The Three Phases Of Praying For Stuff From The Devas

“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.23)

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One aspect of proper vision is seeing the future. To actually see means to detect the changes that are constantly occurring. What is in front of us right now won’t remain so, even for an inanimate object like a statue. There is human effort, paurusham, along with time, kala.

The changing nature of the material world is incorporated into Shri Krishna’s characterization of demigod worship. Popular in the Vedic tradition, devas are satisfied in order to earn their favor. The opinion is that ultimately the practice is reserved for the less intelligent. From studying the stages of demigod worship we detect a pattern.

1. Desire

I want something. It doesn’t have to be a physical object, necessarily. Maybe I want good health. I want my brain to function properly for an upcoming exam. I don’t want obstacles along my path in an important journey.

Of course desire could be about money and things. This is the first stage. Now that I know what I want, I have to figure out how to get it. I could do the work myself, but the wise declare that the living entity is not the doer. Nature must cooperate for any result to manifest.

“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)

Better to take the case to a higher authority. Devas are known to satisfy desires. These are god-like figures, and there are plenty of them. I have a choice. Today’s desire has an accompanying deva, and tomorrow’s desire might require approaching a different heavenly figure.

2. Renunciation

I know what I want. I know where to get it. Now comes the “how.” This involves renunciation and austerity. I have to worship properly. I’m not at the level of possessing the prapti siddhi of yoga, where I can get something just by contemplating it.

Whatever the approved process, some sacrifice is involved. I have to give something to get something. The process can be for only a day or it can extend over a few weeks. Whatever needs to be done, I will do. This desire must be met.

3. Success

I got what I wanted. I went through the trouble and it paid off. I am now so happy. This demigod worship stuff really works. It’s not a myth. I guess that explains why so many people follow it.

Here’s the problem. My success hasn’t changed my life significantly. I still have desires. That renunciation and austerity I put towards attaining my goal haven’t carried over into everyday life. I am just as much attached to stuff as I was before.

The more intelligent recognize this cycle. They understand that life should be progressive; there should be advancement in the consciousness as time goes on. If the individual is stuck chasing one desire after another, how is even approaching a divine figure helping them?

Those with more brain substance, su-medhasam, approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly. Should they be full of material desires, kama, Bhagavan’s association will purify them. He may even deny the requests. There is discrimination involved. It is not like making a transaction with a retail outlet. Shri Krishna is not selling anything, though there are many buyers. He is giving His association, which can remain forever. This only goes to those who want it, and through practice in bhakti-yoga the desire, which is pure, gradually comes about.

In Closing:

Worship in pattern flowing,

First by desire into going.

Then into austerity sent,

Sacrifices for rituals spent.

Success, but then at stage the same,

Not extinguished is desire’s flame.

Towards Krishna better believe,

Highest value to receive.

What To Do In The Case Of A Fallen Guru

“Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge, you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.36)

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Friend1: Did you see this story about the guru in India?

Friend2: Umm, there are like thousands of gurus in India.

Friend1: The one where the guy got arrested. He was charged with forcing girls to enter relations with him.

Friend2: Oh, yes. Sad situation.

Friend1: It’s big news. The guy’s followers have started to riot.

Friend2: I heard that.

Friend1: Really is amazing. How can people be so gullible? One look at this guy and I knew he was a fraud. The guy was making music videos, for crying out loud.

Friend2: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada refers to this as the cheaters and the cheated. There are the cheating spiritual leaders. That is one thing. On the other side are the people who want to be cheated.

Friend1: Why would they want that, though?

Friend2: Looking for shortcuts. Wanting an easy way out of trouble. Worship some guru and have every problem solved. No more worrying about money. No more stress. Since they have this desire, nature arranges to find them a suitable match.

Friend1: You could say it’s something like the quack doctors.

Friend2: And their patients. The quacks only gain notoriety because of so many positive reviews from the patients, who give positive testimonials.

Friend1: This is an interesting topic today. Let’s delve further. What if you have a less subtle version of cheating?

Friend2: What do you mean?

Friend1: Let me lay out the situation for you. There is a somewhat famous religious leader. We can call him a guru, as he accepts disciples, people formally initiated to follow and serve him.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: This leader is flawed. He has made mistakes. The problem is, he won’t acknowledge them publicly. There is too much at stake. He travels the world. He gets millions of dollars in donations. He is not egregiously misappropriating the money or anything like that. He is not regularly engaged in illicit affairs. He has had slipups on occasion, though.

Friend2: Alright. This is probably more common than you think.

Friend1: Let’s say that I am attending a program where this guru will appear. I know about the transgressions. I know that this supposedly exalted leader is fallen. The problem is, other people in attendance don’t. What should I do?

Friend2: What kind of question is that? Are you asking me if you should spill the beans, announce it to everyone? For starters, if you know about legitimate crimes you should notify the authorities immediately.

Friend1: It’s not like that. Say the guru had a consensual affair with an adult-aged woman. There is no breaking of the law, but if the followers found out they would have to rethink things. Should I tell them later on, after the program? Should I even be attending such a gathering?

Friend2: These are tough questions. I don’t have the answers for you.

Friend1: By exposing such frauds, you’re saving other people from potential heartache and disappointment.

Friend2: That’s true, but these followers will unleash a fury on you. They may try to ruin your life. You’ve got to think about self-preservation, as well. That’s why I said it’s a difficult thing to answer. You have to go case by case. Sometimes the sadhu messes up by accident. In that case we know that they will be okay going forward. The point is clearly made by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita.

Friend1: Where the sadhu can even commit the most horrible act and they are not considered fallen as a result?

Friend2: Yes. The idea is that they will start their bhakti practices again, which will rectify things. Still, the forgiving nature of the Supreme Lord should not be taken advantage of. I guess you have to see if the guru in this case falls into that category. Sometimes people make honest mistakes, even those at the top. The pressure gets to them.

Friend1: The counter argument is that if you can’t take the heat, don’t go in the kitchen. If you can’t take the pressure of acting as a spiritual leader, don’t become one.

Friend2: That’s a valid argument. No doubt. You also want to consider the devotional service of the disciples and followers. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu compares bhakti to a seed which is distributed by the spiritual master. The idea is to nurture the seed, first to a creeper and then into a blossoming tree. News of the guru falling down can destroy that creeper.

Friend1: Alright, so that’s one aspect of this. What about at the personal level? Should I avoid such association?

Friend2: That’s an easier issue to resolve. Just see the effect the association has on your devotional service. Are you chanting the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare? Are you becoming more Krishna conscious? That means you’re getting a benefit from even a fallen leader. The idea is to always accept things favorable for bhakti and reject the unfavorable.

In Closing:

Transgressions of guru to know,

To disciples with news to go?

Sadhu protected from accidental sin,

Though fallen but still law within.

Situation not easily resolved,

Sometimes better when not involved.

Impact on bhakti assess,

Consciousness of Krishna stress.

Four Images From Rama’s Childhood

“Being prayed for by the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth Himself, directly appeared with His expansion and expansions of the expansion. Their holy names were Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. These celebrated incarnations thus appeared in four forms as the sons of Maharaja Dasharatha.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 9.10.2)

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From birth to death and everything in between. Taken collectively the events are known as a lifetime. Each living being travels as such, while the exact duration varies. For a human being a lifetime may be upwards of eighty years, while for a tree it is thousands. For the creator, Lord Brahma, the lifetime is so long that the days and years are measured differently.

“By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together is the duration of Brahma's one day. And such also is the duration of his night.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.17)

Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, descends to earth every now and then, as He sees it. For Him the vast space of time, infinite in both directions, is but a blip on a chart. For Him janma is not exactly a birth; it is an appearance. In the case of Shri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, the janma has many wonderful associated images that can be contemplated by the aspiring transcendentalist.

1. Dasharatha’s yajna

The external cause is the desire of a very pious king. He helped so much in defending the suras [the good guys] against the asuras [the evil ones] that he earned the name Dasharatha. This refers to a fighter who can combat enemies attacking from the ten directions simultaneously.

The king was sinless, had done everything right, but was still missing something very important: an heir to the throne. At the advice of a brahmana [priestly man], Dasharatha performed a yajna. This is a kind of religious sacrifice, intended for the benefit of God the person, who is known as Yajneshvara, which means “enjoyer of sacrifice.”

The remnants of Dasharatha’s yajna were shared with the three queens, who soon became pregnant. Thus everything related to Rama’s appearance was auspicious, in accordance with dharma, or religiosity.

2. Four children to three queens

Fast forward a little and get the image of four infants being adored by three loving mothers. Rama is the eldest, born to Queen Kausalya. Rama is God directly. He is the same Vishnu worshiped in every yajna. He is the equivalent of God the person. This is the special benediction for King Dasharatha; he was worthy of having God as a son.

Bharata is the next child, born to Queen Kaikeyi. Lakshmana and Shatrughna are twins, born to Queen Sumitra. The three younger brothers are partial expansions of Vishnu, known as amshas in Sanskrit. They are essentially the same as God, but assuming different roles.

3. Rama and Lakshmana eating

Lakshmana takes the role of number one servant. One of his many other names is Ramanuja. This means “younger brother of Rama,” and anuja also implies a follower. Lakshmana tags along with Rama wherever the eldest brother goes. This is not annoying in the least, but rather very endearing. Lakshmana does not eat or sleep before Rama does. This is a great sign of respect and love.

All four brothers are well taken care of by the loving mothers. They are adorned with beautiful clothes and provided food fit for a king. They are to one day follow in the footsteps of the father, though the journey won’t be without difficulties. From the mothers, the loving affection represents a bond to last forever, even when physical association is not available.

4. Rama swallowing Kakabhushundi

Kakabhushundi took birth in a crow’s body, but retained his knowledge of spiritual matters. He knows that God is a person. He knows that Bhagavan sometimes descends to this world and displays His amazingly beautiful transcendental form. He knows that the lila is just sport, that even within the child’s body Bhagavan retains full potency.

But due to the illusory energy of maya, sometimes there is forgetfulness. In the case of the devotees the illusion is of the auspicious kind, yogamaya. Under the sway of that energy, for a second Kakabhushundi thought that maybe Rama wasn’t God. After all, Dasharatha’s eldest son was playing like an ordinary child, being tricked here and there.

At that moment Rama decided to chase after Kakabhushundi. He caught the crow and swallowed him. Kakabhushundi then saw a version of the universal form inside of Rama. That amazing vision immediately removed the illusion. The Supreme Lord is affectionate with His devotees in this way.

In Closing:

Always from maya protection,

Rama to crow affection.

By swallowing from inside seeing,

Universal form, ignorance freeing.

From Dasharatha’s yajna they came,

Four brothers, to Vishnu the same.

Staying together, to Rama most dear,

Lakshmana seated close to Him near.

Five Reasons To Abandon Stolen Property

“Ravana was very advanced materially, so much so that he turned his kingdom, Lanka, into pure gold, or full material wealth. But because he did not recognize the supremacy of Lord Ramachandra and defied Him by stealing His wife, Sita, Ravana was killed, and all his opulence and power were destroyed.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.7.23 Purport)

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You shouldn’t steal, right? Does this need to actually be explained to anyone? The human being has some intelligence at the time of birth. Otherwise there wouldn’t be potential for reading, writing, speaking, walking, talking and other such things we take for granted, things we expect the adult to be able to do.

The Bhagavad-gita says that the intelligence comes from the source of all intelligence, the Supreme Consciousness that pervades the entire known space. Basically, wherever we see life, there is some connection to this consciousness, who is responsible for both intelligence and forgetfulness.

“I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas am I to be known; indeed I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.15)

There is potential to learn, but someone has to do the teaching. It’s difficult to arrive at the proper conclusion through personal experience alone. There is no guarantee to survive through trial and error. As an example, a child may learn that fire will burn, but only after several times testing the fact. The easier way is to have someone offer the instruction, if even in a forceful way, to get the point across.

Instruction can similarly be passed on about the need to respect the property of others. Don’t steal. Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you. There is logic behind the teaching, as well as lessons from the past, from people who were forced to learn from their mistakes.

1. It’s the right thing to do

Consider your favorite possession, something that means a lot to you. Would you like it if someone else took it from you, without asking? It’s a change of possession, not just borrowing. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. That is a quick way to determine right and wrong.

2. Karma comes back to you

The Sanskrit word karma means “fruitive activity.” Action-reaction. Deeds with consequences. The results don’t necessarily manifest immediately. It may take another lifetime before the phala, or fruit, arrives.

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

Nevertheless, the reaction will arrive. This is karma coming back. If you steal from someone, it stands to reason that someone will steal from you. If you honor the property of others, it is likely others will offer the same respect to you.

3. You’ll have to give it up at the time of death anyway

Say that you steal something, get away with the crime, and take enjoyment from the stolen goods. You could have it for decades without issue. Irrespective the amount of time, eventually there will be separation. You have to leave everything behind at the time of death. With stolen property, you’ll have to give it up in a manner involving some kind of punishment; sometimes through violence.

4. Learn detachment

Jnana and vairagya. The human being advances through knowledge and renunciation. The potential is not the same with the animals. They don’t know about going on a diet. They don’t realize that death will arrive someday and that steps should be taken to make the most out of the existence.

Giving up stolen property is one way to get detachment. Attachment to the material body means future births. Reincarnation is fueled by karma, and with detachment there is less chance for fruitive activity. The proper way to live is bhakti, which is respecting God’s property and the innocent lives of His innumerable sons and daughters living in this world and others.

5. Learn from the examples of Ravana and Duryodhana

The leader of the Kurus, Duryodhana took property that didn’t belong to him. It was a massive and influential kingdom. The rightful heirs to the throne, the Pandavas, were wickedly cast aside. Duryodhana tried to kill those five brothers, who were his cousins, so that they wouldn’t have the chance to right the wrong. In the end it was Duryodhana who learned the hard way. He lost his life on the battlefield against his fiercest rival. No more kingdom to enjoy, even though for a while it looked like he had gotten away with stealing.

Ravana’s lesson was even harsher. He took the kingdom of Lanka from his half-brother Kuvera. He instilled fear in the kings around the world. Ravana attacked and killed innocent priest-like men living in the forest of Dandaka. The life of sin was paying off, it seemed.

Then Ravana took fortune personified. She was on earth in the form of Sita Devi, the daughter of King Janaka. Sita was married to Shri Rama, an incarnation of God. Ravana stole Sita and then paid dearly for it. He learned the hard way what happens when you go the way of the thief. Ravana had a city of gold and an expansive ocean surrounding that city. At the time of death all he saw was the fierce arrows released from Rama’s wonderful bow. What he knew as his property previously was now gone from his possession forever.

In Closing:

Gone from vision forever,

To see again never.

Though to protect property trying,

Ravana in this way dying.

Duryodhana similar lesson to learn,

The result from stealing to earn.

When property and life to respect,

Then same from others to expect.

Three Periods Of Time I Could Use To Test If God Is Real

“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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So many religions. So many people who follow. So many true believers, who would sacrifice everything to move forward in the path laid out for them. Something must be there, but how do they know for sure? Where is the evidence? Where is the tangible proof of a Divine being, someone who is the origin of everything?

Testing the origin is traveling one direction on the time continuum. The other is the future, moving forward. In Vedic culture the Almighty is described to be anadi. This means “without beginning.” He is also ananta, or unlimited. The creation goes through cycles of manifestation and dissolution.

“Again and again the day comes, and this host of beings is active; and again the night falls, O Partha, and they are helplessly dissolved.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.19)

The idea is that what we see now wasn’t here before. Nor will it remain forever. At some point the cycle will start anew. God is the one person who remains alive throughout. People like Markandeya Rishi have had the special benediction of living through the dissolution, seeing firsthand that the Supreme Lord remained. When everything was getting destroyed, God was in the form of an attractive and carefree youth, not worrying about anything.

That is one person’s testimony, but what if we should get the same opportunity? In His original form, Bhagavan, also known as Narayana and Krishna, appears before us. We are skeptical, so we insist on visual proof. There are different lengths of time to utilize in a test of divinity.

1. One hundred years

I don’t remember my birth. I don’t remember my past lives, which according to the spiritual science of the Vedas I supposedly had. I am here, in the present, with someone who is apparently God. I have the future to work with.

Let’s say that I stay with Krishna for one hundred years. That is a remarkable achievement. Though rare in modern times, it is indeed possible. If I stay with Him for that long a time, will I prove that He is God? He stays in His exact form, without aging.

2. One thousand years

Every person I previously knew is long gone. Even future generations have since passed. I never believed someone could live for a thousand years, but somehow I have. Krishna is still with me. Is this proof that He is something special? Is He the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

3. One billion years

This length of time is practically unfathomable, but it certainly exists. Let’s say that I am with Krishna for this long. Not only have so many generations come and gone, but the earth itself is different. Continents aren’t where they used to be. The climate is different. Some species are now extinct.

Is one billion years enough? Does this prove that Krishna is deathless, which should be one property of the Almighty? Actually, if I am able to live this long, maybe I’ll start to think that I am God. After all, who else has lived this long? They say Lord Brahma has so many years to his day and night, but I never believed it. He is the creator, but now I am living for just as long.

From this theoretical exercise we see that from perception alone it is impossible to prove God’s existence. We must eventually move on. If we don’t, we might start to think of ourselves as being the Almighty. Does this mean the process is hopeless? Is there no way to be sure of God’s existence?

As with so many other aspects of life, faith is involved. Extend some faith in the beginning, follow some recommendations from the representative of God, the spiritual master, and soon come to realize at the personal level. Markandeya Rishi saw for himself and then told the Pandava brothers about the experience. Their well-wisher, Shri Krishna, was none other than Narayana Himself.

Krishna explained this truth later on to the leading fighter in the Pandava group. Arjuna was informed that both he and Krishna had appeared on earth many times before. The distinction was that Krishna could remember those appearances, while Arjuna could not. This is one difference among many between the living entities and the source of all energies. He has perfect memory, while we forget the simplest things.

Though even billions of years of direct perception won’t bring certainty in the idea of Divinity, just a few seconds of engagement in devotional service, bhakti-yoga, can bring a taste that was not previously experienced. Something as simple as chanting the holy names brings proof of the existence of God: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

For test in certainty to know,

Forward in time just go.

Today Shri Krishna with me,

In hundred years same to be?

One thousand or billion how about?

By then thinking I am death without.

Bhakti-yoga, beginning with faith the way,

Confirming what Markandeya and others to say.

Was Arjuna A Better Bow-Warrior Than Krishna

“Savyasachin refers to one who can shoot arrows very expertly in the field; thus Arjuna is addressed as an expert warrior capable of delivering arrows to kill his enemies.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 11.33 Purport)

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Friend1: I got a weird one for you today.

Friend2: I’ll be the judge of that.

Friend1: You know how Arjuna failed to protect the queens after Krishna returned to the spiritual world?

Friend2: Right away!

Friend1: What?

Friend2: You have to focus on the negative. You have to bring up a blemish on Arjuna’s record.

Friend1: No, don’t misunderstand me. I am using that incident to juxtapose with something positive.

Friend2: Alright, proceed.

Friend1: I understand the lesson. Krishna was no longer around, so Arjuna wasn’t as powerful anymore. He previously led his side to victory in the greatest war of all time. Now he couldn’t do something simple like protect against some bandits.

Friend2: Yes. Arjuna was the best bow warrior in the world. Proof is there in Draupadi’s svayamvara. Arjuna was the only one who could win the contest, which involved shooting the eye of a fish without looking at it directly.

Friend1: Right, the only vision was the reflection. There was a wheel involved, too.

Friend2: Yes.

Friend1: So we have both conditions. One where Arjuna is proven to be the best. Another where he’s supposedly lost the ability which made him famous.

Friend2: And you want to know if that represents the duality of the material world? The time factor and how it erases everything?

Friend1: Not quite. You may have answered the question already. Let’s focus on the time of the Bharata War, where Krishna is Arjuna’s charioteer.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: At that time, is Arjuna a better bow warrior than Krishna?

Friend2: What do you mean?

Friend1: Why isn’t Krishna on the chariot shooting arrows? Is Arjuna really the best? How can that be?

Friend2: Umm, you understand that the role of charioteer there is a sign of affection, right? Krishna is the virata-rupa, which is the complete everything. Arjuna saw this vision later on. It was the proof of Krishna being God, especially for the non-devotees.

Friend1: Okay, so if Krishna fought against the Kauravas, He would have won?

Friend2: Yes, of course. That was one of the visions in the universal form. The assembled fighters were rushing into Krishna’s many mouths. That is an indication of victory.

“All the sons of Dhritarashtra along with their allied kings, and Bhishma, Drona and Karna, and all our soldiers are rushing into Your mouths, their heads smashed by Your fearful teeth. I see that some are being crushed between Your teeth as well.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.26-27)

Friend1: But Krishna was there on earth at the time. Why don’t we say that Arjuna was the best bow warrior in the world, next to Krishna?

Friend2: You could say that, but that fact is rather obvious. You don’t need to focus on that situation, either. Take any person from any time period who exhibits great ability in a particular area. The best tennis player. The person with the greatest memory. The fastest man in the world. The famous scientist. Krishna would excel in any of those fields. Their ability actually comes from Him. There is no question of competition.

“O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.8)

Friend1: Something like talent on loan from God.

Friend2: Absolutely. When we praise someone for their ability, we are indirectly praising Shri Krishna. The direct method is better. Look at what happened with Arjuna. When his ability was no longer there, he thought of Krishna. That means that in either case, high or low, he was Krishna conscious. Others aren’t as fortunate, so they are left to look back on the glory days. Their ability is gone forever, and they have no way of getting it back. With bhakti-yoga you are in a secure position whether you win or lose, whether you are young or old, whether you are living or dying.

In Closing:

Whether living or dying,

Successful or trying.

In position always secure,

To receive His grace for sure.

On battlefield Arjuna the best,

But later no better than the rest.

Since ability from benefactor came,

Thinking of Krishna all the same.

Four People Who Asked Krishna For Something

“As stated in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna always tries to please His devotees, and the devotees try to please Krishna. As the devotees always think of Krishna within their hearts, so Krishna also thinks of His devotees within Himself. When Kubja was converted into a beautiful society girl, she wanted Krishna to come to her place so that she could try to receive and worship Him in her own way.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 47)

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They’re my parents. It’s a different relationship there. Let others be concerned about teaching me lessons. Let there be formalities in dealings with other people, but these two I have known my whole life. I should be able to ask them for anything. Not that they will always agree, not that they will even have the means to come through, but there should never be any fear in asking.

The same applies with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. People are always asking Him for things, since time immemorial, but those are mostly business transactions. I’ll do something to satisfy you, but only to get what I want. Then I will continue in my forgetfulness.

The relationship with the devotees is different. The link will always be there, so making a request isn’t taking advantage. The pure devotee is a surrendered soul, and for such souls Bhagavan is ready to do anything.

1. The gopis

They asked to meet Krishna in the forest, at night, under the full moon. Krishna is Bhagavan in the complete and original form, where there is a personality who is all-attractive. The pastimes on earth, the Vrindavana-lila, help to provide instruction to future generations, but there is pleasure involved as well.

The enjoyment is between two parties, not one worshiper and an abstract energy. There is no experience with void. God is a person, and the devotees are people, too. In Vrindavana the cowherd women were in love with Krishna. The desire for conjugal affection was so strong that they cast aside the rules and regulations. If it was wrong to love God, they didn’t want to be right.

What did the Supreme Lord do? He obliged. He not only agreed to the rendezvous, but He expanded into identical forms so that each gopi could dance with Him individually. This way no one would feel left out. This pastime, known as the rasa dance, is the embodiment of dharma, since there is no hint of material desire.

2. Devaki

There is a special nature to the janma and karma of Krishna. It is divine, meaning not what we are accustomed to. Janma typically refers to a birth, but with Krishna it is more an appearance, coming before the vision. Karma is fruitive activity that has future consequences on the material body, but for Krishna it simply refers to activities. He is never associated with matter or bound by future consequences.

Devaki was the chosen birth-mother, the person who witnessed Krishna’s janma firsthand. There would be separation immediately after, as Krishna grew up in the farm communities of Gokula and Vrindavana.

Later on the brothers Krishna and Balarama were reunited with the parents, Vasudeva and Devaki. The mother heard how her boys had previously granted a special request to the teacher, Sandipani Muni. Since they were her sons, she didn’t feel shy in asking for something.

She wished to see her other children, whose lives were cut short by the wicked brother, King Kamsa. It was an extraordinary request, but the brothers were not ordinary at all. Once again, for a devotee the Supreme Lord was ready to deliver.

3. Kubja

When Krishna came to Mathura to finally do away with the wicked Kamsa, he met a hunchback woman named Kubja on the street. She kindly offered Him sandalwood, and in return He transformed her into a beautiful woman. As a sign of appreciation, Kubja invited Krishna to visit her home. She wanted to enjoy intimately with the Supreme Lord. This was not your typical request, but God never turns away the pure devotee.

4. Arjuna

Years later there was the great Bharata War about to commence. Arjuna was the leading warrior for the Pandavas, who represented the side of righteousness. Arjuna was unsure on how to proceed, though. He put the matter before Krishna, his dear friend who also happened to be steering the chariot.

Krishna could have declined. He could have told Arjuna to figure things out for himself. He could have said that solving problems was not in the job description of charioteer. Instead, Bhagavan once again came through. Krishna delivered the sacred Bhagavad-gita and Arjuna’s doubts were cleared.

The idea is that not every request will be granted, especially if there is material contamination within the consciousness. But for those who have cast aside personal desire, who don’t seek even liberation from the cycle of birth and death, God is willing to do anything. He loves the devotees as much as they love Him.

In Closing:

Well past pairs of piety and sin,

Always thinking only of Him.

Since in other consciousness can’t,

Krishna their desires to grant.

Like gopis meeting in forest alone,

Devaki’s children, to Kubja’s home.

Removing for Pandava doubt,

Since never bhakti without.