Throughout history, preachers of God consciousness have been persecuted by atheistic society. In a world where the goal of life is seemingly to gratify the senses, the advocaters of penance and austerity are very threatening. Krishna conscious devotees today also undergo persecution from the general public, through undue chastisement and harrassment on the streets and online. Here are some quotes from Shrila Prabhupada, to help us understand the persecution of saintly persons.
So this persecution of devotees, it is from the very beginning. He was persecuted. So not in this age. Devotees are supposed to be persecuted all the time.
(Shrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.8)
So Jesus was trying to teach religion to murderers, so they murdered him.
(Morning Walk)
"Just like Lord Jesus Christ. He was being crucified. Still, he was saying, 'My father, they do not know what they are doing.' Is it not? He is so much compassionate that 'These rascals do not know what they are doing, rascals. Still, I request You to forgive them.' This is Vaiṣhṇava. Personally he is suffering, but he is still compassionate."
(Lecture, Rome, May 27, 1974)
"Lord Jesus preached the message of God and I have taken up the same mission, and it would be a good luck for me if I can follow the foot prints of Lord Jesus who preached the message of God in spite of all persecution. Lord Jesus is a living example how one has to suffer in this material world simply for the matter of preaching the message of God."
(Shrila Prabhupada Letter, November 19, 1965)
Regarding harassment of our devotees, Yes, this is not a new thing in the history of the world that preachers are sometimes persecuted. But at the present status of civilization I do not think anybody will be crucified like Lord Jesus Christ. Hiranyakasipu persecuted his own son and only five years old. So the demons and atheists are always prepared to give trouble to the devotees. Sometimes the demons like Kamsa are prepared to kill God even. During Lord Caitanya's time Thakura Haridasa was also persecuted and put into jail. Not only that, he was whipped in twenty-two market places, but still the demons could not come out successful in the snubbing down of the Hare Krsna Movement. So do not be worried about this. Go on about your business. Krsna will give you all help, rest assured. Simply stick to you work seriously and sincerely.
(Letter to Upendra, L.A 15 July 1970)
When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse according to one's calculations. For example, sometimes we see that a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty, just as Haridāsa Ṭākura was. He was a great devotee who came into this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching the Lord's glories. But Haridāsa was punished at the hands of the Kazi by being beaten in twenty-two marketplaces. Similarly, Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, and Prahlāda Mahārāja was put through so many tribulations. The Pāṇḍavas, who were direct friends of Kṛiṣhṇa, lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, and they had to undergo many severe tribulations. Seeing all these reverses affect devotees, one should not be disturbed; one should simply understand that in these matters there must be some plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Bhāgavatam's conclusion is that a devotee is never disturbed by such reverses. He accepts even reverse conditions as the grace of the Lord. One who continues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to the Vaikuṇṭha planets.
(SB 3.16.37, Purport)
Comments