Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana
Synopsis of the Eight Session
Bhagavata Dwitiya Skanda (Book Two)
Chapter 1 to 4
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Naman, Naman, Naman to the supreme person of infinite glory, be gracious to me.
Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrtyorma Amrtam Gamaya
Lead me from the unreal to the real.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality.
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The essence;
- If we are not able to immerse in God when we are alive, how will we do it in death. Only light merges into light.
- Death happens for the ignorant. But, death is a magnificent awakening and at the beck and call of the enlightened.
- Only when you understand ‘The art of Dying’ - You actually want to learn ‘The art of Living’
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Life slips away
- Night by sleep and copulation
- Day time by endeavours of making money or to provide for family
Maddened by affection for those who are intimately connected with oneself, one’s body, family etc, one fails to see ones end thought actually witnessing it.
To a man who is negligent about his own interest, of what use, in this world are long years of life that slip away unnoticed in ignorance.
Much more valuable is the hour, consciously spent, in endeavouring for the highest good.
Emptiness of sensuous enjoyments
- If the earth is there, what would be gained by taking pains for a bed?
- When nature has provided us with arms, what use have we for a pillow?
- If the nature has provided us with palms, what need is there for dishes and cups of various kinds?
- Do not trees that live only to maintain others, give alms?
- Have the rivers dried up?
- Have the mouths of the mountain caves been blocked?
Therefore, a wise man should have connection with the objects of enjoyment only to the extent they are useful in maintaining the body and should never commit the error to get attached to them.
Precious Human life lost in vain
- Do not trees also live?
- Do not bellows also breath?
- Do not animal (other than the human beast) take food and copulate?
What use are the eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and head, which do not delight in Shri Hari?
What use is the heart, that does not melt when the name of Shri Hari is being uttered?
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Prerequisite 1
It won’t happen over night, start early, practice…
Having acquired steadiness of seat and control of one’s breath, and having conquered attachment and subdued ones senses with his mind.
The Royal sages Pariksit and Khatwanga - renounced everything in that short span of time, and sought refuge with Shri Hari who dispels all fear.
- Pariksit had 7 days
- Khatwnga had 20 min
Note here:
They were such divine beings, that they knew when the time to shed their body had come and they were ready for this time, they had practiced all their life for this moment.
On the contrary, we are caught unaware and unprepared.
Kaliyug to Satyug
What does our balance of virtue and vices, tell you? Where are we now? Are you established in Kaliyug, Dwapar, Treta or Satyug.
If we are in Kaliyug it is the easiest, as all that is needed for us is ‘Hari Kirtan, Hari Katha, Hari Bhakt ki Sangati - Hari Naam.’
As we move away from Kaliyug into Dwapar and so on - slowly need to add more Tapa etc. till we reach Satyug and completes the cycle. We have to remember, the entire journey has to drip with the love of God. It starts with the love for God and it...
