On July 6, 2015, a straightforward refusal opened the door to one of the most direct and powerful conversations about why we truly need shastra—scripture—in our lives. The gentleman’s word echoed a common modern sentiment: “Everyone has their own truth.” But Lord Krishna’s own verse from Bhagavad Gita gently yet firmly revealed the deeper reality behind that apparent simplicity.
I offered him a copy of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
“I am not having this book and don’t feel the need…” he said plainly.
“But why?”
“Simply, it’s just the belief system. You believe in this book, I believe in somebody, others believe in somebody else… And all could be true. It’s as simple as that.”
“But this simplicity could be the root cause of unhappiness!”
“How can you say that?”
“Through shastras,” I replied softly. “And may I know how you can say that everybody has his own ‘truthful’ belief system?”
“It’s understood and practical”, he replied
“It’s all a big illusion,” I explained gently. “One who does not lead life according to the scriptures, but lives by his own belief systems and mental speculation, can never be happy, can never be perfect, and can never attain the supreme destination! I am not saying this according to my personal belief—but according to the scriptures themselves.”
I quoted the verse directly:
ya shastra-vidhim utsrjya
vartate kaama-kaaratah
na sa siddhim avapnoti
na sukham na param gatim
(Bhagavad Gita 16.23)
“Who said this…?”, he asked
“Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
“Why do you believe Him?”
“Because our mother—Scriptures (Shastra)—is telling us about our father, Lord Krishna. Please read this book at least once… Please.”
He paused, then asked quietly, “Well… It’s in simple Hindi na?”
Yes.. Hari Bol : )
As he accepted the book, the moment felt like a small but decisive victory over illusion.
I am thankful to this sincere soul for accepting the Bhagavad Gita and opening the door to real happiness, perfection, and the supreme destination!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who presented Lord Krishna’s words so clearly that even a casual person could hear the Lord’s direct instruction and respond.
This encounter carries one of the Gita’s most sobering yet compassionate message: In an age where “my truth, your truth” feels liberating, Lord Krishna lovingly warns that one cannot achieve true siddhi (perfection), real sukham (happiness), and param gatim (return to the eternal abode) without knowing and following spiritual injunctions.
Yet the solution is wonderfully simple: Return to shastra. Let scripture be the eyes through which we see reality, the Mother who introduces us to the Father. Even a single sincere reading, guided by faith in Lord Krishna’s mercy, begins to dissolve the illusion and awaken lasting joy.
To everyone who has ever thought, “All beliefs are equally true, so why this book?”—Lord Krishna’s verse is not a condemnation; it’s an invitation home. The Gita doesn’t demand blind faith; it asks for humble faith in the words of the Supreme Himself, spoken for our eternal benefit.
Have you ever felt the difference between living by personal speculation and living guided by shastra? Or had a moment when a single verse brought unexpected clarity or peace? Share below—your reflection might help someone else move from “no need” to “Hari bol.”
More profound street awakenings coming soon, all building toward a book filled with these direct, merciful calls from Lord Krishna. Keep turning to shastra—happiness and perfection are waiting there!!