If one does not have lot of worldly desires, is good at heart but not extremely devoted to Krsna(God),can they still attain moksha or atleast reach one of the urdhva lokas in the next birth? Thanks in advance!
Hare Krsna...
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Hare Krishna,
Well.. as far as I know there is one person in bhagwatam who had no wordly desires and yet had to take birth... The story appears in Bhagwatam of this person called " JADA BHARATA" . Now the person was so much averse to the worldly things that he was just sitting idle he was not inclined in doing any activity. Because he was afraid of doing any activity in this world. Because he was reminded of his past birth and he was a serious practitioner of bhakti and wanted to get vimukti in the last birth but his heart got struck to a small baby deer and because of that act of compassion which he had for the deer he had to take birth as a deer again and in the 3rd birth he realized and he had the memory of the past births so he was totally averse to do any activity itself .......because he felt if he does any activity he will make bondages with the earth again with the people and places and he may not be able to go back to Godhead ( Krishna). So he was sitting just idle. Even to walk on ground he felt OMG what will happen if I step on the ants????? In case they die because of me????????
Now is there anyone like Jada bharata?? who is knowing his past births??? who really doesn't have any worldly desires at ALL???? is the question.
Second point is -- those who just do good karma and think I have not much desires are fooling themselves.
Every karma whether is it is good or bad all karma makes you get attached to this world only.
Only karma that makes you leave this material world is devotion to Vishnu ( which gives Moksha) or devotion to Krishna ( Vimukti).
rest all lokas even until heaven or brahmaloka also is temporary stay only. Until you have store of good karma bank balance you can stay there and will be thrown back to Earth when the good karma account is used up.
If you are aspiring for moksha then you must develop devotion for Krishna/Vishnu.. ( to reach Goloka or Vaikunta loka). From these lokas there is no falling down again.
But rest all urdhva lokas are not offering any moksha/mukti they are just temporary stay there.
Hare Krishna.
Hare Krishna!
According to Vedic scriptures and the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, even if someone is not extremely devoted to Lord Krishna but has a good heart and does not have excessive worldly desires, they can still attain liberation or reach one of the higher celestial planets in their next birth. Here are three references from Vedic literatures that support this:
1. The Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.18) states, "By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact." This verse emphasizes the importance of regularly hearing and studying the Bhagavatam, which helps purify the heart and gradually develops love for God.
2. In the Bhagavad-gita (9.22), Lord Krishna assures that those who worship Him with a pure heart, even if they have material desires, will gradually become free from those desires and attain Him. He says, "To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me."
3. In the Chaitanya Charitamrita (Madhya 22.49), it is mentioned that even if one has material desires but engages in devotional service to Krishna, those desires will gradually diminish, and one will attain liberation. It is compared to a creeper that grows upward towards the sun, gradually shedding its lower branches.
Analogies and stories can further illustrate this point:
1. The story of Ajamila from the Srimad-Bhagavatam (6th Canto) demonstrates how even a person engrossed in sinful activities can be delivered by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Ajamila, who had led a sinful life, was saved from the clutches of death and ultimately attained liberation simply by calling out the name of his son, Narayana.
2. Analogously, just as a drop of water can merge with the ocean and become one with it, a person with a good heart who is not extremely devoted to Krishna can gradually merge with the divine by sincerely practicing devotional service. The process of bhakti-yoga gradually purifies the heart and leads one to the ultimate goal of liberation.
3. Consider the example of a student who may not be the most dedicated initially but possesses a genuine interest in learning. With the guidance of a qualified teacher and consistent effort, the student can gradually progress and achieve success in their studies. Similarly, someone with a good heart but less devotion can make spiritual progress by associating with devotees, studying scriptures, and engaging in devotional practices.
Remember, these references, analogies, and stories emphasize the importance of gradually developing devotion to Lord Krishna and engaging in devotional service. By sincerely practicing the principles of Vedic culture and cultivating a loving relationship with the Supreme Lord, one can attain liberation or higher celestial planets in due course of time.
Thank you for the detailed response, Prabhuji. I'll follow some of your suggestions to uplift myself. Hare Krsna...
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
It would be a good idea to join a congregation preaching in your area. That way, you will be among devotees of your age group. This is the best way to motivate ourselves towards devotion.
You have mentioned that there are not many worldly desires, so you are ripe for devotion. All you need is association, then you can go back to Krsna, after having awakened your genuine love and yearning for Him.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Thank you for the wonderful reply. I'll try and follow your advice. Hare Krsna...
Unless and untill you are cent percent purified of your misgivings and karmas , till the time you have to take births on this planet , no shifting to upper planets without massive endeavour. First thing is to put all efforts in searching spiritual master who is self realised then under his superior guidance and training one can think of going to upper planets. Purifying the existence is the key.
Thank you for the answer. I'll try and follow your advice. Hare Krsna...