Leelas were continually occurring during Krishnavatar. Srimad Bhagavatam lists numerous instances of leela performed by the Lord. Even before the birth, he planned the annihilation of demons, the rakshas who were prevailing around and causing damage. His physical appearance happened in the prison. Crossing the river Yamuna was a leela. Demon Putana receiving the highest state for feeding him was another leela.
Whether it was a storm or a cart or animals, like a donkey or elephant or snake, that tried to consume or harm him, all were rendered disempowered or eliminated. Assuming all the knowledge in sixty-four days at Sandipani Gurukul was itself a leela. Gurudakshina was in the form of getting the guru-putra back from Yamapuri!
Krishna provided the required guidance, blessed the followers, and treated the panditas and the pamaras with kindness. Krishna was the leeladhari behind every saviour act that happened in the lives of trusting Pandavas. Lakshagriha was a mastermind action, whereby Pandavas were to be burnt alive. By the leela of guiding advice, the ‘target’ escaped. The ploy of playing dice was designed to cheat and put the Pandavas to least fate. The right advice was not sought, and suffering was the result.
Worst of the Sabha Parva was the attempted ‘Vastra+apaharana’ of Draupadi. In the dice game, Yudhishtira lost his entire kingdom, brothers, self, and wife too. The demonic tendency of dushta+chatushtayam in the Sabha culminated in the negative action of making the kula-vadhu uncovered. Through the leela, as Panchalaraya, Krishna saved the Panchala king’s daughter’s honour. Draupadi’s surrender was total, and the timing and HIS help were perfect.
We teach ‘just-in-time’ models and sensitise management students about the embedded cultural ecosystem in addition to the logistics dependability. For such a leela to happen, the trust and surrender must be perfect. Draupadi’s devotion and faith were perfect. To commemorate this vastrapaharana incident, Krishna is worshipped as ‘Panchalaraya’. This unique form of Sri Krishna exists at Shayampet Haveli near Warangal.
In this form of Krishna as Panhalaraya, He reminds us of the need for complete faith and sharanagati. Trust is a must. Unconditional surrender makes the divine move in and save situations for us. Gajendra Mokshanam is similar. When there is no godfather, GOD becomes the father. God owns up, and help happens in spite of humans. Many lived so.
Dr S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.
