Guest guest Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Hare Krishna. Pranam to all Vaishnavas, DIVINE BLISS - VITAL SOURCE OF STRENGTH When problems confront a person, the immediate tendency for him will be to take prompt remedial action to meet the challenges, relying on his individual physical and mental strength or in association with others close to him. He feels confident that he can somehow surmount the same. The need to entrust himself and seek guidance of Bhagavan Krishna (Mahavishnu) will not occur to him at that time. On the other hand those who always repose confidence in Sri Krishna and take refuge in Him will never get perturbed and will plead with the Bhagavan to protect them knowing fully well that the efforts of human agency with their limitations will fail before divine supremacy. Bhagavan Narayana waits patiently for such a call and then responds quickly. This is exemplified by the Gajendra episode in Bhagavatham. King Indradyumna turned an elephant (Gajendra) following a curse, was seized by a crocodile. It tried its utmost to extricate, but failed. Other members of the community finding its pathetic situation deserted it. Left with no alternative, Gajendra appealed to Mahavishnu and the succour was instantaneous. This indicates that the Bhagavan makes no distinction between any of His creations in the matter of extending His help in response to the call of total surrender. In fact this has been stated as much in Geetha- chapter VIII, (14). “Ananyachetaah satatam yo maam smarathi, nityasah, nityayuktasya thasya aham Sulabhah… etc- meaning he who always and constantly thinks of Me with undivided mind, always absorbed in Me, to him I am easily available etc.. The Lord wielding His characteristic weapon-Sudarshana promptly arrived at the scene, airborne on the back of Garuda. Beholding Sri Hari, the elephant even in his distressed condition was able to hold up in his trunk only a lotus plucked by way of an offering to the Lord. (In our tradition, we believe that one should never approach a king, deity or preceptor empty handed. “Rikthahasthena na upeyaad Raajaanaam, Devathaam, Gurum”). Even seized as he was inside the lake by the mighty alligator** (an allegory, later highlighted below through a quote from the scriptures), Gajendra was able to utter with difficulty just a few words of obeisance, thus “Narayana, Akhila Guro, Bhagavan, Namaste!” – meaning Hail to you O Lord Narayana, the preceptor of the universe. Indeed the elephant in its previous birth (a Pandya king) had incurred the curse of sage Agastya as he failed to welcome the sage, forgetting the traditional norm that spiritual leaders should be honoured whenever they visit. In times of stress all we have to do is put the ball in ‘Bhagavan Krishna’s’ court, by totally surrendering and presto, we will be rid of all problems. It is that simple. The scriptures state “Prapannam Paahimaam Eesam Bheetam MrutyuhGruhaarnavaath”- ‘Be pleased, O Lord! Protect me afraid (as I am) of the ocean of worldly existence rendered all the more fearful by the presence of the ALLIGATOR** in the shape of DEATH and (as such) come to you (for protection). Srimad Bhagavatam says in Canto 1 , Chapter 2 : TEXT 24 pärthiväd däruëo dhümas tasmäd agnis trayémayaù tamasas tu rajas tasmät sattvaà yad brahma-darçanam (Firewood is a transformation of earth, but smoke is better than the raw wood. And fire is still better, for by fire we can derive the benefits of superior knowledge [through Vedic sacrifices]. Similarly, passion [rajas] is better than ignorance [tamas], but goodness [sattva] is best because by goodness one can come to realize the Absolute Truth.) TEXT 25 bhejire munayo ’thägre bhagavantam adhokñajam sattvaà viçuddhaà kñemäya kalpante ye ’nu tän iha (Previously all the great sages rendered service unto the Personality of Godhead due to His existence above the three modes of material nature. They worshiped Him to become free from material conditions and thus derive the ultimate benefit. Whoever follows such great authorities is also eligible for liberation from the material world.) TEXT 26 hitvä bhüta-patén atha näräyaëa-kaläù çäntä bhajanti hy anasüyavaù (Those who are serious about liberation are certainly non-envious, and they respect all. Yet they reject the horrible and ghastly forms of the demigods and worship only the all-blissful forms of Lord Vishnu and His plenary portions.) TEXT 27 rajas-tamaù-prakåtayaù sama-çélä bhajanti vai pitå-bhüta-prajeçädén çriyaiçvarya-prajepsavaù (Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance worship the forefathers, other living beings and the demigods who are in charge of cosmic activities, for they are urged by a desire to be materially benefited with women, wealth, power and progeny.) TEXTS 28–29 väsudeva-parä vedä väsudeva-parä makhäù väsudeva-parä yogä väsudeva-paräù kriyäù väsudeva-paraà jïänaà väsudeva-paraà tapaù väsudeva-paro dharmo väsudeva-parä gatiù (In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. Religion [dharma] is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the supreme goal of life.) OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA!!! SriKrishnaDasa Rajeev Note - Excerpt of a discourse .Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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