|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 197 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 48

Yuyam Vi Vasthra  Yadhapo  Dhrithavritha  Vyagahathaithathadhu Deva Helanam | Badhdhajjalim Moordhanyapanuththayemahasa:  Krithva  Namoadho Vasanam Pragrihyatham||

The Nandavraja Kumaris pleaded Krishna standing in the water up to the neckline, the waters were icy cold,  eventually, the sun started coming up spreading its golden yellow light, they felt anxious in the water.  Krishna speaks “ Hey girls, you have said you are my sincere attendants If so, do whatever I say, If you want your clothes, come out of the water and collect from me.”  Immediately the innocent girls got out of the icy cold water, they covered their body parts with both the hands.  Krishna asked them to stop, he took all their clothes on his shoulder, and began to speak “ Oh! Girls, you have sincerely followed the austerities, but you have made a sin, you have taken bath in the Kalindi without clothes on your body, it is a sin committed to  Lord Varuna. Therefore, the austerities conducted for a month would go unfruitful.”  The girls were disappointed and hung down their faces, he continued “ Listen to me carefully, you can make your austerities fruitful even now, all you have to do is remove your hands that covered your body parts, keep both the hands above your heads and prostrate before me.”  The young maiden of cowherds did not take a moment to get out of their shame, immediately they held their hands above their heads and prostrated before Krishna.  They were undertaking austerities all these days praying to attain the Nanadasutha as their husband, it was their ultimate object, and therefore they did not hesitate to follow the command of Krishna.

The legend of CheeraHaranam teaches the highest of the philosophy of complete surrender to supreme Lord.  The mind and intellect wedged in the unknown customs and traditions, worldly matters, people, richness, fame, and body consciousness creates a hindrance to elevate the soul to attain supreme bliss.  The Eshwara, supreme Lord Achyutha/Sarvabhoothasthitha resides as a soul in living beings, he is the source of the function of the Indriyas, mind, and intellect, he is the protector of it, he is the ultimate asylum of the Jeeva, he is witnessing all that happening with in us and out, without the knowledge of his presence, performing any tasks would become unfruitful.  The worldly attachments cause Dharma and Adharma, the mind and intellect which is arrived from the supreme soul is beyond virtues, therefore the performance of any Dharma which assists to elevate the soul is considered as the supreme deed.

Krishna advised the Nandavraja Kumarika to come out from the water leaving all their material comforts, attachments to people, leaving the consciousness of nakedness and body, he instructed them to  elevate their souls to the supreme Lord.  We are soaked in the worldly matters and bondages of worldly existence, unless and until make effort to get out of it, Mukthi is not possible, the soul takes innumerable births and goes through the sufferings of worldly existence.  The salvation is possible only by renouncing the worldly attachments, attachments to people and attachments to material comforts.   Krishna taught the supreme way of living without getting attached to material comforts or people while living in the middle of cowherds, maiden of cowherds, people of Vraja, cows, and calves. The liberated souls contemplate upon the supreme Lord without any anticipation, a true devotion and performance of righteous deeds should be without expecting any fruitful results.  He made the young maiden of cowherds to forget their body consciousness and people around them to collect their clothes; in this way, he has affirmed that the elevation of soul is attainable only through individual effort.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 196 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 47

Cheera Haranam

It was Hemantha Rithu/winter season in Vrindavan, Krishna immersed in taking pleasure in the various amusements with the children of cowherds of Vraja. The girl children of Nandavraja prepared themselves for observing Katyayani Vratham, in order to obtain an appropriate groom. In the early hours of dawn, the Nandavraja Kumaris go to river Kalindi and take a holy dip, they sanctify an idol of Devi Katyayani with the clay and worship with the flowers, sandal paste, fragrances, vermilion, fruits, and they sincerely pray “ Oh! Katyayani, Oh! Mahamaye, Oh! Mahayoginyadhishwari, we shall prostrate before you, kindly bless us to have the son of Nandababa/Nandagopasutha as our husband.”  In this way, they undertook austerities, contemplating upon supreme Lord Krishna in their hearts and worshiped Devi Bhadhrakali for a month, to attain Nandasutha as their husband.    It was crack of dawn, the  day of completion of the austerities, girls of Vraja holding the hands of each other and talking about Krishna arrived on the river banks of Kalindi.  They kept their clothes on the river bank and entered in the waters, they were singing about Krishna and took pleasure in the watersport.  The Supreme Lord who is Yogeshwareshwara,/ who illuminates the Karma, Gnana Indriyas, mind and intellect, accompanied by the children of cowherds reached on the river bank.  He grabbed all the clothes of the girls like a monkey and placed it on the top of the KadambaVriksha.  He joined with the other male children of cowherds passing humorous comments on the girls of Vraja.  He said “ Hey, girls, come out of the water and collect your clothes from me, I am not joking, today you are completing the austerities if you want to get the clothes you have to come out of the water.  Believe me, I have not lied to you so far, ask the children of cowherds assembled here.  You can either come one by one or come all together and collect your clothes.”  The girls who were taking bath without clothes on their bodies, looked at each other in surprise, started laughing out at the humorous talks of Govinda, they immediately took a dip in the water and stood in the water up to the neckline.  They began to speak “ Oh! Nandagopasutha, Oh! beloved son of Nandababa, do not humiliate us, you are equivalent to a King of Vraja, you should do this to us, therefore kindly give our clothes and return, Oh! Shyamasundhara, we are your sincere servants, Oh! Dharmajja, you should not trouble us, kindly give us our clothes.” One of the girls got annoyed and decided to complain to Nandababa.  Krishna was quite sure that these girls cannot come out of the water without clothes on their bodies.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 195 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 46

Gopi Geetham

Gopi speaks “ Oh! Dear friends, we are fortunate to witness the divine child who is playing the melodious flute.  Definitely, the flute is extremely fortunate to have the sweet saliva of that lovely child.  I cannot forget that beautiful appearance of him attired in magnificent yellow clothes, all his limbs are covered in jewels and flowers, beautiful feathers of the peacock on the curly hair locks, walking all over Vrindavan, singing melodiously.  Oh! Honey bees, you are the fortunate ones, taking honey from the flowers adorned on his body, the flute placed on the lips of Krishna absorbing the sweet nectar-like saliva from his lips.  We are not so fortunate to have the taste of nectar-like saliva from his lips.  Oh! Peacocks, you are fortunate ones to dance to the tune of Venuganam of  Devakisutha.  Oh! Deers, you are fortunate ones to chase him to the tune of Venuganam of Nandanandan, and watching at the spell-bound performance of Krishna.  The deities who are traveling on the celestial vehicles in the sky could not move further after listening to the melodious music from the flute of Krishna, they are also experiencing the same bliss as us.  They are not realizing their misplaced garments or hairs or ornaments adorned in their body, they are so wrapped up in the Venuganam like us.  The cows and calves spreading its ears widely and listening to the nectar-like Venuganam and the calves forget to drink milk from the udder of their mothers.  The birds that fly all over like the Yogis who move all around Earth without any restriction, they stand still listening to the melodious music on flute, as if the Yogis immersed in a transcendental state.  The small water currents in the rivers cheerfully flowing and crowding each other, after listening to the Mukundaganam as if they are embracing Krishna, the sky is packed with rainy clouds yearning to express their happiness in the form of rains, after listening to the Venuganam.  The womenfolk of the tribal clan feel the embrace of Krishna, when their bosom smeared in vermilion, touches the long grasses while walking in the woods.  The mount Govardhana is fortunate to have the footprints of Balaram and Krishna, and it is highly pleased to remove the thirst and hunger of cowherds, cows of Vraja.  Oh! Dear friends, we have believed them as ordinary cowherds of Vrindavan, while they are wandering all around Vrindavan, holding ropes and sticks in their hands, in fact, it is supreme Lord and deities who have appeared as Krishna and cowherds to elevate our soul.  I cannot forget the scene Krishna holding the flute on his lips, and playing melodious music on it, even the fluttering leaves of the trees, and shrubs and plants standstill after listening to the melodious music on flute.  He had stolen our hearts with his lovely appearance and virtues.” In this way, the melodious music on the flute of Krishna kindled the emotions of female cowherds of Vraja.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 194 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 45

Barha Peedam Natavaravapu: Karnnayo: Karnikaram| Bibhradhvasa: Kanakapisham Vaijayanthim Cha Malam || Randhran Venoradharasudhaya  Poorayan Gopavrindhai:| Vrindharanyam Swapadharamanam Pravishath  Geethakeerthi: ||

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, during the spring season, the whole wood of Vrindavan was filled with the flowers of rich fragrances, creepers or various flowers, vibrating with the chirping of Cuckoo, Krishna beautifully played music on his flute.  The female cowherds besieged with the arrows of cupid at the sound of music on flute, they have nothing else to talk about, all they have to talk about the beautiful appearance of Krishna, his pleasant and smiling face, beautiful red lips, and the melodious music from his flute.  The marvelous appearance of Krishna who performed various amusements, and the years have passed, he caught hold of the hearts of the female of cowherds as a lover.  He kindled the hearts of the women of cowherds with his lovely appearance.  His beautiful curly hair locks are decorated with the feathers of peacock and flowers, adorned in beautiful earn ornaments of pearl and precious gems, attired in magnificent golden-colored garment, adorned in garlands of flowers from the woods/ Vaijayanthi Mala, holding attractive Venu on the lips, he transformed the entire Vrindavan and captured the attention of all the villagers, he beautifully presented before the people of Vraja and cheered them without any expectation.  In this way, Krishna became a devoted lover of the female cowherds of Vraja."

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 193 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 44

Shuka Bhramam speaks " Oh! Rajan, The children of cowherds returned to Vrindavan and described the immense prowess of Krishna and Balarama to the Young maiden of cowherds.  It stimulated intense admiration and affection towards the children of Devi Yasodha and Devi Rohini.  Eventually, the appreciation and affection towards the beautiful children turned into intense love.  Years have passed; it was the time of the rainy season, the dark rain clouds packed on the sky like the living beings soaked in illusion and stayed away from the supreme Lord, followed with heavy downpour and thunderstorm and lightning.  The rainy season has the appearance of Pankhada /who gives importance to Kriya without the knowledge of it, in the Kali era.  Krishna and Balarama with the children of cowherds go to woods, as usual, they spend time on the riverbank of Yamuna, watching the powerful water current and the crimson-colored waters of Yamuna.  They take pleasure in the rains, and various sports.  Thus the whole Vrindavana is soaked in the rain waters, streets were muddy and full of water,  finally, the rainy season has got over and Sharath/autumn season has arrived.  The crimson-colored water has become clean and transparent, the muddy lands got dried like the impurities of mind gets removed when the soul gets closer to the supreme soul, greens appeared all over the lands, flowers started blooming, and once again the beautiful land of Vrindavan got a marvelous appearance.  The whole atmosphere became serene and bright, like the hearts of illustrious Yogis who are freed from worldly matters and bondages like rain clouds. Years have passed, the female of cowherds felt Krishna as an important part of their life and their love for Krishna enhanced and started to overflow every moment."

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 192 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 43

Mujjadavyam Bhrashtamargam Krandhamanam Swagodhanam | Samprapya Thrishitha: Shranthasthathasthe  Sannyavarthayan || Krishna Krishna Mahaveera  Hey Rama Amithavikrama | Dhavagnina  Dhahyamanan Prapannamsthrathumarhadha: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks" Oh! Rajan,  once, Krishna and the children of cowherds took the cows and calves in the woods, while grazing, the cows and calves arrived in the middle of dense forest.   It was scorching heat in Vrindavan, the cows and calves felt extremely thirsty left in the middle of the dense forest.  Krishna and the children went in search for the herds of cows; finally, they were located and decided to leave the forest with the herds of the cow.  Immediately, the dried grass caught in flame, eventually it spread all over the forest.  The children of cowherds were terrified to watch the colossal fire coming from all the direction of Munjjavanam to swallow them.  They cried out loudly praying “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Krishna, Oh! Amithavikrama, Oh! Rama, we have no one other than you, we are already surrendered to you, kindly protect us.”  Krishna comforted the children and asked to keep their eyes closed.  He swallowed the colossal fire with the power of Yoga.  That day, the children of cowherds understood, Krishna is not an ordinary cow herd.  Krishna took all the children and cows and calves with him and returned to the place where they have started a journey for grazing the cows. " In this legend, Krishna taught us the greatest knowledge to be in peace with the Prakrithi/nature which possesses immense power, like a fisherman who crosses several miles of the huge ocean waves without fear.  Prakrithi can destroy the Sthoolashareera, not the Sookshma Shareera, Prakrithi cannot destroy the mind and intellect that originated from the supreme soul.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 191 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 42

Pashum Charayathor Gopasthaidhvane Ramakrishanayo: | Goparoopi Pralambho Agadhadhasurathajjihirshaya || Tham Vidhvanapi Dhasharho Bhagavan Sarvadharshana: | Anvamodhatha  Thath Sakhyam Vadham Thasya  Vichinthayan ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Krishna, and the villagers returned to Vrindavan.  There was scorching heat in Vrindavan.  The Supreme Lord who is beyond ‘Time’ enthusiastically moved around in the woods of Vrindavan,  he thoroughly enjoyed the dances of peacocks, trees filled with flowers, listening to the chirping of Cuckoos, playing melodious music on the flute, and various pastimes with the children of cowherds.  Krishna and cowherds were playing after leaving the cows and calves for grazing, a demon Pralambha assumed the form of a cowherd and joined to play with the children.  Immediately Krishna realized the real nature of that cowherds, made a close association with him, Krishna invited all the children of cowherds to have a mutual wrestling, they have formed two groups under the leadership of Krishna and Balarama, and the children are moved with their own group, the defeated group of children should carry the winners on their shoulder.  Krishna happily failed before a few of his close associates, Sridhama, Vrishabha, Bhadhrasena, and carried them on his shoulder.  Balarama had wrestled with the demon Pralambha, and Pralambha was defeated by the latter, according to the rule of the game, Pralambha had to carry Balarama on his shoulder.  Pralambha carried Balarama and moved far away from the children, looked back Krishna who gave permission with the gesture of his eyes, to kill the demon.  Balarama gave a heavy punch on the Pralambha, he could not move further and fell down with a thud and killed.  The children of cowherds surprised to see the huge dead body of the demon and ran around Balarama to congratulate him.  In this legend the demon Pralambha represents ‘procrastination’/laziness, and disorderliness; these are one of the greatest enemies in the progress of human life.  A disorderly, undisciplined life destroys the progress of the human mind and intellect."