॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
9 May 2023, Tuesday - Srimad Bhagavatam X.a38 - Akrura goes with effusive devotion to meet Sri Krishna and is received most hospitably.
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Here, for the first time in Srimad Bhagavatam, we have a beautiful description of a devotee approaching Bhagavan on a pilgrimage filled with great anticipation. As they say, the journey is more important than the destination. In any case, what awaits us is in Lord's hands!
श्रीशुक उवाच
अक्रूरोऽपि च तां रात्रिं मधुपुर्यां महामतिः । उषित्वा रथमास्थाय प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम् ॥
गच्छन् पथि महाभागो भगवत्यम्बुजेक्षणे । भक्तिं परामुपगत एवमेतदचिन्तयत् ॥
किं मयाऽऽचरितं भद्रं किं तप्तं परमं तपः । किं वाथाप्यर्हते दत्तं यद्द्रक्ष्याम्यद्य केशवम् ॥
यदर्चितं ब्रह्मभवादिभिः सुरैः श्रिया च देव्या मुनिभिस्ससात्वतैः ।
गोचारणायानुचरैश्चरद्वने यद्गोपिकानां कुचकुङ्कुमाङ्कितम् ॥
T: Sage Shuka narrated: Akrura started the next morning in his chariot for Nanda Gokula. His thoughts were bubbling with devotion and the anticipation of being blessed with the Darshan of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. "Indeed, I must have done some great good deeds (Punya) and perhaps much Tapas in my past lives! I must have given generously to the deserving for my good fortune to fructify thus of meeting Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Keshava! The Lord is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of this universe, and has taken a human form now to accomplish His mission. I shall be able to touch His divine feet that have been worshipped by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and other gods, and Devi Sri Lakshmi constantly attends upon! The greatest of sages and saints cherish His feet! The same feet that go around in the company of Gokula's cowherds, and the same feet bearing the vermilion marks from the doting Gopikas' bosoms!"
There are many more shlokas in the same vein, pouring out Akrura's devotional thoughts about the good fortune of the people of Vraja, Bhagavan's compassion, and the momentous meeting that is about to take place for him.
Then suddenly, Akrura is filled with doubt, which he answers himself.
न मय्युपैष्यत्यरिबुद्धिमच्युतः कंसस्य दूतः प्रहितोऽपि विश्वदृक् ।
योऽन्तर्बहिश्चेतस एतदीहितं क्षेत्रज्ञ ईक्षत्यमलेन चक्षुषा ॥
T: "What if Sri Krishna takes me to be an adversary, coming from the court of the archvillain Kamsa!? What will be then his attitude? Of course, I know! He is the Lord who dwells inside and outside everyone, isn't he!? He is indeed the Supreme Knower of all existence, and has an untainted vision of Truth in all. So he knows what is in my heart!"
***
Soon, Akrura arrived at Vraja. He saw the marks of hooves of cattle and realised this was the sacred place of Sri Krishna. His ecstasy intensified. And then he saw the two brothers, Balarama and Sri Krishna, arrive, having brought the cattle back from grazing!
ददर्श कृष्णं रामं च व्रजे गोदोहनं गतौ । पीतनीलाम्बरधरौ शरदम्बुरुहेक्षणौ ॥
किशोरौ श्यामलश्वेतौ श्रीनिकेतौ बृहद्भुजौ । सुमुखौ सुन्दरवरौ बलद्विरदविक्रमौ ॥
T: Akrura now beheld Sri Krishna and Balarama, returning from milking the cows. They wore yellow and blue garments. Their eyes resembled the lotuses blooming in autumn. They were bubbling with youth and were respectively of a darker and fairer complexion. In them, all beauty and prosperity had made their homes. They had massive arms, were so very sweet-faced, supreme in male beauty, and resembled mighty tuskers exuding valour.
रथात्तूर्णमवप्लुत्य सोऽक्रूरः स्नेहविह्वलः । पपात चरणोपान्ते दण्डवद्रामकृष्णयोः ॥
भगवद्दर्शनाह्लादबाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः । पुलकाचिताङ्ग औत्कण्ठ्यात्स्वाख्याने नाशकन्नृप ॥
T: Akrura alighted from his chariot, overcome by affection. He simply fell flat at the feet of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Balarama. Having been granted His Darshan by Bhagavan, Akrura's face had tears streaming, dimming his vision, He felt a thrill all over his body, and his voice choked with emotion. He was unable to speak.
भगवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य रथाङ्गाङ्कितपाणिना । परिरेभेऽभ्युपाकृष्य प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः ॥
T: Bhagavan understood Akrura completely. With his lotus hand bearing the divine mark of Chakra, he clasped Akrura to his bosom. Bhagavan evidenced His great joy at meeting His devotee Akrura.
निवेद्य गां चातिथये संवाह्य श्रान्तमादृतः । अन्नं बहुगुणं मेध्यं श्रद्धयोपाहरद्विभुः ॥
T: Sri Krishna gifted Akrura, the honoured guest, a cow. He massaged his feet and legs. Then he fed him a sumptuous feast with sincere cordiality.
पप्रच्छ सत्कृतं नन्दः कथं स्थ निरनुग्रहे । कंसे जीवति दाशार्ह सौनपाला इवावयः ॥
T: After these respectful courtesies, King Nanda enquired of Akrura. "Sir, may I enquire about something on my mind? When the most murderous Kamsa is on the throne, unkind in every way, how do noble people like you live? Is it not a life like that of sheep under the care of a butcher?"
योऽवधीत्स्वस्वसुस्तोकान् क्रोशन्त्या असुतृप् खलः । किं नु स्वित्तत्प्रजानां वः कुशलं विमृशामहे ॥
T: "Making this enquiry is also somewhat futile, knowing how the self-obsessed Kamsa murdered his own sister's infants at birth even while they were crying! One can surmise your condition well."
Akrura felt very much at home, at peace after meeting with Sri Krishna, and was much relieved after receiving such cordial hospitality from King Nanda.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
