“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

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तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

1. The potential employer

“Oh yes, I am familiar with what the company does. I have gone through the website. I must say that I am quite impressed. I would be so honored to be affiliated with such a fine organization as this. I have been lingering for too long on the outskirts. I am ready to be involved in a respectable endeavor.”

2. The government official

“Oh it is such a wonderful honor to meet you. Our community is thriving due to your efforts. If you can only help us with this one issue, that would go a long way. I think you are the one who can finally deliver. All others have simply promised. They came and went. They were bluffers. You will actually keep the promises that you make.”

3. The spouse

“Hey, don’t be mad, but I got these flowers for you. I am not sure what I did wrong, but I am definitely sorry. Can we be friends again? These past few weeks have been horrible. I am selfish, you are right. I was inconsiderate. I respect you so much for the sacrifices you make for our family. Without you, we would be lost.”

4. The parent

“Dad, have you lost weight? You are looking great. It must be that new exercise routine you have been trying. We are so lucky to have you leading our family. Listen, there is this new toy that came out. I don’t ask you for much, but I would love to get it for Christmas. If you feel it is appropriate, though. I promise to do my homework on time. I have been getting good grades. I will surely keep that up.”

5. The neighbor

“Knock, knock. Hey, how’s it going? My wife baked these cookies. You can have the whole batch. I think you will like them. Hey, just real quick, I wanted to invite you to our gathering this upcoming Saturday. We are holding it in the backyard. There will be some music, and it might get a little loud at times. I hope you don’t mind.”

…

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that the real meaning of initiation, of taking diksha through the association of the spiritual master, is accepting the formula offered. The comparison is to a person stuck in a difficult situation. Perhaps they have fallen into a ditch. The gap is deep enough that simply taking a step will not be sufficient to overcome the force of gravity.

This person is trying and trying, but to no avail. Finally, a well-wisher approaches the area. They are saddened to see the difficulty. They want to help the struggling individual. In the metaphorical sense, they want to lift up the person who has fallen. To the person who cannot help themselves, they want to offer assistance.

The problem is that the individual in the ditch will not accept the helping hand. They are set on doing things themselves. They keep telling the visitor, “I got it. I got it. Don’t worry about me.” At this point, what can be done? It is not the fault of the visitor. They are ready to help. No rational person would blame the person offering help for the continued struggle.

In the same way, if I simply spend time with the spiritual master, if I take pictures with them, if I make sure others know that I have a celebrity-like friend, what difference will the association make? I may even be affiliated with the guru in the official sense, having accepted vows in front of others during a ceremony known as a yajna. My name has changed. There is a “dasa” at the end, to signify the servant role corresponding to the guru, who is the leader.

Bhagavad-gita gives the basic formula for success. Find a tattva-darshi. This is someone who has seen the truth. Inquire from them in a humble manner and serve in a submissive way. Others may criticize this approach, but we see from the above review that the submission is already prevalent. In so many areas we are ready to flatter. This is in order to gain an advantage. We are looking for something. Whether it is to quell a fiery situation or to soften the stance of the benefactor of means, the flattery has a purpose.

Why should not the same apply with the spiritual guide? What will a challenging spirit really gain us? We can ask questions. We can surely deliberate on what we have heard. This is what the highest guru recommends, in fact. After He explained everything to Arjuna, Krishna asked for deliberation. We should not accept blindly, even if we are serving submissively.

इति ते ज्ञानम् आख्यातं
गुह्याद् गुह्यतरं मया
विमृश्यैतद् अशेषेण
यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ
guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā
vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa
yathecchasi tathā kuru

“Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad­-gita, 18.63)

The recommendation of the guru is to change consciousness. Instead of living in what can be described as shokadhama, where there is sadness at every turn, always stay with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This does not necessarily require physical travel. God is already within us in the heart. The source of our troubles is forgetfulness. We have forgotten Him, and from this forgetfulness we choose inauspicious association. The fix is to simply renounce desires in the temporary, kama, and always say His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

तब लगि कुसल न जीव कहुँ सपनेहुँ मन बिश्राम
जब लगि भजत न राम कहुँ सोकधाम तजि काम

taba lagi kusala na jīva kahu~ sapanehu~ mana biśrāma
jaba lagi bhajata na rāma kahu~ sokadhāma taji kāma

“For as long as there is not devotion to Shri Rama and the release of material desires, which are like an abode of grief, the living being should not expect to find welfare and peace of mind, even in a dream.” (Dohavali, 131)

In Closing:

Why in challenging way?
When with guru to stay.

Flattery already extending,
Like with boss at work pretending.

Or the spouse in the home,
Would rather not live alone.

Some kindness and humility show,
And out of shokadhama finally go.

Categories: the five

Tags: dailyprompt, god, hare krishna, hinduism, poem, poems, poetry, religion