In previous Pashuram the Gopikas could locate Krishna and tried to wake Him up. But He preferred not to. They realized that without seeking the blessings of Bala Rama, they should not have approached Krishna. After meeting Bala Ram, they again tried but failed again. Gopika’s other mistake was ignoring Neela. With Purushakara of Neela, they can be assured of blessing from the Supreme Self. The mother pleads for the kids and convinces the Husband. The motherly affection of recommending husbands for boons to children is called Purushakara. Neela is such a benevolent mother.
(Courtesy pics: Late Dr Ramacharya Sribhashyam Srinivasa Family.)
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram 19
Kuthuvilakkeriya-k-kottukkaal Kattil Mel
Methhenra Pancha Sayanathil Meleri
Koththalar Poonkuzhal Nappinnai Kongaiymel
Viththu Kidantha Malar Maarbhavaai Thiravaai!
Maiththadam Kanninnaai, Nee Un Manaalanai
Ethanai Podhum Thuyilezha Vottaai Kaan
Ethanai Yelum Pirivaatrakillaaiyaal
Thathuvamanru Thagav-el or Empaavaai
English Poem 19
Clusters of oil- lamps burning bright,
On a sculpted cot with four ivory legs,
On a cool, white, soft bed of five merits,
On the bosom of Neela with a flower-decked plait,
O Krishna, please utter a word at least,
O Neela with wide lively eyes lined black,
Can’t you leave Him for a minute, at least?
It is not your nature or character to hold Him so.
Goda explores the valour, beauty, and romantic personality of Krishna in this song. Having ivory legs for his very wide cot represents his adventurous and courageous deeds. Those ivory legs were made of the tusks of Kuvalayapeedam sent by Kamsa to kill him. The mattress on that cot was filled with white, soft cotton spreading fragrance. After tiresome deeds, Krishna retires to sleep leaning on the bosom of Neela. At times, it is reversed; Neela relaxes on the broad chest of Narayana. Though she hears the Gopikas’ calls for Krishna, she wants to respond to them without disturbing Krishna.
Goda pleads with her, “O mother, can’t you endure Krishna’s separation at least for a minute, release Krishna from your hold to meet us. You were very kind, never like this, and this is not your character”. Neela knew how tiresome Krishna was and how badly He needed rest. Goda says again: “We expect you to take initiative on our behalf to inspire Krishna. At least wake him up for us”.
Gopikas explains further: “We chose to reach you before the dawn with small lamps so that elders do not notice us in the dead of night and admonish. You have lit clusters of lamps and brightened your bedroom so much that it looks like mid-day. You are completely enjoying alone the enchanting sleeping beauty of Krishna. Rama had enough of the light emanating from Seetha. He never needed a lamp during the night. Similarly, you are the bright lamp for Krishna also; You do not need any other lamp. Having separated from us, you ought to have felt the soft bed hard. But you are enjoying the white softness of the cotton bed, whereas we are not able to withstand the separation from Him”.
Goda is proving her poetic prowess by showing multiple examples of the love bondage of Neela for Krishna. Seetha and Rama could not live without the other even for a second. The couple – Neela Krishna too cannot tolerate separation from each other. Gopika’s request: “Krishna, if you want to give your bosom to Neela, please give it…but give us a word at least. Krishna seems to be convinced; He wants to greet those who came with great love for Him. But Neela tightened her hold and did not allow Him to get up. Gopiaks understands it and starts praising Neela for her indulgence. O Mother, have a glance at us with your wide eyes darkened by collyrium. You have bound Krishna with the beauty of your eyes as Rama did to Seetha. He keeps on watching your lotus eyes continuously. We know that you have not decorated your eyes with collyrium, it appears so because of the black shades of Krishna. Krishna is shining in your eyes, why do not you allow Him to light up our eyes too? He is not your husband alone; He is Jagannadha (bearer of the entire Universe)”.
Krishna kills Kuvalayapeedam, the huge embodiment of the grown-up Ego. “I did it, I will enjoy it, I know it, everything is mine” are the four kinds of ego. Four Ivory legs reflect these four kinds of Ahamkaaram. One should have chaturvidha jnana, four kinds of Jnana are those who are sleeping on the cot. Cot is a place where humans rest and derive happiness. It relieves the physical strain. The cot of our aadidampathi is a platform of Bliss of Super Self.
When Gopikas refers to Neela’s black eye lining and the blossoming clusters of flowers in her plait, they intend to make a comparison between them and Neela. While Gopikas abstains from eye linings and flowers for Vrata, Neela enjoys them and binds Krishna with her flowers and looks. The eye is a symbol of Jnana but the black eye-lining is a reflection of love- Jnana Anjanaa Rekha.
Father and mother should always be together to help children and shower affection. Together Seetha-Rama, Lakshmi-Naryana, and Neela-Krishna protect the Jeevis. If one desires Rama alone, it could be Shoorpanakha, and if someone wants only Seetha, he might become Ravana and perish. In Guruparampara, the Gopikas are invoking ‘Om Sridharayanamah” in this Pashuram.
