What's Right After Doing Wrong!
Toronto, Ontario
Drops of water hampered a wishful long walk this morning with my monk assistant, Dhruva, but drops of nectar in the form of instructive inspiration sprinkled on our courageous hearts as we read a passage from the Bhagavatam.
From Canto 6 we read of the humble position of Yamaraj, the High Court Judge of Death. He took the responsibility for the mis-judgement of his agents. His agents, known as Yamadutas, were taking up their tasks seriously by sentencing a chronic offender by the name of Ajamil. Apparently they had overlooked the fact that the man had taken to the mantra chanting of the name "Narayan". That sound vibration uttered by Ajamil at his dying moment spared him of an intense suffering due him.
The agents judged wrong before a final verdict was made. The circumstances were unusual. Yamaraj apologized for the mistake and asked to be pardoned.
Yamaraj is a high-placed person in the Vedic pantheon and is regarded as on of the twelve revered authorities in the science of devotion. Regardless of his high post he made the effort to be humble.
In our discussion over the passage our tiny group of 8 persons, or so, came to the realization that every day each and every one of us makes millions of mistakes, big or small. Rarely do we make apologies, and rarely do we say "I'm sorry" and if so in a heart-felt way. It seems right that we recognize errors (to err is human) and take some responsibilities for misbehaviours or wrong things said. It appears to be a good practice. Can it be considered that in some perceptive way when one utters "Hare Krishna" one expresses some guilt for past wrong doing? "I did some wrong. Can I make it up to You?"
3 KM
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