|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 209 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 60

Kamam Krodham Bhayam Sneham Aikhyam Sauhridham Yeva Cha | Nithyam Harau Vidhadhatho Yanthi Thanmayatham Hi They ||

King Pareekshith speaks “Oh! Bhraman, the young women of cowherds assumed Krishna as their lover; they have not considered him as supreme Bhramam who resides as a soul, so how did they could unite their souls with the supreme Bhramam?”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, do you remember the King of Chethi/Shishupala who attained union with Krishna, after he was killed in the assembly of Kings. He was constantly remembered Adhokshaja even though as an enemy. In this way, the young females of cowherds contemplating upon supreme Lord Hrishikesha as their lover attained union with him. The Supreme Lord who incarnated to raise the soul to achieve the permanent bliss, he is eternal, he is beyond perception, he is beyond Gunas, even though assumes various Gunas to please his ardent devotees.  Whoever contemplates upon supreme Lord Hari, with any of these emotions Kamam/lust or desire, Krodham/anger, Bayam/fear, Sneham/love, Sauhridham/companionship, would attain union with him.  Oh! Rajan, there is nothing to get surprised, he is Yogayogeshwara Krishna, the women of cowherds vested all their devotion on him attained union with him.  The women of cowherds who rushed to Krishna were received with a pleasing smile.”

Swagatham Vo  Mahabhaga: Priyam  Kim Karavani Va: | Vrajasyanamayam Kashchith Bhroothagamana Karanam ||

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Ladies, Fortunate ones, you are most welcome. Kindly tell me the reason for your visit.  Oh! Ladies, it is unfair to come all the way to the woods in the dark, you have left all your relatives at home and arrived here. You all are grown-ups, should not be in the darkness and that too in the woods.  Why did you come here leaving your parents, husbands, children, brother? Whom do you search for? You have seen the beautiful creepers and riverbanks of the Yamuna filled with flowering plants, the beauty of Vrindavan in the full moon night, now you can return to your homes.”  Listening to Krishna, all those women of cowherds looked at him, took great pleasure in his beautiful appearance and stood like a stone pillar.  Krishna continues “Oh! Ladies, You should not stay back here, therefore go back to your homes and take care of your beloved people, children, cows and serve them.  If you have come to visit me, then you have to listen to my words, the most important duty of a married woman is to serve her husband, and serve all his relatives and take care of children.  It is the prime duty of a wife to serve her husband, even if he is characterless, adamant, dull, patient, etc.   Oh! Ladies, listen to me carefully, you can attain my nearness by listening to my various pastimes, remembering my appearance, meditating upon me or sung in praise of me.  Hence, kindly go back to your homes.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 208 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 59

MAHARAS

Anthar Grihagatha : Kashchith Gopyalabdha Vinirgama: | Krishnam Thadh Bhavanayuktha Dhadhyurmeelitha Lochana: || Dhu: Saha Preshta Viraha Theevrathapadhutha Shubha: | Dhyana Prapthacchyuthashlesha Nirvrithya Ksheenamangala || Thameva Paramathmanam Jarabudhdhyapi Sangatha: | Jahur Gunamayam Dheham Sadhya: Praksheena Bandhana ||

Maharasa is the heart of Srimad Bhagavatham talks about the ‘Laya’/merriness,/union, the spiritual union of Jeevathma with the Paramathma.   There are three types of Laya/union; they are happiness derived from the Gnanendhriyas, happiness derived from Karmendhriyas/physical activities and sleeps.  Maharasa is the highest form of devotion, the union of Jeevathma/women of cowherds with the Paramathma/Krishna.  In this legend Lord Krishna elevated the souls of women of cowherds who approached him to fulfill their lustful desires when they were proud of their fortune; he disappeared from their sight and returned to them once again when they grieved at his separation.   He taught the reasons for the rebirth in this chapter, the excessive desires for bodily union and material desires would push the souls into cycles of rebirths, and he protected the women of cowherds from the cycles of birth.  Thus he taught them the union of Jeeva with the Paramathma, with intense devotion is the supreme ‘Laya’ that provides permanent bliss.  Even though Krishna embraced the women of cowherds, and engaged in various amusements, but when the women were not willing to come out of the state of the amorous sport, he disappeared from them.  He returned to them and elevated their soul from their state of passion for devotion.  Therefore it is essential to have ‘Laya’ in material life and spiritual life as well, with the ‘Laya’ in the spiritual life; a soul gets liberated from material life.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, it was a full moon night, there was the cool breeze of the autumn season carrying the rich fragrances of Jasmine flowers, it was a pleasant atmosphere in Vrindavan.  Bhagavan who is pure and unblemished decided to get united with the Yogamaya.  He remembered the young maiden of cowherds who were eagerly waiting to unite with him, determined to make them happy, and kindled the hearts of young maiden of cowherds who were yearning to have union with him, the supreme Lord Narayana who is beyond happiness and grief, beautifully played music on his flute.  The women of cowherds who were engaged in the household activities became standstill at the sound of the beautiful music of the flute, their hearts filled with extreme desire to approach Krishna.  They were running out like mad women, one of the girls stopped milking the cow and disappeared from there, another girl who was stirring the milk porridge, left it on the fire itself, one of the girls was serving meals to the members of the family, she stopped serving and rushed to Krishna, another woman who was feeding her bosom milk to the infant, left the child and rushed to Krishna, another woman who was serving her husband left the place in a hurry, another girl who was consuming the meal, stopped halfway and left to Krishna, another girl was applying the aromatic paste on her face, she did not wait to finish it, another woman was applying eyeliner, left it halfway, some of them carelessly clothed and decorated with the ornaments that were utterly mismatched.  The waist ornaments adorned on their necks, bangle on the feet, necklace on their hands, eyeliner decorated on their forehead and vermilion on the eyes.   In this way, the women of cowherds were besieged with the cupid arrows, forgot the world, people who blocked their ways were pushed back.  They forgot their relations, husband, brother, mother; father and all that they have in mind of the little cowherd Krishna.  Some of the women got stuck in their homes, they were kept locked in their chamber were wrapped up in the thoughts of Krishna, with the tears overflowing due to the pain of separation from Bhagavan, they heartily felt the embrace of Acchyutha and completely surrendered to him got relieved from their sorrows, ultimately left their mortal coil.  ”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 207 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 58

Namasthubhyam Bhagavathe  Bhramane Paramathmane | Na Yathra  Shruyathe Maya  Loka Shrishti Vikalpana || Sathyam Gnanam Anantham  Yadh Bhramajyothi: Sanathanam | Yadhdhi Pashyanthi Munayo Gunapaye  Samahitha: ||

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches the intricate knowledge about the mind and intellect, it can either wedge on the impermanent worldly matters, material welfare, people, fame, the richness and thereby creates endless miseries and sorrows, or it can rise to the supreme level of serenity, and thereby achieve a balanced state of mind that could face any adverse situation at ease.  Most of the physical and mental ailments are caused due to the excessive attachment to worldly matters that can be get rid of by the constant practice of meditation and contemplation upon the Supreme Lord, it gives the knowledge of self/ the eternal presence of supreme soul/self-realization and the impermanent nature of body and material things, eventually it prepares the mind to consider whatever comes in life as the grace of Lord.  An imbalanced state of mind could bring constant failures, and disappointments in life, even though the person is a brilliant academic scholar or skillful in various fields. In this scripture, Maharishi Vedavyasa explains different difficult situations in the life of Krishna and the way he was handling the situation without getting overreacted. 

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once, Nandababa was fasting on Ekadashi day and conducted the worship of Lord, on the next day of Dwadashi he went to take a dip in the river Kalindi.  It was before the early dawn,  Nandababa took a dip in the river without the knowledge of dark hours of the night, suddenly the emissary of Varuna caught hold of Nandababa as it was an inauspicious hour to take a dip in the water.   The emissary of Varuna took Nandababa to the abode of Lord Varuna.   The cowherds cried out for Krishna and Balarama and inform the missing of Nandababa who went to take a tip in the Kalindi.  The supreme Lord Hrishikesha understood the whole scenario with his divine power.  Krishna rushed to the abode of Varuna was received with great honor and eulogized “Oh! Bhagavan, I am fortunate to attain this body, I shall prostrate before your lotus feet. I understood your glories, kindly forgive me and take your father with you.”  Thus, Krishna brought Nandababa back to Gokulam.  Nandababa was surprised to notice that the Lord Varuna prostrates before Krishna.  Once again, he recollected the splendor of his little Krishna, realized that he is not an ordinary child, he should not be considered as a son, he is above all.   He has performed various amusements that were unbelievable, in this way, they have witnessed the Sookshma form of Krishna who is absolute Bhramam, symbolizes truth, virtues, and wisdom, he is eternal, he is Bhramajyothi who illuminates the Universe and its living beings with his brilliance."

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 206 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 57

Krishna Krishna  Mahayogin Vishwathman Vishwasambhava | Bhavatha  Lokanathena  Sa Natha  Vayam Acchyutha || Thvam Na:  Paramakam Dhaivam Thvam Na Indhro Jagathpathe | Bhavaya Bhava  Govipradhevanam Ye Cha  Sadhava: || Indhram Nasthvabhishekshyamo Bhramana Nodhitha Vayam | Avatheernnoasi Vishwathman Bhoomer Bharapanuththaye ||

Lord Krishna was immensely pleased with Lord Indra and pacified him with a beautiful smile, informed the reason for not performing IndraYaga was to bless him and remove the pride in him.  Lord Krishna wished him all the auspiciousness and asked him to return to his heavenly abode.  Soon the celestial cow Surabhi appeared before Lord Krishna and eulogized “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Mahayogi, Oh! Vishwathma who is the cause and effect of the Universe, Oh! Lokanatha, Oh! Acchyutha, who is supreme Lord, you are unconquerable, oh! Jagathpathi, Oh! Bhava who symbolizes all the auspiciousness, you are the Lord of cows and Vipra, Oh! Vishwathma, you have incarnated to reduce the burden of the Earth.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the divine cow Surabhi performed ablution of supreme Lord by showering milk from her udder, Lord Indra mounted on celestial vehicle Airavatha performed ablutions with the waters of Akasha Ganga on supreme Lord Krishna.  Thus, supreme Lord Krishna got the name ‘Govinda’.  All the deities along with Devamatha Adhithi performed ablution of Krishna, the celestial Gandharva Thumburu, Maharishi Narada, Gandharva, Vidhyadhara, Siddha, and Charanas were assembled, the celestial Apsaras performed beautiful dances, the deities showered flowers upon supreme Lord Govinda.  The trees, plants, creepers filled with flowers of rich fragrances packed with honey bees, in this way the Gokulapathi who is the protector of Gokula was honored with the name ‘Govinda’.  Later, the deities were returned to their respective abode.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 205 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 56

Indra Sthuthi

Vishudhdha Saththvam Thava Dhama Shantham | Thapomayam Dhvastharajasthamaskam   Mayamayoayam Gunasampravaho Na Vidhyathe Theanugrahananubandha: || Kutho  Nu Thadhdhethava Esha  Thathkritha Lobhadhayo Yeabhudhalingabhava: | Thadhapi Dhandam Bhagavan Bhibharthi Dharmasya  Gupthai Khalanigrahaya || Pitha Gurusthvam Jagatham Adheesho Dhurathyaya: Kala Upaththadhanda: | Hithaya Checchathanubhi: Sameehase Manam Vindhunvan Jagadheesha Maninam || Ye  Madhvidhajja Jagadheesha  Maninastham Veekshya Kaleabhayamashu Thanmadham | Hithvaryamargam Prabhajanthyapasmaya Eha Khalanamapi Theyanushasanam ||Namasthubhyam Bhagavathe PurushayaMahathmane | Vasudevaya Krishnaya Saththvatham Pathaye Nama: || Swacchandhopaththadhehaya  Vishudhdhagnanamoorthaye | Sarvasmai Sarvabeejaya  Sarvabhoothathmane Nama: || Mayedham Bhagavan Goshtanashayasaravayubhi: | Cheshtitham Vihathe  Yajje Manina Theevramanyuna || Thvayeshanugrihithoasmi Dhvasthasthambho Vridhodhyama: | Eshwaram Gurumathmanam Thvam Aham Sharanam Gatha: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Thus the supreme Lord Krishna protected the entire people of Vraja under the caves of Mount Govardhana.  Lord Indra and the celestial cow Surabhi arrived on the Earth to praise the supreme Lord.  Lord Indra prostrated before the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Krishna, placing his crown on the lotus feet of Krishna with the folded hands Lord Indra eulogized Krishna “ Oh! Bhagavan, you represent Vishudhdha Saththvam,  Rajo and Thamoguna as well. You symbolize Maya and virtues, you are supreme ascetic, and you have performed this amusement to bless me.  Oh! Esha, you are righteous, I was swollen with pride and caused heavy pour, and you have destroyed my pride.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are Pitha, and Guru, you are Jagadheesha who removes evilness and always shower welfare on its living beings.  Oh! Jagadheesha, you are the shelter place of virtuous, you have showered abundance of auspiciousness by destroying my pride, kindly forgive me.  Oh! Adhokshaja who is the source of the function of the Gnana, Karma, Prana, mind, and intellect, you are the protector of Earth and its living beings,  I shall prostrate before  supreme Lord who is Purusha, and magnanimous, Oh! Vasudeva, Oh! Krishna, Oh! Saththvathampathi, I shall prostrate before you. Oh! Sarvabhoothathma, who resides as the soul in living beings, incarnates on Earth at your own free will, you symbolize Gnana, you are unblemished, you have all-pervading nature, you are pure, and you are Sarvabeeja/cause, Oh! Bhagavan, kindly forgive me and bless me.  Oh! Eshwara, Oh! Guro, I shall take refugee at your lotus feet.”

|| 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: ||