The manifestation of Shri Krishna Bhagavan upon earth thousands of years ago remains fresh in the minds of the devotees whose search for the Divine is a perennial one. The symbolism and metaphysical interpretation of this Puranic episode present a powerful message to all of mankind to incessantly intensify the journey towards the Lord.
According to scriptures, Vasudev and Devaki were imprisoned by King Kans when he learnt that the eighth child of this couple would be the cause of his death. Six babies were slashed in the walls of the prison, dying just as they were born. The seventh child, Balram who was born by the process of “surrogate motherhood” to Rohini, remained safe in Mathura, with Kans unaware of what had transpired. The eighth child, Shri Krishna, was born at midnight on the eighth tithi in the month of Bhaadon within the dismal walls of the dungeon and was quickly taken across the rising waters of the Yamuna River to the house of Yashoda and Nand where He remained safe from the wicked hands of Kans.
Symbolically represented, Devaki is the manifestation of Omkar Pranav while Vasudev signifies Vedic literature. Mathura, the birthplace of the Lord, symbolises the abode of wisdom while Kans is representative of the age of strife, evil, conflict and wickedness. Bhagavan Krishna signifies the essence of the Vedas. He is the personification of knowledge. The place where Nand and Yashoda lived in Gokulapuri is referred to as Nandanban – the place of bliss or heaven on earth. It was indeed a place of supreme happiness for it was here that the child Krishna sported about, bringing joy and ecstasy to the cowherds.
Nand himself, the foster father of Shri Krishna symbolises supreme delight borne out of aanand or Divine bliss. Yashoda signifies the ultimate state of peace that leads to unbounded bliss. The river Yamuna flowed through the entire village where Shri Krishna lived with his foster parents. Symbolically represented, this river is the stream of karma or disinterested action. In order to reach the land of bliss, this river must be crossed. Knowledge of the Vedic essence, despite the various challenges which one encounters, qualifies one to cross such a stream of disinterested action. The cows represent the thousands of slokas which comprise the Vedas. Shri Krishna, in the scriptures says, “I manifest for the protection of the cows.” This implies that the Lord came to preserve the scriptures.
In our own lives, if we pay attention to the scriptures and sincerely practise the injunctions prescribed, we will, no doubt, receive the Lord’s maakhan – state of consciousness. It is only then that the Lord’s presence in our lives will be felt. Despite the increasing negative circumstances that appear to be insurmountable at times, one should always seek refuge in the scriptures, for they are the source of strength. The solace acquired from the scriptures draws one closer to the Lord.
Indeed as we celebrate Krishen Janam Ashtmi 2010, may we all intensify our journey and seek that essence of the scriptures. Once we study the scriptures and apply them in our daily lives then we will surely dwell in Nandanban where the Lord’s company will be ours to behold and where we will experience the ecstasy of life.
