In the previous episode, we had concluded the discussion on how Bhagawan Bala-Krishna spent divine time with the “Gopikas” at Vrindavan and what can we learn from this divine experience that we had enjoyed this far. We’ve witnessed it in multiple dimensions and in yesterday’s episode we witnessed how this highest level of “Bhakti Maarga” is completely relevant in this “Kali-Yuga”. As discussed, every “Yuga” has its own significances, positives and negatives. It is upto us to pick up the significances and positives and discard the negatives, instead of blaming the Yuga in which we are born. It is very easy for us to “escape” the hard spiritual path by just putting the blame on the “Kali Yuga” for not doing what Bhagawan expects us to do. In fact, if we do it with dedication and devotion, the spiritual path is never hard. It takes us to a state of unending bliss, which we would have never experienced in life before. However, all that is required from our end is the right effort in the right direction.
As mentioned many times earlier too, this “Kali Yuga” perhaps provides the easiest way to attain Bhagawan, as compared to other Yugas. We’ve witnessed in the “Tretha Yuga” how King Janaka attained “Moksha” by being an epitome in “Karma Yoga”. This is the toughest path to attain “Moksha”, as one should be highly steadfast in the actions (Karma) that he / she performs. One mistake here or there would be a costly miss. Even in the Dwaapara Yuga, Bhagawan Krishna Himself emphasizes to Arjuna that the best way to attain “Moksha” is through “Karma Yoga”. This is the reason why the entire Bhagawad Gita was born and in that, Bhagawan Krishna is motivating Arjuna to fight the war, rather than running away from it. However, in the “Kali Yuga”, the requirement has been further diluted, and it is said that one can attain “Moksha” through “Bhakti Yoga” quite easily. In fact, Bhagawan Krishna Himself talks about all the three Yogas – “Karma Yoga”, “Gnyaana Yoga” and “Bhakti Yoga” in the Bhagawad Gita text in great detail. We shall witness it at length when we have an opportunity to discuss the Bhagawad Gita in detail at a later time. But for now, the best and the easiest way to attain Bhagawan in this Kali Yuga is the “Bhakti Yoga”, through the process of “Naama-Sankeertanam”. This is the reason why we often emphasize upon chanting the divine names of Bhagawan as many times as possible. The more we keep chanting and singing in praise of Bhagawan, the easier the path for us to attain “Moksha”. Thus, we should understand this point very clearly as we move further.
Moving on further thus, Kamsa on the other side of the Yamuna river was getting tensed day after day upon witnessing the growing popularity of his enemy, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna. He had heard how Bhagawan Bala-Krishna had single handedly taken down Snake Kaaliya and how He lifted the mighty Govardhana Mountain to protect the entire village from the unprecedented rains. Kamsa now thinks that he’s letting his enemy grow too much in prominence and power. Of course, Kamsa had been sending a stream of Raakshasas every now and then to capture and kill Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, but all his attempts till now have turned futile. We’ve of course seen only few important Raakshasas whom Bhagawan Bala-Krishna had neutralized, but here, we’re going to witness one important Raakshasa by name “Arishtaasura” or “Kesi”. This Raakshasa had his face in the form of a horse. Kamsa calls out for Kesi and gives the same instruction – To have zero mercy on Gokula villagers and to somehow capture and kill Bhagawan Bala-Krishna. Accordingly, Arishtaasura sets out with a fierce Raakshasa form, which was enough to scare everybody around! He was on a rampage and as he crossed over the river banks, came rushing into the Gokula village with a fierce and savage resolution. As the people of Gokula saw a scary Raakshasa approaching them, they started scampering here and there for shelter. Panic spread all over the village and Arishtaasura started unleashing his vicious powers on them. Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, unable to resist Himself, decides to take him head on. He thus comes in front of Arishtaasura, and unable to bare the ferocity of Bhagawan, Arishtaasura fell on the ground dead. This was of course after a long fight between the two.
With the killing of Arishtaasura thus, all the Raakshasas under the ambit of Kamsa at Mathura were totally undone! There’s nobody left in Kamsa’s kitty to send to Gokula. It all started with Poothana, who came the very next day after Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s birth. We’ve witnessed this in our earlier episodes too. Now that all the Raakshasas are destroyed, what does Kamsa do? He’s now in a state of shock, despair and helplessness. What is Kamsa’s strategy going to be at this stage? Is he going to give up? Or, is he going to fight the enemy all by himself? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 