Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana

Shrimad Bhagwad Mahatmya

Adhyay No. 2

 Nardji tries to lessen the Grief of भक्ती (Devotion),ज्ञान (Knowledge) and वैराग्य (Asceticism)

    "Naradji says to Bhakti, i.e., Devotion, 'Hey Goddess, don’t be sad. You are the favorite of Lord Krishna. Think of Lord Krishna, and he will definitely lessen your grief. Lord Krishna has always reduced the pain of his devotees and protected Draupadi in the gathering (Sabha) of the Kauravas. He also protected his greatest devotee, Ambreesh. Lord Krishna loves you more than himself. When you call him, he presents himself even in front of those engaged in evil deeds. During the periods of Satyuga, Tretayuga, and Dvaparyuga, there were paths to gain Knowledge and Asceticism. However, in this period of Kalyuga, only Devotion will bring salvation. Once, you questioned Lord Krishna about your purpose. At that time, Lord Krishna asked you to help the devotees find or test the truth and make them powerful. That’s why you were blessed with two sons, namely Knowledge and Asceticism, and a helping hand of salvation or liberation. Your true nature is to support and nourish those staying in paradise. You live here on this earth in the form of a shadow.'

    Naradji further said, "Devotion was given the highest respect in Satyuga, Tretayuga, and Dvaparyuga, but in Kaliyuga, your helping hand of salvation has become feeble and has left for paradise. Salvation comes to earth when devotion requests it to come and then returns to paradise. The two sons of Bhakti stay with her, but since they are not respected in Kaliyuga, they have become old, aging more than their mother Bhakti."

    Naradji then consoles Bhakti, asking her not to worry, and assures her that he will find a solution to awaken her sons. He further assures Bhakti that he will find a place for her in the hearts of people on earth. Naradji adds that he will not consider himself a devotee of Lord Krishna until he positions devotion, knowledge, and asceticism in the heart of every human being. 

    

    In Kaliyuga, devotion is the backbone, and Lord Krishna appears and is under the control of devotion. One who harbors hatred towards devotion does not progress and perishes.

    

    Sutji said that upon hearing such words from Naradji, Bhakti became powerful and declared that she would forever reside in Naradji's heart. Naradji had healed Bhakti, and now she asked him to lessen the grief of her two sons. 

    

    Upon listening to Bhakti's words, Naradji became more sympathetic towards her and tried to awaken Knowledge and Asceticism, but they were unresponsive. Naradji then began reciting the Vedas and Vedanta, followed by reading all 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita in an attempt to awaken them. Despite his efforts, Knowledge and Asceticism woke up but were still lethargic. They appeared old, with white hair, exhausted bodies, and were unable to stand on their own, falling repeatedly.

    

    Worried, Naradji started contemplating God, and at that moment, a voice from heaven reassured him that his efforts would not be in vain. The voice stated that the Rishis would guide Naradji on how to awaken Knowledge and Asceticism. Naradji, unable to comprehend the message, left the two sons and set out to find the Rishis.

       

    Despite visiting many religious places, Naradji could not find the Rishis or understand the meaning of the message. Some saints remarked that if the Vedas, Vedanta, and the Bhagavad Gita could not awaken Knowledge and Asceticism, then no other means could. Others questioned if Naradji, the son of Lord Brahma, has failed ,then how would  when others have the power to succeed.

        

    Continuing his search, Naradji eventually reached Badrivan, where he met the jewel crest Rishis. Delighted to see him, the Rishis blessed Naradji, who expressed his appreciation for their knowledge, status as the mind-born sons of Lord Brahma, and eternal youth at the age of five while residing in paradise. Naradji conveyed his deep grief and desire to understand the message from heaven and the path it referred to.

    

    Sankadik Rishi said he would immediately dispel the grief and asked Naradji to listen carefully and with complete happiness. He explained that many paths to achieve Knowledge and Asceticism had been discussed in the past, but these paths were quite challenging and did not lead to salvation. The path to salvation remained a secret. Now, he would discuss the path revealed by the voice from the heaven.

    

    Sankadik Rishi explained that many types of Yajnas, such as those involving materials, meditation, Yoga, and Knowledge, helped reach heaven. However, scholars have identified Knowledge Yajna as the path to salvation. This knowledge is the self-study of the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana. Self-study of the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana imparts Devotion, Knowledge, and Asceticism. This self-study will dispel grief as well as sins.

    

    Naradji narrated to Sankadik Rishi that despite reciting the Veda, Vedanta, and all 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, he had failed to awaken Knowledge and Asceticism. He questioned how simply reciting the words of the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana could awaken them.

    Sankadik Rishi explained that the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana is a combination of all the elements of the Veda and Vedanta. It represents the essence of all the best elements of the Veda and Vedanta, similar to how the fruit of a tree is more important than its branches and trunk, or how butter is more valuable than milk and its fats. The Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana is the essence, a comprehensive guide to all Vedas and Vedantas.

    

    Shri Vyas ji had narrated four verses of the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana to dispel Naradji's grief. Therefore, Sankadik Rishi advised Naradji to recite the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana to  Knowledge, and Asceticism. Melodious recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Purana would awaken them from their state.

   

     Upon hearing this solution, Naradji felt very happy and thanked the jewel crest Rishis. He expressed that the presence of the Rishis and their guidance on awakening Knowledge, and Asceticism had brought him immense peace. Naradji vowed to preach devotion and eradicate loss of consciousness, delusion, and ignorance from the world.

.... Next Adhyaya in next blog ....

Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran

Shrimad Bhagwad Mahatmya

Adhyay No. 1

The Story of भक्ती (Devotion),ज्ञान (Knowledge) and वैराग्य (Asceticism)

Once upon a time, in Naimiṣa forest , the great sage Shaunaka along with more than 88000 sages expressed concern to Shri Sut ji that in this generation of Kaliyuga, most of the people have been trapped in this Maya and therefore they all are sad for 24 hours, leading sorrowful lives, behaving like daemons, committing sins and seeking temporary pleasures. So the sages wish to uplift humanity and would like to hear about devotion, knowledge and asceticism. They asked Sutji “Do tell us how to get out of this Maya? How can one be free from the Karmas and how can one reach Lord Krishna?”

    Sutji offered a very powerful solution which will wipe away the fear of birth and death and humanity will be able to reach the Lord Krishna. He said that one should listen to Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran with full attention and dedication. Before the beginning of Kaliyuga, Shri ShukDev ji had narrated Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran to King Parikshit. King Parikshit got free of all his karmas after listening to Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran.  Lord Brahma was astonished upon hearing this and he weighed all the means of devotion with Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran but none weighed higher than the Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran. Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran is a way towards Salvation(मोक्ष).

    Shaunak ji asked Sutji that Naradji is free from Maya and he doesn’t stay for a long time in one place, then how did Naradji listen to Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran? Sutji said that this knowledge of Shrimad Bhagwad Maha Puran was given to Naradji by Shri ShukDevji. Once all sages had gathered in Badri Forest for Satsang and they met Nardji there. At that time Naradji was immersed in anxiety and sorrow. The sages questioned Naradji as to why is he in such a state and where from is he coming?

    

    Naradji said that he was in the land of death i.e. the Earth. He visited various religious places on earth like Haridwar, Nashik, Kashi , Prayag etc but he could not find peace anywhere. Kaliyug has started ruling everywhere and its effects are visible in the form of vices, sinful, wrong activities everywhere. There isn’t a place where Jaap (chanting), Taap (meditation, worship), Daan (charity) , Compassion exists. There exists lies, sin, corruption, misery all around. There is no righteousness.

    On the bank of Yamuna river, Naradji saw a young lady weeping and two men lying like dead besides her. The young lady was serving them and trying to bring them back to life. They were lying unconscious. Upon seeing Naradji, she stood up and requested Naradji to listen to her story. Naradji asked the lady who she was and who were the two men? Who are the other ladies who are sitting surrounding them? The lady replied that she is Bhakti(Devotion). The other two men are her sons : Knowledge and Asceticism and the other ladies surrounding her are serving her. They are the rivers Ganga, Yamuna ,Saraswati etc. She(Bhakti) was born in the South. Then she came to Karnataka during her adolescence. She was showered with a lot of honour in Maharashtra. She became old when she was in Gujarat. Now that she is in Vrindavana, she has turned young again but both her sons Knowledge and Asceticism are still old. She fails to understand why her sons are aging and she is young?

    Naradji said he will explain her the things now and she should listen to it very carefully. Naradji said Kaliyuga had made all people on this earth sinful, corrupt and devotion less, foolish, unaware, folly and stupid. But in this Kaliyuga even a small amount of chanting, a small amount of devotion will dissolve all bad karmas.The person will be free of his bad karmas.  It used to take thousands of years to achieve this Salvation in other yugs like Satyuga, Dyaparyuga but in Kaliyuga it doesn’t take much time. Even a small amount of chanting, devotion works. This is the reason why King Parikshit did not destroy Kaliyuga.

    Bhakti was overjoyed to hear Naradji's words and expressed, "Prahlad became deeply devoted because of your influence. The same happened with Dhruv. O great sage, your presence brings me immense happiness. You are the son of Lord Brahma, and I bow to you."

To be continued in next Adhyay ….