By Kaliarupa Jagannath Dasa
In the journey of Krishna consciousness, managing financial resources is not a mundane task but a sacred opportunity—a way to serve the Lord, support the community, and nurture one’s own spiritual growth. Whether one is a grihastha (a household devotee with family responsibilities), a brahmachari/Sanyasi (a celibate monk living in a temple), or a Krishna conscious individual working in the secular world, the guiding principle is universal: Wealth belongs to God, and it is our privilege to use it in God’s service. HDG Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the ISKCON, taught that “money is Krishna’s and should not be spent unnecessarily” (Letter to Bhaktijana Das, April 10, 1974). He emphasized simple living and purposeful spending—whether running a household, managing a temple, or working in a corporate setting. For devotees working outside the temple, it is essential to align professional duties with spiritual priorities: dedicating a portion of one’s income for Krishna’s projects, supporting temples, outreach programs, prasadam distribution, and book distribution—while maintaining an honest, responsible, and simple lifestyle that honors Sri Krishna’s teachings.
For brahmacharis and those managing temple funds, the responsibility is profound. Srila Prabhupada instructed, “Not a farthing should be wasted. Every paisa is to be used in Krishna’s service” (Letter Radhavallabha Das, May 25, 1972). Every donation, large or small, is a sacred trust—not for accumulation or luxury, but for Deity worship, spiritual education, and community care. Whether one is serving in a temple or contributing from a professional career, Krishna conscious financial management calls for yukta-vairagya—using resources without attachment, seeing them as tools for service rather than sources of personal gratification. The Bhagavad-gita (3.13) reminds us: “The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they accept food first offered in sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.” This principle extends to every aspect of life: income, savings, expenses, and charity—all should be seen as offerings, not possessions.
Let us remember that money is not the goal—service is. Whether in a home, a temple, or a global workplace, the essence of Krishna conscious finance is the same: earn honestly, spend wisely, save mindfully, and give generously in the service of Krishna. When we cultivate this mindset, our homes, temples, and workplaces become sacred spaces where wealth flows as a tool for devotion, not a cause for entanglement. In this way, we honour Sri Krishna’s gift of resources and transform every aspect of our lives into an offering of love at His lotus feet.
Remember: Every resource we hold is Sri Krishna’s blessing—let us use it with gratitude, purpose, and devotion.
"Yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat
Yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad-arpanam" BG 9.27
"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform—do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me."
Author:
Kaliarupa Jagannath Dasa (also known as Kumar Jagannath) is a Senior Manager – Corporate Banking at an MNC bank. With an MBA and a technical background, he actively supports ISKCON’s mission by offering his expertise in IT, finance, online and social media presence, PR and communications, and serves as an Administrative and Strategy Consultant across multiple ISKCON centres.
Email: jagannath@iskcon.net
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