Why Bhima didn't get fame as a beloved devotee of Shri Krishna despite of doing whatever He asked him to do?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on April 11, 2021, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

[Smt. Sudha Rani asked: Pādanamaskāraṃ Swāmi! Thank You so much for helping me during all my difficulties. My question is, why Bhīma, who despite of having all tāmasic guṇas followed the orders or suggestions of Śrī Kṛṣṇa without any second thought didn’t get fame as the beloved devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa? Instead Arjuna got fame as Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s beloved devotee. Why is it so Swāmi?]

Swāmi replied:- Bhīma got the most sacred place of spiritual preacher. Āñjaneya, Bhīma and Madhva are worshipped as the three incarnations of god Vāyu (air), the three very high devotees of God Viṣṇu. Bhīma was connected to the abode of God (Brahma loka), the final seventh upper world whereas Dharma Rāja was connected to the third upper world, heaven only. Arjuna in between these two was born on earth as a human being. Dharma Rāja represents Sattvam, Arjuna represents Rajas and Bhīma represents Tamas. Tamas need not be taken always in negative sense. Tamas means blind firmness, which is needed very much in the spiritual journey. Mere knowledge (Sattvam) without practical firmness (Tamas) is useless. The practical action (Rajas) also needs firmness.

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