During the Gaura Purnima Festival in India I had a chance to have darshan with Srila Govinda Maharaj. I told him that after hearing something about Krishna one student from China had asked, “Krishna is wonderful, but why do we have to serve Him?”
Srila Govinda Maharaj liked this question very much. He said that first we must know that there are two worlds existing; one is the negative world and the other is the positive world. The negative world is where we are at present. All things that the soul requires for happiness cannot be found here. On the other hand we hear from the scriptures such as Sri Brahma Samhita that the positive spiritual world is beautiful and heart-fulfilling. Happiness, beauty and love are abundantly available there due to the presence of Krishna and His devotees. Srila Govinda Maharaj said that even the demigods want to serve Krishna because it is the nature of us all to serve someone who is superior to us in every way.
Srila Govinda Maharaj at the Seva Ashram
Devotional Service to Guru
Service to Guru and the Vaishnavas is the easiest way to get service to Krishna. Srila Govinda Maharaj told me that Krishna is so attractive, friendly and charming that service to Him comes naturally to us. He also said that the Chinese student’s question is important. It is the type of question that reminds us all that service to Krishna is not only necessary, but more importantly, that it is the natural activity for everyone.