Small but Special

Yesterday I had a really nice realization during SB class. This was the verse:

After showing his wife the globe of the universe and its different arrangements, full of many wonders, the great yogī Kardama Muni returned to his own hermitage.
(SB. 3.23.43)

The Bhagavatam speaker elaborated on how it is so foolish for us to think that we are the only living entities present on this planet earth as this verse and purport indicate that there are so many wonders within the universe which contains so many planets. In fact, Srimad Bhagavatam depicts how there are innumerable universes and how each of these universes are emanating from the pores of Maha-Visnu.

As I was hearing this I was struck by how insignificant I actually am! I am just one tiny jiva within one universe out of the innumerable universes within this creation! Of course, as devotees, we are constantly reminded about this fact and how by actually feeling insignificant, we can develop the qualities of pridelessness and humility. But you know how sometimes you may hear things a million times, but sometimes it still doesn't actually register? You need to get that "AHHH!" moment. Well, for me that was yesterday. I actually got this visual image of millions upon billions of universes and actually realizing that all those universes contain billions upon trillions of living entities! WOAH!

As I was contemplating this, another really significant realization came to. Even though I am so insignificant, Krsna is so great and so personal that he has a special plan just for me. Not only for me but for each and every living entity on this planet, in this universe and in all the universes in creation. How lucky are we?

This is such a nice way to develop humility. Sometimes people get confused and just focus on the "I'm so insignificant and worthless" part and think that to be humility, but actually that can lead to low self-esteem. The true self is actually sat-cid-ananda, full of eternality, happiness and bliss. Those feelings of self-deprecation are only in relationship to the body (not the true self) and can actually hinder one in their progress on the path of devotional service.

Instead by focusing on Krsna's magnanimity and care for each and every one of us, we can develop humility in a more positive light. Yes, we are small and insignificant but we are also special. We are special because Krsna cares so much for us. This helps puts things into perspective. We are special because we are connected to the supreme who is most special. When pride rears its ugly head, we need to realize that we are focusing on our small selves, which by itself, cannot do anything.

So we should embrace our position. It's the best position to be in. We're small but special because Krsna loves us so much.