Three Times The Undefeated Was Defeated

“I shall go with you today to the forest. There is no doubt about it. I cannot be prevented, O greatly fortunate one. I am ready to go.” (Sita Devi speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 27.15)

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In Sanskrit the prefix of “a” is used for negating a word. This usage is prominent in words describing that person who is beyond description. The Almighty, God, the Deity, the Divinity - these help to distinguish a person from the population of mortals, but there are further ways to describe, which glorify at the same time.

One name for Him is Ajita. This means “never conquered.” It makes sense, since a person being conquered reveals a flaw, a blemish, a vulnerability. Even if an athlete, warrior, politician, ruler, or other person in a position of prominence has a one hundred percent success record in competition, they cannot defeat death. Known as kala in Sanskrit, death is the greatest devouring agent, and it has spared no one to date.

Despite being worthy of the name Ajita, the Supreme Lord sometimes does find defeat. This contradiction is resolved through understanding the potency of bhakti, which is love and devotion. Not tainted with any desires for fruitive gain, increase in knowledge, or mystic ability, the devotee is able to win over that person who is otherwise undefeated.

1. Wrestling with the cowherd boys

Ajita descends to earth every and now then, which for Him can mean thousands of years in a gap. After all, Lord Brahma’s day is billions of years long, and that doesn’t even come close to meeting his entire lifespan. Bhagavan says that a person who knows the length of Brahma’s day and night actually understands time.

“By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together is the duration of Brahma's one day. And such also is the duration of his night.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.17)

One place that Ajita visits in the mortal world is Vrindavana. There He plays the role of a cowherd boy, the beloved son of Nanda Maharaja and mother Yashoda. There are other cowherd boys in the community, also, and they go out to the fields together, under the excuse of tending to the calves.

“The party of Balarama, accompanied by Shridama and Vrishabha, came out victorious, and Krishna's party had to carry them on their backs through the Bhandiravana forest. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, being defeated, had to carry Shridama on His back, and Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 18)

Ajita wrestles with His friends, and sometimes He is defeated. As per prior stipulation, He must then carry the victors on His shoulders for a period of time. He is conquered in this way because there is great delight as a result. There is ananda, or bliss, all around.

2. Tied by mother Yashoda

Krishna is known to break into the homes of the neighbors and steal their butter. Outwardly, they protest the intrusions, but inwardly they are delighted. Mother Yashoda hears the complaints, and she wonders why her son is not satisfied with the butter churned at home.

One time Krishna became angry at His mother leaving His side for a moment, and so He broke a pot of yogurt that was being churned into butter. Yashoda chased the scared Krishna until she finally caught Him. She decided to bind Him to a mortar as punishment, but no matter how many ropes she brought she was always two finger-widths short.

Once again Ajita allowed a devotee to conquer Him, seeing her dedicated effort and knowing how much she loved Him. Finally being bound to the mortar, Krishna earned the new name of Damodara, who is still celebrated to this day during the auspicious month of Kartika. Krishna was also able to use that mortar to liberate two trees, who were actually demigods in a previous birth.

3. Losing an argument to Sita

When Ajita descended to earth as the warrior prince named Rama, He one time had to leave the kingdom for fourteen years. That was a kind of defeat in itself, since God can do anything. He doesn’t have to listen to anyone, so when the step-mother Kaikeyi wanted Rama to leave, He didn’t have to accept.

The original intention was for Rama to play the ideal man, son, husband, prince, and protector of the saints. Going to the forest would facilitate other responsibilities being met. Rama asked His devoted wife Sita to remain at home. What was she going to do living in the forest like a person without a home, taking the vow to be like an ascetic?

Sita pled her case, and it was a good one. Rama still protested. Sita persisted until she finally won the argument. Husbands are known to cave into their wives, and it is no different with the Supreme Lord. He is won over by bhakti, and so the wise know that the best practice is to always stay connected with Him, winning His heart through lovingly chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Despite in many past lives sinning,

Through pure devotion winning.

To the point defeated may become,

Like when Sita argument won.

Or cowherd boys on shoulders hoisting,

Or ropes mother on Damodara foisting.

That Ajita, so merciful and kind is He,

May His beautiful vision I always see.

Four Examples Of Where Utility Is The Principle

“Sometimes people ask us, ‘Why are you utilizing material products if you condemn the advancement of material civilization?’ But actually we do not condemn. We simply ask people to do whatever they are doing in Krishna consciousness. This is the same principle on which, in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna advised Arjuna to utilize his fighting abilities in devotional service.” (Shrila Prabhupada, The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 14)

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His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada advises against suddenly changing occupations. No need to quit the home, leave the family, and retreat to the forest. No need to stop talking to every single person you speak to on a regular basis. No need to shave the head right away, wear different clothes, and live in a new place.

At the same time, there aren’t any absolute rules for progressing in the path of self-realization. This is more true when the path is bhakti, which is love and devotion. In jnana-marga there has to be intelligence; otherwise how will the knowledge be assimilated? In karma-marga there has to be the ability to work; otherwise how will the fruits to sacrifice manifest?

Bhakti-yoga can be practiced during childhood, even, where there isn’t much maturity in comparison to adulthood. What rules should be followed, though? It would be easier if someone just made a list. Something like a giant image of possible objects of attachment. Then go to each object and put either a check or a strikeout mark, like with the no smoking sign.

The material world has duality in every aspect. What is good for one person may not be so for another. The rain is welcome on a scorching summer day, but on a cold and windy autumn afternoon the rain only makes things worse.

From the bhakti school of teachers there is the concept of yukta-vairagya. This is a combination of connecting and renouncing. Use things around you in service to Bhagavan, but become detached at the same time. Another way is to say, “utility is the principle.” This concept is not very difficult to understand once we apply it to several objects with which we are already familiar.

1. Television

One person says they can’t watch the news anymore. It’s just sadness, twenty-four hours a day. They don’t report the good things. When buses and trains arrive on time, thousands of instances throughout the year, there are no stories. When there is an accident, however, total focus. Maybe it is better to stop watching television altogether.

Another person uses televised programs to relax. They like to laugh. It is easier to turn on an electronic device than to travel to a live performance held somewhere. Also, the television gives breaking news on weather alerts and other emergencies. Without at least some viewership, society would be in the dark about these things.

2. Knives

Better to not eat vegetables raw. They are difficult to digest that way, and every health issue has improper or poor digestion at the root. Let’s use a knife to cut up those vegetables. The products that come in the annoying packages from the retailer, only a knife can do the job.

At the same time, one mistake and the effects can be deadly. The knife is sharp, after all. It is intended to cut. What if the target is human flesh? What if an accident happens in the kitchen? Maybe it is better to avoid knives altogether.

3. Guns

The judgment on this object should be more uniform. One group says that guns are weapons and only that. They have no other purpose. Look at the amount of deaths that happen each year caused by a gun. Why should anyone own them? They are not safe. Whatever some men from two hundred years ago thought, today is different.

Another group says that there are bad people out there. Those evildoers will not adhere to the laws of the government. They will find a way to get guns, even if the objects are banned. When such a person goes on a rampage, what are the innocent potential victims left to do? Pray? Post on social media? Wear a ribbon? Only another gun will provide sufficient protection. Indeed, so many deaths are prevented each year because a responsible, law-abiding citizen was near a potential crime scene carrying a gun.

4. Microphones

One person is beginning to get fed up. They are sick of being awoken to the same sounds each morning. Life must have been better before the invention of the microphone. Then people wouldn’t be able to annoy as easily. There is no reason to amplify sound to that magnitude.

Another person is so thankful for the same microphone. They are able to speak to large gatherings without having to shout. In addition, the people in the audience can hear through the many distractions. People on their smartphones, standing up in the aisles, talking amongst themselves - at least with the amplified sound the speaker can be better heard.

In this way we see that different objects in nature cannot be condemned universally. Utility is the principle, and so the sadhaka can take the same lesson. Shrila Rupa Gosvami advises that whatever is favorable for devotional service should be accepted. That which is unfavorable, pratikula, should be avoided.

As a simple example, the association of drunkards, cheats, animal killers, and sense gratifiers in general will not do much good for the consciousness. If not physically renounced, then at least attachment to such association should be given up. The association of sadhus, saintly people, will help us tremendously, especially if we take the opportunity to meet with them and chant the holy names together: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Both groups consist of people, but the relationship to the highest cause brings different effects.

In Closing:

Decide to travel on spiritual road,

Leading straight to God’s abode.

What about material objects to see,

From attachments shouldn’t be free?

For everything utility the principle,

Like sharp knife, from cut not invincible.

Or television valuable information providing,

Effect on bhakti assessment the line dividing.

Four People Counseled And Inspired By Narada Muni

“There is a statement in the Skanda Purana wherein Parvata Muni tells Narada, ‘My dear Narada, of all saintly persons you are so great and glorious that simply by your good wishes a lowborn hunter also has become a great, elevated devotee of Lord Krishna.’” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 17)

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God is so great that in Sanskrit there are much more descriptive names for Him. In fact, one of the most commonly used words is not even equivalent with the term “God.” The more generic is Ishvara, which means a great controller. Everyone is trying their hardest to effect outcomes at both the micro and macro level, but there is something more powerful controlling them.

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

These are the modes of nature, which must cooperate for any result to manifest. Above nature is Ishvara, and a more descriptive term for Him is Bhagavan. This refers to a person who has all fortunes. Beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom and renunciation. Not only does Bhagavan have these simultaneously, but each one is at the highest level. The tank is always full, so to speak.

To understand Bhagavan is not easy. In fact, through mental speculation alone it is impossible. For this reason there is repeated instruction, strong emphasis, on the need for accepting a spiritual master. Approach one, make sincere inquiries, and render some service. Behave submissively and the person who has seen the truth will show you the way.

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

A well-known spiritual master from Vedic literature is Narada Muni. A son of the creator, Lord Brahma, Narada travels the worlds chanting the names of Narayana repeatedly. This word is synonymous with Bhagavan, referring to a specific form, one that has four hands and is opulently adorned. Narada’s influence has caused amazing transformations in so many people. Indirectly, his reformative influence continues to this day through the parampara system, and from the past we learn of the impact of his direct association.

1. Daksha’s sons

Known as Prajapati, Daksha was one of the people in charge of populating the world. To do that interaction with females is required. In steps Narada Muni, innocently teaching about the science of self-realization, and the plan gets foiled. As a reward for his good deed, Narada was cursed by Daksha. Since Daksha’s sons were convinced to remain celibate throughout life and pursue tapasya and spiritual endeavors, Narada was cursed to never remain in any place for too long. He has since turned that curse into a great blessing for both himself and the world.

2. Vyasadeva

This is the literary incarnation of Bhagavan. He is also known as Vedavyasa since he divided the original Veda into four parts so that mankind could better understand. He also compiled the many Puranas, which teach the same concepts but in story and conversation form.

Despite so many important titles to his name, Vyasadeva felt unsatisfied. Upon meeting Narada Muni, the great sage got the inspiration to compile the Bhagavata Purana, which focused on devotional service, bhakti-yoga. The work in devotion is never done, since the joy continues to increase, but that single meeting with Narada caused endless inspiration.

3. Valmiki

He was a highway robber in his early life. Good people can go astray; anything is possible in a material creation. Bad association, or simply the lack of good association, can cause a person to do unspeakable things.

The robber had the good fortune of one day trying to steal from Narada. The spiritual master-to-be asked some important questions first, to which the robber went to get answers. Realizing the folly of his ways, the robber surrendered to Narada. The son of Brahma told him to chant the name of Rama for purification, but there was so much sin accumulated that the pronunciation simply wasn’t happening.

Narada did not let go. He did not doom the robber to hell or tell him to wait until another lifetime to try again. Narada found a way, telling the disciple to chant the name of Rama backwards. The reverse word means “death” and it was something the person was accustomed to. From chanting that name in the reverse, the sound of Rama was heard nonetheless. From chanting so long an anthill formed, and the disciple became known as Valmiki, who would go on to author the great historical Sanskrit work known as the Ramayana.

4. The half-killing hunter

During another time Narada ran into a hunter who took great pleasure in half-killing animals. Narada didn’t understand what the purpose was. The best thing is to leave animals alone, but if you’re going to kill them, at least put them out of their misery.

Upon further counseling the hunter was convinced to give up his profession. Narada made all preparations for sustaining life. The hunter went to the banks of a sacred river, lived simply, and just chanted the holy names in front of a tulasi plant. Nothing else. No extended tour of pilgrimage sites. No in-depth study of Vedic literature. No joining an established institution.

Sometime later Narada returned to see the former hunter, bringing Parvata Muni along. Parvata Muni was amazed at what he saw. That same hunter was now so cognizant of innocent life that he was stepping around ants on the ground, not wanting to crush them. The bhakti spirit had taken over, and once again Narada was responsible.

In Closing:

If towards Divine to proceed,

A spiritual master you’ll need.

Like Narada Muni from Vedas shown,

Cursed when Daksha’s anger grown.

Counseling sons for tapasya path to take,

The robber now life of chanting to make.

The half-killing hunter becoming cognizant so,

That around small ants now even to go.

Three More Criticisms Devotees Don’t Mind Hearing

“One day will come when death will finish everything, and the living entity will have to enter another body to begin another chapter of life and again begin the cycle of material sense gratification. Prahlada Maharaja describes this process as punah punash charvita-charvananam (SB 7.5.30). Materialistic life means chewing the chewed again and again.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.27.14)

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His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that if you were to attempt to count the number of amshas, or expansions emanating from the source of spirit, a majority number would belong to the spiritual world in terms of residence. That is to say by comparison a small number of conditioned spirit souls, jivas, are spinning on the wheel of suffering, the samsara-chakra.

The cycle manifests as birth and death. Not as the same external identification. Not exactly like living the Groundhog Day film, but something similar. A different body each time, which is a collection of material elements, both gross and subtle, consisting of the three modes of nature: goodness, passion and ignorance.

While the majority reside in the spiritual world, which is known as Vaikuntha since it lacks anxieties, those even attempting to go back to home, back to Godhead, to stay on the path that leads them there, are in the strong minority. It is not like they are a few percentage points away from overtaking the other side, either.

Therefore it is not surprising for devotees to hear criticisms. The bhaktas stand out. They must; otherwise there would be no effect to devotional practices. The more they advance along the path, the more immune they become to the critical words. In fact, some of the harshest words increase the strength of conviction.

1. You are obviously lost

A person suddenly gives up meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. On a Friday, instead of going out to the movies or enjoying at a club, they are reading from sacred works like the Shrimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita. When meeting with others, it is to discuss the same topics. They may have a television in the home, but it is always tuned to recorded discourses about Hari, sometimes lasting four hours.

It is no wonder that others will consider the devotee to be lost. This is a great compliment, because if the materialists didn’t think this way, the devotee wouldn’t really be on the right path. To actually be lost is to stay on the cycle of birth and death, enjoying a little here, but lamenting greatly at loss. Prahlada Maharaja refers to that enjoyment as chewing the chewed.

If the bhakta is lost, it is in the transcendental taste coming from interaction with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are lost in the bliss of surrender, sharanagati. They forget where they are, what type of body they are in, what year it is, who they are related to, and what time it is while they are happily repeating the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

2. You have not a care in the world

The criticism here manifests in the stern rebuke, “You are dead inside.” The idea is that others are caring. They lament over loss. They worry about the poor. They care about material fortunes. The devotee is cold to these things. They are simply engaged in their bhakti. They don’t worry about what happens in the real world.

Again, this criticism can be taken as a great compliment. Shri Krishna Himself explains how a wise person should behave. They take happiness and distress to be like the seasons, which bring changes to weather. Today is a little cold outside. I have to warm up my car in the morning before driving. Just a few weeks ago I was walking around in a t-shirt and shorts.

These changes arise from sense perception only. They should have no impact on my disposition. Just as weather is always changing, so are people’s fortunes. Due to karma sometimes a person is up and sometimes they are down. The jivas are coming and going, and the person who is connected in devotion to Bhagavan is not swayed by these changes.

3. Your object of worship danced with young girls

Since criticism at the personal level is having the opposite effect, shift over to the object of worship Himself. Shri Krishna, the all-attractive one, is famously depicted dancing with young, beautiful girls under the brightest moon of the year, Sharada Purnima. He expands Himself into identical forms so that each girl, known as a gopi, feels as if Krishna is only with them.

The non-devotee criticizes, asking how a person could be devoted to someone who behaved that way. After all, that behavior goes against all codes of morality, especially those passed down in the Vedas. Again, the bhakta is somewhat pleased to hear this. The criticism further substantiates Krishna’s position as the Supreme Lord, for He is not limited by anything. Not only is His behavior free of any outside interference, but so is His mercy. He can dance with millions of women simultaneously, if He wants, just as He can hear and answer the prayers of His countless devotees to continue in their devotional practices, for life after life.

In Closing:

Bliss from bhakti-yoga extracted,

Not by criticism detracted.

That to world not having a care,

Or asked if of rasa-dance aware.

Lost really those the chewed again chewing,

Who not yet material life eschewing.

Harsh words to bhaktas giving strength,

Known that for them willing to go any length.

Three Reactions To Winning A Million Dollars

“O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.14)

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These things don’t usually happen to you. “I’m the most unlucky person” has always been your response to anyone who asked what you would do if something like this were to occur.

It happened, though, to everyone’s surprise. Of course, it is easy to lose perspective. One person lives well enough to find shelter in the cold, have air conditioning in the heat, and put plenty of food on the table. Others around the world are not so fortunate.

Even still, there is something of value God has already given. If a person were offered a tremendous amount of money for one of their limbs, they most likely wouldn’t accept. This implies that they do have gifts provided by nature which have such a high value that a price tag cannot be applied.

In this hypothetical situation you have won the lottery. A million dollars. It doesn’t go as far as it used to, but it’s still a lot of money. What to do now? In which direction to turn?

1. Go crazy and buy a lot of stuff

A new car. A bigger house. Relocate to a preferable climate. The sky is the limit. No one to say, “No.” During youth the parents only gave gifts once a year, on your birthday. They didn’t want to spoil you. Other children received so many toys and such on the occasion of Christmas, but not you. If you took the cumulative of every gift you received growing up, it wouldn’t compare to one Christmas’ worth for your neighbor.

Now there is no one to stop. No restrictions. In Sanskrit this path is known as bhoga. Pure enjoyment. Worried about what to eat? Hire a chef. Let them live in the house, even. First thing every morning, they will ask what you want to eat.

2. Put the money away and retire

The opposite path is tyaga. This is renunciation. Either put the money away in the bank, collecting the interest, or just give it away to others. Use this as an opportunity to become detached from the world. No more forced entanglement in daily affairs. No more having to work for this or that. In the bhoga path you can use the money to start new businesses, but that only means more responsibilities and troubles. Time is money, and now that there is so much, time can be freed up for higher pursuits.

3. Think of it like a dream

What if you only won the million dollars in a dream? Is that any reason to rejoice? Is waking up reason to lament? In fact, every person already has such an inheritance, since they are intimately tied to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is resting within everyone’s heart.

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.61)

Winning a million dollars in a dream isn’t so big a deal, but reconnecting with Bhagavan is. This can happen in the human form, which is the real reason for its high value. That connection can take place when someone has a high bank balance, and also when they are dirt poor. Bhagavan is known as the protector of the poor, in fact.

He lifted Sudama Vipra from a condition in poverty, which only the brahmana’s wife was really struggling with. He transformed the contents of the fruit basket into gold and jewels for the vendor in Vrindavana. He made Sugriva the king of Kishkindha and Vibhishana the king of Lanka. He gave salvation to Shabari, the female ascetic.

Those rewards were not necessary, but the Supreme Lord never keeps His devotees in distress for long. The devotion is their real wealth, and so even if they were to come into a lot of money it doesn’t change their behavior. They understand that wealth and good fortune are benedictions from Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune. She is the husband of Narayana, or God the person, and so such blessings should be used for the same purpose, pleasing her husband.

In Closing:

Suddenly into money coming,

Overnight millionaire becoming.

What now after down from high?

Stumped on what to buy.

Like in dream award taking,

Gone once morning awaking.

Connected to such wealth everyone already,

Supreme Lord protecting devotional life steady.

Three Ways Forgetfulness Can Be Beneficial In Bhakti-Yoga

“I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas am I to be known; indeed I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.15)

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“I very well know the verse from the Bhagavad-gita explaining the source of remembrance, forgetfulness and the like. I understand that the verse is most often used to explain how the different species inherently know how to do things, like the animals being able to walk immediately after birth, and the infant going through an expected cycle of development.

Yes, yes, Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead intentionally allows for forgetfulness in order to fulfill the flawed desire of wanting to enjoy without Him. With my situation, I want to remember. I’m trying bhakti-yoga in earnest. I just seem to forget a lot. I can’t remember all the details of the lila, or pastimes. I can’t explain the stories to those who don’t know, without referencing the books or refreshing my memory. Am I doing something wrong?”

As Goswami Tulsidas says in the Dohavali, Shri Rama is gariba nivaja, the protector of the poor.

“The one who never even received broken currency, who was so poor and nobody wanted - Tulsi says that Shri Rama, the protector of the poor, has made him worth so much.” (Dohavali, 108)

Poverty doesn’t have to be limited to the bank balance, i.e. how much money you have. There can be deficiency in a host of areas, but the devotee should not worry. The Supreme Lord will protect. The effect of connecting with Him in a mood of love is so powerful that even something that is typically considered negative becomes auspicious.

1. Excuse to connect again through lila

Can’t remember the pastimes? No problem. Just read them again. They are beautifully presented in works like the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana and Ramayana. Indeed, forgetfulness here provides a wonderful opportunity, an excuse almost, to connect again with the Supreme Lord.

His lila is divyam, or Divine. If we read the same biography of a mortal person over and over, eventually the taste diminishes. “I’ve already read this. What more is needed to be learned?” The same limitation is absent with the endless glories and deeds of Bhagavan.

2. Excuse to again learn mantras

The person giving lectures at the weekly sadhu-sanga gathering rattles off verses verbatim, with translation and appropriate context. They not only have memorized the words, they know when a certain verse should be invoked. Rather impressive, considering I may not know many verses at all.

Again, forgetfulness gives a wonderful opportunity. Just go back and learn the verses again. Start slow and gradually build up. The shlokas in the Bhagavad-gita are mostly spoken by Krishna Himself. The Sanskrit is the original sound; it is not translated. The sound of God is the same as Him. Through memorization I am connecting with Him.

3. Learn to appreciate the service of others

There is some jealousy, no doubt. How is this person able to memorize so much? How can they sit in one place for upwards of four hours and produce an engaging and informative discourse from memory? What is their secret?

In devotional service the more one advances the more they appreciate the work of other devotees. Even if there is a hint of jealousy, it is used to appreciate instead of bring down. The more we honor the connection that others have with Krishna, the more we will advance ourselves. In this regard forgetfulness helps to bring humility, to remind us that we are not God, that we will never be, and that we do not have to be. He protects the surrendered souls, and looks only at their effort, not their ability or lack thereof.

In Closing:

Like possessing mind so bright,

Speaker verses from memory to recite.

Continuing for hours upwards of four,

Not ready to stop, could go even more.

By comparison nothing am I,

Forgetting despite best to try.

Even that auspicious can turn,

Chance for again sounds to learn.

Trouble Finding Even Spare Change

“The one who never even received broken currency, who was so poor and nobody wanted - Tulsi says that Shri Rama, the protector of the poor, has made him worth so much.” (Dohavali, 108)

lahai na phū।tī kau।dihū ko cāhai kehi kāja |
so tulasī maha'go kiyo rāma garība nivāja ||

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It was a long day at the office. You don’t feel like cooking anything. You shouldn’t be eating food from outside, but in this case you feel like there is no choice. You go ahead and order a pizza. While the online system for many places accepts credit cards, this restaurant is more old-fashioned. It’s cash only. The restriction is worth the bother since the food tastes so good.

You don’t even go to the place to pick up. Delivery brings its own joy. You sit there on the couch while waiting for the food to arrive. When it does, you answer the door, ask how much, and then fetch your wallet. Uh oh. Big problem. Not enough money. You’re about a dollar short.

You decide to scour the entire house. There has to be enough change lying around. Looking here and there, in shirt and pant pockets, between the cushions in the sofa, you eventually find enough to make the payment. What a relief!

Imagine being in a similar situation but not finding enough money. There is also no guarantee of getting more the next day. Goswami Tulsidas says that his situation was so bad that he couldn’t even get broken currency. He was a beggar by profession, one he accepted voluntarily.

Why would someone suddenly decide to become homeless? Was he not able to work? Was he not willing to put in the necessary effort to hold down a job and sustain a family? By accepting the renounced order of life, sannyasa, Tulsidas agreed to stay poor. This would allow him to better focus on spiritual matters.

The means of eating is begging, going door to door. Don’t accept too much, either; just enough to eat for the day. No saving up for the future. No collecting and gathering. By controlling the senses in this way, Tulsidas lived up to the title of Goswami.

In the beginning he was not very successful in begging; nor was there a lot of prestige. Since he was doing bhajana for Shri Rama, everything eventually changed. He wrote a few poems, and his popularity exploded. He became of the highest value, since what wise person isn’t interested in connecting with the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Tulsidas reflects on this change, which the wise are known to do. It is seen that one of the qualities of the devotees is thankfulness. An outsider might ask what there is to be thankful about? Even the most popular sannyasi in the world is still a beggar. They are not supposed to have a bank balance. They are not supposed to be wealthy, making million dollar loans here and there.

Shri Rama is gariba nivaja, or the protector of the poor. The stipulation is that the poor must have a connection to Him. Otherwise what is poverty to one person is prosperity to another, since everything is relative in the material world. The poor in this case also means surrendered; they rely entirely on Shri Rama to protect them, to provide for them.

And why shouldn’t He? The animal community does not pray. They do not attend church. They do not show up at the temple with offerings. Still, they get sufficient food to eat. We wouldn’t prefer their quality of living, but it is living nonetheless. They eat, sleep, mate and defend, just like human beings do.

The saints don’t take up devotional service to earn a name, reputation, or fame. They don’t want sufficient food or money. They don’t want to be respected by the entire world. The Supreme Lord is so kind that these things happen automatically. Tulsidas follows the path of Shri Hanuman, who is the best example in this regard. Hanuman is the most famous, though he never seeks any fame. He gets everything he needs for his service to Shri Rama, provided by Rama’s wife Sita, who is the goddess of fortune. The example is there to provide comfort and relief, to give confidence to anyone wishing to surrender completely to the path of bhakti-yoga.

In Closing:

For pizza ordered on the phone,

To pay later, delivered to home.

But with the balance due deficient,

Searching everywhere for change sufficient.

Imagine life always like this then,

Tulsi recollecting previous time when.

But help coming from protector of the poor,

Who welfare of devotees to ensure.