THE GLORIES OF BHAGAVAD-GITA

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER NINE

 

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, now I will relate to you the glories of the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

There was a town of the name Mahismati on the bank of the Narmada River, where a brahmana called Madhava lived. That brahmana very strictly followed all the injunctions of the Vedas, and possessed all the good qualities of the brahminical class. Due to his being so learned, he would receive a lot of charity, and with his accumulated wealth he started to perform a great fire sacrifice. He bought a goat for offering in sacrifice, and when they started to cleanse the goat in preparation for it’s sacrifice, to everyone’s great surprise, the goat started to laugh. In a loud voice the goat said, “0 brahmana, what is the benefit of performing many fire sacrifices that simply bind us up in the wheel of birth and death. Just see my position due to my performing so many fire sacrifices.”

 

When everyone who was gathered there heard the words of the goat, they became curious, and with folded hands, the brahmana asked, “How did you become a goat? In your previous life, which caste did you belong to and what activities did you perform?” The goat replied, “0 brahmana, in my previous birth I was born in a very pure brahmana family and I very carefully performed all the ritualistic activities enjoined in the Vedas. One day my wife wished to worship Durga, so that our child might be cured of his disease. For this purpose she requested me to bring a goat. When we sacrificed the goat at the temple of Mother Durga, the goat cursed me, ‘0 sinful, lowest of all; you wish to make my children fatherless. For this reason you will also take birth as a goat.’ 0 brahmana, 0 Madhava, when the time for my death came, I attained this body of a goat, but by the grace of Lord Govinda I can remember my previous births. If you wish to hear one other interesting story then I will tell you.

 

“In the place known as Kuruksetra which is capable of giving liberation, there once lived a king called Chandrasharma, who was in the dynasty of the sun-god. Once, at the time of the solar eclipse, the king wished to give charity to a brahmana. Included in the charity was a sudra, whose body was completely black. The king, accompanied by his priest took bath in a sacred lake, put on clean cloth, applied sandalwood, and returned to his place. With devotion he gave charity to a qualified brahmana. Suddenly, from the black sudra’s heart, a sinful chandala (dog-eater) appeared and after a little while, a female chandala also appeared from that black sudra’s body. The chandalas went towards the brahmana and entered into his body. The brahmana remained undisturbed and started to chant the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, while remembering Lord Govinda. The king witnessing all these activities was stunned, unable to say anything. As soon as the words of the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita came on the lips of the brahmana, the Vishnudutas appeared there and chased away the two chandalas.

 

“The king inquired from the brahmana, ‘0 learned one, who were those two persons and which mantra did you chant? Which deity did you remember?’ The brahmana replied, ‘Sin personified appeared in the form of the chandala, along with offense personified in the form of the female chandala. At that time I started chanting the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which is capable of releasing one from all fearful situations. By reciting the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, I am always able to remember the lotus feet of Lord Govinda.’ Upon hearing this, the king learned the chanting of the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita from the brahmana. Gradually he managed to attain the lotus feet of Lord Govinda.”

 

When Madhava heard this discourse from the goat, he immediately freed the goat and started to engage in reciting the ninth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita daily and thus he also gained the lotus feet of Lord Govinda.

 

 

 

 

 

[Krishna69]

First I would like to highly commend the individual who has been posting stories of Gita-Mahathmiya. Thanks for that. I would like to give few words about the essence of Gita and Gita-Mahathmiya from whatever little knowledge i have aquired by reading and following Gita in my life.

Attaining Moksha and the soul reaching Vaikunta will not come just by reciting the chapters of Gita or by just listening to the chapters. It is assumed that the person who recites the chapters also follow such principles in his/her life and that alone shows that the individual has really understood Shree Krishna.

By reciting the second chapter, its true that one will be free of thirst and hunger, because if you actually follow the principles given in second chapter, one will really work hard and hard work always pays out of which you dont run into thirst and hunger.

The essence of third chapter is being selfless and kind towards anyone and develop the nature of forgiving the other when they realise the truth.

In the same way when you analyze Gita, it clearly proceeds chapter by chapter on how one should live, earn, aquire wealth, but yet how one has to remain as a selfless person, in sharing his extra wealth for the sake of the benefit of the society. One has to be a Benovelont trustee of this society. This nature will come only when you detach yourself from the materialistic aspect of your earning and start helping people selflessly. If you have only one bowl of food and if you happen to be with another person, share it with other person. What ever you earn out of your hard work, make yourself comfortable and by helping others with your earning you make every one happy. So you reach Vaikunta.

Reaching Vaikunta will not come just by reciting or listening alone. For example, a person who is doing all atrocious things, in his profession by taking lot of bribes, hurting others, after going home, if he takes bath and recites the chapters of Gita his soul will not reach Vaikunta. A guy who prays to GOD everyday and recites the chapters of Gita for the sake of it, but in his personal life if he disrespect woman and illtreat others, will not attain Moksha just because he read the chapters.

Gita is not just for reading or keeping in our homes, it is something to follow in our daily everyday life. Reciting everyday implies, following Gita in our day to day life.

The stories in our puranas are told in such a way, it will create an interest for the listener, or else the principles will look like giving raw advice to everyone which everyone dislikes. Unfortunately, people read the stories and visualise it in interesting way, but fail to follow the essence of these stories.

 

As we progress in our materialistic evolution of life from going in a bullock cart to going in aeroplanes, we can still follow GITA in our personal lives. We have to work hard, earn our bread and with the extra money what we have let us become benovelent trustees of this society to help the poor people and the needy who really deserves help. Let us respect others feelings by not hurting the innocent. Let us develop the attitude of forgiving the other person when they realise their faults. Let us lead a moral life by not looking at all woman as just an object of sex, but as another human, as a friend with equal respects by following the principle of Shiva-Shakthi or Radhi-Krishna. At the same time, we have to fight when there is injustice and make the other one realise their fault. If we remain submissive for personal benefit when things go against truth and read GITA everyday its of no use.

By following these simple things all of us will reach Vaikunta irrespective of whether you read GITA every day or not. Reciting everyday every chapters basically implies following them in day today life .

 

Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanam

 

Regards

Shyam

[srivats]

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Reciting everyday every chapters basically implies following them in day today life .

 

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This is very true, how can we expect a person to construct a huge building if he is not practising whatever he learned in engineering book .

 

 

Madhava Kesava Madhana Gopala /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Srivats

[Guest guest]

why the stories of the remaining chapters are not posted. They sound very interesting. please do so when u find time

 

[Guest guest]

I've been busy, but I will resume posting as soon as possible. Eventually all 18 chapters will be posted, however, it just might take a while. I am happy to be of service.

 

Your servant, Guest poster

[Krishna69]

Its me who requested for the further stories on every chapter. I forgot to log on in my previous mail. I thought you stopped posting after reading my essence of Gita Mahathmiya. I did not mean anything to offend you, but I posted it for everyone to understand the essence of GITA.

Regards

Shyam

[gHari]

Hey look, a talking goat!

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER TEN

 

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, I will now relate to you the glories of the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which are themselves a stairway to the spiritual world.

 

In Kashipuri, there was a brahmana of the name Dhirabuddhi, who was as dear to me as Nandi, my carrier. He was always peaceful and all his senses were fixed in the glorification of Lord Krishna. Wherever he would go. I would follow him with great love, so that I could protect and serve him. Seeing my activities, my eternal servant Bhringiriddhi inquired from me: What kind of austerities and other pious activities has this great devotee performed, that you are personally rendering service to him?

 

Hearing Bhringiriddhi’s inquiry I replied: Once, in Kailash Parvata, in the garden known as punnaag, I was enjoying sitting in the moonlight, and suddenly there was a great wind, which caused the trees to shake with a loud noise. A shadow was cast all around as if a mountain was moving. In the sky, a large bird, the color of a rain cloud, appeared. Due to the flapping of its wings, it was causing the trees to shake and the dust to swirl around. The bird landed on the ground and offered his respects and also a beautiful lotus flower to me. Alter which, he said. “0 Mahadeva! All glories to you, the shelter of all. There is no limit to your glories. You are the protector of the devotees who have control over their senses. And you are the foremost of all the devotees of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Great souls such as Brihaspati are always chanting your glories. But even the thousand-headed Manta Sesa, is not able to fully describe your glories. So what to speak of a bird like me, having such small intelligence.”

 

After hearing the bird’s prayer, I inquired, “Who are you, and where are you coming from? You look like a swan and your bodily color is that of a crow.” The bird said, “Please understand that I am the swan carrier of Lord Brahma. And the reason for my body having attained a black color, I will relate to you.

 

“Just close to Saurashtra (Surat) there is a beautiful lake, from where this wonderful heavenly lotus came. I had been enjoying there for some time. Just as I was flying away, I suddenly fell to the ground and my body took on this black color. At that time I was thinking to myself, ‘How have I fallen down, and how has my body which was white like camphor turned black?’ While thinking in this way I heard a voice, coming from the lotuses in the lake, ‘0 swan, get up, I will tell you the reason why you fell down, and your body turned black.’ I got up and went to the center of the lake. There I saw five extraordinary beautiful lotuses, out of which came a very beautiful lady. After circumambulating her, I asked the reason for my falling down. She replied, ‘0 black swan, while you were flying, you flew over me, and due to this offense, your body has now become black. When I saw you fall down, I felt sorry for you, and thus, I called you here. When I opened my mouth, the scent emanating from it purified seven thousand black bees, who immediately attained admission into the heavenly realm. My dear king of birds, the reason I have such power I will tell you.

 

“Previous to this birth, three births before, I was born in a brahmana family, and my name was Sarojavadana. My father had always instructed me in the principles of chastity and when 1 got married I served my husband very faithfully. One day I found a maina (a black bird), and due to looking after it, my service to my husband became affected. He became angry, and cursed me to become a maina in my next birth.

 

“In my next birth I became a maina, but due to my following the principles of chastity strictly, I managed to come in contact with some sages, who kept me at their ashram. A daughter of one of the sages looked after me. While staying there, every morning and evening, I would hear the recitation of the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Due to which, in my next birth, I attained the body of an apsara named Padmavati and resided in the heavenly planets. One day, I was traveling in a flower airplane when I saw the beautiful lotus flower on this lake. Coming here, I started to enjoy in the water. At that time, Durvasa Muni arrived and saw me completely naked. Being afraid of him I immediately took the form of five lotuses. My two arms became two lotuses and my two legs became two lotuses, and the rest of my body became the fifth lotus. From Durvasa Muni’s eyes fire started to emanate. He said that I was sinful and would stay in that form for one hundred years. After cursing me, he immediately disappeared. But fortunately, I was able to remember the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. And today, I have become free from the curse. Due to your crossing over me, you fell to the ground and your body became black, but if you hear from me the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, you will become free from this situation.’

 

“After Padmavati had completed reciting the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, she left in an airplane for Vaikuntha. After that I came here and offered this beautiful lotus from that lake to you.”

 

Lord Siva said: After the black swan completed his story he immediately gave up his body and took birth in a brahmana family as Dhirabuddhi, who, from his childhood, always chanted the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

Whoever heard that chanting, whether they were fallen and addicted to intoxication, or even killers of brahmanas, would attain the darshan of Lord Vishnu, who is holding the Shankha and Chakra. For that reason my dear Bhringiriddhi, I am always serving Dhirabuddhi.

 

My dear Parvati, whether one be male, female, sannyasi, or grhastha, in fact, whatever situation one may be in, if he chants the tenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, he will attain the darshan of Lord Vishnu.

 

[srivats]

Madhava Kesava Madhana Gopala !

Srivats

[Guest guest]

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, now I will relate to you the glories of the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. It is not possible to tell its full glories as there are thousands of stories. I will relate one of them only.

 

On the banks of the Pranita river is the large town Megankara where the famous temple of Jagat Isvara is situated. Jagat Isvara is holding a bow in His hand. In Megankara, there was a pure brahmana of the name Sunand, who remained a brahmachari his whole life.

 

Sunand would sit in front of Lord Jagat Isvara and recite the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita and remember the Universal Form of the Lord. By reciting the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita he gained complete control over his senses and was able to remember Lord Jagat Isvara continuously.

 

Once that pure brahmana Sunand went on a tour of the holy places on the banks of the Godavari River. He visited all the sacred places starting with Viraj-Tirtha. In all these holy places he took bath and darshan of the presiding deity. One day he reached the town of Vivaha Mandap. Along with his associates he searched for a place to stay and eventually in the middle of the town they found a dharmashala, where they took rest for the night. When Sunand woke up in the morning he found that all his associates had left. While searching for them, he met the headman of the town, who immediately fell at his feet and said, ‘0 great sage, I cannot say where your associates have gone, but I can tell you that there is no devotee equal to you. I have never seen anyone as pure as you. Oh, my dear brahmana, I am begging you to stay in this town.”

 

When Sunand heard the humble request of the headman of the town, he decided to stay for some days. The headman made every arrangement for the comfortable stay of Sunand and engaged in his service day and night. After eight days had passed, a villager came before Sunand crying very loudly, he said. “0 pure brahmana, last night a rakshasa ate my son. Sunand asked, “Where does that rakshasa stay? And how did he eat your son?

 

The villager replied. “In this town a very frightful rakshasa lives. Everyday he used to eat the villagers whenever he pleased. One day we all went to the rakshasa and requested him to protect us and in return we would provide him with his daily food. The dharmashala was built, and any travelers who came here were sent there to stay and while they were sleeping the rakshasa would eat them. In this way we have been able to protect ourselves from the rakshasa. You, along with your associates, stayed at the dharmashala. but the rakshasa did not eat you along with everyone else. I will tell you the reason.

 

“Last night a friend of my son came but I did not realize that he was a close and dear friend of my son, so I sent him to stay in the dharmshala. Later when my son found out, he went after him to try and bring him back. When he went there, he was also eaten by the rakshasa. Today, in the morning, I went to the rakshasa and asked him why he had eaten my son along with the other travelers. I also asked him if there was any way I could get my son hack.

 

“The rakshasa told me, I did not know that your son had also entered the dharmshala, thus he was eaten with everyone else. As far as getting him back, that will be possible when I am freed from this rakshasa body by the mercy of a person who recites the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita daily. Right now, there is a brahmana staying in this town who had stayed at the dharmashala, but I had not eaten him because he daily recites the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. If he recites the eleventh chapter seven times and sprinkles water on me, then I will get free from the curse of this rakshasa body.”

 

Sunand asked the villager, “What sin did this person perform to attain a rakshasa body?”

 

The villager replied, “Long ago there had been a farmer living here. One day he was guarding the fields when, just a little distance away from him, a large vulture attacked a person, who was traveling on the road. At that time, a yogi was passing by and when he saw the person being attacked he came running to his aid but he was too late. Then the yogi became angry with the farmer and spoke to him as follows, ‘One who sees others in danger from thieves, snakes, fire, attack by weapons and so forth, and even though he is capable of helping them, he does not come to help, is punished by Yamaraja. After suffering in hell for a very long time, he takes birth as a wolf. And one, who helps someone in need of help, certainly pleases Lord Vishnu. One, who attempts to save a cow from the hands of a ferocious animal, a low-class man, or a wicked ruler, attains Lord Vishnu. Wicked farmer, you saw the vulture attacking that person but still you made no attempt to save him. Now I curse you to take birth as a rakshasa.’ The farmer said, ‘I was watching the fields for the whole night and I am very tired, so kindly he merciful to me, 0 gentle sage.’ The yogi replied, ‘When someone, who is daily reciting the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, sprinkles water on your head, then you will become free from this curse.”

 

The villager said. “My dear Sunand, with your hand kindly sprinkle water on the head of this rakshasa.” After hearing this history from the villager, Sunand went with him to the place where the rakshasa was staying and while reciting the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, he sprinkled water on the rakshasa’s head. The rakshasa immediately attained a four-armed form like that of Lord Vishnu. Not only he, but all the thousands of persons he had eaten also attained a four-armed form like that of Lord Vishnu. Then they all sat down in the flower aeroplane, which had been sent to take them to Vaikuntha.

 

Seeing those amazing events, the villager inquired which one was his son. The person who had been the rakshasa started to laugh and indicated towards one of those thousands of beautiful persons sitting in the transcendental airplane. He replied. “He is your son.” The villager requested his son to come home with him. Hearing his father’s request the son smilingly replied, “My dear sir, many times you have been my son and I yours, but now by the grace of this great pure devotee Sunand, I have been released from the wheel of birth and death and now I am going to my real home, Vaikuntha. Dear sir, kindly surrender unto the lotus feet of Sunand and hear from him the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, and you will also attain the abode of Lord Vishnu (Vaikuntha). Of this there is no doubt. From Lord Krishna’s mouth, these nectarean instructions came on the battlefield of Kuruksetra in reply to the questions of His friend Arjuna. By hearing and reciting this discourse, one can break the tight knot which is binding us to the wheel of birth and death.”

 

Lord Siva said: After speaking those words, full of wisdom, he went to Vaikuntha with all those other fortunate souls. And his father learned the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita from Sunand and very soon they also went to Vaikuntha.

 

My dear Parvati, you have heard the glories of the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which is capable of destroying all sinful reactions.

 

[Guest guest]

Lord Siva said: I will recite the wonderful glories of the twelfth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita before you, dear Parvati.

 

In the South there is an important holy place by the name of Kolbapur, where the temple of the Lord’s divine consort Maha Lakshmi is situated. Maha Lakshmi is continually worshipped by all the demigods. That place is the fulfiller of all desires and Rudragaya is also situated there. One day, a young prince arrived there. His body was the color of gold. His eyes were very beautiful. His shoulders were very strong and his chest was broad. His arms were long and strong. When he arrived in Kolbapur, he first went to the lake known as Manikanth-tirth, where he took bath and offered worship to his ancestors. Then he went to the temple of Maha Lakshmi, where he offered obeisances, and prayed, “0 Devi, whose heart is full of mercy, who is worshipped throughout the three worlds and who is the giver of all fortune and the Mother of Creation. All glories to you, 0 shelter of all living entities, 0 fulfiller of all desires, you are the wonderful energy of Lord Achyuta, who is maintaining the three worlds. You are the supreme goddess. 0 protector of the devotees, all glories to you. 0 Devi, it is you who fulfills the desires of the devotees, and it is you, who engages them in the service of Lord Achyuta. You are eternal and the deliverer of all fallen souls. All glories unto you. 0 Devi, for the welfare and protection of the three worlds, you take on many forms such as Ambika, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Varahi Maha-Lakshmi, Narasimhi, Indri, Kumari, Chandika, Lakshmi, Savitri, Chandrakala, Rohini, Parameshwari. All glories unto you, whose glories are unlimited. Kindly be merciful to me.”

 

When Maha Lakshmi heard those prayers. She became very pleased and said to the prince. “O prince, I am very happy with you, please request any benediction from me according to your heart’s desire.”

 

The prince said, “O mother of the three worlds, my father, King Brahadratha was performing the famous sacrifice known as Ashwamedha. But before completing the yajna, he died due to disease. And before I was able to complete the Ashwamedha yajna, someone stole the horse that had traveled all over the world and had been purified for sacrifice. I sent persons in all directions in search of the horse, but they were unable to find it. Then I took permission from the priest to come and pray for your help. And, if you are pleased with me, then kindly let me know, how I can get hack the horse and complete the fire sacrifice and thus fulfill my father’s desire.”

 

Maha Lakshmi said, “Oh noble prince, by the gate of my temple lives a highly elevated brahmana, who is known by the name Siddha-Samadhi. He can fulfill your desire.”

 

When the prince heard these words of Maha Lakshmi, he went to the place where Siddha-Samadhi lived and offered obeisances to him. After having offered obeisances, he stood before Siddha-Samadhi silently with folded hands. Siddha-Samadhi then said. “You have been sent here by mother Maha Lakshmi, so I will fulfill your desire.”

 

Then chanting some mantras, Siddha-Samadhi brought all the demigods before him. The prince saw that all the demigods were standing before Siddha-Samadhi, awaiting his instructions. Siddha-Samadhi said to those demigods. “Oh devas, this prince’s horse, which he had kept ready for sacrifice was stolen at night by Lord Indra. Kindly bring that horse back now."

 

 

Immediately the demigods brought that horse before him, and Siddha-Samadhi

dismissed them. When the prince saw these wonderful happenings, he fell at the feet of Siddha-Samadhi, and asked him, “How have you attained such power, which I have not seen or heard of anyone else possessing? O great sage, kindly hear my request. My father, King Brahadratha, while beginning the Ashwamedha sacrifice, died unexpectedly. And I kept his body in pure boiled oil. Kindly, if you desire, bring him back to life.”

 

Hearing this, Siddha-Samadhi gave a little chuckle, and said, “Let us go to the place, where you have kept your father’s body.” When they reached that place, Siddha-Samadhi took some water in his hand and while chanting mantras, he sprinkled water on the head of the dead body of King Brahadratha. As soon as the water touched his head, the king sat up and inquired from Siddha-Samadhi, “0 great devotee, who are you?”

 

 

The prince immediately informed his father of all the events, which had taken place. When the king heard the narration, he again and again offered his obeisances to Siddha-Samadhi, and asked him, “What austerities have you performed to attain such divine powers?” Siddha-Samadhi replied, “My dear King Brahadratha, daily I recite the twelfth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.”

 

 

Hearing these words from that great devotee, the king learnt the twelfth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita from Siddha-Samadhi. In the course of time, both the king and his son attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Many other persons have achieved the topmost goal, devotion to Lord Krishna’s lotus feet, by daily reciting the twelfth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

 

[Guest guest]

The Gita Mahatmiya is available in HTML form in the website:

 

www.dasanudas.org

 

Follow the link "Glories". The Glories of Tulasi Devi and the Glories of Gita are available.

 

I just read the discussions about the Gita mahatmiya. I just wanted to express my view about reciting the Gita. This is especially in connection with the message posted by Shyam("Essence of Gita-Mahathmiya and attaining Moksha") where he has said, "Attaining Moksha and the soul reaching Vaikunta will not come just by reciting the chapters of Gita or by just listening to the chapters." . Well I beg to differ. This conclusion has been arrived at based on the premise that the words of the Gita have been spoken by an ordinary being. Whereas they have been spoken by the Supreme Lord Krsna, whose form,character,activities and names are all transcendental. Krsna clearly says in BG 4.9

"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon

leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O

Arjuna. "

Krsna's activity of speaking the Gita is transcendental. The Gita is completely transcendental. And its sound vibrations are transcendental. Hence reciting or hearing them is not a material activity but transcendental. Hence actually the potence of reciting or hearing the Gita is so much that it will definitely deliver the worst fallen souls to Vaikunta. I was discussing this point with a senior devotee and asked him if it really has so much potence then why is it that I am still in my fallen state. He replied, when u recite or hear, your consciousness is not on Krsna. In other words you are not really hearing or reciting. The key here is the consciousness. Any fallen soul, when he recites or hears the Gita in proper consciousness, is no longer fallen. In other words, he will no longer be atrocious. This conclusion I make based on the premise that Gita is recited with proper consciousness. Hence if someone is reciting the Gita daily at home and still continues his atrocious activities, it just means he has not recited Gita. We should not think that the Gita's potence is less if it is simply recited. Because the consciousness of the soul is not pure, the reciting is also not pure. Hence it is not reciting. So we need to develop the attitude so that we will be able to recite the Gita in perfect consciousness. That is the key. That is the attitude.

 

Mr.Shyam has made a valuable point by saying that "Gita is not just for reading or keeping in our homes, it is something to follow in our daily everyday life. Reciting everyday implies, following Gita in our day to day life." It is an excellent point. Very true. But the inner point is if we really want to follow the Gita then we need to take up the process of bhakti yoga(devotional service). Because the single message of the Gita is Bhakti Yoga. That is very clearly stated in Gita. There is ample evidence within the Gita to prove the point that Bhakti yoga is the ultimate process of self realisation. To quote a few here:

 

"Yoginam api sarvesam" (6.47)

"bhaktya mam abhijanati" (18.55)

"bhaktya tv ananyaya cakya" (11.54)

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto " (9.34) also (18.65)

There are also evidences even in other scriptures to support the point that Bhakti yoga is the ultimate process of self realisation.

This much is quoted here in support of Bhakti yoga because it has been stated in Mr.Shyam's mail that "What ever you earn out of your hard work, make yourself comfortable and by helping others with your earning you make every one happy. So you reach Vaikunta."....With all due respect may I ask in which scripture has it been stated? Or is it your understanding (or the lack of it) of scriptures? I may sound a little too harsh, but the reality remains that however much of social service one may do, one cannot reach Vaikuntha. No. This point I have discussed with several senior devotees for a number of times. The harsh fact remains that one gets more and more Karma when one helps others (Pious activities). On account of this Karma one may reach Indra-loka or Brahma-loka for a certain period of time after which his stay will be terminated and he has to fall down to lower planets(This period of time depends on the amount of pious activities one has done). But reaching Vaikuntha-loka is out of question. Because the fruitive activities we do binds us so much to the material world.

Mr.Shyam also says that " ......... respect others feelings by not hurting the innocent.......attitude of forgiving ............... realise their faults.......lead a moral life by not looking at all woman as just an object of sex.................equal respects......following the principle of Shiva-Shakthi ........fight when there is injustice and make the other one realise their fault." etc etc.

I completely disagree by saying all this binds us to material world. Instead, if we practice Bhakti yoga, you can do all of this and more. Because when you have ten dollars, you have 5 dollars, 2 dollars, 50 cents, 25 cents and even more. A pure devotee not only looks at women as equal, but he looks at all living beings as equal (since all are spirit souls). He gives them their due respect (Since they are fragments of Krsna). This is true justice. What is the use of making other people realise fault?? Let us learn to be humble and first realise our fault (That of leaving Krsna) and take to this sublime process of Krsna Consciousness (Bhakti Yoga). Let us read Bhagavad Gita with a desire to understand Krsna. Let us recite Gita with a desire to feel Krsna. Let us hear Gita with a desire to hear Krsna.

 

As conclusion, I am requesting all to read "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" By Srila Prabhupada, if(&only if) you are reading some other version. Because this Gita is written "As it IS". Kindly read the introduction written by Prabhupada some four or five times. Prabhupada has given deep insights as to how the Gita must be read.

 

I know that I have spoken out when many senior devotees are keeping quite. I bow down at their lotus feet and ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately "Empty vessels make noise". I humbly request all devotees to forgive any offence I may have made in this mail.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

All Glories to All Vaishnavas,

Dasanudasa.

[gHari]

www.dasanudas.org doesn't work. Neither does www.dasanudasa.org, nor www.dasanudas.com nor www.dasanudas.net

 

I'll try later in case this is a temporary thing.

[Guest guest]

Yes. Its not working for past 2 days or so..but the link I gave is the right one.. Try after some time

 

 

Dasanudasa.

[Guest guest]

Lord Siva said: 0 Parvati, please hear the unlimited glories of the thirteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. By hearing which you will become very happy.

 

In the South, there was a large river, Tungabhadra. On the banks of which there is a beautiful town of the name Hariharpur. There, the deity of Lord Siva, known by the name Harihar, is worshiped. One who has his darshan attains auspicious things.

 

In Hariharpur lived a brahmana by the name of Hari-diksit, who was very learned, and lived a simple, austere life. His wife was called Durachara by the people because of her low-class activities. She would always speak to her husband in abusive language, and she had never slept with him. She was always rude to her husband’s friends, and she would keep company with other men to satisfy her lusty desires. She was also addicted to various kinds of intoxicants. Seeing that the town was becoming more and more populated, she constructed a small structure in the forest where she could meet her lovers.

 

One night, feeling very lusty and not finding any lover to satisfy her, she went out to the forest to her meeting place, to see if any of her lovers were there. Not finding anyone at that place, and burning up with lust, she started to wander in the forest in the hope of finding someone to satisfy her. After having wandered for some time, and finding that her body, senses, and mind were paining so much, due to not being able to satisfy their lust, she became bewildered and sat down and started to cry.

 

Hearing the sound of her crying, a hungry tiger, who was sleeping, woke up and reached the place very quickly. Hearing the tiger coming, the lusty woman got up and thinking to herself that surely someone is coming who would satisfy her needs. She saw the tiger arrive in front of her. He was about to rip her apart with his sharp claws.

 

At that time, the lusty woman said, “0 tiger, why have you come here to kill me? First you must tell me this and then you can kill me.” The king of animals refrained from killing Durachara, and laughed. Then he related the following story.

 

“In the South there is a river of the name Malapaha. On the bank of which is the town of Muniparna. At that place is a famous deity of Lord Siva, known as Panchalinga. In that town I had taken birth in a brahmana family. Although I had taken such a high birth, I was still very greedy, and had no control over my senses. I used to sit on the banks of the river and perform sacrifices for persons who were not qualified to partake in such performances. I would also eat from the homes of materialistic persons. I would collect more funds than necessary in the name of performing sacrifices and worship of the deity, and use the same for my own sense gratification. I would also criticize brahmanas who were strictly following the regulative principles, and I would never give charity to anyone. Slowly I became old, my hair turned white, my teeth fell out, my eyes became weak, but even still, I did not lose my lust to collect and hoard more funds. One day, by mistake, I went to beg some food at the house of some brahmanas who were very cruel and expert at cheating. They set the dogs on me. One of those dogs bit my leg and I fell over and very quickly died. After that, I attained this tiger’s body, and I am living in this dangerous forest.

 

“Fortunately, I am able to remember my last birth and in this birth I do not attack any devotee, sannyasi, or chaste lady. I take only sinful persons and unchaste women as my food. As you are the most unchaste and sinful woman, you will definitely become my lunch.”

 

When the tiger finished his narration, he devoured the woman. Thereafter, the Yamadutas threw her into the hell known as Duyada, which is a lake full of stool, urine, and blood. She had to stay in that filthy place for ten million kalpas. Then she was thrown into the hell known as Raurava, where she stayed for one hundred manvantaras. Then she took birth on earth as a female chandala, and again she lived in the same sinful way. Due to her sinful activities, she got leprosy and tuberculosis. By chance and good fortune, she once went to the holy place of Hariharpur. Close to the temple of Jambakadevi (Parvati), she saw the great saint Vasudeva who was always reciting the thirteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. From his mouth she heard the recitation, and becoming attracted, she heard it again and again. By that hearing, she gave up the body of a chandala and became completely free from the reactions of her past sinful activities. She attained a four-armed form similar to Lord Vishnu, and was taken to Vaikuntha.

 

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

 

Lord Siva said: 0 Parvati kindly hear from me the glories of the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, with the greatest attention.

 

In Simhaldvip was a king of the name Vikram-Betal. One day, he went to the forest to go hunting with his son and two hunting dogs. When he reached the forest he released one dog to chase a rabbit. When the dog was chasing it, the rabbit looked as if it was flying. Running and running, the rabbit reached a beautiful hermitage, which was very peaceful. The deer were sitting happily under the shade of the trees. The monkeys were joyfully eating the fruits of those trees. The tiger cubs were playing with the baby elephants, and the snakes were crawling over the peacocks.

 

In this forest lived the great sage Vatsa, who worshipped Lord Krishna by reciting the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Near the ashram of Maharaja Vatsa, one of his disciples was washing his feet while chanting the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. The earth at that spot became wet. Just then the rabbit came running and slipped in the mud. Immediately the rabbit attained a heavenly body. An airplane came down, picked him up, and took him off to the heavenly planets. After a moment, the dog arrived there in search of the rabbit, and he also slipped in the mud. He gave up that dog body, attained a heavenly body, and was also taken off to the heavenly planets.

 

Seeing all of this, the disciple of Maharaja Vatsa started to laugh. King Vikram-Betal, having witnessed these amusing events asked the brahmana, “How is it possible that the rabbit and dog went off to heaven in front of our eyes?” The brahmana said, “In this forest, the great sage Vatsa, who has completely conquered his senses, is always engaged in chanting the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. I am his disciple, and I am also, by his grace, always engaged in chanting the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Due to the rabbit and dog slipping in the mud, which had been made wet from the water that had washed my feet, they both attained the higher planets.

 

Now I will tell you the reason why I was laughing. In Maharastra is the town Pratudhak. A brahmana called Keshava had lived there. He was the most cruel of men. His wife’s name was Vilobana. She was a very loose lady, who always enjoyed the company of other men. For this reason, her husband be-came angry and killed her. In her next life she became the dog. And the brahmana Keshava, due to his sinful activities, became the rabbit.”

 

Lord Siva said: After hearing the glories of the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, King Vikram-Betal also began daily reciting the fourteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. When he gave up his body, he went to Vaikuntha where he engaged eternally in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, now I will tell you the glories of the Fifteenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Kindly listen carefully.

 

In Gaudadesa, there was a king of the name Narasingha. He was so powerful that he was able to defeat the demigods. The commander of his army, Sarabhmerund, was greedy and along with the prince, planned to kill the king, and become the ruler of Gaudadesa. But before he could carry out his plan, he got cholera and died very quickly. He took his next birth as a horse in the country known as Sindhu. The horse was beautiful and a fast runner. He had all the qualities of a prize horse. One day, the son of a rich man of Gaudadesa saw the horse and decided to buy him with the intention of selling him to the king of Gaudadesa. He purchased the horse and took him to the capital of Gaudadesa. When he reached the city he went straight to the palace of the king and requested the guards to inform the king of his arrival.

 

He came before the king who asked him, “What has brought you here?” That businessman replied, “0 king, in Sindhu I found a horse of the highest quality and it’s equal cannot be found in the whole universe. I paid a large sum of money for it.” The king ordered, “Bring the horse immediately.” The horse was brought before the king who became very pleased with the high qualities of the horse. After examining the horse, the king paid the businessman whatever amount he had requested without thinking twice.

 

Some days later, the king decided to go hunting. Riding that horse, he went to the forest, where he saw a deer, and immediately he gave chase. He followed the deer in every direction it turned. After some time the rest of his party got left far behind. After chasing for a long time and becoming tired and thirsty, he stopped to take rest. He tied the horse to the branch of a tree and he sat down on a large rock.

 

After a little while he saw a piece of parchment blowing in the wind and it landed next to him on the rock. On the piece of parchment was written half a sloka of the fifteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. The king started to read out loud, and as the first sound came out of his mouth, the horse fell down to the ground and gave up that horse body. He attained a transcendental four-armed form and immediately sat down in a flower airplane, which had come to take him to that transcendental abode Vaikuntha.

 

The king noticed that close by, there was a beautiful ashram, which was surrounded by fruit trees. Sitting in the ashram was a brahmana who had complete control over his senses. The king went there and offered respects to the brahmana. With folded hands, the king asked, “How was it possible that my horse attained Vaikuntha?” The brahmana, whose name was Vishnusharma, replied, “0 king, previously, you had a commander-in-chief of your army, who was known by the name Sarabhmerund. He had planned along with the prince to usurp you from your throne. Before he was able to do so, he got cholera and died. After which he took birth as that horse. By chance, he heard some words from the fifteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita and attained Vaikuntha.”

 

The king offered his respects to the brahmana and re-turned to his capital. Again and again he read what was writ-ten on the parchment. After a short time he installed his son as the king of Gaudadesa and he went off to the forest, where he regularly recited the fifteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita and quickly attained the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, I will now tell you the glories of the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

In Gujarat, in the town called Sourastra (Surat), King Khadgabahu had his kingdom and he lived there just like another Indra, the king of heaven. He kept a passionate male elephant, Arimardana, from whose temples liquid oozed due to his pride. One day the elephant, in a fit of anger, broke loose from his chains and started to destroy the elephant shed. Then he ran here and there, wildly chasing the citizens. Everyone fled as fast as possible. The elephant keepers immediately reported the news to the king. The king went to see the elephant, along with his son. King Khadgabahu knew the art of controlling wild elephants. When the king reached the place where the elephant was running amok, he saw that many persons had been trampled and others were running here and there trying to get away from the elephant.

 

Just then, as the king was watching the chaotic scene, he saw a brahmana peacefully returning from taking his bath in the lake. The brahmana was silently reciting the first three slokas from the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which start with the word abhayam, fearlessness. The people tried to tell the brahmana not to go near elephant, but he did not take any notice of them. He walked straight up to the mad elephant and started to stroke him. When the elephant saw the brahmana approaching, he lost all anger and lay down peacefully.

 

The brahmana patted the elephant for a few moments, and then he went peacefully on his way. When the king and the citizens saw this amazing incident, they were astonished.

 

The king went and fell at the feet of the brahmana and asked him, “What austerities and worship have you performed to attain such peacefulness and amazing powers?” The brahmana replied, “Daily I am reciting some slokas from the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.”

 

Lord Siva said: The king requested the brahmana to come to his palace. There he offered one hundred gold coins to him in charity, and requested that pious brahmana to instruct him in the chanting of those verses from the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

King Khadgabahu chanted those verses for some time. One day he went with his guards to the place where the elephant was kept and ordered the elephant keepers to release him. The citizens became upset with the king thinking that the elephant would run amok again. The king went before the elephant. It immediately lay down and the king started to stroke it. After that the king returned to his palace and installed his son on the throne. He left for the forest, where he worshiped Lord Krishna by chanting those slokas from the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita and quickly he attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

 

Anyone who chants the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, however sinful he is, very quickly attains the same goal as King Khadgabahu-the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

 

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

Lord Siva said: My dear Parvati, you have heard the unlimited glories of the sixteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Now, kindly hear the nectarean glories of the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

King Khadgabahu’s son had a crafty and exceptionally foolish servant called Dushasan. Dushasan made a bet with the prince that he could ride the elephant. He jumped upon the elephant and after going a few steps, the people there requested him not to ride that dangerous elephant. But foolish Dushasan started to prod the elephant and used strong words to urge him on. Suddenly, the elephant became very angry and started to run wildly here and there. Unable to hold on, Dushasan fell to the ground. The elephant stomped on him and Dushasan died. He attained the body of an elephant in Simbaldwip, where he stayed in the king’s palace.

 

The king of Simbaldwip was a close friend of King Khadgabahu. One day the king of Simhaldwip decided to send the elephant as a present to his friend, King Khadgabahu. He, in turn, presented it to a poet, who pleased him with his beautiful poetry.

 

Thereafter, the poet sold the elephant for one hundred gold coins to the king of Malva. After some time, the elephant contracted a terminal disease. When the elephant keepers saw that the elephant had stopped eating and drinking, they reported the matter to the king. The king went to see the elephant, along with the best doctors. At that time, to the surprise of the king, the elephant started to speak. It said, “My dear king you are very pious, and a strict follower of the Vedas. You always worship the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. So you should know that at this time, these medicines and doctors will be of no use. Neither any kind of charity or sacrifice will help at the time of death. If you care for me and want to help me, then bring someone who daily recites the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.”

 

As requested by the elephant, the king brought a great devotee, who regularly recited the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. The devotee, while chanting the seventeenth chapter, sprinkled water on the elephant. The elephant gave up his body and attained a four-armed form similar to that of Lord Vishnu. He sat down in a flower airplane, which had been sent to take him to Vaikuntha. While sitting in the airplane, the king inquired from him about his previous birth. Dushasan explained everything to the king and then he left for Vaikuntha. After which, the best of men, the king of Malva, started regularly reciting the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. After a short time he attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna

 

[Guest guest]

THE GLORIES OF CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

Parvati said: My dear husband, you have told me the glories of the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Now kindly relate the glories of the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

 

Lord Siva said: Oh daughter of the Himalayas [Parvati], please listen to the glories of the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which is higher than the Vedas and the giver of unlimited bliss. When it enters into one’s ears it destroys all material desires. For the pure devotee, it is divine nectar, it is Lord Vishnu’s very life, and it is a solace to the hearts of Lord Indra and the demigods, as well as the great yogis headed by Sanak and Sananda.

 

One who recites it sends the messengers of Yamaraja far away. There is no other recitation, which can so quickly destroy all sin and free one from the threefold miseries of this world. Now listen with great devotion.

 

On the topmost peak of Mount Meru is Amaravati, which was built by Vishvakarma. In that heavenly kingdom, Lord Indra and his wife Saci are served by the demigods. One day while Lord Indra was sitting peacefully, he saw that a beautiful person had arrived there, whom the servants of Lord Vishnu were serving. When Lord Indra saw the beautiful young person, he immediately fell from his throne to the ground. At that time the demigods, who had been worshipping Indra, picked up Indra’s crown and placed it on the head of the beautiful person. Then all the demigods and other denizens of the heavenly planets started to perform aratik and sing wonderful songs to the new King Indra. The great rishis came there and offered their blessings and chanted Vedic mantras, and the Gandharvas and Apsaras started to sing and dance joyfully.

 

In this way, the new Indra, who had not performed the usual one hundred horse sacrifices, started to enjoy hundreds of different types of services rendered by the demigods and other denizens of the heavenly planets. When the old Indra saw this he became very surprised.

 

He thought to himself, “This person here has never built wells or dug kunds or planted trees for the welfare of others, and when there were droughts, he did not provide grains in charity. He never performed any fire sacrifices or great charities in the holy places. How has he managed to attain my seat?” The old Indra, feeling greatly disturbed in his mind, went to the ocean of milk to pray to Lord Vishnu. When he obtained the darshan of Lord Vishnu, he asked Him, “My dear Lord Vishnu, in the past I performed many sacrifices and other pious activities, for which I was installed as the lord of heaven. But now another person has come and taken my place as the king of heaven. This person in his life never performed any great, wonderful pious activities, nor had he performed any great Vedic sacrifices. How is it possible that he has obtained my throne?”

 

Lord Vishnu said, “My dear Indra, that great soul has daily performed the recitation of the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Everyday during his life, he recited five slokas from this chapter, and because of that activity he has attained the results of all sorts of pious activities and yajnas and after enjoying for many years as the king of heaven, he will attain My personal abode. If you perform the same activity of reciting the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, you can also attain My divine abode.”

 

After hearing Lord Vishnu’s words, Lord Indra took the form of a brahmana and went to the bank of the Godavari River, where he saw the town of Kalegrani, which is very sacred. At that place, the Supreme Lord in His form known as Kalesva, resides. Close to this town, on the bank of the Godavari river, a pure brahmana was sitting, who was very merciful and had understood the topmost goal and secret of the Vedic literatures. Daily he would sit at that spot and recite the slokas of the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. When Lord Indra saw him he became very happy. He immediately fell at his lotus feet and requested him to teach him the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Lord Indra then practiced the recitation of the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita for sometime and he attained the topmost place of Vishnuloka. When he attained that place, he realized that the pleasure he had enjoyed as King Indra, along with the demigods, was nothing in comparison.

 

My dear Parvati, for this reason the great sages especially chant the eighteenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita and by so doing very quickly attain the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.

 

Anyone who hears or studies this Gita Mahatmya very quickly destroys all sins, which he has accumulated. And that person, who remembers this discourse with great faith attains the results of all kinds of pious activities and great sacrifices, and after enjoying all worldly opulences, attains the abode of Lord Vishnu.

 

Thus ends the glories of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita as spoken by Lord Siva to his wife Parvati Devi.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Well, I have finally finished posting all 18 chapters of the Gita-Mahatmya for the pleasure of the Vaishnavas. In the first week of April, I posted chapter five. Then by popular demand, I posted the rest of the chapters, one by one.

 

You can go back through this thread, copying and pasting each chapter and placing the chapters into a folder which you can save on your hard disk or transfer to a CD or floppy. It should not take very long to do that.

 

Your servant, Guest Poster