Gunas are character traits. Some of our gunas are inherent. But we acquire several gunas from what we experience in our lives too. And we all have a healthy combination of good and bad traits. That is what makes us unique.
Vallabhacharya says, “Krishna loves the Vrajwasis the most because they symbolise unconditional love. But what exactly does unconditional love mean? Unconditional love is a beautiful blend of six gunas – Shree, Aishwarya, Veerya, Yash, Vairagya and Gyan.
None of us will have all these gunas. So we need to nurture them all patiently. Often we will realize the worth of these gunas only the hard way. But they are worth nurturing because they help us evolve spiritually and bring us closer to Krishna. This is only the first step in the right direction.
We can move to this state too only if and when Krishna showers his Krupa (grace) on us. And Krupa is one of Krishna’s eternal gunas. Without Krishna’s grace, we can never be a part of any of His leelas.
If Krishna’s eternal guna is Krupa then Yamunaji is Krishna’s Krupa Shakti. Yamunaji symbolises unconditional love. So she has an abundance of Shree, Aishwarya, Veerya, Yash, Vairagya and Gyan. And Yamunaji, as Krishna’s Krupa Shakti, leads by example and enables us to acquire these gunas.”
Shree
Shree means ‘prosperity.’ The kumarikas perform the auspicious vrat of Katyayani on the banks of the Yamuna. They are not interested in material pleasures or riches. They just want Krishna to be their partner for life.
Yamunaji understands this. Very well. So she gives the kumarikas the most divine of treasures – the pleasure of associating with Krishna during the Maha Raas – and helps them realize their dream.
Yamunaji says, “The riches of the material world can only take you so far in life. Focus on forging a deep bond of faith with Krishna. For He will bless you with intangible divine treasures and help you transform your life itself.”
Aishwarya
Aishwarya means ‘superhuman powers.’ The gopis lead busy lives during the day. They experience tiredness, hunger, thirst, sleep and other bodily aches and pains. Often the gopis find it difficult to overcome their challenges and meet Krishna in Vrindavan. Yet when Krishna plays his flute, they all come running barefoot to Vrindavan. Their hair is tousled and their clothes are in complete disarray.
And what does Yamunaji do? She blesses the gopis with Aishwarya, superhuman powers. She dispels their exhaustion, gives them the strength to leave their material challenges and engage in the Maha Raas with Krishna all through the night.
Yamunaji says, “Don’t let the challenges of your material world drain you. Physically, mentally or emotionally. Detach yourself from such situations. Focus on Krishna alone. You may have to delve within your innermost reserves of faith to empower yourself spiritually. But you will be able to do so. For you have now sobered up to the ultimate reality that – Krishna alone is worth aspiring for.”
Veerya
Veerya means ‘source of personal vigour.’ The gopis go berserk with grief when they hear that Krishna was leaving them forever. They miss Him so much that they cannot imagine living without Him for even a minute.
Yamunaji removes the tapa of parting from Krishna from their lives. She gives them the courage to move on with their lives and helps them find solace in their sweet memories.
Yamunaji says, “The gopis gave up everything for Krishna. Willingly. All through their lives. Yet Krishna leaves them all. For He too has a mission to fulfil in His life.
Like the gopis, you too gave up everything for Krishna. You relied on Him. You had faith in Him. And perhaps Krishna will let you down too when you need Him the most.
So understand one thing clearly. All relationships – even the one that you share with Krishna – are transient. You will miss the people you love when they leave you. A lot. But that does not mean that they have disappointed you in any way. They may be unable to fulfil your expectations. But that does not mean they did not love you as much as you loved them.
The love that you shared with Krishna and your loved ones is eternal. It will not diminish in any way. It has just taken a different form now and exists in a different realm. A realm that lies within you. The pain of parting will slowly take you to that inner realm of yours and give you the strength to move on with your life with courage.”
Yash
Yash means ‘fame.’ Yamunaji too misses Krishna. A lot. She too yearns for Krishna’s constant presence by Her waters. Yamunaji too misses witnessing the Ananda of the Maha Raas. Yamunaji does not seek fame. But She earns a lot of Yash because She buries her pain in her bosom and focuses on understanding the emotions of the gopis. Yamunaji does whatever She has to – in Her own quiet ways.
Yamunaji says, “O bhaktas, the sweet memories of the times you shared with Krishna and your loved ones will haunt you too. Like us, you too will have a host of unanswered questions. Nothing will make any sense to you. Everything will seem unfair. You will wonder where you went wrong. Often you will lose faith in Krishna too.
Be patient during your weak moments. Give yourself lots of time to heal. And then like me, do what you have to – in your own quiet way. When you see others struggling with their love and loss – help them heal. And when people willingly, openly reveal their pain to you, you will know that you have earned my most special blessings.”
Vairagya
‘Vairagya’ means detachment. When Krishna leaves Vrindavan forever, the gopis learn the value of Vairagya. Yamunaji infuses the divine guna of ‘Sneha, affection in their souls and helps them progress spiritually. So they are able to detach themselves from their worldly lives and empathize with others who are struggling with their worldly challenges.
Yamunaji says, “Yes. I know. Krishna was the anchor of all the gopis. Krishna was my anchor too. We had no one to shower our love upon when He left us all. And suddenly our lives seemed empty, meaningless and futile. But in time, we realized what Krishna had done to all of us with His departure.
He had sensitized us to the feelings of other human beings. Vairagya will not make you empty in any way. Vairagya will add meaning and value to your life. And like me, you too will learn to add value to the lives of others who are struggling. That is how powerful a guna Vairagya is.”
Gyan
Gyan means ‘spiritual knowledge.’ Yamunaji has been adding value to our lives through the different kalpas by the mere tranquil presence of her waters.
When Yamunaji blesses us with Gyan, she says, “Learn from the Vrajwasis. Learn from me if you must. Go with the flow. That is the only thing you must and can do anyway. And then leave the rest to Him. Krishna takes good care of all of us. He has been doing so. He is doing so. And He will continue to do so. At all times.”
So yes, unconditional love too is a journey and an art that we need to practice consciously. But now that we are aware of all these gunas, we can most definitely forge a strong bond of unconditional love with both Krishna and Yamunaji.
Photo given by Shri.Yogeshji and Smt. Veena.
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