Love. Passion. Dedication.
To me that are all to be a true devotee of the Sree Sree Gita Sangha. And, not only just of the Gita Sangha, but also a great disciple of the Lord. Whenever I am at Atlantic City and happen to be in the Mandir, I see a lot of things everywhere. Friendship, hard work, people taking commitments to fulfill the desires of others. And, these are EXACTLY what I love to see. Even here in Edison- my current residence, everywhere you go you will hear the chant of Lord Krishna’s name. Seeing all these devotional activities and love for god, makes me feel like doing the right things in life. Sometimes, I even feel like saying a couple of mantras, just to make my mind feel a bit lighter. But, for those of you out there who feel like you are not exactly feeling like a true devotee (and I am personally talking to the young generation out there) here are some steps for you to take a closer step to a more peaceful life and well- to be a true devotee! You cannot only use these steps in any temples, but also everywhere you go!
1.Anybody can be a real devotee with some love for all the Gods (internally) and some love for others around them. If you are an adult, then show them that you care about them. Ask them “How was your day?” or “How are you _______?” If you are a young one, ask an aunt, uncle, or even your parents if their day was alright. Communicate with them- and yes, that could be a little hard for us kids to do sometimes. But give a thought about it and just do it. It will make you feel a little, if not any happier.
2. A little bit of passion can go a long way. Just like how the Aunt and Uncles sing ‘Hare Krishna’ in the Gita Sanghas, give a lot of deep emotion into your prayers and everything else you do. We also get a lot of opportunities to learn different Slokas in Gita School, so why not use them?
3.Being dedicated in what you’re doing is a special ability that many can’t do. Just like how I said before, focus on what you’re doing. A real devotee does everything with full attention, and takes some responsibility. He or she has some compassion for everything happening in life, with absolutely no regrets.
These are just three simple steps that can take you to a much more modest life. Of course, it’s not easy to reach perfection but remember, without trying nothing will happen in life. And get this maybe someday you can impress someone with these steps and make them say “Hugh, this child does really know a lot!”
Oh and do not forget, when in doubt or when there is trouble nearby, recite these famous lines of the sacred Maha Mantra and guaranteed you will feel much safer.
Writer: Sharodia Roy (Former Student of Atlantic City Gita School)
Sree Sree Gita Sangha Reading Room 