Slokam 3

Nandagopa along with other Gopas vacates Gokulam.  The cart in which he takes Yashoda and the “little” Paramathma is said in the slokam to be a majestic cart.  Gokulam is said in the slokam to be devoid of cows after everyone leaves. 

The Cow has been playing a very significant role in the sustenance of the community.  All references to the cow are only in terms of providing butter, milk and yoghurt. It is also the primary vehicle for transportation.  All the carts in Gokulam are drawn by cows.  The main preoccupation of the Gopas is to take care of the cows by taking them out for grazing and also to make sure that they are protected from predators.  It is an amazing existence compared to our so called modern lives, simply because everyone lived within their means.  The community shared all its bounties and sorrows in equal proportion.  There was never anyone in need and there was never anyone who possessed more than what was needed. The number of cows that one had,  used to be a mark of wealth.  As can be seen from the conversations between the Gopas and their aspirations in Srimad Bhagavatham, it becomes apparent that there was no pursuit of wealth among the common people and there was no difference in status or job descriptions.  Everyone pursued the family tradition without question.  

This relative stability in everyday life ensured that there was no rat race for survival.  The human being had access to all basic needs,  and did not have to knock on doors to get the wage for the day.  Education was mostly provided by the family in relation to occupational skills.  The brahmin community pursued Vedic knowledge for advancement.  The brahmin community was the only group that pursued knowledge as a means of progress. All other communities worked to ensure physical survival including providing for food, clothing, shelter and protection against enemies.  Communities were largely self sufficient and like the Gopas were probably required to move to multiple locations and habitats in search of better conditions and protection.  They paid their dues to the King, who ensured their physical protection. 

Yet there were asuras such as Kamsa, who wanted to possess everything that was available to be possessed. 

With an abundance of food and no lack of availability of land and water,  there was no need to seek anything else except the feet of the Paramathma.  Yet there was conflict between communities and between kings in various regions who wanted to dominate the people and expand their riches and their power.  Invariably the asuras among the kings dominated the kingdom and were often the rulers for large time periods.

Indira from heaven represented the good kings.  The elevated Atmas, who came to power in the Deva Lokams.

There is often a clear demarcation between “devalokams” and “asuralokams”.  The devalokams and asuralokams are always trying to expand their domains. There is always battle between them to dominate.  The battles are always ongoing. The asuras are the ones that dominate the battles until the devas seek the help of the Paramathma.  They cannot withstand the onslaught of the asuras unless the Paramathma lends a helping hand. 

There are periods when the asuras dominate and there are periods when the devas dominate.  They alternate in their influence over the common public.  This is an eternal rule. In the modern kali yugam,  there are only asuras for the most part that are in an extended period of power.  Rarely do individuals with integrity come to power.  In the Kali Yugam,  people with no abilities attempt to take positions of power through corruption. So any credibility is completely lost.  Moral values simply do not exist.  Ultimately, in the Kali Yugam, the asura’s rajasic guna will pervade all and the world is expected to plunge into chaos and destruction.

When the Rajasic guna dominates our inner self, we have to be able to recognize the dangers associated with it and also be able to understand that it needs to be subdued. To bring the Rajasic guna under control will certainly require the Paramathma to be invoked and His Guidance to be sought.  If we are caught in the turmoil of everyday life,  our equanimity will be destroyed.  Once this happens, we will be unable to invoke the help of the Paramathma and there will be no recovery from the plunge into complete oblivion.

May we ever meditate on the Paramathma every moment of our lives without allowing our equanimity to the disturbed as the journey in the cart moves on the bumpy road of everyday life.