'Sri Krishna Karnamrita' is Relished by Krishna's Devotees
'Sri Krishna Karnamarita' the scripture which pours rasa into the ear receptors of Lord Krishna's devotees, was very dear to our lovable Usha Bahenji fondly known as *Bobo. The interpretation of this religious text by Bobo would be sent in the form of letters to her close associates who lived far away. It was only by the means of her lucid explanations that we could grasp the importance of this scripture to some extent, and it became an unprecedented spiritual attainment and treasury of our lives. For this very reason a paath of 'Sri Krishna Karnamrita' is done on Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji's janamotsav (30th July,1925) every year, paying homage to this great saint of Vrindavan.
She had such a close connection with the flowing bhavas of its shlokas that it seemed that they were the sweet swelling emotions invading her heart and not the voice of Shri Bilavmangal ji. It appeared as if the profoundly deep bhavas with which Bilavmangala Thakur has given a description of his beloved isht Krishna, His madhurya or sweetness and His lilas or playful dalliances was already prevalent in Bobo's life with fervent abundance.
Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji Absorbed in the Madurya of Lord Krishna
For those who have known Bobo, Its constant recitation was very much a part of her daily regime. Interpreting these shlokas in her own distinctive manner she would invariably get absorbed in some unknown ocean of Krishna's romantic dalliance.
The third shloka of 'Sri Krishna Karnamrita' showcases Krishna's lila
or playful dalliance which is both real and illusionary, which makes
him both human and divine at the same time. Delighting in play, he
endears himself and brings delight to all his bhaktas.
caturyaika-nidana-sima-
lavanyamrita-vici-lolita-
kalindi-pulinangana-pranayinam kamavatarankuram
balamnilam amivayam mahurima-svarajyam aradhnumah ||3||
' We
worship that dark bluish young boy, in whom culminate the principal
stimuli for amorous love, who causes Radha to become languid with the
beauty of His dancing sidelong glances, and who in turn becomes languid
with love when Shri Radha and Her friends cast their sidelong glances at
Him. That boy's beauty, like waves of nectar, engenders an extreme
thirst in the eyes of Radha and Her companions, and, conversely, their
nectarous beauty makes Him thirsty to see them. He is affectionately
worshiped by Radha's wistful glances, and He enjoys loving pastimes with
Radha and Her friends on the bank of the Yamuna. We worship that young
bluish boy, the source of the god of love, who has attained unchallenged
dominion over love's sweetness. '
We bahenen had the great good fortune of reaching the heights of elation and ecstasy when we directly experienced the scene in person. Since the paath was very dear to Bobo, every member of her parikar longed to hear it. Bobo had given the relgious observance of doing this paath to all the bahenen so that they could relish the rasa of Lord Krishna's madhurya sagar.
Lord Krishna Richly Shares His Love With the Gopis
The
fifth shloka reveals that Krishna is nothing but madhurya or the
paragon of sweetness. A madhurya which defines his love, and which he
richly shares with the gopis of Vrindavan, who represent his hungering
devotees.
madhuratara-smitamrita-
mada-shikhi-pishcha-lashchita-
vishaya-vishamisha-grasana-
vipula-vilocanam kim api dhama cakastu ciram ||5||
' Shri
Krishna's eyes are long like petals of a blooming lotus, and His very
charming lotuslike face is made all the more charming by His extremely
beautiful and sweet, nectarous smiles. His profuse curling locks look
delightful with their decoration of a proud peacock's tail-feather. Let
Him, the embodiment of all effulgence, forever shine within my heart,
which is (outwardly) greedy for the poisonous meat of sense objects, or
(inwardly) greedy for the beauty of Shri Krishna, a beauty that binds
the devotee's mind and causes burning pain at the time of separation
from Him. '
'Sri Krishna Karnamrita' is Read on Boboji's Janamotsav
Revered Darshan Bahenji would recite this paath for Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji in a beautifully articulate voice loaded with bhava
or love flowing towards the Lord. Above all, even after Bobo left us
for Gaulok this eternal paath continues to be done by Darshan Bahenji
herself.
Our Lovable Bobo Participated in the Innocent Lilas of Lord Krishna
If
Krishna is the repository of madhurya and earthly Vrindavana resonates
equally with it too, Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji was equally tender in
expressing and experiencing her love for Krishna. Whether it was in the
pleasure of belonging, or the pathos of longing, participating in the
innocent lilas of Krishna or being charmed by his flute, our Bobo in
equal measure reflected the madhurya of Krishna.
The compilation of those interprations were gathered together in a book 'Sri, Krishna Karnamrita' with a rasa kadambini
commentary. Revered Darshan Bahenji and her sister Dr. Santosh Gupta
have brought out this wealth which Bobo gave us, in front of the whole
world.
Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji's devotional practices require the devotee to savour the shringara rasa of Sri Radha-Krishna. According to her madhurya
or the sentiment of sweet romance is the key to understanding and
celebrating the love of Radha and Krishna and in so doing get a glimpse
of one's transcendent self. As madhurya translates into ananda comes the realization that everyone is ultimately a nayika in search of Krishna.
Bobo: Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji, a great saint, lived in Vrindavana from 1959 to 1992, inspiring educated youth to live lives of celibacy and tapa. Shunning self-publicity, she led a life of stern simplicity and attained great heights of spiritual realization.
Bobo: Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji, a great saint, lived in Vrindavana from 1959 to 1992, inspiring educated youth to live lives of celibacy and tapa. Shunning self-publicity, she led a life of stern simplicity and attained great heights of spiritual realization.
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