Hare krishna
My family member are nondevotee and they dont alllow me to chant on beads.
some times i chant hiding my beads or on counter. i m also not a regular chanter . But I want increase my bhakti . when i dont chant or forgot to remember krishna i feel very bad and want to cry , but because of not having bhakti enviorment at my home I get capture by maya.They dont allow me offer bhog .
please help me how can i increase my bhakti and chanting?
I
Replies
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
If you are a housewife, then you must be cooking in the house? Then what is the problem in offering to Krsna before giving to family members? If they dont approve, then you can offer in the kitchen itself - before the first person takes it. Do not show it as a devotional activity - show it as a pious activity - that it will bring prosperity to the family. Then nobody will object.
Regarding chanting, again you are a housewife. I am not saying that it means that you have free time. It simply means that you are in the house longer than others. Then there must be some times when you are alone or with children only in the house. Such times, you chant. Start on a weekday, so that by the time the weekend comes, you have already chanted on weekdays and formed a sort of habit or routine. Then when your husband objects, you can say that it gives you peace of mind, relieves you from frustration of managing 2 children and the house and therefore you want to do it.
Are your inlaws also staying with you? Read Bhagavad Gita As It Is with your mother in law, both of you will enjoy it.
Regarding being too young to be getting nvolved in devotional activities, show them people in ISKCON who are much younger than you and are much more involved than you. I agree with you, sometimes its not possible to argue with family members. Then tell them that you like to pray to Krsna, not getting too involved in devotion or get some senior devotee couple to visit your house and try to preach to your family members.
Situation is not so bad mataji. A little tactful handling will solve the matter. If you show the desire, Krsna will also help you.
Read out Krsna story books to your children. Give them Krsna colouring books. Nowadays a lot of books, colouring material, activity books, bed time story books are available in ISKCON related to children. Get them and let your children access them. Things will change mataji.
Best of luck,
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi
thank u mataji for ur advice.
thank u so much
hare krishna mataji
I m a housewife , age 32,i have one daughter and a son. they r not against krishna .They say My age is not for bhakti.DO all this bhakti in old age.
most of the time i pray before eating. but i heard that if i give prasadam to my family members they will also become devotee.
mataji the problem is sometimes i want to increase my chanting and want to serve krishna as much as possible.
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
Surprising, Agarwal families are known to be pious families and most have a Laddu Gopal in the house as a tradition. Howcome your family is not passive, they are actively stopping you from chanting? Is it that they are against ISKCON or they are against Krsna?
Anyhow, if they do not allow you to chant on beads, chant on clicker/ counter. What do you do? If you are a student or a housewife or working, I will tell you accordingly.
Regarding offering bhoga, when you sit down to eat, say a small silent prayer before you start eating. Offer your plate before you eat. I know this is not even ideal, but Krsna will see the desire in your heart to serve Him and make arrangements for you to do bhakti in conducive environment. You have to show the endeavour.
Try to associate with devotees and bring some of your congregation friends home. Do not mention they are devotees if your family is against, let them simply come and be normal. Gradually, family will realise that its possible to be devotee and be 'normal'. Its nothing abnormal you are expected to do simply because you are following the path of devotion.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi