||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -24 - Uththarakandam

Sage Kakabhushundi describes the Gnana/wisdom and Bhakti/devotion in detail

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshiraja, while unfastening the Maya from the Chethana/intellect, it would cause various impediments, it would use Ridhdhi and Siddhi as its weapons to persuade the intellect, it would make all efforts to put off the flame of supreme knowledge. The five Indhriyas ruled by the deities are five windows in the human body, the interest in worldly matters like the whirlwind enters through the five Indhriyas, deities won’t take any effort to stop them, and eventually, this whirlwind causes to put off the flame in the Diya. In this way, the Athmajyanam disappears from the unfortunate Jeeva, ends up without making an effort to untie the knot of Maya from the Chethana. These interest in worldly matters causes to ruin the intellect, deities like Indhriyas do not entertain the wisdom, they prefer to have sensual pleasure, once the intellect gets polluted with the interest in worldly matters, eventually, the flame of supreme knowledge of Diya/Gnanam goes off. Once, again the Jeeva hurls into the cycles of worldly existence and undergoes miseries and sorrows. Oh! Pakshiraja, it is difficult to conquer the powerful Maya of Lord Sri Hari. Viveka is difficult to explain experience and practice as well, if it is understood with the grace of that Lord, there will be too many obstacles to put off the same. Gnana is like a powerful sword, Oh! Pakshiraja, whoever achieves it would attain the Paramapadham. The Veda, Purana, and Rishis and Sages say that Kaivalya is extremely difficult to achieve. Prabho, without asking for it, with the constant contemplation and meditation upon that Lord Sri Hari, we could achieve that Kaivalyapadham, the water cannot stop its flow downwards, Oh! Pakshiraja, the intellectuals refuse Moksha and asks for intense devotion as a boon. The devotion /Bhakti at the lotus feet of Prabhu would destroy the root cause of Avidhya effortlessly, like the meals consumed get digested with the help of Jadaragni. Therefore the people who do not follow the easiest and most blissful way of Bhakthimarga are ignorant. Oh! Sarppashathro, worship of Lord Sri Ramachandra, with intense devotion and faith, perform all the deeds as his sincere servant is the easiest way to cross the ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Garuda, take shelter at the lotus feet of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra, he could transform the Chethana into Achethana and vice versa. Those who have sincere devotion at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra are fortunate. I have elaborately narrated the essence of Gnana, I shall describe the precious gem-like Bhakti to you.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “I shall narrate the Bhakti/Ramabhakthi which is like a Chinthamani, it spread the brilliance day and night. Oh! Garuda, whoever keeps that Chinthamani in their hearts will not face the desire like poverty of darkness, and the Lobha like the wind does not put off the brilliance of it. The Bhakti removes the powerful darkness of ignorance/Avidhya, the impurities like ego, pride, lust, like butterflies cannot reach in there, the person who keeps the Bhakti like Chinthamani in their hearts does not pollute with the Kamavasana, for them, the poison becomes the nectar, enemies become the relatives. This will not let the worshiper down with critical mental afflictions, without the Bhakti like Chinthamani, no one will have happiness or peace in their lives.  The intellectuals keep the Chinthamani close to their hearts, so they won’t get afflicted with grief not even in their dreams. This Chinthamani is very open in the public and it is available only with the grace of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. The unfortunate Jeeva strives hard and conducts difficult methods of worship and austerities and practices to search for this precious Mani. The Veda and scriptures are the beautiful mountains and the legends of Sri Ramachandra are the precious gems in it, the Sajjanas are experts in locating these gems, their powerful intellects as weapons, with Gnana and Vairagya as their eyes. Oh! Garuda, whoever conducts a rigorous search of this gem would attain the precious Gems which is the storehouse of happiness and peace. Lord Rama resembles the ocean and the Sajjanas are the dark rain clouds that cause downpour, Srihari is the tree of sandalwood, and the Sajjanas are the wind that spread the rich fragrance of it. The blissful intense devotion and faith upon Lord Hari is the fruit of Adhyathmika Sadhana.  All those knowledge we have earned from the Sadhus and ascetics, therefore whoever attains the association of those Sajjanas, would easily attain the Chinthamani like Bhakti, this is how they work, Veda represents the Ksheerasamudra/milky Ocean, Mandaraparvatha represents Gnana, and the deities like Sadhus churn out the nectar-like Pavanacharithra of Rama, Devi Bhakti represents the sweetness of the nectar. The intellectuals/ Jeeva wielded in Virakthi, chop off the Madham, Lobha, Moham, Mathshcharya, Krodha, Lobha like the enemies with the powerful sword of Gnana and achieve the Ananyabhakthi/Sri Hari Bhakti.”

 

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -23 - Uththarakandam

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks about ‘Bhakti & Maya’/describes the practice of Bhakti to get rid of sufferings of worldly existence and vicious cycles of repeated births

 

Garuda speaks “Oh! Prabho, all my misapprehensions have disappeared with your grace, I have got rid of my fears, sorrows, grief, and hallucinations, and I have achieved the serenity of the mind listening to the glorious myths of Lord Sri Ramachandra. Oh! Kripasindho, can I ask you one more question? Kindly make me understand it. The Veda, scriptures, illustrious Sages and Rishis states that it is very difficult to achieve Gnana, why didn’t you appreciate it, even after repeatedly heard from Sage Lomasha?. Oh! Kripanidhe, kindly describe the difference between Gnana and Bhakti in detail.”

 

The Mahajjyani, Sage Kakabhushundi was pleased with the question and began to speak with humility “Oh! Garuda, Oh! Pakshishreshta, there is not much difference between Gnana and Bhakti, both are capable to remove the sorrows and grief of worldly existence. Oh! Prabho, the illustrious Rishis and Sages points out some differences, listen to me carefully. The nature of Purusha is Gnana, Vairagya, Yoga, and Athmagnanam. Oh! Vishnuvahana, Sthree is considered as Abala and impure by birth. The Vishayaviraktha who has no interest in worldly matters, and Purusha with firm intellect can only abandon a Sthree, the person who is soaked in worldly matters and chasing sensual pleasures, away from the devotion at the lotus feet of Prabhu cannot abandon a Sthree. Oh! Pakshivahana, it is unfortunate that illustrious Rishis and Sages falls into the trap of the beautiful woman who has a lustrous face like the moon and attractive physical features. Sthree is nothing other than the ‘Vishnumaya’ of that supreme Lord. I am not impartial to Sthree or Purusha, I have quoted all that from the Veda and Puranas and the sayings of the illustrious Rishis and Sages. Oh! Sarppashathro, women do not fall for the beauty of the other; it is a rare thing to happen. Maya and Bhakti are described as females, Bhakti is the dearest darling of Raghuveera, and Maya is a dancer before him. Bhakti is promising to Raghunatha, therefore Maya is extremely scared of Bhakti. Whoever possesses the intense and pure devotion/ Ananyabhakthi, Maya gets scared to approach them, because she cannot play a trick on them. Therefore, the Thththvajjyanis who has a thorough knowledge of Bhramam, always yearn for ‘Bhakti’ which is the treasure house of happiness and welfare. Oh! Garuda, it is difficult to understand, highly confidential, but whoever understands this fact, would not fall in the trap of Maya, not even in their dreams. Oh! Mahajjyani Garuda, I shall describe the difference between Gnana and Bhakti, listen to me carefully.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “Oh! Garuda, Jeeva is Avinashi/has no birth or death, Chethana/intellect is pure, blissful, and free from Maya. This Jeevathma gets persuaded by the Maya, and eventually get trapped on the net of Maya, like the birds stuck in the hunter’s trap. Once, it’s caught in the hands of Maya, it acts like a monkey in the hands of magicians. Usually, the villagers keep trap for the monkeys, they put hands on the narrow-necked pot half-filled with the grains, and take a handful of it, and get troubled to take out the hand from it, without the knowledge that if it leaves the handful of grains, can come out easily. Thus, Jada/pot of grain and Chethana/monkey get wedged to each other, even though it is temporary, but difficult to get unfasten it. This is how the Jeeva gets fastened with the Maya, until and unless it gets unfasten from the worldly matters and bondage if the Jeeva does not make an effort to abandon it, Jeeva cannot get freed from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence. The Vedas and scriptures cited various methods to get rid of the Maya and unfasten the knot of interest in worldly matters and bondage.  The Jeeva while attempt to unfasten the Maya ends up in more complications, due to the darkness of ignorance, remain in the mystery without the knowledge of the origin of it, therefore it is difficult  to unfasten the Maya without the rigorous practices and discipline. It is doubtful that even the Eshwarasamyoga would remove the Maya completely or not.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Garuda, I shall narrate them elaborately, 1)  the grace of Lord Srihari works in the form of fortune on the Jeeva,  2) the Sathvik nature like the cow in the Jeeva appears in the form of Yoga, Yaga, Tapas, austerities, Yama, Niyama, Japa, the performance of various religious and spiritual rites which resemble lush green grass to graze that cow of Sathvik nature, 3)  the love in the Jeeva for the performance of those austerities would bring an abundance of milk, 4)  the milking of the cow can be done by fastening its back feet with the rope of Mounam, and 5)  collect the milk in the vessel of belief, 6) the person who patiently waits with a pure heart for the milk is deserved to milk the cow, the collected milk  represents Paramadharma, 7) The collected milk boiled in the Agni of Nishkama,  8) Gets cooled down with the Samthripthi and Kshama,  9) later it is added with the curd resembles endurance and self-control, 10)  that curd is transferred to a vessel of happiness and 11) churned with the self-control as the rod,  12) tied with the rope of  truthfulness and humility, and 13) the butter formed out of it would be pure, supreme, and highly promising Vairagya.  14)The practice of Yoga brings out the serenity of the mind like the fire 15) it destroys the wood of  Shubha Ashubha Karma, causes to melt the butter, 16)  finally the tainted portions like the interest in the worldly matters remains, 17) after this process  the pure form of Viveka like Ghee is available. 18) This Ghee/Gnanashakthi is used to lighten the earthen lamp/Vivechanashakthi, and 19) place it on the dais of ‘Oneness-in-all’/impartiality, 20) the three states of sleep, awaken, and dream, and the three Guans of Rajasik, Tamasik and Sathvik use them as the cotton ball to lighten the Diya of  Thejas and Vignana, soon  21) the fireflies like the Madham would fall on the flame and get burned. The mouth of the fire represents ‘Aham Bhramasmi’/Aham Ithi Bhramasmi, this supreme knowledge would remove the Dhvandhvabhava in the Jeeva which causes repeated births. The desires and lust like the families of Avidhya causes the darkness of ignorance, would get destroyed in the supreme brilliance, this would remove the knot of Jada/Maya and Chethana/intellect, this is how it would relieve the Jeeva from the repeated cycles of birth and death.”

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -22 - Uththarakandam

 

Sage Kakabhushundi recommends the Haribhakthi and Namasmaran as the supreme method to cross the ocean of worldly existence

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Uma, whoever devoted at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra, and free from Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Moha and Mathshcharya, and realizes the all-pervasive nature of the Supreme Lord would achieve admiration.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, Sage Lomasha cannot be blamed for the curse on me, the Maya of Raghupathi persuaded the Sage. That supreme Lord Kripasindhu was testing my devotion by covering the intellect of Sage Lomasha with his Maya. Prabhu understood that I am a sincere servant of him with words, mind, and deeds, soon Sage Lomasha regained his serenity and Sage highly praised my devotion at the feet of Prabhu, he regretted about the sudden rush of anger, once again called me, he pacified me and showered an abundance of affection, and whispered the sacred ‘Ramamanthra’ on my ears. The compassionate Sage advised me to contemplate upon the childhood form of that supreme Lord. Sage described the marvelous form of that divine child, I have already narrated to you. Sage Lomasha advised me to stay in his hermitage for some time, he advised the entire legend of ‘Sri Ramcharitha Manas’ and spoke to me affectionately “Oh! Puthra, I have come to know the highly confidential and beautiful pond of Ramacharitha, from Lord Mahadeva. I have narrated everything about this mesmerizing Ramcharitha Manas, to you; I know that you are a passionate devotee of Supreme Lord Rama. It should not be recited in front of the people who have no devotion to that Lord Rama,” Maharishi Lomasa advised several confidential philosophies of supreme Lord, before leaving him, I reverentially prostrated before him, he affectionately patted on my body and blessed “You will have sincere devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Rama. You would become beloved of Rama, you are the storehouse of virtues, wisdom, knowledge, Virakthi and you are free from impurities, you are capable to change your form according to your wish, you will be free from Janana and Marana.  The place and its surroundings of one Yojana of your stay would be sanctified, and remain free from ignorance. You will not get affected by the grief of Kala, Karma, Guna, Dhosha, and Swabhava.  All those glorious legends of Rama narrated in the Ithihasa, Purana, and all those confidential philosophies in the sacred texts would remain in your intellect forever. The flame of devotion at the feet of Lord Rama would brighten always, whatever you desire would be fulfilled with the grace of that Prabhu.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “Oh! Garuda, listen to me, at that moment there was a divine voice heard in the sky, that affirmed the predictions of the Mahajjyani Sage Lomasha, I have got relieved from the misconceptions, and I repeatedly prostrated before the Sage Lomasha and returned to this hermitage. I am living in this hermitage for the past twenty-seven Kalpa, singing in praise of the splendor of Raghupathi and all those wise birds would come and listen to it. Whenever that supreme Lord incarnate as Raghuram in the sacred city of Ayodhya, I would go and live in that city and take great pleasure in watching the various amusements of that divine child, and I fix my heart in the Balaram and return to my hermitage. I have narrated how did I attain the form of a crow, I think I have answered all your queries; the splendor of Sri Rama is beyond description. This is also one of the reasons I would love to appear as a crow, I have achieved intense devotion at the lotus feet of Rama with the body of a crow, I have attained the Dharshan of that divine child in Ayodhya and all my misperceptions got disappeared with the same form. I have strongly recommended the Bhakti marga and I got a curse from Sage Lomasha, later it provided the highest of the spiritual achievements which are difficult to achieve even for the Rishis and Sages. I strongly believe that Namasmaran is the greatest way to get rid of miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence. The people who are engaged in search of Gnanamarga are dull-minded, leaving the Kamadhenu like Bhakthimarga, considered as an unfruitful effort, as same as leaving the Kamadhenu and chasing an animal with tail for milking. Oh! Pakshiraja, listen to me, whoever adopt various practices, leaving the practice of devotion/HariBhakthi, are dull-minded, it is like an effort to cross the ocean without the help of a ferry.” Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Bhavani, Garuda was highly pleased with the advice of the Sage Bhushundi”.

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -21 - Uththarakandam

Lord Shiva’s boon on Sage Kakabhushundi/ Kakabhushundi’s birth as twice-born and meeting with Sage Lomasha/ The curse of Sage Lomasha

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “The Supreme Lord Sarvajja heard the sincere cries of the Vipra, was highly pleased with his devotion and soon a voice heard from the sanctum “Oh! Mahabhramana, ask for a boon.” Vipra spoke “Oh! Prabhu, if you are pleased with me, kindly provide me intense devotion and faith at your lotus feet, Oh! Dheenanatha, I want one more boon, the dull-minded Jeevas are always wielded with the powerful Maya of yours and constantly hurled in the cycles of birth and death eventually undergoes endless sufferings, Oh! Kripasindho, kindly remove the curse on my disciple and shower your grace upon him. Oh! Shankara, Oh! Dheenadhayalo, let your curse become a blessing upon him. Oh! Kripanidhi, kindly shower auspiciousness upon him.”, the divine voice replied ‘Thadhasthu’,  further the divine voice spoke “Oh! Vipra, this wicked Shudra, committed a grave sin that instigated anger in me; my curse will become a boon for him in the latter years. Oh! Brahmana, the benevolent and innocent people are most dear to me as Kharashathru Sri Rama, my curse won’t go untrue, he will take thousands of birth, but he will be free from the miseries and sorrows of Janana and Marana.” The divine voice turned toward me “Oh! Shudra, listen to me, your wisdom will not leave you in each of your births, because you have born in the sacred city of Ayodhya, and you have served me.  You will have intense devotion and faith at the feet of Lord Raghupathi because your birth took place in the most propitious land of Raghupathi. Oh! Thatha, listen to my words, whoever serves the twice-born sincerely would achieve the grace of Lord Srihari. Do not humiliate Bhramin, consider the Sajjana as the supreme Lord who is eternal. The vicious weapon Vajrayudha of Lord Indra, the trident of mine, the disc of Lord Vishnu, Dhanda of Kala, cannot protect the person who committed disgrace to a Bhramin, you always keep this in your mind. You can achieve everything in this world, and you will have free access to all the worlds.” The Vipra highly pleased with the boon of Lord Shiva upon his disciple, prostrated before the Lord, and left to home.”

Sage Kakbhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, I have born in a Sarppayoni and lived in Vindhyachala for some time, and got rid of that body, after that with the grace of Lord Shiva, I have taken several births and got rid of it easily like the used clothes are thrown for wash and attired in fresh clothes, thus I have got rid of the afflictions of Janana and Marana. As predicted by the supreme Lord Shiva, I have taken several births as animals, humans, deities, but I have not got rid of my wisdom or knowledge of my previous births. I have worshiped Lord Ramachandra in all my births, but I could not forget that innocent and benevolent nature of my preceptor. The Vedas and Puranas affirm that the birth as twice-born is the final birth of a Jeeva when I was born as twice-born, I took great pleasure in singing the glories of Lord Ramachandra with my childhood friends, during my adolescence I have learned many things from my father, but those lessons were uninterested to me, I have lost interest in worldly matters, I took shelter at the lotus feet of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. I have no interest in lessons or lead a normal life of a youth, my father lost interest in me as well, after the death of my parents, I have moved to woods and practiced meditation and contemplation upon Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. I have met several saintly people in the woods, I took great pleasure in listening to the glorious myths of Lord Rama described by those ascetics, in this way, I have spent the rest of my life. I have got rid of interest in having a family of my own, or children, I have lost interest in wealth and fame. All I had was the anxiousness to meet that Prabhu Ram and I was eagerly waiting for that fortune to fall at his lotus feet and attain fruitfulness of my life. I have shared my anxiousness to the Rishis and ascetics assembled, they pacified me that the supreme Lord is all-pervasive, he is omnipresent in Chara and Achara as well, and my mind was not satisfied with the idea of Nirgunaswaroopa of that Lord, my yearnings to witness that Sagunaswaroopa of that Lord has multiplied day by day.  I have remembered the words of my preceptor, and my love at the lotus feet of Prabhu Sri Ram gone beyond control, I have been wandering all over singing in praise of Ram, I have met Sage Lomasha who was seated under the Vatavruksha in Mount Sumeru, I prostrated before the Sage and revealed my anxiousness to him with folded hands. The compassionate Sage enquired about the purpose of my visit. I requested the Sage “Oh! Munishwara, Oh! Kripanidhe, Oh! Sarvajja, kindly teach me how to worship the Sagunaswaroopa of the supreme Lord.”

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Pakshiraja,  Sage Lomasha described the glorious legends of Raghuram, the Bhramajjyani Sage Lomasha  began to narrate the beautiful description of the supreme Lord who is Aja, have no dualities, resides as a soul in living beings, he is beyond perception, impassionate, have no specific forms or names, attainable with intense devotion and austerities, he is inseparable,  beyond senses and comparison, inseparable from Prakrithi, he is pure, unblemished, eternal, desireless, and he represents supreme bliss, and made me understand that the vast ocean like Bhramam indifferent from the Jeevas, but I was not convinced, I prostrated before the Munisha and once again requested him to explain how to worship the Sagunaswaroopa. I have taken great pleasure in the worship of Lord Rama, without the worship, I felt like the fish out of the pond. I was adamant to witness the Sagunaroopa of that supreme Lord. Sage Lomasha described various legends of Prabhu, and insisted on the worship of Nirgunabhramam, but I did not leave my desire to witness the Saguna Bhramam, finally the Sage got irritated, I was not willing to compare the Jeeva which is wielded in Maya with the Parambhramam.”

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshiraja I was immersed in various thought how did the Jeevathma could compare with that Paramathma who is beyond Maya and changes, eternal, unblemished, and beyond Thrigunas? Isn’t that desire for the material welfare and bondage causes anxiety and grief in Jeeva? The person who has the possession of Parasmani cannot be a beggar, people who take pleasure in the afflictions of others cannot be free from the cluster of redundant thoughts, person who is soaked in material well-being and bondage cannot be pure, the person who have disrespected the twice-born/Bhramin cannot survive, brings entire destruction to his clan, the person who has attained the Athmasakshathkara will not find pleasure in the Karma, people who have been in the association of wicked cannot be virtuous, a person who is interested in the other’s wife cannot achieve Sadhgathi, people who have attained the Athmasakshathkara will not hurl into the cycles of birth and death, people who disgrace Lord Srihari cannot attain peace, King without the knowledge Rajaneethi cannot rule the kingdom wisely. People who have engaged in singing in praise of Lord Hari and his glorious myths get freed from the sins, piousness cannot be achieved without the performance of righteous deeds, the performance of wicked deeds brings ill fame, Is there any biggest fortune other than the devotion at the lotus feet of Hari?  If a person does not worship that Lord Hari, won’t be disgraceful after attaining the body of a human? Is there any Dharma other than kindness and compassion?” Oh! Vishnuvahana, I have numberless thoughts raised in my mind. I did not pay attention to his speeches sincerely; it annoyed the Sage Lomasha, “Oh! Mooda, you are showing no interest in the highest of the knowledge, and arguing with me. You have no trust in my words, and looking at me like a crow. You will become a crow for your arrogant nature,” I have gracefully accepted the curse of Sage Lomasha. I did not feel scared or sad of the curse, immediately I have transformed into a crow, prostrated before the sage and contemplated upon the Raghuvamshamani I flew away from the hermitage of Sage Lomasha.

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -20 - Uththarakandam

Lord Shiva’s curse on the Kakabhushundi who was born in the Shudra clan/ Vipra’s pleas to Lord Shiva/Sri Rudrashtakam

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Pakshiraja, Once, I was engaged in the recitation of Manthra in the Shivalaya, I have noticed that my preceptor entering into the shrine, but I kept myself unnoticed, I did not pay respect or obeisance, my preceptor did not feel bad. Lord Shiva could not control the insult to my preceptor, there was a divine voice heard from the sanctum “Oh! The unfortunate one, arrogant fool, your preceptor may forgive you, he is wise and learned, Oh! Moda, I curse you for your arrogant behavior on a Bhramajjyani, If I did not punish you, it would bring shame to the deities, whoever show disrespect to their preceptor would heave to the hell Raurava for one crore of Yugas. Further, they would take birth in the Yoni of animals in any of the three worlds, would undergo hellish torture for ten thousand births. You have impolite to your serpent, seated like a giant serpent after witnessing the arrival of your preceptor, therefore I curse you to become a serpent, you are a sinner. Oh! Adhamadhama, you will be forced to take shelter in the big hollow of the tree.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “Oh! Garuda, my preceptor shrieked out in pain listening to curse of Lord Shiva, I got terrified, it put the twice-born in intense trepidation and grief and he prostrated before Lord Shiva, with folded hands and shed tears and prayed “Oh! Prabho, you are the protector of Eshana directions, you are the commander of Lord of Universe and its living beings, you are supreme bliss, you are omnipresent, you are absolute Bhramam, I shall reverentially prostrate before you. Oh! Prabho, you have supreme brilliance, you are beyond virtues, and comparison, you are desireless and contented, attired in directions as clothe. You have no specific form, you represent Omkara, supreme Bhramam, you are beyond sense and perceptions, you are mighty Lord Mahadeva, you are benevolent, you are Mahakala, you are the storehouse of virtues, you are the Supreme Lord who guides the Jeeva to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. Oh! Prabho, who has the fair complexion resembles a silver mountain, mighty, excels the beauty of crores of Manmatha, adorned in Ganga and crescent moon on matted hair locks, the serpent as ornaments all over the body, scorpions as ear ornaments, have a beautiful eye brows and wide eyes, attractive face, bluish throat, attired in the skin of leopard, adorned the skulls as garland, smeared in sacred ashes all over the body and compassionate, Oh! Sarveshwara, Oh! Shankara, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. I shall take shelter at the feet of Bhavanipathi, who is mighty Lord, fearless, has no dual forms, has no birth or death and has the brilliance of crores of Surya, you are the destroyer of Thapathraya, wielded in Trident, approachable without intense devotion, Oh! Paresha, Oh! Bhavanipathe, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. Oh! Kamari, Oh! Manmathashathro, who is immeasurable, symbolizes auspiciousness, destroyer of the Universe, and its living beings at the end of Kalpa, is the source bliss to Sajjana, Oh! Thripurari, Oh! Chidhanandaswaroopa, who is the remover of interest in worldly matters and bondage, kindly protect us. Oh! Prabho, it is impossible to achieve welfare in the Ihaloka and Paraloka without your grace Oh! Umapathe, kindly protect us, Oh! Prabho, who resides as a soul in living beings, I do not know Yoga, Japa or Puja, Oh! Shambho, I know to prostrate before you, Oh! Shambho, kindly protects us from the Jara, Janana, and Marana.” Whoever recites or read the Rudrashtakam sung by the Vipra, with intense devotion and faith would achieve the grace of Lord Shambhu.

 

Namameesham Eshanam Nirvanaroopam | Vibhum Vyapakam Bhrama Vedaswaroopam | Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham Chidhakasham Akashavasam Bhaje Aham ||

 

Nirakaram Omakaramoolam Thureeyam | Gira Gyana Gotheethameesham Gireesham | Karalam Mahakalam Kalam Kripalam| Gunagara Samsaraparam Nathoaham ||

 

Thusharadhri  Samkasha Gauram Gabheeram | Manobhootha Koti Prabha Sri Shareeram | Spuranmauli Kallolini Charu Ganga | Lasath Phalabalendhu Kande Bhujanga ||

 

Chalath Kundalam Bhru Sunethram Vishalam | Prasannananam Neelakandam Dhayalam | Mrigadheesha Charmambaram Mundamalam | Priyam Shankaram Sarvanatham Bhajami ||

 

Prachandam Prakrishtam Pragalbham Paresham | Akhandam Ajam Bhanukoti Prakasham | Thraya:Shoola Nirmoolanam Shoolapanim | Bhaje Aham Bhavanipathim Bhavagamyam ||

 

Kalatheetha Kalyana Kalpanthakari | Sadha Sajjanandhadhatha Purari | Chidhanandha Sandhoha Mohapahari| Praseedha Praseedha Prabho Manmathari ||

 

 Na Yavath  Umanatha Padharavindham | Bhajantheeha  Loke Pare Va Naranam | Na Thavath Sukham Shanthi Santhapanasham | Praseedha Prabho Sarvabhoothadhivasam ||

 

Na Janami Yogam Japam Naiva Poojam | Nathogaham Sadha Sarvadha  Shambhu Thubhyam | Jara Janma Dhukhaugha Thathapymanam | Prabho Pahi Apan Namameesha  Shambho ||

 

Rudrashtakamidham Proktham Viprena  Harathoshaye | Ye Padanthi Nara Bhakthya  Thesham Shambhu: Praseedhathi ||

 

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -19 - Uththarakandam

Sage Bhushundi describes the evilness of the Kali era and its merits as well/Kakabhushundi meeting with a scholarly Bhramin in Ujjain

Sage Bhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshishwara, listen to me, in this Kali era, 39) there will be evilness of deceitfulness, untruthfulness, ill fame, adamancy, enmity, disbelief, pride, endless desire, lust, and haughtiness, these would overpower the entire Universe. 40) The humans will undertake Japa, Thapa, Yoga, Yaga, Vratham, Dhanam, and austerities to fulfill their personal desires, and in this way they earn sins.41) There will be the scarcity of rain; the seeds will not provide its fruit.  42)The woman folks take great interest in the hairdos and eat more than that required to maintain their health, they take great pleasure in worldly interests, even though they face a shortage of money and difficulties in taking care of the family, they constantly chase after the pleasure to appease their senses, won’t be considered as Dharmathma, they do not follow any righteous deeds, narrow-minded, selfish, and not soft-hearted as the way it should be. 43)The men will undergo various illnesses, will not have any happiness or peace in their lives, they will be swollen with pride and keep enmity with others, their life span will be short, not more than fifty years. 44) The men will have the misconception that they will live till the end of Kalpa and take pride in the material welfare and bondage. 45) Kali era drives humans to insane, they will not respect women folks, be it mother, sister, wife, or daughter. 46)No one will have knowledge of goodness and evil, peace, or happiness.  47)All the Varnnas engage in begging for alms, throw abusive languages on each other, jealous and greedy at each other. 48)There will be no equality among the people; all are snowed down with the pain of sorrows of separation, and depression. 49)No one will follow Varnna and Ashrama Dharma or Sadhacharas/disciplines and morals,  50)there will be no trace of self-control, Dhanam, Dhaya, Gnanam, and there will be the rush of Vyamoha, and wickedness.51) The male and females will take great pleasure in decorating their bodies, and feed it with various things to present it attractive. 52)The people will take great pleasure in disrespecting or disgracing others. Oh! Sarppashathro, the Kali era is a storehouse of impurities and immoral deeds, but this era has a benefit too. In this Kali era, Mokshaprapthi is easily attainable. In the previous three Yugas of Kritha, Thretha, and Dwaparayuga,  people engaged in Tapas, Yaga and worship of deities respectively, in this Kali era no such deeds are required, mere remembrance of Harinama would provide Moksha to the Jeeva.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshiraja, In Krithayuga people, was Yogi, wise and learned, therefore they undertook extreme penances and austerities/ Tapa, contemplating upon Lord Hari and crossed the worldly existence. In the Threthayuga, people engaged in various Yaga/fire sacrifices, and surrendered all those deeds at the lotus feet of Prabhu, and attained Moksha. In the Dwaparayuga people engaged in the veneration of Sagunaswaroopa/Sagunopasana, and crossed the ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Sarppashathro, In the Kali era, mere remembering and reciting the glorious names and legends of Prabhu, singing in praise of him would help the Jeeva to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Garuda, therefore in the Kali era there is not much help with the Yoga, Yaga, and Gnana, other than singing in praise and listening to the glorious legends of Rama. Hence, whoever engages in the constant contemplation and meditation of Prabhu and singing in praise of his glorious would easily cross the worldly existence. Kali era stands for the ‘Namaprabhava’/significance of the sacred names of the Lord. There is one more merit in this Kali era, the Manasika Puja/worship of favorite deities in their own hearts would provide an abundance of merits, and it would remove the sins. The Kaliyuga cannot be compared with the other Yugas, in this Yuga singing in praise of the virtues of Rama, the Jeeva could easily cross the ocean of worldly existence.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “There are four feet for Dharma, and one in the Kali era has very important to it, the performance of charities helps to achieve the Athmakalyan/piousness. Oh! Pakshiraja, these four Yugas are initiated from the Maya of that Prabhu reflects on the Dharma as well as Thrigunas in the Jeeva. In the Krita Yuga, the Sathvik nature resembles peace; serenity, happiness, and wisdom were predominant. In the Thretha Yuga, there was little rise of Rajoguna along with the Sathvik nature, Karmavasana, and interest in comforts were the characteristics of Thretha Yuga. In the Dwaparayuga, there was little Sathvik, and more and more Rajasik and a little bit of Thamasik nature prevailed in this Yuga, therefore the mixture of happiness and fear was more visible. In the Kali Yuga, enormous Thamasik, and a little bit of Rajasik and enmity and conflicts are predominant. The wise and learned who has the knowledge of the nature of the Yugas, abandon the Adharma and follows the Dharma, therefore the Kala or Dharma won’t affect the worshiper who is sincerely devoted to the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra. Oh! Pakshiraja, magicians perform intricate tricks to fool the audiences, but it won’t work with the people who are with the magician. The goodness and evilness of Maya of Sri Hari are impossible to get rid without contemplating the virtues of him; therefore Jeeva should understand this fact, leaving all the desire they have to take shelter at his lotus feet.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshiraja, it was one of the Kali eras, I have taken birth in the Ayodhya, live there for several years, there was a sudden outbreak of famine so I had to move out from Ayodhya. Oh! Sarppashathro, I have become pathetic, penniless, and distressed went to Ujjain, and earned some wealth, and conducted the worship of Lord Shambhu. There was a twice-born, an ardent devotee of  Lord Shiva, engaged in the worship of the Lord according to Vedic rites in a shrine, he has no other work, he was poor and highly knowledgeable, had great reverence for Lord Sri Hari too. I served that twice-born with a selfish motive, that twice-born was innocent and honest, he trusted me and he considered me as his son and gave Manthroupadhesha to worship Lord Shambhu and taught me various lessons. I have been so arrogant and proud, went to the shrine of Lord Shiva, and practiced the Manthropadhesha given by the Bhramin. I was born in the lowly clan, impure, wicked, had a dislike towards the devotee of Lord Srihari and twice-born, my preceptor was very sad to watch my behavior, advised me several times, I did not follow his advice, it irritates me, will it taste good the advice of a Sadhu to wicked? One day, my preceptor called me and taught me lessons from Neethishashtra, and spoke “Oh! Son, the worship of Lord Shiva would provide devotion at the lotus feet of Srihari, Oh! Thatha, Lord Bhrama, and Lord Shiva worship that supreme Lord Rama, therefore needless to say about the ordinary people like us. Oh! Unfortunate one, do you think the enmity towards the devotees of Lord Hari would bring goodness to you? Lord Shiva is the fervent devotee and a sincere servant of Lord Sri Hari.” Oh! Pakshiraja, I got thoroughly annoyed listening to the comment about Lord Shiva, as I was born in the lowly clan, the meager knowledge that I have attained worked like the serpent served with the milk. I have decided to humiliate my preceptor for his truthful comment, but my preceptor was extremely kind and blameless, began to advise me more and more. Oh! Pakshiraja, a wicked person would make all efforts to kill or destroy the person, who brought progress to him, Oh! Thatha, listen to me, the smoke comes out of the fire, later it takes shelter in the sky and causes downpour and put off the fire. The dust on the street treated with hatred, wind raises the dust in the sky, later it would fall on the eyes or on the crown of the King. The learned have the knowledge, so they will abandon the companionship with the Dhurjjana. The wise and intellectuals say that do not make friends or fight with a wicked, it is always good to keep the wicked people out of reach, and they should consider dogs. As I was born Shudra, wicked and deceitful I have considered all those promising advice of my preceptor are not related to me.”

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -18 - Uththarakandam

Kali Yuga Varnnana/The hard phase of the Kali era

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Garuda, In kali era 1)  the people will not follow Varna or Ashrama Dharma, 2) they will not follow any of the righteous deeds, the people take great pleasure in disgracing the Veda and Purana.  3)The twice-born sell their knowledge for money, 4)the Kings will take pleasure in torturing its subjects, and no one will follow or believe the Vedic rites.  5) Everyone follows their own mind and consider them a perfect way of performing rites.  6) People who have excellence in speech would be the leader of scholars, spread false perceptions, and recommends newly formed structures of Dharmic rites, considered as Sajjana. 7) The people will be interested in stealing the wealth of others 8) people will admire the person who exposes himself/herself, as the highly knowledgeable and spiritualistic follows religious practices. 9) People who speak lies and sarcastic would be considered as virtuous and smart. 10) The people who have no discipline, completely forbidden the rules prescribed in Veda, would be considered as Vairagin and Gnani in the Kali era, 11) the person with the long nails, beard, and matted hair locks would be treated as Thapasvi.  12) In the Kali era, people will be interested in getting dressed in horrific clothes, ornaments, etc. eat the worst meals which are prohibited, and expose themselves as Yogi and Mahashreshta. 13) People will take great pleasure in putting others in trouble, enjoys physical and verbal abuse, they engage all those awful deeds and conflicts with their mind, deed, and words. Oh! Prabho, 14) the woman folks would make the men dance to their tunes, and take complete control over them, like the person who performs magic with a monkey on the streets.  15)Shudras advise the Bhramana, and they adorn sacred thread and receives all those charities shamelessly.16) The humans are lustful and greedy, they speak ill of deities, Veda, scriptures, Bhramins, and ascetics.  17) The unfortunate women leave their wedded husband, who is virtuous and handsome, chase after Parapurusha/strangers. 18)Sumangalis/chaste women will find it difficult to wear good clothes or ornaments due to poverty; the widows dress up in various sparkling clothes. 19) The preceptor and disciple would live like a deaf and blind. The preceptor who takes away the wealth of the disciple and did not work to remove the suffering or sorrows of his disciple would throw to hell. 20) The child will be taught the Dharma to earn wealth and how to feed their craving body by their parents.  21)The men and women speak more about Bhramagnana, but are not free from greed or desires, will be ready to kill the Bhramin and preceptors for money.  22)Shudra enter the debate with the Bhramin, make all efforts to prove them as Bhramagnani, deserve to perform all the Vedic rites, and pass sarcastic comment on the twice-born. Oh! Pakshiraja, 23) I have seen several atrocities in the Kali era, men will have illicit relationships, deceitful, selfish and take pleasure in verbal and physical abuses, and make promises on Bhramam, these people are self-destroyed and ruin the virtuous as well. Whoever speaks ill about Veda would take several births and undergo various hellish tortures.24) The people from the lowly clans, engaged in various heinous deeds like crushing seeds for oil, potter, Kiratha, Kola, etc. after losing their wives adopt Sanyasa and claim to worship by the twice-born, these kinds of people would bring grief in Ihaloka and Paraloka as well.  25) The twice-born would be interested in material welfare, worldly matters, illiterate, lustful, undisciplined, dull-minded, get married to the infamous woman of Shudra clan. 26) The Shudras engages in the pious deeds, Japa, Tapa, Vratha, and take a seat on the raised platforms to recite the scriptures.  27)The people in the Kaliera perform deeds as they feel good and comfortable, follow various traditions. Oh! Pakshiraja, I cannot describe those atrocities in words.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “ Oh! Harivahana, 28) In the Kali era there will be Jathisangara/inter-caste marriages to a great extend, everyone breaks the code of conduct and living, and accumulate sins, therefore, Dhukha/grief, Bhayam/fear, Vyadhi/illnesses, Shoka/depression, Viyoga/pain of separation, will be their permanent companions, 29) people will be soaked in material matters, and bondage, leave all the Vedic way of living, will not have Virakthi or Viveka or devotion to Lord Hari, follow their own way of traditions.  30)The Sannyasins will not have a sense of Virakthi, fill their homes with all the modern amenities and take comfort in it, therefore fall prey for material matters, Oh! Garuda,  31)Thapasvi get wealthier and the Grihasthas will become poor, the abnormal living of the Kali era is endless. 32)The men abandon their beautiful and virtuous wife for a callous woman as their partner and leave all the Sadhacharas.  33) The men love and respect their parents until they get married, eventually, they get new relations with the wedded wife and forget their parents and siblings, and treat them as enemies. 34) The Kings will not follow righteousness, they engage in sinful deeds, they take pleasure cruelty to the people, and the innocent get grilled. 35) The wealthiest achieve respect in the society, the twice-born recognize with their sacred thread across the chest, and Thapasvi will be recognized with their naked bodies.  36)The people who discard Veda and sacred scriptures will be known as Sadhu and devotee of Srihari, there will be endless poets, but very less will get recognition. 37) There will be several people to point out one’s mistake and criticize, there will no virtuous. 38) The Kali era will be troubled with repeated natural calamities, famine and epidemics, and poverty would kill a huge number of people.