Whatever we have in this world is not our own. It belongs to Krishna. Even this material body, which we consider our own, is gifted to us by Krishna. Our talents, skills, and everything we possess find their true perfection only when used in the service of Krishna.
Even the realizations we receive are due to Krishna’s grace.
Lord Vishnu tells Brahmaji:
yac ca kartāṅga mat-stotraṁ
mat-kathābhyudayāṅkitam
yad vā tapasi te niṣṭhā
sa eṣa mad-anugrahaḥ
O Brahmā, the prayers that you have chanted praising the glories of My transcendental activities, the penances you have undertaken to understand Me, and your firm faith in Me—all these are to be considered My causeless mercy. SB 3.9.38
Share and Thus Care
Many years ago, after attending a full camp, one devotee was sharing the points he liked in the lectures with me. He mentioned a particular lecture that had deeply touched him, but he refused to share those points, saying he would reserve them for a better occasion in the future.
More recently, another devotee told me he had prepared a beautiful presentation but was planning to reserve it for some other time.
This brought me to a thought. Should we hold our realizations for a later time period, or should we not share at all, or should we keep on sharing?
Krishna consciousness is ever-fresh and dynamic. Krishna keeps on giving us realizations based on our current state of practice. And, he may with-hold when he finds us not serious in bhakti.
Whenever we do get realizations, what should we do with them? We must try to preserve them. And the best way to preserve is to share with others – In giving, we receive.
And, how do we offer our realizations back to Krishna? Again, by sharing them with others. The fact that Krishna is giving us something represents His grace upon us. And that grace belongs to Him. So, it is necessary that we share that grace with others. It doesn’t matter if we share with one person or a thousand. What matters is the mood of offering.
To the degree we share our realizations, however small or simple, Krishna acts to that degree. He fills our vessel more and more.
If we hold back, we may lose it.
As mentioned in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.14.41:
“Although a brāhmaṇa is peaceful and impartial because he is equal to everyone, it is still not his duty to neglect poor humans. By such neglect, a brāhmaṇa’s spiritual power diminishes, just as water kept in a cracked pot leaks out.”
And it is further said:
“If devotees do not do something to relieve the distressed condition of human society, it is said that due to such neglect their spiritual knowledge diminishes.”
We must not shy away from sharing Krishna’s grace with others. Even if we are extremely shy, we can simply write down our thoughts, direct it towards our spiritual master and Krishna, and keep them in a diary. Or we can share with just one or two people.
Sharing Negativity, Holding Positivity?
Ghanshyam Baba, a pujari of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Gopījanavallabha in Vrindavan, was a simple man. Yet through his simplicity, he would share his heart with others.
Of course, if our heart is filled with negativity, we must refrain from broadcasting it. We should share such feelings only with those who can help us come out of them.
Ironically, we are often quick to share the faults of others or the negativities within us. The internet is full of such things, and sadly, our hearts sometimes resonate with them. We may even feel tempted to broadcast them widely. But when it comes to sharing Krishna katha, we hesitate.
Yet the lessons we learn, the realizations we receive, the challenges we face, and the obstacles we overcome – all are Krishna’s grace meant to make us stronger in life. And if, by our sharing, even one person comes closer to Krishna, that is our humble service to humanity.
