Five People That Share Something Important In Common

"The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)

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विद्या-विनय-सम्पन्ने
ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि
शुनि चैव श्व-पाके च
पण्डिताः सम-दर्शिनः

vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

1. A dog

“Man’s best friend. In certain parts of the world you would think these are the kings and queens of society. They are treated better than royalty. One man may absolutely despise his neighbors, the other members of the community, the flag of the nation and so forth, but be willing to sacrifice life and limb for his dog.

“Likely the most attractive trait in the dog is loyalty. It will not yell at you for coming home late. It will not complain about the size of the apartment or the brand of cereal you purchased from the supermarket. It is simply happy to be in your association.

“It can understand to a significant degree, but there is the great barrier in communication. It cannot talk, no matter how much instruction it receives. It can help so many people, but at the end of the day it is still an animal.”

2. A dog-eater

“Don’t scoff at the idea. In certain parts of the world people do indeed eat dogs. You might think it’s ridiculous, but is it really much different than what gets produced in the slaughterhouses? You are making the comparison based on acceptable behavior in society, but I am saying that everyone has been degraded for many generations now.

“Yes, the dog-eaters are considered low class. They do not have a high stature, for if they had more money and means they would probably be eating a more expensive type of meat. Anyway, the law of nature says that one living entity is food for another. Who are you to judge?”

3. An elephant

“The man who makes internet videos for children was explaining how heavy elephants can be. Such a massive weight that gets effortlessly moved through the jungle. In certain marriage ceremonies the respective parties arrive at the event seated on elephants. The elephant is so powerful that just by walking through an area it can destroy it; without malicious intent.”

4. A cow

“In certain parts of the world this animal is considered sacred. The reverence dates back thousands of years, in fact. The modern day principles of free market economics were described long before in Vedic literature, using the cow as a reference point.

“The context is in having sufficient wealth in a kingdom. Rather than raising taxes at every moment of difficulty, create an atmosphere where the producers will be free to go about doing business. The comparison is to the cow and how it produces much more milk when cared for and allowed to roam about the fields, without fear of violence.

“From a little attention and love the cow produces so many items useful to the human society. Obviously, there is milk. Then there are the milk products, such as butter, cheese and yogurt. Cow dung can be used for fuel and cow urine has tremendous healing properties. All of this from a single animal, who doesn’t demand much in return.”

5. A learned brahmana

“The root definition refers to someone who has realized Brahman. This is the spiritual energy. Undivided, though seemingly divided and dispersed throughout the creation. Realizing Brahman is not easy. There is corresponding work. In this way the brahmana is both a status and an occupation.

“A learned brahmana is respected throughout society because of their ability to relate to every kind of person. They can offer advice to people in other occupations. They can see the bigger picture, since they understand the Brahman energy. In this way brahmanas are known to be seers of the three time periods: past, present and future.”

…

At first glance, a person would have to be considered crazy to think that these five are equal. They are completely different in the way they look, the way they behave, and their potential for action. No one would go up to a tiger and ask questions about shastra. No one would approach a brahmana and ask them to go fetch a tennis ball across the field.

Yet this is the power of the spiritual vision. It sees that these five are living entities at the core. They are equal, as confirmed by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita. This knowledge is essential for meeting the ultimate objective of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Not that I will necessarily treat these five the same, but I will lose any feelings of superiority or inferiority. I will offer the same kind of respect, manifesting especially in the protection of life. There is no reason to kill another living entity without cause or just for satisfying the taste buds. To the best of my ability I should respect all forms of life, as they are sparks from the Divine, equal in quality.

The spiritual vision is easier to maintain when understanding the source of spirit. The bhakti tradition automatically incorporates lack of cruelty based on the loving sentiments offered to the all-attractive one, who is connected to every living entity but is especially fond of the cows.

In Closing:

With every being a bond,
But of cows especially fond.

Which at core equal to me and you,
To humans and other species too.

At first glance difficult to see,
Since others not as intelligent to be.

Through wisdom of shastra detecting,
And then automatically respecting.

Three Ways My Pressure Increases

“A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean which is ever being filled but is always still—can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.70)

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आपूर्यमाणम् अचल-प्रतिष्ठं
समुद्रम् आपः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत्
तद्वत् कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे
स शान्तिम् आप्नोति न काम-कामी

āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭhaṁ
samudram āpaḥ praviśanti yadvat
tadvat kāmā yaṁ praviśanti sarve
sa śāntim āpnoti na kāma-kāmī

Everything could be going great. No problems. No issues. Everything resolved. The small world around you seemingly under control. But then things change. It is like you never had any control to begin with. You tried your best, but no luck with peace.

1. Baby screaming in the background

“I just need five more minutes. I would have received confirmation that the thing I worked on for the past two weeks was finally fixed. Some intense concentration necessary; no doubt about it. I require momentum, as well. Imagine trying to read a lengthy book by going two pages at a time, with five minute breaks in between. That would be a nightmarish experience.

“That is somewhat analogous to my situation. The baby screaming in the background. For no good reason, it seems. It is not like they suddenly awoke from an afternoon nap. I realize this is the reality of parenthood, but sometimes the interruptions get to me.”

2. Spouse complaining about the brand of juice I picked up from the supermarket

“I’m trying to do everything. Manage a job. Maintain the home. Keep everyone happy. Sometimes it is not so easy. I apparently picked up the wrong brand of juice from the store. The spouse decided to complain about it just now. To me it’s not that big of a deal. I don’t drink that particular type of juice, so that is why I did not pay much attention. I have no problem going back and picking up the right one. It’s just I don’t want to hear about my mistakes right now. Not after the day I had.”

3. Boss upset that I am behind in that project at work

“I have fun at my job. I found a position that perfectly matches my skills. I enjoy the difficulties and the challenges. Undoubtedly, I have more responsibilities than my colleagues at a similar level, but I generally do not mind. Someone has to tackle the pressing issues. If the company does well, then I am happy.

“But recently the boss is on my case about a big project. Says that I need to give it added priority. This is making me fume inside, because I handle every project with the same attention and care. How in the world does he have the nerve to criticize me about anything, when everyone else is just sitting on their hands?”

…

Shri Krishna provides some hints in the Bhagavad-gita on how to find peace. One approach is to take the negative and eliminate it. A common tactic is to satisfy every desire that rushes in. A desire can be something as basic as vacuuming the living room floor or something as complex as finding the right home to live in.

The allure, the illusion, if you will, is that satisfying each desire will bring peace. Just one more thing, as the famous television detective used to say. Krishna reveals the truth that just the opposite is true. Not that the desires or responsibilities should be ignored, but a person should not be disturbed by them.

This only makes sense. Utilizing some intelligence, I discern the pattern to the events. The desires actually never cease. They are like tributaries constantly rushing into a river. Better to remain level-headed.

That is easier said than done, but what Krishna does not directly mention is that He is the source of peace and calm to the devotees. Simply remember His lotus feet, His irradiant smile, and His all-attractive pastimes, and a person can find their way out of the pressures of daily life.

In Closing:

Finally my way out finding,
Where from picture features reminding.

How all-compassionate is He,
And my true welfare to see.

Where these desires even when met,
Never satisfaction to get.

Better on the devotional path standing,
And control over happiness commanding.

Five Things You Wouldn't Know About Krishna By Looking At Him

“The Blessed Lord said: Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all people. With the exception of you [the Pandavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.” (Bhagavad-gita, 11.32)

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श्री-भगवान् उवाच
कालो ऽस्मि लोक-क्षय-कृत् प्रवृद्धो
लोकान् समाहर्तुम् इह प्रवृत्तः
ऋते ऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे
ये ऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kālo 'smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho
lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ
ṛte 'pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣyanti sarve
ye 'vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣu yodhāḥ

1. He is the oldest person in the world

At the time of the war on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, over one hundred years had elapsed since Krishna first emerged from the womb of mother Devaki in the prison cell in Mathura. This is known as the janma of Krishna, occurring on the eighth day of the lunar cycle; hence the annual celebration titled Janmashtami.

What is normally considered the birth occasion, in this instance the eighth child for Devaki, is actually the appearance of the Divine. He is always in front of me. He is always behind me. He is both inside of the temple and outside of it. He is worshiped in a land today known as India, but He can also be celebrated, honored and appreciated in any planet of the universe.

In paintings depicting the famous conversation that took place between Krishna and Arjuna, we see that the charioteer is an all-attractive youth. Not much older than someone who has recently graduated college. The visual is one evidence of the lack of a debilitating influence of time.

For everyone else time is the great destroyer, but for Krishna it is another one of His servants. You could not tell by looking at Him, but Krishna is the original person, adi-purusha. He is also without an origin, anadi. In that sense He is the oldest person, but also without any accurate age measurement.

2. He is all-devouring time

Krishna declared this to be true to Arjuna. It was part of their discussion. I cannot see the future, necessarily. I can understand from past experience and logical deduction that everything will be destroyed. Eventually, I will lose the ability to read the very words I am producing at this moment. The future generations who will consult the documented evidence will also one day pass on to another lifetime.

That agent of change is known as kala in Sanskrit. It has a double meaning of time and death. Time is what leads to death. There is no other cause. Time is the element of change with respect to the material elements. Time has no bearing on my existence or yours.

Krishna is that all-devouring time, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at Him. Therefore, the vision of the virata-rupa was necessary. This is the complete everything, but it also included three dimensions and a time element for Arjuna. The leading fighter for the Pandava side saw everyone being destroyed, rushing into Krishna’s many, large mouths.

3. He is unlimited

The image of Krishna seen on the battlefield has a fixed location. The chariot of Arjuna, who is a single person. A specific time and circumstance. In the deity, the same image of Krishna gets worshiped, and again there is a fixed location. There can be many locations following the same standard of worship, but within each place there is only one image.

This is described to be the saguna form of the Divine. The literal translation is “with qualities.” These are distinguishable characteristics. I don’t have the ability to truly understand what nirguna means with respect to Krishna, so the saguna is there as an extension of His causeless mercy.

Whether viewed as nirguna or saguna, Krishna is unlimited. He is ananta. He is everywhere simultaneously. That is how He can hear any prayer offered to Him. He is the all-pervading witness, antaryami, and the swift-deliverer from the cycle of birth and death for His supporters.

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्-पराः
अनन्येनैव योगेन
मां ध्यायन्त उपासते
तेषाम् अहं समुद्धर्ता
मृत्यु-संसार-सागरात्
भवामि न चिरात् पार्थ
मय्य् आवेशित-चेतसाम्

ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi
mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ
ananyenaiva yogena
māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate
teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā
mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt
bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha
mayy āveśita-cetasām

“For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Pritha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 12.6-7)

4. He will consume banana peels if offered

Shri Krishna is an all-attractive youth. From His childhood pastimes we know that He enjoys milk and butter. These are sourced in an animal most dear to Him, the cow. What we may not know immediately is that Krishna will eat banana peels. These were once offered to Him by accident at the home of Vidura. Krishna accepted the offering and did not complain. Neither was this considered an offense on the part of the devotee.

5. He can lift a massive hill

If you are aware of Krishna’s Divine nature, you are not surprised by His amazing strength. The planets do not remain suspended in outer space on their own. The law of nature dictates that the planets remain where they are, but someone had to first create those laws. Otherwise, any person could conduct the same experiment. Keep a small round object floating in a fixed location, without any external support.

The asura underestimates Krishna’s strength. They do not know the true measure of His power. Sometimes, even the suras are fooled. The demigods become blinded by envy and they consider Shri Krishna to be an ordinary person. But that darling child of Devaki can lift a massive hill, if required. He can hold it above His head for an infinite period of time, without feeling exhaustion.

There is so much more to know, where the single worshipable image is merely the starting point. The acharyas and the saints of the bhakti tradition continue to enlighten me, and I never tire of hearing Krishna’s glories.

In Closing:

So much from an image to see,
And acharyas enlightening me.

That to Shri Krishna much more,
Than beautiful image to adore.

Infinite in reverse and forward time,
In Him unimaginable strength to find.

Where a massive hill can lift,
His vision a precious gift.

If Marriage Is So Difficult Why Did God Make It An Ashrama

“In the revealed scriptures there are two nomenclatures for the householder's life. One is grihastha, and the other is grihamedhi. The grihasthas are those who live together with wife and children but live transcendentally for realizing the ultimate truth. The grihamedhis, however, are those who live only for the benefit of the family members, extended or centralized, and thus are envious of others.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.2 Purport)

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Friend1: This isn’t breaking news here. Marriage is difficult.

Friend2: What part of it? Setting it up? Maintaining it? Keeping each other happy?

Friend1: All of the above, but especially maintaining it. Even from shastra we learn of so many issues. There are the exceptional cases in devotion, such as with Savitri and Sita Devi. Then we have the horrible women, like Kaikeyi. She embodies what a lot of cynics say about women in marriage.

Friend2: Oh boy. What is that?

Friend1: Something to the effect of:

“From day one they are on the lookout for what is most important to you. They are keenly observing. They are seeking leverage. Then, at the opportune moment, they will strike. They will attack that one thing they know is the most important to you. It is their way to gain the upper hand. Women are the worst.”

Friend2: Oh, and so Kaikeyi knew that King Dasharatha loved his son Rama so much.

Friend1: Exactly. She used that love against him, as a way to punish him. What kind of sick person does that?

Friend2: It happens. Envy is a difficult emotion to control. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam, there is an incident with Krishna travelling to the heavenly region to retrieve a tree for His wife Satyabhama.

Friend1: The parijata plant.

Friend2: Yes, and so Narada Muni noticed that Rukmini Devi, Krishna’s chief queen in Dvaraka, was not envious about someone else receiving such a tree.

Friend1: Basically, she didn’t feel the need to ask Krishna to get one for her.

Friend2: And so that was something to be noted, as it was an absence of envy.

Friend1: That’s cool. I’m sure many people ask this question. Why does marriage exist at all?

Friend2: There is the joke which says, “I don’t know who invented marriage, but I can tell you it wasn’t a man.”

Friend1: That’s funny. But seriously, it is such a difficult phase of life to complete, I don’t see why it is necessary.

Friend2: First, it should be stated that the institution is not compulsory. The idea is that kama is very difficult to control.

Friend1: Lust.

Friend2: Or material desire. Kama is what causes rebirth. Kama is the anchor to the material world, which is full of suffering and misery.

Friend1: Marriage is a way to control kama, then?

Friend2: Absolutely. The difficulty of the experience is intentional.

“Okay, so you want to enjoy the senses? Try doing so in a regulated way. At least you will get good children out of it. It is then your responsibility to rescue them from the cycle of birth and death.”

Friend1: What happens if you skip this phase of life?

Friend2: Unregulated kama is worse. If you have conquered lust, following in the footsteps of Mahadeva, then all the best to you. Religious texts give guidelines on eating and sex life specifically to restrict those activities. Otherwise, no one needs to be taught how to gravitate towards the opposite sex for enjoyment. No one requires instruction on eating and sleeping. These regulations are there for our benefit.

Friend1: For achieving a higher goal.

Friend2: The highest one: God consciousness. One that remains throughout the day. Consciousness manifesting in service. Loving God instead of just acknowledging His existence.

Friend1: How can I love and serve the Supreme Lord if I have other people to keep pleased in the home?

Friend2: Do the service together. Chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Read sacred texts like Shrimad Bhagavatam and Ramayana. Support each other in maintaining the consciousness, and then hopefully the experience won’t be as miserable.

In Closing:

How happy together to be?
When from marriage misery to see.

Daily my wheels grinding,
Fault after another finding.

So that for escape desperately pleading,
But only further into hole proceeding.

Idea that for senses to restrain,
And together liberation to attain.

Narasimha Chaturdashi 2020

“Prahlada Maharaja continued: I received this knowledge from the great saint Narada Muni, who is always engaged in devotional service. This knowledge, which is called bhagavata-dharma, is fully scientific. It is based on logic and philosophy and is free from all material contamination.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.6.28)

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श्रुतम् एतन् मया पूर्वं
ज्ञानं विज्ञान-संयुतम्
धर्मं भागवतं शुद्धं
नारदाद् देव-दर्शनात्

śrutam etan mayā pūrvaṁ
jñānaṁ vijñāna-saṁyutam
dharmaṁ bhāgavataṁ śuddhaṁ
nāradād deva-darśanāt

In a verse in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Prahlada Maharaja describes Narada Muni as a person who always sees the Divine [deva]. This confirms the truth that a spiritual master, guru, is a tattva-darshi, or one who has seen the truth.

तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

Narada Muni gave both jnana and vijnana to Prahlada. Simply from hearing there was theoretical understanding and also the practical application of the principles. No field work required, as the bhagavata path is unique and superior in this way. On the occasion of Narasimha Chaturdashi, we celebrate the transfer of power, how Narada Muni gave Prahlada the same ability to always see the Divine.

Anyone can claim that they have jnana and vijnana. The actor wears a lab coat and pretends to be a scientist on the popular television drama series. Wearing the shirt and tie and sitting behind a desk in an important office, another person portrays the leader of a nation.

Prahlada’s jnana was evident in his instructions to the sons of Daityas. These were children of the demon-class, to which Prahlada also belonged. They congregated in school, to be taught on the ways of material life, for ascending to the highest levels of sense enjoyment.

Since Prahlada had contact with Narada Muni much earlier, during the time in the womb, in fact, the priorities were different. The child of only five years was focused on serving the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan. He wanted to impress the idea on to the other students, who were his peers.

Proof of jnana is in the presentation of the principles. If I can memorize certain formulas in mathematics and give the proper answers on a formal examination, it proves that I have learned the material. This is at least to the satisfaction of the instructors.

Prahlada proved vijnana through his unwavering determination in yoga. This was the field work; something like the scientist going to the laboratory to conduct experiments, to prove hypotheses. Prahlada accepted the jnana from Narada, but also acted on it. This is one of the reasons shravanam, hearing, is the most recommended way towards transcendence. It does not require much to practice, and the benefits are enormous.

Narada can pass on jnana and vijnana because he has seen the truth and continues to see it. He is a traveler of the three-worlds, and he can visit Vaikuntha anytime he likes. There he sees God in the four-handed form of Narayana, who is lying in rest. Comfortably seated on the serpent bed of Ananta-Shesha Naga, the Supreme Lord has His feet massaged by His wife, Lakshmi Devi, who is the goddess of fortune.

Narada carries that image wherever he goes, retaining the association through chanting the holy name of Narayana. Narada’s disciples are able to do the same, and thus they feel liberated even prior to quitting the body.

Proof of Prahlada’s amazing vision would arrive through the descent of the avatara known as Narasimha. Prahlada always saw Narayana, but the atheistic father refused to believe. He could not acknowledge Narayana as God. Otherwise, the life in pursuit of world dominance would be invalidated. All of Hiranyakashipu’s work would be in vain.

Narayana showed a direct vision to the doubting soul, who could have benefitted from accepting the valuable words of advice from the son. This vision wasn’t the same four-handed one seen in Vaikuntha. It was ferocious and awe-inspiring. It was a special version of kala, which is death. Kala is the way that every person eventually meets God, face-to-face.

As angry as Narasimha was, because of the torture Hiranyakashipu had previously inflicted on the innocent Prahlada, it was an auspicious occasion, one that continues to be celebrated today. Narayana is the protector of the devotees, and He is never lost to them.

In Closing:

For world domination at any cost,
But for proper direction lost.

Since those words hearing,
And not to transcendence steering.

From saintly son heard,
But only further anger stirred.

Until death as Narasimha to descend,
Celebration to this day to extend.

Four Instances Of Marriage Difficulty In The Ramayana

“Being under the control of passion and lust, Rama’s father, Maharaja Dasharatha, wanted to fulfill Kaikeyi’s cherished desire, thus he did not go through with Rama’s installation ceremony.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 47.12)

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कामार्तस्तु महातेजाः पिता दशरथस्स्वयम्।।
कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं तं रामं नाभ्यषेचयत्।

kāmārtastu mahātejāḥ pitā daśarathassvayam।।
kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmārthaṃ taṃ rāmaṃ nābhyaṣecayat।

Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, extends His causeless mercy by periodically descending to the mortal realm. Not that He ever becomes subject to its rules. He is never prone to birth and death, gain and separation, temporary happiness and sadness, or extreme heat and cold.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
ग्लानिर् भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य
तदात्मानं सृजाम्य् अहम्

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.”  (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, to the level that He feels warrants personal intervention, He arrives as Himself. There are noted biographers on hand, sometimes even foreseeing the events prior to the actual occurrence.

The issue of marriage has presented difficulty since before anyone can remember. Not just two people living together for many years, but possible competing goals, taking verbal jabs in areas of known vulnerability. The Ramayana story has several instances of such difficulty.

1. Dasharatha and Kaikeyi

He has such a wonderful name. Since he can defend against attacking chariots coming from the ten directions simultaneously, that noted king in the Ikshvaku dynasty is known as Dasharatha. Many times he helped the forces of good, the suras, in their constant battles with evil, the asuras.

As was not uncommon for the time period, Dasharatha had several wives. A saintly person is always grateful. A single good gesture is never forgotten by them. And so it is not surprising that Dasharatha felt indebted to Kaikeyi after she one time saved his chariot from harm on the battlefield. He promised her any two boons of her choosing.

Since she knew her husband so well, she chose to attack his greatest weakness: affection for Rama. Dasharatha is a pure devotee in this light, as the love he had for his eldest son was actually directed towards the Supreme Lord Himself.

Kaikeyi insisted on separation, and since Dasharatha could not abandon the virtue required of his high position in a well-respected family, he eventually died from the separation from Rama. In effect, due to a fit of extreme envy Kaikeyi killed her husband.

2. Rama and Sita

Rama was not troubled by Kaikeyi’s desire for separation. The crown prince was prepared to leave for the forest and remain in exile for fourteen years. The problem was that Rama’s wife Sita insisted on accompanying. She refused to take “no” for an answer.

Though she is known as the embodiment of chastity and virtue, in this case Sita did not defer to her husband. She stood her ground and was defiant to the point of winning her case. Rama knew that trouble lay ahead, but there was nothing He could do.

3. Sugriva and Tara

This was a complicated situation. In Kishkindha, within the Vanara community there was a great fighter named Vali. He one time got dragged into a conflict that moved inside of a cave. The brother Sugriva eventually sealed up the lone entrance to the cave since he feared the combatant had defeated Vali and would thus emerge to cause further havoc.

Vali had actually survived, and when he found out what Sugriva did there was a mortal feud. Sugriva had to flee to Mount Rishyamukha in fear of his life. He later received assistance from Rama. That son of Dasharatha was searching through the forest for Sita, who had gone missing. Rama was accompanied by His younger brother Lakshmana.

When Rama helped Sugriva overcome the threat of Vali, Sugriva accepted Vali’s widow, Tara. This was a strange situation, as he was essentially sharing the wife of someone so close within his family.

4. Ravana and Mandodari

Sita had gone missing because Ravana, the king of Lanka, took her away by force and in secret. Ravana was already married at the time. He knew that Sita belonged to Rama both in heart and in dharma. That did not stop him; better judgment lost to lust.

In fact, Ravana had many beautiful queens in Lanka. Mandodari was the chief amongst them, and she was completely devoted to Ravana. The ways of marriage are such that the wife sometimes has to suffer because of the uncontrolled lust of her husband. In this case that inexcusable crime of stealing and torturing Sita led to Ravana’s demise, making Mandodari a widow.

…

In Vedic culture, the marriage institution is known as an ashrama, grihastha. The idea is that there should always be spiritual advancement occurring. Kama, or material desire, is the most difficult force to control, as it leads directly to rebirth in the material world.

Marriage as an institution is a way to keep kama in control, but even within that ashrama there are many potential areas of difficulty. Shri Rama highlights those through His lila, but the person who takes shelter of His lotus feet and always remembers the virtue and perseverance of Sita Devi will be able to conquer any difficulties thrown by the material nature.

In Closing:

Marriage as difficult known,
Through Ramayana even shown.

After envy in her heart filling,
Kaikeyi her husband killing.

Rama relenting to Sita’s plea,
Mandodari a widow to be.

Trouble in that time with many a test,
But servants of Rama and Sita blessed.

Why Does Adharma Get Any Victories At All

“Just as a tree starts to blossom during the proper season, so the doer of sinful deeds inevitably reaps the horrible fruit of their actions at the appropriate time.” (Lord Rama speaking to Khara, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 29.8)

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अवश्यं लभते जन्तुः फलं पापस्य कर्मणः।
घोरं पर्यागते काले द्रुमाः पुष्पमिवार्तवम्।।

avaśyaṃ labhate jantuḥ phalaṃ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ।
ghoraṃ paryāgate kāle drumāḥ puṣpamivārtavam।।

Friend1: You hear this kind of saying every now and then. “Good eventually triumphs over evil.” “The good will win out in the long run.”

Friend2: Because you see the principle play out in real life. Someone who the entire world knows is guilty of murder gets off on a technicality. Years later, the same person gets successfully convicted on another, less serious crime.

Friend1: Which everybody knows is their karma coming back to them.

Friend2: Karma in the vernacular sense. You and I know the scientific background. Karma is not only the bad people getting punished. Karma-phala, the fruits to behavior that has consequences.

Friend1: You could get fruits or poisonous berries. Depends on what you do.

Friend2: It is difficult to see immediately. You plant a seed in a pot of dirt, and you won’t get a full grown plant the next day. It takes some time.

Friend1: And effort. It won’t automatically grow, either. The communists loved to use that trick on innocent school-children. Take one pot and don’t give it any water.

Friend2: Just pray to God for a successful outcome.

Friend1: Another plant has the effort involved. It belongs to the state. The communists are successful and God-believers are not.

Friend2: Never mind that the communists did nothing to produce the soil, the sunlight and the water. If there was no God, they would be able to make the plant grow without doing anything.

Friend1: Precisely. I also know one of your favorite verses from the Ramayana describes the arrival of punishment to the sinners. How they get their just rewards at the appropriate time, like the flowers blossoming on trees.

Friend2: It is spoken by Shri Rama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That one verse answers so many questions.

Friend1: It does, but here is a follow-up question. We know that dharma and adharma have been at odds since before anyone can remember. Good against evil. The pious against the impious. Sometimes evil rises to prominence, but it never stays there.

Friend2: Such as with Ravana and Hiranyakashipu, of Vedic fame.

Friend1: My question is why does adharma stand a chance at all? Why does it ever rise to prominence?

Friend2: You mean why do the cheaters sometimes win?

Friend1: You could put it that way. If dharma is the proper way, shouldn’t it remain in the dominant position?

Friend2: This is the land of illusion. This is a shadow copy of the spiritual world. In this place it is possible for adharma to manifest. In the spiritual world there is no concept of sin or adharma or going against God. It is simply not possible.

Friend1: If you want to turn against Him, you have to fall to the material world.

Friend2: Adharma is something like the shadow produced by the light. The sun shines its light everywhere, but there are shadows produced as a result. The shadow is darkness, the absence of light. But that darkness has no bearing on the sun. To the sun, it doesn’t matter what the external viewpoint is.

Friend1: And so even though adharma can rise for a period of time, it has no bearing on dharma itself? But aren’t people hindered in their pursuit towards perfection?

Friend2: That is one of the temporary effects, for sure. Dharma does not change, however. In a sense, adharma is not real. It is another aspect to the illusion, part of the dreamlike experience in this land of birth and death. Stay with dharma long enough and you will be able to see. The Supersoul is everywhere, giving sanction to the choices made by the individual soul. In that sense it is always the will of the embodiment of dharma that wins. In other words, Rama is always supreme, even if it may seem that Ravana has eliminated the influence of good in the world.

In Closing:

Though dominant those sinning,
Where seems like Ravana winning.

Dharma to emerge in the end,
Like Rama’s bows to extend.

Adharma like shadow not real,
The illusion temporarily to feel.

But Supreme dominant throughout,
Since always blemish without.