Jetalpur Section Vach. 4 Vachanamrut Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika

At that time, Aashjibhai asked Shreejimaharaj a question, “Oh Maharaj! Tell us how salvation is attained through having sentiments of enmity.” Shreejimaharaj then explained, “King Drupad wanted his daughter, Draupadi to be married. To select a groom, he held a special function and invited all the kings. Dronacharya also visited the function, as did the Pandavas. The kings started to shoot arrows at a fish, but no-one was accurate. Then, Yudhishthir said, ‘I will shoot the fish.’ Saying this, Yudhishthir aimed at the fish. Dronacharya asked him, ‘can you see this assembly?’ Yudhishthir replied, ‘yes, I can see it.’ Again, Dronacharya asked, ‘can you see your own body?’ Yudhishthir replied, ‘I can see it.’ Dronacharya then said, ‘in that case, you will not be able to pierce the fish. In this manner, four of the brothers [Pandavas] were unable to pierce the fish. Arjun then arose and taking the bow and arrow in his hand, he prepared his aim. Dronacharya asked him, ‘Can you see this assembly?’ Arjun replied, ‘no, I cannot see it. I cannot even see the body of the fish. All I see is the bird sitting on the fish’s head.’ Dronacharya said, ‘focus on its head.’ Arjun then aimed again and said, ‘now I cannot even see the bird, I can see only its head.’ Dronacharya said, ‘now shoot your arrow.’ Arjun succeeded in piercing the fish’s head (Mahabharat Aadi- parva Swayamvar-parva Chapter 187 & 188). In this manner, when all of one’s inclinations (vrutti) become focussed, even such sentiments of enmity become capable of leading to salvation. For example, the inclinations of Shishupal, Kans and others become completely engrossed with enmity towards Shree Krishna, and that lead to their salvation. However, if someone does not know how to develop such total enmity, he is destined for hell. In comparison to that, it is easier to perform devotion. If someone worships with enmity, he never stops being described as a devil, and he cannot be called a disciple. Therefore, discarding the traits of the devils, whoever wants to join the status of Dhruv, Prahlad, Narad, Sanak, etc., should worship God with devotion; that is the very best way.”