Sai message for the day

[Guest guest]

We have now understood from your divine message that the Pandavas

could face problems and withstand troubles and tensions because of

the infinite grace of Lord Krishna. It is most gratifying to note

God's concern and love for His devotees. Kindly give us a notable

instance.

 

Yes, Yes, and Yes. This is the truth of truths. It is not wholly

correct to say that God loves. No.

 

God is Love,

 

Love is God,

 

Live in Love.

 

How? You may at the most love one or two. But, if you become love, if

you are love itself, it becomes infinite and you love all. So, don't

become a lover but be love itself. You can realise God only through

love, as He is the embodiment of love. You can see the moon only

through moonlight. Similarly, through love, you experience God who is

love and thus enjoy bliss.

 

The Pandavas could face all difficulties because of the blessings of

Lord Krishna. It was their unconditional love for and surrender to

Krishna that made them accept every dangerous situation or every

challenging moment as His will and blessing. Krishna was ready to do

anything to save them from all kinds of disastrous situations.

 

The Pandava brothers along with Draupadi and Kunti were in exile. One

evening, Dharmaja and Draupadi were taking a stroll in the forest and

saw a big fruit lying on the ground. They thought that its size was

so big that it could be divided among all of them for their dinner.

Draupadi went close to that big fruit and tried to pick it up, but in

vain. Then Dharmaja assisted her in lifting the fruit, but met with

the same result. Both of them were exhausted. In the meantime,

finding that Dharmaja and Draupadi had not yet returned, Bhima and

Arjuna, one after the other, went in search of them and located them.

They too extended their helping hand in lifting the fruit and failed.

Finally, after some time, Nakula and Sahadeva joined them and all of

them together could not move the fruit. Then, they noticed something

moving just under their feet. It was all black hair spread wide on

the ground like a carpet. They lifted their heads, looked around and

noticed that these long hair were those of a sage seated in penance

at a distance. The sage was none other than Romarshi. ( `Roma' means

hair, and `Rishi' means sage).

 

The sage was just about to open his eyes. He was doing penance for a

long time for this fruit which would make him free from thirst and

appetite: The Pandavas happened to be there near the fruit and were

trying to take it home. They felt guilty and were afraid that the

sage might curse them. Draupadi immediately prayed to Krishna

wholeheartedly seeking His divine intervention to save them

 

Krishna appeared in front of her, enquired about the problem, and

said, " Look Draupadi! It is true that I come to the rescue of my

devotees, but am also a rshimanasasancari, dweller in the hearts of

devotees. What you have done is wrong. Romarshi did great penance for

this fruit which you wanted to take away. In a fit of wrath, if the

Rishi curses you, how can I help you? " Then Draupadi fell at

Krishna's feet and said, " Oh Lord! We are left with none. But for

you, we wouldn't have survived like this. We admit our mistake.

Please pardon us and save us from the danger of the sage's curse " .

Then Krishna said, " Alright!. But, note one thing. Act strictly

according to my instructions. Now, I will go and be with Romarshi and

begin conversing with him. You come there exactly ten minutes later. "

 

Krishna went to Romarshi, who received Him with all devotion and

sincerity saying, " O Lord! It is we who should come to you. All our

penance and austerities are meant only to reach you. How shall I

estimate my good fortune now? The Lord himself has come to see me! "

Krishna started talking to him and spent ten minutes, when the

Pandavas arrived there. Then Krishna prostrated in front of every one

of them including Draupadi : Watching this, Romarshi concluded that

these Pandavas before whom even Krishna prostrated must be Rishis of

the noblest and highest order. Then Romarshi too prostrated and did

namaskar to the Pandavas as Krishna did. Thus, his anger was

pacified. He cooled down. He couldn't curse those whom he had

reverentially greeted.

 

This anecdote speaks volumes of the unfathomable love of God for His

devotees and of the extent to which He would go in order to protect

them. But, it is needless to say that the devotee should also be

worthy of his compassion.

 

The Mahabharata War was going on. Bhishma took an oath that he would

kill the Pandavas the next day. Draupadi was grief-stricken on coming

to know of this oath of Bhishma. She prayed to Lord Krishna in

anguish and the Lord took pity on her. Out of compassion, He visited

her that night itself. It was almost late in the night. On the

battlefield, in a tent lay the aged Bhishma, greatly disturbed. He

was restless and couldn't sleep. He was feeling repentant over his

vow because the Pandavas were on the side of justice and

righteousness. He began pacing up and down outside the tent,

engrossed in deep thoughts of regret.

 

Krishna walked towards the tent where Bhishma was staying. He

signalled to Draupadi to fall at the feet of Bhishma. She exactly did

so. Noticing that it was a woman who touched his feet, Bhishma

blessed her with the words, 'dirghasumangali bhava, May you have a

long happy married life.' As he bent down to see who had touched his

feet, he found Draupadi there. He was taken aback. A big question

arose in his mind. How could he kill the Pandavas. having just now

blessed Draupadi with a long happy married life?

 

Bhishma saw Krishna standing there on one side, and said, " Lord! This

is your master plan. Things happen according to your divine will. You

can do and undo things. We are only instruments in Thy Hands. Lord!

What is the bundle you are carrying? You have wrapped something in

cloth and are carrying it. May I know, my God, what it is you are

carrying? " Krishna said, " Bhishma! This is a late hour of the night.

You are an aged warrior. You must have been very tired and trying to

rest. I didn't want your sleep to be disturbed by the sound of the

footwear of .Draupadi. Therefore, I wrapped her sandals in a piece of

cloth and carried them and that is what you have seen " .

 

This is what bhaktaraksana, safeguarding and protecting devotees is.

God will go to any extent to fulfil His promise. There is no doubt

about it.