Bhakti, the sprightly young woman, met Narada who was on his tour of the world. She was sad to see the degradation of values in Kali Yuga. She introduced her two sons, Jnana and Vairagya. Strangely though, the mother was very young and the two sons were old, weak, emaciated and lying down unconscious. All this was happening on the banks of the Yamuna river. Naradaji is narrating what he saw to the Sanakadi rishis, who were four young children.
Bhakti is telling Narada that the Ganga and other rivers, in the form of women, are serving her two sons, but they are not responding to any treatment. Bhakti says that even though the gods are attending to her, she is not happy. This story is from the Padma Purana, talking about the glory of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Bhakti says she was born in Dravida Desha—Tamil Nadu. She grew up in Karnataka and spent some time in Maharashtra. The presence of non-believers and atheists in Kali Yuga had mutilated her body a great deal. Yet, when she reached Vrindavan, where Sri Krishna played about, she regained her youth and got a beautiful new form. “How is it rishi, the mother can be young and children old?” Bhakti asks Narada.
Narada said that with the eye of wisdom, he could see what happened. “Listen attentively young woman,” he said. “This is the gory age of Kali Yuga. Owing to it, people are fast giving up good conduct and the path of yoga, and austerities are disappearing. Only powerful and worldly clever people are considered wise. The earth is becoming heavier and heavier for Adi Sesha, the force that is holding everything together, to bear.
None are taking care of you Bhakti and the sons, Jnana and Vairagya, as they are blinded by passions. You regained your youth by setting foot on Vrindavan. Since knowledge and dispassion find no takers here, your sons still remain old. However, since they are connected to the Lord himself, they are not completely dead, but are remaining in deep slumber. Bhakti asks Naradaji, “How is it that the Lord is watching all this impurity of Kali Yuga, all the adharma that is on the rise?”
Naradaji replies, “When Sri Krishna left the world at the end of the previous Dwapara Yuga, Kali Yuga that obstructs any spiritual endeavour entered. Raja Parikshit, in the line of the Pandavas, was out on his hunting. Kali appeared before him in a living form and sought his protection. The king understood that he should not completely destroy him. In Kali, while the results of tapas, yoga and samadhi are rare, by just praising the lord all merits are achieved. For this, the king spared Kali keeping in mind the welfare of people born in this age.”
We will see next week what Naradaji has to say about the signs of our times—Kali Yuga.
(www.bamboowisdom.blogspot.in)