A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 58

"Chanura" is Dvesha (Dislike).

"Mushtika" is Matsara (Egoism, Envy).

"Kubalaya pida" is Darpa (pride).

"Vaka" is Garva (Arrogance).

"Rohini" is Daya (Tenderness).

"Satya bhama" is Ahinsa, (Non-Injury).

"Agha" is some fatal disease, such as consumption &c.

"Kansa" is Kali(?) (The commentator Narayana says that by Kali we are here to understand Kalaha or quarrel, for Kansa is the incarnation of Kalanemi and Duryodhana is the incarnation of Kali.).

"Sudaman" is Sama (restraint of the mind).

"Akrura" is Satya (Truth).

"Uddhava" is Dama (restraint of the senses).

"Sankha" is Vishnu himself in the form of Lakshmi.

The Milk products of the Gopis correspond to the ocean of milk in the universe.

Kasyapa is the Ulukhala (wooden mortar used in cleansing rice), to which Krishna was tied by Yasoda.

The rope that was used in the tying of Sri Krishna is Aditi. Chakra is Veda.

The garland Vaijayanti is Dharma.

The umbrella is akasa.

Gada is the G.o.ddess Kalika.

The bow of horn (Sarnga) is the Maya of Vishnu.

The Arrow is Kala, the destroyer of all lives.

The Lotus is the seed of the universe. Garuda is the religious fig tree named Bhandira.

The following is taken from GOPI CHANDANA UPANISHAD.

"What is Gopi?

"She who preserves.

"Preserves from what?

"Preserves people from Naraka, from death and from fear."

HARIVANSA says: -

"Kansa is Kalanemi,

"Kesin is Haya Griva,

"Arishta is son of Bali, the Elephant is Rishta, son of Diti, Chanura and Mushtika are the Asuras, Varaha and Kisora."

PADMA PURANA throws the greatest light on the Vrindavana Lila of Sri Krishna. The chapters refer to the Patala Khanda of that Purana.

Ch. 38. Of innumerable Brahmandas (solar systems), there is one supreme seat, that of Vishnu. Of this seat, Goloka is the highest aspect, and Vaikuntha, Siva Loka and others are the lower aspects. Goloka is represented on the earth by Gokula, and Vaikuntha by Dvaraka. Vrindavana is within the jurisdiction of Mathura. Mathura has the form of the thousand-petalled lotus, situated in the head.

Of the forests in Gokula, the twelve chief ones are: - Bhadra, Sri, Loha, Bhandira, Mahavana, Tala, Khadir, Bakula, k.u.mud, Kamya, Madhu and Vrindavan. There are several sub-forests too, which witnessed some scene or other of Krishna Lila.

Gokula is the thousand-petalled lotus and its disc is the seat of Govinda.

The petals are the seats of different performances of Sri Krishna and are different occult centres.

The southern petal contains a most occult seat, attainable with difficulty by the greatest of Yogins. The south-eastern petal contains two secret recesses. The eastern petal has the most purifying properties. The north-east petal is the seat of fruition. The Gopis attained Krishna on this petal, by worshipping Katyayani. Their clothes were also stolen on this petal.

The northern petal is the seat of the twelve adityas. It is as good as the disc itself.

The north-west petal is the seat of Kaliya. On the western petal, favor was shewn to the wives of the Vedic Rishis. Here the Asura Agha was killed. Here is also the Lake called Brahma. On the south-western petal, the Asuras Vyoma and Sankha-chuda were killed.

These eight petals are situated in Vrindavana. Outside Vrindavana, there are sixteen petals. The first petal is the seat of Govardhana. Here Krishna was installed as Govinda. The first petal contains Madhuvana, the second Khadira, the fourth Kadamba, the fifth Nandisvara (residence of Nanda), the sixth Nanda, the seventh Bakula, the eighth Tala (where the Asura Dhenuka was killed), the ninth k.u.muda, the tenth Kamya (where Brahma knew Krishna as Vishnu), the eleventh many forests, the twelfth Bhandira, the thirteenth Bhadra, the fourteenth Sri, the fifteenth Loha, and the sixteenth Mahavana. The deeds of Sri Krishna up to the age of five were all performed at Mahavana.

Vrindavana is the seed cavity of the thousand-petalled lotus. By all means place Vrindavana in the heart cavity. Krishna is always a Kisora (between ten and fifteen) at Vrindavana, (_i.e._ Vrindavana proper, the particular forest of that name).

At the centre of Vrindavana is the eight-cornered Yoga seat of Sri Krishna. Over that seat is a throne of jewels. The eight petalled lotus lies there. The disc of that lotus is the supreme abode of Govinda. He is the Lord of Vrindavana. Brahma, Vishnu and Siva are all His parts.

His primal Prakriti is Radhika.

*CHAPTER 39.*

Govinda with Radha is seated on the golden throne. Outside the throne, on the seat of Yoga, remain the chief favorites of Krishna, who are parts of Radhika.

Lalita stands on the west, Syamala on the north-west, Srimati on the north, Haripriya on the north-east, Visakha on the east, Saivya on the south-east, Padma on the south, and Bhadra on the south-west.

Then there is another group of eight, Chandravali, Chitrarekha, Chandra, Madana Sundari, Sri, Madhumati, Chandra-rekha, and Haripriya.

Of this latter group, Chandravali holds almost equal position with Radhika.

These are the sixteen princ.i.p.al Prakritis. Then there are thousands of Gopis all devoted to Krishna.

On the right side of Sri Krishna are thousands of Sruti girls, who chant His divine mysteries. On the left side are the most beautiful-looking Deva girls, who turn towards Sri Krishna with the greatest eagerness.

Outside this inner temple are the Gopa boys, who look like Krishna.

Sridaman is on the west, Sudaman on the north, Vasudaman on the east, and Kinkini on the south.