Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 -Shaunaka Rishi's Virtue of Humility

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. 

Srimad Bhagavatam was composed by Lord Veda Vyasa and initiated it to his brilliant & dear son Sri Sukhacharya. Sri Sukacharya arrived at banks of Ganga when Parikshit Raja had taken up the vow of Prayopavistam and narrated Srimad Bhagavatam as a remedy to him and to the gathering of acclaimed saints. Sri Sutacharya was also present in that gathering. Hence, Sri Sutacharya says to Sri Shaunaka and his fellow Rishis that he would narrate Srimad Bhagavatam to the best of his understanding.   

इति ब्रुवाणं संस्तूय मुनीनां दीर्घसत्रिणाम् ।

वृद्धः कुलपतिः सूतं बह्वृचः शौनकोऽब्रवीत् ॥ १॥

Lord Veda Vyasa, the composer of Srimad Bhagavatam records that in the long stories of penance conducted in the spiritual gathering at Naimaishya, the elder in both knowledge and age, the head of Rigveda, Sri Shaunaka Rishi praising Sri Suthacharya requesting for the narration of Srimad Bhagavata says,

सूत सूत महाभाग वद नो वदतां वर ।

कथां भागवतीं पुण्यां यदाह भगवाञ्छुकः ॥ २॥

Sutha, Sutha! Your eloquent narration of spiritual philosophy has gained eminence. You are fortunate for having heard Srimad Bhagavatam directly through Sri Shukacharya. It was extraordinary, hearing which Parikshit Raja went to the feet of the Lord or got Mukti from the cycle of death & birth. Hence, please tell us Srimad Bhagavatam that was narrated by the great muni, Sri Shuka. 

Here, the head of Rigveda and eldest of thousands of Rishi is full of Bhagavata Dharma. Though Sri Sutacharya had already said that he will narrate Srimad Bhagavatam to best of his ability, Shaunaka Rishi filled with respect, regard, and simplicity without an iota of indifference expressed his eagerness to hear Srimad Bhagavatam filled with innocence. This is the virtue of humility. He did not take a line of waiting for Sri Sutacharya to start Srimad Bhagavatam.  

Though at the level of Prakriti or exterior senses, Sri Shaunaka Rishi knew the answers, with a desire to have the special knowledge through interior sense organs or at the level of Atma requests answers to several questions from Sri Suthacharya.

He further inquired,

कस्मिन् युगे प्रवृत्तेयं स्थाने वा केन हेतुना ।

कुतः सञ्चोदितः कृष्णः कृतवान् संहितां मुनिः ॥ ३॥

During which time, which places and for what reason was Srimad Bhagavatam composed? It was on whose request did Lord Sri Krishna Dvaipayana compose this scripture?

तस्य पुत्रो महायोगी समदृङ्निर्विकल्पकः ।

एकान्तमतिरुन्निद्रो गूढो मूढ इवेयते ॥ ४॥

His son, Sri Shuka is a great yogi, balanced, does not see the differences as nirdosha hi samam Brahma or Stainless is Lord Sama or balanced.  He would not see the difference between a Brahmin and an outcast or the elephant and dog, man and women, he would only see their Indweller, Lord Sama or Balance. Also, Sri Shuka has accomplished the pinnacle of Bhakti Yoga and would never believe in possession i.e. this is mine, that is yours and the other is his. His belief in Lordship is absolute. He is an awakened soul seeing Lord in everyone and everything. He is always alone, focussed on propitiating only Lord and has won the sleep and ignorance. No one knows him as he never exhibits himself and appears as if dull, ignorant or idiotic to ordinary.  

दृष्ट्वानुयान्तमृषिमात्मजमप्यनग्नंदेव्यो ह्रिया परिदधुर्न सुतस्य चित्रम् ।

तद्वीक्ष्य पृच्छति मुनौ जगदुस्तवास्ति स्त्रीपुम्भिदा न तु सुतस्य विविक्तदृष्टेः ॥ ५॥

He is a Mendicant practicing mendicancy or relying only on the donation or alms. But never waited for more than the time required to milk a cow. When he left the house and took-up mendicancy, his father Lord Veda Vyasa followed him. On the way, girls & women were bathing in a pond filled with water. A surprising incidence happened. Though Shuka being naked mendicant, passed by the pond, the women folk did not mind and were indifferent. However, when the elder Veda Vyasji fairly dressed, passed by, they blushed with shyness.

To Veda Vyasji’s question, the women answering said, Lord, in your sight, you created an illusion in us having aspects that differentiate men and women. However, in that of your son Shuka, there was no such differentiation.      

कथमालक्षितः पौरैः सम्प्राप्तः कुरुजाङ्गलान् ।

उन्मत्तमूकजडवद्विचरन् गजसाह्वये ॥ ६॥

Being so focused on Lord, appearing as if aimless without feelings & mad, wandering in the state of Kurujangala & the city of Hastinapura, how did people recognize the great Sri Shukacharya?

कथं वा पाण्डवेयस्य राजर्षेर्मुनिना सह ।

संवादः समभूत्तात यत्रैषा सात्वती श्रुतिः ॥ ७॥

How did the grandson of Pandavas, the raja rishi Parikshit converse with such Bhakti Yogi and silent Sri Shukacharya? And how were the long stories of Bhagavatam told?

स गोदोहनमात्रं हि गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् ।

अवेक्षते महाभागस्तीर्थीकुर्वंस्तदाश्रमम् ॥ ८॥

Also, that great Sri Shukacharya would not stand in one place or in front of a house for alms more than the time required for milking a cow. Also, he would visit only to the house of virtuous. Whoever's house he visits, he would convert their house equivalent to a pilgrimage in a short time. Such was his divinity. 

अभिमन्युसुतं सूत प्राहुर्भागवतोत्तमम् ।

तस्य जन्म महाश्चर्यं कर्माणि च गृणीहि नः ॥ ९॥

Sri Sutha Puranika, we have heard that the son of Abhimanyu, Parikshit Raja was the best of Bhagavata following Bhagavata dharma to letter and spirit. His birth itself was a wonder. Please tell us the extraordinary story of his birth and all his outstanding activities.

स सम्राट् कस्य वा हेतोः पाण्डूनां मानवर्धनः ।

प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनादृत्याधिराट् श्रियम् ॥ १०॥

Also, he brought fame to the family of Pandu and was an able Emperor. The Emperor of all the seven islands of this earth. Though had the responsibility of administrating as per the dharma set-up by his grandfather Yudhistra, for what reason did he abandoned the Empire and its wealth? What made him reach the bank of Ganges and take the vow of Prayopavistam by fasting until death?   

नमन्ति यत्पादनिकेतमात्मनः शिवाय हानीय धनानि शत्रवः ।

कथं स वीरः श्रियमङ्ग दुस्त्यजां युवैषतोत्स्रष्टुमहो सहासुभिः ॥ ११॥             

The enemy Kings would bring their tax money of their kingdom to the Emperor and place it at the footrest of Parikshit Raja without failure. Yet, why the young Parikshit Raja did abandon the Empire and its complete wealth? What made him decide so?

शिवाय लोकस्य भवाय भूतये य उत्तमश्लोकपरायणा जनाः ।

जीवन्ति नात्मार्थमसौ पराश्रयं मुमोच निर्विद्य कुतः कलेवरम् ॥ १२॥

One who has complete trust & belief in the Lord and work for the auspiciousness, welfare, prosperity, happiness of virtuous? They are not selfish. This way, having benevolence and doing selfless charity, how did Parikshit raja bring in dispassion towards his clean body and decided to give up?        

तत्सर्वं नः समाचक्ष्व पृष्टो यदिह किञ्चन ।

मन्ये त्वां विषये वाचां स्नातमन्यत्र छान्दसात् ॥ १३॥

Except for the world of Vedas & Vedanta, you have exceptional knowledge in all Shastras or indoctrination. Sri Sutha Puranika, please answer all our question.

Though, Srimad Bhagavatam started from Janmadaysaya or the first verse of prayer, in the whole of first Skanda only the conversation between Sri Sutacharya and Shaunaka Rishi is happening. In fact, Srimad Bhagavatam, as narrated by Sri Shukacharya, starts only in the second skandha. So the question arises if the first Skanda is a part of Srimad Bhagavatam? Also, did Sri Shukacharya narrate the first skandha to Parikshit Raja or was his narration incomplete? How did Lord Veda Vyasa include the first skandha in Srimad Bhagavatam or what was the reason for inclusion?

To have answers for all these, we need to know the practice of Shastras or Indoctrination. The Shastra says before the taking-up the practice of Vedas, one needs to know the Rishi or the first who explored, Devata or the Gods influencing & chandas or the meter in which the Rishi has sung. This is to pay gratitude to the Rishi who gave the mantra, propitiate the Gods who would confer with the blessings of purpose and chandas to have specific knowledge. Also, without doing so could lead to untoward.

Similar to the study Vedas, Sri Sutacharya recites the below verse of prayer appropriate for the study of Puranas:

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् ।

देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत् ॥

Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, who supports all including Goddess Lakshmi and who is the subject of Srimad Bhagavatam. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the composer of Srimad Bhagavatam. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of fortune who is always at the service of the Lord and blessing all Bhagavatas with Srimad or in abundant. The abundance of hearing, studying, understanding Srimad Bhagavata that has Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya. Salutations to Gods Brahma & Vayu, the best of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the goddess of Knowledge and bhakti. Salutations to Gods Sesha and Shiva, the best of Vaishnava. Salutations to Srimad Bhagavatam that brings Victory.

Hence, remembering the Guru, Parama-guru, Mulaguru, Gods and the Supreme Lord is Sanatana before taking-up any study. As this would guarantee the results or fruit.

Therefore, the first three adhyaya has all the subject that is propounded by Srimad Bhagavatam. The subject of Lord, his creation & Lordship, Prakriti & His relationship, Tattva & His attributes, His various forms appearing directly, as Indweller and as Idol in all substance of Prakriti, Atma & His relationship, His other attributes of sustenance, regulation including confinement of Atma through Prakriti that influences Arishadvarga, liberation by bestowing Aproksha Jnana to Atma and subsequently moksha. This way salutations are paid as Narayana Namaskrutyam i.e. नारायणं नमस्कृत्य

Consistent with these and practices of Sri Sutacharya and Sri Sukhacharya which have been initiated by none other than Lord Veda Vyasa, Sri Shaunaka Rishi is asking the questions that shed light on the composer of Srimad Bhagavata, the mulaguru Sri Veda Vyasa and the reason for the manifestation of Srimad Bhagavatam. Also about Sri Shukacharya, the paramaguru who initiated Srimad Bhagavatam to various acclaimed rishis, through whose disciples Bhagavatam has reached us, and his student Parikshit Raja. This way salutations are paid as Vyasam to Lord Veda Vyasa, Devi to Goddess Lakshmi, Narottama or Bharati & Mukya Prana, as Naram i.e. Gods Garuda, Sesha, Rudra including their wives, नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् । देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं.

Lord Veda Vyasa composing Srimad Bhagavatam has structured and weaved complete with Sanathana dharma having satsampradaya or auspicious practices. The practice of starting with verses of prayers to all Guru, Gods, and Lord. Knowing the subject of Lord, Rishi or the composer of Srimad Bhagavatam all Gods & Gurus having a stake to influence the fruit of studying Srimad Bhagavatam. Which means Srimad Bhagavatam starts from Janmadyasya or the first verse of prayer composed by all-knowing Lord Veda Vyasa having knowledge of past, present, and future. The same was initiated to Sri Shukacharya who in turn initiated to Parikshit Raja and other acclaimed Rishis present in the gathering. While the narration of  Srimad Bhagavatam as a conversation between Sri Shukacharya to Parikshit Raja starts in the second adhyaya. 

  

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||