Krishna Appearing in Our Life

As Krishna appeared in the land of Vrindavana, we pray that Krishna will appear in our lives. A closer study of these first five chapters reveals the devotional spirit which preceded Krishna’s appearance. It is this spirit we must seek to imbibe.

1. Desperation

When Mother Bhumi saw no other means to mitigate the world’s problems, she became desperate. In that mood of desperation, she, along with the demigods, pleaded for help. Offering prayers at the milk ocean, they beseeched the Lord to descend to the world. Similarly, until we actually feel an acute desperation for Krishna’s presence in our life, He will not appear. Krishna remains remote but responsive, never forcing Himself into anyone’s life, but fully available when the soul is willing and desirous. A person once asked Socrates how to deepen their spirituality. In response, he took them to a nearby lake and dunked them in the water. After a few minutes he lifted them out and they gasped for air. He asked the person: “What were you thinking of whilst underwater?” The man replied that all he could think about was getting a gasp of air. Socrates then answered him: “When your desperation for God becomes as acute, He will immediately appear before you.” Do we have that desperation?

2. Dedication

When Krishna appears in this world, He contemplates who His parents will be. Prisni and Sutapa had performed 12,000 years of extreme austerities, ardently praying that the Lord become their son. To fulfil their desire, Sutapa appeared as Vasudeva, and Prisni appeared as Devaki, and the Lord happily agreed to become their son. Desperation for the Lord is exhibited in one’s dedication and commitment to spiritual practices. In this age, the recommended austerity is to engage in the sankirtana-yajna, and any intelligent person who dedicates themselves to this process can quickly attract the Lord’s attention. Do we have the dedication?

3. Purification

Having chosen to appear within Devaki’s womb, the Lord proceeded to make the appropriate transcendental arrangements. Before He appeared, six of Devaki’s children were mercilessly slaughtered by the evil Kamsa. The acaryas explain that Devaki’s womb represents bhakti. The six children were actually the six sons of Marici, who represent lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy. Kamsa represents material fear. Thus, when a devotee becomes fearful of material life, that fear kills the six unhelpful enemies and one’s bhakti becomes pure. At that time, Krishna takes birth. Thus, when our spiritual practices are purified, devoid of any material motivation, they quickly invoke Krishna’s presence and reciprocation. Do we have that purity?

4. Meditation

When Krishna entered Devaki’s womb, all the demigods, Vasudeva, Devaki, and even Kamsa, were naturally drawn to Him. They couldn’t think about anything else. Krishna became their sole meditation. In the same way, the devotee’s mind, purified by devotional service, will become naturally drawn towards Krishna. Rupa Goswami, in a famous prayer, says: “Just as the minds of young girls are attracted to young boys, and just as the minds of young boys are attracted to young girls, allow my mind to be as naturally drawn towards you.” Queen Kunti also prays: “O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else.”

5. Revelation

When Krishna appeared in the world at midnight, He exhibited His four-armed form with full regalia. At the request of His parents, He then transformed to His original two-armed form. Seeing the desperation, dedication, purification and meditation that His dear devotees embodied, by His own sweet will He finally gave them the revelation. That is the true way to contact God. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura famously commented: “Don’t try and see God, but act in such a way that God will want to see you.”