Sanctimony is not necessarily reserved for the righteous. It’s a condition that could affect anyone: the right-wing, left-wing, atheists, and even “the sinful.” It means “making a show of being morally superior to others.” We all fall into it at one time or other, sooner or later.
In my college years, I first saw it on full display in a group of radical, hippy, spokespeople who came to speak to students about “The Revolution.” As a hippy myself, I was dismayed by their elitist and sanctimonious attitude. I was surprised to see hippy leaders (the generation of love) act like that.
More recently, I am again dismayed about comments concerning the plight of the Ukrainian people: “This is happening to them because of their karma“ . . . . “War is inevitable because of the mass cow slaughter” . . . . ‘War is a tool to impose collective karma on a people” . . . . “Why get so excited about Putin and the conflict in Ukraine? Look at all the terrible, hypocritical activities of other countries (especially the USA)” . . . . etc, etc.
Devotees are never happy to see the plight and suffering of others. They have to be conscientious how their words will effect others. Of course, everyone is impacted by one’s actions generating good and bad karma. And the world is indeed a dangerous place. This suffering is going on everywhere and in many ways.
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati tells us “this world is not fit for a gentleman.” When one devotee wanted to explain that the material world contains elements of both happiness and suffering, Prabhupada interrupted and emphatically declared, “Only suffering!”
In this age of Kali-yuga people are rejecting religion. Others are using and abusing religion for their own ends, or abusing their positions of leadership. This is a time of hypocrisy and lies.
Prabhupada tells us “If just .01% of the world’s population becomes Krishna Conscious, the whole situation on the earth will change. Just see what has happened. I started alone in 1966 and in just seven years now we are three thousand, and it is growing more and more. So if the intelligent men of the world like yourself cooperate with this all-important mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we can save the world from the state of misery and chaos that now prevails.” Letter, May 9, 1973
In the light of so many calamities, this is a devotee’s real concern: to reach a critical mass so “the whole situation on the earth will change.” Devotees are compassionate. They want to forever increase the mood of loving devotion to Krishna in this world.
Prabhupada explains, “If we learn how to love Kṛṣṇa, then it is very easy to immediately and simultaneously love every living being.” 10/24/1972 – NOD Lecture
Unfortunately, the Kali-yuga governments in this world are all allowing so many horrific activities to go on. In this respect Prabhupada himself appealed to the public:
“In the present day, people all over the world may join together in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and protest against the present degraded governments of the world’s godless societies, which are based on all kinds of sinful activities.” CC Adi.17.141, purport
In the ancient histories and teachings of the Vedas, the Earth is considered Mother. In bygone ages, she kindly provided her resources to all her children: the humans, trees, animals, etc. But so many greedy Ravanas are always eager to snatch up the resources for themselves. This has been the age-old objective of the asuras, the demons. Their activities and mentalities are fully described in the Vedic literatures, especially in the 16th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. And this mentality is going on today in full force.
The dharmic principles of compassion, cleanliness, self-control, and truthfulness are under attack. All of these principles have been weakened. And presently, we also see truthfulness is being distorted. People are made to feel, confused, fearful and paranoiac. Some see conspiracies everywhere. But devotees want to see Krishna everywhere.
Devotees especially look for opportunities to serve Krishna. To chant His Holy Names. To educate others about the eternal nature of the soul. To understand our eternal relationship with the Soul of souls, the Supreme Lord within the hearts of all beings. In these frustrating, contentious, and dangerous times, people are especially eager to hear these topics. And because degraded leadership is all pervasive, it is important to help educate the public about the qualifications and the responsibilities of true leadership.
Devotees must be connected to their message of a personal Deity and personal spirituality. Their words must be infused with empathy. Will dry, sanctimonious explanations provide solace to troubled souls? And why use words as weapons? In these times, devotees can meet the challenges and needs of the day by demonstrating Krishna’s love in action.
One may ask, what is Krishna’s love in action? First of all, we’re not meant to demonstrate His wrath. God can take care of that very well; as is stated in the Bible: “Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord.”
That love in action has to start with us. And we can’t transmit it through cynicism, sanctimony, or indifference to the sufferings of our audience.
We all find ourselves in different places and situations. And according to time and circumstance, it is best to transmit Krishna’s love by distributing the chanting of Hare Krishna, food offered to Krishna, and knowledge of Krishna Consciousness. And especially through our personal examples. Caitanya Mahaprabhu encourages us to always remain “in a humble state of mind” and “ready to offer all respects to others.”
As Krishna so eloquently states in the Bhagavad Gita (9:2), “This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.”
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=96776
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