Brahmā’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa at the Departure from Vṛndāvana

Brahmā’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa at the Departure from Vṛndāvana is a hymn of praise (stotra) from the Sāmaveda tradition. Brahmā sang it to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa as He was about to leave Vṛndāvana for Mathurā. It is found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapter 68.

The setting

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa had comforted Rādhā through the night and done His morning rites. He was making ready for the journey to Mathurā. At that time Brahmā came down from Brahmaloka at the head of all the devas. The text names Śiva, Śesha and Indra among those who came with him. Brahmā bowed before the Parabrahman, who stood there in the dress of a cowherd (gopaveśa), and sang this stotra. By it he also told Bhagavān Kṛshṇa that the time for His departure had come.

The stotra

This stotra is from the Sāmaveda tradition. Brahmā addressed Bhagavān Kṛshṇa in these words:

Jaya jaya! O Nirguṇa! — Victory! Victory! to the one beyond the guṇas!
O Nirākāra! — to the one beyond form!
O Svecchāmaya! — to the one made entirely of his own will!
O Bhaktānugraha-kāraka! — to the one who bestows grace on his devotees!
O Śāśvata-vigraha! — to the one whose form is eternal!
O Gopaveśa-dhārin! — to the one who wears the cowherd’s garb!
O Māyāvī! — to the master of māyā!
O Māya-Īśa! — to the lord of all māyā!
O Suvesa! — to the one of beautiful attire!
O Suśīla! — to the one of beautiful character!
O Śānta! — to the one who is perfect peace!
O Manoharavidhāna! — to the one whose very being captivates the mind!
O Dānta! — to the perfectly self-controlled one!
O Parat-para! — to the one who is beyond even the beyond!
O Sākshī-svarūpa! — to the one whose very nature is witnessing!
O Vyakta-avyakta! — to the one who is both manifest and unmanifest!
O Nirañjana! — to the one unstained by māyā!
O Karuṇāsamudra! — to the ocean of compassion!
O Śaraṇāgata-pañjara! — to the cage (refuge) of all who take shelter!
O Bhakta-vātsalya-yukta! — to the one whose very being is parental love for devotees!

Brahmā’s message

After the stotra Brahmā gave the great charge: “O Bhagavān Kṛshṇa, the time has come. Go to Mathurā. Kill Kaṃsa. Free Devakī and Vasudeva from their prison. Build the divine city of Dvārakā. Lift the burden of the Earth.”

Then an ākāśavāṇī (a voice from the sky) confirmed it: “It is time.”

The phalaśruti

One who hears this stotra obtains:

• all the fruits that he wishes for
• sons
• a wife
• wealth

At the end of life the one who recites it reaches unwavering Hari-dāsya (service to Bhagavān Hari) and bhakti that is greater than mukti, greater than moksha itself.

Sources

• Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapter 68