“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

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बहूनां जन्मनाम् अन्ते
ज्ञानवान् मां प्रपद्यते
वासुदेवः सर्वम् इति
स महात्मा सु-दुर्लभः

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

In the following hypothetical situation, an individual has taken bhakti-yoga seriously to the point that they are diving head-first into spreading the message. They want others to feel the same bliss, to be elevated to a higher plane of consciousness, to appreciate everything that an existence has to offer. After all, Krishna Himself confirms that people aligned in such a way continue to feel bliss simply by discussing, in what can be described as kirtana.

मच्-चित्ता मद्-गत-प्राणा
बोधयन्तः परस्परम्
कथयन्तश् च मां नित्यं
तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.9)

This individual is running into some problems, though. There is lack of validation. Not internally, but from people managing the institution. In other words, when this individual shares what they have done, what milestones they have reached, what work they are heavily involved in, the people whose validation appears to matter always find a mistake. They point out a blemish, no matter what the individual claims.

1. People joining the temple

“Wow, you had that many people join in the last month? That is incredible. You might run out of space soon. Let me ask, are they all chanting their rounds? Are they getting up early in the morning? Are they following the regulative principles? If you don’t know, then you should be more diligent. What use is hundreds of men if they are all novices? You have to train them up to the highest standard.”

2. People attending the programs

“Wow, you had several hundred people attend the latest celebration? That is quite remarkable. Let me ask you something. How many of those people are serious? How many of them sit for the discussions on Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam? How many of them even worship exclusively, in the manner that we do? You know what I am saying. That is great to have attendees, but we are looking for serious individuals. Attendance is not everything.”

3. People eating the prasadam

“Wow, you distributed that many plates of food at a single gathering? That is impressive. Let me ask you something. Did these people take any of the books? Or did they only show up for the free food? It is good to distribute prasadam, don’t get me wrong. It is the Lord’s mercy, after all. We are following the recommendations directly spelled out in the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna.”

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)

“The thing is, if the people only eat, what have we really accomplished? It is like we are running a restaurant. We should not be in it for business. We should not aim to satisfy the senses of others. We are looking to become jitendriyah, which is conquering the senses. We should always remember that.”

4. People reading the books

“Wow, you distributed that many books in a single day? I think you set the record. That is a lot of money to help maintain the temple. But did you follow up with any of these people? Are they actually reading the books you gave them? Do they even know what the words mean? We are not looking to create a reading club. We do not want only bookworms. We want people who are serious in their desire to learn. We want to expand the base of experts, such that the timeless essence of the Vedas can be distributed far and wide. People of this age are in desperate need for genuine wisdom, which goes beyond the temporary designations.”

5. People chanting Hare Krishna

“Wow, so you chanted on the streets for the entire day? That is wonderful. You say that others joined in, that they were singing along. That is a tremendous benefit for them, in associating with the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Still, they should not remain on the periphery. They should be invited to join us, on a regular basis, to really study the matter. We are not a sentimental movement. We did not just make up these practices. They have been passed down by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the golden avatara.”

…

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada translates the Sanskrit of bhakti-yoga to “Krishna consciousness” for a reason. This is more than a formality, where someone marks down their religion amidst a list of choices. This is more than being summoned to an official meeting place once a week, living in perpetual fear of punishment from an angry and indistinguishable force beyond the clouds. This is yoga, which is the linking of the individual with the Supreme. This is bhakti, which means the linking takes place in a mood of love and devotion.

पृथिवीते आछे यत नगरादि ग्राम
सर्वत्र प्रचार होिबे मोर नाम

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra hoibe mora nāma

“In every town and village of the world, the chanting of My name will be heard.” (Lord Chaitanya, Chaitanya Bhagavata, Antya-khanda, 4.126)

Success is therefore based on the change in consciousness. However that happens, whether through constant personal association or through wisdom printed on a page that makes a difference, the change should take place. He who finally comes to understand God as a person, who is the cause of all causes, never has to take birth again.

In Closing:

Seen as Supreme standing there,
A position coveted and rare.

After many births to see,
Most advanced is He.

The goal this understanding to reach,
Wisdom through sound and books to teach.

Let them prasadam repeatedly take,
Such that advancement sure to make.

Categories: the five

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