Recognizing My Problems

“Then I, resembling a cloud and having molten-golden earrings, made my way into Vishvamitra’s ashrama, for I was very proud of my strength due to the boon given to me by Lord Brahma. As soon as I entered, Rama quickly noticed me and raised His weapon. Though He saw me, Rama strung His bow without any fear.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.16-17)

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ततोऽहं मेघसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।
बली दत्तवरोदर्पादाजगाम तदाश्रमम्।।
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टोऽहं सहसैवोद्यतायुधः।
मां तु दृष्ट्वा धनुस्सज्यमसम्भ्रान्तश्चकार सः।।

tato’haṃ meghasaṅkāśastaptakāñcanakuṇḍalaḥ।
balī dattavarodarpādājagāma tadāśramam।।
tena dṛṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo’haṃ sahasaivodyatāyudhaḥ।
māṃ tu dṛṣṭvā dhanussajyamasambhrāntaścakāra saḥ।।

Imagine a third party being able to identify your problems. Seeing through the cloud of delusion, ignorance, murkiness, chaos, tumult, and despair. Recognizing the exact issue and providing a remedy at the same time.

The assessment is not after a lengthy time for diagnosis, either. A split second. Faster than the other side, the one causing the problem. Without fear. Without hesitation. Ready to act. Giving tips on how to avoid the problem moving forward.

Now imagine that this person can continue to provide relief going forward. They know the issues that will arise in the future. They understand the pains and pleasures, the changing of seasons, the onset of old age, the potential areas of strong attachment and lamentation. In essence, they know it all.

A consultation with such a person would be invaluable. We know that it is possible, based on the recorded events from the past. History moved forward through a chain of disciplic succession. Pithy statements, presented as beautiful poetry, preserved in the original sound that was produced.

One example is Bhagavad-gita. Arjuna had the issue of possible victory in a great war. He was unsure of what to do. He wanted to follow dharma, but he mistakenly equated abandoning the battlefield with piety. He thought nonviolence was called for, when in fact the innocent in society were counting on him to defend them.

In another instance, the sages in the tapo-vanas were having issues with harassment. Man-eating ogres from Lanka were arriving on the scene, just at the time of completion for religious observances, and thwarting everything.

It was not like a simple border wall would suffice. To keep wild animals out, you can erect a fence. Heavy fortifications, plus some basic weapons for self-defense. Here the attackers had special abilities. They were rangers of the night, and they could disappear from vision within a split second.

For Arjuna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly offered assistance. Not with weapons. Not with a military strategy. Rather, with sound words of advice. These were like the sharpest knife cutting through a thick knot of ignorance.

In the case of the sages, the same God the person was there, but He used His physical ability directly. This is described by a firsthand account of one of the attackers, who soon turned into a defeated victim.

Maricha pounced on the sacrificial fire, as per usual. This time, it was towards Vishvamitra, a venerable sage. That wise saintly man had previously asked for the protection of King Dasharatha’s eldest son. This was Shri Rama, an avatara of God.

Rama recognized the problem immediately. Though Maricha and friends were fast, though they could attack undetected, though they expected success as per prior engagements, Rama did not hesitate. He quickly fitted bow to arrow and released a weapon of defense.

That amazing arrow struck Maricha and thrust him backwards some eight hundred miles. Problem solved. Rama was supposedly in training in the military arts. He was young, accepting Vishvamitra as a spiritual guide.

In Arjuna’s case, the same Rama was the neutral charioteer. Not interfering in a long feud between two sides in a large family. Krishna knew what Arjuna had to do, so He took the role of guru and offered advice.

Since He is antaryami, the all-pervading witness, since He sees past, present and future, and since He has knowledge to the fullest degree, the Supreme Lord can recognize my problems. Approaching Him is always the best option, and such a move can take place through the via medium of the spiritual master, who recommends for this age the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

How the problem to solve?
Enemies of firm resolve.

Boons their efforts backing,
At nighttime in forest attacking.

Shri Rama quicker since then,
Bow and arrow ready for them.

The ogres with false forms arriving,
But away with amazing force driving.