Procedure of donation of Bhagavata Puran.
Procedure of donation of Bhagavata Puran.
Shri Narayan Muni said:-
Hereafter I will explain to you, the manner of gift-giving, which will give desired fruits in this world, to the donor. 1
The full-moon-day of the month of Bhadrapad is described as the best time for gift-giving. Besides this, the whole month of Bhadrapad and the days of listening to the story of Bhagavata also are the best time for gift-giving. 2
In the beginning, he (the listener) should write the contents of Bhagavata on a good quality paper, with clear letters and distinct lines. 3
The new book should be examined, bound with a new, strong cover, and should be maintained well. I will now tell you the characteristics of the Bhagavata. 4
Characteristics of Bhagavata, the sacred treatise.
That book is Bhagavata, the beginning of which contains the Vedanta-Sutras and that part of Gayatri-Mantra, which explains the nature of the Supreme Spirit. 5
The destruction of the demon Vritra is described in it in detail. It (The Bhagavata) is narrated by Shukamuni. 6
It contains eighteen thousand verses and auspicious stories of Brahma, Varaha and Padma kalpas. 7
At the beginning, in the middle and at the end , it (the Bhagavata) is consistent with stories recommending nonattachment to worldly pleasures. It pleases the good people and the Gods with the nectar of multitudes of sport-stories (lilas) of Vishnu. 8
‘O King! On the day of gift-giving, keep place the Bhagavata book on the golden throne, as it speaks only about Vasudev. 9
In olden days, King Parikshit prepared a big golden throne studded with precious jewels, for placing the book on it. 10
Revered Shukamuni placed the holy book Bhagavata on that throne. Then he read it and on the seventh day, he went to Shvetadveepa. 11
When that greedless, desireless Shukamuni went away from there, the king worshipped the holy book Bhagavata placed on that golden throne. 12
The king then gave it (i.e. the Bhagavata book) to Kripacharya. He also gave him one lakh gold coins as a monetary gift before leaving for Vaikuntha. 13
He who is unable to offer this (as Pariksit did), should make a beautiful golden throne according to his capacity (for the Bhagavata book). 14
Those who cannot afford the golden throne should make a golden leaf weighing three Pala and place the book on it. 15
He who has little wealth should make a golden leaf of half Pala weight. He should imprint the image of a lion on the leaf and place the book over it.16
Then with the help of the previously uttered mantras, accompanied with songs and musical instruments, he should worship the holy book Bhagavata with due formalities. 17
After that, he should worship the Brahmin who has control over his senses, has deep faith in Bhagavata, and is a devotee of Vishnu., Give him new silk clothes and ornaments of gold and pearls, sandal paste, flowers and garlands. At the end, he should salute the Brahmin. 18-19
The donor should sit facing the east and the receiver should sit facing the north. Then with determination (Samkalpa) he should give the Bhagavata book, muttering these Mantras. 20
This gift may destroy all the sins accumulated over many previous births caused due to the break in the devotion towards Krishna. 21
I give this sacred book Bhagavata, which is celestial and comparable to Vedas, to the great Brahmin. May God Vasudev be pleased with me. 22
May there be no separation between Lord Krishna and me and the saints and me. Pleased with this donation, Shri Hari should fulfill all my desires. 23
Saying this and giving the book, he then should give one hundred gold or silver coins as monetary gift. 24
He who is unable should give eighteen gold coins and eighteen silver coins. After that, proportionate to the gift given, he should offer a feast to the Brahmin. 25
Fruit of gift-giving.
He who donates the holy book of Bhagavata in this manner, goes to Vaikuntha in a luminous aero plane. 26
There he enjoys all the pleasures desired by the mind. Due to the grace of Lord Krishna, nothing remains unavailable to him. 27
He, who has no son, begets a son. He who has no wealth, begets wealth. By giving the gift of the holy book Bhagavata, students beget knowledge. 28
O King! Thus I have explained to you, the procedure of giving the donation of the holy Bhagavata as described in the holy book. He who follows it finds all his desires here and hereafter, fulfilled. 29
Thus ends the sevanth chapter entitled ‘Explanation of Procedure of donation according to Bhagavata-purana’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 7
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