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Vāsudeva-parā vedā Vāsudeva-parā makhāḥ

Vāsudeva-parā yogā Vāsudeva-parāḥ kriyāḥ

Vāsudeva-paraṁ jñānaṁ Vāsudeva-paraṁ tapaḥ

Vāsudeva-paro dharmo Vāsudeva-parā gatiḥ

Vedas preach Vāsudeva as the ultimate supreme goal to be attained. Vāsudeva is the essence of the entire knowledge of Vedas. He is the ultimate object of Vedas. All Yagnas (sacrificial rituals) performed are solely for Vāsudeva. All actions are ultimately offered/ surrendered into Him. He is the ultimate goal of all Yoga. All actions ultimately end in Him. Vāsudeva alone will be obtained through attaining knowledge (jnāna). All austerities (tapas) and adherence to rules of righteousness (dharma) are undertaken for Vāsudeva alone. The fruits of all actions including attaining heaven ultimately merge into Vāsudeva.

Vāsudeva here refers to the Supreme Godhead, Paramātma! Everything attains fulfillment only when it merges into Paramātma. This is the implied meaning of this verse.

Let us discuss about the subtle aspects pertaining to the creation of this world.

The all-pervading Paramātma is over and above the illusory power (māya śakti) which is composed of the triguṇās (three attributes of Nature).  At the beginning of creation, the Lord takes the help of this illusory power, which consists of the cause and effectual energies, to create this entire universe.

Thereafter He enters into this material world that had been created from the trigunās. These trigunas are the sportive forms of the ‘illusory power’. With His consciousness (chaitanya shakti) the Lord illumines all the objects and appears as if He is enveloped by illusion. The truth is that He is inherently shining everywhere. He is transcendental. The truth is that He is inherently is devoid of any trait or property!

(Triguṇās are the three attributes of Nature i.e. traits of goodness (sattva), traits of passion (rajas) and traits of ignorance/ inertia (tamas)). 

When logs of wood are enveloped by fire, it appears as if there are many fires burning, when in reality there is only one fire. Similarly, even though a single Paramatma pervades all beings, it appears as if there are many different beings.

There is one single Lord who exists within all the objects and shines through them all. But to us it appears as if there are many Paramatmas; as if He is many. The illumination that is present within every object of the creation is itself Paramātma! 

With the help of the trigunas which manifest in the form of gross elements, senses (indriyas) and mind, Paramātma created the universe replete with all living beings. Thereafter entering into it, He appears as if He is experiencing these objects of sense perception through the subtle sensory perceptions (sound, taste, form, smell and touch).

He takes great delight in playfully incarnating as celestials, animals, birds, humans and so on and through traits of purity and goodness (sattva guṇa) protects all these various planes thus created. Although He is non-dual, He loves to incarnate in various forms! This is the decisive truth!

With this the second chapter of the first canto comes to an end.

First Canto Third Chapter

In this chapter the 24 incarnations of the Lord have been briefly described. In response to the question asked by Maharishi Śounaka and other saints, Maharishi Suta says-

“In the beginning of creation, Paramātma took on the form of Puruśa (Self) which had in it the principles of Mahat tattva (cosmic intelligence), ahamkara, and pancha tanmātra (subtle sense perceptions).

This form consisted of 16 basic principles viz., 5 organs of perception (jnanendriya), 5 organs of action (karmendriya), mind (antah karana) and 5 gross elements. The term ahamkara here does not refer to arrogance. Omniscience is the characteristic of Paramātma. This is being referred to as ahamkara in this context.

From the lake called the navel of Sri Mahavishnu, who was in lying down in Yogic-sleep in the waters of the ocean, the four faced Brahma who is the leader of all Prajapatis (creators of the living beings) was born.

This entire universe is nothing but the extensive body of Sri Mahavishnu! In other words, the universal form of the Divine Lord, known as vishwaroopa or virādroopa, is nothing but this entire vast extended universe! Every visible portion of this universe is one of the parts of the body of that Supreme Lord! Innumerable galaxies and planets exist. Each of them is one of His body parts.

On Namo Narayana!

We have discussed that the trigunas viz., traits of goodness (sattva), passion (rajas) and ignorance (tamas) are the Lord’s power of illusion (māya shakti). The Supreme Lord who is over and above this power of illusion, who is non-dual and complete, combines with these three traits and for the purposes of creation, sustenance and absorption of this creation transforms into Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. They can be called the symbolic forms He takes on. Amongst them, through Mahavishnu, who is a personification of sattva (goodness), ultimate benefit can be obtained by mankind!

Smoke emerges from firewood which is nothing but transformation of earth. From smoke fire, which is the root for all Vedic activities, is born. However firewood is superior to earth; smoke is superior to firewood and fire is superior to smoke. We are speaking of 4 elements here- earth, firewood, smoke and fire. We have said that wood is born from earth but is superior to earth; smoke come from firewood but is superior to firewood and fire is superior to smoke.

Likewise, rajo guṇa (passion) is superior to tamo guṇa (inertia, dullness, laziness). Traits of purity and goodness (sattva guṇa) are superior to traits of passion. Why is this so? This is because traits of goodness illumine Parabrahma. Through sattva guṇa the person can realize Absolute Truth.

Previously great sages sought shelter in complete pure traits (shuddha sattva) and rendered services to Lord Mahavishnu who is viśuddha sattva (over and above the trigunas). Those humans who offer services to such revered sages and who abide by their dictates also attain auspiciousness. 

Those who are predominantly of pure traits should not worship or render services to the ferocious forms of the Gods (Ugra Devatas). Those whose thinking is pure and unblemished are known as pure persons. Such persons should worship Vishnu, who is of pure traits. By worshipping the ferocious forms of the Lord, they may acquire traits of passion or inertia (rajas, tamas). This is not right.

You acquire traits based on your actions. Based on the food you eat, its traits are imbibed by you. This is why food plays a very, very critical role. If you eat pure sattvik food, you will develop pure traits. Those who eat rajasic and tamasic foods remain in that state of passion and ignorance. They cannot acquire traits of purity.

Those spiritual aspirants who seek to imbibe pure traits should not worship the ferocious forms of the Lord such as Bhairava, even though they do not find any faults in them. They should instead focus on and worship the peaceful, auspicious forms of Lord Mahavishnu or His partial incarnations and render services to them.

Did we not state that not all people are of pure traits? Did we not state just now that based on the characteristics of the food eaten, our nature is acquired? We become what we eat. Similarly when we worship a God who has pure peaceful tendencies, we also imbibe those qualities that are pure and peaceful.  

Those who are predominantly filled with passion and ignorance worship forefathers, demigods, Prajapati etc. seeking wealth, prosperity, power, children or other materialistic comforts. Such persons are deeply stuck to this world. They are glued to desire, anger, greed and other evil passions. They believe that these passions lead to the welfare and prosperity of their family. They also believe that safeguarding family wealth or the positions of power is the essence of life. To a certain degree they do have faith in God. That’s all. But what kind of devotion do they have? It is a ‘trading relationship’ with God. ‘I will offer you money if in return I am blessed with something.’ ‘My name should be put up on the board. Please mention that I have contributed for annadanam.’

But what special benefit do such persons obtain from these deeds? It will bless them with a good name and fame in this birth. They will be blessed with good children or good prosperity in this materialistic world. If at all they seek to move towards pure light/ illumination, they have to give up worshipping these intermediary Gods or the ferocious Gods. How can a person move towards purity while simultaneously continuing these activities?

There are many devotees who approach Swamiji. They read out an enormous list of their desires and wants that seek that Swamiji should bless them. Finally they conclude by asking to be blessed with ‘peace of mind’ and ‘liberation.’ Is this liberation some yantra or mantra that can be given? Is it something that can be bought in a shop? What am I supposed to say to such persons? Can I say ‘give up all your wealth; give up your large home; give up your children?’ Will they listen to me if I were to make such statements? They will leave me and go away but they will never give up their material connections. Now at least occasionally they come for Guru darshan; I will be spoiling even this little goodness in them by making such statements.

Therefore such persons should be gradually reformed. ‘Not now. Tomorrow we have Bhagawatam chanting. Please come and attend that function. Listening to Bhagawatam will lead to your welfare.’ At times it is even essential to utter small lies in order to get these people on to the right track. ‘By listening you will get back your lost items. Your power will remain as is’. Then putting the entire load on Lord Krishna I say to Him, “Krishna, using your name I have had to lie to these people. My only goal is to ensure that they tread the right path. I have no personal benefit in this”. It is also possible that they could really recover the lost items. If at all they do not then it will amount as if my words were wrong. At such times consider the amount spent on this as a charitable deed and let go.

It is extremely complicated to teach about traits of goodness and about liberation to those who are brimming with traits of passion and ignorance (rajas, tamas). Teaching or explaining to them about liberation is like a huge penance. It is a Yogam.

Om Namo Narayana.

By relentlessly reading Bhāgawatam or serving great saints who are eternally devoted to the Lord, the inauspicious impure tendencies are almost totally destroyed in the person! With this, he begins to develop unflinching love and devotion towards the Supreme God. 

I am re-iterating the same points again and again so that they get drilled into your mind!

When this state of unflinching devotion is attained, kāṃa (desires), krodha (anger), lobha (greed) and other emotions that arise out of the traits of sattva (goodness), rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance), fail to have any impact on the mind! Freed from evil tendencies the mind seeks shelter in purity (shuddha sattva) and enjoys supreme peace! 

Having a mind is not great; having a pure mind is great! In this manner, by having a mind that is totally tuned towards the path of devotion (bhakti) of the Supreme Lord and due to the endless connection that has been established with Him, the person enjoys total peace. Such persons are able to develop dispassion towards the useless objects/ matters pertaining to this world.

Those who have consecrated the Supreme Lord in their minds believing Him to be everything are persons who are predominantly have traits of goodness (sattva). They would have washed away all impure tendencies from their minds. They spend all their time and earnings for God related activities.They utilize their body, their entire time-  in fact they dedicate their entire life for God. In their completion of duties if they have to deviate from the rightful path, for example if they have to utter lies, they just dump that entire task and stay away from it. They have attained the supreme peace. Such people have no inclination towards these worthless issues/ objects of the world.

Such people will not speak uselessly. They will not declare to others “God has done this to me. God has asked me to speak in this manner. God sits on my tongue and hence every word I utter is God’s word”. We do come across many people who make such wasteful indiscriminate comments. “God has asked me to abuse and condemn you”- there are people who speak in this way to their enemies. Well, it is possible that the enemy retaliates by saying- “God has come to me and asked me to smash you”. What answer can the former person have for this? His opponent will mercilessly hammer him and break his bones claiming that it was in accordance to God’s will. This is not the way to speak. We should not speak so cheaply about the Supreme Lord! We should not drag Him to such low levels.

A person who is predominantly of pure traits will not speak so cheaply. He will be soaked in bliss. For having been born in this world, he will flawlessly complete all the duties that have been assigned to him and spend his entire remaining time for Paramātma.

Many others waste their free time pondering about ways to cheat, ways to make easy money, how to trouble others and so on. There are many who are going in this wrong path. This should not happen.

Every person should try to be pure in nature. Who are you? From where did you come? What is your lineage? As a human being how should your nature and behavior be? Are you living per those norms? One should ask himself these questions and on this basis rectify his lifestyle and habits to bring them on the correct path.

Such devotees are blessed with the vision of the true/ actual form (yathārtha roopa) of that Lord! ‘God is in that form.’ ‘He looks like that’- but what is His actual form? These people are able to see the actual form of the Supreme Lord!

Bidhyate hridaya granthiḥ chidyante sarva samshayāh 

Sheeyante cāsya karmāṇi dṛiśta evātmanīśwarī 

Only when the vision of Paramātma who is the form of the Self is attained, the knot in the heart (hṛdaya granthi) called ahamkāra (sense of I-ness) is cut. 

There are many knots (granthis) in our body such as Vishnu granthi etc. Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama refers to these knots. But there is one knot called ‘ahamkāra granthi’. This knot gets cut only when the vision of the Supreme Lord is attained! It means this knot is cut when the person is able to realize the Supreme Lord as a form of his Self (atma roopa)!

Where is Paramātma? He is the form of the Self (atma)! Is God the heart that beats within us? No, the Self is invisible. Then who is Paramātma? Is he the life force (prana) within us? You can say it is the form of prana or you can say it is the form of the heart. He is the Self!

Only when ‘vision of the Self’ is attained, the knot of ahamkara (sense of I-ness) gets cut. Once ahamkara is destroyed, you are free. This is the meaning of bliss (ananda). All speculations get cleared. In such a Jnāni the chain of karma (action and experiencing the results of action) gets destroyed.  Only prārabdha karma(collection of past actions the result of which needs to be experienced) remains. In other words, only future actions remain.

For this significant reason, intelligent human beings, fix their mind solely upon Lord Krishna, who incarnated as the son of Vāsudeva, and proceed strictly on the path of devotion. With this they earn peace of mind and in turn enjoy supreme bliss!

Sattva (purity), rajas (passion) and tamas (inertia, dullness) are the attributes of the Lord’s power of illusion (māya shakti). Very often we come across these terms. In Vedanta and in Purāṇās we come across them. But what exactly are these qualities/ traits? So far we have explained this from the point of ahamkara. We said that this is absence of ahamkara or the bliss enjoyed after ahamkara is destroyed.  In this manner a little essence we have discussed.

The Supreme Lord who is over and above the power of illusion (māya), who is non- dual and complete, takes the help of these three attributes (trigunās) and for the creation, sustenance and absorption of this creation, manifests as Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. 

Om Namo Narayana.

We were discussing about the fruits obtained from Bhagavad dhyana (contemplating upon the Lord).

Intelligent men use the sword called contemplation upon the Lord to cut the binding knot of karma called ego (ahamkara)!

In such persons love towards divine stories emerges. By going on pilgrimages the opportunity to serve great Mahatmas is obtained. This in turn creates dedication (śradhha) in the person. Through dedication, desire to listen to divine glories of the Lord gets strengthened. Even amongst divine stories, a very deep and strong inclination to listen to the divine sports of Lord Krishna gets created in the person.

Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ

Hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛt satām

By listening to the stories of Lord Krishna, the listener, the storyteller and the entire surroundings are totally cleansed. Lord Krishna seats himself in the inner mind of the devotee who is listening to His stories and drives away the impurities from his intellect!

Occasionally the intellect does become impure. Some doubts or speculations make it impure. Right from the point of birth till the time of death some doubt or the other chases the being. These doubts could be about himself, his relatives, his actions etc. At every point some question or doubt raises its head.  ‘Should I complete this action in this method or should I adopt another method?’ ‘Is this method right?’ ‘What is wrong with this approach?’ – in this manner a person is plagued with doubts. Who knows, perhaps a person could doubt even aspects related to God.

That is why Lord Sri Krishna the Supreme Paramātma, sits in the hearts of those who read/ chant Bhāgawatam, those who listen attentively to Bhāgawatam, those who sing His praises or those who visit the places very dear to Him. If you question, ‘where is Paramātma?’ The answer is ‘He resides within these categories of people mentioned now’. ‘Then what about other people?’ Well, he does not bother about them. For having taken birth they go per their destiny.  That’s all.

Those who come under the first category are really special people. They eternally live in Bhagawad dhyana. They go on completing the duties assigned to them and offering the same to the Lord.

On the other hand, there are many who neglect the duties allocated to them at home and go off on pilgrimages. They neglect their duties or consider them as unimportant; they neglect their responsibilities towards their children and so on. One must mandatorily complete the duties allotted to them towards their household (grihastāśrama dharma). Did I not state this earlier too? I explained previously the meaning of dharma. We also discussed that only the person who completely abides by duties of dharma (duties that have been allotted to him) is a true devotee! Have you forgotten this already? This is why I keep repeating this again and again.

At times dirt accumulates in this intellect. This is just like the dirt that occasionally falls in milk. At times even in Ganga or in nectar dirt accumulates. Don’t leaves fall into the waters of the most beautiful lake? ‘Why did leaves fall in this beautiful lake?’ can you question this? The leaves fell into the waters of the lake and acquired the great properties of that lake! Such is the power of that lake!

But even this trace of impurity cannot remain in the mind and intellect of a devotee. For this reason Paramātma goes and seats himself in their intellect. This is the meaning of his all-pervasive nature!Just because God is said to be all pervading, it does not mean that everywhere you will be able to see Him seated on a golden throne holding a conch, chakra in his hands.

That which we cannot accomplish, that which is beyond our vision, that which is beyond our reach is Paramātma. It is a very bright light. It is a bright illumination. 

Do not think that it is like the light from the bulbs that we see. This illumination is many many times greater than even the Sun’s illumination. It is an invisible illumination. Only in those ardent devotees He resides in this form. Seated within them, He drives away the impure tendencies from their intellect.

Therefore instead of wasting time on doubts, contemplate upon the Paramātma tattva (principle). That is why it is said that He causes the well being of saints and holy men.

Naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā

Bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

Meaning: Through eternal reading of Bhāgawatam or through eternally rendering service to the devotees of the Lord, impure tendencies get completely destroyed. In addition, unflinching faith upon the ever-pure and glorious Supreme Lord, Paramātma, is achieved!

In those who eternally think about the Lord, who sing His glories and preach them at all times, and who have fixed Him permanently in their hearts, all inauspicious impure tendencies are washed out! These doubts that we spoke earlier are the inauspicious tendencies. They can never bring about the welfare of the person. Such persons are doubtful of every action. Therefore if they are able to fix the mind with unflinching faith upon God all the deep rooted doubts get destroyed. When this state of mind is attained, greed desire and other passions that are born out of the sattva, rajas and tamo gunas can no longer touch them. 

Greed, anger, desire etc. have no limitations. They can take a person to any length. They can make him declare that he is capable of blessing another with liberation. This anger or desires deludes the person and makes him fall prey to illusion. He believes that only through the method advocated by him a person can attain liberation. He remains in that illusion.

Om Namo Narayana.

The only fruit which will be obtained from enjoying worldly experiences (sensory experiences) is continuing this journey of re-births. Experiences never help the senses attain contentment!

Human life becomes meaningful only by contemplating about the Lord and understanding Him! It can never attain fulfillment through performing actions (karma) and experiencing the results of those actions!

Endlessly performing one action after another can never lead to fulfilling the goal of life. Using money for good/ dharmic purposes implies going on pilgrimages, organizing Bhāgawatam chanting time and again, participating in the charitable deeds which are prescribed in Bhāgawatam text and so on. We should try to assimilate the truth about the Supreme Lord (Paramatma tattva). Money should be utilized towards attaining understanding this Supreme Essence. On the other hand conducting yagnas for some personal benefit is incorrect. At every step we should offer all our deeds to the Lord- krishnārpaṇamastu.

Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam

Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti kathyate

That knowledge which is speaks about the non-dual principle is called ‘Tattva’. This is what eminent learned masters declare. Such tattva is being referred to as Brahma, Paramātma or Bhagavān!

Swamiji explains: Only that knowledge which is devoid of any differentiation is ‘tattva’. Do you observe what a fine definition is being given about tattva? This is stated by those who understand this tattva. Such tattva is being called Brahma, Bhagawān or Paramātma.

Being well-equipped with knowledge and dispassion (jnana-vairagya) acquired through listening (śravana), people who have deep dedication (śraddha) endlessly contemplate upon this non-dual principle (tattva). Then along with devotion which is in the form of knowledge (jnana swaroopa bhakti) they, through the medium of their intellect (buddhi), visualize this non-dual principle (tattva) as their inner Self (atma)!  Here we should pay a lot of attention.

“O Maharishis! Perfect accomplishment can be achieved by discharging the duties prescribed by the varna-ashrama dharma (duties as laid down for the people of the four castes as well as four stages of life) and thus causing total joy to Lord Srihari.”

In every deed of ours and in every situation we should try to understand the essence of the Supreme Lord and experience that bliss! We should progress in that path only. Expecting to be elevated to the position of Indra (Lord of heaven) or Chandra (moon) as a reward for the good deed performed or expecting to be blessed with luxurious life, plentiful money or powerful position in society in the subsequent birth are all incorrect. The real fruit attained from adherence to prescribed dharma (rules of righteousness) is attaining liberation! We should understand that pleasing the Supreme Lord is itself complete perfection. This is dharma.

Therefore at all times, with single pointed concentration, we should listen (śravana), sing (keertana), contemplate and worship the Supreme Lord Srihari, whose treats his devotees as his own children.

Every moment should be spent listening to the glories of that Lord! One should eternally hear about the Supreme Essence! Every free moment should be dedicated to singing His glories! Recollecting His traits and singing His glories are important. Likewise closing the eyes and contemplating about Him or visualizing His form is equally important. Blissfully one should contemplate. To fix the mind at one point puja should be performed. Otherwise mind will not fix at a point.

Intellectual humans use the sword called contemplation (Bhagavad dhyana) to cut through the knotty karma called egoism (ahamkara, feeling of I-ness). How great this is! From this it is clear that only with the tool called contemplation, ego should be routed out!

Every being displays ego in different ways. Either though lack of contentment or through emphasizing that only their views are correct or by proving the other person wrong or through some other varied actions people display their ego. This ego has to be routed out completely. The person undertakes self-punishment here. Using supreme actions such as puja, each person has to completely shred his ego.

When this is done, automatically the person develops love towards the Lord. Then he develops the desire to understand the Supreme Essence. By offering services in certain sacred places, the opportunity to serve great saints arises.

‘Today is Tula sankramana. I need to go to the river and bathe there’. ‘Before the completion of the year I need to go and complete the Pushkara bathing’. ‘I need to go on a pilgrimage’. In this way the mind expresses its desire towards good deeds. When the mind thus seeks, then along with it many other good things come. The opportunity to serve great saints also comes along with it. The opportunity to feed the poor and needy also arises along with it. This is because dedication has emerged in the person.

Time and again one should rush for having Guru darshan! Not because there is some problem that needs to be solved by Him or for fulfillment of some personal desire but simply one should go with love to have His darshan. Problems exist eternally. The bhakti towards Him should become deep rooted in the mind. Going on a pilgrimage to see one favorite deity, going for Guru darshan, going to bathe in the preferred river, sharing food with 10 people, using all these tools we should strive to drive away the ego from the mind!

Om Namo Narayana.