By Sugunan (Recap given by Shoba on 13 Feb ‘03)
The concluding slokas of Chapter 7 showed to us, how great devotees behave in difficult situations? Though Asvattama killed five yuva pandavas, Panchali wanted to pardon him. Even though Arjuna and Bhima wanted to take revenge on Asvattama, she asked Arjuna to release him since she did not want to see his mother’s sufferings. Bhagavatam shows that even Krishna’s mother Devaki could not forgive Kamsa till the end, but in the case of Panchali, there was a complete change of heart. This was a realy transformation.
In the case of Asvattama, Panchali took a decision based on righteousness, which was lawful, merciful, sincere, balanced and praiseworthy in everyway. Krishna instructed Arjuna to punish Asvattama in a suitable manner to satisfy Panchali, Bhima and Him. Arjuna understood Krishna’s intention, cut-off with his sword the head-tuft of Asvatthama together with the crest-jewel that was a natural feature on his head and released him. Shaving the head of a Brahmin and expelling him from a place are equivalent to killing him. Then Pandavas performed the funeral rites of the children.
As long as we keep meeting only ordinary people, our lives cannot but be ordinary. Unless we come in contact with some who lives at a higher plane, we will continue to remain where we are. Let us read through Bhagavatam to understand how these extraordinary people (devotees) lived their life, how they behaved in difficult situation, what did they demand from Lord and follow their footsteps!
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Showing posts with label Bhagavatam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bhagavatam. Show all posts
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 7, Slokas 26-48)
By Sugunan (Recap given by Shoba on 6 Feb ‘03)
An introduction to ‘Bhagavat Mahatyamyam’ was given i.e. how Naradji made Gyan and Vairagya, the sons of Bhakti, revive their interest in life. Symbolically meaning in the Kaliyuga, Bhakti was growing, but Gyan and Vairagya were left behind. To revive the sons of Bhakti, Naradji advocated reading Bhagavatam or listening to the glories of Lord Krishna from Bhagavatam.
Then how Asvattama, the son of Drona killed all the Yuva Pandavas, while they were sleeping was described. Arjuna promised to take revenge followed Asvattama in a chariot, piloted by Krishna. Seeing them, Asvattama released the Brahmastra against Arjuna. Arjuna, on the instruction of the Lord, sent another Brahmastra and quenched the flames of both the missiles and withdrew them. Arjuna then bound up Asvattama with ropes. Krishna, pretending to be angry and to test how Arjuna would behave in this situation, scolded Arjuna for not killing the villain Asvattama. But Arjuna did not kill him, and left the situation to Panchali to decide, what action to be taken.
Panchali, in spite of his evil action, bowed to Asvattama and pleaded with Arjuna, to release him, because he is the son of his Guru who taught him the science of archery. If he would kill him, it would cause grief to his mother Kripi. Bhagavatam wanted to show to us, how Panchali, after going through the greatest tragedies of Mahabharatha war, completely changed her mental framework. Now she is able to see and feel the pain of others. The revengeful attitude of Panchali has been completely wiped off.
...Read more!
An introduction to ‘Bhagavat Mahatyamyam’ was given i.e. how Naradji made Gyan and Vairagya, the sons of Bhakti, revive their interest in life. Symbolically meaning in the Kaliyuga, Bhakti was growing, but Gyan and Vairagya were left behind. To revive the sons of Bhakti, Naradji advocated reading Bhagavatam or listening to the glories of Lord Krishna from Bhagavatam.
Then how Asvattama, the son of Drona killed all the Yuva Pandavas, while they were sleeping was described. Arjuna promised to take revenge followed Asvattama in a chariot, piloted by Krishna. Seeing them, Asvattama released the Brahmastra against Arjuna. Arjuna, on the instruction of the Lord, sent another Brahmastra and quenched the flames of both the missiles and withdrew them. Arjuna then bound up Asvattama with ropes. Krishna, pretending to be angry and to test how Arjuna would behave in this situation, scolded Arjuna for not killing the villain Asvattama. But Arjuna did not kill him, and left the situation to Panchali to decide, what action to be taken.
Panchali, in spite of his evil action, bowed to Asvattama and pleaded with Arjuna, to release him, because he is the son of his Guru who taught him the science of archery. If he would kill him, it would cause grief to his mother Kripi. Bhagavatam wanted to show to us, how Panchali, after going through the greatest tragedies of Mahabharatha war, completely changed her mental framework. Now she is able to see and feel the pain of others. The revengeful attitude of Panchali has been completely wiped off.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 7, Slokas 11-25)
By Sugunan (Recap given by Mahita on 30 Jan ‘03)
According to Sridhara Swamy, this is the most important chapter of Bhagavatam because two important characters are described in this chapter.
The first great character is Asvatthama. Though born in a Brahmin family, he cannot be called a true Brahmin due to his deeds and has never done anything good. He is the biggest culprit and killed all the five sons of Panchali when they were sleeping. He has done such a cruel action that no Brahmin would even think of such a thing. After killing the five children, Asvatthama takes all the five heads to his master Duryodana thinking that he will be pleased. But even the cruelest person like Duryodana did not like this action of Asvatthama. Duryodana could not even talk and dies immediately. Asvatthama is called “Chiranjeevi” because he is an epitome of revenge and hatredness.
The second great character in this chapter is Panchali. She is one of the main causes of Mahabharata war. But when she became a great devotee of Lord Krishna, total transformation took place. When Asvatthama killed her five sons, she was in great sorrow and grief. Arjuna wanted to kill Asvatthama, but Panchali tells Arjuna not to kill him. She says,” If you kill Asvatthama how can his mother Gautami bear it. I can’t even imagine it“. Panchali was ready to pardon Asvatthama in spite of her greatest loss. One should become a great devotee like Panchali. The greatest shreryas is Krishna Katha Charatam. All the time chant Krishna Katha. This is the greatest Dharma one should follow in this Kaliyuga.
...Read more!
According to Sridhara Swamy, this is the most important chapter of Bhagavatam because two important characters are described in this chapter.
The first great character is Asvatthama. Though born in a Brahmin family, he cannot be called a true Brahmin due to his deeds and has never done anything good. He is the biggest culprit and killed all the five sons of Panchali when they were sleeping. He has done such a cruel action that no Brahmin would even think of such a thing. After killing the five children, Asvatthama takes all the five heads to his master Duryodana thinking that he will be pleased. But even the cruelest person like Duryodana did not like this action of Asvatthama. Duryodana could not even talk and dies immediately. Asvatthama is called “Chiranjeevi” because he is an epitome of revenge and hatredness.
The second great character in this chapter is Panchali. She is one of the main causes of Mahabharata war. But when she became a great devotee of Lord Krishna, total transformation took place. When Asvatthama killed her five sons, she was in great sorrow and grief. Arjuna wanted to kill Asvatthama, but Panchali tells Arjuna not to kill him. She says,” If you kill Asvatthama how can his mother Gautami bear it. I can’t even imagine it“. Panchali was ready to pardon Asvatthama in spite of her greatest loss. One should become a great devotee like Panchali. The greatest shreryas is Krishna Katha Charatam. All the time chant Krishna Katha. This is the greatest Dharma one should follow in this Kaliyuga.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 7, Slokas 1-11)
By Gopinath (Recap given by Chitra on 23 Jan ‘03)
Sage Vyasa took the advise of Narada to overcome his feeling of dissatisfaction and entered into Samadhi. In his mind, which was pure and full of love for the God, Vyasa had the vision of the God and the power of Maya dependent on the God.
God created Maya and it in turn created the whole world of names and forms. It is through this Maya, we are both enjoying and suffering. Like the story of an eagle, which had mistakenly joined a group of hens without knowing its true nature, we are identifying ourselves with the body due to Avidhya. When we understand our true nature as Satchitananda, we will become free the same moment and be one with the Lord. The body, which is a product of Sattava, Rajas and Tamas, is the cause of the miseries in this world of samsara. The only way to transcend this problem is by the devotion to the God. This was the spark of inspiration to Sage Vyasa to write Bhagavatha purana, which pulls people out of their ignorance and brings them to the light of truth. After this transformation, another feather was added to Vyasa, i.e. Sage Vyasa became Bhagavan Vyasa.
Vyasa had written this Mahapurana not for his benefit, as we all know he is spiritually advanced. It is for the benefit of all of us who are ignorant of the truth. From day we are born and till the time of death, we have one or other worries. The only way to come out of worries and fear is through ‘Parama prema bhakti’, which Narada had. The Lord, who is ‘Sangataharana’, is in the form of Bhagavatham by studying which Avidhya - the root cause of worry, fear and attachment is rooted out.
Suka, son of Vyasa, who was totally free from all attachments, became an instrument to propagate the Lord’s message. Suka muni, being a thorough renouncer, was not interested in anything but all the time into the Self and was qualified for this mission of the Lord. The Sages do not require any book reading, as they are all the time in communion with the Lord, with no self-cerntered desires. The Lord’s power is like a magnet pulling everybody who is inclined towards Him. It is through this powerful pull of the Lord, we all are attending Satsang week regularly week after week. Sukha muni learnt this Bhagavatha purana as the seva to the Lord and the devotees of Lord Hari.
Whether one is a speaker or a listener, the transformation comes when the mind and the senses of the people are drawn towards the Lord. Transformation comes by reading scriptures, Guru’s upadesha and continuous sadhana with the thirst of a seeker and by God’s grace. ...Read more!
Sage Vyasa took the advise of Narada to overcome his feeling of dissatisfaction and entered into Samadhi. In his mind, which was pure and full of love for the God, Vyasa had the vision of the God and the power of Maya dependent on the God.
God created Maya and it in turn created the whole world of names and forms. It is through this Maya, we are both enjoying and suffering. Like the story of an eagle, which had mistakenly joined a group of hens without knowing its true nature, we are identifying ourselves with the body due to Avidhya. When we understand our true nature as Satchitananda, we will become free the same moment and be one with the Lord. The body, which is a product of Sattava, Rajas and Tamas, is the cause of the miseries in this world of samsara. The only way to transcend this problem is by the devotion to the God. This was the spark of inspiration to Sage Vyasa to write Bhagavatha purana, which pulls people out of their ignorance and brings them to the light of truth. After this transformation, another feather was added to Vyasa, i.e. Sage Vyasa became Bhagavan Vyasa.
Vyasa had written this Mahapurana not for his benefit, as we all know he is spiritually advanced. It is for the benefit of all of us who are ignorant of the truth. From day we are born and till the time of death, we have one or other worries. The only way to come out of worries and fear is through ‘Parama prema bhakti’, which Narada had. The Lord, who is ‘Sangataharana’, is in the form of Bhagavatham by studying which Avidhya - the root cause of worry, fear and attachment is rooted out.
Suka, son of Vyasa, who was totally free from all attachments, became an instrument to propagate the Lord’s message. Suka muni, being a thorough renouncer, was not interested in anything but all the time into the Self and was qualified for this mission of the Lord. The Sages do not require any book reading, as they are all the time in communion with the Lord, with no self-cerntered desires. The Lord’s power is like a magnet pulling everybody who is inclined towards Him. It is through this powerful pull of the Lord, we all are attending Satsang week regularly week after week. Sukha muni learnt this Bhagavatha purana as the seva to the Lord and the devotees of Lord Hari.
Whether one is a speaker or a listener, the transformation comes when the mind and the senses of the people are drawn towards the Lord. Transformation comes by reading scriptures, Guru’s upadesha and continuous sadhana with the thirst of a seeker and by God’s grace. ...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 6, Slokas 30-38)
By Gopinath (Recap given by Chitra on 16 Jan ‘03)
After the exhaustion of the prarabhdha karma, Naradji gave up his body. To attain the goal of life, Naradji had the continuous perseverance with the body, mind and senses all the time associated with the Lord with total sharanagathi.
Slokas 30 to 38 detail the transformation of Naradji.
A person does exercises and goes for walk to maintain the health of his physical body knowing that it is only through the body he perceives spiritual things. Similarly, the spiritual body needs Sadhana, the exercise to bring one out of the diseases of pride, jealousy, anger etc. The mind should always be engaged in the thoughts of the Lord through Sadhanas viz. Japa, bhajans, listening to glories of the Lord, etc. That will bring transformation in our life, even though it may not happen today or tomorrow. A ‘split second’ darshan of the Lord made Naradji to strive for the goal of life. The elephant tied to a strong tree cannot run away. In the same way, we have to tie ourselves to the trunk of faith and spiritual strength and pursue our goal of our life to become one with the Lord. The total surrender a devotee under the direct care of the Lord.
Like the water flowing downwards unobstructed from a higher place, the Lord’s grace is always flowing towards every one of us. If one gets the conviction that the Lord is there in everything, the avarana or the block gets removed. Because of this conviction, Naradji could progress forward in the spiritual path and go all over the three worlds singing the glories of the Lord. When Lord’s glories are sung with the true bhava, the Lord’s response is immediate. All our body, mind and intellect should be devoted to the service of the Lord and this intense devotion will lead one to the salvation then and there. Any yama, niyama or yoga not dedicated to the Lord will become a materialistic attitude. Service to the Lord will make one attain his spiritual goals and take him across the ocean of samsara.
It is said that like Naradji, all the Masters have no self-centered goals and they travel all around to spread the message of the Lord. They are intoxicated with divine love and cheer up the people who are distressed by the worldly woes (e.g. our Guruji). We are fortunate to have our Guruji who has put us in this path and it is our duty to continue the sadhanas with faith and dedication to achieve our spiritual goal under his guidance.
...Read more!
After the exhaustion of the prarabhdha karma, Naradji gave up his body. To attain the goal of life, Naradji had the continuous perseverance with the body, mind and senses all the time associated with the Lord with total sharanagathi.
Slokas 30 to 38 detail the transformation of Naradji.
A person does exercises and goes for walk to maintain the health of his physical body knowing that it is only through the body he perceives spiritual things. Similarly, the spiritual body needs Sadhana, the exercise to bring one out of the diseases of pride, jealousy, anger etc. The mind should always be engaged in the thoughts of the Lord through Sadhanas viz. Japa, bhajans, listening to glories of the Lord, etc. That will bring transformation in our life, even though it may not happen today or tomorrow. A ‘split second’ darshan of the Lord made Naradji to strive for the goal of life. The elephant tied to a strong tree cannot run away. In the same way, we have to tie ourselves to the trunk of faith and spiritual strength and pursue our goal of our life to become one with the Lord. The total surrender a devotee under the direct care of the Lord.
Like the water flowing downwards unobstructed from a higher place, the Lord’s grace is always flowing towards every one of us. If one gets the conviction that the Lord is there in everything, the avarana or the block gets removed. Because of this conviction, Naradji could progress forward in the spiritual path and go all over the three worlds singing the glories of the Lord. When Lord’s glories are sung with the true bhava, the Lord’s response is immediate. All our body, mind and intellect should be devoted to the service of the Lord and this intense devotion will lead one to the salvation then and there. Any yama, niyama or yoga not dedicated to the Lord will become a materialistic attitude. Service to the Lord will make one attain his spiritual goals and take him across the ocean of samsara.
It is said that like Naradji, all the Masters have no self-centered goals and they travel all around to spread the message of the Lord. They are intoxicated with divine love and cheer up the people who are distressed by the worldly woes (e.g. our Guruji). We are fortunate to have our Guruji who has put us in this path and it is our duty to continue the sadhanas with faith and dedication to achieve our spiritual goal under his guidance.
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 6, Slokas 26-29)
By Gopinath (Recap given by Usha on 9 Jan ‘03)
The importance of Bhagavatam has been well explained. Bhagavatam glorifies Lord and His Bhaktas and was written by Veda Vyasa 5000 years ago. Since then it is being read and it will be read in future also. That is the importance of Bhagavatam. This scripture is very important as we are in the clutches of Kaliyuga. The swabhava of Kaliyuga is that everything will go wrong or in negative direction and hence our ancestors thought that there should be some remedy for this. So Naradji visits Veda Vyasa and asks him to glorify the Lord and as per His will, this Bhagavatam came into the mind of Veda Vyasa. By the grace of the Lord and our Guruji, we are quite fortunate to listen to this scripture Bhagavatam week after week.
The ultimate goal in our life is moksha or mukti. The Lord as well as all the Gurus say that by listening to this Bhagavatam, we will get moksha or mukti from ‘samsara bhandanam’. So one should read Bhagavatam as a daily routine. We are lucky to have human birth as we have mind and intellect to meditate on the Lord and reach Him. Naradji had vision of the Lord because he had conviction and definite goal. The Lord says that there is no short cut in this path and hence one has to strive hard with total faith i.e. ‘Sarvasya saranagathi’ to reach Him. There is no need for any one to go to Himalayas. Always meditate on Him and think of Him with undivided faith by which one can reach his ultimate goal!
...Read more!
The importance of Bhagavatam has been well explained. Bhagavatam glorifies Lord and His Bhaktas and was written by Veda Vyasa 5000 years ago. Since then it is being read and it will be read in future also. That is the importance of Bhagavatam. This scripture is very important as we are in the clutches of Kaliyuga. The swabhava of Kaliyuga is that everything will go wrong or in negative direction and hence our ancestors thought that there should be some remedy for this. So Naradji visits Veda Vyasa and asks him to glorify the Lord and as per His will, this Bhagavatam came into the mind of Veda Vyasa. By the grace of the Lord and our Guruji, we are quite fortunate to listen to this scripture Bhagavatam week after week.
The ultimate goal in our life is moksha or mukti. The Lord as well as all the Gurus say that by listening to this Bhagavatam, we will get moksha or mukti from ‘samsara bhandanam’. So one should read Bhagavatam as a daily routine. We are lucky to have human birth as we have mind and intellect to meditate on the Lord and reach Him. Naradji had vision of the Lord because he had conviction and definite goal. The Lord says that there is no short cut in this path and hence one has to strive hard with total faith i.e. ‘Sarvasya saranagathi’ to reach Him. There is no need for any one to go to Himalayas. Always meditate on Him and think of Him with undivided faith by which one can reach his ultimate goal!
...Read more!
Bhagavatam (Skanda 1, Chapter 6, Slokas 9-14)
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!
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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