Sri Dwarakadheeshi Ki – Jai Ho! Jaya Guru Datta!

Topic of Sri Swamiji’s speech in each session

17th March
Session 1:
Importance of Bhagavatam and benefits from listening
Story of Pareekshit (Curse of Death from Rishi Srungi, Arrival of Sage Suka and the onset of Upadesha)
Yadu Vamsa
Marriage of Devaki and Vasudeva
Celestial Prediction about the death of Kamsa in the hands of the Eighth Issue from the womb of Devaki
Imprisonment of the pious couple

Session 2:
Previous Birth of Kamsa
Awesome Strength and Valour of Kamsa
Misguided Deeds of Kamsa, due to arrogance and uncontrolled power
Culling the Infant Children of Devaki
Birth of Bala Rama by transferring the foetus from the womb of Devaki in Madhura to Rohini in Gokulam
Birth of Sri Krishna in Jail, Darshan to parents in the form of Vishnu

18th March
Session 3:
Previous Birth of Devaki and Vasudeva as Prusni and Sutapa and Aditi and Kasyapa
Birth of Yoga Maaya to Yasoda in Gokulam
Safe Transit of Infant Krishna (due to divine influence to Gokulam by Vasudeva (Father) in exchange of the female baby to the Prison
Failed attempt by Kamsa to kill the infant girl and second prediction of imminent death by the infant girl, who turned out to be Yoga Maya in Female form
Order to slay all the infants below the age of 10 days; by Kamsa
Death of Pootana (Demoness and accomplice of Kamsa), in the guise of a good-looking nanny (who tried to feed poisonous breast milk to Infant Krishna)

Session 4
Previous Birth of Pootana (as the daughter of Emperor Bali)
Death of Sakataasura (the formless demon, who had the audacity to assume any form) in the form of a Cart
Trunaavarta, another evil in the form of a fiery whirl wind

Sri Swamiji explained that Kamsa had the evil grip on the life forces representing five elements. With the slaughter of each of the devils representing the vice grip, Krishna had relieved the world from the negative influence. Of these
Pootana represented earth (with her huge size)
Formless Sakata Asura, represented Akaasa (Ether)
Trunaavarta symbolised Wind (in the form of whirl wind/ tornado)
Kaaleeya, the vicious Serpent; polluting the fresh water Lake – Kalindi – symbolised grip over Water Sources
Kruta Asura, another nasty demon – who burnt villages/ forests in the form of wild fire

Vision of Universe in the mouth of the infant to Yashoda
Naming Ceremony by Sage Garga
Various meanings and significance of the Term Krishna (Lord Vishnu incarnated in different colours; since in Dwaapara he incarnated in the body colour of Cloudy Blue, he is called as Krishna – said Garga) Krishna also means blue/ black

19th March
Session 5:
Stages of Growth of Infants Bala Raama and Krishna into Childhood
Beautiful portrayal of the Behaviour
Stealing Butter from various houses of Gopalaka (Cow Herds) (His Holiness explained that Butter is the sinful tendencies of mortals, who do not want to part with it. Hence, Lord forces himself to steal the tendency)
Complaints of mischief to Mother Yasoda against Krishna by Wives of the Cow Herds

Further, Pujya Sri Swamiji explained that all the acts of mischief and naughtiness are enjoyable as an act of a toddler. However, each of them has an innate significance and various reasons. Lord enacted this play for the benefit of so many devotees, who sought many boons in previous births.

Session 6:
Testing the patience of Mother Yasoda by Baala Krishna
Eating Soil (mud) and Display of Universe in his tiny mouth
Previous Birth of Queen Yashoda and King Nanda (Foster parents of Krishna)
Inducing Mother to tie him to Roller Stone (Ulookhala)
Indirect Reminder to Mother, about his divinity, as the tether was shorter by 2 inches, until she requestfully prayed. (Hence Krishna is called Damodara)

20th March
Session 7
Uprooting the gigantic trees of Gokulam and thus relieving the curse to Nalakoobara and Mani Greeva (Gandharvas)
Endowing Wealth onto affectionate Fruit Vendor
Migration of the entire village to Brundavanam in search of Green Pastures
Importance of Brundavanam
Outline of story till Kamsa is slayed
Reference to Jaraa Sandha, and 18 battles
Founding of the sacred City of Dwaraka in the Ocean, to avert war calamity

Thus the exemplary Bhagavata Discourse continued for seven sessions spread over 4 days. Sonorous songs of Sri Krishna (taught by Sri Jaya Lakshmi Mata) in mellifluous Raga Scales, lent incredible grandeur of devotion to the Bhagavat Discourse. Some of the imaginative narrations transported the listeners (from many states and regions) to an exalted plane of spirituality. No doubt! All the devotees were gratified for this once in life time chance of the ecstasy of divine experience.

He blessed all the devotees, for another opportunity to listen to the next series of Discourses on the remaining chapters of Bhagavata.

Jaya Guru Datta - Dwarakaadheesh ki Jai

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