Sachi R

Friday, April 21, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.25 - 21 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Friday, 21 April 2023 - X a.25- An enraged Indra terrorises Sri Krishna's people with torrential deluge and wind. Sri Krishna calmly lifts the Govardhana hill as an umbrella and protects his people for seven days, until Indra realises his mistake.

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Govardhanagiridhara - Belur

श्रीशुक उवाच

इन्द्रस्तदात्मनः पूजां विज्ञाय विहतां नृप । गोपेभ्यः कृष्णनाथेभ्यो नन्दादिभ्यश्चुकोप सः ॥

गणं सांवर्तकं नाम मेघानां चान्तकारिणाम् । इन्द्रः प्राचोदयत्क्रुद्धो वाक्यं चाहेशमान्युत ॥

अहो श्रीमदमाहात्म्यं गोपानां काननौकसाम् । कृष्णं मर्त्यमुपाश्रित्य ये चक्रुर्देवहेलनम् ॥

यथादृढैः कर्ममयैः क्रतुभिर्नामनौनिभैः । विद्यामान्वीक्षिकीं हित्वा तितीर्षन्ति भवार्णवम् ॥

वाचालं बालिशं स्तब्धमज्ञं पण्डितमानिनम् । कृष्णं मर्त्यमुपाश्रित्य गोपा मे चक्रुरप्रियम् ॥

एषां श्रियावलिप्तानां कृष्णेनाध्मायितात्मनाम् । धुनुत श्रीमदस्तम्भं पशून् नयत सङ्क्षयम् ॥

अहं चैरावतं नागमारुह्यानुव्रजे व्रजम् । मरुद्गणैर्महावीर्यैर्नन्दगोष्ठजिघांसया ॥

T: Sage Shuka narrated to Parikshit: "Lord Indra was most upset that the Yajna to propitiate him had been hijacked. He developed extreme rage towards the cowherds, Sri Krishna and Nanda. He called the cataclysmic clouds under his control, called Saamvartaka, that destroy everything like the great dissolution.

"Look at these stupid cowherds, swollen with their wealth, wandering in the forests, listening to Sri Krishna! They have offended us, the gods! They are so foolish in abandoning time-honoured rituals to propitiate us, and in taking up some rustic nature worship. It is like trying to cross the ocean of Samsara in a makeshift boat of misdirected rituals! These cowherds have dared to offend me by listening to a foolish, self-important and overtalkative boy called Krishna! Go and bring their pride down, shatter their lives, and destroy their animals! I shall follow you, Saamvartaka, on my divine Airavata elephant, and bring the deadliest winds to blow everything away."

Thus, the Saamvartaka deluge was let loose unwisely by Indra. It poured down in utter fury, and wreaked havoc among the cowherds and cows. They all were first bewildered, then terrorised, and rushed to Sri Krishna in desperation. "Oh, Krishna! We are being destroyed by this downpour and winds! Please save us! Save us!"

शिलावर्षनिपातेन हन्यमानमचेतनम् । निरीक्ष्य भगवान्मेने कुपितेन्द्रकृतं हरिः ॥

अपर्त्वत्युल्बणं वर्षमतिवातं शिलामयम् ।स्वयागे विहतेऽस्माभिरिन्द्रो नाशाय वर्षति ॥

तत्र प्रतिविधिं सम्यगात्मयोगेन साधये । लोकेशमानिनां मौढ्याद्धरिष्ये श्रीमदं तमः ॥

न हि सद्भावयुक्तानां सुराणामीशविस्मयः । मत्तोऽसतां मानभङ्गः प्रशमायोपकल्पते ॥

तस्मान्मच्छरणं गोष्ठं मन्नाथं मत्परिग्रहम् । गोपाये स्वात्मयोगेन सोऽयं मे व्रत आहितः ॥

T: Sri Krishna, who was none other than Bhagavan Sri Hari, knew at once that this rain of hailstones, these terrific winds, this torrential deluge, were all the acts of Indra. "Indra wants to destroy us because we defied the system of propitiating him. The only way to tame Indra is to employ My Yogic power. I have to break down the ego, and self-centred ignorance of Indra thinking that he is the overlord of creation. Indeed, the gods are essentially made up of Sattva Guna, and this aberration of arrogance in Indra, their king, should be broken so the gods see the light. I shall therefore protect these cowherds and their people and the cows and other helpless animals by using My Yogic power. After all, it is My proclaimed vow to protect My devotees!"

इत्युक्त्वैकेन हस्तेन कृत्वा गोवर्धनाचलम् । दधार लीलया कृष्णश्छत्राकमिव बालकः ॥

अथाह भगवान् गोपान् हेऽम्ब तात व्रजौकसः । यथोपजोषं विशत गिरिगर्तं सगोधनाः ॥

न त्रास इह वः कार्यो मद्धस्ताद्रिनिपातने । वातवर्षभयेनालं तत्त्राणं विहितं हि वः ॥

तथा निर्विविशुर्गर्तं कृष्णाश्वासितमानसाः । यथावकाशं सधनाः सव्रजाः सोपजीविनः ॥

क्षुत्तृड्व्यथां सुखापेक्षां हित्वा तैर्व्रजवासिभिः । वीक्ष्यमाणो दधावद्रिं सप्ताहं नाचलत्पदात् ॥

T: Having said this, Sri Krishna, who is Bhagavan Maha Vishnu Himself, picked up the Govardhana Hill with one hand and held it aloft just as easily as a child holds up a mushroom! The Lord then addressed the cowherd community:

"O Mother, O Father, O residents of Vraja, if you wish you may now come under this hill with your cows.You should have no fear that this mountain will fall from My hand. And don’t be afraid of the wind and rain, for I have taken care of your protection from all these difficulties."

Their minds thus pacified by Bhagavan Sri Krishna, all the cowherds entered the clear space beneath the hill, where they found ample room for themselves and all their cows, wagons, servants and priests, and for all other members of the community as well. Sri Krishna, forgetting hunger and thirst and putting aside all considerations of personal pleasure, stood there holding up the hill for seven days as the people of Vraja gazed upon Him in a daze.

कृष्णयोगानुभावं तं निशाम्येन्द्रोऽतिविस्मितः । निःस्तम्भो भ्रष्टसङ्कल्पः स्वान्मेघान् सन्न्यवारयत् ॥

खं व्यभ्रमुदितादित्यं वातवर्षं च दारुणम् । निशाम्योपरतं गोपान् गोवर्धनधरोऽब्रवीत् ॥

T: Let us pause and understand the magnitude of this event. Here was a young boy, lifting up a mountain, defying the terrorising deluge and wind of Indra! Naturally, when Indra observed this exhibition of Bhagavan Sri Krishna’s Yogic power, he became most astonished. He was at once pulled down from his platform of false pride. Seeing his intentions thwarted, he ordered his clouds and winds to cease.

Seeing that the fierce wind and rain had now ceased, the sky had become clear of rainclouds, and the sun had appeared, Sri Krishna, henceforth to be known as the lifter of the Govardhana Hill, spoke to the cowherd community as follows.

निर्यात त्यजत त्रासं गोपाः सस्त्रीधनार्भकाः । उपारतं वातवर्षं व्युदप्रायाश्च निम्नगाः ॥

ततस्ते निर्ययुर्गोपाः स्वं स्वमादाय गोधनम् । शकटोढोपकरणं स्त्रीबालस्थविराः शनैः ॥

T: Bhagavan said: "My dear cowherd folk, the wind and rain have stopped, and the rivers’ high waters have subsided. You may now safely go out with your wives, children and possessions. Give up your fear."

After collecting their respective cows and loading their paraphernalia into their wagons, the cowherd men went out. The women, children and elderly persons gradually followed them.

भगवानपि तं शैलं स्वस्थाने पूर्ववत्प्रभुः । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां स्थापयामास लीलया ॥

तं प्रेमवेगान्निभृता व्रजौकसो यथा समीयुः परिरम्भणादिभिः ।

गोप्यश्च सस्नेहमपूजयन्मुदा दध्यक्षताद्भिर्युयुजुः सदाशिषः ॥

यशोदा रोहिणी नन्दो रामश्च बलिनां वरः । कृष्णमालिङ्ग्य युयुजुराशिषः स्नेहकातराः ॥

दिवि देवगणाः साध्याः सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणाः । तुष्टुवुर्मुमुचुस्तुष्टाः पुष्पवर्षाणि पार्थिव ॥

शङ्खदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्दिवि देवप्रणोदिताः । जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयस्तुम्बुरुप्रमुखा नृप ॥

ततोऽनुरक्तैः पशुपैः परिश्रितो राजन् स गोष्ठं सबलोऽव्रजद्धरिः ।

तथाविधान्यस्य कृतानि गोपिकाः गायन्त्य ईयुर्मुदिता हृदिस्पृशः ॥

T: While all living creatures looked on, Bhagavan put down the hill in its original place, just as it had stood before.

All the residents of Vraja were overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and they came forward and greeted Sri Krishna according to their individual relationships with him — some embracing him, others bowing down to him, and so forth. The cowherd women presented water mixed with curd and flattened rice (something offered even today in Krishna temples) as a token of honour, and they showered auspicious benedictions upon him.

Mothers Yashoda and Rohini, Nanda and Balarama (known for his muscle might), all embraced Sri Krishna. Overwhelmed with affection, they offered him their blessings.

In the heavens, all the gods, including the Siddhas, Sadhyas, Gandharvas and Charanas, sang the praises of Sri Krishna and showered down flowers in great satisfaction.

The gods in heaven resoundingly played their conch shells and kettledrums, and the best of the Gandharvas, led by Tumburu, began to sing.

Surrounded by his loving cowherd friends and Balarama, Sri Krishna then went off to the place where he had been tending his cows. The cowherd girls returned to their homes, singing joyfully about the lifting of the Govardhana Hill and other glorious deeds performed by Sri Krishna, who had so deeply touched their hearts.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.24 - 20 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Thursday, 20 April 2023 - X a.24- Nanda and the elders are advised by Sri Krishna to worship Brahmins, cattle, and Govardhana Hill instead of wasting their Yajna resources on propitiating Indra.

***

One day, Nanda and the Vraja elders assemble with plenty of Yajna materials. They are getting ready for a big Yajna. Sri Krishna comes there with Balarama. He asks Nanda most respectfully:

कथ्यतां मे पितः कोऽयं सम्भ्रमो व उपागतः ।

किं फलं कस्य चोद्देशः केन वा साध्यते मखः ॥

एतद्ब्रूहि महान् कामो मह्यं शुश्रूषवे पितः ।

न हि गोप्यं हि साधूनां कृत्यं सर्वात्मनामिह ॥

T: "Respected Father! What is this Yajna celebration underway? What Yajna is to be conducted, propitiating whom, and for what benefits? Do tell me this, my desire to know it is great. This kind of a large enterprise is not conducted by wise men in secrecy but after due deliberation and counsel of the wise!"

Nanda is glad to explain what is going on.

नन्द उवाच

पर्जन्यो भगवानिन्द्रो मेघास्तस्यात्ममूर्तयः । तेऽभिवर्षन्ति भूतानां प्रीणनं जीवनं पयः ॥

तं तात वयमन्ये च वार्मुचां पतिमीश्वरम् । द्रव्यैस्तद्रेतसा सिद्धैर्यजन्ते क्रतुभिर्नराः ॥

तच्छेषेणोपजीवन्ति त्रिवर्गफलहेतवे । पुंसां पुरुषकाराणां पर्जन्यः फलभावनः ॥

T: "My dear son, Bhagavan Indra is the one who gives rain through the clouds under his control. They bring life-giving rain to all beings. All these Yajna materials are for worshipping the God of Cloud and Rain, Indra! Not only we but all worship Indra thus. Only by partaking in the left-over offerings (Prasada) after the Yajna are men able to fulfil their worldly aspirations of Dharma, Artha and Kama. Rains give all that men desire! Indeed, to abandon this worship owing to some diverting obsession, or miserliness, or greed, or fear, is unbecoming."

This is the cue for Sri Krishna to utter some profound philosophical truths! He clarifies how all existence goes on.

अस्ति चेदीश्वरः कश्चित्फलरूप्यन्यकर्मणाम् ।

कर्तारं भजते सोऽपि न ह्यकर्तुः प्रभुर्हि सः ॥

किमिन्द्रेणेह भूतानां स्वस्वकर्मानुवर्तिनाम् ।

अनीशेनान्यथा कर्तुं स्वभावविहितं नृणाम् ॥

देहानुच्चावचाञ्जन्तुः प्राप्योत्सृजति कर्मणा ।

शत्रुर्मित्रमुदासीनः कर्मैव गुरुरीश्वरः ॥

तस्मात्सम्पूजयेत्कर्म स्वभावस्थः स्वकर्मकृत् ।

अञ्जसा येन वर्तेत तदेवास्य हि दैवतम् ॥

T: "Dear Father, if at all there is a Master of this universe, He alone gives rewards to men. Even that is hallways commensurate with their efforts. None can claim rewards without doing his work. Where does this Lord Indra come in then? After all, people follow their nature and act, and Indra has no role in it. Indeed, the Jiva (living being) accepts different births in bodies high and low through the principle of Karma which dictates the fruits commensurate with deeds. So if at all we worship anyone, it should be Karma, the Guru and Master of all! The best thing would be to treat one's work itself as worship, and diligently perform one's appointed duties. Then through his benevolence, the God of Karma showers prosperity on all."

"Dear Father, there are four divisions of society. First are the Brahmins, devoted to scriptural studies, prayer and self-discovery. Then come the Kshatriyas, who protect and rule the land and its people. Then come the Vaishyas, who are engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, industry, trade and money-lending. The Shudras are labourers who work for all these three divisions."

"In this organisation, we are all Vaishyas, engaged in cattle-rearing and dairy. We are really not rooted in one place as we wander with our cattle and take care of them. So what nurtures us is all nature and its bounty always."

"The clouds act out of their Guna of Rajas, and by pressing against one another, produce rain. This is their Guna and their Karma! Where does Indra come in?"

न नः पुरो जनपदा न ग्रामा न गृहा वयम् । नित्यं वनौकसस्तात वनशैलनिवासिनः ॥

तस्माद्गवां ब्राह्मणानामद्रेश्चारभ्यतां मखः । य इन्द्रयागसम्भारास्तैरयं साध्यतां मखः ॥

T: "Dear Father, we are all wandering cattle farmers. We have no city, no settlement to call ours. We are not bound to any homes as such. We move about daily in these forests, and live off the bounties of forests and hills! I, therefore, think the best thing is for us to propitiate the learned Brahmins who guide us, then mainly the Govardhana mountain here, and our cattle. We can use all these materials collected for Indra Yaga and do this instead."

"I suggest we celebrate this Yajna of Govardhana really well. Let us spare no effort. Let us set up great Yajna fires, and bring all the best offerings. Let us worship sincerely this bountiful Nature. Let women dress up to their best. Let us feed everyone, of all classes including the poorest of the poor, with the daintiest of dishes, and give gifts generously. Let us circumambulate Govardhana, singing his praises and giving our thanks!"

Well, to cut a long story short, Nanda saw immense wisdom in Sri Krishna's words. Everyone was really into it as they began the worship of Govardhana. Bhagavan Sri Krishna assumed another form and appeared on the top of Govardhana hill as Lord Govardhana himself, and gladly accepted all the offerings!

Sage Shuka narrates:

कालात्मना भगवता शक्रदर्पं जिघांसता । प्रोक्तं निशम्य नन्दाद्याः साध्वगृह्णन्त तद्वचः ॥

T: "Sri Krishna was the inexorable Kala or Time Himself. He wanted to quell Indra's pride now. Thus, Nanda and others implicitly and gladly followed Sri Krishna's advice and conducted a magnificent Yajna with Vedic chants, fire rituals, offerings, feasts, decorations, and the respectful circumambulation of Govardhana!"

After these festivities and celebrations of Govardhana, all the cowherds and their people returned to Vraja. (Interestingly, Vraja in Sanskrit means the resting/camping place of wandering cattle-farmers! It comes from the word vraj - to move.)

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.23 - 19 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Wednesday, 19 April 2023 - X a.23- The Yajnapatnis exhibit compassion and great devotion to Sri Krishna in equal measure.

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गोपा ऊचुः

राम राम महावीर्य कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । एषा वै बाधते क्षुन्नस्तच्छान्तिं कर्तुमर्हथः ॥

T: The Gopas pleaded, "Oh, Balarama! Oh, Sri Krishna! Master, you dispel all our diffculties. We are now extremely hungry! Pray, what should we do to find some food?"

Sri Krishna smiled. He said, "Friends, luckily, nearby, great Brahmins are conducting a big Angirasa Yajna to propitiate the gods and to secure a place in heaven. Go to them- tell them Balarama and I are here, and ask for food."

हे भूमिदेवाः श‍ृणुत कृष्णस्यादेशकारिणः । प्राप्ताञ्जानीत भद्रं वो गोपान्नो रामचोदितान् ॥

गाश्चारयन्तावविदूर ओदनं रामाच्युतौ वो लषतो बुभुक्षितौ ।

तयोर्द्विजा ओदनमर्थिनोर्यदि श्रद्धा च वो यच्छत धर्मवित्तमाः ॥

दीक्षायाः पशुसंस्थायाः सौत्रामण्याश्च सत्तमाः । अन्यत्र दीक्षितस्यापि नान्नमश्नन् हि दुष्यति ॥

इति ते भगवद्याच्ञां श‍ृण्वन्तोऽपि न शुश्रुवुः । क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो बालिशा वृद्धमानिनः ॥

T: The boys rushed to the spot of the big Yajna ceremony, bowed low to the Brahmins, and appealed. "Oh, Exalted Brahmins, veritable gods on earth! We are the cowherds with Sri Krishna and Balarama. Please listen to the message we bring from them. We have come into this vicinity, grazing our cows. Kindly give Rama, Krishna and us some food as we are extremely hungry. You are all well-versed in Dharma, and following its dictates, kindly feed us as we are asking you for food. We know that certain Yajnas with animal sacrifices and special ones like "Sautramani" prohibit outsiders from partaking in the food being prepared by the Yajna performers. But this is not one such Yajna. So we know that we can request you and partake of food from you!"

When the boys pleaded thus, conveying Bhagavan's message, the Brahmins heard them but pretended they hadn't. They were obsessed with their own rituals and considered themselves wise elders when indeed they were juvenile in understanding. Therefore they neither refused the boys nor told them they would be fed.

देशः कालः पृथग्द्रव्यं मन्त्रतन्त्रर्त्विजोऽग्नयः । देवता यजमानश्च क्रतुर्धर्मश्च यन्मयः ॥

तं ब्रह्म परमं साक्षाद्भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् । मनुष्यदृष्ट्या दुष्प्रज्ञा मर्त्यात्मानो न मेनिरे ॥

न ते यदोमिति प्रोचुर्न नेति च परन्तप । गोपा निराशाः प्रत्येत्य तथोचुः कृष्णरामयोः ॥

T: Sage Shuka remarks here: Is it not the supreme truth that the appointed sacred time, the sanctified place, the materials of the Yajna, the chants, the special techniques used in rituals, the priests themselves, the fire itself, the gods being propitiated, the yajna performer himself, the entire Dharma laid down for Yajnas - is it not true that all these are but manifestations of the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan? That supreme Brahman, Bhagavan Adhokshaja Maha Vishnu, was here as Sri Krishna. And yet, the "wise" Brahmins had completely ignored him and the Gopas' request for food!!!

The Gopa boys returned greatly disappointed and narrated to Sri Krishna how they had not been entertained at all. Sri Krishna gave a broad smile.

तदुपाकर्ण्य भगवान् प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । व्याजहार पुनर्गोपान् दर्शयन् लौकिकीं गतिम् ॥

नमो वो विप्रपत्नीभ्यो निबोधत वचांसि नः । इतोऽविदूरे चरता कृष्णेनेहेषिता वयम् ॥

गाश्चारयन् स गोपालैः सरामो दूरमागतः । बुभुक्षितस्य तस्यान्नं सानुगस्य प्रदीयताम् ॥

T: Sri Krishna, the Lord of the Universe, smiled to hear their report. He wanted to show them how to not take No for an answer in this world. He said, "Boys, don't lose heart. We shall yet get food. Go again, this time approach the Yajnapatnis, the wives of the Brahmins. They are busy preparing all the dainty offerings. I know that they are all devoted to me. Tell them you have been sent by Balarama and me for food."

The Gopas went again and directly approached the ladies. "Oh, holy women, wives of the Brahmins! Our obeisances. Kindly listen to our words. Nearby is Sri Krishna who has come grazing the cattle with us. Balarama is with us too. We have come rather far from our homes today. We are extremely hungry. Feed the brothers and us, please."

श्रुत्वाच्युतमुपायातं नित्यं तद्दर्शनोत्सुकाः । तत्कथाक्षिप्तमनसो बभूवुर्जातसम्भ्रमाः ॥

चतुर्विधं बहुगुणमन्नमादाय भाजनैः । अभिसस्रुः प्रियं सर्वाः समुद्रमिव निम्नगाः ॥

निषिध्यमानाः पतिभिर्भ्रातृभिर्बन्धुभिः सुतैः । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके दीर्घश्रुतधृताशयाः ॥

T: The ladies, who prayed daily for getting a Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, were simply thrilled to hear he was in their proximity! Their minds were always dwelling on his stories! They at once got up most enthusiastically. Taking loads of their vast variety of dainty dishes, they all rushed to Sri Krishna with the enthusiasm shown by rivers going to the ocean. When they were leaving, their Brahmin husbands, brothers, and relatives- all forbade them to go like that. But they were unstoppable, as they had heard so many stories of the divine Sri Krishna and were most eager to meet him and feed him.

Vyasa paints the picture of the divinely beautiful Sri Krishna whose Darshan the Yajnapatnis were lucky to get. They went to him and feasted on his bewitching appearance, curls, lotus-like face and so on. There was a captivating smile on his face. They enshrined Sri Krishna in their hearts and embraced him within to satisfy their craving. Vyasa says that they were just like a man in deep dreamless sleep who loses all consciousness of the material world and even his own mind and body.

Bhagavan knew the ardent feelings of the Yajnapatnis, and also how they had defied their menfolk to come to him. He received them with genuine affection and regard. "Welcome, oh, ladies! My respects. Kindly tell me what I can do for you! "

प्राणबुद्धिमनःस्वात्मदारापत्यधनादयः । यत्सम्पर्कात्प्रिया आसंस्ततः को न्वपरः प्रियः ॥

तद्यात देवयजनं पतयो वो द्विजातयः । स्वसत्रं पारयिष्यन्ति युष्माभिर्गृहमेधिनः ॥

T: "It is the Atma alone that brings everything to a human being- life, intelligence, wealth, family, and so on. Those who see me as the Atma, what else is dear to them? I know you see me as the Atma and so have come, rightly to me. I receive your affection in toto. Now I request all of you to go back to the Yajnashaala. You are needed by the men to complete the rituals."

The Yajnapatnis now confessed how they had defied their menfolk. Is it not that the one who seeks Bhagavan gives up all worldly relationships and seeks Him alone? So how can Sri Krishna be so unkind and ask them to go back? Their men would never take them back! They were thus entirely surrendered to Sri Krishna and he may do what he pleased.

Bhagavan replied. "There is no way your menfolk shall reject you! You are all mine now. Even the gods see that those who are my own shall never be rejected or come to grief. My people shall on the other hand be celebrated by the whole world. The Yajnapatnis should go back to their lives and duties. They shall attain to Bhagavan with finality quite soon."

The ladies returned to the Yajna, and none was ill-treated. All the rituals went well. Vyasa says there was only one woman, an exception who had been sternly warned by her Brahmin husband not to go to Sri Krishna. She alone gave up her body rather than face her husband. She happily merged with Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishna meanwhile distributed all the dainty food among the Gopas who were very happy to eat to their heart's content. Sri Krishna also ate the food happily afterwards. Shuka tells Parikshit, लीलानरवपुर्नृलोकमनुशीलयन् "the Lord thus played out His Leela in human form, observing all the societal norms!"

The Brahmins now realised that Sri Krishna was indeed Bhagavan, the Supreme Lord. They were filled with regret that they had missed recognising him and serving him, unlike their fortunate Yajnapatnis full of devotion. "Fie on us and our rituals! Fie on our activities going on thus, when we miss the truth of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu Himself come down to be in our midst!"

'We call ourselves Gurus and the guides to the path of Dharma. How mistaken and lost are we! Indeed Bhagavan's Maya deludes all, including the greatest Yogis too! Look at our blessed ladies. They have been freed from bondage by Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and have no worldly ties holding them back from the final release!"

"Our women have not been initiated into rituals, they have not gone to any Gurus, they have performed no Tapas. They have thus no conventional merit or achievements. But they have received the Lord's grace!"

स एष भगवान् साक्षाद्विष्णुर्योगेश्वरेश्वरः । जातो यदुष्वित्यश‍ृण्म ह्यपि मूढा न विद्महे ॥

अहो वयं धन्यतमा येषां नस्तादृशीः स्त्रियः । भक्त्या यासां मतिर्जाता अस्माकं निश्चला हरौ ॥

T: This Sri Krishna, indeed, is the Supreme Bhagavan, Sri Maha Vishnu, the Master of all Masters of Yoga. Just because he has been born among the Yadus, we failed to recognise him! Indeed, the most blessed and fortunate ones are our womenfolk, whose devotion led them to Bhagavan, and also led us through them to His supreme truth!"

नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । यन्मायामोहितधियो भ्रमामः कर्मवर्त्मसु ॥

स वै न आद्यः पुरुषः स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम् । अविज्ञतानुभावानां क्षन्तुमर्हत्यतिक्रमम् ॥

इति स्वाघमनुस्मृत्य कृष्णे ते कृतहेलनाः । दिदृक्षवोऽप्यच्युतयोः कंसाद्भीता न चाचलन् ॥

T: The Brahmins now prayed: "Oh, Lord, Sri Krishna, the Supreme Lord of Vaikuntha! We are wandering in delusion in our rituals on account of Your own Maya! Oh, Lord, therefore we beg you for forgiveness. Lord, forgive us for not recognising you!"

Thus, the Brahmins expressed within themselves the utmost regret for their misdeed of not recognising and propitiating the Lord in person. While they said this prayer silently, they refrained from going and meeting Sri Krishna, owing to their fear of offending Kamsa! They wanted none of the consequences of offending Kamsa.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.22 - 18 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Tuesday, 18 April 2023 - X a.22- In this chapter called "गोपीचीरहरणम्", Bhagavan plays a game of hiding the young Gopi damsels' clothes when they are bathing in the Yamuna. Let's read what happens!

***

हेमन्ते प्रथमे मासि नन्दव्रजकुमारिकाः । चेरुर्हविष्यं भुञ्जानाः कात्यायन्यर्चनव्रतम् ॥

आप्लुत्याम्भसि कालिन्द्या जलान्ते चोदितेऽरुणे । कृत्वा प्रतिकृतिं देवीमानर्चुर्नृप सैकतीम् ॥

गन्धैर्माल्यैः सुरभिभिर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः । उच्चावचैश्चोपहारैः प्रवालफलतण्डुलैः ॥

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि । नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ।

इति मन्त्रं जपन्त्यस्ताः पूजां चक्रुः कुमारिकाः ॥

T: With the onset of the cold season, the very young Gopi damsels (Kumarikaa is a term applied to a pre-teen girl) began a ritual (Vrata) cycle of worshipping Devi Katyayani. They ate only sanctified food, that too very little. Every day during the Vrata, they rose very early, and bathed at dawn in the Yamuna. They came out and made out of the river clay an image of Katyayani, and worshipped her with flowers, sandal paste, incense and waving of lamps. They made many offerings like fruits and rice. Their prayer was this:

"Oh, Divine Goddess Katyayani, Oh, Maya of Bhagavan who control this universe as Shakti, the goddess of all great Yoginis, kindly grant me the blessing that I shall wed Sri Krishna, the scion of King Nanda!"

This Vrata going on among the Kumarikas came to the knowledge of Sri Krishna. He was most touched by the great fervour of the Kumarikas' prayer. He decided to play a little game with them!

At this juncture, let us remember that Bhagavan is beyond the three Gunas, and has neither passion nor lust nor a morbid sadistic pleasure in tormenting young girls. He is beyond the shortcomings of the flesh. Whatever Sri Krishna does is a part of his play or Leela, with a hidden motive of ennobling and uplifting the devotees.

भगवांस्तदभिप्रेत्य कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः । वयस्यैरावृतस्तत्र गतस्तत्कर्मसिद्धये ॥

तासां वासांस्युपादाय नीपमारुह्य सत्वरः । हसद्भिः प्रहसन् बालैः परिहासमुवाच ह ॥

अत्रागत्याबलाः कामं स्वं स्वं वासः प्रगृह्यताम् । सत्यं ब्रवाणि नो नर्म यद्यूयं व्रतकर्शिताः ॥

T: Bhagavan Sri Krishna, whom Vyasa refers to here as the Lord of all the masters of Yoga (compared to Devi who is the goddess of all great Yoginis), went to the Yamuna bank one early morning with his associates. He wanted to play a little game. He picked up the clothes neatly deposited by the girls on the Yamuna bank, while they were happily playing the waters. He climbed a Neepa tree and sat on a branch with the bundle of their clothes. In a teasing manner that evoked much laughter among the boys, Sri Krishna called out to the girls, laughing: "Oh girls! Come over and take your clothes from me. I am not joking. I also know you are engaged in a tough ritual Vrata for many days!" Sri Krishna said, "These Gopas will attest that I always speak the truth. So I really mean this. Either you come one by one and collect your clothes from me, or come in a group. Oh, beautiful ladies, I have no objection. "

Vyasa says गोप्यः प्रेमपूरिताः जातहासाः the Gopi girls were bursting with affection for Sri Krishna. They were looking at one another and smiling as they protested: "Oh, Govinda! Don't you see us shivering in the neck-deep cold waters of the Yamuna!? Please don't tease us like this! We are your slaves! If you don't at once return our clothes, we shall go and complain to King Nanda about what his blessed son has been doing!" Sri Krishna shook his head. "Go, tell my father Nanda! Let us see what he will do. Is it not better that you come and pick up your clothes now, if you are really devoted to me!?"

Having no alternative, the Gopis came out of the water, shivering, covering their private parts, and supplicated to the Lord to give them back their clothes! The Lord, again, smilingly, said, " Oh, girls, you have indeed undertaken and completed a very demanding ritual. But you should not have violated the ritualistic regimen by bathing naked in the waters - this is an offence against both Lord Varuna and the Devi! So you atone for it by lifting up your arms in prayer now." The Kumarikas readily did what their beloved master said. Sri Krishna was most gracious and at omce gave them all their clothes back, happily.

Sage Shuka narrates to Parikshit that on the face of it, the Gopis had been teased and tormented and had become the laughing stock in this game of Sri Krishna. But indeed, they were all so much in love with him that they took no offence at all. They even considered that their clothes had become sacred by his touch. After adjusting their attires and grooming themselves, looking at their best, they simply stood around Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna now spoke something profound to them:

सङ्कल्पो विदितः साध्व्यो भवतीनां मदर्चनम् । मयानुमोदितः सोऽसौ सत्यो भवितुमर्हति ॥

न मय्यावेशितधियां कामः कामाय कल्पते । भर्जिता क्वथिता धानाः प्रायो बीजाय नेष्यते ॥

याताबला व्रजं सिद्धा मयेमा रंस्यथा क्षपाः । यदुद्दिश्य व्रतमिदं चेरुरार्यार्चनं सतीः ॥

T: "Dear ladies, pure at heart, I know your affection for me. You have obeyed me and I assure you that I have accepted your love and your wishes will come true. Indeed, one who loses oneself in love for me loses all attractions for this world outside because their desires become powerless just like grainseeds once roasted and cooked which do not sprout into saplings. Now, all of you go back to your homes. Very soon, you will all have the occasion to enjoy my company to your heart's wish, as that was the prayer you had made to Devi!"

Note: People want to play Krishna in their love lives. That is really stupid. Krishna was not a mere man given to the pleasures of the flesh. He was Bhagavan come down in a human form. He did not sport with Gopis to enjoy them physically. He transformed them who first felt for him a biological attraction to devotees. This has to be said every time we read of Krishna and the Gopis.

***

Sri Krishna moved about in Vrindavana with his cowherd friends grazing cattle. He looked at the majestic trees covering them with their cool shade and said:

हे स्तोककृष्ण हे अंशो श्रीदामन् सुबलार्जुन । विशालवृषभ तेजस्विन् देवप्रस्थ वरूथप ॥

पश्यतैतान् महाभागान् परार्थैकान्तजीवितान् । वातवर्षातपहिमान् सहन्तो वारयन्ति नः ॥

अहो एषां वरं जन्म सर्वप्राण्युपजीवनम् । सुजनस्येव येषां वै विमुखा यान्ति नार्थिनः ॥

T: "Come, Oh, Stokakrishna, Amshu, Sridama, Subala, Arjuna, Vishalavrishabha, Tejasvi, Devaprastha, and Varuthapa! See these blessed souls in the form of these majestic trees! They are standing, each one by himself, silently and in fortitude, giving their service to all! They withstand the rigours of the sun, rain, and hailstone, winds, silently, so we are in turn protected by them from the very same rigours! Their life is indeed sanctified as they provide for all other living beings selflessly. No one returns empty-handed when they come to these trees because they give readily plenty of flower, fruit, leaf, bark, root, bulb, and so on!"

As Sri Krishna was remarking thus, a group of Gopa boys approached him. Their faces and body language made it clear that they were all hungry and desperate to eat something!

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, April 17, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.21 - 17 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, 17 April 2023 - X a.21 - Sage Vyasa, the Gopis, all life in Vrindavan and us lucky ones, all lose ourselves in Sri Krishna's divine flute music.

***

This chapter is called Venugeeta or the Song of the Flute. Vyasa is ecstatic in his descriptions of Sri Krishna's flute melody and its effect on all, especially the Gopis. He makes them speak and describe Sri Krishna and his divine melody on the flute. The chapter has only 20 shlokas and all are delectable. You can hear the recitation here:

कुसुमितवनराजिशुष्मिभृङ्गद्विजकुलघुष्टसरःसरिन्महीध्रम् ।

मधुपतिरवगाह्य चारयन् गाः सह पशुपालबलश्चुकूज वेणुम् ॥

तद्व्रजस्त्रिय आश्रुत्य वेणुगीतं स्मरोदयम् ।

काश्चित्परोक्षं कृष्णस्य स्वसखीभ्योन्ववर्णयन् ॥

T: In the lap of that heavenly garden full of fragrant flowers. rows of trees attracted bees and birds that feasted on the plentiful nectar, going about singing their happy songs. So did the lakes and rivulets and valleys of the hills look extremely happy. Sri Krishna went there with Balarama, the cowherds and their cattle, and began to play his flute as they all grazed their cattle. Listening to this music wafting to their ears in Vraja, the Gopis were plunged in a mood of ecstatic love and began to describe Sri Krishna who was out of their sight but firmly entrenched in their hearts. Vyasa says that this was the kindling of the greatest Bhakti that one can ever experience, called Madhura Bhakti.

The Gopis recalled every element of divine beauty in Sri Krishna- his eyes, cheeks, lips, curls, peacock feather crown, the garland made of five types of wildflowers and so on. How they pined for him!

"Our Sri Krishna is making a grand entry like a consummate actor on the stage called Vrindavan! How handsome, how attractive, is everything about our Sri Krishna! His lotus feet are enhancing the beauty of Vrindavan!"

As the Gopis responded to the call of his flute, they lost themselves in Sri Krishna.

"To feast our eyes on Sri Krishna and Balarama of divine charm playing their flutes as they wend their way to and from Vrindavan - what better use can there ever be for our eyes?"

"They are as charismatic as the best of actors all dressed up and presenting themselves on the stage!"

"How we envy the flute - a bamboo thing, blessed because of its good deeds in its past lives, to be so close and able to drink up all the ambrosia of Sri Krishna's lips! All bamboo trees are celebrating their representative, the flute, enjoying this honour; you can see them shedding tears of joy (the sugary water that oozes from bamboos)!"

'Vrindavan is now celebrated as holy even in heaven. Just as he blesses the most devout of sages, Sri Krishna is blessing all the birds and animals who stop whatever they are doing just to absorb his music. The peacocks dance in ecstasy. Many a doe (female deer) has come in a daze of joy and darts her lovely glances at Sri Krishna."

"Apsaras from heaven lose themselves to the music, unmindful of wardrobe malfunctions even. Look at the cows and calves! Their ears are lifted and oriented towards Sri Krishna's melody from the flute! The calves have stopped drinking milk from their mothers' udders!"

"I suspect these birds looking frozen in their joy are all actually great sages in disguise who have come to enjoy Sri Krishna's divinity. They have filtered out everything from their beings, and are totally immersed in the music of Sri Krishna's flute!"

"Just look! Even the river flows slowly, taking in the music. The waters are touching Sri Krishna's lotus feet with their hands in the form of waves and ripples!"

"And then look up at the clouds! They have spread the shade of their love so Sri Krishna and Balarama and the cattle are all shielded from the sun!"

"The hunter women are pining for Sri Krishna. Their fever of excitement can only be cooled by embalming their breasts from the vermilion dropped here and there after Sri Krishna's sport with Gopis."

"Look at the beautiful Govardhana mountain! How blessed is he, serving Sri Krishna all year round, offering to Sri Krishna his rich fare of delicious fruits and roots and flowers and tender leaves! His water streams wash and quench the thirst of all, the cattle find his tender grass delicious to graze. All he wants in return is the touch of Sri Krishna's feet!"

"It is fascinating how cows and other creatures become static by the effect of Sri Krishna's music, whereas trees, rocks and water and such inanimate things begin to move and respond with palpable joy to Sri Krishna's music! Oh, how divine!"

एवं विधा भगवतो या वृन्दावनचारिणः ।

वर्णयन्त्यो मिथो गोप्यः क्रीडास्तन्मयतां ययुः ॥

T: Sage Shuka tells Parikshit that the Gopis were simply lost in their love for Sri Krishna as they continued to enjoy witnessing and describing his pastimes in Vrindavan.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam X a.20 - 16 April 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, 16 April 2023 - X a.20 - A marvellous description of the rainy season and the autumn that followed, comparing it to the progress of a spiritual seeker and the immanence of divinity.

***

श्रीशुक उवाच

तयोस्तदद्भुतं कर्म दावाग्नेर्मोक्षमात्मनः । गोपाः स्त्रीभ्यः समाचख्युः प्रलम्बवधमेव च ॥

गोपवृद्धाश्च गोप्यश्च तदुपाकर्ण्य विस्मिताः । मेनिरे देवप्रवरौ कृष्णरामौ व्रजं गतौ ॥

T: The Gopas returned home with astounding accounts of how Sri Krishna had saved them all from the infernal forest fire, and how Balarama had vanquished the demoniac Pralamba. The citizens of Gokula mused that these two, Sri Krishna and Balarama, were veritably gods come in human form for their succour.

***

The greatest poet of Sanatana Dharma is Vyasa. He now launches into a description of the famed Monsoon of India, and the autumnal season that follows it. Sage Vyasa is in a mood of spiritual fervour such that all Nature speaks to him in similes evoking aspects of our existence and opportunities for our upliftment through the principles enunciated in the Srimad Bhagavatam! Glory to Vyasa!

I am giving you only a sampler with my translations.

ततः प्रावर्तत प्रावृट् सर्वसत्त्वसमुद्भवा ।विद्योतमानपरिधिर्विस्फूर्जितनभस्तला ॥

सान्द्रनीलाम्बुदैर्व्योम सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुभिः । अस्पष्टज्योतिराच्छन्नं ब्रह्मेव सगुणं बभौ ॥

तडित्वन्तो महामेघाश्चण्डश्वसनवेपिताः । प्रीणनं जीवनं ह्यस्य मुमुचुः करुणा इव ॥

आसन्नुत्पथगामिन्यः क्षुद्रनद्योऽनुशुष्यतीः । पुंसो यथास्वतन्त्रस्य देहद्रविणसम्पदः ॥

गिरयो वर्षधाराभिर्हन्यमाना न विव्यथुः । अभिभूयमाना व्यसनैर्यथाधोक्षजचेतसः ॥

T: Then arrived the Monsoon, the source of all rejuvenation of life. Surrounding the radiant orbs of the sun and moon were the grand clouds, rampaging the skies! The dense dark clouds covered the skies. Vyasa says that it was much like the pure consciousness of Jiva gets clouded by the Gunas.

It was as if the Sun God, having collected taxes (evaporation!) from the people during summer, was giving back copious grants (rains!) for their development now.

The clouds opened their eyes in lightning flashes to the miseries of people scorched by summer and showered their copious waters of resuscitation like kind noblemen who give out of ready compassion.

Like the disparate senses and organs of a man overpower him when he is weakened by a lack of disciplined living, the downpour became rivulets that broke through all weakened barrages dried up in the summer.

Vyasa is reminded of dutiful pupils repeating the Vedic chants for practice in the evenings when he describes the quacking of frogs.

The earth was covered in patches of bright greens, whites and so on, like an army of variously uniformed contingents.

When a man advances in devotion to Sri Hari, his insides and outsides all shine in resplendence like Nature was shining now.

Vyasa compares the mountains standing in resolute fortitude facing the batter of rain to devotees who withstand all hardships and adversities much like a true devotee with his mind surrendered to the Lord.

He sees the usual pathways with footmarks, now being unused in the rain, becoming covered by fresh grass such that the paths are no longer identifiable. It is like how Brahmins lose their grip over Vedic chants owing to lack of practice.

Vyasa says the appearance of the splendid vibgyor rainbow appearing in the clear sky with the sun's pure rays was like the avatara of Nirguna Brahman in the form of the Guna-filled Nature all around.

There are many more descriptions, covering Bhagavan, Bhagavatas, and Bhaktas in comparison of their lives to the effects of the Monsoon to be witnessed all around.

एवं वनं तद्वर्षिष्ठं पक्वखर्जुरजम्बुमत् ।गोगोपालैर्वृतो रन्तुं सबलः प्राविशद्धरिः ॥

T: Vrindavan was now laden with flower and fruit in the celebration of Monsoon. Ripe dates and Jamoon fruits were aplenty. Sri Krishna and Balarama happily went to Vrindavan with their associates, Gopas.

दध्योदनं समानीतं शिलायां सलिलान्तिके । सम्भोजनीयैर्बुभुजे गोपैः सङ्कर्षणान्वितः ॥

T: Sri Krishna enjoyed feasting on curd rice sent by his mother, sitting on rocks surrounded by rivulets and streams, along with Balarama and other Gopas.

***

After describing the Monsoon, Vyasa says that the season now changed to autumn. Autumn, with its cool breeze and clear skies, seems to smile on all life flourishing after being nurtured by rain. He says,

शरदा नीरजोत्पत्त्या नीराणि प्रकृतिं ययुः । भ्रष्टानामिव चेतांसि पुनर्योगनिषेवया ॥

व्योम्नोऽब्दं भूतशाबल्यं भुवः पङ्कमपां मलम् ।

शरज्जहाराश्रमिणां कृष्णे भक्तिर्यथाशुभम्॥

T: Then came autumn. The lakes and ponds were cleared of turbidity, and now gave rise to the happy blooming of lotuses! It was like men whose conduct had once turned turbid by falling on bad ways now resorting back to the Yoga of Yama and Niyama. The season of Sharad was like the rise of Bhakti in Sri Krishna which cleanses all people, from any walk of life, of their impurities. It cleared the skies, cleared the waters. The fields and pathways were free from slush, and there spread a calm cheer all around in Nature.

पुरग्रामेष्वाग्रयणैरिन्द्रियैश्च महोत्सवैः । बभौ भूः पक्वसस्याढ्या कलाभ्यां नितरां हरेः ॥

T: In towns and villages, people began their ritual celebrations of impending harvest, and the festivities propitiating Indra. The earth was laden with the crop of prosperity and Sri Krishna's presence sanctified the earth.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥