Krishnamruta Maharnava 

अर्चितः संस्मृतो ध्यातः कीर्तितः कथितः श्रुतः ।

यो ददात्यमृतत्वं हि स मां रक्षतु केशवः   ।।

Once, Sri Madhwacharya, on his tour of South India, went to the famous Vaidyanatheshwara Temple in Kokkad. There, one devotee by name Edapaditthaya, earnestly requested Sri Madhwacharya to compose a concise text drawing from Puranic literature elucidating the most essential practices for spiritual development. Sri Madhwacharya blessed him by composing the short text Krishnamrutamaharnava consisting of 290 verses. This work freely draws from Vishnu, Narada, Padma and the Skanda Puranas. These verses contain the esoteric teachings and instructions of great sages and devas like Shankara, Narada, Pulastya, Yama, Brahma, Markandeya etc. In a way this work is a Scripture in itself. One of the central points in this text is the importance of Sri Hari Deeksha - complete dedication and surrender to Lord Sri Hari. This work also brings forth the greatness of Ekadashi in a detailed manner.

Purpose of this text

In the second verse of this text Sri Madhwacharya brings forth the purpose with which this text is written. The entire world is afflicted with three-fold sorrow Adhibhautika, Adhidaivika and Adhyatmika. To get rid of this three-fold sorrow and to lead one towards salvation this "Ocean of Nectar" is being revealed. Lord Sri Krishna Himself is the nectar who graces everyone with divine bliss. By His worship, contemplation, meditation, praise, listening about and narrating his pastimes, one surely rises above the mundane material existence and attains divine glory. Hence this work is aptly named as "Sri Krishnamrutamaharnava".

Six services for obtaining eternal bliss

This work highlights the importance of the following six services towards Lord Sri Hari which are capable of bestowing eternal bliss

» Archana - Worship

» Smarana - Contemplation

» Dhyana - Meditation

» Kirtana - Singing

» Kathana - Discourse

» Shravana - Listening

Human Birth is precious

Human Birth is a precious gift of God. It is to be fully utilized by us. We should not allow ourselves to behave "lowly" like animals which are very inferior to us. Two things that are possible only in a human birth are:

» Deeksha - Complete dedication and surrendering oneself at the feet of the Lord

» Archana - Devoutful worship of the Lord

Importance of devotion towards Lord Sri Vishnu

Devotion towards Lord Sri Vishnu is most essential for one's upliftment; especially so, in this age of Kali. The merits accrued by performing big Yagas are obtained just by worshipping the Lord with devotion in this period. Sins accrued in several past births are simply burnt off by the constant contemplation of the auspicious names of the Lord. Lord Sri Narayana, is like a thief, who takes away all our sins at the instance one remembers Him.

Those who contemplate the form of the Lord in their mind, who have the sanctified food offered to the Lord in their belly, who adorn the Padodaka and Nirmalya of Lord Sri Hari on their heads will surely enjoy eternal bliss. There is no other way to attain the four Purusharthas, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, than the worship of Lord Sri Vishnu. Of what use are the pilgrim centers like Kuruskhetra, Kashi or Pushkara to those who have the name of the Lord on the tip of their tongues?

Anyone wishing to get liberated without worshipping Lord Sri Hari is like a person who tries to swim across the vast ocean. Even a second spent without contemplating the Lord is not only a great loss of opportunity but a big mistake.

Easy Devotion

The benevolent God always showers His grace on His devotees. One can easily worship the Lord even by water. All one needs to do is to surrender at His holy feet. When worshipped with devotion the Lord grants fruits which are difficult to attain even by performing all kinds of Yagnas performed without devotion.

There is no Hell to the devotee of the Lord

The greatness of Lord Sri Hari is such that any of His devotees do not ever go to Hell. They will not have a sight of the hell even in their dreams. One of the Purana remarks in this case - There is this auspicious word "Narayana" and we have our "Tongue" which can take His name. Yet, people fail to make use of it and fall to Hell which is full of sorrow. O' what a wonder!

Importance of partaking the Naivedya of the Lord

One should only partake food offered as Naivedya to the Lord with great devotion. Such a food becomes very pure and cleanses one's mind and body. The merits accrued by partaking the Naivedya of the Lord are immense. Innumerable Chandrayana Vratas or innumerable fasts cannot match the fruits obtained by partaking Lord Sri Hari Naivedya.

Importance of Shalagrama Shila and Vishnu Padodaka

Water is a great purifier. It has medicinal and ambrosial qualities. Such water is available in the rivers. There is a gradation among the water bodies in terms of the merits accrued by taking a bath in them. Rivers which do not join the sea bestow merits equal to that accrued from performing a three day Yagna. Rivers which join the sea bestow merits equal to fifteen day Yagna. A dip in the ocean bestows merits equal to one month Yagna. River Godavari bestows merits equal to six month Yagna. The river Ganga bestows merits equal to one Year Yagna. All these put together do not match even 1/16th part of the merits accrued by partaking Vishnu Padodaka obtained by the Abhisheka of ShalagramaShila. The Shalagrama Teertha is capable of bestowing Vaishnava Siddhi.

The greatness of Chakrankita

The greatness of the Chakrankita that is found in Dwaraka is immense. Lord Sri Hari and all devas are present in the Chankrankita. The Chakrankita is so auspicious that even when it is taken to an inauspicious place such as a Mleccha Desha, it is capable of purifying that place in a three yojanas radius around its location. Similar is the greatness of a Vaishnava who adores the Chakra Symbol on his forehead.

Importance of Ekadashi

It is important to observe complete fast without water on an Ekadashi day. Apart from spiritual benefits, such a practice has immense health benefits as well. The merits accrued by fasting on Ekadashi are immense. One needs to consult a qualified Brahmin and ascertain the correct time to undertake the fast. Occasionally there will be Dashami Vedha on Ekadashi. In such a case it is advised to undertake fast on the Dwadashi day and break the fast on the following day. When Dashami is present at the time of Arunodaya (A period of four Ghatis before Sunrise) on an Ekadashi day, then fast should be undertaken the next day. In the case of a lack of consensus among the scholars, it is preferred to fast on a Dvadashi Day rather than on an Ekadashi Day. The greatness of Ekadashi is that the sins committed by the eleven senses are burnt off immediately. The Anna Abhimani Asuras take charge of the food cooked on an Ekadashi Day. Ghastly sins such as Brahma Hatya, Sura Pana etc are transferred by such Asuras to those who partake food on that day. It is mandatory for one who is between 8 and 80 years to observe fast on the Ekadashi day.

Other important topics

Other important topics covered in Krishnamruta Maharnava are as follows -

» There is no one superior to Lord Sri Vasudeva.

» In the Kali Age there are very few who remember Lord Sri Hari

» Importance of Ashtanga Namaskara

» The greatness of Tulasi

» Make your life meaningful in the young age itself.

» Importance of partaking food on time on Dvadashi Day.

» Concept of Harivasara and Atirikta Ekadashi, Shravana Dvadashi Upavasa

» For observing Ekadashi, Dvadashi etc., actual tithi prevalant at that time is to be preferred to the tithi prevalent at the time of Sunrise.

» Chanting the names Achyuta, Ananta and Govinda will cure all diseases. » Lord is pleased by worship as per Taratamya.

» Significance of Urdhva Pundra

» Conflict Resolution in case of difference of opinion in Jyotisha Calculations

Conclusion

आलोड्य सर्वशास्त्राणि विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ।

इदमेकं सुनिष्पन्नं ध्येयो नारायणः सदा ।।

After thorough consultations of all scriptures and due contemplations on its meanings one thing that stands out as a conclusion is that Lord Sri Narayana is to be always meditated.

The central message of Krisnamruta Maharnava can be seen in the following verse:

यावत्स्वास्थ्यं शरीरेषु करणेषु च पाटवम् ।

तावदर्चय गोवन्दं आयुष्यं सार्थकं कुरु ।।

As long as there is strength in the body and agility in the senses, worship Lord Sri Govinda and make your life meaningful.

We waste so much of our time in speaking about, watching and doing unnecessary acts. After a span of first fourteen years of one's life, every person commits actions which cause at the least ten more future births. Hence one cannot escape the Birth-Death cycle by Karma alone. Thus, it is important to gain the knowledge of Lord Sri Hari. If all the time available at our disposal is spent in the contemplation of Lord Sri Hari, we will be eternally blessed with great joy.

श्रीमदानन्दतीर्थाख्यसहस्रकिरणोत्थिता ।

गोततिः सततं सेव्या गीर्वाणैः सिद्धिदा भवेत् ।।