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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Devotion to God gives peace of mind

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 8. The tradition of expounding the scriptures by

scholars for the sake of others not so well-versed in them has

been in vogue since time immemorial. Most of the scriptural texts

are in the form of a dialogue between Suta (expositor) and other

sages, thus giving the clue into the purpose of these sacred

works. In the first two eras (Yuga) the Vedas, which are the

primary scriptures of Sanatana dharma (Hinduism), were undivided

and the sages had complete mastery of them.

 

In the Dwapara yuga, Vyasa intuiting that the time had come to

make the scriptures more easier to learn, out of compassion for

mankind which had steadily lost its spiritual strength due to the

flux of time, divided the Vedas into four so that it would be

easier for a person to master at least one of them. It was from

that time that the Puranas and the Itihasas (epics) came to be

eulogised as the fifth Veda as these class of texts were written

by the sages to expound on the teachings of the Vedas for the

benefit of the laity. The epic Mahabharata was also written by

Vyasa with the same intention.

 

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri N. Babu Dikshitar said that

the Bhagavata Purana was composed by Veda Vyasa after he codified

the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata, as he did not get peace of

mind even after accomplishing these tasks. As he sat reflecting

on the bank of the Saraswathi river one day, Vyasa felt greatly

perturbed that he had not attained the object of his life. He

knew the secret of Dharma, but this did not give him

satisfaction. He could not fathom the reason for his despondency

and as though by Providence the celestial sage, Narada, called at

his hermitage then.

 

During the customary exchange of greetings when Narada enquired

about his welfare Vyasa told him, ``Even though I have fully

realised through the practice of Yoga and the observance of

sacred vows both the Absolute and the Brahman in the form of the

Vedas, pray, point out to me my great deficiency.'' Narada told

him that he had failed to sing adequately the pristine glory of

the Lord in his works and hence he could not get the satifaction

he yearned for.

 

Pointing out that a work of great literary merit does not afford

delight to a devotee if it failed to glorify God, whereas, though

faulty in diction if the composition contained the names of the

Lord and His exploits, pious men would love to hear, sing and

repeat the same, Narada advised Vyasa to pen a work glorifying

the Lord's deeds in His various manifestations and the greatness

of devotion to Him. Thus the Bhagavata came to be written by

Vyasa and he taught it first to his high-souled son Suka.

 

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