“Endeavor executed with intelligence in Krishna consciousness is called utsaha, or enthusiasm. The devotees find the correct means by which everything can be utilized in the service of the Lord (nirbandhah krishna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam uchyate).” (Shrila Prabhupada, Nectar of Instruction, Verse 3 Purport)

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In the following hypothetical situation, we have been practicing devotional service for some time. We first took an interest because of the word “yoga” in the name. This was bhakti-yoga. This was taught by a teacher who claimed to have a link to teachers from the past. They were the latest in that chain, in fact. They described the transfer of information through the Sanskrit word parampara. That very word happens to appear in the sacred text used as the primary basis for the instruction. Bhagavad-gita describes parampara, from the perspective of someone who is at the beginning. He is the adi-purusha, or original person.

एवं परम्परा-प्राप्तम्
इमं राजर्षयो विदुः
स कालेनेह महता
योगो नष्टः परन्तप

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
sa kāleneha mahatā
yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa

“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.2)

At first, the terminology, the directness of the presentation, the significant gap between the current condition and the finish line, and the rules and regulations seemed too much to tolerate. The concepts could barely be understood, let alone implemented. Still, we had an affinity for the teacher. We appreciated the honesty, in properly assessing the value of material life. It is that life we were stuck in, for far too long. There likely have been many such iterations in the past. We cannot remember, but the object of worship has perfect memory.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि
जन्मानि तव चार्जुन
तान्य् अहं वेद सर्वाणि
न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
bahūni me vyatītāni
janmāni tava cārjuna
tāny ahaṁ veda sarvāṇi
na tvaṁ vettha parantapa

“The Blessed Lord said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O subduer of the enemy!” (Bhagavad-gita, 4.5)

We stuck with it. We persevered. We have made significant progress since then, but there is a glaring deficiency that has not been addressed to our satisfaction. We have heard repeatedly about the need for enthusiasm. The Sanskrit word is utsaha. Shri Hanuman once used this word to describe the feeling of the Vanaras during their mission to find the missing princess of Videha, Sita Devi. It is an important word to use, since the mission was both difficult and long. There was no guarantee of success. The search party remained enthusiastic, based on the potential for a vision of that beloved wife of Shri Rama.

विन्ध्यादुत्थाय सम्प्राप्ता स्सागरस्यान्तमुत्तरम्
त्वद्धर्शनकृतोत्साहा हृष्टास्तुष्टाः प्लवङ्गमाः

vindhyādutthāya samprāptā ssāgarasyāntamuttaram
tvaddharśanakṛtotsāhā hṛṣṭāstuṣṭāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ

“Being very much delighted and satisfied, those monkeys enthusiastic to see you arrived at the northern shore of the ocean.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 35.68)

It is this very enthusiasm which we lack. At least that is how we feel at the moment. There is a word they use in the fitness world: plateauing. We have reached a plateau, it seems. We cannot go any higher. Instead, we are losing hope. To that end, the following represents a sampling of advice we might receive. There is a way forward, as the greatest authority Himself, Shri Krishna, has described the king of education as something joyfully performed.

राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

1. Talk to people

“Your problems might be due to the institution you are working under. I do not know the particulars of your situation. It is not that difficult to rectify, really. Let me ask you this: do you like talking? As in having conversations, politely debating, exchanging ideas – do any of these interest you? If so, why not do it? Talk about what you have learned. If you are not shy in front of a camera, the sky is the limit. You can record as many videos of yourself as you want. Upload them and see what happens. Start with a few topics and then as you grow more accustomed to the process, you will get additional ideas. Shri Krishna will help you, as He promises in Bhagavad-gita.”

तेषाम् एवानुकम्पार्थम्
अहम् अज्ञान-जं तमः
नाशयाम्य् आत्म-भाव-स्थो
ज्ञान-दीपेन भास्वता

teṣām evānukampārtham
aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ
nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho
jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā

“Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.11)

2. Choreograph scenes

“Do you like directing? Can you storyboard? Are you good with dancing? Can you envision a scene in your mind and then instruct others on how to recreate it? There is so much material available from shastra. You have the marriage of Rukmini Devi to Krishna. You have the travels of the golden avatara, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. You have the lengthy narrative of the Ramayana. Why not put your talents to good use? People are craving live entertainment these days. It can be a simple production, offered with humility, with the purpose of lifting others out of the darkness and into the light.”

3. Write a book

“You may wonder why so many of the prayers we sing barely touch on philosophy. They are short and to the point. That is because for the majority of human history, words were at a premium. There was a cost to publish. You had to find paper. You had to find time to write. You had to print carefully. Today, it is so easy to communicate that the art is almost being lost. Just say a few bad words and that is enough to draw a response from a mob of supporters or detractors. Well, with Krishna consciousness, you can now jot down your thoughts, your revelations, and your experiences. You can even write about your lack of enthusiasm and how you are trying to overcome that obstacle. Do you see what I am saying? If you like to write, no one is stopping you today.”

4. Cook food

“You know, recipes used to be sacred heirlooms kept safely within a family. From one matriarch to another, passed down through the generations. Today, you can find a recipe for anything in a matter of seconds. There is no shortage of available content. You can experiment for yourself. Take foods in the mode of goodness, sacrifice some time in the kitchen, and present everything before Krishna. This is what He recommends, after all.”

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)

5. Chant together

“I know this is the tried and true response. It is almost the equivalent of tech support asking the end-user to reboot their computer. If all else fails, just chant more rounds. But the truth is that you are likely to find a solution in this way. Build numerical strength with the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. If the process has become too boring, then try it with others. Sit down peacefully in a room and chant together. Sing along to a recorded performance. Take a walk outside and bring your chanting beads with you. Try something new, as long as you are not putting yourself in danger, like in operating a motor vehicle.”

…

The common thread in the advice offered is that we do not need to be a hero. We do not have to reach the perceived limits set by others, in trying to break records or win the most prestigious medal in a competition. It is not a competition. This is our chance. This is our life. We have the best opportunity in the human birth to finally leave behind the cycle of birth and death. The Supreme Lord is always wishing us well, and He is also the swiftest deliverer.

ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्-पराः
अनन्येनैव योगेन
मां ध्यायन्त उपासते
तेषाम् अहं समुद्धर्ता
मृत्यु-संसार-सागरात्
भवामि न चिरात् पार्थ
मय्य् आवेशित-चेतसाम्

ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi
mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ
ananyenaiva yogena
māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate
teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā
mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt
bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha
mayy āveśita-cetasām

“For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Pritha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 12.6-7)

In Closing:

Understand that applying to you,
Work as yours to do.

Not against others to rely,
With honest effort just try.

Simplest the holy names to chant,
Or expression opportunity to grant.

Through published words reflection,
Enthusiasm in preferred direction.

Categories: the five

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