In worldly life, we usually do an action for some fruit other than that action – we may work not because we love the work but because it enables us to buy our dream house.
When we come to spiritual life, we often carry this action-fruit dichotomy. So, while meditating on Krishna by, say, chanting his holy names, we frequently expect something else from meditation – maybe a mystical vision of some shining light.
Starting devotional meditation is always good, whatever the initial stimulus. But to progress steadily, we need to disabuse ourselves of the action-fruit dichotomy. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (12.09) indicates that endeavoring to meditate on Krishna grants desire for him.
What’s special about desire for Krishna?
It makes meditation on him natural and relishable. Natural because our thoughts naturally flow towards the object we desire. And relishable because only when we desire Krishna strongly, more than other things, can we relish his supreme sweetness.
Factually, Krishna is always all-attractive; whatever attracts us gets its power to attract from Krishna, as the Gita (10.41) states. However, as long as we are attached to material things, we stay under their spell, imagining them to be irresistibly attractive, even more attractive than Krishna. This misguided imagination doesn’t allow us to relish Krishna’s sweetness when we meditate on him and makes us expect something else as a fruit of meditation.
Nonetheless, if we meditate on Krishna as a discipline without expecting any other result, then we slowly experience how that meditation is pacifying and fulfilling – far better than anything else. Over time, taste for Krishna stays with us even when we are not exclusively meditating on him. Even while engaged externally in various activities, we can still relish the peace and bliss of internally remembering Krishna. Thus life becomes joyful, constantly, eternally.
Hare Krishna Prabhus!Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Just a big thank you for this daily delight, to keep our minds turned toward Lord Krishna!! Haribol! Lorraine
Hare Krishna,
In the present day corporate scenario, only when the fruits are realised is the work considered to be done. This is quite opposite to what Lord Sri Krishna says in BG 2.47. How do we reconcile these two.
Madan Rao
Hare Krishna prabhu,PAMHO.AGTSP
Thank you for addressing these conditioned attitudes we are carrying so clearly ,also providing solution. I read these articles before I chant . It is helping me to chant attentively . Thank you very much.