“Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.41)

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व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिर्
एकेह कुरु-नन्दन
बहु-शाखा ह्य् अनन्ताश् च
बुद्धयो ऽव्यवसायिनाम्

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo ‘vyavasāyinām

1. The local program

“I am really dumbfounded by the whole situation. You started this program, did you not? You felt a spark. You were inspired. You had enthusiasm. The energy was enough to attract others, to bring people in, who would join together for the proceedings. I happened to be one of those people. It was a great routine. Once a week, visiting someone’s home, attentively listening and offering some basic service.

“Sure, I tolerated all of the strongarm tactics to increase that service. Why don’t you visit the upcoming retreat, I was asked. Go out on the street once a month in some distant place, in a setting that is entirely uncomfortable, I was advised. I absorbed the subtle digs at my perceived lack of initiative. I was scolded for not starting one of these programs myself. It just isn’t my thing, you see. I would have trouble teaching a classroom full of young students, what to speak of adults discussing transcendental topics from Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

“Never mind, as I was steady. I loved attending. I had the best attendance, I believe. I had the enthusiasm. Why did you stop the program, then? You go away on vacation for a few weeks and that’s that. You abruptly cancelled the upcoming meetings. You first said it was a tactic to bring others back. If they saw that the program would not continue without them, they would feel a sense of urgency to return.

“Well, that sure didn’t happen. You miscalculated a little, don’t you think? I don’t understand why you took the trouble to start a program that you weren’t going to maintain. I am still upset about it, if you couldn’t tell.”

2. The nonprofit

“Alright, so you identified this problem where it appears that the new members have no interest in writing. The magazine which was once the backbone of the movement has slipped into publishing once every other month. There just isn’t enough content, I presume. Though the subject matter is Himself described as ananta, which means ‘unlimited,’ somehow there is now a limitation. Never mind that any time one of the members, the new disciples, if you will, happens to show initiative, with some independent thought, and cutting questions that highlight serious deviations from the standard of the devotional culture, they are unceremoniously shown the door. Kicked out, shoved to the curb, and never to be seen or heard from again.

“Still, I at least appreciated someone trying to do something. You set up this new nonprofit. The goal was to encourage others to write about bhakti-yoga, which is devotional service. The donations to the organization were going to be used for that purpose. I was prepared to contribute, but I wanted to see how things went first.

“That turned out to be a wise decision. You see, that nonprofit was disbanded shortly after it was started. I guess there was no interest? Who knows? I don’t understand why you people start these things only to close up shop later on. How do you expect people to trust you? How do you expect to reach a better destination if you are not willing to travel the full length of the journey?”

3. The temple

“I must be a fool for thinking things would be any different. Remind me, what is that definition of insanity again? I arrive early. It is almost like I am tailgating for the program. I am like one of those concertgoers who lines up early to get first entry, to rush the stage and be right at the front. That is how much enthusiasm I have for bhakti-yoga, for chanting the holy names, for hearing talks about the Supreme Lord, Hari-katha.

“The enthusiasm is the potential. The reality is that every single time I absorb a punch to the gut upon seeing the conditions inside. It is like a ghost town. No one wants to do anything. The leader of the proceedings eventually shows up and starts asking around to see who wants to begin, by chanting the prayers to the spiritual master. What is going on, you people? Then the program itself is delayed. They have to import guest speakers from other countries. These people are so puffed up that they show up late, don’t apologize, and then ramble on for almost two hours, using the most boring slide-deck presentation you have ever seen.

“You get this vibe that the temple presidents have enough money and are begging people to stay home. The operators are doing fine, you see. They don’t need anything else. No one really cares about devotion. Alright, but then why did you open the temple to begin with? Shouldn’t you be overflowing with enthusiasm to the point that you are having these programs more than once a week? I don’t get it.”

4. The friendship

“I confided in you. I was hesitant at first, but then you pointed to references from the Nectar of Instruction book about how devotees share things with one another. That is part of devotional service. I am being a bad devotee if I keep everything to myself.

“Well, then why does it feel like you exploited me? Why are you now saying horrible things about me online? I simply wanted to meet with other people, to chant together. I am not judging you or anyone else. Why are you judging me? Why is your attention all over the place? Why is there no focus? Why can’t you be a decent human being, at the very least? You might claim to be in the transcendental mode of goodness, but it sure seems to me that you are a dirtbag.”

5. The podcast

“I enjoy the episodes. Even if I don’t agree with everything you say, at least you show up. You put yourself out there. You seem to be honest, for the most part. You recently solicited donations. This was to upgrade the technology used in the production. Multiple cameras. Better microphones. A new studio.

“Then, just last week, you announced that you are taking a break. No more episodes for the foreseeable future. What was the donation drive for, then? Why would you go to all this trouble to set up a recurring podcast only to abruptly stop? It makes no sense. At least have some consideration for your audience. It is like you completely lack self-awareness.”

…

In Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna explains that there is nothing lost in the yoga process. This is for connecting with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in linking the individual soul with the Supreme Soul. This yoga can be carried out through work, such as Arjuna proceeding with the military conflict on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is not required for a person to abruptly renounce the world and claim that they have no attachments to friends, family, community, and so on. The yoga is something from within. The yoga is something that changes consciousness. This is why His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada refers to bhakti-yoga as “Krishna consciousness.”

Steadiness is one indication of this yoga. The Sanskrit is vyavasayatmika. This is like an adjective to describe the buddhi, which is intelligence. The term is pertinent to the discussion at hand, since Arjuna was supposedly outside of yoga at the time. He was feeling down, lost, without purpose, and confused because he had suddenly become disconnected from the arya culture. Therefore, his intelligence was all over the place. He knew that his duty as a kshatriya warrior was to fight. Then he thought about the consequences. He took on the role of a protector of other families. He wanted to shield the bodies of other fighters, since teachers and family members were within the group.

This kind of intelligence is many-branched. It is the way outside of yoga. When someone is in yoga, their intelligence is steady. They are focused on what they need to do. They know that the object of connection in yoga will take care of the rest. This is echoed in the concluding verses of the very same conversation. Krishna assures Arjuna that the concerns from the many branches of intelligence outside of yoga will be accounted for, due to the singularly focused surrender in taking shelter of Krishna Himself.

सर्व-धर्मान् परित्यज्य
माम् एकं शरणं व्रज
अहं त्वां सर्व-पापेभ्यो
मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66)

This is well and good, but then why are people who supposedly follow yoga unsteady in their determination? Why do they show signs of flakiness? Why do they start a venture only to later give it up? Does this not indicate lack of proper consciousness? Is this not an obvious sign that they are not in yoga?

The explanation is that while the idea of Krishna consciousness appears easy on the surface, the practical implementation faces the same obstacles as any other venture. One individual might start and close several businesses in their lifetime until they finally find something suitable to their strengths. One person is not mature enough to overcome difficulties in the beginning stages, and so they give up easily. Another person loses interest quickly; they are still looking for something which motivates them.

With Krishna consciousness, at least the attempt is made. At least there is acknowledgment of the need to move on to something better. The destination, the mature stage, has something known as dridha-vrata. There is a vow which cannot be broken. Within that vow there is chanting of the glories of the Almighty, discussing Him with others, and enjoying the higher taste of transcendental life.

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

“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)

In Closing:

Why started in haste?
Now considered a waste.

Called lazy my confidence shook,
How about in mirror a look?

Money to ask without shame,
Now closed as soon as it came.

But in maturity the strongest vow,
To glorify God tomorrow and now.

Categories: the five

Tags: bhakti, dailyprompt, god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, yoga