My Relationship With Shree Krishna In Brief
Stage 1
Childhood
My mother’s family were devotees of Shree Krishna (not exclusively though ) as they lived close to the famous Krishna temple in Guruvayoor, Kerala. That deity/icon had a place among others in the altar at my home. Guruvaayoorappan, meaning the father who is housed in Guruvayoor courtesy of Brihaspati and Vayu devata, was very much a part of our life. Even when we sneezed my mother and the us children would say “Harey krishna Guruvayyoor appa”.
When about 9 years old my mother introduced me to the famous Shri Anjam Nambudiripad, who lived within walking distance from the temple. She asked me to sing “ Narayana Narayana Guruvayoorappa”. He was so thrilled that he let me pick a picture I was drawn to where a beautiful gopi is hiding behind the tree , in front of which a teenage Krishna was playing the flute.
Stories from the scriptures said, heard and sung on the glories of Krishna were enjoyed by my family,quite often. Of course, going to the temple to pray just reinforced the connection.
Stage 2
Youth To Young Adult
Being immersed in the classical dances as taught by my father and often performing in dance dramas based on the stories of Krishna, the magic of the performing arts flavored my love for Krishna emotionally in a beautiful way. Often, I played the role of Krishna.
At dusk, it was the custom in Kerala for the 2nd generation (not the parents ) to sing glories of the deities called Naama sunkeertanam. My mother loved the way I sang. She especially loved it when I sang about Krishna.
During my high school days, a new chapter opened up. I would regularly attend discourses on the Bhagavad Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda that was held in a large playground in Mylapore. Thus I got exposed to the various intellectual approaches and disciplines that explained one’s duties, pitfalls in life and the many ways to establish the divine in my daily life.
In Los Angeles, the large Thulasi Brindavanam in the garden, at my Westchestor home was a center that exuded the presence of this playful Divine. My students who studied and practiced in the studio right next to the brindavanam often shared beautiful experiences whose origin only I knew.
Stage 3
1966 Onwards
I threw myself deeply into the study of Vedanta philosophy. Later beginning from the 80s to 2003,when I directed the dance school in Los Angeles, I was able to compose dances for my students, some included the glories and devotion associated with Krishna.
After my father passed away, I conducted Saptah ( 7 day intensive musical discourse) on the famous literary work Geeta-Govindam, in order to raise funds for a Global Conference about him. This 12 th century work , is a long poem on the loving relationship of Radha ( the individual atman) and Krishna ( the Supreme Brahman). Yet another chapter opened up, this time to do with many so called magical happenings while preparing for, practicing the music, writing the commentary and during the saptah. Indeed Shree Krishn does make his presence to his simple steadfast devotees in unique manners.
Stage 4
In Life
Looking through a different dimension, I recognized the phenomena/ condition/presence of Krishna as manifested in many a child and adult. This is called Krishnathvam in Sanskrit. This is subject to a particular time and space.
Similiarly it is Guruthvam, when one sees the presence of a guru in a particular event that could be through an animal, a tree, a person etc.
Stage 5
My Passion
To get to the divine by diving deep into many different faiths and beliefs through intense disciplines, ranging from the indigenous to so called sophisticated philosophies and traditions, over the years, has resulted in a radical change that has pierced the core of my being. Relationship to the many divine deities, personalities, prophets, saints all occupy now only various niches in my mind. So too all the scriptures. There is a substratum however that supports all of the above. This is the anvil on which all systems are hammered. This is for me, the All Consuming, Unmentionable-Knowable Presence!
POST SCRIPT
IF YOU ARE KEEN ON DWELVING INTO THE SECRET HIDDEN WITHIN THE GEETHA GOVINDAM THEN PLEASE EMAIL ME. I WILL THEN SEE HOW MY HAND WRITTEN COMMENTARY MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR SADHANA.
IT IS A LABORIOUS TASK AND THEREFORE A DONATION WOULD BE REQUIRED AHEAD.
GRATEFULLY IN NARA NARAYANA SEVA
SAHACHARI VASANTIJI
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