We are very insignificant

Speaker: Vaiyasaki dasa
Source: Radha-Damodara Vilasa

Recognizing Tamal Krsna’s organizational ability, Prabhupada spends a lot of time training him in management skills. Tamal begins to think that he is getting special attention beyond that of the other devotees. Whenever the spiritual master detects false pride in a disciple he is always quick to rectify the anartha. Prabhupada brings this up in a gentle way when Tamal brings over Muralidhara’s new painting of the Bhagavatam cover for approval.

As Prabhupada studies the painting, he begins to point out the different features of the creation for Tamal’s consideration. Pointing to Krsna, he describes how the entire creation is simply an expansion of Krsna’s energy. The unlimited Vaikuntha planets are self-effulgent and eternal. Pointing to the corner where Maha Vishnu is lying down on the Causal Ocean, Prabhupada explains how millions of universes emanate from His pores during just one breath.

Tamal Krsna: Prabhupada said, “Each universe is filled with unlimited numbers of living entities who inhabit all of the planets and stars. One of these planets is our earth, and on this planet there are many continents. On one continent there is America, and in America there are so many big cities. Here is Los Angeles, and in Los Angeles there is a street, La Cienega Boulevard. On this street, among all of the buildings, is a temple of Lord Krsna. And in this temple there is one Tamal Krsna. He is there, and is thinking that he is very important.” Then Prabhupada looked at me and smiled. He was showing me how unimportant I really was. The lesson was clear: no one had the right to become puffed up, no matter how important his position might seem to be.