Hare Krishna!
I've taken admission in a college few days back and I don't like the environment much over here...Everyone is always talking about smoking, drinking and other activities which I totally loathe. I, however, do spend some of my time listening to Shri Krishna's bhajans and keep chanting his name in my mind. But I feel that my Krishna consciousness is degrading because of the environment I'm in and also feel that the amount of time I used to spend previously for Krishna has gone down considerably. Sometime I just feel like leaving this place which is not a very good option presently in my life. I know these miseries are because of my past karmic actions but help me and let me know if there's a way that I spend my time here and also advance in Krishna Consciousness. Thanks much in advance.
Hare Krishna!
Replies
Hare Krishna Prabhuji. I am very happy to see that a student like you at this stage of age is trying to improve the spiritual life style, That is pity great. Prabhuji you are very lucky that you are getting Krishna Consiousness, College life is that stage of every youth to commit very serious mistakes of life and then cursing to onself for the life time. As you are saying that most of the students are involve in ill talks & intoxicated. I would suggest you not to mingle with these people at all and do not preach or lecture them because they bounce back you but at the same time you be brave and do not bend down down your knees in front of them. Just keep yourself busy in your study while in college and if you have the time in college and you are not interested in study then just start chanting. It will really help you or keep some Srila Prabhupada books with you and read them. You can buy a chandan mala with a covering pouch from ISKCON and just chant if you don't get time in the morning then just chant while travelling it will really help you. Do not be worry about the environment as in Kaliyug you will these type of activity. You need to keep yourself pure and just pray from the Lord RadhaKrishna to keep your sense under the control. I give you example iam also working in that environment which is full of materialistic and people make fun of devotees but I fully defence the devotee and do not mingle with these non-devotee at all. So you follow these ideas and do read Srila Prabhupada Sri Mad Bhagwad Gita as it is. If you are unable to buy then give me your address details I will courier you all the pertaining things to you.
Hare Krishna
Your Humble Servant
Bhuwan Dutt Bawari
Hare Krishna!
It's all Krishna's divine grace that he considered me worthy enough that I could follow his path and advance spiritually. He always gives me power to remain away from all the negative tendencies and embrace the path of Krishna consciousness...such a merciful lord!
Chanting with the maala is not possible for me but I always make sure that I keep chanting his name in my mind. And now I'm also trying to adjust my daily schedule so that I could be able to take out some time to read Bhgavad Gita and Krishna related books. And yes, I also try to keep away from all the negative people. I'm also trying to figure out a way to visit ISCKON temple here in Bangalore at least once in a month. And thank you so much for your gesture to ask me to courier Bhagvad Gita. I'll buy it very soon here. It's Krishna's grace that he makes me interact with all the wonderful devotees who are ready to help others unconditionally. Thanks again for your help.
Haribol,
Your Servant,
Chandra Bhushan
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Leaving the place does not sound like a good option. Can you get up early - latest by 4.00 am and chant your rounds, on clicker if you cannot on beads. That way, you get up when most people in such places normally go to sleep - they party whole night and sleep only at 3.00 - 4.00 am. You will be able to chant undisturbed. That is the first step to fortify yourself from maya.
Second - read a lot of SP books. Read Bhagavad Gita everyday. It will give you strength and direction.
Associate with the 'friends' only superficially - nowadays its a fashion to say no to smoking, so that should not be a problem. Otherwise invent some far off family member who died of lung cancer because of chain smoking, therefore you have learnt your lesson and would not want to start smoking.
One min - is it a day college? Then no problem at all - become one of the studious boys around and always keep your nose inside some book or the other. Soon, people will leave you alone and go about having their fun. Use all your college time to study, so that by the time you come home you have time to do your sadhana.
At all times, take care of your sadhana by chanting your committed number of rounds attentively, without fail, and reading Bhagavad Gita. Eat only pure veg food, prefereably Krsna prasadam and observe ekadasi.
Haribol,
Rashmi
Hare Krishna!
Thanks so much for your help...It is really very helpful...I've increased the time I spend for chanting and I can already feel the change and now I've much more positive attitude. The work load is also increasing and I try to keep myself away from all kinds of negative elements. The problem is that I live in hostel and have a shared accommodation, so it's difficult to get up at 4 a.m. and chant, observe ekadasi fast etc. However, I'm trying my best to not eat onion and garlic and also not consume tea & coffee. I'm also trying to indulge myself in studies totally.
I don't get time to read Krishna related books & Gita but I'll try my best to take out some time and read it. Krishna has been helping me always and he will help me further also. Thanks so much for your help again.
Haribol,
Chandra Bhushan
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
If you can read books, it helps. At the same time, we have to be practical and see the situation at hand. Studies is the prescribed duty for you right now and the sooner you get studies behind you, finish off with whatever course you are doing, then you can find time for reading. At this time, if you read only Bhagavad Gita, it will give you strength and direction both. One shloka everyday should not be that difficult. If you can read online, go to www.asitis.com or access from www.vedabase.com.
Getting up early and chanting is also important. If you cannot get up early, atleast chant your committed rounds everyday. Simply say you are from a conservative/ jain background and do not have onion garlic. You parents found out you are having in college, they scolded you and forbade you to have, so you are not having anymore. Ekadasi days - you can develop stimach problems where you can have only milk, curd, fruits, aloo chips (classic salted) or such stuff. We think people are say this or that - people are actually so busy with themselves that noone notices us at all.Nobody will notice that this is happening every 15 days. If someone does notice and confront you, tackle it then as per circumstances.
What I am trying to say is - better to cheat the people around us and progress spiritually, rathar than cheat Krsna to keep people around us happy.
Good, I am happy with your sincerity and progress. I hope Krsna gives you His mercy and you progress spiritually a lot.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi
Hare Krishna!
Thanks again for your valuable advice...Yes I'm trying to squeeze out sometime and devote it to reading Bhagvad Gita. I read a very concise version sometime back and I remember how it changed the way I perceived the world then. I'll soon start reading the full version..what I wanted to ask is - Am I required to read the Sanskrit version or will the English version do? I'm not much familiar with the Sanskrit language. Can you please suggest me some good English versions? I was thinking of ordering this book: http://www.flipkart.com/song-krishna-illustrated-bhagavad-gita/p/it... . Or if you can suggest me some other book.
I can feel Krishna's presence near me...I just think of his lotus feet and face and all my worries just vanish away. I sometimes get the urge to eat onions but he always helps me controlling my desires and urges. Such a grateful lord! Now my next aim is to observe the Ekadhsi fast and I'm very sure Krishna will help me in achieving that too.
And you put it wonderfully: 'It is better to cheat the people around us and progress spiritually, rather than cheat Krishna to keep people around us happy.' This makes so much sense. Krishna before anything in this world. Thanks again for your help.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Chandra Bhushan