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God’s accessibility

CHENNAI: The Supreme Being (Para) is beyond human reach but He makes Himself accessible (Saulabhya) to His devotees. It may seem paradoxical that these contrary traits reside in the same person because normally in the world we can see that those who wield power are not easily accessible. This makes Him unique. In fact, saints and mystics have emphasised His accessibility more because it is this auspicious trait that is important from the standpoint of humanity as devotees must be able to experience His gracious nature in order to enhance their devotion.

In his discourse, Utthamur Sri Rajagopalachariar said the Lord is not only accessible to His devotees but also goes to any length to fulfil His promise to protect them. When Yudhishthira lost in the game of dice and the Pandavas were exiled, Draupadi’s humiliation in the assembly was the most poignant of all the insults heaped on them. Krishna went to the Kamyaka forest to meet them, and He was livid seeing their predicament as the whole game was unfair. Yet, Yudhishthira argued that he had erred and that the exile was the expiation for it. Krishna then swore that He would redress the injustice done to them. Draupadi could not contain herself when she saw the Lord and started sobbing, tears flowing without restraint. Krishna comforted her and promised, “Listen to My oath. The heavens may fall from their height. The snowy peaks of Himavan may slip and fall. The seas may dry up. The Earth may shudder into a million flinders. But the words of Krishna will never be vain empty words. You will see all the Kauravas dead…”

But there was an occasion when the Lord went back on His word for Krishna had vowed not to wield any weapon during the Mahabharata war. He did that to bless His devotee Bhishma and protect the Pandavas. On the ninth day of the great battle Bhishma was unstoppable and Arjuna was not fighting as was expected of him. To remind him of his duty, Krishna then jumped from the chariot throwing away the reins of the horses, and rushed towards Bhishma with His discus in hand. The grandsire was overwhelmed that the Lord should grace him thus when his end was nearing.

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