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Focussed approach

CHENNAI: Attaining the Supreme Being is possible by fixing one's mind constantly on Him. During the Lord's incarnation as Krishna there were opportunities for many people to wash away their sins and get liberated merely because they were filled with thoughts about Krishna, though not necessarily through devotion. Sisupala's animosity towards Krishna was proverbial, and at the time of Rajasuya Yaga, his offensive spree was in full flow. When it exceeded the limit Krishna used His discus, and his soul merged with Krishna. Yudhishtira voiced a legitimate doubt about this incident to sage Narada, seeking clarification about how such a release from human bondage that does not always happen even to the most devout had been possible, pointed out Sri B. Sundar Kumar in his lecture. Narada's explanation reinforces the essential spirit of Bhakti that is manifest in steadfast contemplation of the Lord, but also draws attention to the different motives behind this constant thought in many people that helped them to attain the Lord.

In the display of Kama (love) of the cowherd women, their single-minded attachment won for them salvation. So too did the Sambandha (kinship) of the cowherds turn to sincere devotion that liberated them. Similarly, the Sneha bhava (attachment or affection) felt by the Pandavas towards Krishna and the Bhakti bhava (devotion) in which the sages and the pious like Narada himself are forever immersed, are sure ways to liberation. But the enemies of Krishna whose minds were fixed on Him through fear, anger or hatred, also attained the same goal. The Dwesha (intense hatred) in Sisupala and Bhaya (mortal fear) in Kamsa that made them think of Krishna incessantly, are examples of communion through confrontation. Both of them met with death at His hand, but got salvation by merging with Him. Sisupala and Dantavaktra were actually Jaya and Vijaya, the two foremost attendants of Lord Vishnu, who were hurled down from their divine abode under the curse of the sages Sanaka and others to be born into the demon race for three births. Having completed two births as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, and as Ravana and Kumbakarna, in this third instance, they indulged in contemplation of the Lord through constant hatred and were absolved of their sins and returned to their divine abode.

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