"Krishna~A True Friend" … friends are rare Gems, a blessing to have in life … The word “Mitra” denotes a friend of all ages who wishes one well at all times. A true friend stands by during times of both distress and happiness in undivided form with love thereby being the pillar of strength. A short story read somewhere comes to my mind … A rich man had three friends, one his best friend, the second next best and the third was considered to be just a friend. One day the rich man receives, summon from court asking to be present the next day. The man was rich yet honest and knew very well that he had done no wrong but was still worried and nervous at the same time, as the King was very well known for his cruelty and unpredictable behavior. In order to have a standing support he goes to his first best friend and asks him to accompany him to the court. The friend gets afraid to fall in this mess and refuses him quietly saying he is busy. Saddened by his friend’s behavior the man then reaches out to his next best friend, who reluctantly agrees to see him until the gate of the kingdom but refuses to stand with him before the king not wanting to fall in the bad books of the King. The man fully dejected with his friends, wonders if he should really ask his third just friend as he has really no hopes from him, but nevertheless decides to do so. The man was in for total surprise when the friend, whom he considered as just a friend, not only agreed to stay with him in court but also tells him not to worry and that he would reach the court before the man himself. He also assures him that he would vouch for his honesty with the King, there by setting an example that a true friend stands by during all times specially so during the rough patches and bumpy rides of life.
** The cycles of creation and destruction are an integral part of Hindu philosophy, which also reaffirms the notion of the Dashavatara the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, where the Lord reestablishes the idea that he takes different forms to rid the earth of suffering and evil. Lord Vishnu in Krishnavatara his eighth incarnation as Lord Krishna clearly portrays to the world about true friendship by setting an example himself by bestowing friendship equally on both Sudama as well as Arjuna thereby showing to the world that true friendship doesn't distinguish between high and low, rich and poor. Sri Krishna’s friendship with these two very special people in Krishnavatar endorses that nothing satisfies the Lord more than true friendship and these should be the guiding lights for us to follow in our real life too. True friendship is sort of give and take and if not done so it imbalances the friendship, like giving in excess or taking in excess only runs into bitterness and leads to collapsing of the relationship in the long run. The childhood friendship between Sudama, a poor Brahmin and Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja of Gokul, is the essence around which many stories have been repeatedly told through generations. Later in life when in distress Sudama reached out to Krishna, the Lord gave him all without even Sudama having to ask him anything at all. Here the exchange between the Lord and Sudama teaches us that exchange of love is priceless in the eyes of lord. Sudama had nothing much to give to Krishna as a gift while visiting him as he was poor, so he simply offered him Poha/Beaten Rice, with heart full of love, which pleased Krishna immensely and in return the lord gave sudama the comforts of life. Here the simple poha/beaten rice offered with faith and love weighed much more than the other riches that are offered to the Lord and till date Hindus always offer Lord Krishna dishes prepared with poha, curds etc. with love on festive days.
** Again, Arjuna, the greatest warrior of all times, third of the five Pandava brothers was not just a loyal friend but also an ardent devotee of Sri Krishna whom he considered his philosopher and guide besides being a true friend. He was also married to Subhadra, Lord Krishna’s dear sister there by creating a special bond of relation between them. There are many stories about Arjuna, the son of Kunti, the great warrior of the Mahabharata, however here the importance given is to the true friendship between Arjuna and the Lord himself. Arjuna was the chosen one by the Lord himself to impart the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita to humankind, which upholds Hindu tradition in terms of both literature and philosophy. During the battle of Kurukshetra, Arjun appealed to Lord Krishna to be his charioteer, as he not only blindly trusted Sri Krishna but also had full faith that he would lead him on the right path of Victory while still upholding the Dharma. The famous and pious Bhagavad Gita, the conversation between Lord Krishna and warrior Arjuna gives us a lot of inner depth into leading a meaningful life. When Arjuna raises several doubts about the authenticity of the war, the Lord patiently guides him, answering to all his questions thereby clearing each of Arjun’s doubt and also to the one who reads it with faith. It reiterates that Arjuna and Krishna’s success in the war that followed was not only because of Arjuna’s immense faith and trust in the lord but more so because of their true friendship. As a charioteer and warrior duo, there was a lot of importance for companionship, mutual trust, etc. among other virtues between Arjuna and Krishna. That was the inner depth of the friendship that made them know and read each other’s mind and live in each other’s heart.
** If we pray to Lord Krishna in full "bakti/faith and ekhagratha/concentration" and consider him to be our best friend, philosopher and guide, he will never abandon us or allow us to feel neglected during any period of our lifetime. In life, we come across many relationships that we need to deal with from time to time in different ways, some are beautiful, while some are not and many more becomes our dharma to abide by. Though the lord expects nothing, he does take us through several tests and it is within each one of us to trust him and go about each of them singing his glory in faith. Here is a small story … a man was once walking with the Lord on the sands by seashore. Four footprints were being etched on the sands, two of the man himself and two of the lord. However, the lord being indiscernible, only his footprints could be seen. As they reached further, there came a crossing where walking through water became necessary. The man was scared of the rushing water, however, the Lord assured him to move with faith, and he did so. After crossing and moving ahead a few steps on the shore, the man turned back and saw only 2 imprints of foot coming out of the water for some distance after which there were again 4 prints. The man ignorantly believes that the two impressions coming out of the water belonged to him and that he had waded through the water alone. Disheartened that the Lord had left him to fend himself he questions the Lord, why he had left him while he had entrusted full faith in him. The Lord smiles at his ignorance and asks him to go back near the footprint and check out by placing his own on it, the man does so to find that his footprints did not match that of the ones close to those coming out of the water. The lord then explains to him, that he never lets down those who trust him; he explains that he had carried the man in his arms while crossing the water and put him down only after reaching a safety point and that was the very reason why only two footprints were visible coming out of the water near the shore and those were that of the lord.
** Lord Krishna emphasizes that every man must elevate himself in his own mind and in no way should degrade himself or underestimate himself, as the mind is the most powerful organ in the body that God has granted us with after which comes the heart. God has bestowed upon us generously Vichara Shakti ie Thinking Power which when used properly gives us knowledge and wisdom, helping us distinguish between subjects and thereby their uses. Manushya Janma ie being born as a Human Bieng is by far the best gift God has given us for that which we should be thankful. We will always remain in debt of him for this generosity that he has so graciously blessed upon us. It is the powerful thoughts in the mind, that man has which gives him the ability to distinguish between not only good and bad, but also enables him to visualize the outcomes of them too. Just like when a man sees certain things, he can think what are the products or how best that thing can be put use to and can carry out the same repeatedly till he achieves success, that is not so the case with other living creatures. Speech is another exclusive blessing bestowed upon us, means to communicate. Our mind is a storehouse of information and if used properly for the betterment of humankind, it will bring in that much peace to humanity. It is within each one of us to condition our mind, the most powerful tool within us in correct direction, for good cause and with good care. Our mind will always give us a sound advice with ample warnings if lead in the right direction, trusting ourselves and keeping full faith in God. If not, our mind itself will be the very cause for self-destruction, for our mind is our best friend as well as our greatest enemy. The mind desires a lot, within means, it is always good, but when it crosses borders, it leads to destruction of happiness. A controlled mind is what one should practice to be with coz. Happiness is actually a state of mind. Keep your mind fear free, learn to be happy from within and above all look up to Sri Krishna as you friend and rest all your worries on him and he will definitely take care of you. Stay Blessed~ Spread Happiness.
Shri krishna govind hare murari … Hey nath narayan vasudevaa
Radhe krishna radhe Krishna … Radhe radhe krishna Krishna
** Disclaimer : True friendship is really difficult to come across in life and if you have been lucky then do cherish the same. This is a story I have adapted and written this to the best of my knowledge from mythological sayings, net, friends and various other sources. I have read through a lot of articles on Lord Krishna importance to friendship and felt I should write about it in my own little way. I grew up listening to mythological stories and they have always fascinated me, however it is the inner depth knowledge of the same that I am trying to seek now. I have condensed and written this small article on my own way to the best of my ability. I have also included Google pictures and the picture credits goes to them. My sole intention of writing short stories is apart from the fact that I love writing them, I also want the future generations to know a little bit of the same too. If I have hurt anybody’s sentiments in the process, It is not intentional and in no way meant to offend anybody or any religion. Plz. do excuse me for the same.
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