“The value of a moment’s association with a devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which is for those who are meant for death.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.18.13)

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तुलयाम लवेनापि
न स्वर्गं नापुनर्-भवम्
भगवत्-सङ्गि-सङ्गस्य
मर्त्यानां किम् उताशिषः

tulayāma lavenāpi
na svargaṁ nāpunar-bhavam
bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasya
martyānāṁ kim utāśiṣaḥ

For the following analysis, we consider the hypothetical situation of running into someone important. It is your good ole fashioned “chance encounter.” A passing glance at the airport. Trying to find transportation to a destination. Perhaps waiting on line at the local eatery. You have to look twice. The classic double-take. Only then are you sure that it is who you thought it was. The person on the other end also realizes what just happened, that they have been recognized. They prepare for the upcoming meeting, in the obligatory exchange of smiles and kind words. Not much to do, really, as these encounters tend to be one-sided.

That is to say, you end up doing all the talking. You tell this person how much of a fan you are. You have seen all their movies, watched all of their matches, or bought all of their music recordings. You feel so fortunate to have this opportunity. In the days of yore, people asked for autographs. Today, it is the selfie. At least there is no lasting damage from flashbulbs popping. The smartphone snaps the photograph rather expeditiously.

There is usually not much more to the conversation. If the important person is feeling generous, they might extend an offer to see their upcoming performance. VIP seats. Or maybe some swag, like an autographed ball and merchandise from the team or film studio. You will never forget the meeting, but usually nothing life-changing takes place.

By comparison, we have the claim from Bhagavata Purana, which is also known as Shrimad Bhagavatam. This esteemed text of the Vedic tradition says that the value of the same kind of association, but with a saintly person, is impossible to measure. It is more than finding the greatest treasure. The association does not have to be long; a few moments is all it takes. We consider the reasons for the assessment, based on the potential exchanges that can take place. The saintly person is the celebrity in our example, and there are different items, words of advice, or even formulas that they can offer in return, which are life-changing in nature.

1. This question

“What are you doing with your life? Do you feel happy? Are you satisfied? Do you have proper direction? Are you confident about the path you have chosen, for moving forward? Have you thought about the potential destinations? Do one thing for me. Ponder the meaning to this aphorism from the Vedas: athato brahma-jijnasa. This is a call to action. It says that now is the time for inquiring about spiritual matters. Ask yourself, who are you. Ponder the issue of suffering. Just why do you feel pain and is there a way to stop the miseries altogether?”

‘के आमि’, ‘केने आमाय जारे ताप-त्रय’
इहा नाहि जानि — ‘केमने हित हय’

‘ke āmi’, ‘kene āmāya jāre tāpa-traya’
ihā nāhi jāni — ‘kemane hita haya’

“Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do not know this, how can I be benefited?” (Sanatana Gosvami speaking to Lord Chaitanya, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 20.102)

2. This book

“It has been a pleasure meeting you, too. If you really want to thank me, please take this book. Open it, at your convenience. Keep an open mind. Read through the different verses and accompanying explanations. At least think the matter over. You will see that religion is about much more than falling in line out of fear or insisting that this faith or that is the only way. There are real issues to address. Every problem you encounter in life, in fact, can be resolved through faithfully hearing the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna. Anyone who follows through on the recommendation is essentially worshiping God with their intelligence.”

अध्येष्यते च य इमं
धर्म्यं संवादम् आवयोः
ज्ञान-यज्ञेन तेनाहम्
इष्टः स्याम् इति मे मतिः

adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ
dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ
jñāna-yajñena tenāham
iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ

“And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation worships Me by his intelligence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.70)

3. These ingredients

“Can you do me a favor? Take something simple. A leaf. A flower. Some fruit. Make an offering, every single day. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Just maintain some steadiness. Keep a vow, vrata, and work your way towards strengthening it, such that it becomes dridha, or fixed. Trust me, you will feel an immediate difference. If the offering is done with devotion, the highest being of all will be pleased with you. What can be better than that?”

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)

4. This mantra

“Thank you for taking the time to approach me. If you really want to be happy, you should repeat the name of God. Any authorized name will do. We are not sectarian in this matter. But if there is an existing process which has already passed every quality assurance review, why not take it? Accept this mantra, on my behalf, flowing from the great teachers in our tradition. Repeat the mantra on a daily basis: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

5. These beads

“I understand that you are disturbed at the moment. Life is getting you down. Other people are making a mess of things. Remember that mantra I told you about? How about using these meditation beads to help in your progress? Repeat that mantra for every bead, going around the thread until you reach the other side. You will have repeated the mantra one hundred and eight times by then. That number is auspicious. One complete trip around the string is one round of japa meditation. It will make a huge difference in your life. Trust me.”

In Closing:

Lucky that saintly person met,
Many valuable items to get.

Like recommendation to read,
Worship by intelligence to proceed.

And daily for offerings to make,
Repeat mantra for their sake.

Such that one full trip around,
Transcendence through japa found.

Categories: the five

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