“The Soul is not in the Heart”
Bhakta Panchanana Roy, former employee in civil defense division of Indian Navy and now a Brhamachari Trainee in Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, had an interesting experience while distributing books in the local trains recently. He recalls:
"Hare Krishna," I announced in a compartment packed to capacity. "We have brought these wonderful books to you that explain the truth of life"
A man got up and shouted. "Stop it! All this is rubbish! If you don't know true knowledge, why are you bewildering the people?" Absolute hush fell in the compartment; many hands which were raised to receive books, slumped down. "You look loke you're from a cultured family," he continued, "If you don't have true knowledge, you come and learn it."
"OK," I nodded, "I will distribute these books and then I will come." I tried distributing books, but he kept on shouting, and many people became suspicious.
I decided to confront him and went nearer.
"What knowledge you are giving?" he asked.
"We are distributing books of God, what is the problem?"
Man: You should give what is good. Give right knowledge. Do you know what right knowledge is?
I: You tell me.
Man: Where in the body is atma? Where is Parmatma?
I: Lord Krishna clearly says in Bhagvad Gita about the location of soul. Isvara sarva-bhutanam hrid-desu 'rjuna tishthiti (Bg. 18.61) and sarvasya chaham hrdi sannivisto (Bg.15.15). The atma and Parmatma are in the heart. There should be no problem in understanding. What is your answer?
Man: (He raised his hand and with his index finger touched the center of his forehead.) This is the location of the soul.
I: What is your reference?
Man: This is the place where you put tilak, on Aksya Tritiya, ladies put tilak here, because this is the place where soul stays.
I: Lord Krishna clearly says that soul is in the region of the heart. As far as I know, and our friends in the train can vouch for it, that heart is not in the head. When I said this, the audience burst into laughter.
Man: No, no. You know, 'the tilak.'
I: Forget tilak. Ladies also paint the nails of their hands and feet. Next time you will say that soul is there. I turned to the crowd, which doubled up with laughter.
Man: No, no, you don't know the truth. Truth is beyond seven curtains. It is very difficult to know.
I: Don't tell me grandma's tales. What is your reference? My reference is Bhagvad Gita. What is yours? Tell me where in Bhagvad Gita Lord Krishna says that soul is in the head?
Man: Yes, Krishna spoke Bhagvad Gita, but that is not for Kaliyuga. If you want to know about the truth you come to Brahmakumari center.
I: I don't need to come to your place for this simple thing. Lord Krishna clearly says that the soul is in the heart, and the heart? everyone knows where the heart is. Now people started clapping. The man tried to speak but fumbled for answers.
I: In a courtroom when two lawyers debate they quote from their law books. Our law books are these scriptures. You are simply speaking from your mind. How can I talk to you?
The man got frustrated and sat down, while others began taking the books.
In the next issue…
As soon as Shadbhuja Prabhu raised the books to announce, a man pushed him. What happened next? Find out in "Anger, Anger Everywhere?"
