114. Bhagavatha - Srikrishna Slains Aristasura

 114. Srimad Bhagavatha  - Srikrishna Slains Aristasura 

Aritasura, a demon disguised as bull with a huge body and a large hump, was sent to Vraja by Kamsa in order to kill Srikrishna.

As the demon bull entered Vraja, it began billowing harshly and shaking the earth with its hoofs. To express its anger, it was throwing mud with its horns and discharging dung and urinating in small quantities.  

It's thunder like roar feared the cows and pregnant women. Some cattle fled Vraja. The residents of Vraja sought refuge at Srikrishna,  their saviour. Srikrishna asked them not to be afraid.  

Srikrishna said to the demon,  ‘What will you gain by terrorizing the people of Vraja. I am here to crush you”. Slapping His arms, He provoked the demon. He stretched his arms and placed them on a cowherd's shoulder.

Bending down, the bull rushed towards Srikrishna and attacked Him using its horns. Srikrishna quickly seized its horn and pushed it back to a distance of 18 steps. 

The bull quickly rose again and rushed towards the Lord. Srikrishna tightly held the horns of the bull and threw it on the ground. He stepped hard on it and wrung it as a drenched cloth. He pulled the horn and used it as a weapon to strike it. 

The bull vomited blood, discharged urine, and dung profusely and met its end. Devatas, who witnessed this event, showered flowers on Srihari. The residents of Vraja were relieved of the danger and praised Him. Srikrishna spent around 10 years at Gokula and Brindavan. 

Sage Narada Informs Kamsa the Secret Birth of Srikrishna 

As Kamsa’s end was nearing, Sage Narada called on him. On giving due respect, Kamsa asked the Sage the purpose of his visit.

The Sage cautioned him and said, “the female child of Devaki and Vasudeva  that had escaped death at his hand was indeed the daughter of Yasoda. 

The Lord, appearing as Srikrishna, is the son of Devaki, and Balarama is the son of Rohini. All your agents were killed by these kids, and hence, they did not return to you. Vasudeva had placed Balarama and Srikrishna in Vraja under Nanda's care.”

On hearing it, Kamsa was agitated and intended to kill Vasudeva immediately.  The Sage stopped him and said the sons of Vasudeva have been ordained to be his death and not Vasudeva. 

Kamsa agreed but bound both Vasudeva and Devaki with iron chains.  Sage Narada returned to his abode.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

113. Bhagavatha - Srikrishna Ends Sudarshana's Curse

 113. Srimad Bhagavatha - Srikrishna Ends Sudarshana's Curse 

The residents of Vraja undertook a scheduled pilgrimage to Ambika Vana (forest) on Masa Shivaratri day. Ambika Vana  is situated between Gokulam and Mathura. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ambika (Goddess Parvathi). A tributary of Saraswathi river flows adjacent to it. 

Nanda and his retinue performed the rituals as per the norms and donated cows, clothes, and sweet rice to Brahmanas.  They observed fasting and stayed that night in a nearby forest.

A few gopalas were guarding them with their firebands (oil torch), and a little later, they too fell asleep due to exhaustion.  

A hungry python (boa constrictor) crawled towards Nanda and started swallowing him. Nanda woke to realize that he was in danger and loudly called out “ Krishna, Krishna. Protect me. You are my saviour. “ 

Hearing the commotion, gopalas woke up and attacked the python with their oil torches, but the python did its job. 

Slowly, Srikrishna came near the serpent and touched it with His foot. The serpent vanished, and a demi-god appeared decked with heavy jewellery and folded hands. 

Srikrishna asked him who he was, from where he came, and the reason behind this serpent form.

The demi-god  said, “ I am Sudharshana, a Vidhyadhara. I was proud of my beauty and enormous wealth. Once, while  roaming around in my aerial car, I saw descendants of Sage Angirasa and mocked them for their external appearance - dirty attire, unkempt beard, and hairs.  I failed to recognize their internal strength.  

To teach a lesson, they cursed me to become an ugly serpent and crawl around.  Realizing my mistake, I sought pardon and asked when I would get released from the curse. They said Sriman Narayana would descend on earth in Dwaparyug and end my curse.

Having got rid of my curse with your sight and touch, I got rid of my sins, too. I do not seek anything from you. Please allow me to go back to my place.” Saying so he went around Srikrishna with folded hands and went away.

Everyone witnessing this event was astonished. Nanda was relieved of the danger. They returned back to Vraja, recalling the event again and again.

Source : Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

112. Bhagavatha - Why Rasaleela and SriSukamuni's Reply

 112. Srimad Bhagavatha  -  Why Rasaleela and SriSukamuni's Reply

King Parikshit questions Sri. Sukamuni as to why Srikrishna had to undertake Rasaleela transgressing all limits prescribed in the Vedas. Is it not adharma to have physical indulgence with other’s wives? He has descended on earth as Jagadeeshwara. Why did he act this way with Gopikas, and what was the message to the world?

Sri. Sukamuni said, “ He is an all- knowing God. We, as mere mortals, cannot question His acts.  Yes, sometimes Gods, Rishis, and Munis, as what we perceive, act beyond limits that are prohibited to humans. We shouldn't imitate their actions blindly. 

For example, Agni can consume filth and corpses, yet it remains pure. Rudra consumed Halahala poison. Can we consume it? 

Rishis are capable of nullifying it by undertaking rigorous penance. Sage Viswamitra knowingly consumed dog meat for his survival. Later, he did severe penance to get rid of the sin. 

Such things can happen due to Prarabda Karma or for the benefit of the world.

How did they get this status?

Rishis purely sought the feet of Srikrishna and attained Tattvagnana. This helped in destroying their past karma. Later, they moved freely with no Karma bandana.  

Srikrishna was not born as a human being. He had descended and taken a form to destroy adharma and protect Dharma.  He had no Karma bandana or rebirth associated with it like us. He is Achyuta, with no relationship with the body.

Why Rasaleela?

Rasaleela is just His divine play.  There is no difference between Paramatma, the God, and Paramatma, the gopikas.  He is antaryami and Sakshi swarupa. It's just a mirror image of one another. 

Did Gopika's husband know about it?

Gopikas never left their home physically and were beside their husband. Mentally, they were able to meet Srikrishna earned through pure devotion and surrender.

The End of Rasaleela - Brahmaratri

At dawn, Srikrishna asked Gopikas to go back to their homes, and they agreed unwillingly. With thoughts fixed solely on Srikrishna, they carried on with worldly activities.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

111. Bhagavatha - Srikrishna's Rasaleela with Gopikas

 111. Srimad Bhagavatha - Srikrishna's Rasaleela  with Gopikas 

Gopikas heard the soothing words of Srikrishna and got off their agony. They were left with no desires at all. 

Srikrishna began Rasaleela with them on the banks of Yamuna River.

Gopikas danced in a circle, clinging their arms on each other's shoulders with Srikrishna at the center. Later, Srikrishna stood between each of them (creating His own mirror image) and placed his arms on their shoulders. Each of them felt that Srikrishna was with her. 

Devathas came down in their aerial vehicles and witnessed this divine event (Rasaleela turned into Rasottsava). Gandarvas and their spouses began singing, and Devatas showered flowers. 

The sound of bangles,  the sound of bells attached to the foot and waist belt of Gopikas, and that of Srikrishna created a unique sound.

Srikrishna was shining like a vibrant green emerald (Maragada stone) among golden beads representing Gopikas. 

Gopikas were simultaneously dancing and singing in a loud pitch and were highly appreciated by Srikrishna.  Sweat poured from their faces due to exhaustion. Their upper clothes,  jewelry were misplaced, braid was loosened, and flowers had gone, yet they weren't concerned about it. Some gopikas held His shoulders for support to withstand the exhaustion. 

The Lord who transgressed all limits of vedic injunctions entered the waters of Yamuna with gopikas to get rid of fatigue. Srikrishna appeared like a leader of the elephant amidst herds of female elephants.  Thus, He fondly enjoyed the night with rays of the full moon.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

110. Bhagavatha - Srikrishna's Grace on Gopikas

 110. Srimad Bhagavatha - Srikrishna's Grace on Gopikas

Considering Gopikas’ surrender and pure devotion, Srikrishna appeared before them. Seeing Him and His beauty, Gopikas were stunned.

One  gopika dared to go near Him and held His hand, another took His hand and placed it on her shoulder. Two of them held His feet - a sort of fixing Him physically,  lest He might disappear again.

One Gopika asks Srikrishna why some love in return to those who love them, while others love even those who do not love them. Still, others are indifferent to either.

Srikrishna said, “One should not make friendship with anyone for mutual benefit as it is not transactional. Give friendship only to those who deserve it.

Great souls never seek anything but get blessed.  Neither are they seekers. The relationship between parents and their children is not transactional. They have no expectations and remain pure.

The third category don't bother about others and care for themselves alone. On the other hand, they take help and ignore others. Some even harm those who helped them. 

You can put me in any of them. Gopikas were smiling with each other and remained silent.

Srikrishna continued, “the reason why I disappeared is because you need to strengthen your focus on me. Your mind should think in the same way as a penniless person lost his money and get engrossed in search of it. Sage Narada and Prahlada faced the same situation as you. 

I did not go anywhere but was invisible to you all. I could see your inner feelings also. Do not feel bad. Our relationship is that of Jeevatma and Paramatma. You have developed deep devotion to me. Do not allow it to let go.

You have ignored your family, home, and wealth  for me. You broke the strong cord (Kankana) of attachment. I cannot repay my obligation to you even if I give you the status of devatas. Let your greatness speak for itself. 

Gopikas were now free from the agony of separation from Srikrishna.  He took them to the banks of Yamuna for Rasa Leela (a dance  performance with many women and a single male (Gopikas and Srikrishna / Jeevatmas and Paramatma).

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

109. Bhagavatha - Gopikas' Prayers, Anger, Agony and Joy

 109. Srimad Bhaghavata - Gopikas’ Prayers, Anger, Agony and Joy

The lone gopika who was left behind by Srikrishna was wailing when this set of gopikas met her. They were surprised that such a situation could happen to them if they were not alert. Their perception changed altogether.

They went deep into the forest searching for Him until the visibility of moonlight and decided to return back to the sandy banks of Kalindi river.

Prayers

They spoke, sang, and remembered all His acts. It was a complete surrender to Him.  None remembered their family, home or had a feeling of self. 

They began with Harinama japa, and later, they praised Him. They said, “Our Vraja is superior to Vaikunta as You  were born here. Mahalakshmi, too, stays with you here as she is inseparable.  

Mild Threat

Give us darshan once atleast. We are eagerly waiting to see You. Indeed we have almost lost our life and You would be the cause of it.

Desperation 

Your eyes are like the inner portion of the most beautiful lotus flower appearing in a clean lake. We want to serve You, and we don't seek anything from You.  

You have protected us in various avataras in the past.  Why not for us now? It seems you are not born to Yasoda by your inaction. There is no humbleness. You have not bothered to see our internal pain, though you are called Rishikesha. 

Brahma requested you to be a protector, but you are indifferent to us. Keep your finger on our forehead and bless us. We seek nothing else. We have left everything - our family, home, wealth - and sought your feet. Are we not residents of Vraja who are protected by you? Put an end to our sorrow. 

Wailing

Listening to your stories is like nectar, but seeing You in person is much more. We need your darshan. Thus, they began singing praise of Him in the loud pitch of their voice and started wailing.

Srikrishna's Appearance

All of a sudden, Srikrishna appeared clad in Pitambara (yellow attire), wearing Vaijayanthi garland and with a smile.  

All the gopikas stood up and, with their eyes wide open, were overjoyed. One of them clasped His lotus like hands with her joined palms, another placed His arms on her shoulder, another received in her palm hollow the betel chewed by Him, another hugged His feet with her bosom.

One of the gopika fired her anger with her looks, another saw Him and closed her eyes to lock His looks and placed it in her heart, and another never closed her eye lid and was staring at Him. 

Finally, they shed their agony caused by the separation from Him. Surrounded by them, Srikrishna shone very brightly.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

108. Bhagavatha - Gopikas' Search and Agony

 108. Srimad Bhagavatha - Gopikas' Search and Agony

 

Gopikas began tracking the footprints on the presumption that they belonged to Srikrishna (they had sufficient knowledge on it). 

Adjacent to it, they noticed another set of female footprints and assumed that it might belong to one of the gopikas who would have gone along with Srikrishna.For a moment, jealousy took over their senses, and felt that she must be beautiful and charming. 

Going further, they observed only one set of footprints and that too with divinity . The depth of the footprints revealed that Srikrishna must have lifted her as she might have felt tired.  Their agony  increased further.

A little further, they saw just the finger portion of Srikrishna’s footprints surrounded by fallen flowers. They concluded that Srikrishna must have raised his legs to pick flowers for her. 

Someone among them presented a theory that Srikrishna must have combed her hair with a comb like thing offered by a forest deity. 

Sri Sukamuni, the narrator, accepted that Srikrishna spent time happily with a gopika. He is Swaroopananda. He has no desires and is not enticed by sense objects or information. Indeed, he controls them. That particular gopika represents devotion, and he obliges to pure devotion.

Searching for God using sense objects is impossible and incomplete. 

[Gopikas were desperate to see Him, be with Him.  Hence, they could not reach Him. What they needed most was pure devotion.]

Srikrishna Disappearance 

Both Srikrishna and lone gopika walked deep into the Brindavan forest. She was elated and felt her devotion was superior to that of other gopikas. 

When she could not walk further, she asked Srikrishna to carry her, thinking he would do everything for her. She was scared that gopikas might trace them if they stayed back.

Srikrishna, having understood her mind, nodded and asked her to sit on His shoulder. When she was about to climb, he disappeared.  

Gopika  was shell-shocked and regretted her behavior. She kept on wailing and called Him out loudly repeatedly. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

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