Five Roles We Can Accept For Krishna Voluntarily And Intelligently

“O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.27)

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यत् करोषि यद् अश्नासि
यज् जुहोषि ददासि यत्
यत् तपस्यसि कौन्तेय
तत् कुरुष्व मद्-अर्पणम्

yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi
yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya
tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam

1. A typist

“I am sorry, but I cannot really speak to the philosophy. At least not yet. I am still trying my best to understand. One skill I do have is typing. I took two years of that class in high school. If you would like, I can offer assistance in that area. Anything you need typed up, please hand over to me. I will get the job completed in a timely manner.”

2. A musician

“I am sorry, but I cannot really dedicate so much time to attending programs at the temple. It is kind of a difficult journey for me to make on a regular basis. I do have some talents in music, though. If you would like, I can bring my instrument with me to these public chanting sessions. If you are ever short of people needed to complete the ensemble, I can help.”

3. An editor

“I am sorry, but I cannot really understand Sanskrit. The philosophical concepts are a little difficult for me to grasp. But I see that you are interested in publishing literature at a steady pace. If you ever need someone to proofread the work, to edit the manuscripts prior to publication, I can surely help. I have training within that field.”

4. A driver

“I am sorry, but I cannot move in to the temple at the moment. I have a family to support. Along those lines, I drive a car for a living. I can surely find time to offer rides, as necessary. Especially if you have elderly members of the community, I would love to assist in helping them reach important places, for devotional functions and such.”

5. A supplier

“I am sorry, but work is too hectic at the moment for me to find any free time. In my line of work, we have an abundance of food supplies. Would it be okay if I donated some to the house of worship? This way, you will not have to worry about purchasing food for your regular programs. I can even arrange to have everything dropped off.”

…

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives the practical advice for starting out in Krishna consciousness, especially if the process is foreign to us. If we have grown up in delusion, moha, and are accustomed to drawing distinctions based on like and dislike, rooted in temporary sense gratification, to come to the full standard of devotional attachment will be difficult.

We may see others happily engaged in chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They have accepted the vow to follow the four regulative principles, and it appears that they are always absorbed in thoughts of the all-attractive one, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

This does not mean that we should be forced into the same kinds of work from the outset. As recommended to Arjuna, who was a bow-warrior, everything should be done as an offering to the one who originally supplied everything. That is the path towards purification, attachment, devotion, and ultimately unending bliss.

I should not expect that others will necessarily follow my exact path. If I am devoted to writing literature, to the best of my ability, another person may not have the same taste. They are inclined towards a different kind of work, but with the same purpose of pleasing the prananatha of Shrimati Radharani.

If I have advanced a little in my devotion, then I will both understand and encourage others. Since I take Shri Krishna to be the ultimate protector, I am generally free from worries and anxieties. A natural result of reaching that state is a supremely liberal outlook on life, especially when dealing with others, who are innocently trying their best to achieve the perfection of existence.

तेषाम् एवानुकम्पार्थम्
अहम् अज्ञान-जं तमः
नाशयाम्य् आत्म-भाव-स्थो
ज्ञान-दीपेन भास्वता

teṣām evānukampārtham
aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ
nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho
jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā

“Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.11)

If they are seriously interested in reaching transcendence, in knowing God the person, in moving closer towards a spiritual vision, free from duality, then Krishna Himself will provide guidance from within. I should be wise enough to recognize the boundaries and not interfere in that close relationship. Rather, the Vaishnava is always appreciating the service that others are doing.

In Closing:

From their own work to demonstrate,
Vaishnava that effort to appreciate.

Not that others into my work to force,
And obstructing the natural course.

Encouraged in talents already there,
Gradually of transcendence aware.

That everyone happily to combine,
And in devotional life to shine.