THE BULL AND THE BHAGAVATA

There is a humorous saying in Oriya, ṣandha śuṇuchi bhāgavata — “A bull hearing the Bhāgavatam,” that indicates something useless. If you recite Śrīmad Bhāgavatam before a bull, what will he understand or appreciate? However, in Bhubaneswar, Orissa recently, this phrase took on a new meaning.

In March 2004, many people had gathered at the ancient Shiva temple known as Kapileshwar Mahadeva in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar to observe the 22-year-old tradition of hearing a nine-day recitation of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Just as the recitation was about to begin, a large bull entered the compound and sat down next to the devotees. Some devotees tried to chase him away, but he was a bit, well … bullish, and patiently ignored their protests. Everyone was surprised to see that as soon as the talk was finished, the bull got up to leave. However, they were even more surprised when he showed up on time the next day, listened, and again left when it was over. This went on for the duration of the event.

By the following year, most everyone had forgotten about the episode. That is until the first day of the recitation, when the same bull showed up, right on time, and again took his seat to hear the Bhāgavatam. Again this went on every day for the duration of the program. This year, in 2006, everyone was wondering if he would come again. Sure enough, on the first day, our stubborn bovine friend came sauntering through the gate and quietly took his place next to the devotees. Whatever it may mean, this bull hearing the Bhāgavata has become the biggest attraction of the festival.

Bhāgavata-māhātmya of Padma Purāṇa recounts the Bhāgavata-saptāha conducted by the great devotee Gokarna. It is said there that due to his reciting the Bhāgavatam his brother Dhundhukari was delivered from his form of a ghost and attained the spiritual world. The Padma Purāṇa says that although many others were listening to that recitation, no one else achieved liberation because, unlike Dhundhukari, they were not listening attentively. Gokarna later spoke the Bhāgavatam again. This time everyone in the village attended and listened attentively, including even the animals. Chapter 197 of the uttara-khaṇḍa of Padma Purāṇa describes the results:

tad-grāme ye sthitā jīvā āśva-cāṇḍāla-jātayaḥ
vimāne sthāpitāste ‘pi gokarṇa kṛpayā tadā

By the mercy of Gokarna, all the living entities in that village, including even the dogs and dog-eaters, ascended into a transcendental airship [and attained the abode of the Lord].