Dwarakanatha -2

Dwarakanatha 2

     Radhekrishna! In the last issue we saw that Bhagavan decided to move the people of Mathura to a safer place. The all powerful Bhagavan wanted to create a new country in the sea. On Bhagavan's request Samudraraja made space in the midst of the sea for a new country. He pleaded a boon from the Lord that once the Lord leaves the earth he would take back the country into the seas. He wanted to enjoy the place where Krishna lived for some time. Bhagavan agreed to his condition. Vishvakarma constructed a country in the most wonderful manner. There was no place to equal that. It was greater than Indra's Amaravathy.

     During that time Kalayavana who was a friend of Jarasandha chased Krishna. Krishna pretended to run away from him and entered a cave. The great king Muchukunta was lying there sleeping. Kalayavana mistook him for Krishna and kicked him unaware of the boon Muchukunda had got from the devas. He was instantly burnt down to ashes. Bhagavan then gave darsan to Muchukunda and blessed him. Jarasandha made another attempt again at Krishna. This time Krishna and Balaram left the battlefield mid way and disappeared. Jarasandha was searching for Krishna everywhere when Krishna along with his people entered Dwaraka, the place created by Krishna Himself! 
     This is supposed to be the door way - dwaar to Parabrahmam. It is called the golden city. All the devas offered whatever they could for this city. It shone like thousand suns. Andal in her Nachiyar Thirumozhi describes Dwaraka as a place sung in praise by the black birds in the woods. A holy place indeed with the presence of Lord Krishna! The Lord of Dwaraka is also known as Ranchodji - meaning one who ran way from the battle front!! The Lord of the Universe who is the assylum for everyone, ran away from the battle field and took assylum in Dwaraka. We can well imagine its greatness then !

     Dwaraka is a holy city where Krishna married His 16,108 queens. It was only after coming here that Rukmini sent message through a brahmin for Krishna, to take her away from her impending marriage with Sisupala. It was here that Bhagavan brought Rukmini and married her. Manmatha was reborn as Pradyumna in Dwaraka only. It was from here that Anirudha was taken away by Usha, Bana's daughter to release whom Bhagavaan had to fight with Bana.

     It was in Dwaraka that one day Bhagavan saw Sathrajith  wearing the Syamanthaka stone. The people of Dwarka thought it was Lord Surya who was coming to meet Krishna. Krishna explained to them it was not Lord Surya bu the Syamanthaka stone that Sathrajith had was emitting so much brightness. They were all astound at that.Bhagavan Krishna asked for the stone which Sathrajith refused. The stone caused Sathrajith the life of his brother. Later the blame was put over Bhagavan Krishna. In Brindavan Krishna was called a thief and He never contradicted it. But here in Dwaraka when he was blamed of stealing the stone from Sathrajith, He made every effort to prove that He was innocent. So again Bhagavan had to go in search of the truth and in the process married Jampavathi and Sathyabhama too. Bhagavan wanted to give Dwaraka the fame of His marriages. Lord Narada had a feeling that while his father Brahma had the fortune of seeing a number of Krishnas in Brindavan, he never had such a luck. It was as if to please him Bhagavan married the 16,108 queens in Dwaraka at the same time in 16,108 forms. 

     It was here that Narada could enjoy Bhagavan conducting His family life in various forms with his various consorts. At one house Krishna was taking oil bath, in another house he was seen doing sandhyavandhana -daily oblations. At one place He was playing games with Uddhava, in one hosue He was seen fighting with two boxers. He was taking care of cows insome place while was giving offerings to people in another house. Somewhere He was deep in thought and somewhere deeply engaged in marriage arrangements of  His children. Somewhere he was feeding brahmins with great respect and care. Somewhere He was doing jalakreeda with his queen, and somewhere He was discussing with the spies of His country. Saint Narada witnessed all these in Dwaraka only. 

     It was in Dwaraka that King Nriga got released from his form of chamillion due to a curse. It was in Dwaraka that Krishna feigned to quarrel with Rukmini and when she fell down in anguish and fear, took her in His lap with His four arms to console her. It was from Dwaraka that Lord Guruvayurappa and Udupi Krishna reached their places. Dwaraka is the base for many divine temples of India. It was in Dwaraka that Krishna's friend Kuchela was ushered into His bedroom and fully honoured by Him and His people. He forcibly took the rice flakes brought with great love and care by Kuchela. 

     Dwaraka had lofty buildings. It was from Dwaraka that Bhagavan took a brahmin along with Arjuna to Vaikunta for retrieving the brahmin's demised children. It was in Dwaraka that Radhika Rani came to Rukmini's palace one day. Rukmini ushered her inside and honoured her. Radhika and Rukmini kept talking for sometime and then Radhika left. When Krishna returned home at night with a shock Rlukmini noticed that His feet were full of blisters. Horrified at the sight Rukmini asked Bhagavan the reason for that. Bhagavan laughingly replied that it was because of Rukmini only He has burnt His feet. Surprised and pained at that Rukmini asked Krishna how she had burnt Him. Then Bhagavan said that Rukmini had offered hot boiling milk to Radhika Rani. Radhika immersed in her Krishna Prema did not at all notice that and accepted it. As Radhika has Bhagavan's Lotus feet in her heart always the hot milk she consumed burnt them. Hearing this Rukmini broke down and wondered at the bhakthi of Radhika Rani !!!! Radhekrishna!

      Here in Dwaraka Bhagavan played a divine drama to subdue the ego of Sudarsana the disk and his consorts using Anjaneya. For the great bhaktha's sake He assumed the form of Lord Rama too. It was in Dwaraka that Uddhava the great bhaktha surrendered himself to the Lord and got His divine messages exclusively. It is said that the population of Dwaraka was about 56 crores. Bhagavan came down  as Krishna in order to lessen the burden of Mother Earth. With that purpose He decided to destroy His lineage also without any partiality or prejudice. All of  them fought within themselves due to the curse of some sages and killed themselved by divine sankalpa. Just as Bhagavan shed His mortal form, the sea plunged Dwarka from all sides within minutes. It was Bhagavan's great grandson Vajranabha the only survivor of the lineage, who built the present temple on a raised sand dune. To this day Bhagavan's court, palaces, etc lie under the sea. Such a wonderful place is Dwaraka. The present temple is said to be around 200ft tall. Even this temple has been said to be rebuilt 7 times over the years. 

     Usually in almost all temples Bhagavan's deity stands with 4 arms,  holding Sudarsana  the disk, and Padma the lotus on the rightside.  He holds Panchajanyam, the conch and kaumodaki the gada on the left side. But here in Dwaraka it is exactly vice versa. Bhagavan holds the conch and gada on his right side arms and the lotus and the disk on the left side arms. Rukmini too has a seperate temple. Balarama, Pradyumna, Anirudha and Lord Shiva too have temples for them here. The flag on the dhvajasthambha is said to be 52ft long. It is said Dwaraka was divided into 52 divisions, entrusted with 52 ministers and  supervised by Lord Krishna. The flag is changed thrice a day in the temple. Flags are given as offerings by many people to Dwarakanath. Bhagavan is offered food for about 17 times a day. Starting from milk as the first offering in the morning it continues with varieties of sweets and dishess. Bhagavan's alankaram -decoration is also changed 17 times. Dwarka is indeed a very special holy place ! Though enemy countries such as Pakistan have tried to demolish the divine place many times, it has escaped the disasters. Even Tsunami could not do much damage to this temple. This is the greatness of this place. The people here believe that they are still ruled by Lord Krishna only. Radhekrishna!

    

Dwarakanatha - 1

Dwarakanatha - 1
'Amararay thirikindrarku aadi ser ananthapurathu
Amarar kon archikindru anku akappani seyvor vinnor
Namarkalo solla kelmin naamum poyi nanuka vendum
Kumaranar thathai thunpam thutaitha Govindanare!' 

     Radhekrishna! We will begin Dwarakanatha's attributes from  Ananthapathmanabha. According to swami Nammazhvar it is Govinda who is lying as Ananthapathmanabha in Thiruvananthapuram. He who saved Lord Shiva from his predicament raised the Govardhana mountain on his finger to save His people from a disaster. The same blemishless Govinda sees that nobody in this place has any complaint (kurai). This Govinda declared that under any circumstances it was His duty to protect His people who have surrendered unto Him.  If one surrenders completely to Pathmanabha saying 'I have none but you to protect me' He will definitely take their responsibility in His hands. We have to raise both our hands as Draupathy did and cry out 'Govinda! Pundareekaksha! Rakshamam saranaagatham!'  He saves all from the pangs of diseases, confusions in mind, scandals of the world, prarabdha karmas, and from all dwandwas or dualities of the world.      
     Just as we eagerly look at Him through the three doors, all the devas too are looking at Him with great devotion inside the sanctum, says swami Nammazhvar. They seem to say to us that we don't have to worship them serperately, and that if we worship Pathmanabha all the devas will  be pleased. Nammazhvar says Pathmanabha is their leader - 'Amararkon'. So it is better to worship Him. All the devas have gathered here to do service to Pathmanabha. At night when the temple is closed and nobody is around, the devas start their services - 'kainkaryam'. They discuss about the devotees who had visited Pathmanabha that day. They eagerly come out of the sanctum to see how it feels to look at Pathmanabha from outside through the three doors. They envy at us humans at our fortune! 
     The cats, rats, and cocroaches that run around the place are all some great sages - 'Rishis' who have come down in that form to enjoy Pathmanabha. There would be  Shri Sukabrahmarshi, or Ambarisha, or Dhruva or any other great bhaktha among them. Swami Nammazhvaar says we have more rights than those divine beings as Pathmanabha has come down to our place. 'So hey people of this world, go there, advises Nammazhvar. This Govinda once removed the suffering of Skanda's father Mahadeva when he was inflicted by an asura. The eighteen feet moorthy of Pathmanabha is an ocean of mercy only! The people of Thiruvananthapuram are indeed very fortunate! The great need is devotion or bhakthi for Him.
     The people of Mathura had such devotion for Bhagavan Krishna. They had heard about all the stories of asuras getting killed in Brindavan by a cute little blue boy. They had their mind filled with his leelas. They gossiped among themselves that the boy was none other than the son of Vasudeva that had come to kill Kamsa the evil asura. It was only because Nandagopa and Yasoda brought Him up He looked like a Yadava. So when Akroora brought Krishna from Brindavan, the people of Mathura were very happy. Krishna too behaved as if He was very familiar with the place. He went straight to the malakara's house and accepted his offerings. He blessed the hunch back Thrivakra by changing her into a beauty. He killed the big elephant Kuvalyapitam, the boxers Chanura, and Mushtika, broke the bow kept for worship byKamsa and ultimately killed him too. He fell at the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki as if He knew they were His parents. He made Ugrasena the king. In everyway He pleased the people of  Mathura. 
     After finishing His education at Sandeepani's gurukul, He was back in Mathura protecting the people. Only Jarasandha the father in law of Kamsa was very much angry with Krishna. He came with his 23 akshauhini sena or battallion to attack Krishna. Each and everytime he met with defeat at the hands of Krishna. But he was not prepared to accept the defeat and fought with Krishna for 17 times. Krishna killed all his battallion each time leaving him free to go to bring back more. It is said that the Mathura people were disturbed by the continuous wars. They prayed to the Lord to help them. So Bhagavan decided to shift the people of Mathura to a new safe place. Radhekrishna!

Sakshi Gopal -7

Sakshi Gopal

     In the last issue we saw that Bhagavan for the sake of his bhaktha left his abode in Brindavan and came to Vidyanagaram. Just to fulfill the promise made by His  bhaktha, Bhagavan in His deity form revealed the brahmin's promise to everybody. Now let us see what happened next.

     Everyone were astonished to see a deity open its mouth and speak. Brahmachari broke down at Bhagavan's mercy and began to cry. He said he did not want any marriage and that he only wanted to prove that Bhagavan is truth. He was happy now that Bhagavan has taken the pain of coming with him and at this moment he wanted to leave this life with Bhagavan's thoughts. The old brahmin realised his mistake and accepted before everyone that he had made the promise of giving his daughter in marriage to the brahmachari. Only because he was scared of his wife and son that he lied to everyone. The brahmin's wife and son too realised their mistakes and apologised with the brahmachari, the panchayath and Sakshi Gopalan. The people of Vidyanagaram also apologised with Kalyana brahmachari for being sarcastic and rude to him. Seeing all these brahmachari was melting at the mercy of Bhagavan. Malini was very happy that Bhagavan Himself has blessed her marriage.

     It was Kalyana brahmachari's bhakthi that brought Bhagavan Gopala from Brindavan to Vidyanagaram. One who was once an orphan became the pet of everyone in the town. Many people came forward to volunteer his marriage duties. Some offered to gift him clothes and other things for the marriage. One who is accepted by Bhagavan will be accepted by the whole world. The marriage was conducted in front of Sakshi Gopalan in the presence of everyone in the town. Bhagavan blessed the couple. Malini thanked Bhagavan for giving her such a pious and good husband. How many people have the luck of having Bhagavan at their marriage? How many people tend to invite Him for any functions in their family? If He is invited with love He will definitely be present at the occasion and bless us. Everyone who attended the marriage of Kalyana brahmachari could completely experience Bhagavan's presence there. Bhagavan pleased with His bhaktha's devotion decided to stay back there itself. He ordered Kalyana brahmachari to do the daily puja for Him. Malini and Kalyana brahmachari enjoyed endless happiness. All the people joined together and built a  beautiful temple for Sakshi Gopalan there. Radhekrishna!

     Bhagavan is an ocean of mercy.He will do anything for His bhakthas. We have to do our duties properly and think of Bhagavan always, rest Bhagavan will take care. Kalyana brahmachari's story is a proof of this. It is said in our sasthras that if a bhaktha is born in a family the lineage before and after his birth are benefitted. Mother earth also feels happy to bear a bhaktha. In the couse of time Sakshi Gopalan who came to Vidyanagaram left this town and went to Puri Jagannath for the sake of another bhaktha. He is still in Puri Jagannatha kshethra. The pilgrimage to Puri is complete only when this Sakshi Gopalan too is visited. Bhagavan got His name Sakshi Gopaloan as He stood witness to Kalyana brahmachari. He got the name Parthasarathy as He became Arjjuna's sarathi during the Kurukshethra war. In Tamil Nadu there is a place called Thiruvekka. There for the sake of a bhaktha called Kanikannan, Bhagavan left the place and stayed for a single night at a place called Orirukkai, meaning one night's stay. These stories of bhakthas show us the mercy of Bhagavan and the greatness of bhakthas. When this story was narrated to Sri Chaithanya Mahaprabhu by Sri Nithyananda, Sri Prabhu forgot himself and danced chanting 'Hare Rama hare Rama Rama Rama hare hare, hare Krishna hare Krishna Krishna Krishna hare  hare'!  Hey bhakthas! Bhagavatha bhoomi is a place for bhakthi. Bhakthi is common for everyone. Anyone can attain Bhagavan through bhakthi. Whoever realises the true meaning of bhakthi from this story of Sakshi Gopalan will attain all happiness in their life  by the mercy of Bhagavan. Radhekrishna!  Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Sakshi Gopal -6

     Radhekrishna! In the last issue we read that Bhagavan agreed to come with Kalyana brahmachari to Vidyanagaram on one condition. Now we will see what happened after that. Bhagavan asked the brahmachari to proceed in front and that He would follow him. Brahmachari was surprised at this request of Bhagavan. That Bhagavan, behind whom the whole world is waiting to follow is ready to follow a bhaktha! It was really surprising for him. But he had no other option but to agree to Bhagavan's condition. The condition also insisted that at any cost brahmachari should not turn back to check whether Bhagavan is coming with him or not. Bhagavan also said that brahmachari can hear the tinkling of His anklets while he proceeded. Brahmachari agreed to this arrangement and proceeded. Who can relly understand the divine leelas of Bhagavan! Bhagavan gives ananda to those who obey Him completely. Brahmachari promosed he would not turn back and look. He felt guilty that he was making Bhagavan walk all the distance. At the same time he was overcome with emotions that Bhagavan agreed to oblige an ordinary devottee like him. The same Bhagavan who walked over the forests for 14 years as Rama and who walked over Brindavan grazing cows as Krishna was walking behind brahmachari. Brahmachari was hearing the sound of anklets as he walked.
      Bhagavan too was equally moved by this devottee's devotion. Isnt he like 'Akroora' who ushered Him to Mathura? Bhagavan playing His flute, with His anklets twinkiling the garland on His neck dancing, the peacock feather on his hear fluttering, walked like a bull, a lion or an elephant behind brahmachari. All the devas who were watching from heaven were surprised and debated among themselves whether it was Bhagavan's mercy or the devottee's bhakthi that was great. A great fortune for the brahmachari to be followede by Bhagavan for days together. If his marriage had been conducted without any hindrance he would not have had this fortune. So be happy when some problem or other rises in your life. It means another great fortune is waiting for you! Radhekrishna!
     Five year old Dhruva was denied the opportunity to sit on his father's lap. But that earned him Bhaavan's darsan ultimately. Only because Pandavas were denied theiru rightful country they had Bhagavan their side in Kurukshethra war. Because of that only Arjjuna had the fortune of hearing Bhagavath Geetha from the Lord.  Hiranyakashipu tortured his son Prahlada because he did Haribhakthi. But Prahlada had the fortune of having Bhagavan appear before him as Narasimha. Kalyana brahmachari had started realising the secrets of life now. He did not worry about his marriage or the insult he had to face anymore. Now his attention was completely turned towards the sound of anklets of Bhagavan. Radhekrishna!
     In the meantime in Brindavan the people were terribly upset because the deity in the temple was missing. Serious search was going on there to find out the deity. Now Bhagavan preferred to play with this bhaktha called brahmachari. Suddenly brahmachari felt that the playing of the flute and the tinkling of the anklets had stopped completely. Brahmachari got scared terribly. He didnt know what to do. He wanted to turn back and see what was happening behind his back. But did not have the courage to do so and continued walking further. They reached the outskirts of Vidyanagaram. From somewhere a doubt got into his mind that Bhagavan might have been lured away by somebody else mid way. What if he reached his place and Bhagavan were not there? Won't the people again laugh at him? He was confused now. He did not hve the courage too to look back. But the confusion going in his mind at last provoked him to turn back and look. He saw Bhagavan walking behind him quietly. As soon as he turned, Bhagavan stood mid tracks and laughed aloud. "So this is all the faith you have on me" asked Bhagavan.
     Brahmachari was ashamed of himself for doubting Bhagavan. Bhagavan told him that as he had breached the promise, he should bring everybody to His place now. He will stand as a witness from this place only. That instant brahmachari knew that this was all His divine sankalpa only. He immediately went inside the town and called everyone. They asked him sarcastically whether he had brought his witness. He replied with tears in his eyes that his winess was standing outside the town. Most of them could not believe his words. Some who knew understood his bhakthi were happy that he was at last successful in bringing Bhagavan. Anyway everyone followed brahmachari to see for themselves. They were all totally taken off by what they saw. Some non believers began to blame brahmachari that he had stolen some deity from somewhere and brought it here. 
     The panchayath asked the old brahmin whether it was the same deity in front of whom he had made the promise. The old man  scared as immediately told the truth. Now that the witness had come everybody expected the witness to tell the truth. While brahmachari saw bhagavan all others could see only a deity. Brahmachari now requested Bhagavan to tell the truth from his own mouth. Bhagavan opened his lotus lips and told that the old brahmin made the promise of giving his daughter in marriage to the brahmachari with Him as a witness. That Bhagavan who ignored the promise not to take any weapon in the Kurukshethra war to take His weapon for the sake of his great bhaktha Bhishma, now had come here leaving his abode in Brindavan for the sake of brahmachari.
  "Parithranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritham
    Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge"
 Krishna says that I take birth in all yugas to save my sadhu bhakthas. We must realise Bhagavan's great mercy from many bhaktha charithras. Let us see what happened later in our next issue. ?Till then Radhekrishna!
    

Sakshi Gopal 5

                Radhekrishna! Kalyana brahmachari was overwhelmed by Bhagavan's leela. Once he wanted to visit Brindavan atleast once in his life and now Bhagavan has forced him to come again there. But for the situation he was in  he would not have thought of visiting Brindavan again. He was doing namajapam with full faith and reached Brindavan. He went straight to the temple and stood before the deity. He narrated all that happened at his town to Bhagavan and asked him to accompany him. The temple pujari also noted this and laughed at his innocence. For him he sounded as a lunatic. Kulasekhara Alwar in his Perumal Thiurmozhi says:-
Peyare enakku yaavarum, yaanum oar peyane 
evarkkum ithu pesi en 
Aayane arangaa endru azhaikindren peyaayozhinthen empiraanukke" 
'I am a lunatic for others and as far as I am cocerned all others are lunatics only, mad after worldly things. I would better be Krishna crazy than otherwise.' Bhakthas dont care what others think about them. Kalyana brahmachari was also in the same state. He stood in front of the deity and kept calling 'Gopala! Gopala! Come!' But for Gopala nobody else could understand him. At night the temple was locked and everybody left. It is said that the temple closes to give rest to Bhagavan. But brahmachari knew athat Bhagavan has no rest and he takes care of everyone even when they sleep. He chat in front of the tempe and kept crying for Bhagavan. Bhagavan had no other choice  but appear before him. We should have such a determination in bhakthi. But the pity is we have great determination in every other thing in this world than bhakthi. We have great determination to become a doctor, to attian riches etc. Radhekrishna! Kalyana brahmachari forced Bhagavan to appear before him. The doors of the sanctum opened at last and Bhagavan gavae his real darsan to brahmachari. Brahmachari drank the beauty with his two eyes and was very happy. He forgot everything and lost himself completely in Bhagavan's beauty. How can anybody put in words athe divine beauty of Krishna? From tow to top and from top to toe he was enjoying again and again. Radhekrishna!
     Bhagavan asked him what the matter was. He was immensely happy to hear Bhagavan's sweet voice. Recovering himself he told Bhagavan everything that  happened and asked Gopala if he remembered the brahmin's promise. Bhagavan agreed that he remembered his promise. Brahmachari requested him to come with him to Vidyanagaram as his witness. Bhagavan smiled beautifully and asked the brahmachari whether such things are possible in this world. Brahmachari replied that there is nothing that Bhagavan cannot do. Bhagavan then replied that he would invisibly come to Vidyanagaram and hep him. Brahmachari refused that and forced Bhagavan to come with him in His form. Bhagavan again asked him whether a deity can do all these. Brahmachari cleverly replied that whether a deity or not He is Bhagavan and so all powerful. Hearing his reply Bhagavan was very much impressed and agreed to start with him to Vidyanagaram on one condition. Radhekrishna! 
Want to know what Bhagavan said? Do visit this blog next month same date. Radhekrishna! Until then keep chanting like brahmachari. Radhekrishna!

Sakshi Gopal 4

     Radhekrishna! Kalyana Brahmachari was doing all his karmas with Krishna dhyanam.The old brahmin's family were thinking of getting the girl married.They were on the look out for a suitable alliance for her. The brahmin's wife was on the look out for a rich son in law while his son wanted a handsome well educated boy for his sister. The brahmin did not have the courage to tell him that he had promised to give his daughter in marriage to the orphan boy next door. It was true that the boy was good looking very pious and well behaved. But will they consider and accept him? One day he gathered courage and told his son about Kalyana Brahmachari and his promise to him. The son got so wild that he immeidately took a wooden log to beat his father. His wife also started showering abuses on him. They did not care for his age or his promse given to the brahmachari. People give respect only till a man is of any use to them. After that he is only ignored. The old man was ordered not to interfere in his daughter's marriage issue. His daughter Malini respected her father and was a pious girl. She kept consoling her father that Bhagavan will never let his promise go invain and that he would somehow fulfill his promise. What a staunch faith! Radhekrishna!
     The old man was relieved that at least his daughter understood his predicament. But he was reluctant to face the brahmachari. He avoided going out when brahmachari was around. If at all he happened to meet him he would not look at him. Brahmachari noted all these and started worrying for the brahmin. He had made the promise in Brindavan in front of Krishna. If he failed to fulfill it he would definitely become a sinner. He wanted the brahmin to realise this and went to meet him one day. He directly reminded him of his promise made before Gopala. Hearing this the brahmin's wife and son insulted the boy and drove him out of the house. The brahmin kept quiet throughout. The boy silently went away without retorting. Theythought that he got scared and ran away. Bhakthas are never afraid of anything in this world. However much Hiranyakashipu tried, he could not scare Prahlada. The great sage Durvasa couldnt scare King Ambarisha with his evil spirit. Bhakthas have deep faith in Bhagavan so they are unbeatable. Radhekrishna!
     Kalyana brahmachari was worried that the old man had broken his promise. He was also sorry that he was insulted by them. He kept thinking of the Gopala of Brindavan who only was the witness to everything. He had served the brahmin out of pure love only and it was definted by them as selfish motive. That hurt him very much. Insult is more painful than death. Bhagavan in Bhagavath Geetha tells Arjjuna that "Akeerthihi maranaath athiriachyathe". He was insulted in a mean way by the brahmin's family. Though he was deeply hurt by it he did not want to commit suicide for that. He knew committing suicide is a great sin and will have to suffer greater disasters for doing so. Instead he must win and live before the people who had insulted him. Brahmachari was very clear in his mind. He wanted to win and depended on namasankeertan to get a way. Whatever be the problem if we do namasankeertan with full faith the right way will come up. Bhagavan in Bhagavath Geetha tells Arjjuna that when anybody is in a confused state, should surrender at my feet, then I will show them the right path. Brahmachari also, keeping Bhagavan's words in mind sat and did namajapam for a while.
     At last with a clear mind he approached the village panchayath and presented his problem before them. The old brahmin and his family were summoned  before the panchayath. They put the blame over him saying tht he had wanted to marry the girl and was creating this drama in favour of him. They said that with this intention in his mind he had accompanied the old man, cheated him and taken the promise from him. Kalyana brahmachari did not worry about anything and kept chanting Bhagavan's nama continously. "Sarvadha, sarva bhavena nischinthaih bhagavan eva bhajaneeyah" says Narada maharshi is his Bhakthi Sutra. The panchayath asked the brahmin the truth. He in his hurry to escape his family's wrath said he did not remember any promise he had made. Truth always has to face test in this world. Radhekrishna!
      Now the panchayath asked the brahmachari if he had any witness to support his words, He said he had only Gopala of Brindavan to prove his words. They laughed at him and sarcastically told him to bring his witness there if he can. They said they cannot take a decision without proper enquiry. Heairng this the brahmachari got so determined that he declared he would bring his witness Gopala there to prove his words. Everyone laughed at him. Malini's brother immeidately said that if he could bring Gopala as a witness he was prepared to give her in marriage to him. Some people were astound at his deep faith. Brahmachari had unflinching faith in Bhagavan and was sure that he could bring Him over there as a witness. Everybody thought that Bhagavan will never come directly as a witness and so agreed to the challenge. Radhekrishna!
     Want to know how Bhagavan helped brahmachari? Wait with namajapam till next issue. Radhekrishna!

Sakshi Gopal 3

Radhekrishna!! Worldly people can never understand Bhagavan’s sankalpa. True bhakthas understand Bhagavan’s intentions in the right way. A rich brahmin was living near Kalyana Brahmachari’s house. His family consisted of his wife, one son and daughter. He had riches, a big house and other luxuries. His wife and son lived life for the comfort of their bodies only. The rich man’s daughter was very much devoted to Krishna. The old brahmin wanted to go for a pilgrimage. Visiting holy places where there are Bhagavan’s temples and taking bath in holy rivers destroy our accumulated sins. In Bhatarha desam plenty of such holy places are there. The old man asked his wife and son to accompany him. But they refused as they had no interest in that. He hesitated to take his daughter with him as her safety and comforts cannot be guaranteed. But his desire for the pilgrimage became severe. He firmly believed that God will show some way for him. We should have firm belief that Bhagavan will fulfill our desire some day. Patience is necessary for bhakthi. When a seed is planted it takes time to grow into a sapling, plant, tree, then flower and fruit. Do not we wait patiently till then? God also will shower His grace upon us. Don’t imagine that things should happen the way you want. Let Bhagavan take the charge. Gajendra, when caught by the crocodile cried out ‘Bhagavan save me!.’ He never gave instructions to Bhagavan as to how to save him. Did not Bhagavan come  to his rescue? Draupathi in the Kaurava court while being humiliated raised both her hands up and cried out ‘Govinda! Pundarikaksha! Raksha mam saranagatham!’. She did not ask Him to kill Dussasana and save her. Actually Bhagavan could have carried her away from the court and saved her or even could have appeared on the spot and killed all the sinners. Draupathi did not ask any of these. She only wanted Him to save her. Bhagavan provided her with unending clothes. Nobody else dared to do so with her again. So we should also do our duties and keep praying leaving our responsibilities to Bhagavan. The old brahmin also with full faith in Bhagavan kept waiting. Radhekrishna !


One day the old brahmin saw his neighbour, Kalyana Brahmachari standing outside his house. Then it struck him to seek the youth’s help for the pilgrimage. He prayed to Bhagavan and then asked the youth whether he could do him a favour. It is only proper to pray before talking with anybody. Antharyami will guide us and we will definitely win. We should always keep Him by our side. Kalyana Brahmachari with folded hands replied he would do whatever he could to help the old brahmin. He had clear idea of his strength and weakness. The old brahmin then told him his desire of a pilgrimage and that he wanted the brahmachari to accompany him. Hearing these words Kalyana Brahchari was moved with emotions and started shedding tears. In his heart he thought: ‘Oh Krishna! now I understand why you made me wait this long for my Brindavan yathra. You are aware of the reasons behind every action.’ He had the desire but did not have the money , while the brahmin had the money but needed a help to take him. Bhagavan co ordinated these two in His beautaiful way. This is the secret of life. If we understand this there will never be sorrow for us. The old brahmin’s family also agreed to this and a date was fixed for their travel. Both of them prayed to Bhagavan before starting for the pilgrimage. Radhekrishna !
      They visited many pilgrimage centres and holy rivers. They enjoyed good darsan and prasadams. Both of them had many things regarding Bhagavan and bhakthi to share with each other. Both of them chanted the divine nama together. At last they reached the holy place of Sri Brindavan.It was their life’s dream. This is where Lord Krishna has enacted his various divine leelas. Irrespective of caste, creed, age or status everybody in this place keep chanting the nama Radhe Radhe. The whole place is flooded with prema bhakthi. This is the holiest place in the whole world. Andal in her Nachiyar thiurmozhi has sung 10 pasurams in praise of Brindavan. There are many great men who have experienced Krishna’s presence in Brindavan. One should have the desire to experience Krishna leelas. Along with effort, guru kripa and namajapam they can definitely achieve their aim. Periyazhvar also in his Divya prabandham describes Krishna’s ‘venugana leela’. The cows of Brindavan are in ecstacy when they hear His flute. Being an animal the cow is very fortunate to have some connection with Krishna. He tended to its needs of food and also happiness. He enjoyed grazing the cows. Isnt he the best shepherd? It is said that even now daily Bhagavan plays there with his friends and cows in Brindavan.

It was here that Dhruva and Ambarisha realised Sri Hari by doing penance. It was here that Indra’s ego was subdued by Krishna, and he did Govinda pattabhishekam to Bhagavan.It was here that maha papis like Aghasura, Bakasura, Vathsasura, Dhenukasura got moksha. It was here that the brahmana pathnis got their long cherished desire of Krishna darsanam. It was here that the gopis enjoyed the great rasakreeda with Krishna. Here we can find plenty of peacocks, parrots, monkeys, and Koels. Even a minute spent there is worthy.
      They did not have much time to spend there. But the old brahmin suddenly fell ill there and they had to prolong their stay. The brahmachari took this as Krishna sankalpa and took care of the brahmin very well. The old man was immensely pleased with the service he did and wanted to compensate him in some way. As he knew kanya dana (giving a girl as gift) is the greatest of all danas he decided to give his daughter in marriage to this young man who had great Krishna bhakthi. For him that was a good enough qualaity. But brahmachari was more practical and was aware of the ways of the world. He declined the offer saying that the brahmin was rich and he was a poor orphan. He also told the brahmin that old man’s family would never accept this proposal. He advised him to drop the idea then itself, for if the brahmin made a promise here he would be later forced to forgo that and that would turn out to be a sin. But the brahmin in his mood of happiness would not listen to any of his words and made a promise in front of a deity in a temple that if at all he forgets the promise Gopala would come and stand as a witness for the brahmachari. Brahmachari took everything as Bhagavan’s wish only and accepted it. They spent some more days in Brindavan and then returned to Vidyanagaram. Radhekrishna !

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Till then...
Radhekrishna..Radhekrishna..