I recently had a delightful conversation with Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. The conversation has been in a dialogue form and the same is presented below. The conversation did not take place in a particular order.
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That day I went for a morning walk. I was walking through a beautiful garden. The trees, the leaves, the creepers, the flowers, the fruits and the greenery greeted me with love and affection. I made inquiries with the buds, blossoming flowers and have observed the nature around.
Just then the spring has set in. The cuckoos are singing hiding here and there after eating the tender mango leaves. The birds made pleasing and harmonious sounds. The cool morning breeze has touched me gently and made me feel better. The sun is rising in the east. When I am experiencing pleasantness and am joyful, I saw a figure under a mango tree appear before me.
‘Kasturi tilaka’ is on His forehead. He has worn ‘Pitaambara’. A garland made of “mandaara” flowers is gracing His neck. Peacock feather is gleaming on His head. The tender bamboo stick touched by His rosy lips is playing melodiously the ‘Bhoopala raaga’. Adorned like this, appeared before me the sky-blue complexioned God; the Lord who takes care of you and me; the venerated spouse of Goddess Lakshmi. He became the vision that filled my eyes.
I ran towards Him like a released arrow with excitement, eagerness and joy. I reached Him and fell at his feet like a flower. My hands touched His lotus-feet. Raising my head, I looked at Mukunda. My eyes became tearful. Tears rolled down my cheeks. With tears of joy I washed the feet of the Lord. My excitement subsided. I became cheerful.
Looks expressing devotion as leaves, affectionate salute with folded hands as sweet fruits, the chant of Narayana astaakshari as water and heart filled with love for Him as flowers, I offered the Lord and worshiped Him.
He smeared my body with His hands, wiped out my tears and comforted me like my beloved and caressed me like mother. I closed my eyes in delight and enjoyed the hug of the Lord like a child. With the touch of Narayana, I experienced inexplicable bliss.
Then I spoke to the Lord:
You make us speak; you make us learn the alphabet, the language, the sciences, the arts and skills, and the tatva; you make us compose poetic works; you feast us all with the delights of our chanting your name. In which sequence of words shall I sing your glory my Lord, so that I am happy and you are delighted?
You create all the tunes and fill the universe with melodious sounds. Nature overflows with joy by listening to your musical notes. How shall I sing your praise, in what raaga (tune), except with anuraaga (affection) !
I do not observe any austerities. I do not know what meditation is. Mantra and tantra, I never heard about. Though my mind is always counseling to chant your name always, I am neglecting because of my laziness. Due to lack of discrimination I am unable to distinguish between the right and the wrong. In such a state of mind, I am unable to retain your form in my mind. Take care of me, Oh! Savior of Gajendra!
Then Lord Krishna spoke enchantingly:
I am you and you are I. There is no difference between us. Can you differentiate between water and water? In quality and essence you and I are same. Feel free with me.
Then the following conversation has taken place between me and Lord Krishna.
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I: I have some questions to ask you.
Lord Krishna: Proceed.
I: Many human-beings are either unable to show love and affection to their kith and kin, and near and dear, or fellow human and living beings, but are devoted to You deeply. Do You accept such devotion?
Lord Krishna: No. One must love and show affection to one’s kith and kin, and near and dear and fellow living beings first. Then they can be devoted to Me. I approve of and accept such devotion only. Neglecting near and dear ones and claiming as my devotee will not make one spiritual and such persons are not dear to Me.
I: What is our best prayer to You?
Lord Krishna: Your compassionate behavior towards fellow human beings, living beings and concern for the conservation of nature, is the best prayer to Me.
I: We have among us genuine devotees, enlightened spiritual persons and also fundamentalists in all religions. How is it You all Gods are tolerating the dastardly acts of the fundamentalists?
Lord Krishna: We, all Gods of all religions are like sun light, water, air, earth which sprout and sustain any kind of seed, and both crop and weed are allowed to grow simultaneously.
I: Why won’t you Gods remove the weed so that the crop is saved?
Lord Krishna: Just as the removal of the weed is the duty and in the interest of the farmer, so also to eliminate fundamentalists is the duty of the rulers in the interest of the societies. Just as when farmer fails in his duty, sunlight, water, air and earth can not be found fault with and blamed; so also the failure in duty of rulers can not become basis to find fault with Gods and blame them for the acts of the fundamentalists.
And a superior only guides and counsels, and will be inspiring the subordinates to act. Superior acts when the subordinate fails in his duty; that any way I am and other Gods are doing from times immemorial. The subordinate has to be conscious of one’s duty. You can not expect the superior only to act always. It is neither possible nor advisable/desirable.
