Fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatham discusses about : Swami Udit Chaithanya

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Wednesday, January 11, 2023. 06:00.

Fifth canto :

Srimad Bhagavatham discusses the topic called ‘Sthaanam’ which means the position where you keep your mind.

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Hari Om!

Fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatham discusses the topic called ‘Sthaanam’ which means the position where you keep your mind.

Our life needs a holistic vision about the complete possibilities and potentialities of our mind.  We generally live with a ‘social outlook’ mind where people are focussing on earning, getting, enjoying, indulging and possessing things.

This approach is a mere possibility of mind to possess and get along with worldly possessions. But very few understand through Satsangs or association with great people about the possibility to experience our Infinite inner conscious bliss. We are the treasure house of peace, happiness and bliss. To experience that, we need a strong mind. To develop that, Fifth Canto of Bhagvatham shows us light through the stories of great characters like Rishaba, Bharatha and Jada Bharatha.

Please read on…

HariOm!

(Bhagavatham 5.1.1 – 5.1.10)

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Priyavratha’s story :

Srimad Bhagavatham’s Fourth Canto ends with Sri Suka’s introduction about Priyavratha to Parikshith.

Fifth Canto starts with Parikshith’s enquiries to Sri Suka about Priyavratha,

“Oh Muni, how did a devotee and ‘Atmarama’ like Priyavratha enter Garhasthya, that leads to ignorance and bondage? I wonder how a wise man like him could accept it? I am sure a great man like him cannot have such cravings for a materialistic life. How can pleasure from a domestic life match the joy of devotion?”.

He further enquires, “Then how could he attain unshakeable devotion and liberation later? Please tell me”.

Sri Suka replied, “it is true that devotees refrain from family life. But it is possible for a devotee to lead a family life and then later become a true seeker too”.

Here starts Priyavratha’s interesting story:

Priyavratha was  a true devotee right from his early childhood and served Sage Narada with great attention. Thus he attained Knowledge of the Self and desired to live an ascetic life only. But his father Swayambhoo Manu wanted him to take up the kingly responsibilities as all noble qualities blossomed in him.

Priyavratha was reluctant to take charge of the Kingdom as he was afraid that it would decrease his inner joy.

So, Manu went to take home his son who was learning from Sage Narada in the Mandara Hills.

Knowing this conflict, Manu’s father Lord Brahma who is in charge of Creation decided to advise Priyavratha to accept Kingly duties to support creation in the world.

As Lord Brahma appeared, Narada, Manu and Priyavratha prostrated before him.

What was Brahma’s advice to Priyavratha? We will see in the next Slokas.

Note – we have seen many case studies in Bhagavatham so far. Whatever your age, gender, education, heredity and back ground may be, you still have a chance to realize your own Self.

We have seen ordinary people turning devotees earlier. Now it is a devotee diverting to domestic life and then recapturing his ascetic life later.

No outward pleasure can match the joy you experience within. Or in other words, all cravings for external pleasure will wither away as you experience the inner silence and taste the inner joy.

No wonder Priyavratha wanted to stay away from the chaos of worldly life! But an inevitable change was awaiting him…

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Dear Devotee,

We are entering a new world of stories now. Please keep reading Srimad Bhagavatham along with our notes.

Let us study our Scriptures, understand the philosophy laid deep down in the mythology and enlighten our lives!

HariOm!

(Bhagavatham 5.1.1 – 5.1.10)

Brahma Deva explains it with an appalling example in the next Slokas. As the Guru, His words were conveying the message of God only.

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Dear Devotee,

What we did in the past has already decided our reward. We can not change it now. But we  can accept it with a Prasada Budhi and keep our mind peaceful.

That alone can ensure a bright today and tomorrow for us.

So, again and again we tell you, please engage your mind positively and meditate regularly.

Being a peaceful person, you are helping yourself and all around you.

The waves of happiness that emanate from you will reach far and make this planet a better place to live.

HariOm!

(Bhagavatham 5.1.11 – 5.1.13)

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