Characteristics of Shrotas (listeners) and rules to be observed.
Characteristics of Shrotas (listeners) and rules to be observed.
The Narayan said:-
Tamoguni Listener:
He who has no faith in the story of God, has no devotion in his heart, who is greedy, a fault-finder, who indulges in sophistry, who is full of jealousy, is not generous enough to give donation on an auspicious day and on the last day of Bhagavata-katha to the Preacher and who asks too many questions-such a listener is called as Tamoguni listener, who is the lowest type. 1 - 2
Rajoguni Listener:
Although faithless, he who listens to the story of God in the course of conversation, gives ten gold coins in place of hundred and exhibits his own goodness. 3
He who is hypocritical, jealous, proud and is not steady, pleased at one moment – displeased at another moment, such a listener is called as Rajoguni Listener, who is the middle type. 4
Sattvaguni Listener:
Leaving aside all the works, he who always listens politely to the Puran, with faith and devotion in his mind, he who always worships the preacher and at times gives proper donations to him, who honors all the listeners, who is non-jealous, hopes for deep love towards God, who listens to the story of God with concentration is regarded as Sattvik Listener, who is the best type. 5 - 7
The listener having the signs of the best type, should worship the holy book and the preacher according to the tradition and then listen to the story of God, i.e. Bhagavata-katha. 8
He should not have a bare head, should spread his legs, should not change his place every now and then, should not eat betel nut etc. He should be pious, control his speech and listen to the narration by the preacher. 9
He should sit in the position of Veerasan, should not look here and there, should not indulge in mutual chatting. Thus his mind will be concentrated. 10
If at all he has any doubt, he should ask the preacher politely (i.e. slightly bending his torso). The listener should not do movements of hands and legs, in the assembly. 11
He should observe celibacy and other rules, should have control over his senses and should, according to his capacity, offer monetary gifts to the Preacher. 12
‘O King, at the end of each and every Skanda, hundred Brahmins should be given feast and monetary gifts according to his own capacity. 13
The economically-weak should provide feast to hundred Brahmins at the end of the whole Puran (not at the end of each Skanda). They should please the Brahmins with desired food and monetary gifts. 14
‘On the first day of narration, he should worship Lord Ganesh first. Then he should select a Brahmin for the purpose of reiteration of the Gayatri mantra. 15
The selected Brahmin should mutter the Gayatri mantra three thousand times every day, during the period of Bhagavata-katha narration. Similarly, another group of five Brahmins and five Vaishnavas should recite the mantra consisting of twelve syllables, five thousand times every day, with a firm vow for the pleasure of Vasudev. 16 - 17.
Food, clothes and monetary gifts should also be given to them at the end One should offer monetary gifts according to his ability to other listeners as well as Brahmins. 18
Rules of Diet:
Consuming less food is preferable for the listener to have control over urine and bowel movements. ‘O king, so the listener should only take the food fit for fast, that too, only once a day. 19
The listener should observe fasting for seven days. The weak (listeners) can eat fruits and drink milk. 20
He should eat salt-less food or take food once a day, so that his purpose of listening to the narration becomes easy. 21
If eating food helps listening to the story, it is preferable to fasting which may cause hindrance in listening to the story (i.e. Bhagavata-katha). 22
If a fixed idol of Vishnu is not available, then a processional idol should be installed in front of the preacher on the first day and subsequently for the rest of the days 23
Golden idol of Vishnu should be made, installed and worshipped there for all the seven days. 24
At the end of the week, that idol should be donated to a Brahmin along with a monetary gift. He, who is unable to do this, should do it according to his capacity. 25
The narration of the story should start in the morning. Rest should be taken for two hours at noon. 26
When the preacher is taking rest, the listeners should continue uttering the name of Vishnu (i.e. Nama-Samkirtan), the husband of Rukmini. 27
At the end of preaching of Bhagavata-katha, Bhagavad Gita, revealed to the world by Lord Krishna, should be heard along with its meaning. It will fulfill all your desires. 28
Procedure of donation to be received by the preacher.
On the last day, a grand worship should be arranged according to one’s own capacity. All the listeners should worship the preacher in a proper way. 29
New silk clothes, ornaments, bracelets etc. and one thousand gold coins should be given as monetary gift. 30
Those who are unable to give one thousand gold coins should give one hundred and eight coins, and those who are unable to afford that should give whatever they can. 31
Others also should, according to their capacity, give clothes ornaments and monetary gifts. He who is completely unable to afford them, should give some useful article. 32
The listeners having less money to dispense with should give separately gold or silver weighing one ‘Masha’. 33
The chief of the listeners then should give a golden lion weighing a ‘Pala’ after worshipping the preacher and utter the following mantra: 34
‘By the effect of this gift of a gold lion, I should be exempt from being killed by murderers in the forests, jungles, forts or on the road full of thieves and serpents. 35
For removing bad company and the possibility of untimely death, King Parikshit donated a golden lion in those days. 36
Lion is the king of animals with horns and powerful jaws, hence those donating golden lion, are not affected by deterioration caused by untimely death etc. 37
A milk-yielding cow should be gifted and then he (the listener) should perform sacrifice by one-tenth the quantum of muttering the Gayatri mantra. 38
The man then should offer oblation of wealth, Payasa, ghee and then with utterance of three Dravyas, he should offer sesame, rice etc. according to rites. 39
If there is no favorable condition for oblations, then the listener should pay the price of the oblation. Thus, he will definitely obtain the complete reward of that sacrifice. 40
These are the special rules in relation to listening of the Bhagavata-katha. There are some other common rules too, which ‘O King, you should know. 41
‘O King! Those who listen to the story of Bhagavata, keeping in mind all the rules previously explained, obtain the desired fruits as told before, in this world as well as in the other world. 42
Thus ends the sixth chapter entitled ‘Explanation of Characteristics of Listener’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct) . 6