The birthday of our Lord Krishna (Sri Jayanthi) is on Simha
SraavaNa month (AavaNi), when Ashtami of Krishna Paksham is united with the
constellation RohiNi, our Lord was born. Swami Desikan composed 20 verses in
praise of him and prayed that he should be blessed with thoughts exclusively
about HIM during his final moments (Anthima Smrithi) on this earth. Swami
composed these twenty verses, when he was overcome by the beauty of the Archa
Murthy of Sri Rajagopalan in the Divya Desam at Thiruvahindrapuram. The
Sanskrit name for twenty is Vimsathi and hence these twenty verses in praise of
Sri Gopala are celebrated as Sri Gopala Vimsathi. For more than 700 years,
these verses have been sung prior to Sri Vaishnava TadhiyAraadhanams (Group
partaking of food presented to the Lord earlier) to seek the Lord's blessings
and during the occasion of marriages to confer the blessings of the Lord on the
bride and the bridegroom.
Swami Desikan paints a word picture of the incomparable beauty of
Sri Gopalan, describes the structure of His mantram and affectionately recalls
the many mischievous deeds performed by Bala Gopalan in Gokulam and
BrindhAvanam to the utter delight of the humans and the celestial beings.
Sri Gopala Vimsathi must have been very dear to Swami Desikan as
indicated by his inclusion of the twelfth verse of this stotram in his esoteric
master piece known as Sankalpa Suryodhayam. There, he depicts Narada descending
from heaven singing joyously the above verse during his journey to meet
Purushan and initiate him into the Maha Mantram of the Lord.
On this Krishna Jayanthi day, the Archa Murthy of Rajagopalan is
taken in procession around the streets of Thiruvahindrapuram and Sri Gopala
Vimsathi slokams of our Acharya is recited. May our thoughts be blessed with
the delectable experience of Swami Desikan! I salute Sri Vedantha Desikan prior
to attempting to provide an English translation to these bhakthi-laden verses dedicated
to Sri Rukmii Satyabhama Sametha Raja Venugopalan.
Commentary
Verse 1:
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VANDEH BRIDHAAVANACHARAM VALLAVEE JANAVALABHAM I
JAYANTHISAMBHAVAM DHAMA VAIJAYANTHEE VIBHUSHANAM II
I salute that divine effulgence named Gopala, who was born on this
Sri Jayanthi day and roamed in the forests of Brindhaavanam wearing the
unfading garland made of wild flowers of the forest known as Vaijayanthi MaalA.
This garland was his characteristic decoration. He enchanted the Gopis of
Brindhavanam. I salute this illustrious Jyothi.
Verse 2:
*******
VAACHAM NUJANKARASIKAM PRASAMEEKSHAMAANA:
VAKTHRARAVIDHYA VINIVESITHA PAANCHAJANYA: I
VARNATRIKONARUCHIREH VARA PUNDAREEKEH
BHADDHAASANO JAYATHI VALLAVA CHAKRAVARTHEE II
The Lord of the cowherds, Sri Gopala is seated on a Yantra in the
shape of a eight-petalled lotus. Inside that Yantra is yet another yantra in
the shape of a triangle. Gopala Upasakas seat him at the centre of this inner
triangle and enjoy His illustrious beauty. On His lap, they find Saraswathi ,
the Goddess of learning. He blesses Her with His auspicious glances.
He has on His lotus lips the conch known as Panchajanyam, whose
sound is that of the holy Pranavam symbolizing the essence of the Vedas.
(His devotees meditate on Him in this manner and
receive His blessings).
Verse 3:
*******
Parama Purusha with the scent of Vedas in his breath
AAMNAAYA GANDHI RUDITA SPHURITAADHAROSHTAM
AASRAAVILEKSHANAMANUKSHANA MANDHAHAASAM I
GOPAALADIMBHAVAPUSHAM KUHANAAJANANYAA:
PRAANASTHANANDHAYAMIVAIMI PARAM PUMAAMSAM II
I visualize and revere Sri Gopala as the Supreme Lord, who took
the form of the child born in the cowherd family. He was not an ordinary baby.
As he feigned fear at the sight of the approaching evil Puthanaa, he
alternately cried and smiled. When he cried, his upper and lower lips quivered
from that exertion. At that time, his sweet breath carried the fragrance of the
Vedas. He also smiled in between his crying spells. His smile was over the
thought of what he planned to do next with the deceitful Puthanaa. He not only
helped himself with the poisonous milk from her breast, but also sucked her
life through the very same act of responding to her cunning invitation to
breast feed him. He drank at one swoop Puthana's milk and her life force and
blessed her this way. This certainly is no ordinary child!
Verse 4:
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Dance for Navaneetham at his mother's house
AAVIRBHAVATHVANIBHRUTHAABHARANAM PURASTAATH
AAKUNCHITAIKA CHARANAM NIBRUTHANYAPAADAM I
DADHNAA NIMANTHAMUKARENA NIBADDHATAALAM
NATHASYA NANDHABHAVANEH NAVANEETHANATYAM II
At the house of his parents, Yasodha was strenuously churning milk
to produce butter as part of the daily chore. Krishna, the bhagyam of Yasodha
listened to these rhythmical sounds coming from her efforts and began a special
dance to amuse her and to receive gobs of butter as a present for his
performance. For this special dance , he planted one of his foot firmly and he
moved the other foot around in different directions .The gold necklaces,
jewellery and the ankle bells on his holy feet produced then a most
delightful musical sound ,which matched the laya patterns emanating from
his mother's efforts at churning milk. May that vision of this butter dance of
Lord Gopala appear before my eyes! (Navaneetham is freshly churned butter mixed
with sugar).
Verse 5:
*******
Lord's fright at the sight of his chasing mother
HARTHUM KUMBEH VINIHITA KARA:
SWAADHU HAIYANGAVEENAM
DHRUSHTVAA DHAMAGRAHANACHATULAAM
MATHARAM JAATHAROSHAAM I
PAAYADHEESHATH PRACHALITHAPADOH
NAAPAGACCHAN NA THISHTAN
MITYAAGOPA: SAPADHI NAYANEH
MEELAYAN VISWAGOPTHAA II
(Here, Swami Desikan enjoys the scene just before the Lord being
caught in the act of stealing butter from a hidden vessel by his angry mother).
May the special pose that this protector of the Universe, who
acted like an innocent child born in the family of cowherds of Gokulam,
nurtures the inhabitants of his world! His mother normally stored freshly
churned butter in shallow earthen vessels (Chattis). Gopalan routinely raided
the kitchen and stole those gobs of butter. Yasodha thought that she could hide
the butter in deep water pots to mislead her child. Gopalan defeated his mother
in her efforts to save the butter and won the game. When his mother stepped out
of the kitchen for a moment, he put his hands into the pot and helped himself.
As he was enjoying himself, his mother arrived suddenly suspecting something
was going on behind her back. She saw Gopalan stealing butter again and ran
towards him with a rope in hand to tie him down as a punishment. Gopalan was
bewildered by the sight of his angry mother. For a moment, he wanted to run away
to escape his mother. He lifted his foot to run. His feigned fright at his
mother however made him stop. He stood still pretending that he did not know
what to do next. He closed his eyes at the thought of the impending calamity of
being caught and punished by his mother. He appeared as though he was averting
that danger by closing his eyes. It is common for ordinary human beings to
close their eyes, when they face serious danger out of a sense of utter
helplessness. Our Lord, who is the protector of His universe, adopted this
posture as if he was a mere mortal. May the thought of the simplicity that he
adapted for this occasion protect all of us in our daily lives!
Verse 6:
*******
Devaki"s Darling infant & Madhura's blessing
VRAJA YOSHIDAPAANGHA VEDANEEYAM
MADHURAABHAGYAM ANANYA BHOGGYAMEEDEH I
VASUDEVAVADHOO STHANANDHAYAM TATH
KIMAPI BRAHMA KISORABHAVA DHRUSYAM II
The young girls of Gokulam look at this lovely child of
Yasodha with great affection. Their glances enter him like arrows and makes him
subservient to them. He is the great fortune of the city of Northern Madhurai.
He , who was born there is the object of delectable experience for the sages ,
who do not covet anything else in this world. Right from his infant stage, when
he was breast fed by his natural mother Devaki in the prison , he has been the
essence of beauty in all the three worlds. I salute and offer my tribute to
this supreme being known as Gopalan .
Verse 7:
*******
Reflection of Gopalan as the one who dragged the mortar
PARIVARTHITHA KANDHARAM BHAYENA
SMITHA PULLADHARA PALLAVAM SMARAAMI I
VITAPITHVA NIRAASAKAM KAYOSCCHITH
VIPULOLOOKALA KARSHAKAM KUMARAM II
I meditate on that child Gopala , who dragged the big mortar
to which he was tied by his angry mother Yasodha. She wanted to teach him
a lesson for stealing butter .As Yasodha went away , he checked around to
make sure that she was out of sight and then pulled the tied mortar to
the garden . He smiled with a sense of satisfaction that he duped his mother
once again and his lips were rosy with that joy .He dragged the mortar further
and went between two Marutha trees . The shock of the collision with the mortar
broke the twin trees and the the sons of Kubera , who stood as the trees in the
garden of the Lord got released from their curse and regained their
original bodies . I offer my worship to that blessed child ,who freed the sons
of Kubera from their existence as twin trees .
Verse 8:
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Power of Swami Desikan's meditation on Rajagopalan
NIKATESHU NISAAMAYAAMI NITYAM
NIGAMAANTHAI : ADHUNAAPI MRUKYAMAANAM I
YAMALAARJUNA DHRUSHTA BALA KEHLIM
YAMUNAA SAKSHIKA YAVVANAM YUVAANAM II
Vedas are still searching for Him; His leelas were seen by the
twin Marutha trees in His backyard . even after they were released from their
state as trees , the sons of Kubera did not want to get back to their home ,
since they wanted to enjoy some more of His Bala Leelas . The river
Yamuna , the daughter of Surya was a joyous witness to all his playful deeds
that took place on her sands and banks . I see that wonderful young Gopala next
to me always . ( This is a blessing that Swami Desikan earned as a result of
his meditation on Rajagopalan ) .
Verse 9:
*******
Salutation to the power of the Universe
PADHAVEEM ADHAVEEYASEEM VIMUKTEH
ATAVEE SAMPADHAM AMBHUVAHAYANTHEEM I
ARUNAADHARA SAABHILAASHA VAMSAAM
KARUNAAM KAARANA MAANUSHEEM BHAJAAMI II
I worship the most merciful Gopala , who is the root cause of the
creation, sustenance and destruction of this universe ; He is the one , who
revealed to us the easy to practise route of Prapatthi as the short road to
Moksham .He is the rejuvenating , rain-bearing cloud that enhanced the
wealth and well being of the citizens of Brindhaavanam . The flute that rests
on His red lips during the time of His playing appears to be deeply
eager to taste the sweetness of his mouth . I salute this embodiment of mercy
known as Venugopalan .
Verse 10:
*********
Beauty of peacock feather clad Gopala
ANIMESHANISHEVANEEYAMAKSHNOH :
AJAHAT YAVVANAM AAVIRASTHU CHITTEH I
KALAHAAYITA KUNTALAM KALAABHAI :
KARANONMAADHAKA VIBRAMAM MAHO MEH II
One should enjoy the unchanging and incomparable
beauty of the youth , Gopala with unblinking eyes .When we blink ,
we lose that moment of this delectable experience. He is wearing the peacock
feathers (Peelis) in his dark tresses . The "eyes" at the top of
each of the peelis decorating his hair seem to compete for attention with
his youthful beauty. When we think of His many playful deeds/pranks as
Balagopala in Gokulum and Brindhavanam and his blemishlesss beauty , our minds
fall in intense love with Him. Our senses are overpowered. May the
overflowing flood of that beauty and its lustre remain steadily in my mind .
Verse 11:
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Meditation on the Beauty of Venugopalan
ANUYAAYI MANOJNA VAMSANAALAI :
AVATHU SPARSITHA VALLAVEE VIMOHAI: I
ANAGASMITHA SEETHALAI RASOU MAAM
ANUKAMPAA SARITHAMBHUJAI: APAANGAI : II
Venugopalan plays on his flute and creates delightful music and
casts his most merciful glances on the Gopis . They are totally captivated by
his friendly smile and the divine music originating from His flute. At
this time , His cool and welcoming eyes resemble a pair of just-blossomed
lotuses in the river of His mercy (Dayaa). May this enchanting youth Gopala
protect me always !
Verse 12:
********
Prayer for memory of Venugopalan during the last moments
ADHARAHITA CARU VAMSA NALA:
MAKUTALAMBI MAYURA PINCHAMALA: I
HARINILA SILAVIBHANGA LILA:
PRATIBHA: SANTU MAMANTIMA PRAYANE II
(This is the famous verse sung by Sage Narada in Sankalpa
Suryodhayam. The beauty of Venugopala and His world-enchanting flute
music has been celebrated by Srimad Bhagavatham and Periyazhwaar in particular
(Periya Thirumozhi : 3.6))
May the resplendent blue jyothi of Gopala reminding one of an
incomparable blue gem stone(Indra neela stone ),with blue peacock feather
decorations on His dark black hair and the divine flute on His lips appear
before me during the last moments of my life on this earth.
Verse 13:
********
Enjoyment of the indescribable beauty of the Lord
AKILAANAVALOKAYAAMI KAALAAN
MAHILAADHEENA BHUJAANTHARASYA YUNA: I
ABHILASHAPADHAM VAJRAANGANAANAAM
ABHILABHA KRAMA DHURAMAABHIRUPYAM II
Even in His incarnation as Krishna/Gopala , Sri Devi is always united
with Him. He has left her His chest region as Her place of special residence
and enjoyment. He has the eternal and youthful beauty that qualifies Him
to play with Her. We are powerless to describe His full beauty. The Gopis of
Gokulam are thirsting to enjoy His beauty . I am blessed to have the vision of
this beautiful youth everywhere and at all times .
Verse 14:
********
Which artist created this splendour ?
HRUDHI MUGDHA SIKANDA MANDANA:
LIKHITA: KENA MAMAISHA SILPINAA I
MADHANAADHURA VALLAVAANGANAA
VADHANAAMBHOJA DIVAKAROH YUVAA II
Which (bold) artist drew this picture of this unsatiable
beauty known as Gopala in my heart ? Who etched this embodiment of beauty
wearing the charming peacock feathers in His hair ? Which painter painted
the picture of this beautiful youth in my heart , who is like the morning Sun
to the lotus-like faces of the love-sick Gopis
Verse 15:
********
Venugopalan's Music supported by the Talams of Gopis
MAHASEH MAHITAAYA MOWLINAA
VINATHENANAANJALIMANJANATHVISEH I
KALAYAAMI VIMUGHDHA VALLAVEE
VALAYAABHASHITA MANJU VENAVEH II
I join my hands in Anjali Mudraand lower my head in salutation of
that much revered effulgent , dark-hued Jyothi of Gopala , whose divine
flute music joins in conversation as it were with the taaLam of Gopis wearing
golden bangles that jingle as they keep up with the rhythmic
patterns .
Verse 16:
********
Venu music and Raasa Kreetaa with Gopis
JAYATHI LALITHAVRUTTHIM SIKSHITOH VALLAVEENAAM
SITHILA VALAYA SINCHAA SEETHALAIR HASTHA TAALAI : I
AKILA BHUVANA RAKSHAA GOPA VESHASYA VISHNOH:
ADHARA MANI SUDHAAYAAM AMSAVAAN VAMSANAALA : II
The incarnation of Vishnu taking the form of a cowherd
to protect all the universes has on its coral-red lips the bamboo flute that
tastes the nectar of this Gopala's mouth . As he plays the flute on the
banks of the Yamuna river during the moon-lit nights, the lovelorn Gopis engage
in Raasa Kreeta with him. The Gopis beat taaLam to the music of their Lord with
their cool hands decorated with golden bangles. Their follow-up with taaLam
suggests as though they are teaching the abhinayam step known as
LaLitham to the flute of the Lord . ( The Abhinaya sastras describe LaLitham as
the gesture , where the dancer places her hands on the appropriate portion of
the body and change the movement of her eyebrows to mimic the
different rasas . The delectable interplay between the Bhavam ,Ragam and
TaaLam- Bharata Natyam- is suggested here as the Rasa Kreeyaa progresses
).
Verse 17:
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Gopalan with the decorations appropriate for his role as a cowherd roaming in
the forests to graze the cows and calves
CHITRAAKALPA: SRAVASI KALAYAN LANKALEE KARNAPOORAM
BARHOTTHAMSA SPURITHACHIKUROH BANDHUJEEVAM DADHAANA: I
GUNJAA BADDHAA MURASI LALITHAAM DHARAYAN HAARAYASHTIM
GOPASTHREENAAM JAYATHI KITAVA: KOAPI KOWMAARAHAARI II
(Gopalan is a roamer of the forest . Hence , he decorates himself
with the ornaments appropriate to the dwellers of the forests (i.e.) natural
products available in the forests).
The mischievous Gopalan , who stole the youth of the Gopis appears
before them with many decorations that enhance his beauty . On his ears, the
Gopis find the flower known as Laangali ( Flower from the coconut tree's
sheaf/Tennampaalai flower ) ; peacock feathers are found by them on his dark
and curly tresses; red hibiscus also decorates those tresses. On his broad
chest ,they find a beautiful necklace made of yellowish-red seeds known as
Gunjaa or Kunrimani strung together . With these and more AabharaNaas made of
forest products, Gopala enchants the hearts of the adoring Gopis .
Verse 18:
********
The beauty of Rajagopala Svaroopam
LEELAYASHTIM KARAKISALAYEH
DAKSHINEH NYASYA DHANYAAM
AMSEH DEVYAA: PULAKARUCHIREH
SANNIVISHTAANYA BAAHU : I
MEGASHYAMOH JAYATHI LALITHOH
MEGALAA DHATTHA VENU:
GUNJAAPEETA SPURITHA SIKUROH
GOPAKANYAA BHUJANGA: II
Lord Gopalan showing great affection for the Gopis stands before
them in resplendent attire .He strikes a pose at that time with his tender
right hand holding the shepherd's bent stick ;his left hand rests on the
shoulder of the beautiful Nappinnai ; that touch of Gopalan sends shivers of
joy over Nappinnai's body . That beautiful Gopalan has tucked his flute inside
his waist band and has additional decoration in the form of a chain of Kunrimani
beads tied across his own dark hair pulled up in the form of a bun . He
shines with his dark blue hue, reminiscent of the clouds in the rainy season
and wins over the Gopis with his formidable beauty . He roams
around with great desire for union with Gopis.
Verse 19:
********
The Jala Kreeta of Gopalan
PRATYAALEETA STHITHIMADHIGATHAAM
PRAPTHAGAATAANGAPAALEEM
PASCHAADHEESHAN MILITHA NAYANAAM
PRAYASEEM PREKSHAMAANA: I
BHASTHRAA YANTRA PRANIHITA KAROH
BHAKTHAJEEVAATHURAVYAATH
VAARI KREETAA NIBITA VASANOH
VALLAVI VALLABOH NA: II
Gopalan desirous of performing water sports with the Gopis tucked
tightly his garments .He took in his hands the water pump used in those sports.
He approached one of the Gopis , who was standing with one foot forward
in the water and the other planted backward on the land .,He surprised
her from behind and embraced her tightly .That Gopi was overpowered by that
delectable experience and partially closed her eyes and looked at Gopalan with
half-open eyes. He returned her affectionate glances .Their eyes met. May that
Gopala engaged in water sports with the Gopis as their lover protect us , since
he is the medicine for his devotees suffering from the afflictions of Samsaara
.
Verse 20:
********
Krishna stealing the clothes of Gopis
VAASOH HRUTHVAA DINAKARA SUTHA
SAMNIDHAOU VALLAVEENAAM
LEELAASMEROH JAYATHI LALITHAAM
AASTHITHA: KUNTHASAAKHAAM I
SAVREETAABHI: TADHANU VASANEH
TAABHIRABHAYARTHYAMAANEH
KAAMI KASCHITH KARA KAMALAYOH:
ANJALIM YAACHAMAANA: II
On the banks of the Yamuna river shines the Lord , who is seated
on the bow of a Kunthaa tree with a smile on his face . He is enjoying
the prank that he played on the unsuspecting Gopis , who had left their clothes
on the river bank and were engaged in taking morning ablutions. He wanted to
teach them a lesson for breaking the rules of Sastras, which forbid one from
taking bath in the river without wearing a cloth . Gopalan sneaked up on the
crowd of Gopis deeply absorbed in water sports and took all of their clothes
and climbed up the Kuntha tree and sat on one of its branch and waited for them
to come out of the water. The unaware Gopis completed their water sports
and ablutions and got out of the water and discovered that there
clothes were removed by the smiling Gopalan sitting on the adjascent
Pinnai (Kuntha) tree . Overcome by modesty , they rushed back into the
water and prayed to him to return their clothes. He commanded them to come out
of the water with folded hands raised above their hands as a mark of atonement
for the sin of breaking the injunctions of Saastras . They had no choice , but
to obey him to regain their clothes. May that mischievous Gopalan fond of
Gopis be victorious!
Verse 21:
********
Pala Sruthi of Gopala Vimsathi
ITHYANANYAMANASAA VINIRMITHAAM
VENKATESA KAVINAA STHUTHIM PATAN I
DIVYA VENU RASIKAM SAMEEKSHATEH
DAIVATHAM KIMAPI YOWATHA PRIYAM II
This stotram has been created by the poet Venkatesa , who does not
consider any God other than Gopala/Naraayana .Those who read and recite this
eulogy will have the blessings of the Darsanam of the God of incomparable
beauty , Venugopalan ,Who was the keen object of desire of
youthful Gopis .
