My Guru Maharaja used to say that “Instead of earning your livelihood by presenting yourself as a Vaisnava, better you become a sweeper in the street and earn your livelihood. Don’t cheat.” That was the order of my Guru Maharaja. “It is better to become a sweeper in the street than to become afalse Vaisnava.”Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.34-39 — Surat, December 19, 1970Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say that if one earns hislivelihood by displaying the Deity in the temple, he is not an acarya orgosvami. It would be better for him to accept service even as a sweeper inthe street, for that is a more honorable means of earning one’s living.Antya 3.223To earn a living, one can honorably adopt the profession of a streetsweeper, but one must not change his dress to the saffron robes of arenunciate simply to fill up his empty stomach.MoG 2: Karma-yogaMy Guru Maharaja used to say that if one is inclined to collect money byshowing Deity, it is better to become a sweeper in the street. It is betterto become a sweeper in the street, because he’s earning his livelihoodhonestly.Bhagavad-gita 9.2 — Calcutta, March 8, 1972
You need to be a member of ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT to add comments!
Hare Krishna dear Devotees, my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In the reality this chanting of Hare Krishna is so powerful that even very much degraded people can be elevated to a very high levels.
As like a thief who wanted to steal Krishna's decorations. He became Krishna Conscious though he had other goals in the beginning.
Or else Kazi's soldiers just once being in contact with Devotees in Harinaam they became so much influenced by Devotees and chanting that when they came back to report to Kazi they were not able to control their tongues from chanting "Hari" "Hari" he he :)
How wonderful it is, isn't it?!
Cheater cannot hide under saffron for many, many years. It is not possible. It will become evident after some time.
Arjuna asked Krishna how to recognize a person - sage? Krishna told to observe how he sits, walks, what he eats, does, speaks...
So these are so practical things.
If we ourselves purify our heart by chanting the Holy Names we will be able to see who is a cheater and who is not. We can become a Madhyama Adhikari and see what is what.
So in Kali Yuga this Hare Krishna Mantra is very powerful medicine. Even if cheater takes this chanting he will be purified.
So we have to be very careful of our thoughts and speech, haven't we?!
By this post some may understand that we are criticizing and putting under suspicion all Devotees in saffron?!
When we expand the movement too much then there is always gathering of few percentage of people who makes their living by using krishna. And that is evident in the current krishna consciousness society also. It is far better to struggle hard in outside world like a karmi for livelihood and take shelter of krishna. Else we will be rich renounciate and cheat people and make living on their money.
Replies
Hare Krishna dear Devotees, my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In the reality this chanting of Hare Krishna is so powerful that even very much degraded people can be elevated to a very high levels.
As like a thief who wanted to steal Krishna's decorations. He became Krishna Conscious though he had other goals in the beginning.
Or else Kazi's soldiers just once being in contact with Devotees in Harinaam they became so much influenced by Devotees and chanting that when they came back to report to Kazi they were not able to control their tongues from chanting "Hari" "Hari" he he :)
How wonderful it is, isn't it?!
Cheater cannot hide under saffron for many, many years. It is not possible. It will become evident after some time.
Arjuna asked Krishna how to recognize a person - sage? Krishna told to observe how he sits, walks, what he eats, does, speaks...
So these are so practical things.
If we ourselves purify our heart by chanting the Holy Names we will be able to see who is a cheater and who is not. We can become a Madhyama Adhikari and see what is what.
So in Kali Yuga this Hare Krishna Mantra is very powerful medicine. Even if cheater takes this chanting he will be purified.
So we have to be very careful of our thoughts and speech, haven't we?!
By this post some may understand that we are criticizing and putting under suspicion all Devotees in saffron?!
It does not look so good. :(
Your servant,