Interrelationship Between Sri Krishna Lila and Nature in the Srimad Bhagavata

ABSTRACT

This research examines interrelation between ?rī K???a līlā to Nature in the ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a. The text deals with activities of ?rī K???a as ?rī K???a līlā. It contains discussion on the various aspects of Nature which in the ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a is deeply connected with the playful activities of ?rī K???a. For the purpose of the theoretical and conceptual approach, Nature insights derived from Baruch Spinoza and other supported theory of

Nature of the theorists such as Aristotle and John Locke have been used to connect between ?rī K???a līlā and Nature in my critical understanding of the ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a. The text also discusses the transcendental landscapes such as Jambu Dwipa, Salmali Dwipa, Kusha Dwipa, Krauncha Dwipa, Plaksha Dwipa, ?āka Dwipa and K?hirasāgara- the ocean of milk. The

?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a referred the significance of Bhumī (land), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Vāyu (air) and ?kās (sky) in relation to humans' life. In fact, the concept of Pancatattva (five elements) as the earth, water, air, fire, and sky form the basis of all phenomena. This dissertation is a study of ?rī K???a līlā from the perspective of Nature in the ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a and it presents a more or less realistic scenario of the relationship between human beings and Nature. ?rī K???a is reared in cowshed; Govinda is his name and he gives pleasure to the cows of V?ndāvana. For him, the Yamūnā River, the pasture of V?ndāvana, and Govardhan hillock are favorite places. When he is in V?ndāvana, he treats the Yamunā River as the basis for creatures because he knows water is life. He plays flute standing under kadamba trees and attracts animals and plants. The text reveals how the hero is attached with the Yamūnā

River, cows, calves, monkeys, Indian Ocean, Govardhan Hillock, kadamba, peepal, and parijat trees.

Love is the central theme of ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a. It describes us about the subject of love from the highest to the lowest level. ?rī K???a, the flute bannered hero, plays his flute only in V?ndāvana in company with Rādhā and other gopīs. Without them, he is never seen with flute in other places in the ?rimad Bhāgavata Māhāpurā?a. The melodious music of the flute is the ground of Rāsa Līlā. The sound of the flute attracts gopīs in the full moon night and

they rush to forest neglecting domestic duties and the fear of wild animals. Those gopīs have positive attitude towards Nature. The V?ndāvana forest is an appropriate venue for Rāsa Līlā. Itshows the importance of Nature as conducive space for happiness of human beings and other creatures. The pancadyāya (five chapters: from the 29th to 33rd of the tenth skandha) notes that Nature is the right place for lovers. Thus, ?rī K???a is a staunch friend and exciting lover to all who loved him. Whatever is found in the material world can also be found in the perfection of ?rī K???a. Association with ?rī K???a is like association with sunshine. Where there is sunshine, there is no contamination. Love for spirituality, and love for Nature can bring a change in a character. We can see ?rī K???a in each and every object of Nature. His role in the form of human being is a role model for other human beings. He never took advantages of the situations

but did as per the demand of his duty.?rī K???a belongs to the lunar dynasty so that it is difficult to understand him. As the shape of the moon, his some activities are mysterious (stealing of mākhan and bastra hara?a of gopīs) and other activities are miraculous such as lifting Govardhan Hillock and swallowing

conflagration. Being a divine embodiment, he violates the social ethics during the time of his childhood. But he believes that the world is the extended family (basudaiva kutumbakam) and loves flora and fauna. He teaches humans how to perform spiritual works in relation to Nature despite the attachment in the material life. Putting the feathers of peacocks in his decoration, ?rī K???a shows nothing is waste in Nature. It shows that all objects of Nature are useful in

different contexts. In conclusion, ?rī K???a līlā and its interrelation to Nature motivates readers to love plants and animals.