A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 52

THE AUTUMN.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 20.*

The AUTUMN came and it was all _calm, clear_ and _transparent_.

The clouds disappeared. The water became pure. The wind became gentle.

With the advent of lotus-bearing Autumn, the waters regained their tranquillity, even as distracted Yogins the calm of their minds by fresh resort to Yoga. The Autumn removed the clouds from the skies, promiscuous living from the animals, mud from the soil and dirt from the water - even as Bhakti in Krishna does away with the impurities attaching to the four asramas. The clouds gave up rainy moisture and looked beautifully white, even like Munis who give up all desires. The hills sometimes gave pure water from their sides and sometimes not, as wise men pour forth the nectar of their wisdom sometimes and not often.

The animals that frequent shallow water did not know that the water was subsiding, as deluded men living in family circles do not realise the daily expiry of their lives. And they suffered like sensuous men from the rays of the Autumn sun. Day by day the soil gave up its muddiness as the wise give up their Mine-ness and the creepers got over their immaturity as the wise get over their I-ness. The Sea became calm as a Muni no longer distracted by Vedic performances. The farmers stored up waters in the paddy fields by making strong embankments, even as Yogins store up Prana by withdrawing it from the Indriyas. The moon gave relief from the inflictions of sun-burning, even as wisdom relieves the misery caused by connection with the body, and as the sight of Sri Krishna removes all the sorrows of the Gopis. The clear skies gave a brilliant view of the stars, as the mind purified by Satva makes manifest the conclusions of the Mimansa Darsanas. The full moon shone above with all the stars as Sri Krishna shone on earth with the circle of Yadus.

SRI KRISHNA AND THE GOPIS.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 21.*

Krishna roamed in the fresh forest with the cattle and his companions.

He played upon the flute and the Gopis forgot themselves in hearing his music. They saw before their mind's eye the dancing Krishna filling the holes of the flute with nectar flowing from his lips, the peac.o.c.k feather on his head, Karnikara flower on his ears, his cloth yellow like gold and the Vaijayanti garland round his neck.

Some exclaimed: - "What better could the eyes feed upon than the lovely faces of Rama and Krishna, with the flutes touching their lips and their smiling glances."

Some said: - "How beautiful they look with garlands of mango twigs, peac.o.c.k feather and blue lotus. In the a.s.sembly of Gopas, they look like heroes on the theatrical stage."

Others said: - "What did that bamboo piece of a flute do that it should drink so hard the nectar flowing from Krishna's lips, the special possession of the Gopis, that nothing should remain but the taste thereof. The water that nourished it is thrilling with joy and the plant of which it is a shoot is shedding joysome tears."

Some said: - "Look, O companions! how lovely does Vrindavana look from the touch of Sri Krishna's lotus feet! Look there, the peac.o.c.k madly dances to the tune of the flute and other animals stand dumb on the summit of the hills and witness the scene. There is no spot on the earth like Vrindavana."

Others said: - "How blessed are these female deer that In the company of their husbands hear the music of the flute and make an offering of their loving looks!"

Other Gopis said: - "So tempting is this form of Krishna and so alluring is the music of his flute that even Deva girls become lost to themselves. Look, how the cows drink that music with ears erect. And even the calves stand with their mothers' milk in their mouths, eagerly listening to that sound. Those birds are no worse than Ris.h.i.+s, for they sit high on trees whence they can have a full view of Krishna and with eyes closed they silently hear the sweet music of the flute. Even the rivers shew the love transformation of their hearts by their whirls and they stop their course to embrace the feet of Krishna with their raised billows serving as hands and offering lotus flowers at those feet. The clouds give shadow and they shed dewy flowers on Krishna. Most fortunate is Govardhana, for Krishna drives cattle on its sides and it makes its offerings of edibles and drink."

The Gopis became full of Krishna (Tanmaya).

THE STEALING OF CLOTHES.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 22.*

In the first month of the DEWY SEASON (Agrahayana), the girls of Vrindavana wors.h.i.+pped Katyayani (a name of the G.o.ddess Durga, wife of Siva). The observances lasted for a month. The girls prayed to Katyayani that they might get Krishna for their husband. They bathed early in the morning every day in the river Yamuna. One day they left their clothes on the bank and went down into the river to bathe. Krishna took away their clothes. He asked the girls to come up and take them. They did so and the clothes were returned. Krishna then addressing the Gopis said:

"O virtuous girls, I know your resolve. It is to wors.h.i.+p me. I also approve of it and you must succeed. The desires of those that are absorbed in me do not bear Karmic fruits. For fried or burnt paddy does not germinate. Go back to Vraja. Your object in wors.h.i.+pping Katyayani is gained. These nights (_i.e._ on nights to come. _Sridhara_) you shall enjoy with me."

KRISHNA AND VEDIC YAJNA (SUMMER AGAIN.)

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 23.*

Krishna went over to a distant forest driving cattle with his companions. The summer sun was fierce and the trees gave shade. "Look, O companions" said Krishna, "how n.o.ble minded these trees are. They live for others. Themselves they suffer from the winds, the rains, from the sun and frost but they protect us from these. They do not send away one disappointed. They offer their leaves, their flowers, their fruits, their shade, their roots, their bark, their fragrance, their juice, their ashes, their fuel, their buds, and what not. Of all living beings, such only justify their birth as do good to others by their lives, their wealth, their wisdom and their words." (This is introductory as an attack upon the selfish performances of Vedic Brahmanas. _Sridhara_.)

The boys became hungry and they complained to Rama and Krishna.

Krishna said: - "The Brahmanas are performing angirasa Yajna. Take our names and ask them for food."

The boys did as they were told but the Brahmanas heeded them not. Narrow were their desires which did not extend beyond Svarga. But for these, they went through elaborate Karma. Ignorant as they were, they thought themselves to be wise. Yajna was all in all to them but they disregarded the Lord of Yajnas, the direct manifestation of Parama Purusha. They looked upon Krishna as an ordinary man and as Brahmanas they deemed themselves to be superior to Him. They said neither yea nor nay. So the boys returned unsuccessful to Krishna and Rama. Krishna smiled and asked them to go to the wives of the Brahmanas. This they did. The Brahmana women had heard of Krishna and they were eager to see him.

Notwithstanding the protests of their husbands, brothers, sons and friends, they hastened to Krishna with dishes full of eatables of all sorts. The ears had heard and the eyes now saw. And it did not take the Brahmana women long to embrace Krishna and forget their grievances.

Knowing that the women had given up all desires for the sake of seeing atma, Krishna said smilingly: - "Welcome O you n.o.ble-minded ones, take your seats. What can we do for you? It is meet that you have come to see us. I am atma and therefore the most beloved. Those that care for their atma or self bear unconditional and unremitting Bhakti towards me. The Pranas, Buddhi, Manas, the relatives, the body, wife, children and riches all become dear for the sake of self or atma. What can be therefore dearer, than atma? Now that you have seen me, go back to your husbands. They have to perform the sacrifices with your help."

The Brahmana women replied: - "Lord, thou dost not deserve to speak so cruelly to us. Make good thy words ('My Bhakta does not meet with destruction' or 'He does not again return' _Sridhara_.) We have taken the shelter of thy feet, throwing over-board all friends, that we may bear on our heads the Tulasi thrown from Thy feet. Our husbands, parents, sons, brothers, and friends will not take us back. Who else can? Grant us, O conqueror of all enemies, that we may have no other resort but Thee. ( We may not have such resorts as Svarga &c. for which our husbands are striving. We want to serve Thee. _Sridhara_)."

Sri Krishna replied: - "Your husbands will not bear any grudge against you. By my command all people, even the Devas (in whose honor the sacrifices are made) shall approve of your conduct. Direct contact is not necessary for love. Think of me with all your heart and you shall speedily obtain me."

The Brahmana women returned to their husbands and they were received well. The Brahmanas repented. But for fear of Kansa, they could not go to Vrindavana. They wors.h.i.+pped Krishna at home.

INDRA AND THE RAISING OF GO-VARDHANA. THE INSTALLATION.

(THE RAINY SEASON AGAIN.)

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 24-27.*

There were great preparations for Yajna in honor of Indra. "What is this all about, father?" asked Krishna of Nanda. "What is the outcome of this sacrifice? In whose honor is it to be performed and how?"

Nanda replied - "Child, Indra is the Cloud-G.o.d. He will give us rains.

The rains give life to all beings. Therefore people wors.h.i.+p Indra by these sacrificial offerings. The enjoyment of that only which remains after sacrifice conduces to Dharma, Artha and Kama."

Krishna replied: - "The birth and death of men are shaped by their own Karma. Happiness, misery, fear, well-being, these are all the effects of Karma. If there be any G.o.d who dispenses the fruits of Karma, he must also follow that Karma and not act independently of it. When people are governed by their own Karma, where does Indra come in? He can not undo what follows from Svabhava (Svabhava is Karmic tendency). Karma is the Lord and Karma is to be wors.h.i.+pped. It is Rajas that works the clouds.

What can Indra do? We do not live in towns or villages but we live in the forest. Therefore let us make Yajna offerings to our cows, our Brahmanas and our hills. The preparations that you have already made will serve the purpose." Nanda and other Gopas approved of what Krishna said. They made offerings to the cows, the Brahmanas and the Hill. They went round the Hill to shew respect. Krishna said "I am the Hill" and a.s.sumed some form which created faith in the Gopas. He then partook himself of the offerings to the Hill.

Indra became highly incensed. He sent forth his clouds and winds and there were rains and thunder-storms and hail-stones at Vrindavana.

Krishna carelessly lifted up the Govardhana hill with one hand and the people of Vrindavana with their cows took shelter in the cave.

For seven days it rained incessantly and for seven days Krishna held the hill aloft without moving an inch.

Baffled and surprised, Indra withdrew his clouds and winds. The people of Vrindavana went to their own places and Krishna replaced the hill.

The Gopas struck with wonder approached Nanda. They related all the previous deeds of Krishna and then referring to the last incident said: - "Look here this boy only _seven years_ old and there the holding aloft of this big hill. We wonder whether your son may not be the atma of all beings." Nanda related to them what he had heard from Garga and they all ceased to wonder. Indra and Surabhi came down from the heavens. Indra fell at the feet of Krishna and glorified Him.

Krishna said to him: - "To favour you, Indra, I caused a break in your Yajna, that, maddened as you were by your position and powers, you might not forget me. It is only when one is blinded by powers, that one does not see me sceptre in hand. I take away the powers of him whom I want to favor. Therefore go now, Indra. You are to keep to your own station and do your duties as enjoined by me void of all pride." Surabhi, the divine mother of cows, thanked Krishna for the services done to her children.

She said: - "O Krishna, O thou great Yogin whose form is this Universe and who art the root of this Universe, we have found our Lord in Thee.

Thou art our Supreme Deva O Lord of the Universe, thou shalt be our Indra, for the good of cows, Brahmanas and Devas, and of all that are good. By the command of Brahma, we shall install thee as our Indra."