|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 174 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 25

Vanam Vrindavanam  Nama Pashavyam Navakananam | Gopa Gopi Gavam Sevyam Punyadhrithrinaveerudham || Vrindavanam  Govardhanam Yamunapulinani Cha | Veekshyasidhuththama Preethi  Ramamadhavayor Nripa||

Once, little Krishna and Balarama was playing the children of cowherds in the courtyard for long hours.    Devi Rohini appeared to take the children feeding meals, the children were so wrapped up with various passionate sports did not pay attention to Devi Rohini.   Finally, she went inside the palace and informed Devi Yasodha who approached her little child with her sweet words, he was  already soaked in perspiration and dust, she invited him to take a meal and reminded him about the importance of the day, that was bearing the birth star of little Krishna.  Devi Yasodha considered the supreme Bhramam as her little son, she was so devoted to him and seized his hands; she took Krishna and Balaram inside the palace, thus the children and all the members of the family seated together and a sumptuous meal was served.

In a short while, the senior members of the family of cowherds arrived in the palace of Nandababa to discuss the unexpected events took place in the Gokulam recently.  Nandababa soon joined with them and the senior members expressed their anxiety about the safety of the children of Gokulam.   They have discussed the dreadful Poothana who assumed the form of a beautiful woman and took away little Krishna, and the Shakatasura who caused to crush the bullock cart, the dangerous whirlwind Thrinavarththa that caused horror in the mind of people of Gokulam, in addition to that recently the two trees of Yamalarjuna uprooted with no cause.  Nandababa mentioned that Gokulam has become a threat to the life of the children, so they have to consider shift their residence from Gokulam.  The senior members of cowherds expressed their anxiousness about how could they leave their homes and farm and shift to a new place? Which is the safest place to move?  Nandababa comforted the senior members not to worry about it, he will take care of the welfare of all, thus they have decided soon they will move to a place where cattle can grace, get fodder easily, a place in an abundance of water and greens, and a place to undertake to farm, etc.  Finally, they have arrived in a conclusion to move to the woods of Vrindavana.  Thus, everyone agreed and felt immensely happy to move to the flourished land of Vrindavana.  The children, women, elderly people and men of Gokulam assembled in a place with their belonging in a bullock cart to conduct their journey to the woods of Vrindavana.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 173 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 24

Kreehini Bho: Phalaneethi Shruthva  Sathvaramachyutha: | Phalarththi Dhanyamadhaya  Yayau Sarvaphalapradha: || Phalavikrayini Thasyachyutha Dhanyam Karadhvayam| Phalairapoorayandhrathnai: Phalabandamapoori Cha ||

Once, an old woman approached the palace of Nandababa with a basket full of fruits on her head, she was calling out the name of fruits wished to meet a potential buyer.   Little Krishna could not resist; he rushed to her and begged for fruits showing his tiny palm.   The old woman was extremely happy to meet her little customer, she delightfully filled his little palm with fruits, he was not satisfied asked her to fill more and more fruits so that he could share with the children of cowherds.  The old woman asked him to pay for the fruits, the innocent child replied that he has no money to offer her, instead he could offer some grains.  He rushed inside the palace and brought a handful of grains without the knowledge of Devi Yasodha, and deposited in the basket of the old woman.  The fruits he collected from the old woman were distributed among the children of cowherds, and Devi Yasodha as well.  The old woman was immensely pleased with the little Krishna, she did not bother of the grains offered by him,  she walked through the paths of Gokulam, after some time all of a sudden she felt heaviness of basket on her head, she was surprised, all she had in the basket was a handful of grains offered by the little Krishna.  She removed the basket from her head, and placed it on the ground, watched the basket and saw a fair quantity of gems and precious stones, the old woman was mystified and kept looking at the basket.  At home, little Krishna amused taking pleasure in the fruits, and thinking about the old woman, he happily offered the fruits after taking a bite to his mother Yasodha, who was so devoted to him. In this way, the supreme Lord who is the Lord of Universe and its living beings, pleased the people who devoted to him.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 172 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 23

 Gopa Nandhadhaya: Shruthva  Dhrumayo: Pathatho Ravam | Thathra Jagmu: Kurushreshta Nirghatha Bhayashangitha: ||

The Panchama Veda Srimad Bhagavath Puran speaks abundantly about the Bhakti/devotion Gnana/wisdom and Vairagya/abandonment,  Devi Yasodha was trying to fasten her child Little Krishna with ropes of Bhakti, but every time she found the difference of two Angulam known as Gnana and Vairagya.  Therefore the Bhakti with Gnana and Vairagya is important to attain the supreme knowledge of ‘Oneness-in- All’, Gnana can be obtained with the constant association with the Santh and Sadhus, listening to the glorious myths of supreme Lord, singing in praise of him, contemplation, meditation and venation of supreme Lord, self-less service to the devotees of Lord etc. eventually it will provide the serenity of mind/a balanced state of mind that helps to avoid overreaction, and face any challenges in life with composure.  The grinding stone represents the mind and intellect, it can easily adopt any customs, and it can adopt demonic nature as well as saintly nature.  The human mind and intellect has endless capabilities because it has originated from the supreme soul, the ‘I’ consciousness, seeking sensual pleasures and attachment to people and material things keep the person away from the supreme soul who resides as a soul.

The little Krishna split opened the huge YamalaArjuna tree with the grinding stone, and two Yakshas appeared from it, eulogized Lord Krishna and left.  Nandababa and the people of Gokulam rushed to the place where the huge tree uprooted.  They were extremely frightened at the deafening noise of the tree fallen on the ground with a loud thud, they could not believe their eyes; they were surprised to watch two Yamalarjuna trees on the ground.  The children of cowherds explained what happened to the trees when little Krishna dragged the grinding stone between the trees, immediately after that the trees fallen with a great thud, two divine people appeared out of it and offered salutation to Krishna.  Nandbaba could not believe the words of children of cowherds asked them to disappear from the place.  Devi Yasodha and maiden of cowherds waveringly rushed towards little Krishna, released him from the grinding stone.  Devi Yasodha lovingly carried her child brought him inside the palace, gave a bath and fed him.

In a short period of time, little Krishna became beloved of all, moving around all over the village of Gokulam, especially the beautiful young maiden of cowherds showered abundance of love upon him, he danced to their commands as the doll connected to a rope.  He pleased the women of cowherds with his little help; he sincerely followed all the command of the women of cowherds.  Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the nature of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, he is pure, and he is the source of happiness, he has proved his compassion through various passionate sports.  The cowherds of Vraja took great liberty upon the little child of Yasodha and dedicated to the company of Little Krishna without the knowledge of his real nature, in the same manner, little Krishna entertained them by serving them relentlessly.  Like a tug of war, the maiden of cowherds pulled him towards with the rope of devotion, the supreme Lord could not stop him, and he rushed to the cowherds and made them happy.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 171 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 22

 Nama: Parama  Kalyana Nama: Parama Mangala | Vasudevaya Shanthaya  Yadhunam Pathaye Nama: ||

Krishna Krishna Mayogimsthamadhya: Purusha Para: | Vyakthavyakthamidham Vishwam Roopam The Bhramana Vidhu: || Thwameka:  Sarvabhoothanam Dehaswathmendhriyeshwara: | Thvameva Kalo Bhagavan Vishnur Avyaya Eshwara: || Thvam Mahan Prakrithi: Sookshma Raja: Saththva Thamomayi | Thvameva Purusho Adhyaksha: Sarvakshethra Vikaravith ||

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, In this way, at the touch of the grinding stone the huge Arjuna tree split into two parts, two divine forms emerged out of the tree prostrated before supreme Lord Krishna who is the Lord of Universe.  They eulogized Lord Krishna with head bowed down and folded hands. “Oh! Krishna Oh! Mahayogi, you are primordial/who is the source of mind and intellect, he is the cause of function of the same,  Oh! Purusha who is flawless, you are beyond Prakrithi that undergoes constant transformations.  Oh! Lord who represents Universe, intellectuals and twice-born, the intellectuals describe your subtle as well visible forms.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are all-pervading, you symbolize Universe and its living beings, reside as a soul in living beings; you are the Lord of body, soul/Jeevathma, and Indhriyas. Oh! Eshwara, you are Avyaya/changeless, you are Vishnu who represents ‘Time’, Rajasika, Sathvika, and Thamasika Gunas.  Oh! Lord,  you are the source of the function of mind and intellect and emotions.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the controller of functions in the human body and intellect, we shall prostrate before supreme Lord Vasudeva who is the essence of Veda and eulogized by Vedas.  Oh! Bhagavan, we shall repeatedly prostrate before the absolute Bhramam, you represent auspiciousness and serenity, you represent living and non-living things, you are the Lord of Yadhus.  Oh! Lord, we have understood your glories, we are your sincere servants, and we have achieved your grace with the curse of Maharishi Narada.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless us, our tongue should sing in praise of your glories, our ears should listen to your endless glorious myths, we should always serve your lotus feet with our hands, our mind and intellect should always contemplate upon you, our head should bow before your lotus feet and our eyes should witness your marvelous form everywhere.”

Sukha Bhramam concludes “  Oh! Rajan, the sons of Lord Kubera eulogized Bhagavan Gokuleshwara in the above beautiful verses.”

Vani Gunanukathane  Shravanau  Kathayam  Hasthau  cha Karmasu Manasthava  Padhayorna: | Smrithyam Shirasthava Nivasa Jagathpraname Dhrishti: Satham  Dharshaneasthu Bhavaththanunam ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 170 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 21

Rudrasyanucharau Bhoothva  Sudhripthau Dhanadhathmajau | Kailasopavane  Ramye  Mandhakinyam Madhothkatau || Varunim Madhiram Peethva  Madha Ghoornithalochanau| Sthri Janairanugayathbhishcherathu: Pushpithe  Vane ||

Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhraman, kindly narrate the reason for the curse of Nalakoobara and Manigreevah by Maharishi Naradha, the sons of Lord Kubera who is an ardent devotee of Lord Rudra.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once Nalakoobara and Manigreevah along with a number of celestial Apsaras were absorbed in water sports in the river Mandakini.  The two sons of Lord Kubera were under the influence of intoxicating drink, they were performing various water sports without clothes on their bodies.  Unexpectedly there arrived Maharishi Narada, and found the sons of Lord Kubera taking pleasure with the celestial Apsaras, they did not even greet Maharishi Narada. They were fully absorbed in the sport so they forgot to notice their nakedness. The celestial Apsaras rushed to pick their clothes immediately after watching the arrival of Maharishi.  Maharishi Narada decided to elevate the soul of the two sons of Lord Kubera who was completely under the influence of intoxicating drink forgot to greet him, in a rage he cursed the sons of Lord Kubera for their spiritual benefits, and thus they have become Arjuna tree.  They felt guilty for their behavior, prostrated at the feet of Maharishi Narada and regretted their grave sin. Maharishi Narada advised “Oh! Sons of Kubera, You have taken immense pride in your body, thereby you have performed water sport without clothes on the body.  You have mistaken the body as everything and immersed in various amusement, the body you have obtained was from mother and father, in the future, it would be dispensed with your friends, wife, and illnesses, finally, it would perish and the Agni would claim your body.  I feel shame on you; you have lived a life of a pauper seeking comforts of your body and feeding the senses.  You have to elevate your soul with the association of pious and righteous people to attain the lotus feet of Lord Mukunda.  I have cursed you to become a tree in the courtyard of Nandababa, in this the way I have blessed you to witness all the passionate sport of Little Krishna who will be brought up by Devi Yasodha and Nandababa.   Lord Vasudeva will incarnate as Krishna and he will relieve you from my curse with the touch of the grinding stone, in this way you can attain the grace of supreme Lord Vasudeva.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 169 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 20 

Ekadha  Grihadhaseeshu Yasodha Nandhagehini | Karmanthara Niyukthasu Nirmamandha Swayam Dhadhi || Yani Yaneeha  Geethani Thadh Balacharithani Cha | Dhadhi Nirmandhdhane Kale Smaranthi Thanyagayatha ||

It was early dawn; Devi Yasodha was churning the curd reciting the names of supreme Lord.  She was recollecting the various amusement of her little child that was bringing a smile on her face, and singing melodiously praising his various pastimes.  Devi Yasodha who has beautiful appearance was attired in a crisp and clean garment, adorned in various ornaments, her attractive physique moving meticulously while churning the curd, her large bosom is brimming with milk with affection to her little child, her hands are decorated with bangles moving in rhythm produces the jingling noises, her face was covered in perspiration after a few minutes of churning, her curly hairs spread over the face.  

Little Krishana got out of sleep, found his mother churning the curd; he pressed his eyes with both the hands as if trying to get completely out of sleep and approached Devi Yasodha. He seized her one hand and put a pause on her rhythmic movement of churning the curd.  Soon Devi Yasodha’s stopped churning, she understood her child’s need and started to feed him with bosom milk.   She continued churning and singing, keeping her child on the lap.  Suddenly she remembered the milk that kept on the fire for a long time, immediately she dropped little Krishna on the floor and went to attend the milk.  Little Krishna got very angry, he bit lips in rage, picked up a stone next from his seat and threw aiming at the butter pot, he could not control his anger, consumed all those butter kept in the mud pots and ran out of the place.  Devi Yasodha returned to the place and found the butter and curd all over the floor and tiny footprints all over the floor.  Devi Yasodha could not control her laugh, she ran in search of him, looking at the footprints.  Devi Yasodha decided his child has grown too handful, he should get some punishments for his mistake; otherwise, he will become too haughty in the future.   She picked up a stick on her way, searched him in the whole of the house, and did not find him.  Devi Yasodha came out of the house and found him sitting on a grinding stone under a huge Arjuna tree; he was taking great pleasure in a handful of butter and feeding them to monkeys as well.  All of a sudden he has changed his attitude at the arrival of his mother behaved like an innocent child.  Devi Yasodha became too angry watching him feeding her curd to the monkeys, soon little Krishna deposited the remaining portion of the curd on the grinding stone, both the hands pressed his eyes as if he is scared of her stick. Suddenly, he dashed out of the house was chased by his mother with a stick in her hand. In this way, the mother and child ran all over the village and covered a good distance.  Maharishi Vedavyasa beautifully describes Devi Yasodha is truly fortunate chasing the supreme Lord with a stick in her hand, unlike the Yogis who undertake extreme penance to get hold of that Bhramam.  Devi Yasodha could not keep up the pace with the little child, her body and large bosom is moving in tempo, her garments and long curly hair locks became disorderly, gradually she exhausted, her body covered in perspiration.  Little Krishna turned back and looked at his mother and found that she is all tired, he felt sad for his mother who chased him a long distance.  Instantly, he stopped running, with folded hands stood before his mother.  Devi Yasodha watched his face, seeing his loveliness, she could not beat him, she mistook that her child is already frightened.  But Devi Yasodha was determined not to leave him without any punishment, thus she prepared to fasten the divine child who is all-pervading with a few meters of rope, she took all efforts to fasten the Adhokshaja who resides as a soul in living beings, to tighten with the grinding stone in the courtyard, whenever she tries to tie around his waist she found two inches of the difference of rope, she was not disappointed.   Devi Rohini collected all the ropes from home and served them to Devi Yasodha to tie that divine child who releases the living beings from the knot of worldly bondage.  The woman of cowherds started laughing at Devi Yasodha who miserably failed in her attempt to fasten her child.  Devi Yasodha looked at the eyes of the little Krishna, revealing her inability to tie him.  Immediately, he allowed himself to fasten with the rope that was brought earlier.  Thus, the divine child was fastened with the rope of devotion by Devi Yasodha.    

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Devi Yasodha is a truly fortunate one, the cowherd was completely surrendered to supreme Lord, has attained the supreme bliss that was not available even for Lord Bhrama, Lord Shiva, or Goddess Mahalakshmi.  The Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings was brought under the control of Devi Yasodha with her intense devotion to him.  Devi Yasodha felt relieved, once her mission was over and disappeared from his sight.  The maiden of cowherds was extremely happy to witness Krishna fastened with the grinding stone so that he won’t make any effort to steal their curd and butter on that day.  Once, everyone disappeared from his sight, he decided to bless the sons of Lord Kubera.  He started dragging the grinding stone with the help of children of cowherds towards the huge Arjuna tree.  He instructed the children to move away from the shades of the tree, he dragged the grinding stone through the large opening of the tree, where the two sons Nalakoobara and Manigreevah of Lord Kubera resided, due to the curse of Maharishi Narada.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 168 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 19

 Sa Thathra  Dhadhrishe  Vishwam  Jagathsthasnu Cha Gam Dhisha: | Sadhri Dhveepabdhi Boogolam Sa Vayvagneendhu Tharakam || Jyothi Chakram Jalam Thejo Nabhasvan Viyadeva Cha | Vaikarikani Indhriyani Mano  Mathra Gunasthraya: ||

Once, Balarama and children of cowherds along with Krishna went to conduct their daily routine, stealing dairy products from the houses of cowherds.  It has become a practice that most of the time the stolen items were shared with friends, sometimes little Krishna takes pleasure in the stolen items without sharing with others,  the children of cowherds were annoyed at this behavior, returned home with a complaint against Little Krishna and informed Devi Yasodha that Krishna swallowed mud. Usually, Devi Yasodha does not believe anyone who brings complaints against her son, this time  Balarama joined with other children in complaining against his little brother.   So Devi Yasodha believed that Krishna must have swallowed mud, Balaram won’t complain against his little brother, listening to this she could not control her anger.  She seized the hand of little Krishna who was pretending as terrified, she did not leave him, questioned him in detail.   Krishna begged his mother to believe him that he did not consume sand; others are lying as usual and opened his mouth before Devi Yasodha.  The supreme Lord Hari wished to reveal his real nature to his mother.  He gradually opened his little mouth before Devi Yasodha,  she puzzled watching the mouth of her child, she could witness the entire Universe and its living beings, islands, Surya,  Chandra, planets, stars, ocean, mountains, Gokulam, people of Gokulam and Devi Yasodha, further it extended to several Universe and its living beings.  Devi Yasodha could not fix her gaze on the vision, she was terrified and believed that her child is not an ordinary one, he has some divine powers.  Devi Yasodha thought “I was too immersed in worldly matters, Vrajeshwara/Nadababa, wealth, household chores, Vraja and maiden of cowherds.   I could see the entire Universe in the mouth of my child; therefore this little child is my ultimate shelter place.”  Instantly her mind and intellect completely took surrender at the divine child. Devi Yasodha could not believe her eyes; she felt as if she was dreaming.  Little Krishna realized that his Mother understood his real nature, he immediately closed his mouth and looked at her affectionately on her eyes filled with Maya, instantly Devi Yasodha’s mind that was wedged in the Paramarththa/super consciousness, returned back to its natural form, the thought of her child itself made her bosom overflowing with milk, she carried little Krishna and fed him.

In this way, Lord Krishna taught her mother, the highest of the knowledge, that the supreme Lord is eternal and changeless and the Prakrithi undergoes constant transformation and ruin.  The self-realization is the knowledge of the supreme Lord who resides as soul in living beings, it would restrain attachment to worldly matters and people, expectation, and enslavement, it removes desolation, grief, sorrows, and leads to a state where there is permanent bliss.  The attachment to worldly matters and people causes extreme disappointments, sorrows, grief and endless miseries; it blemishes the mind and intellect with the cluster of unwanted thoughts due to ignorance.  The supreme soul resides as soul in a subtle form in the human body is the source of the function of mind and intellect; therefore it is essential to utilize the mind and intellect to contemplate upon the supreme soul that represents supreme bliss.  Devi Yasodha understood the highest of the truth and the all-pervading nature of supreme Lord, looking at the tiny mouth of little Krishna who is Paramathma and all that creation is merged in him.