A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 10
Subtle Creation (Sarga): The creation of the fundamental material ingredients
Gross Creation (Visarga): The creation of the material manifestation using the fundamental material ingredients that is physically perceivable
Law and Order (Stithir): The maintenance of the diving law and order in nature
The welfare of all (Posana): The process of attaining peace of mind under the protection of the Supreme Lord
The period of Manus (Manvantara): The account of the righteous path followed depending on the time, place, and circumstances
The desire for action (Uti): The desire to act which is based on past Karma
God’s incarnations (Isanukatha): The account of incarnations of Lord Hari and his loving exchanges with his devotees
Physical annihilation (Nirodha): The spirit souls in the material world dissolve into the body of Maha Vishnu at the time of Universal dissolution. These spirit souls will take rebirth again when the Universe is re-created
Liberation (Mukti): The spirit souls get liberated from the matter and gain permanent spiritual form
Shelter (Ashraya): The process of surrendering to the Super Soul (Paramatma) who is fully spiritual (Brahman) and eternally manifest as the Supreme Person (Bhagavan)
These ten subject matters are essential for arriving at the accurate and real knowledge to develop faith and ultimately surrender to the Supreme Lord. A person whose interest is in mastering these subject matters is called a Jnani (Seeker). A seeker gradually progresses to become a Yogi by practicing the techniques of Ashtanga Yoga to control breath and mind and concentrate on the Super Soul (Paramatma). An advanced yogi will take shelter (Ashraya), develops love (Prema), and serves the Supreme Lord (Seva). As a Jnani, the concept of “Ashraya” is theoretical but as a Bhakta, “Ashraya” is put into practice. The spirit soul (Atma) goes through the journey from being a Jnani to Yogi to Bhakta over many lifetimes. As a Jnani, the seeker’s interest is in understanding the nature of the spirit. As a Yogi, the practitioner is interested in realizing his spiritual nature through the help of the Super Soul. As a Bhakta, the practitioner’s focus shifts to surrendering to the Supreme Lord i.e. the focus shifts from Self-realization to God-realization. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that among thousands of people, one becomes a seeker. Among thousands of such seekers, one comes to the plaform of knowing, loving and serving him.
The first five of these subject matters are discussed in all of the Vedic literature. However, the first five subject matters are elaborated into ten subject matters in the great composition of Srimad Bhagavatam. All ten topics are nowhere to be found except in Bhagavata Purana. The sages explain these topics as described in the Vedas and with the help of their own commentary, which is based on their experience. Srila Vyasadeva asserts with this statement that scriptures play a critical role in the development of a spiritual seeker. The knowledge of scriptures is the accumulated knowledge of the realizations of saints over centuries which has the capacity to help seeker progress to the next level. If the scriptures are not liberating, then great saints over the centuries didn’t have to write their commentaries. The scriptures give us the time-tested approach to look within ourselves towards the Super Soul. If scriptures are irrelevant, then there is no need for Lord Krishna to speak Bhagavad Gita. There is a common misconception that scriptures could be distorted. Firstly, several saints relied on scriptures for their success in their spiritual journey. Secondly, it is a much more reliable source than our own distorted mind. Thirdly, the integrity of the scriptures has been maintained for generations by saints.
The Spirit Soul is under the direct control of the Super Soul in the liberated state. When the Spirit Soul takes birth in the material body, then the Spirit Soul is separated from the Super Soul. The process of Yoga is to re-establish the connection between the Spirit Soul and the Super Soul. Sage Suka thus clarifies the definition of Yoga to Parikshit. Then he continues to describe the process of how a Spirit Soul accepts the material body.
The Supreme Person (Vasudeva) assumes the form of Lord Narayana for the purpose of material creation. The Lord creates the foundational material ingredients for the creation of the Universes, which look like Cosmic Eggs. The Lord then enters into each Universe and assumes qualitative forms of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.
Lord Narayana uses his illusory energy to separate the Spirit Souls from himself (Super Soul) and makes the Spirit Souls enter the Universe to accept the material body.
Sage Suka says that the Supreme Lord is understood in many ways:
The entire creation is the Lord
The Lord is the formless spiritual energy
The Lord is the Time
The Lord is righteousness and the laws of nature (Dharma)
He confirms that while all these understandings are relatively true, but the liberated sages understand that the Absolute Truth is beyond Time (Kala), material energy (Maya), and reactions (Karma). Such liberated sages are more interested in meditating on the Super Soul (Paramatma) and serve the Supreme Person (Bhagavan).
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