After taking bath or sprinkling this holy water, we proceed to the temple. The Gopuram, with the majestic North Indian architecture, welcomes us. We see the large silver doors, with intricate craftmanship. Two large lamp stands are there. As in North Indian temples, marble stones are used extensively. All prakarams and mantaps are all with marble stones. We go round the temple. We can see the Vimanam, under which the Lord Sri Dwarakadeesa is gracing. Plenty of prasads are offered. Everywhere we can see prasads are kept in heaps. Then we come near the Mahadwar. We have entrance and exit gates. Here the Lord is called Sri Ranachod Rai [Sri Ranachor Rai]. Rana रण - battlefield, chod छोड़ - left, rai राइ - Sri Krishna. The Lord ran away from the battlefield. The Lord would never run away in fear. He navigated Arjuna in the biggest battle, without any fear. So, why this name? We know that for the initial 10 years He lived in Gokulam, away from Kamsa. Akrura, then brings Sri Krishna to Mathura. There Sri Krishna kills Kamsa. Kamsa had two wives, father of both of them was Jarasanda. The wives of Kamsa complaned to Jarasanda. Furious that Sri Krishna had killed his son-in-law, Jarasanda invaded Mathura with 23 Akshouhini troops. But Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama defeated them. Jarasanda did not realize the greatness of Sri Krishna. He was further induced to fight by Sisupala and the likes. Repeatedly he invaded Mathura, 17 times. An incident took place between 17th and 18th invasions. Sri Krishna opined to Sri Balarama that by the invasions of Jarasanda, common people were affected and so they could transport them to a new town to be established ine West, where river Gomati was entering the Ocean. He desired to rehabilitate all people in the new town Dwaraka. Sri Balarama felt that it would be a cowardly act and did not support that idea. At that time Kala Yavana, a King of Yavanas, came with a large force, to help Jarasanda in the fight. Sri Krishna thought that time was most opportune and with silk robes and with Four hands, left His palace and started going away from Mathura. This was noticed by Kala Yavana. Narada gave the identification of Sri Krishna. Recognizing Sri Krishna, Kala Yavana followed the Lord, shouting to stop going away from battle field. Sri Krishna did not care and went away swiftly. Kala Yavan also followed and both reached the present Dakur Dwaraka. There was a cave here. In the cave an Ikshvaku King, Muchukunda, was sleeping. Why was the King sleeping in a cave? Muchkunda had helped Devas in their fight with Asuras. After the battle, he felt tired and wanted to take rest. He requested Devas to show him a place where he could sleep undisturbed by others. They showed him this cave and granted a boon that while he was taking rest, if anyone disturbed his sleep, that person would be reduced to ashes, when Muchukunda looked at that person. This news was known to the Lord and He found an easy way to finish Kala Yavana. He entered the cave noticed by Kala Yavana, and stepped on the sleeping Muchukunda, and He hid Himself. Kala Yavana followed and mistook the sleeping Muchukunda to be Sri Krishna! He also kicked Muchukunda and shouted. Muchukunda's sleep was disturbed and he saw Kala Yavana. With the boon granted to Muchukunda, instantly Kala Yavana was reduced to ashes! Sri Krishna then blessed Muchukunda and left. In that very same spot the Lord is now gracing as Sri Rana Chod Rai! Thousands of devotees daily come here and worship. We have also come with Three Thousand Pilgrims to worship the Lord!
Now, we will see the summary of Chapter 6:
yog¯abhy¯asavidhiryog¯ı caturdh¯a yogas¯adhanam
yogasiddhissvayogasya p¯aramyam.s.as.t.ha ucyate (10)
Here Yoga is explained. Person practicing Karma yoga should perform Yogam and Dhyanam. There are rules for doing them. Sri Krishna explains those rules. He says that Yogis are Four types. He describes Yoga sadhanam or methods. Yoga would slowly flourish and mature into Dhyanam and then to Karma yoga. This would fetch Atman sakshatkaram and ultimately result in reaching the Lord. The maturing process is Yoga siddhi. Fighting the war and protecting his people was Arjuna's Karma. But, normally Dhyanam or poojas result in atman sakshatkaram; then, how fighting could fetch it? This Karma practiced properly, would slowly mature to become Karma yoga and atman sakshatkaram would be realized. Finally, it is said that more than Karma yoga and Gyana yoga, Bhakti yoga was superior. Meditating on the Lord is Bhakti yogam. In sloka 6.11, the Lord says that first a good and solitary place should be selected. A firm seat should be used. On that darbha [grass] and over them deer skin, should be spread. Then a silk cloth should be spread on it. One should sit in padmasanam. This is a good health exercise also. There are 27,000 nerves in our body. Body should be straight and erect. Very high seat should not be used; nor too low also. Place should have an ambience giving peace and happiness. Our eyes should focus on the tip of our nose. Then we should meditate on the Lord. This is Dhyanam, and it takes us nearer God. Both mind and body are made healthy by this. We should allocate time for this daily and practice. This way Yogam would slowly develop and more time will be spent on it. Slowly, we will find that even after sitting in Yoga, the Lord would be in our mind. Atman sakshatkaram is not the end or goal. This is only the initial step and more would be told about Bhakti. Finally, in sloka 6.47, the Lord says that more than Karma yoga and Gyana yoga, Bhakti yoga on the Lord was better. He says that he, who after performing Karma yoga and realized that the true nature of atman was servant of the Lord, and performed Bhakti, was the best devotee of the Lord.
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