||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter -211 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 62

Anthar Hithe  Bhagavathi Sahasaiva  Vrajangana: | Athapyamsthamachakshana: Karinya Iva Yudhapam ||

Maharas is the heart content of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes the intense devotion of female cowherds and their complete surrender to Lord Krishna.  The female cowherds of Vraja approached Krishna with a desire to unite with him, they abandoned their families and people, they could immediately cut off all the worldly attachments, but when they took great pleasure in the company of Krishna, they forgot the real nature of the Bhramam.  They took pride in themselves and believed that they have become successful in kindling the emotions in Krishna; suddenly the supreme Lord disappeared from their sight.  Maharas teaches to live life without getting attached to people or wealth while living in material life, spreading happiness and peace, always remain connected with the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.   The union of mind and intellect with the supreme Lord, with the practice of meditation and contemplation is ‘Maharas’ which denotes the permanent bliss.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the female cowherds who were besieged with the cupid arrows suddenly noticed the absence of Krishna; they could not control their emotions, they have become panicky like the missing of a male elephant from the herd of female elephants.  They became restless, soon they conducted the search for Krishna in the woods, they recollected all the movements of Ramapathi, they remembered the various amusements of Krishna, they began to sing loudly praising the glories of supreme Lord who has all-pervading nature and conducted search all through the woods.  They enquired all those Ashwaththa, Plaksha, Peepal trees, plants, shrubs, creepers in the wood, Ashoka trees, Naga, Punnaga, Chambaka trees about Nandasoonu.  They approached Tulsi, who is Kalyani/auspicious, always yearn for the touch of lotus feet of Govinda, they enquired Malathi, Jathi, about Madhava.  They enquired Yamuna and Mother Earth who was raised by Lord Vishnu as Varaha, about Lord Krishna.  They enquired the herd of deer who fixes their gaze at Krishna, they enquired the huge trees and its widespread branches whether they had the fortune to get the touch of Krishna.  In this way they were completely absorbed in the thoughts of Krishna, eventually assumed they as Krishna, and began to perform the various passionate sports performed by Krishna. One of the lady assumed demon Poothana and the other one as Krishna, one of woman assumed the form of Shakatasura and the other one kicked the demon with her legs, one of the female cowherds who had huge body assumed herself as Mount Govardhana and another woman lifted her assuming herself as Krishna and instructed others to stand under the Mount Govardhana.  They completely forgot their real nature and grief, absorbed in the thoughts of Krishna, and cheered each other.  Eventually, they all got tired of their various sports, soon one of the females shrieked in surprise after witnessing the footprints of Krishna.  They could realize the symbolic mark on the footprint of Krishna, and found the footprints of a young maiden of cowherd too.   They have assumed that Krishna and the female cowherd must have walked together holding their hands on their shoulders like a male elephant disappeared with the female elephant.  The girl who accompanied Krishna to the woods must be a highly fortunate one, must have contemplated upon him tirelessly and taken complete surrender upon him, she is highly fortunate to have the association of supreme Lord who is difficult to attain even for Lord Bhrama and deities.  The female of cowherds who was eagerly watching the footprints on the ground that created little hollow on the ground confirmed that he must have carried that girl who accompanied him to woods.  While moving forward they could not witness the footprints of Krishna, they witnessed rock and bed of flowers on it.  The cowherds assumed that the girl who accompanied Krishna must have desired to get the flowers.  Krishna must have plucked flowers, made garlands and adorned on her head.  The cowherds conducted a search for the footprints, but found Krishna’s footprints were missing; only the footprint of the girl could be seen.  It was true that Krishna was followed by a young maiden of cowherds to the dense wood, while they moved a long way; she revealed her inability to move further and asked him to carry her.  Bhagavan bends on his knees before her and asked to take a seat on his shoulder, while she was trying to climb up on his shoulder with the slightest pride, soon he disappeared from her sight, and she fell down on the ground with a thud.  She was crying loudly calling out for Krishna,” Oh! Natha, Oh! Ramana, do not abandon me in the woods, I have discarded all the worldly attachments and began the journey with you, kindly bless me with your presence.”  All the female cowherds felt relieved to watch the young beautiful maiden who was in extreme grief and pain of separation from Krishna.  They continued to search for Krishna all over the woods, finally returned to the river banks of Yamuna, they shed tears remembering Krishna and his various pastimes.”

Ha  Natha Ramana  Preshta  Kvasi Kvasi Mahabhuja | Dhasyasthe  Kripanaya  Mey Sakhe  Dharshaya Sannidhim ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 210 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 61

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the women of cowherds were stunned to hear from Krishna.  They stood like a stone pillar after listening to the speeches of Krishna.  Their faces filled in utter disappointment, besieged with the cupid arrows and pain of separation from him. They shed tears of extreme agony, the vermilion adorned in their body melted in the tears.  They could not even think of separation from him, tears overflowing stared at Krishna, it choked their voice and began to speak “ Oh! Adhipurusha, do not hurt with your unkind words. Oh! Bhagavan, we have surrendered at your lotus feet, we have no other shelter place, we have abandoned all the worldly matters and took shelter in you and you are asking us to return homes, how could you abandon a Mumukshu?  Oh! Bhagavan, you have given a speech about the righteousness of a married woman, to take care of husband and relatives, we are not against it.  How could you refuse us?  We have already surrendered our mind and intellect to you, therefore this wife should unite with her husband who is supreme Lord.  Oh! Aravindhanethra, we are constantly remembering your lovely appearance in our heart, how could we take pleasure the material life and the family? We want permanent bliss, unlike the one we are getting from the association of family and relatives. Oh! Parameshwara who resides as a soul in living beings, kindly do not separate us from you.  Oh! Bhagavan, when we listened to your melodious music on the flute, we could not move our body because it is already fixed at your lotus feet, our intellect was completely absorbed in the music played.  How could you leave us? Therefore we cannot go back to our homes.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly relieve our passion-filled hearts with your nectar-like saliva, Oh! Ambujaksha, Goddess Sri residing in your heart taking pleasure in the service of your lotus feet, we have no one other than you.  Oh! Bhagavan, we are eagerly waiting to adorn the dust from your feet. We have rushed to see you after listening to your melodious music, your beautiful appearance, adorned in Makara Kundala, and smile resembles the shine of lotus flower, your hand that gives shelter to your devotees, who could leave you? Kindly do not ask us to leave.  Oh! Bhagavan, we cannot take our mind and hearts from your marvelous form, how could we separate it from you?  It is impossible for us to leave you.  We have already surrendered our hearts and mind to you, kindly bless these Dasi/attendants, with your lotus hands keeping on our bosom and head.”

Shukha Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, after listening to the compassionate words of female of cowherds, Krishna who is Yogeshwareshwara smiled at them, decided to make them happy.  They all accompanied Lord Krishna on the river banks of Yamuna, they immersed in the embrace and taking great pleasure in the company of Krishna.  In this way, Krishna stirred up the emotions in the female of cowherds, in a moment they also felt that Krishna is besieged with the cupid arrows.  They took pride in themselves, witnessing the most passionate sport of Krishna with them.  In a sudden moment, Lord Krishna disappeared from their sight to bless them, to elevate their souls from the amorous sport and remove their pride.”

|| 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.”