Is there a Deity Involved with this Philosophy?
I was distributing at Pierce College in the Los Angeles area the other day when a student came up to the book table. I showed him the illustrations and explained some philosophy. While I was speaking to him, another student arrived and listened to our conversation. When I asked the first student for a donation, he said he didn't have any money.
I was going to give the book to him for free since he was interested and I have some sponsors for books, but then surprisingly, the student who arrived during our talk said, "I'll pay for it for you."
The student was of course surprised and appreciated the gesture. They had never seen each other before.
I was thinking, "There's still hope for humanity."
The student who got the book thanked this unknown friend and went to his class. Then I showed the donor a Gita, and he was slightly interested, but not enough to take a book.
I said to him, "A wise man once said, 'If we don't learn something new every day, then we waste the day.' This book is all about life and a lot more."
With a little more coaxing, he decided to take the book and give a donation.
Then he asked, "Is there a deity involved with this philosophy?"
I said, "Yes."
"Then I don't think I'll take it, I'm an atheist. But you can keep the donation."
I said, "This book doesn't just teach about God. It covers many topics: meditation, time, the divine and demoniac natures, karma, the material and spiritual natures and so much more. This book inspired great thinkers such as Einstein, Gandhi, and Emerson. If they were inspired by it I'm sure you will be also.
Then he said, "Good point. All right, I'll take it, but when I get to the God part I'll just skip it."
"OK, thank you, I'm sure you'll learn a lot."
As he was walking away I was thinking, "You're going to have a hard time skipping God in the Bhagavad Gita it's permeated with Him."
Just see the kindness of Lord Caitanya! An atheist who would never think of buying a book that had to do with God not only bought it but paid for another student's copy. This is Lord Caitanya's inconceivable mercy.
Your servant, Vijaya Dasa
