Nandi Ghosh Rath – The Parshvadevatas of Cintamani Krishna

This is written by Abhimanyu Samantsinha, the author of ‘Bidagdha Cintamani,’ in praise of Sri Krishna.

“O Lord, servant of Shesha and others,
You are the sole servant,
The fulfiller of desires,
The compassionate absorber of feelings.”

That is to say, Sri Krishna, served by all the deities like Lord Shesha, fulfills the desires of devotees. Therefore, his epithet is Cintamani, the Wish-Fulfilling Gem. Cintamani is that rare gem which fulfills all wishes of a being. Similarly, whichever form a devotee longs for in Sri Krishna, He shows himself in that form and fulfills the devotee’s wish according to their desire. Therefore, his name is Cintamani. According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Radha wished to reside in Goloka with Dwibhuj Krishna. Therefore, Krishna performs Lila (divine play) with Gopis and Gopas. However, devotees, demons, and Asuras desire liberation through death at the hands of Narayana. This Narayana, the fulfiller of all desires, takes various forms according to the devotee’s wishes. Just as he appeared to Ugrasen –

“Hearing and knowing Ugrasen,
You will bestow grace, O God.
Show the conch and the discus,
My mind will be drawn to you.
The Vedas and scriptures say,
The great Puranas speak of it.
Show your four arms,
Reveal your form, O Lord.
Compassionate towards Bhartya,
Show the conch and the discus.”

Similarly, he appeared to Akrur in the water. Observing this variety, Cintamani Krishna is depicted in this three-fold meter. He holds the flute in two hands and in the other two hands, the conch, discus, mace, lotus, and bow. Two companions stand on either side in the joined-hand mudra (gesture).

Bring home the divine presence of Cintamani Krishna, the wish-fulfilling gem as envisioned by the poet Abhimanyu Samantsinha. This exquisite idol depicts the unique form of Lord Krishna who, as the Parshvadevata of the Nandi Ghosh Rath, reveals Himself according to the devotee’s deepest desires.