Srinathji -11

Barham nama vibhooshanam bahumatham veshaaya seshairalam 

Vakthram dvithrivisesha kaanthi lahari vinyasa dhanyairalam

Seelairalpa dhiyaam agamya vibhavai sringara bhamgeemayam

Chithram chithramaho vichithrithamaho chithram vichithram  mahah.

        Radhekrishna!  For this cowherd boy an ordinary peacock feather is a suitable ornament! All the other jewels having joined His divine body become attractive and are not able to decorate Him. His face adorned with gopi thilaka  and the naturally sweet lips are wonderful indeed! Wonderful is His sringara bhava which can turn even an idiot into a great bhaktha! The brightness which emanates from His divine body keeps changing every minute making His friends and relatives wonder stuck! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Nothing else to say! Thus praises Leela Suka, in his Krishna Karnamritham.

               The great bhaktha Kumbhadasa had a son who was also very much devoted to Lord Srinathji like him. He was called Chathurbhuja. Whatever happened he would not go outside Brindavan.  Vittalnath used to take Srinathji with him when he went to near by places. Once he took Srinathji to Mathura with him. Chathurbhuja did not at all favour Mathura since he thought Kamsa was still there.  He feared something might happen to his Srinath. Vittalnath stayed there for 2 days in Mathura. Chathurbhuja missed Srinathji very much and became dejected. He kept crying for the Lord in Brindavan.

           At the same time in Mathura the sayana arathi was going on for the Lord. After the arathi Vittalnath tried to put Srinathji in bed. But he noticed that the Lord was not sleepy. Worried he asked the Lord why He was not sleeping. Srinathji replied that He didn't want to sleep in a place where Chathurbhuja was not present. He too missed him very much and said He didn't like Mathura. He asked Vittalnath to carry Him immediately back to Brindavan.  Vittalnath said that it was dark already and it would be difficult to go across river Yamuna at this night. Srinathji laughed and said 'Don't tell me about the darkness of night. I left Mathura only at the midnight and I know Yamuna very well.  You carry me on your head and go. I will make Yamuna to give way for us.' 

        Well can Vittalnath argue anymore? Immediately he packed everything and started for Brindavan. As they started the conch was sounded and people hurried towards the place wondering what was happening.When Vittalnath said Srinathji could not sleep there they laughed. How did he know that Srinathji wanted to go away! But Vittalnath did not care for their comments and proceeded.
       Meanwhile Chathurbhuja was finding it difficult to spend the time. He ran towards Yamuna and kept looking towards the other shore in the hope that Srinathji might return. He even wanted to cross the Yamuna too. But controlled himself thinking that Srinathji might not like that. Ultimately he went to the Govardhan hill and pleaded with it. 'Hey Govardhan hill ! Please bring my Srinathji back. If you call out He will rush to you.' He was angry with Srinathji for leaving him like this. Suddenly he could hear the conch, bells and drums from the distance. He rubbed his eyes and looked. He saw Srinathji's group coming back. He rushed forward and hugged Srinathji. Srinathji told him that He couldnt sleep in Mathura without Chathurbhuja. Chathurbhuja was overwhelmed with emotions. Vittalnath was watching all these with tears in his eyes. He told Chathurbhuja that Srinathji missed him very much.The Lord easily conquers the heart of His devotees with His love. 
         Wonderful is Vittalnath's valsalya bhava!  Wonderful is Chathurbbuja's unflinching devotion! Wonderful is Srinathji's pure flow of love! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji 10

Sashtaanga paadam abhivandhya samastha bhaavai:
Sarvaan surendra nikaraan idameva yaache
mandasmidardra madhuranana chandrabimbe
nandasya punya nichaye mama bhakthir asthu!

        With humility and great devotion  I prostrate down and offer my only prayer to all the devas! I pray for blessings to have deep and steady devotion in the son of Nandagopa who is blue hued, with a charming smiling face! Saint Leela Sukar thus prays to the Lord in Sri Krishna Karnamritham!
     Radhekrishna! In the last issue we saw the great sadguru Vittalnath turned an evil minded man to be a great devotee of the Lord. Great is Bharatha and great are the Sadgurus. Sadguru Vittalnath had another disciple called Kumbhadasa. He was a poor potter but very much devoted to the Lord. The King Rajasimha hearing about this devotee wanted to meet him.
      Kumbhadasa was living near Govardhana giri. When then king went Kumbhadasa was crying out to his granddaughter to bring his mirror and chair as it was time for him to apply gopi on his forehead. He had to do his daily worship. A little girl came out of the hut and said 'Oh grandpa, the goat drank the mirror and ate your chair'. Hearing this the King was confused. He couldn't understand what she was saying and turned towards his minister. The minister understood what she meant and shed tears of joy. On enquiry the minister told the king that Kumbhadasa's mirror was a pot of water, and his chair was a bundle of grass. The goat had eaten the grass and drank the water it seemed. Kumbhadasa was a very poor man. But in the midst of such a poverty he was so devoted to the Lord.   
     Seeing this the king felt sorry for Kumbhadasa. Immediately he brought a mirror with a golden frame and kept it before Kumbhadasa. The potter was confused and looked at the King. The King explained that since his goat drank away his mirror, the king wanted to gift a Kumbhadasa with a mirror which the goat cannot drink. Surprised at this Kumbhadasa replied, 'but my mirror need not be kept with great care. Nobody would steal my mirror too. This mirror which you have brought needs great care and attention. Moreover I have to safeguard it  from thieves too. So I am not comfortable with this. Please take these away. As long as I am poor my Srinathji showers His blessings on us. If I become richer I might lose Srinathji's blessings. Without His blessings I don't want to live. To get His blessings I don't mind being poor, or sick, or even insulted. Only due to the merits of many births and guru kripa that I have bhakthi now. I don't want to lose that at any cost. So please don't mistake me.'
      The king was very much disappointed at this. He was sorry that he couldnt do any sort of service to this great bhaktha. Then he again requested the bhaktha whether he can name the village as Kumbhadasapuram. Kumbhadasa laughed at this and replied, 'why do you want to change its name? This place belongs to Lord Srinathji. We have no right to change its name. This vraja bhoomi is the Lord's. Don't think about give my name to this place.  It is great fortune to have entered this place. Don't sin by doing such heinous deeds and don't make too a sinner.! Do bhakthi and enjoy the Lord instead of pulling me into unwanted problems!'
        The king couldn't say a word to the mahathma. Kumbhadasa used to sing during one of the arathis performed daily at the temple. Srinath enjoyed his singing and used to gift him with His sweet kisses. Kumbhadasa was very happy with that. He was contented with the opportunity. So he had no more needs or desires. He was well aware of his guru's blessings. Such a wonderful bhaktha! King Rajasimha considered himself to be fortunate to meet this bhaktha and fell at his feet. Great is such a bhaktha and great is such a sadguru who has a disciple like him! 
     Meet you at the next issue with  more stories of Srinathji! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 9

Mani noopura vaachaalam vande thacharanam vibho:

Lalithani yadheeyani lakshmani vraja veethishu.

      Krishna roams around the Vraja lanes with tinkling anklets on His Feet. The sound of the anklets is accompanied by the tinkling of bells on the neck of the cows.  Those feet are soft like lotus flowers. They make beautiful marks of the conch, disc and the lotus on the dust of Vraja bhumi while He walks. I worship those lotus feet with all my heart, says Leela Sukar in Krishna Karnamritam.

Radhekrishna! The very same Lord saved the people of Brindavan from Indra’s wrath by lifting the Govardhana hills. He is their lovable Srinathji. Daily 8 pujas are done for Him. Morning mangala arathi is done. During this time Srinathji is woken up. He gets up late during summer and gets up early during winter. Vittalnath’s followers take turns and sing songs to wake Him up. They wipe His face with warm water with great care and love. He is offered bhog after that. Then comes sringar arathi. It is the time for Him to play. So they give flute in His hand. All play things are kept in front of Him and again singing is done. Dry fruits are offered for Him at that time. Arathi is done in the end.

        Then Gwal arathi is done. Time for Srinathji to take the cows and calves for grazing. Light tiffin is offered for Him then. Arathi is done.

Then noon it is time for Rajbhog and arathi. Numerous varieties of food items are offered for Him at that time. Arathi is again done now. After a tiring day and a heavy meal Srinathji will get tired and prefers a light nap.  He has to be waken up from the nap so afternoon by 3’ O'clock, uddhapan arathi is done.  He is gently woken up and arathi is done.    

         Next comes the time for Srinathji to have discussions with all the devas  who come to Him with various problems. It is said that whatever we wish at that time will be fulfilled by Srinathji. It is also said once Aurangaseb lost his eye sight.  Having heard about Srinathji’s miraculous powers, he prayed to the Lord at this particular time and got his sight back. Again a variety of food is offered to Him at that time and arathi done. Then evening arathi is done when He reaches back from the forests with the cows and cowherds.  Finally the sayana arathi is done when He is put to sleep. Lullabys are sung during that time. At that time after food pan (betel leaves with nuts) too is offered to Him.This system of puja was organised by Vittalnath, the son of Sri Vallabhacharya.  It has been followed for the past 600 yrs without much change. Vittalnath considered Srinathji as his own son. He considered himself as Yasoda matha. He guided many disciples towards bhakthi marga and corrected them. 
       There was a brahmin called Shreedhaswamy who had enimity towards Vittalnath due to jealousy. He couldn’t bear Vittalnath’s fame spreading far and wide. He used to say Vittalnath was only showing off bhakthi and he did not have real devotion. One day he took a coconut, removed the kernel inside stuck the two shells together and took it to Vittalnath. He asked him to offer the coconut to Lord Srinathji. He also prayed that he was devoid of devotion like Vittalnath and let Srinathji give him that much devotion.  

         Vittalnath innocently tried to take the empty coconut. Srinathji held Vittalnath’s hand and told him not to take the coconut. He said there was nothing inside and the man was trying to cheat him. Vittalnath smiled at this and said:- ‘True mylord! His inside is devoid of bhakthi and so empty. Why don’t you fill it with devotion? Then he will definitely change!

Srinathji:- What do you want me to do?

Vittalnath:- Fill it with what is needed.

Srinathji:- But how is it possible?

Vittalnath:- If at the age of 7 You can lift the Govardhana hill, then is this impossible for You? Put the kernel back in the shell please.

Srinathji smiled and accepted his request.  Vittalnath made the offering and turned to Sridhaswamy. He told him to consume the kernel inside so that he will get devotion.  He laughed aloud sarcastically and broke the coconut to show that Vittalnath was wrong. He was stunned to find the coconut full of kernel. He broke down and fell at Vittalnath’s feet begging pardon, ‘I am a sinner who came to cheat you. But you have showered me with divine blessings. How can I ever atone for my sin? I am really sorry now.’

       Vittalnath was moved with his tears and said he is not a sinner since he has uttered the name Srinathji.  Unless Srinathji desires, one cannot utter His name. That means he is lucky to get Srinathji’s blessings to utter that name.  Then he gave him nama upadesha. Sridhaswamy kept chanting the nama and attained the Lord ultimately. Guru kripa combined with bhagavath kripa can do wonders!  Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 7

Athanthritha thrijagadapi vrajangana-

Niyanthritham vipula vilochanaajnaya.

Nirantharam mama hridaye vijrumbhatham 

Samanthatha: sarasatharam param maha: 

        Radhekrishna! The ultimate power which controls the whole universe, is but controlled by the innocent wide eyed women of Brindavan.  Oh Krishna! Let that brightness which spreads ananda everywhere shine in my heart.

       Once King Akbar’s wife wanted to have darsan of Srinath on Holi day.  She expressed her desire to the king. He discouraged her saying that many Hindu devotees would be coming on that day to have darsan of the Lord and it would be a hindrance for them if she went that day to the temple. But as she very much wanted to go she insisted and finally the king agreed to send her. She was sent there with all the paraphernalia. She tried to visualise the Lord in beautiful attire in her mind.

      As soon as she stood before the Lord she was surprised to see that the Lord was attired in the same way as she had visualised earlier. She was still more surprised to hear somebody sing in praise of the Lord. Those songs were the same which she had noted down secretly as and when they came to her mind. She didn’t know how those songs came to be sung by some total stranger.  She understood that the Lord had accepted her songs and deputed somebody to sing them. She felt herself melting before the great mercy ! She was losing her consciousness slowly. Finally she left the body to merge in to the Lord.  

         Now the people got very much scared. No one dared to pass on the news to the king.  They didn’t know what his reaction would be.  At last somebody went to the palace and informed the king of the happenings at the palace.  King Akbar thought for a minute and said ‘She has gone back to where she had come from. I had the fortune of living with her during the interim period. She is a great soul !’ Great is the husband who could understand the wife so clearly ! This is real love between a husband and wife. He understood that Lord Srinathji has swallowed his wife.  Many Hindu devotees felt sorry that they couldn’t do such a devotion inspite of being Hindus. The Lord considers only the devotion and He is not bothered by caste, creed etc. A muslim woman could easily attain His feet.

           Everybody loved Srinathji. Days were rolling. Vittalnath daily  night would put Him to sleep. Govindadas used to sing for Srinathji. But he had stopped singing now.  There was a helper named Rupan at the temple. His duty was to clean the temple at night and make it ready for next day. Every night while working he saw many devotees singing before the Lord when Vittalnath put Him to sleep. After everybody was gone he used to sing softly some songs. He didn’t know proper music but used to mumble some songs to himself while doing his work.

          One day when Vittalnath came to wake Srinathji, he found the Lord was wide awake.  The usual red eyes were redder. Alarmed Vittalnath asked the Lord whether He didn’t sleep the previous night. Lord Srinathji said He didn’t sleep at all. Vittalnath enquired why He didn’t sleep at night. The Lord said, ‘Yesterday Rupan didn’t sing me any lullaby. So I couldn’t sleep.’ Vittalnath was surprised to hear that.

Vittalnath:-  I have not seen him singing before you.

Srinathji:-  He sings only when all of you go out.

Vittalnath:- But he is a very bad singer. His singing is the worst I 
                    have ever heard.

Srinathji:-  No he sings the purest music. His singing is full of 

                   devotion, devoid of ego, and so sweet for me.

Vittalnath:- Well if you like it then it is ok. But why didn’t he sing

                      yesterday?

Srinathji:-  It is all because of that Govinda. He only told him not to

                   sing before me since he feels Rapan's music is awful 
                   Govindadas told him since I am a child I may not be able 
                   to withstand his terrible singing. So told him not to
                   disturb me anymore with his lousy singing. He got scared 
                   and stopped singing.

      Govindadas with all his love for Srinathji had stopped Rupan when he heard him singing. Rupan with all his love for Srinathji understood that and stopped singing.  Real race of devotion between bhakthas ! Lord Srinathji missed Rupan’s songs filled with devotion. So He couldn’t sleep. Hearing this Govindadas came running there and apologised before the Lord. ‘Hey Srinath ! You could have told me that you liked Rupan’s song.  I am sorry I interfered between you two’ said Govindadas.  He immediately went to Rupan and apologised with him too. ‘Rupa ! I am sorry. Srinathji enjoys your music very much. So please do sing before Him daily. Then only He will sleep.’ Rupan was moved with emotions. His devotion attracted the Lord very much. We need not be an adept in music. But if we sing with our heart filled with devotion then the Lord is pleased.                 Radhekrishna!  Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 6

Eshu pravaaheshu sa eva manye

Kshanopiganya: purushayusheshu.

Aaswadyathe yathra kayapi bhakthya

Neelasya balasya nijam charithram.

         Radhekrishna!  In the span of our life time I consider only those moments worth living, which are spent in enjoying the divine leelas of Sri Krishna the blue hued boy of Brindavan says saint Leela Suka in his Krishna Karnamritham !

         Another of Srinathji's leelas with His bhaktha Govindadas! Govindadas used to sing very well! He was an expert in rendering bhairavi raga.  Once he was rendering bhairavi raga sitting beside the Govardhana hill.  At that time King Akbar came with Thansen to hear the divine rendering.  He sat there on a stone and started enjoying the music. Govindadas that day was poring out his heart in the spontaneous music. The rendering was so good that King Akbar was moved very much. Tears started coming down his cheeks. Then rendering over. Govindadas opened his eyes and saw King Akbar and Thansen emotionally moved.

         Akbar recovered himself first, got up and hugged Govindadas. He told Govindadas that the raga melted his heart away. Hearing this Govindadas was shocked and immediately began to cry.  Akbar could not understand why he was crying. He tried to console him in vain. Govindadas could not control his sorrow.  Then Thansen and Akbar some how managed to stop his crying and gently asked why he was so sorry. Govindadas said never again he will sing bhairavi raga in his life! Now it was the turn of Akbar and Thansen to get shocked. They were surprised at this and asked Govindadas why he was saying so.    

       Then Govindadas replied that, if his rendering of bhairavi raga could melt such a rock-hard heart like Akbar’s then what about the softest heart of Lord Srinathji? It is softer than the soft petal of a flower.  How much it will melt His Lord’s heart ! He couldnt bear even the thought of it. That instant he took the decision not to sing that raga anymore. He apologised mentally to His Lord for giving Him trouble. Wonderful ! Wonderful indeed !  Actually the Lord’s heart did not melt at Govindadas’s rendering, but melted completely when he said these words ! Oh! What a bhaktha !

       Usually people want to melt the Lord’s heart with their prayers and tears. But here was a bhaktha who does not want to trouble Him in anyway ! If we can acquire that kind of bhakthi then it is real treasure.  King Akbar was stunned to hear this and broke down at Govindadas’s feet seeing his devotion.  Never before has he seen or heard of a bhaktha like Govindadas.

        Back home King Akbar narrated the incident to his wife. She was thrilled by it and a deep desire to see Srinathji grew up in her heart.  So strong was that desire that whatever she did her mind was always calling out to Srinathji only ! It is a real wonder how Lord Krishna attracts muslim devotees again and again.  There was a Beevi Nachiar for Sampath kumaran, and again Thulukka Nachiar for Sriranganatha ! Somehow somewhere He will pull a muslim female devotee towards Him !

        On hear earnest request Sri Vittalnath took her for a darsan of Srinathji.  As she had her darsan with the help of a sadguru like Vittalnath, she could enjoy the real blissful form. Her heart immediately went over to Srinathji. She couldn’t  take the form she saw away from her mind and ultimately it gave her real meditation of the Lord.  Her sole interest now was her Srinathji whom she was enjoying in her heart always. 

           One day Sri Vittalnath as usual went to wake up the Lord. He found the Lord deep asleep that day which was unusual.  As he tried to wake Him up again and again He was falling asleep.  This surprised Vittalnath. Ultimately he managed to wake Him up and asked Him why He was so tired that day. He even checked with his hands whether Srinathji was running temperature ! For him it was not a mere deity ! It was real bhagavan Himself. The Lord smilingly said He had no fever but was only tired after a long playful night. It was only then that Vittalnath noticed that the dress He was wearing at bed time had changed. 

           The Lord was wearing a cap worn by muslims. Surprised Vittalnath enquired where He had gone at night and what happened to His dress. Lord Srinathji replied that He had been to the palace of Akbar badshah. 

Vittalnath:- But why did You go there of all the places?

Srinathji:- I went to meet the badshah’s wife.

Vittalnath:- What ! badshah’s wife ! What did you do there?

Srinathji:- Well I played chess game with her.  I have been going there for a few nights. Daily we play chess. She wins always. Today I wanted to win so the game took long time.

Vittalnath was overwhelmed at this mercy of the Lord. He had been to a muslim’s house just because she called Him daily.  What a great devotee to lure the Lord to play with her at night ! We too have nights daily. Have we at anytime spent the night with the Lord in anyway? We have spent long nights talking all nonsense with our friends,  playing useless games with useless people, watching good for nothing television shows.  Shame on us! How can we call ourselves devotees? Is there any other way to spend the night worthier than this?  Prostrations at the feet of such a great devotee !

          Vittalnath was worried over His wary nights. ‘Oh Krishna ! Now I know why You are losing Your weight nowadays. These sleepless nights lead to less appetite. So You must restrict Your night schedule.’  The Lord laughed aloud. ‘No amma. It is all your imagination. I am as plump as ever only.’ Here was a bhaktha who tied the Lord with his devotion in this kaliyuga just about 400 yrs back. Bhakthi can never be limited with time. If we want we too can enjoy bhagavan with our devotion. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 5

Bhavena mugdha chapalena vilokanena

Manmaanase kimapi chaapalam udvahantham  

Lolena lochana rasaayanam eekshithena

Leela kisoram upagoohithum uthsukosmi.

       The childlike pranks, mesmerising looks of those beautiful eyes, increase the greed in my heart for the darsan (vision) of bala (little) krishna. I long to hug with my eyes the young form of the Lord  which is the cause for paramananda (ultimate happiness)! Saint Leela Sukar says so in Sri Krishna Karnamritham.                            

        In our last issue we saw that Vittalnath drove Govindadas away since he was blaming little Srinath! Let us continue with the story now. Noon time came. Vittalnath went in with the nivedyam.  He saw Srinathji’s face was dull. He said ‘Come on my pet! I have driven Govindadas away. He is a liar, cheat, and loser but keeps putting the blame on you always. So I drove him away. I know You didn't lie, and You are straight forward.’

 But Srinathji looked disappointed and said ‘But amma I want to eat with him only. I always take my food with him you know and I miss him now.’

Vittalnath:- ‘My sweetie! Don’t play with him anymore. He talks ill about you. He has been telling everyone that You are a liar, loser etc. I can’t stand him talking like that about You!’

Srinathji:- But he is not a liar. He tells the truth only.

Vittalnath:- Oh my child. He says you have stolen his marbles. How dare he say that about You!

Srinathji:- But amma he is absolutely right. Look here..’ Saying this the Lord extended His folded palm and Vittalnath saw the shining marbles in His hand.

Now Vittalnath could not hide his feeling and he laughed aloud.  What a naughty child and at the same time how much He loves His friend!  The real truth! Bhagavan plays all kinds of mysterious leelas. But He will never ditch His bhakthas. All these things happened in this Kaliyuga itself! Bhakthi cannot be limited by time!

         Well Vittalnath went out and called Govindadas. Govindadas who was hiding outside came running to him saying ‘ Well did you ask your son? What did He say? I know He cannot eat without me. Didn’t I tell you not to drive me out.  Did He admit His misdeeds?’ Vittalnath was dumbfounded by his sishya’s devotion.  He was immersed in his bhava towards Srinathji!  Govindadas was aware that the Lord was happy to eat with him. This is sakhya bhakthi!

         Vittalnath invited Govindadas to have lunch with his Son. But Govindadas flatly declined.  He said as Vittalnath  told him to get awayhe felt insulted and did not want to have lunch with his Son. Vittalnath now began to beg with him forgetting the fact that  Govindadas was his sishya. ‘My child! Please don’t take that seriously.  You are also my child like little Srinath. Don’t I have the right to scold you?’ He wanted to go to any extent to please his Son.  He said ‘ It is all because you made a big issue of this in front of everybody. I can never belittle my Krishna. So I got furious and scolded you. Please try to understand that and come with me. He says He will  eat with you only. It is past His lunch time. You know He cannot bear hunger’

         Hearing that Govindadas realised that it was getting late and that Srinathji cannot stand hunger. So he took hold of his guru’s hand and rushed inside. Vittalnath saw that little Srinath was sitting turning His back towards them.  Govindadas touched Him and called ‘Krishna! please come for Your lunch. I am  here’ Srinathji didn't turn and said ‘I don't know you or anybody.’ Govindadas pleaded with Him. ‘Look Krishna I am sorry! I admit I am the loser. You won the game’.  Srinathji became happy now, turned around brightly and said ‘Yasoda matha! Didn't I tell you. I only won this game!’ Vittalnath laughed and said ‘Yes darling. I knew You only won. You are the winner always!’ Then he served food for both of them.

         Many readers might think this strange. But in bhakthi it is the bhava that counts. In bhakthi bhava anybody can experience the Lord. Vittalnath and Govindadas were so immersed in their attitudes or bhava towards the Lord that they could experience the above said incident simultaneously.  Nobody need criticize this. Only those with bhakthi  can understand this. Others might think it is all strange or crazy. Anyone can attain this by constant chanting of the Lord’s name with full faith.  The attitude for the Lord should be deep routed. There shouldn’t be an iota of doubt of any form in that. Then only one can experience and enjoy the Lord directly! So keep chanting with full faith for the next issue. Till then Radhekrishna!

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.