Akaran Karun - Shri Krishna
What is Akaran Karun? Discover the 10 proofs of Shri Krishna's "Causeless Mercy," from His general grace on all beings to His subservience to His surrendered devotees.
Understanding the Causeless Mercy of Shri Krishna
Akaran Karun (अकारण करुण, akāraṇa karuṇa) is a Sanskrit phrase that literally means "Causelessly Merciful"—one who requires no reason to bestow grace. Shri Krishna grants His mercy with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
In the material world, every living being is under the control of Maya and is incessantly searching for Ananda (Bliss). This search is so all-consuming that no material being can act with true selflessness; even philanthropic acts are often driven by a subtle desire for self-satisfaction. However, God is Bliss. Because He is eternally self-satisfied (Atmarama), His grace is uniquely "causeless."
1. The Omnipresent Witness
God’s omnipresence is not a passive state. It omnipresence manifests in three ways:
- He becomes the divine world.
- He is present inside every particle of the material world (Sansaar).
- He lives inside our hearts and witnesses all our thoughts.
The third form is very important for us to know. God does not decide the fruits of actions based on third hand knowledge of the actions. He Himself notes them at the time of creation of the thoughts.
- Good and Bad Actions: Increase karmic bondage.
- Devotional Actions: Take us closer to God.
If God did not sit in our hearts to observe our actions, He would not be able to grant us the fruits of our devotion. These accumulated devotional actions eventually lead us face-to-face with Him, releasing us from Maya forever.
2. The Meticulous Record Keeper
He lives inside our hearts, meticulously noting every thought that crosses our minds. According to divine law, fruits are granted for our thoughts, even if they never culminate in physical action. If God did not sit within us as a meticulous record-keeper, He would be unable to grant the fruits of our devotion that eventually lead to our bhakti.
He never gives up even if most of our are inspired by anger, passion, greed, jealousy, and malice.
Imagine if someone with a Master’s degree were offered a janitorial job. Would they gladly accept it? No. Then why does the Supreme Lord of the Universe toil day and night to observe and record our often impure actions?
Simply put: Love. He wants us to be delivered from the afflictions of Maya. He stays right behind us with arms open wide, ready to embrace us the moment we turn around. Unfortunately, we ignore Him and run after the world. Yet, He waits.
3. Judicious Granting of Fruits
We are totally unaware of what good or bad actions we committed in previous lifetimes. The All-Merciful God not only records our actions but also judiciously grants us the fruits, ensuring justice and the opportunity for growth. He does not expect any renumeration for His services.
4. Forgiveness of the Hostile
Even if a person has been hostile to God all their life, if they turn towards Him much later, God lovingly accepts them. He burns their sins and erases the records of all past insults. Who can be more gracious than God?
5. Bestowing Infinite Power
The moment a soul attains God Realization, He bestows all His powers upon His devotee—unlimited divine knowledge, bliss, His divine abode, and His eight main powers (Dahar Vidya):
अपहृत्पाप्मा, विजरो, विमृत्युर्विशोको विजिघत्सोऽपिपासः सत्यकामः सत्यसंकल्पः । apahr̥tpāpmā, vijarō, vimr̥tyurviśōkō vijighatsō’pipāsḥ satyakāmḥ satyasaṅkalpḥ | (Chandogya Upanishad 8.7.1)
As Tulsidas Ji says:
जानत तमुहिं तमुहिं ह्वै जाई ॥ jānata tamuhiṁ tamuhiṁ hvai jāī ||
"Those who know You, become like You."
Even though the jiva is infinitesimally small, God bestows His full power upon it. He holds nothing back.
6. Subservience to Devotees
Shri Krishna revealed to Sage Durvasa that He exalts His devotees:
अनुब्रजाम्यहं नित्यं पूयेयेत्यंघ्रिरेणुभिः ॥ anubrajāmyahaṁ nityaṁ pūyēyētyaṁghrirēṇubhiḥ ||
"I walk behind My devotees, hoping that the dust of their lotus feet may fall upon Me and purify Me."
7. Secret Service
Due to His Akaran Karun nature, He secretly serves His devotees, sometimes even taking the form of a servant to ensure their comfort.
8. The Reward of All Paths
He declares:
यत्मकर्मभिर्यत्तपसा ज्ञान्वैराग्यतश्च यत् । योगेनदानधर्मेण श्रेयोभिरितरैरपि ॥ सर्वं मद्भक्तियोगेन मद्भक्तो लभतेंजसा । स्वर्गापवर्गं मद्धाम कथंचिद् यदि वांछति ॥ yatmakarmabhiryattapasā jñānvairāgyataśca yat | yōgēnadānadharmēṇa śrēyōbhiritarairapi || sarvaṁ madbhaktiyōgēna madbhaktō labhatēñjasā | svargāpavargaṁ maddhāma kathañcid yadi vāñchati || (Bhagavatam 11.20.32-33)
"Everything that can be achieved through Karma, Tapasya (Austerity), Gyan (Knowledge), Vairagya (Renunciation), Yoga, or Charity, My devotee attains easily through Bhakti Yoga alone."
God is so merciful that whenever someone sincerely calls out to Him, He reaches there immediately.
9. General Grace (Samanya Kripa)
You might argue that He only helps His devotees. But God bestows General Grace (Samanya Kripa) on every living being.
- He does not discriminate based on caste, creed, or belief.
- He has the power to resolve, "May water become poison for those who do not believe in Me," but He never does.
- He provides the same water, air, space, earth, and fire to everyone.
अजगर करे न चाकरी पंछी करे न काम । दास मलूका कह गये सबके दाता राम ॥ ajagara karē na cākarī pañchī karē na kāma | dāsa malūkā kaha gayē sabakē dātā rāma ||
" The python does not serve anyone, and birds do not earn a living. Yet, God provides food for them all. Saint Maluka says, God is the Giver for everyone."
10. The Helper in Disguise
Many of us have found ourselves stuck in hopeless situations, only for help to appear out of nowhere. It is God who comes in disguise to save us, disappearing thereafter without claiming credit. We often forget this grace as soon as the problem is solved, yet He continues to help.
Conclusion
Shri Krishna does so much for us despite being Atmarama (completely self-satisfied) and Satyakama (possessing a will that is always realized). There should be no doubt that He is Akaran Karun.
If you feel He hasn't helped you, it is only because you have not yet called Him wholeheartedly. "Wholeheartedly" means having no hope of support from anyone or anything other than Shri Krishna.
When Gajraj (the Elephant King) surrendered, Shri Krishna arrived the moment he uttered "Ha"—even before he could complete "ri".
If you want to witness His Akaran Karun nature, be humble and call Him innocently from the innermost core of your heart. He has come countless times to rescue desperate souls. He will come for you too. That is His eternal promise!
