On Janmashtami, Krishna gives us a glimpse of his Ananda swaroop through these symbols. This painting is drawn on a wall to the left of Krishna’s Palna on Janmashtami. It is removed on the auspicious occasion of Radhashtami which is usually celebrated a fortnight later. Such symbols can be deciphered, interpreted and understood in various ways. They are Krishna’s symbols, after all….
In The Realm of Krishna
The Sauwastika
The Sauwastika is a Swastika drawn in the counter-clockwise direction and represents Kali.
Kali & Krishna
One day, Parvati asks Shiva, “What is love?”Shiva smiles and says, “O Shakti, I was a Shava, a corpse, ignorant to the world, Kamantaka, a Vairagi, beyond desire and ego before you married me. For I am complete on my own.
But you as Kali danced on me, a Shava – unleashed your fury, forced me to become responsive to the love of my devotees and transformed me into Shankara, a householder. You appease my hunger as Annapurna, desire me as Kamakhya, allow me to dominate over you as Gauri but you also protect me as Durga.
As Shiva and Shakti, we keep exploring the different aspects of the love that we for have each other until you and I become one – and experience divine union – the purest form of love – one that is beyond boundaries, conditions and even our comprehension.
O Devi, now I have a question for you. Can I reciprocate the love that you, as a woman, have for me?” And so Shakti asks Shiva to incarnate as Radha. And she, Kali, incarnates as Krishna.
Krishna says, “I am Kali. And I am Tantra. I am the Night. And I am Nature and Time too. Love is esoteric. Genderless. Exists beyond Time. And is ever-changing – like Nature. For I Krishna am Kali too. Accept this. Even if you don’t understand it. For that is what love is all about.”
Vrindavan
The intertwining circle around the Sauwastika represents the Van of Vrinda. Krishna says, “You as Radha surrender to me completely. So I as Krishna engage in a Maha Raas with you and fill your soul with the bliss of my mystic Ananda. I create a Vrindavan in your soul – night after night – and will do so till eternity and beyond – for surrender is the sweetest yet toughest form of love.”
The sun and the moon
The sun represents Vishnu and the crescent moon Shiva. Krishna says, “I may live in Goloka. But you can experience Ananda even by preserving the love in your relationships and understanding the value of detachment – for these too are expressions of love..”
Tulsi
The potted plant is Tulsi. Krishna says, “Tulsi may have been Jalandhara’s chaste wife in her world. But love is love. Beyond all boundaries. I had to break through Tulsi’s chastity to make her realize that. I hurt her with that act of mine. So I hold her close to my heart and have blessed her with the power of healing. For love hurts. But heals too.”
The Purna Ghata, Earthenware Pitchers and Banyan Tree Canopy
The Purna Ghata and the earthenware pitchers are Shashti Devi’s symbols and represent a mother’s womb. The canopy of aerial roots of the Banyan tree signifies her protective powers which grant children immortality.
Devi Shashti
King Priyavrata marries Malini but they remain childless despite being married for several years. They perform the Putrakamesti yagna but Malini gives birth to a stillborn boy baby after nurturing him in her womb for 12 years.
Priyavrata is heartbroken and goes to the cremation ground to perform the last rites of his child. Suddenly, a celestial woman appears there and says, “I am Brahma’s daughter, Skanda’s wife, the senior-most matrika who took care of Kartikeya when he was a mere infant and Shashti too. I bless the childless with children and take care of them.”
Devi Shashti then breathes life into Priyavrata’s child and says, “I write a child’s destiny six days after it is born. But I protect the children of mothers who worship me on Shashtis too. O Priyavarta spread this message in your realm for a mother’s love is divine.” Priyavarta agrees to do so.
Krishna says, “Devaki and Yashoda expressed their love for me in completely different ways. Shashti may well write a child’s destiny on his Shashti. But only the love of mothers can protect a child from destiny’s wrath. Never forget that.”
The swords and the backwards-facing peacocks
The swords represent Murugan, the lord of war, Shashti Devi’s consort whose vahan is the peacock.
Krishna says, “Shashti may well be a mother. But she is Kartikeya’s wife first. And together they fight the world to protect their children. There is no trace of pride in their hearts. And this kind of love that protects and is sans ego and pride is pure and dear to me.”
Indra’s Vajra
Indra’s Vajra, the thunderbolt is depicted as an ‘M’ shaped symbol.
Devasena & Indra
Vishnu has two daughters – Devasena and Valli. Both are destined to marry Kartikeya. Devasena performs a penance because she wishes to be married to Kartikeya according to Hindu traditions and rituals. Indra is pleased with her penance, adopts her as his daughter and marries her to Kartikeya in a traditional manner.
Krishna says, “Indra may well wield the Vajra. But even he bows down to Devasena’s perseverance. Yes, perseverance is a form of love. There is no doubt about that. But it is the love of daughters that makes fathers understand the true worth of traditions and rituals – which are the most divine expressions of love.”
Krishna’s Palna lies at the heart of all these symbols clearly indicating that He rejoices in Ananda and is receptive to all forms of love.
Outside Krishna’s realm of love
Toran of mango leaves
Krishna says, “Tie torans made out of mango leaves on your doorsteps. Invoke Mahalakshmi. She ushers love, wellbeing and fertility into your homes.”
The left hand to Krishna’s right
“The left hand to my right represents Purusha, the male mind/ego and all the karma that you have amassed in your life. Use the sword of Gyan and Bhakti to clear your Karmic debts – and reach me.”
The left hand to Krishna’s left
Krishna adds, “The left hand to my left represents Prakriti, the female heart/emotions. You, the banyan shoot, in Time, learn to use Balarama’s plough to weed out the negativity from your soul and evolve spiritually. You are willing to embark on a different journey now and practise the toughest form of love.
Look at the banyan trees that flank both sides of your realm. Every part of this tree is of some use to others. Why – it cuts and transplants itself elsewhere to grow. And what does it get as the fruit of such selfless service? A bunch of bananas – seedless fruits – that symbolise a soul without any residual karma.
Like this wondrous tree, learn to do your duty and serve others without expecting anything in return. For when you walk on this arduous path of Seva-Duty-Dharma you can increase your chances of experiencing Ananda more often.”
You, O Manava, live in the material world. And I Krishna in the spiritual. The realms may be different. But in Time ( Balarama) you will learn to balance your inner and outer worlds and be receptive to all these expressions of love. And someday beyond Time – like Shakti and Shiva – you and I will blend into one and experience Ananda for eternity and beyond…”
Photo by: Giridhari.
Click here to read more stories about Krishna.
Click here to read about the Nidhi Swaroops of Pushti Marg.