Srimad Bhagavatham Serial -- Discussion Betyween Narada and Vyasa

P.Natarajan.

Srimad Bhagavatham : - (Source: Sri Sri Sri Velukudi Swmay's writings in recent Tamil Weekly Thuglak)                                            
 Discussion between Narada and Vyasa - Narada Rishi enunciates how Bhakthi purifies the heart & soul:-

Parasar belonged to the clan of Vasishta. Vedavyasa who was born to Parasar was in fact an avatar of Narayana. Vyasa was responsible in categorizing Vedas into four parts namely
Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana  and propagated them for the benefit of mankind. Vyasa taught many disciples the Epics and Puranas. Vyasa also authored Mahabharatha. But he
was not contented. When he was contemplating the cause for his displeasure, Narada Rishi
appeared before him. He was able to sense Vyasa's worry.
Narada began to advise Vyasa. ''Vyasa, You have written about Dharmartha- Kama- Moksha
but not advocated about the pursuit of  ' Moksha or Mukthi ' in detail. Hence learned people have not read your works. Pl. know that when you talk more about Dharma or Artha, egoistic tendency would raise to a height. On the other hand, if you take up the subject of Moksha or talk more about Bhagavan, people would get inspiration to up-lift themselves to a higher plane of thinking. They would start meditating on Bhagavan. They would care more for others and not brood over the past. We should always speak in praise of the Almighty. Otherwise the tongue serves no purpose. A
mother always loves to hear her child's melody even though the child blabs devoid of meaningful words. Simlarly God loves to lend his ears to the devotee's prayers in whatever manner he utters".
Narada continued his advice to Vyasa. '' Let us now take stock of what people are doing  in this
world. Many may be bad committing sinful acts. The other section of the population may be helpful to fellow-beings, They may not worry much about good or bad nor they believe in re-birth. What fate would they meet? They will certainly take re-birth in line with their 'prarabdha'. Let us now consider yet another section of the population.They are aware of Sastras and know which acts bring 'punya' or wholesome benefit and carry out such noble works to enable them to amass punya. Here an element of self interest is inherent - hence they also get rebirth. Let us now focus attention about
another sect of the population who believe in self actualization. They not only are pious, be of service to others, go one step ahead in not expecting any benefit from the good acts. They in fact
surrender the 'punya' or benefit of the good deeds at the feet of Lord Narayana. They wish to emancipate when they leave their sole and succeed  too".
Narada explained to  Vyasa that the cause for his discontentment was that Vyasa
had advised people to do their duties only. Narada pointed out that Vyasa failed to advise people to surrender the fruits of their good acts at the lotus feet of Lord Narayana to enable them to obtain 'Moksha'. If so, people would have been happy and the Lord too.  Vyasa also would have
felt happy which meant that Vyasa had missed a golden opportunity. Vyasa realized the mistake and also understood the reason for his unsatisfied state.
Vyasa wished to hear from Narada what was the secret or origin of his birth and reasons for higher learning.Narada narrated that he was wandering as a boy of five when he came to work in Asrams where holy Saints were living. They talked more about Bhagavan especially during 'Chathur-Masya-Vratha'. It had a great impact in the young mind of Narada who lost his mother by then. Narada left for North where he started doing penance. Narayana appeared in his subconscious mind. But when Narada opened his eyes the Lord was not seen. He asked Narayana why he did not appear before him. Bhagavan explained to Narada that He had bestowed the cult of Bhakthi in Narada in that birth. Bhagavan assured Narada that in his next birth he would, as a true devotee of Narayana, go around the world singing 'Narayana, Narayana..' propagating Bhakthi
and thus attain Mukthi. Narayana explained further that He does not accord Dharsan for the immature. Those who have unflinching faith in Bhagavan would never waver and their thoughts would always be enveloping the Lord. They attain, may be after many cycles of birth, but certainly
Mukthi at the end.
Narada relinquished his body from the previous birth and entered the heart of Brahma as a jyothi through air which Brahma inhaled. Brahma created many Rishis in the world, one of them
happened to be Narada Rishi. Narada Rishi got the possession of the Veena by name 'Mahathi'. Narada Rishi spread the name of Narayana and its significance in all the worlds where he went around. Narada did not pay attention to speak about Karma or doing Dharma but concentrated to speak about Lord Narayana and his resplendent qualities. Narada made it exemplary that the Bhakthi alone would serve as a ship to cross the turbulent sea of 'Samsara' and attain Moksha.
When Narada left the scene, Vyasa whose heart became light and relieved of mental tension reached Maana located three KM. above Badrinath and took bath in the river Saraswathi (named after Brahma's wife).On the west bank of R.Saraswathi he setup an Asram called 'Samyaprasam'. He meditated upon Lord Narayana and soon  realized that his devotion towards the Lord increased intensely. The spirit of bhakthi flowed from his mouth which alone was instrumental in delivering the 'Bhagavatha Purana' to the world. Vyasa thus authored the famous ' Srimad Bhagavatham ' and
preached it to his son Sukacharya. Sounaka and other Sages who also heard the story Srimad Bhagavatham had a doubt what was the necessity for Vyasa to deliver the Bhagavatha Purana to Sukacharya who was already a strong devotee and a Yogi. They also remembered an anecdote when once Vyasa and his son Sukacharya were walking along a river side, the women folk who were bathing wore the dress immediately on seeing Vyasa but when they saw Vyasa's son the young Sukacharya they continued their bath as before..;  Vyasa who became perplexed questioned the reason for their behavior. They explained that Sukacharya was much above mundane feelings or such worldly thoughts that he felt no distinction between man and a woman. Hence Sounaka's question was natural and not odd to know if Vyasa had any other specific cause to handover the Srimad Bhagavatham to a real devotee and yogi like Sukacharya.
To this Sutha pouranika replied in detail. " True that Bhakthi gets intensified by visiting Temples, doing prayers and so on. But it does not stop there. The more you hear about the auspicious and glorious qualities of the Lord, Bhakthi springs profusely from the bottom of the heart and the devotee clings to it and surrenders at his feet.  A true yogi like Sukacharya received the Bhagavatha Purana in the same spirit. Sky is the limit for devotional renderings. Sukacharya could spread the message of Bhagavatha Purana by conducting "Sapthaham" (reading Bhagavathapurana in seven days) in the midst of thousands of devotees who also would perform Sapthaham on their own later.  Thus the scope gets extended to propagate Bhakthi and the practice of reading Bhagavathapurana or performing 'Bhagavatha Sapthaham' flourishes for ever..Sukacharya advocated Bhagavathapuranam to Parikshith Maharaja. At this time, it is necessary to take a deviation.
Let us now look into the story of Parikshith as well as Aswathama....(to be continued)


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