“’After planting the tulasi tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate that tulasi plant, serve her by giving her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.’” (Narada Muni speaking to the hunter, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 24.261)

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तुलसी-परिक्रमा कर, तुलसी-सेवन
निरन्तर कृष्ण-नाम करिह कीर्तन

tulasī-parikramā kara, tulasī-sevana
nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma kariha kīrtana

1. Paid it forward

“I just want to share something with my many followers today. I was in line at the local burrito place. The person in front of me was taking a long time. As my frustration slowly mounted and reached a tipping point, I decided to move closer to the counter, to see what was going on. Well, the woman in front was short of funds. Her cards were getting declined, left and right.

“There was a huge line building behind me. I decided to go ahead and pay for her meal. She was so thankful, to the point of almost embarrassing me. I told her that she does not have to pay me back. I think this is something we should do for one another. I like to pay it forward, every now and then, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.”

2. Visited the elderly

“I just want to share something with my many followers today. As you know, I have not been posting as frequently in recent weeks. The reason is that I have been helping some elderly relatives of mine. I bring them food. I pick up their mail. Sometimes, there are messes within the home. I help to tidy up. They never asked me to do any of this. They always tell me to leave things alone, that there is no urgency.

“But I think this is something we as a society need to be more mindful of. It is good to help out those in need. You might not get any payment for it, but your soul will be uplifted. I hope this message will inspire others to take up the same cause.”

3. Helped build a house of worship

“I just want to share something with my many followers today. Here is a picture I took over the weekend. Beautiful, isn’t it? They finally put up the temple. It is open for business. Well, not actual business, as this is a nonprofit, but you know what I mean. I can’t believe we finally crossed the finish line.

“If you zoom in closer, you will see something printed on the wall. Yes, that is my name. I was the largest donor to the project. They honored my contribution with a plaque. It will stay on that wall, for forever, for future generations to see. It is a nice gesture. We are not doing this for money, after all. It is our responsibility to help others find a safe place to practice their faith.”

4. Prepared a meal

“I just want to share something with my many followers today. You see this beautifully arranged plate of food? Yup, that is all me. I made every one of the dishes. I made everything simultaneously. For those having a slow day, that means I cooked everything at the same time. In the kitchen. Yes, just me. No outside help. From scratch.

“I think it turned out great. People have been complimenting me on the taste. I think it is something nice to do for others. It sure beats takeout. No restaurant can put this much love into the effort. We are not running a business, after all.”

5. Set a person straight

“I just want to share something with my many followers today. As you know, my friend has been having a rough go of it at work. They were on the border of depression. It is the only thing they talked about, for weeks on end. I decided to finally do something about it.

“I went and approached their manager. I scolded them for the insensitivity and the abusive behavior. I told them that I am not afraid of them. I even sprinkled in my own threats, letting them know that I am good friends with the owner. My friend never asked me to do this, but I think we have a responsibility to stand up for those who are suffering. If everyone chooses to remain silent, the corruption only continues.”

…

Several decades back, in the United States there was a recurring problem emerging with actors who became famous during the childhood years. Perhaps due to the notoriety, the increased attention accompanying fame, many of these children suffered problems later on in life. Drugs. Alcohol. Battles with their parents over the earnings accumulated from acting work. The problems were so frequent that parents began to think twice before sending their children into the performing arts; at least at the professional level.

Fast forward to today, and with the rapid advancements in technology the barrier to entry is practically eliminated. Any person can become a television star, whenever they want. They simply have to go live, so to speak, pointing the smartphone camera the right way and speaking. The videos can reach millions of people, if the algorithm gods should happen to be favorable that day.

Rather than consider the pros and cons to childhood fame, it is as if the entire population is inviting the many potential problems. They feel as if their deeds are meaningless if no one hears about them. Rather, the tendency is to share as much as possible, with as many people as possible. From the trivial to the significant. From the successes to the failures. From the high points to the dreaded miseries.

It is interesting to see the contrast with the stories passed forward in the Vedic tradition. A liberated soul like Narada Muni has no concern over the reception. He might meet someone accidentally, while visiting a sacred place, and offer instruction based on the interaction. He sees animals half-killed, in what appears to be a torture scheme enacted by a hunter. The hunter does not know better; he is simply continuing the family business.

Narada Muni, through a brief interaction, with some intelligent questions, guides the hunter towards the light. From inimical to supportive. From ignorant to enlightened, the hunter decides to give up his occupation altogether. The hunter establishes meager housing arrangements centered around worship of the tulasi plant. There is no need to fear the abrupt change in careers, as Narada Muni gives assurance that there will be plenty to survive off of.

Narada Muni helps a single person, in an isolated case, without relaying the story to thousands of people. Narada later brings his friend Parvata Muni along for a visit, but this is only to show the effect of turning to the Vaishnava way of life. Narada is not promoting himself or bragging about a conversion. This is the way of disciplic succession stretching thousands of years into the past.

Whether someone thanks them or not, the spiritual guide only cares about liberating those who are otherwise bound to duality. Whether the whole world learns of the success story or only a select few pass it on, such as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the guru wants to see a person spared the dreaded fate of rebirth, which is fueled by impure activity tied to kama, which is lust. The connection to transcendence brings a lasting pleasure which is not dependent on external factors like popularity and attention.

“Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to stress that even a hunter, the lowest of men, could become a topmost Vaishnava simply by associating with Narada Muni or a devotee in his bona fide disciplic succession.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 24.282 Purport)

In Closing:

Whether you thank them or not,
Important the wisdom they’ve got.

Ready at a moment to share,
Even if no one else aware.

Like Narada with hunter to meet,
Transformed from life of meat.

To tulasi with reverence and simplicity,
Because of knowledge absent duplicity.

Categories: the five

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