Let There Be Calamities 49
repeat this process. This is indicated by the words apunar bhava-dar-
Sanam. If one always sees Krsna, one is in Krsna conscfousness, for
Krsna consciousness means always thinking of Krsna. One’s conscious-
ness should be absorbed in Krsna thought. Therefore the spiritual master
gives different varieties of engagements to devotees in Krsna conscious-
ness. For example, under the direction of the spiritual master the devo-
tees may sell books in Krsna consciousness. But if the devotees think
that the energy invested in selling books should be diverted into selling
jewelry, that is not a very good idea. Then they would become nothing
more than jewelers. We should be very much careful not to be diverted
from Krsna consciousness. Even if there is danger or suffering in Krsna
consciousness, we should tolerate it. We should even welcome such
danger, and we should pray in appreciation to Krsna.
How should we pray? Tat te ‘nukampam susamiksamanah: ‘‘My dear
Lord, it is Your great mercy that I have been put into this dangerous posi-
tion.”’ That is the viewpoint of a devotee. He doesn’t regard danger as
danger. Rather, he thinks, ‘‘It is Krsna’s mercy.’” What kind of mercy?
Bhufijana evatma-krtam vipakam: ‘‘Because of my past activities, I was
meant to suffer very much. But You are mitigating that suffering and giv-
ing me only alittle.” In other words, by the grace of Krsna a devotee may
receive only token punishment.
In court an important man is sometimes found to be a culprit, and the
judge may be able to fine him a hundred thousand dollars and know that
the man can pay it. But he may tell the man, ‘You just give one cent.”
That is also punishment, but it is greatly minimized. Similarly, we have
to suffer for our past deeds. That is a fact, and we cannot avoid it. But kar-
mani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam (Brahma-samhita 5.54): the suffer- |
ings of those who engage in devotional service in Krsna consciousness ;
are minimized. For example, one may have been destined to be killed, |
but instead of being killed with a knife, he may instead get some little cut |
on his finger. In this way, for those who engage in devotional service, the |
reactions of past activities are minimized. Lord Krsna assures His devo- |
tees, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami: ‘‘! shall give you protec-
tion from the reactions of sinful life.’’ So even if a devotee has a history
of very grievous criminal activities behind him, instead of being killed he |
may only get a little cut on his finger. Why then should a devotee fear
danger?
We should simply depend on Krsna consciousness, because if we live
Krsna consciously under all circumstances, we shall not return to this
material world (apunar bhava-darsanam). If we repeatedly think of
