|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 298 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  149

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhramin, how did the destruction happen to the clan of supreme Lord?  Krishna was too promising and virtuous, he has immense respect for twice-born, ascetics, Rishis and saintly people, and how did the selfish and inconsiderate children take birth in his clan? How did the children of supreme Lord Krishna become too haughty and arrogant?”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once Sage Vishwamithra, Asitha, Kanva, Dhurvasa, Bhrigu, Angirass, Kashyapa, Vamadeva Athri, Vashishta, Naradha and various illustrious Rishis and Sages arrived in Dwaraka.  Krishna’s children were young, engaged in various amusements in the courtyard, decided to tease the Maharishis and test their divinity.  Samba who is the son of Jambavathi, was dressed up in a woman costume, was tied around with a large number of clothes on his stomach that gave out an appearance of pregnant woman, a large cloth was draped over the face, and Samba shyly approached the Sages, and one of them asked “ Oh! Illustrious Sages and Rishis, you are Thrikalajjyanis, aware of the past, present and future.  Oh! Intellectuals, what did she give birth?” Instead of asking for the gender of the child, the children asked what did she give birth due to the slip of the tongue?  The Rishis and Sages were surprised to watch the haughtiness of the children of the Supreme Lord, they could not believe their eyes, thinking of supreme Lord who is too compassionate and promising to Vipras, Sages, and Rishis, and the children born to him are pathetic, selfish and swollen with pride.”

Evam Pralabdha Munayasthanuchu: Kupitha Nripa| Janayishyathi Vo  Mandha Musalam Kulanashanam ||

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, the Rishis, and Sages cursed the children in extreme rage, pronounced that the girl would give birth to a Musalam/iron rod that would bring the destruction of the entire clan.  The children were alarmed to hear from the Sage, they rushed out of their sight.  Samba’s costumes were removed and found an iron rod in that, the children were shocked, duly informed Emperor Ugrasena and they wept bitterly for their ignorance.  King Ugrasena consoled the children and advised them to discard the iron rod in the ocean.  The children made a fine powder of the iron rod and deposited in the ocean/Prabhasa.  Unfortunately, a small piece of the rod was swallowed by a fish, which was caught by the fisherman man was delivered to the hunter.  Thus, an iron arrow got ready for the destruction of the chief of  Yadhava.  The dust of the iron rod already deposited in the ocean was brought back on the shore and grown as sharp grasses. The Supreme Lord Krishna who was the knower of all could remove the curse of the Vipras, but he did not interrupt the duty of ‘Time’.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 297 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  148

Naivanyatha: Paribhavoasya Bhaveth Kathanchith MathsamshrayasyaVibhavonnahanasya Nithyam | Antha: Kalim Yadhukulasya Vidhaya Venusthambhasya Vahnimiva Shanthimupaimi Dhama||

The Ekadasha skandha of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran describes elaborately on the concept of ‘Moksham’, which has been defined in various notions, it speaks about the mind and intellect and how to get rid of the cluster of unwanted thoughts.   Mukthi is the liberation of the soul from the worldly matters and bondage.  All the Jeevas are fastened/Hridhayagrandhi/ with the anxiousness about the body/aging, illness and death, wealth, possession, and people.  The Rishis and Sages found that the thoughts are the prime causes for worldly bondage, sufferings, and miseries of worldly existence; hence the thought of the supreme Bhramam can only unfasten that bondage with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation upon the supreme Lord, is known as Jeevanmukthi, the state of being unattached to thoughts which has fleeting nature with the practice of Samyoga/reception of thoughts and Viyoga/rejection of thoughts, about people and matters, with this continuous practice the soul attains Bhrama Nirvana, the state of union with the Bhramam.  Moksha is the state of being undisturbed by the reception and rejection of thoughts, management of thoughts that have fleeting nature, with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation, fixing the mind and intellect upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul, ultimately remains void of happiness or sorrow, is the state of Jeevamuktha.  The practice of regular meditation and contemplation keeps the soul free from the cluster of thoughts which has the influence of Rajasik/desire, lust, greed, anger, Thamasik /lethargy, exhaustion, laziness, and Sathvik/productive, creative, selfless nature.

Sri Badarayana speaks “ The primary object of the incarnation of the Supreme Lord Krishna was to elevate the righteous souls and remove the darkness of ignorance in them, and the destruction of wicked and deceitful soul who lacks the knowledge of nature of the supreme soul that soaked in pride, lust, desires, and interest worldly matters, in this way reduce the burden of the Earth.  The Supreme Lord destroyed the wicked people like Kamsa, Shishupala, Dhanthavakthra, Jarasandha and many more, some of the wicked Kshatriyas were destroyed in the great battle of Kurukshetra by the Pandavas, ultimately the burden of the Earth has eliminated. Thus, the greater part of the purpose of the incarnation got over, therefore the supreme Lord Krishna decided to leave the Earth, but there was another disaster waiting for him.  Alas! The clan he was born to elevate the souls and reduced the burden of the Earth has become a trouble for the Earth.  The clan of Yadhavas earned immense wealth, prowess, auspiciousness, fame, etc.. with the presence of the supreme Lord, forgot the real nature of their souls.   They took immense pleasure in the wealth and royal comforts, swollen with pride and arrogance, engaged in immoral activities.  All that was happened before the eyes of supreme Lord Krishna, his Yadhava clan has become a burden to the Mother Earth.  Therefore the supreme Lord decided to destroy his own clan and brilliantly sowed the seed for the destruction.  The Yadhava’s fought each other with extreme rage and selfishness, like the bamboo trees in the wood that crushes each other and ignites the fire, and causes a huge wood fire.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 296 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  147

Jayathi  Jananivaso Devaki Janmavadho | Yadhuvara Parishathaisvardhorbirasyana Dharmam | Sthira Chara Vrajinaghan: Susmitha Srimukhena| Vrajapuravanithanam Vardhayan Kamadevam ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, Thus, Lord Krishna and sixteen thousand and one hundred wives lived a blissful married life, in the richness of the Dwaraka, they have performed various amusements, water sports with the most charming Krishna who assumed sixteen thousand and one hundred forms and lived happily with his wives. 

The wives of Krishna were so attached to him, so they often experienced the pain of separation from him while he falls asleep after the performance of amorous sport with them, and they converse with the Cuckoo “ Oh! Cuckoo, why did you make chirping noise in the early hours of dawn, how did Krishna get to sleep? He would be taking pleasure in the company of us in the late night, so do not wake him up in the early morning with your chirping sound.  Are you feeling the same pain of separation as us while he falls asleep? Oh! Chakravaki, why are you shedding tears? What happened to you? Are you Dasi of Krishna? I could trace out tears from the corner of your eyes. Are you shedding tears of pain from the separation of him? Oh! Ocean, why are you keeping awake with the pack of restless tides? Are you feeling the pain of separation from Mukunda? Oh! Lord Chandra, are you sick? What happened to you is that because of the pain of separation from Krishna? Oh! Lord Vayu, you are bringing rich fragrant breeze, and enhancing the pain of cupid of arrows in us, we are already soaked in the thought of the pleasure of amorous sport with him.  Oh! Clouds, you are a close companion of Krishna, are you contemplating the Srivathsa on the chest of Lord Krishna? Are you showering rains like tears due to the pain of separation from Yadhavendhra? Oh! Kokila, are you trying to pacify us with your sweet melodious songs?  Your marvelous music relieves us from the pain of separation from him.  Oh! Mountain, you are firm in a place, are you waiting for the footsteps of Krishna on your bosom like peaks? Oh! King of oceans, all the rivers merge in you and you are anxiously waiting for their arrival, same as we are waiting for the union with the Supreme Lord Krishna who is fast asleep.  Oh! Swan, you are unblemished and serene, you are favorite of Krishna, therefore kindly tell us more about Krishna and make us happier.”  In this way, the wives of Krishna were relentlessly thought of their husband.  Lord Krishna provided Dharma, Artha, and the Kama to all his wives, and took great pleasure in their company and made them happy.  These couple had several children, while the destruction of the entire clan of Yadhavas with the iron rod, the Dwakara submerged in water.   Vajranabha who was born to Anirudhdha and granddaughter of Rukmi has remained on the Earth. 

The Supreme Lord Krishna was incarnated on the Earth to remove the wickedness of the souls and elevate them to the supreme Lord.  He elevated the virtuous and pious souls and the wicked souls fought each other and brought their own destruction.  The Supreme Lord incarnated as the son of Devi Devaki and Vasudeva in the Yadhu clan had the splendor that excelled sacred river Ganga, along with Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi elevated the liberated souls.  Victory to that supreme Lord who resides as a soul in the living beings! Victory to that supreme Lord who was incarnated as the son of Devi Devaki! Victory to the supreme Lord who showered compassionate grace on Vrajeshwaris!  Whoever takes shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord will not have birth again, whoever listening or reciting the glorious myths of supreme Lord and contemplate upon it would get relieved from miseries and sorrows, eventually, attains the supreme abode.

In this legend, the sixteen thousands of wives of Krishna represent the various thoughts that come across the mind, it constantly remembers his eternal presence as soul, he is the source of all those thought processes, the flock of fruitful and  unwanted thought as well.  The ultimate object of the soul is the constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord who resides as soul, which is the source of all those thought processes.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 295 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  146

Santhana Gopalam

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, The wife of Bhramin got pregnant with the tenth child; he remembered the promise of Arjuna and took shelter in him.  Arjuna arrived in Dwarakara with his divine weapons and Gandeeva to protect the child.  A divine chamber was arranged with the power of Astra, for the delivery of the child.  Thus a Soothigriham/delivery room was constructed with the bed of arrows/Sharapanjjaram.  The Brahmin was extremely happy to see the whole new arrangements, and his wife was thrilled to give birth to the child.   Arjuna was excited and prepared to perform the task which was not performed by Krishna or Balaram.  Thus the time has arrived for the delivery of the child; they could hear a loud shriek of the wife of Bhramin. The husband went to check on his wife, she cried out loudly saying that, even though she has given birth to the child but there was no trace of the child in the chamber.  Bhramin could not control his anger, he cursed Phalguna for his false promise, and he showered abuses on Arjuna ‘Oh! Arjuna, you have promised to protect our child, you have self-praised your valor as a Kshatriya, comparing to Krishna, Balarama, Pradhyumna, and Aniruddha, see what happened now.” Arjuna felt ashamed of himself, disappeared from the sight of Bhramin and conducted rigorous searches in the abode of Yama, Indra, Agni, Nairuthi, Saumya, Vayavya, Varuni, Rasathalam, and Nakaprishtam.”  Arjuna had to return empty-handed before the Bhramin who was already in a rage, arranged a heap of woods and asked to perform the atonement for his false promise. Arjuna prepared to sacrifice his body in the fire, someone sized his hand forcefully, and it was Krishna with a mischievous smile. 

Krishna invoked a celestial chariot, and both of them were seated on the chariot, it has crossed  Sapthadhveepa, Sapthasindhu, Sapthagiri, and Sapthaloka,  and it has arrived in a place of extreme darkness, Arjuna was horrified watching the unique sight.   Soon Krishna hurled his divine Chakra; it moved ahead releasing supreme brilliance.  Suddenly Arjuna witnessed an intense radiance of thousands of Adithyas, Lord Narayana seated on the thousand hooded serpent Anantha, was surrounded by Rishis and Sages eulogizing him.  The supreme Lord adorned in magnificent ear ornaments and crown, various precious ornaments, Kausthubham, Srivathsam, and Vanamala. He was surrounded by Sunandha, Nandha and Parshwadhas, he was holding divine weapons in eight arms, Shankha, Chakra, Kaumodhaka, Padma, bow, protective shield, sword,  and arrow.  Krishna and Arjuna got down from the chariot and prostrated before the supreme Lord Adi Narayana. 

Lord Vishnu speaks “ Oh! Krishna and Arjuna, I have brought the sons of Dhvija in my custodian, to produce both of you in my abode. You both have incarnated on the Earth at my command and you both are my inseparable part, after performing the amusements you can return to me.” Krishna and Arjuna prostrated before supreme Lord Narayana and returned with the children of Dhvija. Thus, Arjuna’s pride was shattered, understood all that valorousness and fame was achieved with the grace of Krishna, he realized that it was the boundless mercy of Krishna protected him all through his life.

In this legend Maharishi Vedavyasa talks about the Pravriththi Marga and Nivriththi Marga.  The living beings are bound by Karma, the Pravriththi Marga describes the performance of the Karma with great enthusiasm but without expecting its fruitful results, and the Nivriththi Marga is the attainment of renunciation/sense of abandonment. Even though the Dhvija has lost all his children were safely under the custodian of Adi Narayana, Arjuna who was swollen with the pride of a Kshatriya elevated his soul with a promise to the Brahmin and the consequent incidents.  Therefore, it is vivid that all those material losses are happening with an ultimate object to elevate the soul to supreme Lord.  In short, all the material matters, people, wealth, fame, richness, possession, etc… have to face constant transformation and ruin, the supreme Lord resides as a soul in living beings has no death or birth.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 294 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  145

Santhana Gopalam

Ekadha Dwaravathyam Thu Viprapathnya: Kumaraka: | Jathamathro Bhuvam Sprushtva Mamara Kila  Bharatha|| Vipro Griheethva Mrithakam Rajadhvaryupadhaya Sa: | Idham Provacha Vilapannathuro Dheenamanasa: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks” Oh! Rajan, It was happened during Krishna was living in the city of Dwaraka, there was a Bhramin’s wife who lost all the children born to her, every time that Bhramin would bring the corpse of the infant and keep it before the  Palace gate and weep bitterly praying to supreme Lord Krishna “Oh! Bhagavan, you have brought back the son of the Maharishi Sandheepani, you have brought back the lives of the lost children of Devi Devaki, you are most promising to Vipra, why did you keep quiet and test my devotion? Oh! Bhagavan I have lost five children, kindly give them back.”  Every time, Krishna would pacify him saying that everyone has to undergo the fruits of their past Karma, and everything will be alright soon, this was repeated a quite few times.   Finally, the Bhramin was completely drained out of patience, at the loss of the ninth child.  As usual, he brought the corpse before the gate of the palace of Dwaraka and spoke in extreme resentment “Oh! Bhagavan I have heard from scriptures that if the city was ruled by a wise and virtuous Kshatriya, it won’t cause any ill-fortune to Vipras. Your immoral deeds brought inauspiciousness to Bhramins.” Unfortunately, Arjuna was present in the assembly of Dwaraka, Krishna did not react to the cries of Bhramin, but Arjuna could not tolerate the harsh words of the Bhramin. He rushed to Bhramin with extreme anger, in the meantime, Krishna left the assembly.”  

Arjuna spoke “ Oh! Bhramin, you need not worry, I shall promise you, and I will save your tenth child.” Bhramin looked at Arjuna with a dislike; thought that even the deities, Krishna or Balaram and Pradhyumna or Anirudhdha could not do anything in this matter, therefore it is definite that this Kshatriya could not perform any miracle.  At that moment, Arjuna took his Gandeeva and promised to the Bhramin, if he did not protect his tenth child, he would sacrifice life in the fire.  Bhramin spoke “Oh! Arjuna, even Krishna, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna and Anirudhdha, was not able to do anything in this matter, how could you promise this to me?”

Na Aham  Sankarshano Bhraman Na Krishna: Karshnireva Cha | Aham Va Arjuno Nama Gandeevam Yasya Vai  Dhanu: ||

Arjuna haughtily replied to him “Oh! Bhramin, I am not Sankarshana, or Krishna, or Pradhyumna, I am Arjuna and I have a powerful bow Gandeevam, I have won over Lord Maheshwara, do you think it is difficult for me to conquer Lord Yama?” Thus, Bhramin left the palace of Dwaraka and reached home, informed his wife about the news of their tenth child yet to be born.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 293 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  144

In this legend of ‘Rudramokshanam’, the demon Vrikasura represents ignorant who is soaked in the worldly matter, possession, richness, and material comforts.  He conducted penance for material welfare, received a boon from Lord Shiva who is inseparable from Shakthi, without the knowledge that all the material matters have to undergo ruin.  The body is derived from the Prakrithi that undergoes constant transformation and ruin, therefore anything attained from the Prakrithi also has the same nature.  The spiritual advancement is a technique of balancing act, the practice of remaining unattached while living in the material world with the knowledge of impermanent nature of Prakrithi, and practice of constant meditation and contemplation upon Supreme Lord who resides as a soul which is eternal, so that it will lead the individual to remain undisturbed in the presence and the absence of the wealth, people and possessions, eventually the Jeeva would attain the state of perpetual bliss.

Saraswathya Thate Rajan Rishaya: Sathramasatha | Vitharka: Samabhooththesham Thrishvadheesheshu Ko Mahan|| Thasya Jijjasaya They Vai Bhrigum Bhramasutham Nripa| Thajjapthyai Preshayamasu: Soabhygadh Bhramana: Sabam ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, once there was a grand fire sacrifice held on the riverbank of Saraswathi located on the Badrikashrama.   It was the regular practice among the illustrious Rishis and Sages assembled to discuss on various philosophies after the Yagna proceedings.  They were all assembled in the arena and discussed the topic that who is highly tolerant in the trinities.  Thus, they have decided to test on Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara, who have the highest of the endurance level.   Eventually, Sage Bhrigu who is the son of Lord Bhrama was assigned to test the patience in trinities.  Sage Bhrigu went to Bhrama Loka, he did not offer initial obeisance to his father, Lord Bhrama infuriated at the misdemeanor of his son, and Sage Bhrigu left the Bhrama Loka.    Soon Lord Bhrama realized that his son has arrived to test his patience.   As the part of the mission, Sage Bhrigu visited Mount Kailash was received by Lord Maheshwara with great enthusiasm, he rushed to embrace was disapproved by Sage Bhrigu, watching the venomous serpents and scorpions all over his body.  Lord Maheshwara in a fury took his trident pointed against Sage Bhrigu was intervened by Devi Parvathi and pacified Lord Maheshwara.  Sage Bhrigu visited Sri Vaikundham, and saw Janardhana was reclining on the serpent Anantha, he kicked hard on the chest of Lord Vishnu.  Soon, Lord Vishnu rose from the bed of serpent and reverentially prostrated before Sage Bhrigu and anxiously inquired whether he got hurt from the harshness of his chest.  Lord Vishnu repeatedly begged for forgiveness for not offering obeisance at his arrival.  Further, Lord Vishnu massaged the feet of Maharishi.  Maharishi Bhrigu was highly pleased with the compassion of supreme Lord Vishnu and returned to the place of Yagna, he described all that happened in the abode of trinities.  Soon, all the Rishis assembled were declared Lord Vishnu as most serene, he did not express rage on the misconduct of Sage Bhrigu, and in its place, he received the Sage with great honor and expressed extreme compassion upon him.”

In this legend, Lord Bhrama who is the creator of all the living and non-living things that have impermanent nature, Lord Maheshwara is the destroyer of those living and non-living things, and LordVishnu who is the protector resides as a soul in living beings; it has neither death nor birth.  Therefore whoever strikes balance between the material life while living in the material world, with the knowledge of its impermanent nature and contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as the soul which is perpetual is the only way to achieve the serenity of mind.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 292 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  143

Rudramokshanam

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Bhraman, which is the most auspicious deity Lord Shiva or Lord Hari? Heard that the worship of the supreme Lord Shiva makes wealthiest than the worship of Lord Hari who is adorned Goddess Mahalakshmi on his chest.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the human mind and intellect consist of Thriguna, in the same manner, Shiva and Shakthi are inseparable entities, Shakthi has Shodashavikara/sixteen types of emotions.  Hari is Purusha, he is beyond Prakrithi, he is Nirguna who is void of Gunas, resides as Sarvadhrik/witnessing everything, and therefore the worship of Lord Hari makes the worshiper beyond virtues and Prakrithi.  Oh! Rajan, it was the same question raised by your grandfather Dharmaputhra to Lord Krishna, during the time of Rajasuya Yagna in Indraprastha.”

Yasyaham Anugrihnami Harishye  Thadh Dhanam Shanai: | Thathoadhanam Thyajanthyasya  Swajana Dhukhadhukhitham || Sa  Yadha  Vithadhodhyogo Nirvinna: syath Snehaya | Mathparai: Kritha Maithrasya Karishye  Math Anugraham || That Bhramam Paramam Sookshmam Chinmathram Sa Ananthakam | Atho Mam Sudhuraradhyam Hithvanyan Bhajathe Jana: ||

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Dharmaputhra, If I want to bless my devotees, slowly but surely I would take him away from all his richness, wealth, possessions, and fame, eventually he will be discarded by his own people, then he/she would be drench in extreme distress, ultimately all his relation with the material world and bondage would leave him/her, take shelter in me.  In this way, I would elevate him and unite with me, with the knowledge of my all-pervasive nature/Bhramam, Paramam which is beyond perception and description, Sookshmam/subtle nature, Sath/indestructible nature and  Anantham/eternal, an ignorant without understanding my nature keep himself away from me.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, I shall narrate an interesting legend, there was a demon named Vrikasura, he met Maharishi Narada, and asked which deity can be pleased easily. Maharishi Narada mentioned the glories of deity Ashthoshi who gets pleased easily and gets angry in no time.  Thus, Vrikasura undertook extreme penance to please Lord Shiva, as per the advice of Maharishi Narada.  Vrikasura arrived in Kedhara and began severe penance; he conducted fire sacrifice offering his body parts in it, in this way he continued austerities and fire sacrifice, offering each and everybody parts for seven days.  Finally, he lost patience, prepared to cut off his head and offer in the sacrificial fire.  Suddenly Lord Shiva appeared before him and patted him affectionately, immediately he regained all those lost body parts in the fire, he stared at the supreme Lord who informed his willingness to offer any boon.  Vrikasura asked for a unique boon, whoever receives the touch of his finger on their heads would turn into ashes.  Thus, Lord Shiva offered the boon to Vrikasura, soon he had a wicked idea to possess Devi Gauri, decided to experiment the boon on the head of Shambhu, and eventually Vrikasura chased Lord Shiva for long hours.  Finally, Lord Shiva rushed to the abode of Sri Vaikundham and eulogized supreme Lord Vishnu.  Soon Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a Vatu, and called out for Vrikasura, understood the reason for chasing Lord Shiva.  Vatu distracted the attention of Vrikasura and his very idea to test the boon on Lord Shiva.   Further Lord Vishnu passed a derisive comment on Lord Shiva that none of his boons will work due to the curse of Dhakshaprajapathi oh him.  In this way, he prompted Vrikasura to test the boon on himself.  Vrikasura believed the words of Vatu, immediately put his hands on the top of the head, alas! Vrikasura burnt into ashes.  All the deities assembled in the sky and showered flowers upon Lord Vishnu who appealed to Mahadeva not to give boons like this to anyone.”