The spiritual import of these times

The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare our core vulnerability to the vagaries of nature and the frailty of our human systems in the face of these. It is easy to get despaired over the state of affairs as they unfold right in front of our eyes, but I believe we shouldn’t cede to despair – because if we understand the spiritual import of these times, we will understand the purpose behind the disturbances happening all over the world right now.

Spiritually, this is a time of renewal: the old systems have to die for a new system to take birth. Even astrologically, those who are conversant with the age-old science of reading and interpreting planetary influences, eclipses and comets, this is a time where those who can contribute to the universal increase in ‘Dharma’ (or righteousness) in the universe are being favoured over those who seek to subvert it. This universe or nature itself operates under a cosmic order which is presided over by none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna Himself. Bhagavad-Gita, verse 9.10, resonates in this context: -

mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate

Translation

This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.

The cosmic order operates under the direction of the Cosmic Purusha, Maha-Vishnu which is a plenary expansion of Sri Krishna. The universe itself has been described as the body of Maha-Vishnu in the Srimad Bhagavatam and the different planets and luminaries as different limbs of His body. So everything operates according to the supreme will of Godhead. The increase in hostility (in the form of an all-out trade war and diplomatic fall-out) during recent times between the two global superpowers, USA and China is but an expression of the intention of a cosmic order which seeks to realign the world powers and lead to more balance, purpose and ethics in the way the world is run. There is no denying that we need a new model of governance and ethics at every stratum of society today, and the hostilities between USA and China are going to reach a tipping point, most probably morphing into an all-out regional war between the two powers. However, the result of this war will not be advantageous to either country since their rise to power was not backed by Dharmic or pious activities. The government of these countries promoted economic development as the sole yardstick of progress, trampling wholesale over the environment which was continuously damaged, the animal brethren which was exploited beyond reason, and the very people they lead who were cheated through populism or communism into believing that their best spiritual and material interests would be promoted and safeguarded.

The outcome of the economic, diplomatic and military fall-out between the US and China is simply going to result into a new world order, but the result will be a multi-polar world power configuration and not a unipolar or bipolar world order, leading to more balance in governance. I believe this will reinforce a global balance of powers, global democracy, the rule of international law and mutual respect between nations at a global level. The USA will most probably recede to being a less influential power like post-colonial UK whilst its sino-ethnic enemy will most probably devolve into a splintered state, the result an implosion caused by popular protest against the ruling power. However, the coming two to three years are going to be a time of abrupt change as the current systems over which the current world order hinges will inevitably collapse. We may even see a collapse of capitalism as we know it.

I ask you, my dear readers, to brace yourselves for these times for they will, in every way, require the best of us and not the worst of us. If you want to draw the best out of yourself, you can always count on the wisdom of the Vedas, especially the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is.

Bhagavad-Gita 18.57 enjoins: -

cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava

Translation

In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.

And Lord Sri Krishna further reassures His genuine devotees (Bg 9.22): -

ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham

Translation

But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.

Jay Sri Krishna! All glories to Lord Ananta-Shesha!

By Krishna Leela Prakash

(This Naga-Panchami, 25th July 2020)

His Divine Grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Krishna Leela Prakash (N.P Gukhool), divinely inspired by the teachings of A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami.