BG 12.13–14 – Rtadhvaja Swami’s Vyasa-puja

Giriraj Swami: It’s been very enlivening, enlightening, and purifying to hear the different . . . But now, they can’t say. . . Well, it’s just so amazing, he is sitting just amongst the boys and girls. So, it’s been very enlivening, enlightening, and purifying to hear the different devotees speak about you and your qualities and activities, and how you’ve helped them.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: [unintelligible 00:00:28] I was getting seasick. [laughter]

Giriraj Swami: I was just going to say that. When I first sat down, I was just looking around the room, and I was remembering all the different ways in which you had helped the devotees in the room. And, I thought of many ways. . . Well, some of the devotees haven’t spoken, and I won’t speak for them, but I know how you’ve touched them, especially by being so real and human. You say something like you are not a sannyasi, a human being who happens to wear orange, and that’s really true.

Before coming I thought of a verse from the Bhagavad-gītā that I felt describes you. And, you are such an avid reader, and preacher of the Bhagavad-gītā, I thought I would offer this. I’ll go through the translation and purport. The purport is not only a purport to the gurus, but it’s the purport to what all the other devotees were saying, and it’s the purport to your life.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: What Chapter and which verse?

Giriraj Swami: Yes. Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Chapter Twelve, Devotional Service, Texts Thirteen and Fourteen.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: The first one is that Krishna describes [unintelligible 00:02:48].

Giriraj Swami: Yes, but I won’t read the Sanskrit; I’ll just read the translation.

TEXT 13–14

One who is not envious. . .

COMMENT

I’m going to pause every now and then just so these words can sink in, and in our minds, we can think of how true these words are in relation to you.

TEXT 13–14

One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.

COMMENT

This is Lord Krishna speaking. I won’t even read the whole purport just because I don’t think it’s necessary, but I’ll just read the conclusion.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

All these qualifications enable him to fix his mind and intelligence entirely on the Supreme Lord. Such a standard of devotional service is undoubtedly very rare, but a devotee becomes situated in that stage by following the regulative principles of devotional service. Furthermore, the Lord says that such a devotee is very dear to Him, for the Lord is always pleased with all his activities in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

COMMENT

So, we heard about many activities that might appear to be outside the regular practice of devotional service. Again, within our minds, we can think of whichever frivolous or unfrivolous activities you’ve engaged in. But this last line explains your consciousness and Krishna’s, if I might dare to say, Krishna’s attitude towards your activities. The Lord is always pleased with all his activities in full Krishna consciousness.

So, even though the activities themselves might not be considered part of the sixty-four items of devotional service, but you perform them in full Krishna consciousness. And, because of your Krishna consciousness, the devotees who engage in them with you, devotees and especially the youth, they are uplifted. I mean, you are like a touchstone, I mean you touch people’s hearts and lives and make them Krishna conscious. But you are like a touchstone because all the different activities you touch, whether it’s playing soccer or watching the Cowboy’s football game, become Krishna conscious because of your Krishna consciousness.

So, many devotees have said it, and I’ve also experienced how non-judgmental you are which is so important. I mean, you are not pretentious yourself, and by being so accepting of others, they can relax and not feel they have to put on any pretenses to impress you. And, we all know, and it’s true that you will love us, and be there for us and help us, whoever we are or wherever we are at, at any time and in any circumstance. So, I love you dearly, and I would like to say, I love you more than my own life. But, what will I do because I don’t think my life would have much or any value without you. Hare Krishna.