Periazvar kanda Kannan-Krishna in his cradle

October 9, 2007

Krishna in his cradle

Krishna is lying in his cradle and Azvar enjoys singing lullaby to him.

The cradle was given by Brahma and was made of gold, says Azvar, and it was strung with precious stones and diamonds. "sleep well, you who took the form of a dwarf and became Trivikrama, the one who measured the whole world with His form.," says Azvar.

His waist ornament was given by Siva and the bells on his cradle was given by Indra. The devas gave the girdle and Kubera gave the necklace resembling the five weapons of the Lord. Usually it is the custom to put a necklace with miniatures of the five weapons, conch. disc, sword, mace and bow of the Lord on the infants to ward off the effects of evil eye. It is called `aimpadaitthaali' in Tamil.

Varuna gave pearls and corals set in necklace and bracelet and Lakshmi sent garlands of Tulasi and flowers from the kalpataru. Bhoodevi not to be outdone by her other ornaments like the pendant at the top of the head,and bangles of gold etc. Goddess Durga sent fragrant turmeric and other powers to apply on his body and colyrium for the eyes and sindhoor to apply on his forehead.

This was supposed to have been the gist of the lullaby sung by the gopis when they placed Krishna in the cradle after he sucked the life of Poothana. Azvar ends the ten verses by saying that for those who read these will overcome all obstacles.