The Hindu : Lord's characteristic trait

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 23, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Lord's characteristic trait

CHENNAI, JAN 23 . Human beings can choose to lead their lives as per their personal inclinations. What is essential is that the chain of devotion to the Supreme Being remains unbroken. An ardent follower of popular games meticulously plans his entire schedule in order to watch the proceedings uninterrupted. Similarly, a person should prepare for the after life by thinking of God. In order to highlight the necessary law of virtue, God indulged in sports in His manifestations, an aspect that continues to enthral devotees long past His visitation.

In his discourse, Sri. P. M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal said that kindness is the only characteristic trait of the Supreme Being. While benevolent to all, He does not tolerate undesirable qualities in any one, regardless of how exalted a status he may enjoy. When Cupid (Manmatha) egoistically boasted about his ability to enslave anyone to passion, He decided to teach him a lesson. To this end, He played divine music on His flute, which drew women like a magnet. Dropping their chores, they reached Him in a state of sublime ecstasy. When asked by Krishna to return to their homes, they refused, citing their raised level of consciousness about Him as the reason. As Gopikas played with Krishna and enjoyed the experience, a sense of superiority engulfed them. As ego reared its head, God hid Himself. Unable to bear the parting, and thrown into a state of disarray, they searched for Him everywhere, begging trees, plants and all animate and inanimate objects for a clue.

Tulsi, who constantly adorns the Lord, took pity on their plight and pointed to His footprints. Espying a set of female footprints alongside those of Krishna, the women wondered about the virtuous lady so singled out for honour. She was none other than Radha, the symbol of true love. In keeping with the scriptural injunction that anything exceptional belongs to the society at large, and not to any single individual, she wondered at the Lord's preference for her over other Gopikas. Keenly aware of her inflated sense of self worth, He left her also. Feeling bereft without Him, the anguish of the women found expression in a set of verses.

A chastened Cupid broke his bow and surrendered to the Lord. During the entire episode, Krishna donned the role of every woman in whatever stage of work she was involved in and saw it through, highlighting His avowal that when a devotee is fully turned towards God, none of the earthly tasks ordained to him will be hindered.

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