Tasting the Real Enjoyment in Reno

Yesterday morning when we were departing Austin for Reno, Nevada an airline employee who knows us well from seeing us regularly transiting through the Austin airport asked us where we were going this time. When I told her that we were going to Reno, she said that we would enjoy it.

Of course, we are very much enjoying our trip to Reno, but not in the way that people normally think about enjoying Reno through gambling and mundane entertainment. I explained to her that our enjoyment is through Krishna bhakti, devotion to Lord Krishna. This enjoyment does not depend on anything material. One does not require spending money and a gambling casino in order to enjoy Krishna bhakti. One does not have to travel anywhere to taste it. Krishna bhakti is already there within the hearts of all living beings. One simply has to tap into the unlimited reservoir of Krishna bhakti within the heart by diving deeply into chanting the holy names of God:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

In this connection Srila Prabhupada explains:

Pure devotional service is so spiritually relishable that a devotee becomes automatically uninterested in material enjoyment. That is the sign of perfection in progressive devotional service. A pure devotee continuously remembers the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna and does not forget Him even for a moment, not even in exchange for all the opulence of the three worlds.
(from purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.19)

And then when we share this wonderfully sweet Krishna bhakti with others, as we are doing this weekend in Reno, it becomes even more relishable. So the lady at the airport was right. We are really enjoying Reno. And we are doing it without risking even one penny at the gambling tables. Krishna bhakti is a sure bet. You are guaranteed to win.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: What is My Life's Mission?

Master,

I am thankful every day for the messages I am receiving and I take this opportunity to ask you: How can I find out what is my mission in this earthly life?

Fernanda

Answer: Save Yourself/ Save the World

Your mission is to become a pure devotee of Lord Sri Krishna by fully surrendering yourself to the bona fide spiritual master. Then you should assist him in making the entire world Krishna conscious. Are you now ready to apply yourself to fulfilling your life's mission?

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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