III: 14

[Krishna Jaya]

Chapter 3, Verse 14

 

"Food is the life of all beings,

And all food comes from the rain above.

This rain is the water of life.

It comes from worship."

 

Sri Eknath Easwaran:

 

"Delicate relationships exist throughout nature.  In India, vast forests have been cut down, and now people are worrying about lack of rain.  This reminds me of Gandhi, a skilled ecologist, who was so careful about using resources that he would clip the blank margins from newspapers and magazines for letter writing.  By every economy we make in the use of paper, we save part of a tree.  We can always save part of a tree by not purchasing books that are not really necessary for our schoolwork, our job, our wholesome entertainment or our spiritual development.

 

Many of the steps we need to take to preserve our environment require us to change our habits and to transform our lives.  The basis of ecological improvement is to turn what is selfish and violent in us into selflessness and compassion.  We do not realize the power we have at our disposal.  My Grandmother used to say that the elephant does not know its own size at all because it looks out at the world through tiny eyes, ridiculously small for its huge bulk.  We, too, are much larger than we think, for the higher power is at work within us.  Once we experience that which is within us, we are not afraid of any problem in the world: pollution, violence, or war.  We shall find that everyone around us participates in the change we are able to bring about in our own lives.  Whatever challenges confront us, whatever perils threaten to swallow us up, none of us need be despondent; for the Lord who is the source of all power and wisdom and beauty is waiting for us to invite him in so that he may act through us."

 

A friend:

 

“This verse reminds me to honor the interdependency of nature, and have gratitude for her gifts.  We are indeed one jewel in the cosmic web!”