Five Questions On Leadership Based On The Govardhana Puja Story

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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1. Might is right?

“If you are physically stronger than someone else, does that make you superior? The bullies tend to dominate the school playgrounds. They can intimidate others into handing over their lunch money. In the case where overt stealing can’t take place due to the watchful eye of authority, there are subtle ways to accomplish the same. Harass to give change at the lunch counter. Intimidate into allowing plagiarism; blatant cheating.

“In the political sphere, if your country has a larger army, more military might, you might be able to invade another country outright, without proper justification. After all, there is nothing the other side can do. But is this the proper way to behave? Is physical strength the way to measure justice?”

2. Survival of the fittest?

“If you live longer than me, does that make you superior? Are you a stronger person? Does that indicate a better way of living? The tree stands in one place for thousands of years. One person stays locked in their home for years out of fear relating to a contagious illness. If such a person is able to prolong life that way, should we immediately seek their counsel on complex subjects, affixing expert status?”

3. The strongest person is automatically the best?

“I am witness to an arm-wrestling competition. It follows a tournament style. One-on-one matchups, completed in a series of rounds. Eventually, you get a winner. Now, that proves they are able to defeat their individual opponents, but they did not necessarily go against every participant in the tournament.

“When it comes to pondering matters of life and death and the purpose to an existence, should I turn to that person? Is their victory in the tournament an indication of superiority? Are they automatically an expert in everything? Their word is final, since they have the ability to assert dominance over others?”

4. He with the most money should be honored and worshiped within society?

“The richest man in the world. This is based on a net worth figure calculated from stock holdings in a particular publicly traded company. That is why the title keeps moving. One day this guy is the richest, the next it is someone else. News events move markets. Commodity prices play a role. Politics. Wars. There is no guarantee that the shares you own in a company will be worth something when you need to cash in.

“Should the wealthiest person be worshiped? Should they be given top priority for providing input on matters of public policy? Should they get a seat at the table with world leaders, influencing laws that could make or break a particular industry?”

5. That person wielding the most influence in society is most qualified to be the leader?

“Whether it be wealth or some other form of notoriety, if someone is able to influence others, should they become the leader? Are they then best equipped to handle the pressures of the job, to answer the complaints of the citizens, who number in the millions?

“In other words, is the ability to influence on a large scale a qualification for leading people? Remember, this is not commenting after the fact. There is no luxury of hindsight. You have to know what to do when an emergency strikes. You have to act quickly, sometimes bucking the trend, ignoring the experts.”

…

We ask these questions after reviewing the story of the first Govardhana Puja. The king of heaven certainly thought himself to be the most powerful. He wielded might to such a degree that he could wash away a large tract of land in a matter of minutes.

This is precisely what he tried to do. He was the leader in the heavenly realm, svarga-loka. This is not an easily achieved post. Austerity, penance, sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, and significant time devoted to the righteous path in a human form earns you a spot in heaven in the afterlife. From there you are not guaranteed to become the leader, though you can enjoy for a long time.

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्ग-लोकं विशालं
क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्य-लोकं विशन्ति
एवं त्रयी-धर्मम् अनुप्रपन्ना
गतागतं काम-कामा लभन्ते

te taṁ bhuktvā svarga-lokaṁ viśālaṁ
kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti
evaṁ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
gatāgataṁ kāma-kāmā labhante

“When they have thus enjoyed heavenly sense pleasure, they return to this mortal planet again. Thus, through the Vedic principles, they achieve only flickering happiness.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.21)

The residents of heaven live for a long time in comparison to the population of earth. This would qualify as leading the competition of survival of the fittest. Indra is the strongest based on his position, and he has a tremendous ability to influence.

Despite his superior standing, Indra was defeated. Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always immeasurably ahead of everyone else. This is one of the reasons for the name Bhagavan. He has every opulence imaginable, to the highest degree and simultaneously.

He defeated Indra’s strength using a hill as an umbrella. Krishna outsmarted the king of heaven. He withstood the attacks for seven straight days. He protected others in the process. The Supreme Lord was not distracted by those around Him; the attention did not get diverted.

This is one incident out of countless which shines the spotlight on the proper object of worship. Bhagavan is always in the superior position, and no human being or resident of the heavenly region can ever compete with Him. No one can become God; that position has been reserved since time immemorial.

In Closing:

By opulences deserved,
Since forever reserved.

To Bhagavan the one,
Surpassing Him none.

Not even king of heaven enraged,
Who coup at Govardhana staged.

But defeated by hill raised,
To this day Krishna praised.

Why Didn't Ravana Take Notice From The Dandaka Incident

“Neither the demigods nor any exalted personalities were there helping Rama, for He acted alone. You should not entertain any doubt on this matter. Indeed, Rama shot feathered arrows, plated with gold, which turned into five-headed serpents that devoured all the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were oppressed with fear, and wherever they went and wherever they turned, they saw Rama in front of them. In this way, O spotless one, have your Rakshasas been destroyed in the forest of Janasthana by Rama.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.18-19)

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नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा।
शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।
सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।
येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।
तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्।
इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā।
śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ।।
sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān।
yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ।
tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam।
itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha।।

“One of my favorite incidents from Rama-lila is the attack in the Dandaka forest from Ravana, the king of Lanka. Not that I am particularly fond of reading or hearing about military conflict. Sure, the Rakshasas do make for an interesting case study. They change appearance at will. They appear and disappear from the vision.

“They attack the vulnerable. They have nefarious motives. They range the night, nishachara. In other words, they hardly do anything that is fair or just. In the case of the attack in Dandaka, Ravana sent fourteen thousand of his men. Was this a war, you ask. Was this a battle within a larger military conflict, aimed at securing land or reversing occupation of a neutral territory?

“No, Ravana was just upset based on what his sister had told him. Shurpanakha had recently visited Dandaka, where she found Rama living with His wife Sita and His younger brother Lakshmana. She tried to approach Rama for intimate affairs, but Rama denied her. She ended up charging after Sita, viewing her as competition. As a matter of protection, Lakshmana interfered and in the process disfigured Shurpanakha’s face.

“Ravana thought he was the king of the world, that no one would defeat him in a fight. Yet he wasn’t brave enough to defend his sister’s honor on his own. He also sent overwhelming force to deal with Rama. Since He is an avatara of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sita’s husband easily swatted aside that attack.

“My question relates to the aftermath. Any smart person would take notice. They would not mess with Rama again. Why would Ravana stoke the beast, so to speak? Why didn’t he just leave well enough alone? Why did he have to then steal Sita in secret, which invited eventual total destruction in Lanka?”

Many people did try to warn him. There is the exchange between Maricha and Ravana. A Rakshasa himself, cursed to live as one through a previous interaction with the venerable Agastya Rishi, Maricha tried to warn Ravana against raising hostilities with Rama.

Maricha had personal experience to use as justification. He one time had attacked the yajna of Vishvamitra in the forest. This had been a regular occurrence; the sages were being harassed during the nighttime in areas that were otherwise conducive to austerity and penance.

On this occasion Vishvamitra had a bodyguard. It was the same Rama, but much younger. He was supposedly in training in the military arts, but God is always God. Rama did not hesitate at the moment of the attack. He fitted arrow to bow and released a perfect strike against Maricha.

The Rakshasa was spared; he was fortunate to live through the ordeal. He tried to warn Ravana against fighting with someone who is so skilled. Later on, many others tried to warn Ravana with a similar appeal. Ravana’s brother Vibhishana got so frustrated that he ended up leaving Lanka and joining Rama’s side.

The historical incidents are also highly symbolic. When kama takes control of a person, their better judgment goes out the window. Think of the man who seriously pursues a woman, no matter how strongly she rejects him. Think of the person who knows that the way they eat and drink carries severe negative health implications, but continues along that path anyway.

There is also the strong illusion that since I have yet to experience the total destruction myself, perhaps it will not occur for me. Maharaja Yudhishthira remarks that the most amazing thing in life is that people try to create a permanent situation in a world where they witness friends and family being forced to leave on a repeating basis, day after day.

Only a fool would continue hostilities with the eldest son of King Dasharatha, but Ravana’s intelligence was stolen a long time before. He was fortunate to meet the ultimate end directly through Rama’s arrows, which are transcendental in nature. Devotees still celebrate those triumphs, which represent more than just the victory of good over evil. They show that God is always good and that His devotees will always be protected in their devotional life.

In Closing:

Looking pure evil in the face,
Through arrows shedding His grace.

That massive army defeated,
And Akampana retreated.

Ravana should have learned,
The mighty lesson earned.

But kama holding him back,
Proceeding on kala’s track.

Does God Favor Some People Over Others

“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.29)

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समो ऽहं सर्व-भूतेषु
न मे द्वेष्यो ऽस्ति न प्रियः
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या
मयि ते तेषु चाप्य् अहम्

samo ‘haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu
na me dveṣyo ‘sti na priyaḥ
ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā
mayi te teṣu cāpy aham

“We know that in the Bharata War, the side with Shri Krishna as the charioteer for the leading warrior ended up victorious. Though technically a neutral participant, this was no ordinary servant taking direction from the person in charge.

“We know so based on the conversation which is today called Bhagavad-gita. The roles reversed. It was Arjuna who asked the questions. The guru gave the directions. Recommending which way to turn, what traps to avoid, how to assess progress, where to place priority.

“This historical event, which took place in real life, is also symbolic of the general doubt. Man has intelligence, but they still require guidance. There is the potential to rise to CEO of the most valuable company in the world, but you still need training. Learning the ABCs. Trial and error. Overcoming hardships.

“Would it be fair to say that Arjuna was favored by Krishna, who is also known as the Supreme Personality of Godhead? I hope you realize that many people turn to religion and have their faith strengthened based on what they perceive to be Divine intervention in their life, favoritism from above.

“If that is the case, then wouldn’t the opposite condition indicate lack of favoritism? Going back to the Bharata War example, were the Kauravas devoid of Krishna’s assistance? If so, does that not invalidate the greatness of God, who should be kind towards everyone?”

There are many ways to explain the distinction and the difference. It is certainly true that the mercy of the Almighty is available to everyone. We find confirmation within the conversation itself, between Arjuna and Krishna.

The Supreme Lord does not envy anyone. He has no need to. He is Bhagavan for a reason. Enumerate the basic opulences that would be desirable in life. Then understand that God possesses those opulences to the highest degree and also simultaneously.

Proof of the non-envious nature is the all-pervading distribution of Bhagavan in His expansion of Supersoul. In simpler terms, God is within everyone. Not a single space is lacking His presence. When that tree falls in the forest, it most certainly makes a sound. This is because Supersoul is there to witness, to vouch for the reaction within nature, where the two objects collide.

With respect to favoritism towards Arjuna and the Pandavas, the symbolism of the image provides further clarity. Krishna was available to both sides in the war, but only the Pandavas took advantage. It was Arjuna who asked the questions. He made the inquiries that changed God’s stance from neutral, disinterested observer to well-wishing guide.

It would be something like two hungry people approaching a counter at a restaurant. The owner sets out two piping hot pizza pies, which are fresh out of the oven. One pie for each. The hunger should cease.

Except only one person takes advantage. They dig into the pizza and soon their hunger is gone. The other person is distracted first by their smartphone. They are busy checking the news. Soon the pie has gone cold and is less appealing. Though still hungry, they refuse to eat the pizza given to them.

Would it be fair to say that the proprietor has shown favoritism? Could any rationally thinking adult blame anyone except the individual for their predicament of continued hunger?

In the same way, the Supreme Lord shines His transcendental effulgence everywhere. Both the burglar and the home owner have God inside of them. Supersoul was with Duryodhana and the Kauravas. It was with Hiranyakashipu in his attacks against his innocent son, Prahlada Maharaja.

Those who approach Bhagavan directly take advantage of assistance already available to everyone. Such a person becomes a friend in the eyes of the Almighty, who then breaks from His position of neutrality and offers direct assistance. Since He is Ajita, or unconquerable, anyone who is so fortunate will always be protected in their endeavors moving forward.

In Closing:

Krishna with Arjuna to align,
Favoritism not to find?

Since other side bereft,
With little protection left.

Idea that universally available to all,
But only approaching friend to call.

Where Krishna from stance breaking,
And control over outcome taking.

Two Venues Where A Person Can Worship God In Their Preferred Manner Of Speaking

“An old woman in Vrindavana, present at the time of Krishna’s pastimes, once stated in surprise: ‘How wonderful it is that Krishna, who owns the hearts of all the young girls of Brajabhumi, can nicely speak the language of Brajabhumi with the gopis, while in Sanskrit He speaks with the demigods, and in the language of the animals He can even speak with the cows and buffalo! Similarly, in the language of the Kashmere Province, and with the parrots and other birds, as well as in most common languages, Krishna is so expressive!’” (The Nectar Of Devotion, Ch 21)

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“What about this issue with people who have difficulty pronouncing Sanskrit words? Sometimes I see something happen in real life that I want to relate to a story from shastra, but I hesitate to bring it up to others since they will have a hard time following the names of the characters. I end up substituting terms and titles in place of the names, because I think the stories have that much relevance to the situation.

“Since we are focusing on chanting the holy names, on the non-difference between transcendental sound and the person they represent, is not this a significant hurdle towards success? What about proceeding further and wanting to glorify the Almighty? How do we properly approach the Supreme Personality if we are lacking education, skill in composition, and so forth?”

1. Appearing on Firing Line

We can look to two extremes to see how this operates. In the first, we reference a television program that used to air on public broadcasting in the United States. The host was known for his intelligence, scholarly nature, and erudition. He would host guests in what would hopefully turn into an adult discussion on the major issues of the day.

A person with such intelligence can certainly worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They can use everything they know to both understand and explain the science of self-realization. In such a setting, the questions could be highly-relatable, as well.

In other words, the knowledge gets challenged, and from there the stature of the proponent only increases, provided they produce satisfactory answers. Everything is rooted in Bhagavan, after all. If we are blessed with education, we should view it as a gift from above, to be used in the same way as fortune itself, who is Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Narayana.

2. Living within the firing line

Here we are in a polar opposite situation. Certainly no time to have a faculty-lounge type discussion. Poverty. Decay. Gangs running wild. Too unsafe to leave the house at night. Alcohol and drug addiction everywhere. In turn, the education system completely substandard. If you ever make it out of this place, it is a miracle.

Even in the most dangerous condition, a person can worship God properly and perfectly. We have the story of Prahlada Maharaja from Shrimad Bhagavatam. Though he lived in a royal palace, with his father as the king, Prahlada faced every kind of danger imaginable. He worshiped properly through perseverance, and he showed his intelligence when later meeting God directly, in the amazing manifestation of Narasimha.

If education were a barrier to success in spiritual life, that would limit the reach and scope of the Almighty. It would invalidate His position as well-wishing friend of every living entity. Though the lower species are not as blessed in terms of potential for intelligence, they are still equally as eligible for receiving Krishna’s mercy and approaching Him.

With whatever condition we find ourselves, in whichever land in the universe, through whichever language spoken within that land, we always have the opportunity for devotional service. Shri Krishna Himself speaks many languages, and He is expert at communicating with others. He can certainly hear the prayers incoming from a variety of places, detecting the level of sincerity and the eagerness for devotion: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

On television talk show seated,
Ignorance of challengers defeated.

Or with danger at every step,
Relief not for second to get.

Equal eligibility in the two,
Connected to Him me and you.

Since languages many to know,
Everyone towards Him can go.

Four Reasons You Can't Scare Me With Eternal Damnation

“Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 6.17.28)

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नारायण-पराः सर्वे
न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति
स्वर्गापवर्ग-नरकेष्व्
अपि तुल्यार्थ-दर्शिनः

nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve
na kutaścana bibhyati
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ

“Does not the threat of eternal damnation concern you in the slightest? No one can validate with visual evidence; I will concede that. We do not have video confirmation of the suffering in the hellish region for ignoring the call to accept a certain savior. We won’t even cover the people who never get the chance to make that choice, where life gets in the way and they don’t live long enough to even contemplate the opportunities available to them.

“Yet I can certainly understand why people might capitulate. What do they have to lose, is the thinking. Sit in a specific house of worship for a few hours, on one day in the week. The ceremonies usually take place before any other engagements would interfere. In other words, you can still watch the big game on television. Religion is not completely ruining your life.

“What is the corresponding teaching to the people who have given in? The ones that are following out of fear, who have a healthy respect for the man upstairs. They can’t describe what He looks like, but they would rather not risk a meeting with Him in this lifetime; lest there be locusts, floods and famine.”

1. Birth

From the point of view of shastra, the simplest refutation is to consider the horrors we already experience. There are four miseries, in particular, and one would be surprised to learn that the first is birth.

For the people already in this world, it appears to be a joyous occasion. A brand new person, extending the family. A repository for love and affection. A way to meaningfully pass the time. Repaying the debt owed to the people who came before us, the ancestors.

The truth is that birth is miserable. The experience is so dangerous that sometimes the mother does not survive. Science and medicine take every precaution necessary, but the reality is that pregnancy always carries a threat to the life of the mother.

Shastra explains that the person taking birth suffers inside of the womb. It is not a natural state to be forced to curl up into a ball. This is worse than incarceration, as there is barely room for movement. The soul inside promises to remember devotional service, but the birth process is so traumatic that they forget the entire experience that preceded their arrival into the world.

2. Old age

One day a person is doing just fine. They play sports. They drive a car. They speak on the telephone with friends. They cook dinner. They read books.

Over the course of time, their abilities diminish. They can do less and less. Pretty soon, they can barely make it up and down the stairs in the home. They require constant supervision. This change is neither expected nor welcome, but it is a harsh reality of life.

3. Disease

Accompanying old age is the increased vulnerability to disease. There could be such a strong attack within the body that a person no longer remembers who they are, what they are doing in this world, and who the people around them are.

In many cases, it is more difficult to take care of an afflicted adult than a small child. The adult may wander here and there in the house, touching electrical outlets, walking in the middle of the road, using scissors in places that aren’t necessary.

This is one of the horrors of disease, which every person is vulnerable to. Contagious respiratory illnesses with the potential for lethal damage didn’t magically appear within the last year. They have been around since the beginning of time.

Those people locking themselves in the home for months on end to avoid a virus should know that there is always some kind of disease lurking. If every person were tested for every virus in the asymptomatic state, the number of reported “cases” would be breathtaking.

4. Death

After having gone through one misery after another, there is the final blow. This awaits every person. No one can avoid it. The only way of prevention moving forward is to stop birth altogether. Death is harsh and cruel and it plays no favorites. It does not care what work needs to be completed or how much longer a person wants to remain in this world.

…

In the face of these four miseries, what can a threat of eternal damnation really do? We face the horrors right now, today. If a certain kind of religious system wants to appeal to me, it should bring a change in consciousness. That is to say, I shouldn’t have to wait on a future promise, where I can’t validate until after death.

Shrimad Bhagavatam explains that a person who has found genuine religion no longer cares about a future destination. They are fine living in heaven or hell. If they gain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which is a reward superior to even finding the heavenly region of the material world, they are not overly concerned.

This is because they always see the smiling face of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are always ready to serve Him, to continue in devotion. They follow dharma to satisfy His desires; not to avoid punishment. This superior state of living is available to every person, and it meets every inquiry or doubt a person may have.

In Closing:

With inherited faith obeyed,
Since by threat made afraid.

Of eternal damnation finding,
Daily this potential reminding.

But the wise seeing already,
Suffering’s presence steady.

Better an alternative how,
Spiritual bliss giving now.

Three Destinations That Are The Same For Devotees

“Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 6.17.28)

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नारायण-पराः सर्वे
न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति
स्वर्गापवर्ग-नरकेष्व्
अपि तुल्यार्थ-दर्शिनः

nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve
na kutaścana bibhyati
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ

1. Heavenly planets

Known as svarga-loka in Sanskrit, this collection of planets within a specific region is the slated destination for the pious. A reward of sorts, the final stop after the travel from this life to the next. The individual does not cease to exist after death. They simply move on to another place, in the same way that they arrived here from somewhere else.

The distinction with svarga-loka is the living experience. Compare to an arcade or amusement park for children. It is the opposite of school. No one forcing you to stay and learn. Fun, only. Just like those places for children, there is an allotted time of enjoyment. Often there is a way to measure.

However many points you purchase on the card determines how long you can keep playing. With svarga-loka, the equivalent is the accumulated pious credits from the previous lifetime on earth. This explains the many yajnas performed within Vedic culture. Follow this ritual on that day, instituting this restriction, with that intention in mind.

Each observance has associated punya, or pious credits. As Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita, while the enjoyment is enhanced, with the desire trees, desire cows, and the intoxicating beverage known as soma-rasa, eventually a person has to leave.

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्ग-लोकं विशालं
क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्य-लोकं विशन्ति
एवं त्रयी-धर्मम् अनुप्रपन्ना
गतागतं काम-कामा लभन्ते

te taṁ bhuktvā svarga-lokaṁ viśālaṁ
kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti
evaṁ trayī-dharmam anuprapannā
gatāgataṁ kāma-kāmā labhante

“When they have thus enjoyed heavenly sense pleasure, they return to this mortal planet again. Thus, through the Vedic principles, they achieve only flickering happiness.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.21)

2. Hellish planets

Follow pious behavior and reach svarga-loka. Dying and going to heaven. There is an equivalent on the reverse side. Insist on impious behavior and be condemned to naraka. The large accumulation of papa, demerits, guarantees such a fate.

Shrimad Bhagavatam goes into vivid detail about the variety of suffering enforced within the hellish planets. Each corresponds to the particular sinful activity indulged in while on earth. While the punishment seems harsh, each one fits the crime. Karma is entirely fair.

Like svarga-loka, a person does not stay in the hellish region forever. There is no such thing as eternal condemnation. It may seem that way to the person undergoing the stress, but since these planetary systems are part of the material world, they are themselves destined for destruction at a future date in time.

3. Liberation

Known as mukti in Sanskrit, this is the enjoyment of release from the cycle of birth and death. We also find variety corresponding to this achievement. That is to say there isn’t only one type of mukti. You can be free of reincarnation and live in a truly spiritual way, with a spiritual body instead. Liberation is preferred to heaven, hell, or earth.

…

Yet pure devotional service, bhakti-yoga, is so wonderful that the person immersed in it loses interest with specific destinations. They could live in hell, even, as long as they get to continue to chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Shrimad Bhagavatam explains this in terms of devotion to Narayana, which is a name for the personal God. Maharishi Valmiki confirms in the Ramacharitamanasa, in a direct conversation with God, in His personal form of Shri Rama.

Assessing the different options, the wise person chooses the path where they no longer have to keep an eye on the hourglass of time, where they don’t have to be in a fool’s paradise or seek temporary enjoyment. Better to stay with the one who has limitless glories and who shares His transcendental greatness in a way that we will never run out of justification for being devoted.

In Closing:

Heavenly planets to find,
From yajna credits in kind.

Or to hellish region to fall,
Where pain and suffering tall.

Liberation possible to see,
But devotee content to be.

Since Bhagavan always standing,
Protector no matter where landing.

They Think This Saves Us From Our Hell

“For one who has accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Mukunda or the giver of mukti, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf's hoofprint. Param padam, or the place where there are no material miseries, or Vaikuntha, is his goal, not the place where there is danger in every step of life.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.14.58)

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समाश्रिता ये पदपल्लवप्लवं
महत्पदं पुण्ययशो मुरारे:
भवाम्बुधिर्वत्सपदं परं पदं
पदं पदं यद् विपदां न तेषाम्

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ
mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ
bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ
padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām

“What would you say to the people that don’t want anything to do with religion? They are happy with life, as it is. Whatever it is they are doing, they are content. Plenty of enjoyment around. Home, job, family, wealth, nature, adventure – you name it and they have it.

“They think that you are giving up on life, imposing restriction for no reason. Taking the fun out of the amazing experience and boundless potential for opportunities in this world. You are worshiping some imaginary person in the sky, using that as authority to tell everyone else how to live.

“In other words, they think they are enjoying right now. What is your appeal to them? What case can you make to change a way of life that someone doesn’t want to leave?”

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada accurately remarks that people only think they are enjoying. In truth, every moment within that experience is suffering. There is danger at every step in this world, a truth underscored through the recent developments in the world.

If they were truly enjoying, they would never think to lock themselves in the home for months at a time. They would never consider using a piece of cloth to try to protect against viruses that travel through the air. They would realize that they faced the same level of danger a week ago, a year ago, ten years ago, etc.

At any point in the timeline of existence, whether at home or outside, there is never full assurance of protection against the three sources of misery. These are from the heavens, from other living entities, and from within. In the age of Kali, which has the notable indication of increased quarrel and hypocrisy, not even the child within the womb is safe.

Another indication of the suffering is the widespread use of intoxicants. I think that I will enjoy at the end of a hard day at work by indulging in adult beverages. This is a way to enjoy, but actually the signs point to suffering. If I had a truly wonderful day, if I liked what I was doing, if I were blissful, there would be no pain to dull upon completion.

If I think that I am enjoying in the material world, there is the constant factor of time lurking in the background. I will not get to stay here forever. A wise person identifies this as suffering. Keeping an eye on the clock. Watching the hour glass as the sand falls from the top to the bottom.

Spiritual life is for finding true enjoyment. It is the only way a person becomes happy; no exception. Shri Krishna explains that when engaged in devotional service, bhakti-yoga, there is joy within the work itself.

राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

In the material realm we get offered one remedy after another to deal with the suffering. Get a new job and you will be happy. Purchase that larger home and the problems will vanish. Start exercising to feel better. Take a vacation and the problems will go away. Shoot up the latest concoction from the medical community and you will be immune from illness.

None of these remedies saves us from the hellish experience of knowing that everything we have worked for will vanish in due course. My relationships will not last, but in spiritual life the consciousness carries forward. If I am conscious of the Divine today, it does not have to dissipate tomorrow.

शरीरं यद् अवाप्नोति
यच् चाप्य् उत्क्रामतीश्वरः
गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति
वायुर् गन्धान् इवाशयात्

śarīraṁ yad avāpnoti
yac cāpy utkrāmatīśvaraḥ
gṛhītvaitāni saṁyāti
vāyur gandhān ivāśayāt

“The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.8)

When immersed in the bhakti culture, the perils of a material existence remain, but the degree of the suffering decreases. It is something like turning off the electric fan. When released from the power supply, the fan still spins for a short amount of time. This is the effect of the previous work.

In the same way, my past karma may come to hurt me, but when under the shelter of the Divine energy I will not suffer as much as I otherwise would have. More importantly, I will experience a newfound bliss each and every day, and no one can offer me a better alternative to the life of strong connection to the transcendental realm: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Life blissful and affirmative,
None better alternative.

Since in other ways losing,
Blessed this opportunity choosing,

Danger here every step,
Never peace of mind to get.

Finally the suffering to stop,
From nectar of devotion a drop.