In this series, we will go on a pradakshina of Bharata desha as we present, each month, a kirtan composed by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on a particular kshetra, starting from south India and then going north.
Dwaraka – Dwarakadheeshan
This month, in our Bharata Pradakshina, we have reached the westernmost tip of India to the city of Dwaraka. We all know that Lord Krishna established a kingdom in the ancient city of Dwaraka and ruled it for several years. It is believed that Vishwakarma, the architect of the gods and demigods himself designed and built this city. It was an important port and the gateway to the Indian mainland. At the end of Dwapara Yuga, when Lord Krishna went back to his abode in Vaikunta, a huge flood submerged the city of Dwaraka under the sea. The lost city of Dwaraka has been the subject of research for several years and evidence has been unearthed by Archeological Survey of India and National Institute of Ocean Technology that suggest the possibility of an ancient city having thrived once in 
the Gulf of Khambhat region.
The modern city of Dwaraka is on the Indian subcontinent and is one of the 108 Divya Desams (temples sung by the Azhwars) and hence an important pilgrim spot. It is here in Dwaraka that Sant Mirabai left her mortal coil to become one with Lord Dwarakadeesh. The deity, Lord Dwarakadeesh, appears as the King of Dwaraka.
Sri Swamiji too has visited Dwaraka and has had the darshan of the Lord. He describes the Lord in a song which is presented here.
Dwarakadeesham Dhyayami
Raga: Karnaranjani
Tala: Adi
Pallavi
dvArakAdIsham dhyAyAmi (dvArakA)
Anupallavi
svacchanda gatimIshvaram sundara mUrtim
nischinta bhaktajana Ashrita mUrtim (dvArakA)
Charanam
shikhaNDAlankRta makuTAlankRtam
kuNDalAlankRta sukumAra rUpam (dvArakA)
shankha chakra gadAdhara mUrtim
kumkumAnkita vakShastalam (dvArakA)
nAnAvidha bhUShaNa dhara chinmaya mUrtim
manmatha manohara mangaLa mUrtim (dvArakA)
shuddhasphaTika nirmala mUrtim
suvarNa muraLI vAdana mUrtim (dvArakA)
Meaning
Pallavi
I meditate upon Lord Dwarakadeesha
Anupallavi
He is the beautiful deity who is entirely Independentl
He is One who is the refuge of devotees who have no mundane worries
Charanam
His head is decorated with a beautiful peacock feather adorning the crown
He has a beautiful form that is adorned with beautiful earrings
He carries the conch, discus and the mace
And his chest is decorated with saffron
His blemishless and pure form is adorned with numerous beautiful jewels
His auspicious form is more enchanting and mesmerizing than Manmatha
His form is crystal clear and pure like a pure spatika gem
And He is seen playing the golden flute
– Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont, CA
