Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kamsa Chanura Mardanam
Devaki
Paramanandam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum
Prostrations to Lord Krishna, who was born to Vasudeva, who has annihilated the wicked demons - Kamsa and Chanura, who was the cause of happiness for Devaki, who is Jagadguru (Verily the Teacher to the Entire Universe). In this Shloka, Bhagavan Vyasa describes Krishna as annihilator of Kamsa and Chanura, the wicked demons. In Bhagavata, numerous demons are annihilated by Krishna, then why names of Kamsa and Chanura are emphasized? When there are so many devotees of Vishnu, why do we say that Narasimha incarnation is for Prahlada only? Similarly, we talk of a strong association between Krishna and Arjuna? Why? Did Krishna not have other devotees?
This is because all the names referred to
in these verses are the principle cause for the incarnation. In a
way, they are the reason for the incarnation itself. In fact, it
is like telling the summary of the whole story in the form of a verse.
Vyasa Bhagavan utters their names because he wants the readers to
get the merit of reciting the whole scripture, just by reciting one
verse. As one reads the Bhagavata, or in fact the story of Vishnu's
incarnation, one understands that the almighty had to undergo severe
physical pains in order to bring orderliness in the society to protect
the world. Krishna's incarnation is to remove ignorance and suffering.
His mother did not have hospital delivery. He was born as Ayonija
(spontaneous i.e. not through the womb). He had no medical care.
He was born in the dark corner of a prison, and His parents were
in chains. He was carried across the Yamuna in heavy rain. Why did
He undergo all this hardship? Just like a professor who rehearses
His lessons, Just like a Guru who repeats a mantra millions of times
before giving it as an initiation to a disciple, Just like a mother
who smells or tastes the quality of food before feeding the child,
Just like a doctor who tests the effect and side effect of a newly
discovered Medicine on animals before giving to human beings, Krishna
also underwent these rigorous methods to show that everyone has to
take the hardships in life. He is therefore the Guru who has shown
the path.
Desire exists in every human being. Desire is the feminine aspect
of an individual. Krishna alone is the masculine entity in the world.
All others are filled with desire and so feminine in nature. Krishna
is called 'Pumsa Mohana Rupaya' i.e. He, who's charm is attractive
even for the male, who's beauty bewilders all the beings, who is
enchanting and most beautiful phenomenon, He who is absolute Purusha
i.e. Paramatman. All the beings are the Jeevatmas filled with desires,
engrossed in darkness. In Rama's incarnation, He addressed Himself
as son of Dasharatha, not as son of Kausalya, because he did not
want His two other mothers to get disappointed. He also followed
the traditional method of introducing himself through the paternal
lineage. Valmiki however addresses Rama as 'Kausalya Supraja Rama'
and the story continues……… In
this Shloka also Vyasa addresses Krishna as Vasudeva Suta (son of
Vasudeva). Rama, being incarnation of Vishnu is aware of everything
that is happening, yet He cries for Seeta. He requests the trees,
the clouds, the birds and everything that He comes across to tell
Him the whereabouts of Seeta. Why this hardship to the almighty?
Why should Krishna end His incarnation by the arrow of an archer?
Vali (Sugriva's brother) who was killed by the arrow of Rama fired
from behind a tree, wishes to kill Rama in the same way. Rama fulfils
his wish in the incarnation of Krishna, when Vali is reborn as the
archer who hits the arrow to Krishna's toe mistaking it to be an
animal. The answer to such paradoxical situations is simple and clear.
All these are pre-planned. It is all in accordance with the divine
plan that squares many equations. This is not hardship at all. A
child once asked Swamiji, "Don't you feel pain in cheeks. You are
always smiling and laughing." Swamiji replied, "Don't you feel
pain. You are always chewing the gum." The
boy replied, "I enjoy the gum. It gives a juice." Swamiji too
replied, "I too enjoy
smiling and laughing. It makes others happy. I attempt to make them
happy and forget their sorrow. In fact it pains me if they don't
smile despite my efforts, not in my cheek or lips but in the heart.
I find other methods to make them happy. Still if they don't laugh,
I don't feel hurt, I just keep smiling. Someday they will realize
that they are doing a mistake and will start being happy. It is all
a part of the divine play”.
Krishna was born in darkness to dispel our darkness. He was born in the prison to liberate us from bondage. He was taken in the rain as soon as he was born and the river gave way to Him, to show that He has the five elements under His control. He is therefore the messiah for Liberation of the soul, therefore aptly called Jagadguru. Krishna Ashtami is Gnana Ashtami- the dawn of divine knowledge.
Pujya Sri Swamiji performing Krishna Puja at 11 pm on Sri Krishna Janmasthami day - 23 August 2008
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum
Devotees watching the Puja
Sri Swamiji performs Arati to Venu Gopala Swamy idol in the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Complex
Sri Swamiji holding the huge Puri Unde (puffed rice sweet)
Sri Swamiji giving butter Prasadam to devotees at midnight
Earlier, at 5 pm, Pujya Sri Swamiji was devotionally welcomed at Mysore Ashrama after returning form His 98th World Tour
Sri Swamiji in front of the Krishna Idol at Sri Datta Venkateshwara Temple
Pujya Sri Swamiji offering arati to the Utsava Murti of Sri Datta Venkateshwara Swamy before the start of the Rathotsavsa
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