In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna praises the merits of resolute determination in the following words: "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. 0 beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched."
Lord Krsna also points out the defect in a manybranched intellect as follows: "Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say th at there is nothing more than this. In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination for devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place."
Is there a formula for ensuring success in our endeavours?
Thankfully there is one.
Srila Rupa Goswami outlines a formula for success: There are six principles favourable to the exec ution of pure devotional service: (1) Being enthusiastic. (2) Endeavouring with confidence. (3) Being patient. (4) Acting according to regulative principles such as hearing Krsna's pastimes, chanting Krsna's holy names and remembering Krsna. (5) Abandoning the association of non-devotees, and (6) Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas.
These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.
A new year offers the promises of a new start or undertaking a fresh initiative. A simple folktale sometimes may point towards eternal truths. For example, this Himalayan story describes a merchant who on his deathbed, asked three wishes from his son: a) Do not walk in the sunshine from your house to the shop, b) Let rice be your daily food and c) Marry a new wife every week. After the son promised his father that he will fulfil all the three wishes the father died. The second wish was the easiest to fulfil although his diet did was rather dull. He tried to build a shelter over the road from his home to the shop. It was a costly project and everybody began to make fun of him for spending his inheritance in this way. The third piece of advice was the worst of all. No girl would agree to marry him for only a week.
One day however, a young girl decided to marry him because she felt sorry for him but also admired him for trying to do what he felt to be his duty. They had a grand wedding and both were very happy. But on the seventh day the young man was very unhappy. So his wife explained the meaning behind the three wishes: "When your father said that you should n ever walk in the sunshine from your h ouse to your shop, he meant that you should start work early and return after sunset. When he told you to eat only r ice h e meant that do not be extravagant in your food habits.
And as far as the final wish is concerned your father meant that always treat your wife lovingly. If you always welcomed her with the same love as you did when you were first married she sh ould be like a new wife to you every week."
We too can have the same "NEW" feeling every time we are with Krsna. He is described as "nitya-navanavayamana" or "one who is always fresh and new". Srila Prabhupada assured the devotees that our new year is every day because Krsna's pastimes are eternal.
All pure devotees describe Krsna beauty as 'evernew', here is a small sampling of such descriptions: Lord Krsna is worshiped by the best of yogis, He is the son of Nanda, He removes all the fears of the inhabitants of Vraja, He is the colour of a fresh rain cloud, and His form is enchanting. When He wanders about, playing His flute, He looks very charming.
By such a beautiful form He is maddening the entire universe. His complexion is like that of a fresh new rain cloud, His head is decorated with a big peacock feather, and the sandalwood tilaka on His forehead is most becoming. Wearing brilliant yellow-colored garments, He stands with His face decorated by a wide, sweet smile. Therefore please include regular chanting of the mahamantra- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-in your New Year resolutions and feel 'new' every day of the year.
(Syamananda Dasa)