॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
5 May 2023, Friday Srimad Bhagavatam X.a34 - Sri Krishna liberates celestials Sudarshana and Shankhachooda by his acts of valour and compassion.
***
This chapter narrates two stories.
The citizens of Vraja led by King Nanda once embarked on a pilgrimage to Ambikavana, a holy spot for devotees of Shiva and Devi, on the bank of the river Saraswati. Everyone from Gokula celebrated their devotion to Shiva and Devi with much ardour performing worship and distributing gifts. Various gifts were given most generously.
It is mentioned that Nanda and his people who performed worship that day observed a fast while serving the most sumptuous delicacies to their honoured guests. Nanda, Sunanda (his associate), and everyone else encamped and rested that night.
As Fate willed, a humongous python inhabited that forest. He was very hungry and entered the camp. He went directly to Nanda and very quickly began to swallow him. Nanda woke up and shouted "Krishna! Krishna! Help me!" The cowherds nearby rushed with pestle rods and burning torches and tried their best to beat down the python and secure Nanda's release. The python happened to be both too strong and too hungry and did not let go.
Sri Krishna then came there.
अलातैर्दह्यमानोऽपि नामुञ्चत्तमुरङ्गमः । तमस्पृशत्पदाभ्येत्य भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः ॥
स वै भगवतः श्रीमत्पादस्पर्शहताशुभः । भेजे सर्पवपुर्हित्वा रूपं विद्याधरार्चितम् ॥
T: What the Gopas' beating with stout pestle rods and torches could not accomplish, Bhagavan Sri Krishna's merely stepping on the snake with one foot accomplished. Instantly, the python was crushed to death. A celestial Vidyadhara emerged from the corpse and bowed low to Sri Krishna!
Sri Krishna asked the celestial to introduce himself and explain his sorry state as a python before. He happened to be, he stated, a Vidyadhara by the name of Sudarshana ( no connection with Sudarshana Chakra). Once, while roaming carefree, he saw the great sage Angiras and started mocking him for his attire and appearance. The sage at once cursed him to assume the body of a dull and deficient python given to Tamas in all aspects. The accursed Sudarshana never imagined that this life as a python in the forest would turn out to be a blessing as he was now released by Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself! Bowing repeatedly, getting Sri Krishna's blessing to lead a noble life henceforth, he departed.
In another episode, Balarama and Sri Krishna went to Vrindavan with Gopis to play their favourite sport of singing and dancing. It was again a salubrious night and the Gopis hardly noticed either themselves or the state of their dresses and ornaments as they immersed themselves in the divine music and dance of Sri Krishna and Balarama.
Just then, an attendant of Kubera, a Yaksha by the name of Shankhachooda, came there. He was infatuated with the host of beautiful women whom he saw in the company of Sri Krishna. Realising that they were totally oblivious to the surroundings and his own entry, he managed to abduct a few of them to take them away with him! The Gopis began screaming. At once Balarama and Sri Krishna discovered the mischief of Shankhachooda and began to pursue him.
After a long and hot chase, they caught up with him. Realising the power of Sri Krishna and Balarama, the Yaksha let go of the women he had captured and tried to make good his escape. Sri Krishna did not leave him. Catching hold of him, Sri Krishna gave him a terrific blow to his head. His head split in half as he died. There was a precious Choodamani in that skull! Sri Krishna retrieved the gem and respectfully handed it over to Balarama as his offering.
These two episodes simply cemented Sri Krishna's reputation in Gokula as Lord incarnate.
***
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
