- Anugraha : His Holiness Sri Sri Vidyadheesha Teertha Swamiji
- Author : Krishna Sakha, Mudarangadi
- Translation : Dr || Sudheendra Putty, Secunderabad
Vasudeva grihē sākshād bhagavān puruṣah parah janiṣhyatē – śrī kriṣṇa was born in the house of Vasudeva is an averment in the śrīmad bhāgavata. While presenting the manifestation of śrī kriṣṇa, śrī vēdavyāsa uses the term ‘sākshād bhagavān or the very personification of the Supreme. The colloquial term used to allude to the Almighty is bhagavān. While the use of the said word is widespread, few, if any, actually know or understand its true and intrinsic meaning. Our learned seers have variedly expounded the meaning and depth of this term. One such exposition is as follows:
aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ |
jñānavairāgyayōścaiva ṣaṇṇāṁ bhaga itīraṇā ||
Overall lordship, valour, fame, radiance, knowledge and dispassion or renunciation are the six key facets of the term bhaga.
1. aiśvarya refers to lordship. Indra rules over the three worlds; Brahma rules over the satya lōka. So, too, as one goes up the ascendant, lakṣmī rules over all else. Further, nārayaṇa alone has lordship over lakṣmī too (and thereby over all else).
2. vīrya refers to valour or gallantry – such might and ability as to surmount all. This quality is present in the Almighty nārayaṇa alone.
3. He alone has earned fame (yaśasaḥ) in every manner and commands it from every source.
4. śriyaḥ refers to radiance. Beauty that is comprised of the five elements of nature is ephemeral. Whereas, the beauty and radiance of nārayaṇa is blemishless and eternal for it is beyond (thus, not subject to the transience) the five elements of nature.
5. The scriptures orate that while lakṣmī is the all-knowing even She does not possess complete knowledge (jñāna) of Her consort, nārayaṇa. He is the paragon of all virtues and finest attributes; such is their expanse as elucidated in the Vedas that except Him, none else can even be cognizant of it.
6. The one who has everything and yet remains entirely independent of it is the one who is truly dispassionate. This distinctive trait is solely His. ‘I have neither liking nor disdain for anyone’ is an averment of śrī kriṣṇa Himself – na mē dvēṣyō̕sti na priyaḥ. The smile from śrī kriṣṇa’s face does not fade even when the yādavās fatally fought amongst themselves. On the battleground when a debilitated Arjuna breaks down, śrī kriṣṇa discourses to him with that divinely charming smile. Such instances reiterate that He is the embodiment of renunciation or dispassion (vairāgya).
Each of the aforementioned six qualities in all its entirety is present in none other than nārayaṇa. Hence, it emerges abundantly clearly that the moniker bhagavān rightly and rightfully belongs to nārayaṇa alone and none else can be alluded to in like manner.
When one contemplates as above, it becomes evident that it was the supreme Lord, bhagavān who descended in the house of Vasudeva; that śrī kriṣṇa is the supreme Lord Himself.
Hence, it is imperative to meditate upon śrī kriṣṇa not as a mere mortal, but as the supreme One who is the cornucopia of the six fundamental attributes.
Ever engaged in the sadhana of Srimadvaishnava Siddhanta of our Guru, Acharya Madhwa and all the Yatis and Dasas who have blazed this noble path. May HVG bless us all