Janamasthmi

I love Janamasthmi. While I am a believer of Vedanta and non-duality, for some unknown reason I am drawn to Krishna. He is not my ishta deva in the sense that I worship Him to the exclusion of Others, but that He is in someway special to me. So this year, I have made a tiny collection of writings on Krishna :

• Madhurashatakam

Madhurashatakam was composed by Shri Vallabhacharya. The composition uses very simple words to convey the madhura nature of Krishna. It has been beautifully sung by MS Subbulakshmi. Please take out time and hear it. You can see the verse by verse translation here. 

• Murli baj uththi anghata

Recently, I purchased a book on Bulleh Shah published by the Sahitya Akademi and written by Prof. Surindar Singh Kohli. Came across the following Punjabi composition from one of Shahji's Kafis :

Murli baj uththi anghata
Sun sun bhul gayya sabh bata
Sun sun Sham Sundar dia bata
Bulhe Shah main tad birlai
Jad di murli Kahn bajai
Bauri ho ke tain wal dhai
Kaho ji kit wal dast barata

The flute is being played suddenly (by Lord Krishna)
Hearing the flute of (the Beloved) and also the talk about Him,
I have forgotten everything else.
When the Lord played on the flute, I, Bulhe Shah, cried in agony.
I became mad and ran towards the Lord.
The lover (gopi) asks, with whom the gift of love is being shared?

(The translation has been lifted from the book. Other translations may vary)

• Hari Tum Haro

Apparently, this Meerbai bhajan was a favourite of Gandhiji and he requested MS Subbulakshmi to sing it for him on his birthday. While there are many renditions, I personally find this one the best. If I could sing, I would probably sing it like this. Krishna's life as a pastoral cowherd and later as a kingmaker is full of incidents in which He is the saviour. Thus, it is apt to ask Him to relieve our suffering. (The expressions pastoral and kingmaker have been inspired from the title of a book published by the Sri Ramakrishna Math)

You can find the words and English translation over here. 

• Nath Anathan ki Sudh Leeje

Shout out to Gaana.com for showing me this wonderful Surdas Bhajan. Absolutely love it. You should hear it too. Unfortunately, I could not find a translation for the wordings. I have attempted a translation. Please read it with a handful of salt. 

Nath Anathan ki sudh leeje

Tum bin deen dukhi hai Gopi

Beg hi darshan deeje Prabhuji

Nath Anathan ki sudh leeje

Nainan jal bhar aaye Hari bin

Uddhava ko patiya likh deeje

Surdas Prabhu aas milan ki

Abki ber Braj aawan keeje

Nath Anathan ki sudh leeje

Lord, remember the orphaned (for they have no protector)

Without You the Gopis are sad and suffering

Lord, please give your darshan (meet us)

Without Hari, the eyes are filled with tears

(At least) send (us) your message through Uddhava

Surdas is yearning for You

This time come to Braj!

• Hari Har Simaya

My Nani used to sing this couplet. Lovingly, she used to explain each word to me. She had immense faith in God and was a true devotee.

Hari har simaya, hari daaliyon mai

Wahi jhoomta hai jo haryaliyon mai

Hari har, Hari har, Hari har, Hari!

Meri baari kyun itni deri kari

Hari is in everything, Hari is in the green branches

He is the one who dances in all greenery

Hari is everywhere, Hari is everywhere

When it is my turn, why are You so late?

Happy Janamasthmi to everyone. May this day mark the end of all evil within us.

Source : Shri Nathji Krishna celebrating the festival of Sharad Purnima. Nathdwara, Rajasthan circa AD 1800. Currently on display at National Museum, New Delhi