A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 54

SUDARSANA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 34.*

(The Rasa is a teaching about conquering Kama by treating of indulgence in Kama itself. Similarly this chapter treats of the conquest of Vidyadhara. _Sridhara_.)

On the occasion of a sacred festival the Gopas went to the banks of the Sarasvati. (Students will mark the significance of the Sarasvati, which corresponds to Sushumna in the human system at this stage of spiritual development). They adored Pasupati (Siva) and Ambika (Durga). They pa.s.sed the night on the river bank. A huge serpent swallowed Nanda. The Gopas burnt the animal but it would not let go its hold; Krishna then touched it with his feet and out came a Vidyadhara from the serpent body. This Vidyadhara, by name Sudarsana, had been cursed by Rishi Angiras for having slighted him and became a serpent.

SANKHA CHuDA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 34.*

One day Rama and Krishna came to the forest to have company with the Gopis. It was the first part of the night. They played upon the flute and the Gopis listened to the music with rapt attention. At this time Sankha Chuda, the well-known attendant of Kuvera, drove the Gopis away northward. The girls wept and called out to Krishna and Rama for help.

They ran after the Yaksha who in terror left the Gopis and fled away.

Rama remained in charge of the Gopa girls. Krishna overtook Sankha Chuda and severed his head with its jewel and presented the crest jewel to Balarama.

THE SEPARATION SONG OF THE GOPIS.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 35.*

At night the Gopis enjoyed the company of Krishna. But the day was their time of separation and, when Krishna went to the forest, they pa.s.sed the time any how in singing about him. For the separation song, please refer to the original.

ARISHTA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 36.*

Arishta, an Asura in the form of a bull, attacked the quarters of the cows. The cows fled away and the Gopas cried out "Krishna, O Krishna save us," Krishna killed the Asura.

NaRADA AND KANSA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 36.*

Narada told Kansa: - "The female child was the daughter of Yasoda; Krishna and Rama are sons of Devaki. Vasudeva kept them with his friend Nanda out of fear. Those two brothers have killed your spies." In rage the king of Bhoja took his sword to kill Vasudeva. Narada prevented him.

But the King put Yasudeva and his wife in iron fetters. He then ordered Kesi to kill Rama and Krishna. He called his ministers together in council. Addressing Chanur and Mushtika he said: - "Rama and Krishna are to kill us. So Narada told me." Those two Asuras came ready for Vraja.

But Kansa said: "No, you need not go. I shall send for the two brothers and kill them in a wrestling match. So prepare the playground. Place the elephant Kubalayapida at the entrance and let him kill my enemies. On the fourteenth day of the Moon, let us commence Dha.n.u.s Yajna, and let animals be killed in honor of Siva."

Kansa then sent for Akrura, one of the chiefs of the Yadu clan.

"Akrura," said he, "Thou art my friend and do the work of a friend.

Please go to Vraja. Take this chariot and bring the two sons of Vasudeva. Tell them, they are to see the Dha.n.u.s Yajna and have a sight of the town. Let Nanda and other Gopas come with presents. The elephant shall kill the two boys. Or if perchance they escape, the wrestlers shall do away with them. I will then make easy work of Vasudeva, my old father Ugrasena, his brother Devaka, the Vrishnis, the Bhojas and the Dasarhas. Then, O friend, the earth will be left without a thorn.

Jarasandha is my guide. Dvivid is my friend. Samvara, Naraka, and Vana have made alliance with me. With the help of these, I shall kill all kings that are on the side of the Devas. Know this to be my plan."

Akrura said: - "The design is all right. But it may or may not succeed.

Even lofty desires are frustrated by unforeseen obstacles. Still man entertains them, to meet with either joy or sorrow. But I will do thy behests."

The council broke up.

KESI.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 37.*

In the meantime, Kesi, under the orders of Kansa, entered Vraja, in the form of a fiery steed, Krishna held him aloft by the feet and threw him away. The Asura regained consciousness and again ran after Krishna. He thrust his hand inside the mouth of the Asura and killed him at once.

The Devas rained flowers over him and prayed. Rishi Narada also appeared and adored him, making reference to his future deeds.

VYOMA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 37.*

The Gopas were grazing cattle on the flat summit of a hill. Some played the part of thieves, some, that of cattle keepers and some the part of sheep. The Asura Vyoma, (the word meaning akasa), son of Maya, a.s.sumed the form of a Gopa, and playing the part of a thief carried away many Gopas, who became sheep and he confined them in a hill cave closed by stones. In the playground only four or five Gopas remained. Krishna found out the mischief, attacked the Asura and killed him.

AKRuRA.

Akrura was mightily pleased that he would see the lotus feet of Rama and Krishna. His devotion to Krishna knew no bounds and he knew full well that, whatever his mission might be, the Lord would find out his inward devotion. At sunset he reached Gokula and, on seeing Rama and Krishna, fell down at their feet. They duly honored him. Nanda also shewed every respect to Akrura. At night Akrura made a clean breast of everything to Rama and Krishna, telling how Kansa oppressed the Yadus, how Narada informed him of their presence in Vraja and who they were, how he planned their death, and the mission on which he sent him. Rama and Krishna only laughed. The next morning they informed Nanda about the command of the king. Nanda asked the Gopas to prepare themselves with presents.

And the Gopa girls? Who could measure the depth of their sorrow? Their plaintive strains were most heart-rending. They wept They followed the chariot carrying Rama and Krishna. Krishna to console them sent word that he would come back. At last the chariot became invisible and the Gopis went back to their homes.

On reaching the banks of the Yamuna the brothers took their bath in the river and refreshed themselves with its water. They took their seat again in the chariot. Akrura asked their permission and went to bathe.

He plunged himself in the waters and duly performed the ablution ceremonies. He made a _j.a.pa_ (repeated recital) of Veda Mantras. But lo!

he found before him Rama and Krishna. They were in the chariot. How could they appear then? He rose and saw the boys were really seated in the chariot. He plunged himself once more and saw in the waters the serpent king Ananta, with a thousand heads and a thousand crowns, dressed in blue clothes, white in body, adored by Siddhas, Charanas, Gandhavas, and Asuras. Embraced by him was the dark Purusha, dressed in yellow clothes, with four hands, adored by the Rishis.

Akrura made salutations and adored the Purusha with folded hands.

Krishna then withdrew his form, as a play is withdrawn from the stage.

Akrura got up and took his seat in the chariot.

Krishna said: - "Akrura, you look as if you have seen something unusual." Akrura replied: - "What is there in the universe that is not in thee. When I have seen thee, I have seen everything." They drove on again and at last reached Mathura.

MATHURa.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 41-42.*

Akrura asked Krishna and all the Gopas to come to his house. But Krishna would first kill Kansa before doing him this favor. So Akrura sorrowfully left him and informed Kansa about the performance of his mission.