Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 – From Worldly Fog to Divine Clarity
"The Lord Sriman Narayana is the very essence of divine virtues, self-sustained, radiant with light, overflowing with boundless knowledge and bliss. He is the ‘Creator of The Universe,’ which encompasses countless forms of Himself, both the living beings and the non-living things. He sustains, transforms, and governs it all — bestowing both ignorance and wisdom, binding beings to the cycle of birth and death, and offering liberation to those who seek moksha. Thus, He is the Param, the Supreme.
In the dawn of creation, He manifested the first being, the four-faced Brahma, and gifted him the knowledge required to bring the cosmos into being. Through His blessings, wisdom unfolds. Though He seeks no gain for Himself, He creates and upholds the cosmos for the welfare of all living beings, endowed with all the wisdom necessary for such a grand design. For He is neither a juggler, nor a deceiver, crafting illusions in this world. Untainted by any flaw, He is the Satyam — the absolute truth.
With reverence, let us meditate upon Lord Sriman Narayana, the embodiment of Satyam and Param."
"The Srimad Bhagavata encompasses the entirety of Dharma, safeguarding the soul from falling by purifying it, and guiding the individual soul towards the divine path leading to the Lord. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Lord, free from jealousy, expectation, or deceit. As one treads upon this path, all obstacles dissolve, prosperity is bestowed, and the heart becomes imbued with virtue, turning one into a Sajjana, a virtuous soul. Above all, it fortifies bhakti, deepening one’s devotion.
Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata, composed by the Lord in the form of sage Veda Vyasa shines as a beacon of truth, revealing Himself as Supreme Soul eternally resides in the heart of every living being."
"Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Lord and bestows the blessings of abundance upon all Bhagavatas, enriching them with the divine knowledge of Srimad Bhagavata — a wealth that encompasses Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.
Salutations to the Gods Brahma and Vayu, the noblest of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Devotion, who inspires both wisdom and bhakti. Salutations to the divine Garuda, Sesha and Shiva, the greatest among the Vaishnavas.
Salutations to the Srimad Bhagavata, the sacred text that brings forth eternal victory and spiritual triumph."
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 Raghavendra, I worship you by surrendering myself.
With divine grace and wisdom, Sri Shukacharya solemnly, addresses King Parikshit’s inquiries, recognizing their profound significance:वरीयानेष ते प्रश्नः कृतो लोकहितं नृप ।
आत्मवित्सम्मतः पुंसां श्रोतव्यादिषु यः परः ॥ १॥
"O Parakshit! Your inquiries are not merely profound but serve as a beacon of wisdom for all humanity. The wisdom contained in these answers holds the power to liberate souls from the endless cycle of birth and death. Understand this well—whether in the rhythms of daily life or at the threshold of death, one must remain steadfast in sacred service to the Supreme Lord, with a heart purified in devotion."
He then expounds upon श्रोतव्यादिषु यः परः—that among countless spiritual acts, hearing and other forms of devotion are supreme. These nine paths, Navadha Bhakti, include:
1) Shrotavyam (Hearing) – Absorbing the divine names, glories, and leelas of the Lord with rapt attention, allowing His nectar-like essence to permeate the heart.
2) Kirtanam (Singing His Praises) – Singing or chanting hymns that affirm the Lord’s divine attributes and recount His captivating pastimes attracts grace filling the heart with divine peace and bliss. Also, fosters the very virtues that are being praised.
3) Smaranam (Remembering) – Recollecting and visualizing the form of the Lord, along with His holy names, forms, divine attributes, and sacred leelas nourishes the soul.
5) Archanam (Worship) – Performing the Shodasha Upachara (sixteen-fold worship), which includes:
5.01) Dhyanam – Meditating on the Lord
5.02) Ahavanam – Welcoming Him
5.03) Asanam – Offering a seat
5.04) Padyam – Washing His feet
5.05) Arghyam – Offering water to drink
5.06) Achamanam – Offering sacred water for purification
5.07) Snanam – Bathing Him with sacred water
5.08) Vastram – Adorning Him with new garments
5.09) Yajnopaveetam – Offering the sacred thread
5.10) Gandham – Applying sandalwood paste
5.11) Pushpam, Dhoopam, Deepam – Offering flowers, incense, and ghee lamps
5.12) Naivedyam – Presenting delicious food
5.13) Tamboolam – Offering betel leaves
5.14) Mantra Pushpam – Reciting Vedic hymns along with a floral offering
5.15) Aarati – Waving a lamp in reverence
5.16) Niranjanam – The final offering of light, dispelling darkness and signifying divine illumination
6) Vandanam (Salutations) – Offering humble prostrations to the Lord with deep reverence.
7) Dasyam (Service) – Wholeheartedly engaging in the service of the Supreme Lord, surrendering to His boundless sovereignty as the eternal Master of all creation, the Akhilanda Koti Brahmanda Nayaka, in whom all universes reside.
9) Atmanivedanam (Total Surrender) – The highest form of devotion—complete self-surrender of one’s thoughts, speech, and actions to the Lord, offering everything unto Him.
‘O Parakshit!’ Sri Shukacharya declares, ‘By practicing these sacred forms of devotion with a pure heart, even the greatest philosophers and enlightened sages attain self-realization (Atma Jnana)—a realization steeped in devotion, revealing one’s eternal dependence on the Lord. Such unwavering devotion elevates the soul beyond the realms of suffering and binding it eternally to the Supreme Lord’s divine grace.’
अपश्यतामात्मतत्त्वं गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ २॥
निद्रया ह्रियते नक्तं व्यवायेन च वा वयः ।
दिवा चार्थेहया राजन् कुटुम्बभरणेन वा ॥ ३॥
देहापत्यकलत्रादिष्वात्मसैन्येष्वसत्स्वपि ।
तेषां प्रमत्तो निधनं पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति ॥ ४॥
“O Rajendra! However, the common households—both men and women—remain ensnared in the entanglements of the material world, blinded by ignorance to the ultimate truth. Immersed in mundane pursuits, they drift through life, consumed by fleeting pleasures and temporal concerns. Half of their precious lifespan slips away in deep sleep and sensual indulgence, lost to the empty embrace of sleep and the fleeting ecstasy of carnal desires.
During the day, they remain preoccupied with the relentless pursuit of wealth, driven by an insatiable hunger for gain. Some, devoid of virtue, stoop to deceit and corruption, scheming for selfish ends. Others, bound by duty, toil endlessly to care for their families, entangled in the web of worldly obligations.
The householder clings with unwavering attachment to the body, spouse, children, and kin. To them, these bonds seem dearer than life itself. Yet, in truth, these very attachments serve as barriers to spiritual growth. They are poor companions on the path of divine realization, for they tether the soul to transient pleasures and deepen the illusion of permanence in a perishable world.
Even when shown the inevitable fruits of such entanglements—worry, sorrow, and eventual ruin—householders remain intoxicated by their attachment to wealth, relations, and worldly affairs. Though they may hear words of wisdom, they turn away, deafened by the clamor of their own desires. Thus, they forsake spiritual wisdom for self-awareness and neglect the enrichment of the soul, losing themselves in the mirage of material existence.”
Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484–1564), revered as the "Father of Carnatic Music," holds an enduring place in India's spiritual and musical heritage. Believed to be an incarnation (अंश) of Narada Rishi—the celestial sage and musician—his legacy transcends time, weaving devotion into melody and art.
Inspired by Sri Shukacharya’s sacred discourse, Purandara Dasaru echoes its eternal truth in song, his voice rising in devotion:
To hear, check out:See below for the lyrics of the song and Translation of this timeless composition.:
mAnava janma doDDadu ida
hAni maDalu bEDi huchhappagaLirA ll p ll
Human life is precious
Don't spoil it like a foolish
kaNNu kai kAl kivi nAlige iralikke
maNNu mukki maraLAguvare
heNNu maNNigAgi hariya nAmAmruta
uNNade upavAsa iruvare KhODi ll 1 ll
Having eyes, hands, ears, and a tongue,
Can one in delusion consume mere dust?
For the sake of wealth and women,
Will one forsake the nectar of Hari's name?
kAlana dhootaru kAlpiDeLevAga
tALlu tALendare tALuvare
dhALi bArada munna dharmava gaLisiro
hALu samsAra suLige sikkalubEDi ll 2 ll
When the attendants of death fasten their chains,
Will they halt when asked to wait?
Before fate strikes, embrace righteousness,
Do not be trapped in the fleeting whirl of Samsara.
Enu kAraNa yadupatiyanu maretiri
dhana dhAnya sati sutaru kAyuvare
innAdaru EkO bhAvadi bhajisiro
chenna srI purandara viTTala rAyana ll 3 ll
For what reason have you forgotten Sri Krishna, the King of Yadus?
Will riches, food, or family shield you from death?
At least from now, surrender with a single-minded heart,
Worship the glorious Sri Purandara Vittala.
श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च स्मर्तव्यश्चेच्छताभयम् ॥५॥
एतावान् साङ्ख्ययोगाभ्यां एतावान् स्वधर्मपरिनिष्ठया ।
जन्मलाभः परः पुंसामन्ते नारायणस्मृतिः ॥ ६॥
प्रायेण मुनयो राजन् निवृत्ता विधिषेधतः ।
नैर्गुण्यस्था रमन्ते स्म गुणानुकथने हरेः ॥ ७॥
Sri Shukacharya, with profound reverence and a heart brimming with devotion, addresses King Parakshit with divine wisdom:
“O Parakshit, descendant of King Bharata! One who longs to be liberated from the miseries of material existence and seeks the divine shelter of Lord Sri Krishna must engage in the threefold spiritual discipline of hearing, glorifying, and remembering His transcendental qualities. The Lord, the indweller of all beings, is the supreme controller and eternal savior, ever protecting His devotees from all afflictions. By constantly meditating on His holy names, forms, divine attributes, and sacred Leelas, one’s heart is purified and filled with boundless bliss.”
With a serene smile, Sri Shukacharya reveals the supreme perfection of human life: “O Parakshit! The highest goal attainable through any spiritual path—whether it be, Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge); Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion); Karma Yoga (path of selfless action); or being faithful to one’s dharma —is to remember the Lord, Sriman Narayana, during one’s final breaths.
Thus, to ensure that His holy names, forms, divine attributes, and sacred Leela illuminate the mind at the time of death, one must diligently practice these spiritual disciplines throughout life. For in the final moments, the remembrance of the Supreme Lord liberates the soul from the cycle of birth and death forever.”
प्रायेण मुनयो राजन् निवृत्ता विधिषेधतः ।नैर्गुण्यस्था रमन्ते स्म गुणानुकथने हरेः ॥ ७॥
With profound compassion, Sri Shukacharya declares: “O King! The great philosophers, enlightened Rishis, and venerable Munis—having renounced all worldly attachments—dedicate their entire lives to the Supreme Lord, who is untouched by the three gunas of Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance). Transcending these material modes, they engross in the bliss of divine contemplation. With unwavering devotion, they relish the nectar of narrating the Lord’s auspicious attributes and sacred Leelas, becoming intoxicated in divine ecstasy.”
This aligns with Sri Krishna’s following teachings to Parakshit’s grandfather Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita chapter 10; verses 8 to 11:
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्त: सर्वं प्रवर्तते ।इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विता: ॥ ८॥
“I am the origin of all creation. All that is happening is because of Me. The great philosophers, enlightened Rishis, and venerable Munis know this perfectly and worship Me with great devotion,”
Their minds are fixed on Me; they work hard to ensure their organs of sense and action work for me. They enlighten their students about Me, My nature and My Philosophy. They are delighted in speaking of Me.
तेषां सततयुक्तानां भजतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम् ।ददामि बुद्धियोगं तं येन मामुपयान्ति ते ॥ १०॥
Hence, to those whose minds are always engaged in Me in devotion, I bless them with divine knowledge by which they come to Me.
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तम: ।नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता ॥ ११॥
Out of compassion, I dwell within their mind and heart dispelling the darkness of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge.
Also in Bhagavad Gita chapter 14; verses 19 and 20:
नान्यं गुणेभ्य: कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति ।गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति ॥ १९॥
When a wise Jnani realizes that the three guṇas are the root cause of Vikāra—manifesting as unrighteousness, disorder, and afflictions in various actions and the Lord as ever beyond the influence of Prakriti, eternally untouched by the guṇas. Having attained this realization, such Jnanis rise above the material modes and attain Me.
गुणानेतानतीत्य त्रीन्देही देहसमुद्भवान् ।
जन्ममृत्युजरादु:खैर्विमुक्तोऽमृतमश्रुते ॥ २०॥
By transcending the three modes of material nature associated with the body, the embodied soul is freed from birth, death, old age, and sorrow—and achieves immortality.
Then, with divine grace shining in his eyes, Sri Shukacharya declares a profound truth: “O Parakshit! The secret of spiritual liberation lies in the constant remembrance of the Lord. Whether through Jnana, Bhakti, or Karma, the ultimate purpose of all spiritual endeavors is to develop pure, selfless devotion, enabling the soul to behold the divine form of Sriman Narayana at the moment of death and be liberated forever.”
O Bharata! Let your heart be ever immersed in hearing, chanting, and remembering the Lord—He alone is the eternal refuge. This aligns with Sri Krishna’s solemn declaration to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita chapter 8; verse 5:
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् ।य: प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशय: ॥८-५॥
Surely, he who, at life’s final breath, forsaking the body, remembers Me alone, at once attains Me—of this, let no doubt remain.
The sages, liberated from worldly bonds, find their joy solely in the glories of Hari.
Shukacharya speaks to Parikshit, his voice filled with divine love: "May this sacred discourse kindle within you an unshaken devotion in Krishna, the most attractive. May the remembrance lift you beyond the fleeting world, to Vaikuntha—eternal, luminous, and free."
With tears of ecstasy shimmering in his eyes, he continues: "O Parikshit! In the ocean of this divine scripture, may you taste the nectar of Bhakti. May love for Sri Krishna fill your being, and may you rise beyond the cycle of birth and death, into His eternal embrace."
To move from worldly fog to divine clarity, may we anchor our souls in Śravaṇam, Kīrtanam, and Smaraṇam—not merely in words, but in the living joy of devotion. For Bhakti alone liberates. Bhakti alone endures.
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