PLANNING DESCEND ON THE EARTH

As the natural law is, positive and negative forces coexist everywhere. With the passage of time it so happened that the king of Swargalok Indra, on desecrating wife of sage Gautama, received his curse and got dethroned. Demons usurped his kingdom and began to rule over deities. They took birth on earth and she began to groan under their unbearable burden. A tearful guardian deity of earth took the form of a cow and along with other deities approached Lord Brahma to find a solution.

Anxious and perplexed deities saw found that while watching dance of nymphs, Lord Brahma was chanting Lord Srikrishn's mantra. The Progenitor of world patiently listened to the saga of suffering of helpless earth and her sympathizers. Aware of his limitations he advised his miserable guests to accompany him to mount Kailash where Lord Shiv dwells.

Filled with hope, all reached Mount Kailash. The tranquillity and serenity of Mount Kailash instilled insouciance in their hearts. The beauty of abode of Lord Shiv was matchless. Lord Shiv has no parallel as he patronizes a range of denizens - from the worst to the best of creatures ravel in his Loka. Not only Goddess Parvati the embodiment of quintessential chastity, wisest of deities Ganesh, continent Kartikeya, Lord of celestial wealth Kuber and innumerable Siddhas enrich his empire but also the nethermost creatures such as demons, ghosts, genies and pretas have fun on mount Kailash. Such is the magnanimity of Lord of Mount Kailash. Who else can be so generous and all encompassing as the innocent devotee of Lord Srikrishn Lord Shiv is?

What pleases him is just an iota of true love. Deities were overwhelmed to see meditating Lord Shiv bejewelled with the deadly serpents, surrounded by Siddhas. Wearing a garland of his late wife Sati's bones he was also chanting mantra of Lord Srikrishn.

Lord Shiv came out of his wilful trance and welcomed all.  Lord Brahma narrated the plight of earth. Innocuous Lord Shiv hung his head in shame. He and his wife goddess Parvati were moved by the sordid plight of earth. They asked the deities to go back to their respective places and convinced them that they would soon find a solution.

Lord Brahma and Lord Shiv took deity Dharma who is responsible for establishing righteousness on earth, along and reached Vaikunthalok where Lord Vishnu welcomed them and thought for a while. Being one with Lord Srikrishn, he instantly fathomed the plan of Lord Srikrishn and asked them to reach Golok. "I and other deities will also assemble there to discuss the problem," he said.

All deities then reached Golok. They were amazed to see the beauty, prosperity and glorious life of Golok. Everywhere Gopas and Gopis were rejoicing and playing on various instruments melodious notes in praise of Radha-Madhav. The melodious musical notes thrumming around transported the visitors into a superb realm. The entire loka was resplendent, prosperous and fragrant. They were more and more awe-struck as they moved deeper in the ashram of Radha and Lord Srikrishn. The scenario was unbelievably matchless. Bliss and tranquillity prevailed all around. Peace and fearlessness descended in the heart of visitors who saw a sparkling luminescence matching the lustre of a thousand suns, in the centre of Radha's ashram.

The enthralled deities longed to have a vision of the divine couple. The visitors longing to quench the thirst of their eyes, prayed fervently with clasped hands to Radha-Madhav to bless them with their rare and emancipating vision.

Pleased by their heartfelt prayers, the unmatchable bright light turned into the first couple. All sang in their praise with folded hands. The couple looked matchlessly glorious and blissful. Aware of all and everything Lord Srikrishn smiled and addressed them in his serene voice, -"O Deities, be seated. Why do you worry when I am there? I am aware of everything. Everything in this world is ordained by the time. Time creates, sustains and destroys everything in due course." He hinted to the ephemeral nature of all events pleasant or unpleasant which baffles the mind of earthlings all the time.

The streams of events keep flowing, changing all the time yet mind begins to perceive the unreal world as real and gets deluded helplessly, but for the guiding intervention of divine light and voice. "In the entire world nobody belongs to anyone as a friend or foe. It is the purpose that turns a friend in to a foe and vice - versa. You have seen rise and fall of innumerable Manus and kings on the earth." Lord Srikrishn reminded the past events that had occurred on the earth and were far more challenging and momentous in terms of length and intensity both. "The wind blows under my command. The diseases erupt under my command. Clouds rain under my command. All natural forces are following various courses of action out of my fear. But my devotees bask ever in insouciance. Who can harm a being protected by me and who can save one, targeted by me?”

The speech of Lord of Universe stilled the mind of listeners. What they heard was truly an eternal truth. They longed to know the fate of those who take shelter in the feet of Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn uttered in his sweet style-“My devotees remain in my heart and I remain in their heart. Those who dare harm my innocent devotees, Brahmans, cows, Yajna (sacrifices) and deities, definitely perish." Divulged the Lord in a serene voice, turning sterner by the end.

The deities now wished to know the future role they were supposed to play in the drama of creation.

"All of you take birth on the earth and I shall also be born there. Goddess Lakshmi shall be born as Rukmani; Goddess Parvati shall partially take birth from Yashoda and partially from Jambvan as Jambavati.  God Kartikeya shall take birth as Samb from Jambavati; Kamdev as Pradyumn from Rukmani; Shesh as son of Rohini named Sankarshan. Rati who is in Shambarasur's palace as Mayavati will be the wife of Pradyumn. Goddess Bharati shall be partially born as daughter of Baanasur named Usha. Goddess Ganga shall take partial birth as Kalindi; Tulasi as princess Lakshman; Savitri as daughter of Nagnajita named Satya; goddess Vasundhara as Satyabhama; Goddess Saraswati as Shaivya; Rohini (wife of god Chandrama) as princess Mitravinda; goddess Sangya (wife of god Surya) as Ratnamala and Swaha (wife of god Agni) as Sushila. In the past Shankar had asked Goddess Parvati to be the wife of Lord Vishnu. Now it will be so."

The terminal words of Lord Srikrishn appalled the deities. Parvati was renowned for her chastity to Lord Shiv in the entire creation. Who could ever dream of her to be the wife of some other God? Even the creator of world, Lord Brahma was surprised to learn that Lord Shankar had said so to Goddess Parvati in the past. All knew that she had performed great tapasya to win Lord Shiv Shankar as her husband. She is worshipped by all women as a symbol of chastity. On seeing an expression of amazement and disbelief resting at the faces of deities, Lord Srikrishn unveiled the denouement, -"When Ganesh was born to Parvati, all deities went to greet her. At that moment, seeing the Lord Vishnu of Shwetadweepa (one of the forms of Lord Srikrishn), she got attracted to him. She then looked at Lord Shiv who even though is another form of God Lord Srikrishn, looked much different from Lord Vishnu. The comparison of a glowing Lord Vishnu clad in Pitamber, Kaustubh Mani,Vanmala with a glittering golden Crown against the ash smeared body of Lord Shiv that was contained in a tiger skin and ornaments of venomous serpents flashed in the wavering mind of Goddess Parvati. God is the same in both but Lord Vishnu's looks excited her. Lord Shiv being omniscient immediately sensed her inkling to Lord Vishnu. He called her aside and asked her to wed Lord Vishnu. Parvati turned pale to hear her husband say so. She firmly denied this but the facial expression of Lord Shiv clarified everything. She could however not  accept it. She said that only in her another birth could she do so. Lord Shiv laughed loudly at this. To fulfil her promise she will be born as daughter of my devotee Jambvan and marry me on the earth." The revelation coming from the mouth of master planner amused all.

What can be concealed from the creator of all. Lord Srikrishn then addressed others also, -"God Dharm shall be born as Yuddhisthir; god Vayu as Bhim; god Indra as Arjun; deities Ashwini Kumars as Nakul and Sahadev; god Sury as Karn; god Yam as Vidur; Kali as Duryodhan; Samudr as Shantanu; Shankar as Aswatthama; god Agni as Dron; Hutashan as Dhrshtadymna; Chandrama as Abhimanyu; god Vasu as Bhishm; Kashyap as Vasudev; Aditi as Devaki; Vasu gopa as Nand; Vasu's wife as Yashoda; goddess Kamala as Draupadi; Shatarupa as Subhadra. Thus all deities and goddess shall be on the earth to unburden her from the load evil souls." An organized and committed team alone wins and attains the target proved Lord Srikrishn.

Thus Lord Srikrishn planned for destruction of evil ones as promised by him in the Bhagvad-Gita chapter 4, Verse 7-8 -"Whenever righteousness suffers and evil becomes prevalent, I manifest myself. From time to time I descend on the earth to relieve the good ones and destroy the evil ones."

It sometime seems that the world has no ruler, no controller. But experience in every one's life proves that some invisible force keeps changing the scene. Some may doubt Lord Srikrishn's existence and status. But those who believe in him experience in life that he was, he is and he will always be there even when death separates them from the physical body.

Birth on earth

Lord Srikrishn, as premeditated by him in Golok took birth at Mathura in India over five thousand years back. His father Vasudev was an extra ordinary man since birth. When he was born heavenly beings celebrated his birth by playing on drums. He was therefore, named 'Anakdundhubi' which is a combination of two words, -'anak' means drum and 'dundubhi' is another musical instrument played in Swargalok. He was married to Devaki who was the cousin of king of Mathura named Kans. When Kans was driving the chariot of his sister and brother-in-law at the time of their wedding, a voice was heard from the heavens.

It said that the eighth son of Devaki would kill Kans. Kans on hearing the voice shed all affection towards his sister. He held her by the hair and pulled out his sword to behead her. But Vasudev tactfully convinced him that killing his innocent sister would lead him to hell. He should therefore, not do so. He promised that he would himself hand over her eighth son to Kans. Kans trusted him and let the couple go home. Vasudev brought his first newly born son to him as promised. Kans saw the baby and returned him out of affection. But later on sage Narad came to Kans and divulged that all Gopas taking birth in and around Mathura were actually deities who were preparing and flocking together to kill all the demons ruling on the earth as cruel kings.

Kans got scared to know this and put the couple behind the bars. The fear of Lord Vishnu taking birth secretly gripped his mind. Thus out of fear, he killed six sons of Devaki. The seventh foetus was transplanted in the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudev by the Yogmaya at the behest of Lord Srikrishn. Having been sucked out of the mother's womb, he was named Sankarshan. He was also named Balaram, as he possessed great physical strength.

As Lord Srikrishn entered the mind of Vasudev in his subtle form, he became matchlessly resplendent. Observing an auspicious moment he impregnated Devaki, on receiving the Lord of Universe in her womb, began beaming with a powerful aura that none could bear to gaze. Her scintillating form dazzled the prison cell. When Kans saw her shimmering with an extraordinary lumimiscense, he inwardly thought that surely Lord Vishnu must have entered her womb. His presence alone could render such brightness over meek Devaki. Alarmed, he began to plot as to how to get rid of Lord Vishnu. He however, gave up the idea of killing Devaki who was firstly a lady, secondly his cousin and thirdly pregnant as this could bring him perdition. He, therefore, waited anxiously for his birth, day in, day out.

Lord Brahma, Lord Shiv, other deities and sages were imbued with bliss to learn that Lord Srikrishn was about to appear on earth. Ultimately the dawn of a new era was ahead. The suffering souls on  were about to get a new lease of life. All of them got together and reached the prison cell to pray to Lord Srikrishn. All ebullient celestial beings appeared before mother Devaki and said, -"Mother it is a matter of great fortune that the Lord of Universe, along with his power and wisdom, has taken shelter in your womb to server our purpose. Now you need not fear Kans at all. His days are numbered. Your son would redeem the Yaduvansh." Devaki was divinely delighted to see all the deities adoring her about to born, divine son.

On the eighth day of Lord Srikrishn paksh when Rohini constellation shone brightly in the calm azure at midnight, nature became spontaneously tranquil. Flowers bloomed even at midnight and rivers gently gushed with translucent waters. Bemused wobblers sang their heart out, amused birds twittered and moths hovered over flowerbeds. The sacred fire put out by the cruelty of Kans spontaneously began to appear at the altar in the homes of Brahmans. The drums in heaven began to resound. Celestial beings began to sing and dance to usher Lord Srikrishn on earth. Deities and sages showered flowers. The overwhelmed Earth found her saviour fulfilling his words. Seeing the long cherished moment, she entered a blissful trance.

Lord Srikrishn appeared from the womb of mother Devaki as a four armed infant holding lotus, conch-shell, discus and mace. The golden streak of Srivatsa adorned his tender bosom and Kaustubh Mani glittered brightly at his throat. His dusky body, wrapped in golden yellow Pitamber, capped by golden crown, studded with precious gems filled the ambience with divine light.  Golden earrings hiding behind his curly locks appeared as lightning shines amidst dark clouds.  His waist, ankles and wrists were bejewelled with glittering golden ornaments.

Vasudev was astonished to see Lord Vishnu as his son. He prostrated in Lord Srikrishn's feet and offered him oblation. Left mute, the parents felt inert. When rendered poise, they prayed to him in various ways. Lord Srikrishn addressed his parents, -"In Swayambhuv Manvantar you were Prashni and Sutapa and meditated for twelve thousand divine years. I appeared before you in this form and asked you to seek a boon. You asked for a son equal to me. In that era I was born to you as Prashnigarbha. In second life you were Aditi and Kashyap and I was your son named Upendra or Vaman. I have showed you this form so that you could trust me. Consider me now your son as well as God incarnate. Both of you will attain me thus." He said and turned into an ordinary nascent boy. The entranced parents rejoiced with their supreme son in a way ineffable even for Goddess Saraswati.

When the Lord of Universe himself was in their lap, what could harm or hurt them! Lord Srikrishn had rewarded them amply for their penance, they knew.

Inspired by Lord Srikrishn, Vasudev took him to Gokul, a village across river Yamuna opposite Mathura. The clouds showered gentle drizzle as if trying to purify themselves by touching the glorious body of Lord Srikrishn. Yamuna gushed high to touch the lotus feet of baby Lord Srikrishn. Vasudev was striving hard to take the baby across the river, unaware of the wish of the river. Waves were surging higher and higher. Vasudev was struggling and stumbling against the whirling waters. Serpent Vasuki appeared and ensconced the father and son under his gigantic hood. Vasudev was unaware of the surroundings, being driven by divine delirium. Lord Srikrishn kept on sporting with the gushing waves of river Yamuna, longing for a mere touch of his cherubic feet. Lord Srikrishn always enjoys teasing his devotees but ultimately showers unlimited bliss over them. Having given river Yamuna a good taste of hide and seek Lord Srikrishn smiled and dangled his feet down. The thirst of a searing heart got quenched. Vasudev found the river water receding suddenly, oblivious of the secret trance of goddess Yamuna who was left enthralled and amused, having experienced the divine touch of Lord Srikrishn.

As wind blows spontaneously transporting seeds of blossoms from one to another so did Vasudev crossed the river and entered the palace of Nand, across the river Yamuna. He furtively entered the palace. The doors of palace opened ajar. All were fast asleep. Divine mother had taken birth from the womb of Yashoda, the wife of Nand. As planned by Lord Srikrishn, Goddess Durga lay beside an unconscious Yashoda as a nascent girl. Deluded by her power, none could learn as to what was born to Yashoda, - a son or a daughter. Vasudev placed Lord Srikrishn quietly beside Yashoda and brought back the girl back into the prison at Mathura. The doors spontaneously opened and locked as Vasudev went and came back. Vasudev was back in his prison-cell. The shackles got locked spontaneously. Steeped in devotion to Lord Srikrishn mother Devaki silently watched the drama being enacted by her omniscient son.

The little girl began to cry. Her wailing disrupted the slumber, enveloping the ambience till now. All as if, suddenly woke up, got alert and alarmed. Hell broke loose over an exasperated Kans who ran helterskelter to kill the baby. The cries of a little girl sounded like a death knell to the horrified king. Apprehensive of repetition of recurring orgies, Devaki hiding the little girl in her lap, begged for her life before a trembling Kans. Blinded by the fear of death, ruthless Kans snatched the baby and ferociously smashed her against a rock. Terrified Devaki closed her eyes. A loud thud resonated but without the shriek of the little girl. Instead a strange happening rocked the cruel king. The fearful mother opened her eyes and was aghast to see the queerness of aftermath.

The little girl had vanished into the sky and appeared as a goddess holding all weapons in her eight arms. Celestial beings adored her with folded hands. Kans was aghast. He could not believe his eyes. The valaint Goddess laughed in a roar and thundered fearlessly, -"Hark! O fool! What would you get by killing me? Your archenemy has already taken birth somewhere. Stop killing innocent babies." Commanding so, she disappeared into the sky.

The ferocious and despotic Kans lost his pompous mind and demeanour. Chastened badly by the miraculous happening, he began to tremble in awe. The suffering of imprisoned couple saw an oppressor who rejoiced in snatching away lives of innocent babies, badly shaken with fear for his own life.

The little girl however, appeared in Gokul and was brought up there as daughter of Vasudev named Ekansha who lived with Lord Srikrishn in Dwarka. Lord Srikrishn told sage Durvasa that she was his soul mate and married her off to sage Durvasa later on.

Sage Garg

Vasudev confided the future happenings, divulged by Lord Srikrishn to sage Garg, his family guru.  Bemused Sage Garg reached Nand's palace in Gokula and disclosed to him that the baby in his arms was actually Lord Srikrishn who had taken birth on earth as cursed by Radha in Golok. He divulged that Radha was residing in Vrindavan as the wife of gopa Rayan and Lord Srikrishn would marry her secretly in Vrindavan in due course.

Nand advised sage Garg to christen the two baby boys born to Rohini and Yashoda secretly so that none could learn about their paternity. Wise and old Nand was amused to see the trail of events happening at the behest of Lord Srikrishn.  He shed hesitation and acted confidently forthwith. Thus the two infants were given names of Ram and Shyam by sage Garg in a secret ceremony in the stable, away from the hustle bustle of the palace.