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1-Brahm Puraan2-Padm Puraan3-Vishnu Puraan4-Shiv Puraan5-Bhaagvat Puraan,
6-Naarad Puraan7-Maarkandeya Puraan8-Agni Puraan9-Bhavishya Puraan,
10-Brahm Vaivart Puraan11-Ling Puraan12-Varaah Puraan13-Skand Puraan,
14-Vaaman Puraan15-Koorm Puraan16-Matsya Puraan17-Garud Puraan18-Brahmaand Puraan

 

5-Uttar Khand

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11-Vishnu

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11-Vishnu
2-Padm Puraan, 5-Uttar Khand, p 735-745

This Khand covers the pages 610-1001 (390 pages) of the book. Importance of Badaree Naath; Gangaa; Tulasee, Shaaligraam, Prayaag Teerth, various kinds of Daan (charities); about Shani Dev; various Vrat; Ekaadashee of all months; worship of Yam Raaj and Dwaadashee Vrat; Vishnu Sahastranaam; story of devotee Pundareek; importance of Vishnu and various flowers to use in His worship; Shankhaasur, Kaartik and Maagh Snaan and Vrat; Narasinh Chaturdashee; Geetaa; Bhaagvat Kathaa; Avataar stories - Matsya, Koorm, Narasinh, Vaaman, Parashuraam, Raam, and Krishn.


Importance of Vishnu

Paarvatee Jee said - "I wish to hear about Vishnu more." Mahaadev Jee said - "Devee, Devavrat who was invincible even for Devtaa, was lying in Kurukshetra field. King Yudhishthir greeted him and asked him - "Pitaamaha, Some people tell that Dharm is the highest and some tell the wealth is the highest. Some praise for Daan, and some praise for collection. Some people support Saankhya, while others support Yog. Some consider Gyaan highest, while others consider Vairaagya the highest. Some think that Yam and Niyam are the highest, some tell kindness is the greatest quality, while some tell Dev worship is the highest. Most people cannot decide what is good for them. Whichever is the best among all, please tell me about it."

Bheeshm Jee said - "This is a very deep subject which gives Moksh (freedom) from the bondage of this world. There was a very good Braahman, named Pundareek. He was a Brahmchaaree and always obeyed elderly people. He served his parents and subsisted on Bhikshaa (alms). Once he thought that he should attain Moksh, so abandoned everything and wandered around many Teerth. Once he came to Shaalgraam Teerth. He built his Aashram there and lived there for a long time. He ate only leaves, fruits and roots. Once Naarad Jee came to see him, so he welcomed him and thought, "Who is this?" Thinking thus he asked him - "Who are you, and where have you come from? Tell me what can I do for you?"

Naarad Jee said - "I am Naarad. I have come here just to see you. I am the servant of Vishnu." Pundareek said - "I am blessed to see you, my parents are also blessed. I am your servant, please discourse me on my duties." Naarad Jee said - "Most people are both happy and sad. Nobody is neither only happy, nor only sad. People say that this Universe is momentary; some others say that it is born from A-Vyakt (God) and then again is absorbed in A-Vyakt. Some analyze Tattwa and say that Soul is many, eternal and is known to everybody; other have concluded that number of soul is as many as the number of bodies. According to this opinion, soul exists in elephant, insect and even in this big Egg (Brahmaand). Some say that whatever this world is today, it will be in future also, who is its doer? In others opinion, nothing else exists except whatever thing is seen. Some consider this world without the existence of Bhagavaan while others consider that Bhagavaan is there. All talk with different opinions.

Now I tell you the real thing based on logic. This Paramaarth Gyaan is the destroyer of bondage to this world. Devtaa to human beings, all consider it standard, but who are deluded with A-Gyaan (ignorance), they do not accept the future and past as standard. They consider only present as standard; but Muni, besides present and guess work, have considered that future also as standard which has been continuing for a long time in one form. In reality, only such thing should be regarded as a standard as the means of attaining Paramaarth. Hey Pundareek, Whichever Tattwa Brahmaa Jee told me in the past, I tell you the same now. Once Brahmaa Jee was in his Brahm Lok, that I greeted him and asked - "Brahman, Which Gyaan is the best? Which Yog is the best? Please tell me." Brahmaa Jee said - "Listen, There is no problem in following it. That Paramaatmaa who is beyond 24 Tattwa (5 Gyaan Indriyaan, 5 Karm Indriyaan, 5 subjects of Indriya, 5 Bhoot, mind, Ahankaar, Mahat Tattwa and Prakriti), is called Panchvinshak (the 25th one). He has three manifestations - Brahmaa, Vishnu and Shiv. All the three are the same, so whoever wants his good, he should worship Him only."

Naarad Jee further said - "Now I tell you another story. This was also told by Brahmaa Jee to Indra etc Devtaa in olden times. Brahmaa Jee said - "Bhagavaan Naaraayan is the only resting place for everything. Who is always busy in His worship, meditation, pronouncing His name, only he knows this Paramaarth." So Hey Pundareek, You also be busy in worshipping Naaraayan. What is the use of many Mantra, only "Aum Namo Naaraayanaaya" Mantra is enough. King Kshatrabandhu, who always used to kill living beings, got Param Dhaam of Vishnu by worshipping Him only. King Ambareesh did severe Tap and got Darshan of Purushottam. King Bharat also attained Moksh. Whether one is Brahmchaaree, Grihasth, Vaanprasthee or Sanyaasee, he cannot attain Param Gati without worshipping Keshav. After taking birth thousands of times, when one thinks that "I am the servant of Vishnu's Bhakt", then only he can attain all Paramaarth."

Bheeshm Jee said - "Saying thus Naarad Jee got disappeared and Pundareek started doing Jaap of "Aum Namo Naaraanaaya" Mantra. After a while he attained Vaishnavee Siddhi. Wild animals did not harm him. His atmosphere became very clean and favorable. One day Jagannaath appeared before him. Pundareek prayed Him and after the prayer, he continued to look at Him. Vishnu said - "Pundareek, I am very pleased with you, ask for anything." Pundareek said - "I am a very low-minded person. Give me whatever is good for me." Vishnu got very happy to hear this, and said - "Then come with me and live always with me." He lifted Pundareek, made him sit on Garud, and went to His Param Dhaam. That is why Hey Yudhishthir, You also start doing Bhakti of Vishnu. Whatever pleases Vishnu, do the same. Who has pronounced "Hari", means that he is ready to attain Moksh."

Gangaa, Vaishnav, and Worship of Vishnu's Idol

Paarvatee Jee said - "I wish to listen Gangaa's importance again." Mahaadev Jee said - "When Bheeshm Jee was lying on the bed of arrows, many Rishi Muni - Atri, Vashishth, Bhrigu, Pulastya, Kratu, Angiraa, Gautam etc, came to see him. Yudhishthir was also present there with his brothers. He asked Bheeshm - "Pitaamaha, Which country, which Parvat, and which Aashram are good for a religious man?" Bheeshm Jee said - "I tell you an old story in this regard. There was a Braahman who used to subsist upon Unchchh Vritti, once he met a Siddh. As the Siddh came to his house, the Braahman welcomed him and asked "Which country, Parvat and Aashram are sacred?"

Siddh said - "Wherever Gangaa flows through, only the same country, same Parvat and the same Aashram are sacred. One cannot attain that Gati which is attained by taking bath in Gangaa water, even by Tapasyaa, by Brahmcharya, Yagya or any sacrifice. The man who takes a dip in Gangaa is much greater than who does 1,000 Chaandraayan Vrat standing on one foot. Because who pronounces the name of Gangaa even from 100 Yojan far place, he goes to Vishnu Lok being free from all sins." Bheeshm Jee said - "Knowing thus one should always take bath in Gangaa River."

Paarvatee Jee asked - "Dev, What are the characteristics of a Vaishnav?" Mahaadev Jee said - "Vishnu's Bhakt is Vishnu's property, that is why he is called Vaishnav. Whoever is clean, speaks truth, forgives everybody, is beyond attachment and jealousy, knows Ved, always welcomes A-Tithi, and serves his parents, he is called Vaishnav. Whoever Dwij worship 4-armed Gopaal's idol, they earn lots of Punya. Who worship Krishn's stone idol, they also earn lots of Punya. Good Dwij should make an idol of Vishnu, whether it is of gold, silver, copper, or brass, which has four arms; two eyes; Shankh, Chakra, Gadaa and Padm in its four hands; yellow clothes on its body; flower garland in its neck; crown on its head and Kaustubh Mani on its heart. The idol should be heavy and glorious. It should be established by Mantra and then one should start worshipping it."

 

 

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Updated on 05/12/13