You Should Listen To Bhagavatam, Not Read

In the earlier shlokas of Srimad Bhagavata -
यस्याऽवतारो भूतानां क्षेमाय च भवाय च
talks about the importance of why Bhagawan takes avatara in a physical form.
The next shloka, the 14th shloka in the first chapter of the first skandha
यन्नाम विवशो गृणन्
talks about the importance of taking his divine name.
The next shloka -
यत्पादसंश्रयाः सूत
talks about being near and worshiping his lotus feet.
Now rishis are asking Suta -
this is part of the third question out of the six that the rishis asked Suta.
The first question was - what is the ultimate goal?
Second, the means to achieve it or what is the essence of all shastras through which it can be easily achieved?
The third, about his avatara, why has Lord Krishna taken avatara as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva?
को वा भगवतस्तस्य पुण्यश्लोकेड्यकर्मणः
शुद्धिकामो न शृणुयाद्यशः कलिमलापहम्
Rishis are aware of the importance of listening.
They have learned quite a lot about Bhagawan through listening, not by reading.
Because, if purity is the purpose then it is achieved through listening.
If you read, it gets stored in your brain. You will be able to reproduce it as and when required.
But if you listen to his greatness only, he enters your entire body through the years and settles himself in your heart.
That is how you are purified.
Reading can give you knowledge, but not purity.
We have seen some western scholars who have translated our scriptures. Have they attained purity by doing this?
Quite unlikely, because what they have done is just an academic exercise.
It's just work for them.
It's just some earning for them, maybe some money, maybe some degree.
They have never listened to the glory of Bhagawan with bhakti.
If you do this, then only Bhagawan enters into you and makes you pure.
But, what is this impurity that Bhagawan is going to clear?
It is called kalimala, the impurity associated with Kaliyuga.
In Kaliyuga all the six - place, time, the doer, materials, mantra, and the act, all six become pure.
Take for example someone is doing a Sudarshana Homa.
The place where it is done, there are so many impurities associated with it.
To take care of some of it only we do shuddhi punyahavachana at the beginning.
The time, are we able to do it at the right time?
Hardly.
Even an astrologically identified muhurta is a compromise, just an optimization.
The doer, the performer, is he pure in his body and thoughts?
Are the materials used in that homa pure?
Even the samidha used the small pieces of firewood used in the homa, there are so many specifications.
Is the act done to perfection?
There can't be perfection.
So, all six are contaminated in Kaliyuga.
The same inside us also.
As against the qualities of shama, dama, karuna
our minds are filled with anger, greed, competition, jealousy...
Inside and outside, only Bhagawan can give purity.
For this, you have to invite him inside.
For this the path is through the ears, not through the eyes, you have to listen, not read.
So there are two kinds of people in Kaliyuga.
One in whom asuramsha is predominant.
They will never have any inclination toward spirituality.
Just forget them.
Nothing can be done about them.
But those with an inclination towards spirituality, how can they be saved from the harsh onslaught of Kali which pushes everyone to do evil acts pushing them down and down into the ocean of karma?
Good and bad acts both create karma.
With good karma, if you are floating on the surface of a calm lake,
with bad karma your feet are stuck in a marshy ditch.
Gasping for breath.
Even if you want you won't be able to karma, except with the grace of Bhagawan.
From the calm lake, anybody can lend you a hand and take you out.
The tendency to do bad things and acquire bad karma is much much more in Kaliyuga.
How to protect the spiritually inclined from this?
This is the question.
Rishis know that it is not reading.
It is not even general listening.
There must be something so specially crafted for Kaliyuga.
Customized for Kaliyuga.
Is there something like that?
This is the question.

Knowledge Bank

What is Abhava-yoga?

Abhava-yoga is that state in which one perceives an all illuminating void as the essence of oneself. The mind becomes extinct in this state. For someone in the state of Abhava-yoga, the world will be devoid of any objects. Ref: Kurma-Purana II.11.6, Linga-Purana II.55.14, Shiva-Purana VII.2.37.10.

Can improper worship lead to negative consequences?

Yes, not following Vedic Dharma and prescribed methods can result in spiritual downfall and other negative consequences.