Glitter like Gold

The following reminded me of the devotees on the festival tour, glittering like a gold ring engaged in service to Lord Jagannatha, who is like a shining diamond.

"The very phrase "Kṛṣṇa consciousness" suggests that those who are in such consciousness are living transcendentalists, situated in Him. The Lord says here distinctly, mayi te: "They are in Me." Naturally, as a result, the Lord is also in them. This is reciprocal. This also explains the words ye yathā māḿ prapadyante tāḿs tathaiva bhajāmy aham: "Whoever surrenders unto Me, proportionately I take care of him." This transcendental reciprocation exists because both the Lord and the devotee are conscious. When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice. Living entities in a pure state are called devotees. The Supreme Lord becomes the devotee of His devotees. ... Devotional service to the Lord is not an activity of this material world; it is part of the spiritual world, where eternity, bliss and knowledge predominate." --Bhagavad-gita Chapter 9, text 29

Traveling on Lord Jagannatha's festival tour is an opportunity to shine like gold and engage this soul, body, mind and senses in His blissful service.

Time is fleeting

Moment to moment, the present turns into the past.
Chandragupta's keeping track.
This soul has wasted yet another moment. And another.
Each moment wasted, my eternal loss.
Each moment engaged in Your service, my eternal gain.
Oh the value of each moment.

Time is fleeting.

By good fortune I find myself in this human form of life.
So many opportunities to engage in Your service.
Today, my dear Lord Krishna, please allow me,
moment to moment,
to engage this mouth in glorifying You and Your devotees,
these eyes in seeing You,
these ears in hearing about You,
these hands, legs, mind and intelligence in carrying out Your mission.

Time is fleeting.

Moment to moment, please allow me to hear
Your prodding from within
to choose to serve You in one of many wonderful and varied ways
You have provided for this restless soul.

Allow me to develop nishtha, firm faith in Your instructions that
if I simply surrender unto You, You will protect me.

Time is fleeting.