121. Srimad Bhagavatha - Chp 10 - (40 & 41) Akrura's Prayers, Srikrishna and Balarama Reaches Mathura
Akrura's Prayers
Narayana, I bow to you, who is the cause of all causes. From you sprang Lord Brahma and through his creation Prakriti, Indriyas, the mind, five senses, and its deities emerged. Even Brahma is unable to know you fully.
All Paths Ultimately Lead to You Alone
Yogis worship you directly, Brahmanas prefer yagnas and yagas as prescribed in Vedas.
Some who have developed dispassionate worship you as pure consciousness, while others worship you in plurality (Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha) or in one form as Narayana.
Even those who worship other deities all worship You alone. It is just like rivers that have their origin in mountains, ultimately finding their way into the ocean.
Avidya's Effect
Avidya, an energy of Yours that veils one's essential character, operates only on those who identify themselves with the body.
I am enveloped in the darkness of Ignorance. Infatuated by Your Maya, I too revolve around this body, offspring, family, wealth, position, and so on, thinking them to be real.
I am unable to restrain my mind as I am constantly pressured by cravings and actions, and my senses are pulling me in all directions. I desperately seek refuge in You.
The Journey Begins
Srikrishna, having shown his Narayana form under the water, withdrew from it. Akrura hurriedly completed his routines and reached the chariot.
Srikrishna wittingly asked him, “What wonder did you see just now? Seeing you wonder-struck and eyes blooming, we presume that you would have witnessed something unusual.”
Akrura replied,” Whatever wonders that are there on earth, water, or in heaven exist in You. Therefore, nothing remains unseen by me. Akrura then drove the chariot and reached Mathura at the dawn of the day.
Nanda and other cowherds were waiting at the outskirts for Akrura, Srikrishna, and Balarama.
Srikrishna and Balarama Reaches Mathura
Srikrishna asked Akrura to return home and that they wished to take rest and see the city.
Akrura said that he didn't wish to enter Mathura alone and invited Him to his house and grace him.
Akrura said, “Please sanctify our house with the dust of Your feet.” By washing Your feet, King Bali attained great merits. The waters that wash Your feet are equivalent to holy Ganga.
Srikrishna agreed to visit Akrura's house only after slaying Kamsa and bringing joy to his parents and relatives.
Akrura sadly went into the city and reported to Kamsa of Srikrishna and Balarama's arrival to Mathura and that they are staying on the outskirts of the city. Kamsa was happy and sent Akrura home.
Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana
The presiding deity of Lord Vasudeva is intellect, that of Lord Sankarshana - the ego- sense, Lord Pradyumna - the reasoning, and Lord Aniruddha - of the mind.
