BG3.23

Today [14th August,2007] the lecture is from the sannidhi of Sri Venugopalan near the Srirangam main Gopuram. Here Sri Krishna is with four arms and along with His mother Yasodha. This is a unique feature. He is holding a flute and appears as playing. The Lord could have sung but is playing the flute. According to an Acharya Thiruvaimozhipillai, this has a significance.In his commentary on Perialwar Thirumozhi, if He were to sing it would be direct from His mouth.But by using a flute, it is like His teachings are from another Acharya. Though Gita has been told by Sri Krishna, we are to learn it through a teacher or guru. We will see the 24th sloka from here:
utsideyur ime lokana kuryam karma ced ahamsankarasya ca karta syamupahanyam imah prajah
"If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings."


Sri Krishna is the One Who created the Vedas and shastras. He is not bound to follow. Yet He says that if He did not follow what He prescribed, ordinary people like us would follow only His way and that way Dharma would be corrupted. When Hiranya Kasipu and Ravana were given boons for immortality by Brahma, the Lord found exceptions within those boons to kill them and save the world. He is the Lord of all and there was no necessity nor anyone dare question Him on His doings. Still He never wanted to violate Brahma. In our house children follow the parents’ behavior. That is why one should not smoke or drink in front of children as they are likely to pick up these habits. Sri Krishna therefore says He cannot advise Arjuna to follow Gyana yoga leaving his dharma of fighting for his country. By going away from one’s dharma one is likely to tread into another person’s dharma and thereby mixing up of duties is possible and this will destroy the society and the world.