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Sri
Bala-Mukunda-Astakam
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Text 1 The one who keeps his lotus like feet on his lotus like mouth with his lotus like hand, I think of Balamukundan who sleeps on the vata pathra leaf. (1) |
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Text 2 The one who sleeps on the vata pathra after the dissolution of the worlds, the one whose form is without beginning or end, the one who is Lord of all, I think of Balamukundan who incarnated for the good of all. (2) |
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Text 3 The one who has a beautiful body that is dark like the cerulean blue lotus, the one whose lotus feet is worshipped by Indra and other devas, I think of Balamukundan who is like the kalpaka vriksha tree giving santhana-bagyam to those who bow to Him. (3) |
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Text 4 The one who has locks of hair falling in front of his face, the one who wears a long hanging chain, the one whose teeth rows shine with the nectar of shringaram, the one whose lips are like the red bimba fruit (kovai), I think of Balamukundan who has long and beautiful eyes. (4) |
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The time when Yashoda has gone out after keeping milk, curds in the pot, the one who sleeps falsely after eating all this, I think of this Balamukundan. (5) |
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Text 6 From the rock of Kalindhi, the one who has the desire of dancing on the hoods of the snake kaliyan, the one who has the tip of the tail of kaliyan in his hand, the one whose face is like the moon during sarathrithu (december month), I think of this Balamukundan. (6) |
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Text 7 The one who is tied to a round boulder, the one who is great, the one who has the playfullness of pushing two Maruthamaram (Arjuna-Trees) to the ground, the one who has eyes like a bloomed red lotus, I think of this Balamukundan. (7) |
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Text 8 The one who looks affectionately at the mother's face while sucking milk from her breasts, the one who has eyes like the red lotus, the one whose form is Truth, Intelligence and the one who has other forms and is a Lord, I think of this Balamukundan. (8) |
- iti sri balamukundastakam
samaptam -
- thus ends the 8-verse hymn called bala-mukunda-astakam -
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One of most delightful manifestation of Lord Krishna is his appearance as the ever lovable child Bal Gopal. What captures one's imagination is the paradox that this little innocent prankster, whose aim in life seems to revolve around making mischief of all kinds starting from stealing butter to breaking water pots perched on the heads of ladies of Vrindaban, is actually the Lord of all creation! But then, the Supreme Lord is a merciful and benevolent Lord. He takes on the aspect of a sweet child, so that our devotion to Him finds expression as pure love without a feeling of intimidation lurking somewhere behind.
Love for children is a universal human instinct. And as far as children go, Bal Gopal, the Supreme Lord in his child manifestation, has it all that would make one scoop the little fellow up in one's arms and cuddle him. An entrancing smiling face, a unparalleled knack for naughtiness, using Bambi-eyes to get out of trouble, keeping the blessed citizens of Vrindaban always entertained through his antics and vanquishing a few demons along the way - this beautiful child has the makings of a superstar indeed!