KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-22

 Bhuvanam bhavanam vilaasini Srihi

  Thanayau Thaamarasaasana Smaraucha

   Parichaara paramparaa Surendras

    Thadapi twat charitam vibho vichitram!

“ Bereft of all modesty, the Gopikas were mad after you and looked very beautiful like Rati Devi, the wife of Manmatha!  Divine music wafting in the air through your flute is similar to falling drops of honey! It is really indescribable! Your unstable movements  hang heavily and sweetly stealing our hearts! The words of an ignorant like me have turned into exaggerations like those of Valmiki and other great poets! As all my poetry is dedicated to  You, my birth in this world has turned fruitful and gained significance!.” Says Leela Shuka in his ecstasy at the vision of his dear Lord Krishna!

In this sloka the poet gloats over the glory, prosperity, and luxurious state of Krishna. Can we consider Him as an ordinary mortal? Definitely not. Is He not the very incarnation or Avatar of Lord Vishnu?  As such His state is glorious, enviable! He wonders at the relationship that the Lord  has significantly maintained. “ O Krishna! The entire ‘bhuvana' or universe is  your palace (bhavanam)!  Goddess Lakshmi is Your wedded wife! Your distinguished sons are the Creator Brahma and Manmatha! Your servants are   the lineage of Devas and the guardians of the eight directions! With all these distinctions Your history is amazing and incredible!”

Of all the Avatars, the incarnation of Krishna is considered as “ Purnavatar.” The first four incarnations were purely for the destruction of demons and Asuras.  Vamana Avatar was also for punishing emperor Bali who had seized the throne of Indra, king of Gods.  Rama was the embodiment of Dharma or righteousness. “ Ramo vigrahavan Dharmaha.” He lived like a perfect man and is the role model for all humanity. He didn’t reveal his true identity of his mission and very few were aware of his Avatarhood! The speciality of Krisnavatar is the manifestation of His Divinity even from childhood. Krishna was born to Devaki in the prison as MahaVishnu Himself with four arms, Sankha, chakra and granted darshan to Devaki! Very soon he became an ordinary child and enveloped all through His maya!  From that moment onwards Krishna's life is a series of incredible miracles! Again and again Krishna exhibited His Divinity to all according to situations!

Leela Shuka is amazed at the distinguished children of Vishnu. Creator Brahma emerged out of Vishnu's navel! Manmatha, God of Love is Vishnu's son as per our Puranas! He was reduced to ashes when he tried to disturb Lord Siva during His deep meditation or penance! He is also called “Ananga”- one without angas or parts of body! But he is the most powerful God with flower arrows that play with the emotion of love! Great sages have fallen a prey to the wiles of the God of Love! Lord Vishnu’s spouse is Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity! She emerged from the ocean of milk when it was churned by Devas and Asuras for Amrita, the elixir of life! Chandra or Moon also emerged from the ocean and hence Lakshmi is called the sister of Chandra—"Chandra sodari” 

All other Devas including Indra, king of Gods, the eight guardians of directions, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Kimpurushas and a host of others are at the service of Vishnu! Vishnu has come to the rescue of  Indra and other Devas during their hapless days and killed the Asuras that tormented them! Is it an ordinary state to be blessed with a wife like Lakshmi, sons like the Creator Brahma and Manmatha, God of Love and all Devas at their beck and call! This type of glory and prosperity is the rarest of rare things even among Gods and hence the amazement of poet Leela Shuka!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-21

 Mandaara mule madanaa bhiraamam

Bimbaadharaa puritha Venu naadam

GoGopaGopi Jana madhya samstham

Gopam bhaje Gokula purna chandram!

“Let there be a thousand or more connoisseurs of beauty,  let there be innumerable individuals with ideal Divine beauty, what is the use of quarreling with them or speak pleasingly or lovingly with them? I speak the exact truth! Your Beauty is incomparable and incredible, O my Lord!” exclaims poet Leela Shuka stunned and petrfied by the extraordinary beauty of Krishna who appears in his vision.

In the following sloka the poet actually describes the beautiful form of Krishna, “His stance, and the wonderful ambience. Where is Krishna now? He is at the foot of Kalpa vruksha, the Divine wish fulfilling tree. He shines forth in the midst of cows, Gopaalakaas or cowherds and Gopikaas or the women of Gokulam. His attractive lower lip is red in color like the 'Bimba' fruit! He plays on His flute mesmerizing the entire universe! He is the full moon for  all the cows and residents of Gokulam! Child Krishna is more beautiful than the love God Manmatha the standard of everything beautiful in the universe! I worship such  Bala Gopaala—Child Krishna again and again! 

‘Mandaara’ is the heavenly tree Kalpa Vruksha that grants all the wishes of people. It is one of the many things that came out of the churning of the ocean of milk! Krishna is the Kalpa Vruksha- who grants all the desires of His Bhakthas! ‘Madana' is the Love God who is last word for Beauty! Krishna is more beautiful than Manmatha himself! Manmatha lost his form in trying to disturb Lord Siva during His penance. Angered by the disturbance, Siva opened His Third Eye and Manmatha was reduced to ashes! However, Siva relented and brought him back to life but without form!

“ Bimba’” is a variety of fruit that is blood red in color. “Adhara” is the lower lip. Krishna's lower lip on which he places the Venu or flute is blood red in color, striking and very beautiful. Krishna is amidst the Gopikas and cows radiating soft, gentle and cool light like the full moon! Leela Shuka is never tired of describing and appreciating the Divine beauty of his darling Krishna! Krishna Karnamruta is nothing but the description and appreciation of the beauty of Krishna and His leelaas or Divine Sports!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-20

 Keyam kaanthih Kesava twan mukhen doh

Koyam veshaha kaapi  vachama bhumihi

Seyam seyam swadutha manjulam Sri

Bhuyo bhuyo bhu yasastwaam namaami 

Leela Shuka is pining endlessly for the direct presence of his beloved Lord Krishna! He is not sure when the Lord will present Himself before him. Thousands of sages, practitioners of yoga, and scholars have tried their best to gain the Lord’s presence but in vain! Even the Vedas and the Upanishads declare that Brahman is unreachable.” Yato vacho nivartante aprapya manasa Saha” affirm the Upanishads! Words cannot reach and Manas returns with out success! When such is the case, when will my Krishna appear and stand before my physical eyes? feels poet Leela Shuka.

Leela Sukha exclaims, “ O Kesava! How can I describe the soft glow of your moon like face? It is impossible to describe your person with splendid adornments! Your charm and indescribable beauty is beyond words and comparison! O Lord! Because of these reasons I prostrate myself before you again and again!” 

Krishna is always considered as the embodiment of ideal beauty! “ Alankara priyo Vishnu rabhisheka priyo Sivaha namaskara priyo Bhanuhu..” The inordinate Divine Beauty of the Lord is described in various stotras. “ Meghasyamam pita kouseya vaasam Srivatsaankam Kousthubhobhasitaangam punyopetam Pundarikaayathaksham Vishnum vande sarva lokaika naatham” Poets and sages vie with one another in describing the beauty of Lord Krishna and Vishnu. Another beautiful sloka describing the beauty of Krishna is given here: “ Kasthuri thilakam lalaata phalake vakshasthale Kousthubham naasaagre nava moukthikam karathale venum Kare kankanam sarvaange harichandanancha kalayam kantecha mukthaavali Gopastree pariveshtitho vijayathe Gopala Chudaamanihi! Every anga or part of the Divine form is wonderfully adorned and looks resplendent!

Chandra or Moon is considered an example of ideal beauty. It is because of the soft and cool glow that He radiates. The full moon is round and perfect and hence is used in comparing beautiful faces radiating coolness and softness! It is poetic tradition to compare the faces of Gods and Goddesses and beautiful women to the moon!

Human beauty is imperfect! There can be some defect or other in mortal form. But Divine Beauty is ideal and perfect. When we see women who are extremely beautiful we say they look like Goddess Lakshmi! Leela Shuka totally loses himself in drinking deep the exceptional beauty of his Lord Krishna and offers obeisance to Him again and again!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-19

 Akhila bhuvanaika bhushana madhi bhushita

Jaladhi duhitra kucha kumbham vraja yuvathi

Haaravalli marakatha naay inaka mahaa manim vande

Leela Shuka again  and again is lost in the exquisite beauty of Krishna.  Everything about the person of the Lord is so beautiful that the poet is amazed. “The lotus feet of Krishna are really astonishing!   Krishna's  eyes that resemble the lotus are amazing! Again the face of the Lord similar to the lotus flower surprises others by its exceptional beauty! O Mother! Every part of Krishna’s person is so  indescribably beautiful that every one is struck by its Divine beauty! In short, it is Impossible to put in proper words the ethereal beauty of Gopala Krishna.” says Leela Shuka!

Leela Shuka is never tired of singing the glory of Krishna and His beauty! “ Krishna is the ornament adorning all the fourteen worlds! He is the ornamental diamond on the chest of  Goddess MahaLakshmi!   Not only this, the Lord is the “Indranila” precious stone between the garlands worn by the Gopikas! I offer my obeisance to such Krishna standing  before my eyes!” exclaims poet Leela Shuka.

Krishna Karnamruta is replete with the ideal and spiritual description of the beauty of Krishna and His leelas or Divine Sports. Krishna is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient! He is the Avatar or incarnation of Sri Mahavishnu in Dwapara Yuga! The poet identifies Krishna as MahaVishnu Himself and hence his reference to Goddess Lakshmi. Leela Shuka introduces Sringara rasa very often in his slokas in describing the romance of Krishna!  He visualizes Krishna or Vishnu reclining on Her chest as a diamond ornament!  The Lord, in His leelas, moves deftly playing among the Gopikas! He shines like the blue  “Indraneela” precious stone between the garlands worn by the Gopikas! In other words Krishna is the pendant of the garlands of the Gopikas!

Mahalakshmi is called the daughter of the ocean because She came out during the churning of  the ocean by the Devas and Asuras! First, deadly poison, “Halahala” emerged frightening the Devas and Asuras. Lord Siva, drank it and saved them. Later many precious things came out of the ocean. Chandra or Moon emerged and was taken by Lord Siva! The White Elephant” Iravatam” came out and Indra, king of God’s received it. Then Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean and selected Mahavishnu as Her spouse! Many other articles came and finally came Dhanvatari with “ Amrita Kalasa.” When the Asuras ran away with the Kalasa, Vishnu enticed them as Mohini, and distributed Amrita to the Devas according to our Puranas!

Rasa Leela is one of the most important and astonishing Divine Sports exhibited by Krishna! He takes innumerable forms to match the number of Gopikas who dance in ecstasy! There is a Krishna for each and every Gopika who is thrilled and excited to dance with the Lord! As they dance forth, in between them, Krishna looks like the “Indraneela Diamond” hanging like a pendant from their beautiful garlands! The poet highlights the color of Krishna and its mesmerizing effect on others! Leela Shuka freely employs metaphors and similes in his slokas!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-18

 Soyam munindrajana maanasa taapahaari

Soyam madavraja vadhu vasanaapahaari

Soyam trutiya bhuvaneswara darpahaari

Soyam madiya hrudayaamburu haapahaari!

Leela Shuka assures himself that the form that presents Itself before his eyes is none other than his darling Lord Krishna! “His Divine music from the flute has enchanted the entire universe! He is decked with invaluable and astonishing radiant ornaments that amaze everyone! His tender and delicate feet are cool and the resort of His devotees who surrender themselves to his lotus feet! Are these not enough to declare that the arriving Lord is my beloved Krishna Himself?” Leela Shuka asks himself!

He is not satisfied with the description of the nature and qualities of the Lord he has described in the previous sloka! He gives a few more proofs to ensure that the figure that stands before him is surely that of Krishna! What are His credentials? What more are His acts at which the Devas and all others were astounded? Leela Shuka exclaims, “ Is He not the One that warded off all the miseries and troubles of the sages and seers? Is He not the Lord that stole the garments of youthful Gopikas in Nandagokulam? Surely is He not the one who demolished the pride and arrogance of Devendra, the king of Devas and Swarga loka?

Leela Shuka enumerates a few of the wonderful leelas of Krishna during His early life. During His gurukulavasa Krishna and his elder brother Balaraama had their education under the guru Sandipani. It so happened that his son died unexpectedly. Both the preceptor and his wife were lost in sorrow and blamed their fate at the demise of their only son. Krishna, as the dutiful student of his mentor decided to help them. He went to the land of Death and brought back the boy to the great delight of His Guru! Krishna, from His early childhood had been exhibiting His Divinity to the utter astonishment of all the residents Vraja bhumi!

One of the mischievous acts of young Krishna is stealing the garments of young women bathing in the river! The Gopikas find to their horror that Krishna has collected all their dress and hiding on the tree nearby. They are at a loss and very much perturbed at this act of mischievous Krishna! They are hesitant and shy to come out of water! Krishna demands that they should come out and take back their dress. The Gopikas pray and appeal to Him to save them from that delicate situation.This incident is called  “Gopika Vasthraapaharanam” and narrated in Bhagavata purana. Krishna does not take pity on them first because they were egoistic and arrogant! When they surrendered themselves to His lotus feet in pure devotion the Lord relented and returned their clothes! There should be no inhibition in uttering the Name of God. One should not be shy or feel ashamed of chanting His Name.  “ Visrujya lajjaam yodhite mannaamaani nirantaram kulakoti samaayukto labhate maamakam padam.” – one who chants My Name always without shyness shall reach My place with his innumerable clans!

Another incident in the life of young Krishna is his lifting the hill called Govardhana Giri!  It was customary for the people of Nandagokulam to celebrate a festival in honor of Indra, king of Gods. Krishna suggested that it should be cancelled and instead the cows should be honored. So all in the village started festivities in honor of the cows that formed the backbone of their life. Indra was infuriated at this ignominy meted out to him. He wanted to teach the Gopas and Gopikas a good lesson! He sent thunder, lightning, and a terrible downpour that almost drowned their village. Frightened and shocked Gopas besieged Krishna for help. Asking all people to assemble along with herds of cattle, Krishna lifted the Govardhana Giri with his little finger and held it like an umbrella and protected the entire village and its people! Indra's arrogance and pride was thus blotted out! Indra came down, offered his apologies to Krishna and realized that young Krishna was none other than Vishnu, the protector of the entire Universe! Leela Shuka , citing these incidents, declares that the form that stands before him is undoubtedly that of  Krishna!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-17

 Thejaseathu namo Dhenu paaline loka paaline

Radhaa payodharotsanga saayine Sesha saayine!

Leela Shuka is extremely excited at the direct appearance of his beloved Lord before his eyes! He describes the form of Krishna. “Krishna has been permeating in all his words and thoughts!  It is because of his great fortune that the Lord has condescended to come down with His beautiful moonlike face capable of making the entire universe happy! He has, with the sweet nectarine music from the flute, mesmerized all creatures in the world! Am I not the most fortunate mortal in the world?”

Leela Shuka offers his obeisance to the radiant Lord Krishna who now stands before his eyes!  In his ecstasy at the sight of Krishna, Leela Shuka exclaims, “ I offer my pranams to that dazzling radiant form that reclines on the great Adi Sesha, the One who sustains all the worlds, that form that is the Parabrahman itself! To prove that He is easily accessible to all He sleeps over the chest of His paramour Radha! Not only this, He tends cows and hence is called a cowherd!”

Lord Vishnu is always represented as reclining on the huge serpent Adi Sesha with Goddess Lakshmi Devi pressing the Lord's legs gently! It is also believed that the entire burden of the universe is borne by Adi Sesha on his thousand heads! It is a well known fact that Lakshmana, in the Ramayana, is the Avatar of Adi Sesha. It is said that I Adi Sesha wanted to be born as the elder brother of Vishnu!  Hence according to his wish he is born as Balarama, elder to Krishna in Dwapara yuga! In Treta Yuga Lakshmana served Sri Rama as his younger brother!

Radha is praised as the beloved of Krishna. Not much is known about her family or origin. There is a story that the wife of Indra, king of Devas, went to Vaikunta and was spellbound at the glory of Vishnu. Unwittingly, she fell in love with the Lord and expressed her strange desire! Vishnu had a hearty laugh and promised her the chance during Dwapara Yuga when he would be born as Krishna! The Love of Radha and Krishna is immortalized in the “ Gita Govinda” Kavya of Jayadeva’s, a Bengali poet! Their love is considered as pure and idealistic. Radha is considered as the Individual Soul or Jivatma and Krishna as “ paramatma.” Merging of the Jivatma into the “ Paramatma is the ultimate goal of Existence!!

Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara are called the Trinity or Trimurthies! Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu the protector and Maheswara or Siva the destroyer! It is the prerogative of Vishnu to protect the world, establish Dharma and annihilate Evil. Thus we find Vishnu coming down in His ten Avatars and destroying various Asuras to save sages and Dharma. He is the One who looks after the well being of all creatures!