There are significant differences between the earlier four cantos and the future ones. In the past four Skandas (cantos) the subject matter was tough to digest. In the form of stories Self-knowledge was

Trivikramāya namah Maharishi Nārada continues, “The Sun which causes rainfall absorbs back this same water during summer. All mobile and immobile entities which emerge from earth eventually merge back

Trivikramāya namah Pracetās now came out of the ocean waters. They saw that the entire earth filled with trees so tall that they appeared to be touching the skies. They were infuriated to see that trees

The Pracetās continued, “Asāv eva varo ’smākam īpsito jagataḥ pate Prasanno bhagavān yeṣām apavarga-gurur gatiḥ O Lord of the universe! You are the one who grants liberation. You are the one who directs

Vishṇave namah Srihari continued, “Based on my command, your father Emperor Pracina-barhi has ordered you to expand your lineage through children. Hence without further delay please go ahead and marry

“He who listens to this supreme story in which Self-knowledge has been indirectly preached by Maharishi Nārada or who explains it to others will obtain freedom from his subtle body. In other words, he

Vishnāve namah Maharishi Narada continues, “Sometimes incidents which have not been seen or heard either in this birth or in previous births come to memory. Understand that such experience happens due

Vishṇave namah Maharishi Nārada continued, “A male deer while chewing tiny blades of grass enters into a flower garden and wanders happily along with its female partner. It will be enraptured by the melodious

Athātmano ’rtha-bhūtasya yato ’nartha-paramparā Saṁsṛtis tad-vyavacchedo bhaktyā paramayā gurau Only the Self has a real existence. This entire world is of illusory existence. Due to spiritual ignorance

Maharishi Nārada continues, “This body is the chariot. The five sense organs are the five horses tied to the chariot. Righteous and unrighteous deeds are the two wheels for this chariot. The traits of

Govindāya namah Emperor Pracina-barhi said, “O Maharishi Nārada, I am unable to understand the hidden significance in your story. Only learned scholars understand the hidden meaning contained in your speech.

Avijnāta said “In your previous birth you had a friend called Avijnāta. Do you remember? I am Avijnāta. Attracted by these worldly pleasures you deserted me and travelled in search of pleasures. O supreme

As Puranjana’s mind was always focused upon his wife, he was reborn as the daughter of Vidarbha King after completing his suffering. As he always thought about women, he had to be reborn as a woman. This

Mādhavāya namah Even after his body was weak and diseased, his mind was totally inclined towards sense gratification. That beautiful city, which was explained in great detail earlier, was now totally

Puranjana continued, “O self-respecting lady! You have such beautiful teeth and eyebrows. Your charming face accompanied by the shy, loving gaze which your shower is like sprouting bud. Your curly black

Nārayanāya namah In this way, King Puranjana was totally infatuated by Queen Puranjani. Totally trapped in illusion, he completely forgot his original form and was cheated. Being completely under her sway,

Puranjana and the lady were captivated by each other’s beauty. She too praised him in every possible way. She extolled his handsome body, his prowess. She assured that she would fulfill all his desires

The flooring of these palaces was made of sapphire, pearls, corals, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and crystals. The city was abounding in wealth and was glowing like the celestial city Bhogavati. The city

Keshavāya namah “Śreyasām iha sarveṣāṁ jñānaṁ niḥśreyasaṁ param Sukhaṁ tarati duṣpāraṁ jñāna-naur vyasanārṇavam Obtaining Self-knowledge is the ultimate auspiciousness that can be obtained in this world!

Lord Rudra continued, “O Lord, the five gross elements, senses and mind enable the person to see Your manifested form i.e. world which is subject to transformations such as creation, sustenance and