The Sparrow Who Was Determined to Dry Up the Ocean

Srila Prabhupada very wonderfully gives the story of the little sparrow in his purport to Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 6, Text 24 as follows:

"As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuda, the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Vishnu, heard it. He became compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the sparrow. Garuda was very pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked the ocean to return her eggs lest he himself take up the work of the sparrow. The ocean was frightened at this, and returned the eggs. Thus the sparrow became happy by the grace of Garuda. Similarly, the practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Krishna consciousness, may appear to be a very difficult job. But if anyone follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will surely help, for God helps those who help themselves."

Just as the little sparrow was determined to try up the ocean those who are fixed in Krishna consciousness are determined on the order of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada to make the whole world Krishna consciousness. They have this desire both as a matter of duty to carry out these orders and as matter of compassion because they feel sorry that practically the entire human society due to its animalistic mentality is going down to the animal kingdom in their next births. They sincerely desire to save their brothers and sisters from this most unfortunate fate.

Perplexed by a World in Chaos

Disciple Always Wants to Please His Spiritual Master

Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom

Question: Responsibilities of Guru and Disciple?

Hare Krishna, Gurudev!

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.

I wanted to humbly ask you what the responsibilities of a bonafide Guru are besides leading their disciples back to Godhead? If there even are any other minor responsibilities.

Please excuse my ignorance, I hope it does not come across as offensive.

I know it is our responsibility to make sure the Guru is teaching and acting within the scriptures, but after checking this and making sure we are following their instruction- should we try to further follow in the footsteps of Guru by adopting their personality/characteristics? Thinking of what makes Guru angry or annoyed and learning to adapt our emotions this way? 

Thank you, Gurudev, and I look forward to you returning to Austin soon.

Hare Krishna,

Jennii

Answer: Disciple Happy and Guru Happy

My Dear Bhaktin Jennii,

Please accept my blessings.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

It is the duty of the spiritual master to see that all of his disciples are happily situated in Krishna consciousness. So how are you feeling? Are you happy and enlivened in your practice of Krishna consciousness?

And it is the disciple's duty to accept the spiritual master to be as good as God and to thus mold his or her thoughts, words, and deeds in all times, places, and circumstances in such a way as to be pleasing to spiritual master.  This is how I was expertly trained regarding my relationship with Srila Prabhupada, and the same principle applies to the relationship of my disciples with me.

Hoping this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari