Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Twelfth Session

Bhagavata Tritiya Skanda (Book Three)

Chapter 5 to 9

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There was a Sage who had two sons, both were in the path and the Sage wanted them to go and Seek Bhraman - The divine bliss, and come back and share the knowledge with him. Now both went away and did not come back for years. 

After years of seeking, they came back to their father, the Sage, we have found what we left for, they said. The father asked his sons to share the knowledge. 

- The First Son, started talking and went on and on and on, and kept explaining. Till his father asked him to stop awhile.

- The second Son, when asked, remained silent. His silence was answer enough for the father.

This Bhraman, can not be explained in word, he is beyond it all. He can just be experienced and the same is difficult to express in the limited capacity of the words. 

But, that is the only medium we have as of now. So, we will continue with the help of words.

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Story

We have currently reached a point where Vidhurji has finally met Maitreya Muni. It is a union of a true disciple and an able Guru, when there two meet, knowledge flows.

Vidhurji puts forth a lot of question, his endeavour to;

‘Know that blessed path by following which people succeed in propitiating the Lord, who in his turn settles in their heart, purified by devotion and bestows on them the most ancient wisdom, which brings with it realisation of the truth.’

Maitreya Muni, says all these will be answered in due course by the narration of the ‘Shrimahd Bhagavata Mahapurana’. He tells Vidhurji, how he heard the Bhagavata. Sankarasana told this grant to the SanatKumars, who further imparted it to Sankayana Muni, who told it to Parashara Muni, who further narrated it to Brhaspati. Who on being requested by Pulastaya Muni, gave it to Maitreya Muni

- Sankarasana - Sanatkumars - Sankayana Muni - Parashara Muni - Brhaspati - Maitreya Muni

He further goes on to tell Vidhurji that he is no other then ‘Yama’ the God of Dharma, who was born as Vidhur due to a curse. 

- The Story of Mandukya Muni: Some thief entered his house, and the solider thinking the he was involved took him and were about to punish him, by piercing him. The king came in time to stop this.

- But, the Sage question Yama, on justice. Yama told him that as a child, in his childish innocence he had pierced an ant. Hence, he was being punished for that act. Mandukya Muni, felt it was not just to punish for this act, done under childish influence. Hence, he cursed Yama to be born on Mrityu Loka.

Maitreya Muni start with the talks of ‘Appearance’ or most commonly used term is creation. He speaks of how all the tattvas come into existence, and all the devas preceding over them also came forth. But were unable to join together and create. Hence, on being requested, the divine bliss entered all of them and bound them together to start creation and manifested himself in various forms.

Vidhurji was alarmed and said why would the Lord do such a thing. Why would he bound himself and experience all the joys and sorrow of the world. To which Maitreya Muni answered, saying all is but an delusion. The free can never be bound. 

He further told, Vidhurji how Brahma came into existence and how he practiced ‘Tapa’ to know the truth of his existence. When Brahma finally experiences, his words become a melodies stuti and the dialogue that follow is as sweet as nectar. He seeks for the greater good of what he was going to manifest, and surrenders himself to the Lord. 

The Lord, says all they have to do is please me, and to please me, please all that is me.

Points to Ponder

Appearance not Creation

The world appearance is more appropriate then the word creation. There is no creation, That is, That was and that always will be there. 

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate

Puurnnasya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate 

‘Meaning:

1: Om, That (Outer World) is Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness); This (Inner World) is also Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness); From Purna comes Purna (From the Fullness of Divine Consciousness the World is manifested) ,

2: Taking Purna from Purna, Purna Indeed Remains (Because Divine Consciousness is Non-Dual and Infinite).’

Creator not the Creation

The objective of the entire exercise to draw your attention towards the Light(Creator). If this mere shadow(creation) is so enticing, how divine would the ‘That’ Be

‘Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi echoes that the Srutis do not mean to set forth any theories of creation. He says that they mention such theories casually so that the enquirer may please himself if he be so inclined. According to him the truth is that the world appears as a passing shadow in a flood of light. Light is necessary to see the shadow also. But the shadow does not deserve any special notice or analysis.’

The Essential Element and Deities 

‘When they were unable to do their work of creating, because of there heterogeneity and lack of co-ordination, they prayed to Lord’

‘God assumed his divine potency and entered the 23 elements. He united them and evolved the cosmic body.’

Hence, the objective here is not to focus on the division, but to look at the oneness. It is not the many, but the search is for one in the seemingly many. 

How to Please God

‘I am the self of all embodied souls.’

‘My pleasure alone is the highest good to be attained by men through works of Public Utility, Charitable Gifts, Sacrificial performance and also penance, yoga and meditation.’

All the other prayer, going to the temple and offering to the Lord are for our own benefit. They are essential, but for us, to purify. Sadana is essential and has to be under taken again for us to purify.

But, 

When the Lord says, leave aside all and serve me. He further explains that serving all is nothing but his service. 

Seeing everything as him and in him, and offering selfless service and love, pleases the Divine a lot.

As house-holder we should be engaged in 5 kinds of sacrifices (duties). We have a great responsibilty as house holder towards the society.

1. Brahma Yajna- Sacrifice to the holy scriptures and realised souls

2. Deva yajna Sacrifice to God

3. Pitri Yajna- Sacrifice to parents and departed souls

4. Purusa Yajna- Sacrifice to people

5. Bhoota Yajna- Sacrifice to creatures

‘The object of these five daily duties prescribed is to remind them everyday that each individual is an integral part of the world around him, and his prosperity and progress depends on the welfare of others, including birds and animals.’

The knowledge of One = Removal of Agony and Ignorance

When the greater picture comes into place, all is but one and duality is removed. With it vanishes the three fold agony and the 5 Avidyas (With the light of right knowledge, the darkness of ignorance disappears)

Three Fold Agony

- Adyatmik (That having it’s origins in ones own body and mind)

- Adibhotik (That inflicted by other creatures)

- Adidevik (That having its source in natural calamities)

Five Avidyas

- Avidya (Fundamental Ignorance)

- Asmita (Egoism)

- Raga (Attraction)

- Dwesha (Aversion)

- Abhinevesha (Fear of Death) 

When the knowledge of one comes, all emotions of duality disappear. Just like we don’t hold a grudge against our finger for poking our eye. As we know that it was done unintentionally, with no intention of hurting the eye. 

We can imagine here a pendulum, which is moving from left to right and finally it stops, and gets established in the centre. That centre is where the division of the world as right or wrong stops and Just being is established. 

In this state, we have been able to not only conquer the Tamas and Rajas, but also have crossed the state of Sattva. That is using sattva to removed Rajas and Tamas we have also dropped it as its work is done. 

Just like one uses a needle(sattva) to remove the torn(Rajas and Tamas) and puts the needle away, when this work is done.

At this time Jiva (who is pure consciousness and bliss) gets free of of Maya(the cause of distraction) and Time(the cause of transformation).

Lords Said

Practice penance 

You will realise yourself as devoid of the 5 elements, the Indiryas, the Gunas and the inner senses, and identical with me your very self.

You will find the worlds revealed in your heart. Then full of devotion and concentrated in mind, you shall find me pervading yourself and the whole universe and shall see the world as well as the jivas resting in me.

The very moment a man finds me present in all being as fire in every piece of wood, he is rid of all infatuations.

Jai Shri Krishna 🙏

Jai Hanuman 🙏