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CONTENTS

Lord Krishna, His Lilas and Teachings

By

Sri Swami Sivananda

 

A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION

 

Seventh Edition: 1996
(3,000 Copies)


World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 2000

WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

http://www.sivanandadlshq/download/sanskrit.zip

(NOTE: Sanskrit Verses in this publication can only be viewed if you have the Xdvng.ttf font available in your computer, which may be downloaded free from the above DLS website.)

 

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

 

© The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-021-5

 

Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,
Himalayas, India.

Om
 Dedicated
to
Lord Krishna
the World-Teacher
and Flute-Bearer
of
Vrindavan
 Om

 

Contents

“ANANDA KUTIR”
RISHIKESH

!

10th April 1943

Sweet Self,

Lord Krishna was the Purna Avatara with 16 Kalas. Every word of His teachings and every act of His was full of sublime object lessons of momentous import to humanity.

Study His teachings to Uddhava. Drink the nectar of Srimad Bhagavata. Sing His glories. Repeat His grand mantra OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Do total self-surrender unto Him. You will soon attain union with Him.

Sivananda

Ekasloki Bhagavatam

(Bhagavata in One Verse)

A:d:ò dðv:ekdðev:g:B:üj:n:n:ö g::ðp:ig:àhð v:D:ün:ö
m:ay:ap:Üt:n:j:iev:t:ap:hrN:ö g::ðv:D:ün::ð¹arN:m:Î .
kös:cCðdn:k:òrv:aedhn:n:ö kÙnt:is:Øt:ap:al:n:ö
Ot:»aAg:v:t:ö p:ØraN:keT:t:ö Â:iká\N:l:il:am:àt:m:Î ..

àdau devakidevigarbhajananaü gopãgçhe vardhanaü
màyàpåtanajãvitàpaharaõaü govardhanoddhàraõam |
kaüsacchedanakauravàdihananaü kuntãsutàpàlanaü
etadbhàagavataü puràõakathitaü ÷rãkçùõalãlàmçtam ||

In days of yore, the Lord, born of Devaki’s womb, brought up in the house of Gopi (Yashoda), killed the wicked Putana of illusive form, and lifted the Govardhana hill, killed Kamsa and the sons of the Kuru race and protected the sons of Kunti. Thus is recited the essence of the ancient Bhagavata Purana consisting of the nectarine stories of the deeds of Lord Krishna.

Chatuhsloki Bhagavatam

wan:ö p:rm:g:ØÊö m:ð y:e¾wan:s:m:env:t:m:Î .
s:rhsy:ö t:dög:ö c: g:àhaN: g:edt:ö m:y:a ..

j¤ànaü paramaguhyaü me yadvij¤ànasamanvitam |
sarahasyaü tadaügaü ca gçhàõa gaditaü mayà ||

(a) Hear from Me the most secret knowledge coupled with the essential experience and its component parts.

y:av:an:hö y:T:aB:av::ð y:dÓÞp:g:ØN:km:ükH .
t:T:òv: t:¶v:ev:wan:m:st:Ø t:ð m:dn:Øg:Òhat:Î ..

yàvànahaü yathàbhàvo yadråpaguõakarmakaþ |
tathaiva tattvavij¤ànamastu te madanugrahàt ||

(b) May you realise by My Grace the knowledge of Myself and what form, qualities and actions I am endowed with.

Ahm:ðv:as:m:ðv:ag:Òð n:any:½ats:ds:tp:rm:Î .
p:Á:adhö y:dðt:cc: y::ð|v:eS:\y:ðt: s::ð|smy:hm:Î ..

ahamevàsamevàgre nànyadyàtsadasatparam |
pa÷càdahaü yadetacca yo.ava÷iùyeta so.asmyaham ||

1. Before the creation I alone existed. There was nothing, Sat or Asat (existence or non-existence). I am That which remains after dissolution.

?t:ð|T:üö y:t)t:iy:ðt: )t:iy:ðt: c:atm:en: .
t:e¾½adatm:n::ð m:ay:aö y:T:aB:as::ð y:T:a t:m:H ..

çte.arthaü yatpratãyeta pratãyeta càtmani |
tadvidyàdàtmano màyàü yathàbhàso yathà tamaþ ||

2. Understand that to be Maya or illusion which is devoid of any purpose, which is not to be found in the Self and which is unreal like light and darkness.

y:T:a m:haent: B:Üt:aen: B:Üt:ð\:Ücc:av:c:ð\v:n:Ø .
)ev:Äany:)ev:Äaen: t:T:a t:ð\:Ø n: t:ð\v:hm:Î ..

yathà mahànti bhåtàni bhåteùåccàvaceùvanu |
praviùñànyapraviùñàni tathà teùu na teùvaham ||

3. As the primary elements are amalgamated, with one another and also separate from one another at the same time, so I pervade the whole universe and am also separate from it.

Ot:av:dðv: ej:wasy:ö t:¶v:ej:was:Øn:a||m:n:H .
Anv:y:vy:et:rðkaBy:aö y:sy:ats:v:ü*: s:v:üda ..

etàvadeva jij¤àsyaü tattvajij¤àsunà.a.amanaþ |
anvayavyatirekàbhyàü yasyàtsarvatra sarvadà ||

4. The aspirants should, by the methods of Anvaya-Vyatireka (positive and negative), know that thing which exists always and everywhere.

Ot:nm:t:ö s:m:aet:Å p:rm:ðN: s:m:aeD:n:a .
B:v:anklp:ev:klp:ð\:Ø n: ev:m:ØÊet: kehüec:t:Î ..

etanmataü samàtiùñha parameõa samàdhinà |
bhavànkalpavikalpeùu na vimuhyati karhicit ||

(c) Experience this Truth through the highest Samadhi so that you will not be disturbed even by illusory objects.

 

Salutations to Lord Krishna

(From Gopalatapani Upanishad)

n:m::ð ev:Ã:sv:-p:ay: ev:Ã:esT:ty:nt:hðt:v:ð .
ev:Ã:ðÃ:ray: ev:Ã:ay: g::ðev:nday: n:m::ð n:m:H .. 1..

namo vi÷vasvaråpàya vi÷vasthityantahetave |
vi÷ve÷varàya vi÷vàya govindàya namo namaþ || 1 ||

1. To Thee O Govinda, who is of the form of this universe, who is the cause of its preservation and destruction, who is its Lord, nay, who is the universe itself—I prostrate.

n:m::ð ev:wan:-p:ay: p:rm:an:nd-ep:N:ð .
ká\N:ay: g::ðp:in:aT:ay: g::ðev:nday: n:m::ð n:m:H .. 2..

namo vij¤ànaråpàya paramànandaråpiõe |
kçùõàya gopãnàthàya govindàya namo namaþ || 2 ||

2. Salutations to Sri Krishna or Govinda, the Lord of the Gopis, who is an embodiment of Knowledge and Supreme Bliss.

n:m:H km:l:n:ð*:ay: n:m:H km:l:m:ael:n:ð .
n:m:H km:l:n:aB:ay: km:l:ap:t:y:ð n:m:H .. 3..

namaþ kamalanetràya namaþ kamalamàline |
namaþ kamalanàbhàya kamalàpataye namaþ || 3 ||

3. Prostrations to Sri Krishna with lotus-like eyes, the Lord of Lakshmi, who wears a garland of lotuses, who has a lotus sprung from His navel.

b:haüp:iRaeB:ram:ay: ram:ay:akÙNYm:ðD:m:ð .
rm:am:an:s:hös:ay: g::ðev:nday: n:m::ð n:m:H .. 4..

barhàpãóàbhiràmàya ràmàyàkuõñhamedhame |
ramàmànasahaüsàya govindàya namo namaþ || 4 ||

4. To Thee, O Govinda or Rama, who art the swan in the mind-lake of Lakshmi, whose decorated crown of peacock-feathers delights the hearts of men, who possesses an unfailing intellect—I prostrate.

kös:v:öS:ev:n:aS:ay: kñeS:c:aN:ÜrG:aet:n:ð .
v:à\:B:Dv:j:v:n½ay: p:aT:üs:arT:öy:ð n:m:H .. 5..

kaüsavaü÷avinà÷àya ke÷icàõåraghàtine |
vçùabhadhvajavandyàya pàrthasàrathaüye namaþ || 5 ||

5. Prostrations unto Thee, O charioteer of Arjuna, the destroyer of Keshi and Chandra, the destroyer of the entire family of Kamsa, who is worshipped by Lord Siva who has the bull as His emblem.

v:ðN:Øn:adev:n::ðday: g::ðp:al:ay:aehm:edün:ð .
kael:ndikÝl:l::ðl:ay: l::ðl:kÙNRl:D:aerN:ð .. 6..

veõunàdavinodàya gopàlàyàhimardine |
kàlindãkålalolàya lolakuõóaladhàriõe || 6 ||

6. Salutations unto Sri Krishna, the protector of cows, who destroyed the pride of serpent Kaliya, who delights the hearers with His melodious flute, who wears beautiful ear-rings (Kundala) and who plays joyfully on the banks of Kaalindi (Yamuna).

v:ll:v:iv:dn:aöB::ðj:m:ael:n:ð n:àty:S:ael:n:ð .
n:m:H )N:t:p:al:ay: Â:iká\N:ay: n:m::ð n:m:H .. 7..

vallavãvadanàübhojamàline nçtya÷àline |
namaþ praõatapàlàya ÷rãkçùõàya namo namaþ || 7 ||

7. I prostrate to Sri Krishna who delights the Gopis who surround Him like so many lotuses with beautiful faces, with His elevating dances and who protects those who take refuge in Him.

n:m:H p:ap:)N:aS:ay: g::ðv:D:ün:D:ray: c: .
p:Üt:n:aj:iev:t:ant:ay: t:àN:av:t:aüs:ØhaerN:ð .. 8..

namaþ pàpapraõà÷àya govardhanadharàya ca |
påtanàjãvitàntàya tçõàvartàsuhàriõe || 8 ||

8. To Thee, O destroyer of sins, the lifter of Govardhana hill, who destroyed the wicked Putana and the great demon Trinavarta—I prostrate.

en:\kl:ay: ev:m::ðhay: S:عay:aS:عv:òerN:ð .
Ae¾t:iy:ay: m:ht:ð Â:iká\N:ay: n:m::ð n:m:H .. 9..

niùkalàya vimohàya ÷uddhàyà÷uddhavairiõe |
advitãyàya mahate ÷rãkçùõàya namo namaþ || 9 ||

9. Salutations unto Sri Krishna, the supreme Non-dual Being, who is ever pure, who is free from delusion, who is without parts, and who is the enemy of the impure-minded.

)s:id p:rm:an:nd )s:id p:rm:ðÃ:r .
A:eD:vy:aeD:B:Øj:¤ñn: dÄö m:am:عr )B::ð .. 10..

prasãda paramànanda prasãda parame÷vara |
àdhivyàdhibhujaïgena daùñaü màmuddhara prabho || 10 ||

10. Be gracious, O Bliss Absolute! Be pleased, O Supreme Lord! Heal me, O Lord, who am bitten by the venomous cobra of mental and bodily afflictions.

Â:iká\N: ,eVm:N:ikant: g::ðp:ij:n:m:n::ðhr .
s:ös:ars:ag:rð m:gn:ö m:am:عr j:g:dÏg:Ør:ð .. 11..

÷rãkçùõa rukmiõãkànta gopãjanamanohara |
saüsàrasàgare magnaü màmuddhara jagadguro || 11 ||

11. Sri Krishna, the Lord of Rukmini, O World-Teacher! The enchanter of the hearts of Gopis, O Lord, lift me up from this ocean of births and deaths (Samsara).

kñS:v: Vl:ðS:hrN: n:aray:N: j:n:adün: .
g::ðev:nd p:rm:an:nd m:a s:m:عr m:aD:v: .. 12..

ke÷ava kle÷aharaõa nàràyaõa janàrdana |
govinda paramànanda mà samuddhara màdhava || 12 ||

12. O Keshava, the destroyer of afflictions, O Narayana, O Janardana (to whom people pray for help), O Govinda, O bliss absolute, O Lord of Lakshmi, guide me, protect me.

Sri Krishnashtottarasatanamastotram

Â:iká\N:Ä:ð¶:rS:t:n:am:st::ð*:m:Î

÷rãkçùõaùñottara÷atanàmastotram

Â:iká\N:H km:l:n:aT::ð v:as:Ødðv:H s:n:at:n:H .
v:s:Ødðv:atm:j:H p:ØNy::ð l:il:am:an:Ø\:ev:g:ÒhH .. 1..

÷rãkçùõaþ kamalanàtho vàsudevaþ sanàtanaþ |
vasudevàtmajaþ puõyo lãlàmànuùavigrahaþ || 1 ||

Â:iv:ts:k:òst:ØB:D:r:ð y:S::ðdav:ts:l::ð herH .
c:t:ØB:Øüj:a¶:c:#aes:g:daS:öK:a½Øday:ØD:H .. 2..

÷rãvatsakaustubhadharo ya÷odàvatsalo hariþ |
caturbhujàttacakràsigadà÷aükhàdyudàyudhaþ || 2 ||

dðv:kin:ndn:H Â:iS::ð n:ndg::ðp:e)y:atm:j:H .
y:m:Øn:av:ðg:s:öhri b:l:B:dÓe)y:an:Øj:H .. 3..

devakãnandanaþ ÷rã÷o nandagopapriyàtmajaþ |
yamunàvegasaüharã balabhadrapriyànujaþ || 3 ||

p:Üt:n:aj:iev:t:hrH S:kXas:ØrB:Wj:n:H .
n:ndv:Òj:j:n:an:ndi s:ecc:dan:ndev:g:ÒhH .. 4..

påtanàjãvitaharaþ ÷akañàsurabha¤janaþ |
nandavrajajanànandã saccidànandavigrahaþ || 4 ||

n:v:n:it:ev:el:pt:aög::ð n:v:n:it:n:X:ð|n:G:H .
n:v:n:it:n:v:ahar:ð m:Øc:ØkÙnd)s:adkH .. 5..

navanãtaviliptàügo navanãtanaño.anaghaþ
navanãtanavàhàro mucukundaprasàdakaþ || 5 ||

\::ðRS:s*:is:h+ðS:H e*:B:ög:i m:D:Ørakáet:H .
S:Økv:ag:m:àt:abD:indÙg::ðüev:nd:ð y::ðeg:n:aö p:et:H .. 6..

ùoóa÷astrãsahasre÷aþ tribhaügã madhuràkçtiþ |
÷ukavàgamçtàbdhãndurgovindo yoginàü patiþ || 6 ||

v:ts:v:aXc:r:ð|n:nt::ð D:ðn:Økas:ØrB:Wj:n:H .
t:àN:ikát:t:àN:av:t::ðü y:m:l:aj:Øün:B:Wj:n:H .. 7..

vatsavàñacaro.ananto dhenukàsurabha¤janaþ |
tçõãkçtatçõàvarto yamalàrjunabha¤janaþ || 7 ||

u¶:al:t:al:B:ð¶:a c: t:m:al:Sy:am:l:akáet:H .
g::ðp:g::ðp:iÃ:r:ð y::ðg:i k:ðeXs:Üy:üs:m:)B:H .. 8..

uttàlatàlabhettà ca tamàla÷yàmalàkçtiþ |
gopagopã÷varo yogã koñisåryasamaprabhaþ || 8 ||

El:ap:et:H p:röjy::ðet:y:aüdv:ðndÓ:ð y:dݾhH .
v:n:m:al:i p:it:v:as:aH p:aerj:at:a|p:harkH .. 9..

ilàpatiþ paraüjyotiryàdavendro yadådvahaþ |
vanamàlã pãtavàsàþ pàrijàtà.apahàrakaþ || 9 ||

g::ðv:D:ün:ac:l::ð¹t:aü g::ðp:al:H s:v:üp:al:kH .
Aj::ð en:rWj:n:H kam:j:n:kH kWj:l::ðc:n:H .. 10..

govardhanàcaloddhartà gopàlaþ sarvapàlakaþ |
ajo nira¤janaþ kàmajanakaþ ka¤jalocanaþ || 10 ||

m:D:Øha m:T:Øran:aT::ð ¾arkan:ay:k:ð b:l:i .
v:àndav:n:ant:Hs:Wc:ari t:Øl:s:idam:B:Ü\:N:H .. 11..

madhuhà mathurànàtho dvàrakànàyako balã |
vçndàvanàntaþsa¤càrã tulasãdàmabhåùaõaþ || 11 ||

sy:m:nt:km:N:ðhüt:aü n:rn:aray:N:atm:kH .
kÙbj:aká\N:amv:rD:r:ð m:ay:i p:rm:p:Ü,\:H .. 12..

syamantakamaõerhartà naranàràyaõàtmakaþ |
kubjàkçùõàmvaradharo màyã paramapåruùaþ || 12 ||

m:ØeÄkas:Ørc:aN:Ürm:ll:y:عev:S:ardH .
s:ös:arv:òri kös:aerm:Øüraern:ürkant:kH .. 13..

muùñikàsuracàõåramallayuddhavi÷àradaþ |
saüsàravairã kaüsàrirmuràrirnarakàntakaþ || 13 ||

An:aedb:ÒÉc:ari c: ká\N:avy:s:n:k\:ükH .
eS:S:Øp:al:eS:rcCð¶:a dÙy::ðüD:n:kÙl:ant:kH .. 14..

anàdibrahmacàrã ca kçùõàvyasanakarùakaþ |
÷i÷upàla÷iracchettà duryodhanakulàntakaþ || 14 ||

ev:dÙra#Ýrv:rd:ð ev:Ã:-p:)dS:ükH .
s:ty:v:akÏ s:ty:s:öklp:H s:ty:B:am:art::ð j:y:i .. 15..

viduràkråravarado vi÷varåpapradar÷akaþ |
satyavàk satyasaükalpaþ satyabhàmàrato jayã || 15 ||

s:ØB:dÓap:Üv:üj::ð ev:\N:ØH B:i\m:m:ØeVt:)day:kH .
j:g:dÏg:Ø,j:üg:ÀaT::ð v:ðN:Øn:adev:S:ardH .. 16..

subhadràpårvajo viùõuþ bhãùmamuktipradàyakaþ |
jagadgururjagannàtho veõunàdavi÷àradaþ || 16 ||

v:à\:B:as:Ørev:Dv:ös:i b:aN:as:Ørkrant:kH .
y:ØeD:eÅr)et:Åat:a b:ehüb:haüv:t:ös:kH .. 17..

vçùabhàsuravidhvaüsã bàõàsurakaràntakaþ |
yudhiùñhirapratiùñhàtà barhibarhàvataüsakaþ || 17 ||

p:aT:üs:areT:rvy:Vt::ð g:it:am:àt:m:h:ðdeD:H .
kal:iy:PN:m:aeN:Vy:reWj:t:Â:ip:damb:Øj:H .. 18..

pàrthasàrathiravyakto gãtàmçtamahodadhiþ |
kàlãyaphaõamàõikyara¤jita÷rãpadàmbujaþ || 18 ||

dam::ðdr:ð y:wB::ðVt:a dan:v:ðndÓev:n:aS:kH .
n:aray:N:H p:rb:ÒÉ p:Àg:aS:n:v:ahn:H .. 19..

dàmodaro yaj¤abhoktà dànavendravinà÷akaþ |
nàràyaõaþ parabrahma pannagà÷anavàhanaþ || 19 ||

j:l:#iRas:m:as:Vt:g::ðp:iv:s*:ap:harkH .
p:ØNy:Sl::ðkst:iT:üp:ad:ð v:ðdv:ð½:ð dy:aen:eD:H .. 20..

jalakrãóàsamàsaktagopãvastràpahàrakaþ |
puõya÷lokastãrthapàdo vedavedyo dayànidhiþ || 20 ||

s:v:üt:iT:aütm:kH s:v:üg:Òh-p:i p:ratp:rH .
Ov:ö Â:iká\N:dðv:sy: n:amn:am:Ä:ð¶:rö S:t:m:Î .. 21..

sarvatãrthàtmakaþ sarvagraharåpã paràtparaþ |
evaü ÷rãkçùõadevasya nàmnàmaùñottaraü ÷atam || 21 ||

ká\N:n:am:am:àt:Àam: p:rm:an:ndkarkm:Î .
Aty:Øp:dÓv:d:ð\:Gn:ö p:rm:ay:Ø\y:v:D:ün:m:Î .. 22..

kçùõanàmàmçtannàma paramànandakàrakam |
atyupadravadoùaghnaü paramàyuùyavardhanam || 22 ||

.. Eet: Â:iká\N:aÄ:ð¶:rS:t:n:am:st::ð*:ö s:öp:ÜN:üm:Î ..

|| iti ÷rãkçùõàùñottara÷atanàmastotraü saüpårõam ||

The Song of Sweetness

(To be sung in the same tune as the Sanskrit Madhurashtakam)

m:D:ØraÄkm:Î

madhuràùñakam

AD:rö m:D:Ørö v:dn:ö m:D:Ørö n:y:n:ö m:D:Ørö hes:t:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .
Ædy:ö m:D:Ørö g:m:n:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 1..

adharaü madhuraü vadanaü madhuraü nayanaü madhuraü hasitaü madhuram |
hçdayaü madhuraü gamanaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 1 ||

Sweet are His lips and His mien is sweet.
Sweet are His eyes as His smiles are sweet.
Sweet is His heart as His bearing is sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

v:c:n:ö m:D:Ørö c:ert:ö m:D:Ørö v:s:n:ö m:D:Ørö v:el:t:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .
c:el:t:ö m:D:Ørö B:Òem:t:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 2..

vacanaü madhuraü caritaü madhuraü vasanaü madhuraü valitaü madhuram |
calitaü madhuraü bhramitaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 2 ||

Sweet are His words as His actions are sweet.
Sweet is His dress as His posture is sweet.
Sweet is His gait as His gestures are sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

v:ðN:Øm:üD:Ør:ð rðN:Øm:üD:Ør:ð v:aN:i m:D:Øra p:ad:ò m:D:Ør:ò .
n:àty:ö m:D:Ørö s:Ky:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 3..

veõurmadhuro reõurmadhuro vàõã madhurà pàdau madhurau |
nçtyaü madhuraü sakhyaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 3 ||

Sweet is His flute and His foot-dust is sweet.
Sweet are His hands, as His blue feet are sweet.
Sweet is His dance and His friendship is sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

g:it:ö m:D:Ørö p:it:ö m:D:Ørö B:ØVt:ö m:D:Ørö s:Øpt:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .
-p:ö m:D:Ørö et:l:kö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 4..

gãtaü madhuraü pãtaü madhuraü bhuktaü madhuraü suptaü madhuram |
råpaü madhuraü tilakaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 4 ||

Sweet is His song and His pure drink is sweet.
Sweet is His food and His sleeping is sweet.
Sweet is His charm as His forehead is sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

krN:ö m:D:Ørö t:rN:ö m:D:Ørö hrn:ö m:D:Ørö rm:N:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .
v:em:t:ö m:D:Ørö S:em:t:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 5..

karaõaü madhuraü taraõaü madhuraü haranaü madhuraü ramaõaü madhuram |
vamitaü madhuraü ÷amitaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 5 ||

Sweet are His limbs as His sporting is sweet.
Sweet are His guiles as His pranks are sweet.
Sweet is His mouth and His resting is sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

g:ØWj:a m:D:Øra m:al:a m:D:Øra y:m:Øn:a m:D:Øra v:ic:i m:D:Øra .
s:el:l:ö m:D:Ørö km:l:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 6..

gu¤jà madhurà màlà madhurà yamunà madhurà vãcã madhurà |
salilaü madhuraü kamalaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 6 ||

Sweet is His pearl and His garland is sweet.
Sweet is Yamuna and Her rippling is sweet.
Sweet is the stream and the lotus is sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

g::ðp:i m:D:Øra l:il:a m:D:Øra y:ØVt:ö m:D:Ørö m:ØVt:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .
dáÄö m:D:Ørö eS:Äö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 7..

gopã madhurà lãlà madhurà yuktaü madhuraü muktaü madhuram |
dçùñaü madhuraü ÷iùñaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 7 ||

Sweet are His maids and His frolics are sweet.
Sweet is His love and His parting is sweet.
Sweet are His pets and His leavings are sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

g::ðp:a m:D:Øra g:av::ð m:D:Øra y:eÄm:üD:Øra s:àeÄm:üD:Øra .
del:t:ö m:D:Ørö Pel:t:ö m:D:Ørö m:D:ØraeD:p:t:ðreK:l:ö m:D:Ørm:Î .. 8..

gopà madhurà gàvo madhurà yaùñirmadhurà sçùñirmadhurà |
dalitaü madhuraü phalitaü madhuraü madhuràdhipaterakhilaü madhuram || 8 ||

Sweet are His mates and His cows are sweet.
Sweet is His staff as His creation is sweet.
Sweet is His wrath as His graces are sweet.

The Lord of sweetness is entirely sweet.
Lord Sri Krishna is entirely sweet.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Introduction

Lord Krishna—The Supreme Lord

Salutations to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord, who is the Indweller of our hearts, who is Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute, who is the Soul of this universe, who bestows Immortality on His devotees, who is the source for everything and who took a human form for the benefit of the gods and His devotees, to destroy wickedness and to establish righteousness.

I bow to that Para Brahman, the Supreme Self, from whom is born this mysterious universe, by whom alone it is upheld, and in whom alone it is dissolved, who is Lord Krishna Himself.

Lord Krishna was the highest incarnation of the great Vishnu. He was the unique and crowning incarnation of all. He was the Purna Avatara, the Perfect Incarnation. He had sixteen Kalas or rays. He was a noble scion of the illustrious Yadava dynasty. He was a world-teacher. He was the one Lord of love. He was a lover of men. His divine form holds the heart of India captive in chains even today.

The Bhagavata, the Mahabharata, the Vishnu Purana—all proclaim with one voice that there was none to match Sri Krishna in beauty and elegance of form in all the three worlds.

His enchanting form with flute in hand is worshipped in the myriad homes of India. It is a form to which is poured out devotion and supreme love from the hearts of countless devotees not only in India but also in the West.

He was a noble embodiment of all the great qualities of head and heart. He was the towering genius of His age. He was a great historical figure. His sports of childhood contain countless object-lessons for all thinking men. He was a glorious and extraordinary personality.

Every word of Lord Krishna’s teachings and every act of His is full of sublime and grand object-lessons of momentous import to humanity in a variety of ways.

Worship of Sri Krishna has been practiced in India from the very commencement of the world’s culture. It is a part of the Veda itself. It is not a new cult. Sri Krishna has become the most common object of worship in the whole of India. Even in Latvia (Europe) hundreds of ladies worship Sri Krishna and repeat His Mantra—OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA.

Lord Krishna was great in knowledge, great in emotion, great in action, altogether. The scriptures have not recorded any life more full, more intense, more sublime, more grand than His.

Though Lord Krishna appeared in human form, He had an Apraprakriti, divine body. He did not take any birth. He did not die. He appeared and disappeared through His Yoga Maya. This is a secret, known only to His devotees, Yogis and sages.

Lord Krishna has played various parts during His stay in the world. He drove the chariot of Arjuna. He was an unparalleled statesman. He was a master musician. He gave lessons to Narada in the art of playing the Vina. The music of His flute thrilled the hearts of the Gopis and of all. He was a cowherd in Nandagaon and Gokula. He exhibited miracles even when he was a child and a boy. He killed many Rakshasas. He showed Vishwarupa to His mother. He did Rasa Lila, the secrets of which can only be understood by devotees like Narada, Radha, the Gopis and Sri Gauranga. He taught the supreme truths of Yoga, Bhakti and Vedanta to Arjuna and Uddhava. He had mastery over the sixty-four arts. That is why He is regarded as an Avatara with sixteen Kalas or powers.

Avatara

Avataras appear for special reasons in special circumstances. Whenever there is much unrighteousness, whenever confusion and disorder set in on account of unrighteousness and baffle the well-ordered progress of people, whenever the balance of human society is upset by selfish, ruthless and cruel beings, whenever irreligion and Adharma prevail, whenever the foundations of social organizations are undermined, Avataras appear to establish Dharma and to restore peace.

Avatara is a descent of God for the ascent of man. A ray from the Hiranyagarbha descends on earth with mighty powers to keep up the harmony of the universe. The work done by the Avataras and their teachings produce a benign spiritual influence on human beings and help them in their upward divine unfoldment and Self-realization.

The Avatara comes to reveal the divine nature in man and makes him rise above the petty materialistic life of passion and egoism.

Greatest manifestations are called Avataras proper. Avesha, Amsha (partial) and Kala Avataras, Rishis, Munis, Prophets, Messiahs, Sons of God, messengers of God are minor manifestations.

The Avataras usually come with their particular favorite groups or companions. Lord Rama came with Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna. Lord Krishna came with Balarama, the Devas and Rishis. Sanaka came with Sanandana, Sanat Kumara and Sanatana.

Some like Sri Sankara, Ramanuja, come as teachers and spiritual leaders. Some, like Chaitanya, are born to instill devotion in the hearts of people and turn their minds towards God. Avataras proper like Krishna come only when there is wide spread catastrophe in the land.

Many Avataras have discharged one function, but Krishna’s activities were many-sided. Hence He is styled as Purnavatara, or the Complete Incarnation.

Krishna in the Puranas

Agni, Brahma, Padama, Brahma-Vaivarta, Vishnu and Bhagavata Puranas treat of the life of Krishna. The Brahma and Padama Puranas have devoted several chapters to this subject. Brahma-Vaivarta, Vishnu, and Bhagavata Puranas have devoted whole sections and books to the description of Krishna-Charita.

Radha plays an important part in the growth of later Vaishnavism. No mention of Radha is made in the Vishnu and the Bhagavata Puranas. It is in the Padama as well as in the Brahma-Vaivarta that a detailed account of the Radha cult, the real nature of Radha and Her companions, their names, their mystical significance, their relation with Sri Krishna in the Rasa Lila is given. In the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana great importance to the Radha element in the Krishna worship is given. In the Vishnu and the Bhagavata Puranas the philosophical aspects of Sri Krishna and His worship are dealt with.

His Life

Lord Krishna was Lila-Purushottama, the sportive form of God. He was a Yogeshvara. He was a Prema-Murti. Lord Rama was a Maryada Purushottama. He was an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal friend and an ideal king. He can be taken to embody all the highest ideals of man. He led the ideal life of a householder in order to teach humanity.

Krishna was a man of action. He was a history-maker and righter of wrongs. He stood for justice and righteousness. His policy was to defend the oppressed from the oppressor. He was a master of super-physical powers. He was a man of knowledge and a world-teacher. He was a divine musician. He was the Lord of Yogis. He was the friend of Arjuna and Uddhava. His immortal teachings to Arjuna and Uddhava on Yoga, Bhakti and Jnana are unique. Even now they stir the hearts of the readers and goad them on the spiritual path and instill peace into their hearts.

Lord Krishna was the greatest Karma Yogi of all time. He held up the torch of wisdom. He was an embodiment of wisdom and selfless action. He combined in his life all that is best, highest, purest and the most beautiful, sublime and grand in heaven and earth. He was all love for the cowherd-boys, cows, and the Gopis. He was the friend and benefactor of the poor and the helpless. He was a versatile genius.

Krishna was a thunderbolt to the wrestlers assembled in the arena of Kamsa and yet he had the softest heart among men. He was Yama, Death-come unto Kamsa, Cupid unto the Gopis, the object of constant meditation for Yogis and devotees, the form of bliss and beatitude to the sages, and a child to his parents. He was Cupid unto Cupid himself (Sakshat Manmatha-Manmatha).

Lord Krishna was an embodiment of humility, though He was the Lord of the universe. He became the charioteer of Arjuna. He took upon Himself the duty of washing the feet of the visitors, voluntarily, at the time of the Rajasuya Yajna performed by Yudhishtira.

The Bhagavata Purana says that Sri Krishna lived for 125 years on earth (XI-vi. 25).

Student Life

Sri Krishna received his instructions from Sandeepany, a sage of Avantipura. He lived with his teacher like an ordinary student. He was meek, humble and obedient. He led a laborious life. He gathered fuel from the woods for his preceptor’s household. He inspired his classmates with love. Sudama was Sri Krishna’s classmate. Sudama was later on known by the name of Kuchela.

Sri Krishna had wonderful retentive memory. If he heard anything once, he would retain it in memory, however difficult it might be. He mastered the sixty-four arts in sixty-four days.

He was matchless in physical strength. He learnt the art of archery and military science under his teacher. When his school career was over, at the request of his teacher, he rescued his teacher’s son from Panchajanya, a sea-monster, by whom the boy had been carried away. Krishna slew Panchajanya and took away his conch ‘Panchajanya’, rescued the boy from Yama, and handed him over to his teacher.

Embodiment of Mercy

Lord Krishna appeared as Para-Brahman before the sages, as the supreme Reality before the Yogis, as the Lord of Beauty before the Gopis, as Warrior before the warriors, as a child before Vasudeva and Devaki, as the Lord of Death before Kamsa, as King of kings (Samrat) before the kings, according to the view and understanding of the seer or subject. The object is the same. It appears different according to the view-point of the beholder.

Lord Krishna is styled as one who steals butter, because he used to eat butter stealthily in the houses of the Gopis on account of his extreme love for them. But he really steals the evil thoughts of devotees and fills their minds with divine thoughts. This stealing of butter was a sort of sport (Lila) when he was a boy, to instill delight in the hearts of the Gopis who were His devotees. The Gopis liked this immensely. They were eagerly expecting Krishna to come and eat their butter. He really steals or captivates the hearts of His devotees, makes them forget the world, draws their minds towards His blessed feet and makes them enjoy everlasting peace and bliss. He steals the letter “Da” in the feeling “Dasoham” (I am servant) of devotees and make them feel the right significance of “Soham” (I am He), or their identity with the Supreme Self. Lord Krishna says in the Gita, “I give My devotees the Yoga of discrimination.” (Chapter IX-10.) How merciful is Lord Krishna! Glory to Him and His Name!!

He had the Bhava of mother even for Putana who came to kill Him and gave her salvation. He gave salvation even to His bitterest enemies, Kamsa and Sishupala who insulted Him openly in the Rajasuya Yajna. Then what to speak of those who are highly devoted to Him?

Once Sri Krishna said to his wife Rukmini, “Princess, you have not done well in marrying me after rejecting the offers of great potentates and kings. I have no kingdom. I live out of fear in a city on the shore of the sea. My character and conduct is peculiar and not according to the general usage. Very few understand me. The wives of men like myself always meet with miseries. I love to associate with the poor and the fallen, and therefore the rich do not like to meet men like me. I have no attachment for wife, children, wealth, or luxury. Men like me live contented with their own selves. Therefore, O Princess of Vidarbha! You have made a mistake in marrying me.”

This little speech will tell us the greatness of Lord Krishna. He was extremely kind and merciful towards the meek and the humble.

A Great Warrior

Lord Krishna was an undaunted warrior even from his twelfth year. He being anointed by Kubja and garlanded by Sudama, a flower-seller, entered the place of sacrifice in Dhanuryajna performed by Kamsa and broke the great bow. Kamsa sent an elephant named Kuvalayapeeda to kill Krishna. Krishna killed the elephant and entered the arena. Then he killed the chosen athletes of Kamsa, viz., Chanura and Toshalaka. Krishna got upon the platform on which Kamsa was seated, caught hold of his hair, threw him down on the ground and killed him.

Krishna fought bravely with Jarasandha, emperor of Magadha and Kalayavana. Jarasandha, father-in-law of Kamsa was very much enraged when Krishna killed Kamsa. He invaded Mathura seventeen times; Krishna drove out Jarasandha every time.

He fought with Bana, the thousand armed king of Sonitpur. Krishna’s son Aniruddha had secretly married Bana’s daughter Usha and was living with her. Bana was informed of this. He imprisoned Aniruddha. Krishna fought with Bana and cut off his arms and returned to Dwaraka with Aniruddha and Usha.

Thereafter he killed Paundra, king of Karusha who denied Krishna’s divinity and assumed Vishnu’s conch, discus, club and lotus and declared Himself to be the real Vaasudeva.

The wicked Sishupala challenged Krishna in Yudhishtira's Rajasuya Yajna. Sri Krishna threw His Chakra at Sishupala and cut off his head. Similarly he slew Dantavaktra also.

Salva, king of Saubha and friend of Sishupala, waged war with Krishna to avenge his friend’s death. Salva was put to death by Lord Krishna.

Yogeshvara

You can even count the stars and the particles of sand in the seashore but it is not possible to count the marvelous and heroic deeds and glorious actions of Sri Krishna, the Lord of the three worlds.

When He was a child he did countless miracles. He showed Vishwarupa to His mother, Yashoda, in His mouth while he yawned. He uprooted the Yamala Arjuna trees. He danced on the Kaliya serpent. He raised Govardhana hills on his little finger to protect Gokula from the heavy rains caused by Indra. He gave eyesight to the blind Vilvamangal. He gave unlimited cloth to Draupadi. He gave cosmic vision to Arjuna.

Sri Krishna ate a particle of vegetable that remained in the vessel of Draupadi, when Durvasa came to seek Yudhishtira's hospitality with a large number of followers, when Draupadi herself had finished her meal and there was nothing to place before the guests. He made them feel as if they had a most sumptuous meal when they were taking bath. They had to go back with their heads down with a sense of shame. He supplied inexhaustible cloths to Draupadi, when she was being dragged in the court of Duryodhana. He held the Govardhana hills on His finger. He multiplied Himself and appeared in countless forms in Rasa Lila. He multiplied Himself into various forms, when Brahma kept the Gopas and calves away from Krishna’s view. Can a human being do this? It is only a Yogeshvara who can perform these great miracles.

Who can describe the glory of Lord Krishna, the Lord of Yogis and the supreme Lord of the three worlds, the soul of the universe? Durvasa and countless disciples were satisfied, when Lord Krishna ate a small particle of vegetable. This itself clearly proves that Lord Krishna is the one Soul that dwells in all beings.

The sage Narada wished to find out how Krishna could lead a happy married life with his 16,000 wives. He visited their mansions and found Krishna in every one of their homes engaged in a variety of duties. What a great marvel! Narada was stunned. Does this not prove that Krishna is the Lord of Yogis and is Lord Hari Himself?

Krishna is the Bhuta-Bharta (the Lord of all beings). He is in fact the husband of all women in this world. The real husband is the Lord only. It is to demonstrate this to the world that Lord Krishna incarnated Himself as the son of Devaki and Vaasudeva.

A Great Statesman

Sri Krishna was a great statesman. The world has not witnessed a greater statesman than Sri Krishna. He was a companion of liberty and a peacemaker. He had wonderful foresight and held extremely liberal views. Even when he was a boy, he taught people the essentials and the true significance of religion, when he rose against the popular worship of Indra for getting rains.

Krishna was the greatest of the political heroes. He was the greatest statesman of all time. He was a king-maker. He was the founder of the city of Dwaraka. He was a great historical person. He was the spiritual leader and savior of mankind. He was the greatest of spiritual heroes.

He was appointed as the peacemaker to stop the civil war that was to be fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Yudhishtira sent Krishna to negotiate with Kauravas. He made a long and wise exhortation to Duryodhana. The thrilling and soul-stirring speech delivered by Sri Krishna before the court of Dhritarashtra proves that He was the greatest statesman. He said to Duryodhana, “O Prince of the Bharata race! Make peace with the wise, brave and righteous Pandavas. Peace alone brings happiness to friends, relations and the whole world. He who does not act according to the wise instructions of his friends meet with destruction and sorrow.”

Sri Krishna’s political insight and wise statesmanship were admired by the ablest rulers of his time. His wise counsel was sought by kings and rulers.

His Teachings

Just hear the most valuable instructions of Sri Krishna to Uddhava. Sri Krishna says: “Giving no attention to people who laugh in ridicule, forgetting the body and insensible to shame, one should fall prostrate on the ground and bow to all beings down even to the dog, the Chandala, the cow and the ass. See everything in Me and Me in everything. Surrender yourself unto Me. Do all actions for My sake. Cut off all sorts of attachments. Have perfect unswerving devotion to Me. Sing my glories.”

Gita teachings are Karma Pradhana. Lord Krishna has laid great stress on the importance of Nishkamya Karma, whereas His teachings to Uddhava are Bhakti Pradhana. He has emphasized much on the importance of Bhakti to Uddhava. In the Gita also the Lord has laid great importance on self-surrender in the last chapter “Sarvadharman parityajya Mamekam Saranam Vraja.”

Call of the Flute

The flute is the symbol of Pranava. It is this flute that attracted the devoted Gopis, the maidens of Vraja to meet their beloved Lord on the banks of the sacred Yamuna. The divine melody of the flute was enchanting. It had wonderful power. When it entered the core of the heart through the cavity of the ears, it made the hearer forget all his dear relations, the world, and even his own self. It made the hearer dance in ecstasy and filled his heart with pure love. The sound of this divine flute thrilled the heart with rapturous delight and instilled new life and joy. It produced God-intoxication in all beings and infused life even in insentient objects. The sweetness of the music was unsurpassed. He who heard once the music of Krishna’s flute, cared not for the nectar of heaven or the bliss of Moksha.

The flute and its music had stirred the souls of the Gopis. They were not masters of themselves. The world was nothing to them. They felt irresistibly drawn towards Sri Krishna. They had neither shame nor fear in leaving their homes. There was a soul-awakening in them. Their mind was not of this world. Their husbands and brothers stopped them in vain. Who can resist the torrent of divine love for the Lord?

The love that the Gopis bore towards Krishna was a divine love. It was the union of souls. It is no union of sexes. It is the aspiration of the Jivatman to merge in Paramatman. It is the blending of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.

The Gopis were the sages of Dandaka forest in their previous births. They wished to embrace Lord Rama. They were promised satisfaction in the later Avatara. They got blended into the Paramatman in the Krishna Avatara.

O Lord Krishna! O Master-musician of the three worlds! Will you not play once again the same flute at this critical juncture, when there is chaos everywhere and infuse new life of divine love and joy?

O Lord! Let us hear once more that alluring music of the flute which stilled and calmed the vibrations and agitations of animated creatures, that divine melody which moved inanimate objects, that celestial music which brought to the banks of Yamuna the flying birds, wandering cows, roaming deer and made them gaze at Thee, forgetful of themselves.

Origin of Bhagavata

Sri Vyasa was meditating on the sacred banks of the Saraswati. His heart was in a disturbed condition. He had no satisfaction and peace. He reflected within himself, “I have observed strict Brahmacharya. I have paid due regard to the study of the Vedas, to the worship of preceptors and sacred fires. I have obeyed the commands of my preceptors. I have explained the meaning of the Vedas in the form of the Mahabharata wherein Dharma and other things can be clearly understood by women, Sudras and others. Still I think my work is not fully done.”

At this juncture Narada appeared before Sri Vyasa. Narada said, “You have fully known all that is knowable. You have written the excellent Mahabharata which contains everything. How is it you feel uneasy and dissatisfied?”

Sri Vyasa said, “I quite agree with what you say. Still I have no satisfaction. I want to know the cause of it from you. You are born of Brahma and you possess infinite knowledge.”

Narada said: “O great Muni! Thou hast treated of Dharma and other things but thou hast not recited the glory of Vaasudeva. For this reason, I think, the Lord is not satisfied. Therefore, O blessed one! write about the various glorious deeds of Lord Krishna, so that all people may obtain the final emancipation by knowing them. This universe is also an aspect of Bhagavan, because its creation, preservation and dissolution proceed from Him. You know all this yourself but you have shown to others only a portion of this Truth. Therefore, O sage! sing the glory of the Omnipresent Hari, by knowing which even the wise reach the end of their quest. The wise know this alone and no other to be the remedy for the miseries of beings that are repeatedly tossed into Samsara.” Thereupon Sri Vyasa wrote Srimad Bhagavata and attained perfect peace of mind. He taught it to his son, Sukha.

The Bhagavata Purana

The Puranas hold a unique place in the history of religious literature of the Hindus. They contain mine of knowledge and information on all philosophical and religious topics. Srutis or Vedas cannot be easily understood by the common people. So the all-merciful Vedavyasa composed the eighteen Puranas for the benefit of mankind and explained in an easy way the subtle truth and the deep problems of the Srutis. They are indeed an encyclopedia of Hindu religion and ethics.

The Puranas contain fables, fairy-tales, philosophy, religion, myth and legend. A Western reader can hardly appreciate the teaching and value of our Puranas unless he is conversant with the methods employed by the Indian Rishis in inculcating the truths of philosophy and religion. The task of the Puranas is to popularize the Vedic truths by means of narratives, stories and anecdotes.

Bhagavata is a practical guide for all. It teaches that God-realization alone can give salvation for man, and shows the ways to attain God-consciousness. It teaches that God alone really exists and that God-realization is the be-all and end-all of life. It teaches us to realize God everywhere and always and in every situation of life. It is indeed a wonderful book. It is a great treasure for man.

Bhagavata is the solace of life. It is unique in its beauty and charm, in its diction and philosophy. It is a valuable treasure-house of divine knowledge. A study of this book inspires devotion, instills knowledge and Vairagya. The glories of Lord Vaasudeva are vividly described in this book.

The author of this book is the great Vyasa. He taught this to his son, Sukha. There are many commentaries on this book. Sridhar Swami’s commentary is the most famous and authoritative one.

The Bhagavata is the most popular and exalted of all Puranas. It is held in the highest esteem by the Vaishnavas in all parts of India. It is a monumental work amongst the devotional works which are the pride and glory of the Sanskrit literature. Vyasa himself says that Srimad Bhagavata is the quintessence of that gigantic work Mahabharata and it is the ripe fruit of the whole Vedic literature.

It is the most favorite book with preachers and religious teachers. The book is worshipped in all Hindu houses. It is recited all over India by learned Pundits, Sadhus and Sannayasins.

Jnana, Bhakti and Karma are assigned their respective places in this book. Karma is prescribed for those who are very much attached to the body and this world. Jnana is prescribed for those who are detached and dispassionate (Virakta). Bhakti is prescribed for those who are neither very much attached nor very much detached and who are indifferent. It teaches all about Bhagavata Dharma or the religion of love.

All that is noble and inspiring in Hindu Religion, philosophy and culture is found in Bhagavata. The highest truths of religion and philosophy and the highest principles of ethics are beautifully explained in this marvelous and unique book.

Attractive stories are a means employed by the Hindu Rishis and sages for teaching morality, philosophy and religion. The author of the Bhagavata has taken recourse to this method. The stories and anecdotes goad and lure the mind to the truths of religion. They are like sugar-coated tablets. They serve the purpose of entertaining the people of undeveloped minds.

Translation of this great book into a foreign language can never bring the charm and beauty of the original, however erudite, skilful and powerful the translator may be.

The Bhagavata consists of eighteen thousand Shlokas, three hundred and thirty-two chapters and twelve Skandhas. The book is named Bhagavata because it speaks of the glory of Bhagavan or Vishnu. It is one of the most authoritative of Hindu scriptures. It is a work of great repute in India. It exercises a direct and powerful influence on the opinions and feelings of the people. It has acquired a wonderful hold on the minds of Hindus. It contains the essence of all the Puranas.

In Bhagavata Purana alone the history of the universe is systematically dealt with.

Lord Krishna is the central figure of this unique book. It is an authoritative book on devotion. Bhagavata teaches devotion that is associated with Jnana (Bhaktiytikta-Jnana). It does not divorce knowledge from Bhakti. It teaches that Jnana is extremely helpful to its perfect attainment. In Bhagavata the treacle of Bhakti is mixed with the elixir of Jnana.

The teachings given by Lord Krishna to Uddhava on the eve of His departure from this world, are wonderful. These are contained in the eleventh Skandha. Sri Krishna clears all the doubts of Uddhava, His friend, foremost disciple and the chief of the Yadavas. He gives instructions on a variety of subjects. But the one ringing note is: “See Me in everything. Surrender yourself to Me. Do all actions for my sake. Cut off all sorts of attachments. Have perfect unswerving devotion to Me. Sing My glories.”

The Bhagavata Dharma as taught by the nine sages to King Nimi in the beginning of the eleventh Skandha, is thrilling and soul-stirring. The tenth Skandha contains all the Lilas of the Lord. The youthful sports and pastimes, the funs and frolics of the divine child Sri Krishna, Kumara Lilas, Brindavan Lilas, Mathura Lilas, Dwaraka Lilas, Kurukshetra Lilas and Prabhasa Lilas are described in this Skandha. It contains 90 chapters.

The tenth Skandha cannot be understood by those whose hearts are filled with passion and lustful tendencies. The aspect of lover and beloved found in every religion cannot be comprehended by people who are immersed in worldliness. The tenth Skandha contains the outpourings of the heart or the expressions of rapturous love of the human soul when it is freed from the impurities of the mind. When the impurities of the mind are removed, and the heart is thoroughly purified, the human soul is naturally drawn or attracted towards the Lord and is finally absorbed in Him.

The Bhagavata prescribes various kinds of meditation to suit different types of aspirants. A beginner is asked to meditate on the Virat Purusha. He must think that the whole universe is the body of the Lord. This is given in the second Skandha. In the same Skandha and in the third also, meditation on the form of the Lord in the heart, and on His various limbs beginning from the feet, is described. In the eleventh Skandha meditation on the lotus of the heart with three layers, Agni as the first, Surya as the second, and Moon as the third, one over the other, is prescribed. In the same Skandha one is asked to meditate on the form of Lord Krishna first, and then to fix the mind on ether or the supreme cause, and finally to merge it in the Para-Brahman.

Bhagavata Saptahas are held all throughout India. The whole Bhagavata is recited within seven days. This provides a good occasion for listening to and understanding the whole of Bhagavata. You should conduct Saptaha in your house once every year. This will contribute to your happiness and prosperity. Every one of you should have a copy of the Bhagavata in your house.

End of Parikshit

Once upon a time Parikshit went on a hunting excursion. He got fatigued and felt intense thirst. So he entered the cottage of the sage Samika. The sage was absorbed in meditation and so he was not aware of the presence of the king. Parikshit was very much annoyed that the sage did not treat him with hospitality. Further, he was very much tormented by hunger and thirst. He thought, “This sage is pretending to be absorbed in contemplation in order to avoid the usual courtesies and the ordinary hospitality due to me. He is showing his contempt to me.” Then he picked up with the edge of his bow the carcass of a serpent, threw it as a garland over the neck of the sage and walked away.

The youthful son of the sage, Sringi, who was playing on the bank of the adjoining river with other boys, came to know from some playmate that King Parikshit had put a dead serpent over the neck of his father. He cursed the king and said that the serpent Takshaka should bite him on the seventh day there from, for his mischievous and indecent act. The boy then ran to the cottage and saw the serpent on the neck of his father and cried bitterly. The sage was roused by the commotion set by his son. He opened his eyes, threw off the dead snake and asked the boy the cause for his lamentation. The boy told him all that had happened.

The sage was very much afflicted at his curse and said, “O my son, you have been very ignorant and rash. Kings are the embodiment of Lord Vishnu on earth. They protect their subjects through their power, justice and prestige and maintain law and order. If there is no king, there will be anarchy in the land. His duties are difficult and arduous. He has serious responsibilities. If the king punishes you as you deserve, you may be at least purified of the sin caused by your curse. But the King Parikshit is a great devotee. He will never retaliate. He will accept your curse thankfully as an expiation for his thoughtlessness. Further, he is not to be blamed at all. I have failed in my duty as a subject, in not giving to him the respect due to his rank and position. I have failed in my duty as a host, in not giving him food and water. He did not deserve at all a curse from you. May God forgive you for the sin you have committed in your ignorance.”

Then the sage sent his disciple to the king informing him of his son’s folly and entreated him to take the necessary precautions to guard his precious life.

King Parikshit reached his palace, and rested himself for some time. He repented very much for his foolish and rash action. The disciple of the sage came to him with the message. The king felt intensely relieved in mind. He accepted the curse as an atonement and a blessing in disguise.

He reflected within himself, “I lost my understanding and sense of right and wrong on account my wealth and position. I was puffed up with pride. I have become more wise now. I have developed Vairagya. The curse will expiate my sinful act towards a great sage. It gives me time to fix my mind on Lord Krishna, whose friendship alone can bestow eternal bliss.”

Thus saying, King Parikshit entrusted his kingdom to his son and sat on the sacred banks of the Ganga with a strong determination not to rise from there till his mind was absorbed in Lord Krishna and his mortal coil was thrown away.

The news reached the ears of the Rishis. They all assembled to witness the devotion of the mighty king. The king welcomed them with folded hands and asked their advice as to how he could best utilize his time in the service of Lord Krishna. Various Rishis prescribed various methods. At this moment Sukha arrived; King Parikshit repeated his question to the sage.

Sukha replied, “Lord Krishna should always be thought of. His name should always be on your lips. His Lilas and qualities should always be heard and meditated upon. His presence should always be felt by you. This is the only best way of utilizing your time and remembering Him at the time of death which will lead to eternal bliss.

“Do not think, O great King Parikshit, that you have only a short week before you. Rajarshi Khatwanga rendered great help to the Devas in battle. The Devas told him to ask for a boon in return for his services. Khatwanga asked the Devas to tell him how much unexpired time there was in his lease of life for him to enjoy the boon which he earned. He was told that he had only one Muhurta (one hour) before him. He desired that he might attain union immediately with the Lord. The Devas said, ‘Be it so’. He concentrated his mind on the Lord with great devotion and attained eternal bliss.”

Sukha continued, “Therefore, O King! fix your mind with intense devotion on the Lord. Do not think of the things of this world. Listen to the glories of Lord Krishna and His manifold Lilas. These are summed up in the Bhagavata which I learnt from my father Sri Vyasa.”

Thereupon Sukha recited Bhagavata to king Parikshit. King Parikshit heard it with intense devotion and concentration, fixed his mind on the Lord and attained union with Him.

The Fate of Non-Believers

Some ignorant and thoughtless people say that Lord Krishna is an ordinary man only, with some good qualities. They say that he has come from lower stages. Some find fault with his life and character. They say: “Krishna is not the Lord. He is not an Avatara. He is a passionate cowherd who lustfully played with the Gopis.”

Those who find fault with the Lord have no idea of His greatness and glory, as they have not practiced Yoga, as their faults have not been purged by the practice of Yama and Niyama, and as they have not taken recourse to Satsanga with sages. They have no real insight into Adhyatmika science.

Can there be a tinge of passion in the Lord? Was He not a boy of seven years at the time of Rasa Lila? Who can understand the secret of Rasa Lila and Madhurya Bhava, the culmination of highest Bhakti, Atmanivedan or total surrender to the Lord? It is only Narada, Sukha Deva, Chaitanya, Mira, Ramananda or the Gopis that could understand the secret of Rasa Lila. Did He not multiply as countless Krishnas? Can a human being perform this miraculous deed?

Just listen to what Sri Swami Madhusudana Saraswati, a Yogi of highest realization says: “I know not anything higher than the lotus-eyed Krishna with hands adorned with flute, looking like a heavy-laden cloud with His face shining like the full moon. Let the Yogis, with their mind controlled by the practice of meditation, visualize that Nirguna, actionless, indescribable and supreme Jyoti, if they want; but for us, that blue-shining figure that moves here and there on the banks of the Kaalindi fiver, ever comes before our eyes.”

What is the fate of such people who cavil and carp against the Lord? Just listen, “Those devoid of reason think of Me as an ordinary human being having taken a body from the unmanifested state on account of Prarabdha. They know not My supreme nature, imperishable, most excellent (Gita chapter VII—24). The foolish disregard Me, when clad in human semblance, ignorant of My supreme nature, the great Lord of beings. Empty of hope, empty of deeds, empty of wisdom, senseless, they verily are possessed of the deceitful, brutal, demoniacal nature (IX—11, 12). They enwrapped in darkness, think wrong to be right and see things in a perverted light. These men know neither action nor renunciation, neither purity nor right conduct, neither truth nor uprightness. They do not know what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Deluded birth after birth, they wander in the worldly mire of Samsara, suffering innumerable ills and miseries, and never attain salvation.”

Epilogue

It is very difficult for busy people to go through the whole book of Bhagavata. Therefore, I have condensed Sri Krishna’s life, Lilas and Teachings in this book in a most palatable and tasteful form. Even if you study one or two pages daily, you will develop devotion towards the Lord and attain eternal peace, bliss and immortality.

May you all drink the nectar of Bhagavata! May you all be endowed with faith and devotion to the Lord! May you all lead a life of purity and righteousness! May Lord Krishna be your center, ideal and goal! May His blessings be upon you all! May the truths of Bhagavata be revealed unto you all, like the Amalaka fruit in hand, through the grace of Sri Krishna! Glory to Sri Vyasa and to Sri Sukha!

May Lord Krishna, the joy of Devaki, the very life of Radha, the indweller of our hearts, the beloved of the Gopis protect and guide you all! May you all hear once more His sweet flute, the celestial music of the soul! May He become the charioteer of this body! May you all abide in Him for ever and enjoy the eternal bliss and supreme Peace!!

Ananda Kutir,
RISHIKESH,
7th April, 1943

Sivananda

HARI OM TAT SAT

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