How to reply to a devotee who "seeks to be of some service"?
Social · asked by user [] · 2010-11-17 · 5 answers
Hare Krishna.
As far as I understood, we are not supposed to make or ask people to serve us.
But how to reply to a devotee who expressedly says he or she is "seeking to be of some service"? Or "your servant"?
Logically, such a situation is a double bind.
How can it be resolved?
Thank you for your replies.
As far as I understood, we are not supposed to make or ask people to serve us.
But how to reply to a devotee who expressedly says he or she is "seeking to be of some service"? Or "your servant"?
Logically, such a situation is a double bind.
How can it be resolved?
Thank you for your replies.
user [38] · 2010-11-18
By reciprocity.user [447] · 2010-11-18
Could you explain this a bit, please?Should one, in reply say the same, namely, "seeking to be of some service" or "your servant"?
But if everyone shys back from ever asking anyone to do any service, and refuses to accept service from anyone (as accepting service would mean one is asking people to serve one), then how can anyone do anything for anyone?
(I once saw a drawing that could illustrate this dilemma: two devotees are bowing to eachother, but their heads collide.)
(Asking a question is a request for service too!)
I mean, at least in the (non-devotee) culture I grew up in, there isnt much talk about this; one simply seeks to do something for others, and accepts when they do something for them. So I am a bit confused about the concepts and wordings of devotees.
user [149] · 2010-11-18
Reciprocation, giving and receiving service, is essential. For example, NOI Verse 4: daduc0u257 ti '97 gives charity; pratigru803 hnu803 u257 ti '97 accepts in return;The purport says: "The members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness invite the Societys members and supporters to dine with them when they hold love feasts in all their branches every Sunday. Many interested people come to honor prasu257 da, and whenever possible they invite members of the Society to their homes and feed them sumptuously with prasu257 da. In this way both the members of the Society and the general public are benefited."
>(as accepting service would mean one is asking people to serve one)
Not true. Accepting service does not automatically mean that you asked for it.
user [38] · 2010-11-18
These wordings are a part of the etiquette. They shouldnt be just formal.You describe reciprocity - give and take.
This is the difference between bhajananandis (e.g. Gaurakisora das Babaji) and gosthyanandis.
Asking questions is a science of its own.
user [154] · 2010-11-18
CC Antya 4.130:tathapi bhakta-svabhava-maryada-raksana
maryada-palana haya sadhura bhusana
"It is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect Vaisnava etiquette. Maintenance of Vaisnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee."
ys