KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA 44

 Lokaanunmadayan Srutir mukharayan kshoniruhaan harshayan

Sailaan vidravayan mrugaan vivasayan go brunda maanandayan

Gopaan sambhramayan munin  mukulayan saptha swaraan jambhayan

Omkaaraartha mudirayan vijayithe vamsi ninaadas sisoh !

Leela Shuka describes the wonderful and rare attributes of his darling ishta daiva Sri Krishna! Krishna sports the 'kasthuri' bindi on His brow! He wears the holy and rare kausthubha jewel on His chest! At the tip of His nose there is the priceless new pearl! He wields the Divine flute in His palm There is a girdle around His hand! There is a pearl garland around His neck! All his body is smeared with fragrant sandal paste! He is surrounded by a bevy of Gopikas! He is the very crown jewel of the Gopaalaas—Gopaala chudaamani!

“He is capable of driving people mad after Him! He makes the Vedas resound all over the world!  He makes all the trees extremely happy and allows them to sprout and wear tender leaves! It is He who is capable of melting down hills and mountains! He is the one who kills all animals! He brings happiness to herds of cattle, especially cows! He is the object of wonder and illusion to all the gopaalaas! Before Him all sages and saints bow down with folded hands! He makes the Seven Swaraas-notes of music- Sa, Ri,  Ga, Ma, Pa Dha, Ni shine brilliantly! He represents the very essence of Pranava otherwise called  “Omkaara”! Let those Divine notes of His flute be the greatest and the victorious! Proclaims poet LeelaShuka in this excellent sloka! He waters all plants and trees in the forest and makes them happy! They come up with tender leaves and grow with wonderful blossoms and fruits! 

While speaking of the special attributes of Krishna’s personality, Leela Shuka considers the great qualities and attributes of paramatma, Lord Vishnu who is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient! There is nothing that is impossible for Him! The thought of Krishna and Love for Him has driven many a bhaktha mad! Such devotees have been intoxicated with a Divine frenzy and desired to merge with Him! He is Veda Swarupa, the embodiment of the spirit of the Vedas!  It is because of Him that the Vedas and Sasthras have become popular! He is the manifestation of Nature, the trees, hills and mountains, streams and rivers and oceans and all living creatures! Mountains come into existence through His will and  melt into nothing! He is the cattle herd and protects them. Hence He is called Gopaala! He has mesmerized all the Gopas and Gopikas, performed many miracles and enveloped them in his Maya or ilillusion. Sadhus and saints bow down before Him with folded hands because He is the final goal that they have to reach! 

Paramatma is considered as “Nadaswarupa” – the embodiment of Nada or sound! It is from Him that the primordial sound AUM has emerged! This is called Omkara! The Upanishads proclaim the glory of this sound vociferously. “Om ityekaaksharam Brahma”- that is, this one letter is Brahman! Saint Thyagaraja sings about the unity and the oneness of Sankara and Omkaara in one of his famous kritis or songs: “Nada thanu manisam Sankaram”- Sankara or Lord Siva is the personification of Nada or Primordial sound which is Omkaara! Thus Krishna who Himself is Vishnu incarnate, is the form and essence of Nada or Omkaara! The Divine flute, no doubt releases the same Pranava that purifies one and all! 

In short, Paramatma has no beginning, middle or end! He is “Adyantarahita! He is the Creator, Protector  and the destroyer! He has manifested Himself as glorious Nature, mountains, rivers, trees, animals and all living and nonliving objects! There is nothing that He has not created! As the saying affirms, “ Ekah paratma bahu deha varthi”-There is one celestial Atma or Soul and it manifests through different bodies! To Leela Shuka, Krishna is not merely the lovely lad of Gokulam, the darling of Yasoda or the thief of milk and butter from the homes of gopikas but the Parabrahman who is all in all in the illusory world that He has created! Krishna cannot be limited to any village, country or area, race! It is only His Maya that prevents us from understanding His Real Stature and mission in the universe!!

 

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA 43

 Sandhya Vandana bhadramasthu bhavathe bho snaana thubhyam namo bho

 Devaaha pitarascha tharpanavidhau naaham kshamah kshamyatham

Yatrakwapi nishidya Yaadava kulottamsasya Kamsadwisha  smaram smara

 Smaram smara agham haraami tadalam manye kimanye name !

Leela Shuka imagines how Rukmini Devi was frustrated as there was no recognition for her! Krishna lifted one of the lightest hills by name Govardhanagiri casually and came to be called as  Govardhanagiridhari all over the world and heaven! Rukmini Devi holds Krishna, who bears the burden of all the three worlds, on her chest but none care for her great act!! What is the use of frustration and feeling sorry for the negligence of people? It is only through one's punya or good deeds in the previous birth one gets renown!

“ O Sandhya Vandana! May you thrive you well!  O Bath! My pranams to you! O Devas and pitrus! I am unable to offer oblations to you! You may kindly pardon me for this inability of mine! Sitting in some remote place, I contemplate and meditate on the greatest of Yaduvamsa, the enemy of Kamsa, Sri Krishna! I reflect on Him again and again and wipe out all my sins! I feel that repeating His name is capable of washing off all my sins! What is the use of indulging in other ways?” exclaims poet Leela Shuka in this beautiful sloka!

The Vedas have ordained that every brahmin should perform a few daily rituals to purify themselves and qualify for the final goal of mukti or salvation! They are called “ Nitya Karmas” or daily duties or actions. There are others called “ Naimittika Karmas” or those performed for some reason. Sandhya Vandana is the most important karma prescribed for brahmins! It is the upasana or worship of the greatest of all mantras, namely the “Gayathri Mantra” visualized by the great sage Viswamitra! It is the meditation of the three forms of Gayathri during the morning, afternoon and evening! Brahmins are supposed to have two births, one before Gayathri upadesa and the second and the most important after upanayana or Gayathri upadesa otherwise called “Brahmopadesa.” That is why the brahmin is called “Dwija” –twice born!!

The brahmin is expected to offer oblations to Gods and his own ancestors. This is a kind of sacrifice which every one has to perform. These are called “Deva Yagna” and “Pitru Yagna” Man has to pay his debt of gratitude to the Gods and his own forefathers responsible for his birth and existence. Therefore yagnas have to be performed. On every new moon day the pitrus have to be propitiated to get their blessings for a happy and prosperous life. It is believed that those who don’t care for their ancestors cannot lead a happy and peaceful existence! The Bhagavadgita too lays stress on the significance of these Yagnas or sacrifices! 

Leela Shuka is not interested in these duties or kartmas! These are only rituals that have to be performed scrupulously and daily. There is still uncertainty regarding the result they produce. One is not sure if he gets mukti or salvation purely by performing them. They are only the elementary means to attain God! What is use of following them when you aren’t sure of the result? Hence the poet discards these regular duties and concentrates on the Supreme Brahman in the form of Krishna, the jewel of Yadu clan and the arch enemy of Kamsa! The poet feels that repeating the name of Krishna and meditating on Him shall ward off all his sins once and for all! There is no use in wasting time over silly rituals. God of Death is merciless! One's only duty is to sing the glory of God! “ Kalakshepo na karthavyaha kshina mayur kshane kshane Yamasya karuna nasthi karthavyam Hari kirthanam!”  The poet emphasizes the futility of daily and other rituals and the primary importance of  “Nama Smarana” or recollecting and thinking of the name of God! 

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA-42

 Mallai sailendrakalpa sisu ritarajanaih pushpachaponnaganabhir

Gopaisthu prakrutatma Divi kulisabhruta viswa kayo prameyaha

Kruttah Kamsena kalo bhaya chakithadrusa yogibhir dhyeya murthir

Drushto rangavatare Hari ramaragana nandakruth pathu yushman!

When Krishna is engaged in playing on His flute, His head is slightly bent on the left side! As such the hangings on the left touch the back. One eye brow is also bent while the other looked long. Krishna's mouth was half open and His looks went across. He played on the flute with His tender and delicate fingers as the tender sprouting leaves! Krishna's person thus appeared with three bends! With that world enticing looks Krishna appeared under the Kalpa Vruksha! Leela Shuka  says that he is always contemplating on such wonderful appearance of Krishna!

To the massive wrestlers like Chanura and others sent by Kamsa,  Krishna appeared like the Himalaya mountains! But for all others who looked at Him, He was only a young lad! For all the beautiful young damsels He was Manmatha, the embodiment of beauty and love! For all the Gopalas, He looked like one among them! To Indra, king of Gods, Krishna appeared Omnipresent and bereft of all sensory tendencies! To Kamsa, stunned and petrfied by fear,  Krishna looked like furious Yama,  the God of Death! To all the Yogis, sages and saints, Krishna appeared as the object fit enough to be worshipped and meditated upon! For all the great Devas, Krishna was the bestower of happiness! Let that Krishna protect you always says Poet Leela Shuka in this beautiful sloka!

“Yada Yadahi dharmasya glanir bhavati Bharata abyuttana madharmasya tadatmanam srujamyaham” declares the Lord in the Bhagavadgita! When righteousness declines and adharma increases the Lord incarnates. The object of any incarnation or Avatar is to establish Dharma or righteousness and destroy evil. It’s also to protect the sadhus, sages and saints and kill the perpetrators of evil. “parithranaya sadhunam vinasayacha dushkrutam Dharma samsthapa narthaya sambhavami yuge yuge!” proclaims the Lord once again in the Gita! The very purpose of Krishnavatar was to rid the world of the transgressors of the accepted principles of Dharma. Kamsa, Sisupala, Jarasandha and others made life unbearable to  people! Beating all these demonaic forces the Kauravas wanted to wipe out the Pandava clan. It was the opportune time for the Avatar of Krishna in Dwapara Yuga!

While that is one aspect of the Avatar, it is also to shower His Grace on His staunch Bhakthas or devotees. Both the acts have to be accomplished simultaneously! While the Avatar is deadly to His detractors and enemies, He is gentle, the embodiment of love, Grace and compassion to His devotees . The Cat is a terror to mice and tears it to pieces with its very sharp teeth! The same cat gently catches its kitten with the same sharp teeth and carries them from one place to another! This is called “ Marjara kisora nyaya!” God is terrible and deadly for His enemies and evildoers while He is all love and compassion to His devotees! Leela Shuka brings out very effectively this dual role of Krishnavatar as he describes how Krishna appeared to different people in different forms or ways!

Kamsa planned to kill Krishna by arranging a fight between his court wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika! To them Krishna seemed to be the Himalayas! Where is the Divine Child and the feeble mortal wrestlers? It is totally a mismatch and they were despatched to Yamaloka! But the people wondered how the innocent lad can cope with the terrible wrestlers. In their view Krishna was an ordinary boy innocent and likely to be badly beaten and vanquished! To the women assembled there to see the unequal fight, Krishna appeared like beautiful Manmatha! To the Gopis  Krishna seemed to be one among them. To lndra Krishna looked Omnipresent,divested of mortal tendencies! To stunned Kamsa Krishna appeared like Yama, God of Death! To all the Yogis Krishna appeared as the object of worship and meditation! To all other Devas Krishna was the bestower of happiness! Let that Krishna who appears differently to different types of people protect us says the poet!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA-41

 Pite pita nishanna baalakagale thishtan sa gopaalako 

Yantraantasthitha mapakrushchaadya ghantaaravam

Vaktropaanta krutanjalih kruta sirah kampam piban yah payah

Payaadaagata Gopikaa nayanayor gandusha phuthkaarakruth!

Leela Shuka describes the effect of  the Divine music on the Gopikas. The ethereal notes of Krishna's flute totally destroyed their tender hearts!  They were compelled to  give up their love for their spouses! As they proceeded towards Krishna, their locks of hair got loosened and they were not bothered about tying them up! They simply ran fast to see Krishna! On account of their speed, their lips, breasts and the navel areas vibrated! They were overwhelmed by amorous feelings and the hair on their bodies stood up indicating their passion for Krishna!

In this sloka Leela Shuka narrates the mischief done by Young Krishna in one of the gopika's house! The description of how Krishna managed to climb up to steal milk with the help of His friends is very graphic! First and foremost one of Krishna's friends sat down on a wooden plank. Krishna climbed on his back and stood up to reach the arrangement in the midst of which was the pot containing milk! He bent the pot! There was a bell at that spot and Krishna stopped it from ringing! Then He brought together both His palms near to His mouth, shook His head properly and began drinking milk!  It was at that time the Gopikas came and saw to their surprise and shock the act of Krishna! Not knowing how to manage the situation, mischievous Krishna, spat the milk in His mouth into the eyes of Gopikas!! Krishna enjoyed the fun while the Gopikas were stunned at this act of Krishna!  With this wonderful vision of Krishna Leela, in his mind, he says that such mischievous Krishna should protect all of us! 

Krishna reveled in such mischiefs in the homes of many Gopikas during His stay at Nanda Gokulam! He didn’t leave anyone unaffected! Out of pure love and affection for Krishna the Gopikas endured all their sufferings and refrained from complaining to Krishna’s mother Yasoda! But there seemed to be no end to the thefts of Krishna and His other mischiefs! Out of sheer disgust, they decided to meet Yasoda and complain against the atrocities committed by Krishna in their homes. They told Yasoda that no milk or butter was safe in their homes because of Krishna! They were the targets of mischievous Krishna and His train! They complained that it was impossible for them to remain in Gokulam if things continued like this! They had taken a decision to leave Gokulam and settle somewhere else! Poor Yasoda was aghast at the vehement complaints of the Gopikas. For the first time she realized that Krishna was really mischievous! None had complained against Him earlier! She grew angry, pacified the Gopikas and decided to admonish Krishna and punish Him if He didn’t correct Himself!

Leela Shuka describes the dexterity with which Krishna committed His mischiefs! Always He would move about with His band of companions and enter homes of Gopikas in their absence! If milk or butter is kept high under the ceiling to save it from Krishna, He had effective plan to reach it easily! His friends were ready to be pressed in service to reach the goal! They will bend, one above the other, or bring any item of furniture to help them! Krishna will climb upon the backs of His companions and easily reach the pots of milk or butter! That will be a merry party for Krishna and His associates! Krishna would eat and drink enough and distribute the rest to His faithful friends!

A bell was placed near the pots of milk! That was to alert the Gopika if someone were to come to steal! But Krishna is smart and knows how to steal effectively! He caught hold of the bell and silenced it so that no alarm could be given! Not only that, He spat out the milk in His mouth in to the eyes of the Gopika when she came to prevent Him! Krishna leelas are very interesting and edify too! Krishna is Paramatma or the Absolute Brahman! Gopikas are ordinary mortals—Jivatmas!  Paramatma comes in search of Jivatmas! Milk or butter is the essence or soul of the individual! It is the aim of the individual Soul to merge into the Absolute Brahman! We cannot consider the acts of Krishna as mischief but read much spiritual significance in them!

KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA-40

 Kasthwam Bala  Balaanujah kimahathe manmandiraa sankaya

Yuktam than navanitapaatra vivare hastham ki martham nyaseh

Matah kanchana vatsakam mrugayitum maaga vishaadam kshanaa

Dityevam vara vallavi prati vachah Krishnassa pushnaatu naha!

Leela Shuka's imagination is simply splendid! The way in which he visualizes his beloved Krishna is unparalleled! He imagines that Krishna, while stealing butter from the pots of Gopikas, creates a flow of smiles to the beautiful Lily like eyes of Rukmini Devi! The smiles are similar to the cool, pleasant moonlight!  Krishna shines as the paramour of Gopikas!  Let such Son of Nanda move about freely  in my heart, says the poet!

“ Oh! Boy! Who are you?” “ I am the younger brother of Balaraama!” “ What makes you enter my home?” “ I came here thinking that it is my residence!” “That is alright, but why did you put your hand in the pot containing butter?” “ O Mother! Don’t be worried about this!  I came here to search for a missing calf!” “ Let these questions of Gopika and answers of Krishna protect us always!” says Leela Shuka in this beautiful sloka!

Leela Shuka  , in this sloka, transports us immediately to Nanda Gokulam where little Krishna grew up along with the Gopas and Gopikas! He had gained notoriety already with his mischiefs in the homes of many Gopikas. He had gone with his band of followers to the homes of several Gopikas and stolen butter and distributed it to his friends! In one such incident, a Gopika catches Krishna red handed! She questions Him who He is and what His intention is in coming to her house. To escape from the situation Krishna answers that He is the younger brother of Balaraama and that He came there suspecting it to be His home. The Gopika questions why Krishna inserts  His hand into the pot containing butter. Krishna, to escape from the tight corner bluffs that He is searching for a missing calf in the pot with butter!!

The question answer session between the Gopika and Krishna is very captivating! Instead of a mere description of the incident, the poet renders it very graphic and interesting by bringing together the Gopika and Krishna face to face! Krishna has ready answers for all her questions. Mischievously he says that He mistook her home as His? Questioned about His intentions in coming to her house, and why He put His hand in the pot with butter, Krishna says that He came in search of a missing calf!! He just wants to tide over the crisis by being too smart and displaying His presence of mind!

Does the Gopika believe in the words of Krishna? Doesn’t she know who Krishna is? Is she also ignorant of the intention of Krishna in entering her home? The beauty of the conversation is that both Krishna and the Gopika are portrayed as ignorant and innocent! Krishna is Omnipresent and Omnipotent and Omniscient God It is His Divine Leela or sport! Krishna is Paramatma, the Absolute Brahman! The pot is the body or deha! Inside the pot is butter which stands for Jeevatma or the individual Soul! It is the aim of God to receive the individual Soul and merge it with Him! We can infer that God is always in search of Jivatma whose ultimate aim is to merge into the Absolute Brahman or Paramatma!!