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  • Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Krsna consciousness

    Expressions researched:
    "Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Krsna consciousness"

    Srimad-Bhagavatam

    SB Canto 9

    Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
    SB 9.9.33, Translation and Purport:

    Being condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, King Saudāsa devoured the brāhmaṇa, exactly as a tiger eats its prey. Even though the brāhmaṇa's wife spoke so pitiably, Saudāsa was unmoved by her lamentation.

    This is an example of destiny. King Saudāsa was condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, and therefore even though he was well qualified he could not restrain himself from becoming a tigerlike Rākṣasa, for this was his destiny. Tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham (SB 1.5.18). As one is put into distress by destiny, destiny can also put one in a happy situation. Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām (Bs. 5.54).

    • thank you shubham prabhu for a lot of information you provided. my doubts have been cleared.

  • JAI VAISHNAVAS

    JAI ACHARYAS

    HARI BOL

    NITYANANDA GAURAANGA

    MATA JI!

    YOU MAY BE LOOKING FOR THIS:

    1975 Correspondence

    Anyone who surrenders to Krishna, his destiny is changed by the omnipotency of God. He takes charge of the devotee and guides him how the devotee can go back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. This is the Mercy of God.
    Letter to Satsvarupa -- Johannesburg 21 October, 1975:

    Concerning your debate with the professor who claims that if God knows everything then His foreknowing makes men very much like puppets or machines.

    Persons who think of God like himself has no knowledge of God. He immediately becomes a mudha, fool rascal. Avajananti mam mudha (BG 9.11) . . . God is omniscient and omnipotent. He knows everything what is going to happen. Therefore to save the living entity from future calamity He says, sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (BG 18.66). . . So although He knows what is going to happen in the future, He can cancel all that was going to happen by His Grace, that is God's omnipotency. For a devotee, the future destiny is changed as confirmed in the Brahma-samhita:

    yas tvindra-gopam athavendram aho sva-karma-
    bandhanurupa-phala-bhajanam atanoti
    karmapi nirdhahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam
    govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
    (Bs. 5.54)

    "Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the original Personality of Godhead, Govinda, Who regulated the sufferings and enjoyments of fruitive activity for everyone—from the heavenly King Indra down to the smallest insect (indra-gopa). That very Personality of Godhead destroys the fruitive karma of one engaged in devotional service."

    So anyone who surrenders to Krishna, his destiny is changed by the omnipotency of God. He takes charge of the devotee and guides him how the devotee can go back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. This is the Mercy of God. He knows everything and still He says "sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam braja . . . (BG 18.66)" But, you are thinking God like you, what is destined is going to happen and even God cannot change it? Then God is impotent? This is their version, not God's. God says surrender to Me and I shall cancel all your destiny, aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah . . . God will save you from the destiny that you have created by misuse of your independence. He knows but still He is so kind. Surrender has nothing to do with your destiny, that will depend on you (the spirit-soul) because you have a little independence, a little freedom. Theirs is atheistic argument. God is not only omniscient, but also Almighty. Predestiny is there but it is cancelled if you surrender to Him, otherwise God is not the controller. Theirs is like karma mimamsa philosophy, that God is our servant and He must reward me according to my activities. If you surrender to Krishna there is no more predestiny. He knows if you do this you must suffer, so why do you suffer. You take His advice. Even if he says predestined, so why don't you surrender to Krishna now, and get out of this material condition.

    SB Canto 9

    Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
    SB 9.9.33, Translation and Purport:

    Being condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, King Saudāsa devoured the brāhmaṇa, exactly as a tiger eats its prey. Even though the brāhmaṇa's wife spoke so pitiably, Saudāsa was unmoved by her lamentation.

    This is an example of destiny. King Saudāsa was condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, and therefore even though he was well qualified he could not restrain himself from becoming a tigerlike Rākṣasa, for this was his destiny. Tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham (SB 1.5.18). As one is put into distress by destiny, destiny can also put one in a happy situation. Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām (Bs. 5.54).

    BG 18.59, Purport:

    No one can ascertain his destiny as the Supreme Lord can; therefore the best course is to take direction from the Supreme Lord and act.

    According to destiny we have to enjoy or suffer. This is called adṛṣṭa.
    Lecture on BG 13.21 -- Bombay, October 15, 1973:

    But you can change by one process. What is that? Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te (BG 7.14). If you surrender to Kṛṣṇa, then you can get out of this control of māyā. Otherwise it is not pos... Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te (BG 7.14). Then what should be our decision? That better not to try for improving our material condition of life. That cannot be changed. It is not possible. According to destiny we have to enjoy or suffer. This is called adṛṣṭa.

    Room Conversation -- June 29, 1972, San Diego:

    Guest (2): ...everything is destined, then we are probably as well destined to be Kṛṣṇa conscious or to be non-Kṛṣṇa conscious, you know.

    Prabhupāda: No. That destiny can change. Śāstra says... Destined means so far you're... Suppose you are to get, say, one thousand dollars per month. That you'll get. You try for it or don't try for it, you'll get. Therefore we should not waste our time for getting one thousand dollars. We should utilize the time for developing our Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is our philosophy.

    Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal -- June 28, 1976, ...:

    Prabhupāda: Just like a man is condemned by the law court to be hanged. Nobody can check it. Nobody can check. Even the same judge who has given this verdict, he cannot check. But if he begs for the mercy of the king, he can check it. He can go all above the law. Therefore, karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām (Bs. 5.54). In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is said that destiny can be changed by Kṛṣṇa for His devotees. Otherwise it is not possible. If one is condemned to death, Kṛṣṇa can check it. Otherwise, it is falsehood when Kṛṣṇa.... Ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi (BG 18.66)," I shall give you protection from all reaction of sinful activities." Suppose you are to be killed by somebody on account of your sinful activity. Nobody can check it, ordinarily, but Kṛṣṇa can check it.

    Room Conversation -- February 6, 1974, Vrndavana:

    Prabhupāda: Everyone is bound up by the resultant action of his karma. It cannot be changed. So śāstra says don't try to change your karma-phala. Better utilize that energy for becoming advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Because you cannot change the destiny. That is not possible. Then shall I not endeavor for improvement of my economic, economic position? No. Why? I am, because destiny, whatever you have got your destiny, you'll get it.

    Room Conversation -- October 4, 1975, Mauritius:

    Cyavana: At least we can make it comfortable in this world.

    Prabhupāda: No. That is not possible. You have already given good medicine, good physician. And why he is dying? You cannot do anything. That is your position. You may try to do, but that is futile. Ultimate is different.

    Cyavana: So by giving him medicine, maybe I can give him a better chance...

    Prabhupāda: "Maybe" can be, but it is not guaranteed. You cannot do anything.

    Cyavana: But at least I should try.

    Prabhupāda: Try. Foolishly you try whatever you like. That is another thing. But it is not under your control. You can try. That is your... Of course, you must try as a dutiful father, but you should know that you cannot take any guarantee or do anything, good or bad. That you have already said, "the destiny." That is prominent. That is prominent, not you.

    Cyavana: The tendency of the humans...

    Prabhupāda: You can do the best to train your child to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is in your power. That you can do. That is the best service, not anything else. That is not possible. If you become yourself Kṛṣṇa conscious, and if you try to make your son Kṛṣṇa conscious, that you can do. And that is the duty, real duty. Other things, you cannot do anything. That is destiny. And if you make him Kṛṣṇa conscious, then destiny can also be changed. This is the concession of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Destiny also can be changed. Karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām (Bs. 5.54). One who comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, his karma is also changed.

    Room Conversation -- October 4, 1975, Mauritius:

    ust like one man is condemned to death. Nobody can change it, but the king can change it. Only by the mercy of king he can be saved, not otherwise. Even the judge who has punished him, he cannot do it. Whatever is ordered, there is order. He cannot change it. Similarly, if you become devotee, then your destiny can be changed. A devotee never is anxious to change his destiny. That is devotee's...

    Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Like Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

    Cyavana: But if his destiny takes him away from Kṛṣṇa, then he is not...

    Prabhupāda: That is Kṛṣṇa's desire. If Kṛṣṇa desires, He can do anything. So a devotee does not interfere with Kṛṣṇa's desire.

    WHAT WE CALL DESTINY IS KARMAPHALA UNDER SANCTION OF PARAMATMA. BUT PLAN OF LORD IS DIFFERENT. IT IS JUST TO INCREASE PLEASURE OF LORD AND SO DEVOTEES ARE SOMETIMES HAPPY OR SAD BUT IT IS DUE TO PLAN. LORD DIRECTLY TAKES THE CHARGE OF SURRENDERED SOULS. BUT IT IS NOT STATIC. ALTHOUGH LORD KNOWS EVERYTHING, HE MAKES HIMSELF FORGET BY YOGAMAYA FOR PASTIMES. IT IS VERY DYNAMIC.

    JAI ACHARYAS

  • Volunteer

    Hare Krishna Aashi Mataji, please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
    it says that:

    ---duration of life

    ---intelligence

    ---wealth

    ----education 

    are already destined in one's karma. 

    Animals live by instinct and they face their karma as it is because they do not have enough intelligence to change that. 

    But Human beings have enough intelligence even to stop it completely and come out from cycle of birth and death.

    Because wealth ...duration of life is destined ...one is recommended not to work too hard so that one does not have time for spiritual practices. Work should be done as many hours so that one will have time for doing Japa, reading books and some time for personal life.

    And be satisfied with whatever is coming easily. 

    We can change karma only by the mercy of Krishna. It is not Krishna's work that we have such like destiny, no we ourselves create our own destiny by our present actions.

    Krishna - Paramatma only observes us and gives sanction to actions.

    So we can change it only by the mercy of Krishna. We are not capable to change that ourselves.

    When we start to worship Krishna He Himself takes charge of our karma. If one should suffer from cancer for example if Krishna so wishes one will have only a scratch in his body. Or if one by his destiny had to loose his leg by Krishna's mercy that karma will be reduced and one will have just pain in one's leg. 

    So it says that for a Devotee all difficulties of material ocean will become like a water pond in the foot prints of a calf. So small.

    So we can change if we go to a Person who can change it.

    Your servant, 

    • Volunteer

      We can change karma only by the mercy of Krishna. It is not Krishna's work that we have such like destiny, no we ourselves create our own destiny by our present actions.

      It most certainly isn't Krsna's work :) excellent reply mataji, learned quite a few things!

    • Excellent response mata ji. Cleared a lot of my doubts as well :)

    • thank you maral mataji for your information

This reply was deleted.