Difficulties are disheartening but it also gives us an opportunity to come closer to Krishna. Lord is also there to help us but many times we sideline Krishna and try to solve problems on our own. When Lord sees that we do not want him then he quietly steps back.
Lord Vishnu’s unpleasant experience
Once Lord Vishnu was having his food and mother Lakshmi was serving him. Suddenly Lord Vishnu got up and immediately started running. Lakshmi could not understand anything. But soon the Lord came back. Lakshmi inquired, “What happened? Where were you going and why did you come back?”
Lord Vishnu replied, “One man needed me. As he was being chased by a tiger, he was calling my name. Hearing his call, I immediately rushed towards him to save him. But soon he stopped calling my name. He picked up a stone and thought that he can protect himself. The man began thinking that I will not come to save him. He did not have trust in me. He was wondering whether I will hear his prayer or not”.
Our condition is not different than this man. We pray to Lord but doubt if he is listening to our prayers or not. This is why when we go through difficulties then we rely on our abilities rather than on God’s mercy.
It’s not that during difficulties we should completely give up, sit idle and hope that the Lord will come to our rescue. Rather we should do our best to mitigate the problems but simultaneously pray to Lord for help and guidance. This is what Arjuna did at the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Miseries help to remember Krishna
As Krishna was always there with Arjuna when he was fighting the battle of his life, similarly he is always there with us. As Paramatma, he is there with us in our heart, and he is also present in the form of instructions which he has given in Bhagavad Gita.
When we refuse to acknowledge Lord’s presence in our life and do things as per our own whims then we trudge on a path of uncertainties and fear. But if we constantly seek his guidance our life’s journey will be smooth and trouble free.
If we have trust in Krishna and his mercy, then no material problems will ever bother us. In fact, problems will become an opportunity for us to experience Krishna’s grace.
This is why Queen Kunti says in her prayers that let miseries come because it helps her to constantly remember Krishna and also helps to constantly get association of Krishna.
“I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.25
Krishna is ever ready to help. He wants us to turn towards him. And if we do so, we will get closer to Krishna. Nothing of this world will then trouble us. So, during difficulties let us not get broken-hearted but we should turn towards Krishna and experience his mercy.
Three Reflections
- During difficulties, we should do our best to mitigate the problems but simultaneously pray to Lord for help and guidance.
- Queen Kunti prays that let miseries come because it helps her to constantly remember Krishna.
- During difficulties let us not get broken-hearted but we should turn towards Krishna and experience his mercy.
Ask Yourself
- Do I pray to Krishna during difficulties?
Action Item
- Identify one problem of your life, work hard to solve it and constantly pray to Krishna for help and guidance.
