Bhagwat Stories for All 22nd March 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 22 March 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Today’s class was a continuation of the previous class. Incidentally this class all understood hindi, hence there was no translation online.

Raja Parikshit had asked Shukdevji two questions. The first one, what should ordinary people do before dying so that they can be liberated. In the last class we had seen that what are the signs that God gives us when death is approaching. The signs start from one year till 7 days. For those of us who can see those signs we should start preparing. Raja Pariskshit thus asked Shukdevji that when we know that death is impending, what are the preparations that we should do.

To reply to this, Shukdevji said that one should renounce the following.
a. Asakti or attachment for the house
b. Asakti or attachment for the family.

Starting with the attachment for the house. We all work hard our life so that we can have a house. Panditji says that it is better that we leave the house than the house leave us. What do we mean by the term we leave the house. In our ancient times as well as in current times, it is believed that we should not die under a roof. So even today in India, when a person is nearing his death. He/She is quickly moved from the house, to a place outside the house. Thus the when the person approaches death even the house disowns the person. So before this stage arrives, a person should leave the house. And move over to other place. What are the other places that a person can move. Various Ashrams in India have made places for people to stay. Even Geeta Ashram in Delhi as well as Geeta Dham has place for people to stay. So slowly the attachment for the house has to be left.
The attachment has to be broken gradually. It cannot happen overnight. Panditji told that we need to change our mindset. We have to change the way we think. For eg when we stay in a rest house, we are not bothered of the cracks in the wall, or the ceiling or floor, or some paint that has gone off from the walls, or the windows etc. This is because we don’t have the attachment. We know that we are going to stay for the night and then leave the next or the following day. If we can build the same type of mindset with our own homes then the attachment does not get built.
Also once man/women complete their responsibilities it is high time that they pass over the responsibilities to their children and spend their time in chanting the name of God.
The second detachment that we need to build is the detachment towards the family. We should not forgo our responsibilities towards the family. But at the same time it should be done with detachment in mind.
In olden days the life cycle would be spent in the following way.
0-25 years – in the process of getting education as well as some skill
25-50 years – getting married and raising a family.
50-75 years – this time was used to reduce the attachment towards the family, gradually.
75-100 years – leave the house and proceed to some ashram.

Shukdevji told Raja Pariskshit that once you build this detachment or Asakthi, the next stage would be to meditate. Raja Parikshit asked Shukdevji to tell him more about meditation. How is it done and what are the steps to be following? Shukdevji told the way in which meditation has to be done. He told that you can either meditate with your head or the heart. The mind is made of two types.

To simplify and explain about this, Panditji said all assembled in the ashram, are listening to Bhagwat. Their mind is listening to the class. At the same time another part of the mind (the gross part) is wandering here and there. It normally goes to the person whom we love the most. It does not want to come back. In meditation we don’t want any such distractions. We want the mind to be within ourselves and not wander here and there. We want the mind to be focused towards God. To do this Shukdevji told the Raja that there are two things that needs to be done.
a. Purity of the body
b. One pointed focus towards the Lord.

Purity of the body is a very essential part. To keep the body pure it is not only necessary to bath, but also to keep it away from all germs. In olden days (and even today some people follow this), people used to keep head covered while going to the wash room. They used to wash their hands and feet after, and gargle atleast 5 times. The new generation has very little time even to keep themselves clean. God lives in a clean body. So we should keep ourselves, as well our places of prayer and worship clean.

To have a one pointed focus we have to redirect our attention. Panditji says that attachment that we build is between to living beings and not two bodies. This is a deep concept. When we say we are attached to some one, we achieve some satisfaction from the relation ship. The attachment is not to the body. Even a wife who loves her husband so much, if is sitting next to his body, will not want to hug it any more after a few hours have passed. She would still love and remember him, but would be scared to go anywhere near the body. So the attachment is surely not to ones body. On thinking further on the same line, we realize that we are being created by God. So we when two souls of the lord get attachment it generated happiness. If two souls that are two images can generate so much happiness, then how much happiness will be there when we develop our attachment to the lord directly.

Also when we think of some one, or we love some one we become like that person. There is a story from the Ramayana that has a special mention. When Sitaji was in the Ashok Vatika, under King Ravana, she was given lot of trouble from the servants of Ravana. The head of the ladies that took care of sita was one Trijata. Though in front of Ravan she behaved as if she was scaring Sita Mata, but in reality she loved her. So she asked Sita mata, that how much does she remember her husband Lord Rama. Sitaji said that she remembered him a lot. She said when she kept thinking of Lord Rama, she forgot her own existence and she herself was becoming like him. This feeling was scaring her. Trijata asked her, why was she so scared. On this Sita Mata replied that, if she also became Ram then who will press Rama’s feet when he falls asleep in the night. At this Trijata told, mata, even Lord Rama remembers you so much. So if you become Rama then he would become Sita because he is also thinking of you always.

Thus what we think we become like them. Hence we should always direct our concentration and attention towards the Lord. Then we can become like him. The second thing is we should keep chanting the name of the lord non stop. If we do this every day then a time will come when what ever we are doing the lord’s name is always on our lips. At the time of our death this name continues to be on our lips, as it becomes natural for us. Since we remember the Lord at the time of death we are with the lord later.

Shukdevji continued telling Raja Parikshit that contolling breathing is one good way to steady the mind from wandering. There was a practical demo by Panditji on how to do this.

Thus ended today’s class.

Bhagwat Stories for All 15th March 2006

Due to Holi there was no Class. Holi is also the birthday
of our beloved Swami Hari Harji Maharaj.
Please proceed to http://sriguruji.blogspot.com to read
more about Guru Maharajji.

Bhagwat Stories for All 8th March 2006

In Progress

Bhagwat Stories For All - 1st March 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 01 March 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Today’s class focused on Raja Parikshit. Raja Parikshit was a chakravarti samrat, or an Emperor. He was kind and ruled his masses with benevolence and justice. He was fair, forward looking and honest. Once while going through his kingdom, he was a very old and malnourished cow and an ox with just one feet. The sight made Raja very sad. He was thinking that in my Kingdom it is very sad to see this situation of cow. The Cow is considered to be very holy. She takes in very little (eats little) but gives milk that is healthy. The cow’s milk contains less fats, more vitamins and is a complete food for children. Compare this with Buffalo’s milk. The milk if fattening and thick and no so suitable for growing kids. Cow dung is an importance source of manure. It is used in Villages still. The cow is thus a very useful animal and is considered holy.

In olden days the kings used to take care of every one in their kingdom. Particularly cow and the learned people. The Brahmins were the learned people. A Brahmin is one who gives knowledge and guidance to the society without expecting anything in return. They use their knowledge and expertise for the benefit to the people in the society.


Raja Parikshit was very hurt that in his kingdom there was this one legged ox and a weak and malnourished cow. Ox is the vehicle for Lord Shiva. The Ox has special significance in our mythology. It is quoted that in Rig Veda, when someone asked the Rishis that how did Brahma look like. The rishis knew it was very difficult to explain and describe for the ordinary folk to understand. So the rishis told that Brahma had four properties, more like the four legs of the Ox. The four legs denoted Truth (Satya), Purity (Pavitrata), Penance (Tap) and Charity & Benevolence (Dana). In the various eras of the humankind, one by on the legs have been lost.

In Satyug, the first era, all the four legs were intact. In the Dwapur yug or the second era, Satys or Truthfullness leg dropped. The dharma was on three legs. In the Treta yug, the next leg, Pavitrata or Purity dropped. Dharma was on two legs now, the Penance and Charity. In the next or current yuga the Kaliyuga the third leg of Penance or Tap has also dropped. Dharma is on one leg, that is the Charity or Dana.

So the Raja questioned the Ox that why are you on one leg and what has happened to your remaining three legs. The Ox told about the dharma and its relevance. Raja was in thought now. The Ox said that he did not want to blame for his loss of legs on any body.

Normally we blame our success or failure on one or more of the following three reasons.
a. Kaal or Timing. Time waits for no man. It also does not let humans stay at the same place for long. We are all in kaal chakra or the wheel of time. So we use time as a good excuse. If we achieve success and fame and wealth, we say we are having a good time. If we fail, lose or are down, we say we are having a bad time. So time becomes a punching bag for our excuses.
b. Karma or Fate. The second common excuse is we can blame our karma or our fate. We can say that we are successful because it is my karma. We are successful or a failure because it is our fate or karma.
c. Personality or Nature (Prakriti). We can attribute to our personality also our failures and success. For eg people say that, they don’t lose anger, because it is their nature.

The Ox did not want to blame as he was knowledgeable. Raja Pariskshit knew at that instance that this is not an ordinary Ox. With his knowledge he knew that, the Ox was actually Kali. Kali is the Kaliyuga. The Kaliyuga was approaching and these were the signs. Raja Parikshit was intelligent. He thought that, if Kaliyuga comes, what will happen to my subjects. They will degrade further. So he decided to kill the ox. He took out his bow and before he could shoot, Kali came in his normal form, and bowed to Raja Parikshit. He told that the Raja, about himself and fell at his feet. He told that I am in your security. You can either pardon me or you can shoot me. But good manners, means anyone who has taken refuge with you should be treated kindly. Raja Parikshit, thought for awhile and then put back the arrow. He told Kali, that I will do no harm. But beware, you must not stay in the borders of my kingdom. At this point, Kali said, you are Chakravarti Samrat, and your kingdom extents to all the are where there is sun light. So where do you want me to go. Raja Parikshit had no other choice but to let, Kali stay in his kingdom. But we added some conditions. He said you live in the following four places. Gambling dens, Prostitutes and Characterless women, Places where money is made through cheating, Places where there is adharma. Kali thought for a while, he was wise, so he told the Raja, that can he not get at least one good place to stay. The Raja finally agreed and said, ok you can stay in Gold.
In a lighter moment, Panditji says women love gold, and so indirectly love kaliyuga. Women should reduce the love for gold.

So Kaliyuga finally managed to enter the kingdom of Raja Parikshit. Now the kingdom stayed on one leg (the charity or dana leg). During those days, Raja Parikshit thought of looking at some of cases that were left by his ancestors. While going through one of the case he saw a golden crown. It was beautiful. It was made of Gold. Raja liked it so much (he too was in kaliyuga), and he put it on his head. In other words, Kaliyuga entered his head as well.

The crown belonged to Raja Jarasandh. In the Mahabharat war, Bheema had killed Raja Jarasandh. After killing him when he returned with his crown, Yudheesthar, his elder brother told him not to keep the crown. He told Jarasandh was a wicked king. By using his crown you get all his qualities. Bheema left the crown in a case. The same crown was now worn by Raja Parikshit.

Raja Parikshit decided to go for hunting. After hours of hunting he was very tired and thirsty. He saw a Rishi Ashram and decided to go in. Inside was a Rishi deep in Samadhi. Raja Parikshit because of effect of Kaliyuga, mocked the rishi. He thought this rishi, does not have the courtesy to welcome the king. He doubted whether the rishi was acting or was in meditation. He saw a snake nearby. He killed the snake, lifted the lifeless body of the snake with an arrow, and put it as a garland around the saints head. He left to his palace. In the mean time, the Saint’s son returned and saw the dead snake around his father’s head. He got very angry, he took some holy water in his hand, and cursed that whosoever has done this to my father, will die in the next 7 day. The giant Takshak Snake with bite him, after becoming a garland around his neck.

When the Rishi came out of his medidation, after knowing what has happened, he was angry on his son. He told his son that you have cursed the king. The son did not know this. The rishi had known the king as a knowledgeable and kind man, who had great respect for learned people. He instructed his son to go the King and tell him about the curse. He told that tell the king, you have 7 more days to live. So prepare for what ever you decide.

The Raja when he came back to his palace, took out his crown. Immediately he realized his mistake. He felt very bad. He thought, where did my wisdom go? He wanted to repent to the rishi. He was about to leave, when the rishi’s son came and told the king, that he had cursed him. The king told the son, I am very happy. I am surprised that I have got 7 days to live. With the kind of act I have done, I should not be given even an hour to live.

The king then left his palace, his wives, servants, he wore a normal dress, took a mat and left for River Ganges. One of the servants followed him with a golden chair. When the Raja reached the banks of river Ganges, he took a dip, and prayed to Gangaji. He told the sin he had committed and the repentance he was feeling. After that he came out and prayed to Lord Krishna. He begged for mercy to the Lord. He prayed the lord, asking that you have taken care of my birth and life so far, now take care of my death as well. Lord Krishna was very happy.

In the mean time, various rishis, Sage Agastya, Sage Vyasji all came there. They asked the Raja why he had abandoned his kingdom. The Raja told then the reason. The servant left the chair near the Raja and left. Then there was a very bright light. It was like Sun had descended to the earth. When the light came nearer the Rishis were pleasantly surprised to see, Sage Shukracharyaji there. Many of them only heard about him, they were seeing him for the first time. Shukracharyaji was wearning nothing, his concentration was always on the tip of his nose. As we came all the rishis bowed in respect. He came near to the Raja and sat on the golden chair. Lord Krishna had decided to help the Raja through Shukracharyaji. Shukracharyaji laid his hands on the kings head and in an instant the king was merged with the infinite. He had visions of Lord Krishna.

Panditji says that, Gurus can either give us a guru mantra (that we recite and reach salvation) or can touch us (sparsh). The touch can get us instant salvation and all our karma will get burnt. Ramakrishna Paramhansa was one such sage. When he used to touch any body they used to be in Samadhi for over 2 hours.

The king told to Shukracharyaji, O’ larned sage I am no more afraid of dying. Your blessing has given me the courage. I have only 7 days to live. I want to know from you, what should people do in this kaliyuga so that they can travel the path of salvation. Secondly how can old people who are nearing death overcome the fear of dying.

To be continued in the next class on 8th March 2006

Bhagwat Stories For All - 22nd Feb 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 24 Feb 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

((In Progress will be updated by 24th Feb 2006))

Bhagwat Stories For All - 15th Feb 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 15 Feb 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Due to Rain, today’s class was cancelled

Bhagwat Stories for All - 8th Feb 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 08 Feb 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Today’s pravchan started with Panditji making a prayer to Hariharji Maharaj and thanking all brothers and sisters who had come to the temple.

After the Mangalachar, discussed last week, Sootji went ahead and asked Shaunak Rishi about the Bhagwat. He asked that Shukdevji was such a learned and Brahmagyani (knower of the Brahman). Then why did he still go ahead and tell the Bhagwat to Raja Parkishit. He was already liberated, unlike all of us who are on the path to achieve liberation.

Shaunak Rishi told of an incident. Once in Raja Janak’s court, the two rishis arrived. One was Shukdevji and the other was Naradji. Since both the rishis were learned it became difficult for the ministers to decide whom among the two should be given a higher seat. They asked Raja Janak to decide. Raja Janak thought for a while, he told that both the rishis are very respected and learned. So he told it is very difficult for him to decide. In the mean time the Queen Sunayna, heard of the problem faced by her husband, Raja Janak. She spoke to Raja Janak. She told him not worry and would find out a solution. He told Raja Janak that after the day’s proceedings were over, both Shukdevji and Naradji can come to her chamber and retire for the day there. Raja Janakji told the rishis about the same. The rishis agreed. In the evening they went to the Queen’s chamber. Shukdevji was a Gyan Yogi (knowledge) where as Naradji was a Bhagkti Yogi (Devotion). They sat to meditate in the name of the lord in their own ways. The queen after some time came. She was looking gorgeous. With all ornaments and royal clothings she was looking very beautiful. Naradji on seeing her, moved to one corner of the room. Shukdevji on the other day, remained motion less. For him the queen’s presence or not did not make any difference.

The next day, the queen announce in the darbar of Raja Janak. That she found that Shukdevji was superior to Naradji and deserved a higher seat. The reason being that, Naradji still had the distinction between Male and Female. Shukdevji had risen far higher than the mortal distinction of the male and female. Shukdevji was hence a brahmagyani and the right person to tell the Bhagwat. He went to Raja Parikshit’s place and told the Sri Bhagwat to him.

In a related incident Panditji was telling about an incident when Naradji went to Vyasji and asked him to write about stories of Lord Krishna’s Childhood. Vyasji wanted to know about these stories from Naradji himself. Vyasji asked Naradji, that you are revered sage. What did you do to reach this level of divinity? Naradji said that he remembers about his previous births. In human beings, we normally don’t remember our past lives. Getting birth and dying are two painful incidents, in front of which all other pains seem pale. But Naradji said he remembers all about his previous birth. He further said to Vyasji that he will now tell the story of his previous birth.

In his previous birth, Nardji was born to a poor Brahmin lady. He lost his father when he was young. His mother worked as a maid in a rich man’s house. She had to work long hours every day to make two ends meet. Naradji as a little boy spent his time playing with the people of the village. The owner of the house where Naradji’s mother used to work was a nice man. Once in the village a group of saints had come wandering. The villagers were very happy. They requested the saints to stay in the village in the rainy season. Sages normally don’t travel in the rainy season. The rainy season lasts for 4 months and is called Chatur (Four) Mas (months). The saints agreed. The owner of the house, where Naradji’s mother worked, was a rich man. He went to the sages, bowed with respect, and requested the head monk to take Naradji as his assistant. He told that this boy, is from a very poor family. His mother is very poor and works hard all day. So please let him be at your service. The head monk accepted. Naradji worked very hard, from early in the morning to late in the night he used to server the monks. He used to wake up an hour before the head monk. The head monk was very pleased with him. He used to listen to the talks given by the head monk daily with full interest.

In one of the talks, the chief monk talked of a story of Lord Krishna in his childhood. Lord Krishna had two friends who used to play with him every day. One day Krishna told them that, they should be strong, well built and muscular. The friends told Krishna that, you are lucky. Your father is the king, and so have all the pleasures in the house. You can eat butter, drink milk etc. So no wonder you are so healthy and beautiful. Our parents are very poor. Mother has to work all day, and even after that she does not earn enough to buy us milk. So she buys butter milk and we drink that only. So how do you think we can get strong as you. Lord Krishna felt the words. He thus used to rob butter (makhan chor) from neighbours house and fed the butter to his friends. Lord Krishna was thus called makhan chor, he didn’t mind doing it for his friends. Naradji was very impressed and deeply moved by this story. He also prayed to Krishna and told that see I am also poor, I am also not a King’s son, my mother also does not earn enough, so when will you come and bless me with makhan.

At the end of four months, the monks all decided to leave and continue their journey. So on the last day, they had a big feast. The chief monk asked Naradji if he had his meal. Naradji said, he has his meals after every one has eaten. The chief monk was moved. He asked Naradji to eat from the food that he had just completed.

Panditji says, by having food that is offered to God or holy men and eating the same as Prasad, helps us in getting the blessings as well as their good qualities. That is why in our temple we have the offering of food to the lord and later we all have it.

When the time came to depart, Naradji asked the chief monk, that he be allowed to follow him. The chief monk told him that he is impressed by his desire to lead a spiritual life, but he has to serve his mother first. His mother has nurtured him in his womb for 9 months, so it is his duty to server the mother. Naradji said that, his mother was interested in getting him married, produce kids so that she could live comfortably in the company of her grand children. Naradji said he was not interested to live such a life. He gave some more examples. He said that in the past, when Rani Kaikeyee told Sri Ram to leave for forest for 14 years, and have her son Bharat be made the King. When Bharatji returned from his grandparents and came to know of this, he told his mother that he was so angry that he wanted to strangle her, but because Sri Ram also called her as a mother, he was not doing so. Naradji said that in this incident, Kaikayee did not do what befits a mother. Naradji gave another example that Prahlad, was also caught up in house hold. His father the Raja Hiranyakaship did not like Prahlad praying Lord Vishnu all the time and gave all sorts of problems to son. Where was parental love. In recent time when Meera Bai wanted to become a saint, her parents did not allow her. They got her married forcibly. They wanted her to live a householder life. She wrote to tulsidasji and asked her, What she must do? Tulsidasji said in simple words. Go to the place where you are loved. If you are not loved then don’t stay there. Meerabai left Mewar. Legend tells us that after Meera Bai’s departure, Mewar also lost its glory and independence.

Naradji tried hard, but could not convince the chief monk to take him along. The chief monk told Naradji, that your time to become an ascetic will come. Just wait. Naradji though dejected returned to his house. He stayed and served his mother. One day, in the early morning, when Naradji mother was going out, she accidentally stepped on a snake. The snake bit her and she died. Naradji was left alone in the world. After performing the last rites of his mother he decided that, since he has nobody in the world, it is the right time to become an ascetic. What ever he had as a house and the things in the house, he disposed them, and moved from the village. He wandered from place to place. He reached the banks of river Ganga and began meditating. When he recited 1.3 million times the God’s name, he saw a bright light. The light engulfed him. It brought him inner peace. He knew the existence and the meaning of it. He received the message that if he completes another 1.3 million recitation, lord would appear before him.

Panditji, has told something interesting here. When ever we do chanting, we are normally very conscious of the numbers. For instance if we decide to have fast on 7 Mondays then normally after the first few, we wait for the 7 to finish. We spent more effort in counting and trying to finish the 7 so that we can lead our normal lives. Similarly when we are chanting we are more worried about the numbers rather than the spirit of chanting. In such a context we don’t achieve the desired results. So he advices the advice given to us by Naradji that, let us concentrate on chanting and let God do the counting. When we complete the numbers, HE knows and will come. If we focus on the counting then there is no surprise that we fail to achieve what we want.

So after another 1.3 million recitations, Lord Vishnu appeared ito Naradji and blessed him. He made him his messenger. And told him that you are now blessed, take this instrument and chant my name in all the 7 worlds. Since that day Naradji has been doing the chanting and even today, he is there at all those places where Lords chanting takes place.

Vyasji was very impressed by the Naradji’s narration. He then told Naradji that why don’t you help me complete the bhagwat. Naradji said, no not me. I will request Lord Ganesha to come and help you get through the writing of Bhagwat. Lord Ganesha thus wrote down, all that was recited by Vyasji, and that has become the blessed, divine scripture called Sri Bhagwat.

Hari Om.

Bhagwat Stories for All - 1st Feb 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 01 Feb 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Will be Updated later

Bhagwat Aarti

Aarthi Ati Pawan Puran ki, Dharam Bhakti Vishan Khaan ki

Mahapuran Bhaagwat Nirmal ,
Sukh mukh Vighalit Nigam kalpphal,
Parmanand Sudha Rasmaya kal,
Leela rati ras-ras nidhan ki
Aarthi Ati Pawan Puran ki, Dharam Bhakti Vishan Khaan ki

Kalimalmathni tritaap nivarini,
Janam mrityu Bhav bhay harini,
Sevat Satat Sakal Sukh Karini,
Subh auoshadhi hari charit gan ki.
Aarthi Ati Pawan Puran ki, Dharam Bhakti Vishan Khaan ki

Vishaya vilas vimoh vinashini,
Vimal virag vivek vikasini ,
Bhagwad tatv rahasya prakasini,
Param jyoti parmatam gyan ki
Aarthi Ati Pawan Puran ki, Dharam Bhakti Vishan Khaan ki

Param hans muniman ullasini,
Rasik hradaya rus raas vilasini
Bhakti mukti rati pream sudasini
Katha akinchan priya sujaan ki ,
Aarthi Athi Pawan Puran Ki, Dharam Bhakti Vishan Khaan ki

After the Bhagwat Pravachan this is the Arti, sung.

Bhagwat Stories for All. 25th Jan 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 25th Jan 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Continuing from last week about the two sons Atmadev had got. Gokarn the one born from cow, the holy and righteous (with ears like a cow-Go) and Dhundhkari. As time passed, GoKarn being the religious, righteous and good man grew in stature. Where as his brother, Dhundhkari, had all the wrong habits. There was a world of difference between the brothers, but never the less they were still close. Dhundhkari died when he reached his age and because of all his misdeeds, became a demon. An evil spirit. Gokarn came to know about this because he was in meditation always. He felt very sad. He decided to do something. So he went to the Lord Brahmaji and asked him. He said that he is very saddened by the fact that his brother is an evil spirit now. He wanted to do something so that he could relieve his brother of this misery. Brahmaji thought for a while and told him to recite the Bhagwat. The Bhagwat is the scripture of the lord that can relieve not only humans of their misery and misdeeds (karma) but also spirits. Gokarn’s hopes raised. He decided to do as he was told.

In the month of Jyeshta (according to the Hindu calendar. It comes roughly in the June-July month of the English calendar), he went to the place Gaya (the one in modern Bihar of India) and decided to have a Bhagwat Saptah (the word Saptah means a week or 7 days, when the entire Bhagwat is completed in a week, that is known as Bhagwat Saptah). Gokarn went to each house in the village (those days Gaya used to be a village, today it is a large city) and told the village folk that, he was organizing the Bhagwat Saptah. They were all invited to come and listen to the same. So the entire village turned up for the Saptah.

Before we do any activitiy (religious prayers etc) we need to do a Sankalp (or promise or the objective why we are doing this). Gokarnji also made a Sankalp that he wanted his brother to be liberated from evil form. Gokarnji brought one large bamboo stick that had seven knots on it. He began the Bhagwat Saptah. Dhundhkari (his brother in evil spirit form), came to listen the Bhagwat as well. He sat on the top knot of the bamboo stick. The Bhagwat was recited in a very easy and clear form. All the listeners were getting interested to know about it. Something strange was happening at the end of each day. The Bamboo stick was getting sliced into half, day by day. At the end of each day, the length till one knot used to get sliced off. At the end of the 7th day the entire bamboo stick sliced to two pieces.

From inside came a well dressed Brahmin. Once he came out he recited the prayer to the lord. Gokarn was very surprised. He asked the Brahmin who he was. The Brahmin said, brother I am Dhundhkari, your brother. I had been listening to your Bhagwat all these days and surprisingly on the last day, I shed by evil form, through some miracle. I then took up this Brahmin form. I thank you and thank the lord for having mercy on me. Gokarn also noticed that some devtas had come there from Lord Vishnu. Gokarn was surprised to see them there. He asked them, how they had come there. The devtas said that, they were specially sent there by the Lord Vishnu Himself. He told them to go to the place where Gokarn was having his Bhagwat Saptah. To bring Dhundhkari to him once the saptah was over. The Lord was very impressed by the dedication of Dhundhkari.
Gokarn asked the devtas, that was so special that was done by Dhundhkari, although everyone from the village was also listening to the Bhagwat. The devtas replied that, Dhundhkari listened to the entire Scripture told in the day. In the night he contemplated on the stories that were told. The remaining time he spent meditating on the lord and thanking him for such a wonderful opportunity. In this way he spent all his days and no wonder that the lord was so happy with him. Gokarn was very happy that the sankalp that he took before starting of the Bhagwat had got fulfilled as well.

He then turned towards the villagers assembled there. He told them that had you all also listened with the same intend you all would have achieved the same result. The people in the Village told that, Dhundhkari was a spirit. So he did not have any worldly work. But we are all here with our family. We have our children, parents, spouses to take care. We are so busy with our day to day work that there is very little time for us to focus on meditating on the Bhagwat. But nevertheless they told Gokarnji that they were also interested in Moksha.

Gokarnji knew from his vision that his parents had passed to the next world. His father and mother were living on the banks of Ganga in their Old Age. He felt very sad on their demise, but wanted to do something so that they can also get liberated of their karmas.

Our shastras say that if there is a holy person in our family he can liberate seven generations of ours. If any of our seven generation are in lower planes they can be transferred to higher planes. At the same time if there is an un-holy person in our family. He can downgrade seven generations to lower planes. That is the importance of our human birth. We can stay good and liberate not only ourselves but also our ancestors who for any reason are lying in lower planes. Gokarnji here is a good example of a holy son. He helped not only himself but all his ancestors as well.

So in the coming months of Shravan (the rainy season), Gokarn again organized another Bhagwat Saptah. This time he took the sankalp of liberating his parents. He also called the entire village again. He told them that this time they have to have full attention and intend while listening to the Bhagwat. In this way Gokarn, did a great service to mankind. All this happened because of greatness of Bhagwat. All those who listen to Bhagwat will all interest, contemplate on the message within and meditate the lord for liberation, can with no doubt achieve liberation within this lifetime itself.

One nice incident was narrated by Panditji. He was telling about the time when Lord Krishna, killed Kamsa (his evil uncle) and reinstated Ugrasen (Kamsa’s father) as the King. After Kamsa’s defeat and death, his friend Jarasandh was very angry. He thought of teaching Krishna a lesson. So he attacked Lord Krishna’s armies. 16 times the Lord fought and pushed him back. Jarasandh had a boon. And the Lord knew about it. Jarasandh used to go back wait for a couple of months, reassemble his armies and come back and attack the lord.
In the Seventeenth attempt, the lord decided other wise. Once he saw Jarasandh coming, he turned his back and started to act as if he was running away from the war. Jarasandh thought the lord was running away. He kept on shouting, Oh Krishna, don’t be a coward, face and fight me. (In our current day we have a name of Lord Krishna has Ranchoddasji which when literally translated means one who leaves the battlefield and flees). So Lord Krishna on the front and Jarasandh behind. When the lord reached a hill, he saw one king by name Mirkit sleeping there. The lord quickly took out his battle gown (the overcoat with bright golden colors also called Pitambar). He put it on the sleeping king. When Jarasandh reached a while later he thought Krishna got scared and was hiding. He shouted saying, come out you coward and gave a kick. The king woke up and as he opened his eyes Jarasandh was burnt to ashes. The Lord has his own ways.
The story of this king, is thus. He used to have a kingdom on earth and was a powerful king. In one of the wars between the devas and asuras, the king was called. He went to fight for the devas and managed to defeat the asuras. The devas were very happy and asked him to spent time in devlok. The king wanted to return back. The devas told him, why don’t you ask for a boon. The king said, I am going down to earth, and want to sleep. If any one wakes me up, and I see the person he should be destroyed to ashes. So he selected a place in the hills and decided to rest there. Lord Krishna the creator knew about this and brought the end of Jarasandh in this way.

Thus ended towards pravachan. Panditji thanked all the people who had assembled there to listen to the pravachan (talk). He said from the next week he would start with the Chapter 1.

Bhagwat Stories for All. 18th Jan 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 18th Jan 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

Panditji started by telling the story of a Brahmin called Atmadev who lived on the banks of the river Tungabhadra.

Explanation on Atmadev and Tungabhadra.
Atma is Soul and Dev is body. Atmadev is here referring to all of us. All of us are Atmadev. So through this story we are learning something about ourselves. Tungabhadra is a river in Southern India. The word tunga means high and bhadra means serving.

Atmadev had all material comforts. He had large amount of wealth, good food, large house etc. Physically he was living a good life. He was already 50 years. He was worried of only one thing. He had no children, particularly son. He was very much worried of this fact. So one day he decided to end his life by drowning in a pond. He made up his mind and started to go towards the pond. On the banks of the pond he met a Mahatma (Monk). The Monk was coming back after collecting alms.

Collecting Alms.
In Ancient India, Monks used to wander for alms. They used to collect alms before 12 noon. They used to ask for alms only from 5 houses. Once they collected the alms they would go to the pond. Wash all the vegetables of all spices. All Chapathis used to be washed of to remove any taste. This way they used to offer all the taste to God and used to eat food to sustain their body only. This food was called as Madhukari.

The discussion went further in this way.

Mahatma. What is your name and why do you look so down?
Atmadev. My name is Atmadev. I have come here to end my life.
Mahatma. I have some food with me, so why don’t you eat some. You can then tell me your story.
Atmadev. I have enough food in my house, In fact the problem is I don’t have anyone to eat the food. I have a large house but no one to live.
Mahatma. So your problem is you don’t have a son?
Atmadev. Yes, Mahatmaji, you have told correctly, I don’t have a son. And scriptures say that without a son, who will do my Pinda-dan (offerings to our ancestors who have passed).

Explanation of Pindadan and its significance as mentioned in our scriptures.
In our times when we live in this world, we develop lots of desires. When we die, we are sometimes still worried about our spouse, children, business, work, property etc etc. So even after we die our desires remain un fulfilled. During Pindadaan the son offers these though symbolically to the soul so that it can remove the desires. The Pindadaan does not help in any way to achieve salvation. Hence what ever good deeds we want to do it has to done while we are alive. Nothing can be done once we die.


Mahatma. Very good, you are so blessed that you don’t have a son. See if you had one you would be thinking of the welfare of the son all the time. You would worry of his education, health, marriage etc. God has blessed you by having no son, this way you can concentrate on your self and meditate to realize your higher self.
Atmadev. Mahatmaji, you are making light of my problems. I am really very down. If I don’t have a son, who will light the lamp on my body when I pass.
Mahatma. See Atmadev, you are getting worried unnecessarily. First of all why don’t you offer pindadan your self to your self to the God. Then you need not worry about who will offer it later. In Kaliyug getting a son who is going to be faithful is very difficult. So don’t worry about the lighting of the lamp.

Panditji narrated a real experience he had when a lady came crying to our Sh.Maharajji. Once in Mathura when Panditji was with Maharajji, a lady came and fell to feet of Maharajji. She was crying. Maharajji asked her what was the matter. She said she has no son. So she is destined to go to Narak or hell. Maharajji smiled and told her, in that case, you will find me there too. I have not married and hence have no son. He said there are hundreds of thousands of couples who don’t have sons and they too will be there with us. So when we meet there we will recite the 12th chapter of Geeta and achieve salvation. All doubts of the women cleared. She returned back cheerful thanking Maharajji.

Atmadev. See Mahatmaji, I agree to what you say. But still I long for a son, so can you do something for me atleast. With your blessings I am sure I can get a son.

Mahatmaji was overwhelmed with the request. And as all Mahatma’s who are so kind in heart, he gave a fruit to Atmadev and told him to give it to his wife. He said after his wife has the fruit, they should live a Sattvic (Righteous) life. That way the kid born will be a righteous and good child.

Atmadev, went back home and gave the fruit to his wife. But he did not insist her to eat it then and there. The wife’s name was Dhundli. Atma’s wife is called Buddhi or Intellect. The wife was in two minds, as what Intellect is. One part says, yes then the other part says no, bringing the dual confusion (Dwand) in our life.

Example. When we come to the Satsang, one part of our mind will tell us, there are so many important things to be done, so let us finish all that, satsang can wait. The other part says, that work in the world will never finish. Something will keep cropping up, we have got this good chance to listen to bhagwat so let us go and listen it. This duality is called as dwand.

Dhundli thinks that, after she eats the fruit, she will get pregnant and has to carry the baby for 9 months. All the pain and problems. Now she was so happy, there was no need to worry. So she decided she did not want to eat the fruit. She had a sister. She told the same to her sister also. The sister is our Mind. So we have Soul (Atma) whose wife is Intellect (Buddhi) and whose sister is Mind (Mun). The sister supported the argument of Dhundli. She said that she was any way pregnant and could understand what her sister was telling. So the sisters decided that, when dhundlli’s sister gives birth to a child, dhundhli will tell her husband that it is her child.

An advice to pregnant women. Normally when women are pregnant the type of thoughts they have make the child’s character. When Draupadi was pregnant, Arjun revealed the Charkravyuh knowledge and Abhimanyu in Draupadi’s womb could understand everything. If our women folk also lead Sattvic lives during their pregnancy, we can have brilliant and realized souls.

Dhundli gives the fruit to the cow to eat. At the end of period, dhundhli tells her husband that she has given birth to a child. The child was actually a couple of weeks old. Atmadev got surprised. He told his wife I never say symptoms of pregnancy in you and this child looks a couple of weeks old. The wife told that, this is the Mahatmaji’s fruit’s wonder. At the same time, the cow gave birth to a calf. Because of the Mahatma’s fruit, there had to be a result. The calf was actually not a usual calf. He was born as a child but with ears of a cow. In no time Atmadev understood what had happened. He was anyway happy that instead of one son he got two sons now. He called the son from the cow as Go-Karn.

There was one more instance mentioned here. After the Mahabharata the victorious Pandavas went to meet Dhratrashtra and Gandhari. Dhratrashtra had lost all his sons in the war. He had no sosn left or he had no more generation to look after. He was very angry. He said that he was very angry and wanted to meet Bheem. Lord Krishna told that when people are very angry, they should be either let to cry or let what they want even for a small time. This would reduce the anger. So he ordered that an Iron Image of Bheem be made. He then gave that statue to Dhratrashtra. The old king was still so strong that he caught the statue with all his anger till he managed to crush it. Next Gandhari said, that he has no complaints against the Pandavas but was very angry with Sri Krishna. She summoned Sri Krishna. She gave a curse to him saying that just like in front of my very eyes my entire generation has got finished, I curse that you also loose your entire generation in front of your eyes. Sri Krishna said smilingly, Ok, Bua (Auntie) if you say that then it will be like that.

Closing the day’s talk Panditji mentioned that it took 7 days non stop, for all the Bhagwat to be told to Raja Parikshit by Shukdevji. But since we are meeting once a week for one hour, it will take us almost 2 years to complete the entire Bhagwat. He thanked all those who had come and wished that they come continuously.

Bhagwat Stories for All. 11th Jan 2006

Summary of Bhagwat Pravachan

Date: 11th Jan 2006
Original Hindi : Pt.Satyavan Mishraji
English Translation: Suresh Kumar Ranga

In today’s pravchan Panditji told us about how the Bhagwat was told by Sootji a philosopher and saint to other Saints at the place called Naimisharanya. The Saints once assembled and went to asked Brahmaji that we would like to do a Yagna. So they
asked which place would be the best to do it. Brahmaji asked them to go to a place called Naimisharanya.

Naimisharanya. In modern India this place is located 90 Kms from Lucknow, the capital of UttarPradesh state. The place is very famous for its unique place in Indian Spirituality. It was in the forests of Naimisharanya that Mahabharata was written by Sri Ved Vyasji.

So 60 thousand of saints got assembled in Naimisharanya. They thought that what should they do to relieve the human kind of misery and direct their concentration towards the lord. In kaliyuga it was very difficult to meditate as the mind was wavering always. Everything would be for sale in this yuga. It would also be very difficult for people to become saints and renounce the world. So the Saints thought why not we do something that can be of help. While they were thinking. Sootji a very famous saint and philosopher was passing that area. He spoke to the saints and asked them their reason to be there. The saints told their purpose of assembling and the question they were pondering on. Soothji was very impressed and told them that, their thoughts were very superior. He told them that Sri Bhagwat was a scripture that if people in Kaliyug either read or even just listen to it, will guarantee them salvation. At that time Sage Naradji came. Naradji is cheerful always. But on that particular occasion he was not. So Sootji asked Naradji what was the matter. Naradji said he was coming from Vrindavan where he saw a strange sight. He saw a woman with two old persons with her. The two were lying motionless as if were on the death bed. The lady was very worried. Naradji asked the lady what was all this? The lady said, she was born in dravid region (south India). When she grew up she moved to Karnatak Pradesh (the current Karnataka). From there she moved to Gujarat. The two old men were her son. She said her name was Bhakti (devotion). The two sons she had were Gyan (Knowledge) and Vairagya (Renunciation). The two were old as soon as they were born. When she reached Vrindavan, (which is a place full of bhakti and devotion), she became young, but the sons remains still old.

Panditji says, so is the situation of society today. In this Kaliyuga Knowledge and Renunciation are not the priorities of humans any more. Hence when we are born these two have become already old. Where as Bhakti becomes young when we go for satsangs.

Naradji then told the Vedas to the two sons of Bhakti. They got some energy stood and within no time fell down again. Naradji narrated the Bhagwat geeta to them. Same thing happened. For a few moments they had energy and then they fell down. This made Naradji very sad. So he had come to meet Sootji. Sootji told to Naradji, please proceed to Vrindavan and bring Bhakti with her children. Once they listen to Bhagwat they will regain their youth.

This way Panditji said that in the Kaliyuga or the present times, the Bhagwat is a very powerful scripture that can guide us towards salvation. We can either read it and if we are not able to do that, then we atleast listen to the message. He said he is very happy that all the people who have come to listen to Bhagwat have made a good decision. To bring back our knowledge and renunciation, Bhagwat is an easy path.

Continuing on the Bhagwat Panditji said that in the hindu scriptures there are 7 rivers that are considered to be very holy. The seven are Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavri, Narmada and Indus. Of all the Narmada river is considered to be the most holy. It flows from the central India to the Arabian Sea. People like to do a parikrama or walk along the entire perimeter of the river, along its banks. Bheeshma, Karna, Ashwatdhama etc are still there in their divine forms. The people along the banks are helpful to the people who take such spiritual journeys. There was another story also came up.

Vyasji was blessed with a son, Shukdevji. When Shukdevji completed his formal education, Vyasji decided that it was time to get him married. Shukdevji, when asked, said that he is not destined to marry and wanted to be an ascetic. So one day Shukdevji left the house. Vyasji followed to convince and bring back his son. The son did not want to return. While the father and son were crossing a pond a strange thing happened. Some village women were bathing in the pond. On seeing Shukdevji passing they did not do anything, and continued to bathe. But when Vyasji followed they quickly ran and dressed up. Vyasji surprisingly asked the women, as Why did they cover themselves when they saw him, where as did not do the same when his son, Shukdevji passed the same way. The ladies said that, your son Shukdevji is has a divine presence in him. He is beyond the man, woman relationships. He is too much engrossed in God. Hence there was no need for covering up. Where as you (Vyasji) are still lost in relationships of father and son, man and woman. Hence you are very much human. We there fore covered ourselves. Vyasji continued in search of his son and finally found him. Vyasji insisted his son to return home again.

Shukdevji said to his father, that Oh learned one, you are still caught up in the relationships in this world. Hence you are seeing me as your son. But I have grown over all these relationships. I no more see you as my father or myself as your son. Hence you please return home. Vyasji did not relent. Shukdevji then told his father. Let us do this. I sit and meditate on this side of the river and you meditate on the other side. Forget that you are my son and I am your father and meditate. And then you decide whether you want me to come with you or not. Vyasji followed his son’s instructions. He meditated and found that, his son was already a realized soul. So how does one become religious?

There was one more incident that Panditji mentioned during his Bhagwat discourse. He said that when Shukdevji was narrating the Bhagwat to Raja Parikshit, the devas came down. They offered Raja Parikshit an option, that he could take the Pot full of nectar and let them listen to the Bhagwat. Shukdevji told to Raja Parikshit. The pot of Nectar can make your immortal. Immortal means that it can give you a longer life than other people. Those who come to this world have to return back sooner or later. With the nectar you can delay your death. But this knowledge of Bhagwat can take your off from the cycle of birth and death. Raja Parikshit said he does not want the nectar but prefer the Knowledge of Bhagwat. Thus this Bhagwat is more than a scripture. It has a relevant message for all of us. Just by listening to it, we can free ourselves from the cycle of birth and death.