Srimad Bhagavatam Skanda 1 - Farewell to Lord Krishna at Hastinapur


Srimad Bhagavatam cleanses kalimala or the pollutant of Kali, destroys sins, shows the indweller, the Lord, in oneself by bringing Vairagya towards the materialistic world, and gives pure devotion, crystal clear, and clean knowledge. 
|| Hari Om ||

Om Krishnaya Namah

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय
नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः
Sri Krishna! Being a hope to the imprisoned Devaki & Vasudeva caused happiness by mesmerizing Nandagopa, Gopikas and even the Goddess of abundant beauty. Vasudeva! creation, sustenance, destruction and so on is a sports charm of you. Govinda! you are the cause & protector of Vedas.
Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki Nandana, Nanda Gopa Kumara, Govinda, 
My repeated salutations to you.
नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने
नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये
My salutations to the Lotus of the navel. My salutations to the Lotus garlanded.
My salutations to Lotus petal eye. My salutations to the Lotus feet.
व्यासाय भव नाशाय श्रीशाय गुण राशऐ
हृद्याय शुद्ध विद्याय मध्वायछ नमो नमः
Charming & the beloved Vyasa, the destroyer of emotional & behavioral disorders, the Lord of Goddess of abundance having heaps of attributes, bestower of clean knowledge, my repeated salutations to you and Acharya Madhwa.
यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेकमध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम्
संसारिणां करुणयाह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम्
This Srimad Bhagavatam gives the experience of the Lord and has the essence of all Vedas and Vedanta. It sheds spiritual light on the transcendental philosophy required to surpass the intense cycle of death and birth which is wrapped in ignorance. However, it is very secretive in nature. Hence, I pray to you Sri Shukacharya for your continued blessings.
यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु
ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु
सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे
धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम्
The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.
Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghvendra, भजते, I worship you by surrendering myself.
Lord Sri Krishna had bestowed the kingdom of Kuru to King Yudhishthira and reclaimed dharma. The tenets of Vaishnava started appearing in the society repressing the poverty of bhakti.
How the jewel of Dharma, King Yudhishthira, and the legitimate successor to the kingdom of Hastinapura did rule along with his brothers? As King Yudhishthira had no desire to enjoy the wealth of the kingdom was the question of  Sri Shaunaka and his fellow rishis. Sri Sutacharya, answering the question sings the glory of dharma and the protector of the same, Lord Sri Krishna.
Continuing the narration, Sri Sutacharya says,
उषित्वा हास्तिनपुरे मासान् कतिपयान् हरिः
सुहृदां विशोकाय स्वसुश्च प्रियकाम्यया ७॥
Lord Sri Krishna had stayed back in Hastinapura for a few months after the request of his aunt. He had done so, for the happiness of his sister Subhadra, friends Pandavas and his aunt Kunti Devi. Also, he stayed back as his relatives and friends had not completely recovered from the aftermath of the cruel war.
आमन्त्र्य चाभ्यनुज्ञातः परिष्वज्याभिवाद्य तम्
आरुरोह रथं कैश्चित्परिष्वक्तोऽभिवादितः ८॥
However, Lord Krishna discusses his return to Dwarka with everyone. He held meetings with Pandavas, dear friends, and relatives to convince and build consent. Finally, he informed King Yudhishthira about his decision to proceed to Dwarka. This came as a surprise. Overwhelmed! King Yudhishthira embraced Sri Krishna with a heavy heart and bid farewell. Many others of the same age embraced Lord Sri Krishna, Others offered respects. Lord Sri Krishna responded to all with greetings as he departed to board the chariot. 
सुभद्रा द्रौपदी कुन्ती विराटतनया तथा
गान्धारी धृतराष्ट्रश्च युयुत्सुर्गौतमो यमौ ९॥
वृकोदरश्च धौम्यश्च स्त्रियो मत्स्यसुतादयः
सेहिरे विमुह्यन्तो विरहं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः १०॥
Unable to accept the parting of Lord Sri Krishna holding the bow and arrow and eager to protect his devotees, Subadhra, Draupadi, Kunti, Uttara, Gandhari, Drithrastra, Yuyutsu, Krupacharya, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bheemasena, Dhaumya, Satyavati and others felt distraught and dejected.
सत्सङ्गान्मुक्तदुःसङ्गो हातुं नोत्सहते बुधः
कीर्त्यमानं यशो यस्य सकृदाकर्ण्य रोचनम् ११॥
तस्मिन् न्यस्तधियः पार्थाः सहेरन् विरहं कथम्
दर्शनस्पर्शसंलापशयनासनभोजनैः १२॥
“Those who hear the sweet and divine stories of the Lord even once would abandon the bad company, seek only the good company and yearned to hear the stories of Lord often.”
Such being his greatness, could the Pandavas who were seeing the Lord day and night, touching him, conversing with him, being in the company of him all the time including sitting-sleeping-having food, having surrendered the heart and mind to him enjoying his company accepts his departure easily?       
Sri Purandara Dasaru (1484-1564), is believed to be the अंश or part of Narada Rishi. A staunch devotee sensitizing the common man to take-up the divine path of bhakti. Sri Purandara dasaru has composed the below song giving away sugar candy named Sri Krishna and its ease to relish. Let's take a look at it with English translation in a font:  
Kallu  sakkare  koLLiro  nivellaru
kallu  sakkare  koLLiro  /
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy.
kallu  sakkare  savi  ballavare  ballaru
pulla  lochana  shrI  krSNa  nAmavemba  //  ( kallu sakkare )
The distinctive taste of sugar candy is known to only those who know
the taste in the name of Sri Krishna having eyes bloomed like a lotus.
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy.
ettu  hErugaLinda  hottu  mAruvadalla
othothi  gONiyoL  tumbuvadalla
etta  hOdaru  bADige  sunkavidakilla
uttama  sarakidu  ati  LAbha  baruvantha  //   ( kallu sakkare )
Need not be carried in a bullock cart for sale
Nor can be filled in a gunny bag
Nor requires payment of tax, nor rent
This is the best goods yielding the highest profit.
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy.
naSTa  bILuvudalla  natha  huTTuvudalla
eSTu  oidaru  bele  rokkavidakilla
kaTTiruvayu  tindu  kaDimeyAguvadilla
paTTaNadoLage  prasidhavAgiruvantha   //   ( kallu  sakkare )
There would be no loss, nor would it stink
nor requires money to carry as much as one desires
nor even the large carpenter ants couldn't eat and reduce the stock
The one which is famous in the town
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy.
sante  santege  hOgi shrama  padisuvadalla
santeyoLage  iTTu  mAruvudalla
santata  bhaktara  nAlige  savigomba
kAnta  shri  purandara  viTTalana  nAmavemba  //  (  kallu  sakkare ) .
This would not tire by taking one to market place
Nor can be kept in the market for a sale
But tastes only to those close devotees
of one having a pleasing name Shri Purandara Vittala
Have this sugar candy, All of you. Have this sugar candy.
This above Kallu Sakkare koLLiro nivellaru song is sung by Sri Vidyabhushan.

सर्वे तेऽनिमिषैरक्षैस्तमनुद्रुतचेतसः
वीक्षन्तः स्नेहसम्बद्धा विचेलुस्तत्र तत्र १३॥
The complete consciousness of Pandavas was occupied by Lord Sri Krishna. They were gazing at the Lord without a blink. With a bind of friendship towards Lord, they were always in the company of him. Said Sri Sutacharya.     
न्यरुन्धन्नुद्गलद्बाष्पमौत्कण्ठ्याद्देवकीसुते
निर्यात्यगारान्नोऽभद्रमिति स्याद्बान्धवस्त्रियः १४॥
As the Lord Krishna departed the palace towards the chariot, the relatives and the assembled ladies became emotional. They tried to suppress their emotions of broken-heart and eyes filling with tears. They did so to ensure that their emotions should not become as bad omen for the travel of Lord Sri Krishna.  
मृदङ्गशङ्खभेर्यश्च वीणापणवगोमुखाः
धुन्धुर्यानकघण्टाद्या नेदुर्दुन्दुभयस्तथा १५॥
For the farewell to the Lord, music band was organized including musical instruments like mridangam, conch, veena, dhol, drums, kahale, kombu, and so on. This filled the environment with auspicious music.
प्रासादशिखरारूढाः कुरुनार्यो दिदृक्षया
ववृषुः कुसुमैः कृष्णं प्रेमव्रीडास्मितेक्षणाः १६॥
The women folk climbed the terrace, parapet walls, chejja and canopies to have glimpses of Lord Sri Krishna. Seeing the Lord, they thought it was a feast for their eyes. They blushed and giggled. Many had brought flowers and showered on Lord Sri Krishna.
सितातपत्रं जग्राह मुक्तादामविभूषितम्
रत्नदण्डं गुडाकेशः प्रियः प्रियतमस्य १७॥
उद्धवः सात्यकिश्चैव व्यजने परमाद्भुते
विकीर्यमाणः कुसुमै रेजे मधुपतिः पथि १८॥
Arjuna, the dear friend sporting curly hairs held a large white umbrella to the Lord as he walked towards the chariot,  The umbrella was specially made with decorated pearls and having a handle studded with precious stones. The courteous Arjuna held it carefully as a gracious host to प्रियः प्रियतम or a most loved friend.
Uddhava and Satyaki manually swung handheld fans made with a silver handle and yak hair each on either side of Lord Sri Krishna. And at every step, the assembled people showered flowers over Lord. The omniscient and the indweller in the lotus of each one’s heart smiled and responded through his eyes. He responded to each one, exclusively. This way a grand farewell was bid to the Lord Sri Krishna.
अश्रूयन्ताशिषः सत्यास्तत्र तत्र द्विजेरिताः
नानुरूपानुरूपाश्च निर्गुणस्य गुणात्मनः १९॥
A group of Brahmins had assembled in the farewell ceremony of Lord Krishna.
“Contemplating the attributes of Lord Paramatma as one standing above the three Gunas of Prakriti; being Satchidananda with an indestructible body of only knowledge and bliss; being complete with immeasurable auspicious attributes”
were singing his glory and praising his attributes in a high pitch. Our Lord Krishna who bestows zest to each of those Brahmins heard his praises by the older ones. The older who were thorough in Vedas as they were teachers and had taught many. He heard the praises by middle-aged and the just initiated kumaras. Lord heard each one’s unique voice and responded separately to them by his smile.      
अन्योन्यमासीत्सञ्जल्प उत्तमश्लोकचेतसाम्
कौरवेन्द्रपुरस्त्रीणां सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरः २०॥
The noblewomen of Hastinapura had assembled to bid farewell to Lord Sri Krishna known by the divine verses, and as the supreme Atma in all beings. These women had surrendered their heart to the extremely charming Lord Manohara. They admired, praised and talked among themselves about their Lord.
Lets pray to Lord Hari, Vayu and Gurus to seek their blessings enabling us to hear what the noble women of Hastinapur talked about. Looking forward to the jnana Prasada of Stree Stuti. 

  || Hari Om ||
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||


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