Aug 28: Radhashtami Satsang
The Nama Sankirtan was performed by Narayanan and Sri Aravind’s family from Orlando, FL.
This was followed by the introduction…
‘In our Sanathana Dharma, there are numerous paths to reach Bhagavan. However for this Kali Yuga, it is said that Bhakti is the easiest path. In Padma Purana, it is said, ‘alam vrataih alam thirthaih alam yogaih alam makhaih alam jnanakathalabhaih…. Bhaktirekaiva muktida’. In this Kali Yuga, Vrata, Yoga, Pilgrimages, Vedanta – none of them can be performed perfectly and hence it is only Bhakti that leads us to Mukti. Bhakti is done for different reasons – one may do Bhakti in order for having his worldly miseries obliterated, or may do Bhakti for worldly pleasures or one might perform Bhakti for Moksha. All these are Sadhana Bhakti – that which use Bhakti as the means to attain a goal. But which among these kinds of Bhakti is the greatest? There is a Bhakti that is greater than all these – that is the Bhakti that is done for the sake of Bhakti. – Sadhya Bhakti – Bhakti being the means as well as the goal itself. Such a Bhakti doesn’t expect anything in return. Who is the authority for such a Sadhya Bhakti? Padma Purana says,
na tapobhir na vedaischa na jnaanenaapi karmana |
harirhi saadhyate bhaktyaa pramaanam tatra gopikaa ||
It is verily the Gopikas who are the epitome of Sadhya Bhakti. On this auspicious day of Radhashtami, let us pray that we get such a Bhakti too.
Following introductions, Gayathriji from Boston gave a wonderful discourse on Prema Bhakti.
We just saw that Bhakti is the easiest path in Kali Yuga. But what is Bhakti? Offering flowers? Performing Puja? Offering Naivedya to the Lord? What truly is Bhakti? Offering two drops of tears for the Lord – that is indeed Bhakti. In Bhakti Sampradaya, we often sing the Pundareeka – ‘Gopika Jeevana Smaranam – Govinda Govinda!’ – Does this itself not show us that Gopikas are the Gurus in Bhakti? Today, let us see how Gopikas excelled in their Bhakti.
Krishna rules the kingdom and his minister is Uddhava. Sri Shuka introduces Uddhava as ‘Sakshat Brihaspati Sishya’. Brihaspati is said to be the master of all knowledge and Uddhava is the direct disciple of Brihaspati! So one can imagine how shrewd and intelligent he would have been! No wonder he is Krishna’s minister! But what advice would he give for Krishna, who rules all the worlds and knows all? Uddhava simply stayed in the palace in order to get drenched in Krishna’s kataksha (grace pouring forth from his sight) – which, otherwise, would go waste. Being a friend of Krishna, he always used Krishna Prasadam, he wore all what Krishna wore and discarded – right from the Gopi Chandan, clothes , garland etc.
Sometimes, Krishna would go into solitude and shed tears. Uddhava came to know about it and was surprised. “What would make Krishna sad? Sad enough for him to shed tears”, he thought. ‘Krishna, why are you in tears. As a friend, it is my duty to annihilate your worries; go on!’
Krishna, ‘nothing Uddhava! I am just thinking about the wonderful time I had in Gokulam and Brindavan…. You know what a wonderful time I had there? We used to play ‘raas lila’ and dance day and night! I don’t think I will ever get back that life. This life is boring and listless.’
Uddhava said, ‘Krishna! Nothing is stable in life. Everything is fleeting. That is why, you have to realize the Brahman’.
Krishna, ‘Oh! By the way, what is Brahman, Uddhava?’
Uddhava, ‘Krishna, are you kidding? You are verily the Brahman!’
Krishna in all seriousness, said, ‘Oh ya! Our master Sandeepani taught us, ‘Aham Brahmasmi’. Now I remember… but guess what, Uddhava, I may convince myself by saying so. But you can never make the Gopis say this or observe this Mahavakya’
Uddhava, ‘Really? I think the gopis truly deserve a class from me, at least for the sake of the tears you shed for them. If you permit me, I shall go to Brindavan and teach them the import of ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ and ensure they are free from worries. After all, your happiness is my happiness, Krishna!’
Krishna said, ‘Go ahead Uddhava! But remember, if you succeed, I shall deem that your education has truly borne fruit!’
Uddhava rides on his chariot to Brindavan. All along, he plans in his mind on how his lectures should be designed, so that he could drive the truth of ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ into all the Gopis’ brains!
At Brindavan, Nanda and Yashoda welcome him, with a smiling face, but with emptiness in their heart, because they miss Krishna. Uddhava was fed and let to rest.
Yashoda Ma starts, ‘Uddhava, I switched off this stove the day Krishna left for Mathura. It has never been switched on since! Whenever I switched it on, Krishna ran around me asking for milk. The joy is simply inexplicable Uddhava! ’
‘This is the mortar in which I bound Krishna. This is the rope I used…. This is the dress I got him for Diwali last year…. Even when he slept, he wouldn’t let go of his flute.. see now he has left that back too… What is he doing in Mathura? Is he still grazing cattle?’
Nanda Baba interjected, ‘Are you mad? Why would he graze cattle when he has had his education? He must be a king now!’
Uddhava is spellbound by their love for Krishna. He strolled on the banks of Yamuna, and felt Yamuna shedding tears for Krishna too. On the streets of Brindavan, he heard Krishna Kirtan always. Does not Krishna’s lilas the constant subject of talk right from a 2 year old to a 90 year old? ‘Krishna stole butter’, ‘Krishna broke the pots’… this is the song every individual sings…
He gets to his job – meets the Gopis. All of us know the beautiful Bramara Geetham that Gopis sing, expressing their love for Krishna addressing the honey bee. Our Swamiji would say that all of Uddhava’s learnings under Brihaspati were deployed to decode the import of Bramara Geetam! Gopis become friendly with Uddhava and ask, ‘Uddhava, you are Krishna’s best friend. Does He ever talk about us to you? Does he ever remember us? Does he ever say, when I was in Brindavan, the Gopis used to do this kainkarya for me? Is Krishna thinking about us? Does he cry because he misses us? We are sure he does. But you know what Uddhava, we don’t want him to cry. We want him to be happy always.’
Uddhava is shell-shocked to hear the extent of the Gopis love for Krishna. He has never seen such a love. That moment, forgetting his age, learning (that he is a disciple of Brihaspati), gender (he being a male), position (that he is a Krishna Mantri), he falls right at their feet.
“Vande nandavraja streenaam padarenum abhiskhnasah
yaasaam harikathodgeetam punati bhuvanatrayam”
What a wonderful Satsang, thought Uddhava. He didn’t want to go back, for he thought, Krishna is not in Mathura anymore, he lives in every single house and heart in Brindavan! After a few days, he realizes that Krishna would miss his company – at least to cry out his woes. So let me return!
The return date is announced. That morning, when he was about to ascend his chariot, he was shocked to see that he didn’t have a place to sit! One gopi said, ‘I have stacked this corner with ‘murukku’ – Krishna’s favorite. Please give it to him.’ Another said, ‘I have kept butter in this big box. Krishna loves butter from my home’. Yet another, ‘Please give these savories to Krishna and tell Him that I made it especially for him!’ So many items, that he doesn’t have a place to sit. He falls at the feet of the Gopis yet again, and rolls in the sands of Brindavan and takes all the ‘rajas’ on his body, for, he knows how much Krishna would enjoy the ‘rajas’. On his way back, he recollected every single moment he spent in the company of Gopis and remembered their devotion.
Meanwhile, Krishna would peep at the window every now and then to see if Uddhava arrived. His impatience and anxiousness just kept growing with time. When he finally saw Uddhava coming, ‘Uddhava! Uddhava! How was your trip? How is everyone doing at Brindavan?’
Uddhava could not control his emotions anymore. He simply fell at Krishna’s lap and started weeping – so much that he could not answer Krishna. Krishna, ‘Uddhava, are you okay? Why are you weeping?’
‘Krishna, am I crying? Do you see tears in my eyes? Am I really crying? Alas! Times have changed Krishna. You used to weep and I would ask for the reason. Today, I am crying and you are asking me!’
‘Krishna, this is not because of any sorrow! It is because of Prema Bhakti. Oh Krishna! Did I also get Prema Bhakti? Oh Krishna! Did I also get Prema Bhakti?
If I ever got Prema Bhakti, then I deem my Brindavan trip as successful! Krishna, remember, don’t think that I got this Bhakti because of your satsanga. It is absolutely not because of your grace!’
Uddhava continued, ‘It is because one drop of devotion from the huge ocean of love (prema Sagara) that the gopis have for you, has fallen on me! That is why I am in this state, Oh! Krishna!’
Krishna asked, ‘How are the goips doing?’
In Ramayana, Valmiki says that Hanuman could narrate Ramayana but never ‘Seethayana’ He would simply be unable to narrate the glory of the Mother, albeit being an intelligent person and an orator like Uddhava. Uddhava says, ‘Ask me to lecture on Krishna Bhakti and I shall speak volumes, Oh Krishna! How can I ever tell what Gopi prema is?
Thus, the teacher of ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ eventually became a student of Prema Bhakti and obtained it from the Gopis!
When we wish to do meditation, we command everyone to be quiet and silent and lock ourselves up. But the gopis have tons of work every day, and in spite of all this, they don’t need a room for meditation; not even a silent environ. No one could take Krishna from their hearts!
Uddhava, a student of Brihaspati was with the Brahman, Lord Krishna all along, and yet did not get Prema Bhakti. Prema Bhakti cannot be attained without a Guru. Uddhava had to take tutelage from the Guru namely the Gopis in order to realize Prema Bhakti for Krishna.
Who is the Guru for prema Bhakti? Sri Sri Swamiji speaks about this in a beautiful Kirtan of His. This goes as a conversation between Radha Devi and Lalita, one of the Sakhis (friends).
Lalitha: “Mukti endraal enna Radhe! Radhe!” [Radhe! What is Mukti?]
Radha: “Krishnabhaktiye mukti Agum Lalithe! Lalithe!” [Krishna Bhakti is verily Mukti, Lalitha!]
Lalitha: “Krishna Bhakti edanaal valarum Radhe! Radhe!” [Radhe! How can one grow Krishna Bhakti?]
Radha: “Keerthanathinaal Valarum, Lailthe! Lalithe!”[Krishna Bhakti grows by performing Kirtan,Lalitha!]
Lalitha: “Keerthanam edhanaal valarum, Radhe! Radhe!” [Radhe! How does Kirtan grow?]
Radha: “Satsangathinaal valarum, Lalithe! Lalithe!” [Kirtan grows through Satsang, Lalitha!]
Lalitha: “Satsangam ethanaal valarum, Radhe! Radhe!” [Radhe! How does satsang grow?]
Radha: “Gurukripaiyinaal mattum kittum, Lalithe! Lalithe!” [Satsang happens only through Guru Krupa, Lalitha!]
Lalitha: “Gurukrupai yethanaal kittum Radhe! Radhe!” [Radhe! How does one acquire Guru Krupa?]
Radha: “Bathilarindum nee ketpatheno Lalithe! Lalithe! “[Why do you ask me knowing the answer well, Lalitha!]
Lalitha: “Un krupai irunthaal Krishnan sulabanaam Radhe! Radhe!” [Is it true that your compassion can bring Krishna easily?]
Radha: “Yen Krupaiyum Guru Krupaiyum ondre Lalithe Lalithe! [My Krupa and Guru Krupa are one and the same, Lalitha]
Lalitha: “Prema Ragasiyathai sonnai Radhe! Radhe! “[Radhe! You just revealed the secret of Prema.]
Radha: “ Muraliyai isaithavan solvathum idhuve Lalithe! Lalithe!” [This is what was said by the One who plays the flute too, Lalitha!]
Indeed Radha Devi is verily the Guru for Prema Bhakti. On this auspicious Radhashtami, let us pray to Radha Devi to grant us Prema Bhakti to the Lord.
The satsang ended with prayers with Mahamnatra Kirtan.
Aug 21: Ganesha Chaturti
The Namasankirtan was led by Sri Zivanji from Chicago.
Sri Narayanan from Boston provided the introduction.
This weekend is a special weekend – because the Sunday happens to be the day of Ganesh Chaturti. We often see Lord Ganesha who is to be propitiated to get rid of obstacles. ‘Vigna’ – obstacles, and hence he is Vigneshwara. In Vaishnava Sampradaya, Vishwaksena, the Lord with an Elephant head, removes obstacles, not just for the devotees, but for the Lord Himself. Before a procession, Vishwaksena goes on rounds and ensures that there are no obstacles for the Lord. He is also called ‘Senai Mudhaliyaar’.
Why is Ganesha so important to us? Not just because he removes all obstacles. Another reason, according to me, is, that, he is a great Bhagavata. Today, we have 10 major avatars for the Lord. But for Ganesha, we would have only 9 Avatars! Which Avatar is Ganesha responsible for?
Bhagavatam talks about Amrutha Mathanam (stirring the milky ocean). The Devas lose their wealth (aishwarya) and along with Brahma approach Lord Vishnu and praise Him. The Lord has a divine intention to play a Lila and uses Devas and Asuras as a cause. He advises the Devas that they could churn the milky ocean and obtain nectar, which would bring back their lost wealth and lost glories.
Bhagavatam introduces beautiful management concepts subtly, now, with the Lord as the mouthpiece!
The Lord says: you are undertaking a major task and the result of which is going to be life-saving. The only way to accomplish this is to get your enemies to help you. At a later point in time, you may part ways.’ Deadly enemies – snake and mouse can become friends in a box where both are trapped. The snake would befriend the mouse in order to get its help biting out the box, and the very moment both of them escape, the snake eyes to gobble the mouse and the mouse flees the snake.
Secondly, He says, ‘when you are undertaking such a noble task as churning an ocean, more can be accomplished by charity / donations in good faith rather than fighting.’ Give away to Asuras whatever they ask for. Don’t fight.
Thirdly, He says, ‘When you have a noble task on your shoulders, be devoid of any personal agendas and sinister desires. Don’t interest yourself in petty things that might come in your way and distract you. Eventually you will attain the good.’
Finally, the Devas and Asuras churn the ocean using Mandra mountain, and Vasuki snake and the Lord helped all along. In all the hectic activity, they had forgotten to perform Ganesha Puja. Ganesha, being a little upset, didn’t keep up his job of keeping obstacles away. So, thanks to him, the Mandara mountain started sinking into the ocean. The Lord realized that this is the play of Ganesha, and became a huge tortoise, eventually lifting the Mandara mountain. Thus the ‘Kachchapa Avatar’ is thanks to the great Bhagavata – Ganesha Maharaj.
Following this, Nishaji from Houston gave a nice talk on the glory of Ganesha.
It is only in our religion that we have so many paths and Gods. The reason is because the world is made of people of different tastes and preferences – both worldly and godly. So for varied Bhavas – there are varied Gods. Brave,humble and devoted can worship Hanuman. A lover of lilas worships Krishna. All these Gods are different forms of the same Supreme Being.
It is said, that a child and God are alike. The child is innocent, doesn’t appreciate distinctions – poor-rich, ugly-beautiful, good-bad etc. So God and Jnani are akin to a child. It is also said ‘kuzhandaiyum deivamum kondaadum edathile’ – a child and God go wherever one fondles them. Ganesha is such a God. – Bala Vinayaka – always a child.
In India, the floor in a home having a child can be seen spread with puffed rice because a child puts into its mouth anything it finds on the floor. Being a child-god, Ganesha ‘s favorite is puffed rice (‘pori’). He is a lover of foods and sweets – ‘modakas’. Adi Shankara, in his hymn sings Ganesha as ‘sadaa baalaroopaapi’ - ever a child.
Ganesha Pancharatnam composed by Adi Shankara (that goes as ‘mudakarata modakam sadavimukti saadakam… kalaadharavadamsakam vinaasiloka rakshakam…’) is set in ‘Chamara’ meter – signifying the movement of a hand fan / the ears of an elephant as our Ganesha is elephant God. This was composed in Tiruvanaikaval in the sanctum of Mother Akhilandeswari, when she was in a fiery (ugra) mood. How else could someone console an angry mother, other than singing the praise of her beloved son?
Parvati created Ganesha with the turmeric on her body and asked her to safeguard her palace against intruders. When Shiva came in, not knowing who he was, Ganesha blocked Shiva’s entrance. Out of anger, Shiva severed his head. Realizing that her wife would be enraged if she sees her son beheaded, Shiva through his ‘ganas’ (assistants)fixed an elephant’s head and makes him the head of his ganas – and hence he becomes ‘Ganapati’.
Arunagirinathar sings how Lord Subrahmanya left for Tripura Samhara without worshipping Ganesha, and how his chariot broke down. The same Subrahmanya seeks Ganesha’s help to win Valli’s hands.
There is a small town called Thirupangur close to Vaitheeswaran Kovil. It is the place where Nandi moved a little to let Nandanar have Shiva’s darshan. One day, Nandanaar gathered his people and wished to have Tirupangur Lord Shiva’s darshan. His employer laid down a condition, ‘you can leave for Tirupangur only the day harvest is done’. Nandanar was disappointed because it was only that day that they had sown the seeds!
That night, in his dream, Nandanaar saw that the grains had grown fully! He rushed to his fields to find that the grains had indeed grown! How did this happen overnight?
Once folks made fun of Ganesha that he had a pot belly and was idle all the time. So Ganesha, as a young boy, approached a farmer and offered his services. In return, he was given a handful of grains. Ganesha proudly took the earnings to his mother. Parvathi directs him to his father saying that it is only the father who is pleased with the son’s earnings. When Ganesha gave the rice-grains to Shiva, being a ‘pitha’ (lunatic) that Shiva is, he threw them on his head. Already Shiva’s head was filled with sand. How was this? Once Shiva helped an old devotee in the banks of Vaigai river by lifting sand on his head. Moreover, Shiva had Ganges on his head too. With sand and water, the grains sprouted on his head. And this happened in synch with Nandanar’s prayers and Shiva was more than happy to send those plants to Nandanar!
Various Sadhus have sung hymns in praise of deities – because the Lord loves praises – frank and truthful praises (‘nija stuti priyan’) unlike us! Lord Ganesha is sung as ‘mathala vaiyiran’ (stomach like a drum) and ‘muram pol kaadhu’ (ears as big as a sieve!) and yet He is happy to be sung so!
Once Kanchi Mahaperiyava was in a place called Thenambakkam, a few miles away from Kanchipuram. One evening, the sound of fireworks was heard. When enquired, He was told by His assistants that Kamakshi Devi was being taken in a procession in Kanchi and it was time for her return, and as is customary, fireworks are being displayed. The Acharya nourished a desire to have the Mother’s darshan. Disciples around Him said ‘But Periyava! If we were to walk to Kanchi to have the Mother’s darshan, the procession would be long gone.’ The Acharya was adamant. No amount of the disciple’s dissuasion could stop the Acharya. As he left the Tenampakkam camp, he stopped by the Ganesha who stood at the entrance and whispered something to Ganesha’s ear, and then continued His walk. Accompanied by His whining attendants, the Mahan strode towards Kanchi. When they eventually reached Kanchi, they found, to their surprise, that the Mother had not moved an inch from where she was about to return and the Acharya had a blissful darshan of the Divine Mother.
The Acharya’s attendants enquired as to how the Devi was still at the same spot! The temple priests said, ‘Soon after the fireworks, the elephant that led the procession would not move from where it stood and would get wild if the procession proceeded. It would remain silent if the procession wouldn’t move! We were confused about this strange behavior!’
Then Acharya, after having had His darshan to His heart’s fill, patted on the elephant and the elephant silently continued the procession! The attendants now understood the import of Mahaperiyava’s stop over at the Ganesha temple!
We all know about Avvayaar, who was a great devotee of Ganesha, since her childhood. When she was of marriageable age, she wished to escape the mundane household life, much against the wishes of her family. She prayed to Ganesha to turn her into an old woman so that no suitor would approach her, and Ganesha immediately granted her wishes. Avvayar was such a great devotee that once, when Avvayar was sitting in front of Shiva-Parvati, her legs stretched out pointing to Lord Shiva, Parvati took offense to it and requested her to point it elsewhere; and where ever Avvayar pointed her legs, Shiva moved there!
All of us know the anecdote of the ‘Knowledge Furit’ that Narada brought to Shiva’s family. When there was a predicament on who of their sons should be given the fruit, they were subject to a contest – ‘who can go around the world in the quickest time?’ – and the winner would receive the fruit. Karthikeya immediately jumps on his peacock and travels around the world while Ganesha, knowing well that his mouse is not as fast and cognizant of the fact that parents are verily the world, circumambulates them and wins the fruit! He shows us here the respect for our parents.
And Ganesha was the one who wrote Mahabharata. Veda Vyasa was looking out for someone who could scribe Mahabharata for him. Ganesha willingly offered his services, and even broke a tusk for this sake, but with a condition – Vyasa should recite the slokas continuously without leaving a hiatus! Vyasa had a counter-condition – that Ganesha should write a verse only if he understood the complete purport of the verse! Ganesha’s speed of penning down and the few complicated verses by Vyasa were a perfect match, and thus we have Mahabharata today!
Ganesha is a very colorful God, very approachable, even his form is easy to sculpt and draw. We make a small cone out of flour/ turmeric and install Him .. and lo! He is there! He is truly pervasive – in so many countries – in different forms – any and every form that we can imagine! He is also ubiquitous and simple. Years ago, He was found under every pepul tree by the pond in a village. Today, when humans have moved to cities, He has moved too! – He is found even in bus-stops, parks, dead ends, amidst smoke and dust – blessing anyone who rushes by him even without removing our footwear– unlike other Gods who warrant huge temples and ‘Praakaaras’!
It is indeed a great opportunity for us to have been remembering Ganesha during Ganesha Chaturti!
After Nishaji’s talk, Shaliniji from California narrated another nice story on Ganesha:
Once Kubera, the Lord of wealth is bloated with vanity of his affluence. He threw a party to all the devas and other gods to show off his wealth. When he came to Kailash to invite Shiva, Shiva knewing Kubera’s intent, said, ‘I am a like an ascetic, there is no point inviting me. I will send my little son, Ganesha, instead. He will be more than happy to attend the party!’
Ganesha is the first to arrive at the party. Kubera thought, ‘Ganesha is a little child! Why not feed him first, and not wait for others to arrive!’ So he opens his dinner for Ganesha. Ganesha ate his way through the kitchen. All the food was emptied and the guests have not arrived yet! The cooks are alarmed and notify Kubera! Tensed, Kubera rushes to Kailash and explained this to Shiva. ‘We are not able to appease Ganesha’s appetite! All our food is emptied, and the groceries are all empty too! Please save me!’ Shiva smiles and gives him a handful of puffed rice and asks him to offer it to Ganesha.
The moment Ganesha was offered the puffed rice given by Shiva, Ganesha felt very satisfied! Then Kubera understood – you don’t need great riches and grand offerings to please Ganesha. Even puffed rice, offered with love and devotion satisfies Him. A lord who loves to eat, but can yet be easily pleased!
And of course, Kubera’s ego was vanquished too!
The satsang ended with prayers with Mahamantra Kirtan.
Aug 14: Faith in Guru and Surrender to the Lord
The satsang started with Nama Sankirtan by Sriramji from Houston, Texas.
Sri Narayanan from Boston spoke in relation to the Janmashtami.
“We celebrate quite a few events – Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturti, etc. Where in our scriptures is the authority or the authenticity of such celebrations? In Srimad Bhagavatam, in the 11th Canto, the Lord describes the qualities of a Bhakta to Uddhava. In that, He mentions, “It is the duty of my devotee to always worship my form, go on pilgrimages, celebrate my birth and festivals related to me, sings my divine names and my divine glories… “. So it is Lord Krishna Himself who is the authority for our celebrations.
This satsang happens in the context of the Janmashtami. And we are celebrating this great festival in our satsang through Nama Sankirtan and Katha Shravanam. Can there be a better way to celebrate Krishna’s birth?”
Following the introductions, Sri Narayanaswamy from Seattle spoke on Surrender and faith.
“We all celebrated Janmashtami. Lord Krishna was born and He visited all our residences! How could He visit all the houses at the same time? It is simply because He is a ‘Lila Lola’ (conjurer of divine plays). In Brindavan, He was found with each of the hundreds of Gopikas who were playing ‘raasa’ with the Lord. Likewise, He entered our houses, as well as our hearts! When we talk about Krishna, Mahabharata comes to our mind. – He has shown us two key principles – Surrender to the Lord and Faith in Guru.
The Kurukshetra battle was in the offing. Duryodhana rushes to Dwaraka to seek Krishna ‘s help, as also Arjuna from the Pandava’s side. Duryodhana was the first to come. He sat at the head of Lord Krishna who was asleep. Arjuna came later and sat by His foot. As soon as Krishna woke up, He saw Arjuna. He welcomed both of them. Duryodhana rushed and said, ‘Krishna! I came first. Entertain my request first!” Krishna said, “But I saw Arjuna first!” While Duryodhana was anxious about Arjuna’s request, Krishna said, ‘Two options – one: I will not touch arms, but will remain by your side. Two: I will offer all my gallantry’. Arjuna, unhesitatingly said, ‘Prabhu! You are the Jagadguru! Please be with us. That is all we want!’. Duryodhana heaved a sigh of relief and passed on the accepted all the military power of Krishna’s army. What happened eventually? All of us know that the Pandavas prevailed over the Kauravas in the battle. It was possible only due to the faith of Arjuna on his Guru, Lord Krishna. When Guru’s blessings are abundant, no harm can near, and victory is ours.
In another instance, we see that when the Kurukshetra battle was over and the Pandavas were seated around Krishna in a tent, when Draupadi said, ‘Krishna! I have a question to you! Everybody says you are ‘Aapat Bhaandava’. You rushed to Gajendra’s call. You rushed to Prahalada’s call. But, in my case, I shouted and cried for a long time, and you came in very late, when I was ill-treated in the court. What sin did I commit?’. Krishna smilingly replied, ‘Draupadi, when Duschadana wanted to remove your clothes, you did not call me first. You called your husband, the elders, the great warriors on the court, and all the brave men. Even after that, you trusted your own might and fought with Duschadana. Only at the end, when you ran out of options did you raise both your arms and called me. Did I not come then?’ Draupadi replied, ‘Krishna! I understand. I surrendered to you only as a last resort. Had I surrendered to you earlier, the story would have been different. Thus surrender to the Lord is important.”
Now, can we see Krishna? Kanchi Paramacharya says, it is not possible to see Him because Krishna denotes black. Our mind is filled with darkness. How can one see a black spot in darkness? Krishna says in Bhagavat Gita, ‘Hey Arjuna, you cannot see Me with your naked eye. I am granting you special sight to ‘see’ me’. So, its not possible to see Him with our eyes. However we can see Him in our heart. Having created the entire universe, He is hiding like a thief, nowhere else, but in our own hearts. So all we need to do is find him there – and that is Bhakti – make your heart white. This is possible only through a Guru’s blessings . ‘Gu’ denotes darkness and ‘Ru’ denotes removal. Thus Guru is indispensible to dispel the darkness.
What is the fundamental difference between Mahabharata and Ramayana, given that both Rama and Krishna are avatars of the Lord. Krishna’s avatar is a display of the Lilas, while Ramavatar is a human incarnation. It is simply impossible to impersonate Krishna, be it stealing butter, killing his demon-uncle or dancing on a snake. On the other hand, Rama lived as a truthful person, a honest husband (ekapatni vrata), obeyed his father’s word, protecting the surrenderer, being a best friend etc. Thus Krishna’s advices can be ‘heard’ and assimilated, where Rama’s life should be lived.
When Rama was informed that his coronation was being cancelled, he stood unmoved, with the same smile he sported on his face since morning – his expressions were unchanged even when he had to give up all grandeur and go to the forest. Sorrows may come but we should see them with equanimity and consider them as the grace of God.
In the Mahabharata war, no one could conquer Dronacharya. Krishna asks the Pandavas to utter a lie to fall him – and accosted Yudhishtra with this idea. Yudhishtra turns Him down, because he wouldn’t utter a lie. After Krishna’s convincing words, Yudhishtra shouts ‘Ashwattama hatah’ – in a high voice and ‘kunjarah’ in a low tone. Is it right for the Lord to be an accomplice in untruth?
Tiruvalluvar says, ‘poimaiyum vaimai idatha purai theerntha nanmai payakkum enin’ – it is okay to utter a lie if it is going to provide relief to a suffering person. A person bound to kill another, loses his target and asks you if you saw the target. You can lie there (by saying you didn’t know) because you are indeed saving a life.
Thus let us have faith in our Guru and surrender to the Lord and be thankful to our Guru for the satsangs we are enjoying.
The satsang ended with prayers with Mahamantra.
Aug 7: Bhagavata Dharma
The Namasankirtan was led by Shaliniji from CA.
This was followed by a satsang talk by Sri Narayanan from Boston.
“Dharmo rakshati rakshitah” – our Shastras say. What does that mean? If we continue to perform a dharma, that very dharma will save you. Our Sanathana Dharma – Hinduism is actually a way of life.
Generally, Dharma is misinterpreted to mean charity. But the right interpretation is that Dharma is a practice that we follow – a way of living.
The first word of an epic or scripture is supposed to be auspicious. When Pauranikas narrate puranas, they start their discourse with the word ‘Sriyahpati’ – (meaning the Lord) because that is an auspicious term. Ramayana starts with the term ‘tapah’. Srimad Bhagavatam starts with ‘Janmasyadya’. ‘Dharma’ is also a very auspicious term. Many a scripture starts with the word ‘Dharma’.; for one, Bhagavat Gita starts as ‘Dharamkshetre kurukshetre…’ it starts with ‘Dharma’.
In Bhagavatam, this Dharma is spoken of in the second sloka. ‘Dharamh projjita kaitavotra paramo…’. The first chapter of the first canto also ends with ‘dharma’. The last of the six questions that the sages put forth is: ‘dharmah kam sharanam gatah’. Whom did Dharma take refuge in? Does this not sound paradoxical, because, in the beginning, we said, that it is Dharma that protects us!
This statement really means that Dharma cannot stand by itself. There has to be a Maha Purusha or an Avatara who will rejuvenate and resurrect Dharma when Dharma is subject to a threat, as Bhagavan says in Gita – ‘yada yada hi dharmasya glaanir bhavati bharata.. abhyuktaanam adharmasya dadaatmaanam srujaamyaham’ – I will incarnate whenever there is a threat to Dharma. Just like a creeper needs a support, Dharma requires a Maha Purusha to sustain itself.
In Thiagaraja Swami’s life, we see that he took the Upadesha of the Narada Mantra and chanted it continuously, as a result of which Sage Narada, a great Jnani in Sangeetha Shastra, presented him with the musical treatise called ‘Swaraarnavam’. It is said that this particular text did not remain in the earth. The moment, Thiagaraja Swami digested its contents, this text disappeared from the earth. Likewise, many such divine texts cannot remain in the earthly plane. Vedas are a classical example. Yogiramsuratkumar would say that the Vedas are a lifeline not just of our country, but the entire world. There are innumerable branches of the Vedas (Vedas are called ‘anantha’- infinite), and today, only a handful of them are found. Thus the Vaideeka Dharma cannot live on itself especially on this Kali Yuga without the support of a Mahatma. Such an Avatara was Kanchi Mahaswamiji. If we are even able to listen to some Veda Parayana today, it is thanks to this great Acharya. Volumes can be written about his dedication to the Veda Samrakshana (protection). He would summon his devotees and instruct them to collect support – monetary and otherwise, from those who could afford – for the sake of Samrakshana. One such devotee came to Mahaswamiji one night – with a list of people who had contributed for the sake of Vedas. Acharya asked him to read the list. The devotee read out the names, only the top few. Acharya asked, ‘you seem to have a lengthy list. You did not read all of them! Why so?’. The disciple said, ‘Periyava! These are the top contributors. The rest of the contributors are trivial. I don’t want to waste Periyava’s time by reading out the entire list!’. Periyava quickly remarked, ‘Why are you depriving me of the Punya (merits) I would get by listening to the names of those who contributed for the Vedas!’
One can imagine the Humility and dedication of this great Acharya towards Veda Samrakshana.
No doubt the Vaideeka Dharma took refuge in Him.
There are other Dharmas too, that took refuge in Avatara Purushas. It is important to see, which dharma is being referred to in the sixth question in the first chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam.
The answer is being given by Vyasa in the second sloka – ‘Dharmah projjita kaitavo…’. He says, that I am going to talk about a particular Dharma – that supersedes all other dharmas – and the name of that dharma is Bhagavata Dharma. Why Bhagavata Dharma – because it is devoid of all kind of hypocrisy. Every other dharma has an expectation of the fruit. (eg. Feeding the poor fetches a punya), but Bhagavata Dharma does not expect any results – not even expectant of the supreme result called Moksha (according to Sridhara’s commentary). Such is the glory of Bhagavata Dharma.
What is Bhagavata Dharma? The Dharma shown by Srimad Bhagavatam. Right in the center of Srimad Bhagavatam, it is said that only 12 people know the import of this secret Dharma called Bhagavata Dharma – Brahma, Narada, Shiva, Sanatkumaras, Kapila, Manu, Prahlada, Janaka, Bheeshma, Bali, Vyasa, and Yama – and the narration of the Bhagavata Dharma by these 12 people is what Srimad Bhagavatam is all about. Bhishma speaks of Bhagavata Dharma in the first Canto. In the second chapter, Brahma speaks this. In the third chapter, Kapila speaks of Bhagavata Dharma his mother. In the sixth chapter, Yama speaks of Bhagavata Dharma. In the Seventh chapter, Prahalada speaks of Bhagavata Dharma. It is in the 11th canto, after listening to all these narrations, and even Lord Krishna’s story, Narada speaks of Bhagavata Dharma to Vasudeva, (Krishna’s father), in the form of Nava Yogi Upakhyana. It is here that Bhagavata Dharma is explained in great detail.
If this Dharma is so secretive, then it must mean, it is only for an elite few. But it is not so. Narada says, Bhagavata Dharama is said by verily the Lord, and is for those unintelligent, mundane people, who cannot follow other dharmas, as well as for the scholarly and the learned. Then we see that the glory of Bhagavata Dharma is in the fact that is most harmless!
If ‘Stree Dharma’ is not followed, it backfires. Mahabharata is a classical example. Likewise, any other dharma, if not followed properly, will backfire and harm the person. But, Bhagavata Dharma is the only dharma that will not cause any harm, even if one quits following it in due course, or follows it blindly without knowing the fruit.
Then, the eleventh canto speaks in four sloka, what Bhagavata Dharma is. It would be interesting that all of us are following Bhagavata Dharma when we truly mean it while chanting this very common sloka, which is indeed a sloka from Srimad Bhagavatam:
‘kayena vaacha manasendriyar vaa bhudyaatmanaava prakrutair svabhaavaat |
karoti yat yat sakalam parasmai narayanaayeti samarpayetat’
Offering anything done through intellect, body, mind and word to the Lord is the first characteristic of Bhagavata Dharma. ‘yat’’yat’ – One ‘yat’ denotes those acts that are permitted by the Shastras, the second ‘yat’ denotes those activities that are prohibited. Even if you commit a sin by mistake, offer it to Lord.
The second characteristic of Bhagavata Dharma is that due to the Maya, we think we are the body, and one has to get rid of this thought. It would be highly difficult to follow this Dharma, if this sloka were left here, for, we are not given a means for getting rid of this thought. Luckily for us, the sloka continues, ‘this will be shown by a Guru’. Fall unto the feet of a Guru and the Guru will make you experience the truth that you are the Atma. Until such a time, live cognizant of the fact that the Lord, Atma and Guru are one and the same, and meditate on Him.
‘Srunvan subhadraani rathaangapaane…’.
Listen to the glories of Bhagavan Sri Hari on and on and on… and perform Nama Sankirtan. When you blindly perfom this incessantly, what happens?
‘Evam vrattastat priya naama kirtya, jaataanuraga nija ucha shikshaihi..’
Slowly, one develops the desire for the Lord, and one gets into the blissful state of experiencing the Supreme state – the state of Mukti. Thus simply performing Nama Sankirtan will lead one to Mukti, and that is the essence of Bhagavata Dharma.
Eventually, a beautiful comparison is given. When a hungry man eats a morsel of food, what happens? The moment he takes a morsel, his hunger vanishes, he gets happiness and thirdly, he derives strength from the calories that he intakes. It is not that your breakfast appeases your hunger, lunch gives happiness and dinner provides you strength. All these happen at once – the moment you take in a morsel of food. Likewise, the moment you perform Nama Kirtan – three thinks happen – you are filled with Prema Bhakti (a form of devotion that is devoid of any kind of expectation and in a bhaava that the Lord is everything for you). Secondly, one attains ‘Self-realization’. Thirdly, one acquires dispassion – everything else but the Feet of the Lord becomes mundane and dispensable.
Such a lucid explanation of Bhagavata Dharma is found in the 11th canto (Chapter 2) of Srimad Bhagavatam.
The satsang ended with Prayers with Mahamantra Kirtan.
