This is not just a story from Shrimad Bhagavata. This has relevance in our lives as well. Our souls are bound by a Kuchela, which is the linga shareera (the subtle body). As long as the linga shareera exists, we cannot be liberated from the misery of the endless cycle of birth and death.
Once a demon named tṛṇāvarta, came in the form of a gale to kill Lord Shri Krishna. He was like the Prana Vayu (one among the pancha pranas or primary winds in the body) of all the demons. He was very arrogant.
Rectifying one’s mistake at its source and apologizing to the person to whom the pain was inflicted are vital to clean the conscience. Without this, any other act to please the Lord would be futile just like expecting relief from a soothing balm applied elsewhere other than on the wound.
When the desire is malicious or undeserved, it must be noted that the higher one climbs, the harder they fall.
Knowing about Bali’s arrival to wage war, Indra left his throne and vacated heaven as suggested by Guru Br̥haspatyācārya. Bali sat on the throne of Indra and began to enjoy the abundant riches and started ruling.
For a discerning seeker whose ultimate aim is liberation from the cycle of births and deaths, it is as important to have the right knowledge of His incarnations as it is to be cognizant of those that are not His incarnations. Acharya Madhwa cautions that if a person believes someone to be an incarnation of the Supreme Lord when he actually is not, such a person cannot achieve liberation.
Bhagavata means the story of Bhagavan Shri Krishna. It’s the story of the incarnations of God. All the stories of God teach us largely about His supremacy alone.
For long, an often repeated charge that has racked the minds of the discerning is that Shri Krishna was a thief, was chummy with women, was of an amorous disposition etc. In a way, the above averment of Vedavyasa provides answers to various canards and objections, including those mentioned above.
The fury with which Bali entered the war was as if he was going to swallow all. His eyes were like lumps of burning flame, eager to set everything ablaze. In this fury, Bali Chakravarti set out to war along with his mighty troop of soldiers determined to grab Indra’s lofty throne. Disturbed by this, Indra began to question Br̥haspatyācārya about Bali Chakravarti.
