Why do devotees suffer?

Hare Krishna all,

pamho,

All glories to srila prabhupada!

I observed most of the devotees having many problems in relation to health and family relations compared to non-devotees. I was listening to the lecture of Rohini priya prabhu where he said Krishna personally take care of his true devotees then why do these devotees face so many problems. I know because of law of karma we suffer or enjoy but why after coming into Iskcon the life changes we start

experiencing different problems on one side we have satisfaction and on the other side we have confusion. Do we need consider this as blessing of krishna where he is slowly removing our karma?

I had discussion with one person yesterday in the train who is following some guru and praticing some yoga and when I told him about dhyana yoga and bhakti yoga he simply rejected and asked what benefit he is going to get out of this, he dont believe that any spiritual world does exists.It seems he is getting some benefits out of his yoga practise and he was asking me wether I have knowledge of my future life and past life.As Iam neophyte in devotional path couldnt give him proper answer and finally he tried to make me feel that I am living in illusion and not doing required thing in this life. I know as a neophyte I shouldnt have any discussion and never try to preach to such people.After hearing to him and seeing all the problems of devotees in my circle I am little confused.I request some devotee to throw some light on this topic.

Your Servant

Aakash

Haribol,

I will try to add some information from the little I have read and learnt from HDG Srila Prabhupadas books and my talks with devotees.

Although all human beings are most fortunate to receive this body, this body depending on previous and this current lives action is subject to karma.

So just by practising KC it does not mean we have a "karma proof vest" or become invisible to karma, no that is not the case. Instead however, Krishna is so merciful, so lets say if by the laws of karma we are to lose our entire right arm, from the shoulder to the hand, with Krishnas mercy instead we will only lose a finger. Why you may ask? As Krishna is giving us his mercy in the form of reducing the entire effect of our bad karma by just giving us a little suffering then a whole lots worth.

It is us human being however that are so misguided, selfish, stubborn and greedy that we think, oh my god I lost my finger now how will I do this and that. When instead we should be thanking Krishna for just allowing 1 finger to be lost instead of the entire hand.

With regards to your discussions on the train, I would simply think of it as an excellent experience for you to refrain from talking outside of your capacity. Srila Prabhupada always said "first say yourself, then go save others, others you will simply both drown"

As you may know already, there are several different types and styles of yoga. However Krishna said to Arjuna himself on the battlefield of kurusetra, the topmost yoga is that of Bhakti Yoga and it is most beneficial.

With regards to this fellow on the train, I think you said it yourself "he is getting some material benefits from it" and this is our problem, we humans always want something otherwise we simply think why should I do it, when factually speaking Krishna tells us, our position is that of servants, we get the most benefit by serving Guru and the devotees. Krishna is the supreme enjoyer, the best well wisher, the best friend, the best partner and therefore his is the supreme .

It is when we start to think, if I do A for this person then they will do B for me, this binds us, why? it is a business transaction that materially entangles us deeper within this world and makes us falsely think we are the "doer", we are the "enjoyer" etc etc instead the feeling of giving and doing that lead to serving others is far more superior and make you feel like you are on top of this world instead of enjoying something for 2 mins and then later regretting you never had done it but more importantly even if you dont regret it, it leaves that mark on us, that makes us feel proud and important when really we are sooooo insignificant. Understanding our real position with Krishna leads us to Bhakti Yoga and it is through devotional service that we really experience the best feelings ever,but doesnt mean to say we do it for the feelings noooooo instead we do it because we want to please Krishna.

Just like, if you had a friend, on his birthday you would buy him / her a gift, they feel happy but you feel even happier because a) they accepted your gift and b) they really really liked it that way you have served them.......the true happiness therefore is within serving.

Krishna himself during the battle of Kurusetra took the position of charioteer for his friend Arjuna. It was the charioteer back in those days who drove for the solider, due to the loud, deafening noises on the battlefield the solider would have to kick the charioteer to turn left and right just see how merciful Krishna is towards all his devotees. Imagine if your best friend kicked you every minute, how long could you put up with it? However Krishna accepted this position he knew what it meant but for his pure devotees Krishna will do anything / everything.

Hope that helps

Your Servant,

Dee

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anand patel March 20, 2012 at 11:03pm

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Mohini Madhavi dd Maral Alymova March 19, 2012 at 5:29pm

When we become Krishna Conscious it does not mean that our karma is nullified. No!

But this time Krishna uses our karma in order to purify us.

External devotee may seem that he/she is suffering but within we find that his reaction for such difficulties are different. and sometimes even he is grateful for such like difficulties. Such like difficulties may increase his devotion along with bliss.

When we become a devotee our reaction to problems will be changed and we won't suffer but be grateful. And it is a great opportunity to bow down to Krishna and beg for His mercy.

Your servant,
D March 9, 2012 at 5:05am

Haribol,

I will try to add some information from the little I have read and learnt from HDG Srila Prabhupadas books and my talks with devotees.

Although all human beings are most fortunate to receive this body, this body depending on previous and this current lives action is subject to karma.

So just by practising KC it does not mean we have a "karma proof vest" or become invisible to karma, no that is not the case. Instead however, Krishna is so merciful, so lets say if by the laws of karma we are to lose our entire right arm, from the shoulder to the hand, with Krishnas mercy instead we will only lose a finger. Why you may ask? As Krishna is giving us his mercy in the form of reducing the entire effect of our bad karma by just giving us a little suffering then a whole lots worth.

It is us human being however that are so misguided, selfish, stubborn and greedy that we think, oh my god I lost my finger now how will I do this and that. When instead we should be thanking Krishna for just allowing 1 finger to be lost instead of the entire hand.

With regards to your discussions on the train, I would simply think of it as an excellent experience for you to refrain from talking outside of your capacity. Srila Prabhupada always said "first say yourself, then go save others, others you will simply both drown"

As you may know already, there are several different types and styles of yoga. However Krishna said to Arjuna himself on the battlefield of kurusetra, the topmost yoga is that of Bhakti Yoga and it is most beneficial.

With regards to this fellow on the train, I think you said it yourself "he is getting some material benefits from it" and this is our problem, we humans always want something otherwise we simply think why should I do it, when factually speaking Krishna tells us, our position is that of servants, we get the most benefit by serving Guru and the devotees. Krishna is the supreme enjoyer, the best well wisher, the best friend, the best partner and therefore his is the supreme .

It is when we start to think, if I do A for this person then they will do B for me, this binds us, why? it is a business transaction that materially entangles us deeper within this world and makes us falsely think we are the "doer", we are the "enjoyer" etc etc instead the feeling of giving and doing that lead to serving others is far more superior and make you feel like you are on top of this world instead of enjoying something for 2 mins and then later regretting you never had done it but more importantly even if you dont regret it, it leaves that mark on us, that makes us feel proud and important when really we are sooooo insignificant. Understanding our real position with Krishna leads us to Bhakti Yoga and it is through devotional service that we really experience the best feelings ever,but doesnt mean to say we do it for the feelings noooooo instead we do it because we want to please Krishna.

Just like, if you had a friend, on his birthday you would buy him / her a gift, they feel happy but you feel even happier because a) they accepted your gift and b) they really really liked it that way you have served them.......the true happiness therefore is within serving.

Krishna himself during the battle of Kurusetra took the position of charioteer for his friend Arjuna. It was the charioteer back in those days who drove for the solider, due to the loud, deafening noises on the battlefield the solider would have to kick the charioteer to turn left and right just see how merciful Krishna is towards all his devotees. Imagine if your best friend kicked you every minute, how long could you put up with it? However Krishna accepted this position he knew what it meant but for his pure devotees Krishna will do anything / everything.

Hope that helps

Your Servant,

Dee
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anand patel March 7, 2012 at 4:54pm

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anand patel March 7, 2012 at 4:51pm

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anand patel March 7, 2012 at 4:48pm

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