Shri Mathuranathji is a four-armed dark form of Shri Krishna. Shri Mathuranathji appeared one hundred feet tall from the banks of the Yamuna river in Shri Vallabhacharya’s presence for his bhakta Padmanabhas. He then became small enough to sit on the bhakta master’s lap. Shri Mathranathji was later returned to Shri Vallabhacharya and Shri Vitthalnathji entrusted Him to his eldest son Shree Girdharji, who later presented Him to his youngest son, Shree Gopinathji
Shree Mathuranathji was moved to Rajasthan during Aurangzeb’s reign and today resides in Kotah Rajasthan. Shri Gusainji explained to his disciple, the renounced Brahmin, His form and Lila………
“Then when Shri Krishna becomes a young lad and begins to herd His cows, that form of Shri Krishna is Shri Mathuranathji. One day, Shri Mathuranathji went out with His friends to the Gopis’s homes to steal butter. When He entered Shri Svamini’s home to steal her milk, curds and butter, Shri Svaminiji quietly came in and grabbed the Blessed Lord with two hands and said, “Today I caught you. Now I will bring You before Nanda and Yashoda and tell them all about your stealing.
“At that moment, Shri Mathuranathji manifested two additional arms and with folded hands prayed to shri Swaminiji, ‘I am under your control. Always keep me with you. I hold this conch in my lower right hand because it is the form of your neck. In My other lower hand I hold a lotus because your face is like a lotus. In My upper left hand I hold the mace because it is like the form of your breast. My upper right hand holds the discus. It is like the bells on your belt. The bangles on your wrist, I worship them and put them on my own wrist. Now please release Me.’ When She did, He gave her a taste of His nectar lips. |
