Explanation of ‘Nikhila-bhuvana-lakshmi-nitya-leelâ-âspadabhyâm’

 

Sri Krishna’s lotus–feet are ‘Nikhila-bhuvana-lakshmi-nitya-leelâ-âspadabhyâm’, which means: ‘All the Goddesses of wealth in the entire  creation eternally reside and sport there.’ The poet has stated in the Holy Invocation too – “leelâ – swayamvar – rasan – labhate jayashri” which means: ‘His lotus feet are the seats wherein all material and spiritual beauties sport ceaselessly’. The wealth of all beauty, be it material or divine, dwell forever at those lotus-feet!!

 

Explanation of ‘Pranamad – abhaya – dâna – praudhi – gâdha âdrita – bhyâm’

 

Pranamad – abhaya – dâna – praudhi – gâdhadrita – bhyâm’ – means that the Gopa beauties pay special obeisance at Sri Krishna’s lotus–feet. They bow down to place their hearts at His feet but instead they place His feet on their hearts. Sri Krishna too grants them freedom from fear and rids them of the fever of Kandarpa (the Love-god). Hence, the Gopa-brides serve those lotus-feet with lots of affection. In Gopi-geet, the Vrajadevis, ridden with the pain of Krishna-viraha, are praying again and again to Him so that He may destroy their Kandarpa–fever¹ and enable them to hold His lotus-feet close to their bosom.

 

 “O Sri Krishna! Those lotus-feet of Yours destroy all the sins of the surrendered devotees. They run behind the cattle as they graze and they are the treasure-house of all beauty. You offer them to serpent Kâliya on the pretext of dancing! Please place them on our bosoms and rid us of the Kandarpa–fever”.   – (S. B. 16.31.7)

They have also said –

 

“O Beloved! Your lotus feet grant all the desires of the surrendered devotees. The creator Lord Brahma worships them and they are the ornaments of the Earth. Your lotus feet are the refuge in all troubles and are the abode of supreme bliss. Please place such lotus–feet on our bosom and rid us of the Kandarpa–fever”. 

-(S. B. 10.31.13)

‘Gâdhoddhatâbhyâm’ means, those lotus-feet are capable of cooling the Kandarpa-fever, and so they are tightly held by the Gopis suffering from the pangs of viraha. It may also mean that at the end of the nocturnal pastimes, the Gopis love to massage those lotus-feet in a mood of servitude mingled with the mood of camaraderie. Thus, the sweethearts badly want to experience the joy of touching His lotus-feet at this moment. Hence, Lilâshuk has described Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet in a very ras-full manner.

 

Externally it means – “May my dear sakhi gain some inexpressible joy from Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet and thus fill my heart with pleasure”.

 

Where Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet are concerned, the devotees are like honeybees, always eager for the nectar. They are the eternal objects of worship and meditation for the devotees and a devotee’s only heartfelt desire is to obtain His lotus-feet. Thinking and meditating on those lotus-feet are the very means of destroying our inauspicious qualities, and to obtain them. Sri Krishna’s feet are decorated with various auspicious symbols such as the flag, thunderbolt, elephant driver’s hook etc. If we meditate on these symbols all obstacles on the path of our Bhajan will be destroyed.

 

Skanda-Purân says –

 

“Sri Krishna holds the symbol of discus at the base of the big toe of His right-foot so as to destroy lust and other inauspicious qualities of the surrendered ones.

 

He holds the symbol of lotus at the base of the middle toe to captivate the heart of meditating devotees.

 

Below the lotus, there is the symbol of a flag. It is the sign of victory over all the inauspicious qualities of the devotee. At the base of the little toe is the symbol of thunderbolt with which he cuts asunder the mountainous sins of the devotee.

 

The symbol of the elephant driver’s hook is present to enable the devotee to control his sense desires. The Lord holds the sign of barleycorn to indicate that He carries material wealth for a devotee as well.

 

The symbol of conch shell at the base of His left big toe reveals all knowledge to the devotee”.

 

In this manner, the Lord’s lotus-feet destroy all the inauspicious qualities of His devotee and confer on him supreme bliss. Hence, the poet is begging to obtain His lotus-feet. Usually, people beg God for material wealth and happiness but all wealth and happiness in the whole of creation (including the Vaikuntha planets) repose at His lotus-feet. Therefore, what to speak of the sâdhak, even Goddess Laxmi who is embraced by Sri Nârâyan, the Lord of Vaikuntha, is anxious to obtain Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet. Srimad-Bhâgavatam says that the Lady of Vaikuntha (Goddess Laxmi) willingly gives up the luxuries thereof and performs so many austerities to obtain Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet.

 

“yad – vanchhaya srir – lala – acharat tapo,

vihaya kaman suchirang dhrita-vrata”.

(S.B.10.16.36)

 

Sri Krishna’s lotus–feet are most capable of protecting the surrendered devotees. In the scriptures, He has vowed –

 

“sakrideva prapanno yas – tavasmiti cha yâchate,

abhayan sarvadâ tasmai dadâmya – tad – vratam mama”.

 

Meaning: – “If a surrendered being prays even once and says ‘O Krishna, I am Yours’, I will immediately grant him my protection. It is my vow”.

 

“Krishna tomar hour jadi bole ek bar,

bhaba – bandha hoite Krishna tare koren pâr”.

 

Meaning: – “If a person says even once, ‘O Krishna! I belong to You!’ He carries him across this material ocean”.

– (C.C. – Madhya.22.22)

 

Hence, it is the heartfelt desire of a thirsty practising devotee to drink the nectarine ras of Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet. Srila Bhatta Goswâmipâd says – Sri Lilâshuk’s mind was filled with Sri Krishna’s most wonderful greatness. Hence, he has said, “Let those who have performed great sukritis², long for Sri Krishna’s proximity; however may my heart carry special sweet love for Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet. May His lotus-feet be pleased with me and bless me so that I can gain more love for them”.

 

 

Explanation of “pranamad – abhaya – dana – praudhi – gâdha-âdrita bhyâm”

 

Srila Bhatta Goswâmipâd has explained “pranamad – abhaya – dana – praudhi – gadhav – drita bhyam” in the following manner-

 

The moment one surrenders, Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet offer him complete protection. To prove this Sripâd has quoted the following verse from Padyâvali–

 

“When the elephant-king prayed to the Lord for protection, He disregarded the extended hand of His Army General and without accepting His gem-studded sandals, forsaking His umbrella, He immediately climbed atop Garud to rush to the aid of His devotee.  He only uttered, ‘Who has called me? I shall go to him immediately !’ We pay obeisance to that haste shown by Sri Hari.”12.

 

 

 

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(to be contd…..)