Yashoda's Blessing

 Wishing each and everyone of  you a very very happy Krishna Jayanti

Watch the video in instagram

Yashoda Krishna

 

Trivikrama

 

Yashoda Krishna

 

For a handful of Butter

 

Govardhana

 

Garuda Vahana

 

Gopika Geetham

 

Nigama Kalpataru

 Nigamakalpatarorgalitam phalam shukamukhadamrtadravasamyutam|

Pibata bhagavatam rasamalayam muhuraho rasika bhuvi bhavukah ||3||

 

The Kalpataru, the wish fulfilling tree, represents the Vedic knowledge. Srimad Bhagavatam is the delicious, ripened fruit of this tree. The teachings flow like nectar, easy to digest and full of life.  For a devotee, this is the culmination of all spiritual seeking—it's the essence of the Vedas, delivered in its most palatable and nourishing form. It's the ultimate wish fulfilled - a direct connection to the divine.

 
This idea focuses on the role of the Guru in disseminating the knowledge which is made even sweeter as it is touched by the beak of a parrot (the shuka), the Guru par excellence. The parrot here represents the great sage Sri Shuka, who narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam. For a devotee, this signifies that the Bhagavatam is a blessing, sweetened by the grace of a perfect master. 

The shloka encourages devotees to drink the nectar again and again – a never-ending feast. Every time a devotee reads or hears the Bhagavatam, a new layer of meaning, a new wish, is fulfilled. It is an endless source of joy, wisdom, and divine love, satisfying the heart's deepest longings.

Amukthamalyada

 

Today is the reincarnation day of Bhoodevi, who manifested herself in the Tulasivana of Periyazhvar as Andal. Amongst the Azhwars, (those who drowned themselves in Bhakti) she was the only female. In her village of Srivilliputtur, Andal emulated the Gopikas performing the katyayani vrata. Her austerities for a month to reach Krishna is described in 30 verses as Tiruppavai.

Hrishikesh

 

Hrishikesh

15-05-17 | Krishna Leela , Bhagavatha

Hrishikesh means "the master of the senses" or "the one who directs the senses."

The horse symbolizes our senses – those powerful forces that can often lead us astray if left untamed.

Just as a skilled rider controls the horse with reins and gentle guidance, Krishna, as Hrishikesh, holds the reins of our senses.  Krishna, is the ultimate charioteer of our very being.

Krishna reclining gracefully on the horse's back, depicts a powerful message of mastery and surrender. It's as if Krishna is in complete command, guiding these restless energies with effortless ease.

Surrendering to Krishna is like handing over the reins to him. Instead of the senses running wild in pursuit of fleeting pleasures and distractions, they become attuned to the divine will. They start to move in harmony with Krishna's love and wisdom, leading the devotee towards a state of inner peace and tranquillity.

Dancing to Krishna’s tunes, the senses are no longer chaotic and unruly but moving with grace and purpose in devotion to him.

Govinda

Krishna has a special name, Govinda. It means He's super compassionate and loving, especially to cows, but really to everyone (While Go literally means a cow, it represents life itself (jeevatma)). Think of Him like the kindest one who looks after all the souls, like the spark inside you and me.   He cares for every single creature, no matter how small.   

When we love Govinda back – like being His best friend and trusting Him completely (this loving friendship is called bhakti), He makes sure they feel safe and brings them so much happiness. Loving Govinda fills with a deep, warm, happy feeling inside, like the best kind of sunshine that doesn't go away. It's the ultimate joy (called Ananda).

Did you notice the hallmark on His forehead just as it is for Tirupati Srinivasa - also Govinda?

Krishna and Kamadhenu

Imagine a cow with wings grazing peacefully. This is a special cow named Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow of the heavens! Whatever you wish for, Kamadhenu can provide, like sweet milk, creamy yogurt, or even delicious butter – anything you can imagine! 

Now, picture our dear Krishna, with his playful smile and gentle eyes, playing his flute among the cows in this field. He loves all the cows very much, but he has a very special connection with Kamadhenu.  Well, Kamadhenu, besides being a magical provider, is also a big devotee of Krishna. He knows her pure heart and her devotion.  

Kamadhenu, is a symbol of abundance and care, and her devotion shows us that even divine beings are great devotees of Krishna. And Krishna cherishes those who love him purely, like his dear devotee Kamadhenu.

Andal in Vraj 26

 10-01-25 | Tiruppavai

 

Now the gopis realise Krishna’s overwhelming vatsalya (compassion) and soulabhya (easy access) are incomparable. They address Him as the one with the hue of blue sapphire.

 “O’ Kanha!

To perform the vow, we request you to give the accessories we require:

We need conches akin to your Panchajanya, the sound of which (OM) will resonate across the whole world.

A big drum to announce the festivities.

Experienced devotional singers of hymns who will guide and bless us.

Auspicious standing lamps, which indicates servitude.

A banner to invite people to join the celebrations - Garuda.

A Canopy (Adisesha) to prevent the early morning dew-drops.

(Adisesha will not part from Krishna even for a second. So Krishna gives his upper garment as a Canopy).

“O’ Gopikas!  How can I give my Panchajanya to each one of you? Also Garuda and Adisesha? It’s impossible!”

To that the gopikas replied: “Aren’t You the One who slept on the banyan leaf during the deluge, protecting the whole universe in your belly? What is impossible for you?!”

Andal in Vraj 25

09-01-25 | Krishna Leela , Govinda Pattabhishekam , Bala Leela

Andal continues to sing the glory of Krishna. 

"You were born to Devaki, yet you chose to grow up with Yashoda. Even when you were hiding, your effulgence couldn't be hidden."

“Kamsa was afraid of the prophecy that his sister’s eighth child will kill him. That fear burned like fire in his stomach.”

Krishna asks, “What do you all want from me?” 

Andal replies, “O Krishna! we want You!”

“You’re asking Me!" He smiles. 

“I am all yours! worry not !!”

Andal in Vraj 24

 

08-01-25 | Krishna Leela , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara

Andal now sings the glories of Krishna. There are six qualities which are in Him, which make Him Bhagavan. 

1. O’Krishna! Glories to your feet (as Vamana) which straddled the entire earth!
    
2. Rama! you’ve walked all the way to Lanka for the sake of Sita. How much pain your legs must have borne!! Glories to your feet!
    
3. O’ Krishna! Your soft little feet kicked an asura in the form of a cart and broke it into pieces. Glories to those feet! 
    
4. O’ Lord (Balarama)! You threw the asura calf as a stick to bring down another asura in the form of a wood apple tree — Glories to your feet! (as it was the slight bend of feet which gave more momentum to hit the tree). 
    
5. O’ Krishna! You held the Goverdhan standing on your feet for seven days, to protect your devotees. Glories to such quality of protecting your devotees! 
    
6. O’ krishna! Glory to your thejas! Your Sudarshana chakra always protects us from all harm.
7. 
   
   
   
   

Andal in Vraj 23

 

07-01-25 | Narasimha , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara

Andal now requests the Lord to move out of his abode and grace the throne (the lotus of our heart) And how! 

“O Krishna!! Walk towards the throne with the gait of a majestic lion, like it stretches itself after a long slumber, shakes its flowing mane, holds its head high, and with glowing eyes, surveys everything from the hilltop!"

 
“O Lord, we want to see the beauty of your stride as you walk towards the throne. After you’re comfortable seated, we want you to listen to our prayers.”

Andal in Vraj 22

 06-01-25 | Tiruppavai

Andal says: “This world is so vast, that the kings  rule just a minuscule part of it. Yet they become proud and arrogant.” 

In the Ramayana, the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled the entire land without the slightest pride. Especially King Ambareesha. Despite being a Chakravarthi, having multitude of servants, he picked flowers and made flower garlands for the Lord.  He smeared cowdung on the floor, decorating it with floral designs served Him with all love and humility. The Lord was so pleased with his devotion, that his Sudarshana chakra was always protecting Ambareesha.

“O’ Krishna, we have come before you, abandoning all pride. Please open your eyes ever so slowly, just as a bell peeps out of an anklet akin to a half-blossomed lotus. Your graceful glance will purify us for eternal servitude.”

Andal in Vraj 21

 

05-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

Andal hails the generous Gurus, who revealed the truths from the scriptures, without distorting the core thought.

Krishna is the Jagadguru and has shown the path through his Gita. The Gopikas of Vraj already knew that Krishna was the Supreme. They did not need any proof. 

Andal adds that such a Supreme is standing amidst us in different forms (param, Vyuham, Vibhavam, archavatar and antaryami). 

“You have conquered your enemies through your admirable qualities and made them surrender to you. But we have come to seek refuge in you, singing your infinite glories.”

Andal in Vraj 20

 04-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal now begins to praise Krishna’s qualities in her effort to wake him up:

“O Vimala (one without blemish)!  You are always in the lead in protecting those who are in distress (Gajendra)! O Lord! You remove fear from trembling devas when they fear their enemies.” 

Krishna does not respond.

Andal realises that the process of surrender should begin with Lakshmi. She praises Lakshmi’s qualities of compassion etc., and surrenders to her.

“O Shree! Come along with your Lord and initiate the bathing ceremony for the completion of the austerities.”