This article, Hindu God Sri Krishna - Source of Energy
and Dynamism ,is written by Dr. Srinivasan is the author of book
- The Vedic Wedding: Origins, Tradition and Practice and Hinduism for
Dummies
If there is one god whose name is known and recognized
throughout the world, it is Sri Krishna. Philosophers identify Krishna as the
teacher of that amrita (nectar) known as Srimad Bhagavad Gita. The pious
identify Him as the savior and protector of those who seek and surrender to
Him. Students of the Gita know Him as the charioteer friend and mentor of
Arjuna. Students of the epic Mahabharata know Him as the pivot around which
hundreds of ugly events that occurred were resolved through His guidance and
intervention. The most notable example of his power was the spectacular saving
of Draupadi’s honor in the court of Dhritarashtra. For his bhaktas (devotees)
Krishna is a delight with His playful pranks as a child. Who can ever forget
the episode of the child Krishna eating mud and revealing the three worlds when
the shocked mother Yashoda asked Him to open His mouth! And his teasing
of the gopis as a young lover? What fun the citizens of Dwaraka must have had!
But most of all it is Lord Krishna’s promise to humanity made in the third of
the four yugas, Dwapara Yuga that has sustained the Hindu belief in the Supreme
Being over thousands of years. i.e.
Yadaa yadaahi dharmasya glaanirbbhavati
Bhaarataabhyutthaanam addharmasya tadaathmaanam srujaamyaham
Whenever there is decline of dharma, O Arjuna,
I shall manifest Myself in order to restore balance
Whenever we feel weak and unable to perform our duties to
ourselves, to our family or the community, all we need is to recall Krishna’s
charge to Arjuna when the latter hesitated on the battlefield of Kurukshetra
and could not find the courage to fight. It was then that Lord Krishna
delivered the electrifying message that remains timeless in its inspiration:
Klaibyam maa sma gamah Partha naitat tvayyupapadyateKshudram
hrdaya dourbalyam tyaktvottishta Parantapa
“Yield not to impotence, O Arjuna, It does not befit you,Cast off this mean
weakness of heart. Stand up.”
Let us never forget that the Arjuna in this context is none
other than you and me. This particular shloka represents the very essence of
the Gita’s message. It speaks of strength. It condemns weakness. It
re-emphasizes the Upanishadic pronouncement: “nayamaatma balaheenena labhyaha”
i.e. “the atman cannot be attained by the weak.” The entire message of the Gita
is based on this fundamental principle.
Then in Chapter 2, verse 11, Krishna strikes the keynote:
Ashochyan anvashochstvam prajnavadamscha bhashase
Simply put, it says: “Do not Grieve.” Swami Venkatesananda says that we
should use this verse as a mantra. When worry knocks at our door – which it
does, when grief threatens – as it does, let us visualize Sri Krishna standing
before us, saying, “You are worrying unnecessarily.” Thinking is essential.
Worrying is not only unnecessary, but it actually prevents thinking.
Through hundreds of fascinating episodes, this most beloved
of Hindu Gods has established a code of conduct and a set of values that are
singularly Hindu and yet universal in application. The core message is also the
core philosophy of the Hindus i.e. the framework of Dharma within which we are
asked to serve society even as we enjoy life on this earth. For the Hindus
there is no scripture comparable to the Mahabharata of Vyasa which examines
life in practical terms and constantly provides, from one book to the next,
sensations that range from sorrow, pain, fear, from joy to failure to triumph.
Krishna is at the center of each of these, teaching as it were, the very
essence of life. Therefore, let us, the Arjunas of today pledge:
Karishye vachanam tava
“We shall perform (our duties) according to your mandate”
About Author
Dr. Srinivasan is the author of book - The Vedic Wedding:
Origins, Tradition and Practice and Hinduism for Dummies. You can know
more about the author and his book at avsrinivasan.