What we can learn from demigods

Lately I have found that we can learn many things from the demigods. Especially from King Indra. I believe that Krishna had King Indra act in such a way to show us how to be humble and not be puffed up with material opulence, or power, or position in spiritual life. I think King Indra is one of my favorite demigods, because I can learn so much from him.

I have seen or read about how King Indra shows off his exalted position. Krishna had simply crushed his pride by protecting the inhabitants of Vrndavan. He had lifted Govardana Hill with His left hand with only His little pinky finger. He was only 8 years old when He had done this miracle. Krishna held this Hill for 7 days and 7 nights. As a result it made King Indra even more angry until eventually his anger and pride had caused him to fall and realize his real position. He was angry because not only did Krishna protect the inhabitants of Vrndavan but because Krishna had also stopped the fire sacrifice for King Indra.

This helps me to show what my real position is too. King Indra thought he was the "doer," because he controls the rains. But in reality his is only doing his duty by Lord Vishnu's order. This is the one thing I need to learn is that I am not the 'doer.' I don't know why it is taking me so long to realize this. Krishna has proven to me many times  that I am not the doer, but my mind refuses to believe it. How can i stop thinking in this way? It may take me a life time to realize this or it may take me more time in my next life to realize this.

So after Krishna had destroyed King Indra's pride, he had apologized to Krishna realizing that he had offended Him. So King Indra can teach us not to be puffed up with our position other wise we will suffer as a result.

It is also easy to see how King Indra gets caught up in his material opulence., and power. I often get caught up in negativity or problems that go on in the temple if I am involved in it. This does affect my conciousness, and it's one of my major weak points. I have been told by devotees to just constantly glorify Krishna in what ever I do whether it be chanting or doing service or doing both at the same time which is probably better. I often try to talk about Krishna's childhood pasttimes with devotees in the kitchen as it does remind me of Mother Yasoda churing butter and with little Krishna getting into mischief while she is doing her chores. I also try to listen to devotional music as I am doing my service to keep my mind focused on Krishna as well. Im gettign a little better I think but to me I still feel like Im not doing good enough. Lately I've been trying ot chant a little more to help this feeling of something missing go away. Maybe I will study a little more about King Indra and how he was able to get out of the clutches of maya, power, etc and realized that he is a servant of Krishna.