Over the last weekend my wife, Nirakula Dasi, and I, had the great pleasure of visiting the devotees in New Remuna Dhama, (ISKCON, Toronto, Canada).
Over three days, the theme of our discussions together during the morning Srimad-Bhagavatam class at the temple was: Miseries in the life of a devotee: karma or Krishna’s mercy?
One of the Toronto devotees, Srimati Arusha, was out of town in South Africa during the classes, but she listened to them over the Internet.
Today, upon returning to California, I received a message from Arusha with five lessons she distilled from these morning sessions. I share them with you here as I find them to be both profound as well as practical:
1. Misery is our friend and those willing to entertain this can advance in devotional service.
2. When I turn away from acknowledging that Krishna has set my quota, it is painful for me, and it is painful for Him.
3. Along with our birth we have a debt to others. One who realizes they cannot repay all this karma surrenders to Krishna.
4. Once you realize you’re not staying here, but will be going back to Godhead, you can endure anything.
5. Without resistance you don’t grow. Krishna gives us challenges that allow us to grow.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught his followers to hear and discuss the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the association of like-minded devotees.
In the following excerpt from a Caitanya Caritamrta purport, Srila Prabhupada describes the mood and effect of such interchange:
“Such pure devotees, always merged in knowledge of Krishna and absorbed in Krishna consciousness, exchange thoughts and realizations as great scientists exchange their views and discuss the results of their research in scientific academies. Such exchanges of thoughts in regard to Krishna give pleasure to the Lord, who therefore favors such devotees with all enlightenment. ” (Cc Adi 1.49)
In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Pariksit Maharaja also tells how hearing this great literature clarifies the aim of life and palpably invokes the presence of Lord Krishna within one’s heart:
“The sound incarnation of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Soul [i.e. Srimad-Bhagavatam], enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water.” (SB 2.8.5)
Make plans to sit with sincere devotees to hear and discuss the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Simply by doing this on a regular basis, you will feel cleansed and edified. And one who faithfully continues this practice will, in due course of time, see the Lord sitting upon the altar of his purified heart.
Hare Krishna!
Vaisesika Dasa
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