The sweet flute is an extraordinary quality of Vrajendra-Nandan alone. The resonance of the flute is not a part of any divine form other than of Vrajendra-Nandan.
The Mahâjan has sung –
“madhur madhur bamshi baje ei to brindâban.”
Meaning – “It is in Vrindâvan alone where the sweet, sweet sound of the flute is heard.”
It means that Sri Krishna does not play the flute anywhere else other than in Vrindâvan. Hence, Vrajendra-Nandan Sri Krishna is that ‘Vastu’ Who plays the flute in the Râs-dance in order to attract the Vraja-beauties. He Himself is immersed in the supreme bliss of that enchanting sound vibration. The flute emanates 21 types of sound waves that give rise to supreme bliss. This stupefies the mind and senses of Sri Krishna, the flute-player Himself !!
Explanation of the word ‘prastuta’
Srila Bhatta Goswâmi says the word ‘prastuta’ in the verse means that the sound waves emanating from the flute visibly agitate and hypnotise the audience. He says that, ‘prastuta’ may also mean ‘prakrishta-rupe stuta’, that is, ‘a sound that the Gopis glorify loudly’.
The Gopis say – “Glory be the flute that freely partakes of the nectar of Govinda’s lips! Hence it has gone divinely crazy and is constantly calling out sweetly.” The Gopis are glorifying the flute in the following manner –
“gopah kim – âcharadayamâ kushalam sma venur – dâmodar – âdhara – sudhâmapi gopikânâmâ,
bhunkte swayam yad – avashishtarasam hridinyo – hrishyatva – cho’ shru mumuchusta – ravo yatharyahâ.”
– (S.B. 10.21.9)
Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita has aptly explained this verse as –
“O Gopis! Just ponder and tell me, what austerities has this flute performed and in which holy place? What supernatural mantra has it chanted in its previous births?
The Gopis cling to their lives in the hope that they will get to taste the nectar of Krishna’s lips, that put even ‘Amritam1’ to shame, while this flute gets to drink that nectar to its heart’s content although it is most unworthy! Besides, it belongs to the non-moving community and its gender is masculine. Yet it always drinks that nectar.
The flute drinks the nectar forcibly, without bothering to take any permission (from us, since the nectar rightfully belongs to us). After drinking, it gives a loud call and tells us what it has done. (It is so audacious!)
It has practised many austerities, as a result of which it has gained such fortune that even saints partake of its ucchishta2.
The rivers such as Mânas-Gangâ and Kâlindi can purify the whole world. Even they drink the nectar of Krishna’s lips that the flute has contaminated, when He bathes therein.
Leave aside the women; let us talk about the trees on the banks of these rivers. The trees are so exalted! They are so helpful to others. Even they drink the (contaminated) water of these rivers through their roots! (How can they bear to do this?) We do not know why they behave so strangely.
After drinking this water, the trees express goose flesh in the form of buds, laugh in the form of bloomed flowers and shed tears in the form of honey. Actually, they consider the flute to be a member of their own community and some sort of a relative – like a dear son or grandchild. Therefore, all the trees behave like Vaishnavs in ecstasy.
When we find out what tapasyâ the flute has performed, we too shall perform the same. If the flute, in spite of being so unqualified, has gained such a high status, we shall surely succeed, for are we not thoroughly qualified? Meanwhile, we are dying of sorrow, since we cannot bear the fact that the unworthy flute is drinking the nectar of Krishna’s lips. Hence we are determined to perform penance.” – [C.C. Antya. 16.133-139).
(to be continued)
1 ambrosia – a festive delicacy meant for the demi-gods
2 what is left over after someone has taken his meal