Prideless Austerity Date: 2007-06-26 Author: Kalacakra Krsna das Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept our humble pranams. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. Today is the auspicious occasion of Pandav-Nirjal ekadasi.-a day when we can realise the Supremacy of Merciful Lord and how insignificant we are. Lord Krishna declares in Bhagavad Gita (7.9) "I am the penance of all the ascetics". Inspite of the fact that whatever austerities that are defined for Kali-yuga are in no way comparable to people of other yugas, we would definitely able to realise that it is only by His causeless mercy we are able to even fast. But sometimes foolishly we forget Krishna's grace and pride creeps into our heart even when we fast. Fasting observed in such a mood is definitely worthless as such attitude never pleases the Lord. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.23.56, Mother Devahuti very nicely expresses the futility of such mechanical devotional performances as follows. neha yat karma dharmāya na virāgāya kalpate na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ Anyone whose work is not meant to elevate him to religious life, anyone whose religious ritualistic performances do not raise him to renunciation, and anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must be considered dead, although he is breathing. Even in His pastimes in Guruvayoor temple at Kerala, Lord Krishna chastised the proud, brahmin sanskrit scholar Bhatta Hari who composed the famous book Narayaniyam, when he offended a humble farmer Poonthanam who had written a book in Malayalam language, glorifying the Lord. The Lord made him realise that it was He who inspired him to write Narayaniyam in first place and it was He who showed him all the pastimes whenever he was unable to understand it . Since Lord used Bhatta Hari as an instrument in composing Narayaniyam, he could not claim it to be his work and decry the service of humble farmer. It is very important that we never fall a prey to pride. Lord Brahma very nicely prays in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.9.23 eṣa prapanna-varado ramayātma-śaktyā yad yat kariṣyati gṛhīta-guṇāvatāraḥ tasmin sva-vikramam idaṁ sṛjato ’pi ceto yuñjīta karma-śamalaṁ ca yathā vijahyām The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is always the benefactor of the surrendered souls. His activities are always enacted through His internal potency, Ramaa, or the goddess of fortune. I pray only to engage in His service in the creation of the material world, and I pray that I not be materially affected by my works, for thus I may be able to give up the false prestige of being the creator. May we always remember our insignificant position and never fall a prey to false prestige and understand the mercy of Lord in everything. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Kalacakra Krsna das and Sudarshana devi dasi..