By Sri Caitanya Candra Das
Search for truth
Once upon a time at dusk I was strolling on the streets of Kothrud, Pune. I was superficially observing shops, restaurants, people, vehicles but my mind was absorbed in some other thoughts. I was an engineering student studying in MIT college. From my childhood I always used to deliberate on subjects like the mind, consciousness, sufferings, Death. After coming to engineering college my thoughts on these topics intensified. I used to think why I am suffering? Was there any time I was not suffering? What is the purpose of the universe? How long will the universe continue to exist? Is there any way to get out?
An accident
While walking on the road this evening my mind was again delving into the thoughts of suffering, disease, death. Is there any way out of miseries of life? Is there anyone who is free from sufferings? What is ultimate goal of life? Suddenly I heard loud banging sound! People gathered around. There was an accident! When I went near I saw two young girls lying on the ground in pool of blood! I pushed myself nearer out of curiosity. One girl was half conscious and the other fully unconscious. Seeing their precarious condition no body was ready to go near and help. People stopped one auto rickshaw which was passing by. Seeing the mess the driver understood the matter and hence was reluctant to help. But people quickly loaded these two girls in the auto. Now who will go with them?? They saw me, another young fellow and urged me to go! I was caught in dilemma. “I may have to face police, their enquiries and series of quandaries” flashed in my mind. I was about to refuse but suddenly a voice from within urged me to help. So I relented. I told the auto rickshaw to take to “Krishna” hospital which was nearby. The head of the fully unconscious girl was on my lap and the blood was soaking my clothes. Her sister was crying bitterly and somehow I was consoling her. I myself was in shock and dismay. When hospital came they were taken inside the emergency ward. I took the number of their parents from one of the girls and called them. Their mother received the call. I asked for the father as I knew the delicate nature of mothers. I informed the man that his daughters are admitted in “Krishna” hospital, Kothrud, Pune after an serious accident and urged him to reach the hospital as soon as possible. Then I left.
Meeting again
After a week I called the father of those girls again. He very earnestly requested me to visit their house and gave me the address. Next day when I went to their house I saw the two young girls were sitting with their parents. And they were twins! I did not realize it before. The parents thanked me a lot. I asked the girls what exactly happened during the accident but they couldn’t recall anything. The Parents gave me envelop as token of gratitude. When I came back I found Rs 100 in it. Because of my pious family background I understood that I should use this money in God’s service otherwise I may get the Karma of the donor.
My first BHAGAVAD GITA
I had one friend who used to go to ISKCON temple. So I asked him to get a copy of BHAGAVAD GITA. He brought “BHAGAVAD GITA as it is” by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada which was exactly Rs 100. After reading this BHAGAVAD GITA there was paradigm shift in my life. I became serious in spiritual life. My unanswered questions since so many years about the sufferings, universe, mind, disease and death were answered beyond expectation.
I understood from BHAGAVAD GITA that this world is like a hospital. We are admitted here because we have got the disease of envy for God. If one wants to get rid of sufferings one has to get out of this hospital. One cannot expect a peaceful stay as long as he is in the hospital. To get cured from this disease of envy we have to serve the Lord with love and devotion. And the best way to do this in current age is by chanting
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
There is another world called “spiritual world” where we originally belong to. When we purify ourselves by chanting Holy Names of Lord we will soon attain the spiritual world where there is no misery but unlimited bliss in close association of God. Once gone there one never returns to this miserable world.
na tad bhäsayate süryo
na çaçäìko na pävakaù
yad gatvä na nivartante
tad dhäma paramaà mama BG (15.6)
“That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.”
I was searching for such a world since my childhood. After few years of education and job I joined the ISKCON Pune temple full time. Later I understood who was that who inspired me from within to board the auto after the accident and help the girls.
éçvaraĂą sarva-bhĂĽtänäĂ
hĂĄd-deçe ‘rjuna tiñöhati
bhrämayan sarva-bhütäni
yanträrüòhäni mäyayä BG (18.61)
“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.”
I admitted the girls in Krishna hospital but they admitted me in Krishna temple. For the twins it was an accident but for me it was not an accident but Krishna’s wonderful arrangement. Krishna is so kind that even if we have a slight desire to know the answers, he arranges circumstances inconceivably to help us find the answers. When one is serious about finding the Truths of life Lord from within guides you in amazing ways!
(Sri Caitanya Candra Das is a celibate monk in ISKCON Pune temple since 2007. He currently serves as a temple manager at New Vedic Cultural Center (NVCC), Pune. He has completed his BE (E&TC) in 2004 and has worked for 2 years in IT sector)