In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining to Arjuna as to how this world is a place that is full of sorrow and nothing else, and how we get trapped into this vicious cycle of getting into a sorrow in everything that we do here. Bhagawan Krishna goes on to explain that if one has to experience an unending happiness and divine bliss, he / she should equip himself / herself to reach the “Vaikunta”, and for this, the person should understand the significance of Bhagawan and accordingly position Him in mind and perform the “Yogam” as per Bhagawan’s instructions. Bhagwan also explains here that once someone reaches the “Vaikunta”, there is no possibility that he / she is going to take birth again in this world to experience all the sorrows here!
This is very important for all of us in today’s context as well because, most of the time we’re under an illusion (“Maya”) that this world is very beautiful and is full of opportunities to be happy and content! However, when we start exploring each and every opportunity that the world throws at us, we start experiencing a lot of dissatisfaction and unhappiness in them! Subsequently we start cribbing about the opportunity that we’ve got, which once upon a time we were thinking that this is the best, and we eventually make a move on into the next opportunity, only to find the same result there also! We can see this in the way we switch from one organization to the other, in pursuit of the “best job opportunity”, can’t we? At the onset, we might keep cribbing that our current organization is the worst employer ever, and we will make a move to the next one, only to face the same set of problems there also! Subsequently we keep on moving from one place to the other, and in every place that we move, we keep facing different set of challenges and problems! Thus, end of the day if someone asks us – “Are we happy with what we’re doing?”, our answer is always going to be a “No”! This is exactly what Bhagawan is explaining here – This world comprises more sorrows than happiness, and sadly we do not realize it! Rather, we keep going behind so-called “opportunities” that might give us temporary happiness, however, in the long run, this short-lived happiness also can turn into sorrow!
Moving on further thus, Arjuna has a question on this! He asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You’re telling us that we’ll be facing only problems if we’re in this world. Leaving “Vaikunta” apart, because it might be very difficult for many of us to attain, is there any other alternate “Lokha” apart from this “Manushya Lokha” from which we won’t come back? Is there any other “Lokha” where we will enjoy a life that can be devoid of suffering?” This is something that will be prevailing in our minds as well, isn’t it? As Arjuna asks thus, Bhgawan laughs and replies back – “Oh Arjuna! You’ve asked a very important question! Let me tell you now – Irrespective of whichever “Lokha” you go to, there will be a time when you will be pushed back into this “Manushya Lokha” and you’ll have to undergo all the suffering here once again! You might have enormous “Punya Karma” and with this, you might go to the “Svarga Lokha” of Indra and the other Devatas. You can have a luxurious life there with all the unimaginable pleasures that you can experience. However, when the apt time comes wherein your “Punya Karma” will get burnt out completely, Indra himself will push you upside down into the “Manushya Lokha” once again! He will not tolerate you there even for a single minute after the cutoff time! This is the same story with Bhagawan Brahma’s “Satya Lokha” too! You may even ascend to the “Satya Lokha”, only to be kicked out after a while! Even if you go to the “Bhuvar Lokha” or “Suvar Lokha” or “Mahar Lokha” or “Jano Lokha” or “Tapo Lokha” or “Satya Lokha”, the scenario is the same! You will not be able to reside their permanently! Thus, the only “Lokha” where you will be able to live permanently is only “Vaikunta” and to reach the “Vaikunta”, you’ve to put in a lot of effort!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna sends out an important message, not only for Arjuna here, but also for all of us! So from today, let us make a meticulous effort to boost our eligibility to reach “Vaikunta” by following Bhagawan’s instructions carefully. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 