KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-10

Bhavena mugdha chapalena vilokanena

Man maanase kimapi chapala mudhmahantam

Lolena lochana rasaayana mikshanena



Leela kisora mupaguhita mutsu kaasmaha

The form of Balakrishna presents itself again and again in the mental Vision of poet Leela Shuka! It is absolutely impossible for him to turn away his attention from the Divine delectable form. This time Krishna is shining with His pure moon like face! He is the ocean of compassion and His captivating music from the flute is heavenly and indescribable! The poet is in deep samaadhi but is very happy to be disturbed by the wafting music from the flute of his Lord Krishna!

Krishna's looks are so beautiful that the poet is unable to get distracted! The looks are changing for every second. Every changing look indicates a bhava or mood! His gestures, moods and the chemistry of His unstable looks have stolen the heart of Leela Shuka! The figure of Balakrishna is so tempting and tantalizing that the poet is enthusiastic lock the Lord in his warm and fast embrace!

The leelas or Divine sports of child Krishna are innumerable and they are beautifully describe in the Bhagavata purana. The Gopikas would go to mother Yosoda and complain to her about atrocities committed by Balakrishna!  They said that Krishna would not allow milk and curd remain in their homes. He would come with His band of companions and manage to get up and steal the butter kept high! He would pretend as if he is embodiment of honesty and right conduct! He would appear absolutely innocent! The Gopikas told Yasoda that they would leave Gokulam for other places if the mischief of Krishna  continued unabated!

Yasoda was much disturbed at these complaints against her darling Krishna! But her inordinate affection prevented her from punishing her mischievous son. But this was too much for her. She decided to punish the little Lord! She took hold of him, dragged him to a pillar, and got a rope to tie him up! Can she fasten the Lord who is the Creator, protector and destroyer of the universe? That is the Maya or illusion created by the Lord Himself! Krishna followed His mother slowly but unwillingly. Yasoda took the rope and brought it round the Lord to fasten Him! But it fell short! She brought a different rope, but that too fell shot by a few inches! Yosoda was tired in attempting to tie up the Lord who can never be tied up by any one! Krishna was sorry to see His mother totally tired and dejected! Out of His compassion He allowed Himself to be fastened to the pillar to satisfy His mother Yasoda! She was happy and admonished Krishna and asked Him  not to repeat the mischief!
The charm and attraction of Balakrishna was too much for all in Gokulam, and particularly to Yasoda! They were a little harassed by the mischievous acts of little Krishna but mainly refrained from complaining or punishing Him. He was so sweet and appeared so innocent that He became the darling of all in the Gokulam! It was with great reluctance that they went to complain to Yasoda! No wonder, poet Leela Shuka, in his deep devotion is enthralled by the Divine Beauty of Balakrishna!  What is the object of meditation and samadhi? It is for the purpose of realizing the Satchidananda Swarupa, the form of God! When such a form presents itself in the mind of Leela Shuka, what more can he expect?  Of what use is Samadhi? Is it not better to run after the Lord and hug Him fast in a warm embrace? What more experience can a Sadhaka aspire for? It is very rarely that such visions and experience occur to individuals! Leela Shuka is one such rare devotional poet!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-9

Mayi prasadam madhuraihi katakshai vamsi ninaadaanucharai viddhehi

Twayi prasanne kimihaaparai nasthvaiyya prasanne kimihaaparair naha!

The visions that flit across the mind of poet Leela Shuka are many and variegated!  Some times it is the form of the child Krishna and at other times it is the form of Balakrishna with His peacock feather adornment and garlands! Again at other times He is in His youth surrounded by the lovelorn and languid Gopikas who embrace Him smearing His body with the Vermillion on their breasts! Krishna's Divine music from the flute has enthralled the entire bevy of Gopikas who are ever ready to serve Him! Gopikas are smiling and embracing Krishna! Krishna’s broad eyes, radiant dark color and bewitching beautiful form  appears before Leela Shuka’s mental Vision!

“ When Krishna showers His Grace on one what is the use of others?” questions poet Leela Shuka in this Sloka.  Again if there is no Grace of God, what can one do with others? There is nothing that happens without the Grace and Will of  Krishna! Leela Shuka feels that he has fettered himself with the eternal bonds of Samsara or family life. There is no end to the inexorable cycle of birth and death.  The poet longs that Krishna should shower His Grace even as he plays on His Flute extending His sideward glances on the poet!

Samsara or family life is the greatest stumbling block for spiritual progress and enlightenment. That is why it is compared to an ocean or 'sagara'. It is a shoreless sea. One who is involved in it can never come out of it easily! Man is burdened with his wife, children, relations and property which bind him for ever. Arishadvargas embedded in him tease him with unquenchable desires. He is prone to anger, arrogance, greed, jealousy, and hatred. He is subjected to all the vicissitudes of human existence! He sees no end to these troubles during his lifetime. As one poet says “ Samsaaraakhye mahathi jaladhou majjataamnastri daaman” everyone is drowned in the shoreless sea of family life. There is no escape without the Grace and intervention of God!

Adi Sankara in his “Lakshmi Nrusimha karaavlamba stotram” describes the nature of Samsara graphically! “ samsaara saagara visaala karaala kaala nakragraha vyasana nigraha vigrahasya vygrasya raagarasa durmi nipiditasya Laksmi Nrusimha mama dehi karavalambam.” Samsara is an ocean. Crocodile like vyasanas or obsessions and emotions torment the individual. Leela Shuka strikes a personal note in this sloka and remembers his foolish actions earlier!

There is a sense of repentance on the part of the poet in this sloka! He yearns sincerely for the Grace of Krishna! Ashamed of his sensual life and whiling away of time, he banks upon the causeless compassion of Krishna to save him from material clutches. Where is the need for him to seek others when Divine Grace has descended on him? The Lord has categorically stated that He shall take upon Himself the entire burden and responsibilities of the devotee who constantly and sincerely worships Him with imperturbable faith and devotion. “Ananyas chintayantho mam ye janah paryupaasathe tesham nithyaabhi yuktaanaam yoga kshemam vahaamyaham.” Leela Shuka has surrendered himself to Krishna and hence the wonderful, beautiful forms of Krishna that flit across his mind!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-8

Kalakwanita kankanakaraniruddha pitaambara

Krama prasrutha kunthalalangalitha barha bhusham vibho

Punah prasruthi chapalam pranayani bhujaa yanthritham

Mama spurathu manase Madana keli sayyotthitam


What Vision of Krishna has the poet Leela Shuka enjoyed?  The Gopikas are besides with joy at the Divine Music emanating from the flute of Krishna. Their attractive moonlike face radiates soft gentle light. Krishna is not unconscious of the presence of these Gopikas. He is stealthily observing them with His half open lotus eyes even as he plays on the his Divine flute! Balakrishna’s gestures are very charming! The poet remarks that this very attractive vision of Bala Krishna has appeared in his mind!!



In this sloka, the vision that the poet observes is exceptional and emotional! Krishna has on his hands round bands that produce gentle and soft jingling sound. His pitaambara, the yellow robe that He has worn, has loosened and He is seen preventing it! His locks of hair too have loosened themselves! As such, even the ornament of peacock feathers has lost its position and become loose! Krishna is trying his best to set right those things in their normal position. Krishna is envisioned as  romancing with His darling who pins Him down with her warm embrace! Krishna slowly gets up from the bed in that posture! Let that glorious form of Krishna shine brightly in my heart, declares poet Leela Shuka!!

Erotic descriptions are not uncommon in devotional poetry!  Leela Shuaka has come out of his obsession for his Chintamani. He has the upadesa of Madanagopala mantra from his preceptor. Madana means Manmatha, God of Love.  Madanagopala thus is not the ordinary form of Krishna but One full of Sringara rasa or eroticism. The Bhagavata purana describes the wonderful Divine sport of the Lord in His “Rasa Leela” where He takes innumerable forms and dances with each and every Gopika. Jayadeva's “Gita Govinda” Kavya is out and out a Sringara Kavya describing the Divine Love between Krishna and His beloved Radha! A few of the descriptions even in Sri Lalitha Sahasranama stotra are erotic in nature.  “Kamesa jnatha sowbhagya mardavoru dwayanvita, Nabhyalavala romali lataphala kuchadwayi, Kamakeli tarangita.” But these descriptions should not be mistaken or understood in a different way. These are the words of greatest devotees of Krishna and Sri Mata Rajarajeawari! Krishna is the very embodiment of Sringara rasa and Divine Love. As a child, boy and an adult he has enchanted many a devotee as well as women.

There is a very interesting instance of a similar description in the Bhagavata purana. In the Telugu version of sage Vyasa's Bhagavata purana, the illustrious poet Potana describes the story of Gajendra  Moksha. The crocodile caught the foot of Gajendra and he could not release himself despite his relentless efforts. Hundreds of years passed and the elephant king lost all hope. He became weak and could not bear the torment. He understood human frailty and turned to God during the time of crisis! He prayed to Lord Vishnu with utmost faith and sincerity. Poet Potana describes the situation in the abode of Vishnu, Vaikunta! The Lord was romancing with His spouse Mahalakshmi when He heard the pathetic prayers of Gajendra.

Immediately Lord Vishnu ran to save His devotee Gajendra from the terrible jaws of the crocodile. He didn’t tell his spouse Mahalakshmi! He didn’t arm Himself with Chakra and Sankha! He failed to call in His vaana Garuda! He didn’t set right the loosened locks of hair! He didn’t take off from  Him the saree part from the breasts of Mahalakshmi! The faith and sincere prayer from the ardent devotee had such an electrifying effect on the Lord! Leela Shuka and the Telugu poet Potana were really great devotees. They have their poetic license! The fertility of their imagination can never be questioned. Depending upon their moods and feelings they have different visions of God which they describe in their poetry! Any erotic description of the romance or Sringara of the Divine Couple should be enjoyed in right spirit! The devotees are all the darling children of God and they have every right to describe and enjoy all the sports or Divine leelas of God!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-7

 Tharunaaruna karunaamaya vipulaayatha nayanam

Kamalaakucha kalasibhara pulakikrutha pulakam

Murali rava tharalikrutha munimaanasa nalinam

Mama khelathi madachethasi madhuraadhara mamrutham!

 Leela Shuka conjures up astounding and different visions of Lord Krishna in his mind!  Describing the soft jingling sound of Krishna's anklets, he gives a beautiful simile. Beautiful swans are moving about the lotus forests in the Yamuna. Melodious gentle sounds emanate from them and it is Impossible to describe them. The sounds of jingling anklets of Krishna are similar to the indescribable notes produced by the movement of Swans in Yamuna waters!

In this Sloka the poet  realizes the wonderful and extraordinary form of Krishna capable of granting him moksha or salvation! The features and other attributes that he sees in his mind are exceptionally described by the poet. Krishna’s eyes are a little red colored. Thus they indicate His compassionate nature. Krishna is lovelorn as he sees Goddess Lakshmi with Her heavy golden pot like breasts. He is moved by amorous feelings. The sages and saints lose their concentration and get disturbed by the Divine music of the Lord wafting in the air! Krishna’s heart stealing lips are a never ending attraction to His devotees and lovers! In short, Krishna is the very embodiment of moksha or emancipation! The poet declares at the end of the sloka that such a personification of Moksha is playful in his  arrogant heart!

Lord Krishna is wonderfully described in the Bhagavata purana and various stotras by sages and seers! Krishna is “ Kamala nayana, Kamala patrekshana”-one endowed with lotus eyes, having very broad eyes similar to the lotus leaf! He is also described as” Nila jimuta varna-  one of the color of the dark blue cloud! He is the proud owner of the peacock feathers which is His speciality—” Barhi pinchava chudankam”. Every part of His person is so sweet and attractive that the Gopikas want to be in His presence for ever drinking deep that eternal beauty of Krishna and serve Him Leela Shuka is following the same tradition in his description.

”Alankara priyo Vishnuhu abhisheka priyo Sivaha namaskara priyo Bhanuhu” is the Sanskrit saying. Accordingly we find decorations to the Lord in all Vaishnavite temples. We also find abhishekas to Lord Shiva in Saivate temples. Not much decoration can be done to Lord Shiva as He is mainly in the form of Linga! But Vishnu and Krishna demand and extract maximum decorations or alankaram!

In all descriptions of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva their spouses too have an important part. They are inseparable. Paramatma and parasakthi can never be separated. Their Divine Love is referred to again  again by  illustrious devotees and even sages in their stotras. Adi Sankara in his Soundarya Lahari describes SriMata in that way. In one of the stotras on Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha the Lord is described thus: “ Lakshmi charu kucha dwanda kumkumankitha vakshase..”One whose chest is smeared with  Vermillion from the beautiful breasts of Goddess Lakshmi. God considers His great devotees as His darling children and is never offended by their sensuous descriptions! Adi Sankara prays to Goddess Rajarajeawari and calls himself as Her beloved child! Leela Suukha too belongs to that generation of very great devotees who lose themselves in God Realization!

Ki

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-6

Nikhila bhuvana Lakshmi nitya leelaaspadabhyam

Kamala vipina veedhi garva sankarshanabhyam

Pranama dabhaya dana proudi gadhorthaabhyam

Kimapi vahathu chetah Krishna Padaambujadbhyam!

Leela Shuka is amazed at an indescribable dazzling radiance that presents itself in his mind! He describes to a certain extent what that exceptional brightness that envelopes his heart and mind is. That extraordinary radiance has also occupied the hearts of Gopikas who are just becoming youthful and feel a sense of pride and pleasure. Their attractive broad eyes and sports are commendable.

In the next sloka the poet describes the beauty and significance of the lotus feet of his chosen deity Sri Krishna. They are always playful with Goddess Lakshmi! They are also the annihilators of  the arrogance and pride of the lotus flowers in the forest! They have another distinctive characteristic of granting abhaya or protection to the humble and the devoted! The poet is extremely happy that such distinguished lotus feet of Krishna have appeared in his mind for which he is ever grateful!

 The poet has come a long way from the lustful existence that has drowned him in the cycle of Samsara. He is now a different person altogether. He yearns for the grace of God and worships Him through the gift of poetry! His imagination is fertile for ever and he visualizes the beautiful and innumerable forms of Krishna surrounded by the Gopikas. His sharp insight analyses the moods of Krishna and the Gopikas. He catches their different feelings and moods and puts them into his slokas very faithfully. The forms and moods of Krishna, in the poet's imagination, are countless and hence in every sloka of the poet we find wonderful description of Krishna: the attire of Krishna, his peacock feather adornment, the flute, his posture as he plays on the flute, how the Lord's face changes while doing so, and how the Lord's entire body is smeared with Vermillion marks after the Gopikas , in their love, embrace Him. The description is graphic and the style sweet and enjoyable.

It is significant to note that all the description leads to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna in which the poet seeks refuge. There is nothing else for him to do in life. Bhakthi, according to Sage Narada is of nine kinds: Smaranam, keerthanam, padasevanam, sakhyam, vatsalyam, archanam and others. Among these Atma nivedanam or total surrender unto the lotus feet of God is considered the best. The Lord has declared that He shall take over the entire burden and responsibilities of His devotee who worships Him with unstinted faith and devotion! It is the duty of a true Bhaktha to surrender himself at the lotus feet of God and consider everything as His Grace and will! Leela Shuka realizes the importance of seeking refuge in the soft and delicate feet of Krishna which shall eventually grant him emancipation or Mukthi! The very purpose of human existence is to escape from the cycle of birth and death and achieve salvation or Mukthi! Thus Leela Shuka glorifies Krishna's  lotus feet capable of granting him the much needed release from the shackles of material existence!

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