There was a farmer who grew superior quality and award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won honour and prizes. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learnt something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbours.
“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.
“Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior, sub-standard and poor-quality corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn.”
Moral of the Story
We live in a world of competition. In their struggle for survival, people are not willing to share their knowledge with others as they crave for their own name, fame, and wealth, etc. But as the saying goes, “Man is not an island.”
Krishna has made this creation in such a manner that all living entities have to co-exist and co-operate with each other for smooth survival. Without understanding this truth when we try to compete among ourselves, we will fail for sure. If one of the wheels of a truck chooses not to co-operate with other wheels, the truck cannot move smoothly. If one of the limbs of our body decides to go for a “tools down” policy, the functionality of the whole body is affected.
The Farmer’s Insight
The farmer gave a superb insight into the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbour’s corn also improves. So it is in other dimensions!
Those who choose to be at harmony must help their neighbours and colleagues to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. If we are to grow good quality corn, we must help our neighbours grow good quality corn too.
Sharing Krishna Consciousness
By the mercy of Guru and Krishna, we have got the gift of Krishna consciousness in this lifetime. Instead of just relishing this bliss alone, it becomes our utmost responsibility to share the same with other living entities as well. Indeed, when we endeavour to preach the transcendental message to others, we not only help them improve their way of life but ultimately purify our own self.
Krishna’s Assurance
Above all, Krishna is very pleased when we share His glories and message with others. In Bhagavad Gita verses 18.68-69, Krishna assures as follows:
ya idam paramam guhyam / mad-bhakteshv abhidhaasyati bhaktim mayi paraam kritvaa / maam evaishyaty asamshayah na ca tasmaan manushyeshu / kashcin me priya-krittamah bhavitaa na ca me tasmaad / anyah priyataro bhuvi
“For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end, he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.”
Conclusion
There are so many living entities suffering in this world, ignorant of this transcendental knowledge of loving devotional service unto the Supreme Lord Krishna. By the mercy of Guru and Krishna, let us sincerely endeavour to share the same with as many souls as we can and thereby purify our existence and please Him.
Prayer
O Supreme Lord Krishna, please grant us the strength and wisdom to share Your glories and transcendental message with others. Help us to live in harmony and cooperation, understanding that our well-being is interlinked with the well-being of others. Let us always remember to help our neighbours grow good corn so that we too may grow good corn. Hare Krishna!
