February 2017 archive

The learned scholars who were immensely pleased with his generosity, said as follows to Yudhisthira, who was filled with humility,

“O crown jewel of the Puru lineage! When your entire lineage was destroyed, the supremely efficient Lord Sri Mahavishnu, out of compassion towards you, has saved this child and handed him to you.

Tasmān nāmnā viṣṇu-rāta iti loke bhaviṣyati

Na sandeho mahā-bhāga mahā-bhāgavato mahān

For this reason, this child will become famous in this world as Vishnu-rāta i.e. one who has been protected and blessed by Vishnu. He will earn endless fame. He will become a supreme devotee of the Lord (Bhāgawata bhakta). He will become a great Mahatma and his fame will last till eternity. There is no doubt in this.

Yudhisthira then enquired, “Will this boy obtain that kind of fame which is appreciated by supreme saints?”

It is normal to ask questions about the future when the horoscope of the infant is prepared. Elders will be anxious to know how the infant would fare during the various stages of life.  They will want to know the various planetary combinations that occur in his life and their impact on his health and other matters. Likewise Yudhisthira too wanted to know whether the boy, through his deeds, would earn that reputation by which saints would hold him in esteem. What a brilliant question he asked!

Contrary to this, we generally want to know whether our child will study well, whether he will go to America, whether he will gain material prosperity, whether he will become a great politician and the like. Here, on the other hand, Yudhisthira wants to know whether the fame that Parikshit would acquire would be such that even saints would hold him in esteem. He was unconcerned about the praises that ordinary people around him heaped.

People these days consider the false praises showered upon them by others, out of some personal expectation, as true praises. They are impressed when people clap for them. They take pride when they have many followers. They are thrilled to see a huge gathering at functions conducted by them. This is not true praise. True praise is that which eminent saints shower. Ordinary false praises are showered by selfish people in order to fulfill their selfish goals.

Yudhisthira further asked, “Will he follow the path that has been laid down by our saintly kings who were from our lineage? In our lineage, we have had many saintly kings.”

This question brings out the greatness of Emperor Yudhisthira. He did not seek to know whether his grandson would expand the empire, earn more wealth and reach supreme materialistic prosperity, whether he would wage wars victoriously and so on. He was more inclined to know whether his grandson would walk on the path of God. Whether he would respect saints? Will he acquire great fame as an ardent devotee of the Lord? Will he look after the citizens well? Will he walk on the righteous path?

What a fine person Yudhisthira was! With such a pure mind Yudhisthira wanted to know about his grandson’s future. From this question of Yudhisthira, it is clear that walking on the path which is appreciated by the eminent saints is itself the most important requirement in life.

People can argue anyway they like. But what is most important is that one should walk on that path and behave in that manner which is appreciated by saints! He should acquire devotion towards Srihari!

Sriman Nārāyaṇa!

The intellect (buddhi) that is eternally fixed upon Paramātma will not succumb to the trap of likes, dislikes and other bad tendencies. It remains as Paramātma at all times. Such person remains in the form of eternal bliss. He himself is bliss. He showers this bliss upon others. How can sorrow exist within him then? Without getting trapped He remains beyond illusion.

Those ignorant ladies were unaware of the greatness of their husband Srikrishna. Just as the foolish persons consider the Supreme Lord, who has incarnated in their lineage, to be a mere human being, these wives considered Krishna to be their husband, who was under their control and who offered them services when alone.

With this the 11^th chapter of the first Canto comes to an end.

First Canto Twelfth Chapter

In this chapter Yudhisthira celebrating the birth of Parikshit is explained.

When Maharishi Suta narrated that Srikrishna had returned to Dwaraka, Maharishi Śounaka enquired,

‘O great Saint! Ashwatthama released the extremely powerful Brahmāstra and destroyed the fetus in the womb of Uttara. But Lord Krishna once again revived the fetus and filled it with life. The wise and great Parikshit was born thereafter. He performed many meritorious deeds. How did he meet his end? What level did he attain after his death? Please narrate this O great saint! We are eager to listen. We seek to listen to the story of Parikshit who received initiation from Maharishi Śuka’.

Maharishi Suta replied, “Yudhisthira, whose desires had been dissolved totally through offering service to the holy feet of Srikrishna, ruled wisely. He loved his citizens as his children and ruled like their father. He utilized his earnings to perform Yagnas by which he earned eligibility for reaching higher planes. He was fortunate to have a good righteous queen and good brothers. He had a vast empire and was the ruler for the entire Jhambu dweepa (earth). His fame spread even to Heaven.

To Yudhisthira, whose mind was engrossed in Lord Krishna, even those luxuries that the Celestials aspire for, did not give joy. To the hungry, only food gives the needed satisfaction. Apart from food, nothing else can give him happiness.

The valourous Parikshit, who was within his mother’s womb saw the fiery Brahmastra approaching to destroy him. At that time he saw a divine celestial who was the size of a thumb. He was pure and was wearing a glittering golden crown. He was extremely handsome. He was dark in appearance and was wearing golden yellow garments. He was changeless (nirvikara). He had 4 long arms. He was wearing golden earrings. His eyes were red in colour. That divine being was rotating a mace that He held in his hand. Just as the Sun melts snow, this divine being neutralized the fieriness of the Brahmastra. Parikshit, who was in his mother’s womb, who was observing this divine being, wondered who it could be.

His form was beyond the understanding of the mind and senses. He was a personification of righteousness. The omnipresent Lord Srihari was that divine being!

Having neutralized the Brahmastra, this Lord immediately disappeared from the view of this fetus, which had just entered the 10^th month. What a wonder! All this took place when the baby was still in its mother’s womb. At an auspicious time when all the planets were in good auspicious positions, the heir of the Pandu lineage was born’ said Maharishi Suta.

Swamiji says: But for Srikrishna’s grace, this boy would not have been born. Who apart from the Lord has the capacity to neutralize the Brahmastra? He blessed the fetus with His darshan in a thumb sized form.

I will explain in detail later the meaning and essence behind the thumb sized form of the Lord. Parikshit was the fortunate being who saw the true form of the Lord even when he was in his mother’s womb. We do not know if anyone else is as blessed as him. What he saw was the original form of the Supreme Lord. What more can be said about his fortune! After all, his parents were noble persons. What about the greatness of his grandparents?  What about the goodness of his other paternal relatives? What was his relation to Paramatma who had saved him? Think deeply about his lineage. How else could the fetus get the strength to withstand the fiery and terrible Brahmastra?

‘Seeing the radiance of this new born baby, the citizens wondered whether Emperor Pandu himself had been re-born!  Yudhisthira, with untold happiness, had the purificatory rituals such as Punyahvacana and Jātakarma performed for the infant through eminent Brahmins such as Dhoumya and Kripacharya.

As Emperor Yudhisthira was well versed in the knowledge that charities had to be given in plenty upon the auspicious occasion of the birth of a son, he gave away gold, cows, land, villages, good elephants, fine horses and plenty of foodgrains in charity to the learned scholars, servants and many other deserving people.

It is the ancient tradition that upon the birth of a child, each person should, according to his/her ability participate in charitable activities. This practice is still being adhered in many households. With the hope that the new born child will be blessed with longevity, good health, good education and will become prosperous, many seek the blessings of their elders and also engage in charitable deeds.

Yudhisthira was after all the epitome of righteousness (dharma raja). How could it be possible for him to not engage in charitable deeds that were righteous in nature? He was not a small king; he was the emperor of the entire earth!

As Srikrishna’s chariot entered the royal path, all the ladies of the royal households went up to the terraces to catch a glimpse of Him.

The citizens of Dwaraka, who were used to having the daily darshan of this Lord who retains Goddess Lakshmi in his heart, were not satisfied even after being in His presence for a very long time that day.

Lord Venkateshwara retains Devi in His heart and hence is Śri-nivasa. Likewise, His chest is the residence for Goddess Lakshmi. His arms are the residence to the guardian-deities of the world and His lotus feet are the shelter to those devotees who glorify Him. His face is nectarous to our eyes.

As the chariot of Lord Krishna, who was decked in golden yellow Pitambara clothes and who was wearing the Vanamala garland, entered the royal paths a white umbrella was held over His head. He was fanned with Vinjāmara fans. Flowers were showered upon Him in plenty. At that time the Lord was glowing magnificently like a cloud that is encircled by the Sun, Stars, Moon, rainbows and lightning.

Srikrishna went to the residence of His parents and bowing His head in deep reverence, He offered obeisance to Devaki and other seven mothers. All of them embraced Him. With overflowing love, the mothers seated Him on their laps. The joyful tears from their eyes wet Him completely.

From there, He proceeded to His luxurious palace, which had in it every form of luxury. In it resided His 8 queens and 16000 women.

The wives, who from a distance observed the arrival of their husband, who had been away for a very long period of time, with great excitement coupled with shyness, stopped their meditations and also the disciplines that they had been practicing in his absence. They immediately got up from their seats and stood up.

These wives, who were of an in-depth character, at first embraced the Lord mentally in their heart. Thereafter they embraced Him by meeting His gaze. From the place where they were standing, they either bent their head in shyness or met His gaze and embraced Him through that gaze. Then they physically embraced Him. How fortunate they were!

Overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing their Lord, they could not control their tears. Lord Krishna was always beside them; He was exclusively (ekanta) with each of them, yet at every second, His feet appeared newer to them.

Who can ever get tired of observing the lotus feet of that Lord, which Goddess Lakshmi, who inherently is of a restless nature, will never leave (never gets tired)?

Lord Krishna had caused disputes amongst those kings, who empowered with mighty armies, had spread their tentacles in all directions and had become burdensome to Mother Earth. Just like the wind which causes friction and creates a forest fire that ultimately burns down the entire forest, Lord Krishna, without himself taking up any weapon, had caused friction amongst these kings which ultimately led to their mutual destruction. In this manner, He reduced the load of Mother Earth and was peaceful.

Neither did the Lord take up any weapon to kill anyone nor did He instigate any of them to kill. He just caused a friction between them. All of them were cheats and traitors. He just caused one traitor to fight another. He reduced the load of Mother Earth.

The Supreme Lord, who, using His power of illusion had incarnated amongst humans as Krishna, enjoyed amongst competent women, as if He was an ordinary human being. Even then, these wives, even with their unsurpassed beauty and deceitful sports could not create even the slightest wavering in His mind. With their sensuous smiles and sportive gazes, perhaps they could captivate Manmatha, the God of love, but they could not cause even the slightest stir in the mind of their beloved husband Krishna.

Tam ayaṁ manyate loko hy asaṅgam api saṅginam – The Lord has no association with any object, although He is everything.

Ātmaupamyena manujaṁ vyāpṛṇvānaṁ yato ‘budhaḥ

Irrespective of the tasks undertaken, Srikrishna remains unattached to them all!

The ignorant human being, who is unable to grasp this secretive knowledge, considers the Lord to be an ordinary human who is tied to karmic bondages of this universe, like everyone else. Thus the ignorant person gets further trapped in illusion.

Spiritual ignorance is the root for all this! Such persons believe, ‘O He too has attachments just as we do. He is also tied down with bondages. He too is enveloped by all forms of lust, desires and anger’. They do not realize that He is everything. Trapped in this illusion, they behave in this manner.

Every living being had this illusion towards Srihari. In reality, the Supreme Lord has no connection with joys-sorrows which arise out of the traits of nature (Prakriti guṇas). Only he who realizes this fact merges into Him!

Even then, this Lord appeared as if He too had a body which was controlled by Nature and its three attributes (Prakṛti-guṇās). This is the īśwaratwam of that Supreme Almighty! Even though He does not exist, He appears to exist. Even though He exists, He appears as if He does not exist.

This is very difficult to understand, isn’t it? Although He is attached, He appears to be unattached. Let us consider the example of an object called stone. How does a stone appear? It appears like a stone, that’s it. It has no movement. How was it created? Perhaps from some metal, from earth or from some chemicals. Understand that this form itself is Paramātma! He is illumining or making Himself visible through this form of stone! He appears like a stone. He appears like water. He becomes like fire. If you think deeply, you will grasp this subject.

The intellect (buddhi) that is totally fixed upon Paramātma, will not succumb to the trap of likes-dislikes, isn’t it?

Sriman Narayana!

Yudhisthira had limitless affection towards Srikrishna. Afraid that enemies could attack Krishna during His journey, he sent all four divisions of his army consisting of elephants, cavalry, chariots and infantry, to Dwaraka for His protection.

The Pandavas, out of their deep love and affection towards the Lord, and worried about separation from Him, accompanied Him for a great distance. Then, Krishna gently bade them farewell and sent them back home. Together with His friends, Srikrishna then proceeded towards Dwaraka.

Crossing the Kurujāngala, Pāṇchala, Surasena, Brahmavarta, Kurukshetra, Matsya, Sāraswata, Maratdhanva provinces, He reached Ānarta kingdom (Dwaraka), which was to the west of Sauvīra and Ābhīra Kingdoms, by Sunset. All through the journey, at various places, people were accosting the Lord, worshipping Him and offering Him presentations. In this manner, by Sunset, He reached the western end. By then His horses were a little tired.

With this the 10^th chapter of the first Canto comes to an end.

First Canto Eleventh Chapter

In this chapter, the welcoming and praising of Srikrishna by the citizens of Dwaraka, and the Lord entering His city are covered.

Srikrishna reached his prosperous city of Ānarta (Dwaraka). As if to indicate that He was dispelling the distress of the citizens who were dejected due to long separation from Him, Krishna blew His conch Pāncajanya, heralding His arrival!

As He held the strikingly white conch in His lotus hands and brought it near His lips, the red colour from His lower lip reflected upon the conch. With this it appeared as if the white conch had turned red in colour. The conch held in his hands appeared like a royal swan that was screeching while playing amidst lotuses!

Hearing from close quarters the loud sound from the Pāncajanya conch, the sound that had the ability to instill fear to fear itself, the citizens of Dwaraka were overjoyed. Becoming extremely anxious to see their Lord, they rushed towards Him. Just like a lamp that is offered to the Sun, the citizens offered gifts with utmost love to Srikrishna, who, being the form of the Self is eternally blissful and totally contented.

Just like children who welcome their father joyfully, the citizens of Dwaraka, with limitless elation and hoarse voices, joyfully said to him:

Natāḥ sma te nātha sadāṅghri-paṅkajaṁ

Viriñca-vairiñcya-surendra-vanditam

Parāyaṇaṁ kṣema mihecchatāṁ paraṁ

Na yatra kālaḥ prabhavet paraḥ prabhuḥ

Oh Lord! Even the shadow of that eternal time (kāla), which swallows Brahma and all other Gods, does not fall upon You! The great Lord Brahma, the eminent sages Sanaka, Sananda and others, and all the celestials beginning from Indra, offer obeisance to Your lotus feet! In this world, to all those who seek welfare Your feet are the sole shelter. I offer obeisance to those holy feet!

Bhavāya nas tvaṁ bhava viśva-bhāvana  tvam eva mātātha suhṛt-patiḥ pitā

Tvaṁ sad-gurur naḥ paramaṁ ca daivataṁ  yasyānuvṛttyā kṛtino babhūvima

O Lord who creates this universe! Please cause auspiciousness to me. To us You are the mother, father, friend, relative, King, Sadguru and even the Supreme Lord. You are everything. By serving You we have attained everything.

Aha! By serving You, we have obtained a protector (sa-nātha). We are seeing that beautiful auspicious face of Yours which is blossoming with Your loving tender smile and which causes us great joy’.

In Hastinapura, the people, who were drowned in grief of separation, praised Him profusely. Now here in Dwaraka, the citizens, in happiness upon His arrival, are praising Him. To this Lord both are equal. In Hastinapura, with grief they bid him farewell. Here with great excitement the people welcome Him. But to the Lord both are one and the same.

‘Even those who are in Heaven do not have the luck of seeing Your form so easily! O Lotus-eyed Lord! O Srikrishna! Whenever you leave us to see your friends in Hastinapura or in Mathura, our condition is like that of the eyes which are deprived of the Sun! Even a second appears like a crore years in your absence’.

Lord Srikrishna, who considers his devotees to be his children, heard these words spoken by the citizens and gazed at them tenderly with loving grace (anugraha).

Just as the city Bhogavati is guarded by the Nāgas, the city of Dwaraka was guarded by the members of  Madhu, Bhoja, Daśārha, Arha, Kukura, Andhaka and Vṛśti clans, who were equal in might to Krishna.

In that city of Dwaraka, were many gardens that were all through the year replete with trees laden with flowers and fruits. The surrounding gardens, play grounds, ponds and lakes added beauty to the city. The citizens decorated the city with colourful archways. Colourful flags were flying high everywhere. All these not only added to the beauty of the city, but they also reduced the intensity of the heat. The streets were cool and simultaneously colourful.

In front of the houses many auspicious items, poorna kumbhas, presentations, incense sticks and lamps were all arranged for the Lord. This was the city into which Lord Krishna entered!

Mahatma Vasudeva (father), Akrura, grandfather Ugrasena, the courageous Balarama, Pradyumna, Charudeṣṭa, Sāmba heard the arrival of Krishna and were greatly ecstatic. Such was their excitement that they left their beds, seats, food etc. as is, and mounting chariots, they rushed forward to welcome Him. Before them were elephants. Vedic scholars holding the necessary auspicious articles walked behind them. Beautiful dancers, eager to have the darshan of Lord Krishna, mounted their vehicles and proceeded towards Him. Various dancers, story tellers, dramatists, expert speakers all accosted the Lord. Professional singers rendered His glories.

Krishna lovingly approached every citizen and every relative who had come there to welcome Him and greeted them personally. The Lord who protects one and all however bowed and offered obeisance only to some. Through respectful words, He offered his obeisance to some others. He embraced some of them. He shook hands with a few others. Some He greeted with His smile. He gazed into the eyes of some. To some others, He offered boons. In this way, Krishna greeted each and every person who had come to receive Him, right from the greatest to the smallest.

In addition He sought the blessings of His gurus who had come with their wives. He also obtained the blessings of the aged persons. In this way, while professional singers were rendering His glories, Lord Krishna entered the city of Dwaraka, accompanied by them all!

Jai Sri Krishna.

On the day Srikrishna was to leave, everyone forcibly controlled their tears. Crying at the time of departure is considered inauspicious for the person who is leaving. Hence those who could not control their tears cried perhaps on the earlier day. That morning everyone ensured that their eyes were not wet. Those whose eyes were getting wet were leaving the place and going to another room so that their teary eyes would not be seen by others. It is wrong to cry when Paramatma is leaving!

At the time of Krishna’s departure, various auspicious musical instruments were played. The ladies of Kuru dynasty went up to the terrace of the palace so that they could watch His chariot for as long as it was in sight.

All the citizens also went up to the terraces to watch the Lord. The ladies, with feelings of love coupled with shyness, smilingly showered flowers upon Him.

Krishna’s dearest friend Arjuna held over His head a white umbrella, that was decorated with strings of pearls and which was held together with precious jewels.

Uddhava and Sātyaki fanned Him with the Vinjāmara fan. As the chariot proceeded through the streets the citizens showered flowers upon Him. With this flower shower upon Him, Krishna glowed radiantly!

In various places, Krishna, who is none other than the Absolute God who is beyond traits (Nirguna Parabrahma) and beyond illusion (maya), heard Vedic scholars offering Him benedictions through Vedic chants. Those Vedic blessings, which represented the ultimate truth, were truly befitting His form.

The women of Hastinapura had their minds totally fixed upon Srikrishna, who was of the highest reputation. Mentally absorbed in His thoughts, the words that they uttered about Him, were soothing to the ears of one and all.

‘Parabrahma, who is without beginning and without end, who is the form of illumination and knowledge, who is non-dual, who is over and above the 3 qualities of Nature (trigunas), manifests as this universe!

At the time of annihilation (pralaya), when the sportive plays of illusory power are totally subdued, all beings merge into Him alone. At such time, Parabrahma remains in His original form which is beyond description! Our Srikrishna is none other than this Absolute Parabrahma!

In this original state He has no name and no form. At that point, He decides to make visible name and form and introduces Vedas into the universe. He then establishes himself as the presiding force for Prakriti (nature) that is replete with the trigunas. This Prakriti, influenced by His transcendental energy, causes illusion amongst the beings and contains in it the desire to create.

In this universe, eminent learned scholars conquer their senses through the medium of Pranayama, and then with feelings of utmost devotion accompanied by purity of mind, realize the original form of that Supreme Lord. Such Supreme Parabrahma is now in front of our eyes!’

This is the way each of them thought about Srikrishna.

‘That Supreme Lord, Srikrishna, who is praised by each according to his/ her ability, whose divine sports are wonderous, who exists during absorption, who is the force that exists after this absorption, who knows what happens before, after and during absorption, who is form of bliss, who blesses those who seek refuge in Him with bliss, is now before our very eyes! That unparalleled divine energy, the Supreme Energy, exists in front of our eyes physically today as Srikrishna!

Only Lord Srikrishna possesses the capacity to purify our minds! Even through yogic pursuits (yoga sadhana) He cannot be attained!’ in this manner they spoke about Krishna.

‘O dear friends! The eminent saints, who preach the secretive essence, sing the glories of the Lord through the medium of Vedas and Vedantas. Every Veda glorifies divine sports of that Lord!

Paramātma, with His power of illusion creates, sustains and absorbs this universe. Even then He does not have in Him the feeling of doership i.e. ‘I am the one performing the action’. Neither does He have feelings of like-dislike towards them. Hasn’t that Supreme Paramatma has come down as our Srikrishna?

In every eon (yuga), when unrighteous persons who are filled with tamo guna (traits of inertia, laziness etc.) begin to rule, this Supreme Lord, for the welfare of the world accepts traits of purity and goodness (sattva guna) and keeps on taking incarnations, isn’t it? He upholds devotion (bhakti), truthfulness, righteousness (dharma) and compassion. How astonishing!

Due to the birth of this husband of Lakshmi or Lord of all Lords in their clan, the lineage of Yadus has attained untold glory!

Due to His movements, the land of Vrija has become supremely pure! Aho! What a wonder! The glory of Dwaraka far exceeds the glory of heaven! The citizens of Dwaraka, who daily have the darshan of their Lord Krishna, obtain His benevolent gaze that is showered upon them in the form of His tender smile!

O dear friends! Those wives of His must have undertaken limitless pujas, vratas, homas, yagnas and other rituals and pleased the Supreme Godhead immensely! For how many births they would have undertaken these rituals! How many limitless yagnas and yaagas they would have performed to attain this luck! That is why they are blessed with this fortune today. This is because they have been blessed to drink the nectar from His lips! The women of Vrija always sought this and often fainted as it was not available.

During swayamvara ceremonies (where the bride selects her groom), Krishna defeated many powerful kings such as Shishupala and using his courage as his wedding gift, obtained Rukmini, Jhambavati and Nagnajiti and others as His wives. These ladies were blessed with Pradyumna, Sāmba, Amba and others as their sons.

In addition, He killed Narakasura and delivered freedom to thousands of women who were in captivity. To these ladies, the lotus eyed Srikrishna was their protector and their husband. With His sweet words and with gifts He filled their hearts with joy. He never left any home. In this way He resided in every home. What a wonder! They are truly lucky beings!’

Srikrishna, with a smile observed these ladies who were speaking thus, while He was proceeding in the chariot.