*विजयते श्रीमन्मथुराधीशप्रभु:*
Listen to everyone,but don't say a word.
In this manner,remain in the world.
Perform your vows and practices with sincerity-
They will carry you across
the mind ocean.
Greet all without negativity,and remain in the illumination of devotional association.
Rasakhan says,
"Worship Govinda the way a village women balances a water jug upon her head,
With effortless concentration."
If you live a virtuous life, why fear the Corona virus?
If you are a Pushtimargiya, then why fear Corona?
Fear is circulating around the globe. A dreadful calamity has befallen the entire world. Certainly after everyone’s combined efforts, eventually peace and happiness will once again be established worldwide.
This horror is entirely man-made. Had we all been living according to the natural order of life on earth (such as following an ethical diet and not encroaching on animal habitats), this fearful situation would not have arisen.
Although this danger is now before us, we need not be frightened. When faced with a fearful situation like Corona virus, that is the time to fearlessly fight that fear. The scriptures have taught us how to battle fear thus:
तावत् भयस्य भेतव्यं , यावत् भयं न आगतम् ।
आगतं हि भयं वीक्ष्य , प्रहर्तव्यं अभीतवत् ॥
“taavat bhayasya bhetavyam, yaavat bhayam na aagatam; aagatam hi bhayam veekshya, prahartavyam abheetavat.
Only be afraid of fear until it comes near; once you see that fear has come close, you must fight it fearlessly.”
So let us all come together and intelligently fight this worldwide pandemic of Corona virus. Intelligently, in this situation, means let us search for the cause of why this Corona virus emerged. There is one reason that Corona has spread around the world, and that is that we have flagrantly disturbed the laws of nature. Eating that which should not be eaten, for example, and straying far from the principles of dharma explained in the Shastras: “The first dharma is ethical behavior.” *आचार: परमो धर्म:*
The primary teaching of our lives is to maintain a life of integrity and morality. In the Pushti Sampradaya the first steps to follow the letter of this law are purification of one’s body and mind. This is commonly known in the Pushtimarg as “aparas” or ‘not touching.’
Let us examine the Pushtisampradaya perspective on how to stay safe from Corona virus. If all Vaishnavas were to follow the teachings of the Pushtimarg, you would automatically be protected from Corona virus. In the same way that now everyone is being advised to stay at home, Vallabhacharya has taught, “grhe sthitva svadharmatah.” Meaning, remain in the home and follow your dharma: perform Bhagavat seva, loving service to Shri Krishna.
Vallabhacharya, founder of the Pushti Sampradaya, taught “Krishna seva sada karya—always perform Shri Krishna’s seva” (Siddhantmuktavali). Purifying one’s body is very important in Krishna seva. Especially relevant now, in the context of Corona virus, are the words of Vallabhacharya’s eldest son Shri Gopinathji from his work Sadhandipika, verse 63:
*देहशुद्धि: सदा कार्या कर शुद्धि: विशेषत:*(साधनदीपिका६३)"सावधानतया वारं वारं कर प्रक्षालनं करणीयम्"
“dehashuddhih sadaa kaaryaa kara shuddhih visheshatah” and “saavadhaanatayaa vaaram vaaram kara prakshaalanam karaneeyam.”
It is amazing how exactly these ancient teachings apply to our current situation, and how following them carefully can save us from Corona virus. Gopinathji is saying that Vaishnavas should carefully practice “bodily purification, and in particular purifying the hands by washing them regularly.” This is also the main advice today from the WHO (World Health Organization): the best protection from Corona virus is to wash your hands thoroughly.
Just as Vaishnavas offer foods to Krishna and then accept and take that as prasad, in the current Corona scare, one should only eat nourishing home-cooked foods, not food from outside restaurants. To fight any disease, one’s immune system must be strong.
Since a happy heart and mind increases our immune power, it is important to also stay happy and think positively. For Vaishnavas, there is no affirmation or positive thought more powerful than the Ashtakshara mantra. When the bliss of the Lord’s name arises, the heart and mind are pleased. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body.
We already have the habit of greeting each other from a distance with the Lord’s name, Jai Shri Krishna, namaskar, etc. In seva we already have the practice of asparsha, meaning not to touch anything other than Krishna (due to colloquial changes to the language over time, asparsha has become aparas).
The Pushtimarg teaches the art of living a healthy life.
By carefully following aparas, washing hands regularly and thoroughly, not leaving the home unnecessarily, eating nourishing foods at home, staying safe and free from fear, remaining blissful,
by the grace of Shriman Mathuradheesh Prabhu, bliss will quickly spread across the planet.
For the entire world and especially for our Bharat Bhumi, we pray for the immediate advance of bliss and the end of fear of Corona virus. May all beings be happy; may all beings be free of disease.
Goswami Milan Kumar
Shuddhadvaita Prathampeeth (Kota)
