Kishan And The Song Of Krishna

FOREWORD

The purpose of this book is to communicate the spiritual truths that Lord Krishna speaks about in the Bhagavad Gita in a simple way. Most of us want to go back to our childhood days, may be not to the events but back to the bliss that we experienced then. We want to be innocent, we want to be taken care of, and most importantly we want to be happy, just happy and peaceful. We have a memory of being happy and peaceful as kids, but in the process of growing up we lost it. Can one grow up to be wise and mature yet innocent? This is the question answered by spirituality. The answer comes to life in an enlightened being. An enlightened person is just like a child, innocent. Yet he or she is wise. This book is about a child who grows up listening to the enlightening teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita is the song of Lord Krishna, who is called as a Purnavatar (Complete incarnation). Lord Krishna is the embodiment of life, he is a complete being. Lord Krishna’s path is a path of embracing life, to accept all colors of life and finally come out of it with flying colors. Lord Krishna had a beautiful outer life and the supreme inner life, he teaches Arjuna on the battlefield how one can achieve this kind of inner and outer success. To live a complete life, to live a peaceful life we need to understand and know how to deal with the challenges on the outside and how to overcome and transcend inner negativities.

There is peace and happiness in life when there is clarity in the mind. The Bhagavad Gita is a soothing and purifying song. By chanting and understand which even a child can reach the supreme goal of life.

Murali Krishna

July 2013

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Chapter INTRODUCTION

It was a bright Friday afternoon and the last hour at school. The class teacher declared it a free hour. It was her practice to have the children do something constructive and creative in free periods. She decided to have the children talk about their father’s profession as Father’s Day was approaching. She wrote the topic on the board and asked the students to volunteer to start. A few volunteered and the activity began. In 10 minutes, 3 students had spoken about their father’s profession. The first student’s father was a Software engineer, the second’s was a Doctor and the third student’s father owned a business. The teacher now asked Kishan to come and speak about his Father’s profession.

Kishan was the class leader and a very good student. All the teachers and his classmates adored him. He was polite and kind to all and would entertain everyone with his sense of humor and acting skills.

Kishan told the class that his father was a Trainer; he worked for many big companies training people on various aspects like communication, soft skills, leadership etc. Kishan’s father was a well known as he used to give Spiritual discourses mainly on The Bhagavad Gita so the teacher asked Kishan to talk about his father’s discourses. Kishan then shared a few experiences about the same.

You have attended so many of your father’s classes on the Gita, can you tell us what you have learnt from it? asked the teacher.

Sure Mam replied Kishan.

He then paused for a moment closing his eyes as if he were saying a prayer in his mind and then said, Bhagavad Gita means ‘The Song of God’. ‘Gita’ means song. It was sung by Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Bhagavan. It is a part of the Greatest Epic of the world ‘The Mahabharatha’, written by Sage Vyasa. It is over 5000 years old! Mahabharata is the story of 5 Pandava brothers and their cousins, the Kauravas. The Kauravas tried to cheat and kill the Pandavas so that they could get their Kingdom. The Kauravas head Dhuryodhana did not want to give the Pandavas even a small piece of land. The Pandavas tried hard to avoid fighting and when nothing worked, they finally decided to go on a war against them. In the battle field, Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers saw all his friends and relatives and Gurus on the Kauravas side standing to fight against them. Seeing them he became weak, and the great warrior Arjuna sat down crying. Bhagavad Gita is the song sung by Krishna, Arjuna’s charioteer, to make Arjuna wise and take the right decision.

Inspired by his talk and on seeing the class listen to him with interest, the teacher asked, Shall we enact a play on a story from the Mahabharata for this year’s school day function?

The whole class was excited and they decided to plan the next week.

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Chapter 1. The Sacred Battlefield

Shloka 1.1

Dhrtarastra uvacha:

Dharmaksetre kuruksetre samaveta yuyutsavaha

Mamakah pandavascaiva kimakurvata sanjaya

King Dhrtarastra says:

In the sacred battle field of Kurukshetra, where the armies have assembled to fight, what did my sons and sons of Pandu do? Tell me O Sanjay.

Kishan’s school’s Cultural Fest was coming up the next month. His class had decided to enact a play based on the beginning of the Mahabharata war. Their class teacher selected 5 students for the play and assigned them their roles. The first act was a scene in the palace where King Dhrtarastra and his minister Sanjaya were conversing.

The class teacher and the chosen students stayed back after school hours to practice for the play. Kishan was assigned to play the role of Sanjaya the minister and Tarun was to play the role of Dhrtarashtra the blind king. Tarun was made to sit on a chair while Kishan was asked to stand beside him for rehearsal.

Explaining about the first act of the play the teacher said, "The act starts with a conversation between King Dhrtarashtra the father of the Kauravs and Sanjaya his minister. They are in the Palace but Sanjaya has a magical ability to see the happenings in the distant battlefield live. The great sage Vyasa had given this magical power to Sanjaya. King Dhrtarashtra now asks Sanjaya about the happenings in the battle field and that is the first Shloka of The Bhagavad Gita."

She then taught Tarun his first dialogue.

Tarun, now playing the role of Dhrtarashtra said, Sanjaya, please tell me what is happening in the sacred place, The Kurukshetra, where my sons and Pandavas have gathered to fight the battle.

While Tarun was rehearsing his dialogue, Kishan peeped into the Bhagavad Gita that was on the teachers table. He was confused on reading the first Shloka and asked, Mam, It says here, ‘Sacred place, Kurukshetra’. How is a battle field sacred?

The teacher replied, That is a good question dear. I will explain it to you, but before that, I want you to tell me what the Principal said when the class was noisy this afternoon.

Tarun immediately imitated the Principal, Silence! Is this a classroom or a fish-market!?!

Everyone laughed.

The teacher said, Exactly! He said that because the class was noisy. This is a classroom; it is a sacred place of learning. What if the children here were fighting and crying and stealing, what would it become?

Kurukshetra! exclaimed Kishan.

That is true. The whole world is a pure and sacred place as God is everywhere. Bad intentions and bad behaviour of people makes it a battlefield, said their teacher. Saanvi then asked, Mam is my house also a sacred place?

Their teacher smiled at Saanvi and said, Yes Saanvi, your house and your heart are also sacred and holy as long as the intentions, thoughts and behaviour are good.

Saanvi asked, Mam, I am good but what if others are bad? What if they have bad intentions and are fighting?

Their teacher explained, Everyone are good, they just don’t know what is right and what is wrong. You have to continue to be good and that will bring a change in them sooner or later. By continuing to be good, you will be setting an example, everyone will slowly learn from you. If there is nothing you can do to make the place better, then you can sincerely pray to God to make it a sacred and holy place where everyone can live peacefully?

Now, the teacher looked at Kishan who was listening very attentively and asked, Do you understand Kishan?

Kishan said, Yes Mam, the entire world is a holy place, a Dharmakshetra, but because of bad intention, bad thoughts and bad behaviour of people it becomes a Kurukshetra. We can be good in thoughts and actions and inspire others to be good or we can be bad and create more fights.

That is correct! said the teacher and they continued to rehearse the play.

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Chapter 2. Cry of Confusion

Shloka 2.7

Arjuna uvacha

Karpanyadosopahataswabhavah

Prcchami tvam dharmasammudhacetah

Yacchreyah syannischitam bruhi tanme

Sisyaste ham sad imam tvam prapannam

Arjuna says to Lord Krishna:

I am overcome by weakness. Hence I am confused about my duties. I surrender myself to you as a disciple. Please instruct me as to what is righteousness and what is right for me to do.

One day, Kishan saw his best friend Aryan stealing money from Karthik's bag. Later in that day, Karthik saw that his money, which he had brought to pay the school fee, was missing. Karthik went to the teacher crying and told her about his money being missing and that he had carefully kept it in his bag.

The teacher suspected that some student must have taken away the money from Karthik’s bag and asked all the students about Karthik’s money. She told the students that she would be very happy if the student who has taken the money admits that it was a mistake and comes to her and gives it back. She also told them that there will be no punishment. Aryan remained silent.

After the class, Kishan asked Aryan to return the money but he refused. Kishan felt sorry for Karthik and was confused now. He didn’t know if he should tell the truth or be a good friend. He was unable to decide. He prayed to God to guide him and help him to do the right thing. Then, suddenly, he recollected that he can ask his teacher’s help. He then went to his class teacher in the lunch break.

On seeing Kishan waiting for her near the Staff Room the Teacher asked, What is the matter Kishan?

Kishan said, Mam, I am unable to decide about something. Please help me. I want to know what is greater, friendship or truth. 

The Teacher said, Truth is the greatest at all times. Nothing else is greater than the truth. Where there is Truth, there is God. If you are confused, take the side of truth.

After listening to the Teacher carefully, Kishan said, I am afraid to take the side of truth. I will lose by best friend if I take the side of the truth. I do not want to hurt my friend. What should I do now?

The teacher was not able to understand why he was afraid to be truthful so she asked, I think you are hiding something from me. Can you please tell me what has happened? I will not tell anyone what you tell me now.

Kishan now stood silently for a while and then said, Mam, I saw Aryan taking money from Karthik's bag this morning. Though I knew that, I did not tell you in the classroom because Aryan is my best friend. If I had told you that he had stolen the money, he would stop talking to me. I am scared of hurting and humiliating Aryan and at the same time I am feeling bad for Karthik. I have tried to be a good friend, but I still feel that I have done a mistake. Now, I have come to you to seek your advice and know what is right.

The Teacher now understood clearly and said, Relax my child. I will help you to make the right decision. Your confusion reminds me of Arjuna in Mahabharata. Arjuna also faced a similar situation in the battle field. He was finding it very difficult to fight the war as the people against him were his cousins the Kauravas, his grandfather Bhishma, his Guru Dhronacharya and other relatives. He did not want to kill his own relatives and Guru, he did not know if it was right to fight and kill his relatives or to leave the battle which was being fought for justice. He then bowed down to Lord Krishna and prayed to him to remove his confusion between right and wrong and show him the right path. Similarly, you have done the right thing by telling me about your confusion. Your fear of losing your friend is wrong. That fear is making you weak and unable to decide. When somebody is making a mistake, it is correct to advise them, whether they take your advice or not is left to them; but you who know the truth should always stand by it. There is no need to be afraid to stand by the truth or to speak the truth at any time. ‘If you protect the truth, the truth shall protect you’ say the Rishis of our country.

Kishan, now smiling with bright eyes said, Mam, I thank you very much for bringing clarity to me. I am not sad anymore, I know that what I am doing now is right and that gives me courage. I will stand by the truth. I will also pray to God to help everyone who is confused and is afraid. I not only know now that truth is the greatest thing but also know that when we are confused and unable to decide, we should sincerely ask the elders who know more than us to clarify our doubts. When we sincerely pray to God seeking for guidance, he will definitely send someone to our rescue, either teacher, or parent, or a friend, or a brother, someone who knows more and can guide us. Once our doubts are clarified we will be strong to take the right decision and act according to it.

Kishan then went in search of Aryan whom he found in the playground. Aryan ran towards him and started describing his plans with excitement.  He said, Kishan, I will go to the new shop near my house today and buy many things video game CDs, a transformer and bay blade. Will you come with me? I have a lot of money today I will buy something for you too.

Kishan was sad to see that his friend Aryan wants to enjoy like this by taking away someone else’s money. He said, Aryan, stop now. The money which you want to spend on buying these things is not your money. It is Karthik’s fees. What you want to do is wrong. Please give it to Mam and she will give it back to him.

Aryan was angry now, he shouted saying I will stop talking to you if you ask me to stop. I am not giving back the money. I am going to buy many things. This is my decision.

Kishan looked at him for a while hoping that he will change his decision. Aryan did not say anything. Disappointed, Kishan said, Sorry Aryan, I am not with you in this. I know that you are wrong. I pray to God that you realize this soon. I am feeling bad that you are not going to be my friend anymore, but I am going to be truthful and this is my decision.

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Chapter 3. Short lived happiness is not worth crying for

Shloka2. 11

Sri-Bhagavanuvaca

Asocyananvasocastvam

Prajnavadamsca bhasase

Gatasunagatasumsca

Nanusocan’ti panditah

The Blessed Lord said:

You grieve for those who should not be grieved for; yet you spell words of wisdom. Those who are wise grieve neither for the living nor the dead.

Kishan was enjoying his Christmas holidays with his younger sister Chetana. New Year was fast approaching and Chetana was very excited as her uncle had promised her a New Year gift. Chetana used to look up the calendar and count days for New Year every day since Christmas. Only two days were left now for New Year and the gift to arrive.

While Kishan and Chetana were playing, their father received a phone call. Kishan observed the worried look on his father’s face while he was talking on the phone. He waited for his father to hang up and asked him, Dad, you look worried, is everything fine?

His father said, It was your uncle on the phone Kishan, he has meet with an accident and is admitted in the hospital. The doctors are treating his injuries. He needs help, we must go there now.

On hearing this, both Kishan and Chetana felt sad. Kishan went to get their dad’s car keys so that they could start immediately, while Chetana began to weep.

Kishan said, Don’t cry Chetana, uncle will be fine, doctors are treating him and he will heal soon.

Wiping tears off her face; Chetana said, There are only two days left for New Year, because of the accident I don’t think I will get any gift from uncle. I have been waiting for it since the day he told me, I want the gift, I have told all my friends about it. They will now make fun of me if I don’t show them the gift.

Kishan was shocked. He said, Oh God! Chetana, first pray for uncle to get well soon, the gift is not more important than him.

Chetana was not happy with what he said, she turned to her dad now and asked, Dad, can I ask uncle about the gift when we meet him in the hospital now?

Their Dad said, Both of you get into the car soon, we’ll talk on our way to the hospital, we can’t be late, uncle needs help there.

They all got into the car and left from home. He then said, Chetana, you are a darling. You are always appreciated by everyone for being nice and caring. I am surprised that you are crying for a gift and not for your Uncle who is wounded in an accident. You are crying for something he wanted to give you and not for him. Isn’t uncle’s love and affection for you more important and valuable than the gift?

Chetana did not seem to understand, she looked at her dad expecting him to say more about it.

Her dad said, Alright, let me explain it to you with an example then. While in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna was feeling sad and crying that all the Kauravas and other relatives who were on the other side would die in the battle. At that time, Lord Krishna told Arjuna that it was wrong for him to worry about his relatives dying in the battlefield as they were the people who were against truth and justice. Truth and justice are permanent and more important and valuable. Arjuna was giving more importance to his relatives than to truth and justice. Today, you are making a similar mistake by giving more importance to the gift and to what your friends might say when you don’t get it than your uncle and his love and affection for you. Gifts, things that others say to you will all change, will come and go, they are temporary but uncle’s love for you does not change that way.

Chetana looked out of the window now and thought about it for a while and said, Dad, Kishu, I am sorry. I understand now that the gift is not worth crying for. It is temporary compared to uncle and his love for me. As you said it is less important and less valuable, it can make me happy only for a short time, many such gifts will come and go, uncle is dearer to me, his love and affection is more valuable to me.

What do you want to tell your uncle when you meet him now in the hospital? asked her Dad. Get well soon uncle! she said.

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Chapter 4. God alone is permanent

Shloka 2. 12

natvevahamjatunasam

natvamnemejanadhipah

nacaivanabhavisyamah

sarvevayamatahpaRam

Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.

A few days later while Kishan was in his classroom, the Principal's attendant came and told the Teacher that the Principal wants to see Kishan in her office. Kishan was very surprised when his teacher asked him to go and meet the Principal. He went to the Principal's room. The Principal told him that his father had called her and told her that he will be coming to the school in a while to pick up Kishan and requested her to make him wait in the visitors waiting area. She asked Kishan to take his bag from the classroom and wait in the reception area. He was now waiting for his dad and wondering why his dad is coming to school at this hour to pick him up and was hoping that everything was fine.

Kishan’s dad arrived and they left from the school immediately. As soon as he sat in the car Kishan asked his dad, Dad, why are we going home? What happened?

His dad said, Kishan, I have sad news for you, your Uncle passed away an hour ago. We have to go to his house. Your mother and Chetana have reached there.

Kishan was