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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Kaumodakī

After the demise of Śiśupāla, Śālva and Pauṇḍra, another foolish demoniac king of the name Dantavakra wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa in order to avenge the death of his friend Śālva. He became so agitated that he personally appeared on the battlefield without the proper arms and ammunition and without even a chariot. His only weapon was his great anger, which was red-hot. He carried only a club in his hand, but he was so powerful that when he moved, everyone felt the earth tremble. When Lord Kṛṣṇa saw him approaching in a very heroic mood, He immediately got down from His chariot, for it was a rule of military etiquette that fighting should take place only between equals. Knowing that Dantavakra was alone and armed with only a club, Lord Kṛṣṇa responded similarly and prepared Himself by taking His club in His hand. When Kṛṣṇa appeared before him, Dantavakra's heroic march was immediately stopped just as the great, furious waves of the ocean are stopped by the beach.
At that time, Dantavakra, who was the King of Karūṣa, stood up firmly with his club and spoke to Lord Kṛṣṇa as follows: "It is a great pleasure and fortunate opportunity, Kṛṣṇa, that we are facing each other eye to eye. My dear Kṛṣṇa, after all, You are my eternal cousin, and I should not kill You in this way, but unfortunately You have committed a great mistake by killing my friend Śālva. Moreover, You are not satisfied by killing my friend, but I know that You want to kill me also. Because of Your determination, I must kill You by tearing You to pieces with my club. Kṛṣṇa, although You are my relative, You are foolish. You are our greatest enemy, so I must kill You today just as a person removes a boil on his body by a surgical operation. I am always very much obliged to my friends, and I therefore consider myself indebted to my dear friend Śālva. I can only liquidate my indebtedness to him by killing You."

As the caretaker of an elephant tries to control the animal by striking it with his trident, so Dantavakra tried to control Kṛṣṇa simply by speaking strong words. After finishing his vituperation, he struck Kṛṣṇa on the head with his club and made a roaring sound like a lion. Although struck strongly by the club of Dantavakra, Kṛṣṇa did not move even an inch, nor did He feel any pain. Taking His Kaumodakī club and moving very skillfully, Kṛṣṇa struck the chest of Dantavakra so fiercely that the heart of Dantavakra split in twain. As a result, Dantavakra began to vomit blood, his hairs became scattered, and he fell to the ground, spreading his hands and legs. Within only a few minutes all that remained of Dantavakra was a dead body on the ground. After the death of Dantavakra, just as at the time of Śiśupāla's death, in the presence of all persons standing there, a small particle of spiritual effulgence came out of the demon's body and very wonderfully merged into the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

http://krsnabook.com/ch77.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datia
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dantavakra

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Demons Killed



Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the demons Krishna killed in His Vrindavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted things) that they represent.

1. Putana - the pseudo guru.

2. Sakatasura (the cart demon) - carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.

3. Trinavarta (the whirlwind demon) - false pride that comes from material scholarship, which leads to bogus philosophies.

4. Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva (breaking the twin arjuna trees) - Arrogant pride that comes from puffed-up prestige, which is rooted in madness for wealth.

5. Vatsasura (the calf demon) - a childish type of mentality which gives rise to a type of greediness, which results in a wicked type of mischievousness.

6. Bakasura (stork demon) - Cunning duplicity, deceptiveness and false types of behavior.

7. Aghasura (the snake demon) - Cruelty and violence.

8. Brahma-vimohana Pastime (Lord Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves) - mundane activities and speculative scholasticism.

9. Dhenukasura (the ass demon) - gross materialistic intelligence, ignorance of spiritual knowledge.

10. Kaliya (chastising the Kaliya serpent) - brutality and treachery.

11. Extinguishing the Forest Fire - inter-communal discord among Vaishnavas.

12. Pralambasura (killing the Pralamba demon) - lusty inclinations; desire for personal gain and honor.

13. Second Forest Fire - disturbance of religious principles and interference with religious people who are atheist.

14. Brahmanas Performing Sacrifice - indifference toward Krishna caused by pride because of one’s status (position) in varnasrama.

15. Overcoming the Pride of Indra - demigod worship, and the tendency to think, “I am Supreme.”

16. Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna - thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.

17. Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) - rescuing the truth of Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.

18. Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was stolen by him) - proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for sensuous enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.

19. Aristasura (the bull demon) - pride arising from indulging in false religions invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).

20. Kesi (the horse demon) - The feeling that “I am a great devotee and spiritual master.”

21. Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) - associating with thieves and other rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: “The devotee who worships the holy name should first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable tendencies—and should pray thus before Lord Hari on a daily basis. By doing this regularly, the devotee’s heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart—so in order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord and admit defeat—then the Lord will nullify all contaminations.”

http://bhaktivinodathakur.blogspot.com/2015/02/siksamrta.html
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=krishna+demon
https://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=krishna+demon

Thursday, July 5, 2018

similarities and differences between Vishnu and Krishna.

Vishnu is a plenary expansion of Krishna or Lord Narayana for the purpose of material creation. He is the same as Krishna in the sense that all plenary expansions are equally powerful as Krishna. In that sense, all the expansions such as Narayana in Vaikuntha are called ‘Vishnu tattva’ as opposed to the jiva-tattva or the miniscule living entities.

The difference is that Vishnu is worshiped in awe and reverence while the pastimes of Krishna with His pure devotees are very intimate and sweet. Srila Prabhupada compared Lord Vishnu as God in an official mood, and Krishna as God at home — just as a king may be venerated, worshiped and obeyed by all citizens including great ministers, while at his own home the king acts subordinate to his beloved children, while both are the same person, exhibiting different aspects of their relationships. Similarly Krishna becomes subjugated by the intimate loving dealings of His pure devotees, as we see in the Damodara-lila and other pastimes.

The Nectar of Devotion (Ch 21) gives a list of 64 transcendental qualities of Krishna. It is explained that all living entities can have upto 50 qualities in minute degrees of perfection and Lord Shiva upto 55 qualities. Lord Vishnu has 60 of these qualities unlimitedly in their fullness whereas svayam bhagavan Krishna alone has four special unique qualities not manifested even in Vishnu viz. His superexcellent beauty, the attraction of His flute playing, the wonderful varieties of His intimate pastimes (such as childhood pastimes) and His being surrounded many devotees endowed with wonderful love of God.

KRISHNA: ORIGIN OF VISHNU

 

   

Purusha Sukta (5) claims the Supreme Personality, Krishna, to be the origin of an auxiliary Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu.

From Him was born the Universal Form which sustained the mortal world. Making this Form as the substratum another celestial being was born, who is known as Vishnu. As soon as he was born, he multiplied himself into each of the universes. Later, he created this earth and then, the bodies of the living beings.

Purusha Sukta (5)

Brahma-Samhita (5.48), here  Lord Brahma states that all the DemiGods including Himself appears from Maha Vishnu and Maha Vishnu in turn is an expansion of Krishna.


The Brahmas and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the pores of the Maha-Vishnu and remain alive for the duration of His one exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, for Maha-Vishnu is a portion of His plenary portion of Him.

Brahma-Samhita (5.48)

Brahmavaivarta Purana (Brahma Khanda, chapter 13) mentions the word of Shiva in which Shiva Himself reveals the original position of the Original Personality. 


Lord Krishna who is eternally present in the Supreme Planet Goloka which is self-illuminating and benefactor of all devotional moods, is also residing in Vaikuntha (as Vaikuntha Narayana) and at Swetadwipa (as Kshirodakshayi Vishnu). Just as there is no difference between fire and its spark similarly there is no difference between Anshi (the origin of expansions, Lord Krishna) and Ansh (the expansion, Lord Vishnu).

Lord Shiva to a brahmana in Brahmavaivarta Purana (Brahma Khanda, chapter 13)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.85.31) describes Devaki’s prayer and confirms the related statement

My dear Krishna, I know that Maha-Vishnu, who is lying in the causal ocean of the cosmic manifestation, and who is the source of this whole creation, is simply an expansion of Your plenary portion. Creation, maintenance, and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation are being effected only by Your plenary portion. I am, therefore, taking shelter of You without any reservation.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.85.31)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.14) mentions Narayana as Krishna's plenary portion

O Lord of lords, O Lord Krishna, You are the seer of all creation. You are indeed everyone’s dearest life. Are You not, therefore, my father, Narayana? The sacred name 'Narayana' refers to one whose abode is in the water born from Nara (that is Garbhodakashayi Vishnu). Indeed, that Narayana is also Your plenary portion. All Your plenary portions are transcendental. They are absolute and are not creations of Maya.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.14)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.19) describes Krishna as Lord of all the three deities, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva

O Lord Krishna, persons who are unaware of Your inconceivable energy cannot understand that You alone expand Yourself as the creator Brahma, maintainer Vishnu, and annihilator Shiva. Persons who are not in awareness of things as they contemplate that I, Brahma, am the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer, and Lord Shiva is the annihilator. Actually, You are alone everything: creator, maintainer and annihilator.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.19)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (1.9.32) describes that Lord Krishna is the origin of the Purusha-Avatars, who are the creators of the material universes, is confirmed in the following prayer spoken by Bhishmadeva to Lord Krishna

Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Shri Krishna. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending on the material world, although from Him only the material world is created.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (1.9.32)
   

 KRISHNA: ORIGIN OF ALL AVATARS

 

   

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.87.46) confirms, where Narada Muni offers the following prayer

I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krishna, the all-knowing Original Personality of Godhead who, in order to liberate the conditioned souls, accepts the auspicious forms of His many incarnations.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.87.46)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.10.34also validates this in the following verse which was spoken by Nalakuvara and Manigriva to Lord Krishna

Appearing in bodies like those of an ordinary fish, tortoise and hog, You exhibit activities impossible for such creatures to perform: extraordinary, incomparable, transcendental activities of unlimited power and strength. These bodies of Yours, therefore, are not made of material elements but are incarnations of Your Supreme Personality.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.10.34)

Brahma Samhita (5.46) mentions Krishna to be the origin of all Avataras in the following manner

The light of one candle being communicated to other candles, although it burns separately in them, is the same in its quality. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda who exhibits Himself equally in the same mobile manner in His various manifestations. We must understand that although all candles have the same potency, the original candle still retains its uniqueness. Krishna is like that original candle, the source of all incarnations.

Brahma Samhita (5.46)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.15) confirms Krishna to be the origin of all Incarnations in the following verse spoken by Gargacharya to Nanda Maharaja

This son of yours, has many names and appears in different forms according to His transcendental qualities and activities. These are known to me, but people, in general, do not understand them.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.15)

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.20) mentions the following verse spoken by Brahma to Lord Krishna

O Original Personality of Godhead, O creator of the entire cosmic manifestation, although You never take birth, You nevertheless appear among the demigods, sages, human beings, animals, and aquatics, in order to crush the false pride of the demons, and bestow Your mercy to the saintly devotees.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.20)

Brahma Samhita (5.12) repeats the similar facts in the following verse which was revealed by Lord Brahma

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who manifested Himself personally as Krishna and the different avatars in the world in the forms of Rama, Nrisimha, Vamana, etc. as His subjective portions.

Brahma Samhita (5.12)

So in a short conclusion, we understand that Krishna is The Original God. Rest everything and everyone is emanating from Him.



https://www.google.com/search?q=krishna+vishnu

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