In the previous episode, we had witnessed Kamsa getting shell-shocked upon hearing Poothana’s death under the hands of a little baby. He was initially very anxious that Poothana hadn’t returned to Mathura City with the “good news” that she has somehow managed to kill the newborn. Rather, the news was on the contrary to Kamsa that the baby managed to kill Poothana. Recovering from the shock thus, Kamsa had to chalk out the next plan. Time is running out and the enemy is getting stronger for Kamsa. He thinks of a revised plan and again calls up his cabinet for a meeting. As the meeting progresses, Kamsa calls up another Raakshasa by name “Shakataasura” for the job. It was unanimously decided that Shakatasura would make his way to Gokula and deal with this newborn baby.
Meanwhile at Gokula, things are getting happier now. The shock of Poothana had vanished and now it is time for Bhagawan Bala-Krishna to be laid on a cradle. There was a grand function arranged by Yashoda and Nandagopa at their place, wherein Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was first laid on the cradle. The cradle was beautifully decorated with innumerable flowers and other types of decorations and Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was all smiles. As many people were coming for the function, each person has a feeling that this little baby should be theirs’. It was in such a way that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is “abducting” people’s hearts and pulling them into the “Bhakti-Maarga”. This is the beautiful strategy of Bhagawan – If people are true and innocent in their love and devotion towards Bhagawan, it is His responsibility to “attract” these people towards Him, through an exhibition of His beauty. Whereas, for people like us who do all sorts of debates about Bhagawan, and who refuses to go beside Him, even after His fervent calls, Bhagawan has to take some other drastic steps. Hence, it is important for us, not to let Bhagawan take some “drastic steps” to bring us close to Him. We should use this opportunity to enjoy Bhagawan’s beauty and thereby gradually get closer to Him. This is the most important message that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is sending out to all of us, and this is perhaps the only opportunity wherein we can experience Bhagawan as our own darling child. This is also perhaps the easiest way to enter into the “Bhakti-Maarga”. We’re going to witness Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “Leelas” in a great detail in the coming days and let us all use this opportunity to experience Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and push ourselves into the “Bhakti-Maarga”.
Saying thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was placed on the cradle now, Sage Gargaachaarya makes his way to suit an apt name for the newborn. It is to be understood that Poothana’s episode happened even before Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was named as “Krishna”. Moving on thus, Sage Gargaachaarya arrived at the scene, which was in full celebration mode. The entire Gokula village was thrilled to see this baby and all of them were in tears of joy. With the consent of Yashoda and Nandagopa, Sage Gargacharya begins the ceremonious function of “Nama-Karana” (Naming the newborn baby). The name that Sage Gargacharya gives to the newborn baby is “KRISHNA”. At the same time, the other child that was also present besides Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, who was Vasudeva’s seventh child was named “BALARAMA”. Sage Gargacharya thus ensured that the “Nama-Karana” happened simultaneously to both the babies. We’ve already witnessed how Balarama incarnated. The name “Krishna” was given to Yashoda’s son, since He is going to give so much of happiness and bliss to the entire world in the near future.
As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is in the cradle, He has this unique habit of kicking the ends of the cradle with His two small legs! It is as if He’s sending out a message to Yashoda and Nandagopa thus, “Oh parents! You’re trying to arrest me into this small cradle, isn’t it? I’m the person who is arresting the entire world under my cradle of divine love and grace. But you’re not realizing that and instead, trying to arrest me in this small cradle!” Thinking thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is smiling sarcastically at His parents. Yet, as we’ve discussed earlier too, Bhagawan always bows down to those people who are ardent “Bhaktas”. Here too, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna obeys Mother Yashoda’s act of putting Him in a small cradle and stays in it for the happiness and joy of His ardent devotees around Him.
As this happy episode was progressing on one side, Sakataasura gets ready from Mathura City, under the instruction of Kamsa. He makes his way to Gokula, in search of this child. What is going to happen next? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 