The Vaishnava and the Atheist Friend
Setting: A Vaishnava invited his friend for lunch and served him prasadam (sanctified food) with great care. After the meal, he inquired about his friend’s devotional service.
Friend’s Response: The friend became angry and said, “What are you talking about? What devotional service? I don’t even have any faith in God.”
Vaishnava’s Lament: Hearing this, the Vaishnava was stunned and began lamenting in front of the deity. He felt that he had made a blunder by inviting an atheist for prasadam.
The Lord’s Appearance: The Lord appeared before the Vaishnava and said, “Why are you lamenting for giving prasadam to just one atheist? Look at Me, for ages I have been feeding unlimited atheists in this world. How much lamentation should I have then? Still, I take care of everybody like a father.”
Moral of the Story:
In Bhagavad Gita 9.29, Supreme Father Lord Krishna states: “samo ‘ham sarva-bhutesu / na me dvesyo ‘sti na priyah ye bhajanti tu maam bhaktyaa/ mayi te tesu caapy aham”
“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.”
The Lord considers every living entity as His son and provides everyone with the necessities of life. He is like a cloud that pours rain equally on rocks, land, and water. He mercifully provides basic necessities such as air and water in sufficient quantities for all living entities. For His devotees, He gives specific attention: “Whoever surrenders unto Me, proportionately I take care of him.”
As obedient children of the Supreme Father, it is our utmost duty to follow His footsteps and treat everyone equally. When we serve prasadam to others, we should never discriminate. Irrespective of whether they are good or bad, prasadam has the potency to purify their hearts and sow the seed of love for God-head.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Equality in Service: Serve everyone equally without discrimination, as the Lord does.
- Compassion: Show compassion to all living entities, recognizing them as children of the Supreme Lord.
- Power of Prasadam: Prasadam has the power to purify hearts, regardless of the recipient’s beliefs.
- Trust in the Lord’s Plan: Trust that the Lord has a plan for everyone and that serving others is part of that divine plan.
Prayer:
“O Lord Krishna, please bless us with the compassion and wisdom to serve all living entities equally. Help us to see everyone as Your children and to serve prasadam with a pure heart, knowing that it has the power to purify and transform. Grant us the humility to trust in Your divine plan and the strength to follow Your example of unconditional love and care.”
