In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining the characteristics of a “Mahatma” and how they are extremely focused and dedicated towards Him at all times. In these lines, we’ve witnessed a couple of examples who have lived in this present “Kali Yuga” and have attained the highest “Moksha” through their ardent spiritual practices. We’ve seen how Meerabai and Saint Thiyagaraja Swami were extremely devoted towards Bhagawan Krishna and Bhagawan Rama respectively and how they managed to have the divine “Darshan” of their favourite deities as they attained the highest “Moksha”. Of course, we’ve seen enough and more about Prahlaada, Little Dhruva, etc. who were also “Mahatmas”. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna clearly outlines these characteristics and explains to Arjuna that he too should follow suit.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan explains – “Oh Arjuna! If a person doesn’t think of anything else except me, if a person doesn’t feel anything else in this world except my divinity, I’m always with him / her to give the “Yoga-Kshemam”, which is nothing but the fruits of the “Yogam” that he / she performs!” Bhagawan says this through the famous shloka from the ninth “Adhyaaya” thus,
“Ananyaaschintayantomaam yejanaah paryupaasate!
Teshaam nityaabhi yuktaanaam yogakshemam vahaamyaham!!”
Many of us might be knowing this shloka, and this comes as part of the ninth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita. We chant this at the end of the “Shri Vishnu Sahasranaamam” as well and this is nothing but a prayer to Bhagawan Krishna that the good effects of chanting His 108 divine names should reach us duly. Thus, the meaning of the shloka is very simple – If a person is constantly in thoughts of Bhagawan at all times and if this person follows whatever Bhagawan has instructed him / her to do, Bhagawan is never going to leave such people. He is going to be with them at all times, and is also going to ensure that the fruits of all his / her actions will be realized without fail.
Bhagawan continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! If such an ardent devotee gifts me anything, I shall gleefully accept it! Even if it is a small leaf or a flower or a fruit, it doesn’t matter for me! The question here is whether the devotee is giving that to me with all his / her love and affection!” Bhagawan says thus,
“Patram pushpam phalam thoyam yo me bhaktyaah prayachhati!
Tadaham bhaktyupahritam ashnaamiprayata aatmanaha!!”
This is also a very important shloka, which illustrates how simple Bhagawan is, towards His ardent devotees. It also clearly shows how approachable He is, and how open He can be to His ardent “Bhaktas”. Bhagawan says that even if the devotee gives me one small flower or one small leaf, this itself satisfies me completely! We’ve seen the story of Bhagawan Krishna’s childhood friend, Kuchela during the “Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana” project. As many might know, Kuchela was starving amidst huge poverty and at this time, he comes along to meet Bhagawan Krishna who’s the king of Dwaraka. Upon looking at the expansive palace of Bhagawan Krishna, Kuchela thought for a moment that he should go back and shouldn’t meet his childhood friend! However, when Bhagawan spotted Kuchela, He ran towards Kuchela and welcomed him with a lot of grandeur, which surprised Kuchela a lot!
Now, when Kuchela gave away the small packet of poha that he had bought with him, to his contrary of thought, Bhagawan Krishna was lovingly and passionately eating it! Initially, Kuchela was thinking that Bhagawan Krishna would not even mind all these things, but to his dismay, Bhagawan enjoyed it the most! What had happened after this is something that all of us might know – Kuchela was completely driven out of poverty with Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha”! Thus, isn’t this a great illustration of how Bhagawan Krishna receives a devotee, no matter how rich or poor he might be? Even when the devotee offers a small packet of poha, which is considered as a poor man’s meal, Bhagawan happily consumes it, doesn’t He? This shows how Bhagawan comes down to our level and receives us with a great amount of love and affection, if we take one step forward towards Him!
Thus, the biggest question here is whether are we prepared to take that one step forward! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 