Awaking Devotion.
Vaisesika das: In the backyard of my home, I recently set up a bird feeder that I inherited from my father several years ago. For the past few weeks, I have been regularly filling it with Nyger seeds, much liked by Finches. Today, as I watched a group of happy Finches devouring these seeds, I mused at how they have no idea where the seeds come from, or how the feeder magically fills up every few days. They only merrily eat without considering the source of their food. This is true of most living entities. As the soul transmigrates from one physical body to another, passing progressively through eight million primitive species of life, it is Krsna who provides him his food and other necessities. The soul, covered by ignorance takes these gifts for granted.
When the soul attains the rare human body however, he can come to see that Krsna has been thoughtfully maintaining him all along.
This revelation is a beginning step in bhakti.
Children rarely appreciate the gifts and nurture given them by their parents. But, when the children mature into adults, if they are not spoiled, they begin to appreciate that their parent’s made sacrifices to raise them and they think of ways to reciprocate.
In a similar way, spiritually advanced people appreciating Krsna’s generosity, organize their lives around serving Him.
After drinking water a devotee thinks how kind Krsna is to provide such a remarkable beverage that quenches thirst and maintains the body.
Or, looking at the perfection of a fruit tree like the Avocado – whose skin is the perfect wrapper; whose “flesh” is a perfect food; whose branches hold forth its fruits as if from outstretched arms, saying, “Come here and take as many as you wish!” - a devotee sees Krsna’s charity and fine sense for design.
Out of appreciation for these gifts, a devotee offers them back to Krsna out of gratitude; and Krsna reciprocates with the devotee from within the devotee’s heart.
Krsna says: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” (Bg 9.26)
Prahlada Maharaja notes that when someone gives to Krsna, it is not for Krsna’s benefit. Rather, it is for the benefit of the giver. When one decorates one’s face, Prahlada says, the reflection of one’s face in the mirror is also seen to be decorated.
The great secret of happiness in life lies in offering ourselves and everything else to Krsna. As we do this, we feel satisfied and blissful.
Such satisfaction drives the devotee to serve the Lord with all his heart and soul and to encourage others in such service. This service is eternal and ever-increasing.