Five Things We Might Consider To Be A Privilege

“One who sees the Supersoul in every living being and equal everywhere does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.29)

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समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम्
न हिनस्त्यात्मनात्मानं ततो याति परां गतिम्

samaṁ paśyan hi sarvatra
samavasthitam īśvaram
na hinasty ātmanātmānaṁ
tato yāti parāṁ gatim

1. To take birth in a certain land

“I am so proud to represent my country. Wherever I go, people identify me based on that affiliation. I do not mind. I am not ashamed. Sure, I have grievances. With the local government. With the recently corrupted law enforcement bodies. With the fraud pushed on by the medical establishment. I have many issues, but there is no place I would rather live. It is a privilege to represent this great land. I will never forsake it. I will never take what I have for granted.”

2. To play at a certain professional level

“I believe we should strive to be better. We should not behave like spoiled children. It is a privilege to play in this league. We are the beneficiaries of those who came before us. They paved the path. They established the standard. We should try to live up to that standard. We should leave the game better off than when we started. It is a privilege to reach this elite level, to compete for the highest prize.”

3. To lead a nation

“Have you considered the amount of people who have reached this position? It is like the summit of the tallest mountain. The number is low. Consider the dangers, in how many of those perished due to the hazards of the terrain. They were directly in harm’s way. I understand the risk in assuming this job. I also understand what a privilege it is, to be trusted by millions of citizens. I hope to live up to their ideals. I hope they will be pleased with the job I do.”

4. To be a father

“It is not easy, that’s for sure. It is the topmost priority, each and every day. At least that is the case for me. I do not take the job lightly. It is a privilege to be the primary guardian for someone else. Hopefully, they grow up to understand this world, to be properly equipped to handle the difficulties. I hope they have respect for other people and never feel entitled to the fruits of the labor of others. I hope they learn to think rationally and to not resort to hurling invectives whenever they do not understand an issue. For myself, I hope to live up to the responsibility.”

5. To learn about God

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada often makes the comparison between human beings and animals. To the outsider, the frequency of the references borders on obsession, but there is a scientific distinction to account for the use. That is to say, there is a logical and sound reason for comparing the way the human beings behave to the way the animals tend to go.

The beginning point of understanding is that the animals simply do not know better. They do not attend school. They pick up certain behaviors, for sure, in due course of time. Some of them know how to move right from the time of birth. Some of them gradually develop into the role. They can reach extraordinary capabilities, in fact, such as the birds with their internal GPS system. They know exactly where to go. They trace the route to return to their original location. They do this without the assistance of the written word.

The human beings, on the other hand, have choice. Knowledge can influence that choice. Knowledge is through education. This means that the human beings have a tremendous advantage. It is their privilege to learn. In this regard, what should they learn about? Should they try to mimic the animals? Should the human beings try to acquire the same abilities as the bird, flying from tree to tree? What about the animals that live within the water? Is that something the human being should strive for?

“Human life is especially meant for God realization, as stated in the Vedanta-sutra: athato brahma-jijnasa. Anyone who takes birth in the land of India (Bharata-varsha) has the special privilege of being able to take advantage of the instruction and guidance of the Vedic civilization. He automatically receives the basic principles of spiritual life, for 99.9% of the Indian people, even simple village farmers and others who are neither educated nor sophisticated, believe in the transmigration of the soul, believe in past and future lives, believe in God and naturally want to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 9.41 Purport)

The wise recommend the destination of separation. Begin to distance yourself from the animals. Do not prioritize eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Do not relegate your entire existence to instinct. Rather, try for the highest education. Equipped with the highest knowledge, you can at least attempt to reach a higher destination. What are the characteristics of that place? Well, how about no more birth and death? How about the elimination of the dichotomies of animal and human, male and female, adult and child, and even birth and death?

One symptom of this wisdom is a specific vision. The enlightened individual sees the presence of the highest Divinity within each being. They no longer are fooled by the visuals. They do not base identification only on the specific manifestation in front of them. They see the dog, the cow, the priest, and the elephant as equals in their true identities, as spirit soul.

विद्या-विनय-सम्पन्ने
ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि
शुनि चैव श्व-पाके च
पण्डिताः सम-दर्शिनः

vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)

Above that identification is the vision of the Supreme Soul within every being. You could thus say that the wise person sees God everywhere. Based on this vision, they are on track to reach the highest destination, as confirmed by Shri Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.

In Closing:

Of highest destination tracking,
No more equal vision lacking.

Because option for education taking,
Separation from animal life making.

Since choosing the better way,
Guided by knowledge to stay.

Thus the soul seeing inside,
And Supreme also to reside.