Lord Vishnu said, "My dear
Lakshmi, you have heard from Me the glories of the First Chapter of
Bhagavad-gita Now please listen carefully, as I tell you the
glories of the Second Chapter.
Once
in the South in the town of Pandharpur, a very learned brahmana
by the name of Devashyama lived. He was able to perform all kinds of
fire sacrifices. He also knew the importance of receiving guest. And
by his activities he managed to satisfy all the demigods. But
he was not happy and peaceful in his heart and mind. He had the desire
to attain knowledge of the soul's relationship with the Supersoul,
Paramatma, and towards this end he would invite many yogis and
tapasvis, and render all kinds of service to them and inquire from them
about the Absolute Truth. In this way he passed many years of his life.
One
day, while he was walking, he saw one yogi in front of him, sitting
cross-legged with his eyes fixed on the tip of his nose, totally
absorbed in meditation. Devashyama could perceive that this yogi
was completely peaceful, and without any material desires.
Devashyama,
with the greatest respect and reverence, fell at the feet of
that yogi, and inquired from him, how he could attain complete peace
of mind. At that time, that yogi, who had complete knowledge of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, advised Devashyama
to go to the village of Sowpur and meet one Mitravan; who was a
goat-herder by profession, and take instructions in the science
of God-realization from him. After hearing this, Devashyama again and
again offered his respectful obeisances at the feet of that yogi and
immediately left for Sowpur. When he arrived there he found on the
northern side, one beautiful forest where he was informed that Mitravan
lived. When he entered that forest, he saw on the bank of a
small river, Mitravan seated on top of some rocks.
Mitravan
looked very beautiful and totally peaceful. In that forest the wind was
blowing very gently and a beautiful aroma was emanating from every
direction. The goats were peacefully moving here and there, totally
unafraid. Some were seen to be sitting next to tigers and other
ferocious animals very peacefully.
When
Devashyama saw this scene, his mind became very peaceful, and he
respectfully approached Mitravan and sat close to him. Mitravan appeared
to be fully absorbed in his meditation. After some time Devashyama
inquired from him, how he would be able to attain devotion to Lord
Krishna. When Mitravan heard this question, for a moment he was
lost in deep thought. Then he replied, "My dear learned Devashyama, once
long ago, I was in the forest looking after the goats, when a very
ferocious tiger attacked. At that time all the goats ran here and
there to save themselves. I also ran off, due to fear of that tiger.
From some distance I looked back and saw that that tiger on the bank of
this river encountered one of my goats. At that time a strange and
wonderful thing happened. That tiger lost all his anger and desire to
eat my goat. Thereupon, my goat inquired from that tiger, "You have
attained your food, so why are you not eating the meat of my body? You
should immediately kill me, and with great relish eat up my
flesh. Why are you hesitating?"
That
tiger said, "My dear goat, since I have come to this place, all anger
has left me, and I have no hunger or thirst". The goat said, "I also do
not know why I am feeling so fearless and peaceful. What can be the
reason for this? If you know, then kindly inform me".
The
tiger replied, "I also do not know. Let us inquire from that person"
When I saw this change take place in the activities of that tiger and
goat, I become very much astonished.
At
that time they both approached me, and inquired as to the
reason. I noticed that a monkey was sitting on the branch of a
nearby tree. I went along with the two of them and inquired from that
monkey-king. That monkey replied to our question with great respect.
"Listen, I will tell you, it is a very old story. In that forest, just
in front of you, there is a very large temple in which Lord Brahma
installed a Shivalinga. Long ago, a learned sage of the name Sukama,
who had performed many austerities, lived there. Daily he would bring
flowers from the forest and water from the river, and worship
Lord Shiva.
In this way he
was living here for many years, when one day one sage arrived. At
that time, Sukama brought fruits and water and fed that sage.
After the sage had eaten and rested, Sukama spoke to him. "Oh
learned one, only for the reason of obtaining knowledge of Lord
Krishna, am I living here, performing austerities and worship. But the
results of my austerities have been attained today by coming in contact
with you."
When the sage heard
the words of Sukama, which were full of submission, he became
greatly pleased. And he wrote on one piece of stone the
Second Chapter Srimad
Bhagavad-gita.
He then instructed Sukama to daily read those verses. "By so doing, you
will quickly attain your goal." After having spoken thus, that sage
disappeared from that place while Sukama was looking on. After that,
following the instructions of that sage, Sukama recited those
verses daily for the rest of his life. Very quickly he
attained complete knowledge of Lord Krishna. And from the day he started
reciting those verses, he felt no more thirst or hunger.
And
due to this austerities and devotion, at this place, any one who visits
here does not, feel the pangs of hunger and thirst, and immediately
attains complete peace."
Mitravan
said, "My dear Devashyama, after the monkey had finished
telling us that wonderful story, I along with the tiger and
goat went to that temple. We found there written on a piece of
stone the Second Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. And I started to
recite those verses daily. In this way, we were able to attain
very quickly devotion to Lord Krishna. My dear brahmana, if you
also start reciting the verses of the Second Chapter of Srimad
Bhagavad-gita, you will very quickly attain the mercy of Lord
Krishna."
Lord Vishnu said, "My
dear Lakshmi, in this way Devashyama attained knowledge from Mitravan
and after worshipping that great soul, he returned to
Pandharpur and daily recited that Second Chapter. And whoever visited
Pandharpur, Devashyama would first recite before him the Second
Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. In this way Devashsyama attained the
lotus feet of Lord Krishna.
My dear Lakshmi these are the glories of the Second Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita.
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