Srimad Bhagavatham- Swami Udit Chaithanya

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, August 23, 2021. 7:41. AM.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

MAHATMYAM :

Srimad Bhagavatham is honoured as the Elixir or Essence of all Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads. It is called the “ripe fruit of the tree of Vedic Literature”. This denotes the sweetness of Bhagavatham, the visible form of the Lord.

How attractive is the beautiful form of Krishna?! No superlative adjectives can describe HIS enchanting beauty and charisma. Just a glimpse of the Lord, and you will be spell bound! Bhagavatham is called “Prathyaksha Krishna” as it is the embodiment or visible form of Divinity in its completeness.

As you go through Bhagavatham with total mental involvement, you will merge with the Lord in a divine love. It is like a “salt doll” diving into the ocean to know what the ocean is like – it melts and becomes ONE with the ocean!

We may think that it is true for the devoted seeker of Truth or a devotee who aspires God Realization and that alone!

No, Bhagavatham is for the common man too. It is the most effective Mind Management Text offered to us by Sri Veda Vyasa who is called Vishala Budhi. Thousands of years back, when human civilization in all other parts of the world was still in the cradle, our Great Masters presented this precious Knowledge to humanity for its well being.

The great visionaries could foresee the entire future of human race, predict the forthcoming problems in all ages and recommend the remedies too. We will be awestruck to read the most scientific Knowledge as we go through Bhagavatham.

Here, we are making a humble attempt to introduce the Power of Bhagavatham for our most beloved devotees who are not yet familiar with it. It is most needed by our younger generation, who are forced to live an aimless life as there are no role models to guide them.

Our efforts are to show that when we are blessed with such a profound Knowledge we should not worry any more, for any reason! Liberation from all fears, worries and miseries and unshakeable mental strength and peacefulness is what Bhagavatham promises and offers us.

Bhagavatham is presented as a series of beautiful stories. Our Masters were so intelligent that they introduced Knowledge through mesmerizing stories – that is, philosophy through mythology.

Here, we are not focussing on the stories, but trying to unwrap the stories to extract the hidden Truths in them. This is meant to serve as a reference guide for the beginner who reads the original Srimad Bhagavatham for the first time.

We are all playing various roles in our lives – as a child, student, teacher, employee, employer, spouse, parent….. what not? Bhagavatham throws light into all these areas of our life and helps us play them efficiently. Yes, life becomes effortless like a play!

How can Bhagavatham help us in this stressful and challenging modern life? Or, what is the benefit of understanding Bhagavatham? These questions are answered in Bhagavatha Mahatmyam.

Before going on to Bhagavatham, let us start with Bhagavatha Mahatmyam which gives us insight into the importance of listening to and reciting Bhagavatham Bhagavatha Mahatmyam (The Glories of Srimad Bhagavatham)

The Bhagavatha Mahatmyam comprises six chapters and is found in the Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda (193 – 198). This contains the story of Bhakti Devi and her two dying sons Jnanam (Knowledge) and Vairagyam (Renunciation), which means observation (jnanam), devotion (bhakti) and engagement (dispassion or vairagyam); developing these qualities is the easiest way for getting out of our problems.

Bhagavatha Mahatmyam is of great significance since it gives valuable instruction as to how Bhakti or devotion can be revived in this Kali Yuga through the recital and study of the Bhagavatham. Bhakti is the only means of attaining freedom from the bondage of this material world and its various concerns. Bhagavatha Mahatmyam also contains details regarding how to observe Bhagavatha Saptaham.

How does one achieve Bhakti? Only through the association with devotees with a positive mind! This is called Satsang. Listening to the Bhagavatham which contains everything about the name, form, sport(“Leela”) and incarnations of Lord Vishnu, namely, the self of everyone, is the best way to cultivate true Bhakti.

We have to look beyond the stories told in the Bhagavatham, as each of them has real gems of spiritual knowledge embedded in it. The beauty of these stories is that they depict important Truths and messages in a simple way, to help you face all challenges in your life courageously.

Eventually, you will develop an absolutely peaceful, strong and happiest mind – this is real liberation from all kinds of worries and miseries. Yes, the ultimate objective or aim of studying the Bhagavatham is to develop a true understanding or awareness of one’s own mind.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next- Chapter-1.

Discussion among Narada, Sanaka and Others…

Questions by Sage Saunaka to Sri Suta

In the forest of Naimisharanya, knowing about the onset of Kali Yuga, numerous sages had gathered under the leadership of Sage Saunaka to perform a thousand year Yagam to Lord Vishnu and to listen to stories about the Lord. Yagam means the sacrifice of animalistic tendancies in our minds so as to attain divinity.

(Note – Naimisharanya is the place where disintegration takes place moment by moment. That is, our body itself where cells die every moment).

There Sage Saunaka asked some important questions to Sri Suta (Ugrashravas, the son of Romaharshana and a disciple of Vyasa Deva). He requested Sri Suta to talk about the pastimes of Lord Krishna, which are like sweet nectar to the ears.

To be continued ....

========================================================================================