Interrelationship Between Sri Krsna Lila And Nature In the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana

Abstract

This research examines interrelation between Śrī Kṛṣṇa līlā to Nature in the Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa. The text deals with activities of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Śrī Kṛṣṇa līlā. It contains discussion on the various aspects of Nature which in the Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa is deeply connected with the playful activities of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. For the purpose of the theoretical and conceptual approach, Nature insights derived from Baruch Spinoza and other supported theory of Nature of the theorists such as Aristotle and John Locke have been used to connect between Śrī Kṛṣṇa līlā and Nature in my critical understanding of the Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa. The text also discusses the transcendental landscapes such as Jambu Dwipa, Salmali Dwipa, Kusha Dwipa, Krauncha Dwipa, Plaksha Dwipa, Śāka Dwipa and Kṣhirasāgara- the ocean of milk. The Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa referred the significance of Bhumī (land), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Vāyu (air) and Ᾱkās (sky) in relation to humans' life. In fact, the concept of Pancatattva (five elements) as the earth, water, air, fire, and sky form the basis of all phenomena. This dissertation is a study of Śrī Kṛṣṇa līlā from the perspective of Nature in the Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa and it presents a more or less realistic scenario of the relationship between human beings and Nature. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is reared in cowshed; Govinda is his name and he gives pleasure to the cows of Vṛndāvana. For him, the Yamūnā River, the pasture of Vṛndāvana, and Govardhan hillock are favorite places. When he is in Vṛndāvana, he treats the Yamunā River as the basis for creatures because he knows water is life. He plays flute standing under kadamba trees and attracts animals and plants. The text reveals how the hero is attached with the Yamūnā River, cows, calves, monkeys, Indian Ocean, Govardhan Hillock, kadamba, peepal, and parijat trees. Love is the central theme of Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa. It describes us about the subject of love from the highest to the lowest level. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the flute bannered hero, plays his flute only in Vṛndāvana in company with Rādhā and other gopīs. Without them, he is never seen with flute in other places in the Śrimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurāṇa. The melodious music of the flute is the ground of Rāsa Līlā. The sound of the flute attracts gopīs in the full moon night and they rush to forest neglecting domestic duties and the fear of wild animals. Those gopīs have positive attitude towards Nature. The Vṛndāvana forest is an appropriate venue for Rāsa Līlā. It shows the importance of Nature as conducive space for happiness of human beings and other creatures. The pancadyāya (five chapters: from the 29 vii

th to 33 rd of the tenth skandha) notes that Nature is the right place for lovers. Thus, Śrī Kṛṣṇa is a staunch friend and exciting lover to all who loved him. Whatever is found in the material world can also be found in the perfection of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Association with Śrī Kṛṣṇa is like association with sunshine. Where there is sunshine, there is no contamination. Love for spirituality, and love for Nature can bring a change in a character. We can see Śrī Kṛṣṇa in each and every object of Nature. His role in the form of human being is a role model for other human beings. He never took advantages of the situations but did as per the demand of his duty. Śrī Kṛṣṇa belongs to the lunar dynasty so that it is difficult to understand him. As the shape of the moon, his some activities are mysterious (stealing of mākhan and bastra haraṇa of gopīs) and other activities are miraculous such as lifting Govardhan Hillock and swallowing conflagration. Being a divine embodiment, he violates the social ethics during the time of his childhood. But he believes that the world is the extended family (basudaiva kutumbakam) and loves flora and fauna. He teaches humans how to perform spiritual works in relation to Nature despite the attachment in the material life. Putting the feathers of peacocks in his decoration, Śrī Kṛṣṇa shows nothing is waste in Nature. It shows that all objects of Nature are useful in different contexts. In conclusion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa līlā and its interrelation to Nature motivates readers to love plants and animals.