THE THURSDAY SATSANG SESSION

SATHYA SAI BABA CENTRE, JOHOR BAHRU

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 1 and 2

A.
I.

Important Verses from Canto1, Chapter1

Prelude (Text 1-3) We will be chanting them as opening verses for our classes Text 1: Defining God Text 2: Defining Religion Text 3: Invitation to Taste the Bhagavatams Nectar

II. III .

Setting the Scene: Sages of Naimisharanya Inquire from Suta (Text 4-8) Questions by the Sages Question One and Two (Text 9-11) Question Three (Text12-16) Question Four and Five (Text 17-18) Question Six (Text 19-23)

The six questions of the sages led by Sage Sounaka lay the foundation for the entire Bhagavatam. Chapter one of 1st Canto has the questions, Chapter 2 gives concise answers which spill into Chapter 3. The 3rd Chapter gives something like the Vishyaanusuchikaa (table of contents) and elaborate the various Avataras in 24 sections. The elaboration of these takes the whole of Bhagavatam with 18000 verses. IV. Summary of the 6 Questions

1. Sreyas - Please explain to us, in an easily understandable way, what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general. (Text 1.1.9) Answer: (Text 1.2.6) 2. Essence of Scritures - O Sage, in Kali yuga, people are Mandaa: (slow), Sumandamataya: (Dull), Mandabhagyaa: (Unfortunate) and Upadruta: (Distracted, Agitatated). Please select the essence of all scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings, by such instructions their hearts may be fully satisfied. (Text 1.1.11) Answer: (1.2.7)
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3. Purpose of Krishna Avatar - We are eager to know for what purpose the Supreme Consciousness appeared in the womb of Devaki as the son of Vasudeva. (Text 1.1.12) Answer: (1.2.34 and Tenth Canto) 4. Krishna Leelas and Mahimas -[The Lords] transcendental acts are magnificent and gracious, and great learned sages like Narada sing of them. Please, therefore, speak to us, who are eager to hear about the Leelas and Mahimas (Text 1.1.17) Answer: (1.2.30) 5. Multitude Avatars of the Lord - O wise Suta, please narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Godheads multi-incarnations. Such auspicious adventures and pastimes of the Lord, the Supreme Controller, are performed by His inherent powers. (Text 1.1.18) Answer: First Canto, Third Chapter. 6. Whither Dharma - Since, Sri Krishna, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us who shelters and upholds Dharma. (Text 1.1.23) Answer: (1.3.43) V

Rest of Canto1, Chapter 1 Mangalacarana: Namas-kriyatmaka: paying obeisances to ones teacher(s) and the Supreme Asir-Vadatmaka: praying for His blessings upon the readers/ listeners Vastu-nirdesatmaka: summarizing the subject matter of the scripture Anubandha-chatushtaya: the four essential elements of a book

a) connection between scripture and subject (sambandha)

b) subject itself (vishaya),

c) what the reader will gain by reading/listening to this (prayojana) d) qualification (adhikara) for the one undertaking the study Notes

Bhagavatam says that no one comes to Bhagavatam without being chosen by the Lord to listen to it. If you are here, it means you are chosen and have the sufficient Adhikara. What are the qualities? They are enumerated under Sadhana
Chatushtaya (
i) ii)

Four spiritual qualities or undertakings)-

Viveka Discriminate between Permanent and Impermanent Vairaya Discard the Impermanent and develop steady detachment
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iii)

Shad Sampatti

Six Spiritual Treasures

i. Sama Mental Control/ Purity ii. Dama Sense Control iii. Uparama/ Uparati Withdrawal iv. Titiksha Forbearance v. Sraddha Faith vi. Samadhana Balance, Peace
iv)

Mumukshutva Burning yearning for getting out of the cycle of samsara In Kali yuga, human beings are alpaayu: (have short span of life), they are dull and are distracted. The one who takes up the study of Bhagavatam has to have the sense of urgency and complete dedication.

Bhagavata -

Bha means Light, Illumination, Wisdom, Supreme state effulgence Ga means Gamyate (going towards), Gamayate (leading towards), gayate (singing the glories of) Therefore,

all of us aspiring and doing towards that Effulgence are Bhagavatas the scripture that guides us towards that Effulgence is Bhagavatam the characters depicted in the scripture who guide us on the path are Bhagavatas and our final goal is Bhagavan

Bhagavan: One who is endowed with Bhagas In the Vishnu Purana (6.5.79) Parashara Rishi defines six bhagas as follows: aivaryasya samagrasya vryasya yaasa riya jna-vairgyayo caiva ann bhaga itgan

Six Qualities of Bhagavan are (1) unlimited prosperity, (2) Valour, (3) Fame, (4) Auspiciousness,
(5) Wisdom and (6) Detachment.

Patanjali says one gets siddhis that are acquired by stringent spiritual practices are seen as natural attributes of Bhagavan. They are: anima, mahima chaiva laghima, garima cha ye isitvam cha vasitvam cha prapti, prakamya eva cha (1) Smaller than the smallest, (2) bigger than the biggest, (3) lighter than the lightest, (4) heavier than than the heaviest, (5) lordshipover all, (6) ability to attract, (7) pervasiveness, (8 ) extremely lovable nature. Vishnu Purana 1.5.28 states: Utpattim Cha vipattim cha bhutanam agamam gamam Vetti vidyaam avidyaam cha sa vachyo bhagavaan iti He who knows the origin and the end, the beginning of creation and its dissolution, knows knowledge as well as ignorance is known as Bhagavan.

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B.

Important Verses from Canto1, Chapter 2, which is the chapter of answers

(Please refer above for the verses which give answers to each question, under the heading summary of the 6 questions, given above)

Sa Vai Pumsam Paro Dharmo Yato Bhaktiradhokshaje The Supreme Dharma of human beings is to get Bhakti in Adhokshaja ( Meaning explained at the class) (Text 1.2.6)

Na utpadayet yadi ratim srama eva hi Kevalam Even if one observes all the prescribed Dharmas, if he does not develop supreme Love for the Lord, his efforts are futile. (Text 1.2.8)

Jivasya tattvajijnaasaa naartho yascheha karmabhi: If the Jiva does not have the yearning to know the truth, all the karmas (and even spiritual practices) performed are of no use. (Text 1.2.10)

Vadanti tat tattva-vidaa: tattvam yat jnanam advayam Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate
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Those who know the Supreme Truth call IT or HIM which is supreme knowledge undivided or Total,Brahman, Paramatma, Bhagavan etc (Text 1.2.11)

Bhidyate hrdayagranthi: cchidyante sarvasamsayaa: Ksheeyante chaasya karmaani drshta eva atmani isvare All the knots (blocks) of the heart are broken, all doubts are cut off, all karmas are wiped off, when one sees oneself in Isvara. (Text 1.2.21)

vasudeva-para vedaa:, vasudeva-para makhaa: vasudeva-para yoga: vasudeva-para kriyaa: vasudeva-param jnanam, vasudeva-param tapa: vasudeva-paro dharmo vasudeva-para gatih (Srimad Bhagavatam: 1:2.28-29) "In the scriptures (Vedas), the ultimate origin / object of knowledge is Vaasudeva. The source / purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all austerities are from Him and performed to know Him. Dharma came out of Him and is rendering loving service unto Him who resides in every unit of creation. He is the supreme destiny and goal of life." (Text 1.2.28 & 29)

Compiled and Prepared By: SISTER DR. VIJAYALEKSHMY RAVINDRAN

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, JOHOR BAHRU SATHYA SAI BABA CENTRE.