Glory of Lord Krishna

October 28, 2004

Hare Krishna,

Listening to the glory of Lord Krishna (Sravanam) is one of the nine ways of cultivating devotion and its efficacy can be seen from the fact that most of the scriptural texts like the Puranas are in the form of narratives. This method instills devotion both in the person who expounds the scriptures and those who listen to him and thus ideally suitable for community worship. When both of them are spiritually evolved the ensuing spiritual discourse is inspiring.

The Bhagavata Purana was expounded by Sage Suka for the benefit of King Parikshit in seven days when he beseeched him to do so. This was the period available to him, cursed to die as he was by a sage's son who was incensed that he had offended his father. Though he was troubled in mind before he started listening to the exposition, before long he became totally enraptured with the glory of the Lord that he forgot his original affliction. Devotion welled in his heart as the narration progressed and reached the climax when Suka embarked on the advent of the Lord as Krishna.

Though all the Puranas recount the incarnations of the Lord, the Bhagavata Purana is unique in that the element of devotion runs like a thread through the narrative. It was expounded to the king with the definite purpose of enabling him to realise God within the brief span of time available to him by enhancing his devotion.

When Suka briefly narrated the salient features of Krishna's incarnation, the king was not satisfied and wanted him to dilate on it at length recalling with gratitude the instance of Lord Krishna saving him even before he was born, ``Having entered, discus in hand, the womb of my mother (Uttara) who had sought Him as her refuge, He protected this body of mine, the seed of the race of the Kurus and the Pandavas, badly burnt by the missile hurled by Aswatthama.''

the Bhagavata Purana projected even the members of the royal lineages, who are generally more concerned with secular matters, as great devotees without losing track of the primary objective of extolling devotion to God. This enabled King Parikshit to evince deeper interest in the exposition as he was able to relate himself to them.

The extent of his devotion can be gauged from his enthusiastic response to Suka, ``Hunger, so difficult to bear, does not afflict me. I have given up even water, drinking as I am the nectar of Sri Hari's story...'' The commentator observes that the king was cursed to die as he lost his presence of mind because of thirst and listening to the glory of Lord Krishna made him forget even his bodily needs.

Devotion to Krishna takes on nine modes and there are several examples of devotees who realised Him through these means. Among them very few had the privilege of looking upon the Lord as their friend (Sakhya). The instance of the Pandavas, especially Arjuna's relationship with Lord Krishna, is a standing example of this kind of devotion.

According to Puranic tradition, Arjuna and Lord Krishna are the manifestation of Nara and Narayana respectively. Arjuna was thus the chosen friend of Krishna. Numerous are the instances of His saving grace in Arjuna's life including His assumption of the menial role of his charioteer during the Mahabharata war.

The manner in which Krishna brought about the marriage of Subhadra, His sister, with Arjuna was a special favour shown towards His friend . Arjuna went on a pilgrimage after the Pandavas' marriage to Draupadi, for one year, and in the course of his wanderings when he came to Prabhasa he remembered his dear friend Krishna living in Dwaraka close by. He also heard about the probability of Subhadra's marriage being finalised to Duryodana, his sworn enemy. As he had evinced interest in her, he wondered how Lord Krishna who knew about it could have agreed to the proposal.

As Arjuna wondered what to do Narada appeared before him and advised him to disguise himself as an ascetic and enter the precincts of Dwaraka. Arjuna prayed to Lord Krishna as in his anxiety, his mind naturally turned to his dear friend. Though Arjuna looked upon Krishna as his friend He was the Almighty and could intuit what was transpiring in Arjuna's mind.

As Arjuna sat meditating under a tree on the further course of action Lord Krishna appeared before him as though in answer to his prayer. The contradiction between Arjuna's attire and the thoughts uppermost in his mind was bait enough for Krishna, who revelled in pranks, to tease him. Feigning that as the younger of the brothers He had allowed the matter of Subadra's marriage to be decided by Balarama, Krishna assured Arjuna that He would help him to secure her hand. He consoled him that nothing would

please Him more than seeing his sister wedded to His dearest friend.

Without divulging Arjuna's identity Krishna conspired to bring them together by asking Subhadra to wait on the recluse and attend to his needs which did not arouse the suspicion of others. At an opportune time the Lord helped Arjuna to abduct her and marry her according to the custom of the ruling class in those days.

Please Chant:Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare HareHare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare HareAnd Be Happy.

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