Tuesday 5th November 2001
Pause for Thought -
Acccepting the blessings of the vedas
Krishna
Dharma
" For many people around the world now it is a difficult time. 'We
need to turn back to God,' said one American lady, recently interviewed
by CNN. 'We really need his blessings now.'
I agree with that, but just what are the Lord's blessings? People often
approached my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, for blessings. Of course,
what they mostly wanted was to be happy and successful in life. Prabhupada's
response was always the same. 'Blessings are already there. Please read
my books.'
His point was that he had painstakingly translated many volumes of the
ancient Indian scriptures, the Vedas, giving elaborate explanations how
we can lead a godly life. Such a life frees us from misery and ultimately
takes us to the Lord's own abode, where there is only happiness.
In other words, Prabhupada was saying that if we want the Lord's blessings
we simply need to follow his directions, which are meant only for our
good. It is something like becoming cured from an illness. I know that
when I am ill and the doctor prescribes me medicine, I usually forget
to take it. And I am also not very good at following health regimes, especially
when they restrict my diet. But if, having failed to do these things,
I go back to the doctor still sick and begging for help, what can he do?
It is up to me to take the cure
The Vedas compare the Lord's blessings to the brilliant rays of the sun.
They are always pouring down on us. It is simply up to us to come out
of the shadows. And that is exactly what the Vedas exhort, 'Come out of
the darkness and into the light.'
That darkness, the Vedas say, is forgetfulness of the Lord and his boundless
mercy, and not seeing that his blessings are continuously with us. Of
course, we can always pray, but more than anything we need to keep ourselves
in the bright light of the Lord's instructions. For me at least Terry,
that is the only way to navigate these trying times, and to find happiness
and actual success in my life. " |
