aaasss
|| Sri Veda Vyasaya Namaha ||
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01
The Aftermath of a conversation between Lord Veda Vyasa and Narada Rishi In a satra or a spiritual gathering that was organized under the leadership of Sri Shaunaka rishi in Naimisharanya, Sri Sutacharya was the Puranika narrating Srimad Bhagavatam. This was a long time back, even before the dawn of Kali Yuga. In that gathering, Sri Shaunaka Rishi had asked Sri Sutacharya: ूिह योगे रे कृ
े
े धमवमिण ।
ां का ामधुनोपेते धमः 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, Sri Sutacharya had 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 folk 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:
क
न् युगे वृ ेयं थाने वा केन हे तुना ।
कुतः स ोिदतः कृ
ः कृतवान् संिहतां मुिनः ॥ 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 offering prayers to Lord Veda Vyasji had sought 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. शौनक उवाच. Hence Sri Shaunaka rishi asks, िनगते नारदे सूत भगवान् बादरायणः । ु तवां
दिभ ेतं ततः िकमकरोि भु ः ॥ १॥
“Suta Puranika! After the departure of Narada Rishi and hearing his opinion, what did The Omnipotent and Omniscience Lord Veda Vyasa do?” सू त उवाच न ां सर
ामा मः पि मे तटे ।
श ा ास इित ो
ऋषीणां स वधनः ॥ २॥
त
ासो बदरीष
न्
आ मे
म
ते ।
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आसीनोऽप उप भ
ृ
योगेन मनिस स
िणद ौ मनः
यम् ॥ ३॥
क् िणिहतेऽमले ।
अप
ु षं पू व मायां च तदु पा याम् ॥ ४॥
यया स
ोिहतो जीव आ ानं ि गुणा कम् ।
परोऽिप मनुतेऽनथ त ृ तं चािभप ते ॥ 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 and establishing 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 by getting deluded. He sees them believing as if a part of gunas of prakriti, though they are different from prakriti. And not a part of three gunas of Satvika, Rajasika & Thamisika. And, due to this belief, the Jiva experiences suffering.” Says Sri Sutacharya. अनथ पशमं सा ा लोक
ाजानतो िव ां
योगमधो जे । े सा तसं िहताम् ॥ ६॥
“The only way to cure the sufferings due to delusion of Goddess maya is bhakti yoga. Bhakti in Lord Adhokshaja who is beyond the perception of sensory organs. As jivas are ignorant on this, Lord Veda Vyasa composed सा तसंिहताम् or The Sacred Bhagavata teaching bhakti yoga.” य भ
ां वै ूयमाणायां कृ
े परमपू षे ।
ते पुंसः शोकमोहभयापहा ॥ ७॥
स सं िहतां भागवती ं कृ ानु
चा जम् ।
शु कम ापयामास िनवृ ि िनरतं मुिनः ॥ ८॥
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“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 अनु
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.” Said Sri Suacharya. शौनक उवाच स वै िनवृि िनरतः सव ोपे को मुिनः । क
वा बृहतीमेतामा ारामः सम
सत् ॥ ९॥
Curious to know more, Sri Shaunaka rishi asks to Sri Sutacharya that though Sri Shukacharya has reached the highest level of nishkama dharma or doing activities without expectations, always engrossed in the Supreme Atma, and showing indifference to all other worldly happenings, what made him take-up the study of such a vast composition of Srimad Bhagavatam? सूत उवाच आ ारामा मुनयो िन कुव
है तुकी ं भ
हरे गुणाि
िम
ाअ ु
मे ।
ूतगुणो ह रः ॥ १०॥
मितभगवान् बादरायिणः ।
अ गा हदा
ानं िन ं िव
ु जनि यः ॥ 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.” “आ ारामा 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 आकिषक 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 dear to him. Hence, he showed up all 7 OF 80
by himself at a gathering on the banks of Ganga River. Initiated Parikshid 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, सूत जानािस भ ं ते भगवान् सा तां पितः । दे व
ां वसुदेव
जातो य
त ः शु ूषमाणानामह य
िचकीषया ॥ ानुविणतुम् ।
ावतारो भू तानां ेमाय 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, परीि तोऽथ राजषज कमिवलापनम् । सं थां च पा
ु पु ाणां व
े कृ
कथोदयम् ॥ १२॥
Sri Shaunaka & fellow Rishis! Now I am going to narrate the stories of birth, action, and moksha of the emperor Parikshid 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 Parakshid Raja as in it is the glory of Lord Si Krishna. यदा मृधे कौरवसृ यानां वीरे
थो वीरगितं गते षु ।
वृकोदरािव गदािभमशभ ो द भतु ः ि यं ौिण रित
प
उपाहरि ि यमेव त
जुगु
न् कृ
े धृतरा पु े ॥ १३॥ ासु तानां
तं कम िवगहय
पतां िशरां िस । ॥ 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. || Hari Om ||
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02
Ashwathamaacharya Brutal Massacre Sri Suthacharya continuing the narration of unfortunate massacre by Ashwathama at the Yudhisthira camp by flouting all rules & regulations of war says, माता िशशू नां िनधनं सुतानां िनश तदा द ा कलाकुला ीतां सा तदा शुच गा
ीवमु
े मृजािम भ े य ैिविशखै पाहरे ा
घोरं प रत माना । य ाह िकरीटमाली ॥ १५॥
ब ोः िशर आतताियनः । य
ा
िस द पु ा ॥ १६॥
With the heinous death of her five children, mother Draupadi started crying. She was immersed in the grief & sorrow struggling to deal with the incidence. “Gracious & Kind hearted one! That slaughterer is a आततायी or AtatAyee, a mean Brahmin. With this bow named Gandiva and the arrows, I shall cut his head and place it at your feet. After completing the death ceremony of your children, you shall kick that head to avenge their death and take the bath of purification.” "Only then shall I come to wipe your tears,” said Arjuna, burning with fury.
For those who light a fire to the dwellings or keep carrying tales of others, one who does spiritual acts only to show off, one who steals other's money or others wife is calledआततायी or AtatAyee. इित ि यां व
ुिविच ज
ैः स सा
िय ा
ु तिम सू तः ।
अ ा व ं िशत उ ध ा किप जो गु पु ं रथे न ॥ १७॥ तमापत ं स िवल
दू रा ु मारहोि
परा व ाणपरी ु
ा याव मं
मना रथे न । भया थाकः ॥ १८॥
Saying so, Arjuna wore his armor having small arms, tied the back harness quiver filled with arrows and held the formidable Gandiva that terrified the enemy. Having the most favorite friend, Sri Krishna as charioteer climbed the chariot and chased the Son of his teacher, Dronacharya. The killer of the children, Ashwathama seeing Arjuna chasing him from distance got scared. He started running as far as possible to save his life like God Sun was scared and started running when God Shiva chased him holding his weapon Trishul. Here, Lord Veda Vyasa composing Srimad Bhagavatam reminds us of that incidence when the evil asura, Vidyunmali receives a gift of a Golden Airplane having a brightness as that of Sun after doing severe austerity. He would fly this Golden airplane in the opposite angle of the Sun to illuminate the nights. This removed the darkness of the night. Hence, God Sun was furious and burnt down the Golden airplane killing the evil Vidyunmali. The powerful God Rudra, the Lord of Vidyunmali got angry 11 OF 80
against God Sun and held his frightful weapon Trishul. With Trishul, God Rudra could destroy the entire universe including the twelve Gods of Sun as he does during Pralaya or dissolution of the universe. God Sun being scared of his life kept running till he got exhausted and fell in Kashi or present-day Varanasi or also called as Banaras seeking his refuge. Kashi is the Land of God Siva where he worships the Lord of the form of Bindu Madhava and initiates Rama mantra to all the departing souls from their body. Due to the impact of God Sun, the place became a pond, filled with water and is a place of pilgrimage. It is famously called as Lolark Kund and is located close to Tulsi Ghat where people take a dip to redeem sins causing skin disease or depriving birth of a child even to date. यदाशरणमा ानमै त ा वािजनम् । अ
ं
अथोप
ृ
िशरो मेने आ
ाणं ि जा जः ॥ १९॥
सिललं स धे त मािहतः ।
अजान ुपसंहारं ाणकृ
उप थते ॥ २०॥
While being chased, Ashwathama’s horses became tired and could not maintain the pace. Seeing the gap between their chariots closing-up, Ashwathama became desperate having no other “Strategy of Rescue”. Hence, he decided to use the utmost weapon on the escalation ladder. He decided to execute “The Brahmashirsha Astra”. As he decided to use Brahmashirsha Astra, he noticed that he had lost the ability to a callback. However, being desperate to save himself from death at the hands of Arjuna, he locked himself without an exit strategy. He started with the act of purification. Completed Achamana. Entered
the phase of Dhyana or meditation to gather all senses to focus. Doing so, he repeated the mantra and executed Brahmashirsha Astra. Ashwathama was seeing such repeated dreams of killing the children of Draupadi when they were fast asleep including helpless Duryodhana struggling for life. However, Mahabarata describes the actual happenings during the war for justice by Pandavas. Being the best of all beings and upholder of dharma, Bheemasena swinging his mace had hit Duryodhana in a measure only to hurt him and not to kill. Duryodhana taking the blows was profusely bleeding and fallen on ground smeared with mud and was unmoveable. Seeing his fate, the ghosts & goblins entering the dogs & wolves came to eat the flesh of helpless Duryodhana. The only few survivors on Kaurava’s side were Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya. They came searching Duryodhana. They had seen Duryodhana as Crown Prince of Hastinapura under the white umbrella and fanned by Chamara. However, they were shocked to see Duryodhana fallen on the ground helpless. Ashwathamacharya gets angry, accuses Pandavas under the evil influence of Kali and asks, what he could do to Duryodhana? Could he satisfy his wish? Though helpless & struggling, Duryodhana says to Ashwathamacharya that he wants to see the end of Pandavas and seeks each and every life of Pandavas. Also, by pouring a fist of dust on Ashwathamacharya, he does Pattabhiseka or coronation to the post of Chief Commander. Not stopping at that, the evil Duryodhana commands Ashwathama to have
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a child from his wife to be the successors of the Crown. Ashwathamacharya
accepts
this
and
gives
his
word
of
assurance. Ashwathamacharya was indebted to Duryodhana as he lived under his kingship. Hence, the evil kali and his associates had made a house in Ashwathamacharya. Ashwathama, Kritavarma, and Kripacharya attack the camp of Pandavas. Ashwathama kicks and awakens Dhrishtdyumana. Though Dhrishtdyumana pleads Ashwathama to give him time just to pick-up a weapon so that he could have valorous death while fighting, Ashwathama denies. With the string of his bow, Ashwathama tightens the neck and chokes Dhrishtdyumana to death. Also, he kills Shikhandi and other children of Drupada. Burning with rage, Ashwathama proceeds to kill Pandavas. Meanwhile, the children of Pandavas stop him with their bow and arrows. The unstoppable Ashwatama pulls out his sword and kills the children of Pandavas dismembering their head. Continuing his massacre, he kills several people on the Pandavas side. Not stopping there, he lights fire to the camp to kill the women, children, support personnel and animals. Subsequently, carrying the five heads of the past children of Draupadi, he goes to see Duryodhana. Seeing the chopped heads, Duryodhana feels happy. Meanwhile, the Pandavas got to know the happenings. Bheemasena, in his chariot, follows Ashwathama. Hearing the voice of the Chariot nearing, Ashwathama becomes scared and flees in his own chariot.
However, Bheemasena over speeds Ashwathama and engages him in a war. Bheemasena disarms Ashwathama stripping him of all defense. Hence, Ashwathama decides to use Brahmashirsha Astra. At the same time, Sri Krishna and Arjuna arrive there. Seeing Brahmashirsha Astra arriving towards them, Lord Sri Krishna asks Arjuna to neutralize by countering with another Brahmashirsha Astra. However, if these two missiles collide with each other, then the whole life including the universe would get destroyed. Hence, the all-knowing, all-powerful Lord Veda Vyasa reaches there to stand in between the missiles stopping the collision. Lord Veda Vyasa calms them saying that so many people having the knowledge and power to execute Brahmashirsha Astra have come and gone. But they have not misused it causing inauspiciousness and destruction of the universe. Looking at Ashwathama and Arjuna, the Lord instructs to call back those missiles. “My Lord, I executed the Brahmashirsha Astra hoping to only neutralize the attacking one. Please pardon me”, pleads Arjuna. “Lord, I had no other choice for my self-protection. Bheemasena had stripped all my arms. Please pardon me”, says Ahwathama. Lord Veda Vyasa instructs both of them to callback the missiles and stops the destruction of the universe. Arjuna does so by uttering the mantra of a callback. The missile returns. However, when Ashwathama repeats the mantra, the missile does not return. He repeats in frustration but fails. Though, Ashwathamacharya had the knowledge of the process to
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callback but finds himself lost the ability to implement. He had lost the Psychic Power as he had broken the celibacy. Remember, Ashwathama had given a word of assurance to Duryodhana’s a request of having a child in his wife to ascend the Crown of Hastinapura. Though, there was a system of Niyoga or bearing the child through the third person at that time, but had rules & regulations to have adhered. Of course, go without saying that such systems are not in vogue at present times and is forbidden. Duryodhana’s suggestion was not in line with the rules & regulations of that time. Hence, was illegal. While Ashwathamacharya had no physical contact with Duryodhana’s wife, in the Tattva or Science of behavior & mind, just the Sankalpa or the resolution in mind has high potential and is a larger fraction of completion in the resultant physical implementation. Having lost to Bheemasena and unable to callback the Brahmashirsha Astra he had executed, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to give the Shiromani or a bead that was embedded in his head to Bheemasena. Ashwathama was born with a divine bead in his head making him thirstless, hungerless and even deathless. Also, the divine bead would emit fragrance making his vicinity delightful. Ashwathama does so. Also, Lord Veda Vyasa asks Ashwathama to at least recall the Brahmashirsha Astra through words, though unable to do so physically. However, Ashwathama limits only to the five Pandavas. Giving no
absolution to their children including Abimanyu, his wife Uttaradevi, and Parakshid growing in Uttaradevi’s womb. With that, Lord Veda Vyasa instructs Arjuna to call back the missile executed by Ashwathama. As through words, Ashwathama has not called back the missile targetting the offsprings of Pandavas, it continues its aggression on Uttaradevi and to be Parakshid in her womb. Lord in the form of Sri Krishna intervenes to tell Ashwathama to callback the missile through a statement as the baby is still in the womb. Krishna! I will not do so. I shall not call back even as a statement. You are showing bias towards your sister Subhadra’s and her grandchild, says Ashwathama. If you are so keen to use the missile on Pandavas, direct it towards the dead body of Abimanyu. Not to the womb of Uttaradevi, says Sri Krishna. Ashwathama’s gets further angered. Remember the indebtedness or the effect of food that he had eaten of Duryodhana. He says, I shall direct only towards Uttara to ensure the end of the Pandava dynasty. The all-powerful, Lord Sri Krishna appearing angry says, Mean minded Ashwathama! I know the word you have given to Duryodhana. You want to cease the Pandu Dynasty and further that of Dhritarashtra. Do what you can! Use all the power at your hand. But I shall make sure that the Pandu dynasty will continue for another thousand years. You have sinned by killing helpless men without arms,
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women & children including animals. You will fail in your attempt to kill Uttaradevi and also the baby growing in her womb. No power on this earth can match that of mine. Nor anyone can stop the Pandava dynasty continuing for another 1000 years on this earth. Your body will be full of soars, bleeding & stinking to irritate people. You are banished from the place of human dwellings. Go and live in the forest. Says Lord Sri Krishna. Lord present in another form of Veda Vyasa also consents the word of Sri Krishna. Suddenly,
Ashwathamacharya
realizes
Sri
Krishna
as
Lord.
Acknowledging his Lordship pleads him in his form of Veda Vyasa not to deny him his view and moves into the forest. Also, continues to serve the Lord Veda Vyasa with a sense repentence and remorse. Thus, he would redeem his sins to be re-born as Veda Vyasa in next Dwapara Yuga to carry out the splitting or classification of Vedas. This is the incidence recorded in Mahabarata and its subsequent interpretations by Srimad Acharya. However, Srimad Bhagavatam is narrating the dream of Ashwathamacharya before the incidence happened. Let’s look forward to the rest portion of the dream of Ashwathama as we continue with this series of Srimad Bhagavatam through the blessings of Hari, Vayu, and Gurus. || Hari Om ||
03
Soul Searching by Ashwathaamacharya Ashwathama observes in his dream how Arjuna takes refuge of Lord by saying, िकिमदं
ु तो वेित दे वदे व न वेद् हम् ।
सवतोमुखमायाित ते जः परमदा णम् ॥ २६॥ “दे वदे व! The divine Lord! This bright projectile is coming towards me. सवतोमुखं! It is coming towards me from all directions. I am frightened about this. What is this? From where is it coming from? I am not aware nor am I able to understand all this!” Ashwathama notes that though he had a dream wherein Arjuna was unable to recognize the Brahmashirsha Astra, however, he was able to do so in reality. ीभगवानुवाचवे े दं. Ashwathama continuing to reflect his dream wherein Lord Sri Krishna says, ोणपु
ा म
ं दिशतम् ।
नै वासौ वेद संहारं ाणबाध उप थते ॥ २७॥ न
ा तमं िकि द
ज
ते ज उ
म
ं ो
वकशनम् । ते जसा ॥ २८॥
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“Arjuna! This is the Brahmashirsha Astra shot by the son of Dronacharya, Ashwathama. Threatened by death, he has used this. However, he does not know how to call back.” There is no other weapon that has the ability to neutralize this. You’re an expert in weaponry. To neutralize this Brahmashirsha Astra, you need to fire another Brahmashirsha Astra.” Reflecting on this incident, Ashwathama wonders how his dreams had messages to him. He had in the dream of the inability to callback Brahmashirsha Astra. During the execution of Brahmashirsha Astra too he realizes his inability to a callback. Also, when Lord Veda Vyasa asks him to the callback, he fails. सूत उवाच. Sri Sutaharya narrating the conversation between Lord Sri Krishna & Arjuna in Ashwathama’s dream to Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis says, ु ा भगवता ो
ं फा
ृ ाप ं प र
ा ं ा ाय स धे ॥ २९॥
संह ा ो मुभयो आवृ ा
ुनः परवीरहा ।
ेजसी शरसंवृते ।
रोदसी खं च ववृधातेऽकवि वत् ॥ ३०॥ तेज
ु तयो
ीं
ोकान् दहन् महत् ।
द मानाः जाः सवाः सां वतकममंसत ॥ ३१॥ जोप वमाल मतं च वासुदेव
लोक ितकरं च तम् । स हाराजुनो यम् ॥ ३२॥
“Great Rishis! The brave hero, an expert in warfare and always defeating enemies, Arjuna, immediately upon hearing the words of Lord Sri Krishna, took-up the act of Achamna for purification, circumambulating the Lord filled with Bhakti fired another Brahmashirsha Astra to neutralizing the one executed by Ashwathama The brightness that emanated from both these projectiles encountered each other was like the blinding brightness of ादशाया or twelve Suns and Fire during the pralaya or the end of this existence engulfing the region between the earth and sky. Also, these Brahmashirsha Astra were burning all three regions of the universe, including the people of this, upper and lower regions. As the people burned in the fire, they thought that with the blinding brightness of Suns and the Fire, the time of pralaya had dawned in all the regions. Seeing the horrible impact caused by the two missiles on public and the destruction of the world, Lord Sri Krishna intended to neutralize the missiles. Arjuna understanding the intent of Lord Sri Krishana, called back, both the missiles. However, Ashwatham realizing the reality wherein Lord Veda Vyasa had to intervene between the two missiles stopping their collusion. Also, Lord Veda Vyasa makes a truce between himself & Arjuna. Also, instructs them to call back the Brahmashirsha Astra. Arjuna does, but he fails. Therefore, Lord Veda Vyasa instructs him to callback at least through words. Ashwathama does so only limiting to Pandavas. Hence, Arjuna
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following Lord Veda Vyasa’s instruction to callsback his missile and also of Ashwathama that was intended to kill the five Pandavas.
तत आसा तरसा दा णं गौतमीसुतम् । बब ामषता ा ः पशुं रशनया यथा ॥ ३३॥ िशिबराय िननीष ं दा ा बद्
ा रपुं बलात् ।
ाहाजुनं कुिपतो भगवान ुजे णः ॥ ३४॥ Being angry, Arjuna caught Ashwathama and tied his neck with the rope. He does that like done to animals. Arjuna dragged him to the camp. Lord Sri Krishna seemingly angry says, मैनं पाथाहिस ातुं
ब ुिममं जिह ।
योऽसावनागसः सु ानवधीि िश बालकान् ॥ ३५॥ म ं म मु
ं सु ं बालं
प ं िवरथं भीतं न रपुं ह ाणान् यः पर ाणैः पु त ध
यं जडम् । धमिवत् ॥ ३६॥ ा घृणः खलः ।
िह ेयो य ोषा ा धः पुमान् ॥ ३७॥
“Arjuna! Don’t leave this killer, Brahmin alive. He has attacked the helpless children and women while sleeping. Kill him, says Lord Sri Krishna. He has killed the children while they were sleeping.” A wise, virtuous and a gentleman would not punish with death to a dull & ignorant or an intoxicated or to an insane or to one who is sleeping or children or women or a refugee or one who is scared. Even if he is an enemy.
However, punishing with death to a cruel culprit who kills others and always thinks about his own benefits is worthwhile. In fact, beneficial to everyone including the culprit. As the opportunity of sinning on this earth to the culprit gets reduced causing reduced time in hell. Also, society is benefited without such a cruel being. Reflecting this dream, Ashwathama observes that this was just in a dream and did not happen in reality. However, Ashwathama wished that Arjuna just not tie him with a rope, but should also kill him as he had done a heinous act of killing their children. ित ुतं च भवता पा ा आह र े िशर
ै
तो मम ।
य े मािनिन पु हा ॥ ३८॥
तदसौ व तां पाप आतता ा ब ुहा । भतु िवि यं वीर कृतवान् कुलपां सनः ॥ ३९॥ “Not just that”, says Lord Sri Krishna. “You have promised Panchali in front of me saying, ‘Gracious & Kind hearted one! I shall cut the head of the slaughterer of your children and place it at your feet.’ Hence, Arjuna! You should kill this sinner. He has killed your children. Also, his leader, Duryodhana is also not happy with his act.” While Ashwathama started observing how Arjuna, A Great Bhagavata or worshipper of the Lord would respond, Sri Sutacharya says, एवं परी ता धम पाथः कृ नै
ुं गु सुतं य
ेन चोिदतः ।
ा हनं महान् ॥ ४०॥
Lord Sri Krishna motivated Arjuna to test his righteous behavior. However, Arjuna had a pure heart with high moral values. Though 23 OF 80
Ashwathama had killed his children and also made an attempt to kill him, Arjuna did not like to kill the son of his teacher, Dronacharya. अथोपे
िशिबरं गोिव ि यसारिथः ।
वेदय ं ि यायै शोच
ा आ जान् हतान् ॥ ४१॥
तथाऽऽ तं पशुव ाशब मवाङ्मुखं कमजु गु िनरी ्य कृ
ापकृतं गुरोः सुतं वाम
उवाच चासह मु
तां मु
सरह अ
ते न ।
भावा कृपया ननाम च ॥ ४२॥
ब नानयनं सती ।
तामेष ा णो िनतरां गु ः ॥ ४३॥
ो धनुवदः सिवसग पसंयमः । ाम भवता िशि तो यदनु हात् ॥ ४४॥
स एष भगवान् ोणः जा पेण वतते । त
ा नोऽध प
ा
े ना गा ीरसूः कृपी ॥ ४५॥
त म महाभाग भव
ग रवं कुलम् ।
वृिजनं नाहित ा ुं पू
ंव
मा रोदीद
जननी गौतमी पितदे वता ।
यथाहं मृतव ाऽऽता रोिद यैः कोिपतं
मभी णशः ॥ ४६॥
ुमुखी मु ः ॥ ४७॥
कुलं राज ैरिजता िभः ।
त ु लं दह ाशु सानुब ं शुचािपतम् ॥ ४८॥ However, Arjuna with the help of his dear charioteer, Lord Sri Krishna reached their army camp and placed Ashwathama in front of Draupadi for her command. Draupadi was surprised to see Ashwathama being brought like an animal tied by a rope to his neck. Having carried out the heinous act of
killing the children, Ashwathama hung his head with shame. Seeing the way Ashwathama was shamed, the kind-hearted Draupadi overflowing with compassion paid her respects with the gesture of Namaste. Unable to accept the situation of Ashwathama, she says, “Untie Ashwathama. Let him free. He is a Brahmana. They ascend to the position of divine teachers or Gurus, worthy of being worshipped. From whom you have gained the knowledge of Archery including usage & callback of Arrows as all types of missiles that Divine Dronacharya is standing in front of us in the form of his Son. He is the brave son of Kripi, the wife of Acharya Drona. Because of her fondness towards her son Ashwathama, she ना गाद् or did not accompany death along with her husband Krupacharya. She is living. The Law Abiding Gentlemen! Bringing sorrow by hurting the feelings of divine teacher including his lineage who are worthy of being worshiped everyday will not do well to us. The way I experienced sorrow & grief due to the death of my children, let Kripi, who is known for her devotion & virtuousness as a wife being called Gautami does not experience the same. Let her not weep. Allured by enthusiasm, if the King angers the Brahmin community, the Brahmins through their anger will burn him down.” सूत उवाच. Sri Sutacharya narrating the dream of Ashwathama says, ध
ा ं सक णं िन
राजा धमसुतो रा
ाः
लीकं समं महत् । न
चो ि जाः ॥ ४९॥
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नकुलः सहदे व युयुधानो धन यः । भगवान् दे वकीपु ो ये चा े या योिषतः ॥ ५०॥ Dear Shaunaka & all the assembled Rishis! Hearing Draupadi’s words which were righteous, law-abiding, balanced, kind-hearted, and having no deceit was appreciated & welcomed by the son of Dharma, Sri Yudhistira. Also, Nakula, Sahadeva, Satyaki, Arjuna including Lord Sri Krishna and all men and women assembled there agreed with Draupadi and appreciated her stand. Ashwathama reflecting his dream saw the objection being raised by Bheema. Sri Sutacharya narrating this says, त ाहामिषतो भीम
े यान् वधः
ृ तः ।
न भतु ना न ाथ योऽहन् सु ान् िशशू न् वृ था ॥ ५१॥ िनश आलो
भीमगिदतं ौप ा चतुभुजः । वदनं स
ु रदमाह हसि व ॥ ५२॥
However, Bheema alone got angry and said, "He has killed five children and that too while they were sleeping. His act has not benefited his master Duryodhana nor himself. He is worthy of being killed." Lord Sri Krishna hearing both Draupadi and Bheema with a smile on his face seeing Arjuna said thus: ीकृ
उवाच
ब ुन ह
आततायी वधाहणः ।
मयैवोभयमा ातं प रपा नुशासनम् ॥ ५३॥
कु
ित ुतं स ं य
ि यं च भीमसेन
पा ा
ा
यता ि याम् । ा म मेव च ॥ ५४॥
“Partha! Though a Brahmin is sinned and fallen, he is not worthy of being killed. However, killing the आततायी or AtatAyI or the culprit of murdering children is worthy of being killed. I, myself have these laws incorporated in the Shastras or indoctrinations. Hence, follow both the rules that I have decreed. Also, stand by your vow you took while consoling Draupadi saying that you shall cut the head of the Aatataayee and place it at her feet.” सू त उवाच narrating the dream of Ashwathama to Sri Shaunaka & fellow rishis, Sri Sutacharya says, अजुनः सहसाऽऽ ाय हरे हादमथािसना । मिणं जहार मूध ं ि ज
सहमूधजम् ॥ ५५॥
“Arjuna was quick to understand the intent of Lord Sri Krishna and was eager to please him. Hence, he pulled out his sword and cut open his head along with Sikha or tufted hair tied with a knot and took away the divine bead that was embedded in his head since his birth.” िवमु
रशनाब ं बालह ाहत भम् ।
तेजसा मिणना हीनं िशिबराि रयापयत् ॥ ५६॥ वपनं िवणादानं थानाि यापणं तथा । एष िह
ब ूनां वधो ना ोऽ
दै िहकः ॥ ५७॥
“By killing five children of Draupadi, Ashwathama had already lost the Aura. By taking away his divine bead and Sikha, he even lost the
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Brahmavarchas or the divine Knowledge. After having lost conclusively and shamed, Ashwathama was let free out of their military camp” says Sri Sutacharya. It is believed that the undying Ashwathama is chiranjeevi or immortal living on earth. Shaving the head including the Sikha or taking away money or dismissing from a position is equivalent to executing or carrying out death to a Brahmin. Hence, one should not resort to physical execution. पु शोकातुराः सव पा ानां मृतानां य ृ
वाः सह कृ
या ।
ं च ु िनहरणािदकम् ॥ ५८॥
Engulfed in sorrow due to the loss of five children, Pandavas, and Draupadi went ahead carrying out the death ceremony of their children. इित ीम ागवते महापुराणे पारमहं
ां सं िहतायां थम
े
ौिणिन हो नामस मोऽ ायः ॥ ७॥ With this, we complete "A Punishment to The Son of Dronacharya, Ashwathama” the seventh Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. We could do so only with the grace of Guru Sri Raghavendra and all his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacharya, Sri Sukachary,, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada. || Hari Om ||
04
Protection of Uttara Devi’s Womb from Brahmashirshastra In the fight for Justice, we saw the way Ashwathama threatened for his Life uses Brahmasirshastra having no other weapon to neutralize it except for another Brahmasirshastra. Hence Arjuna responded with another Brahmasirshastra. However, as the collision of these would destroy the whole universe, the Lord intervened in his form of Veda Vyasa. He held these two missiles in his two hands. Consoling Aswhatama and Arjuna asks them to call back those missiles. Arjuna does so. But Ashwathama fails only to call back through words against the five Pandavas. When Lord in his form of Sri Krishna asks Ashwathama to call back even against offsprings of Pandavas, he gets angry and accuses the Lord. To which Sri Krishna says, “Mean minded Ashwathama! I know the word you have given to Duryodhana. You want to cease the Pandu dynasty and further that of Dhritarashtra. Do what you can! Use all the power at your hand. But I shall make sure that the Pandu dynasty will continue for another thousand years. You have sinned by killing helpless men without arms,
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women, and children including animals. You will fail in your attempt to kill Uttaradevi and also the baby growing in her womb. No power on this earth can match that of mine. Nor anyone can stop the Pandava dynasty continuing for another thousand years on this earth. Your body will be full of soars, bleeding & stinking to irritate people. You are banished from the place of human dwellings. Go and live in the forest�. Ashwathama having lost his divine bead and even the Sikha or tufted hair tied with a knot walks into the forest. Lord Sri Krishna leads the Pandavas to the capital city of Hastinapura where they meet the blind King Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari. King Dhritarashtra continues to carry enmity against Pandavas. Gandhari having lost her hundred sons questions Bheemasena of killing all her children. She asks him why he did not spare at least one of her hundred sons to take care during their last days and do the death ceremony. Bheemasena silences them by reasoning affirmative question as “When Duryodhana along with his cronies carried out several evil deeds, you remained blind. You did not question even for his single wicked act. Now, after having killed the wicked to destroy Adharma or Injustice from the face of the earth and as we are in the process of instating Justice, you are questioning us�. The entire Kuru family including Pandavas & Kauravas sinks into melancholy. A feeling of pensive sadness sets into them. A short
description of the subsequent happenings is in Srimad Bhagavatam. Narrating this to Sri Shaunaka and his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacharya says, सूत उवाच पु शोकातुराः सव पा ानां मृतानां य ृ
वाः सह कृ
या ।
ं च ु िनहरणािदकम् ॥ ५८॥
Every one of them had lost children including Draupadi & Gandhari. They were engulfed in sorrow. Sri Krishna along with Pandavas, Draupadi, Kunti Devi, Gandhari, Dhritarashtra visited the battleground of Kurukshetra. They saw a sea of corpses all around. Though Gandhari had blindfolded herself, Lord Veda Vyasa extends her with divine eyes through which she was able to see the dead through the blindfold. She was shocked to see the dead bodies all around through her divine eye and curses Lord Sri Krishna saying “You have destroyed my lineage and so should your lineage get destroyed”! By cursing so, the large merit that she had accumulated being blindfolded to serve her blind husband gets quashed. Lord Sri Krishna holds the hand of Draupadi and takes her into the sea of dead bodies. He recalls the incidence when Dushasana held Draupadi’s hair and pulled her into the assembly as she had refused to go for reasons of her menstrual cycle. She had told, "This is not the time I can enter the auspicious assembly wherein elders are present". However, Dushasana had continued with his evil act. Not just that, Duryodhana asked her to come and sit on his lap in the presence of her 31 OF 80
husband Bheemasena and other elders. When she does not do that, an attempt was made by Duryodhana and his cronies to strip Draupadi in front of their own mother and in the middle of the assembly. When she sought help to the elders present there, everyone in the assembly put their head down in negation. The only person to come to her rescue was Bhagavan Sri Krishna who made her robes endless. Subsequently, the Pandavas along with Kunti Devi & Draupadi goes to the forest. One day, Lord Sri Krishna reaches there to enquire about their safety and well being. The moment Draupadi sees the Lord, she ran to grab his feet and held it tightly. She starts weeping and flooding his feet with tears. The tears flowed relentlessly, throwing out the emotional pent-up pain that she was suffering. She remembered the most embarrassing incidence of her life and it was only that lotus of feet of Lord Sri Krishna that had come to her rescue. During that incidence, Lord Sri Krishna had said that those who had caused her embarrassment and made them live in the forest, he would ensure that each one of them is beaten to death by Bheemasena. And Pandavas would be reinstated to the throne. Also, he would show her their wives crying with scattered hair and holding the dead bodies. Now, the time had come. Lord Sri Krishna moving through the scattered limbs, trunk, heads, and other parts of dead bodies to show Draupadi how the wicked had died to the powerful strokes of Bheemasena. He points toward the body of Durmukha, an evil faced, then towards Dussalan, Jalagandha, Sama, Saha, Vindha, Anuvindha,
Durmukha, Chitrasena, Durdarsha, Durmarsha, Dussaha, Durmada, Vikarna,
Dushkarna,
Vivinsati,
Durvishaha,
Durvimochana,
Durpradharsha, Durjaya, Jaitra, Bhurivala, Ravi, Jayatsena Siyata, Shratavan, Shrutanta, Jayat, Chitra, Upachitra, Charuchithra, Chitraksha, Sarasana, Chitrayudha, Chotravarman, Suvarma, Sudarshan. He reaches near the body of Dhushasana, a well known for his wicked governance. Lord Sri Krishna says “wasn’t this wicked who had pulled you by your hair to the assembly. See his chest! How Bheemasena has ripped the chest cage allowing the birds & animals to eat his flesh. Then He shows Duryodhana and says see his thighs that have been broken by Bheema. Showing the dead this way Lord Sri Krishna lists all the 100 children of blind Dhritarashtra and the blindfolded Gandhari. Draupadi sees their wives with scattered hairs, all the symbols of being married removed, chest-beating and crying. Sri Krishna says, “Draupadi! Bheemasena has not left a single soul that was involved in insulting you, to go free. Each one's chest has been broken or the head has been dismembered. He has done justice. See the status of their women and the way the Law has been implemented to those who took the path of Adharma.” “No individual can escape the Law of Justice for each of their misdeed. And not just that, the entire tribe taking the side of injustice have to face the Law.” says Lord Sri Krishna.
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Hence, in the perfect governance of stainless Lord, for doing well, nothing untoward will happen. Also, each bad of our act is an assurance for misery and sorrow happening with certainty. In other words, behind all our misery and sorrow, there is an act of our misdeed. Srimad Bhagavatam wants us to look inwards. The most important lesson to us from Mahabarata is not to Sin. Mahabarata outlines each of our behavior with precision. The blindness of Dhritarashtra or Gandhari towards justice, the acts of sins by each of their children should not be limited to those roles in the story. But these behaviors are in us and should be won over with the behavior of Pandavas. It would be appropriate for us to take a look at the last verse of Sanjaya in Bhagavad Gits: य योगे र: कृ त
ो य पाथ धनु धर: ।
ीिवजयो भू ित ुवा नीितमितमम ॥
When Yoga or synchronization with इ र: or The Lord is practised, like done by पाथ, the prince, the son of Lord and accomplish the precision of an expert archer hitting the bull’s eye. Then, there would be unending abundance, victory, prosperity, and righteousness अथ ते स रे तानां दातुं सकृ
ानामुदकिम
ा ग ायां पुर ृ
ते िननीयोदकं सव िवल आ ु ता ह रपादा
ताम् ।
ययुः
यः ॥ १॥
च भृ शं पुनः ।
रजःपू तस र
ले ॥ २॥
The great war of Mahabharata in Kurukshetra took a heavy toll on several lives in the Kuru family. The Pandavas along with Lord Sri Krishna and family members including women & children reached the banks of Ganga to offer Tarpana to deceased relatives who were expecting Tilodaka, also called Dharmodaka or offering by sticking the black sesame seeds to the right-hand thumb in the specified posture and pouring a small quantity of water over the right hand to flow over thumb to take along with the stuck black seeds as an offering. They mourned remembering all deceased relatives and offered them Tilodaka. Thereafter, they once again took bath in the holy river Ganga that had gained purity by flowing from the Lotus of Feet of Lord in Vaikunta. त ासीनं कु पितं धृतरा ं सहानुजम् । गा ारी ं पु शोकाता पृथां कृ सा
यामास मुिनिभहतब ू
भू तेषु काल
गितं दशय
ां च माधवः ॥ ३॥ ुचािपतान् । िति याम् ॥ ४॥
Lord Sri Krishna along with Dhaumya Rishi started consoling. They consoled Yudhishthira and his brothers Bheemasena, Arjuna, Nakula & Sahadeva. Consoled their wife Draupadi Devi & mother, Kunti Devi. Also, Dhritarashtra & Gandhari who had lost their own children. Any life that has come to this earth has a lifespan that is under the control of Time. No one can save the other from death. Saying so, Lord Sri Krishna consoled them. Hence, one should not be suffering from the pain due to death of relatives. 35 OF 80
साधिय ाजातश ोः
ं रा
घातिय ासतो रा ः कच
ं िकतवै तम् । श तायुषः ॥ ५॥
Lord Sri Krishna made sure that those who had taken away the kingdom through gambling, deceit, and insult were killed. अजातश ु or the one who did not have enemy i.e. Yudhishthira was reinstated to his own throne. The other way to look for Yudhishthira being अजातश ु is because of the birth of Duryodhana and his ninety-nine brothers happened in a unique way. They did not have a fetal birth. Their mother, Gandhari delivered an embryo. Lord Veda Vyasa collected that in a pot and divides it into hundred pieces to have a hundred children. Hence, having अजात or without a fetal birth in a mother’s womb as श ु or enemy is Yudhishthira. It was Yudhishthira who was reinstated to his own throne. The wicked following the path of Adharma, who had misbehaved with their wife Draupadi and the evil kings who had expended the lifespan was killed. याजिय ा मेधै ं ि िभ
मक
कैः ।
त शः पावनं िद ु शतम ो रवातनोत् ॥ ६॥ Subsequently, Lord Sri Krishna got three Ashwamedha Yagna or the horse-sacrifice ritual done through each of the five brothers of King Yudhishthira using clean substances, expert priests of the highest order and to the precision as in the Shastras. With that, he bestowed the fame like that of the King of Heaven, God Indra who had carried out a hundred
Ashwamedha Yagna and blessed by Lord Upendra. Yudhishthira’s fame spread far, wide and remains intact to date for us to hear. Hearing the story of Pandavas destroys the sins in us. The reason being the Pandava fought against the sinners and won over them. आम
पा
ु पु ां शैनेयो वसंयुतः ।
ै पायनािदिभिव ैः पूिजतै ः ितपू िजतः ॥ ७॥ ग ुं कृतमित
न् ारकां रथमा थतः ।
उपलेभेऽिभधाव ीमु रां भयिव लाम् ॥ ८॥ After all this, Lord Sri Krishna decided to return to his kingdom of Dwarka. He bid farewell to Pandavas. Subsequently, paid reverence to his form of Lord Veda Vyasa and admiration to other Brahmins. Along with Uddhava, Satyaki and others, Lord Sri Krishna boarded the Chariot. As he boarded, He saw the pregnant Uttara Devi frightened and running towards him seeking help. Immediately, Lord Sri Krishna jumps out of the chariot and rushes towards Uttara Devi. उ रोवाचपािह पािह महायोिगन् दे वदे व जग ते । ना ं
दभयं प
े य मृ ुः पर
अिभ वित मामीश शर
रम् ॥ ९॥
ायसो िवभो ।
कामं दहतु मां नाथ मा मे गभ िनपा ताम् ॥ १०॥ “The God of Gods! The Lord of Universe! The greatest Yogi! Save me! Save me! None else than you could offer protection to me. Here, everyone is becoming a cause for one another’s death.”
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“My Lord! You are Omnipotent. All-Powerful. An iron arrow burnt red hot is chasing me. If needed, let it kill me. However, please bless the safety of the baby growing in my womb”, pleads Uttara Devi. सूत उवाच उपधाय वच अपा
ा भगवान् भ
विमदं कतु ौणे र
त वाथ मुिन े पा
मबु त ॥ ११॥
वाः प सायकान् ।
आ नोऽिभमुखान् दी ानाल सनं वी सुदशने न
व लः ।
ा
ा
ु पाददु ः ॥ १२॥
त ेषामन िवषया नाम् । ा
ेण
ानां र ां
धाि भु ः ॥ १३॥
“Sri Krishna is Bhagavan Bhaktavatsala. To him, his devotees are most dear. He heared the cry of Uttara. He knew that Ashwathama wanted to have no seed of the Pandu family that could sprout. Hence, he had not called back the Brahmasirshastra. Incidentally, seeing those five arrow missiles approaching Uttara Devi, the Pandavas holding their bow, pulled their arrows out to shoot it down. However, as Utara Devi had sought the help of Lord Sri Krishna. Seeing the crises to his dear devotees who took refuge in him, Lord Sri Krishna having immeasurable power with his divine disk named Sudarshana destroyed the five arrow missiles and protected them.”
अ ः थः सवभूतानामा ा योगे रो ह रः । माययावृणो भ वैरा य वै
ं
िशर
ाः कु त वे ॥ १४॥
मोघं चा िति यम् ।
वं तेज आसा समशा द् भृगू ह ॥ १५॥
मा मं था
ेतदा य सवा यमयेऽ
य इदं मायया दे
ा सृज वित ह
ु ते । जः ॥ १६॥
“The Indweller in all the lives of this universe, the Lord of Yoga, Sri Hari entered the womb of Uttara Devi with one of his forms wearing a secretive armor to protect the offspring of the Pandu dynasty” says Sri Sutacharya Continung with emphasis, Sri Sutacharya says, “Shaunaka! It is true that Brahmashirsastras is only one of a kind. It will never go in vain. And there is no anti-missile to neutralize this. Even then, it became calm seeing वै
वं तेज or the brilliance of the Lord.
This is an amazing act of Lord that made Shaunaka & assembled Rishis hearing Srimad Bhagavatam bewildered. The Brahmashirsastras is rendered by Gayatri mantra. While the Brahma Astra has a counter and can be neutralized. There is no counter to Brahmashirsa Astras and cannot be neutralized. When Ashwathama executed this on all Pandavas including Bheemasena, Arjuna executed this Astra to counter it. Lord Veda Vyasa himself had to intervene and held these in his two arms not allowing collision.
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Since collision would destroy the entire Universe. In other words, Brahmashirsastra cannot attack the best of beings i.e. God Brahma or God Vayu. As Bheemasena is a form of God Vayu, Brahmashirsastra
cannot
attack
him.
However,
when
once Brahmashirsastra is executed, it does not attain futility. Hence, to uphold these two conditions set-up by Lord himself, he intervened in his form of Veda Vyasa to make both Ashwathama & Arjuna execute the callback. Even for the Astra that attacked the womb of Uttara Devi, Lord Sri Krishna did not destroy it. But he entered the Uttara Devi's womb in one of his forms and protected from destruction by being an Armour protecting the baby. While the Astra continued to attack. Therefore, the Brahmashirsastra rendered by Gayatri or energized by Lord himself for the attack and also himself opposing as Armor in Uttara Devi's womb is opposite acts that are astonishing.” “One need not be astonished by this”, continues Sri Sutacharya, “Our Lord is awesome. He is the most amazing one. He is Achyutha, having no decline. The unchanging Lord without birth nor death having immeasurable power using Prakriti creates, sustains, destroys, and regulates the whole universe. He is Paramatma or Supreme Atma to confine other Atmas' to death & birth. Subsequently, releasing them with Moksha. In other words, Lord is Satya Sankalpa or Truthfully Resolute to bind us with confinement only to release with Moksha. This is the Axiom and is being taught by Srimad Bhagavatam.”
However, we the common people are unable to unveil this secret of opposing acts of Lord. While He is the cause of binding us with death and birth bringing sorrow & misery. He is also the cause of releasing with Moksha bringing full knowledge & Bliss. Without the realization of His acts, we think that I am the doer and I need to protect myself from an attack. Nor we understand his Lordship thinking this is mine and I need to protect it for my possession.
तेजोिविनमु याणािभमुखं कृ
ैरा जैः सह कृ
या ।
िमदमाह पृथा सती ॥ १७॥
Thus, being protected from Brahmashirsastras by Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Sadvi Kunti Devi along with her children, Draupadi, Uttara Devi sang the Glory of Lord worshipping him. || Hari Om ||
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05
Bhakti Yoga of Uttara Devi and Kunti Devi Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis had asked Sri Sutachary through the ninth verse of the fourth adhyaya: अिभम ु सुतं सूत ा र् - भागवतो मम् । त
ज
महा य कमािण च गृणीिह नः ॥ ९॥
“Sri Sutha Puranika! We have heard that the son of Abhimanyu, Parakshid Raja was the best of Bhagavata following Bhagavata dharma to letter and spirit. His birth itself was a wonder. Please tell us the extraordinary story of his birth and all his outstanding activities.” Answering this, Sri Sutacharya narrates the story of Ashwathama including the execution of Brahmashirsha Astra and his refusal to callback its aggression on the offspring of Pandavas. Hence, Uttara Devi the wife of Abhimanyu prays to Lord Sri Krishna seeking protection, says, पािह महायोिगन् दे वदे व जग ते । ना ं
दभयं प
े य मृ ुः पर
अिभ वित मामीश शर
रम् ॥ ९॥
ायसो िवभो ।
कामं दहतु मां नाथ मा मे गभ िनपा ताम् ॥ १०॥
“The God of Gods! The Lord of the Universe! The greatest Yogi! Save me! Save me! None other than you could offer protection to me. Here, everyone is becoming a cause for one another’s death. My Lord! You are Omnipotent. All-Powerful. An iron arrow burnt red hot is chasing me. If needed, let it kill me. However, please bless the safety of the baby growing in my womb.” Lord Sri Krishna for whom the devotees are most dear, protected both the Bhagavatas from Brahmashirsha Astra through his वै
वं ते ज or his
brilliance. He blessed Abhaya or safety to the selfless, ready to sacrifice her own life, Uttara Devi and the baby in her womb. Hearing this Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis were astonished. मा मं था
ेतदा य सवा यमये ऽ
य इदं मायया दे
ा सृज वित ह
ु ते । जः ॥ १६॥
“One need not be astonished by this”, had said Sri Sutacharya. “Our Lord is awesome. He is the most amazing one. He is Achyutha, having no decline. The unchanging Lord without birth nor death having immeasurable power using Prakriti creates, sustains, destroys, and regulates the whole universe. He is Paramatma or Supreme Atma to confine other Atmas to death & birth. Subsequently, releasing them with Moksha.” Remember, this is the same as the first verse of prayer in the Srimad Bhagavatam taught by Lord Veda Vyasa himself. ज ा
or His
attribute of Creation, Sustenance, Destruction, Regulation, providing -
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Knowledge, Ignorance, Bandha or Confinement and Moksha or Liberation has the highest fame. Overwhelmed by the protection of Lord Sri Krishna at every step of their life, the virtuous Sadhvi Kunti Devi’s heart oozes with devotion. She addresses Lord Sri Krishna to offer her gratitude. Submitting herself sings the famous Kunti Stotra.
The Kunti Stotra
नम अल
े पु षं
ा मी रं कृते ः परम् ।
ं सवभू तानाम बिहरव थतम् ॥ १८॥
You are the Purusha without beginning nor end. Using Prakruti, you have created the vast Universe and gave birth to Jivas starting from God Brahma to a blade of grass. However, neither Prakruti nor Jiva can influence you as you are Satchidananda, the best of all and the Supreme Lord. You are inside as well as outside the universe, all material substances, and living beings. You are omnipresent. Yet we are unable to know you. Nor the best of being, does God Brahma or even Goddess Lakshmi knows you completely. My Salutations to you.
मायाजविनका नल
म ाधो जम यम् ।
से मूढ शा नटो ना
धरो यथा ॥ १९॥
To understand you, I should understand myself. With the concealment of Jeevachadika, I do not have the ability to look into myself as my Indriya or the sensory organs are always looking outwards for happiness. Also, the veil of Paramachadika between you and me is obstructing me to know you. Though I am born with a human body that diseases & decays, I have been caught in the grips of your Vishnu Maya causing illusions and chasing the mirage of happiness outwards. Whenever I close my eyes and sit to meditate your form & fame, I only see darkness & short-lived contemplation of your fame though you are present in me as my Indweller. Omniscient Lord Adhokshaja! You know everything and have surpassed the knowledge & happiness that come from Indriya. You are a supreme actor playing immeasurable roles with several acts and unique outfits. How can a dull and ignorant person like me recognize you? Only your blessings will bestow the knowledge of myself, you, and the happiness therein. तथा परमहं सानां मुनीनाममला नाम् । भ
योगिवधानाथ कथं प
े म िह
यः ॥ २०॥
The Paramahamsa like Sanakaadi yogis, Naradaadi Rishis, and the Aparoksha Jnanis have overcome Ignorance, desire, anger, actions, & so on giving up the materialistic world to gain pure heart brimming with devotion in you and crystal clear and clean knowledge of you. For
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them, you are the subject of Bhakti Yoga. How can a common woman like me recognize you? Asks Kunti Devi. कृ
ाय वासुदेवाय दे वकीन नाय च ।
न गोपकुमाराय गोिव ाय नमो नमः ॥ २१॥ नमः प जनाभाय नमः प जमािलने । नमः प जने ाय नम े प जाङ् ये ॥ २२॥ Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, My repeated salutations to you. 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. यथा षीकेश खलेन दे वकी कंसे न िवमोिचताहं च सहा जा िवभो
ाितिचरं शु चािपता ।
यै व नाथे न मु िवप णात् ॥ २३॥
िवषा हा ेः पु षाददशनादस भाया वनवासकृ मृधे मृधेऽनेकमहारथा
तो ौ
त ा
तः ।
हरे ऽिभरि ताः ॥ २४॥
Oh! Lord Hrishikesha, Your mother Devaki was put in jail and the babies born to her were brutally killed by the wicked Kamsa. You saved her by destroying Kamsa. It’s not just that you saved your mother from her sorrow & grief, you have saved me and my children from one difficulty after another. You are the All-powerful, Almighty Lord. Lord Sri Krishna! Only you have saved all my five sons Pandavas from Duryodhana and his evil cronies. Bheema was poisoned, tied with a
chain to dead weight, and thrown into a river to sink and die. Yudhisthira was lured into the gambling and deceived. You protected us during our exile period of living in the forest and from evils like Hidimba. At every stage in the war of Kurukshetra, you saved the Pandavas from dangerous weapons executed by the expert warriors. Now you saved us from the Brahmashirsha Astra. Your favor with blessings is endless! िवपदः स ु नः श भवतो दशनं य
त जगद् गुरो ।
ादपु नभवदशनम् ॥ २५॥
ज ै य ुत ीिभरे धमानमदः पु मान् । नैवाह िभधातुं वै
ामिक नगोचरम् ॥ २६॥
नमोऽिक निव ाय िनवृ गुणवृ ये । आ ारामाय शा ाय कैव
पतये नमः ॥ २७॥
Jagadguru! The teacher of the Universe, gives me difficulties all the time, in all my activities that I take-up while being in this cycle of death & birth. Let there be obstructions coming more frequently. So, during all my difficult times, compassionate Lord! You will stand with me blessing with thoughts of you making your sight definitive. The sight of you would break the cycle of death & birth with Moksha. You will bless with the sight of your presence to only those who have nothing of their own. Those being utterly poor and destitute. Then, how can the brags intoxicated with the pride of the clan or the class or
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authority or for being famous or wealthy and so on would even get the thoughts to singing your names? How can they become even eligible? Hence, Lord Krishna! Please bless me without any of those yielding intoxications. You are a treasure for all those who have nothing of their own and yet propitiating you without expectations. You surpass the three Gunas or Prakriti including their effects. Being engrossed in yourself and having no expectations from anyone else, you are Atmarama. You are serene and the only Lord to bestow Moksha having eternal bliss. My salutations to you. म े
ां कालमीशानमनािदिनधनं िवभु म् ।
समं चर ं सव भूतानां य
थः किलः ॥ २८॥
My Lord! I know you have no beginning nor end. From the immeasurable time of past to an immeasurable time in future, being omnipresent, you are the Lord of Time controlling everyone’s lifespan. In this form of Sri Krishna, you are here to reduce the Sin on mother earth. Through the war of Kurukshetra, you took away the life of all the sinners. Though there are differences and aberrations among all living beings and nonliving things, you are present in all of them with equanimity. Lord is the Indweller of each individual Jiva. Consistent with the intrinsic characters and Gunas, the Jiva practices perfection doing Sadhana. Accordingly, the Lord supports the practice to accomplish their utmost.
न वेद कि नय
कि
ियतोऽ
गवंि कीिषतं तवे हमान किहिच ् वे
नृ णां िवड नम् ।
य
षमा मितनृणाम् ॥ २९॥
Bhagavan! When you appear among us the people of earth showing your sports charm, no one could contemplate your actions and intentions. You delay as if a fellow human being. Though the people have unfair mind towards you, never have you had one whom you like nor whom you dislike.
ज
कम च िव ा
ज
ितयङ्नृिषषु यादःसु तद
ाकतुरा नः । िवड नम् ॥ ३०॥
Vishwatma! You are the pure soul of the Universe having no birth nor are you duty-bound. Yet, you take birth with all the Jivas including the birds that live in the sky, plants & animals that live in water and those living on earth. Also, in ordinary human, rishis, and munies to carry out the actions consistent with the behavior of those species. My Lord! I wonder as to what sort of Sports Charm is this. says Kunti Devi. Continuing on Kunti Stotra, Kunti Devi says, गो ाददे व
िय कृतागिस दाम ताव ा ते दशा ु किलला नस
ं िननीय भयभावनया थत
मा म् ।
सा मां िवमोहयित भीरिप यि भे ित ॥ ३१॥
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Lord! I have heard the stories about you. Appearing in the house of Yashoda and Nanda Gopa, you have been showing your sports Charm. One day you happened to break the earthen pot full of butter. Yashoda not realizing your Lordship brought a rope to tie you up. The reaction displayed by you to Yashoda Devi scares me, Says Kunti Devi. Though full of attributes and stainless, your eyes filled with tears mixing with the grease of eye black had flowed down your cheeks arousing the extreme feeling of motherhood. You appeared as if being scared to Yashoda Devi’s rope and dropped your head as if you had done a mistake. Meditating on this form of you makes me illusioned every time. I'm Scared of being misled by your acts. Oh! My Lord, the death itself is scared of you, how could Yashoda scare you? केिचदा रजं जातं पु यदोः ि य
ा वाये मलय
अपरे वसु देव अज
म
ोक
दे व
कीतये ।
े व च नम् ॥ ३२॥
ां यािचतोऽ
गात् ।
ेमाय वधाय च सु रि षाम् ॥ ३३॥
भारावतारणाया े भु वो नाव इवोदधौ । सीद
ा भू रभारे ण जातो
ा भु वािथतः ॥ ३४॥
भवेऽ वण
न्
मानानामिव ाकामकमिभः ।
रणाहािण क र ि ित केचन ॥ ३५॥
For you, there is no birth nor death. Yet you appeared as the son of Devaki & Vasudeva and grew up with Yashoda & Nanda Gopa. The great saints opine that you did so, To increase the fame of Malaya hills where sandalwood trees grow in abundance due to your blessings. To bring fame to Yashoda & Nanda Gopa and to the Yadhu clan. As your appearance is a divine verse well-spoken of having good fame. The other great saints believe that in the previous birth of Devaki & Vasudeva as Sutapa & Vrishni you had blessed them with a boon that you would be born to them as their Son. Hence you appeared as the son of Devaki & Vasudeva. Also, as requested by Gods to cause prosperity on Earth and the destruction of the wicked, you appeared as the son of Devaki & Vasudeva. Some others believe that as the sinners had carried out intense and large sins, their weight on mother earth had increased enormously making her unbearable. Hence, the extremely troubled mother earth had started sinking in the middle of the sea. Therefore, God Brahma had prayed to you for her help and hence you appeared on earth. In this intense cycle of death & birth wrapped in ignorance having a keen desire for endless actions, people are stuck with sorrow & grief. 51 OF 80
With an intent to remember, hear, read your divine sports charm that uplifts “we the people suffering from sorrow & grief” you have appeared on earth, say some. गाय त एव प
गृण
भी णशः
र
न
तवे िहतं जनाः ।
िचरे ण तावकं भव वाहोपरमं पदा ुजम् ॥ ३६॥
However, your fortunate devotees remain happy as they are blessed with a taste to hear of your stories, singing your glories & names repeatedly. Also, remember your sports charm always. Only such devotees of yours would be able to break the cycle of death & birth. They will have the sight of your Lotus feet and take refuge only there. अ
न
येषां न चा
ं
कृतेिहत भो िजहासिस
ु दोऽनु जीिवनः ।
वतः पदा ुजा रायणं राजसु योिजतां हसाम् ॥ ३७॥
My Lord! You are like the Kalpavruksha or the wish fulfilling tree of heaven on earth to your devotees. We are yours, you’re our relative and we live in your shadow. Do you wish to leave us and proceed your way to Dwarka? Lord! You know how all the kings on this earth harbor enmity against us. Your Lotus Feet is the only place where we have a refuge. So, please do not leave us.
के वयं नाम पा
ां यदु िभः सह पा
वाः ।
भवतोऽदशनं यिह षीकाणािमवे िशतु ः ॥ ३८॥ Atma is the bearer and motivator of all Indriya. Other than Atma, who else can give a place for the existence to Indriyas and power them? Similarly, my Lord! Without your presence and sight, how could the clan of Yadhu and Pandavas have a name, form, existence, and power? How can they live? नेयं शोिभ ते त यथे दानी ं गदाधर । दै रि ता भाित
ल णिवलि तै ः ॥ ३९॥
My Lord! Gadadhara! You hold the mace named Kaumodaki. Your divine Lotus feet have auspicious symbols and have made this place of Kuru kingdom special and beautiful. Your departure would make this place dull. इमे जनपदाः वनाि नद् युद
ृ ाः सु प ौषिधवी धः । ो े ध े तव वीि तै ः ॥ ४०॥
The kind-hearted Lord! Your glimpse of favor has yielded an abundance of food grains, fruits & flowers, creepers, plants, and trees. Even the countryside is filled with lakes & rivers. The forests, hills, and mountains are filled with natural resources with just your glimpse. अथ िव े श िव ा न् िव मूत
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केषु मे ।
ेहपाशिममं िछ
ढं पा
ु षु वृ
षु ॥ ४१॥
Lord of the Universe! This whole universe is an idol of you. Inside, are you as a universal soul. A deep sense of affection in Pandavas & Yadavas has grown in me and has made me possessive. This affable relationship is of Prakriti and limited to the physical body. Hence, I pray to you to kindly cut this bind of affection. िय मेऽन िवषया मितमधु पते ऽसकृत् । रितमु हताद ा ग े वौघमु द ित ॥ ४२॥ Madhupati! Your appearance in the family of Madhu has brought fame to the Yadhu clan. Lord Sri Krishna, like the entire water flowing in the river Ganga, merges with the sea, so too should my mind without straying here and there and my heart oozing with the nectar of divine love should flow only towards you and only you. ीकृ गोिव
कृ
सख वृ
ृषभाविन ु ाज वं शदहनानपवगवीय ।
गोि जसुराितहरावतार योगे रा खलगुरो भगवन् नम े ॥ ४३॥
Sri Krishna! The dear friend of Arjuna! Vrishni! The jewel in the crown of Yadhu clan! The fire burning down the sinners disguised as Kings! The brave hero! Govinda! The cause & protector of Vedas, Godvija! The protector of Cows & twice-born, having come to remove the difficulties of Gods, my Lord! The Lord of Yoga! Guru! Bhagavan! My repeated Salutations to You.
After the war of Kurukshetra, Lord Sri Krishna saw to it that Yudhistira ascended the throne of the Kuru Kingdom. Thus ensuring the reinstatement of Dharmarajya or fair & just governance to the common people. Subsequently, when Lord Sri Krishna bid farewell and boarded the chariot to proceed to Dwarka, Uttara Devi ran towards him seeking his protection to the baby in her womb from Brahmashirshastra that was executed by Ashwathama. With one of his forms of brilliance, Lord entered the womb of Uttara Devi and neutralized the aggression of the Brahmashirshastra. After narrating all this to Sri Shaunaka & fellow rishis, Sri Sutacharya started narrating the famous Kunti Stotra that has the power of bestowing Aparoksha Jnana. She addressed Sri Krishna as the Supreme Lord or Adi Purusha in recognition of His Lordship. She praised Sri Krishna's Supremacy over Prakriti or Goddess Lakshmi and the best of Jiva or God Brahma. She sang the attributes of Lord, his names and the Sports Charm. We as common human beings encounter difficulties every now and then. Most of us without a second thought, run to the Lord seeking an immediate solution for every difficulty we encounter. We do this at the drop of a hat. We want his blessings and protections only when we go wrong. But hardly have we realized that all happenings of delight are because of the blessings of Lord. So too, the solutions to all our problems. Hence, we miss upon our sense of gratitude. 55 OF 80
However, the most noteworthy virtue exhibited by Kunti Devi is Titiksha or having the patience to endure the ragging of samsara or the grind of life. Hence, in this Stotra or the praises to Lord, Kunti Devi assigns the attribute of Lord giving difficulties to Jiva as the kindest, compassionate, and bridge towards himself. Sri Sutacharya says to Shaunaka & fellow Rishis सूत उवाच पृथये ं कलपदै ः प रणूता खलोदयः । म ं जहास वैकु तां बाढिम ुपाम य
पुरं या
ो मोहयि व मायया ॥ ४४॥ िव
गजसा यम् ।
न् े णा रा ा िनवा रतः ॥ ४५॥
This way Kunti Devi praised the Lord with sweet words singing his names and sports charm. Hearing this, ever-charming Lord Sri Krishna who has Vaikuntha as his abode accepted Kunti Devi's request to stay back in Hastinapura. The entire crowd with a heavy heart that had assembled to see him off were mesmerized with his gentle smile. A second of pin-drop silence engulfed the surrounding with the spellbound crowd and everyone distinctly heard Lord Saying to Kunti Devi, “Aunt! So may it be.” As the crowd cheered watching him, Lord Sri Krishna walked back towards the palace accompanied with the King Yudhishthira, Sister Subhadra and others who had all opposed his travel to Dwarka. || Hari Om ||
06
Dharmaraja’s Dilemma on Dharma After the great war of Kurukshetra, Yudhishthira was coronated as the King and Bheemasena as Crown Prince of the Kuru Kingdom by Lord in his forms of Veda Vyasa and Sri Krishna. For the fair and just governance of Yudhishthira, he became popular as Dharmaraja. Sri Sutacharya continuing the narration of Srimad Bhagavatam to Sri Shaunaka & fellow Rishis says, ासा ैरी रे हा ैः कृ
ेनाद् भु तकमणा ।
बोिधतोऽपीितहासै नाबु त शुचािपतः ॥ ४६॥ Shaunaka! Dharmaraja remembering the death of his relatives and friends sunk into melancholy. Having hidden meanings and objectives, Lord in the form of Veda Vyasa and even the form of Sri Krishna tried consoling Dharmaraja citing examples of history. They told him that he had carried out fair and good acts, consistent with the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna before the start of the war. Hence, they were successful in establishing Dharma of fair and good governance. They had done as per the wish of Lord, with his inspiration or Vishnu Prernaya and for pleasing him or Vishnu Preethyartham to accomplish Purusarthas or the objective of Life. However, King Yudhishthira was not convinced. All 57 OF 80
the time, his mind was occupied with scenes of the aftermath of the war of Kurukshetra. He continued sulking. आह राजा धमसुति
यन् सु दां वधम् ।
ाकृते ना ना िव ाः अहो मे प पार
ेहमोहवशं गतः ॥ ४७॥
ता ानं िद ै व दे ह
बह्
ढं दु रा नः । ो मेऽ ौिहणीहताः ॥ ४८॥
Sri Sutacharya says, Shaunaka! The son of Goddess of Dharma, King Yudhishthira had allowed his exterior mind of Prakriti to be tied up with relation to friendship and infatuation. Hence, being subjugated and controlled by exterior mind regarding the death of his relatives and friends, he thought thus, “So sad! I wonder as to how this ignorance has deeply rooted in my illnatured heart? I have sacrificed bodies of soldiers forming several Akshauhini. These bodies have become food for dogs and wolves after the departure of their souls.” In, The Axiom of Yoga continued, (we saw that the Shastras are saying that there are two minds. One which is made of nature or the exterior and the other with Swaroopa or Jivatma. Similarly, eyes for seeing, ears for hearing, nose for smelling, tongue for taste and skin for touch. All Sensory organs that are seen exterior, the same is in Swaroopa or Jivatma including the one causing thoughts and intellect. The ones that are exterior are prone to disease and decay. However, those in Jivatma is not destructible. The exterior sensory organs are the cause of samsara
or death and birth. As these exterior sensory organs are made of Prakriti having guna of Sattvika, Rajasik and Tamasik and reason for Arishadvarga. These external sensory organs are tied to दय or Linga Deha with
or Knot. As the cracks appear, ीय े चा
कमािण or the
Sins will disappear. बालि जसु न मे
िपतृ ातृगु
ाि रया ो ो
ु हः ।
िप वषायुतायु तैः ॥ ४९॥
नै नो रा ः जाभतु धमयु े वधो ि षाम् । इित मे न तु बोधाय क
ते शासनं वचः ॥ ५०॥
King Yudhishthira engrossed in himself thought "I have deceived several kids, brahmins, near & dear relatives and friends. Also, those in the position of elder or younger brothers, fathers, and Gurus. To all these and many more, I have deceived. Hence, having carried out such a big crime, even tens of millions of years in hell would not redeem my sins, thought Dharmaraja." While Lord in the form of Veda Vyasa and Sri Krishna including the family priest Dhaumya Rishi all quoted Shastras or The indoctrination that permits the King to go to war for justice and the protection of the citizens of his kingdom. Thus, permitting the King to order the killing of enemy soldiers. However, I am not able to absolve my guilt for the death of so many lives during the war. This is the emotional & behavioral disorder that Arjuna went through before the Great War of Kurukshetra. Arjuna seeing his Grandfather, 59 OF 80
brothers including Karna, Acharyas, Gurus, near & dear relatives and friends in the enemy line against whom he had to fight, drops his bow Gandiva to surrender to the enemy. To this Lord Sri Krishna unfurled Bhagavad Gita. He clarified that one is not born to serve himself or his sensory organs which always long for more. But for maintaining Bhagavad Dharma or the Lord's divine order. As a Kshatriya, there is a divine call to Yudhishthira for the killing of unfair and unjust Duryodhana. However, King Yudhishthira was caught up with a thought that the killings in the great war of Kurukshetra happened only for his personal benefits. For him to become the King. Hence, the Kingdom has been established for him to enjoy Power. As a common man, we too are under the grip of such disorder of emotions and behavior. What comes to our mind, we think is right. Further, we reiterate the same. We fail to consider if what we think is consistent with Bhagavad Dharma or Lord's divine order. ीणां म तब ूनां ोहो योऽसािवहो कमिभगृहमे धीयैनाहं क यथा प े न प ा
ो
तः ।
पोिहतुम् ॥ ५१॥
ः सुरया वा सु राकृतम् ।
भूतह ां तथैवैकां न य ैमा टु महित ॥ ५२॥ King Yudhishthira thought that there is no spiritual austerity or sacrifice that could be carried out by a family man to absolve his sins accrued due to the curse of women & children for loss of near and dear in a war.
Like the murky water cannot be cleaned with the muck. And the impurity caused to the soul by the liquor cannot be purified by liquor. Similarly, spiritual austerity having a sacrifice of animals cannot be redeemed for violence and killing. Under this circumstance, how could I redeem my sins? Thought King Yudhishthira. इित ीम ागवते महापु राणे पारमहं कु ी
ां सं िहतायां थम
े
ुितयुिधि रानु तापो नामा मोऽ ायः ॥ ८॥
With this, we complete a part named "Kunti Stotra and Repentance of King Yudhishthira" of eighth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. We could do so only with the grace of Gurus including Sri Raghavendra and his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada.
सू त उवाच. Sri Sutacharya says, इित भीतः जा ोहा वधमिविव या । ततो िवनशनं ागा
दे व तोऽपतत् ॥ १॥
तदा ते ातरः सव सद ैः अ ग
न् रथैिव ा
णभूिषतै ः ।
ासधौ ादय
था ॥ २॥
भगवानिप िव ष रथेन सधन यः । स तै
रोचत नृपः कुबेर इव गु कैः ॥ ३॥
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Shaunaka Rishi! This way, Dharmaraja’s Dilemma on Dharma continued. He suffered from fear. He thought he was the cause for the death of several soldiers. Accepting the suggestions of Lord in his forms of Sri Krishna and Veda Vyasa to take the opinion from the eldest of his Kuru family and
since
he
with Duryodhana, King
had
fought
Yudhishthira
against decided
them to
along meet Sri
Bheeshmacharya. Also, with a desire to learn the secrets of dharma or divine justice in statecraft from his grandfather, Sri Bheeshmacharya, Dharmaraja arrived at the battle-ground of Kurukshetra. Sri Bheeshmacharya was lying there on the bed of sharp arrows. At the same time, the other four brothers of Pandavas followed him in their chariots well decorated with gold plates and pulled by horses of very good breed. Also, they were accompanied by Lord Veda Vyasa, Dhaumya Rishi, the family priest and his assistant brahmins. Lord Sri Krishna accompanied by Arjuna boarded the chariot and traveled to Kurukshetra. With all these dignitaries of high rank, King Yudhishthira appeared shining like King Kubera, the God of wealth in the assembly of high ranked Yakshas, says Sri Sutacharya ा िनपिततं भूमौ िदव णेमुः पा त
ुतिमवामरम् ।
वा भी ं सानुगाः सह चि णा ॥ ४॥
षयः सव दे वषय स म ।
राजषय त ासन्
टुं भरतपु वम् ॥ ५॥
To Pandavas, Sri Bheeshmacharya appeared as divine God sleeping on the bed of arrows. He appeared as if he slipped down from heaven and had taken up the vow of religious observation. They had arrived along with Lord Sri Krishna. Seeing Sri Bheeshmacharya, the Pandavas paid their respects by offering salutations. To see the most eminent hero of Bharata, Sri Bheeshmacharya, all the Brahma Rishis, Deva Rishis, Raja Rishis accompanied with their students had arrived there by then, says Sri Sutacharya. Continuing the narration, Sri Sutacharya says, पवतो नारदो धौ ो भगवान् बादरायणः । बृहद ो भर ाजः सिश ो रे णुकासु तः ॥ ६॥ विस इ
मद
तो गृ मदोऽिसतः ।
क ीवान् गौतमोऽि अ े च मुनयो
कौिशकोऽथ सु दशनः ॥ ७॥
न्
िश ै पेता आज ु ः क
रातादयोऽमलाः । पाि रसादयः ॥ ८॥
Parvata, Narada, Dhaumya, Bhagavan Veda Vyasa, Brihadaswa, Bharadwaja, Parashurama, Vasishtha, Indra Pramada, Trita, Gritsamad, Asita, Kakshivanta, Gautama, Atri, Vishwamitra, Sudarshan had arrived to see Sri Bheeshmacharya. Also, Brahmaratas who were initiated by god Brahma like Sukacharya, Kashyapa, Angirasa, and so on who were Maharishis with pure souls along with their support staff and students had arrived. 63 OF 80
तान् समेतान् महाभागानुपल
वसू मः ।
पूजयामास धम ो दे शकालिवभागिवत् ॥ ९॥ कृ
ं च त भाव आसीनं जगदी रम् ।
िद थं पूजयामास माययोपा िव हम् ॥ १०॥ Knowing one’s duty and the protocol of response based on place and time, Sri Bheeshmacharya an incarnation of a God among Asta Vasu welcomed all the Sages and offered his salutations through thoughts in his mind. Sri Bheeshmacharya, knowing the Lordship of Sri Krishna who appeared as if another human being seated among the sages creating an illusion to most of the people and also knowing him being an indweller in each one's heart, offered salutations to Lord Sri Krishna. पा
ु पु ानुपासीनान्
य े मस तान् ।
अ
ाच ानुरागा ैर ीभूतेन च ु षा ॥ ११॥
अहो क महोऽ ा ं यद् यू यं धमन नाः । जीिवतुं नाहथ
ं िव धमा
ुता याः ॥ १२॥
The Pandavas always expresses their virtue of humility, sat next to the bed of arrows. They sat close to their grandfather, Sri Bheeshmacharya. Seeing them, the tears of joy rolled down the eyes of Sri Bheeshmacharya. Taking a while to come to terms with the situation, Sri Bheeshmacharya says,
Dharmanandana! The Sons of Pandu! You all have believed in taking refuge of pious priests, the Dharma and the Lord. Though you all have always taken their refuge, yet, life has not been kind! Alas, you had to face lots of difficulties without good reasons. You all are not fit for such a state of poverty and difficult life. Sri Bheeshmacharya continues to say, सं थतेऽितरथे पा यु
ृ ते ब न्
ौ पृथा बाल जा वधूः । ेशान् ा ा तोकवती मु ः ॥ १३॥
सव कालकृतं म े भवतां च यदि यम् । सपालो य शे लोको वायो रव घनाविलः ॥ १४॥ य धमसु तो राजा गदापािणवृ कोदरः । कृ
ोऽ
ी गा
वं चापं सु
ृ
तो िवपत् ॥ १५॥
Pandu was a great warrior. He had an unexpected death. At that time, you all were too young. Hence, Kunti had to suffer a lot for your upbringing. Also, You all have to face the burden of the early death of Pandu. The way the clouds are under the control of wind so too in our lives. Each one’s life is under the control of Time. The Universe, including the Guardians of the Universe, are under the control of Time. There is no choice. But, all have to follow the dictates of Time. Hence, I believe that you are facing so many difficulties is in the charm of the sport of the Lord Time.
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Else, when the son of Dharma, Yudhishthira himself is King, the bearer of the terrific mace that could break the hardest, Sri Bheemasena and the bearer of terrifying bow and arrow, Arjuna are the guardians and the Lord Sri Krishna himself is a friend, how could difficulties even show it's face! न
किहिच ाजन् पुमान् वेद िविध
यि िज ासया यु
ा मु व
तम् ।
कवयोऽिप िह ॥ १६॥
त
ािददं दै वत ं
भरतषभ ।
त
ानुिविहतोऽनाथा नाथ पािह जाः भो ॥ १७॥
Dharmanandana! The Sons of Pandu! The form of the Lord of Time, this Sri Krishna is a wonder! What are his intentions and how he intends to unfurl the situations can never be contemplated by any being! Even the most intelligent being falls into an illusion if he tries contemplating to predict the future. The best in Bharat! All the happenings on the earth are as per the wish of the Lord. The subjects in the Kingdom of Bharat have become orphans without a King. Hence, return to Hastinapura to protect them. Also, you are the most capable to take care. Hence, even before Dharmaraja asks the question to get clarifications on his Dilemma, Sri Bheeshmacharya suffering from an intense pain with several arrows pierced through him forming a bed answers conclusively. He says that no matter who the person is, he is under the control of Bhagavad Dharma or the Lord's divine order. Even though it
is Kunti Devi, the aunt of Lord Sri Krishna or Pandavas, a relative and dear friend of Sri Krishna. Also, the evil Duryodhana including all those who supported him in the great war of Kurukshetra are under the control of Bhagavad Dharma or the Lord's divine order. Subsequently, Sri Bheeshmacharya sings the Glory of Lord that is famously known as Bheeshma Stuti. Let's pray to Hari, Vayu, and Gurus for their continued blessings to take a look at the famous Bheeshma Stuti. || Hari Om ||
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07
Bheeshma Stuti, In the great war of Kurukshetra, Sri Bheeshmacharya had taken several arrows. These arrows had pierced through him forming a bed on which he laid waiting to accept death and relinquish his body. Sri Bheeshmacharya had accomplished the siddhi of Iccha Marana or perfection to have death at his time of choosing. Hence, he waited for the winter solstice, when the doors of Heaven would be opened. That is the first day of Uttarayana. During his wait, Sri Bheeshmacharya experienced the pain of eight garbhavasa i.e. the pain during the stay in the mother’s womb. During death, when jiva
departs
mortal
body,
the it
experiences enormous pain while being in the cycle of death and birth, so too during birth. To God
Garuda’s
question in Garuda Purana, Lord Keshava who is always being worshipped by God Brahma & God Shiva says that the jiva experiences
enormous pain & misery in the womb. It would be awash by feces and urine having a bad smell. The bitter, hot, salty and acidic taste. As the body develops, it experiences pain in all directions due to the heat of the digestive system of the mother and due to the narrow space of confinement for a very long period of time. Sri Bheeshmacharya experiences the pain of eight Garbavasas or equivalent to the pain in each of the eight deaths and births. All the Rishis including Brahma Rishis, Deva Rishis, Raja Rishis heard the news of Sri Bheeshmacharya. They visited him while he awaited death. Dharmaraja at the directions of Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Veda Vyasa having a dilemma on dharma visited along with his brothers, family Priests and the support brahmins. The Lord Bhaktvatsala for whom devotees are most dear was present in the form of Parashurama, Veda Vyasa, and Sri Krishna to bless Sri Bheeshmacharya. Seeing them, Sri Bheeshmacharya sings the Glory of the Lord who is full of mercy and compassion. This song on Glory of Lord sung by Sri Bheeshmacharya is the most powerful versus having the ability to bestow the remembrance and thoughts of Lord at the last moments of one’s life when practiced daily by repeated chanting with a conscious mind, heart filled with Bhakti and doing anusandhana. Anusandhana is understanding the principles of philosophy in each verse, draw essence and implement it by practicing in all our day to day activities of life.
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Sri Bheesha Stuti एष वै भगवान् सा ादा ो नारायणः पु मान् । मोहयन् मायया लोकं गूढ रित वृ
षु ॥ १८॥
Evidently, this Sri Krishna is the Lord of everything. He has created the Universe including his forms, all living beings and non-living things. He is the sustainer, destroyer, controller, bestowing ignorance and knowledge to confine all living beings to death-birth and liberates them with moksha. He is the cause of this existence. Even before this creation, when nothing was there, He was there. Hence, he is popular as अ or the first supreme Lord, Sriman Narayana. The same Sriman Narayana is appearing in the form of Sri Krishna here. Though he mesmerizes everyone with his charm, He is appearing as if another person has taken birth in the Vrishni clan. This way he is unfolding his sports charm. अ
ानु भावं भगवान् वे द गु तमं िशवः ।
दे विषनारदः सा ा गवान् किपलो नृ प ॥ १९॥ His glory, His acts, and the way He influences are extremely secretive. And impenetrable. Yudhishthira! Only His form of Kapila, God Shiva and Deva Rishi, Narada is aware. Hence, they could predict the exact future without being deluded.
यं म से मातुलेयं ि यं िम ं सु
मम् ।
अकरोः सिचवं दू तं सौ दादथ सारिथम् ॥ २०॥ The one whom you think is your maternal uncle Vasudeva’s son, the dear friend, most trusted & special. And to whom with great love, you ask him to be your minister, messenger and even charioteer without any hesitation, that very compassionate Sri Krishna is the very complete Brahman. He is the Almighty, Supreme Lord. सवा नः सम शो
य
त ृ तं मितवैष ं िनरव
ानहङ्कृते ः । न
िचत् ॥ २१॥
He is सवा नः, the Indweller of all living beings without an iota of वैष
or discrimination including in their मित, intellect. He is सम श,
fair and impartial. He is Supreme as he is अ य or second to none. तथा े का भ य ेऽसूं
े षु प
जतः सा ा ृ
भू पानु क
तम् ।
ो दशनमागतः ॥ २२॥
Yudhishthira! The balanced Lord is impartial and has no prejudice, whatsoever. With his immeasurable love towards his vast devotees, you are seeing how the compassionate Lord is favoring all with divine grace! As I have taken-up death to forego this body, Lord Sri Krishna has come himself with his presence for my दशन or view.
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भ
ावे
मनो य
न् वाचा य ाम कीतयन् ।
जन् कलेवरं योगी मु
ते कामकमिभः ॥ २३॥
To those great yogis who have filled their hearts with Bhakti in Lord, sing his namasankeertana with a mind focused towards him while foregoing the body to accept death, the most compassionate Lord will shear the bind of desire and actions breaking the cycle of death and birth. स दे वदे वो भगवान् ती तां कलेवरं याविददं िहनो स हासा णलोचनो
हम् ।
स ु खा ुजो ानपथ तु भुजः॥ २४॥
Such God of Gods has a bright lotus-like face, wearing charming smile with the lotus petal-shaped eye, the white of his eye appearing lotus pink and having four arms, Bhagavan blessing with his view only to great Yogis in their meditation, Lord Sri Krishna be present right in front of me, seeing me till I forego my body, says Sri Bheeshmacharya.
सूत उवाच, Sri Sutacharya says, युिधि र अपृ
दाक
शयानं शरप रे ।
ि िवधान् धमान् ऋषीणां चानु
ताम् ॥ २५॥
Sri Shaunaka! Hearing the words from Grandfather Bheeshma who was sleeping on the bed of arrows, Yudhishthira asked several clarifications on various subjects of statecraft in the presence of great Rishis & Munis.
पु ष
भाविविहतान् यथावण यथा मम् ।
वैरा रागोपािध
ामा ातोभयल णान् ॥ २६॥
दानधमान् राजधमान् मो धमान् िवभागशः । ीधमान् भगव मान् समास ासयोगतः ॥ २७॥ धमाथकाममो ां सहोपायान् यथा मुने । नाना
ाने ितहासेषु वणयामास त िवत् ॥ २८॥
Then the Tattva Jnani, Sri Bheeshmacharya having the divine knowledge consistent with Varna or Profession and Ashrama or the Stage of life, explained natural behavior or dharma to be followed by human beings. Vairagya or dispassion towards materialistic life that needs to be developed. Also, due to the instinct of desire and greed, Grandfather Sri Bheeshmacharya explained the way वृ ि or Pravruti dharma or worldly activities and िनवृ ि or Nivruti dharma or abstaining from sensual pleasures have been set forth in various ways. Those with Vairagya would follow Nivruti or Nishkama dharma and those with desire & anger would follow Pravruti dharma. Further, Sri Bheeshmacharya explained the दानधमा or quality of benevolence one needs to develop through donations; राजधमा or the righteous way of administration;
ीधमा or the duty for females
including women & children; भगव मा or the behaviour of Gods when they appear on earth, the divine order he has set-up to follow and the way for Jivas to please the Lord; मो धमा or The way one should 73 OF 80
propitiate Lord doing spiritual practice by submitting to him. Also, the benefits or the way the accomplished beings live after moksha. All these he explained in a detailed and elaborate way. Also, he summarised the same in brief for a quick memory. Along with these, he explained Dharma, Kama, Artha and Moksha, the four Purusharthas or the objectives of life, the way to accomplish perfection in this. He illustrated this through short stories and reference to history. The whole of Shanti Parva and the Anushasana Parva that has been detailed in Mahabarata has been briefly touched upon herein Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Veda Vyasa. म वदत
स कालः
यो योिगन
मृ ोवा
ुप थतः । त ू रायणः ॥ २९॥
Sri Bheeshmacharya who had Iccha Marana or death at his time of choosing was expounding the axiom of dharma. While he was doing so, the auspicious time for such highly accomplished yogis to leave the body had come. The Uttarayana had set in for the doors of heaven to be opened. तदोपसं कृ
िगरः सह णी िवमु
स ं मन आिदपू षे ।
े लस ीतपटे चतुभुजे पु रः थतेऽमीिलत
धारयत् ॥ ३०॥
The protagonist of the thousands assembled there became silent. The assembled there were filled with joy to hear more, though. Sri Bheeshmacharya was sucked into meditation with open eyes. His attention moved towards the Adipurusha, the four-armed Lord wearing
the yellow robes, Bhagavan Sri Krishna. He brought his mind towards Lord Krishna, fixed it there as it was not always his companion. Gazing at the Lord who was standing right in front of him, blink less, Sri Bheeshmacharya’s lotus of heart blossomed.
िवशु या धारणया हताशु भ िनवृ सव
दी यै वाशु गतायु ध
थः ।
यवृि िव म ु ाव ज ं िवसृ ज नादनम् ॥ ३१॥
This way, Sri Bheeshmacharya having absolutely no expectations whatsoever doing meditation wore the form of Lord through Dharana on to his memory firmly. In that Dharana yoga, all sins causing inauspiciousness fled out of him. The most compassionate Lord Sri Krishna had a glimpse of Sri Bheeshmacharya destroying all the pains. The pain equivalent to a summation of eight garbhavasa or in eight births. Also, the pain inflicted by several weapons including the arrows that had pierced through him in the war disappeared. As the time to forego the body was arriving, Sri Bheeshmacharya stopped all the activities of exterior sensory organs filled with bhakti sang the praises of the Lord. Like the cow pulls back the cud from the stomach to re-chew, Sri Bheeshmacharya recalls the incidences in the war of Kurukshetra. Before the war of Kurukshetra, both Pandavas and Kauravas approach Lord Sri Krishna requesting him to fight on their side. Incidentally, both approaches at the same time. Arjuna representing Pandavas and Duryodhana himself from Kauravas. Sri Krishna will be lying in his yoga 75 OF 80
Nidra. While Duryodhana comes first, engulfed in his ego thinks that he is the prince of the Kuru dynasty and stands near the head of Sri Krishna. However, Arjuna waits near the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna sees Arjuna waiting for him as he wakes up and later Duryodhana. Seeing Arjuna first and recognizing that Duryodhana too had come first, Lord Sri Krishna says that he and his children together will fight the war on both sides. He proposes that his million sons whom he had from his 16,000 wives would fight with weapons on one side. He himself would be on the opposite side. And would not take-up any weapons during the war. Sri Krishna gives the first choice to Arjuna to select his million sons or himself to fight on their side. Meantime, Duruodhana gets jittery worrying if Arjuna would choose Sri Krishna’s million sons to their advantage. Surprising to Duryodhana, Arjuna the dear devotee of Sri Krishna says, 'My Lord! Whether you take up weapons or not, we want you to be on our side'. Subsequently, Arjuna requests Sri Krishna to be his charioteer and Sri Krishna accepts the same. Duryodhana feels relaxed and happy. He thinks with an affirmative question, “What is the point of having Sri Krishna who is not going to take-up weapon and fight?” This incidence including the vow of Sri Krishna that he would not takeup any weapons during the war was apprised by Duryodhana to Sri Bheeshmacharya. Hearing that, Sri Bheeshmacharya takes-up a contrary vow that he will make sure that Sri Krishna takes-up the weapon.
Later, the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas starts. Sri Bheeshmacharya fights in full vigor raining arrows in all directions of Pandavas. He kills about 10,000 soldiers a day. Seeing the aggression of Sri Bheeshmacharya's attack, the soldiers of Pandavas start fleeing from the battleground. Arjuna and Bheemasena had the ability to stop Sri Bheeshmacharya and kill him. However, Arjuna who was fighting against Sri Bheeshmacharya was only defending with a soft hand. He did not see his grandfather as an enemy standing with evil Duryodhana. He did not want to kill his grandfather, teachers, and acharyas. He went soft on the aggressive and attacking Sri Bheeshmacharya. Turning the chariot towards Sri Bheeshmacharya, Sri Krishna exhibited superb skills of negotiating to the enemy attack, their rain of arrows and their other weapons. Sri Krishna took the chariot on the battlefield with agility, quickness, and intelligence. The attacking positions of the chariot gave the most advantageous position to Arjuna for archery. Sri Bheeshmacharya was raining arrows from all directions. He even stopped the sunlight to reach Arjuna’s chariot. He was injuring the Horses, Arjuna and even damaged the chariot. Sri Krishna too appeared as if injured and bleeding. However, Arjuna was not considerate of any of this. He allowed the Elephants, Camels, Horses and so many foot soldiers to die. And much more vulnerable to injury & death. Sri Krishna appeared utterly dissatisfied and angry on the battlefield. Yet, Arjuna remained sober.
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The attacking Sri Bheeshmacharya appeared as bright midday summer Sun, unable to be seen with naked eyes. It became hard to see him, his skillful, speedy & sharp way of delivering arrows, the agility & the speed of his movements were all exemplary. Unseeable. The chariots were coming down crashing with the hit of steel arrows powered by Sri Bheeshmacharya. Many more chariots were damaged. Elephants, Camels, Horses were all getting killed. The soldiers on the Pandava side were fleeing for their life. No amount of encouragement held them back. The battle appeared as if it was a walkover. Kauravas cheered. Sri Bheeshmacharya stringing the bow expressed his power. Also, he roared like a lion on the battlefield. Arjuna escalated his defense. Making a counter sound by stringing his bow Gandiva, Arjuna shot three quick arrows. The projectiles powered accurately, picked up high speed hitting Sri Bheeshmacharya’s bow breaking it down. But Sri Bheeshmacharya did not get deterred. Swiftly, he picked up another bow in the chariot and started showering arrows. On the other hand, Arjuna continued breaking down the bows. This exchange of attack and counterattack continued. Sri Bheeshmacharya was pleased with his grandson’s archery. He appreciated the cleverness & the swiftness of Arjuna. He complimented Arjuna by saying, ‘Pandu was a great warrior. You are his worthy son’. Sri Bheeshmacharya had set his eye on Sri Krishna. His objective was to make Sri Krishna take up a weapon. Hence, Sri Bheeshmacharya was raining arrows on the charioteer and the chariot horse. Sri Krishna was
skilfully ducking the arrows and saving the horses. Sri Krishna notes the way Arjuna putting-up a meager fight against Sri Bheeshmacharya. The actual fight he has to put-up, even while having respect, though. Satyaki comes stopping Sri Bheeshmacharya, but in vain. He shouts to the soldiers, not to flee as that would not speak well of their valor and gallantry as Kshatriya soldiers. Yet, Arjuna does not realize his responsibility. Hence, Sri Krishna announced that he himself would attack Sri Bheeshmacharya. Sri Krishna threw the rein and the whip aside. He raised his right-hand index finger and called the disc, Sudarshana.
Everyone
on
the
battlefield was flabbergasted seeing the Chakrapani holding the disc, Sudarshana with the brightness of 10 million Suns. Holding the disc, Sri Krishna jumped from the chariot on the earth. The earth tremored. Appearing furious, Sri
Krishna
walked towards
Bheeshmacharya. Happy looking
Bheeshmacharya welcomed Sri Krishna saying, 'Lord! It would be a privilege to me to die at your hands'. Seeing this, Arjuna woke up. He ran towards Sri Krishna stopping him. He promised that he will uphold Sri Krishna's words of not taking up any
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weapon and fight. Sri Krishna did not heed. Arjuna held Sri Krishna's left hand pulling back. But Sri Krishna shook off his hand throwing back Arjuna. He headed towards Bheeshmacharya like a Lion, the King of the forest heading towards an intoxicated wild elephant to leap and break his forehead. As Sri Krishna roared forward, Arjuna chased and held the Almighty's lotus feet. Sri Krishna dragged Arjuna almost ten steps forward. Arjuna pleaded and swore by his son's life. Also, sworn by each of his brother's life. He committed his utmost to fight Sri Bheeshmacharya. Sri Krishna accepted and returned to the chariot without further engaging Sri Bheeshmacharya in a fight. Remembering the incidences of Kurukshetra, Sri Bheeshmacharya lying on the bed of arrows sang the Glory of the Lord before the Pranotkramana or breadth-departure, Sri Bheeshma Stuti (continued) इित मित पक सुखमुपगते
ता िवतृ
ा भगवित सा तपु वे िवभू ि ।
िचि हतु कृितमुपेयुिष य व वाहः ॥ ३२॥
Oh! My Lord, इित मित पक
ता, I am submitting the whole of my mind
and intellect to your Lotus feet during the last moments of my life. The crystal clear & clean knowledge that I have gained after intense practice & Anustana is only because of your blessing and is only yours. Now, my mind is full of you and only you.
िवतृ
ा, Sri Krishna! I have no other desire other than your Lotus
feet. सा तपु वे or Appearing in the Vrishni clan who practice all that is said in Panchatantra, you are िवभू ि having a special and unique
attribute of completeness. Though, Goddess Mahalakshmi is complete, that is only because of your blessings. Also, many of the beings have accomplished Mukti have completeness in their own right and extent to their capacity through only your blessings. But, your’s is special and unique, my Lord! But, being complete is your intrinsic attribute, independent of others, surpassing all others and is most complete. You are
सुखमुपगते oh! My Lord. You are a treasure house of Ananda
or bliss. In fact, you are made of bliss and need not seek elsewhere. Yet,
िचि हतु, you take-up this pleasure trip of creation
by कृितमुपेयुिष or bringing Chetana Prakriti or Goddess Lakshmi closer to you and य व वाहः or the Prakriti that sets forth the flow of Samsara or the cycle of birth & death. This way creation has become your pass-time. In such अ or the first supreme Lord Sriman Narayana, my mind has been fixed. ि भुवनकमनं तमालवण रिवकरगौरवरा रं दधाने । वपुरलककुलावृतानना
ं िवजयसखे रितर
ु मेऽनव ा ॥ ३३॥
My Lord! िवजयसखे , your friends are always victorious. You are a friend of Pandavas. रितर
ु मे, Please give me the endless bliss. Lord! Let that
bliss be अनव or having no blemishes associated with exterior sensory organs. But the Svaroopa Ananda or bliss felt by Jiva or Atma. My Lord! ि भुवनकमनं. You have a very beautiful body having a dark color like तमालवण or the darkness in bay leaves. You are very attractive, the color of अ रं or robes is गौरव or Saffron-Yellow 81 OF 80
like रिवकर the golden hue of the young rising Sun, the sporty-looking curly hair dangling down on your face. You appear to only worthy Jivas of all the regions of the universe. You are so attractive. Seeing you, these worthy Jivas wonder. Oh! My Lord, I am wearing such a beautiful form of you on my memory through Dharana Yoga. Please bless me with endless bliss having no blemishes. यु िध तुरगरजोिवधू िव
चलुिलत मवायलङ्कृता
मम िनिशतशरै िविभ मान िच िवलस
वचे ऽ
ु कृ
े।
आ ा ॥ ३४॥
My Lord! Please bless me with Dharana yoga of another form of you. The form where you were the charioteer of Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. You exhibited your excellent skills of negotiating with the enemy attack, their rain of arrows and other arms. Your movements on the battlefield were smart. Always you positioned the chariot in the most advantageous position to Arjuna for an attack. Lord! The galloping of Horses, Camels & Elephants, the drive of chariots and the movement of foot soldiers had kicked up dust on the battlefield. The beads of sweat on your nose and forehead mixed with dust made you appear tired. The curly hairs dangling on your forehead appeared as if you were exerting yourself for success. This form of yours exhibiting outstanding gallantry is very attractive to the valorous Kshatriyas. Lord! Bless me, so that this form of your’s imprints on my memory strongly. And forever.
When my grandson Arjuna was attacking me, you brought the chariot right in front of me. I thought that if there is a charioteer, then the chariot would come attacking towards us. Hence, I attacked you with all my might. I distinctly remember, when one of my arrows broke your armor, pierced through, injuring your body. The arrow had cut your body bleeding. Lord! Bless me this form of you being injured be imprinted on my memory strongly. And forever. Here, it is important for us to note that the Lord does not have confluence with any other substance or beings. Like the dust of Prakriti and does not stick to him influencing his skin. Also, no blemishes can touch him nor anguish or pain. No one can injure him nor control him. He will not get dried up as we see in other plants & animals nor his strength will reduce. Hence, he is called as Niranjana, not being touched and Achyutha having no decline. Yet, he appeared in the heat and dust of the battleground; as if suffering from pain & agony of injury; bleeding; subject to control through arms. This he does with a reason to give progress for three types of people in their own following three different ways: 1. To the evil Asuras and infernals, the Lord creates confusion through Moha or illusions. They feel deluded and believe that Sri Krishna is subject to injury, pain like any ordinary. Hence, he can be fought and won over;
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2. To the divine Gods, Lord exhibits Lela, the charm of the sport. He mesmerizes the Gods. While for a moment they get deluded. But quickly realize that the Lord does so to exhibit his sports charm. Hence, the Gods propitiate the Lord in that special form through which he has created delusion and accomplish perfection. Like Sri Bheeshmacharya though thought for a moment that he could injure the Lord, he quickly realized that it is otherwise. Hence, he did special sadhana, practiced repeatedly thinking the attributes of Niranjana, Achyuta, Satchidanand having the body of pure knowledge & bliss that would not get sheared nor injured, and 3. To the mortal human beings, the Lord creates both belief and disbelief. Hence, making one think that Lord appearing on earth, he exhibits like other ordinary and gets dirty due to dust, feels stressed due to heat or even gets hurt & injured. But, they also believe that since he is Lord nothing would happen to him when he returns to his abode. This way, the Lord bestows mediocrity in ordinary beings. सपिद स खवचो िनश
म े िनजपरयोबलयो रथं िनवे
।
थतवित परसैिनकायुर णा तवित पाथसखे रितममा ु ॥ ३५॥ Lord! When we all assembled at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Duryodhana declared me as the commander in chief. I took the lead position for the entire eleven Akshauhini. On the enemy line, I saw the chariot having the saffron flag carrying the image of Hanuman in which you were driving Arjuna. Seeing the enemy line, Arjuna asked you if he
had to kill his grandfather, acharyas, and relatives. He became deluded. In fact, he asked you to move the chariot to the center of both the armies to decide whom to kill and whom not. Sri Krishna! I was closely observing all this. You brought the chariot at the center. While Arjuna was seeing both sides of enemies, you too saw each one with your charming face. In that very specific glimpse, you had taken away the Life spans of all those who later died in the war of Kurukshetra. Oh! Lord of Time! Bless me with bhakti in that form of you. Let that form of you be imprinted on my memory. I too have a lot of enemies within me. Let this form of you destroy all of them. In the metaphysical meaning of Mahabharata, the soldiers are the Merits and Sins. All that yields happiness & comfort in our day to day life are Merits and are the soldiers of Pandavas. And those that bring sorrow & grief are Sins. They are the soldiers of Kauravas. The war of Kurukshetra is happening continuously in each one of us. Let Arjuna, the great archer in us having arrows of Sravana, Adhyayana & Sankeertana asks Sri Krishna to stand between the enemies. Let Sri Krishna, the dear friend of Arjun, with his glimpse, take away the lifespan of all those soldiers of Kauravas called Sins. विहतपृ तनामुखं िनरी
जनवधाि मुख
कुमितमहरदा िव या य रणरितः परम
त
दोषबु मेऽ
ा। ु ॥ ३६॥
Arjuna seeing all of us in the enemy line thought that killing one's own Acharyas and relatives is a sin. Though, each one had consciously taken 85 OF 80
sides with full responsibility and went to war. While the eleven Akshoini representing several kingdoms took the side of Duryodhana. They had no issues with his misdeeds nor his evil acts. Also, the seven Akshoini took the side of Dharmaraja. They wanted good governance by following a righteous path. In fact, the soldiers on both sides had decided to fight to the death to establish their way of life. The Lord who has the form of Knowledge, unfurled Bhagavad Gita having the divine knowledge of Atma. He initiated Arjuna into Tattva Jnana and destroyed Arjuna’s कुमित or delusion. Lord Sri Krishna! Bless me with bhakti in that form of yours initiating Tattva Jnana. Let that form of you initiating Tattva Jnana to Arjuna be imprinted on my memory. And forever. िनयममपहाय म ित ां ऋतमिधकतु मव ु तो रथ थः । धृतरथचरणोऽ
या लद् गु ह र रव ह ु िमभं गतो रीयः ॥ ३७॥
The compassionate Lord, Sri Krishna! You had
िनयम, put up your own
rule to yourself that you would not take up any weapon to fight in the whole war of Kurukshetra. While I took a contrary vow that I will make sure that you would hold a weapon in your hand. Bhaktavatsala! to you, your devotee is dearest and hence you broke your own rules. You appeared with your weapon Sudarshana Chakra, only to uphold your devotee's words. When you jumped from the chariot, even the earth quacked. You appeared like a roaring Lion heading towards an intoxicated elephant destroying the forest to govern and maintain the
order in the forest. As you approached me, your steel armor had broken by my arrows injuring your body to bleed. The उ रीयः, the upper garment on your shoulder was slipping as if the Goddess Lakshmi in the form of garment influencing Prakriti was not approving your act of giving up your vows. Her Lord’s vow. Such Lord! Please solidify my bhakti in you. िशतिविशखहतो िवशीणदं शः तजप र ु त आतताियनो मे । सभमिभससार म धाथ स भवतु मे भगवान् गितमु कु ः ॥ ३८॥ Lord! I too am a आतताय or Ataataayi for having stood with evil Duryodhana who was an Ataataayi. Also, I have broken your armor and injured you with sharp steel arrows. Yet did not heed to Arjuna who tried to stop you to fight me & kill me. My compassionate Lord! Carrying Sudarshana, you came towards me roaring that you would kill me. But, this was only to bless me. Such compassionate Lord Sri Krishna, bless me with progress, happiness and be always supportive to me. िवजयरथकुटु भगवित रितर Lord! िवजयरथकुटु
आ तो े धृ तहयर
ु मे मुमूष यिमह िनरी
िन त
ये णीये ।
हता गताः स पम् ॥ ३९॥
, Arjuna’s chariot itself had become your household
during the war. You protected it as if your own house. Holding
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the आ तो े , the reins of the हय, horses you appeared attractive with the power of charm. Let there be रित, affection and love in your Lotus feet as मुमूष, I desire to die seeing your form of Parthasarathy. With this form bestow me with स पम्, view of my original form of Atma, lead me to Moksha. लिलतगितिवलासव कृतमनुकृतव Your व
ुहास णयिनरी णक
उ दा ाः कृितमगन् िकल य
तो मानाः । गोपव ः ॥ ४०॥
ुहास, attractive face wearing a pleasant smile charmed the
Gopikas. Always कृतम् expressing their gratitude to you for your लिलत, fragile acts with the subtle approach. The Gopis were lost अनुकृत repeating their gratitude by remembering their experiences of – How you Sri Krishna sat; the pose with which you stood; the gait while you walked; the way you saw them from the edge of the eye; the way you held & embraced them; the way your eyes met their eye holding them captivated; their view of your lips that aroused them a taste surpassing the taste of their most liked fruit; The manifold increase in the pleasure of being in your arms. The Gopikas lived in उ द, intoxication, they had taken only your refuge and accomplished to see their original form of Atma leading to Moksha. मुिनगणनृपवयसङ्कुलेऽ ःसदिसयु िधि रराजसू य एषाम् । अहणमुपपेद ई णीयो मम िशगोचर एष आिवरा ा ॥ ४१॥
King Yudhishthira had conducted the Rajasuya Yagna in the presence of great saints and munis. अ पूजा, the highest honor, and reverence were received by Sri Krishna as suggested by me. Let such supreme Sri Krishna be present right in front of me during this moment of death. Also, let there be my deep devotion to him. तिमममहमजं शरीरभाजां िद िद िधि तमा क ित शिमव नैकधाकमेकंसमिधगतोऽ
तानाम् ।
िवधूतभे दमोहः ॥ ४२॥
Like the way Sun is present in the eyes and powering each of the immeasurable living beings with a view. The same very Sun, lights the three worlds in the universe appearing as one. Similarly, you are the Paramatma, the Indweller of all living beings starting from a blade of grass to God Brahma. Though being as the indweller in immeasurable living beings, you are the only one, Lord. Lord, you are िवधूतभे दमोहः. There is no difference between your attributes, forms, actions and yourself. Nor there is a difference between you and your body. Knowing this I am prostrating at your Lotus feet. ि ितभरमवरोिपतं कु णां सन इवासृ ज वं शवि म्। तिमममहमजमनु ताितहाङ्ि ं िद प रर
जहािम म नीडम् ॥ ५० ॥
To reduce the weight of sin on mother earth you lit a fire called gambling between the cousins of Kuru family. By taking away the lifespan of evil including those through your glimpse in the middle battleground, you relieved the pain of mother earth. The one who destroys the pain of all who fall at his Lotus feet taking refuge, Sriman 89 OF 80
Narayana! holding & embracing your Lotus feet firmly in my heart, I am dying. Saying so, holding Lord Sri Krishna’s Lotus feet through his interior organs of Atma, Sri Bheeshmacharya closes his eyes. The same Lord Krishna appears in his Lotus of Heart. || Hari Om || || Hari Om ||
08 Sri Bheeshmacharya’s Pranotkramana We had heard that a long time back and much before the start of Kali Yuga a spiritual gathering was organized by Sri Shaunaka and his fellow rishis where Sri Sutacharya narrated Srimad Bhagavata. Reference to the blog post of 4th July 2019, Shaunaka Rishi's Virtue of Humility, Lord Veda Vyasa, the composer of Srimad Bhagavatam has recorded this saying, इित ुवाणं सं
ूय मुनीनां दीघसि णाम् ।
वृ ः कुलपितः सूतं बह्वृचः शौनकोऽ वीत् ॥ १॥ In the long stories of penance conducted in the spiritual gathering at Naimaishya, the elder in both knowledge and age, the head of Rigveda, Sri Shaunaka Rishi praising Sri Suthacharya requested him to narrate Srimad Bhagavata. Sri
Sutacharya
had
heard
Srimad
Bhagavata
directly
from
Sri Shukacharya who in turn was initiated by Lord Veda Vyasa himself. In that very blog post, Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis had asked Sri Sutacharya that:
अिभम ुसुतं सूत ा र् - भागवतो मम् । त
ज
महा य कमािण च गृणीिह नः ॥ ९॥
Sri Sutha Puranika! We have heard that the son of Abhimanyu, Parakshid Raja was the best of Bhagavata following Bhagavata dharma to letter
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and spirit. His birth itself was a wonder. Please tell us the extraordinary story of his birth and all his outstanding activities. Answering this, Sri Sutacharya narrated the story of Ashwathama executing Brahmashirsha Astra and his refusal to callback its aggression on the offspring of Pandavas. Hence, Uttara Devi the wife of Abimanyu had prayed to Lord Sri Krishna seeking protection in the blog post, Protection of Uttara Devi’s Womb on 12th September 2019. She had sought protection from Brahmashirshastra.
पािह महायोिगन् दे वदे व जग ते । ना ं
दभयं प
े य मृ ुः पर
अिभ वित मामीश शर
रम् ॥ ९॥
ायसो िवभो ।
कामं दहतु मां नाथ मा मे गभ िनपा ताम् ॥ १०॥ The God of Gods! The Lord of the Universe! The greatest Yogi! Save me! Save me! None else could offer protection to me. Here, everyone is becoming a cause for one another’s death. My Lord! You are Omnipotent. All-Powerful. An iron arrow burnt red hot is chasing me. If needed, let it kill me. However, please bless the safety of the baby growing in my womb, prayed Uttara Devi. Lord Sri Krishna for whom the devotees are most dear, protected both the Bhagavatas from Brahmashirsha Astra through his वै
वं ते ज or his
brilliance. We saw this in the blog post, Bhakti Yoga of Uttara Devi and Kunti Devi of 19th September 2019. Subsequently, we also heard, Lord Sri Krishna blessed Abhaya or safety to the selfless, ready to sacrifice her
own life, Uttara Devi and the baby in her womb. Hearing this Sri Shaunaka & his fellow Rishis were astonished to which Sri Sutacharya said, मा मं था
ेतदा य सवा यमयेऽ
य इदं मायया दे
ा सृज वित ह
ु ते । जः ॥ १६॥
One need not be astonished by this. Our Lord is awesome. He is the most amazing one. He is Achyutha, having no decline. The unchanging Lord without birth nor death having immeasurable power using Prakriti creates, sustains, destroys, and regulates the whole universe. He is Paramatma or Supreme Atma to confine other Atmas to death & birth. Subsequently, releasing them with Moksha. Overwhelmed by the compassion of Lord Sri Krishna protecting at every step of their life, the virtuous Sadvi, Kunti Devi’s heart filled with bhakti. Offering her gratitudes to Lord Sri Krishna, the whole of Kunti Stotra was unveiled, with starting verse as, कु
ुवाच, Kunti says,
नम
े पु षं
अल
ं सवभूतानाम बिहरव थतम् ॥ १८॥
ा मी रं कृतेः परम् ।
You are the Purusha without beginning nor end. Using Prakruti, you have created the vast Universe and gave birth to Jivas starting from God Brahma to a blade of grass. However, neither Prakruti nor Jiva can influence you as you are Satchidananda, the best of all and the Supreme Lord. You are inside as well as outside the universe, all material substances, and living beings. You are omnipresent. Yet we are unable 93 OF 80
to know you nor the best of being does God Brahma or even Goddess Lakshmi knows you completely. My Salutations to you. Subsequently, we noted that King Yudhishthira suffered from a delusion. Though he got coronated as the King of Hastinapur by Lord himself and became the successor of the famous Kuru dynasty, he was taken over with a thought that the war of Kurukshetra happened due to him. He had to become king only with the death of gurus, acharyas, near & dear relatives & friends, common men, and animals. He was immersed in the guilt of causing death. Hence, Lord Sri Krishna took Yudhishthira to his grandfather, Sri Bheeshmacharya to seek his advice. Sri Bheeshmacahrya lying on the bed of arrows, awaiting Pranotkramana or breath-departure says, “Yudhishthira! As a Kshatriya had you not fought the war of Kurukshetra to uphold dharma, the righteous path, history would have called you a coward.” Sri Sutacharya narrating this incidence says: सूत उवाच, Sri Sutacharya says, युिधि र अपृ
दाकण् य शयानं शरप रे ।
ि िवधान् धमान् ऋषीणां चानु
ताम् ॥ २५॥
Sri Shaunaka! Hearing the words from Grandfather Bheeshma who was sleeping on the bed of arrows, Yudhishthira asked several clarifications on various subjects of statecraft in the presence of great Rishis & Munis. After hearing all the dharma or indoctrinations that would cleanse sins from grandfather Bheeshma, Yudhitira asked him,
िकमेकं दै वतं लोके िकं वा ेकं परायणम् । ु व ः कं कमच ः ा ु युमानवाः शु भम् ॥ को धमः सवधमाणां भवतः परमो मतः । िकं जप ु
ते ज ु ज संसारब नात् ॥
Who is that utmost God to whom all Shastras or indoctrination is praising? Who is that last resort, in whom one can take refuge? Who is that in whom, propitiating by praising and singing his glory would cause auspiciousness leading to peace & prosperity? In your opinion, which is that dharma that is most superior? And doing which Japa, a person can be relieved from the confinement of birth and death? Understanding the core of the question, its reasons and generally what every spiritual practitioner wants to have answers, Sri Bheeshmacharya blessed us with most potent verses, Vishnu Sahasranama. He says, जग भुं दे वदे वमन ं पु षो मम् । ु वन् नामसह े ण पु षः सततो तमेव चाचयि ायन्
ं भ
ु वन् नम
अनािदिनधनं िव लोका
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ं
ु वि
ा पु षम ं यजमान
तः ॥ यम् । मेव च ॥
ुं सवलोकमहे रम् । ं सवदु ःखाितगो भवे त् ॥
ं सवधम ं लोकानां कीितवधनम् । लोकनाथं महद्भूतं सवभू तभवो वम् ॥ “The महे र having the entire universe as his wealth is the Supreme Lord, Vishnu. He is the िनधनं, the prime cause of all this existence since अनािद or immeasurable time in the past, and till अन ं or immeasurable
time
in
future.
He
is दे वदे वम्,
God
of
Gods. सवलोक जग भुं , He, only has the Lordship of the entire Universe. He is eternal without destruction and present everywhere. Only he is पु षो मम्, the best and the utmost without being surpassed by anyone. A practicing devotee, being cautious without an iota of doubt should propitiate this very Lord by repeatedly singing his thousand names that describe his attributes, worship him with these names wondering his glories, and have thoughts only of him. He is the last and the only refuge that one can take. Doing so is the supreme dharma of all dharma. All the sins causing sorrow will disappear leading to auspiciousness bringing peace & prosperity. The Lord is supremely excellent! एष मे सवधमाणां धम ऽिधकतमो मतः । य
ा पु
रीका ं
वैरच रः सदा ॥ १४॥
Singing a thousand names of Lord Pundrikaksha having lotus petalled eye, with the white of eye appearing lotus pink, with the realization of his attributes, with complete faith and devotion, is the best dharma of all dharmas. The best verses to praise Lord is Vishnu Sahasranama.
परमं यो मह ेजः परमं यो मह पः । परमं यो मह
परमं यः परायणम् ॥ १५॥
The Lord is the most brilliant and he is the cause for all the dazzling light. He is the supreme ascetic and he is the cause of asceticism in the best of yogis He is the supreme Brahman and best of all, including Goddess Lakshmi and God Brahma, the best of being He is the leader of leaders. He is the cause for leadership and the top leader in whom one can take refuge.
पिव ाणां पिव ं यो म लानां च म लम् । दै वतं दै वतानां च भूतानां योऽ यः िपता ॥ १६॥ The Lord is the purifier of the pure, destroyer of sins by removing stain & blemishes and he is the cause for crystal clear and clean knowledge and bliss; He is the most auspicious and causes for auspiciousness; He is the God of Gods; and He is the eternal father for all living beings having no destruction or death.
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यतः सवािण भू तािन भव य
ं
लयं या
ािदयुगागमे ।
पुनरे व युग ये ॥
It is the Lord Vishnu who has created this entire universe with non-living substance and living plants and animals. And it is He who is the cause of the destruction of this universe including all non-living and living. During the destruction, he converts everything into a subtle form. All this happens in a systematic and organized way. This existence is not accidental.
त
लोक धान
जग ाथ
भूपते ।
िव
ोनामसह ं मे श◌ृ णु पापभयापहम् ॥
The Lord of the universe, Jaganatha is the most superior. Ones’ sins will flee with the repetition of his Vishnu Sahasranama or by doing Japa or even just hearing it. It breaks the confinement of death and birth.
यािन नामािन गौणािन िव
ातािन महा नः ।
ऋिषिभः प रगीतािन तािन व
ािम भूतये ॥
Hence, I shall reveal to you such Vishnu Sahasranama.having thousand names of the Lord describing his attributes that have been in vogue and been practiced since a long time back by great rishis & munis of this Land, says Sri Bheeshmacharya to Yudhisthira.
This way, by initiating Vishnu Sahasranama to King Yudhisthira, Sri Bheeshmacharya has become its cause. Though this appears in Mahabharata, it is a worthy recall here in Srimad Bhagavata. Since we are going through the legend’s Pranotkramana or breath-departure. सू त उवाच, Sri Sutacharya says, कृ आ
एवं भगवित मनोवा ि वृि िभः । ा ानमावे
सोऽ ः ास उपारमत् ॥ ४३॥
These ways, initiating Dharma, Shastra, Stotra to Yudhisthira and reciting Bheeshma Stuti, Sri Bheeshmacharya’s thoughts, intellect, speech, and the view was completely occupied in the form of Supreme Atma, Sri Krishna. When he had closed his eyes he could see Sri Krishna in his Lotus of Heart and when He opened too he saw the same form along with forms of Lord Veda Vyasa and Lord Parshurama. Meanwhile, his breath got merged with God Prana Vayu and they departed from the body. Sri Bheeshmacharya died.
सगोनसंगोगो स सव बभूवु
े तू
मानमा ाय भी ं
िण िन
ले ।
ी ं वयां सीव िदना ये ॥ ४४॥
In presence of all great rishis and munis, the five Pandavas, Sri Bheeshmacharya seeing the form of Lord, thinking about him, singing his praises left the body along with God Prana to join the stainless Lord. The assembled there became silent like the birds after return to their nest at the dusk. 99 OF 80
त दु दु भयो ने दुदवमानववािदताः । शशंसुः साधवो रा ां खा ेतुः पु वृ यः ॥ ४५॥ While the assembled become perplexed. The Gods and Gandharva from heaven filled the surrounding playing musical instruments including drums with joy. Sri Bheeshmacharya is one of eight Vasu name Dyu. Gods’ and Gandharva filled with joy had come to receive him. They showered the flowers of heaven on Sri Bheeshmacharya.
त
िनहरणादीिन स रे त
भागव ।
युिधि रः कारिय ा मु त दु ः खतोऽभवत् ॥ ४६॥ Sri Shaunaka! For मु त, about 48 minutes, King Yudhishthira grieved for the departed soul. Subsequently, he conducted the death ceremony of Sri Bheeshmacharya with all, state honor.
तु टु वुमुनयो तत े कृ
ाः कृ दयाः
ं तद् गु नामिभः । ा मान् ययुः पुनः ॥ ४७॥
The assembled rishis and munis praised the Lord Sri Krishna with his very exclusive and secretive names that described his secretive attributes. With their heart dipped in divine nectar named Krishna returned to their hermitage.
ततो युिधि रो ग ा सहकृ िपतरं सा
ो गजा यम् ।
यामास गा ारी ं च तप
नीम् ॥ ४८॥
King Yudhishthira shedding his delusion got full clarity. Along with Lord Sri Krishna, his brothers, family priests, and their attendants returned to Hastinapura. They consoled Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. िप ा चानुमतो राजा वासुदेवानु मोिदतः । चकार रा
ं धमण िपतृपैतामहं िवभु ः ॥ ४९॥
Following the dictates of Dhritarashtra and the permission of Lord Sri Krishna, King Yudhishthira governed the Kingdom in a righteous way that had come down to him from the family lineage following the divine order. इित ीम ागवते महापु राणे पारमहं युिधि ररा
ल
ां सं िहतायां थम
े
ो नाम नवमोऽ ायः ॥ ९॥
With this, we complete "King Yudhishthira’s ascendence to the throne of Hastinapura” the ninth Adhyaya, of Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1. We could do so only with the grace of Gurus including Sri Raghavendra and his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada. Let's pray for their continued blessings. || Hari Om ||
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09
Dharmaraja’s Rule The Pandavas always walked on the righteous path and took the refuge of Lord Sri Krishna. Hence, they regained their kingdom and Yudhishthira ascended the throne of Hastinapura. The belief in Lord Sri Krishna and the righteous path they adhered made their rule great and brought grandeur. Similarly, let's take refuge of Lord Sri Krishna and be resolute to walk on the righteous path. While being on the path, like Pandavas we too would face difficulties from adversaries like Duryodhana and his fellow associates. As Kunti-stotra describes, Sri Krishna will stand with us at every step and bring greatness and grandeur in our body, house, and surroundings. Hearing the success story of Pandavas, Sri Shaunaka and his fellow rishis ask Sri Sutacharya, शौनक उवाच ह ा सहानु जैः
र
ृध आतताियनो युिधि रो धमभृ तां व र ः । व
भोजनः कथं वृ ः िकमकारषी तः ॥ १॥
Suta Puranika! The Pandavas defeated enemies and all those who wanted to kill them and steal their kingdom. Also, they heeded to all those who advised dharma including Lord in the form of Sri Krishna, Veda Vyasa, and Sri Bheeshmacharya.
Subsequently, how the jewel of dharma, King Yudhishthira and the legitimate successor to the kingdom of Hastinapura did rule along with his brothers? While King Yudhishthira had no desire to enjoy the wealth of the kingdom. In fact, repenting for his mistakes of gambling, Yudhishthira had renounced all the luxuries of a King. King Yudhishthira ate very little food, slept on the floor and disassociated himself from worldly life. He had even taken up the most difficult vow of govratha. King Yudhishthira took bath with cow urine, had only milk, curds & ghee as food, he would be standing when cows stood, and sit when they sit. Also, the food that he had was only after the cows returned from grazing and the water he drank only after the cows drank water. This way he did service of cow and protected them. Calling Duryodhana as Suyodhana, there are always groups of people supporting him. However, Sri Shaunaka rishi is referring to Duryodhana as Aatataayee here. Duryodhana was jealous of Pandavas. When Pandavas established their kingdom in Indraprastha, accumulated a lot of wealth and set-up the best governance, the people became happy. However, Duryodhana cribbed and resented. They had established their empire through Rajasuya yagna which was just and the righteous way. However, Duryodhana wouldn’t take-up a difficult path. He resorted to gambling. This itself had made him fallen from the standards of dharma. When subjects wanted to leave the kingdom to go along with Pandavas, he threatened them.
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He was Aatataayee carrying out misdeeds including poisoning the food of
Pandavas,
but
Bheema
ate
and
digested
the
poison. Duryodhana arranged to tie Bheema with dead weight and dropped him into the water, burnt the house of Pandavas and so on. Duryodhana never refrained from immoral acts. He even went to the extent of stripping the clothes of Draupadi in the middle of the assembly. Though, Draupadi was his elder cousin brother’s wife and equivalent to the mother. That too in presence of his own mother. His uncle, Vidura, father’s younger brother had a very high commitment to the nation, he would only suggest the righteous path of governance after a thorough evaluation. Hence, Duryodhana got him removed from his house. Though Duryodhana knew Karna earlier, he did not support him. But only when he found Karna as a great archer and his usefulness to counter Arjuna, only then he shared state power as a bribe. Even the subjects of his kingdom resented. They were unhappy with the policies of Duryodhana. Instead of wooing people to carry out state activities including administration, defense, or pay taxes or punish them for any failure, Duryodhana resorted to bribing them with position and money. Duryodhana was the form of Kali. He is the treasure-house of all inauspiciousness. And, his fight with the righteous path is eternal.
सू त उवाच, Sri Sutacharya says, वंशं कुरोवशदवाि िन तं संरोहिय ा भवभावनो ह रः । िनवे शिय ा िनजरा
ई रो युिधि रं ीतमना बभू व ह ॥ २॥
To make the earth a better place to live, Lord Sri Krishna appeared on the earth. The dry bamboo groves in the forest lights-up itself with rubbing of each other and turns the entire forest into ashes. Similarly, the fire of jealousy and hatred that Duryodhana had lit with his cousins had killed the progenies of both the families of the Kuru dynasty. Lord Krishna has created the entire universe for Jivas and governs it by regulation, protection, binds the Jivas with Prakriti causing ignorance, deaths & births, bestows knowledge and releases them from the bind by blessing moksha. Such Lord Krishna protected Parakshid. He protected in Uttara Devi’s womb and subsequently when Parakshid took birth. Also, he made Yudhishthira the successor of the Kuru dynasty as King of Hastinapura. With this, the ever satisfied Lord was pleased.
िनश
भी
शशास गािम
ो
मथा
ु तो
ं वृ िव ानिवधूतिव मः ।
इवािजता यः प र ु पा ामनु जानु विततः ॥ ३॥
King Yudhishthira was enlightened with wisdom after he had taken advice from Sri Bheeshmacharya and Lord Sri Krishna. He had shed all his delusion and his mind had become lucid. With the support of Lord Sri Krishna, Yudhishthira ruled the entire earth like God Indra rules heaven. His brothers including Bheemasena supported him following his order. 105 OF 80
कामं ववष पज ः सवकामदु घा मही । िसिषचुः
जान् गावः पयसोध
तीमुदा ॥ ४॥
His kingdom had abundant food supplies. There was peace and prosperity everywhere. The rain gods were very supportive of the needs of farmers and made enough water available to plants, animals and human requirements. The mother earth made sufficient minerals available for the material required for life. Also, people were frugal and satisfied without causing environmental imbalance. The cows had their udders full of milk and would drop it on earth without being able to hold.
न ः समु ा िगरयः सवन फल
ितवी धः ।
ोषधयः सवाः कामम ृतु त
वै ॥ ५॥
The rivers, sea, mountains, plants & creepers bearing spices, all yielded their riches sufficiently in all seasons in the righteous kingdom of Yudhishthira. In all, the kingdom & its people had gained the favor of Sridevi, the Goddess of abundance,
नाधयो
ाधयः
ेशा दै वभूता हे तवः ।
अजातश ावभवन् ज ूनां राि किहिचत् ॥ ६॥ King Yudhishthira was known for being अजातश ु i.e. having no enemies of Arishadvargas. Neither Kama or Desire, Krodha or Anger, Lobha or
Greed, Moha or Attachment, Mada or Pride and Matsarya or Jealousy could prevail over King Yudhishthira. Also, he was अजातश ु of having enemies without birth. The birth of Duryodhana and his ninety-nine brothers happened in a unique way without fatal birth. Gandhari delivers an embryo. Lord Veda Vyasa collects in a pot and divides it into hundred pieces to have a hundred children. Hence, having अजात or without a fetal birth in the mother’s womb as an enemy. None were weak-minded nor got victimized to Adhi or dejection. Everyone was healthy and did not get Vyadhi or ill health. No one suffered from Tapatraya like 1) Aadhibhoutika – There were no earthquakes or Tsunamis causing widespread deaths; nor 2) Aadhidaivaka – People did not suffer due to quarrels nor untimely deaths nor being childless. There were no windows. Marriages happened in time, children became virtuous and everyone walked on the righteous path; and 3) Aadhyatmika - People did not suffer from internal diseases like madness nor leprosy nor sugar nor Blood Pressure (BP), in those thirty-six years of “Prosperity, In the Rule of Dharma Raja”. This is the glory of Krishna Aashraya or taking refuge in Lord Sri Krishna and being blessed with abundance. Like a very good teacher putting his hand on the shoulders of his beloved student teaching him how to take refuge of Lord Krishna, Vyasatirtharu has extended his friendship. The great saint by composing the below Kannada song has taught us how to take refuge of Lord Sri Krishna. He has also communicated that his
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friendship as Prahlada or Sri Raghvendra Swamy is available during all times of happiness or sorrow or hardship. Sri Vyasarajaru (1460 – 1539), also called as Vyasatirtharu or Chandricka Acharya had Aparoksha Jnana and an earlier birth of Sri Raghvendra Swamy. By elaborating the most famous acts of Lord as creation, sustenance & destruction to include regulation, bestowing of both ignorance & knowledge to confine to birth & death and liberation to provide moksha, he has put several questions on Bhagavata philosophy of Bhakti Yoga to rest. Also, by initiating Purandara Dasaru and Kanaka Dasaru as Hari Dasaru gave momentum to both the kinds of Vyasa and Dasa Literature. Let’s take a look at the below Kannada song with English translation: Nere Nambidhe madh hrudhaya mantapadholu, parishobisuthiru Panduranga || sharana janara samsara mahabhaya, harana karuna siri Panduranga || The only absolute protector! Shine brilliantly on the pedestal in my heart, Lord Panduranga! The compassionate! Destroyer of the fierce cycle of death & birth to those who take refuge in you, Siri Panduranga. neredhiha bahu janarolidharu manasthiravidu ninnali Panduranga parara apeksheya bidisi niranthara paragathi patha thoro Panduranga || 1 ||
Though you are the indweller in all, bless me, with a firm mind only in you, Lord Panduranga. Bless me, to give-up expectations from others and accomplish progress towards your Lotus feet, Panduranga. paradevane ninna Lilla smruthiyanu nirutha enage Kodu Panduranga paripari kelasavu ninna mahapuje nirutha enage kodu Panduranga || 2 || The supreme Lord! Bless me, to always sing your sports charm, Panduranga. Bless me, with successive work as your worship, Panduranga. sukhavagali bahu dukhavagali saka ninagiru Panduranga nikhilanthargatha Vyasa Vitala thava mukha pankaja thoro Panduranga || 3 ||
In my happiness and my sorrow, bless me your friendship, Panduranga. The indweller in all, Vyasa Vitala! Bless me a view of your charming Lotus face, Panduranga. Lord Sri Krishna had bestowed the kingdom of Kuru to King Yudhishthira and reclaimed dharma. The tenets of Vaishnava started appearing in the society repressing the poverty of bhakti. How the jewel of Dharma, King Yudhishthira, and the legitimate successor to the kingdom of Hastinapura did rule along with his brothers? As King Yudhishthira had no desire to enjoy the wealth of the kingdom was the question of Sri Shaunaka and his fellow rishis. Sri Sutacharya, answering the question sings the glory of dharma and the protector of the same, Lord Sri Krishna.
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Continuing the narration, Sri Sutacharya says, उिष ा हा
नपुरे मासान् कितपयान् ह रः ।
सु दां च िवशोकाय
सु ि यका या ॥ ७॥
Lord Sri Krishna had stayed back in Hastinapura for a few months after the request of his aunt. He had done so, for the happiness of his sister Subhadra, friends Pandavas and his aunt Kunti Devi. Also, he stayed back as his relatives and friends had not completely recovered from the aftermath of the cruel war. आम
चा
नु ातः प र
आ रोह रथं कैि
र
ािभवा तम् । ोऽिभवािदतः ॥ ८॥
However, Lord Krishna discusses his return to Dwarka with everyone. He held meetings with Pandavas, dear friends, and relatives to convince and build consent. Finally, he informed King Yudhishthira about his decision to proceed to Dwarka. This came as a surprise. Overwhelmed! King Yudhishthira embraced Sri Krishna with a heavy heart and bid farewell. Many others of the same age embraced Lord Sri Krishna, Others offered respects. Lord Sri Krishna responded to all with greetings as he departed to board the chariot. सुभ ा ौपदी कु ी िवराटतनया तथा । गा ारी धृतरा वृकोदर धौ न सेिहरे िवमु
युयु ुग तमो यमौ ॥ ९॥ यो म
सु तादयः ।
ो िवरहं शा ध नः ॥ १०॥
Unable to accept the parting of Lord Sri Krishna holding the bow and arrow and eager to protect his devotees, Subadhra, Draupadi, Kunti, Uttara, Gandhari, Drithrastra, Yuyutsu, Krupacharya, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bheemasena, Dhaumya, Satyavati and others felt distraught and dejected.
स
ा ु
दु ःस ो हातुं नो हते बुधः ।
की मानं यशो य त
न्
दशन
सकृदाक
रोचनम् ॥ ११॥
िधयः पाथाः सहे रन् िवरहं कथम् । शसंलापशयनासनभोजनैः ॥ १२॥
“Those who hear the sweet and divine stories of the Lord even once would abandon the bad company, seek only the good company and yearned to hear the stories of Lord often.” Such being his greatness, could the Pandavas who were seeing the Lord day and night, touching him, conversing with him, being in the company of him all the time including sitting-sleeping-having food, having surrendered the heart and mind to him enjoying his company accepts his departure easily? Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484-1564), is believed to be the अं श or part of Narada Rishi. A staunch devotee sensitizing the common man to takeup the divine path of bhakti. Sri Purandara dasaru has composed the below song giving away sugar candy named Sri Krishna and its ease to relish. Let's take a look at it with English translation in a font: Kallu sakkare koLLiro nivellaru 111 OF 80
kallu sakkare koLLiro / Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy. kallu sakkare savi ballavare ballaru pulla lochana shrI krSNa nAmavemba // ( kallu sakkare ) The distinctive taste of sugar candy is known to only those who know the taste in the name of Sri Krishna having eyes bloomed like a lotus. Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy. ettu hErugaLinda hottu mAruvadalla othothi gONiyoL tumbuvadalla etta hOdaru bADige sunkavidakilla uttama sarakidu ati LAbha baruvantha // ( kallu sakkare ) Need not be carried in a bullock cart for sale Nor can be filled in a gunny bag Nor requires payment of tax, nor rent This is the best goods yielding the highest profit. Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy. naSTa bILuvudalla natha huTTuvudalla eSTu oidaru bele rokkavidakilla kaTTiruvayu tindu kaDimeyAguvadilla paTTaNadoLage prasidhavAgiruvantha // ( kallu sakkare ) There would be no loss, nor would it stink nor requires money to carry as much as one desires nor even the large carpenter ants couldn't eat and reduce the stock The one which is famous in the town
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy. sante santege hOgi shrama padisuvadalla santeyoLage iTTu mAruvudalla santata bhaktara nAlige savigomba kAnta shri purandara viTTalana nAmavemba // ( kallu sakkare ) . This would not tire by taking one to market place Nor can be kept in the market for a sale But tastes only to those close devotees of one having a pleasing name Shri Purandara Vittala Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy. This
above Kallu
Sakkare koLLiro
nivellaru song is
sung by Sri
Vidyabhushan. सव ते ऽिनिमषैर ै वी
ः
े हस
मनु ु तचे तसः । ा िवचेलु
त ह ॥ १३॥
The complete consciousness of Pandavas was occupied by Lord Sri Krishna. They were gazing at the Lord without a blink. With a bind of friendship towards Lord, they were always in the company of him. Said Sri Sutacharya. ु ल ा मौ िनया गारा ोऽभ िमित
ा े वकीसु ते । ा ा व
यः ॥ १४॥
As the Lord Krishna departed the palace towards the chariot, the relatives and the assembled ladies became emotional. They tried to suppress their emotions of broken-heart and eyes filling with tears. They 113 OF 80
did so to ensure that their emotions should not become as bad omen for the travel of Lord Sri Krishna. मृद शङ्खभेय वीणापणवगोमुखाः । धु ुयानकघ
ा ा नेदुदु दु भय
था ॥ १५॥
For the farewell to the Lord, music band was organized including musical instruments like mridangam, conch, veena, dhol, drums, kahale, kombu, and so on. This filled the environment with auspicious music. ासादिशखरा ढाः कु नाय िद ववृषुः कुसुमैः कृ
ं ेम ीडा
या ।
ते णाः ॥ १६॥
The women folk climbed the terrace, parapet walls, chejja and canopies to have glimpses of Lord Sri Krishna. Seeing the Lord, they thought it was a feast for their eyes. They blushed and giggled. Many had brought flowers and showered on Lord Sri Krishna. िसतातप ं ज ाह मु र द
ादामिवभू िषतम् ।
ं गुडाकेशः ि यः ि यतम
उ वः सा िक ैव
ह ॥ १७॥
जने परमाद् भुते ।
िवकीयमाणः कुसुमै रे जे मधुपितः पिथ ॥ १८॥ Arjuna, the dear friend sporting curly hairs held a large white umbrella to the Lord as he walked towards the chariot, The umbrella was specially made with decorated pearls and having a handle studded with precious stones. The courteous Arjuna held it carefully as a gracious host to ि यः ि यतम or a most loved friend.
Uddhava and Satyaki manually swung handheld fans made with a silver handle and yak hair each on either side of Lord Sri Krishna. And at every step, the assembled people showered flowers over Lord. The omniscient and the indweller in the lotus of each one’s heart smiled and responded through his eyes. He responded to each one, exclusively. This way a grand farewell was bid to the Lord Sri Krishna. अ ूय ािशषः स ा नानु
पानु
त ि जे रताः ।
पा िनगुण
गुणा नः ॥ १९॥
A group of Brahmins had assembled in the farewell ceremony of Lord Krishna. “Contemplating the attributes of Lord Paramatma as one standing above the three Gunas of Prakriti; being Satchidananda with an indestructible body of only knowledge and bliss; being complete with immeasurable auspicious attributes” were singing his glory and praising his attributes in a high pitch. Our Lord Krishna who bestows zest to each of those Brahmins heard his praises by the older ones. The older who were thorough in Vedas as they were teachers and had taught many. He heard the praises by middle-aged and the just initiated kumaras. Lord heard each one’s unique voice and responded separately to them by his smile. अ ो मासी कौरवे पु र
उ म
ोकचे तसाम् ।
ीणां सव ुितमनोहरः ॥ २०॥
The noblewomen of Hastinapura had assembled to bid farewell to Lord Sri Krishna known by the divine verses, and as the supreme Atma in all 115 OF 80
beings. These women had surrendered their heart to the extremely charming Lord Manohara. They admired, praised and talked among themselves about their Lord. Lets pray to Lord Hari, Vayu and Gurus to seek their blessings enabling us to hear what the noble women of Hastinapur talked about. Looking forward to the jnana Prasada of Stree Stuti. In that golden era of Pandava rule, all were devout Vaishnavas. Were they Kshatriyas taking care of borders or running the administrations or Brahmins doing priesthood or practicing Vedas or were they Shudras doing services like farming, or expert in skills of carpentry or forging gold & iron or they herded cattle and supported tradesmen, or were they Vaishyas doing trade or business or managing logistics all had their heart filled with bhakti towards Sri Krishna. So too, were young and old, men and women all had their heart dipped in bhakti. The Lord is supreme. The way one needs to remember the Lord always is illustrated in this Srimad Bhagavata by himself in his form of Veda Vyasa through the noble women of Hastinapura. As Lord greeted and moved forward towards chariot, Arjun was holding the white umbrella, Satyaki, and Uddhava were fanning, the play of orchestra was melodious. The noblewomen of Hastinapura had decorated their houses, they had drawn rangoli in front of their houses and stood all over to catch a glimpse of Lord. They bid farewell to Lord Sri Krishna known by the divine verses, and as the supreme Atma in all beings. These women had
surrendered their hearts to the extremely charming Lord Manohara. They admired, praised and talked among themselves about their Lord saying, Stree Stuti स वै िकलायं पु षः पुरातनो य एक आसीदिवशे ष आ िन । अ े गुणे
ो जगदा नी रे िनमीिलता न् िनिश सु श
षु ॥ २१॥
Friends! Isn’t he the earliest man? The supreme Lord? When the whole universe was destroyed, all the nonliving substance made of Prakriti was converted to its subtle form as Pralayodaka or water. The water that is indistinguishable as Satvika guna, Rajasika guna or Thamisika guna. When the Goddesses Sri, Bhu and Durga responsible to influence Prakriti had taken-up the form of water, pupil leaf, and darkness respectively becoming inactive. And all souls starting from God Brahma to a blade of grass had fallen asleep in their latent form. The supreme universal soul provided refuge to all the souls in his stomach and slept alone on the pupil leaf. Isn’t he the same Sriman Narayana? स एव भूयो िनजवीयचोिदतां अनाम पा िन
जीवमायां कृितं िससृ तीम् ।
पनामनी िविध मानोऽनु ससार शा
कृत् ॥ २२॥
It is He who has founded and set forth the Vedas. With a desire to give name and form to Atma, it is He who is motivated with his astonishing vigor started creation using Prakriti. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the ‘Jiva Maya’ influences Prakriti and just by raising her eyebrows, she instructs even the best of being God Brahma who is more than keen to serve at 117 OF 80
her feet. Also God Garuda, Shesha, Shiva to even a blade of grass. Even in such a powerful Goddess, Mahalakshmi is the Lord as her Indweller. As ‘Jiva Maya’ having the three forms of Sri, Bhu, and Durga, Goddess Mahalakshmi ties all the three types of Jiva to Prakriti and confines them to death & birth. In her form of Sri influencing Satvika Guna, she confines uttama or the best who is capable to accomplish bliss & Vaikunta. As Bhu influencing Rajasika Guna, she confines the second type who is madyama or mediocre and would swing them between happiness and sorrow i.e. Heaven, Earth, and Hell. With her third form of Durga influencing Tamasika Guna, she binds the third type who is adhama or worse and who would work hard to accomplish only Hell. The other two forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi are ‘Atma Maya’ through which she is at the command of Lord as his Iccha Shakti or will power and executing the same; as ‘Guna Maya’ she influences all nonliving substances. The power to Goddess MahaLakshmi for creating delusion, bind the Jivas with Prakriti, and causing name & form is the blessings of Lord. Though He appears being अनाम or without popularity lacking name & fame, as all his deeds are not known to anyone; He appears as if he is working hard to accomplish the same through Goddess Mahalakshmi; Also, he is अ पा , having no form made of Prakriti like God Brahma to a blade of grass, he has entered in all Jivas to be a part in them. He is the only authority standing untouched, moves the world forward and governs.
स वा अयं य दम सूरयो िजते प
भ
ु
या िनिजतमात र नः ।
िलतामला ना न े ष स ं प रमा टु महित ॥ २३॥
The yogis who do rigorous practice and get perfection in controlling their sense organs, gain knowledge through rigorous studies, develop a desire to hear and sing Lord’s names and fame. Hearing & singing the name and fame of Lord, they reach the crescendo to accomplish pure heart. In such, the lotus of heart blossoms flowing the nectar of bhakti. It is this very Lord, Paramatma whom we are seeing, says one to her fellow noblewomen. As she says, her eyes fill with tears of joy and fear. She pleads, “Oh my Lord! Please don’t let this knowledge in me of your Lordship, Supremacy, Compassion, Generosity, and so on, lessen. My Lord! Let this remain at all times and in each of my birth.” In fact, it is only doing bhakti in this Lord would purify the consciousness of Jivas and not through any other methods of yoga. स वा अयं स
नुगीतस
थो वे देषु गु े षु च गु वािदिभः ।
य एक ईशो जगदा लीलया सृ ज व ि न त स
ते ॥ २४॥
Lord Veda Vyasa and the other devotees of high intellect have composed texts embedding secrets into Vedas and others scriptures praising & propounding the glory of this very Lord. Being only one and all being only his Ishwarya or wealth is Isha, the Lord. Being stainless and dazzling, He creates; protects; destroys; regulates; confines by bestowing knowledge 119 OF 80
& ignorance; and releases with moksha and stays uninfluenced by doing so. Friends! We are seeing that very Lord here said another noblewoman of Hastinapura. यदा
धमण तमोिधयो नृपा जीव
ध े भगं स मृतं दयां यशो भवाय
त ैष िह स तः िकल । पािण दधद्यु गे यु गे ॥ २५॥
The Kings and rulers of the country need to protect the subjects, ensure peace and enable prosperity. However, when the Kings themselves accept Tamasika Gun and walk the path of adharma including exploitation. Then the Lord appears from time to time. He accepts Satvika Guna to protect the virtuous as Dharma, Bhaga, Satya, Ruta, Eshas, and Daya. As Dharma, he upholds the one falling; As Bhaga, he has enormous wealth and makes it available to his devotees; Lord is full of bliss. As Satya, he brings happiness to his devotees; As Ruta, Lord composes scriptures including interpretations to bring knowledge to his devotees; In Vedas, Vedanta bhaasya, Ithihasa, and other scriptures, He is the protagonist. He has the highest fame as Eshas. And as Daya, he is Karunakara or the compassionate. Hence, the Lord protects the wealth, upholds truth & justice and brings fame through compassion. अहो अलं
ा तमं यदोः कुलमहो अलं पु
यदे ष पुंसामृषभः ि यः पितः
तमं मधोवनम् ।
ज ना चङ् मणे न चा ित ॥ २६॥
Oh! Wonderful! How great is the clan of Yadhus! The Lord of abundance, Sripati has appeared in their clan of Yudhus bringing them
respect and fame. Also, his appearance has made the Madhuravan, divine and auspicious. His walk and play as a child embellished Madhura. Madhura remains splendid. अहो बत प
यशस
र
िन ं यदनु हे िषतं
री कुश थली पु तावलोकं
यश
पितं
री भु वः ।
य जाः ॥ २७॥
Oh! Wonderful! Even the city of Dwarka has surpassed the fame of heaven. And has brought about significant fame to the region of the earth as pure, divine and auspicious. Also, the Lord has blessed the people of the city through his charming and tight-lipped smile. Hence, they receive the mercy and compassion of the Lord at all times. They are fortunate being blessed to have the view of Lord Sri Krishna. नूनं त ान तािदने रः समिचतो िपब
याः स
धरामृतं मु
ज
गृहीतपािणिभः ।
यः स ु मु यदाशयाः ॥ २८॥
Friends! I wonder how many numbers of births, those respectable women have propitiated the Lord through the vow of austerity including bathing in divine rivers, visiting holy places, fasting, and so on to hold the hands of Lord. That could be the reason why the handsome Sri Krishna having every part of the body stunning shares an intimate friendship with the fortunate girls of Gokula. His captivating lips arouse a taste surpassing their most liked fruit. Hence, they hold him tight and kiss his lips to drink the sweet अमृतं or the nectar of अधर or lip. That too, मु र् continuously. And are lost in the ecstasy thinking of him. 121 OF 80
या वीयशु
े न ताः
यंवरे म
चै
मुखान् िह शु
णः ।
द् यु सा ा सुतादयोऽपरा या ा ता भौमवधे सह शः ॥ २९॥ एताः परं यासां गृहा ु
ी मपा
पेशलं िनर
शौचं बत साधु कुवते ।
रलोचनः पितन जा पै ा ितिभ िद
ृ शन् ॥ ३०॥
Lord Sri Krishna killed the strong Shishupala and others to reduce the weight of sin on mother earth. In swayamvara, through his strength and talent, he got married to the Ashtamahishi, namely Rukmani, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra, and Lakshana, the mothers of Pradyumna, Samba and others. He released thousands of women held illegally by Bhaumaasura in the jail after defeating and killing him. He gave refuge to these thousands of women by marrying them. Doing so, the Lord destroyed the superstitious belief that women are not of pure conscious, nor independent and eligible to take-up job of propitiating Lord. In fact, he brought high esteem to the brilliance of women folk. Whatever glory be described of these wives of Lord Sri Krishna by whomever! No matter, how much ever! But they have their Lord as Bhagavan Sri Krishna having the lotus-like beautiful eyes. Being naughty & playful, they receive the Parijata flower yielding trees from their Lord. Mischievously sometime, gently serious sometimes invoke the bliss of love without missing a second are always in his company! How fortunate are these wives of Lord? Wondered the womenfolk of Hastinapura.
एवं िवधा गद ीनां स िगरः पु रयोिषताम् । िनरी णेनािभन न् स
ते न ययौ ह रः ॥ ३१॥
This way, as the women of Hastinapur, talked about the glory. The handsome Lord Sri Krishna with his tight-lipped smiled and expressed his love, affection, and goodwill through eyes. He conveyed his greetings appearing in each of those women’s lotus of the heart. He left them behind wonderstruck and spellbound. अजातश ुः पृतनां गोपीथाय मधुि षः । परे
ः शि तः
ेहा ायुङ्
चतु रि णीम् ॥ ३२॥
Sri Krishna was accompanied by chaturanga sena with four armed battalion constituting chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers. The King Yudhitira, an ajatashatru having no enemies was extremely sensitive to the journey of his dear friend Sri Krishna. Hence, he had arranged battalion as protection during the journey. अथ दू रागतान् शौ रः कौरवान् िवरहातु रान् । सि व
ढं ि
ान् ाया
नगरी ं ि यै ः ॥ ३३॥
The separation with the dearest friend had overwhelmed Pandavas. Hence, they were following Sri Krishna. However, Sri Krishna insisted their return to Hastinapura and sped up along with Arjuna, Stayaki, and others as they had planned. || Hari Om || || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||
123 OF 80
|| Hari Om || Keraya neeranu kerege chelli, Like pouring back the water from the lake, Varava padedavarante kaaniro, Be seen as blessed. Hariya karunadolaada bhagyava, The accomplishments happening due to Lord Hari's grace, Hari samarpane maadi badukiro, Credit back to Lord Hari. Sri Purandara Vithala raayana Charana kamalava nambi badukiro. Live to have trust in the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Purandara Vithala. || Hari Om || We could complete this work of Bhakti Yoga, Kunti, Bheeshma, & Stree Stuti only with the grace of Guru Sri Raghavendra and all his philosophical associates including Sri Saunaka & his fellow Rishis, Sri Sutacahrya, Sri Sukachary, God Vayu, and Sri Hari as their Jnana Prasada. || Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||