How Were The Pandavas Able To Tolerate All The Injustices

“I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.” (Queen Kunti speaking to Lord Krishna, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.25)

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विपदः सन्तु ताः शश्वत्
तत्र तत्र जगद्-गुरो
भवतो दर्शनं यत् स्याद्
अपुनर् भव-दर्शनम्

vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat
tatra tatra jagad-guro
bhavato darśanaṁ yat syād
apunar bhava-darśanam

“I am sure I am not alone in this area. When I see someone fighting for what’s right, for being brave in an arena that otherwise frightens people, I naturally want them to succeed. I applaud their efforts. I support them, in any way that I can.

“Sometimes such a person has the entire world aligned against them. The news media. The film producers. The actors. The entirety of pop culture. Heads of the local government. Career bureaucrats. The judiciary. Name a group and you will likely find an enemy.

“Except this person is standing up for what is right. He is for the ordinary man. He wants to correct the many injustices that have taken place over decades. He is the voice for the people lacking one. He is a hero in every definition of the word.

“I find it appalling when such a person meets defeat. When the forces of evil are able to emerge victorious, it is something I cannot stand. This got me to thinking of the plight of the Pandavas, as described in the Mahabharata. I don’t think anyone has ever had it worse.

“And these were saintly people in the true definition, though they were of the occupation of warrior. They took one insult after another from the rival Kauravas, headed by Duryodhana. How were they able to maintain their composure? Why didn’t they strike against the entire world in retaliation? Why wouldn’t they give up on dharma?

Kuntidevi, the mother of the Pandava brothers, provides the answer in a single verse from Shrimad Bhagavatam. She prays directly to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna. She asks to have every past calamity repeat, for then she would further remember His lotus feet.

This is a remarkable prayer, since the natural tendency is to go in the opposite direction. Ask from God. Take something from Him. View the Almighty as a sort of order supplier, who is never out of stock and has online availability twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Even if we don’t directly ask Him for something, we at least expect to be insulated from enemy attack, that the evil elements of society will not harass us. We want to worship, after all, so Krishna should facilitate that desire.

The Pandavas had the worst crimes perpetrated against them. It would be difficult to rank the offenses from most egregious to least. They were cheated out of their kingdom and humiliated in seeing their wife, Draupadi, almost stripped naked in front of an assembly of respected gentlemen and dignitaries.

As Shri Rama says in the Ramayana, eventually the sinful deeds arrive. The comparison is to the flowers blossoming on trees. We would love them to show at the present time, but it is winter. We have to wait for the next season.

Trust the process. Have faith that the grand coordinator is managing everything in this temporary and miserable world, which presents a false reality. Every person arrives, remains for some time, and then eventually leaves. But the protector of the Pandavas and devotion to Him is forever: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Calamities worst to see,
Poorly situated to be.

Pandavas on dharma’s side,
But insulted and alone to reside.

Blessed considered still,
Destiny eventually to fulfill.

Remember Krishna entire time,
The best predicament to find.

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.

Three Reasons Maricha's Attack On Vishvamitra Was Unsuccessful

“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।।

1. Rama can see through darkness

Living up to their names, the nishacharas preferred to attack at night. They were not interested in a fair fight. Something like burglars entering the home while everyone else is asleep, the Rakshasas from Lanka arrived at a time when no one would suspect visitors.

The place of attack was the forest areas conducive to austerity and penance. Tapo-vana, ideal for the saintly class, who wished to worship God in peace and quiet. Fewer distractions. No upcoming elections to divert the attention. No interference through the pursuit of wealth and fame. No constant visitors asking for advice on how to enjoy the senses in a temporary existence.

It was something like a weekend retreat, and the attackers knew the advantage they had. The vulnerability was to their benefit. Maricha and friends were accustomed to success. One of the reasons Vishvamitra Muni specifically asked for Dasharatha’s eldest son as a bodyguard was to stop this harassment once and for all.

In the Ramayana, Maricha describes to Ravana the one time that such an attack failed. It was because Rama was standing by. Vishvamitra had his sacrificial altar as usual. The perfect time of night. Ready for reaching fruition, completing the proceedings.

Maricha did see Rama there. He was a youth with barely any signs of manhood on His face. What Maricha did not know is that Rama can see through the darkness. As explained in Bhagavad-gita, everywhere are His eyes.

सर्वतः पाणि-पादं तत्
सर्वतो ऽक्षि-शिरो-मुखम्
सर्वतः श्रुतिमल् लोके
सर्वम् आवृत्य तिष्ठति

sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādaṁ tat
sarvato ‘kṣi-śiro-mukham
sarvataḥ śrutimal loke
sarvam āvṛtya tiṣṭhati

“Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes and faces, and He hears everything. In this way the Supersoul exists.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.14)

2. Rama identifies the individual properly

It does not matter the form they have chosen. This ability was necessary in this case because the attacking Rakshasas from Lanka could change their shapes at will. The ability is known in Sanskrit as kama-rupa-siddhi. Though to take birth as a man-eating ogre is the result of a specific curse, we see that even in that inauspicious form there were extraordinary abilities.

If someone can’t see you, how are they going to identify you in time? Perhaps through sound, but then the remedial measures would at least require some sort of visual identification. This is not a problem for Rama, as He knows exactly who is in what location and what their intentions are.

3. Rama is never afraid

These were something akin to modern day terrorist attacks. They were meant to instill fear. Stop worship of the demigods, who were considered the enemy to the atheist class. Eliminate yajna from society. Suppress dharma, while increasing adharma.

Maricha was surprised that Rama did not hesitate. Though a youth who was apparently in training in the military arts under the guidance of the guru, Rama fitted arrow to bow in a split second. He released that arrow that perfectly hit the target. Maricha was thrust backward the equivalent of eight hundred miles.

Though an incident from many thousands of years ago, the attacks continue to this day. The struggle between good and evil is a constant one. The suras and the asuras have been at odds since the beginning of time. Sometimes dharma rises to prominence, and sometimes the majority of the population descends into the madness associated with adharma.

No matter the conditions, Shri Rama is ready to defend and protect. He is more powerful than any attacking force, and He can sniff out any secret attack, to the great surprise of the perpetrators. He stands by fearlessly, allowing for the continued free and voluntary practice of devotion in His honor: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Thankfully standing by,
When Maricha and friends to try.

Arrow quickly to release,
Giving sages relief.

Despite with ability invisible,
To Rama all are visible.

My devotion also can protect,
Obstructing intruders to reject.

Are Bhagavan's Opulences Suppressed In Specific Pastimes

“Neither the demigods nor any exalted personalities were there helping Rama, for He acted alone. You should not entertain any doubt on this matter. Indeed, Rama shot feathered arrows, plated with gold, which turned into five-headed serpents that devoured all the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were oppressed with fear, and wherever they went and wherever they turned, they saw Rama in front of them. In this way, O spotless one, have your Rakshasas been destroyed in the forest of Janasthana by Rama.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.18-19)

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नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा।
शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।
सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।
येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।
तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्।
इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā।
śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ।।
sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān।
yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ।
tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam।
itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha।।

“I understand that Bhagavan possesses the six opulences in full. Beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom and renunciation. He has them simultaneously. This is impossible to comprehend. There is no accurate way to measure, either.

“For instance, we know someone is the wealthiest person in the world based on a net worth figure. An estimated dollar amount, usually involving hypothetical liquidation of their physical assets and stock holdings. This value could change at a moment’s notice, as markets are known to shift dramatically based on the world news.

“Since Bhagavan owns everything, He is wealthier than anyone. There is no accurate net worth figure attached. He is beyond our comprehension in so many ways. Through His pastimes, we gain slight insight into the degree of magnitude.

“One question I had relates to the simultaneous possession of the attributes. We know that God the person always has beauty, wealth, strength and so forth, but is everything there in His pastimes? For instance, if there is a military conflict, does beauty get suppressed? Is that more an exhibition of strength?”

There is a similar issue when viewing the four objects carried by Lord Vishnu. This is one version of the personal God, who is always a singular personality. He manifests differently before the eyes, based on the role, the time, the circumstance, the viewpoint of the person interacting, and so forth.

Vishnu is the four-handed form, opulently adorned, and generally worshiped in awe and reverence. In other words, there is both close proximity and distance. We are worshiping God, and thus acknowledging His existence and presence.

At the same time, we are a little afraid of Him. He is respected so much that we don’t want to behave in an informal way. We don’t like it when others get too close to Him, either, for it indicates lack of appreciation. At least this is how we view things when worshiping in awe and reverence.

Vishnu carries four objects. A lotus flower, a conch-shell, a disc and a club. This generates two obvious categories. Two items of peace and two items of conflict. The flower and the conch-shell for those who are friendly, the devotees. The disc and the club are for the enemies, the people who are against dharma and try to suppress the natural yearning to worship the Almighty.

In truth, all four items are of the same nature. To the devotee, the person with the heightened level of awareness, who has deep insight into the workings of the material world, Vishnu’s punishment and Vishnu’s peaceful interactions are the same. They both ultimately have the same purpose.

The pastimes can be viewed with a similar lens. For instance, when Shri Rama, an avatara of Vishnu, drives away fourteen thousand attacking Rakshasas from the forest of Janasthana, beauty is not lacking in any way.

The enemies may not think so. The victims run for their lives, with Rama’s arrows chasing them wherever they go. In the end, the Rakshasas see five-headed serpents. The arrows represent all-devouring death, which is the only way the atheists ever acknowledge God. They are forced into submission, after having denied for so long.

Yet to the devotees these arrows are the most beautiful sight in the entire world. They uphold the righteous principles. They maintain a level of sanity in an otherwise insane playing arena. They highlight Rama’s amazing dexterity, intelligence, and strength. Those arrows pay homage to the spiritual guides like Vishvamitra. They rescue the entire world, and nothing can be more beautiful.

In Closing:

Beauty in that image to see,
Where Rama arrows to free.

With enemies following through,
Nowhere hide or run to.

Since proper punishment giving,
That limit to sinful living.

So devotees always pleasure taking,
Most splendid pastime making.

What Does It Mean To Have Full Strength

“Neither the demigods nor any exalted personalities were there helping Rama, for He acted alone. You should not entertain any doubt on this matter. Indeed, Rama shot feathered arrows, plated with gold, which turned into five-headed serpents that devoured all the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were oppressed with fear, and wherever they went and wherever they turned, they saw Rama in front of them. In this way, O spotless one, have your Rakshasas been destroyed in the forest of Janasthana by Rama.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.18-19)

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नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा।
शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।
सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।
येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।
तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्।
इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā।
śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ।।
sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān।
yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ।
tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam।
itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha।।

“I love the definition of the word Bhagavan provided by Parashara Muni. It is helpful since otherwise everyone can basically create their own idea of the Almighty. God means something different to each person, to the point that one class may even get triggered into a rage upon the mere sound of the word.

“There is variety in desire, after all. To fulfill such desires, a person can create a system of life, a way of living. Since the generic term of God is open to interpretation, exploitation, and intentional malfeasance, anyone can say that God is the support behind their system to fulfill a certain desire.

“Even the thief could make such a claim. They want to plunder the wealth of the nation. They want to rise to power, while bringing down the common man, essentially turning them into beggars. Running for office, gaining popular support through a complicit media, running cover for their operation, the candidate could say that God supports their objectives.

“Bhagavan takes away the ambiguity. This word says that God is a distinct individual, a person. He is purusha, while in comparison everyone else is prakriti. He is the enjoyer, and we are the enjoyed. He is the origin of everything, and we are sparks emanating from Him.

“One of the attributes of Bhagavan is strength. He possesses balam to the highest degree. What does this mean, exactly? How do we explain to someone, since it is difficult to comprehend without seeing firsthand evidence?”

Another word to describe the same person says that His features are beyond the measurement of blunt instruments. Bhagavan is Adhokshaja, which in turn makes impossible an accurate reading on His strength, among other attributes.

We are left with relative comparisons to provide an understanding. For instance, we have the attack on Janasthana described in the Ramayana poem of Valmiki. This is a historical incident memorialized in beautiful Sanskrit poetry, passed down through the ages via the parampara system.

On one side is the leader of Lanka. Known as Ravana, he was cursed to take birth in the form of a Rakshasa, which is a hideous-looking man-eating ogre. Through supplication of the right benefactors, Ravana rose to tremendous power and strength, so much so that his mere presence could drive away would-be opponents.

Ravana sent fourteen thousand of his men, Rakshasas in their own right, to descend upon the forest area of Janasthana. This was to attack, to inflict lethal harm. The army knew of the target, and they were ready to return home successful and pleased.

On the other side was one man. Shri Rama, an avatara of Bhagavan, appearing on earth specifically to deal with threats like Ravana and other enemies to the righteous way of living, dharma. These appearances take place periodically, as described in Bhagavad-gita.

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)

This is not a mistake in the storytelling. There is no exaggeration. It was literally one against fourteen-thousand. We can get an idea of full strength by realizing that Bhagavan can successfully defend Himself against a massive army. There was no impenetrable shield provided by nature, such as a cave, cliff, waterfall, or manmade wall. There were no supporters hiding in the background, providing assistance.

Rama used only His bow and arrows. The enemy was soundly defeated. They ran away in fear, but the arrows continued to chase them. Those weapons gave the vision of five-headed serpents at the end. We know of the truth because of the eyewitness testimony provided by Akampana, who managed to escape the barrage and return to Lanka. He filled Ravana in on the details.

In truth, Rama can defend against fourteen million attackers, if necessary. These incidents are important to remember because they allow us to glorify the Almighty, which is the natural course of living. He is the object of service, and we are meant to serve. He can protect us against whatever the material world throws, facilitating the continued opportunity to bask in the greatness of His holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

From arrows travelling long,
Showing exactly how strong.

On Janasthana descending where,
Thousands of Rakshasas there.

Against man only one,
Who easily battle won.

Providing glimpse into strength,
With God immeasurable length.

Four Characteristics Of The Attackers in Janasthana

“Neither the demigods nor any exalted personalities were there helping Rama, for He acted alone. You should not entertain any doubt on this matter. Indeed, Rama shot feathered arrows, plated with gold, which turned into five-headed serpents that devoured all the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were oppressed with fear, and wherever they went and wherever they turned, they saw Rama in front of them. In this way, O spotless one, have your Rakshasas been destroyed in the forest of Janasthana by Rama.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.18-19)

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नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा।
शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।
सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।
येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।
तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्।
इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā।
śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ।।
sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān।
yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ।
tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam।
itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha।।

1. Fourteen thousand in number

This is how many fighters Ravana sent to deal with Shri Rama. We get the details of this historical incident from the Sanskrit poem known as the Ramayana. Maharishi Valmiki collected the verses together even prior to many of the events taking place. Such are the possibilities when saintly qualities and heavenly assistance combine.

Fourteen thousand against one. Does that seem like a fair fight? Ravana had a good idea about Rama’s fighting prowess. He wanted to assure victory. The pretext was revenge for Shurpanakha’s disfiguration. She was on the verge of attacking Rama’s wife, Sita, when Rama’s younger brother intervened. Lakshmana lopped off her nose and Shurpanakha ran back to Lanka and complained to her brother Ravana about what had happened.

Judging by the size of the attacking army, is it any wonder that people talk about the incident today? After all, who wants to relive the tale of a massacre? This doesn’t sound like a fight. It is an overwhelming and unnecessary terrorist attack.

2. Expert at black magic

The people attacking had the ability to appear and disappear while engaged in conflict. Here today, gone tomorrow. Within sight, and then suddenly vanished. Within Vedic culture, there is a style of worship for every kind of person. If you are in the mode of ignorance, where you can’t even decipher right from wrong, there is still a way to follow some kind of regulated life.

Worshiping within that mode, one of the benefits is acquiring abilities in black magic. The people attacking could also display false visions. Similar to what mainstream media outlets do in the modern age to push forward an agenda based on a lie, Ravana’s men could show a vision on the battlefield as a way to dispirit the other side. The vision might be of the leader of the good guys succumbing to wounds or being overwhelmingly defeated.

3. Could change their shapes at will

Known as the kama-rupa-siddhi, the people descending upon the forest area of Janasthana could work clandestinely. This is how one of Ravana’s trusted advisors, Maricha, would attack the innocent sages. It was child’s play. The work is easy when the other side can’t even recognize you.

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।।

“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)

4. Were accustomed to attacking at night

Ravana belonged to a race of beings known as Rakshasa. One translation for this Sanskrit word is “man-eater.” We can think of a cannibal, but that usually connotes an accidental or temporary fall into madness. Rakshasas are man-eaters throughout life. It is not considered an auspicious birth; the people in Lanka were Rakshasas because of previous curses placed upon them.

Another word to describe them is nishachara. This means “ranger of the night.” Ravana’s men were accustomed to attacking at night, which bolstered their chances for success. Appear and disappear, change shapes, and pounce when there is no daylight.

How did Rama stand a chance? How did He emerge victorious? Why would anyone even accept such a fight? Why did Rama send Lakshmana and Sita towards a nearby cave, to avoid harm’s way?

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is an expert in ability in any field of activity. If we want to know how great God is, we can say that He is able to defeat fourteen thousand of the most cunning and devious fighters attacking simultaneously. He does this using only His bow and arrows. He does not require a chariot with an expert driver. He does not require military grade weapons.

Rama can turn any arrow into something like a nuclear bomb. The route was on. The conflict was so one-sided that the Rakshasas had to flee in fear of their lives. As Akampana reported back to Ravana, Rama’s arrows chased the enemy like a heat-seeking missile. The arrows showed the face of a five-headed serpent at the end, symbolic of all-devouring death, which is the only way the atheist class ever sees God.

In Closing:

Since by ignorance distraction,
With death only interaction.

Such as from Rama’s arrows to flee,
Which as five-headed serpents to see.

Punishment proper and just,
After against fourteen thousand thrust.

God full potency retaining,
Any foreign attack sustaining.

Five Symbolic Aspects To The First Govardhana Puja

“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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1. Krishna’s land is as good as Him

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu brought to light the teaching in the present age of quarrel and hypocrisy. That the name of God is not different from God Himself. Hence the emphasis on the holy name and staying attached to it. This is the verdict of all the saints following the Vedic tradition, of those who know the Absolute Truth and the means to pleasing Him.

Just as the name is non-different, so is the land. The first Govardhana Puja proves this. The one Himself, the original person, the origin of the universe, the one who never takes birth and never dies, whose appearance and activities are transcendental in nature, was in this manifest world as the darling child of Nanda and Yashoda.

Shri Krishna convinced the community to worship Govardhana Hill. This was an odd tradition to start, but the people placed their trust in the all-attractive one. He confirmed the validity of the worship by later taking the form of Govardhana and speaking to the people. That land remains sacred to this day, as even a basic rock taken from the hill can be worshiped in the home as a deity.

2. Might is not right

You may think that you are the strongest. You make think that you wield control over every person and every situation. You may think that whatever you say goes, since you have the potency to force others into submission. The threat of punishment is all it takes to get others to fall into line.

The first Govardhana Puja negates this concept. Indra is the king of heaven, svarga-loka, and he thought he could get his way. Attack the innocent villagers for worshiping a hill instead of him. Get revenge in so drastic a way that no one would ever think of ignoring the heavenly region again.

Dharma is right, and Shri Krishna is the embodiment of dharma. He is the object of worship, and so the people were on the correct side when worshiping Govardhana. Indra’s might failed in this instance. He asserted dominance, but dharma was too formidable a foe to defeat.

3. Envy from high to low in the material world

As human beings are imperfect, they exhibit undesirable qualities on occasion. One of which is envy. I shouldn’t be jealous of anyone else since we all live in something like a bubble. The body can burst at any moment; destruction is the only guaranteed end.

शोच्या शोचसि कं शोच्यं दीनं दीनाऽनुकम्पसे।
कस्य कोवाऽनुशोच्योऽस्ति देहेऽस्मिन् बुद्बुदोपमे।।

śocyā śocasi kaṃ śocyaṃ dīnaṃ dīnā’nukampase।
kasya kovā’nuśocyo’sti dehe’smin budbudopame

“Whom are you lamenting for when you yourself are pitiable? Why do you pity the poor when you yourself have now been made poor? While in this body that is like a bubble, how can anyone look at anyone else as being worthy of lamentation?” (Hanuman speaking to Tara, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 21.3)

Govardhana Puja reveals that envy is there from every corner of the universe. It is understandable for a poor person to be unhappy at the wealthy enjoying life and not having a care in the world. Yet the wealthy are just as envious, since their peers may be gaining in the competition for highest net worth.

Even if you ascend to svarga-loka in the afterlife, there is the vulnerability to envy. Even if you directly petition the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, to appear on earth and save the people from wickedness and decay of righteous principles, there is the chance you can forget everything, as was the case with Indra.

4. Bhagavan retains full potency in every situation

Indra was fooled by the visuals. He saw Krishna as a young child, under the care of the parents. He did not see Vishnu, the person the demigods are supposed to worship. Vishnu is their caretaker, after all, offering assistance when the perennial conflict with the asura class becomes too much to bear.

In the first Govardhana Puja, we see Shri Krishna lifting up a massive hill. The people were astonished, but at the same time under too much duress to stand still in appreciation. They took shelter underneath. The person who had the cloud of devastation, samvartaka, at his disposal was defeated by a young child who didn’t release any weapons.

5. Krishna can protect against even devastating rain

I worship God and one of the subtle desires is protection. Quietly, in the back of my mind, I expect to be free from pain and debilitating disease. I think that the Supreme Lord will always be in my corner, that things won’t take a negative turn.

As the first Govardhana Puja shows, even if we do happen to find trouble, Krishna can find a way out. If there is a forest fire surrounding us, He can swallow it. He can enter inside of a giant serpent and kill it from within. If there is devastating rain, He can lift up a massive hill and use it as an umbrella.

There are many such symbolic correlations based on the factual, historical pastimes of the Supreme Lord. He continues in that protective stance to this day, and so the devotees rejoice at the sound of His holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Indra his best trying,
On samvartaka relying.

After feeling tricked,
Target on Govardhana fixed.

But effort intense defeated,
People under the hill retreated.

Krishna perfect protection gave,
His shelter sufficient to save.