Udaipur, August 26: At the ongoing ‘Bholenath Ke Charanon Mein Apno Se Apni Baat’ Shiv Katha at Narayan Seva Sansthan, institution president Prashant Agrawal on Wednesday highlighted the significance of ‘Shravan’, or listening, during the holy month of Sawan.
He said that today everyone wants to make themselves heard, but few are willing to listen to others. This is a major reason behind disagreements and conflicts. He stressed that developing the art of listening is essential for peace in life and harmony in relationships.
Importance of Listening in Indian Knowledge Tradition
Prashant Agrawal said listening has held a special place in the Indian knowledge tradition. The knowledge of the Vedas was also passed from one generation to another through the oral Shruti tradition. He explained through an episode from the Mahabharata that listening to the right thing at the right time can change the course of life.
He narrated the story of Parikshit and said that Ashwatthama had used the Brahmastra against the unborn child in the womb of Uttara, the wife of Abhimanyu. Frightened, Uttara sought refuge in Lord Krishna. The Lord entered the womb in a subtle form and protected the child.
The child later came to be known as Parikshit. While in the womb, he had seen a radiant divine figure. After his birth, he kept looking for the same divine figure in the faces of people. For this reason, he was named Parikshit.
Parikshit and the Curse of Takshak
Agrawal said that people were happy during King Parikshit’s rule. During his campaign of conquest, he established dharma and justice and controlled the influence of Kali Yuga.
During the journey, tired from hunting, Parikshit reached the ashram of Sage Shamik in search of water. Seeing the sage immersed in meditation, he became angry and placed a dead snake around his neck. Angered by this, the sage’s son cursed Parikshit to die from the bite of Takshak on the seventh day.
After learning about the curse, Parikshit handed over the kingdom to his son and waited for death on the banks of the Ganga. He asked sages and saints what a person should do when death is near. It was then that he met Shukdev, who inspired him to listen to the divine deeds of Lord God.
Agrawal said, “There are many who speak, but few who listen. For the upliftment of life, one must learn not only to speak but also to listen to the right things.”
He also narrated episodes related to Shiva devotee Kannappa, Shravan Kumar, who was devoted to his parents, and the nine forms of devotion. He said listening leads a person towards knowledge, wisdom and self-realisation.
Divyangjan and their family members were also present during the Katha.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.