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 Sage Narada
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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 09 May 2005 :  07:12:28
Jai Shri krishna,

Will discuss topics related to sage Narada and his stories.

Let me start with story number one so please add more to it.

Sage Narada had the knack of bringing about social change and spiritual growth wherever he went. Adored and respected by Lord Krishna, Narada employed different ways to bring people nearer to God.

----------------------- Narada convinced the dacoit Ratnakar to chant “Mara, Mara” — the reverse of “Rama, Rama” — helping him evolve enough to get transformed into a sage (Valmiki). Narada taught five-year-old Dhruv how to meditate. The result? The Lord manifested Himself before Dhruv. Narada’s pointer that all eight children of Devaki could be a threat to King Kansa’s life led to Kansa being killed and liberated at the hands of God. Somehow, Narada brings all to God.

Narada once confided to Krishna that he yearned to experience maya or illusion. The Lord transformed Narada into a pretty girl, Naradi. A man falls in love with her, marries her and they have several children. Naradi is happy for a while, looking after her family. But when her child dies, she is inconsolable. Naradi weeps on the banks of a river when she hears someone asking for water. Looking up, she finds a smiling Krishna — at which point she realises that she is actually Narada, the sage. All that transpired was maya.

In the Narada Bhakti Sutra, Narada recommends various ways to come out of maya. One should give up attachment (sangam tyajati), serve the great (mahanubhavam sevatae) and be freed from ‘I and mine’ (nirmamao bhavati). To give up attachment one must restrain the senses and practise austerities.Lord Krishna says in the Gita:

“ A restless mind can be restrained by renunciation and practise” (10.35).

Narada recommends a life of solitude (viviktasthanam sevate) to enable cutting through worldly bondage (loka-bandham unmulayati), go beyond the three gunas (nistraigunyo bhavati) and depend on God for living (yogakshemam tyajati). Going beyond the three gunas is to be free of all moods. To depend on God means total surrender to Him.

Narada says that one who gives up fruits of action (karma-phalam tyajati), renounces all selfish activities (karmani sannyasyati), and passes beyond pairs of opposites (nirdvandvo bhavati), crosses maya. The Law of Karma says that all actions and thoughts yield fruits of happiness and misery and bind us further.

The greatest remedy of all ills is to surrender the fruits of karma to God. Work performed as worship creates love and devotion. Such devotion leads to non-attachment freeing the devotee from cause and effect. One who accepts pairs of opposites (happiness-misery, heat-cold, success-failure) with equanimity is freed from ignorance and achieves immortality. In order to achieve all this, one has to love God unconditionally and constantly — and it means living in constant Bliss. Only when one reaches such a stage, one becomes equipped to overcome maya. A true devotee never forgets God — not even for a moment, just like the gopis, says Narada.

Narada assures that God reveals Himself to the devotee who worships Him day and night, whose voice chokes while speaking of Him, who is moved to tears by merely hearing His name, whose hair stands up on end in ecstasy. When God reveals Himself to such an evolved devotee, maya is dissolved.

Vasant

jagdish
Mover & Shaker Member


379 Posts
Posted - 09 May 2005 :  16:55:53
Jai Shri Krishna, If it helps, here are brief stories from the Narad Puran. Please let me know if this is not relevant. Best Wishes Jagdish SHRI NARAD PURAN - INTRODUCTION Vedas are regarded as the oldest scriptures in the entire known history of human civilization. Even the Vedas speak about Puranas. A shloka in Matsya Purana speaks- PURAANAM SARVASHASTRAANAAM PRATHAMAM BRAHMANAA SMRITAM ANANTARAM CHA VAKTREBHYO VEDAASTASYA VINIRGATAH Brahma recalled about Puranas even before starting the creation of other scriptures. Vedas emerged thereafter from his mouth. It clearly shows the antiquity of Puranas. There are in all eighteen Puranas. Among them, Narad Purana is perhaps the most significant as it has been created by none other than the sage Narad. NARDOKTAM PURAANAM TU NAARDIYAM PRACHACHHATE Meaning- Narad Purana is what emerged from the lips of Maharshi Narad. Initially, it had a collection of about twenty-five thousand stanzas. But, the currently available version of Narad Purana contains not more than twenty-two thousand stanzas. The whole content of Narad Purana has been divided into two parts. The first part contains four chapters which include dialogue between Suta and Shaunak, origin of the universe, salvation, birth of Shukadev, training of the mantras, worship rituals, provisions and the results of the various fasts observed on particular days in particular months. The second part contains beautiful tales related to various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, depiction and significance of pilgrimage centers and performing pilgrimage. CHAPTER ONE Penance of The Sages in Naimisharnya and Dialogue Between Suta and The Sages Once upon a time, about twenty-six thousand sages assembled in the holy ambience of Naimisharanya. All of them had renounced their desires and homely comforts and were worshipping Lord Vishnu for the benefit of the entire humanity. During their stay in Naimisharanya, those sages called a huge assembly to discuss about the means of attaining all the four goals of life like Dharma, Arth, Kama and Moksha. The great sage Shaunak was presiding over the assembly. He said: "O sages! We have assembled here to discuss the most cryptic disciplines of life. But it is beyond my powers to answer the questions you have put before me. Only a great sage like Suta, who is the most learned disciple of Vedavyasa, is able to answer these questions. Presently, he lives in a hermitage in Siddhipeeth. Let us all go there and request him to preach us about the cryptic disciplines of life." Hearing these words, all the sages thanked Shaunak with joy. Then, led by Shaunak himself, all of them reached the hermitage of the sage Suta. At the hermitage, sage Suta welcomed them all and satisfied their queries. He said: " O great sages! I narrate to you, the great Purana, which was once narrated by the great saint Sanatkumar to Devarshi Narad and now known as Narad Purana." CHAPTER - 2 NARAD PRAYS TO LORD VISHNU Shaunak says: "Sutaji, how did Sanatkumar unfold the mystic character of the religion to Narad? When and where they had the meeting to hold this pious discussion? Kindly tell us in detail." Sutaji says: "The great sage Sanatkumar, who was free from illusions, was the creation of Brahma’s imagination. He always remained engrossed in the worship of Brahma. Once, he was going towards the peaks of the mighty Meru Mountains (Himalayas) when on the way, he happened to sight the sacred Ganges. He was about to take a dip in the waters when Devarshi Narad also arrived there. Devarshi Narad greeted his elder brother and took bath in the river. After carrying out usual rituals, they seated there and started a discussion about the virtues of Lord Vishnu." Devarshi Narad asked- "O brother! How can one realize the Lord Vishnu? Who is the cause of this whole creation? What is the appearance of devotion, knowledge and penance? Kindly elaborate the mystery of treating the guests also. Also tell me, how did Lord Vishnu effected the origin of Brahma and other gods?" Sanatkumar says: In the beginning of creation, the self-illuminating Lord Vishnu created Brahma from His right hand side, Rudra from His central part and Vishnu, his own replica from His left hand side. As Lord Vishnu is omnipresent, similarly his illusions are also omnipresent and known with different names like Lakshmi, Uma, Shakti and Chandi. These are the powers of Lord Vishnu. Some people identify these powers with the illusions created by the Lord whereas the sages regard them as nature." The gods, who protect the world, are Purush, and the Supreme Being, who is above these levels, is Lord. Nobody else is greater than He is. From His navel even Brahma has originated on a divine lotus. He is the Supreme Being the eternal joy incorporating all the three virtues. O Narad! Five senses- sights, sound, scent, touch and taste have originated from the ego. Ego is the origin of other eleven senses also. These five senses in turn gave rise to five physical elements- ether, air, fire, water and earth. It was after the creation of these five physical elements that Brahma created the lower living beings. Then he created human beings followed by the creation of all the seven worlds and seven guards of these seven worlds. For the inhabitation of the living beings, Brahma also created great mountains, plains and seven seas. Towards the north of the great saline sea and towards the south of the great Himalayas is situated the Holy Land of India. People who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu inhabit this land. Because of their virtues, even the gods worship the people who populate the Indian landmass. Those ignorant people, who do not seek salvation despite having been born in India, have to suffer the tortures of hell as long as the Sun and the Moon shine in the sky. The whole world from Brahma to a seemingly unimportant blade of grass is the manifestation of Vasudev (Lord Vishnu).

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 13 May 2005 :  07:45:43
Jai Shri Krishna, Jagdishnbhai, It was nice to see you post something. Yes you may continue as it is really very interesting.

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 13 May 2005 :  07:48:23
Jai Shri Krishna, So lets continue. Here is one more prasang about Dev Rushi Naradji which is very nice hope you all like it too. Narada Muni, used to visit Bhagavan Krishna at Dwaraka every day. Once, he saw one very learned brahmana taking thrice bath and everything very nicely. The brahmana asked Narada Muni, "Oh, you are going to Krishna!. Will you inquire when I shall get my salvation?" . "All right. I shall ask " . And then a cobbler, he was under the tree, sewing the shoes, old shoes. He also saw Narada Muni. He also inquired, "Will you kindly inquire from Krishna when my salvation is...?" The Muni asked Krishna "Bhagavan, two persons, one brahmana and one cobbler, they inquired like this. So may I know their destiny ?" . Bhagavan Krishna replied "Well, yes, the cobbler, after giving up this body, he's coming to Vaikuntha." "And what about that brahmana?". Narada Muni asked . Krishna replied "Oh, he has to remain there still so many births, or I do not know when he's coming." Narada Muni was suprised, "I saw that he's very nice brahmana, and the other a cobbler. Why is that ?. I cannot understand the mystery. Why You say that cobbler is getting salvation and why not that brahmana?" Bhagavan Krishna said "Oh, that, you'll understand. If they inquire ' What Krishna, was doing in His abode?,' you just explain ‘He's pulling an elephant this side and that side through the hole of a needle”. "All right." Narada agreed. So when Narada Muni met him the brahmana inquired, "Oh, you have seen Krishna ?" . "Yes." "What was Krishna doing?" "He was doing this; through the hole of a needle He was pushing one elephant this way and that way." "Oh, therefore I have no faith in your Krishna... I, I, I have got all respect for your garb, but we don't believe all this nonsense." Then Narada could understand, "Oh, this man has no faith in Krishna. He simply reads books. That's all." And when the Muni went to the cobbler, he also asked, "Oh, you have seen Him? What Krishna was doing?" Narada said "He was doing like this..." Oh, the cobbler began to cry in ecstasy , "Oh, my Bhagavan is wonderful. He can do anything." Sri Narada inquired, "So do you believe that Bhagavan Krishna can push one elephant through the hole of a needle?" . "Oh, why not? I must believe." "Then what is your reason?". "Oh, my reason? I am sitting under this banyan tree, and so many fruits are falling daily, and in each fruit there are thousands of seeds, and each seed grows as a tree. If in a small seed there can be big tree like that, is it very easy to accept that Krishna is putting one elephant through the hole of a needle. He has kept such a nice tree in the seed." Narada Muni realised ‘So this is called belief. This cobbler is a genuine believer of Krishna and he has sound logic . If by Krishna's grace, such a big tree can be put within the small seed, is it not easy for Krishna to keep all these planets floating in His energy? So we have to believe. We have no other explanation. But we have to understand in this way. Our reasoning, our argument, our logic should go in this way.’ So the one who is a devotee... Just like the cobbler. He may be a cobbler. He has total faith in Krishna . And those who are not true devotees, they'll say like that Brahmana, "Oh, these are all bluffs. It is all bluff." But the pastimes of Krishna are not bluff. They are simply meant for His devotees. They can understand. The non-devotees, they can never understand!!!.

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jagdish
Mover & Shaker Member


379 Posts
Posted - 13 May 2005 :  19:17:26
Jai Shri Krishna, I must say that i am also enjoying this very much and Thank You for the encouragement. Here is Chapter 3 CHAPTER - 3 PROFILE OF THE SAGE MARKANDEYA Sanatkumar says: O sage! Faith has the greatest significance. Achievement of everything and appeasement of Lord Vishnu depend upon the faith. Nothing is attainable without faith. Such as a human being faces inertia in the absence of life and is rendered motionless. Similarly, faith is like a spiritual light without which, religious actions of a man come to cease. Similarly, devotion is also known as the life of all the achievements. It is also the giver of four supreme goals of life like Dharma, Arth, Kama and Moksha. No action succeeds without the input of devotion and faith. Even the menial jobs done with faith gives everlasting results. On the contrary, even the pious actions of envious people go futile. Attainment of God by envious people is impossible. Envy is the greatest enemy of the human being. It creates a gap as big as the one that separates the sky from the nether world. O Brahmanandan! Only those people, who remain engrossed in faithful devotion of God, attain to the abode of Vishnu. Fallen are those who, despite having the knowledge of Vedas, do not comply with the moral code of conduct of their clan. Neither Vedas nor even devotion can salve such people. In other words, moral conduct is everything. O great sage! Devotion is like mother who is the base of life for every living being. O Narad! Company of the pious people and the saints is the best means to cherish devotion. Saints are the teachers of the entire world. When the sins that have been accumulating all throughout the previous births decay only when one gets pious company and those who once get pious company experiences eternal joy. Narad says: "O great devotee of Lord Vishnu! Kindly relate the actions and appearance of the Lord’s devotees to me." Sanatkumar says: "During the period of Pralay, when all the world was inundated, Lord Vishnu was sleeping on a Banyan leaf. That scene had amazed Markandeya, the supreme devotee of the Lord." The sages asked: "When all the world was inundated, how did Markandeya escape? Sutaji kindly remove our doubt." Sutaji says: "O great sages! Now, I am going to narrate the tale of Markandeya. Listen to it carefully." Once upon a time, there lived a fortunate sage in the pious land of India. The sage was famous as Mrikandu. He had observed a very severe penance at the holy pilgrimage center of Shaligram. His penance began to cause worry for Indra. So, accompanied by other gods, Indra reached to Lord Vishnu who was resting on Sheshnaag in Ksheersagar, the ocean of milk. The gods prayed the Lord to protect them from the radiance of Mrikandu. Listening to the prayers offered by the gods, Lord Vishnu appeared in His four-armed form holding conch, wheel, mace and lotus in each of those arms. His radiance was enough to beat the shine of crore Suns. His radiance caused tremendous joy for the gods who fell flat at the feet of the Lord. Lord says: "O gods! Get up. I am fully aware about your miseries. But your worries are meaningless because Maharshi Mrikandu is really a gentleman. He is not going to harm you in any way. Even if the situation arises, I am always ready to protect you." Saying these words, the Lord disappeared. Thus, assured by the Lord’s words, the gods also returned to their abode. On the other hand, pleased by Mrikandu’s penance, Lord appeared before him. As soon as Mrikandu opened his eyes, he saw Lord Vishnu standing before him. Lord’s four-armed, blue and radiant appearance caused great exhilaration for Mrikandu. He fell flat at His feet and prayed Him with tearful eyes. Pleased with his prayers, Lord asked Mrikandu to seek a boon. But Mrikandu refused saying that he had attained salvation just by having His sight. Still, Lord said that His appearance never goes in vain," So, I will be your son who will live a long life." Granting this boon, the Lord disappeared." Best Wishes Jagdish

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 26 May 2005 :  06:08:20
Jai Shri Krishna, That was good Jagdishbhai please continue you do not have to wait for me.

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 26 May 2005 :  06:12:07
Jai Shri Krishna, So lets continue The Story of Sage Narada and His Instructions to Vyasadeva Sage Narada plays on his instrument and wander every where to glorify the transcendental activities of Shri Krishna, the Supreme Lord and to give relief to all miserable living entities of the universe. Even after compiling the Vedas, Puranas and the epic Mahabharatham, Sage Vyasadeva was feeling restless . Shri Narada then advised him to compile Srimad Bhagavatham containing the transcendental activities of Shri Krishna, the Supreme God . Bhagavatham is the factual literary incarnation of Shri Krishna. So even the laymen can hear the narration of the activities of the Bhagavan. Thereby they are able to associate with Shri Krishna and thus gradually become purified . The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the non-devotees in terms of particular time and circumstance Bhagavan Shri Krishna, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is attractive not only in His personal features, but also in His transcendental activities. It is so because Shri Krishna is absolute by His name, fame, form, pastimes, entourage, paraphernalia, etc. The Bhagavan descends on this material world out of His causeless mercy and displays His various transcendental pastimes as a human being so that human beings attracted towards Him become able to go back to Shri Krishna’s abode. Instead of wasting time , one can get spiritual success by turning his attention to the transcendental pastimes of Shri Krishna. By hearing the narration of the pastimes of the Bhagavan, one contacts Him directly , and, by hearing about Him, from within, all accumulated sins of the mundane creature are cleared. Thus being cleared of all sins, the hearer gradually becomes liberated and becomes attracted to the features of Shri Krishna. Narada Muni has just explained this by his personal experience. The whole idea is that simply by hearing about Shri Krishna’s pastimes, one can become one of His associates . Narada Muni has eternal life, unlimited knowledge and unfathomed bliss, and he can travel all over the material and spiritual worlds without restriction. The story of Sage Narada and His instructions to Vyasadeva are described in Canto -1, Chapters 5 and 6 of Shrimad Bhagavatham as follows: Chapter Five Narada’s Instructions on Srimad-Bhagavatam, for Vyasadeva TEXT 1 Sage Suta said: Thus the sage amongst the gods (Narada), comfortably seated and apparently smiling, addressed the Sage amongst the brahmanas (Vedavyasa). TEXT 2 Addressing Vyasadeva (the son of Parasara), Narada inquired : Are you satisfied by identifying with the body or the mind as objects of self-realization? TEXT 3 Your inquiries were full and your studies were also well fulfilled, and there is no doubt that you have prepared a great and wonderful work, the Mahabharata, which is full of all kinds of Vedic sequences elaborately explained. TEXT 4 You have fully delineated the subject of impersonal Brahman as well as the knowledge derived therefrom. Why should you be despondent in spite of all this, thinking that you are undone, my dear prabhu ? TEXT 5 Sage Vyasadeva said: All you have said about me is perfectly correct. Despite all this, I am not pacified. I therefore question you about the root cause of my dissatisfaction, for you are a man of unlimited knowledge due to your being the offspring of one [Brahma] who is self-born [without mundane father and mother]. TEXT 6 My lord! Everything that is mysterious is known to you because you worship the creator and destroyer of the material world and the maintainer of the spiritual world, the original Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to the three modes of material nature. To be continued--------------------

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jagdish
Mover & Shaker Member


379 Posts
Posted - 26 May 2005 :  16:13:05
Jai Shri Krishna, Thank You. CHAPTER - 4 TALE OF THE SAGE MARKANDEYA Narad says: "O great sage! Why did Lord Vishnu appear as the son of Mrikandu? What did He do as his son? The Puranas say that during the Pralay, Markandeya had witnessed the direct appearance of Lord Vishnu’s illusion. Kindly narrate these things in detail." Sanatkumar says: "Listen O Devarshi! After observing severe penance, the sage Mrikandu got married and received an equally virtuous and chaste wife. In the tenth month after their marriage, his wife gave birth to an extremely beautiful baby. The baby in fact had incorporated the radiance of the Lord. Mrikandu carried out all the necessary rituals and consecrations of the baby happily. In his fifth year, he carried out the thread ceremony of his son and started to educate him in Vedas. His education developed all the pious virtues in his son whom he had named Markandeya. After finishing his education, sage Markandeya also started a severe penance to please Lord Vishnu. Pleased by his penance, Lord Vishnu blessed him with a boon of creating Purana Samhita. This is the reason why the sage Markandeya is also known as Narayan. O Brahmins! Lord Vishnu did not annihilate Markandeya during the Pralay only to show him His illusions. It was due to this grace that Markandeya survived the Pralay and passed that time floating on a Banyan leaf. As long as the Lord slept, Markandeya kept floating on that leaf. As long as the night of the Lord lasted, Markandeya stayed on that flimsy leaf. At the end of the night, when the inundating Pralay receded and the Lord awakened from His prolonged sleep, He began the work of creation again. It was even more amazing for Markandeya to see the inundating water recede and new creation taking place. He began to pray the Lord with folded hands. Pleased by his prayers, the Lord said that He always protected His devotees even during the most severe crises. Markandeya then asked about the appearance of the true devotees of the Lord. He also expressed his curiosity to know the reasons of their birth. Lord Vishnu says: "O great among the sages! The greatest devotees are those who do not harm others with their mind, words and actions and who are free from envy. Those who have impartial view are best among the devotees. Those who protect the human beings, cows, Brahmins, vegetation and remain engrossed in discussion of Lord’s virtues. Those who salute the garden of basil and put the earth from basil’s roots on their heads, those who are beloved to Lord Shiva, put Tripund on their forehead and worship Him performing Yagyas facing south. Those who always donate water and cereals, cows and daughters are the excellent among all the devotees. O great sage! These are some of the characteristics of a true devotee. Cherish these characteristics and you will also attain salvation in the last." Thus, preaching, Lord Vishnu disappeared. Markandeya thereafter led a pious life and observed penance and in the last he too attained to the supreme abode of the Lord.

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 29 May 2005 :  08:52:53
Jai Shri Krishna, Good one Jagdishbhai keep it up.

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Vasant Punjabi
Vice-President & Pushtikul Elite Member - May 2003


1047 Posts
Posted - 29 May 2005 :  08:58:12
Jai Shri Krishna, Sorry let me also continue from where I left off Shrimad Bhagwad Canto One Chapter Five TEXT 7 Like the sun, Your Goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone. As such, you are as good as the all-pervasive Supersoul. Please, therefore, find out the deficiency in me, despite my being absorbed in transcendence under disciplinary regulations and vows. TEXT 8 Shri Narada said: You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord Shri Krishna is considered worthless. TEXT 9 Although, great sage, you have very broadly described the four principles beginning with religious performances, you have not described the glories of the Supreme Personality, Vasudeva. TEXT 10 Those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord Shri Krishna, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered by saintly persons to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows. Since the all-perfect persons are inhabitants of the transcendental abode, they do not derive any pleasure there. TEXT 11 On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord Shri Krishna is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest. TEXT 12 Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord Shri Krishna? To be continued.

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jagdish
Mover & Shaker Member


379 Posts
Posted - 01 June 2005 :  14:30:40
Jai Shri Krishna, CHAPTER - 5 THE GREATNESS OF THE GANGES Sutaji says- "The glorious description of devotion for Lord Vishnu caused extreme joy for Narad." Narad says: "O great sage Sanat! Now kindly tell me about such a place of pilgrimage which is even holier than the holiest places of pilgrimage." Sanatkumar says: O Narad! Confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is the holier than any other place of pilgrimage. The extremely sacred and pious Ganga rises from the feet of none other than Lord Vishnu. Yamuna on the other hand is the daughter of Surya. Even the remembrance of Ganga is enough to do away with all the sins and making one peaceful. This place where Ganga and Yamuna merge is famous as Prayaag in the world. It is the same place where Brahma had once invoked Lord Vishnu in a Yagya. Since then, innumerable sages have followed Brahma and performed different kinds of Yagyas there. Even a person who recites the name of Ganga hundred miles from Prayaag attains salvation. Smear the sand of Ganga’s bank on the forehead is like, in a way, bearing the crescent shaped Moon on the head. Those who remember Ganga receive the benefit of performing pilgrimage to all the holy places. Among other places of pilgrimage, Varanasi has almost equal significance to that of Prayaag. O Brahmin! Ganga is the mother of the entire world. Mere touch of her sacred waters salved the sixty thousand sons of Sagar. No one can describe the greatness of Ganga CHAPTER - 6 FATE OF KING BAAHU Narad says: "O great sage who in the dynasty of Sagar received salvation from Preta Bhava. Who was Sagar? Kindly narrate his whole story to me." Sanatkumar says: "Long ago, there occurred a king named Baahu in the dynasty of Surya. He was very religious in nature and looked after his subjects like his own offspring. Everyone was happy in his kingdom, which he ruled with polity and justice". But destiny was playing another game for the king. With time, evils like envy and ego began to rise in the mind of Baahu. He began to think that nobody else was as religious as he was. These evils in turn caused the king to incline towards sensual pleasures. O Narad! An unconscious mind is the greatest cause of destruction. Everyone, even the better half begin to nurture hostility against such a person. So, the same thing happened with the king Baahu. Many neighbouring kings together launched a massive attack on the kingdom of Baahu and defeated him after a month-long fierce battle. After his defeat, the king Baahu left his kingdom and began to wander along with his queens. At last, he came to stay beside a big lake. Even the local inhabitants and lower creatures hid seeing the king approach. His subjects too had lost their sympathies for him. Now the life of the king was not more than the death. So, repenting his condition, king Baahu met his death in the presence of the sage Aurv. At that time, his youngest queen was expecting an issue. After her husband’s death, she decided to commit Sati. But, the sage Aurv prevented her convincing that her would be son would enjoy more popularity than his father had. Besides, nothing is more wretched than killing an unborn baby. Thus, convincing the queen with all means, sage Aurv guided the queens to perform cremation of her husband and other rituals. Since then, both the queens began to live in the hermitage of sage Aurv.

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