Hare Krishna.
31st Dec, Ujjain.
The meals at the Ujjain retreat are very lavish by ISKCON standards. So yesterday after having another sumptuous breakfast I commented to Baljinder Prabhu how nice the arrangements are for the meals and there are so many devotees serving us as if we are in some 5 star restaurant. After we filled our plates initially, each dish was being served piping hot at our tables so that we don’t have to get up from our tables. That was my consciousness.
Then I met Atma Prabhu outside the hall and he told that he is going to have the lunch Prasadam with the Brahamcharis. When I asked him the reason he told me that one of the Brahmachari , when Atma prabhu invited him to eat in the main dining hall, told him ‘ We are servants and servants do not eat with their masters.’ I was bowled over by their humble statement. That was their consciousness.
When I came back to the room then Subal Shyam Prabhu told me that he wish to have his lunch Prasadam at ….. You guessed it right … at Brahamchari ashram. His reason, he does not like to take so much service from the devotees. That was his consciousness.
So it’s the same hall, the same prasadam, same facilities and yet each one of us is accepting it with a different consciousness.
This showed me how I can carefully observe our devotee brothers and learn from them and how association of devotees is beneficial to us innumerable ways.
All glories to the merciful Vaishanavas.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Top class….I remember meeting some devotees disciples of Romapad Maharaj in USA stating they would like to eat at main hall so that other devotees get more and more chance to serve and they go back to Godhead early and can lobby for him…Initially I was surprised by their answer…after long time and I guess more today I understand why Prabhupad kept the name International society for Krishna Consciousness…such visionary! Causeless mercy of Guru falling upon you…loot lo!