Raasa Leela: The Night To Remain Conscious
Why didn't Yashoda, mother of Krishna, attend raasa, a friend asked me on a Sharad Poornima night in Vrindavan. Why do boys perform the role of gopis, she whispered a second time. Why did the raasa take place at night, she nudged me yet again. Why didn't Radha meet Krishna alone for raasa, she enquired and just then the next orator came on stage to explain raasa leela. This is the trickiest incident from Krishna's life, he explained. God is Ove, bliss, ananda but people interpret these in terms of male-female physical contact-so they find the intimacy of Radhaand Krishna confusing. Gopis who loved Krishna with meditativeness, servitude and motherly bhava did not hear the flute. Only gopis who adored Krishna with madhurya bhava or sakhi ohava-friendly surrender-came to the aasa. Madhurya bhava is the highest culmination of devotion. The intense fire of devotion united their hearts with Krishna. Even Krishna's male friends, the gopas, did not hear the flute, proving that raasa is about surrendering the ego of body. Krishna is purusha and individuals are all feminine. Traditionally, only boys play the role of gopis because raasa can be misinterpreted by young, innocent minds. They can be misguided into thinking that this is all about loving and dancing. Raasa takes place at night because union with Paramatma is beyond time and space. Normally, at night, one's vision is blurred and time and space get hidden. To achieve spiritual union with God one muststrive beyond time and space restrictions. rishna had to fulfil many vows made to various devotees in different avatars regarding uniting with Him. This night Krishna decided to attract all the souls at one place and time. So a perfect night was created for lovers on Sharad Poornima. Lakhs of gopis harbouring desires of uniting with Krishna sneaked out of their homes in the dead of night. Krishna's namemeans one who attracts. He alone can attract and grant pleasure to all beings while only Radha is capable of giving pleasure to Krishna. So, Radha, the soul of Krishna, the pleasure power of Krishna stood before the Supreme Brahmn on this blessed night. Both Radha and Krishna are extremely attractive, beautiful, dazzling and deeply in love. They worship each other. When two souls are united difference of duality vanishes. The power to love thatexists in the world comes from Radha and the world. The purest of devotees are able to see their union as divine height in ecstasy. The magical night is recreated. Under the full moon gopis form a circle. The dark Krishna in a glittering white dress, with intricate zari work and strings of pearls comes on stage. Gopsurround him. The celestial sound ofhis flute steals hearts and individual consciousness. Suddenly several Krishnas come in dancing. The sightso many Krishnas with identical wh costumes and flutes, rhythmic spin aliveliness isastonishing. We can't geenough of Krishna. He is with Radhain the centre and also with each gopishowing that he is our centre pointasParamatma and is also in each of us aAntaryami. Viewers cry indelight arall become speechless. A Gita shloka says, "That night w the self-controlled man is awake; wheall beings are awake,that is night forsage who sees."This is a night to remaware, to remain conscious despite attractions and distractions.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Seema Burman kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Seema Burman Speaking Tree,Times of India
Raasa Leela: The Night To Remain Conscious
Why didn't Yashoda, mother of Krishna, attend raasa, a friend asked me on a Sharad Poornima night in Vrindavan. Why do boys perform the role of gopis, she whispered a second time. Why did the raasa take place at night, she nudged me yet again. Why didn't Radha meet Krishna alone for raasa, she enquired and just then the next orator came on stage to explain raasa leela. This is the trickiest incident from Krishna's life, he explained. God is Ove, bliss, ananda but people interpret these in terms of male-female physical contact-so they find the intimacy of Radhaand Krishna confusing. Gopis who loved Krishna with meditativeness, servitude and motherly bhava did not hear the flute. Only gopis who adored Krishna with madhurya bhava or sakhi ohava-friendly surrender-came to the aasa. Madhurya bhava is the highest culmination of devotion. The intense fire of devotion united their hearts with Krishna. Even Krishna's male friends, the gopas, did not hear the flute, proving that raasa is about surrendering the ego of body. Krishna is purusha and individuals are all feminine. Traditionally, only boys play the role of gopis because raasa can be misinterpreted by young, innocent minds. They can be misguided into thinking that this is all about loving and dancing. Raasa takes place at night because union with Paramatma is beyond time and space. Normally, at night, one's vision is blurred and time and space get hidden. To achieve spiritual union with God one muststrive beyond time and space restrictions. rishna had to fulfil many vows made to various devotees in different avatars regarding uniting with Him. This night Krishna decided to attract all the souls at one place and time. So a perfect night was created for lovers on Sharad Poornima. Lakhs of gopis harbouring desires of uniting with Krishna sneaked out of their homes in the dead of night. Krishna's namemeans one who attracts. He alone can attract and grant pleasure to all beings while only Radha is capable of giving pleasure to Krishna. So, Radha, the soul of Krishna, the pleasure power of Krishna stood before the Supreme Brahmn on this blessed night. Both Radha and Krishna are extremely attractive, beautiful, dazzling and deeply in love. They worship each other. When two souls are united difference of duality vanishes. The power to love thatexists in the world comes from Radha and the world. The purest of devotees are able to see their union as divine height in ecstasy. The magical night is recreated. Under the full moon gopis form a circle. The dark Krishna in a glittering white dress, with intricate zari work and strings of pearls comes on stage. Gopsurround him. The celestial sound ofhis flute steals hearts and individual consciousness. Suddenly several Krishnas come in dancing. The sightso many Krishnas with identical wh costumes and flutes, rhythmic spin aliveliness isastonishing. We can't geenough of Krishna. He is with Radhain the centre and also with each gopishowing that he is our centre pointasParamatma and is also in each of us aAntaryami. Viewers cry indelight arall become speechless. A Gita shloka says, "That night w the self-controlled man is awake; wheall beings are awake,that is night forsage who sees."This is a night to remaware, to remain conscious despite attractions and distractions.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Seema Burman kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Seema Burman Speaking Tree,Times of India