I remember going to the roof at night and often wondering about the stars in the sky. What happens there? Who created them? I (and we all) seem like insignificant creatures in this vast world. What happens after death? If everyone and everything has to come to an end, why work at all?
I inquired from many people and randomly searched some books for some meaning and to make some sense of what we call ‘life’. I even got a very thick Bhagawat Gita purchased from Haridwar (though I never even opened it). (It still happens: I become so excited by seeing books that I purchase them but haven’t read them yet!!)
The only reason for my taking science was I sucked at commerce…and such a similar lack of clarity would pervade other areas as well. I was utterly clueless about the purpose of one’s life.
Now, amidst all the significant events and college days, I attend one seminar- Art Of Mind Control. MC Vidush Sain introduced the speaker as Rukmini Krishna Das, an MTech graduate from BITS Pilani, and he started the session with some Sanskrit prayers(to everyone’s surprise). Every single line that followed stuck with me…I had practically hairs stand on my end in amazement as if someone was suddenly speaking about all the questions that had crossed my mind since childhood. I was not at all a spiritual seeker, but some of the queries were stored in my subconscious mind. The conviction, clarity, and boldness with which he spoke and then in subsequent seminars were like…I have been waiting for this my entire life…
And, of course, are we supposed to believe all this knowledge?? After all, we are froma science background!!! We challenged every point…on god, on Krishna, on Bhagavat Gita, on cows, on ‘mythological’ scriptures, on soul, … come on….don’t tell me..it’s the 21st century…
But he answered all questions with such precision and logic…I could see every argument dismantled with such grace It’s one of my most memorable experiences…
That was in 2006, and it’s 2019 now. Through some divine arrangements, I had the opportunity to have his fantastic association. One thing that struck me was his disciplined morning routine. In the last 10 years, I have never seen him get late (what to say about missing) mangal aarti at 4.30 am. I have not even once seen him taking his japa casually. Whether in public or in one’s private quarter, I have always seen him chanting japa with all seriousness. And I don’t think there is any day when he has not read Srila Prabhupada’s books. Such discipline, even when health is not good, and simultaneously dealing with all the other ups and downs, is something unique that I have not seen in anyone else.
He has led the book distribution of Bhagavat Gita to millions, perhaps. And has inspired(inspiring) thousands of individuals to lead a pure life. It’s easy to become a motivational speaker…it’s easy to speak something, record a video and upload it.. and whatnot…
But to actually transform people’s lives…inspiring them to accept principles of truthfulness, cleanliness, austerity, and compassion is not easy….it requires purity of heart, compassion and empowerment.
I would like to take this opportunity to primarily express my gratitude for two things:
For taking the initiative to reach out. Presenting an uncompromising pure message… That changed my life forever…
To present and hear uncompromised truth in this world where perhaps everything is guided by some selfish interest is a matter of great fortune and joy.
Hare Krishna