I learned a lot of wonderful lessons from my first husband, Badrinarayan das prabhu.
I married him when I was only 16 years old. There had been some problems with the temple president (who was later removed from his post by the order of Srila Prabhupada) and myself.
Because of this, the higher authorities (GBC, senior devotees, etc.) suggested that it would be a good idea for me to get married, for protection, so this did not happen to me again.
Badrinarayan prabhu was the most serious, sincere devotee in the temple at that time. He never talked prajalpa, he was always reading Krishna book at night, instead of standing around gossiping in the hallway like most of the other devotees were doing.
He was one of the first devotees in the movement to propagate Tulasi Devi, and he had created a large greenhouse of Tulasi in the Detroit temple. I was his assistant. Though he was a brahmachari, and very strict, still we worked together, peacefully.
The atmosphere in the Tulasi greenhouse was very spiritual, and because we were with Srimati Tulasi Devi, it was even more important that we only talk about Krishna, because that is what pleases her. So, we did.
When he told me he wanted to marry me, I was not sure this was a good idea, I did not feel we were very compatible on the material level. However, the most important thing to me was my spiritual life.
That compatibility problem became a bigger issue than I realized at the time, so we separated eventually.
Just because you are not materially compatible with someone, it does not mean that they do not benefit your spiritual life. I look back now and see all the incredible and valuable lessons I learned from this sincere great disciple of Srila Prabhupada.
One thing I learned was this:
"Patience is A Golden Virtue"
He said it to me constantly. About everything. Anyone who knows Badrinarayan, will also know the he is a huge comedian. Yes, he jokes all the time, has an incredible sarcastic wit, and always will say the sharpest things, cutting through the "cow dung" as it were......
So, no matter what emergency I thought I had, I still heard "patience is a golden virtue".... now where does that come from? Scripture? Did Prabhupada say it? No, I think it comes from the Bible....
(people can get so uptight about only using quotes from Prabhupada or only quoting our scriptures.... come on, a truth is a truth is a truth)
Patience is in fact one of the most valuable things any of us can learn when it comes to spiritual life. Not only about our own advancement, but also about any project we are doing for Krishna, any service, any Thing at all.
Patience.
If it doesn't work, back off, and give Krishna a chance to Unfold His Plans. Sometimes it's easy to forget this, and try to Force Things that we think need to be done.
When I start to do this, I hear this in my mind, this saying:
"Patience Is A Golden Virtue"
Then I remember to:
"Be Still And Know That I Am God"
(another Bible verse)
Hare Krishna.
Obeisances to Badrinarayan das prabhu, and many thanks for all the wonderful lessons he taught me.
Hare Rama
*
(in case anyone reading this could become confused, that is God speaking to us, telling us to be still, and know that He is God, taken out of context, it might make some people think that it's saying to know that we are God)
