Let us honestly ask ourselves, “If given an option to choose between Krishna and his material energy, what are we going to choose?” Are we going to select Krishna or are we going to opt for his energy so that we can enjoy disproportionately in this world.
Krishna has given us the free will to exercise our choice. He never interferes with our free will. But the Supreme Lord always test us to check if we really love him or we love to live without him.
For example, before the onset of Mahabharata war, Krishna gave opportunity to both Arjuna and Duryodhana to exercise their free will. Both had to choose either Krishna or Krishna’s Narayani sena (army). Not just this, Krishna had declared that he would not fight but his powerful army would fight during the war.
Arjuna made up his mind and Duryodhana was also not confused. At the end both were happy. Arjuna, without any hesitation, chose Krishna and Duryodhana was jubilant because he got the mighty Narayani Sena.
In our life too you and I get opportunities to exercise our free will. Whether we choose Krishna or Krishna’s material energy reflects our true character. Most of us often get enamored by material life. Externally we may demonstrate our longing for Krishna but within our heart what we long for is more important. Krishna does not see how we behave externally but he sees what is there in our heart.
Those who chose Krishna never regret but those who foolishly turn away from him always lament.
During the Mahabharata war Duryodhana was ultimately defeated and whoever was on his side also met with the same destiny. In fact, in this world everyone is always defeated.
Spiritual life is full of nectar
Only the Lord is always victorious and those who are with him too never face defeat. Arjuna was on the side of Krishna, so he too tasted victory.
At present material life attracts us and spiritual life seems to be boring and also difficult. It is because we have been disconnected with Krishna for several lifetimes. But if we connect with Krishna then we will begin seeing how pleasurable spiritual life is. In fact, in our current situation also if we can absorb ourselves in spiritual activities then our heart experiences deep joy.
For example, if we can sit in front of the Lord in temple and chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra which takes around 2 hours then after finishing our chanting we feel lots of happiness. But suppose that we spend 2 hours watching movies or YouTube videos then we do not feel that joy, in fact most of the time we feel frustrated after that.
This is why it is said that material life appears to be nectar in the beginning but becomes poisonous in the end whereas spiritual life may appear poisonous in the beginning but is nectar at the end.
If we continue choosing Krishna and practicing Krishna consciousness, then we will gradually start experiencing pleasure while doing devotion too.
But that is not true for material activities. No matter how much we try to seek happiness from material things we will not get it. Duryodhana, after getting Narayana sena thought he would be victorious and will become happy, but the result was just the opposite.
So, let us be like Arjuna and choose always Krishna – victory and happiness is guaranteed.
In our life whenever we get to choose, let us choose always Krishna.
Three Reflections
- Krishna always tests us to check if we really love him or we love to live without him.
- Only the Lord is always victorious and those who are with him too never face defeat; Arjuna was on the side of Krishna, so he too tasted victory.
- Let us be like Arjuna and choose always Krishna – victory and happiness is guaranteed.
Ask Yourself
- Given an option to attend a program in the temple or watch a movie or a cricket match or a soccer match what do I choose?
Action Item
- Once in every week go to temple and chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in front of the Lord with full absorption.
