Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - The Aftermath of a conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and 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 ||

Om Krishnaya Namah

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च ।

नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥

Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.

Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, My repeated salutations to you.

नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने ।

नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये ॥

My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.

My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.

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.

यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु

ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।

सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे

धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥

The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.

Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.

In Satra or a spiritual gathering that was organized under the leadership of Sri Shaunaka Rishi in Naimisharanya wherein Sri Sutacharya was the  Puranika narrating Srimad Bhagavatam. This was a long time back, even before the dawn of Kali Yuga. Sri Shaunaka Rishi had asked Sri Sutacharya:

ब्रूहि योगेश्वरे कृष्णे ब्रह्मण्ये धर्मवर्मणि ।

स्वां काष्ठामधुनोपेते धर्मः कं शरणं गतः ॥

The Lord of Yoga, Sri Krishna protected Dharma and Brahmana. After his disappearance from this earth, in whom is Dharma taking refuge?

For this, we have seen the answer in Srimad Bhagavatam, A Refuge Assured. Sri Sutacharya has answered that Dharma took refuge in Lord Veda Vyasa who classified Vedas and composed holy scriptures in which Dharma took refuge. However, for all those who do not practice Vedas, Women and for those having a lesser intellectual ability to understand Mahabarata, Lord Veda Vyasa composed Srimad Bhagavatam in which Dharma took refuge.

Further, Sri Shaunaka Rishi had asked Sri Sutacharya:

कस्मिन् युगे प्रवृत्तेयं स्थाने वा केन हेतुना ।

कुतः सञ्चोदितः कृष्णः कृतवान् संहितां मुनिः ॥ ३॥

During which time, place and for what reason was Srimad Bhagavatam composed? It was on whose request did Lord Sri Krishna Dvaipayana compose this scripture? To which Sri Sutacharya had brought up the conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi. In that conversation, Narada Rishi offers prayers seeking to detail his choicest attributes which are inexhaustible. His glory and sports charm. Also, about the selfless Bhagavatas worshipping him with Nishkama dharma or without expectations. Hence Sri Shaunaka Rishi asks

शौनक उवाच

निर्गते नारदे सूत भगवान् बादरायणः ।

श्रुतवांस्तदभिप्रेतं ततः किमकरोद्विभुः ॥ १॥

Suta Puranika! After the departure of Narada Rishi and hearing his opinion, what did The Omnipotent and Omniscience Lord Veda Vyasa do?

सूत उवाच

ब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रमः पश्चिमे तटे ।

शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धनः ॥ २॥

तस्मिन् स्व आश्रमे व्यासो बदरीषण्डमण्डिते ।

आसीनोऽप उपस्पृश्य प्रणिदध्यौ मनः स्वयम् ॥ ३॥

भक्तियोगेन मनसि सम्यक् प्रणिहितेऽमले ।

अपश्यत्पुरुषं पूर्वं मायां च तदुपाश्रयाम् ॥ ४॥

यया सम्मोहितो जीव आत्मानं त्रिगुणात्मकम् ।

परोऽपि मनुतेऽनर्थं तत्कृतं चाभिपद्यते ॥ ५॥

Sri Sutacharya says the holy west bank of river Saraswati is liked by God Brahma, Rishis & their attendant Brahmins. In that west bank, there is a hermitage called Shamyaaprasa convenient for doing Fire sacrifices. Also, at this place, a branch of tree used in fire sacrifice had fallen making the place sacred. Hence, Shamyaaprasa is sacred, holy and delivers the fruit of sacrifice quickly.

Lord Veda Vyasa’s ashrama is also located in this Shamyaaprasa having a beautiful landscape surrounded by Badri trees. After having returned from the river Saraswati taking bath, sitting in that ashrama, completing Achamana or the purification ritual, Lord Veda Vyasa confined his mind to meditation for a long time depicting himself as any other Rishis on earth.

During the meditation, through his divine sight, Lord Veda Vyasa no different from Supreme Purusha sees how the process of Bhakti Yoga unfolds in all the Jivas or Atma when they hear or take-up study of Srimad Bhagavatam that he had decided to compose. For doing Bhakti Yoga, the Jiva needs crystal clear and pure mind devoid of stains of pollutant and sins. In the meditation, he also sees how Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of kali & Sins brings Vairagya towards the materialistic world, gives pure devotion, crystal clear, & clean knowledge founding steady & continuous Bhakti to reveal the indweller.

For cleansing the kalimala and sins, Lord Veda Vyasa beheld Goddess Maya along with his form of Purusha in his meditation. He sees Jiva or Atma getting deceived by Goddess Maya to get deluded and believe as if a part of Gunas though is beyond Prakriti. Or part of three Gunas of Satvika, Rajasika & Thamisika. And, due to this belief, the Jiva experiences suffering.

अनर्थोपशमं साक्षाद्भक्तियोगमधोक्षजे ।

लोकस्याजानतो विद्वांश्चक्रे सात्वतसंहिताम् ॥ ६॥

The only way to cure the sufferings or its threat is Bhakti Yoga in Lord Adhokshaja who is beyond the perception of Sensory organs.

As Jivas are ignorant on this, Lord Veda Vyasa composed सात्वतसंहिताम् or The Sacred Bhagavata.

 

यस्यां वै श्रूयमाणायां कृष्णे परमपूरुषे ।

भक्तिरुत्पद्यते पुंसः शोकमोहभयापहा ॥ ७॥

स संहितां भागवतीं कृत्वानुक्रम्य चात्मजम् ।

शुकमध्यापयामास निवृत्तिनिरतं मुनिः ॥ ८॥

Only by hearing this will give rise to Bhakti in Supreme Purusha, Sri Krishna resulting in the disappearance of grief, delusion, and fear. Hence, the Lord Veda Vyasa composed the Sacred Bhagavata. After which, the generous & kind-hearted Lord did अनुक्रम्य or reread to ensure that even the weakest and fragile are benefited. Subsequently, He initiated it to his son Shuka. As Shuka had accomplished the highest level of Propitiating Lord with Nishkama Dharma or without expectations. 

शौनक उवाच

स वै निवृत्तिनिरतः सर्वत्रोपेक्षको मुनिः ।

कस्य वा बृहतीमेतामात्मारामः समभ्यसत् ॥ ९॥

Curious to know more, Sri Shaunaka Rishi asks that though Sri Shukacharya has reached the highest level of Nishkama Dharma or without expectations, always engrossed in the Supreme Atma showing indifference to all other happenings. What made him take-up the study of such a vast composition of Srimad Bhagavatam?   

सूत उवाच

आत्मारामाश्च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्युरुक्रमे ।

कुर्वन्त्यहैतुकीं भक्तिमित्थम्भूतगुणो हरिः ॥ १०॥

हरेर्गुणाक्षिप्तमतिर्भगवान् बादरायणिः ।

अध्यगान्महदाख्यानं नित्यं विष्णुजनप्रियः ॥ ११॥

Sri Suthacharya responding to Sri Shaunaka and his fellow Rishi says, Sri Shukacharya has a vast knowledge of the creation and is a Paramahamsa or an awakened Soul. He is not concerned even for Kaupina, a small piece of cloth to cover himself nor has an iota of ego. He is always engrossed in Paramatma doing unlimited Bhakti and dipped in the ocean of bliss. Yet, the attributes of Lord and his sports charm is so attractive & sweet that the devout would like to relish by remembering, thinking, describing, singing about him.

आत्मारामाश्च मुनयः says Sri Sutacharya with full of admirations i.e Let alone the Jivas or beings like best of Vaishnava, God Rudra who influences the mind of all Jivas of fourteen regions, without whose blessings the Jiva cannot work for perfection. He has the ability to destroy the entire universe during pralaya or dissolution. Or even his superior, the best of being, God Brahma who has created the entire Universe. Even the Muktas who have broken the cycle of death & birth, being fully satisfied, having nothing more to accomplish and living in Mukta Vaikunta with full of knowledge & bliss also study Srimad Bhagavatam as our Lord is Krishna i.e. he is आकर्षिक​ or attractive.               

The dear son of Lord Veda Vyasa, Sri Shukacharya had his mind attracted to Lord’s attributes & sports charm. His heart full of Bhakti expressing respect towards his father requested him to initiate the study of vast Srimad Bhagavatam and mastered it. To Sri Shukacharya, a form of God Rudra, devotees of Lord is very dear to him. Hence, he showed up all by himself at a gathering on the banks of Ganga River. Initiated Parikshit Raja with Srimad Bhagavatam. Being inside influencing his mind to easily understand Bhagavata dharma and outside by narration of same.

Sri Shaunaka Rishi had requested Sri Sutacharya in The SpiritualGathering of Naimisharanya 

सूत जानासि भद्रं ते भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः ।

देवक्यां वसुदेवस्य जातो यस्य चिकीर्षया ॥

तन्नः शुश्रूषमाणानामर्हस्यङ्गानुवर्णितुम् ।

यस्यावतारो भूतानां क्षेमाय च भवाय च ॥

Benevolent Sri Sutacharya, The most auspicious one who protects us all the time and for whom we are very dear, please tell us about him, Lord Sri Krishna. And why is that he took birth in Vasudeva and Devaki? What was his purpose? Please tell that to us.

The foremost feature of Lord Sri Krishna and the stories of his various appearance on this earth is extremely beneficial to the people and would blossom the Lotus of heart which is made of devotion. Please tell us his stories.

Hence, Sri Sutacharya says,

परीक्षितोऽथ राजर्षेर्जन्मकर्मविलापनम् ।

संस्थां च पाण्डुपुत्राणां वक्ष्ये कृष्णकथोदयम् ॥ १२॥

Sri Shaunaka & fellow Rishis! Now I am going to narrate the stories of birth, action, and moksha of the emperor Parikshit Raja. Also, the story of Pandavas up to their ascending to Heaven and the dawn of the stories of Lord in his form as Sri Krishna. 

In congruence with thoughts and feelings of assembled Rishis, Sri Sutacharya is telling that he would also tell the story of Pandavas and of Parikshit Raja as in it is the glory of Lord Si Krishna.

यदा मृधे कौरवसृञ्जयानां वीरेष्वथो वीरगतिं गतेषु ।

वृकोदराविद्धगदाभिमर्शभग्नोरुदण्डे धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रे ॥ १३॥

भर्तुः प्रियं द्रौणिरिति स्म पश्यन् कृष्णासुतानां स्वपतां शिरांसि ।

उपाहरद्विप्रियमेव तस्य जुगुप्सितं कर्म विगर्हयन्ति ॥ १४॥

In the war at Kurukshetra of Mahabarata, the brave warriors of both Kauravas and Pandavas had accomplished valorous death. The mace of Bheemasena was a pretty heavy made of steel and yielded hard strikes breaking the thighs of Duryodhana. As Duryodhana had fallen on the ground immovable, Ashwatama beheaded the children of Draupadi while they were fast asleep in the camp set up close to the battlefield and presented the chopped heads to his master Duryodhana as a gift to please him. However, Duryodhana was not pleased as he believed that the act of killing while one is sleeping was awfully bad.      

Lord Krishna said:

"Whatever belongs to you today, belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to someone else tomorrow. Don't be illusioned by Maya. Maya is the root cause of all pain and misery"

Happy Janmashtami 2019.

|| Hari Om ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||