“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.28)

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येषां त्व् अन्त-गतं पापं
जनानां पुण्य-कर्मणाम्
ते द्वन्द्व-मोह-निर्मुक्ता
भजन्ते मां दृढ-व्रताः

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ
janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām
te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā
bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

1. A ballot

“Oh, you say you haven’t voted yet? That’s strange. The electronic polling book that is surely not connected to the internet shows that you already cast a ballot. There is nothing we can really do. For now, take this provisional ballot. Fill it out, leave it here, and we might review it later on. Typically, we only review the provisional ballots when the race ends up being too close to call, where the extra ballots have a chance at determining the winner.”

2. A friendship

“Oh yeah, I haven’t talked to that person in a while. We aren’t really friends anymore. I’m not sure what happened. We used to talk every day. Then things changed. Perhaps they are envious of my position in the world. Maybe I failed to come through for them one time. After having attended to their countless requests, I was finally tired on a given day. That was enough to set off the other side. Oh well. Turns out they were just another blood-sucking leech.”

3. A marriage

“Oh yeah, we split up. I know, our marriage ceremony was wonderful. We were both so happy to see you. Everyone who attended said they had a great time. I guess these things happen. Disagreements. Resentment. Envy. It’s something we have to live with.”

4. Attorney-client

“Oh yeah, they are no longer representing me. It turns out they were quite corrupt. They were actually working with the prosecution. They were in on this bogus case, with the fake charges. That’s why they wanted me to take a plea deal. Can you believe that happens? These lawyers are the worst. To find an honest one is really difficult.”

5. Worshiping a deva

“Oh yeah, I am not worshiping today. That was last week. We bought a new car. We had a puja to bring auspiciousness, to protect our future journeys. You only have to conduct that worship one time. You are set after that. I guess I will return to the altar the next time we need something.”

…

The goal for the transcendentalist should be dridha-vratah. This refers to determination in a vow. Similar to the promise from King Janaka to marry off his beloved daughter to the first prince who could lift the mighty bow of Lord Shiva. The winner of the contest under those rules, set up by Janaka, who would uphold the vow.

रूप सील बय बंस राम परिसुरन |
समुझि कठिन पन आपन लाग बिसूरन ||

rūpa sīla baya baṃsa rāma parisurana |
samujhi kaṭhina pana āpana lāga bisūrana ||

“Understanding that Rama’s beauty, patience, age and ancestry were completely perfect, the king remembered his own oath and thus started to lament.” (Janaki Mangala, 48)

A similar concept, mentioned by Goswami Tulsidas, is dridha-anuraga. This is attachment, devotion, love, following in allegiance, with the addition of determination. The determination is key, because otherwise there is a chance that the relationship will break.

बिनु सतसंग न हरिकथा तेहिं बिनु मोह न भाग।
मोह गएँ बिनु रामपद होइ न दृढ अनुराग ॥

binu satasaṃga na harikathā tehiṃ binu moha na bhāga।
moha gae~ binu rāmapada hoi na dṛḍha anurāga ॥

“Without satsanga, it is not possible to hear Hari-katha. Without Hari-katha, it is not possible to be free from delusion. Without being freed from delusion, it is not possible to have determined devotion to the lotus feet of Shri Rama.” (Dohavali, 132)

To turn away is a great shame because the vow is towards service to the Almighty, who is ultimately a person. Having fixed devotion to Him is the best thing for me. It is actually what I have been seeking all along. That pursuit is deep within me. It defines my very existence. For this reason the spirit of aligning with genuine religion is known as dharma.

Shri Krishna explains that only after being exhausted of all sinful reactions does a person follow in the manner of dridha-vratah. It is not necessary to create an elaborate or complicated explanation for sinful reactions. Any turn away from dharma is sinful. That turn, or forgetfulness, could have remained fixed for countless lifetimes.

When they are finally at the end, anta, then the devotion to God the person will be locked in. The relationship will not be based on conditions. It is not here today and gone tomorrow. It is not determined by what the worshiped party has to offer.

Whether Krishna sends me to the heavenly region, demotes me to the lower planets, or leaves me exactly where I am, I will stay fixed in my devotion. This is what makes me happiest. This is what I look forward to every day. This is what I fondly look back upon. This is what I wish for every other living entity, whether they are friendly, neutral, or inimical.

In Closing:

Whether greeting with smile,
Or envious and hostile.

Wishing for them the best,
That by devotion be blessed.

Where fixed with determination bound,
To worship and transcendental sound.

Because ultimately to dharma’s aligning,
After all sinful reactions reclining.

Categories: the five

Tags: bhagavad-gita, bhakti, god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, yoga