The Mahabharata war was to start on the new moon day (amavasya). Arjuna was totally dejected and depressed on seeing the formations of Kaurava and Pandava armies a day prior to amavasya, i.e. Chaturdasi. Earlier, it was Arjuna himself who had insisted that they were ready to fight the battle with the Kauravas and said that Krishna should not go to the Kaurava court on a peace mission. The same Arjuna was very nervous when the war was actually to commence.
Krishna wanted to impart the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna to instil courage and enthusiasm in him. But before imparting this knowledge, Krishna wanted to test Arjuna, to see whether he had total faith in Him.
Summer Course 1976 - Indian Culture and Spirituality
May 1976
Topic
That day on which Krishna was born, according to these calculations, will come to be the 20th of July, 3228 years before the Advent of Christ. If this has to be put in our calendar, it will be in the year Srimukha, month by the name Sravana, fortnight by the name Bahula, and the day of Ashtami. The star will be Rohini and the time will be 3:00 a.m. after midnight. If we count backwards from today, the day on which Krishna gave up his mortal body will work out at 5078 years. If we want to check this, we see that 3102 B.C. and 1976 add up to 5078 years. Thus, since the Kali Yuga has started, we have now gone through 5078 years.
That is also the time when Krishna gave up his life, and that is also the day when the Kali age commenced. This day is also the first day of the Kali Yuga and we call it Ugadi.
Summer Course 1976 - Indian Culture and Spirituality
May 1976
Topic
When we take this as the basis, we come to the conclusion that the period which we now call Kali Yuga started in the year named Pramadi, in the month named Sravana, and in the fortnight named Bahula and on the day called Ashtami. According to the English calendar, this will be described as February 20, 3102 years before the advent of Christ. In order to bring out this aspect of the commencement of a new Yuga on February 20, 3102 B.C., our ancestors have been calling that day as Ugadi, or the day of the beginning of a new era. As this was the commencing day of a new Yuga, it was called the Ugadi.
When looked at from this angle, we should also learn a different aspect, although it is not very pleasant. This particular day called the Ugadi is also the day on which Krishna gave up his mortal body in a sacred place of pilgrimage called Prabata near Dwaraka.
Here is a small example. Once, Yashoda searched for Krishna, "Where is Krishna, where has He gone?" She was searching for Krishna because she identified Him with His physical form. Once you realise that Krishna is everywhere, then you don't need to search for Him.
While Yashoda was searching for Krishna, Radha came. Yashoda asked Radha, "Oh Radha! Have you seen my child? Did my Gopala come to your house? I searched in all streets and have gone to all houses, but I couldn't find Him. Did you see Him anywhere?"
Radha closed her eyes and chanted the name of Krishna with heart full of love. At that very moment, Krishna appeared there.
If there were no clouds in man's life,it would be difficult to discern the true value of light.So too, there can be nothing extraordinary about happiness,which does not arise out of genuine exertion.
Without sathya (truth), dharma (righteousness), santhi (peace), and prema (love), the education that one would have acquired would be meaningless. Charity would bring no merit and the results of all good deeds would verily become naught if man lacks these few virtues. Even so, no heavenly good would accrue to those who wield power in the world, yet lack these cardinal virtues. sathya, dharma, santhi, and prema are the four foundation walls on which the edifice of the grand mansion of Sanathana Dharma (Eternal, Universal Religion) stands. What else can I make known unto you, O assembly of good and gentle persons!
Embodiments of Love!
Knowledge of Brahman is denied unto them who discard the intellect and are enamoured of ephemeral knowledge. To the man who stands on the shores of the sea...
