ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नम:
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम् I
देवकीपरमानन्दं
कृष्णं
वन्दे
जगद्गुरुम् II
Word meaning: I salute Krishna, the world-teacher, the son of Vasudeva,
the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanura and the greatest joy of Devaki.
I share some
comments on this verse which I heard in a talk by a Mahatma. This verse is a part of the
Gita Dhyana Shlokas that are chanted befpre commencing the study of the Gita.
This set of shlokas is gennerally attributed to Madhusudana Saraswati who composed these before he started writing his commentary on the Gita.
The glory of Krishna Avatara is brought
in this verse.
In
many Avataras, the Lord played a limited role. In Krishna Avatara, the Lord
played various roles and the author beautifully brings out the roles in this
verse.
His role within family - Duty towards Parents
He
gave joy to His family members. The foremost duty one has is towards parents
who have brought us into this world, cared for and given us everything. The
words देवकीपरमानन्दं and वसुदेवसुतं
bring out the fact that Lord was a son and joy to His parents – that is why परमानन्दं
is wrtten. By our care and actions, we can also be a joy for our parents.
Contribution to Society - Duty as per
one’s station in life – which includes contribution to mankind
Lord
Krishna Himself explains the purpose of His manifestation and His duties –
destruction of Adharma
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥ ४-७॥
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ ४-८॥
He did perform His duties towards mankind so wonderfully
as is well known and this is brought out by the words of the author - कंसचाणूरमर्दनम्
. During the Bhagavad Gita, He repeatedly taught Arjuna about performing one's
duty as per one's station in life. Lord Krishna was a role model -
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः । मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ ३-२३॥
His
greatest role and contribution – as a जगद्गुरु
Lord Krishna imparted spiritual wisdom to Arjuna and
through Arjuna is a teacher to all of us. Even 5000 years after the Gita was
taught to Arjuna, we are benefiting. While praying to Lord Krishna, visualise
Him as a जगद्गुरु which was His greatest role. In addition to Arjuna, He imparted spiritual
wisdom to several others and this is available in various places in the
Bhagavatam and other scriptures.
Ultimately, through this verse, the author not only reminds us of the glory of Krishna Avatara, he also reminds us of of how we must play the various roles in our life. One is also a son/daughter a husband/wife father/mother. Every one of us is also a part of the society, a citizen of the country and the Universe. Do your best, play each role to the best and also be a joy to all you interact with.
I really liked this satsanga and wished to share.
ॐ तत् सत्
