Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

We, the jivas, are always dependent on Krishna

Although you and I wish to enjoy life independently but we are always dependent on Krishna. He gives us everything without which we cannot survive. The little independence we have is also given by him only.

Our independence is akin to a cow tied to a pole with a rope. Cow’s independence is equivalent to the length of the rope. The cow can do whatever within the periphery of the rope but beyond that she has no independence unless and until the master is ready to increase the length or untie the rope.

Similarly, our independence is very limited.  

You and I may feel that we are the controller & the proprietor of our body, mind and senses but we are not. We read several mind control books, watch videos on how to control the mind but finally end up being defeated by our mind.

We are subordinate to nature. Here, we have to work as per the laws of nature. We cannot survive even for a moment if we go against its laws. Can anyone live without breathing? We may temporarily stop eating or drinking or sleeping but not permanently.

None of us want to be diseased but still we suffer from it. We do not want to die but still we die. This is our real position – we are not the controller, but we are controlled, and we are not independent but are always dependent.

Being dependent on Krishna is an advantage

Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is only independent and we, his part and parcel, are always dependent upon him. He creates and controls this universe. Material laws work under his direction. He is the cause of all the causes.

“Kṛṣṇa who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.” Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.1

Being controlled by Krishna is not a disadvantage but it’s rather an advantage. For a kite to fly high in the sky it needs to be connected by a thread and controlled by a person.

Similarly, if we want to rise high in life then we need to be connected to someone who can properly guide us. And who can be a better guide than Krishna. The threads which will help us rise high in the sky are the words of wisdom given in the scriptures.

We always struggle to live without being dependent on others so that we can live as per our own terms and conditions. But we see that it never happens. So, instead of trying to be independent, let us declare our complete dependence on Krishna and give our rein of life to him. Anyone who has done it has never regretted it.

Arjuna begged Krishna to become his charioteer to guide him, similarly we should pray him to become the controller of our life.  

Three Reflections

• We may feel that we are the controller & the proprietor of our body, mind and senses but we are not.
• Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is only independent and we, his part and parcel, are always dependent upon him.
• Instead of trying to be independent, let us declare our complete dependence on Krishna and give our rein of life to him.

Ask Yourself

• Am I ready to give control of my life to Krishna?

Action Item

• Find out anything in life which you think you can do independently.

Difficulties bring us closer to Krishna

Difficulties are disheartening but it also gives us an opportunity to come closer to Krishna. Lord is also there to help us but many times we sideline Krishna and try to solve problems on our own. When Lord sees that we do not want him then he quietly steps back.

Lord Vishnu’s unpleasant experience

Once Lord Vishnu was having his food and mother Lakshmi was serving him. Suddenly Lord Vishnu got up and immediately started running.  Lakshmi could not understand anything. But soon the Lord came back. Lakshmi inquired, “What happened? Where were you going and why did you come back?”

Lord Vishnu replied, “One man needed me. As he was being chased by a tiger, he was calling my name.  Hearing his call, I immediately rushed towards him to save him. But soon he stopped calling my name. He picked up a stone and thought that he can protect himself. The man began thinking that I will not come to save him. He did not have trust in me. He was wondering whether I will hear his prayer or not”.

Our condition is not different than this man. We pray to Lord but doubt if he is listening to our prayers or not. This is why when we go through difficulties then we rely on our abilities rather than on God’s mercy.

It’s not that during difficulties we should completely give up, sit idle and hope that the Lord will come to our rescue. Rather we should do our best to mitigate the problems but simultaneously pray to Lord for help and guidance. This is what Arjuna did at the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Miseries help to remember Krishna

As Krishna was always there with Arjuna when he was fighting the battle of his life, similarly he is always there with us. As Paramatma, he is there with us in our heart, and he is also present in the form of instructions which he has given in Bhagavad Gita.

When we refuse to acknowledge Lord’s presence in our life and do things as per our own whims then we trudge on a path of uncertainties and fear. But if we constantly seek his guidance our life’s journey will be smooth and trouble free.

If we have trust in Krishna and his mercy, then no material problems will ever bother us. In fact, problems will become an opportunity for us to experience Krishna’s grace. 

This is why Queen Kunti says in her prayers that let miseries come because it helps her to constantly remember Krishna and also helps to constantly get association of Krishna.  

“I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.25

Krishna is ever ready to help. He wants us to turn towards him. And if we do so, we will get closer to Krishna. Nothing of this world will then trouble us. So, during difficulties let us not get broken-hearted but we should turn towards Krishna and experience his mercy.

Three Reflections

• During difficulties, we should do our best to mitigate the problems but simultaneously pray to Lord for help and guidance.
• Queen Kunti prays that let miseries come because it helps her to constantly remember Krishna.
• During difficulties let us not get broken-hearted but we should turn towards Krishna and experience his mercy.

Ask Yourself

• Do I pray to Krishna during difficulties?

Action Item

• Identify one problem of your life, work hard to solve it and constantly pray to Krishna for help and guidance.

If you invest in Krishna Consciousness, then return is guaranteed

When we invest money then we always expect a high return. So, we are advised to invest in certain sectors where although risk is there but return is huge, as the saying goes – high risk high gain, low risk low gain. Although we take the bait but we always remain anxious fearing loss. People indeed suffer loss, some even go bankrupt.

However, there is one sector where if you invest then return is guaranteed.  There is no chance of any loss. Anyone who invests never returns empty-handed. And during the investment, there is no anxiety or fear because it’s completely risk free.

Everyone is eligible to invest here – rich and poor, men and women, young and old, Hindus and non-Hindus, Indians and non-Indians.   

But here instead of investing money in a bank or a scheme one has to invest one’s time in developing Krishna Consciousness. For example, one should chant the names of Krishna like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. It is recommended to chant at least 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily which takes around 2 hours. The holy name of Krishna cleanses us internally and connects us to Krishna directly.

Soon one starts experiencing the fruits of investment.  The negative thoughts and emotions which were earlier disturbing us no longer trouble us. Krishna begins protecting us from negative people and surroundings.

We see how by investing in Krishna consciousness, our problems are getting reduced, and happiness is getting multiplied.

Krishna’s assurance

Anyone who has made such an investment has never regretted it. In this investment no one ever suffers any loss.

Krishna personally says this, “In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear”. (Bhagavad – Gita 2.40).

If we increase the quantum of investment, then return too increases manifold. And if the investment touches 100% then we gain freedom from all sufferings forever. We then become eligible to live a joyous & opulent life for eternity with Krishna.

Let us become smart investors and make the most of this wonderful opportunity and invest in Krishna Consciousness.

In this world, we do not have guarantee of anything. We have heard stories of people becoming poverty stricken overnight.  People being kicked out from their offices and bungalows and dragged into jail. People who worked throughout their life to attain a position but then seeing it helplessly being taken away. This is how this nature works. So, we should not expect too much from this world. We should do our duty and whatever we get in return we should accept it as God’s gift.

And simultaneously, we should invest our time and energy in becoming Krishna Conscious. Because this will give us the topmost return. Krishna through Arjuna is teaching us that how we should be doing our duty in this world but while performing our God given duty, we should never forget Krishna.

Arjuna never forgot Krishna at the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Similarly, we should never forget Krishna while fighting our life’s battle.  

Three Reflections

• We see how by investing in Krishna consciousness, our problems are getting reduced, and happiness is getting multiplied.
• We should do our duty and whatever we get in return we should accept it as God’s gift.
• Arjuna never forgot Krishna at the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Similarly, we should never forget Krishna while fighting our life’s battle.  

Ask Yourself

• Did I complete my chanting today?

Action Item

• If not then immediately try to complete your chanting today.

Krishna wants us to prepare for eternal blissful life

Suppose that there is a cricket match between India and Pakistan and the outcome has already been fixed in favour of Pakistan. In such a situation, will you be interested in watching the match. The answer is obvious. No sane man will spend their precious time watching a fixed match.

However, we have been playing a fixed match for several lifetimes against this material world. Although we are aware of our ultimate defeat still, we keep on playing hoping to win. 

To make the play entertaining, the material nature keeps our hope alive too. She allows us to dominate some part of the game.

It’s like a heavyweight boxer allowing a few punches on his body while playing with a child simply to encourage him so that he remains engaged in the game.

But our match with the irresistible material world does not remain entertaining for a long period of time. And the end, we all know, is very painful.

Scriptures warn us, surroundings remind us and our own experiences repeatedly caution us about the impending disaster.

Lord Krishna too in Bhagavad Gita 2.18 says that the material body is surely going to die one day.

But sadly, we continue to live in this world as if we are never going to die. We keep ourselves busy accumulating things in this world as if we are going to use it forever.

Material world is full of miseries

When the holy books and the holy sages try to remind us about the impending disaster, then we prefer to look the other way. But a day comes when the inevitable happens. Death knocks at our door. The game is now over for us. Material nature is on the verge of victory.

During that moment we lament and fret, but it is too late. Whatever we accumulate in this world gets forcibly snatched from us. Our beautiful house, bank balance, loving family members all remain here only. Nothing accompanies us during our final journey.

If we are aware of our end result, then while living why to waste time on something which is ultimately going to become the cause of agony.

Why get obsessed with this material which is going to give us pain anyway?

In Bhagavad Gita 8.15 Krishna says that this world is an abode of misery and in the same verse he gives the glimpse of his abode i.e. the spiritual world. He says, “Come to me to the spiritual world and enjoy with me an eternal, blissful life.”

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” Bhagavad 8.15

Krishna, the Supreme Lord, wants us not to get obsessed with this material world but prepare ourselves for eternal blissful life in the spiritual world.

So, while living in this world, we should prepare ourselves properly so that after leaving this world, we go to the spiritual world. If we are able to do so, then this will be the ultimate victory for us.

Three Reflections

• Our match with the irresistible material world does not remain entertaining for a long period of time.
• When death knocks at our door, the game is over for us. During that moment we lament and fret, but it is too late.
• Krishna expects that while living in this world, we should prepare for eternal blissful life in the spiritual world.

Ask Yourself

• Am I still hoping that I will be eternally happy in this world?

Action Item

• List down the names of the people who have never died in this world.

Krishna expects us to work sincerely like Arjuna

Sometimes we have the tendency to justify our irresponsible behaviour using devotion as an excuse. Many a times working devotees (including me) develop deep renunciation immediately after entering the office premise. Why am I working? It’s a wastage of time.

It’s not going to help me to develop love of God as my work is not directly linked to Krishna conscious activities. We become extremely philosophical and wilfully start neglecting our work.

Our feeling of renunciation is not because of our love for Krishna but because of our laziness, lethargy and unwillingness to face challenges in life. This can be easily understood because in the evening after leaving our workplace and during weekends our feeling of renunciation is untraceable. It pops up the next time we enter our workplace.

Krishna expects sincerity from us

The pseudo renunciation which we develop as per our whims is not going to help us in our personal, professional and most importantly devotional life. When Arjuna wanted to run away from the battlefield and wanted to beg for living then Krishna did not glorify Arjuna but rather admonished him. Krishna told him that dying in the war would be more glorious & graceful than running away from there.

Krishna also expects us to work sincerely like Arjuna. Like Arjuna we should never give up our work which is given to us by Krishna only. In fact, we should be sincere in our work. Work helps in our devotional life too. The money which we earn helps us to maintain ourselves, our family members.

It also facilitates in practicing devotion to Krishna peacefully. We can even use our money in spreading Krishna Consciousness movement either by donating some amount to the temple or by organizing devotional programs in our house or in any other ways which we find suitable.

If we are doing our work properly keeping Krishna in the centre, then we will also attract people to Krishna Consciousness.  

More than our words, our action inspires people. If we are sincere, serious, hardworking and honest in our work then others will not only admire us but will also develop a positive impression about the devotees. It will motivate them to practice devotional life.

When chanting just chant, when working just work

Bhaktivinod Thakura is an ideal example for all the devotees.  Through his life he has taught us how to be productive in occupational duties, how to be caring and loving towards the family members and how to be extremely sincere in executing devotion to Krishna. Following his footsteps we too can lead a healthy devotional life.

So, next time when the feeling of renunciation arises in our heart as we enter the office premise or open our laptop to work then we should remember Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. And we should also understand that this is not renunciation, but this is laziness and irresponsible behaviour which Krishna does not like.

We should always do our office work honestly and also practice devotional to Krishna sincerely.  

A simple formula to follow – be always in the moment. It means “When you chant the names of Krishna just chant” and “When you work just work.” Do not mix both.  This is what Arjuna did, and this is what Krishna expects us to do.

Three Reflections

• Krishna admonished Arjuna when he wanted to run away from the battlefield.
• Like Arjuna we should never give up our work, in fact, we should work sincerely and honestly.
• When you chant the names of Krishna just chant & when you work just work.

Ask Yourself

• Am I doing my office work sincerely?

Action Item

• Do your work sincerely. Use a timer to track your activities during office hour to make sure that you are not wasting time.

Result of our action does not depend only on our endeavour|Bhagavad Gita 18.13-14

Most of the time we think that the result we get for our action entirely depends upon so. We think we are the actual doer.

So, one person was telling God, “You have made us work so hard.” God said, “What kind of hard work you are doing?” 

The Lord asked, “Who gave birth to you?” The man said, “You gave.”

God further asked, “Who gives the rain?”  The main said, “You give.” 

“Who gives the mango seed?  Man said, “God, you only give.” 

“Who keeps the potency in the mango seed to germinate and grow and become a big mango tree? The man meekly said, “You only, God.”

Then God finally asked, “So, what are you doing?”

If we observe, we will find that we do only 5% of the work and 95% work is done by God. So, if one understands the significant role of God in our life and our insignificant position then it is very helpful in understanding that we are not the doer, but God is the doer.

For example, I sow the seed, God gives the rain. I give the interview for a job and the interview panel selects me. I write the exams, and the examiner gives me the marks. So, we are not independent, and everything is not in our hand.

Five factors determine outcome of any action

In Bhagavad Gita, it is explained that there are five factors which decides the outcome of any action.

“O mighty-armed Arjuna, according to the Vedānta there are five causes for the accomplishment of all action. Now learn of these from Me. The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the many different kinds of endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul – these are the five factors of action.” Bhagavad Gita 18.13-14

We play a small role in the outcome, so we should not take credit for what we achieve.

Arjuna asks about the yoga process by adopting which we become cleansed by performing work because work cause bondage. Krishna says to Arjuna to do work without getting attached to the result and understanding that he is not the doer.

Work without taking credit of the result

Work produces results and results cause contamination of our mind.

We start thinking, “I am the doer, without me this work cannot be done. Nobody else would have been able to do it. I am the first one to start doing it and if I take off my hand everything will fall apart.”

Such thoughts arise because of false ego. And such mindset binds us in this world.

We should always work without the desire to take credit for the results. If we do so, then we will not be bound by work in this world and our heart too will get cleansed.

Many great souls like Janaka Maharaj have acted in this way.

We should always contemplate that my brain is given by God, my senses are given by God, how to process the knowledge is also given by God.  I came with empty hands, and I will go with empty hands, in between I’m doing something which is like building a sandcastle near a seashore.

So, I should not be proud of doing something in this world and neither take credit for the outcome of our action.

In this mood we should do our work in this world. This is what Krishna teaches to Arjuna, “Perform work without getting attached to the result.”

Reference: This article is based on an answer given by HG Radheshyam Prabhu to a question at the end of Srimad Bhagavatam Class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on June 5,2025. Srimad Bhagavatam class on that day was given by HG Nimai Anand Prabhu, HG Radheshyam Prabhu was visiting Kolkata, and he came towards the end of the class and prabhuji answered  a question at the request of HG Nimai Anand Prabhu

Three Reflections

• If we observe, we will find that we do only 5% of the work and 95% work is done by God.
• Krishna says to Arjuna to do work without getting attached to the result and understanding that he is not the doer.
• If we work without the desire to take credit for the results, then we will not be bound by work in this world and our heart too will get cleansed.

Ask Yourself

• Do I sideline God and take credit for the result for the work I do?

Action Item

• Immediately thank the Lord when you get a result for the action you performed and offer that result at the lotus feet of Krishna.

Three necessary shelters for devotees – nama brahma, daru brahma & shabda brahma

Supreme Lord appears in all the four yugas. In Satya Yuga, in the north he appears as Badrinath, in Treta Yuga in south as Ramnath i.e. Lord Rama, in Dwapar Yuga in the west as Dwarkanath and in Kali yuga in the east, the Supreme Lord appears as Lord Jagannath.

Those who are born in the eastern part of India like Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and northeastern states are very fortunate because they are closer to Lord Jagannath.

Not just that even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears in Bengal. And our founder acharya, Srila Prabhupada is also from Kolkata, Bengal. Our vaisnava songs are in Bengali, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is in Bengali. So, we can understand that Lord is very merciful to the people of West Bengal.

From here the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread all over the world. Krishna who appears in Vrindavan also appears in Mayapur as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His purpose is to enlighten the suffering souls who is struggling hard because of ignorance.

Forgetting his real identity the souls covered in the material body tries to enjoy in this world little realizing that the more he tries to enjoy the more he will be subjected to suffering.

So, the Supreme Lord comes to tell us to give up the false hope of happily living here. But instead break free from the material bondage and take complete shelter of Lord Krishna. 

Echoing the sentiments of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, his ardent follower and a great vaisnava saint, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “bolo krishna bhajo krishna koro krishna-sikha.” The revered saint is asking us to be fully absorbed in serving Krishna.

nama brahma, daru brahma & shabda brahma

Bolo Krishna means “nama brahma” i.e. chanting the names of Krishna. Bhajo Krishna means “daru brahma” i.e. worshipping Lord Jagannath. Koro Krishna siksha means “shabda brahma” i.e. teaching Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon, taught us how to do it.  The sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada are constantly engaged in these activities.

Regarding śabda-brahma, Srila Prabhupada says, “…the real essence of śabda-brahma is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. By vibrating this transcendental sound, the meaning of everything, both material and spiritual, is revealed.” Śrimad Bhagavatam  4.24.40

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed many pastimes to educate us how to take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma.

He constantly chanted the names of Krishna, preached people to dedicate their life to Krishna and by his personal example showed how to be engaged in the worship of the Lord especially Lord Jagannath. These wonderful pastimes of Mahaprabhu are given in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is described how Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to participate in Rath Yatra festival, how he used to perform sankirtan in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath and how he used to visit the temple of Lord Jagananth daily to take his darshan.  Mahaprabhu used to see Jagannath as Radha Shyamsundar.

While taking darshan of Lord Jagannath, he would recite the verses of Jagannathastakam.

kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah
rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

“Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotus like faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesa worship His lotus feet. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.”

If we remain under the shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma as taught by Mahaprabhu, we will always be protected by the Lord.

(Reference: Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Bhakti Vijay Bhagvat Swami Maharaj, June 23, 2025, Iskcon Newtown Kolkata)

Three Reflections

• In Satya Yuga, Lord appears as Badrinath, in Treta Yuga as Ramnath (Lord Rama), in Dwapar Yuga as Dwarkanath and in Kali yuga as Jagannath.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us always take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma.
• Nama brahma means the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, daru brahma means Lord Jagannath and shabda brahma means Lord Jagannath.

Ask Yourself

• Do I regularly take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma?

Action Item

• Daily chant the names of Krishna, worship Jagannath or Krishna or Mahaprabhu and read Srimad Bhagavatam.

Atheists fail to understand why people want to connect to God

Do we ever visit a doctor whose treatment has repeatedly failed to cure our disease?  We may go to his clinic once, twice, thrice or at the most a dozen times but the moment we get convinced that his treatment is not effective then we start looking for a new doctor.

Numerous recommendations and his several degrees do not attract us anymore. And if we find that there are people who have been wary of the doctor’s credentials then within no time, we dump him.

So, when a certain section of the society – the atheists and persons sympathizing with them – ridicule the spiritualists then we should ask that despite severe criticism why do people’s faith in God is still intact. Why people want to connect to God?

Unless and until the “lovers of God” may not be getting some higher taste they would have given up practicing devotional life after trying for some time.  Atheists call the spiritualists illogical, superstitious and sentimental. But in spite of several negative campaigns to belittle the “lovers of God”, people’s unfathomable love for God has not diminished.

This is why we see hundreds and thousands of people flocking to Jagannath Puri to participate in the Rath Yatra festival. During Kumbh Mela in Allahabad millions congregate to take holy dip. During Janmashtami people fast till midnight eagerly awaiting the appearance of Krishna. And daily people all over the world chant the names of God like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

The imperishable spiritual wealth

One may ask what a person gains by taking a dip in sangam, he could have taken bath in his house also? Or what is the use of pulling the ropes of the chariot during Rath Yatra? Or why torture ourselves by fasting till midnight during Janmashtami?

Materialists like the atheists tend to judge any activity based on material gain or loss. For example, if people invest money in mutual funds, then expectation is that return will be more than the investment. Similar sort of material profit people expects in spiritual investments too.

By participating in Rath Yatra, by celebrating Janmashtami or by chanting the names of Krishna one may not be able to accumulate material wealth.

But it helps one to amass spiritual wealth, which is much more valuable and also imperishable.

The inner bliss, the deep satisfaction and the everlasting peace a spiritual seeker experiences by participating in spiritual activities is inexplicable.

It cannot be explained scientifically or logically.  For example, can a mother’s love for her child be explained scientifically or logically? Certainly not.

Similarly, the joy a spiritual seeker experiences when he connects with God cannot be explained in words, it cannot be measured materially.

People still love God despite several efforts by atheists to discourage them is because people do feel the presence of God. And they also see that how God personally intervenes in their life and help them. This is why people want to connect to God.

Three Reflections

• Unless and until the “lovers of God” may not be getting some higher taste they would have given up practicing devotional life after trying for some time.  
• By participating in Rath Yatra, by celebrating Janmashtami or by chanting the names of Krishna one amasses spiritual wealth, which is much more valuable and also imperishable.
• The joy a spiritual seeker experiences when he connects with God cannot be measured materially.

Ask Yourself

• Are the views of the atheists disturbing me?

Action Item

• Immediately speak to a senior devotee and discuss with him/her the atheist’s viewpoint which is disturbing you.

Ever increasing faith in Krishna

As soon as one begins practicing devotion to Krishna, his faith starts increasing in Krishna every day.  He starts experiencing presence of Krishna in his life. Sometimes he does not get what he wants to get, and he becomes angry with Krishna.

Sometimes he gets what he wants to get, and he is happy with Krishna. But slowly it dawns upon him that Krishna is already giving him what he wants in his life. And most of the times the Lord gives him more than what he needs.

In Bhagavad Gita, the Supreme Lord says, “But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.” Bhagavad Gita 9.22

Gradually, a devotee begins realizing that beyond providing all material necessities, Krishna is giving him what no one has ever given him and i.e. joy and satisfaction.  Krishna’s sincere devotee begins understanding the futility of material hankerings. Power, post and position does not excite him anymore. He stops madly running after sense gratification.

A devotee is even able to give up the desire to enjoy with opposite sex which is extremely difficult to give up. It’s an abominable desire and it does not give any happiness too. Hogs and dogs enjoy it uninterruptedly and if it is so pleasurable then why not dogs and hogs start jumping in joy after the act.

Scriptures again and again caution us against giving into lust because it opens the floodgates of misery.

By constantly chanting the names of Krishna, reading Srimad Bhagavatam daily, visiting temples regularly, taking charanamrtia of the Lord, taking association of devotees especially senior devotees, the heart and mind gets purified of all lusty and abominable desires.

Slowly the things of this world stop distracting sincerely practitioners. Instead, he gets attracted towards the activities of the spiritual world. The pastimes of Krishna enchants his heart, serving the deities in the temple gives him great joy. Whatever time he has he uses it in the service of Krishna. By doing so every moment he relishes his Krishna Conscious life.

As heart gets cleanses of impurities, he completely loses faith in the false promises of the material world. Instead, he develops unshakable faith in Krishna and Krishna’s words. A devotee sees that if he lives a life centred around Krishna then Krishna personally takes charge of his life.

Loving Krishna unconditionally

As love of Krishna begins fructifying in the heart, a devotee stops demanding anything /from Krishna but starts contemplating how to always serve Krishna. Day by day, his faith in Krishna keeps on increasing. Now, his love for Krishna is not dependent on what he is getting or what he is not getting. Having complete faith in Krishna, he loves him unconditionally.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “marobi rakhobi—jo iccha tohara/nitya-dasa prati tuwa adhikara” – Slay me or protect me as You wish, for You are the master of Your eternal servant.

Three Reflections

• Slowly it dawns upon a devotee that Krishna is already giving him what he wants in his life. And most of the times the Lord gives him more than what he needs.
• Scriptures again and again caution us against giving into lust because it opens the floodgates of misery.
• As heart gets cleanses of impurities, a devotee completely loses faith in the false promises of the material world. Instead, he develops unshakable faith in Krishna and Krishna’s words.

Ask Yourself

• Is Krishna not giving me what I need to live in this material world?

Action Item

• List down the things you need to live in this world and check if Krishna has provided you these things after you began practicing devotion to Krishna sincerely or not.

Facing criticism for becoming a devotee of Krishna

If someone is criticizing you for becoming a devotee of Krishna then do not worry, you are not alone.  Many sincere devotees have faced this problem or are facing this problem.

There will always be someone who will discourage us when we will want to become serious in our devotion to Krishna. But now we know that Krishna is our best well-wishing friend. He is the only one who can give great joy to our heart. And he is the only one who can relive us from all the sufferings and save us from all the dangers.

We have tried so many things in our life to satisfy our heart and to free our mind from fear and anxiety, but nothing worked. But when we began practicing devotion to Krishna especially chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, we started experiencing what we had always been longing for – never ending satisfaction and happiness.

Chanting is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s wonderful gift to us.

Benefits of Chanting

Chanting the names of Krishna:

• Purifies our heart of all the impurities.
• Burns our past sins which is the root cause of our sufferings.
• Helps us to connect to Krishna.

Lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion and false ego are the impurities which keeps us away from Krishna and constantly troubles us. The sins which we committed in past – either in this life or previous life – are the reasons that we go through different sufferings in this world.

And there is no material means which can purify our heart of these impurities or give us relief from sinful reactions.

But Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is none other than Krishna says that chanting is so potent that it cleanses our heart of all impurities and relives us from all the sins. As chanting begins purifying our heart, we start relishing the names of Krishna which now appears as nectar.

“Glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.” Sri Siksastakam, Text 1

Once we develop taste for chanting, nothing of this world distracts us anymore. This is the reason that devotees like Haridas Thakura would chant 192 rounds daily because he experienced great joy in chanting.

Criticism does not bother a sincere devotee

And this is the reason that we too do not want to give up chanting because we know that a day will come when we too will begin relishing Krishna holy names.

When that happens, we will attain freedom from material bondage, forever we will never again have to suffer. And by the grace of Krishna, one day we will attain love of Krishna too.

Such a blissful future is knocking at our door, so why we will give up devotion to Krishna, why we will stop chanting the names of Krishna. And why we will be bothered about someone who is criticizing us for becoming a devotee of Krishna.

We should take a vow to not again get distracted by the false promises of this temporary world. And we should do our best to always remain connected to Krishna by never giving up chanting the names of Krishna i.e. the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Three Reflections

• We should not be bothered about someone who is criticizing us for becoming a devotee of Krishna.
• Chanting is so potent that it cleanses our heart of all impurities and relives us from all the sins.
• Once we develop taste for chanting the names of Krishna, we will attain freedom from material bondage and forever we will never again have to suffer.

Ask Yourself

• Is someone criticising you when you are chanting the names of Krishna?

Action Item

• Develop friendship with a devotee who encourages you to chant the names of Krishna.