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God's Purpose in the Mahabharata
God's Purpose in the Mahabharata
People often wonder why there is so much bloodshed in the Mahabharata. How can God condone so much death during his leela ? How can Shri Krishna preside over so many battles in the Mahabharata ? Many non-Hindus say Krushna can not be GOD as he caused the death of so many. Many call him manipulative, trickster, cunning or simply evil for having allowed so many warriors to die in his presence. Even Gandhari admonishes Krushna for not having stopped the war with his divine powers.
We need to understand that universal leela of the divine can be very difficult for us to understand. We need to understand that divine view looks at the good of the universe rather than the needs of the individuals.
Shri Krushna's objective for the war was very clear. He wanted to establish 'Dharma Rajya'. Removal of adharma was key to achieving Dharma Rajya.
For Dharma to be established, Adharma, in all its guises, had to be removed. Establishing Dharma was the sole purpose of Krushnavatar.
During the era of the Mahabharata, earth was burdened with evil, greedy, unscrupulous rulers. Powerful men and their arrogant armies constantly warred, making the Earth unhappy. Men plundered earth’s resources as if it was their right to exploit it for their benefit. Earth requested Vishnu's help in alleviating her pain.
Being the protector of the universe, Vishnu was able to maneuver karmic bonds and debts around to bring right people in to the picture at the right time to 'make things happen'. Like a catalyst, he can speed up or slow down events sufficiently to achieve the desired results. Karma is not negated, it is simply ‘adjusted’ to speed up delivery of karmic results.
So, at the request of mother Earth, Vishnu made sure the lives of some of the wickedest and most noble souls were brought into synch. Karmic ties of several souls were brought into play and what could have taken many life times for them to solve, was resolved in a single lifetime.
SB 10.1.17: Once when mother earth was overburdened by hundreds of thousands of military phalanxes of various conceited demons dressed like kings, she approached Lord Brahma for relief.
SB 10.1.18: Mother earth assumed the form of a cow. Very much distressed, with tears in her eyes, she appeared before Lord Brahma and told him about her misfortune.
SB 10.1.19: Thereafter, having heard of the distress of mother earth, Lord Brahma, with mother earth, Lord Siva and all the other demigods, approached the shore of the ocean of milk.
SB 10.1.20: After reaching the shore of the ocean of milk, the demigods worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, the master of the whole universe, the supreme God of all gods, who provides for everyone and diminishes everyone's suffering. With great attention, they worshiped Lord Vishnu, who lies on the ocean of milk, by reciting the Vedic mantras known as the Purusha-sukta.
SB 10.1.21: While in trance, Lord Brahma heard the words of Lord Vishnu vibrating in the sky. Thus he told the demigods: O demigods, hear from me the order of Kshirodakasayi Vishnu, the Supreme Person, and execute it attentively without delay.
Sri Krishna’s peace mission to avert WAR
SATYAKI accompanied Govinda* to Hastinapura. Before setting out on his journey, Krishna had a lone discussion with the Pandavas. Even the mighty Bhima, rather surprisingly, plumped for peaceful settlement.
"Let not the race be destroy ed. Peace is very much to be preferred," said he. The poet Vyasa makes Bhima speak thus in order to show that truly great warriors desire peace, and that to seek peace is not a sign of fear.
But Draupadi could not forget her humilia- tion. Holding her locks in her hand she stood before Krishna, and in a voice quivering with grief, she said: 'Madhu- sudana, look at these tresses of mine and do what honour requires to be done. There can be no peace with honour.
Even if Arjuna and Bhima are against war, my father, old though he is, will go tobattle, supported by my children. Even my father can keep out. My children, with Subhadra's son Abhimanyu, at their head, will fight the Kauravas.
I have, for the sake of Dharmaputra, these thirteen years, suppressed the burning flame of anger within me. I can restrain myself no longer." And she sobbed, remembering the great outrage.
God’s Divine Leela
However, the purpose of divine leela is not to kill. Purpose of divine leela was to accelerate the liberation of souls trapped in a rut of evil actions. God achieved his purpose in one way or another. Those who worshiped him merged into the divine by virtue of their love for the divine. But even those who fought Shri Krishna got to heaven - because they had the blessed darshan of the divine. By leaving the cycle of birth and death, evil men ceased to afflict the earth by being born again.
Divine leela may be difficult for us to understand, but we must remember that GOD has a higher purpose in mind for ALL of US.
http://www.hindubooks.org/books_by_rajaji/mahabharata/krishna's_mission/page1.htm
http://www.pushti-marg.net/bhagwat/Mahabharata/divine-purpose.htm
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 1
God's Purpose in the Mahabharata
People often wonder why there is so much bloodshed in the Mahabharata. How can God condone so much death during his leela ? How can Shri Krishna preside over so many battles in the Mahabharata ? Many non-Hindus say Krushna can not be GOD as he caused the death of so many. Many call him manipulative, trickster, cunning or simply evil for having allowed so many warriors to die in his presence. Even Gandhari admonishes Krushna for not having stopped the war with his divine powers.
We need to understand that universal leela of the divine can be very difficult for us to understand. We need to understand that divine view looks at the good of the universe rather than the needs of the individuals.
Shri Krushna's objective for the war was very clear. He wanted to establish 'Dharma Rajya'. Removal of adharma was key to achieving Dharma Rajya.
For Dharma to be established, Adharma, in all its guises, had to be removed. Establishing Dharma was the sole purpose of Krushnavatar.
During the era of the Mahabharata, earth was burdened with evil, greedy, unscrupulous rulers. Powerful men and their arrogant armies constantly warred, making the Earth unhappy. Men plundered earth’s resources as if it was their right to exploit it for their benefit. Earth requested Vishnu's help in alleviating her pain.
Being the protector of the universe, Vishnu was able to maneuver karmic bonds and debts around to bring right people in to the picture at the right time to 'make things happen'. Like a catalyst, he can speed up or slow down events sufficiently to achieve the desired results. Karma is not negated, it is simply ‘adjusted’ to speed up delivery of karmic results.
So, at the request of mother Earth, Vishnu made sure the lives of some of the wickedest and most noble souls were brought into synch. Karmic ties of several souls were brought into play and what could have taken many life times for them to solve, was resolved in a single lifetime.
SB 10.1.17: Once when mother earth was overburdened by hundreds of thousands of military phalanxes of various conceited demons dressed like kings, she approached Lord Brahma for relief.
SB 10.1.18: Mother earth assumed the form of a cow. Very much distressed, with tears in her eyes, she appeared before Lord Brahma and told him about her misfortune.
SB 10.1.19: Thereafter, having heard of the distress of mother earth, Lord Brahma, with mother earth, Lord Siva and all the other demigods, approached the shore of the ocean of milk.
SB 10.1.20: After reaching the shore of the ocean of milk, the demigods worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, the master of the whole universe, the supreme God of all gods, who provides for everyone and diminishes everyone's suffering. With great attention, they worshiped Lord Vishnu, who lies on the ocean of milk, by reciting the Vedic mantras known as the Purusha-sukta.
SB 10.1.21: While in trance, Lord Brahma heard the words of Lord Vishnu vibrating in the sky. Thus he told the demigods: O demigods, hear from me the order of Kshirodakasayi Vishnu, the Supreme Person, and execute it attentively without delay.
Sri Krishna’s peace mission to avert WAR
SATYAKI accompanied Govinda* to Hastinapura. Before setting out on his journey, Krishna had a lone discussion with the Pandavas. Even the mighty Bhima, rather surprisingly, plumped for peaceful settlement.
"Let not the race be destroy ed. Peace is very much to be preferred," said he. The poet Vyasa makes Bhima speak thus in order to show that truly great warriors desire peace, and that to seek peace is not a sign of fear.
But Draupadi could not forget her humilia- tion. Holding her locks in her hand she stood before Krishna, and in a voice quivering with grief, she said: 'Madhu- sudana, look at these tresses of mine and do what honour requires to be done. There can be no peace with honour.
Even if Arjuna and Bhima are against war, my father, old though he is, will go tobattle, supported by my children. Even my father can keep out. My children, with Subhadra's son Abhimanyu, at their head, will fight the Kauravas.
I have, for the sake of Dharmaputra, these thirteen years, suppressed the burning flame of anger within me. I can restrain myself no longer." And she sobbed, remembering the great outrage.
God’s Divine Leela
However, the purpose of divine leela is not to kill. Purpose of divine leela was to accelerate the liberation of souls trapped in a rut of evil actions. God achieved his purpose in one way or another. Those who worshiped him merged into the divine by virtue of their love for the divine. But even those who fought Shri Krishna got to heaven - because they had the blessed darshan of the divine. By leaving the cycle of birth and death, evil men ceased to afflict the earth by being born again.
Divine leela may be difficult for us to understand, but we must remember that GOD has a higher purpose in mind for ALL of US.
http://www.hindubooks.org/books_by_rajaji/mahabharata/krishna's_mission/page1.htm
http://www.pushti-marg.net/bhagwat/Mahabharata/divine-purpose.htm
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 1
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