By His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
In America, some companies offer rebate coupons. This means that after a person has purchased the particular product, he is mailed a check, of say twenty percent of what he had paid, or is sent some other offer. But whatever price one pays in the market of the holy name, he receives a rebate of many, many times that amount.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is describing the supreme bargain. In this material world we give our love and faith to people, but they can hardly reciprocate a fraction of what is given. Sometimes our loved ones might even cause us harm. Here Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that if we give our faith to Krsna, then not only will we be reimbursed the equivalent, but we will actually get back many times that amount. So why should we hesitate?
It is not required to live as a monk in a temple. Everyone receives a benefit according to the faith and devotion he gives, whether big or small. Whatever devotion one has, he invests and gets profit. Thus one’s capital accrues. Then he reinvests the enhanced capital. In this way one will very soon be spiritually rich.
To reside within a temple, one should be on the level of bhajana-kriya or anartha nivrtti. But those devotees living at home can be on any level, higher or lower. And even if one has only a small degree of faith, that still has value and can be invested. Therefore the preachers should encourage people to bestow their faith in Krsna.
When Bhaktivinoda Thankura was preaching, there were no temples as exist today. The members of the Nama Hatta were all grihasthas living at home, but they could still attain love of God. And so it stands at present.
Krsna consciousness is a free-market economy. The actual currency is love and faith. Everyone can invest in Krsna and achieve the highest perfection of life: krishna–prema.
(Excerpt from the book ‘Sri Godruma Kalpatavi’ by ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry)
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