The material world is not an easy place to live. It is often compared to a vast ocean, filled with crashing waves that disturb us, fierce winds that attack us, and dangerous aquatic creatures ready to devour us. In such a place, it is inevitable that circumstances will sometimes overwhelm us.

What do we do then? When we are faced with such unbecoming situations in life, do we yield? Do we pause and reflect? Or do we simply break down mentally and emotionally?

Overwhelmed Before the Battle – Arjuna

Arjuna, who had single-handedly defeated the entire Kaurava army just a year prior in Virata’s kingdom, found himself completely overwhelmed on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

His misery was not due to a lack of skill, but to a lack of will. It arose from false identification.

The moment Krishna placed his chariot between Bhishma, Drona, and the assembled armies, Arjuna was overcome by unbecomnig emotions. Something he himself may never have expected. Within moments, his composure shattered.

It took the divine wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita, spoken by Krishna, to bring him out of that bewilderment.

Interestingly, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.27; deśa-kālārtha-yuktāni, hṛt-tāpopaśamāni ca, haranti smarataś cittaṁ, govindābhihitāni me, illustrates even when Krishna was physically absent, His words remained present, offering solace to Arjuna.

Overwhelmed During the Battle – Indra

Indra’s life was marked by insecurity and anxiety.

Once, after offending his guru, he lost his strength and position. To regain power, he appointed Vishvarupa to perform sacrifices. However, Vishvarupa secretly offered oblations for the demons as well. Enraged, Indra killed him.

Vishvarupa’s father, in anger, performed a sacrifice to create a son who would kill Indra. That son was Vritrasura. Outwardly a demon, inwardly the demeanor of a devotee.

During their battle, Indra was overwhelmed. Even after using his club, he found himself hesitating, losing confidence in the midst of combat.

It was Vritrasura himself who encouraged Indra to fight, reminding him of the divine origin and power of his weapon, which had been fashioned from the bones of Dadhichi under the guidance of Lord Vishnu.

Thus, Indra’s despondency during the battle was removed by a devotee, even though that devotee appeared as his enemy.

Overwhelmed After the Battle – Yudhishthira Maharaja

Yudhishthira Maharaj never desired the war. He did everything in his capacity to prevent it. When he witnessed the massive loss of life, the destruction of his own relatives and well-wishers, his heart sank.

Arjuna faltered before the war, while Yudhishthira was overwhelmed after it.

Just as Krishna had consoled Arjuna before the battle, Krishna tried to console Yudhishthira. But his attempts went in vain.

Finally, Krishna arranged for Bhishma, lying on his bed of arrows, to instruct and pacify Yudhishthira. Through Bhishma’s wisdom, Yudhishthira’s lamentation was totally dispelled.

Overwhelmed until the end of life – Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra spent his entire life trying to disturb, demean and destroy the Pandavas.

Despite favorable external situations, he remained internally disturbed and dissatisfied. Why? Because he refused to follow the guidance of Krishna and His devotees.

Dhritarashtra eventually attained a better destination, but only at the very end of his life, when Vidura forcefully awakened him with strong and uncompromising words.

Overwhelmed Beyond departure – Duryodhana

Duryodhana had an extreme, fatal, and arrogant ego with a sense of entitlement that demanded only the newest and best. He often saw himself as above others. Some scriptural or anecdotal evidences share that he would not allow even an umbrella to be held over him, and he would not eat from his own bowl a second time considering it “used” (or jhuta—contaminated by his own previous touch).

He systematically ignored the wise counsel of his elders, including Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, and his own father, Dhritarashtra. He often regarded his elders not as mentors but as obstacles to his desires. He sent the Pandavas into exile, seizing their kingdom, and humiliating them etc. yet, peace always remained a far off destination in his life, never attained even at the moment of death.

Overcoming the Life’s Overwhelming Battles

In our life, through the many battles, we may become overwhelmed in the beginning, middle, end or throughout !! What do we do in such situations?

In all the examples above, we observe Krishna or His devotees helped individuals rise above overwhelming situations.

Krishna was Arjuna’s friend.
Bhishma was Yudhishthira’s revered elder.
Vritrasura, though an apparent enemy, was a well-wishing friend to Indra.
Vidura, though a relative, was a true guide to Dhritarashtra.

When we remain within the circle of genuine well-wishing friends, guides, and devotees, we gain the strength to overcome life’s battles.

Separation from Devotees or Krishna – Of the Two, Which is more Catastrophic?

There is a profound conversation between Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Raya that appears in the Caitanya Caritamrita.

Lord Chaitanya asks, “What is the greatest suffering in life?”

Ramananda Raya replies, “There is no greater unhappiness than separation from the devotees of Krishna.”

Interestingly, Lord Caitanya was in the mood of Srimati Radharani, and Lalita Devi appeared as Ramananda Raya – these two are the closest to Krishna! Yet, Radharani and Lalita are conforming that the greatest pain is not separation from Krishna, but from His devotees !!

In Vrindavan, when Krishna disappeared from the rasa dance, what could be more overwhelming for them than losing Krishna? At that time, it was the gopis who consoled one another by speaking His pastimes. When Krishna left Vrindavan, it was their association with each other that sustained them.

We are not only worshippers of Krishna. We are also worshippers of His devotees. And to worship devotees means to follow in their footsteps and also remain in their association.

Even in the most overwhelming situation, even in the greatest loss, Krishna’s presence in our lives can be accessed through His representatives—the Guru, the devotees (sādhus), and the scriptures (sāstras).

Thus, if one remains connected to devotees, there is no real loss. That is the beauty of Krishna’s devotees. And that is how we can cross over every overwhelming situation in life.