Vijaya Dasa: I was distributing books at a university when I motioned for a student to come to my table. He came over, and I began explaining some of Krsna’s teachings in the Bhagavad-gita. He didn’t show much interest. From his bulging muscles, I could tell he lifted weights and worked out a lot. I said, “It’s good that you’re taking care of your body, but did you know that while we’re talking right now your body is dying? Every second you’re getting closer to death, and in a relatively short time your body will be dead. But you, the soul, will never die.”
He said, “So you say I’m wasting my time trying to stay physically fit?”
“No, it’s good to be physically fit. I go on power walks and do yoga to stay physically fit. But I know that although this body is going to die eventually, I, the soul, will never die. So I’m also trying to become spiritually fit so I can become self-realized. If you read the book I’ve shown you, it will help you become spiritually fit.”
I told him the story of the woman with the bird in a birdcage. She was so enamored of the beautiful and valuable birdcage that she forgot about the bird inside and it died. So I told him, “Don’t be like this foolish lady who forgot about the bird and thus caused its death. The body is like a cage for the soul. If you forget the soul and become enamored of the body, that would be very unfortunate.”
“I like what you’re saying. Very interesting. I’d like to read the book.”
He gave a nice donation, and hopefully, by the mercy of Krsna and Srila Prabhupada, he will become spiritually fit.
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