Are sports gambling?

PAMHO
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Dear devotees of the Lord, I was wondering: are some sports gambling?
Exercise is very good for health and even entertaining, but I do not mean any exercise, I mean those sports where teams compete (sometimes aggressively) for a prize, you can get hurt and are given to winning or losing.

I love doing excercise, like yoga, running and flexions.
They could mention me some things devotees should not do and those that can?


In the hare krishna center of Mexico City, the devotees gave me a tulsi japa and mala kanti, and I do not want to break the 4 regulatory principles.

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Replies

  • E-Counselor

    Hare Krsna Prabhuji,

    PAMHO.

    Unfortunately life is designed to not give what we think we 'need'. I came to this forum to serve, not to make relations.

    Therefore I would humbly remain your servant.

    I mentioned that article to you because of whatever views you have aired on this forum. I have often how many hours a woman lasts in your life, with your attitude. I am Indian, born and brought up in India, married to an Indian, but still I am treated much better than what you sound.

    Anyways, each to his own.

    Haribol,

    Your servant,

    Rashmi

  • E-Counselor

    Hare Krsna Dean Prabhu,

    PAMHO.

    I was thinking of you just 5 min ago and then I saw a message from you. Pls go to Blog section in IDT and read an article by HG Mahatma Das on "Husband as Guru". You have radical views on the subject, I know. Was reading that article and thought it would be nice if you also read it.

    Haribol,

    Your servant,

    Rashmi

  • E-Counselor

    Hare Krsna Mario Prabhu,

    PAMHO.

    Playing sports is not breaking the four regulative principles. As alraedy explained, if the sport involves money and results are pre determined, then it is gambling, otherwise normal sports are not gambling.

    Regarding playing competitive sports, it is not gambling and does not break the four regulative principles, but it does take away a lot of time and energy. It depends on the individual, if after spending so much time and energy, the individual is still able to do his prescribed duty (in your case, study) and his sadhana, then he may indulge, though it is not recommended. If you have more time in your hands, better to increase sadhana, isnt it.

    Suppose you are chosen as part of the school team for a particular sport and being part of the team helps you get into whatever field of studies is your choice, I am inclined to think that you may, keeping your sadhana intact. YOu are still young and it would not be proper to be too strict with yourself. YOu may want to have friends or be accepted in your peer group, therefore playing a harmless sport  may not be that bad.

    As already explained, yoga and pranayam are ok. I have heard from Srila Prabhupada devotees that he encouraged his devotees to swim in the ocean also and there are pastimes of Srila Prabhupada swimming/bathing with his devotees in Yamuna river.

    So you may choose which sport you would like to be a part of.

    I hope I have explained and not confused you.

    Haribol,

    Your servant,

    Rashmi

  • Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī  —  a person who is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot embrace materialistic life again and that one who has embraced materialistic life cannot take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness at any stage of his existence. Although accepting both these statements, Śukadeva Gosvāmī qualified them by saying that a person who has once absorbed his mind in the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead may sometimes be influenced by impediments, but he still does not give up his exalted devotional position.

    The devotional path is so auspicious that a devotee cannot be lost under any circumstances. This is described in the Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā by the Lord Himself. pārtha naiveha nāmutra vināśas tasya vidyate: "My dear Arjuna, for a devotee there is no question of being lost, either in this life or in the next." (Bg. 6.40) In Bhagavad-gītā (6.43) the Lord clearly explains how this is so.
    tatra taḿ buddhi-saḿyogaḿ
    labhate paurva-dehikam
    yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ
    saḿsiddhau kuru-nandana
    By the order of the Lord, a perfect devotee sometimes comes to this material world like an ordinary human being. Because of his previous practice, such a perfect devotee naturally becomes attached to devotional service, apparently without cause. Despite all kinds of impediments due to surrounding circumstances, he automatically perseveres in devotional service and gradually advances until he once again becomes perfect. Bilvamańgala Ṭhākura had been an advanced devotee in his previous life, but in his next life he became greatly fallen and was attached to a prostitute. Suddenly, however, his entire behavior was changed by the words of the very prostitute who had so much attracted him, and he became a great devotee. In the lives of exalted devotees, there are many such instances, proving that once one has taken to the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, he cannot be lost (kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati).
    The fact is, however, that one becomes a devotee when he is completely freed from all reactions to sinful life. As Kṛṣṇa states in Bhagavad-gītā (7.28):

    "Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of illusion, engage themselves in My service with determination." On the other hand, as Prahlāda Mahārāja said:
    matir na kṛṣṇe parataḥ svato vā
    mitho 'bhipadyeta gṛha-vratānām
    A person who is too attached to materialistic family life — home, family, wife, children and so on — cannot develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
    These apparent contradictions are resolved in the life of a devotee by the grace of the Supreme Lord, and therefore a devotee is never bereft of his position on the path of liberation, which is described in this verse as śivatamāḿ padavīm.

  • Hare krishna, 

    All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

    If lots of money is involved in a sport and the results are pedetermined by that money thats gambling,But sports for exersicing and general Entertainment watch is ok. In Fact Everything in this world is a gamble ,the only gamble a devotee takes is to putting faith in krishna.

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