71 - The Journey of Krishna

Narayana said- With the fragrant wind blowing Radhika was sleeping on the bed of flowers and sandal-paste. After the three fourths of the night was over, Krishna woke up Yashoda to perform the welfare ceremony in the auspicious moment when the moon and the constellations were in a favourable position, lagna was auspicious and the unfavourable planets which had no bad no effect. Lord Hari himself got up and assured his relatives. Getting afraid of Radhika, he stopped the playing of the musical instruments. The one who is independent and creator of the universe besides being the protector and maintains the entire universe, was found afraid of Radha. 

He washed his feet and was clad in two garments. Thereafter the spotless paste was applied on his body. A pitcher filled with water was placed to his left which was filled with fruits and tender leaves and was painted with sandal-paste, aguru and Brahmanas were placed to the right. In the forefront a chaste woman having the son and the husband alive was placed ahead carving the mirror and the burning lamp. The Durva grass given by the teacher, beautiful flowers, the auspicious white paddy were placed on the bead, ghee, beverages, silver, gold and curd were shown to him, plastering his neck with sandal-paste, he was made to wear the garland of flowers. Thereafter, Krishna was made to adore his teachers as well as the Brahmanas. 

Thereafter conches were blown and the Vedas were recited with music and the verses showering welfare were also recited by the Brahmanas. Devoting the mind to the form or the one who bestows welfare, he lifted up his right foot to move forward.

The lord then pressing his nose with middle finger stopped breathing for a while from the left side, he them released the breath from the right side. Thereafter, he went to the best of the court-yard of Nanda. The lord was delightful, blissful, always engrossed in bliss, eternal, the eternal form, the eternal form of the seed, appearing in human form always, the lord of all, always engaged in welfare deeds, taking to new form always and always appearing youthful in garments and speaking always new words, his love is always achieved by internal efforts. His words are sweeter than the nectar and always look new; his feet are always eternal and fresh and his adoration is always new and eternal. 

Thus, the lord of illusion who always is combined with the illusion standing in that courtyard got ready to depart for the journey. In the courtyard, which was decorated with the trunks of banana trees, with tender flower leaves tied with the silken cord and the gems which were made by Vishvakarma and painted with kasthuri, saffron and sandal-paste. Lord Krishna together with Akrura and other relatives made preparation for their departure. At that point of time Yashoda stood on the left and Nanda on the right and embraced Krishna, kissing his cheeks. The relatives also extended their love for Krishna.