BG6.41

We are at the sannidhi of Sri Jagatrakshaka Perumal, today [20th February 2008]. Thirumangai Alwar, the last of Alwars, has mentioned this Kshetram in ten poems, in the 5th century, 2nd decade of his Periya Thirumozhi. He describes the beauty of the women of this place. They also had very good mind. The flowers used by them on their heads, spread fragrance for the entire place. In the pasuram [5.2.1] he calls this place as Vendhanur. Vendhan in Tamil means king. Here the King is Sri Krishna and it is His place. It seems He Himself was not aware of the greatness of His place [Thirukkoodalur]. Because, ignorant of His Royal greatness, He acted as a mere messenger for the Pandavas! The Utsavar is called Sri Jagatrakshaka and Moolavar is called Sri Vaiyamkatha Perumal. Utsavar has Discus and Conch in the upper two arms. He is placing the lower left arm on His knees, indicating that for those who surrender unto Him, their sins would evaporate and reduce to knee deep only. Sri Maha Lakshmi is gracing as Sri Padmasani, Moolavar and as Sri Pushpavalli, Utsavar. Sri Andal also has a sannidhi here. With their blessings let us see what reply Sri Krishna gives to Arjuna. Sloka 40:

sri-bhagavan uvaca
partha naiveha namutra
vinasas tasya vidyate
na hi kalyana-krt kascid
durgatim tata gacchati

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Son of Pritha, a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil."

The Lord addresses Arjuna as thatha, which means father in Sanskrit. But here it shows affection and closeness, just as we address in Tamil Appa! our close relatives. He says never he would get lost into miseries or sufferings. The action [yoga] Arjuna started is because it was good and because it was told by the Lord, and so this action is auspicious [kalyana krit]. Such auspicious actions will never lead anyone to sufferings even if abandoned half way. This answers Arjuna's doubt whether by discontinuing the yoga started, due to any reason, he would not merely lose atman sakshatkaram, but as a penalty for discontinuing, be punished and sent to hell. Would Arjuna be lost like the shattered cloud piece? The Lord calls Arjuna Partha; that is His aunt Pritha's son, indicating close relationship. He wants to tell that He would never let down anyone listening to His words. He never wanted to kill Ravana or Sisupala or Hiranyakashipu. He wanted everyone to redeem themselves from miseries. Such a Person, He, would never let down His dear cousin Arjuna and would never show the path for hell. Parents, in spite of their children being wicked, would praise any small good things done. Similar quality is there in God. A sincere attempt to practice yoga, because the Lord recommended it, would be eulogised by the Lord and He would ensure that, even if the attempt is not fully carried out, the person got all benefits. This is a great promise He is making. Iha = here [ in this world], amutra = in the other world, tasya = to that person [ who has sincerely attempted yoga], vinasa = destruction, na vidyate = is never seen. He assures that this person who sincerely stated but discontinued, will never see miseries in this world or in other worlds [after death]. All this because the person listened to the Lord and was sincere in practicing yoga. Not only that. He discontinued because, say for example, he wanted to pursue to reach heaven. The Lord assures Heaven for this person. What happens after his tenure in heaven is over? Will he have to start yoga all over again from the beginning? The Lord assures again that the person could start the yoga from where he discontinued. This is again another argument from the Lord that Karma yoga is better than Gyana yoga. Karma yoga can be restarted from the discontinued position. Therefore, a person who after knowing the superiority of atman, practices yoga and discontinues for some other desires, gets these inferior pleasures as well as he is enabled to restart the yoga in the future and will attain atman sakshatkaram. This is double benefit for him. Arjuna is surprised as to how this person would get both advantages. Sri Krishna asserts that He would grant both, as the person listened to Him and regarded that as auspicious - kalyana- words. That person's faith would never betray him. We have to remember that faith in Him, would grant all we desire and the ultimate Moksham also. Kascid = anyone, kalyana krit = the action [to be performed as told by the Lord] is auspicious, durgathim = bad destiny, na gacchati = never gets. Anyone, who started yoga, because he considered it as auspicious action recommended by the Lord, would not incur harmful results. So, we have to remember that if we start an auspicious action, the Lord would guide and carry us safely and ensure the successful completion of that action. All obstacles would be removed.