Finally, just finished watching the full episode of “Krishna’s story, Birth, Love, death and yantra,” with Vinay Varanasi on the Beer Biceps You Tube channel. It took me at least three days, perhaps four or maybe five, as I had to rewind in several places to understand it fully. Absorb it? If at all. only a few parts of it. Very intense.
My curiosity to know about Krishna’s life is still not fully satisfied, and though this episode answers a lot of questions; it also leaves me with new ones. So Krishna was born for a purpose, and he is Vishnu’s Avatar. That Krishna came to clean up the world and deliver it from evil doers- and parallels are drawn between Krishna’s life and that of Rama and Sita. Radha is Krishna’s eternal love, but what is Sita to Rama? Beyond being the SHAKTI. Was there ant love in their relationship, like that of Krishna’s love for Radha, and hers for Krishna? As a Bhagwan, it seems the unrequited love is part of His presence as a person who is very much a part of the world in that time.
Before this, I had no idea that Radha and Krishna were secretly married. I don’t understand in what terms the word marriage is used here, and if I were to guess it’s probably their souls united with each other in the purest form possible, and pledged to remain so in eternity. I had heard that once he leaves the Gopis, and Radha, he never returns, never sees her again. Were they not children when they were parted from each other? Some say Radha was older, and that she is subsequently married off to someone. I suppose that chapter of those years cannot be written without discussing the lives of both. What of Krishna’s eight wives? What are their roles in the story? Or his 108 gopis? These may seem very base level questions, but indeed they are not. Our lives are defined by those procreative years- our legacy is written with what happens then. That’s how I feel about it.
What of his youthful years? How are his friendships formed, with Sudama? What are their stories of his formative years that influenced him, and influenced his world through him? It would be worth Krishna’s Biography written with simplicity, for the lay person who wants to relate to Krishna and not just be in awe of him? What about his time as a husband and father, and why did his dynasty end with such disastrous consequences. Other than Gandhari’s curse, what were the sequences of events, what were the roles of his progeny? Surely, he did not just spend his life waiting for the curse to unfold? He had convinced Arjuna to take up arms. What are his feelings as he goes through those years watching his progeny and clan be annihilated?
Was he doing some kind of tapas in the forest in those turbulent personal times, before he was struck by the hunter’s arrow? What was it? How can we not feel love for the man, for the Avatar born as man who has achieved so much, is such a prince of dharma and strategy and justice? Who does not come to Draupadi’s defence, unless she asks for his help, and that’s another lesson in ?? He’s a celebrated teacher, and an adored, mesmerizing lover, who has complete attention of the Gopis’ affections and devotion. Who is he and is he all that, and yet a part of humanity to be affected by Gandhari’s curse. Was that curse meant to be part of her Karma, or is that an instantaneous and foolish decision on her part that wiped away the rewards of her dharma wearing the blindfold, in dharmic devotion for her blind husband?
Vinay Varanasi’s mention of Gandhari towards the very end of the interview also reminds one of all those human beings, oneself included, who at times have a blindfold over their eyes, and who are quick to pass judgement and curse. Also reminds one of the need to not waste words, uttering them thoughtlessly, but preserve one’s breath in the service of the good. That just one small action, or one wrong turn in life, can change the trajectory of one’s destiny. Or, if Fate is a given, is that too destiny?
Was Gandhari’s tapasya wasted by mouthing her curse, or was that her destiny. On a surface level, the blindfold can also be representative of how we turn a blind eye to certain aspects and realities of our lives, of seeing only what one wants to see, and what about the people, women especially, who are quick to pass judgement and badmouth their sometimes perceived competion? Of all the stupidity of men who abandon their wives at the behest of their mothers or relatives, and then their egos build lie upon lie to convert their folly to truth. And the women- what of them? I find men and women equally conniving, especially in this day, all the rascals who are being now exposed with women coming forward with their abuse and mostly sexual assault. What a crass state of affairs. What happened to sublime love? Why does Krishna’s life not expand more on it. Real, true Sublime love.
What happens with Radha? We know so little about her. But we do know she is Krishna’s eternal love, and saying Radha Radha takes us to him, and he answers. I suppose there will only be questions if one looks at Krishna’s life intellectually. One must put one’s mind aside, and love Krishna with one’s heart. And see Krishna, in what attracts us and then live life to our best potential so as for it to be a worthy offering at His Lotus feet. That may well be the path to take us to the realization of adoration and love as it were meant to be- gifts from our creator to celebrate our own selves. Radhe Radhe and Krishna Krishna.
Veenu Banga
5:35 pm
May 16, 2025
@Clifton Upon Dunsmore.
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