Three Life Events That Might Distract Me From Bhakti

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.34)

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In addition to being one of the steps in meditational yoga, dhyana is important as a standalone process. In bhakti-yoga, which is connecting to the Divine through thoughts, words and deeds in love and devotion, remembering is important. The Sanskrit term is vishno-smaranam: remember the Supreme Lord in the personal form.

Dhyana is concentration, but how to focus with so many other pressing issues? More specifically, there are certain life events that practically take up every waking moment of the day in terms of thoughts.

1. Changing jobs

It was a good run, but now I have to move on. I developed some sentimental attachment to some of my colleagues, but I know the relationships aren’t real. So many past employees have left, and as soon as that happened I never heard from them again.

This is a job, after all, which means that profit is holding everyone together. There is profit for the business and personal interest at the individual level. I have to get another job, which means creating or updating a resume, putting my name out there, and going on job interviews.

This is a big step, as everyday life will surely change. I have to give this total attention. Even during the resting state, my mind is focused on what will happen. Uncertainty disturbing peace.

2. Moving

Sometimes related to the above, there is a shift in residence. Time to find a new place to live. But where? Rent or buy? What kind of amenities do I want? What will happen to my relationships with friends and family? Will I feel lonely? How to maintain the bond? So many questions, and no answers forthcoming.

If I think about it seriously, I could be happy pretty much anywhere.  Even in a place where it snows all the time, where the sun doesn’t shine for months on end, I would find a way. At the same time, if I have a choice, why not go for what I really want? But what is it exactly that I want?

3. The birth of a child

This has brought such a change that I don’t even remember life before. Just two days ago the world was different, with a different outlook. In the present it’s like my wife and I are part of a pit crew, and the baby running an endless race. Every two or three hours there is maintenance to be done. There is no relief during the nighttime hours, when sleep is needed. Constant attention and focus. It looks like there is no end in sight to the struggle.

In truth, significant life events such as these begin at the time of birth and continue up until death. There is no end, should a person continue to focus on them. Bhakti-yoga can be practiced and perfected even in difficult circumstances. Unlike meditational yoga, jnana, and karma, there are no strict requirements. It is not necessary to abandon every responsibility that exists currently and move to a monastery or remote cave.

Any person can find time, even if they have just five minutes a day. Remember to remember Krishna, the all-attractive one. Chant His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Listen to Krishna-katha, discourses about His transcendental glories, in the car while running errands. Sing devotional songs quietly to oneself or to others. Read a chapter or verse from the Bhagavad-gita or Shrimad Bhagavatam. Opportunities are endless and anyone who makes the sacrifice gets handsomely rewarded.

In Closing:

For success focus required,

But events making confused and tired.

Such as to new place moving,

Or a better job choosing.

So happy with new life at first,

But now struggling after birth.

Bhakti perfected even in storm’s eye,

Handsomely rewarded those who try.

Can I Really Stop Hankering And Lamenting

“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.54)

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Friend1: Let’s talk about the starting point for bhakti-yoga.

Friend2: Okay. Is there some confusion? It’s too difficult to simply chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare?

Friend1: Glad you mentioned that. Obviously, it’s not difficult to understand. From that sense the point of entry is rather clear. I’m confused from a verse in the Bhagavad-gita, though.

Friend2: Okay. Which one?

Friend1: About the brahma-bhutah person. They are Brahman realized, meaning they understand both theoretically and practically the spiritual energy that pervades everything.

Friend2: Actually, vijnana, the practical understanding, is enough, but I know what you mean.

Friend1: Care to explain?

Friend2: Consider the practicing doctor. Does it really matter what their score is on an exam about medicine? You might be worried that they don’t give the proper answer, but if they can heal real-life patients, that is more important.

Friend1: But when will a good doctor not be able to explain their methodology and practice?

Friend2: It’s rare, but I’m sure it can happen. There are excellent computer programmers out there who can barely communicate with other people. They know what they are doing, they are highly proficient, but they might not know how to explain the different concepts that they instinctively employ.

Friend1: Oh, I see. I get it. Anyway, the Brahman realized person has two distinct characteristics.

Friend2: They no longer hanker or lament.

Friend1: That is a pretty amazing position to be in. Everyone hankers after stuff they want and laments about what they don’t have.

Friend2: Or what they have lost.

Friend1: So this Brahman realized person is then well-situated to take up bhakti-yoga.

Friend2: Yes. This is important to understand. Realizing Brahman is not the end. Some people have a similar concept, but with a different name, like nirvana. It seems like an end, but there is another step to go.

Friend1: I get that, trust me. My question is how in the world am I going to stop hankering and lamenting? And since I’m failing in those areas, how can I practice bhakti-yoga properly?

Friend2: Just stick to the regulative principles. Avoid the four pillars of sinful life: meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. Chant the holy names, as mentioned before. Associate with like-minded saintly people, sadhu-sanga.

Friend1: That’s fine, but how can I enter real devotional service without becoming Brahman realized? How can I realize Brahman without removing hankering and lamentation?

Friend2: You can bypass those stages. It’s not like that is the only way to become dear to Krishna. Otherwise, the connection would have strict requirements, to which hardly anyone would qualify. Remember, even a child can be connected to God the person. Children hanker after stuff all the time. They barely know better.

Friend1: That is a good example. Explain how they can practice bhakti.

Friend2: The same way that was just mentioned. We’re talking Krishna consciousness here. Consciousness can change very quickly, and at any time. Just focus on God. Take advantage of His personal association, and soon everything sorts itself out. The brahma-bhutah stage will arrive very quickly and be bypassed just as quickly, as if it were one of the many trees you pass on the highway while driving. There won’t be any concern in that area.

Friend1: Then why is that verse there to begin with?

Friend2: To show that there is something beyond Brahman. To give the link between Bhagavan and Brahman. To show that a formless and identity-less energy is not everything, since there can be no relationship with it.

In Closing:

Hankering over what to get,

At loss into lamentation set.

Above is the brahma-bhutah soul,

An even temperament their goal.

For bhakti ideally situated so,

But difficult, so how to go?

For success consciousness the key,

Potential in even the child to see.

Three Times Krishna Thwarted Adhidaivika Attacks

“In the form of a cowherd boy, Lord Krishna was very little in comparison to Brahma, but because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He could immediately understand that all the calves and boys had been stolen by Brahma. Krishna thought, ‘Brahma has taken away all the boys and calves. How can I alone return to Vrindavana? The mothers will be aggrieved!’” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 13)

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You’re all set. Ready to go. The anticipation has been growing. It’s been a few weeks, but now things should get back to normal. The plan is to go on Saturday night. Nothing is going to get in your way. In fact, in the morning there will be bright sunshine.

But hold on. What is this? A winter storm warning? And only for your area? Why? How is this possible? Does this mean you can’t go? There is a risk for sure, and it might be possible that there is only rainfall instead of snow, which you can handle. Nevertheless, it is frustrating. Time and again this seems to happen.

Inclement weather is one of the miseries of life, and no one is immune from such miseries. One way to know God is to see how He is above these forces. From the lila of Shri Krishna there are several examples that provide evidence.

1. Govardhana Puja

The residents were in a farm community. Gokula and Vrindavana, places where cows were taken care of and the tulasi plant was prominent. Both are dear to Vishnu, the personal side of God. Not that there should be any rivalry between the various popular spiritual traditions, as God can only be one. Certain people have specific names for Him and different ways to understand Him. Even the atheists are believers in a sense; they see God only in the cruel and fierce form known as death.

The people of that community should have received the favor of Vishnu due to the way they lived their lives, but one time it sure didn’t look that way. The people took the advice of a young child. Not usually a good idea on serious matters, but they couldn’t help themselves. Krishna was too dear to them. The all-attractive youth was the son of the king, and since the father was convinced first, everyone else agreed to go along.

No Indra-puja this year. A paraphernalia shift, to the treasured Govardhana Hill instead. No problems at first. Everyone was quite pleased, and the hill even spoke to them voicing its satisfaction. That’s when the trouble began. A rainstorm like no other. They didn’t worship Indra this year, but the king of heaven provided rain nonetheless.

Normally, you take shelter inside the home. If you’re outside near mountains, maybe a cave. But everyone was out in the open and this storm would give vivid clarity to the meaning of “flash flood.” There was no time, so Krishna saved the day. The adhidaivika misery of intense rain, this time clearly visible through the influence of the deva known as Indra, had no effect on Nanda’s son. This is because Krishna is Vishnu Himself. The Supreme Lord lifted the just worshiped Govardhana Hill and used it as an umbrella. Crisis averted.

2. Brahma stealing the cowherd boys

Adhidaivika miseries usually relate to weather events, natural disasters and the like, but sometimes the demigods intervene directly, in a more visible way. In this instance, the creator himself, Lord Brahma, got a little envious of Krishna and decided to play a trick. He stole Krishna’s cows and friends. He thought the young bluish boy would get bewildered, that He would lament their loss.

Krishna turned the situation around by simply expanding Himself into the missing forms. This way no one in the community thought that anything had happened. The ruse went on for an entire year, until Brahma finally came to his senses. Though proud from his creative ability, Brahma was no match for the Supreme Lord.

3. The parijata flower

Another incident involving Indra, this time Krishna brought one of His wives to the heavenly region. She remembered Krishna promising her a parijata plant in the past, and so she plucked one of the flowers to take back home with her to Dvaraka.

Indra had to defend his territory, so he mounted an attack. The memory of Govardhana Puja must have faded away. God is the original proprietor of everything, so if He wants to take a flower for someone very dear to Him, who has the right to stop Him?

Once again Indra was defeated. These displays of strength and intelligence were not merely for showing off. Krishna is atmarama, which means satisfied in the self. He has no need to puff up His ego. Others, however, are always competing with Him. Sometimes the contamination reaches the demigods, who get taught a lesson in return.

In Closing:

Indra giving rain regardless,

Punishment for decision careless.

Brahma the cowherd boys taking,

Hope that then bewildered making.

When Satyabhama parijata taking back,

Indra compelled to mount attack.

Krishna defending in each case,

Heavenly miseries quickly to erase.

Four Questions Hiranyakashipu Wish He Hadn’t Asked

“Hiranyakashipu said: My dear Prahlada, my dear son, O long—lived one, for so much time you have heard many things from your teachers. Now please repeat to me whatever you think is the best of that knowledge.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.22)

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Poor Hiranyakashipu. He thought he had it made. He thought he knew it all. The suras, the people Hiranyakashipu’s ancestors had been quarreling with since before anyone could remember, were now under control. Fear was more like it. They were so afraid of the now powerful king that some of them took disguises and hid in different parts of the universe. They instituted their own sort of witness protection program.

Hiranyakashipu had boons giving him strength, fighting ability, and most importantly, immunity from death in so many situations. The flaw is that it only takes one situation to qualify as mortal. Who knew that the end would be instigated from within his own home, by his own son?

Prahlada was noble from the beginning, and this goodness in the son revealed itself on many occasions. Specifically, there were questions that Hiranyakashipu asked that in retrospect he probably wish he hadn’t.

1. What is the best subject you have learned about?

Ultimately, school is for training. Today it is practically a must, as without literacy it is difficult to find work that pays a decent wage. In ancient times the kings would train their children in statecraft. Not that they would grow up like trust fund babies and not have to work a day in their lives due to the tremendous wealth, people like Prahlada were expected to become expert in running a kingdom.

To that end the father sent the child to school. One day he asked Prahlada what was the best subject learned about. It was an innocent question. Perhaps the boy liked fighting. Maybe he was interested in how to manipulate hostile enemies using the divide and conquer strategy. The father was interested to know just how much Prahlada had learned.

The boy replied with something that wasn’t specifically taught in school. Prahlada wasn’t interested in material advancement. He thought taking birth with such a mentality was an embarrassment. Better to head to the vana, the forest, and focus on self-realization.

2. What is the best of knowledge heard from the teachers?

Hiranyakashipu was not happy. Why was his son talking about spiritual matters? The teachers went back to work. They would get the boy’s mind right. Brought for another interview with the father sometime later, this time the question was about the best knowledge heard during the subsequent round of instruction.

The answer the first time around was bad enough, but now Prahlada really dug the knife in. He explained the nine processes of bhakti-yoga, devotional service. This reply really hurt because Hiranyakashipu considered Vishnu, the personal form of God, to be his mortal enemy.

Here was the son dedicated to that enemy. This occurred under the father’s watch. What Hiranyakashipu didn’t know was that Prahlada received instruction from within the womb. Narada Muni, the celebrated traveler of the three worlds, visited the mother and instructed her on devotional service. In a special circumstance, though born in the race of Daitya demons, Prahlada was a devotee of Vishnu from birth.

3. What is the source of your strength?

No more instruction. The teachers obviously weren’t effective. Better to just kill the child. Get rid of the enemy within. Hiranyakashipu was so afraid of God that he couldn’t tolerate any kind of worship within the household. Though Prahlada was not known to worship externally, in front of others, just thinking of Vishnu in a positive way was a crime that deserved the death sentence.

As he soon found out, Hiranyakashipu ran into a problem. Prahlada couldn’t be killed. Every kind of deadly force was applied, and nothing worked. Frustrated to no end, he finally asked Prahlada what was going on. What was the boy’s secret? Perhaps he had worshiped the demigods like Hiranyakashipu had. Maybe there was a special way of meditating that the father could imitate and thereby use to increase his own strength.

4. Is God in this nearby pillar?

The response from Prahlada was that the source of strength is the same in everyone. Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expands as the Supersoul and rests within the heart of every single person. It is from Him that a person has knowledge and forgetfulness, strength and sometimes the lack of it. As explained in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna is the ability in man.

“O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.8)

Prahlada’s words led the father to ask one last question. It was delivered in a sarcastic way, and it was the question he really wish he hadn’t asked. Hiranyakashipu mocked the son, asking if this God that was supposed to be everywhere was also in the nearby pillar.

Then Hiranyakashipu started striking that pillar, which led to the appearance of the avatara known as Narasimha. This is the same Vishnu that Prahlada worshiped in his mind. It is the same Krishna who spoke the Bhagavad-gita. It is the same Supersoul who is the source of every person’s strength.

Emerging from the pillar, Narasimhadeva made quick work of the offending father. The reign of terror was over, and Prahlada would indeed succeed on the throne, with the notable difference in character.

In Closing:

Not pleased with reply from question to ask,

To set boy’s mind right now the task.

Teachers again before father bringing,

This time praises of bhakti-yoga singing.

Prahlada alive despite every attack,

From where strength that others to lack?

Sarcastically is God in this pillar found,

Answer soon enough after terrible sound.

Should Devotees Ever Take The Law Into Their Own Hands

“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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Friend1: Let’s get right into it today. You know how some people worry that the message of the Bhagavad-gita can be taken as license for violence?

Friend2: Well, it is license for violence, in certain situations. To say that the Bhagavad-gita preaches nonviolence is ridiculous. That is a form of cheating.

Friend1: Right, but the other side of the argument is that we shouldn’t do harm to people unnecessarily. Better to turn the other cheek.

Friend2: Only if that aligns with your role. If you are entrusted with defending the innocent, you better step up and do your job. To give that up out of bodily attachment is a sign of ignorance, which Krishna tries to destroy with His words of wisdom.

Friend1: I’m glad you mentioned that. How do we know what our role is? For instance, if I am in a community of people practicing Krishna consciousness and someone from the outside starts making threats.

Friend2: Of what? Violence or just words?

Friend1: Let’s say it’s just words. They threaten to expose the leaders. They say they have dirt that will bring everyone down.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: Then the people from the society decide that something needs to be done. Trusted members start a conspiracy to kill this whistleblower.

Friend2: I like how you are trying to make this generic, when in fact there is a pretty well-known historical example that has the exact same details.

Friend1: Anyway, these people use the Bhagavad-gita to support their plan. They compare themselves to Arjuna fighting against the Kauravas, i.e. good against evil.

Friend2: I see. So you want to know if violence is condoned in situations like these?

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: For starters, the situations are not analogous. Arjuna was fighting in a war. Declared combat. Uniforms. You can identify who is fighting and who isn’t. Conspiracy to murder someone is one of the more obvious sinful acts. It is adharma, or against religious principles.

Friend1: Right, but isn’t bhakti above dharma and adharma? Isn’t it transcendental? Will not a person be free from karma if they are acting for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord?

Friend2: But He hasn’t sanctioned murder. Nowhere do we find Him ever doing something even close to the same. You could criticize Him for attacking Shishupala at the Rajasuya sacrifice of Maharaja Yudhishthira. You could maybe try to say that Ramachandra attacking Vali was adharma. But both those are exceptional cases and the people being attacked had already done horrible things. The Supreme Lord averted a crisis by behaving in an atypical way. Moreover, He is God, so there is no dharma for Him.

Friend1: Isn’t that a convenient excuse, though? Aren’t we supposed to learn from His pastimes?

Friend2: Learn from, but not imitate. He can lift the massive Govardhana Hill. His devotee, Lord Shiva, can swallow poison. Prahlada Maharaja can withstand fire. It doesn’t mean that we will be able to do the same. Getting back to the Bhagavad-gita, if Arjuna had attacked Duryodhana in a cowardly manner, then the situation might be similar. Additionally, Arjuna would have been justified, as Duryodhana had secretly tried to have Arjuna and his brothers killed on multiple occasions.

Friend1: I take it that a murder conspiracy would never fall under bhakti, then?

Friend2: Amazing that you have to ask. There is the case of Ashvatthama, who killed Draupadi’s children in cold blood, while they were sleeping. That’s pretty similar to murdering someone, killing behind their back, going against the law. In general, a person who follows bhakti-yoga turns out to be a perfect gentlemen. If not, then something is awry. Either the spiritual teacher they are following is flawed or they are not adhering to the regulative principles. The moment you hear someone seriously considering doing such heinous things, you should know that they are anything but a devotee of Krishna.

In Closing:

Should not from needless violence refrain,

Or eye for an eye, to enemy the same?

From Bhagavad-gita confusing still,

Since conclusion so much blood to spill.

Idea that when necessary sanction giving,

Protection the role certain class living.

Never to think of murder devotee true,

Compassion to humans and animals too.

Four Questions That Reveal Flaws In Worship Outside Of Bhakti

“Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.20)

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Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, applies discrimination. He is not obligated to give sanction to requests. He already witnesses everything through His feature of Supersoul, which resides in the heart next to the individual soul, atma.

Krishna is the personal side of God, and those who approach Him may have ulterior motives. Perhaps they want wealth. Maybe they are in distress and looking for a way out. There may be inquisitiveness as to just what is the meaning to “personal” when it comes to the Divine. There also can be a firm understanding of the difference between matter and spirit going in, with a desire to advance further in spiritual practice.

Whatever the point of entry, the approach has a purifying effect. Krishna does not leave the worshiper worse off. At the same time, there is no guarantee that what is asked for will manifest. This is the meaning to discrimination. The Supreme Lord makes an assessment, and sometimes just the opposite of what is desired will be beneficial for the worshiper.

In other kinds of worship this mercy is absent. The interactions are more like business transactions, which carry some flaws.

1. Does the liquor store care about ruining your life?

There is a difference between purchasing alcohol to celebrate an occasion and repeatedly indulging in intoxication, day after day. The establishment selling the alcohol does not really mind. Surely, they don’t want anyone ruining their life in addiction, but at the same time if everyone were to practice temperance there would be no business.

2. Does the phone manufacturer care that you are ruining your social skills?

Go out into public these days and who isn’t constantly looking at their smartphone? Even during times requiring strict attention, such as when crossing a street, the head is down instead of up. There are so many distractions on that single device, though so much good can be accomplished, as well.

The phone manufacturer does not discriminate. They do not make character judgments, and neither do they ask the intended use of the object they are selling. Both a terrorist and a priest can purchase a smartphone and use the device to serve their own purposes.

3. Does the car manufacturer concern themselves with the dangers of speeding?

Look at a few television commercials for popular automobiles and invariably there is a shot or two of an extended roadway. It serves as a sort of racetrack, used to exhibit the performance capabilities of the car. There is a warning in small print, that the scene was filmed on a closed road, not out in ordinary circumstances.

The manufacturer is not concerned about the dangers of speeding. Responsibility is left to the driver. Freedom is in their hands. The establishment selling the cars is only concerned about proper payment. If there is enough money from the purchaser, the exchange is made.

4. Does the demigod worry about how you will use their benedictions?

Business is a necessary aspect of life, and it is not to say that the people in any of the above mentioned examples are behaving improperly. When the same is seen in spiritual life, there should be red flags. If the divine figure you approach doesn’t care about how you will use their benedictions, is their association really benefitting you?

From Vedic literature we have the notable examples of Hiranyakashipu and Ravana. They both received tremendous boons from demigods, who are residents of the heavenly realm. These figures possess high character, and that purity contributes to their eligibility for distributing such rewards, i.e. for being a demigod.

Hiranyakashipu and Ravana used the gifts they received for evil. They did not make the world a better place. They persecuted the innocent. They attempted to rid the world of the pious. Though they wanted their own property protected, they did not extend the same courtesy to others. The demigods were not implicated in the subsequent sinful activity, since it is not their role to influence the behavior of their worshipers.

All signs point to bhakti-yoga, devotional service. The discrimination Krishna applies is for everyone’s benefit. No one knows if He will agree to a request, but it is firmly understood that whatever decision He reaches, it will be for the worshiper’s good.

In Closing:

How afterwards with car faring,

Manufacturer of impact not caring.

Neither owner of store liquor selling,

Potential for disaster beyond telling.

Smartphone for terrorist and priest alike,

Users stuck to screen, seeing not car in sight.

Supreme Lord only discrimination applying,

The wise on His judgment relying.

Three Ways To Know That Krishna Is Ananta

“You are the origin without beginning, middle or end. You have numberless arms, and the sun and moon are among Your great unlimited eyes. By Your own radiance You are heating this entire universe.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.19)

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You’re open to the idea. It’s not like you are strongly against the concept that the majority of the population subscribes to. The issue is that you prefer empirical evidence. This is the way to avoid fanaticism. Observation and experiment. That is the foundation of true science. Not mere consensus. Not bullying by some political faction. A real test that can repeatedly produce the same result.

To satisfy your requirement someone proposes the following. Suppose that God appears before you. The identification is through self-proclamation, i.e. the person tells you they are the Almighty. The first step to your empirical proof is right in front of you.

The easiest test to perform is deathlessness. If the person is who they say they are, then surely they won’t ever die. The issue here, which may not be so obvious in the beginning, is what amount of time is sufficient for proving the claim? One year? One hundred? One thousand? In fact, the person observing must eventually quit their body. That is the influence of time.

Thus we see that from empirical evidence alone it is impossible to prove or disprove the existence of God. There must be an element of faith involved. The Vedas say that He is indeed ananta, or without end. There are some past incidents which help in understanding.

1. Taking the form of Draupadi’s sari

She was helpless. There were capable people around, who could have interceded, but they remained silent. People who were previously proud of their allegiance to dharma [religious principles] now sat on their hands while a woman was being persecuted for no reason.

Everyone in the assembly knew that a woman should be protected, especially if she is not attacking anyone. Compounding the sinfulness of the deed was the woman’s well-known chastity. Though Draupadi was the shared wife of the Pandava brothers, she was considered to possess the highest character.

Those brothers lost her in a wager, and so the Kaurava side was ready to show her naked in front of everyone. The greatest embarrassment, they assumed, but they forgot one thing. Draupadi was protected by her well-wisher, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

At the last moment, calling out to Shri Krishna in full surrender, Draupadi was saved. The Lord took the form of her sari, and so no matter how much the enemies pulled, the garment would not come off of her. The sari itself became ananta.

2. The universal form

Later on the same Shri Krishna showed the virata-rupa to the leading warrior for the Pandavas, Arjuna. This is known as the universal form, as it is the complete everything put into a single image. It is three dimensional and also dynamic. No one can imagine such a vision, and so a person who sees it gets some idea of God and how Krishna is non-different from Him.

A similar vision was shown to the wicked Duryodhana previously. The fiend considered binding Krishna, who was visiting as an emissary to prevent war. Upon learning of the crazy idea, Krishna showed the universal form and asked Duryodhana to try to bind it. Though He sometimes gives the vision of an innocent and small child, though He is worshiped in the temple through the statue form known as the deity, God is actually ananta. It is impossible for anyone to catch Him without His help.

3. Ananta Deva Himself

One expansion of God is known as Ananta Deva. This is a serpent who has an unlimited number of hoods. He is behind the force known as gravity. It is due to God in this feature that the planets remain where they are, that they do not fall out of place and cause chaos in the universe.

Ananta Deva is also the lead glorifier of the Almighty. Since the beginning of time he has been singing the gunas, or transcendental glories, of Shri Krishna. The wonderful boon is that he has yet to stop. That is to say there is no end to God’s greatness, which allows devotees to continue in devotional service without end.

In Closing:

Draupadi as target for embarrassment tagged,

Fiendish Kauravas into assembly dragged.

Naked hoping in front of all to show,

Of Krishna’s mercy little to know.

The Lord ananta as that sari taking,

So failure despite great effort making.

In universal form same feature displaying,

On Ananta Deva the many planets laying.