Hearing- the perfection of life
During the month of Kartik, many devotees engage in the simple practise of reading, hearing or sharing Krishna’s childhood, Vrindavan pastimes.
Some people may wonder, “I already know these stories; so why should I hear them again?” We need to remember that Krishna’s pastimes are not discussed as some new information or news, where we always seek a latest version. Krishna’s stories are transcendental- they carry ‘newness’ and ‘freshness’ in them; to the extent one is ‘present’ or attentive, he’ll find them relishable. The practise of regular hearing fills the heart with an eagerness to hear about the Lord- in time one gets addicted to Krishna!
Advanced practitioners however see the process of hearing and reading, differently. The pastimes of Krishna spontaneously trigger spiritual emotions in their heart. For devotees not as advanced, hearing and reading these stories are like medicine or a regulated exercise that helps them slowly cure the disease of distractions from their heart and revives their dormant affection for the Lord.
Srila Prabhupada taught his followers how the process of hearing and chanting works on a devotee. During his final days, while lying on bed, he heard with rapt attention, Krishna pastimes that Tamal Krishna Mahraj and other devotees by turn, read for him. Often, a smile would invariably slip from his visage, and he frequently said, “This is the perfection of life.” Srila Prabhupada also reminded us that while life is a preparation, death is an examination. So if we practise hearing and reading Krishna’s pastimes now when we can engage our senses actively, then during our final moments, it will be lot easier to relish and remember Krishna’s activities.
An essential quality that helps us relish Krishna consciousness is humility, and the secret of cultivating this virtue is in hearing attentively. When we begin to find Krishna’s Holy Names and pastimes relishable, the soul feels divine bliss. At this state, humility appears as a fruit in our tree of devotional service.
