Saturday, April 30, 2011

Narayaneeyam Dasakam:54-- Kaliya comes to Yamuna


Formerly, Garuda used to eat snakes. All the snakes came to an agreement with Garuda and every month a snake was offered as sacrifice to Garuda at the foot of a particular tree on the new moon day. All snakes used to offer to Garuda their share of sacrifice. Garuda was highly pleased with this arrangement. But the serpent Kaliya, son of Kadru, was very proud of his strength. Therefore he did not make any offering himself to Garuda but took away the offerings made by others. Garuda was incensed and attacked him. Kaliya was overpowered in the fight. He sought shelter in a deep pool of water in the Yamuna.

Once upon a time Garuda caught a fish in that pool of water and was about to eat it. Rishi Soubhari said, "O Garuda! Do not eat this fish." Garuda did not pay any attention to the words of the Rishi. The wailings of the other fishes touched the heart of the Rishi. In order to save the fishes, the Rishi pronounced a curse on Garuda that he would die if he entered that pool any more.Kaliya knew about this. Therefore he sought shelter in that pool of water with his family and it had been occupying the river Yamuna and its banks.It had poisoned the waters of the Yamuna and also dried the forests nearby by the poison airs breathed by it.

Sri Krishna noticed that the most venomous snake had rendered the water of the Yamuna poisonous. He wanted to expel the serpent from the river in order to purify the water. Sri Krishna tightened His girdle, climbed a lofty Kadamba tree, and jumped into the pool of water. The serpent fiercely attacked Krishna and stung Him in His vital parts. It completely enclosed Him in its coils. The cows wept and the Gopa boys became senseless. Nanda and other Gopas came out in search of Krishna. They saw Him in the grasp of the powerful serpent and wept bitterly.

Sri Krishna extricated Himself from the clutches of the serpent. He began to sport with it. He got upon its hoods and danced upon them. It had one thousand hoods, one hundred being the chief. Thus attacked, Kaliya looked for an opportunity to bite Him, but Krishna moved around him. Subduing Kaliya Krishna immediately pressed down the serpent’s hoods and jumped up on them. He who is the original artist of all fine arts, such as dancing, began to dance upon the hoods of the serpent, although they were moving to and fro. Upon seeing this, the denizens of the upper planets showered flowers, beat drums, played different types of flutes and sang various prayers and songs.

 In this way, all the denizens of heaven, such as theGandharvas,Siddhas anddemigods, became very much pleased. Kaliya had about a hundred hoods, but Krishna took control of them. Gradually, Kaliya was reduced to struggling for his very life. He vomited all kinds of refuse and exhaled fire. While throwing up poisonous material from within, Kaliya became reduced in his sinful situation. Kaliya then began to vomit blood instead of poison; he was completely fatigued. His whole body appeared to be broken by the kicks of the Lord. Within his mind, however, he finally began to understand that Krishna is theSupreme Personality of Godhead, and he surrendered unto Him.

Sri Krishna trampled down with His feet each one of the hoods. The body of the serpent was shattered. The serpent sought the protection of the Lord. The wives of the serpent, known as the Nagapatnis, saw that their husband had been subdued by the Lord’s kicking and that he was almost at the point of death due to bearing the heavy burden of the Lord, within whose abdomen the whole universe remains. Kaliya’s wives also surrendered unto the Supreme Lord and began to pray. The Nagapatnis knew that Krishna is the shelter of all surrendered souls, and they desired to release their husband from the impending danger by pleasing the Lord with their prayer.The Nagapatnis were astonished that, although Kaliya had the body of a serpent as the result of grievous sinful activities, at the same time he was in contact with the Lord to the extent that the Lord’s lotus feet were touching his hoods. The wives of the serpent praised Krishna and prayed for their husband's life.The Lord stopped His dance. Kaliya slowly recovered consciousness. 

The Lord was pleased with Kaliya and his wives. Immediately after hearing His order, the wives began to worship Him with great offerings of nice garments, flowers, garlands, jewels, ornaments, sandal pulp, lotus flowers, and nice eatable fruits. In this way they pleased the master of Garuda, of whom they were very much afraid. Then, obeying the orders of Lord Krsna, all of them left the lake within the Yamuna.

Krishna said, "O Kaliya !Do not stay here any more. Go to the sea immediately with all your kith and kin and, wives. Let the water of the Yamuna be used by the cows and men. I know that you left Ramanaka island for fear of Garuda and came to live in this pool. But now, as your hoods bear the marks of My feet, Garuda will not touch you." Thereupon Kaliya proceeded to the Ramanaka island in the sea with his wives, friends and children. The waters of the Yamuna then turned as sweet as nectar itself. 

Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 01
त्वत्सेवोत्कस्सौभरिर्नाम पूर्वं
कालिन्द्यन्तर्द्वादशाब्दम् तपस्यन् ।
मीनव्राते स्नेहवान् भोगलोले
तार्क्ष्यं साक्षादैक्षताग्रे कदाचित् ॥१॥


tvatsevOtkaH saubharirnaama puurvaM
kaalindyantardvaadashaabdaM tapasyan |
miinavraate snehavaan bhOgalOle
taarkshyaM saakshaadaikshataagre kadaachit || 1

Long ago, a sage called Soubhari, who wished to serve Thee, was doing penance,immersed in the waters of the river Kaalindi, for twelve years. During this time hebecame deeply attached to the shoals of fish, indulging in romantic sports, in thewaters around him. Then, one day he saw Garuda, in person, in front of him.

Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 02
त्वद्वाहं तं सक्षुधं तृक्षसूनुं
मीनं कञ्चिज्जक्षतं लक्षयन् स: ।
तप्तश्चित्ते शप्तवानत्र चेत्त्वं
जन्तून् भोक्ता जीवितं चापि मोक्ता ॥२॥ 


tvadvaahaM taM sakshudhaM tR^ikshasuunuM
miinaM ka~nchijjakshataM lakshayan saH |
taptashchitte shaptavaanatra chettvaM
jantuun bhOktaa jiivitaM chaapi mOktaa || 2

Thy mount that Garuda who was hungry and was eating a fish. Seeing that, Saubhari was mentally very agitated and cursed Garuda saying that he would lose his life if he ate any creatures there.

Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 03 
तस्मिन् काले कालिय: क्ष्वेलदर्पात्
सर्पाराते: कल्पितं भागमश्नन् ।
तेन क्रोधात्त्वत्पदाम्भोजभाजा
पक्षक्षिप्तस्तद्दुरापं पयोऽगात् ॥३॥

tasmin kaale kaaliyaH kshveladarpaat
sarpaaraateH kalpitaM bhaagamashnan |
tena krOdhaat tvatpadaambhOjabhaajaa
pakshakshiptaH tadduraapaM payO(a)gaat || 3
At that time, Kaaliya the serpent was full of pride due to the power of his poison. He ate away the offerings set apart for Garuda, the enemy of serpents. Angered at this Garuda who is devoted to Thy lotus feet, attacked him with his wings and chased him. So Kaaliya took refuge in that part of the river Kaalindi, which was out of bounds for Garuda, due to the sage's curse.

Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 04
घोरे तस्मिन् सूरजानीरवासे
तीरे वृक्षा विक्षता: क्ष्वेलवेगात् ।
पक्षिव्राता: पेतुरभ्रे पतन्त:
कारुण्यार्द्रं त्वन्मनस्तेन जातम् ॥४॥

ghOre tasmin suurajaaniiravaase
tiire vR^ikshaa vikshataaH kshvelavegaat |
pakshivraataaH peturabhre patantaH
kaaruNyaardraM tvanmanastena jaatam ||4
The waters of the river Yamuna, in the portion inhabited by the dreadful Kaaliya,became contaminated by the viciousness of his deadly poison, , destroying the trees onthe river bank, and causing The birds who flew in the sky above, dropped down dead. Thy heart melted in compassion and was moved with pity seeing the plight of the creatures.
 Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 05
काले तस्मिन्नेकदा सीरपाणिं
मुक्त्वा याते यामुनं काननान्तम् ।
त्वय्युद्दामग्रीष्मभीष्मोष्मतप्ता
गोगोपाला व्यापिबन् क्ष्वेलतोयम् ॥५॥

kaale tasminnekadaa siirapaaNiM
muktvaayaate yaamunaM kaananaantam |
tvayyuddaama griiShma bhiiShmOShmataptaa
gO gOpaalaa vyaapiban kshvelatOyam || 5

At that time, once Thou had gone to the forest region, near the river Yamuna, without Balarama. In the intense summer heat, The cows and cowherds, drank the poisonous water of the river, Yamuna.

Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 06 
नश्यज्जीवान् विच्युतान् क्ष्मातले तान्
विश्वान् पश्यन्नच्युत त्वं दयार्द्र: ।
प्राप्योपान्तं जीवयामासिथ द्राक्
पीयूषाम्भोवर्षिभि: श्रीकटक्षै: ॥६॥

nashyajjiivaan vichyutaan kshmaatale taan
vishvaan pashyannachyuta tvaM dayaardraH |
praapyOpaantaM jiivayaamaasitha draak
piiyuuShaambhO varShibhiH shriikaTaakshaiH || 6

Oh Achyuta ! They had all lost their lives and had fallen on the ground. Thou were overcome with pity and approached them. Thou shed Thy auspicious glances on them which were like showering nectar, which soon revived them.
Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 07
किं किं जातो हर्षवर्षातिरेक:
सर्वाङ्गेष्वित्युत्थिता गोपसङ्घा: ।
दृष्ट्वाऽग्रे त्वां त्वत्कृतं तद्विदन्त-
स्त्वामालिङ्गन् दृष्टनानाप्रभावा: ॥७॥

kiM kiM jaatO harShavarShaatirekaH
sarvaangeShvityutthitaa gOpasanghaaH |
dR^iShTvaagre tvaaM tvatkR^itaM tadvidantaH
tvaamaalingan dR^iShTanaanaa prabhaavaaH || 7

The cow herd boys wondering “What is this?Why is there a great joy which cools our body”Stood up and seeing you in front of them,And remembering the other divine acts that you did,And having understood that this also is your sport,Came running to you and hugged you.

 Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 08
गावश्चैवं लब्धजीवा: क्षणेन
स्फीतानन्दास्त्वां च दृष्ट्वा पुरस्तात् ।
द्रागावव्रु: सर्वतो हर्षबाष्पं
व्यामुञ्चन्त्यो मन्दमुद्यन्निनादा: ॥८॥

gaavashchaivaM labdhajiivaaH kshaNena
sphiitaanandaastvaaM cha dR^iShTvaa purastaat |
draagaavavruH sarvatO harShabaaShpaM
vyaamu~nchantyO mandamudyanninaadaaH || 8
 Similarly, the cows too, which had regained their lives, instantly, full of delight at seeing Thee in front of them, rallied round Thee, expressing their gratitude, by shedding tears of joy and mooing in soft tones.

 Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 09
रोमाञ्चोऽयं सर्वतो न: शरीरे
भूयस्यन्त: काचिदानन्दमूर्छा ।
आश्चर्योऽयं क्ष्वेलवेगो मुकुन्दे-
त्युक्तो गोपैर्नन्दितो वन्दितोऽभू: ॥९॥

rOmaa~nchO(a)yaM sarvatO naH shariire
bhuuyasyantaH kaachidaanandamuurchChaa |
aashcharyO(a)yaM kshvelavegO mukundetyuktO
gOpaiH nanditO vanditO(a)bhuuH || 9

Oh Mukunda ! The cowherds, with their hairs standing on end and the thrills of ecstasyvibrating through their body, could not find words to express their feelings. Theythought it was due to the strange effect of the poison. They praised and thanked Thee profusely, with joy.
 
 Dasakam: 054 -- Slokam: 10
एवं भक्तान् मुक्तजीवानपि त्वं
मुग्धापाङ्गैरस्तरोगांस्तनोषि ।
तादृग्भूतस्फीतकारुण्यभूमा
रोगात् पाया वायुगेहाधिवास ॥१०॥

evaM bhaktaanmuktajiivaanapi tvaM
mugdhaapaangaiH astarOgaamstanOShi |
taadR^igbhuuta sphiita kaaruNya bhuumaa
rOgaatpaayaa vaayugehaadhinaatha ||10

In this manner, by Thy charming glances, the devotees who had lost their lives were revived and were rendered devoid of diseases. Oh Guruvayurappa of suchboundless mercy ! May Thou guard me against illness.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Narayaneeyam Dasakam: 53 -- Slaying of Dhenukasura


Slaying of Dhenukasura

 Accompanied by the cowherd boys and Balarama, Krsna brought forward the cows and played on His flute through the forest of Vrndavana, which was full of flowers, vegetables, and pasturing grass. The Vrndavana forest was as sanctified as the clear mind of a devotee and was full of bees, flowers and fruits. There were chirping birds and clear water lakes with waters that could relieve one of all fatigues. Sweet flavored breezes blew always, refreshing the mind and body. Krsna, with His friends and Balarama, entered the forest and, seeing the favorable situation, enjoyed the atmosphere to the fullest extent. Krsna saw all the trees, overloaded with fruits and fresh twigs, coming down to touch the ground as if welcoming Him by touching His lotus feet. He was very pleased by the behavior of the trees, fruits and flowers, and He began to smile realizing their desires.

 His most intimate friends Sridama, Subala and Stoka Krsna began to address Krsna and Balarama with great love and affection thus: “Dear Balarama, You are very powerful; Your arms are very strong. Dear Krsna, You are very expert in killing all kinds of disturbing demons. Will You kindly note that just near this place there is a big forest of the name Talavana. This forest is full of palm trees, and all the trees are filled with fruits. Some are falling down, and some of them are very ripe even in the trees. It is a very nice place, but because of a great demon, Dhenukasura, it is very difficult to go there. No one can reach the trees to collect the fruits. Dear Krsna and Balarama, this demon is present there in the form of an ass, and he is surrounded by similar demon friends who assume the same shape. All of them are very strong, so it is very difficult to approach this place. Dear brothers, You are the only persons who can kill such demons. Other than You, no one can go there for fear of being killed. Not even animals go there, and no birds are sleeping there; they have all left. He has the form of an ass. He has already killed many men. Therefore people do not enter the place out of fear. We smell the fragrance of the fruits even from here. It appears that up until now, no one has tasted the sweet fruits there, either on the tree or on the ground.
One can only appreciate the sweet aroma that is coming from that place. Dear Krsna, to tell You frankly, we are very attracted by this sweet aroma. Dear Balarama, let us all go there and enjoy these fruits. The aroma of the fruits is now spread everywhere. Don’t You smell it from here?When Balarama and Krsna were thus petitioned by Their smiling, intimate friends, They were inclined to please them, and They began to proceed towards the forest, surrounded by all Their friends. Immediately upon entering the Talavana, Balarama began Balarama boldly entered the forest and shook the trees violently. Numerous fruits fell down from the trees. When the Asura heard the sound of the fall of those fruits, he rushed forth and violently kicked Balarama on his chest with his hind feet. Balaram took hold of the ass by both its hind feet and whirled round his head and hurled it with force against a very large palmyra tree. The Asura died. Then all the kith and kin of Dhenuka attacked both Balarama and Krishna. They were all killed by Rama and Krishna. The companions of Krishna and Rama ate the palmyra fruits to their heart's content. After the death of Dhenuka and his relatives, people entered the grove fearlessly and the cattle also freely grazed on the pasture in that grove.

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 01

अतीत्य बाल्यं जगतां पते त्वमुपेत्य पौगण्डवयो मनोज्ञं ।
उपेक्ष्य वत्सावनमुत्सवेन प्रावर्तथा गोगणपालनायाम् ॥१॥

atiitya baalyaM jagataaM pate tvamupetya paugaNDavayO manOj~nam |
upekshya vatsaavanamutsavena praavartathaa gOgaNapaalanaayaam || 1

Oh Lord of the Universe! With Thy childhood stage ending at five years of age, Thou came to the endearing stage of boyhood (from six to ten years of age) and started to rear cows instead of calves, with great enthusiasm.

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 02 
उपक्रमस्यानुगुणैव सेयं मरुत्पुराधीश तव प्रवृत्ति: ।
गोत्रापरित्राणकृतेऽवतीर्णस्तदेव देवाऽऽरभथास्तदा यत् ॥२॥

upakramasyaanuguNaiva seyaM marutpuraadhiisha tava pravR^ittiH |
gOtraaparitraaNakR^ite(a)vatiirNaH tadeva devaa(a)(a)rabhathaastadaa yat || 2

Oh Lord of Guruvayur,! this change is greatly befitting,For you who took the incarnation to protect the earth*,Started looking after the herds of cows*,When you reached this stage of boyhood. *”Gothra” means earth as well as cow herds.
Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 03
कदापि रामेण समं वनान्ते वनश्रियं वीक्ष्य चरन् सुखेन ।
श्रीदामनाम्न: स्वसखस्य वाचा मोदादगा धेनुककाननं त्वम् ॥३॥

kadaa(a)pi raameNa samaM vanaante vanashriyaM viikshya charan sukhena |
shriidaamanaamnaH svasakhasya vaachaa mOdaadagaa dhenukakaananaM tvam || 3
Once, with Balaraam, as Thou were happily roaming about in the woods and admiring the beauty of the woods, on Thy friend Sudaamaa's suggestion, Thou enthusiastically entered the Dhenuka forest.
Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 04
उत्तालतालीनिवहे त्वदुक्त्या बलेन धूतेऽथ बलेन दोर्भ्याम् ।
मृदु: खरश्चाभ्यपतत्पुरस्तात् फलोत्करो धेनुकदानवोऽपि ॥४॥

uttaalataaliinivahe tvaduktyaa balena dhuute(a)thabalena dOrbhyaam |
mR^iduH kharashchaabhyapatatpurastaat phalOtkarO dhenuka daanavO(a)pi || 4


At Thy words, Balaraam shook the cluster of tall palm trees with the force of both his strong arms. A bunch of soft and ripe and hard and unripe fruits fell in front of Thee. Just then, the demon Dhenukaasura, in the form of a donkey also appeared.

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 05 
समुद्यतो धैनुकपालनेऽहं कथं वधं धैनुकमद्य कुर्वे ।
इतीव मत्वा ध्रुवमग्रजेन सुरौघयोद्धारमजीघनस्त्वम् ॥५॥

samudyatO dhainukapaalane(a)haM kathaM vadhaM dhainukamadya kurve |
itiiva matvaa dhruvamagrajena suraugha yOddhaaramajiighanastvam || 5


Considering the fact that Thou art the protector of the cows, Thou felt that it would not be proper for Thee to kill the demon called Dhenuka, (meaning cow) and hence, Thou entrusted the task of destroying this demon, who was an enemy of the gods, to Thy elder brother, who accomplished this job.
Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 06
तदीयभृत्यानपि जम्बुकत्वेनोपागतानग्रजसंयुतस्त्वम् ।
जम्बूफलानीव तदा निरास्थस्तालेषु खेलन् भगवन् निरास्थ: ॥६॥

tadiiya bhR^ityaanapi jambukatvenOpaagataa nagrajasanyutastvam |
jambuuphalaaniiva tadaa niraasthastaaleShukhelan bhagavanniraasthaH || 6


Dhenukaasura's servants had also come in the form of jackals. O Lord! Thou and Thy elder brother,, lifted them playfully as if they were jambufruits and effortlessly threw them on to the palm trees.

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 07
विनिघ्नति त्वय्यथ जम्बुकौघं सनामकत्वाद्वरुणस्तदानीम् ।
भयाकुलो जम्बुकनामधेयं श्रुतिप्रसिद्धं व्यधितेति मन्ये ॥७॥

vinighnati tvayyatha jambukaughaM sanaamakatvaadvaruNastadaaniim
bhayaakulO jambukanaamadheyaM shruti prasiddhaM vyadhiteti manye || 7


When Thou began to destroy that army of jackals or jambukas, Varuna, the rain-godwas filled with fear, as he was also known by the name Jambuka. So he preferred to letthat name remain only in the Vedas,.
I believe that it is for this reason that Varuna's name as 'Jambuka' is not known

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 08
तवावतारस्य फलं मुरारे सञ्जातमद्येति सुरैर्नुतस्त्वम् ।
सत्यं फलं जातमिहेति हासी बालै: समं तालफलान्यभुङ्क्था: ॥८॥



tavaavataarasya phalaM muraare sanjaatamadyeti surairnutastvam |
satyaM phalaM jaatamiheti haasii baalaiH samaM taalaphalaanyabhunkthaaH || 8


O Slayer of Mura! The gods praised Thee saying that the fruit of Thy incarnation has now appeared. Thou laughingly said that 'indeed the fruits of the palm tree have been got now', and saying that the jambu fruits had fallen down and ate them with the children.

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 09 
मधुद्रवस्रुन्ति बृहन्ति तानि फलानि मेदोभरभृन्ति भुक्त्वा ।
तृप्तैश्च दृप्तैर्भवनं फलौघं वहद्भिरागा: खलु बालकैस्त्वम् ॥९॥


madhudravasrunti bR^ihanti taani phalaani medObharabhR^inti bhuktvaa |
tR^iptaishcha dR^iptairbhavanaM phalaughaM vahadbhiraagaaH khalubaalakaistvam || 9

Eating those big, luscious fruits, dripping with sweet syrup, to their heart's content, thechildren gathered the remaining bunches of fruits to take home, feeling quite happyand proud. Accompanied by them, Thou reached home

Dasakam: 053 -- Slokam: 10 
हतो हतो धेनुक इत्युपेत्य फलान्यदद्भिर्मधुराणि लोकै: ।
जयेति जीवेति नुतो विभो त्वं मरुत्पुराधीश्वर पाहि रोगात् ॥१०॥



hatO hatO dhenuka ityupetya phalaanyadadbhirmadhuraaNi lOkaiH |
jayeti jiiveti nutO vibhO tvaM marutpuraadhiishvara paahi rOgaat ||10


Oh Lord ! The people approached Thee cheering that Dhenukaasura was killed. They praised Thee saying, 'Victory to Thee', 'May Thou live long', as they ate the sweet fruits. Oh Guruvayurappa ! Do save me from my ailments.