Krishna Seva

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna

Just a verse from chapter two

BHAGAVAD-GITA 2:22

vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya
navani grhnati naro 'parani
tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany
anyani samyati navani dehi


TRANSLATION

As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, similarly, the
soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

Also Both the Katha Upanisad and Svetasvatara Upanisad
confirm this:

samane vrkse puruso nimagno
'nisaya socati muhyamanah
justam yada pasyaty anyam isam asya
mahimanam iti vita-sokah

"Although the two birds are in the same tree, the eating bird is fully
engrossed with anxiety and moroseness as the enjoyer of the fruits of
the tree. But if in some way or other he turns his face to his friend
who is the Lord and knows His glories--at once the suffering bird
becomes free from all anxieties." Arjuna has now turned his face
towards his eternal friend, Shri Krishna, and is understanding the
Bhagavad-gita from Him.

And thus, hearing from Shri Krishna, he can understand the supreme glories of the Lord and be free from lamentation.
Arjuna is advised herewith by the Lord not to lament for the bodily
change of his old grandfather and his teacher. He should rather be
happy to kill their bodies in the righteous fight so that they may be
cleansed at once of all reactions from various bodily activities. One
who lays down his life on the sacrificial altar, or in the proper
battlefield, is at once cleansed of bodily reactions and promoted to a
higher status of life. So there was no cause for Arjuna's lamentation.

Every chapter has a Mahatmya so will tell you one.

The Glories of Chapter Two (Mahatmya)

Lord Visnu said, "My dear Lakshmi, you have heard from Me the glories
of the First Chapter of Bhagavad-gita Now please listen carefully, as
I tell you the glories of the Second Chapter.

Once in the South in the town of Pandharpur, a very learned brahmana
by the name of Devashyama lived. He was able to perform all kinds of
fire sacrifices. He also knew the importance of receiving guest. And
by his activities he managed to satisfy all the demigods. But he was
not happy and peaceful in his heart and mind. He had the desire to
attain knowledge of the soul's relationship with the Supersoul,
Paramatma, and towards this end he would invite many yogis and
tapasvis, and render all kinds of service to them and inquire from
them about the Absolute Truth. In this way he passed many years of
his life.

One day, while he was walking, he saw one yogi in front of him,
sitting cross-legged with his eyes fixed on the tip of his nose,
totally absorbed in meditation. Devashyama could perceive that this
yogi was completely peaceful, and without any material desires.
Devashyama, with the greatest respect and reverence, fell at the feet
of that yogi, and inquired from him, how he could attain complete
peace of mind. At that time, that yogi, who had complete knowledge of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, advised Devashyama
to go to the village of Sowpur and meet one Mitravan; who was a goat-
herder by profession, and take instructions in the science of God-
realization from him. After hearing this, Devashyama again and again
offered his respectful obeisances at the feet of that yogi and
immediately left for Sowpur. When he arrived there he found on the
northern side, one beautiful forest where he was informed that
Mitravan lived. When he entered that forest, he saw on the bank of a
small river, Mitravan seated on top of some rocks.

Mitravan looked very beautiful and totally peaceful. In that forest
the wind was blowing very gently and a beautiful aroma was emanating
from every direction. The goats were peacefully moving here and
there, totally unafraid. Some were seen to be sitting next to tigers
and other ferocious animals very peacefully.

When Devashyama saw this scene, his mind became very peaceful, and he
respectfully approached Mitravan and sat close to him. Mitravan
appeared to be fully absorbed in his meditation. After some time
Devashyama inquired from him, how he would be able to attain devotion
to Lord Krishna. When Mitravan heard this question, for a moment he
was lost in deep thought. Then he replied, "My dear learned
Devashyama, once long ago, I was in the forest looking after the
goats, when a very ferocious tiger attacked. At that time all the
goats ran here and there to save themselves. I also ran off, due to
fear of that tiger. From some distance I looked back and saw that
that tiger on the bank of this river encountered one of my goats. At
that time a strange and wonderful thing happened. That tiger lost all
his anger and desire to eat my goat. Thereupon, my goat inquired from
that tiger, "You have attained your food, so why are you not eating
the meat of my body? You should immediately kill me, and with great
relish eat up my flesh. Why are you hesitating?"

That tiger said, "My dear goat, since I have come to this place, all
anger has left me, and I have no hunger or thirst". The goat said, "I
also do not know why I am feeling so fearless and peaceful. What can
be the reason for this? If you know, then kindly inform me".
The tiger replied, "I also do not know. Let us inquire from that
person"

When I saw this change take place in the activities of that tiger and
goat, I become very much astonished. At that time they both
approached me, and inquired as to the reason. I noticed that a monkey
was sitting on the branch of a nearby tree. I went along with the two
of them and inquired from that monkey-king. That monkey replied to
our question with great respect.

"Listen, I will tell you, it is a very old story. In that forest,
just in front of you, there is a very large temple in which Lord
Brahma installed a Shivalinga. Long ago, a learned sage of the name
Sukama, who had performed many austerities, lived there. Daily he
would bring flowers from the forest and water from the river, and
worship Lord Shiva.

In this way he was living here for many years, when one day one sage
arrived. At that time, Sukama brought fruits and water and fed that
sage. After the sage had eaten and rested, Sukama spoke to him. "Oh
learned one, only for the reason of obtaining knowledge of Lord
Krishna, am I living here, performing austerities and worship. But
the results of my austerities have been attained today by coming in
contact with you."

When the sage heard the words of Sukama, which were full of
submission, he became greatly pleased. And he wrote on one piece of
stone the Second Chapter Srimad Bhagavad-gita. He then instructed
Sukama to daily read those verses. "By so doing, you will quickly
attain your goal." After having spoken thus, that sage disappeared
from that place while Sukama was looking on. After that, following
the instructions of that sage, Sukama recited those verses daily for
the rest of his life. Very quickly he attained complete knowledge of
Lord Krishna. And from the day he started reciting those verses, he
felt no more thirst or hunger.

And due to this austerities and devotion, at this place, any one who
visits here does not, feel the pangs of hunger and thirst, and
immediately attains complete peace."

Mitravan said, "My dear Devashyama, after the monkey had finished
telling us that wonderful story, I along with the tiger and goat went
to that temple. We found there written on a piece of stone the Second
Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. And I started to recite those verses
daily. In this way, we were able to attain very quickly devotion to
Lord Krishna. My dear brahmana, if you also start reciting the verses
of the Second Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita, you will very quickly
attain the mercy of Lord Shri Krishna."

Lord Vishnu said, "My dear Lakshmi, in this way Devashyama attained
knowledge from Mitravan and after worshipping that great soul, he
returned to Pandharpur and daily recited that Second Chapter. And
whoever visited Pandharpur, Devashyama would first recite before him
the Second Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. In this way Devashsyama
attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

My dear Lakshmi these are the glories of the Second Chapter of Srimad
Bhagavad-gita.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----