Shukratal Yatra and Glories of Srimad-Bhagavatam
Shukratal Yatra
and
Glories of Srimad-Bhagavatam
Shukratal is a tiny holy town about 2-3 hours (72 km) from Haridwar on the banks of Ganges River in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. Srila Sukadeva Goswami spoke sacred Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) to Maharaja Pariksit (the grandson of Arjuna and son of Abhimanyu), under a banyan tree 5000 years ago.
Here at a place called Sri Sukadeva Temple, there is a gigantic 5100 year old Banyan tree, also known as Akshaya Vat Vriksha, underneath where Sukadeva Goswami, Maharaja Pariksit and 80,000 sages sat for 7 days continuously hearing Bhagavatam narration. The branches of this Akshaya Vat tree spread far and wide, sprouting through the nearby surroundings. The Sukadeva ashrama is built around the tree.
Under Akshaya tree is a small temple which has the deities of Sukadeva Goswami and Pariksit sitting alongside and their footprints. In the courtyard there is a temple with the exquisitely beautiful deity of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna giving darshan to everyone assembled there after the conclusion of Bhagavatam katha. Uniqueness of this 150 feet towering Akshaya Vat is that it doesn’t shed any of its leaves.
Sukadeva ashrama has a number of small shrines and deities, Yajna shala, Sanskrit Vidyalaya and a reading room. Ashrama also has lecture halls called Srimad Bhagavata Bhavan, for holding continuous discourses on the Bhagavata Purana. Many pilgrims come from across India to attend Bhagavata-katha. There are overnight facilities available to stay at the ashrama that have to be pre-booked. At 12 noon, Prasadam with locally prepared delicacies is served in a hall on the ground-floor of the ashrama near the Akshaya tree.
Across from the tree in another building there is the Samadhi tomb of Swami Kalyandevji Maharaj, who established this Sukadeva Ashrama. Born in 1876, since 1944 he worked with tireless dedication for several decades to bring forth the glories and significance of Shukratal. He lived for 129 years and passed away on 14 July 2004.
At Shukratal there is also the world’s tallest murti of Hanuman Ji at 75 feet high standing outdoors over the main shrine and was built in 1987. Close-by is the Ganges River and the beautiful Shukratal Ghat. There are a number of temples and ashrams in Shukratal and the atmosphere is devotional.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura visited Shukratal during his preaching tours as quoted from the following accounts – A Ray of Visnu: “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati later delivered some lectures in Delhi in the latter part of the year and glorified the Srimad-Bhagavatam at Sukara-tala, the place where Sukadeva Gosvami delivered the Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit five thousand years earlier.”
Prabhupada Srila Sarasvati Thakura: “Srila Sarasvati Thakura also went to Badarinarayana, the site of the first Srimad-Bhagavatam recitation; to Sukara-tala, the site of the second recitation of the Bhagavatam; and to Naimisaranya, the site of the Bhagavatam’s third recitation, and he preached the glories of these places.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam was compiled by Srila Vyasadeva at a cave which is further-up from Badrinath with assistance from Ganesh Ji transcribing this impeccable transcendental literature; Shukratal is where Srila Sukadeva Goswami narrated Srimad-Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit during his last 7 days; and Naimisaranya in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh (which is near Lucknow and Kanpur) is where Suta Gosvami spoke the Bhagavatam to the thousands of sages who had gathered there to perform a large ritual for the upliftment of people in Kali-yuga.
Shukratal is serene, peaceful and has a highly potent spiritually surcharging atmosphere full with the sweetness of bhakti (devotion) for Lord Sri Krishna. It is an incredible place to visit given the significance it holds for the sacred text of Srimad-Bhagavatam!
Snake-Bird Taksaka Bites King Pariksit
After Bhagavatam was discussed, Sukadeva concluded that for a person who is suffering in the fire of countless miseries and who desires to cross the insurmountable ocean of material existence, there is no vehicle more suitable than cultivating a transcendental taste for the narrations of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.
Maharaja Pariksit approached Sukadeva Goswami and offering his most-respectful obeisances and gratitude said: ‘Now I have achieved the purpose of life. You have personally related to me the narration of the Supreme Lord and have revealed to me what is most auspicious ’the knowledge of the supreme personal feature of the Lord. I am now full of transcendental knowledge and self-realization, and my ignorance has been eradicated. I no longer have any fear of Takshaka or any other living being, because I have absorbed myself in the purely spiritual Absolute Truth. Kindly allow me to resign the functions of all my senses unto Lord Adhoksaja (Supreme Personality of Godhead). Allow me to absorb my mind, purified of lusty desires, within the Supreme Lord and to thus give up my life.’
Granting him this permission, Sukadeva and the other sages departed. Pariksit sat down on the bank of the Ganges and settled his mind. He meditated upon the Supreme Absolute Truth with full self-realization, free of material attachments and doubts. His life air ceased to move and he became as stationary as a tree.
As per the local legend, when the time for the curse by Shringi to take effect came closer, the snake-bird Takshaka approached Shukratal in disguise of a Brahmin. On his way Takshaka met another Brahmin called Kashyapa. He asked Kashyapa where he was going in such a hurry.
Kashyapa said he was going to meet King Pariksit because he could save him from Takshaka’s poison. Takshaka was surprised at the confidence of Kashyapa and revealed that he was Takshaka and that there was none in the world who could save anyone whom he had bitten. Kashyapa smiled and said that he had an antidote for the poison.
So to test him, Takshaka bit a green tree and within seconds the tree was turned to ashes. Kashyapa chanted few mantras and the tree was back to life. Takshaka was amazed to see the power of Kashyapa. Takshaka asked him whether he was going to seek rewards from Pariksit. Kashyapa replied in the affirmative. Takshaka said that he would reward him more lavishly than, provided he went back home. Kashyapa then took a lot of wealth from Takshaka and returned.
The place where Kashyapa met Takshaka is known as Bheraheri. It is 7 km away from Shukratal. The place from where Takshaka asked Kashyap to return is called Modna (which in local language means ‘return’). This village later became known as Morna. It is 5 km from Shukratal on the road coming from Muzaffarnagar.
When Takshaka went to the area where Pariksit was, he found that there was no way by which he could get in. He then disguised into a caterpillar and entered one of the fruit baskets being taken to the King's chamber. On reaching the Pariksit, Takshaka came out of the fruit, and took the form of a brahmana and thus easily approached the Pariksit and while he was in meditation and bit him. As everyone looked on in horror, the Pariksit’s body immediately turned to ashes by the fire of the snake’s poison. Thus, Maharaja Pariksit left his body immersed in the Absolute Truth of the Supreme Being, felt no pain as he entered the spiritual realm.
Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) is the transcendental science for understanding the Supreme Lord, and that the ultimate goal of life for all human beings is to attain the stage of prema, or love of the Supreme Lord. It is spotless literature not only for knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is a powerful reading matter and is meant for the ultimate good of all people.
It is the literary incarnation of Lord Sri Krishna, and concisely and categorically presents spiritually rich topics of Supreme Lord Krishna, His various incarnations and devotees, and the process of loving devotional service (bhakti-yoga) unto Him. Srimad-Bhagavatam has Twelve Cantos that represent the limbs of Lord Sri Krishna’s transcendental body.
padau yadiyau prathama-dvitiyau
trtiya-turyau
kathitau yad-uru
nabhis
tatha pancama eva sastho
bhujantaram
dor-yugalam tathanyau
kanthas
tu rajan navamo yadiyo
mukharavindam
dasamah praphullam
ekadaso
yasya lalata-pattam
siro’pi
tu dvadasa eva bhati
tam
adidevam karuna-nidhanam
tamala-varnam
suhitavataram
apara-samsara-samudra-setum
bhajamahe
bhagavata-svarupam
“First and Second Cantos of the Bhagavatam are Sri Krishna’s lotus feet. Third and Fourth Cantos are His thighs. Fifth Canto is His navel. Sixth Canto is His chest. Seventh and Eighth Cantos are His arms. Ninth Canto is His throat. Tenth Canto is His beautiful lotus-face. Eleventh Canto is His forehead. Twelfth Canto is His head. I bow down to that Lord, the ocean of mercy whose colour is like that of a tamala tree and who appears in this world for the welfare of all. I worship Him as the bridge for crossing the unfathomable ocean of material existence. Bhagavatam has appeared as His very Self.” (Padma Purana)
It is compiled by Srila Vyasadeva, the empowered plenary portion incarnation of Lord Krishna. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.
By a careful reading, one will know the Supreme Lord perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will be able to convert others to accept the Supreme Lord as a concrete principle! Srila Prabhupada emphasizes, “The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly as with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another.” (Preface to Srimad-Bhagavatam)
Study of the Bhagavatam, done in line with the explanations of bona fide Vaisnava acaryas, gives the sincere reader an unparalleled understanding of the Absolute Truth, which is not possible by one’s own speculative efforts. Srimad-Bhagavatam is declared to be the essence of all Vedanta philosophy. One who has felt satisfaction from its nectarean mellow will never be attracted to any other literature. (SB 12.13.15)
Thus, the holy place of Shukratal is of great importance in connection with the sacred text of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Although the great sage Vyasadeva had compiled Vedas, he still felt dissatisfied in his mind. While he was considering this and regretting the defects, Narada Muni arrived at his hermitage. Vyasa questioned Narada about the root cause of his dissatisfaction.
Narada said, "You have not sufficiently described the sublime and spotless glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. The philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Supreme Lord is considered worthless."
Thus, following the instructions of his spiritual master Narada Muni, Srila Vyasadeva meditated concentrating his mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His activities. He first saw the Absolute Personality of Godhead and His different energies. He then saw various incarnations and observed the unwanted miseries of the conditioned souls who are bewildered by the Lord's external energy. Lastly, he saw the process of devotional service, beginning with the hearing and chanting of the Supreme Lord's name and glories as the remedy for the conditioned souls.
The twelve Cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam are:
Canto 1: Creation
Canto 2: The Cosmic Manifestation
Canto 3: The Status Quo
Canto 4: The Creation of the Fourth Order
Canto 5: The Creative Impetus
Canto 6: Prescribed Duties for Mankind
Canto 7: The Science of God
Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations
Canto 9: Liberation
Canto 10: The Summum Bonum
Canto 11: General History
Canto 12: The Age of Deteriorationॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ।
om namo bhagavate vasudevaya
O my Lord, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
Canto 1: Creation
First Canto and Second Cantos of Bhagavatam are the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. First Canto introduces key philosophical concepts which establish Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and bhakti-yoga as the topmost spiritual path. At the beginning, Suta Gosvami describes to the Naimisharanya sages, the history of Bhagavatam. The 8th chapter describes very instructive and inspiring Prayers by Queen Kunti. Universal creation by the Supreme Lord, activities of Maharaja Pariksit, who even chastised Kali and exclusive dependence of devotees like Uttara, Pandavas, Kunti and Bhisma on Lord Krishna and bhakta-vatsala Krishna’s reciprocation with them are the nectarian transcendental narrations described wonderfully in this canto.
Chapter 1: Questions by the Sages
Chapter 2: Divinity and Divine Service
Chapter 3: Krishna Is the Source of All Incarnations
Chapter 4: The Appearance of Sri Narada
Chapter 5: Narada’s Instructions on Srimad-Bhagavatam for Vyasadeva
Chapter 6: Conversation Between Narada and Vyasadeva
Chapter 7: The Son of Drona Punished
Chapter 8: Prayers by Queen Kunti and Pariksit Saved
Chapter 9: The Passing Away of Bhismadeva in the Presence of Lord Krishna
Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Krishna for Dwarka
Chapter 11: Lord Krishna’s Entrance into Dwarka
Chapter 12: Birth of Emperor Pariksit
Chapter 13: Dhrtarastra Quits Home
Chapter 14: The Disappearance of Lord Krishna
Chapter 15: The Pandavas Retire Timely
Chapter 16: How Pariksit Received the Age of Kali
Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
Chapter 18: Maharaja Pariksit Cursed by a Brahmana Boy
Chapter 19: The Appearance of Sukadeva Gosvami
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 1 chapter 8 describes as Lord Krishna sat upon His chariot preparing to go back to Dwarka, Kunti approached Him. Recalling all the dangers that Lord Krishna had released her and her children from, Kunti said, “You are the original personality and are unaffected by the qualities of the material world. You are existing both within and without everything, yet You are invisible to all. Being beyond the range of limited sense perception, You are invisible to the foolish observer, exactly as an actor dressed as a player is not recognized. O Hrsikesa, master of the senses and Lord of lords, You have released Your mother, Devaki, who was long imprisoned and distressed by the envious Kamsa, and me and my children from a series of constant dangers. Your Lordship has protected us from a poisoned cake, from a great fire, from cannibals, from the vicious assembly, from sufferings during our exile in the forest and from the battle where great generals fought. And now You have saved us from the weapon of Asvatthama."
“I
wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could
see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see
repeated births and deaths. O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the
sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without
being diverted to anyone else.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.18-43)
Once while travelling in his kingdom, Maharaja Pariksit observed a lower-caste sudra, dressed like a king, beating a cow and a bull with a club. The bull was trembling in fear and standing on only one leg. The cow's legs were being beaten; she was weak and her eyes were filled with tears. Pariksit said in a voice just like thunder: "Who are you? You appear to be strong and yet you dare kill, within my protection, those who are helpless! You rogue, do you dare beat an innocent cow because Lord Krishna and Arjuna, the carrier of the Gandiva bow, are out of sight? You are considered a culprit and therefore deserve to be killed." Then Maharaja Pariksit compassionately addressed the bull and the cow, the personalities of religion and the earth, and pacified them. Pariksit turned to the personality of Kali, and took up his sharp sword to kill him. Devious Kali surrendered. Maharaja. Pariksit was kind and could not kill a poor surrendered man and told Kali that he need not fear for his life. Kali thus said to the King, "Please fix some place for me where I can live permanently." Pariksit gave Kali permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter are being performed. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17)
Simply by cleansing the cage the birdcage, one cannot satisfy the bird. Similarly, without knowing the need of the dormant soul, one cannot be happy simply gratifying the body and the mind.
"Eating, sleeping, fearing, and mating are the four principles of animal life. These are common both to animals and human beings. But religious practice is the extra function of the human being. Without Krishna Consciousness practice, human life is no better than animal life." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.2)
Canto 2: The Cosmic Manifestation
Second Canto describes the supremacy of Krishna-bhakti and the process of secondary creation by Lord Brahma; the three creative incarnations (purusa-avataras) of material manifestation - Karanodakasayi Vishnu, Garbhodakashayi Vishnu and Ksirodakashayi Vishnu; descriptions of spiritual and material realms; meditation on the universal form (virat-rupa) and Supersoul (paramatma) as a part of Astanga yoga; catuh-sloki (the four seed verses of Bhagavatam) and finally the definitions of the 10 topics of the Bhagavatam.
Chapter 1: The First Step in God Realization
Chapter 2: The Lord in the Heart
Chapter 3: Pure Devotional Service: The Change in Heart
Chapter 4: The Process of Creation
Chapter 5: The Cause of All Causes
Chapter 6: Purusa-sukta Confirmed
Chapter 7: Scheduled Incarnations with Specific Functions
Chapter 8: Questions by King Pariksit
Chapter 9: Answers by Citing the Lord’s Version
Chapter 10: Bhagavatam Is the Answer to All Questions
Third and Fourth Cantos are Lord Krishna’s thighs. Third canto describes time embryology, family life, Sankhya and bhakti-yoga. Wonderful pastimes of Four Kumaras approaching the gates of Vaikuntha; appearance of Lord Varaha from the nostril of Brahma as a small boar whose measurement was upper portion of thumb and then manifesting as a gigantic Varaha to rescue earth and slay demon Hiranyaksa who had mischievously hid earth beneath waters of Garbhodaka Ocean; description of Vaikuntha planets; pastimes of great Kardama Muni and his wife Devahuti; and teachings of Lord Kapila are described.
Chapter 1: Questions by Vidura
Chapter 2: Remembrance of Lord Krishna
Chapter 3: The Lord’s Pastimes Out of Vrindavana
Chapter 4: Vidura Approaches Maitreya
Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
Chapter 6: Creation of the Universal Form
Chapter 7: Further Inquiries by Vidura
Chapter 8: Manifestation of Brahma from Garbhodakasayi Vishnu
Chapter 9: Brahma’s Prayers for Creative Energy
Chapter 10: Divisions of the Creation
Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumaras and Others
Chapter 13: The Appearance of Lord Varaha
Chapter 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening
Chapter 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
Chapter 16: The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya, Cursed by the Sages
Chapter 17: Victory of Hiranyaksa Over All the Directions of the Universe
Chapter 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiranyaksa
Chapter 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiranyaksa
Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
Chapter 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama
Chapter 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahuti
Chapter 23: Devahuti’s Lamentation
Chapter 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni
Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service
Chapter 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
Chapter 27: Understanding Material Nature
Chapter 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service
Chapter 29: Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila
Chapter 30: Description by Lord Kapila of Adverse Fruitive Activities
Chapter 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
Chapter 32: Entanglement in Fruitive Activities
Fourth Canto describes inspiring and instructive pastimes of Dhruva, Lord Siva, Narada, Anga, Prthu and the Pracetas, who all showed extraordinary examples of bhakti. On the contrary, atheistic personalities like King Vena caused political crisis and disturbance to saintly people on earth. After King Vena was killed due to blasphemy to the Supreme Lord, Prthu, a partial incarnation of Supreme Lord appeared to protect the people of the world and revive devotional culture. There is also a description of King Puranjana who was overly attached to his wife and due to this his consciousness became so much transformed that in his next life he got the body of a woman. One can also learn about the unfavourable attitudes in bhakti from the mistakes of characters like Daksa, Suruci, Vena, Indra and Pracinabarhi. We get to witness how the positive transformation undergone by many of these personalities, mainly due the intervention of devotees, adds to the glory of bhakti. Prayers of pure devotees like Dhruva, Prthu and the Pracetas uncover the depths of the foremost aspiration of a devotee to hear Krishna-katha in the association of devotees.
Chapter 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu
Chapter 2: Daksa Curses Lord Siva
Chapter 3: Talks Between Lord Siva and Sati
Chapter 4: Sati Quits Her Body
Chapter 5: Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksa
Chapter 6: Brahma Satisfies Lord Siva
Chapter 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Daksa
Chapter 8: Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest
Chapter 9: Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home
Chapter 10: Dhruva Maharaja’s Fight with the Yaksas
Chapter 11: Svayambhuva Manu Advises Dhruva Maharaja to Stop Fighting
Chapter 12: Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back to Godhead
Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Maharaja
Chapter 14: The Story of King Vena
Chapter 15: King Prthu’s Appearance and Coronation
Chapter 16: Praise of King Prthu by the Professional Reciters
Chapter 17: Maharaja Prthu Becomes Angry at the Earth
Chapter 18: Prthu Maharaja Milks the Earth Planet
Chapter 19: King Prthu’s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
Chapter 20: Lord Vishnu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Maharaja Prthu
Chapter 21: Instructions by Maharaja Prthu
Chapter 22: Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras
Chapter 23: Maharaja Prthu’s Going Back Home
Chapter 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Siva
Chapter 25: The Descriptions of the Characteristics of King Puranjana
Chapter 26: King Puranjana Goes to the Forest to Hunt, and His Queen Becomes Angry
Chapter 27: Attack by Candavega on the City of King Puranjana; the Character of Kalakanya
Chapter 28: Puranjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life
Chapter 29: Talks Between Narada and King Pracīnabarhi
Chapter 30: The Activities of the Pracetas
Chapter 31: Narada Instructs the Pracetas
Lord Siva, Prajapati Daksha and Sati’s Pastime
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4 chapters 2 to 7 describe, once when Prajapati Daksha entered assembly where great sacrifice was performed, everyone present there except Brahma and Lord Siva, stood-up to honour Daksha. Daksha became very offended and angry by Lord Siva’s behaviour. Infatuated by false pride, he chastised Lord Siva with harsh words and insults in spite that his daughter Sati had married Siva. Daksha then left the assembly after cursing him.
Later Daksha performed a great Yajna by inviting everyone except Lord Siva. When Sati came to know about this, she requested Siva her desire to attend yajna. Siva forbade her to go telling her that she won’t be respected there due to strong insults by Daksha. Nevertheless out of affection for her family members, Sati went to Daksha’s house. Enduring insults and Daksha’s harsh criticism towards her husband Lord Siva, Sati became very angry and self-immolated herself. When Lord Siva heard this, he became extremely remorseful and angry.
He pulled a hair from his head and created fearful demon, Virabhadra instructing him to kill Daksha. At that time there was a dust storm and the atmosphere became very dark and Virabhadra created a great disturbance at the sacrificial arena. Virabhadra captured Daksha and with a wooden device beheaded Daksha. Later when animal's head was fixed on the body of Daksha, he immediately came to the consciousness. At that time, when Daksha saw Lord Siva, his heart, which was polluted by envy, was cleansed. He offered prayers to Lord Siva. Pardoned by Lord Siva, he began the performance of the sacrifice. When Daksha offered the oblations, Lord Narayana appeared seated on the Garuda.
Dhruva Maharaja’s Pastime
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4 chapters 8 to 12 describe the wonderful pastime of Dhruva Maharaja. King Uttanapada had two queens Suniti and Suruci. Suruci was more dear to him and Suniti begot a son named Dhruva. One day little Dhruva climbed his father’s lap, however his stepmother Suruci stopped him. Out of pride and envy, she told Dhruva that he was not qualified to sit on his father's lap nor to ascend the throne because he had not taken birth from her womb. If Dhruva all desire to rise to the throne, then he has to undergo severe austerities by satisfying the Supreme Lord Narayana, and then, when favoured by Him, he shall have to take next birth from her womb.
After deliberate consideration and fixed determination, Dhruva left to the forest. When great sage Narada Muni heard this news, he was struck with wonder. Dhruva told Narada of his desire to have a kingdom more exalted than any yet achieved by anyone and asked him what was the best way to achieve this. When Narada saw that Dhruva would not be swayed from his determination to fulfil his desires, he instructed him on the path of devotional service to the Supreme Lord and asked him to go to Madhuvana forest and gave him specific instructions to worship Supreme Lord giving him mantra: Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.
Following Narada’s advise, for the 1st month, Dhruva ate only fruits; 2nd month, he only ate dry grass and leaves; 3rd month he only drank water; 4th month he became master of his breathing and only inhaled on every 12th day; by 5th month he stood on one leg without movement, completely absorbed concentrating in the worship of the Supreme Lord.
Brilliant form of the Lord on which Dhruva was absorbed in meditation, suddenly disappeared after 5 months and his meditation broke. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Narayana personally present before him. Dhruva fell before the Lord like a rod and offered his obeisances. He wanted to offer prayers to the Lord but due to his inexperience he hesitated, not knowing how to describe the Lord.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4 chapter 24 describes Lord Siva’s prayers to the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva, known as the hymn of liberation. Out of his great mercy Lord Siva told the Prachetas the sons of King Pracinabarhi, "Now I shall chant one mantra which is not only transcendental, pure and auspicious, but is the best prayer for anyone who is aspiring to attain the ultimate goal of life. When I chant this mantra, please hear it carefully and attentively."
Siva addressed the Lord, “O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You. You are the most exalted of all self-realized souls. Since You are always auspicious for the self-realized, I wish that You be auspicious for me. You are worshipable by virtue of the all-perfect instructions You give. You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Vasudeva. By expanding Your transcendental vibrations, You reveal the actual meaning of everything. You are the all-pervading sky within and without, and You are the ultimate goal of pious activities executed both within this material world and beyond it. Your beauty resembles a dark cloud during the rainy season. Your exquisitely beautiful face with eyes is like lotus petals, a beautiful highly raised nose, a mind-attracting smile, a beautiful forehead and equally beautiful and fully decorated ears. Those who desire to purify their existence must always engage in meditation upon Your lotus feet. Those who are serious about executing their occupational duties and who want freedom from fear must take to this process of bhakti-yoga. Pure devotional service is even difficult for liberated persons to discharge, but devotional service alone can satisfy You. Your lotus feet are the cause of all auspicious things and the destroyer of all the contamination of sin. I therefore beg Your Lordship to bless me by the association of Your devotees, who are completely purified by worshiping Your lotus feet and who are so merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your real benediction will be to allow me to associate with such devotees. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto You.”
Just chant this prayer fixing your mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. That will bring you all good fortune. A devotee of Lord Krishna whose mind is always absorbed in Him, who with great attention and reverence chants this stotra [prayer], will achieve the greatest perfection of life without delay. (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4 chapter 24 verses 18 to 74)
Fifth Canto is the lotus navel of the Supreme Lord. Sukadeva Gosvami describes the pastimes of notable personalities Lord Rsabhadeva, Maharaja Bharata, Jada Bharata. All these pastimes culminate in the glorification of bhakti. The Forest of Material Enjoyment and futility of its entanglement in forgetfulness of devotion to Lord Krishna; the positioning of various planetary systems within the structure of the universe for the inhabitation of various living entities; descriptions of various hellish planets are vividly described. Majesty and grandeur of the Lord’s creation is unfathomable for an ordinary human. It is recommended that one faithfully adhere to the teachings of the scriptures and pursue the spiritual path.
Chapter 1: The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata
Chapter 2: The Activities of Maharaja Agnīdhra
Chapter 3: Rsabhadeva’s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi
Chapter 4: The Characteristics of Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Chapter 5: Lord Rsabhadeva’s Teachings to His Sons
Chapter 7: The Activities of Lord Rsabhadeva
Chapter 7: The Activities of King Bharata
Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Maharaja
Chapter 9: The Supreme Character of Jada Bharata
Chapter 10: The Discussion Between Jada Bharata and Maharaja Rahuguna
Chapter 11: Jada Bharata Instructs King Rahuguna
Chapter 12: Conversation Between Maharaja Rahuguna and Jada Bharata
Chapter 13: Further Talks Between King Rahuguna and Jada Bharata
Chapter 14: The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment
Chapter 15: The Glories of the Descendants of King Priyavrata
Chapter 16: A Description of Jambudvīpa
Chapter 17: The Descent of the River Ganges
Chapter 18: The Prayers Offered to the Lord by the Residents of Jambudvipa
Chapter 19: A Description of the Island of Jambudvipa
Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
Chapter 21: The Movements of the Sun
Chapter 22: The Orbits of the Planets
Chapter 23: The Sisumara Planetary Systems
Chapter 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets
Chapter 25: The Glories of Lord Ananta
Chapter 26: A Description of the Hellish Planets
Pastimes of Bharat Maharaja
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapters 7 to 14 describes the wonderful pastime of most exalted devotee Maharaja Bharata, who being attached to a deer at the end of his life, took birth as a deer in his next birth. Later, realizing about his last birth as a deer, and extremely lamenting that he deviated from the path of devotion, he took the body as Jada Bharata, dedicating his whole life in remembrance of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.
Jada Bharata was ordered by his step brothers to guard a paddy field. One night, the leader of the dacoits, desiring a son, planned to worship the goddess Bhadra Kali by offering her a dull man in sacrifice, considered to be no better than an animal. The dacoits found Jada Bharata sitting in a paddy field, and they thought him to be a perfect man-animal for their sacrifice. After the preparations for the sacrifice, the dacoit took up his sword and chanted the mantra to Kali, preparing to offer her the blood of Jada Bharata. Kali understood that Jada Bharata was a great devotee. Suddenly, the deity's body burst and the goddess Kali emerged personally, infuriated, and decapitated all the rogues and thieves with the very sword with which they had intended to kill Jada Bharata.
One day King Rahugana needed a carrier for his palanquin and his chief carrier found Jada Bharata. He was forced to carry the palanquin. While carrying the King in his palanquin, Jada Bharata was very careful not to step on any ants, so he kept stopping to let them pass. Because of this, the palanquin was shaking, and the king began to criticize him sarcastically with filthy language. Jada Bharata did not become angry, but he spoke to the king, saying that he was not the body, and therefore not the carrier of the palanquin. Jada Bharat described to Rahugana the true nature of the soul.
King Rahugana then got down from his palanquin and fell flat on the ground before Jada Bharata. He recognized that he had tried to insult a great devotee and he prayed to him sincerely, asking him who he really was. Rahugana was initially very proud of knowledge and position. When Jada Bharata spoke to him, he felt enlightened with the transcendental knowledge and begged him to elaborate with further details.
Jada Bharata thus described figuratively the forest of the material world. He explained that this material world is like a great forest in which one becomes entangled due to association with material life. In this forest there are plunderers (the six senses) as well as carnivorous animals like jackals, wolves and lions (wife, children and other relatives) who are always anxious to suck the blood from the head of the family.
Coming into the forest and being captivated by so many material attractions, one identifies himself with this material world, society, friendship, love and family. Having lost the path and not knowing where to go, one is also victimized by many desires. Thus one works very hard within the forest and wanders here and there. He becomes captivated by temporary happiness and becomes aggrieved by so-called distress.
Thus one within the forest of the material world suffers the pains of material existence. Expecting to become happy, the living entity changes his position from one place to another, but actually a materialistic person within the material world is never happy. He forgets that one day he has to die. Although he suffers severely, being illusioned by the material energy, he still hankers after material happiness. In this way he completely forgets his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krishna.
Wandering in the forest of the material world, the conditioned soul sometimes hears an invisible cricket making harsh sounds, and his ears become very much aggrieved. Sometimes his heart is pained by the sounds of owls, which are just like the harsh words of his enemies. Sometimes he takes shelter in a tree that has no fruits or flowers. He approaches such a tree due to his strong appetite, and thus he suffers. He would like to acquire water, but he is simply illusioned by a mirage, and he runs after it. (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 5 chapter 13 verse 5)
Sixth Canto is the chest of Lord Krishna. It describes protection offered by the Lord to His devotees, even if they sometimes transgress the laws of dharma accidentally. This canto begins with the glorification of the Lord’s holy names through the pastime of Ajamila. Glorious pastimes of pure devotee Vrtrasura who took birth as demon; offenses and struggles of Indra pastimes of King Citraketu are described in this Canto. Vrtrasura’s previous life as King Citraketu reveals the insubstantial nature of material relationships, compassion of a devotee in uplifting a struggling soul, the care needed in dealing with devotees, and eagerness of the Lord to reclaim His devotees. The canto concludes with the transformation of Diti and Indra by bhakti.
Chapter 1: The History of the Life of Ajamila
Chapter 2: Ajamila Delivered by the Visnudutas
Chapter 3: Yamaraja Instructs His Messengers
Chapter 4: The Hamsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajapati Daksa
Chapter 5: Narada Muni Cursed by Prajapati Daksa
Chapter 6: The Progeny of the Daughters of Daksa
Chapter 7: Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brhaspati
Chapter 8: The Narayana-kavaca Shield
Chapter 9: Appearance of the Demon Vrtasura
Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and Vrtasura
Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vrtasura
Chapter 12: Vrtasura’s Glorious Death
Chapter 13: King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction
Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation
Chapter 15: The Saints Narada and Angira Instruct King Citraketu
Chapter 16: King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord
Chapter 17: Mother Parvatī Curses Citraketu
Chapter 18: Diti Vows to Kill King Indra
Chapter 19: Performing the Pumsavana Ritualistic Ceremony
Ajamila Delivered by the Vishnudutas
Ajamila was a greatly sinful man, but was liberated when four order carriers of Krishna, Vishnudutas, who came to rescue him from the hands of the order carriers of Yamaraja, Yamadutas. His parents trained him to become a perfect brahmana by studying the Vedas and following the regulative principles. But because of his past, he was somehow attracted by a prostitute, and because of her association became most fallen and abandoned all regulative principles.
Once, on the way home he came upon a sudra, a low-class man, shamelessly embracing and kissing a prostitute. Both the man and the prostitute were drunk. When Ajamila saw her, the lusty desires in his heart awakened. He tried to control his lusty desires with his intelligence, but he could not control his mind. He lost all good sense and was always thinking of the prostitute. Within a little while, Ajamila took her as a servant in his house and abandoned all brahminical activities.
Ajamila, gave trouble to others by cheating them in gambling or by directly plundering them. This was the way he earned his livelihood and maintained his wife and children. While he thus spent his time in abominable, sinful activities, 88 years of his life passed by. Ajamila had ten sons, of whom the youngest named Narayana was very dear to him. Always engaged in taking care of the child and calling his name, Narayana. When the time of death arrived for the foolish Ajamila, he began thinking exclusively of his son Narayana.
Ajamila then saw three awkward persons with deformed bodily features, fierce, twisted faces, and hair standing erect on their bodies. With ropes in their hands, they had come to take him away to the abode of Yamaraja. When he saw them he was extremely bewildered, and because of attachment to his child, Ajamila began to call him loudly by his name. With tears in his eyes he somehow chanted the holy name of Narayana.
The order carriers of Vishnu, the Visnudutas, immediately arrived when they heard the holy name of their master from the mouth of the dying Ajamila, who had certainly chanted without offense because he had chanted in complete anxiety. Yamdutas were snatching the soul from the core of the heart of Ajamila, but with resounding voices the messengers of Visnudutas, forbade them to do so.
When Yamdutas were thus forbidden, a discussion ensued between the Yamadutas and Visnudutas. Visnudutas explained: “Simply by once chanting the holy name of Narayana, this brahmana has become free from the reactions of sinful life. Indeed, he has been freed not only from the sins of this life, but from the sins of many, many thousands of other lives. He has already undergone true atonement for all his sinful actions. If one atones according to the directions of the sastras, one does not actually become free from sinful reactions, but if one chants the holy name of the Lord, even a glimpse of such chanting can immediately free one from all sins. Chanting the glories of the Lord’s holy name awakens all good fortune. Therefore there is no doubt that Ajamila, being completely free from all sinful reactions, should not be punished by Yamaraja.”
Visnudutas then released Ajamila from the ropes of the Yamadutas and left for their own abode. Ajamila offered his respectful obeisances to the Visnudutas. He understood how fortunate he was to have chanted the holy name of Narayana at the end of his life. Indeed, he could realize the full significance of this good fortune. He thus became a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord. Lamenting very much for how very sinful he had been, and he condemned himself again and again.
Visvarupa instructed lndra about the Narayana-kavacha shield, which enabled him to conquer the demons. Although Visvarupa assisted demigods but because of affection for the demons, he secretly supplied them the remnants of yajna. When Indra learned this, he beheaded Visvarupa, but he later regretted killing as he was a brahmana. After Visvarupa was killed, his father, Tvasta, performed a sacrifice to kill King Indra. However because the mantras were chanted irregularly, this yielded an opposite result, as a result the sacrifice produced an asura named Vrtrasura, of whom Indra was the enemy. Vrtrasura’s fierce features made the whole world afraid, and his personal effulgence diminished even the power of the demigods. Finding no other means of protection, the demigods began to worship the Supreme Lord because ultimately no one but Him can protect a living entity from fear and danger. Seeking shelter of a demigod instead of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead is compared to trying to cross the ocean by grasping the tail of a dog. A dog can swim, but that does not mean that one can cross the ocean by grasping a dog’s tail.
Being pleased with the demigods, the Supreme Lord advised them to approach Dadhici to beg him for the bones of his own body. With the help of his bones Vrtrasura could be killed. For higher purposes and engaging himself at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, Dadhici relinquished his body. Visvakarma, then prepared a thunderbolt from Dadhici’s bones.
A fierce battle ensued between the demigods and the asuras. During the fight between Indra and Vritrasura, Indra cut off one of Vritrasura's arms with his thunderbolt. Vritrasura prayed to the Supreme Lord, “O my Lord, O Supreme Lord, will I again be able to be a servant of Your eternal servants who find shelter only at Your lotus feet? O Lord of my life, may I again become their servant so that my mind may always think of Your transcendental attributes, my words always glorify those attributes, and my body always engage in the loving service of Your Lordship? I am wandering throughout this material world as a result of my fruitive activities. Therefore I simply seek friendship in the association of Your pious and enlightened devotees. My attachment to my body, wife, children and home is continuing by the spell of Your external energy, but I wish to be attached to them no longer. Let my mind, my consciousness and everything I have be attached only to You."
The Narayana armour protected King lndra and with his thunderbolt lndra then cut off Vritrasura's head, which was as high as the peak of a mountain. At that time, the living spark came forth from Vritrasura's body and returned home, back to Godhead. While all the demigods looked on, he entered the transcendental world to become an associate of Lord Sankarsana.
Seventh Canto and Eighth Canto represent the arms of the Supreme Lord. Seventh Canto presents two types of bhakti: (i) suddha-bhakti or pure devotional service of Prahlada (for whom Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared and killed Hiranyakasipu), in the first 10 chapters, and (ii) misra-bhakti or mixed devotional service done by varnasrama followers, in the last five chapters. In misra-bhakti, bhakti is mixed with karma or jnana as a major or minor element.
Chapter 1: The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone
Chapter 2: Hiranyakasipu, King of the Demons
Chapter 3: Hiranyakasipu’s Plan to Become Immortal
Chapter 4: Hiranyakasipu Terrorizes the Universe
Chapter 5: Prahlada Maharaja, the Saintly Son of Hiranyakasipu
Chapter 6: Prahlada Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates
Chapter 7: What Prahlada Learned in the Womb
Chapter 8: Lord Nrsimhadeva Slays the King of the Demons
Chapter 9: Prahlada Pacifies Lord Nrsimhadeva with Prayers
Chapter 10: Prahlada, the Best Among Exalted Devotees
Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes
Chapter 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes
Chapter 13: The Behavior of a Perfect Person
Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life
Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 7 chapters 1-10 describe the wonderful pastime of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Supreme Lord appeared as Lord Nrsimhadeva, the half-man, half-lion incarnation to protect His dear-most devotee Prahlada from severe atrocities and disturbances from his father Hiranyakasipu because of his demoniac activities to the entire universe. Hiranyakasipu performed severe austerities and gained invincible boons from Brahma that he not be killed – by any living entity- human being, animal, demigod or demon; neither die on land, air, water, or by any weapon; neither inside nor outside of any residence; Neither in the day nor at night.
Thinking himself to have become immortal, he terrorised and tormented the universe by inflicting severe atrocities, refuting authority of Supreme Power, daring Lord Krishna and establishing his own supremacy. However, his own son Prahlada was a great staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. Hiranyakasipu made several attempts to kill Prahlada by throwing him in a pit of snakes, piercing with tridents, throwing off the cliff and burning him. Prahlada, however, being extremely devoted and having unflinching faith on Lord Krishna, was saved every time!
Seeing that nothing could hurt Prahlada, Hiranyakasipu became extremely frustrated and anxious. Finally, he himself decided to kill Prahlada. It was then Lord Nrsimhadeva, burst out of a pillar in Hiranyakasipu’s palace and slayed him after ensued battle, simultaneously keeping all boons of Brahma intact. And thus, fulfilling as Lord Krishna declared in Bhagavad-Gita 4.7: “Whenever and wherever, there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.”
Eighth Canto vividly describes manvantara or the reign of the Manus. Manus are the administrators of the universe, appointed by the Supreme Lord. There are fourteen Manus who rule in one day of Lord Brahma (kalpa) that spans over 1000 catur-yugas (combination of the four yugas namely Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali). This canto describes amazing pastimes of Gajendra, Samudra Manthan, Matsya avatara and Bali Maharaja’s deliverance by Lord Vamanadeva. In all these pastimes, the Lord’s protection aspect is vividly described.
Chapter 1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe
Chapter 2: The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis
Chapter 3: Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender
Chapter 4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World
Chapter 5: The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection
Chapter 6: The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce
Chapter 7: Lord Siva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison
Chapter 8: The Churning of the Milk Ocean
Chapter 9: The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Murti
Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons
Chapter 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons
Chapter 12: The Mohini-murti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Siva
Chapter 13: Description of Future Manus
Chapter 14: The System of Universal Management
Chapter 15: Bali Maharaja Conquers the Heavenly Planets
Chapter 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
Chapter 17: The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son
Chapter 18: Lord Vamanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation
Chapter 19: Lord Vamanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Maharaja
Chapter 20: Bali Maharaja Surrenders the Universe
Chapter 21: Bali Maharaja Arrested by the Lord
Chapter 22: Bali Maharaja Surrenders His Life
Chapter 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets
Chapter 24: Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation
Gajendra’s Pastime
Seeing Gajendra in such an aggrieved position, the unborn Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, immediately severed the crocodile's mouth from its body with His disc. At once the crocodile assumed a beautiful form as a Gandharva. In his previous life he had been King Hiihii, the best of the Gandharvas, but Devala Muni cursed him to become a crocodile. Gajendra's good fortune was even greater, for he had been touched directly by the hands of the Supreme Lord, this immediately freed him of all material ignorance and bondage. Thus he received the salvation of sarupya-mukti, by which he achieved the same bodily features as the Lord, being dressed in yellow garments and possessing four hands.
Churning of Ocean of Milk
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 8 chapters 5 to 7 describe that demigods after being cursed by Durvasa Muni were defeated in battle by the asuras (demons). Being deprived of their kingdom, went along with Lord Brahma to the shore of the Ocean of Milk and offered prayers to Lord Krishna appealing for their protection. Pleased by their prayers, the Supreme Lord instructed them to make a peace proposal to the demons, so that after formulating a truce, both demigods and demons churn the Ocean of Milk. The rope would be a serpent, Vasuki and the churning rod would be Mandara Mountain. Poison would also be produced from churning, but it would be taken by Lord Siva. Many other attractive things would also be generated, but Lord warned the demigods not to be captivated nor get angry if there were some disturbances.
When the churning resumed, a huge amount of poison (kalakuta) was produced. Lord Siva became compassionate and drank all the devastating poison. After drinking the poison, his neck became bluish. A small quantity of the poison dropped from his hands and it is because of this poison that there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, toxic plants and other poisonous things in this world.
Taking courage, demigods and demons resumed churning the Ocean of Milk. The Surabhi cow was produced first, which saintly persons accepted. Then, a horse named Uccaihsrava was generated, which was taken by Bali Maharaja. Like this many most precious jewels were generated. Then, a wonderful male person, Dhanvantari appeared. He was very beautiful and carried a jug filled with nectar. Demons immediately snatched the jug from His hand and began to run away. Demigods became very morose and took shelter of Lord Krishna. Demons began to fight among themselves; Lord Krishna solaced the demigods, who therefore did not fight, but remained silent.
While demons were fighting amongst themselves, the Supreme Lord Himself appeared as Mohini-Murti, an extraordinarily beautiful woman in the universe. When Mohini Murti came before the assembly of demons, they were stunned by Her most exquisite beauty. They requested Her to decide which of the demons should drink the nectar first. Mohini made demons promise that whatever decision She gave, they would not refuse to accept it. Having made this promise, Mohini-murti asked demigods and demons to sit in different lines to distribute the nectar.
As demons were unfit to drink the nectar, She distributed all the nectar to the demigods. Even though demons saw this, they remained silent. But one demon, Rahu, dressed himself like a demigod and sat down in the line of the demigods. He sat beside the sun and the moon. When Mohini understood that Rahu was cheating, She immediately cut off the demon’s head. Rahu, however, had already tasted the nectar and therefore although his head was severed, he remained alive. After the demigods finished drinking the nectar, Supreme Lord assumed His original form.
When Lord Siva heard the glories of Supreme Lord as a most attractive women, he mounted his bull and went to see the Lord. Seeing Mohini-Murti, he was immediately enchanted by Her beauty and began to chase Her. As he was chasing, a flower from plait of Mohini-Murti fell down. As Lord Siva smelt the flower, he found Sri Krishna in the form of Mohini-Murti. Lord Krishna asked Siva about his experience. Lord Siva was not at all embarrassed by his actions. He was actually very happy and told, ‘This is my pride; that the whole world knows that I am subordinate to You! The fact that You personally bewildered me shows the world that I am always subordinate to You.’
Lord Vamanadeva and Maharaja Bali’s Pastime
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 8 chapters 15 to 22 describes the astonishing pastime of Vamana avatar, an extraordinary astonishing incarnation of Supreme Lord who appeared as the son of Kasyapa Muni and Aditi to regain the universe for His devotees- the demigods from the great King Bali who had ruled over the entire universe.
Lord Vamana, a brahmana dwarf tricked Bali Maharaja by asking for 3 steps of land. When Bali agreed to offer Lord 3 steps, Vamanadeva acting in terms of the material energy expanded His body and covered the whole earth with His first step. With His second step He covered everything in the universe that was within His body, including the earth, the planetary systems, the sky and all the directions. Finally, when there was no place left for Him to take His third step, Lord Vamana asked Bali where He should place His third step that Bali had promised. Bali was fixed to satisfy Lord Vamana to fulfil his promise. He remembered the great determination of his grandfather Prahlada in devotional service. Bali Maharaja, with great humility then requested Lord Vamana to place His third step on his head. Lord Vamana then placed His third lotus foot step on Bali's head, who thus surrendered everything to the Lord. By mercy of Lord, Bali could see that the Lord is all-pervading and that everything rests in His body.
Lord Vamana was extremely pleased with the great determination of Bali of him being fixed in devotional service despite losing all his possessions. He gave Bali the Sutala planet whose opulence is far greater than of Indra’s. Lord Vamana also agreed to become the doorman of Sutala planet, and because this planet is especially protected by Lord, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Lord Vamana, in this way also satisfied the desire of Aditi, the mother of demigods in regaining their kingdom.
Ninth Canto represents the throat of Lord Krishna. This canto describes the pastimes of descent of Ganges River to earth after being satisfied by the austerities of King Bhagiratha; amazing pastimes of great devotee Maharaja Ambarisa being saved from the wrath of Durvasa Muni and wonderful pastimes of Lord Ramacandra.
Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman
Chapter 2: The Dynasties of the Sons of Manu
Chapter 3: The Marriage of Sukanya and Cyavana Muni
Chapter 4: Ambarisa Maharaja Offended by Durvasa Muni
Chapter 5: Durvasa Muni’s Life Spared
Chapter 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni
Chapter 7: The Descendants of King Mandhata
Chapter 8: The Sons of Sagara Meet Lord Kapiladeva
Chapter 9: The Dynasty of Ansuman
Chapter 10: The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Ramacandra
Chapter 11: Lord Ramacandra Rules the World
Chapter 12: The Dynasty of Kusa, the Son of Lord Ramacandra
Chapter 13: The Dynasty of Maharaja Nimi
Chapter 14: King Pururava Enchanted by Urvasi
Chapter 15: Parasurama, the Lord’s Warrior Incarnation
Chapter 15: Lord Parasurama Destroys the World’s Ruling Class
Chapter 17: The Dynasties of the Sons of Pururava
Chapter 18: King Yayati Regains His Youth
Chapter 19: King Yayati Achieves Liberation
Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Puru
Chapter 21: The Dynasty of Bharata
Chapter 22: The Descendants of Ajamidha
Chapter 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayati
Chapter 24: Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Ambarisa Maharaja and Durvasa Muni
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9 chapters 4-5 describe, to worship Lord Krishna, Maharaja Ambarisa, observed the vow of Ekadasi for one year. After observing this vow, just as Ambarisa was about to break his fast, Durvasa Muni, a powerful mystic, arrived unannounced. Ambarisa humbly requested the sage to eat and Durvasa gladly accepted. However, he asked the Ambarisa to wait a few moments while he performed the necessary rituals of bathing in the Yamuna River. As the Ambarisa waited and waited, the proper period for breaking the fast was rapidly expiring. In this dilemma, Ambarisa consulted with the brahmanas and decided to drink water-for drinking water is considered as both eating and not eating.
When Durvasa Muni returned, he could understand that the Ambarisa had drunk water without his permission. Durvasa became angry and spoke: "Alas, just see the behaviour of this cruel man! He is not a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Being proud of his material opulence and his position, he considers himself God. Just see how he has transgressed the laws of religion. Ambarisa, you have invited me to eat as a guest, but instead of feeding me, you yourself have eaten first. Because of your misbehaviour, I shall show you something to punish you." Uprooting a bunch of hair from his head, Durvasa created a demon resembling the blazing fire of devastation to punish Ambarisa.
Upon seeing that his attempt to curse Ambarisa had failed and that the Lord's Sudarsana cakra was moving toward him, Durvasa became very frightened and run in all directions to save his life. Sudarsana cakra followed Durvasa everywhere and was almost touching his back. To protect himself, Durvasa swiftly fled everywhere, in all directions-in the sky, on earth, in caves, in the ocean, on different planets of the rulers of the three worlds and on the heavenly planets. But wherever he went, he saw the unbearable fire of the Sudarsana cakra following him.
To escape the Sudarshana chakra, Durvasa first ran to Lord Brahma to beg him for protection. Brahma replied that he could not protect him from the chakra sent by the Supreme Lord; and so Durvasa Muni went to take shelter of Lord Siva. Lord Siva told him that he also could do nothing against the weapon of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Durvasa Muni finally went to Vaikuntha and fell at the feet of Lord Narayana, begging Him for protection. Lord Narayana said, “I cannot protect you, for I am completely under the control of My devotees. Because my devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of the hearts who are completely attached to Me and are always satisfied to be engaged in My loving service. By offending Maharaja Ambarisa, you have acted with self-envy, for one's so-called prowess, when employed against a devotee, certainly harms he who employs it. I instruct you to go to Ambarisa immediately and beg forgiveness for your offense. If you could satisfy Ambarisa, then you would be spared.”
Durvasa Muni fell down and clasped the lotus feet of Maharaja Ambarisa. Aggrieved at Durvasa's fearful condition, King Ambarisa immediately began offering prayers to the great weapon Sudarshana cakra of the Supreme Lord. Ambarisa said, "If the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is one without a second, who is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities, and who is the life and soul of all living entities, is pleased with us, we wish that this brahmana, Durvasa, be freed from the pain of being burned." Thus, the Sudarshana chakra became peaceful and Durvasa was relieved. Durvasa appreciated the greatness of the Lord's devotees and he glorified Ambarisa.
Lord Ramacandra’s Pastimes
Lord Rama, the Personality of Godhead, appeared as the son of King Dasaratha in Treta-yuga. Lord descended in His quadruple expansion as Lord Ramacandra, Laksmana, Bharata and Satrughna. Great sages like Valmiki have described His wonderful transcendental pastimes in the great epic Ramayana, which are also described in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9.
Srimad-Bhagavatam chapter 9 describes when Ganga was satisfied with the austerities of King Bhagiratha, she appeared before him and asked him what he desired. The King wanted mother Ganga to come down to the earth, to deliver his forefathers. Mother Ganga replied that if she fell down from the sky to the earth, her waters would be so forceful that if no one sustained them, they would pierce right through the earth to the planetary system below it. Bhagiratha said that Lord Siva, being an incarnation of the Lord, could sustain the forceful waves on his head. Bhagiratha then performed austerities to Lord Siva, who was quickly satisfied with him and agreed to sustain the Ganga on his head.
Tenth Canto of Bhagavatam is the beautiful lotus face of Lord Krishna and vividly describes the topic of asraya, or the Supreme shelter Sri Krishna. Sukadeva Gosvami ecstatically describes in this longest canto, the appearance and pastimes of Lord Krishna in Vrindavana, Mathura, Dwarka, Hastinapura and other places. Krishna’s unlimited transcendental attributes, His amazing reciprocations with the love of His devotees and His compassionate deliverance of those who are inimical to Him, as described in this canto are the worthiest subject matters for one’s contemplation. They constitute the most precious gift for the devotees to absorb themselves in Krishna’s glories.
Chapter 1: The Advent of Lord Krishna: IntroductionChapter 2: Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krishna in the Womb
Chapter 3: The Birth of Lord Krishna
Chapter 4: The Atrocities of King Kamsa
Chapter 5: The Meeting of Nanda Maharaja and Vasudeva
Chapter 6: The Killing of the Demon Putana
Chapter 7: The Killing of the Demon Trnavarta
Chapter 8: Lord Krishna Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth
Chapter 9: Mother Yasoda Binds Lord Krishna
Chapter 10: The Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees
Chapter 11: The Childhood Pastimes of Krishna
Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura
Chapter 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahma
Chapter 14: Brahma’s Prayers to Lord Krishna
Chapter 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon
Chapter 16: Krishna Chastises the Serpent Kaliya
Chapter 17: The History of Kaliya
Chapter 18: Lord Balarama Slays the Demon Pralamba
Chapter 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire
Chapter 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vrindavana
Chapter 21: The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Krishna’s Flute
Chapter 22: Krishna Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopīs
Chapter 23: The Brahmanas’ Wives Blessed
Chapter 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill
Chapter 25: Lord Krishna Lifts Govardhana Hill
Chapter 26: Wonderful Krishna
Chapter 27: Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers
Chapter 28: Krishna Rescues Nanda Maharaja from the Abode of Varuna
Chapter 29: Krishna and the Gopis Meet for the Rasa Dance
Chapter 30: The Gopis Search for Krishna
Chapter 31: The Gopis’ Songs of Separation
Chapter 32: The Reunion
Chapter 33: The Rasa Dance
Chapter 34: Nanda Maharaja Saved and Sankhacuda Slain
Chapter 35: The Gopis Sing of Krishna as He Wanders in the Forest
Chapter 36: The Slaying of Arista, the Bull Demon
Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Kesi and Vyoma
Chapter 38: Akrura’s Arrival in Vrindavana
Chapter 39: Akrura’s Vision
Chapter 40: The Prayers of Akrura
Chapter 41: Krishna and Balarama Enter Mathura
Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
Chapter 43: Krishna Kills the Elephant Kuvalayapida
Chapter 44: The Killing of Kamsa
Chapter 45: Krishna Rescues His Teacher’s Son
Chapter 46: Uddhava Visits Vrindavana
Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee
Chapter 48: Krishna Pleases His Devotees
Chapter 49: Akrura’s Mission in Hastinapura
Chapter 50: Krishna Establishes the City of Dvaraka
Chapter 51: The Deliverance of Mucukunda
Chapter 52: Rukmini’s Message to Lord Krishna
Chapter 53: Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini
Chapter 54: The Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini
Chapter 55: The History of Pradyumna
Chapter 56: The Syamantaka Jewel
Chapter 57: Satrajit Murdered, the Jewel Returned
Chapter 58: Krishna Marries Five Princesses
Chapter 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka
Chapter 60: Lord Krishna Teases Queen Rukmini.
Chapter 61: Lord Balarama Slays Rukmi
Chapter 62: The Meeting of Usa and Aniruddha
Chapter 63: Lord Krishna Fights with Baṇāsura
Chapter 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
Chapter 65: Lord Balarama Visits Vrindavana
Chapter 66: Paundraka, the False Vasudeva
Chapter 67: Lord Balarama Slays Dvivida Gorilla
Chapter 68: The Marriage of Samba
Chapter 69: Narada Muni Visits Lord Krishna’s Palaces in Dvaraka
Chapter 70: Lord Krishna’s Daily Activities
Chapter 71: The Lord Travels to Indraprastha
Chapter 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarasandha
Chapter 73: Lord Krishna Blesses the Liberated Kings
Chapter 74: The Deliverance of Sisupala at the Rajasuya Sacrifice
Chapter 75: Duryodhana Humiliated
Chapter 76: The Battle Between Salva and the Vrsnis
Chapter 77: Lord Krishna Slays the Demon Salva
Chapter 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Viduratha and Romaharsana
Chapter 79: Lord Balarama Goes on Pilgrimage
Chapter 80: The Brahmana Sudama Visits Lord Krishna in Dvaraka
Chapter 81: The Lord Blesses Sudama Brahmana
Chapter 82: Krishna and Balarama Meet the Inhabitants of Vrindavana
Chapter 83: Draupadi Meets the Queens of Krishna
Chapter 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kuruksetra
Chapter 85: Lord Krishna Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devaki’s Sons
Chapter 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadra, and Krishna Blesses His Devotees
Chapter 87: The Prayers of the Personified Vedas
Chapter 88: Lord Siva Saved from Vrkasura
Chapter 89: Krishna and Arjuna Retrieve a Brahmana’s Sons
Chapter 90: Summary of Lord Krishna’s Glories
Eleventh Canto is the forehead of Krishna. This canto describes the advent of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to propagate the Harinama Sankirtana movement. It contains the highly philosophical conversations between King Nimi and Nava-yogendras, and Lord Krishna and Uddhava (Uddhava-gita) that enlighten us on the deeper truth of this universe and the supreme spiritual path of bhakti.
Chapter 1: The Curse upon the Yadu Dynasty
Chapter 2: Maharaja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras
Chapter 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
Chapter 4: Drumila Explains the Incarnations of Godhead to King Nimi
Chapter 5: Narada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva
Chapter 6: The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhasa
Chapter 7: Lord Krishna Instructs Uddhava
Chapter 8: The Story of Pingala
Chapter 9: Detachment from All that Is Material
Chapter 10: The Nature of Fruitive Activity
Chapter 11: The Symptoms of Conditioned and Liberated Living Entities
Chapter 12: Beyond Renunciation and Knowledge
Chapter 13: The Hamsa-avatara Answers the Questions of the Sons of Brahma
Chapter 14: Lord Krishna Explains the Yoga System to Sri Uddhava
Chapter 15: Lord Krishna’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections
Chapter 16: The Lord’s Opulence
Chapter 17: Lord Krishna’s Description of the Varnashrama System
Chapter 18: Description of Varnashrama-dharma
Chapter 19: The Perfection of Spiritual Knowledge
Chapter 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment
Chapter 21: Lord Krishna’s Explanation of the Vedic Path
Chapter 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation
Chapter 23: The Song of the Avanti Brahmana
Chapter 24: The Philosophy of Sankhya
Chapter 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond
Chapter 26: The Aila-gīta
Chapter 27: Lord Krishna’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship
Chapter 28: Jnana-yoga
Chapter 29: Bhakti-yoga
Chapter 30: The Disappearance of the Yadu Dynasty
krsna-varnam tvishakrishnam
sangopangastra-parshadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi sumedhasah
krsna-varnam — repeating the syllables krishna; tvisa — with a luster; akrsnam — not black (golden); sa-anga — along with associates; upa-anga — servitors; astra — weapons; parsadam — confidential companions; yajnaih — by sacrifice; sankirtana-prayaih — consisting chiefly of congregational chanting; yajanti — they worship; hi — certainly; su-medhasah — intelligent persons
“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”
Twelfth Canto is the head of Lord Krishna. It describes the degradation of human society and civilization in Kalyuga; appearance of Kalaki avatar at the end of Kali Yuga; the four Categories of universal annihilation (or pralaya) namely nitya pralaya or constant deterioration of material objects that happens at every moment, naimittika pralaya or the destruction of planets at the end of Brahma’s day, prakrtika pralaya or destruction of universe at the end of Brahma’s life, and atyantika pralaya or the final destruction of the conditioned soul’s false ego that causes liberation; Sukadeva Gosvami’s final instructions to Maharaja Pariksit and the glories of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Chapter 1: The Degraded Dynasties of Kali-yuga
Chapter 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga
Chapter 3: The Bhumi-gita
Chapter 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation
Chapter 5: Sukadeva Gosvami’s Final Instructions to Maharaja Pariksit
Chapter 6: Maharaja Pariksit Passes Away
Chapter 7: The Puranic Literatures
Chapter 8: Markandeya’s Prayers to Nara-Narayana Rsi
Chapter 9: Markandeya Rsi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord
Chapter 10: Lord Siva and Uma Glorify Markandeya Rsi
Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahapurusa
Chapter 12: The Topics of Srimad-Bhagavatam Summarized
Chapter 13: The Glories of Srimad-Bhagavatam
Directions to reach Shukratal:
Shukratal is about 2-3 hours (72 km) from Haridwar. Haridwar is 68 km from state capital Dehradun, which is also the nearest airport that serves regular flights from Delhi and other parts of India. Alternatively, one can take a taxi from Delhi to Shukratal which is 148 km away (about 3-4 hour drive) on the way to Haridwar. One can also take a train or bus to Muzaffarnagar. Muzaffarnagar to Shukratal is 25 km.Useful Resources:
Srimad-Bhagavatam: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/
Downloadable: https://e-vedas.com/books/sb_set_1.htm
Mayapur TV: http://Mayapur.tv / Vrindavana TV: http://Vrindavan.tv
Holy Pilgrimages: www.Holy-Pilgrimages.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolyPilgrimages
Holy Dham: www.HolyDham.com
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare |
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||
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