“Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.41)

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व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिर्
एकेह कुरु-नन्दन
बहु-शाखा ह्य् अनन्ताश् च
बुद्धयो ऽव्यवसायिनाम्

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo ‘vyavasāyinām

How do we tell who is saved and who is condemned? His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada recommends Krishna consciousness. This is his specific translation to the Sanskrit terms of “bhakti-yoga” and “bhagavata-dharma”. You could even say that sanatana-dharma means the same thing, since it is the inherent characteristic of the individual to serve the highest being of all. The name Krishna is but one way to address that highest being, and consciousness is the indication of the presence of that service.

If that is the case, how do we tell who is actually conscious of Krishna? Can we go off visible indications? Is there an exam that can be administered? Even then, what if the person grading the exam is in maya, or illusion? If we have imperfect senses, which is one of the four inherited defects for the individual, how can we then use those senses to tell whether someone is living within karma or ascending to transcendence in bhakti?

One obvious indication is resolve. The Sanskrit, as given in a verse from Bhagavad-gita, is vyavasayatmika. The context of the discussion is buddhih, or intelligence. To get an idea of what this means, we present the following hypothetical account of someone we will informally refer to as “the quiet yogi.” We get exclusive access, wherein we can follow along, but without disturbing. We are observing for our own interest. We are not recording anything to be later broadcast as a reality television show, but the steadiness of the presence is similar. No boom microphone or spotlights, but an exclusive perch, nonetheless.

The person in question is not much different than you or me. They are an adult. They have a job. They have a home. They have a family. This person tends to follow a routine. They maintain regular habits. They wake up at around the same time each day. Their first priority is to chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They repeat this mantra in a systematic way, on a set of prayer beads known as a japa-mala. This person has vowed to repeat the mantra a certain number of times each day. They are faithful to this vow. Not that they are keeping a running tally, but they have not deviated from their own standard for many years. It is the item of highest priority for each day.

The next thing this person does is prepare for work. They travel to the office. Once properly situated, they complete their assignments in a timely manner. They deal appropriately with colleagues. The dealings are mostly amicable, but things can turn hostile every now and then. That is the nature of business, after all. There are no hard feelings. No one can really say a negative word about this person. They are considered dependable, reliable, and knowledgeable in their area of expertise.

This person tends to eat simply throughout the day. They stay away from meat, fish, and eggs. They may go out after work with colleagues, when invited, on occasion. They do not consume adult beverages. They try to keep things simple. They are not necessarily condemning others for their way of life. They tend to follow the suggestion provided by Shri Krishna, in relation to those who are following karma.

न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्

na buddhibhedaṃ janayedajñānāṃ karmasaṅginām
joṣayetsarvakarmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran

“Let not the wise disrupt the minds of the ignorant who are attached to fruitive action. They should not be encouraged to refrain from work, but to engage in work in the spirit of devotion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.26)

When this person returns home, they shift their attention towards responsibilities involving the family. Driving children to different outside engagements. Keeping an eye on the food supply. Dealing with a leaky faucet. Figuring out why the garage door is not opening. This person might cook every now and then, as well. On a specific cadence, they try to offer food to the Supreme Lord in a formal way. This is also based on a recommendation from Bhagavad-gita. This person then tries to distribute the food that gets returned, which is known as prasadam.

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)

Whether people happily accept the food, reject it, or comment on the taste makes no difference to this person. The process will continue regardless of the reception. This person reads sacred texts in their free time. They like to discuss what they have read with anyone who is interested. If they cannot find any interested parties, they will deliberate internally. They try to always remember the Supreme Lord and His pastimes.

हित स्ॐ हित, रति राम स्ॐ, रिपु स्ॐ बैर बिहाउ
उदासीन सब स्ॐ सरल तुलसी सहज सुभाउ

hita soṃ hita, rati rāma soṃ, ripu soṃ baira bihāu
udāsīna saba soṃ sarala tulasī sahaja subhāu

“Tulsi says that one who has love for Rama should be friendly towards friends, renounce enmity with enemies, and be easy-going, simple in nature, quiet, and equally disposed towards all.“ (Dohavali, 93)

Taking a step back, our person from the above review does not show any obvious indications of enjoying a heightened experience. They appear to be like everyone else. We might not be able to judge their fate, but one thing we know, for sure. This person will never deviate from the standard they have reached. In other words, they are not going anywhere. They do not feel the need to broadcast this standard, to make a spectacle of themselves, or to belittle others who may not have the same resolve. They are content to carry along, with full humility, grace, and appreciation for those who have come before them. They always remember the teacher who showed them the way. They are confident that the object of worship will provide, maintain, and address any deficiencies that may arise in the future.

अनन्याश् चिन्तयन्तो मां
ये जनाः पर्युपासते
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां
योग-क्षेमं वहाम्य् अहम्

ananyāś cintayanto māṁ
ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham

“But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.22)

In Closing:

Exclusive access to see,
But of distractions free.

How one individual to go,
As quiet yogi to know.

Chanting first thing upon awaking,
Initiative in fixed routine taking.

Working like everyone else around,
But dedicated in renunciation found.

Categories: stories

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