| Content
Feedback |
The Glorification of Srimad Bhagavat Translation from Gujarati ïImdœ -agvt
to English Translator: Sri S. Vyas, M.Sc., M. S. E. E. Editors: Sri Madhusudan M. Mehta
Sri Jagannath Desai
Srimati Chetna K. Reshamvala, B. Sc. Sri R. Vyas, Grade 10 3 July 1993
Preface
i
# Chapter Title Page # 1 The Meeting of Bhakti and Narad
1
3 The Removal of Bhakti's Unhappiness
7
5 Description of Gokarna
15
This translation effort is dedicated to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Acharya-Founder of the International Society for the Krishna Consciousness, who spent most of his life to make Krishna and His teachings known to the people throughout the world for their spiritual benefit. The translation from Sanskrit to Gujarati has been done by Shashtri Girijashankar Mayashankar. The translation from Gujarati to English has been done for the benefit of the God loving English speaking people in general and for the new generation of Hindus of the world in particular. The editors and the translator are Gujarati Krishna devotees. As Rahul Vyas, a representative of the new Hindu generation raised in the West recommended, long and complex sentences have been simplified and many implicit Vedic cultural meanings have been made explicit. He also has edited this somewhat. In the translation, some Sanskrit or Gujarati words (shown in italics) are kept to maintain the Vedic style. The meaning of these words has been given in the Vedic Glossary. The readers are requested to write constructive comments to the translator for any unintentional errors, omissions, or changes in the meaning that may have occurred and pardon him for the imperfection. This effort is a nishkama Krishna seva by the editors and the translator. The readers are encouraged to make copies and distribute free or at no profit to interested persons. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare
i Note: The words in italics are Gujarati or Sanskrit. Words Meaning and Information 12-letter-mantra The Mantra "Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.' which means 'I surrender/bow down to Bhagavan Vasudev.' 18 Puranas Srimad Bhagavat verse 12-13-9 provides following data: Purana Name Number of Verses 1. Agni 15,400
Total Verses 400,000 4-Verse Bhagavat It is given in Srimad Bhagavat, verse 2-9-33 to
33. (Sri Bhagavan says) O Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead. 34. O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness. 35. O Brahma, please know that the universal elements enter into the cosmos and at the same time do not enter into the cosmos; similarly, I Myself also exist within everything created, and at the same time I am outside of everything. 36. A person who is searching after the supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, most certainly search for it up to this, in all circumstances, in all space and time, and both directly and indirectly. 6 Scriptures This refers to 6 schools of Indian philosophy which are as follows according to Swami Chinmayananda: Three schools of theistic atheism: Tarka, Sankhya, and Purva-Mimansa. They believe in Vedic declarations, but not in the one eternal Truth, or Brahma. Three schools of theistic theism: Brahma Sutra, Uttar-Mimansa, and Advaita Vedanta. They believe in the Vedas and also in the Brahma, the non-dual eternal Truth. Saptaaha A religious ceremony in which a learned preceptor reads and explains Srimad Bhagavat and many people listen with love and devotion for 8 to 10 hours every day for 7 days. Aakashvani Heavenly voice. A divine voice from sky giving guidance, direction, or prediction. Aashrama The Vedic spiritual and educational institutions in forest where a guru lives with his family and students. Also, a life phase of a man. The phases are: age 0-25 Brahmacharya (student life of celibacy,) 26-50 Grihastha (Householder's married life,) 51-75 Vanaprastha (life of retirement,) and 76-100 Sanyasa (life of renunciation.) Agnihotra A Yagna in which holy herbs are sacrificed in fire. Badrikashram A place of pilgrimage in Himalayas where Nara and Narayana, the eariler incarnation of the Supreme Lord meditates. Bhagavan One who has all the six opulence: all strength, all beauty, all fame, all riches, all renunciation, and all knowledge i.e. God. Bhakta A devotee. Bhakti Devotion. Bodha Spiritual advice. Brahmachari A celibate student. One who does not engage in sex with mind, body or action, at any time, any place, or in any circumstances. Hindu men ought to remain celibate for their first 25 years of life. Brahmana A learned person belonging to the intelligent class of Vedic society. A brahmana ought to be religious and provide spiritual guidance to society. Chintamani A divine wish stone which fulfills the wishes of its owner. Darshan Visual presence. To 'Do Darshan' means to see with folded hands and with love and reverence. 'Your Darshan happened to me.' means you came to me in my vision, which is a spiritual happy experience. 'To give Darshan to a person' means to physically show up or manifest before a person. Devarshi Demigod-rishi, a rishi like a demigod. Dharma Righteous or religious conduct. Also religion or duty or characteristics. Dravid country South India. Dwidal Kathol Leguminous beans. The beans whose seeds are made of two halves. Gandharva A singer or dancer of Heaven. Gayatri The famous Mantra (Vedic hymn) or the goddess representing it. Ghee Pure fat extracted from butter usually by boiling butter. Gopi A woman Krishna-devotee who lives in Vridavan. Gopis love Krishna intensely. Guru A spiritual master in a disciplic succession. Gyan Transcendental or spiritual knowledge. Gyani One who has transcendental or spiritual knowledge. Hari-chandan Sandal wood paste of a kind. Hari-lila Past times of Hari, the Supreme Person. Jaata-Karma The one of the 16 Sanskaras or initiations in the life of a Hindu. Jaata-Karma is performed at birht. Japa-mala A loop of string with 108 beads usually made of Tulsi wood and used to count the number of chanting Mantras. The number 108 represents 108 Upanishads. Kailash A peak in Himalayas, a mountain abode of Lord Shankar.
Karma An action or a deed. According to the Vedas, one enjoys and suffers according to what he/she has done in his/her present or past lives. Similarly, one will enjoy or suffer in future (even in future lives) according to what one does now and will do. Everything about one's next birth is determined by what he does in his present and what he did in his previous human lives. When a devotee progresses towards God and pleases God, God can destroy all his sinful deeds and ultimateley he gets out of the cycles of birth and death. This is the general law of Karma. Katha A story. A story form scriptures. A spiritual event in which a preceptor reads and explains a scripture and others listen with devotion. Katha-nectar Kathamrut. A religious narration or discourse. The joy and benefit of listening a Katha. Kinnaras Servants of Shiva. A certain class of residents of Heaven. Kirtan Singing devotional songs, playing musical instruments, and dancing joyfully all together. Love-juice Premras. Happy emotions of divine love. Magha A month of Hindu Calendar. Hindu months approximately relate to Christian months as follows: 1. Kartik November
Mahatma A great soul. Maya Illusion. Attachment to worldly things and beings. According to Sri Yogiji Maharaj, the thing that stops you form worshipping God is Maya. Sri Prabhupada says that devotional service is actually a war against Maya. Moksha Deliverance. Mukti. Salvation. Mridanga A certain drum played at both ends by hands. The diameter of one end is bigger than the other, and the diameter in between is bigger than both the ends. Muni Similar to a rishi or an ascetic. Prabhupada says that each muni's opinion differs form other munis. Naimisharanya Name of a forest. Om The basic seed Mantra. The symbolic sound-form of God. Pakhanda Cheat-religions full of deceit and hypocracy. Doing irreligious activities under the disguise of religious activity. Man-made and therefore fake religions for sense gratifications and material interest to attract followers (victims). Param Gati Supreme destination. Patravli A leaf-plate, usually made form Khakhro tree leaves. Prasadam A food or a thing which is first offered to God before eating or using. Spiritual leftover. Godly blessings. Premlaxana Having the characteristics of love. Punya Accumulated credit for pious, benevolent or righteous deeds. Puranas Vedic history books. The Puranas are scriptures meant for less intelligent people in Kali. Purusha-sukta A scripture about the soul. Rishi A holy learned spiritual man who generally lives in forest and does Vedic spiritual activities for the spiritual uplifting of the self and all living beings. Sansara The worldly life, or a life with wife and children. Sanskara Hindu's initiation ceremony in which certain prescribed qualities are implanted spiritually at specific ages or life events. There are 16 sanskaras from birth to death. Sanyasi One who has renounced worldly life. Saptaaha 7-day katha ceremony or reading/listening of religious scriptures. Satyaloka Truth Planet. A spiritual planet.
Shesha Naga Shesha serpent who is believed to carry the earth on his one thousand heads. Siddha A follower of Sankhya philosophy of Bhagavan Kapil. One who has acquired spiritual power to see or hear from far, far away; fly, walk on water, appear or disappear, travel long distances instantly, etc. Sraddha A Vedic ritual to feed or to make ceremonoal offerings to the dead ancestors at least once each year on their death anniversary. Sraddha can be performed at pilgrim places any time. Tulsi A holy plant watered and worshipped daily by the Hindus. It has many medical properties. Upanayan A Sanskara of holy thread ceremony. It takes place when a student leaves home and goes to live in an Aashrama to study until 25 years of age. Upasana A process for spiritual progress. Vaikuntha A spiritual planet. Heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu. Vairagi One with Vairagya. He has interest only in spiritual activities and no interest in worldly pleasures or possessions. Vairagya A feeing of no interest or attachment in worldly life. Varan Team. Caste or social class. Varnas The four social divisions of Vedic society, viz Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. These divisions are prescribed by the Vedas according to one's qualities and capabilities. Vedanta The portion of the Vedas called the Upanishads which provide
philosophical summary conclusion of the Vedas.
Virakta detached. A Vairagi. Vivek The intelligence of discerning. Courtesy. Discreation. Vrata Short austerity. The scriptures have prescribed various vratas for various benefits. Yagna Sacrifice. A holy fire ritual. The Vedas prescribe various Yagnas for various benefits. Yavan A destructive violent invader form North who hates the Vedic culture and converts forcibly. Yogi One who practices a Yoga. Yoga A process of joining or connecting the self with the Supreme God. There are 3 main Yogas: Bhakti, Gyan, and Karma. Sri Prabhupada says that if Gyan (knowledge) and Karma (action) do not culminate in Bhakti (devotion,) then they are useless. The Meeting of Bhakti and Narad When Shukadevji who had become free from the reactions of all his karmas and whose even upanayan samskara had not yet been performed walked away giving up everything, then Vyasji, being bewildered by the separation, called him (by shouting), "O son!" At that time, the trees had replied on behalf of Shukadevji (because Shukadevji did not even care reply. So, the trees might have replied thus: "O Vyasaji, you are attached to your son, but your son is not attached to anything or anyone except Krishna. Therefore, he will not come back with you.) I (the speaker who tells us this) bow down to that Sri Shukadevji who knows the minds of all creatures.1 Muni Shaunak who an was expert in relishing the taste of the katha-nectar bowed down to the highly intelligent Soota who was seated in the Naimisharanya and asked,2 "O Soota, you are as capable and brilliant as millions of suns in destroying the darkness of ignorance. Please tell me the katha which gives bliss to my ears. How does the discretion acquired by devotion, knowledge, and detachment increase; and how do Vishnu bhaktas get rid of illusion and passion? People have acquired demoniac nature due to the arrival of this terrible Kali yuga. Then, what is the best way to purify people who are unhappy because of the worldly miseries? Please tell me the way which is best of all the way of spiritual progress, which is the most pious of all the pious ways, and with which one always obtains Sri Krishna. Chintamani gives worldly pleasures when pleased; Indra gives the wealth of the heaven when pleased; and guru (spiritual master,) when pleased, gives Vaikuntha which is difficult to achieve even for the yogis."3-7 Soota said: O Shaunak! Your heart abounds in love. Therefore, I tell you, after pondering, the (spiritual) way which has been approved by all principles, which removes fear of the worldly entanglements, which increases the flow of devotion, and which is the root cause of pleasing Sri Krishna. Listen with attention.8-9 Sri Shukadevji has recommended the 'Srimad Bhagavat' scripture (as a spiritual way) to destroy the fear of becoming the victim of the Kali yuga. This is the only way to purify the mind. One gets the benefit of the Bhagavat if he has acquired punya (righteous deeds) of (his) many previous births. When Sri Shukadevji sat in the assembly to narrate the katha to Parixit, the demigods came there with a pot of nectar. The demigods, who were expert in their work, prayed with folded hands to Shukadevji, 'Give us the katha-nectar in exchange for this nectar. After the exchange, let King Parixit drink this nectar, and we all will drink the katha-nectar of Srimad Bhagavat.'10-14 Then Shukadevji thought, 'In this world, how can we compare the
preciousness of the katha with that of the nectar? The value of a
diamond cannot be compared with the value of a piece of glass.' Thinking
thus, he ridiculed the demigods; and thinking them to be non-devotees,
he did not give them katha-nectar. Thus, the Srimad Bhagavat katha
listening is not readily available even for the demigods.15-16
In ancient times, Lord Brahma was surprised when he saw that King Parixit had achieved salvation by just listening Srimad Bhagavat. And then, using a balance, he had weighed all the (different) means (of achieving salvation) in the Satyaloka.17 At that time, all the other means were found to be lighter than the means of the Srimad Bhagavat. Knowing this, all the rishis were extremely astonished. They were convinced that Srimad Bhagavat is the manifestation of the Supreme Lord on the earth; and by reading or hearing it, one goes to Vaikuntha instantly. It always bestows salvation by hearing it just for seven days. In the past, kind Sanat Kumaras had narrated the Bhagavat to Narad Muni. Although Devarshi Narad had heard it from Brahma, the procedure of saptaaha had been told to him by Sanat Kumaras.18-21 Shaunak said: How Narad, who is eager to cause fights among people and who is always wandering, got lovingly interested in listening the procedure of the saptaaha; and where he met the Sanat Kumaras?22 Soota said: In this matter, I will tell you a katha (story) full of devotion. Shukadevji, knowing me to be his disciple, had told me this katha in a secluded place. Once the four holy Sanat Kumaras came for satsang (holy discourse) to Badrikashram and there they saw Narad.23-24 Sanat Kumaras said: O Narad, why is your face so sad? Why are you full of anxiety? Where are you going in such a hurry, and from where have you come? You look like an empty minded person whose wealth is gone. This does not befit you who are free from all associations. Please explain the reason for this. 25-26 Narad said: I had gone to earth knowing it was as the best planet, and I went to many pilgrim places like Pushkara, Prayaga, Kashi, Godavari, Harikshetra, Kurukshetra, Shriranga, and Setubandha; but I did not see any happiness satisfying the mind. Nowadays Kali yuga, the friend of irreligion, has made the earth unhappy. There is no truth, austerity, piousness, mercy, or charity there. The people are observed to be selfish, poor, liars, lazy, stupid, unlucky, and unhappy. Even "saintly" people are engaged in irreligious cheating business. "Recluses" have become householders. Women are rulers in every house. Brother-in-laws have become the family consultants. Daughters are being greedily sold. Husbands and wives fight with each other.27-32 Aashramas, pilgrim places, temples and rivers have been occupied by wicked yavans, and many temples have been destroyed by them.33 There is no yogi, siddha, gyani, or a doer of religious activities. All the religious infra-structure and means to salvation have been destroyed by Kali yuga.34 In Kali yuga, cooked food is being sold, brahmins sell the Vedas, and women engage in sex with any man for money.35 This way, seeing the bad effects of Kali yuga and roaming the earth, I went to the banks of the Yamuna river where Krishna had performed divine acts in His human form.36 O Worthy Munis, there I saw a wonder. Listen to it.37 A young lady with dejected mind was seated there. Two old men were lying unconsciously in front of her and were breathing with difficulty, and that lady was crying. She was serving them and was trying to awaken them.38 She was looking in all the ten directions for a protector of her body. Hundreds of ladies were fanning her and were trying to comfort her.39 Seeing her from a distance, I went to her out of curiosity. Seeing me, she stood up and spoke the following words in the state of bewilderment.40 The lady said: O Pious man, stay here for a moment and remove my anxiety. Your super darshan always destroys sins of people. My unhappiness will probably end with your words. If one has great luck, he gets your darshan.41-42 Narad said: O goddess, who are you? Who are these two men; and O lotus-eyed, who are these ladies? What is the cause of your distress? Tell me in detail.43 The Lady said: I am known by the name 'Bhakti.' These are my two sons. Their names are 'Gyan' and 'Vairagya,' and they have become old due to time.44 These ladies are the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, etc. and have come to serve me. The demigods serve me, but still I am not happy. O man whose wealth is his austerity, now listen about my anxiety. It is a long story, but please listen and give me happiness.45-46 I was born in Dravid country, and grew in some places in Karnatak and Maharashtra; but in Gujarat, I became old. There, because of the terrible Kali yuga, irreligion broke my limbs. Therefore, my two sons and I have been weak for a long time. But now just having gone to Vrindavan, I have become extremely beautiful as if rejuvenated.47-49 But my two sons are sleeping here and are experiencing pain due to fatigue, but I want to go to another place.50 I am unhappy because my sons have become old. By what cause did I become old and by what cause did they became old?51 The three of us travel together, yet this oddity has still occurred. A mother should be old and her sons should be young.52 O master of yoga, because of this, I am confused and worried. So, O intelligent man, please tell me what must be the reason for this? Narad said: O innocent Bhakti, I have been thinking in my heart, with a torch of knowledge, about the cause of all your unhappiness. Do not worry now. Sri Hari will do what is best for you.53-54 Soota said: The great muni Narad, knowing the cause in an instant, spoke these words. Narad said: O young lady, listen with attention. This Kali yuga is terrible.55 It has destroyed dharma, yoga practice, and austerity. People have become like the demon Aghasur, and therefore they cheat and do demoniac deeds.56 In this yuga religious people suffer and scoundrels enjoy. Only those intelligent people who have patience are considered learned.57 This earth is gradually becoming unfit to even see or touch, and is becoming simply a burden to Shesha Naga. No place is seen as auspicious.58 Nowadays, no one even looks at you with your sons. You have become old, rejected by people blinded by lust.59 But you have become rejuvenated by the association of Vridavan. Truly, this Vrindavan is fortunate because you dance there.60 But here, since there is no one interested in you, your two sons do not give up their old age. But still, your sons are experiencing a little bliss here since it appears as though they are sleeping.61 Sri Bhakti said: Why did King Parixit keep the impious Kali yuga alive? Who knows why the importance of all good things vanished as soon as Kali came?62 Why does merciful Sri Hari tolerate Kali? Please remove my doubts about this. I have become happy with your words.62 Narad said: O young girl, listen with love. I shall tell you everything. O spiritual booster, your distress will be gone.63-64 Kali yuga which destroys all spiritual paths has come after Lord Sri Krishna left this earth and went to His abode.65 When King Parixit went on to conquer the world and saw Kali, he surrendered (to Parixit) humbly. So, Parixit thought, 'It is not proper for me to kill this Kali just as a bee takes honey from flower (without destroying it.)'66 By devotion to Krishna in Kali yuga, people achieve salvation. They cannot not achieve salvation by austerity, yoga, or trance (which are very difficult in Kali yuga.)67 Thus, seeing some worth in Kali which is worthless mostly, Parixit has kept him alive for the happiness of living beings.68 Nowadays, everything has lost importance due to the performance of irreligious acts; and the things on earth have become worthless like a shell without a seed.69 Brahmanas recite Bhagavat katha to everyone at every house due to greed for food. Therefore, the importance of the katha has vanished.70 Even those who do many harsh deeds and are horrible atheists, live in the pilgrim places. Therefore, the importance of pilgrim places has vanished.71 The people whose minds are disturbed by lust, anger, a lot of greed, and desires are performing self-mortification. Therefore, the importance of penance has vanished.72 No one achieves the result of meditation and yoga because of inability to control the mind, greed, hypocrisy, practice of irreligion, and neglecting scriptural study. Even the learned are behaving like bulls with their wives and have become experts in producing sons rather than remaining experts in the attainment of salvation.73-74 Also, institutionalized Vaishnavism in disciplic succession is seen nowhere. In these ways, the importance has gone from everything and everyplace. This is how things happens in Kali yuga. What else can be at fault? Because of this reason only, the Lord, even though He is very near, tolerates the bad characteristics of Kali.75-76 Soota said: O Shaunak, listening to Narada's words, Bhakti again spoke.77 Sri Bhakti said: O Devarshi, how fortunate you are! You have come because of my luck. In this world, merely the darshan of a pious person culminates in the attainment of all accomplishments. I bow down to you, O son of Brahma. I bow down to you, the one who recited spiritual discourse to Prahalad only once because of it he conquered maya. I bow down to you, the one by whose mercy Dhruva also acquired his permanent place in the heaven.78-79 Narad said: O young girl, you are worrying in vain. Oh, why you have to be so anxious? Just think about the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. Doing so, your unhappiness will go away.1 Sri Krishna, who had protected Draupadi from Kauravas and who had nourished the gopis, has not gone away anywhere.2 O Bhakti, you are more dear to Bhagavan than He is to Himself. Upon your call, Bhagavan even visits the house of the lowest among men. (Transcendental) Knowledge and detachment results in liberation (Mukti) in the first three yugas, but only you give liberation in this Kali yuga. Only after determining this, Sri Bhagavan, who is consciousness in the form of knowledge, truth, and bliss, has produced you out of his real form.3 You are the supremely beautiful lady whom Lord Krishna himself loves. Once you had asked Krishna, 'What do I do?' Then Sri Krishna had ordered you: 'Nourish my devotees.'4-6 Sri Krishna was pleased with you when you had accepted this; and He has given you the maid servant Mukti and these two sons, Gyan and Vairagya.7 You nourish devotees in Vaikuntha by your form, and your reflection increases Krishna devotion on earth.8 You came to earth with Mukti, Gyan, and Vairagya and lived very happily in the first three yugas.9 Then, in Kali yuga, Mukti became weak due to the disease (influence) of irreligion. So, she immediately went to Vaikuntha upon your order.10 But when you remember her, Mukti briefly comes. You have created these Gyan and Vairagya as your sons, and you have kept them only with you.11 Your two sons have become weak and old due to carelessness and indifference of men. Even then, give up your anxiety. I am thinking of a solution for it.12 O beautiful faced lady, no yuga is like Kali yuga. In this yuga, I will establish you in every house and person. If I do not defeat other religions and spread in the world your activity with great festivity, then I am not a servant of Sri Hari.13-14 In this Kali yuga, even if those who become devotees were sinners, they can still go fearlessly to the abode of Krishna. Those whose hearts are filled with loving Krishna devotion do not see Yama (the Death God) even in dream due to their purification.15-16 The ghosts, goblins, demons, or even the demigods dare not to harm those whose minds are full of Krishna devotion.17 Sri Hari (Krishna) cannot be attained by penance, Vedas, Gyan, or Karma; but only by devotion. The Gopis are the evidence of this.18 Men get attracted to devotion due to the punya of their thousands of past births. In Kali yuga, devotion, only devotion is important. Sri Krishna stays just within reach due to devotion. Those who go against devotion become unhappy in the three worlds. In the past, sage Durvasa suffered unhappiness because he slandered devotion. There is no need at all for doing vratas, going on pilgrimages, practicing yoga or performing sacrifices, or singing lyrics of Gyan katha; only devotion alone gives salvation.19-21 Soota said: Having become strong in all her limbs by listening to her own glory thus concluded by Narad, Bhakti began saying such as this:22 Sri Bhakti said: O Narad, how fortunate you are! You have unflinching love for me. I will never leave you and will always live in your mind. O Pious Man, merciful as you are, you have destroyed my pain in just a moment; but there is no consciousness in my these two sons. Now please make them conscious, wake them up.23-24 Soota said: Naradji became merciful listening to these words of Bhakti and began waking Gyan and Vairagya by pressing them with his hand. Bringing his mouth close to their ears, he began loudly saying, "O Gyan wake up quickly! O Vairagya, wake up quickly!"25-26 Narad also began reciting Vedanta and Gita in loud roaring. Then they woke up unwillingly and with difficulty.27 They were not even able to open their eyes and were yawning and stretching. Their hair had become white like a stork and their limbs had become hard, dry, and dull like wood.28 Seeing them weak due to hunger and going to sleep again, the rishi began worrying: 'What should I do now? How do I get rid of their sleepiness and old age? O Shaunak, worrying thus, Narad remembered Sri Bhagavan.30 At that time, a voice from the sky said, 'O rishi, do not worry. Your effort will succeed. There is no doubt about it.31 O Devarshi, do some righteous deed for this. The great souls beautiful with virtuous conduct will tell you which righteous deed to do.32 Doing it, the sleep and the old age of these two will go away in a moment and Bhakti will spread everywhere.' Everyone heard the heavenly voice. Naradji said, 'I do not understand what I am supposed to do.' feeling amazement.33-34 Narad said: This heavenly voice extended help, yet said nothing specific. What righteous deed would help these two?35 Where could I find those great souls? How would they give the solution? I know what the heavenly voice said, but I do not know what to do?36 Soota said: Narad muni departed leaving the two there, and while going to every place of pilgrimage, he kept asking about this to the great Munis who met him on his way.37 All listened to what he said, but none said anything authentically. Some said that it was impossible. Some said that it was difficult to properly understand the meaning of this (heavenly voice.)38 Some became silent after listening, and some ran away. At that time, there arose a great commotion in the three worlds.39 When Bhakti, Gyan and Vairagya awoke by the roars of Veda-Vedanta and Gita recitals but did not stand up, people started gossiping and saying: 'Now there is no other solution left. Since even Narad did not have a solution, how then could any other man in the world have a solution? All the rishis who were asked said after pondering, that it is difficult to know a solution.40-42 Thus worried, Narad came to Badrikashram and decided to do penance there for righteous deed.43 O Best Muni Shaunak, at that time, he saw the Sanat Kumaras who were bright like millions of suns in front of him. So, he began talking to them.44 Narad said: O Kumaras, it is my great luck that you have
met me at this time. You all are yogis, intelligent, greatly learned;
are five years old, yet older than the oldest; are always living in Vaikuntha,
and ready for doing Hari kirtan; and you remain ecstatic by drinking Hari-lila
nectar. Only Hari katha is your life.45-47 You always chant
'Sri Harihi sharanam'. Therefore, the old age which comes due to
time does not make you unhappy.48 In the past, the (two) gate guards
of Sri Hari had fallen to earth by just a little of your anger, and they
again had gained salvation only by your favor.49 Oh! I am lucky
to see you here. So, you who are merciful should favor a poor soul
like myself.50 Please tell me in detail the solution which the heavenly
voice indicated, and how to do it.51 How could Bhakti, Gyan, and
Vairagya become happy, and how could they get deliberately established
with love in all (the four) divisions of the society?52 Please telling
me soon.
Narad said: How will Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya who did not awake by the roaring recitals of the Vedas and the Gita, will awake by Srimad Bhagavat katha? Because, there is simply the essence of the Vedas in every verse and step of the katha.64-65 O Kumaras whose contact gives one success, please remove my doubt. O Kumaras who are kind to the surrendered, please do not delay in this subject.66 Sanat Kumaras said: Srimad Bhagavat katha is evolved out
of the essence of the Vedas and the Upanishadas. So, the katha, being
separate from them (like their fruit) seems to be the very best.67
Just as there is juice within a tree from top to bottom but it cannot be
tasted until it separates as a fruit and then it becomes attractive to
the minds of the world;68 just as ghee within milk is not able to
give its taste until it separate from milk and then becomes taste enhancer
even to demigods;69 also, just as the sugar is within sugar-cane
from its root to its middle but it tastes sweeter when separated; so is
Srimad Bhagavat katha, the essence of the Vedas separated from the Vedas.70
This Srimad Bhagavat Purana is equivalent to the Vedas and is published
for the establishment of Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya.71 At a time
in past when Sri Vyasa, the most versatile in the Vedas and the Vedantas
and the creator of the Gita, was bewildered and suffocating in the ocean
of ignorance, you had told him the 4-Verse Bhagavat. Listening it,
Vyasa immediately had become free from unhappiness.72-73 So, why
you wonder or question about that matter? You should listen only
the Srimad Bhagavat which destroyed his unhappiness.74
Narad said: I will actively perform the knowledge-sacrifice, the Srimad Bhagavat, the brilliant katha of Shuka-scripture, to establish Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya in people.1 But you who know the Vedas thoroughly should tell me where I should perform that sacrifice and tell me the glory of Srimad Bhagavat.2 Please tell me, how many days to listen Srimad Bhagavat katha, and what spiritual process to follow.3 Sanat Kumaras said: O Narad, you are very humble and courteous. Listen. There is a river-bank near Haridwar by the name Ananda.4 It is inhabited by many rishi groups, is frequently visited by demigods and siddhas, is full with many different kinds of trees and creepers, is beautiful with new soft sand, is situated in a secluded place, and is beautiful with golden lotuses. No animosity remains among the living beings who live in its vicinity.5-6 There you perform the sacrifice easily. There will happen an uncommonly interesting katha absorbing the minds of listeners.7 Then Bhakti will come there with young and strong Gyan and Vairagya who presently are weak and old and are lying in front of her.8 Because, wherever the katha of Bhagavan takes place, these three go there and become rejuvenated by listening the words of katha.9 Soota said: After saying thus, the Kumaras quickly came to the Ganga-bank to drink nectar of the katha with Naradji. When they went to the bank, there arose a great commotion because of this news even in the planets of Bhooloka, Devaloka, and Brahmaloka. Those Vishnu bhaktas who were extremely interested to drink the Srimad Bhagavat katha nectar came there running first. All the muni groups of Bhrigu, Vasishtha, Chyavan, Gautam, Meghatithi, Deval, Devrat, Parashurama, Vishvamitra, Shakal, Markandeya, Durvasa, Pippalada, Yogeshvar Vyasa, Parashar, Chhayashuka, Jajali, and Jahnu etc. came there with great love along with their sons, disciples, and wives. Not only that, even the Vedantas, the Vedas, the mantras, the tantras, the 17 Puranas, and the 6 scriptures also came there with their human body form. Also, Ganga etc. rivers, Pushkara etc. natural lakes, fields, all ten directions, Dandak etc. forests, all mountains, trees, demigods, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras came there. Those who did not came there due to their pride of greatness, Bhrigu brought them by persuading.10-17 All took initiation for listening the katha. Naradji gave best seats to all. Then the Sanat Kumaras whom all gave respect by joining palm to palm became entirely focused on Sri Krishna and sat there. The Vaishnavas, viraktas, sanyasis, and brahmacharis sat in the main part, and Narad sat in front of them.18-19 In one part sat the rishi groups, in second part sat the demigods, in third part sat the places of pilgrimage, and in fourth part sat women.20 Group roars like 'Jaya,' 'Namah' occurred and conch shell sounds occurred and a lot red, white, orange and yellow (natural) powders and flowers were showered at that time.21 Several leaders of the demigods came flying in their airplanes above the mass gathered there and welcomed and respected the mass by showering divine flowers.22 Thus, when the minds of all became steady and focussed, the Sanat Kumaras began saying explicitly the glory of Srimad Bhagavat to mahatma Narad.23 Sanat Kumaras said: Now we will tell you the glory of Srimad Bhagavat. One gets mukti just by listening the Bhagavat.24 The katha of Srimad Bhagavat ought to be listened always at all time. Just by listening it, Sri Hari comes and takes seat in heart.25 The Srimad Bhagavat has 18,000 verses, 12 cantos. It has the dialogue of Parixit and Shukadev. Listen to it. As long as a man has not listened Srimad Bhagavat katha just for a minute, he goes round and round in this sansara cycle due to ignorance. Even the house in which Bhagavat katha is recited every day is (holy) like a place of pilgrimage. The katha recitals destroy the sins of those living there.26-29 Thousands of ashvamedha sacrifices and hundreds of vajpeya sacrifices do not compare even to a 16th part benefit of Srimad Bhagavat katha.30 O you whose wealth is austerity, men remain sinful only as long as they do not listen Srimad Bhagavat katha. The (benefit of) the pilgrimage places like Ganga, Gaya, Kashi, Puskara, or Prayaga in no way compares to the benefit of Srimad Bhagavat katha. If you want the supreme (ultimate) destination, then recite yourself a half or even one fourth verse of Srimad Bhagavat everyday. The learned do not see any real difference in Om, Gayatri, Purusha-sukta, three demigods, Srimad Bhagavat, 12-letter-mantra, sun, Prayag, one-year-form time, brahmanas, agnihotra sacrifice, cow, 12-day katha, tulsi, spring season, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no doubt that the sins of one's millions of past lives are destroyed if he reads Bhagavat scripture everyday understanding its meaning.31-37 One gets punya of rajsooya and ashvamedha sacrifices everyday when he recites everyday a half or one fourth of a verse of the Srimad Bhagavat.38 All these benefit equally: daily Bhagavat katha, daily meditation on Hari, watering Tulsi, and serving cows. Even to one who listens Srimad Bhagavat with love at his death time, Sri Govind gives him Vaikuntha.39-40 One who donates the Srimad Bhagavat with a lion of gold, he gets salvation and lives with Sri Krishna.41 A rouge who has not listened even a little bit of Srimad Bhagavat katha in his entire life has lost his birth like a lowest of the class or a donkey and has given pain of birth to his mother in vain. It is very sad.42 The entertainer ladies in the heaven say that one who has not listened even a few words of Srimad Bhagavat, that sinner man is considered dead even if he is alive; woes to such a man who is similar to an animal and is just a burden on earth.43 Certainly, the Srimad Bhagavat katha is unique in the world. One get to listen it due to the punya accumulated in millions of his past lives.44 Therefore, O intelligent yogi, deliberately listen the Srimad Bhagavat katha; there is no regulation of days for it. One ought to listen it daily.45 The daily listening with truth and celibacy has been recommended, but because it is impossible in Kali yuga, one ought to understand the special in the recommendation.46 Because it is impossible to win over wondering mind, follow regulation, and the follow regulation of daily listening, the saptaaha is recommended instead.47 Shukadevji has said that the saptaaha gives the same benefit as the daily faithful listening in Magha month. Because it is impossible to win over the mind, avoid diseases, extend the short life span, and avoid the ills of Kali, therefore the saptaaha has been determined appropriate.48-49 The result that is not achieved by penance, yoga, or samadhi (trance), is achieved effortlessly by the saptaaha.50 The saptaaha roars louder than sacrifices, vritas, austerities, big pilgrimage places, yoga, and meditation. Oh, what to tell of its roars! It roars, it roars!51-51 Shaunak asked: O versatile in yoga, you told us a very wonderful story. Why the Srimad Bhagavat Purana (which shows God) has become more effective in these days for moksha (salvation) than other means like Gyan, etc.?53 Soota said: When Sri Krishna got ready to go to His abode leaving the earth behind, then Uddhavji listened 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavat (from Him) and said: O Govind, You are going away after finishing the works of your devotees, but there is a great worry in my mind. Please listen it and give me peace.54-55 This terrible Kali yuga has come, bringing with it many mean people. (Mother) earth will be burdened when good people also will become mean by association with the mean. Then, whose protection will she (the burdened cow-form-earth) seek? O lotus eyed, there is no one other than you who can protect her.56-57 O one who is merciful to devotees, please have mercy on good people and do not go away from here. You are formless and are the supreme consciousness, but you take a form for your devotees.58 How will devotees be able to live separated from you? The upasana of formless and quality-less Brahma is painful; therefore, please think of some solution.59 Soota said: Listening to the words of Uddhavji in Prabhas, Sri Hari thought 'What should I do to give shelter to devotees?' and established His effulgence in the Srimad Bhagavat; and He disappeared and entered into the Srimad Bhagavat-form ocean. Therefore, the Srimad Bhagavat is Sri Hari's words-form perceptible idol; it destroys sins if worshipped, listened, recited, or seen with reverence.60-62 Therefore, saptaaha is considered more important than all other means (of mukti); and in Kali yuga this (saptaaha) is said to be the only duty of humans, rejecting all the other means.63 Only saptaaha is said to be the duty in Kali yuga to remove unhappiness, poverty, bad luck, and sins; and to win over lust and anger.64 Without listening the Bhagavat, how can people become free from Bhagavan's maya from which even the demigods cannot free easily? Therefore, saptaaha is said (recommended.)65 Soota said: O Shaunak, thus when the Sanat Kumaras were revealing the best religious duty of saptaaha-listening in the assembly, a miracle occurred there.66 Suddenly there appeared love-form Bhakti, with her two young sons, speaking again and again Sri Bhagavan's names like 'O Sri Krishna! O Govind! O Hare! O Murare! O Controller!'67 Seeing Bhakti clad with the ornaments of the meanings of the Bhagavat and beautifully dressed, the assembled men thought, 'How she entered here, and why she came among the munis?'68 At that time Sanat Kumaras said, 'This Bhakti has come out now from the meaning of the katha.' Listening these words, she, with her sons, began saying humbly to Sanat Kumaras.69 Sri Bhakti said: 'O sons of Brahma, I was destroyed in (this) Kali yuga; but still you have made me strong by the juice of katha; so, please tell me, where do I live now?' Then the Sanat Kumaras began saying thus to Bhakti:70 'You are a giver of Bhagavan's form to bhaktas, are full of unadulterated love, and are a destroyer of the sansara-disease. Therefore, you live for ever very steadily in the hearts of Vishnu bhaktas.71 That way, the ills of Kali yuga, even though strong in the world, will not be able to even see at you.' Thus accepting their order, Bhakti then (entered and) stayed in the minds of Hari bhaktas. Those in whose hearts lives Bhakti of Hari only, they are very fortunate in the three worlds even if they are poor. Because, even Bhagavan comes bound by the Bhakti-form string and lives in their hearts abandoning His own abode. Now what more glory of the Brahma-form book, the Srimad Bhagavat on earth, we tell you than this? By taking shelter of the Bhagavat, the listener and the speaker, both achieve equality with Sri Krishna; so therefore, no need remains for other religions.72-74 Soota said: Then the Bhagavan who loves His devotees, who wears flower garland and fine yellow cloth, who is attractive, looks beautiful by a chain ornament around His waist, wears dazzling crown and earrings, looks beautiful because He is bent at three places (viz. neck, waist, and a knee), is decorated with beautiful kaustubha jewel, is beautiful like a million cupids, is smeared with Hari-chandan, is the form of supreme bliss and consciousness, is sweet and holds a flute; He, seeing un-earthly Bhakti in the minds of bhaktas, entered in their hearts abandoning His abode.1-4 The residents of Vaikuntha, like Bhakta Uddhava, etc. came in disguise and sat there to listen the katha.5 At that time, 'Jaya Jaya' sounds occurred many times. Colorful powders and flowers were showered, and even conch shells' sounds occurred again and again. The mass assembled there could not stay conscious of their body, home, and their own nature. Seeing such focussed mental state (of the assembled,) Naradji began saying.6-7 Narad said: O demigod munis! I saw today, this un-earthly glory of the saptaaha. Even the fools and rouges on the earth, and even birds and animals become completely sinless by this katha.8 Therefore, in this Kali yuga, there is no other holy means like this katha on earth that purifies the mind and destroys the stock of sins.9 Now please tell me. Who and who become pure by this 7-day katha sacrifice? Certainly, thinking for the benefit of people, merciful you have revealed this, some new way.10 Sanat Kumaras said: Those who always commit sins, are always attached to bad manners, follow bad paths, are burning with anger-form fire, and who are crooks and lusty, even they become holy in this Kali yuga by the 7-day sacrifice.11 Those who are without truth, who blame parents, are bewildered by desires, are fallen from the duties of their life periods (viz. student life, householder life, etc,) are hypocrites, envious and violent; even they in Kali yuga become holy by the 7-day sacrifice.12 Those who commit the five severe sins [viz. killing a brahmana, drinking the spirituous liquor called Sura, stealing gold of a brahmana, committing adultery with a Guru's wife, and associating with such offenders (Manu Smruti, XI, 55),] who are deceivers and cheaters, cruel, merciless like ghosts, are rich with the money of brahmanas, and are doers of adultery; even they in Kali yuga become holy by the 7-day sacrifice.13 Those rogues who always deliberately keep on committing sins by body, mind and action, and who always get rich by others' money, who hold dirty and wicked intentions; even they in Kali yuga become holy by the 7-day sacrifice.14-15 About this, we will tell you an ancient history. All the sins are destroyed by listening it. Once there was an magnificent city on the bank of Tungabhadra river where all varnas were truthful and engaged in pious deeds.16 In that city, there lived a brahmana named Aatmadev who was versatile in all Vedas and in sacrifice rituals, and was brilliant (with knowledge) like another sun.17 He lived by begging even though he was rich. He had a beautiful wife by the name of Dhundhali who was born in a good family heritage, and she would always stay adamant on her words. She was attached to gossiping, was cruel natured and a big mouth, was enthusiastic in house chores, was a miser, and liked quarrels.18-19 Thus, the couple was living with love and was enjoying; still the riches, the sense enjoyments, or the home, etc. were not giving them happiness.20 Reaching the late age, they started doing pious deeds to get a child. They began donating cows, land, gold and clothes to poor everyday.21 Thus, they spent a half of their wealth in pious deeds but still did not get a child. So, the brahmana kept on living anxiously. Once the brahmana went out in a forest abandoning home; and having become thirsty at noon, he went to a lake.22-23 Weakened by the unhappiness of not having a child, the brahmana sat there after drinking water. An hour later, a sanyasi came there.24 Seeing the sanyasi drinking water, the brahmana went near him, bowed down at his feet, and stood there sobbing in front of him.25 The Sanyasi said: O brahmana, why are you crying? What are you worrying about? Quickly tell me the cause of your unhappiness.26 The Brahmana said: O rishi, what do I tell you of my unhappiness due to my past deeds? My ancestors, the departed souls, drink the water of my oblations by slightly warming it with their worried sighs. The demigods or brahmanas do not lovingly accept food, etc., from me. I have been suffocated by the unhappiness of not having a child and have come here to commit suicide. Woes to the life without children! Woes to the family line without a child! Any cow that I keep always stays without a calf; any tree that I plant always stays without fruits; the seed of any fruit that comes to my house dies soon. Thus, what is the use of my living in this world without children and good luck?27-32 Saying thus, the brahmana, pained by the unhappiness, began crying loudly. So, the sanyasi felt a lot of mercy in his heart. The yogi sanyasi, after reading destiny in the brahmana's forehead and knowing everything, said thus in length to the brahmana.33 The Sanyasi said: You give up the desire for a child. The reaction of the past actions is greatly strong. Surrender to vivek and abandon the desire for children.34 O brahmana, you listen. I have seen today your destiny. For the next 7 births, you have no children, not at all.35 In the past, king Sagar and king Anga had suffered unhappiness because of children only. Therefore, O brahmana, you give up now the hope for family; because, there is always happiness in sanyasa.36 The brahmana said: 'What (good) could happen to me by vivek?
(Nothing.) Even forcibly, you give me a son, or else I will become
unconscious and will quit my life breath right here. Sanyasa is dry
without the happiness of children. In populace, only the householder
life with children is interesting.'37-38 Seeing such insistence of
the brahmana, the sanyasi said: 'Wiping off the writings of destiny,
Chitraketu had suffered unhappiness.39 You will not get happiness
like a man whose efforts have been destroyed by destiny. Still you
are insisting and begging. So, what do I tell you?'40 Then,
seeing insistence of that brahmana, the sanyasi gave him a fruit and said,
'Feed this fruit to your wife, then you will get a son.41 For one
year, your wife will have to be truthful, holy, merciful, be charitable,
and eat only once a day; if done so, a very pure child will be born.42
Saying thus, the sanyasi went away, and the brahmana came to his home.
He gave that fruit to her wife, and went out somewhere.43 His crooked
wife started crying to her girl friend: 'Oh! I am worried, I will
not eat this fruit;44 because I could get pregnant by eating this
fruit; by pregnancy, the stomach expands; by stomach expansion, food in-take
decreases; by lack of sufficient food, weakness comes; and if weakness
comes, how could the house chores be done?45 Suppose by chance, if
robbers strike on the town, how could a pregnant woman run away for safety?
If the fetus stays in stomach for a long time like Sukdev, how could it
be taken out? If my baby comes out sideways, I could certainly die;
and how could I, the delicate one, bear the terrible pain of delivery?46-47
Moreover, if I get weak, my sister-in-law would take away my everything.
Also, to follow the regulations like truth, holiness, etc. seem difficult.48
And those women who gave birth to children also have unhappiness of caring
and nursing children. Therefore, I believe that only a barren or
a widow woman is happy.'49 Because of such bad logic, she did not
eat that fruit at all. When her husband asked, 'Did you eat that
fruit,' she replied, 'Yes.'50 Once when her sister came to visit
her house, Dhundhuli told her all and said, 'I have a big worry.
O younger sister, what do I do? I have become weak due to this unhappiness.'
Her sister said, 'I am pregnant.' I will give the child to you after
delivery. So, until that time you, live in the house happily and
pretending as if you were pregnant. You give my husband money, and
he will give you the child.52-53 (We will do such a trick that) people
will think my child died after six months. And I will come and breast
feed the child everyday.54 Presently, you feed that fruit to your
cow for a test.' Dhundhali did all these exactly due to her nature
of a woman.55 When in due course of time, her sister gave birth to
a child, the child's father brought it and gave it secretly to her.
She informed her father, 'I have happily given birth to a son.' Then,
people also became happy by the birth of a child in Aatmadev's home.
Aatmadev gave donations to brahmanas after performing his sons's Jaata-Karma
Sanskara ceremony. A lot of songs were sung and musical instruments
were played and holy rituals were performed at his door.56-58 Then
after, Dhundhali said to her husband, 'There is no milk in my breast, but
why should I nourish my child with some stranger's milk when my sister
has delivered recently, and her son has died. Call her and keep her
in our house, and she will nourish your child.'60 Her husband did
all these for the benefit of the son. The mother gave the name 'Dhundhukari'
to the son.61 After 3 months, the cow gave birth to a son who was
beautiful in all limbs, was divine, pure, and beautiful like gold.62
Seeing the son, brahmana Aatmadev became pleased. He himself performed
the sanskaras of the son. Knowing this wonder, all people came to
see him.63 and were saying, 'Nowadays the luck of Aatmadev has risen.
Look, this is a wonder that a cow has given birth to a son beautiful like
a demigod.' As it happened by destiny, no one knew its mystery.
Aatmadev, seeing him with ears like a cow, named him 'Gokarna.'64-65
Some time later these two sons became adults. Gokarna became learned
and a man of knowledge, whereas Dhundhukari became a great wicked man.
He would not take bath or clean after bowl movement, would eat un-edibles,
would get angry, would take wicked donations, would eat food even touched
by a copse, would steal, would hate all, would set fire to other's houses,
would take children with an excuse to play and then throw them in well,
would do violence, would carry arms, would cause unhappiness to poor and
blind, would become a friend of the lowest; and keeping a rope in hand
for catching a hunt and would roam around with dogs.66-69 He lost
all the wealth of his father by his bad association with prostitutes.
Once he even took away all pots and pans after beating his parents.70
His poor father, having become moneyless, started crying loudly, 'Barrenness
is better, but wicked son is a cause of unhappiness.71 Oh, where
do I live now? Where do I go? Who would remove my unhappiness?
Oh, this unhappiness came over me. It will kill me.72 At that
time, the man of knowledge, Gokarna came there and started giving spiritual
advice of detachment to his father.73
Gokarna said: 'O father, you now give up this 'I' intelligence that you are this body of bones, flesh and blood; give up the passions for wife, children, etc., for ever. See this world as ever non-permanent, be interested in the passion of detachment, and engage yourself in bhakti.79 Practice religion everyday, serve pious men, give up desires and lust, and after giving up the thoughts of others' qualities and defects, serve Bhagavan soon and drink a lot of katha-juice'.80 Told thus by his son, that 60 year old Aatmadev left home; and having become of steady intelligence, he went to forest. There, always staying engaged in Hari bhakti and regularly reciting 10th canto, he obtained Sri Krishna.81 Soota said: After his father died, Dhundhukari beat her mother very much and said, 'Tell me, where is money; or else I will kill you by kicking.' Mother Dhundhuli became terrified by such words, became very unhappy, and committed suicide by jumping in a well at night.1-2 At that time, Yogi Gokarna had gone for pilgrimages. When he heard the sad news, he did not feel any happiness or unhappiness; because he did not have any friend or foe.3 After Dhundhuli's death, Dhundhukari lived in her house with five prostitutes. He, a man with perplexed intelligence, would commit very wicked deeds to support the prostitutes.4 Once the prostitutes desired jewelry. So, Dhundhukari, blinded by lust, went out to get jewelry not caring even for his own life.5 He came back with money and fine clothes stolen from here and there and gave fine clothes and some jewelry to the prostitutes.6 When the prostitutes saw that a lot of money had been collected, they thought at night: 'He always steels; so the king will arrest him, confiscate the money, and kill him. So, why not we kill him secretly to keep the money?8 After killing, we will take the money and go away some where.' Deciding thus, the prostitutes tied up sleeping Dhundhukari and began to kill him by strangling, but he would not die. So, the prostitutes became anxious.9-10 Then they dumped heaps of red hot coal on his face. Then he died shaking and jerking due to severe pain caused by the flames of fire. The prostitutes buried his body in a ditch; and on one knew this secret. Really, women are very daring.11-12 When people asked about Dhundhukari, the prostitutes would say, 'Our husband has gone far away to earn a lot of money and will come within a year.'13 A man of understanding should not trust wicked women. A fool who trusts women gets many troubles and becomes unhappy.14 Such wicked women's words are very sweet and increase love in lusty men, but the hearts are like a razor blade. To such women, who would be dear?15 The prostitutes ran away from there taking all the money with them, and Dhundhukari became a big ghost due to his bad deeds.16 He would always run in all ten directions in the form of a wind storm; and pained by cold and heat, hunger and thirst, he would scream, 'O destiny!' again and again; and he could not get shelter anywhere. Some time later, Gokarna heard from people that he had died. Then, knowing that Dhundhukari had no other relative, Gokarna performed his sraddha (post-death religious ceremony for the spiritual benefit of the departed soul) in Gaya; and thereafter, he performed his brother's sraddha at every pilgrim place he went. Thus travelling, once Gokarna came in his own town. Secretly, he slept at night in front yard of his own but abandoned house.17-20 Dhundhukari-ghost, seeing his brother there, showed him his horrible form.21 He took the form of a goat in a moment, elephant in another moment, buffalo bull in another moment, Indra in another moment, fire in another moment, and man again in another moment.22 Seeing such contradictions, Gokarna held his patience and concluded that this was some soul who has gone to bad destination. The Gokarna asked him:23 Gokarna asked: Who are you showing your self in such horrible
form at night? Why have you been destined to such condition?
Tell me, are you some ghost, goblin, or a demon?24
Gokarna said: I have given food at Gaya for you with proper rituals. Still, how come you did not get liberation? This surprises me greatly.31 If (your) liberation has not occurred by the performance of sraddha at Gaya, then there is no other way on this earth (for your liberation.) O ghost, please tell me in length, what should I do now?32 The ghost said: 'My liberation will not occur even by thousands of sraddhas in Gaya; so, now you think of some other way.'33 Gokarna felt surprise listening it and said, 'If your liberation cannot occur by hundreds of Gaya sraddhas, then your liberation is impossible;34 even then, O ghost, you live fearlessly in your place for now; I will think and do some other remedy for your liberation.'35 After having been ordered thus, Dhundhukari went to his place; and Gokarna thought the whole night for a remedy but could not find any. In the morning when people knew that he has come, came to greet him with love, and he told them everything that had happened that night.36-37 After that, many learned, yogis, gyanis, and Veda reciters searched through many scriptures but could not find any remedy for the liberation of Dhundhukari. So, they decided to do whatever Sun God tells for his liberation. At that time, Gokarna stopped the motion of the sun (by his power of penance) and prayed: 'O Bhagavan, you are the witness of the world. I bow down to you. Please tell me a way for the ghost Dhundhukari's liberation.' Listening the prayer, Sun God explicitly said this from the distance: 'The ghost will get liberation by listening the Srimad Bhagavat. Therefore, do a 7-day katha of the Srimad Bhagavat.' Everybody listened the words of Sun God and they all said: 'This is easy. Therefore, it should be done with effort.'38-42 Then Gokarna got ready for the 7-day reading of the Srimad Bhagavat. People form countries and towns went there for listening.43 Even those who were handicapped, blind, old and weak also went there to destroy their sins. Thus, there assembled such a large population that it surprised even the demigods.44 When Gokarna began the katha after taking his seat, that ghost also came there and started looking here and there for a place (to seat).45 When he saw a big bamboo with 7 knots at a corner, he entered in its root hole, and sat there to listen the katha.46 He chose to sit in the bamboo because, being of the air form, he was not able to sit outside in open air. Then, Gokarna, recognizing the Vaishnav brahmanas as the principle listeners, started the Srimad Bhagavat katha explicitly from the first canto. At the evening when the katha was halted for the day, there occurred a miracle.47 The first bottom knot of the bamboo broke with sound, and all the holy men there saw it; and in the same way, the second knot broke at the second day evening.48-49 The third knot broke on the third day; thus, breaking all 7 knots in 7 days, that ghost became liberated of his ghost-hood; he took a divine form looking black like clouds, wearing tulsi garland, yellow clothes, a crown and earrings, and he quickly bowed down to his brother Gokarna and spoke:50-52 'O brother, you have liberated me from the misery of ghosthood. How wonderful is the Srimad Bhagavat katha, the pain destroyer of ghosts; also how wonderful is the saptaaha ceremony, the giver of the abode of Krishna. When one listens 7-day katha, all his sins shiver with fear thinking: 'This katha will destroy us instantly.' Just as fire burns any wood whether wet, dry, small or big, likewise the saptaaha also burns any sins whether fresh, old, small or big committed by mind, words, or action. The learned in this Bharat-varsha have said in the assembly of the versatile in the Vedas thus: 'The birth of men who do not listen Srimad Bhagavat katha is a waste. Without Srimad Bhagavat katha, what is the use of this very strong but still perishable body protected passionately? The body is described as having bone-form pillars, tied with muscles, pasted with meat and blood, stinky, a bag of stool and urine, suffering due to old age and sorrows, a house of diseases, anxious due to unhappiness, difficult to permanently satisfy, difficult to sustain, having wicked faults, temporary, and finally turning into worms, stool, or ash.'53-60 Why one should not do the deed which gives permanent happiness with such a temporary body? The food that is cooked in the morning gets spoiled in the evening. Then, what is the permanency of the body nourished with such food? However, if the same body is used to listen the saptaaha, Sri Hari can be obtained (realized) quickly in this world.61-62 Therefore, this is the way to remove all the faults (of kali and the self). The people without the katha listening are born just to die like a bubble of water and insects like mosquitos.63 The dead and dry bamboo knots broke by the katha listening; then, what is the wonder in the fact that the mind's knots break (spiritual ignorance vanish) with it?64 By saptaaha, the ignorance-form knots of the heart break, all doubts get resolved, listeners' all the deeds that bind the their souls are destroyed.65 The katha-form pilgrimage place is extremely strong in washing away the sansara-form dirty paste. If the katha stays in one's mind, then the learned call him a liberated soul.'66 While the ghost was saying thus, there came a beautiful shining airplane with Vaikuntha residents.67 Everyone saw that Dhundhukari sat in it. At that time, Gokarna saw the attendants of Vishnu in the airplane and asked them:68 Gokarna asked: O God's dear attendants, here I have many pure listeners. Why you did not bring the airplanes for all of them?69 Here, everyone appears to be listening katha equally; then, tell me, why the discrimination in katha's benefit has occurred?70 The attendants replied: The discrimination has occurred due to the difference in listening. All have listened, sure; but not all have meditated on it. O respectable, therefore, the discrimination has occurred despite the (same) listening. The ghost has fasted for 7 days and listened. He also has meditated very much upon it with steady mind. The knowledge without firmness is fruitless; the listening with negligence is fruitless. A mantra with doubt is fruitless; chanting with agitated mind is fruitless; a country without Vishnu bhaktas is fruitless; sraddha without a plate of food is fruitless; charity to those who are not learned in the Vedas is fruitless; and bad conduct destroys family. Therefore, the fruit of katha-listening is achieved only if one trusts guru's words, feels himself as humble, wins over the faults of mind, and listens the katha with concentrated mind, and so forth. When all these will listen the saptaaha again thus, they surely will get residence in Vaikuntha, and O Gokarna, Govind Himself will give you Goloka. 72-77 Sanat Kumaras said: After saying thus, all the attendants went back to Vaikuntha doing Hari kirtan on the way. Then Gokarna again did the 7-day katha, in the month of Shravan, and all listened. O Narad, listen what happened when the katha ended. Sri Hari manifested there with airplanes and bhaktas; and numerous sounds like 'Jaya' and 'Namah' occurred there.78-80 Sri Hari Himself blew His conch shell jubilantly Then He embraced Gokarna and made him His equal. Also, Sri Hari transformed the other listeners in a form like dark like clouds, with yellow silk clothes, crown, and earrings.81-86 By the mercy of Gokarna, the souls who were dogs and low were also taken in the airplane and were sent to the Vaikuntha planet where yogis go. Sri Gopala loves His bhaktas. He became so happy with katha listening that He went with Gokarna to Goloka which is dear to cowboys and cowgirls. Just as Sri Ramchandra had taken the residents of Ayodhya in the past, Sri Krishna took them to Goloka which the yogis achieve with difficulty and where the motion of sun, moon or the siddhas can never reach. They went there just by listening the Srimad Bhagavat. What more could we describe of the undescribable luminous stock of the fruits of the 7-day katha sacrifice? The (souls) who had listened (just) a word of Gokarna's katha did not enter in womb again at all. The destination which people obtain by katha saptaaha cannot be obtained by long and severe penances that dry up the body by eating air, water, or leaves or by yoga.87-88 The great muni Shandilya who stays in ecstacy and lives in Chitrakuta also recites this holy history.89 This holy story burns the stock of sins even if listened just once. If recited in shraddha, it satisfies the dead ancestors and gives liberation if recited daily.90 Sanat Kumaras said: Now listen the procedure of the saptaaha. The saptaaha is mainly accomplished with the help of people and money.1 After asking an astrologer and determining an auspicious time for saptaaha, (one) should make a wish to spend for saptaaha as much money as needed for a marriage.2 For to begin the katha, the months of Shravan, Aashvin, Kartik, Margashirsha, Aashadha, or Bhadarvo are recommended. Reject any month when there is a good reason. Make helpers the industrious and enthusiastic persons, and engage them in various tasks.3-4 Make an effort and send the news 'The Katha will occur here. So, please come with family.' in all countries. Do not avoid the countries from where this Hari katha and kirtan is far. Make sure even women and sudras etc. get the news too.5-6 Send out a letter to Vaishnavas who are detached and enthusiastic in Hari kirtan with a message 'Here, a very rare assembly of holy men will occur for 7 days, and uncommonly interesting katha will occur. Since you are interested in drinking Srimad Bhagavat-form nectar, please get ready with love and come soon. Even if you do not have time, please surely come just for one day. Because, the event is vary rare and benefits even if attended for just a moment.' Invite them thus with courtesy and provide the guests lodging.11 The katha listening is recommended in pilgrimage places, forests, or even in homes. Prepare a place for katha in a large ground.12 Level and sweep the ground clean and decorate it with colors. Put the household furniture etc. in it a corner.13 Five days prior to the beginning of saptaaha, get beds and make a high square shade decorated with banana tree pillars,14 and decorate it with fruits, flowers, leaves, and clothes with designs; and decorate the shade by hoisting flags in the four directions and decorate it with many ornaments.15 Imagine in detail the 7 planets in the shade, and persuade and give brahmanas and detached high seats in the planets.16 First arrange their seats according to categories, and also arrange a divine seat for the (katha) reciter.17 The reciter is to face north, and the listeners are to face east; but if the reciter faces east, then the listeners are to face north. Or, the listeners should sit keeping their faces in the direction of reciter because, the learned have considered that direction as east. Select a brahmana who is detached, who is a Vishnu bhakta, who is expert in resolving contradictions of the Vedas and scriptures, who is expert in giving examples, patient, and who is free from material desires as the katha reciter.18-20 Reject those for reciting katha of the holy scriptures who keep on changing their religion, and who are sexually active with women and followers of cheat-religions even if they are pundits.21 As a helper to the reciter, keep one who is pundit like the reciter, is a resolver of doubts, and is always ready to give spiritual advise to people. The reciter is to get his hair cut a day before taking the initiation (for the katha,) is to get his bowl empty, and then take a bath before sunrise.22-23 Do daily payers, etc. shortly, and worship Ganpati to destroy the troubles in the way of katha.24 Having performed the ritual for the dead ancestors, repent for purification, and make a square shade and establish Sri Hari in it. Then, addressing Sri Krishna, perform worship with mantra chanting; and then while walking around the deity in clockwise direction and bowing down with folded hands respectively, pray thus: 'O ocean of mercy, you relieve me from the sansara ocean. I am sunken in the sansara ocean, am poor, and my limbs are caught by actions' passion-form crocodile.'27 Then lovingly worship the Srimad Bhagavat also with incense, lamps, and with due procedure.28 Then taking a coconut in hand pray with jubilant mind: 'You are perceptible Sri Krishna in the form of Srimad Bhagavat. O master, I have accepted You for the liberation from the sansara ocean.29-30 O Keshav, please always make my this desire a success without troubles. I am Your servant.'31 After saying such humble words, worship the reciter; and then decorate him with clothes and ornaments and pray: 'O Shukadevji-form, O versatile in all the scriptures, O Brahma realized, you remove my ignorance with the light of this katha.' Then for spiritual benefit, lovingly accept a regulation from him and follow the regulation for 7 days as much as possible.32-34 In order to remove any future disturbance to the katha, make a team of 5 brahmanas and have them (continuously) chant 'Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya' mantra.35 Then take your seat after bowing down to and worshiping brahmanas, Vaishnavas, and other kirtan doers, and taking their consent.36 One who keeps his mind only in katha quitting the worries of the world, money, material, home, and son; he of purified intelligence obtains best result.37 The intelligent reciter should start the katha at sunrise and continue reading patiently until noon.38 Halt the katha at noon for a couple of hours. During this recess, the Vaishnavas should do kirtan related to what came in the katha.39 The katha listeners should eat delicious prasadam only once a day to control the natural calls.40 If one is strong, he should listen the katha fasting for 7 days, or drinking ghee or milk and listen happily.41-42 Or, he should eat fruits, or eat only once a day and listen. Of these, do only which can be done happily for katha listening. If fasting is a trouble in katha listening, then I consider it best to eat listen the katha. This way, fasting is not considered the best.43 O Narad, now listen about the regulations for those who have taken initiation to listen the 7-day katha. Those who are not initiated for Vishnu Bhakti have no right to listen the katha.44 Those initiated for the katha listening should observe celibacy, sleep on floor, and eat in a leaf-plate after the katha ends everyday.45 Each day, They should not take leguminous beans, honey, oil, food that is heavy to digest or is contaminated with passions (i.e. foods prepared by a cook while he was having strong passions,) and leftover.46 They should remain free from lust, anger, pride (false ego,) desire for respect, envy, greed, hypocrisy, passions, and jealousy.47 They should not slander the Vedas, Vaishnavas, brahmanas, gurus, cows, vow takers, women, kings, and the great souls.48 They should not talk with a woman in her period, a low, a Muslims, a fallen, one without Vedic initiations, those who are envious to brahmanas, and with the non-believers in the Vedas.49 They should practice truth, cleanliness, mercy, silence, simplicity, courtesy, and keep a generous mind.50 One who is poor or has tuberculosis or has any disease or is unlucky or is a sinner or is a childless or desires liberation, he should listen this katha. A women who does not get her period or has become infertile after a child or is infertile or whose children die or who gets miscarriages should take effort to listen this katha. In any of the above unhappy conditions, this katha-listening with due process gives permanent benefit. Because, this katha is excellent and divine, and gives the benefit of millions of sacrifices.51-53 Following these regulations of initiation, one should listen the whole katha. Those who desire the benefit should follow the regulations of this initiation like they follow the regulations of Janamashtami initiation.54 If the bhaktas do not desire any benefit, then there is no need to insist them to listen the whole katha. Because, such desireless bhaktas get purified just by a little bit of listening.55 When the 7-day sacrifice ends that way, the listeners should worship the book and the reciter with full of bhakti.56 Then, tulsi Japa-malas and prasadam should be distributed to the listeners. Then perform beautiful kirtan with mridanga and rhythm. Have the sounds of 'Jaya' and 'Namah' and conch shell be made. Donate grains and money to brahmanas and beggars.57-58 If the listener is detached, he should read Bhagavad Gita the next day after saptaaha; if he is a householder, he should do an oblation in the fire of sacrifice to pacify the bad reactions of his deeds.59 With proper process, he should do oblations with sesame seeds, foods, rice boiled in sweet milk, honey, and ghee at every verse of the 10th canto.60 Or, he should attentively do sacrifice with Gayatri mantra. Because, in reality, the Puranas and the Supersoul are Gayatri-form. If an intelligent is not able to do sacrifice, then he should donate the material required for the sacrifice to get the fruit of the sacrifice. After that, he should recite the 1000 names of Vishnu to remove many faults and deficiencies that might have occurred in the process. Because, all actions become successful by reciting Vishnu' 1000 names, and nothing is more than that.62 Then, feed 12 brahmanas with rice boiled in sweet milk and honey and donate a cow and gold for termination of the initiation.63-64 Have a lion of made of 4.8 oz gold and put on it a Srimad Bhagavat book written in beautiful letters.65 Worship that book with Krishna's invitation and other methods, and then donate it with some money to a guru who has conquered his senses after worshipping him by clothes, ornaments, and sandalwood paste first. One's intelligence improves by doing charity thus, and he gets liberation from the bonds of sansara. All the sins are removed by following thus the process, and the Srimad Bhagavat Purana surely gives benefit. This is the instrument for obtaining religion, wealth, sense enjoyments, and liberation.66-68 O Narad, thus I said you all about it. What else you want to know? One gets sense enjoyments and liberation only by Srimad Bhagavat.69 Soota said: Saying thus, those great souls recited Srimad Bhagavat katha which is remover of all sins, is holy, and gives sense enjoyments and liberation. All living beings there listened with due process the katha and kept their minds in control for 7 days. Then they prayed the Supreme Person. At the end, Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya got a lot of strength. Having Become very young, they started attracting the minds of all living beings towards them. Naradji's desire also got fulfilled, and he was so satisfied that he became full of supreme joy and felt horripilation in all his limbs. After listening the katha, God's beloved Naradji began saying to Sanat Kumaras. His palms were joined and throat was choked with love.70-74 Naradji said: O merciful, you have done me a favor. So, have become very fortunate. Today I have realized Vishnu, the destroyer of all sins.75 O wealthy with austerity, I believe that katha listening is superior than any other duty or religion. By listening it, Vaikuntha-resident Krishna can be obtained.76 Soota said: While the best Vaishnava Naradji was saying
thus, the best yogi Shukadevji came there travelling.77 When the
katha ended, there came Shukadevji who was a 16 years old son of Vyasa.
Sukadevji was full with knowledge like ocean and also was full with the
knowledge of the self like a full moon. He was reciting the Srimad
Bhagavat softly with love.78 Seeing Shukadevji with best great effulgence,
the assembly quickly rose up and gave him a big seat; and Devarshi
Narad worshipped him with love. Then sitting there, he gave a speech
with pure truth. Listen what he said.79
Soota said: When Vyasa's son Shukadevji was saying thus, Sri Hari, surrounded by Prahlad, Bali, Uddhav, and Arjun, etc. manifested in the middle of the assembly. Therefore, Devarshi Narad worshipped Him as well as His devotees.84 Seeing Sri Hari pleased and seated on a big seat, they performed kirtan in front of Him. At that time, Shankar with Parvati and Brahma came there to see the kirtan.85 In that kirtan, Prahlad was swiftly playing kartal, Uddhav was playing zanz, Devarshi Narad was playing vina; being expert in vocal, Arjun was singing; Indra was playing mridanga, Sanat Kumaras were speaking 'Jaya Jaya' words; and Vyasa's son Shukadevji in front was saying with composition about the love feeling of the juice.86 In the middle were dancing the three, extremely effulgent Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya, like show performers. Sri Hari was pleased seeing that divine kirtan and spoke: 'O bhaktas, I am please by your katha and Kirtan. Request from me a boon.' They became extremely delighted and their hearts became soft with love listening the words of Sri Hari. Then they said to Sri Hari: 'We request that you definitely come with all these bhaktas in the 7-day kathas. Request you fulfil our this desire.' Then saying 'Tathastu (so be it,)' Sri Hari disappeared.87-89 After that, when Naradji bowed down at the feet of austeritors like Sanat Kumaras, Shukadevji etc., they all departed. They were extremely delighted and had become free from passions by drinking the katha-nectar.90 Since that time Shukadevji has established bhakti along with her two sons only in the Bhagavat scripture. Therefore, when Sri Hari is nourished by the Bhagavat, He comes in the minds of Vaishnavas.91 Verily, the Srimad Bhagavat only is roaring loudly for the spiritual benefit of people who are burnt by the fire of poverty and miseries and who are thrown in the sansara-ocean by the maya-form witch after being crushed over and over.92 Shaunak said: Please tell me: When did Shukadevji recite the Srimad Bhagavat to king Parixit? When did Gokarna recite it to the ghost Dhundhukari? And when did Sanat Kumaras recite it to Naradji?93 Soota said: When 30 more years of Kali yuga passed by after the disappearance of Sri Krishna, Shukadevji had started the Bhagavat katha on the 9th bright-moon day in the month of Bhadarvo.94 When 200 more years of Kali yuga passed after Parixit listened it, Gokarna had recited the katha to the ghost Dhundhukari on the 9th bright-moon day in the month of Ashadha.95 Even after that, when 30 years of present Kali yuga passed, Sanat Kumaras had recited this katha to Naradji on the 9th bright-moon day in the month of Kartik.96 O innocent Shaunak, thus I told you whatever you asked me. The Srimad Bhagavat katha destroys sansara-disease in Kali yuga.97 O gentlemen, listen with respect this katha which is dear to Sri Krishna, is destroyer of all sins, is a cause for liberation, and is the spreader of bhakti in the world. In this world, what is the use of studying other ways of spiritual uplifting or of staying in the pilgrimage places?98 Even Yama (the Death God), seeing his servants with looped ropes, says in their ears: 'You avoid (separating and taking away the souls from the bodies of) men who are engrossed in the katha of Bhagavan; because I have control over other men, but not over Vishnu bhaktas.'99 O you of bewildered intelligence due to the association of the sense enjoyment-form poison, drink the Srimad Bhagavat-form incomparable nectar even for half a moment for spiritual uplifting in this essence-less sansara. Why should you go in vain to other ways which are bad with slandered kathas? Parixit is a witness in proving which katha gives liberation by listening it.100 One who learns by heart this katha which is recited by Shukadevji who always is engrossed in Brahma knowledge-form divine juice flow, he becomes a master (a resident) of Vaikuntha.101 Thus, after seeing through all the stock of the scriptures, I have told you this supreme secret and mystery which is tested by all the principles. There is nothing more pure like the Srimad Bhagavat in the world; therefore, drink this 12 canto-form juice.102 Those who listen with love this katha regularly, and those who tell it to the bhaktas of clean heart, they both achieve its ultimate benefit. Verily, there is nothing unobtainable in this world for them.103 The End
|
