Canto 01- Chapter 3- Krsna is the Source of All Incarnations

Suta Muni said: In the beginning of the creation, the Lord first expanded Himself in the universal form of the Purusa incarnation and manifested all the ingredients for the material creation. And thus at first there was the creation of the sixteen principles of material action. This was for the purpose of creating the material universe. The elemental creation of sixteen principles of matter - namely the five gross elements (Pancha-bhutas), the five objects of sense perception (Tan-Matras), the five knowledge acquiring senses (Jnanendriyas) and the mind. The five gross elements are earth, water, fire, air and ether; the five objects of sensual perception are sound, form, taste, smell, and touch; and the five knowledge acquiring senses are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. Together with the mind, these sixteen principles are created by the first purusa incarnation.

SB 1.3.2: A part of the Purusa lies down within the water of the universe (Karanodakasayi Visnu), from the navel lake of His body sprouts a lotus stem, and from the lotus flower atop this stem, Brahma, the master of all engineers in the universe, becomes manifest. It is better explained later and also in my Brahma Samhita Blogs. The first Purusa is the Karanodakasayi Visnu. From His skin holes innumerable universes have sprung up. In each and every universe, Purusa enters as the Garbhodakasayi Visnu. From Garbhodakasayi Visnu is the expansion of the Ksirodakasayi Visnu, who is Sri Hari, and from Him all incarnations within the universe are expanded. Hence the original form is known as - Krishna, The Godhead.

SB 1.3.3: It is believed that all the universal planetary systems are situated on the extensive body of the Purusa, but He has nothing to do with the created material ingredients. His body is eternally in spiritual existence par excellence. That is the Viswa-Rupa/Virat-Rupa.

SB 1.3.4: The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the Purusa who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces -- all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.

SB 1.3.5: Garbhodakasayi Visnu  - the second manifestation of the Purusa, is the source and indestructible seed of multifarious incarnations within the universe. From the particles and portions of this form, different living entities, like demigods, men and others, are created. For more detailed explanation please blog. When He saw that within the universe there was only darkness and space, without a resting place, He filled half of the Universe with water from His own perspiration and laid Himself down on the same water. This water is called Garbhodaka (Garbha+Udaka). Then from His navel the stem of the lotus flower sprouted, and on the flower petals the birth of Brahma, or the master engineer of the universal plan, took place.

SB 1.3.6: First of all, in the beginning of creation, there were the four unmarried sons of Brahma [the Kumaras], who, being situated in a vow of celibacy, underwent severe austerities for realization of the Absolute Truth. The Kumaras appeared in the creation of the material world to teach us the process of Brahman realization. They underwent a severe type of disciplinary action as bachelors. These Kumaras are empowered incarnations. And before executing the severe type of disciplinary actions, all of them became qualified brahmanas. Thus one must first acquire the qualifications of a brahmana by virtue of the discipline and realization but not simply by birth.

SB 1.3.7: The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices, Krishna accepted the second incarnation as Varaha (Boar) for the welfare of the earth. He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe and pierced the first demon Hiranyaksa with His tusks. The indication is that for each and every incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, the particular function is executed. There cannot be any incarnation without a particular function, and such functions are always extraordinary in the sense that, they are impossible for any living being to perform.

SB 1.3.8: In the millennium of the rishis, the Personality of Godhead accepted the third empowered incarnation in the form of Devarshi Narada, who is a great sage among the demigods (this might come as a surprise for those who thought Narada was a regular Brahman who preached vedas). He collected expositions of the Vedas which deal with devotional service and which inspire nonfruitive action. He took this form to propagate the devotional service and mostly in favor of 'karmis' or those who take up the material possessions. He advised several people, including Vyasa Maharshi, on how to reach the ultimate and be happy, only through devotion.

SB 1.3.9: In the fourth incarnation, the Lord became Nara and Narayana, the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma. Thus He undertook severe and exemplary penances to control the senses. Nara and Narayana, performed great penances at the holy spot of Badrinath. The twins were sons of Dharma and his wife Murti (Daughter Of Daksha). They live at Badrikashram performing severe austerities and meditation for the welfare of the world. These two inseparable sages take avatars on earth for the welfare of mankind and to punish the wicked asura named ShashtraKavacha. He had got boon of having 1000 Kavachas (armours); hence it will take 1000 Years to break each one of his Kavacha, and the one, who would break a Kavacha, would instantly die. Hence, first Narayana pennaced for 1000 Yrs and Nara fought 1000 Years with ShahasrKavacha and after 1000 Years, Nara was able to break his one Kavacha. The deal was that as Nara broke the Kavacha, he died, but Narayan due his penance of 1000 Yrs could get back life of Nara and Narayan starts fighting and Nara starts penance for the next 1000 years. Nara and Narayana alternatively penace and fight for 1000 years and the cycle continued till both were able to break 999 Kavachas. ShahastraKavacha hides himself behind the Surya with his last Kavacha due to fear that he would be killed by Nara and Narayana then. At this time, there is Pralaya on Earth due to the change of the Yuga. Thus ShashtraKavacha escapes death. In Dwapara Yuga, he was reborn as Karna with Kavacha and Nar and Narayan as Arjun and Krishna respectively. Urvashi the celestial dancer was born when sage Narayana put a flower on his thigh, when Indra was distrubing their penance, Since she was born on his thigh (Ur in sanskrit), she was called Urvasi.

B 1.3.10: The fifth incarnation, was Kapila Maharshi, the foremost among perfected beings. He gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Asuri Brahmana, for in course of time this knowledge had been lost. The sum total of the creative elements is twenty-four in all. Apart from the 16 principles explained above, there are 8 mre creative principles (5 panchendiryas, 5 Tan-matras, 5 Mahabutas, 5 karmendriyas, Manas (Mind), Ahamkara (Ego), Buddhi (intelligence) and Mahat (Prakriti/Primordial Nature). Each and every one of them is explicitly explained in the system of Sankhya philosophy (Metaphysics). Sankhya means "that which explains very lucidly by analysis of the material elements." This was done for the first time by Kapila, who is said herein to be the fifth in the line of incarnations. Buddhism has its roots here.

SB 1.3.11: The sixth incarnation of the Purusa was Dattatreya, the son of the sage Maharshi Atri and Anasuya. He was born from the womb of Anasuya, who prayed for an incarnation. He spoke on the subject of transcendence, spirit and soul to Alarka, Prahlada, Yadu and Haihaya. Anasuya prayed for the rebirth of Brahma, Visnu and Siva as one and Visnu took the form of Dattatreya, Siva the form of Durvasa Muni and Brahma as Soma (Moon).

SB 1.3.12: The seventh incarnation was Yajna, the son of Prajapati Ruci and his wife Akuti. He controlled the period during the change of the Svayambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yama. During the period of Svayambhuva Manu (the present period is of Vaivasvata Manu and we will have this dicussion in detailed elsewhere..), there was no suitable living being who could occupy the post of Indra, the King of the Indraloka planet. The Lord Himself at that time reincarnated for that position. Assisted by His own sons like Yama and other demigods, Lord Yajna ruled the administration of the universal affairs.

SB 1.3.13: The eighth incarnation was King Rishabha, son of King Nabhi and his wife Merudevi. In this incarnation the Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed by those who have fully controlled their senses and who are honored by all orders of life. This incarnation lead to the Jainism sect (Mahavira was a grandson of Rishabha) and King's noted sons were Bahubali (Sravanabelagola) and Bharata (origin of Bharata-Varsha).

SB 1.3.14: O brahmanas, in the ninth incarnation, the Lord, prayed for by sages, accepted the body of a King Prithu who cultivated the land to yield various produces, and for that reason the earth was beautiful and attractive. This was beleived to be the advent of agrculture.

SB 1.3.15: When there was a complete inundation (flood) after the period of the Cakshusha Manu and the whole world was deep within water, the Lord accepted the Matysa Avatara, the tenth incarnation in the form of a fish and protected Vaivasvata Manu, keeping him up on a boat. Here comes the origin of Dravidas, at Malaya Mountains. This was also inerpreted by many as 'Manu' to be the 'Noah' (from 'Manua') and the origin of Christianity and Jewism. Lord ordered Manu to collect seeds and animals for the start of a new world, and kept his boat from sinking so that they could survive the inundation.

SB 1.3.16: The eleventh incarnation of the Lord took the form of a Kurmam tortoise whose shell served as a pivot for the Mandaracala Hill, which was being used as a churning rod by the theists and atheists of the universe.

SB 1.3.17: In the twelfth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Dhanvantari, and in the thirteenth He allured the atheists by the charming beauty of a Mohini avatar and gave nectar to the demigods to drink. He is beleived by ayurvedists as the Lord of medicine and surgery.

SB 1.3.18: In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Nrisimha and bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiranyakasipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane.

SB 1.3.19: In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana, Vamana and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Maharaja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.

SB 1.3.20: In the sixteenth incarnation of the Godhead, the Lord Bhrigupati (Parashurama) annihilated the kshatriyas, twenty-one times, being angry with them because of their rebellion against the brahmanas.

SB 1.3.21: Thereafter, in the seventeenth incarnation, Sri Vyasa Maharshi appeared in the womb of Satyavati through Parasara Muni, and he divided the one Veda into several branches and subbranches, seeing that the people in general were less intelligent.

SB 1.3.22: In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rama. In order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the King Ravana, who was on the other side of the sea.

SB 1.3.23: In the nineteenth and twentieth incarnations, the Lord advented Himself as Lord Balarama and Lord Krishna in the Yadu dynasty, and by so doing He removed the burden of the world.

SB 1.3.24: Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.

SB 1.3.25: Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Vishnu Yasa. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.

SB 1.3.26: O brahmanas, the incarnations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water.

SB 1.3.27: All the rishis, Manus, demigods and descendants of Manu, who are especially powerful, are plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord. This also includes the Prajapatis.

SB 1.3.28: All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.

SB 1.3.29: Whoever carefully recites the mysterious appearances of the Lord, with devotion in the morning and in the evening, gets relief from all miseries of life.

SB 1.3.30: The conception of the virat universal form of the Lord, as appearing in the material world, is imaginary. It is to enable the less intelligent [and neophytes] to adjust to the idea of the Lord's having form. But factually the Lord has no material form.

SB 1.3.31: Clouds and dust are carried by the air, but less intelligent persons say that the sky is cloudy and the air is dirty. Similarly, they also implant material bodily conceptions on the spirit self.

SB 1.3.32: Beyond this gross conception of form is another, subtle conception of form which is without formal shape and is unseen, unheard and unmanifest. The living being has his form beyond this subtlety, otherwise he could not have repeated births.

SB 1.3.33: Whenever a person experiences, by self-realization, that both the gross and subtle bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, at that time he sees himself as well as the Lord.

SB 1.3.34: If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.

SB 1.3.35: Thus learned men describe the births and activities of the unborn and inactive, which is undiscoverable even in the Vedic literatures. He is the Lord of the heart.

SB 1.3.36: The Lord, whose activities are always spotless, is the master of the six senses and is fully omnipotent with six opulences. He creates the manifested universes, maintains them and annihilates them without being in the least affected. He is within every living being and is always independent.

SB 1.3.37: The foolish with a poor fund of knowledge cannot know the transcendental nature of the forms, names and activities of the Lord, who is playing like an actor in a drama. Nor can they express such things, neither in their speculations nor in their words.

SB 1.3.38: Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted, favorable service unto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who carries the wheel of the chariot in His hand, can know the creator of the universe in His full glory, power and transcendence.

SB 1.3.39: Only by making such inquiries in this world can one be successful and perfectly cognizant, for such inquiries invoke transcendental ecstatic love unto the Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of all the universes, and guarantee immunity from the dreadful repetition of birth and death.

SB 1.3.40: This Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Sri Vyasa, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.

SB 1.3.41: Sri Vyasa delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe.

SB 1.3.42: Suka Maharshi, son of Vyasa Maharshi, in his turn delivered the Bhagavatam to the great Emperor Parikshit, who sat surrounded by sages on the bank of the Ganges, awaiting death without taking food or drink.

SB 1.3.43: This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.

SB 1.3.44: O learned brahmanas, when Suka Maharshi recited Bhagavatam there in the presence of Emperor Parikshit, I heard him with rapt attention, and thus, by his mercy, I learned the Bhagavatam from that great and powerful sage. Now I shall try to make you hear the very same thing as I learned it from him and as I have realized it.

Naimisharanya - Geographical Location, Importance

Naimisharanya:

It is in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is less than 100 kilometers from the capital Lucknow. To the devotees it is a sacred place. There is a huge hexagonal pond called the Chakra Kunda or Wheel Pond, which is said to be the place where the Manomaya Chakra landed rupturing the ground. Because of the emergence of Shakti at Naimisharanya, it is a famous Shakti Peeth with a temple dedicated to a manifestation of Shakti known as Linga Dharini Shakti. There is also a Vyasa Peeth associated with Veda Vyasa and Dadheechi Kunda associated with the renowned Sage Dadheechi.
Naimishararanya is in the Sitapur Dist of U.P. and 89 km away from Lucknow, on the banks of the river Gomati. From Sitapur Cantonment one can get to Naimisharanya by train. Today Naimisharanya is more popularly known as Nimsar and is a village on the bank of the river Gomti. You can also reach by getting down at Hardoi station before Lucknow which is 20 KM. from Naimisharanya. It is a small village but there are several ashrams and dharmashalas for stay.

Naimisharanya finds mention in several Puranas:

1) Vrittrasur was a demon becoming a major hurdle in the way of Sages and demigods. Then a highly powerful sage named Maharshi Dadhichi gave his bones in order to create a weapon to kill the demon. Today, Naimisharanya Misrikh has numerous pilgrim places to see around. People say that anyone who meditates hard enough over here and rids oneself of worldly desires will definitely attain some amount of divine power and force. Every year, in the Hindu month of Phalgun, a temple festival known as Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama is held in the honor of the sage.

2) The forest of Naimisharanya is considered to be the forest manifestation of Vishnu and therefore considered sacred. It is said that during the course of history 60000 sages have lived there.

3) The Vayu Purana states that in the Satya Yuga the sages wanted to perform a huge yagna and requested Brahma to guide them to an appropriate location. Brahma created a huge wheel, which he called Manomaya Chakra. After dedicating the wheel to Shiva he released it and told the sages to follow it. He instructed them to hold their sacrifice at the place the wheel broke. The wheel landed in a forest and as predicted it broke. This forest came to be known as Naimisharanya. Naimi means circumference of a wheel and Aranya means forest; together meaning the forest where the circumference of the wheel broke. When the wheel broke there was a huge fountain of water in the shape of a Shiva Linga and the forest was in danger of being flooded. The sages were in a panic, but the mother goddess Shakti appeared and stopped the flow of water.

4)The Varaha Purana provides an alternative legend. It states that Vishnu once destroyed the entire army of Asuras in a second at this place with his Chakra. Nimish means an instant and Aranya means forest; together meaning the forest where the demons were destroyed in a second.

5) Naimisharanya was the place where Veda Vyasa taught the Vedas and Puranas to his disciples. Lomaharshana, the disciple of Veda Vyasa narrated the Puranas to the sages here.

6) Naimisharanya was the venue of the 1000-year yagna under the aegis of Shaunaka where Suta Goswami narrated the Bhagavata Purana.

7) Shankaracharya spent time in Naimisharanya.

8) The famous blind bhakti poet Surdas lived in Naimisharanya.

9) One of the most heart rendering incidents from Ramayana took place in Naimisharanya. Sita requested her mother, the earth, to open up and accept her, after she united Luv and Kush with their father Rama, as she no longer desired to live. A sacred pond known as Sita Kunda now stands where Mother Earth has parted to receive her daughter.

Canto 01 - Chapter 2 - Divinity and Divine Service

Krishna Dwaipayana, the son of Parashara Muni and Satyavati, was born under unusual circumstances and was destined to greatness. He foresaw the advent of Kaliyuga and the erosion of moral values. To guide humanity during that period he compiled the Vedas and earned the name Veda Vyasa. Then realizing that not everyone could read the Vedas, he wrote the Mahabharata. Yet he was not happy. One day he was meditating in his ashram on the bank of the river Saraswati, trying to understand the reason for his dejection. Then sage Narada appeared before him and said, “In your lifetime you have completed the work that most men cannot do in ten lifetimes. You should be elated and thoroughly satisfied with your achievements. Yet I see sadness on your face. What is it that is troubling you?” Vyasa humbly replied, “There is something troubling me but I am not able to perceive it. You are omniscient (possessing universal knowledge) and surely know the reason for my sadness. Please guide me.” Narada replied. “Great Sage, the reason for your sorrow is your lack of complete satisfaction with the Mahabharata, and rightly so. Because the Mahabharata has a very noticeable fault.”

Vyasa asked, “Pray tell me what that fault is, so that I may correct my error.” Narada continued, “The Mahabharata is indeed a great work. In it you have defined the duty of man. How he should strive for peace, what he should do in war. You have written about God as well. You have delivered God's message in the form of the Bhagavad Gita. You have shown the righteous that they have no reason to fear because He is at their side. Your flaw is that you have failed to describe God’s magnificence. You know that the path of devotion is the easiest path to follow and that in the coming time, it will be the only path available for salvation. For people to be able to follow this path they need to have a true vision of God’s greatness. That greatness does not come through in the Mahabharata because the Krishna of the Mahabharata is restricted to being one avatar (Read my Brahma Samhita Blogs to understand this better, Krishna in Mahabharata is just an avatar of the original absolute God Krishna, just like Visnu, Narasimha). You have to describe all His avatars, the main ten ones and more. You have to go beyond the avatars. You have to describe His forgiving nature, His unbounded love for His devotees and how He heeds their call. You have touched upon these issues in the Mahabharata but these were not the focus of your work. Contemplate on the magnificence of God and produce a work in which every sentence is devoted to him. Your objective should be such that even the worst sinner when he reads the work would be compelled to take refuge in Him. And when the devoted read the work they should rise above fear and even overcome the fear of death.” Saying these words, Narada took leave of Vyasa. Now that his heart was at ease, Vyasa meditated peacefully on the various forms of the Almighty and produced Srimad Bhagavata Purana. After completion he recited it to his son Suka.

Suta muni was the son of Romaharshana, who was one of the disciples of Vyasa. Suta muni did not immediately delve into the story of the Bhagavata nor immediately answer the questions his disciples had, but began with the introduction of why Vyasa wrote the Bhagavata and under what circumstances did his son Suka rendered its first public narration. This introduction has come to us as the First Canto of the scripture and is not only very interesting but also very crucial to our understanding of the Bhagavata.

Suta muni was very happy with the valid questions raised by his new found disciples in Naimisharanya, who were also very learned in various aspects of vedic literature. At this juncture you should be aware that Vyasa Maharshi had a son named Suka, who also had an unusual birth, turned 16 as soon as he was born and was completely aware of absolute truth (Atma Jnani), because of his learned father, Vyasa. But He reached enlightenment by talking to Emperor Janaka (Vyasa has asked Suka to go and see janaka to seek clarifications, as he had so many questions at birth). Janaka put him to severe discomfort before accepting him as a disciple. Only through concentration, dedication, faith and enthusiasm, Suka could even get to talk to Janaka.

After dividing the original Veda into four, Vyasa Maharshi entrusted his disciple Romaharshana (because his hair arose in excitement when he read puranas, he is a devotee of Visnu, he is often also referred to as Lomaharshana) as a speaker of Puranas and epic histories, he was known to have inspired a lot of sages with his knowldge in garuda Purana. Once, in an assembly of sages at Naimisharanya, when Romaharshana failed to stand up to respect and honor Lord Balarama, Lord Balarama killed him and then on the duty of Romaharshana was entrusted to his son Ugrashrava, who was called Suta muni because of his caste or order of belonging to suta class of learned brahamas.

Suta muni then provides the background of King Parikshit to whom Suka Maharshi narrated the Bhagavata. During the Mahabharata War, Ashwathama killed all the sons of the Pandavas so as to wipe out the clan. Arjun’s grandson was in his mother’s womb and Ashwathama sought to kill him as well but Krishna intervened. After Yuddhishthir and the Pandavas retired, Arjun’s grandson Parikshit became emperor of Hastinapura. It was the period of transition from Dwapara Yuga to Kali Yuga. Kali Yuga was making inroads everywhere. When Kali Yuga reached the boundaries of Parikshit’s kingdom, Parikshit stopped him and ordered him to turn back. Kali Yuga pleaded that he be given some shelter. Parikshit relented and allowed Kali Yuga to stay in the areas where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter took place. Kali Yuga begged for one more location and Parikshit granted him permission to stay with gold, because gold is the root of all evil. Kali Yuga immediately made home on the golden crown of Parikshit.

One day Parikshit was on a hunting trip. He was tired, hungry and thirsty and stepped into the hermitage of Sage Shamika. The sage was deep in meditation and did not respond to the king’s salutations. Kali Yuga sitting on Parikshit’s crown was waiting for this opportunity. He clouded Parikshit’s wisdom and in a fit of anger Parikshit picked up a dead snake and placed it on the sage’s shoulder. Shamika’s son was offended by this vile act. He used his powers to pronounce a curse that the person who had insulted his father would die of snakebite on the seventh day. When Parikshit heard the curse he accepted it as his due. All the sages assembled before Parikshit, who had given up his royal life style and was awaiting his fate. Though he had accepted that he would die he was still afraid of death. He asked the assembled sages what a person in his situation should do, so that he dies without fear and without a troubled mind. It is then Suka Maharshi narrated the whole Bhagavata-purana and among the sages present, was Suta muni.

(1) Completely satisfied with the correct questions of the sages there, the son of Romaharshana [Sûta] tried to reply to the sages after thanking them for their kind words.

(2) Sûta muni said: "Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that great sage Suka who had entered the hearts of all. When he went away to take up the renounced order of life [sannyasa], leaving home without undergoing reformation by the sacred thread or the ceremonies observed by the higher castes, his father, Vyasadeva, fearing separation from him, cried out, "O my son!" Indeed, only the trees, which were absorbed in the same feelings of separation, echoed in response to the begrieved father."

(3) Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Suka, the spiritual master of all sages, the son of Vyasa who, out of his great compassion for those gross materialists who struggle to cross over the darkest regions of material existence, spoke this most confidential supplement to the cream of Vedic knowledge, after having personally assimilated it by experience. Suta Muni thanks Sukha Maharshi, and pays his respects to him before answering his disciples questions, as he had heard Srimad-Bhagavata purana through the mouth of Sukha Maharshi.

(4) After offering first one's obeisances (respects) to Nara-Nârâyana Rishi (who was the first to chant Bhagavatam as requested by Narada), Lord Narayan Himself, Sarasvati the Goddess of learning (as she was the one who educated Brahma about the absolute truth that had lead to creation : - Again I had explained this in vast details in my Brahma Samhita Blogs) and Vyâsa (the author of Srimad-bhagavata purana), Suta muni started announcing the much needed answers that are required for the conquering of human suffering.

(5) O sages, I have been justly questioned by you. Your questions are worthy because they relate to Lord Krsna and so are of relevance to the world's welfare. Only questions of this sort are capable of completely satisfying the self.

(6) The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. This was the asnwer to one of the questions raised by the sages. There are many scripts and sacred texts and so many prescribed duties. So how does one follow everything? What is the best way to conquer and control self? The answer the Suta muni gives them is 'uninterrupted, unmotivated devotion'. Keep thinking of Him and His pastimes, all the time, pray to him in an unmotivated, selfless devotion, dedicate everything you do to Him.

(7) The practice of connecting oneself in devotion unto Vâsudeva, very soon leads to the detachment and spiritual knowledge that relies on its own power. By rendering devotional service unto Sri Krsna, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.

(8) What mankind does in its duties according to each his own position, is useless labor leading nowhere, if it does not lead to the message of Vishvaksena [Krishna as the Supreme Commander]. The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are useless labor if they not performed to provoke attention or attraction of Krishna. Anything you do, do it for Him, keep thinking of Him all the time, devote your work to Him, do not attach yourself to the outcome of your work. No matter how you do, what you do, dedicate it to Him,

(9) One's occupational activities are certainly meant for ultimate liberation and not for the end of material gain, neither is, according to the sages, the material progress of the dutiful ones in devotional service meant for the attainment of sense-gratification. What it means is that all occupational engagements are only meant for ultimate liberation, in dedication to God, only to please God. They should never be performed for material gain (for self or social service). Furthermore, according to sages, one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service should never use material gain to cultivate sense gratification. This is an extremely difficult task. Only thing we can do is do everything in the name of God, dedicate everything to him.

(10) Life's desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since a human being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one's works. One's longing is not so much there for sense-gratification, profit and self-preservation, one's work is instead there for no other purpose than inquiring after the Absolute Truth. That is the sole purpose of our lives.

(11) Learned souls / transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman or Paramatma. This means there is no second, everything is one. It is nothing but Maya/Illusion that we see things, hear things, do things. Everything we see is paramatma, parabrahma. The ants, the humans, dogs, plants, living and non-living everything is bothing but one. It is in Bhagavad Gita that one should see everyone as krishna, believe me I try this and still am trying this, it is impossible to do it, but our duty is to keep trying. May be one day, we will see everything as one.

(12) The seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realizes that Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from the Vedanta-sruti.

(13) O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one's own occupation according to caste divisions and orders of life is to please the God.

(14) Therefore one should be with a mind that is directed just one-way that is, constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Supreme Lord, the protector of the devotees.

(15) Why would anybody not follow this message of intelligently remembering the Lord which gives one, the sword to cut through the bonds of materially motivated labor [karma]? The answer to everything is devotion and dedication unto Krishna. Why would anyone follow sacrifices, charity, social work, learning, yoga and other ways, when devotion is the ultimate thing?

(16) One who listens with care and attention in respect of Vâsudeva, will find affinity with the message through the devotional service rendered to pure devotees, o learned ones, and be purified from all vice. O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vasudeva.

(17) Sri Krsna, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.

(18) By regular particpation and attention to Srimad-Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, and loving service unto God, who is praised with transcendental songs, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed. This ascertains the fact that nothing is more dearer to Krishna than His disciple, true devotee.

(19) As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature's modes of passion and ignorance, such as desires, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. At that time will the consciousness be fixed in goodness and find happiness. So it is as simple as that, to get rid of all material bondage, the simple answer is devotion, once you fix it in your heart, He is going to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you.

(20) Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the absolute truth in the stage of liberation from all material association. The mind thus cleared, becomes liberated and thus becomes effective in the knowledge of wisdom.

(21) Thus if one sees the absolute truth, all the knots of bondage in the heart will be broken, and there will be an end to all doubts and the chain of materially motivated actions [karma] will be teriminated.

(22) Therefore all great sages have always been certain and delighted in the service to Lord Krishna as it enlivens the soul.

(23) The transcendental Lord is indirectly associated with the three modes of material nature, namely passion, goodness and ignorance, and just for the material world's creation, maintenance and destruction He accepts the three qualitative forms of Brahma, Visnu and Siva. Of these three, all human beings can derive ultimate benefit from Visnu, the form of the quality of goodness. It is not demeaning other Gods, but if you read my earlier Brahma Samhita blogs you will know the purpose of creation of Brahma, Siva and other gods.

(24) As we have the firewood from sacrifices stemming from the earth producing smoke, so we also have passion stemming from ignorance leading to the goodness from which the essential nature is realized.

(25) Previously all the great sages rendered service unto Krishna due to His existence above the three modes of material nature. They worshiped Him to become free from material bondage and thus derive the ultimate benefit. Whoever follows such great sages, is also eligible for liberation from the material world.

(26) For that reason do they who desire liberation reject the less attractive forms of the demigods, and are they sure to worship, without any envy, the many forms of the all-blissfull Lord Vishnu [Nârâyana]. Those who are ignorant and of passion, desire wealth, power and progeny, clinging to forefathers and other beings of cosmic control with a likewise character. Those who are serious about liberation are certainly nonenvious, and they respect all. Yet they reject to worship the demigods and they worship only the all-blissful forms of Lord Visnu and His plenary portions. (27) Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance worship the forefathers, other living beings and the demigods who are in charge of cosmic activities, for they are urged by a desire to be materially benefited with women, wealth, power and progeny. And this is not wrong if done for the right purpose, the ultimate goal to be liberated by devotion unto Krishna, if done for just pleasing the demigods and forefathers, it is a nothing waste of time and effort.
(28-29) But Vâsudeva is the object of knowledge, the purpose of the sacrifices and the yoga, the controller of all material activity, and the supreme knowledge, austerity, quality, religion and goal of life. In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Sri Krsna. The purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. Religion [dharma] is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the supreme goal of life.

(30) From the beginning of the manifestation He, by this internal potency, has been the cause and effect of all forms and the transcendental Absolute of the modes of nature. This is explained in detailed in my Brahma samhita Blogs.

(31) After creating the material substance, the Lord [Vasudeva] expands Himself and enters into it. And although He is within the material modes of nature and appears to be one of the created beings, He is always fully enlightened in His transcendental position. He is never affected by the modes of nature which are nothing but his creations. We will know more about modes of nature as we cruise along the Bhagavata purana and Bhagavad-Gita.

(32) He, as the Supersoul, pervades all living beings as the source of the creation like fire does in wood and shines forth as different living entities, at the same time being the Absolute Person. The Lord, as Supersoul,  appears to be of many varieties, though He is the absolute one without a second.

(33) That Supersoul, created the subtle senses influenced by the modes of nature by entering the living beings in His own creation, causing them to enjoy those modes. When someone chooses to enjoy the passion, ignorance and goodness, the supersoul in them and makes them enjoy the modes of nature.

(34) He maintains all in the mode of goodness, being incarnated Himself in the performance of His pastimes mastering all worlds of divine, human and animalistic beings.

Canto 01- Chapter 1 - Sages Enquire Suta Muni in Naimisaranya

The following is a brief prelude to Srimad-Bhagavatm, just to reemphasize the fact that even the mighty sages consider Bhagavatam as the nectar of all the vedic literature.

1.1.1-1.1.3: O son of Vasudeva, I offer my humble respects to You. I meditate upon Sri Krsna because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahma, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Lord Sri Krsna, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him as the Absolute Truth. Srimad-Bhagavatam offers the highest truth, which can be understood by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. Bhagavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyasa, is sufficient in itself for realization of GOD. What is the need of any other scripture? As one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, Supreme Lord is established within their heart. Expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad-Bhagavatam, the mature fruit of the tree of Vedic literature. Therefore the nectar of this fruit is for all, including liberated souls.

1.1.4-1.1.23: Once upon a time in a holy place in the forest of Naimisharanya, in a favorite spot for Lord Visnu, great sages headed by the sage Saunaka assembled to perform a great thousand-year sacrifice for the satisfaction of the Lord and His devotees. (I have explained in Brahma Samhita about the central position of Krisna and Visnu in the planetary systems. It seems like that position occupied by Visnu in that Yantra has a central hub which geographically fits where Naimisharanya forest is situated)

One day, after finishing their morning duties by burning a sacrificial fire and offering a seat of esteem to Suta Muni, with great respect, submissiveness and highest regard, the sages made certain inquiries to understand God and His Pastimes.

The sages said "Respectful Suta! you are completely free from all sins. You are well versed in all the religious scriptures, Puranas and the history as well, for you have gone through these studies under proper guidance and have also explained them".

"O' Suta!, you are acquainted with the knowledge of Vyasa, and you also know other sages who are fully versed in all kinds of physical and metaphysical knowledge" and "because you are submissive, your spiritual masters have endowed you with all the favors that are bestowed upon a gentle disciple. Therefore please tell us all that you have scientifically learned from them. Please explain to us, in an easily understandable way, what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general. In this Kali yuga, men have short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and above all always disturbed. There are many varieties of scriptures, and in all of them there are many prescribed duties, which can be learned only after many years of study in their various divisions. Therefore, O sage, please explain the essence of all these scriptures, for the good of all living beings. By such instruction our hearts may be fully satisfied".

“O Suta Muni! you know for what purpose the God appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. We are eager to learn about Krishna and His incarnations. Please explain to us those teachings imparted to you by great sages, for one is uplifted both by speaking about them and by hearing about them. Living beings who are entangled in the complicated network of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krishna. O Suta! those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use. Anyone desiring deliverance from the vices of the age of quarrel is willing to hear the virtuous glories of the Lord? His transcendental acts are magnificent and gracious, and great learned sages like Narada sing of them. Please, therefore, speak to us, who are eager to hear about the adventures He performs in His various incarnations."

"O wise Suta, please narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme God's multi-incarnations. Such auspicious adventures and pastimes of the Lord, the supreme controller, are performed by His internal powers. We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the God, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment. Lord Sri Krishna, along with Balarama, played like a human being, and so masked He performed many superhuman acts. Knowing well that the age of Kali has already begun, we are assembled here in this holy place to hear at great length the transcendental message of Godhead and in this way perform sacrifice. We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of providence, just so that we may accept you as chief, for those who desire to cross the difficult era of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being. Since Sri Krishna, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us to whom the religious principles have now gone for shelter."

Canto 01 - Intro

I am a self-motivated man with blessings from my elders and I learnt most things in my life by myself by setting small goals for myself for me to move in a direction. In the presence of my natural teachers, my parents, Sun and Time I learnt the true meaning of life. Stepping in to this arduous task of blogging 'Srimad-Bhagavatam' is extremely difficult especially since I do not have a Guru that I could really call myself as a 'disciple of'. But I like challenges myself and I do not shy away from difficult tasks. Hence, as a humble devotee of Sri Krishna with his blessings and my elders' blessings, I pray Ganesha to let me have this task of making 'Sri Vyasa Maharshi's composition', an 'easy to read and comprehend journal' for me and my family and to make it a successful blogging like my earlier "Brahma Samhita Blogs".

Namo Brahmana Devaya Go brahmana Hitayaca

Jagadditaya Krishnaya Govindya aNamo Namah!

Isvarah Paramah Krishna Saccitananada Vigraha

Anadiradi Govinda Sarva Karana-Kaaranam!

Klim Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijana Vallabhayasvaha!

Those were my prayers before I attempt this exercise of blogging babloo's bhagavatam. I present my case of being an eligible person to do this in the following few sentences. I live a pure controlled vegetarian brahman vaisnava life. I have a passion for life and things the same. I see Krishna in everyone and everything I see. I was born in the same auspicious moments as Sri Ramachandra, I practice, Gayatri, Purusha sukta twice a day, Offer my food to god before I eat and take the name of the lord in every single thing that I do in my daily activities and I read the 18-syllable mantra atleast 108 times every single day before I start my work. I dedicate everything I do to Him.

I shall try my best to not follow the metaphysical language or the words, because ultimately one has to understand the aim of this exercise, which is "Srimad-Bhagavatam Made Easy". However, it would be a lot easier, for people who have read my prior contributions, to understand my language here, because the word God in today's world does not even come close to the absolute truth, absolute controller, the truly independent supreme personality, the Paramesvara, the reason for everything that has ever been created, Lord Krishna Himself being The God in my upcoming blogs.

So Let us silently pray God before we start our journey in to the mystic world of Maya.

Yoo...Hoo...I get to start now...