The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
83. The Vision of Lord Krishna
Although Shri Guru Raghavendra engaged in the worship and contemplation of all divine forms of God, it was in the form of Shri Krishna that he had a special love and devotion. From the chanting of Krishna’s name, he would attain a unique spiritual tranquility. His body would thrill with joy. The enchanting, world-bewitching beauty of Krishna’s form would always play before his eyes.
When the divine form of that Nanda’s child merged into the lotus of his heart, it was as though an electric current passed through his body. Tears of bliss would flow, his throat would tighten, and, in a trance-like state, he would begin praising Shri Krishna. In that moment, he would be completely unaware of the external world. After all, was he not one possessed by the planetary force of Krishna (Krishna-graha-gṛhīta-ātma - ಗ್ರಹ-ಗೃಹೀತ-ಆತ್ಮ)?
When we examine all of Shri Guru's previous incarnations, one thing becomes very clear. In the incarnation as Prahlada, though he was blessed and later worshipped Lord Narasimha, the Bhagavata tradition still describes him as a soul possessed by Krishna's influence (Krishna-graha-gṛhīta-ātma). Later, when he incarnated as Vyasaraja, his chosen deity (upāsya-mūrti - ಉಪಾಸ್ಯ ಮೂರ್ತಿ) was Gopala Krishna! Even then, he remained a Krishna-gripped soul.
In this final divine incarnation, although the presiding deity was Shri Moola Rama, the form most beloved to Guru Raghavendra was still that of Shri Krishna. During the worship of Moola Rama, it was Krishna who appeared in his meditation. When absorbed in Krishna’s meditation, he would experience a bliss and peace equal to a child sitting on its mother’s lap.
He was a knower through direct realization (aparokṣa-jñāni). Even his symbolic idol (bimba-mūrti) was that of Murali-Mohana, the flute-enchanter.
Every day, after completing morning, midday, and evening rituals, Shri Guru Raghavendra would sit absorbed in Shri Krishna’s meditation, entering the state of asamprajñāta - ಅಸಂಪ್ರಜ್ಞಾತ samādhi (a trance beyond mental awareness). At such times, it would seem as though someone far away was sweetly playing the flute, and that flute sound, like a wave, mixed with the delicate tinkling of anklets, would drift into his ears.
Then, with his hair standing on end, he would experience celestial bliss. This was like a game of divine hide-and-seek played between God and His devotee.
One day, Shri Guru Raghavendra, with firm resolve, sat in the mandapa (hall) before the deity in Shri Krishna’s temple at midday, and began offering prayers in various ways to Murali Lola (the one delighting in playing the flute). He then established Shri Krishna in the sanctum of his heart through deep meditation and sat in asamprajñāta samādhi (a trance beyond conscious awareness).
In the lotus of his heart, he had the vision of Shri Krishna, whose complexion was like a blue monsoon cloud (nīlamegha-śyāma). It was as though the essence of the beauty of all the fourteen worlds had taken a tangible form and was dazzling with wondrous radiance. Absorbed in the bliss of this Krishna darshana, the Guru forgot himself completely.
Then, all of a sudden, Krishna, who had been playing blissfully in the sanctum of his heart, disappeared. Even though the Guru tried to meditate again and again, Krishna’s form did not reappear. Like one tormented by separation, Shri Guru opened his eyes, full of longing.
Just then, from Krishna’s sanctum sanctorum, came the sound of a divine flute—so delicate and subtle. With eyes filled with hope, he looked in that direction. The celestial waves of that unheard-of flute melody touched the very strings of his heart-veena. Oh! What indescribable sweetness!
Inside the sanctum, an extraordinary divine radiance shone with the luster of moonlight, lighting up the place enchantingly. As the Guru gazed intently at the divine light, the flute’s melody mingled with the soft, sweet sounds of anklets, bangles, bracelets, and toe bells, resounding together as:
“Phal, phal, phal, phaleer”
—entering his ears and flooding him with auditory bliss. In Shri Guru’s heart, waves of bliss rose high. Again and again, the sounds of the flute and the tinkling of ornaments like:
“Ghal, phal, phleee, ghal, ghal”
continued to pour in with a divine musical charm.
Now, Guruji could no longer hold back. He cried out in prayer:
“O Lord with lotus eyes! Beloved of Lakshmi! Slayer of Kamsa! Shri Krishna!
Will You not show any mercy to this servant now?
O Lord, why are You playing this game of hide-and-seek with me?
Be gracious, O Friend of devotees!”
As the sound of the flute and anklets seemed to come ever closer, he could hear them clearly—but still could not see the Lord!
“Is this Your divine sport?
Is my devotion not yet mature?
O Lord! You who once gave me darshana in the sanctum of my heart,
today even from there You have vanished!
Are You playing with Your devotee, Murali Mohana?
Have compassion! Bless me with the vision of Your sacred feet and fulfill me!”
So praying, he picked up the veena lying beside him, placed it on his thigh, and began to play.
A Bhairavi raga—so moving that it could melt the heart—emerged from the veena. Immersed in divine ecstasy, Guru Raghavendra began playing the veena, lost in himself.
Astonishing! From the flute, too, a sweet melodic response flowed, following Guruji’s Bhairavi raga. It was as though Krishna’s flute was answering the Guru’s music with its own enchanting tune!
From Guru Raghavendra’s eyes, tears of bliss began to flow. Overwhelmed with devotion, he continued to play the veena. And then, from the lotus of his face, there spontaneously emerged an immortal composition:
"Indu enage Govinda ninnaya pādāravindava tōrō Mukunda Indirāramaṇa"
ಇಂದು ಎನಗೆ ಗೋವಿಂದ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಪಾದಾರ-
ವಿಂದವ ತೋರೋ ಮುಕುಂದ ಇಂದಿರಾರಮಣ
(Today, O Govinda, show me Your lotus feet,
O Mukunda, O beloved of Lakshmi!)
Shri Guru once again played the veena, and sang the verse, completely immersed and forgetful of the world:
"Indu enage Govinda ninnaya pādāravindava tōrō Mukunda Indirāramaṇa"
ಇಂದು ಎನಗೆ ಗೋವಿಂದ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಪಾದಾರ
ವಿಂದವ ತೋರೋ ಮುಕುಂದ ಇಂದಿರಾರಮಣ ||
What a wonder!
In that divine radiance, which seemed to toss about cascades of lightning, two supernatural, beautiful feet appeared before Shri Guru Raghavendra’s eyes!
As soon as he had direct darshana of the lotus feet of the dark, rain-cloud-complexioned Nanda’s darling, it was as though, within the heart-lotus of that noble crest-jewel of ascetics, the essence of Krishna’s divinity was fully revealed—a direct realization of the Krishna-tattva.
In the sacred confluence of those waves of sublime emotion, Shri Raghavendra Muni became completely immersed in divine bliss. Overwhelmed by supreme joy and ecstasy, he lost all awareness of himself. The joy he experienced was indescribable.
Responding to his heartfelt call, Bala Gopala had lovingly come and revealed His beautiful feet—and the Guru, as the king of devotees, began to pray with reverence and gratitude!
At that moment, his entire body bristled with goosebumps, and tears of bliss welled up in his eyes.
He sang:
Sundara vadanane Nandagōpiya kanda
Mandaroddhāra ānanda Indirāramaṇa || A.P. ||
ಸುಂದರ ವದನನೇ ನಂದಗೋಪಿಯ ಕಂದ |
ಮಂದರೋದ್ಧಾರ ಆನಂದ ಇಂದಿರಾರಮಣ || ಅ.ಪ ||
(O beautiful-faced one, Son of Nandagopi,
Uplifter of Mandara, Joy of Lakshmi!)
Wonder upon wonder!
Along with those two tiny, beautiful feet, the radiant face of Krishna also appeared before Shri Guru’s eyes!
An immense joy flooded the heart of Shri Raghavendra.
He exclaimed in praise:
“O Lord, Compassionate One, I am truly blessed!”
The resonance of the veena, the sweet devotional singing, the melodious tones of the flute, the delicate chimes of bangles, the tinkling of anklets—‘ghal, ghal’,
—all of it came together and created a celestial realm,
as if a heavenly world (Gandharva-loka) had descended into that sacred space, overflowing with divine music.
Then Shri Guru, overwhelmed by emotion, sang:
ನೊಂದೆನಯ್ಯಾ ಭವ ಬಂಧನದೊಳು ಸಿಲುಕಿ |
ಮುಂದೆ ದಾರಿಗಾಣದೆ ಕುಂದಿದೆ ಜಗದೊಳು ||
ಕಂದ ನಾನೆಂದೆನ್ನ ಕುಂದುಗಳನೆಣಿಸದೆ |
ತಂದೆ! ಕಾಯೋ ಕೃಷ್ಣ! ಕಂದರ್ಪಜನಕನೇ || 1 ||
Nondene ayyā bhava bandhanadoḷu siluki
Munde dārigāṇade kundide jagadoḷu
Kanda nāne endenna kundugaḷanenṇisade
Tande! Kāyo Krishna! Kandarpajanakane || 1 ||
(Alas! I suffered, trapped in worldly bondage, Without knowing the path ahead, I stumbled in the world, O beloved child, I did not count my own faults, O Father! Protect me, Krishna! O father of Kamadeva (god of love)!)
Guru Raghavendra was playing the veena, completely immersed in bliss, singing in a state of divine ecstasy, utterly forgetful of himself.
At that very moment, Bala Gopala (child Krishna) began to fully manifest His supernatural, auspicious form. With a gentle smile blossoming on His lips, He played the flute and started to dance, perfectly synchronizing His movements with the melody and rhythm of the Guru’s singing and veena.
Then Shri Guru sang:
ಮೂಢತನದಿ ಬಲು ಹೇಡಿ ಜೀವನನಾಗಿ |
ದೃಢಭಕುತಿಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲವೋ ಹರಿಯೇ ||
ನೋಡಲಿಲ್ಲವೋ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲವೋ ಮಹಿಮೆ |
ಗಾಡಿಕಾರ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಬೇಡಿಕೊಂಬೆನೋ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ || 2 ||
Mūḍhatanadi balu hēḍi jīvananāgi
(In my ignorance, I lived a very timid life)
Dṛḍhabhaktiyannu māḍalillavō Hariyē ||
(O Hari! I did not develop firm devotion)
Nōḍalillavō ninna pāḍalillavō mahime
(I never saw You, nor sang Your glories)
Gāḍikāra Krishna bēḍikonbenō Swāmi || 2 ||
(O master charioteer Krishna, shall I not plead to You now, my Lord?)
In the first, second, and third beats, the veena playing surged forward with vigor.
From Guru Raghavendra’s lotus-like face, streams of melody, notes, and musical modulations flowed forth, creating waves of sound that spread in all directions.
As if accepting this as a musical challenge, child Krishna, too, followed along, playing the flute while dancing in varied, graceful, and delightful styles.
Then the Guru sang:
ಧಾರುಣಿಯೊಳು ಭೂಭಾರಜೀವನನಾಗಿ |
ಮೇರೆದಪ್ಪಿ ನಡೆದೆ ಸೇರಿದೆ ಕುಜನರ ||
ಆರೂ ಕಾಯುವರಿಲ್ಲ ಸೇರಿದೆ ನಿನಗಯ್ಯ |
'ಧೀರ ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ ! ಪಾರಗಾಣಿಸೋ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ || ೩ ||
Dhāruṇiyoḷu bhūbhārajīvananāgi
(In this cruel world, burdened by the weight of worldly life)
Mēredappi naḍede sēride kujanara ||
(I slipped and strayed, mingling with the wicked)
Ārū kāyuvarilla sēride ninagayya
(There was none to protect me—so I’ve come to You now, O Krishna!)
The hymn of praise to Shri Krishna that flowed from Shri Guru’s lips concluded with the signature phrase:
“Dhīra Vēṇu Gōpāla” (O brave flute-bearing Gopala!)
Immediately, a heavenly stream of music began to flow—
The resonance of the veena, filled with diverse notes and a deep, melodious voice, intertwined seamlessly with it.
At times, Guru Raghavendra would play the veena, then Shri Krishna would respond on His flute,
Then, immediately, the Guru would sing—and thus continued that divine duet,
That immortal concert, with the Lord of Lords dancing in rhythm!
Ah! What a glorious, enchanting scene it was—
A celestial love-dialogue between the Lord and His devotee, expressed through the dueling melodies of veena and flute,
With divine dances that were unparalleled, powerful, and beyond all description!
Child Krishna, dancing with a gentle smile, was radiant with a world-enchanting beauty that could make even Cupid (Manmatha) shy away.
Shining with a dark blue cloud-like brilliance, Bala Krishna's majestic form was being gazed upon without blinking by Yatiraja (the great ascetic).
He saw:
A round face,
A broad forehead,
A shining musk tilak on the forehead,
Playful, captivating eyes, whose flashing glances sparkled,
A nose like a blooming champak bud,
A tiny mouth,
A gentle smile blossoming on coral lips,
—more radiant than the moonlight reflecting on gold!
His head, adorned with dark, glossy hair, sparkled.
Tied into a topknot (śikhā) slightly tilted to the right,
It was embellished with a nine-gemmed band (navaratna-sara),
Crowned with a glittering chūḍāmaṇi (crest jewel),
With a peacock feather swaying at the base.
In his ears were gem-studded makara-kundalas (fish-shaped earrings).
Around his neck and chest hung pearl necklaces, the Vaijayanti mala, and forest flower garlands.
His arms were adorned with gem-encrusted armlets,
His hands with pearl, ruby, and jewel-studded bangles,
His fingers wore rings of nine gems.
He was dressed in a golden-yellow silken cloth (pītāmbara), tied in a heroic style.
Around his waist, a gemmed belt (vadyāṇa) studded with rubies and navaratnas.
His feet were adorned with jeweled anklets, golden bells, and gem-studded toe-rings.
On his shoulder was draped a beautiful upper cloth made of divine armor design.
And on the edge of his lips, shone the flute!
Such was the world-enchanting form, filled with charm, beauty, and divine adornment,
That it sent Shri Guru Raghavendra floating in an ocean of bliss,
While the Supreme Lord, with most sacred and graceful dance steps, performed a divine cosmic dance.
As He danced, Shyama Sundara suddenly stopped—
And from His mouth dropped pearls of speech, sweeter than even the veena’s melody:
“Ah! What kind of sanyasi are you? You’re so stubborn!
How long are you going to make me dance like this, thinking I’m a mere child?
Look—my tiny little feet are hurting so much!”
Guru:
“Shrutam protavam! Aren’t You a mere child?
The Vedas declare—‘Aṇor aṇīyān, mahatō mahīyān’ - ಅಣೋರಣೀಯಾನ್ ಮಹತೋ ಮಹೀಯಾನ್ (Smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest).
You, the supremely glorious one—are You truly just a little boy, Krishna?
Was it not these very same feet that spanned the three worlds when You accepted land from King Bali in three strides and pushed him down to the netherworld?
Were these tiny feet not the same ones that danced on the hoods of Kaliya and subdued him?
Did Your feet not hurt then, Lord?
And now, You jest with Your devotee in this playful manner?”
Krishna (raising His eyebrows, with playful mock complaint):
“Oh ho! So this is what happens? When I respond thinking ‘Poor fellow, he is praying sincerely,’
then you scold Me! These devotees—and especially these renunciates—are a real challenge!
Just look at My little feet—they’re hurting so much!”
Guru:
“O Lord! Your feet are hurting? Come, my Master—this servant is ready to serve them.”
Saying this, he placed his head on Bala Gopala’s tiny feet, bowed in reverence,
Then lovingly cradled Madhava in his lap and began to gently massage Krishna’s soft, youthful feet.
Touched by the pure, sacred feet of Madhava,
the crest-jewel of the Paramahamsa lineage, Shri Guru Raghavendra was overcome with rapture.
His hair stood on end, and waves of divine bliss surged through his heart.
Child Krishna, placing his little hands around the Guru’s neck,
hugged him tightly, and with a radiant smile, said:
“Ahaha! Now I feel a bit better—my foot pain has eased.
That’s enough now, Mahārāja, let go.”
Guru (smiling lovingly):
“These feet that I’ve attained by such great fortune—I will never let go! Absolutely not!”
He then sang:
“ಬಿಡೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾದವ ಪೊಡವಿಗೊಡೆಯ ದೇವ |
ಅಡಿಗಡಿಗೆನಗಿದರೆ ನಿಡುಸೇವೆ ಕೊಡೋ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ '
“Biḍe ninna pādava poḍavigoḍeya Dēva |
Aḍigaḍigenagidare niḍu sēve koḍō Swāmi”
(Let me never part from Your feet, O Lord of the lotus robe;
At every step, let me serve You, O Master!)
Krishna (laughing):
“Now what’s this? You’re acting like one of those ‘Hāḍidē hāḍō kisabāyi dāsa - ಹಾಡಿದೇ ಹಾಡೋ ಕಿಸಬಾಯಿದಾಸ’ types! (‘Once a devotee sings, he never stops!’)
These devotees and their antics—truly fascinating!”
Guru:
“O Lord! Wasn’t it You who came running when Your father called out in fear that day?
Aren’t You our beloved Kisabāyi Dēva?
And we, Your eternal servants, are indeed the Kisabāyi Dāsas, aren’t we?
Then should we not keep singing Your glories?
Lord, until You come to me and grant Your boon, I shall not let go of these feet!”
Krishna (gazing at him with tearful, tender eyes):
“What boon shall I grant you, my dear one?”
Guru:
“Whenever I call You, You must come.
In this great mission of world welfare that I have undertaken,
You must grant me Your full and unwavering grace.
Never let go of me.
Promise that You will fulfill this request of mine.
O Govinda!”
Krishna:
“O foremost of devotees!
I, who am ever present within you,
Would I ever abandon you?
You were born from My very will—and through you,
I shall accomplish great works in this world and spread universal well-being,
Bringing glory and fame.
Are you satisfied now?
O Yatirāja! Go forth boldly, protect the people,
Constantly perform acts of welfare, and become a guide to the world.
May all auspiciousness be yours!”
Having thus spoken, Lord Krishna, now in the form of Manthana-Damodara, gently rose from Shri Guru’s lap, granted Abhaya (assurance of protection) as Venu Gopala, and—while Guru Raghavendra gazed on in bliss—He vanished from sight.
Having had the direct vision (sākṣātkāra) of the Supreme Being, Guru Raghavendra became deeply immersed in an ocean of divine joy. The divine and auspicious form of Venu Gopala as Manthana-Damodara became etched permanently in his heart—never to fade.
In accordance with that sacred vision, Shri Guru Raghavendra had a golden idol of Manthana-Damodara Venu Gopala crafted. From that day onward, he worshipped it as his personal deity (iṣṭa-daiva) along with the other icons of the great Maṭha (monastery tradition).
Having completed his divine mission in Udupi successfully, Shri Guru Sarvabhauma (Universal Preceptor) was greatly satisfied. Taking leave from all the assembled renunciates, he set out on the next leg of his victory tour (digvijaya) and traveled to Ramanathapura.
There, during the auspicious Tula month, he stayed for a few days, and blessed his disciples by performing sacred baths and rituals (snāna, daṇḍodaka) in the Kaveri river.
From there, he departed toward Pandharpur, for the darśana of Lord Panduranga.