The theatrical Krishna takes us to the transcendental Krishna
[Congregation program at Towaco, USA]
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Transcript
This is an AI-generated transcript and may contain some errors.
I spoke on the theme of how the theatrical Krishna takes us to the transcendental Krishna.
I started out talking about how Krishna’s pastimes are so sweet and endearing. Krishna, the small child, does all kinds of mischief, like tying a calf’s tail and a shikha of a boy, like stealing butter, like playing around and endearing himself with the brajwasis, like asserting his independence, wanting to go out alone to the forest, without his parents, acting as tired just so that he could get Balram to go away. Artfully waiting in the coils of Kaliya till Radharani would come, and then doing his majestic dance performance.
In an entertaining way, ensuring that the demons create drama, but not anxiety too much for the brajwasis, not damage to the brajwasis. By effortlessly crushing Indra’s pride, Krishna theatrically captivates our attention. And he is God, but he delights not in displaying his Godhood, but in reciprocating love.
And thus he can become, although he is infinite, he takes a finite-seeming small form, just to reciprocate love with his devotees. And when we understand that Krishna is a God of love, that inspires us to also devote ourselves to him. And we can practice bhakti either through, we need to practice bhakti both through exclusive devotion, where we have time for direct hearing about Krishna, direct worshipping Krishna, direct connecting with Krishna.
In hearing about Krishna, hearing about his greatness creates submission, hearing about his sweetness creates affection. And submission and affection creates strong devotion. And then there is inclusive devotion, where we see everything in our life is meant for the service of Krishna.
Our family, our job, everything. We are serving Krishna through it all. And when we have this service attitude, then even if in a particular endeavour the results are not coming, we don’t become discouraged.
Because we understand even if the world is not acknowledging my efforts, Krishna is. And Krishna is the person who will overlook our faults, closing his eyes, and he will reward our endeavours by unblinkingly noting. So if we stay devoted to Krishna, Krishna will ultimately take us to life’s supreme perfection.
Thank you very much. Hare Krishna. So any questions or comments?