Discover Your Super Soul

55th Kolkata Rath Yatra 2026 – Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu SB 1.15.8 (20th July 2026)

Purushottam Nitai Das July 20, 2026

Lord Jagannath at 55th Kolkata Rath Yatra Pandal - Day 4

While speaking on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.8, HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu explained how all achievement becomes possible only by the grace of Krishna. Arjuna too acknowledges Krishna’s mercy in this verse. But prabhuji cautioned that depending on Krishna’s mercy does not mean that we should become lazy and stop endeavouring.

Below article is based on the class which he gave on 20 July 2026 at the Kolkata Rath Yatra Pandal.

Krishna’s Mercy Behind Every Achievement

Krishna, after accomplishing His mission, departed to Goloka Vrindavan.

Being separated from Krishna, Arjuna was morose. When he reached Hastinapur, Yudhisthira was surprised to see Arjuna. He could sense that something terrible had happened. So, he asked Arjuna, “Has Krishna completed His pastimes and left for the spiritual world?”

Arjuna, who could not control his tears, said, “I have just lost Him whose separation for a moment would render all the universes unfavourable and void, like bodies without life.” Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.6

Arjuna then remembers his accomplishments and says that whatever he achieved, it was only because of Krishna.

In today’s verse, SB 1.15.8, he is saying that it was only because of Krishna’s grace that he could conquer Indra and that Maya Danava’s life was also saved.

In our life, whatever we achieve, we receive only by Krishna’s mercy. We might have cracked the IIT JEE exam, learnt music, or cooked a nice feast. All this is because of the grace of Lord Krishna.

Today, sitting in front of Lord Jagannath in the Rath Yatra Pandal, we should reflect on our achievements and should loudly say in our mind,

“O Krishna, O Jagannath, whatever I have achieved, it is only because of Your mercy.”

Even the name that we remember is because of Krishna. If Krishna does not give permission, we cannot even raise our hand. If Krishna does not sanction it, then we cannot do anything; we cannot even blink our eyes.

So, again close your eyes and say in your heart,

“My dear Krishna, whatever I have achieved is because of Your mercy.”

Sometimes, in difficulty, we remember Krishna, but later, after help is provided, we forget Krishna. During an exam we remember Krishna, but if we get a good result, we forget to thank Krishna.

But here we see that Arjuna has not forgotten Krishna. He loves Krishna so much and is now feeling separation from Him. In separation, love intensifies. This is why, sometimes, to increase the devotees’ love for Him, Krishna disappears.

Human Effort & Krishna’s Mercy

For any success, two things are required—our effort and Krishna’s mercy. We learn this in the Damodar Lila.

Many people endeavour hard, but not all are successful. Only when one gets Krishna’s mercy does one get the result. But there are also people who do not put in any effort and think Krishna will give the result.

One is Karmavada: one only works and does not believe in Krishna’s mercy.

Another is Daivavada: one only depends on Krishna’s mercy and does not put in any effort.

But both are required—hard work and Krishna’s mercy.

The Khandava Forest Pastime Begins

Here we see Arjuna defeated Indra, but he gives all the credit to Krishna. Indra is the king of heaven, and defeating him is not possible for any human being. Indra is so powerful that he can send rain and submerge the entire world. No human can stop him. But there are some foolish people who think they can counteract nature.

There are several demigods who oversee the functioning of this world, and these demigods are very powerful.

Arjuna knows that by his own effort, he cannot defeat Indra, so he thanks Krishna.

When Dhritarashtra gave Indraprastha to the Pandavas, one day Arjuna and Krishna were sitting near a dense forest called the Khandava Forest. All of a sudden, an effulgent and beautiful brahmana of golden complexion, having lotus-like eyes, appeared there. Both Krishna and Arjuna stood and offered him respect.

The brahmana said, “I know both of you. You are Nara-Narayana Rishi. I have come here to beg food from you so that I can be satisfied.”

Krishna and Arjuna agreed to give him food.

Aginidev reveals why he wants to consume Khandava Forest

The brahmana then said, “I am the fire-god, Agni, and I want fire as food. I want to devour this Khandava Forest. I have been trying to consume the forest, but Indra is not letting me do so. Since his friend Takshaka lives here, whenever I try to devour the forest, Indra sends rain and the fire gets extinguished. If you help me, then I can consume the forest.”

Surprised, Krishna and Arjuna asked, “Why do you want to consume the forest?”

Agnideva said, “Once, at a feast, I overate ghee, and because of that I developed a stomach problem. Brahma told me that in the Khandava Forest there are many herbs that can help cure my stomach. Since I was not able to consume the forest, Brahma asked me to approach you both because you are Nara-Narayana Rishi. Brahma also said that in this forest there are many sinful people and demons. They will be killed when I consume the forest. So, my desire is sanctioned by higher authority.”

Arjuna thought that these demons might create problems for Indraprastha in the future, so it would be better to destroy them.

But Arjuna had a problem. He said to Agnideva, “I have many celestial weapons, but I do not have an appropriate bow to hold those celestial arrows. If you can give me a bow and an inexhaustible quiver, I can help.”

Hearing Arjuna’s request, Agnideva began meditating on Varunadeva, and he appeared. Agnideva requested him to help Arjuna. Varunadeva gave the Gandiva bow, an inexhaustible quiver, and the chariot of Soma to Arjuna.

The chariot had a flag bearing Hanuman’s image. It could move at the speed of the wind and the mind and could go anywhere. In the celestial chariot there were divine weapons and armour.

Varunadeva also offered a club to Krishna. Agnideva too offered the Sudarshana Chakra to Krishna. Agnideva offering the Sudarshana Chakra to Krishna is like people taking water from the Ganges and offering it back to the Ganges.

The Battle with Indra and the Saving of Maya Danava

Once everything was in place, Agnideva began devouring the Khandava Forest. Krishna became Arjuna’s chariot driver, and He drove the chariot around the forest. Whoever tried to flee the forest was slain by Arjuna.

Those who were slain in front of Krishna, and that too by a devotee like Arjuna, attained the spiritual world.

As Agnideva was consuming the forest, the fire rose high into the sky, rocks began melting, rivers and oceans began boiling, and the crackling sound of the fire spread everywhere. Everyone, including the celestial beings, became fearful. They approached Indra, asking about the fire. Indra understood what was happening. He began sending rain; the raindrops were as thick as pillars. But before the rainwater could fall on the forest, it evaporated.

Seeing the rain, Arjuna shot several arrows into the sky and created an umbrella over the forest, preventing the rain from falling on it. Takshaka was not there, but his wife and son were. Takshaka’s wife was killed by Arjuna, but his son escaped with the help of Indra.

A fierce battle broke out between Indra and Arjuna. Riding on Airavata, Indra wanted to kill Arjuna. Yamaraja, Kuvera, Varuna, Kartikeya, Surya, the Maruts, and many other demigods charged toward Krishna and Arjuna. Arjuna neutralized all their weapons and defeated the demigods single-handedly.

Although Indra was defeated, he was still pleased because he knew that Arjuna was his son and Krishna was his master.

No one can defeat a person who is supported by Krishna.

Brahma said to Indra:

“Your friend Takshaka is not in the forest, so do not worry. Also, it is impossible to defeat Arjuna because Krishna is with him. They are Nara-Narayana Rishi and worthy of worship. The burning of the forest has been ordained by fate.”

Indra understood and left along with all the demigods.

For fifteen days, Agni burned the forest, and many demons and rakshasas were killed.

Maya Danava Saved

While the forest was being burned, Maya Danava, who was staying underground, came out to escape. Agni charged towards him, and Krishna released His Sudarshana Chakra. Maya Danava immediately surrendered to Arjuna, and Arjuna begged Krishna to spare him.

After fifteen days, Indra returned and, along with Agnideva, glorified Krishna and Arjuna. They requested Krishna and Arjuna to ask for any benediction.

Arjuna asked Indra for all the celestial weapons. Indra replied, “After Lord Shiva gives you the Pashupata weapon, I will give you the celestial weapons.”

When Indra asked Krishna, “How can I serve You?” Krishna replied:

“Let My friendship with Arjuna always remain.”

Agnideva then blessed Arjuna:

“Just as I pervade the universe, similarly you can go anywhere in the universe.”

Maya Danava builds assembly hall for Pandavas

Later, Maya Danava approached Arjuna and said, “Tell me how I can serve you.” Arjuna replied, “Better ask Krishna.”

Knowing that Maya Danava was a great architect, Krishna asked him to build an assembly hall for Yudhisthira. Maya Danava travelled to the Himalayas to bring precious gems such as gold and diamonds, which he used in constructing the hall. He also gave a mighty club to Bhima, one hundred thousand times stronger than an ordinary club, and presented the conch shell Devadatta to Arjuna.

He then built the magnificent Maya Sabha. Later, when Duryodhana entered the palace, he became bewildered by its mystical architecture, and Draupadi laughed on seeing his confusion.

The Ultimate Goal Is Krishna-prema

After Krishna departed from this world, Arjuna remembered all these pastimes. His extraordinary power also departed along with Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada explains:

“Since the powers are not needed to go back to Godhead, his powers were taken away by Krishna.”

Nothing material is required to go back to Godhead. We see that Kolaveca Sridhara possessed practically nothing materially, yet he had immense love for the Lord.

Simply by hearing, chanting, and serving, we can attain Krishna-prema.

Lord Chaitanya explains that the nine processes of devotional service are the means to attain love of Godhead. Pure devotees do not even desire to return to Godhead if there is no opportunity to serve Krishna there. They simply want to serve Krishna—even if that service is in hell.

The ultimate goal of life is Krishna-prema, and it is awakened through hearing and chanting.

Using Technology in Krishna’s Service

Today, atheistic scientists create destructive inventions such as atomic bombs, which are harmful to humanity.

Maya Danava wanted to offer Arjuna technical and material knowledge, but Krishna indicated that such knowledge is meant for the people of Kali-yuga.

Today, AI is trying to do everything, which can be harmful if misused. AI can write, create pictures, and perform many other tasks. If people become excessively dependent on AI, they may gradually forget how to write, paint, and think logically.

We should not misuse technology but use it intelligently in Krishna’s service.

These were some of the important points from the Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu on 20th July 2026 at Kolkata Rath Yatra Pandal.