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Psychological fear During the exile of the Pandavas,
Krishna visited them to enquire about their welfare. He spent a night
with them. The Pandavas had to undergo untold suffering during their
exile. As Draupadi was also with them, they would keep vigil in turns
for one hour each, every night. Krishna also volunteered to keep vigil
for one hour. Dharmaja wondered, "When You are the protector of the
entire universe, what is the meaning in your standing sentry for an
hour to protect us?" Yet he cautioned Krishna: "Krishna, beware of the
devil - my brothers and I encounter it every night. On many occasions
it has tried to attack us. Therefore, we pray to you not to do a turn
in guard duty. You have come to enquire about our welfare. We should
not put you in danger. Kindly take rest." Krishna replied, "Dharmaja,
is this what you have understood of my divinity? On the one hand you
extol me as the protector of the entire universe and on the other you
are apprehensive that I cannot protect myself. You are worried that
the demon will harm me. Rest assured that no demon can touch me.
Therefore, permit me also to join you all in doing the security duty."
Having completed one-hour duty, Krishna sat on a rock and was smiling
to himself. It was Arjuna's turn next. He rushed to Krishna, a bit
worried that the demon might have attacked him. Seeing Krishna smiling,
Arjuna fell at His feet and enquired whether he had vanquished the
demon. Krishna replied, "Arjuna, I have never created demons and evil
spirits. Then, how can the non-existent demons appear in the forest?
The demon you are talking about is not a demon at all. It is just a
reflection of the evil qualities within you such as hatred, anger and
jealousy. The anger in you is manifesting as the demon. Its power is
increasing in proportion to the intensity of anger in you." The evil
qualities of man are the real demons troubling him today. Man is under
the mistaken notion that demons exist and that they are
responsible for his suffering. This is all nothing but imagination and
psychological fear. Only man puts another man to suffering; there is
no demon as such. There are no demons and evil spirits in this
creation. Arjuna realised the truth of Krishna's words and thereafter
did not encounter the demon. Arjuna was beholden to Krishna for the
revelation. He fell at his feet and expressed his gratitude. Good and
bad are man's own creations.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Source: Chinna Katha. Part II, Story
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