Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Patience at trying times! Sanjay said to lamenting Dhritrāshtra: Sri Krsna visited Pāndavās in forest & seeing their wretched condition became highly enraged. He was so angry that he vowed to kill your sons & allies that very day, but Yudhisthira managed to pacify Him & urged to wait till end of exile period. Pāndavās requested Krsna to become Arjun’s charioteer at the time of fighting Kurus, to which he agreed & gave Draupadi many assurances that her insults would be avenged Dhritrāshtra hearing this became convinced that a terrible battle would take place because of his son’s folly. Meanwhile, Pāndavās in forest waited anxiously for Arjun to return One day as Pāndavās were sitting plunged into ocean of grief because of separation from Arjun, Bhima gave vent to his frustration by saying to his elder brother: O King! Your fondness for dice is sole cause of our misfortune. And if that was not enough, you’ve sent away Arjun making our misery more unbearable. A Kshat...

  Kindness!   One day great sage Lomasa came to Amrāvati to see Indra. After bowing down to offer respects to King of Heaven, sage was offered a nice seat. When he saw how Arjun was sharing the same throne with Indra, he began to wonder: How is that a mere Kshatriya could attain such an exalted position?   Indra could understand Lomasa’s thoughts & said: Arjun isn’t an ordinary human being; He is my son. In his past birth Arjun appeared as Nara, the associate of Nārāyana Rsi, for executing austerities at Badrikāshrama in Himalayās. Nara & Nārāyana have again appeared to execute the mission of demigods of relieving the burden of earth   There are Dānavas known as Nivāta-kavacas, who’re invincible due to boons received from Lord Brahma. They’re preparing to attack demigods & only Nara or Nārāyana can kill them. It would not be proper for us to request Lord Nārāyana to accomplish such a small task & so I’ll ask Arjun to kill them before retur...

  Turn 🧲   Indra noticed how Arjun repeatedly stared at Urvashi. He called Chitrasena & ordered: Go & inform Urvashi that she should entertain Arjun, & make him conversant with the art of enjoying female companionship. Chitrasena went to Urvashi & informed about King Indra’s instructions   Celestial beauty Urvashi smiled & replied: It’ll be my great pleasure to accept Arjun as my lover for I’m already under influence of Cupid’s arrow. She then dressed & decorated herself gorgeously, putting on flower garlands & celestial perfumes. When evening arrived & the moon rose above eastern horizon, she went to Arjun’s residence. Urvashi appeared beautiful in silk garments having exceptionally delightful expression on her face. She, who is considered pinnacle of beauty in heavenly planets appeared even more beautiful on this occasion   As she reached Arjun’s residence, she announced her presence to doorkeeper & was ushered in. W...

  Stablity! As Arjun went along the avenues of Amrāvati, he was praised by hosts of Gandharvās, Apsarās, Sidhhas & sages. Matāli introduced Arjun to Sādhyās, Visvās, Maruts, Asvins, Adityās, Vasus, Rudras, & Brahmarsis, as well as great Rajrsis who resided there headed by Dilipa Arjun met sage Nārada, Tumburu & Gandharvas Hāhā & HuHu. Offering respects to all these exalted personalities, he was at last brought to Indra, who was seated upon his royal throne over which was held a white umbrella. He was fanned by numerous perfumed Cāmarās Arjun quickly bowed his head with great reverence at his father’s feet. Indra embraced him with great affection & holding his hand made him sit on his throne. He smelled his head & touching Arjun’s face gazed at him without satiation. All the while, Gandharvas offered praises while 1000’s of Apsarās (celestial nymphs) danced. Arghya & water was brought to wash his feet & then Arjun was led inside Indra’s palace Arjun c...

  Austerities! Arjun was astonished to see the Lokapālas before him. After receiving their weapons, he worshipped them with prayers & offerings of fruit & water. As demigods departed for their abodes, Arjun suddenly saw Indra’s effulgent chariot coursing thro’ sky resounding like thunder. Drawn by 10000 golden horses, the chariot was filled with weapons & occupied by huge Nagās Coming before Arjun, Matāli got down from his driver’s seat & announced: O son of Indra, the king of heaven wishes to see you without delay. Arjun replied-Please get on to the chariot while I perform required purificatory rites. One who is deficient in ascetic merit cannot even hope to see this chariot, what to speak of riding in it He then bathed in Ganga reciting customary prayers, offered water to forefathers & respect to mount Mandara, where he had been residing. He expressed his appreciation for having taken advantage of the mountain’s fruit, water & other necessities it had kind...