Bhakt - Vatsal Shri Krishna
Shri Krishna’s love for his devotees is unfathomable.
There are countless cosmic universes, referred to as Brahmand.
संख्या चेत रजसामस्ति न विश्वानां कदाचन ।
sankhya chet rajasaamasti na vishvaanaan kadaachan
Our scriptures tell us that, “it may be possible to count the infinite tiny particles of dust on this earth but it is impossible to count the number of universes in God’s creation”.
Each Brahmand is governed by the holy Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar.
There are countless cosmic universes, referred to as Brahmand.
संख्या चेत रजसामस्ति न विश्वानां कदाचन ।
sankhya chet rajasaamasti na vishvaanaan kadaachan
Our scriptures tell us that, “it may be possible to count the infinite tiny particles of dust on this earth but it is impossible to count the number of universes in God’s creation”.
Each Brahmand is governed by the holy Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar.
Of these three governors, Lord Brahma is the creator, Lord Vishnu is the sustainer and Lord Shankar is the destroyer. This Brahmand, where we live, is the smallest of all universes and is created by Chaturmukhi Brahma, Lord Brahma with four faces. The size of this Brahmand is 4 billion miles.
There are Brahmas with 12 faces, 500 faces, 5000 faces and some Brahma’s have millions of faces. The size of a Brahmand is directly proportional to the number of faces of Brahma.
The Supreme Governor of all these uncountable cosmic universes and their governors is the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna.
These universes are surrounded by a divine river called “Birja Nadi (river)”. Beyond that river is a divine area called ‘Paravyom Lok’. In Paravyom Lok, exist the abodes (Lok) of the various descensions of God e.g. Shiv Lok - the abode of Mother Parvati and Bhagwan Shankar, Baikunth Lok - the abode of Goddess Lakshmi and Maha Vishnu, ‘Saket Lok’ - the abode of Mother Sita and Lord Shri Ram etc. At the very top, above all other abodes in Paravyom Lok, is the abode of Lord Shri Krishna and Radha Rani, known as Golok. The material sun, moon and stars cannot step foot into Golok. In Golok, the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna manifests Himself as the land, air, water, sun, moon, stars and the sky. Shri Krishna is the Governor of the entire Paravyom Lok.
Shri Krishna is not governed by anyone. He is the Brahm - Supreme God – Superior-most (Paratpar) amongst all The Supremes. As once Narad Ji said to Him, in a lovingly teasing manner:
There are Brahmas with 12 faces, 500 faces, 5000 faces and some Brahma’s have millions of faces. The size of a Brahmand is directly proportional to the number of faces of Brahma.
The Supreme Governor of all these uncountable cosmic universes and their governors is the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna.
These universes are surrounded by a divine river called “Birja Nadi (river)”. Beyond that river is a divine area called ‘Paravyom Lok’. In Paravyom Lok, exist the abodes (Lok) of the various descensions of God e.g. Shiv Lok - the abode of Mother Parvati and Bhagwan Shankar, Baikunth Lok - the abode of Goddess Lakshmi and Maha Vishnu, ‘Saket Lok’ - the abode of Mother Sita and Lord Shri Ram etc. At the very top, above all other abodes in Paravyom Lok, is the abode of Lord Shri Krishna and Radha Rani, known as Golok. The material sun, moon and stars cannot step foot into Golok. In Golok, the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna manifests Himself as the land, air, water, sun, moon, stars and the sky. Shri Krishna is the Governor of the entire Paravyom Lok.
Shri Krishna is not governed by anyone. He is the Brahm - Supreme God – Superior-most (Paratpar) amongst all The Supremes. As once Narad Ji said to Him, in a lovingly teasing manner:
परम स्वतन्त्र न सर पर कोई । भावे जोई करै सोई सोई॥
param svatantr na sar par koee . bhaave joee karai soee soee
param svatantr na sar par koee . bhaave joee karai soee soee
"You are supremely independent. That is why you do whatever you wish”.
The Vedas say:
The Vedas say:
कृष्णो ह वै हरिः परमो देवः ।
krshno ha vai harih paramo devah
krshno ha vai harih paramo devah
“He is the Brham - Supreme God”.
न तत्समस्चाभ्यधिकस्च दृश्यते ।
na tatsamaschaabhyadhikasch drshyate
na tatsamaschaabhyadhikasch drshyate
“Let alone be greater, none is even equal to Him”
But Shri Krishna says all the theories that I am self-willed, supremely independent and greatest are false. Why? Because even though the innumerable universes and their governors remain under my control yet I am a bonded slave of my fully surrendered devotees.
There is a story in Bhagawat when Rishi Durvasa decided to mistreat Lord Krishna’s surrendered devotee Ambarish, Shri Krishna warned Durvasa:
But Shri Krishna says all the theories that I am self-willed, supremely independent and greatest are false. Why? Because even though the innumerable universes and their governors remain under my control yet I am a bonded slave of my fully surrendered devotees.
There is a story in Bhagawat when Rishi Durvasa decided to mistreat Lord Krishna’s surrendered devotee Ambarish, Shri Krishna warned Durvasa:
अहं भक्त पराधीनो ह्यस्वतंत्र इव द्विज । भा. ९.४.६३
ahan bhakt paraadheeno hyasvatantr iv dvij . bha. 9.4.63
ahan bhakt paraadheeno hyasvatantr iv dvij . bha. 9.4.63
' “O Brahmin! Although I am completely independent yet I am under the control of My devotees. Just like one of my powers Maya makes the entire world dance to its tune, my devotees make Me dance to their tune.
Rishi Durvasa didn’t pay heed and went to show off his might to Ambarish.
King Ambarish and his queen were performing great austerities. For twelve months they had been fasting on every ekadashi. Their austerities was about to end. On the morning of the last day of austerities, Rishi Durvasa and one hundred of his disciples arrived at King Ambarish's palace. Ambarish was overjoyed and welcomed the saints. Also, he requested the saints to accept a banquet. Rishi Durvasa agreed but wanted to perform mid-day ablution before accepting the meal.
Rishi Durvasa and his disciples hadn't returned and the opportune time (mahurt) for ending the fast was about to end. The king's priests advised him to eat a leaf of Tulsi plant to break the fast and Ambarish followed it.
Rishi Durvasa, with his mystic powers, knew that Ambarish had broken his fast without offering the food to the saints.
Rishi Durvasa didn’t pay heed and went to show off his might to Ambarish.
King Ambarish and his queen were performing great austerities. For twelve months they had been fasting on every ekadashi. Their austerities was about to end. On the morning of the last day of austerities, Rishi Durvasa and one hundred of his disciples arrived at King Ambarish's palace. Ambarish was overjoyed and welcomed the saints. Also, he requested the saints to accept a banquet. Rishi Durvasa agreed but wanted to perform mid-day ablution before accepting the meal.
Rishi Durvasa and his disciples hadn't returned and the opportune time (mahurt) for ending the fast was about to end. The king's priests advised him to eat a leaf of Tulsi plant to break the fast and Ambarish followed it.
Rishi Durvasa, with his mystic powers, knew that Ambarish had broken his fast without offering the food to the saints.
Enraged he reached Ambarish's palace. Ambarish folded his hands and sought apology but Rishi Durvasa would not relent. Rishi Durvasa decided to punish Ambarish for his impertinent behaviour. He plucked out a hair, turned it into a demonness Kritya and commanded her to eat Ambarish. Amabarish didn't resist instead he stood politely with his folded hands.
Saints consider themselves a soul and realize the impermanence of the body. So they remain unfettered by anything that might happen to the body. But, Shri Krishna, seeing his devotee in trouble could not bear it and set His Sudarshan Chakra after Rishi Durvasa.
First, Chakra burnt the demonness to ashes, then moved towards Rishi Durvasa to burn him as well. Seeing Sudarshan moving towards himself, Durvasa was frightened and ran for his dear life. Rishi Durvasa went to all the planets in an attempt to save Himself, but he could not get rid of the Sudarshan Chakra.
He tried to seek refuge from Lord Brahma, Lord Shankar and other sovereign personalities, but none could grant refuge against Lord Shri Krishn's Chakra.
Saints consider themselves a soul and realize the impermanence of the body. So they remain unfettered by anything that might happen to the body. But, Shri Krishna, seeing his devotee in trouble could not bear it and set His Sudarshan Chakra after Rishi Durvasa.
First, Chakra burnt the demonness to ashes, then moved towards Rishi Durvasa to burn him as well. Seeing Sudarshan moving towards himself, Durvasa was frightened and ran for his dear life. Rishi Durvasa went to all the planets in an attempt to save Himself, but he could not get rid of the Sudarshan Chakra.
He tried to seek refuge from Lord Brahma, Lord Shankar and other sovereign personalities, but none could grant refuge against Lord Shri Krishn's Chakra.
Finally, he was advised to seek protection from Ambarish. Upon request from Amabarish, Sudarshan Chakra forgave Durvasa and retreated. Saints have a very tender heart. If anyone honestly apologizes they are quick to over look the offense and forgive.
Shri Krishna says-
न तथा मे प्रियतम आत्मयोनिर्न शंकरः ।
न च संकर्षणो न श्रीर्नैवात्मा च यथा भवान्॥ भा १.१४.१५
na tatha me priyatam aatmayonirn shankarah .
na ch sankarshano na shreernaivaatma ch yatha bhavaan.
bha 1.14.15
“I don’t love my son Brahma, my brother Balram, my wife Laxmi". People love their spouse the most. Yet Shri Krishn says,"I don’t love my wife Mahalaxmi as much as I love my devotee”.
In fact, He goes even one step further to say,
र्नैवात्मा च यथा भवान्॥
rnaivaatma ch yatha bhavaan.
“My devotees are dearer to me than my soul itself”. It is to be noted, that the one thing that is dearest to all of us is our own self (or soul), much more than even our close family, wealth and even our body.
Imagine a couple is proceeding towards each with outstretched arms with great lust. As they are about to embrace throw a plastic snake in between them.
Shri Krishna says-
न तथा मे प्रियतम आत्मयोनिर्न शंकरः ।
न च संकर्षणो न श्रीर्नैवात्मा च यथा भवान्॥ भा १.१४.१५
na tatha me priyatam aatmayonirn shankarah .
na ch sankarshano na shreernaivaatma ch yatha bhavaan.
bha 1.14.15
“I don’t love my son Brahma, my brother Balram, my wife Laxmi". People love their spouse the most. Yet Shri Krishn says,"I don’t love my wife Mahalaxmi as much as I love my devotee”.
In fact, He goes even one step further to say,
र्नैवात्मा च यथा भवान्॥
rnaivaatma ch yatha bhavaan.
“My devotees are dearer to me than my soul itself”. It is to be noted, that the one thing that is dearest to all of us is our own self (or soul), much more than even our close family, wealth and even our body.
Imagine a couple is proceeding towards each with outstretched arms with great lust. As they are about to embrace throw a plastic snake in between them.
Then observe how they run in the opposite directions screaming in fear. It proves we care for our body a lot more but there is nothing dear like soul.
Shri Krishna loves His devotees more than He loves Himself. It is for this reason that He takes utmost care of his devotees, hence He is referred to as “Bhakta Vatsal”. He asserts in Geeta with challenge,
Shri Krishna loves His devotees more than He loves Himself. It is for this reason that He takes utmost care of his devotees, hence He is referred to as “Bhakta Vatsal”. He asserts in Geeta with challenge,
न मे भक्तः प्रणष्यति ।
na me bhaktah pranashyati
na me bhaktah pranashyati
“My devotee cannot falter because I assume full responsibility of My devotee”.
At the time of God-realization, Lord Shri Krishna pardons all past sins of His devotee and assumes full responsibility of the devotee's actions in the future, and as if that was not enough, He goes on to render His personal services to them. He becomes their slave.
You must have heard numerous stories of Shri Krishna serving His devotees by picking up cow dung for the gopis, picking up and bringing footwear of Nand Baba on His head, upon loosing a bet becoming a horse for his friends to ride on and letting them kick him in His stomach to run faster.
Who can fathom this infinite ocean of love that Lord Krishna has for His devotees!
Glories be to Bhakt Vatsal Shri Krishna!!!
At the time of God-realization, Lord Shri Krishna pardons all past sins of His devotee and assumes full responsibility of the devotee's actions in the future, and as if that was not enough, He goes on to render His personal services to them. He becomes their slave.
You must have heard numerous stories of Shri Krishna serving His devotees by picking up cow dung for the gopis, picking up and bringing footwear of Nand Baba on His head, upon loosing a bet becoming a horse for his friends to ride on and letting them kick him in His stomach to run faster.
Who can fathom this infinite ocean of love that Lord Krishna has for His devotees!
Glories be to Bhakt Vatsal Shri Krishna!!!
कृष्ण के अधीन सब गोविंद राधे ।
कृष्ण भी हैं भक्त के अधीन बता दे ॥ राधा गोविंद गीत
Everyone and everything is governed by Shri Krishna. Yet Shri Krishna remains under the control of His devotees.
- Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
कृष्ण भी हैं भक्त के अधीन बता दे ॥ राधा गोविंद गीत
Everyone and everything is governed by Shri Krishna. Yet Shri Krishna remains under the control of His devotees.
- Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
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