Engage!

Pāndavās lamented about absence of Arjun & were extremely morose. At this moment Sage Nārada came

Yudhisthira said to sage-As you’ve blessed us with your association, the opportunity to hear from you shouldn’t be missed. Pls describe to us merit attained by visiting various holy places of pilgrimage

Sage said-Once Bhisma met with great sage Pulastya at source of Gangā & asked same question about potencies of tirthas. He said-To achieve merit by performing sacrifices, one must possess great wealth. But, just by travelling to holy places, even an impoverished man can accumulate tremendous pious credit, which is greater than even performance of sacrifices

Pushkara ia a glorious tirtha, intimately connected to Lord Vishnu & is equal to 100 billion ordinary holy places. One who bathes its lake is immediately liberated from cycle of birth & death. One who simply recites glory of holy places or just visits them in imagination, also receives great rewards

Prayāg is said to be most sacred of all tirthas within entire 3 worlds & bathing at confluence of Gangā, Yamunā & Saraswati confers highest merit. In Satya Yuga all tirthas exhibited their full potency. In Treta Yuga, Pushkara excelled all others. In Dvāpar yuga, Kurukshetra is most important & in Kali Yuga Gangā is considered most sacred of all holy places. One who bathes in Gangā or at Prayāga, Kurukshetra or Pushkara purifies his family for 7 generations in past & 7 in future

As long as one is in contact with Gangā, he is regarded as living directly in heaven. Pulastya said to Bhisma-Just as there is no other holy place like Gangā, there is no other lord like the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna

Bhisma then wandered visiting all holy places as described by sage

Nārada said-Yudhisthira, if you take Brāhmanās on a similar tirtha-yatra you’ll earn more merit that that achieved by Bhisma. There are many great sages residing at these holy places like-Vālmiki, Kasyapa, Visvāmitra, Gautam, Asita, Devala, Mārkandeya, Bharadvāja, Vasistha, Vyāsdev & Durvāsa & all of them are anxiously awaiting your arrival

Very soon Lomasa rsi will come here to guide you on tour to these sacred spots. By going thro’ the Yatra, you’ll not only pass the period of separation from Arjun quite happily, but your prowess will become greatly strengthened, enabling you to regain your kingdom after killing your enemies

We also sometimes lament for a situation beyond our control. Constantly thinking about unpleasant situation makes our life more miserable, thereby increasing the pain we’re going through

It is pertinent to absorb our mind & body in something pious which will not only change our outlook towards life, circumstances & environment but engage us throughout, thus taking us away from self-chastisement

Krsna says -The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate & very strong and it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb it, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment

Thoughts? #gameoflife