Miscellaneous - Religion   

Soul searching episode

CHENNAI: Those in search of salvation are advised to seek the company of the good and the pious so that they imbibe the salient aspects of righteous living that scriptures speak about. They are also advised to read the Rasa Leela section in the Bhagavata Purana that overtly describes in detail the enchanting effect of Lord Krishna’s divine music in the people of Brindavan, but in essence echoes the truths of the Upanishads.

On a full moon night the Lord played on His flute on the banks of the Yamuna and the entire Gokulam resonated with the divine music. The Gopikas who were engaged in their daily chores left their work and rushed to Brindavan to be in the presence of the Lord. This celebrated episode in the Bhagavata Purana and in the Narayaneeyam, that has inspired Prema Bhakti Rasa in countless devotees such as Jayadeva, has also been a subject of intrigue and doubt, said Sri V. S. Karunakaran in a lecture. Is the act of the Gopikas right? Have they not swerved from Karma Yoga by discarding their work and indulging in this experience with Lord Krishna? Questions of this nature find a suitable answer in the truth that this episode symbolises the yearning of the Jivatma for the Paramatma, which is after all the ultimate goal of human existence. If the purpose of following one’s Dharma or Karma in the right spirit is to understand the eternal truth and attain Moksha, the Gopikas had attained union with the Supreme Self, making these practices redundant.

There are further lessons to be learnt from this episode. The hallmark of true devotion is humility and Lord Krishna teaches this in His unique way to the Gopikas including the devout Radha. When each Gopika felt special in His company and swelled with a sense of pride, the Lord disappeared from their presence, sending a wave of anxiety among them. They enacted and imitated Lord Krishna’s acts in His absence. The Lord reappeared and danced with each one of them, while also simultaneously substituting their presence in their households. He thus establishes His all pervasive nature, His supremacy and His invaluable, ever lasting and true relationship with every Jivatma.

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