|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 254 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  105

Namasthasmai Bhagavathe  Krishnayath Adhbhuthakarmane | Anathayadhi Bhoothaya  Kootasthayathmane Nama: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, it was the time heartrending news spread all over Hasthinapur, that the Pandavas who were exiled from the Kingdom faced tragic death in the wax house. Krishna visited Hasthinapur as if he was not aware of the truth of the Pandavas who miraculously escaped from the wax house, he consoled Dhritharashtra and Bhishmapithamaha and clan of Kurus.  In the meantime in Dwaraka another incident took place, previously Sathyabhama was proposed to marry another King, but the turn of events made King Sathrajith offer his daughter to Krishna,  the king who was proposed to marry Sathyabhama felt humiliated and arranged for a person named Shathadhvan to kill Sathrajith and steal the jewel, the whole incident was taken place under the supervision of Akroora.  Thus, Shathadhanvan killed King Sathrajith in the absence of Krishna in Dwaraka and took custody of the gem Syamanthaka.  Sathyabhama heard the tragic death of her father, she went to the palace and carried his corpse in a ferry and drove to Hastinapura.”

Later, Krishna chased after Shathadhanvan, and caught hold of him from the city of Mithila and sieved his head off.  In a hurry, Krishna did not get the information about the Syamanthaka, Balarama went to the palace of King Janaka.  The gem Syamanthaka that was stolen from the King Sathrajith given to Krithavarma, who was not aware of the complete history of the gem put his life into trouble.  Therefore Krithavarma and Akroora went to Kashi, and undertook Japa and Dhyana, all that wealth produced by gem Syamanthaka was offered as a charity.  Once Sathyabhama enquired Krishna about the gem and its whereabouts, but the conversation did not become fruitful. Once again, people suspected Krishna about the lost gem Syamanthaka.  Krishna ordered his men to bring back Akroora, with a funny reason that Dwaraka is lacking rain in his absence. Akroora returned to Dwaraka and fallen at the feet of Krishna begging for forgiveness was highly appreciated, for utilizing the wealth produced by the gem for charities; further Akroora narrated all that happened to Devi Sathyabhama. Thus, Krishna returned the precious gem Syamanthaka to Akroora praising his commendable virtue of offering charity.”

Whoever reads or listens to this glorious myth of the precious gem Syamanthaka would get relieved from ill fortune and ill fame.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 253 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  104

Jane Thvam Sarvabhoothanam Prana Oja: Saho Balam | Vishnum Puranapurusham Prabhavishnum Adheeshwaram || Thvam Hi Vishwasrijam Shrishta Srijanyamapi Yaccha Sath | Kala: Kalayatham Eesha : Para  Athma  Thadhathmanam ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Sathrajith impatiently waited for his brother Prasena to return from woods, soon realized that he is not going to come back, somebody has stolen the precious gem.  Sathrajith remembered Krishna’s advice to handover the jewel to the King assumed he must have killed Prasena for the gem.  Eventually, the rumor about the lost gem spread like a wood fire all over the Kingdom.  Krishna took a few Yadhavas and conducted a rigorous search in the woods.  Finally, they located the corpse of Prasena which was emitting foul smell, close to the corpse there were footprints of a lion, they closely followed the footprints that led them to a cave.  Krishna advised Yadhavas to wait for him outside of the cave, he entered the cave and found a beautiful woman adorned in precious gem Syamanthaka.   The cave was full of darkness, and Krishna has dark-complexioned, she got frightened when Krishna asked to give him the precious gem.  She called out for her father Jambavan, Krishna requested Jambavan to give away the jewel which is adorning the neck of his daughter.  Jambavan got furious, invited Krishna for a fight and whoever wins the fight would get the custody of the jewel.  Thus a fierce fight between Jambava and Krishna has begun, and it continued for twenty-eight days. Finally, Krishna gave a hard kick on Jambavan who cannot withstand the fight fallen on the ground with a loud thud.  Soon he realized that the opposite person is not an ordinary human, he remembered it must be Lord Rama who can only win over him.  Krishna smiled at Jambavan and looked at him affectionately.  Jambavan realized it is supreme Lord Vishnu who symbolizes supreme soul, Prana, Oja, prowess, he is Puranapurusha who is the lord of Universe, primordial, and has supreme brilliance.  He remembered supreme Lord Rama who won over Lord Varuna, constructed a majestic bride over the vast ocean Sethu, killed the demon Ravana and his entire clan and brought back Devi Sita. Immediately, Jambavan rose from the ground with folded hands, fallen at the feet of Krishna, and begged for forgiveness.   He revealed his desire to perform the atonement for the sin committed.  Krishna asked him to give back the precious gem Syamanthaka. Jambavan requested Krishna to accept his foster daughter Jambavathi along with the gem.  Thus, Krishna got married to Jambavathi.”

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, The Yadhavas who was supposed to wait outside the cave for Krishna has already returned to Dwaraka and informed the people about the vicious fight, the entire Dwaraka sunk in deep sorrow.  After twenty-eight days, Krishna arrived with Jambavathi in the Dwaraka, once again the entire Dwaraka immersed in the mood of festivities, people cheered at the return of Krishna.  They prostrated before Krishna and he blessed everyone with his compassionate grace.  The newly wedded couple Krishna and Jambavathi were received with great honor.  Krishna handed the Syamanthaka to Sathrajith who was present in the assembly of the Yadhavas, and narrated all that happened in the woods.  Sathrajith felt ashamed of his act, he regretted spreading rumors about Krishna and prostrated before him.  Sathrajith revealed his desire to perform the atonement for the sin, thus he offered his daughter Sathyabhama as wedded wife to Krishna along with the gem, and he gracefully refused the gem and returned to Dwaraka.  The newly wedded couple Krishna and Sathyabhama were received with great honor.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 252 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  103

Symanthakopakhyanam

Sathrajitha: Swathanayam Krishnaya Kritha Kilbisha: | Syamanthakena Manina Swayammudhyamya Dhaththavan ||

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Brahmana kindly narrates the legend of the precious gem Symanthaka, and the reason for Krishna was accused by the King Sathrajith.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, King Sathrajith was an ardent worshiper of Lord Surya.  He pleased Lord Surya with his sincere devotion and attained a precious gem Syamanthaka.   It has unique capabilities to produce an abundance of gold and gems on a daily basis, there will not be any poverty or darkness in the place where Syamanthaka exists.  Thus, King Sathrajith attained an abundance of wealth offered by this precious gem, the entire palace was filled in richness, he assumed himself equivalent to Lord Surya.  Sathrajith was swollen with pride decided to reveal his splendor to Krishna, he adorned that precious Symantha around the neck and took a visit to the palace of Dwaraka.  The people of Dwaraka assumed it was Lord Surya paying a visit to the city of Dwarka was duly informed Krishna “Oh! Narayana, Oh! Shankhachakradhara, Oh! Dhamodhara, Oh! Aravindhaksha, Oh! Govinda, Oh! Yadhunandhana, Oh! Jagathpathe, Lord Surya paying a visit to you, don’t we have to make preparations to receive him?”

Narayana Namastheasthu Shankha Chakra Gadhadhara | Dhamodhara Aravindhaksha Govindha Yadhunandhana || Yesha Ayathi Savitha Thvam Dhidhrukshur Jagathpathe | Mushnan Gabasthi Chakrena Nrinam Chakshoomshi Thigmagu: ||

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord whose eyes have the resemblance of lotus flower petals, laughed at the people of Dwaraka, he declared that it was not Lord Surya, it is Sathrajith whose precious gem-adorned on the neck revealing the brilliance of Lord Surya.  As usual Krishna received him like any other dignitaries in the palace.  Sathrajith did not like the attitude of Krishna, he took a seat in the assembly of Yadhava, praised the miracles performed by the precious gem Syamanthaka.  Krishna after listening to his long conversation praising the gem, said “Oh! Sathrajith, you should not keep that jewel in your custody, you should have made use of this precious gem for the welfare of all the Yadhavas, in this way you can remove sufferings of poverty in the country.  You should handover that jewel to King so that it will be useful for the entire subjects, it will remove the sufferings of the people of the entire Kingdom. Otherwise, it may cause trouble for you.” Sathrajith got annoyed by Krishna’s opinion, flatly refused his opinion.  Sathrajith self praised the austerities and penance to please Surya and thereby attained the precious jewel, Krishna expressed his desire to take a closer look to the precious gem was refused. Krishna warned Sathrajith “ Oh! Yadhava, it would cause endless troubles in your life, therefore hand over the jewel to the Emperor of the Kingdom and can be utilized wisely.” Sathrajith unhappily returned from the palace of Dwaraka.  On that night, his brother Prasena requested his brother Sathrajith for the precious gem, was readily offered. Prasena adorned that jewel around the neck and went for a hunting expedition. Unfortunately, he was killed by a lion and dragged his body into woods, along with the precious gem.  The monkeys in the wood noticed the body of Prasena and informed their leader elderly Jambavan who was taken a seat on the huge tree, leaped on the lion and killed it instantly, took the precious jewel and left the scene.  Jambavan had a foster daughter Jambavathi, he handed that jewel to please her."

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 251 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  102

Tham Shambara: Kamaroopi Hrithva  Thokamanidharsham | Sa Vidhithvathmana: Shathrum Prasyodhanvathyagadh Griham || Bhagavan  Narayana Sutha: Shambarena  Hritho Grihath | Aham Theadhikritha Pathni Rathi: Kamo Bhavan Prabho ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Shambara arrived in the palace of Krishna and saw a beautiful infant Pradhyumna who has the lovely appearance of Krishna and Kamadeva, though he approached the infant to kill, he could not kill the child watching its divinity.  He shoved the child in the ocean was swallowed by a giant fish, later it was caught by a fisherman and without knowledge delivered to the palace of Shambarasura.  Mayawati who was in charge of the kitchen cut opened the fish and saw the child inside, and the child was taken care of by Mayavathi.  Maharishi Narada happened to visit the palace and informed Mayavathi about the child who was Kamadeva in his previous birth.  Suddenly Mayavathi’s approach to the child has changed, her motherly affection transformed into the desire for a lover,  Pradhyumna asked “ Oh! Mother, you have completely changed your way of approach to me, previously you were addressing me as your child, now you are approaching me as your lover.”  Mayawati speaks “Oh! Narayana Sutha, you have brought to the palace by Shambara, you were my husband Kamadeva in the previous birth, Oh! Prabho, I was  your wife Devi Rathi in my previous birth.” In a moment, Pradhyumna remembered the influence of Maya and praised Mayavathi, Mahamaya who is the destroyer of Sarvamaya.  Thus, Mayavathi informed Pradhyumna about Shambarasura who is enemy deities, should be killed at the earliest, she taught the supreme knowledge of ‘Mahamaya’ to Pradhyumna, a fierce battle was held between Shambarasura and Pradhyuma, and the latter was killed in the battle.  Pradhyumna and Mayavathi returned to Dwaraka.

In the Palace of Dwaraka, Krishna was preparing to leave to his chamber, Devi Rukmini returned to the chamber and found the infant Pradhyumna is missing.  Devi Rukmini conducted a thorough inquiry about the child in the entire palace and female attendants and Devi Devaki, Vasudeva and Lord Krishna.  Devi Rukmini found the child has lost forever, was besieged with extreme agony, pacified by Krishna.  Thus, sixteen years have passed, one day Devi Rukmini felt her left eye trembling as a sign of good omen.  Soon, Devi Rukmini saw a handsome youth who has the attractive appearance of Lord Krishna, his eyes, nose, mouth, ears, forehead, lips, and well-built physique has a close resemblance to Krishna, he along with a beautiful woman entering inside the grand pathways of the palace.  Suddenly, she remembered the lost child Pradhyumna, rushed to Krishna who comforted Devi Rukmini saying that it is her lost son Pradhyumna returning home.  Soon, Maharishi Narada arrived and narrated all that happened with Pradhyumna to Devi Rukmini.  Everyone received the couple with great enthusiasm, once again happiness restored in the palace of Dwaraka.

The legend of ‘Pradhyumnothpathi’ is the journey of mind, Manas, Buddhi, Chiththam, Ahamkara is named as Vasudeva, Pradhyumna/lust, Aniruddha, and Sankarshana.  Shambarasura represents senses that take pleasure in worldly matters/Indhriyasukham,  Mayavathi represent ‘Vidyamaya’/ that elevates the soul from worldly bondage and guide the soul to the path of Moksha reunites Pradhyumna/the mind soaked in lust and desires to Krishna and Devi Rukmini.  In short, the mind and intellect which was soaked in worldly matters and sensual pleasures, with the help of supreme knowledge reunites with the Paramathma, therefore it is called ‘The journey of the mind’.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 250 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  101

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Thus the wedding of Lord Krishna and Devi Rukmini took place in a grand manner.  One day, Devi Rukmini appeared before Krishna and shyly revealed her desire to have a child.  Krishna advised Devi Rukmini to pray to Lord Mahadeva, she sincerely conducted the worship of Lord Mahadeva.” 

Lord Parameshwara underwent extreme Tapasya after the demise of Devi Sati in the Yogagni, in the meantime, the entire world had to undergo the atrocities of demons, and the deities lost their power fighting against the demons without a great leader to lead the army of deities.  They all desired to have a powerful leader of deities from the Beeja of the supreme ascetic who is Lord Shiva.  The deities were in a dilemma on how to approach Lord Mahadeva who was undertaking extreme penance after the separation from Devi Sati, no one dared to go near Lord Mahadeva and none has the courage to wake up Shiva from the extreme penance. Thus, Lord Indra advised Lord Kamadeva to rouse emotions in Lord Shiva.   Lord Kamadeva shot the cupid flower arrows against Lord Shiva who was undertaking extreme Tapasya and was serving by Goddess Parvati.  Lord Mahadeva was annoyed and opened his third eye and looked at Kamadeva.  The extreme brilliance of Thapasagni from the third eye of Mahadeva burned Kamadeva into ashes.  Devi Rathi who is the wife of Kamadeva fallen at the feet of Mahadeva and requested to reinstate life in Kamadeva was advised to take birth as Mayavathi in the palace of Shambarasura so that she can unite with her husband once again. 

Shambarasura undertook extreme Tapasya and attained an abundance of boons from Lord Bhrama, asked for a boon that no one can kill him other than Kamadeva who was already lost life in the hands of Mahadeva. Shambarasura became haughty after receiving a boon from Lord Bhrama.  In the meantime, Kamadeva appeared as Beeja in Krishna and it was carried in the womb of Devi Rukmini.  Maharishi Narada came to know about it, visited Shambarasura in his palace, and informed the birth of Kamadeva as Pradhyumna to Krishna and Devi Rukmini.  Shambarasura lost his peace, decided to kill Pradhyumna, and arrived in the palace of Krishna.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 249 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  100

The legend of the Rukmini Vivah represents the union of Jeeva with the Paramathma, the union of the soul with the Supreme Lord, the five brothers of Rukmini represents the sense organs which always wedge on the material well-being.  The mind and intellect only has the ability to elevate the soul with the constant practice of recitation and remembrance of glorious myths of supreme Lord.  The association with the saintly men and ascetics, constant contemplation and listening to the various myths from scriptures would elevate the soul to the state of supreme bliss, it enhances the devotion, eventually attains the union with the Paramathma, it is the promise of supreme Lord to Jeeva, whoever contemplates upon the supreme Lord with constant recitation and meditation would remain pure and get rid of all the sins finally attain union with the Supreme Lord.

There is an interesting legend of a lion cub that was lost from its herd and reached in the hands of a cowherd who took great care of it and kept it with the herds of goat, eventually, the lion cub adopted all the habits the baby goat, consumed grass, remained nervous to walk alone.  The lion cub was too attached to the herd of goat, produced bleat like the baby goats.  The cowherd took all the goats and the lion cub for grazing in the woods, he was not aware that he has been under constant observation of a lion.  The lion was surprised to notice the lion cub producing bleat and walking close to the herds of the goat; it rushed to the herd of goats and caught hold of the lion cub, alas! It ran towards the cowherd was safely taken home.  The same incident happened once again, this lime lion did not leave the lion cub; it took the cub on the river bank.  The lion cub was all horrified, but the lion did not leave it to hold, produced an earsplitting roar, the cub was terrified.  The lion instructed the cub to watch his face and his own image in the water.  The lion cub looked at the water and found his own image and the image of the lion are the same. Thus, slowly the lion cub regained its confidence, it forced the cub to produce roar like him, fed it with the meat of deer, it was all new experience for the cub, surprisingly it got adapted to the new style of living like a lion.  The constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord who has endless prowess, learning the scriptures which describe the greatest potentials of the human mind and intellect is called the practice of spirituality.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 248 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  99

Jarasandha with his huge army men followed Krishna’s chariot.  Balarama with his huge army of men chased Jarasandha.  The elder brother of Rukmi was embarrassed watching Rukmini leaving with Krishna.  He promised that if he could not retrieve his sister from the custodian of Krishna, he will not enter the city.  Thus the entire city gave out an appearance of the battlefield, Jarasandha battled against Balarama, and Krishna fought against men of Rukmi.  A vicious battle took place in the Kudinapuram, in that fierce battle Balarama defeated Jarasandha.  He returned to Shishupala and comforted him forget about Rukmini, he continued explaining his series of failures, he pacified Shishupala that he will definitely get a perfect match, they both eloped from the crowd of Kundinapuram.  Lord Krishna and Rukmi had a fierce battle; Krishna fastened him in a tree and prepared to sieve his head.   Suddenly Krishna felt the touch of cold and supple hands on his feet. It was Devi Rukmini with a prayer “ Oh! Yogeshwara, Oh! Aprameyathma, Oh! Jagathpathi, he is my brother, kindly leave him.”  Immediately Krishna looked at her and announced his decision not to kill him,  Rukmi was disfigured by taking off the hairs from the head and face.

Yogeshwara  Apremeyathman Deva Deva Jagathpathe | Hanthum Narhasi Kalyana Bhratharam Mey Mahabhuja ||

Balaram arrived on the spot and called for Krishna, and Balarama sharply criticized Krishna for his act against Rukmi who is going to be the closest relative. Balarama comforted Devi Rukmini saying that it is all part of the deeds of Kshatriyas advised her to elevate her soul, it was her attachment to her brother that made her unhappy.  The Supreme Lord resides as a soul in all the living beings, intellectuals understand the truth and raise to the knowledge of ‘Oneness-in-All’, an ignorant one never understands the ultimate truth, like the brilliant rays of the sun covered in the dark clouds, they keep fastening themselves into constant worries and grief of worldly attachments and bondage.  The body has to undergo changes and ruin, the soul remains unhurt, it has no attachment or bondage, therefore it remains free from grief and sorrows. Balarama said “ Oh! Devi, elevate your soul from sorrows and miseries with the knowledge of the supreme soul and keep yourself serene.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Thus, Krishna and Rukmini arrived in the city of Dwaraka.  An elaborate arrangement was made for the wedding of Krishna and Rukmini, the city of Dwara got festive mood, the entire city was decorated with various precious gems, flowers, Poornakumbha, Agaru, Dhoop and various fragrances etc.  The houses in the city of Dwaraka were decorated for a Mahothsava. Thus, a grand wedding of Krishna and Devi Rukmini took place before the illustrious members of Vrishni, family, and people of Dwaraka.”