Puttugam2

Om Trivikramaya namah.

Uddhava continued, “What can I say about the ill-luck of the human beings in this world? Amongst all the people, the most unfortunate are those who are born in the Yadu lineage. This is because they couldn’t recognize the presence of the Lord amidst them.

Just as fish swimming in the ocean do not recognize the presence of the Moon, those belonging to the Yadu clan were fooled because they could not recognize His divinity. By nature the Yadavas were quick to grasp the feelings and emotions of others. These Yadavas lived along with Srikrishna and spent all their time with Him but yet they failed to recognize that He was the Supreme Lord who is the sole shelter for all beings. They considered Him to be the most supreme amongst the Yadavas but they could not realize that He was none other than the Supreme Lord himself!

Due to illusion cast by the Supreme Lord, these Yadavas were deluded into believing that this illusory world was of real existence. As a result, they did not attach much weightage to the greatness of Srikrishna.

This being the case, what more can be said about fools like Shishupala and others who, for no apparent reason, developed animosity towards Krishna? They spoke about Him in very derogatory manner. Derogatory words fail to bewilder the true devotees because true devotees live with the intense faith that Srikrishna is none other than Sri Mahavishnu, the all pervading Self!

Even after performing severe austerities it is impossible to have the vision of that Supreme Lord. Such a Lord, purely out of His compassion graced these people with His presence, even without them having performed any austerities.

The beauty of the three worlds fades in front of His divine beauty! Not being satisfied with the darshan that they have had of this divine beautiful form, some who were fortunate enough to have seen Him, retained His form in their memory and continue to remember it eternally. When all devotees were thus admiring Him, this Lord withdrew His form from earth.

Having decided to show His transcendental power to the inhabitants of earth, the Supreme Lord took on a form that was ideally suited for human pastimes. Auspiciousness in entirety culminates in this divine form! The Supreme Lord was wonder-struck seeing His own wonderous, resplendent form! The illumination from His limbs outshone His jewellery!

During Yudhisthira’s Rājasuya Yagna inhabitants of all the three planes who had assembled there were deeply wonder-struck seeing the beauty and radiance in the bodily features of this Divine Lord, who causes happiness to one and all. They thought that the entire expertise of Lord Brahma, who creates all the Devatas and the humans, had culminated completely in the gross form of Krishna!

With His charming smile coupled with feelings of tender love, with His words that brought laughter and with His playful glances He entertained the Gopikas of Vrindavan. With this, not only their eyes but also their hearts were deeply fixed upon Him. Leaving their household chores incomplete, they would go to Srikrishna and keep gazing at Him.

The Divine Lord has two forms peaceful (śānta) and ferocious (ghora). Peaceful and noble beings are his peaceful forms while demons are his ferocious forms. The Lord found it unbearable that the ferocious forms were torturing his peaceful forms. Compassion towards noble souls surged in Him.

The truth is that He is birthless! He is the cause behind all the causes. Although this is the supreme truth, for the sake of the noble beings, He decided to incarnate on earth together with Balarama, who was an aspect of His. Like fire that emerges from firewood, He was born to Mother Devaki.

The Lord, who inherently is devoid of birth, took birth in the house of Vasudeva. This was a playful pastime He exhibited. Pretending as if He was terrified of His enemies in Mathura, He went to Nanda-gokula and resided there. Although His prowess is indescribable, he enacted as if He had run away from His enemies in fear. When I recollect these astonishing playful human pastimes of the Lord, my heart sinks in grief.

After killing Kamsa, Krishna while offering obeisance to the feet of his parents Devaki-Vasudeva said in all humility, “O Mother and father! Fearful of the terrible Kamsa I could not offer my services to you. Kindly pardon me for my mistake. Please bless me.” Recollecting those words my mind is submerged in sorrow.

Ko vā amuṣyāṅghri-saroja-reṇuṁ vismartum īśīta pumān vijighran

Yo visphurad-bhrū-viṭapena bhūmer bhāraṁ kṛtāntena tiraścakāra

Which devotee, who has even once smelt the fragrance of the lotus feet of that Lord, who with the mere movement of his deathly eyebrows caused death of all those who were a burden to Earth, can ever forget Him?

During the Rājasuya yagna, Shishupala despised Srikrishna as a result Krishna killed Him. While everyone was watching, in the form of an illumination, the Self within Shishupala merged into Krishna. Spiritual aspirants through the medium of Spiritual Knowledge seek to merge into that Lord. Yogis and spiritual practitioners cannot withstand the grief of separation from that Lord.

In the Kurukshetra war, many valiant soldiers, with their gaze steadily fixed on the lotus face of that Lord, continued to fight bravely. They succumbed to Arjuna’s powerful arrows and attained hero’s death. All of them attained the supreme abode of that Lord!

There is none who is equal to Srikrishna! There is none who is greater than Him! He is the Lord of the Nature (Prakriti) together with its three components (trigunas). He is the Lord of all the three planes of existence. He is Self-illuminating. He is eternally blissful. There is nothing left for Him to achieve. The Lords of the various universes offer Him tributes. They bow before Him and with the crowns on their head touching those feet they offer Him obeisance.

O Vidura! It was purely due to Krishna’s grace that Ugrasena could be crowned the King. When Ugrasena was seated on the throne, Krishna in all humility would stand beside him and respectfully address him, “O my king”. Recollecting all those instances when he thus behaved like a humble servant, servants like me feel deeply distressed. Through every deed of His, Srikrishna would eternally preach the rules of righteousness (dharma) to the world. This is merely one such example.

Aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī

Lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema”

Om Vāmanāya namah

Om Madhusudanaya namah.

Vidura continued, “O Uddhava, I deeply worry about Dhritarashtra. This is because he cheated his deceased brother and accumulated heaps of sin. He has made it a vow to listen to the words of his sons and walk on that path. When I, his younger brother, sought to advice him rightly seeking his welfare, he threw me out of the city.

I was neither depressed nor astonished when Dritharastra threw me out of the city. This is because I firmly believe that the Supreme Lord Mahavishnu, who regulates this entire universe, has taken on a human form and incarnated as Krishna. He is causing these delusions in people.

With Srikrishna’s grace I am able to see His greatness pervading everything in this creation. Taking care that I am not recognized by anyone, I am silently walking all over the earth visiting holy pilgrim centres.

Srikrishna wanted to destroy all those kings who behaved arrogantly due to their pride of wealth, lineage or knowledge and who proclaimed wars on the strength of their strong military force causing the earth to tremble. He intended to bring the welfare of Pandavas and of those others who had sought refuge in Him. For this reason, even though he possessed utmost prowess, he silently disregarded the mistakes and offences of the Kurus. It was his plan that the credit of having destroyed the wicked should go to his devotees, the Pandavas. This is undoubtedly true.

Ajasya janmotpatha-nāśanāya karmāṇy akartur grahaṇāya puṁsām

Nanv anyathā ko ’rhati deha-yogaṁ paro guṇānām uta karma-tantram

O Uddhava! The Supreme Lord is birthless. Even then He incarnates for blessing those devotees who have sought shelter in Him and for punishing those who tread the path of unrighteousness. It is wrong to bind Him to any of His actions. This is because He is not the doer. Yet, for the purposes of causing an attraction in humans towards the path of righteousness and for the well-being of the universe, He appears as if He is involved in actions.

These worldly bondages originate out of the three attributes of Nature (trigunas). He who possesses transcendental knowledge (jnani) is beyond these worldly bondages. The Supreme Lord is the ultimate Jnani. How then can he be associated with actions or with the body? It is impossible.

O Uddhava! Indra and other deities, abiding by the orders of that Lord, complete the tasks assigned to them. Hearing the pleas of these Lords and for the purposes of ensuring the well-being of this world, the Supreme Lord who inherently is birthless, incarnated as Srikrishna in the Yadu clan.

Those who sing His divine stories and glorify him at all times are rendered totally pure! Therefore O Uddhava, please tell me about Lord Srikrishna.”

With this the first chapter in third Canto comes to an end.

Third Canto Chapter Two

The first chapter was exclusively dedicated to Vidura’s questions. Vidura remembered every noble soul and every devotee of the Lord and enquired about each of them individually. From this we come to know that even talking about ardent devotees of the Lord brings auspiciousness. In this chapter Uddhava while replying to Vidura’s questions, recounts the childhood deeds of Srikrishna.

Maharishi Śuka continued, “By the time Vidura and Uddhava met, Uddhava was deeply grieving his separation from Srikrishna. When Vidura, the best amongst devotees (bhāgavattotama), questioned Uddhava desiring to know about Srikrishna, Uddhava, the ardent devotee, was submerged in total devotion. His heart surged with love. He became emotional and anxious. Hence he was unable to reply immediately.

Uddhava was not an ordinary devotee! Even at the tender age of 5, he would make dolls of Srikrishna and would be deeply engrossed in offering services and worship to them. Forgetting even hunger and thirst, Uddhava, at that early age, was eternally absorbed in devotion towards Srikrishna.

One day Uddhava did not come for food even though it was well past lunch time. When his mother called out to him little Uddhava did not agree to set aside his worship to have his food. In this way right from his childhood, Uddhava was eternally absorbed in worshipping Krishna, offering Him services, singing His glories and contemplating upon Him!

Now at this ripened old age, when Vidura enquired about Krishna, his mind fixed itself exclusively upon the lotus feet of the Lord. His devotion significantly intensified. Uddhava, who was enjoying the nectar attained by being absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of the Lord, was silent for almost an hour. His body experienced deep horripilation. He remained like a statue with eyes closed. From those eyes tears of joy were flowing profusely without inhibition. His body was drenched in those tears and he was bathing blissfully in those waters. Vidura considered himself fortunate for having met this ardent devotee Uddhava!

After some time Uddhava gradually came out of devotional trance and became conscious of this world. Wiping those tears, recollecting the divine plays of the Lord in astonishment, he said, “O Vidura! The Sun called Srikrishna has set. The python called time has swallowed our homes. Our prosperity has dwindled completely. What then can I say about our welfare?

Durbhago bata loko ’yaṁ yadavo nitarām api

Ye saṁvasanto na vidur hariṁ mīnā ivoḍupam

What can I say about the ill-luck of the human beings in this world? Amongst all the people, the most unfortunate are those who are born in the Yadu lineage.”

Om Vishnave namah. Madhusudanaya namah

Om Viṣṇave namah

Upon reaching Prabhāsa teertha, Vidura came to know that just as a fire caused due to the friction of bamboo trees destroys the entire forest, a violent war between the kinsmen had destroyed the entire Kuru lineage. Deeply aggrieved upon hearing this news, Vidura took up the vow of silence and silently walked towards the banks of River Saraswati.

Reaching the banks of River Saraswati he visited and served the sacred pilgrim centres popularly known as Trita, Uśana, Manu, Pṛthu, Agni, Asita, Vāyu, Sudāsa, Go, Guha and Sraddhadeva.

In this world, in the temples of Lord Mahavishnu consecrated by Devatas and Maharishis, the discus (chakra), which is the most important amongst all His weapons, will be retained decoratively. Merely by visiting such temples people remember Lord Srikrishna. Vidura visited many such temples.

As he visited these temples, he passed through Sauraśtra, Suvīra, Matsya and Kurujānga provinces and at last reached the banks of River Yamuna. Here he happened to meet Uddhava, the great devotee of Lord Srikrishna.

Uddhava, the ardent devotee, had strictly adhered to the instructions given by Srikrishna He was of peaceful nature. He was formerly a student of Lord Brihaspati. Seeing Uddhava, Vidura with great joy embraced him and enquired from Him the well-being of Srikrishna and all other relatives.

Vidura said, “Uddhava, due to the prayer of Brahma, who was born from the navel of that Supreme Lord, the original Gods Krishna and Balarama incarnated upon earth. They have reduced the burden of Mother Earth and thus brought well-being to this universe. I presume that now they have with them the time to relax and rest.

Are they both safe and doing well in the house of Vasudeva? How is the venerable Vasudeva, who is so dear to our Kuru lineage? He was always concerned about the well-being of Kunti and his other sisters and of his brothers-in-law. Is he happy?

How is Pradyumna, the leader of the Yadava army? In his previous birth this valourous warrior was Manmatha, the Lord of desire. Rukmini devi worshipped eminent Vedic Brahmins and obtained Pradyumna as her son from Lord Srikrishna.  Is Pradyumna comfortable and happy?

How is Ugrasena, the King of Sātvata and other Yadava clans? He was never hopeful or desirous of becoming the king. Yet Srikrishna installed him as the king and seated him on the throne.

Jāmbhavati Devi performed severe austerities and obtained Lord Subrahmanya as her son. He was Sāmba. He resembles Srikrishna in every aspect. He is the greatest amongst all the great warriors. How is Sāmba?

How is Satviki, who had learnt the secrets of archery from Arjuna? Through his devotional service he pleased Supreme Lord Srikrishna and obtained from him that ultimate state of devotion (bhāgawata sthithi) which even supreme yatis (saints) find it hard to scale.

At one time Akrura was walking when he saw the footprints of Lord Srikrishna in the middle of the path. Just by seeing those footprints, Arkura’s heart swelled with devotion. Forgetting himself in the devotional love that had surged in him, Akrura fell on that dusty path and rolled in it. How is Akrura, the son of Swaphalaka? This supreme scholar is absolutely sinless and has totally surrendered to the Lord. Is he happy?

How is Devaki, the daughter of Devaka who belonged to the Bhoja clan? She, who is like Aditi the mother of all the Devatas, obtained the original Supreme Lord Mahavishnu as her son. Just as the Vedas retain the Yagnas and Karmas within them she retained the Supreme Lord in her womb. Is she doing well?

Aniruddha is none other than the Supreme Almighty. He is the one who has fulfilled the desires of his devotees who belonged to the Yadu lineage. The fourth aspect of that Supreme Lord Mahavishnu, from whom Vedas originated, is Aniruddha. This is what learned scholars state. He is the presiding deity for the mind. Is Aniruddha happy and comfortable?

O Uddhava, how are other warriors such as Hṛdika and Chārudeṣṇa the son of Satyabhāma? Are they all doing well? The reason I enquire about them is because they possess profound devotion towards Srikrishna, who is the form of the Self.

Krishna and Arjuna are like the two arms to Yudhisthira. Is he, with their help ruling this entire world in a righteous manner? Duryodhana was very jealous of Yudhisthira’s supreme victories and of the extraordinary and astounding palace that Maya had built for him. He was also jealous of the services that Arjuna would render to Yudhisthira. Is Yudhisthira happy and comfortable?

Bheema is known for his intense anger. Mistakes of people cause him to get infuriated. Like a snake he hisses with this anger for long periods. Tossing the mace in his hand when he furiously walks in the war field it appears as if earth will crumble under his pressure. Is Bheema hale and hearty? Has he discarded his anger?

Arjuna had achieved great fame as the best warrior amongst all great warriors and army leaders. At one time when he was performing severe austerities Lord Shiva appeared in front of him disguised as a hunter. When Arjuna overpowered him with his arrows, the Supreme Shiva was so deeply pleased with his valour and might that He blessed Arjuna with the Pāśupata weapon. Is this supreme warrior Arjuna, peaceful and happy, having defeated all his enemies?

The twins Nakula and Sahadeva lost their mother when they were very young. Kunti devi lovingly raised them as if they were her own sons. Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna protected them as zealously as the eyelid protects the eye. Just as Garuda snatched from Indra the bowl of nectar, are these twins, having snatched away from Duryodhana their rightful kingdom, happy and joyful?

O Uddhava, Emperor Pāndu was an expert in wars. Seated in his chariot and with his profound skills in archery he single-handedly conquered all the four directions. His wife Kunti continues to live even after his demise, solely for the sake of her children. This is such a noble trait. How is Kunti?

O Uddhava, I deeply worry about Dhritarashtra. This is because he cheated his deceased brother and accumulated heaps of sin. He has made it a vow to listen to the words of his sons and walk on that path. When I, his younger brother, sought to advice him rightly seeking his welfare, he threw me out of the city’.

In this way Vidura was enquiring about everyone’s welfare. Whether he entertained some doubts about their welfare or was grieving within about the war or whether he wanted to know all the survivors of the war or whether he wanted to highlight the greatness of everyone- we do not know the reason, but he was enquiring individually about them all.

Om Vishnave namah.

Om Govindāya Namah.

Replying to Parikshit’s question, Maharishi Śuka said, “Along with blindness, Dhritarashtra also lacked proper discriminatory knowledge. He lacked the right intelligence. Being incompetent in putting an end to the unrighteous and dishonest atrocities of his sons, he approved of them. His nephews, the Pandavas, became fatherless in their childhood. Dhritarashtra ensured that they entered the wax palace and then had the wax palace set on fire so that they would perish in those flames.

In his court his son Dushshāsana held Draupadi, his lawful daughter-in-law and Emperor Yudhisthira’s queen, by her hair.  Draupadi wept so inconsolably that the kumkum (red powder) on her breast was totally washed away. Even then Dritarasthra could not admonish his sons Duryodhana and Dushāsana who had indulged in such demeaning activity.

Using unrighteous methods Duryodhana and his companions defeated the noble King Yudhisthira in the game of dice. Based on the terms of the game, Yudhisthira, who was firmly established in the dharma of truthfulness, went into exile to fulfill his promise. After completing his entire period of exile Yudhisthira, who had no adversary in this world, returned to the kingdom and begged that he be given his rightful share in the kingdom as had been promised to him. However Duryodhana, who delighted in unrighteous activities, did not accede to his request.

Duryodhana, who refused to part with the land that rightfully belonged to the Pandavas, committed a heinous and unrighteous deed. Yudhisthira then begged Lord Krishna to go as an emissary to the court of the Kauravas and preach to them the rules of righteousness.

Krishna’s words were nectarous to the ears of Bheeshma and other noble souls present in the Kaurava assembly. However Duryodhana and other unjust people paid a deaf ear to Krishna’s advice. This was because they were not meritorious and they did not have any merit (punya) in their account. Only virtuous pious souls can listen to the words of God. Only they possess the capacity to understand divine words.

Dhritarashtra, who was in a moral dilemma, then invited his younger brother Vidura to his home for discussion. At that moment, Vidura, the exponent in the moral rules of conduct, gave his opinion and preached the rules of righteousness to his elder brother. Eminent scholars term this advice as ‘Vidura neeti’ and hold in high esteem.

Vidura preached, “O dear brother! You have committed a grave mistake which is beyond the levels of tolerance. Even then Yudhisthira, who has no enemy in this world, is tolerating it with utmost difficulty. Please return to them the land that rightfully belongs to them. Remember that he is together with his brothers and among them is Bheema, the snake which is hissing heavily with fury. You will have to fear this snake called Bheema. Be cautious.

Srikrishna, the Lord who bestows liberation, eternally protects virtuous persons. He has taken upon himself the responsibility of protecting the Pandavas. Being worshipped by the fearless and valiant Yadus, He presently resides in Dwaraka. He is that powerful Lord who has conquered innumerable kings.

Sin has taken on a form and in the name of Duryodhana it has entered your house. This Duryodhana despises Srikrishna and is pulling you away from Him. With fatherly love you are nurturing Duryodhana as a result of which all your auspiciousness and wealth is draining away. If you truly seek the welfare of your lineage then with immediate effect distance yourself from the wicked Duryodhana. Disown him”.

Vidura was a personification of all noble qualities. He was an exemplary character and hence was loved by one and all. Nevertheless these words uttered by Vidura infuriated Duryodhana. Rolling his eyes and with his lower lip quivering in intense fury, along with his younger brother Dushāsana, uncle Shakuni and other associates, he insulted Vidura, “Who allowed this Vidura, the son of a maid, and who is of a dishonest and crooked nature, to enter this palace? Living on my alms and nourishing his body with the food I offer, he dares to speak against me while favouring my enemy! Let his life be spared but ensure that he is thrown out of the city this very moment. If my order is not immediately complied with, I shall kill him.” In this way, in the presence of Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana insulted Vidura by uttering heinous words.

Like sharp arrows these harsh words uttered by Duryodhana pierced the heart of Vidura. A supremely noble person that he was, Vidura did not grieve when these words fell on his ears. He realized that the Lord’s illusory power was causing all this. Placing his bow at the doorstep of the palace he walked away from there.

It was due to their accumulated past merit, that the Kauravas had obtained the virtuous Vidura. Now, being insulted by Duryodhana, Vidura left Hastinapura and walked away. With the desire of acquiring merit, he visited many sacred pilgrim centres on earth.

Ganga and many other sacred places have originated from the feet of Lord Srihari. In all these places Srihari takes on varied forms and illumines through them. Vidura travelled alone through towns, through ever-pure gardens, mountains, rivers as well as the lakes that are devoid of all impurities and various other sacred places where the beautifully decorated idols of the Lord, who manifests in innumerable forms, glow radiantly.

Following rigorous disciplines like an Avadhoota such as living only on the fruits that had fallen from trees, bathing in the various sacred waters, sleeping on the bare floor, Vidura unknown to his kith and kin travelled across the globe.  He undertook varied disciplines and duties purely to please Lord Srihari. He reached Prabhāsa teertha.

Om Govindāya namah

Maharishi Śuka continued, “Srihari is none other than the Supreme Self (Paramātma)! He has been endlessly creating various Lords of people such as Prajapatis, Lord of certain periods such as Manus, the Gods known as Devatas, various groups of fore-fathers, Maharishis, Rishis, celestial beings such as accomplished Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvās, Vidyadharas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Apsarasas, various types of serpents and nāgās, kimpuruṣas, mātrukās, demons, ghosts and spirits of varied types, vināyakas, kuṣmāndās, unmādās, bhetālas, nivritti-gaṇās, planets, birds, domestic animals, wild animals and varied other types of insects, trees, mountains and reptiles.

Two types of entities exist in this creation viz., moving and non-moving. Among living beings, some are born from a mother’s womb; some break open the egg to emerge; some emerge out of sweat, dung and other wastes while some emerge from the earth. Thus, in accordance to their individual destiny, the living beings take birth.

Due to the strength of their previous meritorious deeds some living entities obtain birth in high exalted positions while some, due to the ripening of their sins, obtain very lowly births. The mixture of the merits and sins (punya-pāpa) gives rise to a human birth.

O Emperor! When traits of purity (sattva guṇa) are pre-dominant, the living entity obtains the body of a celestial or Devata. Dominance of the traits of action/passion (rajo guṇa) leads to a human birth. When the traits of inertia or darkness (tamo guṇa) dominate, the living entity obtains a body that will drag him towards hell. In these three types of bodies, although one trait dominates the other two traits, due to the mixture of the other two traits, within each trait three divisions occur.

The Lord who has created this universe Himself manifested in the form of Vishnu, the deity of righteousness, and accepted the various incarnations of animals, birds, humans and celestials. He protects and nourishes this entire universe.

At the time of annihilation, the same Supreme Lord manifests as Rudra, the fiery destroyer, and just as the winds disperse the clouds He absorbs into Himself this entire universe that had been created by Him.

For the understanding of one and all, it is said that the Lord creates, sustains and annihilates this universe created by Him. Nevertheless, all-knowing persons do not limit the form of the Lord to merely these three activities because, when seen from the philosophical point of view, the Supreme Lord is beyond this universe.

When the Vedas describe the Lord as responsible for the creation, sustenance and annihilation of the universe, the intent is not to entrust Him with the doership of these activities. Technically, the Lord has absolutely no involvement in any action. We impose all these actions upon Him. This reflects our spiritual ignorance, that’s all.

I have explained about the Maha-kalpa of Lord Brahma together with its intermediate periods of time known as Kalpa. Creation remains the same in every Maha-kalpa. In every Maha-kalpa, all the principles right from the Mahat-tattva (principle of material creation) and up to the earth emerge out of Nature (Prakriti). In the intermediate periods known as Kalpa, these principles continue to exist as-is. Therefore only the animate and inanimate objects get created during this period.

In the future chapters to be covered, I will explain to you in detail the transformations that take place due to time, kalpa-vrikśa and the break-up of the period known as Kalpa. Now I will explain to you the details that pertain to the Padma-kalpa. Please be attentive” said Maharishi Śuka.

Maharishi Śounaka who was listening to this narration through Maharishi Suta, enquired as follows, “O Maharishi Suta! Vidura, the noble being, was able to detach himself from even those relationships, which are otherwise impossible to give up. You mentioned that he wandered through various holy pilgrim centres while serving the Lord at all these places.

Where and when did he meet Maharishi Maitreya? During their discussion, what was the manner in which the venerable Maitreya preached to Vidura the Absolute Truth? Please explain this to us in detail. Please explain to us the story of Vidura; the reason for him to leave his home and relatives and set off on a pilgrimage and the reason which brought him back home”.

In response to this question raised by Śounaka, Maharishi Suta replied as follows, “O Saints! In response to the questions put forth by Parikshit, Maharishi Śuka replied in a sequential order. I am now going to explain the same to you all. Please be attentive.”

With this the Second Canto of Srimad Bhagawatam comes to an end.

Śri Krishna Parabrahmane Namah

Canto three Chapter one

The second canto of Bhagawatam concluded with questions. Now this third Canto begins with Maharishi Śuka’s replies to Parikshit’s questions.

Maharishi Śuka replied, “O Emperor Parikshit! In the earlier period of time, the virtuous Vidura left his prosperous home and went to the forests. Just as you have asked he put forth his doubts to Maharishi Maitreya. Vidura was no ordinary being. He was an ardent devotee of the Lord.

When Krishna had gone to the court of Kauravas, as a messenger of the Pandavas, in order to bring about reconciliation between the cousins, instead of staying at the house of Duryodhana He opted to stay at Vidura’s home considering it to be suitable for his hospitality”.

Upon hearing this Emperor Parikshit questioned, “O Maharishi Śuka! Where did the venerable Vidura meet Maharishi Maitreya? At which place did this conversation take place? When did it happen? Please explain all this in detail.

Vidura was very pure at heart and was a supremely noble person. What was the subject he questioned Maharishi Maitreyi about? His questions will not be about some ordinary subjects. It definitely will pertain to some supreme subject that has supreme usefulness. Questions put forth by Mahatmas always pertain to important subjects, isn’t it?  Even Maitreya Maharishi praised the questions raised by Vidura. Please explain to me in detail this conversation between them”.

Om Mādhavāya namah.