Once there was a man who wanted to start up a business. So, he set up an office and put some furniture and phone and started sitting there, expecting clients to stop by. Days passed by without any client. Then one day he saw one person come towards his office. Thinking the visitor must be a prospective client, the businessman tried to show that he is very busy and successful businessman with lot of ventures at hand. He motioned the visitor to sit across the table, while answering the phone. Oh Mr. Vajpayee, your work will be done and materials will be sent by tomorrow. Ok, thanks. Then he called another phone number and said:Mr. Kidwani... yes, when will you send me our supplies. I had told you...!.In this way the businessman tried his best to impress his prospective client! Finally, he turned his attention to the visitor and said: My God! Whole day goes away answering these phone calls! Anyway sir, how can I help you? Sir, I am the telephone operator of this area. I have come here to give new connection to your telephone, said the visitor, much to the dismay and shame of the showy busy-nessman. Moral of the story: Bhagavad Gita 3.6 states: karmendriyaani samyamya / ya aaste manasaa smaran indriyaarthaan vimudaatmaa / mithyaacaarah sa ucyate One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender. In the purport Srila Prabhupada says: There are many pretenders who refuse to work in Krsna consciousness but make a show of meditation, while actually dwelling within the mind upon sense enjoyment. Such pretenders may also speak on dry philosophy in order to bluff sophisticated followers, but according to this verse these are the greatest cheaters. In the very next verse Lord Sri Krishna says: yas tv indriyaani manasaa / niyamyaarabhate 'rjuna karmendriyaih karma-yogam / asaktah sa vishishyate "On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior. Everyday we pretend so much in front of the deities, with other devotees and the general public as well in the name of devotional service. But as advised by Lord Krishna in the above verse, if we can at least do our prescribed duty with devotion, we can attain perfection. As Srila Prabhupada makes a powerful statement in his purport to SB 1.2.5, "Even the reactionary work of the fruitive workers can lead one to liberation when it is over coated with devotional service. Karma over coated with devotional service is called karma-yoga." We should pray to the lotus feet of our respected spiritual master that we can come out and stay away from any such hypocrisy and sincerely and diligently act in Krishna Consciousness cent percent of our time. Joy can only be experienced when we offer our love to Krishna. A devotee is very forgiving and tolerant of others but is very strict and determined with himself guarding against Maya.
