Tag: mercy

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj teaches an invaluable lesson to a cook

Once HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj was passing through the deity kitchen in the temple. One lady who was doing some service in the deity kitchen saw Maharaj and she immediately came out and offered him her obeisances. Maharaj said that you are fortunate that you have got an opportunity to cook for the deities. The lady appeared little morose and said, “I am not directly cooking for the deities but I am just an assistance to other ladies who are cooking.”

Maharaj immediately said, “It means you are more fortunate,” and he left.

The lady was confused. She could not comprehend as why maharaj said so because those who directly serve the Lord are always considered more fortunate than others who are not directly serving the Lord.  Many thoughts were coming to her mind. She thought may be maharaj spoke in that way so that she does not feel inferior to others. Instead of speculating she decided to consult a senior devotee.

When the senior devotee came to know about the entire incident, he told her that maharaj has taught her one of the most important principles of Krishna consciousness. In the spiritual world the highest position is of a servant and not of a master.  In the spiritual world no one wants to come in the limelight, but everyone wants to assist others in their service of Krishna.  Everyone feels extremely happy when they see other devotees getting mercy of Krishna. He explained that in the kingdom of God there is no fight for name and fame, power and positions.  So you are blessed that you are assisting other devotees in their service to Krishna. Krishna will be so pleased with you.

In one of the lectures of Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupada says, “You have to learn how to become servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa. The more you become in the lower position—servant, servant, servant, servant, servant, hundreds times servant, servant—then more you are advanced.” Lecture on BG 2.2 — London, August 3, 1973

So if we have to attain Krishna’s love then we should not try to become servant of Krishna but try to become servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna.  As long as we are in material consciousness it would be difficult to even think of becoming servant of any other devotee but if we try to study the life of great devotees of Krishna we find that they all relished their devotional life by serving devotees.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, “I am not a brahmaṇa, I am not a kṣhatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, the maintainer of the gopis.”  CC Madhya 13.80

Justice for others but mercy for me!