In the previous episode, we had witnessed a detailed background behind Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna and how they shared a unique relationship with each other. We’ve witnessed that the Arjuna-Bhagawan Krishna combo was none other than the “Nara-Narayana” combo of the Bhadrinatha Kshetra. Just like how Nara was the disciple of Bhagawan Narayana at the Bhadrinatha Kshetra, their “Guru-Sishya” relationship continued in this incarnation also. This is why we see Arjuna extremely devoted to Bhagawan Krishna and in turn, Bhagawan Krishna too had a special affinity towards Arjuna. We’re going to witness at a later stage as to how Bhagawan Krishna was even going to be prepared to be Arjuna’s charioteer during the Kurukshetra war. If Bhagawan (“Paramatma”) has to reduce His level to mee the level of Arjuna (“Jeevatma”, this talks volumes about the bonding that both of them shared. However, we should also understand here that just because Arjuna and the Paandava brothers were cousins to Bhagawan Krishna, He was always by their side and they were “Bhaktas” of the highest level. Sishupaala was also Bhagawan Krishna’s cousin, and all of us know which “Maarga” (Path) did Sishupaala take. He took every ounce of opportunity to abuse Bhagawan Krishna at various stages, and finally Bhagawan Krishna had to kill Sishupaala for all what “Adharma” he committed.
Thus, an important learning for all of us here is that, no matter whether we might be closely related or not to Bhagawan, all that is important for Him is whether we walk the path of “Dharma” or not. In fact, there are a few instances wherein Bhagawan Krishna had to tame Arjuna and Co. too, when they deviated from their path of “Dharma”. We shall witness these instances too when the apt context comes. Hence, it is not that, Arjuna also followed the path of “Dharma” everytime. Arjuna too deviated. But what is the difference between Arjuna and Sishupaala? When Bhagawan Krishna advised the right path of “Dharma”, Arjuna obeyed Bhagawan Krishna’s words and realized his mistake. However, in the case of Sishupaala, he failed to pay heed to Bhagawan Krishna’s words and continued his path towards “Adharma” – Only to be finally killed! Thus, the difference is very clear here – One followed “Dharma” and Bhagawan Krishna’s advice and emerged victorious, and the other rebelled against “Dharma” and Bhagawan Krishna’s advice and ultimately ended up in a big mess! Thus, we can witness clearly here that by merely being relations to Bhagawan, nothing is going to happen. At the end of the day, what is important is whether we’re following Bhagawan Krishna’s words of “Dharma” or not.
Moving further thus, there is one more point that needs to be highlighted here, when it comes to Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna. We’ve spoken about the “Guru-Sishya” relationship between the two of them, isn’t it? The way in which Bhagawan Krishna approached Arjuna as a “Guru” requires a lot to be talked about. In fact, this is a gross difference between the “Yugas”. If we look at the “Tretha Yuga”, Bhagawan Rama (“Paramatma”) went along with Sage Vishwamitra (“Jeevatma”), obeyed each and every word of his and learnt a lot of important lessons. Here, we can see that the “Paramatma” is going in search of the “Jeevatma” for obtaining wisdom. However, if we now turn towards the “Dvaapara Yuga”, Bhagawan Krishna (“Paramatma”) goes along with Arjuna (“Jeevatma”) to teach him wisdom (Bhagawad Gita). Now we can see that the situation has turned upside down when we compare the two “Yugas”, isn’t it? During the “Dvaapara Yuga”, we can witness here that the “Paramatma” is coming down to the level of the “Jeevatma” to make him understand things. This is the way how things change with the passage of “Yugas”.
If we’ve to consider the present “Kali Yuga”, the hard fact is that nobody is going to listen to anybody! 🙂 We would take this as a joke, but this is the truth of the “Kali Yuga”. Of course, Bhagawan hasn’t incarnated as yet and hence, we do not know as to how “Jeevatmas” like us would react when we see “Paramatma” in person! But forget the “Paramatma” – Are we ready to accept the words of our “Guru” and follow them in our lives? Many times, the answer is “No”! This is where we’ve to work on. If someone is advising us on the path of “Dharma”, we should be ready to pay heed to their words and implement them in our lives. It is for this reason that we’re having this blog titled “The Indian Dharma” – To highlight various points of “Dharma” that our ancestors and Bhagawan Himself have touched upon and followed themselves. Hence, we should use this as an opportunity to mend our ways and follow the path of “Dharma”. This is where, Bhagawan treats all “Jeevatmas” as “Svatantras” (Those who are given a free hand to take appropriate decisions for life). We are free to choose the path whatever we would wish to. Bhagawan doesn’t interfere in any of our decisions. If we follow the path of “Dharma” voluntarily, Bhagawan is always there to help us and handhold us to “Moksha”. However, if it is otherwise, we’ve to be prepared to face the music. Thus, the decision is completely in our hands!
So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and let us wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 