KRISHNA : THE BUTTER STEALER

All of us has seen a picture like this one –KRISHNA , BALARAM and their friends stealing butter . The LORD is the MASTER OF BLISS, so by only having a glimpse of this butter stealer , our hearts get filled with BLISS .

All the elder persons feel the VAATSALYA RAS while watching any picture of the LORD . It just fills their heart with LOVE for HIM .

As a child HE was very sweet to YASHODA . When the GOPIS would come to her to complain about KRISHNA , HE never admitted to YASHODA that HE actually steals butter . Besides HE would say that they were telling lies . Such was the MAYA of the LORD that YASHODA also believed HIM !
Actually , all the GOPIS loved to watch HIM stealing from their house and they also felt that LONGING for HIM . They only pretended to get angry but waited for HIS visit everyday . Sometimes they also kept butter in such a place so that KRISHNA can find it easily . This experience filled them with BLISS . They were true DEVOTEES of the LORD .

As BUTTER , the LORD wants the PURE and SOFT HEART of HIS devotees . HE steals BUTTER which means HE steals the HEARTS of all of us , of all the devotees who offer HIM their sincere devotion . Those hearts once given gets consumed by the LORD . HE never leaves his devotees .HE loves all of us . Only we need to offer HIM our devotion . HE is the SWEET CHARMER , we should pray to HIM to enter our heart and reside there .

Another view is that WISDOM is the BUTTER of life . when our life gets churned by the wheel of events , we become wise . the BUTTER of our life comes out , i.e.-we can see the real life as it is (without any attachment ) , we become FREE FROM MAYA , then that stage is very dear to our LORD . HE always wants us to be free from all bondages , WISDOM makes this easy . In spite of all this , we need HIS blessings to attain that WISDOM .

I came across another interesting view and thought to share it with you all .It says that BUTTER is the ‘extra money which we store due to insecurity for the future ‘ . Actually we should use the minimum amount of money for ourselves (daily use ) and the rest should be given for the service of the world . We should have the FAITH in the LORD and should never worry about the future . LORD will take care of it . Only we need to follow the right path and be true to our inner self .
At first , I thought the reference to MONEY in context of KRISHNA is something very ‘far-fetched ‘ , but then it occurred to me that the LORD resides everywhere . May be this point is also valid for some of us . So decided to include this point here .

The act of ' STEALING of butter ' by the LORD , is not reproachable (as considered by many ) , but it is a way of giving pleasure (sense of BLISS ) to HIS sincere devotees .

PRAYING FOR HIS BLESSINGS FOR ALL OF US .

With best wishes ,
Dpriya

FEATURES OF THE LORD : THE FLUTE (Part 2 )

Completing my earlier post on the Flute , now i shall discuss how all of us can try to hear the music of the LORD'S Flute .

# As we know that the bamboo goes through rigorous stages when the holes are made in the piece of wood , in the same way we all have to go through hardships ( the tests ) of GYAN / KARMA/ BHAKTI YOG to attain this blissful state .

We have to become hollow from inside ( leaving our ego ) , so that the LORD can take us and play music through us ( our soul ) .

We should remember to leave every negative emotions behind . Because if we continue with hatred , anger , jealousy , ego --- then our soul will not be useful for HIS purpose ( to play through our soul/being ) .

With each different hole of a flute , an unique sound comes out . In the same way as we keep on leaving all the worldly desires one by one and cross the tests of the chosen path ( GYAN/ KARMA/BHAKTI YOG ) , each time a different level ( musical note ) is achieved . Thus through all the different sounds which come from our soul , together they form a STATE OF BLISS .

Only RADHARANI could hear the sound of HIS Flute clearly because of her whole-hearted attention for the LORD . We should consider her as our ideal and try to leave everything behind for the love of the LORD . Only then there is a chance for us to experience HIS magical Flute ( that too -- only with HIS blessings ) .

# According to some beliefs -- the 7 holes in the Flute signify the ' 5 sense organs , the mind/heart/emotion and the intellect/brain' in us .( Ego is also included in the mind and intellect ) . To hear the Flute , we have to attain absolute control over all these 7 elements of our body .

Another theory says that the 7 holes of the Flute signify the 7 SHAKTI CHAKRAS in our body . If only we can make them awake , then only HIS Flute can be heard by us .

# When we meditate sincerely on our essential nature , then without any external source , sometimes a subtle sound may be heard by us . It is called the ANAHAT ( which means the vibration of 'prana ' through nerve channels -- the brain identifies it as a sound ) . More contemplating on this sound may help us to move nearer to HIM and listen to HIS blissful flute .

So these are the different paths which we can take to experience that sweet invitation of LOVE made by HIS Flute . Here I have tried to explain the glory of the LORD'S Flute according to my limited capacity ( given by HIM ) . HE wants all of us to become HIS Flute , so that HE can play through us and give us a taste of that BLISSFUL ECSTASY .

MAY HIS LOVE SHOWER ON ALL OF US .

With best wishes

Dpriya .

FEATURES OF THE LORD : THE FLUTE ( Part 1 )

Today i am going to write about an important feature of the LORD , that is HIS FLUTE . It always remains with HIM , HE is known as the MURLIDHAR . I shall try to discuss various significances of the FLUTE .

# The FLUTE is the oldest musical instrument known to mankind , it is valued for its mellodious sound .Generally a FLUTE is made of bamboo , it has no machanical part in it .

In this way , the FLUTE is very close to nature . And if it is used in a natural surrounding , it can produce immense effect . Sometimes one can experience how Nature itself answers back by echoing the music of a Flute when used in the lap of nature ( forests or mountains) .

# It is said that after listening to the Flute played by KRISHNA , people felt like --

"We lost ourselves compltely ,

We know not who we were ."

( i don't know who is the composer of these 2 lines , but i loved them and used here . Due credit goes to the original composer for expressing such wonderful experience in so simple words . )

Such is the power of the LORD'S FLUTE .

The Gopis used to call the Flute -- KRISHNA'S PAATRANI . They could not control themselves but always got attracted to this music . Here I am narrating some more attributes of the music of the Flute ---

--> Through this Flute , the magic of the ETERNITY flows .

--> By hearing the music , the hearer dances in esctacy because the soul itself becomes glorious .

-->It fills the heart with such an ETERNAL LOVE that the 'hearer' gets merged with the 'heard' and attains the blissful state .

--> Hearing the Flute , the river ( mind) changes its direction and feels an urge to flow towards the ABSOLUTE .

--> It creates a deep and never ending magic in the 'loving hearts' .

--> All the RASAS emerge and disappear in this Flute of the LORD .

--> All the animals ( and specially the peacocks ) dance in Ecstasy by listening to the sweet music of the LORD'S Flute .

Such is the great impact of HIS Flute on the world , that it transforms all of them who hear it .

Since this is a lengthy topic ,I stop here today . In my next post i will continue discussing the various ways by which we can try to hear this DIVINE MUSIC .

Praying for HIS blessings on all of us .

With best wishes ,

Dpriya .

FEATURES OF LORD KRISHNA : PEACOCK FEATHERS (Part 2 )

Today again i will try to discuss about peocock feathers .

# There are all the seven colours in the feather , which implies that the WHOLE UNIVERSE is reflected in it ( as HE is the MASTER OF THE WHOLE WORLD) .


# The colours of the feathers may also imply HIS true colours ( i. e. -- we can find HIM in every mood and in every role possible on earth , like son , brother , lover , husband , friend , guide , master and many many more ..) .


# In a poacock feather , there is a bluish dot at the centre which is called the EYE . It can be identified as ILLUMINATION . ( it signifies our LORD , who is also BLUE in colour ) . And the golden , green and all the other colours which surrounds the blue EYE can be seen as spirit of common human beings , meditating for that DIVINE ONENESS .


# The EYE of the feather signify both KNOWLEDGE and BEAUTY . The LORD combines KNOWLEDGE with HIS love for BEAUTY . HE sees BEAUTY everywhere ( in fact , HE makes everything beautiful with HIS DIVINE touch ) .


# The centre of the feather also tells us that the FOCUS on spiritual aspects is always active in HIM .Though HE belongs to this world , but still HE remains active in our SPIRITUAL JOURNEY and reminds us about it through his FEATHERS .

Here i have noted all the explanations i have read on the peacock feathers . But still , i think , i am unable to fathom its significance completely .I am ending todays post here .

MAY HIS BLESSINGS SHOWER ON EACH ONE OF US .

With best wishes

Dpriya

FEATURES OF LORD KRISHNA : PEOCOCK FEATHER ( Part 1 )

Today i will write about another chief feature of the LORD -- the peocock feathers in HIS crown . We all have noticed that peacock feathers are an inseparable part of HIS crown . Now i will try to discuss the significances of these feathers .

# Feathers tell us how much the LORD loves and values even simple eveyday objects .

# Feathers are a proof of HIS time spent in bliss with peacocks . ( Here i want to narrate the incident -- one day when HE was in the jungle with peocock and other animals , suddenly they mistook HIM as cloud , because of HIS blue colour; and started dancing . HE also became involved in the dance and they all danced for long time creating a beautiful atmosphere . Eveyone enjoyed the scene and at the end, the leader of the birds gifted the LORD those feathers as a token of their love and blissful state experienced in the company of the LORD ) .

# In those days there was a belief to consider peacocks as unlucky . But here the LORD's love for them implies that no one is unlucky for GOD .To HIM every being is special and equally important . HE loves and respects all of them .

# As a poacock kills snakes , in the same way LORD KRISHNA kills the negetive elements in us .

# If we see it from a more practical point of view -- using those feathers were very natural for a cowherd boy , because ample peacocks can be found in MATHURA and DWARKA ( geographical location is responsible here) . So HE could have used peocock feathers as an ordinary object of everyday life and gave it speciality by placing them in HIS crown .

# Feathers of male peocock is also a symbol of romantic love ( which we all can very closely associate with LORD KRISHNA ) .

# The feathers may also signify the LORD'S famous RAASLILA , which is actually the soul's journey directed towards GOD .

# Feathers can also be a reminder of the great RADHARANI , who is always with the LORD in HIS crown ( as feathers ) .


This topic is also very lengthy , so i decide to end it in the next post .

MAY GOD'S GRACE BE WITH ALL OF YOU .

With best wishes ,

Dpriya

FEATURES OF LORD KRISHNA : THE BLUE COLOUR ( PART 2 )

Today again i am writing about the different implications of the blue colour of LORD KRISHNA .

# The blue colour can also be a symbol of ocean . LORD KRISHNA is as vast as an ocean . Like an ocean , HE conveys the qualities of calmness , tranquility and completeness .

# I have found out two interesting scientific symbolisms also - :

a) Blue or black can resemble the BLACK HOLE as well . Black hole attracts even the light ! Like that LORD KRISHNA can conquer anyone upon HIS will . HE is the SUPREME ( - the ALL - ATTRACTIVE ONE ) .

b) Blue signifies both spatial ( or horizontal ) and vertical , which can be termed as plane and depth . What i can make out of this particular theoey is that LORD KRISHNA signifies both earthly pleasures ( horizontal ) as well as spiritual progress (vertical ) .

# Blue is a colour between 2 extreme colours - black and white (though i think grey colour comes exactly between black and white , but anyway , i liked this interpretation also ) . In this way blue ( that is LORD KRISHNA , ) signifies the meeting place of two equally opposing forces ( as in MAHABHARAT ) .

# According to vaishnav tradition the blue colour reflects pure love (that is MADHURYA RAS as mentioned by ROOP GOSWAMI ) . This colour attracts and makes everyone fall in love with the LORD .

# HIS colour is SHYAM ( which means bluish black ) , which itself is a colour of conjugal love .

# In literature we find that blue colour reflects beauty , strength , power or force . These all are the attributes of the LORD .

At the end we have to remember that the word KRISHNA actually means 'dark in colour ' in sanskrit . After discussing all these symbolisms still we won't be able to completely understand HIS qualities . Here i am ending this topic . Next day i will try to write about another feature of the LORD .

Praying for HIS blessings for all .

With best wishes

Dpriya

FEATURES OF LORD KRISHNA : THE BLUE COLOUR

Today i will start a series on various features of LORD KRISHNA . And i will try to discuss their relevance or the symbolisms which they convey .

At first i should tell you about the various sources which helped me in understanding these features . Regarding this topic i have read a lot from books , internet , and i have listened to many satsangs . So i cannot point out any single source - all these has helped me in forming my views .

Another thing i want to mention is that THE LORD is unfathomable . If i can really understand a minute particle of HIM or HIS creation that will be enough for me . So this blog is my humble endeavour to sing the glory of the LORD . I never -ever claim to be an authority on LORD KRISHNA . HE is truly THE ULTIMATE ONE . No words are enough to describe HIM .

THE BLUE COLOUR --
Traditionally LORD KRISHNA has always been painted or refered as blue - coloured . I found it really striking and searched for the reasons or sources of this particular colour . I got many answers which now i am going to write down one by one . They are not in any particular order . May be after knowing all these , still we won't be able to find out the actual reason . But these are the probable symbolisms --- :

# As HE is the 8th incarnation of LORD VISHNU (who is blue coloured) , so LORD KRISHNA is also blue coloured . This is the most standard answer i have come across .

# When krishna killed the poisonous serpent KALIYA during childhood , HE took the poison inside . Thus he became blue - coloured .

# Blue colour has always been associated with DIVINITY . As HE is the GOD so HE is blue in colour . This point has been explaineded in many ways . I will discuss some of them here .

# LORD KRISHNA is not purely black . Actually HE is like nilotpala-dala (like blue lotus ), HE has ratna -bahu(sapphire-like hands ) . HIS colour is like bluish cloud . HIS colour resembles a dark blue gem (ujjwal-nila mani ) .

# Narrating the previous point --LORD KRISHNA's colour reminds us of the colour of the sky . HE is blue during the day , like the sky ; and at night HIS complexion turns blackish , like the night sky . In this way HE represents both day and night . Thus HE is around us always . It is HIS colour which reflects in the universe .

# HIS colour may be associated with phases of MOON - the KRISHNA PAKSHA .

# Like the sky the lord has no beginning and no ending . they are just boundless . The LORD converts the infinite to the finite through the blue colour , thus HE makes HIMSELF tangible into the world of the mortal beings .

I think i will stop now . This is a vast topic so , I will take up this topic again on the next day .

Untill then , may HIS blessings shower on each one of us .

With best wishes for all

Dpriya

WHY LORD KRISHNA ?

Today i am going to write about the reason why i get fascinated by Lord Krishna. Though it is quite difficult to express, but i will try.

The very first reason for this is THE GITA. There the MASTER tells us that we should forget everything and only remember HIM. HE tells us to take Refuge in HIM and HE will save us. HE also tells us in THE GITA that HE loves HIS Devotees . If a devotee prays to HIM with utmost sincerity and always keeps HIM in his mind, LORD KRISHNA also loves that bhakta and he becomes very dear to HIM. This assurance is something very Striking! I just felt that everyone is unique to HIM. This is the first reason which prompted me to know more about LORD KRISHNA.

The next reason is also related to THE GITA . As i was reading it, I came to know that HE governs everything of this universe, HE has power over everything yet HE doesn't want to possess anything. HE creates everything and then sets them free. In THE GITA also, HE inspires us to Let Go Everything and concentrate on our Free Inner Spirit (i.e.-Attachment with GOD ) . This very philosophy of renunciation appealed to me . How many of us can give up everything? Perhaps no one! This- having a power over everything and then letting them go - is indeed a remarkable thought .

These are the main reasons which made LORD KRISHNA special to me.
Later I will discuss other facets also which makes HIM THE ULTIMATE ONE to me.

With best wishes,

Dpriya

PURNAVATAAR : LORD KRISHNA

In this blog i will write about my observations and understandings about LORD KRISHNA. I just don't know where to start. HE is the ULTIMATE ONE. HE dwelled not in the heaven, but very close to us, whom we can consider as a person on earth, like all of us . HE was a human being as well as an AVTAAR. My understanding is in a very priliminary stage, but i am experiencing a feeling of Overwhelming Joy after reading and knowing more about the LORD. So this is my attempt to express my Joy and to let others know about the GLORY of the LORD.

I know GOD will be with me in this new attempt.

With best wishes to all

Dpriya