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© 2012 - 2024, Swetha Sundaram The articles on this blog are a collection of the author's studies and/or inferences made by the author from such studies. The posts on the vedic civilizations and symbolisms in vedic texts is the result of intense study undertaken by the author and the inferences made by the author from these studies. Please ensure to cite this blog if using material from this blog.

Thursday, 2 May 2013

Srimadh Bagawatham - Artha Panchakam





King Parikshit wished to know the proper way to meditate upon the Lord. Suka Brahmam Maharishi instructed the king about Artha Panchakam followed by two methods to meditate upon the Lord.
The artha panchagam teach us about ourself, Paramatma and the means to attain Him. The artha panchagam are listed below.
1. Atma Swaroopam: We should know who we are and the reason we take birth. We are the jeevatmas who depend on Paramatma for existence. We take birth only to attain Him. We exist only to experience Him. Our true goal in life is to achieve Him.
2. Paramatma Swaroopam: Who is the Supreme Lord? Lord Narayanan is the Supreme Lord.
3. Upaya Swaroopam: How can we attain the Lord’s divine feet?
4. Prapya Swaroopam: What should be done after attaining the Lord’s divine feet?
5. Virodhi Swaroopam: What are the things like ego, ignorance, karma etc which prevent us from reaching the Lord by forcing us to take birth over and over again?
Upaya and Prapya Swaroopam:
There are four paths leading to liberation:

Starting from the second chapter to the eighteeth of Bagawad Geetha, Krishna mentions about the following four paths to be followed to attain liberation from this ocean of samsara.
1.     Karma Yoga
2.      Gnana Yoga
3.      Bakthi Yoga
4.     Prapati or Saranagathi

Out of the above mentioned four paths, Karma Yoga is prescribed by Krishna as a must for everyone. It is mandatory even for a Saranagatha. No one is allowed to think that they are on a higher platform and are hence exempt from following Karma Yoga. The puranams like Srimadh Bagawatham teach us the dos and don’ts to be followed like following the Ekadashi fast etc which are nothing but karma yoga. Speaking truth, being compassionate to all beings, maintaining cleanliness and following prescribed dharmas like Ekadashi fast are all part of karma yoga. By listening/reading Srimadh Bagawatham it is essential that we start to follow the prescribed practices to stay on the path to reach the Lord.

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