In the previous episode, we had witnessed the deeper significance of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “Leela” of stealing butter from Gokula’s houses. We’ve witnessed how Bhagawan Krishna stresses upon the pure and innocent devotion of young women and how they unconditionally surrender to His divine lotus feet, which melts His heart very much. However, it is not to say that older people and men do not have devotion towards Bhagawan. But the point here is that, as compared to the others, normally one characteristic that stands out of young and unmarried women is that, their level of “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan is a step higher than others. It is only to highlight this point that Bhagawan Krishna is enacting this “Leela”.
So having said thus, we might have a question lingering in our mind – “Oh! We’re old, or married or a male! Is there no way that we might be able to attain Bhagawan Krishna? Is it only for young and single women? So for that, should we be unmarried all the time? Should we renounce our “Grihastashrama” completely for the sake of attaining Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet?” We’ve to look at this in a slightly different context here – Yes. The question is totally valid, but here is the catch point. Although we might be a male or a married woman or an elderly person with a family, etc. we should realize that all these characteristics are only for the physical body (“Deham”) and not for the “Atman”. Our “Atman” is always the same from the time when we take birth and till the time we attain Moksha and even beyond that. We’re now coming back to Sage Jada-Bharata’s point that we’ve discussed in our earlier episodes – We should learn to see the “Atman” and the “Deham” differently. The problem comes when we see both as a combined entity, and this is where we get carried away by the “Maya” (Illusion) that we have a family, a husband, etc. who can take care of us. Little do we realize that it is the “Atman” within us that is to be protected and it can be done by none other than Bhagawan Krishna. In fact, Bhagawan Krishna Himself explains in His Bhagawad Gita, isn’t it? Bhagawan Krishna says thus,
“Sarva dharmaan parithyajjya maam ekam sharanam vraja!
Aham tvaa sarva paapebhyo moksha isshyaami maashuchaha!!”
This is a famous sloka from the Bhagawad Gita and I’m sure many of us might be knowing this. Here, Bhagawan Krishna openly declares thus, “Oh Arjuna! For all the living beings in this world, I’m the only savior! No matter what, who and how you are – All of you should go only through me to attain Moksha! Please be assured that if you surrender to me, I shall make sure that all your sins are washed away and ultimately you would be able to attain “Moksha” with ease! Please do not worry!” This is a very important message that Bhagawan Krishna is sending out here – No matter who we are – Either a single woman, or married woman, or elderly woman, or a man, etc. – All are “Atmans” under one roof of Bhagawan. It is only in the way we realize the “Atman” better. It is only in the way we forget our physical differences and approach Bhagawan with that one-pointed devotion. The problem comes when we’re getting carried away by the differences in the “Deham” aspect and completely forget the “Atman” aspect that unites all of us together.
Thus, to answer the question that we had asked above, everybody can attain Bhagawan Krishna equally. In fact, Bhagawan is neutral and has equal amount of affection towards all His divine children. Afterall how can a father differentiate between two of his own kids? Both kids would be equal for a parent, isn’t it? Similarly, Bhagawan sees all of us as the same. It is only we who keep differentiating ourselves with all these parameters. Thus, the message that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is trying to convey here is very simple – “Forget all your differences and come to me with a pure heart, just like how these young women do! I shall make sure that you’re granted Moksha then and there!” This is what we’ve to understand, and we should make it clear that Bhagawan has no “partiality” towards one person, more than the other.
In fact, we should ask ourselves another question here – As we’re all Bhaktas, (or, atleast we proclaim so) – Assume that Bhagwan Bala-Krishna is coming and standing in front of us right at this moment and asking us, “Oh my Bhakta! I’m here to grant you Moksha then and there, and have come to take you along with me to Vaikunta!” How many of us in today’s scenario would be ready to go along with Bhagawan Bala-Krishna to Vaikunta? We might immediately start thinking thus, “Oh! How come I can leave so early? I’ve to enjoy my family life, I’ve to marry off my son / daughter, I’ve to take care of my parents and family, etc. And hence, it would be nice if Bhagawan is giving us some more time to live in this world!” Now here is where the real check would come – If a person is able to throw away all matters relating to the “Samsara” and takes up the opportunity given by Bhagawan right away without thinking for a second, is Bhagawan’s most ardent devotee! 🙂 We should think within ourselves now – “Do we belong to this category?” If our answer is “Yes”, we’re truly Bhagawan’s go-to devotee! If our answer is “No”, we’ve to think again!
So for today, let us understand this significant point and let us wait till the next episode to witness the continuation of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s divine “Leelas” further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 