Sri Gopal Bhatta says that both ‘Chintâmani‘ and ‘Somagiri‘ describe Sri Krishna. ‘Chintâ‘ means meditation. Sri Krishna is ‘Chintâmani’ because He alone has manifested everything that is worth meditating upon including His ras-filled pastimes. It may also mean that He is the ‘mani’ or ‘gem’ (topmost) of all the forms meditated upon by supreme devotees. Sri Krishna is also called ‘Somagiri’ because He is a ‘giri’ (mountain) of ‘soma‘ (nectar).  ‘Soma’ also refers to Lord Shiva since he is ‘Sa Umâ’ (present with Umâ¹). Lord Shiva resembles a ‘giri‘ (as unmoveable as a mountain) when he is astounded in Krishna-prem. ‘Giri‘ also means ‘Worshipped’. Thus, ‘Somagiri’ may mean, ‘the One worshiped by Shiva’, that is, Sri Krishna.  In this manner, Lilâshuk has called Sri Krishna both his Guru and Shikshâ-Guru.

We may explain the verse ‘pada-kalpa-taru-pallava–shekhareshu‘ in the following manner also: Our hearts are constantly agitated by the six enemies such as lust, anger, false ego, illusion and envy, the five senses such as the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin and the five obstacles such as avidyâ (ignorance), asmitâ (vanity), attachment, envy and intense attention to worldly affairs. These factors make us take to evil ways. A man may conquer the world, but not these factors.  Hence, he cannot be happy.  If we wish to vanquish them, we have to take shelter of the tip of Sri Krishna’s toenails, since that is where ‘Vijayâ-Laxmi’ (the goddess of victory) reposes.

According to some scholars, the verse ‘yat-pada kalpa-taru–pallava – shekhareshu leelâ-swayamvara – rasam labhate jayashrih’ refers to Sri Somagiri, the Spiritual Master of Sri Lilâshuk. This proves that although we may have infinite bad qualities, they are destroyed when we surrender unto the lotus-feet of Sri Guru and thus we gain priceless victory. Sri Vâchaspati Mishra has listed the 62 types of obstacles that we may face in the path of devotional practice.  They are as follows:-

• (1) Tamah (darkness) – eight types – viz. avyakta (unmanifested), mahat-tattva (see glossary), ahamkâra (false ego), rupa (form), ras (taste), gandha (smell), sparsha (touch) and shabda (sound).

• (2) Moha (illusion) – eight types – viz. animâ (the superhuman power of becoming as small as an atom), laghimâ (a supernatural faculty of assuming excessive lightness at will), prâpti (the power of obtaining everything), ishitva (supremacy), vashitva (to exert control over everything), prakâmya (irresistible will) and kâmavashayitva (the power of suppressing desire).

• (3) Mahâmoha (great illusion) – 10 types – viz. 5 types of sense gratification enjoyed by the demi-gods and five types enjoyed by mortals.

• (4) Tâmisra (indignation, anger) – 18 types – viz. 8 types of supernatural powers such as animâ etc. and 10 types of mahâmoha.

• (5) Andhatâmisra (complete darkness of the soul) – these are also of 18 types.

Together they add up to 62 types.  All of them cause barriers to arise in our quest for spiritual knowledge.  We can get rid of them by the mercy of a true Spiritual Master alone that will show us the correct spiritual path.  Some say that ‘Chintâmani’, ‘Somagiri’ and ‘shikhi-pinchha-mouli’ refer to his ‘Vartmoddesha-Guru’ (the Master who first sets us on the devotional path), Mantra-Guru (Spiritual Master) and Shikshâ-Guru (Instruction-giving Master) respectively. Chintâmani was the name of the prostitute whose very words stirred Sri Krishna-anurâg in Lilâshuk’s heart.  Hence, she is called his ‘Vartmoddesha-Guru’.  In this manner, the verse also glorifies her.1.

(to be continued)

¹ Goddess Pârvati, Lord Shiva’s eternal consort