Tiruppavai 21

 05-01-26 | Ramayana , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Nappinnai opens the door and comes out to meet the gopikas.  

She explains the delay: “I did not ignore your appeals. I was waiting for the appropriate time to recommend you to the Lord.”  Nappinnai also joins the group.

The Gopis were elated.  They sing glories of their Lord.   

Andal: “O’ Krishna! You are the son of Nandhagopa who has an immeasurable treasure of generous, gigantic cows that pour forth copious milk in huge vessels.  What a fortune!*

“You are Paravasudeva (creation)!  You are the Vyuha murthy (in milky ocean)!  You are the Vibhava avataras (Rama / Krishna)! You stand as deities in temples (archavatara)! You are Antaryami (ensconced in our hearts). Yet you were born here amongst us to make us realise who we are.    

“Your enemies seek refuge in you — not finding solace in all three worlds**.  We have come to seek refuge in you, attracted by your infinite noble qualities.
___________________________

Notes:

*Here, the cows are symbolic of the generous acharyas.  
A confused Arjuna becomes Krishna’s disciple and surrenders to him.  The generous Krishna listens to him patiently.  Then he comforts Arjuna with his wisdom on the human predicament and the resolution thereof.  

** When in exile, Rama was taking a nap in Sita’s lap.  Kakasura (Indra’s son Jayantha), in the form of a crow, hurt  Sita by pecking her bosom and drawing blood.  Enraged, Rama took a blade of grass, empowered it with the Brahmastra and threw it at the crow for his unforgivable fault. The crow went around the three worlds for protection and ultimately surrendered at Rama’s feet.

Narayaneeyam 13

(i)Vatsasura vadham

Krushna, as a routine, grazed the cattle, with his flute, horn and cane - accompanied by Balarama and other gopas. Krishna played the flute atop the Goverdhan mountain. Vrindavan became prosperous with trees, creepers, waters, fertile land, and other bounties of nature. No wonder! Vrindavan was graced by the divine footsteps of Krushna, the Lord of Lakshmi.

Krushna, noticed that one of the calves in the cattle was behaving peculiarly, turning his head back, wagging his tail vigorously, waiting for the right time to attack. Krushna knew it was a demon in disguise. He caught hold of his hind legs, whirled the calf in quick circles and threw the lifeless asura on a tree. Many other trees fell under the impact. 

The gods showered flowers on Krushna. The gopas were amazed when they saw the fragrant flowers falling on him from the sky, The gopas ask Krushna about it. He said, “My dear gopas, you all saw the asura hit the trees? Many flowers suddenly went up the sky on impact. Now they’re slowly coming down.”  

(ii) Bakasura vadham

Vrindavan was simmering in heat. Krushna and the gopas went to the Yamuna to drink water. While the boys were quenching their thirst, a gigantic crane (Bakasura) approached Krishna, flapping his wings. With great speed, he swallowed Krushna. But instantly, the crane spat him out, as though it was a blazing ball of fire. Bakasura rushed to tear apart Krushna with his beak. Krushna grabbed both parts of the asura’s beak, tearing it apart. 

Then they all left for home.

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Hearing the melodious flute played by Krushna in a distance, the gopikas quickly came near him with great joy. How they adored him!
———————

Narayaneeyam 05

 Dashakam - 43

Once, when Yashoda was having Krishna on her lap, she felt that Krishna was unusually heavy. She put him down on bed and went in to attend to her chores. But the unusual weight of Krishna made her wonder about the cause. She prayed.   

Meanwhile Trinavarta, who had the wind as his power, was sent by Kamsa to Gokula. The killing of three of his mighty friends, was unmistakable proof that the ‘eighth child’ lived there. 

Trinavarta’s entrance was dramatic. With a thundering noise and powerful blasts of wind, he came in the form of a whirlwind. The thick and dark dust clouds rose very high and reduced visibility. It quickly took Krishna away.  

The cowherds didn’t even realize what was happening. Yashoda, who groped around in darkness and came to the same spot where she left the baby. Krishna was missing. She cried aloud. 

Trinavarta, found that the baby was extremely heavy. His speed reduced, weakening his force. The noise subsided. It was then that Gokula heard the wailing of Yashoda. Nanda and all the others also joined.

Meanwhile, the Asura who was already weakened, thought of releasing Krishna. Krishna did not allow him to go - Trinavarta fell from the sky on to a rock and was smashed to death. 

Entire Gokula saw the spectacle. They ran to the place and saw Krishna sitting on the dead asura. He was beating his tender hands playfully on the asura’s chest. He appeared unaffected by the happenings and laughed loudly. The gopas hurriedly picked up Krishna from there, just as one would pick up a blue gem from a big mountain. 

Entire Gokula thronged to get a glimpse of Krishna and took turns in embracing him, kissing and adoring him. He also would jump to those arms of gopikas, who were eager to take him, but were shy to do so.