Introduction
Once there was a very learned Guru who was asked by his disciple, “Guru Maharaja, how can we know what pleases Krishna the most?”
Offending the Dead
The spiritual master answered, “Go to the burning ghat and offend the dead.”
The disciple went to the burning ghat and looked for some corpses being prepared for cremation. He offended them by saying, “You have wasted your life. Never was there a time when you spent your days remembering and praising Hari. You are all total failures, materially and spiritually.”
When he returned, his Guru asked him, “So what did the dead people answer?”
The disciple was surprised and answered, “Well, Guru Maharaja, these people are dead; they cannot answer a thing.”
“Very Good! Now go back to the ghat again and praise them!”
Praising the Dead
So the disciple went back and praised the dead. After some time, when he returned, the Guru asked once more, “So what did they say this time?”
As before, the disciple was surprised, “But Guru Maharaja, they are dead; they cannot respond to my praises.”
The Guru’s Teaching
The Guru, by now having prepared his disciple for this instruction, said, “Just as they did not answer your praises or offenses, when you hear praise or infamy from ordinary people, you should not become inflated with vanity nor should you become deflated by their discouragement. In this way, you shall become content both in happiness and in distress whilst always fixing upon your spiritual goal come what may. This is how you can please and praise the Lord.”
And sometimes, in the absence of great saints living close to us, we can simply ask that spiritual master within the core of our hearts what we really ought to do.
Moral of the Story
The story teaches us that true devotion and the way to please Krishna lie in maintaining equanimity regardless of external circumstances. Praise or criticism from others should not affect our internal state or our commitment to our spiritual path. By staying focused on our spiritual goals and remaining detached from the dualities of life, we can please Krishna.
Prayer
Hare Krishna Mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Conclusion
The lesson from this story is profound. It reminds us to remain steady and unwavering in our spiritual practices and devotion, unaffected by the world’s transient praise or criticism. By doing so, we not only please Krishna but also cultivate a stable and serene mind.
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share these moral/instructive stories so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
