By Krishna Kumara dasa
Even after 6 years of more-or-less full-time book distribution, I still feel anxiety when I approach strangers on the street. You’d think that such inhibition would dissipate after some time. But, somehow or other (and probably due to my fruitive mentality), it’s still there. Of course, as the day rolls on, I generally become more comfortable, but I always seem to have to start from scratch the next morning. It can be very debilitating!
My first day out on book distribution after having moved to Gita Nagari Dhama, I ventured out to Princeton University while delivering some milk to the nearby New Jersey temples. As I stepped out of the van and onto campus, I found myself faced with the usual mental impediment. Victimized by my mind’s material acceptance and rejection, I was reluctant to approach the many high-powered fraternity and sorority students of this esteemed Ivy League school. After all, its students represent the pinnacle of beauty, wealth, power, high birth, and education.
My Supreme Personality of Mindhead said:
“Oh no, don’t approach that one- he looks intimidating, just like a demigod descended from heaven.”
“Oh, DEFINITELY not her, she looks like the head cheerleader. It would be humiliating if she rejected the book.”
“Ok, finally, here’s an easy one…”
“WAIT! He’s with a girl! … Approaching couples is scary! What if he rejects the book and laughs at me? Ahh!”
“What am I doing out here anyways? Princeton is hopeless. Damn this place. These high-powered demons will never take to Krishna Consciousness. Should have gone to some less intense university. What time is it anyways? Time for brunch yet?”
Crack! Bang! Taking a few lashings from my mind’s sharp whip, I eventually came to my senses. Just as a coach splashes water on his boxer’s face, gives him a pep talk, and tells him to get back in the ring, so Guru and Krishna within the heart also encourage the sankirtan devotee.
“Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, O Bharata, stand and fight.” (Bg. 4.42)
At this time, I decided to read my daily chapter of Bhagavad-gita, and take shelter of Lord Krishna’s instructions. This day I was on the sixth chapter. The entire chapter gives amazing instructions on mind control, but when I approached verses 29 through 32, I recognized that this is the meditation I needed in order to pass over this present mental block.
29 “A true yogi observes Me in all beings, and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized man sees Me everywhere.
30 “For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.
31 “The yogi who knows that I and the Supersoul within all creatures are one worships Me and remains always in Me in all circumstances.
32 “He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, both in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna!”
After finishing the chapter, I felt inspired to practice seeing everyone in their true spiritual position, and as connected to Krishna. This is the vision of the true yogi. So, picking up my stack of books, I approached the first person who popped up in my purview. “You look bright and serene,” I said, referring to the inherent characteristics of the jiva soul. “Here is one of Krishna’s lost jivas,” I reminded myself.
As long as I maintained this meditation, all my anxieties and inhibitions completely disappeared, and I felt comfortable approaching anyone. I also felt a particular kind of empowerment, where I felt that anyone I approached would take a book. Three students sitting together at a table each happily took books. A PhD student took some books. Even the Chinese exchange students who barely spoke English took books. In fact, even the inanimate statue of Benjamin Franklin nearly took a book!
Twelve hours flew by, and what at first looked like it would turn out to be, what we call, a “blooper day,” ended up being my single biggest day on book distribution ever at a university.
The potency of reading a daily chapter of Bhagavad-gita is not to be underestimated. Not only is it said to free us from certain offenses, such as in Deity worship, but Srila Prabhupada recommended it on numerous occasions:
“I thank you so much for having nicely appreciated the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. This book should be read by all of my students at least one chapter per day, and in kirtana class it should be discussed sloka after sloka. Practically, we have tried to explain in this book all of the basic principles of Krishna Consciousness. If you can simply cram Bhagavad-gita then you will surely become a very good preacher.” (Letter to Hamsaduta 69.01.02)
“Please encourage the others to read this Bhagavad-gita at least one chapter every day.” (Letter to Upendra 69.01.06)
“Be sure to chant your sixteen rounds daily and read one chapter of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, one chapter daily.” (Letter to Arundhati 69.01.26)
“Now you have your beads, so please chant at least 16 rounds daily, and read from Bhagavad-gita As It Is at least one chapter daily.” (Letter to Turya 69.06.05)
“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.” (Letter to Bahurupa 74.11.22)
So let us take shelter of Srila Prabhupada by studying his books daily, and thus receive his blessings and empowerment in whatever particular service we may have been allotted.
Nitai Gaura Premanande!
Your servant,
Krishna Kumara dasa
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