I've grown up on a literary diet of various accounts of Hindu mythology, a topic that I devour most voraciously even today, if given half a chance. From the common Amar Chitra Katha series to encyclopedias of myths and legends (and, of course, the eternal Ramayan and Mahabharath series that used to appear on Doordarshan), I sampled everything, leaping from the ocean of one imaginal world to the thrilling heights of another, in a tireless sequence.
Needless to say, the stories of Krishna were some of the most gripping and colourful narratives that a child could be entertained with. It didn't matter whether my grandmother recited them from memory or my father read them aloud to me from a brightly illustrated storybook, their effect on me was enduring. Each tale coloured my mind with fresh hues...fired my imagination with new ideas. Till date, they constitute some of the best memories that are associated with my childhood.
As a child, the aspect of these stories that captivated me, was their supernatural nature...the promise of magic and of the protagonist being able to do the unthinkable and thereby achieve a deified state. Today, these stories still hold me in their sway, but instead of their magical flavour, what binds me to them is the infinite learning that is woven into their symbolism. From the accounts of Krishna's life, for instance, I learn about leadership, self-awareness, statecraft, devotion and the value of unconditional love (amongst several other things). Be it in the legends of the feats he accomplished as a child those associated with his epic role in the Mahabharata, Krishna's life is brimming with lessons for any who would learn of it.
Krishna is one of the few deities whose life is described (in devoted details) right from birth to demise. It is perhaps because of this 'documentation' in prose, poetry, music, art, dance etc. that the cowherd of yore still maintains his hold over the hearts of millions, centuries after he shed his corporeal form. When you learn about his life, you can chase the vibrant toddler who made the courtyards of his home resound with the little bells he wore on his feet and waist, listen to the young cowherd play the flute in order to mesmerise all living things, travel with him on his demon-slaying excursions, listen to him enlighten Arjun on Kurukshetra and follow him as he balances the forces of good and evil on earth... There is something just about anyone can identify with, regardless of age, gender or any other tiresome demographics!
Some critics question the deified status of Krishna, preferring to believe instead that he was a charismatic politician and strategist. While I don't criticise their notions, I do believe that if any mortal can command the attraction and following that Krishna commands till this day, then that individual deserves to be deified. No politician, military general or religious leader has held the hearts of people for generation upon generation following his/her demise, in the way that Krishna has...this feat in itself is supernatural and admirable.
Just before I end this stream of thought, I would like to share (and translate) my Guru, Pt. Ashok Kumar's wonderful composition in Raag Malkauns which says:
Gaavo hari naam,
Sundara Shyaam bhajata sakala,
Sura, nara, muni jana
Kamala nayana, Shesha shayana
Nita pujata jogi jana
Prema Rasiyaa ko prema dhaam.
(Meaning: The name of Hari (Krishna), the beautiful one, who is dark of skin, is sung by the devas, men and sages.
He, who is an incarnation of Vishnu -the one who reclines on the cosmic serpent, Sheshnaag- is worshipped by the yogis. He is the epitome of pure, unconditional love, that the poet aspires to attain.)
God Bless!
1 comment:
came from nikis page. I do believe Krishna lived and was a prophet. There is a quote from Prophet Muhammad also to this effect. "There lived a dark colored prophet named Kahna in India" Name of Krishna in Drawidian language was Kannan (still can see in Malayalam and Tamil)
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