The unsung heroes
For example, Bhishma is portrayed in the Mahabharata as a mighty warrior who sided with the evil Kauravas. But the Pandavas, with the help of Krishna’s cunning plans, conquered him. Eventually, the undefeatable grandsire, Bhisma, lay down on in pain, on a bed of arrows. Meanwhile, Krishna decided to reveal the real glories of Bhisma to the world. After the war, King Yudhistir, the oldest of the victorious Pandavas felt guilty for being responsible for all the bloodshed. Krishna then orchestrated a special event: he took the Pandavas to meet Bhishma, and hear from him religious instructions and practical wisdom. These instructions are contained in the Srimad Bhagavatam that also reveals the pure heart of Bhishma- his deep love for Krishna shines forth in the verses of the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Kunti is another enigma- she suffered immensely, and as the plot of Mahabharata thickens, she’s sidelined in the mammoth epic narration of hundred thousand verses. But in the Srimad Bhagavatam, her prayers form the pivotal basis of the mood of pure devotional service. Stalwart devotees of Krishna for ages have devotionally repeated her prayers to purify their hearts and revived their dormant love for the Lord.
In almost all scriptures that mention the pastime of Lord Narasimhadev killing the demon Hiranyakashipu, it’s the Lord who emerges as the hero. However we find in the seventh canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, it’s Prahalad who is glorified in almost all chapters. His instructions to his friends and his prayers to the Lord were amongst Srila Prabhupada’s favorites. They contain profound wisdom on life in this world and also embody pure devotion to the Supreme Lord.
To be continued…
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