How Pariksit received the age of Kali Texts 1.16.1 – 1.16.9

1. How Pariksit received the age of Kali Texts 1.16.1 – 1.16.9 (Suta Goswami speaks of Maharaja Pariksit’s life, and Saunaka Rsi asks to hear more about Maharaja Pariksit’s chastisement of Kali)

2. Prayers chanted before reading SB • Om namah bhagavate vasudevaya • I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva • narayanam namaskritya naram chaiva narottamam • devim sarasvatim vyasam tato jayam udirayet • Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rishi, the supermost human being, unto Mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.4) • Śrnvatām ́ sva-kathāh krsnah punya-sravana-kīrtanaḥ • hrdyantah stho hyabhadrāni vidhunoti suhrt satām • Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.(1.2.17)

3. Prayers chanted before reading SB • nasta-prāyesv abhadresu nityaḿ bhāgavata-sevaya • bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naisthikī • By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.(1.2.18) • om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya • caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah • I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. • mukam karoti vachalam pangum langhayate girim • yat-kripa tam aham vande shri-gurum dina-taranam • "I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains."

4. So far from the preceding chapters • Chapter 13: • Vidura’s return to Hastinapura after pilgirmage,he inspires Dhrtrastra and Gandhari to advance towards the ultimate spiritual destination. • Chapter 14: • Yudhishthira observes bad omens making him fear that Lord Krishna had left the world. He expresses his fear to Bhima. Arjuna returns from Dwarka and Yudhishthira inquires from about friends and relatives in Dwarka • Chapter 15: • Arjuna replies that Sri Krishna had indeed left the world along with almost all the members of the Yadu Dynasty. Yudhishtira enthrones Maharaja Pariksit and renounces the world. His brothers, Kunti Devi, Draupadi and Subhadra follow.

5. 1.16.1 • sūta uvāca • tataḥ parīkṣid dvija-varya-śikṣayā •  mahīṁ mahā-bhāgavataḥ śaśāsa ha • yathā hi sūtyām abhijāta-kovidāḥ •  samādiśan vipra mahad-guṇas tathā • Translation: • Sūta Gosvāmī said: O learned brāhmaṇas, Mahārāja Parīkṣit then began to rule over the world as a great devotee of the Lord under the instructions of the best of the twice-born brāhmaṇas. He ruled by those great qualities which were foretold by expert astrologers at the time of his birth.

6. 1.16.1: From the purport • He was a mahabhagavata – first class devotee.Once one becomes a devotee all the qualities worthy of possession develop • “Mahārāja Parīkṣit was, therefore, a devotee of the first order, and thus he used to consult great sages and learned brāhmaṇas, who could advise him by the śāstras how to execute the state administration • Flawless rules and regulations were already in the Vedas left by great sages like Yajnvalkya and Manu • The king took the help of great sages to execute the state administration based on sastra • Qualities of the sages that formed the council • Great brahamanas of the first order • Did not take any salary- state got best advise without any expenditur (e.g nowadays President takes advise from business leaders and consulting companies) • Philosophers in the real sense- knew the science by which people could really be happy in this life and next. Not concerned with hedonistic philosphy of eat drink and be merry. (e.g Present leaders confused about what makes people happy- pro abortion, pro euthanasia) • Equal to everyone, both man and animal – did not advise protecting man but killing animals • A welfare state in the real sense of the term because no one was unhappy in that state

7. 1.16.1- Points for application • Importance of following the program given by Srila Prabhupada: • Maharaja Pariksit’s family members and Lord Sri Krsna had left the planet. The training given to him by Maharaja Yudhishthira and His devotional qualities made him able to run the affairs. • We may find ourselves in a similar situation(as Maharaja Pariksit) to execute our duties in Krishna consciousness without many familiar people around or we are called upon to guide • Our strength <=> sadhana, surrender and relationships with devotees

8. 1.16.2 sa uttarasya tanayām  upayema irāvatīm janamejayādīṁś caturas  tasyām utpādayat sutān King Parīkṣit married the daughter of King Uttara and begot four sons, headed by Mahārāja Janamejaya.

9. 1.16.2: From the purport • Maharaja Pariksit married Iravati who was his maternal uncle’s daughter- this was allowed if they were not of the same Gotra . • Maharaja Janamajeya(rajarsi) • Had two sons Jñātānīka and Śaṅkukarṇa.Did sacrifices at Kuruksetra • Sarpa Yajna- to kill serpents & Taksaka • Even though Takṣaka received protection from Indra, he nevertheless became attracted by the mantras and was about to fall into the fire. Seeing this, Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgirā Ṛṣi, came and advised Mahārāja Janamejaya that Takṣaka could not be killed because he had drunk the nectar of the demigods. Furthermore, Bṛhaspati said that all living entities must enjoy the fruits of their past activities. • He heard the story of battle of Kuruksetra from Vyasadeva who was present at the sacrifice • He expressed his desire to see his father before the great sage Vyāsadeva. Vyāsadeva also fulfilled his desire. His father was present before him, and he worshiped both his father and Vyāsadeva with great respect and pomp. Being fully satisfied, he most munificently gave charity to the brāhmaṇas present at the sacrifice.

10. 1.16.2: Points for application • Leading a guided life- become a recipient of the mercy: How much do I like to run my life independently in hiding vs How much am I willing to be open and humble and learn from others? • Mundane material education prevents us from accepting ourselves for who we are because it is based on competition • Who am I hiding from??Who benefits when I take guidance? • Hiding = personal agenda, competitive spirit, want to be accepted, reputation • Our advancement can be measured by the quality and depth of our relationships with at least a few devotees • Being Yourself: • Intentions clear and open- can get guidance e.g. Mahabhagavata Maharaj Pariksit, Janamajeya, Dhruva Maharaja attacking the Yakshas, Prithu Maharaja and the 100th horse sacrifice. • Simplicity is attractive to Krishna • We cannot be open with Guru and Krishna if we cannot be open with ourselves and our devotee friends

11. 1.16.3 ājahārāśva-medhāṁs trīn gaṅgāyāṁ bhūri-dakṣiṇān śāradvataṁ guruṁ kṛtvā devā yatrākṣi-gocarāḥ Mahārāja Parīkṣit, after having selected Kṛpācārya for guidance as his spiritual master, performed three horse sacrifices on the banks of the Ganges. These were executed with sufficient rewards for the attendants. And at these sacrifices, even the common man could see demigods.

12. 1.16.3: From the purport • Interplanetary travel by the denizens of higher planets is easy • Demigods agree to be visible: • Just as the Lord out of His mercy becomes visible • Due to Maharaja Pariksit’s influence • Analogy: • Cloud <–> waters of the earth • Charity in sacrifices <->Taxes from citizens • Even for a king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit there was need of a spiritual master for guidance. Without such guidance one cannot make progress in spiritual life. • For us we need siksha guruS and friends in Krishna Consciousness where we can be open.

13. 1.16.4 nijagrāhaujasā vīraḥ kaliṁ digvijaye kvacit nṛpa-liṅga-dharaṁ śūdraṁ ghnantaṁ go-mithunaṁ padā Once, when Mahārāja Parīkṣit was on his way to conquer the world, he saw the master of Kali-yuga, who was lower than a śūdra, disguised as a king and hurting the legs of a cow and bull. The King at once caught hold of him to deal sufficient punishment.

14. 1.16.4: Points from the purport • King was there to execute the will of Lord duly and not for personal gain- cannot tolerate insults to cow& Brahmana • Human civilization means to advance the cause of brahminical culture, and to maintain it, cow protection is essential. • Milk contains all the necessary vitamins to sustain human physiological conditions for higher achievements. • Brahminical culture can advance only when man is educated to develop the quality of goodness, and for this there is a prime necessity of food prepared with milk, fruits and grains. • Kali- mismanagament and quarrel • Root cause is worthless men with modes of lower class men come to helm of state management • Maharaja Pariksit wanted to stop it in the very beginning

15. Comparison with current affairs • News item from august 13,2012, Obama Meat Aid: • “President Barack Obama, campaigning in Iowa today, announced $170 million in government meat purchases to help farmers struck by drought, helping to send hog prices to a one-week high. ”. “We’ll freeze it for later -- but we’ve got a lot of freezers,” Obama told supporters in Council Bluffs as he kicked off a three-day visit to Iowa, a swing state that is also the country’s leading producer of pork, soybeans, corn and ethanol. “That will help ranchers, you know, who are going through tough times right now.” The buying will help farmers, and the government will get a better price on products than if they were bought later, he said.

16. 1.16.4: Points for application • Committing to our services: • We must also perform the service to the best of our ability.e.g. Maharaja Pariksit touring his kingdom • Krishna is all knowing -Accepting the position but not executing as required is not pleasing to Krishna • One must constantly seek ideas and feedback on how we can improve ourselves in that service to better serve the devotees • If we cannot execute properly open up with our peers and authorities in that service in a humble mood • Our services are to satisfy the Lord and His devotees. • Service according to our nature • Else we will be very uncomfortable and will not be able to contribute.e.g. Sudra becoming king, Gajendra defeated by crocodile • We will create disharmony within and without • Therefore we see where we can best serve in Prabhupada’s movement

17. 1.16.5 śaunaka uvāca kasya hetor nijagrāha kaliṁ digvijaye nṛpaḥ nṛdeva-cihna-dhṛk śūdra- ko ’sau gāṁ yaḥ padāhanat tat kathyatāṁ mahā-bhāga yadi kṛṣṇa-kathāśrayam Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquired: Why did Mahārāja Parīkṣit simply punish him, since he was the lowest of the śūdras, having dressed as a king and having struck a cow on the leg? Please describe all these incidents if they relate to the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

18. 1.16.5: Points from the Purport • Sages were astonished as to why Maharaja Pariksit simply punished him and did not kill the culprit • They wanted to hear further if this was in anyway related to Lord Krishna • “There are many topics in the Bhāgavatam about sociology, politics, economics, cultural affairs, etc., but all of them are in relation with Kṛṣṇa, and therefore all of them are worth hearing. Kṛṣṇa is the purifying ingredient in all matters, regardless of what they are. In the mundane world, everything is impure due to its being a product of the three mundane qualities. The purifying agent, however, is Kṛṣṇa.”

19. 1.16.6 athavāsya padāmbhoja- makaranda-lihāṁ satām kim anyair asad-ālāpair āyuṣo yad asad-vyayaḥ The devotees of the Lord are accustomed to licking up the honey available from the lotus feet of the Lord. What is the use of topics which simply waste one’s valuable life?

20. kṣudrāyuṣāṁ nṛṇām aṅga martyānām ṛtam icchatām ihopahūto bhagavān mṛtyuḥ śāmitra-karmaṇi O Sūta Gosvāmī, there are those amongst men who desire freedom from death and get eternal life. They escape the slaughtering process by calling the controller of death, Yamarāja 1.16.7

21. na kaścin mriyate tāvad yāvad āsta ihāntakaḥ etad-arthaṁ hi bhagavān āhūtaḥ paramarṣibhiḥ aho nṛ-loke pīyeta hari-līlāmṛtaṁ vacaḥ As long as Yamarāja, who causes everyone’s death, is present here, no one shall meet with death. The great sages have invited the controller of death, Yamarāja, who is the representative of the Lord. Living beings who are under his grip should take advantage by hearing the deathless nectar in the form of this narration of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord. 1.16.8

22. 1.16.9 mandasya manda-prajñasya vayo mandāyuṣaś ca vai nidrayā hriyate naktaṁ divā ca vyartha-karmabhiḥ Lazy human beings with paltry intelligence and a short duration of life pass the night sleeping and the day performing activities that are for naught.

23. 1.16.6-9: Points from Purports • Human life is a precious chance to come out of the cycle of birth and death • Less intelligent waste this gift in sleeping, enjoying and investing time in “naught”=>sense enjoyment • Intelligent take care of this gift properly – strenuously endeavor to get out of this entanglement • Pure devotee attracted only to hearing subject matters related to Krishna • e.g Battle of Kurukshetra full of politics and diplomacy – but it is related to Krishna. Bhagavad Gita adores all over the world • Pandavas, Maharaja Pariksit- all related to Krishna • “Duration of life is very short- any moment we may have to leave- therefore use all the time in hearing topics only about Krishna”

24. 1.16.6-9: Points from Purports • How to escape from Yamaraja’s cruel slaughtering process? • Invite him for srvanam and kirtana. • “he likes to be invited to kīrtanas and sacrifices by the pure devotees, who are constantly engaged in the devotional service of the Lord” • Thus the sages of Naimisaranya invited him • The surest remedy for avoiding death is to accustom oneself to hearing the nectarean pastimes of the Lord as they are systematically narrated in the text of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

25. 1.16.6-9: points for application • Regular hearing and discussing amongst devotees – purifying • Try to implement at least one thing that we have heard • Hearing as an expression of gratitude to the Lord and His devotees- • Lord appeared to perform pastimes so that we could hear about them and develop love towards Him and want to go to Him- (janma karma ca me divyam) • Devotees travel all around the world speak katha to reclaim fallen souls like us • Importance of submissiveness – cultivate by engaging in Vaishnava Seva- dissolves the false ego makes the heart more receptive to what we have heard

26. From Hg Gauranga Prabhu’s lecture • Sri in Srimad means wealth of the Lord • Daily hearing of Srimad Bhagavatam is important • Hear submissively, serve selflessly then we will eventually becoming heirs to our Lord’s wealth • Hearing purifies us so we can serve selflessly Bhakti is about selflessness- unless we feel the pain in our physical body, our mind intelligence and false ego we do not have hope. Thus engage in Devotional service with devotees

27. References • Unveiling His Lotus Feet- Hg Bhurijana Prabhu • Srila Prabhupada’s purports • HG Gauranga Prabhu’s Janamshtami lecture 2012- http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/05_-_ISKCON_Chowpatty/09_-_2012/08_-_Aug_2012/12-08-10_SB-10-01-04_-_Sri_Krishna_Janmashtami_-_Gauranga_Prabhu_ISKCON_Chowpatty.mp3