Srila Prabhupada explains in the Krsna Book: “The
conditioned soul has a natural aptitude to hear about other conditioned souls
in the form of fiction, drama and novel. That inclination to hear something
about others may be utilized in hearing
the pastimes of the Lord.” Storytelling
is an age old tool in all cultures around the world. Actually it is both a technology and art form
in itself. Through the stories people
learn about the history of their culture. Stories are the perfect way to
understand what is right and wrong, what it means to be good or bad, how to
approach life’s obstacles, and what are
the consequences of our actions. Stories are for the young and old, the rich
and the poor, the learned and unlearned. Everyone will delight a story well
told. Especially in our Vedic tradition we are so close to stories that we take
them for granted. Sukadev Goswami shares stories of Krishna’s incarnations with
Maharaja Pariksit. Valmiki shares the stories of Lord Rama. Vyasadev shares the
stories of Mahabharata. And Srila Prabhupada shares many stories both
scriptural and non-scriptural in offering a variety of lessons and
insights.
To spread Krishna Consciousness in todays’ climate, it is
imperative for each of us to understand the power of story. In Srimad
Bhagavatam 3:13:48 Prabhupada writes, “Every one of us is fond of hearing some
wonderful narration, but most stories are neither auspicious nor worth hearing
because they are of the inferior quality of material nature. Every living
entity is of superior quality, spirit soul, and nothing material can be
auspicious for him. Intelligent persons should therefore hear personally and
cause others to hear the descriptive narrations of the Lord's activities, for
that will destroy the pangs of material existence. Out of His causeless mercy
only, the Lord comes to this earth and leaves behind His merciful activities so
that the devotees may derive transcendental benefit.”
Look for more about the power of story later.
And please visit www.Mahabharata-Project.com about Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest, my cinematic
rendition of India’s ancient history. Thanks.
