॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Sunday, 4 September 2022 - Chapter 11 of the first skandha - Sri Krishna’s grand reception in Dwaraka.
***
Sri Krishna announced his arrival to all of Dwaraka by blowing his Panchajanya conch that resounded from heaven to earth unmistakably. The poet Vyasa says that the divine, shapely, milky white conch when pressed against his lovely lotus-like ruddy lips got a reddish tinge and it resembled a swan sporting amidst lotuses in the Manasa lake.
The citizens of Dwaraka, young and old, royals and commoners, thronged to receive their most beloved lord. Vasudeva and his queens headed by Devaki, Krishna’s children, and associates like Akrura, along with Krishna's mighty brother Balarama, all rushed to receive him, stopping whatever they might have been doing - eating, lying down for rest or sitting. The poet describes their welcome with royal elephants, musical instruments and the waving of lamps. It was as if a grand worship of the sun was underway. A grand royal white umbrella was held over Krishna's head, he was fanned with fancy camelhair fans, and flowers were showered on him from balconies. The sentiment of his beloved citizens and devotees is captured thus:
श्रियो निवासो यस्योर: पानपात्रं मुखं दृशाम् ।
बाहवो लोकपालानां सारङ्गाणां पदाम्बुजम् ॥
T: Lord Sri Krishna’s chest is the abode of goddess Lakshmi, his moonlike face is like the large drinking cup of epicures. His arms are the resting places of the guardian deities. His feet are the refuge of devotees singing his praises.
Sri Krishna met and paid his respects to his father and mothers, moving them to great emotion. He then entered his palaces, the happy home of his queens. The queens were delighted, and ceased their austerities customary when the husband is away (साकं व्रतैर्व्रीडितलोचनानना:) and approached him with great love and coyness.
Now I quote three very contrasting shlokas.
एवं नृपाणां क्षितिभारजन्मना-
मक्षौहिणीभि: परिवृत्ततेजसाम् ।
विधाय वैरं श्वसनो यथानलं
मिथो वधेनोपरतो निरायुध: ॥
T: Sri Krishna was like the wind that triggers a forest fire by the rubbing together of dry tree branches, as he accomplished the eradication of evil kings who burdened rather than nurtured the earth by instigating the great war between rivals arrogant about their military strength of elephants, horses and chariots and soldiers. This was his statesmanship.
एतदीशनमीशस्य प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणै: ।
न युज्यते सदात्मस्थैर्यथा बुद्धिस्तदाश्रया ॥
T: This indeed is the wondrous lordship of Ishwara, who dwells in nature, but is not affected by its Gunas Rajas-Tamas-Sattva. He thus dwells as the Supreme Truth, the Supersoul, but unattached to worldly goings-on. That is the clue even for his devotees - to dwell within Him and stay detached to the outer world.
तं मेनिरेऽबला मूढा: स्त्रैणं चानुव्रतं रह: ।
अप्रमाणविदो भर्तुरीश्वरं मतयो यथा ॥
T: Sri Krishna’s queens were indeed fooled as they thought they had Sri Krishna under their thumb ( स्त्रैणम्) as he was ever-ready to please them by fulfilling their demands. They were clueless about the truth that he is the Supreme Lord of all, much like egoists and atheists.
***
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
