Figuring Out The Way

“To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.10)

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तेषां सतत-युक्तानां
भजतां प्रीति-पूर्वकम्
ददामि बुद्धि-योगं तं
येन माम् उपयान्ति ते

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

“Are you as amazed as I am at the level of devotion in some people? Matched with the dedication is proficiency. They didn’t have a head-start, either. Sanskrit is not known in their family. Sanskrit-derived languages were not spoken since birth.

“In their part of the world eating meat is customary, especially of the innocent cow, who is the great boon to the human race. Consuming intoxicants on a regular basis is normal; it is the standard way to unwind after a hard day at work.

“Now this same person is kind, gentle, knowledgeable, dedicated, and extremely tolerant. They regularly chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. At least on the surface, they appear to be completely sinless. They will tell you otherwise, that they are the most fallen and that any good qualities are due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

“My question is how does something like this happen? How is such a drastic transformation possible? Do a before-and-after analysis. Just see the stark difference. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just wondering if everyone else is as amazed as I am.”

A few years prior you had few responsibilities outside of work. Sometimes you would help out in a large purchase made for the home of your parents. You would take care of the car when it needed repairs. Perhaps shovel the accumulated snow after a major storm in the winter.

Never did you think you would be capable of providing childcare. Not that you are bad with children, it’s just that your past experience consisted only of playing with older ones, those who could walk and talk.

Yet marriage and subsequent fatherhood hit and you are a changed man. You didn’t perceive any of the transformation yourself. Friends and family have made remarks:

“Look at you. You figured out how to install a car seat. You are an expert in loosening and tightening, and you get the baby seated so quickly. You can make bottled milk and feed without a problem. You even know how to get them to fall asleep. Different tricks acquired along the way. It really is a miracle of nature.”

The truth is that the relationship creates the potential. That is to say the parents have deep affection for the child, and from there they learn how to properly provide love, attention and care. They may read books along the way, but most of the successful implementation is due to intuition or acquired learning.

In the same way, every living being has a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. They are connected to Him always, even in physical proximity. He expands to reside in the heart. Known as Paramatma, this feature of the Divine is the all-pervading witness.

Shri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita that He gives the extra boost to those who are devoted to Him. He gives them the necessary intelligence to come to Him. The change required may be dramatic, but the distance of the turn is rather short. The only real change is consciousness, from material to spiritual.

Therefore, it is entirely within the realm of possibility for every person to become a devotee of God and acquire all good qualities in the process. It is no issue from where they came; rather to where they are going is the place free of anxieties, Vaikuntha.

In Closing:

Previously proficiency without,

But through love figuring out.

Easily installing child safety seat,

Every childcare challenge to meet.

Because relationship together holding,

Same with bhakti service unfolding.

To Krishna a link everyone with already,

Help for those with desire steady.