28 - Worship of Gopala

Suta said:

1-3. I shall now describe the worship of Gopala (Lord Krishna) that yields worldly enjoyment and salvation. In the door-ways Dhätru1, Vidhatru2, Ganga, Yamuna, Sankhanidhi, Padma nidhi, Saranga,1 Sharabha2 and Shri are to be worshipped. In the east Bhadra and Subhadra are worshipped, in the South Chanda and Prachapdaka are worshipped, in the west Bala and Prabala and in the north Jaya3 and Vijaya are to be worshipped. In the four main doors, Shri, Gana, Durga and Sarasvati4 are to be worshipped. 

·      Brahmi.

·      Dispenser of Destiny. 

·      Chătaka, peacock, deer or elephant.

·      A fabulous animal or a young elephant.

·      Jaya and Vijaya are the well-known attendants of Vishnu. 

·      In the corners of south-east of the field, Närada, Siddha, Guru and Nalakūbara5, are to be worshipped. In the corner one should worship Bhagavata. 6

4. The godden of speech. The wife of Brahmå. An ancient river (which is now loat). In the Rugveda, she is lauded both as a river and As a deity. But she became the goddess of learning only in the post- Rugvedic literature. (Also refer CDHM, pp. 284, SP (AITM), P. 350 fn, 268; Linga (AITM), P. 804). 

5. Name of a son of Kubera.

6. Bhagavata-Purana or a follower of Vishnu. 

5. In the east, the devotec should worship Vişhnu, Vişhnu's Tapas (penance) and Vişhnu's Shakti (power). Then in the middle he shall worship the family of Vişhnu, Shakti and Kūrma (the tortoise). 

6. He shall worship Ananta, Earth, Virtue, Knowledge and Vairdgya (non-attachment) in the South-east. Prosperity shall be worshipped in the north-west and in the north the Prakashat man (brilliant-souled). 

7. Worship shall be offered to Sattva of the nature of Prakruti; to Rajas of the nature of delusion and to Tamas the lotus of Ahankara Tattva (the principle of ego).7

7. In the Venkateshvara edition, the second half of this verse is tamase kandapadmaya yajet kam kakatattvakam. 

8. The principle of learning, the great principle. The zones of Sun, Moon and fire all these shall be worshipped. The seat of Vimala and others shall be worshipped in the cast with Hrim Shrim. 

9-10. To the lover of cowherd lasses the mantra ending with Svaha is mentioned. In the east of the corners of the heart the weapons-Achakra, Suchakra, Vichakra, Trailokyarakshana (protecting the three worlds) Asurdrichakra, Sudarshana,1 Astra and Shakti shall be worshipped. 

1. It is the well-known discus of Lord Krishna. According to legends Agni gave it to him. 

11. Rukmini2 Satyabhama,3 Sunanda4 Nägnajiti5 Laksmana6 Mitravruda7 Jambavati5 and Sushila9 (shall be first worshipped). 

2. Daughter of Bhişhmaka, king of Vidarbha. The chief wife of Krišhņa. 

3. Another wife of Krishna. Daughter of Satrajit.

 4. A wife of Krishna.

5. A wife of Krishna.

6. A wife of Krishna.

7. A wife of Krişhņa.

 8. A wife of Krishņa. Daughter of Jámbavat.

 9. A wife of Krishna.

16. An obvious reference to Kaumodaki, the mace of Vişhnu.

12. Then Shankha,10 Chakra11, Gada12, Padma13, Musala14 and Saranga15 shall be worshipped. 

10. Conch.

11. Discus.

12. Club. 

13. Lotus. Krishna holds a conch, a discus, a club and a lotus in each of his four hands. 

14, Pestle. It is held by Balarama, as his weapon.

 15. The bow is generally associated with Vişhnu.

Then the sword, the noose, the goad shall be worshipped in the east. Shrivatsa Kaustubha, coronet, garland of wild flowers, Indra and others, the principal leaders of the banner shall be worshipped. Kumuda16 and others, Vishvaksena, 17 Krişhņa along with Śhrī shall be worshipped. 

17. Vishnu. 

By the recital of the name, contemplation and worship the devotee shall obtain all desires.