Dakshina's Play Ground

Thursday, June 20, 2024

10.

Yoga of Karma, Devotion, Knowledge

29.

Introduction

Sri Krishna was ruling in Dwaraka. One day Viswamitra, Asita, Kanva, Durvaasa, Bhrugu, Angirasa, Kasyapa, Vamadeva, Atri, Vasishtha, Narada and other rishis came to visit him. They said:"Even when living in forests, death is inevitable. One's desires are fleeting. Only service at your feet is auspicious. Those not doing Lord Hari's worship are wasting their lives"

Thus praising the Lord, the ascetics went to a holy site called Pindaraka and stayed there for some time. Once some adolescent yadavas dressed Jambavati's son, Samba, in a woman's attire and took him to the rishis. Pretending to be devotees, feigning subservience they said"This woman's name is Nilotpalakshi. She is pregnant. She is abashed to ask you a question. Hence we are asking on her behalf. Her delivery time is approaching. Will she deliver a son or a daughter?"

The ascetics were enraged and said"Fools, she will deliver a pestle that will destroy the Yadavas".

The frightened yadavas removed the cloth covering of Samba's stomach and found a pestle there.

One who torments Mahatmas won't be pardoned even by Madhava. The rishis can remove the Lord's curse. But the curse rendered by rishi's can't be removed even by Mukunda.

They took the pestle to the king, Ugrasena, and told him what happened. He ordered that the pestle be broken into small pieces and thrown into the ocean.

The yadavas did as their king ordered. But there remained a small piece of iron which also was thrown into the ocean. A fish swallowed it. Other pieces were driven by the ocean currents towards the shore and grew into grass.

Some fishermen caught the fish and found the piece of iron in it. One hunter called Jara used it as the tip of an arrow. Thus the yadavas were accursed by the ascetics. The destruction of their dynasty was getting imminent.

Even though Sri Krishna knew about the curse of the ascetics he didn't try to intervene. He accepted the curse as it was. Hence one should not play games with ascetics. If they are taunted, even the Lord can't undo their curse.

Bhagavata

Top

Narada spent most of his time in Dwaraka serving the Lord and singing praises of Sri Krishna. One day he went to Vasudeva's home. Vasudeva worshiped Narada and asked"What dharma when followed releases one from bondage?"

"Vasudeva, you have asked about the dharma of Bhagavata that brings happiness to the world. Whoever listens, reads or meditates on Bhagavata dharma will be free from all sin" said Narada.

Narada said"It is difficult to meet with noble people. One meeting a noble person and making a good use of his time will be enlightened. Mahatmas are like mirrors that reflect whatever is projected on them. If you talk about worldly matters, so do they respond. If you talk about spirituality, they will respond accordingly. Like a grain of sand in oyster turns into a pearl, noble people are made best use of by ardent devotees"

Vasudeva wanted to hear about Lord's grace that would free one from familial bonds. Narada started narration of a conversation between Videha's king Nimi and the sons of Rushabha.

Swayambhuva Manu's son was called Priyavrata. His son was Agnidhru whose son was Nabhi. Rushabha was the son of Nabhi. He had a hundred children among whom Bharata, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, was well known. The land called Ajanabha was rechristened as Bharata Desa after him.

Among Bharata's brothers, nine became kings; eighty one pursued karmas; the rest nine took sanyasa. The nine ascetics considered the entire universe as their form. They were dispassionate and free moving. One day they came to attend a yagna conducted by Nimi. They were invited warmly by Nimi. After worshiping them, he said"Maharshis, wherever you go it will be auspicious. I consider you as the innermost devotees of Lord Vishnu. I am very elated to meet you. Being in the family way, even a small interaction with you will be a fortune for me. Please tell me what dharma will endear Lord Narayana"

The nine ascetic sons of Rushabha would answer Nimi's question beginning with Kavi.

"King, men are in sorrow because of their preoccupation with bodily functions. There are several ways to appease Sri Hari. One has to dedicate all karma, whether done with body, mind, speech, senses or intellect, to the Lord."

"One has to be dispassionate, to control the mind and always chant the Lord's name. He should see paramatma in all of the creation whether space, wind, fire, water, earth, sun. moon, jivas, directions, rivers, trees, or oceans."

"When one eats, each grain will give energy, strength and satiate hunger. Similarly when one surrenders to the Lord, the devotion in the form of love, the realization of Lord's form, dispassion towards other things will be experienced. Then the surrender engenders enormous peace to him."

Narada said"In this way a son of Rushabha called Kavi, mentioned the glory of surrendering to the Lord. For the next question asked by Nimi, Havi answered thus".

Nimi asked about the ardent devotee of the Lord:"What is a devotee's dharma? What is his nature? How does he behave? What does he talk about?"

One who sees Brahman and Self in all beings is the most ardent devotee. The second category of a devotee loves the Lord, partakes in the company of other devotees, shows kindness towards the ignorant ones, forgives his enemies.

One who does idol worship but not serve the devotees of the Lord is a beginner.

A noble devotee is one who doesn't wish for anything but the opportunity to worship Lord's lotus feet all the time. Just as when the moon rises, the heat from the sun is dissipated, the devotees worshiping Sri Hari never face sorrow. A devotee free from sorrow and always in bliss, is the best of the best. Such a person won't be arrogant about his birth even when born in a superior varna.

Maya

Top

Nimi asked"Rishis, the maya of Vishnu could not be crossed even by Brahma Deva. Please tell me about it"

Antareeksha spoke thus:"To experience karma, Lord created physical bodies using maya with the five basic elements. He then resided in those bodies. Using maya he was able to divide himself into jivas and the senses so as to experience the world. Through the senses that derive their vitality from the Lord, a jiva experiences the world and thinks his self is the body."

"Using speech, hands, legs and so on jiva performs karma. Receiving the fruit of karma, he acquires new bodies upon death. This cycle of birth-death goes on for the jivas."

Overcoming Maya

Top

When Nimi asked how to overcome maya, Prabudha spoke thus.

Everyone aspires for comforts and pleasures in life. Sorrow is undesirable. But in practice he performs karma that engenders sorrow. He is preoccupied with earning money and thinks familial bonds are permanent. They all come in time and go away with time. How can these fleeting things give permanent happiness?

Even the comforts and pleasures in heaven are impermanent. Hatred, jealousy, envy are found there too. The fruit of karma is impermanent. Hence one should not get caught in karma. One should attain salvation with knowledge. Such knowledge has to be obtained from a guru.

Tripadvibhooti Maha Narayana Upanishad said"By the grace of a guru one can obtain many yogic powers, break away from bondage, overcome obstacles, receive auspiciousness involuntarily"

One should consider a guru as an embodiment of paramatma and serve him. One has to give up desires pertaining to the body and family. One has to obtain purity, penance, patience, silence, self study, soft spokenness, bachelorhood, non-violence, non-duality.

One has to do introspection about the defects of bondage and reminisce about Sri Hari's avataras. One has to chant, sing praises, meditate on the Lord. One should do such karma that the Lord will be pleased with. Anyone seeking refuge in Sri Hari will overcome maya. One has to surrender all karma to the Lord and be egoless. Whoever misuses his speech faculty, will not attain the Lord. One has to purify his speech by chanting the Lord's name. By singing praises paramatma can be attained speedily.

If one is alone, maya will control him. Hence one wanting to overcome maya should mingle with Lord's devotees, speak with them and enjoy bliss.

Sant Tukarama Maharaj sang:"When one is listening to Sri Hari's stories, maya can't touch him; he will be free of sin; river Ganga is well known as a cleanser of sin; with discourse on Lord, the value of Ganga has fallen; chanting Lord's name even cleanses Ganga. The place where Lord's name is chanted is more pure than the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati rivers"

Listening to discourse on the Lord will burn mountains of sin, purify the listeners and the ones giving the discourse.

Lord's devotees should be full of love. Any hatred in a devotee is an insult to the Lord. The devotee should not carry out worldly transactions. His body should react on listening to Lord's name with love. A man following these precepts will definitely overcome maya.

Narayana

Top

Nimi wanted to know about the essence of Lord Narayana. Pippalayana started his narration.

Lord Narayana despite being the creator, ruler and destroyer has no cause. He is the support for wakeful, dream sleep, deep sleep and known in the last stage of yoga (samadhi) as ultimate consciousness. He is the vital force behind the functioning body, senses, mind, intellect.

Narayana Upanishad said"Narayana is blemishless, pure, changeless, indescribable, stainless, non-dual. There is nothing else beside him"

Like the embers of a fire can't make it shine any better, speech, eyes, intellect, prana, senses can't describe the essence of Narayana which is shining in the objects ranging from microscopic to gross things.

Lord Narayana has neither birth nor death. He doesn't grow or shrink. He is an embodiment of knowledge. Even though mind, intellect, ego and so on are perceived as several things, there are no parts in the Lord Narayana supporting them. All things and the universe are pervaded by his vital force.

One devoted to Narayana will be the embodiment of love. Such devotion will end the six attributes: kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (covetousness), mada (ego), matsara (envy), moha (desire) in the mind, intellect. Thereby, the mind, intellect are purified.

Karma Yoga

Top

Karma was enunciated in vedas which are not conceived by humans. Even pundits get infatuated while discoursing on karma. Vedas have introduced karma to abolish karma. Just as a doctor gives a sweetener with medicine that is pungent, the vedas entice the ignorant with the fruit of karma.

One without control of senses can't follow the dharma given in vedas. Without karma one gets entangled in the birth-death cycle. The karma kanda in vedas is all about enticing jivas to perform karma so as to obtain a benefit or fulfill a desire.

Those performing karma without attachment see the lack of action in karma. The performance of karma doesn't constitute bondage. The expectation of a fruit for karma is bondage. One who surrenders the fruit of karma at Lord's feet will come out of the karmic cycle.

Everything we enjoy is given to us by the Lord. One not returning the things given to him by the Lord will be a sinner. One has to offer whatever he eats first to the Lord.

Avataras

Top

After hearing about how to worship Sri Hari from Avirhotra, king Nimi wanted to know about the avataras of Sri Hari. Drumilu spoke thus.

Lord Narayana with his maya created the worlds and entered them. During creation he used sattva in the form of Brahma; during growth rajas was used in the form of Lord Vishnu; during devolution he used tamas in the form of Rudra.

Dharmu married the daughter of Daksha called Moorti and gave birth to two sons Nara-Narayana. Nara-Narayana were ascetics who did penance in Badarika ashram. Indra mistook their penance as for his position and sent cupid Manmadha to break their penance. Manmadha, along with apsarasas, arrived at the ashram and started shooting arrows of cupid at the rishis.

Narayana rishi inferred what was going on. All the attempts by Manmadha failed to induce lust in them. Then Narayana rishi addressed Manmadha and apsaras as"You have no fear. Please accept our hospitality".

On hearing Narayana rishi, Manmadha and apsarasas were ashamed. They sought forgiveness from the rishi and received Urvasi as an addition to apsarasas. They went back to heaven and praised Narayana rishi in front of Indra.

The seekers of paramatma will be subjected to many obstacles from others such as the envious Indra. The real seekers won't be perturbed by the obstacles. If they are enraged then their penance will receive a setback. Only steadfast seekers achieve their objective.

Lord Vishnu came in many avataras like Hamsa, Dattatreya, Drumila's father Rushabha, Sanaka and others, and taught knowledge of self. In Hayagriva avatara he killed a demon called Madhu and gave vedas back to Brahma.

In cataclysm he donned the avatara of a fish and saved the earth and Manu. In boar avatara he lifted earth from cosmic waters after killing Hiranyaksha. In tortoise avatara he lifted mount Mandara on his back. He killed a crocodile and saved an elephant as Sri Hari. As Parasurama he eliminated evil kings by raiding them twentyone times. In Lord Rama avatara he destroyed the demon king Ravana. As Sri Krishna he performed many escapades. At the end of Kali yuga he will come to earth in the form of Kalki and kill the sinners.

Nimi wanted to know how the unfortunate people lacking devotion for the Lord end up. Drumila's brother Chamasa narrated thus.

Those forgetting that the Lord supports all jivas would perish. Even those worshiping the Lord, expect heaven and thereby not receiving his grace. Without devotion some people affected by rajas are lustful which is the root cause of many inauspicious outcomes. Some exhibit rage and hatred. Some are pompous and egotistical. Not only that they make fun of real devotees.

The people who are not devotees will be caught in the birth-death cycle of bondage. They would be enjoying the company of women and family. They always discuss worldly matters. They don't give alms. They are egotistical about their wealth forgetting the Lord who gave it to them. They don't realize that all the wealth and family won't be there forever. They don't listen to the Lord Vishnu's tales. They always are immersed in worldly transactions.

Obeisance to women is a natural characteristic of the non-believers. It is an obstacle to attain salvation unless one leads a married life, fulfills his duties and renounces it. A seeker should see the women as mothers and forms of Jaganmata.

Some non-devotees will spend their time in garnering wealth without thinking about salvation. They kill cows for eating. As we are experiencing past karma now, the karma performed now will come to haunt in the future. The non-vegetarians will be born as animals that will be eaten by the same animals they killed.

Some non-devotees by being attached to their bodies hate others and create obstacles to them. They don't realize that paramatma resides in all jivas and insulting them is akin to insulting the paramatma. They will be interested in dharma, wealth and desires but not salvation. Such people bereft of knowledge about self end up in hell.

Some non-devotees perform yagnas to fulfill their desires. During yagna they eat non-vegetarian food and consume intoxicants, and don't perform any dharma. Such people too are ending up in hell because scripture never sanctioned eating meat and drinking alcohol while performing a yagna.

Veda allows smelling the alcohol but not drinking it. Similarly it tells to touch a cow but not to kill. With a wife one is expected to continue with progeny but not fulfill the lust.

Performing karma without devotion, they experience hell. At the time of death they realize that their wealth and relatives don't follow them and end up in hell.

Those not seeking Sri Hari's devotion will end up in dire straits. Thus Chamana described the state of non-devotees. Nimi next wanted to know how Sri Hari should be worshiped. The last son of Rushabha known as Karabhaajana answered.

In the four yugas devotees worshiped Sri Hari and attained salvation. In Kruta yuga Sri Hari will be born as a bachelor. People restraining their desires worship him and attain liberation. In Treta yuga Lord Vishnu will be born in red hue wearing the insignia of yagna. People worship him with karma approved by vedas. In Dwapara yuga he will be known as Sri Krishna and worshiped in vedic and occult ways.

In Kali yuga the bluish hued Sri Krishna will be worshiped. They will sing the praises of the Lord as"You being our object of meditation, grant us all we wish for. I am prostrating at your luminous lotus feet just as Lord Siva and Devas. To obey father's word, you went to forests with Sita Devi even though you knew everything. Your tender feet went after maya deer in the forest. Such tender feet will make me pure"

Some people clean, decorate temples that will be called Saana Seva. Some people clean the idols, adorn them with ornaments, offer food to the Lord which is called Anga Seva. Some consider everyone including parents, relatives, friends, wealth as the Lord that is called Bhava Seva. The others consider paramatma is not different from us and surrender the self to the Lord that is called Atma Seva.

Thus men should perform services and praise the Lord to feel satisfaction. For those caught in the whirlpool of bondage, the meditation on the Lord is like the boat that takes them across in ocean of life.

"Because meditation on the Lord's name is enough to attain liberation in Kali yuga, the people of Kruta yuga try to be reborn in the present age. Those meditating on the Lord receive his grace. It will cleanse them of all sin. Lord Narayana will not reject a devotee's chant of his name or praises of him. The chanting of the Lord's name is the ultimate good act that the Lord must notice," said Sant Tulasidas in Rama Charita Manas.

Tulasidas sang"When Lord Rama himself couldn't describe the grace of his name, how can ordinary people describe it? Lord's names chanted with devotion will drive away sin like a lion scares all the animals"

Vamana Purana said"Lord Narayana is a great thief. He steals all the sin of his devotees who are singing his praises"

Everyone should be satisfied with praising, meditation, chanting of the Lord's name. They have to be totally immersed in his name and its chant.

"Vasudeva, King Nimi listened to Rushabha's nine ascetic sons about the devotees of the Lord. He then worshiped them and received their blessing. So you too follow their advice, be free from desires and attain liberation" said Narada.

"Vasudeva, you being affectionate with Sri Krishna were able to touch him, hug him, talk to him, sleep with him, eat with him. Sri Krishna is the epitome of the Lord who is imperishable, incomprehensible, the self in all. Hence think of him as the Lord donning an avatar to protect dharma rather than as a son."

"Vasudeva, those hating Sri Krishna like Sisupala, Poundraka, Salva too attained salvation because they thought of the Lord as their paramount enemy at all times. If those hating the Lord could receive his grace, why wouldn't the devotees like you attain salvation?"

Thus Vasudeva and Devaki listened to sage Narada's discourse and gave up all desires to receive the grace of Sri Krishna

Suka Brahma said"King Pareekshit, the fortunate Vasudeva and Devaki listened to Narada's discourse and attained peace"

Visit of Devas

Top

To see the human embodiment of the primordial god, Sri Krishna, Devas visited Dwaraka. Brahma Deva arrived with his sons Sanaka, Sanandana and others; Indra and Maricha prajapati too arrived. Lord Siva came with his ganas.

Dwaraka was iridescent with the arrival of the Devas who decorated Sri Krishna with garlands made with flowers. They praised him"We are able to serve your feet that are meditated upon by rishis intent on attaining liberation. Even though you carry out creation, maintenance and devolution of the universe, you are not part of them. You take care of your devotees. Even when the flowers in the garland they gave are withered, you are still wearing them. As a result, Lakshmi Devi is feeling jealous. She is sad that the garland was like a concubine. In spite of that you are not throwing away the garland given by devotees"

"Deva, to cleanse the sin in the three lokas you created two holy rivers. One is Katha (story telling) and the other is the one originating in your feet, Ganga. Men of good character using their hearing faculty immerse in the Katha river and with the body cleanse their sins in Ganga"

At the time of retreat, Brahma Deva said"I requested you to mitigate the evil on earth. You took the Sri Krishna avatar and completed that task. You reestablished dharma. You performed miraculous acts. The men in Kali yuga will reminisce about your feats by singing and listening to them from others"

"You were born in the Yadu dynasty one hundred twenty five years ago. Your task is complete. There is nothing else much to do. By the curse of a rishi your dynasty is going to end. If it is alright, please get back to Vaikuntha. Please protect us who are your servants"

Sri Krishna said"Brahma Deva, you told the truth. As per your wish I came in this avatara and completed the task. The evil on earth has been removed. At the moment the Yadava dynasty is suffering from pride. If I don't eliminate the Yadava dynasty and return to Vaikuntha prematurely, they will destroy everything. The curse of rishi has just begun. The attrition of the Yadava dynasty has started. Once this dynasty is eliminated, I will return to my abode"

Travel to Prabhasa

Top

In Dwaraka bad omens appeared. The frightened elderly yadavas approached Sri Krishna for help.

"Dwaraka is filled with bad omens. The curse given by rishis seems inevitable. So it is not safe to stay here. We will go to the holy site Prabhasa" said Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishna said"Earlier moon contracted a respiratory disease because of a curse from Daksha. He bathed in Prabhasa and was cured of his illness. Let us also do the same. We will gratify Devas, forefathers and serve food to brahmins. We will wash away our sins by offering alms. Like crossing the ocean on a ship, by their grace we will come out of this danger."

Sri Suka said to Pareekshit "King, obeying Sri Krishna's order yadavas decided to go to Prabhasa and made their chariots ready. At that juncture Sri Krishna's servant and devotee Uddava came. He came to know about Sri Krishna's order. He approached Sri Krishna and said:

"Lord, if you wish to remove the curse of rishis on Dwaraka, it won't take much long. But you are not doing that. It seems you want to kill the Yadava dynasty and retreat from this world"

"Lord, we can't live without you for an instant. We stood, sat, ate, played, conversed together. How can we live without you?"

"Lord, we wore the garland you wore. The sandalwood paste, clothes you wore are worn by us. The left overs in your meal are eaten by us. We always reminisce about your escapades. You are only our refuge."

Krishna said"Uddava, what you said is true. Seven days from now, the sea will inundate Dwaraka. And I will retreat from this world. Once I am gone, all auspicious things will come to an end. Kali yuga will enter after that. The men in Kali yuga don't follow dharma. You cannot live among them."

"Uddava, we didn't come with anyone into this world. We don't egress with anyone. All relationships end with death. The things that don't exist before birth don't exist after death. Listen to me. Leave familial bonds. Give up relatives and friends. Loved ones are obstacles to bliss. Keep faith and love on me. I don't need your wealth. I only ask for your mind"

"Understand that this world is maya, created by mind. Control your senses. Give up desires. A faulty character is dangerous. A good character offers happiness" said Sri Krishna.

Uddava said"You are the Lord for yogis. You taught us sanyasa yoga wishing for our welfare. Can those of us immersed in worldly activities give them up all of a sudden? I am a fool. I am caught up in the I-mine thinking because of maya. How can I renounce and meet your expectations? Please advise me who is seeking your refuge."

Sri Krishna said"Uddava, with cleverness one has to improve oneself. You should be a guru to yourself. God by giving you a human birth did a great favor. I created several bodies. Among them the human body is my favorite. Man can search and find god. In this context, the conversation between the Yadava king and Dattatreya is relevant. I will narrate that"

Naked Ascetic

Top

Once a yadava king approached a naked ascetic, bowed to him and said"In this world people perform several activities to fulfill their desires. But you don't seem to be desiring anything. You are not doing any activity. I don't see you performing any karma. How did you acquire this kind of detachment? By what knowledge are you able to roam like a boy without any worries?"

"Men are constantly seeking and coveting things. Whereas you are like an elephant standing in the river Ganga without desiring anything. How did you attain such happiness?"

The brahmin told the king using his intellect he received knowledge from several gurus thus.

First one is earth. An ascetic should serve and be under the control of others. From a mountain one can learn how to serve. From a tree one can learn how to be under the control of others. A mountain is a home for grass, trees, ponds. It does good things for others. A tree can be cut and it still remains under the control of others. The same earth is in these forms. Despite jivas stepping on it, earth tolerates them. One can learn forgiveness from earth.

Second is air which is not affected by the odor it carries. An ascetic, despite observing childhood and youthfulness, is detached from them. Thus from air one can learn detachment and disinterest.

Third is the sky. An ascetic, despite having a body, will not associate with anything. Like clouds that move with the wind are not affecting the sky, self will not attach with the body. From the sky he learns all pervasiveness and detachment.

Fourth is water that is pure, cool and sweet. An ascetic should be pure at heart, cool with affection, and talk sweetly. The ones approaching him should receive his grace, touch and praise of the lord. From water he learns purity, coolness and sweet conversation.

The fifth one is fire. Even though fire burns everything it won't be impure. Similarly one with great aura, penance, undesirous of anything, untouchable will not catch any impurity. Fire is manifest in some and unmanifest in others. An ascetic will be manifest for auspicious people. Fire burns wood that is of different sizes and shapes even though it doesn't have such attributes. Similarly all pervading paramatma is manifest in jivas. Freedom from enjoying the fruit of karma and purification of things are learnt from fire.

The waxing and waning of the moon are affected by time but are not the intrinsic properties of the moon. Similarly all modifications are there in the body but not in self. From the moon stability of unmodifiable existence is learnt.

Sun evaporates water and gives rise to clouds. When the time is right the clouds rain. Similarly an ascetic gathers information from the senses and gives it away to anyone wanting it with disinterest.

Sunlight is reflected from different bodies of water even though there is only one sun. Similarly there is only one non-dual Self that appears as self in individuals. One learns from the sun how to serve others and the truth about disembodied self.

One should not be deep in friendship or talk too much. A man ignoring it will be devoid of wisdom and suffer like a pigeon. In a forest a pigeon was living with its wife and children. The pigeon had strong love for its family.

One day the male and female pigeons went out to get food. Meanwhile a hunter caught their chicks in a net. The pigeons returned to the nest and were in deep sorrow after seeing that the hunter caught their chicks.

Because of their attachment with their chicks, they walked into the hunter's net. The hunter happily caught them all and went home.

One who is always interested in the family, will experience sorrow along with his wife and children. One who is attached to family will not attain liberation even though he is offered a better way.

Bhagavad Gita said"One should lead a detached life by being disinterested in children, wife and home"

A python accepts whatever prey it can find whether it is tasty, small or big. Similarly a yogi should be satisfied with whatever alms he receives.

If he can't find any alms, he has to resign to his fate. Like a python he should remain disinterested. One can learn from a python that whatever past karma dishes out should be experienced.

All the rivers merge in the ocean. Even then the ocean remains calm. It won't shrink in summer. Similarly an ascetic should not be ebullient in plenty and depressed when lacking. An ocean teaches equanimity for happy and sad events.

A locust sees fire and tries to touch it inviting its own death. Similarly men on seeing a woman react with the senses and lust only to end up in hell with sorrow. From a locust one learns lust leads to hell.

A bee grasps nectar from small or big flowers. Similarly a wise person has to seek knowledge in small or large scriptural teachings.

A mendicant should seek food without affecting the householders who give him alms. Like a bee, he should not depend on one family, but seek from many households.

A bee feeding on one lotus all day will be captured by the folding lotus after the sun set. Similarly a yogi depending on one household has to suffer with attachment. From a bee one learns how to get the essence and be disinterested.

A honey bee extracts the nectar from various flowers and stores it in a hive. As a result, it will lose its life as well as the hive. An ascetic should not think of saving food for another day. He should only have enough food to be satiated. One has to learn from a honey bee that saving for another day is not wise.

An ascetic should not touch even a woman's wooden figure with his leg. A male elephant is attached to a female elephant for life. From this one has to learn that interactions with females are inappropriate for a yogi.

A deer loses its life because of its curiosity for music. Hence an ascetic living in forest should not evince interest in music. From a deer one can learn that music, dance and such are not for ascetics.

A fish trying to catch a bait loses its life. Similarly a man interested in fulfilling the wishes of his taste buds will meet with death. From a fish one learns to overcome the pleasures of his tongue.

Greed causes misery. There used to be a prostitute called Pingala in Mithila. She led a fancy life by collecting money from men who sought her company. One day she awaited the arrival of a rich client. But none showed up even by midnight. She experienced a severe setback that led to her dispassion. She disliked her way of living. She thought it is better to chant the Lord's name rather than wait for clients all day and night. She left the desire for worldly things. She slept in peace. One learns from this story that greed engenders sorrow and dispassion is better.

Once an osprey was flying with a piece of meat. On seeing it, other ospreys attacked it. After running around, the osprey dropped the meat. As other ospreys went after the meat, the osprey that had the meat first felt relieved. So one learns that happiness is attained by giving up rather than in covetousness.

There are only two kinds of people who have no worries and enjoy peace. One is an adolescent and the other is who transcended gunas. From a child one learns innocence and faultlessness.

Once a poor youthful woman was being visited for betrothal. As rice wasn't available in the house, she started crushing the paddy in a mortar. The bangles on her hands were making loud noises. To hide her poverty she started breaking bangles one at a time. Eventually she had one bangle in each hand that didn't make any noise. Thus one learns that living alone is preferable.

A blacksmith who makes arrows was not aware of the king's retinue passing by his shop. So one has to keep focused on the task and not pay attention to distractions.

There is no need to build a house for the decaying body. The snakes make the ant hills as their homes. It is better for a yogi to live in others' houses or in mountain caves. An ascetic should live like a snake all by himself. He should not be stuck in a place.

A spider releases its mucus and builds a web for itself. It then swallows it. Similarly paramatma creates the universe from himself and devolves it into himself. From a spider one learns the meaning of creation.

A wasp brings an insect to its nest. Afraid of the wasp the insect keeps thinking about it and attains the personality of the wasp without transforming its body. The one thinking constantly about god will turn into a god.

After describing the twenty four gurus to Yadava king, the brahmin narrated what he learnt from his body.

"This body is in constant flux, and engenders sorrow. Thinking it will help me attain dispassion I considered it as the guru. Then I realized it will in the end be eaten by dogs and wolves. Hence I lost interest in this body. I use it only for learning the essence of scripture."

"Like one married to several wives competing for his affection, the senses are tormenting one."

"Any animal can enjoy carnal pleasures. So a human birth is best used for attaining salvation. Such a power is resident only in a human."

Sri Krishna said to Uddava"Thus, a great ascetic like Dattatreya gave a discourse to yadava king. The king worshiped the sage in many ways. The sage walked in content"

Luxuries

Top

Men interested in worldly things believe they will last forever and try to acquire them. One who is aware that life is ephemeral will be dispassionate.

In dreams one may experience luxuries. It is the mind that experiences the dream world and the same mind realizes that they are unreal. So how can it believe the things seen in a wakeful state are real?

A man should cleanse his heart. Just as in a clear mirror an object is seen, in a pure mind self will be known. Those surrendering to the Lord, giving up desires, performing karma without attachment and dedicating the fruit of karma to the Lord, will have pure hearts.

Mind would be attached to worldly matters. One has to turn it towards Eswara. No matter how much one tries, if the mind is hard to control, the seeker has to approach a guru.

Upanishad said"For as long as there are desires in the mind, one can't attain paramatma. Hence one has to find a guru who can guide him"

It is not enough if one finds a guru. He has to serve him by giving up selfishness and arrogance. He has to be positioned in truth and never lie. He should have ardent devotion for the guru. He has to be free from envy. He has to give up extraneous talk. He should not be attached too much with wife, children, house, relatives, wealth.

Sri Krishna was telling Uddava"Just as fire that burns wood and other materials is much different from them, the self is apart from gross and subtle bodies. One who doesn't know this is subjected to delusion about the world"

Just as one washes mud off the feet, the deluded mind has to be cleansed by analyzing self. The realization of the self will end the delusion about the world.

Maya is beyond imagination. Even scholars find it difficult to overcome. For as long as one thinks the things he enjoys have merit, he will be in delusion. One who is aware of death, won't clamor for enjoyment with material things.

Faultless things only give permanent happiness to jiva. Just as on earth, in heaven too there are envy, jealousy, disputes. Hence the comforts of heaven also engender sorrow. So heaven too has to be renounced.

A man attains heaven by performing yagna with much fanfare. He will enjoy the luxuries in heaven like Devas. He will fly on aircraft and mingle with apsarasas. He will be praised by gandharvas. He deludes that such happiness is permanent, without realizing that one day he eventually has to be born on earth.

Just as grain is grown in a farm, one has to obtain knowledge using body and mind. There is no happiness to one intoxicated with senses. One should not be caught in the whirlpool of karma.

Uddava asked the Lord"Is salvation obtained by one with gunas? Or by one without gunas? If one with gunas can attain salvation, how can he not be bound to sorrow and happiness engendered by gunas? If salvation can be obtained by one without gunas, how can one be bound? For one who is not in bondage, how can salvation be different?"

"Lord, how does one after attaining salvation behave? How does he move? By what qualities will he be known?"

"Lord, how can one attaining salvation be bound? Please clarify and remove by delusion"

Jivas

Top

"Uddava, self has no bondage and salvation. It is always liberated. Because of maya one thinks self is bound to bodies. One thinks when the body falls, self is liberated. The maya I control gives such an impression. In reality self is always free from bondage and salvation."

"Just as the experiences in a dream are not different from the wakeful mind, the sorrow and happiness experienced by the body are not different from maya. In reality these dualities are like a dream."

"The knowledge and nescience, being without birth, are in the control of the paramatma. They are the causes for bondage and salvation"

"For the jivas without birth because of nescience bondage and due to knowledge salvation are attained"

"The jivas bound are experiencing sorrow. Whereas ones liberated are experiencing happiness. Both are attached to bodies"

"In a tree called body, there is a nest called heart. Two birds called jiva and Eswara live in it. Just as birds on a tree are not the same as the tree, the jiva and Eswara are different from the body. The jiva in the form of a bird is experiencing the fruits of the tree and the Eswara in the form of a bird is not eating fruits and remaining happy."

"Eswara knows his real form but not the jiva. Nor does he know Eswara's real form. The jiva subjected to nescience from time immemorial is bound. The Eswara with his knowledge is liberated at all times"

"A liberated jiva, because of past karma is bound to a body but he feels he is not embodied like one waking up from a dream. Just as one waking up from a dream knows the dream is unreal, the liberated jiva knows that body and the related sadness and happiness are unreal."

"Even though jiva was born as liberated, under the influence of maya, like one dreaming, he is attached to the body experiencing happiness and sadness. Karma is binding him, and not performing karma is liberating him. The bondage is because of his feeling that he is the doer. One who thinks he is not the doer is liberated. The bondage is because of one's delusion; not because of karma. Those who understand this will become pure at heart"

"Even though the sky is all pervading, it is not made impure by the objects. Sun reflects in water, but without touching it. Wind blows everywhere without being affected by the contact with objects. Similarly a scholar is not bound to anything in nature."

"Only a renouncer and dispassionate one can be victorious over nature because there are no faults in him because of gunas. A scholar has no hatred towards one blaming him. Similarly he is not swayed by praise. He doesn't participate in worldly matters. There are many means to achieve it, but devotion is the best way."

"Many know about the scripture. Because they are not devoted, they are not able to get the essence of it. As a result their efforts will be futile."

"A cow that doesn't give milk, a prostitute, a body in someone's control, an evil son, giving alms to the undeserving, the speech that doesn't praise the Lord are waste."

"Devotion is the best way to keep the Lord in focus. Without knowing the escapades of the Lord, the mind won't be satisfied. The knowledge about vedas will flourish with devotion only. "

Sant Tulasidas sang thus:"In Kali yuga there is no other support than praising the gunas of Lord Rama"

Sri Krishna told Uddava how to achieve ardent devotion for the Lord.

"With discipline listen to my stories; sing about my avataras;meditate on me; imitate me. If devotion doesn't come even then, mix with my devotees. By mingling with my noble devotees you will definitely attain liberation"

"Even if one gets little time to interact with noble people he obtains yogic powers" said Chaitanya Maha Prabhu.

"One with noble character, one who is virtuous will have a relationship with paramatma. If we interact with such men, it is equivalent to interacting with paramatma. Such interaction is obtained by joining a group of devotees. It will remove all of our faults. During interaction, the mind will be free from bondage; bereft of bad thoughts. Even for a limited time if the mind is in such a state, it will be purified and be eligible for meditation. Like a calf that never leaves its mother, one should partake in the congregation of noble men."

Ascetics

Top

Uddava said"There are many ascetics who are satisfied by praising your gunas. But whom do you recognize among them as best? What kind of devotion the ascetics should show towards you?"

Sri Krishna said"My devotee is kind and generous. He never betrays anyone. He lives by truth. He is pure at heart. He is equanimous and does good to all".

"A devotee will have a sweet personality. He is always chanting my name. He conquers hunger and thirst. He transcends sorrow and happiness. He doesn't expect others to respect him. But he respects everyone"

"With devotion he makes others realize the god. One without devotion expects others to consider him as the god"

"A devotee is a friend to all. He shines as a kind-hearted person. He is pure in mind and heart. He is an embodiment of peace. Those aspiring to be devotees must acquire some auspicious gunas and follow some restrictions"

"Uddava, they should do idol worship and meet my devotees. They must touch them, worship them, praise them, serve them. They should sing about my gunas and karma"

"Uddava, they should evince deep interest in listening to my tales. They should meditate on me. They should sacrifice everything they have to me and surrender to me in servitude"

By listening to the Lord's tales one should keep him always in mind. During festivals the bhajan of the Lord should be intensified.

Festivals are there to remind us about the grace of the Lord. But some people take the opportunity to eat more, watch entertainment. In temples the festivals must be celebrated. But there should not be the desire to achieve fame. One should not aspire to be a superior devotee.

Devotees must clean the temples. If we clean the surroundings of the Lord, he will clean our hearts. In God's worship there should not be pride and egotism.

One should not do other activities in the light of lamps that are lit for the Lord.

Nothing should be eaten without offering to god first. We should never forget that with his grace only we are able to live.

"Give up your most sought after object for me" said Sri Krishna. Such a surrender will give unlimited fruit.

"Uddava, by mingling with other devotees and with the yoga of devotion men can attain liberation. I will liberate ascetics who surrender to me" said Sri Krishna.

Renunciation

Top

Mind is composed of different interests and tastes. The company of devotees masks them and purifies the heart like no other yoga. Those who didn't read vedas, didn't serve mahatmas, didn't do penance like the gopikas of Vraja, by keeping the company of devotees attained the Lord.

"Uddava, the cows, animals, trees, creepers, serpents of Vraja were able to attain me because of the company of devotees. The gopikas attained me like no others including the followers of sankhya yoga and the people who perform rituals and give alms."

"Uddava, earlier when gopikas were with me several nights were spent effortlessly. Without me their nights seemed to drag for ever"

Gopikas forgot everything by merging their consciousness with Sri Krishna like the yogis who attained samaadhi and rivers flowing into oceans. Some gopikas knew that Sri Krishna was a paramatma. Those not knowing were infatuated with Sri Krishna. Because of the influence of those knowing, the unknowing too attained Sri Krishna's grace.

People are afraid of one thing or another. The devotees of Sri Krishna are fearless. They think Sri Krishna is following them. They see Sri Krishna in everything and every one.

Uddava had doubts about all jivas experiencing Eswara's vital force. Sri Krishna was discoursing on it.

A seed falling in a fertile land grows into a tree with branches, flowers and fruits. Similarly the paramatma was the seed that is unmanifest and non-dual. He, with his maya, is manifest in all beings with modifications to senses.

Like a cloth is woven with multiple strands of thread, the universe is interwoven with him. The tree of life is eternal and is based on karma. Its flowers are comforts and its fruit is salvation.

The tree of life has two kinds of seed: sin and free of sin. Its roots are countless tendencies of the mind. The three gunas are its trunk. The five basic elements are its branches. The eleven senses are its branchlets. It has three layers of bark: inflammation, bile and mucus. It gives two kinds of fruit called happiness and sorrow. This gigantic tree is spread unto the sun.

Those householders performing karma to fulfill their desires, receive the fruits of sorrow from the tree of life. The wise ascetics are enjoying the fruits of comfort from it. Even though paramatma is one, with maya he is manifest as multiplicity.

"Uddava, you too serve gurus and obtain non-dualistic solo devotion. With an axe of knowledge destroy ignorance and obtain paramatma" said Sri Krishna.

Swan

Top

A mind that is preoccupied with worldly matters can't meditate on the paramatma. Gunas bind a jiva to bondage. The three gunas sattva, rajas and tamas are attributes of mind and intellect but not the self. The lack of devotion is because of the missing sattva guna.

With sattva guna devotion will be achieved. Hence it has to be stronger and dominate over rajas and tamas. Eventually sattva has to be transcended. Gunas are an obstacle to gaining knowledge. Sattva is like a golden shackle that is helpful in attaining devotion.

One has to eat moderately flavored, vegetarian food to improve sattva guna. Sattva enhances dharma. With rajas one is entangled in worldly matters. Whereas tamas will keep one in ignorance. As sattva improves the other two gunas will be diminished and dharma will be enhanced.

The things with sattva are laudable. The things with rajas are appreciable. But the things with tamas are deplorable.

Until one realizes self, he has to strive to improve sattva guna. As a result one's dharma will enhance and enlightenment is possible. Then jiva will be free from the body and shine with knowledge.

When bamboo trees rub on each other, fire is generated from friction that burns the entire forest. The body born out of the differentiation of gunas, generates knowledge that destroys the gunas before it subsides.

Sattva is comforting. Whereas activities done with rajas and tamas engender sorrow. Uddava asked Sri Krishna why do men, despite knowing that certain activities were harmful and cause sorrow, indulge in them.

An unwise person thinks the body is the self. As a result, the sattva in the mind will be covered by rajas giving rise to thoughts that are diametrically opposite. This world looks like a beautiful palace. A woman, fancy food and intoxicating drink seem alright. This will stir up one's lust.

The one indulging in such desires will come under the control of senses and be subjected to delusion. With ascending rajas, infatuation will increase and one gets caught in a karmic cycle. Even by knowing that lust makes one feel sorrow eventually, he will indulge in such activities.

"Like a lion tied with shackles, a man weaves a web of worldly matters and gets caught in it and comes under others' control" said Maha Upanishad regarding a fool's decrepit state.

If worldly transactions are real then they should delude a wise man as well as the unwise. Because of one's lack of wisdom the worldly transactions seem real and have a special significance. When rajas and tamas pull, by controlling them and realizing the drawbacks of karma, one should be disinterested in them.

"Uddava, a seeker of liberation should be alert, give up indolence, control breath by following yoga and pranayama, concentrate the mind. The mind should be withdrawn from all distractions and focused on me. My disciples Sanaka, Sananda et al. said this is yoga of devotion" said Sri Krishna.

"Sri Krishna, when did you teach Sanaka et al. this yoga? In what form did you teach them? At which time did you teach them?" asked Uddava.

Once Brahma's children Sanaka et al. went to him and asked him"Our minds are attracted to worldly matters. They then enter our minds as memories. How can we break these two?"

Brahma Deva could not answer them. He sought Lord Narayana's help by meditating on him. He appeared as a swan. They saluted the swan and asked"Who are you?".

Sri Krishna said"Brahmins, is your question pertaining to self? Or is it applicable to the body? If it is about self, then everyone has the same self. There is no multiplicity in it. How should I respond to you?"

"I don't think your questions about who I am is reasonable. When we all have the same self, where is the individuality? If I have to think in terms of bodies, then all are made from the same five basic elements. Viewed that way, nothing can be differentiated among the bodies. Not only that, the things grasped by the mind, speech, vision are all manifestations of self" said the Lord.

Man's mind and worldly matters are intertwined. These support the jiva, who is made after Brahman, but are not his real form.

By meditating over worldly matters one gets more and more entangled in the world. In reality, worldly matters are created from the mind. Hence a seeker of liberation should renounce both mind and worldly matters. Similarly the three states: wakeful, dream sleep and deep sleep should be renounced.

A jiva will be in bondage because of his desire for happiness. One should consider the material comforts as false. Familial bonds are ephemeral. It is better to give them up rather than hang on to them and be perturbed.

After death one's wealth will remain on the earth. Cows will be in the same place as before. Wife will come till the front door and sons will come till the cremation ground. Body will come till the pyre. Only dharma follows the jiva to the nether world.

The world known by discrimination is not much different from a dream. The karma that is the cause for the impermanent body, the fruit of karma to be enjoyed on earth and heaven all are unreal. They are like a dream. The three states (wakeful, dream sleep, deep sleep) are not applicable to the self for the reason that they are not non-dual. They are based on nescience. Hence a seeker of liberation should hold the sword of knowledge and destroy ego that is responsible for all the inauspiciousness.

This world is unreal, projected by mind, fleeting. It is the same as when one rotates a lighted torch, one sees the illusion of fire circling in the air. Brahman is non-dual and real. Everything else is an illusion. The one who knows this is the real ascetic. Such a person will be unaware of his body, like an intoxicated person is unaware of the clothes on his body. For him the body operates as per the residual karma.

"Brahmins, I told you the secrets in Sankhya yoga. I am Lord Vishnu. To teach you I came in the form of a swan". The rishis freed from doubt, worshiped and praised the Lord.

"Uddava, devotees are closer to me than anyone else. They don't want anything but me. They have restrained their senses. Like you, they are peaceful. The love I have for you exceeds my love for Sri Devi" said Sri Krishna.

"My love for you exceeds that of my love for Brahma, Lord Siva, brother Balarama, wife Sri Devi, even my own auspicious form" said Sri Krishna

Uddava was ecstatic and ebullient for receiving Lord's love.

"Uddava, I always follow my devotee who is disinterested in worldly matters, is meditating on me, has no enemies, is equanimous. I spread the dust from his feet to purify the world."

"My devotees worship me without other thoughts. They meditate on me shunning all worldly matters. I yield to such devotion more than yoga, Sankhya, dharma, penance."

Devotion will cleanse even the worst of the men. Some noble ones always speak the truth. Some are kind towards animals. Some do penance. Some give alms. Some will be interested in acquiring knowledge. But without devotion to the Lord, none of these can purify the heart. Like fire annihilating wood, devotion will destroy all sin. Like gold is separated from dirt by melting in fire, the hearts of men are purified by devotion and lose all desires. God will not leave such devotees even for an instant.

Lord Krishna said in Atma Samyama Yoga of Bhagavad Gita"I am not that far from my devotees. Nor are they far from me".

Devotion is the most exalted state. Like lampblack applied to eyes cures the faults of the eye and enables one to see subtle objects, the devotion will purify the mind, enabling one to see the subtle form of the Lord. Hence a seeker of liberation should constantly meditate over the Lord and be on alert. Mind meditating over worldly matters will be preoccupied with ephemeral things. Whereas meditating on the paramatma will merge the mind with him.

"Like a blossoming flower spreading its fragrance, devotion reveals itself in several ways. An ardent devotee's heart melts with Lord's praise; body will shake; speech will be muffled and tears will flow from eyes"

"Uddava, such a devotee will purify all lokas. Devotion is full of love. The lamp called devotion will burn with a fuel called love. With lust, it will be doused. Lust should not enter a devotee's heart. Hence a devotee should give up the company of women. The strife experienced with the company of women exceeds every other strife. It is not just women, their friends also have to be shunned" said Sri Krishna.

Meditation

Top

The meditator has to be seated comfortably, sitting erect with hands in the lap. The eyes should be focused on the tip of the nose and breathing should be regulated.

Then the yogi has to merge the omkara starting with the muladhara chakra, at the base of the spinal cord, all the way to vocal cords. When the yogi performs this three times a day, in a month the breathing will stabilize.

Then one should meditate on Sri Krishna in the lotus of the heart. He should close eyes and see the form of the Lord and its parts.

One has to turn the senses inward and the mind has to stay focused on the Lord's beautiful form.

Then the mind has to be withdrawn and stay focused on the Lord's face. After some time mind has to be concentrated on the sky inside the chest called"dahara aakasa". Later on, the mind has to be focused on Brahman.

Those meditating thus will be free of delusions created by the physical world, Devas and spirit. The seer-seen-seeing will disappear and permanent peace is attained.

"Uddava, a yogi who conquers senses, regulates the mind, stays focused on me, will attain special powers" said Sri Krishna.

The eight yogic powers

Top

Uddava asked"Sri Krishna, you give the fruit of our karma. What yoga will grant us yogic powers? How many yogic powers are there?".

Sri Krishna started his discourse on the eight yogic powers

The first one is Anima that enables one to transform into a subtle form. One who focuses his mind on the five basic elements in subtle form will achieve this.

The second one is Mahima that makes one assume a larger than life form. One who meditates on Eswara achieves this.

The third one is Laghima that transforms one to a form that floats in the air.

The fourth one is Prapti where the yogi can see the presiding deities of the senses. For the eye the presiding deity is Aditya and so on.

The fifth one is Prakamya where the yogi travels in this and nether worlds.

The sixth one is Esitwa where one activates the knowledge and vital force that are derived from Eswara's maya.

The seventh one is Vasitwa which makes a yogi renounce worldly matters.

The eighth one is Kamavasayata where all desires are eliminated.

There are lesser known ten yogic powers

Freedom from hunger and thirst.

Listening to conversations happening at a great distance.

Seeing distant sights.

Transporting body to desired place as fast as thought

Assuming whatever form one desires

Entering the bodies of others

Ability to see Devas

Ability to fulfill desires

Ability to give orders

Ability to leave body whenever one wants

There are five other yogic powers that are occult

Ability to exist in past, present and future

Ability to withstand extreme heat or cold

Ability to read others' thoughts

Ability to stop the effects of fire, sun, water, poison

Never face defeat

Thus when one meditates on me with yoga, he will attain the yogic powers. An ardent devotee is not interested in acquiring or demonstrating the yogic powers. One who focuses senses on me can obtain the yogic powers easily.

One day two brahmins called Gnanadeva and Namadeva went on pilgrimage. On the way Gnanadeva, who was a yogi, had a doubt about Namadeva whether he attained yogic powers. He wanted to test Namadeva.

Gnanadeva, with his yogic powers, created thirst in Namadeva and a well that had no steps to access the water. Saying he too was thirsty, he led Namadeva to the well.

Namadeva didn't know how to drink the well water. Gnanadeva assumed the form of a parrot and flew down to the water to quench his thirst.

"Namadeva, did you see my yogic power? If you had practiced yoga then you too would have quenched your thirst like me. But you spent all of your time in devotion" said Gnanadeva.

"Mahatma, I am not swayed by yoga. The god who has created me will take care of me. The one who created thirst will show a way to quench it" said Namadeva.

He then went into a rapture by singing the praise of Panduranga.

The water level in the well kept rising. In an instant the water level reached high enough to drink. The ardent devotee, Namadeva, then drank the water.

Namadeva said"Mahatma, you are a great yogi. You were able to transform into a parrot and drink the well water. I don't know yoga. All I have is the keen desire to merge with the Lord. By practicing yoga, you obtained your powers. A devotee of Yogeswara, the Lord, will attain them involuntarily".

Narada Bhakti Sootras said"One who is an ardent devotee is able to attain yogic powers; live as satisfied for ever"

Sri Krishna said"For one trying to merge with me by ardent devotion, the yogic powers are obstacles. Elders say they are only good for passing time"

Sri Krishna said"Uddava, I am the cause for all yogic powers and their Lord. Hence by meditating on me one can attain yogic powers"

Different Forms of the Lord

Top

Uddava said,"Lord, you are omnipresent. You are the creator, ruler and destroyer. Please tell me about your different forms rishis worship."

"Uddava, in Kurukshetra I was asked the same question by Arjuna. Among yogis I am Kapila; among birds the eagle;among asuras Prahlada; among elephants airavata; among radiant ones the sun; among men the King; among rivers Ganga; among bodies of water the ocean; among inaccessible regions I am Himalaya; among trees Aswatha; among seasons Vasanta; among months Margasirsha; among Priests Vasishtha; among rituals non-violence; in ashtanga yoga Samadhi; among bachelors Sanatkumara; among yugas Krita; among scholars Sukracharya; among devotees Uddava; among human like forms I am Hanumanta; among precious stones Ruby; among valorous ones I am Arjuna; among demi-gods Sudarsana" said Sri Krishna.

"Uddava, my forms exceed anything else including the number of atoms in the universe. No one can count them. I mentioned the forms to give you a gist. In reality they are not my real forms. They are just modifications in mind. Don't focus your mind on them" said Sri Krishna.

"Uddava, keep your speech, mind, prana, senses, intellect in restraint to avoid entanglement with the world. If you follow my advice you will succeed" said Sri Krishna.

Varna

Top

Uddava then asked about the duties of varna. Sri Krishna said"Uddava, in Krita yuga there were no duties based on varna. There used to be only one varna called "hamsa" (swan). Right from birth the jiva used to be devout. The only veda during that time was omkara. There were no yagnas or fire rituals".

In Treta yuga paramatma gave vedas. Yagnas were conducted. From the Virat purusha's face brahmins, from hands kshatriyas, from thighs vysyas, from feet sudras emanated. Thus various varnas came into existence.

From Virat's reproductive organ, heart, chest, head the various ashramas: household, celibacy, renunciation, sanyasa came into existence.

Calmness, austerity, penance, purity, happiness, forgiveness, straightforwardness, devotion, kindness, truth are a brahmin's attributes.

Resplendence, strength, courage, valor, endurance, generosity, exertion, steadfastness, association with brahmins, wealth are the kshatriya's qualities.

Theism, charity, honesty, serving brahmins, dissatisfaction with wealth are vysya's qualities.

Serving brahmins, cows, Devas without conceit and satisfied with whatever one has are the qualities of soodras.

The outcast has impurity, falsity, thievery, atheism, quarrelsomeness, lust, rage, greed as the attributes.

Celibacy

Top

One who enters celibacy will have thread marriage and study vedas by restraining senses. He should learn all the duties of a celebate from a guru and follow them.

He should not torment the guru or find faults with him. He should follow the guru when going somewhere like a servant. During leisure he should massage the guru's legs. When a guru is seated he should await guru's orders with folded hands.

A celebate should not talk too much with women. Even by mistake he should not touch them. Sarcasm should be avoided. A brahmin functioning like this will shine forth like fire. By executing such karma, his mind, intellect will be purified and he will be devout. Only such a person can get knowledge about self.

From celibacy one can take up householder duties. Without desires he can enter renunciation or sanyasa if he so chooses.

Householder duties

Top

One desirous of household life can marry a woman of the same varna. He can also marry a woman of inferior varna.

"Uddava, a householder should follow dharma and serve devotees. I will safeguard him like a lifeboat to one drowning in the sea" said Sri Krishna.

A householder should have children. But he should not feel the weight of the family. He should be dispassionate and always devout. He should know that the comforts of this world and the luxuries of heaven are impermanent. The relationships with friends and family members should be considered as temporary.

The relationship with children, wife, relatives shall be the same as with fellow travelers. Like the events in a dream, one's relationships with friends and relatives are ephemeral.

A householder has to live like a guest at his home. Ego and affection should be controlled. Then he won't be caught in bondage. A householder can be devout at home or can take up sanyasa if he has sons.

One thinking"My parents are old. My wife has little kids. My children desperately need my help. How could they live without me?" is worthless. One who talks thus out of context, is egotistical, has no goal in life, is arrogant, so can't be an ideal householder.

Eswara is there to uplift all. A householder whether at home or outside should conduct without arrogance. He should not be thinking that he is the one performing the karma and enjoying the fruit all by himself.

Renunciation

Top

One who is done discharging the duties of a householder can take up renunciation and go to forests. He should do so with his wife accompanying him. Or she can be left in the custody of his children. She can also be placed in a special arrangement where she will be happy.

A renouncer or a sanyasi has to eat uncooked food and live in forests. He should not wear valuable clothes. He should not cut his hair or nails. He has to bathe thrice a day and perform penance. He should sleep on the floor. He should renounce all wealth. He should perform karma without being attached to it.

Living in renunciation, once mature, one can take up sanyasa. That also needs to be done without any desire.

"Uddava, good deeds will have multiple obstacles. When a renouncer takes up sanyasa, Devas become envious. They think one is rejecting them in favor of paramatma and create obstacles" said Sri Krishna

Here the senses are the Devas. The senses try to cheat a renouncer. The seekers of liberation should be on alert. One should attain liberation by overcoming senses.

Sanyasa

Top

Sanyasi should roam in holy places. He should drink pure water. He should always speak the truth. He should weigh the pros and cons before doing anything.

"Uddava, for the speech silence, for the body sacrifice of karma to fulfill a desire, for the mind breathing exercise are considered as three essential qualities of a sanyasi."

Sanyasi should beg for food from householders and consider it as an offering from the Lord. He has to evince keen interest in all aspects of yoga.

He should bathe in lakes at the outskirts of villages, offer everything to the Lord and then consume the food. He should roam in lonely places without fear. He should constantly be in meditation. He should be courageous and not seek the company of others. He should prefer living alone. He should live on the banks of rivers or near mountains and go to villages for alms. He should never trouble anyone.

Paramahamsa

Top
A paramahamsa is one whose self is pure, renounces all insignia of a sanyasi, revels in the Lord's name, behaves like an adolescent even though knowledgeable, conducts like a novice even though skilful, talks like an illiterate even though a scholar.

Devotion and Knowledge

Top

Is the world real or unreal? If it is real, then the happiness and sadness will be real too. Then how can a jiva attain peace? If the world is unreal, then how can it make one suffer?

A thing is real if it stays the same in the past, present and future. Since the world keeps on changing it can't be real. Only Brahman that stays the same at all times is real.

Brahman is infinite, inconceivable, all pervading. If self is all pervading, where is the world? Is it really there? If it is there, is it different from paramatma? If the world exists by itself, won't paramatma become finite? Won't a finite paramatma die? How can that which dies be real? Hence anything that is different from paramatma is maya. World is perceived as real due to ignorance.

If the world is not real why is it visible to us? That is maya which means without existing it seems to exist. Just because it is visible it can't be said as real. Even though the earth is spinning, we don't feel it. The sun seems to be rising and setting. One chases for water in mirages. One mistakes a rope as a snake in darkness. Are they real? Even the world is such. If it is visible that doesn't mean it is real.

"Why is non-duality auspicious? When all basic elements are separate, seem like multiplicity without a common thread, then there is inauspiciousness" said Adi Sankara. The non-dual state where multiplicity is not perceived is auspicious.

One who experiences the teaching of non-duality, will renounce the dualistic world and the knowledge used to infer that because they both are maya. Just as after a thorn is taken out by another thorn, the two thorns can be thrown away, both maya and the knowledge can be shed. Thus Sri Krishna was discoursing on the maya.

"A learned man knows about maya. Hence he has no delusion about the world. He has nothing else that is as dear as me. I am everything to him. Among all, I love the learned men the most" said Sri Krishna.

Knowledge is paramount, auspicious. All the penance, meditation, giving alms, visiting holy sites won't add up to knowledge. Sri Sankaracharya said in Gita Bhashya that salvation can't be attained with karma.

"Uddava, grasp self with knowledge. Be knowledgeable and serve me with devotion. All the modifications are because of maya and can't be real. Like a snake superimposed on a rope, in dim light, all modifications pertain to the body only" said Sri Krishna.

Uddava said"Teach me your ancient and all encompassing knowledge. Also the yoga of devotion that can be explored by people. Being entangled in bondage what else is a proper refuge than your lotus feet? Please help those of us stuck in bondage".

"Uddava, Dharma Raja asked Bhishma the same question in my presence. I will narrate what Bhishma said about salvation" said Sri Krishna.

In all the moving and non-moving things prakruti, purusha, mahat, ego, the five basic elements in subtle form, ten senses, mind, the five basic elements in gross form, the three gunas constitute the essence of everything. Sri Krishna said whatever knowledge that discourses on the essence of Brahman was dear to him.

"Uddava, instead of seeing multiplicity in one, it is better to think everything is manifestation of the paramatma" said Sri Krishna.

Bodies are ephemeral. They constitute parts. They are different from one another. Like pots made from the same clay have different shapes and sizes, jivas are different. Whatever is responsible for creation, maintenance, destruction of the world; what remains after a cataclysmic flood is called"sat". Everything else is maya.

Just as the world is impermanent, the comforts of heaven too are ephemeral. The yagna and fire rituals performed to obtain those comforts are ephemeral also. Whoever grasps that the inauspicious fruit of karma in the form of sorrow doesn't last for long has wisdom.

One will evince interest in karma leading up to pleasure without renunciation because of lack of wisdom. A renouncer will see devotion as complete.

Devotion

Top

One who wants to be a yogi of devotion must evince interest in the tales of Sri Krishna; chant Sri Krishna's name; concentrate his mind on the Lord. He should perform pooja with a strong will and praise the Lord with hymns.

Mind runs after worldly things. Instead it should be inculcated to dwell on paramatma. Listening to the tales of the Lord enhances positive thoughts; keeps the mind in a path of rectitude; gives discrimination of real, unreal; enhances devotion, knowledge; destroys sorrow.

Listening to Lord's tales purifies the mind. Singing the Lord's praises will keep the mind from reacquiring impurities and enhance devotion.

Tulasidas said"For the one living in Kali yuga, the only support is praising the Lord with hymns; not yoga, yagna, knowledge".

One commits many sins with his tongue. All such sin can be wiped out by singing hymns of the Lord. Whoever sings the praises of the Lord, will be endearing to him. Even when one is busy with worldly transactions, by listening to Lord's stories and singing praises of the Lord he can attain him.

Narada maharshi said in Bhakti Sootras"Even when one is immersed in the matters of the world, by listening to Lord and praising the Lord, devotion is inculcated"

For a beginner pooja is recommended. Only after performing pooja one should perform daily routine. In pooja body, senses, mind, intellect become steadfast.

Lord said in Vignana Yoga of Bhagavad Gita"Whoever with whatever desire worships the various Devas with concentration and steadfastness, I am giving him such discipline"

"Uddava, one should worship my devotees. A devotee of mine will see me in all jivas" said Sri Krishna.

"Dharma nurtures devotion for me. Whereas knowledge shows paramatma in everything" said Sri Krishna.

Q & A

Top

What are Yamas? Non-violence, truth, not to steal, staying alone, shame, not gathering riches, belief in god, celibacy, silence, steadfastness, forgiveness, without fright

What are Niyamas? External cleanliness, cleanliness of lower parts, chant, penance, fire ritual, concentration, hospitality, pooja, pilgrimage, helping others, satisfaction, serving guru

Sama means focusing intellect on Sri Krishna; controlling senses is called Dama; forbearing sorrow is called Titeeksha; conquering tongue and reproductive organ is called courage.

Not betraying anyone is Dana; sacrificing desires is Penance; overcoming the thoughts from past experiences is called Sourya; truth is contemplating over self

Soucha means disinterest in karma; sacrificing desires is sanyasa; overcoming comforts and sorrow is Happiness; seeking comforts is Sorrow.

The one knowing bondage and salvation is a pundit. A fool is one who is attached to the body and has I-mine thoughts. The one with good character is rich. The one dissatisfied is a pauper

Sri Krishna said"Uddava, I answered your questions and removed your doubts. Keep one thing in mind. Thinking about faults in gunas is a fault itself. It is better not to contemplate over the two".

Mind is occupied with dualities. The good and bad thoughts keep the mind busy. One swinging between good and bad thoughts has no peace of mind. After crossing the mind, one attains peace.

It will be good to analyze the faults of gunas early on. But a seeker of liberation should not be preoccupied with it. There are no limits to egotism. An unrestrained arrogance will cause downfall of the jiva. When the contemplation over faults of gunas subsides, it is possible to overcome all gunas.

Desires won't subside so easily. They keep coming in droves as they must. It is natural. But not running after them, nor analyzing them, staying as a witness are better.

Scripture warned us to not brood over worldly matters all the time. One with impure thoughts can't meditate over the Lord. One has to overcome impure thoughts with good thoughts and excite the mind with meditation. Why meditate? To attain paramatma. It is a means to an end but not an end by itself. One has to transcend meditation too to attain paramatma. That means even good thoughts have to be silenced.

Yoga Sikha Upanishad said"Seeing the mind with mind and blocking all the thoughts will let one attain Brahman as there is no easier way"

Yoga of Karma, Devotion, Knowledge

Top

"Uddava, the life of a human is very significant. It is a means to obtain devotion and knowledge. Hence the denizens of heaven and hell try to be born as human. Even though the birth as human is exalted, the one who doesn't even aspire for that is noble. What's the reason? Because it ends one day with death" said Sri Krishna.

Body is impermanent. That which is burnt on a pyre is the body. Its characteristic is to wither. Before the body becomes feeble and death awaits, one has to strive to be free from bondage and seek salvation.

A bird builds a nest on a tree. When a man cuts down the tree, the bird has no choice but to fly away leaving its nest behind. Similarly before lord of death, Yama, grabs the tree called body, one has to give up attachment with it and like the bird be dispassionate.

"Uddava, it is difficult to be born as a human. It is the means to earn all fruit by performing karma. It is an able ship to cross the ocean of life. One needs a navigator called a guru. Like favorable winds drive a boat, when he prays to me, I will take him to the destination. When such an opportunity exists, the one not utilizing it is a loser who torments himself" said Sri Krishna.

There are three ways to attain liberation: devotion, knowledge, karma.

"Uddava, one who renounces karma and its fruits, is said to be a yogi of knowledge. Those not renouncing karma, and don't see the sorrow it engenders with desires are followers of Karma yoga" said Sri Krishna.

Karma is done with ignorance and is limited. Such karma can't give rise to knowledge. Also from limited karma one can't achieve unlimited happiness. When karma puts one in bondage, how can one attain salvation?

Yogis of knowledge discern the finiteness of karma and don't expect fruit. They see non-action in action. Those not interested in giving up karma, but only want to give up sorrow, are followers of karma yoga. Ones giving up karma are yogis of knowledge. Whereas ones giving up enjoyment of fruits of karma can be masters of karma yoga.

One who doesn't renounce karma, is disinterested in the fruit of karma, is fortunate to read or listen about Sri Krishna's tales is eligible for the yoga of devotion. When a devotee immerses himself in Sri Krishna's tales, he will be free from worldly matters. Even if he moves in the world, he is disinterested. He always prays to the Lord. In the heart of such a person, Sri Krishna always resides and makes the devotion stronger.

One who can't control his mind isn't fit for any kind of yoga. Mind being fickle always modifies itself. A seeker of liberation must try to control his mind. He has to first control his senses and then prana. With sattva, intellect he has to harness the mind in a proper direction. It has to be turned towards realization of the self.

A wild horse is first let go by the rider holding the reins. Gradually he gains control on the horse and makes it move the way he wishes. Similarly a seeker of liberation must control his mind.

One concentrating on guru's discourse will achieve renunciation. Such knowledge makes him dispassionate about the world. It promotes indifference, removes attachment with the body, subsides arrogance.

To focus the mind on the Lord, one can adopt yoga. Using logic he should separate the self from non-self. He has to do idol worship and meditation of the Lord.

"Uddava, my devotee can easily obtain the cumulative result of karma, yoga, ritual and giving alms. Such a devotee is the best of the best."

Not having any expectations is best. So a devotee who doesn't expect or desire anything, attains paramatma in due course of time. A devotee who is free from wants, equanimous, and lonely is able to overcome maya and attain Vaikuntha.

The path of devotion is easier, tender, free from danger, pure, without fear of anything including thieves. There is always a company of devotees. Sin is atoned. Devotion paves way for salvation. Only an ardent devotee who can surrender his mind to the Lord, be satisfied with what he has. One not seeking anything is the most fortunate.

Gunas

Top

"Uddava, those rejecting devotion-, knowledge-, karma-paths, and leading a life of enjoyment with senses will be stuck in bondage and experience strife" said Sri Krishna.

Performing one's dharma is called guna. Going against it is a fault.

When a vessel or cloth gathers dirt, we can clean it with soap until the dirt is removed. Similarly man should bathe, give alms, do penance to become pure and then perform karma.

The bad in karma and faults in guna change with time and space. Hence the faults in guna are fictional. In some places a guna is at fault. In another place a fault becomes a guna.

Whatever a man renounces, he will be free from it. As a result one enjoys happiness. The sorrow, desire and fear are removed because of it.

While renunciation gives happiness, getting caught in worldly matters engenders sorrow. As one broods over worldly matters, his interest in them grows manifold. As a result one experiences desires which lead to quarrels. Anger is released because of quarrels and leads to infatuation. The one caught in infatuation can never see the truth. He will become depraved.

Essential Truths

Top

There are twenty eight essential truths in our scripture. Uddava sighted that rishis mention different numbers and wanted Sri Krishna to clarify it.

"Uddava, nothing told by the rishis can be called false. As the essential truths are inter-related some of them are redundant. They all base it on my maya" said Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishna didn't want us to argue over the number of essential truths. The contemplation over them is worthier than arguing over them. Whoever restrains his senses, follows yoga, ends all the delusion in his mind. Subsequently the arguments subside.

There is no difference between jiva's and Eswara's selves. Knowledge applies to prakruti because of sattva guna's influence. The three gunas belonging to prakruti are the reasons for creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe. The sattva, rajas, tamas gunas exist because of Brahman's maya. They belong to prakruti but not self.

Sattva is said to be knowledge; rajas is karma; tamas is ignorance.

"Uddava, purusha, prakruti, mahat, ego, sky, air, fire, water, earth are the nine essential truths. I will tell what others say" said Sri Krishna

Some say there are seven essential truths: five basic elements, jiva and paramatma. They believe everything came from them.

Some say there are six basic truths: five basic elements and paramatma. They believe paramatma created the universe made of five basic elements and entered it.

Some believe earth, water, fire and self all there is.

Some believe there are seventeen essential truths: five elements, five subtle elements, five senses, mind and self. Those who say there are sixteen, merge mind and self into one.

Others believe in thirteen essential truths: five elements, five senses, mind, jiva and paramatma. Those saying eleven believe five elements, five senses and self are only the essential truths. Some say the eight prakrutis and purusha give rise to nine essential truths.

Even though they seem different, they are not false. By being subjected to maya, it is not possible to see the differences in them. Every answer to the question"How much water is there in the mirage?" is true. There is no fault in counting however much water in it when there is none.

Uddava said"Prakruti and purusha are different. But they are interdependent. Viewed this way, there seems to be no difference between body and self"

Sri Krishna said"Prakruti and purusha are separate entities. The body and senses undergo modifications. The differences are because of maya. One who doesn't know about self, will not realize that prakruti is different from self and gets caught in bondage because of attachment with the body"

Rebirth is based on the differences in gunas. When sattva is dominant one will be born as a rishi or a Deva. When rajas is predominant one will be born as an asura. With tamas in dominance one will be born as an animal or a bird. Even though self has no karma, because of infatuation it follows the intellect.

One who sees the rendering of a dance or a song will try to imitate in the mind the dancer's movements and the singer's voice. Similarly the self observing the sattva in intellect will be imitating it.

"Uddava, one sees the reflections of trees on the banks, in river water. When water moves, the reflections will move with it. Similarly one rotating the eyes will visualize the rotation of the earth. Familial life is also like that. Just as a dream is untrue, so is the world"

After grasping this truth, put an end to meditation. To one interested in worldly matters there is no reprieve from happiness or sorrow. Serving with the senses is not safe. Similarly one shoud not seek revenge. It is better to put up with insults.

"Uddava, when wicked people push, insult, make fun of, blame, feel envy, beat, imprison you and pull you out of meditation over the parameswara, it is better to put up with them, seek refuge in the paramatma and uplift yourself"

"Sri Krishna, what you say is true. But one's nature is stronger. Even the devotees and scholars who sought refuge in your lotus feet say it is difficult to put up with insults" said Uddava.

Gita of a Mendicant

Top

Men don't take an insult as easily as praise. Even Devas can't spoil the happiness of one praising another who insulted him. One trying to enter a palace of happiness must travel through the gates of blame. The blame that follows one as a shadow won't let him live in peace.

A seeker of liberation must withstand censure and pain. Censure shapes life. Obstacles make life better. Goddess of earth is holding us all with forbearance. People throw rocks at a tree full of ripe fruit but not a tree without fruit. The world that can tolerate good, tries to engender bad. One has to grasp the essence.

"Uddava, when one is censured by wicked people, he will be tormented intensely. Wicked talk hurts more than arrows shot in the torso. There is a story in this context that I will tell you" said Sri Krishna.

In a country called Avanti there used to be a brahmin who farmed and traded for a living. He was full of desires and very covetous. He was also easy to anger and always sought revenge on those who disagreed with him.

He won't welcome relatives. Nor does he entertain guests.

Relatives and sons began betraying him because of his bad conduct and covetousness. Even wife, daughters and servants refused to serve him. Everyone makes light of a covetous person. His own people won't like him. Others won't recognize him.

Even though he was wealthy, he couldn't get the approval of others. To the contrary, everyone was angry at him. His relatives stole some of his wealth. Thieves robbed the rest. Some of the grain that he saved was spoiled and the King took the rest.

After losing all of his hard earned wealth, the brahmin was sad. As he lost his wealth, his relatives and friends deserted him. He was in deep sorrow. Then he became dispassionate.

"All my wealth has been stolen. When I had money I didn't share it with anyone. It all became a waste. I troubled my body to earn money. Now I am surrounded by intolerable troubles" thought the brahmin.

There was a rich man in a village. He was very greedy. One night there was a storm in the village. A woman came knocking to the house. She lost her way and couldn't see anything. In a helpless condition she entered the house. She requested the rich man to let her stay in his house for that night. He agreed. She went to a guest room and slept.

The rich man being greedy wanted to steal the golden ornaments on the woman. Since his wife went to her parents' place, he thought it was a convenient time to kill the woman. In the darkness he stabbed the one sleeping in the guest room. Then he realized that the woman he stabbed and killed was none other than his wife.

The woman who arrived as a guest, didn't trust the rich man and left without informing him. Meanwhile his wife who arrived at the house, didn't feel like waking up her husband and went to sleep in the guest room.

Even a small infection of the skin will disfigure a person. Similarly a modicum of stinginess will make one lose fame. There are fifteen manifestations for covetousness: stealing, violence, lying, pompousness, lust, rage, surprise, arrogance, discrimination, enmity, distrust, dispute, association with women, gambling, alcoholism.

The brahmin thought the poverty was Sri Hari's blessing. Because of loss of wealth, he achieved dispassion. He took up sanyasa to attain a better life in the next birth. He gave up arrogance, familial bonds and became an ascetic.

Because of his dispassion, his senses were restrained. Expecting nothing, in pitiable condition, he roamed in villages seeking alms. People used to make him suffer, drive him away and insult him.

Some stole his begging pan. Others stole his clothes, bedding and rosary. People subjected him to great torture.

As he was eating the food he received in alms, some miscreants spat on him and defecated on him. But he didn't open his mouth. Some insisted that he should speak up. When he was silent, they beat him with sticks. They blamed him as a thief. Some tied him up with rope. People blamed that as he was abandoned by family, he donned the form of a beggar to cheat others.

Despite the insults and abuse the brahmin didn't lose his patience. He didn't become angry. He restrained his emotions. He recited sixteen slokas on how he restrained himself.

Mind is responsible for happiness or sadness. Mind created gunas that make one perform karma. Rebirth is because of karma.

By identifying with mind, being interested in desires, a jiva gets entangled in worldly matters. One who controls the mind will be at peace. All spiritual means are ways to restrain the mind.

The senses are in the control of the mind. Whoever controls the mind can control his senses. Mind is very fickle and hard to control even for the ascetics. Mind chooses one as a friend and rejects another as an enemy.

How can one be angry? Why should he be angry? On whom must he be angry? If what suffered is the body, how can the self be affected? If you think an insult is to the self, everyone has the same self. Hence who should be angry at whom?

"While eating, if one bites his tongue, who is to blame? Hence I won't be angry at anyone. I will pray to the Lord who was worshiped by rishis and attain salvation" thought the mendicant.

"Uddava, no one grants happiness or sadness to a jiva. Mind is the source of all troubles. One who concentrates his mind on me and restrains his mind will become a yogi" said Sri Krishna.

Aila Gita

Top

"Uddava, the human body is the best means to attain me. With the yoga of knowledge, one will discern that the world is maya and be dispassionate. One partaking in worldly comforts will meet with deprivation. An emperor called Aila was tormented by separation from the apsarasa Urvasi. After overcoming the sorrow, he became dispassionate and sang some truths. It is called Aila Gita. I will narrate it" said Sri Krishna

The son of Ila called Puroora (Aila) was tormented by separation from Urvasi. He met Urvasi in Kurukshetra. He performed a yagna and satisfied the Devas. As a result he was able to consort with Urvasi. With the passage of time, he lost interest in comfortable living. With dispassion he narrated his story.

Purooru spent time with Urvasi to fulfill his carnal desires. When Urvasi separated from him he ran after her naked. Unable to stop her, he started crying. All physical comforts start by giving happiness but end up in sorrow. Those running after them are depraved. Emulating them is like the blind men following another blind man.

Aila said"I fell under the spell of Urvasi and spent so many nights with her unable to sense the time being wasted. She destroyed my wisdom. I spent time with her without paying attention to the passage of time."

"Being an emperor I became a toy in the hands of women because of my lust. When she left me, I followed her like a mad man. She kicked me like a donkey. What royalty is left in me?

"Those surrendering to women will lose their knowledge, penance, sacrifice, self study, silence"

"Even though I am an emperor like a cow or a donkey I surrendered to women. Who will be as incompetent me? Like fire that feeds on fuel, my lust for Urvasi multiplied. I was never satisfied"

"Urvasi didn't do any harm to me. All the harm is self inflicted. When one mistakes a rope for a snake, how can it be the fault of the rope? Urvasi tried to dissuade me in many ways. She told me what is proper and improper. My mind under delusion couldn't grasp it"

"I described her body as a flower. I have attributed tenderness, beauty, fragrance of a flower to the human body that is malodorous, unclean and impure. What a pity"

Purooru sang"The men yield to lust will say what a beautiful face she has, what an aquiline nose she is endowed with, what a wonderful smile she has"

"Uddava, the dispassionate Purooru renounced Urvasi's loka. The lust in him was destroyed. The impurities in his heart and mind were gone. He filled them with my devotion. He sought the company of devotees and lived a life of devotion" said Sri Krishna.

Just as one embracing the lord of fire won't be afraid of cold weather and won't experience darkness, one who seeks refuge in noble men and ardent devotees won't feel the burden of karma, family and ignorance.

Like a boat that can save one drowning in water, for one overwhelmed by the ocean of life ardent devotees and noble men are the rescuers.

Food is the sustenance for jivas. For the distressed, paramatma is the only support. The alms given to others will follow one to the nether world. The jivas sinking in the ocean of life are rescued by ardent devotees.

Sri Krishna said"To enable us to see the beautiful nature and scenery, the sun is lighting the world. Similarly ardent devotees give special vision to the seekers of liberation. Hence ascetics are the real relatives and Devas of jivas. The ardent devotees are like the paramatma"

Pooja

Top

"Uddava, the path of devotion is the least difficult one. The devotees attain me easily. With devotion, the mind will be controlled. Without devotion, none of the other yogas can be complete. For both yogis of knowledge and karma, devotion is necessary. Like adding sugar to flour makes it sweet, efforts made with devotion are delectable" said Sri Krishna.

Bathing cleanses the body. So a devotee must take measures to keep hygiene. While taking a bath if one chants the Lord's name, then both his body and mind will be purified. A devotee should perform every action as a worship to the Lord.

Sri Krishna told Uddava that one can pray any Deva he wishes using idols made of stone, wood, metal, something that is smeared, picture, sand, imagination of mind or precious stone.

Sri Krishna said"One who performs ablutions to my idols is my favorite". One should visualize an idol as paramatma's form. One has to get the feeling that paramatma is seated before him in the form of an idol. When worshiping, one has to feel the purification of his heart and mind. While decorating the idol, one should feel that he is adorning his mind with good things.

Sri Krishna said"I am satisfied when one with devotion and concentration worships me with sandalwood paste, camphor, wick lamps, flowers, food"

When performing pooja, the mind should not wander. One should perform pooja by being humble, devout. One should not complain about the time it took to do pooja. If one feels it should last a little longer, then his devotion is maturing. One should not be distracted during worship and not pay attention to conversations.

One has to assemble the utensils for pooja ahead of time. If anger is shown while performing pooja, then it is a waste. One should be satisfied by satisfying Achyuta. Food has to be offered first to the Lord.

"Uddava, one has to sing my tales, praise me, make others listen to tales about me. He should see my grace in everything" said Sri Krishna

Knowledge

Top

Uddava asked"Sri Krishna, self is a vital power that won't experience sorrow and happiness. The body is also the same way. So who is experiencing them?"

Like a frightening dream makes one feel afraid or sorrow, the maya called world deludes an ignorant person. Only the dreamer suffers from the frightening dreams. Once he is awake all the frightening scenes and sorrow disappear. Similarly for one who realizes self after waking up from sleep called ignorance, the maya of the world and its sorrow will disappear.

The tree of life has no beginning and disappears with knowledge. Like a magician's tools, ego is guiding people in life. One has to obtain a guru's teaching and walk like a Deva by severing arrogance with a sword called knowledge and freeing from desires.

Ornaments are made with gold that predates them. When the ornaments are melted away what remains is gold. The name and form of an ornament are ephemeral. Hence the ornaments are maya. Similarly the ornaments called the world, are not different from the gold called paramatma.

"Sun doesn't undergo waxing or waning no matter how thick the clouds are. Similarly the senses and the gunas won't affect the self" said Sri Krishna.

If an illness is not treated properly it will strike again and again. Similarly the love and hatred, consequent karma, love of wife and children will make an unrealized person depraved.

With knowledge can one really obtain the self? To obtain something means it has a timestamp for birth. If the self has a timestamp, then it can't be real because whatever is born in time must end in time. Hence the self is always existing. So how can self realization provide a new understanding of the self?

"Uddava, sun-rise drives away darkness revealing objects but won't create objects in the world. Similarly self realization drives out ignorance but won't grant wisdom"

The self will be strong as a tree. Whereas the body like a fruit falls

"Uddava, one who performs hatha yoga, achieves a strong and healthy body. But skilful men don't show much interest in it. Since they seek refuge in me, they will be free from desires and obstacles and enjoy the self in the end"

Uddava in Badarika

Top

"Sri Krishna, it is hard to control the mind. Even yogis persevere at this. How can one adopt Kriya yoga without controlling the mind? Is there an easier way?"

"Achyuta, you are worshiped by Brahma and Devas. In spite of that you befriended human like simians in Rama avatara. In this avatara you became friends with cows and gopikas. You are an embodiment of love and kindness"

"Lord, on the outside you are like a guru. Whereas inside you are a paramatma. In this way, you are protecting your devotees within and without. Your devotees are deeply indebted to you" said Uddava.

Suka Brahma told King Pareekshit that Sri Krishna described the means by which one could cross death itself.

A devotee should be an embodiment of peace. For lack of peace there are multiple reasons. But there is no reason for having peace. If desires are controlled, peace will come to experience. If one must desire, one has to desire for the Lord.

The company of devotees is always preferable. Devotees serve as role models. One should see paramatma in them and all jivas. When the things listened to or learnt are put in practice, then they will be fruitful.

The company of devotees will magnify the devotion. It will always bring auspiciousness. Going to pilgrimage with ascetics is recommended.

"Uddava, a devotee should see me in everything. He should not create enmity with equals, nor have envy for the superiors, nor insult inferior people" said Sri Krishna.

"Uddava, it is good to praise me. But surrendering to me is even better. The knowledge I gave has to be preserved and shared. I will offer myself to those performing this yagna of knowledge" said Sri Krishna

Death of Yadavas

Top

One day Sri Krishna held court in a palace called Sudharma. Several bad omens appeared. A round fire appeared around the sun. Earth quaked at some places. Sri Krishna addressed the yadavas thus.

"In Dwaraka we are seeing many bad omens. It implies imminent death. It is not advisable to stay here for long. It is better to go to Prabhasa on the banks of river Saraswati and worship Devas and give many alms"

Obeying Sri Krishna's orders yadavas went to Prabhasa and performed auspicious rituals. Then circumstances changed. Yadavas lost their minds. They were debauched and intoxicated themselves with alcohol. They quarreled with each other. They were killing each other. Sons killed fathers and siblings. Friends killed friends. When all the weapons were exhausted, they grabbed the dry grass that turned as hard as a diamond and killed one another.

Sri Krishna tried to pacify them. But they even attacked Sri Krishna with dry grass. They considered Balarama as an enemy and tried to kill him. Just as fire born due to friction between bamboo shoots destroys the forest, the rage among yadavas was causing the destruction of the Yadava dynasty.

All the yadavas died. Sri Krishna thought the earth was lighter. Balarama by doing penance on the sea shore left the body. Sri Krishna was resting in the shade of an aswatha tree. He crossed his legs and was shaking his foot. A hunter called Jara mistook it for an animal and shot an arrow. The arrow's tip was the piece of iron found in the pestle by yadava children. When the hunter checked, he saw the blood coming out of Sri Krishna's foot. He started crying and fell on the feet of the Lord seeking mercy.

Sri Krishna consoled Jara and told him it happened as per his wish. He granted him heavenly sojourn. At that juncture his charioteer Daruka came and said"Lord, without your presence we are living like in moonless night".

As he was lamenting, Sri Krishna's chariot flying the Garuda flag, followed by the Sudarsana disc and other adornments came down from the sky. Daruka was amazed. Sri Krishna told him"Go to Dwaraka. Tell them that yadavas quarreled and killed each other. Tell them that Balarama passed away and I had this misfortune. Without me, Dwaraka is not fit for living. As the sea water will inundate Dwaraka. you all stay away from Dwaraka"

"My parents can be escorted to Indraprastha by Arjuna. By keeping faith on me, acquire knowledge. Consider all of this as my conception" said Sri Krishna

Brahma and other Devas came to see Sri Krishna. Sanaka et al. came and praised the auspiciousness of the Lord. Lord Siva, Goddess Parvati, Indra, yakshas, kinnaras, vidyadharas, yogis and others praised Sri Krishna's escapades.

Sri Krishna showered his generous grace on all. In heaven drum sounds were made. From sky flowers rained down. As Sri Krishna closed his lotus eyes, truth, dharma, courage, valor and other gunas left earth and followed him.

Sri Suka said"King Pareekshit, Sri Krishna brought back the children of his guru from the lord of death Yama; saved you from Brahma Astra when you were in your mother's womb; was victorious in a war with Lord Siva; granted heaven to the hunter who shot him with an arrow. Was he not capable of protecting himself?"

Vaikuntha

Top

Sri Krishna's charioteer Daruka returned to Dwaraka in grief. He fell on the feet of Vasudeva and Ugrasena in sorrow. He mentioned how the Yadava dynasty was destroyed. People who came to know were stirred with grief. Some had fainted. Some went to the seashore. As Balarama-Krishna were not found, Devaki, Rohini, Vasudeva fainted and passed away.

The ladies of the Yadava dynasty jumped into the pyres of their husbands. The wives of Baladeva, Vasudeva, Sri Krishna's daughters-in-law similarly ended their lives. Rukminidevi and other wives of Sri Krishna also met with the same fate.

Watching the frightening scene, Arjuna was in grief. He consoled himself by recollecting the discourse given by Sri Krishna in Kurukshetra. Then he performed the last rites for those without sons.

After Sri Krishna's departure from Dwaraka it submerged in the sea. The surviving women, children, elders were transferred to Indraprastha by Arjuna. The son of Anirudha called Vajra was made the king.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Bhagavata Skanda 11 Eng HTML Final

Contents

Introduction

Bhagavata

Maya

Overcoming Maya

Narayana

Karma Yoga

Avataras

Visit of Devas

Travel to Prabhasa

Naked Ascetic

Luxuries

Jivas

Ascetics

Renunciation

Swan

Meditation

The eight yogic powers

Different Forms of the Lord

Varna

Celibacy

Householder duties

Renunciation

Sanyasa

Paramahamsa

Devotion and Knowledge

Devotion

Q & A

Yoga of Karma, Devotion, Knowledge

Gunas

Essential Truths

Gita of a Mendicant

Aila Gita

Pooja

Knowledge

Uddava in Badarika

Death of Yadavas

Vaikuntha

Introduction

Bhagavata

Maya

Overcoming Maya

Narayana

Karma Yoga

Avataras

Visit of Devas

Travel to Prabhasa

Naked Ascetic

Luxuries

Jivas

Ascetics

Renunciation

Swan

Meditation

The eight yogic powers

Different Forms of the Lord

Varna

Celibacy

Householder duties

Renunciation

Sanyasa

Paramahamsa

Devotion and Knowledge

Devotion

Q & A

Yoga of Karma, Devotion, Knowledge

Gunas

Essential Truths

Gita of a Mendicant

Aila Gita

Pooja

Knowledge

Uddava in Badarika

Death of Yadavas

Vaikuntha

Ramana Maharshi Biopics