|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 245 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  96

Bhagavan Bheeshmakasutham Rukminim Ruchirananam | Rakshasena Vidhanena Upayema Ithishrutham ||

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhraman, I have heard Bhagavan Krishna married to Devi Rukmini, the beautiful daughter of Bheeshmaka, following the demonic rites, kindly elaborate to me.  The glorious myths of Bhagavan Krishna would remain fresh always and it never creates boredom in listeners, it is enough to remove all the impurities of the mind.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan,  King Bheeshmka of Vidharbha Rajadhipathi had five sons Rumki, Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesha, and Rukmamali, and a daughter Rukmini who was highly virtuous and intelligent.  She has heard the glorious myth of  Bhagavan Krishna from her childhood, she had great opportunities to listen to the splendor of Krishna from the saintly men and twice-born visited in the palace on regular basis, gradually she has confirmed that he is the appropriate groom for her. Thus she has assumed that Mukunda who is capable to elevate the souls, is charismatic, virtuous, intelligent, as her future husband.   In the meantime, Krishna also heard of the chastity and beauty of Rukmini, daughter of King Bheeshmaka.  The elder brother Rukmi was not supportive of the idea of Rukmini’s desire to marry Krishna.  He decided to marry off Rukmini to the King Shishupala of Chedi.  Rukmi had no respect for Krishna who was the leader of cowherds, he had some supernatural powers, performed various amusement, killed his own uncle, performed Maharas with the women of cowherds, stolen the clothes of women while they were having a bath.  He openly criticized Krishna before the entire family who was supporting the idea of Rukmini.  Thus, the family kept quiet, Rukmi made arrangements the marriage of his sister to King Shishupala.  All the preparations for the marriage were in full swing, the invitations were sent to the neighboring rulers, without the knowledge of Rukmini.  Once, a twice-born visited the palace to shower his blessings on Rukmini, while conversation took place between the Bhramin and Devi Rukmini came to know about her marriage were already declared with Shishupala.  Rukmini could not control her grief, she fallen at the feet of the Bhramin with tears overflowing, she understood that her parents are helpless and they have to obey the order of their elder son Rukmi.  Devi Rukmini asked the Bhramin to do a favor, thus she wrote a message to Krishna and instructed the Bhramin to deliver it to Krishna who is in Dwaraka.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 244 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  95

Lord Krishna speaks “ Oh! Sarvabhauma, Oh! Maharaja, I am highly pleased with your devotion, even though I have offered boons, your mind and intellect did not take notice of it.  I want to test your devotion that is why I have offered boons, I persuade my devotees with boons to know their devotion and faith in me.  The intellectuals practice Pranayama and unite their mind and intellect upon me, an ignorant practice breathing technique without the realization of the presence of the supreme soul would attain short-lived peace, and keep feeding their senses.  Oh! Rajan, you have to take one more birth to elevate your soul, eventually, you will attain union with me.”  Muchukunda prostrates before the supreme Lord and left to Badrikashram to conduct Tapasya.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Jarasandha was keenly waiting for Lord Krisha out of the cave.  Jarasandha found Krishna running out of the cave was followed.  Krishna took shelter on the top of the hill; Jarasandha put fire on the foothills, eventually, the fire spread all over the hills.  Jarasandha felt happy that Krishna trapped in a huge fire, and returned to his palace, without knowing the fact the other side of the hill was facing the ocean.  Krishna took shelter in the ocean and moved to Dwaraka.  Thus, Krishna and Balarama started living in the majestic city of Dwaraka.  Balarama was married to Devi Revathi who was the daughter of King Revatha/  Anarthadhipathi and Krishna was married to the daughter Devi Rukmini of King Bheeshmaka of Vidharbha.”

Bhagavanapi Govinda Upayemey Kurudhvaha | Vaidharbhim Bheeshmakasutham Shriyo Mathram Swayamvare ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 243 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  94

Muchukundha Sthuthi

Avatheerno Yadhukule Griha Anaka Dhundhubhe: | VadhanthiVasudevethi Vasudhevasutham Hi Mam|| Varan Vrineeshva Rajarshe  Sarvan Kaman Dhathami They | Mam Prasanno Jana: Kashchin Bhooyoarhathi Shochithum ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Lord Krishna was pleased with the Emperor Muchukundha and offered boons, he eulogized Lord Krishna with marvelous verses.”

Labdhva  Jano Durllabhamathra Manusham Kadhanchithavyangamayathnatho Anagha| Padharavindham Na  Bhajathyasanmathir Grihandhakoope Pathitho Yadha Pashu: ||

Muchukundha speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, the Jeevathma did not realize your splendor due to the influence of Maya, and they forget to eulogize your glories, take immense pleasure in senses and worldly matters and bondages, and keep themselves in constant miseries and worries, eventually they keep away themselves from the supreme Purusha.  Oh! Bhagavan, it is extremely rare to attain the birth of a human, without knowing the truth, the Jeeva takes immense pleasure in the worldly matters and bondage, without contemplating upon the lotus feet of supreme Lord, heave themselves into the darkness of the deep well like worldly matters and bondage.  Oh! Bhagavan, I had the fame of an Emperor and an abundance of richness, I have soaked in the happiness of family, wives, children, and the Kingdom without the knowledge of Bhramam, even though it creates boredom  in the long run, the Jeeva continues to wedge on it.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have understood the human body is a mud pot, the ignorant takes in pride of the mud pot that is derived from the mud, and has short life.  The Jeeva takes pleasure in the worldly matters and bondage without the knowledge of its impermanent nature, and missing the greatest opportunity to get hold of the supreme bliss/supreme Bhramam.  Oh! Bhagavan, the Jeeva takes pleasure like the mouse trapped in the mouth of a giant serpent, the body which is subject to transformation and ruin, the intellectuals elevate the Athman from the trap of the cycles of repeated births and attain liberation.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have understood this mind and intellect can take pleasure in worldly matters and bondages which is impermanent, it can also take pleasure in the supreme Bhramam which is beyond birth and death.  Oh! Bhagavan, it can be achieved only with the association of ascetics and saintly men, and with the constant practice of the same.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly blesses me, to get relieved from all the worldly matters and bondage, and lead my mind and intellect to attain that supreme bliss, which was sought after by the virtuous and saintly men.  Oh! Bhagavan, I am not yearning for anything other veneration of your lotus feet, I should be able to perform all the righteous deeds with a pleasing mind, unlike the dark clouds takes away the brightness of the Sun, and I should be able to receive all those happenings in the life as your grace. I do not need any other boon from you.  Oh! Bhagavan, I should be able to get rid of all those bondages of Rajas, Tamas, and Sathvik, and contemplate upon supreme Purusha who is beyond Gunas, Prakrithi, pure, with no dualities, and I should attain that supreme Purusha who is supreme bliss.  Oh! Bhagavan, all my life I was feeding my senses with the expectation of bliss, Alas! It led me to extreme miseries, sorrows, and boredom, Oh! Bhagavan, I shall surrender my intellect and mind at your lotus feet, from the past miseries and troubles, and the upcoming happiness.  Oh! Esha, kindly protect us.’’  Thus, Emperor Muchukundha reverentially prostrated before Lord Krishna.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter -242 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 93

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Bhagavan Krishna prepares to have a battle with Jarasandha who is the father-in-law of Kamsa.  Kamsa had two wives Asthi and Prapthi became widows after his death.  Jarasandha decided to fight against Krishna who forced his daughter to live the life of widows.  Jarasandha with twenty-three Akshauhini Sena/army of men declared a battle against Krishna, who had some other plans in his mind.   Krishna decided not to kill Jarasandha, definitely, there will be a huge number of warriors lose their lives in the battle, in this way he can reduce the burden of Earth.  Krishna had battled against Jarasandha for seventeen times, he left Jarasandha without killing him each time; numerous warriors of his army men were killed in the battle,  the eighteenth time Jarasandha brought King Yavana who had three crores of men of the army on the battlefield.  During the preparation of War, Krishna instructed Lord Vishwakarma to build an astonishing palace in the city of Dwaraka in the middle of the ocean, beautiful fortresses were built and many of the people were shifted to the city of Dwaraka.  Krishna and a few of army men left in Mathura, Yavana brought a huge army of men before Krishna who ran out of the battlefield and entered into a cave. Yavana made fun of Krishna who was defeated by Jarasandha for seventeen times, laughed at his ridicule act.  Yavana chased after Krishna and entered in the cave filled in pitch darkness.  Krishna has dark-complexion, the cave was filled in darkness, Yavana found a person sleeping on the ground covered in a black blanket inside the cave. Yavana kicked harshly on the person thinking that it is Krishna, the person who was asleep on the floor opened his eyes widely and looked at Yavana who instantly turned into ashes.  It was Emperor Muchukunda of the Ikshvaku dynasty, looked at Krishna and enquired him.  They began to talk to each other; Emperor Muchukunda speaks “Oh! Mahabhaga, I am the son of Mandatha, I have assisted the deities in the battle against demons, without sleep for several days.  In that battle the deities won against the demon, Lord Indra offered a boon to have good sleep if anyone disturbs my sleep would become ashes, so I have chosen this cave to sleep. Kindly introduce yourself. ”  Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Rajan, I have several names, I have born in the clan of Yadhu, I am the son of Vasudeva/Anakadhundhubi and Devi Devaki.”  Emperor Muchukunda thrilled to hear the name of Krishna, witnessed the magnificent form of Lord Vishnu with four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and the Padma,"

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter -241 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 92

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Akroora pacified Devi Kunthi and decided to meet Dhritarashtra who is blind by birth.  Akroora speaks “  Oh! Vaichithra Veerya, you have crowned as the King of Hastinapura after the death of your brother Pandu, Are you are ruling the country righteously? Are you providing justice to everyone especially to the sons of Pandu, who have lost the guidance and affection of their father? hope you are considerate to them.  Otherwise, if you are showing injustice to Pandavas, and favoring your children, that would push you to extreme grief and agony, and you will come to know when your children discard you from their lives; at that moment you will understand the mistakes you have done in your life.  Hope you understand the righteousness and ruling your country.  If you exhibit your weakness and gain something, later it will haunt you.  Oh! Rajan, you have prowess, intelligence, wealth and status, if you perform any immoral deed while ruling the Hasthinapur, later it will trouble your entire clan with extreme grief, agony and sorrow, which could heave you all into hell.  The instant gain and achievements could bring temporary happiness, but it could not save you all.”

Dhritarashtra speaks “Oh! Intelligent one, I am unfortunate, my heart is not willing to accept any of your words, I am already soaked in the affection towards my children, your words sound like lightning, not reaching into my heart, diffusing in seconds.  Who knows the plan of Parameshwara? One thing is clear, as long Krishna with Pandavas, they will have all the victory and the auspiciousness.  The supreme Lord is not easily understandable, I shall prostrate before him, and unfortunately, I am not able to contemplate upon him.” Akroora returned to Mathura.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter -240 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 91

Thvam No Guru:  Pithrivyashcha  Shlakhyo Bandhushcha  Nithyadha | Vayam Thu Rakshya: Poshyashcha  Anukambya: Praja Hi Va : || Na Hyammayani Theerthani Na Deva  Mricchilamaya: | They Punathyurkalena Dharshana Deva Sadhava: ||

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! Thatha,  Oh! Mahabhaga, you are like our father, our preceptor, uncle, and a relative.  You should consider us as your people and always shower your kindness and protection. The association with pious people like you itself is a great blessing to us.  The visit to sacred places or shrines or worship of idols, cannot elevate a soul at once, they may gradually elevate their souls through these process, I shall suggest you the association with the ascetic, and saintly people will raise the soul at ease.  Oh! Thatha, you have to visit Pandavas, who are going through hardships after the death of King Pandu, the children are taking care of by Devi Kunthi, therefore you have to visit them immediately and remove their grief.  We are their relatives, we have to stand with them during the troubled times, therefore kindly leave to Hasthinapur.”

Akroora visits Hasthinapur, met Bhishma Pithamaha and Dritharashtra, Devi Kunthi and her sons, Vidhura, Bharadhvaja, Gauthama, Karna, Suyodhana, Drona, and various members of the assembly and families of Kurus.  Akroora stayed in Hasthinapur for some time to learn the situations in the palace, found that the Kurus are not leaving a single opportunity to humiliate the Pandavas, who are virtuous, disciplined, intelligent with great prowess, were going through harsh times in the Palace.  One day Devi Kunthi met Akroora and narrated all that troubles of her children going through in the palace,  Devi Kunthi said “ Oh! Akroora, how is Krishna, Vasudeva, and Devi Devaki? They are not aware of my pathetic situation in the Hasthinapur  I believe, I have great faith upon Krishna, he will not leave me or my children, I am confident that only Krishna could remove all my miseries and sorrows,” Thus Devi Kunthi prayed to Krishna “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Mahayogi, Oh! Vishwathma, Oh! Vishwabhavana, Oh! Govinda, I shall surrender at your lotus feet, kindly protect us. Oh! Krishna, you are absolute Bhramam, Oh! Paramathma, you are pure, oh! Yogeshwareshwara we shall take refuge at your lotus feet.”

Krishna Krishna Mahayogin Vishwathman Vishwabhavana | Prapannam Pahi Govinda Shishubhichavaseedhathim || Nama: Krishnaya  Shudhdhaya  Bhramane Paramathmane| Yogeshwaraeshwaraya Yogaya Thamaham Sharanam Gatha ||

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter -239 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 90

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once Krishna, along with Rama and Udhdhava went to the house of Akroora was received with great honor, washed their feet, prostrated before them.  Akroora who was well known the divinity of the children, addressed them with great respect, “ Oh! Krishna, Oh! Rama you both are divine personified on the Earth, you represent the Universe and it living beings, you have all-pervading nature, I have experienced that.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the creator, preserver and causes to merge all that created in you at the time of the deluge.  You are unblemished, you are void of changes, Guna, and Karma, you symbolize supreme wisdom, the darkness of ignorance cannot withstand in the presence of supreme brilliance.  Oh! Bhagavan, an ignorant soaked in worldly matters, swollen with ego and pride, remains in utter grief, without the knowledge of the presence of supreme soul in him/her.  You are independent, you incarnate on Earth with the influence of Maya to elevate the souls, you are flawless, and you are free from worldly matters and bondage.  Whoever takes complete surrender at your lotus feet, would get fulfilled all their desires and elevate their soul to the state of bliss, it is the promise of the supreme Lord to his ardent devotees/companion who sung in praise of him, and contemplating upon him as companion or devotee with intense faith. Oh! Janardhana/who removes the darkness of ignorance, kindly bless me  and remove my worldly desires and bondage, kindly destroy my desire towards body, wife, children, wealth, and possessions, Oh! Yogeshwara Oh! Suresha, kindly shower your grace upon me. ”

 Ka: Pandithasthvadhaparam Sharanam Sameeyath  Bhakthapriya Dhrithagira: Suhridha: Krithajjath | Sarvan Dhadhathi Suhridho Bhajatho Abikaman Athmanamapyupachayapachayau Na Yasya || Dhishtya Janardhana Bhavan Iha Na: Preethitho Yogeshwarairapi  Durapagathi: Sureshai: | Chindhyashu Na; Sutha Kalathra Dhanaptha  Geha Dehadhi Moharashanam Bhavadheeya Mayam ||