolve and dull head. How many of us remember our New Year resolutions let alone following it!!
Vyasa knew that people would not have the mental and intellectual capability to understand the Veda in its original form. So he simplified it and divided it into four. He also wrote various Ithihasas and Puranas to cater to the lesser intelligent people. His aim was, some how or other, to engage the people on the path of Dharma; Make people live a dharmic life, earn wealth through dharmic means, spend such earnings for the fulfillment of ethically and morally sound desires and finally guide them towards liberation from the cycle of birth and death. However, we were smarter than he had expected and never have MOKSHA in our agenda. Therefore, in spite of all his efforts, he was feeling unhappy and was wondering what has gone wrong in his writings.
The answer to all our sincere questions lies within. Vyasa sensed that he may not have narrated enough the glories of the Lord and the need of Bhagavata Dharma; Surrendering all our actions at the feet of Lord Narayana.
When our thoughts and focus are on the good of others, the result is immediate and imminent. While Vyasa was thus contemplating, His master, Narada Muni appeared there to guide him to take up the task of writing Srimad Bhagavatam. The means to liberation is being engaged in the thoughts of God or Atma Vichar in the company of devotees and be peaceful and happy always.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 4, Slokas 1-13)
By Anil Hattangadi (Recap given by Chitra on 14 Nov 2002)
In these Slokas, discussion between Sage Saunaka and Suka regarding the origin of Bhagavatam is dealt with. This included the narration of the incident where the damsels who were bathing in a pond were at ease when Sage Suka passed by but not when his father Sage Vyasa did so. It was because they realized that Sage Suka’s heart was purity personified and he saw the same ‘Atman’ as manifest in every being.
A similar story of Sage Suka holding his equanimity while visiting King Janaka also narrated and classification of Rishis into Raja Rishi, Deva Rishi, Brahma Rishi and present day Rishis like our Guruji was discussed. A story of a Satsangi who met a Sage in Himalayas through whom he was guided to the path of realizing the divine presence in every one was also described.
An episode from ‘Yoga Vashishta’ where Lord Rama even at the tender age of 15 years becomes dejected with the futile and temporary nature of worldly objects and sensuality and about Sage Suka, when disgusted with the ephemeral world, goes in search of the truth about ‘the one without a second’ and gets the Brahma Jnana from King Janaka was touched upon.
Spiritual knowledge is available to all. Anilji told about a young lady who was brought into spiritual reading about self-realisation. On further enquiry, it was revealed that several experiences in her life made her lose faith in others and turn towards the Lord! It is not just about being religious but also about turning towards spirituality!
Once a person directs the outpouring of love towards his chosen Deity, there will be a significant change. People who are normal, when persuaded by others to enter spiritual life, start facing challenges once they do so. It all boils down to the fact that sooner or later, we have to think out of the body. If it is not natural, at some point of time, we will be forced to do so.
Spiritual life starts when we start thinking out of the body. And once we are in the spiritual path, there should be no stopping half way. We have to continue with what we have picked up. Human attractions and aversions will always be there. The example of an old man in his deathbed who still could not overcome passion was cited. We as Satsangis should strive to overcome these passions for our spiritual progress. ...Read more!
In these Slokas, discussion between Sage Saunaka and Suka regarding the origin of Bhagavatam is dealt with. This included the narration of the incident where the damsels who were bathing in a pond were at ease when Sage Suka passed by but not when his father Sage Vyasa did so. It was because they realized that Sage Suka’s heart was purity personified and he saw the same ‘Atman’ as manifest in every being.
A similar story of Sage Suka holding his equanimity while visiting King Janaka also narrated and classification of Rishis into Raja Rishi, Deva Rishi, Brahma Rishi and present day Rishis like our Guruji was discussed. A story of a Satsangi who met a Sage in Himalayas through whom he was guided to the path of realizing the divine presence in every one was also described.
An episode from ‘Yoga Vashishta’ where Lord Rama even at the tender age of 15 years becomes dejected with the futile and temporary nature of worldly objects and sensuality and about Sage Suka, when disgusted with the ephemeral world, goes in search of the truth about ‘the one without a second’ and gets the Brahma Jnana from King Janaka was touched upon.
Spiritual knowledge is available to all. Anilji told about a young lady who was brought into spiritual reading about self-realisation. On further enquiry, it was revealed that several experiences in her life made her lose faith in others and turn towards the Lord! It is not just about being religious but also about turning towards spirituality!
Once a person directs the outpouring of love towards his chosen Deity, there will be a significant change. People who are normal, when persuaded by others to enter spiritual life, start facing challenges once they do so. It all boils down to the fact that sooner or later, we have to think out of the body. If it is not natural, at some point of time, we will be forced to do so.
Spiritual life starts when we start thinking out of the body. And once we are in the spiritual path, there should be no stopping half way. We have to continue with what we have picked up. Human attractions and aversions will always be there. The example of an old man in his deathbed who still could not overcome passion was cited. We as Satsangis should strive to overcome these passions for our spiritual progress. ...Read more!
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