Rising Beyond the Dualities

In material life we must face so many dualities. Sometimes things are going really great. Sometimes they are not so great. And sometimes they are absolutely horrible. The idea is keep your consciousness on an even keel through all varieties of the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. How to do that? You've got to keep your consciousness always focused on Krishna, the source of all existence, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If you do this, you will see how His loving mercy is always acting in all situations to bestow the highest benefit upon the living beings. And then your mind will naturally be equipoised, peaceful, and happy.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Can We Preach to the Envious?

My humble obeisances.

Lord Krishna says that one should not preach the message of Bhagavad-gita to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Him. But practically when senior devotees go for preaching or book distribution, they invariably happen to preach to such people. Does it amount to some sort of offense ? Please clarify.

Thanks

Suresh

Answer: Make Everyone Non-Envious

As you have pointed out, Lord Sri Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita:

"This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service,nor to one who is envious of Me."
-- Bhagavad-gita 18.67

Therefore we preach in a very introductory, non-confidential way to those who are not sufficiently qualified for the higher level confidential knowledge of Krishna, which is understood by the devotees. By the merciful association of the devotees even the envious can become purified and qualified to receive transcendental knowledge. Therefore those who have realized what is the real meaning of Krishna consciousness fully dedicate their lives for giving Krishna consciousness to everyone. There is no offense in such preaching. In fact because it is the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that all devotees, even the neophytes, tell everyone they meet about Krishna, if we don't tell everybody about Krishna, we are committing the offense of disobeying Lord Caitanya. The principle is to give everyone what they can handle according to their level. For those who not unqualified we preach in an introductory way and for those who are non-envious we can describe the confidential aspects of the science of Krishna consciousness. It would a big mistake to use the above verse of the Bhagavad-gita to not engage oneself in preaching activities. We MUST preach to everyone we meet. Simply we have to tailor fit our message according to their level of consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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