Sanskrit Verses on the Divine Power of the Veṇu
Among all the divine ornaments of Shri Krishna, none is as intimate and overpowering as His flute. Crown, conch, discus, and mace proclaim His sovereignty, but the flute reveals His heart. Hence the Lord is remembered not merely as Krishna, but as Venugopāla, Murārīdhara, Murali Manohara, Bāṁsilāl—names born solely from His eternal companionship with the flute.
The Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (verses 122–123) gives a rare and detailed account of the various flutes used by Krishna, each corresponding to a particular rasa, audience, and divine intention.
The Three Principal Flutes
Veṇu is the smallest flute, about six inches long, with six holes. Sharp and piercing, it commands attention instantly.
Murali is about eighteen inches long, with four holes on the body and one at the end. Its sound is deep, flowing, and supremely enchanting.
Vaṁśī, about fifteen inches long with nine holes, produces layered melodies capable of awakening complex emotions.
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa captures the effect of this sound upon all beings:
वेणुं क्वणन्तं अरविन्ददलायताक्षं
बर्हावतंसमसिताम्बुदसुन्दराङ्गम् ।
कन्दर्पकोटिकमनीयविशेषशोभं
गोविन्दमादिपुरुषं तमहं भजामि ॥
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.32.2)
“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose lotus-petal eyes, peacock-feather crown, cloud-dark beauty, and flute-song surpass the charm of millions of Cupids.”
The Longer and Mystical Flutes
A longer Vaṁśī is known as Mahānanda or Sanmohinī, “the flute that utterly enchants.”
When longer still, it is called Ākarṣiṇī, “the attractor.”
When longer yet, it becomes Ānandinī, the giver of bliss, technically known as Vaṁśulī, especially dear to the cowherd boys.
Some flutes were made of hollow bamboo, others of marble, and some were adorned with jewels. A jeweled flute is called Sanmohinī, while a golden flute is known as Ākarṣiṇī—suggesting that even matter becomes conscious in Krishna’s hands.
Saralā and the Named Flutes
Among Krishna’s many flutes, Saralā is especially tender. It produces a low, soft tone, like the gentle call of a cuckoo at dawn. Krishna delights in playing Saralā in the rāgas Gauḍī and Garjarī, rāgas rich in gravity and longing.
Another flute with six holes is called Madanajhaṅkṛti, whose sound awakens the god of love himself.
Krishna’s Mahānanda flute is poetically described as a fish-hook, effortlessly capturing the heart and mind of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
The Gopīs describe the flute with awe and gentle envy:
अनयाराधितो नूनं भगवान् हरिरीश्वरः ।
यन्नो विहाय गोविन्दः प्रीतो यामनया अधुनाः ॥
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.30.28)
“Surely this flute has worshiped the Lord perfectly in past lives, for Govinda now abandons us and follows it alone.”
The Eight Mystical Tunes of the Flute
Krishna’s flute is not music alone; it is cosmic command.
The first tune breaks the meditation of Brahmā and Śiva; even Ananta sways His thousand heads.
The second tune makes the Yamunā flow backward.
The third tune halts the moon in its course.
The fourth tune draws the cows of Vṛndāvana, who stand stunned in rapture.
The fifth tune summons the gopīs, who abandon all duties.
The sixth tune melts stones and ushers in autumn.
The seventh tune manifests all seasons at once.
The eighth tune is secret and exclusive.
The Bhāgavatam hints at this supreme call:
यदनुचरितलीलाकर्णपीयूषविप्रुट्
सकृददनविधूतद्वन्द्वधर्मा विनष्टाः ।
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.35.11)
“One drop of the nectar of Krishna’s flute destroys all dualities within the heart.”
The eighth tune calls only Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. The flute takes Her name. Hearing it, She runs toward Krishna, Her garments disordered, Her hair undone, Her kohl smeared—not drawn by sound, but by eternal love.
The Spiritual Secret of the Flute
The flute is hollow. It claims nothing. It surrenders completely to the breath of the Lord. That is why divine music flows through it.
नादब्रह्मेति विद्यान्ते
“Sound itself is Brahman,” declare the Upaniṣads—and Krishna reveals this truth through the veṇu.
Thus, Krishna is remembered not as a conqueror, but as a caller.
Not as a ruler, but as a lover.
Not with thunder, but with a flute.
And the soul, hearing that call, forgets everything else.
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