Srinathji - 4

Hasthamaakshipya yaathosi balath krishna kimathbhutham

Hrudayath yadhi niryaasi paurusham ganayaami they!

   Hey Krishna! You pushed my hands away and ran from me. Is this a great deed?, Please try to run away from my heart if you can.  Then I will accept you are a true man! Sri Leelasukar makes this challenge to little Lord Krishna! Such is the deep faith and love in him for the Lord. Now we will continue with last issue’s story.

      Sri Vallabhacharya had eight main followers like the ashta sakhikal of Radhika Rani! Each of them are allotted particular timings for their service of Srinathji. Till today their lineage have the right to do the worship. Vallabhacharya had a son name Vittalanath. He was a wonderful bhaktha who considered himself as the mother of Srinathji. A great mahathma indeed!  Vittalanath had a disciple called Govindadas.  He worshipped the Lord in Sakhya bhava, as a friend. He considered himself as a small  boy and played with Lord Srinathji. 

       One day the Lord appeared before him and called aloud ‘Govinda!’.  Govindadas asked the Lord whether He wanted to play something.  The Lord replied that He was bored with the usual games and wanted something new and different. Govindadas suggested they play marbles or pebbles.  This sounded interesting for the Lord and he immediately agreed to play. But there was a problem since Lord Srinathji didn't know how to play!!  The all knowing God pretended that He didn't now how to play marbles!  What a divine leela! Govindadas was happy as he planned to win Lord Srinathji!! 

       So Govindadas agreed to teach the Lord how to play with marbles.  He sincerely taught the Lord how to concentrate His eyes at the marble, and how to pick them up with two fingers without disturbing the other marbles. They started to play.  Govindadas kept winning as he was an expert in the art and the Lord could not equal him in scores as He was inexperienced! Govindadas leered at Him, ‘shame on you Srinath! You cannot do even this! You claim you are an experienced shepherd but cannot even pick a marble with two fingers.  Shameful indeed!’.  Lord Srinathji felt very much insulted and angry. The Lotus red eyes became redder now in anger and shame. He snatched some pebbles  in his hand and began to run away from Govindadas.  Govindadas chased Him crying aloud ‘hey loser! Don't try to run away. Accept you are defeated!  I have won this game’! 

       Smart as He was Govindadas could not catch the Lord.  Furious he began to pelt the Lord with the marbles he had in his hands. The Lord entered the sanctum and hid Himself. Govindadas tried to follow Him. The pujaris inside the sanctum saw that Govindadas was coming inside the sanctum to beat Lord Srinathji, pushed him out and immediately closed the sanctum doors. Govindadas kept crying out ‘Open the door! He has my marbles! Ask Him to give them back to me!’ etc. The pujaris thought he was mad and laughed at him.  He kept repeating that Srinathji has stolen his marbles. They got tired of him and went to complain with Vittaldasa.

           On hearing this Sri Vittalnath came angrily and questioned Govindadas why he was trying to beat his little Krishna.  ‘You are wicked to do like this to my innocent child’ cried Vittalnath. He was immersed in valsalya bhava and considered himself as Yasoda matha!  Govindadas replied ‘It is not me but your son who is wicked. He only snatched away my marbles while playing. He doesn't know even how to play properly.  He is not ready to accept His failure too.  This is very unfair’.  Vittalnath couldnt stand that.  ‘How dare you call my son wicked? I know you are lying.’ For this Govindadas replied ‘No your son is a liar, loser of the game and playing foul’.  Vittalnath became angrier ‘My son can never be the loser. He knows everything.  Why do you unnecessarily blame him?’ He also told him not to play with his son any more.

          Govindadas in turn told Vittalnath ‘Hey Yasoda matha! Don't jump into conclusions and take decisions. You will repent later. If I go away forever  then your son will miss me very much and feel depressed. Don't forget that!  You call Him aloof and enquire with Him.  You promise Him butter and laddu, He will tell you the truth!’ This infuriated Vittalnath more. He drove Govindadas away. Govindadas went out and hid himself behind a tree waiting for Srinathji to come out some time. It is a real wonder that the two grown up men, were so immersed in their bhakthi bhava that they completely forgot themselves. Radhekrishna!  Will be back in the next issue with more stories of Srinathji.

Srinathji - 3

Hrudaye mama hrudya bibhramanaam
Hrudayam harsha visala lola nethram
Tharunam vraja bala sundareenaam  
 Tharalam kinchana dhama sannidhatham.
    Saint Leela Sukar in his Krishna Karnamritham prays to the Lord

'Let the lustrous form of the Lord in the prime of youth who pleases the mind, who is the soul of the cowherd women of Brindavan, whose wide eyes keep wavering, be fixed in my heart always.'

           Radhekrishna! In the last issue we saw the divine child was encircled by the fire form of the Lord Vaishvanara. Seeing their child amidst the encircling fire, the parents ran towards the child to save it. Immediately the fire disappeared. They took the baby and returned home.  It was an ekadasi day. On that very same day the face of the Lord formed completely in the govardhana mountain. The devotees were very happy to see the fully formed face and continued their worship.  In the meantime the child grew up somewhere in Madhyapradesh! The boy was named as Vaishvanara! At the right age his father conducted the upanayana samskara for the boy.  The father taught everything to the son and the boy learnt them with great interest. By and by he became a Krishna bhaktha.

         Once Vaishvanara started on a grand pilgrimage visiting many temples on foot. He reached the banks of Chandrabhaga and saw Lord Panduranga!  He became fascinated by the form of the Lord. When it was time for closing he was very reluctant to leave the temple. He waited at the steps when the doors closed for the night. The Lord came in his dream.  “My child! Bhakthi is very special indeed! I know you intend to take sanyasa. But I command you to get married and enter family life.  You can enjoy me in valsalya bhava!  You offer the love you have for your wife, children etc to me. You don't have to worry about finding a suitable bride too. Tomorrow morning the proposal will come in search of you! ”

      Vaishvanara woke up with a start.  He was wonder struck at Bhagavan’s words. He had mentally decided to take sanyasa and lead an ascetic’s life. But here Bhagavan was asking him to get married and enter family life!  He had to oblige Bhagavan now.  If Bhagavan’s wish is so he must accept that. He accepted everything and decided to enter family life.  At the same time Bhagavan came in the dream of a brahmin who had a daughter of marriageable age. He ordered the brahmin to meet Vaishvanara who was in Pandarpur and give his daughter’s hand in marriage to him. The brahmin came in search of Vaishvanara to the temple of Panduranga. He brought his daughter along with him. He met the brahmin boy in front of the temple and told him about Bhagavan’s command in his dream.  Vaishvanara wondering at the divine leela of the Lord gave his consent and the marriage went off in front of Panduranga.

      The couple lived happily in Pandarpur for a while immersed in bhakthi.  Then they continued their pilgrimage roaming around the country. Finally they reached Brindavan the divine leelasthal of Lord Krishna!  Even today Bhagavan is playing there for many bhakthas.  His presence is felt there by many even today! Fortunate indeed are vrajvasis!  The couple enjoyed their stay there very much. Daily they would take bath in Yamuna and roam around Brindavan. Vaishvanara used to give talks on Bhagavatha, explaining the slokas in it. People would gather around him to hear his talks. He used to circumbulation of Govardhana giri too.

 In the course of time he got the name of Vallabhacharya! 

     Days were rolling in happiness for them and one day Vallabhacharya got the darsan of Srinathji!!  He saw the lord holding the govardhana hill in his left hand standing in front of him.  As he looked fascinated at the form the Lord began to run away. Vallabhacharya ran behind chasing! The lord climbed the govardhana hill and disappeared. Vallabhacharya searched the govardhana hill and reached where Bhagavan protruded His hand and face! The complete form had come out of the hill as the deity of Srinathji!  He was moved with emotions at the mercy of the Lord.  .  “Oh Lord! You gave darsan for a mean person like me? Great is your mercy!!”  he cried.  
      The Lord was chubby with the left hand raised upwards. He looked really enchanting. The eyes were sparkling, the lips coral red, curly hair, wearing a peetambara smiled at Vallabhacharya. “My child!  Worship me in valsalya bhava! Become my Yasoda matha! Shower me with all your love and enjoy” said Bhagavan.

     Sri Vallabhacharya took out the deity and built a temple for the Lord. He set up a system of worship of Srinathji! The valsalya bhakthi way of Pushti marg was established by Sri Vallabhacharya!  Even today we can see Srinathji worshipped in valsalya bhava! His decoration (alankar) is unique, His dress is unique, His nivedyams (offerings) are unique in every way. His clothing differs according to the seasons. Even the colour of the flowers offered will match the colour of His dress! His food too varies according to the seasons!  An unique function of bhog called annakkoototsavam is done for Srinathji.  2300 kilos of rice is prepared  as a hill and offered to Srinathji! Vallabhacharya set up a unique system of worship of the Lord which is being followed till now.  Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 2

         Radhekrishna! Last issue we saw how Krishna lifted the govardhana giri and saved the people of Brindavan! Nandagopa and Balarama were full of appreciation for Krishna’s deed while Yasoda matha was worrying herself to ward off evil eye on Krishna! Gopa boys took His hand and massaged it while gopis sent meaningful glances at Him. Indra subdued by Bhagavan’s feat came and feel at the lotus feet. He conducted Govinda pattabhisheka on the Lord with the help of Surabhi, the divine cow.  

       Bhagavan finished His avatara and returned to Vaikunta. Govardhana giri was lying like that for many years. Many bhakthas came, prostrated, circumbulated the mountain,  and worshipped it. Years rolled by. In the year 1410, one day Bhagavan’s left hand was seen protruding from the mountain. It was lying like that for some time. Then after some time the Lord’s face also slowly appeared. People began to worship that. There was a mahathma in Andhrapradesh known as Lakshmana bhatt. The family had a great lineage of conducting yagas. His ancestors had completed 95 yagas and it was his duty to do 5 more to make a centinary.

       Then he decided to spend some time peacefully on the banks of Ganges in Kashi kshethra. He stayed there for some time with his family and relatives. His wife was pregnant at that time. Suddenly there was muslim attack and they ran for their life. Lakshmana Bhatt and his wife ran to a safe place and she delivered a baby premature. The baby seemed to be still born. They were running for their life and so couldnt do anything. They covered the baby with a cloth and put it in a hole in a tree trunk and left the place with heavy hearts. They reached a village where some good hearted family gave them assylum hearing their pitiable story. The mother was tired due to the delivery and the father too due to the strain of their escape. They fell into a deep slumber at the house. Bhagavan appeared before them in dream!  "Hey Lakshmana! The yagas done by you have given fruits. I am pleased by your devotion and namajapam. Your child is not dead, he fainted in my dhyanam. You can go and take him now" said the Lord. The couple were surprised that both of them got the same dream! They ran towards the forest where they had left the baby. To their dismay the place was surrounded by fire. The tree where they left the baby was fully surrounded by fire, but the baby was safely playing inside. The fire was nothing else but Vaishvanara, Bhagavan’s form!  The child was staring at Bhagavan’s form of fire! Radhekrishna! Wait till the  next issue comes meditating on Bhagavan's form!

Srinathji - 1

Srinathji

Naam umakku chonna naalkalum naniya aana

Semam nankudaithu kandeer seripozhil ananthapuram

Doomam nal virai malarkal thuval ara aaynthu kontu

Vaamanan adikku endru etha maaynthu arum vinaikal thaame!

      Radhekrishna! Swamy Nammalvar in his bhakthi, extols the greatness of Ananthapuram. One can realise the greatness of Ananthapuram only when immersed in bhakthi. Ananthan is endless! His greatness is also endless. Nammalvar says if u take flowers, sweet smelling sandal paste, or Tulsi leaves to offer at the feet of Lord Ananthapathmanaabha, all your prarabdhas will come to an end. So powerful is the Lord, so powerful is the kshethra. According to him it is only Vamana who is lying as Ananthapathmanabha in Thiruvananthapuram. So people of this world dont lose this golden opportunity says Nammalvar. We  need to go and stand in front of Him. He will shower His grace on us.

       The great Pathmanabha became a sweet child for the sake of sage Divakara muni and came to Syanandapuram assuming a large form.  He is lying down peacefully in a relaxed posture as if He is taking rest after lifting the Govardhana mountain to save His people from Indra’s wrath.  The Govardhana mountain was raised to the status of Giriraj after Bhagavan lifted it in His hand.

       It was during the period of Lord Rama’s sethubandhanam, that Anjaneya brought this mountain in his hand with the promise that the mountain can have Lord Rama’s darsan. But as he neared Brindavan Rama’s instructions reached him that the construction of the bridge was completed and all should keep down whatever they were bringing, where they stood. At that time the mountain cried to Anjaneya that it was denied of Rama darsan. Then Anjaneya consoled that the Lord was an ocean of mercy and would definitely fulfill its desire. He kept the mountain there and returned to Lord Rama. On his request Lord Rama promised to give darsan to the mountain in Dwaparayuga.  The mountain accepted Anjaneya’s words and waited patiently with full faith for Dwapara yuga.

       It was towards the end of Dwaparayuga that the Lord came down as Sri Krishna.  The mountain waited till Bhagavan reached Brindavan.  Bhagavan came to Brindavan from Gokulam. The gopas used to conduct Indra yagam every year to please Lord Indra. Indra became very proud with ego. Bhagavan interfered and convinced his father Nandagopa to do Govardhana puja instead!  Little Krishna said that all things happen due to the result of karma only.  So there was no need to worship Indra, He said.  He told them that Govardhana was the God who gave them rain and grass for the cows and so has to be worshipped. The people of Brindavan accepted whatever Krishna said. They were happy that Krishna revealed them the truth which so far they were unaware. They asked Him as to how to do the puja. Krishna told them to make all sorts of eatables, rice etc, and heap them to equal size of the mountain. Then worship with flowers and sandal paste.

      The people of Brindavan accepted everything and did as He said. When the food mountain was prepared, buckets of milk, curd and ghee were poured over it. Then camphor was lighted

and showed around Govardhana. By this time the Lord Himself took a form to represent the Govardhana mountain and appeared before them in person.  The offerings were accepted in person! They were very much impressed by the grace of Govardhana mountain. All of them were asked to prostrate  before the mountain. Krishna also prostrated along with them. Then all of them circumbulated the mountain. Govardhana shed tears at this mercy!

      The wrath of Indra knew no bounds. He felt very much insulted by a small 7 year old boy. He started showering the rains fiercely. The whole was becoming flooded. The people of Brindavan had no other refuge than Krishna! So they approached Him in distress with full faith. It was the Lord’s duty to save them who have surrendered to Him with full faith. He called them all to come with Him. All were wondering what He was going to do.  In a minute He was standing with the Govardhana mountain in His hand. Krishna called everyone to come underneath the mountain.  All were wonder struck at this feat. All of them surrounded Him filled with divine love. The gopa boys couldnt stand their Krishna bearing this weight and all of them tried to hold the mountain with their respective sticks.

      Meanwhile the gopis were thankful to Indra for the heavy down pour. Because of him only they could enjoy their Krishna at such a close distance.  They need not go away from there and they could stare at Him as long as they wanted!  For full seven days Krishna stood holding the mountain in His hand. Govardhana mountain was overwhelmed with the grace! He thanked his guru Anjaneya from his heart.  Indira defeated thoroughly ran out of rain clouds in his stock.  When the rains stopped,  Krishna asked everyone to move out from underneath the mountain. They all ran out and turned to see how Krishna kept the mountain back. But they could see Krishna walking calmly behind them and the mountain stood where it was before! Wonder of wonders!

      Sri Periyazhvar has sung 10 pasurams on Krishna holding the Govardhana mountain. Nandagopa and Balarama were full of appreciation for Krishna’s deed while Yasoda matha was worrying herself to ward off evil eye on Krishna! Gopa boys took His hand and massaged it while gopis sent meaningful glances at Him. Indra subdued by Bhagavan’s feat came and feel at the lotus feet. He conducted Govinda pattabhisheka on the Lord with the help of Surabhi, the divine cow.  Radhekrishna!

Dwarakanatha - 9

Dwarakanatha - 9

    Once there was a devotee of Dwarakanatha, Banvari Rajaputhra! He was living away from Dwaraka. But had staunch faith in Ranchodji. It was a Deepavali day and Banvari Rajaputhra chanted Krishna Krishna along with many devotees. They all jointly were singing bhajans. Suddenly Banvari Rajaputhra stopped singing and with his hands made signs of brushing his dress. The king was also at the bhajan and asked Banvari why he behaved strange.  He replied that it was aarathi time at Dwaraka and a piece of camphor from the pujari’s hand fell on Lord Dwarakanath’s dress. So he hurriedly brushed the dress with his hands to put out the fire. The king could not believe this. How come when the accident occurred at Dwaraka this man brushed his dress to put out the fire? Bhakthas don’t buy dress for themselves and wear. What ever they wear they wear it as Krishna prasadam only. So as far as Banvari was concerned he was wearing Bhagavan’s dress only. We say that some dress was gifted to us by somebody.  We can mentally offer our dress to Bhagavan and then wear it. Uddhava knows the pleasure of wearing the dress worn by Krishna! Is there anything to equal the greatness of this?  Banvari Rajaputhra realised its greatness and enjoyed. The king wanted to know the truth of this incident. He sent a messenger from his country to the present king of Dwaraka to convey his Deepavali wishes and asked if there was anything special in Dwaraka on Deepavali day.  The reply came that everything went on fine there and on Deepavali day it so happened that during the Arathi time a piece of burning camphor from the arathi fell on Bhagavan’s dress. The dress caught fire and as all of us rushed to put out the fire it subdued by itself miraculously.  The king was stunned to hear this. He fell at the feet of the bhaktha Banvari Rajaputhra and asked him how he got to know about the accident.  Banvari replied that only his body was there during the bhajan and his mind was in Dwaraka only and so he could see what happened there! Such a great devotee!

Such a merciful Bhagavan! Dwaraka is always crowded with pilgrims from all over. Let the Lord of Dwarakanath who swallowed Meera Matha swallow us too. For that we must do bhakthi as the great devotee. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Dwarakanatha - 8

      Dwarakanatha - 8

      The great devotee Narasimha metha had deep devotion for Dwarakanath.  He ran away from his home once and reached a Shiva temple. He took hold of the Lingam and cried to Lord Siva to give him manthra upadesam!  Lord Siva appeared before him and gave Krishnamanthra for him and also showed him Bhagavan’s divine Rasakreeda!   Narasimha metha was also inflicted with the prema roga as Lord Siva. He forgot everything including his family. Now it was Bhagavan’s duty to take care of his family including the marriage of his daughter. From somewhere a rich man came in search of Narasimha metha’s daughter’s hands for his son. The marriage went off well. But it was only after the marriage that the mother in law realised she was cheated as Narasimha metha did not have much money to give his daughter. She began to torture the poor daughter in law. She asked her son to leave the daughter in law at her house and she should come back only with the necessary money and things. Narasimha metha left everything at the feet of Ranchodji.  At a particular stage the people around also began to talk about Narasimha metha’s daughter. So one day he took her to her in laws house.  The mother in law showered insults on him and told him not to come here without the money. Narasimhametha with full faith in Dwarakanatha made a promise to her that he would come back in a short time with the necessary money and left. He surrendered completely to the Lord. At that time some pilgrims from far off came to meet Narasimha metha.  They were going to have darsan of Dwarkanath. They were carrying money for their expenses there. But as it was not very safe to carry money on the way they wanted to keep it in the safe custody of Narasimha metha. But at the same time Narasimha metha should do some arrangement for them in Dwaraka for their expenses there. They hoped that Narasimha metha had some contact there in Dwaraka.  Narasimha metha took advantage of the situation and lied to them that he had a shop there in Dwaraka which was run by a man called Shyamala.  He wrote a letter for Shyamala  signed it as Krishnadasa and handed over it to the pilgrims. They left their money in Narasimhametha’s custody in the faith that his contact there, Shyamala would take care of their needs there. Narasimha metha handed over the money to his daughter’s mother in law who was now pleased very much. Now Narasimha metha began to feel guilty of what he had done. He began to cry out Krishna Krishna thinking the difficulties those pilgrim would be facing there in an unknown place like Dwaraka. The pilgrims also searched everywhere in and around Dwaraka for a person called Shyamala who was Narasimha metha’s aid. They could not find such a person and by evening they became tired and sat on the beach worryig what to do next. Just then a dark coloured pleasant looking young man came there calling out Narasimhametha’s name. They were relieved to see the young man. He gave them the money due to them and also a note signed as Shyamala for the money he had paid them and after sending his love to Narasimha metha he went away.  With that money the pilgrims stayed comfortably there and returned after a few days. Meanwhile Narasimha metha could not forgive himself for the mean way he had cheated the devotees.  At last the pilgrims reached Narasimha methas house.  He fell at their feet and begged for their pardon. They didn’t understand why he was behaving like this. Then he told them that he had no shop or contact there as he had lied to them. He apologised for being to mean with them. But they had an entirely different story to tell Narasimha metha. Narasimha metha could not  believe their words. They described Shyamala as a dark skinned, pleasant looking young chap. Narasimha metha understood who it was and broke down at the mercy of Bhagavan. The pilgrims were thoroughly surprised at this and fell at Narasimha metha’s feet as  it was because of him that Bhagavan came to them as Shyamala! Narasimha metha cried out that it was the pilgrims’ bhakthi that gave them the divine darsan and not  his. He himself had not had Bhagavan’s darsan till now. Sadguru is like this. He would do all the work for the disciple to enjoy Bhagavan. He would not want to enjoy for himself alone! Narasimha metha cried out to Dwarakanatha to give darsan for him too. Bhagavan appeared as Shyamala. He cried “Prabho you obliged even a liar like me?” asked Narasimha metha. Bhagavan responds to pure bhakthi only.

        Once a devotee from Brindavan decided to go to Dwaraka with some pilgrims. At night Radhika Rani appeared in his dream and told him not to go. She said “ Don’t go to Dwaraka! It is Krishna’s official place! You will find Krishna holding the conch, disk, gada etc. You can only see Him there! Only in Brindavan you can enjoy Krishna’s leelas! So don’t go!” But the devotee did not pay heed to her words and started for Dwaraka. He had darsan of Krishna with conch disk etc, and chanted Narayana Narayana! After some time he reached back Brindavan. As he was tired he lied down to sleep and Radhika Rani came in his dream. She ordered him to get out of Brindavan as he did not pay heed to her words before. The bhaktha with folded hands prayed to her “Hey Radhe I am leaving Brindavan. I came back just to see your reaction only. With your blessing only I saw Dwarakanatha. I know now onwards I will always be in your mind as you keep remembering those who leave Brindavanam. You cant stand anybody leaving Brindavanam!” With this peayer he returned to Dwaraka.

Srinathji - 12