Sri Madh Bhagavatha

After Compliling Vedic Literature, Puranas Etc.Vedavyasa still had a feeling of un fulfillment and dissatisfaction, Narada muni then went to Vedavyasa and instruct him to write Sri madha Bhagavatham. It is considered as the most important purana of Vedic literature,as it describes the various incarnations of Lord Krishna's life.It is divided into 12 Chapters (skandas) and 18,000 Verses. After writing the Bhagavatham Vyasa imparted the knowledge of Bhagavatham to his son "Suka Brahma Rishi" Suka Brahma Rishi subsequently recited the entire Bhagavatham to Maharaja "Parikshith" in an assembly of learned saints.Maharaja "Parikshith" (Grand Son of Arjuna) was emperor of the world he would die with in a week, hence he renounced his kingdom and retired to bank of Ganga to fast unto death and to receive spritual enlightenment. The Srimadh Bhagavatham starts with Eperor Parikshith asking to "Suka" to give him the knowledge of perfection the right path of liberation,"Suka Brahmarishi in response narrated the Bhagavatham for Seven Days till kings Death. This is considered as first Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam and it was happend in "Kaliyuga" 30 years after Srikrishna left this world.

Second Sapthaha by Gokarna for Dhundhukaran's Liberation in Kaliyuga (200 years after Suka's Sapthaham)

In ancient times,there used to live a brahman by name "Atmadeva". He was a "pandita"(scholar) and was very rich. His wife name was"Dhundhuli". Atmadeva was very sad becouse they did not have children. One day he was sitting under a tree a saint approach him and Atmadeva ask him way to get children.The saint replied "O Viprottma sukha Dhukha are a result of your previously done Karma, instead being sad please turn your mind towards God. Atmadeva said, "please do not do these kinds of Hitabodha" to me please tell me a way to get child,else before your eyes i will do pranatyaga".
Seeing the strong will if Atmadeva, the saint give him a phal(fruit) and said "if your wife eat this you will have child. Atmadeva was very happy and give the fruit to Dhundhuli and told here what happend.

Dhundhuli had Dhushtaswabhava she was afraid of the pain of pregnancy etc.and give the fruit to their cow. However she took the words from her sister who was pregnant, to give her child when she delivers.The sister kept her words and gave her child Dhundhukaran to Dhundhuli. After three months the cow gave birth to human,all his body parts are like human, but the ears,hence Atmadeva named him Gokarna.In the very short periode,Gokarna become scholar however Dhundhukaran become a thief and vulgure fellow. Atmadeva was very sad seeing the Dhushkarma of Dhundhukaran and Atmadeva left to forest did the Bhagvannam Samamama and reached Paraloka(Heaven).The Gokarna also left for pilgrimage,Dhundhukaran Lavishly spent all his father's money. Dhundhuli also lost her life when she fell into a well and this gave him opportunity for Dhundhukaran to do whatever he wants. He brought five prostitutes in his house. One day prostitutes kill him for money .Because of his Dhushkarama and none to do his Uttarakarma and Dhundhukaran become Pretatma. Gokarna later returned from his pilgrimage,one day he was sleeping Dhundhukaran came in his pretaroopam and told him his story.He requested Gokarna to tell him a way to getting out of his difficulties.Gokarna started Bhagavatha Parayanam inorder to give Vimukthi (Liberation) to Dhundhukaran. As soon as Gokarnan started the Bhagavatha Sapthaham sitting on a Vyasa Vedika Dhundhukaran settled in a bamboo stick that had 7 holes and listened to him carefully . Because of listening to Bhagavatham for 7days,the Dhaundhukaran left pretaroopam and reached heaven.

Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha Ygnam ,Which is known as emperor among Yagnas is being held in the Neervilakom dharmasastha temple courtyard continuously for the past 18 years. Devotees turn up in large numbers to attend this yagnam, and with their help free feeding is also given on all days. Every year this starts on the Malayalam month of "kumbham" along with puna prathishta festival and last for 7 days. Annadanam(giving free meals) is the major "Vazhipadu"(offering) in the temple during the time of "Sapthaha Yagnam" .The word Annadanam in Sanskrit literally means the offering or sharing of food(annam).

This year "Sreemad Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam" took place in January between the 10th and 16th, at the specially made yaga mandapam in the presence of famous pauranikar Pallikal Sunil and his fellow pauranikars at Neervilakom Sree Dharmasastha temple campus. The main priest for the Yagnam was Brahmasri Ranga Rao. The karayogam members headed by president T.R Vasudevanpillai did a good job in giving yagnam a successful opening.

Many additional special poojas and discourses were conducted during sapthaha yangam. It was a bhakthi filled week for everyone, who participated in this great yangam and was also an occasion of togetherness of family members and many other great devotees in and around Neervilakom. It was touching to see the devotion of many bhakthas who had tears while listening to Krishnaavatharam etc.


Day 1st of Srimadh Bahagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 0430 Ganapathi Homam 05:00 Bhadradeepa pratishta 0600 Harinama Keerthanam,Vishnu Sahasranamam 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00 Bhagavatha parayanam (Chapters: Vedavyasa's discontent,Narada's Guidance Parikshith's protection in Uttara's womb,Parikshith's birht,Kaliyuga's mainstay,Parikshith get curse,Shukh dev's arrival,Question of Parikshith,contentment of life,Question about universe,Shukh dev's answer, Varaha Avatar,Dhaksha's animosity,Dhakhsa perform yagna,story of Dhruva,story of Puranjana,story of King Bharatha.) 1900 Deeparadhana 1930 Prabhashanam.

Day 2nd Of Srimadh Bahagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 0430 Ganapathihomam 05:00 Harianama Keerthanam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00
Bhagavatha Parayanam (Chapters: Story of Ajamali,Morale of Ajamali's story,Dadhuchi's greatness,Vritrasur's prayer, Hiranyakashyapu's penance, story of Prahlada,Prahlad's opposition,Prahalad put to test,Manifestation of Narasimha,Prahlada stuti,Prahlad's boon, Narada's Influance...
Churning of Palazhi,Divine Nector appeared, Vamana Avatar,Bali's defeate,significance of Vamana Avatar,Rama Avatar,Incedent of Dushyanth,story of
Rantideva)

Day 3 rd of Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 05:00 Harinama Keerthanam 06:00 Mahaganapathihomam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00
Bhagavatha Parayanam (Chapters: Lord Srikrishna,Krishna's Birth,Incedent of Putana,Yogamaya's word..)

Day 4th of Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 05:00 Harinama Keerthanam 06:00 Mahaganapathihomam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00 Bhagavatha Parayanam (Chapters: Incident of Kaliya Nag,Rasa Lila, Parikshith's doubt,Kansa killed,In Gurukul for studies Krishna heads off Madura)

Day 5th of Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha yagnam

Morning 05:00 Harinama Keerthanam 06:00 Mahaganapathihomam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00
Bhagavatha Parayanam (Cahpters: Udhav in Viraj,Creation of Dwaraka, Marriage with Rukmini,Syamantaka Stone)
Samooha sadya



Day 6th of Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 05:00 Harinama Keerthanam 06:00 Mahaganapathihomam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00
Bhagavatha Parayanam (Chapters:Rajasuya Yagna,Krishna and Sudhama at kurukshetra.
Kuchelavritam where Kuchelan, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna goes to meet the Lord was being read on this day.
The whole scene of the Lord welcoming his old friend and enjoying the naivedyam brought by Kuchelan was enacted by famous kathakali artists which was very much soothing and added flavor to the yagnam.

Day 7th of Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagnam

Morning 05:00 Harinama Keerthanam 06:00 Mahagapathihomam Morning 07:00 to 12:00 and 02:00 to 05:00 Bhagavatha Parayanam (Chapters: About Kaliyuga,Characterisctics of Kaliyuga How to remain unaffected from kaliyuga, Krishna left his physical frame(Swargarohan), Summary of Srimadh Bhagavatham..)

In the Evening the Abhavritha snana (Holy bath) ghoshayatra took place, in which the priest carried the lord's idol with the accompaniment of Chendamelam, Nagaswaram, Thalapoli, Theevetti, Muthukkuda and devoties chanting sharanam vilis and lead the procession to "Oethi Junction, where the new kanikka vanchi is situated. After 30 minutes the procession returned back through chirvalil Junction and took about two hours to reach the "Arattukadavu" of temple pond. On reaching the "Arattukadavu" Ceremonial bath of the Idol was done by the main priest.

The return procession with all the paraphernalia started from the "Arattukadavu" at about 07:00PM and the idol was then taken into the sreekovil of the main temple where a welcome Deeparadana (Offering Prayers with lit lamp) took place.