A true preceptor illumines the disciple with the truths of life and death and of the purpose of human existence. Who better than the Lord incarnate to transform each spiritual seeker from a ‘listener’ of the eternal Truth He expounds to a ‘seer’ in whom the goal becomes clear? Krishna as the Jagadguru clearly shows that the objective of spiritual quest is to seek Him and the greatest wonder is that He alone can guide the seeker successfully to reach the goal, pointed out Srimati Prema Pandurang in a discourse.
His incarnations are for establishing dharma, protecting the good and for vanquishing evil. Interpreters have explored the far reaching implications of the famous Gita verse ‘Ananayas chintayanto mam,’ as the Lord’s reassurance of His responsibility to be always with every one who seeks refuge in Him. The term ‘Yoga Kshemam’ in this verse is shown to signify that He grants all the daily needs of His devotees and also firmly sustains what is granted. The story of a poor couple who trust God for their living is often quoted to illustrate the subtle ways by which God reveals and fulfills His role as protector. The husband is inspired by this verse which he chants daily with great fervour, believing implicitly that his family is sustained by God alone. But once the family goes hungry and unable to bear the taunts of his wife he goes to the river bank and in a fit of disappointment and rage, scratches away this verse from the book with a sharp nail. In the meanwhile, food is brought to the family by a young man who claims that He is a servant of her husband. When the grateful wife wishes to know His name, He merely puts out his tongue that is badly bruised. On coming to know of the truth, the husband is ashamed of his lack of faith.