The sweet mellow sound of Krsna's flute attracts the minds of everyone within the three

worlds. "Even one iota of the indescribable sweetness of Krsna's flute is superior to the
sweetness of all the Sweet Sounds of the world put together." (Laghu-
bhagavatamrta).The bliss caused by the sound of Krsna's flute is so intense and
penetrating that it reverses the functions of animate and inanimate objects. Every
Vrajavasi-whether he is agopa or gopi, a bird or beast, a tree or plant, or a river or
mountain-loves the nectar of Krsna's flute. Each responds to the music with his own
expression of ecstasy. Rocks melt and flow; moving entities become still; cows stand
motionless to catch the sweet sound with upraised ears; and the birds perch silently,
eyes closed rapt in meditation. The deer, entranced by the waves of nectar, prance
forward to stand beside Krsna. Upon hearing their names cleverly blended in the ragas
of the flute, the gopis drop everything and run to their romantic hero.

Krsna's flute vibrates eight different tunes. Demigods like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva
break their meditation and forget everything when the first tune pierces their ears. Lord
Siva stops playing his din-din drum, Lord Brahma sits astonished on his lotus flower,and
Lord Ananta Sesa begins swaying hypnotically. The second tune makes the Yamuna
River flow backwards. The moon stops moving upon hearing the third tune. Cows run
up to Krsna, and stand motionless with upraised ears to drink the nectar of the fourth
tune. The fifth note brings the gopis madly running-eager for Krsna's love. The sixth
tune creates autumn, replete with juicy fruits and rich foliage. Stones melt when
caressed by this note.

The seventh note instantly ushers in all six seasons; manifesting their full splendor with
gentle, sensuous southern breezes carrying the perfumed aromas of fresh forest
flowers. The eighth note of Syama's seductive flute takes the name of Radha, steals
Her self-control, and forcibly sends Radha to meet Her beloved Krsna. Overwhelmed by
the flute's passionate whirlwind, Radharani paints black kajjala on Her lotus feet and
red lac dye on Her eyes, fastens a necklace around Her waist, puts anklets on Her
wrists, and drapes Her top piece of cloth on the bottom. Oh, when will that day come
when Krsna will call us with His flute, and we will drop everything and run to Him in
love?" O pious mother Yasoda, your son, who is expert in all the acts of herding cows,
has invented many new styles of flute playing. When Krsna takes His flute to His bimba
fruit red lips and sends forth the tunes of the harmonic scale in variegated melodies;
Brahma, Siva, Indra and other chief demigods become confused upon hearing the
sound. Although they are the most learned authorities, they cannot ascertain the
essence of that music, and thus they bow down their heads and hearts." (SB
IO.35.15V.)
In Glorification Of Krsna's Flute

BY PARAMANANDA PURI DASA

EDITORIAL, Jul 12 (VNN) — My dear Vaisnava friends. Please accept my humble

obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In the Ujvala Nilamani it has been stated: Visakha devi describes Krsna's flute to Srimati
Radharani: "As it touches His splendid teeth, Krsna's flute looks like a crystal wand.
Where it touches Krsna's red lotus palm, it looks like a ruby stick, and where it touches
Krsna's blue lotus cheek it looks like a sapphire. Look ! In this way Krsna's flute looks
like these three different jewels."

Krsna uses the Venu flute to attract to Gopis, like Venum kvanantam from the Brahma
Samhita.

Srila Prabhupada describes that the Venu flute has 6 holes. And it is 6 inches long. The
Murali has a hole at the end and four holes on the body. And that flute is 18 inches long .
The Vamsi flute is 15 inches long and nine holes.

My good friend Dasaratha Suta knows how to play these flutes, though his playing and
Krsna's playing are no comparison, still you get some little idea how sweet that flute
playing sounds.

I used to sleep on the roof at the Krsna Balarama Mandir when I was serving there one
summer, and at night sometimes you hear this beautiful flute playing coming from the
Yamuna side, who it was I can't tell, but these flutes have an enchanting tune in
themselves, what to speak if Krsna's plays these flutes. It is explained that Lord Siva and
Brahma are so learned in all arts like music but even they become totally bewildered in
the musical compositions of Krsna's flute. Sometimes the demigods wife's fall out off
their airplanes while hearing Krsna playing the flute during the Rasa Lila.

CC madhya lila 21. 141-44 also tells more about the influence of Krsna's flute.

"The sound of Krsna's flute spreads in four directions. Even though Krsna vibrates His
flute within this universe, its sound pierces the universal covering and goes to the
spiritual sky. Thus the vibration enters the ears of all inhabitants . It especially enters
Goloka Vrindavana Dhama and attracts the minds of the young damsels of Vrajabhumi,
bringing them forcibly to where Krsna is present"

"The vibration of Krsna's flute is so aggressive, and it breaks the vows of all chaste
women. Indeed, its vibration takes them forcibly from the laps of their husbands. The
vibration of His flute attracts even the goddesses of fortune in the Vaikuntha planets, to
say nothing of the poor damsels of Vraja".
"The vibration of His flute slackens the knots of their underwear even in front of their
husbands. Thus the Gopis are forced to abandon their household duties and come before
Lord Krsna. In this way all social etiquette, shame and fear are vanquished. The vibration
of His flute causes all women to dance. " "The vibration of His flute is just like a bird that
creates a nest within the ears of the Gopis and always remains prominent there, not
allowing any other sound to enter their ears. Indeed, the gopis cannot hear anything else,
not even to give a suitable reply. Such are the effect of the vibration of Lord Krsna's flute.
"

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes in his purport to this verse: "The vibration
of Krsna's flute is always prominent in the ears of the Gopis. Naturally they cannot hear
anything else.

Constant remembrance of the holy sound of Krsna's flute keeps the Gopis enlightened
and enlivened, and they do not allow any other sound to enter their ears. Since their
attention is fixed on Krsna's flute, they cannot divert their minds to any other subject. The
vibration of Krsna's flute is represented by the Hare Krsna Maha mantra. A serious
devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so
accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to
Krsna". (CC Madhya lila 21. 141-44)

(These verses was spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Goswami)

Now the question may be raised where does Krsna play His flute? So many places, like at
the Yamuna. Yamuna tira vanacari. Vamsivata is one of the places by the Yamuna.

The gopis has glorified the flute playing Krsna and His flute in the 10th Canto, chapter 21
, text 7 to 20.

The Gopis said:

"Oh friends those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Maharaja Nanda are
certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends,
driving the cows before them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly
upon the residents of Vrindavana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater
object of vision. "

"Dressed in charming variety of garments, upon the which Their garlands rest, and
decorating Themselves with Peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts
and clusters of flower buds, Krsna and Balarama shine forth magnificently among the
assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a
dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing."

"My dear Gopis, what auspicious activities must the flute have performed to enjoy the
nectar of Krsna's lips independently and leave only a taste for us Gopis, for whom that
nectar is actually meant!The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of
pleasure. His mother the river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation , and
therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body. "

(Obviously the Gopis are a bit transcendentally jealous of the flute by stating that nectar
of Krsna's lips belongs to them them , but the flute are more fortunate in the eyes of the
Gopis as He the flute can enjoy kissing Krsna at every step, however no one is more
blessed as the Gopis as their love for Krsna is the highest. Actually Krsna's flute is a
person and appears in Lord Caitanya's pastimes as a devotee. )

"Of friend Vrindavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of
the lotus feet of Krsna, the son of Devaki . The peacocks dance madly when they hear
Govinda's flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltop , they all become
stunned. " "Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Maharaja
Nanda's son , who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed both the doe
and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection".

"Krsna's beauty and character create a festival for all women. Indeed , when the
demigods wives flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight of Him and hear His
resonant flute song their hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so bewildered that
the flowers fall out of their hair and their belts loosen. "

"Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute song
flowing out of Krsna's mouth. The calves , their mouths full of milk from their mothers
moist nipples stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled
eyes and embrace Him within their hearts. "

(Such a wonderful thing is described by the Gopis, that the cows and the Calves become
stunned by love, and tears are flowing from the eyes of the calves and cows, and MILK is
flowing more due to love from the cows and meanwhile the calves are not drinking due to
the love and ecstasy being felt and becoming like stunned, which is one of the symptoms
of ecstasy , vyabhicari bhava. )

"Oh Mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees
to see Krsna. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations
of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the
same level as great sages. " "When the rivers hear the flute song of Krsna, their minds
begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are
agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their wave the rivers
embrace Murari's lotus feet and holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers".

(there are 4 more verses of this chapter)

Srimad Bhagavatam's most important part is the description about Krsna's pastimes and
especially the Vrindavana pastimes. Why is this?
Because it relates to pastimes of Krsna in His primary form as Govinda, the Adi Purusha,
svayam Bhagavan form. And in Vrindavan Krsna is most complete with all 64 qualities
as described in" Nectar of devotion", there is 4 qualities that Krsna in Vrindavan manifest
that even Dvarkadish Krsna does not manifest:

1) Krsna is the performer of wonderful activities

2) Krsna is surrounded by loving devotees
3) Krsna's attractive flute
4) Krsna's exquisite beauty
So this flute playing of Krsna is very special, it is explained that Krsna has different
flutes and he also plays different melodies for different purposes. There is 3 kinds of
flutes that Krsna uses.

1) Venu
2) Vamsi
3) Murali

There are 8 different tunes that Krsna plays

1) Demigods like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva's meditation is broken and they forget
everything in astonishment and Lord Anantadeva sways His head like in hypnosis.
2) Second tune makes the Yamuna flow backwards
3) Third tune makes the moon stop moving
4) Fourth tune makes the cows run to Krsna and get stunned listening to the flute
5) The 5th note attracts the gopis and make them come running to him
6) 6th Tune makes the stones melt and creates autumn season
7) 7th note manifests all seasons
8) 8th Note is meant exclusively for Srimati Radharani, it takes Her name and calls for
Her, and She comes running to Him putting Her cloth wrong and mascara also.

Srila Rupa Goswami has written some beautiful verses regarding Krsna's flute.

Sakhi mama niyati hatayas

tad dasana bhagyam astu va ma va
punar api sa venu nado
yadi karna pathe patet tad evalam

"O friend , I am very unfortunate. If the sound of Krsna's flute fell once again on the
pathway of my ears, I would not care even wether or not I had the fortune to see Him"
(This is from Padyavali, a book by Rupa Goswami)

Another vers from there is:

"When will Lord Madhuripu's(Krsna's) sweet flute music, which dances with a lotus foot
on the unapproachabel braided hair of the goddesses who are the Upanisads suddenly
enter my ear"?
Because Krsna's flute always attracts the Gopis away form their duties they want to steal
that flute, these pastimes of the gopis stealing Krsna's flute is described in the books of
the Goswamis, like in the 10 chapter of Govinda lilamrita. (written by Krsna das
Kaviraja)

Especially Srimati Radharani is expert to steal Krsna's flute, and after doing so she passes
it on to another Gopi and who passes it on to another Gopi and so on, so that finally
Krsna have a hard time to locate His flute. He uses this as an excuse to embrace them and
search them to see if they each indivdually have the flute.

Rupa Goswami describes on such transcendental theft in his Padyavali:

"Silencing Her anklets by placing them on Her arms as golden armlets, and carefully
observing Krsna's eyes for any sign of His becoming startled, smiling Radha stole the
flute from His lap. "

And so many pastimes take place due to the staling of Krsna's flute and thus Srimati
Vrindadevi has glorified Krsna's flute:'O flute!Although you are from the smallest of all
good families, your dynasty became glorious , since you caused all these wonderfull
pastimes of Radha and Krsna!" (Govinda lilamrita vers 132 of 10th Chapter)

Srimati Radhika sometimes glorifies the flute as explained by Rupa Goswami: "O flute
who is so dear to Krsna, when you grant Me your mercy I will also give you many
benedictions in return. I will bless you , saying, "May you become faultless. May your
heart become filled with the nectar from Krsna's lips. May you become very eloquent.
may you become charmingly slender. May you become the object of Lord Krsna's
worship. "

"Oh flute you have blessed Me by giving Me the emptiness in your heart, your lightness,
the dryness of your body , and your eloquence in constantly chanting the holy name of
Krsna, the king of Vraja.

WHY DO YOU NOT GIVE ME THE NECTAR OF KRSNA'S LIPS, which you drink,
turn into song , and shamelessly use to enchant the entire world and bring it under your
control. " Rupa Goswami quotes other great vaisnavas prayers and hankering in his
Padyavali: "May Kesava who sweetly playing the flute, a peacock feather in His hair,
blackened with dust, decorated with a wilted forest flower garland, tired , handsome, and
a festival of happiness for the gopis eyes, returns with the surabhi cows at the days end,
grand auspisciousness to you all".

"Here our Lord herded the calves , and here He played the flute". I pray that I may pass
my days shedding tears as I speak these words on the Yamunas shore".

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is decorated with yellow kadambha flowers. A

yellow dhoti girds His waist, He enjoys playing sweet flute music in the forest garden. I
pray that my heart may become fixed on Him. "
All glories to Krsna's flute.

Your servant
Payonidhi dasa
(now Paramananda Puri Dasa)