We think that freedom is being able to do whatever we want to do, whenever we want to, and that’s what our imagination tells us. But further thought reveals that this leads to selfishness. The focus will NOT be ‘we’, but ‘me’.
Our shastras are like a handbook or map and teach us the four facets of Dharma.
- Tapah: Being disciplined
- Shaucha: Clarity about who we are, and what we are supposed to be doing in life
- Daya: Kindness because that’s who we are, and not because we want something back in return
- Satya: Honesty about ones beauty or ugliness (Our spouse brings out the beauty and ugliness in us and that is required to see where we can grow)
When creation began in Satya Yuga, all four facets of Dharma were strong. As creation aged, we find ourselves with no tapah, no shaucha, no daya and a little satya. We know this because we are in Satsanga. Through this course we are hoping that satya will become strong again, and as a result, daya, shaucha and tapah will get stronger and that is the impact of this Satsanga. or course.
Vedanta in Bhagavata teaches us that we all belong to Bhagavan. Vedanta is the science that teaches us about what’s inside ourselves so that we know that we are all children of Bhagavan.
A scriptural example of belonging to Bhagavan, is when Prince Arjuna was returning back to Yudhishtira after Bhagavan Krishna had left this world. A small group of thieves attacked him and stole all his stuff. When asked by Yudhishthira as to what happened to Prince Arjuna who ruled Mahabharata, Prince Arjuna responded that he was mugged by some thieves and realised that all his strength and prowess was Bhagavan Krishna’s and when He left, Prince Arjuna had nothing left either.
Another example is visualizing that every person around you, including every plant and animal, is a cell in the body that is Bhagavan. All cells have to work together, but if one cell dominates, we call that cancer. So being part of this one body, we all should support each other.
We always start Bhagavata with the prayer in Bhagavata Mahatmya-
“Sach-chidananda rupaya Vish votpattyadi Hetave
Tapa-traya Vinashaya Shri Krishnaya Vayam Numah”
This shloka shares that the only way we will stop burning is through feeling that we belong to Bhagavan Krtishna.
In the Bhagavata Mahatmya, we are introduced to Bhakti and her two sons Viveka and Vairagya. Bhakti is young and vibrant, but her two sons are dull and weak. We are then introduced to the Bhagavata Saptah, listening to which Bhakti’s two sons once again become young and vibrant.
Later in the Mahatmya we are introduced to Dhundukari who is a rough, callous person, who after listening to the Bhagavata Saptah becomes free by remembering that he belongs to Bhagavan. The mahatmya is like an opening prayer of the Bhagavata.
The first two shlokas of Bhagavata should be memorized.
Janmaadyasya yato ’nvayaaditaratash chartheshvabhijnah svaraat
Tene brahma hrdaa ya aadi-kavaye muhyanti yat-soorayah
Tejo-vaari mrdaam yathaa vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mrsaa
Dhaamna svena sadaa nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi
The first shloka says that the message of Bhagavata is — Satyam param dhimahi — Satyam should always be contemplated upon. How do we do this?
Dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ’tra paramo nirmatsaraanaam sataam
Vedyam vaastavam-atra vastu shivadam taapa-trayonmoolanam
shrimad-bhaagavate mahaa-muni-krte kim vaa parair-eeshavarah
Sadyo hrdyavarudhyate ’tra kritibhih shushrooshu-bhistat-kshanaat
The second shloka describes dharma and how we should fulfill our responsibilities cheerfully with dedication so that more and more satya is brought into our lives.
The first skanda, the Adhikari skanda, describes the ideal student or one who is eligible for Bhagavata. We are introduced to Rishi Shaunaka who asks Suta-ji six questions –
- What is the greatest good for all?
- What is the purpose of avatara?
- What is the performance of avatara?
- What is the passings or stories of these avataras?
- What is the play of Bhagavan Krishna?
- What is dharma’s home? Where did Bhagavan Krishna’s essence go when He left creation?
The first skanda discusses the whole of Mahabharata war until the birth of Raja Parikshita.
The second skanda is called the Sadhana skanda. If we are sincere, then we are adhikaris, engaged in sadhana. Raja Parikshita is told that he will be dying in seven days by the bite of a snake. Raja Parikshita then asks Rishi Shuka what should a dying person do or what one should be doing with their life. And he is told to contemplate. If we don’t know how to, we should learn how to.
In the second Skanda we are introduced to Chatushloki Bhagavata, the original Bhagavata with only four shlokas. The message of each shloka is summarized here –
- Infinity is real — there is only Me, Bhagavan Narayana
- Illusion is unreal — Anything that is not me is unreal.
- Creation is relative — If there is anything other than Me, it is unreal
- Introspection is extraction — By introspection we extract the absolute from the relative
The third skanda is called Sarga and is about creation. Bhagavan Narayana wished to create and creation came to be. He created the organs and relating devatas. Bhagavan Brahma, the organizer of this creation, wanted to get help with creation and he split his body into Manu — man and Shatarupa — woman. Who were Bhagavan Rama’s parents? Manu and Shatarupa!
Moving along, Rishi Vidura is in a dialogue with Rishi Maitreya and is asking questions about creation. It is shared here that for someone to be in satsang can only be the fruition of long years of sadhana.
Bhagavan Brahma gets so busy with creation and he doesn’t realise that Mother Earth has been stolen. He then asks the help of Bhagavan Narayana to get Mother Earth back.
When Bhagavan Brahma asks for help, something small comes out of his nose and starts floating. It is in the shape of a small boar — Varaha avatara. The boar gets bigger and bigger, then starts smelling everywhere. It catches the scent of Mother Earth and finds her drowned as Rakshasa Hiranyaksha has taken her down to Rasatala. Then Lord Varaha and Hiranyaksha fight and Lord Varaha is able to save Bhoo Devi (Mother Earth).
How does this relate to us? — Hiranyaksha — someone whose eyes are always on gold is like someone who allows prosperity to take priority over peace. Don’t we? WE allow the environment to suffer or burn. It’s because of our consumption based lifestyles. Bhagavan Vishnu is the creator and He came as the created to help. If He could come as a boar, anyone or anything in our lives could be Him, Bhagavan coming to help us as the created. Won’t our attitude to everyone change?
Bhagavan Narayana is the cause and the effect.
Discussion topic: What are the signs of an open mind and how can you develop an open mind?
One who is accepting, compassionate, forgiving, listens and is an impartial observer.
Who are we close minded to? To ourselves, our kids.
To develop an open mind, we should try everything in life that is satvik. Try being more disciplined, more compassionate, ready to change.
How do you know what you’re doing is satvik?
Only through the scriptures or when your mind is more balanced, doesn’t react as much, becomes focused, reflective.