Svaroup of ShriNathji

Part 2

 

Let us look at other symbolic aspects of Shri Nathji and his surroundings in the inner sanctum.

1) EYES !  Perhaps the most striking feature of ShriNathji - 

The shringar of the Lord is usually done in such a way, so as to show that the Lord is looking down, with his eyes half closed.  This re-enforces the dasa bhava, effectively saying, come to me, sit at my feet (ie be close to me) and I will keep an eye on you.  The half closed eyes are a classical representation of a yogi in meditation.  The Lord is the ultimate authority in yoga and indeed, is the very thing we all seek when we meditate ! 

 2) GADI - The seat of the Lord 

The gadi – ie the mattress on which the Lord stands, is stuffed with cotton wool, and it represents mother Yashoda’s lap.  The two bolsters on the side are her hands.  The Lord is said to be seated in the lap of His beloved Yashodama, forever secure that no one will dare scold Him while He is in her lap.  No matter how naughty He has been during the day, no matter what the other gopies say, Yashodama will never believe anything ill of her beloved son.  She will tell the complainants to look at their own shortcomings, but will never say anything to upset her darling child.  Such is the love of mother Yashoda for her Ladilelal ! 

 As a result, even now, though we all know that Devki is the mother who gave birth to Krushna, we still call him Yashodanandan.  His foster mother Yashoda’s love for Him was so much dearer to Him than His real mother’s, that even the Lord says, “No matter what the world says, I will always call myself as your son !  I will call myself the son of Nanada and Yashoda.”

 3) PITHIKA - The stele behind and around the Lord

 The structure behind the Lord depicts a rocky landscape, said to represent a cave in the mount Govardhan.  The raised area around the Lord is populated by snakes, representing the eternal Adi Shesha, Lord’s companion and brother in this avatara ; cows, forever auspicious and much loved by the Lord, especially in this avatara, where He loves to be called Gopal and Govind ; a lion, representing a regal symbol, a sign of authority and fearlessness and representation of Lord Narsimha – an avtara of Lord Vishnu to rescue his devotee Prahalada ; a ram, an animal often linked to Vedic ritual of Yagnas, and also associated with Yajurveda, one of the four most sacred scriptures of Hinduism ; yogis, deep in meditation ; a parrot, representing the foremost exponent of Shrimaad Bhagvatam – Shri Shukacharyaji.  A parrot is also an auspicious bird and is said to bring good luck and abundant harvest. 

 

 

(Please visit the galleries of the Lord for e-darshan)
Bhagwat ©

 

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