Ohm: Srimad Bhagvatam: , . (- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri).

The mind becomes still just by taking refuge in the feet of Lord. For a person whose mind is still, there is no past, present or future. And if the mind became so still, then there will be no needs to be fulfilled. If there are no needs, then there are no duties left for the devotee. Such a person is free from everything. He is called wise by Sri Suka. But is it easy for one to keep one's mind only at the feet of Lord? Sri Suka says it is very much possible just by hearing HIS stories, namas and Bhagavatham which is why the Lord is called 'Subhadrasravas'. "thasmai subhadrasravase namo nama". (2.4.15) vicakshana yac-caranopasadanat sangam vyudasyobhayato 'ntar-atmanah vindanti hi brahma-gatim gata-klamas tasmai subhadra-sravase namo namah(2.4.15) (- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). Ascetics doing tapas, great one's who do charities, chanters of mantras and those devoted to austerities,offer everything they do at the Lotus feet of Lord to avoid getting caught up in ego. Let me offer namaskaram to that Lord again and again. (2.4.17) tapasvino dana-para yasasvino manasvino mantra-vidah sumangalah kshemam na vindanti vina yad-arpanam tasmai subhadra-sravase namo namah(2.4.17) , . (- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). May the Lord of all realized souls, the personification of the Vedas, the Lord whom Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma worships, May that Supreme Lord be pleased with me. (2.4.19) sa esha atmatmavatam adhisvaras trayimayo dharmamayas tapomayah gata-vyalikair aja-sankaradibhir vitarkya-lingo bhagavan prasidatam . .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). That Lord, who imparted the creative spark in the heart of Lord Brahma which was the cause to the supreme knowledge (the Vedas) emanating from Lord Brahma's mouth. That Lord, who is the supreme bestow-er of all knowledge including spiritual, May that Lord be pleased with me. (2.4.22) pracodita yena pura sarasvati vitanvatajasya satim smritim hridi sva-lakshana pradurabhut kilasyatah sa me rishinam rishabhah prasidatam (2.4.22 . .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). When, by meditating on the lotus feet of load, one's mind being purified, the seeker of truth realises the Self ( atma thatwam). The same 'atma thatwam' is defined and described in many ways by the seers. May Bhagavan Mukunda be gracious to me for I am about to describe the same 'atma thatwam' as Sri Krishna!

(2.4.21) yad-anghry-abhidhyana-samadhi-dhautaya dhiyanupasyanti hi tattvam atmanah vadanti caitat kavayo yatha-rucam sa me mukundo bhagavan prasidatam(2.4.21) . Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). .(- Sri

That, Lord who is the better half of Goddess Sri Lakshmi; that Lord of all universe and earth, that Lord who cares for the better of all living forms; that Lord who protects all the sacrifices (yagas); that Lord who protects Bhakthas like Andhaka, Vrishni etc; May that Supreme Lord be pleased with me. sriyah patir yajna-patih praja-patir dhiyam patir loka-patir dhara-patih patir gatis candhaka-vrishni-satvatam prasidatam me bhagavan satam patih (2.4.20) (2.4.20)

. (- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). May that supreme Lord, who created the entire universe out of five elements, indwelling in all of the living and non living and manifesting in 16 material modes, May that Supreme Lord bless me with right words. (2.4.23) bhutair mahadbhir ya imah puro vibhur nirmaya sete yad amushu purushah bhunkte gunan shodasa shodasatmakah so 'lankrishishta bhagavan vacamsi me (2.4.23) .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). Namaskaram to Sri Veda Vyasa, avatara of Lord from whose lotus like mouth came the nectar of knowledge, which the pure devotees relish over and over again. (2.4.24) namas tasmai bhagavate vasudevaya vedhase papur jnanam ayam saumya yan-mukhamburuhasavam (2.4.24)

.(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). O' King, Narada's relentless quest made Lord Brahma (whose heart is the home of the Vedas) started imparting to sage Narada, Srimad Bhagavatam which HE had learned from none other than Lord Hari himself. etad evatma-bhu rajan naradaya vipricchate veda-garbho 'bhyadhat sakshad yad aha harir atmanah (2.4.25) (2.4.25)

!!! .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). O' chief among Devas! Namaste to creator and first of all beings. Advice me the knowledge which reveals the truth of Atman (Atma tattva). deva-deva namas te 'stu bhuta-bhavana purvaja (2.5.1)

tad vijanihi yaj jnanam atma-tattva-nidarsanam (2.5.1) .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). The light from Sun, Moon, Stars, Fire does only reveal an already existing world, not create one. Same way, the creation that appears to be done by me is just a manifestation of what is within Lord. - says Lord Brahma yena sva-rocisha visvam rocitam rocayamy aham yatharko 'gnir yatha somo yatharksha-graha-tarakah (2.5.11) Kesavan Namboodiri). I do Namaskaram to Lord Vaasudeva, whose unconquerable web of 'Maya' makes people like you think that I am the creator of the Universe. He alone is the supreme controller of everything. - says Lord Brahma to Sage Naradaa (2.5.12) tasmai namo bhagavate vasudevaya dhimahi yan-mayaya durjayaya mam vadanti jagad-gurum(2.5.12) .(- Sri Perumbally KesavanNamboodiri). After establishing that there is a supreme Lord who is the real cause of all creation, Lord Brahma continues with Sage Narada : In fact there is no matter other than Lord Vaasudeva. The 5 elements which form matter, the time, the destiny (karma), the nature (swabhava) and even the individual soul are all nothing but Sri Vaasudeva Himself. dravyam karma ca kalas ca svabhavo jiva eva ca vasudevat paro brahman na canyo 'rtho 'sti tattvatah(2.5.12) Suka Sarasvatam In this chapter Parikshit requests Sri Suka to explain how Bhagavan creates the universe. Before complying with the request, Sri Suka sings the glory of Bhagavan in several verses. King Parikshit renunciated his possessions/ relatives like his wife and children, the palace, the army, the wealth, the rich kingdom and even his body. Knowing that he had only seven days of life, he discarded three of the four purusharthams, namely, dharmam, artham and kamam. The king, eager to get the Ultimate knowledge, asked, How did Bhagavan Sri Hari create the universe that cannot be perceived even by the devas like Brahma and others? What forms does He take to create these? What power does He take in these lilas? Before answering these questions Sri Suka wanted to pay obeisance to Lord Sri Hari. He prayed, I bow to Bhagavan who removes the sins of those who follow the acts prescribed by the Vedas and who punishes the wicked ones. By remembering Your form or listening to your stories or by worshipping You, devotees are redeemed of their sins. I prostrate at the feet of the Lord with such reputation. I bow to the Lord without surrender to whom, acts like tapas, daanam, ashtangayogam and all other good deeds have no use. Sri Suka continued his prayers, I fall at the feet of the Lord who is worshipped by the great devotees like Brahma and Siva. With the incessant worship of Your feet, a devotee can obtain self-realization. I pray for His blessings! May the Lord who instilled the thoughts about creation in the mind of Lord Brahma bless me! I pray that the Lord who is omnipresent, and who lives in every living being, gives beauty, meaning and power to my words. I beseech Sage Vyasa from whose mouth the sacred words of wisdom flowed, for his blessings. This chapter is generally known as Suka Sarasvatam as it contains the prayer of Sri Suka to the Lord to grant him the ability to address the questions of Parikshit appropriately. Dr. Chith K. Puram & Smt. Savitri O. Puram (Canto2; Chapter (2.5.12) (2.5.11)

.(- Sri Perumbally

 Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri).

.(- Sri

The vedas and all knowledge are made by and for Lord Narayana. The Devas who sprung from the limbs of Lord Narayana exist to serve HIM. All the worship and sacrifices is inspired by Lord Narayana Himself. All the worlds, including the ones gained from these worship is part of Lord Narayana. (2.5.15) narayana-para veda deva narayanangajah narayana-para loka narayana-para makhah(2.5.15) .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). Narayana is the ultimate object of all yoga and meditation. All the austerities and penance ('tapah:') is for achieving Narayana. All wisdom and knowledge is based on Narayana and all paths and final destination leads to Narayana. narayana-paro yogo narayana-param tapah narayana-param jnanam narayana-para gatih (2.5.16) Kesavan Namboodiri). That ultimate seer, the one who created me, the lord and soul of all, inspires me to evolve this creation under HIS orders. (- says Lord Brahma) tasyapi drashtur isasya kuta-sthasyakhilatmanah srijyam srijami srishto 'ham ikshayaivabhicoditah (2.5.17) (2.5.17) (2.5.16)

.(- Sri Perumbally

, , .(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). The supreme Lord in its true spiritual form is devoid of any material nature. But for the purpose of creation, maintenance and destruction, using HIS own Maya, HE accepts 3 material modes of nature that we see: Satva guna , Rajo guna and Tamo guna. (- says Lord Brahma) sattvam rajas tama iti nirgunasya gunas trayah sthiti-sarga-nirodheshu grihita mayaya vibhoh(2.5.18) (2.5.18)

..(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). The supreme Lord who is the master of 'maya', as per HIS wish, uses 'kalam' (effect of time), karmam ('fate of each creation') and swabhavam ('nature of all creation') merging them differently to create various forms using 'maya'. (- says Lord Brahma) kalam karma svabhavam ca mayeso mayaya svaya atman yadricchaya praptam vibubhushur upadade(2.5.18 (2.5.21)

..(- Sri Perumbally Kesavan Namboodiri). Bursting open from the cosmic shell, Lord emerged in the form of the 'Supreme Person'. With countless legs, countless arms, eyes, faces and heads HE shines in the form of the Supreme Person.

 (2.5.35) sahasrorv-a ghri-b hv-ak a sahasr nana- r av n . .