|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 283 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  134

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Thus Lord Krishna imparted the highest of knowledge of spirituality to the women of cowherds who speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, The illustrious Yogis discards the worldly matters, live in seclusion of caves, and elevates their soul to supreme Bhramam, they engage in constant contemplation upon the supreme Lord.  Oh! Bhagavan, we want to attain that bliss, constantly contemplating your lotus feet.  We cannot discard our family or society like the Yogis, we are ordinary souls drenched in the well of worldly existence.  Oh! Bhagavan, we have thoroughly understood we have no refuge other than you.  Therefore, whenever we forget your presence in our hearts, kindly reminds us of your eternal presence in us.”

Hey  Vaidharbhyacchyutho Bhadhre  Hey Jambavathi Kausale | Hey Sathyabhame Kalindi Shaibhye  Rohini Lakshmane || Hey Krishnapathnya Yethanno Bhrootha Vo Bhagavan Swayam| Upayeme Yadha Lokamanukurvan  Swamayaya ||

Devi Rukmini and all the family members and Vrishni clan were immersed in various conversations.  Devi Draupadhi arrived there and got introduced to everyone in the Vrishni clan.  Devi Draupadi was curious to know how they got married to Krishna.  Draupadi speaks “ Hey Vaidharbhi, Bhadhre, Jambhavathi, Sathyabhame, Kalindhi, Shaibhye, Rohini, Lakshmana, and sixteen thousands of women, kindly narrate to me how did you get married to that supreme Lord Krishna who creates the whole Universe with his Maya.”  Devi Rukmini described all those incidents and introduced Draupadhi to all the wives of Krishna. Devi Rukmini said, “ I have offered myself at the lotus feet of Srinikethana, once the supreme Lord won over the King of Chedi.”  Sathyabhama said, “ Prabhu,  Krishna attained me as his wife after winning the precious gem Syamanthaka.”   Jambavathi said “ Nijanatha Dhaivam, Seethapathi, after the vicious fight with my father for several days, I had the opportunity to serve his lotus feet, as a wedded wife and servant.”  Kalindi said, “ I have conducted penance for several years, thus I got the opportunity to get the hands of the Supreme Lord as my wedded husband.”   Mithravindha said, “My wedding was arranged with the King of Vijitha against my will, the supreme Lord arrived in a horse and caught hold of me, and accepted me as his wedded wife.” Sathya speaks “ My father conducted an amusing sport to find a suitable groom for me, Krishna won over the sport, expressing extreme valor he married to me.”   Bhadra speaks “I am an extremely fortunate one to attain his association from childhood; he is the son of my maternal uncle, later I got the fortune to serve him as a wedded husband.”  Lakshmana speaks “I had the fortune to receive advice from Maharishi Narada, I heard all those glorious myths of Krishna and contemplated upon him, I vested my intellect and mind upon him, finally attained him as my wedded husband.”   All those wives have to say it was their extreme fortune they have attained supreme Lord Krishna as their husband. 

There were several illustrious Rishis and Sages have arrived in Syamanthaka Theertham,  Maharishi Dhvaipayana, Narada, Chyavana, Devala, Asitha, Vishwamithra, Shathanandha, Bharadhwaja, Gauthama, Rama, Vashishta, Galava, Bhrigu, Pulasthya, Kashyapa, Athri, Markandeya, Bhrihaspathi, Angiras, Agasthya, Yajjvalkya, Vamadeva and all of them received with great honor by Pandavas and Krishna and Rama.

Bhagavan speaks “ Oh! illustrious Yogis and Yogeshwara, It is my great fortune to meet you all.  The meeting of saintly men and association would purify the souls instantly, unlike the visits to various sacred Theerthas and shrines, the performance of numerous fire sacrifices, even though it may purify the souls in the long process.  The worship of Agni, Surya, Chandra, Stars and planets, Earth, Water, as a different entity from you, cannot remove the impurities in the souls.  Therefore, the association of saintly men and illustrious Rishis would remove the impurities of the souls instantly.  Whoever constantly anxious about their bodily illnesses, the welfare of their family, children, possession of wealth, fame, immerses in the performance of spiritual and religious rites, visiting shrines and holy ponds, etc. but refused to visit saintly men and reside in their association, are animals.”

Yasyathmabuddhi: Kunape Thridhathuke  Swadhi: Kalathradhishu Bhauma Ijyadhi: | Ya Theerththabuddhi: Salile Na  Karhichith Janeshshvabijjeshu Sa Yeva  Gokhara: ||

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 282 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  133

Vrishni Gopasangam

Adhikatha  Dwaravathyam Vasatho Ramakrishnayo: | Suryoparaga: Sumahanaseeth Kalpakshaye  Yadha || Tham Jyathva Manuja Rajan Purasthadeva Sarvatha: | Samanthapanchakam Kshethram Yayu: Shreyovidhithsaya||

The practice of meditation and devotion is the process of fixing the mind and intellect on the indestructible supreme soul which is beyond time and region, devotion is not the worship of idols or following rites without the knowledge of it.  The worship of idols and following spiritual and religious rites is the practice to achieve the ‘Formless One’/realization of supreme consciousness/ realization of supreme Bhramam.  The Sthoolashareera and Prakrithi have to undergo constant transformation and ruin, the Sookshmashareera is beyond changes and eternal.

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, it was during the period of Rama and Krishna living in the city of Dwaraka, there was a complete solar eclipse took place, so the people of Dwaraka decided to follow strict austerities during the time eclipse, and they all moved to Samantha Panchaka Theertham close to Prabhasa Theertham at the instruction of Krishna.  The sixteen thousand wives and children attired in magnificent clothes, Bhramins, and Vrishnis took bath and arrived in Samantha Panchaka Theertham.  The people of Dwaraka, rulers of various Kingdoms were assembled on the banks of sacred river Symantha Panchaka Theertham which was established by Bhargava Rama, killing the wicked Kshatriyas for twenty-one times. A few of the people of Yadhus with Aniruddha remained in Dwaraka to protect the city from the threat.  Akroora, Vasudeva, Nandababa Devi Yasodha, all people of Vraja were assembled on the riverbank, they were embracing each other, once again Krishna met the people of Vraja and his foster parents after several years, they had a lot to converse each other, and they were shedding tears of joy of meeting.  There were Bhishma Pithamaha, Drona, Devi  Gandhari with her sons, and daughter,  Sanjaya, Vidura,  Kripa, King of Kunthibhoja,  Virata,  Bheeshmaka, Nagnajith Maharaja, Drupadha, Shalya, Dhrishtakethu, Kashiraja, King of  Dhama, Vishala, Mithila, and Madhri, Yudhamanyu, Susharma, Yudhishtira, followed by brothers and Devi Draupadi.  Devi Kunthi and Vasudeva expressed their love for each other.  Balarama and Krishna arrived before Devi Yasodha and Nandababa and offered their obeisance, they could not control the tears of joy embraced each other, Krishna introduced his wives to Devi Yasodha and Nandababa, Devi Rohini, and Vrajeshwaris, they were talking about the splendor and various amusements of Krishna.  Suddenly, Krishna noticed the female of cowherds, who were staring at him without blinking their eyes, whenever they blink eyes they were cursing Lord Bhrama.  They were drinking beauty Krishna through their eyes; they have forgotten all their worries and taking pleasure in his presence.  Krishna rushed to them, affectionately smiled and embraced them.  He took all those cowherds in an isolated place and enquired “Oh! Ladies, do you remember me? I have made a mistake; I did not make a visit to Vraja, although I have promised you all.  Kindly do not keep any ill-feelings towards me.  There were so many disasters and war happened during these periods of time, although we plan many things, the ‘Time’ has the power to break it.  Therefore it is advisable to accept the happenings and move forward, like the wind assembles the clouds and disperse them on the different parts of the sky.  Oh! Ladies, devotion is the only tool that can elevate your soul from the destructible nature of Prakrithi to the supreme soul which is eternal bliss.  Your brimming love and dedication upon me would give a nectar-like state of bliss to you, understand my all-pervasive nature, resides as a soul in living beings and contemplate upon me.”  Thus, Krishna blessed those Vrajeshwaris.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 281 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  132

Prithukopakhyanam

Shushrushaya  Paramaya  Padhasamvahanadhibhi: | Poojitho Devadevena Vipradevena Devavath || Kinchith  Karothyurvapi Yathsvadhaththam Suhrithkritham Phalgvapi Bhoorikari | Mayopaneetham Prithukaikamushtim Prathyagraheeth Preethiyutho Mahathma||

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, thus Sudhama arrived on the pathways to his home.  He was in a false impression that he had lost track of his way home.  The pathway was leading to a magnificent fortress which has the brilliance of Surya and the luster of the moon, there was a number of marvelous fortresses all around, beautiful pleasure gardens, streams, wells,  ponds, flower gardens, plants and trees, birds and domesticated animals.  Once again, he assumed that he ended up in a wrong place; anyway, he moved further, suddenly he could hear the voice of Susheela accompanied by several female attendants dressed in magnificent clothes and divine musical instruments.  He looked around in search of the voice, found Susheela attired in a marvelous costume, he could hardly recognize her, he could not believe his eyes.  He looked at her in awe, she has completely changed, approached him with a pleasing smile,  she was adorned in various precious ornaments all over the body.  She was accompanied by female servants, she took Sudhama inside the fortress which has the resemblance to the abode of Lord Indra, washed his legs, and offered him a magnificent seat.  The whole house was decorated with gem decorated furniture and various household equipment, beautiful pillars of exquisite carvings, and the whole house was decorated with the most expensive gem.  The entire walls of the fortress were decorated with exquisite paintings, one of the pictures holding a precious gem spreading brilliance all over the chamber.  Susheela narrated the supremely brilliant transformation took place in overnight in the house, she was not aware of the phenomenon, in the morning she was greeted with several female attendants and realized herself in the midst of royal comforts, she was stunned to witness a marvelous fortress in place of their dilapidated home.  She walked on to the entire fortress witnessing exquisite pieces of household equipments, could not believe her eyes, she saw number of female attendants all over the fortress, even her appearance has changed at once.” 

Sudhama remembered the amusements of the supreme Lord to remove his poverty; he firmly believed that it must be the kindness of him.  Sudhama understood without requesting for anything to his close companion, he had provided all those richness in abundance. Sudhama heartily prayed “ Oh! Bhagavan,  Oh! Janardhana, If have to take birth again and again, I want you as my constant companion, I should not forget your presence in my heart, I should serve you, as a sincere servant, I will ask for nearness to you always.  I should attain constant association with the saintly people so that I could unite my mind and intellect upon your lotus feet.” Sudhama did not get distracted living in the material welfare; he tirelessly contemplated upon supreme Lord and elevated his soul.  Thus, Sudhama with his constant practice of meditation and devotion conquered the Maya of supreme Lord, even the sincere attendants of Lord could not defeat the Maya of supreme Lord, and  finally, Sudhama attained the abode of Supreme Lord.

Yethath  Bhramanasya Devasya Shruthva  Bhramanyatham Nara: | Labdhabhavo Bhagavathi Karmabandhath Vimuchyathe||

Hence, whoever learns or recite the glorious legend of Sudhama would get relieved from the attachment to material matters and bondage.

In this legend Sudhama is one who vested his mind and intellect upon supreme Lord, the four handful of flattened rice is the mind, unprocessed rice has to undergo a few procedures to get it as flattened rice.  The mind and intellect easily get attached to worldly matters, people and wealth, and remains like the unprocessed rice, it has to be cleansed with the constant practice of devotion and meditation.  The mind and intellect which is drenched in the constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord by any of these methods of Shravanam, Keerthanam, Smaranam, Mananam, Archanam, Vandhanam, Dhasyam, Athmanivedhanam attains union with the Supreme Lord and resides in the abode of Sri Vaikundam/free from trepidations and impurities.  Sudhama did not expect any material comforts from Supreme Lord; he kept intense devotion and faith upon him so that he could forget all those miseries and sufferings of poverty.  Sudhama had an extreme fondness to supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings; therefore he was neither troubled with the suffering of poverty nor fascinated by the sudden richness, ultimately attained the abode of the supreme Lord.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 280 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  131

Prithuka Upakhyanam

Iththam Vichinthya  Vasana Cheerabadhdhan Dhvijanmana: | Swayam Jahara  Kimidhamithi Prithukathandulan|| Ithi Mushtim Sakrijjagdhva Dhvitheeyam Jagadhumadhathe | Thava Cheerjjagrihe Hastham  Thathpara  Parameshtina: ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings, aware of all that thoughts of living beings looked at the eyes of Sudhama with a pleasing smile.”

Bhagavan speaks” Oh! Sudhama, what did you bring from home? Definitely, Devi Susheela must have sent something with you, even though it’s a small thing, do not hesitate I would receive it that was sent with great love, and it would make me extremely happy.  If anything given in large amounts without love would not make me happy.  I do not need anything elaborate, anything offered with intense devotion, like a leaf,  flowers, or water, or fruits would make me happy/Karma and the fruitful results of the Karma. Sudhama, offer me whatever you want I will receive it with a great happiness.” Krishna stretched his hands before him, due to extreme shyness Sudhama did not give that flattened rice brought from home.”

The supreme Lord who is Sarvabhoothathma Dhrik resides as soul and witnesses all the happenings, understood Sudhama visited Krishna not with an expectation to become rich.  Krishna realized that Sudhama must have made a visit at the request of his virtuous wife who wanted to feed her husband properly, Sudhama was least affected by the sufferings of poverty, it was his wife’s anxiousness to feed her husband with a decent meal would have forced him to visit Dwaraka.  Thus the supreme decided to offer immense wealth to Sudhama, he rose from the seat and seized the bundle of that flattened rice from Sudhama’s upper cloth.  He hastily opened the bundle and amazed watching the four handfuls of flattened rice; he immediately stuffed a handful of it in his mouth, followed with gestures of excitements and praising the taste of it.  Krishna took a handful on the second time was intervened by Devi Rukmini.  That night Sudhama spends in the palace of Dwaraka, they remained awake in the whole night talking about their childhood memories.  On the next day early hours of dawn, Sudhama left the palace did not even bid farewell to Krishna.  On his way, all he could think of Krishna’s simplicity and generosity, he remembered Krishna’s graciousness, he could not forget that embrace of Krishna who is Devdeva.  Sudhama was in a state of ecstasy remembering the compassion of supreme Lord, thought it was good that Krishna did not give any wealth, Sudhama considered it as the kindness of the supreme Lord upon him not to get distracted by the arrival of sudden wealth and to remain the devotee of him always.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 279 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  130

Sridhama Charithram

Krishnasyaseeth Sakha Kashchith Bhramano Bhramaviththama: | Virakth Indhriyarththeshu Prashanthathma Jithendhriya: || Yadhricchayopapannena  Varththamano Grihashrami | Thasya Bharya Kuchailasya Kshuthkshama Cha Thadhavidha ||

Shuka Bhramam speaks “Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord Krishna had a close companion Sudhama, during his childhood.  He was a twice-born has profound knowledge in Bramham, he has perfect control over senses and has no desires, expectation or attachment, and he has serene nature, most importantly he has the nature to receive all that happenings in the life as the grace of Lord.  He was a Grihashrami, his wife Susheela is a virtuous woman, and the couples were suffering from extreme poverty.  One day she spoke to her husband “ Oh!Mahathma, Oh! Mahabhaga, I have heard your close companion, Krishna who is the Lord of Dwaraka, I have heard of his great compassion, that if anyone surrender at his lotus feet, he would give away himself to his devotees. He will definitely help people like us providing wealth.” In this way, Susheela prompted her husband Sudhama to meet Krishna in Dwaraka, moreover, she was well aware that they are childhood friends.  Thus, Sudhama prepared to meet Krishna, he expressed his uneasiness to meet Krishna with nothing in hand to offer Krishna, and they are meeting each other after several years.  Susheela rushed out of the house and begged for rice from her neighbors, she got a few handfuls of unprocessed rice; she safely packed it on her torn off clothes and brought home.  She processed it and prepared flattened rice, it was packed in the upper clothe of Sudhama to deliver to his childhood friend. Thus Sudhama left home with a pleasing heart, yearning to meet his childhood mate Krishna, he immersed in the thoughts of their childhood days and walked several miles.  Finally, Sudhama reached before a huge stunning fortress of Dwaraka and saw numerous marvelous fortresses surrounded by it, he enquired the guards of the palace and walked towards the palace of Devi Rukmini.  Krishna saw a skeleton shaped Sudhama walking towards the palace; he ran towards Sudhama whose face was full of happiness, no exhaustion after walking several hours. Krishna embraced him tightly; shed tears of extreme happiness and love.  He took Sudhama inside the palace, offered him a higher seat, washed his feet, and sprinkled that water on his head.  Krishna advised Devi Rukmini to fan him with the Chamara, Devi Rukmini was surprised to witness all these hospitalities of Krishna to a poor Bhramin and thought the Bhramin must have earned an abundance of piousness in his life.  Krishna offered him a sanctified seat and massaged his hands and feet, as a service to his brother.

Bhagavan speaks “Oh! Sudhama, after leaving the hermitage of Maharishi Sandheepani, you must have married, I hope you are living happily with your wife.  I cannot forget those marvelous days we have spent in the hermitage of Maharishi Sandheepani, those were the blissful days in my life.  Do you remember an incident happened in the hermitage? We have gone to the forest to collect wood at the instruction of Gurumatha, suddenly there was an unexpected heavy downpour that made us stuck in the forest.  Do you remember that we spend hours and hours in the embrace of each other in wet clothes, we could not trace the way back to the hermitage, the whole night we had to spend in the darkness of the wood?  On the next day, our preceptor anxiously arrived in the wood looking for us, he located us and expressed his worries about our safety in the dense wood, and further Maharishi Sandheepani highly spoke about the courage and selflessness of us, he praised us abundantly and blessed us to attain all that desired by us.  He also blessed us to remain intellectuals with a thorough knowledge of what we have learned from him.  We are fortunate to have the blessings of our preceptor to keep ourselves peaceful and serene.”

Sudhama speaks “ Oh! Bhagavan, I am an extremely fortunate one, I had the opportunity to spend sixty-four days with you in the hermitage of Maharishi Sandheepani.  Oh! Devadeva, do you need to study anything? You have all that knowledge inherited in you.  Oh! Jagathguru,/Universal preceptor, you are wisdom personified on the Earth.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 278 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  129

Sa Vagyaya Thasya Gunan Grineethe Karau Cha  Sathkarmakarau Manashcha |Smarethvasntham Sthirajangameshu  Shrunvothi Thath PUnyakatha: Sa Karna: || Shirasthu  Thasyoabhayalinga Maname Thath Deva Yath Pashyathi Thadhdhi Chakshu: | Angani Vishnoratha Thajjananam  Padhodhakam Yani Bhajanthi Nithyam ||

Thus, Balarama undertook journey to various sacred places and took a dip in Sarayu, Kaushiki went to Pulakashrama, he undertook dip in Gandaki, Gomathi, Vipasha, Shona, Gaya and undertook a ritual bath.  He traveled to Sapthagodavari, Veni, Pamba, Bheemarathi, Srishailam and visited the shrine of Skandha, Venkatadhri, Kamakoshni, Puri, Kanchi, Kaveri, visited the Mahapunya Kshethra Srirangam, Rishabhadhri, Sethusamudhram, Thamraparnni, Malaya, Kulachalam, the shrine of Devi Durga/Kanya in Dhakshin, Kerala, Gokarna Shivakshethram, Vindhyachala, Dhandakaranya, Mahishmathipuri, and Prabhasakshethram, to perform atonement.  Balarama arrived in the Kurukshetra and witnessed a fierce battle between Kaurava and Pandava.  It was the eighteenth day of the great war of Kurukshetra, Bheema and Duryodhana were having a vicious fight.  Balarama intervened and requested them to stop the fight, but both of them did not pay attention. Duryodhana who was the disciple of Balarama did not even greet him with respect; Balarama was deeply dejected and left the Kurukshetra.

King Pareekshith speaks “ Oh! Mahatma, kindly narrate the valorous deeds of  Bhagavan Mukundha.  The glorious myths of Bhagavan Badharayana helps the intellect and mind get relieved from all the worries and grief. Who is contented in life? I believe whoever speaks the glorious myths of the supreme Lord, and elevate their souls and others to the supreme Lord, whose hands are willing to serve others relentlessly, whose mind that always contemplates upon the various glorious myths of the supreme Lord, whose ears that yearn to listen to the splendor of supreme Lord, whose head that bow before others with extreme humility, whose eyes that always look for the brighter side of the life, whose feet conduct journeys to sacred places of worship and conduct service to the devotees of Lord, such people are contented in life, therefore kindly narrate the legends of supreme Lord.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks to Shuka Shaunakadhis “  Oh! Sages,  Vishnuratha/Shuka Bhramam, in a moment contemplated upon the supreme Lord Vasudeva, and began to speak.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 277 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  128

Samsthuthya Munayo Ramam PrayujyaVithadhashisha: | Abhyashinjan Mahabhaga  Vrithraghnam Vibhudha Yadha|| Vaijayanthim Dhadhurmalam Sridhamamlanapankajam | Ramaya Vasasi Dhivye  Dhivyanyabharanani Cha||

The great battle of Kurukshetra was approaching, Balarama declared that he will assist neither Pandavas nor Kauravas, eventually he undertook a pilgrimage. He went to Badrikashram took a dip in Prabhasa Theertham,  Saraswathi, Bindu Saras,  Bhrama Theertham, Chakra Theertham,  Yamuna, and Ganga finally reached in Naimisharanya.   He attended the recital of Bhagavath Mahapuran in Naimisharanya, it was recited by Sutha Pauranika who is the son of Romaharshana.  There were several thousands of illustrious Shaunakadhis, and rishis assembled, rose from their seats and greeted Balarama.  Sutha Pauranika who was seated on the raised platform on the stage/Vyasagadhdhi continued the recital of the Bhagavath Mahapuran.  Balaram got annoyed to watch Suthapauranika who did not make an effort to raise from the seat and greet him.  Balarama could not control his anger, loudly accused Suthapauranika who did not greet a Mahathma, and sieved his head off from the neck. The rishis and Sages assembled in the Naimisharanya were shocked, openly criticized Balarama for his immoral act, killing a twice-born who was seated on the Vyasagadhdhi and reciting the glorious Mahapuran would bring Bhramahathya sin to him. They expressed their opinion that a preceptor seated on the Vyasagadhdhi need not rise from his seat even if the Lord appears before him.  They instructed Balarama to perform the atonement for the sin,  he immediately agreed to perform penance for his sin of Bhramahathya.  Balarama blessed the clan of Sutha Pauranikas to remain the preceptors who are well qualified to be seated in the Vyasagadhdhi and recite the scriptures.  Thus, Balaram left Naimisharanya and proceeded to various sacred places.