SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM (Skandhas X and XI) SRI KRISHNA CHARITAMRTAM (In English) – Author –Dr.A.R.Panduranga Rao, published by Tattwsamshodanasamsat, Sri Palimaru Matha,Udupi. Available at 27, TPKoil Street, Triplicane, Chennai 600005. Price: Rs.500
Mahabharata and Bhagavata, authored by Sage Krishna Dwaipayana, aka Vyasa, are two important treatises that narrate Lord Krishna’s mystic, adventurous life. Especially, Bhagavatam was compiled at the behest of Narada, only to accomplish a sense of divine gratification that could not be derived from writing Mahabharata. Madhvacharya’s follower, Vijayadhvaja Tirtha wrote a comprehensive commentary called Pada Ratnavali.
A.R. Panduranga Rao, translated Tirtha’s original Sanskrit version of 10th and 11th volumes in this current work titled ‘Sri Krishna Charitamrtam.’ The hallmark of this translation is lucid expressions in English, without deviating from the desired purport.
Long after the end of Kurukshetra war, King Parikshit inquires Sage Suka about the genesis, growth and development of cosmos, God’s avatars and Lord Krishna’s adventures. And thus began the first ever narration of this whole text. The philosophy embedded in the mind of Madhvacharya about the practice of bhakti and the root cause for attaining salvation are attractively narrated by explaining Lord Krishna’s deeds.
Containing 103 Chapters in the tenth volume, the author disseminated the esoteric meanings of the slokas besides stating essential points as ‘notes’ here and there. The sportive spirit and pastimes of the two part-manifestations of Hari viz. Balarama and Krishna are amusingly spoken in Chapter 18.
Rao wonderfully depicts, in Chapter 33, how the alluring music from the flute of Krishna, cast a magical spell on the black bees, deer, cranes, swans and other birds in the lake that congregated and enjoyed with perfect silence. In Chapter 37, the author presents a poignant note of Akrura, an ardent devotee of Krishna. Akrura’s yearning to meet Krishna eventually gets fulfilled when Kamsa sends him as a messenger to invite Krishna and Balarama to Mathura.
Rao succeeds in enamouring the readers by portraying Akrura’s spellbound state of mind while he witnesses the glory and grandeur of the enchanting figure of Krishna from close quarters.
The incidents such as Uddhava conveying a message from Krishna to Gopis, which recounts the overflowing devotion of Gopis, and the marriage of Revati with Balarama, wherein he brings a taller Revati at a par with him in height using his plough, kindles the readers’ curiosity and makes the book an engaging read.
Surprisingly, in two slokas (95.22,23), the substance of Bhagavat Gita is spoken, wherein it is said that Krishna through his Yogamaya awakened Arjuna and urged him into action besides showing His Viswarupa. Krishna’s hospitality in honouring his impecunious but pre-eminent friend Kuchela, their nostaligic conversations and Kuchela’s bhakti signifie the importance of Guru in one’s life. In the eleventh Skandha, the author narrates Brahma’s entreat for Krishna’s return to his abode Vaikunta. In the end, the author underlines, through the version of Suka, that one praising the most beautiful and auspicious advent and heroic adventures of Krishna will attain supreme devotion towards the Lord.
Throughout the work, the author stays on course, true to the purpose with concise and precise translation.
