It is a sin', even knowing this a man commits sin.

Gita 3-38
Link: — `It is a sin', even knowing this a man commits sin. What is the reason that this knowledge does not help? The Lord explains in the next two verses.

dhumenavriyate vahni, yathadarso malena ca
yatholbenavrto garbhas, tatha tenedam avrtam

"As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust, as an embryo is enveloped by the womb, so is this knowledge concealed by desire." 38

Comment: —

`Dhumenavriyate vahnihÌ£' — As fire is covered by smoke, so is this knowledge, (discrimination) covered by desire.

Discrimination is revealed in the intellect. There are three divisions of intellect—of the nature of `goodness' (Sattvika), of `passion' (Rajas) and of `ignorance' (Tamas). The intellect by which one knows, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done is of the nature of `goodness'. The intellect, by which one wrongly understands, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done is of the nature of `passion', while the intellect by which one sees all things in a perverted way (contrary to the truth) is, of the nature of `ignorance' (Gita 18/30—32). When desire is born, even the intellect of goodness (Sattvika) is covered by desire, as fire by smoke, then the intellect of the mode of passion (Rajas) and ignorance (tamas) will definitely be covered by it, of which there is no doubt.

As soon as, a desire is born, one's spiritual path is covered with its smoke. If it is given scope for enhancement, it makes the path totally dark. By thinking that the desired objects are deserting us constantly, we can destroy desires.

We have desire to acquire the worldly objects, because these appear to be beautiful and charming. The desire veils our discrimination, which is a privilege of human birth. Just as, fire can burn even when it is covered with smoke, so can discrimination work, if a man becomes alert and cautious, as soon as desire is born. A man can get rid of desire at the outset, by thinking of the kaleidoscopic and transitory nature, of the worldly objects etc., which he wants to acquire.

`Yathadar´so malenaca'—When dirt accumulates on the surface of a mirror, it cannot reflect an object. Similarly, the dirt of desire, covers knowledge (discrimination), and an aspirant cannot decide what he ought to do and what he ought not to do. Because of desire, he hankers after worldly pleasures and prosperity, and he has a downfall. This is the second stage of desire.

An aspirant should realize that it is not a thing, but its proper use which is significant. So, instead of having a desire to acquire more and more, he should think to make a proper use of it. Moreover, he cannot acquire objects merely by desire.

The less importance he will attach to the worldly objects, the more importance he will attach to God. When he stops attaching importance to the worldly objects altogether, he will realize God and desire will be totally eliminated.

`YatholbenavrÌ£to garbhah'—When, dirt accumulates on the surface of a mirror, even though it does not reflect a face, yet it can be known that it is a mirror. But when an embryo is covered by the womb, it cannot be known, whether the child is male or female. Similarly, knowledge (discrimination) is, so much veiled at this third stage, that he totally forgets his duty and his desire is intensified.

If desire is not satisfied, it gives birth to anger. From anger arises delusion; from delusion there is destruction of discrimination; from destruction of descrimination one does not do, what ought to be done, but indulges in evil acts, such as falsehood, fraud, dishonesty, injustice, oppression and other sinful acts. The Lord does not want to call such people, human beings (men). Therefore, the Lord while describing such people, in the sixteenth chapter (from the eighth to the eighteenth verses), has not used any such word which stands for human beings. The Lord has called the people, who have heaven as their goal, `Kamatmanaḥ' (desire incarnate) (Gita 2/43), because they are the embodiments of desires. Having identified themselves with desires, they hold that there is no higher aim than the gratification of desires (Gita 16/11).

[When desires are strengthened, a man totally forgets, that the real aim of human life is God-realization. But if due to past influences or good company, or any other factor, he comes to know the real aim of human life, he can attain salvation or God-realization.]

`—In this verse, the Lord has given three illustrations, pertaining to the covering of discrimination by desire. It means that discrimination is covered by desire, in three stages. But those who hold that desire is the cause of happiness, and so depend on it, cannot renounce it (desire), while aspirants who practise spiritual discipline, know it in its reality and can root it out.

The Lord here, has described the three stages of desire, so that a aspirant may kill the enemy, in the form of desire, as directed by Him, in the forty-first and forty-third verses of this chapter. In fact, desire crosses the first two stages so quickly, that a man cannot perceive these phases. Then desire leads him, to all sorts of sins and sufferings. Therefore, an aspirant should not allow a desire to arise through discrimination. But if it is born, it should be renounced either in the first or the second stage, it should not be allowed to reach the third stage.

From "The Bhagavad Gita - Sadhak Sanjivani" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Bhagavan Krishna became , Kururamma's Son .....( A true Event )

Kururamma was a pious Brahmin lady . She became a widow at the tender age of (16) . Being childless , she was destined to live in solitude . But Kurooramma faced the life, by taking refuge in `Ishta Devata' Sri Krishna

Various Devotees involve with Sri Krishna in different ways such as the `prema-bhakti' (love) of Gopikas or Dasya-bhakti ( servitude) of Uddava or Sakhya-bhakti ( friendship) of Arjuna . Kururamma like Yeshoda had motherly love towards Krishna .

After becoming widow , Kuruarmma's routine included an early morning Bath followed by works in the kitchen , worship in Guruvayoor temple on every monday , Ekadasi fasting and …. Constant Nama-japam . In fact , the nama-japam became just like breathing ; and it elevated her to the highest level of bhakti-yoga .

Years passed . Kururamma became aged . All her relatives died one after the other and she was alone . Kururamma became aware that she has none except Krishna . She prayed for Him ardently . One day , Bhagavan appeared and asked what boon she wanted . Kurururamma prayed with folded hands :

" O Krishna ! I don't have anyone . You be with me always . Don't abandon me like Yashoda " .

Bhagavan smiled , nodded His head and disappeared .

Soon, an orphan Brahmin kid called "Unni" came to Kururamma . He was a very mischievous child and he helped her in the household works .

"Unni" was Sri Krishna Himself . But due to His Yoga-maya , Kururamma could see Him only as her child . Since Unni's arrival , she lived in great joy , loving and chastising him as own child .

Vilwangalam swami (Bilwamangalam Takura) was the renowned Vaishnava Acharya of that period . He was famous for performing Puja by seeing Sri Krishna in front .

It was Kurooramma's great wish to have one such Puja performed at her home by Vilwangalam Swami . She requested the Acharya with great humility and he agreed .

Unfortunately , Kururamma had an envious neighbor called `Chemmangatt Amma' who was immensely rich and influential . When heard about this Puja , Chemmangatt Amma took it as an opportunity to humiliate Kururamma . She used her influence to cancel Vilwangalam' s commitment to Kururamma and booked that Puja for herself . Poor Kururamma was unaware of this sabotage .

On the dawn of the Puja, Kururamma was washing her cloths in the nearby tank . A few drops of water unintentionally fell upon , Chemmangatt Amma who had finished her bath. She felt polluted and took a second plunge in water to purify. She sarcastically told Kururamma :

" Hey Widow , now I am doubly clean . Today , Villwamangalam is coming to my house for doing Puja " .

Kururamma was shocked to hear this and she said :

" But, Vilwamangalam Swamy has already promised to perform Puja at my home today " .

Chemmangatt Amma and her arrogant servants laughed at Kururamma and made fun of her . Kururamma was greatly hurt by this public humiliation . Soon after reaching home , she sent a person to Vilwamangalam' s home to confirm Swami's Puja . But Vilwamangalam apologetically refused saying he couldn't upset the powerful Chemmangatt family .

Kururamma was heartbroken when she heard about this refusal . But , Unni pacified her by assuring that Vilwamangalam will come for Puja as agreed before .

Kururamma believed Unni . But she lamented :

" O Unni ! Because of that confusion , I didn't make any arrangements for the puja . I don't know what needs to be done . You see, Vilwamangalam Swamy is a Mahatma and therefore we shouldn't upset Him . O Bhagavan, I really messed up everything and I don't know what to do now !! ".

Unni consoled her :

"Mother , don't worry at all . I will do all the needful now itself . You , just take rest . "

He quickly completed all jobs such as cleaning the floor, washing the Puja-instruments and utensils, bringing flowers and other Puja-materials , preparation of food offerings for the puja, etc, etc .

After his daily worship, Villwamangalam started for Chemmangatt Amma's house for the Puja . But the pilot who was to lead his way by blowing conch (shankh) to announce his presence could not produce any sound from his conch . It was a bad omen and Villwamangalam was bewildered . Then he remembered his failure to keep up the promise to Kururamma . And he decided that it is Bhagavan's wish that he should go to Kururamma's house to do Puja there . On this thought itself, the conch started functioning and filled the air with its resonant sound . The Acharya then started his journey towards Kururamma's house .

Vilwanagalam and His Sisyas (Brahmachari- disciples) finally arrived at Kururamma's home . According to tradition , a Brahmin lady should not talk direct to any man other than her husband . Hence, hiding behind the door , Kururamma asked Unni to welcome Vilwamanagalam Swami .

When Unni welcomed , Vilwamangalam looked at him ; but due to `Maya" he couldn't recognize Bhagavan .

After taking bath , Vilwamangalam got ready for the Puja .

Meanwhile , his Sisyas were standing amazed . They are the ones who prepare items for the Puja because none else knows it's requirements . But, alas ! this midget Kid has arranged everything perfectly . They stared at Unni enviously . And he gladly teased them by winking .

Vilwamangalam was pleased by the perfect arrangements in place . While touching the Puja-materials, a divine bliss filled his heart .

The Puja commenced . At first, the seat was sanctified for seating Bhagavan . Then the invoking of Sri Krishna . Swami closed his eyes and meditated Bhagavan . While Vilwamangalam was invoking Krishna with great concentration, Unni stood straight in front . Seeing this , the shocked Sisyas were facing a dilemma and they whispered each other :

" This fool is standing in front of Acharya . How can we inform this to Him ? . See… the flowers offered are falling on his feet !…..'

They tried to push out Unni . But , He stood His ground firm and the offered flowers kept on falling at His feet . Vilwanangalam Swami opened his eyes to see Sri Krishna on the offered seat , as usual . But here couldn't see Bhagavan and only Unni was standing in front . Vilwamangalam was annoyed . As ordered by him, Unni was moved from there to a corner . And then the invoking re-commenced .

Again the offered flowers kept on falling at the feet of Unni , though he was standing in the corner . Immediately , Vilwamangalam Swami realized that this helper of Kururamma is Bhagavan Himself . He looked at Unni again …. and there He was !

` Bhagavan Sri Krishna in all His Suprmeme Glory '!!!!!

Vilwamangalam tried to rush forward to prostrate . But Bhagavan stopped him with a gesture which meant :

" Keep this as secret . Let Me continue as Kururamma's Unni ".

The Puja ended auspiciously and Vilwamangalam departed with his Sisyas . Kururamma was extremely happy . However, she made a comment to Unni :

" Hey Unni ! I wonder why Vilwamangalam Swamy repeatedly bowed down to both of us and cried while leaving " .

Unni's only response was his mind-captivating smile which filled `Sat-Chit-Anandam ' in Kururamma's heart .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !

Divinity of " MANJULAL " ( A True Event )

”Manjula” was a virtuous Variyar caste young girl . Guruvayoorappan ( Guruavayoor Sri Krishna ) was her Ishta-Devata . Every night , Manjula used to bring to Guruavyoor temple, home-made garlands for Bhagavan .

One day, due to some domestic problems , she could not complete the garland on time . By the time she reached, the temple got closed . She could reach only up to the banyan tree, in front of the temple compound .

Manjuala started feeling guilty for failing in her SEVA . She was heart broken . Unable to bear the sorrow, the innocent girl broke down and wept .

Sri Poonthanam Namboodiri , an elderly devotee was on his way back from the temple . He saw the girl crying near the banyan tree . He mercifully asked her the reason for crying . Amid sobbing , she narrated the events . Poonthanam was deeply moved when he learned about the poor girl’s sincere devotion to Sri Krishna . He comforted her by saying :

“ My child ! Don’t cry . Sri Krishna is all pervading and He never lets down His Bhakta . So , just think of Him in your mind and keep this garland on the stone in front of this banyan tree ” .

Manjula obeyed as she was told . Fixing her mind on Sri Krishna , she kept the garland on the stone . After doing this, she felt relived and peacefully went home .

Next day morning , as usual the Chief Pujari started removing all garlands from the Deity . But , one garland remained stuck on the Deity and the Pujari could not remove it though he tried several times . The Pujari was astonished and he did not know what to do next . The devotees standing for Darshan too watched this and were puzzled .

Poonthanam was one among the devotees . He remembered the events of last evening . It was the garland, which Manjula had placed on the stone at the foot of the banyan tree. He told the story to everyone . Then he urged aloud to Bhagavavan :

“ Oh, Bhaktavalsala ! If that garland is the one belonging to Manjula , please drop it down ”.

Suddenly , the garland dropped down from the Krishna-Deity .

Seeing this Krishna-lila , the devotees started chanting aloud the names of Sri Krishna ; and they all struggled to collect the flowers from that garland .

Later, the devotees went to the Banyan tree to make their obeisance .

Since then , this Banyan tree ( which was blessed by Bhagavan Krishna’s presence) came to be known as “Manjulal” .


“ Whosoever offers to Me with bhakti a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water, I will delightfully accept that offering in person .” ( Sri Krishna , in Gita 9.26) .