Chapter 36 - Agastya recites the Hymn Kṛṣṇāmṛta

Vasiṣṭha said:

1. After comprehending the entire reason thereof, the pot-born sage Agastya became delighted in his mind and said to Rāma, the scion of the family of Bhṛgu.

Agastya said:

2. Listen, O Rāma of great fortune, I shall tell you what is conducive to your welfare, whereby you will attain, ere long, the spiritual attainment and assimilation of the Mantra.

3. If a person knows the characteristic features of devotion that is of three types, O highly intelligent one, and strives-for it, he will realize it quickly.

4. Once, with a desire to see Ananta, I had been to the Netherworlds, rendered splendid with great joy by the leading royal serpents.

5-7a. There, O Brāhmaṇa of great fortune, great men of spiritual achievement were seen by me all round viz. Sanaka and others, Nārada, Gautama, Jājali, Kratu, Ṛbhu, Haṃsa, Āruṇi, Vālmīki, Śakti and Āsuri. These and many other great Siddhas beginning with Vātsyāyana^[1] were sitting near the lord of serpents and worshipped him for the sake of knowledge.

7b-10. O Brāhmaṇa of great forune, this our goddess of earth who bears all living beings was seated in front of him assuming her own form (of a goddess), listening continuously to those stories. Whatever the goddess of earth asked Śeṣa, the direct support of the Earth, the sages sitting there could hear, due to his blessings. The auspicious hymn Kṛṣṇapremāmṛta was heard by me there, O dear one.

11-12. I shall expound to you that hymn of prayer for the sake of which you have come here.

The goddess of Earth had already finished hearing the incarnation of the boar etc., the story that destroys sins, that accords pleasure and salvation and that is the cause of knowledge and perfect wisdom.

After hearing everything, O dear one, the goddess of Earth bowed down once again to Dharādhara (i.e. Śeṣa, the support of the Earth) with delight and spoke to him in order to know the activities of Kṛṣṇa.

Dharaṇī said:

13-15. Lord Kṛṣṇa had embellished the birth (life) of all men who had their abodes in the Vraja (Cowherds’ Colony) belonging to Nanda. He had assumed the physical body sportingly. He has many names caused and conditioned by his (various) conquests (appended with the word ‘victory to’). I have been desirous of hearing the most important names among them for a long time. Hence O Vāsuki (? Śeṣa) mention those names of the son of Vasudeva. There is nothing more meritorious than this, in the three worlds.

Śeṣa said:

16-17a. O goddess Earth of great beauty, there is (a prayer composed of hundred and eight names. It bestows salvation upon the people. It is at the acme of all auspicious things. It confers eight-fold spiritual attainments beginning with Aṇimā (minuteness).

17b-18. It destroys millions and millions of great sins. It endows the listener with the merits accruing from all holy-centres. It accords the fruits of all Japas and Yajñas. It is destructive of all sins. Listen O gentle lady, I shall recount it.

19. By a simple repetition, a single name of Kṛṣṇa yields that fruit which is yielded by repeating three times the thousand holy names.

20. Hence, this prayer is more meritorious and destructive of sins.^[2]

O beloved lady, I myself am the seer for these one hundred and eight names. The metre is Anuṣṭup (eight-syllabled one) and the deity is Yoga that is a favourite of Kṛṣṇa.

The Prayer:

21-24. (1) Śrīkṛṣṇa, (2) Kamalānātha (Lord of the goddess of fortune), (3) Vāsudeva (son of Vasudeva), (4) Sanātana (The Eternal one), (5) Vasudevātmaja (Vasudeva’s-son), (6) Puṇya (the meritorious one), (7) Līlā-Mānuṣa-Vigraha (one who has assumed human body out of the sportive spirit), (8) Śrīvatsa-Kaustubha-Dhara (one who has the mark called Śrīvatsa and one who wears the gem Kaustubha), (9) Yaśodā-Vatsala (the darling child of Yaśodā), (10) Hari, (11) Caturbhujātta-Cakrāsigadā-śaṅkhādyāyudha (one who has taken up discus, sword, mace, conch and other weapons lifted up in his four hands), (12) Devakīnandana (the delighter of Devakī), (13) Śrīśa (the consort of Śrī), (14) Nanda-gopa-Priyātmaja (the beloved son of the cowherd Nanda), (15) Yamunā-Vegasaṃhārin (one who has curbed the current of the Yamunā), (16) Balabhadrapriyānuja (the loving younger brother of Balabhadra), (17) Pūtanā-jīva-hara (one who has taken away the life of Pūtanā), (18) Śakaṭāsurabhañjana (one who shattered the demon who assumed the form of a cart).

25. (19) Nandavraja-Janānandin (one who delights the people in the cowherds’ colony belonging to Nanda), (20) Saccidānanda-Vigraha (one whose person is constituted of existence, knowledge and bliss), (21) Navanītaviliptāṅga (one who has smeared all his limbs with butter), (22) Navanitanaṭa (one who dances for the sake of butter), (23) Anagha (sinless).

26. (24) Navanitalavahārin (one who takes in a bit of butter), (25) Mucukunda-Prasādakṛt (one who conferred grace on Mucukunda), (26) Ṣoḍaśa-strīsahasreśa (Lord of sixteen thousand ladies), (27) Tribhaṅgi (one who has assumed tribhaṅga pose), (28) Madhurākṛti (one whose form or features are sweet).

27. (29) Śukavāgamṛtābdhīndu (one who is the moon arising from the ocean of nectar in the form of Śuka’s speech (i.e. the Bhāgavata Purāṇa), (30) Govinda, (31) Govidāmpati (Lord of those who know Gau (cow or speech), (32) Vatsapālanasañcārin (one who moves about protecting calves), (33) Dhenukāsuramardana (one who suppressed the demon Dhenuka).

28. (34) Tṛṇīkṛtatṛṇāvarta (one who rendered demon Tṛṇāvarta as powerless and despicable as a blade of grass); (35) Yamalārjunabhañjana (one who uprooted the twin Arjuna trees; (36) Uttālatālabhettṛ (one who broke the tall palmyra tree), (37) Tamālaśyāmalākṛti (one whose figure or complexion is as dark as the Tamāla tree).

29. (38) Gopagopīśvara (Lord of the Cowherds and Cowherdesses), (39) Yogin, (40) Sūryakoṭisamaprabha (one having the lustre equal to that of ten million suns), (41) Ilāpati (Lord of the Earth), (42) Paraṃjyotiḥ (the supreme splendour), (43) Yādavendra (Lord of the Yādavas), (44) Yadūdvaha (Leading scion of the family of Yadu).

30. (45) Vanamālin (one having garlands of sylvan flowers), (46) Pītavāsas (yellow-robed), (47) Pārijātāpahāraka (one who brought away the divine Pārijāta tree) (48) Govardhanācaloddhārtṛ (one who has lifted up the mountain Govardhana), (49) Gopāla, (Protector of the cows), (50) Sarvapālaka (Protector of everyone and everything).

31. (51) Aja (The unborn), (52) Nīrañjana the unsullied) (53) Kāmajanaka (father of cupid) i.e. Pradyumna,. (54) Kañjalocana (the lotus-eyed), (55) Madhuhan (the slayer of demon Madhu), (56) Mathurānātha (The lord of Mathurā), (57) Dvārakānātha (the lord of Dvārakā), (58) Balin (the powerful).

32. (59) Vṛndāvanāntasañcārin (one who moves about at the outskirts of Vṛndāvana), (60) Tulasīdāmabhūṣaṇa (one who is bedecked in Tulasī garlands) (61) Syamantakamaṇer-hartṛ (one who has taken away the Syamantaka jewel), (62) Naranārāyaṇātmaka (one who is identical with Nara and Nārāyaṇa).

33. (63) Kubjākṛṣṭāmbaradhara (one who was attracted by the hunchbacked lady and one who wore the garments (brought by her), (64) Māyin (one who wields the power of illusion), (65) Paramapuruṣa (The supreme person), (66) Muṣṭikāsura-Cāṇūra-Mallayuddha-viśārada (one who was an expert in the wrestling bout with the demon Muṣṭika and Cāṇūra).

34. (67) Saṃsāravairin (one who puts an end to the worldly existence), (68) Kaṃsāri (the enemy of Kaṃsa), (69) Murāri (the enemy of Mura), (70) Narakāntaka (the slayer of demon Naraka), (71) Anādibrahmacārin (one who is an eternal celibate or a religious student) (72) Kṛṣṇāvyasanakarṣaka (one who dispelled the distresses of Kṛṣṇā i.e. Draupadī).

35. (73) Śiśupāla-śiracchettṛ (one who cut off the head of Śiśupāla), (74) Duryodhanakulāntakṛt (one who put an end to the family of Duryodhana), (75) Vidūrākrūravarada (one who bestowed boons on Vidura and Akrūra) (76) Viśvarūpapradarśaka (one who revealed his cosmic form).

36. (77) Satyavāk (of truthful speech), (78) Satyasaṃkalpa (of truthful will), (79) Satyabhāmārata (one who is devoted to Satyabhāmā), (80) Jayin (victorious), (81) Subhadrā Pūrvaja (Elder brother of Subhadrā) (82) Viṣṇu (All-pervading), (83) Bhīṣmamuktipradāyaka (one who bestowed salvation on Bhīṣma).

37. (84) Jagadguru (the preceptor of the universe), (85) Jagannātha (the lord of the universe), (86) Veṇuvādyaviśārada (one who is an expert in playing on the flute-pipe), (87) Vṛṣabhāsuravidhvaṃsin (one who destroyed the demon Vṭṣabha in the form of a bull, (88) Bakāri (one who is the killer of the demon Baka), (89) Bāṇabāhukṛt (one who cut off the arms of Bāṇa).

38. (90) Yudhiṣṭhirapratiṣṭhātṛ (one who established Yudhiṣṭhira (on the throne), (91) Barhibarhāvataṃsaka (one who adorned himself with peacock feathers), (92) Pārthasārathi (the charioteer of Arjuna), 93) Avyakta The unmanifest one), (94) Gītāmrṭamahodadhi (The ocean of the nectar of Gītā—the song celestial.

39. (95) Kāliya-phaṇimāṇikyarañjita-Śrīpadāṃbuja. (one whose glorious lotus-like feet were brightened and coloured by the Māṇikya (ruby) stone on the head of) the serpent Kāliya, (96) Dāmodara (one who had been tied with a rope round his belly), (97) Yajñabhoktṛ (one who partakes of his share in the Yajña), (98) Dānavendravināśana (The destroyer of leading Dānavas).

40. (99) Nārāyaṇa, (100) Param Brahman (the supreme Brahman) (101) Pannagāśanavāhana (one whose vehicle is Garuḍa, the devourer of serpents), (102) Jalakrīḍāsamāsakta-Gopīvastrāpahāraka (one who removed the garments of the cowherdesses who were enthusiastically engaged in aquatic sports).

41. (103) Puṇyaśloka (one whose renown is meritorious), (104) Tīrthapāda (one whose foot is itself a holy spot), (105) Vedavedya (one who can be comprehended through the Vedas), (106) Dayānidhi (Storehouse of mercy), (107) Sarvatīrthātmaka (one who is identical with all holy spots), (108) Sanagraharūpin (one who has the forms of all planets), one who is greater than the greatest.

42-43. Thus is the prayer of one hundred and eight names of Lord Kṛṣṇa. This prayer which delights Kṛṣṇa had been composed by Kṛṣṇa (Dvaipāyana Vyāsa) who was a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa after hearing the nectar of the Gītā formerly. This has been heard by me from him. Its name is Kṛṣṇapremāmṛta. It bestows the greatest bliss.^[3]

44-45. It destroys the misery of the greatest harassment. It enhances the greatest longevity. Whatever one does in this birth such as charitable gifts, holy rites, penance, pilgrimage to holy centres etc. shall be fruitful millions and millions of times, if one reads and listens to this. This grants sons to those who have no sons. It bestows the correct goal to those who are helpless.

46. It brings wealth to the poor people. It brings victory to those who are desirous of victory. It increases the merit and bestows nourishment of children and herds of cattle.

47. It suppresses infantile ailments and evil planets or spirits etc. It causes calmness. In the end, it bestows the memory of Kṛṣṇa. It dispels the three types of distresses in the worldly existence.

48-50. It achieves what has not been achieved, O gentle lady. It provides material for Japa for our souls^[4] [Mantra] “Obeisance to Kṛṣṇa, the leader of the Yādavas, to the Yogin whose Mudrā (gesture of esoteric significance) is perfect knowledge, to the lord. Obeisance to the Lord of Rukmiṇī. Obeisance to one who understands Vedānta.”

One should repeat this Mantra, O gentle lady, day and night. He shall have the blessings of all planets; he shall be a favourite unto all. He shall be surrounded by sons and grandsons. He shall be prosperous with all achievements. After enjoying all worldly pleasures, he shall attain the Sāyujya (Merging with the Lord) with Kṛṣṇa.”

Agastya said:

51-52. “After saying this much, lord Ananta who is that form of the lord (Viṣṇu) named Saṃkarṣaṇa, who supports the Earth and the worlds, and who is the bestower of honour, pointed out this prayer once again and stopped. Then all those who had been eager to listen to the tales and who were seated all round him viz. Sanaka and others became immersed in the ocean filled with delight. They honoured that lord of Serpents.

The Sages said:

53. “Obeisance, obeisance to you the sanctifier of the entire universe. O lord of the nature of no change and loss, O dispeller of distress of the devotee who resorts to you, Obeisance to the supporter of the Earth, to the ocean of mercy. Obeisance to Śeṣa the lord of the universe.

54. O lord, we have been made to imbibe Kṛṣṇāmṛta by you. We have been made rid of all sins by you. People like you, O lord, are sympathetic with the wretched ones. Undoubtedly, you uplift your own people who bow down to you.”

55. After bowing down to the feet of the lord of Serpents, after directing the mind to the feet that fulfil all our desires and after circumambulating the supporter of the Earth, all of us went to our respective residences.

56. Thus, O Rāma, the prayer named Premāmṛta of lord Kṛṣṇa, the perfect one, the lover of Rādhā, has been recounted to you. It bestows all achievements upon the listener.

57. This extremely rare prayer has been heard directly from lord Śeṣa who was recounting the tales of the lord, O Rāma of great fortune.

58-61. All the Mantras, prayers and kavacas that are in the three worlds can be realized and assimilated by practising this.”

Vasiṣṭha said:

“After saying this, O great king, after recounting the prayer Kṛṣṇa-Premāmṛta no sooner did the sage cease to speak than an aerial chariot came there. It was followed by four wonderful Siddhas who could assume any form they desired and who had the speed of the mind. The male and the female deer bowed down to the feet of Agastya, galloped and joyously climbed the chariot.

Even as all the living beings, Agastya and Bhārgava were watching, they assumed divine bodies marked with conch-shell, discus etc. They then went to the world of Viṣṇu bowed down to by all the Devas.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This Vātsyāyana is probably different from the author of the Kāma-sūtras.

[2]:

The ensuing prayer mainly contains references to incidents in the life of Kṛṣṇa as described in the tenth Skandha of the Bh. P. with a sprinkling of some Vedāntic terms to indicate the identity of Kṛṣṇa with Para-Brahman and Visṇu.

Thus Mantrajapa, Kavaca and stotra conclude the Tantric way of Kṛṣṇa worship.

[3]:

VV. 44-47 give the benefits accruing from the recitation of this stotra.

[4]:

VV. 48-50 state another Kṛṣṇa mantra and its phalaśruti (benefits accruing from it).