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We discussed that where adherence to righteousness (dharma) does not create love towards God and His divine plays in the person, those deeds are nothing but a waste of his resources. Only physical exhaustion remains. Apart from that there is no other benefit. There are many who read sacred books. Very often people remark, “We have read Bhāgawatam many times”. “I have got many people to read Bhāgawatam”. “We have been listening to Bhāgawatam stories regularly”.“We have conducted Bhāgawata pārāyana (reading the scripture from beginning to end) at our house. As such it is as good as attaining liberation”.

Undoubtedly they have read or heard Bhāgawatam. But their concentration would have been elsewhere for example on some phone call or on observing the people who are attending the program. Finding faults in the actions of the Pouranika (the person well read in Puranas) who is chanting the sacred text is a grave mistake. Finding grammatical mistakes at every step is yet another great headache. All these knots are inter-connected.

“Today I am expecting some guests. Let us begin only after they arrive”. Or “I have to make arrangements for the guests who are coming in today to listen to Bhāgawatam. Let us begin the program a little late so as to accommodate them all.” “Please cut short today’s program. I have to visit Krishna temple today and perform annadana (distributing food). As we have chanted Rukmini Kalyanam chapter today I want to do annadanam. Or today we chanted the chapter on Krishna’s birth. So I have to perform annadana.” At every step in this way people talk as if they are performing deeds related to Paramatma.

But of what use are these actions if they are devoid of love towards God? Even if these divine stories are read millions of times, even if Bhāgawatam chanting is conducted many a times at the house, even if Bhāgawatam books in all languages decorate the shelves in your house, what is the use? They are nothing but waste of material and bodily resources. Only the effort remains. It will be tiresome. It is like conducting bhajans endlessly and then collapsing due to tiredness. What purpose does it serve?

Along with these noble deeds, simultaneously the mind should be focused entirely upon the Lord. When with total love and devotion these deeds are performed, they yield proper results. Such reading of Bhāgawatam is true reading!

What is the purpose of dharma? Why should a person adhere to dharma (rules of righteousness)? The end result of adherence to dharma is to attain liberation (moksha)! Step by step we should progress. By step by step progressing on the path of dharma we will attain liberation in the end. All these steps of dharma are the penance (tapas) that is filled with love and devotion.

Although it is said that dharma (rules of righteousness) showers the person with ‘artha’ (materialistic earnings) in reality it is not the ultimate auspicious result. Attaining liberation (moksha) is the ultimate auspicious result for adhering to righteousness (dharma)!

“I have gained a lot by performing these good deeds. Ever since I began this yagna, luck is by my side. I have gained a good house, my children have been lucky” –in this manner people often speak. Is this the reason why you began performing meritorious deeds? Good tidings may come your way irrespective of whether you perform the good deed or not. Likewise bad tidings may come even if you perform good deeds. Even in this there could be joys as well as sorrows. Don’t we understand all this? Don’t we experience this in life? We see joys or sorrows landing on the head of a person who is extremely devoted to God. We also see similar joys or sorrows landing on the head of a person who does not believe in God.

‘Today I have performed Sahasranama chanting a crore times. That is why this good result I have attained.” Do you think chanting a powerful Sahasranama will give small benefits in the form of lottery earnings or a lost child returning home? Is that all? Lottery money can be lost. The child who has returned will grow up and once again leave home. None of these are permanent. They are temporary answers. That’s all.

You may have been able to build a house, your may regain health, you may have been blessed with a child, your child who ran away may have returned home, all these are joyful no doubt, but they are trivial in nature. They will get scattered and lost. We are wasting our dharma. We are wasting and diluting our bhakti in this manner.

We should not behave thus. Instead we should accumulate and store our result. Even if some good or joyful event comes your way, do not link it to your meritorious deeds. Do not think that it was the outcome of your good deeds. Perform every action without expecting any result. “I do not seek anything. Only with extreme love and devotion I am chanting or reading this holy book. I want to love and revere my God.” Think in this manner.

Of what use are these actions if there is no devotion (bhakti) and dedication towards the Lord? What is the benefit from your meritorious deeds when love towards God is absent? When all these trivial expectations are given up, then the true result of liberation is attained. Liberation is the true and most suitable result for adhering to dharma. All others are trivial results. Only liberation is the true result.

“My chanting paid off. My task is complete”. If you look up to good deeds only to give you temporary materialistic benefits, then you will stop your good deeds once result is attained. “O Lord irrespective of whether my problem is solved or not it does not matter. Give me the strength to withstand the problem. Let my mind never deviate from Your holy feet. Help my mind to be fixed at Your feet”, this should be the prayer. Never seek trivial results.

We will keep recollecting this message time and again. I will keep repeating this again and again. Even after listening to this many times we are unable to realize our mistakes. Therefore again and again one should recapitulate this message. This is just like standing in front of the mirror many times in a day. Morning afternoon and evening you stand in front of the mirror. Every time you have to go out you check your face in the mirror. Why do you need to check your facial beauty so many times in a day? In the same manner every moment recollect this message. I will keep reminding you many times about this. Do not wonder- why is Swamiji repeating this same message every time? I feel it is not enough to preach it once.

Everyone should be alert in this matter. We have to be very cautious. Attaining liberation is the most auspicious and rightful fruit of dharma! In the same manner the purpose of ‘artha’ (materialistic earnings) should solely be adherence to dharma (righteousness) and it should not be for ‘kāṃa’ (fulfillment of desires)!

One of the meanings of artha is earning money. Thus the sole and only purpose of earning money is to use it for dharmic activities and it should not be used for satisfying desires. This is what out Maharishis dictate. We have understood dharma. We are now trying to understand what artha is. What should be done with money earned?

Hearing these questions put forth, Suta Maharishi, son of Romaharshana Maharishi, was extremely pleased. He said:

“yaṁ pravrajantam anupetam apeta-kṛtyaṁ

dvaipāyano viraha-kātara ājuhāva

putreti tan-mayatayā taravo ‘bhinedus

taṁ sarva-bhūta-hṛdayaṁ munim ānato ‘smi

On account of being a jnani (highly knowledgeable being), Maharishi Śuka was freed from all karmic bondages. Even before he had undergone the sacred thread ceremony he renounced everything and was leaving home to proceed alone. At that time his father Maharishi Vyasa, being afraid of this separation called out to him, “My son”. All the trees, that were the form of Śuka’s Self (ātma), echoed with the same feelings in response. I offer my obeisance to that Śuka Maharishi who shines within every living being in the form of the Self (ātma)”.

The moment the word ‘Śuka Mahamuni’ is uttered all the trees, rocks, mountains, birds and all other entities become like a single Self (ātma).

Bhāgawatam, which is kept secretively in the Purāṇās, contains unimaginable and extra-ordinary power! This Bhagawata-purāṇa which contains the essence of all Vedas is like a lamp that illumines Self-knowledge amongst those who are desirous of crossing this utter darkness called samsara (repeated cycle of re-births). “I seek Self-realization, I want to see my ‘Self’, I seek to know what is the meaning of Self” – to those who seek answers to such questions Bhāgawatam is a lamp!

People struggle in this darkness called repeated re-births (samsara) and feel desolate that they are not able to attain Self-realization or that they have not been able to have the vision of their inner Self. “I still remain an ignorant fool, I am unable to understand principle/ nature of the Supreme Lord”- to everyone who feels lost in this manner, Bhagawatam is a lamp!

This life filled with afflictions and this repeated cycle of re-births is nothing but utter darkness. This body is full of diseases. Grief is seen at every step. Happiness is nowhere to be found. True happiness is attained only when knowledge of the Self or Self-realization is had. That is when light is seen. This light itself is Paramātma! If you want to see this light called Paramātma, you must listen to Bhāgawatam! You should read this text! You should try to know its greatness and significance!  

What a profound declaration is being made here! Bhāgawatam has been addressed as a lamp when everything is enveloped by utter darkness. Out of supreme compassion Maharishi Śuka, the son of Maharishi Vyasa, preached it. Śuka Maharishi is the one who can bestow ‘Self-realization’! This is because the Bhāgawatam that He has preached contains such immense significance! This Bhāgawatam will bless with Self-realization.

If Śuka Maharishi had not preached Bhāgawatam, perhaps we would continue to live in darkness. That is why it is said that due to his limitless compassion he preached this. I surrender to this Maharishi Śuka, who is an ocean of compassion and who is the Guru to many great saints. This is the meaning of the verse.

Nārāyanaṃ namaskṛtya naraṃ caiva narottamam

Deveem Saraswateem vyāsam tato jayamudeerayet ǀǀ

Nārāyaṇa Maharishis, the greatest among humans, Mother Goddess Saraswati and Maharishi Vyasa should be worshipped at first and then reading of Srimad Bhāgawatam, the holy book which grants victory (jaya) to the Self, should be begun.

Bhagawatam is also known as ‘jaya’. Even Mahabharata has the same name. The word ‘Jaya’ is symbolic of the numeral 18. Mahabharata has 18 chapters. Srimad Bhāgawatam has 18000 verses. Therefore both are addressed as Jaya.

In this manner after offering reverential respects to Maharishi Vyasa, Maharishi Śuka and to the holy text Srimad Bhāgawatam, Maharishi Suta began as follows.

“O Maharishis! You have asked a very auspicious question about Lord Sri Krishna, which will cause the welfare of the world. By just hearing your question, my mind feels at peace.

Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhakti radhokṣaje

Ahaituky apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati

Vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ

Janayatyāsu vairāgyaṁ jñānaṁ ca yadahaitukaṃ

That dharma which causes devotion (bhakti) towards the Supreme is itself the most supreme one. This is because selfishness, obstacles and fear are absent in it. The mind attains supreme happiness with such devotion. Devotion towards Vāsudeva, the Lord of the universe, causes detachment towards material world among people. It bestows the knowledge of the Self that knows no limitations.

Where the righteous deeds (dharmic activities) of people do not cause increased love towards divine stories/ glories, then such righteous deeds are merely a waste of resources. It is nothing but bodily exhaustion. It is a waste. That’s all.

During the period of this Satra Yāga, one morning, the saints completed the morning yāga rituals and then approaching Maharishi Suta, offered obeisance to Him, seated Him reverentially and with total devotion enquired, “O meritorious sinless being! Not only have you studied all the historical records, purāṇās, dharma- shastras (scriptures pertaining to righteousness), but in addition you have also authored commentaries about them.

Due to the grace of Maharishi Vedavyasa, the most supreme amongst all greatest scholars of Vedas and Vedangas (limbs of Vedas), everything is known to You. Please decisively teach us that knowledge, which contains the essence of all the scriptures and which causes utmost welfare”.

They beseeched in this manner because it is said- brūyuḥ snigdhasya shiśyasya guravo-guhyamapyuta, which means- due to love towards devotees who are extremely devoted towards them, Gurus impart even the most secretive knowledge.

“In this Kali-yuga most people are lazy, misguided, dull-witted, unlucky, having short span of life and above all are suffering due to diseases and many related factors. Vedas and Shastras explain the greatness of karma (action). Even listening to a small fraction of that however becomes very difficult. Therefore, with your wise intellect, please squeeze the essence of all these scriptures and impart that knowledge to us.

What is it that will cause the welfare of this world? What is it that will bestow contentment to our inner mind (antaḥkaraṇa)? Please teach us that knowledge.

O Suta Maharishi! You are all knowing. Devakyāṁ vasudevasya jāto yasya cikīrṣayā – What was the intention with which the Lord of all Lords, the Supreme Lord Sriman Nārāyaṇa, who protects devotees in the form of their leader and who is an embodiment of all good traits, took birth from the womb of Devaki as the son of Vasudeva? We are desirous of listening to this tale. Please be kind enough to teach us in detail. The Supreme Lord incarnates solely for the welfare of all beings.

Āpannaḥ saṁsṛtiṁ ghorāṁ yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan

Tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta yad bibheti svayaṁ bhayam

Meaning: By uttering the divine names of that Supreme Lord, fear runs away and frees the helpless living beings who are caught in this extremely fearful samsara (repeated cycle of births and deaths).

Fear is afraid of God and runs away. Simply by associating with great Maharishis who have totally controlled their mind and placed it at the feet of the Lord, living being instantaneously becomes pure!Purification from drinking the water of Ganga can be attained only after some time. But association with holy souls bestows instant purity.

Can any living being who is desirous of purifying his inner mind, not be desirous of listening to the wondrous glories of that Supreme Lord whose fame is unlimited and who is extolled profusely by his devotees? Listening to His glorious tales instantaneously washes away all sins of this Kali Yuga. Learned souls eternally sing the specialities of His incarnations. We seek to hear them. Please be kind enough to teach us.

The Lord with his own power of illusion (māya śakti), and out of his own will, sports incarnations. Please explain to us the details of these incarnations. We are not satisfied in the aspect of hearing divine stories. Those who delight in listening to divine stories find every word in that story as nectarous. Every word will be sweet and delicious in taste. In the guise of a human being, the Supreme Lord, together with Balarama, accomplished innumerable deeds that are far beyond the capacity of human beings.

Coming to know that Kali-yuga (the fourth eon) has begun, we are frightened and hence have begun this very long Satra Yāga in Naimiśāranya forest, a place very dear to Lord Vishnu. O Maharishi Suta! Our meritorious deeds have turned fruitful. We are blessed with your divine darshan. We have been blessed with this chance to listen to the glories of that Supreme Lord. It is very difficult to cross this Kali-yuga which robs the mind of purity and energy. Just as a person desirous of crossing the ocean seeks the help of a boatman, the Divine Lord has, in order to help us cross this ocean of samsara, shown You as our guide.

In whom did righteousness (dharma) seek shelter after Śri Krishna, the Lord of Yoga and who like a shield zealously protected righteousness, left this human body and returned to his original form? You alone are capable of teaching us this.” In this manner Śounaka and other saints beseeched Maharishi Suta.

From the questions of Śounaka and other saints it is clear that by that time, Sri Krishna had completed his incarnation and returned to his divine abode.

With this the first chapter of the first Canto comes to an end. In this chapter the greatness of that Supreme Lord, the reasons for His incarnation and the qualities of a supreme devotee, the method of questioning are clearly brought out. It is also clarified that if we have the deep inclination, Gurus impart to us even the most secretive knowledge. 

Nārada Maharishi propagated devotion (bhakti) and established it all over the world. The celestial prophecy turned out to be true. Jnana and Vairāgya (supreme knowledge-dispassion), the sons of bhakti-devi were rejuvenated and regained their youth. Bhakti, Jnana and Vairāgya continued to live comfortably and happily. This is from the Srimad Bhāgawata māhatyam chapter of Pādma purāṇa.

One shudders to think of a society that is lacking in devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana) and dispassion (vairāgya). With the goal that the entire world should be happy and blissful, let us listen to the entire Srimad Bhāgawatam. Let us obtain the grace of the Supreme Lord.

Before beginning to understand Srimad Bhāgawatam, let us at first chant the Dhyāna ślokas.

Vyāsāya Viśnu rūpāya vyāsa rūpāya viśṇavē

Namovai Braḥma-nidhaye vāśisṭāya namōnamaḥ ǀǀ

Yogindrāya namas tasmai śukāya Braḥma-rūpiṇe

Samsāra darpa dasṭam yo viśṇurāta mamūmucat ǀǀ

Kāla-vyāla mukhā-grāsa-trasa-nirnāśā hētave

Srimad Bhāgawatam śāśtraṃ kalou keereṇa bhāśitaṃ ǀǀ

Sacchidānanda rūpāya viśwotpatyādi hetave

Tāpatraya vināśāya śri kriśnāya vayaṃ nu maḥ ǀǀ

Janmady asyā yato ‘nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarāt 

tene brahma hrda ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah 

tejo-vāri-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra trisargo’mrśa
dhāmna svena sadā nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi ǀǀ

Every object in this creation is in the state of existence (sat). But one object does not reside within another. We understand that this world was born out of Parabrahma who inherently is the form of existence (sat). It dwells (sthiti) in Him and once again merges back into Him.

On His own will the omniscient Paramātma, who Self-illumines without any expectation, taught the knowledge of the Vedas to four faced Brahma. Even great souls get stupefied in matters pertaining to this Supreme Lord.

Just as fire, water, earth emerged from Him whose inherent form is existence only (sat), this world too which is their effect form (kārya roopa) and which in reality does not exist, becomes apparent (visible). Māya (illusion) and its defects cannot touch that Lord who is a form of pure consciousness.  In other words, He destroys those defects. I contemplate upon such Parabrahma who is a form of truth.

dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ

vedyaṁ vāstavam atra vastu śivadaṁ tāpa-trayonmūlanam

śrīmad-bhāgavate mahā-muni-kṛte kiṁ vā parair īśvaraḥ

sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate ‘tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt

In this Srimad Bhāgawatam, which has been composed by eminent Maharishi Vedavyasa, the profound dharma (rule of righteousness) called karma-phala-tyāga (giving up the fruits of action) is being taught!The Supreme knowledge as taught by great saints who are non-envious; that Supreme Knowledge which is the eternal truth; which causes welfare and which drives away afflictions, is being taught in this text. By reading other Scriptures, the Supreme Lord does not remain permanently seated in the heart. However upon listening to Bhāgawatam with deep interest, dedication and desire, Paramātma firmly and instantaneously seats himself in one’s hearts!

Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁmitam

Pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayaṁ muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

How astonishing! The fruit called Bhāgawatam, which is filled with the essence called Supreme Bliss, emerged from the wish fulfilling tree called Veda.  It was thrown to the ground through the parrot beak of Maharishi Śuka. Those humans who understand the importance of this essence, who have deep inclination and deep devotion towards it must chew this fruit filled with essence, again and again until they attain the essence called liberation!

Until here we have understood the significance of Bhāgawatam through these auspicious verses that bring out its glory. We have also discussed that this Bhāgawatam has emerged from the parrot beaked Maharishi Śuka. It is a well known fact that a fruit which has been tasted by a parrot is always sweet. In this case Maharishi Śuka experienced the essence of this fruit called Bhāgawatam. In those who hold on to it, the five sense organs attain contentment and experience inherent bliss. The homes and the surroundings where Bhāgawatam is recited always remain peaceful. The radiance of Goddess Lakshmi flows greatly there. 

Sri krishnāya Paramatmane namah.

First Canto Chapter 1    

In this 1^st Canto, there are 19 chapters (adhyaya). First chapter covers the story wherein Śounaka and other Maharishis, seated in the Naimiśāranya forest, enquire about Srimad Bhāgawatam from Śuka Maharishi.

Naimiśaranaya is the sacred forest where Sri Mahavishnu and the Devatas, who exist in the form of consciousness (chaitanya), eternally reside! Maharishi Śounaka and other saints wanted to know about Sri Mahavishnu whose glories are sung eternally in heaven and who is sought after by worthy people on earth capable of contemplating upon Him. With this intent they began a Satra Yaga ritual which would go on for a 1000 years.

Nārada Maharishi thought, “This celestial voice appears secretive. There is no clarity in it. By adopting which method can devotion be spread across this world? How can devotion (bhakti) travel throughout the world? What is to be done by me in this regard?” Unable to find a solution to these doubts of his, Nārada Maharishi asked bhakti and her sons to remain seated there while he set off on a pilgrimage.

There was no sacred place (kshetra) that Nārada Maharishi did not visit during this pilgrimage. There was no great saint whom he missed out. At every place he visited people were with total attention listening to his tales about bhakti and her children, but none seemed to have a solution to the problem. Everyone was clueless. In fact some decisively told him that it was impossible to spread devotion across the entire universe. Some applauded him for this task. Some ridiculed him. Some were wonderstruck, some remained silent.

How could others understand that, which could not be grasped even through the medium of Vedas and Vedantas and which was beyond the understanding of even Sage Nārada? You think.

Nārada who was totally dejected and worried about his helplessness in spreading devotion across the entire globe, at last reached Badarivana. He resolved to undertake penance at this place. While he was thus engaged in severe austerities, one day he was blessed with the vision of Sanaka and other great sages. Nārada was ecstatic with this darshan. He begged these sages to show him the way by which he could reduce the sufferings of Bhakti devi and her sons Jnana and Vairagya (spiritual knowledge- dispassion).

The saints then said, “Nārada, do not grieve. We have already thought of a solution to this problem. Only a great devotee of your cadre can accomplish the task of propagating devotion across the globe. The saints have shown various paths by which sadhana (spiritual practices) can be performed but all of them are hard and difficult to follow. The sadhana called devotion, which can bless the aspirant with the vision of Lord Srihari, however has remained a secret. Only a few like you could understand about its greatness. As a result, the celestial voice entrusted you with the task of spreading devotion everywhere. Yagnas (a ritual of sacrifice) are of many types such as dravya-yajna, tapo-yajna, yoga-yajna, swadhyāya (study of the Self), jnana- yagna etc.

Sat-karma sūcakō nūnaṃ jnana-yajnaḥ smrto budhaih
Srimad-bhāgavatālāpah sa tu gitaḥ śukādibhih

Amongst all these sacrifices (yajnas), Jnana-yagna is the most supreme. This Jnana-yajna called singing Srimad Bhāgavatam has been performed by Maharishi Śuka and other eminent sages. You propagate Bhāgawatam in this world.

Praḷayaṃ hi gamiśyanti Srimad-bhāgavatā-dhvanēh
Kali-dośa ime sarve simha-sabdād vrka iva

Just as the wolf runs in fear upon hearing a lion’s roar, all the difficulties and sorrows of Kali Yuga will be destroyed if the devotee sings Bhāgawatam”.

Maharishi Nārada then enquired, “O great Saints! Even after I initiated Jnana and vairagya into Vedas and Vedangas, their sufferings could not come to an end. All my efforts were in vain. How then can their sufferings be mitigated with the singing of Bhāgawatam? Please explain this to me.”

Sanaka and other sages then answered, “O Nārada, Bhāgawatam is nothing but the cream of all Vedas and Upanishads. It thus contains supreme essence. Yoghurt is present in milk. Even then unless a few drops of yoghurt are added to milk, it will not convert into yoghurt. In the similar manner Bhāgawatam emerged. Sugar inherently exists in sugarcane. But only upon separation it actually converts to sugar particles. Bhāgawatam is the essence of all the Vedas.

Idaṃ bhāgavataṃ nāma purāṇaṃ braḥma-sammitaṃ

Bhakti -jnāna virāgāṇāṃ sthāpanāya prakāsitaṃ 

This sacred Maha-purāna called Bhāgawatam is equivalent of the Vedas. In order to establish devotion (bhakti), supreme knowledge (jnana) and dispassion (vairagya) in this world, this has been lit/ illumined by the Supreme Lord himself. 

Previously when Bhagavan Vyasa was sorrowful, you personally initiated him into the catus-śloki Bhāgawatam (Bhāgawatam in four verses, which contains the entire core of the text) which was at first taught by the Supreme Lord Mahanarayana to Lord Brahma and which you had learnt from Brahma. Vyasa expanded this and compiled it into a Maha-purana comprising of 18000 verses. He taught this to Maharishi Śuka. Maharishi Śuka in turn taught this to Emperor Parikshit. Due to this initiation, in just 7 days Parikshit could attain liberation. Taking the help of such Supreme Bhāgawatam, you spread devotion (bhakti) in this world. By doing so, you will be successful in dispelling the sorrows of bhakti, jnana and vairagya.

Srimad Bhāgawata śrāve śoka duḥkha vināśanaṃ –By listening to Srimad Bhāgawatam, all forms of suffering and grief is dispelled.”

After hearing this message of the great sages, Nārada Maharishi said, “O great saints! All my doubts have now been cleared. My difficulties have been washed away. I will henceforth propagate Bhāgawatam in this world. I will ensure that it is heard in every household.” Thus making a firm determination, Nārada offered obeisance to the four great sages and received their blessings.