Brahma bewilderment
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Imported quote 15411 Karna: Born of Kunti by the sun-god prior to her marriage with Maharaja Panḍu. Karna took his birth with bangles and earrings, extraordinary signs for an undaunted hero. In the beginning his name was Vasusena, but when he grew up he presented his natural bangles and earrings to Indradeva, and thenceforward he became known as Vaikartan. After his birth from maiden Kunti, he was thrown in the Ganges. Later he was picked up by Adhirat, and he and his wife Radha brought him up as their own offspring. Karna was very charitable, especially toward the brahmanas. There was nothing which he could not spare for a brahmana. In the same charitable spirit he gave in charity his natural bangles and earrings to Indradeva, who, being very much satisfied with him, gave him in return a great weapon called Sakti. He was admitted as one of the students of Dronacarya, and from the very beginning there was some rivalry between him and Arjuna. Seeing his constant rivalry with Arjuna, Duryodhana picked him up as his companion, and this gradually grew into greater intimacy. He was also present in the great assembly of Draupadi's svayamvara function, and when he attempted to exhibit his talent in that meeting, Draupadi's brother declared that Karna could not take part in the competition because of his being the son of a sūdra carpenter. Although he was refused in the competition, still when Arjuna was successful in piercing the fish target on the ceiling and Draupadi bestowed her garland to Arjuna, Karna and other disappointed princes offered an unusual stumbling block to Arjuna while he was leaving with Draupadi. Specifically Karna fought with him very valiantly, but all of them were defeated by Arjuna. Duryodhana was very much pleased with Karna because of his constant rivalry with Arjuna, and when he was in power, he enthroned Karna in the state of Ahga. Being baffled in his attempt to win Draupadi, he advised Duryodhana to attack King Drupada, for after defeating him both Arjuna and Draupadi could be arrested. But Dronacarya rebuked them for this conspiracy, and they refrained from the action. Karna was defeated many times, not only by Arjuna but also by Bhimasena. He was the King of the kingdom of Bengal, Orissa and Madras combined. Later on he took an active part in the Rajasūya sacrifice of Maharaja Yudhisthira, and when there was gambling between the rival brothers, designed by Sakuni, Karna took part in the game, and he was very pleased when Draupadi was offered as a bet in the gambling. This fed his old grudge. When Draupadi was in the game he was very enthusiastic to declare the news, and it is he who ordered Duḥsasana to take away the garments of both the Panḍavas and Draupadi. He asked Draupadi to select another husband because, being lost by the Panḍavas, she was rendered a slave of the Kurus. He was always an enemy of the Panḍavas, and whenever there was an opportunity, he tried to curb them by all means. During the Battle of Kuruksetra, he foresaw the conclusive result, and he expressed his opinion that due to Lord Krsna's being the chariot driver of Arjuna, the battle should be won by him. He always differed with Bhisma, and sometimes he was proud enough to say that within five days he could finish up the Panḍavas, if Bhisma would not interfere with his plan of action. But he was much mortified when Bhisma died. He killed Ghatotkach with the Sakti weapon obtained from Indradeva. His son, Brisasena, was killed by Arjuna. He killed the largest number of Panḍava soldiers. At last there was a severe fight with Arjuna, and it is he only who was able to knock off the helmet of Arjuna. But it so happened that the wheel of his chariot got stuck in the battlefield mud, and when he got down to set the wheel right Arjuna took the opportunity and killed him, although he requested Arjuna not to do so.
(More...) "The doorman then informed Lord Krsna of Lord Brahma's description, and Lord Krsna gave him permission to enter. The doorman escorted Lord Brahma in, and as soon as Brahma saw Lord Krsna, he offered obeisances at His lotus feet.
(More...) Brahma was struck with wonder. Why was this question asked by Krishna? He informed the doorman, 'Please tell Him that Brahma who is the father of the four Kumaras and who has four heads has come to see Him."
(More...) All of them replied that by His mercy, "Everything is all right. There are no disturbances at the present moment. By Your incarnation everything inauspicious is vanquished." As each of the Brahmas saw Krishna, every one thought Krishna was only within his Universe. After this incident He wished all the Brahmas farewell, and after offering their respects, they returned to their respective Universes.
(More...) Krishna then informed the four-headed Brahma; "This particular Universe is only four thousand million miles broad, but there are many other millions and billions of Universes which are far, far greater than this one. Some of them are millions and billions and trillions of miles broad. All these Universes require similar strong Brahmas; not only four-headed."
(More...) The four-headed Brahma then parted from Krishna, after offering his obeisances; and he could understand what the meaning of the Lord of the three-quarters energy was.
(More...) Now our first business in London will be to get that new place. I have been informed from Syamasundara that you are expecting to hear about that Priory at any moment, whether they have accepted our bid or not. But this place or that place, we must get sufficient new place in London to give facility to the preaching work there. I can understand that it is Krsna's desire that we have got that place at Bury Place, it has become world famous due to that location, so try to keep that place also as long as possible. But in order to expand properly all over British Isles we shall require a big big headquarters as you are contemplating. But if there is no solid program for getting the place, simply we are depending upon agents and George to do everything, then we may not be favored by Krsna to get a place very quickly. Better to take the upper hand and begin very energetically attempting to get some place. By our expending energy for Krsna, that is appreciated, not the actual result of our energy. But if there is lack of energy being devoted for some purpose, then everything will be delayed and possibly stopped. Better to seize the iron while the fire is hot, that my Guru Maharaja used to tell me. So George is now convinced of our movement, he will pay, so why the delay and difficulty? I think you should very seriously and with a cool head apply yourself to getting that place or some other place as soon as possible, at least by springtime. Otherwise Krsna may take away this golden opportunity, being disappointed by our lack of enthusiasm and labor. You may inform me from time to time how your search for the new place is progressing more and more. Hoping this meets you in good health. There is a story that once Lord Krsna had a headache, and He proclaimed that nothing would cure it save the dust from a devotee's foot. So Narada was dispatched to find some dust, and he immediately went to some of the great demigods like Brahma, Siva, Indra, etc., but none would oblige him. They pleaded, "Oh, what would happen to me? What a great offense to put the dust of one's foot on the head of the almighty Lord." So no one would give him any dust. Finally he went to the gopis, who, when they heard of Krsna's plight and His request, said, "Here, take this!" and immediately produced some dust from their feet. He asked them if they were not afraid of going to hell for this act, and they replied, "We'll go to hell. That's all right. But please take this to Krsna right away." That is the position of a devotee-he cares neither for heaven nor hell, simply the pleasure of Krsna. "Whatever Krsna wants is what I want." That is devotion. But when we forget, then we must make so many material calculations, just like Dhrtarastra, who wants to count his forces. He wants to see whether they're lined up properly; he is calculating the sound, "Oh, it is tumultuous!" But what about Krsna? The devotee only thinks about what Krsna wants. We will see, at the end of Bhagavad-gita, that this is the understanding that Arjuna reawakens to: "My dear Krsna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy, and now I am fixed without any doubt, prepared to act according to Your instructions." (Bg 18.73) When we have reawakened to that platform, that Krsna is our Lord, that Krsna knows everything, that whatever Krsna wants, that we will do-then there is no more calculation, there is no more uncertainty, there is no more hesitancy to act for the Supreme. That is Krsna consciousness.
(More...) "Why did you inquire which Brahma had come see You? What is the purpose of such an inquiry? Is there any other Brahma besides me within this universe?" Upon hearing this, Sri Krsna smiled and immediately meditated. Unlimited Brahmas arrived instantly. These Brahmas had different numbers of heads. Some had ten heads, some twenty, some a hundred, some a thousand, some ten thousand, some a hundred thousand, some ten million, and others a hundred million. No one can count the number of faces they had. There also arrived many Lord Sivas with various heads numbering one hundred thousand and ten million. Many Indras also arrived, and they had hundreds of thousands of eyes all over their bodies. When the four-headed Brahma of this universe saw all these opulences of Krsna, he became very bewildered and considered himself a rabbit among many elephants. All the Brahmas who came to see Krsna offered their respects at His lotus feet, and when they did this, their helmets touched His lotus feet. No one can estimate the inconceivable potency of Krsna. All the Brahmas who were there were resting in the one body of Krsna. When all the helmets struck together at Krsna's lotus feet, there was a tumultuous sound. It appeared that the helmets themselves were offering prayers unto Krsna's lotus feet. With folded hands, all the Brahmas and Sivas began to offer prayers unto Lord Krsna, saying, "O Lord, You have shown me a great favor. I have been able to see Your lotus feet." Each of them then said, "It is my great fortune, Lord, that You have called me, thinking of me as Your servant. Now let me know what Your order is so that I may carry it on my heads." Lord Krsna replied, "Since I wanted to see all of you together, I have called all of you here. All of you should be happy. Is there any fear of the demons?" They replied, "By Your mercy, we are victorious everywhere. Whatever burden there was upon the earth You have taken away by descending on that planet." This is the proof of Dvaraka's opulence: all the Brahmas thought, "Krsna is now staying in my jurisdiction." Thus the opulence of Dvaraka was perceived by each and every one of them. Although they were all assembled together, no one could see anyone but himself. Lord Krsna then bade farewell to all the Brahmas there, and after offering their obeisances, they all returned to their respective homes [CC ML 21.65-80]. (More...) Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/?qg=2459
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