''Brihad-bhagavatamrita'' is a
sacred text
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They often feature a compilation or discussion of beliefs, ritual practices, moral commandments and ...
for followers of the
Hindu
Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
tradition of
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Gaudiya Vaishnavism (), also known as Chaitanya Vaishnavism, is a Vaishnavism, Vaishnava Hindu denominations, Hindu religious movement inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) in India. "Gaudiya" refers to the Gaura or Gauḍa region o ...
. Along with ''Hari-bhakti-vilasa'', it is one of the most important works of Vaishnava theologian
Sanatana Goswami. While ''Hari-bhakti-vilasa'' sets out guidance for Vaishnava behavior and
ritual
A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally ...
, ''Brihad-bhagavatamrita'' contains an analysis of the teachings of
Chaitanya
Chaitanya or Chaithanya may refer to
Philosophy
*Chaitanya (consciousness), Hindu philosophical concept
People
*Chaitanya (name)
*Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1533), founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Media
*Chaitanya (film), ''Chaitanya'' (film), ...
from an
ontological
Ontology is the philosophical study of being. It is traditionally understood as the subdiscipline of metaphysics focused on the most general features of reality. As one of the most fundamental concepts, being encompasses all of reality and every ...
and
metaphysical
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the basic structure of reality. It is traditionally seen as the study of mind-independent features of the world, but some theorists view it as an inquiry into the conceptual framework of h ...
perspective.
Contents
Sri Brhad-bhagavatāmṛta is divided in two cantos: Pūrva-khaṇḍa,
or first, and Uttar-khaṇḍa, or last. The name of the First Canto is Śrī
Bhagavat-kṛpā-sāra-nirdhāraṇa khaṇḍa – Ascertaining the Essence of the
Mercy of the Supreme Lord. The Second Canto is known as Śrī Golokamāhātmya-
nirūpaṇa khaṇḍa – Ascertaining the Glories of Śrī Goloka.
[Śrī Brhat Bhāgavatāmta Second Canto by Sri Srimad Bhakti vedānta Narayana
Gosvāmi Mahārāja]
In the first part of ''Brihad-bhagavatamrita'' Sanatana Goswami has described a conversation between
Parikshit and his mother,
Uttara
Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to:
Places
*Uttara (town), Uttara, a neighbourhood north of Dhaka, Bangladesh
*Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh
*Uttara East Thana
*Uttara West Thana ...
. It took place after Parikshit heard the ''
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one ...
'' from
Śuka. Uttara asked her son to explain the essence of ''Bhagavata Purana'', and Parikshit revealed to her the stages of confidential
Bhakti
''Bhakti'' (; Pali: ''bhatti'') is a term common in Indian religions which means attachment, fondness for, devotion to, trust, homage, worship, piety, faith, or love.See Monier-Williams, ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899. In Indian religions, it ...
. He told her a story about how
Narada
Narada (, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage-divinity, famous in Hinduism, Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of the Manasputra, mind-created children of Brahma, the creator ...
was looking for greatest devotee of
Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
. The Great
Rishi
In Indian religions, a ''rishi'' ( ) is an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mention in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "gre ...
began his search with devotees of Krishna whose
Bhakti
''Bhakti'' (; Pali: ''bhatti'') is a term common in Indian religions which means attachment, fondness for, devotion to, trust, homage, worship, piety, faith, or love.See Monier-Williams, ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899. In Indian religions, it ...
was mixed with
karma
Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...
and
jnana (
Brahma
Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...
and
Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
), then went up to
Shanta-rasa (
Prahlada
Prahlada () is an asura king in Hindu scriptures. He is known for his staunch devotion to the preserver deity, Vishnu. He appears in the narrative of Narasimha, the lion avatara of Vishnu, who rescues Prahlada by disimboweling and killing hi ...
),
Dasya-rasa (
Hanuman
Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine ''vanara'', and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the ''Ramayana'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotio ...
),
Sakhya-rasa (
Arjuna
Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...
), and finally came to the greatest devotee of Krishna -
Uddhava
Uddhava () is a character from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, described to be the friend and counsellor of Krishna. He plays a significant role in the Bhagavata Purana, being taught the processes of yoga and bhakti directly by Krishna. The principl ...
, who always longed to be in
Vrindavan
Vrindavan (; ), also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj, Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance for Hindus who believe that Krishna, one of ...
, and showed that the highest level of Bhakti is the love of the
gopis for Krishna.
The second part of ''Brihad-bhagavatamrita'' tells us about the glory and bliss of the spiritual abode
Goloka, as well as of the process of renunciation of the material world, true knowledge,
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga (), also called Bhakti marga (, literally the path of '' bhakti''), is a spiritual path or spiritual practice within Hinduism focused on loving devotion towards any personal deity.Karen Pechelis (2014), The Embodiment of Bhakti, ...
, love for Krishna and implementation of the higher purpose of life. The second part contains the narrative of a wandering shepherd boy, who received a mantra from a resident of Vrindavan, travelling from one planetary system to another, exploring the different levels of consciousness of living beings. His spiritual odyssey covers
Vaikuntha
Vaikuntha (), also called Vishnuloka (), and Tirunatu (Tirunāṭu) in Tamil language, Tamil, is the abode of Vishnu, the Parabrahman , supreme deity in the Vaishnavism, Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism,Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism' ( ...
,
Brahmaloka
Brahmaloka (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मालोक, IAST: Brahmāloka) or Satyaloka (Sanskrit: सत्यलोक) sometimes refers to the realm of Brahma, the creator god, a member of the Trimurti along with Vishnu and Shiva, along with his ...
,
Shivaloka and the heavenly planets.
Second Canto contains four chapters:
(1) Vairāgya – Renunciation
(2) Jñāna – Knowledge
(3) Bhajana – Devotional Service
(4) Vaikuṇṭha – The Spiritual World
Each of the two cantos of this scripture is a separate history. Our
worshipful author has not merely written two histories. Rather, for
facilitating the worship of the divine couple, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, he has thoroughly analyzed Their Lordships’ fundamental reality and nature.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the essence of all scriptures, such as the
Vedas, Vedānta, Purāṇas, Itihāsas, and so on. By churning that essence,
this book, aptly named Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta – the Essential Nectar
of the Bhāgavatam – has become manifest. Throughout this book, all
topics regarding devotional service to Bhagavān have been presented.
The original discourse of the book between Śrī Jaimini and
Janamejaya is based on a conversation between Śrī Parīkṣit and
Uttarā. After Śrī Parīkṣit had heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the lips
of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and before the snake-bird Takṣaka arrived,
Parīkṣit's mother, Śrī Uttarā-devī, said to him, “O my dear son, please
narrate to me, in simple, easy-to-understand language, the essence
of what you have heard from Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī.” Śrī Bṛhadbhāgavatāmṛta
begins with this inquiry.
In the Second Canto, the author examines all the manifestations
and incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, beginning
with Śrī Śālagrāma Bhagavān and ending with Śrī Nandanandana,
the beloved son of Śrī Nanda Mahārāja. This volume begins with the
history of Gopa-kumāra. Gopa-kumāra receives the gopāla-mantra from
his gurudeva. Due to the influence of this gopāla-mantra, it becomes
possible for him to travel to all abodes without restriction. First, he
takes darśana of the manifestations of Bhagavān that appear in this
earthly realm, or Bhū-maṇḍala, such as Śrī Śālagrāma Bhagavān; the
Deity manifestation of the Lord who is ensconced in the palace of the
king; and the ancient Deity of Śrī Jagannāthadeva. He sequentially
describes their progressively greater glories. Then, by the influence of
the chanting of his mantra, he reaches the planets of Svarga, Mahar,
Janas, Tapas, and Satya, where one by one he has divine vision of
the worshipable manifestations of the Lord who manifest in those
abodes. Thus he also experiences Their transcendental excellences in
succession. Yet Gopa-kumāra does not experience complete happiness
in those places.
Thereafter, he takes darśana of the manifestations of Bhagavān
that are present in the eight coverings of the universe and arrives in the abode of liberation. In mukti-loka, the realm of liberation, Gopakumāra
sees the manifestation of the brilliance of the Supreme Person,
but still, complete satisfaction eludes him. After this, in accordance
with regulative principles, he performs saṅkīrtana of the holy name,
the most prominent of the nine processes of bhakti. By the potency of
nāma-saṅkīrtana, he travels first to Vaikuṇṭha, then to Ayodhyā, and
then to Dvārakā-purī. However, because in those realms the mood of
aiśvarya, or awe and reverence for the Lord, is prominent, he cannot
freely associate with the worshipful manifestations of the Supreme
Person there.
Finally, Gopa-kumāra returns to Vṛndāvana manifest on earth,
where he executes rāgānugā bhakti, spontaneous devotional service
that follows the moods of the eternal associates of Vraja. By the potency
of his practice of rāgānugā bhakti, he attains Goloka-Vṛndāvana.
There, he obtains his cherished goal – service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of
the king of Vraja.
One should not conclude from this history that there is any
difference in the tattva, or fundamental truth, of the various
manifestations of Bhagavān. All manifestations of the Lord are
complete, from Śrī Śālagrāma Bhagavān to Śrī Nandanandana
(Kṛṣṇa, the darling son of Nanda Mahārāja). From the perspective
of tattva, They are one, yet from the perspective of rasa, or the
sweetness of transcendental relationships, Śrī Nandanandana is the
most excellent.
''Brihad-bhagavatamrita'' contains descriptions of the various categories of devotees of Krishna: close devotees, and devotees of the closest devotees.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in his comments to the ''
Chaitanya-charitamrita'' (Adi Lila, 5.203) writes that anyone who wants to learn about the devotees and about devotional service to Krishna should read ''Brihad-bhagavatamrita''.
Notes
*
*
* {{Citation
, last1=Sanatana Goswami , last2=Gopiparanadhana Dasa
, year= 2002
, title=Śrī Bṛhad-bhagavatāmrta. Includes the Devanagari text, a roman transliteration, word-for-word meanings, English translation, and a summary of the Dig-darśinī commentary. (3 volumes)
, publisher=
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
, isbn=0-89213-348-1
, author1-link=Sanatana Goswami
, author2-link=Gopiparanadhana
References
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
16th-century literature
Hindu texts