Dance the real dance.
The Rasa Dance..
Comfort Zone:
An embodied soul trapped within a body and confined to a small physical space tends to get comfortable in that space. It is not an easy feat for such a soul bound to the body to place itself in uncomfortable situations. Therefore, when undertaking a new task, changing locations, changing work etc can be quite arduous requiring a lot of mental strength and stability.
It especially requires a lot of spiritual strength to venture out into the unreceptive material world and attempt to share Lord’s names, fame, qualities, pastimes with people conditioned to enjoy separately from the lord. Therefore, celebrating Lord’s festivals, doing Harinam on the street, preaching seminars or book distribution for the engagement of such conditioned souls is a daunting task.
However, equipped with determination to serve and show love for the supreme- when one steps out into the unknown territories of material world that is imbued with confusion, anxiety, skepticism, envy and ignorance- The supreme empowers such souls with extraordinary faith and love to overcome the ignorance of the material world.
Thus, these devotees are armed with faith, love, Lord’s mercy and power when confronting the material forces. ‘They have the ‘high ground.’
Diving Deep for Krishna
As we prepare our dance performances and services for Janmashtami celebrations, I was reflecting on the several festivals, programs and events that we have organized over last few years. In particular, I was meditating on the ones where we dared to venture out of our comfort zone into the vast unknown of this material world. We are novices at devotional service yet decided to take some risks and dive deep into the hostile waters of this world.
Every dive required adjustment of mind and attitude; a challenge that mind and senses resisted. But every dive brought out some rare pearls that we would have missed, had we not dived.
This is a story of 4 such occasions. I met 4 different souls at 4 different times during various such adventures. It is actually a realization that Krishna brought to me when I needed it the most- while planning for the next dive. I am describing my meeting with them here:
Soul #1:
On one book distribution event, when we stood out in the material world being ignored and judged; attempting to convince and attract skeptical jeevas to Krishna- we met a very delightful soul. She was wandering about in this world, looking for connection with the lord, suffering the ‘fires of samsara’ (https://narangi.substack.com/p/we-didnt-start-the-fire).
She recognized devotees trying to spread the message of Lord amidst this fire. She eagerly embraced me, and I invited her into our fold. It was a significant moment of deep realization for me – to come across such a sweet, simple and dear devotee of Krishna suffering the pangs and miseries with patience until Lord made an arrangement for her. Since that day, she proceeded to nourish me with her humility, simplicity, purity and eagerness to serve.
Soul #2:
On another occasion, we took a great leap of faith to organize first ever mini-rath yatra for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath and seat Him on a little chariot while He bestows benedictions on the lost souls. It was an anxiety provoking endeavor, and we were apprehensive. Given the lack of surrender, faith and dependence on Lord, we tend to question and doubt. Moreover, we tend to pay too much heed to the outcome of our endeavors in deciding its success or failure, thereby defying Krishna’s direct instructions.
Thus, in this doubtful mood of a novice bhakta we pulled the chariot of Lord Jagannath ji around the park. Here I met a soul dancing with complete abandon in front of the cart. She was smiling ear to ear- a smile matching that of our Lord Jagannath himself. She asked me ‘what is surrender and how does one get it’? Having no real surrender, myself, I had no convincing answer for her so instead I invited her to try our process. Later I realized that she always had the surrender because in the year that followed, she surrendered herself to the process whole-heartedly.
Soul 3#:
One fine Sunday, a soul joined our weekly Bhagvad Gita class. She was looking for knowledge and detachment, better understanding of this world, its people and situations. Really, she was looking for Krishna.
Actually, she never really needed us. Her parents are exemplary devotees, serving for last 20 years situated in perfect knowledge and detachment. Endowed with all wonderful qualities of humility, tolerance, patience and love- she joined our association of neophytes. I realized many months later, that it was she who had come to inspire me and continue my practices and learning with due diligence. I was put in her association by Krishna’s arrangement, so I can learn, improve and grow with her friendship and love.
‘When one dream comes true, you get the courage to pursue others’.
Soul #4:
This year, Jagannath ji decided to give audience to a bigger group of people. So, we decided to take him to Memphis for our second mini-rath yatra and a Bhagvad Gita seminar. This was another leap of faith into unknown. Being completely unqualified and inexperienced, we had neither resources, nor the confidence or experience necessary for this type of celebration. However, this was the next step for us and the right thing to do.
So, Lord Jagannath ventured to Memphis, and we tailed along with him. Many lost souls came to get his darshan. As I stood at the book distribution table, a very eager, simple soul came to introduce herself. She was curious, enthusiastic, grateful and very sincere. I know that Krishna has put me in her association for a wonderful reason that will unfold in time. His causeless benedictions reveal themselves in due course of time.
Dance for Krishna
Going on Harinam, book distribution, rath yatra, preaching seminars, street kirtans and stage performances- This is the dance that we dance.
This leap of faith, these struggles, skirmishes, the confusion and the anxiety make the circumference of our endeavor, at the center of which stands Krishna. This is our rasa dance. This is surrender, this is knowledge and detachment, this is humility and patience. Most importantly, this is the real Dance for Krishna- where one ventures into the unknown adventures, puts himself in an uncomfortable situation and stands in the line of fire to push the envelope of Krishna Consciousness. We showcase Krishna and his opulences to the material world, so that the bumblebees will be drawn to the fragrant flower.
Prabhupada prayed to Krishna on the cargo ship, Jaladuta that-
‘nacao nacao prabhu nacao se-mate
kasthera puttali jatha nacao se-mate’
O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So, if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, make me dance as You like.
The Rasa Dance with Krishna
This was the story of 4 rare gems that Krishna brought into my life to give me the real taste of surrender for Him. They are the beautiful, rare pearls threaded on the string of devotional service, that we found in the depths of our confused, unorganized endeavors of pleasing the Guru and the Lord.
These 4 souls got together this weekend to dance for the pleasure of the Lord. When they dance for Krishna on His divine appearance day, the dance will signify faith, hope, determination to serve despite all adversities--a sweet reward for multitude of efforts and pains.
I hope this will inspire some more souls to come out of their comfort zone and stand in the line of fire. That is where Krishna’s pastimes take place. We have the option to participate in His pastimes that are eternally going on, every moment of our life.
We have the option to dance the real dance with Krishna - the Rasa Dance.
Very inspiring and instructional .. our job is to take a leap of faith and endeavour for krishna .. krishna makes the magic happen !
Even things don’t go exactly as we planned, know that in the long run it is better than any of our plans if we are sincerely endeavouring for krishna, as then things happen per his plan !! 😀🙏🏼
Thanks so much Mataji for such an encouraging and motivational article! As part and parcel of Krishna , we all have been blessed with limitless capabilities.. its our conditioning that is an obstacle to even think beyond what see or perceive from our limited senses.
Prayer to guru and guarana for his causeless mercy on us fallen soul to identify real us and get out of "unfortunate affair of state" where the things that should be kept private are displayed publicly and the Hari Naam which is dire need of this material world and hence it is of utmost importance to bring it to public so that more souls are saved from the cruelty of this material world.
Hare Krishna!
Om tat Sat!