Even A Prison Cell Could Not Keep Vasudeva Bound

“While Vasudeva was carrying his son Krishna in the falling rain, Lord Shesha in the shape of a serpent spread His hood over the head of Vasudeva so that he would not be hampered by the rainfall. Vasudeva came onto the bank of the Yamuna and saw that the water of the Yamuna was roaring with waves and that the whole span was full of foam. Still, in that furious feature, the river gave passage to Vasudeva to cross, just as the great Indian Ocean gave a path to Lord Rama when He was bridging over the gulf.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

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Kamsa had his plan. He was no different than others in this regard. Think of the immediate future, and also the days ahead. There was already sufficient enjoyment. Plenty of wealth. Control over the people. His word was final.

Kamsa was the king of Mathura. If he made plans to build a new construction home, for example, they would likely go through. If he needed a neighboring enemy taken care of, he had plenty of friends of dubious character and wicked intent who would be willing to do the job.

In this case, he took matters into his own hands. There was something like a circuitous route towards reaching this decision. The initial inclination was to kill his sister Devaki. This was after Kamsa heard a message from a voice in the sky. The akasha-vani warned that Devaki’s eighth child would spell Kamsa’s doom.

To an asura-like person who is only interested in sense gratification and preserving that kind of life, there is little contemplation of the beyond. In other words, why consider what will happen after inevitable death when you can do everything in your power to ensure that never takes place? Blinded by the illusion of the material world, Kamsa could not see that “inevitable” and “never” were incompatible.

This message was delivered on an otherwise auspicious day. Devaki-mangala, or the marriage of Devaki to her husband Vasudeva. Kamsa was following honor and chivalry in escorting the bride to her new home.

Vasudeva intervened and persuaded Kamsa to delay the violence. The couple promised to deliver every child to Kamsa without issue, and the king was so warmed to the heart by the kindness that he decided to completely abandon the hostility.

Then one day Narada Muni paid a visit. The celebrated traveler of the three-worlds singing the glories of Narayana convinced Kamsa to be on guard. The original plan was now back, with the modification that Vasudeva and Devaki would have to remain in jail. Kamsa would take lethal action against every child born to them, keeping special attention on the eighth.

Fortunately for the loving parents, Kamsa and everyone else in the kingdom were asleep when the eighth child finally arrived. This was the same Narayana who is glorified by Narada. This is the same God that the asura-class is always trying to assess, to see if they match up.

Kamsa could not succeed against an otherwise helpless infant. This was Narayana in the avatara of Shri Krishna. The power of devotion is so strong that Vasudeva was able to escape the prison. All the protections surrounding him were no match. The Supreme Lord facilitated an easy victory.

There were other forces that threatened the success, ones not directly under Kamsa’s control. It was the middle of the night. How would the father escape without anyone seeing? How would he cross the Yamuna River while pelted by rain?

In the end, it was mission accomplished. Beautiful paintings memorialize the event. Vasudeva is holding his new son, and Anantadeva is providing protection from the rain with his hoods. The powerful asura easily defeated by the helpless and imprisoned brother-in-law.

This is always possible, no matter the visuals. Devotional service beats the odds every time, and so the value of the holy names should never be underestimated: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Helpless over powers that be,
Who anticipating birth to see.

Of eighth child to then toss,
For parents another heartbreaking loss.

But Shri Krishna the pattern to break,
Loving father with him to take.

To Yamuna’s banks in the rain,
Delivered by destiny who came.

The Nighttime Awakening

“While Vasudeva was carrying his son Krishna in the falling rain, Lord Shesha in the shape of a serpent spread His hood over the head of Vasudeva so that he would not be hampered by the rainfall. Vasudeva came onto the bank of the Yamuna and saw that the water of the Yamuna was roaring with waves and that the whole span was full of foam. Still, in that furious feature, the river gave passage to Vasudeva to cross, just as the great Indian Ocean gave a path to Lord Rama when He was bridging over the gulf.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

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The presentation of the principles in Bhagavad-gita by Shri Krishna is not merely for a theoretical exercise. The intent is to contemplate, process, and confirm with certainty through personal experience. The same destination is possible through utmost faith in the representative, the spiritual master, but there will always be an accompanying vijnana, or practical realization.

The Supreme Lord’s agents are so kind that they find different ways to present the timeless truths of Vedanta, which is the conclusion of knowledge and study. Moving past the illusion, where the teachers bluff and give false statements as a way to serve their own interests, the eternal associates of Krishna are completely honest, asking everyone to take a clear look at the world around them.

या निशा सर्व-भूतानां
तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी
यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि
सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः

yā niśā sarva-bhūtānāṁ
tasyāṁ jāgarti saṁyamī
yasyāṁ jāgrati bhūtāni
sā niśā paśyato muneḥ

“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.69)

One verse from the sacred song of God delivered to Arjuna describes how the self-controlled person, the muni, has an awakening while others are in the dark. That is to say they can find light in a situation where others do not see anything. On the corresponding side, where the uncontrolled person sees a vast field of endless opportunities for sense gratification, the muni sees darkness.

That principle is wonderfully illustrated in one of the opening moments from Krishna-lila. This is the Divine play of the self-form avatara of the Almighty. He descended to this world to deal with the wicked Kamsa of Mathura, who had previously received a curse that would be cured through death dealt directly by the hand of God.

Krishna appeared within a jail cell in Mathura, to the birth parents, Vasudeva and Devaki. To keep everyone safe for the next few years, the baby asked to be transported to the nearby town of Gokula. This all occurred at midnight. Everyone else was sleeping, including the guards to the prison.

Vasudeva managed to escape. He was awake. This was a time of enlightenment, dealing directly with the source of the material and spiritual worlds. Devaki was also awake, having offered her obeisances to her son upon seeing the visual of the four-handed Narayana.

Not only was there darkness, but a storm looked to dampen the spirits of the new father, who had an important mission to complete. He needed to cross the Yamuna River, but how would he do so carrying a child? How would the child remain safe from the pouring rain?

The river gave way to Vasudeva, as it had previously done for Vishnu’s avatara of Shri Rama. Anantadeva provided an umbrella for the baby, showing that the embodiment of the guru was also wide awake during this important time.

The incident illustrates the natural juxtaposition. A person may not win many friends by volunteering for the bhakti path. Their activities may appear to be in darkness to the person blinded by the shining light of illusion in the material world. But that direct connection with Krishna reverses the situation, allowing for success under even the most trying of circumstances.

In Closing:

Shining that light,
Illusion’s power bright.

The sage darkness only seeing,
Dissociated from Supreme Being.

But accomplishing even at night,
Like Vasudeva with nature to fight.

Helped by Yamuna and Ananta so,
Successfully towards Gokula to go.

How Do I Know That I Have Lived Before

“The Blessed Lord said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O subduer of the enemy!” (Bhagavad-gita, 4.5)

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श्री-भगवान् उवाच
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि
जन्मानि तव चार्जुन
तान्य् अहं वेद सर्वाणि
न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
bahūni me vyatītāni
janmāni tava cārjuna
tāny ahaṁ veda sarvāṇi
na tvaṁ vettha parantapa

“I know that you don’t like to refer to it as Hinduism. Sanatana-dharma is the proper term, both from a definition perspective and also the applicability. Hinduism makes it sound like another faith, where you enter a house of worship and profess your allegiance.

“While shraddha, faith, is certainly an integral aspect to assimilating the higher truths of an existence, sanatana-dharma is the eternal way of living for every person. It applies to even the non-human species, though they lack the potential for understanding it and thus returning to it.

“But hope is not lost. There is always the opportunity in the future. The human birth is the reward, the last stop on the chain of evolution. The species themselves do not evolve; since matter cannot do anything on its own. It is the soul which travels from one form to another.

“Hopefully, this human birth is the last one. I have the potential for reconnecting with sanatana-dharma, which will take me away from mrityu-loka and return me to the spiritual world free of anxieties, Vaikuntha.

“My question relates to validation of the many births. What evidence is there? How do I know for certain that I have lived before? People tend to think this is a special characteristic of the Hindu faith, that it is just a way to scare people from indulging in certain behaviors, like alcohol consumption and meat-eating.

“I have no memory of the past lives. I can’t determine how many there have been. I don’t know the actual origin. How, then, can I believe?”

To begin with, memory alone is not a solid basis for establishing a truth. It can be used as evidence in a criminal trial, with a person described to be an eyewitness, a party who was at the scene of the supposed crime. They can tell a jury what occurred, if the accused is guilty or not.

At the same time, recollections are not perfect. Someone may be mistaken in what they think they saw. A clever trick of the sinister politician is to respond with, “I don’t remember,” when asked about potentially criminal behavior from the past. A politician who is running for the highest office in the land might give that response to at least twenty different questions about intentional behavior, deliberate actions that took place in the recent past.

We can use our own experiences as validation. We understand that a human being spends upwards of nine months in the womb prior to entering this world. It is a life from the very beginning. It is the very presence of life that sparks the growth inside the womb.

Yet I have no recollection of that time. I can’t confirm myself whether I ever lived in a womb. It seems ridiculous now, as the body of an adult is much larger in total size. How could anyone stay bunched up in the fetal position for so long?

Thus we see that lack of recollection is not a sound basis for discounting the truth. Another argument could be that at least someone was there to witness my time in the womb. There is the authority of the mother. She gives the word and I accept it.

The same applies to the spiritual science. The original person, who is also the all-pervading witness, provides the confirmation that the living entities endure many, many births in this world. The conditioned soul, the jiva, cannot remember those experiences, whereas the Supreme Lord can.

Determining the exact number of births, the moments within the vast timeline of creation that they took place, to which kind of species were entered, and so forth is neither necessary nor a valuable use of time. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada recommends seeking the cure immediately.

Connect with the Divine consciousness and be assured that birth and death will stop. This experience will be the last one in duality. The rest will be blissful in the association of the Divine, who is known as Krishna, among countless other names. This is because He is all-attractive, a property which extends to His timeless wisdom found in works like Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

In Closing:

Believe in past lives how?
When living this one now.

No memory of which to speak,
Or documented evidence to seek.

But eyewitness antaryami there,
Knowing exactly when and where.

On future focus today should be,
How from birth-death cycle to free.

His Associates Are Always With Him

“While Vasudeva was carrying his son Krishna in the falling rain, Lord Shesha in the shape of a serpent spread His hood over the head of Vasudeva so that he would not be hampered by the rainfall. Vasudeva came onto the bank of the Yamuna and saw that the water of the Yamuna was roaring with waves and that the whole span was full of foam. Still, in that furious feature, the river gave passage to Vasudeva to cross, just as the great Indian Ocean gave a path to Lord Rama when He was bridging over the gulf.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

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It is something to distract the mind during these difficult times. While there is endless streaming content already available, a new documentary has everyone excited. A way to revisit the past, the good old days, before the smartphones and social media sites sucked the fun out of practically everything.

This television series documents the final season of a particular player with the team he was best known for. A behind-the-scenes account that was apparently just sitting in a vault somewhere for over twenty years. That mistake is now forgiven; the memories flood back with every episode.

One notable takeaway, at least from your perspective, is that this player never travelled alone. At the height of their success, they were likely the most famous athlete in the world. Transcending national boundaries, cultural differences, and even the ability to understand the language spoken – they were the ultimate celebrity.

The close associates were always there, accompanying. In a world where everyone wanted to be a friend, to get a taste of the fame and fortune, trusted advisors and guards were around to look out for this person’s best interests.

It is a similar concept with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His descents to this mortal realm. The Sanskrit term is mrityu-loka. This means “the planet of death.” In order for the end to take place, there must first be a beginning. Thus mrityu-loka can also be considered the land of birth and death.

I appear at some point in time. Where was I prior? How many times have I appeared before? Is this birth the beginning? I don’t remember the time spent in the womb, but it most certainly occurred. This means that memory is not the sole factor for establishing a truth. If I can’t remember the time spent in the womb, it means that I would not be able to remember past lives, also.

The descent of the Divine is something special. Though He appears before the eyes in mrityu-loka, the otherwise harsh rules of the place do not apply to Him. He is never subject to birth and death. The dualities of a material existence have no meaning to Him.

The associates also accompany the avatara. The purpose for this travel is that they are associates for a reason. They remain by His side because He prefers it that way. Though God is atmarama, He has room to accept an unlimited number of friends and well-wishers. He is satisfied in the self, but He takes pleasure in the company of others.

We see in the early moments of the avatara of Krishna in this world that He did not arrive alone. As a newborn, He showed the equivalence to Narayana in the display of the four-handed form. This was to the parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, who were imprisoned in Mathura at the time.

Baby Krishna asked to be transferred to Gokula, a nearby town where the newborn would be away from the watchful and fearful eye of the king named Kamsa. Vasudeva took care of the transport task. He carried baby Krishna across the Yamuna River in the middle of the night.

An amazing thing took place. Though it was raining heavily, there was protection for the child. Ananta Shesha Naga suddenly appeared and used his many hoods to serve as an umbrella. This was the first sighting of an associate. Thus far only Narayana had revealed Himself.

Anantadeva was not hiding somewhere the entire time. He is always with God the person, appearing whenever necessary. He would take the avatara of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, during the subsequent lila.

The number of associates at any one time is not fixed, so this is one possible achievement through the life in liberation, mukti. It is a benediction superior to merging into the Brahman energy or simply escaping the cycle of birth and death. The associates get to always bask in the splendor of the Divine, whose potency can be experienced through sound: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Though seemingly sometimes to hide,
Entourage always by His side.

Just at right time appearing,
Like when river path clearing.

For Vasudeva in nighttime calling,
Ananta to protect from rain falling.

Chance for same closeness for me,
And that bright effulgence to see.

Enjoying His Kingdom

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me’ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

“To me the argument is a little too convenient. Start with your own desires. Those take top priority. Then find a way to justify the behavior necessary for meeting those desires. It would be like someone wanting to rob a bank. This is what consumes their mind twenty-four hours a day.

“Then, as they are on the verge of carrying out their plan, one of their friends raises an objection. They wonder how a person could think of doing such a thing, especially when applying rational thought. A drug-dealer, a person with too many gambling debts, or a person gone mad through addiction might consider such nonsense, but this person was in none of those situations.

“Then the creator of the idea comes up with justifications. They say that the rich deserved to be plundered, after what they had done to society. They remind the friend that the government writes off a much greater amount of money; it is like a rounding error in their annual budget.

“These are not valid justifications, and neither is the primary reason provided for enjoying in this world at the expense of other living entities. They say that God gave them that right. The reasoning is that God put us on this earth to enjoy this kingdom, in whatever way we see fit. All we have to do is believe in Him and we will be saved.”

An incident from the Ramayana provides some clarity. There is an actual kingdom, with a physical address. The people are pious in that area, and they are beautiful in every way. This is because the highly respected Dasharatha is the king. The city has strong physical protections in well-guarded gates. Intruders will not be able to enter. In modern terms, we could say the kingdom has strong borders.

Every person is engaged in their proper occupation, suitable based on the material qualities, gunas, accepted at the time of birth. Invoking a favorite phrase of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, there was unity in diversity.

The control of that majestic kingdom was ready to be handed over. A transfer of power. Following both tradition and the will of the people, Dasharatha would pass on the honor to his eldest son, Shri Rama. This was the son that Dasharatha had longed for; the one who arrived after a special yajna conducted for that purpose.

When Rama heard the news, His immediate thought was to share the honor with Lakshmana, the beloved younger brother. Rama did not have to do this. Lakshmana was more thrilled to have the eldest brother receive the honor than if the same had arrived his way.

Rama asked for Lakshmana to enjoy everything the royal kingdom had to offer. Rama and His brothers would share the honor; they would rule together. This is symbolic of the way the entire world is meant to operate. It is Rama’s kingdom, after all. He owns the original title to every piece of property.

The potential for enjoyment is certainly there, but in a responsible way. The offer to Lakshmana was to rule the kingdom together, which meant taking care of others. It was not a license to kill indiscriminately or to put innocent life into distress simply for the purpose of satisfying the senses.

The proper way for enjoyment is through dharma, which descends from a chain of teachers. This is known as parampara, or the disciplic succession. Each instance of life has their right to live, and incorporated in the Divine consciousness is the spiritual vision.

सर्व-भूत-स्थम् आत्मानं
सर्व-भूतानि चात्मनि
ईक्षते योग-युक्तात्मा
सर्वत्र सम-दर्शनः

sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānaṁ
sarva-bhūtāni cātmani
īkṣate yoga-yuktātmā
sarvatra sama-darśanaḥ

“A true yogi observes Me in all beings, and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized man sees Me everywhere.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.29)

If I really know and understand God, I will see Him everywhere, especially in other instances of life. My first inclination will be to respect, even though the external treatment will take into consideration the body type and basic behavior. For instance, I will not treat the tiger and the cow as the same, though I understand the equality in terms of the spiritual vision.

This measured enjoyment, where the consciousness connects to the Supreme Lord, is in line with yoga, which otherwise has strict requirements. The human being can volunteer for certain austerities, known as tapasya. This controlled way of life will do me more good than if I went for enjoyment in an unregulated way.

The highest benefit to this kind of enjoyment is always connecting with that elder brother of Lakshmana, who will forever remain king of the universe, where His gates are kindly guarded by worshipable souls like Shri Hanuman.

In Closing:

For brother affection and care,
Offer for that kingdom to share.

When honor to Him descending,
To Lakshmana gesture extending.

But not only in Ayodhya found,
Property the entire earth’s ground.

Meant for His children’s enjoyment measured,
Happily that life in dharma treasured.

Krishna Can Make You Do Things You Never Thought Possible

“While Vasudeva was carrying his son Krishna in the falling rain, Lord Shesha in the shape of a serpent spread His hood over the head of Vasudeva so that he would not be hampered by the rainfall. Vasudeva came onto the bank of the Yamuna and saw that the water of the Yamuna was roaring with waves and that the whole span was full of foam. Still, in that furious feature, the river gave passage to Vasudeva to cross, just as the great Indian Ocean gave a path to Lord Rama when He was bridging over the gulf.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

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It is the new normal. You have certain possessions. You are living with a certain person. The future involves certain responsibilities. So much to do, in fact, that you have little time to reflect on the past, such as where you were a mere ten years ago. A chance meeting with an old photo tells it all, triggering an instant flashback.

The situation was entirely different. Life was simpler, but there was also hopelessness and despair. Everyone around you had so much. They seemed to be progressing in life. On their way towards bigger and better things. You were happy and content, but at the same time disappointed in the lack of progress, based on comparison.

In other words, it felt that everyone grew up and you were still acting under the model from childhood. When would the shift take place? When would the embarrassment end? You couldn’t give satisfactory answers to the questions that came your way at social functions, so you started to avoid going to them altogether.

Then that one person entered your life. An instant change, but you didn’t notice until later. They gave you so much energy. Confidence. Pride, but not to an unhealthy level. Just higher self-esteem, the feeling that you had done alright in the past and could do more in the future. The challenges would be met with determination and resolve rather than retreat and fear.

In a similar manner, the meeting with the Supreme Personality of Godhead can inspire confidence to facilitate soaring to new heights of achievement and ability. We have an example with the case of the father named Vasudeva.

It was the eighth time being a father with his wife, in fact, that the significant impact could be seen. This child was none other than Narayana, who proved His Divine nature through a direct vision. The words from the newborn were enough; Krishna was God. But to the pious parents He removed any doubts by displaying the Narayana vision.

“Vasudeva saw that wonderful child born as a baby with four hands, holding conchshell, club, disc, and lotus flower, decorated with the mark of Shrivatsa, wearing the jeweled necklace of kaustubha stone, dressed in yellow silk, appearing dazzling like a bright blackish cloud, wearing a helmet bedecked with the vaidurya stone, valuable bracelets, earrings and similar other ornaments all over His body and an abundance of hair on His head.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

The baby continued speaking, providing directions on what needed to be done next. This birth took place in a jail cell, at midnight, while the asuras around them were sleeping. The leader of that town, King Kamsa, was not to know of Narayana’s arrival, for it would prematurely instigate a conflict that was destined to commence at a later date.

Krishna asked to be transferred to the nearby town of Gokula. How was Vasudeva going to follow through? They were locked up all this time for a reason; against their will. Krishna used His powers to allow the doors to open. The guards were fast asleep. Vasudeva snuck out unnoticed.

Then there was a more formidable challenge presented by nature. How was Vasudeva going to cross the Yamuna River while carrying an infant? The rain was pouring down, adding to the difficulty. Since Krishna was with him, Vasudeva found a way to do the impossible.

The description is that the river gave passage to that father in the same way that it previously allowed Shri Rama, another incarnation of Narayana, to bridge over the ocean and reach the island of Lanka. Baby Krishna was protected from the rain by a suddenly manifesting Ananta Shesha Naga.

Mission accomplished for Vasudeva, and in our struggle with illusion and the debilitating effects of time, the same source of inspiration and protection is there to guide us. Through His benevolence He sends the spiritual master, who provides the life-saving medicine of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Spiritual master to me came,
With life-saving holy name.

So that the impossible can do,
Eternal rescue for you too.

Like Krishna to the father inspiring,
Where passage through river requiring.

But that obstacle overcame,
And Ananta as umbrella came.

Like His Second Self

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me’ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

“I know that in the Sanskrit tradition of spiritual culture there is tremendous significance placed on the guru. The word has multiple meanings. The root definition is something heavy. Such as when a presidential candidate chooses a running mate with lengthy experience in contrast to their own, the news media across the spectrum keeps using the word ‘gravitas.’

“The guru carries weight. Their word has meaning. The person of heavy influence can also be a parent or a guardian. My first guru is mother and father. They are the initial protectors, upon whom I fully relied for everything. There is no proper way to repay this favor, as without such assistance I would not be where I am today.

“In the context of spiritual advancement and following dharma, guru refers to the spiritual master. This person gives the second and more important birth. Those who take initiation from the guru, either formally or informally, are known as twice-born, dvija. Only the human being has this opportunity, and it should not be wasted.

“The brain should never be turned off out of fear or through laziness in accepting what the pack has to say. Critical thinking is a gift from nature provided for a reason. Use the ability to question the way of life, to search for a better and more efficient passage of time, for not spoiling moments of contemplation on petty issues, which change by the day.

“The guru is my ideal companion, in this regard. They have already seen the truth, tattva, from interaction with their own guru. This is also the test for authenticity. The guru who proclaims himself as self-made, who never had to read a book or listen to anyone, is obviously not telling the full truth.

“I can direct my questions to the tattva-darshi within the disciplic succession and receive satisfactory answers; at least to the point that I will be able to think for myself and possibly validate at a further date through applied practice and dedication.

“For these reasons and more it is obvious why the guru carries so much weight, but I am wondering if there is a danger in worshiping such a person as heavy or Divine. Is that not a shortcut way to rise to power? Instead of swaying public opinion in an upcoming election for world leader, just become a guru and demand obedience from a loyal flock.

“How do we reconcile the two sides? We are supposed to use intelligence to discern the cheaters from the genuine, but at the same time we should inquire submissively, and not in a challenging spirit.”

From Vedic literature we learn that the origin of the guru is a direct expansion of the Supreme Lord. Something like the first replica, but an individual separate from God. Both are the Divine, but facilitating a different interaction. Vishnu is God accepting service and the representative is God offering service.

The relationship is always close. Vishnu is everything to the guru, and Vishnu never forgets the service rendered by His representative. We see evidence of this in the interactions between Shri Rama and His younger brother Lakshmana.

The two brothers are avataras, or living incarnations, of the same personalities with a fixed residence in the spiritual realm. In one moment of Rama’s pastimes on this earth, He gets news of an upcoming transfer of power. Rama will be made the next king, aligning both with proper succession protocol and the desires of the people.

Rama immediately goes to Lakshmana and asks for the honor to be shared. He lovingly refers to Lakshmana as His second self, antaratmanam. This means that there is no difference. If I offer service to Lakshmana, the embodiment of the guru, then it is just like worshiping God. The Supreme Lord is more than pleased.

For this reason, it is not uncommon to find the devotee having a higher reverence for the guru than the Supreme Lord. This is mentioned by Maharishi Valmiki one time while speaking to Rama. The genuine guru is worthy of such honor, and more important to them than allegiance is continued dedication in the path of yoga, which yields ever-lasting benefits.

In Closing:

Not just allegiance blind,
When genuine guru to find.

So much to the heart pleased,
When steadiness in yoga sees.

That worshiping Sita and Rama,
And overcoming force of kama.

Disciple then never to forget,
The one who properly set.