Etiquette
The other week I got asked an interesting question although it was somewhat surprising, “does your Guru Maharaja know you had HH Mahavishnu Swami stay at your house?”
I am wondering if I have broken some form of etiquette here; I am also reminded that during his stay the local centre said they could not even provide a simple meal for him as they were busy in servce, strange when great efforts and pride is taken in providing for their own Guru Maharaja.
Now again I was asked by HH Mahavishnu Swami if it was possible to get a copy of the BBT constitution as his was corrupted and it was needed with some urgency; the presumption was that I had a copy which I didn’t but said I would try to get hold of it.
I was surprised by the response of some initiated devotees some who were very abusive, one who told me as a matter of fact it was not his Guru Maharaja and I had no right to ask for help as it’s not a request from his Guru Maharaja.
One initiated devotee asked me what the BBT was, HUM!
Ok I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about this I admit it, and yes it’s not very health but why is it seen as strange that we would care for other maharaja’s? Seeing our own as the only one worth caring for.
The work they do is extraordinary, the care and attention to save the fallen condition soul, the selfless giving of self, the travelling, these are no ordinary individuals.
During the stay of HH Maha Vishnu Swami it was a few uninitiated householders who provided support and made some meals during his stay; NOT ONE INITIATED DEVOTEE I can’t help but feel this is a poor example being given but I could be wrong.
It reminded of the time Krishna sent the cowherd boys to the Brahmans for prasadam they were simply to busy preparing the sacrifices doing in their eyes service and to busy to provide even a simple meal for Krishna, It was if memory services me correctly their wife’s who understood and provided a meal it was for them better to break with etiquette and provide for Krishna, otherwise it would be better to give up the material body.
I am also perplexed as they are to be seen as non different from Krishna so by refusing even a simple meal or assistance we are actually saying “look Krishna as attractive as you are I’m simply too busy?” Would we be so bold or fool hardy?
Actually wouldn’t we want to help any devotee, aspiring devotee and try to develop this mood of service.
But as I said I could be wrong
February 5th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
David,
People are people even if they are devotees you know. Use your intelligence to discriminate; never get yourself caught in mere sentimentalism although develop nice sentiments with Krishna and also with good-hearted devotees. Be careful with power hungry people who may manipulate your devotional life for their own ambitions. Someone might even say my statement is a Vaisnava aparadha and in that case let Krishna judge me.
I am not an initiated devotee although I am a good friend of at least 5 ISKCON Sannyasis and few Prabhupada disciples. By all means, keep doing your service to all the Sannyasis and devotees because many Prabhupada’s disciples are already leaving this planet and there would be hardly anyone left in another 10-15 years.
Hare Krishna
February 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
This is an interesting phenomena. Personally speaking my Guru Maharaj is always very much pleased to here when his disciples are serving any other devotees what to speak of other preachers & Gurus within ISKCON who have dedicated their lives to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
At the same time while we may notice these devotees not-so-nice qualities we have to also try to see their good qualities and nice service they are performing otherwise we are setting ourselves up for a “holier than thou” and/or fault-finding attitude which kind of defeats the purpose of our doing nice service. I’m not accusing you of this but am speaking from first-hand experience.
Basically I find that my mind is much more peaceful and am generally more blissful when I think of how glorious all these souls are for coming to Krsna consciousness rather than meditating on how it’s total nonsense that there are temple devotees who not only drink coffee but brew it in the ashram. (for real, I was offered a cup prior to SB class one morning, not here in Austin but, at another ISKCON center) What I’ve learned from my Guru Maharaj in this regard is the best way to make changes happen is to be an ideal example yourself then the others will be inspired and follow. yad yad acarati sresthas….
Anyway, thank you very much for your thoughtful writing and realizations. Its inspiring to see devotees like yourself who are dedicated to becoming Krishna conscious despite all the hardships and sometime hypocricy they face along the road. As its said when the going gets tough the tough get going. So thank you for being resolute in purpose and inspiring us to become like that as well.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
hare krishna prabhu!I agree with your thinking after all the Supreme Father is watching your actions and you will definetely earn His grace if you serve all the Vaishnavas sincerely and causelessly.This is our Vaishnava siddhanta.