Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The First Principles of Bhakti Yoga by Narada Rishi
Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys
sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards
the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean
knowledge.
|| Hari Om ||
 |
| || Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha || |
व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥
Vyasa the form of Lord Vishnu, Vishnu the form of
Lord Vyasa, my salutations to you the treasure of creation. My repeated
salutations to you, the grandson of Vasishta Rishi.
व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ ।
हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः ॥
Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of
emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having
heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to
you and Acharya Madhwa.
यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् ।
संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम् ॥
This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the
Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on
the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death
and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in
nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.
जयति जगति मायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य।
ध्रुवपदमपि यातो यत्क्रुपातो ध्रुवोऽयं सकलकुशलपात्रं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि॥
Narada Rishi, Prahlada the son of Kayadhu, had
full faith in your teachings that The Lord is present everywhere and would
never let his devotee down. He held this even during his most adverse situation
and won the blessings of Lord Sri Narasimha. So too, did Prince Dhruva had your
advice & blessings and became immovable Star or Polar Star. You are generous
and object of all auspiciousness. Your blessings will yield the siddhi of
thoughts of The Lord at all times. My Salutations to you the Son of God Brahma.
मूकोऽपि यत्प्रसादेन मुकुन्दशयनायते ।
राजराजायते रिक्तो राघवेन्द्रं तमाश्रये ॥
Your mercy would confer the blessings of Lord
Mukunda laying on God Sesha. Even a dumb
become an eloquent speaker, a pauper becomes wealthy as God Kubera.
I seek refuge in you, Guru Raghavendra.
Knowing that
Lord Veda Vyasa was extending the kindest & generous gesture of crediting the manifestation of Srimad Bhagavatam to him, Narada Rishi prayed to Lord Veda
Vyasa requesting him to compose stories having Lord’s names singing his
attributes, elaborating his fame in the language of samadhi or instructive way.
This would enable the following to the people of Kali Yuga:
a) The cleansing pollutant of Kali,
b)
Redemption of Sins,
c) Hone the attitude of Bhakti,
d) The sight of Lord and
e) The Lord himself
Further, Narada Rishi continues
to say,
नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितंन शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् ।
कुतः पुनः शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे न चार्पितं कर्म यदप्यकारणम् ॥ १२॥
Most of the
spiritual activities that we do include Sandyavandana, or morning prayers, or
visiting temples, and so on is as a duty. Many a time this becomes mechanical
without being heartfelt nor expression of feelings and hence is not liked. Similar is
in the study of indoctrinations or Shastras. If not done with Bhakti, then the activity would not yield progress. Also, doing with some expectations is
inauspicious. Even after doing without expectations, but if not submitted to
the Lord would not delight him. Hence, the practitioner should do all
activities with heartfelt Bhakti in the Lord without any expectations to make the needle of
merit move says Narada Rishi.
Though from ज्ञानं or Knowledge is अमलं or
stainless निरञ्जनं purity i.e. One could remove all defects and also avoid it with
Knowledge. One could be an expert in all indoctrinations of Philosophy
including Amarakosha or Thesaurus, Grammer, all Vedas, Vedantas, Mahabarata,
Ramayana, and so on. But if he has no devotion or Bhakti towards Lord Achyutha or अच्युतभाववर्जितं, then न शोभते or he is not fit or of any use is what Narada Rishi is saying.
कुतः पुनः or If that
is the status of Knowledge, which is on higher-order, then what could be told
about actions. All actions should be done to propitiate the Lord and please him
with नैष्कर्म्य or abstinence of act including its consequences. That is possible only when done with Bhakti.
Hence, whatever action one might have undertaken including the best of charity
like establishing Educational Institution or Hospitals or old age Homes or
construction of Lakes or Ponds for water, or any best act but न चार्पितं कर्म or if not
submitted to the Indweller, the Lord then it is अभद्र or inauspicious.
अथो महाभाग भवानमोघदृक्शुचिश्रवाः सत्यरतो धृतव्रतः ।
उरुक्रमस्याखिलबन्धमुक्तयेसमाधिनानुस्मर तद्विचेष्टितम् ॥ १३॥
The Holy
one, you have the divine vision and have become famous for your chastity. Also,
your vow or commitment to upholding honesty and the study of Vedas is
worshipped by all. Hence, to liberate from the confinement of the cycle of
death and birth of अखिलबन्धमुक्त or all the virtuous Jivas, please compose the extraordinary fame of
Lord in the language of Samadhi. The fame of Lord for singing and admiration by Jivas at all times.
ततोऽन्यथा किञ्चन यद्विवक्षतः पृथग् दृशस्तत्कृतरूपनामभिः ।
न कुत्रचित्क्वापि च दुःस्थिता मतिर्लभेत वाताहतनौरिवास्पदम् ॥ १४॥
Without
singing the fame of Lord, if one narrates anything else according to his own
wish that would not be of any use to his objectives of Life or Purusharta. In
fact, he would be stuck in the storm of his own creation. The storm manifested
out of his wishes. His mind space gets occupied with diverse and contrasting
views. Therefore, making him like a ship caught in a storm in the middle of the
sea.
जुगुप्सितं धर्मकृतेऽनुशासतः स्वभावरक्तस्य महान् व्यतिक्रमः ।
यद्वाक्यतो धर्म इतीतरः स्थितो न मन्यते तस्य निवारणं जनः ॥ १५॥
All of us
who are entangled with the thread of action and stuck in the cycle of death
& birth are engrossed in materialistic activities. If you too, compose
spiritual literature benefiting the most reprimandable material substance or
worldly gains, the situation would become extremely जुगुप्सितं or
disgusting. Because, from your statement, the foolish people would consider and
decide that even the reprimandable as dharma.
We are so
passionate about Science, our understanding of the Universe, gadgets like Mobile,
Laptops, or even Technology like the internet and so on. The WhatsApp messages
or Blogs as this is pretty cool, connecting all of us. This gives us a sense of
progress and development. However, Narada Rishi knowing the future is
requesting here to Lord Veda Vyasa not to endorse any of these. He says it
would be जुगुप्सितं or disgusting. Our belief that the word of Srimad Bhagavatam is being
spread through this Internet may fall flat as this has been happening since
ages. Maybe more than 5000 years. Even before we started cutting woods to get
bark, chip it & make pulp by adding chemicals & cooking before rolling it as
paper, recover some chemicals and puke rest causing more harm. Let alone the
Internet. Also, it is not that the necessary knowledge like farming or trading
or arms or even advanced knowledge like खगोल शास्त्र or
astronomy for calculating eclipses or auspicious time was not available since then.
विचक्षणोऽस्यार्हति वेदितुं विभोरनन्तपारस्य निवृत्तितः सुखम् ।
प्रवर्तमानस्य गुणैरनात्मनस्ततो भवान् दर्शय चेष्टितं विभोः ॥ १६॥
You are a Genius! You are fully acquainted with the immeasurable energy
of Lord Bhagavan and his sport. Also, the bliss that manifests after developing
dispassion towards worldly life. Therefore, showing mercy on the virtuous
people who have engrossed in worldly activities, please show them the spiritual
path of निवृत्ति dharma or abstaining from sensual pleasures. So that,
even they too can engage in Bhakti Yoga, break the cycle of death & birth
by receiving Prasada of Aproksha Jnana from Lord. Consequently, get rid of
Lingadeha or the shield of Prakriti encapsulating Atma and realize “Self”,
prays Narad Rishi to Lord Veda Vyasa.
The प्रवृत्ति dharma or worldly activities
may yield immediate sensual pleasures. But it is short-lived. For example, one may work hard
and get good Qualification or Profession or Business or earn a lot of money or
earn high social status. This could be lost for any reasons. May be due to gambling,
or robbery or have a spendthrift child or for health reasons or even reasons of
force majeure like nature’s fury of rains & storms or social unrest. The same is not assured
always by the act of time and its secret behavior in one’s life nor in any
subsequent lives.
However, not
so with निवृत्ति dharma or spiritual path of abstaining from sensual pleasure to only please Lord. If one has accomplished good spiritual
progress gaining high merits and for some reasons of anger or fun does
wrongdoing. The kind-hearted and generous Lord would not quash those merits.
But would allow him to correct or redeem sins and continue on a spiritual path
from where he had left carrying forward the merits that he had already accrued even
though of previous births.
त्यक्त्वा स्वधर्मं चरणाम्बुजं हरेर्भजन्नपक्वोऽथ पतेत्ततो यदि ।
यत्र क्व वाभद्रमभूदमुष्य किं को वार्थ आप्तोऽभजतां स्वधर्मतः ॥ १७॥
If one gives-up the worldly activities of materialistic happiness to
follow the path of Bhakti Yoga of propitiating Lord and meets death before
accomplishing results, will it cause inauspiciousness? Says Narada Rishi with
question affirmation. In other words, yes there will be always auspiciousness,
for those who propitiate Lord having a heart filled with Bhakti without
expectations even in future lives.
Similarly, for those who are always involved in the worldly activities
and averse to the worship of Lord, is there any special benefits? Says Narada
Rishi with question affirmation. In other words, there would be no benefits
after death for those who are involved in worldly activities. Hence,
Doing Bhakti Yoga without any expectations & contemplating the sport's charm of the Lord is the only key to success.
You know that this is the only way to always remember and be mindful of
Lord. Hence, please compose the famous sport’s charm of Lord that sings his
glory as that is the most beneficial to the ordinary people. And brings
auspiciousness to the world.
तस्यैव हेतोः प्रयतेत कोविदो न लभ्यते यद्भ्रमतामुपर्यधः ।
तल्लभ्यते दुःखवदन्यतः सुखं कालेन सर्वत्र गभीररंहसा ॥ १८॥
Though, even if the Jiva reaches the height of Brahmloka or any other below intermediate regions, would not experience the supreme bliss. Also, on the timeline of the cycle of death & birth, worldly happiness & sorrow would
continue. Hence, without making any special efforts for worldly happiness, the
smart ones would practice Bhakti Yoga in Lord.
The Gopikas of Vrindavana did so. Without getting attached to the day to
day worldly matters, they worshipped Lord Sri Krishna by pouring all their
heart & soul. Doing this way is supreme.
Narada Rishi, with his heart brimming with Bhakti repeatedly addressing
Lord Veda Vyasa as Great Saint! Says,
न वै जनो जातु कथञ्चनाव्रजेन्मुकुन्दसेव्यन्यवदङ्ग संसृतिम् ।
स्मरन् मुकुन्दाङ्घ्र्युपगूहनं पुनर्विहातुमिच्छेन्न रसग्रहो यतः ॥ १९॥
Those who are at the service of the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Mukunda would
never carry out actions of activities that would lead to the cycle of death
& birth. If once, one tastes the nectar of Bhakti Yoga, he would get
engrossed in the Lotus feet of Lord, never to leave like the business of honey
bee has no time for Sorrow and sink in the ocean of ecstasy.
While the bees fly to flowers to drink nectar, mosquitoes fly to the filth to multiply!
इदं हि विश्वं भगवानिवेतरो यतो जगत्स्थाननिरोधसम्भवाः ।
तद्धि स्वयं वेद भवांस्तथापि वै प्रादेशमात्रं भवतः प्रदर्शितम् ॥ २०॥
This universe itself is a shape & figure of the Lord. In all living
beings is also Lord. However, he stands above all by surpassing all living
chetana and nonliving achetana. It is He who does the Creation, Protection,
Destruction, and so on. You know all about the Lord. I have just made an
attempt to indicate about Him. Hence, please elaborate on the Sports Charm and
attributes of the Lord says Narada Rishi with sentiments and posture oozing humility.
त्वमात्मनाऽऽत्मानमवेह्यमोघदृक्परस्यपुंसः परमात्मनः कलाम् ।
अजं प्रजातं जगतः शिवाय तन्महानुभावाभ्युदयोऽधिगण्यताम् ॥ २१॥
You're eminent, your sight, your vision is efficacious and
unfailing. Your appearance is the form
of Paramatma, Lord Purusha. Kindly consider that. Though eternal having no
death nor birth, you appear for the prosperity of this Universe. Hence, please
sing the exclusive and the choicest fame of Lord.
इदं हि पुंसस्तपसः श्रुतस्य वा स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धिदत्तयोः ।
अविच्युतोऽर्थः कविभिर्निरूपितो यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवर्णनम् ॥ २२॥
The knowledgeable have concluded that better than worshiping Lord
through Austerity (Tapa) or Studying Vedas or Fire Sacrifices (Yagna) or Self
Study (Svaadhyaya) or Sacrifice to acquire Knowledge (Jnana Yagna) or Charity
is singing the Divine Fame of Lord that includes his Holy attributes and His Sports
Charm.
अहं पुरातीतभवेऽभवं मुने दास्यास्तु कस्याश्चन वेदवादिनाम् ।
निरूपितो बालक एव योगिनां शुश्रूषणे प्रावृषि निर्विविक्षताम् ॥ २३॥
Oh! Great Sage, the result for having done all this including singing
the divine fame of Lord having holy attributes, his sports charm is my life
story itself. In my last birth, I was born to a maid who served at the house of
Brahmins. The Brahmins who were engaged in deep study of Vedas through
deliberations and arguments. Some Yogis visited them for Chatur Masa or the Vow
of Four Months starting from rainy season. My mother had engaged me to serve
those Yogis for all their needs, says Narada rishi.
Looking forward to the
continued blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus to hear the Life Story of Narada
Rishi.
Being on the topic, Srinivasa Nayaka was a jeweler
and popularly known as Navakoti Narayana for his wealth of over ninety
million. But giving up everything to become Sri Purandara Dasaru. He lived
during 1484-1564 AD and is believed to be a अंश or part of Narada Rishi. Tapping us
gently to wake us up from the slumber of worldly pleasure, he has composed a song
saying he has taken up the business of honey bees of relishing the nectar from the Lotus feet of
Lord Purundara Vittala. Also, this song was in a Kannada film
Navakoti Narayana (1964) sung by the famous duet S. Janaki & M.
Balamuralikrishna. Let's take a look at it with English translation in a font:
madhukara vrtti ennadu adu balu cennadu || P ||
I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very Good
padumanAbhana pAda paduma madhupavemba || AP ||
Lord Padumanabha’s feet being the Lotus for sucking nectar
kAlige gejje kaTTi nIla varNana guNa ALApisutta balu olaga mADuvantha || 1 ||
Wearing the anklets with jingles, setting forth the musical notes to
sing the attributes of the blue colored Lord suitable for Olaga instrument
I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very Good
ranganAthana guNa hingade pADutta shrngAra nODutta kangaLAnandavemba || 2 ||
Singing the attributes of Lord Ranganatha without being exhausted, admiring his handsomeness to be filled with happiness
I have a business like that of the honey bee, that is very Good
indirApati purandara viTTalanalli chendada bhaktiyinda Anandava
paDuvantha || 3 ||
The Lord of Goddess Indra, Sri Purandara Vittala in whom doing good
Bhakti and filling the heart with happiness,
I have a
business like that of the honey bee, that is very Good
|| Hari Om ||
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||
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