HINDUISM

Lord Krishna - perfect manifestation of the divine

Dr. Senarath Tennakoon

The Yadav clan of people had a branch called Shoora. The leader of the Shoora people was Vasudev. There was another tribe living side by side of the Shoora's whose chief was known as King Ugrasen.

King Ugrasen's first son was Kans who happened to be a dangerous and wicked villain. The elders of these two tribes wanted to establish peace and harmony between the two tribes. So they approached King Ugrasen's brother called Diva as he had a pretty daughter called Devaki. These elders were able to strike a deal with Devaki's father and Vasudev. The marriage between Vasudev and Devaki was a landmark event for establishing the much desired peace and harmony between the two tribes.

The sage Nand had predicted the Devaki's eighth child would slay Kans. Kans having come to know this prediction decided that he would slay all the children that Devaki produces. Kans kept Vasudev and Devaki imprisoned in his palace and he himself took measures to implement his notorious plan. However the seventh son was saved by Vasudev's brother who took the child to town Gokul where Vasudev's elder wife lives. She was Rohini who took over the child. When Devaki was in her eighth pregnancy and nearing term she was highly excited as she knew that according to the prediction of sage Nand declared that she would give birth to Lord Krishna. But Kans was taking additional precautions by strengthening the guarding aspects of the palace. But on the day of Krishna's birth there were torrential rains, furious storms and amidst thunder and lightning Lord Krishna was born.

At that time Vasudev saw a vision which indicated that Krishna should be taken afar to save him from the killers employed by Kans. While the guards were sleeping Vasudev carried away the newly born Krishna. Krishna, the blue baby boy was like a blue lotus with a beautiful radiant smile on his lips. He crossed the river Yamuna with the baby and reached his friend Nan's home and his wife Yasodha welcomed them. While Yashoda took over to look after Krishna, Vasudev returned carrying a new born girl to substitute Krishna and mislead Kans. But Kans did not have mercy on this girl infant. It came to be known that Yasodha has given birth to a son and the people of Gokul gathered at Nand's house. They started to rejoice by dancing and singing. It is said that Yasodha used to croon over this infant and rock him in a cradle. As usually is the traditional practice the child's horoscope was made and read by the learned Brahmins. Nand was informed by them that this infant would perform great deeds and destroy many demons when he grows up. So Krishna grew with the love and care of his foster parents, Nand and Yasodha among the cowgirls and the village folk. He happened to be a mischievous playful boy playing many pranks that amused others. Even during his infancy Krishna has been performing wondrous deeds.

There was a she demon called Putna who used to kill infants by feeding her breast milk. She assumed the form of a pretty girl and approached Yasodha's house and wished to give her breast to Krishna to feed. What did Krishna do? He started to hold her breasts so tightly with his tiny lips that he sucked out her life from her. When she died she returned to her ugly shape. The second marvel of infant Krishna was the killing of the demon Saktakur by a power packed kick of baby Krishna. The demon responsible for storms and whirlwinds, Trinavart caught the five month old Krishna and whorled him into the air. What did Krishna do? He dashed the demon upon a rock, killed him and began to play standing on the dead fellow's chest. Yasodha and other cowgirls who were searching for the child found him in this playful situation.

The name Krishna was given by a sage who named the other child of Vasudev as Balram-Krishna was to be called Vasudev although there were other names for Krishna who was the incarnation of God. Balram had other names and he was regarded as the incarnation of Sheshang (Heavenly Serpant) and a part of Vishnu. Both Krishna and Balram grew up in Gokul. But the toddler Krishna was naughty and playful. He used to enter the houses of the cowgirls and steal their milk, cream and butter. But he was never punished by them as he was a witty lovable child. One day Yasodha tied Krishna to a mortar to keep him quiet. But Yasodha heard a loud noise soon after and she found Krishna having pulled down two large trees plus the mortar was cheerfully seated between them.

The legend states that two young persons named Kubar and Nal who have been imprisoned in these two trees were released by Krishna by this mischievous act. This act also showed the strength of Krishna even at a tender age in his life.

When Krishna was about five years old Nand and Yasodha have left Gokul and were living in a forest region called Brindban with Krishna. Here too Krishna had to fight with demons and defeat them. A demon named Vataur having turned himself into a cow was mingling with the cowherd. Krishna identified this demon-cow by its hind legs. Krishna whorled it around his head and dashed it on the ground. Another demon Bakasur assumed the form of a crane to attack Krishna. Krishna was engulfed by this huge crane. But Krishna tore the bird's huge beak into two. Another demon, Ugrasur appeared in the form of a snake and sucked Krishna into its month. But Krishna began to bloat his body in its mouth which resulted in tearing the snake into tiny peaces.

At the age of eight Krishna performed a wondrous deed. There was a solitary Adam tree on the bank of river Yamuna and Krishna climbed it. His friends were below playing with a ball. They threw the ball to Krishna, but it fell into the river. Krishna jumped into the river to bring it back. But the ball was in a whirlpool where there lived a mighty poisonous water snake; a demon named Kaliya. Kaliya began to spurt poison on Krishna and encircled his body within its powerful coils. His friends, Nand and Yasodha were in fright at the bank. But Krishna appeared before them playing his flute standing on the hood of Kalia. This feat also proved that Krishna had supernatural strength.

As Krishna grew up and become a teenager he exuded charm and beauty that attracted everyone in particular the cowgirls. Among them there was one particular cowgirl called Radha who was married to Ayaan and her father was Vrishbhanu. Radha was extremely pretty and she was madly in love with Krishna and often lived together with Krishna.

Indra, the god of the skies was becoming jealous of Krishna's abnormal strength, popularity and beauty. He ordered the clouds to pour rain to cause a flood in Brindaban. It rained and rained. The people approached Krishna and presented their grievances to him. Krishna raised the huge Goverdhan hills on the support of his small finger. Although it rained for a week the ground under the cover of the raised hill remained dry. Indra's anger dissipated as he realized that Krishna was none other than Lord Vishnu on earth.

Now Krishna is strong, handsome and young. The news that Krishna is still living reached the ears of Kans through a sage. Kans was keeping Krishna's parents Vasudev and Devaki in prison. Kans thought of a plan to bring Krishna and Balram to Mathura. He ordered Arkur, the chief of Yadevs to go to Brindaban and bring Krishna and Balram on the gise of taking part in a festival of games. Arkur was a good man. He revealed the intentions of Kans to Krishna. Krishna and Balram agreed to accompany Arkur to Mathura. Krishna had to kill a ferocious elephant at the city gate as it prevented him to enter the city. He entered the arena carrying the killed elephant's tusks. Balram and Krishna defeated the two most powerful wrestlers, Chanura and Mustika respectively and many other wrestlers of Kans. There was a huge gathering watching the wondrous deeds of Krishna and Balram and the spectators were in full cheer which drove Kans into a terrible anger. He shouted at his supporters and ordered them to kill Krishna and Balram. But Krishna dragged Kans by his hair and there was a fierce battle between the two. Kans was killed by Krishna. Although the eight younger brothers of Kans fought with Krishna and Balram they had to suffer defeat and die.

After these fights Krishna's parents Vasudev and Devaki were released from prison. Krishna respected and loved his foster parents Nand and Yasodha. They were bestowed with gifts as they left Mathura, while Krishna continued to live in Mathura with his real parents.

Kans had two wives who were the daughters of the mighty king of Magadha, Jarasandh. After Krishna has killed Kans, these two queens rushed back from Mathura to Magadha and told their father about their plight. The angry king Jarasandh invaded Mathura with a big army. But Krishna and Balram with their army, defeated Jarasandh's army. However the life of Jarasandh was spared. After this war a strong wall was constructed around Mathura city to protect it from future invasions.

Krishna's marriage with Rukmini is of interest. Rukmini was the pretty daughter of the ruler of Vidarbha, Bhiskmak. Rukmini was fascinated by the wondrous deeds of Krishna and even without seeing she developed love towards Krishna. Rukmini was to be married to the king of Cheddi, Sishupul. It was arranged by her elder brother. But Rukmini sent a letter to Krishna through an emissary stating her desire requesting him to save her.

The emissary told Krishna about the forthcoming day of marriage. On the day of the scheduled day of marriage, Rukmini went to the temple of Ambika for prayers. Krishna waited there in his chariot with his brother Balram and carried away Rukmini towards Dwaraka. Those who came to attend the marriage ceremony chased after them. But they had to retreat because of the powerful attack by Krishna and Balram with the support from the Yadav tribe. The formal marriage between Krishna and Rukmini took place in Dwaraka. There are legends which state that Krishna had several wives (about 16000) but Mahabharata mentions the name Satyabhama as his wife.

To be continued

Let us learn from Sri Rama's life

Our great masters – Rishis and sages and our forefathers have bequeathed us with an enormous wealth of scriptures, puranas, epics and countless spiritual as well as literary works which lay emphasis on our customs and traditions. With their experience and the realization of truth, they impart to us divine values through situations, through incidents and through the characters they portray in their works. Their teachings have stood the test of times and are relevant even to our present day society.

When evil predominates the earth, God manifests Himself on earth in human form (Avathar) for the good of mankind. Rama, the eldest son of King Dasaratha and hero of the epic Ramanayana is an Avathar of Lord Vishnu. At every stage of his life he demonstrates certain noble qualities worthy to be imbibed.

As a student, Rama's love and reverence for his gurus, sages Vasishta and Visvamithra is immeasurable. With deep devotion he serves them spontaneously. He sits at their feet most humbly. Listens to their teachings intently and acquires all the knowledge he requires.

Love and respect for teachers in general today is fast fading. Students lack patience and trivial matters can provoke them to be aggressive. Like Sri Rama, if students are humble, obedient, take a keen interest in their studies and listen to their teachers they will benefit the more.

Love and respect

Sri Rama, the rightful heir to the throne of Ayodhya is to be crowned the following morning. On the eve of that happiest event, Kaikeyi, the second wife of King Dhasaratha, summons Rama and informs him that it is the order of his father that he spends the next 14 years in the forest. With no sign of agitation, anger, annoyance or disappointment, Rama a dutiful and obedient son leaves the palace calmly. What a balanced mind! Children of today who get irritated for the slightest things, who question and retort at their parents, who make a hue and cry over anything and rebel for nothing have much to learn from the life of Rama.

Sri Rama's love for his brothers is amazing. Bharatha's mother, Kaikeyi cunningly manipulates and her son is to be crowned King in place of Rama. When Bharatha visits Rama in the forest, his visit is misconstrued by the people around him and Rama is informed that Bharatha not only chased him from the kingdom, but also has come there to fight against Rama. But Rama does not harbour any malice or animosity towards Bharatha. Rama is unperturbed and receives the brother with the usual warmth.

Seeking material prospects, siblings today compete with one another and fall apart because of greed and jealousy. Rama's relationship with his brothers tells us that the binding force among the siblings is true love.

Sri Rama is an ideal husband. He ventures to catch the golden deer for the mere joy of Sita, his wife. He wages a massive war against Ravana to get his abducted wife back. At the same time, Rama is also accused to be cruel to his wife when he wants her to dive into the flame before he accepts her back. It is not that Rama loved her less, but he wanted to prove her virtue to the world. Rama's love and sincerity towards Sita is also evident when Ravana's sister Soorpanakai is madly attracted towards Rama. Her enchanting disguises in various forms and attempts to entice him fail. Unaffected by her charm, Rama stands as firm as a rock.

Poet John Milton says “He who reigns within himself and rules his passions.... is more than a King.” In marriage, if partners love and understand each other learn to control their passions and be faithful feelings will never go astray and many a separations and divorces today could be avoided.

King of Ayodhya

Rama is very sincere to his friends. Guhan the boatman and Vibeeshana, Ravana's brother is dear to Rama. He has no inhibition about their family background. When Vibeeshana and Sugreeva seek Rama's support, he assures them of his support and is true to his words till the end. Pure love and sincerity are essential qualities in building a strong friendship.

When Sri Rama becomes King of Ayodhya, one of his subjects, a washerman caste a slur on Sita's character as having lived with Ravana. Rama sends her immediately out of the kingdom. His righteousness does not allow any room for his emotions, nepotism or favouritism. To a fair and just ruler, country comes first, not his personal happiness. Knowing well the virtuous nature of his wife, he suffers in silence.

Hunger and thirst for personal happiness, fame and power has no place in a fair and just government. When rulers turn dictators, uprisings of the masses are bound to happen and this is what the world is experiencing now. People's right to expression should be recognized. Their voice should be heard. Country is above all. If every citizen is treated equally, people will be happy and there will be a progress and development.

Sri Rama has a kind and generous heart not only to forgive his enemies, but also to do good for them. When Vibeeshana refuses to perform the last rites for his brother, the most merciful Rama, graciously offers to perform the task.

If we could today, take a leaf from Sri Rama's life, we would learn the art to live well, we would be able to meet life's situations in a balanced way, we would learn to forgive and forget and build a harmonious society where love would be the binding force and each individual enjoys his freedom and leads a happy life.

Thangam Jegathala Prathapan Colombo 04