It is the duty of every responsible Indian to broadcast the transcendental message of Shrimad-Bhagavatam throughout the world to do all the supermost good as well as to bring about the desired peace in the world. Because India has failed in her duty by neglecting this responsible work, there is so much quarrel and trouble all over the world.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11 purport
Hare Krishna, Dandavat
Does that mean, every responsible indian should leave India and roam around the world to preach the message of Lord Chaitanya without fearing for the unfavorable circumstances he might come across while preaching abroad. Somtimes i feel india is a pious land....and i should live rest of my life in mayapur or vrindavan...rather than visiting foreign country where i may have to associate with meat eaters and drunkards....but when i read the above lines in Srimad Bhagavatam, i feel as if staying in mayapur for personal benefit will be escapism and cowardism. What should a responsible indian do ??
your servant
Replies
Hari Hari Bol,
Wonderful prabhuji. I absolutely love this name. So much positive energy. So much better than that armchair philosopher.
Western culture is there everywhere in India now. Even small towns and villages are not far away - everybody is busy imitating the mall culture. According to me, wherever one is, one can preach there itself. No need to go anywhere else to preach. Everybody in a place cannot be devotee.
Haribol,
Your servant
Rashmi
Hare Krsna dear Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
So nice to see that you are reading Srimad Bhagawatam, that too with attention, otherwise this sentence would not have mattered to you.
Coming to the question, what Srila Prabhupada means is that Bharat is a punya bhumi - a pious land. Therefore, to be born in this land, that too in human body, is a big responsibility. We should not waste our time imitating the west and trying to earn money and make life more and more comfortable. We should read our scriptures, understand what is our responsibility and take it up with enthusiasm.
To preach, one doesnt need to leave India and go to the west - dont you see western culture (of multiple channels on TV, malls, lifestyle apartments, money is everything) everywhere in India. We have to preach to these people itself. Like they say, charity begins at home. That same way, preaching begins at home. Srila Prabhupada also tried, he went to the west when he failed in India. One of his purpose of going to the west and making devotees is that Indians still have the imperialist mentality. Indians are very attracted to white skin even now. Indians got up and took notice of Srila Prabhupada's movement only when they saw his 'white elephants' in dhoti and shikha chanting sanskrit mantras.
Just a note of caution - you are reading Srimad Bhagawatam, have you read and understood Srimad Bhagawad Gita first? Gita is supposed to be graduation, Bhagawatam post graduation and Chaitanya Charitamrta is PHD. There are some basic concepts that one must be aware of before one picks up Bhagawatam.
Regarding what you will do in future - my estimate is that you will do neither. You will finish your studies, take up a regular job and lead a normal karmi life. If you chant in family life and are integrally connected to your local ISKCON temple, I will consider your life successful. Its not easy to stay in dham and preach, giving up all the comforts that money and a regular job can buy. Again, my opinion is formed by the armchair philosopher part. To do anything, you need to get up from your armchair, Mr. Philosopher. To do anything, one has to live in the real world and not be philosophising all the time.
Haribol.
YOur servant,
Rashmi
if you light the fire of srimad bhagavatam in the heart first, you be able to spread it to the world.