Understanding Krishna

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 1.8.21 Kunti Maharani prays

krishnaaya vaasudevaaya / devakinandanaaya ca
nandagopa kumaaraaya / govindaaya namo namah

"Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devaki, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of Vrindavana, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses." 

We shall try to meditate on some of the points shared by Srila Prabhupada in one of his classes on the above verse.

1. Kunti Maharani is introducing Krishna to all of us through her prayers.  She says that He is purusha - Supreme person, who is prakrteh param - transcendental to material modes. He is alakshya -invisible - but He has appeared as son of Vasudeva and Devaki. She makes it clear that the all pervading Supreme Lord Vaasudeva has appeared as the son of Vasudev and Devaki. 

2. With our limited knowledge we cannot understand Krishna, but only be grace of devotees like Kunti Maharani, we can understand Krishna.

3. If we are cripple-minded we cannot understand Krishna. 

4. If one becomes broad-minded, then by the grace of Krishna, we can understand Krishna.

How to become broad-minded ? Srila Prabhupada quotes the below verse from Bhaktirasamrta sindhu

atah sri krishna namaadi / na bhaved graahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvaadau / svayam eva spuraty adah

"No one can understand Krishna as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him."

When we begin serving Krishna - using our tongue - chanting Mahamantra, honouring prasadam, singing His glories - then we can realise Him. Srila Prabhupada insists - "Krishna will reveal. Not that by your endeavor you can understand Krishna, but your endeavor in the loving service, that will make you qualified. Krishna will reveal."

Hare Krishna.
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva!
Sudarshana Devi Dasi