End goal ?

Today I was fortunate enough to dress Giri Govardhan - not the most fancy dressing I know ... bear with me  - I am a newbie at dressing Him !

Later on I was thinking about this experience and what exactly I was doing.

I was dressing the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of a sila - a tangible embodiment of His love for His devotees - who became lighter than a feather so the inhabitants of Vraja could all shelter underneath Him for 7 days and 7 nights.

Therefore what that means is that I have reached the 'end goal' so to speak .... surely?

I have surpassed the yogi sitting cross legged in lotus position meditating on the Supersoul.

I  have surpassed the yogi who seeks to contort his body in a variety of poses in order to realise the higher being.

I have even surpassed the arm chair philosopher who can quote a dozen scriptures and argue his point very well as to the nature of Brahman - the all pervading aspect of God.

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I am touching the body of God - the Absolute Truth.

I am batheing Him and applying scented oils.

I am applying 'a face' on the Lord and adding jewels and new colourful clothing.

How fortunate am I?

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I have been chanting for a few years now the Hare Krsna maha mantra - asking each day to be engaged in the Lord's service.

And surely now I have arrived?

So ......

Why am I not dancing in ecstasy in kirtans?

Why am I not yearning to hear more and more from Srila Prabhupada's books about the Supreme Lord?

Why am I not focussed on the good in devotees instead of their small residue of conditionings ?

Because I might be at the 'End Goal' but have I realised it?

Do I chant with so much attention and love that I taste the names like I taste paneer, pasta, pizza (my 3 favourite P's ! ) with so much relish and desire for more ... and more !

Do I devour Srila Prabhupada's books with as much one pointed concentration as I do on the news in the papers or the TV?

Sorry to say but not really ...

And so here I am ... holding the sweet Lord in my hands and being as intimate as the gopis (so we are told) by way of dressing and anointing Him and my mind is relishing the dressing down of a devotee from last week, sometimes from last month, and sometimes from even last year ... or projecting into the future and imagining my own small glory ... yet to come and be recognised fully of course by the devotees.

But nonetheless I will carry on ... with faith in Srila Prabhupada's words - that devotional service is the purifying agent that will allow me to fully realise who I am and who the Lord is .. and that as long as I am engaged in devotional service I am safe and sheltered.

Giriraj ki jay !

(Bhava Bhakti dd)