|| Shri ||

Shri: A sacred invocation used to begin auspicious works, representing the Goddess of prosperity and divine grace.

The Chamatkara Chintamani

original: "Chamatkara Chintamani" — literally 'The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of Wonders,' a famous 14th-century astrological text by Narayana Bhatta.

The Beginning.

The Author’s Auspicious Invocation and the Vow of the Text

Verse.

Salutations to the Lord Ganesha. original: "Shri Ganeshaya Namah" Bowing down to the Cloud-like One Lord Krishna, who wears shining yellow silken garments, and who is embraced by the Moon-faced one Radha just as a dark cloud is embraced by a flash of lightning; I, Narayana, shall now proclaim the Chamatkara Chintamani. || 1 ||

Commentary: He who has donned yellow and excellent garments? that are beautifully adorned—that Krishna-like Moon is embraced by Radha in the form of a lightning bolt. In another sense, Krishna is called the Moon because he is pleasing, and he is called the Cloud original: "Ghana" because he grants the water of mercy to the Chataka-bird-like devotees. Having bowed to such a God who is embraced by the aforementioned Radha, the author named Narayana speaks this book titled Chamatkara Chintamani.

Verse.

I worship Mukunda, whose complexion is dark like a rain-cloud, who at times is filled with the tinkling sound of many small bells, who wears a shimmering yellow garment, and who wanders in the courtyard of Yashoda—He who is unattainable even to the great masters of Yoga. || 2 ||

Commentary: At a certain time, I worship the Lord Mukunda a name for Krishna meaning 'Giver of Liberation', whose feet are ringing with small bells, who has donned a beautiful yellow silk garment Pitambara: a sacred yellow silk cloth worn by deities, and who moves about in the courtyard of the home of Queen Yashoda. He is the Supreme Soul, endowed with the six divine opulences, unattainable even to the greatest of Yogis, and whose color is like that of a dark cloud.