BHAKTI - Part 3: The Stories of Yashoda, Gopikas and Radha
YASHODA’S VATSALYA BHAKTI
Mother Yashoda and Lord Krishna
After Dasya Bhakti comes affectionate devotion, the Vatsalya Bhakti. None can
understand the delusion hidden behind the sentiment of affection. Yashoda
witnessed all the fourteen worlds, in the mouth of Krishna. But, overcome by
delusion, she told herself, “This is, of course, my own son. How is it possible
that the vast worlds are seen within such a small mouth?” So, she forgot all
that she had seen. Affection is related only to the body. The affectionate
feeling, that she was the mother and Krishna the son, created such strong
delusion in her. When Krishna lifted the Govardhana hill to protect all the
cows and cowherds, her feelings were, “O God! He has lifted such a huge hill.
How will He put it down? Won’t He get stuck? It is easy to lift, but so
difficult to place it down.” So worried was she that after all the people left
the place, she continued to wait for Krishna. All of a sudden, Krishna caused a
deafening sound. Frightened, Yashoda closed her eyes and ears. As she opened
her eyes, she saw the hill was back on ground, with Krishna standing besides
it. As He lifted, so He put it down. She never thought deep enough. Couldn’t
the Lord who lifted it, put it down too? Such lack of discrimination and
investigation occurs, when one is overwhelmed by affection.
When Uddhava came to Gokulam, with the message of Krishna, describing His
glorious acts, Yashoda kept asking him, “O Uddhava, is my Gopala fine? I do not
bother about ‘Leela Manusha Vigraha’ or ‘Muni Manasa Sanchari’. Is my Gopala
fine or not?” She was not interested in the great tasks Krishna accomplished or
the fame He earned. She was only interested in her own Gopala, the little
cowherd boy! Calling out the name of Gopala continuously, Yashoda finally
attained Him through Vatsalya Bhakti.
GOPIKAS’ ANURAGA BHAKTI
Gopikas and Lord Krishna
Next is, passionate devotion, Anuraga Bhakti, for which Gopikas are the
examples. They were riding on two horses simultaneously. At home, it was the
husband and in-laws, outside, it was devotion to Gopala; they had no other
preoccupations, but for these two. They did their household duty and also,
enjoyed Divinity. Once in a while, the Gopikas might have failed in their
worldly responsibilities, but they never missed to think of Krishna. Krishna
was their friend and everything else. That is Anuraga Bhakti.
RADHA’S MADHURA BHAKTI
Lord Krishna and Radha
Radha alone possessed Madhura Bhakti, sweet love, and none else. She would
think of Krishna and forget herself at once. She lived in the feeling that
Krishna was her husband and she was His wife, or that Krishna was the Master
and she was His servant. Both are one. He is the supreme principle (Paramatma)
and she was the manifested nature (Prakriti). She had no other thoughts, other
than that of Krishna, on her mind. Whenever she saw the blue colour, she would
call out Krishna’s name. If it were a tree, she would go and hug the tree.
Always, in everything, she could see nothing else but Krishna. She continuously
chanted Krishna’s name and craved to listen to His flute. She desired to hear
Krishna playing His flute, in the last moments of her life.
When Krishna played the flute...
Do you know how sacred is the sound of Krishna’s flute? The complete essence of
the Vedas has formed into the melody of the flute. This essence is as pure as
cow’s milk. So, to bless Radha, Krishna arrived in her final moments. He asked
Radha what she wanted as the final wish. Radha spoke, “Krishna! Since long, I
have nurtured You in the lotus of my heart. Then, the waters of love evaporated
gradually. Then, I nurtured You with tears flowing from my eyes. Even the tears
dried up. Now, how am I to nurture You? I am only left with the sound form of
Yours, that is Your name, and I am nurturing that in me.”
Sing O Krishna! Please say some nectarine words.
To my heart’s content O Mukunda!
Extract the essence of Vedas;
Turn it into sound of God
Pour it into the flute;
Give it the shape of a song; Sing O Krishna!
She closed her eyes. A flame emerged out of her and merged into Krishna. Thus,
she proved that Madhura Bhakti means unity of two souls. How could she reach
this state? Steadfast devotion, pure love and selfless heart - these three are
the reasons for that. Radha offered her body, mind and heart to the Lord in
full, and finally became one with Him.
Source: Devotion: The Royal Path to Salvation, Discourse 8, My Dear Students,
Volume 1
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