කරාවින්දේන (බාලමුකුන්ද ධ්යාන)
कराविन्देन (बालमुकुन्द ध्यान) in Sinhala · සිංහල
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Origin & Story
Opening dhyana verse of the Bala-Mukundashtakam (traditional Vaishnava hymn to the child Krishna) · Traditional (anonymous) · Classical / medieval devotional period
The Bala-Mukundashtakam meditates on Krishna in his infant form, and this opening verse fixes in the mind the celebrated image of the Lord as a child floating on a banyan leaf during cosmic dissolution, sucking his toe. The verse draws on the Puranic vision in which the sage Markandeya beheld the divine child Markandeya-darshana resting on the waters, and it became a treasured dhyana for those who love Krishna as Bala Gopala.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition recounts that sage Markandeya, surviving the cosmic deluge, wandered the endless waters until he beheld a radiant baby resting on a banyan leaf, who drew him within and revealed the whole universe inside his tiny body — the very vision this verse invites every devotee to hold in the heart.
The Mantra
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කරාවින්දේන පාදාරවින්දං මුඛාරවින්දේ විනිවේශයන්තම්. වටස්ය පත්රස්ය පුටේ ශයානං බාලං මුකුන්දං මනසා ස්මරාමි..
Kararavindena padaravindam, Mukharavinde vinivesayantam, Vatasya patrasya pute sayanam, Balam mukundam manasa smarami.
Meaning:मैं अपने मन में उस बाल-मुकुन्द का स्मरण करता हूँ, जो वट के पत्ते के दोने पर लेटे हुए, अपने कमल-जैसे हाथ से अपने कमल-जैसे चरण (अँगूठे) को अपने कमल-मुख में रख रहे हैं।
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting कराविन्देन (बालमुकुन्द ध्यान)
Evokes the sweet vatsalya bhava — loving the Lord as one's own child
Calms and soothes the mind with a single tender image of baby Krishna
A perfect meditation (dhyana) verse to begin Krishna worship or japa
Reminds the devotee that the infinite Lord is also intimately near and approachable
Short and easy to memorise, ideal for daily remembrance and for children
Recalling Mukunda, the giver of liberation, plants the seed of moksha in the heart
How to Chant कराविन्देन (बालमुकुन्द ध्यान)
Close the eyes and picture the tiny Lord reclining on a banyan leaf upon the cosmic waters, his little toe at his lotus mouth. Chant the verse softly, letting the image fill the mind with tenderness. Recite three or eleven times as a dhyana before worship or meditation; many parents also sing it to children, and it can be repeated as gentle japa to quiet the mind before sleep.
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