Capt (Retd) Purshotam Sharma
Bhagwan Krishna says in Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, ‘Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirbhavati Bharata, Abhuthanamdharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamyaham, Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinasaya Cha Duskritam, Dharma-Samsthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge’ (means Oh Bharat, whenever righteousness is on the decline, the unrighteousness is in the ascendant, then I come to birth. To protect the virtuous, for the extirpation of wicked, and for re-establishing Dharma (righteousness), I take birth from age to age)
It was 5249 years ago that the righteousness was pushed back to the background by the wicked and cruel King Kansa of Mathura and Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, the 8th child of Devki and Vasudeva, when earth could no more bear distress and tyranny. Krishna was born on the 8thday of dark fortnight of auspicious month of Shravana (July-Aug) under Rohini Nakshtra. At the time of his birth, his parents were held in a heavily guarded confinement of Kansa who was demon Kalnemi in his previous birth during Rama Avtara. Kansa had dethroned his father Uggarsen. Once Vasudeva and Devki were traveling in a chariot driven by Kansa. A roaring voice from skies addressed Kansa saying that the eighth child born to young lady boarding the chariot will be his killer. Frightened Kansa immediately drew his sword to slay Devki but spared her on an assurance of Vasudeva sitting next to her that he will deliver to him (Kansa) every infant that was born to her. Inspite of that, Kansa put a round-the-clock guard over the premises where the couple was kept in confinement. Every new-born to Devki was handed over to Kansa and brutally slain by him.
The eighth-child born to Devki was Bhagwan Krishna. All arrangements were pre-planned for safety and security of him. At that very moment, the guards fell asleep and the locked apartment flung open. Vasudeva wrapped new-born baby in a piece of cloth and carried it in a basket. The large and deep river Yamuna which was in spate during month of Sharvana receded to knee-deep waters on sheer touch of the Divine child’s foot and afforded all assistance to cross it. Nanda was a herdsman of Gokula and his wife Yashoda, too had given birth to a female child. Vasudev left Devki’s child with Yashoda and rushed back with her child to prison-cell. No sooner Vasudeva re-entered the prison-home, the doors closed and were locked automatically as if nothing had happened. Immediately, the cry of a child was heard by the guards and news of birth of much-awaited 8th child was conveyed to King. The King Kansa rushed into the cell, held the child in his hand and dashed it against a stone.
Instantaneously, the baby rose into the sky like flash, turned into a mighty figure of eight-arms with formidable weapons in her hands. Laughingly, it addressed Kansa saying that it was of no avail to kill her as his (Kansa’s) killer had already born. The voice also revealed that the same God had killed him in the previous birth too. This episode frustrated Kansa further who let lose the reign of terror over his subjects and put to death those who did not follow the belief he carried and to those who made offerings to the Brahmins. He got killed all such young children as displayed unique signs of excellence and strength.
Vasudeva and Devki were released from the prison after the delivery of 8th child of Devki. Balarama, who was born to Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, was also put in the care of Yashoda and Nanda so that Rama and Laxmana were again together as Krishna and Balarama as per divine wish.
Pootna, a demoness, was deputed to kill Krishna, the infant, by offering her poisonous breast. The infant sucked the breast so severely that it took her life. Thereafter, several attempts were made by Kansa to kill the child but all fell in vain. In turn, Kansa was himself killed at the hands of Bhagwan Krishna whom the king had invited to witness a wrestling game. To kill malignant Kansa, Krishna pulled him down from the dais and tore into pieces thus emancipated the subjects from cruelties of their wicked king.
Sage Garga was the Kula Guru (preceptor of Yadava clan). He was invited by Nanda and Yashoda to their house for the naming ceremony of their child. The child was dark-skinned, therefore, the Sage named him Krishna. Krishna means dark. After some time, Garga visited Nanda’s house again and prepared sweet pudding for himself. Before partaking of it, Sage offered the pudding to lord Vishnu in the Pooja room praying Lord with closed eyes. Suddenly child Krishna dashed into room and started eating the pudding kept in the vessel. Yashoda caught hold of Krishna and admonished him but the Lord of the universe revealed to her that sage himself called me to eat the pudding. Garga realized that Krishna was none other than Vishnu Himself. Garga felt happy to partake of the leftover of the pudding eaten by Krishna. Krishna is the Lord of the universe, the creator, the sustainer and the destroyer. Darling of Radha, Gopikas, Meera, Chaitanya, Soordasa, Haridassa and His millions of Devotees, He was Poorna Avtara, Leela Purshottama. In one yawn, he had shown the glimpse of the universe (14 worlds) to Yashoda, Viratswroopa to Arjuna, raised Gorvardhanaon His little finger to protect Gokula from heavy downpours caused by annoyance of Indra, provided inexhaustible cloth to Droupadiwhen being humiliated in the court of Duryodhana. He was exemplary in humbleness and was a devotee disciple of his Guru. In Guru Dakshina, (offering to the preceptor), he had revived the Guru’s dear son. The sweet sound of his flute was heart-stirring and allured men, women, children, animals, birds and even inanimate objects. He was great musician who imparted lessons in playing Veena to Narada. As a Gopala (care-taker of cows), he performed many miracles and brought joys and happiness to his companion-cow-herd-boys and the animals. He often loosened the tethered calves to have their mother’s milk to their full which caused anger to Yashodha and the Gopikas. He was a Makhan Chor (butter-stealer) and pot breaker. Narration of Krishna-Leela (His plays) is like counting drops of ocean and cannot be recorded even in sumptuous volumes.
Shrimad Bhagwat Gita says, ‘Ajo’pi Sannavyayatma Bhutanamis Varopi San, Prakrtim svamadhisthaya sambhavamyatmamayaya’, means ‘Though birth-less and deathless, and the Lord of all beings, I manifest Myself through My own Yogamaya (Divine Potency), keeping My Nature (Prakriti) under control.’
‘Ihaikastham Jagatkrtsnam Pasyadya Sacaracaram, Mama Dehe Gudakesa Yaccanyaddrastumicchasi’, means ‘Arjuna, behold as concentrated within this body of Mine the entire creation consisting of both animate and inanimate beings, and whatever else you desire to see.’
Vishnu, Brahm, Agni, Padma, Brahm-Vaivarat and Bhagwat Puranas are full of Shri Krishna’s life, activities and of worship to Him. Of all works of Sage Vyasa, Shrimad Bhagwat is the most magnificent that had brought equanimity and solace to the stirring mind of the Sage. An Eternal guide of Righteousness, this sacred book is the most esteemed for itsings the glories of the Beloved Lord of the Universe, enlightens and inspires devotion (Bhakti), Discrimination (Viveka), Dispassion (Vairagya) and Discipline (Anushashna) for the fulfillment of ultimate aim of God-Realization. Krishna was an un-matching warrior, teacher, statesman and Lord of Yogis. He was an Adarsha Purusha (an ideal man) and an ideal house- holder too. Saint Soordasa called Krishna ‘mischievous child’ who is seated in his heart and is his sole care-taker.
Manmana Bhava Madbhakto Madyaji Mam Namaskuru, Namevaisyasi Yuktvaivamatmanam Matparayanah, means ‘Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and make obeisance to Me, thus linking yourself with Me and entirely depending on Me, you shall come to Me.’ Glories to our Lord, the dispeller of Darkness. He is contemplated on in many forms by the Yogis. Deeply in Divine Love, devotees call their all-permeating Lord Antaryamin, Bansiwala, Chitchora, Bankevehari, Dwarka-Dheesha, Dwarka-Natha, Devki-Nandana, Giridhara, Gopala, Janardhana, Kanha, Keshava, Mohan, Madan, Madhava, Madhusoodana, Murlidhara, Makhan-Chora, Murari, Chakra-Dhari, Nand-Lala, Yadhu-Nandana’yogeshwara and by many other names they wish to, to derive ecstasy and Bliss. Incidentally, Radha’s birthday also falls on an Ashtmi but in Shuklapaksha (bright fortnight) of Bhadarpadha called Radhashtmi and is equally celebrated by devotees with religious fervor and gaiety.