Offering with our Hearts

(Compiled from notes on lectures of H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami)

He started by saying,"First of all we have to accept the supreme authority of Krishna. Second we have to accept that we are completely under His control. And then, we should always remember that whatever Krishna does to us is ultimately for our good only. Unless we realize these facts, we cannot improve our devotion in any way."

He then quoted two completely contrasting examples,"Sudama, as we all know, was in complete poverty. Though he was an intimate friend of the Lord, he tolerated the poverty. He did not feel at any time that he was suffering. Nor was he thinking, "Oh my friend Krishna is the wealthiest person. Let me ask for some wealth." It was only when his wife requested, that he thought of going, that too taking this opportunity to meet his long time friend. He had completely accepted the Lord's supreme authority and control by accepting his situation as it is. Because of his submissive nature, the Lord bestowed upon him, immense wealth even without asking for it."

On the other hand, the sons of Kuvera (Nalakuvara and Manigriva) were very much intoxicated with pride of possessing unlimited wealth. They had so much of their father's wealth at their disposal. Always, easy money makes us go crazy. As soon as we get easy money, we start thinking as Krishna says in Gita 16.15,

aadhyo 'bhijanavaan asmi
ko 'nyo 'sti sadrso mayaa
yaksye daasyaami modisya
ity ajnaana-vimohitaah
I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.' In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance.

"Because of this intoxication, they were playing naked in a lake with the other ladies. Narada muni happened to pass by that way and seeing their nasty behavior he cursed them to become trees. Krishna says again in Gita, "na shaucam naapi caacaaro" - there is no cleanliness nor is there good behavior in such people who are maddened by possessing a lot of wealth. Somehow, once they were cursed they realized their mistake and Narada muni blessed them that Krishna will relieve them of the curse when He comes down to the earth to manifest His pastimes."

It is very important for us to realize the subtle effects that our wealth has on us, even when we perform whatever bhakti we are doing. We may be making some donation to some devotional cause itself. But the thought lingers on in our minds, "Oh, I have given so much to the temple", or "I have given so much dakshina to this Maharaja" etc. Then subtly we develop the expectations, "I have to be welcomed properly", "This Maharaja is dependent on my wealth, so I can deal with him in whatever way I want" and so on. This is just one step before commiting spiritual suicide, because neither does Krishna or His pure devotees depend on our wealth, nor are we capable of serving Him with our puny little wealth. On the other hand, by giving our wealth to Him, we are only purifying our own existence.

Tons of gold will not satisfy the Lord if offered without bhakti. Whereas, even if we are a pauper, if we simply pray to the Lord offering a leaf of Tulasi and a few drops of water saying, "My dear Lord, from today, I am Yours", the Lord sells Himself to such a devotee.

I would like to make my humble prayer to the Lord on behalf of every sincere soul around the world, at the juncture of so many big spiritual projects going on, including the Rajkot Sri Sri Radha-Neel Madhav temple. Whatever amount of wealth we may want to contribute according to our capacity, let it come with sincere devotion, that this is actually the Lord's wealth and I am only purifying myself by giving it back to Him. If we give with such an attitude, and continue to possess that humble attitude, then the Lord will be definitely pleased with our offering.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.