Devotees should be Humble, Not Coward! – An Interesting Analysis!
Being humble is really a good nature. But, it should not go to the level of allowing ourselves to be cheated. If anyone intends to cheat us, we should not allow that since he is a devotee or a popular person. Whoever he is, no one has any right to cheat others. This Post is to guide you to be Humble, Not Cowards
There are many problems faced by Humble Devotees! Let us analyze them and try to get the solution.
I know a devotee. Once he purchased one kilo of rice from a shop run by his close friend. When he came home, he found his rice containing many small worms and small stones. His friend had given this rice to him since he is so kind and he will not come back to return that product.
This friend also thought that he would have cheated anyone in his previous birth and hence he is cheated by that friend. His friend’s shop is just 100 meters away from his home. An intelligent person would go to that shop again and return that rice and get good quality rice or money back. It is his right.
But, this devotee, did not go to that friend to return that rice thinking that his friendship with him may be affected. So, he threw that rice and purchased new rice from another shop.
(FOUR QUALITIES ESSENTIAL FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH! READ HERE!)
What kind of devotee he is? He is allowing himself to be cheated. This much of kind heart may give us an image of being a coward.
So, be humble. At the same time, do not allow others to treat you as they wish. There is nothing wrong in protecting yourself. If not, the world will not hesitate to cheat you whenever chance comes.
If you feel anyone is trying to use your humbleness to cheat you, do not hesitate to cut his friendship or association. Though he is a devotee, you should desert that person if he tries to cheat you.
Unless we are not careful, in this kaliyuga, there are many people to bury us into the ground and construct buildings on that soil.
Remember, I too lost so many things in my life because of my being humble and merciful. I always hesitated to say NO to any request to me. This caused so many material losses in my life.
(What sin we acquire if we do not follow 4 regulative principles and Ekadasi fasts? READ HERE!)
When all others had their families, I was showing pity for suffering persons and was helping them for decades. So, I lagged behind in my material life. I am the poorest guy in my family and among my relatives. I have no own house, vehicle, no costly luxurious materials, no air conditioning, etc as in February 2020 even in my middle age.
When I served the devotees since the year 2011 through social media, I lost my business growth. I became more poor because I was voluntarily serving the devotees spending most of my time. But, only a few devotees have realized my material losses because of serving the Lord even to manage my own life. This service and myself are living in this world serving all of you now only because of such selected devotees who are merciful towards me and are silently supporting me, understanding the value of my time. That is why, those who are supporting this service are feeling their barriers in spiritual realizations coming down. I am also fighting with Krishna through prayers that their support should be honoured by Him.
Only a very few will reciprocate if we show mercy to them. This is the trend of this kaliyuga. We can’t avoid this.
I was told by a devotee who is very humble that he was asked help of Rs.two lakhs from him by his neighbour lady (not a devotee) to treat her son. This humble devotee also gave that money without even a document being a neighbour. When he asked the lady to return the money after an year, that lady is threatening him as if he will be jailed if she reports to the police with false case. Finally, this devotee gave up that money as his past karma and he is suffering for money for the unexpected emergency expenses of his own life. However, still he and his wife are serving the lord cheerfully. This is the trend of kaliyuga. So, we should Be Humble, Not Coward.
(Why the devotees should avoid offenses strictly? READ HERE!)
But, there is a meaningful equation with Krishna. Krishna is very merciful towards His devotees who sacrifice their life for Him. If we lose materially for the welfare of others, Krishna comes closer to us. Thus, though I lost materially, I definitely feel the closeness of Krishna and His guidance to me. Without the strength of Krishna, managing this Popular preaching service as an individual is unimaginable as most of the sites are promoted by a team. Only because of Krishna and the devotees sent by Him to support this service, it is running non stop all the 365 days and I too am living and serving.
So, be humble and also do not fail to take care of your basic needs. Do not be a coward in working and facing the life.
Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (4-22) that one should get satisfied with the gains that come naturally and he should not lose his balance in both success and failures.
He also says beautifully in Bhagavad Gita (4-21) that one should work to satisfy his bare needs of his life and it will not be sinful.
Therefore, I too am working to satisfy the bare needs of my life. If I start to live a luxurious life beyond my needs, Krishna will finish my service. He does not want such luxurious devotees as they can not dedicate their lives for Him.
(How to be a Humble devotee? What is the meaning of last bench devotee? READ HERE!)
So, the Point is that the devotees should be Humble, Not Cowards! Also do your assigned duties properly atleast to satisfy your bare needs of life. If you do not think of yourself, you can not live.
Thinking of your bare needs is not selfish thoughts or attachments. It is your duty. Krishna too has said that it will not be sinful to earn for your living to satisfy minimum needs.
Before finishing, Let me remind how Srila Prabhupada dealt with courage when the landlord who assured t give the land for Mumbai Juhu temple and then backtracked. Srila Prabhupada was prepared to deal with that issue even legally. Finally, he won and built the temple for Krishna there.
Though he was a sanyasi, he had to be humble but not coward devotee. He used even anger for Krishna if anything is done against Krishna.
Hope this analysis has given you some insights about the differences between being humble and coward.
So, Be Humble, Not Coward.
(Role of Humbleness in Devotional life! READ HERE!)