It was a bright spring day on March 21, 2017, when an
ordinary encounter on the streets turned into a profound reminder of why we
truly need the Bhagavad Gita—not just on a shelf back home, but right here, in
the pocket of our daily lives.
I approached this gentleman and asked the familiar question:
“Do you have the Bhagavad Gita?”
“Yes, I have it,” he replied confidently.
“Congratulations, Prabhu!” I said with joy.
“But it’s not here—it’s back in my hometown.”
I gently encouraged him, “Would you kindly make this
copy your personal one? Keep it with you wherever life takes you.”
He looked thoughtful, then shared his real concern:
“Life here is so busy… it’s impossible to read Bhagavad Gita. So what’s
the use of having it as my personal copy?”
Such a common, honest doubt! I smiled and responded,
“But even five minutes in 24 hours is possible, isn’t it?”
“Still…” he trailed off.
That single word—”still”—carries so much weight. I
told him softly, “This ‘still’ is what keeps us repeatedly ‘ill’—illness
of cycle of birth and death. This human form is a rare chance to convert
impossibilities into possibilities: to step out of the Lord’s external potency
(the material world of suffering) and enter His internal potency (the eternal
spiritual world of bliss).”
“But I know I cannot read it daily,” he admitted.
“Then on weekends! On holidays! On Janmashtami! On Gita
Jayanti!” I replied.
“The sole purpose is to study the Gita sincerely, with full heart—even if
it’s just a little at a time.” Those moments accumulate like drops filling an
ocean.
Curiosity sparked in his eyes. “Is it in Hindi? Can I
see this…?”
“All yours :)” I handed it over
with a beaming smile.
As he accepted the book, the air felt lighter & the
chant of pure love rose in my heart.
All glories to this sincere soul for taking Bhagavad Gita to
begin stopping the illness of repeated birth and death!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who brought this
life-saving wisdom to every corner of the world.
This meeting is a gentle yet powerful message: We often
think we need perfect conditions to start spiritual life—more time, less
busyness, the “right” moment.
But the Gita teaches us that the perfect moment is now, even
if it’s just five minutes. Those small, sincere steps are what break the cycle
and lead us home.
If you’re carrying the weight of “still” in your
own life, let this story be your nudge. Pick up the Gita today—even for a verse
or two. The journey to freedom begins with the smallest yes.
More real-life encounters coming soon, weaving together into
a book of divine conversations. What’s one small step you’re inspired to take
today? Share below—let’s keep encouraging each other towards the eternal.