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!