Once, a wealthy land-lord, who was also a scholar and a brahmana reputed to be a great devotee of the Lord, came with his friend to see Babaji Maharaj. He appeared to be so much immersed in devotional ecstasy that his friend had to support him as he walked.
The Visit to Babaji Maharaj
When Babaji Maharaj inquired who had come, the friend started glorifying the land-lord, saying that although the land-lord had lost a huge amount of money a few weeks ago, he was still eager to have darshan of Babaji Maharaj and discuss the Caitanya-caritamrta, understanding the importance of devotional service, and had hence visited the dham.
Babaji Maharaj’s Insight
Pure souls like Babaji Maharaj are close to Krishna and hence possess the quality of omniscience in large amounts. Babaji Maharaj knew that their devotion was fake. He advised the friend not to associate with impostors like the land-lord and to take shelter of pure devotees of the Lord and engage in congregational chanting.
Babaji Maharaj’s Teaching
Babaji Maharaj later explained to his disciples that one should perform devotional service in such a way that deep attachment to the Lord increases within his heart.
Moral of the Story
Even if one displays hundreds of exhibitions of external attachment, he will not be blessed by the Lord if he does not develop a genuine internal loving attachment to Him.
Teaching from Bhagavad Gita
In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Verse 18, Lord Krishna says:
satkaara-maana-pujaartham tapo dambhena caiva yat
kriyate tad iha proktam raajasam calam adhruvam
“Penance performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor, and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- Genuine Devotion: Devotional service should be performed purely for the pleasure of the Lord. True devotion is internal and sincere, not for external show or gaining respect.
- Avoiding Hypocrisy: Displaying false devotion to gain admiration from others is in the mode of passion and is neither stable nor permanent.
- Sincerity in Service: While engaging in serving the Lord, one should not be conscious of what others might say or think. Performing service with a craving for fame and name diminishes the natural, spontaneous behavior and genuine connection with Krishna.
Teaching from Caitanya Caritamrita
Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya-lila 19.159: “One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly (to indicate something else), jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.”
This verse emphasizes the power of the holy name and the importance of sincere chanting, regardless of the external circumstances.
Teaching of Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of pure devotional service and the need for sincere internal devotion.
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 reinforces the importance of sincere and internal devotion through chanting the holy names.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna,
Please grant us the sincerity and internal devotion to serve You with pure love.
Help us to avoid the traps of external show and false pride,
And to focus on developing genuine attachment to You.
May our hearts be filled with true devotion,
And may we always seek Your pleasure in our service.
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.
