Friday, August 26, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Tenth Shloka


Vrindavan is Marked by the Lotus Feet of Krishna

vrindavan sakhi ! bhuvo vitanoti
kirtim yad devaki-suta-padambuja-labdha-laksim
govind-venum anu matta-mayur-nrityam
preksaadri-saanv-partanya-samasta-sattvam
(SB 10.21.10)

Shri Krishna, the Darling Son of Yashoda

Meaning: O Sakhi! The fame of Sri Vrindavan is attaining greater glory than Vaikunth (where the dark god forever dwells.) Because this place is marked by the lotus feet of Shri Krishna, the darling son of Yashoda,and is beautified by (Krishna's dhvaja [banner], vajra [thunderbolt], lotus and other symbols.)
 
Sri Lakshmi Pressing Vishnu's Feet 

These feet which are the wealth of Sri Lakshmi wear padukas and roam in Vaikunth-but Shri Krishna freely wanders about in Vrindavan, marking the ground of this earthly forest with His footsteps-even Vaikunth and other such lokas are not blessed by this great good fortune.

Peacocks Dance in Ecstasy

Intoxicated by the flute play of Shri Govind the peacocks dance-and assuming dark-hued Krishna, the colour of the condensed sky, to be a cloud, they are busy dancing. Or they think that the play of Krishna's flute is the rumbling *clouds and dance in ecstasy.
 
Krishna Playing the Flute on Goverdhan

Just have a look! On seeing the peacocks dance, living beings of Shri Govardhan Hill stand still, entranced to hear the melodious notes of the dark-god's flute.


Krishna Spreads His Love & Joy in the Forest of Vrindavan

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba: Shri Pad Vishwanath Chakravarthy says-In this manner the madhurya or sweet love of Shri Krishna is joyously being expressed in earthly Vrindavan which is more glorious than even Vaikunth. The reason being, that this site is marked by Krishna's dhvaja [banner], vajra [thunderbolt], lotus and so many other signs-therefore it is superior to Vaikunth and other such abodes.
 
The Sakhis Flock to Krishna in Vrindavan

There is no offense in going to the forest of Vrindavan, such a virtuous site where the delights of Paradise are reflected as by a cosmic mirror onto the plains of the earth. Clusters of sakhis think that there is nothing shameful in going to such a vana. Hence let us venture to Vrindavana which is so sacred and attain spiritual evolution, is what they conclude.

Rumbling clouds: actually it is their mating season and the male peacock tries to attract the female. Peacocks like to dance on hearing the rumbling clouds and this happens during the rainy season.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Ninth Shloka


The Flute Drinks the Nectar of Krishna's Lips

gopyah kim acarad ayam kusalam sma venur
damodaradhara-sudham api gopikanam
bhunkte svayam yad avasista-rasam hradinyo
hrsyat-tvaco 'sru mumucus taravo yatharyah
(SB 10.21.9)

Gopis Envy the Flute's Good Fortune 

"O dear gopis! Despite being masculine what act of great merit hath this flute performed in his previous birth in consequence of which it is drinking the nectar from the lips of Krishna without leaving the smallest particle for the gopis, the rightful enjoyers of it? Seeing its prosperity, the rivers from which the bamboo of the flute has drawn its sap are displaying delight by the blossoming of lotuses in them. And the bamboo trees out of which the flute is made are shedding tears of joy in the form of juice just like eminent men cry with joy on seeing their descendants, steeped in religious devotion.

Cowherdesses Look On as Krishna Plays the Flute

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba: “O sakhi! What austere penance has this flute done-which virtuous act has it performed? If we get to know of that we too can adopt the same practice and attain the same fate. This insensitive wooden flute is extremely fortunate because it can freely and passionately drink the nectar of Damodara's lips. "

The Gopis Long to Be in the Flute's Place

The gopis have used venu in this shloka and not murli or vanshi. The reason being that venu is a masculine word. Thus firstly the flute is made of wood and moreover it is drinking the nectar of the dark god's lips, even on being a male.This scene seems somewhat out of place.
Gopis Claim They Are the Rightful Enjoyers of Krishna's Nectar

damodar adharsudha -The underlying bhava in this shloka is that Krishna is forever dependent on the gopis but they are submissive here. Which means, “We are gopis and even Shri Krishna belongs to the clan of the gopas.Because of belonging to the same community, weare the rightful enjoyers of it (nectar of Krishna's lips)- but this venu even on hailing from a different background, is proud of being Shri Krishna's sweetheart and flaunts its masculinity. Openly frolicking in Krishna's lotus hands,heart, waist and lips, it keeps sipping the nectar of His lips without taking our permission.
 
The Gopis Long to Remain by Krishna's Side

What ! Is it more loved than even us, that night and day Krishna continues holding it?...Why didn't the lord of Vraja make us flutes so that night and day we had remained with Hari Krishna.”
 
The Herdgirls of Vraja Romantically Dall with Krishna

" And Sakhi! We are gopis (the herdgirls of Vraja, in love with Krishna)who keep our feelings secretive but this venu chides us on this. Being arrogant and leaving not a drop for us who are the rightful owners of this wealth, he drinks shamelessly to the fullest. And there is more Sakhi! All the denizens of His birthplace seem just like the venu-because they are joyous on seeing him drink the nectar."
Rivers Abounding with Lotus Flowers

"Sakhi! Just look! Seeing its prosperity, the rivers from which the bamboo of the flute has drawn its sap are displaying delight by the blossoming of lotuses in them. And the bamboo trees as well as lotus filaments are shedding tears of joy in the form of juice. Seeing the great good fortune of the venu hailing from their clan, they consider themselves blessed just as eminent men are proud on observing the good fortune of their descendants."

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Eighth Shloka


Shri Krishna Dressed in Yellow & Shri Balaram in Blue
chutpravalabarhastabakotpalabja
malanupruktaparidhana vichitraveshou |
madhye virejaturalam pasupalghoshtyam
range yatha natavarau kva cha gayamano ||
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.8 )

Shri Krishna & Balaram Sing Amidst Sakhas

Meaning: “ O sakhi! When yellow garments flutter on dark-hued Shri Krishna's body and blue garments drape fair-complexioned Balram, who adorn themselves with newly blossomed mango shoots, peacock feather, bunches of flowers,as well as garlands of multicoloured lotuses and lilies-their appearance becomes so very amazing. At times when they both sit down right in the centre of assembled cowherd boys and strike the notes of a melodious song, it seems as if two skillful dancers are performing on the stage. O dear sakhi, how can I describe their majestic splendour at that point of time.”


Shri Krishna & Balaram Decked with the Vanamala & Lotuses

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba: Wearing peacock feathers decked with newly sprouted mango shoots and clusters of flowers, their ears adorned with flower bunches, bracelets strung with blossoms on their wrists, armlets around their arms, girdles tied around their waists, flowers tucked into their dark locks, the five-coloured fragrant vanamalas hanging around their necks, flutter in joyous abandon. The newly bloomed and mildly fragrant blue lotuses beautify their right ears. Dressed in blue, yellow, green and multi-hued dresses-, adept at the art of dancing and singing when the two of them (Krishna-Balram) dance and sing amidst gathered sakhas,they look extremely attractive.


Sakhis Envy the Sakhas' Good Fortune 

Sakhi! Just look at the great good fortune of the sakhas. We are so unfortunate because we can not go and freely sight the ineffable beauty of the two brothers due to highly restrictive social conventions.The sole purpose of the two brother's shangar described in this shloka is that since they are mindful of their honour, the cowherdesses do not want to say anything clearly. Actually speaking, the village women gather in clusters and looking at the scene with the inner vision of their hearts, give a detailed account of Shri Krishna-Balram.
 
Shri Krishna, the Supreme Lover with Shri Radha, His Beloved
The other inner bhava-
Priya and Priyatam (Krishna, the Supreme Lover and Radha, His beloved) look so radiantly beautiful when they sing and dance amidst gathered sakhis.Both of them are wearing lovely mango shoots, peacock feathers adorned with bunches of flowers, are decked in multicoloured dresses, with lovely vanamalas garlanding their necks and blue lotuses tucked behind their right ears. 


Shri Radha and Krishna are Superb Dancers

Natvar-natvara (Natvar means Shri Krishna the Superb Dancer and natvara, stands for Shri Radha)