Inquiries Into the Absolute: Digest 172, Practical cultivation of moodof humble service

[Guest guest]

Digest 172, June 12th, 2006. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

**You are welcome to send in your questions to HH Romapada Swami at

iskcondc with the word "Question" included in the subject line.

 

Practical cultivation of mood of humble service

***********************************************

 

Question. How can I practically cultivate the mood of being a humble servant of

devotees in regular intractions?

Answer. In the following file

http://www.romapadaswami.com/Songs_And_References_About_Humility.pdf there are

some discussions on the topic of humility, including some direct quotes from

Srila Prabhupada's books on the topic of "Humility and Eagerness to Serve".

 

Here is a brief description of what humility is and being humble means;

1) Humility deals with what we think of ourselves. With a spiritual conception

of ourselves, we act from constitutional position of being a servant of Krsna.

2) When one has a spiritual conception of humility it increases one’s

enthusiasm/desire to serve Krsna and thus increases devotional service.

3) Srila Prabhupada said - God is great and we are small. Krsna Consciousness

is very simple if we understand this. Most people accept that God is great but

they do not know how great God is. When we understand how great God is, we

realize how tiny we are and this inspires service.

4) If we are not humble, we will never understand someone/something greater

than us. Humility is the precursor to knowledge and with knowledge, detachment

comes.

5) Humility is the foundation of pridelessness. Pride rests upon misconception

of self.

6) We cannot surrender without being humble. For instance, Jarasandha was

humiliated so many times but he did not get the message. Even when everything

is taken away, one does not surrender if one is not humble.

7) When one takes a humble position, duality does not disturb that person.

 

Here are some hints on how to develop humility and eagerness to serve:

i) Hear descriptions of personalities who are humble, glorify them, remember

them, offer prayers to them.

ii) Regular recitation of prayers by entering into the spirit of the prayers.

iii) Find happiness simply in serving.

iv) Establish close relationships with those that are humble and who are eager

for that goal.

v) Study Srila Prabhupada’s books regularly and scrutinizingly.

vi) Participate and create opportunities for saintly association.

vii) Missionary spirit - taking preaching spirit upon us. We meet the whole

spectrum of people when we preach - we should stay humble and dedicated.

Preaching helps develop humility, value devotee association.

viii) Ramanujacarya describes a three-fold process to cultivate any Vaisnava

quality - a) regular devotional practices, b) Cultural - hearing glories of

great acaryas and reciting prayers, c) Internal cultivation

 

 

Quotes on humility from Srila Prabhupada Sikasamrta

***************************************************

1) Personally one should be very meek and humble even in the presence of

greatest provocation but a slight insult to Krsna or His representative should

at once be taken seriously. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Brahmananda, 15th

November, 1967)

2) A devotee should always remain humble and meek, especially to authorities

and devotees. Lord Caitanya’s philosophy is not to become God but to become

servant, servant, servant of God. The more one becomes the lower grade servant

of Lord, the more he is devoted nearer to the Lord. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter

to Jaya Govinda, 8th February, 1968)

3) The more you think as imperfect, the more you make actual progress in Krsna

consciousness. This hankering after perfection is seen even in the most perfect

devotees. So, we should never think of being perfect at any stage. Actually,

Krsna consciousness is unlimited, because Krsna is unlimited, so we do not know

at which point perfection is there. Even Krsna thinks that he is imperfect to

understand Radharani’s feelings of devotion; and to understand the devotional

feelings of Radharani, He became Lord Caitanya, to worship Krsna in the

feelings of Radharani. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Hamsaduta, 17th February,

1968)

4) This humbleness is the sign of progress in Krsna consciousness. A Krsna

conscious person thinks always about himself as the lowest creature in the

world, and the more one thinks like that he becomes elevated more and more. A

Krsna conscious person is never falsely puffed up; he is satisfied with his

humble position as the servant of servant of Krsna. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter

to Krsnadasa, 1st June, 1968)

5) You ask about the desire for fame. Fame is a material desire, but to desire

fame in Krsna consciousness is not bad. If you think that people may know you

as a great devotee of Krsna, that they may acknowledge me as a nice devotee of

Krsna, that is not at all bad. But even one is highly elevated in Krsna

consciousness he should not think himself a great devotee, he should always

think himself humble. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Upendra, November 13th ,

1968)

6) In the spiritual world to accept one’s inferior position does not mean

envious mentality upon the other. Unhappiness experienced by a devotee on

account of feeling himself inferior is not unusual, rather such mentality is

imperative to further development of devotional service. (Srila Prabhupada’s

Letter to Satsvarupa, 20th February, 1969)

7) The actual Vaisnava always feels himself lowly and unqualified, but this

submissiveness and humbleness is his actual qualification for becoming perfect

in Krsna consciousness. In material everyone is thinking that I am so

wonderful, I am so expert, but actually the living entity is an insignificant

spark of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. So when we see we are

becoming aware of our infinitesimal nature, then we begin to also understand

something of how infinitely great Krsna is. One cannot be falsely puffed up and

still expect to make progress in spiritual life. Rather one must learn to

accept his constitutional position of Krsna’s tiny servant. Then Krsna is

pleased to reveal Himself to such devotee, and the devotee becomes more and

more engaged in rendering transcendental service to the Lord. (Srila

Prabhupada’s Letter to Gajendra, 20th July, 1969)

8) When a Krsna conscious person is elevated to a responsible position he never

becomes puffed up. Just like a tree overladen with fruits become humble and

lower down, similarly, a great soul in Krsna consciousness become humbler than

grass and bowed down like fruitful trees, because a Krsna conscious person acts

as the agent of Krsna, therefore he discharges his duty with great

responsibility. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Gajendra, 27th January, 1970)

 

Quotes on humility from scripture

*********************************

 

1) trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna

amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking

himself lower than the straw in the street, more tolerant than the tree, devoid

of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respects to others. In

such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

These are the symptoms of one who chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Although

he is very exalted, he thinks himself lower than the grass on the ground, and

like a tree, he tolerates everything in two ways. When a tree is cut down, it

does not protest, and even when drying up, it does not ask anyone for water.

The tree delivers its fruits, flowers and whatever else it possesses to anyone

and everyone. It tolerates scorching heat and torrents of rain, yet it still

gives shelter to others. If one chants the holy name of Lord Krishna in this

manner, he will certainly awaken his dormant love for Krishna’s lotus feet."

Although a Vaishnava is the most exalted person, he is prideless and gives all

respect to everyone, knowing everyone to be the resting place of Krishna. If

one chants the holy name of Lord Krishna in this manner, he will certainly

awaken his dormant love for Krishna’s lotus feet." (Cc Antya 20.21-26)

 

2) Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura recommends that we become humble by

practicing the following meditation: "The earth, which is always visible to me,

is the expansion of the lotus feet of my Lord, who is always to be meditated

upon. All moving and nonmoving living beings have taken shelter of the earth

and are thus sheltered at the lotus feet of my Lord. For this reason I should

respect every living being and not envy anyone. In fact, all living entities

constitute the Kaustubha gem on My Lord’s chest. Therefore I should never envy

or deride any living entity." By practicing this meditation one can achieve

success in life." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.11.24 purport)

 

3) If anyone wants to compete with God and at the same time make advancement in

spiritual knowledge, he will be frustrated. It is clearly stated that without

humility, understanding is not truly possible. To think oneself God is most

puffed up. Although the living entity is always being kicked by the stringent

laws of material nature, he still thinks, "I am God" because of ignorance. The

beginning of knowledge, therefore, is amanitva, humility. One should be humble

and know that he is subordinate to the Supreme Lord. Due to rebellion against

the Supreme Lord, one becomes subordinate to material nature. One must know and

be convinced of this truth. (Narada Bhakti Sutra 27 purport)

 

4) As servants of the Supreme Lord, all living entities are one, but a

Vaishnava, because of his natural humility, addresses every other living entity

as prabhu. A Vaishnava sees other servants to be so advanced that he has much

to learn from them. Thus he accepts all other devotees of the Lord as prabhus,

masters. Although everyone is a servant of the Lord, one Vaishnava servant,

because of humility, sees another servant as his master. Understanding of the

master begins from understanding of the spiritual master.

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado

yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi

"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna.

Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement."

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.11 purport)

 

5) Chanting is compared to the helpless cry of a child for its mother. It is a

prayer from the core of the repentant heart. It is chanted, therefore, in

humility. Once, in a state of devotional ecstasy while in the company of two

close followers (Svarupa Damodara Gosvami and Ramananda Raya), Sri Caitanya

described the quintessential importance of chanting with the mood of humility.

He said, "One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant

than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to

give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the

Lord." Commenting upon this famous verse, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, author

of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, declares, "Everyone please hear me! String this

verse on the thread of the holy name and wear it on your neck for continuous

remembrance. One must strictly follow the principles given by Lord Caitanya

Mahaprabhu in this verse. If one simply does so, certainly he will achieve the

ultimate goal of lif

e, the lotus feet of Sri Krishna." (Sri Namamrta introduction)

 

6) Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of

being honored by others. The material conception of life makes us very eager to

receive honor from others, but from the point of view of a man in perfect

knowledge—who knows that he is not this body—anything, honor or dishonor,

pertaining to this body is useless. One should not be hankering after this

material deception. People are very anxious to be famous for their religion,

and consequently sometimes it is found that without understanding the

principles of religion one enters into some group which is not actually

following religious principles and then wants to advertise himself as a

religious mentor. As for actual advancement in spiritual science, one should

have a test to see how far he is progressing. He can judge by these items. (BG

13.8-12 purport)

 

7) The conditioned souls in this material world become falsely proud of their

so-called family lineage. This pride is false because one who has taken birth

in the material world is in a fallen situation, even in the best of cases.

Vasudeva, however, was certainly not fallen, since he had taken birth in the

family of Krishna. Since he was Krishna’s father, his position was most

exalted, yet because he was a pure devotee he did not become proud of his

special relationship with Krishna. Instead, considering himself deficient in

spiritual understanding, he took advantage of the appearance of Narada Muni, a

great preacher of Krishna consciousness, by immediately inquiring from him

about devotional service. This incomparable humility of a pure devotee of

Krishna is far superior to the false humility of the impersonalist, who

actually maintains a desire to be equal to God though adopting the external

behavior of a meek and saintly person. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.7 purport)

 

8) We should always be prepared to take instruction from the authorities. We

should never think that we have become perfect. Although you are perfect. Trnad

api sunicena taror api sahishnuna. One should be very humble, meek, and always

think that "I am nothing." Just like the author of Caitanya-caritamrita, such a

great, stalwart man, such a great devotee. Nobody has produced such literature

as Caitanya-caritamrita. He is presenting himself that "I am lighter than the

worm in the stool." Purishera kita haite muni se laghishtha. Purish means stool

and kita means worm. So "I am lower than the worm in the stool. Anyone who

takes my name, all his pious activities immediately becomes lost." In this way

he is presenting himself. That does not mean that he’s actually so, but that is

the attitude of a devotee. He’s always very meek and humble. And the opposite

side is, "I am God. Now finish all business." You see? So this maya is very

strong. He’s (She’s) always enticing me, "Oh, you are so great, so big, so...

You h

ave nothing to learn. Finish all..." This is maya’s instruction. But we should

always be very humble, meek, and we should know always that "What I know? I do

not know anything." The knowledge is unlimited. God is unlimited. And my

position is very minute, fractional, infinitesimal. What I can accommodate? I

shall go on. I shall go on. Remain. Gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor

dasa-dasanudasah. We shall always try to remain servant of the servant of the

servant of the servant of the... Hundred times servant. Then it will be all

right. The more you become humble, meek, the more you advance. That is real

advancement. (SP Lecture, NY, April 16th, 1969)

 

9) Vedic way allows the brahmacari to beg just to learn humbleness, not beggar.

Coming from very big, big family all family, they practice it. This is not

begging. This is to learn how to become humble and meek. And Christ said, "To

the humble and meek, God is available." It is not begging. You do not know what

is this culture. (Room conversation, Calcutta, Feb 4th, 1977)

 

 

Lectures on Humility by His Holiness Romapada Swami

 

1) Seminar on Humility at Potomac, MD, November 27th-30th, 2003 - Four lectures

(Available at http://www.caitanya.com/lectures_available_online.html)

2) Humility and Eagerness to serve - 3 lectures - given in India, Feb ’05

(These lectures can be made available online or on CD)

3) Two lectures on Trnad Api Sunicena given at Potomac, MD in March ’06 (These

lectures can be made available online or on CD)

4) Lectures on Siksasatam prayers - Given in India (These lectures can be made

available on a CD)

5) Lectures on Siksasatam prayers - Given in St. Louis during March ‘06 (Not

available online yet but can be made available)

 

-----

This digest on the web:

http://iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/renderphilo.pl?digestname=digest172

 

All previous digests in one file (with responses to about 450 questions):

http://iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/renderphilo.pl?digestname=digest00

 

Responses to Some Frequently Asked Questions (Karma, free-will, demigods, Lord

Siva, why are we here, how to control the mind, Deity worship, marriage, Jesus

Christ, spiritual and material relationships and morality of Lord Krsna's

conjugal pastimes, spiritual master, spirit soul/jiva/living entity):

http://www.iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/renderphilo.pl?digestname=digest999_faq

 

To , or change/add your email address please send email to

iskcondcr Please reply to this email at iskcondcr if you

choose to discontinue receiving these digests. If you have received the

"Inquiries Into the Absolute" digests despite requesting removal in the past,

please let us know immediately by emailing us at iskcondcr These

functions are currently not available at the ISKCON DC website or by emailing

admin (AT) iskcondc (DOT) org.

-----

** A brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami is available at:

http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl?ndx=2

** This and all previous digests are available on the web** They can be

accessed at: http://www.iskcondc.org -> Inquiries into the Absolute

http://www.iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/renderphilo.pl?ndx=132

ISKCON DC Philosophy Website:

http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl

Related Sites: http://www.romapadaswami.com, http://www.caitanya.com

-----

 

This email has been sent to you by the ISKCON temple of Washington D.C. Our

contacts are:

Email: iskcondcr

Web Address: http://www.iskcondc.org

Postal Address: 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854-3932