In the wake of the great Kurukshetra battle, King Yudhisthira ascended the throne, ushering in an era of unprecedented prosperity. For three decades, his reign saw a harmonious collaboration between the heavens and earth, providing abundantly for all.

Bhaktivedanta notes that Yudhisthira’s global dominion stemmed from his adherence to timeless, infallible principles that benefited all, without personal ideology. In essence, Yudhisthira embodied the ideal of true secularism, creating a utopian monarchy.

Yet, even Yudhisthira’s impeccable character and sovereign skill could not withstand nature’s most formidable force: time. Unbeknownst to him, a subtle shift in humanity’s collective consciousness took root, giving rise to what we might call CHAOS:

Cheating in dealings: Simplicity of heart gave way to cunning, with friendships becoming transactional and deceitful.

Household discord: Familial interactions devolved from consideration to conflict, particularly amongst paramours.

Anger and greed: The pursuit of material gain and its accompanying frustrations became increasingly prevalent.

Occupational impropriety: Dishonorable professions grew more alluring.

Seasonal irregularities: The seeds of climate change began to take root.

Chaos theory, in the scientific sense, posits that minor alterations in initial conditions can lead to significant changes in outcomes, akin to the butterfly effect. As Yudhisthira grappled with the source of this chaotic shift, he arrived at a dreaded conclusion: Sri Krishna had concluded His earthly pastimes, as foretold by Narada.

Voltaire observed that while history may not repeat itself, human nature invariably does. The symptoms of chaos witnessed by Yudhisthira mirror our own experiences when the Divine recedes from our lives. The macrocosm invariably affects the microcosm.

The intensity with which we seek Divine presence in our lives, beseeching grace from a place of spiritual sincerity rather than mere ritual, reflects the depth of our awareness of His absence. 

As we reflect on our character, we must ask ourselves: Have we succumbed to crookedness? Have our open arms been replaced by cold shoulders? Has our facade of geniality crumbled, revealing hostility towards loved ones? Have we, once servants, become swindlers?

The only work that matters is the work that no one sees. External tranquillity holds little value if internal CHAOS reigns. While these symptoms were notably absent during Yudhisthira’s reign, they often permeate our own existence.

This year, let our meditation be a plea to the Lord: May chaos be confined to the pizza tent, and may we never take His presence in our lives for granted. Let us strive to embody the principles that made Yudhisthira’s reign a golden age, and develop the character that enthuses Divine empowerment.