The glory of Bhagavad Gita

[Guest guest]

A few days back, I happened to chance upon an old Malayalam book from

a second hand book stall. The title of the book is " Srimad Bhagavad

Gita Mahatmyam " . It was written by Shri.C.A.S. Menon of Eroor,

Thripunitura . The book was published by Shri. Tumkur Govindan Kutty

and Swami Chinmayananda has written a foreword to it.

 

The book is a wonderful compilation of stories from Padma Purana.

Each story tells the greatness and glory of the Chapters of the

Bhagavad Gita. The emphasis is not on Bhagavad Gita as a

philosophical treatise but as a highly potent stotra or mantra which

is a cure for all worldly illnesses.

 

I thought it was my duty to share with all of you the gist of each

story. I have made an to write on each chapter a day. All are

requested to forgive my amateurish writing.

 

Hare Krishna,

 

Parameswaran

 

 

Punya dhanam – The Story of Susharma

The Glory of CHAPTER 1

 

Susharma, though he was born a Brahmin indulged in all sorts of

vices – like drinking, womanizing, eating meat etc. He died a

miserable death , bitten by a snake. After suffering for his Karma in

the realms of hell , he was born again in earth as a bull in a lame

man's barn.

 

The lame man tortured the bull in all sorts of ways. In due course of

time, the bull fell ill and was rendered immobile. It had to spend

its life in hunger and got severe beatings from it's master. After a

few months the bull's illness became critical, it started frothing

from it's mouth, eyes bulged out but still it was not dying. The lame

man used the opportunity to throw out the bull, he pulled it by it's

tail and legs and finally managed to throw it in the street.

 

The bull was gasping for breath, it desired to die but still was

living. The men who passed by sympathized with it. Then a Brahmin

came and proclaimed – " If I have done any punya in my life, I give

to this bull, let it get cured " . Soon all the onlookers joined him

and started telling – " We donate he effects of our good deeds to this

bull " .

 

A famous prostitute of the village also came and told – " I have

sinned my entire life, but if I have done any punya, I give to this

poor animal " . The villages scorned at her and started murmuring –

even hearing her talk will bring misfortune, what good she can

bring ! The prostitute went back with her head lowered. As soon as

she went the bull made a big noise and then died.

 

Chitragupta, while taking stock of the merits and sins of the bull

described – " more than the little punya which the bull received from

various people, that given by the prostitute is immeasurable. Based

on this, it is to be born as a Brahmin again and given a chance to do

meritorious deeds. He is also to be given the ability to remember his

past birth. "

 

The bull was born as a Brahmin in its next birth in the same village.

The Brahmin became conscious of his past birth in his youth and went

to see the prostitute . The prostitute had become old and haggard ,

when she saw the Brahmin she was amused.

 

He bowed before her and told – " Years ago, because of the punya you

gave to a bull, the soul is born again in a good family and that is

me ! I would like to know what is the great punya you have done so

that I merit this !

 

She replied – I don't know anything about it, my parrot chants a

mantra every day. I spend some time in the morning hearing it. That

is my only Punya. Let us go and ask the parrot !

 

 

They went to the parrot and asked the parrot about it. The parrot

smiled and told them– " My only possession is the knowledge of the

first chapter of Bhagavad Gita and remembrance of my past birth. In

my last birth I was a great scholar. But I was overwhelmed with

pride and arrogance. I defeated even great people in arguments and

insulted them. Due to the sins I committed I was born as a parrot in

my next birth. As soon I was born, I was snatched by an eagle from my

parents . I managed to escape from it and in the process fell in hot

burning sand. Luckily by the grace of God, some young disciples of a

Great Maharshi happened to pass by. They took pity on me and took me

along with them to their Ashram.

 

They used to recite the first Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita every day.

I also learnt the Shlokas and used to recite it. I was happily

living in the Ashram when a hunter snatched me from the Ashram and

put me in a cage and brought me to this village to sell along with

other birds he had caught. This great Swamini bought me from the

hunter. She feeds me and showers affection on me. Every day I recite

the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita and my Swamini hears me for a

few minutes. "

 

The Brahmin and the prostitute heard what the parrot told with awe !

 

The parrot told both of them – " Recite the first Chapter of the

Bhagavad Gita every day ! That will prevent you from further falling

into the cycle of births and rebirths. You can become a Jivan Mukta

just by reciting it "

 

The Brahmin paid his respect to the Parrot and the prostitute and

started walking back to his house, reciting the first Chapter of the

Bhagavad Gita.