The Story of the Brahmana
Once there was a brahmana who lived next to the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri. Every day, he supplied water to the temple but never went inside to have the darshan (sight) of the Lord. When someone asked him why he never entered the temple, he replied that since the temple was next door, he could visit anytime. He always said, “kal darshan karoonga” – “Tomorrow I shall have darshan.”
This habit of postponing continued, with him always saying, “kal, kal, kal” – “tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.” Eventually, death (kaal) came, and he died without ever having darshan of the Lord.
Moral of the Story
This story teaches us about the inevitability and uncontrollable nature of time. We can achieve many things in this material world, but one thing we cannot control is time. It slips away, often unnoticed, and once gone, it never returns.
The Power of Time
The Srimad Bhagavatam (2.3.17) explains:
aayur harati vai pumsaaam udyann astam ca yann asau tasyarte yat-ksano nita uttama-sloka-vaartayaa
“Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.”
Every sunrise and sunset reduces our lifespan, and no amount of wealth can buy back the lost time. Time is a forceful representative of the Lord, and it brings old age, disease, and death – outcomes that nobody desires.
Overcoming the Effect of Time
The solution to overcoming the effect of time is given in Srimad Bhagavatam:
tasyarthe yat-ksano nitha uttama sloka vaartayaa
If we engage ourselves in the topics of Krishna, then the sun cannot take away that time. By discussing Krishna katha (the stories and activities of Krishna), we gain understanding of the Lord’s transcendental nature. This knowledge leads to eternal spiritual life with Krishna.
The Promise of Eternal Life
Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (4.9):
janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah tyaktvaa deham punar janma naiti maam eti so ‘rjuna
“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.”
The Path of Devotion in Kali Yuga
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has provided a sweet and joyful process for deliverance:
kali kaale naama-rupe krsna avataara naama haite haya sarva jagat nistaara
“In this age of Kali, the Holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.”
Reflection and Application
- Seize the Moment:
- Do not procrastinate in your spiritual practices. Make use of the present moment to engage in devotional activities.
- Utilize Time Wisely:
- Engage in discussing and hearing about Krishna. This spiritual engagement ensures that your time is well spent and not lost to the effects of time.
- Chant the Holy Name:
- Chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is a direct way to associate with the Lord and achieve deliverance.
Conclusion
The story of the brahmana next door reminds us of the preciousness of time and the importance of not postponing our spiritual practices. By engaging in Krishna katha and chanting the holy names, we can transcend the limitations of time and secure our eternal spiritual future.
Prayer
Let us pray for the wisdom to utilize our time in devotion and to never procrastinate our spiritual practices:
“O Supreme Lord, guide us to use our time wisely in Your service. Help us to engage in discussing Your glories and chanting Your holy names, so we may overcome the effects of time and attain eternal life with You.”
