ViBha Class Notes: January 9, 2022

In Sanatana Dharma, time is frequently compared to a snake. A typical snake moves slowly, in a stealth way where we are not even aware that the snake is present. Time is the same way. It moves so slowly that we don’t realize how much it has moved, and in a stealth way. Everyone feels that the next person is going to die, but not us. Time is known as the consumer of this multiverse and this is most evident in the exploration of Srimad Bhagavata because the satsanga that is being facilitated is because time, death is most apparent to Raja Parikshita. When time and death become most apparent, he prioritizes instantly that he needs to be in satsanga. Time and death are apparent, but we do not have the right relationship with them; we are in denial. Being a part of this course is the best choice we could have made, to be part of this community and this shastra. Though time is the consumer of the multiverse, Bhagavan is the consumer of time. And this is what we are immersing ourselves in, in this community.

Many people go on yatras to Ujjain. There is a jyotirlinga there called Mahakaleshwar. Many people go there being totally ignorant of time and death. Vivekji feels we are all on a more meaningful yatra to Mahakaleshwar — thinking carefully about what we are doing with time, thinking carefully about life as a terminal condition.

Bhagavan Krshna is described as Bhakta Bhaktiman, which means that He is a bhakta of bhaktas. He is a devotee of those who are devoted. Who does Bhagavan Rama meditate upon? Himself. Who does Devi Parvati meditate on? Herself. So they are meditating on themselves and on those who are meditating on them, in other words bhaktas. We should feel this as Bhagavan being with us. Bhagavan is in our life. Bhagavan is our Life.

One of the main personalities in Srimad Bhagavata is Raja Parikshita. As soon as he was born, he was observing, observing, observing who saved him while he was in his mother’s womb. That is why this examination, which is a pariksha, and the one who is always engaged in such examination is Parikshita.

We have completed 26 chapters in the prior semester in 13 classes and now a Pariksha for us to review or internalize.

Q1: Why does Bhagavan Krshna manifest or why did Bhagavan Narayana become an avatara in the name and form of Bhagavan Krshna?

• To Grace or bless us. That is why one of Bhagavan Krshna’s name is Vivaha which means Vishesha vahati or special upliftment.

Q2: Who did Bhagavan Krshna feel should keep the Syamantaka (the jewel that produces money or gold)?

• Society or the treasury. Bhagavan knew Akrura had it, but felt that society should have it as it produced the 10 Kg of gold.

Q3: What is the name of Bhagavan Krshna’s fourth Devi?

• Devi Kalindi — Going in order, all eight Devis with particular names are: Rukmini, Jaambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Naagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana, and 16000 Devis who don’t have particular names.

Q4: What is significant about Bhauma Asura who is the son of Bhooma (son of the Earth)?

• He was also known as Narakasura, an icon of distraction, and he was guarded by Mura and Bhagavan killed Mura and is also called Murari. In our culture, after Deepavali, we celebrate Narakachaturdashi.

Q5: What is significant about Chapter 60 of Skanda 10?

• The dialogue between Devi Rukmini and Bhagavan Krshna where He is testing her mumukshutvam, her desire for divinity and what comes out of this is that she is already a mukta, but what she wants is bhakti.

Q6: What are the names of Bhagavan Krshna’s grandson and granddaughter-in-law?

• Aniruddha and Devi Usha

Q7: What was the greatness of Paundraka?

• He thought himself to be Bhagavan Krshna. As you think, so you develop. That was his greatness.

Q8: What is the purpose of leela?

• To melt away what we are not. To dissolve limits, ego. If we love our own name and form, we are egotistical. But when we love Bhagavan’s name and form, we are melting away that ego. Leela = Leenam Bhavam lati prakatayati iti leela — that which melts away what you are not, so that what you are is expressed.

Q9: What is the order of the pillars or practices of Bhagavan Krshna’s day?

• Bhagavan’s dinacharya is — dhyana, dama, dana and dharma = contemplation, rituals, gratitude and responsibilities. We tend to go in the opposite order, so that is why we don’t know how to practice dhyana.

Q10: What is an expression of Aviveka or being indiscriminate or careless? (the kings who were freed by Bhagavan Krshna shared that because of their aviveka they were doing this)

• Being competitive, a very dvaita bhava, highly dualistic — they share that they were competing against each other for so long that they forgot that the purpose of their life was Bhagavan.

Q11: Who is the final reincarnation of Jaya?

• Shishupala. Jaya became Hiranyakashipu, Ravana and Shishupala and Vijaya became Hiranyaksha, Kumbakarna and Dantavaktra.

Q12: The one engaged in Nigraha (corrects) is also engaged in _______.

• Anugraha — the one who corrects is also the one who conserves, protects, graces or blesses. To be corrected and/or protected, are both blessings.

Q13: From Sudama’s katha, what greatness of Bhagavan Krshna is magnified?

• Accessibility — Bhagavan is easily accessible or ever available. It was so easy for Sudama to be with Bhagavan Krshna.