Joyriding Through The Wreckage Of Someone Else's Life

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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“This will certainly come across as one of the strangest questions you receive, so bear with me. I want to be able to phrase it properly. I guess you could say I will describe a certain type of behavior. It is not uncommon. Many people fall victim to it. I am not sure where it fits into the common presentation of the need for bhakti-yoga, in the modern day.

“Let’s say that a famous person becomes embroiled in a scandal. It could be a politician, someone running for the highest office in the land. Corruption gets uncovered. Lewd photographs. Evidence of rampant criminal behavior.

“The accidental revelations are through the son of the politician. They are troubled, to say the least. Drug abuse. Alcohol addiction. Illicit connection with women. In the latest scandal, media entities get ahold of this politician’s son’s photographs stored on a computer.

“Boy oh boy, these pictures are bad. I mean really bad. A friend of mine keeps telling me about them, as they are sporadically made public. I feel it is wrong to even talk about, to take joy in someone’s failures. At the same time, this is how gossip works. This is why there is an entire industry revolving around the day-to-day happenings of celebrities.

“How do we avoid this behavior? I don’t think it is mentioned in the four regulative principles, as given by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the parampara system. I guess you could say it is advised to avoid idle gossip. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says to not engage in gramya-katha, which is talk of the village.

“I guess I want to address the underlying cause. It is one thing to say to avoid this and don’t do that, but it would be easier to find the proper path if I knew exactly what was causing the attention and interest in the first place. Do you see what I am saying?”

One of the weaknesses associated with a life devoted to sense gratification is envy. No matter how much I enjoy, someone will always be in a superior position. No matter how much money I have, there are rivals. This is because none of us can become God. His position is taken since time immemorial.

Even if you become the king of heaven, the leader in svarga-loka, you are not immune to envy and jealousy. We can study the incident of the first Govardhana Puja. If you are enjoying soma-rasa and have attendants to cater to your every need, why would you be interested with what is happening on earth?

In this case the people of a small rural community decided to ignore Indra for a single time in a year. They were accustomed to worshiping him, and the king of heaven happily received the attention. It was a formal worship in his honor, yajna.

At the insistence of Shri Krishna, who was a small boy at the time, the people worshiped a nearby hill instead. They directed their offerings to Govardhana, which confirmed the genuineness of this newly created ritual by speaking to the people. Shri Krishna assumed the identity of the hill, proving that God’s land is as good as God.

Indra became so incensed that he decided to retaliate. He wasn’t necessarily taking pleasure in someone else’s pain, but he was consumed by envy. If successful, he would be able to stand back and be happy at the destruction that he caused. It would be happiness at the expense of someone else’s destruction.

The potential victims were innocent women, children, cows, trees, and village leaders. As previously stated, Krishna was a mere child, so if He were swept away by the rainstorm dropped by Indra that would be a tragedy under any normal definition of the word.

Fortunately, Krishna stopped the crisis. The people were safe and secure. The same Govardhana that they just worshiped ended up protecting them. Projected into the air, above Krishna’s head, that large tract of land served as the world’s most amazing umbrella. Krishna shielded the people from Indra’s vengeance.

It is an indication of saintly life to be more focused on the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The comparison is to the swan. Those who are still in material life, not caring at all about advancing in consciousness, are like crows. The supreme swan, paramahamsa, always sees God wherever they go. They do not take joy in another’s pain, whereas the crow is always rummaging through garbage, desperate to find some truth in a life otherwise rooted in illusion.

The solution to every deficiency in character is increased association with paramahamsas and the person that they worship. In other words, hearing stories such as the first Govardhana Puja and directly calling out to the lifter of that great hill can purify unwanted characteristics: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

To you this truth confiding,
That feeling like joyriding.

Through another’s wreck,
Daily latest news to check.

How purification then to come,
When by this illusion done?

Shelter of Govardhana’s lifter take,
Purity through life of devotion make.

Five Things We Understand A Little Better Through Austerity

“And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.5)

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अन्त-काले च माम् एव
स्मरन् मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्
यः प्रयाति स मद्-भावं
याति नास्त्य् अत्र संशयः

anta-kāle ca mām eva
smaran muktvā kalevaram
yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ
yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ

1. Parenting

“Seriously, it is twenty-four hour surveillance. Imagine you had a support job in IT. Such as help desk or maybe a database administrator working the overnight shift. Most of the time you are not actively involved in a task. Sitting around and waiting.

“At any moment, an emergency can strike. You are called into action. While it appears to be an easy job, try doing it. To me, this is worse than being assigned a task and having the entire day to work on it.

“After experiencing for myself, this is the best way I can compare the job of parenting. Never a moment to rest. I am lucky to sleep through the night, but in the morning I do not want to get out of bed. I know what awaits me. The constant crying. The steady threat of crying. The child and spouse are like an unrelenting tag-team. They are the champions in this household, for sure.

“Prior to the personal experience, I never knew exactly how difficult such a life would be. Forget movies. Forget television shows. Forget any kind of relaxation. I have abandoned every kind of enjoyment precisely because there is never a moment to let your guard down.”

2. Childcare

“When you are young, you look up to the people who are older. You think they have it so great. For instance, the parents. They get to leave the house and go to work. They don’t have a strict bedtime to adhere to. They can eat or drink whatever they choose. No one tells them what to do.

“Of course, that is really an illusion. Every person in this world is controlled; something we learn from shastra. There are three sources of misery: from the heavens, from other living beings, and from within. The harsh conditions of an ever-changing world, this material nature that is seemingly impossible to control.

“After having been assigned to childcare, I now envy so many other people. You would think it strange, but I look at the person who gets to work the entire day as being so lucky. I feel this way even if that work is difficult and exhausting, such as the leader of the free world who travels from place to place and is always in the public eye.

“To me, anything is easier than taking care of a small child day after day. Sorry to say, but I don’t think men are cut out for this. I have so much more appreciation for mothers. No one can do what they do. I am not saying that to win points or look politically correct. It is how I genuinely feel.”

3. Working

“While growing up, I never knew how difficult it was to be an adult. I saw my father going to work every day, coming home in the evening. I knew he had money, so I would naturally ask for things. I didn’t realize the kind of pressure the adults are under.

“This is because others depend on them. It is easier to go through life when no one else’s future and wellbeing are riding on you. You can be a little more adventurous in your movement, taking more risks. Once you have a family to support, no matter how steady things seem, you are always a little concerned that everything will collapse.

“As an example, your tyrannical government could one day deem your industry ‘non-essential’. They close you down, without any prior warning. They don’t notify when the restriction will end. You poured everything into starting up that business, and now you are on the verge of bankruptcy. I appreciate such people more now than I did when I was younger.”

4. Building a house

“You go shopping for a new house. It is a fun process because the possibilities are practically endless. You have a say in where you will live. Especially if you are well-situated financially, you don’t have to necessarily factor price into the decision.

“Just imagine how difficult it is to build those homes. I always tried not to think about that, but recently I saw a television program detailing the entire process. I would never be able to do the same. I get frustrated trying to assemble basic furniture. I wouldn’t have the patience to see through the full construction program, from the foundation to the final planks set in place.”

5. The impact of disease

“You see others in pain and you just hope that never happens to you. But when it does, you appreciate so much more the suffering that others endure. They are able to persevere. They keep going. They are not afraid of what will happen moving forward.

“In the weakened state, you also gain appreciation for the caretakers. The nurses, doctors and scientists who work tirelessly to help heal and prevent moving forward. They must witness the agony and suffering on a daily basis, and they are undaunted, not afraid to tackle the issues head on.”

…

These are just a few examples where austerity helps to shine the light on what others experience. The same principle applies to spiritual life. Austerity is one of the keys to making the human life a success.

Not in terms of wealth. Not in terms of longevity. Not in terms of basic enjoyment. The success relates to the consciousness and its ultimate purification. Fixing the one thing that if we control we can escape the cycle of birth and death for good.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada declares that the human experience is meant for tapasya. This is the verdict of shastra, and the message gets passed down through the ages via parampara. The spiritual master, the guru, is the latest link in that chain of descending knowledge transfer.

This explains the many rules and regulations. On this day don’t eat until noon. Don’t take grains or beans when the moon is at a certain phase. While eating, limit the focus on the food itself and focus more on the pleasure of the original benefactor, who has given us the chance to experience life, for that chance is for experiencing Him. One who remembers Him at the time of death attains a nature similar to His, where they will always be blissful and knowledgeable.

In Closing:

From experience the same,
Some appreciation to gain.

Where otherwise not knowing,
With personal interest going.

Purpose of austerity just see,
How Almighty related to me.

In His way ultimately to find,
While quitting keeping in mind.

Is The Austerity Of The Asuras Recommended

“Lord Brahma said: O son of Kashyapa Muni, please get up, please get up. All good fortune unto you. You are now perfect in the performance of your austerities, and therefore I may give you a benediction. You may now ask from me whatever you desire, and I shall try to fulfill your wish.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.3.17)

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श्री-ब्रह्मोवाच
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते
तपः-सिद्धो ’सि काश्यप
वरदो ’हम् अनुप्राप्तो
व्रियताम् ईप्सितो वरः

śrī-brahmovāca
uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhadraṁ te
tapaḥ-siddho ’si kāśyapa
varado ’ham anuprāpto
vriyatām īpsito varaḥ

“We know from the lives of the saints that renunciation is a good thing, in general. Vairagya, which is one of the opulences found in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He has renunciation and other auspicious characteristic traits to the fullest extent and also simultaneously. Bhagavan can be both the most renounced person in the world and also the one enjoying in a superior way.

“We, on the other hand, generally cannot. Goswami Tulsidas has a work entitled Vairagya Sandipani. This is glorifying the life in renunciation, describing how wonderful it is. We know from the lives of the six Gosvamis of Vrinndavana that they barely ate or slept. Their entire life was bhajana, or worship.

“It is certainly a difficult standard to reach, but at least it is something to strive for. I may be completely engrossed in sense enjoyment at the moment, but if there is someone I can look up to, emulate to an extent, there is hope for me in the future.

“This got me to thinking. What about the austerities of the asuras, especially those described in Vedic texts? Take Hiranyakashipu, for example. His tapasya was so extreme that it finally caught the attention of Lord Brahma, the creator. Does this behavior fall into the category of vairagya? Is it an opulence?”

That dedication certainly helped Hiranyakashipu to achieve his goal. He should receive credit for learning of a path, dedicating himself to it, and seeing it through to the end, to fruition. If it were so easy, then everyone would receive boons from Lord Brahma, who does not discriminate in his dealings.

In general, the viewpoint is that such austerities are not authorized. It is like going in the wrong direction. Imagine someone purchasing a laptop computer in order to hack into a banking system or election tallying machine. The computer serves a viable purpose; many purposes, in fact. If someone takes advantage and goes in the criminal direction, the behavior is not laudable.

Vairagya as an opulence is for clearing the mind of distractions. Less attention on material pursuits. Focus on eternal life instead of preserving the current one, which is temporary. We knew it was the case ever since there was sober and rational thought, the ability to discriminate and discern observable patterns. There is also confirmation from shastra.

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्
ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च
तस्माद् अपरिहार्ये ऽर्थे
न त्वं शोचितुम् अर्हसि

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur
dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca
tasmād aparihārye ‘rthe
na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi

“For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.27)

The vairagya in Bhagavan extended to saintly people is for fulfilling the highest purpose. To show some austerity in the pursuit of world domination is not renunciation. It is the opposite, in fact. To be renounced out of spite, out of frustration in the chase for total enjoyment, also is not genuine.

The determining factor is consciousness. If I am always connected to the Divine in yoga, then even if externally occupied with certain duties, I am still renounced. The flip side is when I am a pretender. Giving the appearance of renunciation but always focused on this rule or that, on outdoing my peers in the exercise of restraint.

कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य
य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्
इन्द्रियार्थान् विमूढात्मा
मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते

karmendriyāṇi saṁyamya
ya āste manasā smaran
indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā
mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate

“One who restrains the senses and organs of action, but whose mind dwells on sense objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.6)

Bhagavan’s mercy is such that if a person simply remembers Him and dedicates their life to Him, the necessary qualifications automatically arrive. In other words, I do not need to strive for vairagya independently. The simplest and most basic austerity, such as chanting the holy names, will suffice in bringing liberation: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Lord Brahma’s favor found,
When word of austerity got around.

Such that Hiranya and Ravana too,
Worst of the demons the two.

As vairagya not considered,
Since mind not delivered.

Pretender contemplating still,
Bhakti deficiencies to fill.

What Does It Mean To Have Full Renunciation

“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 like that the Sanskrit word Bhagavan has such a specific meaning. It is superior to the generic ‘God’, that most people use. It is no wonder that you can turn heads, drive people away, make them upset, and so forth by invoking that term.

“Each person has their own idea, gathered through experience, positive or negative. For some, God is the entire purpose for living. They will act in such a way that the man upstairs is pleased. For others, they see hypocrisy, crime, punishment, and irrationality associated with God. They would rather turn in the other direction.

“The word bhagavan says that not only is there a superior Divine Being, but that He also has specific features that can be enumerated. Bhagavan possesses bhaga, or fortunes, to the highest degree and simultaneously. As described by Parashara Muni, there is beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom and renunciation.

“That last opulence always gets my attention; almost like it doesn’t fit. The rest make sense. Since God is all-attractive, He is known as Krishna. He is the wealthiest person in the world, since He has original claim to property. He is so strong that He can dominate others. No one is better known throughout the world, and He is so wise that a book like Bhagavad-gita has eternal relevance.

“But how does vairagya work? Why is that included? Why should someone be impressed with that feature? We don’t really see authorities pushing for renunciation in the modern way of living.”

For starters, there are certainly subtle ways of promoting vairagya. Every television infomercial about diet, exercise, weight loss and the like deals with controlling the senses. Not eating whatever you want, whenever you want. Putting a lid on sense gratification, at certain times.

Also, in the modern day there are prohibitions on certain intoxicants. At one time in the United States there was a total ban on alcohol consumption. During the time of the Founding Fathers, there was emphasis on temperance. Control in drinking. Acquiring good qualities. Being virtuous.

The easiest way to understand vairagya in Bhagavan is to look to the situation in Ayodhya described in the Ramayana. This occurred thousands of years ago, during the second age of creation, Treta, as named through the relative timeline based on the beginning and end of population of creatures.

Bhagavan is in front of the people in the avatara of Shri Rama. He is born into wealth; the Raghu dynasty. He doesn’t simply live off the excess, sleeping the day away. He is part of the royal order, which means He must defend the innocent against attack. He has to accept this duty; it is the family business.

One day Rama has to abandon the kingdom. Leave and not come back for fourteen years. A simple solution is to withdraw some of the royal wealth and build a palace in exile, taking servants with Him. Then the time would pass without issue.

The problem was that there were rules to this transition. Rama had to leave and live like a mendicant. Literally, riches to rags, in a matter of moments. We know that Rama is Bhagavan because He handled the change in plans in stride. He was not affected in the slightest.

Moments prior He was preparing to be the next king. Rama had approached His younger brother Lakshmana and asked to share in the glory. The two would rule together. Lakshmana appreciated the gesture, but he would never take away any honor that rightfully belonged to the eldest brother in the family.

So dedicated was he that upon the news of Rama’s exile Lakshmana insisted on accompanying. Sita Devi, Rama’s wife, did the same, without being urged. This shows that while God has renunciation to the fullest degree, the devoted servants do as well, to an extent.

While they can live without a royal kingdom, they cannot live without Rama. To this day they keep Him by their side, always chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Parashara Muni with the list,
That Bhagavan with opulences six.

Beauty, wealth, wisdom and strength,
Fame stretching universe’s length.

Renunciation curious to see,
How God renounced to be?

That even kingdom to Him not mattering,
Rama equal though plans shattering.

Three Ways To Know That The Demigods Are Not Entirely In Control

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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“I want to earn money and become powerful. Please tell me how to do it. Not just enough wealth to take care of basic necessities. Not early retirement. Not a bank balance sufficient for purchasing a large home or that top of the line sports-car.

“I want enough power to wield absolute influence over the world. Where I can travel to any destination at a moment’s notice. Where the political party in charge of government will not make a difference. Where I will be able to buy off any politician in order to shape the laws to favor me.

“Is this possible through spiritual life? What is the method? To which direction should I travel? Has there ever been such a person within this world?”

The closest equivalent would be a devata. This is a Sanskrit word that refers to the devas, who are divine beings, or gods. Every individual is spirit at the core, jiva. This specification of the spiritual energy has the distinction of vulnerability to illusion.

The jiva is situated somewhere like on the edge of a beach. Sometimes the waves wash over. Sometimes the waves don’t reach. It is almost by chance the resulting situation. The jiva can fall to the material world, being under the spell of illusion known as maya. It can also remain in the spiritual world, immune to the debilitating effects of time, maintaining a singular identity between body and spirit.

A devata is a jiva within the material world, so even though there is a heightened position of power and influence, there are limits. The devas are not absolute in their wielding of authority. They fall under the rule of not being the doer, as nicely expressed by Shri Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि
गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः
अहङ्कार-विमूढात्मा
कर्ताहम् इति मन्यते

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni
guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā
kartāham iti manyate

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

1. They accept oblations from the sacrificial fire

You become a devata through penance, austerity, and sacrifice performed on earth. The resulting travel is in the category of elevation. The jiva moves on to another life, which is destined to occur regardless. That person on the radio cannot stay in the seat behind a golden microphone forever. Eventually, they will no longer be able to entertain their millions of listeners.

Karma determines the future destination, and within fruitive and prescribed activity a person can follow rituals meant to please the residents of the heavenly region. Accompanying the worship is hopefully an ideal character. Honesty. Cleanliness. Compassion. Overall good qualities.

The accumulation of pious credits, punya, guarantees birth in the heavenly realm, svarga-loka. This is the equivalent of becoming a devata. You can wield control over the different elements of nature, such as wind, fire, and water.

The devata is still a dependent. You need food, which arrives in the form of oblations offered into the yajna fire on earth. In other words, though the human population relies on the demigod for rain, the demigod requires a reciprocal benefit in order to remain in their position.

2. They sometimes meet defeat against the asuras

Within the earthly experience, there is the opportunity to rise to power and influence. In fact, the demigods themselves can enable the pursuit of power, wealth and fame, without an accompanying good character.

From Vedic literature we have the infamous characters of Hiranyakashipu and Ravana. They rose to prominence through boons received from Lord Brahma, who is the original demigod. These two were in the category of asura, or those who are against godly qualities and the godly way of living.

Despite being so powerful and influential, sometimes the demigods see defeat at the hands of the asuras. It is said that the suras and asuras have been at odds since before anyone can remember. The never-ending struggle between good and evil. We require a strong military force not for the enjoyment of using high-grade weapons, but to protect against the criminal element, if it should happen to gain in strength.

Hiranyakashipu and Ravana are something like the byproducts of a Dr. Frankenstein making a mistake in the laboratory. The result of the experiment ends up harming the scientist himself. The demigods have to provide benefits to whoever worships them properly, irrespective of the underlying motive. It is something like the technology company selling smartphones to a person who wants to do harm to the population.

3. They sometimes meet defeat against their benefactor

The benefactor of the entire universe is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The asuras tend to be so miserly that they forget even the direct link in their accrual of benefits. In other words, Ravana and Hiranyakashipu become proud over their boons, never taking the time to thank or appreciate Lord Brahma for his role.

Since they are within the material world, the demigods sometimes forget God. They should know better, since He is always their protector. When the asuras rise in strength to an intolerable level, it is Vishnu who arrives on the scene to correct the situation.

It was in this light that Vishnu descended to earth as Shri Krishna, the darling child of Nanda and Yashoda in the farm community of Gokula Vrindavana. Indra, the king of heaven, who relied on Krishna to stop the suppression of brahmana activity by asura-like characters such as Kamsa, once became envious of Krishna.

It was a head-scratcher, but no one is immune from petty politics and infighting, even if you are the king of heaven. Indra became so incensed that he retaliated against innocent people and cows. He thought he was teaching Krishna a lesson, but in the process, he became an attempted mass-murderer on the grandest scale.

Shri Krishna, giving the vision of an attractive youth, lifted up a massive hill and held it up as an umbrella to protect the people. Indra’s rain would normally wash away an entire area, but it was no match for the mighty Govardhana and its lifter.

In spite of our ambitions and the dream of total dominance, within the material world no one is able to be the topmost person. Shri Krishna’s influence is always here, though only the wise can detect it. They understand that He is on their side, so there is no need for competition.

In Closing:

Krishna is on my side,
In Him only to confide.

Whereas even after heaven earning,
Demigods into adversary turning.

Like Indra targeting with rain,
Devastation to Govardhana came.

But thwarted because all-power lacking,
Protected by Krishna though attacking.

Does The Doer Rule Apply To Heaven As Well

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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“I like the teaching in Bhagavad-gita about not being the doer. We make the choice to act; of that there is no doubt. This explains the variety in occupation, fashion styles, car purchases, place of living, size of domicile, and so forth. The living being is an individual at heart; even merging into Brahman is incomplete with respect to fulfillment due to the incompatibility with the natural yearning for identity.

“We tend to take those teachings from Shri Krishna to be related to the earthly experience. Also, specifically applying to the human species. For instance, the animals do not have karma. Neither do the plants. We could say that they are making their way through the karmic reactionary phase, but within those species there is no specific action and reaction consequence.

“The human beings have a higher potential for intelligence, and so there are rules pertaining to action and reaction. We can understand this through something as basic as driving. If you travel on the wrong side of the road, there will be harmful consequences, and not limited to the blaring siren from the traffic patrol officer.

“I was wondering if these laws applied to the heavenly realm, as well. Specifically, with the aspect of not being the doer. If someone in heaven takes to a specific action, is it material nature which again must cooperate for the result to manifest?”

We can look to the incident of the first Govardhana Puja for clarity. Though there is already the implied explanation through the revelation that even the heavenly realm is part of the material world. Created, maintained and then annihilated. Here at one time, remaining for some time, and then destroyed.

Though life in the heavenly planets, svarga-loka, is considerably advanced in comparison to the experience on earth, there is still the time factor lurking in the background. You gain entry through something the equivalent of a card holding a balance. The credits, so to speak, accumulate through pious activities.

This is another instance of karma, but under the more classic definition. Though we tend to think in terms of action and reaction, there are really different kinds of karma. The original word refers to prescribed activity. In other words, those things which you should do.

अन्नाद् भवन्ति भूतानि
पर्जन्याद् अन्न-सम्भवः
यज्ञाद् भवति पर्जन्यो
यज्ञः कर्म-समुद्भवः

annād bhavanti bhūtāni
parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ
yajñād bhavati parjanyo
yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ

“All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rain. Rains are produced by performance of yajna [sacrifice], and yajna is born of prescribed duties.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.14)

Sacrifice, or yajna, is one of those prescribed activities. This is mentioned in Bhagavad-gita. The people of the heavenly realm, in addition to enjoying in many ways, also take care of the earthly population. They are high-level officials, if viewed from a government of the universe perspective. Yajna satisfies them, and in return they distribute much needed rain.

With the first Govardhana Puja, the king of heaven decided to show just how much rain the heavenly realm can drop. This was a case of a skipped yajna. The people went with worshiping a hill one year, at the insistence of a young child named Krishna. His appeal was convincing enough that they took their preparations originally targeted for Indra and moved them towards the nearby hill, which was dear to the cows.

Indra was so enraged by this supposed insult that he sent the samvartaka cloud to inundate the area around Govardhana Hill with tremendous amounts of rain. Just how much? The equivalent of what gets dropped during the end of the creation, when the time for universal destruction has arrived.

We have an individual living being make a choice for action, expecting a certain outcome. Yet he failed in that endeavor. Material nature did not cooperate, even though Indra is a controller of a significant aspect of that nature. This is because the target happened to involve Shri Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Nanda’s adorable son simply lifted the just-worshiped Govardhana Hill and held it up as an umbrella. He urged others to take safety underneath, and they followed that wise direction. This means that in any place within martya-loka, the place of repeated birth and death, we are always limited in our exercise of ability. The Almighty retains complete control, and He can thereby make our experience within this place a pleasant one, protecting us from devastating rain, if necessary.

In Closing:

The people as traitors calling,
So now devastating rain falling.

From Indra in heaven living,
A lesson in payback giving.

But even his wish just a hope,
Since limited in scope.

Because Krishna ultimately deciding,
Who shelter with Govardhana providing.

Could Someone Use The Doer Excuse To Escape Punishment

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

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प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि
गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः
अहङ्कार-विमूढात्मा
कर्ताहम् इति मन्यते

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni
guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā
kartāham iti manyate

“God works in mysterious ways. No one knows what the good Lord has in store. Man proposes, God disposes. These are different sayings to highlight the relative helplessness of the individual in shaping their destiny. In other words, try as we might, sometimes things don’t go our way.

“I may be an expert at fixing cars. It is my family business. You describe a problem to me and in under sixty seconds I have a pretty good idea where to look for a solution. I can hopefully get you on your way, barring the need for ordering parts that aren’t readily available.

“But sometimes even I am befuddled. I can’t figure out the issue. Failure. This is one way to know that not everything is in my hands. Some other factor is at play. We should be proud of our accomplishments, but also realize the good fortune necessary for success.

“Bhagavad-gita provides the most clarity. Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, states unequivocally that the living entity is not the doer. It is prakriti, the material nature, which must cooperate for any result to manifest.

“We require constant reminder of this principle; it would serve us right to print it out and hang it on the wall. I was thinking, however, that a certain element in society could take advantage. For instance, the criminal. If they are facing jail time for offense in violation of state laws, could they not disavow responsibility based on the doer principle?”

If someone wants to get cute in that way, the law enforcement side could do the same thing. They could invoke the same logic as the person trying to behave immorally on the strength of Bhagavad-gita:

“Oh, you say that you are not the doer? You claim that it was nature which actually stole the money from that person. That is fine, then. We are still sending you to jail. There still will be punishment. But don’t worry; we are not responsible. It is nature which is punishing you. Don’t be upset with us in law enforcement.”

The actual meaning of the principle is to show that outcomes are not entirely in our hands. We can try to do something, but so many forces out of our control must first cooperate. This could be something as complicated as constructing a building in an urban area or as simple as getting out of bed in the morning.

Krishna spoke those words to a warrior named Arjuna. Military conflict was about to commence and Arjuna had concerns over inflicting lethal harm on opponents. The laws of nature are what give sanction, proven by the fact that though so many would be involved in the conflict, not everyone would achieve the same outcome.

There is a specific benefit when transitioning to the bhakti realm. This is work to please the Supreme Lord. Rather than be under the jurisdiction of material nature, God Himself takes charge. I am still not the doer, but the successful outcome is assured.

Bhishma fought for the opposing side, and he was defeated by Arjuna. There was the choice to act in the military conflict, and a higher force determined the outcome. The choice in devotion did not fail. Bhakti remained, up until the end of life, when Bhishma merged into the transcendental body of Narayana, who is the same as Krishna.

In Closing:

Criminals not advantage to take?
When doer excuse to make.

That punishment to escape,
Not responsible for murder or rape.

For law enforcement option the same,
Punishment only in nature’s name.

Understand when to bhakti transition,
Where fate in successful position.