According to modern astronomy, our universe is extremely vast but almost empty. The different stars and planets are separated by such extreme distances that it is practically impossible for one to go from one to the other. There is even doubt if life exists on other planets, or if it’s just an anomaly that just appeared once on our blue planet.

However, the Vedas give a very interesting description of the Universe, which is in many aspects much more far-out than the wildest science fiction. A Universe with multiple dimensions, cosmic passages, and mystical features, based not in matter and physical laws, but on different levels of consciousness.

To study the model of the Universe given in the Vedas is the key for not only understanding better the complexities and subtleties of our universe but also to expand and elevate our consciousness.

Nowadays most people feel that they don’t have enough energy and disposition to do everything they need to do. Modern life can be quite difficult and oppressive, especially when we are not in our best form. When this happens, we lose initiative and become just passengers in our own lives, just reacting to external events. This can be a quite disheartening experience.

Do the Vedas say anything about how to improve our mood, or how to have more energy and disposition to solve our practical problems and attain our goals in life? Actually, they speak quite a lot.

Everyone who walks on this planet has a body. The body can be tall or short, fat or slim, black or white, but in essence, all are similar, being composed of the same organs, bones, flesh, and skin. Not only the body is similar, but the soul inside the body is the same.

But, what if I would tell you that each of us actually has two bodies? Yes, two. That’s how the Vedas explain it.

Many heard about Krsna, the beautiful blue boy who plays the flute. Many talk about him, but very few can understand him in truth.

Once, Lord Brahma, the architect of our Universe was notified by one of his assistants that one cowherd boy on earth was doing some amazing feats, defeating many powerful demons who were previously ravaging the universe. Some believed he was Vishnu, the Supreme Controller.

Due to his position, Brahma has a personal relationship with Lord Vishnu, who is the ultimate creator of the Universe. Vishnu creates the shell of the universe, the material elements, and finally Brahma, the first living entity, who is empowered to create the planets and stars, as well as the first living beings who populate the Universe. Brahma took his birth from a beautiful lotus flower that sprouts from Lord Vishnu’s navel. It was from Him that he received the order of performing austerities to progress in the path of self-realization and thus be able to fulfill his mission in creating the universe. Previously, when powerful demons created chaos all over the cosmos, the same Lord Vishnu descended in different incarnations to protect the universal order. Brahma knows very well how powerful Lord Vishnu is, and understands that He lives in an imperishable abode beyond the material elements that form the Universe.

This cowherd boy may be some powerful mystic, or maybe some Siddha-yogi, and thus are being able to perform such feats, but how can people claim that he is the supreme controller? I know my Lord — Brahma taught.

In this world, we live under the limitation of time, space, and physical laws. Time acts as an oppressive force, making us hostage to its influence. Sometimes there is not enough time, and sometimes time drags forever. It would not be nice if we could stretch and contract the time at will, getting more time to do things we want, making pleasurable moments last for an eternity, and painfully experiences pass in a moment?

Another restriction is space. We may hear about some distant place that looks particularly interesting, but we can’t go there easily: It requires money, effort, time, and patience to do the trip. In other situations, the problem is the opposite: lack of space. Most of us would like to get a bigger apartment, a bigger car and so on. We can see how both time and space are constricting forces. They seem just like inexorable forces that we can’t avoid. Right? Wrong. Actually, we can! This is another interesting subject explained in the Vedic literature.

In a time before our known history, there was a class of powerful and valorous warriors called Kshatriyas. The best among them would typically fight on chariots. These were the ancient equivalent of a tank, moving swiftly on the battlefield, shooting powerful arrows with remarkable accuracy. To put things in perspective, the modern armor-piercing rounds are basically high-velocity arrows that pierce through kinetic energy, not by an explosion. In this sense, a modern tank is not so different from an ancient armored charioteer in tactical application.  

Amongst these powerful warriors, some would achieve perfection in their military skills. They would become so expert in the usage of weapons, that they would be able to fight thousands of other warriors, even if surrounded. They were called maharatis, or “great rathis”. 

Arjuna, Bhisma, Karna, Drona, and Bhima, are examples of famous maharatis that performed heroic deeds during the battle of Kurukshetra as described in the Mahabharata. However, there is another maharathi that is less known. This is his story.