Śrīmad Bhāgavata Skanda 2 — Krishna’s Sannidhāna Blooms the Lotus of Heart
"The Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Bhagvan, 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 Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Bhagvan Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan 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.
Śrī Śukācārya taught that by holding the divine names, forms, and sacred līlās in constant dhāraṇā—the steady contemplation of yogic practice—the heart naturally slips into deep, undisturbed meditation. In this way, the seeker attains siddhi, the perfection of Bhakti Yoga, and dwells eternally in the loving refuge of the Bhagvan. With profound eloquence, he described the vast universe as none other than the cosmic body of the Supreme Being, the Virāt Puruṣa. This divine form, veiled in seven sacred sheaths—earth, water, fire, air, ether, ego, and cosmic intelligence—arises from the latent potential of primordial nature, Prakṛti. As the Virāt, He radiates transcendental brilliance, manifesting in countless forms, drawing all creation toward Him, and pervading existence with divine presence. Thus, Śukācārya urged that the yogi practicing dhāraṇā must hold this vision steadily within, perceiving the Bhagavān in all beings and in every breath of life.
Thus, Śuka resumed his utterance, his voice serene as the sacred river’s flow. He reminded King Parīkṣit that the Virāt Puruṣa encompasses the entirety of creation within His transcendental form. With gentle authority, Śuka unfolded the sacred praise, offering a vision to anchor the seeker in dhāraṇā and devotion. Moved deeply, Parīkṣit sought to understand the mystery of creation, sustenance, and dissolution, and how the Supreme Nārāyaṇa remains untouched by Māyā, the force of ignorance. To illuminate this paradox, Śuka narrated the Śuka Gītā—a wisdom stream first revealed by the Bhagvan to Brahmā, passed to Nārada, then to Śuka, and finally to Parīkṣit. In this dialogue, Brahmā affirmed that all creation arises solely by the will of Nārāyaṇa, beyond Prakṛti and the guṇas. Though Brahmā creates, Viṣṇu sustains, and Śiva dissolves, all act under His sovereignty. To illustrate, Brahmā recounted the Līlā Avatāras—divine descents that purify the heart and awaken devotion. In the end, Brahmā declared: the Bhagvan is both within and beyond everything. All actions, causes, and outcomes unfold only through His will. Yet He remains sovereign, unbound, and unmoved—engaging creation through Māyā without being affected by it. True realization of this Bhagvan is possible only through bhakti, pure devotion—for not logic, austerity, or knowledge alone, but the surrender of the heart at His lotus feet grants access to His infinite nature.
राजोवाच
ब्रह्मणा चोदितो ब्रह्मन् गुणाख्यानेऽगुणस्य च ।
यस्मै यस्मै यथा प्राह नारदो देवदर्शनः ॥ १॥
एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि तत्त्वं वेदविदां वर ।
हरेरद्भुतवीर्यस्य कथा लोकसुमङ्गलाः ॥ २॥
King Parikshit humbly inquired:
“O Sri Shukacharya! You are the best among sages, steadfast in Brahmana dharma, and a beacon of truth. I know that Nārada is the Devarishi—the sage among the gods—and a fully realized soul. To behold him is to behold the Bhagvan Himself, for his heart is fully absorbed in the Supreme.
You mentioned that God Brahmā once addressed Nārada, saying:
‘O Nārada! Now it is for you to elaborate the Srimad Bhagavatam—the sacred description of the Supreme Bhagvan who stands beyond Prakṛti, untouched by karma, and filled with infinite, virtuous attributes. This narration will surely blossom Bhakti, the sacred lotus of devotion, in the hearts of all who hear it. Let every soul turn inward to Paramātmā, the indwelling Bhagvan—the eternal ground of all existence.’”
O Sri Shukacharya, please tell me—to whom and in what form did Devarṣi Nārada pass on this divine knowledge? The Supreme Bhagvan is the very abode of all wonder, overflowing with supernatural powers beyond human comprehension. The narration of His glories brings auspiciousness to this world and purifies the heart. Please reveal this to me in full.”
कथयस्व महाभाग यथाहमखिलात्मनि ।
कृष्णे निवेश्य निःसङ्गं मनस्त्यक्ष्ये कलेवरम् ॥ ३॥
शृण्वतः श्रद्धया नित्यं गृणतश्च स्वचेष्टितम् ।
कालेन नातिदीर्घेण भगवान् विशतेहृदि ॥ ४॥
“O Shuka Mahātma! You are exalted—foremost among those who truly know the Vedas. I have now turned away from all worldly attachments and fully absorbed my mind in Bhagvan Sri Krishna, as I prepare to relinquish this mortal body.
Therefore, I humbly urge you—please continue to narrate the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that divine scripture filled with spiritual wisdom and the sacred līlās of the Supreme Bhagvan.
For all faithful souls who listen to Srimad-Bhāgavata daily, and sing His glories with devotion, the Bhagvan quickly begins to increase His presence (sannidhāna) and gradually reveals Himself—growing ever stronger in the lotus of their hearts, until His presence becomes undeniable and radiant. Such is the mercy of the Bhagvan, who dwells within His devotees and responds swiftly to sincere bhakti,” said King Parikshit,
प्रविष्टः कर्णरन्ध्रेण स्वानां भावसरोरुहम् ।
धुनोति शमलं कृष्णः सलिलस्य यथा शरत् ॥ ५॥
"For all faithful souls who listen to and sing the Srimad Bhāgavata, Bhagvan Sri Krishna enters through the ear canal, reaching the lotus of the heart—the sacred seat of devotion. There, He shines with brilliance, illuminating the inner being with His divine presence.
Just as the season of Śarad Ṛtu (autumn) dries up the muddy, filth-laden slush left by the rains, so too does Bhagvan Sri Krishna cleanse the mind of His devotees—removing the filth of Kāma (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (pride), and Matsarya (envy).
In this way, His presence purifies, transforms, and reveals the pristine beauty of the soul, preparing it for unbroken union with Him," said Parikshit.
धौतात्मा पुरुषः कृष्णपादमूलं न मुञ्चति ।
मुक्तसर्वपरिक्लेशः पान्थः स्वशरणं यथा ॥ ६॥
"Just as a traveler, having undergone a miserable experience in a certain place, chooses never to return there again, so too does a virtuous devotee, whose heart has been cleansed by the grace of the Bhagvan, lose all attraction to worldly pursuits.
Having tasted the sweetness of serving the Bhagvan’s lotus feet, such a devotee becomes fully content—and never turns away. He finds in that service the highest joy, the truest shelter, and the only destination worth returning to—again and again, eternally," said Parikshit.
यदधातुमतो ब्रह्मन् देहारम्भोऽस्य धातुभिः ।
यदृच्छया हेतुना वा भवन्तो जानते यथा ॥ ७॥
“O venerable Shuka! The soul is transcendental—pure spirit, eternal, and distinct from matter. Yet the body it inhabits is made of the five inert elements of Prakṛti—earth, water, fire, air, and space—subtle and gross.
Is this embodiment a natural occurrence, or is there a specific cause behind why the soul assumes a material body composed of these inert elements? Kindly explain this mystery. You, who are endowed with complete knowledge, surely understand the truth behind this union of spirit and matter,” inquired Parikshit.
As the sacred dialogue deepens, King Parīkṣit stands before us as the ideal seeker—one who has released all worldly ties and placed his mind wholly at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. Through his earnest questions and Śrī Śukācārya’s serene answers, the essence of Skanda 2 shines forth: that by listening to the Bhāgavata with unwavering faith, the Supreme Bhagvan Himself enters through the gateway of the ear and blossoms within the heart. Like the autumn sun drying the murky waters, His sannidhāna clears the disturbances of desire, anger, pride, and delusion, revealing the soul’s innate purity. Thus, Śravaṇa is not merely hearing—it is transformation. It is the awakening of the heart to its eternal companion. As Parīkṣit prepares to abandon the body, he shows us that liberation is not found in renunciation alone, but in absorbing the mind in the Bhagvan whose presence sanctifies, purifies, and guides the soul home.
॥ Hari Om ॥
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