In context of Bhagavad Gita 13.8-12, certain qualities have been described by Krishna.
These qualities have a deep meaning and a profound impact on the human mind, play an important role in the education of society and brings about cooperation among living beings / people.
Let us just talk about 5 of these qualities:
Humility
Pridelessness
Nonviolence
Tolerance
Simplicity
Considering the present age of Kaliyuga, is it possible to be humble in front of a terrorist or an arrogant person ?
Can we tolerate nonsensical activities by unjust, unlawful people ?
Where do we find such qualities in today's society ?
The best example for Vaishnavas is Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur who fought against the tantra yoga person and made him face penalty in court case.
Regards.
Replies
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
THe way to develop the 26 qualities of a vaishnava is attentive and effective chanting, reading Srila Prabhupada books, hearing lectures and associating with devotees. Gradually, we develop service attitude and get into serving in whatever is our capacity.
After a period of time, we are ourselves able to measure the change in us. That is progress in spiritual life.
Re your questions - is it possible to be humble in front of a terrorist - what else will you be prabhuji? This is with the assumption that the terrorist will give you enough time to register in your mind that he is a terrorist and that you life is in clear and present danger. You dont need to be Krsna Conscious to be humble in front of a terrorist, I am sure.
Humble in front of an arrogant person - of course its possible. Are you working/ studying? Have you never confronted a professor or a boss who is arrogant - dont we all handle such people in positions of power with humility? Same way, when we see an arrogant person, we should feel pity for him, remember Krsna, pray for him, and move on. Why dwell on such a person at all?
Unjust unlwful people were there in society in every age, from time immemorial. Devotees have also been there in every age since time immemorial. Such people will remain. Our objective is to build our relationship with Krsna, not to correct everyone we meet on the way. That is attachment to these unlawful unjust people - just not worth it.
These qualities are present in today's society also - have you studied the life of our senior acharyas, devotees of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. You dont have to go far - just observe the qualities of your immediate shiksha guru closely. You will be convinced.
I hope I have answered all the questions mentioned in the post to your satisfaction.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Bg 13.8-12 — Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth – all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance.
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1.Humility;
2.pridelessness;
3.nonviolence;
4.tolerance;
5.simplicity;
6.approaching a bona fide spiritual master;
7.cleanliness;
8.steadiness;
9.self-control;
10.renunciation of the objects of sense gratification;
11.absence of false ego;
12.the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease;
13.detachment;
14. freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest;
15.even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events;
16.constant and unalloyed devotion to Me;
17.aspiring to live in a solitary place;
18.detachment from the general mass of people;
19.accepting the importance of self-realization;
20.philosophical search for the Absolute Truth
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According to this verse, to be out of ignorance one needs to cultivate all thiese 20 qualities, not just first 5.