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SPECIAL FEATURE JULY 12, 2024 | The Indian Eye 16

Spiritual Discourses:

A Means to Liberation

indu scriptures proclaim the behavior caused Atmadev much de-
necessity of acquiring spiritual spair and distress. And when he scolded
Hknowledge to facilitate one’s him for his indiscipline, Dhundhukari
spiritual journey. In Vedic times, the would beat Atmadev. Atmadev pleaded
guru imparted such divinely revealed to Gokarna to save him from his son’s
knowledge orally to his disciples. Dis- beatings. But the enlightened Gokarna
ciples would also ask questions to seek asked, “Who is who’s son?” And then
clarification on what the guru had said he explained the perishable nature of
and on other matters. life and that affection for and attach-
These divine revelations and oral ment to worldly relations are futile. He
interactions were the source material told Atmadev to focus on God, who
for the foundational Hindu shastras, would fulfill all his wishes. Atmadev
which have been recited and elaborated realized his ignorance was the cause of
upon for millennia to provide spiritual his misery, and after detaching from his
guidance to all Hindus. The shastras worldly life, he retreated to the forest to
are the basis of Hindu doctrines and worship. There, he soon passed away.
recount the stories of God, his avatars, In Atmadev’s absence, Dhundhu-
and devotees. Among the more well- kari killed his mother out of greed to
known and widely accessed shastras inherit her wealth. He continued his im-
are the Mahabharat (which includes moral existence, and the vulgar women
the Bhagavad Gita), Ramayan and he associated with soon killed him and
Shrimad Bhagvat. Narration and com- escaped with all his moveable assets. Due
mentaries on these and other shastras to his sins, Dhundhukari became a ghost.
is commonly referred to as katha – spir- Before his brother’s death, Gokar-
itual discourses. na had left for a pilgrimage. When he
Katha takes many forms and lasts reached Gaya, he learned of Dhund-
for varying durations—from a few min- hukari’s demise and performed shrad-
utes to many days. However, genuine dha rituals on his behalf. However, that
spiritual seekers must listen to katha night, Dhundhukari, as a ghost, ap-
daily to maintain constant vigilance and proached Gokarna and pleaded for help
progress on the spiritual path. Katha to secure his liberation from his sins.
can free one from all material bondage Gokarna arranged for a seven-day
and lead one to liberation. This glory of recital of the Shrimad Bhagvat and in-
the effect of katha is described in the vited many people. Dhundhukari’s soul
Shrimad Bhagvat through the true sto- entered the hollow of a bamboo shoot,
ries of Dhundhukari and King Parikshit. from where he listened to the scrip-
THE STORY OF DHUNDHUKARI tural recital with great attention and
affection. At the conclusion of the re-
A rishi gave him a special fruit and course, the sister gave birth to a boy cital, messengers from Bhagwan Vish-
pious and wealthy Brahmin
nu came in a celestial chariot to take
named Atmadev lived on the
banks of the River Tungabhadra.
His wife, Dhundhuli, however, was full told him to give it to his wife to whom she handed over to Dhund- Dhundhukari to Vaikunth. Gokarna
and others questioned why they, too,
huli, explaining to others that her
eat. Atmadev was delighted and
of materialistic desires. Yet, Atmadev rushed home. child had died prematurely. This did not attain liberation since they had
was happy in all respects, except that he However, Dhundhuli was not boy was named Dhundhukari. At also listened to the discourses. The
had no children and desperately craved keen on having children since that the same time, the cow also gave messengers revealed that none had lis-
for a son. would interfere with her carefree birth to a human with cow-like tened with the attention and faith that
One day, in the forest, he met a ri- Dhundhukari had, and none had intro-
shi and expressed his desire for a child enjoyment of life. Pressured by ears. He was named Gokarna. It spected on the content of the discourses
Atmadev, she took the fruit but
was then that Atmadev found out
to him. The rishi revealed to Atmadev did not eat it. She discussed the about the plot. like him. So, this story of the wayward
that he will have no children in his next situation with her sister, who had Dhundhukari grew up to be Dhundhukari reveals that listening in-
seven lives. And that not everyone with just become pregnant. Her sister ill-natured, indulgent and impet- tently and sincerely to katha can relieve
children is happy. He told Atmadev agreed to give her child to Dhund- uous, while Gokarna was pious, one of all sins and lead to liberation. To
that he would be subject to immense huli in return for some property. polite and prudent. Dhundhukari be continued in the next article with the
suffering if he were to have a son. Ac- So, Dhundhuli fed the fruit to one spent much of his time flirting with story of King Parikshith.
cepting the rishi’s words but unable to of their cows and made a physical women and was constantly under Amrutvijaydas Swami
overcome his deep longing, Atmadev show of being pregnant. In due the influence of intoxicants. His
insisted that the rishi bless him. So, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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