|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 164 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 15

Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the essence of Veda, it teaches the quintessence of Bakthi, Gnana and Vairagya.   The legends of various passionate sports of supreme Lord Krishna enhances devotion, it brings huge transformation in the listeners/readers as well.   The Veda and Upanishads are not easily understandable, therefore Maharishi Vedavyasa described the core spirit of Veda through the various Puranas. The devotion to supreme Lord would bring the serenity of mind, it removes cluster of unwanted thoughts of the listener/reader as well as the people surrounded by them, and ultimately it brings union with the Supreme Lord.  The human body is meant as ‘Shakata’/wheel, mind and intellect can wedge with body-conscious/’I’ consciousness or supreme consciousness.  The body consciousness constantly seeks people and material comforts for its well being, eventually, it will heave into extreme grief and misery.  The supreme consciousness removes the attachments to worldly matters and bondage; eventually, it leads to the state of supreme bliss, it can be achieved with the gradual process through the constant practice of meditation.  The legend of Shakatasura Vadham intends to transform the human intellect from ‘I’ consciousness to supreme consciousness. The human body is not only meant for taking pleasure in worldly matters and become ashes at the end, but it also has to be utilized for the realization of supreme Bhramam as well.

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Prabho, you have described the marvelous passionate sport of Krishna, kindly narrate the various pastimes of Lord Krishna which brings the coolness of breeze to the ears. It removes unwanted thoughts in the mind and brings pleasantness to heart, and increases devotion to the supreme Lord; eventually, it creates an unbreakable companionship with the supreme Lord.  Therefore, kindly describe the passionate sport of Lord Krishna elaborately.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, days have passed, Devi Yasodha immersed in attending and taking care of her little child who is Parambramam.   One day she noticed her infant on the cradle changed its position, it was turned on stomach and it was the day of the birth star of the child.  Devi Yasodha and Nandababa decided to celebrate the moment with the neighboring cowherds, and serve a sumptuous meal.  They have invited several twice-born and cowherds on that occasion, the twice-born were received with great honor and provided an abundance of charities.  Soon the whole village assembled in the palace of Nandababa.  The cowherds were received with great pleasure and offered various gifts.   Devi Yasodha fed the child and put him in the cradle to sleep and kept the cradle under the emptied bullock cart in the courtyard so that the child could get a good comfortable sleep.  The husband and wife engaged in receiving people and serving them with gifts and cooking meals for them.  None of them could attend the child, the entire village people were too busy with their work assigned in the celebration.  The divine child understood the empty cart was not an ordinary one, it slowly moved to the cradle of the baby as if it was going to crush the cradle.  Soon, the little child cried in a loud voice, no one could listen to his cries, he stretched out both the legs with a great force and kicked the cartwheel, in a moment the cart flew in the sky and fallen on the ground with a big thud, eventually it broken into pieces.  The loud voice of the broken cart took the attention of the people assembled; they were alarmed and ran out to check the baby under the cart.  They were frightened and mystified to see the wooden cart in several pieces; they looked at each other and enquired the reason for it.  The children of cowherds around the cart informed that they have seen the little child of Devi Yasodha kicked forcefully with its legs and the next moment the bullock cart flew into the sky and fallen on the ground, broken in several pieces.  Nandababa and Devi Yasodha were not willing to believe the children and called off it as made up stories,  they believed that it was something went wrong with the arrangements of things in the courtyard.  Further, they commented that nothing serious has happened because of the presence of innocent and good-hearted cowherds and the noble Bhramins and their wishes.  Devi Yasodha took the child carefully and gave a bath.  In this way, Lord Krishna performed an amusement while he was an infant, and provided Moksha to the demon Shakatasura.” 

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 163 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 14

Poothana Loka Balaghni Rakshasi Rudhirashana | Jighamsayapi Haraye  Sthanam  Dhaththvapa Sadhgathim || Yathu  Dhanyapi Sa  Swargamavapa Jananim Gathim | Krishna Bhuktha Sthanaksheera: Kimu Gavo Nu Mathara: ||

Vasudeva embraced Nandababa and congratulated him at the birth of the child, he revealed extreme happiness but he did not share the truth with Nandababa that the child in his home was Vasudeva’s child.  He inquired about the child born to Devi Rohini and advised Nandababa to return to Gokulam at the earliest.   Vasudeva informed Nandababa about Kamsa’s plan to take away the life of newborns in the cities and nearby villages, moreover, he was also felt bad omen recently about the safety of the child, he urged Nandagopa to return to Gokulam.  Nandababa said “I have heard the tragic death of children of Devi Devaki, also heard the girl child born was reached the supreme abode.  The person who is aware of the greatest philosophies of the soul would not grieve over the incidents happened.”  Vasudeva said “ Oh! Nandababa, If you have paid off the taxes, kindly return to Gokulam, I am witnessing many bad omens on the safety of the child.”  Nandababa hurried back to his village.

Poothana has already started her mission to kill newborn and children of the city of Mathura and nearby villages, she has decided to go to Gokulam where there are two children newly born in the palace of Nandababa.  Poothana assumed a form of attractive young woman, attired in marvelous garments, and had a lovely appearance.  Poothana arrived at the palace of Nandababa, there she found a large number of young women of cowherds, were staring at her in awe, at the loveliness of Poothana.  She entered inside the palace and found two newborn children in the cradle, one was fair complexioned and another one was dark-complexioned.  The moment Poothana entered the palace, the supreme Lord who resides as the supreme soul in living beings closed his eyes at the arrival of Balakaghni/ murder of children.  Poothana took the little Krishna without the knowledge that she was holding a venomous serpent, she moved to the corner of the palace, and put him on her lap; she looked around for people to check if anyone is watching her and found she is safe with the child.  The cowherds mistook Poothana as one of the members of the family of Nandababa after witnessing her beautiful appearance, so they did not pay attention to her.  Little Krishna fixed his gaze at the huge bosom and realized the presence of venom in it; he enthusiastically took a mouthful of milk from her bosom, along with her Prana.  Poothana started feeling suffocated and uneasy, she shrieked out loudly in extreme pain ‘Leave me, Leave me’ she was trying to pull out the child from her bosom, she cried out for leaving her bosom, but the little child did not leave her bosom, she realized all her strength has gone, found herself frail at the hands of the child who was holding her bosom tightly with hands and mouth.  Ultimately, she had lost her beautiful appearance, her mouth turned out a huge cave, and her body grew into massive form, and her body fell on the floor like a huge uprooted tree.  The cowherds assembled were shocked and worried about the safety of the child.  Thus, Poothana who was entered in the Palace with attractive form turned out a dreadful demon, the cowherds assembled were terrified.  Her body resembled a huge mountain, and her bosom stood up like two peaks, and the little child was playing over the summit.  The cowherds screamed out of fear, Devi Yasodha has fallen unconscious, but soon she regained her original form, found the child is safe on the top of Poothana.  They found the little Krishna playing happily on top of her; they hurried to the child and carried him.  They noticed the bluish stain of venom on the lips of the little child, realized that it is poison.   One of the cowherds advised Devi Yasodha to take the child to Goshala and pour urine of the cow to remove the stain of poison.  The baby was given a bath with the urine of cow and recited the glorious hymns of Balaraksha Kavacha/sacred armor to protect the child.  They praised the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu to protect each and every limb of a little child, further the cow dung and the sand from the hooves was used to pray to remove all the ill-effects on the little child who was taking extreme pleasure in the affection of cowherds.

Nandababa arrived in the palace and saw a large number of people assembled. He was informed about the tragic incident happened to the little child of Devi Yasodha.  They immediately chopped the body of Poothana into pieces and brought out of the palace and set to fire, there was the rich fragrance of Agaru spread all over the place from the funeral pyre of Poothana.  Even though Poothana approached the divine child with an intention to destroy him, was attained liberation.   Devi Yasodha took her child and fed him with her bosom.   

Ya Yethath  Poothanamoksham Krishnasyarbhakam Athbhutham | Shrunuyath Shradhdhaya Marththyo Govindhe Labathe Rathim ||

Whoever listens or reads the legend of ‘Poothana Moksham’ would attain intense devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda. Whoever surrenders to the supreme Lord would achieve Paramam Gathi. 

The human body is impure therefore it is called Poothana = Pootha+Na = impure, mind and intellect can be either Poothana or Poothathma/supreme soul.   The people who are reluctant to practice devotion are called ‘Poothana’.  Finally, Poothana attained Moksham in the hands of the Supreme Lord, even though she was fed him with the poison/Ahamkara/ego; she has attained the status of his Mother.  She surrendered to supreme Lord and gave away her Prana as well as Ahamkara, eventually attained Moksha.   The intellect and mind attached to worldly matters and bondage get impure, on the other hand, if it is united with the supreme soul/Poothathma, it remains pure and unblemished.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 162 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 13

Moolam Hi  Vishnur Devanam Yathra Dharma: Sanathana | Thasya Cha  Bhrama Go Viprasthapo Yajja: Sadhakshina: || Thasman Sarvathmana Rajan Bhramanan Bhramavadhina: | Thapasvino Yajjasheelan Gashcha Hanmo Havirdhukha: || Vipra  Gavashcha  Vedashcha  Thapa:  Sathyam Dhama:  Shama: | Shradhdha Dhaya  Thithiksha  Cha Krathashchava  Haresthanu: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, on that night Kamsa called for an emergency meeting of members of the assembly, to discuss the divine voice heard on the day of the marriage of Devi Devaki and Vasudeva, which declared his death.  Finally, the assembly has passed a verdict to kill the newborns and children/Bhramahimsa in the city of Mathura and nearby villages.  Poothana, one of the prominent members in the assembly of Kamsa was extremely happy and declared her willingness to take up the work immediately.  They were thoroughly aware of the strength of supreme Lord Vishu who is Sanathana/primordial, symbolizes righteousness, Bhramam, twice-born, Yajja, etc. they considered Lord Vishnu as their enemy who has caused problems for  Kamsa, so they have decided to stir up Vishnu by tormenting ascetics,  Vipras and cows, creating obstacles for fire sacrifices, religious as well as the spiritual rites.  Thus, Kamsa left the assembly with the hope that his people would find a way to eradicate the cause of his death.   The next day onwards, Poothana and King’s men conducted their unruly act of killing children in the city of Mathura and neighboring villages.

It was early dawn in Gokulam, Devi Yasodha saw a beautiful child of dark cloud complexioned on her side, it has striking curly hair locks, and its eyes were wide open, looking at its mother.  Devi Yasodha affectionately took the child and gave the first bath and adorned the child with divine ornaments and clothes, his forehead was decorated with Haridhra Kumkum and sandal paste.  Nandababa informed everyone in the village, he performed numerous charities, gave away thousands of cows to Vipras.  The entire Gokulam was in a festive mood.  Earlier, Devi Rohini who is the wife of Vasudeva gave birth to a male child; she rushed to congratulate the couple, she gifted the child with a precious neck ornament.  All the cowherds in Gokulam assembled to participate in the festivities in the house of Nandababa.  The women of cowherds attired in excellent garments, their face was decorated with vermilion, sandal paste, and eyeliner, adorned in various ornaments on the chest and ear, decorated with flowers on their hairs rushed to the house of Nandababa, the streets of the Gokulam filled with flowers while they were hurrying to the palace of Nandababa.  The entire Gokulam was overjoyed at the birth of the child of Devi Yasodha and Nandhababa.  They were carrying milk and curd from their homes and splashing the milk and curd on each other revealing their extreme happiness and danced in the pool of mud created with the curd and butter.  The people of Gokulam heartily celebrated the arrival of the newborn of Devi Yasodha and Nandababa.  While the people were cheering, a messenger from the court of Kamsa arrived in the palace of Nandababa to inform him the Tax amount is due to pay.   Nandababa could not participate in the joy of the people of Gokulam, he had to rush to Mathura to pay off the Tax.  Before leaving, Nandababa arranged the cowherds to take care of the people of his palace and activities.  Instantly he remembered Vasudeva who lost his seven children and a girl child lost recently, decided to meet him and pacify him.  Vasudeva got the news of the arrival of Nandababa in Mathura, so he went to meet the place where Nandababa arrived.  Nandabada pacified Vasudeva who was mourning at the terrible death of his children.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 161 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 12

Tham Greehithva Charanayor  Jathamathram Swasu: Sutham | Apodhayaschilaprishte Swaroththonmoolitha Sauhridha: || Sa  Thadhdhastha Samputhpathya Sadhyo Devambaram Gatha| Adhrishyathanuja  Vishno: Sa Ayudhashta Mahabhuja || Dhivyasrangambaralepa Rathnabaranabhooshitha| Dhanu: Shooleshu Charmasi Shankha Chakra Gadhadhara|| Sidhdha Charana Gandharvai Apsara: Kinnaroragai: | Upahrithoru Balibhi:  Sthooyamanedh Abhraveeth || Kim Maya Hathaya Mandha Jatha: Khalu Thavanthakrith | Yathra Kva  Va Poorva Shathrurma  Himsi: Kripanan Vridha || 

The sudden loud shriek by the girl child in the utter silence of the palace created trepidation among the guards; they have understood that the eighth child of Devi Devaki is the death of their King Kamsa.  They rushed to Kamsa and informed the birth of the eighth child.  It was early hours of dawn; Kamsa was still in the bed, the guards rushed to the chamber of Kamsa.  On the previous night Kamsa had a nightmare that he was mounted on the donkey which is considered as inauspicious sign warns the nearness of death.  Kamsa got out of the bed, took his sharp sword and rushed to the prison. There he found Devi Devaki holding the child close to her bosom, with tears overflowing begged to Kamsa “ Oh! Brother, this is girl child, would be your daughter-in-law in future, she could not be your death, she is not your enemy, kindly do not kill her and leave her alive.  You have already killed my seven children and I have lost one in my womb.  We are your sincere servant, kindly leave this child, we are not your enemies.”  Kamsa did not feel pity towards Devi Devaki.

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, Kamsa seized the child from the hands of Devi Devaki who was holding the child close to her chest, he took hold of the feet of the infant, the body of the child was hanging upside down, Kamsa prepared to thrash the child on the floor, even though Kamsa expected merciless death of the child, but the child slipped out of his hands.  Kamsa witnessed a dreadful black complexioned form of a female deity with eight hands holding various weapons like Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and Shoola,  she was attired in magnificent garments, adorned in various precious ornaments, she was surrounded by Yaksha, Kinnara, Gandharva, Apsara, Uraga, etc., eulogizing her glories,  she has produced a deafening laugh and began to speak “ Oh! Fool, Oh! Ignorant one, you are not going to gain nothing after killing me.  Your enemy is already born in this world. Do not kill innocent children and accumulate your sins,” 

In a sudden moment, Kamsa became apologetic for his foolishness towards the innocent children who faced death in his hands, he approached Vasudeva and Devi Devaki and begged for forgiveness for his merciless acts and said “ Oh! Devi, I was under the influence of delusion, all those circumstances forced me to kill all your children, Oh! Devi, do not grieve over the children who faced death in my hands, they are fortunate ones, they have received the fruits of their Karma, all the living beings on the Earth is bound by ‘Time’, and they have to consume the fruit of their Karma.  The human body has to take birth and undergoes death; the mind and intellect which originates from the supreme soul do not face its ruin.  Oh! Devi, we are bound by Karma, I have become the cause of death of your children, you have become the victim to witness the pathetic death of your children, therefore kindly accept the death of your children as a part of the Karma and elevate your soul.  Oh! Devi, the soul has no death, it is eternal, and the body has to undergo ruin. I have been merciless to you.  Kindly forgive me.”  Kamsa fell at the feet of Devi Devaki and Vasudeva and begged for forgiveness, and released Vasudeva and Devi Devaki from the prison.”

Vasudeva speaks “ Oh! Mahabhaga, Oh! Kamsa, this world is drenched in ignorance, sorrow, fear, anger, jealous, pride, etc.. Therefore the people tend to forget the Oneness-in- all, the existence of the Supreme Lord as a soul in all the living beings, without the knowledge of the nature of the supreme soul and the law of Karma which never spares a single individual, the humans cannot elevate their souls.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 160 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 11

Tha : Krishnavahe  Vasudeva Agathe  Swayam Vyavaryantha Yadha  Thamo Rave: | Vavarsha Parjjanya Upamshu Garjitha:  Sheshoanvagadhvari Nivarayan Phanai: ||

The practice of Dhukh Samyoga Viyoga Yoga is the preparation of mind and intellect not to get attached to things or people while taking pleasure in the worldly matters so that it would not heave into the darkness of grief, miseries, and sorrows.   The constant practice of contemplation upon the supreme Lord brings purity within oneself and the outer world as well. Eventually it removes all the worldly desires and attachments.  The intense devotion and faith upon supreme Lord and practice of meditation upon him would bring the serenity of mind, ultimately the mind and intellect wedges with the supreme soul which has the nature of permanent bliss.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord assumed the form of a marvelous child at the request of Devi Devaki.   Vasudeva took the child in his hands as per the instruction of the Lord, and prepared to leave to Gokulam, and bring back the girl child who is Yogamaya born to Devi Yasodha.  The moment Vasudeva moved forward, the doors of the prison were wide open as its own, Devi Devaki and Vasudeva got freed themselves from the iron chain fastened all these years, the guards of the prison fallen into a deep sleep.  It was dark hours of the night; there were brilliant rays of moon gleaming through the dark clouds followed by the heavy downpour.  Vasudeva moved out of the prison with the child in hand.  He found himself and the child was not drenched in rain, even though the heavy rain splashing all around, he noticed that the serpent Anantha was holding its thousands of hood over the child.  Vasudeva moved through the pathways and reached on the banks of the river Yamuna that was brimming with the powerful water current, separates the city of Mathura and Gokulam.   The overflowing river Yamuna amiably paved her way for Vasudeva.  Finally, Vasudeva arrived in Gokulam where everyone was in deep sleep, the doors were wide open, and he was guided by a divine light to the chamber of Devi Yasodha who is the wife of Nandababa.  Vasudeva found Devi Yasodha was fast asleep, and the newborn girl child is wide awake.  Vasudeva carefully placed Krishna near Devi Yasodha and took the baby girl wrapped in the clothes.  He returned to prison and handed the girl child to Devi Devaki, immediately the doors of the prison were closed, the baby girl produced a shriek, the guards were got out of deep sleep, once again Devi Devaki and Vasudeva fastened with the iron chain.  Eventually, the guards ran out of the prison to inform Kamsa.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 159 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 10

Maharha Vaidoorya Kundala Kireeda Kundalathvisha  Parishvaktha Sahasrakunthalam| Udhdhama Kanchyangadha Kankanadhibhi: Virochamanam Vasudeva Aikshatha: || Sa  Vismayoth  Phulla Vilochano Harim Sutham Vilokyanaka Dhundhubhisthadha | Krishnavatharothsava Sambhramoasprushan Mudha Dhvijebhyoayuthamaplutho Gavam ||

The Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran teaches the extraordinary powers of the mind and intellect to rise from the Sthoolashareera/body, to the Sookshmashareera/soul where there is permanent bliss.  It imparts the knowledge of ‘Oneness-in-All’ so that it helps humans to reduce expectations, attachments, and dependency as well.  It provides the knowledge of the indestructible nature of supreme ‘Bhramam’ that resides as a soul in living beings.  The body/Dheha undergoes various transformations such as childhood, adulthood, youth, middle age and old age, ultimately illness and death, but the supreme soul/mind and intellect/Dhehi remains unaffected by any of the transformations.  The constant practice of the knowledge of supreme Bhramam with the guidance of the preceptor leads to the state of ‘Aham Bhramasmi’.

Vasudeva immersed in a state of bliss after witnessing the glorious form of Lord Vishnu as his child, he mentally offered thousands of cows as the charity to Bhramins, even though he was assumed the Lord as his own child, later he understood that the infant is ‘Mahath Thaththva’, immediately Vasudeva with folded hands prostrated before the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.  Vasudeva eulogized “  Oh! Purusha, Oh! Bhagavan, I perceive you as beyond Prakrithi, you are the knower of all, you are eternal and is void of changes and Thriguna.  You have manifested at your own will, you are attainable to the righteous, and you are absolute Bhramam who resides as a soul in all living beings.  Oh! Bhagavan, ignorant people get attracted to the things they have seen before their eyes/Dhrishya, the wise and intellectuals wedge their mind and intellect in the Dhrik/supreme soul who is the source of Dhrishya and immerses in the supreme bliss.  Oh! Akhileshwara, Oh! Akilaguro, you have incarnated as our dearest child, to elevate the soul of innocent people, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you.”

Devi Devaki eulogizes “Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Lord Vishnu, you are not attainable for all, you symbolize supreme brilliance/Bhramamjyothi resides as soul in living beings, you are beyond Thrigunas and void of changes, you are absolute Bhramam, you are pure, and you reside as soul in living beings.  Oh! Bhagavan, the Mrithyu keeps chasing the living beings, and the people  are constantly in search for a shelter from the dreadful Mrithyu,  unfortunately they are drenched in extreme fear and anxieties.   Whoever surrenders at your lotus feet, immediately gets freed themselves from the fear of death, in this way they overcome the fear of Mrithyu.  Your marvelous form gives extreme pleasure to our eyes, kindly hide your glorious form with four arms.  We yearn to witness your most pleasant form of an innocent child.  Oh! Bhagavan,  even though we have forced to be in the prison by wicked Kamsa,  we had the fortune to witness your glorious form, kindly reveal your child-like form to us.”

Yuvamam Puthrabhavena  Bhramabhavena Chasakrith | Chinthayanthau Krithasnehau Yasyedhe Madhgathim Param||

The Supreme Lord speaks “Oh! Mother, you have undertaken extreme penance for several years to gain me as your child.  You have contemplated the divine form with intense devotion and faith; therefore I have born as your child.  This is not my first incarnation as your child, I have born as Prishnigarbha, then I have born as Vamana to Devi Adithi, now I have born to you as Krishna.  Even though I have taken two births previously, you have not benefitted much of my incarnation. Therefore, I would suggest you utilize my incarnation as your child to elevate your soul and for the welfare of all.  Oh! Mother, listen to me carefully, if you want to attain the highest state of spirituality/Paramamgathi, kindly consider me as your child, but contemplate upon me as Bhramam who is all-pervading, has neither birth nor death.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 158 – The legend of Lord Krishna – 9

Nisheethe Thama  Udhbhoothe  Jayamane Janardhane | Devakyam Devaroopinyam Vishnu: Sarvaguhashaya: | Aveeraseedhyadha  Prachyam Dhisheendhuriva  Pushkala: || Thamadhbhudham  Balakam Ambujekshanam | Chathurbhujam Shankha Gadhadhyudhayudham | Srivathsa Lakshmim Galashobhi Kausthubham | Peethambaram  Sandhrapayodha Saubhagam ||

It was dark hours of the night,  Vasudeva was watching affectionately at the infant who was given birth by Devi Devaki a moment ago,  instantly the supreme Lord Janardhana who resides as a soul in living beings revealed his magnificent form spreading supreme brilliance of the full moon, his eyes have the resemblance to lotus flower petals,  his four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, and Padma, bearing the auspicious mark of Srivathsa on the chest which is the dwelling place of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi,  adorned in precious gem Kausthubha on the neck, he was attired in magnificent yellow silk garment on  marvelous limbs, he was adorned in gem-studded ear ornament on the ears, marvelous crown that multiplies the beauty of his sparkling curly hair locks, he was adorned in armlets and bangles, he has marvelous waistline decorated with the ornaments, and he has the most pleasing smile all over the face.

The human mind and intellect are constantly in search of outward happiness and material comforts without the knowledge of the presence of supreme brilliance as the supreme soul within it.   The Dhashamaskandham of Srimad Bhagavath Mahapuran is the study of the existence of supreme brilliance as a soul in living beings, which was often neglected to notice.  The Lord incarnated to impart the knowledge of the supreme soul which is the source of the function of human intellect and mind and body as well.  The scriptures describe the incarnation of Supreme Lord Krishna in the darkness of hours in the night to eradicate the obscurity of ignorance in the human intellect and mind, even though he has performed various pastimes to reduce the burden of Mother Earth and destroy the wicked demons.  He is supreme preceptor/Universal preceptor/Jagathguru who eradicates the darkness of ignorance and impurities of the mind.  Any knowledge without the awareness of the supreme soul that resides as a soul in living beings is considered incomplete. Therefore, any knowledge without the awareness of supreme Lord as the soul is called ‘Avidhya’/lack of knowledge; it can accumulate impurities/attachment to worldly matters and bondage in the human intellect and mind thereby undergoes miseries and sorrows.  Hence, the elevation of the soul is possible only through the contemplation upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, the reason for the incarnation of supreme Lord Vishnu as little cowherd was to serve the above purpose.  The material welfare, richness, fame, attractive appearance, good health, family, wife, children, grandchildren, possession of wealth, properties, relatives, etc. would become futile if there is no devotion at the lotus feet of a supreme preceptor who is the source of the highest knowledge.  Therefore, the incarnation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu as Lord of cowherds was to elevate the soul and impart the knowledge of his presence as the soul in all the living beings, thereby remove the attachment to worldly matters and bondage, ultimately to provide the state of ‘Kaivalyam’, where there is no attachment to people, material matters, possession, fame or richness, and no expectation from others.  ‘Kaivalyam’ is the superlative state where there are no sorrows, grief, pain, miseries or afflictions; it is the state of ‘supreme bliss’.

Immediately after birth Lord Vishnu revealed his marvelous form with four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma, that convey complex knowledge about the Supreme Lord who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the Universe and its living beings.   He is beyond death or birth, and he is void of changes.  The conch symbolizes Sound/Pranava/’AUM’ produces from the conch/Panchajanya which represents Panchabhootha/five essential elements, any friction causes sound as well as appearance/form that has impermanent nature, therefore it teaches the function of creation/Shrishti/A, preservation/Sthithi/U and destruction/Laya/M.  The mace represents the weapon to defend as well as attack the enemies such as lethargy/laziness and ignorance.  The lotus flower represents the knowledge of attachment with detachment, the technique of while living in any relationship without getting fastened by it,  like a lotus flower that flourishes in the muddy water but remains untouched by it.  It teaches to remain serene with a balanced state of mind in the presence of an abundance of possession, and do not get despondent in the absence of the same.  The weapon disc/Sudharshana teaches the highest knowledge of oneness-in all, the presence of supreme soul which has permanent nature.   The removal of ignorance with the powerful wheel/disc of knowledge that the human body has to undergo constant transformation and ruin, the supreme Lord who resides as the soul has neither death nor birth.