KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-28

 Raadhaa punaathu jagadachyuta datta chitta

Manthanamaa kalayathi dadhiriktha paathre

Thasya sthana sthabaka chanchala Lola drushtir

Devopi dohana dhiya vrushabham nirusthan!

Leela Shuka always chants the reputed spiritual “Panchakshari Mantra!  He is always connected to Lord Siva. Despite this connection with Lord Siva, he is a lover of Krishna who is black in color and wears a smiling face! His heart longs for that radiant son of Yasoda! In general, worshippers of Siva do not worship Vishnu and His other incarnations! They are all fanatic about their religious beliefs! But Leela Shuka does not allow his devotion to Lord Siva restrict his love and devotion to Krishna the most attractive and charming Avatar of Vishnu! In fact, he received Upadesa of “ Madana Gopala Mantra”  from his Guru earlier!

“ With her heart lost in the contemplation of Achyuta or Lord Krishna, Radha, a Gopika , is churning  a pot unaware that it is empty, and devoid of any curd in it! Let that Gopika, Radha, purify the entire Universe! While Radha's situation is like this, how about the state of Krishna?  With His looks fixed on the soft flower like breasts of Radha and viewing them again and again with desire, Krishna, is pretending to tie up the bullock to its peg!! Let that Krishna, too, purify this universe!” declares Leela Shuka in this beautiful sloka! 

The Divine love between Radha and Madhava is glorified and brilliantly portrayed in the famous “ Gita Govinda” Kavya of the Bengali poet Jayadeva! The passion of Radha for her Madhava was insatiable. She could not remain lonely even for a fraction of a second without Krishna! Legend says that Sachi Devi, on account of her desire, came down as Radha and kept company with Krishna! Divine romance of Radha and Madhava is full of very interesting situations where Radha pines away for the presence of Krishna when He is away from her! Radha's maids go in search of Madhava and describe to Him the pangs of Her separation!  In the same way, her maids describe to Radha the mischief of Krishna and His flirting with other Gopikas!

Leela Shuka brilliantly portrays the predicament of lovers in this sloka. Mutual love of ideal nature is that the lovers forget everything happening around them! They are anxious to see each other though they are involved in other activities! They forget what they are doing. Radha, in her anxiety to have a look at Krishna, keeps churning a pot without any curd in it! Her heart and soul are so dedicated to the sight of Madhava that she doesn’t care to see if there is curd or not in the pot she is churning! Such a sight of Radha may appear stupid and comical for others but not for the lovers involved!

How about Krishna? He is equally lovelorn! He is pretending to tie up the bull to its peg. But His heart is yearning for the sight of Radha at a distance!  Both are looking at each other totally oblivious of what they are doing actually! Krishna is looking at Radha churning the empty pot and her soft flower like breasts by His stealing glances! Leela Shuka introduces Sringara rasa—erotic feelings of Krishna as he looks at Radha. Sringara is unavoidable wherever Krishna is present! Radha is an exceptional bhaktha of Krishna! The devotee can consider herself as the wife of Krishna! Pure bhakthi is nothing but total love or dedication to God! Such unalloyed bhakthi can surely purify the entire universe!  Krishna is Paramatma Himself! His very presence is capable of destroying everything evil and purify the entire world!

 

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA-27

 Ghosha praghosha samanaaya madho gunena

Madhye babandha janani Navanitachoram

Tat bandhanam jagathaa mudaraasrayaanaam

Aakrosa kaarana maho nitaraam babhuva!

Leela Shuka sees in his mental vision the exceptionally beautiful form of his beloved Lord Krishna!  How is He for the poet? “ Standing in front of him, Krishna is changing His stance by putting His left leg to the right and the right leg to the left! As usual, He is adorned with the crown of peacock feathers! His lotus face is aligned with the openings on His flute! He looks as an embodiment of compassion and radiates dazzling brilliance! Let this extraordinary dazzling brilliance appear before me during my terminal state!” says the poet languishing for the presence of Krishna!

“Gopikas, unable to tolerate the mischief of little Krishna in stealing milk and butter from their homes, complained to Yasoda. She wanted to admonish Krishna and persuade Him to desist from such mischievous acts and trouble the Gopikas. She wanted to tie up the thief of butter with a the rope used for churning butter! She managed to tie up Krishna with great difficulty! Little did Yasoda realize the suffering of the three worlds in the stomach of Krishna, the Avatar of Vishnu!  Unable to tolerate the pain induced by tying Krishna, the three worlds were in throes of intense pain!  In trying to relieving the suffering of Gopikas Yasoda ended up in torturing all the worlds!

The Bhagavatha purana narrates the leelas of young Krishna splendidly! Krishna would break pots of milk being carried by Gopikas by throwing stones at them! He would dart into the homes of Gopikaas with His mischievous train and steal butter, eat it and distribute to all his followers! If the butter is kept safe in pots hanging above, he would make his followers bend down, climb up above them and empty the precious butter collected and saved by the Gopikas!  He would go the cows and release the calves so that they can move freely! Because of His mischief there arose quarrels between the Gopikas and their mothers in law! The Gopikas tolerated to the maximum and had no other alternative but to go in group and complain to Yasoda against mischievous Krishna. They were so much annoyed with Krishna that they threatened Yasoda and said they would leave their homes and settle elsewhere! 

Poor Yasoda was an ordinary innocent woman! Her maternal instinct made her impervious to all complaints against he darling Krishna! But she grew angry when repeated complaints were levelled against her dear son. Unlike Devaki, Krishna's mother, she had no idea of the Avatar of Krishna! Devaki was blessed with the darshan of the radiant form of Vishnu just before Krishna was born! Yasoda was under the impression that Krishna was an ordinary lad like others! That is why Krishna reveals to her His nature in a few incidents! When she tried to tie him up, the rope  fell short every time and she felt tired! Pitying her state, Krishna allowed Himself to be tied up! When Balaraama complained to Yasoda that Krishna was eating small quantities of earth, she reprimanded and asked Him to open His mouth. When innocently Krishna opened His mouth she was aghast at what she saw inside-- the entire universe, the upper seven worlds and the seven nether worlds.

Krishna tells elsewhere ”Mama Maya duratyaya”—My Maya can never be won over!  Various sages too had this experience. Even as Yasoda  was wonder struck at what she saw in the small mouth of little Krishna, she was overcome by Maya and felt that Krishna was her darling child!  How can she think that the One that has no beginning, middle and end—“Adimadhyantharahita” can be her mortal son?  He is  “Ajo Nithyaha sasasvathoyam puraano na hanyathe hanyamane sarire”! He is eternal, sanatana! Purushha Sukta describes the Purusha as having a thousand heads, thousand eyes and a thousand legs! “ Sahara shirshah Purushaha sahasrakshah sahasra path” Is it so easy for Yasoda to recognize the Paramatma who has taken Avatar as Krishna? Leela Shuka feels sorry that Yasoda,  in tying up Krishna with the rope, had unwittingly tormented the entire universe and the fourteen worlds in the stomach of Krishna!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-26

 Sajala jalada nilam vallaki keli lolam

Srita sura tarumoolam vidyu dullaasi chelam

Natha sura muni jaalam sanmano bimba leelam

Suraripukula kaalam noumi Gopaala Baalam

Leela Shuka is terribly disappointed at the non appearance of his beloved Lord Krishna! He concludes that Krishna has not recognized His Bhaktha! In that state of frustration, he wants to become familiar with Krishna. Who will introduce him to Krishna? As his heart and mind are immersed in him, he wants his Manas to take lead and introduce him to Krishna! He has his own doubts whether that will be possible. He is in search of some other object close to Krishna that can effectively introduce him to his Lord. He spots the Divine flute that is always close to Krishna. He addresses the flute thus: “  O Divine Flute! You are very fortunate as you taste the honey of the breath of Krishna emanating from His lotus face! I bow down in prayer and request you to narrate my pathetic state in to His ears as soon as you reach His diamond like nether lip!”

How does Krishna appear to Leela Shuka?  “He is like the dark blue rain bearing clouds. He is much interested in playing and talking to the Gopikas! He is at the foot of Kalpa vruksha the wish fulfilling tree! He has draped Himself in dazzling robes! He is worshipped by Devas and sages! He presents Himself in the hearts of the good! He is like the God of Death, Yama to all the Asuras and their families! I praise that form of Gopala Krishna!” says Leela Shuka in this Sloka. 

The word 'Krishna' denotes black color. But it is not ordinary black color. Krishna is dark blue in color like the rain bearing clouds which are exceedingly beautiful! Being brought up in Gokulam He is always surrounded by Gopikas who are madly in love with him. They enjoy His little mischiefs and pranks but do not complain to Yasoda ordinarily. Many have suffered in the hands of Krishna when he came with His mischievous train to steal butter kept in pots! Unable to tolerate his mischiefs, once, they complained to Yasoda when she grew angry and tried to tie him up with a rope! No rope could tie him up as it fell just short of length! Taking pity on His mother, Krishna agreed to bind Himself with the rope! Krishna's most mischievous act to tease Gopikas was stealing their robes as they played and bathed in the clear waters of the Yamuna! This act of stealth by Balakrishna is celebrated as “Gopika Vasthrapaharana” in the Bhagavatha purana! In short, Krishna always played with Gopikas and immersed them all in indescribable bliss!

“Alankkara priyo Vishnu” –Vishnu is fond of 'alankara or adornments! Leela Shuka observes Krishna   draped in dazzling robes that splash like lightning! He is at the foot of Kalpa Vruksha, the wish fulfilling tree!

Sages and all varieties of Devas are paying homage to Him! He can be visualized by the good alone! Krishna is the inveterate enemy of Asuras who are against Devas! He has never spared any of those that tortured the Devas! As a child He killed Putana, a terrible demon who came to kill Him by feeding Him! Along with her milk Krishna drank away her life! Sakataasura, Thrunavartha and others sent by Kamsa were dispatched to the land of Death! Later he killed Sisupala and Jarasandha!

Leela Suka recapitulates the leelas or the Divine sports of his dear Lord Krishna in his great work  “Krishna Karnamruta.”  The entire work is devoted to the leelas of Krishna, His extraordinary Divine Beauty and wonderful different visions that the poet enjoys in his mental vision! A faithful description of what the poet sees, of his darling Krishna, is placed before the readers for their enjoyment and bliss!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-25

 Ayi parichinu chetaha praatarambhoja netram

Kabara kalitha chanchath pincha daamaabhiraamam

Valabhi dupula nilam vallavi bhaagadeyam

Nikhila Nigama Valli moola kandam Mukundam

“What a wonderful fortune has happened to the bamboo on the banks of the great Yamuna river! It has managed to be near the ruddy nether lip of Krishna as his flute!  Not only that, it has become holy and sanctified! Will it be possible for me to attain that prestigious position on account of my “purva punya”- holy deeds performed in my previous births?” said a Gopika to herself envious of the glorious state of Krishna's flute, made of bamboo on the bank of the Yamuna! Leela Shuka imagines the predicament of a Gopika aspiring for the proximity of Krishna’s nether lip!

“O My Mind! Will you not introduce and familiarize me to Krishna?  He has beautiful eyes like the lotus that blossoms in the morning! He has adorned Himself with peacock feather garlands and looks extraordinarily handsome due to their movement in the air! Is he not superbly blue in color like the “Indranila” precious stone? Surely He is the embodiment of Fortune for all the Gopikas! He is the very source and origin of all the Vedas which are like creepers! He is the root of everything in the universe!  Kindly introduce me to that Sri Krishna!”

All Gopikas are enamored of Krishna and desire to be with Him always. But is that possible? They envy every object associated with the Lord! They are jealous of every ornament that Krishna wears. The peacock feathers, the garlands and other adornments on Krishna aggravate their envy! One Gopika wonders how an ordinary bamboo was so fortunate to shape in to a beautiful flute and occupy the ruddy nether lip of Krishna! It is difficult to digest and feel happy about the fortune of the bamboo reed! The Gopika thinks that it was because of the bamboo reed’s “purva punya” that it had the rare fortune of reaching the sweet lips of Krishna! She wonders whether she would be in a position to attain that state through her “Purva punya”. Leela Shuka envisons this plight of Gopika in his poetic imagination!

Krishna's beauty is indescribable and incomparable! Many stotras on Krishna vie with one another in describing the Divine beauty of the Lord! All forms Vishnu are described in a standard manner. Lord's eyes are compared to the beautiful lotus flower and petals. Krishna's eyes are beautiful like the lotus that blooms early in the morning at sunrise! “ Krishnam Kamala patraaksham nila jimutha sannibham”is the description in a particular stotra. Krishna can never be thought of without the peacock feathers or nament “ Barhipinchava chudaankam”. Krishna is blue in color and his hue is compared very often to the dark blue rain bearing clouds and to the blue Indraneela precious stone! Krishna is Parabrahman that the Vedas and the Upanishads glorify! He is “Ajo Nithyaha sasasvathoyam puraano na hanyathe hanyamane sareere”! He is “ Adi madhyantarahita”-  One without a beginning, middle and end! He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient!

Leela Shuka is languishing for the direct presence of his dear Lord Krishna! He is not fortunate so for. He feels that Krishna does not know him! He wants some one to introduce him to  Krishna! The best person would be his own Mind! Hence he requests his Mind to introduce him to Krishna! Mind is the root cause of our actions and reactions. It is also deciding factor between our attachment and detachment! “Mana Eva manushyaanaam karanam bandha mokshayoh!” If the Mind attaches itself to Krishna, Moksha becomes easy! Otherwise it is an endless life caught in the cycle of samsaara! Leela Shuka had enough of lustful existence and has genuinely turned Godward! Hence his perpetual craving for the presence of his  darling Lord Krishna!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-24

 Kadamba Vruksha maarudam Gopi Vasthraapaharinam

Krishnam dhyaatwaardha raathretu japen mantram sahasrakam

Dasaraathra japaar Deva maakarshen Naagakanyakam

KanyakaaThridasaadinaam Kim lunar Marthya yoshitaha!

“ Gopikas are bathing in the crystal clear waters of the Yamuna!  They are begging for their dress from Krishna, who has mischievously stolen them! But they are humble in their prayers in requesting Krishna to return their garments! Their eyes radiate gentleness! They are overwhelmed with modesty and unstable in their looks! It is as if Manmatha has just emerged and the Gopikaas are worshipping Krishna with their eyes similar to the flower arrows of Manmatha!  Let that form of Krishna, worshipped by those Gopikaas, protect us!” declares Poet Leela Shuka in his ecstasy at the vision of his dear Lord Krishna in his mind!

The Gopikaas lost themselves in play in the clear waters of the Yamuna! Krishna, in the meanwhile, climbed on the ' Kadamba' tree and stole the garments of the Gopikaas! Gopikaas were stunned at this stealth of their darling Krishna! They were struck by the sense of modesty in appealing to Krishna to return their dress. They looked hither and thither with their  lotus eyes that created erotic feelings! Leela Shuka is in a state of supreme bliss at the sight of Krishna the stealer of the robes of Gopikas. Praying  such a form or of Krishna on the Kadamba Tree teasing the love lorn and languid Gopikaas has its special significance!

This sloka has a special significance as it is related to the “Gopala Krishna Mantra rajam”! Poet Leela Shuka was initiated into spiritually by his Guru who gave him the Upadesa of “ Madana Gopala Mantram! According to “Sanathkumara Samhitha” this sloka forms the “Dhyana” of “ Vasthrakarshana Prayoga”

The effect of meditating on the form krishna on the Kadamba Tree, involved in stealing the robes of Gopikas, has a tremendous effect!  Chanting the mantra thousand times during the midnight or chanting it for ten nights shall attract Devas and damsels of the land of Nagas! Why then think of ordinary mortals?

“ Gopika Vasthrapa harana”—the incident of stealing the robes of Gopikas is one of the well known Divine leelas or Sports of Krishna! He wanted to teach them a lesson as they were proud of their beauty! On a day, when they went to the Yamuna for bathing, Krishna followed them secretly! The Gopikas disrobed themselves and freely played in the clear waters of the Yamuna. Silently, Krishna climbed on the Kadamba Tree and collected all the dress of the Gopikas with the help of his mischievous band!  He sat on the branch of the tree as if He was totally innocent!  After a jolly bath, the Gopikas were stunned at the disappearance of their robes and sensed that it was the purposeful mischief of young Krishna. The couldn’t come out of water without their garments! Modesty and shyness prevented them from coming out. They prayed  and appealed to the Lord to save them and return their dress. It was only after a long time that Krishna sympathized with their state and returned their dress! It was a revelation for them that one has to surrender himself to God totally but not have any reservations like shyness or modesty! Leela Shuka such Krishna, showering His Grace on the Gopikas, to protect him!!

In the Mahabharata, Krishna didn’t come to the rescue of Draupadi when Dussasana started disrobing her in the presence of Bhishma, Drona and other seniors!  She wailed and wept and clung to her robes in trying to save her chastity. A time came when she couldn’t save herself or stop the evil minded brother of Duryodhana. She threw her hands up and cried sincerely for help from Krishna. It was only later that Krishna granted her the never ending series of sarees! Dussasana was dead and dog tired in drawing away her sarees! Finally he fainted and Draupadi's chastity was protected!  It is only total surrender to God that compels Him to come to your rescue!

 

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-Sloka-23

 Jaya Jaya Jaya Deva Deva Deva tribhuvana mangala Divya naamadheya

Jaya Jaya Jaya Balakrishna Deva sravana mano naya naamru thaavathaara!

“O Krishna! You are always blessed with the six qualities of prosperity (“ Shadgunaiswarya sampanna”)! It is my rare fortune that you have taken the form of Gopala! If I am dedicated and devoted to you and become your Bhaktha,  the lady of mukthi or salvation shall be humble at my service!  Even the other  “Purushaarthaasaas”—Dharmaa, Artha, and Kaama shall be at my disposal  O Lord!  As I am your deeply devoted  Bhaktha there is nothing  that I cannot achieve!” asserts poet Leela Shuka expecting the direct presence of his dear lord Krishna!

In this sloka Leela Shuka extols the distinct qualities of Krishna! “  Oh my Lord Krishna!  Victory, victory and victory to you! Have You not taken Avatar pleasing our ears, mind and eyes? It is like the rain of Amirta or nectar on me! Your Name is not of ordinary nature. It bestows wellness and good for all the three worlds namely Swarga or heaven, Marthya or the world and Pathala or the nether world! O Balakrishna! the owner of extraordinary names! Victory for You! You are the Lord of all Gods—Deva Deva!

The name or chanting the name of Hari or Lord Vishnu or Krishna is the panacea for all the Ills of society! In this Kaliyuga Nama sankirthana or Name smarana is the easiest and the best way to reach God. Du During the Krita Threta, and Dwapara Yuga one had to perform tapas for hundreds of years to please Gods and obtain boons! But in Kali Yuga it is enough if one has faith in God and. Chants His name relentlessly through out his life. Lord Vishnu tells Sage Narada that He does not reside in His abode Vaikunta or in the hearts of Yogis! But He is present places where His bhakthassing His glory! Materialistic man is drowned in this illusory world and can never think of penance or tapas. He is entangled in the never ending samsara and has no time to think of God! To chant the name of God is a rare opportunity for salvation though many fail to seize the opportunity!

Name smarana or chanting the name of God has worked many miracles in the lives of Bhaktha’s! Child Dhruva attained his wish as well as a position in the Galaxy! Prahlada, by his intense chanting of the name of Hari had the vision of Lotrd Vishnu, though Hiranyakasipu was killed for the well being of the world! Most astonishing story is that of young Markandeya destined to die at the age of sixteen! He sat in penance, chanting the name of Siva! The God of Death, Yama, came to take his life and threw the ‘pasa' at him. It fell on the Siva Linga even as Markandeya embraced it in fear! Lord Siva came out in fury and kicked Yama by His left leg and warned him severely! He was admonished and warned not to touch His Bhakthas! In the lives of the Azwars and Nayanmars of South India and the sants or saints of the North several astonishing incidents have happened to establish the primary importance of Nama sankirthana and Nama smarana!

  

 The omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient Supreme God has innumerable Names that indicate His extraordinary powers and qualities. In the Mahabharata war, on a particular day, Bhishma Pitamaha was furious and appeared to kill the Pandavas! None could stop him! Krishna, the Sarathi of Arjuna, became angry at the sight of devastating Bhishma, and jumped down from His chariot!  Though he had promised not to fight in the war, He wielded His Sudarsana Chakra and said He would kill Bhishma on that day! Pitamaha remained unruffled and cool and happy! He felt proud that his end would come through Krishna, none other than Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being! He then started to extol the Lord in His different forms and names. This is the “Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra” that we are familiar with and recite often! No doubt that Leela Shuka praises Krishna whose name is “ Tribhuvana mangala Divya naamadheya”! The six Gunas or qualities (“Shadgunas”) that the Supreme Being is endowed with are  Jnana, Aiswarya,  Sakthi,  Bala, Virya and Tejas!