Adi-sakti devi dasi (Dallas, TX)

vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate romapada-svamin iti namine

Dear Maharaja,

I remember in a lecture hearing a parable about “the difference between heaven and hell.” Unfortunately, I only have a vague recollection of how it went and have no recollection of who told it.

From what I recall, it went as follows:

“What is the difference between Heaven and Hell?

In Hell, there is an ethereal banquet hall laid out with the most delicious, sumptuous, appetizing and aromatic dishes in elegant serving trays and beautiful arrangements. Melodious music is playing and many beautiful people are there and they are all very, very hungry. Unfortunately they all have one hand tied behind their backs and although there is expensive elegant dinnerware, there are no eating utensils.

What is the difference between Heaven and Hell?

In Heaven, there is an ethereal banquet hall laid out with the most delicious, sumptuous, appetizing and aromatic dishes in elegant serving trays and beautiful arrangements. Melodious music is playing and many beautiful people are there and they are all very, very hungry. Unfortunately they all have one hand tied behind their backs and although there is expensive elegant dinnerware, there are no eating utensils.

So, what is the difference between Heaven and Hell?

The answer: in Heaven, they have learned how to feed each other.”

I retell it here, in this context, because as I was pondering what to write this year, I remembered this story and I realized what I wanted to write:

Thank you, Maharaja, for teaching us (or trying to teach us) how to feed each other.

A speck of dust at your lotus feet,
Aspiring to eternally be in your service,
Adi-sakti devi dasi