Punjab:Immortal Land of Krishna

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Punjab, which is famous as the cradle of the Indus Valley

Civilization has been renowned since the Vedic period of Indian

history. Historical records indicate that Rishi Valmiki composed part

of the Ramayana near present day Amritsar city and Lord Rama's

stepmother, Devi Kaikeyi belonged to this region. The land of Punjab

was blessed with the message of the Bhagvad Geeta from the lips of

Lord Krishna himself, who revealed this divine work on the

battlefield of Kurukshetra which was originally a part of Punjab . It

was here that many of the principal Puranas were compiled. The

authors of the Vishnu Purana and the Shiva Purana belonged to central

Punjab.

 

To this day, the people of Punjab celebrate the festival of Bawan

Doadsi 18 days after Krishna Janmastami. In the princely state of

Patiala, this festival is celebrated with the pomp and splendour of

exhibits called Jhankis and Tippri playing is organised, in

rememberance of the days of Lord Krishna.

 

Historians agree with the fact that Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of

the Sikh religion of Punjab was himself a worshipper of Krishna.

According to accounts of the Guru's life, there was a time when he

went on pilgrimage to all the famous Hindu shrines of the country

such as Somnath, Sudhana, Puri and Dwarka. While passing through

Pushkar, Rajasthan, it is recounted that he reached Gokal Mathura-

Bindraban. People were in full preparation for celebrating Lord

Krishna's birthday at that time. It was here that the Guru explained

his perspective that Krishna cannot be contained in any form as he is

infinite and eternal.

 

Guru Nanak in his composition , "The Jap Ji" which consists of the

introductory hymns that serve as the prologue to the Guru Granth

Sahib comments on this infinite nature of the Supreme Being known as

Krishna. Here is one of the translated verses from the Jap Ji

 

Peerless(1) are His attributes and priceless the pearls therein.

Peerless are His dealers and priceless His wares and stores.

Peerless are the customers that come and priceless the goods they

buy.

Peerless is His love and peerless those that lose themselves in It.

Peerless is His Law and peerless His Court,

Peerless His scales of justice and peerless their measure.

Peerless is His generosity, peerless His acceptance.

Peerless His mercy and peerless His commands.

How peerless! How priceless! Who can describe Him?

His devotees singing His praises have sunk in silence,

And so have the Vedas, the Puranas and the learned.

The Brahmas and the Indras, sing of Him,

And the Gopis and the Govind do likewise.

The Siva, and the holy Siddhas sing of Him,

The mortals and the immortals all, all Sing His praises.

Countless speak of Him, and

Countless are about to make an attempt,

and Countless more departed, while singing of Him,

Still He remains and shall remain indescribable.