Garga Bhagavatham : Golok Khanda - Chapter 3
The Merging of Sri Vishnu into the divine body of Sri Krishna; Praise of the Lord by the various Gods; The Lord's decision to take an Avatar; The worry of Sri Radhika and the Lord's consolation of HER worries
Sri Janak ji asks:- Oh Sage! After having been blessed with the Darshan of the great Sri Krishna, who is the Lord of the lords, what did the Devatas do? Kindly enlighten me.
Sri Narada says:- Oh King! Exactly at that time, as everyone was watching, the eight-armed Lord of Sri Vaikuntha, Lord Sri Hari got up and merged into the divine form of Sri Krishna. At that very instant, the valiant and fierce Lord Narasimha, who is the poorna swaroop (complete form) of the Lord and who is as brilliant as crores of suns arrived and merged into the effulgence of Sri Krishna.
After this, the Lord of Shwetadvipa, Lord Viraat Purusha, who is adorned with a thousand arms, arrived in a white chariot drawn by a million white horses. Along with him, the divine mother, Sri Lakshmi was also present. They were adorned with various kinds of weapons. On all four sides, they were surrounded by and being served by their Paarshadaas(divine attendants). At once, they also entered into the divine form of Sri Krishna.
Then the lotus-eyed, poorna swaroop (complete form) of God, the magnificent, Lord Rama arrived. He was adorned by HIS divine bow and arrows. Along with HIM were mother Sita, HIS three brothers, Bharata, etc. His divine chariot shown with the brilliance of a hundred million suns. Innumerable monkey warriors were engaged as their security guards. The chariot had a million wheels, from which majestic sounds comparable to the roaring of the clouds, were emanating. A million flags were fluttering on the chariot, which was being drawn by a million horses. The chariot was made of gold. Lord Rama arrived in this magnificent chariot. HE also merged into the divine form of Sri Krishna.
At the same time, the original Yagya Narayana, Sri Hari, who shone with the effulgence of the fire that shines bright at the time of total annihilation (pralaya) arrived there. The Lord of the yagyas, along with his consort, Daskhina, could be seen in the brightly shining chariot. HE also merged into the black-hued divine form of Sri Krishna. After this the great Gods, Nara-Narayana arrived there. The brightness of their divine forms was like that of the rain-bearing grey clouds. They had four arms; their eyes were wide and they appeared as hermits. Their matted locks were shining bright like millions of lightning beams. Their divine auras were brightening up all the directions. Surrounded by groups of divine sages, Lord Narayana was shining by the power of HIS unbroken brahmacharya (austerities). All the devatas were watching these sights with amazement. However, within an instant, they themselves also merged into the enchanting, black-hued form of Sri Krishna. Having experienced this divine pastime, the devatas stood spellbound. They realized that the supreme Lord, Sri Krishna is the fullest (paripoona) form of divinity. With intense devotion, they began to praise the Lord.
Devatas say:- We reverentially bow down to that great Lord Sri Krishnachandra, who is the beloved of Sri Radha, who is the poorna purusha (complete form of Godhead), who is the supreme of supreme, the Lord of all yagyas, who is the cause of all causes, who is the paripoorna paramaatma, and who lives in Golok dham. The yogis say that YOU, Oh Lord, is the supreme brilliance of the universe; pure-minded devotees are of the opinion that YOU are the great Lord, who takes avatars and displays divine leelas(pastimes). However, the form that we were blessed to witness today is most unique and different from everything else. Therefore YOU are the Supreme Lord and the Lord of all the ultimate realities and ultimate truths. We bow down to YOU, who is the parabrahman and parameshwar(Lord of lords). Countless scholars have tried to know YOU through vyanjana(euphemism), lakshana(ability to see a different meaning than what is) and sphota(ability to bring project what is within), however, they failed as YOU are unknowable. Hence we surrender unto YOU, the nirguna Brahman. Some consider YOU as Brahman, some refer to YOU as kaala(time). Many are of the opinion that YOU are the pure and steady one. In fact, many philosophically oriented minds think that YOU reside on the Earth in the form of karma. Some ancient minds called YOU by the name 'yoga'(union) and some accepted YOU as karta(the doer). Thus everyone has a different view of YOU. So, therefore, no one has been able to know YOU in reality. No one has been able to pin pointedly say that YOU are in a particular place or have a particular form. Hence we take refuge in YOU, who is unknowable, unthinkable, and indescribable. Oh, Lord! Rendering services to YOUR feet will yield to auspiciousness. By not rendering service, those who merely engage in holy tours, performing yagyas, or in the pursuit of knowledge, will be faced with many obstacles. They will not attain success. Oh Lord, now what can we request YOU? Nothing is hidden from YOU because YOU reside within all sentient and non-sentient beings. Even we the Gods, who are pure-minded and free from all material bonds, bow down only to YOU. YOU, who is the moon that adorns the heart of Sri Radhika, and who is the very foundation of the lives of the Gopis, and who adorns this Golok dham like a majestically fluttering flag, and who is the primordial Lord, is the only one who can protect us. YOU are the Lord of Vrindavan and YOU are also known as the Lord of Giriraj. YOU are Lord of Vraja and YOU take the form of a cowherd and perform various leelas. YOU are the life of Sri Radhika and YOU are also the Lord of the knowers of the Vedas. YOU are the bearer of the great Govardhan mountain; please shower YOUR grace on this Prithvi (Earth), who is the bearer of all Dharmas and redeem her.
Sri Narada says:- When the devatas extolled HIM thus, the Lord of Gokul paid HIS respects to them and addressed them in a voice as majestic as the roaring the clouds.
Sri Krishna Bhagavan says:- Oh Brahma, Shankar, and other Devatas! You all listen to MY words. As per MY command, all of you take birth in the Yadava clan along with your consorts. I will also take avatar and through ME all the hardships of Prithvi (Mother Earth) will be warded off. My avatar will occur in Yadav clan and I will fulfill all your prayers. All devatas are a part of ME. Righteous people are MY very life and they constantly reside in MY heart. Therefore in every yuga, when they are troubled by the evil-minded and when Dharma, Yagya, and Daya are harmed, I MYSELF appear on the Earth.
Sri Narada says:- Even as Sri Krishna was addressing the devatas, Sri Radha was ceased with the thought of separation from HER Lord. Just as a creeper scorched in forest fire writhes in pain, Sri Radha, troubled by the pain of viraha(separation) from Sri Krishna, fell down unconscious. Saatvik symbols of devotion like tears, trembles, and horripilation erupted in HER divine form.
Sri Radhika says:- Oh Lord! Please go ahead and take YOUR avatar on the Earth to do the needful to redeem the sorrow of Mother Earth. However, I too have a vow. Please listen to it. Oh Lord of MY very life! I cannot bear to be alive here even for a moment in YOUR absence. If YOU are not paying heed to MY words, then I will repeat myself. Now MY very life has reached MY lips. It will leave this body just as smoke leaves camphor.
Sri Bhagavan says:- Oh Radhika! Do not worry! I will go along with YOU to redeem the burden of mother Earth. YOUR words will be fulfilled by ME.
Sri Radhika says:- Oh Lord! Where there is no Vrindavan, where there is no Yamuna, where there is no Govardhan, there my heart will not be peaceful even for a moment!
Sri Narada says:- Upon hearing Sri Radhika's words, Lord Krishnachandra, sent 84 kos (252 km) of land from His Golok Dham, the Yamuna river and the Govardhan mountain to the Earth plane. Along with the entire retinue of Gods, Lord Brahma prostrated over and over to the Lord and spoke thus.
Sri Brahma says:- Oh Lord! What would be the right place for me? Where will YOU arrive? Also, in which houses will all these devatas be born, and by what names will they become well-known?
Sri Bhagavan says:- I will MYSELF be born in the house of Vasudeva and Devaki. This Seshnag, who is a part of ME will be born to Rohini. There is no doubt about this. Goddess Lakshmi HERSELF will be born in the house of King Bhishmaka as his daughter. Her name will be Rukmini. Parvati will be born as Jambavati. Dakshina Devi, who is the consort of Yagya Purusha, will appear with the name of Lakshmanaa. This Virajaa river which flows here will appear there and will become famous by the name of Kaalindi. Goddess Lajja will appear with the name of Bhadraa. Ganga, who destroys all the sins of everyone who dips in her, will be born as Mitravindaa. No doubt, the one who is Kaamadeva at present, will be born from the womb of Rukmini as Aniruddha. This Vasu who is famous as "Drona", they will appear as "Nanda" in Vraja. His beloved consort, "Dharaa Devi" will be born as "Yashoda". "Suchandra" will be born as "Vrishabhaanu" and his consort, "Kalavati", will be well-known as "Kirti". In their very house, Sri Radhika will appear. I will perform the pastime of Raas eternally with the Gopis in Vraja mandala.
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