Background
The very righteous king Parikshita set out for hunting once. Exhausted from the hunt, to quench his thirst, he arrived at the hermitage of a sage named Shameeka. However, as Sage Shameeka had immersed himself in meditation then, he did not notice the king’s arrival. Although Parikshita waited for a long while, the sage did not awake from his meditation. In desperation, the king took a dead snake lying nearby, hung it on the sage’s neck, and left from there.
The sage’s little son had gone out to play at that time. His name was Shrungi. Upon returning, he saw that his father was still in meditation; however, there was dead snake that hung around his neck. This sight angered him beyond measure. He cursed that whosoever insulted his father would die from the bite of Takshaka, a celestial serpent, in the next 7 days. A while later, Sage Shameeka awakened from his meditation. He learnt of everything that had transpired and regretted the happenings. He explained to his son that it was their mistake that they did not tend to their righteous king and also that it was improper to curse a guest. However, by then, the curse had already started to show its effect.
It did not take much time for this news to reach Parikshita; he got to know of it that very day itself. He too regretted his despicable act. Nevertheless, he did not fear death that was about to strike him on the seventh day from then. Before death, he desired to relish the ambrosia that was Lord Shri Hari’s name. He decided to give up his mortal body whilst listening to the Bhagavata Mahapurana. However, the king’s entourage, which revered him, started making arrangements to save the king from his death (or at least to prevent the snake bite). Amidst the torrential Ganga river, they put up a mansion that was impossible for anyone to reach. They also arranged a tight security around this mansion. Nobody could get past this security without the necessary commands. The arrangements were such that not even a tiny worm could enter that place, let alone snakes. The king, however, without giving any thought to all these, had immersed his mind in Bhagavatha Jnanayajna (pursuit of spiritual knowledge that elevates the soul).
All he had was 7 days’ time. In this short period, he had to savour the nectarine Bhagavatha in its entirety. All arrangements were made for this instantly. Shukacharya, the beloved son of Lord Vedavyasa, voluntarily arrived there and started to deliver a discourse of Bhagavatha. Outwardly, it might seem that the king developed detachment owing to this curse and hence intended to listen to the Bhagavatha; however, upon careful consideration, it can be learnt that all this was part of Lord Shri Hari’s predestination. It is a wonder that, in a short while after the curse was casted, its news reached the king’s camp, and it is equally astonishing that Shukacharya himself voluntarily came to the king and narrated the Bhagavatha. What is furthermore surprising is the fact that thousands of Rushis and Munis had gathered on the banks the river Ganga to listen to this rendition of Bhagavatha. Divine will had long decided that with Parikshita, the saintly king, in the forefront, Shukacharya would conduct this auspicious event.
The Bhagavatha discourse commenced in that great mansion built in the current of Ganga river. All the noble souls that had gathered there were overwhelmed by this flood of knowledge. On the final day, Takshaka devised a plan. Taking the form of a tiny worm, he entered a fruit and bit the king. At that very moment, the king had left his body through Yogic path. By this, Shrungi’s curse fulfilled. At the same time, by leaving his mortal body through Yogic means, Parikshita had embraced death that befitted a saintly king like him.
This is the story behind how a discourse on Bhagavatha started being delivered as a Saptaha (a systematic rendition of the entire Bhagavatha in a 7-day period) in the world.
Present day Shukasthala
The place where Shukacharya conducted the very first Bhagavatha Saptaha is now called Shukasthala. This place is in today’s Uttar Pradesh. On the way to Haridwara from Delhi, there is a district centre called Muzaffarpur. Shukasthala is a town in this district. This place is about 90 km to the south of Haridwara. North Indians call this place as Shukrataal. Locally, learneds, call it by the beautiful endonym Shukatirtha. There is a banyan tree under which Shukacharya is believed to have given the discourse. Under this tree is a small shrine dedicated to Shukacharya and Lord Vedavyasa. A local monastery named “Shukadev Ji” is in charge of taking care of this place. Every day thousands of people visit here.
Ever since Shukacharya conducted a Saptaha, several million Bhagavatha Saptahas have taken place all across our nation (and across the globe too) and still continue to happen. However, Bhagavatha Saptahas that happen in this Shukasthala have a special significance. Hundreds of scholars desire to deliver a Bhagavata Saptaha at least once in this place. This holy place facilitates all such scholars that come here, to fulfill their wish. Every day there is at least one Bhagavatha discourse conducted here. In a spacious hall in the Shukadev Ji monastery, at least 50 scholars recite the Bhagavatha every day. Whether it is a group of 10 people or a 1000 people, this place can conveniently provide them with accommodation. According to the group size, facilities to set up platforms for the discourse, mike sets, generators, vessels for cooking and rooms for lodging will be provided here. The Shukadev Ji monastery maintains a registry of the names of all scholars who deliver Bhagavatha Saptaha in this Shukatirtha. It is a pleasure for us to see the names of several scholars from our state Karnataka in here.
Bhagavata Saptaha of His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwapriyatirtha Swamiji
An incident that occurred here gives us a good example of the high regard that is given to a Bhagavatha Jnana Yagna at this place. In 2005(06), His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwapriyatirtha Swamiji, the pontiff of Adamaru Matha, conducted a Bhagavatha Saptaha here. What can be said about His lectures? He has thousands of devotees who follow Him faithfully. A group of devotees from Raichur had organized this Saptaha program in Shukasthala. I too was fortunate enough to make some arrangements for this event.
About 150-200 devotees had gathered for this program. A large dais was set up in a spacious hall for this. The senior pontiff of Shukadev Ji monastery was also invited for the program. Seating arrangements were made for him on the dais, next to Vyasapeeta (seat for HH Sri Vishwapriyatirtha Swamiji). Both pontiffs, of Adamaru Matha and Shukadev Ji monastery, took their respective seats. Initially, both pontiffs conversed in Hindi itself. When the discourse was half way through, suddenly, the pontiff of Shukadev Ji monastery got down from the dais. Everybody assumed that he might be leaving the place to attend to some other works. However, he asked the organizers to put a chair for him off the dais. He carefully listened to the entire discourse that morning. Once the discourse was over, he went up on the stage, took the mike and said, “It is a custom to go to a place where Bhagavata is being delivered, even if there is no invitation. Nevertheless, for various reasons, we are unable to attend all the Saptahas that are conducted here. However, I consider it to be the blessings of Shukacharya on me that I have been invited to this Bhagavata Saptaha, which has commenced today. [Looking at His Holiness] I confidently say that His Holiness is the reflection of Lord Sri Vedavyasa. When I learnt that the lecture was going to be given in Kannada, I wondered how long I could attend a program when I could not understand anything of it. However, as soon as His Holiness started the lecture, I clearly understood that He was speaking in the language of the gods. Every single point that was spoken in the lecture till now has reached my heart. Starting today, I will attend this program till the last day; however, please do not put a seat for me on the stage. Where I was seated till now is the rightful place for me. Making this arrangement for me would be sufficient.” Furthermore, just as he had said, the pontiff attended the Saptaha for all the 7 days.
With this program, we were introduced firstly to the fact that Lord Sri Vedavyasa had placed His special presence in His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwapriyatirtha Swamiji and secondly to the nobility of the pontiff of the Shukadev Ji monastery who bows to the discourse of Bhagavatha.
How to reach?
Shukasthala is just 150 km away from Delhi. However, reaching there would be easy only if a private vehicle is available. It will be quite difficult to reach this place through government transport. For this, first, one has to go to Muzaffarnagar from Delhi; from there, a bus to a place called Bijanoor must be boarded. Then, one must alight in a place called Bhopa and reach Shukasthala, which is about 12 km from Bhopa, by an autorickshaw or such vehicle. Put together, this entire journey will take about 7 hours’ time. By a private vehicle, it will need about 4-5 hours.
You can follow this location mark to reach there by your own vehicle: https://goo.gl/maps/7iS2Qm1eM9uFRpb9A
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