Suppose a coach tells a trainee-athlete, “You are perfect; you have no shortcomings.” Such pampering suggests that the coach doesn’t see any potential in that athlete. Since they can’t improve, maybe it’s best that they feel good about being where they are. If the coach takes an athlete’s potential seriously, they would prescribe a rigorous regimen for manifesting that potential. 

God, Krishna, is our ultimate coach; he takes our potential seriously, far more seriously than what we ourselves do. He can see that we can do so many more things than what we are doing presently and that we can be a far better being than what we are presently. While expert coaches can see their trainee’s potential in their particular field of expertise, omniscient Krishna can see our potential in all fields. Beyond whatever material potentials we may have, he sees our spiritual potential: we are souls, his eternal parts. If we connect lovingly with him, we can become channels for his supreme light to shine through, making our world brighter. 

However, this divine light is obscured by the cloud of our many impurities. To dissipate these clouds, Krishna provides us time-tested guidelines through scripture (Bhagavad-gita 16.24). However, having our impurities highlighted can be humbling. And working to eliminate them can be exhausting. To overcome such negative feelings, we need to see scriptural guidelines positively – they are like an expert coach’s training regimen for a talented athlete. Following the regimen can be rewarding, far more rewarding than any sports achievement. 

When we become purified by living according to scripture, we will start manifesting our potentials materially and spiritually. And we will be amazed at how much outer contribution we can make and how much inner satisfaction we can get.  

 

Think it over:

  • When may a coach pamper a trainee? Why? 
  • What all potential can God see in us?
  • Why do scriptural guidelines seem demanding? How can we see them positively? 

 

***

 16.24  One should therefore understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulations of the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image
Explanation of article:

Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save”