I’m sitting by my desk late in the night, writing down everything that needs to be organised in preparation for yet another festival at the temple.
My to-do list is growing longer, and as a consequence, my sleep is getting less due to the stress. Did I forget anything? Are all devotees happy and engaged in service? Do we have everything that we need for the festival? These are just some of the questions I’m asking myself. I can hear my neighbour brahmacari in his room snoring as I add one more task to my list.
I’m looking at my long to-do list and meditating on the Srila Prabhupada pastime that I heard recently.:
Swarup ACBSP: When the first wave of devotees went to India, Srila Prabhupada instructed them to go to his room at the Radha-Damodar temple where he had been staying and clean it out. One of my god-brothers said that he came across a piece of paper while cleaning the room. It was folded up like a memo pad and on that front page, Prabhupada had written a to-do list. On the very top, it said, “Save the world from godlessness.”
That was Srila Prabhupada’s to-do list. My to-do list is: “Do the laundry, get an oil change, pay my electric bill.” Srila Prabhupada’s to-do list was: “Save the world from godlessness.” – Memories-anecdotes of a modern-day saint volume 4.
Every single thought, breath, and movement of a sadhu is only for the benefit of other living entities.
Srila Prabhupada was always absorbed in the service of others. He never wasted a moment and repeatedly searched for ways to bring people closer to Krishna.
“Give this one life to Krishna”, he would beg his disciples.
He is my hero, role model and guide. He is an inspiration behind everything I’m trying to do.
I do hope that he is pleased with my to-do list. I’m sure that he would want to add a few more tasks to that list.
Jaladuta diary 8.2: Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma– How will I make them understand this message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified and the most fallen. Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own.
Ananta Gopal Das
28.3.2023
Bhakti Wisdom 