Canto 1 Chapter 19 Flashcards
- What is the process for being delivered from accidental sins? (1)
Accidental sins committed by a devotee are sincerely regretted, and by the grace of the Lord all sins unwillingly committed by a devotee are burnt in the fire of repentance.
- Why didn’t Maharaja Pariksit ask to be pardoned? (4)
Mahäräja Parékñit could have gone to the muni to beg his pardon, but the news of imminent death was conveyed to the King with so much regret by the muni that the King did not want to shame the muni further by his presence there. He decided to prepare himself for his imminent death and find out the way to go back to Godhead.
- What does the Varaha Purana state about the Ganges and the Yamuna? (6)
According to the Varäha Puräëa, as quoted by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé, there is no difference between the water of the Ganges and the Yamunä, but when the water of the Ganges is sanctified one hundred times, it is called the Yamunä. Similarly, it is said in the scriptures that one thousand names of Viñëu are equal to one name of Räma, and three names of Lord Räma are equal to one name of Kåñëa.
- How can the first-grade offender be excused? (11)
Even the first-grade offender is excused simply by this process (The system of bowing the head to the ground to show respect to superiors), and Mahäräja Parékñit, although honored by all the åñis and kings, welcomed all the big men in that humble etiquette in order to be excused from any offenses.
- Why did the king inform the sages of his decision to fast till death? (12)
Although the King had already decided to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges, he humbly expressed his decision to elicit the opinions of the great authorities present there. Any decision, however important, should be confirmed by some authority. That makes the matter perfect.
- How do the demigods feel in seeing someone go back to Godhead? (18)
A demigod takes pleasure in seeing someone go back to Godhead. He is always pleased with a devotee of the Lord, so much so that by his adhidaivic powers he may help the devotees in all respects.
- To whom did Maharaja Pariksit give up the imperial throne? (20)
Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira gave up the imperial throne to his grandson, and similarly Mahäräja Parékñit, the grandson of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, gave up the imperial throne to his son Janamejaya.
- Regarding a devotee’s departure, why is there both nothing to lament and every reason to be sorry? (21)
When a great devotee of the Lord passes away, there is nothing to be lamented because the devotee is destined to enter into the kingdom of God. But the sorry plight is that such great devotees leave our sight, and therefore there is every reason to be sorry.
- What two questions does the king ask the sages? (24)
The first question is what the duty of everyone in all circumstances is, and
The second question is what is the specific duty of one who is to die very shortly.
- How should householders feel when sages appear at their doors? (33)
The householders therefore should feel grateful when such saints and sages appear at their doors.
