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Monday Morning Greetings 2024 #52 – My Greatest Fear

December 23rd, 2024

Well, maybe not the greatest fear. The Gītā explains that the greatest fear is losing this rare human birth which gives us the ability to turn to God. Fortunately, that’s not my worry. This guarantees that one on the path of God is protected from losing that precious opportunity. So, what is my greatest fear?

 

Presently, I am reading the first chapter of the Tenth Canto. I am up to the part where Vasudeva is trying to pacify Kaṁsa. Kaṁsa is threatening Vasudeva’s wife Devakī because her eighth child is predicted to be the cause of his death. Vasudeva, an expert diplomat, unsuccessfully tries many approaches to assuage Kaṁsa’s fear. One of his last attempts is the use of philosophy. He briefly explains to Kaṁsa transmigration of the soul. This body is not all in all, he explains. What we do in this life, and especially the mental state we develop, creates our next body. You will not therefore solve anything by killing Devakī. Rather, the heinous activity of killing your sister, and especially your envy of her, will carry you to a body in your next life racked with even more misfortune and fear.

 

What really struck me in this section, even more than the verses, was how this point was developed in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s commentaries. Here’s the gist of it:

 

“At the time of death, according to his mental condition, the living being is carried by the subtle body, consisting of mind, intelligence and ego, to another gross body.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.1 40, purport

 

Of course, I knew this already, but Śrīla Prabhupāda’s purports, and the conviction with which he spoke, forced me to examine more closely all that I am doing and the consciousness in which it is done. If even my devotional activities sometimes get subtly mixed with motive, then what is the quality of consciousness in which I lead my daily life? Am I actually creating the proper mental state to carry me to a spiritual body in the future?

 

If you look at all this soberly and honestly this is scary business. But aren’t devotees supposed to be fearless? Yes, but it seems this is the one fear that devotees should have.

 

“A pure devotee is always fearful of material existence. No one knows what will happen next, for one may have to change his body at any moment (tathā dehāntara-prāpti). Knowing this fact, a pure devotee acts in such a way that he will not have his life spoiled by being obliged to accept another body and undergo the tribulations of material existence.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.2.6, purport

 

Of course, there is the promise in Gītā that Śrī Krishna will provide what his devotees lack and preserve what they have. Didn’t Śrīla Prabhupāda promise that he would deliver his sincere devotees who adhere to their vows and serve his mission and isn’t Lord Caitanya the deliverer of the most fallen? There’s an abundance of mercy, undeserved kindness, in serving the mission of God’s pure devotee. I truly believe that, but it is also true that normally only a pure mind attracts God’s full mercy and carries one to the best spiritual destination. That’s what I am reading today in purport after purport by Śrīla Prabhupāda. Isn’t it better I look at my life in that way rather than expecting “an honorary degree” or “free ticket.”

 

My conclusion is that I would be a fool to just wait for mercy to elevate me to my desired destination. I must be cognizant of what I do and how I think and pray that my sincerest effort attracts the Lord’s mercy and grants my spiritual wishes. That is my greatest hope and failure my greatest fear.

 

 

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