Friday, May 16, 2008

The day Lord Radharamanji was manifested, 19th May, 2008


Lord Radharamanji

On Monday, the 19th of May is not only Sage Narad Jayanti and Lord Budha’s birthday but also the Appearance day of Lord Radharamanji in the Chaitanya Mahaprabu tradition at Vrindavan.


The Shri Radhamanji temple in Vrindavan ranks third in popularity after the renowned Sri Banke Bihari temple and Sri Radhavallabhji temple,
Sri Hitharivanshji Jayanti of Radhavallabhji temple fame. Sri Radharamanji's lotus face is in class with Lord Govinda's, His chest can be likened to Sri Gopinathji's and His lotus feet closely resemble Sri Madanmohanji's. By perceiving Radharamanji one simultaneously has a darshan of these three primary Deities of Vrindavan.

  • Lord Radharamanji appeared on Vaishakh Shukla Poornima, 500 years back, from deity Shaligramji .
  • It so happened that once a Pujari who served Him in His earlier form of deity Shaligramji, yearned for His assuming the form of Lord Krishna. In case this miracle took place the priest could adore Him by sewing beautiful clothes for the Lord, embellishing His shrine with ornaments. When a certain Queen who was a devotee came to distribute poshak or clothes for the Lord, the Pujari’s wish overwhelmed him.
  • Since time immemorial the Lord has always been willing to bow to the wishes of His devotees. So on the fateful morning of Vaishakh Shukla Poornima in samvat 1699, when this Pujari, Gopalbhatt of Bengal, went in the morning to bathe Shaligramji with Yamuna water he found a grand miracle had taken place. Shaligramji had transformed into Lord Gopala or Radharamanji!
  • Radharamanji's physical features and beauty are indeed Divine and a feast for the eye! No wonder when we journey to attend His Abhishek or anniversary ceremony, we invariably witness millions of devotees from Bengal and Braj gathering in Vrindavan particularly for this day as they ecstatically chant,“ Jai Radharaman, Jai Radharaman!”

His Net-Darshan & Abhishek is available at http://www.salagram.net/sstp-RadhaRamanVrindavan.html.

SRI NARSINGH JAYANTI is on 18th May, 2008, a Sunday


Bhakta Prahlad Praying to Narsingh Bhagwan

Sri Narsingh Bhagwan is:


  • One of the ten famous incarnations or Dashavtars of Vishnuji, Narsingh Bhagwan appeared on earth to kill Hriniyakashipu, the king of asuras or demons., and please devotee Prahalda. If Lord Rama and Krishna are hailed as Purnavtars or full incarnations, the rest eight of them are, Narasimhan Avtaar ..... January 2007 special edition is just wonderful!
  • India is acclaimed as the most fortunate land or Devbhoomi since Lord Sri Hari took as many as 24 incarnations here and the Sri Narsingh Bhagwan incarnation is one of them ... Lord Sri Hari's 24 incarnations


Prahlada is a character from the
Puranic texts of the Hindu pantheon wherein he is famed for his exclusive devotion or bhakti to Vishnu. The story refers to desperate attempts by Hiranyakashipu, his father, to instigate Prahlada against the Lord. Deadly snakes, mighty elephants, being thrown off a cliff, Holika and deadly poison are proved futile in harming Bhakta Prahlada. Hailed as a mahajana, or great devotee by followers of Vaishnava traditions Prahlada is of prime importance to devotees of Narasimha avatar. A philosophical treatise is attributed to him in the ‘Bhagavata Purana’ wherein Prahlada meticulously describes the process of loving worship to his Lord Vishnu. Most of the stories in the Puranas are woven around the activities of Prahlada as a young boy, and therefore he is usually illustrated as a youngster in paintings and illustrations. After bearing severe torture from his father Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada is eventually rescued by Vishnu in the form of Narasimha, whose look was neither beast nor man.( part-man-part-lion avatar) .


In the Holy Scripture ‘Bhagavad Gita’ (10th chapter, verse.30) Lord Krishna applauds Prahlada for his indefatigable devotion:


"Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada, among subduers I am time,
Among beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda.
"


Prahlada falls under the category of demons because of the nature of his father Hiranyakashipu.


The great devotee Prahlada affirms, "To be equal in all conditions, is the worship of Achyuta."


( part 12 --Lord Vishnu’s names 308 to 362)


...358.... Samayajnah – Means, "Knower of all six systems of philosophy," or, "One who knows the exact time (samaya) for creation, preservation and destruction." The statement could imply, "One whose worship (Yajna) is nothing more than keeping an equal vision of the mind by the devotee"


In Chapter X of the ‘Bhagwad Gita’, Lord Krishna describes His Divine Manifestations:


“Just like Prahalada in demons, Time in reckoners , Lion in quadrupeds , Garuda in birds , Lord Vishnu in sons of Aditi ,Sun among luminaries, Lord Shiva among Rudras , Lord Kartikeya among army-Generals , OM among sacred syllables , sage Narada among Devrishis , Lord Kapila among Sidhdhas , king among men, Lord Sheshnaag among serpents , Lord Rama among warriors , holy Ganges among streams ,spirituality among sciences , holy Gayatri mantra among hymns , Arjuna amongst Pandavas , Lord Vedvyasa among Munis.”

In fact this coming Sunday, 18th May , 2008 is SRI NARSINGH JAYANTI, or when Lord Vishnu became Narsingh Bhagwan to kill Hiranyakashipu for saving Bhakta Prahaladji.. ... humble bowing to God , His vibhutis alone can longer our healthy life , wisdom & intellect

Sri Narsing Bhagwan is the family-deity of Saint Manoharji .. 6 am stuti of Sri Nathji fame and thus Manoharji keeps a fast to celebrate Narsingh Jayanti. He along with all devotees also visit Sri Narsingh Temple in Vrindavan ... even at age of 88 ! . Its location is near Sri Banke Bihariji or Radharamanji temple :Sri Hitharivanshji Jayanti of Radhavallabhji temple fame

It so happened that once Vivekanandaji asked Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa that why does Lord Narasimha not appear when there are so many demons much worse than Hiranyakashipu in the world as of now ? Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa answered with a smile, "We can not boast of a single Prahlada in modern day times to invoke Him. Prahlada had implicit faith in God being omnipresent in everything including the pillar which Lord Vishnu tore open to emerge in the form of Narasimha. We are not blessed with such absolute faith!"

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Pearl 27


Mahârâja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras

In this pearl let us concentrate on the Bhagwat Dharma, so beautifully elucidated in this section of the XIth canto, ‘Shrimad Bhagavatam.”


* Puriji has himself typed the following verses verbatim, demonstrating his absolute devotion. Conscientiously go through them as each one of them is a precious pearl. A daily recitation of these verses by Kripaluji Maharaj is available. One can also hear them on SanskarTV from 7.30 to 8 pm.


Chapter 2, verse 33: Shri Kavi said: I believe that, for the man whose mind is always agitated by mistaking this worthless body for one's own self, worship of the Lord's lotus-feet is the safest course to follow because through such worship all fear completely disappears.


Verse 34: All those courses of conduct which were actually taught by the Lord Himself for His own Realization is known as bhagavata-dharma. Even ignorant living beings without much exertion surely know them as conducive to His pleasure.


Verse 35: O king, resorting to those courses a man would never go astray; even if he follows them running (in a desultory way) or with closed eyes (ignorantly), he would not stumble or take a false step,


Verse 36: Whatever he does with his body, tongue, mind or senses, reason or intellect or by the force of his inherited nature, he should consecrate all as an offering for the pleasure of the supreme Lord Narayana.


Verse37: He who has turned away from the Lord loses the memory (of his real self), thanks to His Maya, and falls a prey to the erroneous belief that the body is one's own self. He is then seized with fear engendered by identification with the body (which is other than the self). Therefore, a discerning person should worship Him with exclusive devotion, looking upon his preceptor as the Deity as well as his own self.


Verse38: Though duality has no ultimate existence, it does appear like a dream or mental image to the mind of one who dwells upon it. Therefore, a wise man should control that mind from which proceeds ideations and doubts. Fearlessness will follow from it.


Verse39: (Therefore) hearing of the most auspicious descents and deeds of Sri Hari (the Wielder of the discus) and singing His names denoting His descents and actions, well-known in the world, without any fear of being mocked at, one should move about free from attachment.


Verse 40: The man who, having adopted such a course of conduct, develops love for Him by singing the names of his beloved Lord, his heart melting in devotion, loudly laughs and weeps, screams, sings or dances like one possessed, transgressing conventions.


Verse41: With exclusive devotion he bows to the sky, air, fire, water, earth, heavenly bodies, living beings, cardinal points, trees and the like, rivers and seas and all created beings, considering them as the body of the Lord.


Verse 42: As one who eats (food) feels satisfied, gets nourishment and relief from hunger with every morsel, (similarly) in him who has resigned himself to the Lord, devotion, realization of the supreme Lord and aversion to other objects – all the three appear at once.


Verse 43: In the votary of God O king, who worships uninterruptedly as aforesaid the feet of Sri Hari (the immortal Lord) Devotion, a distaste for the enjoyments of the world and direct knowledge of God appear (simultaneously); and through them he directly attains (the state of) supreme peace.


Verse 44: The king (Nimi) submitted: Now (kindly) describe the characteristics of the Lord's devotee among men, his disposition and course of conduct, how he behaves and what he speaks, and the distinctive traits which make him the favourite of the Lord.


Verse 45: Hari said: He is the foremost of the Lord's devotees, who sees himself established in all creatures as the Lord (himself), and sees (all) creatures established in his own self as in the Divine Soul.


Verse 46: The votary who cherishes love for the Lord, is friendly to other devotees of the Lord, compassionate to the ignorant, and indifferent to his enemies, is a second-rate votary (because he discriminates among these classes, whereas the one described in the previous verse makes no discrimination.)


Verse 47: He who does worship to the Lord with faith in an image only and does not serve His devotees and other beings is an ordinary devotee.


Verse 48: He who sees the universe as (a creation of) Visnu's Maya and, even though contacting the objects with his senses, neither experiences delight nor repulsion is indeed a devotee of the highest order.


Verse 49: He is the foremost devotee of the Lord, who by virtue of his (constant) remembrance of Sri Hari is never overwhelmed by mundane properties, (viz.,) birth and death, hunger (and thirst), fatigue, fear and ardent longing, which (really) belong to the body, vital air, senses, mind and intellect (and never to the Self).


Verse 50: He is undoubtedly the foremost devotee of the Lord, in whose mind the craving for enjoyment, the impulse for action and the seeds of future incarnation (in the shape of virtue and sin) never sprout, and to whom Lord Vishnu is the only resort.


Verse 51: He is indeed beloved of the Lord, who never identifies himself with this body by virtue of his birth and pursuits, grade in society, race or stage of life.


Verse 52: He is the best among the devotees of the Lord, who makes no distinction between his own and that belonging to others in the matter of his possessions and body. He looks upon all created beings with an equal eye and is (always) calm.


Verse 53: He is the foremost of the votaries of Lord Vishnu, whose memory of the Lord is ever fresh, and who even for the sovereignty of all the three worlds (heaven, earth and the intermediate region) and even for half the time taken by the twinkling of an eye does not turn away from (the adoration of) the Lord's lotus-feet, which are sought after by the gods and others whose mind is fixed on the invincible Lord.


Verse 54: Just as with the rising of the moon the heat of the sun disappears, so the fever of the devotee's heart, (once) banished by the cool lustre shed by the gem-like nails of the Lord's feet taking long strides (while dancing with the devotee as during the Rasa dance) can never appear again.


Verse 55: The name of the Lord is such that, even when uttered under constraint or unconsciously, it destroys multitudinous sins. That man is called the best of devotees, whose heart the Lord Himself does not leave as His lotus-feet are fastened by the cord of Love.


I can merely sum up by confirming that all Net-devotees are ecstatic to assimilate this valuable addition in their spiritual life and thank Puriji heartily for this.

Pearl 26


Vaudeva welcoming Deva-rishi naradaji

The XIth canto of the divine scripture 'Srimad Bhagavatam’ can be termed as the ‘Gita’ of the Bhagavatam since it embraces the principles enshrined in the ‘Bhagwad Gita’. Sage Narada adores the company of Lord Krishna at Dwarka, the capital city. Bharat is acclaimed as a divine land and the pearl lucidly chronicles the conversation between the Yogendras and King Videha.


X1 th cantoChapter2, verses 1-3: Even greatest of Saints like Narada love to be in the holy company of Lord Krishna at Dwarka as His holy lotus feet are the final resort for all. No mortal, in his sound senses, can ignore worship of the Holy Feet because even Lord Brahma and Shankar are devoted to them. “My dear King, in the material world the conditioned souls are confronted by death at every step of life. Therefore, who among the conditioned souls would not render service to the lotus feet of Lord Mukunda, who is worshipable even for the greatest of liberated souls?


Verse 4: --- Lord Krishna's father Vasudevji says that the arrival of Saints like Narada is a great blessing for households as they reveal the right course to folks. Sri Vasudeva says, “My lord, your visit, like that of a father to his children, is for the benefit of all living beings. You especially help the most wretched among them, as well as those who are advanced on the path toward the Supreme Lord, Uttamasloka.” Soon thereafter Naradji aptly fulfills this expectation by disclosingthe dialogue between king Janak & 9 Yogeshwars.”


Verses 11-13: Sage Narada establishes that the Bhagwat-dharma query not only purifies the world but delights God as well! Such devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that its performance can purify the entire universe. “.Pure devotional service rendered to the Supreme Lord is spiritually so potent that simply by hearing about such transcendental service, by chanting its glories in response, by meditating on it, by respectfully and faithfully accepting it, or by praising the devotional service of others, even persons who hate the demigods and all other living beings can be immediately purified.” In Ramayana, Tulsidassji translates it as such KAHANH, SUNAHIN, ANUMODAN KARAHIN, confirmed by Kripaluji Maharaj also.


Verse 17: Naradji affirms that earlier Bharat was called AJNABHVARSHA but due to the heroic exploits of king Bharat is now called ‘Bharat’. “Of the one hundred sons of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, the eldest, Bharata, was completely devoted to Lord Narayana. It is because of Bharata's fame that this planet is now celebrated as the great Bharata-varṣa.”


Verse 18: This land of Bharat is divine because people here yearn for Lord Sri Hari’s devotion unlike other parts of the world. “King Bharata rejected this material world, considering all types of material pleasure temporary and useless. Leaving his beautiful young wife and family, he worshiped Lord Hari by severe austerities and attained the abode of the Lord after three lifetimes.”


As of now Naradji narrates the story between the nine Yogendras, sons of Rsabha and King Videha (Janak,father of Sitaji during the Rama incarnation.)


Verses 33-43: The gist of the dialogue with first Yogeshwar Kaviji is:


  • Continuous remembering of Lord Sri Hari is affirmed as true Satsang.
  • Complete surrender to Lord Sri Krishna is the best devotion (akin to Sarvadhrman paritajye mamekam sharnam brajah ....... in the ‘Bhagwad Gita’.)
  • One who makes obeisance to all as a Godly entity is the greatest Mahatma (Siyaram May Sab Jag Jani, Karahoon Pranam Jori Jug Pani -Ramayana)


Verse 45: Relates the conversation with second Yogeshwar, Hariji:


Verse49: A true Vaishnav or the foremost devotee of the Lord is above mundane affairs and ignores all types of wealth. “Within the material world, one's material body is always subject to birth and decay. Similarly, the life air [prana] is harassed by hunger and thirst, the mind is always anxious, the intelligence hankers for that which cannot be obtained, and all of the senses are ultimately exhausted by constant struggle in the material nature. A person who is not bewildered by the inevitable miseries of material existence, and who remains aloof from them simply by remembering the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to be considered bhagavata-pradhana, the foremost devotee of the Lord.


Verse 50: The name of Lord Sri Hari is such that it destroys multitudinous sins even when uttered under constraint or unconsciously ( Bhav KubhavAnakh Aalashoon-Ramayana) “One who has taken exclusive shelter of the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva becomes free from fruitive activities, which are based on material lust. In fact, one who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord is freed from even the desire to enjoy material sense gratification. Plans for enjoying sex life, social prestige and money cannot develop within his mind. Thus he is considered bhāgavatottama, a pure devotee of the Lord on the highest platform.”


Verse53:
The Best devotee is one, whose heart Lord Sri Krishna does not leave even for a moment as His lotus-feet are fastened by the cord of divine love. “The lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are sought even by the greatest of demigods, such as Brahma and Shiva, who have all accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as their life and soul. A pure devotee of the Lord can never forget those lotus feet in any circumstance. He will not give up his shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord for a single moment — indeed, not for half a moment — even in exchange for the benediction of ruling and enjoying the opulence of the entire universe. Such a devotee of the Lord is to be considered the best of the Vais
̣ṇavas.”

Pearl 25


Lord Krishna’s romantic escapades in Dwarka

Lord Vishnu is acclaimed as the Supreme Deity of the Tridev comprised of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, reveals Brighuji by his amazing leela. Sootji affirms that listening to Lord Krishna’s feats absolves us of all sins. The pearl relates a stunning tale of Arjuna and Lord Krishna returning with a Brahmin’s dead sons. The narrative concludes with a detailed description of Lord Krishna’s romantic escapades in Dwarka, the capital city.


Chapter 89, verses 15-21: Sometimes men are sceptical about who is the Supreme Deity in the ‘Tridev’, consisting of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. To illustrate this point sage Bhrigu performs a leela: He goes to Brahmaji but does not bow to Him or glorify him with a prayer which makes Him furious. Soon enough he travels to Mount Kailash, abode of Lord Shiva, does not embrace the Lord but rather abuses Him. Mahadevji is outraged..Now Briguji ventures to Vaikunth, abode of Lord Vishnu, and kicks the Lord on the chest. However the Lord keeps His calm and praises Saint Bhrigu as one whose holy feet purify even pilgrim-centres. "Please purify Me, My realm and the realms of the universal rulers devoted to Me by giving us the water that has washed your feet. This holy water is indeed what makes all places of pilgrimage sacred.”


Thus Shukdevji concludes that Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Lord Krishna, is the Supreme or last resort of all Saints who are living embodiments of peace , equanimity , detachment , love and non-violence. “ Viṣṇu is the greatest Lord. From Him come peace; fearlessness; the essential principles of religion; detachment with knowledge; the eightfold powers of mystic yoga; and His glorification, which cleanses the mind of all impurities. He is known as the supreme destination for those who are peaceful and equipoised — the selfless, wise saints who have given up all violence. His most dear form is that of pure goodness, and the brāhmaṇas are His worshipable deities. Persons of keen intellect who have attained spiritual peace worship Him without selfish motives.”


In verse 21 Sootji, the kathakar, ascertains that Lord Vishnu's Katha can indeed absolve us, worldly people of all sins and give us eternal peace.


Chapter 90, verse50: But to attain the same we must spend every moment in Satsang which means continuous listening, chanting and contemplation of Lord Krishna’s fascinating stories which leave us spellbound. Solely then, man can imbibe the devotion that will lead him to the Supreme Lord’s realm (Gaulok, Vaikunth or Saket ) according to Lord Krishna, Vishnu or Ramji bhaav. “By regularly hearing, chanting and meditating on the beautiful topics of Lord Mukunda with ever-increasing sincerity, a mortal being will attain the divine kingdom of the Lord, where the inviolable power of death holds no sway. For this purpose, many persons, including great kings, abandoned their mundane homes and took to the forest.”


Before this final conclusion, there is an amazing story of bringing back the dead sons of a Brahmin in chapter 89.


Chapter 89, verse 58: Before this final conclusion there is the story of Arjuna and Lord Krishna bringing back the dead sons of a Brahmin.“[Lord Maha-Vishnu said:] I brought the brahaman’s sons here because I wanted to see the two of you, My expansions, who have descended to the earth to save the principles of religion. As soon as you finish killing the demons who burden the earth, quickly come back here to Me.”


Verse 61: Hearing Lord Vishnu’s statement Arjuna and Lord Krishna return with the Brahmin’s sons. “Taking the brahamana’s sons with them, they returned with great delight to Dwarka by the same path along which they had come. There they presented the brahamana with his sons, who were in the same infant bodies in which they had been lost.”


Chapter 90, verses 1-7: A detailed description of Lord Krishna' amorous sports in the capital city of Dwarka. “Sukadeva Gosvamī said: The master of the goddess of fortune resided happily in His capital city, Dwarka, which was endowed with all opulences and populated by the most eminent Vṛṣṇis and their gorgeously dressed wives. When these beautiful women in the bloom of youth would play on the city's rooftops with balls and other toys, they shone like flashing lightning. The main streets of the city were always crowded with intoxicated elephants exuding mada, and also with cavalry, richly adorned infantrymen, and soldiers riding chariots brilliantly decorated with gold. Gracing the city were many gardens and parks with rows of flowering trees, where bees and birds would gather, filling all directions with their songs. Lord Krishna was the sole beloved of His sixteen thousand wives. Expanding Himself into that many forms, He enjoyed with each of His queens in her own richly furnished residence. On the grounds of these palaces were clear ponds fragrant with the pollen of blooming utpala, kahlara, kumuda and ambhoia lotuses and filled with flocks of cooing birds. The almighty Lord would enter those ponds, and also various rivers, and enjoy sporting in the water while His wives embraced Him, leaving the red kuńkuma from their breasts smeared on His body.”


Pearl 24


Lord S'iva Saved from Vrikâsura

The pearl lucidly documents an amazing feat by Lord Krishna in Mithila where He ventures accompanied by great sages. Reiterating Lord Krishna’s deep respect for Brahmins, the section reveals Naradji affirmation that worshipping the Lord frees one from illusion and fear. Towards the end we have on record the terrifying tale of demon Vikrasur who tried to kill Lord Shiva.


Chapter 86, verses13-59: There is a reference to Lord Krishna visiting Mithila within the kingdom of Videha. He calls upon Shrutdev, a first-class Brahmin, rendering unalloyed devotional service to Lord Krishna. He visits King Bahulasva, ruler of Videha and descendant of the Mithila dynasty. (Mithila is the birthplace of Sitaji.) Both of them are great devotees. Lord Krishna performs an amazing leela here, He calls upon the Brahmin's home along with the King's palace simultaneously in two forms with both of them being totally unaware of this miraculous feat! “He simultaneously went to both homes, and neither could see Him entering the other's house.”


Verses 27-29: Amongst other offerings the King also donates cows popularly known as Gaudaan, beautifully explained in this draft. “Then he worshiped all those great lords by offering them fragrant sandalwood paste, flower garlands, fine clothing and ornaments, incense, lamps, arghya and cows and bulls.”


Verses 53-57: In this section once again Lord Krishna makes His obeisance to Brahmins, confirming that they are extremely dear to Him. “Even My own four-armed form is no dearer to Me than a brahmana. Within himself a learned brahmana comprises all the Vedas, just as within Myself I comprise all the demigods.”


Chapter 86, verse18: Coupled with Lord Krishna, a flock of learned Acharyas also venture to Mithila. “Among these sages were Narada, Vamadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita, Aruṇi, myself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.” During the course of king Yudhistarji's famous Rajsuya Yagna almost the same sages were present as the ones mentioned here which include Vedvyasji, writer of ‘Bhagavatam,’ and Bhardwaj Muni. Renowned sages namely Vasistha, Parshuram, Cyavana and Kashyap were also part of the entourage.


The next chapter 87 is rife with eulogies by the Vedas, raving about Lord Krishna.


Chapter 87, verse 50: We have Narada relating to Vyasa of what He had heard from Narayana Rishi, “He is the Lord who eternally watches over this universe, who exists before, during and after its manifestation. He is the master of both the unmanifest material energy and the spirit soul. After sending forth the creation He enters within it, accompanying each living entity. There He creates the material bodies and then remains as their regulator. By surrendering to Him one can escape the embrace of illusion, just as a dreaming person forgets his own body. One who wants liberation from fear should constantly meditate upon Him, Lord Hari who is always on the platform of perfection and thus never subject to material birth.”


The subsequent chapter 88 with its celestial Sri Krishna and Shiva dialogue has already been covered. In this section Vikrasur, the demon, demands Lord Shiva for a boon.


Chapter 88, Verse21: Demon Vrikasura asks of Lord Shiva, "May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.” He is granted the boon because having taken pieces of his own flesh He had offered as oblations into the sacred fire which is Lord Shiva mouth at Kedarnath.


Verse23: To test Shambu’s benediction the demon tries to put his hand on Lord Shiva’s head. Trembling with fear Lord Shiva reaches Vaikuntha, abode of Lord Narayana, with the demon hounding Him.


Verse33: Lord Narayana instigates Vikrasur to put his hand on his head and see if Lord Shiva had lied. On doing so, he is destroyed in the process.


Chapter 88, verses 38-39:
After this occurrence Lord Narayana assures Girisa or Lord Shiva of his safety. "Just see, O Mahadeva, My lord, how this wicked man has been killed by his own sinful reactions. Indeed, what living being can hope for good fortune if he offends exalted saints, what to speak of offending the lord and spiritual master of the universe?"

Pearl 23


Balramji and Krishnaji venture to Pataal where their devotee King Bali rules and get all six of their brothers back to Devkiji and Vasudevji

Accentuating the divinity of milk, the segment beautifully traces the realisation of Vasudevji and Devkiji that their son Krishna is the Supreme Lord Himself. Sootji, the narrator, confirms that anyone who hears or relates Lord Krishna’s miraculous deeds enshrined in the ‘Shrimad Bhagavatam’ attains eternal bliss.


Chapterr 85, verse55: The divinity of milk has been harped upon in various Srimad Bhagavatam links. But while going through this chapter we find Mahatma Shukdevji endorsing that Devkiji’s milk is most divine because the Lord Himself has savoured it! Consequently the rest of His six brothers, Smar, Udgeeth, Parishang, Patang, Shudrabhrit and Ghrini also suckle at it and attain final salvation, soon after Balramji and Krishnaji trace them down to Pataal!


Other notable verses of chapter 85 are:--


Verses 21 to 28: Lord Sri Hari declares that He is Eternal at the time of incarnation itself. However the reality of this truth dawns upon His father Vasudevji only in old age which is when He starts worshipping His son Krishna .


Mother Devkiji also accepts His Divinity but in a different manner. Father Vasudevji turns silent after realising He is the Lord Krishna. On the other hand His mother ascertains that since He is God, Lord Krishna can easily bring back His six brothers, Smar , Udgeeth , Parishang , Patang , Shudrabhrit and Ghrini who had been killed by demon Kamsa ! To honour their mother's wishes both the brothers Balramji and Krishnaji venture to Pataal where their devotee King Bali rules and get all six of them back! During the course of the Vaman incarnation, Bali's washing of the Lord’s Holy Feet resulted in springing up of the pious Ganges. This time round this act sends Mahatma Shukdevji into ecstasy as it eternally purifies the world.


Thie incident reminds me of Vrindavan. Whenever Baba Manoharji comes for Darshan of Boboji's Thakurji, He calls out for charnamrit. Thakurji means Lord Krishna –Radhaji hence the charnamrit is divine. So next time round when we visit Vrindavan, let us not miss it under any circumstances please!


Chapter 85, verse59:
No wonder at the end of this chapter, Sootji the kathakar or story teller of the ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ ascertains, “O sages, the fame and glory of Lord Sri Krishna are immortal. The stories of his sports rid the world of all sins and bring delight to the ears of Devotees and Saints. They have been narrated by the revered Sri Shukdevji, son of Bhagwan Vedvyasa Himself. A person who constantly hears them or repeats them to others has his mind focussed on the (Almighty) Lord, and attains the abode of eternal Bliss ".

Pearl 22



Vasudeva of Sacrifice to the Sages at Kurukshetra Explaining the Path of Success

The pearl records the congregation of wise sages who have keenly gathered in Kurukshetra for a sight of Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama. The Lord assures us that serving these great saints for a few moments absolves us of all sins. Vasudevji is totally unaware that His Krishna is the Supreme Lord and seeks Him elsewhere.


Chapter 84, verses 7-9: The segment ascertains the presence of thirty renowned sages of the world who have assembled to eagerly seek a darshan of Lord Krishna, and Lord Balrama in Kurukshetra. The group includes Vedvyasaji, the writer of ‘Shrimad Bhagwatam,’ and “Dvajpayana, Narada, Cyavana, Devala and Asita, Visvamitra, Satananda,Bharadvāja and Gautama, Lord Parasurama and his disciples, Vasistha, Gālava, Bhrgu, Pulastya and Kasyapa, Atri, Markendya and Brhaspati, Dvita, Trita, Ekata and the four Kumāras, and Ańgirā, Agastya, Yajnavalkya and Vāmadeva.” Virtually all the sages who attended King Yidhistirji’s famous Rajsuya Yagna are present in this chapter.


Chapter 84, verses 9-13: In this segment Lord Krishna endorses:


  • A darshan of the above thirty Yogis or mystics is not an ordinary incidence, only the most fortunate of us can achieve it. Lord Krishna affirms, “Now our lives are indeed successful, for we have obtained life's ultimate goal: the audience of great yoga masters, which even demigods only rarely obtain.”
  • He says it can take ages to please a pilgrimage shrine or God but these pious Mahatmas cure human beings, merely by casting their sight on them. “Mere bodies of water are not the real sacred places of pilgrimage, nor are mere images of earth and stone the true worship able deities. These purify one only after a long time, but saintly sages purify one immediately upon being seen.”
  • Lord Krishna assures us that genuine service of true saints for a few minutes, could be less than an hour, absolves one of all sins since it destroy one’s sense of non-belonging to the Supreme Lord! “But wise sages destroy one's sins when respectfully served for even a few moments.”

Other notable verses of chapter 84 are:


Chapter 84, Verse18: The verse clarifies that it is solely Lord Sri Hari or Krishna who takes incarnation to uphold righteousness and the Vedic path. The great sages praise the Supreme Lord, “Nonetheless, at suitable times You assume the pure mode of goodness to protect Your devotees and punish the wicked. Thus You, the Soul of the varnasrama social order, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, maintain the eternal path of the Vedas by enjoying Your pleasure pastimes.”


Verse 31: Shri Narad Muni enlightens the Brahmins about Vasudeva who considers Krishna a small boy, totally unaware that He is the Supreme Lord. He asserts that human beings start disrespecting you if you stay over for long. “In this world familiarity breeds contempt. For example, one who lives on the banks of the Ganges might travel to some other body of water to be purified.”


Verse 47: Lord Krishna's father Vasudevji uses butter for the Yagna or fire sacrifices ,”His body smeared with fresh butter.” Hence this can be interpreted as a glorification of milk.


Verse 54:
The verse elucidates that while serving food Vasudevji feeds all, not merely human beings but even dogs! “He honoured all classes of people by feeding everyone, even the dogs.” The act reflects the magnanimity of His persona! After all He is hailed as the Father of Lord of the Universe.

Pearl 21


the saintly Yādavas bathed in the lake of Paras'urâma during the solar eclipse

The pearl unveils a solar eclipse and enlightens us on how to deal with such a catastrophe, simply guiding us on the path to behold Lord Krishna. Later on a revealing account warmly describes the bonding of Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama with their foster parents after a long time span. The Gopis attain Gaulok where Lord Krishna resides and His 16008 queens rave about the Lord’s divine traits, opting for Him as the ultimate Saviour.


Chaptern 82, verses 9 and 10: There is a great solar eclipse just as if the end of Lord Brahma’s day had come. Lord Krishna and Balramji perform rituals like donations to Brahmins, fasts and so on to educate us how to face such a calamity. “At Samanta-pañcaka, the saintly Yādavas bathed and then observed a fast with careful attention. Afterward they presented brāhmaṇas with cows bedecked with garments, flower garlands and gold necklaces. In accordance with scriptural injunctions, the descendants of Vrisni then bathed once more in Lord Parusarama’s lakes and fed first-class brāhmaṇas with sumptuous food. All the while they prayed, "May we be granted devotion to Lord Krishna"


Verse 30: The Vedas elaborate upon four divine traits of the Lord which purify the Universe. We can behold Lord Krishna in the following ways since he is rarely visible even to great Yogis.


A) The touch of Lord Krishna’s lotus-like feet which has brought back earth's splendour and in turn she pours down
on us the fulfilment of all our desires.


B) Singing of His Glories and fame as broadcast by the Vedas.


C) Ganges water that has washed His Feet.


D) The words He speaks, enshrined in the revered scriptures, ‘Bhagwad Gita’ , ‘Shrimad Bhagavatam’ and other texts.


To sum up following the above relationship one can, “See and touch Him directly, walk beside Him, converse with Him, and together with Him lie down to rest, sit at ease and take your meals.”


Verses 34-35: Maiya Yashoda and Nandbaba meet Lord Krishna and Balramj after a long time span. Parents and children overwhelmed by divine love embrace each other warmly. “O hero of the Kurus, Krishna and Balarama embraced Their foster parents and bowed down to them, but Their throats were so choked up with tears of love that the two Lords could say nothing. Raising their two sons onto their laps and holding Them in their arms, Nanda and saintly mother Yasoda forgot their sorrow.’


Verse 48: Gopis achieve the divine form after getting spiritual instructions from Lord Krishna and thus reach Gaulok (where Lord Krishna resides) leaving this mortal world. “The gopīs spoke thus: Dear Lord, whose navel is just like a lotus flower, Your lotus feet are the only shelter for those who have fallen into the deep well of material existence. Your feet are worshipped and meditated upon by great mystic yogīs and highly learned philosophers. We wish that these lotus feet may also be awakened within our hearts, although we are only ordinary persons engaged in household affairs.”


Chapter 83, verse 39: All the 16008 queens of Lord Krishna describe their opting for Lord Krishna as the ultimate saviour and elucidate His qualities as God. Rukmaniji, Satyabhama, Jambwati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Satya, Bhadra and Laxmanaji, eight chief queens rave about the Lord’s virtues which are sung throughout the three worlds and can attract anybody to Him. “Thus, by renouncing all material association and practicing austere penances, we queens have all become personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Supreme Lord.”

The incidence throws light on Lord Krishna being the Bhagwan Swayam or God Himself. In the mundane world, if a person has more than one wife, often it can be disastrous. But in the Lord’s case there are 16008 wives with abundant love and warmth for each other, unanimously hailing Lord Krishna. Because in the ultimate analysis, each soul is a spouse of the one and only Purushottam who is Lord Krishna!


Pearl 20


Lord Krishna Celebrates Poverty

This particular segment in pearl 20 celebrates poverty which ultimately leads one to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord. The fact remains that there is no grief as severe as destitution---naahi daridray sum dukh jag mahin as interpreted in the ‘Ramayana.’ On the other hand those who are forced to live a life of penury after having been rich should rather celebrate this reality, in case they are genuine devotees of Lord Krishna! It may sound incredible but it is true.


For references, please go through Shrimad Bhagavatam’s X canto.


A) Chapter 9, verse 23 and chapter10, verses 1-42: The episode deals with the famous story of Ukhal-bandhan or mortal-bondage, Herein Lord Krishna granted redemption to two Yakshas ( Yamlarjun ) as Naradji had cursed them to a tree form because they had become arrogant with the power of money.


B) Chapter 81, verse 37: In this drat the poor Brahmin Sudamaji confirms this particular trait of Lord Krishna towards His devotees. “To a devotee who lacks spiritual insight, the Supreme Lord will not grant the wonderful opulence of this world — kingly power and material assets. Indeed, in His infinite wisdom the unborn Lord well knows how the intoxication of pride can cause the downfall of the wealthy.”


C) Chapter 88, verse 8-9: Herein Lord Krishna openly declares that upon whom I bestow my Grace, I make him poorer day by day so that his mind diverts from the world and is focused on my satsang, kathas and devotees. The process makes him humble and purer for my Darshan.“ If I especially favour someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth. Then the relatives and friends of such a poverty-stricken man abandon him. In this way he suffers one distress after another. When he becomes frustrated in his attempts to make money and instead befriends My devotees, I bestow My special mercy upon him.”


However, if you are not the ideal devotee and still crave for wealth, Lord Krishna grants it to you. The Devotee may attain Lord Krishna Himself as Rukmaniji did! She who is Goddess Laxmi incarnate, confirms that those who love God, will not only acquire Dharam but Arth, Kaam, Moksha,the four fruits of life as well.. Lord Krishna is likened to the Kalpataroo, giving you whatever you desire.


To exemplify lets go back to the above mentioned A, B and C points once again:


A) After being blessed by Lord Krishna's grace, both trees got back the Yaksa form. Consequently they enjoyed wealth and heaven but now it was coupled with respect to sages like Naradji and other sublime personalities.


B) Since the wife of Sudamaji, a true devotee, yearned for a huge palace and property, both of them got the same but He remained aloof to sensual pleasures. “Thus firmly fixing his determination by means of his spiritual intelligence, Sudama remained absolutely devoted to Lord Krishna, the shelter of all living beings. Free from avarice, he enjoyed, together with his wife, the sense pleasures that had been bestowed upon him, always with the idea of eventually renouncing all sense gratification.”


C) Having acquired Shivji's boon, demon Vrikasur wanted to kidnap Parvatiji and Ravana wanted to abduct Sitaji but Lord Vishnu and Rama saved Them respectively. The incidences endorse the truth that money and power in wrong hands is extremely dangerous. Solely Lord Krishna knows who can digest it humbly and who can not! Milk is good but it is the snake who converts it into poison!

Pearl 19


Sudama embarassed to offer few hands of rice grains to lord krishna

The ‘Bhagwad Gita’ is a stupendous chronicle of Lord Krishna’s Vaishnavism and the ‘Shrimad Bhagavatam’ meticulously traces the spirituality of India. A certain verse duplicated in both the Holy Scriptures contains valuable information about whatever a devotee offers with true love to the Lord is readily accepted by Him.


Kindly open the ‘Bhagwad Gita’s’ Chapter 9, verse 26. Here Lord Krishna affirms:


"patram pushpam falam toyam , yo me bhktaya prayachhati ,
tadaham bhaktuprhatmshnami prayatmanah ....


Chapter 81, verse4: Now please go through this piece of the ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’. Here too Lord Krishna ascertains:


"patram pushpam falam toyam , yo me bhktaya prayachhati ,
tadaham bhaktuprhatmshnami prayatmanah ..."


  • Precisely the same verse is replicated at two places by our Lord Krishna in two entirely different scenarios.
  • Hence my obvious query is how many such verses exist? The timing of the statement is totally different. While prince Sanjay related the ‘Gita’ to Dhritrastra during Arjuna's battle, Mahatma Shukdevji narrated the ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ to King Parikshit after a time span of several decades. Parikshit is the son of Abhimanyu, which means He is born after the Mahabharata war, Arjuna being his grandfather!
  • *The verse is highly significant. In true essence it means that whatever a devotee offers with pure love is readily accepted by Lord Krishna who is delighted in the process. But a whole lot of things offered without devotion are of no value to Him. “Whosoever offers to Me with love, leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water, I accept and heartily enjoy that offering of love by that devotee of purified intellect”.
  • And we notice that Lord Krishna’s: “Whosoever” includes the entire gamut of living beings not merely humans. This range is comprised of demons ( Prahalada ,Vibhishan ), tribals ( Kewat / Shabri /,Nishadraj ), poor people ( Sudama , Vidura ), sinners( Kubja , Kaikeyi ), animals ( elephant Gajendra , monkeys (Hanumanji), bears (Jambwantji) and so on. *The Lord is so gracious that when a Devotee calls for Him, He ventures there Himself. Just go through the examples of Gajendra, Droupadi, Arjuna, Pandavas and Jatayu who authenticate this truth.
  • Similarly in the ‘Bhagwad Gita’ 16th Chapter’s first three verses, Lord Krishna elucidates the marks of a man born with divine virtues and heartens Arjuna by confirming that he is one such person. This signifies a typical great quality of the Lord. Spotting an opportunity, He lauds His Devotees in whichever Yonis they may be! The wise folks evaluate a Brahmin, cow, dog and elephant on the same stratum. ( verse 18 }.

Chapter 81, verses 41:
Mahatma Shukdevji is so delighted that He blesses King Parikshit, Whoever sincerely listens to this Lord Krishna-Sudama episode, exhibiting Lord's sublime reverence to Brahmins, shall certainly attain Divine Love and be freed from the bondage of Karmas. “The Lord always shows Brahmins special favour. Anyone who hears this account of the Supreme Lord's kindness to Brahmins will come to develop love for the Lord and thus become freed from the bondage of material work.”