|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 158 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 9

Nisheethe Thama  Udhbhoothe  Jayamane Janardhane | Devakyam Devaroopinyam Vishnu: Sarvaguhashaya: | Aveeraseedhyadha  Prachyam Dhisheendhuriva  Pushkala: || Thamadhbhudham  Balakam Ambujekshanam | Chathurbhujam Shankha Gadhadhyudhayudham | Srivathsa Lakshmim Galashobhi Kausthubham | Peethambaram  Sandhrapayodha Saubhagam ||

It was dark hours of the night,  Vasudeva was watching affectionately at the infant who was given birth by Devi Devaki a moment ago,  instantly the supreme Lord Janardhana who resides as a soul in living beings revealed his magnificent form spreading supreme brilliance of the full moon, his eyes have the resemblance to lotus flower petals,  his four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and Padma, bearing the auspicious mark of Srivathsa on the chest which is the dwelling place of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi,  adorned in precious gem Kausthubha on the neck, he was attired in magnificent yellow silk garment on  marvelous limbs, he was adorned in gem-studded ear ornament on the ears, marvelous crown that multiplies the beauty of his sparkling curly hair locks, he was adorned in armlets and bangles, he has marvelous waistline decorated with the ornaments, and he has the most pleasing smile all over the face.

The human mind and intellect are constantly in search of outward happiness and material comforts without the knowledge of the presence of supreme brilliance as the supreme soul within it.   The Dhashamaskandham of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the study of the existence of supreme brilliance as a soul in living beings, which was often neglected to notice.  The Lord incarnated to impart the knowledge of the supreme soul which is the source of the function of human intellect and mind and body as well.  The scriptures describe the incarnation of Supreme Lord Krishna in the darkness of hours in the night to eradicate the obscurity of ignorance in the human intellect and mind, even though he has performed various pastimes to reduce the burden of Mother Earth and destroy the wicked demons.  He is supreme preceptor/Universal preceptor/Jagathguru who eradicates the darkness of ignorance and impurities of the mind.  Any knowledge without the awareness of the supreme soul that resides as a soul in living beings is considered incomplete. Therefore, any knowledge without the awareness of supreme Lord as the soul is called ‘Avidhya’/lack of knowledge; it can accumulate impurities/attachment to worldly matters and bondage in the human intellect and mind thereby undergoes miseries and sorrows.  Hence, the elevation of the soul is possible only through the contemplation upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, the reason for the incarnation of supreme Lord Vishnu as little cowherd was to serve the above purpose.  The material welfare, richness, fame, attractive appearance, good health, family, wife, children, grandchildren, possession of wealth, properties, relatives, etc. would become futile if there is no devotion at the lotus feet of a supreme preceptor who is the source of the highest knowledge.  Therefore, the incarnation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu as Lord of cowherds was to elevate the soul and impart the knowledge of his presence as the soul in all the living beings, thereby remove the attachment to worldly matters and bondage, ultimately to provide the state of ‘Kaivalyam’, where there is no attachment to people, material matters, possession, fame or richness, and no expectation from others.  ‘Kaivalyam’ is the superlative state where there are no sorrows, grief, pain, miseries or afflictions; it is the state of ‘supreme bliss’.

Immediately after birth Lord Vishnu revealed his marvelous form with four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma, that convey complex knowledge about the Supreme Lord who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the Universe and its living beings.   He is beyond death or birth, and he is void of changes.  The conch symbolizes Sound/Pranava/’AUM’ produces from the conch/Panchajanya which represents Panchabhootha/five essential elements, any friction causes sound as well as appearance/form that has impermanent nature, therefore it teaches the function of creation/Shrishti/A, preservation/Sthithi/U and destruction/Laya/M.  The mace represents the weapon to defend as well as attack the enemies such as lethargy/laziness and ignorance.  The lotus flower represents the knowledge of attachment with detachment, the technique of while living in any relationship without getting fastened by it,  like a lotus flower that flourishes in the muddy water but remains untouched by it.  It teaches to remain serene with a balanced state of mind in the presence of an abundance of possession, and do not get despondent in the absence of the same.  The weapon disc/Sudharshana teaches the highest knowledge of oneness-in all, the presence of supreme soul which has permanent nature.   The removal of ignorance with the powerful wheel/disc of knowledge that the human body has to undergo constant transformation and ruin, the supreme Lord who resides as the soul has neither death nor birth.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 157 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 8

Sathyavratham Sathyaparam  Thrisathyam | Sathyasya  Yonim Nihitham Ca  Sathye | Sathyasya  Sathyamatha Sathyanethram | Sathyathmakam Thvam Sharanam Prapanna: ||  Maharha  Vaidoorya Kireeda Kundalasathvisha Parishvaktha Sahasra Kunthalam| Udhdhama Kanchi Angadha Kankanabhi: Virochamanam Vasudeva Aikshatha||

It was in the month of Bhadhrapadha, on the eighth day of waning moon/Ashtami, it was in the mid night, supreme Lord Krishna was born as an eighth child to Devi Devaki, bearing the birth star Rohini.  The atmosphere was serene, an indescribable divinity prolonged in the atmosphere as an welcoming sign for the divine child on the Earth, there was all-pervading serenity in the atmosphere and brilliance all over the Earth, the rivers were gently flowing, cool breeze released a mesmerizing feeling, the fragrances of various flowers were floating in the air,   fires were brilliantly raising from the Agnishala of the houses of Agnihothris,  the wicked people got terrified of no reason, chaste and righteousness people shone with happiness and brightness, Apsaras, celestial Gandharvas were playing music and dances.  The entire atmosphere was magnificent with slight drizzling followed with thunderstorms, in those dark hours of the night, the supreme Lord Janardhana was born as the eighth child of Devi Devaki.  Thus Lord Vishnu who resides as a soul in living beings manifested as a child to the female deity Devi Devaki. 

The infant shone like full moon in the darkness of the prison.  Devi Devaki and Vasudeva affectionately looked at the infant, immediately the supreme Lord changed his appearance, Devaki and Vasudeva noticed that marvelous appearance of Lord in dark cloud complexion with four arms, he was adorned in magnificent crown, ear ornaments spreading intense radiance, lotus flower petals like eyes, a divine mark of sandalwood paste and vermilion on the beautiful forehead, attractive nose and Bimba fruits like lips,  armlets, gem decorated ornaments on the neck and chest, Srivastham, Kausthubham, attired in marvelous yellow silk garments, four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and Padma, beautiful waist ornament and anklets and garland of fresh alluring flowers of woods/ Vanamala on the chest.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 156 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 8

||Samsarasare Magnam Dheenam Mam  Karunanidhe | Karmagrahithangam Mam Udhdhara Bhavarnnavath || Srimadh Bhagavadhyo Ayam Prathyaksha: Krishna Yeva Hi | Sveekrithoasi Maya Natha Mukthyartha Bhavasagare ||

Lord Bhrama was accompanied by deities arrived in the prison and eulogized the supreme Lord Hari who is in the womb of Devi Devaki.  Lord Bhrama praised “Oh! Lord, you are absolute truth, resides as a soul in living beings, you are eternal, you are the source of truth, you are the essence of truth, you are beyond truth, you reside as a subtle form of truth in the living beings, you represent Thrisathyam/past, present, and future, and you are void of the Thrisathyam, you are attainable to the individuals who have a thorough knowledge of supreme soul, serenity of mind and a balanced state of mind, to accept all the happenings in life as the grace of Lord.  Oh! Lord, You are the base of the existence of the human body/Adhivriksham, human body functions in the presence of you, it has two fruits happiness and sorrows, it has three qualities such as Sathvik, Rajasik, and Thamasik.  The human body is capable to enjoy the three types of Rasa such as Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, it has five senses that take pleasure in touch, sound, appearance, liquid, and fragrance, it has to undergo  six status such as birth, living, sustaining, aging, illness, and death, it has seven components/ Dhathu such as Thvak, Asthi, Majja, Mamsa, Raktham, Medhas and Shukla.   It has eight branches known as five essential elements and intellect, Ahamkara, it has nine gates eyes, nose, ears, nose and anus, it has five Gnananindhriyas and five  Prana.   There are two birds Jeevathma and Paramathma in the Vruksha/ tree-like human body.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the absolute truth resides as the soul in living beings.  Oh! Ambujaksha,  You have numerous incarnations, whoever realize your presence as a soul in them would cross major crisis in their lives effortlessly like crossing the water-filled in the footprint of cows.  Oh! Bhagavan, whoever surrenders at your lotus feet, would cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence at ease.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the safest ferry to cross the ocean of miseries of the worldly existence.  Oh! Aravindhaksha, the individual who is reluctant to realize your presence, not willing to surrender at your lotus feet, not willing to contemplate upon you, would undergo endless miseries and sorrows of worldly existence, thereby fails to raise the soul and takes several births.  Oh! Madhava, whoever creates constant companionship with the supreme Lord would remain fearless.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the one raising us from all kinds of obstacles and protects us.  Oh! Bhagavan, you symbolize Sathvik nature, you are pure and unblemished, you are supreme soul resides as a soul in living beings, you are the source of Shreyas to the living beings who are constantly engaged in the practice of Veda, Kriya, Yoga and Samadhi/spiritual and religious rites, etc.  Whoever realizes the presence of supreme Lord as a soul in all living beings and has no specific names or appearance, no birth or death, he is beyond comparison, the mind and intellect functions with the sole existence of supreme soul who constantly witnesses the whole Universe performs all the tasks contemplating upon the supreme Lord would elevate their souls.  The easiest way to attain the supreme Lord who resides as the soul is listening to his glorious myths, understanding the concepts, pondering on it, remembering the numerous sacred names, incarnations, and various pastimes of Lord.  Whoever contemplates upon supreme Lord, surrendering to the lotus feet of Supreme Lord, considering all the happenings in life as the grace of supreme Lord, would not descend to the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  Oh! Bhagavan, the ultimate purpose of your pastimes are to impart the supreme knowledge to us, hence kindly elevate our soul and bless us.  Oh! Bhagavan you have incarnated as giant Mathsya and Koorma, Narasimha, Varaha, etc.. in this way you have preserved the three worlds.  Oh! Bhagavan, now you have prepared to personify as one of the Yadhavas, Oh! Yadhooththama, we are repeatedly prostrating before your lotus feet, kindly eradicate the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.”  Further, Lord Bhrama and deities pacified Devi Devaki “ Oh! Mother, do not worry about wicked Kamsa, you are carrying Jagannivasa in your womb,” and they returned to their respective abodes.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 155 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 9

Jara Shoka Vipakartham  Rogamandhiramathuram |Dhushpooram Dhurdharam Dhushtam  Sa Dhosham Kshanabanguram || Sapthaha Shravane Loke Prapyathe  Nikate Hari: | Atho  Dhosha Nivriththyarthametha Deva Hi Sadhanam ||

Once again, Devi Devaki distressed at the loss of the seventh child, was elevated with the prayers of Vasudeva, and his constant encouragements, he advised Devaki about the upcoming birth of the divine child,  in this way he elevated the soul of Devi Devaki to bring her back to old spirit to make her equipped to receive the supreme Lord as her child.  Thus, Devi Devaki was mentally prepared to receive the eighth child, the supreme Lord entered in the mind and intellect of Vasudeva.  Gradually, Vasudeva invested the divine thoughts of the supreme Lord in the intellect of Devi Devaki as well.  Vasudeva described the all-pervading nature of the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, to Devaki and elevated her soul.  The very instant Devi Devaki realized the presence of Jagannivasa in her womb, she forgot all the worries and sorrows, and she was grown beyond the grief of the death of six children in the hands of Kamsa, and loss of seventh child within the womb.  Devi Devaki was in a state of supreme bliss, she could envision the presence of supreme Lord Vishnu in her fetus.  Kamsa came to know about the pregnancy of Devi Devaki, he took a visit to the prison, looked at the protruding belly of Devi Devaki, he felt a brilliant ray splashing on him, he realized that the fetus in the womb of his sister is none other than Lord Vishnu, his own death.  He is no one other supreme Lord Hari who is going to kill him, he felt the shadow of the child following him everywhere, and he was besieged with extreme fear and anxiety.   Kamsa was truly fortunate, constantly felt that he was followed by supreme Lord Hari while sitting, sleeping, walking, riding, consuming meal etc…, He was completely drenched in the thought of Lord Hrishikesh, even though in extreme fear, eventually he forgot worldly matters.  Finally, the fetus in the womb of Devi Devaki attained full growth.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 154 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 8


Andhakoope Sneha Pashe  Bandha: Panguraham Shada: | Karmana Pathitho Noonam Mam Udhdhara Dhayanidhe || Dhivyaroopadharo Jasathulasidhama Manditha : | Peethavasa Ghanashyamo Mukudi Kundalanvitha: ||

Devi Devaki and Vasudeva grieved over the death of her six children, she was in utter desolation, was pacified by the compassionate words of Vasudeva. Once, again Devaki got pregnant with a child on the seventh time.  She regained her strength with the divinity of the child in her womb, thus the divine form of supreme Lord as Anantha entered the womb of Devi Devaki as the seventh child.   The supreme Lord instructed Yogamaya to transfer the child from the womb of Devi Devaki to Devi Rohini in the Gokul.  She was also instructed to take her place in the womb of Devi Yasodha so that she will be highly revered as supreme Goddess.    Lord Vishnu eulogized Yogamaya  “ Oh! Devi, Oh! Bhadhre, kindly extract the child of Devi Devaki and deposit in the womb of  Devi Rohini who is the wife of Vasudeva.  Further, take your place in the womb of Devi Yasodha.  Once, my birth takes place as the son of Devi Devaki and Vasudeva, I will be moved to Gokul and you will be brought to Mathura, in this way you can perform your amusement.  In the future, people will worship you as Devi Durga, Bhadrakali, Vijaya, Vaishnavi, Jaya, Kumudha, Chandika, Krishna, Madhavi, Kanyaka, Maya, Narayani, Sharada, and Ambika, etc.. You will have thousands of sacred names and people will venerate you with utmost devotion.  Therefore kindly proceed to Vraja, there you will be worshipped by cowherds.”

Devi Devaki and Vasudeva were under constant supervision of the guards in the prison, they kept watching on Devi Devaki and informed the status of her pregnancy to Kamsa.  One day, Kamsa visited the prison and found Devaki is fully pregnant with the child, Kamsa could visualize some divinity of the fetus of  Devaki, he wanted to kill the fetus instantly, but changed his mind.  On that night, Devaki lost the fetus, in the morning she found the womb empty without the child, she was not aware of anything that was happened under the influence of Maya of supreme Lord. 

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 153 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 7


 Ye Manava : Papakrithasthu  Sarvadha Sadha  Dhuraracharatha Vimargaga: |Krodhagnidhagdha: Kudilashcha Kamina: Sapthaha Yajjena Kalau Punanthi The: ||Kayena Vacha Manasapi Pathakam Nithyam Prakurvanthi Shada Hadena Ye |Parasvapushta Malina Dhurashaya: Sapthaha Yajjena Kalau Punanthi The: ||

Once, Maharishi Narada visited the Palace of Kamsa and praised him, further asked him about the divine voice that threatened him during the wedding ceremony of Devi Devaki.  Kamsa was not taken the things seriously, replied to Maharishi Narada that he is not at all worried about the children born to Devi Devaki, he has a threat from the eighth child of Devi Devaki, so he is anxiously waiting for her eighth child.   Therefore, the number eight was the most hated in Kamsa’s life, Maharishi Narada said “ Oh! Kamsa, you are an ignorant one, I have visited here for the benefit of you, Devi Devaki and Vasudeva are deities, you were Kalanemi in your previous birth, you have destined to die in the hands of Lord Hari, therefore the supreme Lord Hari is going to incarnate as eighth child of Devi Devaki.  So be careful, you really do not know how it would be counted as ‘eight’ by the deities, child or the month in which child takes birth, in addition to it you cannot recognize which is the eighth child, I am explaining all these in favor of you.”  After saying so, Maharishi Narada left the palace.  Kamsa was deeply worried and perplexed arrived in the chamber of Devi Devaki and Vasudeva.  The five children were crawling on the floor and the sixth infant was on the cradle, he seized the children and killed them one by one before its parents mercilessly.  Devi Devaki and Vasudeva who were tried to hinder the heinous act were fastened with an iron chain and pushed them to prison. 

The Yadhus and Agneyas entered in a vicious battle,  Kamsa prompted his men to harass the Yadhavas to leave the city of Mathura.  Vasudeva advised Devi Rohini to take shelter in the house of Nandababa and Yasodha in Gokul.  King Ugrasena was imprisoned and Kamsa took over the ruling of the city of Mathura.  He destroyed all his enemies and haughtily ruled the city.  Kamsa had powerful men Pralamba, Thrinavarththa, Chanoora, and Baka. They continued to harass the clan of Yadhava, so they had to flee to Keykeya and Panchala Kingdoms. 

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 152 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 6

“Vamshivibhoooshithakaram Navaneetha Abham | Peethambaram Arunabimba Phaladharoshtam| Poornendhu Sundara Mukham Aravindhanethram | Krishnathparam Kimapi Thathvamahamna Janam ||

The Supreme Lord Krishna/Karshayathi Krishna/captivating symbolizes Love and Wisdom, he is enchanting, spreading intense rays of brilliance and happiness, he is the source of brilliance for Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, and Lord Agni, in this way he resides as a soul in living beings too.  As long the supreme soul resides in the human body, it functions the way it wanted, once, it leaves out of the body through any of the nine gates, is declared as lifeless.  The incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Krishna teaches the supreme knowledge of ‘self-realization’.    The knowledge of self-realization provides humility, kindness, and knowledge of oneness- in all.

The Kingdom of Mathura was ruled by the Emperor Ugrasena.  Kamsa was the eldest son of the Emperor Ugrasena, who was extremely wicked and cruel, finding pleasure in depraved acts.  Ugrasena’s brother was Devaka had seven daughters; all these daughters were married to Vasudeva who was the son of King Shoorasena of Yadhu clan.  Thus, Devaka decided to perform the marriage of Devi Devaki, youngest daughter to Vasudeva.  The King Devaka determined to perform the marriage of Devi Devaki in a grand manner,  Kamsa offered his service and chariot for the marriage of his sister.  The marriage was taken place in great splendor, the chariot of Kamsa was decorated with the grand manner, Kamsa offered his service as a charioteer to his sister.  Thus, Devi Devaki and Vasudeva seated on the magnificent chariot driven by Kamsa, followed with the sounds of various divine musical instruments, preceded to the palace of Vasudeva.  Suddenly, the whole atmosphere of festivities has changed, the sky filled with dark clouds, Kamsa could hear a deafening voice from the sky “ Oh! Abudha,/Ignorant one, the eighth child of Devi Devaki would take away your life.” Kamsa turned pale, extremely raged, instantly he got out of the chariot and seized the hair of Devi Devaki, dragged her out of the chariot and pointed the sharp sword at her.  Immediately, Vasudeva jumped out the chariot and fallen at the feet of Kamsa with the folded hands requested “Oh! Kamsa, listen to me, you are King of Mathura, killing a woman will bring the sin of ‘Bhramahathya’, you should not ruin the name and fame of your clan, do not disgrace yourself by killing your own sister.  We are born with the wrap of death, and it’s inseparable from all the living beings, if you kill Devi Devaki your depraved deed will follow you and it would cause several births.  None of us could be freed from the results of our deeds like a worm move from one edge of the grass to another, takes several births and accumulates the sins and go through the cycles of birth and death. Oh! Kamsa, Kindly do not harm her; she did not do any harm to you.  Devi Devaki was always affectionate to you; it is sinful to kill affectionate people.”  Kamsa could not hear any of the kind words of Vasudeva, he ordered him to move away.   Soon Vasudeva realized that Kamsa will not heed to his words.  Kamsa is blind with anger and ignorance, therefore Vasudeva decided it is impossible to change the attitude of Kamsa, he began to think, and speak “ Oh! Kamsa, you have no threat from Devi Devaki, the voice echoed about the eighth child of Devi Devaki.  I shall promise, I will hand over the child who is a threat to your life.”  Thus Kamsa agreed to the promise of Vasudeva, thus the grand procession of the newly wedded couple has come to an end, turned to a mere silent march.   In due course of time, Devi Devaki pregnant with their first child and delivered the child, named   Keerthimantha.   Devi Devaki handed the newborn child born to Vasudeva with extreme grief,  Vasudeva took the child to the palace of Kamsa.   He kept the child at the feet of Kamsa, with tears overflowing.  Kamsa looked at the infant’s face; he could not kill the child looking at its innocence, so he asked Vasudeva to take away the child, as it was not the eighth child and not a threat for him.  Vasudeva was not quite sure about the happiness while regaining the life of the infant, because Kamsa is unpredictable.  Kamsa appreciated the truthfulness of Vasudeva.