Bhagavatam

........contd....

King Parikshit when he came to know of his curse (didnot lament or become angry at sage's son) - instead he passed on his responsibilities to his son and went in search of Sage Sukha'Bhagavatam'rahma - who was The Great Sage Vyasa's son.  He was 'Brahma gyani' right from his childhood and hence was exponent in 'Brahma Gyan' - that is the knowledge of the eternal - the energy and the power that sustains the world.  Parikshit requested him to give him such knowledge that could redeem him from the bondage of life and death.  Sage Sukha Brahma agreed to do so and the discourse of 'Bhagavatam' - the story of the Lord Krishna's birth, growth and his leela's (miracles) started - for which great seers and sages and even Devas came to attend and listen to in rapt attention - non-stop for seven whole days and seven whole nights.  At the end of seven days, Takshak came, bite Parikshit and he died but having listened to Bhagavatam with total surrendrance he became one with the Lord (that is, he was liberated!)

If Parikshit died inspite of hearing ''Bhagavatam'' that too from one of the greatest Seers - Sage Sukha, how can we trust the saying "If one hears 'Bhagavatam' or reads it then he cuts the chords of death for once and for all!"

"How can our karma's accumulated through janmas be erased just by hearing or reading ''Bhagavatam''?"

These are the two questions usually asked at this juncture....

After having heard ''Bhagavatam'', one becomes immortal - it is true!  'Bhagavatam'ut the body that is born should die is also a Universal Law that can't be overseen - even by the Lord when he took avatar in human form - as Rama and Krishna.  When the work that had to be done by that avatar was over, it was dropped.  So, we cannot escape death.  Then what is this of becoming immortal?

When one dies, it is because of his karma and he again is born in the Yoni as applicable to his karma.  This way, one has to go through this cycle of life and death for aeons of years which is a torture for the soul.  But, one when hears ''Bhagavatam'' heals his karma and becomes liberated from this cycle and becomes one with the Lord on death.  This is called as 'becoming immortal'. 

...cond....

Me, My Guru - On perspective - Bhagavatam

Me, My Guru

On Essence – Perception – Bhagavatam

Today there was no Rahul to force me to ‘Bhagavatam’ class. Yes, it was a class. It was not just one more discourse on Bhagavatam. It used Bhagavatam to teach us ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ management. Inner meant ‘how to deal with our nature and heal it and transcend it’ and ‘outer’ meant people -management and issue-management. We flipped in so many situations. She used Bhagavatam to teach us to handle those issues. Otherwise, it was something that we all grew up hearing and reading in India. We didn’t need to attend ‘a class’ for it. But the way she took that story, elaborated points in it and applied it to our life situations was very informative and also like ‘Tips on crisis management’. So gladly, today I went to attend this class after enrolling for it yesterday. Previously, I would feel the pinch whenever I had to pay the fees but not now. This time even that thought didn’t cross my mind.

Not that, I had ‘forgiven’ her or something. Dynamics of my relationship with her did certainly change. For good or for bad, I didn’t know. But I felt more relaxed and at peace and so I presumed that it was good that happened. Well, being among the first few in the class, I sat in meditation. It was well past 1/2an hour before I opened my eyes. Others had poured in and ‘she’ was in her place ready to start.

But even before she could start someone asked “Krishna stole curd, butter and milk. He is a thief and called on too and yet he is called ‘God’. Rule for all is ‘marry one and be faithful to that one’ and yet he had eight wives and yet glorified as God. Forget about vanquishing enemies, he didn’t spare Ghatotgaja (son of Pandava Prince Bheemasena) just to protect Arjuna from the wrath of Indra’s weapon. He was master-manipulator. With these many qualities falling short of divinity, how can one accept him as God? And why should he?”

She smiled and taking the fold of her saree in one hand she started her explanation “I’ve told this story many times before. So, it is possible most of you’ve heard it from me before too. Others may have read it elsewhere. Yet listen carefully once more because this story explains the point needed to understand here like no other story.

In a small town were five friends who were born blind. It so happened that they were taken to a circus one day where they met an elephant. Wanting to know it, each one went around it and touched it. Because, they were blind, they could understand something or anything only with their touch and that feel.

One said “wow, this elephant is so huge and round” he was touching its stomach.

The other said “no, no. It is long, rough and soft”. He was holding its trunk.

“Ofcourse not so!” exclaimed the third “It is thin and hairy”. That was the description of tail that he was holding.

The fourth one touched ears to give a totally different picture and fifth felt everyone was wrong as he was holding on to its feet.

...contd...

Bhagavatam

Bhagavatam - an excuse to fall in love with Krishna....

And whatever mind continuously and repeatedly longs for, thinks about becomes, that thought comes to mind even at the time of death.  This is only about increasing the probability of chance of remembering God's name, form - but there is no guarantee of that though!

Gandhiji even when hit by a bullet uttered "Hey Ram" out of habit and regular sadhan at the time of death.

And as already explained the last thought decides the type of our birth in next life.....So, if we die with the Lord's name on lips we'll take life at a place which is condusive for our spiritual growth, thereby increasing our speed towards liberation from the cycle of life and death.

The more the mind sings the glory of His Name, the less thoughts about what she said or he didn't do - thereby are we not reducing our negative karma?  We are immediately blessed with peace of mind - thereby decreasing BP, tension, insomnia and a host of diseases relaated to our negative thinking which is proved by the medical world.

So read, listen - more and more about his glory, name, miracles performed by Krishna....and what better scripture to read that Bhagavatam for this purpose.....

This is the reason why one should read Bhagavatam and I hope you have understood how it benefits us....

The same explanation applies to Ramayana, Mahabharata, Devi Bhagavatam and such scriptures....

This in short is the back-drop of Bhagavatam - why it was narrated and what's the benefit of the same ......we'll read about the stories sometime later......

Bhagavatam - The Story of Krishna

...cond....

If karma can be healed, why it couldn't heal Parikshit's curse and save him from Takshak's  bite?

After having heard the glory of Lord, that too from none less than Sukha Brahma, the soul would want to reach the Lord at the earliest - not want to save this perishable body from some untoward event! So, Parikshit accepted his fate as a blessing and an excuse to drop this body and merge with the Lord!

"It means if I listen to Bhagavatam on Last seven days of my life, I'll be liberated right?"

"I need not listen to it now - I can wait till my end time and when it comes, I can listen to Bhagavatam - right?"

How senseless are these questions by themselves! (yes, they are not imaginery but asked questions...)  Can you be sure of knowing the date of your death? is the question that I ask these people.  Then, when will you decide to read the sciptures?  Death can happen anytime.  Now, is also the time for death.  But, somehow, we don't seem to realize that!  That's the greatest lie we tell to ourselves and go on existing as if we had no end....It's a miracle!  And people want proof of miracle from me!  Seeing death all around us and still going on planning life for 100 years and more - is it not miracle? It is!

Well coming to Bhagavatam, hence reading, listening or talking about it NOW is the right thing to do.  If I listen, read once, I'll become immortal right?  No, it is not to do with the physicality of this Act.  First understand, why they say that listening/ reading Bhagavatam makes us immortal.  When you read / listen with total Bhakthi, Trust, Surrendrance, humility and attention we get to know the glory of the Lord.  Lord being Krishna here!   Remember, when listened with these five qualities - qualities being important.

...contd....

Bhagavatam

Bhagavatam

(Note : Let me clarify a small point.  Bhagavatam is an ocean - of knowledge that could gives us insight into human nature, the laws of nature/universe - like the working of karma, the reason for rebirth and the cause and factor that decides our birth and ultimately the procedures to break the shackles of bondage. 

If I write in detail on Bhagavatam, it would not permit me to discuss other issues.  So, I'll write few stories from Bhagavatam.  If you have any questions or stories that you wish to read about, let me know, I'll write the same!).

After the war of Kurukshetra, with the view of avenging Duryodhana's and his father's death, Ashwathama used "Brahma-Astram" with the intention that it should kill the foetus of "Uttara" - Abhimanyu's wife.  Then, there would be no heri left of Pandavas.  Uttara was wedded to Abhimanyu - a great warrior who was killed by a group of Kaurava warriors - which was unethical as per the rules of war of those times.  Of course, now we proudly say "Everything is fair in love and war" - a moral that we have imbibed from the Western world.  And no doubt, our morals are degrading day-by-day.

If you/we want to talk about our past glory and feel proud, quote our scriptures.  But, if you/we want to reach and experience the zenith of our glorious past and our heroes, then we've to live as per "Dharma" - Vedic Dharma that is totally based on impartiality and that which adheres to Truth!  And the best part is that "Dharma is same for everyone" - not like western philosophy which says "show me the man, I'll frame the rule!"

....contd.....

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

But when the same problem is faced by a sadhan, bhaktha, people who are following dharm, then the same problem helps to alleviate them. It heals their karma. It betters their attitude. It purifies them. It helps to loosen up their bondage. It helps to grow spiritually. So you see, if and only if you are following Dharm, are full of purity of intent and in sadhan don’t look at the name of the relationship. Just do your bit. Keep your end of the relationship pure and full of love. See how honest you can be in your relationship. Play your part right. And then, leave the rest to God.

Use relationships to free yourself from bondage. Don’t use them to bind you to this World and karma”.

Having said this our Guru left us to have our lunch. We had to eat to fill our stomachs. But our hearts were filled already with what she shared!

She didn’t say anything new today and yet it felt new. Wasn’t this topic ever young, new and beautiful every single time?

Just listening to it gave us goosebumps. Imagine the bliss one experienced when he lived it??!!

Wow! No doubt, all Gurus stressed on this again and again!

We ate in silence.

This silence was beautiful.

This silence was fulfilling.

This silence was peaceful.

 Concluded......

Please note: Assuming you all know the stores from Bhagavatam that I am sharing, I am giving you an abridged version only......if any of you don't know any of the stories that I have shared, let me know I'll write the same in detail.....

************ 

# Me my Guru series, Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap, Bhagavatam, Bhaktha and samsari, materialistic and spiritual person, devotee, devotion, God protects those who trust him, God's grace, bad parent and good parent, break down situations, situations don't make or break us, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2016/01/no-snowflake-ever-falls-at-wrong-place_23.html 

read the complete link given above.....

Me, My Guru – On karma explained – Bhagavatam

 

Continued.....

Me, My Guru – On karma explained – Bhagavatam

It was later when Rahul and others pointed out I understood this point. The point was that we attacked our Guru with our questions. Yes, we attacked – didn’t seek an answer. We felt threatened by her answer. We were comfortable with our way of thinking and living. But her explanation challenged our beliefs. We hated her for that. We didn’t want to be shaken of our beliefs. Because that meant we had to accept that we were wrong. And we assume we are bad if we are wrong! How twisted and baseless was our logic!!! And we rested on this logic for our sanity and happiness!!?? No doubt, we suffered through life!

And all this was our assumption – not what she said or did. We were comfortable with our assumption that we were right and good people. And that, we were suffering because of others’ faults. But, her explanation bared this lie of ours. We were exposed to our assumptions and belief systems. That way we became responsible for all the good and bad in our lives. We didn’t like that. We didn’t want to own up our pain as our own doing. And therein lay the cause of our fight with our Guru. Maybe, even she knew that! But, she never mentioned it. she never ventured there. She kept up her work – as regular as ever!

Her reply brought me back to the present moment.

“Of course Karna was the greatest of data (giver). Yet, he too kept silent during Draupadi’s vastrapaharanam (disrobing of Draupadi). Not only that, in war people were to fight as per their ranks in war (in those days). A common soldier can’t challenge an adhirathi and vice-versa. Similarly, a fighter when he doesn’t have his weapon is not attacked. But these rules were not followed even by Karna during the war when the young boy Abhimanyau was attacked by Karna, Duryodhan, Shakuni and others – all at once. He fell to the ground and was without any weapons. Yet, they kept attacking. The brave lad used the wheel of the chariot to continue fighting and was then vanquished by Karna’s arrow. He asked for water but Karna didn’t give him water to drink even though a bowl of clean water was near Karna. He didn’t give water to the person who was about to die. This was the same cup of water that caused Karna’s chariot’s wheel to get stuck in the mud. And that became pivotal to his death in Arjuna’s hand.

Continued.....

# bhagavatam, Krishna and Rukmini, Karna, how karma works, karma, one act of injustice can overdo the lifetime of good done.

Read the link to learn more on this topic https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2021/01/on-receiving-grace.html 

Questions addressed and points to ponder:

• Do not try to understand the Laws of the Universe by taking only a part of any story. 
• We can't understand the Laws of the Universe by looking at only one event of our life too!
• Karma can be understood only when we see the complete picture.

Me, My guru – Bhagavatam - On the lost city of Dwaraka!

 

Contd....

Me, My guru – Bhagavatam - On the lost city of Dwaraka!

He knew had to come to vanquish all that was ‘adharmic (unrighteous) and protect ‘dharmic’. He had to uphold “Dharm”. That meant – there was no scope for favourtism, partiality or favourite kith and kin too! He saw “Yadavas” (the clan of Krishna was called Yadavas) drunk with all that was wrong. He knew that had to go!

And two people’s wrath came to his aid in this regard. One was that of Sage who cursed Yadavas to be annihilated and the other was the curse of Queen Gandhari that the Clan of Krishna be wiped out.

Some sages were performing yagna in the forest. Some young Yadavas who were in the forest desired to have fun at the cost of the great sages. One of the Yadava boys dressed as a girl and the other acted as that ‘girl’s husband’. Together they approached the sages and asked them “Sir, my wife is pregnant. Please tell her whether she will bear a son or a daughter?”

Sages seeing beyond their pretense grew furious and blessed “She will give birth to a club that will bring death to your entire clan”. Terrified of the curse they fled the place. But the damage was done. They shared this terrible curse with the elders of their Clan. The elders crushed the club into 1000 pieces and ordered them to be thrown into the Great Sea. One big lump was swallowed by a fish that was caught by one fisherman and he made an arrow with that lump. This was the same arrow that was hit by the hunter that killed Lord Krishna. The pieces were washed ashore and they implanted themselves and grew as tall sharp cane plants. 

A few years rolled by.

After the war of Kurukshetra, the Yadavas were left out of annihilation. Lord Krishna knew even they had to be erased from Earth for the New beginning of Kali Yuga to start with a fresh set of people who were just and dharmic. One day, in the drunken state the Yadavas ended up fighting among themselves and they took tall sharp cane plants (that had grown as a result of the curse of the Sage) and killed each other. These plants were so sharp that they were more lethal than any weapon of war.

Contd....

# Me My Guru series, Bhagavatam, Krishna accepts the curse, destruction of Yadavas, the lost city of Dwaraka, curse and blessings, fate and destiny, karma, as we sow so we reap, cause and effect, 

also read suggested  https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-can-never-lose-it-all.html 

Me, My Guru – On karma explained – Bhagavatam

 

Me, My Guru – On karma explained – Bhagavatam

Today, I wasn’t in a good mood. I was agitated. I was irritated. So, it took quite a bit of hard work from my end to push myself towards ‘class’ today! Honestly speaking, I was in no mood to come. But, Rahul’s phone call did the trick. He always reached me when I was low. I don’t remember what he said. But, I always ended up coming to class. And the good part of this story was I went back home less stressed and relieved. This has happened so many times over the years. And yet, I still remained my brooding, complaining and excuse-using type.

I came and sat at the back. I was late for the class – but obviously! Rahul smiled at me when I took a seat. He seemed both happy and relieved.

Our class was in progress as I entered. Someone asked, “Why did Guru Drona and Bheeshma, who were following dharm all their lives die in the Kurukshetra war?”

Our Guru smiled and replied “That is exactly the question Rukmini asked Lord Krishna after the war. And very lovingly Krishna replied “Yes indeed! All through their lives, they followed Dharm. But, their one act of adharm brought their death in the war! When Draupadi was being insulted and disrobed in the “Rajya sabha” they sat silent being the silent spectators of the ‘grave sin’ that was being executed there. One who commits the sin is the ‘sinner’. He will reap its consequences accordingly. But, one who is a silent spectator of that wrong being committed is a ‘greater sinner’ than the perpetrator of that sin as per Dharm. So, they faced such a death in the Kurukshetra war due to their ‘that sinful act’ – that they were part of during ‘Draupadi vastrapaharanam’. Your good act (punya) can’t be used to negate or do away with the repercussions of your wrong act (paap). 

As soon as our Guru concluded completing Krishna’s answer, one among us pounced on her with the next question “But Karna was such a data (giver, philanthropist, generous person). He never said no to anyone who came seeking alms from him. He even gave away his kavach (armour which became one with his body and skin) and kundal to Lord Indra when Indra sought alms from Karna. He knew giving it away would be fatal to his life. He knew by doing this, he would become vulnerable to death and yet, he gave happily. Then why did he die in the war?”

Continued.....

# bhagavatam, Krishna and Rukmini, Karna, how karma works, karma, one act of injustice can overdo the lifetime of good done.

Read the link to learn more on this topic https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2021/02/on-receiving-consequences-of-our-karma_4.html 

Questions addressed and points to ponder:

• Can our negative acts be negated with right acts?
• Can we cheat karma?
• Are good and bad  karma balanced and the person faces the balance that is remaining only?

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

 

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

“Guruji, how can a parent be bad?” asked Swathi. When people asked such questions they didn’t mean it in a general sense at all. They ALWAYS had their relationships in mind. Here it was clear Swathi was questioning the way her parent was, but didn’t dare openly voice it.

When we found a parent ‘wrong’ our question would be “How can a parent be so?”

But, as a kid, we had reasons to justify our actions. There, “How we as kids are supposed to be” doesn’t seem to fit. So it was with every relationship. We always said, “But a “X” is supposed to be…” but our actions well, ….isn’t that odd?

But our Guru always answered in a general way – just as today.

“During Satyayuga, the first of yugas of Earth, lived a very powerful Daitya king – Hiranyakashyap” started our Guru. Most of us knew this story and yet we listened with rapt attention. That is the power of a story – just any story I suppose. We felt like kids – those who knew all the bedtime stories and yet asked for them to be told – again and again. There was a difference though. Here, our Guru didn’t lull us to sleep. If anything, she woke us from our slumber of ignorance and made us more ‘awake’ to life!

Contd....

# Me my Guru series, Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap, Bhagavatam, Bhaktha and samsari, materialistic and spiritual person, devotee, devotion, God protects those who trust him, God's grace, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2015/01/can-i-give-only-bad-in-exchange-for-bad.html 

Me, My guru – Bhagavatam - On the lost city of Dwaraka!

 

Contd....

Me, My guru – Bhagavatam - On the lost city of Dwaraka!

In the second instance, after the war, Krishna along with Pandavas arrived at Hastinapur. All the sons of Dhritarashtra and dKunti were killed in the war. Gandhari mother of 100 was left childless. In that fit of pain and rage, she cursed Krishna “You are considered God. If it is true, then you would’ve known the outcome of this war. And yet, you let it start and then go on. You could’ve stopped the war and all the devastations of wars with a single thought. And yet, you chose not to! You could have stopped all the bloodshed. And you chose not to put your ability to good use. And that way you are responsible for the death of my 100 sons. The pain of losing 100 sons is borne by me. I curse you to bear the same pain – may your clan be completely wiped out and you be in no position to stop it. you be the witness of that destruction”.

Lord Krishna accepted the curse. Not because he deserved it, but as God, it was His Grace and unconditional love for the devotee to accept all that the devotee offers Him be it a curse even!

God can end any calamity. HE has the ability to change the course of any event. Yes, both facts are true! Yet, he chooses not to. Not because HE wants us to suffer. NO! Because HE lets the Divine Law of Karma take its course.

Each one of us sow enough to bring about our downfall!  But, when the time to bear the consequences comes, we blame the Guru or God for being insensitive. When we are arrogant enough to run our life our way, we should be man enough to bear the repercussions too! We can’t have it one way only!

Contd....

# Me My Guru series, Bhagavatam, Krishna accepts the curse, destruction of Yadavas, the lost city of Dwaraka, curse and blessings, fate and destiny, karma, as we sow so we reap, cause and effect, 

also read suggested  https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=indra+and+I

Read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/03/oh-god.html to the question "What does God do? Why can't suffering be stopped by God if He exists?

Read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=Me%2C+My+Guru+%E2%80%93+On+attachments%2C+faith+and+commitments.... to understand How healing helps us to tide over our disturbing emotions and situations? What is the purpose of healing? How does healing help us?