Prayer To Krishna Floating On Banyan Leaf At End Of Cycle Of Creation

Vatapatra Shayee – the infant Krishna floating on ficus leaf floating on waters – in Hinduism is a symbolic representation of the only form of life. This form of Bhagavan floats on the waters of mahapralaya or the great deluge that devours the entire creation on earth. Here is a prayer to this form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna –

Kara Aravindena Pada Aravindam
Mukha Aravindena Vinivesayantam
Vatasya Patrasya Pute Sayaanam
Baalam Mukundam Manasa Smaraami

Meaning - I meditate on that Holy child who sleeps on the banyan leaf with His lotus like foot in His lotus – like hand, place in His lotus-like mouth.

The prayer is chanted to overcome fear of death. This symbolic image of Sri Krishna once again reiterates the great Hindu teaching that all that is here is nothing but the Supreme Truth – everything appear and disappear in That, which is without a second.

It is said that the entire cosmos is hidden now in the tiny stomach of Bhagavan who is floating on the waters of the great deluge. The next cycle of creation begins when Bhagavan releases the cosmos.