Austerities!


Arjun told details of his visit to heavenly abode & said: Matāli drew the chariot & showed me various heavenly abodes of demigods. Soon we reached Amrāvati, Indra’s capital, where inhabitants are always contended & never feel miseries of excessive heat & cold. As I entered royal court, my father offered me half his throne as my seat


I continued to reside at Indrapuri & acquired all celestial weapons. I even learned the art of music & dance from Gandharv Chitrasena. Finally, when my education was complete, Indra patted me with affection & said: Son! You must grant me my preceptoral fee. I want you to kill my enemies, the 30 million Dānavās named Nivāta-kavacas that’re living within ocean


Indra called for his chariot & as I left demigods gave me Devadutta conch shell. With Matāli at reins, I soon approached Dānavas & they came running with their weapons. Fierce battle ensued & they resorted to their mystic powers of illusion to create darkness. I also employed my own mystic powers to dispel it & killed 1000's of them. Finally they fled battlefield


As Dānavas left, I entered their city & saw that it had more opulence than enjoyed by Indra. I asked Matāli, who said-Long ago this city was Indra’s capital. Then Dānavas fought with demigods & drove them out. They performed severe austerities & got benediction from Brahmā that enabled them to reside here remaining unconquerable. Indra was disheartened losing his abode, but Brahmā assured him that in another body, he’ll kill Dānavas. It is for this purpose that Indra gave you celestial weapons & thus you accomplished task which even Indra couldn’t do


Returning to Indraloka, I happened to see effulgent city of Paulomas & Kālakeyas, which was made of jewels & could move at will. In answer to my queries, Matāli said-2 women Puloma & Kālakā had formerly practiced great austerities and received benediction from Brahmā that their children would be unslayable by demigods. They also got this wonderful city Hiranypura from him, but at same time it was indicated that it was destined to be destroyed by a human being


Matāli said: Arjun, you should employ Indra’s thunderbolt & accomplish what is already predicted. As I approached the flying city, Dānavas & Daityās immediately rushed out to fight but without delay I employed thunderbolt slaughtering them all and shattering the city too. Lord Sivā’s weapon also helped me to fight them. I returned to Amrāvati & Indra was very pleased to hear about my victories


We all do austerities-for material success (job, relationships, progeny etc). We work hard, do things against our liking and prepare ourselves under extreme conditions to propel ahead. Austerity can be a potent practice, provided it is practiced under scriptural guidance for fulfilling life’s ultimate purpose: Spiritual elevation towards God. If not whatever we gain thro’ such austerities can be destroyed in a minute


Let’s understand the purpose & goal of whatever we do


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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