What is Krishna and what is Maya?

[Guest guest]

My Dear Spiritual Nephew Vraja Kumara das,

 

Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada your dear

sspiritual grandfather and the inspiration and guiding light for this modern

world. Thankyou for your letter which I have read carefully. My comments

are given below.

 

> Dear Jaya Pataka Maharaja,

> Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

>

> When we begin our spiritual lives, we can appreciate that Krishna is

> actually doing everything and we are like specks of dust being blown

> about.

>

> But, when events occur in our lives that change our paths, how do we

> distinguish between what Krishna is arranging and what is Maya?

>

> For example, some circumstances may occur that seem spiritually

> favourable, and in line with our desires; we may then accept this as

> 'Krishna's arrangement,' 'good karma' and/or the results of devotional

> service performed. However later, other events may occur which make

> maintaining such situations very difficult, and we may become bewildered.

> How would we know what is best to do, to follow the course of events or to

> fight to maintain, being too conditioned to determine what is actually

> what?

>

> Please could you answer me personally as I am not actually a member of

> this conference.

>

> Your servant,

> Vraja-kumara das

 

This conference is open for anyone to ask Krishna conscious questions.

 

We tend to accept what is, as you said: "in line with our desires" as

favorable or "Krishna's arrangement", and other things we don't see so

favorable. Ultimately Lord Sri Krishna has to agree for anything to happen.

So even if we are tested by maya we have to take it that Lord Sri Krishna

has allowed it to happen. We should under the circumstances act according

to Sastra, Guru and Sadhu instructions and references in the most Krishna

conscious manner. If we always try to act in a way pleasing to Guru & Krsna

according to Sastra, Guru & Sastra then we will be protected.

 

At the time of death we may be subjected to many tests and difficulties,

therefore facing difficulties during life which allow us to surrender to

Lord Sri Krishna under those circumstances make us stronger and prepare us

for the "ultimate test". Even if we fail a test it helps us to learn our

weak points and to give us a warning to get stronger so in the future we

won't fail a similar test.

 

Srila Prabhupada also said that sometimes Maya is suggesting something to us

and sometimes Lord Sri Krishna is suggesting. We have to learn to

distinguish between what Maya suggests to us and what Lord Sri Krishna

suggests. In Krishna consciousness we should reject Maya's suggestions and

accept Lord Sri Krishna's suggestions. Lord Sri Krishna is consistent so we

can understand what Lord Sri Krishna would normally say from sastra

(scripture). In case we are not sure we can test it with the instructions

of the Spiritual Master and the examples of what exemplary great devotees

(mahajanas) did under similar situations in their lives.

 

I hope this helped. sorry for the delay in replying.

 

Your well wisher always,

 

 

 

Jayapataka Swami

 

 

Note: For more information kindly check out the following web sites:

 

For audio recordings of my lectures: www.hearjps.com

 

For information on my travels, help from my office and other details:

www.jpsoffice.com

 

For vyasa puja and other information: www.victoryflag.com

 

For asking Krishna conscious philosophical questions which are of a general

nature you can write to <Answers.to.KC.Questions (AT) pamho (DOT) net>.