Krishna Plays the Flute

Periyazhvar describes the positive impact Music has even on trees

Celestial Dancers announce their retirement; Kinnaras vow never to touch the flute again

Birds leave their Nest; Cows bend their head; Grass slips out of Deer’s mouth

Recently a research has been done using the latest technology on the positive and negative impact on trees and plants based on our interactions with them. And it has been found that if our interactions are positive, the plants react positively.

However, this was proved 1000s of years ago even during the time of the Krishna Avatara. Periyazhvar describes this story in the 6^th Decad of the 3^rd Canto of the ‘Periyazhvar Thirumozhi’. When Krishna played the flute, it was so melodious that trees and plants started reacting positively. And Flowers started to bloom and Fruits ripened.

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Driven by his angry mother, the young boy had left home early in the morning and taken the calves for a graze into the forest.

Having shown his physical might earlier by lifting the Govardhana Mountain, he now shows his softer, lighter side. He plays the flute and puts the young girls of Gokulam to shame. They are so moved by his tunes that their clothes loosen and their hearts throb leaving them wanting more of his tunes. (குதூகலிப்ப உடல் உள் அவிழ்ந்து )

How his body co-ordinates

When he is ready to play the flute, his hands come together and his weight fell on his left shoulder. His stomach rose. His eyebrows expanded and the corner of his lips touched the flute (இடவணரை இடத்தோ லோடு சாய்த்து இருகை கூடப் புறவம் நெரிந்தெற குடவயிறு படவைக் கடை கூட கோவிந்தன் குழல் கொண்டு ஊதின போது).

As they began listening to his tunes, Gopis were moved. One could hear a big heave of happiness from their bosom. They had to hold on to their saree, lest it slip (உடை நெகிழ ஓர் கையால் துகில் பற்றி). They stood shyly with their neatly lined eyes swooping all over him (ஒல்கி ஓட அரிக்கணோட நின்றனரே).

Description of Krishna

Periyazhvar describes the different kinds of emotions that the young girls of Gokulam encounter on listening to his lovely tunes. In this verse, he also describes Krishna in many different ways – child of Vaikunta, king of Mathura, prince of Nandagopa and friends of the cowherds (மதுரை மன்னன் நந்த கோனிளவரசு கோவலர் குட்டன்).

Some of the hearts melted others had misty eyes, a few had their flowers loosening and others had severe perspiration in their foreheads (மனம் உருகி மலர்க் கண்கள் பனிப்ப தேனளவு செரி கூந்தல் அவிழ சென்னி வேர்ப்பச் செவி சேர்த்து நின்றனரே).

On one side he showed his physical might, he defeated the mighty asuras – Dhenuka, Pralamba, Kaliya and many others with a thumping physical victory. On the other, he played the flute and put others to shame in a soft way.

Celestial Dancers vow never to dance again

The famous celestial dancers Menaka, Thilottama, Urvasi and Ramba listened to his divine music, felt dumbfounded and stood in silence. And then promised never to sing and dance again (மேனகை யோடு திலோத்தமை அரம்பை உருப்பசியர் அவர் வெள்கி மயங்கி வானகம் படியில் வாய் திருப்பின்றி ஆடல் பாடல் இவை மாறினர் தாமே).

Drastic Step

Periyazhvar describes more great musicians who felt ashamed after listening to the young child. Thumbur, who played the string and Narada, the bard, almost forgot their respective instruments. The twin Kinnaris – Kinnara and Mithuna, celestial musicians promised never to touch their flutes again (நன்னரம்புடைய தும்புருவோடு நாரதனும் தம் வீணை மறந்து கின்னர மிதுனங்களும் தம் தம் கின்னரம் தொடுகலோம் என்றனரே).

All the reputed musicians fell by the way side one after another.

Gandharvas, the celestials in the skies on hearing his flute that sent never before heard air waves were trapped in these waves. They were so humbled that they blushed wearily and could do no more than submit their defeat with folded hands. ‘This is beyond our play’, they sighed (அம்பரம் திரியும் காந்தப்பர் எல்லாம் அமுத கீத வலையால் கருக்குண்டு நம் பரம் அன்று என்று நாணி மயங்கி நைந்து சோர்ந்து கைம் மறித்து நின்றனரே).

And then as he continued to play, the Gods found it difficult to perform their duties in their abode. They could sense something extra ordinary happening amidst the cowherds in Gokulam. And it was pulling everyone towards Gokulam. The music resonated in the heavens and all of them came together to listen to this melody and they were left with no option but to follow him everywhere.

(அவியுணா மறந்து வானவர் எல்லாம் ஆயர்பாடி நிறையப் புகுந்து ஈண்டிச் செவியுணாவின் சுவை கொண்டு மகிழ்ந்து கோவிந்தனைத் தொடர்ந்து என்றும் விடாரே)

 

Periyazhvar then goes on to describe his passion for the flute and how each part of his body synched to produce this mellifluous music. His tiny little fingers ran over the holes, his eyes tilted his red lips formed like a bud and some sweat formed over his eyebrows as he played with passion (சிறு விரல்கள் தடவிப் பரிமாறச் செங்கண் கோடச் செய்ய வாய் கொப்பளிப்ப குரு வெயர்ப் புருவம் கூடலிப்பக் கோவிந்தன் குழல் கொடு ஊதின போது….).

Birds and Animals react

Periyazhvar says not just the Gopis of Gokulam and the celestial lords and musicians were rocked by his music. Even the birds and animals felt out of place. Birds started to leave their nests and felt like broken twigs all around. The fate of the cows was even worse. They spread their legs, lowered their heads and their ears were almost motionless as they listened to the lovely play of flute of this young child. (பறவையின் கணங்கள் கூடு துறந்து வந்து சூழ்ந்து படுகாடு கிடப்ப  கறவையின் கணங்கள் கால் பரப்பிட்டுக் கவிழ்ந் திறங்கிச் செவியாட்ட் கில்லாவே).

Motionless Deer

But Periyazhvar reserved his best description for this last set of verse and for the deer. When herds of deer suddenly heard a waft of music emanating from a flute, they instantly stopped grazing. The grass that they had picked up in their usual grazing too slipped out of their mouth and they stood stunned and motionless. Periyazhvar compares their state of mind to a picture on the wall. Such was their feeling. They neither moved front or back or sideways (மருண்டு மான் கணங்கள் மேய்கை மறந்து மேய்ந்த புல்லும் கடைவாய் வழி சோர இரண்டு பாடும் துலுங்காப் புடை பெயரா எழுது சித்தரங்கள் போல நின்றனவே).

Trees bear fruits and flowers

One can understand the happiness among the Gopis and the revered celestials. Even the mood of cows and birds and deer is probably understandable for they seem to have emotions and the child naturally impacted their love for music with his melodious tunes.

But unbelievably even the trees reacted to the flute recital. Suddenly the flowers bloomed to full shape and were seen in a variety of colours and forms. And fruits suddenly ripened and were ready to be presented to the lord. The flute recital seemed to tickle the emotions even in the trees (மரங்கள் நின்று மது தாரைகள் பாயும் மலர்கள் வீழும் வளர் கொம்புகள் தாழும் இறங்கும் கூம்பும் திருமால் நின்ற நின்ற பக்கம் நோக்கி அவை செய்யும் குணமே). 

Krishna Govardhana Mountain

Periyazhvar is at his poetic best as he describes the Lord holding the huge Govardhana upside down providing different kinds of relief to different beings

With lovely examples of Monkeys, Tigers, Fishes, Serpent and Elephants, he showcases as to how true devotion and love can lead to happiness

For a large part, Indra, the King of Gods, was blemish less. But arrogance overtook him as well and he ordered the clouds to strike heavily (வழு ஒன்றும் இல்லாச் செய்கை வானவர் கோன்). And soon Dark clouds gathered and rain drops poured like arrows in a battlefield. It rained non-stop for 7days causing deluge everywhere (மழை வந்து ஏழு நாள் பெய்து மாத்தடுப்ப). There were screams all around for help from the deluge. There was great hardship caused to the Gopas and the deluge also restricted the movement of cows.

THE POTHIGAI HILLS - WATRAP TEMPLE

In his typical nonchalant way this young boy consumed cooked rice, curd in huge quantity along with ghee (அட்டுக்குவி சோற்றுப் பருப்பதமும் தயிர் வாவியும் நெய்யளறும் அடங்க). And then for the sake of his true devotees, he held the mountain upside down, spread his five fingers of his lotus hand like spokes and stretched his long arms like its stem thus providing cover like an umbrella for the world.

With effortless ease, the boy lifted the Govardhana Mountain and restrained the storm. Just like a mahout takes rice in huge quantities in his hand and feeds his hungry / angry elephant, who he loves much (கடு வாய்ச்சின வெங்கண் களிற்றுனுக்கு  கவளம் எடுத்துக் கொடுப்பான் போல்), similarly the young boy uprooted the mountain and held it in his hand to provide cover for everyone.

It was under this great Govardhana Mountain that a mighty elephant that had lost its tusk lifted its trunk on seeing the full moon in the sky and sought it as its replacement tusk (this is similar to the earlier description in the Periyazhvar Thirumozhi of young child of Yashodha who looking at the full moon invited it to play) - கானக் களியானைத் தன் கொம்பிழந்த கதுவாய் மதம் சோரத் தன கை எடுத்தக் கூனல் பிறை வேண்டி.

Streams of water flowed beneath like a glittering ornament and strings of pearls shone acting as armour protecting everyone. It was under this mountain that fawns are caught in nets and fed with milk.

Periyazhvar provides a beautiful comparison. Just like how the Serpent Lord spreads his hood to support the earth, Krishna too spread his five fingers of his hand to support the mountain.

Monkeys Care and Teach

And then he provides two nice examples of how monkeys are taking care of their young ones.

First, under the cover of this mountain, female monkeys hold their little ones with their palms and put them to sleep singing praise of Hanuman who rocked Lanka with his might.

(அடங்கச் சென்று இலங்கையை ஈடழித்த அனுமன் புகழ் பாடித் தம் குட்டன்களைச் குடங்கைக் கொண்டு மந்திகள் கண் வளர்த்தும்).

And then he narrates the episode of the black monkeys teaching their young ones the art of jumping from tree to tree and leaping ahead - முன்பே வழி காட்ட முகக் கணங்கள் முதுகிற் பெய்து தம்முடைக் குட்டன்களைக் கொம்பு ஏற்றியிருந்து குதி பயிற்றும் 
(Interestingly in the Sangam Literature, in Paripatal, one finds a similar example of monkeys).

Holding the mountain in the palm of his hand, the Lord shone in his resplendent form and stood like a shield.

Deadly Tiger soften with the Rishis

Periyazhvar provides yet another terrific example of how caring for the animals can get them to reciprocate the love. He says that at this mountain which the boy is holding in his one hand, that great rishis receive deadly tigers and put them to sleep by massaging their necks (இலைவேய் குரம்பைத் தவ மா முனிவர் இருந்தார் நடுவே சென்று அணார் சொறியக் கொலை வாய்ச்சின வேங்கைகள்  நின்று உறங்கும்).

The Young Boy feels no pain

Despite holding the huge mountain in his hand for the sake of protecting the world he did not lose his beauty or strength. His shapely nails remain intact and he seems to have no pain. And he remains his elegant self (கொடியேறு செந்தாமரைக் கை விரல்கள் கோலமும் அழிந்தில வாடிற்றில  வடிவு ஏறு திருவுகிர் நொந்தும் இல).

Like how a calf elephant ran and hid under the legs of the mother who then attacked and chased the Lion, he too provides protection to all his true devotees. 

(இலஞ்சீயம் தொடர்ந்து முடுகுதலும் குழவி இடைக்கால் இட்டு எதிர்ந்து பொரும்)

Krishna Gopis fall for him

Gopis Swoon, fall into a Trance, Swear that they will not look at anyone else - Their bangles and clothes loosen on seeing the Handsome Young Boy

Mothers' warnings largely ignored as the young girls are overcome with infatuation

It is time for Gossip - 'Did you see that girl next to that unique boy - What a mismatch it is' !!!!!!!!! 

Angered at his  mischievous acts, Yashodha woke him up early in the morning and sent him to the forest to graze the cows. After having sent him thus, she spent the whole day cursing her own self for this hasty decision. By evening, she was back in good mood as she admired his return. She praised him so much that it looked like she had been away from him for many years and not just 12 hours.

After the mother expressed happiness at his return, the ladies of Gokulam who were part of the reason for him to be despatched to the forest, are thrilled to see him back. And it is celebration time once again at the Gokulam Colony.

Ladies forget their dinner!!!!

There are drum beats, trumpets, flutes and songs as they welcomed back the unique child (குழல்களும் கீதமும் ஆகி எங்கும் கோவிந்தம் வருகின்ற கூட்டம் கண்டு).

All the ladies are looking out through the windows to get a glimpse of him so much so that they even forgot their dinner and are exclaiming if the rain clouds that has suddenly set is in happiness of this handsome boy’s return from the forest (உள்ளம் விட்டு ஊண் மறந்து ஒழிந்தனரே).

He is described as coming back with Mullai and Vengai flowers along with other cowherds. They also talk about his clothes.

Stay away from him and save your bangles

Some of them are seen warning others to get out of his way as they run the risk of losing their bangles when they are lost in the process of admiring his handsome features (எல்லியம் போதாகப் பிள்ளை வரும் எதிர் நின்று அன்கினவலை இழவேன்மினே).

The Girl looks at him and the Gossip begins around town

One of the mothers is describing the gossip going around the place. Her daughter stood close to the tired Krishna and kept looking at him again and again. And immediately the entire town started talking connecting the two but accusing the girl and saying what a mismatch it was (அருகே நின்றாள் என் பெண் நோக்கிக் கண்டால் அது கண்டு இவ்வூர் ஒன்று புனர்க்கின்றதே).

Periyazhvar describes the scene of his return. He says that there are a variety of cows that he is bringing back from the graze. And then describes the boy who is taken care of them through the day. He is described as having a strong body, a fragrant tuft decked with peacock feathers. There is always a spark in his eyes and looks like a red lotus, even during the time he is tired after a long day’s work out.   He along with his cowherds are singing, dancing and playing the flute. He is too fascinating to be ignored.

Strategic move by a Gopi

Confiding that she has not seen anyone like him, one of the girls draws up a strategy with her friend. She wants her friend to hold him up on the pretext of him stealing their ball. And it is likely that everyone will believe this. And in this time, she will have a quick glance at his handsome features including his lovely lips and his ever smiling face (அறிந்து அறிந்து இவ்வீதி போது மாகில் பந்து கொண்டான் என்று வளைத்துப் பவளவாய் முறுவலும் காண்போம் தோழி).

                                                                                      

Even in his tired looking face, he looks handsome. Her dress has become loose, her bangles are seen shaking and she is in the midst of losing control of herself.

She threatens - He is for me alone

One of the girls on seeing him singing and dancing, from the portico of her house, says he is the one for her and she cannot be given to anyone else. She threatens that if she is being considered for someone else, they will have to face a dire situation of confusion and chaos (மற்று ஒருவர்க்கு என்னைப் பேச லொட்டேன்..........கொற்றவனுக்கு இவளா மென் றெண்ணிக் கொடுமின்கள் கொடீராகில் கோழம்பமே).

A mother describes the scene at her house. Her daughter has swooned on seeing this handsome boy and is now in a trance unable to think of anyone else (அழகு கண்டு என் மகள் அயர்க்கின்றதே).

Another Mother had warned her daughter not to stand in his way on the street. Mesmirised by his beautiful features and his graceful looks, she could not resist the temptation and did not heed to my words. She stood at the junction of the road to glance at him. And her dress and bangles and bracelets have now loosened as a result (எதிர் நின்று அங்கினவளை இழவேல் என்னை சந்தியில் நின்று கண்டீர் நாங்க தன துகிலொடு சரிவனை கழல்கின்றதே).

Yet another mother too adds her story to this. She too had warned but her daughter confronted him lured by his handsome features.  He came adorning himself with Karthigai Flowers, wearing jasmine garlands, curly locks that fell on his shoulders and played delightful music on his flute that sent her into a rapturous mood. His majestic appearance led to a strong desire for him. Instead of staying out of his way, she confidently stood right in front of him only to find her white bangles slipping away

(அழகு கண்டு என் மகள் ஆசைப்பட்டு விளங்கி நில்லாது எதிர் நின்று கண்டீர் வேல்ல்வளை கழன்று மெய் மெலிகின்றதே).

Krishna returns from grazing

Yashodha plans Birthday Bash to get him back into mood

No more going out in the Sun, definitely not without Umbrella and Sandals

Having spent an entire decad cribbing about having sent him out to graze the calves, Yashodha is delighted to see him back and describes the scene of his coming back home. She was angry about his mischievous acts and hence packed him off early in the morning to the forest so he will not trouble the girls any more. However, like a loving mother, she started to feel the pain of separation the moment he had left. Now she calls the entire Gokulam to welcome him on his return making it seem as if he was away for many months and years!!!! He had been out away from her only for part of a day but even that was unbearable for this loving mother who dotes on him despite all his mischievous acts. She says she is blessed to be the mother of such a son. 

She praises his beautiful ears: One ear has an earring made of cloth…. While the Red Lilly flowers are looking loving on his other ear. And then she describes his chest. The pearls on his chest are bright and he wears a shiny look. Down to the waist, she finds him wearing a new cloth (சீலைக் குதம்பை ஒரு காது ஒரு காது செந்நிற மேல் தோன்றிப் பூ).

On his return, graciously she confesses to waking him early and sending him out to graze. She regrets that decision and asks him for a kiss (உன்னை இளங்கன்று மேய்க்கச் சிறு காலி ஊட்டி ஒருப்படுதேன்…………… என் குட்டனே முத்தம் தா).

Come for a hot water bath

Describing his tired face covered with dust after a long weary day, Yashodha says she has water ready for his bath, following which he can have his dinner with his father who too has not eaten (நீராட்டு அமைத்து வைத்தேன்  ஆடி அமுது செய் அப்பனும் உண்டிலன் உன்னோடு உடனே உண்பான்).

Yashodha says she had gone inside to get him umbrella and sandal but he left before she could bring them. And now she sees his scorched feet and the reddish face having spent the day in the blazing sun. She bemoans the tired look on him after grazing the calves through the day

(குடையும் செருப்பும் குழலும் தருவிக்கக் கொள்ளாதே போனாய்………… அடியும் வெதும்பி உன் கண்கள் சிவந்தாய் அசைந்திட்டாய்).

It was okay for the older boys to go behind the cows, but Yashodha felt that her little boy was the youngest among them and it was too early for him to undertake this activity.

Once again, she is reminded of his old activities of gobbling up butter from everywhere and says that she find it difficult to keep him quiet even for a day. She talks about him gobbling up huge quantity of rice, curry and curd in on gulp, one that Gopas offered to Indra.

Birthday Celebrations

திரு நாள் திரு வோனம் மின்றேழு நாள் முன்

பண்ணேர் மொழியாரைக் கூவி முளை அட்டிப் பல்லாண்டு கூறுவித்தேன்

கண்ணாலம் செய்யக் கறியும் காத்தது அரிசியும் ஆக்கி வைத்தேன்

She confides that she does not have money to give him such offerings even for one occasion. But she is bullish on celebrating his next birthday in a grand manner. She says that his birthday is coming up in a week’s time and that she is organising a big celebration. She has sown the seeds in pots to sprout in time for his birthday. She has also got the milk maids to present benedictory songs and all of them are practising day and night for this occasion. ‘Vessels will be full of rice and vegetables’, she promises.

She asks him not to go out to the graze the calves ahead of his birthday (நீ நாளைத் தொட்டுக் கன்றின் பின் போகேல் கோலம் செய்து இங்கே இரு).