Functions of the Gods. 85 



Trace Shri Krishna through the pages of the Mahd- 

 bhdrata, and you will find that He never deviates from 

 one steady purpose to bring the great struggle to a 

 foreseen ending, where justice shall triumph and the 

 Kshattriyas of India shall disappear; He was at once 

 destroying injustice and preparing for the future of 

 India, breaking down the iron wall of her warring 

 caste that ringed her around with safety. There is 

 a particular aim in everything that He does, and 

 you will see that His purpose is immovable, if you 

 study carefully. He is working towards its accom- 

 plishment the whole way through. Look at the 

 way in which He steps in when His strength or pro- 

 tection is needed ; see how He tries to stimulate the 

 Pandavas to do their duty, and only takes their place 

 when they fail. See the case where Shri Krishna 

 having promised that he would do no battle, Arjuna 

 falters before the face of Bhishma and has no heart 

 to strike ; you remember how sad was the struggle. 

 Arjuna was not able to strike harshly at Bhishma, 

 the greatest of all men and all warriors, perfect in 

 Dharma, the grandsire and the teacher of all. 

 "How can I slay him ?" insisted Arjuna; "I re- 

 member when as a child soiled with dust, I climbed 

 on to his knees and throwing my arms around h im 

 called him * Father,' and he said to me, * I am thy 

 father's father.' How can I bring myself to slay 



