The Deep Mystery of Lord Krsna’s Appearance

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From Gopal Campu by Srila Jiva Goswami and and Ananda Vrindavan Campu by Kavi Karnapura

In Gopal Campu Srila Jiva Goswami describes that the father of Nanda and Upnanda was Sri Parjanya who was chief of the cowherds in the lineage of the Yadus. Sri Parjanya had five sons. When he retired from family life he installed his eldest son Sri Upnanda as heir. Upnanda accepted the title in accordance with his father’s wish but he immediately deferred the title of chief to his younger brother Sri Nanda. He did not do it out of affection for his younger brother. Upnanda explained that Sri Nanda was the darling of the people and always worked for their welfare, he deserved to be the chief. Everyone present and the controllers of universes acclaimed this wonderful gesture. Thereafter Upnanda guided his brother in administration like Bhishma deva in the court of Vicitravirya (Dhritrashtra;s father). Under the direction of Sri Nanda the cowherds prospered. But as days went by everyone was troubled by the absence of an heir to their chief Sri Nanda. Sri Nanda and Yasoda were losing hope to have a son as their age advanced. Here Srila Jiva Goswami raises the question: why were Nanda and Yasoda in doubt even though they were knowledgeable of the march of time (the future) and their own advanced age? If they both had unshakeable faith in Krsna, why did they desire a son?

Upnanada and the other cowherds arranged a “Putreshthi” yajna for begetting a son to Nanda and Yasoda. But there was no success. Why was the yajna unsuccessful? One day Nanda and Yasoda had a quiet conversation: Why are our grief stricken well wishers performing this Putreshthi yajna? Because when we think of taking up such a resolve our heart desires for a divine son. How can such a son be ever begotten as a result of past karma (prarabdha) , birth or pious deeds? Nanda said that the son he desires is never controlled by prarabdha. Indeed he is the controller of prarabdha, and the cause of universal creation. I don’t even want to speak of performing yajna for any other kind of son. Begetting the son I desire seems impossible from religious or scriptural considerations. On hearing this Yasoda said, please speak to me of the form of the son you desire so much. Nanda said I see a slightly dark complexioned, playful, wide eyed little boy playing in your lap adorned by your breasts full of milk. I am unable to decide if I am seeing this in a dream, or while awake. My dear wife please tell me in truth, is that little boy seated inside you too? Yasoda replied dear husband, counter to the indications of intelligence I also have the same mental vision. Only due to shyness I have not described that before you. Now, considering this impossible desire we should control our minds taking shelter of detachment. Sri Nanda said, occasionally though I try to divert my mind from this impossible desire, still the One by whom the creation of countless universes began, that same Lord Narayana is our maintainer and protector – due to the mercy this mental vision arises repeatedly. He is making the unseen and unheard become visible to us, the same Sri Narayana will certainly fuifil this desire of ours. Yasoda said O! revered one, in view of this I consider it desirable to perform some continuing service activity for Lord Narayana. Nanda said, Yes but what should that service be? Yasoda suggested that it should be in the form of fasting on Dvadasi.
Nanda replied, what you have said is right. Anxiety in this respect has also been sprouting my heart. So this service shall be performed starting today. In this way when both of them made a firm resolve, the demigods welcomed it with the sound of conchshells.

When one year passed in performing the Dvadasi Vrata, Lord Narayana appeared before both of them in dream and said -even when you have such loving devotion for me, why are you lamenting in grief? That extremely beautiful youthful boy whose vision you repeatedly experience, who is more beautiful than the purplish Atasi flower and keeps appearing spontaneously in your visions, he accepts your shelter in every kalpa (day of Brahma) to propagate his devotion and takes birth near you. At that time when I cause the couple Drona and Dhara to appear in Vaikuntha, their forms are your expansions. Undoubtedly your sweet desire will soon be fulfilled. After saying this when Lord Narayana disappeared Nanda and Yasoda were immersed in an ocean of bliss. Both of them repeated those words of Lord Narayana to each other and to their near and dear ones and thus experienced magical emotions.

When Lord Krsna appeared in the prison house of Kamsa he was in His four handed Vaasudeva form. At the same time on the Astami tithi Sri Krsna appeared to Yasoda mayi in Gokul in his two handed form. When due to fear of Kamsa Devaki implored Krsna to hide the four handed form the two handed form that had already appeared to Yasoda mayi immediately appeared on Devaki’s lap and consumed the four handed form. When Sri Vasudev left the prison house to carry baby Krsna to Gokul the navami tithi had begun. On this navami tithi Yogamaya took birth as a girl child to Yasoda mayi. She has been called “Krsna-Anuja” or the one who came after Krsna. Yaosda mayi thus had two child births. She was exhausted due to exertions of childbirth, not knowing that she delivered one or two babies. When Sri Vasudev arrived to place Vaaasudev Krsna by the side of the nearly unconscious Yasoda mayi, Vasudevnanadana Krsna merged into Ysodanamdnana Krsna. Both became one. The conch, disc, club and lotus in the hands of the four handed form became branded as auspicious marks on the hands and feet of two handed Yasodanandana Krsna. Vasudev thus only saw one male and one female child near Yasoda mayi. Vasudev took the female child and came back to Mathura. It has been described that the Lord awarded Vasudev and Devaki a glimpse of parenthood only for a moment. It is described that the vatsalya or parental inclination of Vasudev and Devaki was a result of sadhana in many past lives while Nanda and Yasoda’s parental affection is timeless. Lord Krsna appeared in the hearts of Vasudev, Devaki and Nanda Yasoda before manifesting in physical vision but Yogamaya created an illusion of childbirth exertions in Devaki and Yasoda mayi. It has also been described “janma karma ca me divyam..” Krsna’s appearance is transcendental.

(Bharat das _/\o’_ HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja)

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=88296

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