The Great Devotee King Rantidev
A few months ago I was reading the Srimad Bhagavatam and I came across a verse by King Rantidev that spelled out the mood of a great devotee like the king and also of a sankirtan devotee:
TRANSLATION
I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. I want only to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering.
This is the mood that we should have. Undoubtedly there will be difficult times while trying to preach Krsna consciousness, sometimes members of other religious groups harass us, it's cold or hot, our ego is complaining, our mind is screaming at us, "NO! THIS IS TO MUCH!" But despite all the difficulties if we stay out with the conditioned souls suffering all types of distress for their benefit so that they can become free of their suffering then how much pleased Krsna will be, how much benefit the conditioned souls will receive, and how much we will advance.
As I'm writing this I'm in a van leaving from Moscow Idaho (northwest United States) I was there for one week distributing to university students at the University of Idaho. After distributing for a few days the students were coming up to me and telling me how interesting the Bhagavad Gita is. This was so satisfying to hear. We may not always hear the appreciations of people after reading Prabhupada's books but know for certain that this is the case.
Hoping this meets you well,
I remain Your servant,
