Questions & Answers on Krishna-Bhakti .

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His Grace Sankarshan Das Adhikari's Answers .

Question – 1

Why some people are preaching about Krishna , voluntarily ?. God is available to everyone . So, what is the need of preaching ?.

Answer

Krishna- devotee is concerned to enlighten people in general by teaching them to engage in the devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna . This is his kindness . The Devotee knows that those who do not take to devotional will remain suffering due to `Maya' (illusion) . Therefore, he , preaches, "Become Krishna-Devotee . Do not remain asleep in the clutches of `Maya' or illusion . Human life is meant for God-realization." This is the mission of a Krishna-devotee. He wants to save everyone from their suffering condition. He is not content to merely be saved himself. No. He wants to save all others .

While engaged in spreading Krishna-bhakti , he faces many opposing elements . Therefore he has to be very tolerant . Sometimes he is very much mistreated, because the conditioned souls are generally not prepared to receive spiritual knowledge. In fact, they can't stand it . This is their diseased condition . The Devotee accepts the thankless task of trying to awaken them and sometimes must face even violence for his humble effort to do the highest good for all others . Jesus Christ was crucified and Haridas Thakur was severely beaten in twenty-two marketplaces because they tried to awaken the dormant love of God in the hearts of the conditioned souls . Because the devotee so selflessly executes the mission of Lord Sri Krishna by trying to spread Krishna-bhakti all over the world, he is very, very dear to Lord . If we can follow in the advices of such Krishna-Devotees our perfection will be assured . Question – 2

Is Okay to Enjoy the Good Things in Life ?...

In the last couple of days, Krishna has drawn me more closer to Him and He is showering His merciful blessings on me so that I am trying to realize the purpose of this birth and am trying to awaken the dormant Krishna-bhakti in me .

Last couple of days, I have been completely absorbed in thinking about Krishna, listening to Krishna kirtans , reading Bhagavad-Gita , apart from my professional work time. Last two days even after returning home, I have not seen TV neither have I listened to radio. I perform `arati' in my puja room and then again immerse myself in reading Bhagavad-Gita .

Today a thought aroused in me while I was reading the Bhagavad-Gita . There are so many good things in this world like good soul-stirring music, good and informative television programs and other magazines, good scenic sights, good vegetarian food etc . Is it that I should not even enjoy these good things and refrain from everything and direct all our energies towards Krishna or is it that I should be away from evil deeds and be a good devotee of Krishna ?

If I am not supposed to do anything else except always be thinking and praying to Krishna, why has Krishna created so many things for the living entity to experience and enjoy ? Why has Krishna allowed me to go away from Him and not made me on the right path, the path of Krishna-bhakti always ? Why has Krishna placed me at a certain economic level so that I have to work and not focus 24 hours on Krishna ? I have read in the Bhagavad-Gita that Krishna wants all His living entities to make devotion to Him and that He is very much pleased if a devotee pleases His senses rather than one's own senses . If this being the case why is Krishna testing the living entities ? Why can't He make us please Him directly ? He is the most merciful, ever attractive, all opulent and controller of all senses .

Why am I being tested? For what reason ?

Please guide me and bring me out of the darkness in to the light of Krishna-bhakti . Vishal Answer

We Have to Know What Are the Actual Good Things in Life...

Sri Krishna allows this material world to exist for those who want to try to enjoy separately from Him . Because you stubbornly wanted to go away from Krishna He allowed you to do so . Krishna can make us do anything by force except for one thing: love Him . Love by its very nature must be voluntary. It cannot be forced. His mercy is that He gives you the free choice to love Him or leave Him. This is the only way that real love can exist . Now you must utilize your free will properly .

There are no good things in life outside of Krishna-bhakti . They may appear to be good, but in fact they are all bad . How can I make such a heavy sweeping statement ? The reason is that although many things give us a temporary sense of pleasure they keep us entangled in miseries . The actual good things in life are those things which get us the pure love of Sri Krishna our best and all-powerful well-wisher .

Whatever level we are at economically is what we have earned by our past `karma'. If we analyze our ` karmic ' situation philosophically this will give us great impetus for being free from `karma' by taking complete shelter at Sri Krishna's lotus feet . Therefore you should engage yourself in pure Krishna- bhakti . If so, Lord Krishna will take care of all your necessities .

If you want to graduate from the university, you must be tested . If you want to graduate as Krishna's beloved Devotee, you must be tested. If you take-up Krishna-bhakti seriously, you will easily pass all tests . Sankarshan Das Adhikari