Área de Inteligencia Artificial

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Srila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd has described the nineteen foot-signs of Sri Krishna –

“Sri Krishna’s beautiful feet are present in all their glory, etched with discus, half-moon, barley, octahedron, pitcher, umbrella, triangle, sky, bow, swastika, thunderbolt, cattle- hoof, conch-shell, fish, upward line, elephant-hook, lotus, flag and ripe rose-apple. These prove that He is Swayam Bhagavân1.”– (G.L.16.6)

Here Srila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd has stated these nineteen symbols alone to be the proof of being ‘Swayam Bhagavân’. These symbols have been described in the Padmapurân, Skandapurân, Varâhapurân, Matsyapurân, Hayashirsha–Pancha–Râtra, Krama–Dipikâ, Gopâl-Tâpani etc. But none of these scriptures mention all the nineteen symbols d together. They are found scattered in the scriptures. According to the Goudiya Vaishnav preceptors, wherever less than nineteen symbols are mentioned, we should understand that they are referring to the foot-signs of incarnations. All nineteen symbols together are indicative of ‘Swayam Bhagavân’.

Sâranga-Rangadâ purport says - “It is not as if Lilâshuk is seeing these signs only where Sri Krishna is walking, but on all the paths of Braja”.

Sri Krishna’s foot prints are permanent

The earth of Braja is divine. Wherever Sri Krishna sports, the earth there holds on to His footprints along with their nineteen symbols. Braja-bhumi (the earth of Braja) never lets go of these foot prints. This is evident from the fact that when Sri Krishna had sent Sri Uddhav from Mathurâ to Braja, to console the Brijwâsis, Sri Uddhav came to Nanda Mahârâj’s house; on seeing their pangs of separation and heart-rending tales of sorrow, he consoled him by saying – “O King! You are always sitting at home, pining for Krishna. So You are feeling sad. If You step out and see the beauty of the woods, mountains, rivers, etc. You will feel better”. On hearing this, Sri Nanda Mahârâj replied-

“My dear Uddhav! I have tried that also. But as long as I am in Vrindâban, there is no way I can forget Krishna. Every part of Braja, be it Yamunâ, Mânas-Gangâ or Govardhan, is decorated with the foot prints of my Kânhâ. Dear Uddhav! There is no place in Vrindâban where my Kânu has not played. Wherever I go, I see His extraordinary footprints. Then the fire in my heart is rekindled a hundred times more”. - [S.B. 10.46.22]

King Nanda’s words support the fact that Braja-bhumi always holds Sri Krishna’s footprints close to her heart. It is in this manner that Vrindâban spreads the glory of Earth everywhere right up to Vaikuntha. Therefore, we see in Venugeet –

“Dear sakhi! Sri Vrindâban is spreading the glory of Earth in all universe. This is because Sri Krishna’s beautiful footprints are seen everywhere in Vrindâban”. - [Brajadevis in S.B.10.21.10]

But Srila Vrindâban Prabhu is divine. He has no relation with Earth at all. He is Vibhu. So He is present everywhere – above in Golok and here, on Earth. So You may ask why should Earth consider herself fortunate if Sri Krishna’s footprints are present in Sri Vrindâban? You are right. But Earth feels glorious because Vrindâban is existent on her

bosom. She feels, “Brajadhâm as well as Sri Krishna’s very rare foot prints are present on my bosom. Indeed my name ‘Dharâ’ (to hold) is worthwhile”.

The beautiful footprints of Sri Krishna with their nineteen symbols are not present anywhere else in the universe, be it Heaven or even Vaikuntha. It is very rare to come across some Earth that has been in contact with Sri Krishna’s feet.

We hear from Srimad-Bhâgavatam, “The Yogis who have attained total self-control and have performed austerities for many lifetimes are not able to attain even a speck of the dust of the Lord’s lotus feet. But the Brijwâsis are so fortunate that Swayam Bhagavân Sri Krishna is present right in front of their eyes. How can I express their good fortune?” – [S. B. 10.12.12]

Srila Chaitanyadâs Goswâmipâd has written that when Sri Lilâshuk got a vision of Sri Krishna’s feet in the previous verse, he first wanted to describe the quick footsteps of Vibhu that were hurrying for ‘abhisâr’. The feet are voluble1 due to gem-studded anklets! All the symbols of Sri Krishna’s footprints are dotting the narrow path for abhisâr. Hence all glory to the path that is beautified with His foot prints!

Srila Bhatta Goswâmipâd says, in the previous verse Sri Lilâshuk has prayed to the lotus- feet of Sri Krishna to sport in his heart. Now by glorifying those supremely handsome feet, he is expressing his innermost bhâv. It is absolutely impossible to describe the loveliness of Sri Krishna’s beautiful feet. The emotional poet is considering it his great fortune to get an inspiration of just a speck of the brilliance of one billionth of the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s feet and is eulogising them with great effort. –“mani-nupura vâchâlam vande tacch–charanam vibhoh”. You may ask - the word ‘vâchal’ (talkative) is a word used in bad sense. How can it be used in reference to the Divine Being?” Well, in material context, it is an unfavourable word. However, when anything and everything comes in contact with the supremely beautiful Divine lotus-feet - it becomes tremendously attractive and absolutely sweet!

The anklets become intoxicated on drinking the nectar of Sri Krishna’s lotus-feet. Therefore, like sugary honey-bees, they are humming sweetly.

“yadvâ mani-maya – nupura – vâchâlam – bhushanam”.

Meaning:- “Sri Krishna’s feet beautify even the gem-studded anklets”.

It means gem-studded anklets look best when they are on Sri Krishna’s feet. We also learn from this verse that Sri Krishna’s clothes, ornaments, garlands - all are conscious - and even they relish the sweet ras of Sri Krishna !16.

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Verse 17

mama chetasi sphuratu vallavi – vibhor –