The Curse That Gave Srimad Bhagavatam to the World
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Çré Päëòava-nirjalä Ekädaçé Issue no: 13 29th May 2015 The curse that gave Srimad Bhagavatam to the world Features BIRTH AND DIVINE QUALITIES OF MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT Çrémad-Bhägavatam UDDHAVA INSTRUCTS MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT Çrémad-Bhägavatam-Mähätmya MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT ESTabLISHES KALIYUGA AT FIVE PLACES Sri Subodhiné MESSAGE OF THE CURSE Mahäbhärata DID MAHARAJA PARIKSIT GO TO THE BANKS OF YamUNA INSTEAD OF GANGA? His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT ATTAINS THE SUPREME AboDE Çrémad-Bhägavatam Issue no 13, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Thereupon, when all the good signs of the zodiac gradually evolved, the heir apparent of Pandu, who would be exactly like him in prowess, took birth. King Yudhisthira, who was very satisfied with the birth of Maharaja Parikshit, had the purificatory process of birth performed. Learned brahmanas, headed by Dhaumya and Kripa, recited auspicious hymns. Upon the birth of a son, the King, who knew how, where and when charity should be given, gave gold, land, villages, elephants, horses and good food grains to the brahmanas. The learned brahmanas, who were very satisfied with the charities of the King, addressed him as the chief amongst the Purus and informed him that his son was certainly in the line of descent from the Purus. The brahmanas said: This spotless son has been restored by the all-powerful and all-pervasive Lord Vishnu, the Personality of Godhead, in order to oblige you. He was saved when he was doomed to be destroyed by an irresistible supernatural weapon. For this reason this child will be well known in the world as one who is protected by the Personality of Godhead. O most fortunate one, there is no doubt that this child will become a first-class devotee and will be qualified with all good qualities. The Lord Krishna engaged in vanquishing the radiation of the brahmästra King [Yudhisthira] inquired: O great souls, will he BIRTH AND DIVINE QUALITIES become as saintly a king, as pious in his very name and as famous and glorified in his achievements, as OF MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT others who appeared in this great royal family? Çrémad-Bhägavatam The brahmanas said: O son of Pritha, this child shall be exactly like King Ikshvaku, son of Manu, When the child Parikshit, the great fighter, was in in maintaining all those who are born. And as for the womb of his mother, Uttara, and was suffering following the brahminical principles, especially from the burning heat of the brahmästra [thrown by in being true to his promise, he shall be exactly Ashwatthama], he could observe the Supreme Lord like Rama, the Personality of Godhead, the son of coming to him. He [the Lord] was only thumb high, Maharaja Dasharatha. This child will be a munificent but He was all transcendental. He had a very beautiful, donor of charity and protector of the surrendered, like blackish, infallible body, and He wore a dress of the famous King Shibi of the Ushinara country. And lightning yellow and a helmet of blazing gold. Thus He he will expand the name and fame of his family like was seen by the child. The Lord was enriched with four Bharata, the son of Maharaja Dushyanta. Amongst hands, earrings of molten gold and eyes blood red with great bowmen, this child will be as good as Arjuna. fury. As He loitered about, His club constantly encircled He will be as irresistible as fire and as unsurpassable Him like a shooting star. as the ocean. This child will be as strong as a lion, The Lord was thus engaged in vanquishing the and as worthy a shelter as the Himalaya Mountains. radiation of the brahmästra, just as the sun evaporates He will be forbearing like the earth, and as tolerant a drop of dew. He was observed by the child, who as his parents. This child will be like his grandfather thought about who He was. While thus being observed Yudhisthira or Brahma in equanimity of mind. He by the child, the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead, will be munificent like the lord of the Kailash Hill, the Supersoul of everyone and the protector of the Shiva. And he will be the resort of everyone, like righteous, who stretches in all directions and who the Supreme Personality of Godhead Narayana, is unlimited by time and space, disappeared at once. who is even the shelter of the goddess of fortune. nityaà bhägavata-sevayä top right 3 Issue no 13, Page 3 This child will be almost as good as Lord Sri Krishna UDDHAVA INSTRUCTS MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT by following in His footsteps. In magnanimity he will Çrémad-Bhägavatam-Mähätmya become as great as King Rantideva. And in religion he will be like Maharaja Yayati. This child will be like Sri Uddhava said: I have heard the glories of Çrémad- Bali Maharaja in patience, a staunch devotee of Lord Bhägavatam from the mouth of Sri Brihaspati, my Krishna like Prahlada Maharaja, a performer of many spiritual master. Now I offer my respectful obeisances Açvamedha [horse] sacrifices and a follower of the old to him for I have become happy by hearing the and experienced men. instructions of Çrémad-Bhägavatam. According to the This child will be the father of kings who will Vaishnava tradition, I served Çrémad-Bhägavatam for be like sages. For world peace and for the sake of just one month. Due to the influence of this service, I religion, he will be the chastiser of the upstarts and the have become the dear friend of Lord Krishna, and He quarrelsome. After hearing about his death, which will therefore sent me to Vrindavan to serve His beloved be caused by the bite of a snake-bird sent by a son of gopis. Although Krishna eternally enjoys pastimes in a brahmana, he will get himself freed from all material Vrindavan, His beloved gopis were afflicted by feelings attachment and surrender unto the Personality of of separation. He therefore sent me here to impart Godhead, taking shelter of Him. After inquiring about the teachings of Çrémad-Bhägavatam to the gopis. proper self-knowledge from the son of Vyasadeva, who The gopis of Vraja were thus freed from the pains will be a great philosopher, he will renounce all material of separation by accepting the teachings of Çrémad- attachment and achieve a life of fearlessness. Thus Bhägavatam according to their own intelligence. those who were expert in astrological knowledge and Even though I do not understand the mystery of in performance of the birth ceremony instructed King Çrémad-Bhägavatam, still I have experienced the Yudhisthira about the future history of his child. Then, wonder of this great literature. When the demigods, being sumptuously remunerated, they all returned headed by Lord Brahma, prayed to Lord Krishna to their respective homes. So his son would become that He shall return to His own abode, at that time, famous in the world as Parikshit [examiner] because he under a banyan tree, the Lord personally taught me would come to examine all human beings in his search the mystery of Çrémad-Bhägavatam. As a result of after that personality whom he saw before his birth. that instruction my intelligence became fixed and I Thus he would come to constantly contemplate Him. proceeded to Badarikashram and attained perfection. — Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 1: Creation » Since then I am living here in Vraja as a creeper. Chapter 12: Birth of Emperor Parékñit » Verses: 7-30 »· O Parikshit, I am therefore living here at Sri Uddhava giving the teachings of Çrémad-Bhägavatam to the gopis Top Issue left 4 no 13, Page — 4 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Narada-kunda. The devotees will realise Lord circumambulated him, and he then left to eradicate Krishna by serving Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Therefore Kali's influence in all directions. I will explain Çrémad-Bhägavatam for the benefit —Çrémad-Bhägavatam-Mähätmya Chapter Three: The Glories of of the devotees of the Lord. This will be possible Çrémad-Bhägavatam, The Speaker and the Hearer’s Attainment of only with your help. the Supreme Abode. · Srila Suta Goswami said: After hearing this, Maharaja Parikshit offered his obeisances to MAHARAJA PARIKSHIT ESTabLISHES Uddhava and said to him: O Uddhava, servant of KALIYUGA AT FIVE PLACES Lord Hari! You should certainly narrate Çrémad- Çré Subodhiné Bhägavatam. Whatever is necessary for me to do in this regard, please order me. King Parikshit had ordered Kaliyuga to go out of the Uddhava was most pleased on hearing kingdom. Due to this, he began to tremble; thinking Parikshit Maharaj speak in this way and said: O as to whether he will be killed, if he does not go out King! Since Lord Krishna has left this world, the of this kingdom. King Parikshit always carried out his influence of Kali-yuga has become very prominent. words. Kaliyuga knew, that it was not appropriate Whenever auspicious activities are being performed to remain silent or not to carry out the orders of the Kali certainly creates disturbances. Therefore you king. Especially when the king was standing there, should go out and subdue the influence of Kali with his raised sword. The king is also bound to everywhere. I will remain here by your arrangement punish him for the offences committed by Kaliyuga and recite Çrémad-Bhägavatam for one month earlier. Kaliyuga realized, that King Parikshit may according to Vaishnava tradition. The audience will tolerate his earlier offences, but to remain without thus relish the mellows of Çrémad-Bhägavatam following his orders (of expulsion) would be a and attain the Lord's eternal abode. second offense, and may be that the king will kill Hearing Sri Uddhava's instructions, Maharaj him for this, especially when he was standing there Parikshit was pleased by the thought of subduing with his raised sword.