“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.14)

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सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां
यतन्तश् च दृढ-व्रताः
नमस्यन्तश् च मां भक्त्या
नित्य-युक्ता उपासते

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate

“I think one of the primary pain points with that nonsense the world had to endure just a few short years ago was the removal of events. Of course, everyone thinks of the larger scale gatherings which were cancelled, such as football games, concerts, and theater performances. We tend to overlook the smaller scale and its importance. Something simple like visiting a family member. Seeing them in a medical treatment facility, where they may have only a few months left in this world. Attending a gathering of faith at the house of worship. These were all prohibited or greatly restricted, in the name of ‘trusting the science.’

“It is like we need to leave the house at least one time in a day in order to keep from falling into depression. A walk outside. A friendly greeting of neighbors. Seeing smiles on the faces of shoppers at the supermarket. I think you get my drift. People need people. That is the way society functions. People have to see people in order to keep from fighting all the time. If you only hear about other people or see their antics on short videos uploaded to social media, you will soon think that everyone has gone mad.

“How does this apply to spiritual life? Is there any emphasis on outside contact? I understand that bhakti-yoga is all about meditation. That is one of the limbs of yoga as a discipline. The Sanskrit word is dhyana. I should concentrate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I should remember Him. I should try to detach from the temporary. I should realize that maya is the bottomless trap that keeps us individual souls bound to the cycle of birth and death, which is miserable from start to finish. That is the whole point; we need to reach the finish line but have yet to even identify it.

“That is the philosophical basis for the worship, but give me some practical advice. From day to day, how will I maintain my sanity? If everyone around me is in illusion, they will think I am the crazy one. They will not understand my pursuits. My goals will not make sense to them. I can call them derisive names like ‘karmi’ and ‘bhogi’, but what good will that do me? They don’t even understand that I am insulting them. I need tips on how to keep from going crazy.”

Imagine a situation where you have nothing to do. The weather is perfect. Clear, sunny skies on the horizon, so to speak, for the next few weeks. There is no work or office in this situation. No one will interfere. You are like satya-sankalpa in your immediate orb. You can get whatever you want, whenever you want. What exactly will you do, then? How will you occupy the time?

Bhagavad-gita reveals that time is a destroyer. The Sanskrit word used for time also applies to death. Kāla is the great devouring agent. Everyone knows time, but not everyone will think of time in its relationship with the Almighty. Time is that great destroyer, and it is one way to understand God. It is like a window into His potencies. It is like one of the many roles He plays in the universe.

प्रह्लादश् चास्मि दैत्यानां
कालः कलयताम् अहम्
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रो ऽहं
वैनतेयश् च पक्षिणाम्

prahlādaś cāsmi daityānāṁ
kālaḥ kalayatām aham
mṛgāṇāṁ ca mṛgendro ‘haṁ
vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām

“Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada; among subduers I am time; among the beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda, the feathered carrier of Vishnu.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.30)

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that rather than renouncing the world outright, we can use what we already have for practicing yoga. The concept in Sanskrit is known as yukta-vairagya. It is the process of renouncing through connecting. We are drifting away from attachment to the temporary while strengthening our link to the Supreme Consciousness.

Due to this approach, something negative can become positive. Something which previously hindered can now assist. Something that was known to only destroy now helps to create. Time for the devoted soul becomes like a regenerative assistant. It continues to create new opportunities for immersion.

For instance, the morning is a chance to once again chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Repeating this mantra, in sequence, on a daily basis, synchronized with the beginning of the day, builds something known as numerical strength. I am assembling my body of armor to protect against maya. I am doing this with the help of time, which otherwise was known to only take away.

I schedule more meetings throughout the day. I set aside time to read, to hear verses and explanations of sacred texts such as Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam. I might prepare the kitchen, refrigerator, and pantry in order to establish a steady stream of offerings to the Supreme Lord. I want Him to eat first. I want to taste what He leaves behind. I want to follow the path already recommended.

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं
यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति
तद् अहं भक्त्य्-उपहृतम्
अश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.26)

These are but a few regular appointments that I can aim to keep throughout the day. As I find more time freeing up, I can find more ways to connect. I am always striving for yoga, and the schedule helps to maintain my sanity. That schedule is soon something I follow with the strength of an unbreakable vow, dridha-vratah, and so my success in life is assured.

In Closing:

Daily schedule to keep,
From time of ending sleep.

Thinking for sanity to take,
Like a much needed break.

Where the holy names to chant,
Books to read and peace to grant.

Building slowly numerical strength,
Extending even to afterlife’s length.

Categories: questions

Tags: dailyprompt, poem, poems, poetry, routine, yoga