By Kim Graae Munch.
From SRIMAD BHAGAVATA MAHATMYA, (Bhakti Narada Samvadam) The discussions between Bhakti and Saint Narada
When Krishna disappeared from the view of humankind at the start of Kali Yuga, he created a way to teach humanity, and teachers.
Sri Uddhava said:
Hey Govinda [Krishna]! After fulfilling the requirements of your devotees, you are now proceeding towards your journey. However, my mind is bothered with certain issues. Please listen to them and console me.
The gory times of Kali, you see, has already come. There will be more and more cruel persons. Because of the association with them even the good people shall inherit the habit of the cruel. At that time, to whom the mother earth, who is in the form of the cow, due to the unbearable burden on account of these people, shall seek her protection? Hey the One who is having the eyes like that of the lotus flower! I do not see anyone else other than you who shall be the protector.
Hey the One who is fond of his devotees! Therefore, taking pity on good people, you should not leave this place. Even though You are the one without any physical form and in fact the embodiment of Sat, Chit and Ananda, for the sake of the devotees you had manifested yourself in this form.
How those devotees live in this world without you being here? It is difficult to worship the One without any form. Therefore, be concerned with this at least a little.
Upon listening to these words from Uddhava at the sacred place of Prabhasa, Bhagavan [Krishna] started thinking: ” For the purpose of the protection of the devotees what I am supposed to do.”
Bhagavan assimilated all his powers into the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana. He disappeared from here and entered into the great ocean of Srimad BHAGAVATAM.
Therefore, Srimad BHAGAVATAM is the embodiment of Sri Krishna in the form of words in real terms. Through serving this great Mahapurana, listening to it, reading it and looking at it annihilates all the sins in the human beings.
Srimad BHAGAVATAM is the teaching for Kali Yuga, and the primary teacher on Earth is Saint Narada, a physical emanation of Krishna, the same we also know as Arjuna.
How the greatest knowledge attained through devotion – “Bhakti” – knowledge or intelligence – “Jnam” – and the act of distancing oneself from the worldly matters – “Virakti” – assumes more and more profound proportions in oneself. How come those who are devoted to Lord Vishnu get the ability to completely mitigate the so endearing worldly desires?
During this gory time of Kali mostly the human beings exhibit the characteristics of demons. Which are the useful ways by which we can transform such beings into good humans as they are already inflicted with lots and lots of miseries?
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In these times of Kali, with the intention of rescuing from the fear of being baits in the trap of the mouth of the powerful snake known as Kali, Sri Sukha Brahmarshi had discoursed the Mahapurana known as Srimad BHAGAVATAM.
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The Sanaka Rishis asked:
Hey Brahman – Hey Narada – Why your face is devoid of the usual glow?
What is the reason for your feeling dejected and involved in deep thoughts?
Where you are going away in such a hurry? From where you are coming? You are looking as a person with broken heart as if you have been deprived of all your wealth.
This characteristic is not suitable to you as you are a person who do not get involved in worldly matters. Please explain to us the reasons thereof.
Saint Narada said:
I reached this earth thinking that it is the most appropriate place. I travelled around all the sacred places like Pushkar, Prayag, Kasi, the banks of Godavari river, Haridwar, Kurukshetra, Srirangam, Ram Sethu etc.
However, I could not find happiness of mind or mental peace anywhere. Today this earth is badly afflicted with the Kali, which is a copartner for non righteous activities.
Nowhere there is truth; penance; cleanliness; compassion and charity. The people have turned into gluttons. They have become weak and afflicted with diseases. Not only that, they tell all sorts of lies.
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More on the being Narada: Narada Muni
As I travelled on this earth seeing the bad effects of Kali, like the ones described above, I reached the banks of Yamuna River where once Sri Krishna played his pastimes.
At that place I saw a great wonder. Hey the greatest of the Rishis! Please listen it from me. There a young woman was seated, who was very sad and mentally tormented.
On her both sides, two old men were lying unconscious but breathing heavily. The woman was trying to help them to wake up by patting them and trying everything from her side. She sat in front of them crying profusely and totally saddened.
That young woman was looking around in all the ten directions looking for a someone towards the protection of her body. There were hundreds of women who were fanning her. They repeatedly comforted her.
Viewing all these from a distance, I approached her with curiosity. Upon seeing me, that young woman got up and helplessly started talking to me like this.
The young woman said:
Hey the great soul! Please stop for a moment. I request you to help me in removing my predicament. Your presence helps in discarding all the sins of the world.
Through your kind words I can get relief from my difficulties. Only when one gets divine blessings it is possible to have an opportunity to be before you.
Saint Narada said:
Oh Devi! Who are you ? Who are these two persons? Who are these beautiful women surrounding you? Please explain to me the cause of your sorrows in detail.
The young woman said:
My name is “Bhakti” – devotion – . These two are my progenies. Their names are “Jnanam” – knowledge – and “Vairagya” – detachment from the worldly living. Due to the flow of time, these two have become very old, very weak and thus got tired.
These women are various rivers starting from the Ganges. They have assembled here to be of service to me. Despite that, even after being serviced by the divine powers like them, I am not getting any relief from my sorrows.
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Thereafter, after reaching Vrindavan, I felt as if I have become a new person and transformed into a very beautiful and young woman.
These two children of mine lying here are suffering from acute weakness. Now I would leave this place and go to some other far off location.
You can see that these two children have become old persons. I am extremely saddened because of this misery. How come I became very young and beautiful.
When all the three of us have been walking together how this contradiction came into being? “It should naturally be that the mother should be old and the children should be young” This is how it should be.
The image of Bhakti, with her two sons Jnana and Vairagya who are much older than their mother, pleading in front of Saint Narada.
Due to this I get distressed with painful heart and stuck with wonder. Hey the knowledgeable and the greatest Yogi! What is the reason for this happening? Please explain to me.
Saint Narada said:
Hey the pious one! I am able to see through my inner intuition whatever has happened to you. Do not get worried. Iam sure good things will happen with the blessings of Bhagavan.
Sutha said to Shaunaka:
The greatest of the Saints, Sri Narada, within a short span of time understood the situation, and started saying further.
More on the being Bhakti: Shakti and Bhakti
Saint Narada said:
Hey the young woman! Please listen carefully. This is the gory Kali Yuga.
Therefore, righteous activities have ceased to exist. The path of Yoga, penance etc have gone. Most of the humans are resorting to shortcuts, indulging in negative activities, and assuming the demonic characteristics.
The good people around the world are really suffering. The bad elements are enjoying. Some who are intriguely and pretentiously clever are recognized as very knowledgeable or very great scholars.
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You are not even being looked at by any one, though you are moving around with your two sons. As the people have got blinded themselves totally in their own endearing worldly matters, they have rejected you and hence you have become weak and old.
You became again a young woman because of your being in Vrindavan.
Therefore, Vrindavan is the very sacred place and a permanent stage where Bhakti – devotion – dances at all times.
However, since there is no one who is giving a helping hand to both your sons, they are not able to come out of their weakness and old age situations. However, after reaching here – Vrindavan – they feel slightly comfortable and I feel they that they are sleeping.
Bhakti said:
Why King Pareekshit sustained this cruel Kali in his kingdom? As the Kali had entered now the most esteemed inner truth and all the good thinking and good deeds have gone away?
How come that even the compassionate Sri Krishna also tolerated this non righteous thing and carried on. Please remove my doubt about these. Let me attain my mental peace upon listening to your kind words.
Saint Narada said:
Hey the young woman! Since you are asking me these questions, please listen to me attentively. I shall explain to you everything. Oh the pious one! Therefore, all your miseries shall get mitigated.
As Sri Krishna discarded this earth and went to Vaikunta Loka, since that day, the Kali which affected each and everything had already reached here.
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Hey the Deva Rishi! You are a saviour. Because of my fortune you have come here. The very presence of the great souls like you bring about all good things for the world.
In this world you are the only one, having listened to your advice only once, Prahlada won over the Maya Shakti, and only because of your extreme compassion Druva attained his permanent position. I am now prostrating before you, who is the son of Lord Brahma, and who always thinks of the universal well being at all times.
Saint Narada said:
Hey the young woman! You are unnecessarily getting disturbed. I take pity on you. Why are you so thoughtful? Mentally be with the holy lotus feet of Sri Krishna Bhagavan; all your miseries shall get mitigated.
That Sri Krishna who had rescued Panchali from the cruel actions of Kaurava and who had protected the Gopa women has not gone anywhere.
You are after all the real Bhakti Devi. You are so endearing to Bhagavan even more than the Prana. If you call Him He will reach even to the homes of the most cruel persons.
“Jnana and Vairagya were the instruments for Mukti in Krita, Treta, and Dwapara yuga. However, in the Kali yuga, it is only Bhakti which enables a person to achieve Brahma Sayoojyam – Mukti.” Knowing this, that Bhagavan who is Sat Chit and Ananda, created you who is so pious by nature, beautiful and so endearing to Sri Krishna.
One day you had asked Bhagavan “What I am supposed to do.” Then Bhagavan instructed you this ”Nourish all my devotees.”
Bhagavan was very happy when you obeyed His instructions. He gave you Mukti as your maid, Jnana and Vairagya as your sons.
Like this you remained on this earth from Krita Yuga till Dwapara Yuga so happily along with Mukti, Jnana and Vairagya.
As Kali yuga dawned, Mukti got afflicted with decay, due to the non righteous deeds of people. According to your instructions, she returned instantly to Vaikunta.
Only upon your remembering her Mukti comes back to the earth; thereafter goes back. However, these two (Jnana and Vairagya) have been with you in the form of your sons, and you are taking care of them and protecting them in your own arms.
These two sons of yours, due to the neglect in the times of Kali, are without any initiative, and have also attained old age. Still, you need not worry. Let me think about the ways and means to recover them.
Hey the one with beautiful face! There is no yuga equivalent to Kali. In this yuga, I shall establish you in each and every home, and in each person’s heart.
Setting aside all other methods back, the celebrations with Bhakti alone shall be brought to the front by me and propagated in this world. Otherwise I am not the servant of Sri Hari.
In this Kali Yuga, the persons, however much sinners they are, but who associate themselves with you shall attain the world of Sri Krishna, discarding their fears of this worldly life.
In whosoever inner self the love of Bhakti gets always instituted, such of them become pure in their hearts; they do not see “Andhaka” even in their dream. (Andhaka was a powerful demon).
Till the time one has Bhakti in one’s heart, no ghost, devil, demon, or evil can even touch.
Sri Krishna can be reached only through Bhakti. Not possible through penance, reciting of Vedas, knowledge, deeds – Tapas, Veda Adhyayanam, jnanam, Karma -. Gopa women are the examples for this.
Human beings get involved in Bhakti only due to their good deeds done over thousands of their births. In Kali yuga only Bhakti is the foundation; Bhakti is the only one which gives shelter. Through Bhakti Sri Krishna comes and stands in front.
Anyone who indulges in giving trouble to Bhakti will suffer in all the three worlds. Once upon a time even the Saint Durvasa got into trouble because he disrespected a devotee of Sri Krishna.
Observances of various penances, going to various sacred places, doing different types of yogas, performing rituals, conducting intellectual discourses, all of them are in vain. Bhakti alone is the only one which leads to Mukti.
Sri Sutha said:
That Bhakti Devi, who heard from Saint Narada about Her own importance and specialties, could recover the desired strength in all parts of Herself and started saying to Saint Narada.
Bhakti Devi said:
Hey Saint Narada! You are the most pious one. Your interest in me is very deep rooted. I shall be residing in your consciousness at all times. Never shall separate myself.
Hey the greatest one! My miseries got removed within seconds due to your compassion. However, my children (Jnana and Vairagya) are still in unconscious stage. Therefore, please wake them up very soon.
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Saint Narada couldn’t wake the sons, so he contemplated.
At that time he heard some voice from the sky. “Hey the Saint! Do not worry. Your efforts will definitely fructify. There is no doubt about it.”
“Hey the greatest of the great Saint! For this you will have to undertake a good deed. You will be told about what it is by the most ardent and pious devotees.”
“Once you are able to do that good deed, their sleepy condition and the old age both will go away instantly. Bhakti will get popular everywhere.”
Everyone also heard very clearly these words of the voice from the sky. As far as Saint Narada was concerned, he said in great wonder ”I am not able to understand the meaning of these words.”
He traveled to find out how, but nobody knew.
Therefore, Saint Narada, who became very concerned, went to Badrinath forests and decided to do penance to achieve what has been aimed at.
At that time he happened to see in front of him the Sanaka Rishis, who were radiating the brightness equal to one crore sun. Saint Narada asked them.
Saint Narada said:
Hey Sanaka Kumara Rishis! I could meet all of you only because of my great fortune. Please be compassionate to me and explain to me very fast.
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Please explain to me the actual meaning and content of the words from the sky. How to follow the prescribed methods for this. Please advise me in detail.
How can the wellbeing of Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya be ensured. How can they be instilled and established in all the human beings belonging to all walks of life.
Sanaka Rishis said: Hey the Rishi of all the Devas! Do not be perturbed. Feel happy in your mind. In this matter there already exists an explicit and easy solution.
Hey Narada! You are the blessed one; You are the ultimate among the persons who have detached themselves from the worldly desires; always you are the first among the devotees of Sri Krishna; you are the sun in the path of devotion – Bhakti Yoga.
You are working for the establishment of devotion – Bhakti – and therefore, as far as you are concerned, there is no need to consider this as very difficult.
The one who is the devotee of Sri Krishna, for him it is ever most appropriate to carry out the work of the establishment and sustenance of devotion – Bhakti.
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The learned men have considered good deeds as equal to the real knowledge in practice. Those good deeds are nothing but the reading of Srimad Bhgavatam which has been sung by Sri Sukha Brahmarshi and many others.
Upon listening to the great Srimad BHAGAVATAM, Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya shall get the greatest power. The two – Jnana and Vairagya – will get relief from their miseries. Bhakti will also be happy.
Like the disappearance of the fox when it hears the roaring sound of the lion, due to the sound generated by the reading of Srimad BHAGAVATAM all the faults of Kali will disappear.
When this happens, along with Jnana and Vairagya, Bhakti will reside in each and every home and in each and every heart of the humans overflowing with the elixir of Bhakti – devotion – with pure love.
… You must discourse and make others listen Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana which has the capability to mitigate all the sorrows and miseries. (Sanaka Rishis conveyed to Saint Narada to sing and propagate Srimad BHAGAVATAM so as to eradicate the difficulties of Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya.)
Saint Narada said:
Hey the great saints! You are the ones who always drink the nectar of the stories of Sri Bhagavan which were sung by Sri Adi Sesha through all His mouths! Seeing you helps in the instant removal of one’s troubles; those who are trapped in the forest fire of the miseries of the world get due relief.
To that great Saints like you, I bow myself and undertake to propagate for the development of pure devotional love – Prema Lakshana Bhakti Yoga.
Only due to the derivation of the accumulated fortunes on account of good deeds done over a period of several births human beings get the opportunity to be in the company of good people. In those situations the total darkness of ego and desires risen on account of ignorance shall be removed with the rising of the sun known as rational thinking.
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“Initiating the thinking about Bhagavan in the devotees, injecting immense love within them, uprooting from them the disease of the worldly affairs, you Bhakti Devi shall remain with full courage in the hearts of the Vishnu devotees and stay there.”
“However, the bad effects originating in this world in the times of Kali, however much effective they might be, will not have the capacity to find where you are.” As she got instructions like this from the Sanaka Saints, Bhakti Devi resided within the hearts of the devotees of Vishnu.
In whomsoever hearts there exist with single point attention the devotion towards Sri Hari, such persons, even if they are penniless, in the midst of all the people in this world, are very resourceful. Because, due to the binding of the thread of Bhakti, Bhagavan Sri Hari, Himself leaving His own place, definitely stays permanently in the hearts of the devotees.
Bhakti and Narada kind of represents Radha and Krishna, and Narada is another name for the being we know as Arjuna.
More on Radha, who kind of represent the feminine trinity. Here we also draw lines to other deities. Radha and Krishna.
More on Arjuna, who kind of represents Krishna and Radha in one on earth, she is in him, as Bhakti is in Narada. The relation between Krishna and Arjuna is quite interesting. Arjuna and Krishna.
