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| KALINGA MARDHANA |
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| MURALI - THE DIVINE COWHERD |
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| RADHAKRISHNA - THE BONDING
OF THE SOUL WITH THE ALMIGHTY - THE SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LOVE |
At the age of eight Krishna did another amazing feat. Calling his friends, Krishna
reached the river Yamuna. In the river there was a dangerous whirlpool, in which
lived the giant snake, named Kaliya.
The Lord and his cowherds started playing
ball. A solitary Kadam tree stood by the bank and Krishna climbed it. One cowherd
threw the ball towards Krishna but it fell in the river. Krishna
plunged into the river to pull out the ball. Kaliya, the snake, detected that a young boy
had entered his domain. It began to spout poisonous substance and encircled Krishna
in its coils. Nanda and Yashoda with so many others were highly alarmed and came
to the bank of the river. Yashoda in agony was just going to jump in the river
herself when Krishna came upon the surface of water playing
his flute and standing upon the head of Kaliya. He had subdued the mighty snake with his superhuman
strength.
Another phase of Krishna's life at this stage is the mad
love of cowgirls for this charming boy. As Krishna grew up, he exuded charm and attracted everybody.
Even the married cowgirls found his beauty irresistible. Playing on his flute
Krishna enchanted these girls.
In the later centuries' accounts probably during the tenth
and twelfth century, a cowherd girl named Radha came into great prominence as
the constant lover and companion of Krishna. She was the daughter of Vrishbhanu and was married to Ayaan.
This woman fell madly in love with Krishna and became immortal. Now her image
can be seen standing beside Krishna in most of the temples.
In all the stories
of Krishna's youth Radha is given the most prominent place. Their immortal love
is often depicted in dances, known as Raas-Iila dances. Radha is invariably shown
dancing together with Krishna while all other cowgirls are only seen moving in
circle around the two. These days this episode is given a philosophical meaning
stating that Radha represents the soul while Krishna represents God. Thus Radha's
love means yearning of the soul for merger with the Almighty.
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