By Kesava Krsna Dasa
Sometimes devotees think that by working hard for Krishna, on the order of the spiritual master, even if there is some neglect of personal sadhana, hearing and chanting, success in spiritual life is assured come what may. Is this empty optimism? Or does the order of the spiritual master supersede all other considerations?
It is tempting to assure oneself that being engaged in all nine angas of Bhakti to lesser or greater degrees trying to please the guru, the assiduous, intense performance of service can counter and make up the deficit of personal neglect. ‘I am being engaged so much, in fact, I have little time to complete my rounds. But Krishna is merciful. He understands my situation.’
The ‘work now, samadhi later’ ethic can be misunderstood. If working hard now in genuine practical service, furthering the cause of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is pleasing to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, then surely the merciful Lord will overlook these shortfalls ‘ or will He? There were times when the merciful Srila Prabhupada was aware of these problems with some of his GBC men.
After all, by continuous engagement in devotional service, we are assured thus: ‘Therefore, one has to work in Krishna consciousness to satisfy Krishna or Vishnu; and while performing such activities one is in a liberated stage.’ (BG 5.1 purport) Are things really as simple as this? Or is the ‘satisfaction’ of Krishna or Vishnu the real criterion?
By ceaseless exertion, and toiling with blood, sweat and tears, there is no doubt it will be pleasing. But if the guru enquires, as he does with certain disciples, ‘How are your rounds going?’ and is met with an admission of neglect, it will add bitterness to an otherwise sweet return. Do pleasing hard work and disregard of promises made at initiation time go well together?
If the basic vows, especially the chanting of rounds falter, and the sadhana slackens, in spite of being a super-active hard worker, it is indicative of a deficiency in ideal consciousness. Far from being ‘liberated,’ if when the time comes for samadhi, one will not have the slightest taste for it anyway, making it an elusive retirement hole in the ground.
If this trend continues for years up to old age, the grounded consciousness will cause the statement ‘work now, samadhi later’ to become ‘neglectful work now, struggle with samadhi if it ever comes.’ Attaining the level of samadhi is no light matter. ‘Samadhi means ‘fixed mind.” (BG 2. 44 purport) Srila Prabhupada does not mean nistha here either. ‘When the mind is fixed for understanding the self, it is said to be samadhi.’ (BG 2. 44 purport)
Such an understanding surpasses the usual knowledge related to sadhana Bhakti. ‘The highest perfection of self-realization is to understand that one is eternally the servitor of Krishna’.’ (BG 2. 53 purport) To be clearer, Srila Prabhupada is referring to a natural or spontaneous level of devotion; ‘In Krishna consciousness, one comes directly into communion with Krishna, and thus all directions from Krishna may be understood in that transcendental state.’ (BG 2. 53 purport)
If true samadhi is so natural and high by most expectations, then the ‘work now, samadhi later’ command has profound implications if understood properly. Working now really means that while doing active physical service, we simultaneously work to increase the quality of chanting and hearing to the point they cease to be chores. When our chanting and hearing becomes a natural exciting relish, this should stand us in good stead for samadhi.
If however, after years of neglect doing pleasing great service, the time for samadhi may never arrive at all. One will have to struggle to attain nistha and ruci at least, as if by force, which would render the whole exercise a troublesome one. It will be like a neophyte or a mystic yogi trying to get somewhere: ‘The concentration of the mystic is mechanical, whereas that of the pure devotee is natural and spontaneous.'(SB 1.9.39 purport)
While a lot can be said about the immense devotee-power and never-ending hours required keeping Iskcon going, it would be a worthwhile effort to realize that the ‘samadhi later’ goal should not be impeded. Indeed it began ‘yesterday’ and is an ongoing quest to apply the saying ‘the end justifies the means.’ Only samadhi can be a true end to a life of sensible work.
Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa ‘ GRS.
Is it better to chant Hare Krishna for two joyful and sincere rounds a day, than sixteen rounds of mindless obligation?
Are you a sincere dovotee or a bragging rights devotee?
Devak Ananda’s question sounds odd to me. If the guru orders 16, and I chant only 2, how can they be “sincere”? I am already committing the third offense.
Once I heard a devotee at Berkeley ask Harivilas Prabhu, “I always chant my 16 rounds, but my rounds are so offensive, it takes me all day to chant, I am distracted and paying attention to other things when I chant, wouldn’t it be better not to chant at all than to chant such offensive rounds?”
Harivilasa answered very confidently that breaking the vow to chant 16 rounds would be a bigger offense. If we stick to 16 rounds no matter what, eventually we will make whatever adjustment is necessary to do them nicely and joyfully. In the mean time, we may get little tangible benefit, but at least we are keeping our pact with the disciplic succession.
The devotee who asked the question was truly concerned, and her question was sincere. The answer she got sounded authoritative to me.
Of course, we should all be sincere devotees and not “bragging rights” devotees. But if we were really sincere we would keep true to our vow of 16 rounds, wouldn’t we? How could we come up with some new philosophy that discourages people from following the “doctor’s orders”?
The thrust of Kesava Krishna’s article is very good. Sometimes if devotees told Srila Prabhupada they were too busy to chant 16 rounds, he would say (or so I have heard), “sleep less”. :-)
Srila Prabhupada was heavy. As a practical matter, the point was that nothing is as important as chanting our rounds. There were only a very few devotees (the only one I know of was the legendary elderly cook in Vrndavana) whom Srila Prabhupada sanctioned to chant less than 16 rounds.
To be fair to Devak Anand, I am sure for some devotees the best advice is simply to do the best you can and try to gradually increase. They should not be so discouraged that we drive them away. But after all, sitting and chanting is a lot nicer than breaking your back at some difficult labor. We need to see that: what better way is there to spend those precious morning hours than to sit still and chant japa?
It is really great mercy that we can justly insist on being permitted at least 2 hours a day in which we do not have to do anything else but chant japa. It is only the “jaundice of ignorance” that makes it seem unpalatable to us, and it is the prescribed medicine to cure that jaundice.
I would say that it’s good to sincerely chant two rounds a day and this will naturally lead to sixteen rounds a day. Sometimes it will be chanted in desperation, sometimes out of duty, sometimes with feeling, sometimes with despair that there is no feeling.
Whatever the situation, it should be done, just as you have to look after a child whether you feel like it or not. When guru implants the seed of bhakti in the heart, it must be watered.
Some interesting references on this subject. This first one strongly supports that no matter how poor our chanting is, we should never stop chanting:
“Krsna, His name, His fame, His attributes, His activities… Sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved… Namadi means “beginning from the holy name.” So not possible… So if we keep ourself on the material platform, then for thousand years we may chant, it will be difficult. That is called namaparadha. Of course, holy name is so powerful that even by chanting with offense, gradually he becomes pure. Therefore we should not give up chanting. Any circumstances, we should go on chanting Hare Krsna. But the warning is that if we keep us on the material platform, then it will be not possible to understand Krsna, His holy name, His attribute, His form, His activities. It will not be possible” SB Lectures 6.1.15
This second reference clearly outlines that once a vow is made, we should do all we can to adhere to it. The inference is that better to make a lesser vow that we can honour as opposed to greater vow that we cannot maintain:
“In the Naradiya Purana it is directed, “One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service.” The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. For example, it may be said that one should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least one hundred thousand times daily on his beads. But if this is not possible, then one must minimize his chanting according to his own capacity. Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life” NoD 7
This third reference suggests that there are always going to be exceptions and that we shouldn’t rush to judgement:
“Srila Prabhupada,” he said. “Syamasundara is the GBC and he’s making all these decisions. I want to accept his authority, but I had to come to you because he is not chanting his rounds. I know this for a fact. He doesn’t chant any rounds. Also, many of the devotees in the temple find it difficult to follow his authority. I wanted to know how we should handle this.”
Srila Prabhupada was silent for a moment and then replied, “Syamasundara, he is very busy. Arjuna, when he was fighting the battle of Kuruksetra, he did not chant his 16 rounds. When you are fighting a battle, where is the time to chant your rounds? So, perhaps Syamasundara is too busy. Anyway, you should see it like that. As long as he is in charge, you should follow, and encourage him to chant if he is not chanting.” SPU 49 – Srutakirti dasa
I regard to this topic I always take these two things into account:
1) “…nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform.”
2) The tenth offense: “…to maintain material attachment even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
So devotional service should be practiced in a way that is neither too much nor too little. Too much and you get fried. Too little and it’s offensive. But of course, when a person have made a vow before the spiritual master and Deities then it’s offensive to just set a new standard for one self. If one wants to change his/her standard so it deviates from the ones vows to the guru and Deities then maybe one shouldn’t have been initiated in the first place. Better to stay uninitiated and work ones way up until one feels sure he/she can keep the vows. Just a few thoughts.
Ys, Ajita Krishna Dasa
The article is cent percent genuine hearted & highly appreciated for its “behind the scene” analysis of the consciousness of mind. As Srila Prabupada always said that life should observed as if performing in the Nine Processes of Devotion. Hence be it any kind of work, it should be done in the Consciousness of work for Lord Krsna, only then can all sorts of devotional activities be enjoyed by our soul. Be it our personal work or work by the order of our Guru, it should always be done in spirit of Devotion & Love to Krsna, the consciousness should be non different & the mind must be trained to enjoy the activity with Krsna in mind.
It should not be people in ignorance say “work is worship”. Our work, worship & chanting is at the same spiritual level if it is done in pure Consciousness, If we do the work of Guru as a physical activity of the body & chanting as spiritual activity, then its not that harmonious situation for the mind.
All work in pure devotion will yeild the sweet mellow of Krsna Prema & the devotee shall always look for opportunity for doing the devotional work. So if work in devotion is so pleasurable than why not chanting? Either the convictions regarding for chanting is weak or the knowledge of soul & material is weak, only then can one lose interest in chanting.
Always remember, chanting is not an work, its pure Love. Just as one calls his kins on the telephone when one is situated away from his home to express his concern & affection of those at home, Similarly, chanting is a direct call the the Supreme ! You are in direct contact & association with God. I think there is no other sure shot way to do this, so the question of completing the rounds, or how many rounds or what kind of rounds is not a good sign of weak convictions & obstacles in spiritual understanding & self realization.
Chanting is the life & soul of Devotional life, faltering on this is serious defect in the process of Devotion one is following and one should analyze for corrective changes is ones activities to get the “desperate-need-to-chant” feeling. Ofcourse, it can happen only after a sincere effort of practising. Sixteen rounds is the minimum & discounted rounds that
Srila Prabhupada has mentioned. So its no good for your own Bhakti & to the honour of vow of the Spiritual Master to act in negligence for chanting.
Hari bol,
Hari Nam Sankirtan Ki Jaya,
A cautionary note should be sounded about the ‘exceptions’ mentioned by Praghosa prabhu in his comment. The mention of an exception being made for HG Syamasundra prabhu can very well be taken as a ruse for thinking along the lines of “If Srila Prabhupada understood his situation, why should he not understand mine too, who am also faltering with my rounds and so on.”
There were other occasions when Srila Prabhupada seemingly gave exemption so to speak to some individuals, which differed somewhat from the normal rule affecting the rest of us. These exceptions should be understood to apply to those individuals alone – being specific, not general rules. This special perogative carries the guru’s blessings.
Nearly all of us are open to get the mercy by the rule as opposed to the exception.
I thought I’d just highlight this because it can quite easily be misunderstood.
Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa.
Hari Bol,
PAMHO. AGTSP.
If we are doing some service in temple, we can still engage ourselves in bhakti.
ShravaNam, Kirtanam. ShravaNam is also important and we can listen to MahaMantra bhajan if we are doing some work like washing pots.
when i wash pots or cut vegetables in a temple or my home, i have cd player playing bhajan and i sing Mahamantra along with bhajan.
if somebody is doing accounting or word processing service for a temple, they can play mp3 bhajans in the background. our subconscious mind will be listening. IMHO, this will help in our moment of death.
we can try to find ways to engage ourselves in KruShNa-bhakti all our waking hours.
Hare KruShNA
your servant
aspiring vaishnav