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Published on:

6th Feb 2018

Bhagwat Mahatmay 1

Shrimad Bhagwatam Mahapuran

Synopsis of the First Session

Bhagwat Mahatmay

All at the feet of Shri Hanuman, who is our main Listner (Mukhya Shrota), main Speaker (Mukhya Vakta) and main Brahmin. He was there and always will be there, a “Katha Rasiya”, Who goes where ever the Hari katha is happening, and listens to it soaked in the love for the Lord. 

My naman to Hanumanji

To absorb the most from the story, we need to learn to Listening. As such, considered a very natural activity, but it does not come naturally to most. The first session is devoted to the ‘Art of Listening - Sravanam Mangalam’

Stories covered:

1. Ramdasji and Hanumanji - Color of the flower

2. Water and the Vessel

3. Sadhu and his Student - The Brick of Gold

4. Atmadev, Dhundhuli, Dhundhukari and Gokarna

  1. Disparity in Reward

  2. Difference in Form

Ramdasji and Hanumanji - Color of the flower

Points to Ponder 

1. Ramdasji while narrating would start visualising the entire scene, as if it was happening in front of him. (Time after all is just an illusion)

2. Many a times our perception or vision is clouded by our mental state and situation.

3. There can be various version of the story.

4. Listen to the narration with an ‘Open Mind’.

5. Ones a Granth is opened, the Granth which is imbibed with a soul takes over, and presents what it actually wants to, at a particular time.

6. Multiple Kalps and multiple yugs are happening simultaneously and in repetition. Each has a different narrative. The change in minor details in the story should not distract us, our focus should be on the essence and the learning.

Water and the Vessel

Points to Ponder

1. Only when the vessel is empty is it possible to put water into it.

2. At the same time the vessel has to be kept with the open mouth up and not upside down.

3. We have to be receptive when sitting and listening.

4. Irrespective of how many times we have heard the story, every time we hear a new lesson can be derived.


Sadhu and his Student - The Brick of Gold

Points to Ponder

1. We all have a lot of baggages which weigh us down.

2. Sit free of all the worries, fears, sorrows, expectation and assumptions. 

3. In order to really revel in the story, we need to dispose off all that is bothering us.

4. If only we were a rolling stone, we would not gather any moss. Till then, we can always deposit our baggages with the Lord, time and again.


Atmadev, Dhundhuli, Dhundhukari and Gokarna

Points to Ponder

Disparity in Reward

Gokarna asked: 

On this very Spot there are many sinless souls that have listened to my discourse. How is it that aerial cars have not been brought for them? How has disparity come in the matter of reward?

Servants of Hari replied: 

The disparity in the matter of reward here has come on account of diversity in hearing the exposition. Thought it has been heard by;

- It has not been reflected upon in an equal degree of intensity by everyone.

- It was not heard by a composed mind.

- One has be there 100% body, mind and soul. Hear, Listen, understand, contemplate and implement. 

It is to be noted here;

- Pointless is spiritual wisdom which is not firmly rooted.

- Hearing of scriptures is tarnished through lack of interest.

- Counsel which is received with a doubting mind is lost.

- Fruitless is the muttering of a sacred text done with a restless mind

Hence, the hearing of Srimad Bhagwata is efficacious only when;

- There is faith in the words of the narrator

- The thought of ones wretchedness

- The subjugation of one’s mental aberrations 

- Unflattering devotion to the hearing of Srimad Bhagwata

Difference in Form

Gokarna/other listners- They appeared in a divine form

Dhundhukari and others- Shri Hari gave him a form similar to his own

Why is there disparity in the Form attained by them? 

The above somehow lead our attention to the Lucidity and flexibility of it all.

1. Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda vandanti - which means that the truth is one but there are many paths to understand and get to it. 

2. Niraakar Nirgun (without a form and attributes) or Saakar Sagun (with a form and attributes), chose that which touches your heart.

3. Different people believe in different Gods. Some believe in Vishnu, Krishan, Ram, Kali, Durga, Hanuman, but no one should claim that their god is absolute nor ridicule the others God. That is each ones right and they can pursue their God the way they want to.

4. Your equations with God is totally your choice 

  - Advaita

  - Dvaita

  - Bhedabheda

  - Vishishtadvaita

  - Dvaitadvaita

  - Shuddadavaita

  - Achintya Bheda Abheda

5. Your final destination is totally your choice (As you sow, so shall you reap) 

  - Liberation/Moksha

  - Merge with the Lord

  - Remain with Lord without merging

  - Re-birth as an enemy/devotee

  - Re-birth in which Loka

  - Re-birth in which form

What should be our objective?

However, one question forever dwell in my heart;

“Agar mangne se jo maango woh miljata hai,

Tau phir Bhagwan se bhagwan ko he nahi maanglena cahiye.”

Jai Shri Krisna 🙏

Jai Shri Hanuman🙏

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About the Podcast

Shruti Says
As I learn I share my humble learning.

- Ramcharitmanas (Ramayan)- 3 Episodes (Currently conducting session)
- Bhaj Govindam - 23 Episodes
- Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran - 65 Episodes
- Geeta - 29 Episodes
- Sunderkand - 7 Episodes
- Vibhishan Gita (Completed) - 15 Episodes
- Navratri - Inner Awakening (Completed) - 1 Episode

Why this Endeavour?

All machines come with manuals, we read the manuals before we operate them. However, this complex machine called ‘human’ is used without any guidance. The scriptures are the ‘Manuals for Humans’. The sooner we ‘Understand’ them, the better the type of life we will lead and better directed our pursuits will be.

We are sitting on a store house of rich scriptures. The wisdoms that abides in them is immense. However, most of the time this precious knowledge is kept covered in an orange cloth, in a sacred corner and removed occasionally for chants and obeisance.

The effort here is to make these a daily read for us. We should be able to pick up any scripture, Just like one effortlessly picks up a novel, magazine, newspaper, etc. any time, anywhere, read, interpret and experience it.

As one of the saints once said,

How long are you going to read other people’s experience?

When will you experience it yourself?

There can be multiple interpretations. Delve deeper into your very being and after that constant musing, what is it that you feel this reveals?

Details on the Books;

Bhaj Govindam

This is a hard hitting composition to awaken us by the great Guru Shankaracharya.
My learnings from Bhaj Govindam is a written expression, kindly refer to the notes below the audio.

Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran

This is a Mahapuran, written by Vedvyasaji and narrated by his son Sukhdevji to Raja Pariksit.
Note: Pls refer to the notes to see which Skanda and chapter the session talks about. Currently we are in the 9th Skandh or Book.

Geeta

This is widely known, and is a part of Mahabharat. It is a divine dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjun.
The sessions are verse 24 onwards. Verse from 1 to 23 were not recorded, as at that time we had face to face sessions.

Sundarkand

This is a part of the Ramayan. Here, the great devotee Hanumanji, shows us essence of devotion. We are referring to the Tulsi Ramayan - RamcharitraManas

Vibhisan Gita (Complete)

This was done while understanding Shri Ram in Bhagwat, however the material was taken from Ramayan
- Vibhishan Gita (Part of Tulsi Ramayan - Lanka Kand - Completed)

May God's Grace Flow

About your host

Profile picture for Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

I am Barkha by name, there are various ways one can introduce ones self, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend etc in simple words, a house-holder.

The other way would be to put forth my qualifications and career. Well, from that point of view, I am an MBA from IIM-Lucknow. Have had a short stint in 'Gillette', later worked in ‘Coca-Cola’ and post which I started my own venture by the name of ‘Good Life Endeavors’.

However, the corporate world is the thing of the past as of now. It has been years since the profession was left for a Vocation and a career for a calling. I have found immense solace in learning and narrating from the scriptures.

The journey of a Story-Teller and a Sadhika (an aspiring devotee), has been an experience, which is difficult to put in words. I will just let,

"What comes from the heart go to the heart"