Psychological fear

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Source: Chinna Katha

http://www.saibaba.ws/stories/storiesparables.htm

 

11 - Psychological fear

 

During the exile of the Pandavas, Krishna visited them to enquire

about their welfare. He spent a night with them. The Pandavas had to

undergo untold suffering during their exile. As Draupadi was also

with them, they would keep vigil in turns for one hour each, every

night. Krishna also volunteered to keep vigil for one hour.

 

Dharmaja wondered, " When You are the protector of the entire

universe, what is the meaning in your standing sentry for an hour to

protect us? " Yet he cautioned Krishna: " Krishna, beware of the

devil - my brothers and I encounter it every night. On many

occasions it has tried to attack us. Therefore, we pray to you not

to do a turn in guard duty. You have come to enquire about our

welfare. We should not put you in danger. Kindly take rest. " Krishna

replied, " Dharmaja, is this what you have understood of my divinity?

On the one hand you extol me as the protector of the entire universe

and on the other you are apprehensive that I cannot protect myself.

You are worried that the demon will harm me. Rest assured that no

demon can touch me. Therefore, permit me also to join you all in

doing the security duty. "

Having completed one hour duty, Krishna sat on a rock and was

smiling to himself. It was Arjuna's turn next. He rushed to Krishna,

a bit worried that the demon might have attacked him. Seeing Krishna

smiling, Arjuna fell at His feet and enquired whether he had

vanquished the demon. Krishna replied, " Arjuna, I have never created

demons and evil spirits. Then, how can the non-existent demons

appear in the forest? The demon you are talking about is not a demon

at all. It is just a reflection of the evil qualities within you

such as hatred, anger and jealousy. The anger in you is manifesting

as the demon. Its power is increasing in proportion to the intensity

of anger in you. " The evil qualities of man are the real demons

troubling him today. Man is under the mistaken notion that demons

exist and that they are responsible for his suffering. This is all

nothing but imagination and psychological fear. Only man puts

another man to suffering; there is no demon as such. There are no

demons and evil spirits in this creation. Arjuna realised the truth

of Krishna's words and thereafter did not encounter the demon.

Arjuna was beholden to Krishna for the revelation. He fell at his

feet and expressed his gratitude. Good and bad are man's own

creations.