August 22, 2017 archive

Sarva deva roopini gomata…

Towards the end of the day the cows began to go back. Brahma noticed this and signaled Rudra to follow him. However, Rudra who was in the form of a calf was continuously circumambulating the anthill with full devotion. It refused to listen to Brahma

Brahma who was the cow blocked Rudra’s path as if to tell the calf to leave as it was time for the cowherd to wake up. Once awake, he might realize their absence in the group. Although it was angry and upset, the calf, did as advised by his mother and soon they mingled into the massive herd of cows.

Leaving the place as soon as the cowherd fell asleep in order to feed Lord Srinivasa in the anthill and returning right before the cowherd got up became a daily stint for the cow and calf.

One fine day, the queen summoned this cowherd to enquire about the cow and calf that were acquired recently. Even in our day-to-day lives, in anticipation of such sudden calls from our superiors, we must always be ready with our work. We must keep any kind of articles or objects handed over to us always readily accessible. This way, we can be prompt in responding to such surprise instructions from our superiors.

Similarly, the queen instructed the cowherd to bring the milk of this particular new cow. Since the very purpose of buying the cow was for its milk, the queen desired to feed its milk to her son, the prince, so that he could grow up stronger. When instructed thus, the cowherd immediately left to fetch milk.

In those days, it was possible to milk the cows during any time of the day. Since milk was collected only when required, as opposed to today when cows are milked to the maximum possible extent whether need be or not, it was possible to milk the cow at any time of the day. However, when the cowherd tried to milk the cow, nothing came. The udder looked like it had already been milked.

Seeing this, the cowherd, convinced that the cow had already been milked, reports the same to the queen and promises to bring this cow’s milk the next day. These words enraged the queen. Suspecting that the cowherd stole the milk, she gets him punished by the guards around. Weeping and begging forgiveness, the cowherd pleads innocence. The queen let him go on the condition that he brought her the cow’s milk every day. Warning him that such punishment of greater magnitude shall be awarded to him upon failing to bring the milk, she pardons him. Wiping his tears and consoling himself, he reached the cowshed where he saw the cow that brought him so much pain and humiliation. He was so enraged that he felt like ending its life but obviously could not do so. He then questioned all the workers whether any of them had milked the cow. All of them denied doing so. They claimed that they were giving the cow extra special treatment as they were well aware that it was the queens cow. They said that they used silk and cloths of other fine fabrics to clean the cow. It was treated so well that even the dung was cleared in silver platters. Saying all this, they pledged that they never milked the cow.
Convinced that they were innocent, knowing that he was innocent and fully aware that the cow was being fed well, the cowherd decided to investigate the next day’s events to find the cause for the missing milk. Next day, insisting that he would take care of the entire herd himself, the cowherd did as usual but this time, only pretended to fall asleep while attentively watching the cow and its calf. Soon, much to his surprise, he saw the calf and cow stray away from the herd. They movement was too orderly to be considered to be a mistake. The cowherd followed them with curiosity and stealthily and saw that they finally stopped at an anthill. Then, he saw that the cow automatically started pouring its milk into the anthill. The cowherd got enraged. He felt betrayed! It seemed to him as if the cow was doing this on purpose in order to get him punished or worse, killed.

Seeing this, he was reminded of all the blows of yesterday and the imminent death upon failing to do as instructed by the queen. In a fit of rage, he raised his axe to strike the cow. This brought deep pain to Srinivasa who was in the anthill below. The Lord, known as “swalpa maatra santushta”, one who is pleased with very little offering, decided to protect the cow for the few drops of milk it gave him. So, even before the cowherd could strike the cow and kill it, Lord Srinivasa, came in the way of the axe and took the blow instead of the cow.

Bhajana: Govindudu Sundarudu

Lakshmi Devi in karaveeravam kept yearning for Srihari and chanting His name. Srinivasa, meanwhile inside the anthill had not eaten anything in days.

Knowing this Lakshmidevi realized her immediate responsibility and transformed herself into a cowherdess . This wonder brought great joy to Brahma and Shiva . They understood Lakshmi devi’s intention and transformed into cow ( Brahma ) and calf ( Shiva ) and reached Lakshmi Devi . This way Brahma’s desire to coming to earth was fulfilled . Rudra is obviously there in every of Vishnu’s avataras and here he came in the form of a calf . Lakshmi Devi looked at them adorably .

The calf was very playful as it is the form Rudra . The cow was watching out for the calf but the calf was jumping in excitement . Goddess Lakshmi approached the King Chola Raja and poured her sad story of her losing her wealth and that she is left with only the cow and the calf starting from her palatial residence till even her husband . She explained how the fateful turn of events rendered her thus . After discussing this , she left the cow and calf in charge of the king. The king took charge of the cow and calf and gave money to her in lieu of them.

He then handed over their responsibility to a cowherd. The king gave special instructions to the cowherd for the cow and calf to be well taken care of. He instructed that the milk of the cow, which appeared to be of good breed, should be used for feeding his son, the prince of the land. The cowherd was instructed to take special care of this cow and calf.

The two were taken along with a large herd of cows to plush pastures for grazing . Then, unlike today where cows are tied down and fed stale food , the cows enjoyed grazing freely in green pastures . Thus these two blended into the massive herd of cows . The calf was playful and was drawing attention . Occasionally Brahma, in the form of cow got a little frustrated because he was unable to control the dynamic shiva in the form of a calf and wondered why Shiva in particular, instead of one of the celestials, took form as the calf . Leaving the cows to graze , the cowherd relaxed under a huge tree .

Seeing the sleeping cowherd , Brahma and Shiva quietly slipped away and directly reached the anthill. As all the cows were grazing , the Cow reached the anthill in which Srinivasa was resting. Shiva who was the calf immediately offered pradakshina to the anthill. Brahma who was the cow shed tears and stood on the anthill which was covered by a huge tamarind tree . Milk trickled down into the anthill from the cow’s udder . It was like Ksheerabdhi Abhishekam. For this reason the Lord Srinivasa loves milk abhishekam.

Srinivasa, who forgot what hunger was, was alerted with the trickling milk . Srinivasa started drinking that milk . In reality celestial like Lord Srinivasa and saints do not have hunger . They pretend hunger and other human like qualities to reach out to people .

In this incarnation of Srinivasa, for the first time we witness union of the Trinity. Brahma’s four faces like four Vedas poured down milk . It can be said that the Vedas incarnated as the cow and worshipped the Supreme Lord. The Vedas thus served the Lord. The cow, as an embodiment of four Vedas , extolled as sarva Veda rupini , worshipped lord Srinivasa , an Avatara of lord Vishnu .

Sarva deva roopini Gomata; Sarva kama dayini gomata

Srihari did not respond despite Maharshi Bhrigu’s praising and chanting Him with several divine names. Lakshmi also did not respond nor did recommend. People were staring at Maharshi but never responded nor recommended.

Brahma pretended to be meditating, Shiva pretended to be dancing and Vishnu was pretending to be sleeping in bliss . Hence He decided that Trimurtis were ignoring him and were egoistic. He was blaming Tirmutis.

On the request of all the sages on earth, He had walked all the way in the skies to reach these celestial planes. But those celestials in Vaikuntha were not respecting me. They were all good and cool. Srihari did not respond to my praise too. Srihari was lying down on snake bed without responding. On the earth, people adore him with reverence . He was blaming people around for not informing Lakshmi atleast of his arrival . It was incomprehensible to the sage where Srihari was smiling or pretending like child.

He thought that Trimurtis were teaching him lesson.

Bhrigu who was infuriated kicked Srihari on the chest , the abode of Mahalakshmi and was about to leave that place. He could not attack the other two ; Brahma and Shiva .Bhrigu wanted to make Srihari realize his arrival and hence kicked Him.

Srihari woke up , ran and caught hold of Bhrigu’s feet enquiring whether his feet were hurt due to kicking him on his chest. Srihari washed Bhrigu’s feet, sprinkled the water on the His head. “Oh, you possess such delicate feet, you have walked on the path of skies to reach me. I hope these feet are not paining due to kicking me on my chest’ – said Lord Srihari

Srihari is the God having the 14 worlds in His womb and yet so humble . He washed the sage’s feet and wiped them with his upper cloth. Srihari bent down to see the wound if any that was caused to the sage. Bhrigu immediately stopped the LOrd and praised Him for His patience and generosity which he expressed by touching his feet despite his deed of insulting him. Bhrigu pleaded by saying
Aparadha sahasrani Kryanthe aharnisham maya
dasoyamamatva kshamaswa parameswara !!

“As a rectification of my mistake, I keep singing the glory of my lord to all the 14 worlds.”

Regretting his deed, Bhrigu offered obeisance to Srihari and Lakshmi and then departed to earth.

Hari Hari Hari Hari anara’
Harinarayani sharanammanara !!

Chant Hari nama. Those who chant Hari Nama , never get any difficulty. Chant while sitting, standing. while eating sleeping and feeding kids. By giving good names of God to children, we are unknowingly chanting.

While offering oblations to Maharshi Bhrigu’s feet, Srihari presses the eye which is underneath the foot of Bhrigu which is the source of power and spiritual strength of Maharshi. Bhrigu did not even notice what Srihari did. His arrogance stemmed due to this eye present on his feet. Srihari plucked it out.

Lakshmi resides in the chest of Srihari. Since Srihari pressed the feet of the person who had kicked his chest, Mother Lakshmi was annoyed. She came down to earth.

when analyzed it appears like a drama to ensure Mother Lakshmi comes down to earth. We will know as the story proceeds further….