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Published on:

20th Feb 2018

Bhagwat Mahatmay 3

Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Synopsis of the Third Session

Bhagavat Mahatmay

———

Bhagavata unlike Ramayan and Mahabharat is not one big story, it is a string of stories, conversations, narration and question and answer sessions, happening between different speakers, at times, in different time zones. 

Hence, to comprehend this, we need to try and clear the clutter of conditioning in our mind. At the same time we need be willing to think beyond the boundaries of our limited physical and mental capacity and finite logic and reasoning. 

Beyond the boundaries exits the truth.

———

Let’s bring ourselves to Naimisharanya, ‘a Holy forest where Shree Veda Vyasa taught the Vedas and all the Puranas to his disciples. Later it is in this very holy place that Romaharshana or Lomaharshana , Vedavyasa’s disciple, narrated the Puranas to several Rishis. It is also the blessed place where Ugrasrava (Suta Gosvami),the son of Romaharsana, narrated the story of Shreemad Bhagavatam to several Rishis.’

Veda vyasaji writes, that Shaunka with his 28000 disciples, requests Suta to narrate that which will help everyone during this dark age o Kaliyug, in an effort to make Humans humans again. 

‘Manur bhav’- ‘Manushya tu manushya banja’.

To which, Sutaji, chose to narrate the ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Mahapuran’. He explains why to Shaunka? He picks a few of the endless glories and benefits of this Granth. 

Point 1

‘The story of Shrimada Bhagavata emanates from the essence of the Vedas, Purans, Upnishads etc. 

- The vital juice circulating the tree can not be tasted. The same juice in the form of the fruit captivates the mind of all.

- The butter in the milk, cannot be tasted, but when separated, it delights even the gods.

- Sugar too is there in the sugarcane, but when separated tastes sweeter.’

Point 2

Story : King and Queen and their baby who was stolen by the dacoits. Later, till reminded the child forgot who his real parents were and took the dacoits to be his parents.

Point to ponder: This Granth has the power to take us where we belong. We are the children of God. We have lost our true selves in this world. The spark of knowledge from this Granth, can lead us back to our true divine Self. 

- Tat Tvam Ashi

- Aham Brahmasmi

- Ayamatma Brahma

- Prajnanam Brahma

Point 3 

Story: Vivekananda and an impatient man and his question of, How to get God?

This man is thought the importance of one single breath, when kept under water for a long duration. One single breath is all he wanted. He could not think of anything else. When time is short, drastic measures have to be used.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to awaken this one pointed focus, this deep yearning that is to to reach God. It will awaken the intensity in seeking for God, just like a dying person wants one more day of life and a drowning person wants one breath. 


Point 4

Story: A little boy selling water, and the rich man who bargains. This little boy understanding that he is not thirsty, goes away. As a person who is really thirsty drinks first and then asks for the price.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to awaken the thirst, to awaken the longing and awaken the desire for God. The thirst for the truth. The thirst for finding the True Self. 


Point 5

“Sacidanandroopaya visvotpatyadihetave, tapatreyavinashaya Shri Krishna vayam namah”

We sing the glory of Shri Krishna, who is all truth, all consciousness and all bliss, who is is eternal never ending bliss. He is responsible for the creation, substance and destruction of the universe. He is capable of putting an end to the threefold agony, and we do Naman to him. 

- Adhyatmik: The agony caused by ones own body and mind.

- Adibhotik: The agony caused by other creatures to the self.

- Adidevik: The agony caused by natural calamities, or other elements.

Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to wipe out all our agonies, and lead us to eternal bliss. How can it not, Krishna himself dwells in ‘Shirmad Bhagavata Mahapuran’. 


Point 6

Story: The Kumaras help Narada Muni, awaken Gyan and Vairagya and rejuvenate Bhakti. Who has suffered because of the onset of Kaliyug. They commence the narration of ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Mahapuran’, at Anada near Haridwara. Not only, do Gyan and Vairagya become young again, but Mukti joins them from Vaikunth Dham and Bhakti dances at the tune of Shri Krishna’s Flute.


Points to ponder: This Granth has the power to get Bhakti to dwell in your heart, along Gyan (Divine Knowledge) and Vairagya (universal Love). For such being, Mukti is not a far fetched dream, for they are never bound. Such a ‘Loving heart’ is very dear to God, and he resides in it. 

Does this world not need more Love?

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; 

only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that." 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


Jai Shri Krisna🙏

Jai Hanuman🙏

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About the Podcast

Shruti Says
As I learn I share my humble learning.

- Ramcharitmanas (Ramayan)- 33 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"