Showing posts with label Vrindavan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vrindavan. Show all posts

Apr 10, 2025

Vrindavan Vihari

Vrindavan is the land where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and adolescence. This idyllic forest, located on the banks of the Yamuna River, is where the various Leelas of Krishna with his devotees happened, especially the gopis (cowherd girls), the most prominent being Radha.

Vrindavan is where Krishna wandered, played his flute, and performed miraculous feats. It is the stage for the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna. Vrindavan symbolises the soul's yearning for union with the Divine. The place is imbued with this devotion, attracting devotees who seek to connect with Krishna's presence and experience the bliss associated with his pastimes.

Vrindavan Vihari often depicts Krishna in a relaxed and ecstatic state, surrounded by the beauty of Vrindavan.




Jan 13, 2025

Andal in Vraj 29

 14-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal: “Krishna! We’re overjoyed You have accepted our services - we can only do small services that we know of. We pray that You command and get things done from us according to your need.  “We also wish that You will always be with us in our heart and mind, in all future births. We cannot think of being separated from you even for a moment.  “And whenever our fickle nature aspires for worldly pleasures, correct it forthwith! "



Jan 10, 2025

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 !!”



Jan 8, 2025

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.


Jan 7, 2025

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.”



Jan 6, 2025

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.”



Jan 5, 2025

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.”



Jan 4, 2025

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.”




Jan 3, 2025

Andal in Vraj 19

 

03-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai


Neela Devi is awake but held back by Krishna. He does not allow her to open the door.  

krishna, appearing to be asleep, has heard the appeals of Andal. 

Andal persists : “O jaganmata! isn’t compassion your greatest quality? Couldn’t you recommend our case for surrender to your Lord, forgiving all our faults?!” 
Little did Andal know that Krishna was actually eager to accept their surrender. Both were only competing - as to who will bless her first.