Once, a king wanted to test the attitude of his citizens during a crisis. One night he placed a big stone in the middle of the road and he hid himself.  As the day began people began their chores. The moment they saw the big stone, which was causing disturbance they started cursing the stone and the person who had placed the stone in the middle of the road. Entire day passed and no one took the trouble to remove it. Finally one sane man took the initiative and removed the stone.  Most of us are like the passersby’s who often curse the problem and go ahead but never take the trouble to solve the problem. 

Most of the time we curse the system, the society, our family, our destiny and in fact everyone and everything for any problem which we face in this world. But we do nothing to change our own perspective or we do nothing to effect a change.  “Be the change what you want to see in others.”

People whom we eulogize today never simply sat on a problem and cursed their destiny. In fact through their grit and determination they have shown us as what should be our attitude when we are in difficulties. Srila prabhupada, one of the most celebrated Vaishnava saints of the modern time, is one such example.

Srila Prabhupada had been given a monumental task of preaching Krishna-consciousness to the Western world by his spiritual master Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. The mission seemed impossible. He had no money, he did not get help came from any quarters, and lots of obstacles glared. But he never fretted or regretted.  Prabhupada had firm faith in the orders of his spiritual master. He took up the challenge with a positive spirit. His firm faith in Krishna and his hard work paid rich dividends. He was successfully able to spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world. During his lifetime he opened 108 temples, wrote more than 80 books, which included the translation of several volumes of spiritual literatures.

He was not just a preacher who used flowerly languages to impress the audience. He did not just quote Sanskrit verses to get applause from the audience. He showed the world as how to practice genuine devotion to Krishna by his own personal example. His life inspired thousands of people all over the world to take up Krishna consciousness and is still inspiring millions of people.

Krishna sees our endeavors. Once he sees the eagerness of an individual for self-realization then he personally intervenes and shows him the path. He confirms this in Bhagavad-gita, “To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.” (Bhagavad – gita 10.11).

So let us not be a complaining machine but instead take initiative and try our best to get out of the mental and physical suffering by following the principles of Bhagavad-gita.