Slokam 3

The Paramathma and the Gopas reach the pastoral plains and begin grazing the cows. The asura Aghaasura is lying in wait in their path to attack them.  The demons can take any form and Aghaasura takes the form of a python. The most intriguing aspect of the demon is that it always comes in disguise.  There is rarely a demon that assumes the classical monster form with ghastly appearance.  In modern life the demon usually takes the form of greed, lust, etc within our inner self.  There is not any set pattern to these forms, shapes and sizes,  We are all subject to these forces day in and day out to varying extents.  Like viruses, we do not even know that these forces are trying to obstruct and distort our everyday existence. 

This is why it is important to be self aware and always situated in the self. If we allow our consciousness to wander into the external world, the demons will be immediately attracted.  This is a very intricate state of existence.  It is a state of existence that is way beyond our limited comprehension. It is clear to all of us that this state of “animated suspension” is one of misery.  So we seek a solution to the problem.  We see a need to cling to worldly attachments as an anchor to keep our mind distracted from facing the ultimate truth and reality about the self.  We are afraid that if we lose these attachments, we will forever be “floating” in a meaningless void.  We are basically afraid of the unknown. 

The realization must set in that all experiences of life have been engineered only to guide us onto the path that follows the Paramathma’s footsteps. There should not be any inclination to get ahead of anyone, including the Paramathma. We must realize that we have been assigned a path, and that our primary role in life is to stick to this path. If we try to get ahead, or take a by-pass into the world of illusion, we will be lost.  The Paramathma Himself says this in the Bhagavath Gita, to Arjuna, as He stands on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

All of us are in the modern battlefield.  The form, shape, and size of Kurukshetra has changed, but not the requirement, which is to abide by the command of the Paramathma, and perform the assigned task stead fastedly, without any attachment, fear or most importantly, the expectation of a reward.