Shukdev Maharaj is an unique personality. His divine situation is- he is a leela shuk of Radhaji (divine parrot in Golok) and he serves in the pastimes of Radha Krishna by saying appropriate things for Their pleasure. Parikshit, after being bitten by Takshak Shukdevji Maharaj had only 7 days to survive. So, he went to Shukdev Maharaj and asked him, "What is the duty and means of welfare for a dying man?" Watch the full episode for the answer.
Parikshit was deeply touched by the conversation. Meanwhile, a very ugly man came with a staff and started breaking the one remaining leg of the bull. Parikshit was furious and started chasing him. Finally, the ugly man surrendered. The man revealed his identity as Kaliyuga. Parikshit said, "What are you doing in my kingdom? Kaliyuga doesn't have any place in my kingdom." Kaliyuga replied, “By the will of God the ages come and go and even I have to come. You have to give me some place in your kingdom. Parikshit realized that he will have to give him shelter, and so he gave Kaliyuga four places to stay. Which were those places, watch the episode to know.
One day Yudhistir found Shree Krishna in meditation. He asked, "My Lord! the whole world meditates upon you, whom are you meditating upon?" Shree Krishna replied, "Son of Ganga, Bhishma is lying on the bed of arrows, he is waiting for the moment to leave his body and he is meditating upon me. So, as per my rule, I am meditating upon him." Few more days went by and Yudhistir started to feel guilty about killing all his brothers and relatives in the war of Mahabharat. He started to blame himself that it was his desire to become the king that caused all the destruction. Then, Shree Krishna took him to Bhishma to learn about Dharma - the path to righteousness. Watch the full episode to know what Bhishma told Yudhistir and other Pandavas regarding Dharma.
Lord Krishna entered in his subtle form in the womb and saved the baby
in the womb. This baby was Parikshit, who became the listener of
Srimad Bhagavatam. He received darshan (Divine vision) of Lord in the
womb itself.
In all the Vedic scriptures, the position accorded to the Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran or the Bhagwat Katha is exceptional. The Vedas are of course, the highest authority. However, Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran is like the essence of the Vedic teachings, written by Ved Vyas himself. Knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads is presented in such a blissful manner, with all the Divine pastimes of God and His devotees, that listening to the Bhagwat Katha becomes an experience in itself. Not only does it illuminate our intellect with Divine wisdom, it also moves our heart and fills it with the nectar of Divine love. That is why it is said that this Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagwat Katha has something that even the Vedas do not have.
In Kaliyuga, in-auspiciousness increases. So to usher in auspiciousness, sages gat hered in the forest of Naimish Aaranya and arranged for a Yagna. Then they requested their Guru, Sutaji Maharaj to clarify their doubts. These Shaunakadiks put 6 questions in front of Sutaji Maharaj. These questions were as follows: 1. In this age of Kali, when everybody is so disturbed, restless, agitated, miserable - what is the path to welfare (sadhan for Kalyan)? 2. We have different scriptures. What is the essence of all knowledge available in these scriptures? 3. Why did the supreme lord, Shree Krishna, descend in this world? 4. If He did take an avatar, what were His pastimes? 5. What were the other avatars of God on this planet, and what were their pastimes? 6. Where has dharma taken shelter after Lord Shree Krishna wound-up His visible pastimes? Watch full episode for the answers of these questions and learn about the 24 avatars of God.
In this lecture, Swamiji says that there are many
rules for the speakers and listeners of the Bhagavatam. Those rules in
this present age are practically impossible to follow. Now from here, we
enter the Bhagavat Mahapuran.
In "Bhagavatam in English - Part 2 by Swami Mukundananda- How to get wisdom and detachment" Swamiji says, "many of you has been to holy places in India. When you go to the holy place, the pandit ji informs you of the Mahatmaya. So, when somebody has the mahatmaya in the mind, one realizes the importance and derives more devotional, spiritual benefit out of that entity."
In this lecture Swami Mukundananda says that Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran is like the essence of the Vedic teachings, written by Ved Vyas himself. Knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads is presented in such a blissful manner, with all the Divine pastimes of God and his devotees, that listening to the Bhagavat Katha becomes an experience in itself. Not only does it illuminate our intellect with Divine Wisdom, it also moves our hearts and fills them with the nectar of Divine Love. That is why it is said that this Srimad Bhagavatam has something that even the Vedas do not have.
