MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - Episode 70 - Power of Inner Intent
MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 – EPISODE 70
#PowerOfInnerIntent
7th September 2020
I gave a glimpse of my upcoming book Gandma In The Board Room over the last 3 episodes of Monday Musings. I shall revert to the usual format of learnings from classical stories starting from this episode. Story for the current episode is from Bhagavatha Puranam, life and play of Bhagwan Sri Krishna.
#KrishnaANaishtikaBrahmachari
Many of us would know that Lord Krishna had multiple wives, 16108 wives to be correct. But how many of you know that Krishna was accepted as a ‘Naishtika Brahmachari’ meaning ‘celibate ever’. How can a person who married 16108 girls and known for playing rasleela with innumerable young gopis be called a brahmachari? Impropriety of Lord Krishna as a young boy playing Rasleela with the Gopis is a favourite debate for those who don’t seek the true meaning. But there is a context and inner meaning. Inner meaning could be different from common perception, many a times. It is in our interest to find the real meaning. We cannot go by ‘common perception’ always.
Read the story before coming to any conclusion based on common perception.
CAN KRISHNA BE A BRAHMACHARI?
One day Lord Krishna was playing with the Gopis on the banks of river Yamuna. Suddenly Krishna told Gopis, “Rishi Durvasa has come to the other bank of the Yamuna”. On hearing this, Gopis offered to make some food for Durvasa. Krishna said “Durvasa is a Nitya Upavasi (Permanent fasting), still, if you want you can prepare food for him”. Gopis immediately prepared food and brought it back to the banks of Yamuna. Arriving there, they said to Lord Krishna, “Krishna, there is heavy flood in Yamuna and there are no boats. How do we cross this mighty river”?
Lord Krishna replied, “Not a problem, you tell the Yamuna that Nitya Brahmachari has asked you to give way. If it is true, Yamuna will give way” Gopis asked Krishna, “Lord, who is this Nitya Brahmachari”. Then Lord replied, “Dear Gopis, I am Naishtika Brahmachari.” Gopis were surprised to hear this.
They still obeyed Krishna and said to the river, “O Yamuna, Nitya Brahmachari asked you to give way for us so that we can reach the other shore”. The river immediately gave way, after which the Gopis easily crossed the Yamuna. On reaching the other side, the Gopis met Sage Durvasa and served him food. Sage Durvasa liked the food and blessed the Gopis .
Now the Gopis had to cross the river again which was still flooded. They told sage Durvasa that we have to cross the Yamuna river and go to Krishna. Can you help us to cross the river? Sage Durvasa replied, “Gopis, I will certainly help. You may go to the Yamuna and tell her that Nitya Upavasi (the one who never takes food) has asked you to give way. If the statement is true, Yamuna will give way”. Hearing this, the Gopis were shocked again and thought that the sage is a cheat to declare himself to be a upavasi after eating sumptuous food prepared by them.
They were afraid of disobeying Durvasa as Durvasa was known to get angry. They came to Yamuna and said “O Yamuna! We must reach the other shore. Nitya Upavasi has asked you to give way for us”. Surprisingly, the river immediately gave way and the Gopis crossed the river and reached the other side. The Gopis went to Lord Krishna and asked him, “O Lord! we do not understand how you can be a Nitya Brahmachari and Durvasa an Upavasi. We all love you but we cannot be blind to accept that you are a brahmachari?”.
Krishna replied “Both of u are speaking the truth. I am a brahmachari because I never touch any women with lust in mind. Durvasa is a Nitya Upavasi because he never ate food to satisfy his taste buds and hunger. He ate today as a respect to your love. My interaction with women is out of love, compassion and karma”
What is more important is the ‘inner intent’ than the action.
Krishna’s love and grace are the property of all. He regards both cows and Gopis alike. He remains like water droplets on lotus. He is a son, father, mother, friend, lover, guru, deity etc.to people who need him, for their own bliss. Krishna lived without carnal desires both in mind, word and deed, although he is the subject of love and attachment of everyone! He is the real Naishtika Brahmachari!
Many a times, leaders make mistakes going by common perception, assumptions, biases, rumours, etc. Instead search for the inner meaning. Look for the intent until you are getting satisfied with the answers.
Change your inner intent and your life will turn around.
Thiruvalluvar nicely captured the essence of this story in 7 words in this kural
எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்
மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு (Kural 423)
Meaning - To discern the truth in everything, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom
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Authored by Jaganathan T and published every Monday exclusively for LinkedIn readers. Author's book MANAGEMENT IMMEMORIAL - Learnings from Literature is available in all online stores. Printed Version as well as ebook versions available from amazon now.