My Devotee Never Perishes
An Enlightened Master wants nothing. He gives constantly. He radiates love because that is his true
nature. He does not care who receives it; he simply gives.He says in the verse:
kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati I
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati II 9.31
‘He who quickly becomes righteous and understands this truth, enters into eternal bliss, eternal
consciousness, O Kaunteya; declare it boldly, pratijānīhi means ‘declare it boldly’, that my devotee
never perishes, na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati.’
Let me tell you from my personal experience.
I can quote so many great devotees’ lives, where the Divine came down and served them, where the Divine
took care of them. When Mirābāi was poisoned, Sri Kṛṣṇa came and protected her. So many millions of
stories I can narrate!
But let me tell you about my own life. Since I left home, when I was seventeen, I have lived without
touching money. With one water pot, with this two-piece robe, walking the length and breadth of India,
living under trees, begging and eating, I have lived. I tell you, whether you want it or not, accept it or not,
believe it or not, the Divine always protects. This is the solid truth.
When we understand this truth, not only in this world, wherever we go, we are protected. We relax into
the consciousness that Existence continuously protects us, takes care of us.
When devotion matures, consciousness flowers. Devotion may seem different from knowledge when it is
not ripe. Kṛṣṇa says that His devotee never perishes. Devotion is not simply offering worship daily to Kṛṣṇa’s
photo, lighting camphor, lamps and offering garlands. When one is a true devotee of Kṛṣṇa, he becomes Kṛṣṇa.
He experiences Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The ultimate consciousness is where no good, bad, evil or virtue exists.
Devotion, knowledge and wisdom appear to be different when they are not ripe. When they mature, they
become the same. One experiences true wisdom at the peak of devotion or peak of knowledge.
The last two verses can be misunderstood if misinterpreted. Kṛṣṇa says, ‘Anyone can reach Me through
devotion, whether they are women, traders or workers, or even sinners.’ He makes a point that there is no pre qualification. Even in the age of Kṛṣṇa, there was a distinction between various trades as well as between men
and women.
In the Vedic system, the caste system was a scientific practice to enable each one’s potential to radiate.
The varṇa or caste system practiced by Hindus from time immemorial had its roots in the gurukul education.
Actually varṇa meant vocation, which was determined by the Master for each child. It was not based upon
birth as birthright, rather it was based upon aptitude. Unfortunately, over time this practice became a birthright.
This corruption of such a scientific practice has led to many social inequalities and injustices. The son of a
brāhmaṇa has no right to call himself a brāhmaṇa, unless he has the aptitude. In our ashram, we have
brahmacāri priests, who are of faiths other than Hindu. In no way are these young priests inferior to any
brāhmaṇa.
The point Kṛṣṇa makes here is that irrespective of caste, a person who has faith and devotion to Him can attain
Him. Even if a person does not lead the life of a brāhmaṇa, he can reach and experience the ultimate
consciousness. A person may follow any profession; however, if his inner space is cleansed, he can attain and
experience Kṛṣṇa consciousness."
-Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam – (Jeevan Mukti Bhashya)
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