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Endearing incarnation

CHENNAI: The Almighty’s incarnation as Krishna is the most endearing of His descents. Nammazhwar who found refuge in Krishna exclaims in ecstasy, “Insatiable ambrosia! My body melts in love for You…” Mystics who speak from their spiritual experience have declared that Krishna is a God “who forcibly climbs onto the lap of even one who does not seek Him.” How then can anyone remain impervious to His charm?

In his discourse, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudachariar said Veda Vyasa composed the Bhagavata Purana to glorify the advent of Lord Krishna and His divine deeds. It is a scriptural text that celebrates devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Jnana) in equal measure, and also the necessity of developing detachment towards the world for attaining liberation. The manner in which this came to be written by Vyasa itself affords insight into the importance of this work for spiritual seekers. It is recounted that Vyasa did not derive fulfilment even after completing his magnum opus, the Mahabharata, which he wrote after he codified the Vedas and authored several Puranas. Sage Narada, who happened to visit him when he was brooding thus, diagnosed the reason instantly. He told him that his mind was disturbed because he had written extensively about the fratricidal war without highlighting Krishna’s glory. Narada said he should write a work exclusively on the glory of the Lord’s incarnations in order to get peace of mind. Vyasa then wrote the Bhagavata Purana with devotion as its leitmotif.

The Vishnu Purana written by Vyasa’s father, Sage Parasara, also is a work which describes the Lord’s manifestations, and the Bhagavata Purana is considered its elaboration. When Vyasa wanted to teach it to one deserving of its exalted theme, it so happened that his son Suka — a born Jnani, who had wandered away from home in a state of ecstasy — returned eagerly to learn it after listening to a few verses chanted by Vyasa’s disciples. Overjoyed he taught it to Suka and thus did Pareekshit get the good fortune of listening to it from Suka. Pareekshit was also blessed for he, the only heir of the Pandavas after the war, was saved by Lord Krishna even before he was born.

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