Narayana Krishna

“The Gopikas sang, ‘The Supreme Lord Srikrishna is the most handsome entity in this universe. A beautiful tilak adorns His forehead while a garland of forest flowers adorns His chest. The basil leaves (tulasi) ornamenting this garland emit sweet fragrance. Swarms of big bees that have been intoxicated due to excessive drinking of honey from the tulasi leaves buzz loudly and melodiously while encircling the garland and thus causing great delight to Him with their music’.

Each Gopika was narrating her experience and her understanding of Krishna with others in the group. They were singing and joyfully narrating their experiences.

“Placing the flute at His lips, this Lord plays the flute in sync with the buzzing of the bees. Listening to this enthralling music, the minds of the cranes, swans, ducks and other birds in the ponds experience stillness”.

Krishna would not play His flute 24/7. Occasionally He would play it. Only rarely He would sing or dance or play the flute or laugh.

“The birds whose minds that thus been stilled would stop their screeches and then, controlling their minds would approach the Lord and akin to great Yogis, sit around Him with closed eyes.

O residents of Gokula! Srikrishna is the Lord who adorns His body with lovely earrings and long garlands. He is the Lord of transcendental sports. Together with Balarama He wanders in the precincts of Mount Govardhana. When He is delighted, He plays the flute and causing happiness to the entire world. During these times, the cloud, worried that He would be derided for its terrible music, softly rumbles trying to repeat the tunes played by the Lord”.

The cloud is not confident that its music will be appreciated. Hence it softly rumbles trying to keep in tune with the Lord’s flute rendition.

“Not satisfied with repeating, the cloud showers tiny drops of rain upon its bosom friend who, akin to it, is dark-complexioned and also converts itself to be an umbrella for the Lord.

O Yashoda, your son is adept in all the games commonly played by all the cowherd boys. Resting the flute on His lips, which are red like ripe bimba fruit, He plays the flute. He is the self-learnt master who has invented many new styles of musical compositions. Lords Indra, Shiva, Brahma and other leaders of Devatas listen to His musical compositions with rapt attention and raised ears as their minds are totally drawn towards the music. Although being extremely learned in music, they turn shamefaced as they fail to recognize the swara tattva and raga-tāla.

When Krishna, on whose foot are the auspicious marks of the flag, thunderbolt, goad and lotus and whose footprints are comparable to the lotus petals, walks, the pain caused to Earth due to the hooves of the cattle running on it is reduced”.

Aren’t these descriptions wonderful? The Gopikas try to highlight the soothing effect which the Lord’s feet have.

“When He plays the flute and wanders majestically like an elephant, He casts a sportive, playful look upon us due to which the fire called love completely overtakes us. Going into a trance we remain motionless like trees unawares that our braids or the ends of our upper garments have loosened.

Krishna loves the garland of basil leaves (tulasi) which emit sweet fragrance. In order to count the herds of cows, He holds a bead-string in His hand. Resting His arm on the shoulder of a friend, He suddenly begins to play the flute, which steals the mind of the female-deer. Akin to the Gopikas who discarded their familial attachments, the female-deer abandon their male partners and rush towards Srikrishna, who is an ocean of virtuous qualities, and stand beside Him.

O virtuous Yashoda! Your beloved son Krishna pours bliss into the hearts of those who love Him. He wanders around the banks of Yamuna. With the garland of jasmine flowers that adorn His neck, He, who is surrounded by cowherd boys and cows, appears to be ready for all festive celebrations. The breeze that is as cool as the sandal paste gently touches His skin and blows gently in a manner pleasing to Him. Hordes of celestials known as Gandharvas sing hymns praising the Lord and glorifying His transcendental deeds”.

We are listening in great detail to the activities of the Lord- the various methods by which He eliminated demons, His transcendental sports, His dance with the Gopikas, the changes that took place in Nature due to His presence, His extra-ordinary rendition of the flute and many more. This itself is listening to divine stories. The more we listen, the more our sins get evaporated. We should focus on every aspect of the Lord’s activities and not limit ourselves only to those tales wherein He eliminated demons.

“Troops of Gandharvas serve the Lord by singing for Him, playing musical instruments, offering other services and gifts to Him. The Moon called Srikrishna, who emerged from the womb of Yashoda, is the well-wisher of the Gopikas and of the cows here. To ensure their well-being He lifted the entire Govardhan Mountain. During sunset times, when He returns home accompanied by the cows and while playing the flute, the cowherd boys follow Him singing His praise. The elders who accost Him en-route, also prostrate to His lotus feet. Although tired after a long day, the radiance on His face continues to illumine brightly. Seeing Him, adorned with a garland rendered dusty due to cows hooves, is a mega celebration. It is a feast to the eyes”.

As we listen to these details, the complete image of the Lord appears in our mind’s eye.

“With the intent of fulfilling all our desires, the Moon called Krishna is coming towards us, his friends. Srikrishna always respects His friends. Like the Moon which is the Lord of the night times, at Sunset times, He returns home. The eyes of Srikrishna, the Lord who reveres his friends, appear tired as He nears His home towards the end of the day”.

In reality, even this tiredness is being feigned by Him.

“Due to tiredness, the garland of forest flowers on His neck, appears withered. Nevertheless, the glittering golden earrings continue to cause illumination to His tender cheeks”.

Narayana Krishna