The Silent Miracle: Overcoming the Illusion of the Doer

But what if the greatest obstacle isn't outside of us, but within our own perspective? A few years ago, I conducted a session on the recitation of Veda Mantras. During our session, I shared the story of Narasimha-Avatāra, which includes a devout young boy Prahalāda and His demonic father Hiraṇyakaśipu! When asked if anyone wants to become like Prahalāda one boy raised his hand and said - I want to be the next Prahalāda, but I cannot! I asked him why and he responded - "I have a fantastic father. He is too good to be the next Hiraṇyakaśipu! So, unfortunately, I am not eligible for this position." We can never predict what kids will take away from a story. However, another boy asked a deep question that I think about even today: "Why were all the Rākṣasas willing to die but never invited Divine into their lives?" The boy's question presents us with a powerful choice: will we invite the wisdom of the Divine, or will we stubbornly cling to our inhibitions, limitations and other weaknesses settling for the mundane and ordinary? Additionally, the boy's question sparked memories of a captivating tale from the Mahābhārata. After the eighteenth day of war, the victorious Pāṇḍavas returned to their camp and were greeted by Draupadī. As per the norms of Dwāpara Yuga, the charioteer should get off the chariot first! Hence, Arjuna waited for the charioteer Śrī-kṛṣṇa to get down. But Krishna did not. Annoyed, Arjuna got down! Then, Śrī Kṛṣṇa got off the chariot, accompanied by Hanumān, who had resided on the flag! Suddenly, the chariot burst into flames and turned to ashes. Serene Śrī Kṛṣṇa smilingly explained that Drona's celestial weapons had long damaged the chariot! It was nothing but a wreck, a ticking time bomb. The only thing holding its atoms together was his Śrī Kṛṣṇa's silent presence. Arjuna wasn't riding in a chariot. He was riding inside a miracle, and he never even knew it. Arjuna realised Śrī Kṛṣṇa's protection was crucial to their victory and even survival. He understood that the Pāṇḍavas’ triumph was not solely due to their skill, but to Śrī Kṛṣṇa's untiring Divine presence, practical wisdom, and unseen aid. This humbled Arjuna, reminding him that true strength includes recognising forces beyond his capabilities

The real horror of the story isn't the explosion. It's the thought of what would have happened if Arjuna's ego had won, if Śrī Kṛṣṇa had gotten off that chariot first. Utter annihilation, without a trace. Even Arjuna, who won the war of the Mahābhārata and lived with Śrī Kṛṣṇa at all times, faced challenges in letting go of his ego and invite the Divine into his life unconditionally! After all, we are ordinary mortals and may have a long way to go!

Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the third chapter of Bhagavadgītā says – अहङ्कार-विमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते – Only an egotistical idiot would claim to be independent and a doer of all things! This identity of I am the doer is adding as an obstacle and minimising the meaning of our existence! To overcome this obstacle let’s remember His words in the same chapter – मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि सन्न्यस्य अध्यात्म-चेतसा। निराशीर्-निर्ममो भूत्वा युद्ध्यस्व विगतज्वरः!