|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 268 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  119

Krishna Garhasthyadharshanam

Naivathbhutham Thvayi  Vibho Akhila Lokanathe  Maithri Janeshu Sakaleshu Dhama: Khalanam | Ni:Shreyasaya Hi Jagathsthithirakshanabhyam Swairavatharaya Urugaya Vidhama Sushtu ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Maharishi Narada was curious to know how did Krishna performing the task of a perfect householder, wanted to witness the life of supreme Lord Krishna as a householder to sixteen thousand and eight wives.   He arrived in the majestic city of Dwara, its fortresses were decorated with precious gems and pearls. Maharishi Narada was received with great honor by Krishna, Maharishi eulogized Lord Krishna “ Oh! Lokanatha, who is the protector of the Universe and its living beings, you have incarnated at your will to elevate the virtuous souls and destroy the wicked demons and teach them the influence of ‘Time’.  Oh! Yogeshwara, you have incarnated to uplift the people from the ignorance, you have assumed several forms with the influence of Yogamaya, I shall prostrate before you.   Oh ! Bhagavan, I shall take surrender at your lotus feet, kindly elevate us from the darkness of the well of worldly existence.”  Maharishi Narada conducted visiting the houses of Krishna, in one of the houses he saw the supreme Lord playing a board game with his wife and Udhdhava was received with great honor, washed his feet, and offered a sanctified seat.  Shortly, Maharishi Narada bade farewell to them and visited another house of Krishna, saw the supreme Lord holding a child in his hands.  Maharishi Narada visited another house of Krishna and saw he was performing Panchayagna.  In this way, Maharishi Narada could see the supreme Lord engaged in various activities in all those sixteen thousand and eight homes, he was engaged in activities like reciting sacred hymns, inspecting elephants and horses, Jalakreeda/water sport, listening to Puranas, engaged in humor talk with his wife, assisting his wife, seated in solitude, serving preceptor, engaged in the passionate sport with his wife, engaged in the worship of deities with the family, taking care of cows, etc. In this way, in each house, the supreme Lord is immersed in various household duties and pleasing his wife.  Maharishi Narada visited all those sixteen thousand and eight houses of Lord Krishna and amazed to watch that the supreme Lord is full of activities.  The supreme Lord Yogeshwareshwara gracefully smiled at Maharishi Narada who wanted to check on the amusements of the lion of Yadhus, ultimately Maharishi Narada praised him abundantly and left the palace. ”

In this legend, Krishna assumed sixteen thousand and eight forms and engaged in various household duties in the houses, Maharishi Narada was astonished to watch the enthusiasm of the supreme Lord while performing each and every task in the houses.  The human mind and intellect has an exceptional skill to learn various subjects and perform the same, which lead to contentment, if it is not utilized properly it could take away the life of the individual.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 267 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  118

Dhvividha Vadham

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, there was a Vanara named Dhvividha who was the brother of valorous Maindha and a close companion of Baumasura, and Sugreevah.  He was freely moving in the woods, various places and the hermitage of Rishis. It’s needless to talk about his undisciplined manner of living.  Once, Balarama was performing passionate sports with the women of cowherds, Dhvividha arrived there and produced loud chattering and gibbering noises, showed his back to Balarama and the women assembled.  Balarama got annoyed watching the deeds of Dhvividha.  Balarama had a fierce fight with the Vanara and gave a hard punch on the head of Vanara with his Musala, and killed him instantly.  The deities assembled showered flowers upon Balarama.”

In this legend the Vanara Dhvividha is compared to the human mind and intellect, the restless and anxious the human mind is often compared with the monkey which has got bitten by a pack of the honey bee.  The mind and intellect due to its ignorance wedge on the Prakrithi/people, wealth, fame, and possession, even though it has the ability to rose to the supreme soul which is eternal bliss, therefore the Vanara Dhvividha represents the mind and intellect that is soaked in worldly matters remain ungrateful, revealing its back portion to the supreme Lord.

 Namasthe Sarvabhoothathman Sarvashakthidhara Avyaya | Vishwakarman Namastheasthu Thvam  Vayam Sharanam Gatha: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Samba who is the son of Jambavathi and Krishna, made an effort to seize Lakshmana, the daughter of Duryodhana, was imprisoned by Kauravas.  Balarama decided to meet his disciple Duryodhana to have a peace talk with him to release Samba. Thus Balarama visited Hasthinapuram was received with great reverence.  He met Udhdhava, Dhritarashtra, Bheeshmapithamaha, Drona, and illustrious members of the assembly of Kurus. The conversation between the members in the assembly was started peacefully; Balarama informed about the order of Emperor Ugrasena to release Samba was rejected by Duryodhana.  Moreover, Duryodhana criticized the lack of courage and inheritance of Yadhus, he degraded Balarama and the entire Yadhavas, affirming Samba is an imperfect match to his daughter Lakshmana.  Balarama could not control his anger; he quivered the Earth with his plow.  Kurus could not withstand before Balarama, they have fallen at the feet of Balarama and begged for forgiveness, ultimately Samba was released from the prison, and send him with Lakshmana to Dwaraka.”

In this legend, Duryodhana disgraced the supreme Lord, who is beyond ‘Time’ and has endless prowess. Balarama quivered the Earth with his plow and proved his prowess, immediately Kuru’s realized their foolishness and false pride, fallen at his feet.  An ignorant swollen with pride take pleasure in wealth, people, fame, and possession, without the knowledge of ‘Time’ that has great influence on all the material things.   All those materials matters undergo constant transformation and ruin, the supreme Lord is eternal and changeless.  Therefore, whoever surrenders to that eternal bliss would remain least affected by the changes in the Prakrithi, accepts all that happenings as the grace of Lord.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 266 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  117

Paundraka Vadham

Shankharyasi Gadha Sharnga Srivathsadhyupalakshitham | Bibranam Kausthubhamanim Vanamala Vibhooshitham || Kausheyavasasi Peethe Vasanam Garudadhvajam | Amoolya MaulyaAbaranam Spuran Makarakundalam|| Dhrishtva Thamathmanasthulavesham Krithrimamasthitham | Yadha  Natam  Rangagatham Vijahasa  Dhrisham Hari: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, there was a King Paundraka who was ruling the city Karusha, he was a close associate of the King of Kashi.  King Paundraka was black-complexioned, loved to wear a yellow silk garment, and has some similarities to Krishna.  King of Kashi convinced him and praised him as Vaikundha Vasudeva, and inspired him to dress up like supreme Lord Krishna.  Thus, King Paundraka transformed himself as Paundraka Vasudeva, adorned in yellow silk garment, four arms holding Shankha, chakra, Gadha, and the Padma, adorned in Srivathsa, Kausthubham and Vanamala, magnificent ear ornaments, and a majestic crown.  King of Kashi prompted Paundraka Vasudeva to send a message to Lord Krishna, introducing himself as real Vaikundapathi, the message was duly sent through a messenger.  Krishna, the Vaikundapathi whose eyes have the appearance of lotus flower petals was seated in the assembly received the message of Paundraka, in that he was introduced himself as Vasudeva and threatened to give away all those marvelous things owned and surrender to him.  The Supreme Lord Krishna laughed out loud reading the message of Paundraka, eventually decided to meet him in person.  Thus, Lord Krishna arrived in the city of Karusha, he blew the conch as a sign of his arrival.  Soon Paundraka appeared before Lord, Krishna was amazed to watch the similarities and could not control his laugh.  Krishna teased Paundraka openly and hurled his disc that sieved the head off Paundraka and it chased the King of Kashi and tossed his head in his assembly.  The elder son of King of Kashi decided to take revenge on Krishna; he took shelter at the feet of Lord Vishwanatha of Kashi.  He sincerely worshiped Lord Vishwanatha following strict austerities and pleased him. Thus, the son of King of Kashi brought a powerful spirit Krithya with a dreadful appearance, it quivered the entire Earth.  That vicious spirit entered in the city of Dwaraka  to fight against Krishna.” 

Thus, Lord Krishna was returned from the Kingdom of Kurusha after the battle with the King of Kashi and Paundraka.   Once, he was playing a board game with the members of the family.  Suddenly, he heard the shriek of the children rose from the seat, hurled his Sudharshana Chakram against the Krithya who could not withstand the blazing fire from the disc.  She ran out of the city and took shelter in Kashi, eventually the powerful disc of Krishna took round and round in the entire city and burned into ashes.  Whoever listens or recite the legend of Paundraka Vadham would get relieved from all the sins.

In this legend Paundraka Vasudeva imitated all those outward appearances of the Supreme Lord without understanding his values got killed in the hands of the Lord.  The devotion is not something to imitate from others; devotion should be followed with the knowledge of self along with constant contemplation upon supreme Lord who is beyond description or perception.  True devotion is the complete surrender to the supreme Lord, and prepares oneself to face any adverse situations in life with a balanced state of mind.  The constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord, who is the source of the functioning of the Panchaprana, Karmendhriya, Gnanedhriyas, Prana, mind, intellect, Ahamkara in living beings, and persistently engages in the union of mind and intellect in the contemplation of supreme Lord is described as ‘Ananya Bhakti’.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 265 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  116

Yamunakarshanam

Yevam Nirbathsitham Bheetha Yamuna Yadhunandhanam | Uvacha  Chakitha Vacham Pathitha Padhayornripa || Rama Rama Mahabhaho Na Jane  Thava Vikramam | Yasyaikamshena  Vidhritha Jagathi Jagatha: Pathe || Param Bhavam Bhagavatho Bhagavan Mamajanathim | Mokthumarhasi Vishwathman Prapannam Bhakthavathsala ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once Balarama who is the preceptor of Kurus, conducted a visit to Vraja, the people of Vrindavan received him with great enthusiasm, and they happily surrounded Balarama and enquired about Krishna.   The cowherds were extremely happy to see Jagadheeshwara, they embraced him and shed tears of joy.   The elderly people enquired about the welfare of the families, greeted him with happiness, his childhood friends accompanied him with good-humored talks.   Thus, Balarama spend pleasing days with the people and cowherds of Vraja, he and the women of cowherds went to the riverbank of Yamuna, they had a lot to share with Sankarshana, they shed tears thinking of Krishna and those beautiful days of passionate sports with him.  Thus   Balarama spends two months in the Vraja and took great pleasure in the various sports with the women of the cowherd.  It was one full moon night, cool braze was carrying the rich fragrance of Kumudha,  Balarama with the women of cowherds assembled on the river banks of Yamuna, he was taking immense pleasure in the various sports with the women of cowherds, instructed river Yamuna come closer to him so that he can take pleasure in water sports, but she did not listen to him.  Balarama got annoyed at her behavior; he dragged her watercourse with his plow.  The Yamuna got terrified, she surrendered at his feet and eulogized him.” Thus Balarama with the women of cowherds performed various passionate sports and once again made them happy.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 264 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  115

Nrigopakhyanam

Deva Deva Jagannatha  Govindha Purushoththama | Narayana Hrishikesha  Punyashloka Acchyutha Avyaya || Namasthe  Sarvabhavaya  Bhramane Ananthashakthaye | Krishnaya Vasudevaya  Yoganam Pathaye Nama: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, It was the time when children of  Krishna was too young, Samba and a few of them were engaged in various sport in the greens, felt hungry so they went to check in the nearest well, it was completely dried out and there was a big lizard underneath it.  The children made an effort to get the lizard out of the well and found it difficult; they approached Lord Krishna and requested for help.  Krishna took the big lizard out of the well with his left hand, immediately it has assumed an attractive human and introduced himself as King Nriga of the Ikshvaku dynasty. “ Oh! Prabho,  Oh! Sarvabhoothathma,  I have performed an abundance of charities to illustrious Bhramanas who undertake austerities and vows, have a thorough knowledge of Bhramam.   I have performed charities equivalent to the sands on the Earth. I have performed charity of virtuous and good quality cows that provide an abundance of milk.  Once, I had performed charity of an abundance of cows and calves decorated in silver and gold to a Bhramin, soon another Bhramin appeared before me, I have performed the same number cows as the charity to that Bhramin too.  Unfortunately, the second Bhramin received a cow that was offered as a charity to the first Bhramin, as it was returned to the cowshed and took its place, I was not aware of that I have offered that cow as the charity to the second Brahmin.  The first Bhramin found one of his cows was missing from the herd, he turned to the second Bhramin and found his cow, they began to argue each other about the possession of it, and finally, they approached me to settle the argument.  I have pacified them and revealed my willingness to offer some more cows.  The first Brahmin cursed me to become a lizard for not performing charity with dedication.”  King Nriga left his mortal coil and reached the abode of Lord Yama was received with great respect as he was performed an abundance of charities on the Earth and enquired King Nriga whether he would like to enjoy the results of piousness or undergo punishments of the sins.  King Nriga gracefully revealed his willingness to undergo punishments for the sins, thus he had attained the form of a giant lizard and lived in the dark dried well, and eventually, he attained his real form with the touch of Lord Krishna.  King Nriga prostrated before Krishna and eulogized “Oh! Lord of Lords, Oh!  Jagannatha, Oh! Govinda Oh! Purushoththama, Oh! Narayana, Oh! Hrishikesh, Oh! Acchyutha eulogized by Veda and Vedantha.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before the supreme Lord who is all-pervasive, he is absolute Bhramam, he has endless prowess, Oh! Krishna Oh! Vasudeva, Oh! Yoginampathi  I shall prostrate before you.”  Thus, King Nriga left the place.” 

Krishna called for his children and gave excellent advice “ Oh! Children, listen to me carefully, you should understand the concept of ‘curse’. I do not consider the Halahala as the deadliest one, I want to make clear about the curse that could destroy the three generations of the performer, it is the curse of a Bhramin which could bring disaster to the three generations and even the entire clan.  It is the duty of the Kshatriya to protect the Vipra and illustrious twice-born, and learn from the saintly people and ascetic, treat them with utmost reverence and humility, and contribute whatever possible means without pride.  Whoever steals the possession of a Bhramin would live as worm for six thousand years.  We should not give an opportunity to get cursed from the twice-born and righteous people, which could heave the soul into the cycles of repeated births.” Thus Lord Krishna advised his children and returned to the palace.

In this legend, Lord Krishna reveals the evil effects of the curse of a twice-born.  It is rare to obtain the life of a human; none of the creatures on the Earth other than human can elevate their souls to Supreme Lord.  The mind and intellect originated from the supreme soul is not utilized properly to attain that Bramham, it causes the soul to hurl into the cycles of repeated births, and moreover, it will lead several generations into the darkness of ignorance of worldly matters and bondage.  Every deed would follow with Punya and Papa simultaneously, we are born to contribute to each other, without the sense of pride, all kinds of charity should be followed with humility like the rain contributes greens and plants on the Earth.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 263 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  114

Namami Thvam Ananthashakthim Paresham Sarvathmanam Kevalam Japthimathram | Vishwotpaththi Sthana Samrodhahethum  Yaththath Bhrama Bhramalingam Prashantham ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once Maharishi Narada visited Dwaraka and enquired about Aniruddha.  The Supreme Lord Krishna who is aware of all kept quiet.  Balarama realized that Anirudhdha was imprisoned by Banasura from Maharishi Narada, he could not control his rage.  Thus, Lord Krishna and Balarama accompanied by a huge army of warriors led by Pradhyumna rushed to Shonithapuram. Pradhyumna shot an arrow on the flag post of Shonithapuram and broken into pieces, Banasura rose from his seat with great enthusiasm and approached Lord Mahadeva with a request to help in the battle.  Thus, one side of the army led by Pradhyumna, Krishna and Balarama, and the opposite side of the army led by Lord Karthikeya, Lord Mahadeva mounted on a celestial bull, Pramathaganas, and Banasura entered in a fierce battle. All the deities, Lord Bhrama, Siddhas, Charana, Gandharva, Apsaras, Yaksha, and illustrious Rishis assembled to witness the battle.  In that vicious battle, Pradhyumna defeated Karthikeya.  Lord Mahadeva had a fierce battle against Lord Krishna, the two equivalent forces fought each other using various Astra and Shastras, finally, they both have created Jwara/who has the same appearance of Mahadeva and Krishna respectively.  The Jwaras fought against each other and found it difficult to withstand. Jwara eulogized supreme Lord Mahadeva “ Oh! Lord I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Paresha, who resides as a soul in living beings, can be experienced with intense devotion and faith, you are the source of creation of the Universe and its living beings, you are supreme Bhramam, you have endless prowess symbolizes serenity.” Whoever recites or listens to the Jwarasthuthi would get rid of the troubles and fears of Jwara.  Rudra eulogizes supreme Lord “ Oh! Bhagavan, Parambhrama, you are not easily attainable, you are eulogized by Veda, you are serene, and unblemished Oh! Bhagavan, your limbs represents Agni, Vayu, Ocean, and your eyes represent Surya and Chandra.  You are supreme Purusha, you are primordial and flawless.  Oh! Bhagavan, an ignorant get attached to the wife and children, wealth, and material world due to the influence of your Maya, eventually they get sunk deep down in the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.  Therefore, whoever forgets to surrender at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, even after obtaining superior birth as a human, would heave themselves to constant miseries and sorrows, remains Athmavanchaka.  Whoever forgets the presence of supreme Lord as a soul in them, and greedily chases sensual pleasures thereby consume toxic poison of worldly matters and attachments, and eventually they refuse the nectar of immortality.   I, Lord Bhrama, deities, illustrious Rishis and Sages have already surrendered our hearts, mind, and intellect to the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in us.  We have understood that you are the greatest wealth, hence we are sung in praise of you.” In this way, Lord Rudra praised the Vishwaroopam of supreme Lord who has all-pervading nature."

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 262 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  113

 Shonithakhye Pure Ramye Sa Rajyamakarothpura | Thasya  Shambho: Prasadhena Kinkara  Iva They Amara: | Sahasrabahur  Vadhyena Thandaveathoshayan Mridam || Bhagavan Sarvabhoothesha: Sharanyo Bhakthavathsala: | Varena Cchandhayamasa Sa The Vavre Puradhipam||

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Mahayogi kindly narrates the legend of marriage of Usha who is the daughter of Banasura to Aniruddha, and the battle between Hari and Hara.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Banasura the son of Emperor Mahabali, was the ruler of the city Shonithapuram. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Mahadeva, undertakes several  austerities and vows to please supreme Lord Mahadeva, he has thousands of hands/great prowess, he pleased Lord Shiva sung in praise of him, playing kettle drum and various divine musical instruments with intense devotion, it would prompt Lord Shiva to perform a cosmic dance before him.  Once, Lord Shiva was highly pleased with Banasura and offered boons, thus he brought the compassionate Lord Mahadeva who is Bhagavan resides as a soul in living beings,  as protector to his city Shonithapuram.  Once, Banasura invited supreme Lord Shiva for wrestling, Lord Mahadeva got angry and cursed that soon he will have to face an eminent wrestler, as soon as he enters the Kingdom, his country’s flag post will get break into pieces.  Banasura returned to his palace and impatiently waited for that eminent wrestler.” 

Kamathmajam Tham Bhuvanaikasundharam  Shyamam Pishangambaram Ambujekshanam | Bhrihathbhujam Kundala Kunthalathvisha  Smithavalokena Cha Mandithananam ||

Banasura had a beautiful daughter Usha.  Once, She had a dream of a handsome youth as her husband and both are engaged in various passionate sports.   Usha approached Chithralekha, one of her female attendants who is the daughter of Kumbanda and said “ Oh! dear companion, I had a dream last night,  in that I have met a dark-complexioned, handsome youth, he has beautiful eyes resembles lotus flower petals, he was attired in majestic yellow silk garments, he has a wide chest, powerful arms and shoulders, he was adorned in magnificent ear ornaments, I cannot live without him I want him as my husband”.  Chithralekha had exceptional skill in drawing portraits, Usha explained every detail of the charming youth that appeared in her dream, thus Chithralekha drew a stunningly beautiful youth Anirudhdha who has the appearance of Lord Krishna.  Usha was highly pleased with Chithralekha who has some supernatural powers.  Chithralekha performed magical powers and abducted Aniruddha who asleep in his chamber, and dropped him in the chamber of Usha.  Thus, years have passed Aniruddha and Usha had pleasing time together, eventually, Usha got pregnant with the child of Aniruddha.  Finally, Banasura came to know about the youth in the chamber of his daughter, rushed to meet him, saw Aniruddha and Usha were immersed in the board game.  Banasura was surprised to witness the most charming youth with lovely physical features, he could not take his eyes off from him. Banasura could not control his anger towards Anirudhdha who entered his daughter’s chamber without his knowledge, soon a fierce fight took place between them, and finally, he fastened Anirudhdha with Nagapasha.  Usha became inconsolable begged her father to release Anirudhdha who was imprisoned by him.  In Dwaraka, no one was aware of the absence of Anirudhdha for quite some time.”