A few weeks ago I had a realization that it's healthy to be proud of something that's worth being proud of. That's kind of axiomatic, isn't it? Pride without something worth being proud of, however, is pathological, and that's the kind of unrealism that gets people into trouble.

Here's something worth being proud of:

Staff Sgt Aristotle Sonnenberg, aka Partha-sarathi das, a US soldier deployed in Iraq, was recently awarded a medal for exemplary bravery and leadership in combat conditions. This award recognized his pivotal role in saving the lives of 56 injured Iraqis while under fire.

Here's the official write up (click for the bigger version):

SSGT Sonnenberg showed exemplary leadership under fire, with incoming artillery sometimes as close as fifteen meters. Due to his actions the lives of these Iraqis were saved.

Of course as followers of the Vedic philosophy we understand that karma and the will of the Lord are at work. Even so, what is really exemplary about this is how it shows that in any situation you can be Krishna conscious.

Partha-sarathi prabhu is a vigorous preacher, and distributes books and prasadam to his fellow troops. He also holds a mangal-arati program every morning which is increasing in attendance.

Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita that one can attain perfection by following his qualities of work (Bg. 18.45). The qualities of the ksatriyas are "heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership" (Bg. 18.43). Krishna explains that "by worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work." (Bg. 18.46).

Partha-sarathi prabhu is displaying devotional leadership&mdsash;he's showing people how to be themselves and be Krishna conscious. We must have leaders in all spheres of life, and Partha-sarathi is a "saint amongst the soldiers."

It's not that every devotee should become a soldier, but every soldier should become a devotee. Other soldiers are taking note and gaining inspiration from Partha-sarathi Prabhu's example, such as Captain Antony Alexander, and Mitravinda devi dasi.

Regardless of external details, such as political and economic analysis, we learn from Bhishmadeva and Vichitrasura that no matter which side of a battle you are on, it is the consciousness with which you face your karma that determines your destination.

Partha-sarathi has a right to be proud of how Krishna and Srila Prabhupada are using him as an instrument to spread the sankirtan mission, and we have a right to be proud of him as a member of our community, too.