Vedic Wisdom Talks

Our most beautiful composition is but...! Sage Narada told the entire story of Sri Ram-from his would-be appointment as heir apparent to the Ayodhya throne by his father King Dashratha–to his exile for 14 years in the forest–losing his loving wife Sita to Ravana by abduction–killing the demon Ravana & bringing back Sita, returning to Ayodhya & ruling it for eleven thousand years thereafter Narada explained how Ram governed his kingdom (Rajya). After Sri Ram was anointed King, his subjects rejoiced with happiness & with their desire fulfilled they were content. All people followed the path of righteousness & there was no fear of sufferings or agonies, diseases or famine During the period of Rama's rule, nowhere would men witness the death of their sons or women were widowed. They would ever remain chaste & devoted to their husbands. In Rama’s kingdom, there was no fear of fire, water, wind, disease, hunger and also theft. All the cities & villages were ...

The Perfect Role Model! Once sage Valmiki enquired from Sri Narada, who was ever engaged in the practice of religious austerities & study of the Vedas, and the best among the eloquent speakers He asked: Who in this world lives today endowed with excellent qualities, prowess, righteousness, gratitude, truthfulness and firmness in his vows? Who is the one gifted with good conduct, always thinks about the wellbeing of all living creatures, learned in all the knowledge that is known, capable of doing things which others cannot do and is most handsome? Who (among men) is self-restrained? Who has conquered anger? Who is endowed with brilliance and free from envy? Who is that when excited, even the demigods are afraid of (let alone foes)? O Maharshi Narada said Valmiki - I intend to hear about such a man whom you think is worth knowing and worshipping? Indeed, I have great curiosity for your answer After thus being invited by Valmiki to take his seat, Narada, the knower of the...

How to Live & Die!   After answering to so many questions, Bhisma said to Maharaj Yudhisthira: You should cast aside the grief that you feel due to thinking that you are the cause of destruction of your friends & relatives. The truth is that everyone is killed by Eternal time, which represents the supreme will of Sri Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead & Supreme One above all others You had acted instrumentally in the hands of Sri Krsna & for this reason you should feel the greatest satisfaction. Indeed, if anyone wants to serve his ultimate self-interest & award himself the highest benediction, he should become an unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Lord After hearing this, the assembly turned toward Sri Krsna & with folded hands they mentally worshipped Him with great awe and reverence. After a long pause, Vyāsdev suggested: My dear son of Santanu, now that Maharaj Yudhisthira’s equilibrium has been restored by listening to your instructi...

Wealth & Life! Maharaj Yudhisthira asked Bhisma: My dear Grandfather, how can one receive the mercy of the goddess of fortune & thus become prosperous in all regards? Bhisma replied by telling Yudhisthira how Rukmini once had the opportunity of meeting Laksmi-devi. She requested: O Goddess, kindly describe to me those persons in whom you dwell, as well as those who you avoid In the presence of Lord Krsna, Laksmi replied: My dear Rukmini, I always reside with those persons who are eloquent, active, attentive to their duties, free from anger, grateful, of controlled passions, worshipers of the Supreme Lord and the demigods, and are high-minded I never reside with atheists, thieves, those of impure habits, or those who speak harshly, are inattentive to their duties, beget unwanted children due to uncontrolled lust, are ungrateful, malicious toward their superiors, or become distressed over trifles & thus are always irritated and angry I reside with wives who are very...

Actual reason! Maharaja Yudhisthira said to Bhisma: In spite of hearing your wonderful narrations, I am not able to give up my grief & attain peace of mind. How can mere theoretical instructions on the subject of spiritual elevation help me when I’ve already brought condemnation upon myself by becoming the cause of a great massacre? What could be more distressing than to see my grandfather lying on a bed of arrows as a consequence of my greed! How will I ever be able to become freed from the results of my grievous sins? Bhisma told a story: There was once an old lady named Gautami, who was noted for her great patience & mental satisfaction. One day Gautami's son died after being bitten by a snake. To please the ascetic lady, a bird hunter Arjunaka captured the snake. After binding it securely, the hunter brought it to Gautami & inquired: Pious lady, how should I kill this culprit? Gautami replied: Ignorant hunter, release the serpent! My son will not be brought ba...

Future prosperity or destruction! Maharaj Yudhisthira enquired: What should a king intelligently do after losing all his prosperity? Bhisma replied: When one has fallen into a very distressed condition of life, being bereft of friends, relatives, wealth & reputation, he should practice fortitude & not give way to grief under any circumstances. Indulgence in grief destroys one’s personal beauty, duration of life, prosperity & virtue. One who constantly dwells upon his misfortune loses all enthusiasm, mental equilibrium & bodily strength & meets with total defeat in life Yudhisthira asked : By what symptoms can one ascertain future greatness or fall of a person? Bhisma said: The mind is the indicator of one’s future prosperity or degradation. In this connection I will tell you a story related to how Lakshmi had once come before Indra When Indra asked about the purpose of her visit, Lakshmi-devi said: Formerly I had dwelt with asuras because of their meritori...