Shiva once waged war against Sri Krishna, because Shiva’s compassion for Banasura his worshiper influenced his judgment. His feelings of compassion misled him. Srila Sridhar Maharaj explained this to me one day, telling me directly that compassion can be the gateway to samsara.
In the case of Bhisma, his compassion or kindness towards Duryodhana misled him, leading him to his death. Indeed, we should all carefully consider the fact that Duryodhana was the favourite disciple of Balaram, who the scriptures proclaim is the original Guru. Yes it’s a fact affirmed in the scriptures that the favourite disciple of Srila Gurudev might be an evil genius.
Given this fact, what should a sadhaka engaged in the practices of Bhakti, a sadhaka who is not yet liberated or guided by Paramatma, what should this sadhaka think when they find their Guru sometimes does sinful things? A sadhaka who can see their Guru is behaving in a sinful way? Or an egotistical way, as in the case of Shiva, who waged war against Krishna?
katham bhismam aham sankhye dronan cha madhusudana
isubhih pratiyotsyami pujarhav arisudana – B.Gita 1.4
Arjuna said: O Madhusudan, how can I counter-attack, shooting arrows at Bhishma my grandfather and Drona my Guru? Men worthy of my worship.
Bhagavan Sri Krishna answered:
asochyan anvasochas tvam prajna-vadams cha bhasase
gatasun agatasums cha nanusochanti panditah
“You say words that sound like the words wise sages say, yet you are filled with grief. But Arjuna the truly wise never grieve. They never lament for the living or for the departed.”
Krishna tells Arjuna that the words he is saying are platitudes. Arjuna’s words lack substance, they are not substantial. Too often in my life I have heard “senior” devotees voicing platitudes when confronted by serious, ugly problems that cannot be ignored, problems that need to be dealt with in a sober, sensible way.
What should a sadhaka do when they see the sins of their Guru? In any and every situation of that type, a sadhaka should do what their conscience says is right. We are often told, “You don’t know much, and don’t be judgemental!” But this is a smokescreen created by a dull headed magician. Never forget: you do know what is right and wrong.
After much discussion Krishna tells Arjuna:
dronan cha bhisman cha jayadrathan cha karnam tathanyan api yodha-viran
maya hatams tvam jahi ma vyathistha yudhyasva jetasi rane sapatnan – B.Gita 11.34
“Slay Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna and other warriors who are already slain by Me, by Death. Fear not, fight!”
