Krishna, the attractive one

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Dear All,

 

This dialogue between Radharani and Krishna is from Exotic India.

 

All the below names are used in Bhagavadgita. Arjuna used 40 different

names to address Krishna in Gita and used Krishna no less than 9

times. The different epithets used by Arjuna to address Krishna are

not just there for the sake of variety but meaningful to the context.

This is one of the enriching features which make the study of Gita a

relishable exercise rather than it being a mere pursuit of a dry

philosophical treatise. As the major part of the Bhagavad Gita is a

dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna, with the former calling upon the

latter to relieve his distress, we see a gradual shift in Arjuna's

position as Krishna provides him relief, reflected in the tone and

demeanor of his address.

 

Once Shri Krishna knocked at Shrimati Radharani's door and the

following conversation took place:

 

Radharani: Who is it?

 

Krishna: I am Hari.

 

(Since the word Hari in Sanskrit also means a lion, she replied)

 

Radharani: There are no suitable animals of prey here, so why have you come?

 

Krishna: I am Madhava don't you know me?

 

(The word Madhava, other than being a name of Krishna also means the

season of spring, so came the reply):

 

Radharani: This is not the time for spring to come.

 

Krishna: I am Janardana, surely you know me?

 

(The word Janardana holds within itself many meanings, two of which

are contrary to each other. It means both - one who causes distress to

society and also one who destroys the wicked. Obviously, Shrimati

Radha chose the former meaning):

 

Radharani: Persons like you should stay in the forest where there are

no other people you can cause distress to.

 

Krishna: Open the door young lady, I am Madhusudana.

 

(The word Madhusudana means both the 'killer of the demon named

Madhu,' and also means the honeybee, which drinks honey (madhu) from

various flowers. Thus she said):

 

Radharani: Now I understand, you a dvirepha.

 

(Dvirepha means both a honeybee and also an outcaste. Thus does

Radharani suggest that since Krishna has the habit of fluttering

towards various gopis like the honeybee, he has been banned from her

house).

 

 

Krishna: I am your Krishna

 

(One of the meanings of Krishna is one who attracts everybody. Krishna

has source in a root called 'Karsha' means to attract. " Karshati Iti

Krishna " - Krishna is the attractive one. When she heard this name,

Raddharani could not think of other meanings of the word except the

most attractive one. She replied):

 

Radharani: Krishna, Shyamasundara, I am yours. She falls into His hands.

 

 

Regards and prayers

 

Savitri