Dr.
Sorry for the delay as I was away for a few days at at Sri Sacchidanada tapovanam in Tuni in Andhra Pradesh and did not access mail then. As much as I enjoyed the words of this article, I admit that I could not not do justice to the words that flow out of the great great great wisdom and vocabulary of Maha periyava.
Rajagopalan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krishnavatara Tattvam graced by Shri. Mahaperiyava.
The light of Gyana:
”Shri Krishna Bhaghavan in Bhagavat Geetha, says that “While the world is sleeping, the Gyani is awake.” (In the context that ‘The Gyani is always immersed / present in the radiance of gyana that is unknown to the ignorant world.’)
When light appears amidst total darkness, we all welcome it. Small amount of shade and water in the midst of a desert gives us immeasurable happiness. The light that appears in the midst of dark clouds gives more brightness.
Shri Krishna Paramatma was born in the midnight of a Krishna Paksha (Waxing moon) ashtami thithi in the month of Avani (Simha masam) during the Dakshinayana period. One year for us is one day for devas. Our Uttarayanam is their day time and our Dakshinayanam is their night time. So Shri Krishna’s avatara kalam (time) is Deva’s night time. Similarly, our one month is one day for our Pithrus.(Ancestors). Our shukla paksham (Raising moon) is their day time and our Krishna paksham is their night time. Hence Shri Krishna’s avatara kalam (time) is the night time for our Pithru’s also. Since Ashtami comes in the middle of a paksham (8thday of the 15 day period), it is the midnight time for our Pithrus. Shri Krishnan was born in the
midnight of Ashtami. Where does all this lead to? Shri Krishna’s Avatara kalam is the midnight time for Deva, Pithrus and Mortals. Shri Krishna was born in a dark prison. Like this every where was a very dark environment during his birth.
His name is ‘Krishnan’ meaning ‘Black’. His colour is also Black. Though he was born with black colour at a time, where everything is black (Dark), he is the divine light. Because, he was born as a divine light in the midst of darkness (like the lightning that is seen amidst dark clouds), he is still shining with an un-diminished brilliance even today. The greatness of knowledge (Gyana) is understood (realized) more in a world covered by the darkness of ignorance. Similarly Shri Krishna’s greatness is shining in this world. His Githa is resonating across the world. Shrimad Bhagavatha Puranam, filled with his leelas is the most renowned one. (Sreshtam)
Eyes give light to the body. Gyana gives light to life. One who gives the light of gyana to all the lives of this world is Krishnan. Kan in Tamil language is eye. That is why in South India, he is also called Kannan in addition to being called Krishnan.
His beautiful form immerses both the outer and the inner eye (Agam and Puram) in the divine nectar (Amirtham). The Geetha (Music) amritham from his divine flute and the upadesa saram of his Githamrutham (The nectar of Bhagavat Geetha) engulfs us by flowing in thro the ears. That Kannan is the ‘Kan’ (eye) of the world. The ‘Kan’ that shows light amongst darkness. He is the ‘Kan’ as well as it’s light.
Shri Krishna has performed (acted) many types of leelas in the same avatar. Why so many types of leelas? The world is filled with people with many states of mind – both good and bad. The Brave, the courageous, the thief, the womanizer, the ignorant, the hard working folks, older ones, children, yogis, gyanis….like this there are many people with multi various states of mind. Shri Krishna in order to attract all (not just the good ones) adorned the roles of The mischievous, the magician, the wise one…
The Shri Krishna avatar, that attracted all types of people individually, by the various leelas for the purpose of making them fit for his grace and bliss and gyana is the complete avatar. (Paripurna avataram).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------