– The dynasty of Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa: Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa (son), Parashara Rishi (father), Shakti Muni (grandfather).
– Shakti Muni curses King Kalmashapada, who later becomes possessed by a raksasa and kills Shakti Muni.
– Parashara meets Satyavati (Matsyagandha), blesses her with his glance, and her son, Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa, is born.
– King Shantanu marries Ganga-devi; their eighth son, Bhishma, is born after the deliverance of the seven Vasus.
– Bhishma takes his vow of lifelong celibacy and renounces the throne so that Shantanu can marry Satyavati.
– Shantanu and Satyavati have two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, both of whom die without leaving heirs.
– Bhishma abducts the three princesses of Kashi—Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika—for Vichitravirya’s marriage.
– Seeking justice, Amba approaches Parashurama, who challenges Bhishma to a duel. Unable to obtain justice, Amba vows to become the cause of Bhishma’s death in a future life.
– After Vichitravirya’s death, Satyavati calls her son Vyasadeva to continue the Kuru dynasty.
– Ambika closes her eyes upon seeing Vyasadeva; therefore, her son Dhritarashtra is born blind. Ambalika turns pale with fear upon seeing Vyasadeva; therefore, her son Pandu is born pale and physically weak. A maidservant respectfully receives Vyasadeva without fear; therefore, their son Vidura is born with exceptional wisdom and virtue. Pandu marries Kunti and Madri.
– Read Srimad Bhagavad-gita and then Srimad-Bhagavatam, because Srimad-Bhagavatam is the prema-grantha and begins where Bhagavad-gita ends.
– Verse: tava kathamrtam tapta-jivanam… (SB 10.31.9).
– The Lord will destroy all anarthas in our hearts if we surrender to Him: vraje prasiddham navanita-coram… (Chorashtaka 1). He is the original Guru.
– Narada Rishi is called Krishna’s shaktyavesha-avatara (bhaktyavesha-avatara), and Vyasadeva is also His shaktyavesha-avatara (jnanavesha-avatara).
– Recollections: In Mathura, during a fire sacrifice, a ghost possessed one lady, and then the mantras expelled him from her body.
– Haridasa Thakura and a snake charmer.
– Once Gurudev, Srila BV Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, was asked by one disciple: “Gurudev, when will I remember ashta-kaliya-lila?” He answered: “I know only one Kaliya, on whose hoods Krishna was dancing.” The meaning: do not contemplate your siddha-deha prematurely: adhikara na labhiya siddha-deha-bhave… (Bhajana-rahasya 1.10).
– If you read Bhajana-rahasya and Madhurya-kadambini, you will become pakka (perfect, mature).
– During your lifetime, never miss mangala-arati.
