In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion on why the “Krishna-Avatara” is given much more prominence in description amongst all the Puraanas, as compared to the “Shri-Rama-Avatara”. We had witnessed one important answer for the same in the last episode, wherein Bhagawan Krishna as a child is easy for all of us to identify and relate, as compared to Bhagawan Rama, who was a strict epitome of “Dharma”. Of course, I’m not saying that Bhagawan Krishna wasn’t standing for “Dharma”. The biggest difference between Bhagawan Rama and Bhagawan Krishna in their pursuit towards Dharma is that, Bhagawan Rama would follow the “Dharma” as per how it is written in the “Dharma text book”! He wouldn’t deviate an inch from what is written in the Vedas and Upanishads. Whereas, if we see Bhagawan Krishna, His philosophy is quite simple here – “Whatever I do is Dharma”! 🙂 This is pretty easy for us and for Him too! If we ask Him why isn’t He following the “Dharma” as written in the Vedas, Bhagawan Krishna would lovingly reply us thus, “Oh! I’ve already followed and illustrated all of that during my previous Rama Avatara. Now why should I repeat the same thing over and over again?”
Thus, we can see here that even Bhagawan Krishna Himself says pretty much the same thing as what Sages Sukhaachaarya and Paraashara had said – “If you want to understand more on Bhagawan Rama and the Dharma that He followed, go and refer to the Valmiki Ramayana text!” Hence, the point is very clear here, isn’t it? So with this understanding, now let us move on with what Sage Paraashara is going to narrate with regards to how Bhagawan Krishna is incarnating in this world. We’ve already witnessed so far how Devaki and Vasudeva have been jailed at Mathura city by the wicked Kamsa, and in the meanwhile, Bhagawan Vishnu too decides that He has had enough with Kamsa’s atrocities in this world. Thus, Bhagawan Vishnu declares to the world that He would take birth as the eighth son to Devaki & Vasudeva, and Balarama would be the seventh son to the same couple, born out of a “broken pregnancy” or “aborted pregnancy” of Devaki. We’re going to witness this “Charitra” in the coming episodes. At the same time, there would be another girl baby born to the couple of Yashoda and Nandagopa at Gokula town, wherein she would be Goddess Devi or Goddess “Yoga-Maya” or Goddess Vaishnavi Devi.
We might be wondering why is this “Yoga Maya” taking birth here, and who is this “Yoga Maya”. In fact, this “Yoga Maya” is nothing but the “Maya-Shakti” (Power of Illusion) with which Bhagawan Vishnu operates this entire world. In Bhagawad Gita too, Bhagawan Krishna Himself explains this concept in a beautiful way. He says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand that all people in this world including you, are bonded by the three Gunas – Satva, Rajas and Taamasa Gunas, which are in turn embroiled into the “Yoga-Maya” or the Illusionary power. Thus, even if you try your best, you would not be able to come out of the power of “Maya”!” Arjuna was listening to this and posed a counter question to Bhagawan thus, “Oh Keshav! You’re saying that it’s not going to be possible for me to win over this “Maya” and come out of it. If that is the case, why at all should I fight this war? Why should I kill these thousand-odd people standing in front of me? What is the use of doing such a thing, if neither myself nor Duryodhana is going to escape this “Maya” at all? Let him live happily with the Hastinapura Kingdom and let me go to the forest to do penance”!
Upon hearing thus from Arjuna, Bhagawan Krishna realized that He was talking too much! 🙂 We’ve to note here that during the entire Bhagawad Gita Arjuna is only trying to run away from the battlefield and everytime he’s trying to do so, Bhagawan Krishna is trying to pull him back! Thus, Bhagawan replies to Arjuna’s “escapism”, “Oh Arjuna! I think you’ve misunderstood what I’m trying to say here. I’m only saying that you do not have the power to win over the “Maya”! However, with my helping hand, you can always come out of it and win it over! Why don’t you realize this point? Hence, if you do what I say and if you follow what I’m trying to explain, I shall help you in coming out of this “Yoga-Maya” and with that, you would be able to attain Moksha. Please understand that all those who surrender to my feet with ardent devotion, I would help them to overcome this “Yoga-Maya” successfully. Hence, take up your bow and arrows and start fighting, without wasting more time!”
Thus, we should also understand the important point here – Bhagawan Krishna has the “Yoga-Maya” under His control and it is with that, He binds the world together like a magnetic force. Since it is a huge binding force, we as normal human beings would not be able to break that force and come out of it. We need external help in the form of Bhagawan’s divine grace so that He cuts it open and takes us out of it. This is where we need the complete surrender to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet (“Sharanagati”) and with this, we shall overcome the “Yoga-Maya” and henceforth travel towards “Moksha”! So for today, let us understand the significance of this “Yoga-Maya” and in the next episode we shall witness how this “Yoga-Maya” played an important part in Bhagawan Krishna’s incarnation! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 