Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 25.08.2016 pm, Ludasto) 

As we discussed the sages came together for a sacrifice. And don’t forget about the ultimate desire of the sages – ‘Beyond all the official benefits for the world let’s discuss the pastimes of the Supreme.’ Therefore now this is the time to enter into the lilas of Krishna. Of course He has a lot of different pastimes, but which pastime should we discuss? The appearance – this is discussed in the Tenth Canto of the Shrimad Bhagavatam. Shukadeva Goswami is speaking:

“Thereafter, at the auspicious time for the appearance of the Lord, the entire universe was surcharged with all the qualities of goodness, beauty and peace.” Do you feel that? That means the time is ready. “The constellation Rohini appeared, as did stars like Ashvini. The Sun, the Moon and the other stars and planets were very peaceful. All directions appeared extremely pleasing, and the beautiful stars twinkled in the cloudless sky. Decorated with towns, villages, mines and pasturing grounds, the earth seemed all-auspicious. The rivers flowed with clear water, and the lakes and vast reservoirs, full of lilies and lotuses, were extraordinarily beautiful. In the trees and green plants, full of flowers and leaves, pleasing to the eyes, birds like cuckoos and swarms of bees began chanting with sweet voices for the sake of the demigods. A pure breeze began to blow, pleasing the sense of touch and bearing the aroma of flowers, and when the brahmanas engaging in ritualistic ceremonies ignited their fires according to Vedic principles, the fires burned steadily, undisturbed by the breeze. Thus when the birthless Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was about to appear, the saints and brahmanas, who had always been disturbed by demons like Kamsa and his men, felt peace within the core of their hearts, and kettledrums simultaneously vibrated from the upper planetary system.”[1]

So, what happen? This is prema-bhakti – everything is surcharged with peace, beauty, goodness. “The kinnaras and gandharvas began to sing auspicious songs, the siddhas and charanas offered auspicious prayers, and the vidyadharis, along with the apsaras, began to dance in jubilation. The demigods and great saintly persons showered flowers in a joyous mood, and clouds gathered in the sky and very mildly thundered, making sounds like those of the ocean’s waves. Then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, who is situated in the core of everyone’s heart, appeared from the heart of Devaki in the dense darkness of night, like the full moon rising on the eastern horizon, because Devaki was of the same category as Shri Krishna.”[2]

Now the story starts to evolve. “Vasudeva then saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons: shankha, chakra, gada and padma[3]. On His chest was the mark of Shrivatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidurya; the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful.”[4]Vaidurya refers to a jewel which shines blue, yellow and red.

“When Vasudeva saw his extraordinary son, his eyes were struck with wonder. In transcendental jubilation, he mentally collected ten thousand cows and distributed them among the brahmanas as a transcendental festival.”[5] I think we would all be very surprised if such a child were born. Just like Vasudeva was also very much surprised. But the circumstances of Krishna’s birth were very extraordinary. He was born in a jail. Definitely not a home delivery, not a hospital delivery, but a jail delivery. It’s so strange that the person who will liberate the whole world from all the burden is born in a jail.

(to be continued)

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.1-5

[2] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.6-8

[3] Conch shell, disc, mace and lotus

[4] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.9-10

[5] Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.3.11