How can we differentiate between Krishna and Maya in subtle situations?

Answer Podcast:

Transcript

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Yeah. So sometimes if you are to choose, like in a multiple choice exam I mentioned, choosing at a gross level seems easy.
This is my eyes, this is Krishna. But there are many subtle choices. So isn’t it better to just depend on authority? Yes.
Even when we are deliberating and making a decision, at that time also we are depending on authority. Now we say, Krishna gives intelligence from within. But the intelligence that Krishna gives from within usually is in harmony with the intelligence that he gives from without, from Guru, Sadhu, Shastra.
So to the extent we make right choices, when what is right and wrong is clear to us, to that extent we show Krishna that we want to make right choices. And to that extent when things are unclear, he will guide us. But when things are clear also, we don’t make the right choices.
Essentially Krishna rewards us according to how we approach it. So even when the right and wrong is clear, at that time we don’t make the right choices. Basically by our actions we are showing Krishna that I am not interested in making the right choices.
And Krishna says, okay then one way I will make the wrong choice easier for you is by confusing you about what the right choice is. It is not that Krishna deliberately confuses, rather the material nature itself is confusing. And especially Kali Yuga is Upadhyayutaha.
In Kali Yuga we are all very disturbed. So we should always have some guidance from whom we can learn. Especially spiritual guidance, spiritual master, or we have Ikshagurus, Iyashikshagurus.
We take guidance from them. At the same time, taking guidance does not mean that we don’t try to develop our own intelligence. Because even when we are learning from our authorities, Krishna had simply wanted Arjuna to fight.
He could have told Arjuna, fight, I am going to give you away. Krishna does not simply give Arjuna a decision on a platter. Krishna gives Arjuna also a world view that will inform him when he has to make future decisions.
So yes, we do need to take guidance. But even while taking guidance, and acting according to instruction, we should also be learning the philosophy, internalizing the world view, so that in future, if we are in a situation where we don’t have guidance, then we should ourselves have observed and learned by which we will be able to make sound decisions. So Prabhupada wanted us to be independently thoughtful.
Not independent, but independently thoughtful. Independently thoughtful means, this is scripture, this is the world. Sometimes the situations in the world are directly correlated with the situation in scripture.
And we know this is to be done, this is not to be done. But many times, the specific situations that we face in the world, they may not be specifically mentioned in scripture. Then if we are adequately connected with scripture, then that connection will help us understand how was life.
And for that, a living tradition, and living with a living tradition is very important. The Gita lives through those who live the Gita. The Gita is not just a book that is to be preserved in some museum.
The Gita is a living scripture. And the Gita lives through those who live the Gita. So we need association.
And if we learn association, then gradually, we can also be able to make right decisions when such subtle challenges come up for us. Thank you. Martha, any question?