Bhagawan's Discourse on Krishnashtami Celebrations 19th August 2003

[Guest guest]

Source:

http://www.sssct.org/Discourses/2003/krishnashtami.htm

 

GOD'S BIRTHPLACE IS A PURE HEART

 

Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba on 19th August 2003 at Sai Kulwanth Hall

 

All the names and forms are but the manifestations of the Supreme

Being who is Existence?Knowledge?Bliss Absolute and non?dual. He is

the embodiment of Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram (Truth, Auspiciousness,

Beauty).

 

(Sanskrit Verse)

 

Embodiments of Love!

Krishnajanmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Lord

Krishna. Man's Hridaya (heart) is the birthplace of Krishna. To

worry over why Krishna and Rama were born on such inauspicious

Thithis (8th and 9th phases of the waning and waxing moon) is

foolish. It is only when the Hridaya becomes cool, pure and peaceful

like the Himachala (the Himalayan mountains), that is the true

birthday of Krishna. God makes such a heart His dwelling place which

is pure, sacred and peaceful.

 

>From the worldly point of view, Krishna was born on Ashtami in the

midnight. People consider Ashtami to be inauspicious. How can the

birthday of a Divine incarnation be inauspicious? In fact, all days

are auspicious and are meant to confer welfare and prosperity. God

incarnates to bestow auspiciousness on all. Hence, His birthday

should be treated as highly sacred.

 

Krishna was born in a prison. All the guards of the prison, who were

supposed to be on high alert as per Kamsa's instructions, were

overpowered by sleep. Only Devaki and Vasudeva were awake at the

time of Krishna's advent. Fearing danger to the newborn child in the

hands of wicked Kamsa, Vasudeva decided to take the child away to a

safe destination. He gently wrapped the child in a cloth, placed it

in a basket, lifted it up on his head and came out of the prison.

The doors of the prison opened of their own accord. As there was a

heavy downpour, Vasudeva prayed that the child be protected. By the

Divine Will of Krishna, a huge serpent appeared there and started

following Vasudeva with its hood raised over the Divine child,

thereby protecting it from the downpour. By the time Vasudeva

reached Yashoda's house on the opposite bank of river Yamuna, it was

very late in the night. Just then she had given birth to a female

child. Everyone including her husband was fast asleep. Vasudeva

quietly placed the divine child Krishna by the side of Yashoda and

picked up the female child born to her and quickly returned to the

prison.

 

The stories of the Lord are most wonderful and sacred in all the

three worlds. They are like sickles that cut the creepers of worldly

bondage. They are most ennobling and elevating. They confer bliss on

the sages and seers doing penance in forests.

 

(Telugu Poem)

 

None can comprehend the ways of God. Even Vasudeva was not fully

aware of what he was doing. He took the child Krishna to Yashoda's

house and brought the female child with him. He did all this as if

he was in a trance. Radha, a small girl then, was a witness to the

entire episode. It got imprinted on her heart. People think Radha

was younger to Krishna and talk in derogatory terms about the

relationship she had with Him. In fact, she was much older than

Krishna, 26 months to be precise. Her feeling towards Krishna was

very sacred and became stronger day by day.

 

Vasudeva became his normal self after he went back to the prison. As

he entered the prison, the doors closed behind him and locked

automatically. No sooner did he place the female child by the side

of Devaki than the bell rang. The guard of the prison at once got up

and informed Kamsa about the birth of the child. Kamsa promptly

arrived at the prison with all his paraphernalia. As was his wont,

he lifted the child with his left hand and threw it into the sky. He

held a sword in his right hand and was ready to behead the child as

it fell down. But the child vanished as it went up and in its place,

a goddess appeared and warned Kamsa that his nemesis Krishna was

born and that He would kill him. She was very powerful and none

could do any harm to her. After warning Kamsa about his impending

peril, she too vanished. Devaki was perplexed beyond words about the

happenings. She understood that the entire episode was Krishna's

Will. Kamsa became restless and agitated as he came to know that

Krishna was being brought up elsewhere. Day and night, he was

thinking of ways and means to capture Krishna and kill Him.

 

Krishna was growing up under the loving care of Yashoda and the

story is known to everyone here. Krishna demonstrated His Divine

powers in innumerable ways. Kamsa was at a loss how to capture

Krishna. He issued an order that all the newborn babies of Repalle

be killed. Initially, he wanted only the male babies to be killed.

Later on, he changed his mind and wanted even the female babies to

be killed. He resorted to such heinous acts only out of fear. As

days progressed, the stories of child Krishna's divine pranks spread

far and wide. God's deeds are wonderful and mysterious. All the

while, the messengers of Kamsa were in intensive search for Krishna.

Ultimately, they spotted Him in Repalle and informed Kamsa.

 

It is said, Vinashakale Vipareeta Buddhi (discrimination fails to

work when one is destined to be destroyed). Kamsa started sending

many powerful demons to Repalle to kill Krishna. But Krishna, with

His mighty power, destroyed all of them. Kamsa's end approached

fast. He devised a nefarious scheme to lure Krishna and Balarama to

Mathura and kill them. Kamsa sent his messengers to Repalle to bring

Krishna and Balarama to Mathura to attend some Yajna which he was

performing. He deputed Akrura, who adored Krishna and Balarama to

persuade and bring Krishna and Balarama to Mathura.

 

As the brothers entered the city, the citizens of Mathura were

mesmerised by the charming forms of Krishna and Balarama. They were

already suffering from deep frustration and anguish over the

atrocities committed by Kamsa and they prayed to Krishna to come to

their rescue. As Krishna and Balarama were proceeding towards

Kamsa's palace, they came across a lady who used to supply garlands

to Kamsa everyday. Krishna took two garlands from her. He and

Balarama garlanded each other. Then they encountered the royal

washerman, took Kamsa's silk garments and dressed themselves in

regal style. Later they met a hunchback lady Kubja, who was carrying

scents and perfumes for Kamsa. She had an ugly appearance with a

crooked body. She knew that Krishna was God. Seeing the two

brothers, she was overjoyed and she sprinkled the perfumes on them.

She said, ''Krishna, today my life has found fulfilment. I must have

performed great penance in the past, to have deserved this

opportunity to serve You.'' She then prayed to Krishna to straighten

her body. Krishna planted His foot on her feet, caught hold of her

chin and lifted it up. Lo and behold! Her hunchback was gone. She

assumed the form of a beautiful lady. In this manner, Krishna

demonstrated His divine powers by performing many stupendous feats

and in the process relieved many from their curses.

 

On coming to know that Krishna and Balarama were wearing his royal

garments, Kamsa was furious. In the meanwhile, Kubja approached

Kamsa and said, "Oh master, none can comprehend the divine play of

Krishna and His mysterious powers. Don't make any attempt to

understand his powers. It is better that you ignore the matter."

Kamsa wondered, "How could she speak to me with such impertinence!

Surely Krishna has instigated her." At that moment Kamsa's attention

was diverted by someone and Kubja, seizing the opportunity, quietly

left the scene.

 

Krishna and Balarama entered Kamsa's court like two lion cubs. They

defeated the court wrestlers. Thereafter, Krishna, in a trice, leapt

on the platform where Kamsa was seated, pinned him down and rained

severe blows on him. Balarama, who was equally strong, joined him.

Together they crushed Kamsa to pulp. Seeing the gruesome killing of

Kamsa, the assembly was fear-stricken. They were amazed how such a

young boy as Krishna could vanquish the mighty Kamsa. There was a

platoon of soldiers specially deployed by Kamsa to kill Balarama and

Krishna. They too could not withstand the onslaught of Krishna.

Ultimately, they fell at His feet and prayed for mercy.

 

Krishna and Balarama left for Repalle unnoticed by others. The

inhabitants of Repalle were anxiously awaiting their return. They

were highly depressed as they could not see any sign of their

arrival in the vicinity. Mother Yashoda was very nervous thinking of

the well-being of her sons. The Gopikas too were drowned in sorrow

and started abusing Kamsa, presuming that he must have harmed

Krishna and Balarama. All the men and women of Repalle were praying

to Krishna all the time chanting His Name. All of a sudden, Krishna

and Balarama appeared in their midst to their astonishment and joy.

Krishna spoke to them soothing words and pacified them.

 

Kamsa had two wives. After his death, they went to stay with

Jarasandha, their father. Jarasandha was very furious with Krishna

and wanted to avenge the killing of his son-in-law. Many of his

relatives had also developed hatred towards Krishna. This news

reached Yashoda and Nanda as also Devaki and Vasudeva. They were

concerned about Krishna's safety. However, Devaki was one of courage

and also a great devotee. That is why she could withstand all the

suffering caused by her brother Kamsa with equanimity. She was sure

that none could harm Krishna. She had total faith in Krishna's

Divinity. As the enemies could not dare to challenge Krishna, they

tried to harass the residents of Repalle. Krishna at once came to

their rescue and drove the enemies away.

 

Days rolled by and it was time for Krishna's marriage. Rukmini,

princess of Vidarbha loved Krishna and wanted to marry Him. But her

brother Rukmi wanted to give her in marriage to his friend Sisupala

and was making arrangements for the same. Krishna was well aware of

all this. He had a masterplan of His own. Devaki and Vasudeva, after

they were freed from prison, were staying in the house of Nanda and

Yashoda. Meanwhile, Rukmini had sent a message to Krishna through a

brahmin in which she wrote, "Krishna, I can no longer bear the pangs

of separation from You. My father has decided to perform my marriage

with Sisupala, against my wish. The marriage is scheduled to take

place tomorrow. If You do not come before that and take me away from

here, I will put an end to my life."

 

As per Rukmini's wish, Krishna devised a strategy to bring her to

their house. In those days, it was customary for the bride to offer

special worship to the village goddess prior to her marriage. As per

the tradition, Rukmini was proceeding to the temple to offer special

prayers. Rukmi, the evil-minded brother of Rukmini had made

elaborate security arrangements fearing an attack from Krishna. He

had joined hands with Sisupala and Dantavakra, who were bitter

enemies of Krishna.

 

Rukmini was walking slowly towards the temple. She was deeply

dejected thinking that Krishna had not come to her rescue. She was

unaware that Krishna had indeed come to rescue her and was waiting

at the entrance of the temple without being noticed by others. As

she reached the entrance, Krishna deftly put her in His chariot and

drove away. A fierce battle ensued between Krishna and Rukmi and his

associates. Krishna defeated them all. He took Rukmini along with

Him and married her. Krishna had incarnated to punish the wicked and

protect the pious. Sisupala hated Krishna from the core of his heart

because He had taken away Rukmini whom he was supposed to marry.

 

Krishna had to encounter many odds and hardships all through His

life. That is why people consider Ashtami, His birthday as a day

that brings difficulties. Right from the time He was born, Krishna

faced difficulties at the hands of Kamsa. During his infancy, people

of other villages also had to undergo sufferings inflicted by Kamsa.

He had to face the challenges posed by wicked people like Sisupala

and Dantavakra. Even His marriage with Rukmini resulted in battle.

However, He vanquished all His adversaries and emerged victorious.

 

Krishna spared Sisupala's life for a long time in spite of his

hostility. When Dharmaraja performed Rajasuya Yajna, he gave

Agratambulam (first offering) to Krishna. Watching this, Sisupala

flew into a fit of rage and hurled abuses at Krishna. He described

Him as a mere cowherd boy and said that He did not deserve the

honour.

 

"When elders like Bhishma are seated in this assembly, how could you

choose a cowherd boy for this great honour", he questioned

Dharmaraja. He was ready to fight with Krishna. He said to Him,

 

Do you think that you deserve this honour because you stole the

saris of the Gopikas when they were having a bath? Or do you think

that you deserve this because you spent all your time in the company

of cowherdesses? Stop this self-aggrandisement and shut up!

 

(Telugu Poem)

 

It was then that Krishna killed Sisupala. Many are under the

mistaken notion that Krishna used His divine weapon, the Sudarshana

Chakra (disc) to behead him. In fact, Krishna just threw the plate,

in which He received the first offering at Sisupala. In this age of

Kali, people talk of Vishnu Chakra and Sudarshana Chakra as the

weapons of Krishna. But whatever Krishna used served as Chakra with

His Divine Will.

 

In this manner, Krishna had to wage a number of wars during His

lifetime. That is why elders say that the birthday of Krishna,

Ashtami, is associated with difficulties. When Krishna was born, the

day was Ashtami and the star was Rohini. It is a common belief that

whoever is born with such a combination of day and star, will face

hardships throughout his life. There is another belief that such a

person will be the emancipator of the nation. Krishna destroyed the

wicked and protected the righteous. He established Dharma. Hence, do

not consider the time of Krishna's advent to be inauspicious. It is

a noble and a sacred day.

 

Later, as time passed by, it was Arjuna who brought the shocking

news that Krishna shed His mortal coil. Mother Kunti had become very

old. She had lost the power of vision and her limbs had become very

weak. She was a great devotee and considered Krishna as her very

life. She was eagerly waiting for Arjuna to come and tell her about

Krishna's well- being. Arjuna came to her calling, "Mother, Mother"

in an agitated voice. She at once asked him, "Son, where is Krishna?

How is He?" Arjuna was crestfallen. He said, "Mother, what can I

say? Krishna, who is our friend, relative, guide, guardian and God,

is no more." Hearing this tragic news, Kunti at once left her mortal

body. She was such a great devotee. After Krishna's departure, the

entire Yadava clan perished as a result of severe in-fighting that

followed. It was the consequence of a curse pronounced earlier on

Yadavas by a sage.

 

The Pandavas decided to renounce the world and retire into the

forests. It was a strange situation. On the one hand the coronation

of Parikshit had to take place; on the other the last rites of Kunti

had to be performed. Making her head rest on his lap, Dharmaraja

issued instructions to Bhima to make arrangements for the

coronation. He told Arjuna to make the necessary preparation for

Kunti's funeral. At the same time, he instructed Nakula and Sahadeva

to make arrangements for them to go to the forest. All the three

events took place on the same day. Only those with unwavering faith

in God can perform such tasks simultaneously with equanimity.

Everything happens according to His Will.

 

Right from the beginning till the end, the tasks performed by

Krishna were wonderful, sacred, mysterious and beyond human

comprehension. Therefore, it is not proper to consider the birthday

of Krishna to be inauspicious. It is a highly sacred day and is to

be celebrated with unbounded joy.

 

Here is another point that needs mention. When this body was born,

there was a lot of chaos and confusion among people of this village

and also in the neighbouring villages. The epidemics of Cholera and

Plague were rampant everywhere. People were afraid to visit each

other's house or even drink a glass of water outside. Such was the

situation in those days.

 

GrihamAmmayi(Mother Easwaramma) would not visit others' houses.

Kondama Raju, grandfather of this body, was also one of strict

discipline and principles. He would never accept anything from

others. In those days, I was staying with Kondama Raju. He did not

permit other children, including Parvatamma and Venkamma (Swami's

sisters) to come near Me, lest I should be infected with the

epidemic. But I used to slip out of the house without his knowledge.

On coming to know of this, he would gently chide Me saying, "Sathya,

why don't you listen to Me? You should not go here and there." He

instructed the villagers to bring Me home at once if they spotted Me

outside. This way, he would try to restrain My movements. But can

anyone restrain Me? I used to move around in the village without

being noticed. There were occasions when people of ten different

houses would invite Me for food. I would visit all those ten houses,

dine with them and satisfy them. Sometimes, Karanam Subbamma would

call Me from the window and pass on food packets. She was a great

devotee.

 

Kondama Raju did not relish My visits to others' houses. He was

anxious about My safety and well-being. In those days, Reddy and

Karanam were the two heads of the village. Subbamma was the name of

Karanam's wife and Reddy's wife was Subbulamma. She was feeling

jealous that I was making frequent visits to Karanam Subbamma's

house. Hence, she decided to poison Me. One day she came to Me and

invited Me to her house, saying, "Babu, today you must come to our

house for snacks. I will make delicious vadas for You. Come alone,

do not tell others about this." When I visited her house, she served

Me poisoned vadas. I knew her evil intentions, yet I ate the vadas

without hesitation. My body at once turned blue. People who saw Me,

ran to Karanam Subbamma and Easwaramma and informed them about this.

In those days, there was bitter rivalry between Reddy Subbulamma and

Karanam Subbamma. Not only here, in most of the villages, such

animosity existed between Reddys and Karanams. People came down

heavily on Reddy Subbulamma for her evil act.

 

Kondama Raju lived in a tribal locality. When he came to know of the

incident, he became furious. He summoned the tribals and goaded them

to teach a lesson to Reddy Subbulamma. I told Kondama

Raju, "Grandfather, being elders of the village, you should not

resort to such harmful acts." If you do not stop the tribals from

attacking her, I will go and stay with her forever. Both Kondama

Raju and Karanam Subbamma acted on My advice and stopped those

tribals from going to Reddy Subbulamma's house. In this manner, I

removed hatred from the minds of people and strove for unity in the

village.

 

There was never any fear in all my actions. I would eat whatever

others offered Me without any hesitation. Once the thatched hut I

was staying in, was set on fire by some miscreants. You may be

knowing that there was a hut in the place where the Kalyana Mandapam

stands now. As the hut was being consigned to flames, there was a

heavy downpour of rain, only on the hut and nowhere else. People

realised My Divinity. Right from that day, people of Putta-

parthi,Kammavaripalli, Jankampalli, etc., started coming to Me with

veneration. They were conducting Bhajans in the surrounding villages.

 

I want to tell you something that happened in the recent past. When

I was at Bangalore, there was a wide propaganda that I had a fall

and had sustained a fracture. People of all villages including

Puttaparthi conducted regular Bhajans praying for My well-being. In

many villages Sathyanarayana Vratam was performed. In this manner,

they became recipients of Swami's love. During this period, there

was none who did not think of Swami. The glory of Swami has spread

far and wide. Whenever I travel from Bangalore by road, at every

village enroute people stop My car and offer Arati. On the previous

occasion, the road at Chikballapur was blocked by eager devotees,

doing Bhajans, waving Arati. They hailed My arrival full-

throated, "Sathya Sai Babajiki Jai". People at Kappalabanda and

Mamillakunta also expressed their love and devotion for Swami in a

similar manner.

 

The doctor had said that a rest of one year was required for the hip

to heal completely. I told that it would not take one year. "The

loving prayers of devotees would cure Me in no time", I assured

them. I told the doctors that I did not need any medicine or further

treatment. The prayer of the devotees is the panacea for this body.

Their prayers have given Me immense bliss. In spite of the fracture,

I was smiling always. When I was taken to the hospital, everyone was

in tears, but I was smiling all the time. The doctors who operated

on Me were astonished to see Me smiling. Usually the pain that

results from a hip fracture is like that of an electric shock. But I

was least affected by it. Even now I have no pain whatsoever.

Devotees are My property and I am the property of devotees. I have

no fear or anxiety. Even in such a situation, I can happily go round

the country. Hereafter, I will travel around far and wide more

frequently. You don't need to worry about Swami's well-being. I am

always happy and blissful. May you all be happy and prosperous

always!

 

Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Bhaja Govindam,

Bhaja Govindam, Govindam Bhaja Moodha Mathe..."