{Srimad Bhagwat Mahatmay (The greatness of Srimad Bhagwat)}
{Fourth Chapter}
Shuankadi Rishis said– Sut ji! You have shared very valuable information with us. May you live long and continue to impart your teachings to us for a long time. Today, we have heard from you the unique significance of Srimad Bhagwat. Sut ji, now please tell us what is the form, the nature of Srimad Bhagwat? What are the means of knowledge and how many verses does it have? What is the exact, correct way of listening to it? And, what are the characteristics of the speaker and the listener, i.e. how should the speaker and listener be?
Sut ji said– Oh sages, the form of Srimad Bhagwat and and the Lord are always one and the same, and that form is of Satchitananda (eternal, conscious and blissful) nature. Srimad Bhagwat is the highest literature that reveals the sweet, divine love and taste of the transcendental mellows of Lord Krishna in the hearts of those devotees who are imbued with the love for Him. It is the best of all discourses that elucidates knowledge, science, devotion, and the four essential components of these. It is capable of dispelling the Maya (illusion) and hence, it is also known as the destroyer of Maya. Srimad Bhagwat is infinite and imperishable in its nature, so how can one determine its exact measure? In ancient times, Lord Vishnu had only given a mere understanding of it in four verses to Lord Brahma.
O Sages! Only Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are capable of diving into the unfathomable depths of this highly divine Srimad Bhagwat and obtaining their desired entities from it. However, for those whose intellect and instincts are narrow and finite, Sage Vyas has composed the Srimad Bhagwat in the form of a dialogue between Parikshit and Shukdev, for the welfare of such people. This scripture contains Eighteen thousand verses. For those beings, who are suffering due to the influence of Kali (demon), this sacred Bhagwat Mahapuran is their ultimate refuge. Now, let us understand more about the keen listeners of the delightful divine stories of the Lord Krishna. Listeners can be classified into two types- Uttam (superior) and Adham (inferior). There are several categories of superior listeners such as ‘Chatak’, ‘Hans’, ‘Shuk’ and ‘Meen’, etc. Similarly inferior listeners can be classified as ‘Vruk’, ‘Bhurund’, ‘Vrush’, ‘Ushtra’, etc. Chataka refers to the cuckoo bird, who only desires to drink water that falls from the clouds and does not touch any water. Similarly, a listener who devotes himself by only listening to the scriptures related to Lord Sri Krishna, and leaves everything else is called a ‘Chataka’.
Just as a swan (hans), who drinks only pure milk that is mixed in water, similarly, a listener who listens to many scriptures but selects and takes in only the essence from them is called a ‘Hans’. Just as a well taught parrot pleases its teacher and also pleases other people around with its sweet voice, similarly, a listener who hears the teachings from the great sage Vyas and then narrates them in a beautiful and limited manner, delighting Vyas ji and other listeners, is called ‘Shuk’.
Just as a fish, in Kshirsagar (the ocean of milk), keeps on drinking the milk with wide-open eyes, similarly, a keen listener who listens to the divine stories with full devotion and attention without uttering a single word is called ‘Meen’ (meaning fish in Hindi). Just as a ‘Vruk’ (meaning wolf in Hindi), within the forest, frightens the timid animals, who gathers to listen to the sweet sound of flute, with its terrifying howl, likewise, a foolish listener who loudly interjects during the narration of sacred stories and disturbs those who are immersed in the divine, is called a ‘Vruk’.
There is a bird of the Bhurund tribe on the summit of the Himalayas, which imitates the words of wise people but does not use it for its own benefit. Similarly, one who listens to the teachings and imparts them to others but does not practice them himself is called ‘Bhurund’. The term ‘Vrush’ (meaning bull in Hindi) is used to describe an individual who listens to all the teachings, all the information but is unable to distinguish between what is useful and what is not, just like a bull, who consumes both sweet and bitter grapes, without being able to distinguish .
Just as a camel only eats neem leaves leaving the sweetness of the mango aside, similarly, a person who constantly indulges in materialistic matters, leaving aside the divine gratifying stories of the Lord, is called an ‘Oont’ (meaning camel in Hindi). These are some minor differences explained here. There are other differences as well between the two types of listeners such as ‘Brahmar’ (bee) and ‘Gadha’ (donkey). All these differences should be judged based on one’s natural and instinctive behavior.
The ideal listener is one who sits before the speaker courteously and only desires to hear the divine stories of Lord Sri Krishna, setting aside all other worldly desires. The listener should be extremely attentive and good at understanding, humble, one who receives the teachings and wisdom with full faith and devotion, with hands in Anjali mudra (prayer position) like a disciple. A listener should reflect and contemplate on whatever they have learned and received, one who asks what they have not understood, one who maintains a sacred belief, and always respects and has love for Lord Sri Krishna’s devotees. Such a person is considered to be an admirable listener by the speaker. Now let me describe the characteristics of a speaker. One who is always immersed in God, who has no expectation of anything, who is friendly and affectionate to all, compassionate towards the poor, and who is intellectual enough to explain and illustrate the truth with various examples and perspectives, is considered to be commendable even by the great sages.
O Sages! I will now elucidate the correct way of listening and immersing in the divine Srimad Bhagwat katha (stories). By following this faithful procedure, one illuminates with happiness and expands into exhilaration. There are four ways of reciting Srimad Bhagwat Mahapuran- Saatvik, Rajas, Tamas, and Nirgun. One that is prepared like a Yagnya (Homa), adorned with many sacred things, and requires great efforts and enthusiasm to narrate (the entire Srimad Bhagwat) within seven days, is called ‘Rajas’.
Slowly savoring the essence of the divine story without any effort, over a period of one or two months, which completely enhances the inner bliss and devotion, is called ‘Sattvik’. ‘Tamas’ can be explained as when it is left out by mistake and then resumed when remembered, carried on with laziness and negligence for a year. It is better not to engage in this as it only brings discomfort. When the request of adhering to the rules of years, months, and days is abandoned and listening is done with love and devotion, then that is considered ‘Nirgun’.
Even the narration of Srimad Bhagwat by Shukdevji to King Parikshit has also been described as Nirgun. The mention of the seven days in it is according to the remaining days of the King’s life, not to establish a rule of narrating the entire scripture in seven days. In India and other places as well, one should recite the Bhagwat Mahapuran in either Trigun (Sattvik, Rajas or Tamas) or Nirgun way according to their preference. The whole point is that one should listen to the divine Srimad Bhagwat in any way possible. Those who are only interested in listening, singing and experiencing the leelas (divine plays) of Lord Krishna and do not even desire for liberation (Moksha), for them, Srimad Bhagwat is the ultimate wealth. And for those who are overwhelmed by the miseries of the materialistic world and desire liberation (Moksha), this scripture is the only medicine that can cure the disease of birth and death. Therefore, in this age of Kali (demon), one should make an effort to read and listen to this highly sacred scripture.
For those who are only indulging in worldly pleasures and constantly seeking material happiness, the path of Karma (homas, etc.) which leads to success is extremely rare due to the lack of ability, wealth, and knowledge of the proper methods. In such a situation, such people should also make an effort to read and listen to Srimad Bhagwat. This Srimad Bhagwat even blesses one with wealth, children, spouse, vehicles, fame, houses, and even an everlasting Kingdom. Those who recite or listen to Srimad Bhagwat with a desire for material longings can eventually attain the supreme abode of the Lord Hari, after reading with full sincerity and devotion.
Those who host Srimad Bhagwat Katha, one should volunteer and offer their service and assistance to those who are organizing and even to those who are participating, with all their dedication and contribution. Even those supporting and volunteering receive the grace and blessings. One either desires for ‘Sri Krishna’ or for ‘Wealth’. Except for Sri Krishna, everything and anything that one may desire is encompassed within wealth, and is termed as Wealth. Even the speaker (one narrating Srimad Bhagwat) and the listener (one listening to the narration of Srimad Bhagwat) are of two types- one who desires for Lord Sri Krishna and the other who desires for wealth. If both the speaker and the listener are of the same kind, the essence of Bhagwat increases and one immerses in tremendous joy and delight.
If there are differences in thoughts and desires among the speaker and the listener, it creates a lack of harmony and results in non-fulfillment. However, those who only desire to attain unconditional love and devotion for Sri Krishna, both the speaker and the listener, surely achieve their desired goals even if there is a delay. But for those who are persuaded by wealth, success or attainment can only be achieved by following the path of prescribed rituals and course of actions mentioned in the scriptures.
If one lacks in following certain rituals or has imperfections, but desires to please Lord Sri Krishna and has selfless and unconditional love for Him in their heart, the devoted and pure love itself serves as the best ritual to make the Lord contented. However, during Srimad Bhagwat Katha, both the speaker (the one narrating Bhagwat Mahapuran), and the listeners (listening to the narration with some desires or resolutions), should diligently follow all the prescribed rules and rituals until the end of the Katha:
Every day, in the morning, performing all the mandatory chores; Worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord (Sri Krishna) and also worshiping the divine scripture Srimad Bhagwat and Guru Vyas devji. After that, with great bliss and enthusiasm, one should either narrate or listen to the divine Bhagwat Katha with great devotion and sincerity. Should happily drink milk or rice (one should gladly accept whatever is given to eat or drink, and practice mauna, i.e. silence). To follow celibacy and sleep on the ground. To give up anger and greed.
Every day, at the end of the Katha, perform Kirtan (devotional songs) and on the last day of Katha, hold a night vigil. After the sacred narration of the entire Bhagwat Mahapuran is done, it is considered auspicious to offer food and Dakshina (monetary offerings, often made to show respect and gratitude) to the Brahmins. It is always ethical to offer new clothes, jewelry and a cow to the narrator, as a sign of courtesy and gratitude for imparting knowledge, devotion and a state of connection with our divine within us. By following these rules and regulations, all desires of having a good family, home, wealth and kingdom gets fulfilled. However, having material desires is a great obstacle in our spiritual journey, as it does not serve the real purpose, the greatness and bliss of Srimad Bhagwat Mahapuran.
This sacrosanct scripture ‘Srimad Bhagwat Mahapuran’, narrated by Sri Shukdev ji, is meant to directly lead one to attain the supreme Lord Sri Krishna in Kaliyuga, as it constantly bestows the fruit of eternal divine love and bliss.
“Samapt Midam Srimad Bhagwat Mahatmayam”
(This concludes the greatness (Mahatmay) of Srimad Bhagwat Mahapuran)