Three Things Parrots In Vrindavana See

“All glories to Kunja-vihari, who playfully announces Madanotsava (Cupid’s festival) with the melodies from His colorfully decorated flute, and whose pastimes are praised by a multitude of male and female parrots.” (Shrila Rupa Gosvami, Shri Kunja-vihary-astakam, 4)

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It’s another example of the miracle of life. Humans can’t understand them fully. It’s a different species, after all. Yet the behavior, the way of learning and adapting, showing signs of love in terms of both paramours and family members, can mesmerize the observing human being.

With the rapidly advancing technology of the modern age home monitoring is not something reserved for only the super wealthy. The average person can keep an eye on what’s going on inside of their house when they are away. What if there is a fire? What if one of the pipes breaks? A quick look at a camera connected to the internet gives reassurance.

Not surprisingly, the same cameras might be used to monitor pets. How is the dog doing? Are the cats okay? The cameras can be mounted outdoors. On a farm far away, in a different state, there are eagles who have created a nest in a tree. The camera is zoomed in on the nest, and every day the owner watches with fascination as the eagles go out to catch food in the morning, coming back to the nest to eat. The parents raise the children and even show a version of tough love by gradually giving more and more responsibility.

In the spiritual land of Vrindavana, the movements of one person are so fascinating that even non-human species stop to watch what is going on. The parrots have a wonderful view, and what they see they discuss with each other.

1. Yashoda’s son playing in the courtyard

The parrots are enraptured by the darling child of mother Yashoda, who is married to the king of the small, rural community called Gokula. The child is named Krishna, which means “all-attractive.” He has this amazingly beautiful bodily complexion, similar to the color of a sapphire jewel.

Krishna is dressed in ornaments, which seem to radiate the effulgence naturally found on the boy. Something as simple as walking in the courtyard is great entertainment for the parrots. The neighboring mothers sometimes gather around, as well. When Krishna holds on to the tail of a cow and gets taken for a ride through the mud, everyone takes delight.

2. Nanda’s son going out to the fields with the calves

The father Nanda gives young Krishna plenty of responsibility. The community relies on cow protection. They farm and they raise cows. No needless killing. They have more than enough food to eat. For entertainment, to keep the mind occupied in the positive direction, they have Krishna.

This wonderful youth doesn’t stand still. He goes out to the fields every day, taking the calves with Him. The neighborhood friends accompany, and everyone has a good time. The parrots notice that sometimes the calves wander here and there. When the situation gets too chaotic, Shri Krishna climbs to the top of Govardhana Hill. He then plays His flute, and everyone takes notice. It is the most beautiful sound ever heard.

3. Yashoda’s darling running away in fear, leaving butter footprints

The parrots see young Krishna tied to a mortar in Yashoda’s courtyard. This is light, almost trivial punishment for having broken a pot of butter in anger. Whilst running away, the darling child left adorable footprints made of butter.

The parrots see Krishna move the mortar to which He is tied through a pair of trees. The trees then fall down and from them emerge two heavenly figures. They immediately begin praising Krishna. This is not surprising, as one of the boy’s many other names is Uttamashloka. The elders arrive afterwards and wonder how the trees could have fallen. More importantly, how did Krishna survive? The parrots and other witnessing living entities know the secret.

These incidents and many more are recorded in sacred texts like the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Vishnu Purana and Hari Vamsha. We can also witness what the parrots see. There is no payment required for this vision. There is no monthly bill to turn on the service. The way to open the door to the Divine light is sincerity. A genuine desire to connect with the author of all things, who is the best friend to everyone always, brings the most amazing, spellbinding vision. What the parrots see cannot be touched by the illusion of the material world, whose engine of reincarnation is fueled by karma, or fruitive activities borne of material desires.

In Closing:

Owners in home camera to place,

So at work to see adorable face.

Of dog, cat or any other pet,

Association from afar to get.

Parrots in Vrindavana same way see,

Son of Yashoda, so adorable is He.

Sometimes on the tail of calf riding,

Pastimes between themselves confiding.

Scriptured

“So, although Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and can see all that is past, present and future, to teach the people in general He used to always refer to the scriptures. For example, in the Bhagavad-gita, although Krishna was speaking as the supreme authority, He still mentioned and quoted Vedanta-sutra as authority.” (The Nectar Of Devotion, Ch 21)

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Friend1: The law is complicated.

Friend2: It is lengthy, as well. Consider how much new legislation passes each year.

Friend1: That’s why court cases aren’t always easily decided.

Friend2: You need good judges.

Friend1: There may be instances where someone is genuinely unsure of what is legal and what is not.

Friend2: Definitely. That’s why you consult the law. You see what it has to say. The idea is to not be biased. Don’t cheat based on your personal sentiment.

Friend1: I guess that’s why they scrutinize the candidates for the bench.

Friend2: Judges need to be fair, impartial, and intelligent.

Friend1: I like how on that one television show they created the word “lawyered.”

Friend2: Wherein someone’s argument is invalidated through citing previous examples or the laws themselves?

Friend1: Yeah. I mean it’s a comedy show, so the use of the word is also humorous.

Friend2: For sure.

Friend1: Are there cases in spiritual life where the right path is not clear?

Friend2: Unclear or unknown?

Friend1: Not clear from the perspective of the individual who is in doubt.

Friend2: Come on, you are really asking that question? The Bhagavad-gita is a shining example.

Friend1: Where Arjuna, the bow-warrior, is not sure how to proceed. The great war is about to commence. Millions have gathered on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This is the culmination of a long struggle, where the aggressor Duryodhana has gotten away with crimes for too long. This dispute over land and sovereignty has gone the distance, with physical conflict the only way to settle the matter.

Friend2: Exactly, and Arjuna is still hesitant. He makes up so many excuses to not fight.

Friend1: Some of them are good, right? Like the one about family traditions withering away with the increase in unwanted population that will surely result from the deaths.

Friend2: The excuse about non-violence. Respecting the elders in the family. Honoring the spiritual guide. Not being attached to enjoying the fruits of victory. Arjuna threw pretty much everything out there.

Friend1: And we know that he ended up going forward. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, convinced him of the validity of the path. Could you say that Arjuna was lawyered?

Friend2: Scriptured would be more like it.

Friend1: Yeah? Even though Krishna is God and He is the one who speaks directly to Arjuna?

Friend2: On the surface it appears like that. The charioteer and friend to Arjuna proved His divine nature by showing the virata-rupa, the universal form. It was a unique vision, something that is terrifying. It would scare anyone straight.

Friend1: That’s what I was thinking.

Friend2: Krishna still cited authority on the relevant points. He didn’t make anything up. Granted, He is the origin of the chain of disciplic succession that teaches the science of self-realization to humble, inquisitive and surrendered souls. Nevertheless, blind faith is not the recommended option.

Friend1: Why is that? What is wrong with Arjuna following just because Krishna says so?

Friend2: Blind faith can be abandoned just as quickly as it is accepted. A sober, rational decision, based on deliberation of principles and laws of the spiritual science has a much stronger foundation, making it more difficult to be broken. It’s a strong resolve.

Friend1: Would it be fair to say that every argument made in favor of material life, to satisfy this desire or that, can be countered by some truth from shastra, or scripture?

Friend2: Yes; every materialist can be scriptured. If they can’t be, then shastra is deficient. We know that is not the case. Sense gratification, renunciation, knowledge, enjoying like animals, atheism, considering God to be impersonal - any conclusion based on mental speculation can be defeated through consulting the law codes that are passed on in written form at present. That is the meaning to Vedic culture, whose origin is Krishna. He is non-different from the Vedas, and one of the purposes of those works is to convince the doubting soul of the need to abandon sense gratification and instead seek the shelter of service to the Divine.

In Closing:

On legal matter sometimes in doubt,

No resolution consulting laws without.

With matter of dharma quandary the same,

Like Arjuna with false arguments came.

Shri Krishna the improper sentiment noted,

Gave truth through Vedic literature quoted.

Since God Himself practice not needed,

But to set example that way proceeded.

How Can All Dharma Be Included In The Chanting Of The Holy Name

“Just as within the earth are found every kind of seed and within the sky live all the stars, Tulsidas knows that Shri Rama’s holy name is the reservoir of all dharma.” (Dohavali, 29)

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Friend1: Dharma is one.

Friend2: Ultimately.

Friend1: Why qualify it? Isn’t dharma an essential characteristic?

Friend2: Yes.

Friend1: And isn’t the essential characteristic of the essential functioning unit of life, the soul, one? I mean to say that dharma doesn’t change from one person to the next.

Friend2: That is true, as well.

Friend1: Then why did you use the word “ultimately.”

Friend2: Well, think about it. Dharma is an essential characteristic. There are many objects in this world. There are also many objectives. Dharma applies across the entire spectrum.

Friend1: So you qualified the statement because eventually there is only one goal: service to the Divine?

Friend2: The rest is temporary, including the body, which is like a place of residence. Meeting the objectives can help the process along. If the results are achieved, they still don’t remain manifest forever. The dharma of the spirit soul never changes.

Friend1: Okay, the reason I’m asking is because I’ve heard something to the effect that chanting the holy names satisfies all dharmas.

Friend2: Yes, there is the verse from the Dohavali of Goswami Tulsidas. He compares the holy name of Rama to the earth and the sky. Within the sky you find all the stars. Within the earth are the seeds necessary to produce food. Food and stars are important, but not as much as the source. Moreover, once you have the earth, you have all the seeds. The same can’t be said in the reverse.

Friend1: Alright, that is a handful to digest. You’ve “planted” quite a lot there.

Friend2: Nice pun.

Friend1: I try. I guess people would request further explanation. How can something simple like a sound vibration be the same as following different ways of life, procedures, rules, regulations, and the like?

Friend2: Well, think about the different dharmas. There is the dharma for the priestly class. There are the rules and regulations that give meaning to the warrior designation, kshatriya. There are dharmas for different stages of life, such as student, married, and renounced.

Friend1: Right.

Friend2: Each one of those dharmas has an accompanying objective. That is why those dharmas exist. There are qualities that come about, like jnana and vairagya.

Friend1: Knowledge and renunciation, which help in progress in spiritual life.

Friend2: Yes, and only in the human species can you get these two things.

Friend1: Are you saying that chanting the holy names brings jnana and vairagya?

Friend2: Absolutely. And to the necessary level; not something extreme just for the sake of gaining fame and attention from an adoring public. Knowledge is embedded in the sacred sound that represents the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Friend1: But knowledge of what?

Friend2: Of what you actually need to know, namely that God is an all-attractive person, separate and distinct from us, but at the same time similar in many ways. It brings knowledge that God the person has different forms and expansions and that the highest living is being constantly engaged in His service.

Friend1: You get all that from a name like Rama or Krishna?

Friend2: Eventually. If you chant the maha-mantra enough: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. You get vairagya automatically by making a routine of chanting. While you are chanting, you are not engaging in harmful activities like meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. You are hopefully curbing material desires.

Friend1: What if the chanting is done impurely?

Friend2: Then keep chanting. Keep hearing the holy name. Eventually purification will come, and once it does you’ll never look back.

Friend1: Alright, but what about the dharmas geared towards the management of society? For instance, how is the holy name going to satisfy the duties of the warrior or the businessman?

Friend2: You can think of those dharmas as a way to stay occupied. Basically, work in a manner that matches your material qualities, gunas. Follow the dharma that corresponds to your nature, and thus remove the guesswork. Be no more in doubt, and at the same time become renounced from the outcome. That is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita.

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.47)

Friend1: Yes, I get it. Do your duty, but don’t be attached to the results. These people are doing their duty, though. If they are attached to the holy name, how will that satisfy their dharma?

Friend2: As I mentioned before, knowledge and renunciation appear simultaneously. Moreover, it is not like everything else is automatically abandoned. A God conscious warrior is better than an ordinary one. The successful businessman can use their wealth to help the mission of God consciousness, thereby increasing the scope of hearing for the holy name. Remember, essentially the same truth was told to Arjuna at the conclusion of his famous discussion with Shri Krishna. Abandon everything and follow Krishna in bhakti. There won’t be any sinful reaction, meaning that the responsibilities coming from other forms of dharma are automatically satisfied.

In Closing:

Following duty vairagya to come,

Doing work, but with attachments none.

Knowledge also from the goal meeting,

But separate endeavor not needing.

Know that dharmas in holy name seated,

So powerful when that sound repeated.

Like Arjuna in bhakti but still proceeding,

Devotion no excuse for justice conceding.

If Varnashrama Is So Great Why Was It Rejected Throughout The World

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.13)

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Friend1: Varnashrama-dharma.

Friend2: In one sense, the clearer definition of what passes today as “Hinduism.”

Friend1: Not the caste system, right?

Friend2: Divisions by quality and work, guna and karma. Janma is not mentioned. There is no reference to jati, either.

Friend1: Reference where?

Friend2: In the Bhagavad-gita. Shri Krishna says that varnashrama comes from Him. He creates the system. It’s completely natural, too.

Friend1: To have divisions?

Friend2: Yes. Look at the successful business. Usually one person is at the top. Then there are salespeople. Others are good at packaging and distributing. There may be programmers, as well. You have strategists. The idea is that everyone works together

Friend1: It is not that every person is equal or suited for the same role.

Friend2: Exactly. Varnashrama is two terms. Varna means “color,” or in this case “occupation.” Ashrama is a spiritual institution. Four divisions of work and four stages of life. Each stage is meant for increased realization of the Divine; hence the use of the word ashrama.

Friend1: Before I forget, what are janma and jati?

Friend2: Janma is birth and jati refers to someone’s caste. Caste is inherited; it gives an idea of a person’s family tree, sort of. If a person’s varna were determined strictly by birth, then the Supreme Lord Krishna would have used that word in the Bhagavad-gita. He would have described caste inheritance, as well.

Friend1: But He didn’t.

Friend2: Right.

Friend1: And what is the purpose of varnashrama-dharma?

Friend2: To keep society well-maintained. Everyone should be happy doing the work they are suited for. There is already equality through the identification as atma, or spirit. One atma is not greater than another. Especially in the material world, every person is suffering the same. Birth itself is considered a tragic event.

Friend1: Because it means that there was death in the previous lifetime, and consciousness wasn’t completely pure.

Friend2: Exactly. Since the consciousness while quitting the body determines the next kind of existence:

“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.6)

Friend1: Alright, we can discuss this topic almost endlessly, so I better get my question in before I forget. If varnashrama-dharma, in its pure form, is so wonderful, why is it basically extinct today?

Friend2: What makes you think it doesn’t exist? Are there not doctors? Are there not lawyers? Are there not administrators?

Friend1: I see what you are saying, that the divisions are still there, even if they don’t have a formal name. But it is not necessarily true that everyone is doing the work that best suits them. There are the concepts of equality and upward mobility.

Friend2: I understand. The divisions will always be there, as that is one result to gunas, or material qualities. If you’re referring to the pure form, where there are legitimate brahmanas at the head, acting as the brains of the society as compared to a body, then you are correct.

Friend1: It’s not around anymore. If we study history, we see that the divisions were rejected by the people, sometimes in bloody rebellions. There is the famous line from Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, saying, “Let them eat cake.” The people were so angry at her elitism that they overthrew the government.

Friend2: Just so I understand the argument, you’re saying that the unhappiness of the people living in these systems reveals some sort of flaw in varnashrama?

Friend1: I understand that it comes from God. It’s the way to manage society. But how come it is not around anymore? That’s the real question.

Friend2: In the examples you gave, though there were kings and landowners and laborers, the system still wasn’t pure. There shouldn’t be exploitation. It is not that I think I am better than everyone else because I am a brahmana. We are all working together. That is the real aim.

Friend1: Working for what, though? If it’s sense gratification, then surely the kings enjoy more than the peasants. The landowners don’t work as hard physically as the laborers they hire.

Friend2: I am so glad you mentioned that. Varnashrama is meant for limiting sense gratification. It is for purifying desires. Do your work, but don’t be attached to the results.

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.47)

Friend1: In these more recent examples, the flaw was sense gratification, then?

Friend2: Godlessness. Varnashrama should create a progressive march towards enlightenment. Think about that for a second. You can be working in the fields, picking crops, and be totally detached. You can be focused on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He makes the promise that every kind of person is eligible for liberation, even those not at the top of the chain in terms of occupation:

“O son of Pritha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth - women, vaishyas [merchants], as well as shudras [workers] - can approach the supreme destination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.32)

Friend1: If implemented properly, varnashrama would make people happy?

Friend2: How could it not? You have a job. You know what you are working for. There is no doubt. There is no hesitation. You know that you are pleasing God with your work. If it wasn’t a great way to manage society, Krishna wouldn’t have given it to us. Regardless, the opportunity to serve is always there. Even if there isn’t good government, if the people are generally unhappy and envious, you can still chant the holy names and find liberation: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Of varnashrama’s glories we’re told,

But today nowhere to behold.

By people everywhere rejected,

So what gain from it expected?

Godless the key ingredient lacking,

Sense desire at core attacking.

Everyone progressing in implementation ideal,

Why Shri Krishna providing first system real.

Four Ways The Acharyas Save Us Time

“The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, tongue, and nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.9)

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The acharya is the spiritual teacher who leads by example. They set a standard that others can emulate. Removing the guesswork, they show a way to confidently live life. No more speculating. No more remaining in the dark.

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”  (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

The acharya leads through their actions and they teach through their words. They have at their disposal many lifetimes’ worth of experience. The mistakes that are common, they can be avoided. Just accept the information through the descending process. No need to experience for yourself. For the most important aspects of life, the acharyas save us so much time.

1. They tell us about the soul

A person born in a race that is considered a minority group in the area might not see any issues until they reach adulthood. Then they realize the discrimination that they and their ancestors have faced for many generations. Anger is a natural result. So is resentment. The thought is that everyone is equal at the core, so why should there be prejudice?

Another person realizes that since they have so much affection for their dog, why not extend the same to other animals? After all, the cow loves its children just as much as the human being does. Milk is the product of love and nothing else. Why should certain animals be mercilessly killed, while others are spared? Can’t a human being live off of milk, fruits, grains and water?

The acharya reveals the true identity of the individual. This saves valuable time since the complete definition is brought forward. Not only is every animal equal on the inside, but the properties are the same across all living things. The animating spark within is known as atma, or spirit soul.

“For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.20)

The soul does not die. It never comes into being, either. The wise person sees with an equal vision, sama-darshana. They apply this to the cow, the dog, the ant, the elephant, the tiger, and the human being. In fact, everything that is living is known to have spirit soul inside.

2. They tell us about the changing of bodies

What explains the difference in behavior? Why do we treat a tiger differently than we do a cat? Coupled with knowledge of the soul is information about what covers it. Matter. Taken collectively in a temporary manifestation that matter becomes known as the body.

The distinction is between individual, purusha, and matter, prakriti. That is at the core of spiritual life. Any kind of religion lacking this information is based more on sentiment. Any attempt made towards understanding the Almighty is a step in the right direction, but only jnana, or knowledge, saves valuable time.

This is because the human being has a higher potential for intelligence. One aspect of intelligence is inquiry. The experience through life can be summed up as a series of questions and answers. The questions start from the very beginning, as the child constantly asks the parents, “What is this, what is that.” The acharya saves us so much time by giving the proper answer to what everything that we see is, namely a spirit-matter combination.

The individual within doesn’t change, but matter does. It is constantly shifting, through the passage of time. Within that timespan attachments are formed, with happiness and sadness accompanying. The body changes, starting from youth and ending in old age, but the spirit within is constant.

3. They tell us about life and death

Two events are closely related. One typically brings great sadness, and the other tremendous heartache. One is a gain and the other a loss. Interestingly, the first event guarantees the second.

“For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.27)

The acharya reveals the secret behind the most puzzling issues: life and death. Why do people have to die? If death is guaranteed, why did we take birth in the first place? Philosophers have been searching for answers for centuries. Mental speculation doesn’t reach a certain conclusion, since one person’s attempt is as good as another’s. It is something like trying to guess what is on the walls while sitting in a dark room. Only when the light turns on is there clarity.

The acharya is like that light, bringing the Divine light, in fact. They say that death is nothing more than the final change of body, where the set of material elements is discarded in favor of another. The subtle elements of mind, intelligence and false ego accompany the spirit soul to the next life, where another type of body develops.

In this way death is not something to be lamented. Birth is caused by material desire. It follows death, which is a kind of escape or exit. We took birth in this life because we died in the previous one. The acharya doesn’t rely on mental speculation. They quote the highest authority that is Shri Krishna, who presents these spotless teachings in an easier to understand format. It is a conversation, which is recorded and passed on to future generations in the book known as the Bhagavad-gita.

4. They tell us that sense gratification will not make us happy

Birth follows death, but when was the original birth? Why are we forced to accept a material body? The answer is desire, namely material desire. As long as that remains, birth and death continue.

To this end the acharya reveals an eye-opening truth that everyone eventually realizes to some extent. Sense gratification will not make us happy. The meaning is that varieties of experiences in eating, sleeping, mating and defending will do nothing for our long-term satisfaction, shreyas. Preyas, or short-term interest, may be met in this way, but in the end we will be left wanting more.

The acharya shows the way of bhakti, or devotion. This is like karma, or fruitive work. The enjoyment may seem like kama, or sense gratification, but when practiced properly the first objective is satisfying God’s senses. Since He is the master of all senses, Hrishikesha, His happiness becomes our happiness.

Bhakti simultaneously burns away the future created through karma. This means that if there is pure consciousness of God by the time death arrives, rebirth will stop. More than just securing the best afterlife, there is true enjoyment even within a material existence. It is impossible to reach this conclusion on our own. The genuine spiritual leaders are sent from above to save us from wasting even more time in future births.

In Closing:

At birth hourglass sand like falling,

Death the end eventually befalling.

Time thus a premium to take,

Best use from acharyas to make.

Who of spirit-body difference explaining,

And pleasure of sense gratification waning.

That life for service in devotion meant,

Time best in that engagement spent.

Four Names Arjuna Is Addressed By In The Bhagavad-gita

“O Dhananjaya, rid yourself of all fruitive activities by devotional service, and surrender fully to that consciousness. Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.49)

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Coming and going. Here and there. Moving to that place, but staying in the place of residence simultaneously. Travelling to the heavenly region to pick a flower for His beloved. Incarnating in a specific form to do away with a really evil character. Wearing certain things at certain times of the day. Interacting with these people, increasing their pleasure in a certain way.

As God is comprehensive in His actions and visual manifestations, one name doesn’t suffice for Him. Sure, there is the Sanskrit word Bhagavan, which indicates possession of every fortune simultaneously and to the fullest extent. There is Krishna, who is the all-attractive one.

Even that specific manifestation, which is considered the original, has so many other names. Not meant as a way to confuse people, each name has a specific meaning, making God appealing to every kind of person. As Govinda He gives pleasure to the cows. As Gopala He gives protection to the cows. As Yashoda-nandana He gives delight to the loving mother. As Radhanatha He is the reason for living, the everything, for the purely devoted Shrimati Radharani.

As the Almighty is a distinct individual with names, forms and characteristics, so those who are devoted to Him have their own tales related to service to Him. One of the most famous servants is Arjuna, the bow-warrior who heard the Bhagavad-gita from Shri Krishna. In that conversation Arjuna was addressed by several names.

1. Kuru-nandana

Arjuna gave delight to the Kuru dynasty. He made the family proud through his tremendous fighting prowess. Peace doesn’t come through talks or summits. It is not won through hope. There are bad people out there. They have been around since the beginning of time. Bad here means willing to violate property and life that doesn’t belong to them.

To stop the rise in power of the bad a strong fighting force is required. The kshatriyas fit the role, as the very word means “one who protects from injury.” Arjuna was the best at offering this protection, and he had proven himself on many occasions. Everyone saw his marksmanship firsthand when he won the contest to determine the husband for the princess Draupadi. The requirement was to pierce the eye of a fish through a hole, without looking at the fish directly. There was a reflection in a water pot. Only Arjuna had the ability to shoot with such precision.

2. Gudakesha

This name means “one who conquers sleep.” Sleep in this sense also refers to ignorance, as excessive sleeping falls in the category of tamo-guna. As far as human life goes, tamo-guna is the worst way to live. It is like going backwards; making your life worse for no reason. Think excessive drug addiction. Think blackout drunk or sleeping for days. The result of maintaining this style of living is birth in an animal species in the next life.

“When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when he dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 14.15)

To conquer over ignorance is quite difficult, as in a material existence a person is always vulnerable. Even if advancing to the modes of passion and ignorance, liberation isn’t guaranteed. Therefore the chance for falling victim to ignorance remains.

Arjuna was Gudakesha because he always thought of Krishna. There was apparent ignorance at the start of the Bhagavad-gita conversation, where Arjuna was hesitant to commence hostilities with the opposing side, which were the aggressors. They had wronged the innocent party that were the Pandavas. Arjuna represented the Pandavas and was set to deliver justice in the proper way.

That ignorance was actually due to the Lord’s personal energy, yogamaya. Without asking questions, how would the amazing wisdom be put forth? Answers are the result of questions, and to ask the right things of Krishna, the adi-guru, Arjuna had to temporarily show doubt and hesitation.

3. Dhananjaya

This name means “conqueror of wealth.” The kshatriya class is the equivalent of the royal family, but with meaning. Arjuna’s elder brother Yudhishthira was the king, and one time he asked Arjuna to bring some wealth for performing a sacrifice. In a yajna various items are sacrificed at the altar. This was an ancient time period when the yajnas were grand in scale.

Arjuna found a huge quantity of gold in a mountain. The gold amassed in that location because of brahmanas, members of the priestly class. They have the spirit of renunciation, as they are focused on spiritual life and helping others to perform their prescribed duties. The brahmanas lived on charity, and one time they received plates made of gold from a king. After using the plates one time, they were discarded. Arjuna collected these golden plates and Yudhishthira was able to convert them into the wealth necessary for conducting the sacrifice.

4. Partha

This is a name for Arjuna, but it can be used for Yudhishthira and Bhima, also. Partha means “the son of Pritha.” Pritha is another name for Kunti Devi, who was the queen to the king Pandu. Pandu also had another wife named Madri, and the five children collectively became known as the Pandavas.

“I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.” (Kunti Devi, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.25)

Of the many other names for Arjuna, Partha is quite significant and endearing to Shri Krishna. This is because Kunti Devi was a great devotee. She suffered so much as a wife and mother, but never lost hope. She didn’t think that because bad fortune came her way that it was somehow an indication that God didn’t exist. She knew the influence of time and also the dual-purpose to events and the ups and downs in life. Later on she even prayed to have those calamities befall her again, for it allowed her to remember Krishna.

In Closing:

God through many names known,

Same for Arjuna in Gita shown.

To Kuru dynasty giving delight,

Expert shooter not needing direct sight.

Gudakesha since conquering over sleep,

Dhananjaya since finding gold in a heap.

Partha from Kunti’s womb appearing,

Who authoring prayers most endearing.

Two Reasons A Person Might Not Worship Vishnu

“Because the Lord does not give blessings of material opulence to His devotee, people are afraid of worshiping Lord Vishnu because they see that the Vaishnavas, who are worshipers of Lord Vishnu, are poor in superficial material opulences.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.22.36 Purport)

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For a person fortunate enough to grow up in Vedic culture, there are many options with respect to spiritual life. It is not a singular path, with no room for trial and error, experimentation, or doubts. For as many desires as the mind can conjure up, that many kinds of religious paths, or dharmas, exist.

Those who are familiar with the material nature and its inhibiting effect on the otherwise spotless spirit soul directly seek the shelter of the origin of everything. In the ultimate feature that origin is personal, i.e. it is an individual, separate and distinct from every other individual. There is equality in terms of the constitutional makeup, but there is still a gulf of difference in ability and potency, with the most striking difference being the need for worship.

God is the worshipable and the living entities are the ones who worship. Knowing things as they are, the akama worshipers tend to gravitate towards Lord Vishnu. This is one manifestation of the Supreme, appearing opulently adorned, having a blue complexion with four hands. With many other established divine figures in a material existence, there are several reasons why a person wouldn’t be so inclined to approach Vishnu in the beginning of their spiritual endeavors.

1. He does not give blessings of material opulence

Who isn’t after money? Even those who aren’t actively working to increase their bank balance wouldn’t mind if wealth suddenly fell in their lap. After all, money means security. Security hopefully means peace of mind, which then paves the way towards happiness.

“O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me - the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.16)

Shri Krishna, which is the beautiful, two-handed form of God, essentially identical to Vishnu, explains in the Bhagavad-gita that four kinds of people approach Him initially. Included in the group are those seeking wealth, artharthi.

It is understandable to desire increased material opulence, and though this is one group that approaches God the person, typically other options are tried first. There is personal effort, or paurusham. In spiritual life other divine figures are known to give opulence more quickly. One of Lord Shiva’s names is Ashutosha, which means “easily pleased.” He will even give out opulence to people of the worst character. It is something like the retail outlet selling its products to anyone who provides sufficient payment; character judgments are not made.

Vishnu is not known for giving blessings of material opulence. He assesses the requests made to Him and takes into consideration the future impact. The impact is in terms of attachment to the material nature, which is also known as maya, or illusion. Often the case is that more money means more attachments, which means more birth and death. Vishnu is also known as Mukunda, or the giver of liberation, so He will respond in such a way that the devotee’s spiritual wellbeing increases.

2. His devotees are often poor

Let’s say I am on the fence. I’m not sure which religion to try. I am into Vedic culture, but there are so many sects. On one side I see people worshiping a goddess seated on a lotus flower. The same people also regularly worship an adorable elephant-like deity. I’m told that the goddess gives material opulence and the elephant-person removes obstacles from the path of success.

Another group worships the aforementioned Vishnu. They are not too well off materially. In fact, the priests performing the worship are stick-like; they are so skinny. They are known to be poor, and the worshipers aren’t necessarily the wealthiest people around.

Seeing the two groups, which one will I choose? Why would I voluntarily seek poverty and destitution? This same question came into the mind of a devotee of Lord Shiva a long time back. He sought a touchstone from Sanatana Goswami, a noted spiritual figure who was dedicated to worshiping Krishna. Sanatana Goswami had possession of the touchstone but cast it aside. The Shiva worshiper learned the whereabouts of the touchstone but then stopped in his tracks. He wondered why Sanatana Goswami, who was living as a renounced mendicant, would have given up something so valuable.

The highest wealth is devotion to God the person. Vishnu is the husband of the goddess of fortune, after all. So it is not like Vishnu worshipers are left with nothing. Lakshmi Devi provides to them whatever they need, but only for continuing in the life of devotion. If too much wealth is a hindrance, then objects will be taken away. This is one of the reasons Vishnu is also known as Hari.

Sometimes wealth will come, as in the case of Sudama Vipra, but whatever the judgment the outcome will always be positive for the worshiper. The ten-headed king of Lanka pleased Ashutosha and got tremendous material opulence, but in the end he lost everything in a most undesirable way due to his sinful nature. Protection for the future was not guaranteed, but with Vishnu no effort in worship ever goes to waste.

In Closing:

On one side opulences abound,

The other poverty is found.

So why in that path to waste?

Better now for riches to taste.

But kinder when applying discrimination,

For Ravana-like eventual obliteration.

Vishnu for future welfare considering,

Best outcome for devotees delivering.