Madhurageetham: Sri Krishna Leela – 4
The 10th canto in Srimad Bhagavatam is known as “Ashrayam” or “refuge” for Lord Krishna’s devotees for it talks about the Lord’s incarnation and his sweet lilas on this Earth. Sri Swamiji has written beautiful kirtans on these various lilas of Lord Krishna. So, in this series we will relish those lilas of Lord Krishna through Sri Swamiji’s kirtans.
Journey to Gokula – ‘Kaarirul Thanile’
Last month, we saw and celebrated Lord Krishna’s divine birth through Sri Swamiji’s kirtan. This month, we have the opportunity to enjoy and revel in the bliss of Vasudeva’s journey from Mathura to Gokula and back.
After the birth of the Lord, we saw how the Lord revealed His true Self to His parents and instructed Vasudeva to take him to Gokula to the residence of Nanda Baba and bring back his newborn daughter. Despite the fact that Vasudeva and Devaki Mata were in jail and in chains with guards standing outside the door, neither Vasudeva nor Devaki had any doubts as to how to accomplish this seemingly impossible task! Such was their faith in the Lord! They knew that if the Lord had chosen them to render this service, then He Himself would make the circumstances amenable to carry out His task.
As soon as Vasudeva took the Child in his arms, his chains snapped and the guards fell down in a deep swoon. The Yamuna River who was in spate and celebrating the birth of the Lord gave Vasudeva way and allowed him to safely cross her, while Adi-Sesha (the thousand-headed snake) himself came down to stand as an umbrella and shelter the Lord from the heavy rains. Nothing can stand against His Divine Will!
Vasudeva safely reached the other bank and went to Nanda Baba’s residence and switched the babies with a heavy heart. Though to mortal eyes, it appeared that he had left Krishna in Gokula, in truth, he carried him back in his heart.
Sri Swamiji has composed a beautiful kirtan describing these scenes and Vasudeva’s delicate feelings. If one were to pay close attention to the lyrics, one can also notice that it set in present tense. This shows us that kirtans composed by Mahans are not a figment of their imagination. It is their experience that comes forth as songs on their lips!
Ragam: Ahiri
kAriruL thanilE kArmugil pozhiya
iDiyuDan minnalum viNNil thOnDra
chala chala enDriDum yamunai vazhi viDa
palappala eNNangaL manadil thOnDra
gOkulam selginDrAn – vasudEvan
karuNAmUrtthiyai kamalAnAthanai
karangaLinAl paTri shirasinil tharitthu
Ayiram thalainAgam kuDaiyAga niRka
mAniDa urukkoNDa mAyan ivanuDan
gOkulam selginDrAn – vasudEvan
gOkulam aDaindu paramanaip pirindu
dEviyai koNDu AnandamaDaindu
paiya paiya viyappuDan naDandu
yArumaRiyAmal pArOr pugazha
madhurA selginDrAn – vasudEvan
muzhumadi mugamum nanmutthu paRkaLum
asaindiDum kaNgaLum azhagiya adaramum
suruNDa kEsamum maruNDa pArvaiyum
idayatthil thOnDra paravasamaDaindu
madhurA selginDrAn – vasudEvan
Meaning
In the dead of the night, amid heavy rains
Accompanied by thunder and lightning in the sky,
As River Yamuna who is in spate gives way,
With several thoughts rising in his mind at once,
He, Vasudeva, proceeds to Gokula
[Holding Him], The embodiment of compassion, the lotus-like Lord of Lakshmi Devi
Holding Him with his hands and carrying Him on his head,
As the thousand-headed Snake (Adisesha) stands as an umbrella,
With the Lord of the Maya, who has now taken a human form,
He, Vasudeva, proceeds to Gokula
Now attaining Gokula, and taking leave of the Supreme,
Carrying back Devi (Durga), reveling in bliss,
Walking with awe, amazed by the wondrous happenings,
No one on Earth knew, but as the gods showered praises,
He, Vasudeva, walks back to Mathura
The glowing moon-like face; the pearly white teeth
The bright, roving eyes; the beautiful lips
The curly locks of lush black hair; the deep, intent gaze
With those indelible memories filling his heart, and immersing him in divine Bliss
He, Vasudeva, walks back to Mathura
Sowmya Balasubramanian Bay Area, CA
Illustration by Hema Kalyan Dallas, TX
