Hare Krishna Mahamantra - best Sacrifice!

Verse 1.12.34 (Kavitha Mji):
* Here, Maharaj Yudhistira wanted to do the horse sacrifices to wash away the sins accrued due to the Kurukshetra war.
* Such sacrifices were done for either beggeting children or for washing away sins. And the animals sacrificed used to get human form of life. That was the power of the brahmanas who performed such sacrifices.
* But in further days, it was exploited and animal sacrifice became prominent, So Krishna came as Buddha to stop all this.
* In Kaliyuga, so many sins can be committed intentionally and unintentionally too. If MY was doing this sacrifice to cleanse us himself of the sins of war, for us also in this day, sacrifice is required. And that sacrifice is simply meant to please Vishnu.
* Since in kaliyuga we cannot performa yajna (since lot of wealth is required, lack of strong brahmanas), but fortunately for us, Sri CM has given us the best form of kirtan, the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamanta. This sacrifice is the best in this age!

Faith in Spiritual Master and Krishna!

Verse 1.12.33 (Yugal Kishore Prji):
* Maharaj Yudhistira wanted to conduct the horse sacrifice, but there was not enough wealth.
* In our devotional life, faith is very important. Implicit faith in the SPG and the words of the spiritual master has to be there to understand the Vedic knowledge, cause it is revealed from the heart.
* Eg: Prahalad Maharaj, immense faith in the words of the spiritual master.
* Eg: Srila Prabhupada, faith in the instruction of his spiritual master and with that faith, he made this whole movement of Krishna Consciousness.
* Eg: Disciples of Srila Prabhupada - Mother Malati and shyamsundar Pr establishing the movement in London for Srila Prabhupada.
* All we need is that we need to be receptive to the mercy that is flowing through from the spiritual master.
* Real humility means we need to know that nothing in the world can save us, except the SPG.

Parikshit = Examiner!

Verse 1.12.30 (Mohan Pr):
* Very instructive verse today.
* In this verse, the real meaning of the name of Maharaj Parikshit is being told. Parikshit means examiner, cause he was examining everyone to see if they were like the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
* Since the time he saw the SPG in the womb of his mother, he was immediately attracted and was always looking for that person whom he saw in the womb.
* But no one is equal to or more than the SPG, so he was unable to find anyone, but because he was always meditating on the SPG through this examination, he was engaged 24 hrs of the day in remembering the Lord.
* Opposite example is Kamsa, who was thinking of the Lord in an unfavorable way.
* SP is also giving hope to all parents here: Śrīla Jiva Gosvāmī remarks in this connection that every child, if given an impression of the Lord from his very childhood, certainly becomes a great devotee of the Lord like Mahārāja Parīksit. One may not be as fortunate as Mahārāja Parīksit to have the opportunity to see the Lord in the womb of his mother, but even if he is not so fortunate, he can be made so if the parents of the child desire him to be so.
- giving his life as an example as to how SP's father always was engaging him in some way or other in devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krishna.

From material anxiety to spiritual...

Verse 1.12.28 (Ramana Prji):
* 3 key things
- proper knowledge of self
- losing material attachment
- fearlessness
* Proper knowledge of the self means self-realization.
* Best sadhana is chanting. 6 benefits of chanting (listed in ceto-darpana marjanam...)
* With that bhakti devi walks into our heart bringing, self-knowledge and attachment.
* And while chanting, watch for every word
* 3rd point: Fearlessness from Bhakti
- when there is no suspicousness, there is auspiciousness
* All we have to say is "I'm urs Krishna!", then He will protect us for sure.
* We need to change our anxiety for material consciousness, to spiritual anxiety. And SB gives us the opportunity to change our anxiety from matter to spirit.

Preparation for death...

Verse 1.12.27 (Krishna Patro Prji):
* Very imp verse. Useful for all human beings.
* Just as BG (700 verses) tells us how to live, SB (18000 verses) tells us how to prepare for death.
* It is so imp, as to how to die. Preparation of death is not easy.
* But Parikshit Maharaj so wonderfully prepared for his death. He was given 7 days notice and he made complete use of it to take shelter of the Lord completely.
* Everyone of us is also given the notice, But we are not even gauranteed of those 7 days.
* Material attachment and taking shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord go ill together. Material attachment means ignorance of transcendental happiness under the shelter of the Lord. And this attachment can be detached through the process that SP has given us: chanting, associating with devotees.

Wise Leaders...

Verse 1.12.26 (Siva Pr):
* It is a very powerful verse, especially for today.
* Maharaj Yudhistira and Maharaj PArikshit, were the wisest rulers, hence everyone was prospering.
* But today's leaders: not being wise enough look at short term gains for long term miseries. Liquor shops. slaughter houses are licensed, then how will mankind prosper?
* To create spiritually qualified leaders, SP established the Krishna Consciousness movement.
* Krishna says, we should always try to follow Guru and elders, then we can overcome all problems of life.
* Becoming wise through Krishna Consciousness, we could become leaders hence leading the general ppl towards a better living.
* Chanting and following the 4 regulative principles are the way to go for us.

Humility, Gratitude, Shelter of devotees...

Verse 1.12.25 (Yugal Kishore Prji):
* Here, the qualities of Maharaj Parikshit is being described here. This is how he is going to be. Imagine, how happy a pure devotee like Maharaj Yudhistira would have been.
* But today, parents are happy to know their children will excel irrespective of how they achieve it. The degradation is too much.
* In our example in today's verse
- Prahalad Maharaj is the best example of devotional service.
- Usually in our case, in tough circumstances, first thing that gets affected is our chanting.
- Prahalad Maharaj, when was being given a boon by Nrsimhadeva, he was asking for his father to be delivered.
- He exhibited so much humility and gratitude in that time. That is spiritual time.
* Another example: Bali Maharaj
- Guru is telling him how to reject to Vamanadeva, from all the scriptures. But Bali Maharaj did not want to go back on his words. That is integrity.
- How we go forward in our spiritual life is based on our integrity. Stopping ourselves from falling into temptations. And how do we overcome temptations, that is prayers. That makes us go forward.
* These are the qualities that Maharaj Parikshit is possessing. what a great soul!
* At the end, he took shelter of devotees, hence attained that treasure.
* 3rd hand appreciation is very important of devotees. Paramatma will be very pleased when we do that and then we make progress.
* Our prayers should be: My Lord please, allow me to overcome temptations, envy and my anarthas.

Association of Pure devotees...

Verse 1.12.24 (Deepthi Mji):
* Here Maharaj Parikshit is compared to 3 personalities
- To Krishna Himself
- to King Rantideva
- to Maharaj Yayati
* Importance of Vaisnava association is highlighted here. Only in their association, we receive the nectar of love of God.
* Another thing: Krishna will protect His devotees and never forgets their services. Eg: King Rantideva.
* Respecting devotees, not criticizing devotees and respecting the orders of the spiritual master is very important. Eg: Life of Maharaj Yayati
* We need both endeavor and mercy of the Lord for our spiritual progress. So we should try not to offend anyone and please all vaisnavas. And our sadhana completely depends on this.

Comparing to the trinity...

Verse 1.12.23 (Srinivas Acharya Pr):
* In this verse, the child PArikshit is being compared to 3 personalities
- Brahma and to Maharaj Yudhistira
- Lord Siva
- SPG, Lord Narayana
* First one: equanimity of mind, composed all the time
- Brahma was also criticized by the gopi's for giving eyelids, cause they were unable to see Krishna when they close
- MY was troubled by his brothers, but he was equanimous all the time
* The qualitiy is humility and helplessness. If a pure devotee prays for us, then the Lord will surely protect us.
- Mother Uttara praying to the SPG for PM.
* Second, PM being compared to Lord siva. He is pleased very easily.
- Eg: Lord Siva giving boon to Vratasura.
- When any devotee of Lord Siva tries to please Him, He will equally reciprocate with them, at all costs.
* Third, the goddess of fortune herself is in the shelter of Narayana. Similarly Maharaj Parikshit will be the shelter for many.
* Finally, it is concluded that by pleasing the SPG Narayana, everything is taken care of. The qualities of humility and selflessly chanting the holy name is the only way to please Lord Narayana.

Shelter and forbearance

Verse 1.12.22 (Sacisuta Pr):
* This child will be as strong as a lion, and as worthy a shelter as the Himalaya Mountains. He will be forbearing like the earth, and as tolerant as his parents.
* Two aspects
- sheltering as Himalayas
- forbearing as parents
* Lord's arrangement is such that nature is providing everything that human's need for their existence. Similarly, Harinama cintamani says that the Holy name supplies everything, for even the materialists and spiritualists.
* Attentive chanting in the mood explained by Sri CM in Siksastakam - trnad api sunicena..., that chanting is required.
* Similarly, a devotee should be very tolerant. Tolerance and forgiveness go together. Eg: BG 2.14.
* Forbearance by Mother Earth is also exemplary. We are exploiting her like anything.
* Unless the heads of state become God conscious and respect the gifts of nature, we have to face the consequences of destroying the balance - tsunami, earth quakes, hurricanes etc.

Real Charity!!!

Verse 1.12.20 (Aashish Pr):
* Today's verse is around the word: dhanam, charity.
* But Charity also needs to be given with knowledge.
* Eg: Maharaja Sibi's life is described here.
* We can perform charity in different modes: in goodness, in passion and in ignorance. BG clearly explains all these 3 modes of charity.
* Many examples of these modes of charity were described.
* Charity is meant for householders. We have to make sure the recipient of charity is right. With knowledge, this can be done.

* Krishna says in BG: yajna dhana tapas chaiva: sacrifice, charity, austerity will purify even the sages. So Krishna encourages to do this. SP writes, help spread Krishna Consciousness. That is the real charity. Because charity in the 3 modes anyhow binds us somehow, but spreading Krishna Consciousness is an act of charity that is beyond all the 3 modes of material nature. It is transcendental.

Qualities comparison of Maharaj Parikshit!

Verse 1.12.19 (Kavitha Mji, Mohan Pr):
* The context, Maharaj Yudhistira is asking the brahmanas whether the child born will be good ideal king, taking care of the people.
* So the brahmanas are telling that the child will be like Iksvaku and also like Lord Rama Himself.
* Here SP is explaining about Manu, Iksvaku and Lord Rama more deeply.
* 1 day of Brahma there are 14 Manu's. And the current Manu is Vaivasvata Manu (so the person occupying this post of Manu is Vaivasvata). And even Indra is a post, current Indra is Purandara. Next one is Bali Maharaj.
* Above all, in today's context, Lord Krishna directly instructed the BG to the Sun God, who gave it to Vaivasvata Manu, who gave it to Iksvaku.
* Everyone like Rama-rajya. Bharata ruled the kingdom just in the mood of the servant of Lord Rama. And he gave the kingdom back to Lord Rama as soon as He came back after the 14 years were over.
* So the key is to please the SPG, He is the supreme enjoyer. So when one comes to the understanding that Krishna is the SPG, He is the only enjoyer, we will have peace and therefore happiness.
* So here, Maharaj Parikshit's very good qualities are being described.

Listen - purify - ponder - choices

Verse 1.12.18 (Yugal Kishore Prji):
* Small story: Father really worked very hard, wanted his son to become really great. .. son was killed.
Moral: If we want to see good qualities in children, then we must show it to them in ourselves.
* Here, Maharaj Yudhistira was inquiring to see if this new born child would become a pious king, as was his parents.
* We attend this call every day, but we should know that this SB. Just attend and listen. Automatically purification of our karma is taking place just by listening to this SB, depending upon our faith, sincerity. Just as darkness cannot counteract with light, maya cannot counteract with Krishna.
* Time is running out, we want to utilize our life for the pleasure of Guru and Krishna. Maya is so powerful, our batteries will discharge instantaneously, so we need to listen to this message daily.
* Listen - purify - ponder - make proper choices. Then life is perfect as Maharaj Parikshit.

3 levels of Devotees...

Verse 1.12.17 (Surekha Mji):
* In this purport, Srila Prabhupada concludes that since MP is a grand son of MY, and MY is a uttama adhikari, so MP also is a uttama adhikari.
* he family in which a mahā-bhāgavata takes his birth is fortunate because due to the birth of a first-grade devotee the members of the family, past, present and future up to one hundred generations, become liberated by the grace of the Lord, out of respect for His beloved devotee. Therefore, the highest benefit is done to one's family simply by becoming an unalloyed devotee of the Lord.
* There are three grades of devotees, namely the mahā-bhāgavata, madhyam-adhikārī and the kanisitha-adhikārī. We need to understand how to know about these 3 grades of devotees and serve them accordingly.
* From NOI, verses that highlight these grades.
* Respect devotees from the mind itself.
* Reason why we are learning all this is, to love God, we need to know Him, who His associates are. Cause through His associates, we can know Him. So we need to serve such devotees and aspire to reach the uttama adhikari platform.
* From HH sachinandana Swami Maharaj: birds flying in a V shape, devotees should not take it easy and hence fall down.

Spiritually qualified rulers...

Verse 1.12.15-16 (Yugal Kishore Pr):
* Dharma means the laws enunciated by the Lord. And what the Lord says is dharma.
* There needs to be a nice ruler to uphold these laws. The supreme Lord always wants a nice spiritual ruler. Since no one else was present, Lord Krishna wanted to protect Maharaj Parikshit.
* Vishnu is an expansion of Lord Krishna, for protecting the devotees. So here, to protect His devotee's heir, Lord Krishna took the form of Vishnu. It is His special mercy to His devotees.
"Lord Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead, does the work of protection and annihilation in His capacity of Visnu. Lord Visnu is the plenary expansion of Lord Krishna."
* Also, to make the future generation relish the pastimes of Krishna, He performs wonderful pastimes.
* In Kaliyuga, there are no such rulers to protect the laws of the Lord. Thats why lot of mercy is given. And that is given through chanting of the holy name. Every mantra, we should plead to the Lord through His holy name.
* We also need to develop a lot of patience also in chanting.

Charity, Samskaras...

Verse 1.12.14 (Krishna Patro Pr):
* First thing mentioned about is the purificatory processes, samskaras. For human birth etc, these samskaras are done.
* As soon as the navel pipe is cut to make the mother and child a separate body, then the samskara of jatakarman is done.
* This process is such that it will deliver the child so that the child will be able to cut away from the cycle of birth and death.
* Next point is Charity done with the proper knowledge of where, how and when. The brahmanas are the right class for receiving charity, just based on their spiritual enlightenment level. The head of the body is very important, so to take care of them is imp for society. If their needs are fulfilled, then they can study the sastras and educate the rest of the society.
* Concept of daridra narayana is no where mentioned in the sastras.
* This KC movement is creating so many brahmanas, due to the Srila Prabhupada's work. Also, grhasthas in this movement also have a big responsibility that they should serve in such a way that more people become Krishna conscious.

Pancharatriki Vidi...

Verse 1.12.13 (Pooja Mji):
* In this shloka, SP explains how needful is a purificatory process in this day and age of kaliyuga, especially for poor class of people like us.
* Our original spiritual senses can be revived through chanting the spiritual verses. By this sound vibration. This is mentioned in the Pancharatriki Vidi.
* This Pancharatriki system was given by Lord Caitanya and recommended by the Goswami's. More important than the vedanta also for this age.
* Pancha + ratra = knowledge thought in 5 nights, by the Lord to Brahma (when the vedas were stolen by the two demons from Brahma's mind).
* SP gave us Deity worship and chanting of the Holy name according to this vidhi's.

Stellar Influence...

Verse 1.12.12 (YK Pr):
* In today's verse, SB is teaching the stellar influences on each and every one's life. It is a science, hard to understand.
* The time a person is born, and this child is controlled by his karma. We might give birth, but the child's karma cannot be changed.
* For Maharaj Parikshit (MP), at this birth itself, by this stellar science, his life was foretold.
* Whatever is going to happen in our life, good or bad, it is just time which is separating us. We don't even have full control on our own body. But to make matter into spirit is our KC.
* But many times, we make spirit into matter because of our ignorance. So how we use the resources we have, how we utilize today our free will, will decide/alter our future tomorrow.
* MP was cursed to die in 7 days. But he sat down and listened to SB from Sukadeva Goswami, so this bad karma became the best good karma MP could ask for.
* Although this stellar science is a very good science, it is better to have faith on Krishna, chant 16 rounds then Krishna will protect us. Eg: SBSST, gave up his astrological science when he realized that Bhakti was much higher than this science.

The Lord is everywhere!

Verse 1.12.10-11 (Ganeshan Pr):
* Key points of these verses
- Supreme capabilities of the Lord
- how he is the protector of the righteous
- We can also see the Lord, if we are deserving
* Arjuna sees the universal form of the Lord, seeing all His capabilities
* Lord protects His devotees under any circumstances. He also is taking care of the atheists as well. He is giving sun, water, air for everyone.
* Also should be grateful to SP for giving us KC all around the world, giving us an opportunity to understand Krishna.
* To see Krishna, we need to become qualified.
* And follow the set path strictly, follow the instructions of the exalted acharya's.
* We should prepare for the death with complete faith, lot of preparation, hard work is required.

How to see Krishna?
A: We cannot perceive Krishna through our blunt senses. But by chanting, Krishna is non-different from His holy name, we can understand and see Krishna. Bhakti is the only process.

All Attractive Lord!

Verse 1.12.8-9 (Kasi Pr):
* As we can see here, Maharaj Parikshit is in the womb of Uttara.
* The Lord immediately expanded in the womb of Uttara to protect His devotee. Shows the Lord's anxiety to protect His devotees.
* Story of Akbar and Birbal, Akbar trying to save his son himself. Similarly the Lord Himself comes to save His devotees.
* SP: there is no difference between the thumblike Viṣṇu in the womb of Uttarā and the full-fledged Narayana in the Vaikuntha-dhama, the kingdom of Godhead.
* We need to have this faith in the Lord.
* Story of Guru, disciple, bamboo basket, filled with water.
* Another point: He accepts the form of arca-vigraha (worshipable Deity) just to accept service from His different incapable devotees.
* The Lord is all attractive. (If the creation of the Lord is so attractive, then how attractive the Lord Himself will be).
* Humbly taking shelter at the Lord's lotus feet, then one day we will come back to Him

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.12.1( Kasi Pr)

"The sage Śaunaka said: The womb of Uttarā, mother of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, was spoiled by the dreadful and invincible brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā. But Mahārāja Parīkṣit was saved by the Supreme Lord"

* This Chapter describes How lord Krishna Saved Maharaj Prakshit in the womb of Uttara and how sages are hearing from Suta Goswami.

*Every one Should hear from a Pure devotee. When we hear from pure devotee progress in devotional service is Quick.

*Bhagvatam says that what ever activity we perform it should help us to increase our attraction towards Krishna.

*One should approach a bonafide representative of Lord and serve him submissively and inquire from him.

* Lord can be served by love of Devotees only.

* When lord appeared as Varaha Water of whole universe was not sufficient. But for Yashoda mai half bucket of water was sufficient to bathe Krishna.

* When Lord appeared was NrishmaDev he killed Hirankashepu with his nails. But Krishna was sacred of yashoda mai with a two inch stick.

By following instructions of previous acharyas we can be saved from the dangers of material world.

Lord has proved in the case of Parikshit maharaj ,Prahlad maharaj, Gajendra when they were in diffiulties.

Srimad bhagavatam(1.11.39)

"The simple and delicate women truly thought that Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa, their beloved husband, followed them and was dominated by them. They were unaware of the extent of the glories of their husband, as the atheists are unaware of Him as the supreme controller."

*Even transcendental wives of Lord of Sri Krishna did not know completely the glories of Lord.
This ignorance is not mundane because there is some action of the internal potency of the Lord in the exchange of feelings between Him and His eternal associates.

*The Lord exchanges transcendental relations in five ways, as proprietor, master, friend, son and lover, and in each of these pastimes He plays fully by the potency of yogamāyā, the internal potency.

*Lord is athmaram- No one can agitate lord.

*Lord is Purnam- He does not need any thing. From this we can say that exchanges between Krishna and Wives of Krihsna are trancendental.

*He reciprocates based on desires of Devotees.

*In order to clearly understand the Qualities of lord one should hear from pure devotees of Lord.

*Unless we hear from Pure devotees of Lord we will not be able to understand Krishna properly.