Driving past the San Francisco airport this morning, I saw a jet lift off the runway and then mystically disappear into the low hanging fog above.
For a second, in my mind’s eye, I imagined the jet’s passengers sitting together in neat rows, each with their own unique destinations and purposes. Each one bought a ticket, packed bags, thrashed about through security, and finally piled on the plane to go … Somewhere.
If we interviewed each passenger on that jet leaving SFO, we might discover some of their motives or obligations: “Earning a livelihood, going on vacation, seeing friends and family, performing some meritorious or nefarious work,” and so on.
Next, my mind turned to Srila Prabhupada and his coming to America on the Jaladuta. He begged the ticket only to endure a life-threatening trip across the ocean. But he too had a specific reason for his journey which he wrote about before his arrival at Boston Harbor, thus:
“Although my Guru Maharaja ordered me to accomplish this mission, I am unworthy to do it, being very fallen and incompetent. That being the case, O Lord Krsna, Your mercy is today arising in a befitting manner in order to make me become worthy, for You are most wise.
“In spite of my shortcomings, O Lord, You have somehow or other brought me to this country just to speak about You. Now it is up to You, my Lord, to do with me as You like.” (Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krsna & Markine Bhagavata-Dharma)
In the Gita, Krsna says: “Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.” (Bg. 3.5)
But Srila Prabhupada’s travel on the Jaladuta was not impelled by the modes of nature. His hard labor in crossing the ocean was directed by his spiritual master who asked him to perform the service of preaching to Westerners. His voyage was transcendental and will forever stand out in history.
In the Gita, Krsna imparts to us one of the great secrets of life by teaching us how to distinguish between action and inaction:
“One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.” (Bg. 4.18)
A person who moves for Krsna – by following the order of the spiritual master – is in the transcendental position. His or her movements are different from the movements of those going somewhere on their own, to fulfill a selfish agenda.
All the trouble the devotee undergoes to realize the plan of the spiritual master is purifying and liberating. On the other hand, the difficulties I undergo for myself are simply troublesome; moreover, they implicate me in a multitude of karmic reactions.
A fortunate person takes to heart the directive of the spiritual master and then works to fulfill it, however demanding it may seem.
Even Srila Prabhupada said that he could not at once fulfill the order of his guru. But, he took it to heart and engaged in a lifetime of preparation to execute it.
One may not immediately or easily renounce obligatory work. But, one who finds his or her own Jaladuta – and braves the voyage – is the best traveler of all, for he or she will sail back to Godhead.
Vaisesika das
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