SATHYA SAI SPEEKS VOLUME 05- Chapter 04.1

[Manikandan Govindasamy]

4. Kare Kankanam

---Prashaanthi Nilayam, 30-1-1965

You heard the discourse on Krishna thathwa, based on the famous dialogue between Krishna and Rukmini, as the text. That dialogue appears very worldly, but the transcendent can be understood by the common man only through the language of the transitory. The unknowable has to be hinted at through the crude landmarks of the already known. Take the hymn that describes Krishna as, "Kasthuri thilakam". Outwardly, it delineates the beautiful form and describes the ornaments and appurtenances of the Lord. But each of these words has a deeper significance which should not be missed.

The thilakam or dot of kasthuri or musk on the forehead of Krishna is the symbol of the Eye of Wisdom, the Inner Eye, the inward-directed vision, like the third eye on the forehead of Shiva. Kasthuri means jnaanam or supersensual knowledge or wisdom. Then the hymn speaks of kowsthubha gem on the chest. It indicates the aananda in the heart, the untarnished aananda of the Lord who is Aananda swaruupi (bliss personified). Next in the poem is the shining pearl on Krishna's nose-ring. Well, the Navamoukthikam on His naasaagra (nose-tip) is indicative of the success that attends one-pointed concentration on His Glory for which the tip of the nose is considered by adepts in yoga as a point of help. And, the pearl is, in Hindu mythology, produced out of the rain drop, from the first, pure, unsullied showers that is swallowed by the oyster that has been waiting long for the precious gift from the heavens. It indicates the transforming effect of yearning and the natural thirst for the pure and the true which irks the human heart.

Take the next item in the description' the Flute in the hand. That reminds all of the need to make oneself into a hollow reed, with no trace of the pith of material greed. Become straight, empty yourself of all obstructing desires and the Lord's breath will flow through you, making sweet music that awakens every soul.

The three vows of Lord Krishna

And the kankana, in the description, 'kate kankana'. That does not mean 'bangles', which is the meaning given in the lexicon. Kankana is the word for dedicatory armlet, worn when a person resolves on a vow. You may wonder what the vows are which Krishna took upon Himself! I shall tell you what they are. They are mentioned in the Bhagavad Geetha, for all humanity to read, know, and believe. There are three vows in all:

(1) Parithraanaaya saadhoonaam, vinaasayacha dushkrithaam, dharma samsthaapanaarthaaya sambhavaami yuge yuge---"For the protection of the good and the punishment of the bad, for the establishment of the Moral Order, I shall concretise Myself, age after age".

(2) Ananyaaschinthayantho maam ye janaah paryupaasathe, theshaam nithya-abhiyukthaanaam yoga kshemam vahaamyaham.---"Whoever is wholly immersed in My contemplation, with no other thought, I shall be ever with Him- and I shall bear the burden of his welfare".

(3) Sarvadharmaan parithyajya maamekam saranam vraja, aham thwaa sarva paapebhyo mokshayishyaami, maasucha---"Surrender unto Me, giving up all other duties and obligations; I shall liberate you from all sin; do not grieve." These are the three vows that Krishna has taken, and the armlets are reminders of these tasks on which He is set.