When extolling the glory of the Lord, the Upanishads state that all their descriptions are inadequate since the Lord is beyond what can be grasped by words and hence beyond the human mind and intellect. But even the import of the Upanishads is not easily understood by many of us. It is indeed a great wonder that the soul-stirring hymns of Azhwars have the power to make the experience of God a tangible reality in the common people, because these hymns reflect the exclusive rapport they enjoyed with the Lord, said Sri R. Aravamudhachariar in a lecture.
The object of the philosophical discussions of the Upanishads is thus available in the form of an experience and the process of seeking God with the qualities of humility and faith is also instilled. For instance, the Lord's Maya is a concept that pervades all creation and is difficult to grasp.
Krishna, as a child growing up in Ayarpadi, was beset with many threats to His life from the demons despatched by Kamsa. The Lord, as was His wont, exhibited extraordinary prowess far beyond a child's capacity, to protect Himself. Though the people of Ayarpadi were witnesses to glimpses of the Supreme Being when he lived in their midst they were prevented to recognise this truth fully because of the Lord's Maya.
Yasodha's attempt to tie the child Krishna to a grinding stone as a punishment teaches the invaluable lesson of humility without which God cannot be attained. It also shows God's compassion towards the Jivatma. The rope that Yasodha used was not just long enough and every time she added an extra length of string, it still fell short. She did manage to tie the Lord finally only because the Lord chose to be bound by her. It is also to be noted that only when we shed all ego can we behold the Lord. To those without any attachment to self ego He is easily accessible. The Bhagavata Purana's extensive descriptions of Lord Krishna's childhood have provided a rich source for the experiences of the Azhwars and Acharyas. The Lord's bountiful nature is evident and they entreat the Jivatma to seek His refuge for salvation.
