Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum -5

(continuation of this story)

Shri Krishna paramaatma used to play different kinds of games with gopabaalakas. “I am the ox. You are the cows”, saying this He used to run behind them. “I am the King and you are the poeple”, saying so He used to give orders and make them do many things. Together, they used to play hide and seek, swings and many kinds of ball-games. Aha! What tapas would the gopabaalakas have done to play with the Yogeeshvareshvara, Shri Krishna!

One day Shri Krishna set out for playing with His friends and went into the house of a Gopika. Baala Krishna saw that the daughter-in-law of the house was sleeping. Seeing that, Shri Krishna ate away all the curd in her house. Not only that, He put little curd on the Gopika’s mouth, who was sleeping, and ran away. Thinking that the daughter-in-law herself eat away all the curd, the mother-in-law punished her. Not able to understand the Mahopadesham of the Lord, a gopika complained this to Yashoda as an act of mischief.

Let us see what Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us through this story:

Note that, the time of the day when this episode happened was not a night. In fact, it must have been the ideal time of the day for work and satisfiying one’s kartavyams (duties). This is because it is mentioned that Baala Krishna was going to play with His friends. Shri Krishna did not like the daughter-in-law of the house sleeping at such useful hours of the day. Hence He punished her in that way. Through this story, Jagadguru Shri Krishna thus taught us that one must never waste productive hours of the day by sleeping or keeping idle and utilize each and every moment of their maanava-janma kaalam by performing satkarmas.

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum – 3

(Continuation of this story)

Among the Gopabaalakas, Shri Krishna was the Uttama. His baalya-kreedas were not acts of mischief but great mahopadeshams. Gopikas, who were under the influence of Vishnu-maaya, thought that Shri Krishna was a baalaka and did not realize that He was aadi-madhya-anta rahita, the Parabrahma. One of the Gopikas, who was fed-up with the mischief of Baalakrishna, complained to Yashoda like this:

“O Maata! Yashoda! Your Son came to our house and realized that there was not enough ksheeram (milk) for him. With great anger, pushing away small babies in the house, he came out. The babies cried a lot. O! Yashoda! you are also a mother. Cant you understand our pain”?

Let us see what Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us through this story:

Through this Story, Shri Krishna Paramaatma taught us about an important Gruhastha-dharmam. Gruhasthas must not only do poshana (look after) of their santhaanam and kutumbam (children and family) but also satisfy the needs of who come to their Gruham (house). Especially they must be in a position to satisfy basic needs of baalakas (kids), Vruddhas (the aged), atithis (guests) and arthis (the needy) who come to their house. If not done, it will lead to Vamsha-naashanam. The Gruhastha in the story took care about the needs of his kids but did not have enough milk to give to kids, who are considered to be Bhagavat-svaroopams, coming to his house. Hence Baalakrishna punished them as told in the story (and thus saved them).

For exactly the same reason, our elders advise us never to have important things like dhaanyam (rice/wheat), haridraa-chuurnam&kumkuma (turmeric and kumkum), dadhi-ksheeram (curd-milk) etc. empty in the house. Infact, in Bhaarateeya bhaashas, we never say these things are “empty”. We always say they “need to be filled”. Their intention was that such basic utilities should never be empty. In olden days, people used to always leave little food and never empty the food vessels by consuming everything, so that any needy can be fed if required. Thus the upadesham of Jagadguru Shri Krishna is that we must always keep the needy who come to us in mind and have the basic utilities enough for them also.

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum – 2

(Continuation of this story)
One day Baalakrishna was playing with Gopabaalas. Saying “you are veshadhaaris (actors) and I am the Sutradhaari (Director)” He made them play many interesting games. While they were playing, came sweet smell of boiled milk (ksheeram). They went into the house from which the aroma came and found pots full of boiled milk. Vishva-vasu-pradaata, Shri Krishna, then distributed the ksheeram among the Gopabaalas. Further He also broke the empty Ghatams (pots).

Thinking that this was an act of mischief and not realizing its meaning, a Gopika approached Yashoda and complained thus “O Padati! Your Son did this mischief in our house. Does your child have any bhayam-bhakti”? Who can understand the acts of Leelamaanusha Vigraha, Shri Krishna ?

Let us see what Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us through this story:

The shabdam Ksheeram means milk, water, madhura padaartham — and in general represents any thing which is supposed to be shared. Through this story Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us that never should a thing which is of use to everybody, and hence which is supposed to be shared, should be stored for personal use with Svaartham. That is why the Lord shared the ksheeram stored by the Gopika among all and later broke the Ghatams so that the Gopika should no longer store ksheeram for themselves. The shabdam Ghatam represents ashaashvata bandhams — by getting detached to which only enables one to realize the Paramaatma in everyone (and thus forget bheda-bhaavam of you and me).

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum – 1

Shri Krishna paramaatma, who blessed Bhaarateeyas with Geeta-amrutam, is just learning to utter small words. The One who occupied Bhoomi-aakaashams with two feet, as Vaamana-murti, is just learning to walk. Day-by-day, to the aanandam of Nanda and Yashoda, Baala Krishna was growing-up.

While Shri Krishna was playing, the dust on His body used to resemble Vibhuuti on Paramashiva’s body. The mauktikamaala (pearl garland) with which Yashoda tied His curly hair resembled half-moon on Chandrashekhara’s head. Kastura tilakam of BaalaKrishna looked like the third eye of Kaamaari. The big Neelamani on the ratnahaaram of Shri Krishna looked like Haalaahalam’s black mark on Garalakantha’s throat. The mauktikamaalas around His neck resembled sarpa-haaras of Naagabhuushana.

Baala Krishna used to play many vichitra-kreedas with Gopabaalas. Gopikaas believed that the mischief of Krishna paramaatma was true! They did not realize that the mischievous deeds of Baala Krishna were nothing but great Mahopadeshams for them. Who can understand the actions of Yogeeshvareshvara, Shri Krishna, completely ?

One of the Gopikaas who lost her patience by the mischief of the Lord, approached Yashoda and complained like this “O Yashoda! What should I tell about this naughty child of yours? The women in our house have no milk to give to their babies. They wanted to atleast feed the babies, who were crying with hunger, with Go-ksheeram. From no-where your child, Shri Krishna, came and released the calves near the cows. The calves drank-off milk from the cows, leaving nothing for the babies. The duhkham of mothers who were not able to feed their babies is un-describable. Is this Nyaayam? O Ambhojaakshi! Please tell us”.

Let us see what Jagadguru Shri Krishna wanted to teach us through this story:

The pain and sorrow experienced by mothers who are not able to feed their babies is also experienced by the Gomaata (cow) who is not able to feed her calf. Hence Baala Krishna left the hungry calves near the cows. Through this story Shri Krishna Paramaatma wanted to teach us that we must be compassionate not only towards fellow humans but also towards pashu-pakshi-vrukshaas etc. Jagadguru Shri Krishna taught us the Dharma that we must consume only the milk left over after a cow feeds its calf (please see the story of Dileepa who followed this Dharma).

Message to present society:

It is really heartening to see that in the name of “modern technology”, even in our country where the Gomaatas are worshipped, cows are milked through machines without having any kind of concern for the feelings of cows towards their calves. Just because the animals cannot speak we are exploiting them, denying them their minimum rights of motherhood. “Modernization” should never be at the cost of Dharma.

Ganaadhipatyam

Contributed By: Rajalakshmi SrinivasaGopalan

One day Devatas, Munis, Maanavas, did seva of Parameshvara and asked “Svaami! Devaadhideva! make someone an adhipati of vighnams and ganams (give us a Ganapati, Vighneshvara) and bless us”. Both Gajaanana and Shanmukha, the putras of Paarvati-Parameshvara, said “Please grant Me Ganaadhipatyam”. Seeing this Paramashiva said “Kumaaras! I will give Ganaadhipatyam to the one of you two who does tiirtha-snaanams (holy-dips) in all the punya-nadis (sacred rivers) in all tribuvanams and comes back here first”.

Hearing this, Kumaarasvamy took His mayuura-vaahanam and left at great speed. Disappointed, Gajaanana, approached His pita, Shankara and said “knowing My weakness why did You put such a competition? I dont know a greater thing than Maata-pita seva. So please have Krupa on Me and tell Me an upaayam” and did seva of Them. Impressed with Gajaanana, Paramashiva replied

“सकृत् नारायणॆत्युत्वा पुमान् कल्पशतत्रयम् गङ्गादि सर्वतीर्थॆषुस्नातॊ भवति पुत्रक!”

Gajaanana did namaskaarams to Maata-pita and with great bhakti did “Naaraayana” Naama-smarana and stayed in Kailaasam. Because of this, whichever punya-nadi Kumaarasvaamy went, there He saw that His bhraata, Gajaanana, already took bath and was going to another nadi. Like this He saw in all 3 crore 50 lakhs punya-nadis. Finally He reached Kailaasam did namaskaarms to Paramashiva and said “please give this Ganaadhipatyam to Bhraata only. Not knowing His shakti, I challenged Him”. Thus Gajaanana was made Ganapati on Bhaadrapada Shukla Chaturthi.

Morals in the Story:

1. Importance of Maata-Pita seva is well shown by Gajaanana. He said there is nothing greater than Their seva and did seva to them. Impressed by this, Paramashiva told Him a way to win the competition.
2. Greatness of Bhagavat-naama-smarana is well shown in the story. As Parameshvara said by doing Naaraayana-naama-smarana, one gets the punyam of doing punya-snaanam in all tiirthas in tribhuvanams.

Search Terms: Vinayaka, Vinaayaka, Ganesh, Ganapati, Gajanana, Parvati, Shiva, Subrahmanya.

Bhakta Prahlaada

Contributed By: Rajalakshmi SrinivasaGopalan

The Karma that a garbhavati does will have a magnifying effect on the baby. As a negative example of this, we saw Valmiki maharshi’s story. The positive example is that of Prahlaada, the putra of Hiranyakashipa and Leelaavati:

When Prahlaada was in the garbham of Leelaavati, his pita, Hiranyakashipa did a severe Tapas for Brahmadeva. Hence Leelaavati had the adrushtam of staying in the pivitra aashramam of Naarada maharshi. Due to the tapashshakti of Naarada, snakes-vultures, lions-elephants and other such animal pairs which have natural enemity, left their anger on one another and were co-existing in peace. Because of living in such an environment, Leelaavati used to always think about good and used to listen to the puraanams told by Naarada maharshi.

One day, when Naarada maharshi was describing Shri Hari Leelas and greatness of Hari-bhakti, Leelaavati slept off, but Prahlaada who was in her garbham was listening a telling “ok” “ok” to all the tattvam that Naarada maharshi was telling. Thus even before Prahlaada was born he got Gnyaanopadesham from Naarada maharshi. On one shubha-lagnam, Prahlaada was born. Devatas showered pushpa-varsham.

Brahmadeva, who was impressed by the severe Tapas of Hiranyakashipa, appeared before him and said “Vatsa! Your tapas is advitiiyam. Ask Me your abhiishtam and i will grant it”. Hiranyakashipa had duraasha. He believed this shariiram is shaashvatam and satisfying physical senses itself is aanandam. Hence he asked Brahmadeva “Svaami! I must have no maranam (death)”. Brahmadeva said “Kumaara! This is against Shrushti-niyamam. Ask any other varam”. Hiranyakashipa asked “Either on land, in water, in fire, in air, in aakaasham, by animals or humans or deva-daanavas or yaksha or kinnera or siddha or vidyaashara adi praanis, by any shastra-astras, during day or night I must never get maranam. Also I must always have vijayam in yuddham, I must get more power than Indra aadi loka-paalakas and be the King of Tribhuvanams”. Brahmadeva replied “Kashyapa-putra! no one ever asked such varams previously. But since you have done tapas and impressed Me, I am granting you this varam. But be a buddhi-sampanna and live”.

Even though Hiranyakashipa was putra of the great Kashyapa maharshi and had great tapashshakti, he got ahankaaram because of the varam he got from Brahmadeva. He, with his vara-gravam, forgot that Brahmadeva said “be a buddhi-sampanna and live”, and started to torture worlds, saadhu-sajjanas, pativratas. Who can save a fly that gets attracted to fire and gets burnt? He started saying he is only God, everyone should pray to him and do pooja to him. His paapam was increasing day-by-day and finally by torturing his own child, Prahlaada, who was a great Shri Hari bhakta, he himself became the cause for his death:

Hiranyakashipa tried to torture Prahlaada by throwing him down cliffs, getting him stamped by elephants, burning him in fire etc., but nothing happened to the great Hari bhakta. Prahlaada, who had only Shri Hari in his mind, never even thought about anything else. Hence Shri Hari saved him from the tortures of Hiranyakashipa.

One day at Sandhya-samayam, fed up with Prahlaada saying Shri Hari is only Paramaatma, His bhakti is only shaashvatam, Hiranyakashipa said “where is your Hari? I even went to Vaikuntham and searched for him to kill him, but he was not there. There is no Hari. I am only Bhagavaan”. Prahlaada replied “Dont have the doubt that He is here, He is there. He is everyone. Wherever you search for Him with Bhakti, He will be there”. Then with anger Hiranyakashipa said “is it? If so, show Him to Me in this pillar”. Then Mahaavishnu appeared from the pillar in the form of Nara-simham, placed Hiranyakashipa in His lap, and teared him into pieces using His nakhas (nails).

Thus even though Hiranyakashipa asked for a varam so that it was difficult to kill him, he forgot the fact that Paramaatma is more powerful and his duraasha, ahankaaram only lead to his downfall.

Morals in the Story:

1. A garbhavati’s other name is dauhrudi (one who has two hrudayams). According to our shaastras, whatever a garbhavati does has magnifying effects on the child. Hence our shaastras recommend, atleast during that period, listening to Harikathas, Puraanams etc. and always think good. Since Leelaavati did all these, her son Prahlaada became a great Hari-bhakata and a Dharmaatma.
2. Duraasha always leads to difficulties (see Prataapabhaanu’s story). Hiranyakashipa, with his duraasha, believed this shariiram is shaashvatam and asked for a varam which no one else asked. Brahmadeva also said if he is good and has sadbuddhi then the varam will be of use. But having vara-garvam he tortured the worlds and himself became a reason for his end.
3. The Bhakti of Prahlaada is ananyam. Though he was kid and his father tortured him so much, he never thought about anything other than Shri Hari. Hence Mahaavishnu saved him. Prahlaada comes first in the list of Bhaktas and is a maarga-darshi for us.

Search Terms: Prahlada, Haranykasipa, Narada, Lilavati, Lilavathi, Leelavathi, Leelavati.

Poundareeka Vaasudeva

Poundareeka was the Raaja of Karuusha desham. He always used to try to imitate Shri Krishna. He used to dress like Shri Krishna, wearing Piitaambaram, carrying Venu and Shikhi Pichchham (peacock’s feather) on the kiriitam (crown). He also got imitations of Sudarshana Chakram, Paanchajanya Shankam, Koumodaki Gada, Padmam, Shaarnga Dhanuh (bow). He also put a mark on his Vakshasthalam and said it is Kaustubham.

Though he was doing all this, Shri Krishna, the Purushottama, never got Krodham. He thought may be atleast by imitating My outward appearance, his internal behaviour will change.

But no. Poundareeka was no Bhakta to imitate outward appearance of Shri Krishna and change his buddhi. Infact, he started saying he is the “true Vaasudeva”, not Shri Krishna. He used to tell everybody, with Ahankaaram, that He is Paramaatma not Shri Krishna.

Sarvagnya, Shri Krishna, even then didnt get any Krodham. He tolerated the duushanams of Poundareeka. However once with Garvam, Poundareeka went to the extent of imprisoning Parama Bhakta and sakha of Shri Krishna, Sudaama.

Bhagavaan can tolerate anything but not His Bhaktas being tortured. He immediately reached Poundareeka, did his samhaaram and saved Sudaama, His priya-mitra. Once again God proved that He is a Bhakta-sulabha.

Morals in the Story:

1. Imitating, following Mahaapurushas is good, but following Them fully is very very difficult. Poundareeka could only imitate outward appearance but not the Dharma-buddhi of Shri Krishna.
2. Ahankaaram is the root cause for one’s destruction. With Ahankaaram, Poundareeka thought he was only God, behaved like a Kruura and imprisoned Bhakta Sudaama.
3. The greatness of a Bhakta is well shown in the story. Shri Krishna didnt get angry with Poundareeka until he tortured His bhakta, Sudaama.

Search Terms: Pundarika, Poundarika, Paundarika, Powndarika, Pundareeka, False Vasudeva

A Lobhi cannot get sat-gati

Long time ago, there used to be a Sanyaasi. He was a great Gnyaani. Many used to respect him and many used to come and get Divya-Upadeshams from him. He was a well known Aadhyaatmavetta. He had many shishyas. He did uddharana of many. Even Kings and Mantris used to come to him, have his darshanam and get Gnyaanopadeshams from him.

The Sanyaasi became very old. Since he was a Gyaani, he came to know soon he has to leave his Bhoutika Shariiram. Hence he was doing Bhagavat-naama-smaranam and waiting for Mrutyudevata.
Knowing this, many many from all parts of the country came there to get the last darshanam of the Sanyaasi. True Bhaktas came to have Darshanam of the Sanyaasi and get some Upadesham if possible. However some came expecting to get some shakti or some materialistic benefit from the Sanyaasi. One of them was a Sampanna (rich fellow). He was a lobhi (miser), Kruuraatma, Muurkha. Hoping to get some more wealth he came to have the Darshanam of the Sanyaasi.

The Sanyaasi, who didnt want to meet anybody, seeing this Parama-lobhi, called him. As soon as the Sanyaasi called him, though many many were waiting, the Lobhi got Garvam. He looked at others with an expression like “see how great I am. The Sanyaasi called me only”.

The Lobhi wanted to ask the Sanyaasi why he chose him only to come in. Repeatedly he kept on asking this. Then Sanyaasi replied “I and these people waiting outside, some or the other time, have chance to meet again in some Uurdhva-lokas. Whereas a Lobhi can never get sat-gati. So I can never meet you. Thus I wanted to do some Hitopadesham to you now only”.

Paropakaari

Long time ago, Bandar, which is in Aandhra Pradesh, was a small town. One day a person was walking on a street of Bandar. The style of his walk itself showed his honesty. After all only an honest person never needs to lower his head.

This person saw something on the road and it stopped him. It was the cry of a young boy. The boy was sitting outside his house and crying. The person approched the boy asked him why he was crying. Seeing the Daya in his eyes, the boy told his story “Swaamy! My father died recently. We are three brothers and our Maata is there. I am the eldest brother. I searched a lot for a job, but I was not able to get one anywhere”.

The person thought for a while; he wanted to help the young boy somehow. He said “come with me”. They both went to a Bank. The person talked to the Manager and the person requested the Manager to train the boy on some Bank related work. The boy learnt the work with great shraddha. One month was over and the person gave money to the boy from his own pocket. Similarly, the next month, the person only gave money to the boy. From the third month onward, since the boy had enough experience, the Bank itself recruited him and thus the young boy was able to stand on his own legs.

The person was none other than “Dr. Bhogaraaju Pattaabhi Seetaaraamayya“. He was one of the freedom fighters and did great Desha-seva. He was born on 24th November 1880 in Gundugolanu village, West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh.

Though Shri Seetaaraamayya could have just given the boy some money and consoled him, he didnt choose to do that. Instead he spent his valuable time, made the person learn to stand on his own legs and did true help to the poor family. May be this is why Panditas say “Samaya Daanam” is the greatest Daanam.

Search Terms: Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya

Dushta-saangatya Dosham

On the way to the great Ujjaini Nagaram, there was a Pippala-Vruksham (Ashwattha Vruksham). On it use to live a Vaayasam (crow) and a Hamsa. One afternoon, when Suurya-deva was showing His power, came a Paantha (traveller). He not able to tolerate the heat, thought of taking rest in the shade of the Ashwattha Vruksham. When he was taking rest, the Hamsa saw that, through the gaps between leaves of tree, sun-light was directly falling on the face of the Paantha.

Hamsa, who was a Dayaalu, couldnt see this and spread out his wings and thus gave shade to the Paantha sleeping under the tree. Seeing the Paantha was sleeping happily, the Vaayasam got Iirsha due to his natural Dushta-svabhaavam. The Vaayasam, out of Matsaram, put his puriishotsargam (put its droppings) on the face of the Paantha and flew away.

Though it had nothing to gain by troubling the traveller, it troubled him because, for Dushtas Para-piida (paining others) itself gives pleasure. The Paantha woke up and saw the Hamsa which was above him and thinking that it has done this to him, shot it with an arrow. The innocent Hamsa fell down and died.

Morals in the Story:

1. The Daya of Hamsa is great. Not able to see the difficulty of the traveller, it spread its wings, took all the heat and protected the traveller. There is no greater Dharmam than Paropakaaram.
2. Even though the Hamsa is a sajjana, just because it stayed with the Vaayasam (dushta), it got into difficulties. One must never be in the Saagatyam of bad. Durjanas not only destroy themselves, but also others with them.
3. Krodham is one’s greatest enemy. Because of his anger, the traveller, without thinking what actually happened, killed the innocent Hamsa. Coming under Krodham one can do any great paapam, hence one must always be away from it.