Sandipani! A great sage of Varanasi, born in the Kashyapa lineage who had established many aashramas of his own throughout Aaryavarta. Chosen unanimously by Vasudevababa, Maharaja Ugrasena, and Gargamuni, he was Balaramadada’s and my prospective mentor – Gurudeva Sandipani.
Word was that somewhere far away in the south, he had established an aashrama named ‘Ankapada’ in the forests of Avanti. ‘Anka’ means to reach. ‘Pada’ means sublime feet that
are worthy of worship. ‘Ankapada’ means a place to reach the honourable Aacharya’s sublime feet. The name was so relevant that I liked it the moment I heard it. We had never heard the name of the city or the name of the Aacharya. When I heard his name, I had the same inexplicable feeling that I had when I first met Uddhava. His name had a rich rhythm to it – San - di - pa - ni!
The royal council of Mathura, our family heads, and Gargamuni took a decision for the Shursena kingdom – Balarama and Srikrishna will leave for Avanti. They will go to Aacharya Sandipani’s Ankapada aashrama to acquire knowledge of all the aspects of life. Uddhava, the son of the revered Yadava Devabhaga will accompany them. Royal charioteer Daruka will return after safely dropping them off. One day Daruka who was sent to me by minister Vipruthu stood in front of me.
Humbly joining his palms together, he approached me and stood in front of me. I went closer to him, held his shoulders tightly and looking deeply in his eyes I said, “Daruka, the horse is my most favourite animal. I love its speed competing with the wind. I have seen you many times tackling four, even seven horses easily. That is why I like you as much as the horses. Would you like to be my attendant? And for the rest of my life if required?”
Without a word, he sat down on his knees and put his head directly on my feet. Instantly pulling him up to my chest I held him in a deep embrace just like I had held Uddhava.
The auspicious day recommended by Gargamuni for our departure to Avanti dawned. Daruka brought a chariot with four hefty horses of different colours – reddish, black, almond and gray, in front of the royal palace. Dada and I took the blessings of Vasudevababa, Devakimata, Rohinimata, Gargamuni and all the members of the royal council and bid farewell to them. Uddhava said his good-byes to his parents, brothers and sisters. All of us started for Avanti, towards the ‘Ankapada’ aashrama of Aacharya Sandipani after bidding farewell to the Yadavas of Mathura. The moment we mounted the chariot I whispered in Daruka’s ears, “Dear friend, I liked all your horses, but not their different colours. When you come again to fetch me after the completion of my education in the aashrama, bring a chariot harnessed with four well-built, tall, and well-behaved snow-white horses from different regions! Snow white and only four horses! Will you remember?”
Apart from Gokul and Mathura this was the first long journey in my life. Crossing many rivers in spacious boats, we continued our journey along with Daruka’s chariot. I was feasting my eyes on the beautiful nature around us, which was transforming every few yojanas. We crossed many milestones. Daruka and Uddhava promptly and affectionately performed all the chores like cooking food for us from the rations we had carried, collecting fruits from the woods, and spreading rugs under an Ashoka or mango tree for dada and me. After a full month, we reached the forest of Avanti – dense, rich with fauna, resonating with the sounds of various animals and birds.
After crossing many big and small rivers we finally reached the shores of the famous river Kshipra. Kshipra! Kshipra means unobstructed, expeditious. One more precious memory that dwells in my heart! Expansive and wide, she was filled with crystal clear water. Compared to Yamuna though, she was way too small and narrow. I had noted a specific peculiarity about this forest of Avanti, it was full of many big and small lakes along river Kshipra. These lakes were always full of blue, red ochre, white and blood red lotuses. What a magnificent and captivating sight!
We crossed Kshipra along with the chariot in an enormous boat. And then came into view the gigantic wooden fence around the Ankapada aashrama of Aacharya Sandipani, which was located in the city of Avanti and was renowned through Aaryavarta. I instructed Daruka to stop the chariot. Removing all our belongings from the chariot we placed them on the ground. I embraced Daruka tightly and bade farewell. He went back from that point. Now we carried our belongings on our shoulders and backs and started walking barefoot as the obedient disciples of the aashrama, leaving everything – the royal council of the Yadavas, the palaces of Mathura, our family customs, all the riches of Mathura – behind on the banks of Kshipra.
The three of us stood right in front of the entrance named ‘Kashyapa’ on the eastern side of the aashrama. It had just dawned and the aashrama was glistening in the golden rays of the morning sun. This world was unique – a world of ‘Dnyanayoga’, knowledge and that of penance. Before entering the aashrama the three of us touched the ground with our hands and touched it to our forehead, and paid obeisance to the auspicious land.
The two disciples sent by Aacharya welcomed us earnestly. We embraced them. Standing there I glanced around, taking in the surroundings of the aashrama. So, this also was a Gokul – a Gokul of penance, knowledge, and Sanskaras!
Even here a large region was encircled by a strong, wooden, protective fence to protect the cows in the aashrama from wild beasts. Closed kennels of guard dogs were located on the right and left of the main gate. One could see rows of huts all around on the inside. Inside the huts there were wooden platforms to store the fodder. The row near the fence was for the former senior disciples who were always in the service of the Guru. The middle row was for the pupils of the aashrama. These were occupied by hundreds of pupils coming from the eastern countries of Kalinga, Anga, Vanga, Magadha, Kamarupa; southern countries of Pandya Vanavasi, Ashmaka, Vidarbha, Kosala, Maharatta, Pundra; western countries of Aanarta, Saurashtra, Sauvira, and northern countries of Panchanada, Kashmir, Kurujangal, Panchala, Vatsa and Chedi. The last row was for the assistant educators having expertise in various disciplines. The huts of young pupils were in the centre of the aashrama so that the elders could keep a watchful eye on them.
The towering and spacious ‘Aacharya kuti’, Aacharya’s cottage, was also located in the centre with a triangular white pennant fluttering a top. A thatched storehouse with multiple rooms was located on the left of the main cottage. All food-grains, clothes, weaponry, medicinal herbs, wooden logs and other aashrama necessities were stored here. The extended corrals for the aashrama cows were located on the right.
We followed the disciples of Aacharya – Balaramadada in the middle, me on his right and Uddhava on his left. Amongst the descendants of the eighteen families of Yadavas we were the very first youths of the Vrishni and Andhaka clans to come to Aacharya’s aashrama. In my mind, I thanked Drupada whom I had never seen before from the bottom of my heart for bringing this unique opportunity in our lives. I walked along with dada, wondering about Aacharya’s appearance and how he would treat us.
We entered the heart of the aashrama, Aacharya’s cottage. Aacharya was sitting on a wide, elevated seat in the centre of the cottage, on a deerskin mat placed on a grass rug. Even at this moment he was in deep meditation; his right hand holding the rosary was in the air, his wrist resting on the meditation staff. Mesmerized, we kept staring at Aacharya. My gaze settled on a spot between his eyebrows on his fair, luminous forehead above his nose that looked as beautiful as a Champaka bud. I had already noted that Aacharya was unique amongst all the men I had seen so far. He had fair skin with a reddish hue, bright as the core of a banana plant. He was slender and his matted hair was tied together with the Rudraksha string. On his forehead, there were horizontal stripes of sandalwood paste. So effulgent, pious and serene his meditating face looked! Like the bud of a Champaka flower just about to bloom! Like a pure white, elongated, shining conch shell in the hands of goddess Lakshmi just emerging out of the churning ocean! Just as clean and pure!
So far, I had experienced that many people were attracted to me by some force. However, today the exact opposite happened.
I automatically moved forward in his direction as if magnetized, even before he looked at me. He sat in the Padmasana posture. I bowed down and touched his barely visible right foot with my head and laid myself prostrate at his feet. He felt my touch and still keeping his eyes closed he said in a clear voice, “Come, Yadava prince Srikrishna, the saviour of Vrishnis and Andhakas, I have been waiting for you since long! Welcome!” Then he gradually opened his fish-shaped eyes like the opening petals of a lotus flower. We gazed at each other for the first time, and instantly we knew that we recognized each other from ages. I smiled. He reciprocated with a smile and said, “Enough of the prostrations. Now sit.”
Balaramadada and Uddhava too paid obeisance by lying prostrate at his feet. There were many deerskin mats around Aacharya’s seat, but at this time all of them were empty. We seated ourselves on some of them.
Aacharya spoke slowly while explaining the daily routine of the aashrama. Deep down I felt that his voice was just as sweet, full of soul and heavenly as the flute that I had entrusted to Radha when I left Gokul! The voice that is most desirable and pleasant to hear.
He said, “Balarama, Srikrishna, Uddhava remove your royal attire, place it properly folded into a cane casket and deposit it in the aashrama storehouse. Submit your golden crowns to the chief aacharya there, and wear the aashrama robes that he will give you. Keep in mind that your life as an aashrama disciple will begin from tomorrow. This is the most significant phase in the Yajna of life– ‘Bhramacharyashram’, bachelorhood.
As per my plan it will last for exactly sixty-four days. Others may find it to be insufficient, but you have already been born with such virtues that I feel it will perfectly suffice for you. You will not be treated as the royal princes here! Hundreds of students like you are already learning here. The three of you are also regular disciples of the aashrama like the others. From now on you should sincerely immerse your royal protocol in the river Kshipra. For me you are simply a disciple of the aashrama just like ‘my own son’.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. I could clearly see an inexplicable pain briefly flashing on his face.
He continued further, “You will learn all aspects of life here from the Vedas, the holy scriptures to Vaadas, the debates. Many expert and experienced aacharyas from various cities have volunteered to offer their guidance; they are all as knowledgeable as me. Never forget to treat them as respectfully as you would treat me. Get yourself acquainted with the daily routine of the aashrama life. Follow it precisely. Never refrain from it. You may leave now.” Like the setting sun gently enters the coolness of the evening, Aacharya Sandipani closed his eyes and entered the calm meditative state.
The main coordinator described the daily routine to us with elaborate details.
The day here begins with rising before dawn and by chanting of the ‘Savitru’ mantra composed in the Gayatri meter. After that Aacharya himself delivers his invaluable discourses for the pupils. Then everyone performs the assigned chores as per their capacity. After meditation, lunch and rest pupils revise all the subjects taught during the day. All pupils join in the evening prayer. The praise of God is sung at night. Then off to bed, ruminating the lessons taught during the day.
On the first night, while sleeping on the dry grass bed, I strongly remembered everybody from Gokul – my aajoba, Nandababa, Thorali, Dhakali, dear Eka, all kakas and kakus, the gopa-gopis, all my friends, and yes especially Radha who was taking care of my flute! Subsequently, I also remembered the people of Mathura – Devaki mata, father, Gargamuni, Maharaaj Ugrasena, Satyaki, Anadhrishti, Vipruthu, Devabhagakaka, and even the Magadha emperor Jarasandha. How strangely our minds work! Who can tell when and what it will remember? I laughed to myself. So soon I had forgotten Aacharya’s advice given earlier today! Determinedly, I immersed the memories of Gokul-Mathura in the waters of the Kshipra. I fell asleep.
At early dawn, some aashrama disciples blew their conches rhythmically one after the other. The cows woke up in their corrals and the jingling of the bells tied around their necks resounded through the aashrama. Various birds started chirping collectively. Rhythmic sounds of the signalling conches filled the air. The Aashrama which arose to their melodious rhythm got moving. Everybody began their ‘Karmayoga’– performing their chores. Smoke from the sacred fires – Agnihotra – started reaching the sky. The rhythmic intonations of the austere morning prayers were vaguely audible.
I got up and sat on the grass rug. First, I held both my palms in front of me and looked at them for a moment. Before stepping on the earth, I prayed to her asking for her forgiveness as I was going to step on her. It was still dark. The contours of the aashrama huts and trees were not yet visible. A soiled, whitish by way leading to the river was the only thing barely visible. Dada, Uddhava and I left together for river Kshipra. We entered the warm waters of Kshipra after washing our faces. After bathing in the river, we returned to the aashrama.
First, we went to Aacharya’s cottage and observed him respectfully from a distance. He had awakened long before and was already meditating after finishing the morning rituals. The sacred fire, Agnihotra, was burning by his side. His wife was busy in the household chores. Then we went to the cow pens to see the cows, drank pots of freshly drawn warm milk, and wiped the white lines above our lips with the back of our fists.
Now it was time for Aacharya’s discourse. To announce that, a unique tune of the conch echoed in the aashrama. Following the cue, all pupils came out of their huts in different groups, and started approaching Aacharya’s cottage, holding their grass mats under their arms. The vaguely visible contours of the aashrama were clearly visible by now. A pleasant morning blossomed in the Ankapada aashrama. Aacharya’s cottage was fully occupied with pupils and in total silence with our eyes closed we all started saying the prayer for the Guru.
All eyes were focused on Aacharya’s face. All ears were eager to listen to his divine speech. Aacharya Sandipani glanced affectionately at all his pupils and gave a gentle, sweet smile. It was like the newly blossomed Brahmakamala buds on Manasa sarovar on an early autumn morning. Then in his deep, flute-like melodious voice he started talking slowly.
“Dear disciples of the aashrama, there are fourteen Vidyas which each one of you is required to be proficient in. I am going to talk about them in detail today. Listen carefully.” The entire cottage fell silent.
“The four Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda are considered as fundamental, independent vidyas. The word ‘Vid’ means to know. Veda means sharing knowledge. The Vedas originated on the ‘Malyavata’ mountain in the far away country of Gandhara. Many unknown, wise sages spontaneously composed them verbally. For generations, they never even mentioned their own names as the composers of the Vedas. That is why Vedas are called ‘Apaurusheya’ or authorless. The first one is the Rigveda… replete with praises of Usha and Varuna, in incredibly rich lyrical hymns. The second is Yajurveda, composed with hymns of absolute surrender to the Supreme Soul. It has two clear branches – Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda. The third is Samaveda, adorned by comprehensive melodies of musical notes. The fourth is Atharvaveda, manifested in effective hymns of prayers for the destruction of the enemy and self-protection. They also contain an ardent call of the soul, to ward off approaching calamities. The Vedas are actually ‘Literature’ in its authentic form. They are the very first spontaneous, coherent and opulent lore manifested in the world through pure ‘Speech’.
The Vedas have six subsections. The first subsection is ‘Shiksha’. It is the study of flawless and melodious pronunciations of the words of the Vedas. The strength of the Vedas lies in the proper and clear pronunciation of the words. These articulations of speech or Vanis are categorized into four types – Paraa, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari.
Vaikhari is the simplest form of Vani, used regularly and inadvertently in the daily routine. Vaikhari is the Vani that easily comes out of the throat with the assistance of the tongue, palate and lips. This kind of speech may n
ot relate to the mind, the heart, the reason or the soul. Many people use this kind of superficial language frequently in the daily routine.
Madhyama is the second Vani that comes from the heart after proper deliberation. The third Vani is Pashyanti which originates from the navel, and is characterized by love and a variety of emotions. The Paraavani originates from the core of the being, the Mooladhar chakra. Only the power of self-realization after penance and introspection automatically gives birth to Paraavani. It is the supreme form of Vani which cannot be explained to anyone. It is so self-sufficient and powerful that all living beings feel it unwittingly by themselves. ‘Paraa’ means that which belongs to somebody else. Paraavani is the speech that is not of the one who pronounces it – it belongs to something or somebody else, it is phenomenal.
Aacharya took a momentary break glancing at the stunned faces of all the pupils. He focused his eyes on me and asked, “Srikrishna, did you understand? Which of the four Vanis do you like?”
I thought for a moment and answered, “I would like all four! But isn’t there a fifth Vani that exists beyond these Aacharya?” I questioned with a smile.
“No, at least according to the scriptures there are only these four.” Aacharya smiled deliberately, a mysteriously sweet, soft smile. Then we kept on staring at each other. Others kept looking at us. Aacharya had recognized the silent Vani hidden behind our exchange of gaze. I recognized it too. It was the speech of the supreme soul, the speech of pure love that could not be contained within any part of the physical body. It had neither beginning nor end!
The second subsection of the Vedas is ‘Chhanda’. Aacharya continued, “Chhanda is the study of the principles of musical notes, rhythm and tempo.” Aacharya was completely absorbed in the discourse now.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 10