12 Mahajanas of Krishna

There are 12 Great Devotees of Lord Vishnu, the Ultimate Knower of the
Dharma,
Reference: Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.20-21
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo
balir vaiyasakir vayam
dvadasaite vijanimo
dharmam bhagavatam bhatah
guhyam visuddham durbodham
yam jnatvamrtam asnute
Translation:
Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila
[the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka
Maharaja, Grandfather Bhisma, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and I
(Yama) myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this
transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or
surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the
material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary
human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands
it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.
Shanti Parva
Book of Peace & Wisdom Literature

Shanti Parva (The Book of Peace) is the 12th and longest Parva (book) of
Great Epic Mahabharata (comprising 18 Parvas, Books). It is the set of
instructions given to King Yudhisthira (son of Pandav) by Great Bhishma
(eldest among Kuru Parivar) on various treatises such as: duties of a king and
his rule, governance system, dharma, rights, justice, prosperity and welfare
of his people, moksha, etc. This book comprises various stories narrated by
Bhishma to motivate the King Yudhisthira to understand the importance of
kingdom, to be administered by Dharma.
Advent of Shanti Parva

At the End of Mahabharata War, Yudhisthira was very dejected at the death
of his elders, brothers, relatives and loved ones. He was lamented so much
that he has decided to renounce everything and move to forest and live
there. Then various Great Sages Rishi Vyasa, Narad Muni, Devala,
Devasthana, and Lord Hari Himself counsel him to give up such dejection and
rule the kingdom of Hastinapur with the Code Of Dharma, considering that
his duty. Even Arjuna, Bhima (younger brothers of Yudhisthira), and Drupadi
also guides the same to Yudhisthira. But his sorrows did not vanish
completely from his mind and heart.
After the crown ceremony of Yudhisthira as King, on very next morning he
went to Shri Krishna and surprised to see Him in deep thought. On enquiring,
Shri Krishna replied,
'Yudhisthira! I was thinking of Bhishma, the dying ember, lying on a bed of
arrows! Ganga's son, tutored in the vedas as a student of rishi Vashista, well
versed in warfare as a favorite student of Parusharama! A great man who
knows the past, present and the future. When he goes, the world will go dark
like a night without the moon. Yudhisthira, hence go and meet him when he
is still alive and ask him whatever you want to know about laws relating to
kings'.
Shri Krishna took him and rest of the Pandavas and Sages to the place
(banks of Ogavathi River) where Bhishma was lying on the Bed of Arrows.
When Bhishma came to know that Yudhisthiras heart is full of sorrows on the
demise of elders of Kuru Parivar and he cursing himself for all that, then
Bhishma pacify him with following words.
While it is dharma for brahmins to study, do penance and to give. In the
same way, it is dharma for a khsatriya to engage in war. If invited, a
khsatriya cannot refuse to fight. If someone is going in the wrong path,
whether it is a father, a brother or a grandfather, he should be punished. It is
khsatriya dharma to kill anyone who transgresses dharma out of greed'.
(Bhishma)
The instruction goes on for various days, and Yudhisthira asked as many
questions as he can, and he got all answered from Bhishma. It is by Shri
Krishnas mercy that pain of painful wound caused by arrows which pierced
the body of Bhishma was vanished so that he can give the instructions
properly.
Shanti Parva Statistically
Statistically it consists of 365 chapters and 13,716 numbers of Shlokas,
which is further divided into three sub-parvas:
1. RajaDharma Parva (Chapters: 1 to 130 & 4716 Shlokas) : Describes the
duties of king and his governance

2. ApadDharma Parva (Chapters 131 to 173 & 1649 Shlokas) : Describes

the rules of conduct when one faces adversity
3. MokshaDharma Parva (Chapters 174 to 365 & 7351 Shlokas) :
Describes behavior and rules to achieve moksha (emancipation, release,
freedom)
Shad Darshan - Darshan Shastra - Six School of Vedic Philosophy
Shad-Darshan (Darshan Shastras)
Six Schools of Vedic Philosophy
The Sanatana Dharma literature is so extensive that it is hard even for a
Vedic genius to comprehend and remember the theme of all of entire
literature related to Sanatana Dharma. So for the systematic process of
understanding, the deep rooted philosophy of Santaana Dharma, the
Great Sages wrote Darshan Shastras defining six schools of Vedic
Philosophy in the forms of Sutras.
These Shad-Darshans are the six instruments of true teaching or the six
demonstrations of Truth. Each of these schools of philosophies differs in
one way or the other in terms of its concepts, phenomena, laws and
beliefs. Each philosophy has developed, systematized and correlated the
various parts of the Vedas in its own way. Each system has its Sutrakara,
i.e., the one great Rishi who systematized the doctrines of the school. It is
important to know that the founders of each school of philosophy are
sages of the highest order that have devoted their lives for the study and
propagation of specify philosophy. Each system of is called a Darshana,
thus the Sanskrit word Shad-Darshan refers to the six systems of
philosophy.
All six schools of Vedic philosophy aim to describe following three key
features:
Nature of External World and its Relationship with Individual Soul
Relationship of World of Appearances to Ultimate Reality
Describing the Goal of Life and Means by which one can attain the Goal
Briefly outline of Shad-Darshan is given below:
1. Nyaya - by Sage Gautam : Logical Quest of Supreme, Phases of
Creation, Science of Logical Reasoning

It is a logical quest for God, the absolute Divinity. It tells that the material
power Maya, with the help of God, becomes the universe. Nyaya
Darshan is based on establishing the fact that only the Divinity (God) is
desirable, knowable and attainable, and not this world. Nyaya philosophy
is primarily concerned with the correct knowledge to be acquire in the
human life and the means of receiving this knowledge.
2. Vaishesika by Sage Kanad : Science of Logic, Futility of Maya,
Vedic Atomic Theory
Its aim is to receive happiness in this life (by renouncing worldly desires)
and finally to receive the ultimate liberation (through the attachment of
the true knowledge of the Divine). According to this school of philosophy,
there is no creation or annihilation but rather an orderly and morally
systematized composition and decomposition of matter. Atoms (not we
studied in our elementary science) are the smallest particle exists in the
universe and are eternal in nature.
3. Sankhya - by Sage Kapil : Eliminate Physical and Mental Pains for
receiving liberations, Nontheistic Dualism
The dualistic philosophy of Purusa and Prakrti; according to many
followers of Sankhya philosophy, there is no such God exists. For them
Purusa is sufficient to inspire the unconscious Prakrti to manifest herself in
the form of universe. However, a section of Sankhya philosophers
believed about the existence of Supreme Being who guides Prakrti
independently accordingly to His will. The extent of mayic creation and
Divinity beyond that; it tells that the entire mayic creation is worth
discarding and only the Divinity is to be attained because that is the only
source of Bliss.
4. Yoga - by Sage Patanjali : Practice of Meditation and Samadhi for
Renunciation, Self Discipline for Self Realization
Explain the practical process of heart purification which may qualify the
individual to experience the absolute Divine. The word Yoga is derived
from the Sanskrit root yug, which meant "TO UNITE". The yoga system
provides a methodology for linking up individual consiousness with the
Supreme Being. Various schools of yoga systems are: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana
Yoga, Karma yoga, Ashtanga Yoga (practical application of Sankhya
Philosophy), etc.

5. Karma Mimamsa - by Sage Jaimini : Poorv Mimamsa explaining

the Vedas are eternal and Divine; Elevation Through the
Performance of Duty
The word Mimamsa means to analyze and understand thoroughly. The
main goal of the Karma-Mimamsa philosophy is to provide a practical
methodology for the utilization of the Vedic religion (dharma) for the
satisfaction of the urges for wealth (artha) and sensual pleasure (kama). It
examines the teachings of the Vedas in the light of karma rituals. The
Karma-Mimamsa system is called Poorva-Mimamsa, which means the
earlier study of the Vedas. Karma-Mimamsa is to be taken up by
householders.
6. Vedanta - by Sage VedVyas : Uttar Mimansa (Brahma Sutra)
explaning the divine nature of Soul, Maya and Creation;
Conclusion of Vedic Revelation
It reveals this secret that God is absolute Divinity and absolute Bliss, and
He is Gracious. So desire, fully remember Him and with His Grace
experience His absolute Blissfulness forever. Vedanta examines the Vedas
teachings in the light of transcendental knowledge. Vedantais called
Uttara-Mimamsa, which means the later study of the Vedas. Vedanta is
reserved for those who have graduated from household life and taken up
the renounced order (sannyasa).
Common Features of the Darshan Shastras
The six Darshan Shastras are divided in the groups of two each based on
their closely related texts, such as Nyaya and Vaisheshika are closely
allied to each other. The next two Sankhaya and Yoga are closed to each
other, and finally the Poorva Mimamsa and Uttar Mimamsa are allied to
each other.
The Sages drew their arguments from the same Divine Source, the Vedic
Shastra, so all Darshan Shastras share many of the same basic principles.
For instance:
The individual self is spiritual being, of the nature of eternal
consciousness. The individual self acquires physical bodies due to
reincarnation under the Law of Karmaic Action. The individual self, suffers
because of its contact with matter, worldly external bodies. The individual
self who follows to any one of the six systems, observes the same
Sadhana, as the followers of other system. Sadhana consists of the basic

practices of purification and self-control. The goal of each philosophy is to

end of suffering.
Darshan Shastras and Other Sanatana Dharma Scriptures
Darshan Shastras are schools of philosophy based on the Vedas. The
Agamas are theological. Darshan Shastras literature is philosophical. The
Darshan Shastras are meant for the scholars who are blessed with good
understanding, power of reasoning and subtle intellect. The Itihasas,
Puranas and Agamas are meant for the masses. The Darshan Shastras
appeal to the intellect, while the Itihasas, Puranas, etc., appeal to the
heart.
Note : A Sutra is a shortest form of text, with the least possible number of
letters, without any ambiguity or doubtful assertion, containing the very
essence, embracing all meanings, and absolutely faultless in nature.
Note : In order to understand these Darshan Shastras, there is lot of
Informative text related to each Shastra is available, such as its Bhashya,
Vritti, Varttika, Vyakhyana or Tika and Tippani. Also

A Bhashya is an elaborate exposition, a commentary on the Sutras,

with word by word meaning.

A Vritti is a short glossary explaining the sutras in a more elaborate

way, but not as extensively as a Bhashya.
A Varttika is a work where a critical study is made of that which is said and
left unsaid or imperfectly said in a Bhashya
A Vyakhyana is a running explanation in an easier language of what is
said in the original

A Tippani is just like a Vritti, but is less orthodox than the Vritti. It is an
explanation of difficult words or phrases occurring in the original.
Sanatana Dharma Scriptures

Sanatana Dharma scriptures are broadly divided into two categories as

follows:
Sruti

That which is heard (Revelation)

Sruti, comprises the essential tenets of Sanatana Dharma. It consists of

revelation, unquestionable truth and is considered as eternal.

It refers mainly to the Vedas (Sama Veda, Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, and
Atharva Veda), which were divinely heard by the Rsihi Munis (sages) from
Lord Brahma (which himself learned from Supreme Personality of
Godhead Shri Krishna).

Smriti

That which is remembered (Written)

Smriti is supplementary and may change over time. It follows to the base
of Sruti. The Smriti was composed after the Vedas around 500 BCE

The most notable of the Smritis are the Itihas, (Mahabharata and
Ramayana). Puranas (such as Srimad Baghavatam) which illustrate Hindu
ideas through narratives, also come under Smritis.
The Four Vedas

The Vedas Books of Knowledge are collections, of

and prayer. The Vedas have been revealed by
Godhead Shri Krishna Himself, and also considered
comes from the Sanskrit root vid, means "to know."
apaurusheya i.e. not created by human beings.

The four Vedas are:

hymns, melodies, rituals

Supreme Personality of
as Sruti. The word veda
Vedas are considered as