Bhagavad Gita 9.26

[Eunice Beady]

Krishnaconsciousness helps us recognize and reestablish our original position as eternal servants of Krishna. As minute parts of Krishna, we should direct all of our activities toward His service with an attitude of love (see Bhagavad-gita 9.27). In this way, as an offering to Him, our entire life becomes shaped on the principle of bhakti, devotional service.

As the Supreme Lord, the cause of all causes, the proprietor of everything, Krishna is atmarama, self-satisfied. Yet He is so kind to the living entities that to aid their spiritual progress He accepts their offerings. As Srila Prabhupada explains, Krishna does not need food, yet He will accept the offering of His devotee who wants to please Him (Bhagavad-gita 9.26, Purport). The key element in the preparation and offering is an attitude of love for Krishna. Krishna is not hungry, but He hungers for our devotion.

On another occasion, Krishna traveled to Mithila to visit Bahulashva and Srutadeva, two devotees who had pleased Him by their devotion. Bahulashva was the king of Videha, but led a simple and Krishna conscious life. Once, at Dwarka, Bahulashva decided to prostrate himself before Krishna one hundred times, but he became so overwhelmed by feelings of spontaneous love that after only one prostration, he could not rise. Srutadeva was a poor brahmana, but was satisfied with whatever he had and always thought about Krishna. When the Lord arrived in Mithila, Srutadeva danced in ecstasy.

Devotees such as Vidura, Bahulashva, and Srutadeva were fortunate to serve Krishna personally when He appeared on this planet. Their offerings were spontaneous and pure, and we can make spiritual progress just by hearing about them.

Dasia Bauri came from a low-caste family and lived near Puri, in a village called Baligram. Dasia was poor and uneducated. Forbidden entrance to the temple because of his caste, he showed unflinching faith in the Lord. Once, Dasia gave a coconut to a brahmana who was on his way to the temple. He requested the brahmana to offer the coconut to Lord Jagannatha on his behalf, but to bring it back if the Lord rejected it.

When Dasia held up two mangoes and showed them to the Nilachakra, they disappeared. Dasia repeatedly offered mangoes in this way until his basket was empty. A crowd gathered around Dasia and watched the mangoes disappear, as if by magic.

Real service to Krishna is selfless, uninterrupted, and unconditional. Even apparent obstacles do not hinder the expression of pure devotion, which surpasses everything. Loving exchanges between the Lord and His devotee are inconceivable; they should not be held to material standards. Thus, the deepest significance of offerings made to the Lord is not exactly what is offered, but how it is offered.

Krishna is looking for our effort, which extends beyond food offerings and into every aspect of our lives. In fact, one of the nine main principles of devotional service is atma-nivedanam, offering everything to the Lord, including our mind, body, intelligence, and possessions. So let us offer our hearts to Krishna. By His mercy, our lives will become perfect offerings to Him.

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