Krishna Assures Arjuna that he is the greatest yogi
Towards the end of the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita Arjuna is feeling a little dejected as he thinks that it is impossible for him to follow the system of yoga Krishna has described to him. In the previous article we discussed Arjuna’s statement:
Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, the system of yoga which You have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady. The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind. (Bhagavad-gita 6.33-34)
After this Krishna tells Arjuna that it is possible to control the mind by practice and determination and then goes on to discuss the position of a fallen yogi. A fallen yogi is someone who starts on the spiritual path but for some reason or other is unable to complete the path. Arjuna is thinking that such a fallen yogi has lost everything because he has not been successful in material life and also he was unable to complete the spiritual path. Arjuna compares the unsuccessful yogi to a ‘riven cloud’. Sometimes we see that a small piece breaks off a big cloud and, because it is small, in the vast sky it simply fades away into nothingness. But Krishna assures Arjuna this is not the case, He stresses that any spiritual advancement one makes, no matter how small, is a permanent asset and will never be lost.
The Blessed Lord said: Son of Prtha, a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil. (Bhagavad-gita 6.40)
Krishna then goes on to explain to Arjuna that a fallen yogi, in his next life, will take birth in either the families of rich people or the families of transcendentalists. In either case, because of his practice of spiritual life in his previous birth, he will automatically be attracted to spiritual life and will continue his practice where he left off in his previous life.
So activities in Krishna consciousness are all auspicious. Even if we are unable to complete the path of Krishna consciousness, still any service we have rendered is our eternal asset. And once on starts on this path of Krishna consciousness he will complete that path. It may take some more time than others, but once started it will be completed.
Krishna concludes the Sixth Chapter by assuring His friend Arjuna:
And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. (Bhagavad-gita 6.47)
So here Krishna affirms to Arjuna that the best yogi is the devotee who is always following Krishna’s instructions and always worshiping Krishna in transcendental loving service.
The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti-yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. Yoga actually means bhakti-yoga; all other yogas are progressions toward the destination of bhakti-yoga. From the beginning of karma-yoga to the end of bhakti-yoga is a long way to self-realization. Karma-yoga, without fruitive results, is the beginning of this path. When karma-yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called jnana-yoga. When jnana-yoga increases in meditation on the Supersoul by different physical processes, and the mind is on Him, it is called astanga-yoga. And, when one surpasses the astanga-yoga and comes to the point of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna, it is called bhakti yoga, the culmination.
Factually, bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal, but to analyze bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. The yogi who is progressive is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune. One who sticks to a particular point and does not make further progress is called by that particular name: karma-yogi, jnana-yogi or dhyana-yogi, raja-yogi, hatha-yogi, etc. If one is fortunate enough to come to the point of bhakti-yoga, it is to be understood that he has surpassed all the other yogas. Therefore, to become Krishna conscious is the highest stage of yoga, just as, when we speak of Himalayan, we refer to the world’s highest mountains, of which the highest peak, Mount Everest, is considered to be the culmination.
It is by great fortune that one comes to Krishna consciousness on the path of bhakti-yoga to become well situated according to the Vedic direction. The ideal yogi concentrates his attention on Krishna, who is called Syamasundara, who is as beautifully colored as a cloud, whose lotus-like face is as effulgent as the sun, whose dress is brilliant with jewels and whose body is flower garlanded. Illuminating all sides is His gorgeous luster, which is called the brahmajyoti. He incarnates in different forms such as Rama, Nrsimha, Varaha and Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He descends like a human being, as the son of mother Yasoda, and He is known as Krishna, Govinda and Vasudeva. He is the perfect child, husband, friend and master, and He is full with all opulences and transcendental qualities. If one remains fully conscious of these features of the Lord, he is called the highest yogi.
This stage of highest perfection in yoga can be attained only by bhakti-yoga,as is confirmed in all Vedic literature: “Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.” “Bhakti means devotional service to the Lord which is free from desire for material profit, either in this life or in the next. Devoid of such inclinations, one should fully absorb the mind in the Supreme. That is the purpose of naiskarmya.” (Gopala-tapani Upanisad 1.15)
Therefore Arjuna is the perfect yogi because He is always thinking of Krishna, always abiding by Krishna’s orders and always worshiping Krishna in transcendental loving service. Krishna consciousness is the ultimate success that all the different types of yogis are aiming at. In Krishna consciousness we are able to directly and immediately reach the topmost platform of yoga by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya and Krishna. Persons practicing other yoga systems, if perfected, will also ultimately reach the platform of Krishna consciousness. But these other yoga systems are not direct and it will take a long time. And particularly in this Kali-yuga it is not possible to successful practice any system of yoga except Krishna consciousness.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
About the Author
Madhudvisa dasa My first contact with a Hare Krishna was a most merciful Mataji in Oxford Street, London who sold me a "Higher Taste" cook book in 1984 while I was on holidays there. I started seriously reading Srila Prabhupada's books in Australia 1985 and by 1986 Srila Prabhupada had convinced me "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" and "we should surrender to Krishna." I joined the Hare Krishnas in Perth, Western Australia in 1986. Since then I have been chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada's books and preaching as much as I can. That's my life and full-time occupation now really. I like it more than anything I've ever experienced before. Srila Prabhupada's books are so amazing... Even after reading them all many times they're still fresh and new. They are truly transcendental! That's it really. Now I'm just hankering to once again see the world chant Hare Krishna, dance and feast and float away in the ecstasy of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana movement as it did in Srila Prabhupada's physical presence. Let the whole world drown in the ecstatic flood of love of Krishna!
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Dear Respected
I am very pleased to reading your text.
A Question has arised in my mind as follows.
Arjun was favourit person of Lord Krsna but yet he suffered too much.Even the death of Avimannu. Where Lord Krsna was in favour of them then why this suffering ?
Yes. Devotees suffer in the material world. Everyone suffers in the material world. But because a devotee is in Krishna consciousness he is transcendental to the material bodily concept of life, so he does not suffer.
The material world is a place of suffering. Everyone is suffering here. So we have to transcend it. We have to get off the bodily platform. Our bodies will continue to suffer as long as we are in the material world. So we have to become Krishna consciousness and elevate our consciousness off the bodily platform and onto the transcendental platform.
Every great devotee suffers from the material point of view. Haridas Thakur was beaten in many marketplaces. He should have died from so much beating but he was protected by Lord Caitanya, still he was beaten. Lord Jesus Christ was crucified by his so called followers, but he did not die. But still he suffered from the material point of view.
So there is no escape from suffering in the material world. We have to transcend it. Suffering will continue but it does not effect the devotees who are fully engaged in the service of Krishna.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Harekrishna, I want to be like arjuna. But I am weak, lazy, full of egoism, want results quickly. Unable to work hard.
Please provide me with some advice.
I am 65 years and am completely caught up with samsara . I wish to retire from my current job and take to devotional service. I also am fearful for my children and their families and also for my parents and my ancestors. In fact I want all my friends and neighbours and relatives to join me in my quest for devotional service.
Please help me find a pure devotee, so that I can surrender to him. I have no desire to go to vaikuntham. I just want to be with devotees. Sampath.
Hare Krishna
As I said, the pure devotee you are looking for is there, it is Srila Prabhupada, read his books and take full advantage of his instructions by surrendering to the instructions he gives you as you read his books. If you actually do this your path will be clear and your life will be successful.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Pranam,
many thanks to provide nice literature
about yogi.
Thankyou
Thank you sir for these wonderful lessons are full of usefulnesses.
I am very inspired! Is there any way I can voluntarily work for krishnastore ? Or instead is there any Krishna conscious work(besides distribution which I am already doing) pending to be done which I can do (I have heard you still have a 1000 tasks on your list so perhaps you could tell one or two which I could do to serve Prabhupada…….)
Hare Krishna
What are your skills? What are your qualifications? What can you do? and how much time can you spend doing it for Krishna?
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Sometimes I wonder whether it is true that Krishna will take care of my maintenance because some years ago I saved up my money for my educational career. But after reading Śrīla Prabhupada’s instructions about the importance of book distribution in spreading Krishna consciousness, I decided to use all of the money in my bank account to purchase Śrīla Prabhupada original books in Krishnastore.com and now I already have original books for my book distribution program those books are one Prabhupada library, a package of original hardcover Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (wholesale), 2 packages of hardcover Krishna books (wholesale) and 40 small books such as “Beyond Birth and Death” and “Life Comes From Life” and I also have paid the expensive taxes for the books. Although I have distributed the original books to many students and lecturer in the university where I have been studying but still sometimes I feel afraid that if in the future I will be put into poverty stricken as we know that this world is “padam padam yad vipadam” then I will suffer so many difficulties as I have spent almost all of the money for book distribution. And I know that I am not yet pure devotee, but will Krishna maintain myself?
Hare Krishna Pramanta
Yes. Krishna is maintaining everyone. So He will maintain you, His devotee, also.
So just keep on distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and ask the people to leave a donation to help with the printing cost and that will cover the cost of the books.
Krishna consciousness does not depend on any material circumstances. It does not matter if we are rich or poor, we can chant Hare Krishna, there is no advantage in being rich or poor. The only point is whatever situation in life we find ourselves we need to chant Hare Krishna, read Srila Prabhupada’s books and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and everything will be OK.
Many great devotees of Krishna were very poor and many great devotees of Krishna were rich also. So it does not matter, rich or poor, the thing is we need to be Krishna conscious. And we will not starve, Krishna will look after our basic necessities at least.
So just go on, distribute Prabhupada’s books more and more and ask the people to leave a donation to help with the printing cost and they will and you will recover your investment also. Which you can use for more service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
All glories to your service!
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
When a devotee is situated in Krishna consciousness, Will he be affected by karma?
Hare Krishna Kenneth
Actual pure devotee is not affected by karma.
But we are not generally pure devotees. So we are affected by karma to the degree that we are not surrendered to Krishna.
But Krishna takes a special interest in His devotees, even not pure devotees, and He makes special arrangements for devotees. So a devotee is not in the hands of the modes of material nature. He is in the hands of Krishna. And Krishna will reciprocate with us in relationship to our surrender to Him. If we are 100% surrendered to Krishna we will be in constant contact with Krishna and Krishna will be directing our every action. We will become puppets in the hands of Krishna. But if we are not surrendered then we can not expect much direct reciprocation from Krishna.
Of course we can not surrender to Krishna directly. We have to surrender to the pure devotee of Krishna who will teach us how to surrender to Krishna. That is the way.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
JESUS Christ and Sri KRiSHNA are the only two divine Beings in human history Who are wise and to be followed among all other religious leaders. JESUS said HE the Son of Man planted the good seed ( Adam ) on the earth and while men slept the evil one came and planted ( Cain ) tares among the wheats into the human race. GOD Who is Lord of all cuts across and bears different names in different tongues and religions and can never be conditioned by any. If one loves GOD, one will hate evil and appreciate goodness and will be synonymous in purpose and nature even with others of different religious sects, who also love Him. GOD is Good and is Truth.. The Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient and can never be subdued or conditioned. His resources are inexhaustible. He encoded His Truths and Attributes Mysteriously in Nature for us to search out and decode for our exploits. There is no ending of His possibilities and creativity in and through His creation. Thank you for the work (good works) of sunlight. It is illuminating, giving purpose, direction, meaning, sustainence, beauty, knowledge and life !
Hare Krishna!
Hare Krishna Bankole
Yes. You have written very nicely. Only thing is Krishna is the father of Lord Jesus Christ. Krishna is the person Jesus is referring to when he speaks of “My father in Heaven.”
Although, as you say, there are many empowered representatives on God in many different societies around the world and they are all preaching the same message in the local language and explaining it in a way the local people can understand, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the source, or father, of them all.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
I AM AFRAID OF LOOSING MY JOB THAT I HAD FOR 7 YEARS. bUT HAVE NOT LOST IT YET.
WORKING in sector 5 salt-lake , every day I think I would loose my job but some how by the grace of Krishna I am saved. Something allays turns up.
Hare Krishna Prabhu
Yes. Krishna will always save us somehow or other. We just have to surrender to Krishna, dedicate our lives to serving Krishna, always think of Krishna, always remember Krishna, always chant the holy names of Krishna. And somehow the material side of our life will go on without any major problems.
Even if sometimes it seems there are major problems a devotee takes it all as Krishna’s mercy and always some good will come out of even apparently disastrous events in our lives.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
I am a fallen yogi. But at 45 i am not dead or dying. I will keep trying. HARE KRISHNA.
Hare krishna madhudvisa dasa, i only want to ask you that How can the dogs participate in krishna conciousness?
Hare Krishna
Dogs can not appreciate philosophy. But they can appreciate kirtan and prasadam and the association of devotees. So we do not have to bother actually, how to engage the dogs in Krishna consciousness. But if we become Krishna conscious ourselves then automatically everyone around us, even the dogs, even the insects, will benefit by hearing us chanting Hare Krishna and we can distribute some prasadam to them and sometimes the dogs may dance in the kirtan also and join in the best way they can.
But we should not be worrying about the dogs. We should not be thinking about the dogs. It is a very inauspicious thing to think about dogs. Dogs are not very auspicious animals. And if you think of a dog at the time of death you will have to take your next birth in a dog’s body and that will be very bad for you.
So we have to adjust our lives in such a way that we always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna. So forget about the dogs…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Thankyou
Hare Krishna….to the people who are responsible for providing us with this life alterning knowledge…my deepest gratitude is in order..,every email i get is life food for my soul…now you must understand i was born in the southern usa….strict christian belief system…up until a year ago i had no idea who my Lord Sri Krishna was…and i am an extremlly fortunate souL because in my ignorance and blindness He personally revealed himself ….without me…in this life anyway…never heard of him…nor meditated on him or anything….His love and mercy has guided me into the transcendental love of Him…and these books from this great devotee contiues to teach me…i truly learned what chant hari krishna and be happy means…thank you so very vert much
Hare Krishna prabhu ji
all glories to srila prabhupad
all deep love to Krishna ji
respecting you
nice & knowledgeful artical prabhu ji. I have also read this point in srila prabhupad’s book that one continues the spiritual path which he left in his previous life but as you said that one reaches the bhakti yoga path after surpassing the other yoga paths so prabhu it means that the people who are following bhakti yoga currently have already practiced other yogas, if yes then when? In there prevoius births?
if one is practicing bhakti yoga in a birth and is not able to complete it then In the next birth he will get a chance to complete it back from where he left but why will that person not be able to complete it? If he dose every action for Krishna, loves him, wants him, only him then he will not get its reaction which means no other birth but Krishna only.
thankyou for listening and guiding
hare Krishna prabhu ji
Hare Krishna Vanshika
Yes. Bhakti yoga is the culmination of all other yoga systems. So it is understood that if one is able to very seriously take to Krishna consciousness in this life. It means if he has a natural attraction to reading the books like Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc, he has a natural attraction for chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and finds this very enlivening and enjoyable and has no problems rising early in the morning before 4:00 am and enjoys offering the Mangal-Aroti in the Brahma-Muhurta hour and in every way very naturally and enjoyably takes to Krishna consciousness then this is a sign that he has completed all the other sorts of yoga in previous births.
But anyone can take to Krishna consciousness by the mercy of a pure devotee of Krishna. Even if one does not have the natural attraction for it so strongly. Krishna consciousness is within everyone’s heart. So everyone can take to it. But some are more inclined to take to Krishna consciousness than others. So the ones who are more inclined to take to it, and who take to it very seriously, it can be understood they have already completely all the other systems of yoga and meditation in previous births.
As far as being able to complete the process of Bhakti-yoga, we should be able to complete it in this life, if we really do surrender to Srila Prabhupada and really do follow all of his instructions. But you know we are in the material world and there are a lot of distractions and temptations and if we are not very strong then there is always the chance we may get deviated from the path of Krishna consciousness. But if we are very strongly sticking to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet and very seriously following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions we will complete the process of Krishna consciousness in this life and go back home back to Godhead after the end of this body.
So we have to try for this, but even if due to some fault on our part we fall down from the path of Krishna consciousness, then whatever spiritual advancement we have made we will not loose. We will get our next birth in the family of transcendentalists or wealthy persons and will have the opportunity to continue our Krishna consciousness from the point where we left off.
But we should not be lazy, thinking, “I will take a few lifetimes to become Krishna conscious. I have done so much service. Now let me enjoy in the material world for some time…” It is a very dangerous thing. Because it may take a very, very, very long time this way. We have a very special opportunity right now. Krishna appeared on this planet 5,000 years ago, He only appears once in a day of Lord Brahma, Lord Caitainya appeared on this planet only 500 years ago, He only appears after Krishna, and Srila Prabhupada’s is here and ready and willing to help us through his transcendental books. So right now we have all advantages for taking to Krishna consciousness. If we do not take full advantage of this great fortune and become Krishna conscious in this lifetime we have no guarantee really of the actual situation we may take birth in the future in. We will get the chance to continue our Krishna consciousness, but it may not be immediate, once we stray from the path we get covered by maya again, our advancement is there, but we get covered up again, so it may take some time, it is very dangerous to depend on this, it may even take millions of years… So we need to become very enthusiastic and very determined to become 100% Krishna conscious in this lifetime.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna prabhu ji
all glories to srila prabhupad
all glories to srimati Radha rani
all glories to lord Sri madhav
yes, prabhu I totally agree with u and will become very enthusiastic and very determined for 100% pure Krishna conciusness in this lifetime.
prabhu I want to tell u that I am following srila prabhupad’s and your instructions as I have convinced my ma for ekadshi fast.
I know I am slow but I love Krishna and to reach to him I was doing, I am doing and I will do attemts and hardwork and one day I will be with him. U know Krishna loves me so much that he sent me a good sence through which I detected srila prabhupad and u and found that yes…yes…this is it. Now only thing needs to be done is just honestly follow as the divine is helping me giving me honest personalities to follow.
thankyou very much
Hare Krishna
I am regularly reading your news letter about Bhagavat Gita. it is very educative to me. even though i refer directly bhagavad Gita as it is by srila Prabhu pada. still it is very helpful in understanding depth of god’s word- Bhagavat Gita.
my request to you. can we also have similar kind news letter on shrimad Bagavadam ?
Hare Krishna Prabhu
For the time being I will continue with Bhagavad-gita as time permits. Actually I have so much service and very little time. So please Prabhu just go ahead and read Srila Prabhupada’s books. You will find everything you need there.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna!
Why a persion who has started krishan consiosnes get fail and
after some time or year why he again starat bakthi
prahlad singhal
It is not easy to overcome maya, so it is not strange if we fail in our attempts to become Krishna conscious. But we should never give up trying to become Krishna conscious. You just have to keep trying and if you are determined and patient like this and never give up chanting Hare Krishna and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books you will succeed in the end.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna Prabhuji.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
All Glories to Sree Sree Radha Krishna-chandra!!
Thank you very much for the wonderful content.
Please could you help me understand what is the best ways to get associated with devotees for persons like us far from temple place.
Your servent,
Sujoy Goswami
Hare Krishna Sujoy
It is not so much ‘association with devotees’ that we need. We need to associate with PURE devotees. The only way we will become actually Krishna conscious is by association with pure devotees. And these days the places where devotees associate it is very unlikely that we will find any pure devotees there. Since Srila Prabhupada left our physical vision ISKCON no longer stresses pure devotional service. So you will not find any pure devotees there unfortunately.
So it is very good therefore that you are far away from any temple because by visiting these temples you will only be misled, you will not get the association of pure devotees that you need to become Krishna conscious.
Fortunately for us Srila Prabhupada is still present in the form of transcendental sound. Srila Prabhupada is living in his books and you can read Prabhupada’s books and in this way you can get the direct personal association of Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of Krishna, and as you read Srila Prabhupada’s books you are also getting the direct personal association of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all the great devotees and sages who appear in Srila Prabhupada’s books. So this is the answer Prabhu. You can associate with unlimited pure devotees by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and in this way, by the power of association with pure devotees of Krishna, you will also become a pure devotee of Krishna.
So you are in the best place, far away from a temple. You are not going to find Krishna consciousness in a temple at the moment. You will find Krishna consciousness, and Srila Prabhupada in his books.
So read Prabhupada’s books and chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna!
Pranam Swamiji,
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna assures us that those who follow Bhakti-Yoga is highest yogi. While following Bhakti-Yoga, most of the devotees are severely put on test by Bhagavan. We have many example for this, from Prahalada, Meera Bhai, Janabhai, Namdev and our Gurudev, also undergone many difficulties in America before establishing Krishna Consciousness Movement. It is a good sign, that devotee can understand that he is progressing in spiritual path.
It is mentioned by our Gurudev, Srila Prabhupada, that sometimes Krishna’s ashirwad ie. Blessing is otherwise. Krishna will take everything from you; because of this there is a danger that a devotee may become atheist. Even I have witnessed that Devotees are suffering either financially or having problems in personal life.
Whereas, those who do not think of God/Krishna enjoying success, fortune and holding power/position they ill treat others and I am witnessing they are very successful in their personal as well as in public life.? Why Krishna is silently watching them?
Swamiji, Even in my case I am also facing lot of tribulations in life and failure in my carrier and injustice is done to me which affects my spiritual life; instead of remembering Krishna, I started thinking of my problems all the time. I am not even in infancy stage of my spiritual life, why Krishna is doing this? Why is he discouraging those who worship him with faith & devotion even in their early stage?
I am very much disappointed Swamiji. I have no other go; I pray to him what to do? I hope through your kind guidance he will encourage and bless me.
Waiting for your kind guidance and encouragement Swamiji!
Pranam
Servant of Krishna
Uma Sridhar
Hare Krishna Uma
It is not as you write that Krishna is punishing the devotees and letting the demons enjoy. Everyone is being punished here in this material world. No one is enjoying here, everyone is suffering. There is a saying ‘the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.’ It is about the cows, they are in a paddock and they look over the fence into the next paddock and want to go there because the grass looks greener than in their paddock. But actually the grass is the same… It just looks greener in the other paddock where the cows can not get to it.
So you are thinking that you are suffering and that the demons are enjoying and you are blaming Krishna for that. But in reality we are all experiencing the reactions of our past karma. Some have performed many pious activities in their previous lives so in this life they will be ‘enjoying’ the results of that by birth in a wealthy family and will be having some good fortune and money and apparent success will come to them. Many use this ‘good fortune’ to engage in all sorts of sinful activities and sense gratification. So that means they are burning up all the “good karma” they accumulated in their previous births and the future for them will be very dark. It may appear they are in a good position at the moment, but that will change as the reactions of their sinful actions catch up on them.
We also are getting the reactions of our past sinful and good activities. To the degree that we are surrendered to Krishna, Krishna adjusts things in our lives. But that adjustment may be as you suggest, to put His devotees in a worse material position. The thing is that a neophyte devotee, if put into a very comfortable material position, may forget Krishna, so Krishna’s great mercy to His devotees is He may take away all their material facilities so they have no option except to surrender unto Him.
So you have to realize this material world is a place of suffering for everyone and the way out is to become Krishna conscious. Of course becoming Krishna conscious does not mean that we will not suffer from the material point of view. But a devotee engaged in the service of Krishna does not actually suffer. His pleasure is in surrendering to Krishna and serving Krishna. So he accepts any suffering that this entails as Krishna’s mercy.
These things are all tests as to how serious we really are to surrender to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. You know we have to follow the simple things otherwise it will be impossible for us to become Krishna conscious. We have to chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily, we have to read Srila Prabhupada’s books at least 1-2 hours a day, and we have to follow the four regulative principles [no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling and no intoxication]. So you have to concentrate on actually doing these things every day. Although Krishna consciousness is our natural eternal position and it is a very simple thing actually, because we are in the material world and completely surrounded by materialists who are against Krishna and Krishna consciousness, and we also have come here to the material world not to serve Krishna but to become an enjoyer just like Krishna, it is very difficult for us to give up this tendency to want to be the master and surrender to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna…
So you can know it for sure that when suffering comes into our lives that is because of our sinful activities in the past and it is Krishna’s mercy that He reduces the suffering so much. A devotee is always thinking that he deserves unlimited suffering and when some suffering comes he thanks Krishna for sending only a little suffering when he deserves an ocean of suffering.
So you know, this all sounds crazy to a materialist… So the only way we can think like this is by becoming actually Krishna conscious. Then it will make sense…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hi
Will krishna come to earth again if so when i was a non believer of god until i read gita and now it is been 2 years i left eating meat and i am praying krishna every day i can feel a huge difference please tell me the truth does krishna will come to earth.
Hare Krishna Anil
I am very happy to hear that you are making nice advancement in Krishna consciousness.
Krishna is already here in the form of His holy name:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
If you take this chanting seriously by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra at least 16 rounds a day and strictly follow the four regulative principles (no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling and no intoxication) and read Srila Prabhupada’s books at least 1-2 hours a day then you will see gradually that Krishna and Krishna’s name are identical and actually Krishna has incarnated in the form of His holy name.
So Krishna is already here with us. We simply have to purify our consciousness so we can see Him.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare krishna Guru Ji
Your statements and articles are most inspiring, there is no doubt. But just guide me Prabhuji,nowadays my health and patience does not allow me to do 16 rounds of chanting Maha Mantra, which i really want to chant it 16 times and follow the discipline. Pleas advise. Thank you. I bow and respect you
Chanting 16 rounds is not a big thing. You just have to do it, and if you surrender to this chanting at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily and strictly following the four regulative principles (no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling and no intoxication) then your health will improve also.
Maya is always trying to convince us and give us some reason why we can not chant Hare Krishna. So Prabhu you have to get out of maya and chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily and strictly follow the four regulative principles as these things are absolutely essential if we want to become Krishna conscious. You just have to do it. Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna, Prabhu. I am thankful to you that you always give me the right answer to my
doubts. May be Krishna is helping me through you. But one thing I would like to know- Are you the same devotee whom Our spiritual master Srila Prabhupada sent to Australia to propagate Krishna Consciousness? I would much appreciate if you could reply to me without any misunderstanding.
No, I am the ‘younger’ Madhudvisa. I joined ISKCON in 1986. All the names have been used many times now, although I think it is only two Madhudvisa’s, the original one and me.
The other Madhudvisa has never been on the internet.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krshna Prabhuji,
I use to chant three rounds of Hare Krsna mantra daily about 8 years back and slowly started reducing to one round and now Iam doing only Vishnu Sasranam daily, please advice.
It is not completely useless of course, there is still some hope… But really you will not be able to become Krishna conscious and you will not see any real significant spiritual advancement unless you surrender to the simple process Srila Prabhupada has given us. If one could become Krishna conscious by just chanting Visnu Sahasranam for five minutes each day then he would have suggested that. But it is not possible actually to become Krishna conscious by just doing this. Of course it is good, but you know what the standard is, you have to chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily, you have to strictly follow the four regulative principles [no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling and no intoxication] and to give us the determination and energy to actually stick to following these things we need to become very fixed up in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books at least 1-2 hours a day.
If we want to become Krishna conscious we have to surrender to Srila Prabhupada and follow his instructions and we have to be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time to Krishna consciousness every day. Otherwise Krishna consciousness will remain unknown to us…
So you have to surrender to the process, otherwise you will never know what Krishna consciousness is… Krishna consciousness is only attainable through surrender to a bona fide pure devotee of Krishna, and surrender means we have to hear from him and we have to follow his instructions. Otherwise if we refuse to follow his instructions how can we expect to become Krishna conscious?
It is not difficult. Anyone can do it. It requires only dedication, patience and determination.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna Prabhu ji,
Always thinking of various forms or passtime of Krishna while doing various daily activity is important or constantly chanting Mahamatra in mind is important.
I use to Chant about 48 rounds daily, but I realize that the quantity is affecting the quality so I reduced it to 16 again but I m utilizing my more time on reading Shrila Prabhupad ji books ( Bhagwad Geeta n Shrimad Bhagwatam)n listening to his lectures.
I need guidance please be mercy full on me.
Hare Krishna.
hare krishna swami
pranam. Eventhough one follows any type of yoga, at last e will come to bhakti. but in krishna cons ciousness he directly engdrs into spiritual path. so in the kali yuga the only path one has to step into is krishna cons iousness. thank you
hare krisha
natarajan
Hare Krishna Prabhu,
How can I come nearer to Krishna if I am working, is there not a small prayer to utter before getting to get your job done in order to dedicate your work to the Supreme ?
Furthermore I can adhere to the viewpoint of the above telling how difficult it is to constantly think of Krishna. Is it not the level on which you operate that counts ? If I am for example on the spiritual platform, is then what I do not done for Krishna if I believe in Him ?
I kindly await your answer.
Jork
Hare Krishna Jork
It is not that you ‘offer your work to Krishna’. You work for Krishna under the direction of a pure devotee of Krishna. If you are going to work then you are going to work to earn money. So to make that work for Krishna then you have to offer the money you earn at work to Krishna. And the small prayer you have to utter before going to work is:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
But you have to utter it at least 16 * 108 = 1728 times.
Krishna consciousness is not something cheap. You can not achieve anything significant unless you are prepared to work for it. So if you want to become Krishna consciousness you have to be prepared to spend your time and energy chanting Hare Krishna and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and we have to be prepared to surrender to the simple austerities of following the four regulative principles: no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling and no intoxication…
You know you can not turn it into a small prayer you can say in the morning…
Krishna consciousness means being Krishna conscious 24 hours a day…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna Prabhuji.
Is it okay to chant 1728 times without japa mala? If I have some way to count it upto 1728 times will that work? Suppose someday one is out and does not have mala, then can he sit somewhere and chant for 3-4 and by that time at least 1728 times will be completed. Will that be all right? Apart from that I have heard there is some mobile app to count 108 times as well. Please tell if other methods of counting than Tulsi beads also acceptable?
Hare Krishna Aman
Yes. Tulsi Japa beads are best but other counting systems are also OK. The point is to chant at least 16 rounds, so the japa beads are a counting method to keep track of how many rounds we have chanted. So you can have some other counting method.
Lord Caitanya use to count on his fingers. So you can do that also. You can count on your fingers like the brahmins count the gayitri mantra on their fingers. I have sometimes done that when I did not have japa beads. It is very easy to count like that, using your fingers. Or you can use some other counting system that is convenient like mobile app, but personally I do not like mobile. It is a distraction, big distraction, so that would probably not be a very good idea actually…
But the point is to chant the rounds, japa beads are the best counting method, but if for some reason you can not use then you can use some other counting method.
Hara Krishna Prabu
All glories to srila prabupada!
Prabu we have an 800 year old family temple replete with many vedic gods
in udupi the priest is from palimar mutt(1 of the 8 mutts) of udupi krishna temple.
Astrologer told to get 100000 names chanting of dhanavantri(vishnu) and a few yagyas in the temple through brahamanas for improving my health.
will this performance benefit?
what do u think about the worship done by udupi krishna temple brahamanas?
It’s said kalau shudra shambava so r these brahmins also shudras?
is there no point in conducting these yagyas?
what about the worship done in the temple is it valid or useless?
regards
utsav
It is useless Prabhu
All this Hindu stuff has become so much watered-down and so much lost. Brahmins are not qualified brahmins, they do not know the Vedas, the whole thing is lost. And what is the point of praying to god for your health? Health will go, all our bodies are getting old, sick and dying. There is nothing we can do about that. That is the nature of a material body in the material world. We should take this ill health and symptoms of old age as signs from Krishna that the end of this body is near and we should utilize whatever time we have left in becoming fully Krishna conscious by strictly following the instructions we find Srila Prabhupada giving us as we read his books.
You are better off just worshiping Srila Prabhupada and Gaura-Nitai or Panca-Tattva in a simple way than all this useless demigod worship and Hindu hodge-podge.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna prabhu,
Please accept my obeisances.
How to always think of Krishna when we are in workplace, the atmosphere in the workplace makes us to forget Krishna. I want to progress in Krishna consciousness, will Krishna help me to find a way out if i am serious. please guide me.
Regards,
Girish
Hare Krishna Girish
Prabhupada has put everything in his books but you have to read them… If you are serious you will read Prabhupada’s books and you will find absolutely everything you need in Prabhupada’s books. But if you are not serious Krishna is not going to help you find a way out. Krishna has already helped you and already given you the way out through Srila Prabhupada in his books. But you have not read them…
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
My friend lost his job from a reputed organisation from a Managerial position, where he hes been working for 20 years. He was, and is so desperate to get back to this post. He tried through various emminent personalities to get back to the position, but has not been successful yet. It is more than 6 months since this happened, and the fault was, to a level on him, too. I would like to know if there is any means of helping him out on this issue since he is still looking forward to getting back to the same organisation.
Awaiting your early comments..
Hare Krishna Malini
This is just the way the material world works. Nothing is permanent here. No matter what we get attached to it will be taken away from us. Your friend was attached to his job and the job was taken away from him. He has to get used to this, he has to know that no matter what he gets attached to in the material world it is only temporary and it will be taken away from him. So if we know this, that everything will be taken away from us, we should not be very concerned about these things as they come and go in our life. They are not important. It does not matter what job we have or any of those things. What matters is that we are using our time to become Krishna conscious. Krishna consciousness is the only permanent thing. It is only Krishna consciousness that will never be taken away from us.
So as devotees we do not care about these temporary things coming and going in our lives. We do not expect that anything will stay, and we are not attached to anything staying. Only we are trying to become more attached to Krishna. That is the only important thing, Krishna consciousness. Everything else has no permanent value.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa