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.
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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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