|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 35 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Bhishma Sthuthi

Ithi Mathirupakalpitha  Vithrushna  Bhagavathi Sathvatha Pungave Vibhumni | SwaSukhamupagathe Kvachithdhviharthum  Prakrithimupeyushi Yadh Bhavapravaha: || Thribhuvana Kamanam Thamalavarnnam Ravikara Gauravarambaram Dhadhane | Vapuralaka Kulavrithananabjam Vijayasakhe  Rathirasthumeanavadhya ||

Bhishma Pithamaha eulogizes “Oh! Bhagavan, I have already surrendered my mind and intellect upon the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in me, therefore the people whose mind and intellect have abandoned the material welfare would get relieved from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence and attain the supreme bliss.   The mind and intellect which is far from you, wrapped in taking pleasures in the worldly matters would go through the endless sufferings. Oh! Parththasarathe/Vijayasakhe, who has a marvelous appearance that entices the three worlds, attractive dark color complexion, attired in yellow silk garment, beautiful lustrous face and compassionate eyes, dark curly hair locks decorated in feathers of the peacock, I am taking extreme pleasure in that marvelous appearance of you.  Oh! Bhagavan, I could clearly witness that beautiful face drenched in the perspiration and dust raised from the hove of the horses from the battlefield, and the body armor rip opened by the shot of arrows, let my mind always take pleasure in that marvelous form of you. Oh! Parththasakha, you have driven the chariot at the request of Partha, and stood in the middle of the army of Pandavas and Kauravas, showered a majestic look around the armies, thus instantly you have killed the entire army with that look, let my mind take great pleasure in that glorious form of you. Oh! Bhagavan, when Arjuna lost his confidence watching the greatest warriors in the army, besieged with intense grief, expressed his mental confusion to you, he was expected to hear something he was desired from you, but you have raised his confidence with the Athmavidhya/supreme knowledge of the soul and in this way you have removed his ignorance, Let my mind take great pleasure in that supreme Lord. Oh! Bhagavan, your ocean like compassion touched my heart, you did not stick on to your promise to please your devotee in the battlefield, jumped out of the chariot and rushed to attack your opponent/me, holding the powerful disc in one hand and while chasing your upper clothe slipped out of your shoulder, that marvelous form I cannot forget.  Oh! Mukunda, I still remember that your glorious form as the charioteer of Arjuna, entering into the battlefield, let my mind take great pleasure in that marvelous appearance.  Oh! Bhagavan, the Vrajeshwari’s are truly fortunate ones, who discarded worldly affairs and took surrender at your lotus feet, they took great pleasure in that marvelous appearance and compassionate glances.  Oh! Bhagavan, Your marvelous appearance adorned in the magnificent crown, seated on the gem decorated throne on the occasion of Rajasuya Yagna conducted by Yudhishtara was participated by several thousand of rulers, Rishis, Sages, and Kings. Let my intellect take great pleasure in that most stunning appearance of you.  Oh! Bhagavan, let me get rid of the illusion of duality, let my mind and intellect merge with the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in me.” Thus, Bhishma Pithamaha took last breathe.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 34 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Bhishma Sthuthi

Yesha Vai Bhagavan Sakshath Adhya Narayana: Puman | Mohayan Mayaya Lokam Goodashcharathi Vrishnishu||

Bhishma Pithamaha continues “ Oh! Children, Krishna is Bhagavan, he is supreme Lord who is primordial, Narayana/Nara+Ayanam/resides in water = resides in the human body/creator, preserver, and destroyer/.  He has assumed the form of one of the Vrishni’s with his own Maya, to elevate the souls from miseries of the worldly existence, remove the darkness of ignorance and impurities in the souls and elevate the Jeeva to the state of bliss. Oh! Children, you have not realized him as a soul in you or never considered him as your preceptor. You have considered him as your Mathuleya/uncle’s son, Priyamithram/dearest companion, Dhootha/emissary, and Sarathi/charioteer, you have not realized him as a supreme soul in you and didn’t realize his impartial nature, and have no duality.  He has no one as beloved or enemy in this whole Universe, he is impartial and independent.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunakadhis, Bhishmapithamaha imparted knowledge in Varna Ashrama Dharma, Dhana Dharma, Raja Dharma, Moksha Dharma, Sthree Dharma, Bhagavth Dharma, and the Purusharththa, Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha, and Ithihasa, thus Bhishma Pithamaha while waiting for the arrival of Uththarayana, lying on the bed of arrows taught the highest of philosophies to the Pandavas.  The time has arrived, Bhishma Pithamaha meditated upon Adipurusha, who is attired in marvelous yellow silk garment, dark cloud complexioned, four hands holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, Padma, and sung in praise of the supreme Lord Krisha.”

Bhishma Pithamaha while lying in the bed of arrows, he was not grieved or mentally shaken, had nothing to offer other than the supreme knowledge to the world.  He had no grievances or anxiousness, Yudhishtira who stood before Pithamaha was completely drenched in utter grief of past incidents took place in the battle of Kurukshetra. Bhishma Pithamaha describes the glorious thousands and one names of supreme Lord Vishnu who has all-pervasive nature as a soul in living beings, and various Dharmas to Yudhishtira.

Rishi Charaka pronounced  ‘Poorva Janmakritham Papam Vyadhiroopena Dhrishyathe’ most of the illnesses are related to the Karma of the previous births of Jeeva, he invented the Ayurveda Shastra which could cure almost all the physical illnesses of the living beings, still the afflictions related to mind and intellect remained incurable, later the Rishi  understood that the  practice of meditation and contemplation upon Supreme Lord is the possible way to get relieved from  all the redundant thoughts in the human mind.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 33 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Bhishma Sthuthi

Krishna with the Pandavas arrived on the war zone of Kurukshetra, witnessed Bhishma Pithamaha who was lying on the bed of arrows, his majestic posture resembled deity.  Krishna and Pandavas reverentially greeted him with folded hands.  Soon all the illustrious Rishis and Sages assembled in the Kurukshetra, there were Badarayana, Narada, Dhaumya, Bhrihadhvasha, Parvatha, Bharadhvaja, and his disciples, Parashurama, Vashishta, Indhra, Gauthama, Atri, Kaushika, Sudharshana, Grithsama, Bhramaratha along with his disciples, Kashyapa, Angira, etc.  Bhishma Pithamaha listened to the sounds of the chariot, looked through the corner of his eyes, and realized it was Krishna, he mentally offered salutation to the supreme Lord Krishna.  Bhishma Pithamaha worshiped Krishna as Jagatheeshwara who resides as a soul in living beings; he envisioned that glorious form of Krishna in his heart.  He saw Pandavas stood with folded hands; he closed his eyes overflowing with tears.  Dharmaputhra thought it was scorching heat and pain from the bed of arrows, brutal scene on the war zone, animals crazily flying over the corpse, burning funeral pyre, made Pithamaha shed tears. 

Bhishma Pithamaha spoke “Oh! Children, you are an extremely fortunate one to have Krishna with you; it is a great blessing that you have the safest heaven Acchyutha.  I feel sorry for you dear children, still, you are grieving over the incidents that happened.  Oh! Children, no one can override ‘Time’, that provides the fruit of Karma. Oh! Yudhishtira, you symbolize Dharma, Vrikodhara represents might, Arjuna is a great archer and no words to praise his Gandeevam and Nakula Sahadeva are prominent ones, leave all this aside, you have supreme Lord Krishna as your sincere companion, then why should you feel distressed? Oh! Children, you have not understood Krishna, even though he was constantly following you everywhere.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 32 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Bhishma Sthuthi

Yudhishtira who is the symbol of ‘Dharma’ speaks “Oh! Krishna, I do not want to rule this Kingdom of Hastinapura. I have attained this Kingdom after shedding the blood of my preceptors, brothers, relatives, companions, and youths, I cannot rule this country after watching the tears of grief of mothers, children, and elderly people of Hastinapura.” once again Krishna took Pandavas to the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Bhishma Pithamaha who is the symbol of ‘selflessness’,  was born to Devi Ganga and King Shanthanu, immediately after the birth, had to sacrifice the happiness of love and affection of a father, stayed with mother and learned Astra and Shastra.   Later Devavratha returned to father, by that time his parents were out of their wedlock.  While living with father, understood King Shanthanu was in love with Devi Sathyavathi, if the marriage did not take place, his father will be heartbroken,  so he decided not to create any hindrance in their marriage, promised to follow celibacy all his life and refused the heir to the throne of Hastinapura, became one of the most revered ‘Bhishma Pithamaha’. He has to follow the orders of Devi Sathyavathi to bring appropriate bride for her son Vichithraveerya.   Bhishma forcibly brought the three daughters of King of Kashi to the Palace of Hastinapura. Amba refused to marry Vichithiraveerya was dropped to the palace of King Salya who is the lover of Amba has abandoned her.  Bhishma Pithamaha was publicly humiliated by Amba, promised to take his life for making her life miserable.  Further, Bhishma Pithamaha could witness various troubles and atrocities in the Kingdom of Hastinapura. King Pandu lost his life at a young age, his widowed wife Devi Kunthi, and five children returned to the palace. Dhritarashtra who was blind by birth took the ruling of the country, his hundred children were deceitful did not leave a single opportunity to harass the children of Devi Kunthi.  He had to keep quiet for all their unjustifiable deeds of Kaurava, miserably watching the righteous Pandavas going through various hardships in their life.  Bhishma Pithamaha had to witness all those unpardonable mistakes of Kauravas, treachery board game between Kauravas and Pandavas and the related incidents; Devi Dhraupadi cries before the assembly when she was publicly harassed by Duryodhana and Dhusshasana.  Bhishma Pithamaha had to watch the Pandavas exiled from the Kingdom of Hastinapura for twelve years and had to follow the command of Duryodhana while they were in disguise. Bhishma Pithamaha could not protect the Pandavas while they were plotted to kill in wax house by Duryodhana.  Krishna arrived as an emissary of Pandavas was fastened and harassed by the men of Duryodhana, in this way Bhishma Pithamaha was forcibly abiding to watch the atrocities of Kauravas, finally, he had to follow the order in the war zone of Kurukshetra to battle against his own children and Krishna.   In the battlefield, Shikhandi stood before Bhishma Pithamaha, that made him helpless,  Arjuna showered arrows on Pithamaha and he was lying on the bed of arrows waiting for ‘Swecchamrithyu’/death at one’s own desire.  He was one of the Bhagavathoththama elevated his soul to achieve the state of supreme bliss, that did not harm his mind and intellect in any of the adverse situations in his whole life, none of the undesirable deeds of Kaurava couldn't break him, because he was already united his soul with that supreme Bhramam while performing duties and responsibilities.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 31 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Yudhishtira Anuthapa

The Supreme Lord Krishna prepared to leave Hasthinapura was approached by Yudhishtira who sincerely followed all the duties and responsibilities, was utterly in anguish and pain, held Krishna’s hand and revealed the cause of distress.  The great war of Kurukshetra drenched him in extreme agony and guilt, the entire children of Dhritarashtra and Devi Gandhari were brutally killed, the young children of Devi Drapupadhi were killed, women lost their husbands, elderly parents lost their sons, children lost their father in the Kurukshetra war.  The preceptors were killed by the disciple, brothers were killed by brothers, relatives, and close companions were lost their lives in the war zone. Preceptor Dronacharya, Duryodhana, met their death by the disloyal act; Karna was killed by Arjuna in an unpardonable manner, Bhishmapithamaha who was defeated with the shower of arrows in an unforgivable manner.  Yudhishitra was mentally broken of the after-effects of the Kurukshetra war revealed his unwillingness to rule the Kingdom of Hastinapura to Krishna, who smiled mischievously at him. Yudhishtra became inconsolable and wept bitterly thinking of the troubles of the subjects of his Kingdom was consoled by Maharishi Vedavyasa and Krishna, Alas! He could not get out of the grief.

Yudhishtira cried out “Oh! Krishna, I cannot attain liberation even if I take birth for ten thousands of times, I have made several thousands of children orphan, I had made numerous women to widowhood, I have given extreme grief to several thousands of elderly parents and I have done cruelty to the subjects of my kingdom to attain the Kingship.  Oh! Krishna, you may advise to conduct Yagan that might probably remove my sin, I do not want to commit another sin to remove my existing sins, the dirt cannot be washed with another dirt, Oh! Krishna, therefore you cannot remove my grief.”

There are two kinds of ignorant/unconvinced people get easily dejected of their deeds, one kind of people take settling of scores to get their wounds healed, unfortunately, these kinds of people get tired of vengeance.  The other kind of people, who mentally get disturbed of their wicked deeds, and get tired of guilt, both the ways, it is impossible to get out of the troubles. An intellectual, who has the supreme wisdom, would attain the serenity of mind.  Yudhishtira who was a sincere follower of righteousness became miserable after the great battle, even though he was not committed any unjustifiable act of his own, other than following the instruction of Krishna to utter a lie against Dronacharya.

An ignorant is uncertain about the life events, a doubtful mind cannot attain peace of mind and leads to destruction, an intellectual who has a thorough knowledge of the all-pervasive Supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings is the source and the functioning of mind and intellect, and Karma, Gnana Indhriyas, and Amhamkara, would visualize the eternal presence of the supreme soul in him/her and  ultimately attain the serenity and peace of mind, remain unharmed during the hours of happiness and sorrows.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 30 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Kunthi Sthuthi

Namasthe  Purusham Thvam Adhyam Eshwaram  Prakrithe: Param | Alakshyam Sarvabhoothanam Anthar Bahiravasthitham || Krishnaya Vasudevaya  Devakinandhanaya Cha  Nandagopakumaraya  Govindaya Namo Nama: || Nama: Pankajanabhaya  Nama: Pankajamaline | Nama: Pankajanethraya  Namasthe Pankajaghraye || Namo Akinchana Viththaya  Nivriththa Gunavriththaye | Athmaramaya Shanthaya Kaivalyapathaye Nama: ||

Lord Krishna bade fare-well to Pandavas and went to meet Devi Kunthi who is the sister of Vasudeva. Krishna prostrated before her, was embraced, and seated next to her.  Devi Kunthi eulogized the supreme Lord Krishna in marvelous verses.

Devi Kunthi speaks “ I shall prostrate before the supreme Purusha/resides in the city of nine gates/human body, who is eternal and primordial, he is beyond Prakrithi, he is not visible, he resides as a soul in living beings, and he has all-pervasive nature.  Oh! Adhokshaja, who resides as a soul is difficult to perceive due to the curtain of Maya, an ignorant never realizes your presence and will not understand your nature as a soul in living beings.  Oh! Bhagavan, the  Paramahamsa, and the ascetics free from impurities realize your presence in their hearts,  attains union to the supreme Lord with the constant practice of Bhakti Yoga.  How an ignorant could perceive you?  Oh! Krishna, Oh! Vasudeva/son of Vasudeva who incarnated as the son of Devi Devaki, and dearest child of Nandagopa, Oh! Govinda, I shall repeatedly prostates before you. Oh! Pankajanabha who has lotus flower on the navel, Oh! Pankajamaline who is adorned in garlands of lotus flowers, Oh! Pankajanethra, who has the eyes resembles lotus flowers, Oh! Pankajaghraye whose feet have the appearance of a lotus flower, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. Oh! Hrishikesh, Devi Devaki has given birth to seven children, she had to witness the death of six children before her eyes.  Oh! Krishna, you have been with my children always and protected them from all the hurdles, I shall prostrate before you.  Oh! Devakisunu, my son was fed with poison, heaved to the fire, humiliated in a crowded assembly of Kauravas, exiled from the Kingdom and troubled while living in the forest, my children have gone through various struggles, you have protected my children from the war zone, you have protected from the deceitful act of Dhroni, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you.  Oh! Jagathguru, if you want to give me something, kindly give me troubles/inauspiciousness, so that I can witnesses your presence always.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the greatest wealth of the penniless, you are the source of Nivriththi Marga, Oh! Athmarama, who symbolizes serenity I shall prostrate before that supreme Lord who symbolizes Kaivalya/free from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  Oh! Vibhu, you are independent and void of fears, birth, and Karma, even though assumes numerous forms and performs various passionate sports before Devi Yasodha, that frightful child before Devi Yasodha transports me in a state of ecstasy.  Once, that marvelous child broke the mud pot of butter was chased by Devi Yasodha, and when she tried to fasten with the rope, that little child of Yasodha stood before her crying, as if he was guilty of his act, squashing his eyes adorned in black Kajol and spread all over that beautiful face, that thoughts make me blissful.  Oh! Bhagavan,  some people say, you have incarnated to prosper the clan of Yadhu, others have the opinion that you have born to Vasudeva and Devi Devaki to answer their prayers and kill the wicked demons on the Earth, others say you have incarnated to reduce the burden of the Earth, some says you have incarnated to elevate the Jeeva from the miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence, one thing I have understood,  whoever sings in praise of you, contemplate on your marvelous appearance, listening and reading your various passionate sports, reciting your glorious names, would attain intense devotion and elevate their soul at your lotus feet, remains in a blissful state always.  Oh! Acchyutha, I have a sincere request to you, Oh! Hrishikesh, I am growing old, I should not get distracted from your thoughts, I should not depend on anyone other than you.  Oh! Vishwesha, Oh! Vishwathamn, kindly relieve my bondage to Pandava and Vrishnis, kindly remove my over-dependence and attachment to Vrishnis and Pandavas.  Oh! Madhupathe, my mind and intellect should always take pleasure in your thoughts, with an Ananyabhakthi/knowledge of supreme soul, the practice of intense devotion and faith, like the unstoppable water currents of sacred river Ganga. Oh! Govinda, Oh! Akhila guru, Oh! Yogeshwara, Oh! Srikrishna, Oh! Eminent of Vrishni, protector of Go and Dhvijathi, destroyer of wicked demons, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. ” Krishna affectionately looked at the face of Devi Kunthi, with a pleasing smile, and prepared to leave Hastinapura.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 29 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Kunthi Sthuthi

Devi Kunthi the mother of five Pandavas and Karna had to undergo various struggles from her young age, she had immense courage, did not let her down when her elder son was killed by the younger one, like these several hard occasions, were faced with extreme calmness.  She had intense devotion and faith on supreme Lord Krishna; hence she did not shatter or distressed even in the worst of the worst situations in her life.  Once Maharishi Durvasa visited the palace of King Kunthibhobja was reverentially served by Devi Kunthi for several days.  Maharishi Durvasa was highly pleased and offered a prayer as a boon to have a child in deities, thus Devi Kunthi who was unmarried and too young wanted to test the boon given by the Maharishi, she recited the chant contemplating upon her beloved deity Lord Surya and she had to yield for his desire to have a child in her, she pleaded before Lord Surya was pacified with another boon to remain youthful even after the birth of the child.  Thus Devi Kunthi got pregnant with Karna, the child born was safely deposited in a river immediately after the birth. 

Later, she married to King Pandu of Hastinapura, the situation in their married life forced the couple to seek the deities for children.    Thus,  Kunthi had three children from Lord Dharmaraja, Lord Indra, and Lord Vayu respectively.  King Pandu married Devi Madhri and she had two children Nakula and Sahadeva from Lord Ashwini Kumaras.  Devi Madhri sacrificed her life in the funeral pyre of King Pandu.  Thus Devi Kunthi became a widow at a young age, took great care of these five children who had to experience constant torture from the Kauravas. Her children were attempted to burn alive by Kauravas, were escaped miraculously. Arjuna got married to Draupadi had to share with his brothers at his mother’s advice. There are several difficult occasions Devi Kunthi proved the strength of her devotion to Supreme Lord Krishna.

The war between the Kauravas and Pandavas were declared, Devi Kunthi came to know about Radheya/Karna who is none other than her elder son; approaches him and requests Karna to leave the association with Duryodhana.  Karna had to discourage his mother explaining his real position when his mother has discarded him, he had Duryodhana as shelter place and he was honored by Duryodhana, so he is liable to be with Duryodhana in the great war of Kurukshetra. Finally, Karna promises to his mother that she will have five sons alive.

During the battle of Kurukshetra Devi Kunthi send her son Arjuna battle against Karna and wishing his victory, she was neither shattered or disappointed, she was well aware of the fact that as long as Krishna with Pandavas, the Dharma and Pandavas will remain protected. Another incident, when Dharmaputhra was offering Pindadhanam for his deceased brothers, Devi Kunthi intervene Dharmaputhra and instructed him to offer initial Pindadhanam for Karna, the latter was stunned and refuses to follow her order.  Krishna with a mischievous smile advice Dharmaputhra to follow the instruction of his mother, later Pandavas came to know about their relationship to Karna became inconsolable, but Devi Kunthi remained calm.