Sachi R

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2022/08/aug-26.html

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam XII. snippet 11 - 5 September 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 11- Tuesday, 5 September 2023 - my own thoughts.
***

Tomorrow is Sri Krishna Janmashtami, occurring on Ashtami Rohini as per my calendar. I shall be reading the final chapter of the final Skandha and completing my study of Srimad Bhagavatam.

I must confess that I have not done such a great job in this study. I was prompted by Dr. Venkat Subrahmanyan, Director of Vyoma, last year to study Bhagavatam. I had already read the English version of Swami Tejomayananda's book which captured a series of his lectures on Srimad Bhagavatam. I had also attended his Bhagavata Stuti Mala camp in Adi Shankara Nilayam. So my enthusiasm to follow up on Sri. Venkat's suggestion was great. All it needed was a final push which came from Guruji Smt. Ananthalakshmi Mami when I attended her Narayana Tirtha Day. Last year, I began this study on Janmashtami. This has gone on on a daily basis without letup. That is indeed Sri Krishna's immense grace. I have also received many many encouraging signals from reader well-wishers.

I have failed to live Srimad Bhagavatam 24x7. I am still not so focussed as I would like to be. The only saving grace in my effort is the immense, yes, immense, joy I have experienced every day. That should keep me motivated.

Today I wanted to ruminate on what are my takeaways. Luckily, I found a chapter capturing precisely my thoughts!

स वै पुंसां परो धर्मो यतो भक्तिरधोक्षजे ।

अहैतुक्यप्रतिहता ययाऽऽत्मा सम्प्रसीदति ॥

That is the supreme Dharma for man which evokes unstinted, desireless love for Sri Krishna as this is the sole means to experience the delight of the Atma.

Vairagya and Jnana naturally follow from Bhakti. Bhakti replaces worldly desires (=Vairagya) and makes one see life differently, without attachment (Jnana).

धर्मः स्वनुष्ठितः पुंसां विष्वक्सेनकथासु यः ।

नोत्पादयेद्यदि रतिं श्रम एव हि केवलम् ॥

Men engage in several activities and religious rituals, all with the desire for worldly benefits.

All such religious efforts that do not develop unstinting devotion are a mere waste of effort and sweat with no benefit at all.

Many maintain that Dharma - righteous living and ritual, is after all for securing worldly good and a better life in heaven thereafter. But the desire for pleasures and wealth cannot ever be true Dharma, as it does not evoke a search for ultimate liberation, the summum bonum, which can be obtained only by the search for Brahman (formless Godhood), Paramatman (the Supreme Being), Bhagavan (the lovable and worshippable God with form), these three ideas all leading to the same state of liberation.

तच्छ्रद्दधाना मुनयो ज्ञानवैराग्ययुक्तया ।

पश्यन्त्यात्मनि चात्मानं भक्त्या श्रुतगृहीतया ॥

The sages with Jnana and Vairagya and true dedication who listen to Srimad Bhagavatam develop unstinting devotion and are bound to find the Supreme Being in their own hearts.

In a wonderful way, the Supreme Being, through the Yogamaya Shakti (creative power) under His control, combines in infinite ways the three Gunas and manifests in all creation. He is yet untainted therefrom while infusing all existence with consciousness emanating from His pure Supreme Being.

The Lord alone manifests through His Leela (sport) as gods, humans, animals, and everything else. He protects and nourishes all creation. Therefore it is easy for a simple and honest person to discover the wonder of creation and the true joy of loving Bhagavan present in everything and everyone. All it needs is honest seeking.

Finally, living in the presence of Bhagavan always means we experience the ultimate Bliss, Love, Beauty and Intuition which is the core of true existence, as these four are beyond Maya. This is also the message of my Guru Shri Ishwar Puri.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Monday, September 4, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam XII. snippet 10 - 4 September 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 10- Monday, 4 September 2023 - The Gopis and their songs.
***

Bhakti is the way. Speaking to Bhagavan is prayer. Longing for his union is seeking.
The Gopis of Vraja are the ideal for us to follow. Here is a paraphrasing of their song!

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-a31-gopi-geeta-1.html

The Gopis search for Sri Krishna who has disappeared from their midst. They are crazily forlorn and burst into song. I am writing in English but the original shlokas and their translation are given in the blogpost linked above.

Dear Krishna? Where are you? Please don’t hide!

Your birth has made Vraja better than heaven,

As proof, the goddess of fortune has descended here!

You have enslaved us with your deadly glances

More ravishing than all the autumnal lotus blooms!

Our hero! You’ve saved us from Kaliya, Agha, Arishta, wind, fire and rain,

Only to hide now and throw us into despondency?

You’re our indweller Lord, but yet, we do crave to see you too!

Your touch is a blessing, your smile is a cleansing, but you’re now missing, Krishna!

Your feet bless this Vraja’s soil, are worshipped by Lakshmi, and

Coveted for shelter by saints. Please place them on our burning bosoms now!

Oh, for your sweet words! Oh, for your sweet lips! We are thirsty, oh, Krishna!

Your stories are nectarine, sung by the best of poets,

They absolve us of the anguish of worldly life, sanctifying on merely entering our ears.

No wonder only the worthy souls hear them!

This is indeed insane. You brought us the greatest joy by your smile, your glance and touch.

Now, bereft of these, we are all most wretched!

Oh, we are worried, Krishna! We don’t want your tender lotus feet

To hurt on Vraja’s pebbles and thorns! Come, let’s take care of them, please!

The best moment of the day is when you return fetching the cattle after grazing!

Your dark tresses are then covered with dust and look so beautiful!

Now listen, Krishna. You dare not cheat us and go away like this,

When we left our homes, husbands, all, to be with you!

We were drawn away beyond our control by the sweet strains of your flute.

Don’t you see our misery, our suffering? The only antidote is your company, dearest!

You are our world. You are our life. You are our lone joy. Please come back!

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam XII. snippet 9 - 3 September 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 9- Sunday, 3 September 2023 - Uddhava Geeta.
***

The portion of Srimad Bhagavatam wherein Bhagavan Sri Krishna gives his detailed spiritual instruction to his beloved devotee Uddhava is treated as a separate book of great importance. It is called Uddhava Gita. This is at the end of Sri Krishna Avatara. There is a great deal of poignancy in Uddhava. But he rises mentally to seek the insights and grace from Bhagavan.

Uddhava asks searching questions of Bhagavan. His replies are pure gems, straight from the mouth of Bhagavan himself, as sacred as the Srimad Bhagavadgita. So today I make some snippets from those posts.
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi07-part-10-july-2023.html

Uddhava asked:
सत्यस्य ते स्वदृश आत्मन आत्मनोऽन्यं वक्तारमीश विबुधेष्वपि नानुचक्षे ।
सर्वे विमोहितधियस्तव माययेमे ब्रह्मादयस्तनुभृतो बहिरर्थभावाः ॥
तस्माद्भवन्तमनवद्यमनन्तपारं सर्वज्ञमीश्वरमकुण्ठविकुण्ठधिष्ण्यम् ।
निर्विण्णधीरहमु ह वृजिनाभितप्तो नारायणं नरसखं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥
Dear Bhagavan, you are the Absolute Truth, the Ishwara and you alone can reveal yourself to your devotees. Apart from you. I can't think of any teacher to explain this path to me. You are the incomparable teacher, and also, even Brahma and the gods are deluded by your Maya. There is thus no surprise that we embodied beings think of this body and its world to be everything!
Bhagavan, feeling weary of material life and tormented by its distresses, I now surrender to you as the perfect master. You are the unlimited, all-knowing Paramatma Ishwara, whose spiritual abode in Vaikuntha is free from all disturbances. In fact, you are known as Narayana, which means the true friend of all living beings!

श्रीभगवानुवाच
प्रायेण मनुजा लोके लोकतत्त्वविचक्षणाः । समुद्धरन्ति ह्यात्मानमात्मनैवाशुभाशयात् ॥
आत्मनो गुरुरात्मैव पुरुषस्य विशेषतः । यत्प्रत्यक्षानुमानाभ्यां श्रेयोऽसावनुविन्दते ॥
पुरुषत्वे च मां धीराः साङ्ख्ययोगविशारदाः । आविस्तरां प्रपश्यन्ति सर्वशक्त्युपबृंहितम् ॥
एकद्वित्रिचतुष्पादो बहुपादस्तथापदः । बह्व्यः सन्ति पुरः सृष्टास्तासां मे पौरुषी प्रिया ॥
अत्र मां मार्गयन्त्यद्धा युक्ता हेतुभिरीश्वरम् । गृह्यमाणैर्गुणैर्लिङ्गैरग्राह्यमनुमानतः ॥
Bhagavan replied: Dear Uddhava, those who can expertly analyse the human condition and its misery generally manage to rise above the life of physical gratifications. In fact, such a person with intelligence becomes his own spiritual master. Those advanced in this path of Sankhya (discrimination) can see me and my Maya clearly. This world has many types of living entities, those with one, two, three, four, many feet, some slithering without feet and so on. Of all these forms, the human form is dearest to me. Because I am beyond mental constructs derived from sense experiences, the human being with intelligence goes beyond physical perceptions to directly search for me beyond the mind. This can be realised directly or by inference.
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi10-14-july-2023.html
यमानभीक्ष्णं सेवेत नियमान् मत्पर: क्व‍‍चित् । मदभिज्ञं गुरुं शान्तमुपासीत मदात्मकम् ॥
The one devoted to me should practise self-restraint always. He should seek the true Guru who knows me and who is peaceful (having subdued all his senses) and worship that Guru as identical to me.
अमान्यमत्सरो दक्षो निर्ममोद‍ृढसौहृद: । असत्वरोऽर्थजिज्ञासुरनसूयुरमोघवाक् ॥
जायापत्यगृहक्षेत्रस्वजनद्रविणादिषु । उदासीन: समं पश्यन् सर्वेष्वर्थमिवात्मन: ॥
The characteristics of a true seeker are: he is egoless, he is non-jealous, he is adept in his work, he has no attachment to people or things and is a trustworthy friend to all. He is not easily tempted or excited. He considers the inner truth in everything. He does not envy anyone and never speaks ill of anyone. He is within indifferent to his wife, children, home and land as well as relatives and wealth which matter a great deal to most people. He thus sees everything holistically and equanimously as one's own Self. "No I and Mine".
विलक्षण: स्थूलसूक्ष्माद् देहादात्मेक्षिता स्वद‍ृक् । यथाग्निर्दारुणो दाह्याद् दाहकोऽन्य: प्रकाशक: ॥
निरोधोत्पत्त्यणुबृहन्नानात्वं तत्कृतान् गुणान् । अन्त:प्रविष्ट आधत्त एवं देहगुणान् पर: ॥
The Atma and the body are like fire and firewood. The firewood cannot burn without fire, and indeed is not fire. The Atma and the material body possess different characteristics and are separate entities. Just as fire may appear differently as dormant, manifest, weak, brilliant and so on, according to the condition of the fuel, similarly, the Atma enters a material body and accepts that particular body's characteristics.
योऽसौ गुणैर्विरचितो देहोऽयं पुरुषस्य हि । संसारस्तन्निबन्धोऽयं पुंसो विद्याच्छिदात्मन: ॥
तस्माज्जिज्ञासयात्मानमात्मस्थं केवलं परम् । सङ्गम्य निरसेदेतद्वस्तुबुद्धिं यथाक्रमम् ॥
All subtle and gross matter and bodies are created through Prakriti and are a part of Bhagavan. The Maya casts the veil of ignorance that creates a sense of separateness while there is no real separation.
Therefore, by the cultivation of true knowledge, one should approach Bhagavan situated within oneself. By understanding the Lord’s pure, transcendental existence, one should gradually give up the false vision of the material world as an independent reality.

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi10-14-july-2023.html
कोऽन्वर्थ: सुखयत्येनं कामो वा मृत्युरन्तिके । आघातं नीयमानस्य वध्यस्येव न तुष्टिद: ॥
When death hangs overhead constantly, how can one truly enjoy material pleasures? Isn't one like a man on the gallows, being led steadily toward one's execution?
श्रुतं च द‍ृष्टवद् दुष्टं स्पर्धासूयात्ययव्ययै: । बह्वन्तरायकामत्वात् कृषिवच्चापि निष्फलम् ॥
Cultivating hopes of pleasures here or in heaven is fraught with the pain of competition, jealousy, and the perishable nature of these experiences. It is as difficult as agriculture in which pests, weeds, diseases and drought beset every crop.

Uddhava asked:
कथं वर्तेत विहरेत् कैर्वा ज्ञायेत लक्षणै: । किं भुञ्जीतोत विसृजेच्छयीतासीत याति वा ॥
एतदच्युत मे ब्रूहि प्रश्न‍ं प्रश्न‍‌विदां वर । नित्यबद्धो नित्यमुक्त एक एवेति मे भ्रम: ॥
Dear Lord Achyuta, how does one identify a liberated man? How does he behave, what does he accept, what does he reject, how does he sleep, and function? Indeed, you are the best among those who can answer me, Lord! My confusion is how a constantly bound Jiva can ever become a permanently liberated Atma!?

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi11-15-july-2023.html
Bhagavan replied:
First of all. the Jiva and Ishwara are co-residents in the body, eternal friends, like two birds on a tree. The Jiva eats the fruits good and bad, but Ishwara is blissful, never eating the fruits. Ishwara is of the nature of Sat-Chit-Ananda = Perfect knowledge and bliss established in truth. The Jiva on the other hand is ignorant, intent on eating the fruits in the hope of some fulfilment. This is ignorance or Avidya, eternal, whereas Ishwara is in Vidya, also eternal. These two paradigms are thus eternal and distinguish the two. When a dreamer wakes up, he is no longer thinking of his condition as a dreamer. The liberated one is permanently woken up from his association with his body, and this earthly persona.
The illumined man can see his bodily senses interacting with sense-objects maintaining a true sense of detachment and non-identification with these factors of Maya/Prakriti. On the other hand, by the force of his past Karmas, the bound man considers himself as the body or the experiencer of the sense inputs like pleasure and pain.
Thus, answering your question, dear Uddhava, the liberated man walks, sleeps, sits, bathes, sees, touches, smells, eats and hears as a mere witness of his senses and his body! He is in the body but unaffected, just as the sky, wind and sun are unaffected by the bodies. The sun is reflected in the water but remains unaffected. This witnessing is a powerful sword to cut down ignorance and doubt, creating the same effect like the act of waking up does for a dreamer.

So, dear Uddhava, if you cannot withdraw yourself from the world and be immersed in me as Brahman, you have the equally effective alternative of worshipping me through all actions as a detached doer expecting no personal gains. Listen to stories of my glories and Leelas that sanctify the world. Sing, chant, meditate on me with love, spending your days in work as worship. You will develop eternal and blissful Bhakti thus in me! Such Bhakti quickly brings you to me and liberates you.

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi-12-16-july-2023.html
ता नाविदन् मय्यनुषङ्गबद्धधिय: स्वमात्मानमदस्तथेदम् ।

यथा समाधौ मुनयोऽब्धितोये नद्य: प्रविष्टा इव नामरूपे ॥

मत्कामा रमणं जारमस्वरूपविदोऽबला: । ब्रह्म मां परमं प्रापु: सङ्गाच्छतसहस्रश: ॥
My dear Uddhava, just as great sages in Samadhi merge into me like rivers merging into the ocean, and thus lose awareness of material names and forms, similarly, the Gopis of Vrindavan were so completely immersed in me within their minds that they could not think of their own bodies, or of this world, or of their future. Their entire consciousness was simply bound up in me.
Those Gopis loved me with their entire being as Sri Krishna, hardly knowing me to be Parabrahman, and yet they attained me in that supreme state alone, with a thousandfold intensity! This means knowledge is much less important than Bhakti.

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/07/srimad-bhagavatam-xi14-18-july-2023.html
न तथा मे प्रियतम आत्मयोनिर्न शङ्करः । न च सङ्कर्षणो न श्रीर्नैवात्मा च यथा भवान् ॥
For me, nobody is dearer than this devotee, not Brahma, not Shiva, not Adishesha, not even Sri Lakshmi. You, Uddhava, are such a devotee!
I am subservient to the sage who is desireless, tranquil and equipoised, and I want the worlds under me to be sanctified by the dust of his feet. Even those who covet Moksha are denied this supreme bliss that is the privilege of the devotee who wants nothing but me. These devotees have universal love for all beings. They have no stain of lust/desire.
***
A question arises. What if the devotee is truly in love with Bhagavan, but still has some worldly desires and attractions? See Bhagavan’s answer!
***
बाध्यमानोऽपि मद्भक्तो विषयैरजितेन्द्रियः । प्रायः प्रगल्भया भक्त्या विषयैर्नाभिभूयते ॥
यथाग्निः सुसमृद्धार्चिः करोत्येधांसि भस्मसात् । तथा मद्विषया भक्तिरुद्धवैनांसि कृत्स्नशः ॥
Even if my devotee has not conquered his senses and has some bonds, indeed, by the increase in his Bhakti, he will escape the suffering from these desires. Just as the fire burns down all fuel to ashes, the strength of his Bhakti in me burns down his worldly desires.

***

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b60-31-may-2023.html

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam XII. snippet 8 - 2 September 2023

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 8- Saturday, 2 September 2023 - Rukmini, Sri Krishna's remarkable queen.
***

Sri Krishna is stated to have had 16108 queens. When he saved Parikshit in the womb of Uttaraa attacked by Brahmanstra launched by the evil Ashwatthama to eradicate the Pandava line, Sri Krishna swore on his Brahmacharya to save the baby and also gave him Darshan as the Supreme Bhagavan in the womb itself. That pretty much clears Bhagavan Sri Krishna as the Leela Avatara play-acting the role of the dutiful husband to no less than 16108 queens!

What about the queens themselves? Srimad Bhagavatam says that they were completely besotted with their divine husband, who fulfilled every desire of theirs and played the best husband ever. He was equally loving to all. He was always with each of them in his Leela Avatara.

Devi Rukmini
The superstar among Sri Krishna’s queens is Rukmini. She is a princess who dares to defy her powerful and evil brother Rukmi with his powerful supporters like Jarasandha, the nearly unconquerable Asuric king and father-in-law of Kamsa himself. She defies the diktat that for political convenience she should wed, Shishupala who was the sworn enemy of Sri Krishna. Rulmini defied her powerful brother and sought the love of Sri Krishna who responded magnificently.

सोपश्रुत्य मुकुन्दस्य रूपवीर्यगुणश्रियः । गृहागतैर्गीयमानास्तं मेने सदृशं पतिम् ॥

तां बुद्धिलक्षणौदार्यरूपशीलगुणाश्रयाम् । कृष्णश्च सदृशीं भार्यां समुद्वोढुं मनो दधे ॥

"Hearing of the beauty, prowess, transcendental character and opulence of Mukunda Sri Krishna from visitors to the palace who sang his praises, Rukmini decided in her mind that he would make the perfect husband for her. At the same time, Sri Krishna knew that Rukmini possessed intelligence, auspicious bodily markings, magnanimity, beauty, perfect demeanour and all other good qualities. Concluding that she would be an ideal wife for him, Sri Krishna made up his mind to marry her."

Rukmini now sent her famous secret letter to Sri Krishna through a trusted Brahmin to Dwaraka urging Sri Krishna to come and rescue her and marry her. This is her letter:

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b52-23-may-2023.html
रुक्मिण्युवाच ( It could be either a written letter to avoid ambiguity or a verbal message that the Brahmin was gifted in being able to repeat verbatim!)
श्रुत्वा गुणान् भुवनसुन्दर श‍ृण्वतां ते निर्विश्य कर्णविवरैर्हरतोऽङ्गतापम् ।
रूपं दृशां दृशिमतामखिलार्थलाभं त्वय्यच्युताविशति चित्तमपत्रपं मे ॥
का त्वा मुकुन्द महती कुलशीलरूपविद्यावयोद्रविणधामभिरात्मतुल्यम् ।
धीरा पतिं कुलवती न वृणीत कन्या काले नृसिंह नरलोकमनोऽभिरामम् ॥
तन्मे भवान् खलु वृतः पतिरङ्गजायामात्मार्पितश्च भवतोऽत्र विभो विधेहि ।
मा वीरभागमभिमर्शतु चैद्य आराद्गोमायुवन्मृगपतेर्बलिमम्बुजाक्ष ॥
पूर्तेष्टदत्तनियमव्रतदेवविप्रगुर्वर्चनादिभिरलं भगवान् परेशः ।
आराधितो यदि गदाग्रज एत्य पाणिं गृह्णातु मे न दमघोषसुतादयोऽन्ये ॥
श्वोभाविनि त्वमजितोद्वहने विदर्भान्गुप्तः समेत्य पृतनापतिभिः परीतः ।
निर्मथ्य चैद्यमगधेन्द्रबलं प्रसह्यमां राक्षसेनविधिनोद्वह वीर्यशुल्काम् ॥
अन्तःपुरान्तरचरीमनिहत्य बन्धून्त्वामुद्वहे कथमिति प्रवदाम्युपायम् ।
पूर्वेद्युरस्ति महती कुलदेवियात्रा यस्यां बहिर्नववधूर्गिरिजामुपेयात् ॥
Rukmini said: "Oh the embodiment of the beauty of the worlds, the descriptions of your divine qualities remove my bodily distress the moment I hear them. Sri Krishna, I have heard how just one look at your astounding beauty forever satisfies the desires of anyone in respect of seeking to see beauty. Therefore, Sri Krishna, I now confess my unabashed love for you. Oh, Mukunda, you are equal only to yourself (i.e. you are non-pareil) in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, youthfulness, wealth and influence."
" Oh, lion among men, You delight the minds of all mankind. What aristocratic, sober-minded and marriageable girl of a good family would not choose you for a husband when the proper time comes? Therefore, my dear lord, I have chosen you as my husband, and I surrender myself to you. Please come swiftly, oh almighty one, and make me your wife. My dear lotus-eyed lord, make sure that Shishupala never touches the hero’s portion like a jackal stealing the property of a lion."
(Note: This simile reveals the Kshatriya blood in the girl, drawing a simile from the lord of the forest and his prey.)
"If my worship of the Supreme Being till now through performing Dharmic deeds, Yajnas, charity, rituals and vows of austerity, and also worshipping the gods, Brahmins and gurus, has been true and efficacious, then may Gadagraja (name of Sri Krishna whose younger brother Gada was born to Vasudeva through another queen) come and take my hand, and not Damaghosha’s son (Shishupala) or anyone else!"
"Oh unconquerable Sri Krishna, tomorrow when my marriage ceremony arranged with Shishupala is about to begin, You should arrive unseen in Vidarbha along with your army. Then please crush the forces of Shishupala and Jarasandha and marry me in the Rakshasa way (i.e. abduction by force), winning me with your valour!"
"Please note this carefully. Since I am confined within the inner, ladies' quarter of the palace, you may wonder how to take me away without killing the women guarding me. But there is a way! Just the day before the wedding, we will go on a procession to worship our family deity Ma Durga in the Girija Temple. I will therefore be in that group in open spaces and accessible. "
See the wonderful spirit of Devi Rukmini and her choice of words! Indeed the ideal queen for Sri Krishna!
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजःस्नपनं महान्तो वाञ्छन्त्युमापतिरिवात्मतमोऽपहत्यै ।
यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्ष न लभेय भवत्प्रसादं जह्यामसून् व्रतकृशान् शतजन्मभिः स्यात् ॥
T: "Oh, lotus-eyed Lord! I know that even great souls like Lord Shiva hanker to bathe in the dust of your lotus feet in order to overcome the delusory effect of Maya that hides Paramatma. If I cannot obtain your mercy, I shall simply give up my life breath, as I am weakened already from my severe penances. Then, I will have to wait for many lifetimes to secure your compassion!"

The Brahmin concluded gravely, "My Lord! This is the message I have brought from Princess Rukmini. Kindly consider her plea and do what you deem best. “

Subsequently, we have read how Sri Krishna went and heroically saved and married Rukmini.

***Intermission***

Now, fast forward to their domestic blissful life. There is a wonderful dialogue of Sri Krishna and Rukmini covering a gamut of lessons for us!See the spirit in which Rukmini replies!

श्रीशुक उवाच
कर्हिचित्सुखमासीनं स्वतल्पस्थं जगद्गुरुम् । पतिं पर्यचरद्भैष्मी व्यजनेन सखीजनैः ॥
यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वरः । स हि जातः स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वजः ॥
Sage Shuka narrated: On one occasion, Queen Rukmini was seated on her couch in the inner chamber with Bhagavan Sri Krishna, surrounded by servants. Rukmini was lovingly fanning her beloved husband, who is indeed by His Leela the creator, devourer and protector at the same time of this universe!

Sage Shuka describes the most evocative scene of connubial bliss enjoyed by Rukmini and Sri Krishna.
Rukmini's palace was magnificent, boasting a canopy hung with brilliant strings of pearls, as well as effulgent jewels shining like lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers hung here and there, attracting swarms of humming bees, and the spotless rays of the moon shone through the holes, and the cool breeze carried the mood of a Parijata garden into the room. There the Queen served her husband, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds, as He reclined upon an opulent pillow on her bed, which was as soft and white as the foam of milk. Rukmini took the Yak-hair fan from her maid's hand and fanned her beloved Sri Krishna holding its bejewelled handle. Her bracelets tinkled from her effort, and she looked resplendent as she stood fanning her lord. Her jewelled ankle-bells tinkled occasionally, and her necklace glittered, reddened by the vermilion smeared on her breasts, which were covered by the end of her sari. On her waist, she wore a priceless belt.
Sri Krishna was delighted that Devi Lakshmi had taken the form of Rukmini and was with him. Her charming face was adorned with curling hair, earrings, and a locket on her neck, and out poured the nectar of her bright, happy smile.

The Lord then spoke to her as follows. Indeed, his words changed the mood completely!

"My dear princess, you were sought after by many kings powerful like the guardians of the quarters. They had abundant political influence, wealth, beauty, generosity and physical strength. Your brother and father wanted you to choose from them. Why did you reject the King of Cedi (Shishupala) and all those other suitors, who stood before you, hopelessly in love with you? Why, instead, did you choose me, who am not at all your equal?"
"My dear Rukmini, you know how we built our safe haven in the sea as we were afraid of their attacks. We even gave up Mathura's royal throne. "
"You well know how it is. Women who choose men of unpredictable nature by defying society's norms are known to suffer much. We have no material possessions, and we are dear to only those similarly impoverished. Indeed, Oh slender one, the wealthy hardly ever worship me.”
ययोरात्मसमं वित्तं जन्मैश्वर्याकृतिर्भवः । तयोर्विवाहो मैत्री च नोत्तमाधमयोः क्वचित् ॥
"Marriage and friendship are proper between two people who are equal in terms of their wealth, birth, influence, physical appearance and capacity for good progeny, but never between a superior and an inferior. Oh, Princess of Vidarbha, I am afraid that not being farsighted, you didn’t realise this, and therefore you chose me as your husband, even though we have no good qualities, simply by listening to glowing stories about us narrated by deluded beggars!"
“The prudent thing for you, therefore, is to take a more suitable husband, a first-class man of the royal order who can help you achieve everything you want, both in this life and the next. Shishupala, Dantavaktra, Jarasandha, Rukmi, all hate me.”
तेषां वीर्यमदान्धानां दृप्तानां स्मयनुत्तये ।आनीतासि मया भद्रे तेजोऽपहरतासताम् ॥
T: "I must tell you that I came and carried you away only to dispel the arrogance of those kings. My good woman, they were blinded by the intoxication of power. My purpose was to curb the strength of the wicked."
उदासीना वयं नूनं न स्त्र्यपत्यार्थकामुकाः । आत्मलब्ध्याऽऽस्महे पूर्णा गेहयोर्ज्योतिरक्रियाः ॥  

The important thing to know is that our nature (he means my nature) is such that we care nothing for wives, children, wealth, and the pleasures of a comfortable life with family and fortune. On the other hand, we are always content within ourselves and do not work to enrich the physical body and material home. We are akin to light, that gets attached to nothing, and stays a witness always!"

Why these pungent words and unhappy suggestions to Rukmini in a moment of connubial bliss?
Rukmini's apple cart seemed to topple instantly. her sangfroid was shattered by the Lord's uncaring words and advice that she go and take a new and better husband! Her fan slipped down, she also fainted and collapsed in utter dismay.

Sri Krishna knew she had not understood his humour. He knew how much she loved him. He lifted her and embraced her most lovingly now. "My dearest, Rukmini, don't take my words seriously! I only joked!" Wiping her tears, caressing her lovely face, Sri Krishna continued, 'My dearest, I only wanted to push you to respond to these words, and looked forward to what you would say!" " Please, please, don't be cross, Rukmini! You know we householders like to joke like this at home with our near and dear ones!"
Rukmini quickly composed herself, and smiling, she responded. Her words made me choose this topic for today's snippet!

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/06/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b60-1-june-2023.html

श्रीशुक उवाच
सैवं भगवता राजन् वैदर्भी परिसान्‍त्‍विता । ज्ञात्वा तत्परिहासोक्तिं प्रियत्यागभयं जहौ ॥
बभाष ऋषभं पुंसां वीक्षन्ती भगवन्मुखम् । सव्रीडहासरुचिरस्‍निग्धापाङ्गेन भारत ॥
Sage Shuka continued: Consoled by Sri Krishna's disarming confession that he had only spoken in jest and feeling his effusive and sincere affection showered on her, Rukmini recovered her composure and smiled, looking bashfully sidelong at Sri Krishna and then spoke.

श्रीरुक्‍मिण्युवाच
नन्वेवमेतदरविन्दविलोचनाह यद्वै भवान् भगवतोऽसद‍ृशी विभूम्न: ।
क्व‍ स्वे महिम्न्यभिरतो भगवांस्‍त्र्यधीश: क्व‍ाहं गुणप्रकृतिरज्ञगृहीतपादा ॥
सत्यं भयादिव गुणेभ्य उरुक्रमान्त: शेते समुद्र उपलम्भनमात्र आत्मा ।
नित्यं कदिन्द्रियगणै: कृतविग्रहस्त्वं त्वत्सेवकैर्नृपपदं विधुतं तमोऽन्धम् ॥
त्वत्पादपद्ममकरन्दजुषां मुनीनां वर्त्मास्फुटं नृपशुभिर्ननु दुर्विभाव्यम् ।
यस्मादलौकिकमिवेहितमीश्वरस्य भूमंस्तवेहितमथो अनु ये भवन्तम् ॥
Sri Rukmini spoke: "Oh, Lord with lotus-eyes, indeed what you have said is true. I am unsuitable and not your equal in any way! You are the supreme Bhagavan, master of the three worlds, delighting in Paramatma always, and I a mere mortal pursued by trivial men! You are Trivikrama, residing in the ocean (a pun on Dwaraka and the Milky Ocean), hiding as it were from the Maya of three Gunas, rejecting royal living to stay away from the sense enemies, something that even your servants are wise to follow! Coming to your inscrutability, yes, I agree. When sages who dwell as honey-bees in your lotus feet are themselves unable to understand you, what about men who live like animals giving in to sense pleasures? Not only you, oh, Lord, but even your followers are also hard to understand!"
In this vein, Rukmini answered each of the points raised by Sri Krishna, demonstrating the intellect and wisdom of the best of devotees.
निष्किञ्चनो ननु भवान् न यतोऽस्ति किञ्चिद्यस्मै बलिं बलिभुजोऽपि हरन्त्यजाद्या: ।
न त्वा विदन्त्यसुतृपोऽन्तकमाढ्यतान्धा: प्रेष्ठो भवान् बलिभुजामपि तेऽपि तुभ्यम् ॥
त्वं वै समस्तपुरुषार्थमय: फलात्मा यद्वाञ्छया सुमतयो विसृजन्ति कृत्‍स्‍नम् ।
तेषां विभो समुचितो भवत: समाज: पुंस: स्‍त्रियाश्च रतयो: सुखदु:खिनोर्न ॥
त्वं न्यस्तदण्डमुनिभिर्गदितानुभाव आत्मात्मदश्च जगतामिति मे वृतोऽसि ।
हित्वा भवद्भ्रुव उदीरितकालवेग ध्वस्ताशिषोऽब्जभवनाकपतीन् कुतोऽन्ये ॥
जाड्यं वचस्तव गदाग्रज यस्तु भूपान् विद्राव्य शार्ङ्गनिनदेन जहर्थ मां त्वम् ।
सिंहो यथा स्वबलिमीश पशून् स्वभागं तेभ्यो भयाद् यदुदधिं शरणं प्रपन्न: ॥
यद्वाञ्छया नृपशिखामणयोऽङ्गवैन्यजायन्तनाहुषगयादय ऐक्यपत्यम् ।
राज्यं विसृज्य विविशुर्वनमम्बुजाक्ष सीदन्ति तेऽनुपदवीं त इहास्थिता: किम् ॥
"That you possess nothing materially is because nothing is outside of you, oh, Lord, the very reason even Brahma (who receives Yajna offerings) worships you! Those engrossed in their own wealth fail to see you as Kaala (Death!) that ends all possessions. Coming to courting your company instead of harbouring animosity, only the wise give up all else and surrender to you, not those stuck in pleasure and pain of lusty desires."
" You are the embodiment of all human goals and are yourself the final aim of life. Desiring to attain you, oh, all-powerful Lord, intelligent persons abandon everything else. It is they who are worthy of your association, not men and women absorbed in the pleasures and griefs resulting from their lives of lust."
"Consider this. Even those on the path of Sannyasa (ascetic renunciation) give up their staff and surrender to you finally! Is there any surprise then that I rejected Brahma, Shiva and other gods and came to you (harks to Sri Lakshmi's wedding Maha Vishnu when she rose from the Milky Ocean). Your mere twitching of eyebrows is enough to annihilate creation. So those proud of their possessions are foolish. What question then remains about why I rejected other mortal kings?"
"My Lord, like a lion drives away lesser animals to claim his proper tribute, you dispersed rival kings with your Sharnga bow when they came and attacked you. How can you say a foolish thing now that you ran away and hid in the middle of the ocean?"
Rukmini lists the names of many kings over the ages who abandoned their throne and went seeking the Lord to an ascetic life in the forest - Nahusha, Anga, Jayanta, Gaya... Bhagavan Sri Krishna's lotus feet are the shelter of even Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; these are what Rukmini has sought. How could she have sought anyone else?
"May your feet, which give freedom from illusion to the one approaching them for worship, give shelter to me, I who have been wandering from one material situation to another. Never for me the life of other women who have sought other men - all of them nothing but a living corpse covered with skin, whiskers, nails, head-hair and body-hair and filled with flesh, bones, blood, parasites, faeces, mucus, bile and air. Oh, lotus-eyed one, though you are satisfied within yourself- Paramatma- and thus rarely turn your attention toward me, please bless me with steady love for your feet. It is when you assume a predominance of passion in order to manifest the universe that you glance upon me, showing me what is indeed your greatest mercy."

Rukmini concludes by saying that Bhagavan was right to test her as often an unchaste woman covets other men. But Rukmini has demonstrated comprehensively how she is the fitting divine spouse for Bhagavan.

श्रीभगवानुवाच
साध्व्येतच्छ्रोतुकामैस्त्वं राजपुत्री प्रलम्भिता । मयोदितं यदन्वात्थ सर्वं तत् सत्यमेव हि ॥
यान् यान् कामयसे कामान् मय्यकामाय भामिनि । सन्ति ह्येकान्तभक्तायास्तव कल्याणि नित्यदा ॥
उपलब्धं पतिप्रेमपातिव्रत्यं च तेऽनघे । यद्वाक्यैश्चाल्यमानाया न धीर्मय्यपकर्षिता ॥
Bhagavan spoke: "My dearest Rukmini, whatever benedictions you hope for in order to become free of material desires are ever yours, for you have shown that you are an unalloyed devotee. Oh, saintly lady, oh, princess, I jested and confused you only to hear you speak like this. Indeed, everything you said in reply to my words is most certainly true. Oh, sinless one, I have now seen firsthand the pure love and chaste attachment you have for your husband. Even though shaken by my words, your mind could not be pulled away from me!"
Bhagavan adds two very important points. He is always ready to grant liberation. But even those who behave like pious people are quite satisfied with material gains and a worldly life of "domestic happiness." Thus, they miss the summum bonum of devotion. Then there are those who, during Bhagavan's incarnation, secure the rarest gift of being near his human form, and even developing a bond. But they are not, still, beyond the temptation of the world of senses and the deathly grip of Gunas. Hence they fail to take advantage of their most cherishable proximity to Bhagavan!
Sri Krishna declares that Devi Rukmini is the greatest of his devotees and the foremost among his spouses. He mentions with sincere appreciation how Rukmini withstood the ignominy of her brother Rukmi being shamed on the battle-field. Sri Krishna mentions how Rukmi got involved in a gambling match and was killed during the violence that followed, coinciding with the wedding of Aniruddha. Rukmini maintained a most stoic demeanour even after coming to know of Rukmi's death, respecting the occasion and out of respect for Sri Krishna.
मत्वा जिहास इदमङ्गमनन्ययोग्यं तिष्ठेत तत्त्वयि वयं प्रतिनन्दयाम: ॥
T: "Beloved Rukmini, May this greatness of yours remain with you always; I can do nothing to reciprocate except joyfully thanking you for your devotion."
Sage Shuka concludes this report of a most interesting dialogue between Sri Krishna and Rukmini by saying that this was also one of Bhagavan's Leelas and the Lord was play-acting the role of a typical worldly husband! He adds that such sports occurred even between Bhagavan and his other spouses.

***
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥