Parables of Rama
by Swami Rama Tirtha | 102,836 words
Stories in English used by Swami Rama to illustrate the highest teaching of Vedanta. The most difficult and intricate problems of philosophy and abstract truths, which may very well tax the brains of the most intellectual, are thus made not only simple and easy to understand but also brought home to us in a concrete form in such an interesting and ...
Story 174 - Lord Krishna's grace over Kubja
It was of vital importance for Lord Krishna to kill the King Kansa, in order to acquire His inherent right. But Kansa could be killed only when Kubja was straightened. Madam Kubja was going to Kansa to serve him cosmetics, lavender, scent etc., and she met Lord Krishna on her way to Kansa. She was not only physically crooked, but her talk with Lord Krishna was also unpleasant. She needed to be tackled properly. Faith (Kubja) must be set right. She was, therefore, set right with only one bang of blow. On losing her hunch, she fell on the feet of the Lord to express her feelings of gratitude. She abandoned her path to Kansa and surrendered herself to Lord Krishna. It is only after winning over Kubja that Lord Krishna could gain victory over Kansa and recapture His birth right of Real Freedom. This is only an allegory, a symbolic narration. Let it be explained further. In order to capture the Real Kingdom, you have first to come out of the thick and deceptive forest of senses. It is only then that you can gain victory over the ego, the King Kansa; otherwise this ego will never let you have rest or peace even for a moment. But, mind you, this ego (Kansa) will be killed, only when
Kubja, after being set right, has been won over to your side.
Now, what is Kubja? Kubja is Faith. Generally the common man, due to his ignorance, resorts to perverted Faith to serve his ego, day and night. 'This is my house, this is my wealth, this is my wife or son, this is my body or mind etc., etc.' In this way the perverted Faith (Kubja) goes on nourishing the ego (Kansa), all the time. Unless this evil eyed and misguided Kubja is straightened and put on the right path, so as to be able to associate with Krishna (Atman), neither Kansa (ego) can be vanquished nor can you gain the Real Kingdom of Heaven. Kick this Kubja with dispassion and hammer a blow of awareness to this perverted faith (Kubja) and straighten the hunch in her back to turn her towards Krishna (Atman).