Sri Subodhini Commentary on Srimad Bhagavata Purana by Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya Canto: Two-Chapters 1 to 6 (Volume 19)

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This volume presents, for the first time in English language, the translation, based on devotion to our Lord Shri Krishna (bhakti), bringing out, from the original Sanskrit text, the "bhavartha" (meaning of the innerspirit and underlying loving sentiments, with which, this treatise has been written), of the monumental commentary Sri Subodhini, on the Maha Bhagavata Purana, by Mahaprabhu Sri Vallabhāchārya (c 1479-c 1531)

Shri Vallabhacharya's Sri Subodhini is available only for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 10th and for 4 chapters and 2 verses of chapter 5 of 11th canto. Sri Subodhini is considered, as the most detailed commentary, among all the available commentaries of Sri Bhagavatam. In this volume, 6 chapters of the canto II. (Chapters 1 to 6)

are dealt, with the original verse of Sri Bhagavatam, it's English Meaning. The text of Sri Subodhini in Sanskrit and it's English Meaning. Wherever necessary, the Commentaries / Explanations given of Shri Gosainji (Shri Vittalnatha), Shri Vallabhji, Shri Laloo Bhatji and Shri Purushotamji, have also have been added.

The 6 Chapters respectively deal with (1) The Method of "Meditation", (Dhyaanam) and the description of "Viraat Swaroopa" (Universal "Form") of our Lord Sri Narayana (Sri Krishana) (2) The "Dhaarana" (Absorption) of the "Gross and Subtle Forms of our Lord. The description of the "Gradual" (Krama) and "Immediate" (Sadhyomukthi) ways of "Liberation" (Mukthi) (3) The "Worship" of different "Celestial Deities, as per individval "Desires," and the glory of pure "Bhakthi" (Devotion) to our Lord Sri Krishna. (4) King Parikshit's ques- tions on "Creation", and the begining of Sri Sukadeva's discourse (5) The description of the method of the "Manifestation" of the "Indweller Lord", (Antaryaami) by Lord Brahma and (6) the de- scription of the "Universal Body" of our Lord Sri Narayana, (Sri Krishna) as explained in the "Purusha Sooktham" (Vedic Hymn)

Born in a village, founded by Adi Shankracharya, as the son of very devout parents, the late T.K. Viswanatha lyer and Ranganayaki Ammal, Ramanan was initiated into the study of the Vedas, the Upanishads, Puranas, the Gita, Sanskrit treatises and the Sacred Chantings from the age of 5.

His initiation into the path of Bhakti was blessed by his Acharya and Guru, Shri Ubhaya Vedanta Srirangam Sampath Kumara Swami, who is 77 now and is a symbol of our Lord's love and compassion. He is honoured and loved by everyone, as a noble Saint of Shri Ramanuja Sampradaya.

Ramanan says "if ever there is a faint and feeble remembrance of our Lord, in my mind, it is entirely due to the Grace of my Guru and his prayers to our Lord Shri Laxmi Narayana".

Arising out of a chance meeting with one of the greatest saints of our times, Shri Shyam Manohar Goswamijee, a direct descendant of Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, becoming the recipient of His love, Grace and Compassion, Ramanan was inspired to attempt writing this translation into English of the monumental commentary of Shri Subodhini, by Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya, which in the words of Srimad Andavan of Srirangam, a noble and most loving Saint of the Ramanuja Sampradaya "cannot be fully and truly translated, into any other language, as Shri Vallabhacharya had the highest love for Lord Krishna".

Hence, at best, this translation, in the words of Ramanan "is a humble attempt to becoming deserving to get the Grace of our Lord Shri Krishna, through the Blessings and Grace of my Gurudeva Shri Ubhaya Vedanta Srirangam Sampath Kumara Swamin, Shri Shyam Manohar Goswamijee, Srimad Andavan of Srirangam and all Devotees and Bhaktas of our Lord"

But for the unique shower of grace of our Lord Shri Krishna, arising out of just one darshan of Goswamy Shyam Manohar Maharaj, thus proving the Bhagavata dictum "क्षण सङ्गेन साधुषु" (Blessings showered due to the Darsan of Mahatmas even, though, the contact is only for a second), this utterly feeble attempt to write a free flowing, Bhakti-based, translation of our Shri Mahāprabhu Vallabhāchārya's monumental commentary on Shri Mahā Bhagvata Purāna "Shri Subodhini" would not have taken place at all. This inspiration to attempt to take up this work is due to the unique and most loving compassion of our Lord Shri Krishna, Shri Goswamy Shyam Manoharji and my Gurudeva Ubhaya Vedanta Shri Sampathkumāra Swami, who instructed me to do this as a sacred duty.

I am fully aware of the countless defects I have, and I am not in any way fit or capable of doing full justice to this most Holy inspired work of our Shri Mahaprabhuji. But, the Grace and love of Goswamy Shri Shyam Manoharji and my Gurudeva has enabled me to get courage to attempt to undertake this task. Personally, our Lord has filled me with Bliss and Joy, through this and I pray and wish that the Divine Leelas of our Lord, as explained by our Shri Mahaprabhuji, will confer Joy and Bliss for everyone.

Goswamy Shri Shyam Manoharji gave a lot of his very valuable time and told me to continue to do this work "leaving everything to Thakur" (our Lord Shri Krishna). My own gracious Gurudeva Shri Sampathkumāra Swami blessed this work after going through some parts of the same.

Notwithstanding the several defects in this translation (in understanding, explaining, interpreting etc.), Shri Shyām Manohar Goswamiji has been very kind and gracious to bless this work, from time to time, and also bless with his loving Aaseervad! I am eternally indebted to this great Mahātma, symbolising our Lord's love for all of us!

My Gurudeva, a great Mahātma and a Mahābhaktha, always showed limitless love and Blessings. It is due to his Grace, that, the remembrance of our Lord, is there in me. Always peaceful and smiling, he gives Peace and Joy to everyone, who comes into contact with him. He symbolises our Lord's love for His creation. Silently he contributes to the welfare of deserving persons and infuses in them, Bhakti to our Lord.

**Contents and Sample Pages**