Sanat Kumaras, the blessed and highly erudite kids, tell Narada that there are many paths to realise the Paramatman. Many are ritualistic in nature. But in this yuga, Bhakti is a path one should take for self- realisation and realisation of the Supreme. Read on:
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 51-52: Asharira Girotam…An upset and worried Narada tells Sanat Kumaras: The voice from heavens had hinted at a spiritual practice. Pray tell me how should I interpret the same? How can I help Bhakti, Gyana and Vairagya and re-establish them lovingly in the hearts of people?
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 53: Kumara oochu; 54 Aho Narada Danyosi; 55 Twaiyi chitram…Sanat Kumaras tell Narada Muni: Hey Narada, do not get worried. Be happy and content. There is a solution to your worries. This is because such a solution was in vogue since long. Hey Narada, you are a realised soul. In the list of devotees who worship Sri Krishna, you are at the top. You are the supreme light (sun) of Bhakti. We do not see any reason why you cannot re-establish the powers of Bhakti. Being a devotee of Sri Krishna, your efforts to help Bhakti is laudable.
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Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 56-58: Rishibi…; 57 Vaikunta Sadhahaka..; 58 Sal karma tava.. 56: In this world, rishis have enlightened us on the different ways to the Supreme. All these are kriya bound or action (duty) bound. This is a difficult path. Even if one successfully completes all the kriyas, they take one only to Heaven.
57: The path to Vaikuntam, the supreme abode of the Lord, is still a secret. You are lucky if a learned person shows you that path.
58: The voice from the skies had advised you to undertake a noble task. We shall tell you the details of what was implied in what you heard. Listen carefully with contentment in your mind.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 59: Dravya yagna… (The Sanat Kumaras first give an intro). The rishis had ordained many paths that are more ritualistic in implementation. Some of them are: offering materials into the holy fire (agni hotra), other ritualistic path offering materials that are of tapo gunas in nature; the others are deep meditation, yoga etc. These are all enshrined in the Vedas. These are difficult to achieve as they are highly ritualistic in nature.
Srimad Bhagawatham, Mahatmyam, Chapter Two Sloka 60: Salkarma soochako…There is another form of yagna achieved through deep self-realisation of the Atman and realising the Paratman or the Supreme. The base of this is a series of good deeds that one does in one’s life. That Gnaya Yagna (wisdom-filled Yagna) is called Bhagawatham which is a learned dialogue between Sri Sukha Muni and King Parikshit.
Interpretation: Before one embarks on realising the true essence of Srimad Bhagawatham, one has to prepare one’s mind and intellect through self-realisation (who you are), a knowledge of the Paramatman (the Supreme) and backed by a series of good deeds (being equanimous and kind to all living beings, not getting angry, jealous and eliminating all bad thoughts etc). Hence there are two parts to the process: cleanse your mind; do good deeds; then if you read Srimad Bhagawatham, you will realise the full essence of Bhakti.
