48 / Dread and Ghastliness

Dread

In ecstatic love for Krsna in dread, there are two causes of fear:
either Krsna Himself or some dreadful situation for Krsna. When a
devotee feels himself to be an offender at Krsna’s lotus feet, at that
time Krsna Himself becomes the objective of dreadful ecstatic love.
And when out of ecstatic love friends and well-wishers of Krsna
apprehend some danger for Him, that situation becomes the object of
their dread.

When Rksaraj was in front of Krsna fighting and suddenly realized
that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna addressed
him thus: “My dear Rksaraj, why is your face so dry? Please do not
feel threatened by Me. There is no need for your heart to tremble like
this. Please calm yourself down. I have no anger toward you. You
can, however, become as angry as you like with Me—to expand your
service in fighting with Me and to increase My sporting attitude.” In
this dreadful situation in ecstatic love for Krsna, Krsna Himself is the
object of dread.

There is another instance of a dreadful situation with Krsna as the
object as follows: After being sufficiently chastised by child Krsna in
the Yamuna River, the Kaliya snake began to address the Lord, “‘O
killer of the Mura demon, I have acquired many mystic powers by my
austerity and penances, but before You I am nothing, I am most in-
significant. Therefore, please be kind upon a poor soul like me, and
don’t be angry with me. I did not know Your actual position, and
out of ignorance I have committed such horrible offenses. Please

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