|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 204 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 55

Lord Indra got extremely angry at the decision of the people of Vraja.  Lord Indra understood that it was Krishna who provoked the people of cowherds to put an end to his worship and began the worship of Mount Govardhana, he decided to take revenge on the people of Vraja.  At the command of Indra, all the clouds from various parts, assembled on the sky of Vrindavan, a heavy downpour began with thunderstorms and lightning. The heavy downpour stirred extreme fear among the people of Vraja, the whole of Vrindavan flooded with water, they were soaked in water, shivering with cold, rushed to Govinda.  They have assumed that something precarious is going to happen, they prayed before Krishna “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Mahabhaga! Oh! Prabho, you are the protector of Gokulam, you have to protect us from the anger of deities.”

Krishna Krishna Mahabhaga  Thvannatham Gokulam Prabho | Thrathumarhasi Devanna: Kupithadh Bhakthavathsala ||

Krishna was mentally prepared not to leave the people who are surrendered to him; he pacified them and spoke “Oh! Cowherds, if we have worshiped Mount Govardhana sincerely, it would protect us from the heavy downpour too, therefore let us go to Mount Govardhana.” Thus all of the cows, people of Vraja assembled under Mount Govardhana.  They have created deep caves in the mountain and took shelter inside, and Krishna supported the rocks from falling down.  Thus, Krishna effortlessly resided under the Mount Govardhana like an umbrella on their heads.  In this way, Krishna stood for seven days supporting the rocks from falling down, and the people of Vraja and cows and calves who took shelter under the cave did not feel hunger or thirst in all these seven days.  They did not feel tired or hungry, thus seven days were passed, gradually the rain has stopped.  Once the rain has stopped, the lands were dried Krishna advised everyone to come out of the caves.  In this way, Krishna performed an amusement, protecting the people and cattle of Vraja from the heavy downpour, creating caves in the mountain and safekeeping them, and made them forget hunger and thirst for seven days.  Devi Yasodha and Devi Rohini embraced Krishna and Balarama, appreciated them and all of the villagers highly praised the children and the deities showered flowers on Krishna, the celestial Gandharvas played music and celestial Apsaras performed marvelous dances and the sounds of divine music and instruments reverberated in the sky.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord Krishna performed various amusements, and the children of cowherds watched at him with great admiration and wonder, he inspired the people of Vraja with his mesmerizing deeds, and he stood seven days holding the rock in the cave of Mount Govardhana.  In the early years of childhood, he took away the life of demon Poothana who was assigned to kill the child with her poisoned bosom milk.  He killed the demon Thrinavarththa who assumed the form of a whirlwind, he squeezed its neck.  The little child Krishna who was fastened with grinding stone split opened the Yamalarjjuna tree and liberated the sons of Lord Kubera.  He freed the Vathsasura who assumed the form of child and joined in the woods, he slit opened the mouth of Bakasura and killed, he crushed the pride of Pralambhasura in the Thalavanam and freed the wood from his atrocities, and the children of cowherds enjoyed the sweetest palm fruit.  The serpent Kaliya who spread toxic poison in the waters of Yamuna was got crushed his pride and freed the Yamuna from the deadly poison.  The Nandasutha who is Vrajanatha protected the people of Vraja and the cattle from the heavy downpour under the caves in Mount Govardhana, holding the rocks for seven days.”

Nandababa recollected the words of Gargacharya who mentioned Krishna who is not an ordinary child, he would perform various amusements in the future and he will have numerous names.  Nandababa believed his son is the same as the supreme Lord Narayana, who has endless virtues, Nandababa and the people remembered if they take refuge on Krishna and surrender to him, and he will protect the entire Vraja, people, and the cows from all the troubles.  Lord Indra realized that Krishna is not an ordinary cowherd, he is supreme Lord personified on the Earth.  

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 203 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 54

Karmana Jayathe Janthu: Karmanaiva  Vileeyathe | Sukham Dhukham Bhayam Kshemam Karmanaivabipadhyathe || Asthi Chedhishwara: Kaschith Phalaroopyanyakarmanam | Kartharam Bhajathe Soapi Na Hyakarthu: Prabhurhi Sa: ||

Lord Krishna speaks “ Oh! Father, All the living beings on this Earth takes birth due to its unfinished Karma and endless desires.  Once they attain birth with the relentless practice of Karma the Jeeva drove to sleep, attains happiness, grief, fear and anxieties, wellness that are derived as a result of Karma and the attitude of performance of Karma. If the Bhagavan provides the results of Karma, the supreme Lord will become reliant by the act of performer.  Lord Indra cannot do anything to living beings; he is performing his duties, it is the Karma provides the results of the deeds.  The performance of duties based on the nature of deities and demons.  Oh! Father, the mind and intellect choose to accept the nature of people as Guru, companion, and enemies and by observing their nature of duties.  Therefore we should worship the Karma and the attitude of performance of Karma, it is the provider of the fruit of Karma and it is pre-destined by the supreme Lord.”

Thasmath Sampoojayeth Karma Swabhavastha: Swakarmakrith | Anjjasa  Yena Varthetha Thadhevasya Hi Dhaivatham||

Krishna continues “ Oh! Father, therefore it is our duty to serve the nature which provides an abundance of rains if you serve Lord Indra for rains; it would be like a married woman serving a stranger.  Therefore we should worship the nature that supports our living on the Earth.  We have to worship cows, Vipra/twice-born, who enthuse the souls to elevate to the state of Bhramam, and the Mountains, which is the source of various watercourses that makes the Earth inhabitable.  Therefore, kindly keep ready for all those ingredients kept for Indrayaga, let the twice-born begin with the worship of Agni.   We will worship cows, and serve the meals to everyone, especially to the people who are deprived of the necessities of life, as a part of worship we all will circumambulate the mount Govardhana which is the source of watercourses.  This is how I feel appropriate to worship Go, Bhrama, and Adhri/Mountain if you feel satisfied with my explanation, kindly follow that.”

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Krishna after revealing his point of view, looked at his father’s face.  He was quite enthusiastic and agreeable; he heartily welcomed the idea of Krishna.  The elderly members of the Vraja gave bath to their cows and calves, decorated with vermilion and sandalwood paste, fed with straw.  They received the twice-born with great respect and fire sacrifices began and the worship of Mount Govardhana and offered all those sweets and savories prepared.  The Supreme Lord Krishna assumed the form of a part of Mount Govardhana and kept his mouth wide open.  The people of Vraja were excited to watch the wide-opened mouth of the Mountain.  They reverentially prostrated before the cows, Bhramins and the Mountain, Krishna circumambulated the Mount Govardhana with the people of Vraja and returned to their homes.

Thasmai Namo Vrajajanai: Saha Chakre  Athmana: Athmane | Aho Pashyatha Shailoasau Roopino Anugraham Vyadhath || Ithyadhri Go Dhvijamakham Vasudeva Pranodhitha: | Yadha Vidhaya They Gopa Saha Krishna Vrajam Yayu: ||

|| 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."