Ramayana Reading

I got to sit in on a reading of Ramayana today. Ramayana is a hindu epic of Rama, one of the ten reincarnations of Vishnu. It was being read in Sanksrit, and I can read the Devanagari script pretty darn well. Sanskrit is older than Latin, and all the ancient Hindu texts are written in it. It makes me happy to have the ability to read and understand another language so well.

The hosts had been reading the Ramayana for the past 23 hours. I had the amazing opportunity to be involved in the last four hours of it. At the end, they sang something as they made food offerings to the diety, along the lines of-

"Krishna rejected the invitation made to him by kings in favor of dining with a common man who only had the simplest of food to offer him because his feelings towards Krishna were of true devotion and love."

I know that while people may care about how poor I am and reject my love because I do not have more material possessions to offer them; Krishna will never do the same. He will always accept my love, no matter my physical state, my financial status, my flaws, my mistakes. If I offer myself to him with true love, he will accept me even after the world rejects me. A lot people don't understand the joy that my relationship with Krishna gives me. Minoti often tells me, "Dude, you know, you're not required to meditate everyday and go to the center. Nobody's asking you to. Don't feel guilty, take this time to do things for yourself." But this is also what I need to do for myself. I am joyful in that relationship- how else do I explain it? I don't need anything out of that relationship to be in it- I am happy just loving him.

For a moment, I felt tears well in up my eyes as I silently asked god- I was good in every way that I could be- then why do I have to face such adverse situations? But then, I realized, it is never a guarantee that things will be easier if you if you follow that path- in fact, they say that those chosen by god have their paths scattered with thorns. Then, as we overcome adversity, our souls become wiser and reach a higher understanding.

My relationship with Krishna is my inspiration for my relationships with others. I strive to love without judgment; expectation; conditions; resentment. Humans deserve as much love as Krishna, and love is one currency that only makes you richer as you give it away.