SATYAN 5
-16. Final Meeting With The Lord

Sage Pradayumna gave a few moments pause and continued, “According to me the boon which you have received from the Lord only allows you to increase the lifespan of a person significantly.  However, what guarantee is there that this boon would also rid the person, whom you would choose, from the illness or any other life-threatening problems that he may be suffering from?  Can it not happen that a person would get a long life, as a benefit of your boon, but continue to suffer from his illness or other problems?   After all in my opinion, your boon only ensures longevity of live but does not ensure liberation from suffering or sorrow.  There are instances in this world where people who are afflicted by incurable diseases suffer more because fate ironically makes them survive in pain and distress for years together.”

Everyone was stunned to hear the interpretation of the boon by the sage.  Not one of them, even the great Vasudev who otherwise enjoyed excellent intellect, had ever thought in these terms.  They were of the belief that as it was a boon it was bound to completely work to the advantage of the recipient. 

“I feel that it is better if you clarify with the Lord about this matter, Vasudev!  There must be a purpose that he alone can tell you about it.  I must now leave for Somnapur.” 

Vasudev thanked the sage for his valuable suggestion and accompanied him to the palace gates.  The sage spoke these parting words to him, “People may feel envious that I have the power to see the future.  However, they do not realize that this unique power comes with its own set of problems!  Since you cannot see the future there is no need for you to worry about upcoming events even if they are ill-disposed in nature.  In my case since I can learn the future, I am always in the constant fear of these events becoming a reality tomorrow.  This has been my condition ever since I learnt about your illness!”

“I support your views, O Sage!  I am also sorry for the tension and anxiety that you have been through after learning about my future!” 

“Come on, Vasudev!  You are in no way to blame for this!  I must now hurry to Somnapur!” 

Vasudev took his blessings and the sage took his leave.  Back with his family, Vasudev asked them about their opinion.  All of them supported the suggestion of the sage.  The feeling that this could be only a test for Vasudev yet again took a firm belief in their hearts.  Still, it was hard for them to predict as to what the Lord had in store for his beloved devotee for the future! 

At his behest, Vasudev was left alone in his chamber.  He took a meditating posture and closed his eyes to invoke his Lord.  His incredible power of devotion and concentration soon bore fruits as in a short span of time, Lord Krishna made his majestic appearance amidst a brilliant radiance in the room.  “Vasudev!” he called out softly which made his devotee open his eyes and the very next moment fell at his Lotus feet.  Blessing him, he helped Vausdev get up and looking at him keenly observed, “I had hoped that this boon would help to cheer you up!  Here I find that you are even more disturbed than you were before!  Now even I must concede defeat!  I have nothing more at my disposal to make you happy, Vasudev!”  His remark was suffused with a mischievous tone that was hard to miss!

“There is nothing you are not aware about, my Lord!  Please tell me if there is any element of authenticity in what Sage Pradayumna has told me!” 

The Lord just gave a silent nod in consent for a reply.

“Then why did you give me such a boon, My Lord?  I want to know the purpose behind it!”  Vasudev insisted.

“So that you can understand my predicament and also learn the harsh truth of life!”  The Lord replied grimly.

As Vasudev looked at him questioningly, he elaborated, “It is indubitably your greatness that you accepted my boon in the first place.   But then the fact remains that despite having the power at your disposal to grant someone a longer life, you could not do it all this while owing to a dilemma.  That is precisely the situation I also find myself in!  If I save the life of one dying person, then I will have to do it for the other person as well!  This would go on and on thus forming a repetitive cycle!  Besides, such a move would also make mankind very arrogant and careless for they would come to believe that whatever actions they perform in the end, I am there to make things work in their favour!  As you must have realized now, it is not only a question of prolonging a young person’s lifespan who is dying but also expunging the cause that is causing his death.  Just see the severe manipulation that all this would do to

the natural course of fate and justice!  Thus, I have to stand back and allow things to happen naturally!”

As Vasudev began to grasp the essence of the Lord’s philosophy, he continued, “As far as why calamity befalls young and noble people, always remember that your fate is guided by your actions and that of your surroundings.  I had told you about this during one of our earlier meetings, Vasudev!  In Chaitanya’s case he was undoubtedly doing a great service to the society through his profession.  However, he did display carelessness when it came to protect himself from that contagious disease!  Thus, he had to pay a price for that!  Let us take the instances of all those people among whom you were to choose one for your boon.

The first person was suffering from a weak resisting power owing to which he got affected by a severe ailment.  This youngster was weak right from childhood for his mother could not take proper care of herself during her pregnancy.  Why she was unable to do so is an altogether different matter.  The point here is that the child had to bear the consequences of this lapse which happened for whatever reason. 

The second person too had a similar problem but here he is solely responsible for the illness.  He never took care of his health and thus allowed things to come to such a pass.

The person who fell a victim to the blunder of his physician and the incident involving a person who got seriously injured when he tried to intervene in the brawl of two inebriated people are most unfortunate.  But then, as I told you, Vasudev, on many occasions we have to pay the price for the evil actions of others.  These are classic instances before you.