(Synopsis of a lecture given by Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj on April 16, 2010 in Sitapaila, Nepal, explaining this new kirtan verse)
We have a habit of postponing actions for our spiritual progress, yet we will immediately perform wrong actions. We are doing the reverse of what we should be doing.
In the Mahabharat there is a story that once a poor brahmin went to King Yudhisthira to ask for charity. He said, “I have to get my daughter married. Please give me 10 pieces of gold.” Yuddhisthira said, “I am very busy today. Come tomorrow.”
Bheemsen was standing nearby and he didn’t take this well. He thought, “Why did Yuddhishthira tell him to come tomorrow? He could have told me to give him the gold.” Bheemsen decided to play a joke on Yuddhishthira. He called the prime minister and said, “Today an extremely joyful event has occurred that we must celebrate.” The prime minister wondered what that joyful event could be but he didn’t have the courage to question Bheemsen. He had it announced in the city that everyone should celebrate joyously, so the city was decorated and everyone was singing and dancing in celebration.
Yuddhisthira observed this and he said, “What’s happening? It’s not Ramnaumi or Janmashtami. Why is the whole city celebrating?” He called his prime minister and asked him, “What is happening?” The prime minster answered, “My lord, your brother ordered it.” Yuddhishthira said, “Call Bheem!” Bheemsen came and Yuddhishthira asked him, “What’s happening? What is everyone celebrating today?” Bheemsen said, “Brother, today we received the greatest news.” “Well, what is it?” “You have defeated death!” Yuddhisthira said, “I defeated death? Are you in your right mind? What are you talking about?”
Bheemsen said, “What did you tell that brahman today? You said, ‘Come tomorrow’.” Yuddhisthira said, “So?” Bheemsen continued, “Why did you say that? What if you don’t remain in this world until tomorrow? Then what? Your word would be proven false. You could have told me to do it.” Yuddhisthira said, “Oh, I made a mistake! Call the brahman.” When the brahman came Yuddhishthira asked him for forgiveness and gave him the gold.
You should never delay practicing devotion. Today you have good understanding; tomorrow you may not. Maya is so powerful that even the understanding of great intellects like Brihaspati and Saraswati could be lost. A person starts by thinking, “God is so kind. He is so compassionate.” And he cries. But then, “But how is he kind? This bad thing happened, then that happened, then my son died. This is all useless! God isn’t kind at all!” The effect of repeated thinking is so amazing that not even in one day or one hour but in one minute a person could become a demon or in one minute he could be elevated to the class of a Saint. For this reason, as regards spiritual matters, you should not trust your mind.
Never have the confidence that the correct understanding you have today will remain tomorrow. Great, great devotees have experienced spiritual downfalls. You all must have heard the story of Ajamil. It is written in the Bhagwatam that he had complete control over his senses and was a scholar of all the scriptures. He fully embodied the principles of dharma. But after only glancing at a prostitute for a moment, he because the greatest example of a sinner. This was due only to his repeated contemplation.
When Ravan was dying, Ram said to Lakshman, “He was scholar of all the four Vedas. You are a kshatriya, so go to him and respectfully stand near his feet. With folded hands and ask him to give you some teaching at this time of his death.”
Lakshman went and Ravan said, “Son, there are two things you must remember. Do what is good immediately, and postpone what is wrong for later. I thought many times of doing good, but I was extremely proud of my powers that had brought even great celestial gods like Yamaraj, Kuber and Indra under my control as servants. Then I thought I would do good later. But the wrong action I performed of kidnapping Sita, I did immediately.
Now I am undergoing the consequence of that action. I am dying. So, Lakshman, remember these two instructions I have given you.”
For your spiritual wellbeing never delay practicing devotion; do it immediately. If you are going to do something bad, think about doing it later. This will save you from performing a wrong action. The Rig Veda says,
Na shva shva upaseeta kohi purushashya shvo veda.
This is very deep philosophy. Don’t say or think, “I’ll practice devotion tomorrow.” Don’t trust for even a second that you will live to see tomorrow. The most dangerous quality this human form possesses is that, in spite of being so great that even the celestial gods long to receive it, you will not be told when it will be taken away from you. It doesn’t matter if one is a sage, a yogi, or a God realised Saint. There is one rule that applies to everyone. Look at the example of Jagadguru Shankaracharya. He left this world at the age of 32. Gauranga Mahaprabhu left at the age of 48. Shri Krishna left this world at the age of 125. Ram stayed for 11,000 years. This law applies to everyone. No matter if one is a God realised Saint or a soul under the control of Maya, if his time has time, he must go. When a Saint who is beyond Maya wills it, he will go, and souls under Maya will be taken away. But they will all go regardless. For this reason, do not procrastinate.
© Radha Govinda Samiti and Bhakti Bliss
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