Krishna Seva

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

On July 11th is Guru Purnima and many vaishnavs consider Shri Ved Vyasji as their Guru so here is a short story.

"When the second millenium ('Dwarpa Yuga') overlapped the third ('Treta Yuga'), the great sage Srila Vyasadeva was born to Parasara Muni in the womb of Satyati, the daughter of Vasu (the fisherman)."
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:14.).

The following is the story that we just touched upon mentioning how Srila Vyasa came to make His appearance.
Once the hermit Parasara became attracted to a fisher girl of the name Matsya-Gandha who was found inside a fish. (The fish was actually a celestial maiden named Adrika who conceived two children by collecting the semen of the King of Chedi when his semen had fallen into the water of a river after seeing two animals engaged in coitus.) Parasara Muni asked the beautiful Matsya-Gandha, so named because of her fishy aroma, to take him in her boat from one side of the river to the other, but the beauty of this damsel, her bodily movements from the rowing, aroused lusty desires in Parasara. When he sat close to her she moved away, and asked him not to violate her chastity, but Parasara Muni being already too far carried away, created an artificial fog on the river and seduced her right there in the boat. He then created an island in the river and on that island the girl conceived a child in her womb. Parasara explained to her that even after the child was born she would remain a virgin and the son born to her would be a portion of Lord Visnu and would be famous throughout the three worlds. He would be a man of purity, the spiritual master of the entire world, and He would divide the Vedas.
Srila Vyasa soon grew into everything that Parasara had described, and had many disciples.

Later in life it is recorded that Srila Vyasa returned to this island in the river and there compiled the Srimad Bhagavatam. Recorded is another instance when Srila Vyasa called for Ganesa (the elephant-headed 'deva') to write the Mahabharata as he related it to him. He did so on the condition that Srila Vyasa continually recited, and Ganesa, having perfectly understood the meaning, wrote down the Mahabharata. The word "Vyasa" means one who describes elaborately.

"The great sage, Srila Vyasa who was fully equipped with knowledge, could see through his transcendental vision the deterioration of everything material, due to the influence of the age. He could also see that the faithless people in general would be reduced in duration of life and would be impatient due to lack of goodness. Then he contemplated for the welfare of men in all statuses and orders of life. He saw that the sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas were means by which people's occupations could be purified, and to simplify the process, he divided the one Veda into four, in order to expand them among men. The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge (the Vedas) were made separately, but historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Puranas are called the fifth Veda."(Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:17-20.).

"Thus the great sage Srila Vyasadeva, who is very kind to the ignorant mass, edited the Vedas so they might be assimilated by less intellectual men. Still he was not satisfied, even though he was engaged in working for the total welfare of all people. Thus Srila Vyasa, being dissatisfied in heart, began to reflect within himself. 'I have, under strict disciplinary vows, unpretentiously worshipped the Vedas, the spiritual master and the altar of sacrifice. I also abided by the rulings and have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahabharata, by which even women, shudras and others (friends of the twice born) can see the path of religion. I am feeling incomplete, though myself I am fully equipped with everything required by the Vedas. This may be because I did not specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord'."

"Srila Narada Muni (who was another son of Prajapati Brahma) reached the cottage of Srila Krsna-dwaipayana Vyasa on the banks of the Sarasvati, where Srila Vyasa was staying at that time, just when Srila Vyasa was regretting his defects. At the auspicious arrival of Srila Narada, Srila Vyasadeva got up respectfully and worshipped him, giving him veneration equal to that given to Sri Brahmaji, the creator. Srila Narada then said: 'O Srila Vyasadeva, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness, and thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage. The people in general are naturally inclined to enjoy, and you have encouraged them in that way in the name of religion. This is verily condemned and is quite unreasonable. Because they are guided under your instructions, they will accept such activities in the name of religion and will hardly care for prohibitions.' And so Narada Muni, Srila Vyasadeva's spiritual master, instructed Srila Vyasa to compile the Maha-Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) now in his maturity for the benefit of all mankind, to which Srila Vyasadeva agreed. He presented the glories of Krsna and His many incarnations just after the departure of Lord Krsna from this world. (Excerpts from Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:24-33.).

Urged by Brahma, he undertook the task of classifying the Vedas. Srila Vyasa accepted four disciples to preserve and continue the Vedas. They were Jaimini who took care of the Sama Veda, Sumantu - the Atharva Veda, Vaisampayana - the Yajur Veda and Paila - the Rg Veda, and for the Itihasa and Puranas - Lomaharsana."(Sri Vayu Purana 60:10-16.).

From the time of the Kuruksetra / Mahabharata war, during which Vyasa bestowed his blessings on the Pandavas, and even before this time, Vyasa walked this earth to protect knowledge of the Vedas, helping those devotees who have knowledge of that person who the Vedas are centred around. That is Lord Sri Krsna, Who is known as 'Vedanta Krt', the compiler of 'Vedanta', and 'Veda Vit', the knower of the Vedas. In Bhagavad-Gita 10:37., Krsna Himself says, "Of sages I am Vyasa."


In the Srimad Bhagavatam (6:9:26-27.), it says, "By His inconceivable internal potency, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expands into various transcendental bodies as Vamanadeva, the incarnation of strength among the demigods; Parasurama, the incarnation among saints; Nrsimhadeva and Varaha, incarnations among animals; Matsya and Kurma, incarnations among aquatics. He accepts various transcendental bodies among all types of living entities, and among human beings, He especially appears as Lord Krsna and Lord Rama. By His causeless mercy He protects the demigods, who are always harassed by the demons. He is the Supreme worshipable Deity of all living entities. He is the supreme cause, represented as the male and female creative energies. Although different from this universe, He exists in His universal form ('virat-rupa'). In our fearful condition, let us take shelter of Him, for we are sure that the Supreme Soul will give us His protection."

Please note in Pushtimarg our GURU is one and Only one Shri Mahaprabhuji so would request Pushtidasji to explain its importance of Guru Purnima in Pushtimarg.
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Vasant Punjabi.

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

[gopal]

ShriGokulesho Jayati

In the Param Saanidhya of Udiyamaan Chaturthpeethadhishwar Pujyacharan Goswamey ShriVitthalraiji Bavashri (Shrimad Gokul, Baroda)
Aatmaj of
Chaturthpeethadhishwar Goswamey ShriDevkinandanacharyashri (Shrimad Gokul)

On the paavan ocassion of Sanatan ShriGuruPoojan Parva ShriGuruPoornima,
At "Jai Jai ShriGokulesh" Vaishnavas will get to do ShriGuruPoojan
Divine Venue : - Jai Jai ShriGokulesh
1, Parth Society,
Near Airport,
Harni Road, Baroda 18 (INDIA)
Time : - 05.00 P.M. to 08.00 P.M. IST
on :- ShriGuruPoornima 2063 Dated 11-07-2006
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Jai Jai ShriGokulesh Parivaar,
Baroda

[jagdish]

Jai Shri Krishna/Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh,

Hardik Badhais for today's Shri Vyas/Guru Poornima
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Best Wishes
Jagdish

[jagdish]

Jai Shri Krishna/Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh,

Hardik Badhais -

we looked at Vedic/Shastric Vyas Guru Poornima

Pushtimargiya Guru Poornima is coming on Pavitra Baaras (30 July)
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Best Wishes
Jagdish