“It is often said that in one lifetime, wholeheartedly taking shelter of enthusiastic and patient service will take us back to Krishna.”
So let us not take this cheaply. One of the ways we tend to even take it cheaply is when we expect immediate results.
Actually when we’re chanting Krishna’s name, serving Krishna’s devotees, spreading Krishna’s message or worshipping Krishna, there are immediate results – but we may not perceive them with our very external awareness.
What in previous ages (yugas) took a long, long time or even many lifetimes, in this age can be achieved in this very life, if we just take shelter of Krishna wholeheartedly.
Even though it’s so rapid, relatively it’s a gradual process, because it’s step by step, throughout this short, little life that we’re living.
To surrender is to be patient. However long it takes, whenever Krishna wants to show me his mercy, we remain enthusiastic. Enthusiastic to serve, enthusiastic to hear and to chant, enthusiastic to remember Krishna in all situations.
In this way, a devotee develops determination: “Whatever may come, I will never give up what pleases my guru and Krishna.” That is the simple price. It seems difficult at times, but it’s actually very simple.
Sometimes Srila Prabhupada would say, “Just give this one lifetime, you’ve had so many millions and millions of countless lifetimes. Just give this one lifetime to please guru and Krishna.”.
It’s a gradual process. If we just learn to remember Krishna in this life, and Krishna is pleased by our devotional character, then at the time of death, Krishna will be there.
“Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī mām namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te
pratijāne priyo ’si me”
“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.”
(Bhagavad-Gita 18.65).
It is His promise that He will personally bring us back to our eternal home.
– His Holiness Radhanath Swami
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