|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 188 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 39

Namasthubhyam Bhagavathe  Purushaya Mahathmane | Bhoothavasaya  Bhoothaya  Paraya Parathmane || Gnana Vignana Nidhaye  Bhramane Ananthashakthaye | Agunayavikaraya  Namasthe Prakrithaya Cha|| Kalaya Kalanabhaya  Kalavayavasakshine | Vishwaya  Thadhupadhrashtre Thath Karthre Vishwahethave || Bhootha Mathrendhriya Prana Mano Buddhyashayathmane| Thrigunenabimanena  Goodaswathmanubhoothaye || Namo Ananthaya  Sookshmaya  Kootasthaya  Vipashchithe | Nanavadhanurodhaya  Vachya Vachaka Shakthaye ||Nama: Pramana Moolaya  Kavaye Shasthrayonaye | Pravriththaya  Nivriththaya  Nigamaya Namo Nama: || Nama: Krishnaya  Ramaya  Vasudevasuthaya Cha | Pradhyumnaya Anirudhdhaya Saththvatham Pathaye Nama: || Namo Gunapradheepaya  Gunathmacchadhanaya Cha | Gunavriththyupalakshyaya  Gunadhrashtre Swasamvidhe || Avyakritha Viharaya  Sarvavyakrithasiddhaye | Hrishikesha  Namastheasthu Munaye Maunasheeline ||Paravaragathijjyaya Sarvadhyakshaya Namo Nama: | Avishwaya Cha Vishwaya  Thadhdhrashtresasya Cha Hethave ||

The wives of Kaliya eulogized Krishna “Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Mahatma, Oh! Purusha, Oh! Bhoothavasa who resides as a soul in living beings, you are beyond words or perception, Oh! Paramathma, you symbolize Gnana and Vignana as well, Oh! Bhramane, you have endless prowess, you have no specific forms, you are beyond emotions, you are primordial, you represent time, death and you witnesses all, you represent the Universe and its living beings, you are the cause and effect of the Universe and its living beings, you represent soul, Indriyas, Prana, Mano Buddhi and Ahamkara, you represent three virtues known as Sathvik, Rajasik, and Thamasik, you are not perceivable for all, you have subtle form, you have neither being nor end, you are perceivable through meditation and faith, you are beyond description or debate, you are beyond words or speech, you are the core spirit of Shastra and scriptures, Veda, Vedantha, you are the doer and you are void of Karma.  Oh! Krisha, Oh!  Rama, Oh! Vasudevasutha we are repeatedly prostrate before you.  Oh! Gunapradheepa, you symbolize Pradhyumna, Aniruddha, and you possess Sathvik nature, you represent virtues, you illuminate the virtues in living beings, you have no such specific forms, you have possessed numerous forms, you are all-pervading, Oh! Hrishikesh who has perfect control over senses, Oh! Supreme ascetic, who undertake a vow of silence, you symbolize the Universe and creator of the Universe, and you are the protector of it.”  Krishna pleased with the serpent Kaliya and his wives, further the serpents that are born with the Thamasik nature prayed to Lord Krishna to bless them.   Lord Krishna ordered them to leave Kalindhi and take shelter on the island of Ramanaka.  He advised them that the waters of the river Kalindi is meant for the cows, animals and the people of Vraja, therefore Kaliya should leave Kalindhi immediately with his family.

Whoever listens or recite the conversation took place between Lord Krishna and Kaliya, would never face threat or fear of serpents.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 187 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 38

Tham Prekshaneeya Sukumara Ghanavatharam | Srivathsa Peethavasanam Smithasundarasyam | Kreedanthamaprathibhayam Kamalodharanghrim Sandhasya Marmasu Rusha  Bhujaya Cchachadha ||

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh!  Rajan,  Kaliya swam on the surface and witnessed the supreme Lord Krishna who has a pleasing personality, adorned in Srivastha Kausthubha and ornaments of precious gems, attired in magnificent yellow clothes, his supple lotus feet are adorned in anklets.  Kaliya was surprised to see the little Krishna in the venomous water, he noticed the lotus feet of Krishna, and began to bite it harshly, eventually, he did not leave a single part of the body of Krishna who was playing hide and seek in the deep waters.  The children of cowherds noticed that Krishna was attacked by the Kaliya, they were extremely terrified, wept bitterly, and they worried about the safety of Krishna.  The cows and calves were cried out loudly.  A few of the cowherds rushed back to the village to inform the people of Vrindavan, who were already witnessing bad omen.  Nandababa was anxious about little Krishna, remembered his son left to woods without his elder brother Balarama.  The cowherds informed Nandababa about the fight between Krishna and Kaliya. Thus, Nandababa and Devi Yasodha, accompanied by the whole villagers rushed to the river Kalindi, assembled on the riverbank, they were extremely frightened watching the dreadful scenes in the middle of Kalindi.  Krishna who was strangled by the giant body of Kaliya, Devi Yasodha who was all prepared to rush under waters was intervened by the people of Vraja, and fallen unconscious.  The female of cowherds started weeping out loudly.  Krishna understood the pain of the people of Vraja and his parents; immediately he got freed himself from the colossal body of Kaliya who was constantly chasing Krishna was already tired of the sport.  Krishna got hold of his tail and took a huge leap on its hood.  Krishna vehemently thrashed the hoods of Kaliya gave out an appearance of dancing on the hoods of the serpent, the deities showered flowers upon Lord Krishna.  The poisonous blood was oozing out of his mouth, Kaliya was all tired and his pride was shattered, his hoods became powerless.  Kaliya understood the little child who has taken place on his hood is not an ordinary one, immediately his mind turned towards the supreme Lord Narayana, he sincerely prostrated with his heart, and soon the wives of serpent Kaliya appeared before Krishna and eulogized “Oh! Kalmashapaha, Oh! Bhagavan you have incarnated to destroy the pride of the living beings, you have removed the pride of our husband and blessed him.  We feel that you have showered your grace on our husband by removing his ignorance.  Oh! Bhagavan, we don’t need anything or any of the supreme abodes, kindly shower your permanent grace on us.”

In this legend Kaliya and its thousands of hoods represent people with a weak mind, anger, ego, pride, desire, and lust and jealous, the serpent Kaliya polluted the entire waters with its venom that caused massive destruction of plants and animals. Kaliya did not make any effort to come out of its weakness until and unless the little Krishna took complete control over him. There is no human intellect without any weaknesses, at the same time it has great potential to get out of the weakness as well.  All the scriptures shed light on the weakness of the human mind and intellect, and ways to come out of it to attain Moksha/Moha Kshaya Ithi Moksha, it is impossible to attain Moksha without the purity of the mind.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 186 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 37

Krishna: Kamalapathraksha : Punyashravanakeerthana: | Sthooyamanoanugair Gopai: Sagrajo Vrajamavrajath ||

The women of cowherds remembering the lovely face of Krishna filled with perspiration and the dust rose from the hooves of the cows, his beautiful smile, attractive flute and melodious music from the flute, made them completely surrendered to him.  They forgot to perform daily duties thinking the marvelous face of Krishna, they were drinking the beauty of Mukundha with their eyes and hearts.  In this way they have become so dependent on Krishna, and they could not perform any of the duties without him, eventually, their sincere devotion and love for Krishna made them helpless in his absence.  Krishna and Balaram returns home after grazing the cows were happily received by Devi Yasodha and Devi Rohini, gave bath to the children, clothed in marvelous dresses and fed them.

Yevam Sa Bhagavan  Krishno Vrindavanachara: Kvachith | Yayau Ramamrithe Rajan Kalindhim Sakhibhir Vritha: ||Adha Gavashcha Gopashcha  Nidhaghathapa Peeditha: | Dhushtam Jalam Papusthasyasthrishartha Vishadhooshitham ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Once, Krishna along with the herds of cows and children of cowherds without Balarama arrived on the riverbank of Kalindhi,  all their way singing, and dancing, the children and cows were tired of hunger and thirst, they drank water from the Kalindi without knowing the presence of venom in it.  Krishna who is Yogeshwareshwara saw the children and cows on the mouth of death immediately after consuming the water from the Kalindhi, he could not bear the scene, and he looked at them with extreme compassion, immediately they all got out of the state of unconsciousness. The children felt relieved, they have regained life once again; they looked at each other in awe.  Bhagavan decided not to let anyone pollute the Earth, put an end to the poison in the waters of river Kalindi and purify the waters of the river Kalindi.”

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhraman, how did Krishna remove the toxic poison in the deep waters of Kalindi? Kindly describe to me in detail.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ There was a venomous serpent Kaliya and his family lived in the underwaters of Kalindi.  The poison of Kaliya spread in the whole waters of Kalindhi, therefore if any birds fly over the waters would get killed immediately due to the power of the venom.  The shrubs, creepers, trees, and plants close to this water would get dried; animals and all the creatures that consume the water of Kalindi would get killed instantly. Krishna decided to bring an end to the atrocities of Kaliya.  He advised the children to remain silent on the river bank, do not get overwhelmed or get closer to the waters, eventually, he retired close to the huge Kadamba tree on the river bank.   He climbed up on the huge Kadamba tree, tightened his upper cloth around the waist, kept the flue fastened with it.  He dived in the deep waters of Kalindhi, at that moment the waters of Kalindhi overflown due to the heaviness of Krishna.  Maharishi Vedavysa describes the supreme Lord Krishna who has endless prowess caused the waters of Kalindi brim over with no effort.  The sudden movements of the water annoyed Kaliya, he began to swim upwards with its huge body.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 185 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 36

Rama Rama Mahabhaho  Krishna Dhushtanibarhana | Itho Avidhoore Sumahath Vanam Thalalisankulam || Phalani Thathra Bhoorini Pathanthi Pathithani Cha | Santhi Kinthvavarudhdhani Dhenukena Dhurathmana ||

Once, Krishna and the young children of cowherds were taking pleasure in the woods of Vrindavan.  One of the cowherd Sudhama who was a close associate of Rama and Keshava said “ Oh! Rama, Rama, Mahabhaho  Oh! Krishna, Oh! Dhushtanibharhana, there is a Thalavanam close to Vrindavan, it is packed with sweetest fruits of palm trees, its aroma itself captivating, unfortunately, it is not a place to visit for us.   There is a Dhenukasura in the wood; he is living in the form of a donkey with family and relatives of his equal strength.  Oh! Rama, we would love to eat that palm fruit.  Kindly help us to get them.”  All the children surrounded Rama who has powerful arms and requested.  The children accompanied by Rama and Krishna approached the Thalavana.   Krishna forcefully shook the palm tree, Alas! The fruits started falling down.  The demon Dhenukasura heard the noise of the children and the sounds of fruits falling down; it rushed to Balarama, raised its feet and gave a hard kick on the chest of Balarama.  He took hold of the two legs of Dhenukasura and thrashed it on the palm tree, immediately lots of fruits fallen down and the tree got uprooted falling on the other, it repeated and finally a large number of palm trees were destroyed.  All the relatives of Dhenukasura were killed and freed the Thalavanam from their atrocities.

The legend of Dhenukasura describes a wood full of marvelous fruits, the demon Denukasura/self-centered the demon will not let anyone enter in this wood or consume its fruit.  The self-centered humans are like Dhenukasura who do not take pleasure in what’s available and do not let others take pleasure in it, they always look for their own comforts and necessities, they perform all the righteous deeds for the welfare of their own family, they do not elevate their soul or not let others do it. Finally, Krishna and Balarama killed the demon Dhenukasura and his family and let the children enjoy the fruits of the palm tree.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 184 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 35

Kvachith Kalahamsanamanu Koojathi Koojitham | Abhinrithyathi Nriththyantham Harhinam Hasayan Kvachith ||

Krishna speaks to Balarama “Oh! Brother, look at this beautiful land of Vrindavan, filled with highly rich fragrant flowers, creepers, and trees.  The pious souls must have taken birth as trees due to their unfinished Karma; they are keeping their branches low on the Earth, in that way they are revealing humility, and prostrating before the Earth and deities.   They are serving the deities with their rich fragrant flowers, and amiably sharing shades.  The pack of honey bees taking great pleasure in the flowers as if the ascetic takes pleasure in the caves and isolated places in the woods, the buzzing sounds of the honey bees resembles the song sung in praise of Adipurusha. The peacocks and the deer in the woods multiply the attractiveness of the atmosphere with its mesmerizing looks like the young maiden of cowherds, the sounds of Cuckoo/Chakora and Krauncha, sounds like singing in praise of the supreme Lord.    The Hamsa/swan is taking pleasure in the rivers and ponds with their soft voices. Therefore the Earth is extremely fortunate, she is self-contented, all the living beings on this Earth serve her as the prime deity and singing in praise of her.”  In this way, Gopala praised the splendor of the Vrindavana, eventually the children surrounded him with music and dances took great pleasure in the woods and taking shelter under the trees.

The Supreme Lord Krishna taught us the real meaning of worship/Pujanam, by serving the cows and cowherds / Goseva in the Vraja.  The service to the cow is considered as highly propitious Dharma, it is the only animal serve the humans until it leaves the Earth, with the milk, cow dung, and urine.   All the dairy products such as ghee, butter, curd are highly nutritious boost the immune system, in this way it contributes good health to humans.    The Supreme Lord Krishna has chosen the sacred land Vrindavan, a lush green land, filled with trees and creepers, to perform his various amusements, he spends a good part of his life roaming in the woods, praising the Earth and its natural beauty/Bhuseva.   Therefore it is the responsibility of every single individual to protect the Earth from littering waste materials, usage of chemicals in the farmlands, deforestation,  protect from the destructions of ponds, wells, and rivers,  protect the water bodies from the waste materials, planting more trees and plants, keeping the surroundings clean and spotless.  The Supreme Lord has another name Bhakthaparadheena, he was kind and compassionate to powerless, destitute, and distressed people, and he relentlessly served the poor people/ Deenasamrakshanam.  It is the responsibility of the individuals to perform charity of essential items to people who are in real need of it, serving the homeless with shelter or necessities, serving the hungry people with the meal, serving the people with clothes, being supportive to people during the troubled times and console them,  etc.   The supreme Lord tirelessly served his parents and elderly and set an example for Mathru Pithru Seva.   Lord Krishna before leaving the Earth instructed his attendant to inform Arjuna about the upcoming deluge in Dwaraka and requested to protect the people of Dwaraka.  It is the responsibility of the individuals to take good care of elderly people and parents.  The Supreme Lord Krishna before leaving to the supreme abode, imparted the highest of knowledge to Udhdhava/Udhdhava Gita, during the great battle of Kurukshetra he enlightened Arjuna with the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita/  Gnana Seva.  In this way, Lord Krishna affirmed that the Gnanaseva is the superior service to society; it is the supreme service that transforms the minds of the people with the knowledge of ‘oneness in all’, ultimately it could bring peace, compassion and kindness in society.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 183 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 34

Sarveshamapi Vasthoonam Bhavarththo Bhavathi Sthitha: | Thasyapi Bhagavan Krishna: Kimadhvasthu Roopyatham ||

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Bhraman, you have explained the supreme Lord assumed the form of cowherds and cows of Vraja when Lord Bhrama hid all of them, why did the cows and calves, and the children of cowherds and their mothers felt a unique love towards each other?”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, listen to me carefully, everyone has love for themselves more than anybody else, and it is possible as long as the supreme soul resides in us, it stimulates us to like ourselves like the brightness has the ability to catch the attention,  a lifeless body cannot attract due to the lack of presence of supreme soul in it.  The supreme soul is known as Krishna/Karshayath + Ithi Krishna, who resides as a soul in all the living beings.  The Supreme Lord has incarnated as a little cowherd with the influence of Maya, and born as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva for the welfare of the Universe and its people.  We are witnessing the all-pervading nature of the Supreme Lord in the whole Universe, there is nothing other than supreme Lord, and you can realize the presence of the supreme Lord in living as well as non-living things.  We can witness everything in the Universe with the presence of him as a soul in us; he is the source of the functioning of the Gnana Indhriyas, Karmendhriyas, mind, and intellect. Oh! Murari, the compassionate one, kindly grace us to elevate our soul at your lotus feet.”

The legends of Srimad Bhagavatha Puran repeatedly describe the significance of Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagya.  The practice of learning scriptures, Veda and Upanishads, the performance of religious and spiritual rites, without the awareness of the all-pervading nature of supreme Lord could not elevate the soul, it cannot enhance the devotion in the doer, unless and until the knowledge of the presence of the supreme soul as a soul in living beings.

Thus, years have passed, all these years Krishna was taking care of calves, gradually he began to take the cows for grazing, and he took great care of cows, walked around with the grown-ups in the Vrindavan.  During these days, he employed lots of time playing melodious music on his flute.  He spends most enjoyable times in the woods of Vrindavan, enriched with the beautiful landscape of Govardhana and forest, filled with lush green trees, shrubs and creepers.  Krishna beautifully plays music on the flute and made the children and the cows extremely happy.  They took great pleasure on the river banks of the Yamuna filled in lotus flowers.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 182 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 33

Naumeedyatheabhra Vapushe  Thadidhambaraya Gujjavathamsa Paripicchalasanmukhaya | Vanyasraje Kavalavethra Vishana Venulakshmashriye  Mridhupadhe  Pashupangajaya ||Ekasthvamathma  Purusha: Puranana:  Sathya: Swayamjyothir Anantha Adhya: | Nithyoksharo Ajasrasukho Niranjjana: Poornnadhvayo Muktha Upadhithoamritha: ||Narayanasthvam  Na Hi Sarvadhehinam Athmasyadhisha Akhilalokasakshi| Narayanoanangam Narabhoojalayanaththachapi Sathyam Na Thavaiva Maya || Thvam Athmanam Param Mathva  Paramathmanam Yeva Cha | Athma  Punar  Bhair  Mrigya  Aho Ajjyajanathajjyatha ||Aho Bhagyam Aho Bhagyam Nanda Gopa Vrajaukasam | Yanmithram  Paramanandham  Poornnam Bhramam Sanathanam ||

Lord Bhrama eulogizes, “ Oh! Bhagavan who has the complexion of dark clouds, attired in majestic yellow silk garment, decorated with the feathers of peacock and various pearl ornaments, ear ornaments, Vanamala, holding handful of curd rice, flute and stick fastened on the waist with an upper clothe,  Oh! Mridhupathe, Oh! Pashupankaja, I shall prostrate before your soft and supple lotus feet. Oh! Deva, Oh! Vapusha, you have incarnated as a little cowherd of Vraja to shower your grace upon us, Oh! Bhagavan, who resides as a soul in living beings, it is not easy to perceive the all-pervading nature of you and oneness in all, it is impossible to understand even for me, therefore not to say about the ordinary people whose mind and intellect are drenched in Maya/illusion.  The devotion is the easiest method to approach the Supreme Lord who is all-pervading nature and represents living and non-living things, although people keep exploring the scriptures and sacred text of wisdom, eventually misinterpret the same, therefore Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagya are equally important to realize your eternal presence.  Oh! Achyutha, illustrious Yogis surrenders all the Karma and results of Karma on you, they vest intense devotion and faith upon you through various means, ultimately attain Moksha at your lotus feet.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are attainable for the people who understand the oneness-in-all, Alas! An ignorant who is soaked in Maya/illusion of worldly attachments and worldly matters could not realize your presence in him, whoever constantly contemplates upon the supreme Lord, performs righteous deeds and achieve serenity of mind and Variagya/sense of abandonment would realize your eternal presence in them.  Oh! Bhagavan, the illustrious Rishis, and sages experienced you in a transcendental state.  Oh! Bhagavan you are truly compassionate, your presence as a soul is the source of the functions of mind, intellect, Gnana, and Karmendhriyas.  The knowledge of the realization of the self would bring the serenity of mind.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the source of the functioning of the soul as well as elevate the soul, I shall prostrate before you with my words, intellect, and heart.  Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Anantha, I have committed a grave sin due to my ignorance, I have taken a foolish effort to measure your splendor, and how can I do that? I am a minuscule part of you, like a spark from the colossal fire, I am just a water bubble in the pond, and how could I measure you? Hence I shall surrender to you.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are Purusha who is eternal, and void of changes. You are primordial, you are absolute truth, illuminates the soul with your brilliance, you are Jyothirathman, you symbolize Akshara, you are unblemished, you are flawless, you are the source of nectar-like Mukthi.  Oh! Bhagavan, you represent Universe and its living beings, you are the source of functioning the same. Oh! Paramathma, who contemplates upon by the Yogi and Yogishwaras in the three worlds, you are the source of creation and taking pleasure in it and performing various passionate sports with the influence of Yogamaya.  Oh! Prabho, you are the destroyer of pride and impurities of the mind and intellect, and protect the souls with your compassionate grace. Oh! Narayana, who resides as a soul in living beings, you are the source of functioning the same, you are Lokasakshi who witnesses all the happenings, you are unblemished, you are the absolute truth.  Oh! Adhokshaja, Oh! Acchyutha, who has won over Lord Kamadeva, kindly forgive me Oh! Bhagavan, a ferryman who helps to cross the river, in this way a Preceptor helps us to cross the ocean of worldly existence.  The ignorance can be wiped off with the knowledge of ‘Oneness-in – all’, it can be understood with the awareness of the nature of a rope and a snake and its difference like the body/dheha undergoes transformation and ruin but Dhehi/soul has neither birth nor death.  Oh! Paramathma who resides as a soul in living beings, whoever conducts the search of you in the outer world is ignorant and foolish, you are all-pervading.  Oh! Bhagavan, I shall take refuge at your lotus feet, kindly shower your grace upon me, you’re highest of the philosophy, kindly shower your mercy upon me if I could not learn that Mahath Thaththvam as Bhrama, kindly bless me to take birth on this the sacred land of Vraja and I shall take refuge on your lotus feet with intense devotion and faith.  Oh! Bhagavan, the sacred land Vraja and the children of cowherds and maiden of cowherds are extremely fortunate, the cows and calves of the Vraja are extremely fortunate, the cows had the fortune to feed you with the milk from their udder, the women of the cowherds are fortunate to feed the Paramathma with their bosom milk.  In this way you have made everyone’s life auspicious, therefore kindly shower your grace upon me.  I would be fortunate to take birth on this sacred land where the sands had the fortune to bear the footprint of the supreme Lord.  The people of Vraja, cows, and children of Vraja is extremely fortunate to have the supreme Lord who is absolute Bhramam, as their Mithram/companion, you symbolize supreme bliss, flawless, and eternal.  Oh! Bhagavan who resides as soul kindly showers your grace upon me and eleven deities to remain Gnanendhriyas and Karmendhriyas and intellect to take pleasure in you.  Oh! Bhagavan, if I had the fortune to take birth in this sacred land of Gokulam, I would take bath with the sands of the cowherds and make my mind and intellect pure, in this way I could elevate my soul to the supreme Lord Mukunda who is sought after by Upanishads.  Oh! Bhagavan, we are unable to witness your splendor due to the Ragadhvesha/impurities like thieves, and it imprisoned us, intellectuals get themselves freed from worldly matters and bondage and realize your splendor with the constant contemplation at your lotus feet.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the knower of all, you are Sarvadhrik/witnessing all, you are Jagannatha, and therefore everyone should take shelter at your lotus feet.  Oh! Krishna, Oh! Vrishnikula, Oh! Bhagavan, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, considering you as my preceptor.”  Thus Lord Bhrama eulogized little Krishna and returned to his abode.  The children and cattle hid by Bhrama appeared in the Vraja once again.