Miscellaneous - Religion   

God’s accessibility

CHENNAI: The Supreme Being’s manifestations are known as Avatara (descents) because He deigns to be born in this world like other beings, which He does primarily for the welfare of His creation. The uniqueness of Krishnavatara is that His quality of easy accessibility (Saulabhya) came to the fore in full measure in it. God’s Avatara itself is an expression of His Saulabhya as He who is the omnipotent Lord of the entire creation comes down from His transcendental realm to the Earth so that human beings can experience His benevolence at firsthand.

In his discourse, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudachariar said the extent of Krishna’s Saulabhya could be seen from the fact that He chose to live among the cowherds, who pursued their traditional livelihood of tending cows, which He also did. Other such humble jobs Krishna did were becoming Pandavas’ messenger to avert a war between the cousins, and when it failed He became Arjuna’s charioteer during the war. Vedanta Desika observes that the Lord’s radiance only became enhanced by these gracious acts.

It is easy to explain that these were expressions of His Saulabhya but one must bear in mind that those who received such benediction were all exceptional devotees who merited His grace.

In the Tiruppavai, Andal in the guise of a Gopi addressed Him “as the Great One, who stands like a beacon to the world,” when the maidens stood at the gates of Nandagopa’s mansion to wake up Krishna and seek His blessings. The Gopis did not go to His divine abode and it was He who came to live as one among them.

The relationship between the Almighty and His devotees is characterised by unconditional grace on His part and loving devotion that seeks nothing but the Lord Himself on the part of the devotee. The Lord is beholden to such exemplary devotees for whom He goes to any length. Arjuna out of camaraderie could direct Krishna when He became his charioteer to “place my chariot between the two armies.” The Lord not only obliged but also utilised this opportunity, when Arjuna became depressed, to teach the Bhagavad Gita and thus became a preceptor to the entire humanity, which He had yearned for.

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