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Anand Vangipuram • August 7, 1999 


Dear Bhakti list members,

In light of the recent postings on Bhakti list regarding Moksha and Lord 
Shiva, I am presenting to you a story from Srimath Bhagavatam.  This version 
of the Srimath Bhagavatam has been compiled by Sriman R.V. Srinivasacharya 
and Sriman R. Venkataramana Acharya.  The story deals with Prachina-Barhis 
and Prachetasas.

"In obedience to their father's (Barhishad) command, the Prachetsas set out 
westward for doing Tapas.  Near the sea, they saw a great lake, abounding in 
aquatics.  It was the house of blue and red lilies, lotuses, Kalharas, and 
Indivaras, with sweet voices of swans and other water birds.  In it grew 
trees and creepers luxuriantly; and music of nourishing sweetness of 
Mridanga, Panava etc., was heard.  From the lake rose God Shiva with his 
retinue.  The Prachestasas bowed to Him reverently.  He was pleased with the 
pious princes of good Dharma and blessed them thus:  'I have shown myself to 
you, to extend my grace unto you.  May you be happy.  Beloved of me is he 
who is devoted to the glorious Sriman Narayana.  A person doing his own 
righteous duties in hundred lives attains to the position of Me and 
Virincha.  On the other hand, a devotee of Sriman Narayana attains to His 
place directly, as I and other Devas do.  Now you are devoted to the Lord as 
much as I am.  Please listen to the mantra, I now teach you.  It is a highly 
sacred and auspicious one, which leads to Mokhsa.  It should be separately 
and constantly repeated in secrecy.  I pray for success to you all.'""

Thus God Shiva left the Prachetsas.  Heeding to God Shiva's words, 
Prachetsas prayed to Sriman Narayana for several years.  The Lord finally 
appeared and granted Moksha to Prachetsas.

There are several other instances in Srimath Bhagavatam which provide 
evidence that Lord Shiva was the parama Bhakta of Sriman Narayana.

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Venkatayatiraj Anand


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