Four Reasons Krishna’s Form Is More Attractive Than The Virata-Rupa

“Your mind has been perturbed upon seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. My devotee, be free from all disturbance. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.49)

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The virata-rupa is the universal form. It is a divine vision, produced only by the Divine. It is something like placing everything that exists into a single image. The time factor is also accounted for. With the unique version displayed on the battlefield of Kurukshetra to the bow-warrior Arjuna, the outcome to the impending war was shown. Practically all the soldiers, with the exception of Arjuna and his brothers, were seen rushing into the many mouths of Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

“All the sons of Dhritarashtra along with their allied kings, and Bhishma, Drona and Karna, and all our soldiers are rushing into Your mouths, their heads smashed by Your fearful teeth. I see that some are being crushed between Your teeth as well.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.26-27)

The vision came at Arjuna’s request. The proof was there previously. Markandeya Rishi informed the Pandava brothers that Krishna is none other than Narayana, who is the lone person surviving the universal dissolution. This is because Narayana, who is also known as Vishnu, never takes birth and never dies. He is aja, or unborn. His existence is ananta, or unlimited. We are similar in quality, except during our existence we can become subject to illusion that is found in the material world.

The universal form was awesome to behold, but Arjuna soon requested Krishna to transform back into His two-handed form. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for the devotees this form is more attractive than anything, including a vision of everything that exists.

1. There is potential for interaction

Imagine being at a museum. There is the most amazing exhibit in the world. It is more mind blowing than a painting. It is like a three dimensional sculpture, but not static. It is something like a GIF image, which has motion.

As great as the experience is, there is no interaction. Simply not possible. The limit is appreciation, viewing in awe and reverence. With Krishna, or God the person, there is endless space for interaction. The battlefield of Kurukshetra is one example. It featured three different moods within a short period of time. Krishna and Arjuna were friends. They were also in a task relationship, where Krishna served at Arjuna’s direction. The singing of the Bhagavad-gita is the time when Krishna became guru and Arjuna disciple.

2. The flute can create a most amazing sound

The two-handed form is not without paraphernalia. In one hand Krishna holds His flute. This object is always with Him, throughout the different manifestations. In His earlier years in Vrindavana, the child Krishna plays on the flute when the cows wander astray. The darling son of Yashoda places His lotus feet on the sacred Govardhana Hill and produces an enchanting sound to catch everyone’s attention.

3. The clothes bring to mind the love of mother Yashoda

The virata-rupa creates fear, as it makes the observer feel very small. So much more is going on simultaneously in the three worlds. The individual is limited in their sphere of influence. Only the local space. A world leader can wield more power, but they still can’t leave the temporary body and read the minds of every other person.

The clothes on Krishna create a loving sentiment. Upon seeing the garments for a split second the person familiar with the life and pastimes of Krishna immediately remembers the affection shown by mother Yashoda in Vrindavana. She dresses Him every single day. The clothes and ornaments receive the benediction of getting an enhanced stature due to association with Krishna. The paraphernalia is so important that the sighting of a single peacock feather can stir so many ecstatic emotions.

4. The smile removes pride

Under the influence of ahankara, or false ego, there is pride in the ability to influence outcomes. The truth is that the three modes of material nature must first cooperate in order for any result to manifest. This swelling of pride is a great hindrance towards advancement in spiritual life. The more one is attached to their temporary body and the abilities that come with it, the more likely they are to continue in the cycle of birth and death.

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

In the two-handed form, Shri Krishna’s smile alone can remove pride. The virata-rupa brings fear, but it does not necessarily purify the consciousness. The smile is part of Krishna’s all-attractiveness, and the more one is drawn to that well-wisher of Arjuna and the Pandavas, the more progress they make towards the ultimate goal of liberation.

In Closing:

From natural effulgence beaming bright,

That virata-rupa an amazing sight.

But Arjuna desiring Krishna again,

Who happily transformed then.

Two-handed, holding the flute,

Tearing out pride by the root.

Endless room for interaction the chance,

Bliss from a single ornament a glance.

Three Asuras Who Were Successful Worshipers Of Lord Shiva

“Narada could understand the plan of the demon, and he advised him, ‘You had better worship Lord Shiva; then you will quickly get the desired result. Lord Shiva is very quickly satisfied and very quickly dissatisfied also. So you try to satisfy Lord Shiva.’ Narada also cited instances wherein demons like Ravana and Banasura were enriched with great opulences simply by satisfying Lord Shiva with prayers.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 2, Ch 33)

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He is known as Ashutosha. This means that Lord Shiva is easily pleased. It doesn’t take much to get benedictions from him. If there is a strong hankering for something, wanting it delivered quickly, Mahadeva is the person to approach.

The wise take note, however. They understand that if something can arrive quickly, it can vanish in the same amount of time. Material desires are known to increase the more they are indulged; something like trying to put out a fire by giving it more fuel. The intensity of the fire will only increase.

Lord Shiva does not discriminate. He accepts the requests of any person. In this regard even asuras, people of bad character, have worshiped him. The end result was not always as expected, however.

1. Vrikasura

This bad character requested to know which of the three presiding deities of creation should be approached for fulfilling a desire. Vrikasura had the good fortune of bringing his question to Narada Muni, who is a travelling devotee of Vishnu. Narada easily could have told the asura to follow the same path, to take up devotion to Vishnu, who is God the person.

Instead, Narada directed him to Lord Shiva. It was understood that there was a material desire, and in this case the fulfillment of that desire would increase the glories of Vishnu. Vrikasura next underwent tremendous austerities, close to the point of sacrificing himself in a fire. Lord Shiva finally appeared on the scene, being pleased with the worship. Vrikasura asked for the benediction that he be able to kill anyone simply by placing his hand on their head. Request granted.

A good person would be appreciative upon receiving such an amazing ability. After all, it didn’t come about through personal effort. Someone else had to grant the favor. The someone else in this case was Lord Shiva, who is always to be respected. The ungrateful Vrikasura then proceeded to chase after Shiva, hoping to touch his head, kill him, and take his beautiful wife, Parvati Devi.

2. Banasura

This is the famous asura with one thousand hands. He pleased Lord Shiva one time and received tremendous fighting prowess as a result. Despite ruling over a city and having the demigods live in fear of him, Banasura was not satisfied. He approached Lord Shiva and asked to get a worthy adversary with whom to engage in combat. Lord Shiva then chastised him, saying that such a swelling of the pride would bring about his doom. A person with such benedictions should be living peacefully, but instead the asura personally invited danger.

3. Ravana

Ravana was an asura in spirit, being against God at the core. This wicked character in the body of a Rakshasa got his name from Shiva. The son of Vishrava created such a terrifying scream one time that Mahadeva gave him the name Ravana. This was after the Rakshasa tried to agitate Lord Shiva. Essentially, Ravana’s respect and worship came after being defeated by Mahadeva.

The common bond shared between these three infamous asuras is that they each ended up finding defeat at the hands of Lord Vishnu. Brahma creates, Vishnu maintains, and Shiva destroys. But Vishnu is not a demigod. He is the deva deva, or the god of the gods. He is not as easily pleased, since He has no interest in giving material benedictions to worshipers. He is known as Mukunda, which means the giver of mukti, or liberation. Even when Mahadeva gives liberation, it is through the vehicle of one of Vishnu’s names: Rama. Vishnu uses discrimination with the requests of the devotees, since His desire is to free them of material desires.

In the case of Vrikasura, while chasing after Lord Shiva there was intervention by Vishnu, who appeared in the guise of a holy man. In a funny scene, Vishnu said some negative words about Mahadeva, about how the great god could not be trusted. He asked Vrikasura to test the boon on his own head, as the disguised Vishnu said He did not believe such a power could exist. Sure enough, Vrikasura touched his own head and died as a result.

In the case of Banasura the equal in terms of fighting ability arrived in the form of Lord Krishna, who is non-different from Vishnu. In the great struggle Lord Shiva was called upon to help, but even that didn’t work. Krishna emerged victorious, and as a favor to Shiva He didn’t kill Banasura. The arms were lopped off, however, leaving Banasura with only four.

In the case of Ravana there was the famous fight with Lord Rama, another incarnation of Vishnu. Ravana had ten heads, twenty arms, a huge army of very capable Rakshasas, and an island kingdom that was far away from land. None of those things were able to protect him from the wrath of Rama, who arrived to take back His beautiful and innocent wife Sita.

It is interesting to note that both Ravana and Banasura had previously tried to win the hand of Sita, during the svayamvara arranged by her father, King Janaka of Mithila. The contest was simple. Lift a heavy bow and win Sita as a wife. Neither Ravana nor Banasura could even move the bow.

This bow originally belonged to Lord Shiva. This means that their great benefactor could not help them in the contest. They had material strength, but something else was required in this special case. Sita Devi is an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, who is the wife of Lord Vishnu. Only Vishnu could win the contest, which He did in the form of Rama. The benedictions offered by Shiva were only good in a material existence, but when faced against the Divine will they were no match.

In Closing:

As Ashutosha Mahadeva is known,

Quickly favor to worshipers shown.

Those of bad character advantage taking,

Worship only in short term making.

Like Banasura and Ravana with power much,

And demon to kill with hand to touch.

Each match against Vishnu finally met,

Sufficient help from nowhere to get.

Five Reasons A Materialist Should Worship Vishnu

“Victory is always with persons like the sons of Pandu because Lord Krishna is associated with them. And whenever and wherever the Lord is present, the goddess of fortune is also there because the goddess of fortune never lives alone without her husband. Therefore, victory and fortune were awaiting Arjuna, as indicated by the transcendental sound produced by the conchshell of Vishnu, or Lord Krishna.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 1.14 Purport)

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The spiritual guide says that renunciation is the key. The Sanskrit word is vairagya. This means the absence of attachment. A teacher is required because otherwise seeing the benefit of giving up the pursuit to gather stuff is not so easy. The idea is that there will be more happiness when there is less to think about. More stuff essentially results in more problems.

I’ve heard the advice. I’ve accepted it. I understand its validity. There is one problem, though. I can’t shake my material desires. I want money. I think I will be happier as a result. If I earn a certain amount, I can breathe easier. As much as I hate to admit it, I like fame. I prefer to have people say nice things about me. I enjoy wearing new clothes. I want a big, spacious house.

In Vedic culture there are so many options for worship. There are different paths a person can follow, as well. Even in this situation, where I can’t get rid of material desires, the wise choice is to worship Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the personal side to the Divine; He is God the person instead of God the energy or God the abstract. While usually the object of worship for those who have renounced material desires, Vishnu is fit to be honored by every kind of person.

1. He is the most opulent

Another name for Vishnu is Bhagavan. This Sanskrit word refers to a person who possesses every fortune, to the fullest extent and simultaneously. One of those fortunes is aishvarya, which is opulence. Vishnu is essentially the wealthiest person in the world. This is because He owns the entire universe, which He creates by merely exhaling.

“The gigantic form of the Maha-Vishnu is the source of generation for innumerable universes. Innumerable universes are coming out of His exhaling breath, and the same universes are going back in with His inhaling breath.” (The Nectar Of Devotion, Ch 23)

If I seek wealth, it makes sense to approach someone who has the most of it. Vishnu is a Divine figure, which means that He can be worshiped. Just maybe He will be kind of enough to give me benedictions. Perhaps those benedictions will include some of the fortune that He possesses.

2. He is married to Lakshmi Devi

Another word to describe Vishnu is atmarama. This refers to a person who is satisfied in the self. He doesn’t require anyone’s association to feel happy. Still, Vishnu is not alone. He is married to Lakshmi, who is known as the goddess of fortune.

The aishvarya of Bhagavan is shared with others through the favor of Lakshmi Devi. Essentially, God is married to fortune personified. It is through her that amazing wealth can be bestowed on those who are chosen to receive it.

3. His association is purifying

You go to the store. You want to purchase a specific item. You make the required payment. You then leave the store with the item. That is the extent to the interaction. The nature of the store doesn’t really matter. It is a business transaction, after all. The store owner doesn’t ask how you will use the specific item. There are no character judgments made.

By approaching Vishnu to satisfy material desires, there is a purifying effect. It occurs through the association alone. Other kinds of worship do not have the same benefit. It is for this reason that asuras, those of bad character, will worship other devas, or gods, first. They will stay away from Vishnu; lest their nature be changed.

4. He might say “no”

This is one way that Vishnu purifies. I may desperately want this brand new car. I’ve had my eye on it for a while now. It travels swiftly. You will be driving over seventy miles per hour and on the inside it feels as if you are driving thirty.

Interaction with other devas is like visiting the store. The lone requirement is the ability to pay. With Vishnu the requests are assessed. If the car that I want will bring me great harm in the future, Vishnu will say “no.” Even if I have worshiped properly, done tremendous austerities and the like, there is no guarantee that I will get what I want.

5. He looks after the devotees the more pure they become

The assessments are made in terms of the impact on devotional life. With Vishnu the worship continues, because it is the worship that brings tremendous joy. Vishnu is all-opulent, and in His original form of Krishna He is all-attractive. The joy from worshiping God the person is more than the fulfillment of any material desire can bring.

“But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form - to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.22)

Vishnu grants or denies requests to the devotee and then looks after them. He supports the devotional life, and so He might take away things that obstruct. The devotee may not be happy with the results at first, but if they stay on the path then soon their material desires and every other unwanted experience will vanish, clearing the path for the blissful devotional life.

In Closing:

For higher benedictions to earn,

In which spiritual direction to turn?

With many devas plentiful a test,

But Vishnu worship considered the best.

Created world, by His expansion carried,

And to goddess of fortune married.

The requests for impact assessing,

Discrimination most wonderful blessing.

Four Worlds To Which The Mind Can Escape

“Sometimes the sakhas would take care of the cows who were going hither and thither. They would tell Krishna, ‘Your cows were going off here and there,’ and Krishna would thank them.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 32)

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Feeling bored? Just got through something major and now there is nothing to occupy the time? How should the days be passed? What will stir the passions? Fortunately, there are different worlds to which the mind can escape. Attachments can be formed instantly, leading to both happiness and sadness.

1. Workplace drama

You were away on vacation for two weeks. It was lovely. No meeting anyone at work. No dealing with the pressure of deadlines. No having to tolerate the irrationality of your bosses and clients.

But now you are back. Already, on day one, you are upset. People in the office inform you of what others have said about you. There were some derogatory comments made. Another group is fighting amongst themselves. One person has a pressing matter that won’t be resolved until next week.

2. Television shows

You are so upset at how this particular show ended. The drama unfolded over nine years. It is the first show, in fact, that you followed from beginning to end. You watched every episode as it first aired, not having to catch up in syndication. You can’t believe what the writers did to the main character’s wife, a person he met after so much struggle. It’s going to take a few days to get over this.

3. Sports

You are depressed today. Your favorite team lost last night, in dramatic fashion. Their season is officially over. They came so close to pulling off the comeback, only to fall short in overtime of game seven. Last year around this same time you were elated since that team won the championship for the first time in forty years. Funny how life works. The joy didn’t last. You should still be happy, but you are not. You wanted more. You wanted the team to repeat. Now you have to wait until next year.

4. Krishna’s lila

There is this adorable child living in the home of mother Yashoda and her husband Nanda. He is cute, but not the most well-behaved. He likes to travel to the homes of the neighbors. He is the most attractive home intruder in history. He enters with a purpose: to steal butter. His mother has plenty in the home. His father is the leader of the community, known as Gokula.

Still, Krishna makes elaborate plots. The neighborhood mothers have learned. They now anticipate His arrival. To keep their stock safe, they put the butter high up in the cupboard. Krishna manages to succeed anyway. He brings His friends, and they stack different items together to be able to climb high.

As He gets a little older, Krishna goes out to the fields with His friends. They are in charge of the calves, as in Gokula cow protection is very important. The cows love Krishna so much that they immediately produce milk upon visual contact. One look at the darling child and everyone is enamored.

The bluish complexion isn’t the only attractive aspect to Krishna. He produces amazing sounds, as well. When the cows scatter here and there, almost out of control, Yashoda’s son climbs to the top of Govardhana Hill and plays His flute. That gets everyone’s attention. It is like His way of calling the devotees back to Him.

There is even more to life in that community. The blissful atmosphere spreads to the Vrindavana forest, where the goddess of devotion is prominent. She conspires with Paurnamasi Devi to arrange meetings between Krishna and those who love Him in an amorous mood. Shrimati Radharani is Krishna’s queen in these pastimes, which are known as lila in Sanskrit.

Of all the places to which the mind can escape, the sacred spiritual abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the best. Though described in books that are thousands of years old, it is the lone reality. The experience through material life is real, but since everything gets destroyed eventually, the comparison to the dream is often made.

The mind desires escape; that cannot be denied. There are attachments formed. Even the strictly renounced yogi is desperately seeking vairagya, or detachment. They are essentially attached to this search. Attachment becomes beneficial when it is directed towards the Supreme Lord, who is originally a person. His pastimes are eternal, which means that the devoted soul can stay with Him forever and never get bored.

In Closing:

Desperate for peace to find,

Places to escape for the mind.

Like into television show’s story,

Or favorite team’s fighting for glory.

Or drama at office place,

But one only karma to erase.

Spiritual land, where a child butter stealing,

Playing with friends, flute sound most appealing.

Why Is Mayavada So Popular

“The last illusion, the last snare of maya to trap the living entity, is the proposition that he is God. The living entity thinks that he is no longer a conditioned soul, but God. He is so unintelligent that he does not think that if he were God, then how could he be in doubt? That he does not consider. So that is the last snare of illusion.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 18.73 Purport)

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Friend1: I’m going to describe a personal experience to you.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: There’s a purpose. I’d like you to explain the cause at the end.

Friend2: Alright.

Friend1: When I first read the books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I had no problem accepting that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. There was really no resistance on my part.

Friend2: Any reason for that?

Friend1: When I was much younger I believe one time my mother’s cousin, who I respected so much, told me that Vishnu was supreme amongst the three deities of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Friend2: You had asked or something?

Friend1: I think I saw the images everywhere and eventually decided to ask. Anyway, later on, when I’m reading Bhagavad-gita As It Is, I see that Vishnu is the same as Krishna.

Friend2: That was enough for you to trust Prabhupada.

Friend1: That’s exactly what I was going to say next. There wasn’t this great resistance on my part. Granted, I could hardly understand the rest of the content. It’s a lot to take in, especially when you’re accustomed to material life for so many years.

Friend2: It’s kind of earthshattering instruction. It’s like, “Why was I never told this before? Why doesn’t the entire world know this? It makes too much sense.”

Friend1: The stuff about birth and death, how the soul can never be killed. It really is profound stuff.

Friend2: Is that the end of the experience?

Friend1: I’m getting to that. As I continued reading, proceeding further into books like the Shrimad Bhagavatam, I began to notice that the term Mayavadi is used a lot.

Friend2: Vada is a conclusion and maya is illusion.

Friend1: Yes, the impersonalists. I eventually came to understand the meaning. My experience was that I grew tired of seeing the word. Mayavada and Mayavadi. The impersonalists. A few times I closed the book and started yelling at Prabhupada. “Why are you so obsessed with these people? Get over it, pal.”

Friend2: Man, isn’t that nice? You felt so close to the author that you could chastise him like that, to yourself.

Friend1: Right. I would never say something like that in public. There was a deep attachment to the guru. Anyway, so I kind of thought it was overkill. What I noticed next surprised me.

Friend2: What was that?

Friend1: That Mayavada is actually pretty popular.

Friend2: As in many people believe in it?

Friend1: More than just believe, they write volumes of books about it. I was conditioned by Prabhupada from the beginning to view it negatively. It’s not just blind sentiment, either. Arjuna directly asks which path is better. Krishna says that impersonalism takes longer and is more risky. Worshiping Krishna directly is superior. There are many more valid arguments, as well.

Friend2: Right. Maya is illusion, a kind of shadow. You can only have an illusory version of something if the real thing exists. In my dream I am back in school learning. The dream isn’t real. I am an adult now. However, school does exist. It is a real thing.

Friend1: And so if there is an impersonal side, it is based on the person. This means that God the person is the real thing. Pretty easy to understand.

Friend2: If we are all fragments of the one Brahman, how did we get this way? If God can fall under illusion, how can He be God?

Friend1: There you go. Another great argument. So here is my question. Why is Mayavada so popular?

Friend2: Oh, that’s pretty easy. There are several reasons.

Friend1: That people are inherently against God? That is to say the root cause of birth in the material world is envy of the Divine.

Friend2: Oh, for sure. Impersonalism of that kind is the last snare of maya. The first trap is thinking that material enjoyment is everything. Accumulate. Gather as much as possible. Win and keep on winning.

Friend1: You eventually get exhausted with that. Just see how many wealthy people are miserable.

Friend2: So the next step is to negate. Get rid of stuff. Go in the reverse direction. I am not meant to enjoy. Instead, I am God. I am equal to Him.

Friend1: And you’re saying Mayavada philosophy validates that?

Friend2: Brahmavada says that we are all equal, part of the spiritual energy that is Brahman. That is the truth, for sure. We are spiritual in nature. We are more amazing than anything we call amazing. The soul lives on through everything.

“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.29)

To stop at the Brahman understanding means the purification is not yet complete. If Brahman is everything, and we are all Brahman, then we are all God. Mayavadis use the comparison to the pot of clay. When divided up, the pot is still the same; it’s just manifesting in the form of different pieces. When everything comes back together, you get the pot again.

Friend1: So once everybody becomes Brahman realized, God is whole again?

Friend2: Right. God is always God; just manifesting in different ways.

Friend1: What is their opinion of Krishna, Rama and other personal forms of Godhead?

Friend2: Those are just elevated souls, Brahman realized. Any person can become the same. Don’t worship Krishna the person, but the Krishna within you.

Friend1: That is just nonsense. Listen, we can spend hours pointing out the flaws to their philosophy. Why is it so popular? Is it just the last snare thing?

Friend2: There is a lot incorporated into that. Mayavada essentially says, “I’m okay, you’re okay.” If we’re all God, then nothing that we do is wrong. One person is further along in the process of realization, but they haven’t become perfect yet. So don’t sweat it. Don’t worry about rules and regulations. If you become advanced, you won’t need to follow anything anyway. You can worship the different avataras if you want, but one day you’ll move past that. You’ll become enlightened.

Friend1: Isn’t it cheating people to say that there is no personal side of God?

Friend2: Of course. That’s why Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu advised against hearing from a Mayavadi. The devotees of the Lord take great umbrage with the fact that people are using the Vedas, which are non-different from Krishna, to downgrade Krishna’s real status. That is why Prabhupada talks about impersonalism so much. The way it manifests in this world is a great offense to him. Know that any flawed philosophy will be more popular than the real truth, that we are part and parcel of God, meant to serve Him eternally. It is a difficult truth to accept at first, but one who does has the chance to regain their constitutional position and find lasting happiness.

In Closing:

Of personal side not aware,

Trapped in maya’s last snare.

That to God the same am I,

To merge with energy I’ll try.

In truth oneness and difference both,

World from lotus stem of navel’s growth.

Impersonalism and others popular more,

Since no need surrender to Krishna for.

Four Places Where Being Dhira Is Required

“Any man who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the individual soul, the Supersoul, and nature—both material and spiritual—is called a dhira or a most sober man. Such a man is never deluded by the change of bodies.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 2.13 Purport)

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One meaning to the Sanskrit word dhira is “sober.” The word gains prominence through a verse from the Bhagavad-gita. The words are spoken by Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the all-attractive, best well-wishing friend to every person. One place where that compassion is highlighted is through the friendship to Arjuna, the bow-warrior about to lead the Pandavas to victory on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Arjuna needs some help first. He’s concerned with the bodily welfare of the opposing side, which includes elders within the family and spiritual guides. Arjuna isn’t really worried about what will happen to himself. He’d rather lay down his weapons and let the other side kill him. At least then he won’t feel the guilt resulting from victory, where he would take over the kingdom and enjoy everything it has to offer.

Arjuna is wise enough to not make a rash decision. He puts the matter first to Krishna. Immediately, that great well-wisher explains the difference between matter and spirit. The soul continues to move on, while the body outside changes. The shifting continues even beyond death.

“As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.13)

The person who is dhira is not bewildered by such changes. The difference between matter and spirit forms the foundation of the science of self-realization, which is the ultimate platform of knowledge, the ideal destination for the living being blessed with the auspicious human form of body. The importance of sobriety is well-known, as it is required in so many aspects of life.

1. Operating a motor vehicle

Lack of sobriety here could land you in a lot of trouble. It is against the law to operate a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated state. The determination is made through measurements and a variety of tests administered by police officers.

The car can travel very fast. If out of control, it can turn into a deadly weapon. This applies to the driver, passengers, and anyone who may come within the path of the car. For this reason sobriety is a must. That is the final word.

2. Operating on a patient

You are on the operating table. This is an important surgery. It is considered a routine enough procedure, but not just anyone gets the opportunity to tackle the problem. There are degrees and certifications attesting to proficiency. That proficiency came through years of training and practice.

Now imagine that the surgeon comes to the room in an intoxicated state. How will the surgery go? How will you feel as a patient? Once again the need for a level head is obvious. With the senses not working properly, the slightest misidentification can bring disastrous results.

3. Applying for a job

What does the company really care? It’s just an office job. It’s not like you will be operating machinery. More importantly, they don’t test for alcohol abuse. Nevertheless, there is a drug test that must be passed prior to starting the new position.

The idea is that the intoxicated person may be more willing to break the law. If the employee is using illegal drugs on a regular basis, perhaps they fall into debt. They then need money quick. They decide to sell sensitive information that the company has protected. The sober person would be less likely to do such a thing.

4. When responsible for dependents

There are the horror stories of children growing up in abusive homes. The parents are drug addicts. Or perhaps just the father is an alcoholic. In any case, there wasn’t proper care and attention given. It is natural for the children to imitate the adults. Whatever a leader does, others tend to follow. If the parents are not sober, it is likely the children will inherit the bad habit in adulthood.

Compared to understanding the most confidential knowledge presented in the Bhagavad-gita, the experience of a material existence is a walk in the park. As sobriety is required in so many areas, it becomes even more important when taking up spiritual life.

For this reason the spiritual master imposes rules and regulations. It is the path of nivritti, or renunciation. The four most dangerous activities, which are the strongest barriers to sobriety, are meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. The person who can avoid these sinful activities and incorporate the positive aspects of spiritual life not only sees the spirit within all creatures, but they understand the origin of all spirit as well, Shri Krishna.

In Closing:

With heavy machinery to operate,

Required is sobriety’s state.

Same children watching over when,

First testing for drugs the job after then.

With spiritual understanding why not?

Dhira to know that body I am not.

So guru rules and regulations giving,

For potential in proper mindset living.

Four Impurities That Overtook Arjuna

“The Supreme Person [Bhagavan] said: My dear Arjuna, how have these impurities come upon you? They are not at all befitting a man who knows the progressive values of life. They do not lead to higher planets, but to infamy.” (Bhagavad-gita, 2.2)

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Unfortunately, the word Aryan is today misunderstood in the context of general conversation. The blame can be put directly on the deeds of a wicked and cruel world leader who became infamous during the time of World War II. The word is actually of Sanskrit origin, and it refers to someone who knows the values of life.

During one of the most famous conversations in history, Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, invoked the negation of this word in His strong criticism of His dear friend and cousin. Arjuna was the leader of the Pandavas, a family who had been wronged for a very long time. They didn’t need to ask the authorities for help since they were part of the administrator/warrior class.

On the day the wheels of justice, dharma, were finally to be set in motion it seemed as though Arjuna forgot everything. Instead of being guided by the values of life, he reversed them. He was choosing to let adharma triumph, and he made excuses that he thought were valid. Shri Krishna referred to those arguments, which were really personal sentiments, as impurities [kashmalam].

1. Concern over bodily welfare

If the issue had been brought before a fair and impartial judge, there wouldn’t have been much of a case. Duryodhana and his family not only took the land that rightfully belonged to the Pandavas, but they tried to kill those five brothers and their mother several times. They were legitimate thieves and attempted murderers.

That should have been enough to give Arjuna the impetus he needed to start the war. There was even a last-ditch effort for peace made by Krishna. Duryodhana was so sinful in nature that he thought of binding Krishna. This would hopefully dispirit the Pandavas, who thought so highly of the all-attractive one. Of course the only way to bind Krishna is through devotional love, such as that exhibited by mother Yashoda in Vrindavana. Showing a version of the universal form to Duryodhana, Krishna laughed off the incident.

The impurity of concern over bodily welfare arises at the time of birth, and it more or less afflicts every person. Spiritual education exists to eradicate this impurity. This is one reason initiation with a guru, a bona fide teacher of the spiritual science, is referred to as a second birth. Those who have this education are known as dvija, or twice-born.

During Arjuna’s time the kshatriyas were part of the twice-born population. Arjuna received training in the military arts. Unfortunately, the person who taught him was now fighting for the other side. Still, one of the key principles of upholding justice is to not have concern for bodily welfare. Duryodhana had wronged the innocent. He deserved punishment. In fact, by delivering that punishment Duryodhana would be saved from future suffering.

The future there would surely be, as the body from this lifetime is not everything. Arjuna should have known about the imperishable nature of the soul, and how it can never be killed. He would soon be reminded by Krishna.

2. Not properly identifying dharma and adharma

Arjuna contemplated giving up. He saw that as righteous, or in line with dharma. He considered killing the enemy as adharma, or that which was wrong. This was a complete misidentification. He made up new rules based on his sentiment. He felt bad for the other side. In one sense Arjuna was so renounced that he looked only to the personal implication of the struggle. He would enjoy a kingdom and the other side would not.

Arjuna had no desire to increase his material enjoyment, but that wasn’t the issue. Whether or not material fortunes increase, kshatriyas should perform their duty. Otherwise, who will make sure wrong doesn’t overcome right? In addition, the warriors on the other side would enjoy life in heaven, for that is the immediate reward of dying valiantly in battle.

3. Choosing to be killed without a fight

Arjuna at one point suggested something akin to suicide. He would rather lay down his weapons and let the other side kill him. That would be a magnanimous gesture. It would prove to everyone his detachment. He wouldn’t be at fault.

This is another impurity, because there is a hint of desire for mana, or honor and respect. If he didn’t want to fight, then at least flee the scene. No need to show everyone how kind you are, even if that compassion is misplaced.

Dharma for a kshatriya is to fight nobly. Laying down the weapons and allowing the enemy to overtake you is ignoble, for there are dependents to consider. It is something like the police allowing a thief to enter a home and take whatever they want. For Arjuna, there were other people to consider besides himself.

4. Overwhelming grief

More than anything, there was nothing to worry about. Krishna was there as the charioteer. No one else had this help. Every living being has the Supersoul inside of them, Paramatma. This is Krishna’s expansion as the overseer, the all-pervading witness.

Paramatma is the guru within, but to change the role from neutral to actively engaged, the help from a guru on the outside is required. Arjuna was given the special favor of getting the Supersoul Himself on the outside to act as spiritual guide.

“I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas am I to be known; indeed I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.15)

As He would go on to reveal, Krishna is the source of remembrance and forgetfulness. For the conditioned souls He sanctions forgetfulness since that is their outstanding desire, to be separate from God and enjoy without Him. For Arjuna the forgetfulness was intentional, a product of yogamaya. Those temporary impurities allowed for the sacred conversation to occur, which would benefit countless future generations.

In Closing:

Consumed by overwhelming grief,

From responsibility seeking relief.

Non-violent, the weapons to cast aside,

As objector renounced in forest to reside.

These impurities the warrior Arjuna overcoming,

To help Shri Krishna the guru becoming.

So that future generations to save,

Knowing proper way to behave.