Narayaneeyam Dasakam 41
Poothana’s Salvation and the Divine Grace of Little Krishna
In the forty-first Dashakam of Narayaneeyam, Bhattathiri depicts Poothana instilling fear in the Gopis, as well as her death and Poothana’s subsequent salvation. Bhattathiri also beautifully depicts how the sweetness, tricks and charm of Little Krishna helped the people of Gokula overcome their fears.
व्रजेश्वरै: शौरिवचो निशम्य समाव्रजन्नध्वनि भीतचेता: ।
निष्पिष्टनिश्शेषतरुं निरीक्ष्य कञ्चित्पदार्थं शरणं गतस्वाम् ॥१॥
vrajeshvaraH shaurivachO nishamya samaavrajannadhvani bhiitachetaaH |
niShpiShTa nishsheShataruM niriikshya ka~nchitpadaarthaM sharaNaM
gatastvaam || 1 ||
Nanda Gopa recalled the threat of Vasudeva that there could be some dangers around the baby Krishna. He went home with a troubled heart. As he arrived in Vraja he witnessed huge trees that were totally destroyed, as though it had been destroyed by some invisible power. Frightened by the scene and fearful of the safety of the children, in particular Krishna, he took shelter in you and implored you, the Supreme Lord.
This verse is a reflection of the repeated fears that parents have with regards to the safety of their children; be it social, physical, or emotional. The contemporary life is replete with the so-called fallen trees: unexpected issues, uncertainties, and unexpected crises. Nevertheless, the verse recommends that panic must not prevail over clarity. It teaches that even though life’s circumstances may seem chaotic on the outside, people can handle crises with composure and clarity if they have a strong inner anchor, such as faith, resilience, values, or purpose-here symbolises by Krishna.
निशम्य गोपीवचनादुदन्तं सर्वेऽपि गोपा भयविस्मयान्धा: ।
त्वत्पातितं घोरपिशाचदेहं देहुर्विदूरेऽथ कुठारकृत्तम् ॥२॥
nishamya gOpiivachanaadudantaM sarve(a)pi gOpaa bhayavismayaandhaaH |
tvatpaatitaM ghOrapishaacha dehaM dehurviduure(a)tha kuThaarakR^ittam || 2 ||
The Gopas, hearing the terrified words of the Gopis, rushed to the place, and was amazed at the sight before him. Fear and wonder filled their minds as they saw the hideous, frightening form of the demon which Krishna, had slain. The hideous figure was lying dead and squashed. To save the village and avoid impurity, the Gopas pulled the corpse of the demon a long way and tore it in pieces and burnt them.
The action of the Gopas in this sloka is a lesson in itself: get rid of bad influences completely without any conscience. Carrying the body of the demon away is comparable to eliminating unhealthy relationships, bad habits, or unhealthy environments in life. This verse teaches us that we must trust in protection beyond our knowledge, yet willingly and consciously take action to protect our mental and emotional health.
त्वत्पीतपूतस्तनतच्छरीरात् समुच्चलन्नुच्चतरो हि धूम: ।
शङ्कामधादागरव: किमेष किं चान्दनो गौल्गुलवोऽथवेति ॥३॥
tvatpiita puutastana tachChariiraat samuchchalannuchchatarO hi dhuumaH |
shankaamadhaadaagaravaH kimeShaH kiM chaandanO gaulgulavO(a)thaveti || 3 ||
As the body of the demoness Putana had been cleansed by your touch, and by the fact that you had sucked the life out of her poisoned breast, great fragrance came out of her corpse as it burned. A high, sacred-smelling smoke rose into the air, and left all the people surprised. The elders stood in disbelief with question upon question whether it was the odor of burning agarwood, sandalwood, or guggul resin–smells which were usually attendant upon divine ceremonies, and not upon the carcass of a murdered demon.
The burning body of Putana that produces fragrance is a metaphor of how the healing process starts when the negativity is challenged and removed. This verse helps us to think that even the worst in us can be changed and made something worthwhile and even beautiful through the genuine effort and inner awakening.
मदङ्गसङ्गस्य फलं न दूरे क्षणेन तावत् भवतामपि स्यात् ।
इत्युल्लपन् वल्लवतल्लजेभ्य: त्वं पूतनामातनुथा: सुगन्धिम् ॥४॥
madangasangasya phalaM na duure kshaNena taavad bhavataamapi syaat |
ityullapanvallavatallajebhya-stvaM puutanaamaatanuthaassugandhim || 4 ||
Citing Bhattathiri, “Oh Lord, You granted Poothana a heavenly scent; a scent that would announce to the cowherds, “Look at the wondrous marvel that a single instant of touch with My divine body can bestow! Such grace also lies within your reach, and it is near at hand.”
चित्रं पिशाच्या न हत: कुमार: चित्रं पुरैवाकथि शौरिणेदम् ।
इति प्रशंसन् किल गोपलोको भवन्मुखालोकरसे न्यमाङ्क्षीत् ॥५॥
chitraM pishaachyaa na hataH kumaara-shchitraM puraivaakathi shauriNedam |
iti prashamsan kila gOpalOkO bhavanmukhaalOkarase nyamaankshiit || 5 ||
The residents of Vraja were surprised that the demoness Putana did not succeed in killing the baby Krishna. They remembered that King Shura (Vasudeva) had already prophesied something unusual concerning this child. The cowherds spoke to one another admiring Krishna, and could not take their eyes off his face. The naive look on his face and his divine beauty caught them in the act and they were left in shock and reprieve.
Life can lead one into circumstances that compel a change from scepticism to clarity. In the same way that the villagers were no longer able to ignore the uniqueness of Krishna, we also find ourselves at times when the truth cannot be ignored, be it in relationships, personal development or even spiritual doubt. It is only after being faced with undeniable events that people tend to wake up to greater realities.
दिनेदिनेऽथ प्रतिवृद्धलक्ष्मीरक्षीणमाङ्गल्यशतो व्रजोऽयम् ।
भवन्निवासादयि वासुदेव प्रमोदसान्द्र: परितो विरेजे ॥६॥
dine dine(a)tha prativR^iddhalakshmii-rakshiiNa maangalya shatO vrajOyam |
bhavannivaasaadayi vaasudeva pramOdasaandraH paritO vireje || 6 ||
The verse states that prosperity in Gokulam continued to rise with every day. Fortune never dwindled and blessings appeared to be unlimited. The whole village was full of happiness and prosperity as Lord Krishna dwelt there. His presence was a source of peace, joy and a feeling of divine protection to all.
This verse is relevant to the current world because it remind us that a single individual who has good values would be able to inspire a whole household, workplace, or community. This shloka evokes us to be that source of development to our environment.
गृहेषु ते कोमलरूपहासमिथ:कथासङ्कुलिता: कमन्य: ।
वृत्तेषु कृत्येषु भवन्निरीक्षासमागता: प्रत्यहमत्यनन्दन् ॥७॥
gR^iheShu te kOmalaruupahaasa-mithaH kathaa sankulitaaHkamanyaH
vR^itteShu kR^ityeShu bhavanniriikshaa samaagataaH pratyahamatyanandan || 7 ||
According to this verse, people were talking about Krishna everywhere in every house of Gokulam. They talked about His beauty, His smile, and all minor events related to Him. Even when performing their daily tasks, their eyes would be in search of Krishna, and their hearts were longing to see Him even once. Due to this, each and every day was a happy and worthwhile one to them.
अहो कुमारो मयि दत्तदृष्टि: स्मितं कृतं मां प्रति वत्सकेन ।
एह्येहि मामित्युपसार्य पाणी त्वयीश किं किं न कृतं वधूभि: ॥८॥
ahO kumaarO mayi dattadR^iShTiH smitaM kR^itaM maaM prati vatsakena |
ehyehi maamittyupasaarya paaNii tvayiisha kiM kiM na kR^itaM vadhuubhiH || 8 ||
In this verse, the author talks of how the women of Gokulam would be engulfed with joy when baby Krishna looked at them. All the women believed that Krishna had given them some sort of special look or a small smile. They outstretched their hands, called Him lovingly, hoping He would creep in their direction. The verse is a description of how all the women felt that Krishna had given them a special love and each one of them felt like they were personally blessed and loved.
This is the essence of what real spiritual presence is like, it makes everyone feel observed, confirmed, and empowered without taking away the experience of others. In a screen driven and superficial world, this shloka reminds us that it is presence that counts, rather than performance. When we actually look at a person, listen to a person or even give a genuine smile, we make impression that goes well beyond the time. The fact that Krishna is able to make each individual feel unique is an example of an effective way to relate with people in the present world.
भवद्वपु:स्पर्शनकौतुकेन करात्करं गोपवधूजनेन ।
नीतस्त्वमाताम्रसरोजमालाव्यालम्बिलोलम्बतुलामलासी: ॥९॥
bhavadvapusparshana kautukena karaatkaraM gOpavadhuujanena |
niitastvamaataamra sarOjamaalaa vyaalambilOlambatulaamalaasiiH || 9 ||
O Lord of Mighty, they handed You over to one another, Each One of them eager to touch You, My Lord. And as this was, You were like a honey-bee flying here and there Between crimson lotus-flower, like walking in a garland of blooming flowers.”
निपाययन्ती स्तनमङ्कगं त्वां विलोकयन्ती वदनं हसन्ती ।
दशां यशोदा कतमां न भेजे स तादृश: पाहि हरे गदान्माम् ॥१०॥
nipaayayantii stanamankagaM tvaaM vilOkayantii vadanaM hasantii |
dashaaM yashOdaa katamaaM na bheje sa taadR^ishaH paahi hare gadaanmaam ||10 ||
This verse depicts the close, intimate relationship between Ma Yashoda and baby Krishna. Yashoda, while feeding Him milk, gazes at His face with overflowing affection and smiles with complete joy. Bhattathiri is wonderstruck as to what divine merit or destiny endowed Ma Yashoda with such a blessed state. Bhattathiri ends with a plea to Krishna “O My Lord, just as You blessed Ma Yashoda through Your presence, protect me as well from my sufferings.