Transcendental Bargain

Sourav and Mayur Prabhus at the Sankirtan Table 

Last weekend, warriors from Toronto Sankirtan Team, went out to distribute books at a local Bengali temple for their 12 hour kirtan. Below is an experience that Mayur Prabhu, as relayed by Sourav Prabhu (both of whom were at the spot that day)


He met a group of 4 young men and women. A black bodied person in the group claimed already to be a student of the Bhagavat Gita. He immediately and without any talking bought The Teachings of Lord Chaityanya. Then the discussion commenced with the woman in the group who had now put her faith in Buddhism in her search of the final truth. She had heard about Krishna but was not sure about the philosophy. Also the other person of the group was a believer in Christ. Mayur congratulated them for putting their faith in a higher power and told the lady in the group (who was the person heading the group with their questions) about the science of soul and how voidism is not the highest expression of the truth for in our daily existence we can see that there cannot be something out of nothing. He told her that Lord Buddha’s philosophy was correct in taking her to the level of Brahman but if she wants to go to the final height, she should read the Bhagavad Gita which is the final word in spirituality. She decided to take the book but she told she did not have any money. Mayur asked her to give him a cent. When she was fishing her purse for the money, 4 dollars came out. He asked her to give the 4 dollars. She refused and told him that he was doing business in the name of spirituality. 


He did not know how to handle the situation at this point. He asked Krishna for help. Suddenly one idea struck him. He asked her to just hand the money in his hand for the time being. She reluctantly did. Then he took out his purse and handed her the $50 dollar he had in his purse and asked her to keep it. She was dumb struck. The black bodied person was smiling and was absorbed with what was happening. She told him that 50 dollar is much greater than the $4. He congratulated her saying that mathematically she correct. Then he asked her to consider and think whether spiritually she was?


He explained that to him and to Krishna the $4 was far bigger a sum than the $50 dollar for it will give her imperishable knowledge. And that for spiritual knowledge she has to part with something that is dear as an exchange for that will give her Sukriti or spiritual power to understand the higher science. She was not convinced. He asked her whether she wanted a proof to learn this. She told she was. Then he warned her that she must be ready for consequences for He was going to put a special prayer to Krishna to reveal this logic. She agreed. He then put a special prayer to Krishna. Still the issue of money was not resolved. But somehow the conversation changed and she asked whether a Guru was needed to open the third eye. He asked her what she meant by Guru and third eye and how do did she know that for now he wasn't her Guru for he was trying to convince her about the highest science of Krishna and soul. He then told her the story of Dattatretya who had 24 gurus in the form snake, moth, bird, moon etc. The entire group was absorbed and impressed like anything. Then she asked him does he not love money? He replied that he is the happiest when he has no money in his pocket, not even a cent for that is the day Krishna reveals his mercy by revealing that He is the one that supports and not money. (I personally know that he being a student is often short of funds, he told her the absolute truth). The girl was defeated at this point and became very emotional and gave her the money willingly and took the book. Of Couse she returned the $50 dollar. And the entire group told that will come to the temple.

Sankirtan Yajna ki Jai!