|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 271 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  122

Yashtavyam Rajasuyena Dhikchakrajayina Prabho | Atho  Jarasuthajaya Ubhayarththo Matho Mama || Asmakam Cha  Mahanarththo Hyethenaiva Bhavishyathi  | Yashashccha  Thava Govinda  Rajjjo Bandhdhan Vimunchatha: ||

Uddhava speaks “Oh! Vibho, in my opinion, you have to proceed to attend the Rajasuya Yaga, you are aware of the proceedings of Digvijaya conducted as a part of Rajasuya Yaga, you can  make use of this opportunity to kill Jarasandha. You have known the fact that Jarasandha could be killed by Bheema in your presence.  Oh! Bhagavan, you have to disguise in the form of a twice-born with Vrikodhara and make a visit to Jarasandha, so that he won’t suspect your visit.”  Thus, Krishna prepared to leave to Pandavas, Krishna with his sixteen thousand and eight wives and children, preceptors, and attendants preceded their journey from Dwaraka.  He bade farewell to Balarama and the people of the assembly. Krishna and his people occupied seats in the magnificent chariots accompanied by the sounds of divine instruments proceeded to Hastinapura.

Govindam Grihamaneeya Devadeveshamadhritha: | Poojayam Navidhath Krithyam Pramodhopahatho Nripa: ||Pithrushvasur Gurusthreenam Krishnashchakreabhivadhanam | Swayam Cha Krishnaya Rajan Baginya Chabivandhitha: ||

Krishna with his sixteen thousand and eight wives and their children were received with the sounds of divine instruments in the palace, Pandavas and Bhramans received Aravindhaksha with great honor.   Yudhishtira received them with tears of joy, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva embraced Krishna with extreme pleasure.  The palace of Yudhishtira was decorated with flowers and Poornnakumbha and various decorative and the entire atmosphere was filled with various rich fragrances.  He met Devi Kunthi and offered obeisance to her.  Janardhana stayed in the palace of Yudhishtira for several years with his wives Rukmini, Sathyabhama, Jambhavathi, Mithravindha, Sathya, Bhadhra, Kalindhi, Nagnjithi and sixteen thousands of wives.  The Ashwamedha Yaga proceedings began, all the rulers were duly informed, and a part of the proceedings Digvijaya was conducted.

Yudhishtira speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, whoever surrenders to your lotus feet would perform even the impossible tasks at ease, I am thoroughly aware of the fact that you will not leave your ardent devotees. Oh! Janardhana, you have offered Gandavaprastha to Lord Agni, and created a stunning palace under the supervision of Maya. Oh! Bhagavan, you are all-pervasive, resides as a soul in living beings, you represent supreme bliss, you are impartial, you do not need anything from us.  Oh! Bhagavan, we need your permanent grace on us.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 270 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  121

Tham Dhrishtva  Bhagavan Krishna: Sarvalokeshwareshwara: | Vavandha Uththitha: Sheershna Sasabhya: Sanugo Mudha || Shravanath Keerthanath Dhyayeth Poojayantheanthevasayina: | Thava  Bhramamayasyesha Kimuthekshabimarshina: ||

Suddenly, Maharishi Narada arrived in the assembly was received with great respect, Krishna rose from the seat with folded hands bow down his head, washed his feet, and received the Maharishi with great reverence.  He offered a higher seat to Maharishi Narada and enquired the reason for his visit “ Oh! Maharishi, you are thoroughly aware of activities in the three worlds, you must be aware of the happenings with Pandavas too.” Maharishi Narada with folded hands speaks “Oh! Bhagavan, you are aware of all, you are enquiring the information about the Pandavas to validate your incarnation as a human.  Oh! Bhagavan, You are all-pervasive, resides as soul and witnessing all those happenings, you have created the Universe and its living beings with the influence of Maya, so do I need to inform you about anything? Is there anything happening without your knowledge? You are like the blazing charcoal covered in ashes.  Oh! Bhagavan, the intellectual realizes the supreme nature of you, they have comprehensive knowledge of Prakrithi that undergoes constant transformations and the ruin,  Oh! Bhagavan, you are eternal and changeless.  Therefore they vest their mind and intellect upon you.  You are the creator and preserver of the Universe and its living beings, but remain unattached to them.  I shall prostrate before you.  Oh! Bhagavan, you have enquired the reason for my arrival, I have come to inform you that the Pandavas are planning to conduct Rajasuya Yajja, they wanted to honor you in that occasion, therefore kindly accept their invitation.  Oh! Bhagavan, even the greatest sinner could attain your lotus feet, in any of these methods of devotion, such as Shravanam, Keerthanam, and Smaranam.  The sacred river Ganga ascended from your lotus feet has the capabilities to purify the souls, in this manner, the knowledge of supreme soul resides as a soul in us and contemplation upon the supreme Lord could elevate the soul from the worldly matters and bondage.”  Bhagavan looked at the face of Udhdhava seeking his opinion in this matter.  Thus, Uddhava and Lord Krishna discussed the two urgent matters in hand to attend, one is to release twenty thousand Kings from the custody of Jarasandha and another one is to attend the Rajasuya Yajja of Yudhishtira.

In the meantime, there were two different opinions raised in the assembly, Bhagavan should resolve the issue of Kings under the custody of Jarasandha, there was another opinion that the Rajasuya conducted by his own relative Yudhishtira, so it is the duty of Krishna to attend the same.  Bhagavan did not pay attention to the members of the assembly and looked at the face of Uddhava, seeking his opinion.  Udhdhava was well known the fact that Krishna is aware of all, he wanted to test his knowledge in this matter.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 269 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  120

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran predominantly speaks about Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya/abandonment of Puthrekshana/attachment to family, Viththekshana/attachment to wealth and Lokeshana/attachment to worldly matters, and the ways to achieve them with a disciplined life, many of the illnesses are contributed by the mind and intellect.  In olden times, people were too disciplined and nature lovers, so they could foretell the natural calamities, and take precautions against it.  The Supreme Lord Krishna was too disciplined in his life so that he could foretell the troubles and take preventive measures against many disasters.  The mind and intellect originated from the supreme soul cannot stick on with a specific matter, or person, or desires for a long time, due to the influence of Maya and the impermanent nature of Prakrithi, it will start experiencing boredom shortly.

 Bhrame Muhurththa Uththaya  Varyupasprishya Madhava: | Dhadhau Prasannakarana Athmanam Thamasa: Param || Sa Namaskrithya Krishnaya Pareshaya Krithanjjali: | Rajjamavedhaya Dhu:kham Jarasandhanirodhajam || Krishna Krishna Aprameyathman Prapannabhayabanjjana | Vayam Thvam  Sharanam Yamo Bhavabheetha: Praidhagdhiya: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord Madhava starts his day from the Bhrama Muhurtha, wash his face, hands, and legs, engages in meditation upon the supreme soul which is beyond ‘Thamas’/darkness of ignorance, greets the elderly people with great respect, take bath, and consume morning meal.  He performs Sandhyopasana, he performs veneration of Deva, Rishi, Pithru, elderly ones, Cows, and Vipradevatha, he pleases Sarvadevatha and Bhoothas. His charioteer Sathyaki keeps the chariot ready for him to make a visit to the assembly.   The supreme Lord with Udhdhava attends the assembly of members, where Lord Balarama and prominent members would be present already; it was the daily routine of Lord Krishna.   Once a messenger arrived in the assembly and introduced himself as a citizen of Magadha.  The city of Magadha was ruled by King Jarasandha went for Digvijaya and imprisoned nearly twenty thousand Kings to offer as Narabali to please the deity on the day of Paurnami.   The messenger prostrated before Krishna and begged to protect those Kings. “ Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Krishna, I shall surrender at your lotus feet, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, an ignorant forget your presence and immerses in the activities of Prakrithi, and they undergo endless miseries and troubles, without the knowledge that the closeness to you would remove the troubles. Kindly protect all those Kings who were imprisoned by Jarasandha.” The messenger prostrated before Krishna who looked at the face of Udhdhava seeking his opinion." 

|| 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.”