Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana
Synopsis of the Twenty-Ninth Session (Prthu Story completed)
Bhagavata Chaturth Skanda (Book Four)
Chapter 21 to 23
—————————————————
‘What other position (beyond the heavenly region, in Vaikuntha) could be beyond the reach of those mortals who, though their span of life on earth is so uncertain, attain spiritual wisdom, which indeed leads to God-Realisation.
Alas! he has been badly deceived and is proving his own enemy, who having attained with great difficulty the human state, capable of yielding the fruit of liberation, becomes a slave to the pleasure of the senses.’
—————————————————
Story:
After the Darshan of Shri Hari and befriending Indra, Prthu returned to the Kingdom and was welcomed in a grand manner by his citizens. Prthu was not only pious of heart but blissful to look at. His divine features were more prominently visible, as he had abstained from wearing ornaments.
He recounted his own experience for the benefit of the people and while he was talking to the citizens, in his own kingdom descended the Sanaka brothers. Blessed by their sight, he requested them impart the divine knowledge and instruct him on how to get liberation in this very birth.
The were delighted by the question. It is very rare that student worthy of the guru’s knowledge appears. After imparting the divine wisdom, they went away as subtly as they came.
Prthu ruled and when his sons were ready to take care of mother earth. He and Archi Devi departed to the woods to practice asceticism and both departed to the Vaikunth Dham.
—————————————————
Pearls of Wisdom:
Though poor that householder and house is blessed where the feet of Lords devotees are washed.
Worthless like the tree harbouring venomous serpents are those houses though replete with all kinds of riches, are not hollowed by the holy water washing the feet of Lord’s devotees.
King Prthu’s Question
How salvation can be attained in this very birth?
What to ask when we meet a Sage?
The questions can only be as intelligent as the questioner. To the knower of God, can we ask about the mundane material concerns. When he is capable of giving the treasures of the world, how naive can we be only seeking mere stones and pebbles.
Sage Sanaka tell Prthu;
‘A very good enquiry has been made by you, even though you know the answer, your heart being given to the the good of all living being for such is the bent of mind of the virtuous.
The meeting of pious souls is thought highly of both by themselves and by those who meet them; for worthy questions put to and the answers given by them enhance the happiness of all.’
Sage Sanaka and brothers impart wisdom to King Prthu
1. Absence of attachment to things other than the self and intense love for one’s real self, the attribute-less Brahm, have been finally concluded to be the only way of salvation to man.
2. The love for attribute-less Brahm as well as the absence of attachment to the world of matter, both as cause and effect, is easily ‘DEVELOPED’ through intense faith.
- Through the discharge of duties consecrated to the Lord.
- Through the desire to know the higher truth.
- By being firmly established in the yoga of knowledge.
- Through worship of Lord of Yoga
- By every listening to the stories of the Lord
- Through a distaste of the company of those delighting in money and sense-enjoyment
- By avoiding wealth and sense-gratification esteemed by such people.
- Thought love for seclusion when finding delight in the self.
- Through the enquiry into that which is conducive to one’s spiritual welfare
- By practicing the 12 forms of Self...
