Narayana Krishna

Maharishi Śuka continued, “For a period of eight months, the Sun absorbs the water from the Earth. During monsoons, he releases the water back to Earth through the medium of the rain-bearing clouds. Akin to noble compassionate people, the clouds which move due to strong winds and which are accompanied by lightning, always cause the well-being of the universe”.

For a period of eight months, the Sun is engaged in evaporation. Thereafter, the compassionate Lord returns the water back to Earth in the form of rain.

“The clouds release water, which is an essential pre-requisite for sustaining life-force”.

On a hot sultry day we state, ‘we can live without water, but not without air’. When faced with water shortage, we say ‘O we can manage without air but can’t live without water’. The truth is that even if one among the five elements is missing, sustaining life is difficult. The ever-compassionate Lord manages the five elements and balances them. He ensures a timely supply of water, air, light etc. to living entities.

“The body of a person who engages in rituals for the fulfilment of his desires, becomes weak and emaciated during the period of penance. After the fulfilment of his desire, it is restored to its original healthy state”.

The moment the desire in the mind is fulfilled, the person is filled with vitality. From where the energy arises is a mystery isn’t it?

“Likewise, the Earth which is dried up and barren after intense summer heat, is suddenly refreshed after bountiful rains and is filled with greenery everywhere”.

In the absence of the Lord’s grace, would greenery be seen on Earth? It is due to His compassion that rains supply all parts of land with required water. Just as a person emaciated due to non-fulfilment of desires suddenly turns energetic after its fulfilment, the land that is barren due to summer heat suddenly becomes lush green after being blessed with abundant rainfall.

“Just as the influence of sin causes the theories that contradict Vedic dictates to become popular during the period of Kali thereby relegating the Vedas to the oblivion, during monsoon the glowing fireflies during the evening sunset times push into oblivion the stars and planets in the skies”.

Vedas have now been relegated to the back. They are obscure. ‘What is the loss if they are lost?’- ask a few. Vedas alone describe this entire creation. There is a great misconception among people that it is impossible to grasp the Vedic texts. This stems from their laziness. Claiming helplessness in their ability to read such texts, they throw these valuable texts out of their homes. Our intellect is exactly like that fox which complained that the grapes were sour. If at all the fox was able to reach the grapes, then even if the grapes were truly sour or bitter, it would have declared that they were sweet. Similarly, once we are able to grasp the meaning of the Vedic texts, then we will exclaim that they are the words of the Supreme Lord. We will relish them.

It is better to speak about such texts only after an in-depth study of the same has been undertaken. At the same time, there are many who declare that they have conducted extensive analysis upon the subjects covered by these Vedic texts and that they have found nothing useful in them. From such statements, it is evident that the Lord who is seated within them did not illumine in their heart. They could not see His divine illumination.

“Just as Vedic scholars remain silent for a while before chanting Vedic texts, the frogs which until then remained silent began to croak loudly hearing the thundering clouds from the skies”.

At times, when the knowers of Veda begin to speak, their speech illumines the surroundings.

“Just as physical health and material wealth of a person depletes completely due to lack of sense-control, the small rivulets that overflow due to incessant rains dry up completely at the end of the monsoons”.

Seasonal rivers that gush speedily during monsoons disappear soon after rains come to a close. During summers, they dry up completely and during monsoons they are filled to their brim. They take on the characteristics of the respective season.

“Just as gems and precious stones surround a wealthy person, with the onset of monsoons the Earth was lush green due to the freely growing grasses. It was also crimson-red due to the presence of the red velvet bugs (Indragopas) hovering around the grasses and at places it appeared white due to the growth of mushrooms in areas not exposed to sunlight. Thus, the Earth glowed vibrantly in many colours”.

This describes the Earth which appears in many colours after it has rained continuously for a few days.

“Fields, with their abundant supply of crops, brought joy to the farmers while the rich, who failed to understand that gains and losses were purely the result of destiny, agonized due to rainfall”.

Arrogance due to wealth should not become the cause for sowing seeds as per one’s whims and fancies without consideration for seasonal implications. When the person abides by the rules of Nature and sows seeds in accordance to the season, then during monsoons he will reap an abundant crop. Those who grow crops based on the season and land suitability lead prosperous, happy lives.

“Just as devotees begin to lead happy, peaceful lives due to serving Lord Srihari, the aquatic creatures as well as the land creatures used the freely available rain water to obtain glowing, healthy bodies.

A spiritual aspirant whose mind is not yet fully ripened is lured by lustful desires and drawn by materialistic enjoyments leading to frequent mental disturbances. Just as the mind of such aspirant experiences frequent turbulence, the rivers which were merging into the ocean experienced turbulence due to the rough waves generated in the ocean by huge, strong winds.

Just as obstacles cannot disturb those who retain within their minds, the Supreme Lord Srihari who is beyond the scope of the senses, the mountains cannot experience any agitation even though they get beaten mercilessly by the incessant rains.

Just as Vedic texts gradually slip into obscurity if learned Vedic scholars abstain from chanting them daily, the wild grasses that grow on the rough forest paths, that remain untrodden for long durations, completely conceal the forest paths making them unrecognizable”.

Srihari Krishna