why do bad things happen?

[Guest guest]

Within the last month I have turned 90% of my life over to Krsna. I

chant 16 rounds follow the regulations, offer preparations on an altar

in my apartment, go out on Hare Nama etc...

I read the Srimad Bhagavatam every day. Unfortunately, material

difficulties are arising. My body has gotten sick for the first time

in a year. I am experiencing financial difficulties. Even some

attempts to distribute prasadam have not been successful. What is

going on?

[Guest guest]

Dear Ray,

 

It is the service of Maya-devi to keep the insincere

living entity from getting too close and causing

disturbance to the Lord. The material nature will

continue to act even after we have begun the process

of surrender. It never stops. The material world is

not a comfortable place. No matter how much immediate

comfort,or discomfort, we may have in this world, it

is always temporary.

 

I found this quote in the Vedabase to show you that

Maya even tests very advanced devotees.

 

"When Haridäsa Thäkura was a young devotee of the

Lord, he was similarly allured by the incarnation of

Mäyä-devi, but Haridäsa easily passed the test because

of his unalloyed devotion to Lord Krnsa."

 

This is from the Caitanya Caritamrta.

 

Haridas Thakura is setting the perfect example of how

we should respond to all of the distractions that

Maya-devi puts before us. Whatever increased material

problems or pleasrues are happening to you, should be

seen by you (or any devotee) as a test of your

deterimination to continue on your devotional path.

 

YS

JayaLalita dd

 

 

vanca-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindubhya eva ca

patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namaha