During the war, the palms of Lord Sri Krishna, soft and tender like lotus petals, developed boils all over, since the steeds strained their hardest, when they were restrained or controlled as He had to hold the reins tight. The Lord devoid of food and sleep, performed services both high and low, and kept ready both horses and chariot in perfect trim. He also went on various other sundry errands, which were fundamental to achieving victory. He bathed the horses in the river, attended to their wounds and applied balm to cure them.

When the ruler becomes cognizant of the activities of evil times, ‘Kali’, he must investigate into the conditions favourable for its spread.  Emperor Parikshit analyzed the situation and declared that Kali or wickedness can have sway only through the incompetence of the ruler, the loss of self-reliance among the people and the decline in the earning of Grace. These three are the factors that promote the plans of Kali. Without them, man cannot fall a prey to its wiles. Hence, Parikshit promoted alertness and leadership through personal example to his people.

There is a technique by which the Immortal Spirit can be discovered. Though it may appear difficult, each step forward makes the next one easier, and a mind that is made ready by discipline is able to discover the Divine basis of man and creation in a flash. There is no short-cut to this consummation. One has to give up all the tendencies that one has accumulated so far and become light for the journey. Lust, greed, anger, malice, conceit, envy, hate – all these tendencies have to be shed. It is not enough to listen to spiritual discourses and count the number you have listened to.

The service rendered must be free of the slightest trace of narrow selfishness.  That is not enough. The thought of service should not be marred by the desire for something in return. You have to perform the service as you would perform an important Yajna (sacrificial ritual). As trees do not eat their fruits but offer them to be eaten by others in an attitude of detachment; as rivers, without drinking the waters they carry, quench the thirst and cool the heat from which others suffer; as cows offer their milk, produced primarily for their calves, in a spirit of generosity born of Thyaga (renunciation), to be shared by others, so too you should offer yourself to others prompted by the motive of service and without consideration of selfish interests.