Lord Krishna and mata Rukmini are none other than Shri Lakshmi Narayana themselves who incarnated in every Yuga to protect righteousness. According to Lakshminarayan Samhita once Lord Krishna and mata Rukmini also incarnated in Satya Yuga as Gopalakrishna and Kambhara Lakshmi for welfare of the world.
गोलोके यः स्वयं कृष्णो रुक्मिणी चापि तत्प्रिया ।
कुंकुमवाप्यां तौ देवौ जनकल्याणहेतवे ॥ ९० ॥
प्रकटितौ मानसौ कम्भरागोपालसंज्ञकौ ।
रुक्मिणी कम्भरा जाता कृष्णो गोपालसंज्ञकः ॥ ९१ ॥
अश्वपट्टमहत्तीर्थे तत्रोषितौ कृते युगे ।He who is Lord Krishna himself in Goloka, and his beloved Rukmini—those two deities, for the sake of the welfare of the world, [appeared] at Kumkumvapi (the Saffron Well). They manifested from the mind (or in a spiritual form) known by the names Kambhara and Gopala. Rukmini became Kambhara, and Krishna was known as Gopala. In the Krita Yuga (the Satya Yuga ), they resided there at the great holy site of Ashvapatta.
—LakshmiNarayana samhita, krita-yuga khanda, chapter 159
• The story goes like. According to Lakshminarayan Samhita, krita-yuga khanda, chapter 315( Purushottama mahatmya), Once in the Krita Yuga, Malamasa(or Adhika-Masa) was considered "impure" because it had no ruling deity and no one performed auspicious rituals during this time. The personified month was mocked by others and felt deeply dejected. Taking pity on the month’s sorrow, Lord Krishna declared, "I shall make you auspicious month." He bestowed His own name, Purushottama, upon the month.
। श्रीनारायण उवाच ।
शृणु लक्ष्मि कथां तेऽपि मेऽपि जातां पुरातनीम् ।
पुरुषोत्तममासस्य मिषेण जन्मबोधिनीम् ॥ १ ॥
यदा नारायणः कृष्णश्चोभौ यातौ पराऽक्षरे ।
मलमासस्य साहाय्यं कर्तुं श्रीहरिसन्निधौ ॥ २ ॥
धाम्न्यक्षरे तदा राजत्पुरुषोत्तममाधवः ।
श्रुत्वाऽर्थ्यं मलमासाय दत्तवाँश्चोत्तमां स्थितिम् ॥ ३ ॥
कृष्णस्य वचनं नारायणस्य वचनं तथा ।
मलमासोन्नतिदं तद् रक्षितं परमात्मना ॥ ४ ॥
स्वयं जातोऽधिदेवश्च मासोऽपि पुरुषोत्तमः ।
तेन तुष्टः परं कृष्णो नारायणस्तुतोष च ॥ ५ ॥Shri Narayana said: "O Lakshmi, listen to an ancient story concerning both you and Me. It explains the mystery of My manifestation (birth) under the pretext of the Purushottama month.""Once, both Narayana and Krishna went to the Supreme Imperishable Abode (Para-Akshara) to help the neglected 'Mal-Masa' (the impure month) in the presence of Shri Hari."At that time, in that Imperishable Abode, the Resplendent Lord Purushottama-Madhava, having heard the prayer and the plight of Mal-Masa, granted it the most exalted and supreme status."The words of Krishna and the words of Narayana thus brought about the elevation of the 'Mal-Masa' (the impure month), as it was personally protected and redeemed by the Supreme Soul (Paramatma).The Lord Himself became the presiding deity (Adhideva) of the month, which then became known as 'Purushottama.' Because of this, Lord Krishna was greatly satisfied, and Lord Narayana was equally pleased.
• After bestows upon Mal-Masa lord Krishna organized a Rasa Mahotsavam at the specific request of Mata Rukmini to celebrate and formalize the redemption of Malamasa (the extra/intercalary month). The Mahotsava was organized in the Shriyāḥ Saudhe (the Palace of Lakshmi/Rukmini) in the divine realm. All the presiding deities of the various Dhamas (divine abodes) and time-cycles were invited to witness the glory of the newly named Purushottama month.
मलमासस्य वै द्वाभ्यां कृतमुद्धरणं महत् ।
तन्निमित्तं तु गोलोके गत्वा कृष्णः श्रिया युतः ॥ ६ ॥Thus, a great deliverance (upliftment) of the Mal-Masa was performed by these two (Narayana and Krishna). For that reason, Lord Krishna, accompanied by Shri (Rukmini/Lakshmi), then went to Goloka.
एवंविधे तत्र जाते महोत्सवे तदा श्रिया ।
रुक्मिण्याख्यमहालक्ष्म्याऽभिहितं स्वामिने मुदा ॥ १२ ॥While such a grand festival was thus taking place, Shri Rukmini—who is Mahalakshmi herself—spoke to her Lord (Krishna) with great joy.
कृष्णनारायण विष्णो परात्मन् पुरुषोत्तम ।
कुरूत्सव तु मे सौधे नृत्यगायनवादनैः ॥ १३ ॥
ओमित्युक्त्वा श्रियाः सौधे योजयामास सूत्सवम् ।
यथा धाम्नां महासम्राट् समायात्पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १४ ॥
तत्सम्माने प्रकुर्यादुत्सवं तद्वद् युयोज सः ।
सर्वधाम्नां तु या शोभा विशिष्टा साऽत्र कारिता ॥ १५ ॥Rukmini said: "O Krishna! O Narayana! O Vishnu! O Supreme Soul! O Purushottama! Please perform this grand festival within my own palace as well, filled with dancing, singing, and the playing of musical instruments. The Author continued: Saying "Om" (So be it), the Lord arranged for a magnificent festival in the palace of Shri (Rukmini). It was as if the Great Emperor of all divine realms, the month of Purushottama himself, had arrived there in person. To honor him (the Purushottama month), the Lord organized a celebration just as grand as before. Whatever unique and extraordinary beauty existed across all the divine abodes was brought together and manifested right there.
रासे प्रवर्तमाने च गोपीनां कृष्णयोषिताम् ।
तदैश्वर्याणि भूषाश्च हेतयः पार्षदादयः ॥ २५ ॥
मूर्तिमन्तस्तत्र रासे युयुजुः कृतनर्तनाः ।
कृष्णाऽऽनन्दाऽऽप्लुतं सर्वं ब्रह्मानन्दपरं ह्यभूत् ॥ २६ ॥
दृश्यं स्पृश्यं तथा श्राव्यं रस्यं चाऽद्वैततां गतम् ।
सुखं सुखं परानन्दं आनन्दं नन्दनं ह्यभूत् ॥ २७ ॥As the Rasa dance proceeded among the Gopis and the wives of Krishna, His divine opulences (Aishvarya), His ornaments, His weapons, and His personal associates all manifested there. Taking on personified forms (Murtimantah), they all joined the Rasa and performed the dance. Everything became submerged in the joy of Krishna, which is indeed superior to even the bliss of Brahman (Brahmananda). Everything that could be seen, touched, heard, or tasted attained a state of non-duality (Advaitatam). There was only bliss upon bliss, supreme ecstasy, and the personification of pure delight."
• As part of this "Rasa" or divine play, the Lord manifested in his most beautiful and attractive forms to delight Rukmini, his consorts and all the devotees, effectively turning a period of "impurity" into a period of Mahotsava (Great Festival).
स्निग्धं प्रेमातिमोदाढ्यं जातमानन्दमेव तत् ।
नान्यः परं विजानाति विनाऽऽनन्दं हि तत्त्वकम् ॥ २८ ॥
एवं समुत्सवे राधा लक्ष्मीः श्रीश्च रमादयः ।
कृष्णं विकृष्य रासे तं रमयामास नर्तनम् ॥ २९ ॥
सर्वस्मिन् तन्मये जाते सर्वं रसमयं त्वभूत् ।
कृष्णो रसप्रवेगेण कूर्दन् तद्रमणोऽभवत् ॥ ३० ॥That bliss was tender (Snigdham), overflowing with divine love (Prema), and filled with extreme joy. No one can truly understand that supreme state except through the element of bliss (Ananda-tattvam) itself. During that great festival, Radha, Lakshmi, Shri, Rama, and the others, gently drawing Krishna into the circular dance (Rasa), delighted Him with their dancing. When everyone and everything had become completely absorbed in Him (Tan-maye), the entire atmosphere turned into pure nectar (Rasamayam). Krishna, moving with the intense current of that nectar, became the playful enjoyer of them all.
• During the height of the Rasa Mahotsavam, two divine jewels (gems) from Lord Krishna’s crown were so moved by the spiritual vibration of the dance and in the divine presence of Maa Radha and Maa Rukmini that they became "detached" from the crown.
मणेः पाते सह तेन पपात कल्गिचन्द्रिका ।
तथापि नैव कृष्णः स रासाद्विरमते खलु ॥ ३४ ॥
पादमर्दनभीत्या तावुभौ दिव्यसुविग्रहौ ।
बभूवतुर्मणिः कल्गिचन्द्रिका रेमतुश्च वै ॥ ३५ ॥
रासे मूर्तिधरौ जातौ रेमाते स्माति मण्डले ।
न तौ स्वंस्वं स्थलं प्राप्तौ यावद्रासान्तमेव ह ॥ ३६ ॥That supreme jewel, having fallen from the crown of the Lord, lay there on the ground of the Rasa-mandala, shining with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Rukmini, the leader of the Queens, seeing that the ornament of her Lord had fallen, quickly picked it up with her lotus-like hands, her heart overflowing with devotion. She did not place it back on the crown, but instead pressed it to her heart, considering it a 'Prasada' (a divine gift) of the Lord's ecstatic dance. Seeing this, all the other Gopis and Queens were filled with wonder.
• The text describes that even after the festival concluded, these two jewels did not return to their original places on the crown. Radha noticed this and informed the Lord (Shargina). When Krishna saw his crown was missing its luster, he asked why the jewels had not returned.
मुकुटे न स्वयं यातौ तावत्तत्र तु राधया ।
ज्ञापितो निर्गतौ कृष्णमुकुटादिति शार्ङ्गिणे ॥ ३७ ॥
कृष्णो दृष्ट्वा तु तौ प्राह किमेवं निर्गतावुभौ ।
स्वस्वस्थानं न वै यातौ मुकुटः शोभते न मे ॥ ३८ ॥
नैनं वै धारये कल्गिमणिशून्यं कभूषणम् ।
धारयिष्येऽन्यमुकुटं मायूरपिच्छशोभितम् ॥ ३९ ॥The [jewel and the plume] did not return to the crown on their own. In the meantime, Radha informed the wielder of the Sharnga bow (Krishna) that they had fallen out from His crown. Looking at them, Krishna said: 'Why have both of these come out? Since they have not returned to their respective places, My crown no longer looks beautiful.
• Around the same time on Earth, a righteous King named Anarta was performing intense penance. He prayed to the Lord for a protector—a divine messenger who could guard his kingdom and ensure the spiritual well-being of his subjects.
इत्युच्यमाने श्रीकृष्णेऽधिमासस्य महोत्सवे ।
आनर्त्ताख्यो महान् भक्तो राजा गोलोकमाययौ ॥ ४० ॥While Shri Krishna was speaking thus during the grand festival of the Adhika-Masa (Purushottama month), a great devotee, a King named Anarta, arrived there in Goloka.
कृष्णप्रीत्यर्थमेवाऽयं तपोभक्तिं चकार वै ।
तस्मै प्रसन्नः स कृष्णो नव राज्यं तु दित्सति ॥ ४१ ॥
गोलोकस्य दिव्यभूमेः कणं त्वर्पितवान् प्रभुः ।
कणः स तत्र सौराष्ट्रो देशस्त्वानर्त्तसंज्ञकः ॥ ४२ ॥
त्रिजलावृत्तसुद्वीपो राज्यमानर्तभूभृतः ।
समभूत्पश्चिमवार्धिसंलग्नो भूमिसन्धितः ॥ ४३ ॥
प्रार्थयामास चानर्तो मम राज्यस्य मे तथा ।
गुप्तये रक्षकं देहि तव दूतं प्रतापिनम् ॥ ४४ ॥Indeed, he (King Anarta) performed penance and devotion solely for the pleasure of Krishna. Being pleased with him, Krishna desired to grant him a new kingdom. The Lord offered a small portion (particle) of the divine land of Goloka. That particle became the land known as Saurashtra, also called the Anarta region. Surrounded on three sides by water, this beautiful island-like kingdom of King Anarta was formed, attached to the mainland at the junction of the western ocean. Anarta then prayed: "For the protection of my kingdom and myself, please grant me a protector—one of Your powerful messengers.
• Lord Krishna decided to fulfill the King's wish using the "detached" energy of the crown jewels: the jewels from the crown transformed into a divine attendant (Parshada) and descended to Earth.
ओमित्युक्त्वा ददौ कृष्ण आनर्ताय तु भूभृते ।
मुकुटस्य मणिर्यश्च वियुक्तो मुकुटात्तु तम् ॥ ४५ ॥Saying "Om" (so be it), Krishna gave a jewel to King Anarta—a jewel that had been detached from His own crown.
• This divine entity appeared in the kingdom of Anarta in the form of a Brahmin (Nimbadeva), and the Crest-feather became his spouse appeared as the Brahmin's wife( Mishtadevi). The Lord ordained that they would stay in the region of Anarta-desha (modern-day Gujarat region) to serve as Gurus. They were tasked with teaching the people how to observe the Purushottama Vrata—the specific rituals and prayers dedicated to the "extra month" that had just been sanctified during the Rasa Mahotsavam. King Anarta was overjoyed and bowed to Hari. The Lord gave him the remaining "splinters" or smaller gems from his crown and his peacock feather (Kalgi).The Lord gave the King a Kalgi (a crest/peacock feather) and a Mani (gem) as tokens of divine protection. The King was told that as long as these divine objects and the Gurus remained in his land, his kingdom would be free from famine, disease, and spiritual ignorance. The King took these divine objects to the Western Ocean (near the coast of Dwaraka/Prabhas). He released these "beads of light" into the water, which the text suggests became the source of sacred stones and spiritual "seeds" that would later make that region one of the holiest places for the worship of Krishna-Narayana.
दिव्यः स पार्षदो भूत्वा स ययौ भूभृता सह ।
मणिमूलखचिता या वियुक्ता कल्गिचन्द्रिका ॥ ४६ ॥
मूलं विना न वै स्थातुं शक्ता प्रार्थयदीश्वरम् ।
वासं मे देहि भगवन्न मूला न स्थितिर्मम ॥ ४७ ॥
हरिः प्राह तदा तां तु वियुक्ता मुकुटाद् यतः ।
याहि त्वं मणिना साकं भूत्वा दिव्यस्वरूपिणी ॥ ४८ ॥
आनर्तविषये स्थेयं द्विजेन मणिरूपिणा ।
द्विजपत्न्या त्वया भाव्यं गुरुरूपौ भविष्यथः ॥ ४९ ॥
आनर्तोऽपि हरिं नत्वा नीत्वा कल्गिं मणिं कणम् ।
कृष्णाऽर्पितान्मुकुटाच्चापरान् मुक्तान् मणींस्तथा ॥ ५० ॥That jewel transformed into a divine attendant (Parshada) and went along with the King. However, the crest-feather (the Kalgi or Chandrika) that was attached to the base of that jewel also became detached.
Unable to remain stable without its base (the jewel), the crest-feather prayed to the Lord: "O Bhagavan, please give me a place to stay; I have no standing without my base. Hari (Krishna) then spoke to her: "Since you are detached from the crown, go along with the jewel, assuming a divine form. In the land of Anarta, the Jewel shall reside in the form of a Brahmin, and you shall become the Brahmin's wife. You both shall exist there in the form of Gurus (spiritual teachers). Anarta, having bowed to Hari, took the crest-feather, the jewel, the "particle" (the land), and other pearls and gems offered from Krishna’s crown, and departed.आययौ पश्चिमे वार्धौ कर्मम्वां मुक्तवान् कणम् ।
स तु द्राग् विस्तृतो भूत्वा जातः सौराष्ट्रसंज्ञकः ॥ ५१ ॥
तत्र मणिर्मुकुटस्य त्ववाततार चाम्बरात् ।
अन्येऽपि मणयस्तत्राऽवतेरुर्व्योममार्गतः ॥ ५२ ॥
मुख्यो मणिर्दिव्यदेहो निम्बदेवोऽभवद् द्विजः ।
व्याघ्रारण्ये रम्यदेशेऽश्वपट्टसरसस्तटे ॥ ५३ ॥
निवासमकरोत् तत्र पर्णकुट्यां स तापसः ।
या कल्गिचन्द्रिका सा तु तत्रैव सरसस्तटे ॥ ५४ ॥
दिव्यदेहा निवासं चाऽकरोद् द्विजप्रसेवनम् ।
आनर्तेन तदा ताभ्यां प्रार्थितं भावगर्भितम् ॥ ५५ ॥
विना लौकिकदेहं वै जनानां श्रेय इच्छतो ।
दर्शस्पर्शादिलाभश्च नाऽतः स्वीकुरुतं वपुः ॥ ५६ ॥
भक्तप्रार्थनया तौ च नॄणां श्रेयो विचिन्त्य च ।
देहं ग्रहीतुमिच्छन्तौ हरिं सस्मरतुर्हृदा ॥ ५७ ॥
श्रीकृष्ण आविरासाऽत्र संकल्प्य मानसौ च तौ ।
देहौ समर्प्य तत्रैवाऽन्तरधीयत पूजितः ॥ ५८ ॥
अथैवं तौ कणलब्धस्थौल्यं प्राप्तौ ततः परम् ।
सर्वगोचरतां यातावश्वपट्टसरस्तटे ॥ ५९ ॥
तपस्यन्तौ च तत्रैव लक्ष्मीनारायणात्मिकाम् ।
संहितां वाचयामासतुश्च कालं सुनिन्यतुः ॥ ६० ॥
मणिः स निम्बदेवाख्यो बभूव ख्यात एव ह ।
कल्गिः सा ख्यातिमापन्ना मिष्टादेवीति सर्वथा ॥ ६१ ॥He (King Anarta) arrived at the western ocean and released that "particle" (the gift from Krishna). It immediately expanded and became known as the land of Saurashtra. Then, the Jewel of the Crown descended there from the sky. Other gems from the crown also descended there through the path of the heavens. The primary Jewel assumed a divine human body and became a Brahmin named Nimbadeva. He made his residence in the beautiful region of Vyaghraranya (the Tiger Forest), on the banks of the Ashvapatta lake. There, as an ascetic, he lived in a hut made of leaves. The Crest-feather (Kalgi-Chandrika) also resided there on the banks of the same lake in a divine form, serving the Brahmin. Then, King Anarta made a heartfelt prayer to both of them: "Since you both desire the welfare of the people, (realize that) without a physical, worldly body. the benefits of seeing you (Darshana) and touching your feet (Sparsha) cannot be attained by common people. Therefore, please accept physical human bodies. Considering the King's prayer and thinking of the welfare of humanity, they both desired to take physical forms and meditated upon Lord Hari (Krishna) in their hearts. Sri Krishna appeared there, and by His will, He bestowed physical bodies upon them. Having been worshipped, the Lord then vanished from that spot. Thereafter, having gained physical density from the celestial particle, they both became visible to all people on the banks of the Ashvapatta lake. Performing penance there, they both began to recite and expound the Lakshmi Narayana Samhita, spending their time in spiritual devotion. The Jewel became famously known by the name Nimbadeva, and the Crest-feather became universally renowned as Mishtadevi.
• Once King Khatvangada, came to the vicinity of Nimbadeva’s hermitage to perform penance. Due to his penance, Lakshmi(Rukmini) and Narayana(Krishna) arrived there. The King desired that they (the Divine Couple) reside there so he could attain the benefit of their sight (Darshana).
अथ रैवतपौत्रो वै खट्वांगदजनाधिपः ।
तपस्तप्तुं समायातो निम्बदेवाश्रमान्तिके ॥ ६२ ॥
बद्रीतले सूपविश्य जजाप जपमुत्तमम् ।
ओंश्रीलक्ष्मीपते कृष्णनारायण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ६३ ॥
तस्य वै तपसा तत्राऽऽयातौ लक्ष्मीनरायणौ ।
वरदानाय तं भूपं रोधयामासतुस्तदा ॥ ६४ ॥
राज्ञा दर्शनलाभार्थं तयोर्वासोऽभिकांक्षितः ।
तथास्त्विति प्रति श्रुत्याऽदृश्यतां तौ गतावुभौ ॥ ६५ ॥
या लक्ष्मीः सा रुक्मिणी श्रीरूपाऽऽसीद् दिव्यरूपिणी ।
नारायणः स वै कृष्ण आस श्रीपतिरेव सः ॥ ६६ ॥Then, the grandson of King Raivata, the lord of people named Khatvangada, came to the vicinity of Nimbadeva’s hermitage to perform penance. Sitting beneath a Badri (Jujube) tree, he chanted the supreme mantra: "Om Shri Lakshmi-pate Krishna-Narayana Namostu te" (Salutations to Thee, O Krishna-Narayana, Lord of Lakshmi). Due to his penance, Lakshmi and Narayana arrived there. They stopped the King (from his meditation) in order to grant him a boon. The King desired that they (the Divine Couple) reside there so he could attain the benefit of their sight (Darshana). Saying "So be it," they both vanished from sight. That Lakshmi was Rukmini, the embodiment of Shri in a divine form, and that Narayana was indeed Krishna, the Lord of Shri Himself.
• Accompanied with mata Rukmini lord Krishna incarnated on earth, in the house of Nimbadeva as his mind born son. Mata Rukmini also incarnated in the house of Premamani on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna. Her father, recognizing her invited Lord Gopala Krishna for the wedding rites.
मिष्टादेवीनिम्बदेवगृहे कृष्णो बभूव वै ॥ ६८ ॥
यत्र जज्ञे तु गोपालस्तत्राऽश्वपट्टसन्निधौ ।
पर्णकुट्यां मानसः स जातमात्रः सयौवनः ॥ ६९ ॥
दिव्यो बभूव गोलोकदिव्यविग्रह एव सः ।
गां तु वाणीं पालयति गोपालः कृष्ण एव सः ॥ ७० ॥Accompanied by Shri (Rukmini), Krishna then meditated upon His "parents"—those two (Mishtadevi and Nimbadeva) who were the forms of the Crest and the Jewel, whom He Himself had protected. Having established them in physical bodies, He thought of them; thus, Krishna truly appeared in the home of Mishtadevi and Nimbadeva. Where the "Cowherd" (Gopala) was born near the Ashvapatta lake in that leaf-hut, He was a "mind-born" son (Manasa), appearing in full youth the very moment He was born. He was divine, the very embodiment of the celestial form of Goloka. Since He protects the Earth and the Word (Gam), He is indeed the Cowherd (Gopala), Lord Krishna Himself.
गोः पृथिव्याः पालकं राजानं लाति च रक्षति ।
गोपालः स प्रभुः कृष्णः संस्थितो नृपसन्निधौ ॥ ७१ ॥
आश्विनकृष्णपञ्चम्यां गोपालः कृष्ण एव ह ।
कुकुमवाप्यां संजज्ञे निम्बदेवगृहे प्रगे ॥ ७२ ॥
अन्ये ये मणयस्त्वानर्तेन त्यक्ताः सुराष्ट्रके ।
सर्वेऽत्र कृष्णभक्तास्ते जाताः सुराष्ट्रके स्थले ॥ ७३ ॥
तत्र ओमालये शत्रूंजिताक्षेत्रे बभूव ह ।
प्रेममणिर्महादिव्यविग्रहः सूर्यसन्निभः ॥ ७४ ॥
प्रेमाख्यतद्विजक्षेत्रे दिव्या संकल्पमात्रजा ।
फाल्गुनकृष्णपंचम्यां जज्ञे लक्ष्मीस्तु कंभरा ॥ ७५ ॥
कं सुखं शाश्वतं कार्ष्णं बिभर्तीति हि कंभरा ।
जातमात्रा युवती सा दिव्याऽऽस श्रीस्वरूपिणी ॥ ७६ ॥
पिता विज्ञाय तां श्रीं वै कृष्णार्हा दिव्यचक्षुषा ।
विवाहविधिनाऽऽहूय गोपालं कृष्णमेव ह ॥ ७७ ॥
कंभरां श्रीं ददौ तस्मै कोटिदेवादिसन्निधौ ।
इत्येवं कंभरागोपालौ श्रीकृष्णौ तु दम्पती ॥ ७८ ॥
तापसौ भगवन्तौ तौ दिव्यमूर्ती बभूवतुः ।
साप्तभौमकशोभाढ्ये मन्दिरे स्थापितौ सदा ॥ ७९ ॥He who protects the Earth (Goh) and sustains the King who rules the land is indeed the Lord Gopala Krishna. He remained there in the presence of the King. On the fifth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvina (Ashvina-Krishna-Panchami), at dawn, Lord Gopala Krishna appeared in the house of Nimbadeva at the Kumkum-vapi (the Kumkum well/stepwell). The other jewels from the crown that were released by King Anarta in the land of Saurashtra all took birth in that region as devoted followers of Krishna. In that land, at the Omalaya (sacred abode) in the Shatrunjaya region, there appeared a person named Premamani, possessing a magnificent divine form brilliant like the sun. In the sacred field of that Brahmin named Prema, the goddess Lakshmi herself, named Kambhara, was born through mere divine resolve on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna. She is called Kambhara because she bears the eternal bliss (Kam) related to Krishna. Upon her birth, she immediately appeared as a divine young woman, the very embodiment of Shri (Prosperity). Her father, recognizing through his divine vision that she was Lakshmi(Rukmini) and worthy of Krishna, invited Lord Gopala Krishna for the wedding rites. In the presence of millions of deities and celestial beings, he gave Kambhara (Shri) to Him. Thus, Kambhara and Gopala-Krishna became the divine couple. Those two(Kambhara and Gopala), though appearing as ascetics, possessed divine forms. They were established forever in a temple possessing the grandeur of the seven continents.
• After that both Gopala and Kambhara observed the vow of Purushottama month, pleased by their devotion the Lord Purushottama(presiding deity of Purushottama month),the Supreme Paravasudeva who reside in Goloka as Sri Krishna and Narayana in Vaikuṇṭha the very akshara Brahma himself accompanied by his Sakti Sri Dhama Lakshmi(Parashri) appeared as the son of Kambhara and Gopala, and promised them to reside in the Saurashtra till eternity. He also promised that he would grant moksha to those who observe the vow of the Purushottama month.
एकदा दुन्दुभिस्ताभ्यां तिथ्यष्टम्यां प्रगेऽधिके ।
मासे श्रुतस्त्वश्वपट्टसरोवरान्तिके शुभः ॥ ८० ॥Once, at dawn on the eighth lunar day of an intercalary month (Adhika Maasa), a beautiful and auspicious sound of celestial drums (Dundubhi) was heard by them near the Ashvapatta lake.
शृण्वन्तु मणिकल्ग्याद्यास्तथा श्रीपतिसेवकाः ।
पुरुषोत्तमसंज्ञोऽहं तोषयितुं परेश्वरः ॥ ८१ ॥
अक्षरब्रह्मधामस्थो गोलोकाधिपतिं प्रभुम् ।
वैकुण्ठाधिपतिं चान्यधामाधिपाँश्च केशवान् ॥ ८२ ॥
कृतवान् मलमासं तु निर्मलं मत्स्वरूपिणम् ।
तदस्मिन्नधिके मासे पुरुषोत्तमसंज्ञके ॥ ८३ ॥
एकस्यापि दिनस्यात्र व्रतं कृत्वा व्रती जनः ।
प्राप्नुयात् कृपया मेऽत्र सर्वं मां धाम चापि मे ॥ ८४ ॥
व्रतं त्वद्याऽपरपक्षाऽष्टम्यास्त्वनन्तपुण्यदम् ।
यथेष्टं तत्र दास्येऽहं व्रतार्थिने स्वयं हरिः ॥ ८५ ॥Listen, O Jewel (Nimbadeva), Crest (Mishtadevi), and all you servants of the Lord of Shri! I am known as Purushottama, the Supreme Lord, who brings satisfaction to all. I, who dwell in the Abode of Akshara-Brahman, created the Lords of Goloka, Vaikuntha, and other divine realms. I have made the 'Mala-Maasa' (the 'impure' extra month) into a 'Nirmala' (pure) month, identical to my own form. Therefore, this extra month is named Purushottama Maasa. In this Purushottama month, if a person observes a vow (Vrata) for even a single day, they shall, by My grace, attain everything—including My own divine Abode. The vow observed today, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Aparapaksha-Ashtami), bestows infinite merit. I, Lord Hari Himself, will grant whatever is desired to the one performing this vow.
कंभरया सोपवासं गोपालेनापि निर्जलम् ॥ ८८ ॥
प्रातः संपूजितः सम्यङ् मध्याह्नेऽपि निशि प्रभुः ।
अष्टोत्तरशतसामग्रीभिः श्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ८९ ॥
षट्पंचाशद्भोज्यानि चार्पितानि तथा कृतम् ।
आष्टोत्तरशतवर्तिभिरारार्त्रिकमुज्ज्वलम् ॥ ९० ॥Then, the vow of the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Purushottama month was observed by Kambhara and by Gopala, who observed a complete waterless fast (Nirjala). Lord Purushottama was worshipped thoroughly in the morning, at midday, and at night with 108 types of offerings (ritual materials/articles). Fifty-six varieties of food (Chhappan Bhog) were offered, and a brilliant Aarti (lamp ceremony) was performed using 108 wicks.
लक्षशो दक्षिणा दत्ता रात्रौ नीराजने हरिः ।
आविर्बभूव भगवान् धामस्थः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ९१ ॥
विहसन् हार्दिकं स्नेहं वर्षयन् रञ्जयन्नभौ ।
उवाचाऽस्मि प्रसन्नोऽहं गोलोकेश किमिष्यते ॥ ९२ ॥
श्रीरिव कंभरा लक्ष्मीः किमिच्छति व्रतार्थिनी ।
युवयोर्वसतिस्त्वत्र मदिच्छयैव सर्वथा ॥ ९३ ॥
वर्तते मिषमात्रं तु खट्वांगतप एव ह ।
मुकुटान्मणिकल्ग्योश्च वियोगोऽपि मदिच्छया ॥ ९४ ॥
रासादिकं निमित्तं च सर्वथा वै मदिच्छया ।
तस्माद् वां वरदश्चास्मि वृणुतं तु यथेप्सितम् ॥ ९५ ॥
तदर्थं त्वागतोऽस्म्यत्र साक्षाच्छ्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ।
श्रुत्वैवं भावगर्भं तु हार्दं सर्वपरात्मनः ॥ ९६ ॥
ऊचतुस्तौ प्रणम्यैनं मूलरूपेऽभिचिन्त्य तौ ।
भगवंस्तेऽभिलाषा चेत् कारणं चात्र संस्थितौ ॥ ९७ ॥
आवाभ्यां प्रार्थ्यसे त्वं वै सर्वदाऽत्र स्थिरो भव ।
पुरुषोत्तमसेवायाः सर्वदा लाभ एव नौ ॥ ९८ ॥
अनादिकृष्णयोगस्तु भाग्यहीनस्य दुर्लभः ।
अस्मन्मूलस्वरूपस्त्वं रक्षाऽत्र स्थित एव नौ ॥ ९९ ॥
कृष्णनारायणोऽनादिर्लक्ष्म्या श्रिया प्रसेवितः ।
मुक्तैश्वर्यैः सेवितस्त्वं वसाऽत्र पुरुषोत्तम ॥ १०० ॥Hundreds of thousands (Lakshasho) were given in charity (Dakshina). During the night-time lamp ceremony (Nirajane), the Supreme Lord Purushottama, who dwells in the Eternal Abode, manifested Himself. Smiling and showering heartfelt affection, delighting both (Gopala and Kambhara), He said: "I am pleased. O Lord of Goloka, what do you desire? And what does Lakshmi(Rukmini), in the form of Kambhara, desire as the observer of this vow? Your residence here is entirely by My will alone. The penance of King Khatvanga was merely a pretext (Misha-matram), and even the separation of the Jewel and the Crest-feather from My crown happened only by My will. The divine Rasa-dance and other pastimes were also pretexts; everything happened by My will. Therefore, I am here to grant you boons; choose whatever you desire. For that very purpose, I have come here in person as the manifest Shri Purushottama. Hearing these heartfelt words from the Soul of all souls (Sarvaparatmanah) those two (Gopala and Kambhara), bowing to Him and meditating upon Him as their original Source, said: "O Bhagavan, if Your desire is the cause of our staying here. then we pray to You: please remain here permanently. May we always have the benefit of serving Purushottama. Union with the beginningless Krishna is difficult for the unfortunate to attain. You are our original root form; please stay here and protect us. O Krishna-Narayana, the beginningless One, served by Shri Lakshmi, and worshipped by the liberated souls and divine opulences—O Purushottama, please reside here!
लालनं पालनं चापि क्रीडनं पोषणादिकम् ।
दिव्यस्यापि यथादेशकालानुगुणमेव ते ॥ १०१ ॥
कृत्वा सुखं परानन्दं प्राप्स्यामोऽत्र तव स्थिरम् ।
इत्यभ्यर्थ्य कंभरागोपालौ श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम् ॥ १०२ ॥
नेमतुस्तं कृष्णनारायणं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम् ।
भगवानपि सर्वात्मा तथास्त्वित्यभिधाय च ॥ १०३ ॥
स्वप्रियां धामलक्ष्मीं चाऽऽवेदयन्नेत्रसंज्ञया ।
याऽभिगम्य हरेर्हार्दं तिरोऽभूत् पुरुषोत्तमे ॥ १०४ ॥
सोऽयं परात्परो ब्रह्मपरः श्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ।
बालरूपोऽभवत्तत्र जातमात्रो युवा प्रभुः ॥ १०५ ॥
बभूवतुः प्रसन्नौ कंभरागोपालकृष्णकौ ।
पुत्रो दिव्यो व्रतलभ्यः स्वयं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १०६ ॥
व्रतं निमित्तमात्रं वै कारणं तस्य मानसम् ।
लीलैव कारणं तस्य पुंसस्तु परमस्य वै ॥ १०७ ॥
कृष्णनारायणोऽनादिपुरुषोत्तम एव सः ।
श्रीरमादिपार्षदादिसमैश्वर्यगुणान्वितः ॥ १०८ ॥
स्वेच्छया धर्मरक्षार्थं भक्तिप्रवर्तनाय च ।
प्रादुर्भूतः स्वयं पत्नीव्रतस्वरूप एव सः || १०९ ||
गोलोके यः कृष्णमुखात्पत्नीव्रताभिधो गुणः ।
पातिव्रत्याभिधलक्ष्म्या सहितोऽभूत् प्रकाशितः ॥ ११० ॥Even though You are Divine (transcendental), we shall perform Your caressing, nurturing, playing, and feeding in accordance with the place and time. By doing so, we shall attain permanent supreme bliss here in Your presence." Having prayed thus to Shri Purushottama, Kumbhara and Gopal bowed down to Him—to Krishna-Narayana, the Supreme Purushottama. The Lord, who is the Soul of all beings (Sarvatma), replied, "So be it" (Tathastu). With a mere glance (Netra-sangya), He informed His beloved Dhamalaxmi of His intent. Understanding the heart's desire of Lord Hari, she merged (became unmanifest) into Purushottama. That very Purushottama, who is higher than the highest (Paratparo) and the Supreme Brahman, became a child right there. Though He is the eternally youthful Lord (Yuva Prabhu), He appeared as a newborn.
Kumbhara and Gopalakrishna became immensely pleased, realizing that their divine son, obtained through the merit of their vows, was none other than Shri Purushottama Himself.
The religious vow (Vrata) was merely a pretext (Nimitta); the actual cause was His own Will (Manasam). Indeed, for the Supreme Being, His divine play (Leela) is the only cause of His actions. He is the beginningless Purushottama, Krishna-Narayana Himself, endowed with all the divine glories and attributes equal to Shri Rama and His eternal attendants (Parshadas).
By His own free will, for the protection of Dharma and the spread of Bhakti (devotion), He manifested Himself as the very embodiment of the "Patnivrata" (singularly devoted) form. That quality known as Patnivrata (devotion to the spouse), which originated from the mouth of Shri Krishna in Goloka, has now become manifest, accompanied by Lakshmi in the form of Pativratya (total devotion to the husband).सोऽयं धर्मस्थापनाय स्वयं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ।
पुत्रोऽभवच्छ्रीकृष्णस्याऽधिमासे पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ १११ ॥
देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पाणां वर्षणं ह्यभूत् ।
नृत्यं तत्राऽप्सरसां च गायनं गायकैः कृतम् ॥ ११२ ॥
प्रतिधामनि वासाश्चेश्वरा देवा महर्षयः ।
अवताराश्च तद्देव्यः शक्तयोऽब्जाऽर्बुदान्त्यकाः ॥ ११३ ॥
जयकारेण सहिताः पुपूजुः परमेश्वरम् ।
ब्रह्माण्डेष्वपि सर्वत्र जीवेशाऽवतरादिषु ॥ ११४ ॥
समुत्सवो महानासीदनन्तब्रह्मभोजनम् ।
प्रीणनं तर्पणं सृष्टिप्राणिनां संबभूव ह ॥११५ ॥
कार्तिकाऽधवलाऽष्टम्यां पुनर्वसौ घटीस्थिते ।
सूर्याऽस्तोत्तरघटिकापञ्चके समये गते ॥ ११६ ॥
निशापूर्वपदेऽनादिश्रीकृष्णपुरुषोत्तमः ।
कृष्णनारायणो जज्ञे गोपालकंभराऽऽलये ॥११७ ॥
प्रकाशश्चात्र सर्वत्र परत्रानेकसूर्यवत् ।
तदा जातं इति ज्ञात्वा वेदा विद्याः समस्तुवन् ॥ ११८ ॥
कृष्णस्य वल्लभश्चाति सर्वविद्याधिशेवधिः ।
प्रभालक्ष्मीपार्वतीमाणिकीश्र्यादिपतिः प्रभुः ॥ ११९ ॥
चमत्कारानसंख्यान्दर्शयामास कृपाकरः ।
ऊर्जशुक्लैकादश्यां स प्राप दीक्षोपवीतकम् ॥ १२० ॥To establish Dharma, Shri Purushottama Himself became the son [of the couple] during the Adhimasa (intercalary month), which is also known as the month of Purushottama. Divine kettledrums (Dundubhis) resounded in the sky, and a rain of flowers fell. The celestial nymphs (Apsaras) danced, and the heavenly singers performed songs of praise. Inhabitants of every divine abode—Ishwaras, Devas, Maharishis, various incarnations (Avataras), their respective consorts, and trillions (Abja-Arbuda) of divine energies—all gathered to worship the Supreme Lord with shouts of "Jaya!" (Victory!). Across all universes, among all living beings and presiding deities, a grand festival took place. All creatures in creation were satisfied, nourished, and pleased [by His presence]. During the month of Kartika, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Ashtami), when the moon was in the Punarvasu constellation, five ghatikas (approximately 2 hours) after sunset—at the start of the night—the beginningless Shri Krishna Purushottama, known as Krishna-Narayana, was born in the home of Gopal and Kumbhara. At that moment, a light as brilliant as many suns spread everywhere, both here and beyond. Knowing that He had manifested, the personified Vedas and various branches of knowledge (Vidyas) began to sing His praises. He is the most beloved of Shri Krishna, the storehouse of all supreme knowledge, and the Lord and Master of Prabha, Lakshmi, Maniki, Shri, and other divine energies.
Jay Shri LakshmiNarayana 🙏
Jay Shri RukminiShyam 🙏