American Devotion

What is the use of being American if you don't do something wonderful for Krishna?

Jul 25, 2026

If you can’t muster up the energy to clean your house, have guests over.

If you feel lost and lonely, have guests over.

If your family is bitterly divided, have guests over.

It’s the age-old trick to get inspired - to clean, to connect, to harmonize.

That’s what I experienced happen when America hosted the FIFA World Cup. Personally, I had no idea we were even hosting this international soccer event (ha!) until it kicked off back in June, and I did not even meet a single World Cup guest. (I guess I’m a typical American in that sense.)

But I became enthralled by the shorts and videos of people from all over the world exclaiming over America with wonder and joy and reverence.

This country that seems like we’re so poor and desperate, even other European countries are saying that the average American has it so, so lucky.

This country that seems downtrodden and soulless is suddenly seen as vibrant, warm, hospitable, and encouraging.

This country that seems splintered into bitter political divides is suddenly all singing in unison the national anthem with soul-moving joy and intensity that shocks anyone not from here, especially Europeans. That Americans all fly under the same flag, that we are the “land of the free and home of the brave.”

As an American, I don’t see the good fortune and warmth and unity because I am simply immersed in this world that seems bleak. But the beauty is there, oh it’s there. These international guests who are moved to tears of wonder for American patriotism are discovering enthusiasm and joy and kindness by simply visiting my country, and now I see it, too.

“My” country. In Vedic understanding, to say that I am an American or even a woman or a mother are all upadhis, or material designations, because they are temporary. The Srimad Bhagavatam states that “One… who assumes his wife and family are permanently his own, who thinks… the land of his birth is worshipable… is no better than a cow or an ass” (10.84.13). An ass is the symbol of stupidity because it works so hard for so little. Similarly, in a big transition such as moving, retirement, or death, inevitably I will lose my identity as an American, a professor, a woman, a mother, and more. Everything I worked for will dissolve into nothingness.

Upadhis are faulty investments on a spiritual level - it’s like building a life-sized sandcastle along the beach, moving in, and then helplessly experiencing the tide of time rush in to wash it all away. What’s more, I get wet and miserable.

So from a Vedic perspective, the solution to not getting wet and miserable is to simply not move into that sandcastle of an identity. Maybe you need to build it, but don’t move in.

Observe. Watch.

But right now, I must confess, I’m mighty inspired by this sandcastle of being an American.

For this World Cup, I am seeing the wonder and beauty in not only being an American, but America itself. This country was founded upon godly principles of equality, freedom, bravery, honor, and sacrifice. On a material level, we’ve had to fight wars to calibrate the reality of our country to even sort of match those principles.

But we just celebrated our 250th birthday. In the history of the world, many historians would argue that America has the oldest single constitution that governs a country. Amazing that in the thousands of years of civilization, 250 years is the oldest surviving charter for a governing document. Human beings seem to be wired for discontent and fracturing, but America has weathered many, many storms.

And here we are, more vibrant than ever.

(Oh dear, this sounds like I am worshiping the land of my birth - just stay with me here.)

Ultimately, I am realizing… I am proud to be an American. Having guests over for this giant sleepover of the World Cup has me seeing that. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Prabhupad), an elderly Indian gentleman and spiritual leader, once told one of his disciples, “What is the use of being American if you don’t do something wonderful for Krishna?” That phrase “what is the use” is important, because as a run of the mill upadhi, being an American has little to no use, no value. At the same time, he is acknowledging that there is something special about Americans, that we do things on a wonderful scale, and that can be used for God’s glory.

As the Texans would say, “Go big or go home.”

Prabhupad himself even declared many times that although India was his motherland, America was his fatherland. Fascinating, no? Prabhupad was born and raised in India and did not even step foot on American soil until he was 70 years old. And yet he spoke of America with such respect, fondness, and gratitude. He drew parallels with the kindness and support that he found in America for his spiritual endeavors to his own father, who always supported him. And indeed, America is where he founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and began a worldwide movement that has affected millions the world over.

Including me.

When I was younger, I was embarrassed to be an American - the loud, gregarious, opinionated parts of myself that others may have found annoying or abrasive. But over the years, I have learned to tame the wilder aspects of being an American and to apply these qualities in my devotion.

Sing loudly for Krishna. (“You’ve got to roar!” as an empowered kirtan singer, Acyuta Gopi, would say.)

Teach and direct for Krishna.

Share my perspectives and convictions about Krishna.

Think big for Krishna.

I can’t help it. These are all part of who I am, and I can thank the American part of myself for giving me the courage, resilience, enthusiasm, ambition, and joy to apply my heart in all I do.

So thank you, dear FIFA World Cup guests, for reminding me of the beauty of this country, the beauty of being born here, the beauty of being an American in this lifetime. If this sandcastle of my identity is brief, then I am excited to build the most wonderful sandcastle ever… for Krishna.

The waves of time will most definitely wash that castle away.

But the heart of devotion will remain forever.