October 22, 2026
Lord Shiva explaining to Goddess Parvati the glories of Srimad Bhagavad-gita and the story of Susharma's liberation.
Lord Vishnu's Gita Form
Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to describe the glories of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Lord Shiva described how Lord Vishnu, resting on Ananta-Sesha, told Lakshmi that He has manifested in the form of the Bhagavad-gita:
• The first five chapters are His five heads.
• The next ten chapters are His ten arms.
• The sixteenth chapter is His stomach.
• The last two chapters are His lotus feet.
Anyone who daily recites even one chapter, one shloka, or a quarter shloka will be freed from sins.
• The first five chapters are His five heads.
• The next ten chapters are His ten arms.
• The sixteenth chapter is His stomach.
• The last two chapters are His lotus feet.
Anyone who daily recites even one chapter, one shloka, or a quarter shloka will be freed from sins.
The Story of the Sinful Susharma
Lord Vishnu narrated the history of Susharma, a wicked and sinful man born in a brahmana family. He spent his life drinking wine, eating flesh, and hurting others.
One day, while collecting leaves in a garden, he was bitten by a snake and died. After suffering in hells, he took birth as a bull. A crippled man forced him to carry heavy loads. One day, the bull collapsed. Passersby offered the results of their pious deeds to the dying bull. A prostitute, who did not know if she had any piety, offered the results of whatever pious activities she might have performed. The bull died and was freed from his hellish reactions.
One day, while collecting leaves in a garden, he was bitten by a snake and died. After suffering in hells, he took birth as a bull. A crippled man forced him to carry heavy loads. One day, the bull collapsed. Passersby offered the results of their pious deeds to the dying bull. A prostitute, who did not know if she had any piety, offered the results of whatever pious activities she might have performed. The bull died and was freed from his hellish reactions.
The Parrot's Recitation & Final Liberation
Susharma was then reborn in a high brahmana family, remembering his past lives. He searched out the prostitute to ask about her piety. She pointed to a parrot in a cage that recited verses daily, which had purified her heart.
The parrot explained that in his past life, he was a proud scholar who insulted others. Reborn as a parrot, he lived in an ashram where he heard rishi children reciting the **First Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita**. He learned to repeat it.
By reciting and hearing the First Chapter, the parrot, the prostitute, and Susharma were completely purified and quickly attained the supreme destination, Vaikuntha.
The parrot explained that in his past life, he was a proud scholar who insulted others. Reborn as a parrot, he lived in an ashram where he heard rishi children reciting the **First Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita**. He learned to repeat it.
By reciting and hearing the First Chapter, the parrot, the prostitute, and Susharma were completely purified and quickly attained the supreme destination, Vaikuntha.