Don’t Hoard It

By krishnasmercy on June 14, 2026 • ( 0 )

“Here someone sat down, decorated with flowers by Him. She must have worshiped Vishnu, who is the soul of all, in a previous birth.” (Vishnu Purana, 5.13.34)

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अत्रोपविश्य सा तेन कापि पुष्पैर् अलंकृता
अन्यजन्मनि सर्वात्मा विष्णुर् अभ्यर्चितो यया

atropaviśya sā tena kāpi puṣpair alaṃkṛtā
anyajanmani sarvātmā viṣṇur abhyarcito yayā

“Would you not agree that everything about bhakti-yoga, as a discipline, as a kind of specific implementation of sanatana-dharma, is for moving towards something? It is like those paths they draw out in children’s books. You start at one place. You make your way through the path, winding this way and that, perhaps stopping at a few checkpoints to measure your progress, in order to finally reach the destination. The way out, in this case, is liberation. You can choose your preferred Sanskrit term. Moksha, mukti, or even nirvana. Whatever the case, there is an end. You are moving towards something.

“That is fine and good. It makes sense. We are in illusion right now. We were born into illusion. We have likely spent many lifetimes in such illusion, bewildered by our temporary circumstances. We think about how to eat, how to sleep, how to be comfortable, how to protect ourselves, and how to enjoy. We don’t think about death; or at least we try not to. We don’t think about where we were before. We try to live in the moment.

“Self-realization is for moving beyond the moment. It is about thinking about the bigger picture. It is about shifting our activities to point towards a superior destination. To that end, there are the tried and true methods, based on observable practice. We chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. We try to modify habits in order to reach optimal purity. We read. We hear. We listen. We serve. We might make offerings on a regular basis, such as taking a flower, some water, or some fruit. We might even take the time for elaborate preparations, such that the remnants, known as prasadam, can be shared with others.

“I am here today to ask about the case of success. Just what happens when someone does reach the milestone? Say that there is verification prior to the completion of the life experience. For instance, a young Prahlada Maharaja meeting God as Narasimha. We have the pastimes of Shri Krishna with the gopis of Vrindavana. Why would someone not get proud? Why would they not feel supremely blessed? I guess I am asking about where to go from there. Just what are you supposed to do? How are you supposed to stay humble?”

In the case of Radharani, the gopis once observed that Krishna went out of His way to make an offering. The one who receives countless offerings since time immemorial took the time to reach for flowers. He plucked the flowers in order to form a garland. He made a garland to offer to Radharani. The gopis were so impressed by this interaction that they made guesses as to the cause. Perhaps Radharani had worshiped Vishnu, who is the soul of all, in a previous lifetime.

At the same time, we learn that Radharani is extremely merciful. If she is pleased by someone’s devotion, then she gives a recommendation. This means that she is not proud, if thinking in terms of accomplishments. She never wants to shut others out from their opportunity to interact with her beloved Krishna, who is her prananatha.

Though Prahlada was only five years old when He met Vishnu as Narasimha, the devotion continued. It is not that Prahlada boasted of his accomplishment for any and all to hear. It is not like Prahlada put others down. It tends to be just the opposite, in fact. Such exalted servants try their best to continue serving, to lift others up to the highest standard.

We have another example in Shri Hanuman. He met Vishnu as Shri Rama. The meeting for the sadhaka appears to be the end, but for Hanuman it was the beginning. Though Rama is always pleased with Hanuman, there was still some pressure. Hanuman put the burden on himself to succeed in a difficult mission. Twice he specifically asked himself how to make all of the personal accomplishments worthwhile. In other words, leaping over an ocean would not mean anything if the mission of Rama was not accomplished. This was the opinion of Hanuman, which shows that there was no pride.

न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लब्यं न कथं भवेत्
लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न वृथा भवेत्

na vinaśyetkathaṃ kāryaṃ vaiklabyaṃ na kathaṃ bhavet
laṅghanaṃ ca samudrasya kathaṃ nu na vṛthā bhavet

“How can I ensure that the purpose of my task does not get destroyed? How shall I avoid mental disparity, and how do I ensure that my crossing of the ocean does not go for naught?” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.41)

The spiritual master follows a similar route. They are always in connection with the Supreme Lord. They are always thinking of Him. They are always serving Him. They have no other business in life. Despite their exalted status, they are kind enough to reach down to attempt to lift others up. Sometimes the person being rescued might resist. They have to leave the association of maya kicking and screaming, but the guru is so kind that they will not relent until the mission is accomplished.