Once, a donkey wanted to imitate a tiger and painted itself with stripes. Proud of its new appearance, it ventured into the forest. All the animals in the forest were afraid of the donkey, mistaking it for a tiger, and the donkey was very pleased and happy.
The Rain and the Revelation
One fine day, it suddenly rained, and the paint washed off, revealing the donkey’s true identity. Realizing they had been deceived, the animals beat the donkey.
Moral of the Story
Similarly, we often want to lord over material nature and show off without having real knowledge. All our attempts to gain wealth or knowledge in this material world are hollow attempts with no end in sight and will reveal their true nature under the influence of time.
The only solution is to drink the nectarian message of the Lord and follow the scriptures of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. By sufficiently hearing the transcendental message of the Lord, material contamination is directly eliminated.
Teachings from Srimad Bhagavatam
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.37:
pibanti ye bhagavata aatmanah sataam
kathaamrtam sravana-puteshu sambhrtam
punati te vishaya-viduushitaashayam
vrajanti tac-charana-saroruhaantikam
“Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with nectarian messages of Lord Krishna, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the Lotus feet of Him (the Personality of Godhead).”
Main Points of the Verse
- Those who drink through aural reception: Listening attentively to the divine messages.
- Fully filled with the nectarian message of Lord Krishna: Absorbing the sweet and purifying messages of the Lord.
- Purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment: Cleansing oneself of the desire for material pleasure.
- Thus go back to Godhead to His Lotus feet: Achieving the ultimate goal of returning to the divine abode.
Explanation
In this verse, the words “viduushita-aashayam” (polluted aim of life) and “vishaya” (material enjoyment) are important. Material enjoyment is described as the polluted aim of life. The sufferings of human society are due to a polluted aim of life, namely lording it over material resources. By sufficient hearing of Srimad Bhagavatam, the polluted aim of life, namely lording it over matter, will subside, and people in general, in all parts of the world, will be able to live a peaceful life of knowledge and bliss.
Teachings from Caitanya Caritamrita
Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi-lila 17.22:
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”
Teaching of Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of humility and sincere devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada said: “The real purpose of life is to attain love of God, and this can be achieved very easily by chanting the holy names of the Lord with faith and devotion.” (Nectar of Instruction, Verse 7, Purport)
This teaching highlights that true spiritual progress is achieved through sincere and humble devotional practices, particularly through the chanting of the holy names.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna,
Please grant us the wisdom to seek true knowledge and devotion rather than hollow imitations.
Help us to chant Your holy names with sincerity and humility,
So that we may overcome the illusions of material enjoyment and return to Your divine abode.
May our hearts be filled with true devotion and love,
And may we always strive to please You with our actions.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
May Your divine grace and blessings be upon us always,
Guiding us towards pure devotion and eternal bliss in Your service.
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