Essentials of Hinduism - Srimad Bhagavatha

Essentials of Hinduism

Srimad Bhagavatha

VOLUME 1:

Everyone is aware that Sri Veda Vyasa was a great Sage. He has written Mahabaratha and Upanishads, and in spite of completing them successfully, he still felt incomplete and unsatisfied. Sage Narada identified this and advised Him to write Srimad Bhagavatha.

Srimad Bhagavatha contains 18000 Slokas within 12 Skandas, the whole Purana describes the Lilas of Lord Krishna, His Qualities etc.

In this Kali Yuga, people do not follow Sacred Scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads etc.) but fully engage in Materialistic greed. Bhakti is the only mode to achieve Moksha in Kali Yuga; Bhakti removes all the sins accumulated through innumerable deeds (Karma) in countless previous births to reach Lord Vishnu’s abode i.e. Vaikunta. It is not easy to pursue Bhakti as one’s previous Karmas will prevent them. Concentrating on Srimad Bhagavatha will instill Bhakti on people’s Mind and lead them towards Moksha.

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Sri Veda Vyasa had taught this Bhagavatha to his Son Shuka who in turn narrated to King Parikshit and other Rishis (Saints) like Shounaka, Suta. The Bhagavatha contains the essence of all the Vedas, Upanishads; chanting Bhagavata pleases Lord Vishnu and who in turn blesses the Devotees. Bhagavatha should be read/heard as per the Rules prescribed by Sage Shuka in 7 days. It has been said that Lord Krishna before leaving this World to Sri Vaikunta, entered Bhagavata in Spiritual Force. It has been explained by Great Sages that people who have committed heinous sins all through their Life attained Moksha by hearing or chanting Bhagavatha with Devotion during the fag end of their life.

SHORT STORIES:

Sage Narada: Narada was born from the Mind of Brahma (who Creates all living things in the Universe ) as per the orders of Lord Vishnu (Vasudeva) who is the Paramatma or God. In his previous birth, Narada was born to a servant maid working in the houses of Brahmins. He had heard the stories of Lord Vishnu when young through many Sages who visited the Brahmin’s houses. He also attained Bhakti and Brahma Vidya (True Knowledge about the Lord Vishnu and His activities like Creation, Protection and Destruction of all in the Universe and also how to attain His Lotus Feet) through those Sages. Whatever we do, eat, give, think but offer all of them to the Lord Vishnu without any expectations will not bind us from the sins/punyas and free us from the Worldly Affairs” are the words of the Lord. After his Mother’s death from snake’s bite, Narada went to a Forest and Meditated towards Lord Vishnu, and Lord obliged his prayers by giving him Darshan. He also told him that in this birth Narada cannot reach Lord Vishnu but would be able to attain Moksha in the next birth. Hence Narada continued his Penance towards the Lord and died. On his death he went to the Lord and born as Narada from Brahma and continued to propagate the Devotional Songs and Bhakti about Lord Vishnu throughout the Universe and other Worlds.

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Lord Krishna: Lord Vishnu took this Avatar to reduce the load on the Earth (due to accumulation of bad/cruel people and their unethical deeds and thereby increasing of sufferings of good people) and also to establish rule of Dharma, Kindness, and Happiness in the Universe. He was the eighth Son of King Vasudeva and Devaki. From his birth He had done many surprising things which is not possible for ordinary human beings. He had also killed many Asuras sent by his uncle Kamsa for his destruction. He also killed the King Kamsa and released his Father and Mother who were suffering in prison by Kamsa. He had also done many childhood Lilas in Nandgaon. Further, He also told the Sages before His departure from this Earth to his Abode (Vaikunta) to propagate the Bhagavatha among People to get relief from the sufferings of Kali Yuga.

King Parikshit: He was the Son of Abimanyu and Grandson of Arjuna who ruled this Country after King Dharma. Though he was very pious and wise, one day he had committed a mistake of putting a dead snake on the neck of Sage Shamika when he was in deep Meditation. On knowing this deed, the Sage’s Son gave a curse that Parikshit will die bitten by snake Takshaka on the 7 th day end. After knowing this curse the King Parikshit regretted his Action and approached Sage Sukha who in turn narrated the Bhagavata in 7 days. On his death, Parikshit attained the Moksha.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) By chanting/hearing Srimad Bhagavatha one gets Bhagavad Bhakti (Devotion towards Lord Vishnu), Atmajnyana (Knowledge about Soul) and Vairagya (Desireless of Passion for Family/Materials). It also removes all accumulated sins, relieves all sufferings of this World, preventing further rebirths and its attached sufferings and can attain Moksha (Vaikunta the abode of Lord Vishnu). All Worldly desires, anger, bad qualities are removed and gives clear mind and Sathvaguna and Happiness.

2) Lord Vishnu is not interested in any Dharma performed if it is without Devotion towards Him.

3) Attaining Paramatma can be achieved through good Guru.

4) Bhagavan is “Only One” even though He appears differently in different Species through Maya.

5) King Parikshit allowed the Kali Purusha to stay in the following places and spread his Activities to create more sufferings to people/animals: a) Gambling places, b) Liquor drinking, c) Promoting Illegal sex, d) Torturing animals, e) In gold, f) In lies (Madham), g) Desire, h) Rajoguna, I) Enmity. Hence we should avoid all those things for happy living.

6) At the time of one’s death he should think and worship Lord Vishnu by chanting His Divine Namas (Names) which ultimately gets him to Moksha.

7) Lord Vishnu’s Stories/Reincarnations removes all Family Attachments and fear of death.

8) If a Devotee of Lord Vishnu after starting Devotional Duties is not able to complete due to unavoidable reasons or due to his death, the Bhakti attained does not go waste but will give him a birth in a Family where he can continue the same from the stage where this has been stopped in the previous birth and complete his task and help him to attain the abode of Lord Vishnu. That is the speciality of the Bhagavad Bhakti.

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This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.