“The fortune of the deprived” — Reflections on Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.28, 1.5.19

Srila Prabhupad highlights the conception of spiritual equality in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.28. This is the equality in Krishna Consciousness — Equality for transcendental goals and opportunities. Anybody can practice bhakti and can reach the highest position attainable. No discrimination can be made in this regard. No material situation can block the opportunity to practice bhakti and advance spiritually. Thus, bhakti is described as apratihata. The problem is that — people are not interested in transcendental subjects and goals — instead strive for equality on material platforms. But equality on material platforms is simply a utopian idea — no true equality can exist in material realms.

A devotee should never feel deprived of anything or discriminated against. This is possible if our value systems align with the transcendental reality and we focus our vision on the transcendental goal. This is what Prabhupad wanted HH Bhakti Teerth Maharaj to do when he felt discriminated against by other devotees. Life's true success is in spiritual advancement, not material enjoyment. What do we value as important? What is our belief about what is absolute fortune? What do we consider a source of satisfaction — money, adoration from people, a good life partner, and a societal position? What matters more — what people of this world think of us or what God thinks of us? What matters more — a temporary “happy” life of 100 years or an eternally blissful life? The answer to these questions indicates what we consider our actual shelter. There is nothing wrong with achieving and preserving fortunes in our lives. But we shouldn’t see them as our shelter, the source of our happiness, or the goal of our life. To the degree we attach value to material accomplishments, to that degree we will be envious and suffer when we find inequality in these aspects, especially when we have less than others. Even if we get all these material shelters, we will still be dissatisfied, even in this life.

Srila Prabhupad further says, “How can a person, in a particular material situation best practice bhakti is determined by the spiritual master.” If a devotee finds himself/herself in a forlorn condition where he/she doesn’t have material fortunes and shelters like others, he/she can more heartily take shelter of the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee has been put in a very fortunate situation by the Lord, as substantiated by Srila Prabhupad in SB 1.5.19 Purport. The problem is that those in such a situation keep hankering for material shelters, and those who have those shelters rely on them as if they will lastingly give them happiness and protection. Both of them miss the real point of life — to fully take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead — the only dependable and satisfying shelter.