Manifest and Unmanifest Leelas

The divine play of Bhagavan is of two types - one manifest and the other unmanifest.

Manifest Leela:

1. Accessibility: Bhagavan's presence is openly accessible to all, regardless of spiritual progress. Devotees of all levels, from sages to common people, can witness and experience Bhagavan's form.
2. Qualification: Special penance or intense spiritual practices are not required in this context. However, past accumulated merits (samskaras) of the devotees may contribute.
3. Examples:
• Lord Shri Ram was accessible to sages and common people alike.
• Lord Krishna, as Shyamsundar, was visible to everyone including  Pulindis (tribal women),  and deer.
4. Nature: The divine form and actions are visibly manifest in the world, allowing everyone to interact with Bhagavan as a physical presence.

Unmanifest Leela:

1. Accessibility: The vision of Bhagavan is restricted to the closest and most devoted seekers. It is not visible to all but remains hidden under the veil of maya.
2. Qualification: Intense devotion, complete surrender, and the removal of maya's veil are necessary. Only a deeply purified and spiritually advanced soul can perceive Bhagavan in this state.
3. Examples:
• Parikshit, even as an unborn child, saw Lord Krishna's radiant form dispelling the Brahmastra.
• After birth, Parikshit perceived the Lord's form in everything.
4. Nature: Bhagavan's form is omnipresent but realized only through spiritual effort and grace.

In essence, manifest leela is for all, while unmanifest leela is for the closest and most deserving devotees. Both reflect Bhagavan's compassion, but they emphasize different paths of realization.

Knowledge Bank

Who is the Lord of treasures?

Kubera

Whose incarnation was Draupadi?

In Mahabharata, Draupadi has been depicted as an incarnation of Shachi Devi.