Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam 11 - Lord's Grace on Gokarna and completion of Sapthaha by Sanatkumara.
Hari Om
My highest Salutations to Lord Narasimha, the destroyer of ignorance and in whose abode resides the Goddess of abundance. My repeated Salutations to him at whose service are Gods themselves at all time. Also, my scaled Salutations to all Gods that includes Hanuman, Sarasvati, Garuda, Sesha, Shiva, Narada, Dhruva, Prahalada who are always brimming with devotion and are never exhausted at the service of Lord. My utmost Salutations to Srimad Acharya and all the Gurus of the lineage through whom the nectar of Bhagavata Shastra has been flowing and seek the shelter of Guru Raghavendra at all times.
Lord's Grace on Gokarna and completion of Sapthaha by Sanatkumara.
The divine form of erstwhile Dundukari sang the glory of Srimad Bhagavata. He told that Srimad Bhagavata would help one to get rid of all types of Sins. Also, it is the only remedy to end the cruel birth of Ghosthood. There is no dharma equivalent to Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaha. This is the best dharma that one has to follow for mukti or to break the cycle of death and birth. Hearing Srimad Bhagavata, the sins would shiver. Any sort of sins, whether extreme or small, done mentally or orally or physically would burn like the wood put into the fire in a Fire ceremony. One should read or hear Srimad Bhagavata at least once in life.
The divine form asks, in the body which is temporary, if one does not hear the Shuka Shastra of Srimad Bhagavata, what is the point carrying the body? The body is to carry the stinking feces and urine in a frame of bones, tied up with nerves, stuffed with flesh and blood, and covered with skin is a small house. It is a cause for diseases, pain, and suffering. Any amount of good one puts into the body it only converts to bad and can fall anytime with death. The tattva jnanis or Philosophers call the body as worms, dirt, useless or other names. The rice or the other foodstuff cooked in the morning will start decaying by evening. How long the body could live which is sustained by such food?
As the divine form of Dundukari spoke, an exclusive, bright flying plane arrived from the sky. In that plane were the messengers of Lord Vishnu. The people assembled were wonderstruck. As they saw, the messengers of Lord invited the divine form of Dundukari to take him to Vaikunta. Meantime, Gokarna told the messengers that the others too were equal participants. Gokarna questioned the reason for preferential treatment to Dundukari and difference in divine favor.
The messengers of Lord Vishnu says, Gokarna, What you say is right to the extent of listening to Srimad Bhagavata. However, the process or procedure followed is different. The Ghost of Dundukari not only heard but also understood the philosophic basis behind the story of Srimad Bhagavata. Also, with a firm belief in Srimad Bhagavata and by fasting the Ghost heard and understood the quintessence of Srimad Bhagavata. Without a firm Knowledge or understanding of Philosophy with due deliberation nor doing mantra without belief nor doing Japa without a calm mind nor a country without devotees nor Charity for unworthy nor a community without behavior is of use or yield good merit.
Further, the messengers say, for one to get full benefits from hearing Srimad Bhagavata they should have full faith in their Gurus, humility in oneself, control and have a firm mind. Based on one's commitment and the procedure they follow, they would get the fruit. Hence they suggested the assembled to repeat the Bhagavata Sapthaha following all procedures. For Gokarna, the messengers said that Lord Govinda himself would take him to his abode. Saying this, the messengers of Lord Vishnu boarded the divine plane along with Dundukari's divine form and left to Vaikunta doing Hari Keertana or Singing the praises of the Lord.
Further, the messengers say, for one to get full benefits from hearing Srimad Bhagavata they should have full faith in their Gurus, humility in oneself, control and have a firm mind. Based on one's commitment and the procedure they follow, they would get the fruit. Hence they suggested the assembled to repeat the Bhagavata Sapthaha following all procedures. For Gokarna, the messengers said that Lord Govinda himself would take him to his abode. Saying this, the messengers of Lord Vishnu boarded the divine plane along with Dundukari's divine form and left to Vaikunta doing Hari Keertana or Singing the praises of the Lord.
Gokarna performed Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaha in Sravana masa. This time himself and all the people followed the procedure.
They were attentive, understood the philosophy and they were fasting. A more surprise awaited this time. In fact, this time the Lord Vishnu himself came down with his attendants in his and stood in the middle of the assembly. All the people attending Sapthaha seeing the Lord in his divine form stood up and started singing his glory. His name of Jaya or Victory and Namaha or All about Lord was heard from all directions. Seeing that the people were full of enthusiasm and devotion, The Lord blew his conch and embraced Gokarna with all his four arms blessing him by treating as if his equal.
For all those people who attended the Sapthaha, the Lord blessed them Saaroopya or the form of himself. Along with all the animals of that place were accommodated in the plane and the Lord sent them to amukta Vaikunta. This cannot be accomplished even by great Yogis who have successfully accomplished Sevier austerity. The blessings that were bestowed by Lord Sri Rama earlier in Treta Yuga, similar blessings were bestowed by Lord Sri Krishna in Dwapara Yuga which is even difficult for Gods like Sun & Moon and great Yogis to receive. Also, the Lord took Gokarna in his own plane to Goloka of Vaikunta.
This Glory of Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmya has become an example and has been recorded by Lord Veda Vyasa in Padma Purana. This story is very dear to Shandilya muni who lived in Chitrakoot. He repeats the narration often and practices. If one listens at least once in their life, the story of Dundukarai of how even a ghost got liberated by hearing Srimad Bhagavata, he will get rid of his many sins. If one hears this episode during a performance of Shraddha of their forefathers, their forefathers will be satisfied. If one reads this episode daily, he can break the cycle of death & birth and accomplish moksha.
Sanatkumara, after having narrated the story of Atmadeva, Dunduli, Dundukari, and Gokarna to Narada Rishi, he started narrating the procedure to be carried out for Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaha, the substance required and Fasting requirement. For the purpose of Shanti or Peace after completing the Sapthaha, Sanatkumara narrated the Dharma of serving food to Brahmins and others. After which, Sanatkumara narrated the entire Srimad Bhagavata in an elaborated and detailed way from beginning to end.
In those seven days, all followed the necessary procedure and heard Srimad Bhagavata from Sanatkumara. In the end, everyone sang the Glory of the Lord with full of devotion. Jnana and Vairagya had regained their youth. For having accomplished the objective, Narada Rishi was filled with Joy. He was bursting with happiness.
Narada Rishi with full of benevolence and folded hand, eyes filled with tears of joy and chocking voice thanking Sanatkumara says:
धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि भवद्भिः करुणापरैः ।अद्य मे भगवाँल्लब्धः सर्वपापहरो हरिः ॥ ७५॥
श्रवणं सर्वधर्मेभ्यो वरं मन्ये तपोधनाः ।
वैकुण्ठस्थो यतः कृष्णः श्रवणाद्यस्य लभ्यते ॥ ७६॥
The most distinguished Sanatkumara, I am blessed out of your kindness and generosity. I have become fortunate and accomplished. The destroyer of all sins, Lord Sriman Narayana himself has come and occupied my heart. Now I understand that hearing Srimad Bhagavatam is the best dharma. This is because, Leaving his abode Vaikunta, Lord Mahavishnu himself has appeared in the middle of the gathering at the end of Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaha.
Is there any other dharma greater than this!
Hari Om
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