OHM

Srimad Bhagavatam-The Ten Lakshanas(Parametres)

(mprnair)
As we know, the most important subjects in Srimad Bhagavatam are Bhakti,
Jnanam and Vairagyam. So, in every Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, there are
beautiful stories and various kinds of descriptions of the harmonious confluence
(samjjasa sammelanam) of these three inevitable spiritual factors, like the
Thrivenee Sangamam. It makes Srimad Bhagavatam, a Veda Sara Savvaswam. Who
is telling these stories? The ever young and greatest Pramahamsa, Sree Sukadeva,
who sees Brahman alike, in men and women and who is the son of Maha Muni
Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Bhagvan, who wrote Srimad Bhagavatam (The
Krishnappazham). Who is the listener? The King of Kuru Dynasty, Raja Pareekshit,
the grandson of the strongest warrior Arjuna, one among the Great Pandavas, the
intimate friends and relatives of Lord Sree Krishna. (aananda labddhikkini
enthuvenam)-What else, do you want further, for enjoying Paramanandam?
By the causeless mercy our Madhuree Sakhee Sameta, Premika Varada
Takkurji, and by the lavish compassion of our beloved Guru Maharaj, today we have
reached the Ashtama Skanda of Srimad Bhagvatam. Our Vedas, Epics and Purans
and all, give much divine importance to Number Eight. Ashta Lakshmy,
Ashtaiswarya, Ashta dikpalas, Ashtanga Yoga, Ashta choornam, and the like.
Ashtama Skandam in Srimad Bhagvatam is also very important, because the
detailed description of various Manwantharas and the Avataras of Bhagvan
differently in each Manwanthara and the beautiful stories, connected to each
Avathara, are the most important subjects in this 8th Canto, of course all couched in
Bhakti, along with Jnanam and Varagyam. Bhakthya Bhagavatam Jneyam,.
Bhagavatam is considered as the Crest Jewel of Bhakthi Mahathmya. It helps us
ensnare easily the eternal free soul.
Since Manwanthra Varnanam is the main topic in the 8th Canto, it comes
under the 6th Lakshana (Parameter), namely Manwanthram (same name of the
subject of the Canto itself), of the 10 lakshanas, of this Maha Puranam, Srmad
Bhagvatam. 8th Canto is also known by the name Saddharmma Niroopanam or
going deep into the study of Saddharmma. The name came so, because, it totally
annihilates all the Durvasanas of the people who just hear them. The Manus
transformed people to Shudha Antakkaranas, by keenly observing, most suitable
Dharmas by themselves, and also made the people to follow Saddharmma
Anushtanas in the most appropriate way in their life.
{In this context, It is good, at least to remember the names of the 10 lakshnas or
characteristics, of the Maha Purana, Srimad Bhagavatam}:
1.
Sarga (Cosmogony)(Creation from Mahat Tatva to Virad Purusha). Also,
there is description of Jagaduthppathy.
2.
Visarga (Cosmogony)(Subsequent creation of various beings by Lord
Brahmaji), after Pralayam.

3.
Sthana or Sthithi (the activities of the Lord for the maintenance of
everything).
4.
Poshana (Bhagavans granting protection to Devotees who take shelter in
Him).Also aimed at Jagadabhivrudhi, prosperity for the whole Jagat.
5.
Uthi or Uuthaya (Karmic tendencies in latent active formsor Latent Karma
vasanas and their consequent results).
6.
Manwanthara (Cosmology, Genealogy and Chronology) (Origin and History of
Manus, and description of their dynasties in the order).
7.
Ieesanukatha ( Description of Soorya and Chandra Vamsas, Lord Sree Haris
various Avatharaas or Incarnations, His tons of Leelas, supplemented by the account
of His Devotees and their deeds).
8.
Nirodha (at the time of cosmic dissolution (Pralayam), when Vishnu resorts to
Yoganidra, all jeevas, trying to get Aathma Jnana, retaining their bodies and
tendencies in germinal condition, without any speck of ahamkara or ego, become
dissolved in Bhagavan. It is Nirodha).
9.
Mukthi (Jeevas abidance in his pristine state of abandoning all
entanglements.---Yatnas-efforts- for attaining Kaivalym or Moksham), and
10.
Aasrayam(Efforts for the ultimate aim of experiencing God, through
SharanagathyTotal surrender-utter consecration, reaching the stage of Brahama
Nirvana for Jeevanmukthas. Only that completes the full circle of life.as Robert
Browning says ..on the earth, a broken arc, in the heaven, a complete ring..That
is the end of all Bhava dukkhas.)These Lakshanas or Parameters or Characteristics
1 to 10, are dealt with in Cantos 3 to 12, respectively.
There is a Dasa Lakshna Slokam:
Athra Sargo Visargascha, Sthanam Poshanamoodaya, Manwanthareeshanukatha,
Nirodho Mukthirasraya.
According to Canto 8, Gajendra Moksham took place during the period
of the 4th Manu; Palazhi Matthanam, (Ksheera sagara matthanam) at the time of
the 6th Manu; Vamanavatharam or Mahabali Charitham is in the present time of the
7th Manu. The last one is Malsyavatharam, proving that nothing is impossible,
including those things, one cannot even dream of, if we have enough blessings of
Lord Sri Hari.

Subham