|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 202 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 53

Parjjanyo Bhagavan Indhra Meghasthasyathma Moorthaya: | Theyabhivarshanthi Bhoothanam  Preeninam Jeevanam Paya: || Thathccheshanopa Jeevanthi Thrivargaphala Hethave | PUmsam Purushakaranam Parjjanya: Phalabhavana: ||

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the essence of Veda, which is difficult to follow, hence Maharishi Vedavyasa wrote several Puranas and Upapurans/Smrithi to describe the splendor of supreme Lord mentioned in the Veda/Shruthi as beyond description and comparison.  Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes several incarnations of supreme Lord and his various amusements, it describes the purpose of the incarnation of Lord, and it narrates the beautiful appearance of Supreme Lord, and finally the lessons for the spiritual advancement, to learn the highest philosophies mentioned in the Veda and Vedantha. The scriptures promote the practice of worship/ Saguna Upasana to attain the Nirguna Bhramam through constant practice of meditation and contemplation; eventually, it brings humility, simplicity, and curiosity in the worshiper.

Once, Krishna noticed a huge preparation for a celebration was taking place at home, his father and the villagers were actively making arrangements.  It was all clear that something grand function has been organized by Nandababa and the villagers of Vraja.  The Supreme Lord Krishna/ Sarvathma who resides as a soul in living beings is impartial approached Nandababa and spoke with curiosity “ Oh! Father, kindly narrates about the enthusiastic arrangements you have made, what are the ingredients used for the celebration and what’s the purpose of it, you are intellectual you could describe them elaborately.  Oh! Father, I am curious to know whether you are performing this ceremony with thorough knowledge of it or not, or following them as it has been custom in our family.” 

 Keeping the custom and traditions confidential, without sharing the knowledge of it thereby causing hindrance to the spiritual advancement of others considered as a heinous deed, any religious deeds performed with thorough knowledge would bring its fullest results; otherwise, it remains a deed itself.  The religious deed performed with pride, ignorance, expecting fruitful results nullifies the piousness, and the performance of any religious or spiritual rites not for personal motive would bring the serenity of mind and elevation of the soul.

Nandababa speaks “Oh! Child, we are making arrangements to perform a huge Yaga to please Lord Indra, who is the Lord of clouds and source of rains.  Water is essential for the existence of life on Earth, without rains it is impossible to breed the cattle, conduct cultivation of crops in agricultural fields and life on Earth become impossible without it, therefore we are performing the Yaga to please Lord Indra, so that he will bless the Vraja with more rains.  Oh! Child, this was the rite we have been performing several years now, we cannot stop performing the Yaga which was followed by several generations, so whoever put stop the Karmas performed by several generations due to various reasons, would not have any auspiciousness in their lives.”

Ya Yevam  Visrije Dharmam Parambaryagatham Nara: | Kama Lobhath Bhayathdhveshathsa Vai Napnothi Shobhanam ||

Lord Keshava smiled as a response to the speeches of Nandababa.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 201 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 52

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the Viprapathni’s returned to their homes were received by their husbands, they have received great honor and they shared the meal brought by the Viprapathnis.  They repented at their ignorance, they praised the devotion of their wives who sacrificed all the relationships and rushed to the supreme Lord.  People who are away from the Adokshaja, people who do not have the knowledge of the supreme soul who resides as a soul in living beings, and performs any auspicious deeds would remain unfruitful, even if they are well profound in Veda, Vedantha, and proficient in the performance of fire sacrifices and veneration of Lord.  The Vipras regretted being selfish and soaked in Maya.  The Viprapathni raised their soul to the supreme Lord who is Jagathguru and Yogeshwara Krishna, with their constant practice of meditation.  The Vipra regretted being called as twice-born by birth without the knowledge of all-pervading nature of Lord, they realized that they are lacking true devotion and faith upon the supreme Lord Yogeshwareshwara, they lamented about their whole deeds for not listening to the words of cowherds, they realized they have committed a grave sin by not providing meal to the supreme Lord who came in the front door, while they were so wrapped up in performing Yajja to fulfill their desires.  The Supreme Lord Vishnu who is Yeshwareshwara born as the cowherds in the Vraja, the unwise twice-born were not willing to understand the truth.  The Viprapathnis elevated their soul with intense devotion and made their life fruitful.   The Vipras felt fortunate to live with the women who are truly devoted to the supreme Lord, and realized that they can elevate their souls with the help of the women in their family.  They prostrated before supreme Lord Krishna remembering their ignorance with the influence of Maya, engaged in various fire sacrifices for fulfilling selfish motive and prayed to forgive their immoral deeds.  They decided to withdraw from all those Karma and elevate their souls like their wives and surrender to the supreme Lord.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 200 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 51

Shyamam  Hiranyaparidhim Vanamalyaharha Dhathupravala Nataveshamanuvrathamse | Vinyastha Hasthamitharena Dhunanamabjam  Karnnothpalalakapola Mukhabjahasam ||

The Viprapathni’s witnessed the most beautiful appearance of supreme Lord Krishna who has the complexion of dark clouds, attired in golden-colored silk garment, adorned in Vanamala, flowers, feathers of the peacock, pearl ornaments, and beautiful ear ornaments, he was seated with the cowherds.  The Viprapathni’ fixed their gaze on the marvelous form of Krishna, without blinking their eyes,  they stood like a stone pillar and instantly freed from their sorrows.  The Supreme Lord Krishna who resides as ‘Dhrik’/soul in living beings received the wives of Vipra with extreme compassion and received the meals from their hands and spoke “ Oh! Viprapathins, you are most welcome, you are highly intellectuals, you have sincere and firm devotion on the supreme Lord, you all are most beloved to me, and you have a thorough knowledge of the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, and his presence as a Prana stirs the intellect and mind to take pleasure in all the richness of material comforts, body and people, and the beautiful things around.  Oh! Viprapathni, kindly return to the Yagashala so that the completion of Yaga would be fruitful in your presence.”

In this legend Vipras who is well-versed in Veda and Vedantha worshiped the supreme Lord without the knowledge his all-pervading nature, they believed in the recitation of Vedic chants and the performance of fire sacrifices for the achievement of material well-being.  The Viprapathni’s who had no knowledge of Veda and Vedantha, they devoted their mind, body, and deeds to the supreme soul who resides as soul, and has the knowledge of all-pervading nature,  they were so sincere and focused to attain the omnipresent Lord without any expectation.   Further, the Supreme Lord Krishna revealed the highest knowledge of the Supreme Lord as a soul in living beings and easiest way to attain the Bhramam to Viprapathni.

 Viprapathni’s speaks “Oh! Bhagavan, kindly do not ask us to leave, do not hurt with your words.  Kindly make the words pronounced in the Veda’s are true, you have affirmed that you will not leave your ardent devotees, hence kindly do not leave us.  We have surrendered to your lotus feet that have adorned the Thulsidhama, we have abandoned all the attachments to the family and people, and we have refused to follow the words of our husbands.  Oh! Bhagavan, we are completely surrendered to you; we have no shelter other than you, Oh! Arindhama who is the destroyer of enemies, kindly accept us as your sincere attendants, we have discarded all the relationships, we did not follow their order, and if we return,  definitely they will not accept us.”

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Viprapathni, listen to me carefully, you cannot please me, by living close to me.  You can devote your mind and intellect in me with the knowledge of my all-pervading nature. Therefore return to your family and your people, perform all your duties and responsibilities sincerely, and always contemplate upon the supreme soul. Whoever taken shelter in me will not get rejected, your family will not abandon you. I shall assure you,  you will attain me with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 199 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 50

Viprapathyanugraham

Rama Rama Mahaveerya Krishna Dhushta Nibharhana | Yesha  Vai Badhathe  Kshunnasthacchanthim Karthumarhadha: ||Ithyadhishta Bhagavatha Gathvayachantha They Thadha | Krithanjjaliputa Vipra Dhandavath Pathitha Bhuvi || Hey Bhoomideva: Shrunutha  Krishnasyadheshakarina: | Prapthajjyaneetha Bhadhram  Vo Gopanno Ramachodhithan ||

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the children of cowherds were tired of hunger while returning from the woods.  They requested Rama and Krishna to find a way to get some meals; Krishna decided to bless his ardent devotees Viprapathni/wives of twice-born in the woods and said “Oh! Children, there is a fire sacrifice in the name of Angirasam, conducted by the twice-borns,/Bhramavadhina who are well-versed in Veda and Upanishads, conducts Yajja and please the deities,  Karmakandi they performing the fire sacrifice to attain the heavenly pleasures.  Therefore, Children, you go to the hermitage of twice-born and request for the meal in our names.”  Thus, the children of cowherds went to meet the Vipra, requested for meals with folded hands, they prostrated before the twice-born and spoke “Oh! Bhoomipalaka Oh! Brahmana, we have instructed by Rama and Krishna who have arrived close to your hermitage, with herds of cows and all of us. They are very close to your place and tired of hunger, hence requesting for meals.  If possible kindly provide us some meals which are kept ready.  Do not be anxious, though you have prepared them with an intention to offer into the fire sacrifice, some of them can give away before offering in the Agni.” The Brahmins who were engaged in performing fire sacrifices to fulfill their own meager wishes, swollen with pride, ignored the requests of the children of cowherds. They were ignorant without the knowledge of the Supreme Lord who is all-pervading, absolute Bhramam,   Adhokshaja who is beyond Desha, Kala, time, Dhravyam, Manthra, Thanthra, fire sacrifices, etc.  They considered Krishna as the leader of cowherds; they did not understand the nature of Parambhrama.  The cowherds felt very disappointed to see the behavior of the Bhramanas towards their dear Krishna and Balarama who have performed superhuman deeds to protect the people of Vraja.   They returned to the woods and informed Krishna who laughed at the Bhramanas who was performing fire sacrifice to fulfill their material desires.  Krishna advised the cowherds to meet the Viprapathni who is sincere devotees of Lord and intellectuals, and inform the arrival of Sankarshana and Krishna.

Namo Vo  Viprapathnibhyo Nibodhatha  Vachamsi Na: | Itho Avidhoore Charatha  Krishneheshitham Vayam || Gagashcharayan Sa Gopalai: Saramo Dhooramagatha: | Bhubhukshithasya  Thasyannam Sanugasya  Pradheeyatham ||

The cowherds met the Viprapathni who was seated in the Yagashala and said “ Oh! Viprapathni Matha, we shall prostrate before you, we are the messengers of Krishna, we have arrived in this forest with our cow herds, and we have crossed several miles of the wood and reached close to your hermitage.  We are tired of hunger, kindly serve Rama and Krishna with meals; we will deliver it to them.”  The Viprapathni’s seated in the Yagashala became highly enthusiastic hearing the names of Krishna, they raised from their seats abruptly, they were keenly waiting to see Krishna.  They rushed to pack the four types of meals which are kept ready to offer in the fire sacrifices, they packed the rice and all that cooked items in the leaves.   The Brahmanas watched the Viprapathni preparing to leave the Yagashala, immediately they put a sudden halt to the fire sacrifices, and created an obstacle to their movement.  But they could not control the women who were already mentally prepared to leave Yagashala to meet Krishna.  They hurried to the place where Krishna and Balarama were seated on the riverbank of Yamuna.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 198 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 49

Krishna distributed the clothes to the girls who came out of the water, holding their hands above their head.  Krishna took great pleasure in teasing them, understood their desire to get the touch of his feet and spoke “ Dear ladies, you have undertaken strict austerities to attain me, I am promising  you, one day you will attain that fortune to be with me, whoever contemplates upon me with devotion and faith will not have the trouble of cupid arrows like the seeds cooked or fried did not sprout again. Therefore continue your austerities, you have desired to unite with me, you will attain that union with me.” he sends them back to their homes, they kept looking at Krishna and hesitantly left the river bank.

Aho Yesham  Varam Janma  Sarva Pranyan Upajeevanam | Su Janasevya Yesham Vai Vimukha  Yanthi Narththina: ||

Shukha Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, the ladies did not stare at the clothes, they looked at the lotus feet of Krishna, looked at him and reluctantly left the place.  Krishna with Balarama followed by a group of children of cowherds walked all through the Vrindavan, Krishna spoke to the children of cowherds “ Oh! Children, see the plants and trees living for others, they are surviving in extreme heat, cold, snowy seasons and offer fruits and shadow to us.  These trees and plants are self-less, living for the welfare of others. All the creatures on the Earth have attained the body for the service of others, in this way we all can attain Janmasaphalyam.” Krishna and Balarama took great pleasure in the company of the children of cowherds in the woods of Vrindavan.  They spend a good time roaming in the woods of Vrindavan while returning all of them started feeling hungry."

|| 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.