“Krishna is our master and we are his
servants.” This scriptural tenet can evoke resentment within us: “Why should I
bow down to God?”
The reality is that we can’t avoid bowing
down. If we don’t subordinate ourselves to Krishna, then we end up submitting
to our senses that drag us here, there and everywhere in the vain hope of
pleasure. In pandering to the demands of the senses, we bow down to those who
provide sensual gratification. And often even after bowing down, we don’t get
much pleasure. Whatever pleasure we get doesn’t last for long.
Gita wisdom explains that the cravings of
the senses are distortions of our innate need for happiness. This need comes
from our innermost core – our soul – and can be fulfilled by comprehending the
constitutional nature of that core. The Bhagavad-gita (15.07) indicates that we
as souls are eternal parts of Krishna. Just as the part needs to harmonize with
the whole, so too do we need to harmonize with the supreme whole, Krishna.
We can harmonize ourselves thus by practicing
bhakti-yoga. Bowing before Krishna physically is a limb of bhakti and bowing
before him internally by cultivating a mood of submission is the essence of
bhakti. Significantly however, such submission enables us to relish a deep
inner fulfillment – a fulfillment that gradually and increasingly frees us from
the cravings for lower pleasures. We no longer need to demean ourselves
pandering to the petty and degrading demands of our senses. Thus, we can stand
truly erect – not in pride, but in integrity as we act true to our deepest,
most cherished values. And we don’t just stand spiritually erect, but also
march towards the supreme spiritual perfection of pure eternal love for
Krishna, wherein no temptations can ever drag us down.
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