Three Endorsements Found Within Vedic Literature

“And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation worships Me by his intelligence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.70)

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अध्येष्यते च य इमं
धर्म्यं संवादम् आवयोः
ज्ञान-यज्ञेन तेनाहम्
इष्टः स्याम् इति मे मतिः

adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ
dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ
jñāna-yajñena tenāham
iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ

“One of the nice things about reading Vedic literature is that at the end of a particular section, where you come upon the conclusion of a story or incident, a reward awaits. You will be blessed with such and such benefit for having heard attentively. If you maybe spaced out for a second or two, if you don’t remember everything exactly, you just have to hear again.

“Or the recommendation might be to repeat a set of prayers on a given day. Anyway, I was wondering if you could give some specific examples of what I am referencing. This would be helpful to those who may not be familiar.”

1. Narada in the Ramayana

Valmiki is Divinely inspired, both through the connection in consciousness to a higher region and also the interaction with the bona fide representative. Narada Muni travels the three worlds preaching the glories of Narayana. The saint is unencumbered; the typical bounds of family and job do not apply to him.

He takes full advantage of the opportunity. Rather than spend time sleeping on a beach, sipping adult beverages, he goes from place to place enlightening those who are fortunate enough to have his association, who are willing to hear in a submissive manner and take to heart the principles described.

Valmiki was originally hostile to the point of wanting to steal. Sadly, that was his profession at the time. Narada had nothing material to give, but a few questions posed to the thief turned everything around. The one of sinful ways soon started chanting the name of Rama and became so immersed that an anthill formed around him.

In the Ramayana soon to be attributed to him, Valmiki includes a promise from Narada. The saint says that anyone who hears the work gets to enjoy with their family members in heaven. They won’t be alone; everyone will be together in the bliss of devotion to the Supreme Lord.

2. The Syamantaka Jewel story

Can you imagine living in the same city as God? He is not unknown either, hiding someplace where only a few people can find Him. In this area He is the acknowledged proprietor, the king. Then imagine that one person gets swept away by a jewel that can produce endless quantities of gold. The object garners such attention that the people even spread false rumors about the very person known by everyone to be God.

This occurred one time in the city of gates, Dvaraka, where Vishnu resided as Shri Krishna. The Syamantaka jewel became something of a hot potato, causing trouble for anyone associated with it. The accusation was that Krishna stole the jewel for Himself. In truth, God is more than gold. Nothing material can compare to Him.

At the conclusion of the story presented in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, the listener gets the promise to be free from defamation. Essentially, what happened to Krishna will not happen to them. This is one small benefit of hearing the glories of God and His pastimes.

3. The Bhagavad-gita

The content is reward enough. Explanation on life and death. The purpose for living. Why there are so many species. What exactly is illusion and how to get out of it. Prescribed duty versus personal desire. Karma and the destination of the soul after death.

Even after giving such a wonderful presentation to be preserved infinitely into the future, Shri Krishna offers the benediction that anyone who studies the preceding discussion with Arjuna worships Him with their intelligence. This means that reading Bhagavad-gita has the same effect as travelling to a tirtha, visiting a temple, or meditating continuously for hours.

…

The endorsements are within the works themselves, but more than someone else recommending a certain process, the proof is in the effects at the personal level. Try for yourself and see if there is a difference. Study the external world, jumping from this topic to that. On another day study Bhagavad-gita or Shrimad Bhagavatam. Measure the impact on consciousness, and then particularly try chanting the holy names as a way to stay connected in yoga: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

As thank you for hearing,

Rewards offered endearing.

Like from Ramayana in heaven to go,

With devoted family awaiting so.

Syamantaka story reader to detect,

That against false rumors to protect.

More important the interaction time,

Dedicate and even better to find.

Four Instances Where Teaching Just One Person Made A Significant Impact

“Please tell me so that I may be taught in the matter by the instruction of the Personality of Godhead and may thus act instrumentally to generate living entities, without being conditioned by such activities.” (Lord Brahma, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.29)

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भगवच्-छिक्षितम् अहं
करवाणि ह्य् अतन्द्रितः
नेहमानः प्रजा-सर्गं
बध्येयं यद्-अनुग्रहात्

bhagavac-chikṣitam ahaṁ
karavāṇi hy atandritaḥ
nehamānaḥ prajā-sargaṁ
badhyeyaṁ yad-anugrahāt

“I appreciate everything the guru has done for me. Really, I mean that. I was wandering aimlessly in this world prior. I had no direction and was bewildered by the repeating pattern of weeks, months and years. I had so many questions as to the meaning of it all, especially when someone close passes on.

“To where have they gone? What was their mark in this world? Why did they have to leave? If every person has the same destiny after birth, what is the reason for appearing here in the first place? Perhaps family expansion and career advancement are not everything?

“These questions and more led to a fortunate meeting with the Bhagavad-gita, and my life has not been the same since. With all the increased happiness and clarity of purpose, the issue I am struggling with is helping others. I know that every person has the desire deep inside to serve the Almighty, to enter the one business that is something like the fountain of youth, bringing back a seemingly endless reservoir of energy due to the nature of the attachment and subsequent reciprocation.

“But I feel as if I am not reaching anyone. I am not a world-famous guru who has a flock trailing behind. I can barely convince someone to try a new food dish, let alone induce them to chant the maha-mantra for proper meditation. I feel like my efforts are of no value; I am worthless in furthering the mission. I will not be able to help others in the way that the guru saved me.”

While it is natural to feel this way, as who can match the amazing work of the Supreme Lord and those He has empowered to spread the message of Divine love, we see from Vedic literature that quality is more important than quantity. Reaching just a single person can make a significant impact.

1. Vishnu to Brahma

He is the creator. He takes the three ingredients of goodness, passion and ignorance to generate up to 8,400,000 different species. These are body types reserved as residence for jiva souls for varying lengths of time. The same individual could travel through the different species over successive lifetimes. The process is known as transmigration of the soul, or reincarnation.

Every person can trace their ancestry back to Brahma. He has much over which to be proud. One might find it interesting to learn that at first he did not know what to do. He had to receive guidance. Training came from Vishnu, who is the actual father of Brahma. Though Brahma is known as svayambhu, or self-born, he emerges from the lotus stem linked to the lotus-like navel of Vishnu.

Brahma was ready to get to work, but he needed the help of a guide first. Vishnu taught only one person at that time. He gave direction to a single individual; many followers were not visible in that moment. That single information transfer led to the most amazing output: the creation of the world.

2. Narada to Valmiki

Just your average meeting of a robber and his victim. Nothing much to see. Curiously, Narada did not have anything with him. The thief waiting in the wings, Ratnakara, would come up empty this time. Except the victim did not just stand there. He asked some meaningful questions. Why was the thief acting this way? Was there family involved? Did he understand that the family would have to share in the sinful reactions of taking another person’s property?

That short bit of instruction resonated so much with the perpetrator that he agreed to surrender to Narada. The travelling devotee of Vishnu then recommended the chanting of the name Rama. Ratnakara could not properly pronounce it, but all hope was not lost. “Just say the word for death, which sounds like Rama anyway when repeated over and over.”

Narada returned a long time later to find an anthill surrounding that person now so engrossed in the holy name of the Supreme Lord. He was initiated with the name Valmiki, and the rest is history. From a single interaction, in an isolated place, with no one else watching, Narada made such an impact that the world continues to benefit through the sacred Ramayana poem. This is Valmiki’s work beautifully describing the life and pastimes of Shri Rama, an avatara of Vishnu.

3. Narada to Vyasadeva

Originally, the scripture is one. There is just the single Veda. Through the ages man has a diminishing capacity for understanding higher topics. Due to Bhagavan’s mercy, saintly people appear now and then to provide assistance. Vyasadeva divided the Vedas into four and then further explained the concepts through historical accounts presented in many Puranas.

After an amazing output of meaningful literature attributed to him, Vyasa was still unsatisfied. A chance meeting with his guru, Narada Muni, changed the outlook. Urged to compose a work focusing on devotion to God, without material motivations mixed in, Vyasadeva gave the world the Bhagavata Purana, which is also known as Shrimad Bhagavatam. Once again, it was Narada guiding a single person, out of the spotlight but not any less important.

4. Shiva to Kakabhushundi

This famous crow goes to wherever Shri Rama’s pastimes are taking place. He can never get enough. He happily becomes victim to baby Rama’s childish play of taking the crow and placing it inside of His mouth. Kakabhushundi passes on the information to the worthy disciple named Garuda, who is actually the servant carrier of Vishnu in the spiritual world.

Kakabhushundi originally heard the story from Lord Shiva, who is always meditating on Shri Rama. Mahadeva takes great pleasure in describing God’s pastimes. He is an expert acharya who gives the ideal example of yukta-vairagya. Though he is a householder married to the most beautiful woman in Parvati, Shiva is completely renounced in spirit. It is not a dry kind of asceticism, either.

The positive activities are chanting, hearing and describing. Kakabhushundi heard and from there passed on the great story that eventually made its way to Goswami Tulsidas, who is considered the same Valmiki but appearing in a different time to offer mercy to the fallen people.

The idea is that even if only the walls are listening, Hari-katha should go on. At the very least the recitation will continue to purify the person who is speaking. If others should join in, all the better. As His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says, it takes only one moon to light the night sky.

In Closing:

Okay if many not reaching,

Forward should go the teaching.

No harm in effort to try,

Just one moon in night’s sky.

Like Brahma from Vishnu heard,

Narada to thief a transformative word.

Even if only the walls to hear,

Hari-katha all obstacles to clear.

Five Different Paths Towards Finding Bhagavan

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.28)

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येषां त्व् अन्त-गतं पापं
जनानां पुण्य-कर्मणाम्
ते द्वन्द्व-मोह-निर्मुक्ता
भजन्ते मां दृढ-व्रताः

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ
janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām
te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā
bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

“This person is following bhakti, sure. Great for them. I am happy that at least they are trying, but I can’t help but remember their past. The road to this finish line was not ideal, and I am not entirely convinced that they have changed their ways. It seems to me they are taking the easy way out of life and making a mockery out of the spotless culture descending from the Vedas.”

A person is free to pass judgment in this way, but from shastra and real life experience we see that not everyone travels the same road to the best destination. There is variety in the circumstances of birth, after all. That is to say not everyone starts from the same position, and at the same time no one is immediately disqualified from receiving the Divine mercy.

1. Getting cursed as a gatekeeper

These two individuals met God directly. Face-to-face, after denying His existence for so long. Rising to the top on the strength of material power acquired through the aid of the Lord’s administrators, Ravana and Hiranyakashipu could be considered the worst of the worst. Yet they found Bhagavan, nonetheless.

Their journey actually began in the spiritual kingdom. Gatekeepers in the place known as Vaikuntha, they once accidentally committed a transgression, and the punishment was a curse. They would have to fall to the land of birth and death and suffer through time spent in inauspicious forms. The saving grace was that Bhagavan would arrive to give them liberation.

2. Birth in a high family

Here a person is sinless from the start. They don’t even get the opportunity to eat animal flesh or consume intoxicants. They are told of the Divine side of life from the beginning, which means they have a great head-start.

Not that they are forced to follow blindly. The saintly members of the family provide a complete background education on the material world, which serves as a great comparison to the Divine way of living. This person not only sees God everywhere, but they can’t remember a moment when they were separated from Him. They don’t have to be advised to follow regulative principles or sacrifice time in hearing Hari-katha. There is a spontaneous attraction for such things.

3. Succumbing to addiction

The problem became so severe that family members had to intervene. During the subsequent stint in rehab there was a curiosity to try new ways of living. Perhaps a change in outlook would help to break the dependency on substances that were causing so much harm.

The teachings on the dangers of maya really hit home with this person. They had firsthand experience of happiness in illusion. They knew that full sobriety was the only way moving forward, and they were happy to find a positive engagement attached to the recommended restrictions. They happily turned their life around by chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

4. Curious about other religions

No major problems here. Life going smoothly. An open and supportive family. Plenty of food to eat. A nice home. A good job. Since this person has always had an interest in philosophy, they are curious to learn what other cultures have to say about life.

“Who is their savior? Do they believe in salvation and what is their process for attaining it?”

This inquisitive mind has the good fortune of coming across a bona fide translation and explanation of the Bhagavad-gita. Everything resonates immediately. It is like the last piece of the puzzle has been found. Finally, an explanation for the cause of birth and death. The totally rational idea of the soul living beyond the present lifetime, disassociating from matter, which never represents its true identity.

The initial curiosity sparks a transformation, leading to the devotional way of life. This person turns into a world-class teacher, as they are able to relate to others who were just like them.

“Let the intelligent take a dip into the sacred waters of Vedic literature. Let them experience endless bliss in the shelter of surrender to the Divine through a sober understanding.”

5. In need of money

“I have heard that God is the richest person in the world. Bhagavan as Vishnu is married to Lakshmi Devi, who is the goddess of fortune. I am in financial difficulty right now, so perhaps they can help me. I will visit one of their temples and ask what needs to be done. Worshiping properly, maybe my situation will change for the better.”

Here there is an initial motive at the personal level. Bhagavan is treated as an order supplier, a big personality who can cure financial woes. What happens is that the worshiper gets one look at the deity in the temple, who is the chief resident and thus properly worshiped, and they forget the reason they came. Something similar is described in Shrimad Bhagavatam. The young child named Dhruva Maharaja transforms from materially motivated to completely disinclined towards revenge and personal advancement.

We see that the path to the finish line is not uniform. There is a reason for the saying that every saint has a past and every sinner a future. By taking birth in the material world, every person automatically starts out contaminated, and so who is to say that one is superior and another inferior? Shri Hanuman describes that no one is actually worthy of pity, due to the fact that they appear in a bubble-like body.

The param gatim, the best destination, is open to all souls. The human birth represents the best opportunity to reach that highest achievement, and with a little discrimination, understanding, open-mindedness, and good fortune the situation can change quickly.

In Closing:

From a cursory glance fast,

So easily judgment to pass.

But at yourself first assess,

How with good fortune to bless.

Gatekeepers then of greatest sin,

But still Divine mercy to win.

Others for money and help a need,

Mattering more how to proceed.

Four Questions To Ask The Person Who Claims To Be Happy

“Persons devoid of atma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.4)

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देहापत्य-कलत्रादिष्व्
आत्म-सैन्येष्व् असत्स्व् अपि
तेषां प्रमत्तो निधनं
पश्यन्न् अपि न पश्यति

dehāpatya-kalatrādiṣv
ātma-sainyeṣv asatsv api
teṣāṁ pramatto nidhanaṁ
paśyann api na paśyati

“I get what you are saying. God bless you for your effort. Everyone has what they are into. Before you proceed any further, let me tell you that I am perfectly content. I am one of those rare people to answer ‘yes’ to the question about happiness.

“My friends and family are around. I have a job that I love. I am excited to get up every day and go to work. I enjoy the leisure time on the weekends. You must realize that your message is tailored for the unhappy, the miserable, the lonely, the disenchanted, and the like. You might be better off focusing on them, for I have found happiness.”

1. Do you like to die?

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that the only true happiness in this world comes from a connection to God. In any other case, the happiness is either an illusion or a person has simply gone mad. Something like the bliss from intoxication, the feeling is not lasting. It is not real, and the crash to reality is painful.

To the person who claims to already be happy and thus not needing a sell on the Divine side of life, the swami raises four questions. If they can be answered satisfactorily, then the Vaishnava welfare worker will ease up. They will move on to someone else, but if the answers are in the negative, then at least some faith should be extended.

In truth, no one likes to die. Whether they are happy or not, even in the case of suicide the chosen end to life is not the preferred option. The distressed person would rather have resolved the pressing issues. Every person should soberly consider the final destination, the guaranteed end that brings equality across the entire population.

2. Do you like to take birth again?

Knowing that death is inevitable, would anyone prefer to endure the same struggle again? That is to say would I ever want to enter a temporary situation again, where I know that nothing created is sure to manifest in perpetuity?

The next birth is guaranteed. Evidence is there from the existing life, and from the eyes of shastra we learn that the cycle continues. This means that even the happy person has to be born again, getting jammed inside of the mother’s womb for nine months and then hopefully making it out alive, only to enter a world of ignorance.

3. Do you like to be an old man?

I am enjoying today, but how long will that last? The supposed greatest athlete of all-time is no longer in the arena. They cannot perform today the way they did in the past. What is the cause? Why could they not remain in the topmost position?

The truth is that the guaranteed end of life has associated agents working in conjunction. Time is synonymous with death in Sanskrit, and one influence of time is old age. Every person has to witness the deterioration of the body, be it gradual or sudden.

4. Do you like to be a diseased man?

Try your best, but eventually disease will arrive. That is another aspect of time, which constantly attacks. The person perfectly healthy today is not guaranteed to remain so. A life of denial of these basic truths will only bring temporary happiness.

The real thing is through the connection with the Almighty, who is all-attractive [Krishna]. He brings bliss right now, today, tomorrow, and also into the future. The connection with Him lasts between lifetimes, even potentially ending the cycle to birth and death.

To juxtapose, the Vaishnava is happy today because of their service in love to Shri Krishna. They can live in a remote cave or a city apartment. They can survive on few funds or an abundance of wealth. The externals are not a factor in their happiness, since they know everything originally belongs to the husband of the goddess of fortune.

Every soul’s birthright is the same happiness, derived from the connection known as yoga. The acharya comes to teach this yoga, and the fortunate ones listen attentively to the message and sacrifice some time and effort to the process, which pays lasting dividends.

In Closing:

Do you prefer to die?

Or from birth again to try?

What about disease plaguing?

Time a constant war waging.

Even if declaring happy today,

Temporary is nature’s way.

Real thing in yoga connection bound,

Lasting beyond lifetimes found.

What If We Solve This One Problem

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.7)

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ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः।
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति।।

mamaivāṃśo jīvaloke jīvabhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ।
manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛtisthāni karṣati।।

Friend1: In today’s edition I am going to throw a series of issues at you and you tell me whether or not the resolution will bring happiness.

Friend2: At the individual level or to a society in general?

Friend1: Let’s say it’s for society. Issue number 1. Curing disease.

Friend2: Which kind?

Friend1: Take whatever is the leading killer among adults. Trusting that statistic, say that we are able to solve the problem.

Friend2: As in eliminate the disease? No one is afflicted again or just that there is treatment available to handle the situation?

Friend1: Treatment. If you are diagnosed with that disease, you will most likely be able to live through it.

Friend2: Ah, but of course there is a glaring flaw in that logic.

Friend1: I know, I know. No one actually lives through anything. But you know what I mean. That particular disease gets eliminated and the person is afterwards considered healthy.

Friend2: Okay. In answer to your original question, that will not make people happy.

Friend1: How can you say that? What is your justification?

Friend2: Because so many diseases of the past that plagued the world no longer do so today. They are essentially eradicated. Let me ask you, are people happy?

Friend1: No.

Friend2: And why not?

Friend1: Because there are other problems, including diseases.

Friend2: Thank you.

Friend1: Issue number 2. Having enough money. This is for happiness at the personal level.

Friend2: Define “enough.” Sufficient for paying for necessities? Or something like winning a million dollars?

Friend1: I no longer have to work. I can retire today, if I wanted. Using the safe-withdrawal-rate calculation, I will be fine indefinitely into the future.

Friend2: That’s great. Once again, the answer is “no.”

Friend1: Please provide evidence.

Friend2: You meet miserable wealthy people all the time. Even if you never have to work again, you need something to do. The consciousness is still there. Financial planners have conducted studies. They find that the early retirees tend to not live as long.

Friend1: Issue number 3. Enough money for everyone around me.

Friend2: As in, you have cured poverty?

Friend1: Yes. There you go. No more struggle.

Friend2: Of course my answer is the same. You have taken the same question and applied it across society as a whole. If you want evidence, just look at industrialized nations. They are far advanced in terms of material wealth. Yet they are still obsessed about the supposed poorer classes, who are “suffering” with air conditioning, high speed internet, an automobile, and a dishwasher.

Friend1: What is your answer, then?

Friend2: Touched on it before. Consciousness. That is the key. Turning from material to spiritual. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that even if people are given all facilities of material need, unrest will continue. The end is only through spiritual satisfaction.

Friend1: I see. That might explain why you see people who have very little often be quite content and satisfied.

Friend2: That is the wisdom of the ages passed on by the saints of the Vedic tradition. Meet the needs of the soul first. The rest is like a giant illusion. You are always comparing yourself to others, but in the end it shouldn’t matter what others have. Whatever the temporary position at the moment, it is like playing a role in a movie. Once the performance ends, the characters return to reality. In the same way, the true reality is spiritual life, which lies behind the curtain of maya. Find transcendence through connecting with the holy sounds: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This brings the spiritual consciousness, which will hopefully continue through an increasing desire to relish the taste again and again.

In Closing:

Problem solved just this one,

Then struggles forward none.

Poverty stricken people where,

Financial assistance there.

Eradicate this disease dreaded,

To not happiness then headed?

Struggle always there to remain,

Safe only when bhakti to gain.

Three Times Krishna Helped The Helpless

“O son of Bhrigu [Shaunaka], when the child Parikshit, the great fighter, was in the womb of his mother, Uttara, and was suffering from the burning heat of the brahmastra [thrown by Ashvatthama], he could observe the Supreme Lord coming to him.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.12.7)

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मातुर् गर्भ-गतो वीरः
स तदा भृगु-नन्दन
ददर्श पुरुषं कञ्चिद्
दह्यमानो ऽस्त्र-तेजसा

mātur garbha-gato vīraḥ
sa tadā bhṛgu-nandana
dadarśa puruṣaṁ kañcid
dahyamāno 'stra-tejasā

In one situation you have everything covered. At least that is your understanding at present; outside help is not required. A job which pays enough to meet the monthly expenses. Sufficient assistance at home to manage affairs, such as childcare and tidiness.

In another situation a person is down on their luck. They feel completely helpless. It’s as if the forces of nature have conspired to bring misery, pain and heartache. This person sees no way out of the suffering besides one avenue.

Of the two, Goswami Tulsidas prefers the latter. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan, is patita-pavana, or the savior of the fallen. The great Vaishnava poet would rather be viewed as helpless, as he gives three instances from the Mahabharata where Shri Krishna provided direct relief.

1. Draupadi and her sari

The beautiful and chaste princess is in a dangerous predicament. Vile human beings, who are rivals to her husbands, wish to strip her naked in front of an assembly of respectable individuals. This is not her choice. She would rather remain the way that she is.

The Kauravas are strong and powerful, and so they should succeed in this task without issue. No one else will lift a finger in support of Draupadi. She has no choice but to try herself. She desperately holds onto the sari, but to no avail. The enemies are about to win.

Then she calls out to Govinda in desperation. At that point no one else can save her. Krishna hears her call and arrives on the scene in the form of the sari. Just as He is Ananta, or without end, He transfers the same property to the garment of the princess. No matter how much the fiends pull, they are unable to remove the sari, in the same way that the asuras and the lowest among men can never eliminate God and worship of Him from this world.

2. The sparrow in the field of Kurukshetra

The Kauravas and the Pandavas eventually went to war. It took place on the field of dharma, also known as Kurukshetra. The associated story has several variations, but the general idea is that a sparrow residing in a nest on one of the trees in the field has fear over what will happen. So many elephants will walk on the ground, causing damage and destruction. How will the sparrow protect her children, who are in egg-form at the moment?

Shri Krishna hears the calls for help and responds by releasing an arrow towards one of the many elephants in vicinity. The surgical strike reaches the bell on this particular elephant. The bell lands directly on top of the sparrow and her nest, thereby providing them safety during the war that eventually saw millions of casualties.

3. Parikshit in the womb

Despite the many insults to Draupadi and the Pandava family, at the end of the great Bharata War there is compassion extended to a person named Ashvatthama. He had just killed Draupadi’s sons in cold blood. He deserved the death penalty, which Draupadi’s husband Arjuna was ready to carry out. The embodiment of justice, Shri Krishna, gave His consent.

Yet Draupadi offered clemency due to Ashvatthama’s relation to the family guru, Dronacharya. Another of Ashvatthama’s attacks was on the womb of Uttara, who carried the future of the Pandava dynasty. She was with child, and the brahmastra was ready to do the ultimate damage.

The helpless child in the womb was saved through Krishna’s direct intervention. He countered the weapon and ensured that the now famous king would live to adulthood and fulfill the destiny of hearing the sacred Shrimad Bhagavatam from the mouth of Shukadeva Gosvami.

…

The acharyas make the comparison to a young child calling out desperately for their mother. In certain situations, no matter how much the father may try, the only relief is from the mother. There is the natural bond. The child does not have to think of anyone else. They know on instinct who will save them.

In the same way, if a person in desperation makes a plea to the Supreme Lord, He will indeed save them. The Mahabharata gives many examples, but the true history of Bhagavan’s lila is endless. His pastimes continue to take place in this and innumerable other universes, and a surefire way to get His attention is to repeat the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

When in dangerous place setting,

One way His attention getting.

Just the name once to say,

Like princess to Govinda to pray.

Or the sparrow protected by bell,

In Uttara’s womb weapon repelled.

Not much over fate commanding,

But Krishna for protection standing.

Figuring Out The Way

“To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.10)

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तेषां सतत-युक्तानां
भजतां प्रीति-पूर्वकम्
ददामि बुद्धि-योगं तं
येन माम् उपयान्ति ते

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

“Are you as amazed as I am at the level of devotion in some people? Matched with the dedication is proficiency. They didn’t have a head-start, either. Sanskrit is not known in their family. Sanskrit-derived languages were not spoken since birth.

“In their part of the world eating meat is customary, especially of the innocent cow, who is the great boon to the human race. Consuming intoxicants on a regular basis is normal; it is the standard way to unwind after a hard day at work.

“Now this same person is kind, gentle, knowledgeable, dedicated, and extremely tolerant. They regularly chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. At least on the surface, they appear to be completely sinless. They will tell you otherwise, that they are the most fallen and that any good qualities are due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

“My question is how does something like this happen? How is such a drastic transformation possible? Do a before-and-after analysis. Just see the stark difference. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just wondering if everyone else is as amazed as I am.”

A few years prior you had few responsibilities outside of work. Sometimes you would help out in a large purchase made for the home of your parents. You would take care of the car when it needed repairs. Perhaps shovel the accumulated snow after a major storm in the winter.

Never did you think you would be capable of providing childcare. Not that you are bad with children, it’s just that your past experience consisted only of playing with older ones, those who could walk and talk.

Yet marriage and subsequent fatherhood hit and you are a changed man. You didn’t perceive any of the transformation yourself. Friends and family have made remarks:

“Look at you. You figured out how to install a car seat. You are an expert in loosening and tightening, and you get the baby seated so quickly. You can make bottled milk and feed without a problem. You even know how to get them to fall asleep. Different tricks acquired along the way. It really is a miracle of nature.”

The truth is that the relationship creates the potential. That is to say the parents have deep affection for the child, and from there they learn how to properly provide love, attention and care. They may read books along the way, but most of the successful implementation is due to intuition or acquired learning.

In the same way, every living being has a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. They are connected to Him always, even in physical proximity. He expands to reside in the heart. Known as Paramatma, this feature of the Divine is the all-pervading witness.

Shri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita that He gives the extra boost to those who are devoted to Him. He gives them the necessary intelligence to come to Him. The change required may be dramatic, but the distance of the turn is rather short. The only real change is consciousness, from material to spiritual.

Therefore, it is entirely within the realm of possibility for every person to become a devotee of God and acquire all good qualities in the process. It is no issue from where they came; rather to where they are going is the place free of anxieties, Vaikuntha.

In Closing:

Previously proficiency without,

But through love figuring out.

Easily installing child safety seat,

Every childcare challenge to meet.

Because relationship together holding,

Same with bhakti service unfolding.

To Krishna a link everyone with already,

Help for those with desire steady.