Hare Krsna,
I am in a confusion about astrology. i have an inclination to learn astrology and sanskrit. But what will be the use if it takes me away from Krsna. I just wanted to know whether learning astrology or sanskrit will help me in surrendering to Krsna and become a devotee or not. Should I spend time in learning these, in order to increase Krsna consciousness.
And How are they linked to Krsna consciousness.
Your Servant..
Replies
SB 7.6.1 — Prahlāda Mahārāja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life — in other words, from the tender age of childhood — to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection.
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Giving up all other engagements- is very important issue when devotional service is the subject.
Anyway, human life is to short :
SB 7.6.6 — Every human being has a maximum duration of life of one hundred years, but for one who cannot control his senses, half of those years are completely lost because at night he sleeps twelve hours, being covered by ignorance. Therefore such a person has a lifetime of only fifty years.
To surrender to the Lotus feet of Krishna,one needs to surrender one's body,mind and intelligence. Srilla Prabhupada often quotes: dhiya,mano,baca,artha....( You can surrender with your body as Balimaharaj surrendered,also you can surrender in your mind for 24 hours thinking obly Krishna,You can also surrender with Only Krishna Katha ,no other county talks,and if you have enough money,you can serve Krishna with it nicely.) This can be done at once at any circumstances. You don't know what time death will come. So to protect yourself, you need to surrender to Krishna as soon as possible and try to engage in His service.
Astrology deals with position of stars and planet. These stars and planets are fully dependent upon Sun. But Sun is the eye of Krishna which mentioned in B.G and Brahma Samihita.
So, if you are surrendered to Krishna in full pledge. So called Astrology can be adjusted accordingly with the sweet wills of Lord Krishna.
Again, to learn Sanskrit is of course good and appreciated. However, it is optional. If you have time enough after serving to the Lord Sri Krishna in your full capacity, you may go for learning Sanskrit.It is called Deva Bhasa and mother of all languages.Look, Gopis were village girls.They had not gone to any school or colleges to learn Sanskrit or Vedic scriptures. However, they were certified as the best devotees of Krishna by Lord Caitanya out of their unalloyed devotion to Supreme Lover Krishna. So, your love matters,not erudite scholarship to get Krishna.
Thank you,
Hare Krishna!
Whats the use of all temporary knowledge learning in this life, when soon such knowledge is going to be forgotten.
Therefore, learning about transcendental Absolute Truth is the only wise thing to learn in our short human lives, because such knowledge can save us from '' suffering '', illusion, birth and death,...
Learning about different celestials on the sky and their influence on humans, wont help in spiritual life. Similar to that, despite learning the Sanskrit can help for clear understanding Vedic scriptures, but even becoming best Sanskrit Pandita will not save from illusion.
To surrender to Lord wont help anything, but the association of those with waken love for Lord, who are always naturally armed with transcendental knowledge. Without smearing with the dust of their lotus feet first, complete surrender remains just a nice dream in the warm heads.