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SPECIAL FEATURE JULY 19, 2024 | The Indian Eye 16

Spiritual Discourses:

A Means to Liberation

indu scriptures proclaim the necessity of
acquiring spiritual knowledge to facilitate
Hone’s spiritual journey. In Vedic times, the
guru imparted such divinely revealed knowledge
orally to his disciples. Disciples would also ask
questions to seek clarification on what the guru had
said and on other matters.
KING PARISHIT
n the previous article, we learned about the sto-
ry of Dhundhukari, who was relieved of all his
Isins and led to liberation. Another such incident
is that of King Parikshit, the grandson of Arjun. He
was a devout and just king. Once, Parikshit was
traveling through the jungle when he became sepa-
rated from his entourage. Tired and thirsty, he en-
tered the ashram of Shamik Rishi. Parikshit bowed
respectfully to the sage several times and requested
water, but the rishi was so engrossed in meditation
that he was oblivious to his surroundings. Piqued KATHA CLEANSES
by the rishi’s indifference, Parikshit thought that he ften, people claim they do not attend katha
should be taught a lesson. So, Parikshit picked up because they understand little and remem-
a dead snake and placed it around the rishi’s neck. Ober even less. However, the following story
Still, the rishi was unmoved, and Parikshit departed.
illustrates the indispensable value of listening to
katha. Once, a devotee told his guru that he could
THE EFFECT OF KATHA not remember any discourses and saw no benefit
in listening. The guru gave him a straw basket, in-
piritual discourses provide sublime wisdom structing him to fill it with water from the nearby
which helps individuals to understand that well and bring it back. The devotee eagerly fetched
Smundane life is perishable and the body is the water, but by the time he returned, it had all
a medium for the soul to attain God. When such drained away. After several futile attempts, the
knowledge is fully understood and applied in daily devotee complained about the impracticality of us-
life, it is a source of inner peace and joy. ing such a leaky vessel. The guru then pointed out,
King Janak ruled the kingdom of Mithila with “Although you couldn’t bring any water, do you no-
great skill and sincerity. Yet, he personally per- tice any change in the basket?” The devotee noted
formed daily worship rituals and was always pres- that it was initially coated with cow dung but was
ent for the daily katha by his guru, Ashtavakra. now clean. The guru explained, “This is precisely
Once, the king had to attend to some urgent duties what katha does. Even if you cannot retain the dis-
and was delayed in reaching the katha. Everyone courses, the mere act of listening cleanses you, just
else was present on time, yet the guru waited for as the water cleansed the basket.”
Later, the rishi’s son, Shringi, returned to the king and did not start the katha. This ruffled Bhagwan Swaminarayan states in Vachanam-
the ashram and saw the snake around his father’s the other sages and mahatmas, and they protested rut Gadhada III 24, “One develops an aversion for
neck. He learned that King Parikshit had insulted to the rishi to begin. But he refused to start un- the world in proportion to the attachment one has
his father in this way. So, Shringi cursed that the til Janak arrived. When, finally, Janak did arrive, for listening to discourses related to God; more-
king would die of a snake bite in seven days. Ashtavakra Rishi began by questioning all to re- over, vicious natures such as lust, anger, and avarice
King Parikshit heard of the curse and accepted count the previous kathas. Nobody except King are also destroyed to that extent. Conversely, if one
it as his fate. He instated his son, Janmajeya, as the Janak could do so. It was then that the complain- is lazy in listening to these talks, it suggests a lack
king and spent the next seven days listening to the ing mahatmas realized that out of them all, King of noble virtues. Indeed, among the nine types of
glory of God in the form of the Shrimad Bhaga- Janak was the true listener of the katha, and wait- bhakti mentioned in the shastras, the bhakti of lis-
vat from Shukdev. Through these discourses, King ing for him to arrive was justified. tening to spiritual discourses is considered the best.”
Parikshit overcame the fear of death and became Not only did King Janak listen attentively, but Therefore, the key to true spiritual enlighten-
enlightened with spiritual wisdom. On the seventh he imbibed the teachings in his life. He ruled with ment lies in listening to katha, contemplating the
day, Takshaka, the snake, bit the king and caused efficiency, integrity, and commitment for the good talks, and adjusting one’s efforts accordingly.
his demise. The king had attained spiritual wisdom of his people, but he remained detached from all his
and was liberated. So, listening to katha removes possessions. This is the supreme effect that katha Amrutvijaydas Swami
all fears and grants enlightenment. can have if one listens with the right intention. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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