Bhagavatam, day 4

Srimad Bhagavatam – day 4

Narada Maharishi propagated devotion and established it all over the world. The celestial prophecy turned out to be true. Jnana and Vairagya, the sons of bhakti were rejuvenated and regained their youth once again. Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya continued to live comfortably and happily. This is from the Srimad Bhagawata māhatyam chapter of Pādma purana.

One shudders to think of a society that is lacking in bhakti, jnana and vairagya. With the goal that the entire world should be happy and blissful, let us listen to the entire Srimad Bhāgawatam. Let us obtain the grace of the Supreme Lord.

Before beginning to understand Srimad Bhāgawatam, let us at first chant the Dhyāna ślokas.

Vyāsāya Viśnu rūpāya vyāsa rūpāya viśṇavē
Namovai Braḥma-nidhaye vāśisṭāya namōnamaḥ ǀǀ

Yogindrāya namas tasmai śukāya Braḥma-rūpiṇe
Samsāra darpa dasṭam yo viśṇurāta mamūmucat ǀǀ

Kāla-vyāla mukhā-grāsa-trasa-nirnāśā hētave
Srimad Bhāgawatam śāśtraṃ kalou keereṇa bhāśitaṃ ǀǀ

Sacchidānanda rūpāya viśwotpatyādi hetave
Tāpatraya vināśāya śri kriśnāya vayaṃ nu maḥ ǀǀ

Janmady asyā yato ‘nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarāt
tene brahma hrda ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah

tejo-vāri-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra trisargo’mrśa
dhāmna svena sadā nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi ǀǀ

Every object in this creation is in the state of existence (sat, truth). But one object does not reside/ stay in another. We understand that this world was born out of Parabrahma who inherently is the form of existence (sat), it dwells (sthiti) in Him and once again merges back into Him.

Paramatma who is all knowing and who self-illumines without any expectation, out of His own intent taught the knowledge of the Vedas to four faced Brahma. Even great souls get stupefied in matters pertaining to this Supreme Lord. Just as fire, water, earth emerged from Him whose inherent form is existence only (sat), this world too which is their effect form (kārya roopa), and although in reality it does not exist, is apparent (visible). Māya (illusion, ignorance) and its defects cannot touch that Lord who is a form of consciousness. In other words, he destroys those defects. I contemplate upon such Parabrahma who is a form of truth.

dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ
vedyaṁ vāstavam atra vastu śivadaṁ tāpa-trayonmūlanam
śrīmad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-kṛte kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ
sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate ‘tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt

In this Srimad Bhāgawatam, which has been composed by eminent Maharishi Veda Vyasa, the profound dharma (rule of righteousness) called Karma-phala-tyāga (giving up the fruits of action) is being taught. That which is taught by great saints who are devoid of any feelings of jealousy, that which is the eternal truth, that which causes welfare and that which drives away all afflictions, the knowledge of such Parabrahma is being taught in this text. By reading other Scriptures, does Lord Ishwara remain permanently seated in the heart? No. But in the hearts of those devotees who listen to this Bhāgawatam with deep interest, dedication and desire, Paramatma firmly seats himself, that very instant.

Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁmitam
Pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayaṁ muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

This fruit called Bhāgawatam, which is filled with the essence called Supreme Bliss, emerged from the wish fulfilling tree called Veda, and was thrown to the ground through the parrot beak of Maharishi śuka. This is so surprising. O humans, who understand about this essence and who have deep inclination as well as feelings of deep devotion towards this essence, chew this fruit which is filled with essence, again and again until you attain the essence called liberation.

Until here we have understood the significance of Bhagawatam through these auspicious verses that bring out its glory. We have also discussed that this Bhagawatam has emerged from the parrot beaked Maharishi śuka. It is a well known fact that a fruit which has been tasted by a parrot is always sweet. In this case Maharishi śuka experienced the essence of this fruit called Bhagawatam. In those who hold on to it, the five sense organs attain contentment and they experience inherent bliss. The homes and the surroundings of the place where Bhagawatam is recited or read always remain peaceful. The radiance of Goddess Lakshmi will be flowing greatly there.

Sri krishnāya Paramatmane namah.

In this 1st Canto, there are 19 sub chapters (adhyaya). First adhyaya covers the story wherein Sounaka and other Maharishis, seated in the Naimishāranya forest, seek to know from Suka Maharishi about Srimad Bhagawatam. Naimisharanaya forest is the sacred place (kshetra) of Sri Maha-vishnu or of the Devatas, who at all times, are eternally the form of consciousness. Here Sounaka and other saints wanted to know about Sri Maha Vishnu who’s glories are sung eternally in heaven and who is sought after by worthy people on earth who are capable of contemplating upon Him. With this intent they began to perform a Satra Yaga which would go on for a 1000 years.

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