Hindu scriptures proclaim the necessity of acquiring spiritual knowledge to facilitate one’s spiritual journey. In the previous article, we learned about the story of Dhundhukari, who was relieved of all his sins and led to liberation. Another such incident is that of King Parikshit, the grandson of Arjun. He was a devout and just king. Once, Parikshit was traveling through the jungle when he became separated from his entourage. Tired and thirsty, he entered the ashram of Shamik Rishi. Parikshit bowed respectfully to the sage several times and requested water, but the rishi was so engrossed in meditation that he was oblivious to his surroundings. Piqued by the rishi’s indifference, Parikshit thought that he should be taught a lesson. So, Parikshit picked up a dead snake and placed it around the rishi’s neck. Still, the rishi was unmoved, and Parikshit departed.
Later, the rishi’s son, Shringi, returned to the ashram and saw the snake around his father’s neck. He learned that King Parikshit had insulted his father in this way. So, Shringi cursed that the king would die of a snake bite in seven days.
King Parikshit heard of the curse and accepted it as his fate. He instated his son, Janmajeya, as the king and spent the next seven days listening to the glory of God in the form of the Shrimad Bhagavat from Shukdev. Through these discourses, King Parikshit overcame the fear of death and became enlightened with spiritual wisdom. On the seventh day, Takshaka, the snake, bit the king and caused his demise. The king had attained spiritual wisdom and was liberated. So, listening to katha removes all fears and grants enlightenment.
The Effect of Katha
Spiritual discourses provide sublime wisdom which helps individuals to understand that mundane life is perishable and the body is a medium for the soul to attain God. When such knowledge is fully understood and applied in daily life, it is a source of inner peace and joy.
King Janak ruled the kingdom of Mithila with great skill and sincerity. Yet, he personally performed daily worship rituals and was always present for the daily katha by his guru, Ashtavakra. Once, the king had to attend to some urgent duties and was delayed in reaching the katha. Everyone else was present on time, yet the guru waited for the king and did not start the katha. This ruffled the other sages and mahatmas, and they protested to the rishi to begin. But he refused to start until Janak arrived. When, finally, Janak did arrive, Ashtavakra Rishi began by questioning all to recount the previous kathas. Nobody except King Janak could do so. It was then that the complaining mahatmas realized that out of them all, King Janak was the true listener of the katha, and waiting for him to arrive was justified.
Not only did King Janak listen attentively, but he imbibed the teachings in his life. He ruled with efficiency, integrity, and commitment for the good of his people, but he remained detached from all his possessions. This is the supreme effect that katha can have if one listens with the right intention.
- Amrutvijaydas Swami
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
