ViBha Class Notes – December 3, 2023

In a previous class, our discussion subject was – What is a noticeable difference between one who feels Bhakti and one who does not feel Bhakti? One strong reflection that we came up with was that a strong sign of Bhakti is when one doesn’t ask “Why me?”. Whenever we ask “Why me?”, it tends to be in the context of negativity. “Why me” is this article, being, circumstance happening. When a Bhakta feels that Bhagavan is looking at them, so looking after them, even to the extent of, if a Bhakta has to go to Naraka, hell, they still accept that as they know that it is a process of rehabilitation or purification. As we complete our Vedanta in Bhagavata course (this is our 167th class), are we one who is still asking verbally or mentally “Why me?” or are we a personality now who accepts that all that happens is a call for us to come home to Bhagavan. 

We are flowing through an immense review of Bhagavata (168 hours condensed into 4 hours). For Vivekji, it is an immense effort to try and review this, but at the same time Vivekji is immensely grateful that he got to go through all his notes, particularly the tenth Section which is about Bhagavan Krshna only. When we review, we reflect. When we reflect, we personalize. When we personalize, we practice, and when we practice, we feel Peace. Review – Reflect – Personalize – Practice – Peace! 

In the 3^rd section, the theme is Creation. In the 4^th section, the theme is Diversification, how Creation becomes more creative. In the  5^th section, the theme is Position, how does Diversification relate to humans living in this diversification. For the  6^th section, Vivekji chanted again Verse 17 from Chapter 12 of the 12^th Section – 

Skanda 12:12:17 –

dakṣa-janma pracetobhyas
tat-putrīṇāṁ ca santatiḥ
yato devāsura-narās

Tiryaṅ-naga-khagādayaḥ

In the  6^th Section, the highlights are – The rebirth of Prajāpati Dakṣa as the son of the Pracetās, and the progeny of Dakṣa’s daughters, who initiated the races of the Semigods, demons, human beings, animals, serpents, birds and so on — all of this is described in this section.

The  6^th Section focuses on Poshana or Grace. There is a general Grace which we call Krpa, and there is a specific Grace which we call Anugraha. Everyone has a general Grace on them, but when we start to work harder and smarter, when we start to practice Bhakti, then specific Grace comes into our lives. In other words, living becomes easier. This does not mean life becomes easier. Life will always be hard, but living becomes easier. 

Now we come to Section 7. Here are some highlights or lakshyas. 

1. The theme here is Uti which means Nature. Nature here does not mean the body, breath, mind and intellect, but rather the ego or vasanas. What is my personality type through which this gets expressed into my mind, intellect and so on. Here is Verse 18 from Chapter 12 as a reference – 

Skanda 12:12:18 – 

tvāṣṭrasya janma-nidhanaṁ

putrayoś ca diter dvijāḥ

daityeśvarasya caritaṁ

prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ

O brahmanas, also recounted are the births and deaths of Vrtrasura and of Diti’s sons Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu, as well as the history of the greatest of Diti’s descendants, the exalted soul Prahlada.

2. In Section 7, a highlight is Hiranyakashipu. Hiranya means gold and Kashipu means sleeping. The one who is always sleeping on gold which means the one whose interest is always gross. Hiranyakashipu is someone who had a lot of Dharma, Artha and Kama in his life, but he never directed it towards Moksha. Shared in a different way, he had a lot of power, but what he lacked was purity or direction.

3. However, Hiranyakashipu’s general Grace was that his son was Prahalada. Prahalada is the second foremost personality in Shrimad Bhagavata, who is an icon of a Bhakta and is known as the Mahabhagavata. The foremost icon in Bhagavata is Bhagavan Krshna who is the icon of Bhagavan. We name our kids and grandkids various names, but we should be naming them Prahalad or Prahalada. This Mahabhagavata had shared with the people around him how to practice Bhakti. These are the nine steps, from introducing Bhakti to completing Bhakti –

1. Shravana 

2. Kirtana 

3. Smarana 

4. Sevaya – to practice seva, not just intellectualize it

5. Archana

6. Vandana 

7. Dasya – to become Bhagavan’s servant

8. Sakhya – become closer than a Dasya 

9. Nivedana – become the closest as in surrendering any sort of separation 

Vivekji highlighted the last three steps as special because – Dasya is like dvaita – I’m the servant and the Divine is my Master, but more evolved than that is Sakhya, like a part-whole relationship which in Sanskrtam is called Vishishta Advaita – it is partial Oneness. But if we surrender separation, like in Nivedana, then that would be Advaita or Oneness. 

4. A lot of detail is given on how we should live based on our Varna and our Ashrama – based on our personality type and position type. Position type means externally, how old we are and where we live. The reason these details are given is that if we follow these guidelines, then we will go from the relative to the Absolute. The whole point of understanding the Gunas is to go past the Gunas, not to get deeper into the Gunas. So whenever we come across teachings about Varna, the color of our personality, or Ashrama, the position we have in life, then we must try to think of the big picture. Otherwise, we have steel chains instead of gold chains, but they are still chains. 

Next is Skanda 8. Some lakshyas or highlights are – 

1. This Section is on Sat-Dharma – Saddharma which means evolution. All of us follow Dharma, but this section is teaching us on how to intensify our practices, a very practical section.

Skanda 12:12:19 –

manv-antaranukathanam

gajendrasya vimokṣanam

manvantaravataras ca

viṣnor hayaṣiradayah

The reign of each Manu, the liberation of Gajendra and the special incarnations of Lord Viṣnu in each manvantara, such as Lord Hayagriva, are described as well.

2. The four ways we can take our Dharma and make it Saddharma – we can intensify the way we are living – 1. Smarana 2. Dana 3. Pratijna 4. Raksha

3. The katha relating to Smarana, which means remembrance, is about Gajendra. In this beautiful katha, when Bhagavan Hari comes to free Gajendra, who does He free first? That crocodile or makara. The implication for us – suppose we do not identify as a great Bhakta (if it is too intimidating or we do not know enough or whatever it may be), but if we have Bhakti to a Bhakta, we too become free. When Shri Tulasidasa thought he was going to die, who did he remember? He wanted to be with Bhagavan Rama, but felt he couldn’t, so he went through the middle person that was Hanumanji. But who is Hanumanji holding onto? Bhagavan Rama. But he did see Bhagavan Rama and he never died. That is why Hanuman Chalisa is chanted when someone is not well, reactively, but we chant it proactively anyways. So have Bhakti to a Bhakta. 

In terms of Dana, a practical application for us is related to the Kshirasagara manthana – the churning of the milky ocean. The main personality who was doing this dana here was Indra. What Indra learned carefully in this whole katha was that he is not the doer. Dana is giving and Indra gave up doership to Bhagavan. Whose ocean is it? Bhagavan Narayana’s. Who brought the mountain? Bhagavan Narayana. Who called Bhagavan Shiva? Bhagavan Narayana. Whenever we think of the churning of the milky ocean, we think of Mohini, though what we should really be thinking about is that all of the doing that happens in our life is because of Bhagavan. Relatedly, what is the first substance that came out in the churning of the milky ocean? It was poison and the last substance was Amrita or deathlessness or fearlessness. So for us too, as we go on our journey inwards, the first thing we will find is poison (negativity, jealousy, incompleteness), but we should keep going, and we will find our Nature. 

Next is Pratijna which is following through on our commitments or promises. This relates to Raja Bali or Mahabali. When Bhagavan Vamana asked for three steps, then Raja Bali gave him those three steps, but really he gave him all three of his states, all three of his equipments, all three of his bodies. But who warned him not to do this? Rshi Shukracharya. He was like the original financial advisor who advised that one-fifth of our wealth should go to Kama, our own pleasure, one-fifth towards Artha, our own possessions (cellphones, computers, cars, homes), one-fifth should go towards Yasha, one’s own position (what we do in life to elevate our position, like education), one-fifth should be for svajana (our family) and the last one-fifth should be for Dharmaya (for society, humanity, community, svajana being part of it). Dharmaya is to encourage responsibility. 

And finally Raksha which means protection. This katha relates to Satyavrata and how he found this really tiny fish, but instead of just throwing away this fish, he protected this fish. And what did this fish do to him and everyone? It protected back – Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah. 

4. Redefining these words – Smarana is where we are practicing humility. Gajendra thought he could free himself, but he finally realized he could not. Dana is practicing generosity. Give up doership. Pratijna is practicing integrity. If we signed up for something, then we must finish it. Finally, Raksha is security, for us to live for our own security and to share that with others. 

We have now covered Mahatmya and eight Skandas. We will now continue into the 9^th Skanda which has a change in thought flow. 

Shrimad Bhagavata has a singular teaching of Surrender. We will know we are practicing Shrimad Bhagavata if we are more surrender oriented. 

• The Mahatmya or Skanda 0 is to encourage Quietude – for us to be ready for Bhagavata. 
• Skandas 1 and 2 are a package, trying to create Identification, to identify with Raja Parikshita, to identify with Rshi Shuka. It is similar to Chapter 1 of Bhagavad Gita. 
• Skandas 3, 4, 5 are trying to encourage Belief. They talk about the technicalities of creation and how to practice and personalize this. This relates to Shravana.
• Skandas 6, 7, 8, they evolve from Belief to Faith or to encourage Faith – to go from shravana to manana. It is not about creation anymore, but about the Grace that comes with creation and so on. 
• Skandas 9, 10, 11, from Belief to Faith to Trust. Who is born in the 9th section? Bhagavan Rama. Who is born in the 10th section? Bhagavan Krshna. So Trust. This is not a matter of Shravana or Manana, but it is a matter of Nidhidhyasana. Vivekji has mentioned that to really experience Bhagavata, we have to be in a contemplative mood, and not in a sleepy mood. 

Now we come to Section 9. Here are some lakshyas or highlights – 

1. The  9^th section is also very practical and the theme here is Nasha, the Nasha of Vasanas – Vasananasha or Transformation. We are ordinary people. Then we intensify our practices which is Section 8, and then we are a transformed person which is Section 9. And if we really transform ourselves completely, then in Section 12, we feel Bhagavan Krshna or we feel Joy. 

Skanda 12:12:24 –

rāmasya kośalendrasya

caritaṁ kilbiṣāpaham

nimer aṅga-parityāgo

janakānāṁ ca sambhavaḥ

The Bhagavatam now narrates the sanctifying pastimes of Lord Ramachandra, the King of Kosala, and also explains how King Nimi abandoned his material body. The appearance of the descendants of Raja Janaka is also mentioned.

2. This is a very important part of Shrimad Bhagavata. There are a lot of great personalities who are highlighted, personalities who have transformed themselves like Raja Ambarisha. What did Rshi Durvasa have to do for one year? Rshi Durvasa had to run for one year just like Sugreeva had to run. There are a lot of such references in our scriptures. One more great transformed personality was Raja Harishchandra. Another great personality was Raja Bhagiratha who gave us access to Mother Ganga. They were awesome personalities who worked hard and smart. They did not live in an easy way. 

3. Also, in this Skanda are two prominent Avataras – Parushurama who carried an axe in His hand and the other Rama was Kondandarama – He used to hold His bow with one hand, but we would need to hold it with two hands. The details of when people were trying to lift up Bhagavan Shiva’s bow are highlighted as well. 

4. The final highlight of this section is the methodology of how to change our vasanas. The three methodologies are:

• Light vasanas –  Kshaya or exhaustion – go through an experience and then don’t need to go through it again
• Medium vasanas – Parivartana – go through vasana parivartana which means substitution or sublimation. Parivartana means we change direction. 
• Heavy vasanas – Nasha – Disidentification which is the theme of this section, where we have the knowledge that we do NOT have vasanas. 

With reference to vasanas, Rantideva is also another great personality. He prayed to Bhagavan Narayana that he should be the first in everyone’s heart, instead of Bhagavan Narayana. Why? Because he wanted to absorb everyone’s sorrows. Whatever hardships we have in our hearts, he wanted to take those hardships, so that secondly, we would feel Bhagavan was there. What a prayer! Only one who has no vasanas can take on others’ vasanas. 

Now we come to Section 10, and here, Vivekji is sharing six highlights. 

1. The theme of this section is Ashraya and it has ninety chapters. Ashraya means Surrender. We can transform ourselves all we want, but finally we have to surrender even our effort. When we chant Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, it is not for people who are sick. That is the wrong practice of this mantra. It is for those who have worked hard and smart for enlightenment and now are praying that they cannot enlighten themselves, so they need Bhagavan’s help to separate themselves from separation. We tend to dilute these mantras for our own personal experience. It is Surrender.

Skanda 12:12:27 – 

yatrāvatīrṇo bhagavān

kṛṣṇākhyo jagad-īśvaraḥ

vasudeva-gṛhe janma

tato vṛddhiś ca gokule

How Shri Krhsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Lord of the universe, descended into this Yadu dynasty, how He took birth in the home of Vasudeva, and how He then grew up in Gokula — all of this is described in detail.

2. In the 6^th section, Bhagavan helps us. In the 7^th section, after Bhagavan helps us, we still feel very heavy (that was about vasanas). So in the 8th section, we start to live smarter. In the 9^th section, we start to feel lighter then. And the 10^th section, it is the heart of Shrimad Bhagavata. When we start to feel lighter, we start to feel our own heart, and feel the Light in our heart. A lot of what is shared in this section is – All Emerges from Bhagavan, Exists in Bhagavan and Ends in Bhagavan, the point being that All Belongs to Bhagavan, for us to feel that in our heart. 

3. Bhagavan Krshna’s living in this section is very Leela-like. Why Leela? So He can actually practice being Manohara – the One who steals our mind. All of these amazing happenings are for us to be captivated, to be enchanted by Him. When Vivekji says Bhagavan Vishnu, what do we think of? Him lying on a snake. He was lying down even during the churning of the Milky ocean. When we think of Bhagavan Rama, He was not lying, but always walking. But when we think of Bhagavan Krshna, He was dancing. Noone is enamored by someone lying down or walking, but dancing is very captivating. Do we see how much Bhagavan loves us? We don’t love Bhagavan Narayana, so we need Bhagavan Rama. We don’t love Bhagavan Rama, so we need Bhagavan Krshna who is very lovable. Vamana also means the most adorable, not a dwarf. 

4. We tend to think that Bhagavan Narayana becomes an Avatara of Bhagavan Krshna. Avatara means Avatarati or descending. It’s a very Abrahamic religious sentiment where God lives in Heaven and then joins us on earth, but the word used here is Sambhavami meaning manifests and then un-manifests. The implication here is – Where is God? Here and here. For the ones who can see, they can see and the ones who cannot see, cannot see. More specifically, when there is micro compromise, when a few people are compromising on Dharma in a few ways, that is corrected by Sadhus. Think of what Swami Vivekananda did to the people of Bharat. He corrected their compromise, and so did Gandhiji. But when there is macro compromise or when lots of people are compromising in lots of ways, then a Sadhu cannot correct that. Then Bhagavan has to appear in a micro form which means this is God, but where is God the most in this room? Over there, at the Altar. Bhagavan Krshna is Infinite, but He appears to be Divine, in a particular name and form to correct that compromise. 

5. Next highlight is the compromise that is happening in this section, that is leaders who are only disguised as leaders. They are not Suras who are filled with Light, but Asuras filled with darkness. They are disguising themselves, so it is very hard for people to correct them. Imagine we lived in a country with Dictatorship, it would be very hard to correct them then. In a Democracy, it is not perfect, but more manageable. So that is why Bhagavan came and took on the disguised leaders. Dantavaktra and Shishupala were some disguised leaders who were reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya. They became weaker with each incarnation. They were the strongest as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, then weaker as Ravana and Kumbhakarana, and now they are almost nobodies in the time of Bhagavan Krshna, which shows that Jaya and Vijaya got rehabilitated. 

6. Now the final highlight of this section. Skanda 10 is known as the Heart of Shrimad Bhagavata. Just like our heart has a lot of physiological systems, so in Shrimad Bhagavata, there are five chapters known as the Panchapranas. Within the heart, this is the heart of hearts. These chapters are Chapters 29 to 33. The most important of the five pranas is Udana. Udana is that mystical force that projects us into another body. When our body dies, we will not breathe or defecate anymore. That all stops, but it is the Udana shakti that carries on even after this body dies, and that is Chapter 31. So the final thought for this section is that this section has very much to do with Saguna Bhakti, which is in stark contrast to the 11^thsection which is Nirguna Bhakti.

That brings us to Section 11. Here are some lakshyas or highlights

1. The theme of the 11^thsection is Mukti. If we have evolved and transformed, now we have surrendered, so what we should feel is Mukti – Serenity. After we have surrendered, there is serenity. 

Skanda 12:12:41 – 

māhātmyaṁ ca vadhas teṣāṁ

vārāṇasyāś ca dāhanam

bhārāvataraṇaṁ bhūmer

nimittī-kṛtya pāṇḍavān

There are descriptions of the powers and the deaths of the King of Cedi, Paundraka, Salva, the foolish Dantavaktra, Sambara, Dvivida, Pitha, Mura, Pañcajana and other demons, along with a description of how Varanasi was burned to the ground. The Bhagavatam also recounts how Lord Krshna relieved the earth’s burden by engaging the Pandavas in the Battle of Kurukshetra.

2. This section is not about Saguna Bhakti, but it is about Nirguna Bhakti. It is about practicing Bhakti through teachings. One’s life can go on for only so long, but one’s teachings can go on forever. Right at the beginning of this section is the Navayogi Gita. These nine Yogis explained so much about Bhakti.

3. Another highlight in this section is about Bhagavan Krshna’s family that consumed itself. There was a fratricidal war (war within a family). Vivekji recalls Swami Tejomayananda sharing that parents are so bothered by their children not listening to them, but Bhagavan Krshna’s children and grandchildren did not listen to Him either. So we do not stand a chance. Not just Bhagavan Krshna’s family, in the end even Bhagavan Krshna’s manifestation became un-manifest. 

4. The final highlight, if we go back to Naimisharanya, Raja Shaunaka asks Rshi Ugrashava six questions. The sixth question was – Where does Dharma live?. The answer given in this section is that it lives in Gita – Uddhava Gita, Bhagavad Gita, Bhikshu Gita, Navayogi Gita. Dharma lives or Bhagavan Krshna lives in these teachings.

—————————————–

Last week’s RAW: We had to contemplate that there was no creation. 

Vivekji’s thoughts: We would have a lighter week as everything would become super relative then. One more insight from the 10th section is that all emerges from Bhagavan, exists in Bhagavan and ends in Bhagavan. So these verbs, emerge, exist and end, are all falsities. Really there is Only Bhagavan.

RAW: Feel that Shrimad Bhagavata never existed, that everything we know from Vedanta in Bhagavata never happened or is not happening. Feel that!