The poor devotee’s visit

Some time ago, the Apec meeting was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Our friend there relates how a whole section of Waikiki beach was cordoned off. People who had jobs within the area were told to do their work at home.

Generally speaking, when there’s a gathering of important people, only the indispensable ones are expected to be around. Whether it’s an Apec meeting, the Grammy’s or the Oscars, the VIPs are segregated from ordinary people, who are kept at a certain distance.

The VIPs walk on the red carpet while the “commoners” stay on the sidewalk. That’s the way of the material world.

In the Vedic literature, there’s a story of a poor devotee who was asked by his wife to visit the Supreme Person to ask for some assistance in their struggle for basic needs. The devotee wasn’t interested in asking anything from his dearest friend, but he was excited to see the Supreme Person.

Because he was a devotee, he was allowed to enter the kingdom’s gates and into the personal quarters of the Lord. The Supreme Friend was eager to receive him and offered him a most wonderful welcome.

The Supreme Person saw the devotee holding a gift and excitedly took the parcel! It was a simple offering of chipped rice, but the Supreme Friend greatly appreciated the humble gift.

The devotee left the palace without mentioning his wife’s request. Nevertheless, when he returned home, he was amazed to see that his little hut was transformed into a mansion, with a beautiful garden surrounding it.

Assets

His wife was dressed ornately, and his home was filled with precious assets. He was blessed throughout his life, and he remained a humble and sincere servant of the Supreme Friend.

This story is not about having a strategy to become rich and powerful. It’s a story about how all people can approach the Supreme Being by being His loving devotees. The surrendered soul is allowed entry into the spiritual kingdom and is welcomed very eagerly by our dearest friend.

It’s important to know that, although we may never set foot on the White House and shake hands with the US president, we all have a chance to enter the eternal kingdom and be embraced by the most attractive Supreme Friend of all!

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