| Bhakta
John Giving and taking Dear Srila Prabhupada, I feel like this is
another opportunity to enter the cycle of sacrifice: to speak, to give my mind
to your glories. Though I feel apprehensive about what to say, this is a chance
I don't wish to miss: to make this offering; to give. I don't actually think
this is something for you to 'take' though, as if repaying you for what I have
'taken'; hardly. Actually when I think about it the cycle (chakra) only stops
with the taker, yet you are simply giving so I guess it's up to me to reciprocate;
to keep it going and increasing; to take the chance to give. You have given
the opportunity to make this offering by which I may please you. Thus I may have
access to more opportunities to offer to you so that you may give the strength
required to again offer (I'll stop before I confuse myself).
And so on it goes,
eternally; the cycle of sacrifice. Of course there may be things that get
in the way of the continuity of offerings: the base desires for example. I once
read a comment by an Italian political prisoner under Mussolini; Antonio Gramsci,
on philosophy: Its purpose being to help us rise above our bestial elements. That
is what you have, once again, given. To 'take' rest, to 'take' food; to consume;
can also be an offering, wherein they are first offered to you, to Krishna. We
can then suitably take the remnants of sacrifice (yajna-sista); rising above our
bestial elements. Actually I have no good excuse for not offering, for not
giving; for not being Krishna conscious. Whatever it is I simply have to accept
your invitation, to come to your party…Who has given more than this: the
opportunity to serve you and your servants? Though most of us can't see
for our self-absorption, our lethargy, and though minds consisting of which may
accuse me of zealousness, only a child would deny: you have given us perfection.
We
should feel indebted…I want to feel more indebted. Still, there are
those more dedicated than I, and to mundane pursuits no less; those with more
knowledge of this legacy, and cynics no less; those with more appreciation of
your society, and nonbelievers no less!
So where does this leave me? It leaves
me begging the opportunity to enter the cycle of sacrifice with this offering:
To become more indebted everyday; I hope forever to stay that way.
Please
give me the shelter of your servant's service namaste guruhamsaya paramanande
medhase
prabhupada pramodaya dusta-siddhanta-nasine
your hopeful servant,
Bhakta
John
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