Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
5 families joined us at home for an evening of bhajans and parayana.
The satsang started with nama sankeertan of the Hare Rama Maha Mantra, followed by several bhajans on Sri Krishna, his leela's, his antics, his beauty and his grace.
Aravind ji, gave a discourse emphasizing on the need for nama sankeertan in this kali yuga and mentioned that there is yet another easier path to attain the Lord, that is the path of Katha Sharavanam. By merely listening to the stories of the Lord one can reach that supreme.
One great example to this path is King Parikshit. During the advent of Kali yuga, King Parikshit was overcome by kali's prowess due to exhaustion and thirst. He committed an unethical action as he did not receive any response from the Shamika Maharishi in his ashram which he happened to cross while tracing his way back to his kingdom after a grueling hunting expedition. He had requested water from the sage who was in deep meditation and did not notice the king. King Parikshit in haste threw a dead snake around the neck of the sage and left. The sage’s son Sringi who returned to the ashram later noticed the snake, was infuriated and cursed that whoever had committed this heinous act will die by bite of the celestial snake Thakshaka in 7 days.
This Sringi informed his father once he arose from meditation. Shamika Maharishi was most displeased and sent this sad message to king Parikshit as he felt it’s his right to know that is death is nearing. King Parikshit on hearing this news was overwhelmed to realize that in this world of uncertainties, he is sure of at least one thing that he die only the 7th day and never before. So he made his son ascend the throne and take care of the kingdom while he could retire to the banks of the holy Ganges and contemplate on the supreme.
As he went to the Ganges, Sri Suka the divine son of Sri Veda Vyasa came and enquired king Parikshit. On hearing about his curse, Sri Suka decided to recite the Srimad Bhagavatham in 7days to king Parikshit. Several other sages congregated to listen to the Srimad Bhagavatha from the divine Sage Suka.
Srimad Bhagavatham is comprised of 12 cantos with 18000 slokas.
Sage Suka recited the slokas in each canto. The first canto is how Kunti extols Bhagavan Sri Krishna and how Beeshmacharya extols Sri Krishna. The second Canto provides insights on the creation of the universe. The third Canto is about the avatar of Lord as Kapila who preached his own mother on liberation. Fourth Canto explains the way to lead life with Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
The fifth Canto is the story of Jadabaratha. The sixth and middle canto in Srimad Bhagavatham is the story of Ajamila which shows the Lords compassion. The seventh Canto is about the great bhagavatha Sri Prahalad. The eighth Canto is on the elephant Gajendra moksham and also the avatharams of the Lord as Vamana. The ninth Canto is the story of Lord Rama. Finally in the 10th Canto Sri Suka recites just 10 slokas on Lord Sri Krishna. Now king Parikshit is so disappointed. He has been listening to the Bhagavatham for the fast 5 days eagerly waiting to hear about his maternal grandfather and the supreme personality Sri Krishna. Until this moment Sage Suka addressed king Parikshit as ‘Rajanu’ but now seeing his earnest longing to listen more on Lord Sri Krishna he starts to address him as ‘Raja Rishi’. Meaning that he has developed a liking to the stories of the divine and hence he a Raja or a king among Rishis.
Now he explains in detail the birth and leela of Lord Sri Krishna. When Bhooma devi in the form of a Cow came to Lord Bhrama to save her from the burden from all the evil forces causing atrocities on earth, Lord Bhrama and all the devas along with Bhooma devi go to Lord Hari to protect them. So the Lord decided or made sankalpa to take birth as Sri Krishna in yadhu kula.
Thus in the avatar as Sri Krishna, the Lord descended with his entire prowess. The Supreme truth which the Vedas could not understand, the supreme truth that is in the heart of hearts, thoughts of all thoughts, who resides in the smallest atom to the largest star, the unborn is now born!!!
Thus the Bhagavatha parayana was performed, reading about the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. We also listened to the parayanam of the divine Venu Geetham. Everyone joined in reciting the most beautiful sloka ‘Barhapedam’
Our satsang closed with nama sankeertham and distribution of prasad
Happy Birthday Gokul!
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