Bhima’s Puzzling Problems
When Yudhishthira Maharaja was ruling the planet, Bhima was often approached by citizens for help in solving their problems. One day, a citizen came to Bhima with a strange observation: his fence seemed to be moving into his neighbor’s property. Puzzled, Bhima, who was adept at dealing with demons but not such mysterious issues, directed the man to Yudhishthira Maharaja.
Later that day, another citizen reported an odd occurrence: he had poured water from a large pot into several smaller pots, but when he poured the water back into the large pot, it only filled halfway. Bhima, unsure of how to address this, also referred this person to Yudhishthira Maharaja.
Next, a citizen came to Bhima with an even stranger observation: he saw a large elephant passing through the eye of a needle, but its tail got stuck. Bhima, increasingly bewildered, sent this person to Yudhishthira Maharaja as well.
Finally, another person came and told Bhima about a huge rock blocking the street. Despite the efforts of many strong individuals, the rock could not be moved. However, a sadhu came and moved the rock effortlessly with a wave of his danda (monk’s staff). Bhima, feeling overwhelmed by these strange occurrences, directed everyone to Yudhishthira Maharaja.
Yudhishthira’s Wisdom
The citizens approached Yudhishthira Maharaja with their strange questions. Yudhishthira Maharaja explained that these incidents were signs of the coming Kali Yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy.
- Moving Fence
- Sign: People’s boundaries are shifting, symbolizing their growing desire for what others have.
- Explanation: In Kali Yuga, people will increasingly covet their neighbors’ possessions and will use any means to acquire them.
- Half-Filled Pot
- Sign: A large pot filled with water only returns half when poured into smaller pots and back again.
- Explanation: This signifies that in Kali Yuga, one can only expect half the love, affection, and help from others that they have given.
- Elephant’s Tail
- Sign: A large elephant passes through a needle’s eye, but its tail gets stuck.
- Explanation: People will spend large amounts of resources on personal gratification but will be unwilling to spend even a little on service to God and His devotees.
- Unmovable Rock
- Sign: A large rock cannot be moved by strong individuals but is effortlessly moved by a sadhu.
- Explanation: Despite the many sins accumulated by people, they can be absolved through the power of Namasankirtana (chanting the holy names of the Lord).
Moral of the Story
Yudhishthira Maharaja’s explanations highlight the faults and virtues of Kali Yuga. Though the age is fraught with numerous faults, it also offers a unique opportunity for spiritual advancement. The simplest and most effective means of liberation in Kali Yuga is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord, as stated in Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51:
kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet
“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the name of Lord Sri Krsna, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom of Vaikuntha.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share this moral/instructive story so that everyone can benefit by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
