Panduranga - 1

Kaduvinai kalayalakum kamanai payantha kalai

Itavagai kontathu enbar ezhil ani ananthapuram

Patam udai aravil palli payindravan padam kana

Natamino namarkal ulleer nam Makarios chonnom.

       Radhekrishna!  Here in Thiruvananthapuram, it is Lord Krishna who is present in a lying posture.  It is our little Krishna but in a big form.  He is holding a lotus flower in His left hand playfully.  Kama was burnt down to ashes by Lord Siva.  Krishna gave him a form and was born as Pradyumna, Krishna’s son.  Nammazhvar says that we can throw away all our sins as trash, if we enter Thiruvananthapuram.  It is a very beautiful place, he says as Bhuvanasundara, is lying here on Adi Sesha. Adi Sesha has raised five of his hoods as an umbrella for Bhagavan – ‘patam udai aravil’. Adi Sesha is enjoying Bhagavan happily.  If we surrender to those lotus feet of Pathmanabha then all our sins would be washed away easily.  Nammazhvar says if we start walking towards Thiruvananthapuram then with each step we take, our sins get burnt down.

        Once Sri Alavanthar visited Thiruvananthapuram. He saw the lotus feet, and thirunabhi through the two doors. He refused to look at the face because he felt he was not qualified for that! Pathmanabha is premaswaroopa. Alavanthar said only gopis had the right to look at His face. This premaswaroopa, standing with both hands on His hips is Panduranga! In Thiruvananthapuram one has to look at the Lord through three doors. The same Krishna, whom you are not able to see properly in Thiruvananthapuram, stands in Pandarpur beckoning us to touch His feet. This is the only place where one can enjoy the Lord by touch. Panduranga is wonderful. He poses as Rajadhiraja spreading a charming smile, welcoming the bhakthas, giving assylum to all who touch the holy feet.

Pundalika sarika bhaktha nahi, Pandari sarika kshethra nahi

Vitoba sarika daiva nahi, Thukkaram sarika sadguru nahi

There is no bhaktha to equal Pundalika for whose sake bhagavan came to this place.  Pandarpur is also a place unequalled since bhagavan Himself came there. Vitoba or Panduranga too is unique, since He is sowlabhya moorthy.  It was Lord Dwarakanatha who came here to see Pundalika. In this temple bhajan goes on and on by devotees. For their sake Krishna has taken his abode here. Here rituals or customs are not given much importance. Only devotion is needed. Anybody can go and touch His lotus feet. Nowhere else is this grace available! And there is no sadguru to equal Thukkaram.

        Bhagavan says “Naa ham vasaami Vaikunte, na yogi hrudaye ravau, mad bhaktha yathra gaayanthi thathra thishtami Narada”  “Hey Narada I am not present in Vaikunta, or in the heart of great Yogis. I am present where my devotees sing about me.” Numerous stories are there about the origin of this Kshethra. One of them goes as follows. Once while in Dwaraka Bhagavan was very much pained in viraham or separation from Radhika Rani. Radhika Rani immediately rushed to His presence. Both of them moved to a secluded place. Rukmini devi happened to see them together accidentally. She became upset by what she saw. She felt sorry that she has not yet attained the divine bhakthi of Radhika Rani. Immediately she left Dwaraka and went away to do penance to attain the state of Radhika Rani.

        Bhagavan, as also others in Dwaraka felt her absence very much. Bhagavan took some yadavas with Him and they all set out in search of her. They roamed around villages, towns, hills everywhere. At last they reached a forest. Suddenly the gopas could feel the mother’s presence there. Krishna asked them to wait there and Himself went deep inside the forest. At last He reached where Rukmini was doing penance. Bhagavan stood in front of her with both His hands on His hip. He teasingly said “hey Rukmini do you think only you can do penance? I can also do penance do you know?” Seeing His posture Rukmini couldn’t control herself and laughed aloud. His form was fascinating for her. Both of them stood there staring at each other for a long time lost in themselves.

        Pundalika was the only son of his parents. He ill treated his parents at their old age. He used to hurt them with harsh words. The blow from tongue is more fatal than the blow from a knife, it is said. Elders should never be hurt by harsh words. It is a great sin. Youngsters should take great care in using proper words. They should never use improper words. Fed up with their son’s behaviour they decided to leave the house and go to Kashi to leave their lives there. Hearing this, the son also wanted to go to Kashi with his wife. Both of them climbed on a horse and followed the old couple. With great difficulty they walked the distance. They would stop their journey in the evening and spend the nights in some villages. Pundalika tortured them by asking them to wash the horse, feed it etc. They bore everything patiently.

        One night they stayed near a Rishi’s ashram. In the late hours of night Pundalika happened to notice some ugly looking women getting into the ashram. Entering the ashram they began to do chores like cleaning the surroundings, drawing water from the well, making rangoli in the front courtyard, cleaning vessels etc. Pundalika saw that as they were doing these chores their looks also kept changing. When they came out of the ashram they had gained wonderful forms and they left. Pundalika couldn’t make out what was happening. He doubted he was dreaming. But he knew that he was awake. His mind kept thinking of the strange phenomenon again and again. He wanted to find out the truth and so stayed there next day also. At night he saw the same women coming as ugly as earlier and leaving in divine forms. He rushed to the women and asked them who they were and why their forms changed like this. They answered him that they were the great rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

          Taken aback by this revelation he asked why their form was so ugly when they entered the ashram. They replied that since numerous sinners throw away their sins in the rivers they become very ugly. All the sins of the world make them ugly. To relieve themselves off the sins and to regain their good looks they are daily coming and doing service to Kukkuda Rishi who was in the ashram. Hearing this, a great change came over Pundalika. He knew he too was a sinner and felt ashamed of himself. When the day dawned Pundalika entered Kukkuda Rishi’s ashram. He fell at the Rishi’s feet. The Rishi smiled and enquired why he had come there. Pundalika replied that he happened to see the deities of the three rivers come there and get purified by doing service.

        The Rishi said to him that it was people like him who spoil the rivers by their sins. Pundalika was thoroughly taken aback. He asked the Rishi why he was calling Pundalika a sinner. The Rishi told him that he knew that Pundalika was ill-treating his parents which was a great sin. His mother had carried him in her womb for 9 months. Can he ever repay her love? He also reminded him that old age was imminent for him also. At lease Pundalika’s parents had one son. But he had no issues at all. Who will look after him? Pundalika felt as if a great blow was given to him. He realised the truth and repented very much. He rushed to his parents and fell at their feet. He seeked their apologies. The old couple could not make out what was happening. They felt sorry that their son was crying. They caressed his head and consoled him.

          Pundalika and his wife now changed completely started a new life serving the parents with great care and love. He dropped the idea of visiting Kashi. Instead he found satisfaction in serving his parents. He never thought that he was doing a great service to his parents. That humility made him win in his life. Life was going on like that for them. Bhagavan Krishna who was also in the same area happened to hear about Pundalika’s service to his parents. He wanted to meet Pundalika in person and so one day came to his hut. Pundalika was doing some service to his parents. He saw that somebody has come at his door but since he was busy he asked Him to wait outside. As there was no proper furniture to offer he threw two bricks towards Krishna and asked Him to be seated on that. It is said that Lord Indira due to some curse had come as a brick and so had the fortune of carrying the Lord in his body. Krishna accepted Pundalika’s offer and stood over the bricks with both His hands on His hips.

        After finishing his duties Pundalika along with his family came outside to see who had come. He saw Lord Dwarakadeesa waiting patiently on a brick for him. He shone like a precious stone full of luster. Pundalika shed tears of joy. He prostrated before him. The Lord’s mercy was unbearable for him.

“Prabho! How could you think of me a mean creature who has sinned a lot?” he asked. Bhagavan replied “I am very much pleased by your devoted service to your parents! I wish to give you something. Tell me what would you want from me?”

Pundalika replied “Please stay here forever for the sake of innumerable sinners like me!”

Bhagavan readily agreed and became a deity. Rukmini also joined Him. “Vittu” in Marathi means brick. ‘Ba’ means father. Since He is standing on the Vittu Bhagavan came to be called as ‘Vittoba’.  Vittu also means Vishnu. The Bhima river was flowing in the place. She curved herself like a half moon for the temple to be built. She became famous as Chandrabhaga from then onwards. Lakhs of devotees visit this place throughout the year. On Ekadasi days the crowds surges like high tide. We will see the greatness of Panduranga and Pandarpur in the coming issues. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 16

Yaani thvath charithamruthani rasanalehyani dhanyathmanam

Ye vaa chaapala shaishava vyathikaraa radhaparadhonmukha:

Yaa vaa bhaavitha venu geetha gathayo leela mukhamboruhe

Dhara vahikaya vahanthu hrudaye thanyeva thanyeva mei.

          Oh Krishna! Only the blessed ones enjoy the divine taste of Your leelas in their tongue. Let there be a spontaneous flow of Your strange leelas with Radha Rani,  waves of sweet music from the flute in Your lotus like face, in my heart. Thus says Sri Leela Sukar in his Krishna Karnamritham. 
      Once there was a great mahathma called Hariraya. He used to sing bhajans in praise of the Lord and many people gathered to hear his bhajans. A princess also used to attend the bhajan sessions. Some how she got attracted to Hariraya's physical appearance. She expressed her desire to him without any hesitation. Hariraya felt sympathy for her.  With prayers to Srinathji he asked her one night to come to his room. On entering the room Hariraya asked her to first prostrate before Srinathji kept on his lap.  When she got up she saw not Hariraya there but Yasoda matha with her son little Krishna on her lap. She was breast feeding her son covered by her saree. The little lotus feet kept peeping out of her saree. Droplets of milk was trickling out through the saree. The princess was stunned by what she saw. In a moment the scene vanished and she saw Hariraya sitting with Srinathji on his lap. She realised the truth and fell down at his feet. He gave her nama upadesa. She chanted the nama and ultimately realised the Lord.
        Srinathji's greatness and grace is endless. Numerous devotees have experienced His grace.  There was a King who became so devoted that he threw away even his kingdom for the sake of Srinathji. He ultimately merged with the Lord. This seven year old boy is a source of attraction for many. There was one Nandadas who used to sing on Lord Srinathji. Once King Akbar happened to hear Tansen sing one his songs. The king was so attracted by the bhava in the song that he wanted to meet the great devotee. But unfortunately before the king could meet him the mahathma left his body. Sri Vittalnath also merged himself in the Govardhana mountain.
        Originally Srinathji was in Brindavan only. It was in 1627 that Srinathji left Brindavan and reached Rajasthan. Tales run around that it was due to Muslim attack etc that the temple was shifted. But the truth is Bhagavan was attracted by Meera matha's pure devotion and so only settled in Rajasthan. Today the place is called Nathdwara. It is near Udaipur. The followers of Pushti marg worship Srinathji only. Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami etc are celebrated in a grand scale here. It is indeed a great blessing to visit Nathdwara and have darsan of Lord Srinathji. With sincere prayers one can attain this fortune. Do pray sincerely and enjoy the Lord. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji -15

Mukulaayamaana nayanaambujam vibho

Murali ninada makaranda nirbharam

Mukuraayamaana mrudu ganta mantalam

Mukha pankajam manasi mei vijrumbhathaam.

       Radhekrishna! 'Let the lord's eyes which resemble lotus buds, soft and mirror like cheeks, lotus like face filled with the honey of venu ganam (flute) appear in my mind' prays Leela Sukar in Krishna Karnamritham.

        We saw in the last issue that a  Muslim merchant became devoted to Lord Srinathji simply by hearing His leelas. He reached Brindavan in search of the Lord and was not allowed to go inside the temple to see the Lord. He pleaded with the Govardhana mountain to let him go inside the temple. He kept begging at the people who passed that way to tell Srinathji about himself and seek His permission to let him see the Lord. Raskhan forgot everything, his family, his business and everything. He had only one goal in his life now - to see Srinathji! At a certain stage it was impossible for him to spend even a minute without seeing the Lord. 

      Lord Srinathji decided that Raskhan was now mature enough to receive His blessings. He sent Sri Vittalnath to Raskhan. Seeing Vittalnath coming out Raskhan came rushing towards him and fell down at his feet. He begged the sadguru to show him the Lord. He was sorry that he had not enough devotion. Even then with the sadguru's blessings he can have darsan of the Lord. He begged with Vittalnath with tears in his eyes. Vittalnath was moved by his devotion and took hold of Raskhan's hand. 
'Hey Raskhan! Come with me. I will take you to Lord Srinath.'

Ras: 'Ah. What do you say? Do you say that I can come inside the    
       temple and have Srinathji's darsan?
Vitta: 'Of course! Only you deserve His darsan my boy!'
Hearing this Raskhan was overwhelmed with happiness and jumped up. Full of excitement he began to pull Vittalnath inside. Now it was the turn of other devotees to stare at Raskhan with wonder. Nobody could stop him since he was with Sri Vittalnath. Vittalnath made him stand before the deity and asked him to look at the Lord. Raskhan was wonderstruck. The Lord appeared as much as the 'pouranika' had described. He could see the actual 'neela bala', who was chubby, with curly hair, red lips, lotus like hands feet and eyes, exactly as the 'pouranika' had described. Tears ran down his cheeks. He was excited and cried out 'I have seen the neela bala'. 
    The Lord became happy with Raskhan's devotion. That is what is needed. Nobody else need to acknowledge our devotion but Bhagavan. Our devotion should be such that Bhagavan is pleased with us. What more do we need!  Raskhan settled there in Brindavan itself worshiping the Lord for the rest of his life. No need to say that he finally attained the Lord Himself. The Lord has no discrimination at all. He loves those who love Him. Raskhan loved Srinathji so much that he entirely forgot his family, assets, business etc. Pleased with his love the Lord took him. These great devotees teach us how our devotion should be. They teach us the purpose of our life itself! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 14

Madhurathara smithamrutha vimugdha mukhamburuham 

Madhasikhi pinchalanchitha manogya kacha prachayam 

Vishaya vishaamisha grasana grudhnushi chethasi mei 

Vipula vilochanam kimapi dhaama chakasthi chiram!

         'The beautiful lotus like face with the nectar of thy sweet smile, pleasing curly hair, wide eyes, the lustrous form which cannot be explained with words, shines in my heart which is ready to swallow the poison of worldly matters' says  Leela Suka in Krishna Karnamritham.
         Radhekrishna! For the sake of His bhakthas Lord Srinathji becomes very simple and approachable!  Another of His divine leelas! Once a gem merchant came to Mathura for selling his precious gems. He was a muslim named Raskhan! He saw a good crowd and thought that he could find a good market there. Some discourse was going on and the crowd had gathered for that only. Since he wanted to meet some prospective customers he sat in a corner and was forced to hear what the 'pauranika' was saying. Fortunately at that time the pauranika was in the midst of describing Lord Krishna! He explained in detail how the Lord took the Govardhana mountain in His hand and saved the people of vraja.
         The pauranika was able to bring a clear picture of the scene. Raskhan was very much fascinated with the 'little cowherd boy with the flute'! He wondered whether there really was a blue hued boy. After the upanyas was over everybody but Raskhan left the place. The pauranika noted him and asked why he was still sitting there. He could make out that the man was a muslim. Raskhan came to him with folded hands and said that his description of the blue boy fascinated him very much. He wanted to know if he can meet the boy in person. The pauranika replied that he can very well meet the boy in Brindavan. "If you cross the Yamuna and go that side you can meet Him" he said. "Where and how will He be?" asked Raskhan. 
 "At times He would be dressed like a cowherd boy with a turban tied over His head. At times He would be playing on the sands of the bank of Yamuna with cowherd boys. Sometimes He would be playing a flute. Sometimes He would be sitting on the branch of a tree carrying with Him the Gopis' dresses" said the pauranika.
'How can I find Him'? asked Raskhan.
' He will be available for only those whom He permits to see.'
Raskhan immediately rushed towards Brindavan. He ran here and there searching for Krishna asking everybody he met on his way. At last he reached near the Govardhana mountain. Somebody informed him that Krishna was standing with the Govardhana mountain on His hand inside the temple.  Excitedly he rushed towards the temple. But he was stopped outside by the security people. They would not allow him inside since he was a muslim. Only Hindus were allowed inside the temple they said. Heart broken he cried and cried. He pleaded with them to let him see the 'blue boy' at least once. But he was denied permission. In terrible agony he kept crying in front of the temple. He forgot his family, his profession, his relatives and everything. His mind was now fully occupied with the blue boy only. He kept crying out 'Neela bala, Neela bala'! Sri Vittalnath was at that time inside the temple watching everything. But he did not interfere or utter a word. He looked at the Govardhana mountain and pleaded 'giri raja giri raja'! Whenever somebody passed that way he would rush to them and request them to tell Srinathji that a good for nothing, mean destitute was waiting outside to have His darsan. 
Will Raskhan's wish be fulfilled? Wait and see in the next issue. Till then do keep chanting the Lord's name ! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 13

Bhasatham bhava bhayaika bheshajam

Maanase mama muhur muhur muhur

Gopavesha upasedusha svayam

Yaapi kaapi ramaneeyatha vibho!

     'Let the only remedy for the dread of samsara (material world), which is the inexplicable, and wonderful beauty of Sri Krishna, who Himself has taken the role of a cowherd boy, shine forth in my mind again and again and again' prays Leela Suka in his Krishna Karnamritham.

            Radhekrishna! Wonderful are the leelas of Lord Srinathji! Once a servant in the temple of Srinathji happened to go to Kasi kshethra. There was a famous devotee called Paramananda in Kasi who used to conduct bhajan sessions in his place. Big crowds used to gather for his bhajans. The man who worked under Vallabhacharya went there hearing the bhajans. He sat among the devotees and joined in the singing. 

         Suddenly Paramananda got up and kept staring at the servant of Vallabhacharya. The man didn't understand anything. After staring for sometime with folded hands he came towards the man. Seeing that panic seized him. He could not at all understand why Paramananda was coming towards him an ordinary man. Paramananda stood before the man and humbly enquired who he was. The man asked why he was asking that. Paramananda again asked him who he was. He said he was a humble servant of Vallabhacharya. Hearing this Paramananda prostrated before him. The man was shocked and jumped away asking why he was doing like this. 

      Paramananda replied that little Krishna was playing on his lap! Though the man was unaware of it Paramananda could see with his own eyes! Just because the man had some connection with Vallabhacharya, Srinathji was sitting on his lap and eating butter. He was wonderstruck at this leela. Then what would be the greatness of Swami Vallabhacharya, he wondered. He left everything that moment and proceeded to meet Vallabhacharya. He surrendered to Vallabhacharya completely and begged for his grace. In the course of time it is said Vallabhacharya blessed him with Srinathji's darsan. Ultimately he attained moksha!

        In the lineage of Vittalnath came Hariraya another staunch devotee of Srinathji. Like his predecessors he too worshipped the Lord in vathsalya bhava. Daily night Srinathji was led to His sayana griham, which was a little away from the sanctum. They have to pass through an open space to reach there. Daily silk carpets were spread on the path for Srinathji. One day there was heavy rain. Due to the heavy rains carpets were not spread that day to avoid getting spoiled. Lord Srinathji was taken to the sayana griham and left there as usual. Hariraya returned to his place and was lying down thinking of Srinathji. 

       Suddenly he heard somebody knock at his door. Wondering who might be at this hour of night he hurriedly got up and opened the door only to find little Srinath standing there! Surprised he asked the Lord why He had come there. Srinathji didn't answer him but went inside and sat on Hariraya's bed which was an old jute sack. Hariraya was confused so asked Srinathji why He came there. Srinathji :- Come and lie down here amma!

Hariraya obeyed Him. Srinathji lied down hugging him. He put His 
leg on Hariraya trying to sleep!

Hariraya:- Why didn't you go to sayana griham my child? What 

                 happened?  Couldn't you sleep there?

Srinathji:- Oh Amma you know I have to walk through sandy 
                ground to reach there!

Hariraya:- Yes my child! But for that we have arranged for silk  

                carpets to be spread on the ground.

Srinathji:- True! But the pujaris hadn't spread it fearing it might get 

                spoiled. They do not want the botheration of washing it.
                I didn't want to get my feet spoiled by wet mud. So I 
                didn't go.
Hariraya could not help but laugh aloud. Srinathji had come all the way to his home in wet mud only. He took Srinathji on his hip, cleaned the lotus feet with his angavasthram and carried Him towards the temple. He woke up the pujaris, made arrangements for spreading the silk carpets and left Srinathji on His bed. Such is the sowlabhya or simplicity of Lord Srinathji towards His bhakthas! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji -12

Adheera bimbaadhara vibhramEna
Harshadra venu svara sampadaa cha 
Anena kenaapi manoharena
Ha hantha ha hantha mano dhunothi.

      Oh Krishna! The indescribable beauty of thy gently moving red lips which I see in front of me, and the mesmerising music that flows from your flute, conquers my heart totally. Oh what can I do? Thus cries out saint Leela Sukar in ecstasy when confronting the Lord before his eyes.

       Radhekrishna! One Krishnadas was very much devoted to Lord Srinathji. He too was a disciple of Vittalnath. He used to sing in praise of the Lord and do services to Him. Once he was roaming out somewhere. On his way there lived a prostitute called Ranjini. She was very much after money and so used to attract men towards her and snatch their money away. Daily evening she used to dress herself up and dance in front of men. For the dance she used to sing songs which depicted RadhaKrishna leelas.  Many people are unaware of the prema rahasyam  hidden in the verses of RadhaKrishna leela. Though they are full of Sringara bhavam it has got the secrets of deep bhakthi. Ranjini too unaware of all these noble ideals was using those songs for her profession to attract the malefolk. 

        Krishnadasa who happened to cross her house heard the divine music and naturally was attracted by it. Ranjini sang those songs beautifully with her melodious voice.  Krishnadasa went inside her house. Those who had gathered there were totally surprised a saintly person like Krishnadasa had come to Ranjini. All paid money for the song and dance. Slowly they all dispersed. Krishnadasa remained there. Ranjini felt elated that she could attract a great bhaktha like Krishnadasa. Full of pride she asked him why he was still standing and what he wanted. 

Krishnadasa replied 'Of course I am waiting for you only!'

Ranjini's head bloated with ego that she could bring even Krishnadasa to her feet. Feeling victorious she came and stood by Krishnadasa. Krishnadasa hurriedly said that he wanted Ranjini for his boss.  Ranjini was totally surprised at this and sarcastically said 'Do you know how much money you have to pay for me?'

Krishnadasa took out a bundle of gold coins and threw them before her. 'Tell he how much money you want' he said. Her eyes bulged out seeing this and her attitude immediately changed. She became more humble now and asked Krishnadasa whether his boss was an old man.

Krishnadasa replied : No He is in the prime of youth.

Ranjini:- Is he ugly or so?

Krishnadasa:- He is the most handsome man you would have ever  

                      seen.

Ranjini:- Oh then probably He is new to Sringara rasa.

Krishnadasa laughed aloud and said : He is Sringara lolan.

Ranjini:- May be He doesn't know how to enjoy rasas.

Krishnadasa:- He is called rasikendra. There is no one to equal 

                     Him. There is no one in the world who can please all 

                     others like Him.

Ranjini was slowly getting attracted to the young boss Krishnadasa was talking about. Krishnadasa further described about His prowess, power, intelligence, bravery, etc etc. He also told her about His immense wealth which nobody in the world can equal Him. Ranjini now became really excited and wanted to meet the 'boss' immediately. 

       Krishnadasa took her with Him. Throughout the way he was talking about his 'Boss'. Ranjini's excitement knew no bounds and she became restless. She really wanted to meet the 'boss' now.  If she could get the 'boss' in her clutches then she will not have to worry about her future at all she thought. Well that was real truth indeed! Walking the distance her thirst to meet the 'boss' became very intent. Moreover Krishnadasa was putting fuel to the fire in her talking about the 'great boss'. Ultimately he brought her to Govardhana Hills. Ranjini was totally unaware of her surroundings. Her mind was fully preoccupied with Krishnadasa's 'boss' whom she hasn't met yet.

       Krishnadasa led her towards Srinathji. He asked her to look at his 'boss' now. Srinathji was in His full splendour that day. Wearing the yellow silk dhoti, with all the jewels bedecked, lovely peacock feather fluttering over His head, carrying a flute, smiled sensuously at Ranjini. Ranjini stared at the Lord without blinking her eye lid. Krishnadasa the sadguru, showed her the Lord in His true form. He looked from toe to head and from head to toe. All the Radhakrishna songs she had learnt came to her mind telling her all she has heard about the Lord was true. The sight was encapturing. She mumbled that Krishnadasa's 'boss' was really great! Krishnadasa replied, 'yes He is bhuvanasundara'!

        Ranjini who was proud of her beauty and youth now began to feel she was no match for Him. Her ego got a great blow. She felt ashamed that her body was used by so many ordinary men before. How dare she offer this 'dirty' body to this great 'sundara'! Her legs trembled and she couldnt stand erect. If she had met Him long before she would have offered herself as nivedyam for Him. Now it is too late. Why did Krishnadasa do this to her? Now she can't offer herself but at the same time she can't even breath without Him. She was in a total fix now. 

        Ranjini did not dare to stand before the Lord now and wanted to run away. But her body refused to move an inch from there. Her mind longed for Krishna. The deep sea of Krishna Prema was pulling her towards Him. But she felt she did not deserve Him. Krishnadasa told her to sing and dance before Him. 'If He likes your dance then you too are entitled to enjoy Him', he said. Happily Ranjini began to dance before the Lord singing with all her heart. This time the song came out with full feeling. The dance and singing was very different this time. Even the Lord was also inspired and joined her in the dance.  In the midst of the dance Srinathji unable to wait further hugged Ranjini tightly. Ranjini shrieked out at this unexpected gift. She lost herself in Him and fell down. Others who had gathered could not see what had happened.  They just saw that Ranjini fell down during her dance. Everybody gathered around her and lifted her only to know that she was dead! Yes she had mingled with Srinathji! We have heard about Pingala a prostitute who attained the Lord, in Srimad Bhagavatham. In this Kaliyuga itself an ordinary prostitute could attain the Lord with the grace of a sadguru ! Millions of pranams for that Sadguru and the Lord who is the embodiment of love! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

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!