Essentials of Hinduism - Srimad Bhagavatha - Volume

Essentials of Hinduism

Srimad Bhagavatha

Volume - 7

Bakthi on Lord Krishna should be in such a way that one should not have any desire or expectation from Him. Moksha cannot be attained just by doing mere Dana, Penance, Nithya Karmas or Naimittika Karmas. In order to attain Paramatma, one should relinquish all the worldly desires and follow complete saranagathi to attain His feet. Only Paramatma is permanent and all others are temporary with finite end.

Lord Krishna says all it requires is Bakthi with Shraddha paramount (supreme) to reach Him irrespective of any caste or religion we are from. Any creature born in this world has the right to

attain the feet of Paramatma.

ISKCON Collection - "Embrace Spiritual Bliss – Discover ISKCON Essentials Today!" https://giri.in/collections/iskcon

Uddhava Gita:

This Skanda 11 of Volume 7 is all about Lord Krishnas preachings to His close associate Uddhava. Uddhava is asking about how one should practice Bakthi in order to attain Moksha.

Pranavamantra OM should be rendered from the Heart (Hrudhaya). The sound of OMkara should be like Big ring bell sound. If we rendered Pranava OM three periods in a day - Morning, Afternoon, Evening - 10 times during each period, within a span of one month he should win His swasa.

The ultimate siddhi is to achieve the feet of Lord Vishnu which would lead you to the salvation path.

Divine Manifestations:

Uddhava addresses Krishna: You are the Supreme Brahman without beginning or end, free from all limitations. In you the whole Universe exists. The wise know this; but the ignorant do not. Teach me how to worship you in all beings and attain your abode.” Krishna replies, “O Uddhava, the same question was asked by Arjuna on the eve of the battle of Kurukshetra. I will tell you in brief my Divine Manifestations.

Krishna tells Uddhava what he told Arjuna in the 10 th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita about all His Glories or Vibhuthies. However, the Lord says, “I have indicated in brief to you all these Manifestations of mine. Know them to be nothing but the fancy of the imagination, mere words,

and unreal. You will do well to control your speech, mind and senses, and you will never again suffer transmigration (your soul passing into another body). He who fails to control his mind and tongue, all his spiritual attainments will leak out of him like the water out of an unbaked pot.

Agarbatti Collection - "Fill Your Home with Tranquility - Shop Agarbatti Now!" https://giri.in/collections/agarbatti

Varna Ashrama Dharma:

Then the discussion between Uddhava and Krishna centres on castes (varna) and orders (ashrama) of life, their origin, functions in the society, their duties and obligations. The purpose of marriage is not enjoyment but attaining knowledge by the couple in this life and everlasting happiness hereafter. Krishna says, “as travelers meet by chance on the way, so does a man meets wife, children, relatives and friends. Let him therefore be present in the world and yet separate from it.”

The Goal and the Way:

Krishna continues to advise Uddhava: He whose mind has been thoroughly purified by knowledge and realization alone can comprehend my Supreme State. Penance, pilgrimage, japa, charitable acts are all mere means of self-purification and not of perfection as knowledge is.

Therefore, work your self-knowledge up to the stage of realization and reject everything else but your devotion to me.

Krishna continues: “In order to lead men to the highest good, three methods of self- discipline have been taught by me. They are:

1) Jnyana Yoga – the path of knowledge;

2) Karma Yoga – the path of action;

3) Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion.

Those who follow any of these paths will attain the state of Brahman, the absolute Reality, My State.”

The Lord deprecates (express disapproval) the goal of heaven through ritualism as mere glamorous and says that he only knows the true and hidden meaning of the Vedas. The reward of heaven promised by the Vedas for ritualistic worship is not blessedness or the final goal in itself.

Truth is One Only:

Krishna affirms the existence of only one substance viz. Paramatma or the Supreme Self. The seeker must desist from praising or condemning the actions and dispositions of others. The one substance is both, the creator and the created, the protector and the protected, as well as, the destroyer and the destroyed.

Gold and not the ornament is the reality. Even if the ornaments are melted, the gold will exist which we may call as the end stage. Similarly, the Atma is the reality and not the world. The Self-realization dispels the darkness of the mind and reveals the Self, the Lord, Paramatma. The Lord warns that even if one possesses such discriminatory wisdom, he should be vigilant lest there is every possibility of losing it on account of various inimical (hostile or adverse) forces at work like the temptations for worldly objects, pleasures of wife, children and wealth etc. He assures that His true devotee will never have such obstructions.

Camphor Collection - "Purify & Refresh – Dive into Camphor’s Natural Essence!" https://giri.in/collections/camphor

Krishna said: “I shall now tell you the Code of Conduct, which is pleasing to Me, by observing which a man will conquer the cycle of births and deaths. Dedicate the mind and intellect to Me. Find delight in pleasing me in various ways. Do all actions for My sake. Remember Me all the times. A devotee should see Me in everything and everything in Me. He must regard all created things as identical with Me. Honor them as such. Look with equal eye on a Brahmin or a chandala, a thief and a sanyasi. He should get rid of the three faults viz. finding fault with superiors, self-conceit (self pride) and contempt (disrespect) towards inferiors.

Without any shame, prostrate like a log of wood on the ground in front of the dog, paraya (untouchable), cow or donkey. This must be done till my devotee is convinced that I am present in all beings. Seeing Me in all beings is the highest worship of Me and such a man will be rid of all fears.” Uddhava said: “The darkness of ignorance in which I was steeped (saturated) has been dispelled (driven away or removed) by your teaching.”

Honoring the instructions of Krishna, Uddhava left for Badrikaashram (Badrinath). There, practicing meticulously the teachings of the Lord, he attained to the state of Sri Hari. Anyone who follows these teachings will be liberated.

The Skanda 12 of Volume 7 is considered less important compared to the Skanda 11 and only highlights is stated. Details of Kali Yuga are described and Moksha attained by King Parikshit. Margandeya by way of Tapas got boons granted by Lord Shiva that he will not attain old age, he will never die and was blessed with Jnyana-Vairagya.

Dhoop Sticks and Sambrani - "Enhance Every Moment – Explore Dhoop & Sambrani Today!" https://giri.in/collections/dhoop-sticks-and-sambrani

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Uddhava Gita: This Skanda 11 of Volume 7 is all about Lord Krishnas preachings to His close associate Uddhava.

2) Uddhave says to Lord Krishna: Teach me how to worship you in all beings and attain your abode.” Krishna replies, “O Uddhava, the same question was asked by Arjuna on the eve of the battle of Kurukshetra. I will tell you briefly my Divine Manifestations. Krishna tells Uddhava what he told Arjuna in the 10 th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita about all his Glories or Vibhuthies.

3) Krishna continues: “In order to lead men to the highest good, three methods of self-discipline have been taught by me. They are: i) Jnyana Yoga – the path of knowledge; ii) Karma Yoga – the path of action; iii) Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion. Those who follow any of these paths will attain the state of Brahman, the absolute Reality, My State.”

4) Truth is One Only: Krishna affirms the existence of only one substance viz. Paramatma or the Supreme Self.

5) Krishna said: “I shall now tell you the Code of Conduct, which is pleasing to Me, by observing which a man will conquer the cycle of births and deaths. Dedicate the mind and intellect to Me. Find delight in pleasing Me in various ways. Do all actions for My sake. Remember Me all the times. A devotee should see Me in everything and everything in Me.

6) The Skanda 12 of Volume 7 goes into the details of Kali Yuga, Moksha attained by King Parikshit. Margandeya by way of Tapas got boons granted by Lord Shiva that he will not attain old age, he will never die and was blessed with Jnyana-Vairagya.

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.