(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2011)
It is said in bhakti that one should have enthusiasm, determination and patience.
Enthusiasm – we must have to serve.
Determination – we must have to somehow or other go on, because we are here in the material world serving Krsna with the material energy, and sometimes despite all this work we are not getting any result.
Patience – we should never lose utsāha to try again. Just do not stop trying.
That is the relationship, when we speak about balance, we speak about relationship between these factors. There are three factors mentioned – enthusiasm, determination and patience. One should never give up his enthusiasm, but what if we do lose our enthusiasm? Then act enthusiastic.
Visnujana was a very enthusiastic kirtan man. Devotees said to Vishnujana:
“You are always so enthusiastic”
Visnujana said:
“I’m not always enthusiastic. I just act enthusiastic, that makes other people enthusiastic and that then makes me enthusiastic.”
So, if you are not enthusiastic then act enthusiastic! If you are not determined then act determined. If you are not patient then chant Hare Krsna! There is story about Srila Prabhupada in Amsterdam where, there was the installation of the Temple and everything had gone wrong, everything! The altar was too small for the Deities, the cloth was poor and Prabhupada just got more and more angry. He was chastising everyone. He was so heavy. Suddenly, one new boy came and he raised his hand.
So Prabhupada said:
“Yes!”
The boy said:
“Why you are so heavy? Just chant Hare Krsna!”
Prabhupada then just looked at him – and then took his bead bag and started to chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna…So, that is the patience- to just chant Hare Krsna, even when you are angry!