Garga Bhagavatam : Golok Khanda - Chapter 15
Yashoda witnesses the entire universe in the Sri Krishna’s mouth; Description of past good deeds of Nanda and Yashoda; Gargacharya’s visit to Nanda’s palace and performing the naming ceremony of Sri Krishna and Balaram; Description of Gargacharya’s visit to the palace of Vrishanbhanu and enlightening him about the eternal relationship between Sri Radha and Sri Krishna and it’s greatness.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! One day, the sweet little baby Krishna was sleeping his
golden cradle studded with various gems. His beautiful face was adorned by an
attractive smile that mesmerizes the minds of onlookers. In order to ward off
evil eyes, there was a small black mark on the forehead of the little son of
Nanda. His lotus eyes were decorated with collyrium. Mother Yashoda picked up
this lovely child in her arms. The little Bal Mukunda was sucking on his toe.
His nature was very playful. His curly locks were tied with gentle blue colored
threads. His chest was adorned by the symbol of Srivatsa along with a shiny
necklace with half-moon shaped pendant. Mother Yashoda, who was an epitome of
compassion, experienced immense joy in nuzzling his beautiful face. He had just
finished drinking his milk and began to yawn. When Mother Yashoda’s eyes fell
on his mouth, she was blessed with the vision of the entire universe with
various Devatas like Indra in it. Sri Yashoda’s heart became gripped with fear
and she instantly closed her eyes.
Oh, King! The complete Lord Sri Krishna is the ultimate Lord.
The entire world is pervaded by His Maya alone. By the influence of the same
Maya, this incident was erased from the memory of mother Yashoda. Once again,
her heart became filled with loving motherly sentiments towards her baby
Krishna. Aho! How can I possibly describe the good fortune of the Queen of
Nanda?
Sri Bahulashwa says:- Oh best among sages! What penance did Nanda do along with
Yashoda, as a result of which the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna appeared in their
house as their son?
Sri Narada says:- Among the eight Vasus, the primary Vasu is “Drona” and his wife
is “Dhara”. They were childless. They were foremost among the devotees of Lord
Vishnu. Drona was also the administrator of the kingdom of the Devas. Once,
when the desire for having a son arose in him, Drona along with his wife Dhara
proceed to Mandaraachala mountains to perform penance by the direction of Lord
Brahma. The couple observed severe austerities. Sustaining only on roots,
fruits, and just dried leaves as times, they continued their penance. As time
passed by, they continued their penance by sustained themselves only on water.
Ten crore years passed by. Finally, pleased by their penance, Lord Brahma
appeared in front of them and offered a boon.
Anthills had been built over their bodies. Upon hearing the
voice of Lord Brahma, they came out and bowed down to Lord Brahma. Their minds
were filled with happiness and they spoke thus.
Sri Drona said:- Oh Lord Brahma, Oh Lord of destiny! May the Supreme Lord, Sri
Krishna become our son, and may our hearts be filled with eternal devotion
towards him, through which one can easily cross the ocean of the material
world, which is otherwise impossible to cross. We do not have any other desire
left in us.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! The great Drona descended as Nanda and his consort
became well-known as Yashoda. To make the words of Lord Brahma come true, Lord
Krishna came to the land of Vraja from Mathura. The auspicious history of Sri
Krishna is sweeter than even a sugar cane filled with Amrit (elixir of
immortality). I have heard about this episode from the mouth of Nara-Narayana
who meditate on the peak of Gandhamaadhana mountains. By their grace, I have
become gratified. I have related the same to you. Tell me, what more do you
want to know?
Sri Bahulashwa says:- Oh great sage! What sweet Leelas did the Supreme Lord Sri
Krishna perform along with his brother Balaram, by taking the form of children?
Kindly enlighten me!
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! One day, Sage Garga sent by the Vasudeva, arrived at
the house of Nanda, along with his disciples. Nanda received Sage Garga with
due respect by offering him Paadya(washing the feet with holy water),
circumambulated around him prostrated before him.
Nanda said:- Today my forefathers, all demigod, and the God fire, have all
become gratified. My residence has been purified by the dust of your feet! Oh,
Great Sage! Please perform the naming ceremony of my child. Oh, great Brahmin!
Even after one travels to various holy places, one does not accumulate the good
fortune of coming in your presence.
Sage Garga said:- Oh dear Nanda, I will perform the naming ceremony of your son,
there is no doubt in this. However, I need to discuss a few past events. Therefore
let us go to a secluded location.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Thereafter Sage Garga, along with Nanda and Yashoda and
the two children, Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama, went to a cowshed where there
was nobody else. There he performed the auspicious rituals of the naming
ceremony. At first, he offered prayers to Lord Ganesha and other Devatas. With
great diligence, he prepared the astrological charts of the children and spoke
to Nanda with great happiness.
Sage Garga said:- Oh dear Nanda, let me tell you the name for this child of
Rohini, please listen! Great Yogis reside in him, he resides in them and he
attracts the minds of devotees with his excellent qualities. Because of all
these reasons, great Gyanis (knowledgeable people) call him Rama. By the power
of Yogamaya, he was extracted from the womb of Devaki and placed in the womb of
Rohini. Hence, he will become well-known as Sankarshana. Even when the rest of
the world gets annihilated, he alone always remains. Hence he also referred to
as Shesha. By his immense strength, he will also come to be well-known as Bal.
Nanda, now listen to your son’s name with the utmost attention.
All his names instantly purify all beings and bring auspiciousness to them. The
sound, “ka” stands for Kamalakaanta (husband of Kamala); the sound “ra” stands
for Rama; the sound “sh” stands for Vishnu, who is the dweller for Shwetadvipa;
“Na” denotes Narasimha; the sound “a” stands for Agnibhuk(the Lord who accepts
offerings give to the fire of Yagnas and the protector of fire); and the
visarga ( : ) at the end of his name represents Nara-Narayana. All these six
supreme principles reside in the name Krishna, which is a complete mantra in
itself. Therefore this child will be named “Krishna”. In Satyuga, Thretha yuga,
Dwaapara yuga and Kali-yuga, in these four yugas, he assumed white, red,
yellow, and black auras. Since he has descended towards the end of Dwaapara
yuga and the beginning of Kali-yuga, he sports a black aura. Due to this reason
also, he will be called “Krishna”.
He is also called by the name “Vaasudeva”. Now, listen to the
elucidation of this. “Vasu” means the senses. The Lord of the senses is
“Chitta” (soul). The Lord who actively resides inside this soul is known as
Vaasudeva. He will become the beloved of Radha, the daughter of Vrishabhanu and
mother, Kirti. Therefore, he will be known as Radhapati. The Supreme Lord Sri
Krishna, who has the infinite universes under his control, and who resides in
Golokdham, has appeared in your house in the form of this child. To reduce the
burden of Mother Earth, to destroy evil demons like Kamsa and to protect his
beloved devotees, the Lord has descended in your house.
Oh Nanda, who is born in the lineage of Bharata, this child has
infinite names. These names have been hidden in the Vedas. He will have various
names as per his leelas (pastimes). Don’t be astonished by his miraculous
deeds. It is your great fortune, that the Supreme Lord, who is beyond one’s
understanding, has appeared in your house as your son.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King, after Sage Garga left, having said these words, Nanda
along with his wife Yashoda was filled with gratitude and experienced complete
contentment.
After this, the best among Gyanis, Sri Garga, proceeded to the
house of Sri Vrishabhanu on the banks of river Yamuna. On account of carrying
an umbrella, he appeared as the second Indra, and by carrying the Danda (holy
stick), he appeared as Dharmaraja. By his divine aura, he was brightening all
the directions. Because of the divine books in his hands and the Mekhala
(garment worn around the neck) that he was wearing, he appeared like Lord
Brahma himself. Adorned in white garments, he shone with the brightness of Lord
Vishnu. Upon seeing him, Vrishabhanu got up at once and with folded hands,
welcomed him. Vrishabhanu, who was well-versed in rituals, offered a high seat
to the great sage and washed his feet with holy water (paadya) and welcomed him
with appropriate rituals.
Sri Vrishabhanu said:- The wandering of great saints is a source of peace because they
provide householders a great deal of peace. The darkness in the minds of
householders is dispelled only by Mahatmas (saints) and not by the Sun. Oh
Lord, all of us Gopas have been sanctified by your presence. Great saints like
yourself purify even the holy places on this Earth, by your arrival. Oh, Sage!
A daughter is born in my household, who is the center for all auspiciousness.
Her name is Radhika. After thoughtful consideration, kindly inform me as to who
will be the suitor, to whom she will be married. Like the Sun, you can reach
all three worlds. With your divine vision, kindly tell me the right suitor to
whom I should give her hand in marriage.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Sage Garga led Vrishabhanu by his hand to the banks of
river Yamuna. They reached a secluded place where the waves of river Kalindi
was splashing around, making sweet and calming sounds. After seating the king
of Gopas, Vrishnabhanu in a suitable place, Sage Garga spoke thus.
Sri Garga said:- Oh Vrishabhanu! There is a hidden truth that I will tell
you, which you must not share with anyone. The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, who is
the Lord of infinite universes and to whom there is no match, Lord Krishna, has
appeared in the house of Nanda as his child.
Sri Vrishabhanu said:- Oh great sage! The good fortune of King Nanda is indescribable.
Please tell me the complete reason behind the avatar of the Supreme Lord.
Sri Garga said:- To reduce the burden of Mother Earth and to destroy evil demons
like Kamsa, the Lord has taken this avatar at the behest of Lord Brahma. The
consort of the Supreme Lord, who resides in Golokdham, Sri Radhika has appeared
in your house as your daughter. You are not fully aware of that Parashakti
(supreme power), Sri Radhika.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Upon hearing this, Vrishabhanu’s heart was flooded by
bliss and he became astonished. He called Kalavati (Kirti) and discussed this
with her. Shedding tears of joy, he spoke to Sage Garga, thus.
Sri Vrishabhanu said:- Oh best among Brahmins! I will offer the hand of my lotus-eyed
daughter Sri Radhika, only to the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. I have been shown
this path only by you, hence her marriage should also be conducted only by you.
Sri Garga said:- Oh King! I will not be the one to conduct this divine wedding
ceremony of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna. Their wedding will be conducted in
Bhandira Vana on the banks of river Yamuna. In this secluded and beautiful forest,
which is near Vrindavana, Lord Brahma will himself descend and perform their
wedding rituals. This divine child Radhika is the beloved consort of Sri
Krishna. On this Earth, you are the gem among all kings and in the entire
universe, the gem among all places in Gokuldham. Sri Radhika, whose slightest
glimpse is impossible even for the best among Yogis and Gyanis, is playing in
your household, by hiding her true identity; and giving her Darshan to all the
cowherd men and women.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Upon hearing this astounding account of Sri Radhika and
the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, both Vrishabhanu and Kirti became immersed in
waves of bliss and spoke to Sage Garga with great astonishment.
The couple said:- Oh realized sage! Please explain the meaning of the word
“Radha”. There is no one else other than you, in this material world, who can
ward off the doubts that arise in the mind.
Sri Garga said:- Once I went to the Gandhamaadana mountains. My
disciples accompanied me. I heard the summary of Saama Veda from the divine
mouth of Lord Nara and Narayana. The sound “ra” stands for Ramaa (Goddess
Lakshmi); the sound “aa” stands for Gopikaa; the sound “Dha” stands for Dharaa(
Earth), and the sound “aa” stands for the river Virajaa. The supreme effulgence
of Sri Krishna appears in four forms. Leela, Bhoo, Sri and Virajaa, are His
four consorts, which are also the four forms of his effulgence. All these four
forms have become integrated into the divine form of Sri Radhika. This is the
reason why great sages full of divine wisdom call her Paripoornatamaa (the
complete one). Oh, cowherd king! For those who constantly repeat the names
“RadhaKrishna”, not only do the fourPurusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha) become easily attainable, but the supreme Lord Sri Krishna himself
becomes easily attainable.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Upon hearing this the joy of Vrishabhanu and Kirti knew
no bounds. After hearing about the greatness of Sri Radha Krishna, both of them
became embodiments of bliss itself. Thus, after being worshipped by
Vrishabhanu, Sri Garga returned to his divine abode.
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