“Narada Muni then told the hunter, ‘I have one thing to beg of you.’ The hunter replied, ‘You may take whatever animals or anything else you would like.’” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 24.244)

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नारद कहे, — ‘एकबस्तु मागि तोमार स्थाने’
ब्याध कहे, — “मृगादि लह, येइ तोमार मने

nārada kahe, — ‘eka-vastu māgi tomāra sthāne’
vyādha kahe, — “mṛgādi laha, yei tomāra mane

1. For my performance

“You saw that, right? I was mobbed in the street. Our show must be really popular. I am not sure why so many people care that I am going to the supermarket. They were all really nice. I could not think of words to say in return. It is amazing that my performance makes such an impact. I had no idea.”

2. For my accomplishments

“Wow, that one fan knew my entire professional history. They were referencing moments that I had completely forgotten. They said the nicest things, too. I wish there was some magic trick I could do in return. I would love to give these people money or buy them a house, but that is not practical.”

3. For my books

“They were lined up out the door and into the street. I was signing copies of my latest release. Due to time constraints, I had only a few moments with each patron. Life is so unfair. I wish I could sit and talk with each person for hours. Their stories are more interesting than mine. I try my best to write something nice on the inside of the jacket. I just wish there was more I could do.”

4. For my public service

“Wow, they said that I took a bullet for them, in the literal sense. I guess that is true. But I am more impressed with them, how they stand firm during these difficult times. They wait for hours outside the gates, just to hear me speak for a few minutes. They are always with me. They never back down. I get as much strength from them as they get from me. I just wish there was more I could do for them.”

5. For my wisdom

In the above mentioned hypothetical situations, there is a kind of limit to what the person of prominence can do. They would like to reciprocate the kind words, the well-wishes, and the genuine and heartfelt gestures. In these cases, a basic “thank you” is more than enough, but what if the individual wants to do more? Not for necessarily getting more attention. Not for necessarily extending the interaction. Just to show that the supporters are not forgotten, that their support actually means something. What if the person of prominence wants to leave a meaningful impact on the supporter?

The limitation is based on the nature of the interaction itself. I write a book. People buy it. They leave reviews. My name is on top of the bestseller list. I might write more books. More purchases. More supporters. But then what? I could have dreamed the entire experience. Perhaps there is a financial benefit. Maybe I entertained people, kept them occupied during times of boredom. Maybe my compelling presentation briefly lifted them out of a dark place. I am thankful for the role I played. The experience was just as uplifting for me.

In the case of the spiritual guide, there is something more to offer. We see how this plays out from stories involving Narada Muni. He is like a travelling preacher, but lacking an entourage. He is not raising money to build a new facility. He is not trying to get his name out there as an influencer. He actually does not want anything for himself. He simply travels the three worlds singing the praises of Narayana, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

If someone should happen to meet Narada and offer him kind words, there is an amazing transformation that can take place. This is because Narada can return the favor with a brand new way of life. It is sort of like the principle of teaching a person how to grow food instead of only giving them something to eat in charity. Just how long will charity last, anyway? A self-sufficient human being can lift themselves up, along with others.

Narada can turn the individual into a self-sufficient machine of enlightenment, producing bliss, enthusiasm, excitement, and peace, all while avoiding the worst kinds of behavior. Narada one time met a hunter who was aptly named Mrigari. The literal meaning to that compound Sanskrit word is “enemy of the beasts.” This hunter would half-kill animals; watching them writhe in pain as they were rendered helpless, left to die.

As a respected individual, Narada had the ear of the hunter. Narada made a request. The hunter was ready to offer some of the skins of the animals he had killed. This was his business, after all. To sacrifice this much for a guest meant something. It was like a fan donating their art work. They made a painting for their favorite celebrity. They took something that was important to them, time, and sacrificed for the benefit of their object of attention.

Narada had a better idea in mind. What if the hunter changed his occupation? What if Mrigari broke his bow, such that future animals would be spared? What if the hunter instead dedicated himself to a tulasi plant, which is known to be dear to Vishnu? What if the hunter took to meager living, adjacent to a river? This was a big change, but it was something only Narada could offer. It was more than a “thank you” or formal hand of acknowledgment.

Narada was the celebrity in this case. The hunter was something like a fan. The meeting between the two led to something amazing. The hunter completely changed. He became something like a sadhu, and so people of the area offered donations in support. The hunter had not lost anything by changing his occupation. By following Narada, by having a moment of association with a devotee of the Supreme Lord, there was the world and more to gain.

कम्प-पुलकाश्रु हैल कृष्णनाम गाञा
ऊर्ध्बबाहु नृत्य करे बस्त्र उड़ाञा

kampa-pulakāśru haila kṛṣṇa-nāma gāñā
ūrdhva bāhu nṛtya kare vastra uḍāñā

“When the hunter chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra before his spiritual master, his body trembled, and tears welled in his eyes. Filled with ecstatic love, he raised his hands and began to dance, waving his garments up and down.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 24.276)

In Closing:

The world and more to gain,
With visit of sadhu came.

Narada not just kind words to accept,
Towards different path to direct.

For hunter otherwise abusing,
Now life of holy name choosing.

Living to nearby river with tulasi plant,
And constant holy names to chant.

Categories: the five

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