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Neela is the Deepa Rekha of Sri Krishna

  • 19. Kuthu Vilakeriya

Transliteration

Kuthuvilakkeriya-k-kottukkaal Kattil Mel

Methhenra Pancha Sayanathil Meleri

Koththalar Poonkuzhal Nappinnai Kongaiymel

Viththu Kidantha Malar Maarbhavaai Thiravaai!

Maiththadam Kanninnaai, Nee Un Manaalanai

Ethanai Podhum Thuyilezha Vottaai Kaan

Ethanai Yelum Pirivaatrakillaaiyaal

Thathuvamanru Thagav-el or empaavaai

Translation from Tamil Song 19

Clusters of oil- lamps burning bright

On a sculpted cot with four-ivory legs

On cool, white and soft bed of five merits

On bosom of Neela with flower decked plait

O Krishna, please utter a word at least,

O Neela with wide lively eyes lined black

Can’t you leave Him for a minute too?

It’s not your nature or character to hold Him so.

Yesterday the Gopikas could locate Krishna, and tried to wake Him up. But He preferred not to. They realized that without seeking blessings of Bala Rama, they should not have approached Krishna. After meeting Bala Ram, they again tried but failed again. Gopika’s another mistake was ignoring Neela.  With Purushakara of Neela, they can be assured of blessing from the Supreme Self. The mother pleads for kids and convinces the Husband. The motherly affection of recommending Husband for boons to children is called Purushakara.  Neela is such mother.

Goda is exploring the valour, beauty and romantic personality of Krishna in this song. Having ivory legs for his very wide cot represents his adventurous and courageous deeds. Those tusks out of which the four legs made were out of Kuvalayapeedam, which was enraged against him by Kamsa. On that cot, fixed a mattress filled with white soft cotton, spreading fragrance. After tiresome deeds, Krishna retired to sleep leaning on the bosom of Neela. At times, its reverse,  Neela was on the wide chest of Narayana. She is hearing the calls for Krishna from the Gopikas, but she wanted to respond instead of disturbing Krishna.

Also Read : Neela Devi mediates between Jeeva and Paramatma

Goda is pleading with her, “O mother, can’t you endure Krishna’s separation even for a minute, release Krishna to meet us. You were very kind, never like this, and it is not your character”.  Neela knew how tiresome Krishna was and how badly He needs rest. Goda said again: “We expect you to take initiative on our behalf to inspire Krishna. At least wake him up for us”.

Gopikas explain further: “We chose to reach you before the dawn with small lamps so that elders do not notice us in dead of night and admonish. You have lit clusters of lamps and brightened your bed room so much that it looks like mid-day. You are completely enjoying alone the enchanting sleeping beauty of Krishna. Rama had of enough of light emanating from Seetha. He never needed a lamp during the nights. Similarly you are the bright lamp for Krishna also, You do not need any other lamp.  Having separated from us, you should  have felt that soft bed was hard for you. But you are enjoying the white softness of the cotton bed, where as we are not able to withstand the separation from Him”.

Goda is proving her poetic prowess in showing multiple examples of love bondage of Neela for Krishna. Seetha and Rama could not live without the other even for a second. The couple – Neela Krishna too cannot tolerate separation from each other. Gopikas requested:  “Krishna, if you want to give your bosom to Neela, please give it…but give us a word at least. Krishna was convinced, He wanted to greet those who all came with great love for Him. But Neela tightened her hold and did not allow Him to get up. Gopiaks understood it and started praising Neela for her indulgence. O Mother, have a glance at us with your wide eyes decorated by black eye liner.  You have bound Krishna with beauty of your eyes like Rama did to Seetha. He keeps on watching your lotus eyes continuously. We know that you have not decorated your eyes with black lining, it appears to be so because of black shades of Krishna. Krishna is shining in your eyes, why do not you allow Him to light up our eyes too. He is not husband of yours only, He is Jagannadha, (bearer of entire Universe).  

Also Read : Nanda -Acharya, Yashoda – Mantra and Krishna – the Mantrartha

Gopikas feel moonlight and lamp are their enemies because they do not allow them to experience the Krishna. They want it at par with Neela. Lakshmana was very happy to see the brother spending pleasant times with Seeta, while both Rama and Seeta are enjoying each other’s company. Valmiki says Rama Maanaa vana Trayah రమామాణ వన త్రయః  = three are enjoying in the forest. It is traditionally believed that Lakshmi is ‘mangala deepa Rekha, who is inherently illuminating and that illuminates the eyes of Vishnu. She is the lamp that throws light of knowledge about Narayana Tatwa. She is lamp of knowledge. Jnaana Deepa. Krishna is the bright star of Gopa clan. But He is not visible to others unless Neela reflects her light on Him. He is Aprakasha and Anyadheena Prakasha, i.e., does have no light and depends on others for light. Neela has to brighten Him. There are five lights there: Shriti, Smriti, Ithihaasa, Purana, and Aagamas. Goda referred to these five as cluster of lamps, the sources of the knowledge. These five lamps emanate the knowledge. That light of knowledge enables us to visualise and realize the Sri Tatwa and Narayana Tatwa.

Krishna killed Kuvalayapeedam, the big embodiment of grown up Ego, such as:  “I did it, I will enjoy it, I know it, everything is mine”, are the four kinds of egos. Four Ivory legs reflect these four kinds of Ahamkaaram. One should have chaturvidha jnana, four kinds of Jnana are those who are sleeping on the cot. Cot is place where humans derive rest and happiness. It relieves the physical strain. The cot of our aadi dampathi is a platform of Bliss of Super Self.

Also Read : Cross the doors of diversion, to reach goal

When Gopikas refer to black eye lining of Neela and blossoming clusters of flowers in her plait, it means a comparison between them with Neela. While Gopikas abandoned eye linings and flowers for Vrata, Neela is enjoying them and binding Krishna with her flowers and look. Eye is symbol of Jnana but the black eye lining is reflection of love.

Father and mother should be always together to help children and shower affection together. Seetha Rama, Lakshmi Naryana and Neela Krishna together each will protect the Jeevis. If one desires Rama alone, it will become Shoorpanakha, and someone wants only Seetha, he becomes Ravana and perish. In Guruparampara, the Gopikas are invoking ‘Om Sridharayanamah” in this pashuram.

Also Read : Goda wakes up Tenth Alwar and Gopika

Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu
Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu
Author is Dean, Professor of law at Mahindra University at Hyderabad and former Central Information Commissioner. He published a number books in English and Telugu.

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