Hari Om !
Greetings to all of you on the occasion of Navaratri.
This is a quick review of the topics we discussed this past Sunday - 10022022.
Last Week's Review
Our Menti review quiz questions and answers are as follows:
Of the following, which is the best definition of 'Bhakti' ? - Reverential Love
A very famous example indicating the importance of the right knowledge to be applied in life is ? - Jackfruit & Oil
'Naimisharanya' has a profound meaning. What is it ? - A Place where there are no mental disturbances even for a moment
What are the 4 goals of human life called ? - Purushaartha
Who was Shri Suta's Guru ? - Shri Shuka
The following were the review points which we went through:
There are 6 questions that Shaunaka and the rishis at Naimisharanya ask Suta. They are as follows:
1. What is that which is the absolute good for all beings?
"Love for God" is the one thing that is the absolute good for everyone, because it promotes, helps and is responsible for everyone's well-being in all the 4 aspects of their overall personality - Physical, Emotional, Intellectual & Spiritual.
2. What is the essence of everything that we must know?
We must know our ultimate goal, which is Moksha or Independence. The other 3 Purusharthas of Artha (Basic needs), Kama (Comforts), Dharma (Virtues) should lead us towards Moksha.
3. What are the reasons for the lord’s avatars?
The Lord takes avatars to restore the cosmic balance which gets disrupted for various reasons.
4. Tell us more about Bhagavaan Krishna?
This is the complete (sampoorna) avatar of Bhagwaan Vishnu. Canto 10 will exclusively deal with this glorious avatar.
5. Elaboration about each of Krishna’s stories?
Canto 10 will elaborately deal with all of Shri Krishna's leelas.
6. Where did Dharma Keep refuge when Bhagavaan Krishna left the world?
Dharma took refuge in Srimad Bhagavatham after Shri Krishna's departure from Mother Earth.
Meeting of Two Jnanis
We continued our story part with Shri Suta narrating to Shaunaka and the other rishis as to how did Bhagwaan Veda Vyaasa compose the great Bhagavata Mahapurana.
One day, Vyaasa-Bhagwaan, after his morning ablutions and puja, was pondering over the decline of the physical, moral and spiritual powers of mankind. Thinking that the Vedas were too cumbersome and difficult to comprehend, he divided it into 4 and instructed 4 of his disciples to propagate them.
Further, to benefit the whole humanity, he had composed 17 Puranas and 2 great Itihaasas (Ramayana & Mahabharata) & taught them to Romaharsha (Suta's father).
Yet Vyaasa was not happy at heart with these achievements. As one day, he sat on the banks of the river Saraswati, reflecting, dejected and in low spirits, Sage Narada appeared by his side. He praised the vast amount of work that Vyaasa had done, but pointed out to 2 cardinal defects, which Narada thought, contributed to Vyaasa's despondency.
They were:
Vyaasa's failure to promote devotion to Lord Mahavishnu by telling His stories and singing his glories, which were conducive to gaining Mukti (Liberation).
His encouragement of sacrifices as offerings to the Lord
Sage Narada says, "Therefore, O Vyaasa, devote yourself to the singing of the perfections of Sri Hari and lead mankind towards liberation."
Thus, Veda Vyaasa begins to contemplate on Mahavishnu and starts to compose the grandest of Puranas, the 18th one called Srimad Bhagavath Mahapurana.
Parikshit's Birth
Suta shares with Shaunaka and the other rishis, details about Parikshit's birth.
When heroes of both sides were falling on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Ashwathama, in an attempt to please his master - Duryodhana, entered the Pandavas' tent one night and murdered Draupadi's children in their sleep. This heinous act was condemned even by Duryodhana.
Arjuna vowed to bring the perpetrator in front of Draupadi and brought Ashwathama eventually. But when the criminal was actually brought, Draupadi relented and ordered his release. Arjuna let him go after shaving the tuft of hair on his head as the only penalty for his grave crime.
Ashwathama considered this the greatest insult to him, a Brahmin, whose tuft stands as the symbol of sanctity. Boiling with resentment, he deliberated a new crime against the progeny of the Pandavas. Taking up his divine weapon (Brahmastra), he released it against Parikshit, Arjuna's grandson, who was still in his mother - Uttara's womb. Uttara ran in terror towards Krishna and appealed to Him to save her unborn child. The Lord then surrounded her womb with His yogic force and saved the child.
After his birth, the baby would look inquiringly at everyone as if asking "Did you save me ? Do you know who saved me ?" Hence, he was named 'Parikshit', the one who constantly enquires or examines.
We also saw 2 important episodes - Kunti Stuti and Bheeshma Stuti. These are sections where Kunti and Bheeshma pay their obeisance to Bhagwaan as He is getting ready to take leave and return to Dwaraka.
Next Week
We will proceed forward and hopefully enter the 3rd Canto. Please refer below to a link to all cantos and description of the episodes in them.
Also, here is a link to all the 4 verses from the Chatushloki Bhagavatham. I have also included there a link to the audio recording.
Srimad Bhagavatham Canto-Chapter Map
This link provides the list of all the Cantos, Chapters & Topics within Bhagavatham. This should be a handy guide to help us navigate thru this voluminous text.
Hari Om !!
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