Wonderful Krishna bhajan - Avari apuli hi bansuri

 Hari Aum.

As Janmashtami approaches, I was exploring some new Krishna bhajans and came across one that I particularly love-- I'd like to share it here.

This bhajan was composed in Marathi by a saint known as Tukdoji Maharaj who lived in Maharashtra, India in the past century (I had not previously heard of him until I came across this beautiful poem written by him).

In the song, Tukdo ji describes the state of the devotees of Krishna who are spellbound by His playing of the flute. These are the famous gopis, the cowherd women of Vraja, who were deeply in love with Him throughout their lives. The gopis are busy women with many things to do; yet while performing all their duties, they keep their minds on Krishna, the Supreme Being. Thus, they remain in a state of yoga (uniting one's consciousness with God) while living an apparently normal external life.

The sacred scripture, the Bhagavatam, describes the gopis as the most excellent examples of devotees-- practitioners of the path of bhakti yoga. There never has been, is not and never will be any devotee higher than them. They are the examples that all bhakti yoga practitioners aspire to follow. Sivananda, my own Guru, and many other realised souls advise their disciples to emulate the example of these wonderful  yogis.

With this introduction, let me share the YouTube video (please see the link below) of this exquisite poem by Tukdo ji Maharaj. You will see in the comments section of the video that many have described that they found it so enchanting that they listened to it several times in a row. I must admit that it has had the same effect on me too-- I cannot stop listening to it at the moment. Everything about it is so beautiful-- the words of the poem, the devotion expressed, the superb music, the intonation and style of the young girls singing it, just everything about this song is perfect in my view. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SdDjik3v6E

Hope you enjoy the song, may it transport you into a blissful state of contemplation of Krishna like the gopis. :)

Om Shri Krishnaya Namah

Om Shri Gopijana-vallabhaya Namah

Hari Aum Tat Sat

Janmashtami present and happy Onam

 Hari Aum.

A very happy Janmashtami in advance -- this year the date falls on August 30 as per the lunar calendar. In celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday, the four books that I wrote on the life of Krishna as told in the Bhagavatam will be available for free download from Amazon (as is the case on this day every year).

The free Kindle app will be needed to read the books on one's electronic device. The books will be available for free download from August 27 to August 31 (from midnight PDT onwards).

Hope you enjoy the books. The link to the Amazon page from where they can be downloaded is below:

https://www.amazon.com/Vishnupriya-Devi/e/B07B95YQCV/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Just to mention, I am in the process of writing a book on the Vamana avatara as described in the Bhagavatam. I started it last year but the pandemic and other stuff got in the way-- I have taken this up again and hope to complete it sooner rather than later. I hope to publish it on Amazon kindle once it is done. 

Also, a very happy Onam to all. My roots are in Kerala (although I've never lived there for any length of time; only visited during holidays) and Onam is celebrated by many of my family members. It is the day that celebrates the blessing of Bali by the Vamana avatar. 

The story of the King Bali and the Vamana avatara of Narayana is told in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Sadly some people have come up with their own rather bizarre versions of this lila of Narayana. Their version is exactly the opposite of the ancient original version described in the centuries old Bhagavatam. In their modern version (possibly inspired by a desire to create division between various sections of society), they say that Narayana deprives Bali of his property--- whereas the description in the Bhagavatam is precisely the reverse. 

The story begins with the demon king Bali depriving the demi-gods and others of their property. Despite these ignoble deeds, his love of truth is extraordinary and at odds with the values of the demon clan to which he belongs. Narayana appears as the Vamana avatar and successfully restores the property stolen by Bali to the rightful owners. 

However, as Bali demonstrates tremendous courage and nobility in adhering to the truth at all costs, Narayana blesses Bali with an even more beautiful kingdom and riches than the property he gave up. Not only this, He blesses him with spiritual wisdom and says He will personally always protect him. Bali therefore gives everything to Narayana only to receive far more than he could ever have imagined in return. 

It is an extremely beautiful and inspiring story with a happy ending. It shows the love of God towards those who adhere to righteousness or dharma/truth at any cost. 

Happy Onam everyone!

Victory to Lord Vamana and to King Bali!

Hari Aum Tat Sat.