True reformation is the reformation of our heart

Reformers’, galore, we find in history and today in the name of religion and politics. When I was in grade school, I remember a famous social reformer Raja Rammohan roy who was instrumental in abolishing sati rites. Then there was Aurobindo who later become a monist was also a social reformer in his heydays. In fact there was a wave of social reformers in the late 19th and early 20th century based primarily on advaita vedanta to emancipate the social conditions' of the "common man". Certainly, there is no paucity for such social reformers in history and today.

His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Takur Prabhupada talks about how there is no need for such social reformation. He states;

The world stands in no need of any reformer. The world has a very competent person for guiding its minutest happenings. The person who determines that there is scope for reform of the world, himself stands in need of reform. The world goes on in its perfect way. No person can deflect it even the breadth of a hair from the course chalked out for it by providence. - Srila Prabhupada

What is needed is the reformation of one’s own mundane vision. This reformation of vision of our own self and the outside world, according to Srila Prabhupada, can happen only by the mercy of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mundane reformation for a social cause or moral justice may seem appealing to the apologetic religionists’ and impassionate politician as it seemingly deals with social equity – fight for the right of the underdog. However, such social justice cause almost always is about satisfying an ulterior agenda of appealing to vox populi and not to establish dharma or eternal occupation of the eternal living being.

True reformation therefore, which Maharaj indicates, is changing our own vision to see the glory of Krishna nama and how through offenseless uttering of the same nama, one can realize that nobody is left without a competent guide.

As soon as Krishna enters the listening ear, He clears up the vision of the listener so that he no longer has any ambition of ever acting the part of a reformer of any other person, because he finds that nobody is left without the very highest guidance. - Srila Prabhupada

What is missing is our inner-vision of that highest guidance. By chanting Krishna nama, that vision which we were originally blind to becomes apparent and in that enlightened state we realize our eternal position in relation to Krishna.

By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that all perfections come from the holy name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self, and the gross and subtle bodies, is gradually effaced and one realizes one’s own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body, as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord’s form. - Srila Prabhupada

This revelation of the Lord's original form will once and for all relieve the soul from bondage of all sufferings' that is related to this body and mind and that which arises from the dualities of this world.

True reformation,indeed, is the reformation of our mundane heart!

Hare Krishna