August 2017 archive

Vishnave namah

Maharishi Narada continued, “The ancient seers have taught the following procedure of offering services to Srihari,

‘Among all mantras, the 12 sylabled mantra (dwādaśākśara mantra) is the greatest. The yoga practitioner should eternally chant the mantra. Mantra is nothing but Veda. It represents the Lord. While chanting the mantra, the Lord should be worshipped with all the services (seva).’

Evaṁ kāyena manasā vacasā ca mano-gatam

Paricaryamāṇo bhagavān bhaktimat-paricaryayā

Puṁsām amāyināṁ samyag bhajatāṁ bhāva-vardhanaḥ

Śreyo diśaty abhimataṁ yad dharmādiṣu dehinām 

Human beings should accumulate material objects only as much as is necessary for sustaining the body. Without any pretense (deception), they should worship the form of Lord Srihari in their hearts. Mentally they should meditate upon Him. They should chant the mantra eternally. In this way, He should be served with complete devotion.

Srihari, who accepts these services from devotees, rewards them not only by fulfilling their desires but also by strengthening their devotion towards Him! In addition, among the four-fold principles of life, He bestows upon them whatever they desire. The devotee who has developed dispassion towards sensory pleasures develops eternal love towards Lord Srihari. With that devotional love, he intensifies his spiritual efforts and prays to Srihari for liberation”.

In this way Maharishi Narada preached Dhruva. Dhruva was fortunate to get such supreme initiation directly from Maharishi Narada!

Prince Dhruva circumambulated around Maharishi Narada and prostrated before him. He then left for the Madhuvana forest.

Madhuvana, the clean and pure garden, has been rendered absolutely sacred due to the footprints of the Lord who resides within it. As soon as Dhruva reached Madhuvana forests, Maharishi Narada arrived at the inner apartments of King Uttānapāda, Dhruva’s father.

King Uttānapāda warmly welcomed Maharishi Narada in a befitting manner. Maharishi Narada accepted the gifts given by the king. Sitting comfortably on the seat that was offered to him he asked,

“O King! Why do you appear very dejected? Your face looks pale and lusterless. What is it that is bothering you? What are you thinking about? Have you faced any dearth in any area pertaining to dharma, artha and kāma?”

The King replied, “O Maharishi! My son is only 5 years old. He is very wise, intelligent and possesses noble qualities. However being in the grip of his step-mother, I neglected him totally. I threw him away and banished him. I even neglected his mother.

O Maharishi! My son Dhruva must be very tired after roaming about all alone in the forests. He will be hungry. His lotus face would have withered by now. Perhaps wolves and lions would have devoured him.

O saint! I am the foremost among the wicked men who have got carried away by the charms of women. Just see my wickedness! When Dhruva lovingly wanted to sit on my lap, I could not pamper him. I could not give him my love”. The king began to lament for his deeds.

Maharishi Narada replied, “O King, do not grieve for your son. Do not worry about him as Srihari is directly protecting him! You do not have any idea about his influence. His fame is going to spread throughout the world.

O King! Dhruva will accomplish those great levels that are beyond the reach of even the guardian deities (loka-pālakas). Having accomplished his goal, he will shortly return. He will enhance your glory”. Having instilled confidence in the King, Maharishi Narada resumed his travels.

The King attentively heard all that the Maharishi said. He spent his time totally thinking about his son Dhruva and he completely neglected administration and other kingly tasks.

Meanwhile Dhruva reached Madhuvana. He bathed in the River Yamuna and fasted that entire night. As instructed by Maharishi Narada, with absolute concentration he worshipped the Supreme Lord Srihari. Once in three days he would eat fruits and berries, that too as much as was needed to sustain his body. At all times he meditated upon Lord Srihari. In this way he spent the first month.

During the second month, once in every six days, he would eat dry grass and leaves that had fallen to the ground. He continued to meditate upon Lord Srihari without any break at all times.

During the third month, once in every nine days, he would drink water. Remaining in complete meditative state, he eternally worshipped the Supreme Lord Srihari, who is of unsurpassed repute.

During the fourth month, he inhaled and exhaled once in twelve days. In this way, he mastered breath control. Meditating exclusively upon Srihari, he retained his life force. In this way, this 5 year old boy achieved mastery over his inhalation and exhalation.

Standing on one leg, like a mountain or a pillar he remained in a fixed position without any movement and meditated upon the indestructible Parabrahma.

Through the medium of the five sense organs the mind understands sound, touch, form, taste and smell in the creation. The Lord’s form cannot be understood by mind or by these sense organs that originate from the subtle sensory perceptions (tanmātras).

Dhruva withdrew his mind from all objects of this world. In the heart he meditated upon the Supreme Lord who is beyond the senses and mind. His mind did not flow towards any other object. At all times it was exclusively focused upon the Lord. Such was the intensity of his austerities!

Everything i.e. avyakta (illusory power, māya), Mahat tattva (cosmic intelligence), ahamkāra (sense of I-ness), five subtle sensory perceptions, five gross elements, originate from that Supreme Lord. Little Dhruva meditated upon that Supreme Lord who was over and above illusion.

The three worlds trembled under the intensity of his austerities. When he was standing on one leg immersed in penance, the earth shook due to the pressure of his big toe. Just as a ship in which a huge elephant is placed sways from side to side, the earth began to sway from side to side under the weight of his big toe!

Madhusudanāya namah.

Mādhavāya namah

Maharishi Narada said to Dhurva,

“Dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣākhyaṁya icchec chreya ātmanaḥ

Ekaṁ hy eva hares tatra kāraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam

The person who seeks that auspiciousness, which exists in the form of the four-fold principles of life (puruśārthās), should be obtained by him should necessarily worship the lotus feet of Lord Srihari. This is the only method.

Therefore, my dear son, proceed to Madhuvana forest located on the banks of River Yamuna. It is very pure and clean place. At all times Srihari resides here. May you be blessed with auspiciousness!

Thrice a day bathe in the pure waters of Yamuna. Practice the disciplines of Yama and Niyama to the best of your abilities. Arrange a suitable seat (āsana). Sitting in a suitable Yogic posture, practice Prāṇāyāma coupled with inhalation, exhalation and retention of breath.

With regular practice over a period of time Prāṇa, Apāna and other activities mix in equal proportions. The mind is freed from instability and other defects. The senses reduce their wanderings. In other words, they are now brought under control.

Then, with absolute focus, meditate upon the Supreme Lord Srihari. He is the Lord for the creation and is eternally ready to bless his devotees.

Srihari has pleasing, beautiful eyes. He has a delicate raised nose, beautifully shaped eyebrows and lovely cheeks. In beauty He surpasses all Devatas. He is eternally youthful. His limbs are all pleasing. His eyes and lips are red in colour. He showers comforts. He is the refuge for those who surrender totally. He is an ocean of compassion for those who are worthy of being showered with compassion.

On His chest is the beautiful mark called Srivastsa. His complexion is like a bluish-black cloud. He wears a long Vanamāla garland. He glows with the conch, discus, lotus and mace held in His four hands.

He wears yellow silken clothing around His waist. His golden waistband is decorated with many tiny bells. He wears golden anklets that dazzle brightly. He is the epitome of all beauty! He form is very pleasing and it brings great joy to the mind and to the eye.

His toenails glitter like rubies. Devotees retain these holy feet in the centre of their heart-lotus. He resides in the heart-lotus of such ardent devotees.

His gaze overflows with love and compassion. He is the foremost among those who shower boons. The spiritual aspirant should fix his mind upon this Lord Srihari and thereby control the mind. With absolute concentration, he should meditate upon this form of the Supreme Lord.

Evaṁ bhagavato rūpaṁ subhadraṁ dhyāyato manaḥ

Nirvṛtyā parayā tūrṇaṁ sampannaṁ na nivartate

The mind of the aspirant who meditates exclusively upon this supremely auspicious form of the Lord will quickly be filled with supreme bliss. It will not return back from the object of meditation i.e. the form of the Lord and will continue to remain fixed there.

O Prince! In addition to following these instructions, please chant the mantra that I am now going to preach. By chanting this mantra for seven days, the person can have the darshan of accomplished beings (siddha puruśās) in the sky.

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

mantreṇānena devasya kuryād dravyamayīṁ budhaḥ

saparyāṁ vividhair dravyair deśa-kāla-vibhāgavit

‘OM’ (Omkāra) is not a mere verbal representation of the Supreme Lord. It teaches the form of the Lord. The Supreme Lord resides in the form of consciousness (chaitanya) within every living being in the creation. To such a Lord, I offer my reverential obeisance. This is the meaning of the mantra Om namo bhagavate vāsudevāya.

The intelligent devotee should know the process of worshipping the Lord according to the different seasons, times and places. In accordance to these situations and seasons, he should worship the Lord with the available materials, while simultaneously chanting the mantra.

He should worship Lord Srihari with pure and clean waters, flower garlands and varied fruits and vegetables that are found in forests. As stipulated by the scriptures, he should offer to Lord Srihari grass (garika), different leaves and most importantly Tulasi leaves, which are most dear to Him.

The devotee should procure an idol made of stone or other metal. If possible, he can prepare his own idol. Alternately Srihari should be worshipped on pure earth or in pure waters. Keeping the mind under control, the devotee should be tranquil and silent. He should control his speech.

He should consume only those fruits or vegetables that are found in the forest. Food intake should be limited quantities.

Out of His own free will, the Supreme Lord Srihari incarnates and performs many divine deeds. The devotee should contemplate upon those divine plays of the Lord.

Paricaryā bhagavato yāvatyaḥ pūrva-sevitāḥ

Tā mantra-hṛdayenaiva prayuñjyān mantra-mūrtaye

Madhavāya namah.

Narada said to Dhruva,

“Vikalpe vidyamāne ’pi na hy asantoṣa-hetavaḥ

Puṁso moham ṛte bhinnā yal loke nija-karmabhiḥ 

Perhaps you are in that state wherein you are unable to forget that insult.  But still, these people and these situations which cause mental disturbance exist within you. They do not have an external existence. Spiritual ignorance is the cause for all sorrows. Based on the prārabdha karma, human beings experience both praises and insults.

Parituṣyet tatas tāta tāvan-mātreṇa pūruṣaḥ

Daivopasāditaṁ yāvad vīkṣyeśvara-gatiṁ budhaḥ

My dear son! God’s plays are strange. Based on his past actions the person receives appropriate rewards in the form of destiny. Intelligent persons should realize this and should be content with whatever God has willed for him.

Your behavior however is not in accordance to this rule. Are you planning to abide by your mother’s advice and obtain Srihari’s grace? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to worship Him? It is all the more difficult for ordinary human beings.

For many births, Maharishis remain unattached to society and this world and practice Pranāyāma together with other stringent disciplines. With absolute concentration they search for Srihari. Yet they have not been successful in their attempts.

Ato nivartatām eṣa nirbandhas tava niṣphalaḥ

Yatiṣyati bhavān kāle śreyasāṁ samupasthite

Hence please give up this adamancy and go back. You can begin your efforts at a later period of time, when you grow up and when the suitable situation arises in your life.

Yasya yad daiva-vihitaṁ sa tena sukha-duḥkhayoḥ

Ātmānaṁ toṣayan dehī tamasaḥ pāram ṛcchati

Human beings experience happiness and sorrows purely in accordance to God’s will. Some are joyous while others are grieving. Sometimes a person is happy, and at other times he is unhappy. When a person realizes that he is experiencing the results of his past actions in the form of present experiences, he will be able to cut the knots of ignorance. He will be able to cross this ocean of samsāra (worldly bondages).

Guṇādhikān mudaṁ lipsed anukrośaṁ guṇādhamāt

Maitrīṁ samānād anvicchen na tāpair abhibhūyate

Upon seeing a person more prosperous than him one should be happy. He should be compassionate towards the less qualified or less prosperous. He should maintain friendship with equals. Such person will never face defeat amidst the three-fold afflictions of life”.

Dhruva now asked Maharishi Narada, “O saint, caught amidst the happiness and sorrows of life, people tend to lose their discriminatory intelligence. O venerable one, keeping in mind such helpless persons you have, with utmost compassion, preached these valuable lessons which bring calmness to the mind.

However, it is far beyond the reach of ordinary people like me. Moreover being a warrior, traits of that community are forcefully ruling me. I am not filled with traits of humility. My heart has been pierced with the sharp words uttered by my step-mother. Hence in my heart which is burning, your words do not bring any solace.

O Mahatma! I seek to obtain that dignified position which is the greatest in all the three worlds. I seek that supreme position which none in the past would have ever obtained. Please preach the path by which I can obtain such position.

Nūnaṁ bhavān bhagavatoyo ’ṅgajaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Vitudann aṭate vīṇāṁ hitāya jagato ’rkavat

O revered saint! You are born from the body of Lord Brahma. Seeking the welfare of the world, holding the Veena in your hands you eternally travel like the Sun. This is the absolute truth” said the little boy.

Maharishi Narada was immensely pleased to hear the words uttered by this small boy. He was happy to know Dhruva’s intention. His heart overflowed with compassion towards Dhruva. He decided that Dhruva should be successful in his mission. Hence he began to initiate Dhruva,

“My dear son, your mother’s preaching will bring immense auspiciousness. Srihari, who resides as the Self in every living being, is itself the goal. Meditate upon Him with absolute concentration.

Dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣākhyaṁya icchec chreya ātmanaḥ

Ekaṁ hy eva hares tatra kāraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam

The person who seeks that the auspiciousness, which exists in the form of dharma, artha, kama and moksha should be obtained by him should necessarily worship the lotus feet of Lord Srihari.

Govindāya namah

Madhavāya namah

Suneeti said to Dhruva, “My dear son, never wish inauspiciousness for others. In your anger never wish that others should face misfortune. This is because the one who torments others will eventually suffer due to the same sorrow. Please remember this always.

What your step-mother said is absolutely true. You were unfortunate to be born from my womb and raised through my breast milk. The king feels ashamed to even address or accept me as his wife. My son, give up these feelings of hatred. Do exactly as she suggested. If you truly desire that you should obtain an exalted status like your step-brother Uttama, then worship the lotus feet of Lord Srihari, who is invisible to the senses.

Yasyāṅghri-padmaṁ paricarya viśva-Vibhāvanāyātta-guṇābhipatteḥ

Ajo ’dhyatiṣṭhat khalu pārameṣṭhyaṁ Padaṁ jitātma-śvasanābhivandyam

Using the traits of goodness (sattva guna) as a medium, Parabrahma manifests as Vishnu in order to protect the entire universe. Through the means of Prāṇāyāma, great Yogis conquer their mind and meditate upon Him. The birthless Lord Brahma worshipped the lotus feet of this Lord and obtained the most supreme position in this entire creation!

With absolute concentration of mind your grandfather Swāyambhuva Manu performed supreme Yagnas and offered significant dakshina (money) to the priests. Thus he served this Supreme Lord. Due to the Lord’s grace he obtained emperorship over the entire Manvantara (time period), over material and heavenly comforts and most importantly, he obtained liberation.

He could obtain all these purely due to dedicatedly worshipping the Supreme Lord and not through any other means.

Tam eva vatsāśraya bhṛtya-vatsalaṁ Mumukṣubhir mṛgya-padābja-paddhatim

Ananya-bhāve nija-dharma-bhāvite Manasy avasthāpya bhajasva pūruṣam

My dear son! Srihari loves his devotees as his children. Devotees who seek liberation will be searching for His lotus feet so as to offer services to them. Free your mind from every other thought. Do not let the worldly thoughts to disturb your mental tranquility. Strictly abide by the duties specified for you i.e. our swadharma. Purify your mind. Fill that pure mind completely with the Supreme Lord and thus serve him.

Nānyaṁ tataḥ padma-palāśa-locanād Duḥkha-cchidaṁ te mṛgayāmi kañcana

Yo mṛgyate hasta-gṛhīta-padmayā Śriyetarair aṅga vimṛgyamāṇayā

Dhruva, no matter how hard I think, I am unable to find any other being apart from Srihari who can dispel your sorrow. Srihari alone is your refuge. Desiring wealth, everyone worships Goddess Lakshmi. Such Goddess Lakshmi, holding a lotus in her hand, chases the lotus-eyes Lord Srihari. She serves Him”.

In this way, Suneeti, who was lamenting, spoke auspicious words to her son which were aimed at fulfilling the desired task. Dhruva calmly heard what his mother had said. With firm determination and intelligence, he controlled his mind. He left his father’s kingdom and walked away.

The omniscient Maharishi Narada came to know about the words of wisdom spoken by mother Suneeti and of Dhruva’s decision to leave the city. He was aware of Dhruva’s intention. He understood the feelings of little Dhruva. He was deeply astonished at Dhruva’s firm determination and resolve. He approached Dhruva and while gently touching the boy on his forehead, he thought,

“Isn’t it so astonishing that Kśatriyas cannot withstand even slightest disrespect and dishonor?  He is a little boy, yet is deeply hurt by the harsh words uttered by his step-mother. Unable to tolerate this insult he left his hometown. I will find out his intent and accordingly initiate him”.

He said to Dhruva, “My dear boy, you are like a son to me. At this tender age you should spend your time playing with friends. Why are you affected by insulting words at this little age? I fail to understand this. It is natural for children to quickly forget the insults thrown at them”.

Govindāya namah.

Fourth Canto Chapter Eight

This chapter covers the story of five year old Dhruva, who angered by his step-mother’s sarcasm leaves home and goes into the forests. His penance and Srihari being pleased with his penance are also covered.

Maitreya Maharishi said to Vidura, “Maharishis Sanaka, Sananda, Sanat-kumara, Sanat-sujata, Narada, Rbhu, Yati, Hamsa and Aruṇi were the mind born sons of Brahma. They did not accept house-holders’s life and remained eternal celibates.

O Vidura! O conqueror of inner demons, listen! Righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) are both sons of Brahma. Mṛṣa (falsehood) is the wife of adharma (unrighteousness). Their son was dambha (hypocrisy) and their daughter was Māya. Childless Niṛrti adopted these two children.

Adharma (unrighteousness) is eternally accompanied by untruthfulness (asatya, Mṛṣa). Hence she is his wife. The union of unrighteousness and untruthfulness (adharma and asatya) leads to birth of hypocrisy (damba) and dishonesty in the person. The one who has these qualities in him is a demon. He resides in hell.

The union of Damba and Māya led to the birth of Lobha (greed) and Nikṛti (cunningness). Their son was Krodha (anger) and their daughter was Himsa (inflicting injury). From this union of Krodha and Himsa, Kali (quarrels) and Durukti (harsh speech) were born.

Let us understand the hidden significance within these names and associations.

When hypocrisy (Damba) combines with dishonesty, it leads to the emergence of greed (lobha) in the person. Through various cunning (nikrti) methods dishonest persons rob others of their wealth.

Due to their cunningness (Nikṛti) and greed (lobha), they secretively harm others (himsa). Anger (krodha) always follows greed (lobha). When their fraudulent plans meet with obstacles, this anger makes itself visible. This anger leads to injurious speech (durukti) and quarrels (kalaha).

The union of Kalaha (quarrels) and Durukti (harsh speech) resulted in birth of daughter Bhi (fear) and a son Mṛtyu (death). Their union in turn led to birth of their daughter Yātana (endless suffering) and son Niraya (hell).

Harmful speech (durukti) uttered during quarrels (kalaha) creates fear. The fear that the opponent may take revenge now arises in the person. As feared, if the opponent really takes revenge, then it will lead to death or murders (mṛtyu). This is a well-known fact. Hellish conditions (Niraya) always follow these quarrels and harmful speech. Hellish suffering (Yātana) is inescapable.

Vidura, I have now explained to you the descendents of adharma. I have also indicated about the destructive and devastating situations that emerge from adharma. Through this indication I have subtly explained about pralaya (dissolution). Distancing from this family gives birth to merit (punya). The person who listens thrice to this family tree will be absolved of all his sins”.

It is Maitreya Maharishi’s opinion that everyone should understand the in-depth logic contained in this family tree and thus distance from them.

Maitreya Maharishi continued, “Vidura, I have explained to you about Daksha’s yagna. Prior to this I had explained about Swāyambhuva Manu and his family tree. Swāyambhuva Manu was a partial incarnation of Srihari and he emerged from Brahma’s body.

Swāyambhuva Manu and Shataroopa had two sons viz., Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. Being partial incarnations of Lord Srihari, they competently and wisely ruled over the entire universe.

Uttānapāda had two wives Suneeti and Suruci. Among his queens, Uttānapāda loved Suruci very dearly. He showered her with a lot of love. He however did not love his other wife Suneeti. Suneeti had a son by name Dhruva. Suruci’s son was Uttama.

One day Emperor Uttānapāda was playing with Uttama, who was seated on his lap. Dhruva, who saw this, also desired to sit on his father’s lap. He approached his father with the desire to sit on his lap. King Uttānapāda however did not agree to this and did not welcome the child. Dhruva tried hard to sit on his father’s lap. Seeing his attempts, Suruci, his step-mother became envious.

As it is, she was filled with pride. Unconcerned of her husband’s presence, she addressed the child and said, “My child, you do not possess the worthiness required to sit on the King’s lap. Although it is correct that you are his son, but it is also true that you did not emerge from my womb. It is your misfortune that you were born to another woman and not to me. Since you have not born from me, you do not have the eligibility to sit on his lap. Being a child you are unaware of this and hence are trying to obtain that which does not belong to you.

Tapasārādhya puruṣaṁ tasyaivānugraheṇa me

Garbhe tvaṁ sādhayātmānaṁ yadīcchasi nṛpāsanam

If you are truly desirous of sitting on the king’s lap, then undertake rigorous penance and please the Supreme Lord. With His grace in your next birth you can be born from my womb. If you are agreeable to these conditions, your desire will definitely be fulfilled”.

With such harsh, piercing and insulting words, Suruci hurt the boy’s feelings. Dhruva noticed that his father Uttānapāda remained silent without uttering a single word even when his step-mother uttered harsh words. Just as a snake hit by a stick turns ferocious, Dhruva became intensely angry. He could be compared to Rudra in his anger.

Wailing piteously he ran away from there and approached his mother Suneeti who lovingly placed the child on her lap and gently patted him. From her attendants she came to know the reason for his grief. She was deeply distressed upon hearing the evil words spoken by Suruci.

At that moment Suneeti, who was gentle hearted, began to burn like a wire that is caught in a terrible forest-fire. Her patience was totally shattered. Recollecting the words of her co-wife, she began to lament loudly. Her lotus-like eyes were filled with tears which began to flow profusely from her eyes.

Madhavāya namah.