|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 302 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  153

Nimi Navayogi Samvadham

King Nimi speaks “ Oh! Bhagavath Priya, kindly describe the methods of Bhakti/devotion,  what’s true devotion? and who’re passionate devotees of Lord?”

Navayogi Hari speaks “Oh! Rajan, there three types of devotees, Uththama Bhakta/superior one, Madhyama Bhakta/moderate one, and Prakritha/Adhama Bhakta/inferior one.  The superior devotee/Uththama Baktha is one who envisions the presence of supreme Lord in all living and non-living things and constantly remembers the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in him/her.  The moderate one/Madhyama Bhakta is one who have faith in God, cultivates good companionship with the devotees of Lord, and will have a desire to elevate the souls with the knowledge of the presence of Supreme Lord as a soul in living beings, and has the ability to tolerate disgrace and unpleasant things in life and considers them as the grace of the Supreme Lord, ability to keep silent and not to retreat others with harsh words.  The Prakritha Bhakta/inferior one is the person who conducts idol or image worship/without the knowledge of the presence of Paramathma in him, conducts sincere veneration of Lord Hari, and refrain from the association of saintly ones and Sadhus, and live a selfish life.”

Archayameva Haraye Poojam Ya: Shradhdhayehathe | Na  Thadh Bhaktheshu Chanyeshu Sa Bhaktha: Prakritha: Smritha: ||

Navayogi Hari continues “Oh! Rajan, I shall describe the nature of sincere devotee, is one who has perfect control over senses, and accepts all that happenings in life as the grace of the Supreme Lord, are considered as Bhagavathoththama.   The person who performs all the duties and responsibilities as a service to Lord, and live in the material world without getting attached to it, and make one’s own heart as the abode of Vasudeva/Vasudevanilayam. Whoever follows the prescribed rite of Varnnashrama, and the spiritual and religious rites, without arrogance or pride, is beloved of Lord Hari. Even though if you own the wealth of the three worlds, if your virtues are like deities or mind and intellect is not soaked in worldly matters and bondage, and you cannot take away your mind and intellect from the lotus feet of Supreme Lord, even for a second, is considered as Bhagavathoththama.  Therefore, the true devotees fasten the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord with their intense love and devotion upon him, with the regular practice of the devotion and meditation eventually attains supreme bliss.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 301 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  152

Nimi Navayogi Samvadham

Navayogi Kavi speaks about the concept ‘Fear’ and its origin; fear is caused by the attachment and over-dependency to people, and wealth.  It compels the Jeeva to forget their most powerful internal strength; hence the reason for the ‘Fear’ is the lack of self-confidence and overdependence.  It is essential for a Jeeva to know about the internal strength, and its source of courage from the supreme soul, thereby leaving the weakness related thoughts and rise to the indestructible supreme soul.  The root cause of the ‘Fear’ is wrong assumptions, even though it is not real, the repeated wrong assumptions and its practice of several years causes extreme fear and mental imbalance, like the fear of corpse, even though its motionless, nearness to a corpse creates fear due to the wrong assumption of spirits, once the supreme soul/Prana/vital air leaves the body, it becomes motionless and addressed as a corpse, it releases foul smell and oozes secrete and finally ruin, forgetting the knowledge that until now it was protected by the presence of the supreme soul in it.  The human body can function only in the presence of the supreme soul in it; therefore once again it affirms the eternal presence of the supreme soul in it, which is often mentioned as ‘Supreme Lord/Bhramam’ ‘Athma/Paramathma’, if the mind and intellect constantly practices on the eternal presence of Paramathma/Athman/Bhramam in it,   that could easily remove the wrong assumptions.  It is not an individual or matter inflict fear, it is the unwanted thoughts and wrong assumptions cause extreme fears and anxieties.

Bhayam Dhvitheeyabiniveshatha: Syathdhishadhapethasya Viparyoasmrithi: | Thanmayayatho Budha Abhajeththam Bhakthaikyayesham Gurudevathathma || Shrunvan Subhadhrani Rathangapaner Janmani Karmani Cha Yani Loke | Geethani Namani Thadharthakani Gayan Vilajjo Vicharedhasanga: ||

Navayogi Kavi speaks “Oh! Rajan, worship at the lotus feet of Lord Acchyutha and elevate your soul with the constant meditation and contemplation, this is the only way to get rid of afflictions.  Bhagavatha Dharma recommends the methods of the elevation of the soul, for the ordinary people who have no profound knowledge in scriptures.  Whoever undertakes the strict practice of meditation and contemplation of Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, will not be stuck in the wrong perceptions or assumptions, even if you run blindfolded, you will not fall.  Oh! Rajan, perform all the tasks with the mind, words, intellect, senses, and surrender them to the supreme Lord, perform all the deeds with the constant remembrance of Lord, receive all those results of the deeds as the grace of the supreme Lord.  Oh! Rajan, whoever does not worship the supreme soul as preceptor and deity, and do not contemplate upon the supreme Lord who resides as soul, get attached to worldly matters, people, wealth, and fame that causes extreme fears.”

 Kavi continues “ Oh! Rajan, the fear causes with the repeated unwanted thoughts that makes the soul caught in it, therefore make a practice of listening to the glorious myths praising the splendor of Rathangapani, sung in praise of his various sacred names, recite the legends from the scriptures and understand the greatest philosophies/essence in them, and rise your mind and intellect free from fears and learn to respect and bow before all.  Oh! Rajan, learn to practice respect and love all those living beings, creatures on the Earth, Air, Sky, water, ocean, ponds, rivers,  Agni, planets and stars, and directions with the knowledge of all-pervasive Bramham.  The practice of devotion is like feeding an individual who is worn out of extreme hunger; firstly it removes his hunger, secondly gives contentment in the heart, and thirdly it adds nutrients to his body Thushti/contentment, Pushti/ and removes his weakness. Oh! Rajan,  In this way, whoever contemplates upon the lout’s feet of supreme Lord Acchyutha, and engages in the constant remembrances of him, and performs all the deeds by words, mind, and intellect, would achieve Bhakti/devotion as well Virakthi/serenity of mind and realization of ‘supreme soul’, ultimately attain supreme bliss.”

Manyeakuthaschithabhayamachyuthasya  Padhambhoja Upasanamathra Nithyam | Udhvignabuddherasadhathmabhavath Vishwathmana Yathra Nivarththathe Bhi: || Kayena Vacha Manasendhriyar Va  Budhdhyathmana Vanusritha Swabhavath | Karothi Yadhyath Sakalam Parasmai  Narayanayethi Samarppayethath ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 300 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  151

Nimi Navayogi Samvadham

Maharishi Narada advises Vasudeva “ Oh! Vasudeva, listen to me carefully, it was the same question asked by King Nimi who was the emperor of the Chandra dynasty.  Once, Navayogis who are the sons of Rishisba Deva/ Kavi, Hari, Anthareeksha, Prabudhdha, Pippalayana, Avirhothra, Dhrumila, Chamasa, and Karabhajaka, visited his palace while performing a grand sacrifice.   The Yogis were received with great honor.  King Nimi reverentially raised nine questions to Navayogis were replied by them.  Thus the King Nimi asked the eldest among the Navayogis Kavi symbolizes foresight, “how should I be aware of the happenings in the future and how to resolve them?”.  The second question to Navayogi Hari who symbolizes devotion was “What’s true devotion and who is a true devotee?”  The third question was asked to Anthareeksha symbolizes vastness/Maya, the fourth one was asked to Prabudhdha who has won over Maya/ illusion, “How could I raise my mind and intellect from the illusion?” the next question was raised to Pippala/huge peepal tree grown out of a tiny seed/wonders of meditation “ How could I undertake meditation and elevate my soul to supreme Lord?” the next question was raised to Avirhothra/ “ How to elevate my soul by performing daily rites while living in the material world?” the next question was raised to Dhrumila/sprout, “ There are various incarnations of supreme Lord, why did they incarnate? Why should I worship them? And how?” next question was raised to Chamasa/ symbolizes wooden ladle used to perform fire sacrifices, “How did I elevate my soul with the Upasana?” the last the question raised to Karabhajaka/ begging for alms was “ How did I surrender my soul to supreme Lord?”

Durllabho Manusho Dheho Dhehinam Kshanabangura: | Thathrapi Dhurllabham Manye Vaikunda Priyadharshanam ||

Emperor Nimi sepaks “ Oh! Mahamune, I am a fortunate one, I have attained your grace; your visit sanctified our palace.  It is difficult to attain a human body that has temporary nature, even though it has a highly powerful mind and intellect that is capable to achieve the supreme abode of Lord Vaikundha. I would like to elevate my soul in this limited period of time, therefore kindly advise me Bhagavatha Dharma that could remove intense fear of loss of wealth, fame, richness, people and anxieties.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 299 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  150

It was after the glorious battle in the Kurukshetra, the entire Kurus were killed in the battle and there has five Pandavas, Devi Kunthi, Devi Dhraupadhi, and Devi Uththara remained. Devi Gandhari expressed her desire to see the corpse of her hundred children, although she could not see them while they were alive.  The compassionate Lord Krishna took Devi Gandhari and Dhritarashtra to the battlefield was surrounded by the remaining Pandavas.  Devi Gandhari could not bear the misfortune of her children, watching the corpse, she became unconsolable cursed Lord Krishna who was stood beside her with a serene smile, she cursed Krishna that his children would face brutal death before his eyes, he will witness the destruction of the entire clan of Yadhava, and it would remove the smile from his face forever. The supreme Krishna who is the knower of all was least frightened, he was neither shocked nor alarmed.   Thus the Supreme Lord Krishna was well prepared long ago to face the annihilation of his entire clan.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, people who are soaked in chasing the pleasure of senses do not surrender their mind and intellect at the lotus feet of Mukunda, would be chased by the fear of death always.   The Supreme Lord Krishna was too quiet in the last few days before leaving for his Dhama.  He was quite sure that his intervention on the lives of his children will not be going to save their lives. Vasudeva was besieged with extreme trepidation and restlessness watching the future of Yadhava clan, children have become deceitful and immoral, soaked in intoxicating drinks, illicit relationships, extreme anger, desire, lust, selfishness, ego, pride, and jealousy.  Vasudeva miserably looked at Krishna who was serene and secluded in his life, understood that he could not protect the Yadhava clan.  Vasudeva lost peace of mind, sleep and restlessness met Maharishi Narada in the palace of Dwaraka.”

Vasudeva prostrated before Maharishi Narada, washed his feet, and offered him a raised seat, Vasudeva began to speak “ Oh! Mahamune, the clan of Yadhu is facing an extremely difficult situation, moving towards its end.  Oh!  Deenavathsala, I would like to hear the Bhagavatha Dharma, I am not aware of it and kindly elevate my soul from the clutches of an intense fear of death. Oh! Suvritha, I have contemplated upon Lord to get the Lord as my child, for the welfare of the souls, unfortunately, I did not learn anything from Krishna to elevate my soul.  I was soaked in Devamaya/illusion, could not elevate my soul and worship Krishna.  It is a kind of unique grief/Vichithra vyasanam, I could not get out of the worldly matters and bondage, even after attaining the supreme Lord Krishna as my child. Oh! Suvritha, kindly accept me as your disciple, and advice me to elevate my soul.” Maharishi Narada was pleased with the humbleness of Vasudeva and began to advise him.

|| 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.